Share your story of Highwood's past and identify old photographs
HIGHWOOD, IL (JULY 8, 2013) – The Highwood Historical Society, in conjunction with the City of Highwood's Senior Social Club and the Highland Park Nursing & Rehab Center, is proud to announce their “Preserve Highwood's Memories” campaign. Starting July 8th, and running indefinitely, the public is invited to share their memories on videotape, and assist in helping to identify unknown photos of Highwood's history.
“We recognize that Highwood has a growing and knowledgeable senior population that holds invaluable memories of this great city's past,” states Teta Minuzzo, president of the Highwood Historical Society. “We must do something positive to capture those memories now or they will be gone forever. We are honored that the Highland Park Nursing & Rehab Center is offering their beautifully remodeled building to facilitate these memorable meetings.”
Sarah Jakoubek, director of business development at Highland Park Nursing & Rehab Center (50 Pleasant Avenue, Highwood) is pleased to host these interviews at its lower level private meeting rooms, to any one person, family, group of friends, clubs or organizations that would like to reminisce and help the Highwood Historical Society chronicle Highwood's history. Anyone interested in having a ‘Memory Mixer' should call 847.432.9142 to schedule a time, date and space starting July 8th, on any Thursday between 1-4pm, to accommodate their group. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own cherished photos that will be scanned and immediately returned.
According to the US Census Bureau's 2010 statistics, 10.3% of Highwood's population (of only 5,400) were 65 years and over. The Highwood Senior Social Club was initiated in an effort to enrich the lives of Highwood's growing senior population and offer them entertainment, networking and other social opportunities. “The Preserving Highwood's Memories campaign is a great opportunity for our senior citizens to relish in the opportunity to share their memories and have them be inscribed in Highwood's history books,” says Mayor Pecaro. “This initiative is a win-win for the City and our growing ‘family' community. The City of Highwood is proud to be a part of such an important program.”
The City of Highwood was founded in 1868 by William Wallace Everts, a Chicago civic leader and world-renowned educator. His concept of a family-based community has endured for over a century. Residents of Swedish, German, Irish, Italian, Latino and other heritages have since populated the community, each enriching it through their cultural traditions.
“Preserve Highwood's Memories” will be an ongoing campaign, with a first-year goal of hosting a fundraising event to showcase a video compilation of highlights and a book of photos. All videos, photos and memorabilia collected during this effort will be donated to the Highwood Historical Society, a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to preserving Highwood's history. For more information on Highwood's history contact the Highwood Historical Society at 847.682.9039, or visit them at 122 North Avenue in Highwood. To schedule a Memory Mixer, please contact Highland Park Nursing & Rehab Center at 847.432.9142, or visit them at 50 Pleasant Avenue, Highwood.
####