Read our community newsletter to discover the latest news and activities at Park Place of Elmhurst Retirement and Assisted Living!
Messenger The AUGUST 2026
PARK PLACE OF ELMHURST
Life at Park Place of Elmhurst A Message from John Huizinga
For the last almost 18 years I have been pastoring the Lombard Christian Reformed Church. I will continue to serve Jesus Christ there preaching a little over half the Sundays throughout the year, while also doing the majority of pastoral visiting. There will be some other tasks I’ll keep up as well along the way. I plan to be at Park Place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, keeping up the schedule that Chaplain Gerry established with you over the years. You know this has been a blessing to the community, so I’ll continue serving in that way. I look forward to getting to know you on an individual basis. I believe that each one of us is made for God, and the Lord has so wired us and all creation that we can and do experience God’s gracious and active presence here and now in our lives as they are. I hope to bless you through acquaintance and friendship and as we experience belonging together in this community through both good times and harder seasons. When I’m not leading a Bible study or a worship service or with you in some other community gathering, I hope to visit with you either in the public spaces at Park Place or even in your home. It’ll take me a while to get to know all of you, and to remember your names! I also look forward to hearing your life stories. Over the next few months, I’ll be navigating this transition to part-time at my church and part-time here at Park Place. There are a few commitments I have made for events in the fall that may have me missing a Bible study here or there or having to re-schedule worship. I am a little intimidated trying to get both the schedule and the lay of the land in my mind. But soon enough I’ll have a routine established, and I look forward to sharing life and the grace of Jesus with you.
Chaplain John I’ll have to get used to that title. I’ve been Pastor John for over 40 years in both Canada and the USA. For a brief while I was ‘Chaplain John’ as a volunteer chaplain
for our hometown minor league Rookie level Lethbridge Black Diamonds. But now I look forward to meeting you and ministering with you at Park Place of Elmhurst. I grew up in Oak Park and attended Timothy Christian when it was back in Cicero. I was spiritually nurtured at Warren Park Christian Reformed Church (which is now Faith CRC in Elmhurst). I was a member of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Berwyn when I received the call to become a minister of God’s Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After attending Calvin College (now University) and Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I took a call to serve our congregations in Alberta, Canada where I served for 23 years. It was there I met and married my wife Sandra, who grew up on a dairy farm in Southern Alberta. And it was there we raised our three children. Brendan, our oldest, works now in Public Works for the village of Lombard. Caleb, our second son, manages a tourism company in Banff National Park in Alberta. If you’ve been to Banff and have seen the bright blue buses, you’ve seen the company he manages. And our youngest, our daughter Alyssa, is a kindergarten teacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at Grand Rapids Christian Schools. None of our children are married yet, so we have no grandchildren, only grand dogs!
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Messenger The PARK PLACE OF ELMHURST
Spotlight Events at Park Place Mini Golf in the Courtyard
Maintenance Committee Wednesday, August 5 1:00 p.m., Creation Studio The Maintenance Committee will meet this afternoon. Please contact the Committee Chair, Mary Corbett, if there is anything you would like her to discuss with the Committee. Life Enrichment Committee Meeting Thursday, August 6 3:00 p.m., Creation Studio Life Enrichment Committee meets today. Please reach out to Melissa Straube, Director of Life Enrichment, with any questions you may have so she can address them with the Committee. We also encourage residents to visit our committee meeting and join if you are interested in participating more with the Life Enrichment department. Wheaton
Saturday, August 1 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bring out the grandkids for a wholesome evening of fun and fellowship. Snacks
will be available while you enjoy some family competition. We cannot wait to see your Mini Golf skills. Kindly sign up your golf party with the Concierge and let them know how many will be Golfing. Watercolor Class: Gallery Project with Gail Tuesday, August 4 1:00 p.m., Creation Studio For the last 3 months, Gail’s classes have created incredible art. Now, it’s time to show it off! If you have attended a class this year, please bring your art to the creation studio and help us develop a new gallery for the first floor. We have 32 frames that can be hung with your favorite pieces. We will also practice writing an “about the artist” description for your work. Our goal is to have the new gallery up before dinner on Aug 4, and we will celebrate during our social hour on Aug 5. Please call Melissa if you have any questions about this gallery. Her direct extension is #10008. Elmhurst Farmers Market
Municipal Band Concert: Pete’s Picks Thursday, August 6 6:45 p.m., Main Entrance
Known as one of the finest bands of its kind in the country, the Wheaton Municipal Band, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Moss, wows audiences with its stunning sound and brilliant musicianship. Legendary Announcer Pete Friedmann shares his picks of band favorites we have performed over the years as we honor his 45th season.
