A Legacy For Future Citizens
The Chicago Ridge Bicentennial observances on July 4th
began at 2 p. m. with the dedication of a two- stage time
capsule and flagpole at 10501 S. Oxford. The first capsule
will be opened in 2026 and the second in 2076.
Some of the interesting items included in the capsules
were: menus from local restaurants, automobile bro-chures,
vehicle license of Chicago Ridge, dog tags,
library reading club list, pictures of the Mntergarden
through 8th classes, history of Our Lady of the Ridge,
police department badge, a signed complaint, finger-print
card, Ward and Sears catalogs, flag of Chicago
Ridge, bicentennial postage stamp proof sheet, coins,
a bicentennial carpet and the July 1st, 1976 edition of the
CHICAGO RIDGE CITIZEN.
Presiding at the ceremony was Al Peterson, president
of the Chamber of Commerce ( in the photo) which spon-sored
this special project. He said; " Future residents
of the Ridge will be able to experience how our com-munity
functioned 50 and 100 years before them by ob-serving
what will be considered historical memorabilia."
Mayor Eugene Siegel expressed his appreciation to the
Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the village in making
this project possible. Other guests attending the dedica-tion
were Trustees Tom Cooper, Charles Tokar, William
Herrington and Paul LaChance. Also present were Chief
Jim O'Hara, Lori Wassinger, Ed Cygan, Anne Pote, Bill
Wallace, Joe Tarqueno, Boy Scouts 351, Girl Scouts 373,
and Cub Scouts 4602 and 3665.
At this time the Chamber of Commerce also presented
their Junior Citizenship winner awards. Dick Pulver and
Mrs. Phyllis Lauden awarded $ 100 bonds to Elizabeth Bar-ker
and Carol Jean Fagan, who could not be present. The
$ 25 bonds were given to runners- up Judith Tranowskiand
Eileen Cummings.
In December a commemorative plaque listing the names
of the people who worked on various bicentennial projects
for the 1976 year will be placed at the time capsule sight.
At 6 p. m. over forty entries took part in the American
Legion Bicentennial parade. Leading the parade was the
Chicago Ridge Fire Department equipment, and trucks
from many other communities. Nineteen fire departments
with 29 pieces of equipment participated in the parade.
Entries included professional and amateaur floats, drum
and bugle corps, marching groups, color guards, antique
cars and special or novelty groups.
Dignitaries in the parade included Mayor Eugene Siegel,
his wife and family; Sheriff Richard Elrod, Congressman
Edward DerwinsM, who is a member of the American'
Legion Post; Commissioner Ron Larson, representatives
of Worth Township, Morgan Finley, Clerk of the Circuit
Court; and Ron Rogers, who is a candidate for congress.
Also taking part in the parade were Lori Wassinger,
president of the American Legion Auxiliary; Glenn Gross-man,
national president of the VFW Auxiliary; William
Wallace, president of tiie American Legion Post, and
special guest Mrs. Mary Maker. Her son's name honors
the Glenn Maker American Legion Post. Trustees Tom
Cooper, Paul LaChance, William Herrington, George
Rywniak, Charles Tokar, and Susan Zelis were also part
of the special guest list.
Groups who received trophies for their winning entries
in the parade included: Professional Floats - Worth Bank
and Trust, Peterson Construction Company, and Morgan
Finley's float. Amateur float winners were Chicago Ridge
Khoury League, " Y" Indian Guides and the Chicago Ridge
PTA. The Drum and Bugle Corps winners were the Blue
Knights of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Shoreliners of
Menominee, Michigan. Color Guard trophies went to
Chicago Ridge Memorial Post 2255 VFW and Sheriff Elrods
Color Guard. First and second for Junior Color Guard
were Boy Scouts Troop 351 and Cub Pack3665. Marching
group winners were Finley Junior High, Camp Fire Girls,
and the Ridge land Neighborhood Girl Scouts. Ready Paving
Company and Julians took first and second in the antique
car category. The special or novelty awards went to the
Sawdust Clowns and Copher Movers.
At the conclusion of the parade, spectators moved to
Commissioners Park where a crowd of about 4500 people
gathered to hear the Community Chorus and enjoy an ex-cellent
show, " The Spiritof 76", by the Paul Caldwell
group, which was sponsored by the Chicago Ridge Park
District.
The finale for the evening was a spectacular fireworks
display.
