News

Grand Subaru to sponsor free event at Varble Park

Bensenville, Ill. (March 19, 2025)—Hop to it! It’s fun for the whole family when the Bensenville Park District’s annual Egg Hunt and Eggstravaganza, sponsored by Grand Subaru, returns to Varble Park and the Deer Grove Leisure Center on Saturday, April 12! The event is free, and no registration is necessary.

The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. for little ones ages 4 and under, with other age groups commencing at 10:20 (ages 5-8) and 10:40 a.m. (ages 9 and older). Thousands of candy-filled eggs will be scattered across the park, just waiting to be found. Don’t forget to bring a bag or container to hold them all!

After the egg hunt, be sure to bring the whole family into the DGLC for fun and games, crafts and inflatables. All are invited to take photos with the Easter Bunny until the event ends at 12:30 p.m. Photos will be posted the following week on the park district website.

Parking will be available at the DGLC, 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville and the Bensenville Water Park, 1100 W. Wood St. For more information, call 630-766-7015 or visit BvilleParks.org.

“All Around the House” show takes place April 5-6

Bensenville, Ill. (March 13, 2025)— Fischer Farm invites quilting enthusiasts to its annual “All Around the House” Quilt Show, set for April 5-6, where quilters and enthusiasts display and sell their work while celebrating the rich history and cultural significance of quilting.

Although the precise origins of quilting remain uncertain, the oldest known example is an ivory carving depicting an Egyptian pharaoh wearing a quilted mantle. Evidence of quilting has also been found in ancient China, North Africa, the Middle East and medieval Europe. Quilting was introduced to America in the 1600s by immigrants from Italy, France, England and the Netherlands.

“In colonial America, quilts were essential for survival—providing warmth during harsh winters—while also serving as a social hub,” says Fischer Farm Program Supervisor Katrina Frank, citing historical research she conducted online. “Women gathered in ‘quilting bees’ to share family histories, advice and community news, and to celebrate milestones such as marriage and childbirth.”

Frank adds that quilting has taken on varied meanings in contemporary culture. In the Black community, it symbolizes resilience and progress, offering healing and a sense of community. In Mexico, quilting serves as an important income source and means of preserving family legacy, connecting women of diverse backgrounds. One of the most significant quilting movements is the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, which memorializes loved ones lost to AIDS with 50,000 individual tiles weighing 54 tons in total.

“In summary, quilting stands at the intersection of history, material culture, art and storytelling, expressing the hopes, dreams and struggles of its creators,” she says.

Online research from National Public Radio, MexicoNewsDaily.com, MissouriQuiltCo.com, Quilting-in-America.com, Quilts.com, Redlandcotton.com, AIDSMemorial.org and Zubeum.org are among the sources of the information contained in this article.

Quilters, vendors and volunteers are needed to help make the two-day “All Around the House” Quilt Show a success. Those interested loaning their historical or contemporary quilts for display, selling materials or volunteering are encouraged to contact Fischer Farm Manager Christine Shiel at cshiel@bvilleparks.org.

Learn more about historic Fisher Farm at BvilleParks.org and the “All Around the House” show at BvilleParks.org/QuiltShow.

Bensenville, Ill. (March 12, 2025)— The Bensenville Park District is inviting families to experience the magic of Easter with its new Easter Basket Delivery program.

Parents are asked to drop off labeled Easter baskets for their children at the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC) by April 4 so the Easter Bunny can hand-deliver them to in-district homes on April 12 between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. This fun-filled program offers a unique opportunity for a quick photo with the Bunny and creates lasting memories for children of all ages.

“We are thrilled to bring the Easter Bunny directly to our community’s doorsteps, making the holiday extra special for families,” says Recreation Supervisor-Program Coordinator Leslie Monarrez. “This event is a wonderful way to celebrate Easter with a personal touch that children will remember for years to come.”

Pre-registration is required at the DGLC, 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville. Fees are $8 per child or $25 per household. For more information, call 630-766-7015 or visit BvilleParks.org.

Learn about early childhood programs by seeing them in person

Bensenville, Ill. (March 11, 2025)—The Bensenville Park District will hold its preview week for Tiny Tot Preschool, Little Sprouts and Play with Me programs April 14-17 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC), 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville.

“Parents and children may stay and interact with instructors during a class so they see and hear what actually happens in our programs,” says Recreation Supervisor-Program Coordinator Leslie Monarrez. “We ask that the families make an appointment by calling or emailing.”

Preview week appointments can be made by calling 630-766-7015, ext. 117, or by emailing ttschool@bvilleparks.org. Please leave name, phone number, child’s name and age and what program(s) are of interest for previewing. Staff will respond to arrange a day and time to come in and view the program.

