LIGHTHOUSES LIGHT UP EDGEWATER

For my Edgewater readers. Here's a great article from one of our talented journalists at Gay Chicago Magazine.

Written by Amy Wooten

CHICAGO – It’s hard not to notice the fanciful lighthouses adorning the streets of one lakefront neighborhood that’s home to many GLBT Chicagoans. The lovely lighthouses peppered throughout the streets of Edgewater not only symbolize a neighborhood’s dedication to its residents but also a monumental community effort.

In celebration of its golden anniversary, Edgewater Community Council created 20 handmade wooden lighthouses, all of which were uniquely decorated and displayed by local individuals and businesses.

ECC 50th anniversary committee co-chair and former 48th Ward Ald. Marion Volini said ECC wanted to find a symbol for the decades of vital improvements the organization has been able to make. Because of Edgewater’s lakefront setting and its unwavering commitment to improving the neighborhood, helping its residents and taking a stand on important issues, many felt that a lighthouse, coupled with the theme “Lighting the way for 50 years,” was especially fitting.

“We think of Edgewater as a safe harbor because we’ve been a port of entry for so many different groups of people over the years,” Volini said.

For instance, ECC has helped form more than a dozen community organizations and developed senior, refugee and youth outreach programs. Over the years, ECC has also been vigilant in getting rid of slum landlords, creating sports and arts programs and efforts such as creating a senior center at Broadway Armory Park. ECC also worked with local police to clean up crime and has preserved affordable housing. Through its 40-year-old Care for Real program, ECC provides food and clothing to those in need. Volini said the program helps more than 3,000 people a month.

Edgewater Artists in Motion developer Rae Ann Cecrle came up with the lighthouse symbol. Earlier this year, Cecrle was riding in a boat along the lakefront and what she saw – a lighthouse – inspired her.

“It’s a great symbol because lighthouses, like Edgewater, lead the way,” Cecrle said.

ECC purchased the plans to build lighthouses and Volini had her two sons, Michael and David, start the great task of building 20 lighthouses.

Michael Volini said the design for the lighthouses was purchased from a Pennsylvania man and modified to suit their needs. Both Mike and David had done some carpentry and construction work, but had never done any shop work. Regardless, they set out on building 18 six-foot and two 10-foot lighthouses by hand.

“We had never done anything of that magnitude,” Michael Volini said.

The first lighthouse took them roughly 14 hours of work to build. Afterwards, both sought out local master carpenters Glen Johnson and Matt Stern for guidance. After some practice and with some assistance, they were able to whittle down construction time to about three hours for each lighthouse.

The lighthouses were built in assembly line fashion. First, they would construct about five or six cones, which serve as the bottom portion of the lighthouse. Then they constructed the two tiers that make up the top. The lighthouses are solar-powered and light up at night.

But that wasn’t all. In order to secure each lighthouse to help prevent theft, the brothers had to build 400-pound bases for each location. Gethsemane Garden Center helped them load the heavy bases around town. Also, each lighthouse was sprayed with an anti-graffiti coating.

The two 10-foot lighthouses, sponsored by Gethsemane, were displayed at the garden center before other lighthouses were sold to neighbors and local businesses. Benefactors paid for six of the lighthouses. Individuals and local businesses paid for the rest. For example, Bridgeview Bank purchased three and Gethsemane purchased two.

Individuals and businesses either hired local artists to decorate the lighthouses or did the artwork themselves. For instance, Ald. Mary Ann Smith did all the artwork for the lighthouse she sponsored along with state Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Chicago) and state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago). That lighthouse is at 5400 N. Wayne.

“It was really a community effort,” Marion Volini said.

Cecrle said she’s received positive feedback from many Edgewater residents.

“People love it,” she said. “They turned out really quite well. I came up with the idea, but they really did the work to make sure they turned out beautiful.”

Cecrle said she hopes to see more lighthouses throughout the neighborhood, and ECC has secured permits for the lighthouses to stay on display through the end of the year. After that, ECC is unsure what they will do. Marion Volini said that they are considering auctioning the pieces off.

She added that ECC might entertain the idea of creating more lighthouses. After all, there is a waiting list for at least a dozen more and residents are very excited about the project.

“Every day I get more calls to get more out there in the neighborhood,” she said.

Michael Volini said he can’t help but smile when people in the neighborhood ask him if he’s noticed the lighthouses when he’s out and about.

“People ask about the lighthouses and it puts a smile on my face because we built each and every one of them,” he said. “I’m so proud of this project. We’re so proud to help promote Edgewater and Edgewater Community Council.”

ECC is planning two upcoming tours to help showcase its massive undertaking. According to Volini, ECC plans a children’s tour towards the end of summer “because most of the children in the neighborhood have been so excited about these lighthouses.”

On Oct. 2, ECC throws another tour geared toward adults and children. In the meantime, Volini and others at ECC encourage people to go on self-directed tours. A map of the lighthouses is available at the ECC website or at the ECC office.

For more information, call the ECC office at 773-334-5609 or visit edgewatercommunitycouncil.org.

photo courtesy Edgewater Community Council