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Rosemary Mackey
(630)
293-2200 x139
rmackey@westchicago.org |
City of West
Chicago
475 Main
Street
West Chicago,
Illinois 60185 |
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Merle Burleigh Named Grand Marshal for West Chicago's Railroad Days Parade
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West Chicago, Illinois: June 28, 2010 - It seems like everyone in West Chicago knows Merle Burleigh. Maybe that's because the widely read author of At Home with Merle Burleigh has spent 32 years keeping her finger on the pulse of the community through active involvement with her family, her social circle and her profession as chronicler of all things West Chicago. Merle will be honored for her active role in shaping and promoting the community and faithfully reporting on the news of the day, by serving as the 2010 Grand Marshal of the community's Railroad Days parade.
"Merle is one of our community's treasures. She has invested so much of herself in the City to make it a better place. She is a "go to person" for news and information and is one of West Chicago's greatest supporters. This tribute is well-deserved," said Mayor Mike Kwasman.
The Burleigh's moved to Illinois from Denver, Colorado in 1968 as a result of husband Dave's corporate transfer with Montgomery Ward's catalog division. They spent 10 years in Woodridge, Il before landing in West Chicago, where they raised their four children. "We loved West Chicago from the beginning," exudes Merle. "The parks absolutely overwhelmed us. They were large and beautiful." Summers found her and her children at the pool every sunny day, and Movie Nights at the park were a neighborhood event.
Getting involved with an inviting community came naturally to her and she immediately became active with the West Chicago Historical Society through her realtor Vivian Grames. The historic home the Burleigh's purchased was actually featured on the Society's house walk, a committee she chaired for two years. She also served on the Society's board for a number of years, and as a museum docent and volunteer for the annual Ice Cream Social.
Merle also took full advantage of the West Chicago Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Welcome Wagon program and a visit from community greeter Theresa Czajka who provided her with an overview of the retail and service businesses in town and armed her with introductory coupons. Saturdays were very often a family affair spent exploring downtown merchants. She fondly remembers discovering two bakeries, one which made the best breads and the other for its pies, and many retail and service businesses. Her loyalty to local merchants has never failed, and Merle continues to be an advocate for shopping locally.
A stint as the front desk person at the West Chicago Press in 1985 led to a writing career which suited her inquisitive nature and interest in sharing valuable information as well as human interest stories with the rest of the community. Prompted by then circulation manager Pam Weiler, At Home with Merle Burleigh started out as more of a personal journal with the focus on her family and was limited to 700 words. It soon widened it scope to include community happenings, births, wedding announcements, obituaries and more. Now, the column is up to 2,500 words or more and is published weekly on the City of West Chicago's website.
Merle's affinity for West Chicago continues to grow and vice versa. She admits it is the people and the community's diversity that she loves most about her hometown. "It reminds me of a city with a small town flavor. You could not ask to live in a better community."
Merle will lead the Railroad Days Parade on Sunday, July 11, 2010 with a step-off at 1:00 p.m. from Elmwood and Ingalton. Full details of the route and a schedule of other Railroad Days activities may be found at www.westchicagochamber.com.
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| CITY OF WEST
CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois
60185 T - (630)
293-2200 www.westchicago.org |
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