2022 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
The Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes the many businesses and industries to our area.
PLAINFIELD PROUDLY HOSTS THE GREAT RACE Route travels from Rhode Island to North Dakota By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske • Photos by Gary Middendorf
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t was the ultimate cruise night in downtown Plainfield as The Great Race rolled into town for a stop June 22 in the fifth day of the nine-day trek from Rhode Island to North Dakota.
follow precise instructions to each check point, with timed arrivals. Each team vying for the best finish in vehicles with manual transmissions, often no air conditioning and there’s no use of GPS.
Visitors of all ages lined up along Lockport Street under the brilliant blue sky and temps hovering in the 90s to cheer for the racers as they made their way through a checkpoint and parked. The Plainfield Historical Society was the volunteer host of the racers, coordinating the evening stop that included meals for the drivers, their navigators and support teams as well as a chance for spectators to get a closer look at the array of vehicles, all built prior to 1974.
Teams spanned all ages but perhaps among the youngest included Connor Miller, a student at Trine University and John McCollough driving the 1948 Ford Coupe. The race rookies were driving a car from the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn, Indiana where they are volunteers. They said the race is a test of driving skills and mechanical know-how, as teams often have to make repairs throughout the multiday race.
Started in 1983, The Great Race features a test of a driver and navigator skills to
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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Michael Lambert of the Plainfield Historical Society (front) stands with individuals dressed in historical attire as Plainfield hosts The Great Race on June 22. The nine-day race travels from Warwick, Rhode Island to Fargo, North Dakota, featuring more the 120 pre-1974 vehicles.
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“We broke the transmission the day before the race started and had to swap it out,” Miller said. Racers arrived in Plainfield just after 5 p.m., having made their way from Perrysburg, Ohio with a lunch stop in South Bend, Indiana, using a combination of backroads and highways. After parking, teams were treated to delicious meals prepared by Plainfield’s Station One Smokehouse and served by volunteers. Longtime Plainfield resident Linda Ozbolt was excited to volunteer for the event and to see the crowds gathered to celebrate the race’s only stop in Illinois. “This is the only place in the country where Lincoln Highway and Historic Route 66 converge,” Ozbolt said. During opening ceremonies Mayor John Argoudelis said it was an honor to host the race stop.
This custom newsletter was created and produced by Shaw Media for the: PLAINFIELD SHOREWOOD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 24109 W. Lockport Street Plainfield, IL 60544 www.plainfieldchamber.com VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD One Town Center Blvd. Shorewood, IL 60404 LOGO CREATOR : Justin Rolff, Rolff Signs
“We love our town, and we are so proud of what we have here,” Argoudelis said.
Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis shares a few words to open the Great Race event in downtown Plainfield.
Members of the Plainfield Central Jazz Bands performed lively music as crowds strolled to see the vehicles. Pittsburgh residents Sarah Laslo and her daughter Mackenzie were enjoying the welcoming atmosphere while waiting for driver John Lazlo, Sarah’s dad, to arrive at the checkpoint with his 1949 MG TC. The pair have been traveling in parallel to the race. “It’s been great to see all the towns and what they have to offer,” Sarah Laslo said.
Visitors like Tom and Sue of West Chicago brought their three-year-old grandson Owen of Sugar Grove to watch the cars. The couple are vintage car enthusiasts and loved sharing the evening with their grandson who clapped and cheered for the parade of vehicles. Sue marveled at the lively atmosphere and the shopping and dining choices in downtown Plainfield. “We need to come back down here more often,” she said mentioning some of the restaurants she’d love to try on another visit.
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SHAW MEDIA 2175 Oneida Street Joliet, IL 60435 815-280-4101 www.shawmedia.com Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Shaw Media assume no responsibility for misinformation. Contact the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Shaw Media is prohibited.
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CHAMBER MARKS 50 YEARS AT ANNUAL CELEBRATION 7 BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUAL WINNERS HONORED
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he Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce marked its 50th anniversary during “The After Party” annual awards celebration in May. Congratulations are extended to all of this year’s nominees and winners. Award winners are shown below.
