‘City of Stories’ fun at local libraries

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

Hi everyone. Many children are out of school for the summer and I hope they enjoy it to the fullest. I also hope that their parents enjoy it as well. What are your plans for the summer? Are you looking forward to a special vacation or going somewhere that you visit every summer?

Joan Hadac

My special stay-cation will happen in the beginning of August when my older daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren come from out of state to visit. Until then I will be spending time in the wonderful summer warmth, enjoying iced tea on my deck.

• One way for kids to enjoy summer is to take part in the annual summer reading program sponsored by the Chicago Public Library. The Garfield Ridge Branch Library, 6348 S. Archer, will be kicking off its summer reading program at 11 a.m. Monday, June 27 and it continues through Sunday, Aug. 14 during library hours.

The theme is City of Stories and children up to age 13 may participate and earn a T-shirt for completing the program. Kids can participate in fun programs, weekly raffles, crafts, Chess Club, a young author’s writing program and two kid yoga sessions. Teens and adults haven’t been forgotten and may participate in their own version of the summer reading program. For more information, call (312) 747-6094.

Thanks to Patti Tyznik for sharing this information with me.

• Registration closes Wednesday, June 29 and there are five spots remaining for the Teen Painting Challenge being held from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at the Clearing Branch Public Library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place. Teens 13 through 18 can create their own painting to take home. No experience is needed and all supplies will be provided. Registration is required and can be made by visiting chipublib.org. For more information, call (312) 747-5657.
• Congratulations to the recently elected officers of the Rhine VFW Post 2729. Serving the post in 2022-2023 will be Commander – Charlie Johnson, Senior Vice – Bob Kozak, Junior Vice – Joe Wiencak, Quartermaster – Rich Aguinaga, Chaplain – Ray Chrostek, Service Officer – Ken Koss, Adjutant – Mike Morrell. Congratulations again to Rich Aguinga, who will also serve as junior vice of the third district.

Congratulations are also extended to the recently elected officers of the Rhine VFW Post 2729 Auxiliary. They also will be serving from 2022-2023 and include President – Michael Maruszak, Senior Vice President – Laura Hogan, Junior Vice President – Jan Swinarski, Secretary – Joanne York, Treasurer – Diane Pencak, Chaplain – Henrietta Mazurowski, Conductress – Janet George, Guard – Carmella Discianno and Three-Year Trustee – Sarah Kwiatkowski.

• Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 30 when the Patriot’s Day Parade, hosted by the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce kicks off at 7 p.m. The parade route runs from Central Avenue to Merrimac. If you want to participate in the parade, social groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, marching bands as well as chamber members are invited to register for free. Non-member businesses and political groups will pay $50. Registration is available by visiting the Garfield Ridge Chamber website, garfieldridgecc.com/events. For more information, call (773) 767-0014.
• Last week I told you that wristbands for Family Fest, coming to Two Holy Martyrs Parish Thursday, July 14 through Sunday, July 17, will be sold at Masses during the weekends of June 25 and 26, July 2 and 3 and July 6 and 10. For those who can’t make it on those days, the $50 wristbands will also be sold in the rectory office, 6135 S. Austin during rectory hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, beginning Monday, June 27.

By the way, the Family Fest Grand Raffle tickets are also on sale for $20 each or six for $100. For more information, call (773) 767-1523, visit twoholymartyrs.org or the parish’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I used to help set up the St. Joseph Carnival and I did it for seven years. I know what hard work it is to run a successful carnival. I wish Two Holy Martyrs the best of luck for their Family Fest.

• In my column that ran in the June 1 edition of the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound, I wrote about Stephanie Smock, a young mom in serious need of a financial boost. Back then, I wrote, “If you will, please visit gofund.me/b6ef4d3a. When I wrote this, the effort to help Stephanie was nearly $2,000 short of its $5,000 goal. If we all pull together, we can close that gap fairly quickly.”

Well, thanks to your generosity, that gap has been closed. Last I checked, $5,018 has been raised. Thanks to all who donated!

I hope you have a delightful week. I’ll see you next week.