The 630 | May 2016

By Naperville Magazine
May 2016 View more 630

Photo courtesy Morton Arboretum

Ribbit! The Exhibit

Through September 25
Explore a collection of 23 larger-than-life copper frogs taking part in a variety of activities, including playing instruments, catching butterflies, and meditating on a lily pad. Displays include the “Tree Frog,” who will be nestled in a stately white oak, “Zenny,” relaxing on his lily pad in the fountain of the May T. Watts Reading Garden, and the “Jazz Trio,” set in the Arboretum’s Arbor Court. The statues are the work of North Carolina-based sculptor J.A. Cobb, who fashions his work from sheets of copper around steel armatures. More than 500 pounds of sheet copper was used to create the sculptures with an average of 120 hours to create one piece. The Exhibit is free with Arboretum admission. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. For more info visit, www.mortonarb.org.

Photo courtesy Naperville Park District

2016 Battle of The Bands

May 6, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
High school student rock bands compete in the Naperville Park District Youth Ambassadors’ annual Battle of the Bands contest. This event is free and open to the community. Friends and family members are encouraged to cheer on their favorite bands. The event will take place at the Community Concert Center in Central Park,104 E. Benton Ave. The first place winner will perform at Ribfest at a time to be determined and will advance to the Illinois Park District Association’s Regional Battle of the Bands with a chance to perform at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The Youth Ambassadors is a group of high school students who work with the Naperville Park District to plan community-wide special events for teens each year.

Creation Concert

May 6, 7 p.m.
The combined choirs of Saints Peter and Paul and St. Raphael Catholic Churches present The Creation by Haydn with a joint choir, full orchestra and soloists. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., St. Raphael Church with a pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $10 – $40 and are available at www.showclix.com/events/haydns-creation at or by calling 630.615.7651.

Naperville Park District Canine Dog-Disc Championships

May 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bring your dog and compete in this unique event sponsored by the Windy City K-9 Disc Club. No experience is required. All dogs must be on leashes and immunizations must be current. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration will be done onsite the day of the event. The cost for first-time competitors is $5, Intermediate Division, $10, Open Division, $12. Riverwalk Warming House, 736 Sindt Court, Naperville. For more info, visit www.napervilleparks.org or call 630.848.5000 to register.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Brookfield Zoo

May 8, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
There is no better way to celebrate Mom than with a tasty brunch at Brookfield Zoo. The all-you-can-eat buffet will take place in the zoo’s Discovery Center. Dining options include omelet and carving stations, French toast, salmon, grilled chicken, beef kabobs, Caesar salad, vegetable accompaniments, sweet treats, and other scrumptious dishes. Afterward, head out into the park to see all the animals. Seatings are limited and reservations are required. Cost of brunch: $39.95 includes zoo admission and parking, $29.95 for children 3-11 years and seniors and children under 2 are free. Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. For more info visit www.czs.org or call 708.688.8355.

Naperville CAPS Recognition Dinner

May 12, 6:30 p.m.
The Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) board will hold its annual dinner recognizing Naperville Police Department personnel for outstanding service. CAPS is a tax exempt, nonprofit community group that recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City of Naperville. Each year, residents are asked to nominate public safety employees who have displayed an interest in Naperville’s residents in a manner above and beyond the call of duty and exhibited a genuine concern for the welfare and well being of all citizens. The CAPS board selects individuals from nominations submitted to receive awards during two events hosted annually, one in the spring for the Police Department and one in the fall for the Fire Department. Recognition for police department personnel includes the George Pradel Award, a coveted award bestowed to a law enforcement officer whose performance epitomizes the heart and spirit of a public servant by going above and beyond. Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. Space is limited and tickets are available for purchase at the Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave. For more info, visit www.napervillecaps.com.

