From Mike McCurry’s “Talk of the Town” column in The Clarendon Courier, November 23, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving!
As you choke down your turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, just remember that tomorrow is Black Friday, which means Christmas is just around the corner. Doesn’t it seem as though we just put Halloween back in our attics, and are now speeding through the holidays like we’re on an eight-lane highway?
It’s time to slow down a little.
After all, isn’t that one of the reasons you moved to this charming little village of Clarendon Hills? It’s the charming part that really shines during the holiday seasons. With all of its little shops and small restaurants, it’s easy to be recognized by name, and to know the owners of these shops personally.
It’s time to pull into the slow-lane, and make your next stop the annual Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk next Friday night, Dec. 1. The Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event as a gift to residents each year. By definition, a chamber of commerce is designed to drive business for its members’ establishments. But this evening is different. The businesses are open for the night to celebrate the holidays and you: the people of Clarendon Hills.
There are no Black Friday specials being served, but you might find a homemade treat or something yummy to drink made personally by the one of the business owners.
Sadie will be in her English Garden Flower Shop greeting people; Kelly will have Vintage Fresh open, serving her homemade sliders; the guys at Do It Best (Clarendon Hills) Hardware usually pour their famous punch; Krista will be packed at Talley’s; and you can usually find Joelle (the owner’s daughter) making a visit to Joelle’s Hallmark store. And you know Angelo (the friendliest face in town) will be open at Brama La Pizza to give good cheer.
If you get to town by 6 p.m., you will see the tree-lighting, as it kicks off the event at the village hall, just north of the railroad tracks. Afterwards, the crowd crosses the tracks into the business district where live music is being piped into the streets from my office at Coldwell Banker. When they hear the loud holiday music, people are often surprised to find that the band is actually playing right in our corner windows. And all at once, like a swarm of locusts coming through town—and into my office—that first wave hits! My colleagues and I do our best to keep up with the demand of pouring and resupplying the food trays. We’re not alone—all of the businesses are ready and excited to greet guests.
Santa usually gets into town around 7 p.m., meeting with the children at the J. Kenneth Sloan Memorial Triangle. His elves serve up hot chocolate, while the Clarendon Hills firemen dish out hot roasted chestnuts.
The horse-drawn carriage runs all night. With all of the exciting building construction going on around town, the route is a little different this year. So make sure to jump in line early, because this ride is very popular.
The chamber pulls out all the stops with a live ice sculpture carving, a mime that strolls around town, and carolers entertaining with their well-known Christmas favorites.
The best part of the evening is visiting with the people you know, with the businesses owners in town, and slowing down in the best and most charming little village of Clarendon Hills.
Mike is a Clarendon Hills resident; husband; Indian Princess; Indian Guide Dad; a Coach; an “old” football player and a real estate broker. Mike’s columns are usually crafted about the buzz in and around the area. It sometimes has a spin on real estate or cultural information, highlight a new business or announce school happenings. He might include a “get-to-know” about some of our interesting residents and even a little about history. Whatever it is, it is sure to be about the “Talk of the Town”.