From Montreal and Indianapolis to Denver and Nashville, members of the Downers Grove-based West Towns Chorus have been ringing chords on stage in the Barbershop World’s International Competition these past few years.

Although the Fine Arts Festival — a September event hosted by the village of Downers Grove for many years — is a couple of months away, it is not too soon for planners to be hard at work coordinating it. Even more impressive is the community’s efforts to promote local offerings.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are not countries Mary Carlson, Helene Fields and Sharon Maher have actually visited. In a sense, though, they have been transported there through the power of both the written and spoken word.

What does it take to be a decent docent? For tour guides at the Downers Grove Park District History Museum, the qualifications certainly are appropriate. Museum Supervisor Christa Christensen states that “a willingness to help keep history alive is the only requirement.”

Houses, history and harmony make an interesting combination — especially in Downers Grove. Houses are a part of the village’s historical fabric, and the town’s history has been memorialized in song. Recently, there was a whole concert dedicated to the topic.

 It wasn’t like pulling teeth for the Downers Grove Noon Lions Club to get member Don Tuck to serve a second term as president. Maybe that’s because saving teeth is his profession. And, of course, because he is committed to volunteerism and the causes espoused by Lionism.

Even dying of cancer, the character played by Marilyn Weiher of Downers Grove could find humor in her situation.

Teachers are also good at learning things. They make good students, even when the subject is something pretty different from what they teach.

She should be the Talented Ms. T., because “talented” is a description that fits her to a T.

Kimberly Thompson of Downers Grove is a teacher, tutor, storyteller, children’s author, community volunteer and hostess of children’s tea parties. This last reference, to yet another “T,” is but one more reason she deserves her new title.

In light of the recently held Academy Awards, movie tidbits might be of particular interest to people right now.

The Village of Downers Grove has done a wonderful job of celebrating its 175th anniversary. While the town’s heritage is also celebrated in other years, such as with its annual Heritage Festival and occasional Founder’s Day events, it would be nice to see even more attention paid to Downers Grove’s past and present — tomorrow’s history — every year. We don’t need to wait for 25-year milestones.

“They seemed mean-spirited, deceptive, clueless and just plain sad.”

This is how Downers Grove resident Joe Messina first thought of the characters in “How the Other Half Loves,” the play he is currently directing for Grove Players.
“How in the world was I to get anyone to laugh at these people?,” he said.

More than 100 parent chefs and bakers from the Downers Grove North High School Parents’ Club brought in food and beverages for the annual Holiday Tea last month.

Sorry, this column isn’t really about Elvis, dead or alive. Though it is a bit about life and death. The column I write closest to Christmas and New Year’s is usually more humorous and a bit preachy. I can’t totally forego that last part.

What are a few of our favorite things? In Downers Grove, regarding entertainment that features local talent, the list is long. Theater, dance and music groups, for starters.