They had my back when I was stuck

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

We’ve dug out from snowmagedon, and I want to personally thank the three people on 61^st Street who came to my rescue when I got stuck in the snow.

I was nervous and I was making all the mistakes a driver could make. I finally stepped out of my minivan to call out to a woman shoveling snow. She came over with her shovel and dug me out.

A gentleman who had been driving away, backed up his car, parked and came over. He got behind the wheel of my vehicle to slowly back me out of the drift.

Joan Hadac

Another driver pulled over, pulled out his car mats and put them under my front wheels. I stood and watched them perform a miracle and get me back on the unplowed street in the tracks earlier drivers had made.

They gave me great advice, including keeping a shovel in my car and rock my car, don’t floor the gas to become unstuck. I’m sorry I didn’t get your names—I was flustered–but my thanks is heartfelt. This is another reason why I love living in this community: neighbors who care about and take care of each other.

Holiday fun

If you celebrated Valentine’s Day, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. It’s nice to be remembered by your sweetheart, even if it’s just with a great big hug from the heart. Yes, it’s wonderful to be remembered with candy and flowers, but it’s the love that counts.

There’s a holiday coming up in March that I’m especially excited about. I’m talking about St. Patrick’s Day. What I’m even more excited about is the parade being held the Saturday before, Chicago’s Working Families Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepping off at noon Saturday, March 12 at Archer and Oak Park. The route will take parade participants east to Narragansett.

Parade organizers have named the late CPD Officer Ella French as Honorary Grand Marshall. Proceeds will benefit Get Behind the Vest, a Chicago Police Memorial Foundation effort to provide protective vests to police officers. If you want participation or sponsorship information, email ArcherParade@gmail.com before Friday, Feb. 25.

So wear your green and come join your neighbors to celebrate. Hopefully, spring will have sprung and it will be a beautiful day. Personally, I can’t wait to see all the smiles, especially on the kids’ faces.

Odds ‘n ends

Catholic parish downsizing, consolidation and renaming are not new to Clearing and Garfield Ridge. We’ve seen St. Camillus and St. Jane de Chantal become St. Faustina Kowlaska. We’ve seen St. Symphorosa ad St. Rene Goupil become Two Holy Martyrs. The latest is St. Joseph and St. Blase becoming Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote Parish.

I mention this because St. Joe’s has always included the westernmost section of Garfield Ridge. If you live in Garfield Ridge and are a member of St. Joseph, you can visit stblase.org to learn more about the new parish.

There are Masses at both St. Joseph and St. Blase churches. The parish office number is (708) 458-0007 and office staff can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Clearing Night Force reminds us that the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry fundraiser with Portillo’s is set for 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 16. You need a flyer and may use your smartphone. There are a few locations honoring the flyer, but locally you can visit the Portillo’s at 56^th and Harlem. When you do, 20 percent of the proceeds will be directed to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Have a delicious meal from Portillo’s and help protect our police. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I hope everyone has a great week. Take care of yourselves. See you next week.