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Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
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Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium.
Pastors Ben and Jordyn Arias are such nice folks and, boy every time I have stopped in, they have put on a nice spread. Last week was salad, chicken pot pie, roasted potatoes, veggies, nice bakery. Ben tells me they have an average of about 70 people coming out each week these days.
Now, on the way to the park, I noticed a mark on my tree in my yard and I was concerned. Well as luck would have it – you’re not going to believe this – in exchanging pleasantries with the gentleman that sat next to me at the dinner, I learned he was an arborist for the Cook County Forest Preserves. He was kind enough to share his expertise with me and calmed my fears, telling me it was likely nothing to worry about. It was also kind of surprising to find out he lives just a couple of blocks from my daughter. You never know who you will meet at these Community Dinners. If you think you might enjoy stopping in, they are held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Marquette Park Fieldhouse.
If any seniors are reading this by 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, you might like to head over to the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S Kedzie, for an ice cream social.
On Monday, June 24, it is Gardening 101 with Home Depot at the Senior Center beginning at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is required by calling (3122) 747-0440.
And then on Wednesday, June 26, it is Super Bingo at the Center beginning at 10:15 a.m. The cost is $5 to play.
Over at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S Kedzie Avenue, Community Cinema brings the 2021 Happy Ventures film Live at Mister Kelly’s to the library auditorium on Saturday, June 22, beginning at 2 p.m.
Then on Sunday, June 23, Community Cinema will show the 2023 Paramount Pictures film 80 for Brady also beginning at 2 p.m.
On Tuesday, June 25, join the Adult Book Discussion of the 2021 book ‘The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes’ beginning at 5 p.m. at the library.
And on Thursday, June 27, the Kids Chess Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. for kids ages 6 to 13.
Next Wednesday, June 26, it’s a Night of Nature Play at Dan Ryan Woods featuring stargazing and S’mores from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center on the corner of 87th and Western.
Coming up next Sunday, June 30, St. Rita of Cascia parish will hold a special event in which you can commemorate a loved child who has entered heaven by writing their name on a spin wheel that will be placed in the front garden on the northeast corner of 63rd and Fairfield. For more information, call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.
Now let’s address an item from last week’s column and that is the Arby’s closure at 78th and Cicero. As I mentioned in the column, the sign that would normally list the specials, instead stated: “Permanently closed. Visit our nearest location in Tinley Park.” I mean you would really have to be dying for an Arby’s to go to Tinley Park.
Tom M. called to let us know that a ride to Tinley is not necessary as the location at 95th and Roberts Road is still open. Now that tells us something about the Arby’s office if the person in charge of this thought Tinley Park was the closest location. Kind of scary, too, perhaps the chain does not have long. We’d better get our Beefy Cheddars while we can.
When we left 1979 last time, we were headed to the grand opening of a popular local restaurant in their new location at 3214 W. 63rd St. While one of their specials for the occasion was a free pitcher of pop, this move meant that for the first time they could now serve beer and wine. Before that, it was BYOB. I remember when we would stop in the original location for pizza. after Saturday evening Mass at St. Rita.
Jean P. knew right away we were talking about Giordano’s and the tip off for her was the BYOB. She said she remembers me talking about that when she took one of the neighborhood trolley tours we used to do.
When Tom M. and I were talking about Arby’s we did segue into what a nice place Giordano’s had in their new location. Going down to enter the restaurant was pretty cool but it did eliminate a street view. I believe that was in the Steifel Building, right?
At the end of the month, we will leave 1979 and move over to 1964 for a while. So, this is the last question for 1979: Forty-five years ago this was a busy grocery store in the neighborhood. Located in its original spot at 2454 W. 63rd St., the family-owned food store by this time had added two locations. Which store am I thinking of?