Past Programs

DATEPROGRAM/TITLESPEAKERPRESIDENT
1989/Sep“Indian Story Teller”Dave WheelerHarry Barschdorf
1989/OctA Tribute to Will RogersLance BrownHarry Barschdorf
1989/Nov“500 Hats”Barbara DencklaHarry Barschdorf
1990/Feb  Harry Barschdorf
1990/MarHistory of Coal City AreaJane Campbell & Donna GervaseHarry Barschdorf
1990/AprLegend of the WheelFran ChastainHarry Barschdorf
1990/MayLife in the Mazon Area with Illustrative DisplayMartha SlyterHarry Barschdorf
1992/SepExcavations in Old JugtownFloyd MansbergerPatrick Rooney
1993/OctBanquet EntertainmentPrairie SingersPatrick Rooney
1994/FebCanal Boats on the Illinois & Michigan CanalJohn LambPatrick Rooney
1994/MarReenactments of Indians and the French Fur TradersJack MaRaePatrick Rooney
1994/AprTour of Society’s Displays & Museum at Grundy County Courthouse Patrick Rooney
1994/MaySchools of Grundy CountyWayne HodgsonPatrick Rooney
1994/SepOpen House for Members & Public (2 different dates) Patrick Rooney
1994/OctSongs of Illinois, the Great Lakes and MidwestLee MurdockPatrick Rooney
1994/NovYour Dream House in a Kit:- Story of Sears Roebuck catalog BuildingsJeanette FieldsPatrick Rooney
1995/FebMiddens, Scavengers and Scrap – History of Garbage in the MidwestJean Ann RobinsonPatrick Rooney
1995/MarWhen Two Worlds MeetAndy Tally, Will Co. Forest Preserve Dist.Patrick Rooney
1995/AprHydraulicsJohn LambPatrick Rooney
1995/MayRoute 66 – Association of Patrick Rooney
1995/SepThe Age of Steam and What It Meant to Grundy CountyBob BlackJoe Corsello
1995/OctSurviving Pearl Harbor and WWII Veterans Salute the 50th Anniversary of the End of the WarCharlene SextonJoe Corsello
1995/NovHome for Christmas – Tree Display at First Midwest Bank Joe Corsello
1996/FebBlack History Month – Significance to Grundy County Places, Faces & Happenings in Grundy County in the 1900’sElmo Ray Younger   Wayne HodgsonJoe Corsello
1996/MarMothers of American Presidents (Commemorates Women’s History Month)Ingrid SandenoJoe Corsello
1996/AprTurkey and Dressing – A Taste of Turkish & Greek AntiquitiesCay & Gene VoilandJoe Corsello
1996/MayLife of Shabbana Along the Illinois River Valley (Includes costumed interpretation of a Native American womanMariyn RasmusenJoe Corsello
1997/SepThe Future of Corn Growing and New Uses for CornDoug & Yvonne FossVerna Purdue
1997/OctThe William Somerville Story – Coal City Inventor & Aeroplane PioneerAngie CooperVerna Purdue
1997/NovFestival of Trees Verna Purdue
1998/FebGoose Lake Township RevisitedPete KodatVerna Purdue
1998/Mar150th Anniversary of completion of I&M CanalToni Balsley – ChannahonVerna Purdue
1998/AprMusic of Illinois – Step Stone – Wait ‘til the Cloud Rolls ByDiane Ippel (in concert)Verna Purdue
1998 /May“riding the Rails”  A history of railroading through songsLarry PennVerna Perdue
1998/SepHistory of American Place NamesRoger AshamyGene Voiland
1998/OctGrundy County Recreation HistoryKen SerenoGene Voiland
1998/NovFestival of Trees Gene Voiland
1999/FebHistory of Wauponsee StationHomer CarrGene Voiland
1999/Mar“Mazon Creek Fossils”Keith Holm 
1999/MayEarly Music of the American CountrysideDiane IppelGene Voiland
1999/SepCanal Pioneer HistoryRon Visile, Interpretive Historian From the anal Corridor Assn.Millie Dyer
