June 2015 News from the Village of Hoffman Estates Join us for Family Fun Day at the Northwest Fourth-Fest Sunday, July 5, noon to 6 p.m. You are probably already familiar with the fun activities off ered at the Northwest Fourth-Fest over the Fourth of July weekend. Th e fi reworks, parade, entertainment, food and carnival are second to none. In an eff ort to bring you even more opportunities to enjoy dur- rock-climbing wall; pony rides; and much more, along with our ing the holiday, the Village of Hoff man Estates has designated fabulous carnival and delicious food and dessert off erings. Sunday, July 5, as Family Fun Day. Th is will be a special day dedicated to you and your kids. Th ere will also be a Golf Ball Drop Raffl e at 3 p.m. For $10 a ball, you have a chance to win 20 percent of the total entry fees Th e day is highlighted by performances from Ralph Covert of collected. Th e balance of the proceeds will be used to purchase Ralph’s World, the children’s entertainer, and the equally popu- safety equipment for Hoff man Estates fi refi ghters. You can pur- lar Jesse White Tumblers. Ralph performs at 2 p.m. Th e Jesse chase golf balls online at www.hoff manestates.org, at the Village White Tumblers perform at 1 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. Hall and at the festival until 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 5. Buy as many chances as you wish. Enter today – it’s for a good cause! In addition, we have many other family-friendly attractions, in- cluding face painting; balloon animals; a water balloon toss con- Join your friends and neighbors for this wonderful day. For more test; an exotic animal exhibit; a free, high-fl ying zip-line ride; a information on the entire fi ve-day festival, turn to page 7. In this issue Growing to Greenness! . 2 Community briefs . 4 Northwest Fourth-Fest . 7 p10 p16 Historian’s notebook . 2 Health and Human Community Fishing Derby . .11 Be a good neighbor . 3 Services news . 5 Summer concert series . .12 A message from Clerk’s corner . 5 Aggressive driving info . .14 Mayor McLeod . 3 Thinking about building a June calendar . .15 swimming pool? . 6 GGrowingrowing ttoo Historian’s GGreenness!reenness! notebook By Pat Barch, Hoffman Estates Village Historian Utility bill clinics Th e day was warm and sunny item was sold off , it was sad Eventually, he became the old- On Monday, June 22, the Citizens – perfect weather for an auc- to see the end of another local est living farmer to be actively Utility Board will help Hoff man tion. I arrived at Harold Berg- farm – especially one that had farming in Cook County. Estates households get to the bottom man’s farm on the northwest been in Hoff man Estates since corner of Algonquin and Ela the 1860s. Th is past fall, he harvested his of electricity, phone and gas bills. Th e roads at about 9:15 a.m. Th e last crop. free session is by appointment only, open fi elds behind the steel Like most farms in the area, and will held be at the Village Hall barn and old chicken house the Bergman farm was a His tractors were neatly from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. were already fi lled with cars. dairy farm. With a herd of parked in the large storage People were milling about, approximately 30 cows, the building west of the house, Reviewing your utility bill with a looking in old cardboard box- crops to maintain the herd and bales of hay were piled professional can help reduce costs. es that had been loaded onto were planted and harvested high to the ceiling. Winter Register by phone at 312-263-7872, about a dozen fl atbed wagons. year after year. Th e family sold would bring the last custom- and provide your name, phone I can only assume that those the dairy herd in the late ‘60s. ers who’d load their hay, and number and event name (“Hoff man wagons used to haul hay each Th en, in 1971, the Forest Pre- eventually empty the building Estates Utility Bill Clinic”). time Harold harvested a new serve District of Cook County of that last spring planting. crop from his 36-acre farm. condemned the land on the As the auctioneer worked Visit www.hoff manestates.org/sc to Th ey were so old and weath- south side of Algonquin Road. his way through a lifetime see a video of a recent presentation by ered that I feared I’d get slivers Bulldozers tore down the milk of equipment and tractors, I the Citizens Utility Board. in my backside when I hoisted house, windmill and the barn watched Harold, sitting in a myself up onto them. that had been erected in 1903. Did you know? What