Real-life Carol Stream proud to be the village's namesake
Yes, there is a real Carol Stream.
The village of Carol Stream isn't named after the Klein Creek that runs through portions of town. It is named after a real, live person. The "real" Carol Stream. And she lives in Arizona.
My wife, Kim, son, Ricky, and I had an opportunity to sit and visit with Carol Stream, in her home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., while on a spring break vacation earlier this month.
We also met her mother, Dorothy, and brother Jim. We found the family to be charming, talkative and eager to hear about the village.
With the 50th anniversary of the village of Carol Stream coming up in 2009, I would like to have Carol Stream return for a visit. Her last official visit was in 1984 to celebrate the village's 25th anniversary.
Though she never lived in town, I believe residents would enjoy seeing and meeting the person whose name was given to our town.
During our conversation, Carol told stories of living on Geneva Road in Wheaton, near the Theosophical Society; riding her bike up and down Geneva Road; visiting the little Popcorn Store in Wheaton; and how proud she is to have a town named after her.
She was interested to look at a current map of Carol Stream and see how it has grown.
She told us when she is introduced to new people they often mention that there is a town with the same name. She is very excited to tell them that the town is named after her.
Though she walks with a cane and has some mobility issues -- the aftermath of an accident that put her in a coma in 1957 -- she drives and swims every day.
When asked about the village her eyes light up. She is excited to ask about some of the longtime residents she knows -- Jean Moore, Barb O'Rahilly, Betty Kammes.
The only thing that upsets her, she said jokingly, is that Glenbard North High School is not named Carol Stream High School.
Carol's mother, Dorothy, told us that during World War II, Carol and the family lived in Arizona. Jay Stream was stationed at Thunderbird Airbase in Scottsdale.
When asked if that is where Jay got the idea to name one of the village's original main streets, she wasn't sure, but added that Jay liked Indian names.
I presented Carol Stream with shirts, mugs, flags, brochures, maps, pens and other items from the village, park district, Carol Stream School, historical society and chamber of commerce.
She seemed happy to see all the items and asked that the village send her the correspondent newsletter and a copy of the new village vehicle sticker.
She said she would like to return to the village for a visit, but added that traveling is difficult.