A Message from the Executive Director
2020 has been a very trying year to say the least.  Most of the events we had planned for the summer started being cancelled shortly after the Spring newsletter was sent out.  The May Park-on-Park car show was the first to go; then the Craft Beer Festival, scheduled for June 8th was cancelled, followed by the June and July car shows.  In May we reached the sad decision to cancel the 2020 Mundelein Arts Festival, scheduled for September 12th and 13th.  Given the current public health restrictions on public gatherings, the August Park-on-Park event could not get a Village permit and has been cancelled as well.  As it stands, the remaining car shows for September and October appear unlikely; as does Santa’s Cottage in December, but for the time being they remain on the calendar. 
 
The only bright spot in our 2020 calendar is the Farmer’s Market.  Because Farmer’s Markets were classified like a grocery store, they are treated as an essential business and allowed to open, with certain precautions:  face masks, additional hygiene measures, no food sampling, warning signage, etc.  Luckily, the Mundelein Market has been doing well, and with the move to Stage 4, and expanded outdoor dining options, there is a new excitement around this year’s market.
 
Please continue to support MCC and our business sponsors.  Our sponsors are mostly small, and very small businesses struggling to survive in these hard times.  I look forward to seeing you at the Market or an MCC event in the future.
 
 Terry Skriba
(Email: mundeleincc@tds.net, 847-970-9235)

Farmers Market
 
Summer would not be summer without the Farmer’s Market, and 2020 is no exception.  In spite of the disruptions and uncertainties of COVID, the Mundelein Farmer’s Market is open every Friday until October 16th (weather permitting) from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on East Park Street between Lake Street and Seymour Ave.  Market Manager, Gary Gunther, has worked hard to assemble a diverse group of vendors.   There are 21 vendors, not all are present every week. The average is 17 vendors per week.  New vendors are added as interest grows. 
 
The West End of the block is permanently closed this summer for outdoor dining for Tina G’s, Park Street Restaurant, and AREA Coffee.  Area Coffee also sponsors a music stage during the market featuring a variety of musicians.  There is a great atmosphere at the market this year.  Call ahead for dining reservations.  Available tables fill up quickly.
 
This year’s vendors are:  Angela's Bakery & Delights (Georgia smoke sausage & fries); Bike Attic (Complete onsite bicycle services); Carla's Snack Attack (Dips, suckers, rock candy, fudge, candy bars); The Cheese People (Cheese, including Cheddar, Jack, String, Gouda, Swiss, Brie and more); Farmer Nick (Pasture raised beef, pork, poultry, and eggs without the use of antibiotics or animal byproducts); Goblin Gardens (Vegetables, cookies, pickles, salsa); Honey with Style (Specialty Honeys); Mavra’s Greek Oils (Olive oil, olives, olive paste, vinegars);  Nana's Rum Cakes (Rum Cakes); Pampered Chef (Kitchen products and gardening tools); Pappardelle's Pasta (Flavored pasta, oils, balsamic, and pasta sauce); Rollicking Buckaroo Pepper Jams (Gourmet pepper jam, all natural, gluten free and vegan); Six Generations Farm (A wide variety of the freshest, locally grown fruits and vegetables); Soft Wave Fish (High quality fish including smoked, lobster, shrimp); Suburban Sprouts Farm (Locally grown vegetables, sprouts, shoots, and seasonal fruits); Sunrise Topiaries (decorative topiaries (myrtles, boxwoods, decorative herbs); Tastefully Simple (Gourmet food and gift products); The Home Improvement Network (Kitchen remodeling & home improvements); Up In Smoke (Smoked and seasoned peanuts, cashews, almonds, pecans and pistachios); Wilmont Woods Soaps LLC (Homemade soaps, bath bombs, and crocheted soap bags). 
 
NEW VENDORS on August 7th:  Dawsons Treasures (Tie Dye, Handbags, ponchos, hats, gloves, scarves); and Frankenstein Farms (Peppers, Spices, Produce). 

JOINING LATER:  Moore Good Foods (Berries, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms).
 
The Farmer’s Market is made possible by the following, businesses: RISE, The Family Stress Clinic, The UPS Store (Libertyville). Mundelein Community Bank, Center for Wellness, Mundelein LGBT Alliance and Allies.
 
Park-on-Park Cruise Nights
 
Perhaps the most disappointing disruption to the MCC summer event schedule has been the loss of the Park-on-Park Car Shows. This popular event, which is organized by “On the Road Classics” car club, was off to a great start.  By mid-March, everything was ready to go for opening day in May.  Car Show managers Pete and Tony Christie, had collected 50 sponsorships; designed and contracted for publicity materials; and were in the process of obtaining a Village permit to hold the events May through September.  Then COVID came.
 
The May event was cancelled.  A make-up date was added in October. Hopes were high that at least a few of the 2020 dates could be held. Unfortunately, even with the switch to Stage 4 in late June, public health restrictions prevented issuance of a permit for the July and August events.  The September and October dates are now questionable.  We remain optimistic.  Please watch for announcements from MCC (www.mundeleincommunityconnection.org)  on the Village website (www.mundelein.org).
 
Besides losing a popular, long-standing, summer event, the MCC Board feels terrible that the loyal, business sponsors, who have so important to the success of this event over the years, have missed out on the exposure this event provides.   A full list of sponsors and their websites visit:  http://www.parkonpark.org/.  Please support these fine businesses.
 
Around Town (Community News)
 
"Capture the Moment" Photo Contest
 
The Mundelein Arts Commission is hosting the third annual "This is Mundelein" Photo Contest! This year's theme is "Capture the Moment." Photographers and photo enthusiasts are encouraged to use their creativity to capture a visual moment in time. For anyone interested, please review the guidelines and submittal instructions at www.mundelein.org/MAC. Submissions are due August 15, 2020. Winning photos will be displayed at the Village hall. Cash prizes of $50, $30, and $20 will be awarded for first, second, and third place. Anyone who lives or works in Lake County may participate, but the photo must be taken in Mundelein.

 Chamber Golf Outing August 19th
 
Join the GMLV (Green Oaks, Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills) Chamber of Commerce, and local business owners for a day of golf and networking at the Chamber’s Annual Golf Outing.  The event will be held on August 19, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at White Deer Run Golf Club, Vernon Hills. Organizers are taking every precaution to keep everyone safe at this event. Enjoy 18-holes of golf, golf clinic, driving range, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, contests, awards, prizes, raffles and more.  Cost is $150 per golfer/$500 foursome. The event is sponsored by Libertyville Bank & Trust, Mundelein Community Bank, Vernon Hills Bank & Trust. To RSVP or for more information: https://www.glmvchamber.org/events/details/glmv-2020-annual-golf-outing-your-ultimate-day-of-golf-297594; 847-680-07

 Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing
 
The Mundelein Planning and Zoning Commission will host a public hearing on August 19, 2020 at 7 p.m. to review the proposed new Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan establishes a consensus vision for growth in the community by addressing land use, transportation and, infrastructure improvements for property within the Village limits and for the unincorporated areas adjacent to the Village.  Planning Consultants, Kimley-Horn Associates began work on the Comp Plan update in 2018. Focus was directed on the Diamond Lake area, commercial corridors, and potential growth areas.  Further details will be posted to the Village website as available. The public is welcome to review the document, which will be posted no later than 15 days prior to the public hearing date, and provide comments at the public hearing.  Additional questions should be directed to Community Development at planning@mundelein.org or (847) 949-3282.

 
Mundelein Community Connection |  469 N. Seymour, Mundelein, IL 60060 (847) 970-9235