1999/OctCoal Mining in Coal City and the Cherry Mine DisasterRichard JoyceMillie Dyer
1999/NovFestival of Trees Millie Dyer
2000/FebThe Underground Railroad & other interesting stories about people important to the history of the county.Ray YoungerMillie Dyer
2000/MarOpen House at the Grundy County Courthouse Talk about Old Court RoomAugie BlackMillie Dyer
2000/AprEarly Pioneer Living & BlacksmithingJohn HansonMillie Dyer
2000/MayGlory Avenue Singers Millie Dyer
2000/SepTour of newly renovated courthouse.  “Old and the New”Patti Eddy, Donna Matteson & Jim WrightMillie Dyer
2000/Oct“Indian habits, customs & Stories”George Brown as Chief ShabbonaMillie Dyer
2000/NovFestival of Trees Millie Dyer
2001/FebCivil War ReenactmentMarge, Bill & Keith HineyMillie Dyer
2001/MarRehabilitation of Railroad Depot & future possibilitiesJim BaumMillie Dyer
2001/AprHistorical glassware, its origins and futureKeith Tucker/NewarkMillie Dyer
2001/MayPrairie Singers Millie Dyer
2001/SepLife with Father: (Jake Olson, sheriff 1970-1972Jim OlsonMillie Dyer
2011/Oct“Tips, Tricks & Techniques for starting genealogical research on a family tree”Brother Joseph Martin, FSC, Lewis UniversityMillie Dyer
2001/NovFestival of Trees Millie Dyer
2002/Feb“Lost Art of Blacksmithing”Richard Cook, Newark Historical 005/aPRISocietyMillis Dyer
2002/MarBottle collection, origination and significanceJim BianchettaMillie Dyer
2002/AprCurrier & Ives Dinnerware CollectionBud Aupperle – Toulon ILMillie Dyer
2002/MayMidwest Corner Chorus – Sweet Adelines Millie Dyer
2002/SepRestoration & Transformation of Carbon Hill SchoolMichelle MicetichMillie Dyer
2002/Oct“Is Your House a Sears House?  1900’s Mail Order HousesRebecca HunterMillie Dyer
2002/NovFestival of Trees Millie Dyer
2003/Feb“Rosemaling, Techniques & Winning Designs”Margaret Wix & Ruth Ann DierzenMillie Dyer
2003/MarHistory of Coins & CurrencyPhil Anderson- Morris Coin ShopMillie Dyer
2003/AprCurrier & Ives DinnerwareEldon “Bud” Aupperle, ToulonMillie Dyer
2003/MayGold Harvest Kitchen BandPlano, ILMillie Dyer
2003/Sep“Raggedy Ann & Andy”  Memorabilia on these icons of the 20th CenturyMary Fran WilkinsonSandi Dransfeldt
2003/OctEarly Electric Lighting – display of antique light bulbsGerry MattesonSandi Dransfeldt
2003/NovFestival of Trees Sandi Dransfeldt
2004/Feb“Collectibles, Art & Pictures of Norman Rockwell”Joe CorselloSandi Dransfeldt
2004/Mar“Stained Glass Art, It’s History & Technique & Other Art Glass”Terry KowalczykSandi Dransfeldt
2004/Apr“Uses of Plants for Medicinal Purposes in Pioneer Days”Kristi Seitz – Trotter Landscape Co.Sandi Dransfeldt
2004/MayFourtitude Quartet – Sweet Adelines Sandi Dransfeldt`
2004/Sep“A Walk Through Historical Downtown Morris” guided tour with pictures, people & Stories behind the architectural sitesKen Sereno & Debbie SteffesSue Cunnea
2004/Oct“Canal Town Architecture:  What Style is it?” – guidelines to identifying architectural styles & tracing house historyVince Michael, Director of Art Institute of Chicago Historical PreservationSue Cunnea
2004/ NovFestival of Trees Sue Cunnea
2005/FebG-Shaft Candy:  The Story Behind the Enterprise”  A direct descendant of the G-Shaft family – true story of courage & survivalSue MorseSue Cunnea
2005/Mar“Samplers As Art & Historic Momentos”  Discover the history of needlework samples and exhibitDebra HaglarSue Cunnea
