Librarian Janice Fisher watched in horror as the water from the DesPlaines River in Riverside rose higher and higher, up the steep banks that rise behind the library. The late summer weather had been beautiful in our villages. Down in Texas, Hurricane Ike was flooding the entire state. We felt empathy for those poor, faraway Texans. But, Sept. 12 to 14 was upon us, and our pity for the Texans waned. We learned to pity ourselves.

“Our fire chief Kevin Mulligan suggested it might be wise to move books from the lower floor of the library where stacks upon stacks of fiction titles are stored. Children’s books, the reading room where we read to the children, the DVDs and movies were all in danger of flooding, to say nothing of the lovely woodwork, the floors, the stairway leading to the first floor, all in danger of floodwaters,” Fisher said.

Fisher called in the 20 staff members who rushed to help. Jackie Aumann brought her daughter, Casey, who had spent the summer as a page in the library. Anne Huston enlisted her daughter, Sarah, and her son-in-law David Feldman. Dorothy Sikora enticed her husband Mark (he went quite willingly), and their daughter, Maggie, to come along to fight the rising waters. There was no time to read the titles of the books being moved “fire-bucket” style from person to person. Had they had time, they might have enjoyed Louis Bromfield’s “The Rains Came” or Samuel Coleridge’s “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner,” containing the oft repeated quote, “water, water everywhere, the very boards did shrink.” It was hard and tedious work. They were fighting time and Mother Nature.

Library Board Member Susan Kucera and others on the board rose to the occasion. Kucera called Riverside Trustee Jean Sussman, who worked with Riverside Township Supervisor Rich Tuscher. Tuscher’s responsibilities include not only Riverside but Riverside Lawn and North Riverside. Low-lying Riverside Lawn is served only by Cook County and Riverside Township. The “Lawn” people needed sandbags and physical help. “Depend on yourself” was the message from both the County and State.
 

Among those responding to the calls for help was football coach Otto Zeman of Riverside-Brookfield High School.

“My football players have been off for a week with no exercise — they need a workout,” Zeman said.

So, into the sandbag brigade went the well-muscled, well-rested RB football team, who did their best to save Riverside Lawn people. Thanks, you guys, and here’s wishing you and your generous coach a great season!

Other school parents volunteered not only themselves but their RB sons and daughters. Members of the Riverside Junior Womens’ Charity made sandwiches for the 40 to 50 stranded flood refugees who had taken shelter in the Riverside Township Hall and later at the library.

Tuscher made sure everyone was cared for. Some enjoyed a breakfast furnished by P. J. Klem’s Restaurant.

Tuscher said, “They have always been very good to us. Pete Klementzos (the owner) bent over backwards to give us a really good price for the eggs, pancakes, etc., that we served to the stranded people.”

Tuscher also praised Matt Deconsola, public works employee, who stayed on the job in Riverside although his own home in Park Forest was being flooded.

Michael Foley of Riverside, upon learning there was neither sand nor sandbags available for Riverside residents, drove to his own construction company for needed supplies to aid his neighbors on Maplewood Road. Thanks, Mike. His mother, Nancy Foley, was a patient at Loyola and was unaware that the flood waters were streaming down her street and into her home.

“I came home to rest in the sun on my deck, but we wound up cleaning storm damage,” she said.

She agreed, however, that home is better than a hospital when one is feeling better, no matter what the damage to the house.

Kathy Loudon volunteered to take a displaced person into her own home. Special thanks go to Tori and Ben Sells. It was Tori who sent the distress call to the Riverside Juniors. The leftover food donated by the Juniors served another good cause. They were donated to the harried Riverside policemen who were on duty during this traumatic time.
 
Aftermath

The books are all back in their proper places at the Riverside library. Those who were flooded are hard at work repairing the damage. No one lost his or her life. Those who were helped are grateful to their neighbors’ response to their need. “That’s what Riverside is all about,” was expressed by many.

President Jack Wiaduck worried about everything, including the danger that the Forest Avenue Bridge over the flooded DesPlaines River might not withstand the debris and water pressure coming down river from the North.

Supervisor Rich Tuscher is recovering along with the rest of Riverside. He flew off to the Philippines shortly after things quieted down for a much needed vacation. “The Philippines are beautiful,” was his report, and he said, “Stay out of Manila.”

Meanwhile, Guy Belmonte of the Public Works Department in North Riverside, reported only sporadic flooding. The Riverside Golf Club, however, suffered flooding to the extent it was closed to prevent further damage.

Fisher compiled this list of library staff, faculty and board members who helped in fighting the flood: Jackie and Casey Aumann, Bret Breska, Terry Cortesi, Anne Huston, Sarah and David Feldman, Jennie Miljevic, Marilyn Oorbeck, Diane Ruzevich and Mary Lou and Sharon Shroyer.

Also thanked are Dorothy, Mark and Maggie Sikora, Irene and Paul Young and Kim Zahrobsky. Library Trustees include Steve Kubiczky and his wife, Anne, Larry Forssberg, Chester Grenda and Susan Kucera.

Others from the community who helped include Susan and Natalie Lisle; Kate Barlow; Katie Lahart; Mia Haugland; Will, Cameron and Dawn Gmitro; Emily and Hannah Michl; Karl Jantze; Riley Zuschlag; Karoll and Apaulo Esparza; Cecilia and Jacob Ringo; and Lindsay Hayes.

Your community thanks each and every one who helped in stemming the damage to our village.