2003-08 RHS Newsletter – August-September 2003

Born during WWI, William Sabel shares his childhood memories of moving to Beverly Hills in the early 1920s when his father purchased a home on Drew Street. He recounts the muddy unpaved streets, the local men's horseshoe-pitching rivalries, and the continuous remodeling of their home to accommodate a growing family of ten children. Sabel also touches upon the economic hardships of the Great Depression, which prompted him and his brother to start a poultry farm and egg delivery route before his eventual military service in WWII.

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This short historical snippet, excerpted from community news of the early 1900s written by Pauline Palmer, pokes fun at the strict "dry" (alcohol-free) nature of Morgan Park. It humorously claims that if a resident is seen carrying ginger ale and a lemon, word spreads quickly of a pending "horrible orgy," prompting the local police force to be on high alert to suppress the sickening affair.

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Editor David Daruszka discusses the technological hurdles of moving the Ridge Historical Society newsletter from a manual cut-and-paste layout to digital desktop publishing. Despite the steep learning curve and reformatting struggles, he expresses satisfaction with the modern new look. He also introduces an upcoming series of reminiscences by former resident William Sabel, emphasizing the importance of recording the mundane, day-to-day memories of ordinary people to create a richer, more accurate community history.

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This historical tidbit from the early 1900s details a local dispute regarding the origin of a fire that destroyed C.L. Young's large sled. While underwriters concluded the blaze was started by a carelessly placed pot of hot beans in the straw, community members fiercely debated alternative theories, including a dropped cigar ash or the runners overheating from friction on the winter snow.

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Linda Lamberty writes to thank Barbara Wynn Bansley for her recently concluded exhibit, "Wit of America's First Ladies," which brought many diverse groups to the Ridge Historical Society. She praises Bansley for her extensive research, warm presentation style, and deep dedication to the society, noting that she generously helped clean up, managed phone messages, and even donated a serving piece to the organization.

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Before the era of bottled or carton milk, community deliveries were made using traditional horse-drawn wagons. Customers would leave a pitcher or pail out on their porch step, and the milkman would draw the desired amount of milk directly from a spigot. The author nostalgically recalls the familiar sound of the horse's hooves clicking on the street and the glow of the wagon's lantern during the early morning and dusk delivery routes.

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The Ridge Historical Society is launching the "Dorothy Ann Saly Teacher Enrichment Program," generously funded by the late teacher's estate, to provide professional development for local educators. RHS is partnering with St. Xavier University, the Chicago Metro History Education Center, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and others to create dynamic resources and research opportunities for teachers. The initiative will culminate in a spring 2004 showcase at the Beverly Arts Center, aiming to inspire a new generation of creative writers and historians by utilizing local topographical maps and archival stories.

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This historical snippet from Pauline Palmer recalls Warren Saunders, affectionately known to the neighborhood as "Shorty," who lived with his mother at 1930 Monterey and sold newspapers at the local corner. Due to his physical condition, local schoolboys would help him every morning by pulling him in his metal express wagon down to the railroad station to collect his papers, and then pull him back to his stand where he worked throughout the afternoon and evening.

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Pauline Palmer shares a historical note about a local riding academy established in 1911 by William J. Plunkett, a recently retired police captain. Originally located on a 200-foot lot at 107th and Wood Streets surrounded by a Kentucky horse farm fence, the academy eventually relocated to 11420 S. Fairfield Avenue as the surrounding area became increasingly developed and settled from its original prairie state.

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As part of his quest for the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, Kevin Murphy of Troop 617 at St. Christina Roman Catholic Church organized a service project at the Ridge Historical Society. He supervised a dedicated crew of scouts and volunteers in removing old wallpaper, patching walls, and repainting the former costume room. This vital renovation work serves as the necessary preparatory step for converting the space into a permanent research library for the community.

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Holly Paul, a student summer volunteer at the Ridge Historical Society, has taken on a comprehensive holdings maintenance project focusing on the preservation of local real estate books. She is meticulously reorganizing booklets comprised of home listings and photographs from Doris Brown Realtors that span from the 1950s through the 1980s. This specific collection provides a unique and highly valuable resource for residents researching the architectural and ownership history of their specific homes.

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A new photo history book titled "Along The Ridge," focusing heavily on the Beverly/Morgan Park community, has been sent to Arcadia Press for publication. Local author and teacher Joe Oswald spearheaded the project by selecting images from the RHS collections, while board member Dave Daruszka scanned hundreds of photographs and assisted with the detailed captions. With thorough fact-checking by Linda Lamberty, the book is expected to hit bookstores in the fall, with RHS selling copies to directly benefit the organization.

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Carl Spencer, a long-time benefactor of the Ridge Historical Society, was recently highlighted in both the Chicago Tribune and The Villager for his exceptional athletic feats. At 84 years old, he became the oldest rider to successfully complete a 178-mile roundtrip ride designed to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A lifelong cycling enthusiast and former Oklahoma State Biking Champion, Spencer's remarkable athletic history—including an epic cross-country ride in 1975—is proudly commemorated in a permanent exhibit at the RHS.

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The Ridge Historical Society's ongoing summer program series, held on the scenic Driscoll house terrace, continues with two distinct lectures by historian Paul Petraitis. On August 28th, he will present "Chicago and the History of Photography," showcasing techniques evolving from the daguerreotype to modern digital imaging. On September 25th, the discussion will shift to "The Beverly Spit and other Ancient Beach Ridges," utilizing early maps sourced from the RHS collection. Attendees are invited to enjoy champagne and light refreshments during these educational evening events.

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In preparation for the Annual RHS Garage Sale and Ice Cream Social scheduled for September 20th, the society is actively soliciting donations of usable items from the surrounding community. While they cannot accept clothing or older electronics like computers, they welcome furniture and large items, offering convenient pick-up services if notified in advance. The event serves as a major fundraiser, and volunteers are also being sought to help organize and price the goods alongside event coordinators Gen Graf, Pat McGrail, and Sue Delves.

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The Ridge Historical Society is enthusiastically partnering with Mount Greenwood Cemetery to host "A Day In The Park," a self-guided cemetery tour running on the weekend of October 4th and 5th. A significant highlight of the event will be a Sunday afternoon presentation by Helen Sclair, widely known as "The Cemetery Lady," who will discuss historical mourning customs and the various ways different cultures handle death and funerals. The event requires a small donation fee, which includes tour materials and refreshments for attendees.

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Taken from Pauline Palmer's 1962 history of the Ridge communities, this brief anecdote affectionately remembers an almost forgotten sound: the tinkling bell of the traveling scissors grinder. When residents heard the distinct bell, they knew the grinder was approaching, which provided a welcome interruption to their busy daily chores. The arrival of such traveling vendors gave neighbors a perfect excuse to step outside, chat with one another, and engage with the visiting tradesman.

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