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR Joe Bailey with J.Bailey Financial
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Edward-Elmhurst Health
Shorewood HUGS
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
PATRICK RYAN AWARD
PATRICK RYAN AWARD
Bronkberry Farms
Joseph LaGiglia with Oakleaf Community Mortgage
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NONPROFIT
PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
Chop’d
Rick Hakey with State Farm Insurance
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL A FAVORITE FOR DISTRICT 202 NEW SUPERINTENDENT By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
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here will be plenty of firsts as Glenn Wood steps into the role of superintendent for Plainfield School District 202 but the one he looks forward to most is students’ first day of the new school year. That day Wood plans to visit high school, middle school and elementary schools, greeting students with fresh haircuts and brand-new boxes of crayons.
Wood said he looks forward to building greater partnerships across the community, which includes through the Strategic Planning Process. Along with input from teachers and staff, the community is invited to participate in the Strategic Planning Process and he would like to include input from parents as well as the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce members.
“We try to get into as many buildings as possible on that day. It’s my favorite time of year, those first few days of school,” Wood said.
“As we begin the Strategic Planning Process in the fall would like for members of the chamber to be a part of it,” Wood said. “This is really a great time to connect with the community as we chart our path.”
Wood joined Plainfield District 202 in 2009 as an assistant superintendent and this summer he became superintendent following the retirement of Lane Abrell. Wood steps into the role as leader of the fifth largest school district in the state. The district serves more than 25,000 students from preschool through 12th grade with 31 schools. Wood said serving in a preschool through 12th grade district was one of the aspects that drew him to Plainfield District 202, as it allows greater collaboration across school buildings.
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
Wood said he moved around quite a bit as a child and first came to the Chicago area to attend St. Xavier University for his undergraduate degree and to play basketball for the school. He was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. These days he finds himself playing more golf and tennis than basketball. It has been a busy summer preparing for the new school year, but for Wood it’s all about counting down the days until students return to school and the first bell rings signaling the start of a new year.
Welcome new Chamber members: APRIL THROUGH JUNE APRIL
Cold Stone Creamery / Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Walmart - Plainfield
MAY
Making Connections Tastefully SimpleMarlo Manicki-Sakamoto
Carrie White Photography
Keller Williams Infinity -Sarah Garay
Slim Chickens Plainfield
ProLogistix
OBI Disasters and Restorations
Trek Bicycle Naperville
Signarama Capitol Construction Solutions
JUNE
A&M Esthetics
Plainfield
YOUR BEST DAYS EVER
Hair Illusions
Comcast
Pro Level Nutrition, LLC
Stratus Talk
MNS1 Express Inc Style Haus Salem Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Goddard Plainfield Anemoia Plainfield Nutrition
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN NEED OF A WISH? Shorewood HUGS is proud to support those in need, deserving, or disabled, living within a 20 mile radius of Shorewood. For more information visit: www.shorewoodhugs.org.
1147 Brookforest Ave., #174 Shorewood, IL 60404 www.shorewoodhugs.org
Schedule your personalized experience today! 12446 S. Van Dyke Road Plainfield, IL 60585
(815) 264-2211
Making a difference, one hug at a time.
HarborChase.com PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR
CROSSROADS FEST Aug. 5-7 • Four Seasons Park
ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS FOR
PLAINFIELD FEST From July 15-17, Plainfield Fest was back in action in downtown Plainfield! There may have not been a carnival this year but there was plenty for kids to do. Thank you to Clarence Davids & Company for sponsoring the free and fun activities for kids on Saturday that included face painting, pony rides and a balloon artist. A business and craft show took place on Saturday and a car show on Sunday.
listen to music throughout the weekend. 7th Heaven headlined Saturday night and rocked the house. A huge thank you to ALL of the organizations that came out to help, volunteer and sponsor – this event would not be possible without all of you. The funds raised will go toward improvements on the riverfront property, Electric Park.
Des Plaines Street had a few food vendors next to the entertainment tent, which allowed families to come in and TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing was the naming sponsor of the event, which was co-hosted by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation and the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Shorewood Crossroads Festival is back again Aug. 5, 6 and 7. Be sure to come to Four Seasons Park that weekend for entertainment, a carnival, fireworks, a parade and much more. The carnival will open at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, with unlimited ride wrist bands. Entertainment will kick off with Poisn’d Crue Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and end with ARRA from 10 p.m.-midnight. Saturday will include a craft/business vendor show, carnival and four bands: School of Rock Plainfield, Coverlicious, Beyond The Blonde and Semple. Be sure to come on out for the fireworks show prior to Semple taking the stage. Thank you to the Village of Shorewood for providing the firework show. Our last day of the fest will kick off at noon with the annual parade, which will include many different floats, a car show, a bags tournament and AD3 Acoustic Trio on stage. Be sure to check the website for all times and events crossroadsfest.com or go to Crossroads Fest on Facebook.
