Gone fishing! Summer fun in Marquette Park: Kathy Headley

If you happened to be walking around the western end of Marquette Park early last week, or perhaps you were playing golf, maybe you wondered if the park district had just restocked the lagoon. Young fishermen and women were lined up on the pier south of the fieldhouse, and as more arrived, they were casting along the shores both east and west.

It was Monday, June 22, and no, the park district did not just restock the lagoon. The event was “Go Fishing with Johnathan @ Marquette Park,” a partnership between the Chicago Lawn Library and the Chicago Park District.

Teens were invited to learn the proper way to cast and safely catch and release fish. In all, there were 35 participants. Some met at the park; those who lived closer to the library met Teen Librarian Tareai Johnson there and took the bus down Kedzie to the fieldhouse.

Vince Ramirez from the Park District Fishing Clinic and his Conservation Education Reps provided one-on-one instruction. My granddaughter, Kayla, had been asking to go fishing for what seemed like forever, so we arrived right on time. Moneca Gomez was the fishing instructor who helped Kayla. She was patient with a little girl who was queasy about baiting the hook and, when Kayla caught a fish, afraid to hold it.

I’m sure all the instructors were patient. You would have to be. Special thanks to Tareai, Vince, Moneca and all the instructors for their work with the kids that afternoon.

Things to do

This coming week at Marquette Park will bring another cool event: “River Lab: Canoe on the Lagoon” on Wednesday and Thursday, July 8 and 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. This is a chance to explore the Marquette Park Lagoon on a guided canoe paddle. Whether it’s your first time in a canoe or you’re an experienced paddler, all are welcome. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Basic instruction will be provided. Registration fee is $5. Register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

For bird lovers, later in the week on Saturday, July 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., there will be an “Early Morning Birding Paddle at Marquette.” This peaceful guided canoe outing is designed for bird enthusiasts. Registration is required; fee is $5.

Also on Saturday, July 11, join a “Bird Walk Around the Lagoon” from noon to 2 p.m. Spend the afternoon outdoors with fellow bird watchers while exploring the Marquette Park lagoon. Meet at the pier behind the fieldhouse. The route is just under 3 miles. Field guides and binoculars will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is not required.

Monday, July 6, is King Mindaugas Coronation Day and will be celebrated at Nativity BVM. Parishioners and friends are invited to join at 1 p.m. on the east side of the church facing Washtenaw Avenue to sing the Lithuanian National Anthem. Afterward, there will be a luncheon in the parish hall. Everyone is invited.

At the Gage Park Library, 2807 W. 55th Street, Monday, July 6, is Teen DIY for ages 13 to 19. Teens can make a Chicago-themed faux leather charm using the Cricut machine from 3 to 4 p.m.

For teens ages 10 to 19 at the Chicago Lawn Library, 6120 S. Kedzie Avenue, on Thursday, July 9, it’s “Heat Press Tote Bag Designs.” Teens are invited to join from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and make personalized tote bags using a heat press and vinyl cutting machine. All materials will be provided.

A 15th Ward Neighborhood Pop-Up will be held Thursday, July 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the corner of 61st and Sacramento. This is a great chance to talk to Ward representatives about concerns or services needed.

At the Southwest Regional Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Avenue, the Sewing and Quilting Club meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call the center at (312) 747-0440.

Remember 1976: Helen’s Never Inn

Now back to 1976. When we left last week, we were talking about the torrential rainfall in June of that year that didn’t just flood the streets as sometimes happens now but brought water levels up several feet in many instances. Brad S. remembers it well. He and his dad were headed home to 53rd and Sacramento when the water was so high that the car died out at 51st and Talman, forcing them to wade all the way home.

I remember this day very well too because it was my dad’s birthday. We were trying to make it from Evergreen Park back to 64th and Sacramento. We did make it, but getting out of the car and wading into the house was almost impossible. After we got inside, we realized the phone was out, so my husband waded to the bar on the corner of 63rd and Sacramento to call my parents and let them know we arrived home. Brad reminded me that the bar was called Helen’s Never Inn. Remember that?

By this week in 1976, the water had gone down enough for the 10th Annual Iroquois Pow Wow at Marquette. Twenty-five hundred scouts gathered with their leaders for the weekend events. For the first time, it wasn’t just Boy Scouts taking part in some of the events. Do you remember which other groups were invited?

Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor correspondent Kathy Headley can be reached at 773-776-7778.