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40 | March 8, 2018 | The wilmette beacon sound off wilmettebeacon.com A Word From The (Former) President 629 Park Avenue: I stand proud John Jacoby Contributing Columnist Here I am, both before I was saved by Sarah and Craig Condry (left) and after (right). My innards are also in great shape now. Photos submitted Greetings! I’m the beautiful craftsman-style house at 629 Park Ave., Wilmette, substituting for the regular columnist. In 2014, my owners received a Historic Preservation Award for saving me from a lifethreatening case of old age. The Award exhilarated me. I’m now held in high esteem by other Wilmette houses. Even the uppity houses in the CAGE district of east Wilmette are envious. Some of you readers have undoubtedly contributed to historic preservation — by restoring your vintage property, or remodeling or adding to your house in a way that’s sensitive to its original design, or constructing a new house that’s sympathetic to your neighborhood’s historic character. If so, you too could win an Award and receive the praise that’s heaped on us winners. Nominations are now being accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission. Learn more at the Village’s website. But enough about you. Let’s talk about me. After almost 100 years of devoted service, I was ingloriously placed on the market in 2013 as a “teardown.” How embarrassing! But it was true. I was uninhabitable. I could almost feel the pounding of the wrecker’s ball. Then a miracle! I was visited by Sarah and Craig Condry. Their reaction was startlingly different. Instead of “ugh,” I heard hopeful comments: “It has good bones.” “The space is good but it needs to be rearranged, restored, and updated.” “What a great location — near the library, post office, and Village Center — in the heart of the community.” But the comment that touched me most deeply was this: “It has roots”. Roots! This brought tears to my leaky faucets. Finally, someone realized that I’m more than just an expendable building. I provide context and perspective. I help define my neighborhood and its lifestyle. I safeguard the stories and spirit of the people I’ve hosted. Even at my advanced age, I remember my occupants affectionately. First came Charles and Amy Kelley and their four children (1917 to 1924). They were fine tea totaling folks. Charles was a Methodist minister. In 1909, as pastor of a Chicago church, he officiated at the wedding of Charlie Lew, a native of China, and Mabel Clark, a woman of European descent. City officials regarded this marriage as improper and arrested the couple. Although Illinois law didn’t prohibit interracial marriage, Judge John Newcomer rebuked Rev. Kelley for performing the ceremony. Rev. Kelley responded publicly and firmly, “I do not see that a minister can do otherwise than marry properly authorized parties since the State and scripture declare their marriage to be legal. In Acts we read, ‘God that hath made the world and all things therein hath made of one blood all nations of men.’” Margaret O’Keefe (widow of a Chicago physician) and her brother, Daniel Rockwood (“L” conductor), were my second owners (1924 to 1946). They opened my doors to borders — a gardener, music teacher, golf pro, grocery clerk, newspaper employee, salesman — mostly young single adults with diverse backgrounds. William and Rebecca Shiley (1946 to 1948) and Joseph and Rose Puize (1948 to 1966) came next. They continued the boarding house tradition, offering housing to Wilmette’s less affluent residents. The Puizes converted my third floor into a three-room “inlaw” apartment and added a three-car garage. William and Ruth Randolph restored me to my original single-family status and graced my halls for many years (1966 to 2013). William served in the Corps of Engineers in the Philippines during World War II. Afterward, he founded his own construction business. He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader, and his four sons were all Eagle Scouts. So what are my roots? They include stories of decency, diversity, harmony, achievement, service, and honor. If you look closely at your vintage house, you may find inspiring messages in its roots, too. THE GLENCOE ANCHOR Village calls on residents for planning of Sesquicentennial Observance A milestone celebration is coming to Glencoe. It will be a yearlong, all inclusive, communitywide observance in 2019 of Glencoe’s 150 years of incorporation — its sesquicentennial. A Sesquicentennial Executive Committee composed of Glencoe Village officials and members of the Glencoe Historical Society formed about a year ago. They meet regularly to do research and create a framework of what might be done to honor and reflect on Glencoe’s past achievements and look forward to its future. The executive committee presented framework of what might be done to observe the community’s 150th anniversary to about 45 Glencoe-based organizations and groups that assembled on Feb. 26 at the Writers Theatre. The next meeting is scheduled for April 23. The framework has three main parts to it. One is events and activities; second is historical projects; and the third is a lasting legacy project. “We are opening the planning to every Glencoe resident,” Glencoe Village President Larry Levin said. “We look forward to community participation whether it is by hosting an event, sitting on the planning of a subcommittee, doing volunteer work for an event or submitting ideas to us for a legacy project. No idea is too small. We welcome all suggestions.” The actual birthday — the incorporation — of Glencoe is March 29, 1869. At the February meeting, there was a presentation of a 2019 calendar with proposed sesquicentennial events and dates surrounding March 29. Reporting by Hilary Anderson, Freelance Reporter. Full story at GlencoeAnchor.com. THE GLENVIEW LANTERN Students, residents urge change to high-school safety measures In a heated public comment session during which members of the District 225 community argued for or against the District’s transgender policy adopted unanimously last month, community members were more closely aligned when speaking to the board about another subject: school safety. At the District 225 Board of Education meeting Monday, Feb. 26, students, parents and board members touched on the subject less than two weeks after 17 were killed during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. “I do think that we should all discuss making the schools safer,” said Dylan Degabli, a student at Glenbrook North. The junior said he and his peers are all talking about the issue of school safety. “We really believe that, especially with what recently happened, this should be something that’s more discussed and we should eventually come up with a resolution for this problem,” he said. Zoe Shiman, a junior at Glenbrook North, said she and other students plan to participate in the scheduled National School Walkout Day on Wednesday, March 14. “We have formed a Please see nfyn, 41
