Westside Baptist Church

Gimme shelter, but at what cost?

A Carpentersville woman helping plan an upcoming surprise party for her husband’s birthday recently had a surprise of her own: how much it can cost just to rent a picnic shelter to hold such an event.

With that in mind and summer in sight, The Courier-News called various government entities in the area recently to see what they might have to offer in terms of shelters to rent for outdoor gatherings and what their policies toward serving alcohol might be.

Below is what we found. Note that while all had some information online, none offered postings on the Web about what specifically might be open for a particular day. So, at the very least, a phone call is required to get the rental reservation process rolling.

Carpentersville

Reservations are taken for spaces with grills and the two small shelters in Carpenter Park, bounded by Maple Avenue, North Lord Avenue, Spring Street and Carpenter Boulevard in the Carpentersville’s Old Town neighborhood. No alcohol is allowed in the park.

Groups of fewer than 20 people do not require reservations. For gatherings of 20 to 50 people, those hosted by Carpentersville residents are charged $25 and nonresidents $50. For parties of 50 to 75, the rate is $75 for residents and $100 for nonresidents.

For the fees, necessary paperwork and further information concerning hosting larger parties, people should call Jan Murphy at 847-426-3439, ext. 229, or email her at JanMurphy@vil.carpentersville.il.us.

For Carpenter Park availability and paperwork information, phone the public works department at 847-426-3439, ext. 259. Online, see vil.carpentersville.il.us/PDF-files/ParkApplication.pdf.

Staff reminds people that the Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, at Lake Marian and Williams roads, is not a city park but instead is operated by Kane County Forest Preserve District.

Dundee Twp. Park District

The Dundee Township Park District rents out three shelters as well as picnic areas at Randall Oaks Park southwest of Randall and Binnie roads.

Picnic areas include a grill and five tables, and can accommodate up to 50 guests. If you have more people in your group, you will need to rent an additional picnic area. Rentals for a full day are $40 for gatherings hosted by a resident of Dundee Township and $50 for those put on by nonresidents.

Bell Choir : West Side Baptist Church

The Bell Choir is doing well under the leadership of Rita Adams. We are rehearsing on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm. We plan to continue rehearsing throughout the summer months. We really need a couple more people to play bells to complete the octaves. You don’t have to read music, just be able to count — we will teach you everything else to be a part of the bell choir. We have fun while we work. Come join us.

Westside Baptist Church, history and statistics

The Baptist Way, Distinctives of a Baptist Church

Omni Gazetteer of the United States of America: South Central states

The first colored Baptist church in North America, constituted at Savannah, Georgia, January 20, A.D. 1788, with biographical sketches of the pastors

A history of Unity Baptist Church, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky