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.
OPALGA Coffeehouse Returns!
The OPALGA coffeehouse is again open for business beginning Friday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. The coffeehouse will be held on the third Friday of each month in various locations in the Oak Park area. Our coffeehouse performance on Friday, September 19, will be held at the New Spirit Community Church, 542 S. Scoville, Oak Park. New Spirit has a great performance area that will provide ample space for the performers and for attendees to socialize before and after the event.
The coffeehouse is a free event, but tips for the performers are accepted. We are working on our line-up of entertainers as we go to press, so please visit the calendar page on the OPALGA Web site (http://www.opalga.org) for an updated list of performers. We are very excited about our upcoming performers, and we hope that you’ll join us for these upcoming events!
If you are a performer, or if you know someone who wants to perform, please call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273, or send and e-mail to our current coffeehouse coordinator, Pocha Carter, at jaiharu@gmail.com. Let us know—we are inclusive of all artists/performers! We also want to thank the Oak Park Area Arts Council and the Community Bank of Oak Park-River Forest for their generous support of the OPALGA coffeehouses.
2009 Potluck Hosts Needed
Have you always dreamed of hosting an OPALGA potluck, presiding over an evening’s get-together of scintillating women and men engaged in highbrow conversation and delicious gossip? (Okay, so maybe “highbrow” is an exaggeration and “scintillating” is a stretch, but the potlucks are really fun!) NOW’S YOUR CHANCE!!!
The monthly potluck is OPALGA’s longest-running and most successful social activity. Held on the second Friday of each month, the potlucks are a great opportunity to share a meal with friends and to meet new people who are interested in the organization. Many of our members were first introduced to OPALGA through attending a potluck.
Planning is well under way for 2009, and we are still looking for volunteers to host potlucks. If your abode can accommodate upwards of 30 people and you would like to join the legendary ranks of potluck hosts, please contact Jim Kelly and Bruce Broerman at jamesbkelly@comcast.net or at 708-524-2542.
OPALGA Co-Sponsors Fourth Annual Wright Ride
Again this year, OPALGA is pleased to be a co-sponsor of the fourth annual Wright Ride, a fully supported recreational ride organized by the Oak Park Cycle Club. Other co-sponsors include the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Oak Park. Scheduled for Sunday, August 17, one of the many enjoyable aspects of the ride is its flexibility. There are four different routes available, which are 15 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, and 62 miles. The rides begin to leave at 9:00 a.m. from the registration area, located at Lake and Marion in Downtown Oak Park. New this year is that OPALGA will have its own booth at the registration area.
The rides will take place rain or shine unless hazardous weather conditions exist on ride day. Last year, unfortunately, severe weather caused the rides to be canceled. Needless to say, the hope is that this year’s rides will not suffer a similar fate. “This is a great event and one that allows riders to truly enjoy the beauty and architecture of Oak Park and its neighbors,” said OPALGA Co-Chair Mike Cochran. “The Board of Directors is not only pleased to co-sponsor the event, but we hope that many OPALGA members will decide to ride as well. Early rumors, although unconfirmed, suggest that Susan “Two-Wheeling” Abbott, Kim “Slugger” Hefner, and JoAnn “Empress” Ziebarth may be among the riders,” added Cochran.
Registration for the Wright Ride can be found online at http://www.oakparkcycleclub.org. Sign-in and registration will take place between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at the registration area. Adults pay only $20 to enjoy the Wright Ride, while children under 12 ride for free. There are plenty of rest stops, and food and beverages will be available. Each rider will need to sign a liability waiver, which is standard practice for this type of event. All rules of the road are followed.
Although the Wright Ride is a great deal of fun, not all OPALGA members plan to participate. “I don’t like to drive my car that far,” stated OPALGA Co-Chair Liz Stallone. “You will find me at the registration booth.”
Mark your calendars now for Sunday, August 17, and join OPALGA for the Wright Ride.
Coffeehouses Need Your Help
Are you looking for some relief after the daily grind? Do you appreciate the perfect blend of first-time and seasoned performers? If so, OPALGA is looking for you. For the past several years, OPALGA has had a tradition of presenting monthly coffeehouses. Now, after a break of several months, OPALGA is looking for a volunteer to help us serve up a good cup of talent and revitalize these monthly gatherings.
The coffeehouses promote the importance of the arts in our community and provide a venue for local artists. Performers can be involved in many aspects of the arts, including poetry, music, spoken word, and drama. Through the coffeehouses, OPALGA provides a social and cultural opportunity for our members and the larger community while supporting local businesses.
