Archive of the 'Chicago Experiences' Category

Did H.G. Wells come to Chicago? I found this creature as I walked about the streets of Chicago. Anyone know what this is? Is it one of the Martians from War of the Worlds? I’ll tell in the last blog. Send me your guess.

Have you been riding the shuttle buses as I have? If so, I’ll bet there is a volunteer at your hotel and at the convention center everyday. That volunteer is making sure everything works, as it should. Tom is the first volunteer I see every morning outside the Chicago Hilton. He is also the last volunteer I see at the convention center. He was even at the reception getting us all on the correct buses after festivities. He always has a smile and kind word. Tonight I told him thanks. I took his photo and told him I was going to put him in the blog. Tom told me he was just doing his job the real hero was over there and pointed to another gentlemen. In my book all the volunteers are the invisible hands supporting us everyday.

This is Pam - Gene asked me to blog about my companion tour of Chicago’s Mansions of Yesteryear. On the bus I found my notebook, but no pen. Seat mate Elaine dug through her SUCCESS bag and found a toothbrush and a spoon, but no pen. When I asked the group, several offered pens. One lady did not request a return; she is our hero.

Without modern utilities, how were Chicago’s early mansions kept warm, cool, and lighted? Chicago’s Clark house, the oldest surviving house built in 1836, had floor to ceiling windows. Open a window in the ceiling of the 3rd floor and air was pulled from the “widow’s walk” on the roof through the house. Walah…air conditioning. 4 fireplaces heated the home, and mirrors set strategically through out the house reflected candle light to brighten the areas at night.

A huge 18,000 sq.ft. mansion built in 1886, the Glessner house had a fireplace in every room. The north side of the 3+ storied house had very narrow windows and a long servants’ hall that acted like a buffer to keep the interior rooms warm. The half basement school room had not only a fireplace, but a 5’ x 6’ wall hung metal radiant heater, to keep the children warm. The large dining room boasted a curved south wall with 5 large windows to receive the sun’s heat. Gas chandeliers and lamps provided light.

Which house did I prefer? The Glessner house. It had 10 servants!

I found it – and so did the other 4,199 folks at the reception. I think everyone went through the U-boat, but the line moved smoothly. I ran into many old friends coming and going as we moved along. John McDonald (past PES President) was ahead of me in line and we had a chance to visit. He confirmed the previous rumor I had reported in the posting about the GE exhibit. There will be fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!!!!!! Pam kept a weathered eye on my progress through the U-boat. When we got to the control room it was big. I thought it was my chance to play with the controls – curses foiled again; they had a lady stationed in the room watching. Between her and Pam I didn’t have a chance.

Pam and I followed the sounds coming from the band to the upper floor at the Museum. The place was jumping and it appeared the conference goers were in the groove. Carl Segneri (Chair of the Windy City Wise Guys – the Organizing Committee) was standing in the center of merriment surrounded by the Wise Guys. They are still as excited as last week, but now they are seeing the results of all the Wise Guy’s efforts and that is relaxing them.

In an earlier posting I said Tommy Mayne was all over the place. Well, I kept running into him tonight at the reception. Tommy checks and double checks all the activities. As he says, he makes sure everyone is having fun. I caught up with him and John Paserba (PES VP of Meetings) as they checked things out. As you can see by the smiles, everything was good. I hope you didn’t miss this happening.

The last count I heard was over 4,200 attendees came to the reception at the Museum of Science and Industry, but it never seemed crowded. The biggest problem was getting everyone to go home, not getting them home. Remember that country song about it is impossible for a girl to be pretty, to have too much money, or have way too much fun? Well that was the problem here tonight! The food was way too good – what a choice (I ate way too much) and what a variety. The band was great and the old friends made it hard to get around. The Organizing Committee had everything moving like a well oiled machine. Imagine getting that many people to and from their hotels. Well it that is exactly what happened. The buses were waiting and the trip was fun.