The Tiny Tot Preschool curriculum, based on Illinois Early Learning Standards, emphasizes self-discovery, teamwork and independent thinking. Classes are broken into two groups for ages 3-4 and 4-5 and are introduced to language arts, literacy, math, social studies, science and nature exploration through a variety of learning centers and hands-on activities. The preschool’s professional and experienced teachers foster a nurturing environment that addresses the individual needs of each child. Children must be age 3 by September 1, 2025.

Little Sprouts prepares children ages 2-3 for the preschool experience through an integrated curriculum that focuses on social, emotional, cognitive and physical development with activities including circle time, exposure to colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Children are introduced to a variety of learning centers such as dramatic play, sensory, literacy, music, blocks, puzzles and nature exploration. A snack, gym time and play in the outdoor classroom—weather permitting—are also included. Children must be 2 years old by September 1, 2025.

Play with Me prepares children ages 18-30 months for Little Sprouts in a semi-structured environment in which children enjoy arts and crafts, games, stories and motor activities with a caring adult. Each class day includes circle time and group play. A parent or caregiver must attend class with their child. Children must be a year and a half by September 1, 2025.
Enrollment for these early childhood programs begins May 13 at the DGLC. Additional programs such as Lunch Time & Engineering, Alphabet Appetite, Little Scientist, Little Chefs, Imagination Station and more enroll in fall 2025.

Bensenville, Ill. (March 3, 2025) — In advance of the Bensenville Park District’s planned renovation of Veterans Park, the district will host a community information session in conjunction with its board meeting, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville.

The session will provide residents an opportunity to engage directly with park district leadership, ask questions and offer feedback on the renovation.

The district announced the renovation in 2024, indicating that the Veterans Park project would include a dog park, complete with signage, fence repair, gate installation, pet waste stations, shelters and landscape improvements. Additionally, the project will include building maintenance and infrastructure improvements as well as updates to the Bensenville Railroad Museum, including, but not limited to, ADA access.

For a listing of current, past and future park district projects and improvements, visit BvilleParks.org/2-0.

BENSENVILLE, Ill. (March 3, 2025) – Fischer Farm is launching its new community supported agriculture (CSA) program at 16W680 Old Grand Ave in Bensenville, inviting community members to become shareholders in the farm’s harvest. The program offers weekly shares of freshly harvested produce during a season that runs from mid‑June through October, with the option to sign up for bi‑weekly or weekly shares.

Participants can choose from several produce options. A 20‑week share is priced at $630—or $504 for Bensenville Park District residents—while a 10‑week share is $350 ($280 for in-district residents). An add‑on monthly meat share, offering approximately 10 pounds per month for five months from August through December, is available for $375 ($300 for those in-district).

“Community Supported Agriculture not only delivers fresh, local produce to our tables but also strengthens the bond between the farm and its supporters,” said Fischer Farm Manager Christine Shiel. “By purchasing a share of our harvest, community members become a vital part of our sustainable farming efforts.”
Those purchasing CSA program shares will receive a weekly share of produce, and each shareholder will also be given a free reusable cooler tote to transport their share.

To participate, interested parties should choose the share plan that works best for them and complete a registration form. Forms can be printed and mailed with a check, emailed to Cshiel@bvilleparks.org with a follow‑up phone call for credit card details, or submitted directly at Fischer Farm or the Deer Grove Leisure Center at 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville. Upon registration, Fischer Farm will confirm receipt and provide additional information, including a pre‑season e‑newsletter and ongoing email updates. Once the season begins, a weekly newsletter will be sent the day before Thursday pick‑up, with shares available through Sunday. For more details or to register, visit the CSA tab at BvilleParks.org/fischerfarm.

Fischer Farm is among the oldest homesteads in DuPage County. The farm’s mission is to engage the community in agricultural education, historical exploration and environmental conservation so that the past informs the future. The property has nine buildings, three of which are pre-Civil War era, including the Fischer clapboard cabin, circa 1837. The main museum space and farm shop are housed in the historic 1919 American foursquare farmhouse.

Entry to the grounds of the property is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk daily. The farmhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. The farm also facilitates programs through the Bensenville Park District program guide, a 4-H Club for ages 8-18, farm summer camp and the sale of farm produce including honey, eggs, meat and seasonal vegetables. The main goal of the Fischer Farm is to interpret this beautiful property as a historic site and to engage the community in the support of agriculture and sustainability.

