Hello Brookdale friends.   I've had an interest in developing a way we can garden together locally during the summer and approached Word of Life Church....  They have graciously offered a part of their front property for development into garden plots for community use. Details are still in process, but here's what's being considered:

• Plot size: 10' x 10'
• Each 10' x 10' plot will cost $5-7 dollars for the summer to cover cost of water, trash removal etc.
• Choose 1, 2, 4 or 6 plots depending on the size garden you want to tend.
• Watering: will most likely be by bucket (following the Park District Garden Plot model), though we may be able to work out a hose watering method. (The concern with hose watering is accidentally dragging a hose through a neighbors plot and knocking down their hard work).
• Season: Late April thru TBD Please keep weeds in check

We'd ask that you be willing to donate a portion (amount is at your discretion) of the food you produce to local food banks. Word Of Life will most likely provide a collection point right at the church.

Does this concept interest you? If so, please let me know how many plots you'd like by sending an email to:

• wolgarden@gmail.com

I'd like to help WOL determine how much area to plow/turn over this Spring in preparation. I look forward to the opportunity to garden with you, trade some tips and offer some of what we produce to those locally who are in need.

Thanks so much,

Kirk Luttrell
wolgarden@gmail.com

Brookdale subdivision Spring/Summer Children's Clothing and Toy Sale.
March 13  9:00am-noon at St. Thomas the Apostle Church- Gymnasium (1500 Brookdale Rd. Naperville)
Gently used children's clothes, toys, books, baby gear, maternity, and much more at great prices!  Cash only sale.

CAROLING & COMPASSION

The Brookdale Homeowners Association and Brookdale Racket Club would like to invite you to a family night of Caroling & Compassion to help celebrate the Holiday Season.

Event: Brookdale Caroling & Compassion

Date & Time: Saturday, December 12 from 6 – 9 PM

Location: Brookdale Racket Club Parking Lot

Overview:

The spirit of Brookdale is what makes our neighborhood the best in Naperville.  Is there a better way to celebrate Christmas and the holidays then a night of Christmas Caroling within our community?   For young and old, many of our best Christmas memories are singing Christmas Carols with true joy in our hearts.

Jingle Bells, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Angels We Have Heard On High, White Christmas, What Child Is This to name just a few.

We don’t have to tell you we are in some tough times. Another great way to show the spirit and compassion of Brookdale residents is to organize a food drive for a local food pantry. Bring some holiday focused canned goods, packaged food or toiletries and we’ll get them to a local food pantry so people in need can have a decent meal for Christmas.

What We’ll Need: 

• A few singers who can lead us in song. We would ask you to select a few songs that personally have memories for you. A song track and lyrics would be a great addition.
• Does anyone have a portable music system? Closet DJ’s in the neighborhood?
• To keep us warm on a cold winter’s night, we’ll need a number of portable fire pits and wood for a toasty fire.
• A few singers who would like to go to St. Patrick’s Residence.
• Bring some food and beverage of choice.
• Trashcans for trash and recycling.

Cleanup crew for Sunday AM if necessary.

We will hold the event on the 12th except if we have:

• Extreme Cold, temps less then 20 degrees F
• Rain
• High Winds, greater then 20 MPH.

Please respond to this email address:  BHA Vice President, ASAP with your offer to help!

Regards
Dave Dragon

In January the Brookdale Homeowner's Association is hosting a night of goodwill at the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) facility located in Aurora.  Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization striving to eliminate starvation in children by packaging and distributing nutritious food to children throughout the world. 

A few facts about Feed My Starving Children food packs include:

• one bag of food provides meals for six children
• 36 bags (or 216 meals) complete one box
• 33 boxes complete one pallet
• 7,128 meals are provided per pallet
• In 2008 volunteers packed 73.6 million meals that were distributed in over 45 countries
  

Brookdale Goal:

It is BHA's goal to register 90 people for this event.  Every volunteer has the potential to pack 1.2 boxes every two hours.  At this rate Brookdale could provide 90 boxes of packaged food which translates to 19,440 meals.  That's enough to feed 53 children for one year.  WE CAN DO THIS!!

