Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Hinsdale, Illinois • Volume XV, Issue 32 • 56 Pages • $1 on newsstands Community journalism the way it was meant to be It takes a tulip — or a few thousand. Tulips have painted the village in a rainbow of colors this spring. While the weather has been keeping us all guessing as to what season it is, it seems it was perfect for the tulips. Whether residents choose a few or a few thousand — like one home in the 800 block of South Madison — the flowers have provided a colorful backdrop for our finicky spring. (Jim Slonoff photos) Hinsdale Historical Society Check out expert’s tips to get ‘Summer’ season team previews Junior Board next up in series. garden ready for summer. continue in Sports. Page 7 Page 14 Page 54 Page 2 • April 29, 2021 • The Hinsdalean NEWS HC pool supporters donate $1.6 million By Pamela Lannom from the community. Additional of what I am as an individual — just for taking the time to listen back in [email protected] funds were obtained through value the positive parts, not the negative May of 2019 when this was hypothet- engineering. parts — to Hinsdale swimming and ical,” Allegra said. “There is no doubt After almost two years of fundrais- The new facility will bear the name Don.” that none of this would have been ing, the Friends of the Don Watson of the late Don Watson, the legend- Tidmarsh, who was part of four possible if it weren’t for you, your Aquatic Center were able to pres- ary coach who led the Central varsity state championship swim teams and partnership and your creativity.” ent a $1.6 million donation to the boys swim team to 12 consecutive won five state titles, noted the dire Fundraising committee member Hinsdale High School District 86 state titles. need for a new facility. and former swim coach Carol Bobo Board last week. More than 240 people, represent- “Forty-three years ago when I last said supporters walked through the “It really was a pure team effort ing all 62 years of Hinsdale swim- swam in that pool we thought it was natatorium Friday morning after to get to this goal of raising $1.6 ming and other supporters, contrib- old and decrepit and on its way out presenting the check Thursday million,” Vince Allegra, a former uted to the total, Allegra said. then,” he said. night. stand-out swimmer at Hinsdale “The rumors are true — we actu- Allegra also thanked athletic “It was just very surreal,” she said Central and fundraising committee ally had people from LT and St. director Dan Jones and Principal Bill Friday. “It was very exciting last member, said at the board’s April 22 Charles,” he said with a laugh. Walsh for their cooperation. night, just the culmination of a long meeting. George Tidmarsh, a 1978 graduate “You have been fantastic. We time of talking about this, for years, The contribution made it possible who swam under Watson, was the know that with your diligence and and trying to figure out how we were for the district to build a 10-lane pool lead donor in the effort, agreeing oversight, this swim facility will be going to do this. instead of the six-lane pool approved early on to match the first $750,000 the best swim facility in the state of The $20.5 million facility should in the April 2019 referendum. Five raised. Illinois,” he said. be finished in June. Bobo said a ded- months after the referendum “I’m very honored and grateful to Superintendent Tammy Prentiss ication ceremony is planned for Aug. passed, board members agreed to be here representing hundreds of easily could have pushed the group’s 20 in conjunction with the girls red spend an additional $3.5 million to donors,” Tidmarsh told board mem- plan aside, he noted. and white intersquad meet. Details build a 10-lane pool — with support bers. “I owe a tremendous amount “Tammy, I can’t thank you enough will be announced at a later date. Building inspiration D86 is offering vaccine clinic for students By Pamela Lannom to eight positive cases and [email protected] 32 in quarantine two weeks earlier. The number in quar- Hinsdale Central students antine climbed to 203 on age 16 and older interest- April 23, with one additional ed in receiving a COVID- positive case. 19 vaccination will be able Prentiss said the defi- to get one at school next nition of close contact has month. remained at six feet even Superintendent Tammy though students now are Prentiss announced last allowed to sit three to six week that she had arranged feet from each other. She for the district to receive 6,000 emphasized that two weeks Pfizer vaccinations through after receiving a second shot Mike Mandarino, George Rodgers and its partnership with Jewel (or the single Johnson and Frank Muschetto connect some 2-by- Osco for students in Hinsdale Johnson vaccine), students 4s and Mike Perry and Rodgers check High School District 86 and no longer need to be quar- a measurement during construc- Downers Grove High School antined. tion of Inspiration House Monday. District 99. “Just a reminder, fully Participants in the upcoming Walk for Clinics will be held May 20 vaccinated students are not Wellness Sunday — many of whom at Hinsdale Central and May close contact, so there is are walking at other sites due to 26 at Downers North, with value in becoming vaccinat- the pandemic — will receive a fabric the second shots adminis- ed if you are age-eligible,” ribbon on which they can write the tered three weeks later, she she said. name of a loved one they are remem- said at the April 22 board Unvaccinated students bering as well as messages of love, meeting. are not mandated to partic- hope and inspiration. The DuPage A handful of parents who ipate in the clinics, Prentiss Woodworkers, of which Rodgers is submitted comments elec- wrote in a Friday email to president, have donated their time and tronically complained about district families. expertise to construct the Inspiration the number of students in “Please know that while House, which was sponsored by quarantine. As of April 16, we strongly encourage our Creber Construction. (Jim Slonoff the district had 18 posi- students to get vaccinated, photos) tive cases and 155 people we are not requiring it,” she in quarantine, compared said. The Hinsdalean • April 29, 2021 • Page 3 ONCE UPON A TIME RESULTS MATTER, EXPERIENCE COUNTS Calling all cars — From See Why Over 100 Buyers & Sellers Gave Kim 5 Stars Sandy Williams’ book, “Images of America — Hinsdale,” this photo- graph is of Hinsdale’s first police chief, John Thinking Of Moving In 2021, Nicholson. “John Nicholson was named CALL KIM TODAY! chief of police in 1902, a job he held for 24 630.533.8800 • [email protected] years. A two-man force KIMLOTKA.COM walked patrols, using bicycles or Nicholson’s own horse when nec- essary. Automobiles began arriving in Hinsdale about 1903, BEST CLEANERS and occasionally one IN TOWN! would be appropriat- ed to pursue a felon. FOSS ORGANIC CLEANERS It was not until about Quality Service ~ Natural Process ~ ENVIRONMENTALLY Safe 1921 that Hinsdale pur- chased a vehicle exclu- sively for police work.” Experts in the cleaning of household items: Do you have a Hinsdale • Comforters & Sheets • Tablecloths & Napkins photo that is at least • Duvet Covers & Pillows • Draperies & Rugs 25 years old? We’d love to share it with our * EXPERT ALTERATIONS * readers. Stop by our office at 7 W. First St. Pick Up and Delivery Service Monday & Thursday or email it to jslonoff@ thehinsdalean.com. 410 CHESTNUT ST. • HINSDALE • (630) 323-2323 (Hinsdale Historical Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; Sat 8am-5pm Society photo) IN THIS ISSUE The Hinsdalean ASK AN EXPERT ..................................................... 14 One town. One paper. CLASSIFIED............................................................. 44 GOOD NEWS ........................................................... 16 READER ADVISORY BOARD NEWS ......................................................................... 3 OBITUARIES ............................................................ 12 Ben Bradley Eileen Sachanda OPINION .................................................................. 10 OUT & ABOUT ......................................................... 18 Richard Ciccarone Leslie Savickas POLICE ...................................................................... 8 Bill Facinelli Lynn Walsh PROFILE .................................................................... 9 Happy Birthday! PULSE ...................................................................... 17 Denise Joyce Dr. Christine Winter Nicholas Thomas PUZZLES ................................................................. 49 turns 10 May 1 SPORTS ................................................................... 54 Pamela Lannom Jim Slonoff Delivery Obituaries The Hinsdalean Editor, Ext. 104 Publisher, Ext. 105 The Hinsdalean is available by Obituaries are published free mail to those living outside of each week in The Hinsdalean. [email protected] [email protected] Hinsdale for $79 for six months Information may be mailed, 7 West First Street or $149 for one year. Email faxed or emailed to news@ Hinsdale, Illinois 60521-4103 version is $25 per year. To thehinsdalean.com. 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