Among the first signs of summer in the Hinsdale/Oak Brook area are the activity and energy that herald the annual AAUW Scholarship Home Tour.  Mindful of the tour’s purpose---to provide scholarships for local women who are realizing their educational goals---AAUW members, local businesses, and community members begin planning early in May for the September 30 event. One of the most fascinating activities belongs to the Home Selection committee: identifying interesting homes in the local area  and meeting with owners who wish to showcase their homes. Committee members tour the homes, learn about intriguing, unique, and important features of the home, and consult with the owners about the complementary floral displays planned for tour day.AAUW members, local business people, and other community members quickly become actively engaged. Head Hostesses are assigned to each tour home, and begin to organize their docents. Local realtors, banks, interior design firms, architects, builders, and landscapers partner with AAUW and with respective home owners to support the fundraiser and advertise their services through Sponsorship opportunities and the Raffle. Local retailers get involved and bring traffic to their shops when they sell Home Tour tickets.  Area newspapers and magazines, both print and online, contribute advertising space and help promote the event, while local libraries host displays and post signage. Surrounding villages show their support with park banners and signage. Plans for receptions, during and after the tour, are in full swing. By mid-summer, brochures are handed out at Dancin’ in the Street and Uniquely Thursday events, and all the effort starts to come together.On September 30, during what is always one of the most beautiful weekends of the year, hundreds of tour-goers will reap the benefits.