In some ways, it was a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing.
While several thousand citizens turned out Sunday for ”Hands Across Mt. Prospect”-an event celebrating the village`s 75th anniversary-there apparently weren`t enough hand-holding residents to span the entire length of the town.
Nevertheless, Sunday`s balmy weather and the neighborly spirit made the brief clasping of hands a symbol of the community pride. The event was one of many planned during the yearlong observance of Mt. Prospect`s history.
Monday is the anniversary of the 1917 incorporation of the village, which was settled by German immigrants. At that time, 300 people lived in the tiny farming community along the Chicago & North Western Railroad tracks. Today, the village is home to about 53,000 residents.
The concept of Sunday`s event seemed simple enough: Residents would line up on a mapped-out route along Emerson Street and other streets to create a snaking human chain extending from Golf Road north to Willow Road. Then, when the church bells began to ring 75 times starting at noon, everyone would join hands.
But in some areas, the clusters of hand-holders seemed more like a misaligned chain of dominoes.
”There were some pockets, but not very many,” said Lil Floros, chairwoman of the 75th anniversary committee.
As latecomers joined the line in front of the Village Hall on Emerson Street, those already in place shuffled down the block.
”This is like shoving a wet piece of spaghetti; it`s not easy,” said Cook County Board member Carl Hansen, 65, who has lived in the village for 34 years.
While those within earshot of the church bells joined hands as planned, the cues were less obvious farther away.
”Are they going to ring a bell or something?” yelled one woman, who was finally prompted to grab a neighbor`s hand when signaled by an organizer`s clapping.
Just blocks away on Emerson, Arlene Katalinic, 47, and her son, Jimmy, 7, were trying to guess when the bonding moment would occur.
”Everyone was looking at their watches and we were waiting for the bells,” said Katalinic. ”We did do an impromptu Happy Birthday song.”
Though there were several links missing, organizers estimated that more than 8,000 people joined hands in an attempt to create a 7 1/2-mile chain.
”It was a very good idea, but it wasn`t effective,” said Mary Catherine Tignor, who was part of a group which formed a line outside their church. ”We didn`t connect with anybody.”
In a matter of minutes, ”Hands Across Mt. Prospect” was over.
”Was that it?” asked Trudy Sosin, 69, as she joined the flow of people headed for refreshments nearby.
But Sosin, like others, made friends and basked in the sunlight and the warmth of the community spirit that afternoon.
”I`ve lived here 21 years, and I met some new people today in line,”
she said. ”Mt. Prospect is a friendly town. Our motto is `Where friendliness is a way of life.` It`s true.”
That small-town friendliness is what makes the suburb special, say village officials, who have planned events throughout the year to mark the diamond anniversary.
In a special ceremony Monday, officials will turn on small white lights in trees and on buildings downtown and, at the same time, residents are to turn on porch lights or Christmas lights.
To educate new generations, the Mt. Prospect Historical Society prepared a curriculum about the history of the community that will be taught to all 3rd graders beginning this year, said Floros.
This spring, the local women`s club will hold a fashion show featuring styles of the last 75 years. A massive 4th of July parade and fireworks, as well as a Labor Day picnic for the entire village, also are scheduled, she said.
Though the event Sunday might not have gone as smoothly as planned, it reminded residents of what their community is all about.
”The fact that we`re all out here is proof of our values . . . the family life, and that it`s a good place to raise kids,” said Hansen. ”I think it`s wonderful. It`s symbolic of the nature of our community.”
