Good Saturday morning, Evanston.
Above, the Charles Gates Dawes House is decorated for Christmas and aglow for a recent evening candlelight tour. (See more tour photos by Joerg Metzner.)
Our annual fundraiser wraps up soon
We interrupt this edition’s cheer to note that reaching our funding goal is critical. If you haven’t already donated, today is the ideal time to support Evanston’s nonprofit news source. Until year-end, your RoundTable donation will be doubled. And for a limited time, qualifying donors can choose an exclusive thank-you gift.
Music of note: The new Fontan Choir is made up of 16 children between the ages of 8 and 16. Every singer has survived at least three major cardiac operations between birth and 4 years of age. Performing may boost kids’ self-esteem and confidence, and the singing lessons teach good breathing mechanics to aid pulmonary function. The choir made its debut Dec. 4 in Northwestern’s Ryan Opera Theater — and when the kids sang Lovely Day, it truly was.
Olympic recognition: When Lisa Kaya-Noble (above left, with Kurt Noble and a prominent public official) got an email invite to the White House, she feared it was a scam. But it was the real deal. The Nobles, active in Evanston’s special recreation program, went to D.C. for a formal dinner celebrating Special Olympics. They shared their story and photos with the RoundTable’s Wendi Kromash. 🎧
Honoring heritage: Aviator Fred Hutcherson Jr. was “the third African American to navigate across the Atlantic,” according to Shorefront Legacy Center founder Dino Robinson (above right, with Robin Rue Simmons of FirstRepair). As a U.S. Army captain, Hutcherson trained Black pilots in World War II. His childhood home and FirstRepair’s National Resource Center were recognized Dec. 4 as African American Heritage sites, writes Nadia Carolina Hernandez.
A thousand encouraging words: All month long, RoundTable photographer Richard Cahan (above, that’s his photo of the CTA Holiday Train) has been capturing At This Time images that illustrate the best of Evanston: Devoted parents, brave firefighters, thoughtful giving, inspiring art and music, community volunteers, hardworking employees, holiday spirit. Check out his photos and come away refreshed.
P.S.: Did you miss Santa? His train makes one last visit to Evanston today.
Picturing Evanston spirit: In December, RoundTable photographer Joerg Metzner has been taking photos celebrating our city: Saluting Evanston’s arts, chronicling the lively scene at a Jamming Jean concert and squeezing into the newly reopened Celtic Knot pub (above, owner Patrick Breslin pours a pint).
Construction curtain rising: After a yearslong effort, Northlight Theatre announced this month that it will finally break ground on its new facility at 1012-16 Church St. (rendering above) in March, with completion set for fall 2026. The new theater will have about 285 seats and a bar/cafĂ© in its lobby…