The Winfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has appointed a nominating committee to fill four positions for three-year terms coming open in 2009. Serving on the committee are Patty Shupp, Linda Chirikos, John Czech, Matt Suddarth, Angel Oakley and Kathe Doremus. Chamber members will vote for the selected officers at a candidates night at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. New officers will be installed at the annual inaugural dinner in January.
Trustee appointed
The Winfield Library Board appointed Ida Lee to fill a vacancy left open when Linda McNamara moved. Lee will run for election in April for a four-year term ending in 2013.
WU Oktoberfest
Winfield United volunteers had a successful Founder’s Picnic, when Mary Ann and Ron Barzo hosted the Oktoberfest-themed event Oct. 11.
The couple booked German musicians, served German wine and beer, and screened an outdoor movie.
Party time
It was a festive setting at the Young at Hearts meeting in October, when birthday celebrants observed 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays and couples married 50 years or longer were honored. Brightly patterned tablecloths covered serving and buffet tables. Each celebrant received a corsage from coordinator Kathy Skrobutt. A Patsy Cline compact disc provided background music throughout the morning and afternoon. St. John’s pastor, the Rev. Frank Vitus, welcomed guests, congratulated celebrants and gave the invocation.
In keeping with the festive mood, the buffet luncheon was fabulous. The event is a potluck, and if participants are unable to bring a dish to pass, Skrobutt accepts a small cash donation. The menu featured broasted chicken, pork tenderloin, rotini pasta, sandwich loaf, potato salad, carrot salad, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, Jell-O molds, an array of dill, sweet and bread and butter pickles, chocolate cake, lemon blueberry coffee cake and ice cream. Everyone was invited to enjoy seconds from the abundance of food. Leftovers were put in containers for guests and members to take home.
After lunch, Skrobutt read a list of names and ages of birthday celebrants and the names of couples and what anniversary they were celebrating. Sophie Kohut was the oldest at 91, and Jane and Chuck Snail the longest married couple at 61 years.
The Next Young at Hearts meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, with lunch served at noon in Sebahar Hall on the lower level of St. John’s new church on Liberty Street.
Market closes
Five farmers’ stands were still in operation as the season wound down for the Winfield Chamber’s farmers market at Prairie Trail shopping mall. The severe rain Sept. 13 and 14 took its toll, and Noffke Farms was forced to end its run prematurely. Yesterday was the final Wednesday for the market.
Library events
Winfield Public Library offers a variety of programs, crafts, stories and movies for youth and adults.
A Crafters Circle will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22. This fall, the library is helping Project Linus, a volunteer organization that provides handmade security blankets for children suffering from illness or trauma. Knitting and crochet instructions will be available at the front desk for ages 9 to adult; no registration is needed. Two Winfield residents have belonged to this group, Mary Jo Mattson and Karen Brearley.
The movie “Stardust” will be shown from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17. The film is a tale of Tristan’s quest to find a star in the magical kingdom of Stormhold. It is based on the book by Neil Gaiman. The movie is rated PG-13 for youth ages 13 to 18. Registration is necessary by calling the library at (630) 653-7599.
Survey results
In a past edition of Winfield Stuff, the Chamber of Commerce newsletter included a Good Old Days survey for residents to fill out and send in.
Chamber Executive Director Rich Bysina was amazed to receive the first response in the mail Oct. 18, six weeks after the festival ended. Comments were from a 42-year-old male resident who liked the new beer tent rules and food options. Responding to the survey’s question asking what he didn’t like, the answer was “very little not to like.” Changes or improvements to make? “Not sure, really liked the overall feel of this year’s event.”
“Last year, we had more people who sent in their opinions,” Bysina said. “Why? Because there were so many things not to like about last year’s Good Old Days. People will always respond more often when they have something legitimate to criticize. This year’s Good Old Days had so many positive things going for it that people found it difficult to criticize (anything) of any major significance or we would’ve heard about it, for sure.”
But as good a job as everyone did — including a record number of residents, even nonresidents and volunteers — there’s always room for improvement. Let’s keep that in mind as planners meet early in 2009. If anyone has any ideas for a theme for the 2009 Good Old Days, let’s hear them. Call Bysina at (630) 682-3712 with suggestions or comments.
And have a happy and safe Halloween!
Winfield, IL —