Every Wednesday 7:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The Elmhurst Farmers Market is one of
Kindly sign up with the Concierge by Tuesday, August 4. There are 12 spots available for this outdoor concert.
Elmhurst’s great local markets and a family friendly must-do event, popular with locals and visitors alike. Enjoy boutique style shopping in the parking lot of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church located at 149 W. Brush Hill Rd, Elmhurst, IL.
www.ParkPlaceElmhurst.com (630) 936-4500 | ppe@provlife.com | 1050 Euclid Avenue | Elmhurst, IL 60126 2
Messenger The PARK PLACE OF ELMHURST
Dining Committee Tuesday, August 11 2:00 p.m., Private Dining Room
Park Place Book Discussion The Housemaid By Freida McFadden Saturday, August 8 3:00 p.m., Creation Studio Please note room change.
The Dining Committee will meet this afternoon. Please contact the Dining Committee Chair, Mary Baas, if there is anything you would like her to address with the Committee. Gary Midkiff: 76 Moments of US History, pt 4 of 6 Wednesday August 12 2:00 p.m., Community Room Join fellow residents for Gary’s fourth session of 76 Moments of US History. Today, you will begin with major events from 1934 and end with those from 1954. Topics will include some of the following: y D-Day y Jackie Robinson breaks barriers in Major League Baseball y Brown V. Board of Education Residents Council Friday, August 14 2:00 p.m., Community Room Listen to how your Park Place Resident Council Committees work for you. All residents are encouraged to attend. Welcome Reception
Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband. I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out … and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late. But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am. They don’t
know what I’m capable of… New members are always welcome! Please contact Ann Knutson at ext. 2314 if you would like more information on the Park Place Book Discussion.
Friday, August 14 3:00 p.m., Bistro
Please welcome our newest residents to Park Place. Wine, soft drinks, and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
www.ParkPlaceElmhurst.com (630) 936-4500 | ppe@provlife.com | 1050 Euclid Avenue | Elmhurst, IL 60126 3
Messenger The PARK PLACE OF ELMHURST
Watercolor Class with Gail Tuesday, August 18 1:00 p.m., Creation Studio Join fellow residents for an afternoon watercolor class. You do not have to be an
Birthday Luncheon Thursday, August 20 12:00 p.m., Dining Room
Today, you deserve a celebration for all the joy you bring into the world. There are many precious things in life, but few are as special as you! We invite those with a August birthday to lunch in our Dining Room as we celebrate and
artist to learn new skills such as watercolor painting. We all start as beginner artists and gain knowledge over time. Gail is interested in meeting new artists and instructing another watercolor class. There are 14 spots available for this class. Please sign up early, as spots fill up very quickly. Living with Arthritis: Presented by your Symbria Therapy Team Wednesday, August 19 11:00 a.m., Community Room Are you someone who is impacted by some form of arthritis? Then this presentation is for you. Learn more about how to manage this chronic condition through lifestyle tactics and which exercise techniques or adaptive equipment will improve endurance and mobility while reducing pain. Join your therapy team for this engaging and educational presentation with an opportunity to take part in a self-evaluation questionnaire. We hope to see you there! Piano Classics with Jeffrey Deutsch Wednesday, August 19 2:00 p.m., Living Room We are thrilled to welcome back Jeffrey Deutsch this afternoon for a performance that is sure to have you tapping your foot along. All are welcome to attend.
wish you all a Happy Birthday. RSVP with the Concierge by Thursday, August 13.
