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By Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
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Today we are continuing to catch up on what we missed during the weeks I was gone. We’ll start with a question: What business was on the southwest corner of Lithuanian Plaza Court and Western Avenue for 43 years? You may have stopped there for a hamburger or hot dog or maybe a gyro, certainly a shake or an ice cream cone.
If you said Petie Boys, you were right. It has been a while since Petie Boys closed and the building has sat unused until now. Remodeling of the old building is in progress. The sign is down and the red paint is gone from the outside walls of the building. It now sports a bright white outside, and the sign in the window says Coming Soon: Gert’s.
You might want to weigh in online on this next item. The Chicago Park District and the architecture firm of Human Scale have planned on creating an outdoor performance and exhibition space at Marquette Park. The space is to be situated across from the field house and adjacent to the lagoon. Carlos Flores is currently doing a residency with the Park District at Marquette and is inviting input on shaping the design of the structure to meet the specific needs of the Chicago Lawn community. He tells us the architects are dedicated to incorporating all suggestions into the final design.
Personally, I don’t like the idea at all. That is a beautiful, quiet area, usually home to fishermen. I wish I was still on the Advisory Council at the park right now so I could vote strongly against building anything of any proportion that takes away the serenity and green space of the area. Anyone can cast their vote or thoughts on the matter by going to http://tinyurl.com/MarquetteParkSurvey.
The actual form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out. I have suggested that this be placed in the former Rose Garden instead. The first design will be unveiled on Feb. 12, so it would be good to address this with your thoughts as soon as possible. If you can’t access the sight via the web, perhaps calling the fieldhouse and asking for Tim Greer the supervisor at Marquette would be helpful (312) 747-6469. The online version of this column (at swnewsherald.com) has a clickable link.
Once again this year, Marquette Park is a drop-off site for live Christmas trees. As in the past, no garland or wreaths, just trees. And all decorations should be removed including a plastic bag that might hold the tree.
If you are reading this issue of the Greater Southwest News-Herald in time, the Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council is holding a community meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11, at St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 5443 S. Washtenaw, at 6:30 p.m. The agenda will include the Annual Meeting, a teen forum and a public discussion.
This month’s meeting of the Senior Book Club takes place this Saturday, Jan. 13, online beginning at 10 a.m. So, if you have read this month’s selection, Maame – A Novel by Jessia George, remember to sign into Zoom to attend. For information on signing up, contact the Southwest Regional Senior Center at (312) 747-0440.
On Sunday, Jan. 14, Community Cinema brings the 2023 Walt Disney film Haunted Mansion to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, beginning at 2 p.m.
If one of your resolutions was more exercising, you might want to check out the Zumba classes being held at Marquette Park, 6734 S. Kedzie, every Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.
Saint Rita of Cascia Parish is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Vitalant Bloodmobile will be outside for your convenience. To schedule an appointment, call Vitalant at (877) 258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org and use group code ORD00E80.
Seniors mark your calendars for Thursday, Jan. 25, when Alexi Giannoulias’ Illinois Secretary of State Office comes to the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, for Illinois Driver’s License Renewal and REAL ID. Space is limited, so pre-registration in person is requested. For more information, call (312) 747-0440.
Now back to 1981. Our first question from last week: Where was Elmhurst Federal Savings in the neighborhood? Jack. C. was the first to call in with the answer. Having taken over Marquette Federal Savings and Loan, it was on 63rd Street, just east of California. That is where I opened my first account when we moved here. We used to call it Little Marquette.
Leona S. knew that the best place to get a deli tray with authentic Italian meats and cheeses was Carmen’s, 3629 W. 63rd St.
Mary Anne V. was the first to identify Eugene Peter Jelijenic as Gene Rayburn, who was senior class president when he graduated from Lindblom High School.
In December of 1981, a film crew was on 63rd and Spaulding. What were they here to film? A hint – actors in the segment were Vince Baggetta and Dennis Franz.