Meet George S. May - West Ridge business founder and golfer extraordinaire

George S. May was born on a farm in Windsor, Ill., on June 5, 1890. Tilling the soil, however, held no attraction for the man who would become a management consulting pioneer. After four years of college, George S. May began his sales career selling bibles. Shortly thereafter, a friend, familiar with May's interest in mechanical and technical issues, offered him a job with a farm equipment manufacturer.

During the next decade, George S. May had to cope with the fluctuating economy of the early 1900s. He worked as a freelance consultant on a variety of short-term jobs, and was later hired for full-time work, but was laid off when economic conditions slowed.

By 1924, with a wife and family to care for, George S. May sent out letters to Chicago businesses, highlighting his knowledge and experience as a business problem solver. He obtained a consulting assignment with Chicago Flexible Shaft Company, the precursor of the Sunbeam Corporation, and with that first job, on February 1, 1925, the George S. May Company was born. The first May offices were located at 2620 W. Northshore, at the corner of Rockwell.

In addition to growing his own company, George S. May also contributed greatly to the game of golf. Now listed as one of Golf magazine's 100 heroes of American golf, George S. May staged a number of golf tournaments at his country club, Tam O' Shanter, throughout the 1940s and 50s. May is still lauded as one of golf's most preeminent promoters.

The George S. May International Company celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2005 as the world's foremost management consulting firm to medium and small businesses, as well as large companies through the firm's major accounts program. Since its founding in 1925, the George S. May International Company has kept its focus on assisting companies to improve their business operations.

The history of the George S. May International Company is the history of business in the 20th Century. It is also the history of one of the nation's more successful family-owned companies.

Upcoming WRBN meetings and events

Who are these guys? On Tuesday, November 13, Maribeth will present a slide show on the architectural history of Devon Avenue. Learn who the movers and shakers were during the early development of Devon, and how this important commercial district grew and changed over the years. Join us at 7:00 p.m. at the Northtown Public Library.

There will not be a December meeting, but mark your calendar now for our Saturday, January 12th members-only holiday party! Your $15.00 (per family) 2008 dues payment is your ticket to the food and festivities.

Window restoration

The time comes in the life of every old home owner when they must make the decision - replace, restore or weatherstrip the living daylights out of their old windows. Click here to read how our neighbors Jo Stavig & Steve Knoebber dealt with their bungalow windows and for resources for your own restoration.

Oh, and by the way - "replace" is not an option from either an environmental or preservation point of view. Click here to read the HCBA brief on window care. Also, here's a cool product called The Silent Paint Remover that might make your restoration work a little less painful.

Field Trip this Saturday!

It's not too late to sign up for our field trip! On Saturday morning we’ll head out to Elk Grove Village for a members-only field trip to the Island Girl Salvage showroom http://islandgirlsalvage.com/ Contact Jo or Maribeth for more details.

Home maintenance tips from Clark Devon

Clark Devon Hardware offers free classes in home maintenance topics that you might be interested in. See their class schedule for more details.

A glimpse into the past

At the corner of Talman and Albion is a lovely, large bungalow built for the Malones by the Rance family of developers in the 1920s. Today it sits abandoned and covered by overgrown shrubs, with many of the original features remarkably intact.

If anyone knows who owns this place, please show them this photo. Perhaps they'll be inspired.

Insulation!

This year we thought we'd invest in a new winter hat for our bungalow, size XXL. Here's Chris, one of the crew from All Comfort Insulation and the equipment they use to blow the fluffy pink stuff into our attic floor.

Looking for a unique gift idea?

How about a portrait of your bungalow?

Art Enables , located in Washington DC , will connect you with one of their outsider artists who will in turn create a work of art from your photo. Their prices are very reasonable, and you'll feel good knowing you're supporting a worthy cause.

This work is by artist John Simpson, who makes amazingly detailed mixed-media works of buildings and streetscapes.

25 historic sites compete for $1 million in rehab funds

Is that a good thing? Click here for the full story and cast your vote for the most deserving historic site which range from the Robie House to a bungalow in the Independence Park neighborhood. You're allowed to vote once a day, so in the great Chicago tradition, vote early and often!

Most 25 of the sites are holding open houses on Sept. 15 & 16 - it's a great way to see some of the treasures of Chicago architecture.

As of this post this post, the #1 site is the On Leong Merchant Association building located in in Chinatown. It's recognized for its colorful terra-cotta detailing and pagoda-style roof.

Green bungalow seminars set

By BILL CUNNIFF bcunniff@suntimes.com

Looking to limit increases to your heating and cooling bills? Interested in bringing the latest in green building technology to your Chicago bungalow? "Greening Your Chicago Bungalow" seminars will be presented next week at North Side and South Side locations.

Green Home Partners will outline the most important aspects of rehabbing for energy-efficiency, highlighting the latest in green building products and money-saving tips.
The procedures range from simple tasks (like the installation of a programmable thermostat) to large-scale projects (like solar and geothermal systems).

The program will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted, and at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln. Each seminar should take about two hours.

The Historic Chicago Bungalow & Green Home Expo, scheduled for Oct. 27 at the Merchandise Mart, also will offer products, services and expertise for bungalow and other homeowners to complete green renovations.

If you have any questions or want to make a reservation at a seminar, please call the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association, (312) 642-9900, or send an e-mail to: reservation@chicagobungalow.org.