Winter Olympics bring back fun memories

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? My favorite sport is figure skating. It is beautiful and athletic. The athletes are so inspiring. I love to watch all the sports. I remember my family gathering around the TV, watching the Olympics in the early ‘60s when I was a kid.

Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) won the light-heavyweight gold medal in 1960. This inspired my brother, Steve, and my sister, Patti, and I to pretend to fight with each other in a kind of Three Stooges style.

While we watched the Winter Olympics, we would pretend we were figure skaters by running and sliding across the hallway floor in our stocking feet. During the Summer Olympics, Patti and I would walk across the back of our couch, pretending we were on the balance beam. We waved our arms, spun around and jumped off for perfect landings. My parents would actually clap for us.

The great thing about our living room Olympics was that they took place every day of the year. My parents were certainly understanding and patient. I suspect they were probably too tired to make a fuss about our antics.

I recently watched the pre-Olympic competitions on TV while snow piled up outside. How about that snowstorm? Everything seemed to screech to a halt on the first day of the storm. So many stores and businesses had to close their doors for a day or two.

Windy City Hot Dogs, 4205 W. 63rd St., was one of the very few places that stayed open even during the worst and snowiest days. Windy City is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. I was recently talking about their gyro dinner with my neighbor, Gladys. Now I’ve got a taste for that delicious menu offering. I’m going to have to get over there ASAP!

Speaking of snow, I wish the city would fit the garbage trucks with detachable snow shoveling devices, as other big cities do. Garbage can get collected and the alleys could be plowed at the same time. Can’t imagine why they don’t. We do get snow every year.

Years ago, when I lived in a different neighborhood, my alderman would hire local guys with snow-plow trucks to plow our alleys and side streets. It was rarely a problem to get out of your garage or parking spot and get to the main street. The alderman used money from the ward improvement fund that each alderman gets every year.

Hopefully, the snow will be cleared up and driving will be easier by Friday, Feb. 25. Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn has invited all senior citizens to his monthly meeting that day. It will take place at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski, at 9 a.m. Feel free to bring a friend. Call Barb at (773) 581-1313 to register.

St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish will hold their annual scholarship dinner-dance (called Spring Fling) on March 12. They will be presenting the 2021-2022 Spirit of St. Nick award. All are invited.

The celebration will take place at European Chalet, 5445 S. Harlem. Tickets are $70 per person. There will be dinner, drinks, dancing and several very nice raffle prizes. Tickets are available at the main office. Call (773) 735-0772 for more information.

The Calvary Lutheran Church Senior Club is having a Valentine’s Day party at noon Feb. 15 at the church, 6149 S. Kenneth. This lively and fun group welcomes all seniors to join them. Bring a sandwich and some money for desserts, coffee and bingo. Call Elaine at (773) 424-3031 to register.

The Calvary Seniors wish a very happy birthday to Don B., who celebrated on Feb. 7. May the dear Lord bless you with health and happiness.

I’d like to wish happy birthday to Dawn Ferrarini, who celebrated her birthday on Feb. 1. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Condolences to the family and friends of Martin McGrath, who passed away on Jan. 11. Mr. McGrath, a Korean War veteran, was a teacher (and later principal) at Hurley School for many years. May he rest in peace.

As I watch the Winter Olympics, I would like to thank each of you for your calls and texts from last week.