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8 Wilmette Life May 13, 1937 Improvement association plans summer activities The Wilmette Improvement association was preparing for its spring and summer activities. Officers were H. W. Miller, president; George English, vice-president; Ed Kirchberg, Jr., secretary; P. M. Bingham, treasurer; directors J. D. Couffer, F. J. Orner, H. K. Snider, J. P. Gowing and C. H. Rush. So states Wilmette Life of May 8, 1912. Kashian Bros Haig Kashian, Mgr. Rugs cleaned 27 years in Wilmette 1107 Greenleaf Ave. Wilmette Since 1909 purveyors of better quality fish and sea foods Johnsen's Sea foods 909 Linden Ave., Hubbard Woods 830 Davis St., Evanston Mathew's car washing 2200 Green bay road Auto laundry Simonize Our Fire fighters of 25 years ago [photograph] Civic League takes active part in many community problems The purpose of teh Wilmetet Civic League is well defined in its by-laws "to interest itself in the civic problems of Wilmette and by careful study and dissemination of its conclusions regarding the proper solutions of such problems, assist in broadening the civic life of the community." We have tried to view the "broadening of our civic life" in its largest aspect, and have had as guest speakers at recent meetings Congressman Ralph F. Church and Judge Frank Bysek of the Juvenile court; Assemblyman Frank F. Foster; Superintendent Matthew P. Gaffney of New Trier High School; Judge John Gutknecht of Traffic court; D. M. Ladd, special agent federal bureau of investigation, Chicago Bishop Ernest Waldorf, F. M. Martin, secretary committee of public affairs League club; Attorney William M. James; Dr. W. W. [illegible] spokesman for the American Medical association. From this list of speakers, the diversity of the interest of the members of the league can be observed. The members of the league have cooperated wholeheartedly with our local officials, and have taken a special interest in the Wilmette Community Chres, Wilmette Health center, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Ten Years old The league was organized about 10 years ago, and has had as presidents John W. Fisher, Jr., Herbert B. Mulford, Dr. Donald M. Gallie, Hector Dodds, John P. Ballman, Elmer D. Becker and Paul C. Lang. Harry B. Johnson is the president for the coming year. The league has not attempted to put on campaigns for membership as it is committed more to an interested membership than to a large one. The league conducts monthly meetings, usually at noon, on the fourth Friday of each month, in Marshall Field and Company's English Room, at which time guest speakers discuss subjects of interest to the membership. On the other Fridays, there is a round table in the men's grill of which there is no set program and an air of informality pervades. Occasionally evening meetings are held in Wilmette. Illustrated herewith is Wilmette's fire fighting equipment of 25 years ago, comprised of one horse driven vehicle and the hand-powered hose cart shown opposite. The fire station at that time was located on Central avenue on ground now occupied by the new Wilmette Post Office. The hose cart with Albert ZIbble, youngest son of Fire Chief Walter Zibble, posing proudly in uniform, is pictured on a site across the street from the house now occupied by the plant and many offices of Wilmette Life. Wilmette's volunteer fire department of that era posed above, included, on the seat left to right: Fire Marshall Joe Steiner, Walter Zibble at the [illegible] and lake Smith Standing on truck George Nesthaver who is still a volunteer attached to the paid fire department Eddie Ledlow and V. Wolff Wilmette hardware dealer. In ..ground Benny Kloepfer, William Herbon now a garage owner, John Schopen, Henry Jenaes, Roy Hendersott and Bill Smith. In 194 the Village of Wilmette [illegible] two hose carts and 1,200 feet of hose and appointed 20 men as volunteer firemen. There were two companies, No. 1 east of the tracks and No. 2 west of the tracks. In those days the hose carts were hand drawn. No. 2 would usually beat No. 1 to the fire, thus provoking a water fight. So it went about ten years, when the Village bought a piece of ground at 1233 Central avenue and built a fire station. One of the old fire carts is still in use at Arden Shore camp in Lake Bluff. In 1905 the Village bought a hose wagon, and after a year purchased a team of horses from the city of Evanston. On april 2, 1906 Walter Zibble was retained to drive them Joe Steiner was then Volunteer Fire Marshal, and there were eight other volunteer firemen on teh department. In the month of April 1912, there were five calls. In those days the water pressure was very poor. The total runs for the year 1912 was 30 fires and 12 drills. Today the department is completely motorized,there are eight full time paid men, besides the fire marshal. Last year 1936 were answered 244 fire calls and 12 drills. The per capita loss was 24 cents, whic is very small in comparison to other years.