May 9, 2022

Last week I had the privilege of attending a celebration of the upcoming art show at Cantigny, "Los Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World," hosted by the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau and Cantigny Park (more on that below).

After the Frida Kahlo exhibit held at the MAC last year, we didn't think things could get any more exciting. We were wrong! In addition to this upcoming explosion of outdoor sculpture, we're on track to celebrate Andy Warhol, another world-class exhibit to be held in 2023 at the MAC. And this month, DuPage County hosts our first Arts Festival May 28 as a way to connect and support our community through art. Art brings us together.

There's an art to pouring beer, too (see what I did there?). So if you're planning on volunteering at the upcoming Cream of Wheaton beer tent, don't forget to mark your calendar for training May 31. Those volunteer slots go to the fastest!

To art AND business~

RE/MAX Suburban's newly renovated office was abuzz with activity last week, celebrating the real estate firm's long-awaited opening. Cheryl Shurtz, Tony Stefancic and other RE/MAX Suburban VIPs were there to cut the ribbon--a few of the younger guests were barely bigger than the Chamber's scissors! Congratulations on a great event and all the best in your new space, Cheryl and team.

Business Expo booths are available for the Cream of Wheaton, being held Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 5, at Memorial Park in Wheaton. Premium booth sponsors receive additional amenities and promotion. Click here to download the reservation form or register here.

We're offering a three-day package for Thursday through Saturday as well as a Sunday-only option for our non-profit members. If you would like to "co-op" with another Chamber member, sharing space or splitting time over the four days, please let us know. For those interested in an event sponsorship, please contact Margie Wilhelmi of the WPD.

And there's still time to sign up for a volunteer shift at the Cream of Wheaton, the beer tent is a great opportunity for teams to volunteer (training is required from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at the Mary Lubko Center in Memorial Park). You may also volunteer as an individual, and we have openings at the information booth and in ticket sales. Please contact Doris Barrera with questions.

The Young Professionals Network has partnered with the Wheaton Public Library to offer a new series by and for young professionals called "Spotlight."

David Koch of UMortgage will be the first presenter from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, at the library, 225 N. Cross Street, Wheaton. David's Spotlight will be on ways to make connections and build your business through referrals.

The Chamber's Young Professionals Network, led by TJ Luby of Merrill Lynch, is open to Wheaton Chamber members 40 and younger. However, this Spotlight Series is open to all Wheaton Chamber members and the community. To register, please RSVP.

You may RSVP today for our May Monthly Luncheon featuring Dr. Joseph Cassidy, assistant vice president of economic development and dean of continuing education and public services at College of DuPage.

Dr. Cassidy will share with us about the power of innovation and specifically about Innovation DuPage (ID), a project Dr. Cassidy was deeply involved in creating. You'll learn more about ID and how it serves as an incubator for business. Think about bringing a colleague, client or vendor--this is a great way to build your own business.

The City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Historic Commission are excited to celebrate "Preservation Month" throughout May.

As owners of one of Wheaton's historic buildings, we couldn't be happier! People can tour Wheaton and hear more about the designated Wheaton Historic Landmarks. You can take a virtual tour of historic sites throughout the city via the City of Wheaton's website with a new interactive map. For more information, visit the Historic Commission's webpage.

If you'd like to see our celebration of the history of Wheaton, come see "Wheaton's Architectural Heritage," a photo exhibit by artist William North that is on display at the Wheaton Chamber. The Chamber's been transformed to a gallery of beautiful photos of the DuPage County Historical Museum (pictured), Blanchard Hall and other historic buildings on the campus of Wheaton College, the architecture and design of the old DuPage County Courthouse, Cantigny and other Wheaton Chamber members. Let us know when you'd like to stop by.

Six artists from Mexico City and their translators were welcomed by Beth Marchetti of the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau and DuPage VIPs in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Month at a reception hosted by the DCVB at Le Jardin, Cantigny Park, last Thursday, May 5. Wheaton Chamber representatives joined community leaders to welcome these artists and their work to DuPage County.

[Photo, L to R: Cathy Mousseau, Cosley Zoo; Matt LaFond and Jeff Reiter, Cantigny Park and Golf Course; Wheaton Chamber Ambassador; Lulú Hertenstein, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and chairperson-elect of the Wheaton Chamber; Dawn Smith, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce; Diana Martinez, director, the McAninch Art Center; and Beth Marchetti, DCVB.]

"Maquetas" or models of the alebrijes were on display as a taste of what will be at Cantigny Park in June 2022 These magical creatures are from a tradition inspired by the artist Pedro Linares who saw these mythical animals in his dreams and began what is now a tradition. Sculptures large and small will be part of the summer exhibit. For a sneak preview of the work and the artists, visit the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage.

The first-ever DuPage Community Arts Festival will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at DuPage County Fairgrounds. Tagged as "where the community celebrates culture and culture supports the community," this arts festival will feature top musicians and artists of all ages and backgrounds. Three stages will provide musical acts along with food trucks and a beer truck. Local community artists will showcase and sell their work.

Click here for a schedule of performance artists, tickets and for more information. This event was designed to champion arts in DuPage County, uplift our community and to thank our local healthcare workers.

Two of our Chamber members, The League of Women Voters of Wheaton and the Robert McCormick House at Cantigny Park, will offer a program on Russian and Ukraine in May as part of their Civic Awareness Series.

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, Dr. Richard Farkas will present a program on Russia and Ukraine. A professor at DePaul University for more than 40 years, Dr. Farkas' research is concentrated on Russian political and economic development. You may attend via Zoom or in person--the event is free and only Zoom attendees need to register. For more information and to register, click here.

The Lions will be roaring through town on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, for Candy Day, a fundraising project of the Wheaton Illinois Lions Club. This is one of the biggest and oldest fundraising events to support the Lions' Sight and Hearing Programs. Please look for the Lions in their yellow vests at strategic locations throughout Wheaton and have your change at the ready. Proceeds from this and other fund-raising activities support the Wheaton Lions Six Pillars of Service: sight, hearing, diabetes, hunger, the environment and pediatric cancer.

The DuPage County Regional Business Outlook will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, at Drury Lane Conference Center, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Keynote speaker is Jarrett Payton, TV sports personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Cara Esser, CFA, Mesirow, will provide a global economic outlook and Tim Crane, president of Wintrust, will give the Business Outlook. The Honorable Dan Cronin, chair of the DuPage County Board, will present "DuPage County Economic Outlook." Tickets are $60 for individuals and $500 for a table of 10. For more information, click here.

Do you have questions about investments, taxes and legal issues? Fairhaven Wealth Management and their team of financial planners, as well as a network of attorneys and tax advisors, will be available for 20-minute free (pro bono) consultations from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, via Zoom. All conversations are confidential and there is no obligation. To sign up, click here.

Our friends at MindfulTMS Neurocare will host an Open House from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their Wheaton facility on Friday, May 13. A returning member of the Wheaton Chamber, MindfulTMS is opening their office at 1737 S. Naperville Road, Suite 203, up to colleagues and friends and they're eager to share more with Wheaton Chamber members about how they can be of service. Please RSVP here.

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and they have a lot to say! Learn about job openings from retail like Two Bostons to a summer marketing internship with SuperBetter... and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals" like spring specials from Egg Harbor and specials from Chris Mechanical Services and Ferrari Plumbing. Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact Doris Barrera. Not only do we help you get the word out, but our posting your news helps with your search engine optimization.