Keeping calm, carrying on

.

.

By Tim Hadac

Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound Editor

(708) 496-0265 • tim@hadac.com

Four years ago, my dear wife—Joan Hadac—began writing this column.

In that column (published Aug. 7, 2019), Joan introduced herself and added, “I hope to keep you up to date on what’s going on in the neighborhood, and there is always plenty going on. We are fortunate to have two good public libraries, plenty of schools–both Catholic and public—and a wealth of parks, as well as neighborhood groups to keep us current and make Clearing and Garfield Ridge an excellent place to live.”

So true.

And now, three months after her last column was published (May 3, 2023), I’m handling things from here, at least for now.

It won’t be easy. I’ll be writing with a broken heart. But if the columns I pen are even half as good as Joan’s, I’ll consider myself successful.

Fortunately, Patti Tyznik will continue to write a column in this space on a monthly basis. Many thanks, Patti. Like everyone, I enjoy reading what you write. Please keep it up!

Orphaned boys need your help

One thing Joan did well was rally community support for people in need, especially women and children.

So in that spirit, please allow me to introduce you to two boys from Garfield Ridge who really could use a boost.

Randal and Paul “Paulie” Norway lost their mom, Jennifer, in early 2019. The boys were at a tender age—Randal was just 9 and Paulie was 6.

In happier times, Randy Norway and sons.

Their dad, Randy, carried on as best he could. By all accounts, he was a strong and steady presence in his boys’ lives. But last month, Randy was hospitalized with pneumonia and died at La Grange Hospital.

As news spread, tributes poured in via social media. A common thread was Randy’s kind and giving heart. One person recalled how he would play Santa Claus for children. “Randy was one of a kind. Everything he did was for the kids,” a man said. “He was one of those people who loved with all his heart” who had “enduring love for his boys,” a woman remembered.

Randy was a product of Garfield Ridge. He graduated from Byrne School and attended Kennedy High School.

And even in death, Randy gave. He was kept alive on a ventilator so his organs could be donated.

But now, his family needs help—both with “end of life” expenses and with funds to provide his sons with everyday needs, as well as long-term considerations like education.

Will you please join me in helping two boys with broken hearts? It’s easy to do so. Just visit https://gofund.me/d35ae227.

Mark your calendar

• Next week will be busy at the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center, 5674-B S. Archer (immediately west of Archer and Laramie). Here are just a few highlights:

A “cardio chair” exercise class is set for 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14. A $1 donation is requested to join this class. After lunch, bingo will be played at 1:30 p.m.

A game of Toss Across is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. Bingo is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

A pharmacist from the White Crane Wellness Center will give a presentation at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 and stick around for individual consultations. At 1 p.m., a representative from Chicago Legal Aid will give a presentation on reverse mortgages and home foreclosures.

A White Crane nurse will be on hand from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. An exercise class for those with arthritis will run from 1 to 2 p.m.

Bingo is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18. At 1 p.m., the 2023 comedy/drama film Polite Society will be shown. The plot: A martial artist-in-training believes she must save her older sister from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, she tries to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood. Rated PG-13 for strong language, violence, sexual material and some partial nudity.

Center officials recently announced they are looking for a volunteer age 55 or older to call bingo on Thursday mornings at 9:30. Interested? Just stop in and introduce yourself. There are forms to fill out, and you will need to be approved by the regional manager before you can start volunteering.

For more details on the center, its events and services, call (312) 745-4255.

• The Queen of Hearts jackpot is now over $635,000 at St. Faustina Kowalska Parish. Well, this week’s edition of the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound was printed before the Aug. 5 drawing. But if the queen remains elusive, the jackpot remains big. The Queen of Hearts drawing is held every Saturday at Tom’s Tap, 6707 W. Archer. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the parish office or at Tom’s Tap. This is a split the pot (50/50) raffle. Proceeds benefit the parish.

That’s all for now. Have a great week.