Family Picnic and Open House

The public is invited to a fun family picnic and open house taking place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

The day begins with a Good Morning Coffee Klatch, and lunch will be served under an outdoor Big Top. There will also be an ice cream social, Rickshaw rides, a barbershop quartet and optional tours of the historic Oak Park Arms Retirement Community.

The afternoon features a ballroom dance to the music of the Freenotes from 2 – 4:30 p.m. The Freenotes is an 18-piece band that plays music from 1940s through the 1960s. The name "Freenotes" originated 30 years ago when the band's founder, the late Art Mertz, gathered a few musical friends to perform at an outdoor fundraiser. The group didn't charge - hence The "Free"notes. The musicians had a wonderful day, and the band has been growing ever since.

Today's 18 members range in age from 30 to 70. They perform in blue blazers with red ties. Twenty year Freenotes' member Ron Chocola is the band manager, taking care of bookings and other business tasks. He plays trumpet in the band.

"We have a repertoire of several hundred songs, all very danceable," Chocola said. "We play at concerts, parties and dances such as the one at the Oak Park Arms."

Another member of the band – Dr. Bob Beiter – has his business, CAA-The Hearing Place, located within the Oak Park Arms, so he knows many residents. 

"We sincerely hope everyone – all ages – enjoys the day with us," said Jill Wagner, marketing director of the Oak Park Arms. "This will be one of our biggest events of the year."

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The day's events are free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.