It Happened This Week

The Top Five Stories from Jan. 31-Feb. 6

A whole lotta snow; two juries possible in mortgage fraud trial; and more.

1. Snowmageddon 2011 It probably goes without saying that the biggest story of the week was the massive blizzard that dumped more than 16 inches of snow on the area, according to the National Weather Service in Romeoville. A Darien-Woodridge fire truck got stuck in a subdivision, while plows had to lead the way for Tri-State’s ambulances. Between 1,100 and 1,300 people were without power for two to four hours, according to Public Works and the Darien police. But neither the police nor any of the fire districts reported any major injuries or accidents. 2. Darien Digs Out Once the snow stopped, Darien residents hit the trails, er, Plainfield Road for some cross-country skiing. Elsewhere around town, kids built forts, neighbors shoveled out …

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Guests ‘Remember Marshall Field’s’ at Annual Darien Historical Society Dinner

Nearly 160 people gathered at Alpine Banquets Sunday to hear author and historian Leslie Goddard speak about the famous store.

When Marge Sieg was a child, every month she had a standing date with her mother and aunt. Sieg and her mother lived on Chicago’s Southside, while her aunt lived on the north side. The three would meet in the middle at Marshall Field’s hat department for an afternoon of shopping, which always included a stop for lunch in the Walnut Room.  “I just thought I was the luckiest child in the world because it was so beautiful,” Sieg said. Sieg was just one of about 160 guests who relived some of their wonderful memories of Marshall Field’s Sunday at the Darien Historical Society’s Sunday Dinner at Alpine Banquets, which featured a talk on the famed department store’s history. Historian and Darien resident Leslie Goddard, who is also writing a …

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It Happened This Week

The Top Five Stories from Jan. 17-23

Mayor Weaver bets on Chicago Bears win; new burger joint on its way to town; and more.

1. Mayor Weaver Places Bet with Wisconsin Mayor on Outcome of Bears/Packers Matchup Bears fever swept Darien last week. But sadly it looks like Mayor Kathleen Weaver will be sporting a Packers jersey on an upcoming afternoon. The Darien mayor placed a wager with Oak Creek, WI, Mayor Dick Bolender on the outcome of Sunday's big game. Unfortunately, the Bears lost to the Packers 21-14. 2. SmashBurger Sets its Sights on Darien A new hamburger chain will likely open its doors in Darien this spring. SmashBurger has selected a site on 75th Street as its second Illinois location. 3. Robert Klein Named Darien Citizen of the Year The Citizen of the Year Committee announced their selection of Robert Klein as Darien Citizen of the Year at last Monday…

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Local Historian Brings Marshall Field's, Jacqueline Kennedy Back to Life

Leslie Goddard will present the lecture "Remembering Marshall Field's," also the basis for her forth-coming book, at the Darien Historical Society Sunday Dinner Jan. 30.

Leslie Goddard’s grandfather Joe worked at Marshall Field’s State Street store for 35 years. Yet as famous as the store is, when Goddard looked for a book about it, there were none to be found. No problem for Goddard. The historian decided to write one herself. The Darien resident’s first book, Remembering Marshall Field’s, will be published in 2011 by Arcadia press. The book stems from Goddard’s lecture of the same name, which she is scheduled to present Jan. 30 at the Darien Historical Society’s annual Sunday Dinner fundraiser at Alpine Banquets. In addition to her family connection with Marshall Field’s, Goddard said she’s long been fascinated with the intense devotion people have to the store. “Every time I give the talk, I always ask …

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