Celebrating Lincoln's Birthday

Kate will be visiting with the residents of Westminster Place, a retirement community in Evanston, on Friday, the day of Lincoln's birthday. It seems like the perfect time for her program "Six Degrees of Abraham Lincoln!"

The PowerPoint presentation tells of little-known connections between the President and the Chicagoland area, "history lite" illustrated with photos and maps.

If you know any schools or community groups who would enjoy this program, feel free to send them to the Six Degrees of Abraham Lincoln web site or contact Kate directly.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Chicago Tunnel Presentation at Norwood Park Historical Society
February 24
7pm
A free presentation about the history of the forgotten railroads that operated beneath downtown Chicago.
Bruce Moffat will give an oral and visual presentation on the history of Chicago's long-forgotten railroad that operated beneath the streets of downtown Chicago for more 50 years.
All are welcome.

Adlai Stevenson Exhibit

Through August 28
An exhibit of artifacts of Adlai Ewing Stevenson II and his family opened Friday, February 5 on his 110th birthday. At the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington
Cost: Regular museum admission: adults, $5; senior citizens, $4; children and students, free.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Spring Luncheon

April 11
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Take a trip down the yellow brick road through the Joliet Area Historical Museum as you make your way to the Emerald City. Don't forget to bring your camera! The event will be held right here in the Museum located at Cass & Ottawa next to the JJC Renaissance Center.

An Intimate Visit With an Grand Old Lady

Recently Kate attended an author's event in Oak Brook, Illinois at the Mayslake Peabody Mansion. What a pleasure to attend any sort of event there!

The background on the Mayslake Peabody Mansion was written up in "A Brief History" last month. (If you missed it you can read it here.) While it looks as though generations of the Peabody family lived and died in the home, they really only used it for a very short time. The Franciscan brothers who bought the estate made the changes that were important to them, but keeping up the place as a grand family home was obviously not their mission.

Kate hadn't been in the mansion for a couple years, so she was delighted to see how much progress has been made on the restoration. The meeting was held in the former friar's chapel, but since there was also an art exhibit going on in one of the other halls, visitors were encouraged to explore a bit.

The woodwork, the plaster carving, the fireplaces -- all are stunning. Right now, the floors and library shelves are bare, but it's easy to imagine an oriental carpet with a cozy wing chair pulled up in front of rows of leather-bound volumes.

Mayslake offers tours, classes and performances so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the company of this grand old lady. See their web site for a complete list of events.

Children's Lit Breakfast with the Authors

Anderson's Bookshop is a nationally known independent bookseller with stores in Naperville and Downers Grove. For the past seven years they have held a Children's Literature Breakfast. This year's event will be held on February 20 in Glen Ellyn. Illinois.

Kate was invited again this year to attend as one of the guest authors. 600 people are expected to attend, many of them teachers who get CPDU credits along with the chance to hear some wonderful speakers.

This year's speakers include

• Richard Peck, ("A Season of Gifts")
• Patricia McKissack, ("Clone Codes")
• Pam Allyn, ("What to Read When" and Executive Director of LitLife)
• Jordan Sonnenblick, ("After Ever After") and
• Francoise Mouly, (Artistic Director of New Yorker Magazine; Publisher and Editorial Director of TOON books and Author of The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics).

In addition to the speakers, breakfast and a huge book sale, one of the features of this event is that an author sits at every table. Several times during the morning, the authors play shift down one table so everyone gets to meet and talk to three or four different authors.

If you or someone you know are interested in attending this event -- especially you teachers! -- register as soon as possible as the Kid Lit Breakfast always sells out. For more information, see the

Anderson's Bookshop web site.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

First Folio Theatre Presents "Jeeves in Bloom" at Mayslake Peabody Mansion

January 27 - February 28
When Bertie gets himself into another scrape, Jeeves must resign his service and re-invent himself as something other than a Gentleman's Gentleman. This sequel to First Folio's hit production of "Jeeves Intervenes" features the return of Christian Gray as the lovably loopy Bertie Wooster and Jim McCance as his unflappable butler Jeeves.


Heroes, Villains and the American Zeitgeist.Comic Books from the Rare Books and Special Collections of the University Libraries Northern Illinois

January 19 through March 13
University Art Museum, Hall Case Galleries, Altgeld Hall. The exhibition traces the development through to the Modern Age which encompasses Independent Comics and the rise of the Graphic Novel, blending more whimsical characters and complex storylines that blur the lines between hero and antihero. As part of our Pop Culture Exhibition Suite this show will captivate you with the lively and engaging art and literary nuances of this popular medium.

Born in Mathausen: Eva Clarke's Story

Thursday, February 18
6:30 pm
Eva Clarke, whose story has been featured by the BBC, will share how she owes her life to her mother's tenacity, and the timely arrival of American GI liberators, when Eva was only three days old.
Ticket price includes Museum admission.
$20; $10