Neighbors’ Fest offers opportunity for a community gathering

By Anne Eickstadt

The Cactus League of older boys played ball on one diamond while the four to six year-olds played the next diamond over.

Editor

“The whole idea of Neighbors’ Fest is to get people to the park, to get them together to have fun and talk,” said Ron Maxey, past president of the Lions Club and current League Director for North Boone Baseball. “Today we are hosting the All-Star program.

“We like to play at least once on a Saturday so that grandparents can come and have the opportunity to watch their grandchildren play ball. I know this weekend is busy, but every weekend is busy. You do what you can and hopefully people will support you.

“I want to raise enough money to replace the walking path. We want to have the full amount before starting. The path is 30 years old and it needs repair. The Cub Scouts are helping out. So are all the profits from the Lions Club concession stand.

“We have recently added sideline fences and repaired the third diamond. We re-did the second diamond last fall. Its grass is not at the point where I want it but we had poor spring weather. We put a new roof on the washrooms and refurbished the playground.

“Our biggest focus for the last eight years has been the walking path. It needs a complete rebuild. It needs trees – some went down. If anyone wants to dedicate a tree for the park, I would like to see a whole area of trees with plaques.

“Parks are places where people can come and play and have fun.”

“The theme this year is ‘raise money for the walking path’,” said Poplar Grove Village President Owen Costanza. “It will take $64,000 to do the park. We already have $20,000. This is a nice friendly day where people can come out and visit with each other. Everything done today is by volunteers.

“The Hydeout Bar & Grill has been in Poplar Grove for seven years. Bennie took a big chance putting a sports bar in Poplar Grove when we had never had one before. Bennie owns two restaurants here and is a pillar of the community. The Hydeout is serving cold drinks and hot food to support the community today.”

“I am hoping for a successful event,” Bennie said.

Sophia Ramdass is the chairman of Neighbors’ Fest. “I am a village trustee for Poplar Grove. I just got elected as chair last year. We are putting a new spin on the event, making it bigger and different. We are expanding horizons and adding new events to the baseball games.

“We are experimenting to appeal to different age groups and areas of the population. We are reaching out to surrounding communities. This is a way to form relationships. One way to learn is by meeting people.

“We have carnival games, the Boone County Clerk is coming out, teachers are coming for the event, the Hydeout is serving drinks, the Army is here, and we are trying different things. We want to meet new people, try new ideas and build excitement. Communities can…

For complete article, pick up the June 24 BDR.