wilmettebeacon.com sound off the wilmette beacon | March 8, 2018 | 41 Social snapshot Become a member: wilmettebeacon.com/plus Like The Wilmette Beacon: facebook.com/wilmettebeacon Follow The Wilmette Beacon: @wilmettebeacon go figure Top Web Stories From WilmetteBeacon.com as of March 5 1. Police Reports: Senior kicked, hit after exiting vehicle in Wilmette 2. Wilmette Village Board: Trustee Steve Leonard resigns from board 3. Highcrest student wins gold medal for sonatina 4. Boys basketball: Loyola gets defensive in regional-final win 5. Team 22: Girls basketball Regina Dominican High School posted this photo on March 1 with the caption: “Thank you to S. Nancy Murray O.P. ‘65 for coming back to Regina yesterday and bringing to life St. Catherine of Siena for our students. As always, she was very energetic and entertaining!” “5th-8th grade Band-O-Rama is underway! #GoHawks39 #GoWolves39” @HawkWolf39, HIghcrest/Wilmette Junior High School, posted on Feb. 27 1999 An intriguing number from this week’s edition Year Superintendent Dr. Ray Lechner joined Wilmette District 39, Page 4 From the Editor New Trier walkout can be ‘impactful demonstration’ Eric DeGrechie eric@wilmettebeacon.com In the latest edition of New Trier News, New Trier High School’s student news site, Ezra Wallach wrote a piece titled, “Let the walkout be a walkout.” Of course, Wallach is talking about a planned school walkout on Wednesday, March 14. nfyn From Page 40 group that just within the last week already has over 200 students backing us and many teachers,” Shiman said. “Our brothers and sisters at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have become fulltime activists, even though they are not done mourning for their friends and teachers.” Reporting by Fouad Egbaria, Freelance Reporter. Full story at GlenviewLantern. com. THE LAKE FOREST LEADER Lake Bluff Golf Club closing at stake after more than $3M loss The Lake Bluff Park District is seriously considering whether to con- Student Alliance, along with other school groups, are heading what Wallach calls a “safe and seamless demonstration.” The event at New Trier syncs up with a planned National School Walkout that day coming off the heels of the recent Parkland, Fla. school shooting last month. Wallach writes that New Trier is planning a morning announcement or a free period for the duration of the walkout. “While I appreciate that the school is backing the cause, in my opinion, both of these ideas ruin the nature of a walkout,” Wallach writes. “A walkout is meant to be an act of protest shown by leaving and walking out of a place where you are supposed to be. In this case, school. Walkouts are not promoted by the place that you are planning to walk out of.” Wallach makes a solid argument here. His desire for the school to “please do less,” seems like a reasonable request. Though I do understand school administrators not wanting to upset the apple cart, one morning of protest isn’t going to ruin the school year, let alone that day. It’s an important message the students want to get out. tinue offering golf at the Lake Bluff Golf Club, and on Monday, Feb. 26, the Lake Bluff Park District opened the microphone for community members to provide input. The golf club will remain open for the 2018 season, but its future after that is up in the air. The gymnasium at the recreation center was filled with golfers and community members alike. Ron Salski, the Park District’s executive director, presented some basic figures to launch the conversation. According to data Salski compiled from Billy Casper Golf, which is the company that currently manages the course, the Park District, recreation accessibility consultants and FGM Architects, golf has not only dropped by almost 6,000 annual rounds since 2002, but the course has been operating at a financial loss for more than a decade. Since 2005, the Lake Bluff Golf Club has lost more than $3 million and is projected to lose more than $5.4 million in the next 12 years — and that’s a modest estimate, according to Salski. Salski shared possible options for downsizing the golf course in an attempt to cut losses, but the only option that ultimately gets the golf course out of the red is shutting down golf operations and simply mowing and maintaining walking paths. This would mean eliminating staff positions, reducing maintenance costs and closing the club house. Reporting by Margaret Tazioli, Freelance Reporter. Full story at LakeForestLeader. Poet’s Corner Someday When is someday? The day you will read that book? The day you will try that recipe? The day you will clean out that closet? The day you will plan that trip? The day you will contact that old friend? The day you will reach out to that one in need? Maybe today is someday! Marlene Mitchel,Wilmette resident Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Wilmette Beacon encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Wilmette Beacon reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Wilmette Beacon. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Wilmette Beacon. Letters can be mailed to: The Wilmette Beacon, 60 Revere Drive ST 888, Northbrook, IL, 60062. Fax letters to (847) 272-4648 or email to eric@wilmettebeacon.com. www.wilmettebeacon.com Do you see this ad? Your Customers Will! 847-272-4565 www.22ndcenturymedia.com
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