Wheaton's Lubko Center offers day trips for seniors
Wheaton Park District's Mary Lubko Center offers a variety of day trips for senior citizens.
Lauren Bessey, travel coordinator for the center at 200 W. Union Ave., says the trips range from jaunts through Chicago's hottest neighborhoods to theater performances for shows such as "Hamilton" to boat tours along Milwaukee's shoreline and brown bag journeys across northern Indiana's Amish community.
For many, the trips are something to look forward to, she said, but, for some, they're lifesaving.
"One woman told us we've made the biggest difference in her whole life," Bessey said. "She wrote a letter to the Daily Herald saying the Wheaton Park District saved her life. She goes on every trip and has formed a large circle of friends outside of the trips."
The arrival of the center's quarterly newsletter, Time of Your Life, is often a social event, said Mary Lubko Center Manager Linda Dolan.
"We have four women who gather around with the newsletter as soon as they get it and figure out where they're going next," she said. "It provides something to talk about, to look forward to. We think people will have a happy life if they have happy people in it."
The friendliness may be attractive, but so is the lack of stress.
"We do all of the planning," Bessey said. "Nothing is required of them. The motor coach stops at the door. People feel safe with us, and it's a great way to meet new friends."
On the way are two opportunities to do just that.
On Cruisin' Milwaukee, departing Wednesday, Aug. 10, guests will learn about the charming 15th-century St. Joan of Arc Chapel on the campus of Marquette University, see new progressive housing and business developments, visit the Milwaukee Public Market, and be dazzled by the view of the lakeside city's skyline from the water, especially the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Because of the size of her groups, Bessey gets exclusive access to "places nobody else can go," like Chicago-based chef Rick Bayless' private Bucktown gardens.
With the Rick Bayless Garden Tour on Thursday, Sept. 15, foodies can amble through the Bayless Organic Garden, featured on the PBS Series "Mexico - One Plate at a Time," and see where the lettuces, vegetables and herbs for Bayless' three award-winning downtown restaurants - Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, and XOCO - are grown.
They can also walk a portion of The 606, an elevated park and trail system following the now-defunct Bloomingdale Line through Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park.
Bessey generates ideas for trips about a year ahead of time and plans them six months out.
"I look at what's coming to Chicago," she said. "Sometimes participants ask to go certain places. And I also look for word-of-mouth, the next big thing maybe not everyone's heard about."
One challenge is finding high-quality restaurants that accommodate large groups.
Another is dispelling the notion that participants will be uncomfortable traveling alone.
"We like to pair up anyone who's traveling by themselves with another person," Dolan said. "It takes courage to go by yourself, and we want everyone to be comfortable."
And these trips aren't just for Wheaton residents. Any adult can purchase a yearly household membership for $15, which lets them participate in all Mary Lubko Center-sponsored programs for the resident rate. Members also receive four issues of the center's quarterly newsletter.
The fall issue, to be released in September, will feature "six new day trips to choose from, plus a variety of parties, programs, and classes," Dolan said.
To become a member of the Mary Lubko Center, register for trips, and learn more, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com, call the Mary Lubko Center at (630) 665-1415, or stop in at 208 W. Union Ave. in Wheaton during regular business hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.