What Has Happened to the Place I Want to Still Call Home?

Are you ready to help put this place back together?

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

The image above shows a puzzle map of the place I still want to call home.  If you want to learn more about its origin and even purchase the puzzle, just visit this link.

I selected this image because it graphically depicts a place that is radically out of order and needs to be put back together.

Given the news that’s transpired — and you can make your own decision on what’s “news” these days — over the past eight or so months, I honestly don’t know how we have plunged into such an unrecognizable and mountingly caustic nation.  And, what’s even more disturbing is that there are no immediate signs of any cohesive efforts to preverbally put all the pieces back into place.

In past posts over the years, I have raised the question: “What can public relations do?” Or to better clarify, how can the practice of ethical and strategic public relations help address a challenge or mitigate a threat. 

Realistically, the gravity of the situation at hand is so profound and encompassing that it will take much more than effective communications to steer us down the road to some semblance of “normalcy.”  What is needed? Man, I wish I had the answer.

On a seemingly daily basis, new affronts to our established democracy and way of life are not just contested, but rather obliterated.  Like many, I do my best to enjoy the simple pleasure of just enjoying a regular day, something granted to those of us living in this place (well, to some or most of us), only to be bludgeoned when turning on the TV, flipping through emails, or visiting a social media platform. 

An example. Earlier today, someone you assuredly know spoke at a meeting of a global organization that focuses its work on “the maintenance of international peace and security, the promotion of the well-being of the peoples of the world, and international cooperation to these ends.” That person uttered unsubstantiated insults, fabrications, and utter nonsense rather than any commentary supporting the foundation of said organization.

Perhaps a solution is to just follow that hippie-era phrase, “turn on, tune in, drop out.” Well, that’s pretty hard to do in this digital age. 

So, I guess I’ll just keep trying to build awareness for the urgent need that all of us who really care about this place we call home have to keep working tirelessly to put the place back together again. 

 

 

An Unabashed Promotion for Upcoming Logan Square Preservation House Walk

This spectacular structure was the home of bicycle legend Ignaz Schwinn, founder of the Chicago-based Schwinn Bicycle Co. St. Sylvester School now stands on the site.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

For many years, Susan and I have been supporters of Logan Square Preservation, a truly great and vital community organization.  Now, every two years, LSP hosts a day-long event where those interested in historic homes can take docent-led tours.

This year, I worked with volunteers to increase awareness for the 2025 House Walk on September 20 by drafting a news story.  Here’s the final version. 

35^th Logan Square House Walk Steps off Sept. 20 in Palmer Square Park

For the 35^th year, Logan Square Preservation invites the public to walk through historic homes that represent the best of Logan’s Square’s diverse architectural style on Saturday, September 20. For the first time, the seven houses — and the accompanying vintage car show — are all clustered within easy walking distance around Palmer Square Park.

The biannual House Walk kicks off with will-call and day-of ticket sales at the historic Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church, 3062 W. Palmer Square. Open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the homes are prime examples of Prairie School, American Craftsman, Chicago Bungalow and other architectural styles. Many have distinctive components such as wrap-around porches, brick columns with Ionic capitals, porte cochère entrances, and dormers that add an Oriental influence.

Visitors will receive an interior tour of the homes led by trained docents and a collectable House Walk guide containing many historical photos of Palmer Square as it originally appeared. Also on view will be a historic house currently undergoing exterior restoration, with information on the process available.

Vehicle traffic will be restricted during the event, allowing for easy pedestrian access to the tour and outdoor points of interest, including several related to the Schwinn Bicycle empire. Palmer Square Park, a 7.69-acre green space that’s part of the city’s historic Boulevard System, has a storied history from the early 1900s as an avenue for cycling enthusiasts and clubs.

Ignaz Schwinn, founder of the Chicago-based Schwinn Bicycle Co., resided in a mansion at the east end of Palmer Square where the St. Sylvester School now stands. He also built the Shakespeare Flats apartment building, which can still be seen on the west end of the square. Look for the volunteer docents with vintage Schwinn bikes to hear more about Palmer Square’s Schwinn history.

And in homage to greater Logan Square’s Norwegian heritage, master woodcarver Jock Holmen, owner of Norwegian Termite, will provide woodcarving demonstrations. An artist trained in traditional carving techniques, Holman will display a carving he is making for a new Logan Square park to be dedicated to the memory of Emil Biorn, a Norwegian artist who was active in the community from 1917–1935. Biorn’s work can be seen inside several Logan Square buildings, and the land for Biorn Park, located off Logan Blvd. on Albany Ave., was donated to Logan Square Preservation, which hopes to have the site open to the public in 2026.