If you would like to help coordinate the coffeehouses, please contact The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273 or info@opalga.org.
Book Club to Discuss Loving Frank in August
The July meeting of the book club was very well attended, and we agreed upon our upcoming selections through November.
We encourage anyone who loves to read to join us for the upcoming meetings. The discussions are informal and enjoyable, and we always have a lot of laughs. So, if you want to find out what you’ve been missing, check out the OPALGA book club!
Following are our upcoming selections:
August 17 Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
It happens every day: two individuals fall in love, although each is married to another. Secrets are discovered, lives change, and families are broken apart. This fictionalized account—for we’ll never know the complete real-life specifics—documents the relationship of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney.
September 21 Breakfast with Scot by Michael Downing
Within days of his arrival, 11-year-old Scot’s new guardians (a gay couple, Sam and Ed) are “drowning in make-up policies and other moral imperatives” because Scot is prone to wearing pantyhose, nail polish, and various other affronts to things masculine. He’s also a catalyst for disaster, pointing out the shame and social booby traps that Sam and Ed have done their best to ignore.
October 19 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s debut novel follows the adventures of the Dashwood sisters as they find love in a class-conscious Regency England.
November 16 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
A young Indian on a reservation wants to become a comic author.
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 can be requested from the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) or ordered from The Book Table (1045 Lake St., Oak Park). 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.
Findlay, Zientek Awards Presented at Reception
On Thursday, May 29, the OPALGA Board of Directors hosted their annual Membership Recognition Reception at Holley Court Terrace in Oak Park. Approximately 40 OPALGA members enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages, and panoramic views from the 13th floor of Holley Court Terrace.
The purpose of the reception was to celebrate the 19th anniversary of OPALGA and to thank OPALGA members for their support.
The program began with introductions from Board of Directors Co-Chair Mike Cochran. Mike delineated the major areas of focus for the Board this year and summarized our recent accomplishments and upcoming events. Additional speakers included Board Co-Chair Liz Stallone, Social Committee Chair David Rappoport, Director of Youth Programs Susan Abbott, and Public Policy Chair Alan Amato.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2007 Brian Findlay and Carol Zientek awards. The Carol Zientek Award for Distinguished Service was presented to Andy Walensa. Andy has been involved with OPALGA since he was 15 years old (he is now 24). He has served as a youth leader for our drop-in groups; helped our fundraising efforts by creating holiday cards, a calendar, postcards, and innumerable graphics for our organization; and spoken at local high schools. After Liz presented the award, Andy said that he couldn’t remember having done all of those things. The Brian Findlay Award for Outstanding and Long-Term Commitment was presented to Past OPALGA Co-Chair Brad Bartels. Brad served as OPALGA Co-Chair for four years, and, as current Co-Chair Cochran stated, “made our community a much better place.” In his acceptance speech, Brad spoke of the importance of “making a difference in the lives of young people, which is core to our organization.”
The OPALGA Board of Directors and the entire membership heartily congratulate Andy and Brad on winning their much-deserved awards, and we sincerely thank them for their service and commitment to the organization.
“Twelfth Night” Rocks in Oak Brook
Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus Proves Popular Choice; Dominick’s Becomes OPALGA’s First $5,000 Rainbow Level Sponsor
Faced with a winter that never seemed to end, 2008 Gala Co-Chairs J. Lee Latham and Rick Whitehead spent much of the time planning for “Twelfth Night,” OPALGA’s 12th Annual Gala. Their planning paid off in a big way—more that 340 guests attended the Gala and were virtually unanimous in their praise of the facility.
“We had seven rows of tables, and I wanted each row to have a floral centerpiece and matching napkins that represented a color of the rainbow spectrum (ROY G BIV, for those who don’t remember grade school science),” said Whitehead. “When the doors opened and the guests were allowed to enter the ballroom, the color array was stunning. I truly appreciate the florists who worked with me and donated their arrangements to help achieve this effect.” Adding to the scene was the sight of the wait staff lined up with bottles of red and white wine in each hand, ready to serve the attendees. “Some of my guests commented on the sight of seeing all those colors with the wait staff at the ready,” said Latham. “You just knew then that it was going to be a wonderful evening.”
