Terry Moran Family Day takes place after hours of planning
If you hear a rumor that this is the final year for the Terry Moran Family Day, Steve Moran would like to quash it.
The daylong softball tournament and mini festival has been a Rolling Meadows tradition since 1995. And while Moran's family spends countless hours planning it each year, no one's ready to bow out yet.
"We're hanging in there," says Moran, who is organizing Saturday's event for the 14th time. "If my family wants to do it, there's no doubt we will."
That's not to say it's not tiring. Family members put their hearts into the event, which honors Steve's brother Terry, an avid softball player who died in a car crash in at age 36.
"The thing that's tough for us is my family takes most of the risk," he says. They invest thousands of dollars and large amounts of time organizing each year. Relatives fly in from out of town to pitch in.
So far, they have covered their costs every time, plus raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"I know my family is really proud of what it has become," says Moran, adding that it's one of the longest-running softball tournaments in the Chicago area.
The activities include hay rides, games, prizes, a moonwalk, entertainment from three live bands and tons of food and drinks. The softball games run all day at various fields.
Moran says people have asked him if the family plans to turn Family Day over to the Rolling Meadows Park District, which has supported the event since its start. "That's never been said," he insists.
Director Amy Charlesworth says the Morans have talked about the park district taking over, but not seriously at this point. If the family ever gives it up - and if the park district is confident it could meet its expenses - Charlesworth would be glad to continue the tradition, she says.
"The community has become very attached to this event," she says.
Moran is grateful to the park district for its role each year. The feeling is mutual with Charlesworth. "We enjoy our partnership and don't want to see it go away," she said.
Since the demise of DiamondFest over a decade ago, "this has kind of turned into Rolling Meadows' festival," Moran says.
Soccer Swedish style: Girls soccer players in town are looking forward to hosting some international visitors next week for a friendly matchup.
The Rolling Meadows Soccer Club has arranged a pair of games against teams from Sweden's Azalea BK club, one of the largest in that country, says Mike Canace, director of communications. The games start at 6:45 p.m. Monday at the Community Center.
The Swedish players and the U16 team from Rolling Meadows each competed in Minnesota last weekend. Now the European visitors will be staying with host families in the suburbs and will play games with the local U14 and U16 girls teams.
The public is invited to watch - and to join in a cookout before the match. The club is not charging for food but will accept donations to help offset costs.
Pregame pageantry will include representatives from the Illinois Women's Soccer League as well as the Chicago Red Stars, which is part of the new Women's Professional League that starts play in 2009.
• Colleen Thomas welcomes your news about community events and people. Call (847) 427-4591, or e-mail her at cthomas@dailyherald.com.
Terry Moran Family Day
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kimball Hill Park, Rolling Meadows
Events: Softball tournament, food, entertainment, children's activities
Info: www.tmoranfoundation.com or (847) 394-3515