.

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

.

We’ve got several events coming up in the near future that I want to share with you, so let’s get started.

The traditional Blessing of Easter Baskets takes place at St. Thomas More, 2825 W. 81^st St., this Saturday, March 30, at 11:30 a.m. Bring baskets and line them up in front of the Communion railing in church.

Remember this Sunday, March 31, all Chicago Public Library locations will be closed.

On Wednesday, April 3, families are invited to gather for After School Fun at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Play board games, put together puzzles and make small crafts.

Kathy Headley

Then on Thursday, April 4, join the Spy Academy STEAM Club series for kids in grades 3 to 8 at the library. Make a spy ID buzzer, build a magic box and reflective eyeglass lenses and construct an escape zipline. Registration is required for this one. Call the library at (312) 747-0639 to register or go online to chipublib.org/events.

Next Thursday, April 4, is the Monthly Perpetual Novena to St. Rita of Cascia at the St. Rita Shrine, 7740 S. Western, beginning at 7 p.m. As always, the popular Racine Bakery Kringle will be served following Mass.

Next Friday, April 5, is the deadline to RSVP for the 2024 Augustinian Gala which will take place on Friday evening, April 19, at the Drake Hotel. This year’s honorees are the Rev. William Lego OSA, Greg and Wendy Jania and (posthumously) the Rev. Walter McNicholas OSA. For more information and to secure a reservation, visit AugustinianGala.org or call JoAnn Altenbach at (773) 614-5881.

Mark your calendar for next Sunday, April 7, when the Augustinian Young Adult Group hosts their first bingo event. The fundraiser will be held in the gym at St. Clare of Montefalco, 5445 S. Washtenaw, from 1 to 4 p.m. Join what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon and help support the upcoming AYA events and retreats. They will be selling food and drinks as well.

Also on Sunday, April 7, the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S. Claremont, will hold the annual meeting of the members of the Center Complex at 12:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to get to know the activities of the Center and maybe participate in events. For more information, call (773) 710-7330.

If you enjoy running and/or walking at Marquette Park, save this date: Saturday, April 13. That’s when the Go Run Chicago community runs begin at Marquette. These free, Saturday events begin at 9 a.m. and are open to anyone who enjoys racing, running, jogging or walking. Long-time runners, newcomers, families and children are all invited to take part.

These are hosted and managed by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Area Runners Association. Pre-registration is required at CARAruns.org. Registration opens next Friday, April 5 at 3 p.m. and closes the day prior to the event, Friday, April 12 at 2 p.m.

Happy belated birthday to Chicago Lawn native and former pastor at St. Rita of Cascia, who currently resides at the rectory: Father Joe Stobba OSA. Father Joe grew up one block away from me. And happy belated birthday to Brother Chuck Fitzsimmons, who runs the Youth Open Gym at St. Clare of Montefalco.

In recent days I shopped at Jewel twice. The first time, I met up with Karen Sala, our former Gage Park correspondent. On my second trip I met up with Fran Platt and Barb Spangler, both from St. Adrian and previous Marquette Bank folks. It’s always a treat to see and get to visit with those three ladies.

Now let’s return to 1979. When we left last week, I was wondering if you remembered the name of the savings and loan at 83^rd and Kedzie or the banking institution at Ford City. Joe W was the first to identify Grunwald Savings at 83^rd and Kedzie. He recalled that back then it was closed not just on Sundays, but on Wednesdays.

As for the Ford City banking institution, Bernie M remembered LaSalle Talman–which is certainly correct–but I had forgotten all about that one. Not only do I drive through Ford City and pass their former building a lot, but I used to drive my elderly neighbor there regularly to do her banking. So, when I heard LaSalle Talman from Bernie, my first thought was something like “Oh Wow – Yes, of course!”

Jim D.’s guess was Concordia Federal Savings, which was right at the first stoplight west of Pulaski remember? Both of those were better answers than my original one. I was thinking of Ford City Bank.

Forty-five years ago, the Marquette Manor Chamber of Commerce was holding an Easter coloring contest for kids. One of the sponsors was a popular card shop that would have been busy at Easter time for sure. Do you remember the name of that shop at 2410 W. 63^rd St.?

For the 23^rd year, the Chicago Lawn Chamber of Commerce was hosting Honey Bunny, the giant live bunny that gave out candy to kids along its path. One of the bunny sponsors was the hardware store at 3414 W. 63^rd St. They were offering a sale on Easter cake molds of lambs and rabbits and eggs. Remember the name?

Happy Easter, everyone!