Hadley Celebrates Years - The Hadley School for the Blind

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A Letter from the President On the bar at Charlie Beinlich’s Food and Tap, in Northbrook, Ill., sits a small handmade red and green wooden schoolhouse with “Hadley School for the Blind” painted on it. What is most remarkable is that this “bank” has been prominently displayed at Beinlich’s for more than 50 years, steadily generating thousands in donations for our school. Also remarkable is that Hadley is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. In 1920, William Hadley and his friend and neighbor, Dr. E.V.L Brown, had a vision—to teach “braille by mail” so that blind individuals could experience the joy of literacy. Today, that vision has become a reality. From their first student, a Kansas homemaker, to the 10,000 students we serve each year in more than 100 countries, Hadley is now the leading educator of braille and the largest provider of distance education for people who are blind or visually impaired, their family members and blindness service providers around the globe. With the generosity of donors like the Beinlich family and their customers, as well as our Trustees, Woman’s Board, foundations and corporations, Hadley has stayed true to the vision of its founders while expanding programs to the meet the needs of our students. For example, we are now offering 30 online courses and 100+ courses in braille or audio formats, and these numbers are on the rise. Hadley continues to offer “Introduction to Braille” and “Contracted Braille” courses at no cost to sighted professionals, thanks to a recent federal braille grant. In addition, we are embarking on new curriculum, such as our Executive Leadership Institute, for emerging blind leaders, and we are exploring innovative partnerships with other organizations serving individuals who are blind to soon offer braille music. In this issue of Generations, you will learn about the latest “Hadley Happenings” and enjoy some reflections from colleagues and friends who have supported our school along the way. From the little wooden schoolhouse, to having the world as our campus, we are proud of our extraordinary accomplishments over the last 90 years and hope you are, too. We thank you and our friends at Beinlich’s for your ongoing support. Regards, Charles E. Young, President As a Winnetka resident of 14 years, I had long been aware of Hadley and its importance. I began purchasing the school’s holiday cards many years ago. When an opportunity to join the board was presented to me, it prompted me to do further research into the school. I was very impressed with what I learned. Since joining the board my respect has only grown for the school’s mission, its faculty, staff and especially the students. —Board Chairman Terry Faulk Hadley is a unique institution with a dedicated faculty and staff. I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact the school has had on the lives of visually impaired individuals and their families. The need for Hadley’s services is increasing, so it’s important that we continue to support the school through annual giving. —Woman’s Board President Lynne Montgomery
Donor Spotlight Charlie Beinlich’s: Serving up a generous portion of support W hen Charlie Beinlich’s Food and Tap opened for business in Northbrook, Ill., in October 1950, it was all about the bar. Construction crews building the Edens Expressway would stop by as early as 8 a.m., and the locals found a new neighborhood spot to gather for drinks with friends. A short-order cook in the Army during World War II, Charlie soon realized he should be offering some food with that beer. Six years later, he was serving up 60 cent hamburgers and 50 cent chili made by his wife, Eleanor, each morning (they use that same recipe today). Charlie’s granddaughter, Linda Rainey, who now owns the business with her husband, Tom, says Charlie feared two things in life: snakes, and losing his sight. And so, in September 1954, the first “Hadley House” appeared on the bar. Bright red and green, with a side slit for change, the hard-to-miss houses have been a fixture in the tavern for 56 years. According to Linda and Tom, when the bar first opened, the “language” in the place was so bad that Charlie insisted anyone who swore had to put some change in the “blind box.” He would then match the amount from the register. Over the years, any change dropped onto the floor was promptly added to the Hadley House as well. Sometimes small bets lost over football games would end up in the Hadley House, too. Linda remembers her grandfather letting her keep any coins she found while helping her grandparents clean the bar on weekends. As she got older, she would add some of her findings to the Hadley House, realizing the importance of giving back to her community. Over the years, the houses have seen some wear and tear, so the family has patched them with glue, colored in paint chips and even taped on lettering that was falling off in an attempt to keep the original boxes intact. Linda says they’re a staple in the tavern’s history and “as much a part of the place as the knotty pine walls.” Designed by former Hadley director Dorrance Nygaard, the wooden Hadley House was actually conceived by Robert Lechner, who served as the president of Zengeler Cleaners for many years. A longtime Winnetka resident and past president of both the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and Winnetka Lions Club, Lechner convinced area businesses such as Beinlich’s to showcase them. He also promoted the idea within Hadley Woman’s Board member Helen Hall, frequent visitor to Charlie Beinlich’s Food and Tap, makes a donation to the school while Tom Rainey looks on. the Lions organization, which subsequently featured life-size versions of the Hadley House in their “Candy Day” parades. Today, only the Hadley Houses at Beinlich’s remain. Tom says that around the holidays, they get especially full. He sends Hadley a check every few months. And lest you think small donations don’t add up, Beinlich’s customers and staff have donated nearly $22,000 to Hadley since the tavern opened. So, next time you’re at Beinlich’s, tell ’em William Hadley sent you, have yourself a burger and fries and give them a big helping of thanks from us. If you have any information about the Hadley Houses, please call Hadley’s Communications Dept.: 847-784-2774. 1
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