To celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial in 2018 the HomeTown Association of REALTORS® raised money for the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb and the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon.
“We chose projects to represent the western and eastern sections of our association,” said HomeTown CEO Heather Wiedrich, noting that HomeTown has an office in Sterling and an office in Sycamore.
HomeTown REALTORS® donated about $900 for exterior painting and the installation of new gutters at the Reagan Boyhood Home. Also, REALTORS® volunteered at the site in mid-August, cleaning the inside and picking up around the outside of the home prior to morning tours. “They are always looking for volunteers,” she added. “It’s a really great place to visit.”
HomeTown’s Immediate Past President Alison Rosenow (right) stands inside the Egyptian Theatre with a representative of the historic theater.
Earlier this year, HomeTown REALTORS® gave $900 in grant money and local REALTOR® donations to buy and install central air conditioning for a portion of the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb.
The theatre opened in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In October 1959, it hosted an appearance by Sen. John F. Kennedy, three months before declaring his candidacy for president. Following an early-80s restoration, it reopened in 1983. In addition to hosting national touring musical and theatrical productions, the theatre offers unique programming of its own. Through Oct. 30, it offers the “Richard Jenkins Film Series.” Born in DeKalb, Jenkins and has been nominated for two Oscars and won an Emmy. Jenkins’ movie roles have included the Shape of Water, The Visitor, Step Brothers and Witches of Eastwick.
In addition to these two projects, HomeTown REALTOR® Vicky Turner (Crawford Realty in Dixon) served as chair of the Illinois REALTORS® Bicentennial Task Force and helped shape the direction of the state association’s involvement in Illinois’ 200th birthday.
REALTORS across the state are working with heart in their communities to complete projects like this to commemorate the Illinois Bicentennial. The project is one more than 30 legacy projects supported by local REALTOR® associations.
Projects include fundraising for local historic home improvements and community murals or promoting local historical properties and societies. Illinois REALTORS® donated land in downtown Springfield next to its headquarters and built Bicentennial Plaza – a REALTOR® Community Partnership, which is a signature project of the state bicentennial celebrations.
The association is an official endorsed partner with the Illinois Bicentennial Commission, which oversees the state’s plans for the milestone birthday.
This blog post is part of a series covering Illinois REALTORS® local associations legacy projects leading up to the state of Illinois 200th Birthday. Learn more.
REALTOR® Carla Capasso pulls weeds outside the Reagan Boyhood Home.
(l to r) Vicky Turner, Reagan Boyhood Home Director Pat Gorman, Heather Wiedrich and her son Matrix Bryan show their pride in working together.
Matrix Bryan (left) and Vicky Turner vacuum inside the Reagan Boyhood Home.
Patty Martinez cleans a window at the Reagan Boyhood Home.
Heather Wiedrich (left) and Alison Rosenow outside the historic Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb.
