Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
Book Club Announces First Four Titles for 2008
Book club members have decided upon their first four selections for 2008:
• January 20—Blood Sisters by Mary Jacobsen, a novel of the generosity of spirit and friendship that goes beyond sexuality.
• February 17—In keeping with the recently announced theme for the 12th Annual Gala (“Twelfth Night”
, the book club has decided to read Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, in which Duchess Olivia falls in love with Viola, who has disguised herself as a boy to find her missing twin brother. Festive songs and holiday spirit figure into the mood of this comic Shakespearean play of mistaken identity.
• March 16—Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran, in which the three Aminpour sisters escape the Iranian Revolution and make their way to an Irish village where they open a small café.
• April 20—Three Junes by Julia Glass, which tells the tale of several central characters during three separate Junes spanning 10 years. Paul, a newly widowed father of three grown sons on a group tour of the Greek islands; Fenno, his eldest son, a gay man in New York City; and Fern, an artist and book designer whom Paul met on his trip to Greece several years earlier, now a young widow, pregnant, and also living in New York City.
The book club meets every third Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park, unless otherwise specified. All books are available through http://www.amazon.com. In addition, copies will be available at the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) as well as at The Book Table (1045 Lake St.), when possible. Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there (regardless of whether it is a book club selection). Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as a member of OPALGA.
Latino Men’s Retreat a Great Success!
On Friday, November 16, OPALGA, in conjunction with Project VIDA in Chicago, took 17 young men between the ages of 18–24 to Watervliet, Michigan, for a three-day retreat with no cell phones, no iPods, and no contact with home. Over three days, the rigorous itinerary included structured activities such as creating their own life maps, writing a letter to themselves describing their most challenging life event, sharing it and burning it, exercise, group dining, and one-on-one counseling sessions for those who requested them.
According to Hector Salgado, OPALGA’s Latino men’s group coordinator and planner of this event, it was powerful to take these young men out of the clubs, where they are always trying to compete with one another, and bring them to a place where they really began to understand each other as people. Hector said that recurring themes included working through challenges with family, culture, and coming out and a need to let go of internalized anger. Hector felt that through this weekend, the young men were able to let go of a lot of self-imposed pressure and to learn to have more genuine relationships with each other. Evaluations completed by the attendees were overwhelmingly positive—comments included a desire to have another retreat that was longer but to improve the cooking!
We will give Hector some time to recover from this three-day event, but we would like to make this an annual event. We would like to thank the hard work and dedication of Hector Salgado, who hatched this plan earlier this year—his diligence paid off—and Celso Cardenas, our former ALAS coordinator, who volunteered his time for this event. Thanks to Carlos Samaniego and Project VIDA for their participation and fundraising and to Dr. Gary Harper from DePaul University. Also, a big thank-you to our donors for this event—Jan Grillos, Lori Hannigan, Ray Johnson, Donald Woolf, and JoAnn Ziebarth. All OPALGA members help to support multiple programs such as this. Your contributions and continued support of the organization make programs like this possible, and we thank you for contributing to the success of this event.
Book Club Selects Titles for 2008, Including Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
On December 16, book club members will discuss Side by Side by Isabel Miller, author of Patience and Sarah. In this novel, two girls fall in love and are separated by their families only to be reunited in New York City during the time of Stonewall.
Book club members have also decided upon their first four selections for 2008:
• January 20—Blood Sisters by Mary Jacobsen, a novel of the generosity of spirit and friendship that goes beyond sexuality.
• February 17—In keeping with the recently announced theme for the 12th Annual OPAL Gala ("Twelfth Night"), the book club has decided to read Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, in which Duchess Olivia falls in love with Viola, who has disguised herself as a boy to find her missing twin brother. Festive songs and holiday spirit figure into the mood of this comic Shakespearean play of mistaken identity.
• March 16—Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran, in which the three Aminpour sisters escape the Iranian Revolution and make their way to an Irish village where they open a small café.
• April 20—Three Junes by Julia Glass, which tells the tale of several central characters during three separate Junes spanning 10 years. Paul, a newly widowed father of three grown sons on a group tour of the Greek islands; Fenno, his eldest son, a gay man in New York City; and Fern, an artist and book designer whom Paul met on his trip to Greece several years earlier, now a young widow, pregnant, and also living in New York City.
The book club meets every third Sunday from 2:00 p. m. to 4:00 p. m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park, unless otherwise specified. All books are available through www.amazon.com. In addition, copies will be available at the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) as well as at The Book Table (1045 Lake St.), when possible. Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there (regardless of whether it is a book club selection). Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as a member of OPALGA.
Gala Borrows from Shakespeare
OPALGA is taking a page from the Bard, so to speak. 2008 Gala Co- Chairs J. Lee Latham and Rick Whitehead recently announced that the theme of next year’s Gala is going to be—drum roll, please: “Twelfth Night.”
According to Whitehead, “Our initial committee meeting was packed, and there were lots of great ideas for the party. Since this will be our 12th annual event, this theme just stood out as an exceptionally great fit for us.”
As announced in last month’s Empower, the Gala will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook.
“The possibilities are endless,” added Latham, “which gives the Gala committee a lot to work with. It’s a theme that can be fun to plan around because you are almost without limits in many areas. Shakespeare is an amazing resource to draw on for planning an event like the Gala.”
So, if you see people in the community running around with a copy of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, chances are quite good that it is a Gala committee member or an OPALGA Board of Directors member looking to get some creative input for the party. Anyone who is interested in working on the Gala, or who happens to have a great love of Shakespeare, should call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273 for more information.
Volunteer Homes Needed
October 21, 2007, is the date set for the Fourth Annual OPALGA House Walk. We’re looking for homes to showcase in this year’s event. If you would like to feature your home or would like additional information about volunteering your home, please call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273. Please leave your name and contact information. Let’s make this year’s occasion one to remember!
