Good evening. On behalf of the Park Tower Condominium Social Commission, Welcome to a celebration of Park Tower’s 50th anniversary. The idea for this celebration grew out of an inquiry from our neighbor, Chris Muscia, of our General Manager, Tim Patricio. From there sparks flew and this is the result.

We have for you the opening of a Lobby Exhibit, an introduction to the Living History Project, an announcement about the TowerTalk Archive and a couple of surprises.

The Lobby Exhibit is displayed, here, in this lounge. Some of it is on loan and/or display only for this evening and again on Sunday, October 8th at the closing event of our celebration. Other parts of the exhibition will remain up for a month. I hope you enjoy looking at all of the memorabilia.

The Living History Project is a series of videoed interviews of almost a dozen long-time residents reflecting on what inspired them to move here in the first place, what has changed, what they cherish and what they hope for in the future.

Toward the far end of this Lobby is a laptop computer and a set of headphone set up for you. Playing on the laptop is a brief loop of excerpts from all of the videos. Next to the laptop is an explanation of how you may access the complete archive.

TowerTalk, the most recent name of our no longer published newsletter, began  publication in1979, when the rental building known then as 5415 Edgewater Beach  converted to the condominium building now known as Park Tower Condominium.  Some excerpts from past issues are on display in the Lobby Exhibition. Also you will find an explanation of how to access the entire archive at your leisure.

Like everything else that is accomplished in life, it takes a lot of energy, communication, cooperation and dedication on the part of a lot of people. That is very true of last Friday’s event. There are the heavy lifters and there are those that are not able to do as much but without whose help it wouldn’t have happened. There are a lot of thanks to go around –

Tim Patricio and our Management Team for consultation, suggestions, publicity, advice, support and corporate fundraising

Patrik Janic and our Maintenance Staff for consultation, suggestions, preparations for the plaque and lobby exhibition, for making the space for the party so beautiful and for corporate fundraising

For the Living History Project, the Interviewers, Videographer and Interviewees – Bob Shamo, Monique Fouant, Steve Weiss, Betty Terry-Lundy and Sherman Lundy, Robert Pierce, Phoebe Helm, Paul Goeringer, Bea Stieber, Jay Stieber and Lettuce Entertain You, Catherine Kestler and Dan Johnston, Louella Krueger Ward, Carlos Vargos, Vince DiFruscio and Neil Averick

For the Lobby Exhibit Exhibitors, Researchers and Curator – Betty Terry-Lundy, Joy Muench, Tim Patricio, Mike Magliane, Charlotte Lytle, Carlos Vargas, Paul Groeninger, Dan Valentine and especially Bob Shamo

Erik Butka and the Home Improvement Commission for their collaboration, advice, approval of the commemorative plaque.
Michael Parrie for speaking.
Rita Allison for creating the veil for the plaque.
Catherine Kestler for photographing the party.
Steve Weiss for making a video of the speeches.
John Thorne for loan of his music stand to use as a podium.
Chris Muscia and Greg Nigosian for early planning.

We want to recognize and thank our corporate sponsors –

Chicago Flooring
Green Tech Decorating
SK Construction
WJO Chicago
Kroeschel Engineering
Admiral Security
Astound Broadband
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Anna Held for our floral display
Shruti Kumar and Habitat for its design work, especially our 50th anniversary logo

We want to thank our Volunteers for the reception–

Lloyd Allison
Rita Allison
Shalise Ayromloo
Marty Fiesler
Monique Fouant
Terry Gorman
Joe Guzzardo
Jim Jardine
Charlotte Lytle
Richard Rouse
Bob Shamo
Jean Shamo
Laela Skaer
Steve Weiss

I regretfully deliver apologies from Tim Patricio for not being here. Last night Tim’s husband tested positive for Covid. Tim’s test was negative but out of caution for our staff and all of us, Tim has worked from home today and will not be here. We wish them both our best.

Our drinks table is open now so you may have something for the upcoming toast but the food table will open after our speeches are done. Please hold off redeeming your tickets until after the speeches are finished as well. There remains only one more speech, the most important one!

INTRODUCTION TO MICHAEL PARRIE

Michael Parrie has lived at Park Tower since 2004. He has served on our Board of Directors since 2013 and as President of the Board since 2016. He presently serves on the Home Improvement Commission and on the Rules and Regulations Commission. In 2018-2019 he was the Board liaison to the Ad Hoc Cable and Internet Commission. Please join me in welcoming Michael who will speak about his personal reflections on this special occasion.