The RHS Facebook page is a rich archive of history-related posts by Carol Flynn, RHS Facebook admin and writer until mid-2025. Carol prolifically wrote a wide variety of meticulously researched local history articles for RHS. She continues to write for the Beverly Review and other media sources with articles particularly focused on local Ridge history.
Past Events: 2019
A wonderful presentation was given today at RHS by Maggie O'Reilly on "Fair Trade Threads." Maggie is the owner of The MAYTA Collection, which offers one-of-a-kind hand-crafted artisan items from Peru and Morocco.
Maggie grew up in Beverly and she and her husband are now raising their own family here. Her business grew out of her love for travel and other cultures, particularly Latin cultures, and her love of fabrics, color and textures. The MAYTA Collection follows fair trade practices when dealing with the artisans of these other countries – fair wages, safe working conditions, contributions to their communities, and other ethical practices.
Maggie was joined by her father-in-law, Vidal Gomez Pando, who is visiting for the holidays from Peru. She shared interesting photos of the artisans at work at their homes in the Andes Mountains. They do all the work locally – sheer the sheep for the wool, spin it into yarn, color the yarn with natural dyes, and weave beautiful fabrics. The fabrics are used for the bags and purses, and pillows and blankets, that The MAYTA Collection brings to the U.S.
This program was part of the "Threads of Imagination" exhibit which explores the intersection of fashion, art and business. The exhibit will be up through January 17, 2020.
REMINDER!! This is not your typical holiday program. While a good dose of "mindless merriment" is certainly welcomed this time of year, the Ridge Historical Society is also offering the opportunity to keep your intellectual muscles in shape with an interesting and informative program.
"Fair Trade Threads" is a special program that will be given by Beverly artist and entrepreneur Maggie O'Reilly at RHS on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.
As part of the "Threads of Imagination" exhibit, Maggie will share the story of her business, the MAYTA Collection, the provider of beautiful, high-quality hand-made personal fashion and home accessories. These goods are created with native materials by artisans in Peru and Morocco through "fair trade" agreements. "Fair trade" principles include decent wages and working conditions for the artisans, sustainability of their native environment, and ethical production methods. MAYTA is a member of Chicago Fair Trade, the largest fair trade coalition in the U.S.
A special guest from Peru, Vidal Gomez Pando, is visiting Chicago for the holidays and will speak at the event. He will discuss the Quechua, the native artisans who live in the Peruvian Andes Mountains and South American highlands, who create these fine goods.
Items from The MAYTA Collection will be on display and available for purchase.
Refreshments will be served. There is a suggested donation of $10 for the event. RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Ave., in Chicago. Send a message through the RHS Facebook page or to cflynn2013@yahoo.com with any questions.
This will also be an opportunity to view the "Threads of Imagination" exhibit, which closes in two weeks. This exhibit explores the intersection of fashion, art and business through the creative work and careers of five woman artists of the Ridge – the historic Madame Alla Ripley, a famous fashion designer and businesswoman who lived in Beverly in the early 1900s, and four contemporary artists – Maggie O’Reilly, Judie Anderson, Sandra Leonard and Nicole Burns.
This is one of the most important events of the year – learning about "fair trade" through the efforts of one of our own community members, Maggie O'Reilly and her business The MAYTA Collection. Maggie is a native of the Ridge and is now raising her own family here. She loves travel and other cultures and textiles and color – all of this came together with working with the artisans of Peru and Morocco to produce highest quality personal and home accessories. The goods are truly unbelievable in beauty and quality, and very importantly, are produced with the highest standards of ethical business practices.
Join us at the Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, this coming Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. for "Fair Trade Threads." There will be a special guest from Peru. Refreshments will be served. Suggested donation of $10. Message RHS through Facebook with any questions.
PS – That's Maggie herself posing with one of the beautiful bags sold through MAYTA.
We just added four events to the RHS calendar. The exhibit "Threads of Imagination" will run through Friday, January 17. This exhibit explores the intersection of fashion, art and business through the creative work and careers of five woman artists of the Ridge – the historic Madame Alla Ripley, a famous fashion designer and businesswoman who lived in Beverly in the early 1900s, and four contemporary artists – Maggie O’Reilly, Judie Anderson, Sandra Leonard ad Nicole Burns.
Two events have been added for this exhibit – please see the attached flier.
On Sunday, December 29, 2019, at 2 p.m., at RHS, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., will be "Fair Trade Threads." Beverly artist and entrepreneur Maggie O’Reilly will discuss her business The MAYTA Collection which produces fine handcrafted fashion and home decorating accessories through fair trade arrangements with artisans in Peru and Morocco. MAYTA is a member of Chicago Fair Trade, the largest fair trade coalition in the U.S. advocating environmental sustainability, ethical production methods, fair wages and safe working conditions. A special guest from Peru will be visiting Chicago for the holidays and will join the event. Suggested donation of $10, refreshments will be served.
