We’re pretty attached to the name of our quaint little village: Long Grove. Of course, we are, but hearing John and Pat Marshall’s (this year’s 20th-annual Long Grove Apple Festival honorees) grand- daughter Ashley call it Apple Town almost makes us think about a name change.

The fact that Apple Town rolls off the tongue so easily speaks to the fact that Apple Festival is on the way, Sept. 28-30, and has become a treasured part of our community for both repeat visitors and first-timers. The same spirit that pervades Apple Festival lives here in Long Grove year-round, and is felt by all, especially the Marshalls.

Pat says it perfectly: “We enjoy all the festivities Long Grove offers–the festivals, the free concerts in the summer (organized by the  the Long Grove Arts & Music Council) farmer’s market. It’s like a family,” she says. “We stay in touch with our neighbors; there’s a sense of community that doesn’t seem to be there anymore for most people. From the time we moved here, it’s been an extra-nice community in which to live our lives.”

Long Grove = Home

Like they said, the Marshalls enjoy the “simple life” Long Grove has to offer and often can be seen doing so with their three grandchildren. As mentioned above, they “love going into town with our golf cart during the festivals and going to the concerts on Sunday. Our dog rides on the golf cart with us,” says John. “Being a trustee, I think it’s important to be in town and see what’s going on, and you’re able to make decisions based off that when it comes time to vote on certain issues, so I do spend a lot of time in town.

“It’s a very unusual town, not going to find many towns like it around,” he continues. “It’s a cultural center and we’re trying to make it even more of an artistic destination for people to come and appreciate the finer things in life.”

These two don’t miss much in Long Grove and it’s been that way since they moved to the village 28 years ago and bought a home. They installed their construction business in a spare room, their daughter in another, and went at work and life with serious dedication.

What’s come out of that dedication are many blessings: a loving family, a successful company and a commitment to the Village of Long Grove that goes deep. Whether behind the scenes or in the crowd, they are part of everyday life in the village and enjoy the many things it has to offer year-round.

John currently serves as a trustee on the Village Board, a position he worked toward through ever-ascending positions pertaining to the governance of Long Grove. He started his years of public service by serving on the architectural board of their homeowner’s association, then filled a spot on the village’s architectural board before moving on to the zoning board of appeals. He became a trustee in 2010.

“We’ve always loved Long Grove, so we wanted to participate a little bit and that’s what we try to do,” says John. Pat agrees: “Sometimes, it’s the little things in life. At the Fall Parade, John decks out the golf cart and hits town with the kids and it’s just lovely.”

How They Got Here

The couple were married in Hillside and “lived there in my parents’ basement for about five years, then moved out,” recalls John. Of course, John and Pat did so in order that they could start John Marshall Construction, Inc.–an early-in-life gamble that has paid off handsomely. “We do maintenance work, new houses, remodeling, and commercial build-outs,” says John, who has learned how to relax. “I play basketball three days a week,” says John. “The rest of the time, I work.

“We started out in 1976 doing small little maintenance jobs for people,” he says. “From there, it grew to remodeling and building houses, then the commercial build-out. Being able to employ a handful of people and ensure they are able to feed their families is important to me, plus just having somewhere to go and people to meet every day.”

Their daughter, Jennifer, and her husband are raising their three children in nearby Vernon Hills, which is huge for Pat. “If I’m not working, I most enjoy being with my grandkids,” and is an avid reader, too. “It’s been a real fun ride, as they say,” she finishes.

We hope you come to Long Grove for a visit and find the Marshalls’ experience to be true for you, as well. Make sure to say hello to the Marshalls whether you see them gliding by on a festive and joy-filled golf cart or enjoying a cultural event at one of our shops.