As part of the run up to ESCONI's 70th Anniversary, here is Flashback Friday post #22. If you have pictures or stories to contribute, please send them over to [email protected]. Thanks!
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For this Flashback Friday post, we have two letters that appeared in the 15th Anniversity issue of the Earth Science News. The first is from Bill Allaway, one of the founding members and the first chairman/president of ESCONI. The second is from Jay and Elizabeth Farr, also founding members. Both letters convey the same vision of ESCONI when it was first founded. ESCONI was very much (and still is) a scientific organization that specializes in education, both through monthly educational meetings and community outreach.
The Allaways and the Farrs in 1951
BEST WISHES TO ALL OUR ESCONI FRIENDS-
Greetings from the Allaways in sunny Los Gatos, California. The only thing we haven't got is Esconi with all of its many fine activities and friendly people which we miss greatly. We look forward each month to receiving the fine bulletin which you produce so efficiently, as it keeps in touch with our friends and the wonderful way they continue to carry on the ideals that were set up when Esconi was organized.
On this 15th Anniversary year, it seems as though it was just yesterday that Roy Beghtol and I were producing the first Earth Science News and I might mention that there has never been a gap in all the months that have passed since that time, that a great bulletin has failed to roll off the press.
Probably nobody realizes the extent of the influence that Esconi has had in the field of earth science. The many clubs that have been formed in local communities by Esconi members - the Earth Science Magazine which reaches out all over the world - the Langford Books on Wilmington fossils - the Armstrong book on Trilobites - the many contributions by Esconi members in the Illinois Archaeological Bulletins, which are really great books - the junior members who are now making a mark in a number of fields of earth science. I believe I could go on all day citing these many achievements but I must try not to be too windy.
I would like to mention, however, that Esconi members have played a great part in the miracle called the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts, which I am proud to say I served for a time as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I do not need to mention what that institution means to the Chicago area.
Little did we dream what we were starting on that cold night back in November 1949, when a small group of boys and their fathers met with Jay Farr, Steve Norvell, Roy Beghtol and myself in our basement on Prince Street.
We can thank a long, long list of loyal, hardworking officers and members for the great organization and the amazing achievements of Esconi and hope it will continue for many, many years to come.
We are both well, have most of our rocks unpacked, sawing, grinding, and polishing equipment set up and have our museum in good shape, which my daughter Peggy has dubbed "Pappy's Play Pen".
We have joined the local church and rock club and our greatest difficulty is to find enough hours in the day to do all the things we vould like to do.
We would be very happy to see any of our friends that happen to come out this way, and will guarantee to show them roses in December.
Sincerely yours,
J.H. Allaway J. H. (Bill) Allaway
15790 Loma Vista 1st Chairman of Esconi
Los Gatos, Calif. 95030
Interesting memories of the early days of Esconi
by Jay and Elizabeth Farr-Charter Members
Over the years we have had many experiences well worth repeating over and over again, however, only five short years ago most of these stories were told by various persons in our 10th Anniversary issue, (November 1959) which is in volume 10 of our bound bulletins in our library.
We therefore, shall limit ourselves to the last five years, and since there are other charter members who may submit long stories we shall limit ourselves to one experience. It had to do with certain reports we were obliged to file with the United States Government, defending our dignity as an organization.
The essence of these reports should be of interest to every member. ESCONI is a "Non-profit" organization, incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, NOT as a "Hobby Club", NOT as a bunch of "Rock Hounds", NOT as "Pebble Polishers", but as a CCRPORATTON organized for the purpose of STUDYING AND PROMOTING INTEREST IN THE EARTH SCIENCES. By virtue of our declared purpose and what we really do, ESCONI enjoys certain legal priveleges under the Federal laws. These priveleges were not granted automatically but were procured by effort and formal process of law. They can be preserved only by achievement and guarded demeanor.
1. We are exempt from Federal Income Tax and furthermore, gifts to ESCONI are deductable from estate and income taxes by donors.
2. We mail our bulletins to certain non-profit at a special postage rate available only organizations.
Both of these priveleges are available to us because we are organized and operated for educational and scientific purposes.
The minute we cease to fit into this category we cease to qualify; so let us all enter into our activities. The minute we become a hobby club we cease to qualify; so let us continue to be devoted to our declared task, and let us not overwork the expression "wonderful hobby". We do not exclude from membership, persons who consider some of our activities as their hobbies; yet we did not organize and do not operate as a hobby club. Our record stands as a witness to our devotion to our declared objectives.
Some items from our record are listed below:
- ESCONI successfully launched the first government inspired Earth Science Veek ever held in this part of the United States of America (Oct. 8-14, 1951). This was educational.
- ESCONI since organizing in 1949 has presented monthly programs open to the public without charge. These are educational programs devoted to the earth sciences.
- ESCONI has always published a bulletin, The Earth Science News, and it always has contained information that is educational.
- ESCONI since December of 1952 has conducted formal Earth Science classes for elementary school children in various metropolitan villages. Our Junior membership ranges around 200.
- ESCONI members in 1953 took special training and then conducted what is probably the most complete Archaeological excavation ever made in the Chicago Area. The data and material from the "Thornton Dig" were turned over to the Chicago Museum of Natural History. This was scientific.
- ESCONI members (4 teachers and 3 others) in 1955 produced a "Science Curriculum Guide" (text book) which was adopted and put into use in the Hinsdale school system. This was educational.
- ESCONI members in 1958 published the now famous Paleontology reference book "The Wilmington Coal Flora", and in 1963 they published its sequel 'The Wilmington Coal Fauna". This was educational.
- ESCONI has a library of well over 100 books for the use of students and members and others studying the earth science: This is educational.
- ESCONI members, each year, serve as judges at exhibits of the Illinois Junior Academy of Sciences at local schools and at the final contest at the University of Illinois. This is Educational.
- ESCONI maintains educational exhibits in various libraries in this vicinity. This is educational.
- ESCONI by invitation assisted with the design of the educational exhibit on Paleontology in the Lizzadro Museum. This is educational.
- ESCONI pays for subscriptions to "Earth Science" magazine for thirty schools in the Chicago suburbs.
It has been our good fortune to participate in most of these activities and therefore, it is natural that helping compile these reports is one of our outstanding memories for this period.
Jay and Elizabeth Farr Charter members.