On Friday, January 17, 2020, at 7 p.m. will be "Final Threads with Sandra Leonard." The closing reception for Threads of Imagination will feature the work of artist Sandra Leonard who turns the human form into sculpture through her “sculptural costumes.” Sandra will create a special performance art event just for this reception. Sandra’s work appears internationally in performance art productions, improvised theater, alternative fashion shows and installation projects. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. This will be the final day of the exhibit.
Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 7 p.m. will be the annual RHS holiday party and fundraiser, “Champagne, Sweets and Savories.” Celebrate the New Year with friends, delicious refreshments and good conversation. Cost is $25 per person.
This will also be an opportunity to view the Threads of Imagination exhibit, which closes in mid-January.
Later in January, on Sunday, January 26, at 2 p.m. will be the program “Speaking of Unmentionables: The Rise and Fall of Ladies’ Underwear. ”
The Ridge Historical Society will be wrapping up the Threads of Imagination exhibit with two more great programs featuring our guest artists. Please see the accompanying flier for preliminary details – save the dates – mark your calendars now! And watch our Facebook page for more information.
On Sunday, Dec. 29, Maggie O'Reilly will discuss her amazing MAYTA Collection and fair trade agreements. We know there are scheduling conflicts over the holidays, but there will be a special guest from Peru in town that week that we want to be sure to meet at RHS.
On Friday, Jan. 17, we will have the closing reception for the exhibit. Artist Sandra Leonard and her "sculptural costumes" will be featured. This is sure to be a very "artsy" event to enjoy! This will be the official end of the exhibit.
We're keeping our fingers crossed that the weather holds out for both days.
How to do a successful program ….
Tomorrow!! Be sure to join us!! We have spaces open – just come on over – this will be a really great program, and a chance to view the Threads of Imagination exhibit.
The Ridge Historical Society is hosting a special program this coming Sunday, November 17, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., as part of the current "Threads of Imagination" exhibit. In "Vintage Threads to Today," two of the local artists participating in the exhibit will partner to share their stories and talents with the audience.
Judie Anderson will discuss her early position in fashion illustration at Chicago's American newspaper, and share original examples of her work. Prints of some of the illustrations will be for sale.
Nicole Burns of Ni Bu Design will also discuss her creative process. Nicole creates eclectic art pieces based on vintage fabrics and designs. Her work will be displayed and for sale.
Nicole, wearing one of her creations, will then serve as model for Judie to draw a fashion illustration. A member of the audience will get to take home the drawing, after it is scanned for the historical record.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the "Threads of Imagination" exhibit which is now showing at RHS. This looks at fashion as art through the works of five Beverly artists: the historic Alla Ripley Bannister, a famous fashion designer from the early 1900s, and four current artists. In addition to Judie and Nicole are Sandra Leonard, who creates costumes to turn the human figure into sculpture; and Maggie O'Reilly, who has two businesses – Maggy May girls clothing, and the MAYTA collection which features items handcrafted through fair trade agreements with artisans in Peru and Morocco.
The suggested donation for the event is $10 per person. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are suggested just to let RHS plan ahead. Call RHS at 773/881-1675 or email to ridgehistory@hotmail.com. RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago.
Attached: The flier for the program, samples of Judie Anderson's work, and a close-up of Nicole's exhibit.
On Friday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m., the Ridge Historical Society will host the program, "From This Small Beginning Chicago's Great Railroad Empire Was Born." That "small beginning" was the Pioneer, the first locomotive to operate in Chicago, in 1848.
Speaker David Daruszka, a retired locomotive engineer and Vice President of the Blackhawk Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, will be the presenter. The presentation will cover the history of Chicago's railroads and the efforts to honor that history with "Chicago Railroad History Month".
A flier for the program is attached. as well as a picture of the Pioneer at the Chicago History Museum, where it is on permanent display.
Reservations are suggested to give RHS a headcount. Call 773/881-1675 or email ridgehistory@hotmail.com. The program is free.
RHS is located in the historic Graver-Driscoll House at 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago.
OK, the new program for Sunday, November 17 has been finalized. "Vintage Threads to Today" will feature two of the artists in the current "Threads of Imagination" exhibit.
Judie Anderson will share her 1960s-era work as a fashion illustrator and Nicole Burns (Ni Bu Design) will share her contemporary work. Nicole will be the model for Judie to draw a fashion illustration, which a member of the audience will win to take home (after it is scanned for the sake of history!). Both artists will have items for sale.
The program will be at RHS, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The suggested donation for the program is $10 per person. Reservations are suggested – contact RHS at 773/881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.