THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED!
And Mount Prospect's "Seven Wonders" are:
- "Officer Friendly" Bill Roscop
- St. John's Lutheran Church
- The Mount Prospect Public Library
- Randhurst mall
- The streets with American Indian-inspired names
- Keefer's Pharmacy
- 1896 one-room Central School
See the complete list of entrants
The village's Seven Wonders were unveiled last night at the Mount Prospect Historical Society's second annual Back to School Party for Adults at Bogie's Alehouse. They were nominated by members of the community last spring and discerned by public voting throughout the summer at festivals, the library, village hall, the Historical Society museum and two local businesses.
Frank Corry, the treasurer of the society, made the momentous announcement to a large gathering of enthusiastic revelers, including supporters of the 10 nominees.
Calling the winners and all the nominees Mount Prospect's "greatest sources of community pride," society President Marilyn Genther said that "as stewards of the history of Mount Prospect, it is altogether fitting that we, much like the ancients and in keeping with the earliest traditions of Western civilization, honor the accomplishments and traditions of the 'must-sees' of our time from this day forward."
"It's gratifying to know that we live in a community that values its history and its institutions," Corry said.
Bill Roscop, sometimes known as "Officer Friendly," accepted his award. He has worked for the village for 20 years and is well known not just by the children but all residents because of his extensive community involvement. As Roscop often quipped over the summer of voting, he was the only nominee with a pulse, so he received a thunderous round of applause from those gathered for the announcement.
The award for St. John Lutheran Church, the oldest church in Mount Prospect, was accepted by Ed Pfingsten, a member of the church council and chairman of its building commission.
"I am very happy to be here to accept this honor on behalf of the 450 members of the church," Pfingsten said.
Jackie Hinaber, a member of the board of the Mount Prospect Public Library accepted its award.
"Of course, I was one of those who voted," she admitted. "I'm from Chicago where the tradition is to vote early and often!"
"Seriously, though, this was such a clever idea for the Historical Society to hold this contest. It was fun and hopefully people learned something about the village that they didn't know before they voted," Hinaber said.
Randhurst, the first indoor mall to be built in the area, didn't send a representative, so Ken Fritz, a former chamber employee accepted the award on its behalf.
The award for the streets with American Indian names like "Nawata," "We-Go" and "Wapella" was accepted by Jill Tumberger, a resident of I-Oka Avenue.
Jerry and Gerri Pospisil, longtime owners of Keefer's Pharmacy along with the new owner, Beau Diab, stopped by to accept their award. The store has been part of the community since Jack Keefer opened it in 1949.
"I just walked in and bought Keefer's last fall," Diab admitted. "The credit for Keefer's being one of the Seven Wonders goes to Jerry and Gerri."
"It all boils down to people liking to know who they are dealing with and if you are around long enough you get to know your customers," said Jerry Pospisil. "It's not something you can package up. It is the one-on-one service you get with a small town business."
The final wonder was the one-room, 112-year-old Central School, which made its big move from the corner of Wille street and Thayer Street to 103 S. Maple St. in May. Village Trustee Paul Hoefert accepted the award on behalf of the Central Schoolhouse and the Mount Prospect Historical Society.
| Seven Wonders nominations 2008 (alphabetical order) | |
| Big Surf Wave Pool | |
| Blues Bar | |
| Bluesmobile | |
| Campanari's Ice Cream | |
| Central School House | |
| Columns Huntington Commons | |
| Entrance vestibule to Mount Prospect Public Library | |
| Girl Scout Troop 2205 - St. Raymond School Grade 4 | |
| Grotheer Home | |
| Harold Weary | |
| Historical Society Campus | |
| John Meyn farm house | |
| Keefer's Pharmacy | |
| Library Peace Globe | |
| Moehling Park | |
| Mount Prospect Golf Club | |
| Mount Prospect Golf Course | |
| Mount Prospect Public Library | |
| Mount Prospect Veteran's Memorial Bandshell | |
| Mrs. P and Me | |
| Mt. Plaines Animal Hospital Ltd. | |
| Native American Street names | |
| Officer Bill Roscop | |
| Randhurst Shopping Center | |
| S Curve (Main Street) | |
| St. John Lutheran Church | |
| Submarine Express | |
| Toboggan Slide and Sled Hill | |
| Water Tower, Randhurst | |
| William Busse's first house | |
| Ye Old Town Inn | |
| Seven Wonders 2008 top 10 list (alphabetical order) | |
| Central School House | |
| Columns Huntington Commons | |
| Historical Society Campus | |
| Keefer's Pharmacy | |
| Mount Prospect Public Library | |
| Native American Street Names | |
| Officer Bill Roscop | |
| Randhurst Shopping Center | |
| S. Curve (Main Street) | |
| St. John Lutheran Church | |
| Seven Wonders Winners 2008 (alphabetical order) | |
| Central School House | |
| Keefer's Pharmacy | |
| Mount Prospect Public Library | |
| Native American Street Names | |
| Officer Bill Roscop | |
| Randhurst Shopping Center | |
| St. John Lutheran Church | |
| Honorable Mention | |
| Historical Society Campus | |
| Columns Huntington Commons | |