When Elsie and Erv Campbell moved to Arlington Heights 25 years ago, they were delighted to find a square dance club in their area.
“We belonged to a square dance club in Michigan, and we liked it so much that we wanted to continue,” Elsie Campbell said. “It’s a very good way to meet people. You can square dance all over the world, so you gain instant friends.”
The couple joined the Arlington Squares Square Dance Club in 1976, and they’ve been dancing–and making friends–ever since.
“Square dancing is friendship in motion. The people are so friendly. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s good exercise too,” Campbell said.
Every second, fourth and fifth Friday evening, September through May, 50 couples and 12 “singles” spend 2 1/2 hours dancing in the hall they rent from St. Simon’s Episcopal Church , 717 W. Kirchoff Rd., in Arlington Heights. (“Singles” are men and women who don’t have partners.)
The club, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year, performs at community events, participates in the annual state convention in Peoria during the summer, gives square dance lessons and offers members other activities such as arts and crafts, bowling and golf.
“We welcome new members,” Campbell said. “The more the merrier.”
The dance group is one of dozens of clubs in the Arlington Heights area.
The clubs are a way for residents to meet people, socialize, share similar interests and conduct community service.
“Everyone brings their own interest to our club,” said Anne Harmel, a five-year member of the Godey Questers, an organization that fosters interest in antiques and related subjects. “That ranges from people interested in art to antique furniture to the history of French fabrics.
“Our membership includes interior designers, real estate agents and people who work at the library. It’s a nice mix of people.”
The club is named for Louis Godey (1804-1878), an American publisher and founder of Godey’s Lady’s Book, which was the first successful women’s magazine that featured color plates of the latest fashions and articles by famous authors.
Formed 32 years ago, the club has 25 members and a waiting list of prospective members.
Meetings are held the second Tuesday morning each month, September through May, at members’ homes. Programs include a short business meeting, social time and a guest speaker.
Speakers are experts in their field, and talk about subjects like Oriental antiquities, pressed glass and vintage silver. Members also take trips to places such as the Art Institute of Chicago and Graceland Cemetery on Chicago’s North Side. In addition, the club donates a portion of its dues to arts and charitable organizations.
“We’re a group interested in antiques and in learning new things, but we’re also friends,” Harmel said.
“Artists need the support of other artists,” said Sylvia Westgard, a 15-year member of the Arlington Heights Art Guild, which was established 31 years ago. “Getting together with people interested in the same things you’re interested in spurs you on and gets the creative juices flowing.”
The organization, which has about 125 active members, meets the third Thursday evening each month, September through June, at the Wheeling Township Hall, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights.
“We have a monthly program with guests who demonstrate a technique like color pencil drawing or photography–really just about anything related to art,” said Westgard, the club’s publicity chairwoman.
The club arranges field trips to the Art Institute; exhibits members’ works at local galleries, restaurants, corporations and banks; and sponsors “Art in the Market,” the annual art fair held in August at the Market Place Shopping Center in Arlington Heights. In addition, the organization awards monetary scholarships to high school art students.
“If you want to learn a new technique, solve a problem or find out about new products, this is the group,” Westgard said. “It’s also a place to form friendships–we’re a very friendly group of people.”
Welcoming new residents and helping them adjust to their surroundings is one goal of the Newcomers & Neighbors of Arlington Heights.
The club, which was established in 1947 and has 60 members, is a social, civic and charitable organization that “creates a new community of friends for those who have moved into the area,” president Jennifer Bulandr said.
Members meet the second Wednesday evening each month at a local restaurant where they conduct a business meeting, then have dinner.
“Most of our members are married, stay-at-home moms with young children,” said Bulandr, a member for 2 1/2 years. “It can be difficult to make new friends at this stage.
“This is a great venue for meeting people. We offer many different activities, and we encourage members to get involved.”
Some of the activities are a movie night, book discussion club, arts and crafts, a walking club and children’s play groups. In addition, each month the club offers separate events for moms and tots, couples and families.
Bulandr is proud of the organization’s “Helping Hands” program, which benefits members in need of assistance.
“We go to the store, run errands, help with the children and provide meals for that member and her family for as long as they need the help. It’s part of the family and community structure we’re trying to provide,” she said.
The organization also holds an annual silent auction that benefits a local charity; sponsors a canned food drive for residents of Wheeling Township; and a school-supplies drive for local underprivileged children.
“Our membership is also a wealth of information for new residents,” said Bulandr, who has two children under age 6. “We know all the pediatricians, veterinarians and preschools.”
Another club offering support and multiple activities is the Double Take Mothers of Twins Club, which has 35 members.
