Northbrook Chamber Awards Trudy Welker Posthumous Volunteer of the Year

The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce announced three winners of the seventh annual Business Awards, including the North Suburban YMCA and the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel.

The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce announced their annual Business Award winners this week. The late Trudy Welker was named Volunteer of the Year, the North Suburban YMCA earned Small Business of the Year and the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel was Corporatae Citizen of the Year. Welker joined the chamber in 2002 and volunteered fundraising support over the past decade, the chamber's website reads. The longtime Northbrook resident also worked at Glenbrook North for 23 years until launching an aromatherapy career, in which the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy named her an aromatherapy pioneer for her research on the use of oil for long term patient care.  She passed away on Nov. 8, 2012, according to the Chicago Tribune…

• Photos (1)

YMCA Introduces Adult Improv Classes

A new workshop series at the North Suburban YMCA will help participants develop those skills, using improv exercises to build confidence and spontaneity.

The North Suburban YMCA is introducing a new Adult Life and Learning Department to host six sessions of improv classes for adults, in partnership with Mastermind Connections, a Deerfield-based professional networking organization. The workshops will be led by Amanda Rountree, an actress, director and improv coach who teaches at Lifeline Theatre and the Second City Training Center. According to Mastermind CEO Chad Coe, “These improv workshops bring people together for an experience that can be really fun and empowering. It’s not about theatre; it’s a positive way of approaching life.” Howard Schultz, CEO/Executive Director of the Y, sees a clear connection between the workshop’s philosophy and the Y’s central purpose. “The Y exists to …

• Photos (1)

New Program Combines Glenbrook North Students With YMCA Community

Fitness Buddies is a newly found program that serves as a partnership between the Northbrook YMCA and Glenbrook North High School’s Transition Program, which works with disabled students.

Every Tuesday afternoon, Paige Lipschultz and Stacy Merrigan meet on the treadmills at the Northbrook YMCA for their usual midweek work out. They both set their machines to a brisk walking pace and pick up their conversation from where they left off the week prior. Any new animal stories or plans for the upcoming holidays are shared -- all standard staples of dialogue for the women.  It’s an easy and comfortable exchange between two friends who any onlooker could easily assume have known each other for years. “We’ve become fast friends,” Merrigan said. “Paige is busy. She has book club, cooking classes with friends and she tells me all about the recipes she makes.” Recently, Merrigan and Lipschultz were introduced to each other through …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

North Suburban YMCA Attracts Health Seekers

Northbrook's community center gains members in wake of Fitness 19 closure.

Following a summer of extensive renovations and improvements, the North Suburban YMCA is welcoming a surge of new members from throughout its 12-city region. Recent closures of other nearby fitness centers, including the Fitness 19 club in Northbrook, plus the completion of the Techny Road construction, have increased traffic to the Y and generated new interest in the community center’s programs, equipment and facilities. “I was really pleasantly surprised,” said Aliza Sperling, a Fitness 19 member who now has moved her workouts to the Y. “The cardio equipment is great, and I’m impressed with the locker rooms. It’s hard to make an adjustment to a new place, but I like what I see so far.” "Like" Northbrook Patch on Facebook to see future …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Prizes Awarded in YMCA Junior High Art Show

The community's young talent is showcased as part of a partnership with the Northbrook Arts Commission.

Nine winners were picked out of 83 submissions to the first Juried Junior High Art Show held at the North Suburban YMCA.  On Sunday, Nov. 4., the Y, with help from the Northbrook Arts Commission, hosted artists and their familiies for a reception and awards ceremony. Prizes were given to middle school children who submitted two-dimensional work, including paintings, pencil drawings, pastels and metalwork.  “We’re very proud of everyone who participated,” said Cathie Winnie, YMCA Visual Arts Director. “It takes a lot of courage and effort to prepare a piece of artwork for a show and have it judged, so I want to commend everyone who submitted.” During the reception, prizes were presented by Cathie Winnie, YMCA Visual Arts Director, and Julia…

• Photos (2)

North Suburban Y Halloween Party Delivers Family Fun and Fiendish Frights

The North Suburban YMCA overflowed with ghouls, zombies, and other costumed creatures as the community celebrated the Y’s 5th Annual Spooky Halloween Party on October 28.

YMCA Hosts Family Halloween Party

Sunday's event expected to draw more than 1,000 people

There is plenty of frightful fun to be had this weekend at the North Suburban YMCA. Sunday, the YMCA will host its 5th annual Halloween party, which usually draws between 1,000 and 1,500 guests – many of whom come in costume. “The Halloween Party always blows people away,” said Sari Glazebrook, NSYMCA Membership Director. “Last year we had well over 1800 guests come through the door, and our goal is for every person to have an outstanding time. We’re all hard at work getting ready to surprise people with our best Halloween party yet.” For the event, the entire YMCA, 2705 Techny Road, Northbrook, will be transformed into a Halloween haven. There will be returning Halloween favorites from previous years at the party, including the spine …

• Photos (2)

North Suburban YMCA Celebrates Grand Reopening

The event highlighted the improvements completed in the Y's recent renovation project.

With a broad range of activities appealing to all ages, the North Suburban YMCA welcomed almost 3000 guests to its Grand “Re-Opening” Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13. The event highlighted the many improvements completed in the Y’s recent renovation project, as well as the Y’s diverse program offerings. Virtually every room of the Northbrook facility was filled with activity for the four-hour open house. Dance performances, fitness classes, gymnastics demonstrations and art projects kept visitors busy, while staff members led tours of remodeled locker rooms and new fitness center additions. The pool was filled with swimmers who challenged themselves on the Y’s inflatable obstacle course.   “We wanted to celebrate in a way that would bring…

• Photos (4)

Northbrook Trivia Night 2012

The Northbrook Community Relations Commission is organizing a Community Trivia Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the North Suburban YMCA.

Which U.S. state with access to an ocean has the shortest coastline? Find out at the Community Trivia Challenge, a free trivia competition at the North Suburban YMCA on Saturday. Oct. 13 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.  The event is open to all Northbrook families and their children, 14 years and older, along with friends, coworkers, worship groups, even non-residents working in Northbrook. Contestants are encouraged to form a team of ten, but individual contestants are also welcome. The event is limited to the first 300 people. Food service is available for purchase starting at 5:30 p.m. Gift certificates will be awarded to first and second-place winners. Interested participants can sign up online at www.northbrook.il.us/Trivia contacting Jason …

• Photos (1)

YMCA Seeks Art Show Submissions from Junior High Artists

The Visual Arts Department of the North Suburban YMCA will host a juried art show for junior high students, with cash prizes to be awarded by judges from the Northbrook Arts Commission.