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Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, the Battle of the Sexes and LeCompte/Kalaway Cup Polo Matches were met with crowds of family, friends, guests, and colleagues who were ready to enjoy a day in the beautiful countryside of Barrington Hills. Known as “Polo Among Friends,” this is Chicagoland’s largest polo event each year and we’d bet the most fun. Special thanks to the gracious LeCompte family, and all the event sponsors, vendors, and talented polo players who made the day a success. Special thanks also to the Kalaway Cup Committee members and volunteers who made this day possible.
The pre-game show featured the Fox River Valley Pony Club Parade and the National Anthem sung by Jackie McMahon. BraveHearts’ Military Veterans presented the Color Guard on horseback.
Congratulations to the Azusa Technology team who won the Battle of the Sexes, and Messer Team who won this year’s LeCompte/Kalaway Cup honors. Enjoy these images as you join us on the polo field!
Karen Sue Carter Selman was born in Indianapolis on May 10, 1942, daughter of Marcus and Muriel Carter. She peacefully passed away on December 20, 2023, surrounded by her family. Karen grew up in Greencastle, Indiana and graduated from DePauw University with a degree in speech and drama in 1964. She married and moved to Arlington Heights the same year. Karen taught English and directed student drama productions at William Fremd High School in Palatine for two years until the birth of her first child, Jennifer, in 1967. Her second child, Michael, was born in 1969.
A significant part of Karen’s career was spent in early childhood education beginning at the Palatine Township. She became director of the program when it was incorporated into Children’s Home and Aid Society (CHASI) in 1983.
Karen lived in Barrington Hills for more than 25 years. A devotee of the equestrian way of life and preserving the uniqueness of Barrington Hills, Karen served as president of the Barrington Hills Riding Club for four years, was elected to the Village of Barrington Hills Board of Trustees for four years (2011-2015) and was founder of the Kalaway Cup—Barrington Hills’ annual polo event that supports and highlights all local equestrian-related clubs and associations, for which she served as chairperson for 10 years. She was a staunch defender of the village’s open spaces, and minimum 5-acre zoning whenever challenged by high-density residential developers.
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Her kindness and genuine interest in others, combined with strong opinions and a mighty sense of humor, attracted a wide range of friends. She was loyal, fearless, and loved by many. – From Karen Selman’s Celebration of Life
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“Karen loved this village. I remember her telling me about when she first moved into her home on Brinker Road, she woke up one morning to the clatter of hooves and when she looked out her window, she saw the hunt with all their horses and hounds riding past her house. This was the kind of thing she wanted to protect.
Karen was the one who came up with the idea for the Kalaway Cup Polo Event. Karen and I have helped run the big polo event in Barrington Hills for about 20 years. Karen’s job was to keep all the various balls in the air, and everyone involved on track. My job was to make Karen laugh. Which, thank God, she did most of the time, so I felt I was doing my duty. It never occurred to me that Karen wouldn’t be around. She was always a tower of strength and a bundle of energy, and if she was suffering, she never showed it to me. Through all this time, Karen Selman was my rudder.” – John Rosene
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“Karen Selman was the consummate leader and a loyal friend. She was dedicated not only to the children and families she served, but to her staff. As one of her longest serving volunteers at the Community Child Care Center and friend for nearly 50 years, I am richer for knowing her, and the world is better because of her.” – Sue Walton
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“Karen was a great friend, an animal lover, a preserver of history, and a quintessential childcare provider and administrator. Karen understood family systems could be supported to positively change the trajectory of the lives in their orbit. Karen worked tirelessly to obtain the resources needed to accomplish this goal. The results of her impact were seen in multiple generations to meet the needs of individual children and their entire families. Her vision, work ethic, caring nature, determination, and sense of humor are missed by the many friends, colleagues, families, and children whose lives were enhanced by knowing her.
Karen worked hard to cobble together the funding for the programs and resources families needed. It was like a treasure hunt, but without the map. I’m sure that Karen is looking down smiling at the news, that for the first time, the current Illinois State budget calls for the funding of a new early childhood department which will house three current agencies. This will streamline the process of finding the services and funding for early childhood children and families (see sidebar). – Linda Kolbusz-Kosan
Lisa Stamos is the founder of Quintessential Media Group and the publisher of Quintessential Barrington magazine. She may be reached at lisa@qbarrington.com.
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