Fall 2023 updates

MUSEUM UPDATE: Currently, our back hall remains open for programs and events. Please use side door. Our damaged museum ceiling has been fixed and the walls have received a coat of paint. We still need lots of help in putting the museum back together in time for our Open House in December. Work days are every Tuesday at 10am and every other Saturday (October 14 & 28, November 11 and December 4) at 10am. Please join us! We could use your help.

Unfortunately, during renovations, it was found that our tin ceiling tiles could not be put back. However, there are still some tiles on the sides of the walls. The tiles that were removed will be for sale during the holiday season for $30 per 2x4 foot sections of tin ceiling tiles. Tiles are from 1904 St. Paul Lutheran Church.

MERCHANDISE: We have added new Tee-shirts designed with our logo and “Thornton Quarry Rocks” on them. Prices are $20 for M, L & XL, and $25 for XXL and XXXL. We have hats with the same design for $35. Updated Quarry books are also for sale for $5.00. Think ahead - all make wonderful Christmas gifts. Mail order is not available.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS:

October 23 at 7:00 PM: General Meeting – Program: “The Underground Railroad

in our Region” by Larry McClellan

November 10 at 6:00 PM: Heritage Dinner at St. Paul Church, 508 Chicago Road.

This event is free for Historical Society Members ONLY but you must register so we know how many people to expect. The Society furnishes the turkey and gravy and members are asked to bring a dish, preferably homemade, to share with everyone. See Marti Thompson for a sign-up sheet. Non-members are welcome but must register, pay $15 and must bring a dish to share.

If you wish to join the Society, your $15 new membership will be good for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024.

December 10 from 2:00PM to 5:00 PM: Holiday Open House/Grand Reopening of Museum

114 N. Hunter St. – Santa and lots of Goodies! Always an enjoyable time. The museum will be decorated and the St. Paul Singers will entertain us from the choir loft. If you could provide some homemade cookies, candy, etc. please email Marti Thompson at thorntonilhs@gmail.com. This year we will have a bazaar where you can purchase unique items such as Thornton Coverlets, our new Tee-shirts, hats, Quarry history books, Thornton Christmas cards, notecards and much more. They make great Christmas gifts!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: Membership renewal is from January to March 1st. You need not live in Thornton to become a member so please encourage your friends to join. Choose a one-time life membership to avoid yearly renewal. New members who join in the “ber” months of September, October, November or December of 2023 will receive membership for the rest of ’23 and all of ’24.

Individual Member $15 Life Member $150

HOLIDAY RAFFLE:

Get in the holiday spirit and enter our holiday raffle to win:

1ST PRIZE: $100 Visa Gift Card

2nd PRIZE: 2 tickets for the next Thornton Quarry Tour (value $80)

2ND PRIZE: Hot Toddy Basket featuring a bottle of Thornton Distilling’s Dead Drop Rum.

MORE PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED!

If you would like to help sell tickets or wish to purchase tickets, they will be available at our October 23 general meeting, the Harvest Dinner and our Christmas Open House. Drawing will take place December 10, 2023. Winner need not be present. Email us at thorntonilhs@gmail.com for info or if you need tickets to buy or sell. Tickets are $1 each or 6/$5. Proceeds benefit the Thornton Historical Society.

The Blast Newsletter - Spring 2023

MEMBERSHIP:

It’s Membership renewal time, due Feb. 1! Please encourage your friends to join. We are always happy to have new members. Dues are as follows: Individual Member $15, Life Member $150, Youth (18/under) $5, Organization $45. Make checks payable to Village of Thornton Historical Society and mail with name, address, phone and email address to: PO Box 34, Thornton, IL 60476.

OPPORTUNITIES:

The Historical Society would like to take part in the Thornton Parade this year if the village has one. We would like someone to be the head of the Parade Committee. This would involve filling out the paperwork with the Village, securing a suitable vehicle and decorating, and getting members to ride in it and throw candy.

We have the position of Vice President open if anyone is interested in taking on a more active role in the Society. Pat Rupcich of our nominating committee will get in touch with you soon. The election will be held at our April meeting.

