Can't fight this feeling

BY STEFANIE PERVOS | STAFF WRITER
spervos@pioneerlocal.com

Excitement and wonder top off village's 50th birthday bash, REO concert

Elk Grove Village's 50th Birthday Bash went off "without a hitch," Mayor Craig Johnson said.

Despite a slow start because of the heat, about 7,000 residents filled the stands of Haskell Memorial Stadium at Elk Grove High School by the end of Sunday evening. The celebration ended without any arrests or health problems.

More about the winners and Pam Scully's take on the event. Page 5

"It was really possibly the finest night Elk Grove has ever had," Johnson said.

Entrance to the event was free and included an REO Speedwagon concert, brownies and ice cream and a fireworks display.

Johnson kicked off the evening by thanking Elk Grove High School and District 214.

"Have you ever seen Elk Grove High School change from a football field to a concert stadium so quickly?" he said.

Over the past eight months, more than 13,000 raffle tickets for the Hometown Home Giveaway were sold at $50 each. Johnson presented 11 civic groups with a check for $11,500 each from the contest's proceeds.

The 10 finalists for the giveaway, already the winners of $1,000 cash, lined up in the order they purchased their tickets. Each had a chance to win the fully furnished, $600,000 home at 1099 Cheltenham Road, built by Centex Homes. From a fishbowl, each chose the key they hoped would open the door of the model replica of the home on stage.

Chris Soriano, assistant finance director for the village, was up first. He tried his key in the door but it did not budge. The next finalist, Kim Mills of Elk Grove Village, was also out of luck.

Emil Schiavo, a freelance photographer hired to take photos of the birthday celebration, was up next.

He chose his key and handed it over to his wife, Barb, so he could take the picture. To her complete amazement, the door opened.

"I want to know where Fire Chief Miller is with the ambulance" she said, the color drained from her face.

Emil Schiavo was shocked he had won the contest, though he had been predicting he would be the winner.

"Even though I was hopeful I'd win it, it's still a surprise to pick the key that would open the door," he said. "It's kind of strange because I had this feeling all along that I would win."

The couple has lived in Elk Grove Village since 1969 in two different Centex Homes. They are planning to move into their new dream home, at least for a short while.

Before the excitement of the giveaway died down, REO Speedwagon took the stage. Lead singer Kevin Cronin told the crowd it had been 35 years since they had last played in Elk Grove Village, and it was time to come back and educate young residents on their music.

The band rocked out to classics "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Keep On Loving You" and "Time for Me to Fly." They also introduced a few new songs of their new album, which comes out next year.

Peter Roskam, 6th District congressional hopeful and an avid REO Speedwagon fan, was invited by the mayor to attend the bash with his family.

"Hearing REO kind of takes me back," he said. "They're one of those garage bands that made it big."

Michelle Graves, another REO Speedwagon fan, has lived in Elk Grove Village for 24 years. Though she was disappointed not to have won a new home, she thought overall the 50th Birthday Bash was a success.

"I think they did a lot of planning and the mayor does a great job," she said.

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