On Sunday, August 6, 2006 The Rolls-Royce Owners Club (Lake Michigan Region) had a very special event. They were hosting 75 members for a progressive dinner at the home of four of the club's members and dinner at the Ivanhoe County Club in Mundelein, Illinois.

The event started at 1:30 PM at the home of David and Christine Seidman of Winnetka. The Seidman's started the event with finger sandwiches and refreshments. Just off of Willow Road all members that drove their Rolls-Royces or Bentleys parked on Willow road making for a wonderful display of these classic cars. As guests finished their refreshment they alighted to their cars and proceeded to the next home.

Station two was at the home of Mr. Robert Ritholz of Highland Park, Illinois. Mr. Ritholz has a lovely estate located right on Lake Michigan with a wonderful view of the lake from his back yard. All the guests arrived in their cars and parked along the road near the home. Once inside guests were treated to a wonderful assortment of soups and pastries. Guests casually lingered to the beach from a private staircase in the back of the yard. After finishing their soup the party continued to the next home for salad.

Salad was being served at the estate of Desmond and Jeanne LaPlace of Lake Forest, Illinois. The LaPlace's have a fabulous mansion with a 300 ft. private beach on Lake Michigan. The house and grounds are palatial in scope and grace. The large circle drive had Rolls-Royces and Bentleys parked in double file all around the drive, a truly festive site to see. The LaPlace's served Salad and refreshments to all the guests and graciously invited everyone to see the house and gardens.

After salad was served the club members went to the Ivanhoe County Club for a full meal. The club is located on a gated golf course community in Mundelein, Illinois. All of the guest arrived to be seated to a wonderful meal. The dinner was held in the Main Dining Room and there was a selection of every sort for dinner. After the dinner members left for the last station of the progressive which was dessert being served at the Manz estate.

Dessert was served at the gracious estate of Jim and Gail Manz of Long Grove. The Manz's have a wonderful estate build by Samuel Insul, the utilities magnate. The homes are charming like something out of Robin Hood. There is a large formal gate that members were escorted through by local police. Once inside the compound all the cars parked adjacent the museum. Jim and Gail greeted all guests personally as they entered the museum. Inside was a delight to the eyes, all sorts of vintage victrolas and antiques. Beyond the main dining room was a large salon that housed a large collection of antique cars. There was an endless supply of cheesecake and pie for all to enjoy. At the end everyone took to their cars and headed home to end a wonderful day.

Stephen Condren

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park Township, near the University of Chicago. As I child I was always drawing and painting. My father owned an art supply company, Favor Ruhl & Watson, where I was able to get all that I needed to progress in my work.

I have always enjoyed portraiture and landscape painting. In High School (Naperville Central High School) I took Drafting from Mr. Pierce. I quickly grasped the principles of perspective and drafting and hence made a career with both Fine Art and Architectural Renderings.

In the mid 1970's I joined the US Navy and was stationed on board the USS Midway, CV-41. The Midway was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan (A suburb of Tokyo). While in service I traveled all over Asia including such countries as Korea, China, Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Japan. While in Japan I learned Japanese. I speak German and Spanish as well.

I am an omnivorous reader with a love of History and Philosophy. I admire the works of Immanuel Kant, Albert Schweitzer, and Fredrich Nietzsche. In music I admire the works of Mozart, Bruckner, and Wagner.

I am an ardent chess player and I am a member of the US Chess Federation. I hold memberships at The Chicago Club, The Arts Club of Chicago, The University Club of Chicago, Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club, The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations – President’s Circle, Rotary/One Chicago, The Executive’s Club of Chicago, and the Chicago Artist’s Coalition.

In 1977 I married Judith Stucky of Wheaton, Illinois. We currently live with our four children in Libertyville, Illinois.

Artist and owner of Condren Galleries Ltd. 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400 Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bachelor of Fine Arts Northwestern University Masters, Internship M.S. Northern Illinois University, Masters of Studio Arts Northern Illinois University, Masters of Educational Administration Educator, Secondary Level Chicago Public Schools. Certified Type #75, General Administration