Photo courtesy Maia Rosenfeld

Joan Curto

May 15, 6 p.m.
Joan Curto sings Cole Porter, from major to minor. Called “a cabaret icon” by NBC 5 Chicago, Joan Curto returns to North Central College with her show celebrating the songs of Cole Porter appropriately titled “Joan Curto Sings Cole Porter, From Major to Minor.” This show has enjoyed sold-out performances in Chicago, New York, and Michigan. Most recently, Curto was headliner at the Cole Porter Festival in Peru, Indiana, Cole Porter’s hometown. Praised by the Chicago Tribune’s noted jazz critic Howard Reich as “a seasoned interpreter who makes the most of every note,” Curto will offer audiences a glimpse into the extensive catalogue of Porter, a supreme master of sophisticated popular song. Known for her thoughtful interpretations and powerful vocals, Curto will feature classic Porter tunes and some lesser-known songs – some of the cleverest, funniest and most romantic songs ever written. North Central College, Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. For more information visit finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Photo courtesy Paramount Theatre

Rat Pack Show

May 21, 8 p.m.
World-renowned actor and comedian Buddy Hackett was a lifelong friend of the Rat Pack. Together, the five guys were the epitome of cool, ruling the Las Vegas strip and creating a smooth style that’s still emulated today. Now, years later, Buddy’s son Sandy Hackett and his crew are bringing the boys’ timeless Vegas show to the Paramount Theatre stage in Aurora, reminding everyone that the Rat Pack is still one of the hottest acts around. Critics have been saying it for years; with Sandy’s personal connection to Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey, this show is the closest you’ll get to seeing the boys back under the stage lights.

Out of respect for our patrons, children ages 2 and under are not permitted in the theater unless they attend a specific designated children’s show. The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. For more info, visit www.paramountaurora.com or call 630.896.6666.

Making Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Annual Walk

May 21, 10 a.m.
Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to support the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis. The funds raised from Great Strides provides people with CF the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to high quality, specialized care. Walks are held at nearly 500 locations nationwide and are open to the public. Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students, co-workers and colleagues to come together in support of a worthy cause. Participants can form walk teams at their workplace, through their clubs and organizations, or with friends and family. Walk day is a fun, family-oriented event with a healthy 5K walk, children’s activities, food, and festivities that participants look forward to year after year. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. The 3-mile walk starts at 10 a.m. For more info, visit www.fightcf.cff.org.

Photo courtesy Naper Settlement

Civil War Days

May 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Naper Settlement is transformed into a Civil War encampment where visitors can meet famous figures of the past and experience firsthand a turbulent time period in our nation’s history. Hundreds of re-enactors participate, staging a battle complete with raging cannons and marching infantry. Learn how the nation changed through the insights of famous people who made a difference in history. An annual tradition at Naper Settlement for over 25 years, the family-friendly event features food, fun and shopping on “Sutler’s Row” for traditional Civil War-era reproduction products. The battle takes place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at the Door: $15/adult/senior; $10/youth (4-12) Advance tickets: $10/adult/senior; $5/youth (4-12). Under 4 years of age and Naper Settlement members are Free.

Photo courtesy Centennial Beach

Centennial Beach Opens for the 2016 Season

Starting May 28, 11 a.m.
2016 marks Naperville Park District’s 50th anniversary and the 85th anniversary of Centennial Beach. Look for special plans to commemorate each anniversary. Kick-off the summer swim season at Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave. Jump into summer as you swim in Centennial Beach’s historic stone quarry. It’s not a swimming pool, it’s not a lake, but a swimming experience like no other. Wade into the zero-depth entry and swim to depths of 15 feet. For generations, Centennial Beach has been the local “swimming hole” for many Naperville residents and their guests. It’s a great place to meet friends, gather with family, or simply relax and enjoy. Naperville residents $8, nonresidents $12. Visit www.centennialbeach.org for information you’ll need to enjoy your day at the Beach.

18th Annual St. Charles Fine Art Show

May 28 and 29
The award-winning, highly regarded show features the work of 100 juried artists in various mediums including watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood, glass, which are exhibited and available for sale during the event. Riverside Avenue, downtown St. Charles. For more info, visit www.downtownstcharles.org.

