Our home sits on Walnut Ridge Drive —a street with just one way in and one way out.   Surrounded by Oaks, Walnuts, Maples, and an array of other trees, the street transforms into a stunning Fall portrait each year in Palos.   Pierre and I were enchanted by this area long before we moved here.   We would take long drives in the summer, always heading to Palos, captivated by the flickering lights of hundreds of fireflies that cast a glow among the trees.  It was a place we loved and decided to build our family home here.

 We have always dreamt of living on a hill and when we found a higher lot in a newly developed area called “Mayne Gaite” we knew it was meant to be. Pierre was a regional manager for a medical company. He took on the challenge of building our home himself as the general contractor even though many believed it wouldn’t be possible due to the steepness of the hill.   But here we are, 51 years later, still living in and loving this home we built together.
 

We raised our three children here, surrounded by the forest's wildlife, from the smallest chipmunks to the stately deer. The excellent school district added another positive in our children’s lives. They attended Palos West, Palos South, and Carl Sandburg and now have successful careers. As a family, we had a tradition of having a picnic lunch at Papoose Lake the day before school started.  

Sandee being an adventurer had many travel assignments that brought her to China, Africa, Honduras, Lithuania, etc. as a documentary film producer, director & photographer for PBS in Washington DC, and the U.S. Peace Corps. She produced educational programs for a series called “World Wise Schools.”  She retired to raise & homeschool her four lovely children.  Her memories of Palos include more adventures like hanging on for dear life to Pierre and screaming going down the Swallow Cliff toboggan slides.   Of course, I was always the last one on …ouch!  Living in Maryland, she misses our quaint town and loves to return for visits.

Our Son, Michael, was always exploring the forest and secret areas-“Deadman’s curve“  anyone?  He loved summer nights when the windows were open and waking up to crows and woodpeckers outside.  The excitement of the toboggan slides, cross-country skiing and always making another tree house, are some of his favorite memories.    Michael lives in Austin, Texas, and has three beautiful children and a successful career. He is a partner in a national law firm in Austin.  Since 2011 Michael has been selected as one the Best Lawyers in America and a Texas Super Lawyer in intellectual property law, including patent & trademark law & litigation.

Michele, our youngest daughter, lives close by in Lemont. She retired from her position as a regional manager in a major pharmaceutical company to raise two beautiful children, helped as room mother, a chaperone, PTO President, and always volunteered in the schools.  She returned to the workforce with her own company as a Facilitator, coach, and Instructional Designer for Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies. She has so many memories of the fun on the hill and discovering not every old house was haunted when roaming in the woods. She loved snow days and thought the world shut down as there was no going anywhere until the steep driveway was clear of snow.

All our family's outings ended with a sweet treat at the Plush Horse! 
 

Pierre and I love gardening, and I call him “Johnny Appleseed” as he is always adding another tree in the forest.  Among the many flowers in our garden, we include milkweed for the butterflies I raise and Palos Park’s official flower, the purple coneflower. Pierre and our family have always come first, and I was very happy to have a colorful and diverse background with their support.

 I’ve been passionate about singing all my life and performed professionally with bands and orchestras across Chicago.  I’ve had many fun times as a movie extra with a Chicago agency (anyone remember “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles?”), worked as a model, and served as Vice President of European Vacations.  For twenty years I was a Senior Account Executive for Whitehall/Wyeth Laboratories where I introduced “ADVIL” to the medical profession when it first launched.  I still sing in the church choir, perform proudly at veterans’ and military services, and any opportunity to sing, though Karaoke is not a favorite as there is nothing like live music. Pierre and I love attending concerts and the theatre.  A perfect evening would be dinner, live music, and sharing a romantic dance or two.

 Throughout the years I’ve volunteered in countless ways in the village.   This year, I was incredibly honored to accept the “Unsung Heroine Award for Volunteerism" for the 17th District of Cook County.  I am deeply grateful to Commissioner Sean Morrison and Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters for their nomination. I never expected to be recognized for something I love doing and I’ll continue to lend a hand where needed.  How could anyone take our beautiful Palos Park for granted and not want to contribute?   

 I have volunteered for 20 years at the McCord Art Gallery and Cultural Center and am currently Vice President on the board.  Pierre has also been deeply involved and has many interests in the Village. In our free time, we love to travel and have visited many incredible places around the world.  But no matter where we go …there is no place like home- our home on the Hill! 
 

Thank you for the opportunity to share our family's love for this amazing area.  We are truly blessed to live and love here on our hill!