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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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After the surprising snow coming down like a blizzard for a while last Friday night, I was especially glad to see the sun Saturday morning, for Patrick Downs (St. Rita High School class of 2018) was arriving home from his tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps; and friends, neighbors and St. Rita alumni were planning a surprise welcome home parade route that afternoon, with anyone that could, standing outside their homes waving and supporting him as the family drove by.
Even though this was starting just a bit south of us at 103rd Street, I wanted to share this with you because Patrick’s Dad Dennis (aka Dennis D.) is a regular reader of this newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to our history portion. Dennis is also a grad of St. Rita High School and St. Rita Grammar School having grown up right here in the neighborhood. Congratulations Dennis. So happy for you and your family – and welcome home to your son!
The “Little Angels” Children’s Choir of Nativity BVM Parish went on a field trip over the President’s Day holiday to Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort. From what I hear, everyone had a great time. I remember going on ski trips to Wilmot when I was in high school and, once we got the hang of skiing smoothly, we always looked forward to it.
As some of you may know, the bacon buns class at the Chicago Lithuanian Center sold out well before the date last week. It was so popular perhaps they will do it again.
Now let’s see what’s coming up in the neighborhood.
This Saturday, March 2, Teatro Tariakuri, 3117 W. 63rd St., hosts Saturday Night Variety Show. It promises to be a night of glamour, music and comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Get tickets at teatrotariakuri.org. For more information, call (312) 532-2774.
Over at St. Thomas More, 2825 W. 81st St., representatives from Bethlehem Arts will be in the vestibule after Mass on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, selling handcrafted art from the Holy Land. Stop by and check it out. There should be some nice gifts available for purchase.
This Sunday, March 3, parishioners of Nativity BVM are planning to celebrate Father Gediminas Kersys’ birthday in the parish hall right after the 11 a.m. Mass. Happy birthday, Father!
Also this Sunday, Community Cinema brings the 1981 New Day Film Quilts in Women’s Lives to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, beginning at 2 p.m. This film is suitable for ages 13 and over.
The St. Augustine Young Adults invite all adults ages 18 to 39 to join them at St. Rita Parish, in St. Augustine Hall on Wednesday, Martch 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for a Lenten reflection. Enter off the parking lot. For more information, call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.
This month’s Perpetual Novena to St. Rita of Cascia at the St. Rita Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western, will be on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. As always, everyone is invited to stay after to enjoy a slice of the famous Racine Danish Kringle.
Coming up next Sunday, March 10, St. Thomas More will be hosting a celebration in honor of St. Patrick and St. Joseph in Donlan Hall after the 10 a.m. Mass. Coffee, juice and sweets will be served and a raffle will also be held.
Father Ray Flores OSA returns to St. Rita Parish to host a three-day mission on Sunday, March 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday, March 11 and 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for more information contact the parish office at (773) 434-9600.
Seniors, mark your calendar as something a little different is coming to Marquette Park later this month. March Madness Shoot and Win hosted by the park and sponsored by JenCare will be taking place at the fieldhouse, 6734 S. Kedzie, on March 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Move up the brackets as you go head-to-head in a game of basketball arcade. There will be a grand prize for the winning team. A JenCare doctor will be on hand discussing vaccinations and plan representatives in case you have questions on their care as well.
Now going back to last week’s question: how many of you knew where John C. Reilly worked as a teenager? Bill B. knew the name of the store right away: Meyers Super Foods at 58th and Kedzie. Bill worked there and says they had a nice group of folks there. Everybody got along. I remember working with them to cater some nice luncheons at St. Rita. The food was always really good. Bill said Mr. Meyer ruled the deli counter. It was his domain and he was very proud of it.
Now Meyers was a good-sized store with a good-sized parking lot. Anyone care to take a guess at what was on at least on part of that property before Meyers was built?