Oktoberfest to begin with dinner, auction

Our family settled here in 1993, so I missed the first Oktoberfest at Rotary Hill in '92, an event that celebrates Naperville's German heritage dating to the mid-1800s.

Moving and improving from one parking lot to the next, Oktoberfest quickly became the Rotary Club of Naperville's biggest fundraiser.

Over the years, proceeds have helped support projects such as the Riverwalk extension, the Millennium Carillon, Century Walk art at Naper Settlement and Fredenhagen Park, as well as dozens of nonprofit humanitarian agencies.

With 15 years worth of Oktoberfest experiences under their belts -- served up with bratwurst, sauerkraut and German potato salad and washed down with cold beer to the tunes of "The Beer Barrel Polka" and "The Chicken Dance" -- organizers sought a new twist this time around.

"Rotary Shares" is the global theme set by Rotary International President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson from Trenton, Ontario, for his year at the helm.

Locally, the theme seems perfectly suited to represent the three Rotary clubs of Naperville -- comprised of about 275 members -- as they collaboratively present the Rotary Shares Auction.

The premiere dinner event, led by Chuck Bokar and his committee, starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at The Pavilion at Meson Sabika. A limited number of tickets are available for $100 by calling Wendy Gross at (630) 983-4120.

Thursday's festivities will feature a "tapping of the keg" by Mayor George Pradel.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, follow the bright yellow signs to the big white heated tent set up for the Johnny Wagner Band in the Paw Paw lot at Webster and Van Buren streets. Admission is $5.

For the complete four-day schedule, visit wwwrotaryoktoberfest.com. It is chock-full of details with auction items, menus and highlights, including Heritage YMCA Family Day on Sunday when children are admitted free.

After three boisterous days at the Paw Paw lot, organizers expect to say "Auf Wiedersehen" and "Dankeschön" to downtown Naperville when the tent closes at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Local Rotarians, of which I'm one, are considering new locations for next year's Oktoberfest. Your ideas are "willkommen."

German spoken here

If you're interested in other things German, consider the church service spoken in German at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John United Church of Christ, 1190 Olesen Drive.

For years, Gudran Haas has been a reliable source for news about this monthly service with German choirs and soloists.

Earlier this month, when Rajmohan Gandhi spoke at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall in Celebration of Peace, Haas handed me an "Einladung" to Sunday's service. Written in German, I enjoyed trying to decipher the words on the "invitation" before consulting my German dictionary.

Die Webseite der Gemeinde is www.stjohnucc.bigstep.com.

Seasonal Riverwalk

Another place that attracts visitors in October is the Riverwalk. For many of us regular walkers, the crisp, cool mornings whet our appetite to pick up the pace.

What's more, the recently opened Moser Tower offers a vantage point for spectacular views of Naperville's colorful landscape as it changes this season.

Weather permitting, 30-minute tower tours are $3 and scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. Tickets are available at the Visitors Center in the Netzley House along the Riverwalk at the base of Rotary Hill.

Which brings me to my final pitch: the annual Riverwalk Fall Breakfast is slated from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 11 in the upper level banquet room at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson, overlooking the Riverwalk. Tickets are $45 each for the plated breakfast served by Chef by Request. Doors open at 7 a.m.

Since its inception in 2002, the annual event has been a public time to celebrate the community's natural treasure. Presentations during the breakfast are designed to educate about needs and future plans for the Riverwalk, as well as to recognize Riverwalk visionaries and the unique partnership between the city of Naperville and Naperville Park District.

For reservations, call Riverwalk Administrator Jan Erickson at (630) 305-5984.

For more information about the Riverwalk, visit www.napervilleriverwalk.com.

If you go

What: Naperville Oktoberfest sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Naperville

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; 5:30 p.m. Thursday charity auction at Meson Sabika

Where: Paw Paw parking lot, Main Street and Van Buren Avenue, Naperville

Cost: $5; free for ages 12 and younger Sunday

Info: www.rotaryoktoberfest.com