Test your knowledge of Naperville's past

Every few months, the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown, of which I'm a member, hosts a trivia game in lieu of a guest speaker, just for the fun of it.

In the spirit of a West Suburban Irish Pub Quiz, WSI President Chuck Corrigan, who also is vice president for the 24-member Rotary Club, runs the show.

Members divide into groups of four or five and are challenged to put their heads together to answer Corrigan's tough questions in a variety of categories.

In my pursuit to promote Community Heritage Month, I submitted questions for last week's game in a category titled "Naperville."

Here's a sample, and then some. Try your luck at a little local cultural literacy - again, just for the fun of it.

1. What was the name of Captain Joseph Naper's wife?

2. To what fraternal organization, still in existence today, did Joe Naper belong?

3. Today's Naperville Municipal Band dates back to 1859 when the Light Guard Band was chartered. True or False.

4. Before the railroad connected Naperville to thriving markets in 1864, what was the name of Naperville's first toll road?

5. Who served as chairman of the Naperville Association of Commerce in 1919 during the "Naperville Home Coming" to celebrate the city's "progressive transformation?" (Back then, the city boasted a population of 4,300 residents, 811 dwellings and 787 employees in 96 stores and factories.)

6. What book written by Naperville Library benefactor Prof. J.L. Nichols had sold more than 3 million copies by 1920?

7. Name five mayors elected to serve Naperville since 1969, the year that the Council-Manager form of government was established and the Naperville Heritage Society was founded.

8. Who received the first Naperville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1978 during festivities at the Naperville Moose Lodge?

9. How many cast iron carillon bells are housed in Moser Tower?

10. What whimsically decorated animal was featured in the first Naperville United Way outdoor art display titled "Reaching New Heights," raising more than $145,000 at auction at the Holiday Inn Select on Sept. 14, 2001?

11. How many parking spaces are available in the surface lot at the corner of Jackson and Main streets along the Riverwalk?

12. What three new performance venues opened in 2008 at North Central College?

13. Name two events planned this weekend that offer opportunities to see vintage costumes, customs, cannons and vintage cars, cars, cars.

The answers

1. Almeda.

2. The Masons Euclid Lodge No. 65.

3. True.

4. Plank Road.

5. John A. Schmidt. It only "sounds like" recently hired President/CEO John Schmitt of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

6. "The Business Guide or Safe Methods of Business" - English or German

7. Ken Small, Chester Rybicki, Margaret Price, Sam Macrane and A. George Pradel.

8. According to Jaycees Rooster Chuck Bueche, the first and only DSA in 1978 honored Joseph Knaver.

9. Ding! Ding! Ding! Trick question. None! There are 72 bronze bells.

10. Baby giraffes - 58 of them!

11. 26 parking spaces, with two marked for handicapped accessibility.

12. Thrust Stage at Meiley-Swallow Hall, Wentz Concert Hall and Madden Theatre.

13. "Civil War Days" and "Drive to the Future, the Naperville Sunrise Rotary Auto Show."

Heritage forward

Naper Settlement will be transformed into a Civil War encampment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17.

During "Civil War Days," actors portray significant figures such as Abraham Lincoln to depict lifestyles of the 1860s and the turmoil of the War between the States. A re-enactment of the historic battle will be staged at 2:30 p.m. each day.

Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for youth ages 4-17. For details, visit www.napersettlement.museum.

Just for starters, "Drive to the Future" will showcase classic cars, new cars, luxury cars, antique cars, specialty cars and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17.

Designed for all ages and aficionados, too, the family-friendly event to benefit Meals on Wheels and other charitable cases will be held at Players Indoor Sports Center, Quincy and Fort Hill Drive, and the Naperville Test Track on W. Jefferson Avenue.

Admission is $5 per person or $20 a carload. For details, visit www.napervilleautoshow.com.

• Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.