Save the Date—Annual Meeting Scheduled for November
The OPALGA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 6, 2007. The meeting will include a report on the state of the association and the announcement of the election results for the OPALGA Board of Directors and Officers. As in the past, heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Keep your eye out for your invitation, but mark it on your calendar today.
We hope that you will be able to join us!
Annual Picnic Outing
Fall is fast approaching, but we are going to stretch out the summer just a little bit longer. On Sunday, September 23, please join OPALGA for our annual picnic outing.
Join us and enjoy some outdoor activities, or relax and watch others play volleyball, softball, or the always-fun Baggo game (and if you don’t know what that is, come by and we will introduce you to the game!). Your kids will have fun playing with other kids! OPALGA will also have on hand some art supplies and coloring books.
You won’t want to miss the fine dining in the wonderful outdoors. The cost is $5 a plate, and children under 8 eat free. Hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, chips, and cookies are provided, but please bring your own beverage (no glass).
Please join us for this OPALGA end-of-summer picnic outing.
Where: Chicago Avenue Forest Preserve, Grove #2, Chicago & Thatcher, River Forest
Date: Sunday, September 23
Time: 2:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m.
Why: Lots and lots of fun!!
Become a Host for Octoberfeast Weekend: October 5—October 7
Last year, we had a very successful Octoberfeast weekend, where members hosted parties in their homes on behalf of OPALGA. There were dinner parties, cocktail parties, and brunches. Not only did these events raise money for OPALGA, but they were also great opportunities to introduce new people to the organization. This year, we have designated Friday, October 5—Sunday, October 7 as the Second Annual Octoberfeast Weekend. We are again asking members to host fundraising parties in their homes for their friends, neighbors, and families.
Here’s how it works: As a host, you will be asked to hold a party at your home—it can be a cocktail party, a sit-down dinner party, a dinner buffet, or a brunch. You select a date and time during our Octoberfeast Weekend, you decide upon your guests (we have three party-pricing packages: $25, $35, or $50 per guest), and then you host the party. You will receive a gift-in-kind donation credit for your expenses, and OPALGA receives the proceeds from your party. It is a fun and easy way to support the organization.
OPALGA will work with you along the way. We will provide you with invitations, information regarding OPALGA for your guests, and any guidance that you may need. You will also receive a host gift for your efforts. It should be a great weekend, and you will be helping OPALGA to raise funds for our important programs and operations. If you are interested in becoming a host, e-mail Board of Directors Co-Chair Brad Bartels at or call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273. Your help in making this a memorable weekend and in raising funds for the organization will be truly appreciated.
11th Annual OPAL Gala Is On Its Way
Friday, July 13, 2007
The 11th Annual OPAL Gala is well on its way to being an event that you won’t want to miss.
This year’s Gala emcee, Georgia Ragsdale, is an exciting, animated, and stimulating personality who promises to entertain and guide us through an evening dedicated to celebrating the 18th anniversary of the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association; to empowering unity of spirit and purpose; and to honoring the dignity and integrity of our community through the presentation of the Oak Park Area Leadership Awards.
This year’s setting is the elegant Elmcrest Banquets by Biancalana, 7370 W. Grand Avenue, Elmwood Park, host of previous OPAL Galas. From the moment you enter, you will be treated to an elegant atmosphere where we know your every need will be met and where hospitality will be your best dish.
The evening will begin with cocktails and waiter-served hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 8:00 p.m. and includes a choice of succulent prime rib, savory chicken marsala, or aromatic eggplant parmesan; salad; and dessert.
Tickets are $125.00 per person and include an open bar. A raffle and both a live and silent auction will be offered as part of the evening’s activities. Attendees will also receive a free one-year subscription to the popular weekly, TimeOut Chicago. The subscription is for 51 issues and is a $19.99 value.
Please join us for an evening of fun, friendship, and “family” by ordering your tickets today from The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield St., Oak Park, 60304, (708) 848-0273.
Message from the Co-Chairs
Remembering back to that first Gay Pride Parade causes a flurry of emotions to flood over me. It was in the 70s, just pre-disco, and I hardly knew any gay people, women or men. But I’d been invited to the parade by someone who was involved with a participating car. I rode in that car with eight or so other people. I remember feeling acknowledged, accepted, and a little self-conscious. Yet, when I looked up at folks hanging out windows cheering and clapping and celebrating, blending with the four-deep people on the street, the excitement and joy of being a part of this expanded world was overwhelming. It’s an emotional confirmation that some people are never graced to have if they live in small towns or conservative countries.
We all have a story.
This month, Michael Williams, now a board member but also a Spectrum “graduate, “ reflects with warmth and tenderness about his first Gay Pride Parade in the company of other Spectrum youth. Rob Ward accompanied a gaggle of Spectrum attendees and with knowing leadership fostered their first experiences. It was a tradition with Rob and one, I think, that he took great pleasure in providing.
As OPALGA members, we can be proud to have created and supported the kind of positive experiences so many of the youth have now had the opportunity to encounter. How different it is today from those times some of us went through in our “coming out” years. Shame and fear prevented many from knowing that they were part of a larger community and that they were not a “diagnosis” or did not need to be splintered from their faith.
Let’s start the celebration in June. This year, we can keep the party going through July 13, when the 11th Annual OPAL Gala will take place. Join us for each and every expression of pride and celebration that we have.
Note: OPALGA is again teaming up with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in the PRIDEChicago Annual Parade on June 24. The Big “O” float will once again travel up Halsted and down Broadway in celebration of the Oak Park area LGBT community. If you would like to participate in the parade, please call The OPALGA Center at (708) 848-0273 for more information.
