ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith has enjoyed knitting ever since she made a sleeping bag for her doll at age eight. A little older now, she is looking forward to introducing her hobby to her peers and the next generation.

Lin Shook

Lin holds an MA in dance from American University. She is the choreographer for Perpetual Motion, Inc., and an artist-in-residence for the Illinois Arts Council. She has been teaching dance and Tai Chi to all ages since 1984, and serves as a dance specialist for Chicago schools.

Carol Stone, Ph.D.

Carol Stone holds advanced degrees in clinical psychology and the science of energy healing. A student of Yoga for 25 years, she has trained intensively with renowned Yoga masters worldwide, and has taught hundreds of people to enhance their own ability to stand firmer in who they are.

that the Potawatomies of the Algonquin tribe of the Irequois Indians occupied Ridgeville and Chicago because of its rich hunting grounds?

that the first white visitors from Green Bay came in 1673 along the Green Bay Trail (an old Indian trail now called Ridge Avenue in this area)?

that Marquette and a band of Potawatomie Indians in 1634 traveled from Green Bay to Marquette's mission at Gross Point (about where the lighthouse is located in Evanston)?

that by 1832 the Green Bay Trail was designated as the main military and transportation road between Green Bay and Chicago?

that the mail was carried on foot along the Green Bay Trail until 1836 when the Green Bay Stage route ws established?

that Major Edward Mulford (the first white settler in Ridgeville) was very instrumental in furthering the use of this trail because of his TEN MILE HOUSE and Post Office he opened in 1836?

that the TEN MILE HOUSE was a stage stop for the Green Bay Stage route, and the first Post Office, the first Court House, and first Polling Place, and the first Sunday School in Ridgeville?

that Major Mulford was Ridgeville's first settler, first Post Master, first Justice of the Peace, preacher, and the first to call the Ridge "RIDGEVILLE", which has persisted in name ever since?

that the TEN MILE HOUSE was purchased by James Kirk and later became part of the James Kirk mansion, and was removed for the present St. Francis Hospital site?

that Ridgeville first officially appeared in the April 2, 1850 election?

that in 1857 the General Assembly of Illinois, by special act, provided that the township of Evanston consist of all township 41, range 13 (Niles)?

that when Ridgeville was incorporated, it was incorporated as a township and called township 41? (A township means an area of land that has been named; a town is a named conglomeration of people organized in a certain way).  This caused confusion as to when and how Ridgeville became part of Evanston. 

that as late as 1902, residents of the area called Ridgeville still considered themselves Ridgeville residents and considered Evanston to be the land purchased by Northwestern University?

that prior to 1914, the city of Evanston compressed a portion of Evanston and Ridgeville and considered them a separate town under the name of RIDGEVILLE?

that on July 20, 1916, in compliance with a resolution from the Evanston City Council, three separate townships, or named areas of land (one of them being Ridgeville) became part of the township of the city of Evanston?

that in 1939 the Ridgeville Park District (a private, non-profit, governmental taxing body) was formed to serve the needs of the Ridgeville neighborhood, taking its name "Ridgeville" in commemoration of this area's first and oldest community?