Winnetka Local History Digital Collections

Winnetka Weekly Talk, 28 Jan 1928, p. 5

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January 28, 1928 WINNETKA TALK ENLARGED LIBRARY TO REOPEN DOORS IN WEEK Rebuilt Structure Provides Space for 50,000 Volumes; Back to Normal Feb. 6 Forty-seven years ago the Winnetka Public library was equipped to accom- modate twenty-five volumes. Today, as a result of the improvements which have been effected during the past three months, 50,000 volumes can be comfortably cared for. For three months the library has been closed to readers, but it has not been closed to a busy group of archi- tects, contractors, builders, board mem- bers and librarians. Using the $75,000 from the bond issue voted favorably upon by residents of the village, the board employed William A. Otis as architect to plan for the additional rooms to be added to the building. Mr. Otis, well-qualified for this work, since he was the original architect for the building in 1910, has made "addi- tions and corrections" that will as- tonish visitors. There is a Della Robbia frieze, a splendid one, across the railing which shields the now unused third "stack" or floor held in reserve for later years. Facing the door is a large new librar- ians' desk. Enlarged New Children's Room The children's portion of the library has been transferred from the east side of the old building to the west side. New reading racks, slanted to support magazines and books at the right angle for reading, have been added, and additional chairs ordered. The former children's room on the east, is now an adult reading room. South of this room, in the new part of the building is a reading and refer- ence room, arranged in a quiet corner, with south and east light, and attrac- tively furnished. One of the greatest changes is found in the south part of the new building. Steel stacks and shelves running from the desk to the south wall fill the cen- ter portion and give the library a well- stocked and systematic look. The librarian's office and her assistant's, and a reserve room for new books are in the south and west corner, well- lighted and lined with shelves for in- coming new books, and old books to be shipped for binding. Of great interest to visitors and fre- quenters of the library will be the basement, for here great changes are made and will be made. A generous gift from John Bross Lloyd is to be used for the furnishing and equipping of Lloyd hall, an adult reading room on the west side of the building. Al- though the room is not yet ready for occupancy, Mr. Otis is drawing up plans for a most attractive room, home- like in atmosphere, with rugs, reading lamps, comfortable chairs and sheltered corners. This room will invite by its very appearance the reading of good books, a quiet afternoon or evening with a shaded light and a lounging chair. It will be one of the most at- tractive features of the library. In addition to Lloyd hall is a com- fortable rest room and kitchenette for the staff, a packing room where books may be received and dispatched, a room for supplementary books and a well- lighted furnace room. The center stacks, directly below the first floor Stacks are filled with bound periodi- cals. Real Village Institution This new library is a village affair. It was originally founded as a social club. Tt soon expanded into a small library ; four brothers, John Bross, Wil- liam Bross, Henry D., Jr., and Demerest Lloyd, gave the first library lot and building; five residents have served as librarians during the 47 years of its existance; a Winnetka resident, (Continued on Page 10) PLAY TRYOUTS JAN. 30 North Shore Theater Guild Issues Call to Candidates for Tryouts at Winnetka Next Tuesday A great deal of interest has been shown along the north shore in the forthcoming tryouts for actors and actresses of the North Shore Theater guild. The tryouts, which will be held at Community House, Winnetka, Janu- ary 30, at'2 p.m. and 'at 8:30 p.m, are for the purpose of familiarizing the Guild's new director, David Owen, with the available material for the casting of future plays. Much of the excellent work done by the Guild is ascribable to its policy of drawing its acting group not from any one village, or social group, but from the entire north shore, from Evanston to Waukegan. Canvass Drama Groups The work of casting a Guild play is a highly specialized one. Members of the Guild board of directors and casting committee are constantly at- tending performances of local com- munity groups, high schools and churches, seeking material which will fit into parts which may later have to be filled. In casting, effort is made to secuie a man or woman most closely approx- imating the character to be played. This calls for a large group of people to choose from, as the characters vary from, perhaps, an elderly man to play a_ "dear old grandfather," to a dash- ing youth to play the boy at college. Again, an English play may call for an entire group having English ac- cents, or lacking that, at least a not too obvious American middle-west or southern, or Yankee twang. Playing with the Guild is a worth- while experience in anyone's life. To anyone with the least liking for the stage, the work of rehearsing the play, and the resulting run of eight ac- tual performances in north shore towns, is full of tremendously thrilling and colorful incidents. A new group of friends is usually the result of each such experience, and the camaraderie existing among the '"troupers" is something entirely new and altogether charming to the first-timer. Give Practical Instruction The practical lessons in stage-tech- nique, the experience in "back stage" machinery and activity are all extreme- ly interesting and contribute much to enjoyment of professional productions downtown in future. The privilege of working under the skilful direction of Mr. Owen, to see a finished and smooth-running play emerge from the confusion of early rehearsals, is more than worth-while the effort expended. There is nothing embarrassing about the tryouts. Fach candidate will be asked to give a short reading, either from memory or book, of not over two minutes, and furnish information as to possible previous experience, all of which will be carefully noted down for reference. Should the tryout January 30 be over attended, addi- tional opportunity will be afforded at a later date. Looks Like 'Bad News' for Bachelors Tonight This being leap year, it must have been the swectheart of one of the Winnetka firemen who suggested that the novelty dance at the Fire- men's ball tonight be a confetti dance. for, if the men don't get "tied up" at any other time during the year. thev're sure to do so tonight. The hall will be a masquerade one, and will be held at Community House. Everyone is asked to come and help fill the coffers of the Firemen"s Pen- sion fund, which benefits from the ball every year. Joe Schneider's or- chestra will came from Wilmette fo play for the confetti and other dances. 