Running the Show

The months of May and June usher in “show season” in the Barrington area—with the much-anticipated Class of 2025 graduation ceremonies taking place for Barrington, and Saint Viator and Carmel Catholic High Schools. Bataille Academie of the Danse’s annual Mother’s Day Recital and Barrington Dance Ensemble’s upcoming “Sleeping Beauty” performers (June 13 and 14; tickets on sale now) have all been in rehearsals for months. Families are planning weddings, engagement parties, reunions, and picnics that bunch-up at the end of the school year.

For Karen Darch, who’s been running the show as the Village of Barrington’s president since April 2005, we say a fond farewell to her in that role and know she will enjoy more time with family and friends. Karen has maintained the utmost dignity representing us and guiding with astute leadership locally and regionally. Multiple re-elections by her community gave her the chance to guide us through 20 years of local life with thoughtful planning, visionary achievements, and a charming sense of humor.

Here at the QB, we are truly grateful that she trusted us in 2005 as a breakthrough media brand and agreed to be on our first cover (photo above). Karen and I have been working together ever since through local event coverage, producing village content, and the meetings and activities of the Barrington Cultural Commission, of which I’m a proud founding member since 2009—this was a genius move on her part to build a strong volunteer team that has succeeded in developing Barrington as a cultural hub for the region. Thank you, Karen, for all you’ve done. You leave us better than you found us.

We are delighted to introduce you to new Village President Mike Moran, who brings a wealth of experience as a local resident, business owner, and recent village trustee. Having worked with Karen for more than five years on the Board, the continuity is a plus. We wish him all the best in his new role. Check out our interview in the pages ahead.

Happy Spring!