Village to partner with grassroots Palatine 150 organizers for yearlong celebration

The village agreed to partner with a volunteer Palatine150 planning group after organizers laid out a yearlong schedule of events and requested village assistance.

Melanie Santos Stefano, introduced by staff as part of the organizing group, described partnerships with local organizations, a poster contest with District 211 and District 15 schools, two signature events — a historical summer festival June 5 and a Centennial Ball Oct. 22 — a line of commemorative merchandise and a website, palatine150.com, to publish schedules and registration details. "We have a website that'll be launching, palatine150.com," she said while outlining fundraising and volunteer needs.

Committee members asked staff to add links to the village newsletter and to coordinate timing with the Daily Herald insert; staff said the village would post a link to the Palatine150 site after the council meeting. The Fire Policy and Community Information Committee moved to concur with manager recommendations to partner with the group; the committee approved the motion and placed the item on the council's consent agenda.

The village manager told council members staff would continue to work with the organizers on logistics, publicity and volunteer coordination. The presentation emphasized volunteer recruitment and school participation; the organizers requested village help with promotions, newsletter insertion and occasional staffing at events.