remained of the farm lawn chair outside the house Residents can participate in all Th e auctioneer had set up row was the property on the north he was born in, graciously ac- cept the extended handshakes single-day recycling events and upon row of farm tools, boxes side of Algonquin Road – the of well-wishers who stopped regular drop-off s hosted by neighbor- of household items and fur- farmhouse and chicken house. by to greet him. ing communities who are members of niture. Th e style of furniture Only 36 acres of land were let you know how many years left. the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Th is June, Harold will it had served the diff erent Cook County (SWANCC). For a list celebrate his 99th birthday. generations of Bergmans, with Originally, Harold had of upcoming locations and times, Happy birthday to an amazing some pieces dating back to the decided to sow grass to prevent visit www.swancc.org/recycling/ erosion. He then realized he farmer, and a dear friend. electronics-recycling. turn of the century. could produce a hay crop to Email Pat Barch at From my perch on the wagon, sell to local horse owners, as Small electronics recycling [email protected]. I had a good view of the well as those who raced horses Small electronics (e.g., cell phones, auctioneer’s progress. As each at Arlington Park racecourse. MP3 players, etc.) are collected every day at recycling stations inside the Village Hall lobby. See details about Bike Week: June 12 to June 19 all of our recycling programs at As part of Bike Chicago 2015, Chicago Bike www.hoff manestates.org/recycling. Week will be held from Friday, June 12, through Friday, June 19. Th is week-long celebration of cycling culminates at the Bike to Work Rally, a high-octane gathering of thousands of bike enthusiasts in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Daley Plaza. Th e Rally features a complimentary breakfast for bicyclists and a complimentary bike valet, as well as organizations and businesses off ering a range of information and services for the LLocalocal bicyclistsbicyclists enjoyenjoy biking community. Th is year, several events, a rrideide tthroughhrough tthehe fforestorest ppreservereserve including a triathlon checkpoint challenge, a bike fashion show, concerts and movie For the latest information on this and screenings, are planned. For information other cycling activities, visit the Village’s about the events, visit www.bikechicago.us. “Bicycles and Pedestrians” page at www.hoffmanestates.org/bikes. The CITIZEN is published monthly by the Village of Hoffman Estates as a public information service for residents and businesses. Editor: Doug Schultz Previous editions are available online at www.hoffmanestates.org/citizen. This publication may not be reprinted or reproduced as [email protected] 2 a whole or in part without written permission from the Hoffman Estates Village Manager. © 2015. All rights reserved. Be a good neighbor Every resident plays a role in maintaining the good quality of life that we all enjoy in Hoff man Estates. It is important to make sure your property is maintained in accordance with local codes. Do your part to keep your home and yard in great shape. • Public sidewalks must be kept clear of vehicles, objects and overgrowing plants at all times. • Rights-of-way should be kept clear of items and debris, including basketball hoops, toters or other items. • Garbage and recycling toters cannot be A message from Mayor McLeod set out before 6 p.m. the night before collection day, and must be put away by Th ank you to everyone who came out to support three of 10 p.m. on collection day. our Village Trustees at the recent swearing-in ceremony at the Village Hall on Saturday, May 2. I have personally • Grass should be kept no higher than 10” tall. known Trustee Anna Newell, Trustee Gary Pilafas and • Toters and garbage cans must be stored behind Trustee Gary Stanton for many years. Each of them brings the principal building line on the side or in the rear of special qualities to this position, and, along with Trustee your property, or inside a garage. Storing toters in Gayle Vandenbergh, Trustee Karen Mills and Trustee Mi- the front of your house is not permitted. chael Gaeta, they make an outstanding team to work with. • Accessory structures, such as fences, All of them have a passion to serve the people of Hoff man sheds and decks, must be structurally Estates, and I’m honored to work alongside them. Please sound and kept in good repair. join me in wishing them success going forward.