MLK DAY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. JANUARY 19 , 2026
Wednesday • January 14, 2026
Midwest Underground Railroad Network Seeks to Save Van Oostenbrugge Homestead from Demolition A regional historical organization is urging the Village of South Holland to pause plans to demolish one of its oldest structures, offering a new vision that could preserve the building while expanding public education about local and national history. The Midwest Underground Railroad Network (MURN) announced this week that it hopes to partner with the village to save the Van Oostenbrugge Homestead, an 1858 house slated for demolition due to years of disrepair and lack of use. The organization proposes restoring the home and repurposing it as its headquarters and an educational center focused on the history of the Underground Railroad and 19th-century settlement in the region. “This house represents far more than aging wood and plaster,” said a spokesperson for the MURN. “It sits within a landscape deeply connected to migration, faith, freedom-seeking, and early settlement. Preserving it would allow South Holland to tell a broader, more inclusive story of the 1800s Midwest.” Village officials have said the homestead, located on 157th Street across from Van O’ Park, has not been actively used for tours or programming in years. Mayor Don De Graff previously noted that both the village administration and historical society leadership have viewed demolition as the most practical option, citing safety concerns and limited resources. The proposed demolition has drawn opposition from Bill Paarlberg, the great-great-grandson of Cornelia Van Oostenbrugge, who lived in the home. Paarlberg has emphasized the site’s importance to South Holland’s earliest settlers and has expressed hope that the house could receive state landmark status. The Midwest Underground Railroad Network says its proposal could offer an alternative solution. South Holland is already home to a recognized Underground Railroad site at the First Reformed Church, as well as a local history museum at the public
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library. MURN leaders argue that the homestead could complement those sites rather than compete with them. “This would not replace existing historical assets,” the organization said. “It would strengthen them by creating a living center for research, public programs, student learning, and community partnerships.” Village officials have not yet commented publicly on the proposal. De Graff has said there is no fixed timeline for demolition, though it could occur within the next few months, and that historical artifacts would be removed before any teardown. Preservation advocates say the window for discussion is narrow but meaningful. “Once a building like this is gone, the opportunity to interpret history in place is gone forever,” Paarlberg said previously. “If there is a group willing to use it, care for it, and bring people into it, that deserves serious consideration.” The Midwest Underground Railroad Network plans to formally request meetings with village leaders and the South Holland Historical Society in the coming weeks to explore feasibility, funding, and preservation options. They have been joined in their efforts by Preservation Chicago and brought to the attention of Landmarks Illinois. For now, the future of the Van Oostenbrugge Homestead remains uncertain — balanced between demolition and a possible new chapter as a center for history, education, and remembrance.
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DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship Now Accepting Applications WASHINGTON – Undergraduate and graduate students studying music can apply for the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship through January 31, 2026. Sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the scholarship provides a one-time $5,000 award to one student annually who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in music. Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was a groundbreaking African American contralto and an inspiration for civil rights. “This scholarship pays tribute to Marian Anderson’s life, and the Daughters of the American Revolution seeks to honor her legacy through aspiring musicians. Her legacy lives on in others who aim for excellence in musical studies, are committed to their communities, and willing to stand up for what is right,” said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, DAR President General.
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Applicants should be accepted or currently enrolled in an accredited university or college in the United States and have a concentration in music in their course of study. Music performance, composition, theory, or education are all areas that students may be specialized in to qualify for the scholarship. They should have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent GPA on the scale used by the institution. Applications are available here: https://www.dar.org/ outreach/education/scholarships Applications require references sent through the application system, so students need to request their references ahead of the Jan. 31st application deadline. In honor of Ms. Anderson’s commitment to the community throughout her life and her willingness to share her incredible talent with the world, applicants
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Sims announces Valentine’s Day card collection drive for seniors CHICAGO – To show appreciation and lift the spirits of local seniors, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is collecting cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. “Whether handmade or store-bought, a card during Valentine’s Day can serve as a reminder to older residents that they are cared for and seen,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “One card can deliver so much power.” Sims is encouraging residents to write handmade or store-bought cards to help bring joy to older adults who may be feeling lonely during Valentine’s Day. Children are also encouraged to participate. Cards can be mailed or delivered now through Feb. 11 to Sims’ office at 8233 S. Princeton Ave., Chicago, IL 60620. Cards can be dropped through the mail slot. For more information, contact Sims’ office at 773-933-7715.
RUN YOUR DBA, DIVORCE, OR LIEN NOTICE IN THE SHOPPER CALL 708-271-8971 are asked to write a personal statement describing their humanitarian or volunteer contributions on behalf of their community and/or country. To recognize the city Marian Anderson called home, preference is given to students from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area, even if they are not pursuing music studies in the Philadelphia area. While this scholarship is not automatically renewed, recipients may reapply for consideration each year for up to four consecutive years. The scholarship is supported by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Marian Anderson Legacy Fund. Learn more about the relationship between Marian Anderson and the DAR, and the organization’s ongoing efforts to honor her memory at www.dar.org/ MarianAnderson