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City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - November 7, 2024

Mayor's Message

We said goodbye to my son Jon on October 29, 2024, after his courageous three year battle with cancer. Jon did not let cancer define him, he chose to live each day as if it mattered. While I have grieved his loss in many ways, I have chosen to write him a letter of love that I would like to share with all of you.


Dear Jon:


First of all, I want to thank you for the 45 years of joy and happiness you provided to mom and me as well as to Lynda, Jeff, Jamie, Christie and all your nieces and nephews. During those 45 years you not only touched our lives with your love and laughter, you impacted the lives of so many of your students, your friends and your fellow staff members. 


From the conversations I have had with your colleagues, you showed great patience and understanding with your students, and your collaboration with your fellow staff members was outstanding. Their love and admiration for you was an outgrowth of your generous spirit and personality. Several stated that they will miss your funny stories and the way you could disarm an individual with your stories and your laughter. Central Middle School will not be the same without your presence and your joyful spirit.


Mom and I will always feel a huge gap in our lives; in our family room we have a picture frame with the inscription “pals forever,” and there is a picture of the three of you from a vacation a number of years ago. That picture has always been one of my favorites because it demonstrated the brotherly love you each had for one another. In many respects you were the glue that held our “pals” together with your stories, your laughter and your dedication to both Jeff and Jamie. Your love for them was always so evident in your desire to bring them together for a sporting event, or to just sit at our house and enjoy reliving stories about our family.  


Your love for family was always obvious in the time you shared with all of us, especially the time you dedicated to Jake and Ella by attending all of their sporting and school events; they looked at you like a second father, who they could always count on when they needed help or advice. No uncle or aunt has ever given as much to their niece and nephew as you and Lynda. Jake and Ella will miss you at the milestones in their lives, but I know you will always be a presence at those events.


There is so much I can say that speaks to our sorrow in losing you and the joy and happiness you gave us. I will miss my White Sox buddy, our trips to Disney World, and your strength and bravery in not letting cancer define your life. I will miss your giggle and laughter and your big hugs when we said goodbye. I will especially remember the last hug we had together the morning you left us; I will never let that go from my mind. One final thought; please do not worry about Lynda, she is part of our family, and we will always be there for her. I want you to rest assured that we will never lose her from our lives.


Jon, I will miss you more than you will ever know, and I know in my heart that someday I will be with you again. I hope you have been welcomed by all of our loved ones who have passed on, and I ask for you to look after all of us, until we join you someday in the future. It was an honor to be your father, and a gift to be your friend.


Love,

Dad

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

Veterans Day Ceremony

Monday, November 11, 11 a.m.


VFW Darien Memorial Post 2838 will host a Veterans Day memorial ceremony on Monday, November 11, at 11 a.m., at the Peace Memorial located adjacent to the north pavilion at Darien Community Park, 71st Street and Clarendon Hills Road. Join us as we honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ....

Public Works staff were out decorating the City's Christmas Tree at the Darien Historical Society located at 75th & Cass.

Pumpkin Smash

Hinsdale South High School Stadium Parking Lot

7401 Clarendon Hill Road

Hours: Saturay, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.


The Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort by communities to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing locations for residents to drop-off jack-o-lanterns to be composted.


Last year's Pumpkin Smash:

  • Composted over 241 tons of pumpkins (that’s 482,000 lbs!)
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 173.34 tons of CO2e
  • Diverted 51,828 gallons of water from landfills


Why Keep Pumpkins Out of the Landfill?

Composting is nature’s way of recycling with many benefits:

  • Avoids landfill greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organics (currently, landfills are the 3rd largest producers of methane in the U.S.!)
  • Produces a useful, nutrient-dense soil amendment
  • Pumpkins are 90% water which is great for our soil, not so good in our landfills


Learn more here.

Why You Might See More Coyotes

This Time of Year

Young start to leave their parents’ homes in fall to find their own territories


DuPage County residents might see more coyotes between now and February as young leave their parents in search of mates and territories to call their own, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.


