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| Volume 11, Issue 2 |
June 2011 |
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 Time for summer fun!
After a long, cold, snowy winter and a wet spring, summer's finally here! And although the weather can still be pretty variable, most of us are looking forward to more outdoor activities.
Here are a few places to keep in mind for summer fun:
Independence Grove Forest Preserve
16400 W. Buckley Rd., Libertyville
Just a hop, skip, and jump from Knollwood, Independence Grove is home to a wide array of activities, from hiking to boating to laying out on the beach. Most of the amenities are either free or at a reduced rate for Lake County residents.
Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach
Enter on foot at Scranton Avenue and Sunrise Avenue
Operated by the Lake Bluff Park District, use of Sunrise Beach is free to Park District residents, which includes most of Knollwood. Just stop by the Park District office at 355 W. Washington to pick up your free resident beach pass first. Street parking near the beach is available on Scranton and Center avenues - check the signs for any parking restrictions.
Lake Bluff Blair Park Pool
Blair Park, 355 W. Washington, Lake Bluff
The pool is open for use this summer after some needed repairs, so why not take advantage of it? It's still the favorite hangout of many youngsters and serious lap-swimmers alike. There's water, sun, shade, lounge chairs, concessions ... what more can you ask for? Daily rates as well as season passes are available.
And if the heat gets to be too much ...
Hot Shot Ice Arena
29860 Skokie Hwy., Lake Bluff (1 mile north of Rt. 176 on the west side of Rt. 41)
They offer open skating on the weekends, and much more - check out their website.
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 This year's picnic will hold a special meaning
We usually hold the annual Knollwood Neighbors Picnic on the second Sunday in September, and in 2011 that happens to fall on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We thought long and hard about the appropriateness of having a social event on that date - and decided it was the perfect day for the picnic. Why? Because if we've learned one thing from the terrible events of September 11, 2001, it's to treasure our connections with our families, our friends, our community, and our way of life.
We're planning to open the picnic with a special event or presentation to commemorate the day, and then it will be time for food and fun with family and friends, just like we've done for the last 11 years.
So mark your calendar for SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 and plan to spend the afternoon with us. And please send us an email at contact@knollwoodneighbors.com if you would like to help with the picnic or have a raffle item to donate.
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 Help name the park at West School
It's been many years since "West School" was actually a school, and the building itself is under private ownership, but the grounds and playing fields to the east of the building are owned and maintained by the Lake Bluff Park District. The Park District would like to name the park, and they have asked for input from Knollwood residents.
The park, at 906 W. Muir, contains a playground as well as several ballfields and open space. It's also where we hold our annual Knollwood Neighbors Picnic.
So, use your imagination ... if you can think of a good name for our park, please send us an email! The Park Board will make its decision over the summer, and they have offered to hold a dedication ceremony in conjunction with our picnic on September 11th.
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 County Board to vote on new districts
The Lake County Reapportionment Committee, a bi-partisan committee of county board members, unanimously approved an ordinance adopting an apportionment plan, including a map with new district boundaries for the Lake County Board. The entire County Board will vote on the plan at its June 14 meeting.
There are currently 23 board members who represent 23 districts. In April, the committee voted to reduce the size of the board to 21 members. The proposed map reflects new boundaries for 21 districts, with each district having a target population of 33,498.
Currently Knollwood is in District 13, along with most of Lake Forest and all of Lake Bluff. Our current County Board representative is Susan Gravenhorst.
Under the new map, we will be in District 12, along with most of Lake Forest and parts of Highland Park and Deerfield. Lake Bluff will remain in District 13. The change will take place in November 2012, coinciding with the general election. All County Board members complete their terms in 2012 and will be up for re-election.
The reapportionment process is required by state and federal law after the U.S. Census every ten years, so that each county board district has equal population. In addition, the redrawing is supposed to comply with the requirements of the Illinois Counties Code, federal and state constitutions, and the federal Voting Rights Act; create contiguous and compact districts; and minimize municipal and township fracturing.
The map can be viewed here.
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 State legislative districts also redrawn
In its legislative session just concluded, the Illinois General Assembly approved new legislative maps for the state House and Senate districts.
