Mount Prospect Historical Society

#wrap

HS Board

Picket Fence Realty Chalkboard

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Picket Fence Realty at 400 W. Central Rd., led by Tom and Mary Zander, chose to erect an ever-changing chalkboard on the front of their building and used it to post inspirational messages.

“We had initially planned on putting up some posters in those two spots on the front of our building, similar to those attached to buildings around the world — with wheat paste,” Tom explained.  “But when the pandemic struck, we decided to make a chalkboard which would allow us more flexibility.  We discussed allowing the public to draw on it, but there were obvious concerns with that idea.  Now, we just use it to post random thoughts and messages, similar to the businesses that post cute sayings/thoughts on their signs or in public view.”

Tom is the artist. “I have some artistic talent but need to sketch it out in advance for it to come out looking halfway decent.  For more intricate images, I have an old school projection lamp that will display images on the chalkboard for me to trace, but that can only be done in the dark.”

Many customers, associates and random people have noticed and mentioned the chalkboard, he added, so they plan to continue to use it, even once the pandemic is part of our memories.They are open to suggestions for future topics. 

 

From the Collection

Betty Stolze was a new military wife on an adventure in August 1952. Her husband, Bob, was a corporal in the U.S. Army 441st Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment stationed in Tokyo, Japan from summer 1952 to summer 1953. (This assignment was unrelated to U.S. occupation of Japan at the end of World War II. Japan regained independence a few months before the Stolzes arrived.) This album was originally a Christmas gift from Bob to Betty that year and was donated to the historical society in 2020. Within its pages is a record of all their travels within Japan, events attended, their apartment, and many of their friends and neighbors. Enjoy a few photos from their travels!

From the Desk of the Director March 2021

Emily Dattilo, Executive Director

Hello and happy Spring, readers! One of the many lessons 2020 taught us was the importance of flexibility. Like so many cultural institutions around the world, we have been adapting to a new normal. I’m grateful that we have a talented and committed team of staff, board members, and volunteers who have made the transition to virtual programming smoother than imagined.

We met some of the past year’s challenges by adapting the format of some of our programs. Some programs were easily modified to follow new safety guidelines, like the blacksmith demonstrations, but others were moved online. Instead of hosting summer History Camp programs at the historical society campus, last summer’s campers met online to participate in activities themed around the history of the Olympics and the Chicago World’s Fair. The complications of the pandemic also inspired us to create new programs, like the 2020 Dollhouse Video Tour.

Because so many guidelines have, so far, remained the same in 2021, we are continuing to be creative in finding ways to share history with the Mount Prospect community. Our Annual Meeting, for example, will be a virtual presentation this year. Watch your email inboxes, as well as our website and social media, for more details on this event. The financial presentation of the Annual Meeting is enclosed in this newsletter. This spring our Second Sunday programs will not feature “Make and Takes,” but rather “Take and Makes.” Participants will take their activity supply bags home and make the craft together over Zoom, instead of in Central School.

Although our buildings are not yet open to the public, you can still reach us by calling the office or sending an email to info@mtphistory.org. We regularly share moments from Mount Prospect history on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Make sure to follow us if you’re not already! Our social media accounts and our website are two of the best places to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming events.

Stay safe and healthy
Emily Dattilo, Director