MUSEUM HOURS & DOCENTS:

Although our museum is closed for renovations until further notice, our back hall remains open for programs and events. Please use side door. Look for our displays at the Thornton Library!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS:

February 27 at 7:00 p.m. General Meeting – “Rachel Carson, Silent Spring & Birth

of Modern Ecology” by Leslie Goddard

March 27 at 7:00 p.m. General Meeting – "Snoopy, Sparky, & Peanuts: The

Life of Charles M. Schulz" by Jim Gibbons

April 24 at 7:00 p.m. General Meeting – Program: "Cleopatra, the Last

Pharaoh of Egypt" by Martina Mathisen

May 8 at 6:00 p.m. Annual Dinner Meeting, location TBD

QUARRY TRIP:

Our Quarry tours are sold out for 2023 and spring of 2024. Tours of the Thornton Quarry take place on the first Saturday of June and October. All guests must be 18 years old. We will have an updated Quarry booklet for sale as well as new designs for T-shirts.

FALL FIELD TRIP:

Coming up in the Fall: Field Trip to Starved Rock State Park. More Info later.

DIGGING INTO THORNTON’S PAST – When the Gypsies Came Through

Parents long ago would warn their children not to go near the Gypsies when they came through Thornton each year. This Chicago Tribune newspaper article, dated 1906, is a good indication why:

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS:

Jim Rupcich, President VACANT, Vice President Kim Atkinson, Treasurer Sue Hanson, Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS:

Neringa Aleksonis Tom Ellis Debbie Lamoureux Paulette Pearson (Board President) Pat Rupcich Marti Thompson Fred Walker

Fall 2022 Newsletter

BOARD/MEMBER NEWS: Please welcome Neringa Aleksonis to our board and welcome Mary Simms to our group. We bid farewell to Jim Wind who has stepped down from the position of president due to other commitments. Jim will remain as a member. Thanks for serving, Jim. Vice President Jim Rupcich will act as the interim president.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS: OPEN, President Jim Rupcich, Vice President Kim Atkinson, Treasurer Sue Hanson, Secretary BOARD MEMBERS: Neringa Aleksonis Tom Ellis Debbie Lamoureux Paulette Pearson (Board President) Pat Rupcich Marti Thompson Fred Walker

NEW LOGO:

The Board of Trustees has voted to replace our outdated logo featuring the first museum with one depicting our current museum. Going forward we will feature the new logo on our merchandise and on new T-shirt designs.

MUSEUM HOURS & DOCENTS:

Although our museum is closed for renovations until further notice, our back hall remains open for programs and events. Please use side door.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS:

October 24 @ 7:00 PM: General Meeting – Program: “Truth Behind Chicago Folklore—Legends & Haunts” by Ray Johnson.

November 11 @ 6:00 PM: Heritage Dinner at St. Paul Church, 508 Chicago RD. The

Society furnishes turkey & members bring a dish to share.

December 4 @ 2–4:00 PM: Holiday Open House at the museum, 114 N. Hunter St.

Santa and lots of Goodies! Always an enjoyable time. If you could provide some homemade cookies, candy, etc. please email Marti Thompson at thorntonilhs@gmail.com. This year we will have a bazaar where you can purchase unique items such as Thornton Coverlets, T-shirts, Quarry books, Thornton Christmas cards, note cards and much more. They make great Christmas gifts!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Membership renewal is from January to March 1st. You need not live in Thornton to become a member so please encourage your friends to join. Choose a one-time life membership to avoid yearly renewal. We are always happy to have new members.

Individual Member $ 15

Lifetime Member $150

HOLIDAY RAFFLE

Get in the holiday spirit and enter our holiday raffle to win:

1ST PRIZE: $50 gift card for “The Well” at the Distillery

2ND PRIZE: A bottle of Thornton Distilling’s Dead Drop American Pecan Whiskey

MORE PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED!

If you would like to help sell tickets or wish to purchase tickets they will be available at our October 24 board meeting, the Harvest Dinner and our Christmas Open House. Drawing will take place December 4, 2022. Winner need not be present. Email thorntonilhs@gmail.com for info.

Tickets are $1 each or 6/$5. Proceeds benefit the Thornton Historical Society.

FOND FAREWELL

The Village of Thornton Historical Society honored Marge Loitz for her dedicated service to the Historical Society, where she has been involved since its inception in 1975, with a farewell celebration and a proclamation. Marge has moved out of state and we wish her well in the next chapter of her life.

I&M CANAL TRIP

The September trip/canal boat ride/lunch to the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area was a huge success. We sold 54 out of 55 tickets. We hope to be able to offer more field trips in the future.

QUARRY TRIP

Our October Quarry tours, under the direction of Paulette Pearson, went very well. We wish to thank Ken Schoon for a donation from the books that he sold that day. Tours of the Thornton Quarry take place on the first Saturday of June and October. All guests must be 18 years old.

Thornton’s Judge Albert Webb Wishes You Happy Thanksgiving from the Hoxie Farm