Get well soon, Moose

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

If you grew up in  (or anywhere near) Clearing, you’ve heard of the Hill family–or at least Hill Hardware, which was located at 6314 S. Central and was founded by George Hill in 1909.

Well, a member of the storied Hill family could use a boost right about now. Tom “Moose” Hill, a great-grandson of George Hill, recently was admitted to a hospital with a broken pelvis and hip, as well as other health concerns.

Tom “Moose” Hill grew up in Clearing. –Photo courtesy of Ed Hill

Moose grew up in Clearing, attending Fleming and Grimes grade schools, and then Hubbard High School.

Last week, Moose’s son, Ed (the front man of Ed Hill & The Unusuals, a classic rock cover band) played a gig at the Toasted Chicken in Palos Hills, all to honor Moose.

You may have missed it, but if you want to wish Moose a speedy and complete recovery, please drop him a friendly line at getwellmoose@gmail.com. Thanks!

• Last week, I shared some good news about some of the activities resuming at the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center, 5674-B S. Archer. No sooner had the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound gone to press than I heard another bit of good news from center director Julie Slawniak.

The center has received approval from the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services to resume card-playing and other games. Seniors may now come in and play, but at a certain distance. Julie tells me the center has “dropped two tables and are only putting six chairs around each table to keep seniors from being right on top of each other, but we’re ready.”

Joan Hadac

For the center’s hours of operation and other details, call (312) 745-4255.

• Speaking of senior citizens, Wentworth Park Supervisor Tricia Orszula tells me that registration has started for senior programming at the park, 5625 S. Mobile, for the spring session. Seniors now have an opportunity to meet and socialize with others through conversation, card games, exercise, trivia and more. The “senior club” meets from 1:15 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, starting April 7. It is free for men and women age 60 and up. If you are interested, please call the park at (312) 747-6993.
• It’s always a good day when I hear from Marie Zilka. She tells me the Clearing Civic League will have their next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 at Hale Park, 62nd and Merrimac. Special guest is Sue Cappello, Deputy Director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, who will talk about coyotes in the neighborhood, dogs and cleaning up after them, and answer questions. Thank you, Marie!
• All are invited to attend “The History of Ford City,” a presentation hosted by the Clear-Ridge Historical Society, at 6 p.m. Monday, April 18 at the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place.

Ford City, one of the first modern shopping malls in Chicago, has a long and interesting history, from its beginnings as a Dodge Plant producing aircraft engines for World War II, a Tucker Automotive Plant, a Ford Aircraft Engine Plant and its conversion to a retail hub. Join Frank Werner, former chief engineer of Ford City for 47 years, as he guides everyone through this history with photos and documents.

There is no admission charge, but donations to the non-profit CRHS will be accepted. Thanks to CRHS President Rob Bitunjac for sharing this news.