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Volunteers find they get as much as they give
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Updated: November 8, 2012 3:40PM
Judy Hughes of the Northbrook Historical Society rarely gets out of the office.
That’s because as president, she’s so dedicated to her job. Even at Shermerfest 2012, Hughes, everyone’s perpetual volunteer, was manning the great indoors portion of the event, while outside on a balmy autumn Sunday, Sep. 16, fun and fellowship beckoned.
Being inside the Historical Society meant greeting oodles of visitors and answering their questions, discussing their concerns. Hughes did, however, step outdoors to greet Northbrook history fans who were marveling at Buttercup, the Jersey cow.
“We have a cow again on the Village Green, I love it,” said Hughes, who thanked those who brought Buttercup to Northbrook’s children for the day. Buttercup also seemed to smile.
Jack Upperman, 11, a Glenview Attea Middle School sixth grader, enjoyed petting real poultry. “They’re really cool (livestock). I’ve never held a chicken, they’re really bony and have lots of features,” he said.
Getting up close and personal with live, legal chickens in this Northbrook takes sanctioned moxie and perseverance from festival volunteers who made it possible.
In fact, volunteerism by more than 100 people was prevalent in these here parts.
“I’ve lived here my whole life so it’s important for me to stay a part of Northbrook,” said Dan Kaye, a regular Shermerfest volunteer and Northbrook Historical Society board member.
Festivities included music, an antique car show and costumed, knowledgable “storytellers,” who discoursed informally on actual past events and people of Northbrook, and its predecessor, Shermerville.
“We have a cadre of community volunteers,” said an appreciative Hughes.“You get much more out of volunteering and giving back to your community than you ever give.”
View the video at northbrook.suntimes.com under “Lifestyles” and “Karie Angell Luc.” And see northbrookhistory.org.