Under the new maps, the whole of Knollwood will be reunited in single House and Senate districts. Currently Knollwood is divided between the 29th and 30th Senate districts; once the redistricting takes effect, all of Knollwood will be in the 29th District (currently represented by Susan Garrett). Similarly, Knollwood is currently in two House districts, the 58th and 59th; under the new map we will be completely within the 58th District (currently represented by Karen May).
The new maps will take effect for the February 2012 primary and November 2012 general elections. All state senators and representatives will complete their terms at that time and will be up for re-election.
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 From the Lake Bluff Park District
Lake Bluff Swim Pool
The Lake Bluff Swim Pool is open for the 2011 season. There are extended hours for public swim on Thursdays and Fridays. The hours are as follows:
- Monday-Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Family movie nights at the swim pool will be held on Saturday, June 25 and Saturday, July 23 at dusk.
BBQ nights will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. each Friday beginning June 10 through August 5.
Day Camps
Lake Bluff Day Camps begin on Monday, June 13 for ages 2 and up. Please visit our website to find out more information about our variety of camps offered.
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 Highlights from Shields Township
Dear Knollwood Neighbors,
Every month we’re seeing more and more neighbors utilizing the Food Pantry located in our township offices. Just this year, from January through May, we’ve seen a 67% jump in the number of people served compared to a year ago! And, if history is to be a teacher, the summer months typically see some of the highest traffic of the year due to children being out of school.
We’re fortunate to live in a township of generous and compassionate people. Our shelves stay stocked thanks to so many who give their money, food or time to help others less fortunate ...
On July 22, a volunteer committee is sponsoring the Drive Fore Food golf outing at Lake Bluff Golf Course to benefit the food pantry at Shields Township (click here for more information). I urge all who are able to consider how they might support the effort, which is sure to be meaningful AND fun!
There are many opportunities for involvement:
- Sponsor a foursome or gather three friends and play
- Sponsor a hole or beverage cart and advertise your company
- Donate items to the Silent Auction raffle
- Come for dinner (food provided by Bluffingtons and sponsored by Northwestern/Lake Forest Hospital), or
- Offer helping hands the day of the outing
There’s room for everyone, and your support will not only be greatly appreciated but help nurture the bodies and souls of your neighbors.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Gale Strenger Wayne
Supervisor, Shields Township
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 From the Knollwood Garden Club
The Knollwood Garden Club has had a busy spring agenda. In addition to planting and tending the gardens under the Welcome to Knollwood signs, we have enjoyed some wonderful programs. In March, Joan and Jim Sayre shared their amazing photographs and discussed flowers and insects of Lake County. Joan photographs the tiniest of insects and enlarges her photos so that even the smallest details can be examined. They are truly works of art! In April, Jon and Sharon Bayer hosted a program entitled "Getting Rid of Invasive Plants." Jon, a master gardener, provided information on eradicating some of the most invasive plants in our area, including garlic mustard and the dreaded buckthorn.
We invite all of you to attend our upcoming programs. On June 25, we will be taking a field trip to a private garden in Winthrop Harbor followed by a lunch outing and a visit to Illinois Beach State Park. On July 10, please join us for our annual Knollwood Garden Walk. We will visit six local gardens and end with a potluck party. This walk is always a highlight and participants get to enjoy a wide variety of gardening styles.
If you would like to participate in our future programs, add your name to our email list, or get a copy of the handout on eradicating invasive plants, please contact Lisa Schwarz at 847-525-4769. Come grow with us!
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 Flying the flag
Did you notice the American flags that were placed along Waukegan Road and Rt. 176 in Knollwood on Memorial Day? Or the Lake Forest High School Scouts flags on June 4th, graduation day? These are the work of a few dedicated Knollwood volunteers.
Get involved! We need volunteers to sign up for flag duty on other holidays. Coming up soon are Flag Day on June 14th and Independence Day on July 4th. Call us at 847-701-5665 or send an email to contact@knollwoodneighbors.org if you can help.
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 It'll be a beautiful day for a ballgame!
We're planning an outing to a Lake County Fielders game, tentatively on Saturday, July 9th. It's a night game with fireworks scheduled after the game. Construction on the Fielders' ballpark in Zion is running behind schedule, but they tell us they'll have permanent seating in place by then.
Want to join us? Send us an email, and we'll get in touch once we have more details.
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