Ladies and gents, here’s Patti

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

I certainly enjoy this column; but after writing for 163 consecutive Wednesdays (I started in August 2019), I’m grateful to have a week off. This week it is my pleasure to take a break and let Patti Tyznik bring you the news. Take it away, Patti!

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As luck would have it, I have been given the opportunity to be a guest columnist for the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound.

My name is Patti Tyznik, and I am a lifelong resident of Garfield Ridge. Born and raised in this community, I attended Michael M. Byrne Elementary and John F Kennedy High School (Class of 1987).

I met my husband of 29 years at Brown’s Chicken, where we both worked many moons ago. I have two full-grown, beautiful daughters who I am proud to say are CPS teachers.

I have worked as a Library Associate for 22 years at the Garfield Ridge Branch Library and have met the most wonderful children and parents you can image.

I am truly blessed to be able to serve the community where I live and look forward to providing neighborhood information as needed. Stop by the library sometime to say hello. Ask for Ms. Patti.

• Many of you may be bemoaning the end of summer and dreading the uncertain winter that surely lies ahead but there are still plenty of goings-on in our neck of the woods to attend, participate in or just check out.
• Let’s start with one of the local parishes, St. Daniel the Prophet, which just celebrated its 75th anniversary Mass with Cardinal Blase Cupich presiding. The church is hosting the St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive on the weekend of Oct. 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. in the Parish Center, 53rd and Natoma. Two trailers will be waiting for your boxed or bagged clothing donations, as well as small household items. So start cleaning out your closets and part ways with shoes, boots, coats, sweatshirts and any other clothing items that you haven’t worn in years. It’s much appreciated.
• Girl Scout Troop 20307 will be having their annual bake sale on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon outside of St. Daniel the Prophet Church. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to some pistachio bundt cake and chocolate chip cookies! Please consider helping them raise some funds.
• The St. Faustina Ladies Guild has started up its monthly bunco sessions in the hall at 5201 S McVicker. They are always looking for new members to learn this fun, four-player dice game. Next session is Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
• The Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63rd Place, will be hosting an author’s night on Oct. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meet Michael Walsh, author of ZHIMON: A Solitary Adventure, as he reads from and discusses his story, which chronicles his 3,500 mile journey along Canada’s historic Fur Trade route. Copies of the book will be for sale. Contact Rob Bitunjac at (312) 747-5657 for more information.

If you have ever wondered where you came from, I mean really came from, then sign up for Clearing Library’s three-part genealogy series, Investigating Your Family History. Learn the basics of tracing your family history with expert genealogist, Ray Johnson and receive a free genealogy workbook. Program takes place Oct. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register at chipublib.org/Events.

• The Garfield Ridge Branch Library, 6348 S. Archer, is gearing up for a whole bunch of fall programs. Time for Tots storytime is for children ages 18-36 months, Mondays at 10:30 a.m., excluding Columbus Day. Stories, songs, play, socializing and a craft will brighten your toddler’s day. Children ages 6-13 can learn to play chess on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Senior Saturday is just the thing for our neighborhood seniors. Join us on Oct. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for some conversation, games and live music from the ‘50s and ‘60s provided by local musicians Bud & Marge. Refreshments will be available.
• As Prayer in the Park comes to its conclusion for the year, they are hoping to gather up a huge group for its last session on Monday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at Hale Park, 62nd and Merrimac. Our Chicago Lawn (8^th) District CAPS officers will be in attendance and ask us to join them for a special prayer for our officers. Let’s show our support for the men and women in blue.

Until next week, keep being nice to one another and share a smile!