Oak Crest Renewal Project

From time to time we all need to be renewed and Oak Crest of Elgin now proudly celebrating 107 years of continuous service in our commumity is launching a major renovation program.

announcing the "Renewal Project"...

We are renewing our commitment to the community and our members with plans to add even more.

We will experience a renewal of the charm that has made Oak Crest a warm and welcoming place to live for 107 years. New amemity bathrooms and spas,new theatre and dining venues,new arts center ,new decor with the same trusted staff and values that have always set Oak Crest's standards above the rest.

As we rejunenate our surroundings we will re-energize our menus. Chef JP will be working from a new state of the art kitchen creating the dishes you ask for. His famous BBQ ribs, mouth watering grilled flank steak and savory baked French onion soup to name just a few.

Our new theatre will be the center of attention as we explore new films and new worlds of culture and entertainment. Across the hall the arts center will be alive with creation. a universe onto itself this dynamic center will host guest artists who share how they translate the ordinary into the extraordinay and you are invited to be part of the miracle.

The energy, the excitement, the honest caring and the daily reminder that life is wonderful if you share it with friends all come together here at Oak Crest in Elgin. Our plans for renewal are in full swing , and now all we need is you. Plan to be part of our secrest receipe for a well lived life.

Summer Flowers in the Atrium Courtyard are in their full glory, stop by and have an iced tea and enjoy the tranquility of our peaceful setting and the amazing flowers!

Elvis Lives at Oak Crest on June 20th at 6pm

Elvis is the king and he will be performing at the monthly Oak Crest Community Dinner June 20th, 2011 at 6pm. Every third Monday of the month the Cellar Pub is the site for a terrific dinner and live entertainment. We cordially invite you to come and join the fun.

Reservations are required call 847 742 2255 to reserve your space.

Spring Memories

Spring is a time of renewal and reawakening, a time to plant and clean house and a time for remembering. Can you remember your best Easter outfit as a child? Do you remember egg hunts or rifeling through a great big beautiful basket for chocolate and bunnies? Age doesn't matter when it comes to memories, in fact the older you get the more vivid those long ago memories become. In the midst of all your spring cleaning and preparation take some time to restore the happy memories we all have of past Springs. The first robin and green grass and all the promise these signs of spring bring with them.

Santa Baby at Oak Crest

Christmastime at Oak Crest is magical.

We celebrate daily the joy of being alive. Sometimes in small ways with a smile or touch and sometimes in big ways with a great party. The pictures here are from Rick Harris and as proud dad to Santa Baby at our "Lunch with Santa" annual party Rick had much to smile about!

Celebrating Lennon's first Christmas was a gift for all who attended.

Merry Christmas and our wish for you is that you find the joy in every tiny thing.

this is Chef jp with Bug playing pool.

this is our volunteer pianist Bernice Gromer

this is me, my name is Susan Cincinelli and I have worked at Oak Crest for thiryseven years. A lot has changed over the years but one thing always stays the same here...the staff members who care for our members are always dedicated and caring. Sometimes they play games and sing songs but all the time they are polite and curteous and listen to the needs of the people they serve every day.

So once a year we take a month to say "thank you" to them. They are praised and reminded that they are appreciated for their hard work. Drive by everyday of the month and see the daily changing names of our stars on the sign out front and honk if you like or stop by to have a cup of coffee with our stars they deserve a pat on the back and a break!

A Holiday Treasure

Just a friendly reminder that our Cellar Pub is available for your holiday gathering. We will work with you to customize your party or get together.

Call today and ask for information and see how easy entertaining for the holidays can be! 847 742 2255

The Place in between!

The old woman in the shoe had it easy, get in and stay put, but our lives are not that simple. Wouldn't it be great if everything was clear cut and easy?

Well maybe, but as we all know that is a fantasy, nothing is easy or works as we initially foresee. How many times have you said to yourself " when I get to be a certain age I will be doing such and such." And then how many times has it actually been the way you thought it would be. Probably none.

People are all different with different perspectives and needs, to try and pigeon hole them is like trying to squeeze everyone into the same shoe!

The other day after a tour of Oak Crest the son of a prospective member said " Well this place is the place in between" meaning you didn't have to be at a specific level or comply with our requirements to live here, we consider where you are in your life and fit ourselves in. Not easily understood these days of rules and regulations. But think back to a much simplier time when people cared about one another and looked out for neighbors. That simpicilty is what Oak Crest is all about, we are the place in between, when your needs change and some days you don't even know what you want or need, we will be there. That's the meaning of responsible caring and that is what Oak Crest is all about. Come for a visit today or plan to attend one of our many social events, we would love to meet you.

