Above / The beauty of the winding Riverwalk extension along the DuPage River between Hillside Road and Fredenhagen Park on a sunny November day provides a peaceful time to reflect upon the attractive assets that welcome folks to this community. It’s also a time to value care and maintenance plans that keep this city’s natural treasures well kept and safe.
A little more than a week ago, PN ventured up 14,116 feet to Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway near Colorado Springs for spectacular views that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write a poem in 1893 later set to music. As Thanksgiving approaches, here’s hoping this community is grateful for “America the Beautiful.” Simply sing along in tune! Cheers!
A Few Things to Do with Thoughts of Thanksgiving
Sat., Nov. 19
6PM-9PM / VFW & Auxiliary Turkey Raffle at the Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jefferson Avenue. The adult community is invited to this fun and fundraising party where everybody has a chance or two or more to win a turkey and prizes galore. This popular fundraiser is typically held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Save the date for the same time in 2023.
Sun., Nov. 20
Dusk to Daybreak / While shopping and dining locally, check out the bright white lights glistening throughout downtown Naperville and throughout the City during the holiday season. Then by day, plan to enjoy the Ho, Ho, Holiday season through the New Year.
10AM / View the World Cup at Quigley’s Irish Pub with cold beverages available. Check the schedule for the World Cup at www.quigleysirishpub.com. Watch the games Nov. 20 through Dec. 3, 2022. Quigley’s is located at 43 E. Jefferson Avenue.
Mon., Nov. 21
24 Hours a Day / Drop letters to Santa in his mailbox beginning Nov. 21 through Dec. 11, 2022. Find the painted Santa Mailbox at the entrance to the Van Buren Parking Lot at Main Street (near Cinnaholic) in downtown Naperville. Simply drop off a letter addressed to Santa, including a list of holiday wishes with name and return address, and Santa’s elves magically will fast-track letters to the North Pole for review. Best of all, kids will receive a personalized note in the mail acknowledging receipt. No postage required and no cost. Just remember to include your return address.
8AM-5PM / First day to drop off petition packets by local citizens interested in filing to run to serve Naperville City Council in the nonpartisan election of Mayor and four seats for City Council members. Petitions can be dropped off at the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours, 8AM to 5PM Mon., Nov. 21; Tues., Nov. 22; Wed., Nov. 23; and Mon., Nov. 28.
Tues., Nov. 22 thru Dec. 23
10AM-5PM /Naperville Art League announces its annual “Gallery of Gifts” fine art and crafts sale runs through December 23 at the Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery, 508 N. Center Street, in Naperville. One-of-a-kind, affordable art by over 30 local artists includes jewelry, ornaments, greeting cards, wall art, wearable art, home décor, glass art, photography, books, specialty soaps, and more. Gift certificates can be purchased via the website www.napervilleartleague.com and can be used for classes, merchandise or league membership. “Gallery of Gifts” shopping hours are 10AM to 5PM Tuesdays through Fridays; 10AM to 4PM Saturdays. Admission is Free.
Dusk / NaperLights along Water Street and throughout Jaycees Park add color to the festive illumination throughout downtown Naperville.
Wed., Nov. 23
4:55PM / According to the an inquiry at the City Clerk’s office just before 5PM Wed., Nov. 23, 15 hopefuls now have filed petitions for the nonpartisan municipal election. Three Mayoral candidates are Scott Wehrli, Benny White and Tiffany Stephens. And 12 City Council candidates also in order by filing include Ashley South, Ashfag Syed, Nag Jaiswal, Allison Longenbaugh, Nathan “Nate” Wilson, Derek McDaniel, Josh McBroom, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin. Jodi Trendler. Patrick Kelly, Meghna Bansal and Madhu Uppal. The deadline for all hopefuls to turn in petition packets is 5PM Mon., Nov. 28, 2022. The nonpartisan Consolidated Election is Tues., April 4, 2023.
Thurs., Nov. 24
8AM / Naperville Noon Lions Club Turkey Trot 5K steps off from Naperville Central High School. All ages welcome to participate. Stay tuned for Turkey Trot 5K “By the Numbers”! Meanwhile, thanks for expressing appreciation to crews that worked on Thanksgiving Day to keep everyone safe and informed. Cheers!
8AM to Noon / Quigley’s Irish Pub is open Thanksgiving Day morning to celebrate folks who run, walk or waddle in the 25th Annual Turkey Trot. World Cup begins at 10AM. World Cup viewing continues through Dec. 3. Cold beverages available.
Complimentary Thanksgiving “TO-GO” Dinner is a gift from Meson Sabika *** FYI: 3,000 To-Go orders have been ordered available by advance reservation for 2022. All orders are booked for 2022. The restaurant is closed Thanksgiving Day, open for pick up on preorders only. Doors again open for in-person dining on Fri., Nov. 25. Happy Thanksgiving!
Fri., Nov. 25
10AM (United States vs. England at 1PM) / Quigley’s Irish Pub is open for today’s matches. World Cup viewing continues through Dec. 3. Cold beverages available.
Shop small and local all weekend and every day whenever possible!
7PM / Rotary Club of Naperville in partnership with the Downtown Naperville Alliance will present the annual Holiday Parade of Lights beginning at 7PM on Fri., Nov. 25. The parade route begins in the Centennial Beach parking lot and travels east along Jackson Street, turning left onto Webster north to Van Buren where it will pass by the viewing stand. The parade will go west on Van Buren, ending at Naper School.
Between 7:30 and 8PM / Immediately following the parade Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with kids inside the Naperville Public Library, aka Nichols Library, lower level until 9PM.
Sat., Nov. 26
8-9PM and 9:30-10:30PM / Book a Private Naperville Trolley & Tours Holiday Light Tour. Consider dates left by simply clicking on the “Private Charter” tab as tour planners keep a list of what is still available to book at the bottom of that page. Note that some dates already are sold out. For everything about Naperville Trolley & Tours including the new tour schedule to Christkindl Market in Aurora on Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, visit www.napervilletrolley.com. Trolley la la la…la la la.
Noon / Join Chippy to cheer on the North Central College Cardinals during the second game of the NCAA Division III Championship Series at Benedetti/Wehrli Stadium. The Cardinals are ranked #1 in the nation and will host a second-round playoff game at 12PM on Sat., Nov. 26, against the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans. Want to watch? Stream the game here. Go, Cardinals!
Happy Thanksgiving every day!
Garden of the Gods
Stone markers along the trails provide information about the geological history of the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, a brisk walk from the historic Buffalo Lodge where we stayed among the deer and other wildlife. We experienced the trails reveal incredible pictures of earth history where the age of some sandstone in the area dates all the way back 300 million years ago.
Oh! America, the beautiful! We are grateful for acceptance, understanding, caring and love as we count our blessings. —PN
Last Updated with some bold reminders, Nov. 25, 2022
