BLACK BEAR LODGE: AN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE

Featuring: Alfred Willis, Architectural Historian

At the margin of a clearing in Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve stands a treasure of America's Modern architecture of the 1950s: Black Bear Lodge. Homewood's leading architect of the time, John V. McPherson, designed the single-room lodge as a meeting place for local Boy Scout troops. McPherson's talent for Modern design earned him the admiration of colleagues and clients throughout greater Chicago in the postwar decades. His lodge design took the form of a small 'solar house', an experimental building type widely acclaimed in the 1940s. The design was especially familiar to Homewood's population in the 1950s because the leading proponent of that type, architect George Fred Keck, designed and built one of the most successful early examples just over the village line in Flossmoor.

The Scouts looked forward to enjoying the lodge. Scouting officials hired a contractor to complete the limestone end walls and chimneys. But still, scouts and parents played active roles in its construction. And chimneys. In the long expanse between those limestone walls was a contrasting expanse of plate glass. This window-wall faces south so that, during the winter season the entire interior is appreciably warmed by the sun's rays. During the summer, however, the wide overhand of the roof on the south side shades the window-wall and thereby prevents overheating of the interior when coolness is instead desired. Black Bear Lodge was completed in 1953, and has both delighted and educated youngsters ever since. Its educational role has been assured not only by its performance of remarkable feats of thermal comfort but also by its constituent parts, which include salvaged utility poles. The poles are used for roof supports and roof beams, as well as to create the palisade-like north wall of what hence qualifies as a 'solar log cabin'. The re-use of discarded materials in a structure based on and clearly demonstrative of scientific principles makes the cabin itself an object lesson in environmental stewardship, respect for nature, thrift, and the value of resourcefulness.

We have been in the process of remodeling and repairing Black Bear Lodge for the past 10 months or so. The unused kitchen has been removed, the old fluorescent lights have been replaced with LED lighting, a support beam in the ceiling was replaced, water damage around the limestone walls was repaired and in early September a beautiful epoxy floor finish will be applied to the 72 year old concrete floor .Several years ago, a gas furnace was installed. Credit for managing this effort goes to Board members Shawn Straney and John Sailor. Weather permitting, part of the program will involve a short walk out to Black Bear from our main cabin. This promises to be an interesting and informative program!

For the 18th consecutive year, we will again be sponsoring our Fall Trail Race event on Saturday, November 1st at 9:00a. This 4-mile run through our well-maintained trail system has become a very popular event in our local running community. Anyone who has participated in the past will soon be invited to participate via email registration. Anyone learning about this event for the first time and desiring to participate, register on line at: runtheforest.com or please call John Brinkman at 708-638-9418.

Once again this year, we are holding our annual fundraiser live and in person on the evening of Saturday November 8th at 7 PM. This event is an Izaak Walton tradition that we have held for at least 35 years. This is our primary and only annual fund-raising event and accounts for a substantial amount of annual Preserve revenue. The event consists of an auction, bake sale and prize drawings:

AUCTION: We will auction off items donated by members, typically household items, small tools, etc.as well as gift cards from local merchants. Please bring auction items to Senior Hall prior to or in the morning of November 8th tagged with your name (if desired). This year we will be auctioning off accumulated art (mostly paintings and photos) that we no longer want to keep. We will have them on display in the cabin prior to the auction.

BAKE SALE: Please bring bake sale items to Senior Hall on the day of the event at any time after 9am. We then sell raffle tickets at the event for $5 for a chance to win a bake sale item.

GRAND PRIZES: The five Grand prizes this year are in cash: $500, $400, $300, $200, and $150. We will also raffle off 25 turkey coupons from Walt’s foods (value $25.00).

DOOR PRIZES: We are also planning to raffle off Door Prizes for those members who have bought at least one booklet of tickets and are in attendance that evening.

PIZZA: Early arrivers can purchase pizza and soft drinks for sale after 6:15p. Table snacks and water will be provided free of charge.

RAFFLE TICKET MAILING: In mid-September, you can expect your mail carrier to deliver your raffle ticket booklets for this event to be held Saturday November 8th, at 7:00 PM. Included with the ticket booklets is a letter describing this year’s event. Individual raffle tickets will again cost $5 or $25 for a booklet of 6 tickets. Please consider purchasing or selling these tickets and return the ticket stubs and payment via mail or in person at Senior Hall (1100 Ridge Road). Tickets may be donated to the needy if you wish; simply note that when returning ticket stubs and payment. Any ticket drawn with this designation will result in the coupon being donated to organizations that serve those in need.

Additional ticket booklets are available at Senior Hall. Stop by during office hours on Saturday mornings 9-noon or call to request additional booklets. (708-798-1850). Again, this year we are able to accept payment for raffle tickets via credit or debit card in person at Senior Hall. Also members will receive one complimentary turkey coupon ($25 value) for selling 6 booklets (36 tickets).

For many, many years the enthusiasm of our membership for this event has been gratifying and wonderful. Thanks to you all for your continuing support for this key fund-raising event.