The Gurnee Days Committee is proud to announce longtime Gurnee resident, Martha Welton-Schmidt, as the 2025 Gurnee Days Honoree.
Martha Welton-Schmidt comes from a family that is deeply rooted in the community of Gurnee and has a legacy of significant community service. Growing up she observed the way that her extended family modeled serving and helping others. Her grandfather, Ray B. Dixon, was an original board member who organized and built Warren Township High School, among other important contributions. Her parents, Art and Mary Welton, were Gurnee Days Honorees in 1981 because of their long-standing community service. Other family members recognized at Gurnee Days include: her uncle LaVerne Dixon, brother Dick Welton, and brother-in-law Jim Hayner. The family tradition of service to others was well ingrained in Martha. When asked to serve as this year’s honoree, she responded: “I am so honored and humbled to be considered for this honor. Thank you.”
Martha is the fifth of eight Welton children, and growing up was surrounded by numerous cousins, Aunts, and Uncles as well. She was introduced to working hard early in life by babysitting and then later joined her older siblings working at the family business, Welton’s Food Market. This work taught her the value of helping others and being kind to one another. This preparation helped her as she began a twenty-year career at the Community Trust Credit Union. One would often find a line at her station because people wanted to be served by Martha, especially seniors.
She met her husband Marvin Schmidt while “Scooping the Loop” in Waukegan, and they were married in 1967. Shortly afterwards, he was drafted and sent to Vietnam. He was seriously injured while there, and they have coped with those injuries since that time. They were blessed with two children, Marnie and Buddy, as well as four grandchildren: Audrey, Janey, Matthew and Baylor. While raising the children, Martha was involved in Cub Scouts, Brownies, band parent, and choral parent activities. Today, she is an active member of the Gurnee Community Church, continuing the legacy of her mother, Mary. As a wedding hostess, she helped organize over 150 weddings. She currently helps with the annual Thanksgiving dinner for sailors from Great Lakes, senior luncheons, funeral meals, and many other behind-the-scenes activities. Ask her family, friends, and neighbors, and they will tell you that Martha serves in many quiet and humble ways.
As we head into the busy month of December, we wanted to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season! We thank you for your continued support throughout the year and we look forward to providing more FUN this month and in the months ahead!
December will be filled with plenty of opportunities for you and your family to get out and celebrate the season! Please see below for what’s to come!
2024-2025 WINTER PROGRAM AND EVENTS – REGISTER TODAY!
Registration is NOW OPEN for our upcoming 2024-2025 winter programs and events!
Start planning today!
2025 HUNT CLUB PARK AQUATIC CENTER SEASON PASSES – ON SALE NOW!
Give the gift of summer fun this holiday season! Purchase your 2025 Aquatic Center season passes at the lowest rates of the season from now until 12/31!
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HOLIDAY LIGHTS – 12/5
Join us to kick off the holidays with a festive holiday light display! The Gurnee Park District, in partnership with the Village of Gurnee and the Village of Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, proudly presents “Holiday Lights” at Welton Plaza (Old Grand Avenue)!
We’ll have firepits, s’mores, and hot chocolate* to keep you warm, craft stations with cookie and donut decorating to keep you busy, live ice sculpting, a DJ playing holiday music throughout the event, and much more! Special guests include Gurnee Park District Above the Barre Dance Team, Gurnee Mayor, Tom Hood, your favorite “Elf” and his sidekick, Jovie, as well as everyone’s favorite holiday duo – Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
*hot chocolate is provided courtesy of our event sponsor, Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry!
NEW this year – a commemorative “Holiday Lights” mug will be given to the first 200 children who visit with Santa!
FREE pizza will be available from Jimanos Pizza of Gurnee (while supplies last)!
Want to help those in need this holiday season? Staff will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Northern Illinois Food Bank during the event. Please bring your donations to help make a difference in our community!
When: Thursday, December 5
5:30-7:30pm (Welton Plaza)
Special thank you to our sponsors, Gurnee Community Bank, Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Honey Orthodontics, and DCFS.
MONTHLY MIXER – 12/10
Celebrate the holidays with a lunch of salad, pork loin, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, and dessert. Musical entertainment by the “Lake Shore Singers” who will entertain with some favorite tunes for the Holidays.
Feel free to bring a $6.00 or less wrapped gift for the gift exchange game!
11:30am – 1:00pm
Viking Park | 4374 Old Grand Avenue
Ages: 55+
Fee: $10
Registration deadline is Thursday, December 5.
WINTER BREAK DAYS OFF SCHOOL – 12/23 – 1/6
Winter Break is coming! Keep the kids busy with our Days Off School Programs! We have a variety of FUN activities planned for each day. Sign up today; spaces are limited!
