• What a display! Despite the rain, the Fourth of July party at the Park was a sight to behold. People running everywhere, activity everywhere you looked and, in my opinion, the best fireworks display in the region. All the hard work paid off, as it was truly a fun-filled, family event. Who needs Navy Pier, when you can see the works in Forest Park? Here is a picture for your pleasure that I snapped in a candid moment.

• Meetings, meetings, meetings: For those of you who want to jump on the civic action bandwagon, the Historic Preservation Committee will be meeting on July 7 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall. Also, the Village Council is scheduled to meet on July 11 at 7 p.m., in the lower level of Village Hall. The next BID meeting is scheduled for July 13, 6 p.m. at Village Hall. The next day, July 14, the Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at the main building in the Park at 7 p.m. and the school board will meet at the District 91 offices on Desplaines Avenue at 7 p.m.

• Summer Recreation: The Summer Rec program runs through Friday, Aug. 12. It is held at North Park (Randolph Street and Circle Avenue), at the Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd. and at South Park (16th Street and Circle Avenue). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities include arts and crafts, games, plus a whole lot of fun. For further information call the Community Center at 771-7737.

• Despite the heat …: The seniors at the Senior Center are still going. If you’re getting this early in the morning on Wednesday, July 6, they’re headed to a buffet lunch and 15 games of Bingo at Fishermen’s Inn in Elburn. The trip includes a stop at Ream’s Meat Market, all for only $37. Pick-up 10:30 a.m. Also in the works is a July 13 trip to the NBC Tower to see “Presenting His Way, A Tribute to the Man and His Music,” starring Ron Hawkins. Lunch will be served prior at Lou Mitchell’s. Cost is $69. Pick-up 10:15 a.m.

• Calling all kids to join the Community Center’s 3-week Young Gourmet class which begins today, Wednesday, July 6 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Kids will create unique, kid-friendly entrees, appetizers and desserts. There will be hands-on preparation in the kitchen with artistic presentation of the food at the table. The reward is … everything they make … they eat. Cost is $18 which includes three classes (July 6, 13 and 20) and food.

• Best thing for the heat is … tea? That’s what Todd & Holland Tea Merchants wants you to consider … ice cold tea that is. Join them for any or all Saturdays in July for an undemanding, laid-back tour through the world of tea. Each Saturday in July, Todd & Holland Tea Merchants will brew five distinctive teas for a free tea tasting and Bill Todd will give a five minute tea talk at noon and 3 p.m. to explain the characteristics of each of the teas.

• Groovin’ in the Grove: The Community Center invites you to grab a blanket, pack a picnic and join them for their family concert series, starting July 19 with the Moods (Motown).

On Aug. 16, they will feature Big James (Blues) and on Sept. 13 they will have jazz. All concerts will be held at the Forest Park Picnic Grove (formerly Altenheim), from 7 to 10 p.m., no cost.

• Change the date: The park board meeting scheduled for July 7 will be moved to July 14, so don’t show up on the 7th or you’ll be standing alone at the park.

• Save the date: Don’t forget the Progressive Dinner, scheduled for July 17, beginning at 4 p.m.

Carpe Diem, Forest Park!