Other points of interest along the route include a vintage car show, where more than 50 hot rods, coupes, and sedans of various types will be on display from two local car clubs: LAMBDA Car Club (Lake Michigan Region) and City Wide Classics.

Some of the neighborhood’s many community organizations will also be on hand in Palmer Square during the House Walk to showcase the area’s many unique programs, including The Workers Cottage Initiative and the Palmer Square Park Council.

“This is our organization’s biggest event,” said Andy Schneider, President of Logan Square Preservation. “It’s a reflection of the dedication and commitment members of the Logan Square community have toward maintaining this truly unique and vibrant part of Chicago for generations to come.”

Discounted early bird tickets for the 2025 Logan Square Preservation House Walk are $35 through Sept. 14. Day-of tickets are $50 and are available at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church. Attendees can purchase a VIP Fast Pass for expedited admission to all houses for an early bird price of $115, or $150 on the day of the event.

To register for the House Walk, visit: logansquarepreservation.org/house—garden-walk.

A map of the historic Palmer Square, site of the 2025 Logan Square Preservation House Walk.

An early image of Palmer Square.

Vintage cars, like this red Chevy Corvair, will be on display during the House Walk.

The cars on display range from modern muscle to the truly vintage.

Yes, they don’t build them like this any more.

Travelogue from 1960 Offers Commentary on The State of the Union Today

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

This paperback version of Steinbeck’s non-fiction work features a subdued but inspirational cover.

Now, one month and a few days into the administration of the 47th president of the United States, I felt compelled to offer thoughts on the direction our nation is headed. My initial plan was to pose a range of light-hearted — but poignant and relevant — questions for the president.

An example: If the proposed tariffs on imported goods from Mexico are enacted, and the price of avocados soar, what replacement toppings would you recommend the hipster/foodie crowd put onto toast?

I drafted a few other potentially humorous questions, but came to the realization that it’s quite challenging to craft this kind of prose, especially when I believe the blitzkrieg rate of executive orders and appointments/firings now taking place across a broad scope of government will have potential cataclysmic outcomes for the democracy we now know. A post with a serious tone was needed; the crux of the message came unexpectedly.

A few days ago, a neighbor who I exchange books with dropped off a copy of John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley in Search of America,” a best-selling work published in 1962. I certainly knew about the story behind the author’s 1960 cross-country trek in a modified pick up truck accompanied by a French poodle. So, I began reading the work. I found Steinbeck’s writing — more introspective commentary on the state of the nation and the places and the people he encountered than purely travelogue — an engaging read.

Then, around halfway through the book, as the author was at the Continental Divide, he reflected on the purpose of his inland voyage and how he was “briefed, instructed, directed, and brain-washed by many of my friends.”

The paragraph continued: “One among them is a well-known and highly respected political reporter. He had been grassrooting with the presidential candidates, and when I saw him he was not happy, because he loves his country, and he felt a sickness in it. I might say further that he is a completely honest man.

“He said bitterly, ‘If anywhere in your travels you come on a man with guts, mark the place. I want to go to see him. I haven’t seen anything but cowardice and expediency. This used to be a nation of giants. Where have they gone? You can’t defend a nation with a board of directors. That takes men. Where are they?'”

From an historical perspective, Steinbeck took his trip in fall of 1960; that year pitted John F. Kennedy against Richard M. Nixon in the presidential election. I trust you know who won; and perhaps the outcome that November may have factored into the book.

Back to the excerpt above, I have no idea on the identity of the reporter referenced by Steinbeck. And, while “Travels with Charley” sold millions of copies, critics have cited that many of the episodes and conversations detailed during journey were fictional. Yes, he piloted and sometimes slept in a vehicle he named Rocinante, but he also spent many nights in lavish hotels with his wife, and Charley, of course.

Regardless of how one interprets the book, the short passage just presented resonated with me.

With seemingly daily headlines of mass layoffs of federal workers, projections of seizing foreign lands for monetary and political gains, assaults and threats against allies, leadership appointments of individuals with questionable experience and character to major federal departments, and other developments since January 20, I, too feel a “sickness.” I, too have witnessed “cowardice and expediency.” I, too look for the return of “a of nation of giants.”

And, I, too love my country.