Bridget Ferriter, you will be missed

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Last week I had the sad experience of attending the funeral of a good friend, Bridget Ferriter. We were neighbors for more than 30 years.

We did things long-time neighbors do, like pop over for coffee or tea, attend each other’s family celebrations, help out when the other one could use a hand and watch each other’s kids grow up.

Bridget was a “See a Need, Fill a Need” kind of person–never one to brag but always happy to join in and help. Many of you will know her either from community events over the years or maybe just from seeing her at Marquette Park, her favorite place to frequent most every day for years.

Remember when Mayor Daley was here for the unveiling of the first Green Bungalow Block on Fairfield? She was there. Or when the community held a “Shark Attack” at the Oak Lawn branch of Harris Bank to protest their lending practices? She was there, marching. How about when the Southwest Home Equity Assurance Program had a float every year in the 63^rd Street Christmas parade? She was riding on it.

She seldom missed a SWOP Action, a Marquette Park Lithuanian Homeowner Association meeting, a Park Advisory Council meeting or more recently, a St. Adrian Seniors party.

On Sunday mornings you might see her at St. Rita, Nativity BVM or St. Adrian for Mass, depending on which direction she decided to go when she left the house.

She believed in shopping in the neighborhood whenever she could, getting her groceries at Pete’s or Rio Valley.

I don’t believe I could name every way I have seen her lend a helping hand to people over the years I’ve known her, so I won’t even try. I will surely miss her, as I know countless others will too.

Condolences are sent to Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC on the loss of her younger brother, Nick. In addition to having taught at Maria High School, Sister many times helps us out by providing some great memories for our history section. She, Nick, and their sisters are all graduates of Nativity BVM School.

This Saturday, Feb. 12, a Valentine’s pop-op will be held in the Monarca Event Room, 3300 W. 63^rd St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in and support local vendors as you peruse their goods while shopping for that special person’s Valentine’s Day gift. As always, in addition to the vendors, food and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information call (773) 701-5000.

There is still time to sign up your children for the winter/spring production session at Teatro Tariakuri, 3117 W. 63^rd St. This session’s program will be Aladdin. An early registration discount of 20% is available until Tuesday, Feb. 15. Drop in or register at teatrotariakuri.org.

Once again, the Sports and Recreational Leadership Program will be held at Marquette Park. The program is open to teens ages 16 and over, and offers them the opportunity to create, implement and lead a variety of recreational activities while collaborating on projects with other teens. This leadership development program also prepares participants for possible summer employment with the Chicago Park District.

The program takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m., March 8 to May 18. Instructors will be Dale Grandys and Paul Pope. For more information email Paul at [email protected]

Applications are now being taken for the 2022-23 school year lottery at Catalyst Maria, our K-12 Charter School, 6727 S. California. The application deadline is Sunday, March 13, at midnight, with the lottery taking place on Wednesday, March 16, at 9 a.m. Apply at catalyst.schoolmint.net. For additional information call Naurice at (773) 993-1774.

When folks have called this past two weeks, each one has mentioned their disappointment when reading of Karen Sala’s retirement from writing the Gage Park column. Karen, you will certainly be missed!

Now back to 1992. Last time we learned that Midway Airlines had recently ceased operations at the airport and employees were out of a job right before Christmas. By this week in 1992 former employees of Midway Airlines were being offered the opportunity to apply for a position with Southwest Airlines, which planned to open a telephone reservation center at Midway employing 300 new workers.

On our previous visit, we were going to 2540 W. 63^rd St. to do some shopping. Paul M. was the first to identify Bill Grice Furniture as our destination’s name, which was a great place to get quality furnishings and appliances in the neighborhood. Now as long as we are over there, let’s stop for some lunch. How about the restaurant at 2518 W. 63^rd St.? Thirty years ago this week, they were offering some tasty lunch specials to celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday and the upcoming Presidents Day. They included pepper steak with fried rice and beef chop suey, both for just $2.55. Do you remember the name we will see on the big sign outside as we enter?