Get photo with the Easter Bunny and participate in egg hunt; reserve by April 11

BENSENVILLE, Ill. (March 1, 2025) – Reservations are now open for White Pines Golf Club’s Easter Brunch at 500 W. Jefferson in Bensenville. The event will be held in the club’s banquet hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20.

Guests will enjoy a lavish brunch buffet featuring a visit from the Easter Bunny with a photo opportunity and an optional cash bar offering bottomless mimosas. In addition, an egg hunt for children 12 and under is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Pricing, which includes tax and gratuity, is $45 for adults 13 and older, $29 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children age 3 and under. Bottomless mimosas, available to guests 21 and older, are an add-on of $20.

“Easter is a time for family and celebration, and we’re excited to offer an event that brings the community together in a festive setting,” said White Pines PGA General Manager Andrew Godfrey. “We encourage everyone to reserve their spot now to secure their place at this special brunch.”

For more information, please visit WhitePinesGolf.com. Contact White Pines Golf Club at (630) 766-0304 ext. 2 for reservations. Reservation deadline is Friday, April 11. Payment is due in full at the time of registration. Bottomless mimosas for adults ages 21 and older can be purchased in advance or at the brunch as part of the cash bar.

“All Around the House” show to take place April 5-6

BENSENVILLE, Ill. (February 27, 2025) – Fischer Farm is calling on local quilters, vendors and volunteers to help make its two-day “All Around the House” Quilt Show a resounding success. The event, set for Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, at 16W680 Old Grand Avenue in Bensenville, will showcase an array of quilt displays, feature a bustling barn sale and offer unique community experiences.

“We need quilts to display, dedicated vendors and enthusiastic volunteers to bring this celebration of quilting to life,” says Fischer Farm Manager Christine Shiel. “This show is not just about exhibiting beautiful quilts—it’s a community effort to honor a timeless craft, and everyone’s participation is vital.”

The show will display intricate quilts ranging from traditional designs to contemporary masterpieces. Attendees will have the opportunity to have a quilt appraised by an AQS-certified appraiser by appointment for a small fee. In addition, the event will feature a quilter’s barn sale where vendors can offer quilts, fabric blocks, patterns and more.

Shiel emphasizes the importance of community involvement: “We’re looking for quilts that tell a story, vendors who can share their craft and volunteers who can lend a hand. This is a chance for local talent and community spirit to shine.”

Interested parties are encouraged to email CShiel@BvilleParks.org or visit BvilleParks.org/QuiltShow for further details and registration information.

Bensenville, Ill. (February 19, 2025) — May the luck of the Irish be with puzzle enthusiasts as they test their problem-solving skills at “The Shamrock Quest,” a community puzzle competition hosted by the Bensenville Park District. Registration is underway for the event, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville.

Teams of three or four will compete head-to-head to complete a 500-piece puzzle in the shortest time possible. The competition welcomes community members of all ages to engage in friendly rivalry, teamwork and fun. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest team.

Teams must register by March 7 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center. The cost is $45 per team.

For more information on “The Shamrock Quest” and other community events, visit BvilleParks.org or call 630-766-7015.

Bensenville, Ill. (February 17, 2025) — The Bensenville Park District announced that those purchasing 2025 season passes for the Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad can save 10 percent by buying passes in the month of March.

Season passholders receive unlimited admission to the Water Park & Splash Pad, as well as free and unlimited admission to aqua fitness classes and discount admission to water park events.

Park district season pass fees for the 2025 season have remained low the past five years. The regular and sale season pass rates are as follows for the general public, and those living within Bensenville Park District boundaries receive discounted as follows:

2025 Water Park Season Pass Rates

Regular Fee | In Dist.     10% Discount in March Fee | In Dist.
Child/Teen (ages 3-17) $144 | $120 $129 | $108
Adult 18+ $156 | $130 $140 | $117
Family of 2 $234 | $195 $210 | $175
Family of 3 $276 | $230 $248 | $207
Family of 4 $312 | $260 $280 | $234
Senior (55+) $144 | $120 $129 | $108

Each additional family member above a family of four is $60, $50 in district ($54 and $45 after 10 percent discount in March). Complete information may be found on the park district website, BvilleParks.org/waterpark.

Season passes may be purchased at the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC), 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville Monday through Saturday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Drop-off registrations can be delivered at any time the DGLC is open.

The Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad, located at 1100 W. Wood Street, is a family-friendly facility that features a 155-foot water slide, two drop slides, a diving board, a 2,527 square-foot splash pad, a sun deck and a full-service concession stand. The park district offers swim lessons as well as specially themed days and special events throughout the summer. The facility is open for rentals and hosts birthday parties and other activities.

The water park is open noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. on holidays. Opening day is scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

# # #