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Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
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Well, it looks like we escaped the big cicada invasion in Chicago Lawn. I know enough folks in other areas that did not, and it was almost unbelievable to see them all on the trees and fences. It was also an adventure to get from the car to the house.
Last week I was at my dentist’s office on 79th Street, in Burbank. As I gazed out the window, a flatbed truck drove by with a large Arby’s sign in back – you know the one: the big cowboy hat. The closest Arby’s that came to mind was the location on the western edge of Scottsdale, in the 7800 block of South Cicero. I remember hearing from someone that this location was one of the oldest Arby’s restaurants so, even though the shop appears to have been kept up very nicely over the years, the immediate thought that came to mind is they were remodeling again.
When I left the dentist, I drove by the restaurant and alas, the cowboy hat was indeed gone, and underneath on the sign that advertises specials it read: Permanently Closed. Visit our nearest location in Tinley Park. Tinley Park?
While I confess I have not frequented Arby’s like I did back when the chain opened the store at 3930 W. 63rd St. (taking over Heap Big Beef), I did sometimes have a craving for a Beefy Cheddar on an onion roll; or their summer specialty, the Chicken Apple Pecan sandwich. All of the other Arby’s locations I have frequented in the last several years have closed long before the Scottsdale one, except Countryside.
While time marches on and this sort of thing is to be expected, it is just sad when you drive by these places and see the imprint on the building where the signage used to be.
Some of you will remember Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rita Clare (Patricia Ann) Kristoff, who recently passed away in Wisconsin. Sister taught at St. Thomas More and at St. Basil.
If you are at least age 50 and a golfer, this will be the last week to sign up for the 41st Senior Amateur Golf Championship at Marquette Park which will take place next Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23. The popular event features 18 holes of stroke play each day. To see if there are still openings, check out marquettepark.cdgolf.com/events or stop in at the clubhouse by the first tee.
During the month of June, a Litany to the Sacred Heart is 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.
Coming up at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, this Saturday, June 15, it’s a family magic show with John Sturk from 2 to 3 p.m. The library says to be prepared to laugh and be amazed by this family-friendly magic show referencing the Magic of Reading, highlighting a few selections from the library shelves. They promise you will be sure to have a memorable experience. Register for the show by Friday, June 14, at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, June 16, Community Cinema brings the 2023 Columbia Picture film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to the library beginning at 2 p.m. Children 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Next Friday, June 21, the library will host a fun afternoon featuring an adult karaoke sing-along from 2 to 3 p.m. this is for ages 18 and over.
Over at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, on Friday, June 14, there will be a Juneteenth celebration with D.J. Chico beginning at 10 a.m.
The Center will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday.
Then on Thursday, June 20, there will be an ice cream social at the Center beginning at 10 a.m.
The Midwest Augustinians will once again hold a women’s retreat at the Carmelite Spiritual Cener in Darien. This year’s event will begin on Friday, June 28 at 4 p.m. and continue on Saturday, June 29. Participants can arrive on Friday and spend the night or just join on Saturday. To learn more and to register, go to midwestaugustinians.org or call Maryellen at (773) 614-5880.
When we were visiting 1979 last week, we were remembering a shop that specialized in ladies’ apparel on 63rd Street, just west of Western at 2435 W. 63rd. Jean H. was the first to remember Betty’s Specialties Shop. Carl thought of Swank Dress Shopp, also on 63rd. Now he remembers that one because his aunt Helen owned the shop and next door was Perfection Beauty Parlor owned by Helen’s sister, Carrie. Gloria M. lived closer to 59th Street and she had memories of going to Becky Ross Shop on 59th and Rockwell with her mom.
This month in 1979, one of our popular local restaurants was holding a grand opening in their new location at 3214 W. 63rd St. Here’s a hint: if you remember this restaurant from its first location, you will identify it right away when I tell you that for the first time they could now serve beer and wine. Before that, it was BYOB. Can you remember this one?