THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2008

---

Local Republicans Bringing Back Picnic

By TODD WESSELL

Journal & Topics Editor

For years, one of the biggest political events and fundraisers of the year for Northwest suburban Republicans was the annual summer picnic at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village. The event attracted thousands of local Republicans from five area townships including Maine, Elk Grove and Wheeling. At times it even attracted GOP presidential candidates as well as elephants, the traditional symbol of the Republican Party.

A few years ago, the picnic was discontinued. But now, as the November presidential election approaches and with the Republican Party facing major challenges throughout the country, a mini version of the picnic is returning.

Elk Grove Township GOP Committeeman Mike Sweeney and Maine Township Committeeman Mark Thompson have decided to host a local GOP picnic on Sunday, Sept. 7 at a Cook County Forest Preserve near Arlington Hts. and Landmeier roads.

"This replaces the big picnic," said Thompson late last week. "Mike Sweeney and I have met several times to discuss how we can work together. We'll try to get local and state-wide candidates out to the picnic." Sweeney said this year's picnic might blossom into a much larger event similar to what was held for many years.