2003-04 RHS Newsletter – April-May 2003

Joseph S. Glickauf, a bright electrical engineer hired by Arthur Andersen & Co., is celebrated as the "Father of Computer Consulting in Business." In response to a need to convince the firm's partners of the viability of using computers in business, Glickauf built a suitcase-sized "Demonstration Model" (affectionately called "Glickiac") in his basement. His dazzling presentation to the partners in 1951 led to a task force and the eventual launch of the first computer feasibility study in 1953 for General Electric's Appliance Park, marking the birth of what would become Accenture.

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The Ridge Historical Society (RHS) held elections at their February meeting, resulting in the installation of new officers and board members for 2003, including President Eugene L. Delves. The article lists the continuing board members whose terms end in 2004 and 2005, and introduces newly elected members David Daruszka, Paula Klenk Everett, Jennifer Kenny, Mary Olsson, and Marie Sandstrom, detailing their professional backgrounds and roles within the society. The piece also expresses gratitude to several retiring board members for their varied contributions during their tenure.

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In his recurring column, RHS President Gene Delves expresses gratitude for the encouraging response to the society's first Annual Fund appeal launched in December. He issues an apology for mistakenly omitting a donor's name in a previous acknowledgment and provides a list of "Additional Circle of Friends Donors." Furthermore, he apologizes for any confusion caused by the tight scheduling of membership renewals, the Annual Fund appeal, and invitations for the Endowment Fund dinner, promising to space these activities further apart in the future.

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Triggered by a phone call from a policeman looking for a photo of the old police station at 1925 W. Monterey, researchers at the Ridge Historical Society delved into local history texts. While they didn't find the requested pictures, they uncovered fascinating facts about the Village Police Department from a 1962 history of Morgan Park and Beverly Hills. The article details a 1908 police magistrate's report highlighting low local crime rates, various specific arrests including "Violating speed limit" and "Plain Drunk," and chronicles the station's subsequent relocations to different buildings over the decades.

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In celebration of "March Madness," the plethora of high school and collegiate basketball championships, the newsletter presents two distinct historical photographs from the RHS collections illustrating different generations of local athletes. The top photograph showcases the Bethany Union basketball team from the 1908-1909 season, featuring players in classic uniforms. The bottom photograph features the Morgan Park High School Mustangs from the 1973-1974 season, who were Public League City Basketball Champions.

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The Ridge Historical Society announces its April program, "Caring for Your Family Photographs," scheduled for Sunday, April 27th at 2:30 p.m. The presentation will be led by Joy Matthiessen, a seasoned historical administrator with extensive experience in photograph collections, including work at the Henry Ford Museum. The program aims to encourage participants to finally organize their neglected family photos by providing practical tips on how to sort and store various types of photographs safely, followed by a Q&A session.

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Under the "News Briefs" section, the newsletter provides an update on the progress of the Saly Teacher Enrichment Grant. It highlights a recent workshop presented by Paul Petraitis and Linda Lamberty on March 20 at Driscoll House, where middle school students and teachers learned proper oral history interviewing techniques, complete with humorous "Saturday Night Live" examples of what not to do. The brief also mentions RHS representatives' ongoing attendance at BAPA Principals' group meetings to network and align their offerings with school needs.

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Doris Moulton, the house and grounds chair, announces the successful completion of renovations on two upstairs rooms previously occupied by a tenant, which will soon serve as a new costume exhibit space. The brief acknowledges the hard work of numerous volunteers who dedicated their time to preparing and painting the walls, transforming the space into a much-needed workroom and exhibit area, while the former costume room will be repurposed as a research library.

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The newsletter announces that Barbara Wynn Bansley's latest multimedia art project, "The Wit of America's First Ladies," will be exhibited at the Ridge Historical Society starting in mid-May. Following successful showings at Mother McAuley High School and Columbia College, the exhibit features blue and white pulp paper plates and scripted napkin conversations set on 12 round tables, representing interactions between four Presidents' wives. Viewers will have the interactive opportunity to participate in the exhibit by reading the provided scripts, making it an engaging historical experience.

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The back page of the newsletter features a "Not to Be Missed" calendar of events and attractions for the upcoming months. It prominently advertises the "Caring For Your Family Photographs" program on April 27th, noting that it is held on the last Sunday of the month rather than the usual second Sunday. Additionally, it provides the schedule for upcoming Board of Directors Meetings on April 9th and May 14th, and notes the deadline for submissions for the next June/July newsletter issue.

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