Gail Borden to host Aug. 4 opening reception for 'Open Book: Every Life is a Story' exhibit

Gordon and Jill Muirhead entered a new phase in their lives when they moved from California back to live on the historic 1900 Elgin farm where Gordon grew up.

A retired computer consultant, Gordon now enjoys woodworking while Jill raises alpacas and sells products handcrafted from their soft wool.

Their story along with those of several other Elgin residents will be told through photos and video interviews in an exhibit, "Open Book: Every Life is a Story," on display in August at Gail Borden Public Library in downtown Elgin.

An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 starting in the Mike and Fran Alft River Room on the second floor of the library, 270 N. Grove Ave..

The community is invited to view the exhibit, meet some of the Elgin residents featured and enjoy refreshments.

Local photographers James Harvey, Carolyn Buhrow and Gil Feliciano took portraits and other photos of the 25 community members.

The exhibit will display 75 of those photos as well as video interviews conducted by the library's Community Connections Coordinator Sarah Vetter, who spearheaded the "Open Book" project.

Some of the other Elgin residents featured in the exhibit include Elgin historian and activist Ernie Broadnax, Elgin City Council Member Rose Martinez, Aloune Khotisene, a founder of Elgin's Multicultural Education Group, and Wendy Wessel, owner of Herb's Bakery.

Funding for the Open Book project was from the National Endowment for the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Hours at the main library are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call (847) 742-2411 or visit www.gailborden.info.