Loving the Archer Heights Library

By Mary Stanek

Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon

3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394

Well, that’s it, folks. The holidays are over. Next up in the market are Valentine’s Day candy, paczki, corned beef, Guinness and Peeps. Easter this year is on April 17. I will have to mention that to my dear friend, Pat Charleston, who has a birthday that day.

Thank you to Elizabeth Ptasik, manager of the Archer Heights Branch Library, who has helped me in my quest to find the candy store on Archer and Pulaski from the 1970s.

Mary Stanek

We stopped in to visit, and I finally had a chance to meet her. I love that library. I ended up borrowing three cookbooks: Bobby Flay, America’s Test Kitchen and the New York Times cookbook. I never would have dreamed of seeing Alton Brown in person, so next on the list is Bobby Flay.

In continuing my search for the candy store, I would like to thank Ken down the block and his wife for an excellent suggestion: phone books. Yes, the Harold Washington Library has archived phone books. One fine day I will travel down there and search the 1970s Yellow Pages for candy stores. I’m not letting this go.

Agility training for dogs is good, both physically and mentally. Humans benefit, as well. The sport teaches the dog to run through obstacle courses (the tunnel, weaves, jumps, teeter, dog walk, and table) directed by the handler and hand cues.

I know two pups in West Elsdon that excel at the challenge. Those two, Elsa and Oliver, would like to thank their teacher, Kristen. Advances in Animal Behavior is sponsoring an “agility run through” on Jan. 15.

An agility run through is sort of like a practice trial. Both dog and handler get to use the equipment as they run through the courses. This event is being held in memory of Jen Graham, who loved dogs. The proceeds of the event are going to charity: the St. Turibius St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry and Obi’s Pet Pantry. If there are dogs interested, please give me a call. Advance registration is required and the fee is $8.

Obi’s pet pantry is located at 5023 W. 64^th Place. It’s available 24/7 for anyone in need of pet items. Of course, no questions are asked, they are there just to help. Their focus is to help keep pets in the homes of the families that love them. Donations of food, treats, collars and leashes are accepted.

Hopefully, we in the community know the great work the St. Turibius SVDP Food Pantry does. Volunteers tirelessly work at the pantry, especially around the holiday season–but most important, all year.

Thank you once again, teacher Kristen.