Last summer Holly and I began to discuss returning to Chicago. Our trip in September 2024 was pretty amazing and I wasn’t sure we could top those adventures. When my daughter Ashley found out we were thinking of returning she jumped on board. Ashley suggested we spend more time in downtown Chicago. Whenever we visited Grandma Corinne on spring break vacations we stayed in the suburbs and Ashley wanted a chance to explore the city.  When we told our cousin Rick we were headed to Chicago he agreed to meet us there. My nephew happened to have a conference the week we would be visiting so he decided to stay a few extra days with us. This was my kind of party! 

We decided to stay in Oak Park so we’d be closer to downtown. We each picked an adventure. Ashley wanted to see a gilded age home so we arranged a private tour at the Driehaus Museum. We saw the servant’s quarters and enjoyed the beautiful Tiffany stained glass exhibit. Holly wanted to go on a murder mystery tour which was so much fun. My pick was a tour with Chicago Private Tours. We had the unique opportunity to explore Chicago with both a driver and historian, who shared the story of how the city was laid out while giving us an up-close look at its architectural treasures. The highlight of the morning was stopping to visit “the old neighborhood”. We had to get a photo of us on the corner of Harrison & Oakley where the Del Prinicpe & Ciolli families created such an amazing legacy for us all. 

Corinne Del Principe

Holly Phyllis Ashley Rick

Next up was St Callistus Church where our parents were married January 9, 1949. Our tour was on a Saturday so we were not able to go inside. St Callistus is now named Hope Academy. When Hope Academy remodeled they removed the alter and pews. I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to walk down the isle where my parents (Corinne Del Principe and Robert Winike) walked as newlyweds. However Holly, Ashley, cousin Rick and I were able to enjoy the outside of the building and imagine what mom and dad’s magical day might have been like. Mom always talked about how beautiful the church looked on her wedding day, saying it was still decorated for the holiday season. 

As always we scheduled time to clean the headstones at Mt Carmel and pay our respects. In between our activities we visited with family and friends, exchanging stories of new adventures, reminiscing over photos, and sharing lots of laughs.
 

This year we reunited with Susan Del Principe Neuberg (Otto’s daughter) and Susan’s daughter Sandy (2nd row far right) and Vicki Di Nella (back row) plus cousin Rick. This was the first time I met brothers (seated) Emil & Joseph Ciolli (Oreste Ciolli’s grandsons).  Until next time Chicago…