People may also see coyotes more frequently in winter because there’s less vegetation, which means the animals have fewer places to hide. Snow on the ground makes them easier to spot, too. Coyotes are also more active because they have to spend more time foraging for food. A rise in sightings doesn’t necessarily mean a rise in the county’s coyote population, though. Still, because of this seasonal increase in activity, people with pets should be especially vigilant.


Hungry coyotes may be drawn to unsecured garbage cans, pet food, open compost piles, bird feeders, or fallen fruit under trees and shrubs. Keeping yards clean can limit these attractions. Homeowners should never intentionally feed coyotes as it leads the animals to expect food from rather than fear humans.


Coyotes play a vital role in the ecological community, keeping populations of small animals and rodents in check in DuPage County ecosystems. Visit dupageforest.org for more information on living with coyotes and ways to keep pets safe.

Darien Arts Council Presents: Vino Veritas


In the mood for a dark comedy about the perils of honesty? Come see Vino Veritas at Lakeview Middle School (701 Plainfield Rd) on November 9 & 10. In this play, it’s Halloween night, but everyone is dropping their masks. When two couples drink a strange blue Peruvian wine together, the evening turns eventful as their traditions and their relationships to one another begin to unravel. Will the truth set them free or is it another trap to escape? Get your tickets here!

Open Enrollment for Medicare


Choose your 2025 Medicare Plan by December 7 when the open enrollment plan ends. Don't wait until the last minute, find all the options at medicare.gov.


Find additional information and assistance at the DuPage County Health Department website or by calling (630) 682-7400. Or, get help comparing plans from the Senior Health Insurance Program counselors through DuPage County Community Services. Call (630) 407-6500 between 8:30am and 4:30pm on weekdays to schedule an appointment.

Recycle Your Yard Signs and Rx Bottles in DuPage

421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton

{Follow Recycling Event Signage at Main Entrance}

November 15th · 3 pm – 5:30 pm

November 16th · 9 am – 12 pm


DuPage County Environmental Committee is pleased to offer the opportunity to recycle political and other corrugated plastic and cardboard signs for recycling. LRS will collect signs and metal stands at no cost. Only corrugated plastic and cardboard will be accepted. Metal stands must be separated from signs prior to drop off. If you have questions, contact DuPage County at 630-407-6700 or email Recycle@dupagecounty.gov. Find more recycling events here.

Citizen of the Year Nominations are Open


The Citizen of the Year Committee is searching for a very special person 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!


Nominees must be residents of Darien and not currently serving as an elected official. The deadline for nominations to be considered for the current year is Monday, January 6, 2025. Learn more and make your nominations here.

Visit the Darien Park District


For over 100 years the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has strived to protect and improve the county's natural areas while providing high-quality educational and recreational experiences for the people who call DuPage home. This is a great time to visit the forest preserves and participate in educational programs.

Watch City Meetings Virtually


Did you know that you can watch City Council meetings on YouTube through a link at the top of the meeting agenda? The link will take you right to the live meeting and if you miss the meeting all together, you can still watch the recording using the same link! Find meeting agendas on the City Website here and never worry about missing a meeting again.

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.
Community News & Events
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events!

Hinsdale South High School Class of 2029 Registration


It is time to register your student at Hinsdale South High School.

Find out how here.

DYC Volleyball Registration is OPEN for 2024/25 (view flyer): link


DYC Soccer Registration is OPEN for 2024/25: link


Darien Woman’s Club Fall Member Registration is now OPEN: link


Darien Arts Council Presents: Vino Veritas - November 9 & 10: link


Darien Garden Club: Crafting Home & Personal Care Essentials - November 11: link


Tree Lighting Ceremony - November 17: (view flyer): link


DGC Sprouts: A Creative Eventing - November 20: link


Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
November 7, 2024 Police Press Release Here
Darien Events and Happenings
Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!

Connect with us!

Mayor Joe Marchese, (630) 200-2390

Bryon Vana, City Administrator,
(630) 353-8114

City Hall (630) 852-5000

Police Department (630) 971-3999


Community Development (630) 353-8115
Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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