When/Where:

We are planning this event for Saturday, January 9^th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  This is an event for everyone older than third grade (sorry, FMSC rule). Parents must remain on site with their children.

• FMSC is located at 555 Exchange Court, Aurora.

This event is free.  However, FMSC packing sites are always in need of the items listed below.  Please feel free to bring an item to donate:  Paper towels, 9 volt batteries, toilet paper, Black Sharpie markers, kitchen trash bags, Whiteboard markers.

I know this is a busy time of year but please do not pass up this unique experience with your neighbors.

So we know how many people to accommodate for this event, please return the form by Monday, December 14^th to:

• Feed My Starving Children Registration Form

Julie Knoll
935 Stonehenge Court

At the October adult mixer I had the fortunate opportunity to talk at length with two couples I had not met before. One of the two couples are original Brookdale Homeowner's and they shared fascinating stories about early Brookdale, which got me thinking....  I bet there are other original homeowners with “early Brookdale” stories to share with our community.

In the February Babbling Brook I would like to highlight original homeowners still residing in Brookdale. Our community would love to know who you are and/or hear from you regarding some, or all of the following:

• What year did you move to Brookdale?
• Why did you choose Brookdale?
• How old were your children when you moved to Brookdale? • What did the area surrounding Brookdale look like?
• How have you influenced Brookdale?
• How has Brookdale influenced you?
• What community service positions have you lead for our community e.g., BHA Board, PTA Board, Scout Leader, Civic Leader, etc.?
• One fun fact about Brookdale we might not know.

These are just suggestions; please feel free to share anything that makes you happy! If you do not want to write a story that's fine too, just send Laurie or me your name and the year you moved to Brookdale.   Either write down your thoughts and submit them to us..

Battle of the Bands Teenage Volunteers Needed

On Friday, March 12, 2010 the BHA and St. Thomas are presenting Battle of the Bands and I'm looking for volunteers now to help organize the event! If you have experience with playing in a band, competing in or organizing a Battle of the Bands, teaching music, playing an instrument, singing, sound mixing...well basically any experience with music, I need you!

This fun and relevant event is for 8th grade - 12th grade teens and their friends. If you can assist with any part of the organizing, contact Julie Knoll at 630-983-8429 or jmknoll@wideopenwest.com I NEED HELP WITH THIS ONE, so please don't be shy!

• Parents, please encourage your child to call me.

Thanks,

Julie Knoll
BHA Social Director
jmknoll@wideopenwest.com
630-983-8429

Brookdale's littlest Ghosts and Goblins looked adorable as they Trick-or-Treated at Tabor Hills and St. Patrick's Residence to celebrate Halloween. The residents wore big smiles on their faces and enjoyed visiting with the children.

• Thanks go out to Tammy Mullen who coordinated this event and kept the tradition alive for Brookdale!

Below are the adult Halloween Rest Stops. Carry a Brookdale street map with you so you won’t miss out on any fun.

• Don’t miss The Courts as we hear they have this down to a science.
  

It looks to be a nice evening with cool temps and an almost a full moon.Share a greeting, a toast and your favorite Halloween story with a neighbor.

Be careful and have some fun!

• 1550 ABBOTSFORD DRIVE
  
• 1567 - 1572 ABBOTSFORD DRIVE
  
• 1607 ABBY DRIVE
  
• 920 BAINBRIDGE DRIVE
  
• 1023 BAINBRIDGE DRIVE
  
• 1614 DERBY COURT
  
• 1438 KINGS COURT
  
• 1453 KINGS COURT
  
• 1525 LONDON COURT
  
• 1514 SELBY RD

The Brookdale LinkedIn group was created in September 2009 to foster business communication between residents of the Brookdale subdivision in Naperville, IL.

"LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 50 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals."

You can access the Brookdale LinkedIn group and immediately start to build your local business contacts at:

• http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1950113&trk=hb_side_g

The following provides basic information about LinkedIn and this group:

• What Is LinkedIn and why should you use it?

• Why a LinkedIn group versus Facebook?

• Current Brookdale LinkedIn Members