Tuesday Hometown Tourist—Part 20–Epilogue

This is the conclusion of the Tuesday Hometown Tourist series. The past twenty weeks have been spent viewing my community through the eyes and the heart of a tourist. On Tuesdays I wrote about these experiences. My stories are not reviews or critiques. I told tales of treating local events as if I were on a vacation. I made a commitment to have a story ready each Tuesday.

My love for gardens and nature brought me to the Orchid Farm, Clovers, Lilacia Park, Farmer’s Market, and Westmore Woods. I visited the Historical society for a presentation about bees, butterflies, and birds. Cantigny had a fabulous exhibit of wood carvings. The VA participated in an annual art exhibit. Our community opened a new library. These events became my stories.

Local small businesses remained important to me during my tourist experience. This included the local book and record store. I enjoyed refreshments at the coffee shop, bakery, Dairy Queen, pretzel shop, and Rosemary and Jean’s Public House. Good times happened at Cruise Nights and Summer Concerts.

Some of my tourist experiences occurred at home. These stories were about Fourth of July, caterpillars, and my home garden. All of my experiences were about the joys of being mindful of my surroundings. I am concluding this series. I am pleased to see that I had world wide readers. I will continue to publish, but without my Tuesday commitment.

This series was inspired by feelings of gratitude for plasma and blood donors. Currently I receive IVIG infusions monthly to treat my Myasthenia Gravis symptoms. There have been long periods of time when I was too sick to participate in the activities that I have recently described. There is no cure for MG, but there is treatment. I made social media posts about the infusions and other treatments. It is important to me to recognize what I am currently able to do in between treatments. Some of my excursions were brief. All were close to home. Sometimes I did not have the strength to get up and go. Those were the Tuesday’s that I used my grateful attitude at home. I felt joy by being mindful of my surroundings. All of my WordPress writings remain available at jeriaielloart.wordpress.com. Thank you for joining me on my Tuesday Hometown Tourist journey.

Art Show at Hines VA—part 18—Tuesday Hometown Tourist

James Aiello’s entries into this year’s Hines VA creative art festival

Hines VA sponsors a yearly art show that showcases the works of veterans.. My husband, James, is an artist and a USA Air Force veteran (among his many other attributes). Exhibit participants may enter up to three categories. The photo shows James’ entries for this year.

The upper corner painting is entered into the acrylic painting section. It is a beautiful rendering of our outside swing in the winter snow. The framed photo of our bonded pair of dogs, “Frank and Marie” is in the photography section. The lower quarter of my photo shows a wooden timepiece that is displayed in the assemblage section. In past shows, James has won ribbons for his art. Winners are chosen by attendees voting for their art choices. I will let people know this year’s results via social media.

In spite of hot and stormy weather weather, this was a well attended event. Vets who had attended in the past were asked to wear their tee shirts from past exhibits. James wore his blue one. Many different types of art were represented. A large screened video of musicians played throughout the show. Patrons could hear the music while viewing the art in the auditorium. Chairs were available in front of the screen so that folks could watch the talented veteran musicians while they listened on the musical artists.

The categories that I remember seeing are oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolors, pastels, graphic pencil drawings, colored pencil works, multimedia, and assemblage. There were projects made from kits and uncategorized entries. Some items were tiny and others were huge. There was a long table of written works. These poems and stories were assembled into a booklet.

The creative arts department at Hines VA Hospital did a remarkable job of producing this yearly event. I enjoyed viewing the exhibit. I chose this experience to be focus of this week’s Tuesday Hometown Tourist series. It was privilege to see the art of our local veterans.

any different kinds of art were represented.

Part 17—Tuesday Hometown Tourist—Lombard Summer Concerts and Cruise Nights

Cruise night cars on the streets and the band is setting up

I am continuing to be a Tuesday Hometown Tourist which means I am viewing my local surroundings with the appreciation of a tourist. This week’s focus is Summer Concerts and Cruise Nights. The photo shows the band setting up and several special cars that are parked downtown for the event.

This 24th season resumed for the summer of 2023. This free event is here on Saturday evenings. It began June 17 and will continue until August 26. There are classic and custom cars parked throughout the downtown area.

Shops and eateries are open for business. We revisited Gnarly Knots (featured in a previous Tuesday Hometown Tourist story) The pretzels are delicious!. The great band was Soul Sacrifice. They played a Carlos Santana tribute.

This relaxing and fun summertime event has a lot to offer neighbors, family and friends of all ages. I hope to return this season. I will see you next time for another hometown tourist experience.

Dairy Queen—part 16–Tuesday Hometown Tourist

Historic Dairy Queen

I have chosen our local Dairy Queen to be the topic of this Tuesday Home Tourist story. This 68 year old Dairy Queen is located at Maple and Main in Lombard, Illinois. It opened in 1955.

