The tournament took place over a 12-week period, culminating with the championship game between Friendship Village and Spring Meadows, held at Villa St. Benedict in Lisle on August 31. Friendship Village bowlers clearly ruled the day. The scores of the two games bowled were: Katherine Dagres bowling 205 and 168, Helen Jerusis with 191 and 179, Dan Dudych bowling 178 and 192, and Velma Robinson with 178 and 181. The scores were reportedly well below their averages, due to the stress of the competition. The team coach was Conroy Erickson.

Greetings and Aloha from Friendship Village! Our residents enjoyed a taste of the islands last Friday in the Roger Smith Memorial Garden of Friendship Village. The garden was transformed into an island paradise complete with parrots, Tiki torches, and floral beauty. The enchanting sound of Calypso music filled the air. Every resident was greeted in a traditional manner with a floral lei of rainbow colors and a warm and gracious welcome from our lovely volunteers. Samson, a certified companion dog, donned his very own lei in the spirit of the event. The day was picturesque with warm sunshine and gentle breeze setting the scene of a true tropical paradise. Residents made their way to their seats, but not without stopping at the Tiki hut first for a glass of tropical nectar.

Once everyone was seated, the entertainment commenced. The lovely ‘Aloha Dancers’ performed their cultural native dances of Polynesia. They danced in their authentic costumes with great style and grace. Some of our more daring residents soon became natives by joining in the fun of the island dance.

Ainsworth Rose, the Jamaican One-Man-Band, was the next performer. His style and demeanor complemented the afternoon of tropical pleasure. Ainsworth and his magical keyboard took us on a Calypso journey of music and song.

Residents all agreed the afternoon was fabulous – a true tropical island get-a-way of enchantment without the cost of airfare!

Over the past several years, Friendship Village has carefully cultivated a butterfly garden. Focusing on specially selected plants known to attract butterflies, our garden is thriving and fragrant and beautiful. Unfortunately, it hasn’t attracted butterflies.

In order to solve this dilemma, the Lifestyles Team, Land Stewardship and Foundation of Friendship Village joined forces to purchase our own butterfly kits. These kits permitted us to watch more than 30 butterflies transform from larvae to chrysalis, to painted lady butterflies. We adopted this project as a fundraiser. Residents were encouraged to make a $5 donation for which they were permitted to name one of the butterflies. Due to the generosity of our donors, we were able to raise not only enough money to pay for the butterflies, but also to help sponsor a small fountain to add to the butterfly garden.

On June 11 we celebrated the release of the butterflies into our butterfly garden. We hope not only that they will stay with us there, but will also breed and we will have additional generations of butterflies.

All guests were treated to a root beer float at the end of the event.

In addition to being adventurous, scuba diving has many benefits to individuals of all ages. It is the only sport in the world without gravity. Consequently, divers are able to experience an expanded range of motion, improved circulation, and the ability to enjoy being weightless and active under water.

Senior program fitness leader Jillian Patti said that the program as always, was well-received. One participant who had previously been reluctant to get her hair wet, enjoyed herself so much that she has the makings of becoming an avid diver.

Friendship Village was transported back in time during Civil War Days on Friday, June 17th from 1-3 p.m. Beautiful weather and good food played second fiddle to this historical event, which treated residents to a living re-creation of this significant era in American history.

Friendship Village was transformed into The Village Square, giving those who attended, the opportunity to meet and hear from important historical figures of the time, including President Lincoln, a Union nurse, General Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Re-enactors and historians were on hand to speak, teach, answer questions and provide informative commentary on important events and contributions during this time in American history. Actors recounted the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in a lively speech.

Demonstrations and displays included quilt making and spinning cloth, and the opportunity to view amazing Civil War era artifacts such as military gear, an typical apothecary and women dressed in period costumes.

As they would have said it in the 1860’s, “it was a high-falutin’ time full of top rail entertainment, and those in attendance were sure tuckered out by the end of the day!”

See more photos on the Friendship Village online photo album

Watch our Civil War slideshow

On Friday, June 10th, Friendship Village residents toured the WGN Radio Station in the Tribune building on Michigan Avenue. WGN, “The Voice of Chicago” and a favorite radio station of many, is a high powered channel AM station which, during the nighttime hours, is often audible over much of the USA, parts of Canada and even parts of South America and Australia.

Visit our online photo album for more shots.

“Those were really special days,” Dale Wisniewski said about Cubs games with his father.

It’d been more than 10 years since Frank Wisniewski had seen his Cubbies, although his home at Friendship Village in Schaumburg is less than an hour from the Wrigley Field. His declining health kept him home, watching baseball on TV instead of from the stands.

