Gurnee writer begins work on local history book for centennial in 2028
Gurnee turned 90 years old March 7 and to celebrate, the village has announced a 10-year campaign to publish a book about its history in time for the centennial in 2028.
Odie Pahl, a local writer, historian and a Gurnee Elementary District 56 school board member, will lead the effort with village support.
"To me, it's like a dream job," Pahl said.
The seeds of the project were planted when Pahl told Mayor Kristina Kovarik she wanted to learn about the village by interviewing longtime residents.
"I want to reach out and talk to the people who grew up here, whose parents grew up here, who helped make Gurnee what it is today," Pahl said in a video on the village's YouTube page promoting the project.
After developing the idea further, Pahl and Kovarik decided the interviews with community members would be video-recorded and distributed to maintain interest in the project during the next decade.
Pahl said she has had a lot of support from community members who want her to tell the village's story but aren't quite sure they want to be interviewed on camera. She said if she can go on camera for the project, anyone can do it.
This won't be the first time Gurnee's history has been the topic of a book. Jack Linehan, the assistant to the village administrator, said the village helped publish a book on the village's first 50 years in 1978. The new book will cover 1978 to 2028.
"It just amazes me that it is going to be 50 years and I'm only going back to 1978," Pahl said.
There will be no shortage of events to document in that time. Since 1978, Gurnee has seen an explosion in population and business activity, transforming from a farming community with a couple school buildings to a bustling suburb.
Pahl has experience writing about the Gurnee community. For several years, she wrote columns about the area for the Daily Herald and other local newspapers.
She said the first interview should be filmed and uploaded by May or June.
Those interested in being part of the project can email Pahl at odiepahl@gmail.com.