2005/AprGrundy County Cemeteries:  Tombstones & Stories  Has recorded all abandoned burial places in county – facts and adventuresLea SharpSue Cunnea  
2005/MayMusic, songs and tall tales of an 18th Century French Indian fur trapperAndre St PierreSue Cunnea
2005/Sep“Challenges of the Future:  A Community Video of Morris:Julie BuckSue Cunnea
2005/OctHistory of Corn Festival:Pet MufflerSue Cunnea
2005/NovFestival of Trees Sue Cunnea
2006/Feb“History of the town of Dresden & St Mary’s Catholic ChurchNoreen DollingerSue Cunnea
2006/MarHistory of the Rock Island RailroadRalph EisenbrandtSue Cunnea
2006/Apr“A Trip Down the I&M Canal in Color:Brian NolanSue Cunnea
2006/MaySongs revive to renew the life of simple ditch diggers an 19th century immigration that changed American cultureGallimaufrySue Cunnea
2006/SepHistory of the Methodist Church and founding familiesRev. Thomas OstranderGinny Bellamy
2006/OctHistory of Coal MiningRichard JoyceGinny Bellamy
2006/NovFestival of Trees Ginny Bellamy
2007/FebHistory of First Presbyterian ChurchKaren Rore & Jim BaumGinny Bellamy
2007/MarHistory of quilt making and preservation – displayAlice SokolinskiGinny Bellamy
2007/AprHistory of local radio station WCSJ   History of Morris Fire Dept.Dick Steel   Bob ColemanGinny Bellamy
2007/May“Return of the Native”Bll Myers – storytellerGinny Bellamy
2007/SepCarbon Hill School – mining days and history of old schoolMichele MicetichGinny Bellamy
2007/OctMorris Post Office – HistoryDorothy Larsen, PostmasterGinny Bellamy
2007/NovFestival of Trees Ginny Bellamy
2008/FebMorris Hospital – history, founders and locationsJanet LongGinny Bellamy
2008/MarCoal City High School – historyKen Miller, PrincipalGinny Bellamy
2008/AprFirst Baptist Church – old church and new locationNorma ArnsdorffGinny Bellamy
2008/MayAnnual Meeting Ginny Bellamy
2008/SepSt. Thomas’s Episcopal ChurchRev. Jim StgeeleDonna Sroczynski
2008/OctMarseilles Library/I&M CanalAbbott L. BurtonDonna Sroczynski
2009/FebImmaculate Conception- tour and history of chruchKim DeslaurierDonna Sroczynski
2009/MarLyondell Basell – tour and history of operationsTom NunheimerDonna Sroczynski
2009/AprGrundy Bank – history of  BankKevin OlsonDonna Sroczynski
2009/MayAnnual Banquet Donna Sroczynski
2009/SepSaratoga School District – History Donna Sroczynski
2009/OctHistory of Peabody Coal Co.Nicholas Koba, JrDonna Sroczynski
2009/NovFestival of Trees Donna Sroczynski
2010/FebBoy Scouts of Grundy CountyMorris Troop 469/Gardner Troop 463Donna Sroczynski
2010/MarGrundy County Sheriff’s Dept. HistorySgt. Jeff Cole/Dave Belden Of Minooka CHSDonna Sroczynski
2010/AprMorris Daily Herald – 130th Anniversary of the paper Donna Sroczynski
2010/MayAnnual Meeting Donna Sroczynski
2010/SepGrundy County Agriculture/John DeereDick WalkerDonna Sroczynski
2010/OctHandmade DollsMs. Marcial WolterDonna Sroczynski
2011/FebIllinois WaterwaysAllan Marshall  — did not show and was replaced by Brian Nolan and Pat RooneyDonna Sroczynski
2011/MarThe InterurbanBrian Nolan and Pat RooneyDonna Sroczynski
2011/AprGoose Lake Prairie and plants.Donna SroczynskiDonna Sroczynski
2011/MayAnnual Meeting – RailroadsRon BleumerDonna Sroczynski
2012/SepGenealogy 101Roger Younghusband – Will-Grundy Genealogical SocietyDonna Sroczynski
