The past, present and future of Randall Road
The view along north Randall Road has changed dramatically this summer. Here's a look at some of the changes:
Out with the old
The Teeple Barn, which collapsed in June, finally was dismantled 10 days ago. The cupola, which had been on the structure for 10 years, was all that remained intact.
Bill Collins of AgTech, a group interested in finding a use for the old structure, and Ken Teeple, grandson of the builder, Lester Teeple, were in attendance when the mass of boards, timbers and rocks were hauled away. They were able to cut and haul away two 17-foot by 24-foot sections of wall. Several door pulley counter-weights, at 50 and 75 pounds, were salvaged.
Jasper Sanfilippo Jr., president and chief operating officer of Fisher Nuts, says plans for a future display are in the works with AgTech. Everyone was pleased that the cupola survived almost intact, and the hope is that a suitable site can be found to display it. A possible memorial plaque about the barn, a symbol of Elgin's agricultural past, could be placed near the Fisher Outlet Store.
In with the new
Immediately south of the former Teeple site, the six-story elevator shaft of the new Sherman Hospital is visible from Randall. Chris Priester, director of marketing and public relations at Sherman, says a lot has been going on at the site of the new hospital that can't be seen from Randall.
For one thing, all access roads -- with curbs and gutters -- at the future hospital site are in. The geothermal lake has been excavated and the piping components are being installed. The metal framing of the first two floors of the patient bed tower is being erected. Sometime late this fall a topping out ceremony is planned.
Right now, 7 percent of the project is complete. If you would like a real-time view of the work in progress go to www.thefutureofsherman.com to see the work as it actually is being done.
More new
North of the tollway and left on Bushwood, the new On Q Club and Hennessy's Steak and Seafood are open. This one-of-a-kind combination had been in planning for two years.
A mutual friend introduced Chef John Hennessy, who had been dreaming of starting an upscale club, to Tom Karabatsos, formerly ranked 11th in the world in straight pool. The two struck a chord and joined concepts.
Builder William Martys of Innovative Creative Concepts designed a 20,000-square-foot building with a 4,500-square-foot deck overlooking a pond with two fountains -- visible from Randall. Four 7-foot billiard tables are on the ground floor bar adjoining the fine dining restaurant. Upstairs, in the casual lounge there are 10 9-foot tables, designed to be used in tournaments and leagues. This night club will feature disc jockeys on weekends.
Look for pool phenom Jeanette Lee, known as the Black Widow, to host a dinner/demonstration this fall.
For reservations and details, call (847) 844-3600.
I scream, you scream
Summer is always a big time for Dairy Queen, but this summer a local store at Bowes Road and McLean Boulevard had a particularly great experience.
Steve and Judy Gordon, who have owned this DQ for 11 years, were twice invited to celebrate new products; once May l at the Hard Rock Cafe and second July 23 on ABC-7, making the new waffle bowl sundaes for Linda Yu, Sylvia Perez and Tracy Butler. Steve and his son Greg actually were on TV, and daughter Kelly was out front wearing a Blizzard costume. All the Gordons say the anchor ladies were as nice in person as they appear on TV.
Then giving back to the community, they participated in the Aug. 9 Miracle Treat Day where the proceeds -- $2,500 this year -- from the sale of ice cream Blizzards were donated to Children's Memorial Hospital.
Look for the Boy Scouts to be selling Blizzards today at the Elgin Historic House Walk as a fundraiser. The Boys and Girls Club will be doing the same at Duckapalooza on Sept. 8. This is a great way to help local groups and enjoy a tasty treat at the same time.
Debbie Macomber
New York Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber came to a book signing at Books at Sunset in Elgin on Thursday evening. Despite the torrential rain, 230 women from five states came to hear her inspirational story and learn about her novels.
I got a chance to meet with her before the presentation and talked to her about her path to success. As a dyslexic before the term was known, she was not expected to excel in school. Even so, she dreamed of writing. After marrying and with four children, she finally began to work on her dream, with a rented typewriter. Her husband supported her, and, after 4½ years of rejections, Silhouette Books from Harlequin Novels accepted her first book set, "The Country Brides." More than 100 titles later, Debbie loves writing one hardcover, two paperbacks and a Christmas romantic comedy every year.
The next story in her Cedar Cove series hits the stores next Tuesday, called 74 Seaside Avenue (the first number of each address is the number in the series; this is the seventh).
Call Judy Brownfield at Books at Sunset at (847) 888-1860 for details.