Smooth streets, but not for long

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Over here on Francisco and surrounding streets, we currently have nice smooth roads–no potholes or cracks. All in all, it’s a pleasant ride, whether in a car or on a bike.

As the nice weather invites everyone outside, signs went up informing us that the gas company was starting work on that very first 70-degree day last week. We knew it was coming and I must say the representative was most polite, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. However, there is no avoiding the mess and we will probably lose our smooth street.

Kathy Headley

Some of you have already been through this, as the natural gas lines are to be replaced in the entire metro area by 2044. I, of course, was hoping ours would be slated for 2043; but regrettably that was not to be the case. You know how it goes: the signs go up warning people that parking will not be allowed etc., for the next 30 days. Then at the end of that period another sign goes up for another 30 days and on and on.

It’s not just the gas company, the same thing happened when they decided we needed new water lines. I suppose they figure we won’t be as frustrated if they only use a 30-day time frame – every 30 days.

Alas, there is not much we can do about this invasion into our springtime rituals of opening windows, planting flowers, seeding our grass. I was told they will return everything back to its original luster or better, and completion should be by the end of June. I will certainly keep you posted on how this progresses and how it ends up. I am always happy to live so close to Marquette Park but even more so now, as at least I’ll be able to walk over and enjoy the fresh air and warm breeze in the park.

Now, that being said, CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) is starting a group run at Marquette Park open to everyone, whether runners or walkers, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. All paces, abilities and ages are welcome to join in. Meet up by the running track just east of Kedzie. If you have never participated in a CARA event, they do require that you sign up one time at Cararuns.org. The sign-up is easy, just basic information like who to call if you fall.

Happy birthday to Father Gediminas Kersys. Parishioners of Nativity BVM will share birthday cake with Father this Sunday, March 27, after the 11 a.m. Mass.

As part of the Lenten focus of reconciling with Mother Earth, St. Rita of Cascia Parish and St. Clare Chapel are hoping to plant 40 trees in the neighborhood. If you would like to find out more or sponsor a tree, call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.

The next affair at the Monarca Event Room, 3300 W. 63^rd St., will be on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3. Small business vendors will be at “A Spring Weekend Pop-up” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The Chicago Lawn Branch Library is partnering with the Southwest Regional Senior Center and will be holding a monthly book club via Zoom on the third Saturday of every month. The next book to be discussed is The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia. Copies of the books are available at the library, 6120 S. Kedzie. Register in advance by emailing chicagolawn@chipublib.org or calling (312) 747-0639.

As we segue into our history part of the column, I think many long-time readers of this newspaper will remember Cleatus (Cherokee Lee) Murdaugh, whose entertaining poems appeared in this paper for many years. I popped into the White Castle by the airport and while I was waiting for my order, I glanced up and there on the wall was a framed copy of his poem entitled Our Favorite White Castle. It is the first time I’ve seen it and, to tell you the truth I was rather excited. Check it out next time you have a taste for sliders!

Now, back to 1992. Wish K., followed closely by Rich G., were the first to remember that Checkers was the fast-food chain going up on the southeast corner of 63^rd and Kedzie. Wish and I still cannot understand how a place with such good hamburgers did not last on that corner.

Marlene S. knew that 30 years ago, the grocery at 3307 W. 63^rd St. was Shop ‘N’ Save, owned by the Christakes brothers.

In 1992, new construction was underway at 63^rd and Talman. Now what do you suppose that could have been?