Blog

Short Tales continue. Here are four tales about an umbrella, adoption, a “situation,” and reflection. The contributors are Bill Lipsman (2009), Pris Mims (2000), Sydney Schuler (1992), and Lisa Ciota (2020, Education Guide, Exhibit Host). Read and enjoy! 

We all have memorable stories of our tours and shifts. Short Tales cannot continue without your help. Docents, exhibit hosts, guest services, and education guides—we need to hear from you. Share your chuckles and aww moments. Send your Short Tales to an***************@gm***.com. We look forward to enjoying your stories.

Many thanks to these four authors for taking the time to brighten our day.

Umbrellas on the Boats –  Bill Lipsman, Class of 2009

.

Had an amusing incident with the new umbrellas on our boats. During a late afternoon cruise, a guest moved her chair next to the Docent chair to share the shade before the boat even departed. Then, when she saw me standing away from the chair to give my introduction, she had her husband sit in my chair. Had to explain that this chair and umbrella were for the docent.

 

Adoption – Pris Mims, Class of  2000

 

I had the privilege of giving a Loop Art Deco tour a few months ago to a daughter and biological father who had met for the first time a couple of days before!

The adult daughter and her husband were Chicago residents. The father was from New Jersey. The daughter explained that she had been adopted, and she and her father recently found each other and had been conversing long distance. This was the father’s first trip to Chicago. None of them were members, but the daughter thought the CAC tour would be a nice way for him to see a bit of Chicago.

My goal was to make sure they had fun as I got to show off some of my favorite deco buildings and wow-factor interiors. They arrived with big smiles on their faces, and that is how I left them.

 

Situation – Sydney Schuler, Class of 1992

 

I started the tour, and as we approached the DuSable Bridge the boat seemed to stop. We stayed in about the same place for one minute, two minutes, three minutes…I gave my tour and thought the captain was offering me the time to talk, so I kept talking. I heard an unfamiliar thumping noise and realized we were in a “situation.” I continued as the captain attempted to maneuver the boat but it soon became clear that this was not normal. I remembered our emergency training…keep talking, stay on the mic until a crew member asks for it, and keep them calm. I explained to the audience that there was a problem, and we all have been trained to handle these situations.

“I still have lots more to say.”

Within minutes the captain got on the mic and explained that the steering was out. She explained that another boat would help us dock, “If you are on the starboard side, please keep your hands inside the boat.” She handed me the mic, and I kept talking. I’m not sure what happened with the other boat, but I think a mechanic boarded our boat and fixed the steering. When we docked thirty minutes later, I gave the captain a big hug and we all applauded her. Another exciting day on the Chicago River.

 

Reflect and Remember – Lisa Ciota, Class of 2020, Education Guide

 

One of the buildings we highlight on the Education Department’s Chicago: City of Architecture tour is Marina City. For this stop, I take students to Heald Square so they can sit on the steps and get a good view of this iconic Chicago building. I also talk about the Heald Square monument while we are there. During one of our first live student field trips since the pandemic began, one of the students asked about the Vietnam Memorial at the bottom of the stairs. 

This is not an uncommon question, but what was uncommon was how thoughtful the students became as I told them about the memorial. Their interest was piqued, and they asked to go down for a closer look. The teacher and I allowed them a few minutes to get close up and read and touch the names on the black granite. I don’t know the individual back story on these students, but after nearly two years of loss on so many levels due to the pandemic, there’s something meaningful about these kids taking a moment to reflect and remember the losses suffered by an earlier generation.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE for more stories on The Bridge.