But with the birth of his great-grandson, Frank knew it was time to carry on the tradition and introduce the youngest member of his family to the Friendly Confines. It would be Luca’s first Cubs game, and the first game all four generations had been to together. As a hospice patient, Frank knew it might also be the only game they all shared.

“It’s incredible that we could all go together,” Dale Wisniewski said. “This might be the last game with my dad.”

It was warm and breezy, a perfect day for baseball in Chicago. Four men and one boy arrived early for an extra-special treat: an on-field seat to watch batting practice and meet the team. Frank, the oldest, was quiet and observant. Luca, the youngest, ran his hands along the ivy and chattered away like a typical 3-year-old. They tossed balls, took pictures and donned blue caps like all good fans. They sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame and ate ballpark food.
In the end, the Houston Astros took the game. But as the group left, they turned to take one more look at the stadium that had played such a big part in all of their lives.
“Go Cubs,” they said.


The Wisniewski’s trip to Wrigley Field was hosted by the Passages Hospice Dream Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet wishes and improving quality of life among hospice patients. The day was made possible by a partnership with the Chicago Cubs organization, which donated tickets to the game.

See more photographs on our online album

Later that evening the Polish Palooza continued with the fabulous Polanie Dancers. Children ages 6 – 18 danced traditional Polish numbers from various regions of Poland. The costumes were beautiful – so intricate, detailed and full of color. The variety of dances and costumes was breathtaking! The dancers were seasoned with ultimate grace. Every step, every turn, every whirl was perfect not a move out of place.

The evening ended with a grand finale with the polished voices of Brian Fowler and companion Char. Brian worked his magic and became the “Polish Prince” of music singing all the wonderful Bobby Vinton songs we all love so well. Brian also chose a resident to be his “Polish Princess” the very lovely Stephanie Rowinski was the lucky lady of the evening.  The Polish Palooza was a huge success and was well received by all.

Click here to visit our facebook page to enjoy our Polish Palooza photos.

After the announcement of the King and Queen the games began. Associates from across the campus participated in the pancake flipping relay race. The spirit of competition is alive and well at Friendship Village. The race was close, but the winning team prevailed and won an assortment of prizes including the favorite Mardi Gras snack – Moon Pies!
Residents were up next to show their skills at the Moon Pie toss. Twenty residents tossed their pies one at a time to see how many they could sink into the bean bag toss box. The residents were good – practically sharp shooters with so many Moon Pies ending up in the box. There was a three-way-tie that ended in a toss off. The winners Jim Moffett and Hank Niedzwieki accepted their grand prizes – a gift pack of an assortment of Moon Pies with two bottles of RC Cola – hmmm hmmm.

Following the games, the Dixieland Jazz Band – ‘The Starlite Trio’ struck up a pleasing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Jillian Patti beckoned the audience to join the march under the ‘2nd Line Umbrella’ a rich tradition of Mardi Gras. Residents weaved a single line formation to the beat of this ever-popular American gospel hymn. The afternoon concluded with dancing, refreshments and some Dixieland band tunes that kept your toes tapping. There was good conversation and a lot of merry making and an afternoon full of good times and celebration. Here’s to Mardi Gras!

Click here to visit our online Mardi Gras photo album

Experience a unique way to ring in the spring by attending an exciting concert featuring Chicago Bronze, an accomplished community English handbell ensemble to be held at Friendship Village.  Chicago Bronze is no stranger to Friendship Village having previously presented a spring and Christmas concert.

The free concert will be presented on Sunday May 15 at 7 p.m. in Assembly Hall in Friendship Center.

The exciting program has music from sacred to secular, including Amazing Grace, Y’rushalayim shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold), J. S. Bach’s Little Fugue, and The Spinning Song. A treat for the whole family is PDQ Bells. With section titles like “Eine Kleine What was that?,” “Elise’s Furballs,” and “Taco Bell’s Canon,” this spoof, patterned after PDQ Bach, is a hodgepodge of a “phony sym-phony.” The concert will delight audience members of all ages!

Since 1999, Chicago Bronze has brought the art of handbell music to the Chicago area and beyond. Currently under the direction of Andrea Handley, Chicago Bronze members are dedicated to musical excellence! Dedicated ringers ring five full octaves of handbells and four octaves of handchimes—61 bells and 48 chimes in all.

The concert is open to all Friendship Village residents as well as the general public.

To reserve seating you can contact Donna Brown, Lifestyles Activities Manager, by phone at (847) 843-4254 and by e-mail at donna.brown@friendshipvillage.org.