The Village of Lindenhurst is a relatively young community celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2006. Because of the absence of a downtown district, historic buildings or any monuments, an identity for the village never developed. People most often asked "where is Lindenhurst?" Capitalizing on the golden anniversary provided an opportunity to develop a community identity. A project of this type could make Lindenhurst a destination point.

Utilizing the “golden” anniversary (50th) to plant 50,000 golden daffodils in public and private spaces to create the identity of a community of daffodils. There are no towns in Illinois that have proclaimed an official village flower. Lindenhurst proclaimed the daffodil as the official flower on September 26, 2005. State Representative Robert Churchill sponsored a resolution in Springfield designating Lindenhurst as the Daffodil Capital of Illinois. Our annual Earth Day event which focuses on the environment, took orders and sold over 5,000 daffodil bulbs. We obtained a $10,000 donation to purchase 50,000 additional bulbs. Volunteers bagged and delivered five free bulbs to 4,000 households encouraging each to plant the "starter kit" and more. The remaining 30,000 bulbs were given to schools, churches, public buildings, businesses and other institutions and planted along public rights-of-way. All were encouraged to participate in this village-wide effort.

Designating an official village flower provides a common goal for community residents to recognize. It can bring a community together around a single project such as a beautification effort or community pride. It provides a natural beauty to a community at very little cost.

An initial 5,000 bulbs were purchased by residents at the annual community Earth Day celebration. A donation of $10,000 purchased 50,000 additional bulbs. (50,000 was a number chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary). Brown bags for distribution and printed flyers were donated.

There was complete support of the Village Board. The community through its churches and schools, businesses and institutions and the Chamber of Commerce all participated. Civic and community clubs, Home Owners Associations, youth groups and numerous other volunteers gave of their time to distribute the bulbs and plant them at their individual organizations. There was no resistance to overcome.

Jim Betustak, Mayor
Jim Stevens, Village Administrator
Terry Kelroy, Citizen Volunteer & Chairman
of the Daffodil Project

The Village of Lindenhurst has an elected mayor/president, village clerk and six trustees all elected at large. We have a full-time appointed Village Administrator.

James Betustak, Mayor
2301 E. Sand Lake Road
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
mayorbetustak@lindenhurstil.org
office: (847)356-8252

James Stevens, Village Administrator
2301 E. Sand Lake Road
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
lindenhurstil.org
(847)356-8252