Palatine to hit 75,000 residents
Officials say Palatine is nearly built out and that trends suggest its population will peak at 75,000 people within the next 10 years.
Despite being one of the Chicago area's biggest suburbs, read any material promoting life in Palatine and you'll undoubtedly be met with testimonies to its small-town feel. And with vacant space in short supply, the quaintness quotient isn't likely to shrink anytime soon.
The Palatine Historical Society's monthly newsletter, "The Palaver," reflects back on the village's charming roots. The November issue features notes from Gerald A. McElroy, who came to Palatine High School in 1931 as a teacher and coach and eventually served as a principal and superintendent of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.
In spring 1943, the newsletter states, McElroy and another coach used their gas ration cards for basketball trips. The following spring, only 33 seniors graduated because 23 members of the class enlisted in the armed forces. The school board eventually authorized diplomas to World War II veterans based on GED tests.
Today's curriculum has also come a ways since 1941, when Latin remained the only foreign language offered at Palatine High after efforts to start French and Spanish courses failed because of lack of interest. Other classes added in the late 1930s included office practice and farm management, and the educational fund budget was less than $35,000.
The king of hometown traditions took place just a couple of weeks ago on Halloween night, when an estimated 7,000 residents gathered at the Fremd-Palatine playoff football game. McElroy would have been impressed, especially considering the Pirates dropped their football program from 1936 to 1942.
The Palatine Historical Society does an outstanding job of chronicling the village's past. Check out the organization at the George S. Clayson House Museum and Library, 224 E. Palatine Road. For more information, call (847) 991-6460.
Education summit: Harper College is set to host an inspiring event aimed at keeping young Hispanic students in school. On Friday, Nov. 21, the Palatine campus will welcome 300 Latino freshmen from a dozen area high schools to its annual Latino Teen Summit.
Students will spend all day meeting with college staff and Latino professionals and interacting with more than two dozen current Latino students from various colleges. Harper and Oakton Community College sponsor the summit to increase Hispanic enrollment at their owns schools, but also to pique their interest in higher education overall.
Play Pebble Beach in Palatine: Golf Nation in Palatine will host a 24-hour Golf-a-Thon fundraiser benefiting Journeys from PADS to HOPE, a group that helps the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. From 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, a $25 donation will get you six holes of virtual golf in the 25,000-square-foot facility, snacks, music and a gift bag. All proceeds go to PADS. Golf Nation is located at 399 N. Quentin Road. For more information and to reserve a slot, call (847) 202-GOLF.
• Kimberly Pohl covers Palatine. Contact her at (847) 427-4472 or kpohl@dailyherald.com.