Joan Hadac
Time for Grandma to smile again
By Joan Hadac
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com
As sad as my columns were for the last two weeks (if you missed them, they’re posted at southwestregionalpublishing.com), it’s that much of a relief to write about something joyful.
Something wonderful is happening to me next week. My grandsons are coming to town!
This is the one “vacation” I look forward to all year long. Since my older daughter, son-in-law and their four boys live out of state, I only see them in person once, maybe twice a year.
The rest of the time it’s over Facebook, but that’s not the same. Hugging a computer screen is not the same as hugging the kids in person. (I don’t hug the screen, but I’m tempted.) I want to hug the stuffing out of them, but the boys get a look on their face like, “OK, Grandma, that’s enough for now.”
My four grandsons are 7, 4, 3 and 11 months. The three youngest are having birthdays soon. I can only wish them happy birthday electronically and get a little depressed. I miss them when they are not here, but I try to be a part of their lives. That’s why when they are here, we have a schedule of things to do—yes, a schedule. There’s so much to do in the neighborhood, city and wider area. We want them to experience Chicago.
Timing is a dance when they visit, because Grandma and Grandpa want to take them here, there and everywhere. We also want to give my daughter and her husband time to visit friends and family in the area. I hand over my car keys (I have a minivan that holds four car seats and two adults) and let them meander at will.
So, if you don’t hear from me next week, don’t be alarmed. I’m with my grandsons and watching them have the time of their lives. If your grandkids live far away, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you have the luxury of having your grandchildren nearby, please feel fortunate and give them an extra hug.
Gospel good news
It’s always a good day when I hear from Pastor Julio Pena over at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac.
Pastor Julio tells me that a community prayer vigil is held at the church at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. People of all faiths are welcome to the prayer vigil, and you do not have to a member of or attend Good Shepherd.
Prayers center on the church, community, families, youth, children, world issues and our own private prayers.
School age-children can spend time Walking with Jesus during Good Shepherd’s Vacation Bible School, happening from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 8 through Aug. 12. The week-long event will feature games, arts and crafts, music, Bible study and a simple meal each night. Registration is required for each participant and parents who would like to volunteer are welcome.
There are more Good Shepherd community events coming your way starting in September, such as The Spirit of Love Community Youth Group, an open house with a chance to tour the church and meet with Pastor Julio, the church becoming a safe haven for those who need it and a mental health program. I’ll give you details in the following weeks.
To register for programs or for more information, call Good Shepherd at (773) 585-1094 or email gspc5550@aol.com.
Here’s a gentle reminder that we have our very own farmers market sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. It happens every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Mayfield Banquets, 6072 S. Archer. See what food and other goodies are available. Thanks to the chamber for sponsoring this event.
As always, I invite you to send me your news, whether it be a birthday, anniversary, graduation, birth of a child or grandchild, a wedding or anything important to you and your family.
Until next week, take care.
Local News
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars hanging on to playoff spot; Fire eliminated from postseason contention
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars returned to Bridgeview with mixed results in two games, but held onto the final playoff spot in the NWSL and increased their lead over seventh-place Angel City. The top six teams make the playoff in the 12-team league. The Red Stars (8-6-6, 30 points)…
Area Sports Roundup: Stagg and St. Laurence advance in soccer showcase
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Stagg and St. Laurence’s boys soccer teams advanced to the championship weekend of the Bodyarmor Sports Series showcase by winning games last weekend at Olympic Park in Schaumburg. Stagg opened with a 2-0 victory over Notre Dame in the first round on Sept. 10. Piotr Zawislan and Kamil…
Pigskin Wrap: No panic for SXU after tough start to season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Saint Xavier is off to a not-so-good start, but veteran coach Mike Feminis is not panicking. The Cougars were ranked 11th in the nation in the NAIA coach’s poll and are 0-2 after a 31-10 home-opening loss to St. Thomas (Florida) on Sept. 10. That followed a 57-0…
Pro Soccer Report: Fire breaks goal drought in win over Miami
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Remember when the Chicago Fire opened the season getting shut out in six of its first eight games? Recently, the Fire started to recreate that skid as they entered their battle with Miami having been blanked in four straight matches and 402 consecutive minutes. Chicago was able to…
Health officials link Legionnaires disease to Burbank church
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong St. Albert the Great Church held masses as usual last Sunday just days after state and Stickney Township health officials said bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease was detected in the Burbank church’s cooling tower. A cluster of cases of the disease reported to health officials put the onset dates of…
Move over, 3 Rs
Spread the loveSt. Sym’s new STEM lab adds 4 Cs By Cosmo Hadac Officials at St. Symphorosa School last week cut the ribbon to open their new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) studio, which they said will help give students the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. “In my mind we needed…
Your chance to thank a police officer
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com You may recall Clearing native Robert Swiderski’s inspiring, two-day, 80-mile run across the city in June 2021—running to all Chicago Police Department district stations to help prevent suicide among law enforcement officers. This year, the avid runner plans to start…
Crusaders raise funds on Archer
Spread the love Still basking in the afterglow of their season-opening 27-14 triumph over Roosevelt, members of the Kennedy High School football team stand at Archer and Normandy and encourage motorists to eat at McDonald’s last week. The restaurant donated a portion of sales over a three-hour period to the team. Between sales revenue and…
Neighbors
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…