This is Throwback Thursday #136. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected]. Thanks!
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Back in 1990, ESCONI donated a display case to the Fossil Ridge Public Library in Braidwood, IL. The case was built by Max Hilmer in 1958 for the Midwest Convention in Springfield, IL June 18th-21st, 1959. Max served on the ESCONI Board in the 1950's. Here he is with the case in Springfield in 1958.
The Midwest Convention was a big deal back then, actually all the conventions were a bid deal. ESCONI participated in most of them. Quite a few awards were won. Here are a few pictures of the contents in the Hilmer case. There's some fine specimens in that display.
The Hilmer case was used throughout the 1960's and into the 1980's. It was stored at Dick Ade's house in the off season. In 1990, it was decided to donate the case to Fossil Ridge Public Library in Braidwood, IL. A display of Mazon Creek fossils was added to the case. A reliable source mentioned that those fossils came from Francis Tully, the namesake for Tullymonstrum gregarium. Kathy Dedina, president of ESCONI in 1990, had a nice message in the August 1990 newsletter.
President's Message
Max Hillmer, an early Esconi member, constructed, then donated to Esconi a free standing eight sided oak display case. Most recently Esconi set up the Hillmer case at a Chicagoland Show and a MWF show in South Bend. In between shows the case has been housed at the John Ade residence. By the end of Summer, the Hillmer case will be in a permanent new home --Fossil Ridge Library in Braidwood, Illinois. John Ade, Don Auler, Dean, Sharron and Michael Bitner, Judy and Kathy Dedina, Paul and Sylvia Josefek, Claran Ryan, and Jerry Vyskocil spent a Friday evening disassemblying the Hillmer case and packing it for transport. Using Tom and Evelyn Peterson's trailer the case was driven to Braidwood and moved into storage by Don Auler, Judy and Kathy Dedina, Paul and Sylvia Josefek, Tom and Evelyn Peterson and Marge and Jerry Vyskocil. Later this Summer, it will be assembled and prepared for display in the library.
The Hillmer case will have a beautiful new setting in a recently remodeled library. It will continue to function as an educational tool, available to the public. I hope many Esconi members will visit the Fossil Ridge Library and see the Hillmer case in its new life as a library display case. Thanks to all of you who helped in preparing the case for moving and moving it to Braidwood. A very special thank you to the John Ades who stored and cared for the case for ever so many years. Your work for Esconi is appreciated.
At the recent AFMS show in Ventura, California, Diane Dare, a long distance Esconi member was elected president of the AFMS. Congratulations Diane from your fellow Esconi members. Diane has devoted many hours of her time and her talents to both the AFMS and the MWF as well as ESCONI. Her dedication to the earth sciences has enriched the hobby for all of us. Also in attendance at the AFMS show were AFMS Editor and Esconi editor Jean Reynolds, another dedicated Federation worker, the Kemps who have served in many Federation offices including president (Russ served as both MWF and AFMS President) and Arizona residents Fred and Esther Labahn.
October is ESCONI Auction time. Collect an extra piece or two on your trips for the auction. A varied array of material is always desirable. Curator and Auction Chairman Jerry Vyskocil is making plans for the event even as I write this. Let's make his job easier by the donation of material by many hands helping on Auction Day.
Have a great Summer. September begins the regular meeting schedule. See you all then.
-- Kathy Dedina, President --
Here are a few photos of the installation.
Unfortunately, if you visit the library today, the Hilmer case is no longer on display. It's in storage after a recent renovation. However, there is a nice little Mazon Creek fossil display.
And, here are a few of the fossil specimens.