HOLIDAY FACILITY HOURS
Please see below for our upcoming holiday facility hours:
Tuesday, December 24
- Hunt Club Park Community Center – CLOSED
- Viking Park Community Center – CLOSED
- FitNation on Nations Drive – 7:00am – 12:00pm
Wednesday, December 25
- Hunt Club Park Community Center – CLOSED
- Viking Park Community Center – CLOSED
- FitNation on Nations Drive – CLOSED
Tuesday, December 31
- Hunt Club Park Community Center – 7:00am – 12:00pm
- Viking Park Community Center – CLOSED
- FitNation on Nations Drive – 7:00am – 3:00pm
Wednesday, January 1
- Hunt Club Park Community Center – CLOSED
- Viking Park Community Center – CLOSED
- FitNation on Nations Drive – 10:00am – 5:00pm
PARK HIGHLIGHT – VIKING PARK
This month’s Park Highlight is all about Viking Park! This expansive park, located off Old Grand Avenue, features not one, but TWO engaging playgrounds, paved and gravel walking paths, multiple sports courts, a challenging skate park, as well as indoor and outdoor rental spaces, and plenty of picturesque backdrops for every season!
As we head into the month of December, prepare for Viking Park to be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, complete with welcoming light tunnels and festive light displays. Feel free to take a stroll, and maybe a quick photo session, too!
UPCOMING JANUARY EVENTS:
FROSTY FEST – 1/4
Enjoy an unforgettable day of FREE outdoor family fun at Viking Park! Horse-drawn sleigh rides, iceless ice skating, and other festive winter games and crafts will be available outdoors at this winter festival. Don’t forget to warm up with hot cocoa or coffee in the Dance Hall.
When: Saturday, January 4
Time: 10:30am – 1:00pm
Where: Viking Park | 4374 Old Grand Avenue
Thank you to our sponsor, Honey Orthodontics, for making this event possible!
GROWING TREE PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES – 1/22 & 1/23
See how we learn and grow at Growing Tree Preschool! Whether your child currently attends or you are considering enrolling in the upcoming school year, our Open Houses provide parents the opportunity to learn about our program philosophy and curriculum. Parents can also enroll their children in the upcoming school year with a discounted registration fee.
Open Houses will take place from 6:00-7:00pm on:
Wednesday, January 22 at Hunt Club Park Community Center (preschool classrooms)
Thursday, January 23 at Viking Park Community Center (preschool classroom)
NEW! JUNGLE JUMP AND SPLASH – 1/17 Get ready for a wildly fun time this winter at FitNation’s jungle-themed splash-tastic pool party! Jump into an evening of exciting games, fantastic prizes, and delicious snacks and drinks. While animal print swimsuits are encouraged, they’re not required—just bring your enthusiasm! Don’t miss out on the fun—mark your calendars and join us for a roaring good time!
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Looking for a FUN and REWARDING job? We’re hiring!
Available positions include:
Aquatics Supervisor (FT)
Basketball Scorekeeper (PT)
Customer Service Representative (PT)
Facility Maintenance I (PT)
FitNation Childcare Coordinator (PT)
Member Services Staff at FitNation (PT)
Personal Trainer (PT)
Trades and Construction Supervisor (FT)
And MORE!
Click here for more information!
Have a great month! We look forward to seeing you out and about at Gurnee Park District!
The Gurnee Days Committee is proud to announce longtime Gurnee resident, Kathy Blair, as the 2024 Gurnee Days Honoree.
Kathy Blair has been a resident of Gurnee since 1988 when she and her late husband, Troy, bought their first home. Early on, Kathy dedicated her time to raising her two children, Kevin and Cassidy, volunteering and attending Village Church of Gurnee, assisting in classrooms at Woodland School District, and completing her education degree.
After teaching for many years at Woodland Middle School, Kathy found herself with a new business opportunity. Inspired by a business model and culture that aligned with her and her family’s goals and beliefs, Kathy and her husband Troy opened their own “Nothing Bundt Cakes” storefront, which has brought joy to the Gurnee community since 2018.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Kathy’s heart for service led her to partner with over 40 non-profit organizations, further enriching our community through involvement with the Gurnee Women’s Business Association, Gurnee Exchange Club, and other local groups.
Despite the sad loss of her husband Troy in March of 2024, Kathy’s resilience and gratitude for the support and stability he provided remains unshaken, fueling her passion for giving back to the community that has given her so much.
Kathy Blair’s commitment and impact to the Gurnee community will be celebrated at the Gurnee Days annual testimonial reception on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Warren Township Center. In addition, Blair will serve as the Grand Marshall of the Gurnee Days parade on Sunday August 11.
900 N Hunt Club Rd