SUMMER
Farm Fresh Produce Tomatoes • Sweet Corn Watermelon
FALL
Caramel Apples Fresh-Picked Apples Mums • Pumpkin Patch Hay Rack Rides
Book your next private event or field trip in our open-air pavilion! 18061 S. Bronk Rd, Plainfield, IL (815) 436-6967 www.bronkberryfarms.com “Where Quality is Never Outgrown”
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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PLAINFIELD SHOREWOOD CHAMBER PRESENTS
PLAINFIELD CRUISE NIGHTS
T TUESDAY NIGHTS
August 2 – August 23 • 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 2 Ford Truck Night Ron Tirapelli Ford
Aug. 16 Mopar Night D’Arcy
Aug. 9 Ford Bronco Night Rod Baker Ford
Aug. 23 Final Cruise Night Webb Chevy School of Rock
he Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone for a great 2021 season and invite you to come out again and experience the many restaurants and shops that will be open during the events. Downtown Plainfield boasts a wide array of stores, services, and restaurants that appeal to almost everyone! So, please bring the family and enjoy the hospitality of our business community and allow us to show off some of the finest vintage cars in the area. Check the website at www.PSACchamber.com for details and follow us at www.facebook.com/CruiseNights
“Hawg Pen” Sponsored by Greater Midwest Exteriors Each Tuesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. • Limited Space Available! Located on DesPlaines Street near the Station One Entrance
815-592-7920 • Purelywhimsicalmoments@gmail.com www.purelywhimsicalmoments.com
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
FIND YOUR FRIENDS. FIND YOUR Y. In the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they learn, play, and grow.
Registration is Underway for the 2022-2023 School Year The Y’s Kid Zone program provides onsite before and after school care for students in the Joliet, Plainfield, Troy, Rockdale, Fairmont, Laraway, Morris, and Valley View school districts.
ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY
Visit www.jolietymca.org or visit your local branch. GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA (815) SAY-YMCA | www.jolietymca.org SM-CL1994877
Making your dreams a Reality!
Consistently one of the top 10 agents in the Plainfield office.
Cynthia Figueroa Coldwell Banker SM-CL1996172
Real Estate Group, Plainfield
(815) 483-1590
cfigueroa@coldwellhomes.com PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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Ribbon cuttings celebrate local business
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he Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce embraces local business owners and works to promote growth and development in our community, keeping Plainfield a desirable area in which to live, work and shop. A ribboncutting ceremony is an important way to announce to the community that a business is open and ready to accept customers, and PACC is proud to partner with our most recent new businesses.
A&M ESTHETICS
TITAN CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES
STRATUS TALK
PROLOGISTIX
12207 Rhea Dr. • Plainfield IL 60585
850 Brooke Forest Ave., Suite E • Shorewood IL 60404
WALMART PLAINFIELD
CALLY LARSON REAL ESTATE
24040 Lockport St. • Plainfield, IL 60544
12690 S. Route 59 • Plainfield, IL 60544
Show Room: 14710 S. Naperville Rd. • Plainfield, IL 60544
24123 W. Lockport St. • Plainfield, IL 60544
tMISSY’S KITTEN SERVICES At-home business
uA NEW DAY FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER 23908 W. Main St. Plainfield, IL 60544
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
As the largest nonprofit hospice provider in Illinois, Lightways offers outstanding end-of-life care. We come to you—in the home, assisted living or nursing facility. For patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home, we have a newly-renovated hospice inpatient unit in Joliet, the largest in the state. We offer grief support at no charge to anyone in the community who has experienced a loss.
Through darkness, we bring light.
250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 | lightways.org | 815-740-4104
birthdays
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group outings
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company picnics
Family Entertainment Centers Family Entertainment Center
LOMBARD | 630-953-7860
JOLIET | 815-722-7800 BURBANK | 708-598-8580
VISIT
TRaiLsFunparKs.com TO LEARN MORE! PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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Where you’ll never need a coin!
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LAUNDROMATS
15420 S.Rt.59 Plainfield,IL 60544 815-436-1500 Open 24hrs
Associate Available 7am to 10pm For Assistance and Wash-Dry-Fold Service Pick-Up & Delivery Available for Commercial & Residential • 2 HD TVs
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PSACC ◆ SPRING 2022 www.psacchamber.com
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