Mary Stanek
It was cold, but there was warmth
.
By Mary Stanek
Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon
3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394
My family took a walk around West Elsdon with 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares, her son and some residents of the community on March 12. We were hanging ribbons in memory of CPD Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso.
We walked from 55th to 51st streets, Lawndale to Sawyer. What a nice group of people from West Elsdon to spend a few hours with! It was slightly raining and damp, but we felt a real sense of warmth and community.
Bingo is played every Friday night at the St. Bruno hall, 4839 S. Harding. Games start at 6:45 p.m. but the doors open at 4:30. I am writing this because on March 15 my husband and I attended the memorial Mass for our dear friends, Henry and Leonard Turk. As I have mentioned before, Henry dedicated years of service to the parish bingo.
Mary Stanek
After Mass, the funeral lunch was held at European Chalet (delicious). We had the pleasure to sit at a table with the bingo workers, past and current. St. Bruno bingo has always held a special place in our hearts; and after years, it is still going strong. So, stop in. I hear the jackpots can get quite large.
On Wednesday, March 29, you can help Sts. Bruno and Richard School. Stop into the McDonalds on 52nd and Pulaski. Say, “I’m with St. Bruno and Richard School” and 20% of what you pay will be donated to the school.
It is always a good time when I meet with my St. Turibius classmates. On March 17 I met with Kelly Carver Altobelli and MaryRose Fox McNamee for a great St. Patrick’s Day.
We were real troopers too. We met at 5 a.m. at 115 Bourbon Street for the WGN St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza. The event was televised and lasted from 6 to 10 a.m. The venue was full of revelers, and it truly was a good time.
At the event, several snakes also appeared—big, live ones too. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Well, I learned a lesson. There were never any snakes in Ireland. Several factors come into play for that but one being the climate is not favorable for them. So there, St. Patrick did not banish the snakes because they were never there, from what I am told.
The students of Sts. Bruno and Richard School celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, as well. They decorated gold coins and shamrocks and tried to catch leprechauns.
Our family still misses the VFW Fish Fry over in Summit. That was one of the best. St. Daniel the Prophet is currently hosting fish frys. There will be two more: on March 24 and 31. Dinner is served from 5 to 8 p.m. Prices are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $6 for children (5-10). Tickets are available at the rectory or after the Masses.
Remember, you can always read this column (and others) for about 4 cents a day if you go toswnewsherald.com and subscribe. It’s fast and easy.
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I lived in that neighborhood and enjoyed reading your column.
I was also at the WGN St. Patrick’s Day at Bourbon St. What a great time. Everyone was so friendly, and the WGN Morning news group is so funny. Great column as always. Thank you very much for writing his column every week.