Hanover Township lands $600,000 open space grant
Hanover Township has been awarded a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop eight acres of green space on its Tiknis Campus in Bartlett.
“We could not be more excited with this award,” township Supervisor Brian P. McGuire said in a news release. “Since 2009, the township has created nearly 50 acres of open space for the enjoyment of township residents. With these funds, we are able to expand our outdoor footprint to build more programs and opportunities for residents to be outside and active.”
The development site is adjacent to the Town Hall at 250 S. Route 59 in Bartlett. Improvements include installation of an asphalt and boardwalk trail, an outdoor classroom, gazebo, discovery dock on the property’s wetland and fitness station, the release said. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2025.
Additional township green spaces include Runzel Reserve, north of the Senior Center on Route 59 in Bartlett, the 13-acre Izaak Walton Reserve at 899 Jay St. in Elgin, Lenoci Reserve at 735 Stowell Ave. in Streamwood, and four reserves in and adjacent to the Bridlewood Subdivision along Shoe Factory Road in unincorporated Hoffman Estates.
Hanover Township serves more than 100,000 residents in portions of Elgin, Bartlett, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg.
New Atrium at Oak Crest outreach director starts Club 120
Leah Unser is the new community outreach director for the Atrium at Oak Crest in Elgin and will oversee the nonprofit senior living facility’s new Club 120 programming.
Unser previously was a sales manager, on-air personality and director of the “Radio Shopping Show” at WRMN (1410 AM) in Elgin for more than 10 years. Prior to that, she worked as a saleswoman for ESPN radio and as an assistant producer, producer and on-air personality at WBEV and WXRO radio in Beaverton, Wisconsin.
Club 120 offers free, public programs on a variety of topics at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 4 p.m. Thursdays.
Upcoming programs include:
- Jan. 7 — Tech Talk with Chris and Jim Guld, owners of Geeks on Tour;
- Jan. 8 — Ageless Grace, fitness for the body and brain;
- Jan. 9 — Juliann Dybvik, Medicare insurance agent;
- Jan. 14 — Tech Talk with Chris and Jim Guld;
- Jan. 15 — Chair Yoga;
- Jan. 16 — Living with Alzheimer’s;
- Jan. 29 — Chair Yoga;
- Jan. 20 — TaiChi.
The Atrium at Oak Crest is at 204 S. State St. For more information, call Unser at 847-742-2255, email leah@oakcrestatrium.org or go to oakcrestatrium.org.
Larkin grad and Broadway star to perform Friday with ESO
Grammy-nominated Broadway performer Courtney Reed, a graduate of Larkin High School in Elgin, will sing with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra during its 7:30 p.m. concert Friday, Jan. 10, at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.
Reed originated the role of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Broadway production of “Aladdin,” for which she received a Grammy nomination as part of the cast album. She has also appeared on Broadway in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “The Heights,” and “Mamma Mia!”
Reed first appeared on The Hemmens stage when she was 6, playing a mouse in a Children’s Theatre of Elgin production of “Cinderella,” according to the center’s website. She studied theater in high school at the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Academy.
ESO concert tickets range from $22 to $39. They can be purchased at www.hemmens.org/tickets.