Rooftop lighted signs have been banned by the village. However, the historical society and the historical commission have recognized this sign as a historical landmark. This is one of the last original operating signs in America. The neon sign depicting the cone remains.

Dairy Queen is a healthier choice than ice cream because it contains only 5% butterfat. Technically there needs to be at least 10% butterfat to be called ice cream. This DQ has cones, shakes, blizzards and cakes. I do not think I can choose a favorite, but Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is high on my list. Perhaps that is because it is featured toward the end of the season and I know availability is limited.There are special treats at special times. Red, white and blue is featured at patriotic holidays. Shamrock Shakes arrive for Saint Patrick’s Day. There are lilac cones during Lilac Festival. Delicious surprises can often be found.

This is a seasonal business that closes in late October. The location becomes a Christmas tree lot. In February, Dairy Queen reopens. Opening day feels like a promise of summer. Dairy Queen has punch cards that can be used toward a free cone. This DQ is a multigenerational family run shop. Writing these stories keeps me aware and appreciative of local businesses. I will see you again in a future Tuesday Hometown Tourist article.

Rosemary and Jean’s Public House—part 15–Tuesday Hometown Tourist

Rosemary and Jean’s Public House

I am continuing to experience my community through the eyes of a tourist and to enjoy everyday people as locals. This time I visited Rosemary and Jean’s Public House. It is casual with a touch of fancy. This restaurant serves delicious Italian food. It is named after the owner’s mothers.

Historically, this house is known as the Alice Gray (1889–1970) house She lived in this large white house on Main Street with her parents. She was a gifted pianist and piano teacher. She often played at the nearby Parkside Theater. Alice Gray stayed here until she died in 1970.

The house then became the offices of the Lombardian Newspaper for many years. It is now this lovely restaurant. As a local business, Rosemary and Jean’s Public House is welcoming. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Private rooms are available. We were here for a special occasion, our anniversary. This historic home is located across from the train station. It is very near Lilacia Park and the Lombard Historical Museum. Both were featured in previous Tuesday Hometown Tourist stories. Once again, I have found another place to enjoy in my neighborhood.

4th of July—part 14 —Tuesday Hometown Tourist

4th of July fireworks from my front porch

On the 4th of July, 1776, Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence. The first commemoration of Independence Day was July 4, 1777. Celebrations included parades and concerts. The firing of muskets and cannons became our first 4th of July fireworks. Every year since, fireworks have become a symbol of this USA patriotic holiday.

Today’s celebrations feel special to me because family will be visiting for a lunchtime picnic. This will be the first gathering at our house since the pandemic because of my autoimmune disease. Later guests will disperse to their own towns and neighborhoods for fireworks.

We get a great view of community fireworks from my home. It is nice to be here because I can go inside and comfort the dogs, if needed. When they are indoors with TV noise, they are OK, but he big booms scare them.

For many years, we watched fireworks from the top of high school bleachers. As a tourist, I have seen many 4th of July celebrations across the nation. Two events that stand out in my memory are New Mexico and also a beach in Hawaii. During these travels I was with locals who were enjoying there own hometowns.

While writing my Hometown Tourist stories, I have grown to realize that everybody can be a hometown tourist. My stories take place in midwest USA suburbs, but everybody is someplace. Some stories are happening in rural areas, some in busy cities. Some are in mountains; others in deserts. All those stories are important.

WordPress let’s me know the locations of my readers. I love that. They are from all around the world. Today I celebrate my local Independence Day as a Tuesday Hometown tourist. I also celebrate you, wherever you are.

Westmore Woods—part 13–Tuesday Hometown Tourist

Westmore Woods

There is much to experience in Westmore Woods every day of the year. It is a wooded area with paths for walking, hiking, biking and running. My husband uses the paths for cross country skiing during the snowy season. These paths connect to the Great Western Trail, fourteen miles of abandoned railway.

The paths have a small lake one one side. During the warm seasons there are ducks in the lake. There are homes on the opposite side of the path. Some have large gardens with beautiful harvests. There is a bee keeper. The lake freezes over in the winter. People are not allowed on the lake, however there are often plenty of ice skaters and ice fishermen. In autumn, the area sparkles with the colors of fall leaves. Dog walkers utilize this park at all hours. There are several places to enter and exit the woods. Food and beverages are available nearby.

At one end of this park there is a well used soccer field. There is also a playground with swings and slides. Benches and picnic tables are available. Some people come to these woods for recreation and exercise.; others for solitude. Westmore Woods is a perfect place for any Tuesday Home Tourist.

