Some History of the 1990's

 

 

Early in 1990, we were approached by the Glen Carbon Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to provide labor to install new equipment at the school playground.  Since we were looking for a project to celebrate the Kiwanis International 75th Anniversary, we needed something that would involve at least 75 hours.  This looked like it fit the bill.  (We did in fact expend 218 labor hours on this phase of the project).  We would be required to paint, mix and pour concrete, dig holes and perform general mechanical assembly.   The installation started on 28 February and culminated on 9 March with a dedication ceremony.  Prior to school resuming in the fall, we cleaned and repainted the older equipment on the playground.

In the Fall of 1990, in a far off desert, a dictator, Saddam Hussein is talking tough.  Our president orders an alert called "DESERT SHIELD".  Troops are being moved and our Navy is enforcing an embargo against Iraq.  The Iraqi army has taken over the oil rich country of Kuwait.  Diplomatic efforts failing, on January 15, 1991, the UN initiates "DESERT STORM".  Live reports of the bombing and desert warfare reach us through our TV.  Our troops are there, but what can we do here?  At our January 16th meeting we discussed ways to show community support for our troops.  We had already lined main street with flags.  We then decided to purchase 200 Troop Support placards, which would be mounted to the power poles on Main.  The remaining metal placards were turned over to the Village for free distribution to any citizens desiring to show their support.  After the cessation of hostilities, we participated with members and float in the Desert Storm Appreciation Parade.

Our Township Park is a beautiful place, but it lacked a major children's  play area.  In May of 1991, the concerted efforts of all township organizations and citizens were consolidated into a labor intensive 5 day period to erect playground equipment.  Since we were not strangers to playground equipment installations, 15 club members put in and excess of 10 hours each.  At 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day, the Children's Castle Playground was dedicated and turned over to the hundreds of youngsters ready to try it out.

The Village of Glen Carbon acquired an abandoned railroad right-of-way; a 4 mile tract cutting through hills,

valleys and some beautiful scenery.  The trail bed is well kept, oiled and chipped, but the trail has seven bridges

crossing over creek branches.  These bridges were inadequately protected, and needed childproofing. 

Another railing had to be added to the approaches and the sides.  Three by eight treated timbers were attached to

each side of the bridge to enhance its appearance while preventing a falling cyclist from slipping through to the creek. 

Work began on the first bridge (prototype) in September of 1991.  All bridges had been completed in early 1992. 

The club has also taken on the responsibility for upkeep of the trail.  Many club members have worked with school

children in planting wildflowers along the Prairie Grass restoration site of the trail.

 

 

                                                              The restoration of the Yanda Log Cabin on Main Street also consumed some of the club's time during this past 

                                                              five years.  One of our members, Bob Williams, was totally consumed by the project. With better than 2 years of work

                                                              facing restoration crews, it didn't look like the project would be completed by the target date for the Centennial. 

                                                              Through Bob's persistence, the help of dedicated citizens, other organizations, and our small part, the Cabin was ready

                                                              for dedication at the kick-off of the Centennial Celebration.  The club has made a long range commitment to participate

                                                              in all activities and fund raising events at the Cabin, to keep this show piece alive.

                                                             Our most labor intensive involvement during this time period involved the Glen Carbon Centennial Celebration. 

                                                             Planning involvement started in November of 1990.  Initial involvement started with 2 members.  By mid 1991, with an operating organization in place, 6 members were involved in executive positions.  By the time the Celebration reached its climax on June 20th, 1992, every member of the club had been involved in one or more activities; store clerks, stage construction, actors/actresses,
promenaders, planners, entertainers, hawkers and the like.  It was a period of time that left the club members exhausted but happy, and provided memories that can never be forgotten.  An excess of 2200 labor hours were expended by club members, and many more by spouses and children.

With the exhausting efforts of the Centennial behind us, our thoughts turned to a new administrative year, and an eager anticipation of things to come.  One of the first major decisions we had to face was finding a new place to meet.  We were advised by the management of the Cornucopia Buffet at Cottonwood, that they were closing.

 With Village Officials approval, we temporarily met in the Village Hall Community Room.  We tried a dessert type meeting, with members taking turns on providing the dessert.  This was a difficult venue, as it was near impossible to have a program, and Mates Nite just wouldn't work.  After several months, we settled on meeting at the Yum-Yum Shoppe in Ginger Creek.  Finding a Restaurant in Glen Carbon is difficult.  We hope it will be rectified in the near future.

 Additional Playground Equipment had arrived during the Summer of 1992, but with the hubbub of the Centennial we were forced to delay the installation until early fall.  Once again the hardy souls were out in force to put the final touches on the playground area.  Before School was out in May of 1993, 11 club members worked with about 30 school children to plant 1100 wildflower shoots in an area along the Nature Trail.  And our Barbecue Chefs continued their expertise during the School Carnival in late April as well as during the Old Settlers' Days in late June and the Glenfest in August.  The Old Settlers' Days is a rejuvenation of the Old Settlers' Picnics that were held during the early days of our club's existence.  The old Settlers' Picnics ended in 1957, with no organized community picnics until the Glenfest started in 1973.