Liths lead aid drive for Ukrainians

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

As war rages on in Ukraine, the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania have been noticed by the local Lithuanian population. As always, Nativity BVM Parish has done its part to help.

Undergarments for women and children are in particularly short supply for the refugees. During Lent, the parish took up a collection and sent more than $1,500 to Lithuania to help with this particular need.

Kathy Headley

If you pick up this newspaper early and want to give Mom or Grandma a personalized Mother’s Day gift, the Greater Southwest Development Corp is sponsoring a free professional portrait with moms and their families on Thursday, May 5 in the Monarca Event Room, 3300 W. 63^rd St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Stop in and take advantage of this opportunity.

Registration is still available for last-minute participants in tomorrow’s (Saturday, May 7) Go Run Marquette Park. I know sometimes we wait to see what the weather is going to be like! The free 5K or one-mile event is presented by the Chicago Area Runners Association; and while it is timed, it is open to runners, walkers or joggers. All ages, all paces, all abilities are welcome. Register at gorunchicago.org. Meet up at the starting line, just west of the running track off Kedzie Avenue and Mann Drive.

The Cubs Rookie League Baseball sessions at Marquette Park filled up quickly, but if your children or grandchildren ages 6-12 are still hoping to participate, waiting list registration is open. Register online at anc.apm.activecommunitites.com. During these sessions, kids learn the basic skills of batting, sliding, pitching and catching. These sessions are free, sponsored by the Chicago Cubs and run until June 10. They are held on Fridays at the park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

As I’m sure you will recall, the Rev.Thomas Mescall, former pastor of St. Adrian Parish, passed away in February of this year at age 74. A Memorial Mass for Father Tom will be held on Saturday, June 4, at 10 a.m. in St. Adrian Church, 7000 S. Washtenaw.

Due to the Archdiocesan Renew My Church process, many parishes have found themselves in a different situation than they had hoped. This is a bit east of us, but I know from talking to you over the years that many who read this newspaper were originally from St. Kilian’s Parish. With that in mind, the closing Mass at St. Kilian Church will be held on Sunday, June 12 at 10 a.m. A reception will follow in the gym. No reservations are necessary, just return for one last time.

Last week on our visit to 1992, we learned that John Rackos, owner of a local grocery store, was hosting a celebration in the store’s parking lot in honor of Greek Easter. The address of his store was 8215 S. Kedzie. Bill J. recognized Bargain World Super Foods right away. On the next block from his house, Bill’s mom shopped there regularly. While Bargain World was a Certified store that also carried imported foods, included in this week’s specials was a “Special Special” on Kourtaki Patraiki Roditis at $3.99 a liter. I have it on good authority that John Rackos was a good man, quite generous to local organizations – civic, business, churches, schools, Little League, Scout troops and more.

Back in 1992, it was during this past month that a Chicago Lawn pioneer passed away. Some of you may remember her as she was a member of Marquette Park Presbyterian Church, an active volunteer at the church, and a member of the Marquette School PTA, Marquette Manor Women’s Club, volunteer at the West Communities YMCA during the planning and construction there and, well, it seems like, you name it, she did it or at least helped with it. Her name was Ivy Wahlen and she died at the age of 98.

Now we must buy a nice bouquet of flowers for Mom for Mother’s Day. Thirty years ago we had a few choices, but the shop on 63^rd and Fairfield is the one we decide on. I know you remember the name on this storefront, don’t you? Even if you never bought flowers here, you have to have passed it a million times.