I’m pretty sure most of us have heard of Light the Line, the non-profit started by Elizabeth French, mother of fallen Chicago Police Officer Ella French, and Officer Carlos Yanez, Ella’s partner. The organization focuses on the well being of officers on the street who see and experience things most of us cannot imagine. They launched a mobile unit, which responds to active scenes in hopes of providing resources to officers during times of trauma.
During speeches Elizabeth French has given at events I have attended, she has included this sentence, “When Ella joined the Chicago Police Department, she joined a family. Through her, I’m now a part of that family, and family take care of each other, and that’s what Light the Line is about.”
On Thursday, May 21, Pop-N-Pizza, at 3701 W. 59th Street, will be donating a portion of their sales to Light the Line from 4 p.m. to close. This applies to pick-up, delivery, or dine in. In addition to pizza, the restaurant offers pastas, salads, sandwiches and much more. I have driven by many times but never stopped in. However, Karen Sala, our former Gage Park columnist, frequents Pop-N-Pizza so I bet their offerings are really good. I’m planning on stopping in on Thursday.
Feast Day Celebration at St. Rita
The 119th Solemn Novena to St. Rita of Cascia, which ran from Wednesday, May 13, through Thursday, May 21, in the St. Rita Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Avenue, culminates with the Feast Day Celebration on Friday, May 22. Mass and Novena prayers along with the distribution of roses will be held at 10 a.m. and at 7 p.m. Preceding both Masses will be an opportunity for confession. The celebrant for both services will be Rev. Tom McCarthy OSA.
Taste of Tarkington
The Annual Taste of Tarkington at Tarkington Park, 3344 W. 71st Street, takes place on Friday, May 22, from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. This event will feature food from neighboring Chicago Lawn restaurants. The cost is $10. Each registered guest will receive 10 food tickets when they arrive. Additional tickets will be available for purchase.
Kimusuga Art, Adult Book discussion, and more things to do
In honor of Asian-American, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage month, the DIY Adult Craft this Saturday, May 23, at the Chicago Lawn Library, 6120 S. Kedzie Avenue, will be Kimusuga Art. Kimusuga is a Japanese “no sew” art form using fabric scraps on foam board to create a beautiful sunset scene to take home. This takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Light refreshments will also be served.
And, if you are planning on taking part in the Adult Book Discussion at Chicago Lawn Library, you have one more week to read The Mayor of Maxwell Street by Avery Cunningham. The group will meet on Tuesday, May 26 from 6 to 7 p.m.
On Monday, May 25, the Memorial Day Field Mass takes place at St. Casimir Cemetery at 10:30 a. m. The celebrants will be Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry and Father Jaunius Kelpsas, pastor of Nativity BVM parish. Music will be performed by Nativity BVM and St. Mary Star of the Sea choirs.
Tuesday, May 26, is Adult Craft Club: Sit, Sip, and Paint at the Gage Park Library, 2805 w. 55th Street, from 5 to 6 p.m. This month will feature painting a variety of objects from a regular canvas to a coaster. Online registration is required at www.chipublib.org.
And next Thursday, May 28, at Gage Park it’s Animal Encounter with Scales and Tails Traveling Zoo from 6 to 7 p.m. This is for all ages. Walk an anteater by the tail, hold baby chicks, take a photo with a sloth or wear a chinchilla as a hat! Learn about different species and what makes them special in this animal encounter. Registration is required at www.chipublib.org.
Over at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Avenue, the Southwest Auxiliary will host a Super Bingo on Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. The Center will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day, the Chicagoland Accordion Academy will perform on Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m. And on Wednesday, May 27, the Forest Preserves of Cook County will present a program on gardening at 10 a.m.
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.
Memories of 1976
Now back to 1976. When we left last time, we were headed over to 3227 W. 63rd Street where the store was offering two pairs of pantyhose free with the purchase of one dozen Accountant Bic pens. I thought this was a hard question but, by the address, Phyllis A. guessed correctly right away that we were going to Cornet Stationers.
As it turns out, the Chicago Lawn Chamber of Commerce held a contest giving participants a chance to win a Nordic Hills resort vacation. Fred Langbehn, owner of Cornet was also the president of the Chamber and I found a photo of Fred presenting the prize to the winner. I posted the photo on the Chicago Lawn Historical Society website if you’d like to check it out.
And I also posted a picture from 1976 of local school principals from Eberhart, McKay and Morrill who were taking part in a Patriot’s Day Parade down 63rd Street.
Now, it’s still planting season, and in 1976 a local business was giving away free geranium plants with each $5 order – no limit! So, I think we should head over there and check this offer out. Fifty years ago, this business had eight locations, with the two local ones being at 6025 S. Kedzie and 2559 W. 51st Street.
Where do you think we are going for our free geraniums?
Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor correspondent Kathy Headley can be reached at 773-776-7778.