WB_052319

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18 | May 23, 2019 | The wilmette beacon SOUND OFF wilmettebeacon.com A Word From The (Former) President Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 2 days ago Refugees need more than just being ‘let in’ John Jacoby Contributing Columnist Last Memorial Day, I told the inspiring story of Wilmette residents Margaret and Alfred Abeles. Their son, Beecher, a P-38 fighterbomber pilot, was shot down and killed as World War II neared its end. The Abeles honored Beecher by creating a living memorial: they sponsored a War refugee to live at their home and receive the higher education they had planned for Beecher. Members of Wilmette’s Congregational Church rallied around this idea, and the outcome was a program that provided housing, employment, and educational help for hundreds of refugees. Several months ago, I met a beneficiary of this program — Wilmette resident Tibor Ipavic. He told me about his parents, Teodor and Fanči. In 1941, when the Axis invaded the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Teodor, a Slovenia native, was a 28-year-old member of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force. He joined the resistance when the Kingdom surrendered shortly after the invasion. Fanči was a 14-year-old girl living in Bosnia. The fighting forced her family to relocate to Slovenia in 1943. Marshal Tito came to power after the War and unified Yugoslavia as a totalitarian communist regime. As the years passed, Teodor worked at an art museum and learned the craft of art restoration. Fanči was an opera singer. They became a couple after their first marriages ended in divorce. Fanči was desperate to escape the suppression and depravation that prevailed under Tito. In 1952, an opportunity arose. Teodor had papers that allowed him to travel to Austria. Without telling family members about their plans, they crossed the border and became refugees. The U.S., Canada, and Australia were accepting refugees from communist countries. The relocation process was supposed to take three months, but Teador and Fanči’s applications were lost for three years. Meanwhile, in 1955, the two were married. They lived in a Graz apartment with another family, and their first daughter was born. Teodor was able to scratch out a small income, barely enough to survive. They were harassed by Austrian officials who were inhospitable to Slavs crossing their border. Their time finally came. The IpavIc family arrived in Wilmette in October 1956, sponsored by the Congregational Church. They spoke no English. Unknown to the Church members awaiting their arrival at the train station, the birth of their son, Tibor, was imminent. The family briefly stayed with the Abeles, while Dr. Alvah Newcomb, a Church member and pediatrician at Evanston Hospital, arranged for Fanči’s medical care. The Church provided an apartment for the family in Evanston. They learned English. Fanči worked at Bennison’s Bakery. Teodor worked at Newcomb- Macklin Co., an art shop in Chicago. In 1962, with financial assistance from another Church member, Robert Muir, they purchased a home at 219 Third Street, Wilmette. In 1963, a third child was born. In 1964, they became citizens, and Teodor opened his own framing and restoration business at 424 Linden Avenue. The generosity and support of the Congregational Church enabled the Ipavic family to escape misery, become independent, and contribute to their adopted country. Today, U.S. law calls for a prescribed number Please see Jacoby, 21 You're invited to the North Shore Women in Business Networking Breakfast! Get your tickets TODAY! 7–9 a.m. Wednesday, June 5 The Happ Inn 305 N. Happ Road, Northfield Featured Speaker: Ilyse Strongin, Ripple Public Relations Join us for the NS Women In Business Awards nomination kickoff and network with some of the top business women in the North Shore! Continental breakfast available. TICKETS $20 Use promo code PAPER to take $5 off! 22ndCenturyMedia.com/networking For more information, call (847) 272-4565
wilmettebeacon.com wilmette the wilmette beacon | May 23, 2019 | 19 Sign up for Bags League @ Food Truck Thursdays Jens Jensen Park in the Ravinia District of Highland Park REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! ARE YOU WORKING WITH A NORTH SHORE REAL ESTATE EXPERT? OPEN HOUSE 2800 Romona Court | Wilmette NEW LISTING - May 26th 2:00pm - 4:00pm $30/team includes t-shirts & goodie bags Session 1: June 20 - July 25, 6-8PM Session 2: August 1 - 29, 6-8PM League Playoff: September 5, 6-8PM SIGN UP FORM (21+ only) Player 1 name email t-shirt size Player 2 name email t-shirt size Payment ( ) Cash ( ) Check (made out to Ripple Public Relations) Please mail payment to: Ripple Public Relations 440 Central Avenue, 2nd Flr Highland Park, IL 60035 Questions? Call 847.432.6000 or email info@ripplepublicrelations.com Cash Prize Gracious updated Vintage Bungalow! Wonderful architectural details that have been preserved by the family that have loved this home for more completely updated with ample storage. Wonderful counter space, stainless Top 10 Real Estate Professionals ® 847.881.6361 | dee@deenicholas.com | www.deenicholas.com 568 LINCOLN AVENUE | WINNETKA, IL The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you
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