Adding to the quality of the evening was OPALGA Co-Chair Mike Cochran’s announcement that Dominick’s, who has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with OPALGA, had stepped up to the plate and become our first ever $5,000 Rainbow Level sponsor. “The support shown to the LGBT community by Dominick’s is extraordinary,” said Cochran, “and is yet another example of their ongoing commitment to OPALGA and our mission. All of us are extremely grateful for this show of generosity.” Oak Park store manager Mike Salamone and a tableful of Dominick’s employees and their guests were present to enjoy the entire evening. Cochran concluded by reminding everyone to remember the sight of those two Dominick’s banners “when it is bitterly cold outside and you have to go to the store. Always remember how they have supported us and be sure to give that support right back.”
One of the highlights of the Gala is the presentation of the Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) Awards, given annually to recognize outstanding efforts on behalf of LGBT people in the Oak Park area. This year’s winners, the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest and Gary Mancuso, proved to be very popular choices. In accepting the award for the Journal, Editor and Publisher Dan Haley spoke of “the ascendancy of the gays” during his many years with the Journal. Mancuso called receiving the award “the proudest moment of my life” and was visibly moved. These two awardees have now been added to an illustrious list of past winners that has become a testimony to the strength and vitality of the LGBT community in our area.
While dining on beef, chicken, salmon, or a vegetarian entrée, guests were entertained by The Weird Sisters, who delivered a topical and humorous sampling of song and commentary. Following dinner, Cochran led the live auction. First to go was an ice cream sundae party for 100 donated by The Brown Cow, which raised $650. Next up were two tickets on Southwest Airlines to anywhere in the U.S., which went for $800. The final prize was a fantasy dinner for 12 to be held on the estate of Joseph Salerno, which brought in the incredible sum of $1,550. “Conducting a live auction is truly a labor of love,” said Cochran, “because you get to see so many friends having a great time bidding against each other for some terrific prizes. Moreover, the amount of money raised for OPALGA is just wonderful, so it’s truly a win-win situation.”
The evening then moved to the party phase, as the food gave way to the dance floor. This year, however, the physical layout of the Hyatt allowed everyone to do what he or she wanted after dinner with plenty of room to spare. The Silent Auction bidding was going on in the foyer outside the dining room, which was also where the photographer was set up. Guests could also have a drink with friends by one of the bars or step out onto the balcony to enjoy the air. “I absolutely loved the fact that this layout allowed you to talk with whomever after dinner without having to shout over the music,” said OPALGA Co-Chair Liz Stallone. “Having the music in one room and the bars outside in the foyer allowed people to go back and forth as they pleased, which was fabulous.”
“Twelfth Night” was an unforgettable memory for all who attended. It was clearly not “Much Ado About Nothing,” nor was it an example of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” Rather, it was much closer to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” although the weather had not yet reached summer levels. All those who worked hard on the event had one message for all of the guests—“IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON.” The DJ took the request seriously and played nonstop music until 12:30 a.m., when the event ended. Now, for the announcement you all are waiting for…
***MAY 2, 2009***MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR OUR 20TH BIRTHDAY GALA!
Message from the Co-Chairs
OPALGA’s 12th Annual Gala, “Twelfth Night,” is literally only a few days away. For many of our members, their only involvement with the party is to show up and enjoy all aspects of the event—drinks, good food, live and silent auctions, raffle, dancing to outstanding music, and so on. The guests then go home, everyone agrees that it was a great time, and life goes on.
“Twelfth Night,” while held at our most spectacular setting ever, cannot be summed up so simply, however. Many members had asked why we didn’t move the Gala out of the crowded month of June, and this year we complied. No more conflicts with graduation, Father’s Day, Pride month, and Chicago’s always-hectic summer social schedule. Yet this meant that a normal 12-month planning cycle had to be condensed by 3 or 4 months in order to accommodate our April 5 date at The Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook. That date was chosen because the Gala Planning Committee wanted to go back to Saturday night, again as requested. Because so many people had to work so hard in order to pull off this huge feat, I am devoting this column to publicly thanking them for their efforts.
Every great team has a leader, and this year’s Gala Planning Committee had two of them—J. Lee Latham and Rick Whitehead. When I envisioned them working together to chair the Gala, I knew instinctively that their personalities would blend and that the end result would be terrific. So, with an investment of pizza and two or three bottles of red wine, Lee and Rick agreed to chair the event. The results were predictable—the meetings were enthusiastically attended, well-run, and everyone involved knew his or her assignment and ran with it. Lee and Rick, you have done a great job, given tremendous service to OPALGA, and made me very proud.
