Graduations are so bittersweet

By Laura Ortega

Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn

4214 W. 82nd Place • (773) 627-6679

Congratulations to the Class of 2022! It’s bittersweet to see everyone graduate, especially when you can remember those same individuals graduating kindergarten not so long ago.

A huge congratulations to my daughter, Liliana, who graduated eighth grade. I look forward to seeing her enjoy her high school years.

Happy birthday to my daughter, Lucia, who is now an official adult and eligible to vote. I cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise your right to vote.

I recently discovered poisonous hemlock (Conium maculatum) growing in my front garden. Did you know Socrates died from poisonous hemlock?

At first, I thought it was a fern, but a Chicago Garden Club member on Facebook identified it for me. I removed it safely, using gloves since every part of this plant is poisonous to animals and humans. This serves as a reminder that not everything that grows is safe to eat.

Consider going a bit green and obtaining a rain barrel. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has low-cost rain barrels available for purchase for your home ($43.92 per barrel). Rain barrels are a type of green infrastructure that capture rainwater from your roof and save it for when you need it. By keeping this water out of the sewer system, rain barrels can also help prevent sewer overflows and flooding. Visit mwrd.org for more details.

You are invited to get ready for three solid hours of fun starting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 15 at Angie’s Sports Bar & Pizzeria, 8352 S. Pulaski. The Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch is hosting a live music night fundraiser. A percentage of sales will be donated by Angie’s to the SNW. You don’t have to be a SNW member to attend. All are welcome! Special thanks to the Southwest Chicago Post online news service for paying the entire fee for the evening’s entertainment: the outstanding classic rock cover band Ed Hill & The Unusuals.

Sitting on a mound of cash at home? Or how about one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Whatever your status is, come on over to St. Bede’s Flea Market held every first Saturday of the month through November at 83^rd and Kostner, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendor pays $10 per space, bring your own tables, vendors may not sell food. Call the rectory at (773) 884-2000 or email [email protected].

Eighteenth Ward Ald. Derrick Curtis has partnered with the Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch Library, 8530 S. Kedzie, for a Summer Live Music Series in the Reading Garden. Enjoy music by The Ronnie Hicks & Masheen Company Band on Wednesday, July 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Mark your calendar for a back-to-school picnic from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at Hayes Park, 2936 W. 85^th St., sponsored by Alderman Curtis. This event is for children ages 4-12 who live in the ward. There will be bouncy slides, games, a fire truck and live entertainment. Children must be present to receive free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last).

If you have any news you would like to see in this column, please call me or send an email to [email protected].

Thanks for reading and until next time, folks: God Bless America, stay safe and have a blessed July.