Join me in congratulating Rob Bitunjac, the branch manager at the Clearing Public Library, on his 35th anniversary of working for the Chicago Public Library system. I asked his permission to print his heartfelt message from his Facebook post, and it goes like this.
“I don’t post much on Facebook but today I felt the need to share. Today is my 35th anniversary of working at the Chicago Public Library. Having planned on a career with computers it’s a job I kind of stumbled into. But it has turned out to be the defining part of my life. It has given me everything, literally as it has allowed me to build my life, helping to pay for my house, my cars, my life with my wife and kids. It has also helped me to realize my dreams. I’ve been able to found a historical society, write books, impact the history of the community that has been home to my family for over 100 years and create a fun community space. Along the way I have been able to meet many amazing people in the library. In their own way, they taught me what a library should be and how to make the library an inviting and interesting place to be. I truly enjoy going to work each day. Not only for the fun and enjoyable coworkers but I feel like I’m making a difference in the community. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be working but I know I’ll miss it. Thank you, Chicago Public Library, for being a major part of my life all these years.”
If you know Rob, you know he’s as passionate today about his work as he was 35 years ago. He is calm, even keeled, and very knowledgeable about the Clearing and Garfield Ridge areas, which makes him a true asset to the community. He’s a friend to many and an inspiration to librarians everywhere. He’s a fair and understanding manager and runs Clearing library from the heart, not from a bank account. I hope the public knows how lucky we are to have such a treasure in our own backyards. Cheers to you, Mr. Bitunjac! Here’s to 35 more years! Stop by and wish him all the best-he deserves all the accolades we can muster.
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac Ave., will be holding their Farewell Service on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 10:30 a.m. They invite you to celebrate 100 years of ministry, led by Rev. Terry McIntyre. A small reception will follow mass with coffee and cake. I am sorry to hear they will be closing. Best wished to their pastor and parishioners.
First Responder’s annual Cookout Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1-5 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 W. Archer Ave. Ed Tylka and staff would like to invite all active and retired first responders and their families to our Appreciation Cookout. Join us for food and refreshments, a bounce house and other entertainment and fun for children. Musical entertainment will be provided.
Garfield Ridge Library
Chair Yoga for Seniors Fridays through Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m. Join local yoga instructor, Ms. Kim, for this low-impact yoga class. (Plan to arrive 10 minutes before program starts, please). Register for each session at 312-747-6094 or in person for each session. Space is limited. Please cancel 24 hours in advance to allow someone on the waitlist to join in your place.
Games People Play Our adult game day returns on Thursdays, from 2-4 p.m. Join us every Thursday for our weekly adult and senior game day. We play Scrabble, dominoes, Sorry, UNO, Yahtzee, cards, trivia, canasta, Mexican Train and more. This is our fifth year of game days, and we would love to expand our group. Feel free to request to play a different game or bring one of your own. This is a great way to meet other seniors and learn about local events in the community. Let your parents and neighbors know that the library is a window to a whole new world!
Game Day Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Join us for Saturday Game Day for adults and seniors. This is a drop-in program. Bring a game or play one of ours: UNO, Mexican Train, Canasta, Checkers, Sorry, Scrabble, cards and more! Players gather on adult side of building as space allows. No registration is needed. Make new friends!
Tot Play Time Saturdays, Sept. 12 and 19; October 10, 17, 24 at 9:30 a.m. Join us for a new Saturday play time for children ages 0-4 years old. Babies and toddlers will have fun, educational toys to choose from while older kids can play with Duplo blocks, magnetic tiles, puzzles and pretend play toys. No registration is required.
Clearing Public Library
Chalk the Walk Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join us for Chalk the Walk and decorate the sidewalk leading to the library. Kids are encouraged to chalk up the walk with their own colorful creations. Chalk will be provided. For kids 3 to 13 with an adult.
Story Time with Ms. Kim Thursdays, until Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. Join us for story time, especially for our littlest patrons! We share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home activities.
Community Events
Tax Appeals Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at Hale Park, 6258 W. 62nd St. Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Hale Park. Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9-11 a.m. at Quinn Guerrero-Cuellar Service Office, 6500 S. Pulaski.
Hope Church Midway, 6059 S. Archer, will be starting a new 13-week session of Grief Share on Monday, Sept. 14 through Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. You can register at www.griefshare.com under Hope Midway. The cost is only $20 for a workbook. Classes are held at the church in the lower level. These in-person classes cover everything from exploring your grief journey to finding hope and resilience. Each week features a different topic, a video and then group discussions. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one, please share this information.
CAPS and Beat Meetings Beat 11 will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at St. Faustina’s Ward Hall, (5157 S. McVicker. Beat 12 will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Clearing Public Library, 6423 W. 63rd Place, 312-747-5657, at 6: 30 p.m. Beat 13 will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. at the West Lawn Field House, 4233 W. 65th St. Beat 14 will meet on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Vittum Park Field House, 5010 W. 50th St. Please join these important meetings to learn about what’s going on in your neighborhoods and how to stay vigilant against crime. Meet your beat facilitators and local police. Ask questions. Join the Neighborhood Watch group for your area. The more vested people we have the safer our neighborhoods will be. We thank you for your continual support.
The Garfield Ridge Senior Center, located on Archer and Laramie, 5674-B S. Archer Ave., has many fun events for September. Brain Aerobics Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. Classes meet Sept. 1-29, and Oct. 6. Join us to keep your brain in shape! First Friday Bingo & Coffee meets on the first Friday of every month during bingo, 9:30-11 a.m. The baked goods are free and beverages are free! Bingo cards cost 50 cents. Please call 312-745-4255 or stop at the center. Ask for Julie.
13th Ward
Senior Celebration Friday, Sept. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to1 p.m. at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St. This yearly event celebrates the seniors in the neighborhood. A great way to connect and meet Alderman Marty Quinn.
Touch-a Truck Event Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5-7 p.m. at Kinzie Elementary parking lot, 5625 S. Mobile. Come join us for this annual event where kids will get a firsthand, up-close look at fire trucks, police motorcycles, garbage trucks, emergency vehicles and more. Let your child hop on a big truck, honk the horn and pretend to steer some of these amazing trucks! Photos are allowed so don’t miss out! Meet a few police K9 dogs, talk with the crime lab, and see a police helicopter fly overhead! Sponsored by Quinn, state Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, state Sen. Mike Porfirio, the Chicago Park District, the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, the Midway Chamber of Commerce, the 8th District Police Council, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police and Happy Jacks.
Until next time, keep being nice to one another and share a smile! Please continue submitting information to my email: ptyznik@gmail.com.