May calendar filling up quickly

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By Patti Tyznik

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com

May is sure shaping up to be plenty busy around here with graduations, communions, weddings and of course, Mother’s Day.

As the days grow longer, there’s more time to enjoy evening walks. Have you had the pleasure of hearing the sounds of squeaky swings at the park or the sweet hum of lawn mowers all over the neighborhood? Have you taken in the first sweet smells of spring flowers and plants bursting through the warm ground or the fragment scents of bakeries and pizzerias beckoning you in?

We sure have some wonderful places to stop by in our neck of the woods, day or night. Here’s May’s scoop.

Library news

The Garfield Ridge Branch Library, Archer and Mulligan, is pleased to share our May programs, so stop by for our monthly calendars for kids, teens or adults. Registration is required online at chipublib.org/Events for all programs where indicated. Or call (312) 747-6094 for more information. Keep an eye out for information on our summer reading program.

We are happy to have Midway Chamber of Commerce President Mary Ellen Brown be a guest reader at our Thursday Afternoon Story Time on May 4 at 4:30 p.m. Children ages 3-6 years will listen to Ms. Brown read one of her own published books! Children can ask her a question about her story and then stay for a little activity.

Our Summer Reading Program junior volunteer meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at 2 p.m. for children ages 12-16 interested in volunteering this summer. Registration is online to reserve a spot. Volunteering opportunities are limited. See a librarian for an application prior to the meeting.

Preschool Legos is for children ages 2-5. Preschoolers will be given simple, timed challenges using colored patterns to build small towers on Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Painting 1 2 3 occurs on Saturdays, May 6 and 13 at 11:30 a.m. for ages 3-6 years. Each session children will paint using a different medium. Dress to get messy.

Join us for our children’s Sunflower Program on Saturday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. for ages 5-9 years. Kids will listen to a story and then plant a sunflower seed to take home. Photos of plant’s progress can be emailed to us throughout the summer.

Dignity Memorial will be here on Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m. to present a workshop on How to Plan a Funeral. The presenter will share the latest options on funeral planning, answer questions about cremation and talk about how to lock in today’s prices to protect from inflation. There is no admission fee or obligation on your part to purchase anything.

Adults, come play games on Thursdays, April 27-May 25 and June 1 and 8 at Games People Play from 2 to 4 p.m. We’ve also established a nice pinochle group. Come join the fun!

Now that the election is over, the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place, can resume their morning story time. Join Ms. Kim on Thursdays, April 27 and May 4-25 at 11 a.m. for stories, finger plays, songs and flannel boards in this fun and engaging story time. It is for children ages 0 to 5 with an adult caregiver.

Flower Stories takes place on Wednesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. Join us for stories about May flowers and celebrate the beginning of gardening season. Children of all ages with an adult are welcome to attend to hear stories about flowers and make a craft. All material will be provided. Registration is required, as supplies and space are limited.

Remember, the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 S Archer, is closed for renovations until mid-May. Patrons can pick up their Archer Heights holds at the Garfield Ridge BranchLibrary.

Church events

St. Faustina Parish’s Ladies Guild will host its regular monthly bunco on Tuesday, May 9 in the parish center, 5157 S. McVicker. Sign in begins at 6:45 p.m. and games begin around 7. Cost to play is only $10 with cash prizes awarded at the end of the evening.

Also

Hale Park, 6258 W 62^nd St., has some fun, free senior activities on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. On May 2 seniors will play bunco; on May 9 make a mosaic sticker art project. May 30 is Trivia Day. Call (773) 229-1032 for more information.

Have you been to the new Wintrust Sports Complex, 5499 W 65^th St., Bedford Park? They are hosting their Second Annual Spring Craft and Vendor Faire on Saturday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry fee is a non-perishable food item for the food drive. Over 80 vendors will be there.

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