How come you chose Rogers Park to write about?

Jacque: I live in Rogers Park. When I was in the movie business, I would scout for locations all around Chicago and I was always drawn back to Rogers Park. There is something unspoken, intangible. In 2005, I started studying the history of Indian Boundary Park. I was fascinated. The interest grew from there.

Jamie: I have lived in Rogers Park since 1983. I am a true lover of Rogers Park. Jacque and I had numerous conversations about Rogers Park. When she suggested the book idea in 2005, I said, “absolutely!” Jacque had recommended taking the night to think about it. I didn’t need anymore time. I wanted to get started.

What are your backgrounds?

Jacque: We both have backgrounds in publishing. I was in the movie business. We both work as Editors for Publications International. I also do some freelance writing and serve as Museum Director for the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society.

Jamie: I love writing. I have worked as a freelance writer for many years.

What was the process like to put this book together?

Jacque: Sometimes we had to chase people down the street. (said with a smile).We talked with a lot of people. We spent a lot of time over at the Rogers Park/ West Ridge Historical Society with Mary Jo Doyle. She is a force of nature. We spent a lot of hours going through the archives at the Chicago History Museum.

Jamie: We interviewed families. We were fortunate to collaborate with an Archivist from the Potawatomi Nation in Kansas. We tracked people down. Sometimes we talked to dozens of wonderful people before finding the person we wanted to interview for the book. Herbie sold papers on the corner of Sheridan and Rogers for fifty years. We probably spoke with two dozen people before we tracked him down. It was worth it.

What makes this book different from the RP/WR Historical Society books?

Jacque: Those two books are wonderful. Our book is different thematically. We covered East Rogers Park. We looked at how Rogers Park went from being part of the Potawatomi Nation to a neighborhood where 80 different languages are spoken.

Jamie: We looked at social justice, class and race issues in the neighborhood. We explored the stuff that makes life more complicated and less clean and pretty.

What surprised you?

Jacque: I was surprised how many people can come from here, move away and still feel so attached to this community. This is a real gem of a neighborhood.I met a man who was a Sam’s Boy (Junior Life Guard Program) from 1938. He didn't live in Rogers Park anymore but was still attached.

Jamie: I have a real love for Rogers Park. Now I know many people feel that same kind of love. When you are here you know you are in a special place. I learned that Rogers Park had a thriving Jewish community. There was less anti-Semitism in Rogers Park and less poverty. The Irish Catholics and the Jews lived side by side.

What is next for you?

Jacque: We aren’t done with Rogers Park.

Jamie: I am trying to convince Jacque to work on a book about West Ridge.