Village Of Long Grove

https://lnkd.in/gpRxdPaZ After a year of logistical planning, we are grateful to our engineering partner Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. and the highly skilled experts from DeVooght House Lifters, who, in the course of two days, made the move of the historic Ruth Barn to its new location on our grounds a reality.   In order to document this engineering feat, Gewalt Hamilton provided some amazing drone footage from the move, and our communications agency, Wisdom Bridge Marketing, prepared a compilation video for everyone to enjoy.   We’re on to phase two, the expansion of our village hall. We’ll continue to share updates on our progress as the project takes shape. #LongGrove #PartnerAppreciation #BarnMove #Progress

https://conta.cc/44hbWmF The latest edition of Connections, our digital newsletter is now available. Read all about the filming of My Grown-Up Christmas Wish starring Mario Lopez, the launch of our village hall expansion project, and more. #MarioLopez #LongGrove

https://conta.cc/3QaDg0m The significance of Earth Day is evident in our village. This weekend we have a few local events in play that remind us of the importance of the stewardship of our planet. Why not visit Long Grove this weekend? #EarthDay2024 #GreenLongGrove

When Hollywood arrives in a small suburban community, there is an instant buzz that begins. Three weeks of local excitement, bright lights, props, and (sometimes) real snow for a Christmas movie being filmed in March. All that and much more happened in the Village of Long Grove when Mario Lopez, his wife Courtney, and their son Dominic began their work on My Grown-Up Christmas Wish, a Great American Family Productions project, due for release around Thanksgiving of 2024.   But much more than glitz and glamor came to the village. The creative team decided to film the entire production in our community, something quite unusual in today’s highly portable film-making business. The resources, elegance, charm, and friendliness of residents and business owners captivated these creative minds. So much so, in fact, that many Long Grove merchants and residents were cast as extras. The Lopez family and crew members dined in their off hours at our restaurants, bought gifts and memories from boutique shops, and posed for prized selfies with hundreds of people over a three-week span. Unity is the word that comes to mind from being part of this wonderful experience. People throughout the village joined together, accommodated long production schedules, offered their businesses for filming locations, and shared in the joy of something much larger—togetherness.   The TV news interviews, live taping of Access Hollywood, gear trucks, and yes, Christmas ornaments are now gone. But the unity and holiday-like atmosphere remain. It’s back to business as usual, and perhaps the beginnings of a new niche as a welcoming, idyllic background for uplifting stories yet to be written. #LongGrove #MarioLopez #Unity #Movies #AccessHollywood

The Village of Long Grove is presently serving as the production site of the new Christmas movie My Grown-Up Christmas Wish, starring Mario Lopez, his wife Courtney, and their son Dominic (who plays Mario as a child). This production has created quite a buzz, as many of our merchants and residents have landed roles as extras in the film. The folks from the crew and Great American Media are wonderful to work with. We will provide updates as the project concludes later this week. Until then, the holiday festivity is in full force. #MarioLopez #LongGrove

The Village of Long Grove has once again made the national rankings, having been declared #1 in Best Place to Raise a Family in Illinois for 2024, according to Niche, an online research site that uses public data sets and reviews on real estate, education, outdoor activities, and more. Long Grove was ranked the #3 place to live in the Chicago area, following Naperville at #1 and Clarendon Hills at #2.   The Village was ranked #1 of 368 Illinois communities to raise a family, and it was also ranked #1 in the best places with public schools. Long Grove was rated #2 nationally in Best Places to Raise a Family, with Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, coming in at #1.   Long Grove is a treasure trove of greenery, both private and public, offering expansive Park District nature getaway spots like the Reed-Turner Woodland Preserve and Nature Center, Hayrake Trail, and Longview Meadow.   In recent years, the village has also become a sought-after destination for movie producers seeking a quaint old-world look for holiday films.   We are proud to receive this designation from Niche and hope that anyone seeking a wonderful place to live, work, and play will consider Long Grove. #LongGrove #BestPlaces

Our March digital newsletter, Connections, is now available online. In this issue, we welcome spring, Earth Day, and many associated environmental initiatives that correlate to our commitment to preserving greenery and our environment. You’ll also read about another Christmas movie featuring Hollywood star Mario Lopez being filmed in its entirety in Long Grove. Please take a read-through and spend part of your spring season with us in the village. https://conta.cc/3PHkQny

The Spring 2024 edition of The Bridge, our print newsletter mailed to residents, is fresh off the press. As the weather begins to warm up, we publish event news, learning opportunities, and stories that impact residents, business owners, and visitors to our village. We encourage everyone to enjoy this publication and take part in all Long Grove has to offer. https://lnkd.in/gQ7zE9sm

Today we welcome Highland Park resident Chris Sparkman as our new Village Manager. Chris served as Assistant Manager at the Village of Grayslake before joining the Long Grove staff. Among his central responsibilities for 2024 will be overseeing the expansion of our village hall which begins in April. We look forward to his leadership and ideas that will guide the progress of our Village.

https://conta.cc/3OTgqJZ The latest issue of our digital newsletter Connections is now available. You’ll read about a successful wintertime event, environmental initiatives, and the launch of our Village Hall expansion project. There are many great things happening in Long Grove, read all about it.