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Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
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Earlier this month was the Fifth Lithuanian Documentary Film Festival, with distinguished guests from Lithuania and other parts of the United States visiting the neighborhood. They held a photo session in the editorial office of the oldest Lithuanian newspaper in the world, Draugas, and then made sure to stop and tour the Sisters of St. Casimir Legacy Room and visit the SSC Chapel. Thanks to the Sisters, we are known in other parts of the world as a destination.
For former Hope Lutheran students, Walther Christian Academy, 900 Chicago Ave., Melrose Park, has set up a tribute trophy case with trophies and memorabilia from Luther South High School. Tim Bouman is the Head of School at Walther and invites all former Luther South folks to stop in and see it.
During the month of May, a daily Litany of Mary will be recited at Nativity BVM Church, after the 8:30 a.m. weekday Masses and on Saturdays after the 4 p.m. Mass. All are invited to join.
Over at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, the Southwest Auxiliary Mother’s Day Dance with Eberhart Grade School takes place today–Friday, May 10–beginning at 9:30 a.m.
This Sunday, May 12, Community Cinema brings the 2017 Lions Gate Entertainment film The Big Sick to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie. Beginning at 2 p.m., this one is rated R and suitable for ages 18 and over.
Beginning on Monday, May 13 and running through Tuesday May 21, it is the 117th Annual Solemn Novena to St. Rita of Cascia at the St. Rita Shrine, 7740 S. Western. People come back from all over for this special once-a-year devotion to the saint known as the Saint of the Impossible. Each evening has a different preacher. Masses with novena prayers will be said at 7 p.m. each day. Of course, the Shrine Gift Shop–which features many unique St. Rita items, as well as, nice gifts for First Communion and Graduations–will be open.
Over at Dan Ryan Woods, connect with nature on Bird Walks Wednesdays, May 15, 22 and 29 from 8 to 9 a.m. Join a naturalist as the group explores this preserve while searching out local birds. Meet at the Visitor Center on the northeast corner of 87th and Western.
On Friday, May 17, it is the annual Senior Resource Fair and Special Luncheon for seniors at the Southwest Regional Senior Center beginning at 10 a.m.
Stop in at the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S. Claremont, on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for International Museum Day. Visit the three museums under one roof at this free event.
The Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center is hosting a boat ride and wine tasting next Sunday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. Cruise the Chicago River while listening to the music of Paul Strolios as he performs during the trip. The cost is $60 and includes three glasses of wine. Register at antanas5190@gmail.com.
Coming up on Saturday, June 15 is the Rev. Anthony Brankin’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at St. Thomas More, 2825 W 81st St. The celebration will include the 4:30 p.m. Mass and the ticketed reception. The reception will be held in Donlan Hall, located on the lower level of the church. Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner and entertainment. A cash bar will be available.
There are a limited number of tickets being sold so, if you plan on joining the celebration, it’s best to get yours right away. Tickets can be purchased by calling Phil Smith (773) 991-6977 or Mary Bax (708) 218-4355 or Zelle (fr50party@gmail.com).
Happy birthday to my granddaughter, Kayla, who celebrates today. Actually, she is celebrating by going camping with her Girl Scout troop. My daughter, Tracy, is going along as a chaperone. I sure hope the cicadas don’t find them! Their previous camping was always done in cabins, but this one is their first outdoor trip sleeping in tents.
Now back to 1979. When we left last week, we were still stuck on the question: What sort of proposal were the Marquette Park Lithuanian Homeowners and the Marquette Park Civic Association working on in hopes of converting McKay School, 69th and Fairfield, to a different type of learning institution?
That was a hard one. No one knew the answer, although a few of you had some pretty close guesses. I must say, I would not have known it either. The answer was a nursing school. Their line of reasoning made perfect sense with the super close proximity to Holy Cross Hospital. But the Board of Education won that one. Their reasoning was that 600 school kids would be displaced.
One of our regular Friday nights in 1979 involved walking over to the Marquette Theatre, stopping for dinner on the way and then popping into Cupid after for a hot fudge sundae. One of our favorite restaurants on those evenings back then was celebrating its eighth anniversary that year. Located right by the Marquette, its address was 3141 W. 63rd St. If I remember correctly, it was in the same building that had housed Burton’s Store for Men in earlier years. Do you know which place I’m remembering?
Hi Kathy,
Is it Mr. Steers? Love your column. Mary