Cougars' stadium offerings kicked up a notch
Phil Elfstrom was a visionary. But the former county forest preserve president couldn't have envisioned chomping on prime rib and mostaccioli in a luxury suite at the stadium that bears his name.
When Elfstrom first started talking about bringing minor league baseball to Kane County about 25 years ago, there was no talk about upper deck skyboxes and corporate meeting centers at the home of the Cougars.
In another case of perfect timing for the Cougars' brass last week, the stadium's upper deck suites and conference room were showcased the day after the World Series ended.
The message was simple: Baseball was over, but Phil Elfstrom Stadium entities are available to groups, businesses and organizations all year.
Forget for just a moment that the upper deck suites are roomy, classy and offer a great view. Think more about what kind of food you can eat while conducting a meeting, a wedding reception, or business holiday party in those rooms.
The Cougars' executive chef, Richard Essegian, hits a grand slam on that one. You name it, you can probably have it during an upper deck banquet at Elfstrom - barbecue pork chops, chicken tenders, Italian beef, baked mostaccioli, chicken alfredo, prime rib - and the list goes on.
Anyone plotting a company event in which a big or small room is needed should definitely compare the Cougars' offerings to those of your major hotels or banquet facilities.
Cougars' general manager Jeff Sedivy said the skybox suites are designed in ways that both rabid fans and those who don't care much about baseball will enjoy themselves.
And Sedivy is quick to point out that the rooftop party decks that were also a major part of the stadium expansion are also popular, especially among those who are not concerned about getting a great seat at the game.
"The baseball here is great, but not everyone watches it, and that's OK," Sedivy said. "We're known here for our entertainment as much as for the baseball."
Clear the closet: I wear my coats for so many years, the zippers eventually wear out. But I'll be checking the closets for those that still function properly, because the drop-off sites are set for the community coat drive from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 in the Geneva High School Commons.
If you have a coat or two you'd like to donate, drop them off at any of the Geneva schools or the administrative offices no later than Dec. 4. They'll be distributed the next day at the high school.
Nothing matches it: Right here in the Tri-Cities, we've had emotional welcome home events for military personnel and emotional goodbyes for those who gave their lives in harm's way.
We've also heard the stories of our heroic World War II veterans who are still with us, and we see the obituaries each week in which more of that great generation are leaving us.
The best thing about celebrating Veterans Day in our cities and schools is that we all stop to reflect today on the commitment, sacrifice and respect that a role in the armed services demands.
Nothing in our lifetimes quite matches it.