Valentine's Day by the Numbers

The popularity of candy and flowers can't be beat.

Valentine’s Day is a day for displays of affection, and for years, two popular signs of that affection have been candy and flowers, with chocolate and roses on the top of the list. Some U. S. Census calculations follow. CANDY 1,177 Manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. $12.6 billion Total value of shipments in 2009 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $7.4 billion industry. 3,386 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2009. 24.7 pounds Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010. FLOWERS $375 million The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut …

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Show Your Love with a Singing Valentine

There is still time to order a singing Valentine from the Chorus of DuPage.

If you are ready to burst into song at the thought of how much you love your spouse or significant other, but don’t trust your singing skills, for a few dollars you can share some lyrical love. Members of the Chorus of DuPage, a men’s barbershop chorus, will be spreading the love with song to lucky recipients throughout the area on Valentine’s Day. Several Chorus of DuPage barbershop quartets will make their way across Chicago’s western suburbs to deliver singing valentines to sweethearts. They will break into song in restaurants, schools, offices and anywhere the love is flowing.  In preparation for the Valentine’s Day holiday, the organization is accepting orders for singing telegrams. A basic singing Valentine is $40, and includes two …

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Convalescent Center Seeks Valentine's Day Donations

DuPage Convalescent Center seeks Valentine's Day donations for residents.

The DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton is offering the community an opportunity to send Valentine wishes to residents who reside at the facility.  Last year, more than 800 heart-shaped helium balloons decorated the corridors and rooms of the Center on Valentine’s Day, according to a press release from DuPage County. Volunteers and staff delivered the balloons to the more than 350 residents living at the Center, brightening the day and bringing lots of smiles along the way.   “We are looking forward to continuing this 25-year old tradition,” said Beth Welch, Convalescent Center administrator. “Every year, Valentine’s Day gives us an additional opportunity to warm the hearts of the many elderly and disabled individuals who live here in …

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Early Warning: 'Romantic Night Hike' Planned to Celebrate Valentine's Day

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will hold its hike for adults on Feb. 9 at Fullersburg Woods. Registration is required.

Love is in the air. For the outdoorsy lovebirds out there, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has romantic evening planned in advance of Valentine’s Day. The forest preserve district is hosting its Valentine’s Day tradition, the “Romantic Night Hike” at the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook. The hike will be held Feb. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. Couples, who register, will be invited to stroll along lantern-lit paths that meander through the woods, while enjoying the sound of burbling water as the Salt Creek passes under the scenic bridges, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. In addition, there will be hot chocolate and at the end of the trail there will be a fire for roasting marshmallows and…

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Police Blotter

Bolingbrook Man Charged With Domestic Battery on Valentine's Day

Here's an item from the Village of Lisle Police Department blotter on Feb. 15.

Lisle Police were called to a residence on the 5400 block of Burr Oak Road on Feb. 14 at approximately 7:20 p.m. After interviewing a battery victim, Malyon L. Fentress, 32, of Bolingbrook, was charged with domestic battery. He was processed and transported to the Dupage County Jail.

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Under the Tower

Paulette Delcourt: Do-It-Myself Home Unimprovement

If I didn't see it done myself, I would have sworn Stevie Wonder hung my closet rods.

After almost six years in my house, I decided it was time to clean my closet. The only problem is my version of cleaning usually includes some sort of remodeling.  In my head, the job was simple enough: I would reduce three walls of inaccessible hanging space to one well-organized wall by removing the rod from one, and installing it on the other. I even measured. As it turned out, the project was more archeology than architecture—the builder made a mess of the original job. Years ago, as the carpenter installed the rods, I walked into the room to tell him how I wanted the space configured. He told me he didn’t care and he was going to do what he wanted. Once I dug into the project, it was clear why.  Behind the rods and brackets, it was …

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Darren McRoy

1:29 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I did. Are there any bad errors that I overlooked?   more ›

Health Department: Put a Healthy Spin on Valentine's Day Snacks

Incorporate vegetables in eye-catching ways to promote healthier eating on this very sugary holiday.

from the DuPage County Health Department Looking to trade your child's heart-shaped chocolates for something with nutritional value? The DuPage County Health Department suggests that parents use Valentine's Day—an occasion for candy and sugary snacks—as a festive opportunity to get their little ones to eat healthier foods and treats.   Generally, children will gravitate toward foods that are attractive, novel and eye-catching, so use this holiday to alter snacks to encourage healthy consumption. Remember that while it is fine to occasionally give your children sweets for a festive occasion, it is also important to establish healthy eating habits. Now is your chance to get the kids to eat some healthier foods by making these Valentine's Day…

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Readers' Choice

VOTE: Where Do You Pick Up a Valentine Bouquet?

Hoping to make one Valentine's Day decision a little easier this year, we ask Lisle residents to help us distinguish the village's most popular florists.

Patch wants to know who Lisle residents designate their 'go-to' village businesses. Voting closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday for ‘Best Of’ Dry Cleaner. Make sure you’ve cast your vote, and don’t forget to check back for the official winner on Thursday morning! (Although I have to admit, Leo's Cleaners supporters stole the contest on the first day!) This week’s topic: florists. Maybe you need to order a luscious dozen roses for your significant other, or a perky bouquet for your mother this coming Valentine's Day. But that's just in February. Fresh flowers are also a staple of formal dances, Mother's Day, graduations, birthdays, and (hopefully!) just because. Who do you trust for fresh, lovely arrangements?   How to vote Choose your favorite …

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