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WINNETKA TALK A Weekly News-Magazine for Winnetka VOL. XV, NO. 49 WINNETKA, ILLINOIS, FEBRUARY 12, 1927 PRICE FIVE CENTS HEAR ENGLISH SINGERS AT NEW TRIER MONDAY Group of Marvelous Mixed Voices to Appear in Fourth Program of Winnetka Music Club The English Singers, of London, are to be in Winnetka Monday evening, February 14, in the fourth program of the current Artist-Recital series given under the direction of the Win- netka Music club. The concert will be given in the auditorium of New Trier High school. The English Singers consist of six voices, three men and three women, who sing their songs seated at a table. While preserving an air of informal- ity, these singers, it is said, give a most finished performance of ensem- ble singing. In appearance they might be a group of song-loving friends in- dulging in a little music before after- noon tea, but one would have to search far to find a sextet, informal or otherwise, who could sing this mu- sic with the carefree perfection of their ensemble. Possess Fine Skill The parts, one is told, are thoroughly fused in the whole. There is an un- rivaled oneness in spirit as well as in their performance. They possess the subtlest skill in shading, great purity in intonation, and unfaltering adroitness in thé utmost intricacies of vocal polyphony. These singers present a large array of old composers from England, Italy and France, as well as several folk- song arrangements, American Debut in 1925 The American debut of the English Singers was made in October, 1925, at Washington, D. C., at Mrs. Cool- idge's Festival at the Library of Con- gress. The following November, they appeared in New York City and: their remaining concerts in 1925, were at Yale, Harvard, Vassar, Peabody In- stitute, and the North Carolina Insti- tute for Women at Greensboro. With no greater background of American performances than this, these singers have already been engaged for a great number of concerts throughout this country during 1926 and 1927. N. T. Students Graduated at End of First Semester Nine students in the New Trier High school received their diplomas in brief graduation exercises held at the High school Thursday morning, February 3. While the students had completed all work necessary for regular graduation, at the end of last semester, their work in the school is not necessarily over. Most of them will, it is said, continue with extra work until the second sem- ester's classes are over, in June. Those receiving diplomas were as follows: Harriet Hess, Bob Cressy, Florence Biesemier, Marshall Peterson, Albert Bell, Hunter Chatwin, Oscar Carlson, Tom Gillett and Albert Moore. IN NEW HOME Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bonnet, 157 Robsart place, Kenilworth, who have recently moved into their new home, entertained at a formal dinner party on Wednesday, February 9, for six- teen guests. INVESTIGATE PARK Indian Hill Improvement Association Discusses Park for No Man's Land From Taxpayer's Viewpoint The Indian Hill Improvement associ- ation at its meeting Tuesday evening took the necessary steps to inform its members on the various angles per- taining to the proposition to make a township park of "No Man's Land," on Sheridan road, between Wilmette and Kenilworth, at the expense of the taxpayers. The matter was discussed at some length, following which a committee was appointed to investigate the prop- osition from all its various angles and to ascertain, as nearly as possible, what the cost will be to the individual property owner, then to report such findings at the next meeting of the as- sociation, the evening of the first Mon- day in March. The committee ap- pointed to make this investigation comprises Henry R. Corbett, as chair- man and S. D. Levings and Ralph B. Kraetsch. The association also discussed the proposed improvement of track ele- vation and other civic affairs. The ice skating rink, it was announced had proved a great success, as far as the enjoyment to the skaters is concerned, but it was brought out that the financ- ing of the provisions for this sport had not terminated so successfully. There is yet $250 to be raised towards defraying the expenses of the propo- sition, it is said, and there are a num- ber from whom financial assistance had been expected who have not yet made their contribution. The associa- tion is desirous that those who have not come forward with this assistance, do so now, that all indebtedness may be wiped out. The Tuesday evening meeting was also a great success from a social point of view. Following the business ses- sion bridge was played, in which sev- eral prizes were awarded. C. of C. Will Discuss "No Man's Land" Project "No Man's Land" between Wilmette and Kenilworth, or that part of it out of which it is proposed by some to con- vert into a township park at the ex- pense of the people, is to come up for general discussion at the regular meet- ing of the Winnetka Chamber of Com- merce next Monday evening. The meeting will be held at Community House, preceded by a dinner beginning at 7 o'clock. Secretary B. G. Eberly requests that in view of the importance of the main question for discussion, there be a large attendance of the members. Rotary Club to Discuss Skokie Drainage Project The Winnetka Rotary club is go- ing to devote a meeting in the near future to the discussion of one of the many interesting topics along the north shore at this time, that of draining the Skokie. At the meet- ing of the club Wednesday of this week, Earl Weinstock spoke of the question as an important problem of public policy, and