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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I cannot believe we have reached the end of this year—it has truly been a slog.  But we can all agree we’re ready to turn the page to 2021.  It’s naïve to think that turning the calendar page will return us to normalcy.  But we will be taking incremental steps to get back to where we want to be.

It’s winter during a pandemic, so we are not currently giving tours.  After a long pause in 2020, we restarted river, core, and neighborhood tours—all outdoors. Hopefully, we can restart tours early in the new year.  Many tour directors are keeping docents connected with meetings and activities.  I have enjoyed receiving updates on buildings on my tours….anything to feel connected to what I so love to do!

CAC@Home, after a brief step back for Open House Chicago, has returned.  Make sure to check out “Chicago’s Holiday Traditions” on December 23 with Leslie Clark Lewis and Barbara Breakstone.  And there will be more virtual programs in 2021.  Our members have raved about our virtual lineup.  We have lots of content in the pipeline, which will continue in the post-pandemic world.  So be thinking about new and interesting offerings!

DAN planning is underway for 2021 with “The Year of the Docent” as the theme.  Save April 10^th for the formal virtual DAN program; in addition there will be events throughout the year to celebrate this milestone.  For many of us, “50” might not sound like a big number as most of us have been around a lot longer than that!  But this anniversary is significant.  The growth from those early days at Glessner House to the Chicago Architecture Center on the banks of the Chicago River at the most significant intersection in our city is due to you!

CAC continues to need you. While we don’t interact directly, your importance is not diminished.  WE NEED YOU back on the streets, as soon as it is safe for all of us.

Whatever year-end holidays you celebrate, I wish you the absolute best.  And if you find yourself alone, or with fewer friends and family than usual, know that your docent family is always here.

Kent.