Gala 'crashers' share memories of Hoffman Estates' early days

Sure there were mayors and other dignitaries from across the suburbs at Hoffman Estates' 50th Anniversary Gala, but the unexpected attendees may have made the biggest impression.

Bonnie Ward and Donna Newbanks were among 20 alums from Schaumburg Elementary School attending their 50th class reunion Saturday, at the Marriott Chicago Northwest, the same hotel where Hoffman Estates officials gathered to celebrate the village's anniversary.

Ward said her family was "the fifth family to move into the city of tomorrow." Newbanks said her family was the eighth. Ward didn't quite believe how big Hoffman Estates would become. Her family moved to the village in 1959.

"At the time we were surrounded by dirt, cows, and a honey farm," Ward said.

The two had no idea the village they knew as children would be celebrating its anniversary the same time they would be gathered to talk about old times. Twenty alums showed up, and others joined in sharing memories via cell phone.

After village officials discovered that Ward and Newbanks were there for the reunion, the two were promptly invited to attend Saturday's gala. Mayor William McLeod introduced them to the crowd, which eagerly applauded the women. Ward was visiting from Mentor, Ohio, while Newbanks lives in Huntley.

"To see how the city has grown in this duration is a complement to all those people who made a difference in the lives in this community, I congratulate all of you." Ward said.

A bevy of retired village officials also made appearances. None drew a larger applause than longtime-Mayor Virginia "Ginger" Hayter. She said her time in California, where she moved after retiring as village clerk in 2007, has served her well and she was happy to catch up with old friends.

Rolling Meadows Mayor Ken Nelson was also on hand, as was Cook County Board Commissioner Tim Schneider from Bartlett and Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig. Nelson drew from his experience when his city celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005.

"The founders of your village would no doubt be amazed by the changes that have taken over this last past half century," he said. "The growing population, housing, business and retail would have been impossible to foresee in 1959, yet they had the foresight to lay the groundwork for what has become a cornerstone community in the Northwest suburbs."

Former village Trustee Fred Crespo, who is now the 44th District state representative, also spoke. He delivered a proclamation from the House of Representatives celebrating Hoffman Estates' anniversary.

"I'd rather be here than Springfield right now," he quipped.

Gregory Dickow, pastor at Life Changers Church in Hoffman Estates, lauded those who attended. He said the village encourages followers of all faiths to prosper by making them feel welcome.

"There's such diversity, there's such great diversity in this village," Dickow said.