Greetings to all.
As 2020 ends, I want to wish all of our friends in the Rogers Park and West Ridge communities a very happy holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year. Please take care of yourselves and your family, friends, and neighbors so we can all come out of this stronger, and more engaged with our wonderful part of Chicago.
2020 has been a challenge, but has also been a unique opportunity for the Historical Society. The pandemic has forced us to modify everything we do, from our Board meetings to our programming.
Zoom has been our salvation this year, and from time to time I’ve slapped my head wondering why we haven’t used it before now. For instance, instead of a bunch of people traipsing through someone’s house for our annual House Walk, we were able to tour five historic homes at our leisure without worrying about the weather. Alderwoman Maria Haddon was able to talk to community residents on a pleasant summer evening marking the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage. We even managed to virtually socialize with an October Member-Mingle get-together over Zoom.
While I have missed seeing many of you during this weirdest of all years, I am optimistic enough to be sure we will get back together for in-person events in 2021. They may not be exactly what we’ve been used to, but I’m enthusiastic about how we can incorporate new technologies into our most traditional of organizations, to make it stronger and more dynamic.
Here’s to a Happier New Year for all.
Ken Walchak, RPWRHS President