'GMA's' Best Block Winner: West Dundee, Illinois

From holiday parties to book clubs, West Dundee knows how to get down.

ByABC News via logo
June 30, 2010, 2:13 PM

July 1, 2010 — -- After an extensive search that criss-crossed the nation, "Good Morning America" named a neighborhood in West Dundee, Ill., as the winner of the "GMA" Best Block in America Contest!

"GMA" pored through hundreds of submissions from neighborhoods from every corner of the nation, but none topped the block located at Second Street between South Street and Edward Avenue in the village of West Dundee.

"GMA" special contributor Cameron Mathison reported live from Second Street to introduce us to some of the wonderful people who live on the block -- including Mary Senger, who has lived on Second Street for 59 years, bakes cookies and cakes for her neighbors and newcomers. CLICK HERE to check out some of Mary's delicious recipes.

Senger, Jennifer Russell and Melissa Lind were among several residents who described what was special about their neighborhood on "Good Morning America" today.

Senger is the grandmother of the block. With her sugar cookies, she serves as the unofficial welcome wagon.

"The people are wonderful and I've lived here the longest of anybody on the block," she said.

Russell is raising a blended family with Jason Yoder. Together they have eight children.

Russell shared the secret to the family's unity: Every night, the family gathers around the dinner table and shares one high and low point from their day. It keeps them connected, and helps the new family to bond, she said.

Lind said the secret to a harmonious block is happiness from the top down, and happy parents make happy kids. She said the grown-ups on the block like to get together and have fun.

They have an active dinner club, book club, hockey league, and football tournament. The mothers have girls' night out, while the dads have a band called "Controlled Burn."

But it's not just fun on the block. Neighbors support each other in time of need.

When Senger broke her arm, her neighbor, young Gwyneth Wiebanga, visited her every day to tie her apron, make her breakfast and help her with the gardening and other household chores.