2012/Oct“Pioneer Crafting”Susie JohnsonDonna Sroczynski
2012/NovFestival of Trees Donna Sroczynski
2013/FebHistory of Rainbow Council Boy Scout CampIan ImrieDonna Sroczynski
2013/MarHistory of Coal CityRichard JoyceDonna Sroczynski
2013/AprMetal DetectionLarrry KennyDonna Sroczynski
2013/MayNight at the Museum – 5th Year anniversary Donna Sroczynski
2013/SepArt RestorationBeth HobbyDonna Sroczynski
2013/OctWhite Women Abducted by IndiansEllen HansonDonna Sroczynski
2013/NovFestival of Trees Donna Sroczynski
2014/FebMr. & Mrs. Lincoln – An evening spent in the living room of Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln.Actors –Donna Sroczynski
2014/MarTree Stump TombstonesJohn SandersDonna Sroczynski
2014/AprRelatives of Shabbona and Genealogy of IndiansPauline Brown – no show – substituted with Brian Nolan and the InterurbanDonna Sroczynski
2014/MayAnnual Meeting Donna Sroczynski
2014/SepDrones – uses in agricultureMatt BoucherDonna Sroczynski
2014/OctStained GlassTerry KowalczykDonna Sroczynski
2014/NovFestival of Trees Donna Sroczynski
2015/MarTree Stump TombstonesJohn SandersDonna Sroczynski
2015/AprOne Room SchoolsMichelle MicetichDonna Sroczynski
2015/MayAnnual Meeting – Fourtitude part of Sweet Adelines Donna Sroczynski
2015/Sep Private Telephone Co-Kinsman.Jack DunnDonna Sroczynski
2015/OctHeritage FarmsPete Kodak & Marion GoreDonna Sroczynski
2016-MarJim ChambersSomerville PlanesDonna Sroczynski
2016/AprHistory of Channahon & MinookaMichele HouchensDonna Sroczynski
2016/May`Annual MeetingHoward Manthei – Music of Lawence WelkDonna Sroczynski
2016/SepRoad Names in Grundy CountyDonna SroczynskiDonna Sroczynski
2016/OctSears HomesDonna SroczynskiDonna Sroczynski
2017/MarMorris BusinessArt HornsbyDonna Sroczynski
2018/05Annual meeting  
2018/SepHistory of he Corn FestSue Morse and Jewel ButtreyDonna Sroczynski
2018/OctLocal WWII Soldiers’ Letters to the EditorIda Schopp, Linda Tyler and Pat MalinowskiDonna Sroczynski
2019/MarMuseum Tools and BlacksmithingJohn HansonDonna Sroczynski
2019/AprBridal Gowns through the DecadesProgram CommitteeDonna Sroczynski
2019/MayHistory of Inventors in Illinois Donna Sroczynski
2019/SepMetal Detecting Kevin BarkleyDonna Sroczynski
2019/Oct.Civil WarRon MarkettiDonna Sroczynski
2019/NovFestival of Trees Donna Sroczynski
2020/MarUS FlagsGeoffrey MorelandCancelled/COVID-19
2020/April  HatsProgram CommitteeCancelled/COVID-19
2020/MayAnnual dinnerCancelled/COVID-19Donna Sroczynski
2020/Sept Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2020/Oct Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2020/NovFestival of Trees Marion Gore
2021/March Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2021/April Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2021/May Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2021/Sept Cancelled/COVID-19Marion Gore
2021/OctEarly Indian Processes & CookingLou AielloMarion Gore
2021/NovFestival of Trees Marion Gore
2021/DecJugtown Pottery: Facts and FictionTom Turner and Michelle MicetichMarion Gore
2022/MarchGrundy County and the Civil WarJason BakerMarion Gore
2022/AprilHatsProgram CommitteeMarion Gore
2022/MayAnnual dinnerNick Koba, Strip Mining in Grundy, Will and Kankakee CountiesMarion Gore
%d bloggers like this: