RETIRED CHICAGO STAMPERS

This postcard is one of a pack of three Chicago Botanic Garden postcards, by photographer William Biderbost, that the Retirees received as a momento.

Ford Retirees from Local 588, Local 551 and the Ford Parts Distribution Center took advantage of the Family Service & Learning Center's day trip to the Chicago Botanic Gardens in August. The trip started at the Local 588 Union Hall where (L. - R. pictured above ) Barb and Dick Arthur, Blanche and John Conway, and Teresa and Duane Hassberg met to board the tour bus with Family Service & Learning Center (FSLC) staff members Sherrie Reed and Monique Parsons.

Included in the trip was a Grand Tram tour circling through the entire 385 acres of the Botanic Gardens. At least a few Retirees noticed that the tram was pulled by a modified Ford Econoline van. Unfortunately, the photographer was more interested in who was on the tram. (What was I thinking?!) That's Dick waving from the first seat in the second tram.

All tram cars in the above picture were filled with Ford Retirees. Their guided tour wound around a one mile dammed section of the Skokie River, through a 15 acre pocket of original Illinois Prairie, past the Children's Garden, the Japanese Garden, an English Walled garden and many other types of gardens and research areas some pictured below.

The covered walkway in the picture above borders the Rose Garden where all 5,000 rose plants were in bloom. The aroma was heavenly. Below is a postcard of the English Walled Garden.

Dick and Barb Arthur pose in front of a cedar hedge surrounding the Heritage Garden. Pots of cannas and other flowers behind them display just a fraction of the beautiful plants and flowers in the gardens. Local 551 Retirees Chapter Chairman Richard Clay took the picture. Thank you, Richard!

A gourmet lunch in an airy, greenhouse-like dining room was part of the tour package. The picture of Blanche and John Conway, left, standing next to a 'living' scarecrow was taken in an atrium just off the dining area. Duane and Teresa Hassberg, right, pose in front of a rather understated sign displaying small vases of flowers that were in bloom in the gardens.