A tribute to Shirl's
The Roselle History Museum wants to make its mark in the village's downtown.
But, more importantly, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving Roselle's history wants to pay homage to one of the village's iconic establishments -- Shirl's Drive-In.
The museum is trying to raise money to erect a life-size statue of a carhop on roller skates.
The old ice cream and burger place was one of the last businesses to close its doors along the old strip of Main Street before the village started redevelopment in 2000.
The drive-in, opened by Shirley DeWulf in 1958, served as the village's meeting place. That's where parents took their children for ice cream after Little League games and shopped for local gossip.
"Shirl's was one of the icon institutions of Roselle," said Glenn Spachman, a member of the Roselle Historical Museum. "(The statue) would help celebrate the revitalization of Roselle's downtown."
The museum wants to employ James Haire of Ft. Collins, Colo., to do the honor. The artist has sculptures in Elk Grove Village, Addison, Itasca, Bloomingdale and Woodridge. Spachman estimates the Roselle statue would cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
Some funding has already been obtained, but the museum is far from its goal. Knowing this, museum members and volunteers have cooked up two fundraising efforts. The museum plans to raffle off a number of prizes.
The first raffle, for a 52-by-60-inch quilt hand-made by museum member Sue Spachman, will take place Sept. 15 at Roselle's Main Street Market. Quilt raffle tickets cost $2 each or three for $5.
A second raffle will include the chance to win a one-night stay at one of the French, German, Italian or American wine-country decorated suites at the Lynfred Winery in Roselle; a case of Lynfred wines; and $100 in cash. These raffle tickets cost $5 each or three for $10. The drawing will take place at the museum's Christmas Open House Dec. 9.
All raffle tickets are available at the museum's Coach House, 39 E. Elm St., or by calling (630) 351-5300. Donations for the statue may be sent to the museum, 39 E. Elm St., Roselle, IL 60172.
If all goes according to plan, the statue will be unveiled at the Taste of Roselle next year.
Raffle fundraisers
Roselle History Museum is sponsoring two raffles to raise money for a statue honoring Shirl's Drive-In. Tickets are available at the museum's Coach House, 39 E. Elm St., or by calling (630) 351-5300.
Quilt raffle
Prize: A 52-by-60-inch quilt hand-made by museum member Sue Spachman
Cost: Tickets are $2 each or three for $5
When: Sept. 15 at Roselle's Main Street Market
Lynfred raffle
Prizes: First place is a one-night stay at one of the suites at the Lynfred Winery in Roselle; second place receives a case of Lynfred wines; third place wins $100 in cash
Cost: Tickets cost $5 each or three for $10
When: Drawing will take place at the Roselle History Museum's Christmas Open House Dec. 9.