Scott Coren introduced Highwood's Mayor, Charlie Pecaro. Charlie is an honorary member of the Club and it's always great to see him. He's been Mayor since 2009, serving on the city council as an alderman before that. He is behind the Celebrate Highwood campaign that does it's best to highlight the great community that Highwood is. With attracting young families in mind, the city is renovating Everts Park (located at Highwood Avenue and Green Bay Road). On the 8 acre site, new play equipment and band shell are planned as well as upgraded electricity and lighting. They are also expanding parking in a few areas nearby. This has been possible with a $400,000 grant to match the funds they had earmarked for this project. Highwood's library is also scheduled for a serious upgrade, thanks to a $600,000 grant from the state that is an addition of the $2.1 million the city slated for the project. This will create more of a community space for patrons. Computers and wifi is part of that plan. Also in the pipes are a couple multi unit apartment buildings. One is located in the old Bartucci building and is already fully rented. These buildings will be near the train station, making it more appealing for commuters. Despite the pandemic, only one business closed in Highwood (Humble Pub). The city eased restrictions and provided glass huts for outdoor dining - anything that would help the restaurants adjust their businesses to make it. Loyal customers from surrounding communities helped keep them open. Mayor Pecaro also told us of a couple of new businesses. In the former shop where the shoe repairman was, a toffee shop will be opening in the next couple months and a Noon-O Kebob (a favorite of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot) in May. The city will soon see its first cannabis store, Windy City Cannabis. Things are definitely happening in Highwood! Some of the Celebrate Highwood festivities are still planned. Pumpkin Fest, Taco Fest and Nashwood are still slated to happen, Inferno Fest will be replace by Margarita Fest (I wholeheartedly approve of this one!). Charlie credits his outstanding staff, Scott Coren, the City Manager, and City Council in making these things happen. Joe Lolli, who grew up in Highwood, was a Past-President of the Highwood Chamber of Commerce (among so many other leadership roles he held), commended Mayor Pecaro for his fine job at running Highwood. -mb |