The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
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Weekly eNews - December 15, 2022 |
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“Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance – each beautiful, unique and gone too soon.” - Deborah Whipp
The holiday season is a time when I find myself reflecting on past year’s celebrations, and those individuals who were key to the beautiful memories I have of holidays past. While to many this will seem nostalgic, it is in reminiscing that I gain a great appreciation for those who touched my life, and provided me with beautiful memories of Christmases past.
During my younger years, we had our traditions that we followed year after year; Christmas Eve at my Grandma and Grandpa Marchese’s home, where we would sit for hours enjoying different Italian dishes and desserts prior to opening our gifts. Following that, we played games with the entire family until we left for midnight Mass at their local church. When we returned from church, Grandma would take the warm chestnuts out of the oven that we would crack open and feast on. Mom and Dad would bundle us up and carry us to the car for the ride home, and then he would carry us in where mom would prepare us for bed. Christmas morning my sisters and I would wake early in order to gather around the tree waiting for our parents to join us before opening gifts. While I eagerly torn open the wrapping paper to see what Santa brought me, I always felt bad, seeing that Santa brought so little if anything for my mom and dad. Only when I became a father did I realize that the true gift that a parent receives, is in watching the happiness on the faces of their children as they open their presents.
While my Grandparents and my Mom and Dad have been gone for a number of years, the memories of those Christmases remain vivid in my memory, as well as those Christmases enjoyed watching my three sons anxiously opening their gifts from Santa. As Helen Lowerie Marshall states, "For Christmas is tradition time—Traditions that recall the precious memories down the years, the sameness of them all." For all the young families that are building new holiday traditions and to those of us who have beautiful memories of Christmases past, may this holiday season provide you joy and happiness as well as a brief reprieve from the problems in our world. Happy Holidays from all of us at the City of Darien!
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Why Do You Love the City of Darien?
As the New Year approaches, and as a way of fostering community spirit, Mayor Marchese is asking residents to share what they love about the City of Darien. We all know Darien is a wonderful place to live, share YOUR thoughts on why you are thankful for this wonderful place we call home. Send your response to Mayor Joe Marchese. Responses will be shared through Direct Connect eNews and social media. |
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City Council Meeting - December 19
City Council will meet on Monday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall at 1702 Plainfield Road.
The agenda will be posted here. |
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Holiday Service Update
City Hall will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday December 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
Refuse/Recycling Collection services will be postponed by one day for the entire week following the holiday, as the holiday will be observed by LRS on Monday December 26, 2022. Learn more.
Christmas Tree Collection will occur January 3 - January 13 at no charge on regular pickup day (January 2nd observed for New Year's Day). Trees longer than 7’ must be cut in half. Trees must be completely free of all decorations and may not be in plastic bags.
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City of Darien – Holiday Lights Tour
The popular Holiday Lights Tours are back! Tours will be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 6:30 & 8:00 p.m. and will pass the homes of the holiday lights’ winners announced at the City Council Meeting on Monday, December 19! Residents will check in at the Police Department lobby—please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour time.
This event is free and open to Darien residents. Due to the demand each year, reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Diane at 630-353-8102 or Dorothy at 630-353-8101 to reserve your seat!
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Shop Small this Season!
Choosing to shop small within our community helps to support the people and places that make Darien a Nice Place to Live! Find local businesses here. |
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Nominations Now Open for Darien
Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the year Committee is searching for a very special man or woman who has given of themselves to make Darien a "Nice Place to Live"! If you know of a person who goes "above and beyond the call of duty" ... is always there when someone needs a hand ... and who has contributed to make Darien a special place, please nominate them for this honor!
A nominee must be a resident of Darien and cannot currently be an elected official. The deadline for nominations to be considered for the current year is Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. Learn More.
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Bring Your Unused Prescriptions to Darien Police Department
The Police Department has a box for residents to drop off your unused prescriptions in the lobby of the Darien Police Department located at 1710 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561.
Please follow the instructions that are provided near the box to ensure safe disposal of medications. Dump the medicine out of its bottle and into a plastic bag you can seal, like a sandwich bag. If someone finds the medicine, they don't know what it is or who it belongs to. You can add different medicines to one bag.
The hours to drop off unused prescriptions are as follows:
Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Any questions, please call Darien Police Department Non-Emergency number at 630-971-3999.
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Welcome New Business to Darien –
LaPanza Latin American Grill
Today we are highlighting the LaPanza Latin American Grill. Check them out for an authentic taste of Latin American Cuisine, including: empanadas, churros, bowls, arepas, patacon, loaded Latin fries, salchipapas, elote and more.
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LaPanza Latin American Grill
7516 Cass Avenue # 25B
Darien, IL 60561
(630) 541-3152
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Recycle Holiday Lights
Pulling out the Christmas decorations? Don't throw out those old lights! Christmas light recycling through Elgin Recycling is available outside the Darien Police Department now through mid-February.
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Darien Lions Club
Queen of Hearts Drawing
This past week, the Ace of Hearts was revealed at position 34. The new pot will grow to approximately $20,150 for next week's drawing. Get your tickets for only $1 at Q Bar in Darien and join us for next week's drawing, on 12/19 at 8:00pm!!
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Darien Garden Club Meeting - Jan. 9
Darien Garden Club is hosting its next general meeting on January 9, 6:30 - 8:30 at St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 South Cass Avenue. The meeting will feature a presentation by Dolly Swibes Foster on Spring Tips for The New Gardener. She will lead us on a refresher course and encourage new gardeners by sharing her wealth of experience and information. All are welcome. Register here.
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Be in the Know - Help Spread the Word
Darien’s Direct Connect E-Newsletter (DC) is the City’s primary source of information for residents and businesses. Please tell your friends and neighbors about DC, forward this email to them, and ask them to sign up. Signing up is simple and can be done here.
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Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
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Darien Events and Happenings |
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Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
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Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
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(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
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Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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