McHenry County News FRE
E
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 6 Issue 24
JUNE 9, 2016
To Advertise In This Space Call 815-654-4850
Celebrating Me morial Day By Anne Eickstadt Correspondent
BBQ. The Union police wait on the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets to lead the way. An Honor Guard from the Huntley American Legion are lined up, carrying the flags. Children wave from the open windows of shiny fire trucks. The Marengo Community High School’s Marching Indians, a competitive marching band, is following by hordes of children and adults as we walk to the
Union Cemetery outside of town. Kids on bikes pace the fire trucks and the band. he Memorial Day Similar scenes are occurparades in McHenring throughout McHenry ry County all begin County and coast to coast under sunny skies with a bit around the nation. of a breeze – just enough to Once everyone is gathered cool off marchers and bring at the cemetery, children and flags to life. a veteran place a wreath at In Union, the parade is tradithe base of a flagpole whose tionally staged in front of the flag is flying at half-mast to old American Legion buildhonor those who gave their ing, now Smithwood Bar & life in combat and in service to their country. A ceremony beginning with prayers and brief speeches by dignitaries is concluded with the playing of ‘Taps’ and a 21 gun salute. The earliest Memorial Day ceremony in McHenry County begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Riley Cemetery in Marengo. Ceremonies are being held at five different cemeteries and memorials in Marengo alone this morning. The last parade in McHenry County is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. in Huntley. It is my habit to thank veterans for their service. Today, by Anne Eickstadt they thanked me but remind- Decorating the flagpole, memorials and photos grave sites is a long ed me that today is not a day standing tradition. to thank the living. “MemoOther ways to honor the rial Day is a day for remem- who served in the military is veterans who gave their life bering those who have died in wartime and peace.” These two days, “under- in service to their country battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle,” accord- score the fact that all of those are: Decorate the graves of the ing to the Department of Vet- who served – not only those erans Affairs. “Veterans Day, who died – have sacrificed fallen. The American Legion Honor Guard carries flags as they lead held in November, is set aside and done their duty,” the VA See MEMORIAL DAY, Page 2 the parade in honor of fallen American heroes. to thank and honor all those says.
T
Hand Written Beauty R
By Anne Eickstadt Correspondent
obert Di Silvestro was born in Italy. He was raised in France. At the age of 11, he watched an artist painting and decided that was what he wanted to do with his life. “I want to be an artist,” he would say. “You’re going to starve,” he said was the inevitable response. At one point, an uncle added this advice, “Commercial sign artist.” Di Silvestro took that advice. He learned to hand letter signs while at the Paris School of Beaux Arts in France. He moved with his family to Chicago in 1960 where he discovered calligraphy. “I thought it was the most beautiful work I had ever seen.” Discovered by accident, Di Silvestro had happened upon a calligraphy studio while searching for work. He stayed up for hours every night practicing. “I would make strokes until 2 or 3 am. Until I couldn’t move my arm anymore. The only way to be employed by the studio was to do calligraphy. I had to earn my position.” He practiced seven - eight hours a day for weeks before he applied for
a job. “Are you still up? What are you doing?” his mother would say. “You’re crazy!” “There were ten artists. I was the youngest.” He made quite a lot of money - $3.28 an hour. He created diplomas, certificates, testimonials, and other distinguished documents for 20 years. He learned to embellish letters in gold and with elaborate borders. This is called ‘illuminating’ and is a product of the Middle Ages. ‘Engrossing’ has developed out of that practice but is more delicate in nature, using finer strokes in place of the heavy border styles of illuminating. A single document – hand-lettered and embellished in this way could take seven hours and cost hundreds of dollars. Within two years, Di Silvestro was able to purchase property. Within four years, he owned a new car and took a six-month vacation to Europe. He had worked hard and earned the ‘American Dream’. Success. When he returned to America, the job was waiting for him. He wanted
See BEAUTY, Page 7
photo by Anne Eickstadt
Robert Di Silvestro is one of only a handful of remaining master calligraphers in Illinois.