Mt. Prospect Historical Society celebrates V-E Day
Tickets are now on sale for "A Celebration of the End of World War II in Europe," the fourth annual History in the Headlines dinner, sponsored by the Mount Prospect Historical Society. It will be held Saturday, April 18, at Rob Roy Country Club, 505 E. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights.
The war against Adolf Hitler's Third Reich ended on May 8, 1945. There were wild celebrations in the streets of America, Britain, France and even Australia as the lengthy war, which seemingly touched every family in one way or another, finally ended - at least in Europe. V-E Day was even an official holiday in most of those countries as families and neighborhoods gathered for elaborate meals to celebrate the victory.
This year the Mount Prospect Historical Society will re-imagine the day that folks heard the war was over, according to Lindsay Rice, executive director of the society.
As with the society's three previous History in the Headlines dinners, patrons can choose from two meal options. Those who picture themselves as GIs, celebrating the war's end with buddies in a far-off land, can choose the $25 "Returning Hero" meal of thin-crust pizza and salad. GIs returning from Italy actually brought this delight back to the States in a big way after the war.
On the other hand, those who would have preferred to dine elegantly like an officer would have on V-E Day may opt for the $75 "Officers' Mess" meal of prime rib, salad, au gratin potatoes, glazed carrots and green beans.
There will be dessert and a cash bar for everyone with signature cocktails, beers and wines of the era offered.
No matter where you choose to sit, partygoers, who are welcome to dress casually or elegantly and even to wear period-appropriate clothing, will be entertained after dinner by professional dancers provided by the Mount Prospect Park District. They will demonstrate the dances that were popular during the war and during the years that followed. After the demonstration, the professionals will be happy to teach a 1940s dance to anyone who is interested.
Tickets are limited and may be reserved individually or in tables of 10. For more information or to purchase tickets via PayPal, log onto mtphist.org. You may also phone (847) 392-9006, Tuesday through Thursday during office hours, to reserve tickets and pay by credit card.
Proceeds will benefit the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Operating Fund.
The Mount Prospect Historical Society is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the history of Mount Prospect. The society is also in the midst of an adaptive restoration of the 1896 one-room Central School.