The Chicago History Museum was aglow June 21 with unbounded birthday spirit, as Village fans, Gail Sheehy fans, and the many folks who have worked so hard to bring success to Lincoln Park Village gathered to celebrate our first anniversary.  Attendance topped 300.  The evening was filled with friendship, discovery, and an even greater commitment to build a village serving all the people who want and need us.   And, of course, there was joy and laughter.  

"I got so tickled at just how tickled everyone else was to pick out one of those wonderful birthday cupcakes as the program ended," reported Gretchen Althen at the de-briefing meeting afterwards.  (Cupcakes from Molly's Cupcakes on Clark Street, by the way.)  

Journalist and author Gail Sheehy was a major highlight, of course.  Her comments on caregiving, wise and personal, set the stage for a discussion with a particularly informative and revealing panel moderated by Ruth Ann Watkins, Village Board secretary and in-coming president.  The panel included Martin Gorbien, director, Section of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, Rush University Medical Center; Judith Graham, Chicago Tribune health and medicine reporter, and retired NBC-TV newscaster Warner Saunders, who serves on the Village Advisory Council.   The event was designed to confront a tough topic - caregiving - honestly and genuinely, which embodies what Lincoln Park  Village does each day.  As Sheehy commented during the discussion: "The Village can be a caregiver's best caregiver."  (See Sheehy's recent column in Newsweek). 

Sheehy, who proudly announced she now has become a troubadour for the Village movement, signed books before and after the program - and sold out of books before the evening ended.

We send out a sincere thank-you to our event sponsors, The New Admiral at the Lake, Charles Schwab, DePaul University, and Mather LifeWays, as well as to our First Anniversary Host Committee, Planning Committee, and all the countless volunteers who embraced this event and made it so special.  

NOTE:  The Village is holding a book discussion on Gail Sheehy's Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos Into Confidence, Thursday, July 22, 7-8:30 p.m.  See the calendar for details.      

The Program - Passages in Caregiving

300-plus filled the History Museum's Guild Hall.

Village founding executive director Dianne Campbell

begins her introduction.

Panelists revealed personal stories that set the stage for a most informative discussion.

The Book Signing with Gail Sheehy

Nancy Greenberg

Anne Hunt, Host Committee member

Carolyn Johnson, Host Committee member

Cathleen Grady, VP/Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab

The Reception for Friends and Fans

Dr. Martin Gorbien, Judith Graham, Warner Saunders

Fran Casey, DePaul University with Host Committee members Jim Zartman and Bruce Hunt

"What a wonderful event on Monday night.  I found it to be touching, inspiring, and definitely made the case for Lincoln Park Village.  Thanks for making community conversations grow." --Karen N. Kolb, Manager, Community Engagement, Mather LifeWays
 
"One of our guests remarked she really walked away with a clear-eyed view of the possible road ahead.  Another friend says she wants to join the Village.  And our daughter is going to have a book discussion on Gail's book with her women's group. Nice job!" --Anne Hunt, Host Committee member
 
"A friend told me today that he felt as if audience members were participants in an intimate conversation between Gail and the panelists." --Ruth Ann Watkins, Village Board Member and Host Committee member
 
"It was so much more than I expected it to be.  My guests were inspired, informed, and impressed.  Bud is heading to Costco to get two copies of the book."--Carol Rosofsky, Village Board Member and Host Committee member
 
"Great event!  I believe the strength of your Village will contribute to the success of the others." --Joyce Gallagher, Executive Director, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, Senior Services/Area Agency on Aging
 
"It was a grand opportunity to demonstrate the kind of spirit that makes the Village robust, as well as an important occasion for us on two counts: first, the genuine and realistic presentations offered insight as we provide care for our 98-year-old aunt, while also considering our own future needs.  And second, the engaging collection of people gathered for the reception reminded us of the possibilities of membership in this kind of community." --Bruce Hunt, Host Committee member
 
"The presentation was so upbeat and positive and the crowd was lively and friendly.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I know my guests did as well.  Thank you for bringing me in to the Lincoln Park Village family." --Cathleen Grady,VP Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab
 
"The entire evening was very enjoyable from start to finish.  Great panel - such poignant stories - great moderator, and great dialogue at dinner.  Thanks for a well planned, well executed event." --Irene Frye, Executive Director, Retirement Research Foundation

"As a panelist, I felt it was my task to augment the excellent presentation by our honored guest, Gail Sheehy.  Our panel also had the responsibility to anticipate the questions and concerns of the audience and to get those issues voiced. From the positive comments I have heard, it appears the panel was successful.  As proud members of the Village, my family and I frequently take advantage of the caring and efficient services of the staff and volunteers.  For those of us on the other side of 50, the Village is the BOMB!  In Community There Is Healing."--Warner Saunders, member, Village Advisory Council