it was decided at this session to devote more time to a discussion thereof, at some future meeting. Reynolds Family Safe in China, Will Return Soon A letter was received this week by the Winnetka Congregational church from the Rev. Paul R. Reynolds and Mrs. Reynolds, who are in charge of the mission work of the Winnetka church, at Fenchow, Shansi, China. It is the first word that has been re- ceived from the Reynolds family for some time, and the members of the congregation were happy to know that all is well with them. The tur- moil which is raging in portions of China has been cause for much con- cern upon the part of their friends here. The letter, which bears the date of January 3, contains no mention of the strife in other sections of the Em- pire, and it is presumed that the con- flict had not, at the time of writing, caused the Reynolds family undue concern. The Reynolds expressed gratitude for the greeting by cable from the Winnetka congregation, at Christmas time. That they are looking forward to their departure for home early in May, is indicated by the following portion of their letter: "We plan to get away as soon as possible after the spring district meet- ings. Probably we shall be sailing early in May." Masons to Hear of Washington's Foreign Policy The second of a series of meetings arranged by the program committee of the Winnetka lodge of Masons will be held at the Masonic temple, on Elm street. Tuesday evening, February 15, at which time John S. Miller, president of the Winnetka village board will speak on "George Washington and Foreigr Relations." This is a subject particularly appro- priate at the present time, and the meeting is io be an event to which all Masons of this vicinity are urged to be present. Mr. Miller has gained distinction through having served the village of Winnetka eight consecutive and very successful years. He is a graduate of Harvard university and prominent in the law profession. Following his talk, which begins at 8:15 oclock, a social session, when re- freshments will be served, will follow. LEGION SEEKS MORE MEMBERS Winnetka Post, No. 10, of the American Legion is join- ing with all the other posts in Illinois next week in a state- wide campaign to secure every eligible person as a member of the great ex-service men's or- ganization. Information re- garding the Legion, its stand- ards and mission are to be found on page 51 of this issue of WINNETKA TALK. FIND OPPOSITION TO TOWNSHIP PARK PLAN Petition Circulated Opposing $500,000 Bond Issue to Ac- quire "No Man's Land" Organized opposition to the proposed $500,000 township park is developing among the residents of the west side of Winnetka. Robert H. Wallace stated that a. petition, copy of which is printed below, was being circulated by himself and others to test out the pub- lic feeling. Many persons have al- ready signed this petition and if it develops that the feeling of opposition is general, a meeting will be called to organize this opposition. Mr. Wallace said : "I have always been in favor of parks and protection of the residentia character of our community and, like many other people with these ideals, my first reaction was in favor of a township park. However, the more 1 have looked into the particular prop- osition, the less I am for it. It seems to me to be neither practicable nor fair. The principle benefit of the pro- posed park would be to protect neigh- boring property from business en- croachment, but this property specially benefited would pay no more toward the cost than other property in the township many miles away. Only a year or so ago the people of Winnetka voted to take care of a similar propo- sition by establishing parks in their western 'No Man's Land' to be paid for mainly by special assessment on the property specially benefited. The other villages in the township were asked to contribute nothing. Aside from the method of spreading the cost, it seems clear that the whole expense of $500,000 will be practically wasted as it will not accomplish the purpose of eliminating business from the loeal- ity in question. Our present tax rate is high enough--many people think too high. Five hundred thousand dol- lars taken out of the taxpayers' pockets for this purpose means just that much less for other purposes of greater pub- lic benefit. The same amount of money would buy a good sized park next to every one of the eleven schools in the township and every one of these parks would be worth more to the community than the proposed park." Oppose Bond Issue The petition being circulated is as follows : "The undersigned residents of New Trier township are opposed to the pro- posal for a $500,000 bond issue (to be voted on at the coming April election) for the purpose of acquiring as a town- ship park a portion of the eighteen acres of so-called "No Man's Land" between Wilmette and Kenilworth, for the follow- ing reasons: "1. From the standpoint of utility as a park, the undersigned are of the opinion that the property is not favorably located for general township use, is too high- priced to be acquired for such purpose and that the expenditure of so large an amount of money for a township park at any place is not justified, considering the large number of existing parks owned by the local Park boards and villages, the high tax rates throughout the town- ship and the more pressing need for in- creased taxes by other public bodies, par- ticularly the need of the various school boards for buildings and playgrounds. "2. From the standpoint of elimina- tion of a moving-picture theater and other ts idered by some to be (Continued on page 8) aev