Me and my Shadow
Mary Beth Adams is most likely the first person new residents meet when they move into Tower Lakes. With a smile on her face and a warm, friendly demeanor, Mary Beth is a one-man show, greeting newcomers to our community. She is the one and only official “Tower Lakes Welcoming Committee.” “I get to meet new folks when they move in and connect them with other people in the neighborhood. I’m excited to tell them about the wonderful events and activities here and to encourage them to get involved. It is truly the key to happiness in Tower Lakes,” says Mary Beth.
It seems the perfect job for her. Mary Beth is a natural ambassador for Tower Lakes. “It’s like being on vacation every day. No matter what kind of a day you have had, or what else is happening in the world, Tower Lakes is a calming respite. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” says Mary Beth.
She wasn’t always surrounded by nature. Mary Beth grew up on the busy northwest side of Chicago in an Irish/Italian neighborhood with many large families. She was the annoying kid who always wanted to play “school”. After attending Catholic schools, she went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher by earning a bachelor’s degree in special education and elementary education at Northeastern Illinois University. While working as a junior high special education teacher in the western suburbs, she went on to earn master’s degrees in reading and school administration. Later, as a school administrator with the Northern Suburban Special Education District on the North Shore, she had the opportunity to collaborate with so many wonderfully dedicated teachers and families. It was a career that inspired her to give back.
Some years ago, Mary Beth bought a home in Des Plaines, never knowing that her future husband, Nick, lived in the house next door! “He always joked that he didn’t have far to drive to pick me up for a date!” exclaims Mary Beth. They married and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
During the early years of their marriage, Nick worked with Dave Parro (a Tower Lakes resident and current Village President), and the Adams would drive out to Tower Lakes to visit. Mary Beth recalls taking paddleboat rides to look at the lakefront homes and realized that Tower Lakes was where she wanted to live. She was drawn to the beauty of the lake, the parks, and the friendly people.
In 1996, with two-year old twins, Nick and Mary Beth realized that they needed a larger home. More importantly, they wanted to raise their boys in a place that had a real sense of community. Tower Lakes naturally came to mind and the Adams couldn’t have been happier when they found a home on the lake. To this day, Mary Beth looks out her window at the incredible view and is amazed by her surroundings.
Although Nick and Mary Beth knew the Parros, they felt it was important to immerse themselves deeper into the community. That meant volunteering and helping out neighbors. Mary Beth immediately started a playgroup for her sons that connected her with other new moms. She joined the Youth Committee, managing many of the events that continue to this day: the Halloween pizza party and the movie night, among others. And even though her kids are grown, Mary Beth still finds herself wandering over to watch kids enjoying the fun! Later, she and her husband joined the Social Committee (now called the Events Committee) and had great fun planning events and meeting even more people in the neighborhood! She claims the Social Committee was one of the best experiences in Tower Lakes. No wonder. It allowed her to again fulfill her desire to socialize and connect with others – this time on a bigger scale.
And Mary Beth passed along the lesson of stewardship to her sons. Although now in college completing their engineering degrees, Mary Beth always encouraged them to volunteer in Tower Lakes. The boys would ask, “Why we are cleaning up Kelsey Road or the parks?” or “Why we are going to a neighbor’s house to help them?” Nick and Mary Beth would tell them that they are blessed to live in such a community and it is their responsibility to take care of it and one another – a lesson she learned from working on the North Shore.
She dedicates many hours in Tower Lakes at the parks. She maintains the flowerbeds at Barsumian Park and recently became one of the Stewards of the Park. “Residents get to enjoy the splendor in our parks because of the many volunteers who spend time beautifying them,” says Mary Beth.
We all know the environment in Tower Lakes is beyond compare. “When I think about the real attractiveness here, though, it truly is the people. Everyone is so friendly and inspiring, “ says Mary Beth. She loves getting to know so many wonderfully diverse people and feels blessed to be fortunate enough to call them friends.
After a rich, fulfilling career in education, Mary Beth retired eight years ago. Her natural instinct to connect with others kicked back in and she is currently working part-time at Harper College — in the Admissions Office — welcoming new students to campus. She also informs them about college life, financial aid and helps them acclimate to their new surroundings. It’s a perfect fit for this woman who is, by nature, so warm and welcoming.