Caterpillars—part 12—Tuesday Hometown Tourist

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars in their Dill Plant

My previous stories about being a Tuesday Hometown Tourist have been about seeing local places through the eyes of a tourist. Well, I cannot have an experience any more local than this. It happens right outside of my back door. This beautiful dill plant is flourishing between rows of basil and peppers. The dill is in front of some chives and strawberries. Today there are three caterpillars living on different parts of this plant. These amazing creatures have yellow, black and white stripes. They will become black swallowtail butterflies. Swallowtail caterpillars are a bit wider than monarch caterpillars. I am also blessed with monarch visitors in other parts of the garden.

These caterpillars will munch on leaves before becoming a chrysalis. It may soon seem as if the caterpillars have disappeared. They actually move far from the host plant to escape predators. When the cocoon emerges it will become a swallowtail butterfly. They will have blue toned black wings with circles of white and yellow. These swallowtails are fond of dill and parsley. They show no interest in the other nearby plants..

I am aware that some folks complain about caterpillars eating their dill; however I plant the dill for the purpose of attracting these butterflies. When I witness this miracle at my doorstep, it is truly with the gratitude and awe of a tourist.

Part 11–Farmer’s Market—Tuesday Hometown Tourist

Farmer”s Market Season Begins

Farmer’s Market season is beginning in the midwest U.S.A. Planting season does not really start here until mid and late May, so crops and harvests will come later in the summer. Some farm stands do not open until July. Some open earlier in the season and I have visited them wIth the heart of a tourist.

The Farm is currently open every day except Sunday. It remains opens until the crops stop coming in; usually right after pumpkin time at Halloween. The space is now filled with vegetable and flower starter plants. My upper photos show The Farm’s tractors, barn, and beginning crops.. This small plot is behind the barn. Off site, there is farmland with large crops. The fruit and veggies will will be available in this space in late summer. I usually bring home huge amounts of produce. I dry, freeze and preserve these goodies for year round meals.

Another nearby farmer’s market is organized by our local Chamber of Commerce. It is shown in the photo of the tent in the parking lot. During this early season, there are tents with arts and crafts, musicians, and bakeries. Food trucks are available. This market is open throughout the summer on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. Later in the summer, there will be harvests of fresh edibles.

I did make some great purchases during my visits, as shown in my photos. The purple and green asparagus is from The Farm. I steamed both batches. We ate some and then I froze the remainder for the future. I love thick asparagus stems like these. The photographed bread and strawberries are from separate venders at the Chamber of Commerce market. Both were delicious.

AgaIn, my Tuesday Hometown Tourist post is written with a spirit of gratitude for the people who donate blood and plasma. My treatments of IVIG are currently making it possible to be out and enjoying my environment while coping with Myasthenia Gravis. I have made commitment to make he most of my time between infusions. Life feels better when not taken for granted.

Garden Center—Part 10 —Tuesday Hometown Tourist

my favorite garden center

Garden centers are plentiful in this area. Some are part of big box stores. Many of our grocery stores have hoop houses with plants in the parking lots. There are bigger garden shops in more scenic settings. Temporary fund raising botanical sales pop up throughout the spring and summer. I sincerely like all of these places.

Clover’s, my favorite garden center, is located on a busy street with lots of traffic. It is tucked away between a hotdog stand and a restaurant, across the street from a truck rental. The name of the business is not even posted in front. There is an old small sign with crossed out information attached to the back gate.

However, I love Clover’s. The place lures me there. When I step through that back gate the feeling is magical. I move from the feeling of a busy city environment into a fairy land atmosphere. I have never found it to be very busy, but there is a small flow of people. This is one of the first places that I visited after the pandemic shut down. We were masked, but we smiled with our eyes.

The selections are well organized. There are multiple rows of colorful annuals. Healthy aromatic perennials are nearby. Of course there are the edibles. A huge variety of fruit and veggie starter plants awaits. I am comforted by the old standbys, yet I still get surprised by new species.

When I visit, it is not necessarily to shop. I don’t need starter plants because we started our food garden by seed, months ago. I like to add colorful annuals to attract the birds, bees, and butterflies—also to please passerby’s and me. When I visit, I usually bring new additions home. Clover’s also has a selection of flower pots and decorations to browse through.

When I started mindfully seeing my community as a tourist and neighborhood people as locals, this place came to mind. Often, it is quiet and meditative. Conversations here are pleasant- never hurried and snappy. People compliment one another’s color choices in the shopping carts. Fellow patrons have asked me for advice about their garden design plans. Most customers are women. There is a sisterhood of common interest. The staff is knowledgeable with tone of joy that says the workers love the plants as much as the customers do.

It is easy for me to experience Clover’s as a tourist attraction and the people as locals. It is not as fancy as several of the great nearby garden centers, but it soothes me and calls my name. The next Tuesday Hometown Tourist story will be about Farmer”s Markets.