Writing this column is a special experience

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By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Today I’d like to start by thanking you for the many anniversary congratulations. As I said last week, there is something very special about writing for a neighborhood newspaper.

Now let’s see what’s coming up in the neighborhood.

A resource center is now conveniently available for veterans and their families at the new 15^th Ward Service Office, 2650 W. 51^st St., every Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. No appointment is needed. Staff from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be on site to assist. This includes help with healthcare, medical, disability, employment and financial matters.

Kathy Headley

Rosaries will be said this month at Nativity BVM Church, Lithuanian Plaza Court and Washtenaw, in English at 9 a.m. Sundays (before the 9:30 a.m. English Mass) and at 3:30 p.m. Saturdays in Lithuanian (before the 4 p.m. Lithuanian Mass).

On Thursday, Oct. 19, Family Project Hour at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, features Spiders with Light -up Eyes from 6 to 7 p.m. While creating this project, kids will learn about circuits and how they work.

This Friday, Oct. 20, it is TV Show Theme Song Games at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, at 10:15 a.m.

On Sunday, Oct. 22, Community Cinema brings the Lions Gate 2019 film Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark to the Chicago Lawn Library beginning at 2 p.m.

On Monday, Oct. 23, it’s Home Depot Gardening 101 at the Senior Center at 10 a.m.

On Monday, Oct. 23, visiting artist William Estrada brings the Sugar Skull Workshop back to Marquette Park, 6734 S. Kedzie. During the two-hour workshop, families will decorate prepared sugar skulls using icing and create sugar skull masks–which they will be able to take home. There will be a session beginning at 5 p.m. and another at 6.

The Mission Advisory Council of St. Thomas More will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the rectory, 2825 W. 81^st St., at 5:30 p.m. The Fundraising Committee will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 25, also in the rectory at 5:30 p.m.

Next Wednesday, Oct. 25, all young adults are invited to a bonfire social in the St. Rita of Cascia Parish Garden, 6243 S. Fairfield, beginning at 7 p.m. Stop by and meet other young adults as everyone roasts S’mores around the bonfire.

Save the date for Saturday, Oct. 28, when the Chicago Lawn Library hosts its annual Halloween bash from 2 to 3 p.m. There will be crafts, games, stories and music. All are invited to wear their costumes.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Oct. 31, once again the Greater Southwest Development Corporation will be sponsoring a Halloween trick-or-treat down 63rd Street; and this year, also down 59^th Street. Routes run from Western to Kedzie. Hours are from 3 to 6 p.m. For details, contact GSDC at (773) 436-1000.

Also on Halloween, TGI Movement, 2500 W. 63^rd St., will host a fun evening for the kids with candy baskets, cookie decorating, a hay maze and more beginning at 4 p.m.

In recent years, during the weeks leading up to All Souls Day, Nov. 2, anyone going down 63^rd Street past St. Rita of Cascia Church has been taken aback by the display of white crosses lined up on the northeast corner of 63^rd and Fairfield. These crosses are put up in memory of deceased loved ones. A donation of $10 per cross with a limit of five names per cross is requested. Crosses will also be put up outside of St. Clare of Montefalco Church this year. To include your loved ones or for more information, call the rectory at (773) 434-9600.

Now let’s return to 1981. Jewel was debuting frozen generic foods like vegetables, pizza, whipped topping, juice and pot pies. They were now in the freezer case at our local store, near 57^th and Kedzie.

What was the new home entertainment opportunity that was coming to the neighborhood? Jim J. correctly identified it as cable television.

At this time 42 years ago, two neighborhood ladies received a pleasant surprise when they walked in to get their prescriptions filled at a long-time Chicago Lawn pharmacy. Owner/pharmacist Salvatore DiMasi was waiting for this moment because he knew before the morning was over, the pioneer store would be filling its 400,000th prescription, reaching a new milestone in its long history.

Mrs. Amalia Porzel of 61^st and Homan walked in and handed DiMasi a prescription that would become number 399,999. At almost the same time, Mrs. Ceil Glynn of 71^st and Hamlin came to the counter with a prescription that would become number 400,000. Since the two ladies walked in but a moment apart, DiMasi decided to share the unusual honor by giving each one her prescription free to mark the occasion.

This store had been occupied by a pharmacy since the building was erected in 1926, which in 1981, made this the oldest pharmacy in the Southwest Community. Originally it was known as Stine’s Drugs. In the early 1940s it became Sarasin Drugs. One more hint: Forty-two years ago it was just down the street from the Southwest News-Herald office in the heart of Chicago Lawn. So, the question this week is, what was the name and location of the pharmacy in 1981?