Annual Oak Crest Summer Make-Do

Interest, hobby or just fun. Everyone needs to feel passion. My personal passion is collecting Antique Teddy Bears. What about them makes my heart skip a beat I can't tell you; but from hours of reading about them and studying them I have become a Teddy Bear Expert. I enjoy it, the whole activity fuels my passion and it is good to be engaged in something interesting and positive that stimulates your mind.

This year our Annual Summer Make-Do is all about Brain Fitness. Once a year we have a big shindig at Oak Crest. The good old fashioned kind, with a bake sale and rummage sale and lunch. Loads of fun and entertainment. But we have taken it a step furthur. We add some topic of interest and focus on it. This years focus is Brain Fitness, how to keep your mind active and well. That brings us back to me and Teddy Bears. Hobbies are actually a means to an end when it comes to brain fitness, and staying enganged and active mentally. So for those of you who smirked about the Teddy Bear thing think again. Keeping your brain fit takes many forms, come and see for yourself Saturday June 19th 10am to 3pm. Call for more details.

Oh you may be curious about why we call the event a "Make-Do"? We use what we have and make it do!

Marlene Pokorny marks 30th anniversary at Oak Crest

Congratulations Marlene Pokorny,Administrator of Business Services, as you mark your 30th Anniversary , March 4th,2010,
as a member of the Oak Crest Residence and Atrium Apartments family!

Best known for her friendly smile and helping heart, Marlene serves Oak Crest in a variety of capacities: all business matters are handled in her office, and all spiritual programing is coordinated by Marlene who is also a Eucharistic Minister, a capable volunteer in many community groups and organizations, and a dedicated Alzheimers Support Group leader. Jack of all trades, nothing is too big or too small for her willing hand.

On behalf of the countless members and the grateful co-workers and volunteers who have had the privilege of working with Marlene we say "thank YOU" for your selfless service and caring.

Celebrating Valentines Day with a Spin around the Dance floor!

Everybody loves to dance!

Cellar Pub was host to the festivities on Valentines Day.

Families,friends old and new, joined Oak Crest members in celebrating the spirit of the day. Sweet treats and music,nothing says love better.

Belly Dancers and Santa Claus and Bug the best Volunteers

Our Cellar Pub played host to an array of holiday festivities. Santa Claus visited twice and was a star as always. A lovely troupe of belly dancers displayed their talents. And a beautiful five year old became the best volunteer of all.

Katelyn Jones a.k.a. "Bug" is the best volunteer because she always has a smile, is willing to help and she likes to join in!

Thanks to all the volunteers who made our holidays the cheeriest and merriest ever!

November is Staff Appreciation Month at Oak Crest. We celebrate the dedication of those who work tirelessly throughout the year to make a happy home.

This lady is Zoila Scare she is the spark plug who makes us laugh and keeps things hopping. This photo was taken recently on a trip to see the Christmas tree display at our local library. Zoila and ten members boarded our new van and off they went to put themselves in the mood for the coming season.

Day after day, month after month, year after year some Oak Crest employee has made something fun happen for someone else.

There is no time like the present to say "thanks" for choosing to help us.

105th Anniversary Annual Hot Dog Luncheon

Celebrating 105 years of coninuous service by enjoying the last days of summer outside and grilling up the best hot dogs in town.

September 16th from 11am to 1pm you can come over and join us in the backyard or with help from our friends at Ohms, we will deliver your preordered hot dog

Chef Jp and "Bug" areworking hard making the hot dogs!

It's the lazy days of summer and we at Oak Crest are enjoying the fruits of planting labor. The flowers in the courtyard are blooming and the weather has not been too hot, absolutely nothing to complain about!

Our 1st Annual Oak Crest Summer Make-do was great fun and we are already planning for next year. That's me standing in the pub with our sign pointing the way to our White Elephant Sale. There was something for everyone and thanks to a host of wonderful volunteers we had happy people everywhere. One of my favorite things was watching my grandaughter Katie have her turn at face painting and ending up being the artist! As executive director I want to say " thanks" to all the staff who volunteered their time and of course to the guests and visitors who took time to come and see just what a make-do is all about.

For more information about how you can become a part of our next make-do just call Susan or Marlene at 847 742 2255.