For the 10th year in a row, the Chicago Bungalow Association has celebrated the work many bungalow homeowners put into their backyards and curb appeal by holding the Bungalow Garden Contest. This year’s contest is in full swing. Last year, Gage Park residents Raul Cruz and Casimira Nunez won in the Best Vegetable and Herb Garden category.
The contest is open to bungalow owners (brick, stucco, or frame) in Chicago who are members of the CBA. If you are currently not a member and have a few minutes, visit www.chicagobungalow.org and check it out.
The categories for the Garden Contest are Best Curb Appeal, Best Backyard Oasis, Best Vegetable & Herb Garden, Best Pollinator Garden, and Best Bungalow Window Box.
Winners receive a $500 cash prize and an award plaque. Runners-up will receive a $250 cash prize, and two randomly selected entrants will receive a rain barrel.
The deadline to enter is July 22. Check out the CBA website for rules and more information on the contest.
Things to do
This Saturday, June 27, St. Rita parish is hosting a Teen Retreat for ages 14 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the St. Clare Gym at 55th and Talman. The cost is $20. Registration is required at the parish office, 6243 S. Fairfield Avenue. For more information, call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.
Tweens and teens are invited to join in at the Chicago Lawn Library, 6120 S. Kedzie Avenue, for A Taste of Chicago Lawn this Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. Create a tasty no-bake snack. This week, enjoy making edible Play-Doh. Register by 2 p.m. on June 26 at www.chipublib.org.
Then on Monday, June 29, there’s a Water Balloon Battle for teens and tweens at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. Join in for a friendly water balloon battle, but come ready to get wet. The last person standing will be crowned the winner. Light snacks will also be served.
The Gage Park Library, 2805 W. 55th Street, will hold its next Teen DIY for those 13 to 19 years of age on Monday, June 29, from 3 to 4 p.m. This week’s project will be learning to make a throw pillow. Materials will be provided. No experience needed, but registration is required at www.chipublib.org.
At the Wrightwood-Ashburn Library, 8530 S. Kedzie Avenue, the Wildlife Education Show with Animal Quest comes to the library on Monday, June 29, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Audience members of all ages will learn about the animals and have an opportunity to touch some of them.
On Wednesday, July 1, the Spring Seed Library at Wrightwood runs from 12 to 5 p.m. Patrons are welcome to take seeds while supplies last. Gardeners are encouraged to share their experiences and donate seeds from successful harvests.
For kids 7 to 14, Wednesday, July 1, is Bean Bag Toss and Stitch from 2 to 4 p.m. at Wrightwood. Kids create their own bean bags and then play Bean Bag Toss. Small prizes are available for winners while they last. Registration is required at www.chipublib.org.
Then on Thursday, July 2, also at Wrightwood, tweens and teens ages 10 to 18 are invited to join a Fourth of July Outdoor Festival from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The celebration features a pool-noodle obstacle course, outdoor games, and a bubble-making station. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required.
At the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Avenue, Monday is Super Bingo at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, is Trivia Time beginning at 10 a.m. Massage Therapy is available by appointment every first Friday of the month. Call (312) 747-0440.
Due to delays in receiving the paper in a timely fashion, trivia will run every other week until the issue is resolved.
Back to 1976
Fifty years ago this week, torrential rains flooded streets and left cars underwater. The flooding was so severe that ambulances had trouble getting through. Some residents were in shock as they looked out their windows to see several feet of water outside their homes.
In one instance, a good-hearted neighbor who learned that his neighbor’s guest needed medical attention got out his rowboat and transported her to a waiting ambulance that could only get as close as a block and a half away.
In all, 3 inches of rain fell in 3 hours, with a total rainfall measured at 6.1 inches in Chicago Lawn and the surrounding neighborhoods and some suburbs.
When we left last week, we had just learned that Frank’s Barber Shop at 2508 W. 63rd was being torn down to allow the long-time business of King Bros. Funeral Home to finally have a parking lot. So again this week, our trivia question is: Do you know where the original King Bros. Funeral Home was founded?
Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor correspondent Kathy Headley can be reached at 773-776-7778.