Churchview comes alive with Christmas trees

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

If you were going down 63^rd Street last Wednesday, you probably noticed the activity at Churchview Manor, as folks were busy brightening up their section of the street for Christmas. The seniors were having a tree lighting party in the Churchview garden. So next time you drive by 63^rd and Talman, check out the beautiful trees. The decorations will be up until Friday, Jan. 7.

What would a tree lighting party be without Santa himself? Santa stopped by the Churchview Manor complex, as well as Lawn Terrace, to bring teddy bears for everyone.

The clock is ticking. Throughout the last few weeks I have been mentioning some neighborhood-related items that could possibly make nice Christmas gifts. Time is running out for online ordering, so let me mention two items that can be picked up locally.

Both St. Rita and St. Thomas More parishes have unique Christmas ornaments this year. St. Rita’s was hand painted in Poland and is a sphere with a depiction of the church on one side and St. Rita on the other. The limited edition comes with a certificate of authenticity. Tommy More’s is collector’s item in honor of the church’s 75^th anniversary and has a picture of the beautiful sanctuary on one side and denotes the anniversary on the back. To obtain either ornament, just stop by the rectories or for more information, call (773) 434-9600 for St. Rita or (773) 436-4444 for St. Thomas More.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, Mary Decker put a beautiful Christmas gift on the Chicago Lawn Historical Society Facebook page. It’s for everyone to enjoy, but will have special meaning to the Lourdes High School Chorus from 1973. Her husband restored and digitized a selection from the original vinyl Christmas album that was recorded when she was a member of the chorus at Lourdes. It is called Adoration of the Magi, and it is beautiful. Many thanks to Mary.

Over at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, the Chicago Lawn Historical Society glass case is featuring Christmas from the 1940s with photos and advertisements from that era. They will be on display until the week after Christmas.

This Sunday, Dec. 19, is the annual Kūcios (fish) dinner at Nativity BVM’s parish hall, 6820 S. Washtenaw. The event will take place at noon. For more information, call Audra at (773) 776-4600.

Christmas wafers are available at Nativity BVM throughout Advent and may be obtained either in the sacristy after Masses or at the parish office.

The Coquito tasting event held recently at the Monarca Event Room, 3300 W. 63^rd St., went over so well with more than 80 people in attendance, that another similar event is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 4 to 9 p.m. Labeled Sip & Taste, this will include coquito, micheladas, drink mixers and 10-plus drink vendors.

Now back to 1971. Last week we learned that Santa had arrived in town and would be spending some time everyday greeting folks int the 63^rd and Kedzie shopping area. Helping Santa while visiting here, were members of the Chicago Lawn Chamber of Commerce. I was wondering if anyone could identify the businesses Santa’s helpers were from. Several of you got some of them but no one could identify them all. Jean P. was the first to answer and knew Joe Herbert was the owner of Marquette Photo Supply and Michael Trost was the owner of Trost Hobbies. Bernice V. was the first to remember Mrs. Jackie Klima from Midstate Beauty School. But no one could identify Robert Landis, who was from Temple Bootery.

Amid the Christmas atmosphere in 1971, 20 local businessmen were taking time out of their busy holiday schedules to plan a surprise party for the 65^th birthday of a longtime member of the Marquette Manor Chamber of Commerce. His business was on 66^th and Western for many years, ever since his retirement from his first career. Within the walls of his business, he had life-size pictures of baseball players. Here he was known as the father of Little League baseball, having initiated the league at Marquette Park many years before.

The party would be held this week in 1971 at El Bianco Restaurant. So well-known and well-liked was this fellow that even his competitors were participating in the party, and he had a lot of competitors on Western Avenue. So, unbeknownst to him, 50 years ago this week, who do you think was going to a surprise party for his 65^th birthday?