Photo courtesy Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society

Festival of Flight

May 28 through September 5
Brookfield Zoo’s bird show, Festival of Flight, soars back to town this summer beginning Memorial Day weekend. Guests will fly high with excitement while watching birds demonstrate their natural flight abilities during this interactive experience. The 20-minute show, which features nearly 20 bird species, is free with general zoo admission. Zoo-goers will look on in amazement as a grape is tossed for a trumpeter hornbill to catch in mid-air and as a Eurasian eagle-owl soars inches above them. Laughter will be hard to control when an Amazon parrot mimics human speech, and the audience can watch the skill of a red-legged seriema as it demonstrates its natural behavior of capturing prey. During the presentation, guests will also feel the wind in their hair as the Andean condor with its 10-foot wingspan soars just above their heads, and members of the audience may want to open their pockets, as a crow scans the crowd for donations that help support endangered species in the wild. Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. For more info visit www.czs.org or call 708.688.8355.

Naperville Memorial Day Parade

May 30, 10:30 a.m.
Hosted by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post #43, Naperville’s annual Memorial Day Parade will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Naperville. The parade steps off from Jackson and West Street and will travel east to Washington, north to Benton, and east to Saints Peter and Paul church parking lot.

40 Under 40

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of the Naperville Chamber (YPN) hosted the inaugural Four Under 40 Achievement Awards on Monday, March 21. The event recognized four young professionals in the Naperville community who embody the principles of the YPN mission including: leadership, professional growth and professional development. The event recognized the following honorees:

Lauren DeSimone
Family Shelter Service

Lauren serves as a development professional for Family Shelter Service where her primary focus is annual giving, donor and board relations, volunteer management and database administration. Over the past eight years, she has worked with a variety of nonprofits, as well as an active member of the Naperville YMCA Board of Directors, Naperville Jaycees, YPN and a founding member of the new Exchange Club of DuPage County where she serves as president-elect. Lauren also serves on the planning committee for the Chamber’s Legacy Circle and was recently selected to be a fellow of the Community Memorial Foundation’s 2016 “Ladder to Leadership” Program in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership.

Michael Sitrick
DuPage Foundation 

Michael is vice president for advancement. In this role, he works closely with the board, committees and senior leadership to devise and implement successful development, marketing and organizational strategies. Michael effectively communicates the impact of its programs, educates the community about the benefits of charitable planning, while helping individuals and organizations accomplish their charitable goals. Michael is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association. He is also vice president of Suburban Chicago Planned Giving Council, a member of the program committee for the West Suburban Philanthropic Network, for which he previously served as a board member and its Philanthropy Awards chair. He is also a member of the DuPage County Estate Planning Council, the Illinois State Bar Association, and Wheaton Drama, Inc.

Chad Pedigo
Bridge Communities, Inc.

With a passion for entrepreneurship and leadership development, Chad seeks out opportunities to connect and support local businesses, not-for-profit and community organizations, and local community leaders. Chad is a lifelong student seeking new opportunities to grow and learn every day, and attributes the Young Professionals Network within Naperville’s Chamber as one way he is able to do so. Chad is the special events manager with Bridge Communities, Inc. and currently serves as president of the Naperville Jaycees, a facilitator for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute, and gives his time as a board director for Naperville Community Television and Commissioner for the City of Naperville’s Advisory Cultural Commission.

Erin Doepel Wikstrom
Doepel Retirement Planning Group of Raymond James

Erin has always known that her career path would revolve around helping others simplify their lives; she began pursuing a career in the financial services industry knowing that it would allow her to do just that. In July 2015, she was recognized as one of Raymond James’ Northern Division Top 10 Year-over-Year Trailing 12 Month Growth for New Advisors. Erin is dedicated to providing a better community by volunteering with Naperville Junior Woman’s Club, serving as Chair of Women in Business, and leading a Bible study for her small group at church. She also has enjoyed participating in various mission trips through her church and finds that being bilingual has been of special importance when serving Spanish speaking communities.