April showers bring May flowers — and lots of springtime parties! April was a busy month in Chicago real estate as the first third of the year wound to a close. The spring market is finally hitting its stride, and so am I. Let’s get into it!
On April 18, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) held its annual Sales Awards at the ole Aragon Ballroom in Uptown. Hundreds of agents turned out to the venue, which was, truly, a blast from the past — I went to concerts there in high school! And attendees channeled their inner teenagers as they cheered for all the top producers. Many cocktails (and hors d’oeuvres) were had.
And that wasn’t CAR’s only big event. On April 11, the association held a real-life film premiere, screening “Shame of Chicago, Shame of a Nation” at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The new documentary series covers the history of housing discrimination in Chicago. There was no red carpet, but the audience was rapt.
Earlier that day, MRED held its annual owners meeting at the swanky Drake Hotel in Oak Brook. The day included lunch and a tech presentation, followed by dinner, drinks and networking, networking, networking!
Then, on April 17, members of john greene Realtor attended the Strength and Honor luncheon hosted by Naperville Responds at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge. The organization helps veterans and those in need with home repairs and renovations. Realtors love lending a renovating hand.
Looking ahead to early June, Engel & Völkers is hosting its annual Pride Summit, which is always a really good time. (Seriously. Crazy fun. Lots of Champagne.) The welcome reception takes place at the E&V office in Lakeview on June 2, followed by the actual summit and after-party on June 3. Tickets are available now.
Until then, though, we have some May babies to celebrate. On May 2, Nicole Fabiano-Oertel and Justin Lopatin turn one year older, followed by Leslie Struthers on May 3 and Frank Quintero and Susie Pearson on May 4. On May 6, Nykea Pippion McGriff will be partying in Dallas — farewell! — before Sam Powell celebrates May 7. Then, May 9, we have b-day twins Danielle Dowell and Eve Benton before Katherine Sather’s birthday May 10. On May 12, though, there are birthday triplets: Mimi Harpur, Brett Decker and Jonathan McCulloch! After that, Carrie McCormick celebrates on May 14. Then there’s a small break before a big birthday run: Shelly Cellak May 19, Glen Tomlinson and Jim Chittaro May 20, Jamie Franz May 21, Amir Syed May 22, Juany Honeycutt May 23 and John Ristau May 24. Finally, Karen Ranquist finishes May out strong on the 28th, before we transition into early June birthdays: Matt Wasik on June 4 and Thad Wong and Michael Pierson on June 5.