GRO History
2023 - GRO launches its new website
With the help of local IT professionals, GRO launched its new website in 2023. President Connie Barnes recruited volunteers Amy Kamin and Ross Sadler to freshen up the appearance, navigation, and functionality of the site to better serve our community. We hope that our website becomes a go-to resource for our neighbors looking to learn more about our organization and neighborhood.
Our previous website was maintained by Tom Kosinski, whom we’d like to thank. We are so grateful for his work.
The old site:
The new site:
2021 - Saving Our Ash
Thanks to our “Save Your Ash” fundraiser, GRO collected $9,588.30 to treat and protect all the ash trees in our boundaries from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). A total of 86 trees received a life-saving treatment in August 2021 which will protect them from the EAB for up to three more years.
You'll know your tree has been treated when you see the new silver tag nailed on the street side of the tree. The charm indicates the year of treatment (2021) among other information.
We will need to continually raise funds to treat our trees, however, each treatment ensures that our neighborhood maintains the mature tree canopy so many of us have come to appreciate.
Thank you to Dana Dougherty for this successful campaign to save and replant trees throughout the neighborhood!
2020 - GRO starts its annual Holiday Gift Drive
Starting in 2020, GRO began organizing a Holiday Gift Drive to benefit kids and families involved with Lawrence Hall and Toys for Tots Each year since, our generous neighbors have donated enough gifts to fill a Prius twice! We are so grateful for the generosity of our neighbors and for the work current GRO VP, Jewel Davies, puts into this charitable effort.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
2020 - COVID-19 Summer & GRO’s Mariachi Mask-Erade!
In August 2020, Chicago was still under a mandated stay-at-home order, and folks were still encouraged to mask when outside.
GRO was unable to obtain a block party permit allowing us to gather for our neighborhood summer party, but we knew we needed to do something to bring neighbors together (but still 6 feet apart). So, we got creative.
Jewel Davies, our Event Chair, organized a strolling mariachi band down Leland Avenue. The talented musicians of Cielito Lindo brought the entertainment to our neighbors and much needed sounds of joy to our neighborhood. It was an amazing evening that brought so many neighbors outside to enjoy the brief performance.
2007 - “Our Kind of Town” mural installed
In 2007, GRO hired local artist Karl Raack to design and paint a mural featuring people and buildings from our neighborhood. A contest was held to name the mural upon its completion in September 2007, and the winner was Patti Huetteman with the name “Our Kind of Town.”
2006 - Rockwell Station Redesign
On Sunday, February 19, 2006, the old Rockwell Station was closed after serving the community since its construction in 1907. The station was demolished and rebuilt as part of the CTA's Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project.
GRO held a Rockwell Station Closing Party. The party included a farewell sunset ride to Kimball and back and was followed by a pizza party with a toast to what would come.
The new ADA-compliant Rockwell Station opened on August 16, 2006.
2000’s - Sleigh Ride Down Rockwell
GRO coordinated a sleigh ride down Rockwell Avenue in the early 2000s. Secretary Bea Tersch and (former chair) Sara Spitz organized this event to help GRO neighbors celebrate in style. Bea Tersch is pictured far right, top. Sara Spitz is pictured far right, bottom.
