From the President

By: Betty Mayian

Happy New Year to all the wonderful Members and Friends of the Edgewater Historical Society Museum. We have sent out our 2007 Calendar of Events in the January mailing. The information on it has a couple of corrections, which I will explain here. Our annual Bud Wyman Tribute and General meeting will occur during our Tuesday, July 31st program at 7 p.m. The speaker will be Wilbert R. Hasbrouck and there will be cake for attendees. Please note that the other two General Meetings are listed correctly as March 24th and October 20th, both of which start at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The other Calendar error was for our Bake Sale in December. The date is on a Friday, so it should read December 7th, not 9th. We show a couple of meetings without speakers which are listed as “to be announced” or TBA. We may or may not fill those dates.

Exciting programs have been selected this year for our membership. Our own Kathryn Gemperle conducted the “Your House Has a History” three-day class during February. Next month, she is going to present some “Edgewater History” during the March 24th Annual Election meeting. May 20th will bring back Kathy’s famous walking tour (more information will be coming soon).

Two of our goals are to increase the EHS membership and to add some board members to help us bring about all of our other goals. Many hands make light work! Edgewater has a population of 62,198 (2000 census) and it should not be unreasonable to have a one percent membership goal. When we factor in family membership as being at least two people, we currently have about 400 people represented.

Getting to one percent (622 people) will be a difficult job. That is why we are beginning a new membership initiative in March. March 9th is our 1st Annual New Member Drive, when we will encourage new membership by offering free drinks and food when you bring in friends and neighbors to join EHS. This drive is part of our plan to bring our membership up to one percent of Edgewater’s population. Join up to be in the top one percent. March 24th will be our Annual Meeting, with board member elections. Think of those NEW members possibly vying to become EHS board members. How about you? Contact Jere McCormick or Reggie Griffin if this interests you.

Are you ready for some South of the Border Salsa? Our annual Fundraiser is just the thing to warm up your winterized Chicago feet. We will do a little food, drink, music, dance and silent auction tables at That Little Mexican Café, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr, on April 18th from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $40 per person in advance and $45 at the door. Call 773-506-4849 for more information or send in your check.

We have been excited about a mural that will be going up on the underpass leading to Lincoln Park at Bryn Mawr. The entire neighborhood can give their assistance to this project that will be worked on this July. To help out with money or supplies, or if you want to work on it, call Ernie Constantino at the 48th Ward Aldermanic office, 773-293-8411. What a dramatic entrance to Edgewater from Lincoln Park. Join in and tell everyone you know that you participated in this artwork.

We are still hoping to get some more help in our promotion of the museum. Whether you are in media relations or advertising or sales, we could use all types of expertise. We are proudly hosting the W.A.N.T. organization’s planning and zoning meetings. Since the museum is located in West Andersonville, this seems appropriate. Remember we have meeting and party space. Please contact Tom Murphy if this interests you.

We have had a number of orders for our DVD documentary, “Edgewater Through the Eyes of Experience,” professionally produced by local filmmaker Bob Solomon (see the ad in this issue of the newsletter). We will mail them for an additional shipping and handling fee of $5 per copy. Come to the museum and pick up your copy; or see our new mascot, the EHS Dalmatian stuffed puppy ($15 each or 2/$25); or the mouse-pad with our museum picture on it ($10 each or 3/$25). All are perfect for gift giving. As long as I am mentioning our sales items, remember that we always have back issues of our Scrapbook newsletter ($1 each) or Home Tour booklets ($3 each or $45 for a complete set).

I’ll see you at our events. Bring your family and friends.