350 Ice Fans Gather to Witness Hubbard Woods Ice Carnival Three hundred and fifty people, the largest crowd that ever assembled to witness an ice derby in Hubbard Woods, enjoyed the first races of the season Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, at the Hubbard Woods Ice rink on Linden avenue. Events of this nature will be held each Sunday afternoon at 2:30 dur- ing the remainder of the season, it is announced, ad it is also planned to give prizes for many of the contests. The racing program last Sunday was in most part for the children, scores of whom took advantage of the fine sport which the Hubbard Woods Improvement association is sponsor- ing. The various prizes awarded were donated by the Hubbard Woods Sweet shop, the Hubbard Woods pharmacy and the Gerald C. Roche pharmacy. There was also a Senior open championship race which was won by John Belmont, with Frank Hohlfelder, second, and Ernest Belmont, third. This record stands as the Hubbard Woods championship, and is open to challenge by those who aspire to pull it down. All races are under the direct super- vision of Henry Carpenter, supervisor of the rink, who also has an able corps of assistants. The rink is one of the Hubbard Woods Improvement association's ac- tivities for the children and young people of the village. It is maintained by popular subscription, collections toward which are now being received. There is yet something like $450 to raise. The association will appreciate remittances toward this popular and healthful recreation, which may be made to the treasurer, H. G. Miller, 1433 Scott avenue. Clothing Is Need of War Veterans at Great Lakes Suits and overcoats constitute a dire need among the disabled war veterans housed at the Great Lakes hospital, according to reports brought to Win- netka Post, No. 10, American Legion, from those who have recently visited the unfortunate men in the wards at the upper north shore hospital. Resi- dents interested in co-operating in this connection are invited to communicate with Post Commander E. G. Howell or Adjutant Frederick IL. Chapman. A group of Winnetka Post members visited the Great Lakes hospital last Sunday distributing cigarets, candy and magazines to grateful" vets. In the group were: Robert Memeney, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick I. Chapman. Dr. F. N. Woods, Lincoln Rogers, Harold Snell, Harry Willis, E. G. Howell and Clarence Schaefehen. At the Legion meeting last Mon- day, the members enjoyed a talk by Capt. J. H. Hedley, formerly of the Royal Flying Corps, who related his thrilling experiences in the World war, NEXT WEEK IN WINNETKA January 30--Community House, 7:30, Black Hills Expedition January 31--Community House, 4- 7:15-9, Motion pictures February 3--Community House, 12:15, Rotary club luncheon February 3--Community House, 4- 7:15-9, Motion pictures February 3--Waukegan, 7:30, New Trier at Waukegan, Basketball. COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST BETTER HOMES MEETING Outline Program for Better Homes Week in Winnetka; Appoint Committees The first meeting of the local com- mittee in connection with the Better Homes in America campaign which is being directed in Winnetka by Dr. J. W. FE. Davies, was held at Com- munity House, Monday evening. Dr. Davies, who presided as chair- man, opened the discussion with a re- view of the events which led up to the formation of this committee. This was followed by a brief outline of what has been done in other com- munities, how the movement was started and its progress. Need Information Bureau There was a strong feeling pre- vailing that there is need of a bu- reau of information in Winnetka to help those who are contemplating building a home; that prices are so high in Winnetka it is almost impos- sible for a young man starting out, to own his own home or even to rent in Winnetka; and that one of the things which the Better Homes Com- mittee might do would be to help young people to build moderate priced homes. The idea back of this Bu- reau of Information, it was explained, would be to provide some place where one might go for information about building materials, ways of construc- tion, and plans for financing such a venture. It was suggested that the Library was the proper place to house such data, and the following committee was appointed to gather it: Alfred S. Alschuler, Earl Weinstock, J. Edgar Freeman. Meet Each Evening Tt was decided that during Better Homes Week conferences should be held each evening, having a different speaker for each conference. On one evening the subject will be "Home Building," on another, "Inter- ior Decoration," etc. It was also voted that during this particular week a speaker be provided for Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters meeting, and the Winnetka Woman's Club, and any other group meeting during that week, to bring this subject before the members of these various organiza- tions. A program committee was ap- pointed to secure speakers and plan conferences, composed of the follow- ing: Mrs. B. F. Langworthy, Mrs. Walter Benson, E. A. Rummler. The following Publicity Committee was then appointed: Clarence Ran- dall, Mrs. R. S. Childs, Mrs. E. W. Wortley. Dr. Ely was appointed a committee of one to take up the matter of a model house with the High School manual training department.' There were present, Mrs. Carrie B. Prouty, of the Library board; Mrs. R. S. Childs, League of Women Vot- ers; Mrs. George Parker. Winnetka Woman's club; Mrs. W. A. Otis, Re- lief and Aid society; Dr. J. O. Flv, Isaak Walton League; Mrs. E. W. Wortlev, Camp Fire Girls; Mrs. Ed- mund Bartlett, Infant Welfare so- ciety + Earl Weinstock, Rotary Club; Dr. H. A. Orvis, Health department; Mrs. B. F. Langworthv., Winnetka Congregational church; Mrs. J. Edgar Freeman, Park Board; E. A. Rummler, Winnetka Plan Commission; Miss Engelhard. Girl Scouts; Mrs. Robert Kingery, Winnetka Music club: Mrs. Walter I.. Benson, Village council; R. H. Browning, Chamber of Com- merce; M. K. Levinson, West Win- netka Improvement association; Dr. 7. W. F. Davies, chairman; Miss Mary Williams, secretary.

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