The club, which has been around for 20 years, holds meetings at members’ homes on the first Wednesday evening of the month. Meetings usually include a guest speaker and social hour.
“Socialization is very important for moms of twins,” said president Lorie VanScoyoc, the mother of 5-year-old identical twin boys. “It’s very challenging to have twins–you’ve got two kids the same age and they require a lot of attention.”
There is something to look forward to “if you know that once a month you’re going to be with people who are going through the same thing,” said VanScoyoc, who also has a 12 year-old son. “It’s nice to talk to someone who can offer advice and encouragement.”
VanScoyoc, who joined the group when her sons were 6 months old, recalls talking with the mother of 6-year-old twins at a meeting.
“I remember thinking to myself, `If she made it, I can make it,'” she said.
In addition to offering each other emotional support, members hear about issues pertinent to rearing children. Recent speakers have included a pediatric dentist, a behavioral specialist and sets of high school-age twins who talked about what it’s like growing up as a twin.
Members also exchange ideas and information about subjects such as toilet-training techniques and making an informed decision about whether twins should be in the same classroom when they start school.
“One thing I suggest [to other mothers] is to put twins in separate bedrooms at nap time,” VanScoyoc said. “It works out much better because when they’re together, they play instead of going to sleep.”
The club also offers a variety of activities, including potluck dinners, a holiday party with Santa Claus, breakfast with the Easter Bunny and a family picnic. Twice a year the club holds a sale featuring gently-used children’s clothing. Members get first choice, and then the sale is open to the public.
“We offer a variety of things to our members,” VanScoyoc said. “But I think it’s the strong friendships that have developed that mean the most. You have a group of friends who know exactly what you’re going through. You know you’re not alone.”
CLUBBING IT
Here are some of the clubs in Arlington Heights. With so many to choose from, there is something for everyone.
For more information about a club, please call the contact number.
Arlington Associates Club/Northwest Suburban Associates: A women’s social club that meets the second Wednesday at a local restaurant; 847-394-3499.
Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus: Meets every Monday at the Lutheran Home, 800 Oakton St.; 847-506-1422.
Arlington Heights Art Guild: Meets the third Thursday at the Wheeling Township Hall, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd.; 847-537-3871.
Arlington Heights Garden Club: Meets the third Monday at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave; 847-255-5527.
Arlington Heights Historical Society: No regular meetings; members assist the Arlington Heights Park District in the operation of the Arlington Heights Museum, volunteering for museum activities; 847-255-1225.
Arlington Heights Lions Club: Meets the first and third Tuesday at Eddie’s Restaurant & Lounge, 10 E. Northwest Hwy.; 847-253-0085.
Arlington/Rolling Meadows Toastmasters: Meets the second and fourth Wednesday at the Rolling Meadows Library, 31110 Martin Ln., Rolling Meadows; 847-397-1177.
Arlington Squares Square Dance Club: Meets the second, fourth and fifth Friday, September through May, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Rd.; 847-392-4309.
Dance World: The group features ballroom, swing, hustle, and country and western dancing; meets monthly, usually the second Saturday (call update number for information), at the Elks Club, 262 Golf Rd.; 847-985-9868 and 847-622-3622 (update number).
Double Take Mothers of Twins Club: Meets the first Wednesday at various locations; 847-705-6970 and 847-577-8660.
Godey Questers: The club fosters interest in antiques and related subjects; meets the second Tuesday, September through May, at various locations; 847-392-4582.
New Beginnings: A women’s choral ensemble that meets every Monday at the Church of the Incarnation, 330 W. Golf Rd.; 847-696-2954 and 847-255-9509.
Newcomers & Neighbors of Arlington Heights: Meets the second Wednesday at various local restaurants; 847-632-1866.
Northwest Suburban National Organization for Women (NOW): Meets the third Wednesday at various locations; 847-253-3154 and 847-604-2974 (update number).
Northwest Tax Watch: The non-profit, non-political organization offers information on tax issues related to improving local government; meets the third Wednesday at the Wheeling Township Hall, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd.; 847-397-4455.
Rotary Club of Arlington Heights: Meets every Thursday at the Wellington Restaurant, 2121 S. Arlington Heights Rd.; 847-506-2614.
Scarsdale Estates Homeowner’s Association: Meets as needed; 847-632-1108.
Transatlantic Brides & Parents Association: Meets the third Tuesday, September through June, at various locations; 847-255-4150.
Young Single Parents, Chapter 103: Meets every Friday at the Sheraton Arlington Park, 3400 W. Euclid Ave.; 847-622-3800.
— Compiled by Maryann Traficante Mills
