Retro Meetup Brings Typewriter, Phonograph And Celluloid Fans Together

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Step into three nostalgic time capsules simultaneously this Saturday, Aug. 27 in Evergreen Park. The “Retro Meetup” runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Evergreen Park Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St.

Hobbyists, collectors and residents are invited to come peruse vintage typewriters, phonographs, vinyl and celluloid, or bring their own collections to trade, play, sell or brag over to the meetup.

The continuing tidal wave of computers, digital media and handheld electronics have changed people’s lives over the last quarter-century. In some ways, this has made our personal lives easier, and in many other ways, it has complicated them.

If you are at least 40 years old, you remember the modes of work and entertainment that had been a mainstay for decades; a typewriter was your word processor, and a phonograph record was the way you could hear your favorite piece of music over and over. Prior to the creation of videocassettes, many families owned a movie projector that could be trotted out on special nights to watch home movies, or films purchased at camera stores.

Each of those three vessels are still here, though now, a part of a collector’s hobby. And all three will be celebrated on Saturday. The event is coordinated by OCS Director Beth Novotney and Communications Coordinator Glenn Pniewski, who organized a successful ”Type-In” last year.

“We had typewriter enthusiasts coming in from out of state, on ‘Type-In’ roadtrips,” Pniewski said. “It’s a select interest, but it’s coming back, just like phonograph records.”

The typewriter resurgence has been, in many ways, triggered by actor Tom Hanks, who boasts a collection of over 200 typewriters and uses them frequently.

One room will be set up with vintage typewriters, for use, as well as tables for people to bring their own machines and spend an afternoon talking shop or hammering out some pen pal letters.

Another room will hold three or four record players, and residents are encouraged to go through their collections, bring some of their favorites to play, or trade or sell among the visitors.

A third room will be set up as a screening room, where film collector and historian Maurice Terenzio will run an afternoon of 16mm film prints of short comedies, musicals and newsreels. Yes, that’s reel-to-reel films on a projector.

“We’ve come so far with technology in the last thirty years,” Novotney said. “But sometimes it’s good to take a couple of hours, slow down, and spend some time with the simple pleasures. Maybe “going faster” isn’t always the best thing.”

Light refreshments will be available, and the only entrance fee is the commitment to have a good time, share stories and make new friends.

The Evergreen Park Office of Citizens’ Services can be reached by calling 708-422-8776.