Their supporting cast, however, was equally superb. Heading up the Table Captain effort were Greg Raub and Jeanette Mancusi, and these two were amazing. From the initial brunch in February up until the evening itself, Greg and Jeanette handled every aspect of the Table Captain area with great attention to detail. Similarly, Rick McVey and Sherrie Wolfe coordinated the entire raffle/auction prize area, which looks to be hitting new heights this year. It is a thankless job to obtain all of these prizes, but this is the third year in which these two have performed this task, and we owe them a tremendous thank you. Soliciting, cataloging, arranging, and grouping all of the various prizes is a huge undertaking, and Rick and Sherrie do all of this while serving as Directors on the OPALGA Board and working full-time jobs. You both rock! Dan Fountaine and Dan Salotti also volunteered in this area and were valuable assets to the team. Adding her expertise to soliciting ads and sponsorships was Donna Karpavicius, who brought experience and skill to her tasks. Two other Board of Directors members, Davida Williams and JoAnn Ziebarth, also served on the committee and shared their expertise in a number of different areas. And, because new blood is so essential to putting on a great event, I want to personally thank Gregg Sewell and Michael Smith for their contributions as well. They will hopefully both continue to be involved with future Galas, and OPALGA will reap the benefits.
Finally, a couple of special thank-you messages that need particular emphasis. First, my OPALGA Co-Chair, Liz Stallone, handles all of the printing for the Gala along with her partner, Nancy Sexton. I know for a fact that people have no idea how stressful this can be, with constant attention to deadlines, editing, re-editing, and so on. Yet, at each Gala, guests can count on terrific Program Books, auction inserts, bid cards, and related materials, and never stop to think how much work goes into producing each of these items. Then, when you factor in the invitation and all of its components, the Gala achieves its look thanks in no small part to Nancy and Liz and their wondrous “elves” at Carnegie Printers. They make all of OPALGA look good, and I thank each of them for their professionalism and work ethic. Not only that, but much of their time and effort is donated to the organization, which is service above and beyond the call of duty.
Last but not least is the effort put forth by our two wonderful staff members, Susan Abbott and Jan Hannigan. Susan and Jan always crank it up a notch or two when the Gala rolls around, and yet everything seems to get done in the office as well. Dealing with members, making reservations, handling dinner requests, logging in prizes—these all seem minor when viewed individually, but there is a huge amount of detail work involved in putting on a major event. Susan and Jan, there is nothing like a friendly voice when a member calls about the Gala, and each of us appreciates all that you do, year-round, to keep our organization running. Now, however, for the Gala, I thank you both on behalf of the entire membership.
We have been talking all year about the Gala being “more than just a party.” Because of the efforts of all of the people mentioned in this column, it is truly that and more. So, when you run into any of the people mentioned above, give them your own personal thanks—trust me, they have each earned it!
See you at “Twelfth Night.” And remember—“IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON.”
Donut Days Are Here Again—Volunteers Needed!
On Saturday, June 14, OPALGA will once again be the community partner for the day as we make, serve, and sell donuts with Pilgrim Congregational Church at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. This is a fantastic way to help raise money for OPALGA and have a great time doing so.
We need 50 volunteers to help us staff two-hour shifts between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This is a joint community fundraiser, and half of all proceeds raised from the sale of donuts will come back to our organization.
The Farmers’ Market is located in the parking lot of Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park IL. The Market opens at 7:00 a.m. and, in addition to the legendary donuts, features local produce, plants and flowers, cheese, herbs, and more.
To volunteer, please call Susan at 708-386-3463 or send e-mail to prism@opalga.org. So—with apologies to Barbra and Judy—forget your troubles, come on get happy and let’s tell the world about it now—donut days are here again!
April Book Club to Discuss “Three Junes” by Julia Glass
The book club welcomed a new member to the March 16 meeting, and we encourage anyone who loves to read to join us for the April meeting. The discussions are informal and enjoyable, and we always have a lot of laughs. So, if you want to find out what you’ve been missing, check out the OPALGA book club this month!
Following are our upcoming selections:
April 20 Three Junes by Julia Glass
The tale of several central and connected characters during three separate Junes spanning 10 years.
May 18 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
A powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands, and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status.
June 15 Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
A tale that tracks five strangers who become soul mates over the course of a funeral, posthumously organized by their mutual friend Annie, who died from ovarian cancer at age 56.
July 20 The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
A hauntingly beautiful novel about two characters whose lives are woven together in such complex ways that even after the last page is turned, the reader is left to wonder what really happened.
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 can be requested from the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) or ordered from The Book Table (1045 Lake St., Oak Park). 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.