Chicago’s First Subway: Presented by Mike Harrington Friday, August 21 1:00 p.m., Community Room
Recently, several of my Park Place friends asked if I would please give another presentation about Chicago’s history, the construction of Chicago’s State Street Subway, completed in 1943, and, of course, my father, Philip Harrington’s role in that great public works project. I had done so nine years earlier, and my friends here seemed to have enjoyed the story. The timing is good from my perspective, as I had been conducting some additional research and recently, with the help of the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Chicago, found an important plaque commemorating the opening of the South Side sewage treatment plant in 1937, which contained my father's name as “Chief Engineer.” I also wanted to answer one question that had been troubling me for many decades. The question is, “Why was Philip Harrington selected to be the designer, builder, and operator of Chicago’s first subway?” Come along and learn the answer.
www.ParkPlaceElmhurst.com (630) 936-4500 | ppe@provlife.com | 1050 Euclid Avenue | Elmhurst, IL 60126 4
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Lizzadro Museum: Liberty Set in Stone Wednesday, August 26 1:00 p.m., Main Entrance Lizzadro Museum has gathered lapidary pieces honoring the enduring spirit of our Nation with exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. See these works, which stand as lasting tributes to 250 years of history, innovation, and the pursuit of liberty. Kindly sign up with the Concierge by Monday, August 24. There are 12 spots available. Lunch Bunch: Gibsons Steakhouse Friday, August 28 11:30 a.m., Main Entrance Did you know,
Faith and Fellowship Bible Study Tuesdays: Creation Studio at 10:45 a.m. August 4: Led by Chaplain John August 11: No In-person Bible Study August 18: Led by Chaplain John August 25: Led by Chaplain John Worship Services Thursdays: Community Room at 2:00 p.m.
August 6: Led by Chaplain John August 13: Led by Chaplain John August 20: Led by Chaplain John August 27: Led by Chaplain John
Men's Fellowship w/Chaplain John Thursday, August 20 8:30 a.m., Private Dining Room
Outstanding Senior Citizen Service Awards The Elmhurst Senior Commission is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Senior Citizen Service Award. The Elmhurst Senior Commission is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council to make recommendations to provide information, advice, and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for adults in Elmhurst. Individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and volunteerism while enhancing the quality of life for Elmhurst residents should be considered for this award. If you know someone deserves this recognition, please pick up a nomination form at the Concierge Desk. Return completed forms to the Concierge Desk by August 14, 2026. Life Enrichment will collect and submit all nominations to City Hall. The Outstanding Senior Citizen Service Award will be presented on November 12, 2026 at Elmhurst City Hall.
Gibson’s has a lunch menu? Enjoy 3 Gold Coast Filet Sliders for $24. Most lunch meals are around
$25. Please consider joining us for an upscale afternoon with fellow residents for the monthly lunch bunch outing. You will see your portion of the bill, reflected on your August monthly statement. Kindly sign up with the Concierge by Wednesday, August 26. There are 12 spots available.
www.ParkPlaceElmhurst.com (630) 936-4500 | ppe@provlife.com | 1050 Euclid Avenue | Elmhurst, IL 60126 5
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Park Place Announcements Voter Registration Help
Park Place of Elmhurst Foundation The Park Place of
Our fellow resident, Jean Klotter, is available for help if you would like to ensure your Illinois voter status for the November election. Jean is a member of the Women League of Voters and more that happy to help with on-line registration, vote by mail, or answer any questions. Jean can be reached at 708-846-3912.
Elmhurst Foundation transforms residents' generosity into real improvements across our community. As our supporting 501(c) (3) organization, the Foundation channels gifts into four Core Funds that touch every aspect of life at Park Place. 1. Capital Projects enhance our campus with improvements that elevate daily living. 2. Quality of Life Programming underwrites the life enrichment activities, wellness support, and faith programs that keep our community vibrant. 3. The Benevolence Fund provides a safety net for lifecare residents facing financial hardship. 4. The Employee Fund supports our dedicated staff through emergency assistance, professional development, and educational scholarships. Each fund addresses a genuine need, from upgrading shared spaces to helping a neighbor through tough times, investing in the team members who care for us all. Foundation Director Beth McGowan Welch invites you to explore how your passions align with these giving opportunities. Whether you're drawn to programming, facilities, resident assistance, or staff excellence, Beth can help you create meaningful impact. Contact Beth at extension 11214 or bethw@ppoefoundation.org. Your support ensures Park Place remains the caring, thriving community we all cherish.
Save the Dates Buddy Holly at Drury Lane Thursday, September 3
Save the Date
Car Show Tuesday, September 15 Rain Date: Thursday, September 17
White Sox Game Sunday, September 27 10 seats still available!
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