Plenty to do in the weeks ahead

By Patti Tyznik

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • [email protected]

It sure didn’t take long for summer to disappear under the falling leaves and leave us scrambling for warm, cozy sweatshirts and knitted hats!

As Halloween decorations go up and the temperature goes down, let’s stave off this cooler weather by seeing what’s going on in our little corner of the world.

Patti Tyznik

You may have noticed that the Garfield Ridge Branch Library, located at Archer and Mulligan, was under construction last week as we were undergoing some minor repairs to our front doors. But now we are up and running, excited for our fall programming to resume. Come check out some of our programs!

• Time for Tots is for children ages 18-36 months and meets on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. On Halloween, kids may come in costume and make a paper pumpkin to take home. Other dates include Nov. 7, 14 and 28, as well as Dec. 5 and 12. Early arrivals can color or build a puzzle.
• Evening Story Time is set for Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. for children ages 2-6 years. Bring a stuffed animal and snuggle up for a few stories and a craft!
• Tween Leaf Ornament Craft Program is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. for children ages 8-12 years. Create a unique and colorful leaf ornament for our holiday tree or to take home. Enter the candy guessing game for a chance to win!
• Thanksgiving Tween Uno Tournament will be held Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children ages 8-12 will play multiple games of the card game UNO, with the top players advancing to the winner’s circle.
• Games People Play for adults is set for Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 3-17 and Dec. 1 and 8. We sure would love some more players to join our merry little group of gamers! We play trivia, Word on the Street, cards, Yahtzee, Outburst and more.
• Senior Saturdays will be held 12 and Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults 55 and up are welcome. Learn about library services, programs and downloading ebooks. Refreshments, music and a raffle will be included each month.
• Did you know that the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63rd Place, has teen crafts? Stop by and talk to Nancy about the Nov. 1 3D Paper Pumpkin Craft Program. Call (312) 747-5657 for more information.
• The Midway Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Pumpkin Jamboree Parade on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is at 10 a.m. The parade route follows Archer Avenue, from Nordica to Merrimac, nd then south to Kennedy High School. A costume contest and craft fair follows. So get the kiddos up early and out the door for this annual costume parade.
• Just north of Garfield Ridge, a holiday craft and vendor fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Stickney-Forest View Library, 6800 W. 43^rd The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Thanks to Friends President Maryanne O’Reilly for sharing this information.
• Two Holy Martyrs Parish presents Oktoberfest Bingo on Sunday, Oct. 30. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Games start at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door, 6148 S Mason, on the St. Symphorosa campus. You can’t win if you don’t play!
• Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin, will host a St. Vincent de Paul Society clothing drive for families in need on Saturday, Nov. 5 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6 from 7 a.m to noon. Clothes, linens, shoes, school supplies, small kitchen appliances, CDs and DVDs are welcome.
• The next CAPS Beat 812 will meet at the Clearing Branch Library at 7 p.m. Nov. 9. Learn what is going on in your neighborhood and how to stay safe.
• The Midway Community Choir presents their final concert, Thank You for the Music, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S Merrimac. Please consider attending their swan song and showing your support. A reception of snacks and smiles follows the concert.
• Two Holy Martyrs Parish invites you to join their 8th Annual Holiday Extravaganza luncheon, craft and vendor fair on Sunday, Nov. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Sharp Center, 5940 W 62nd St. Booths cost $40, and the table fee is$45. Contact Taura B. at [email protected] to secure your spot.

• Please consider joining the Two Holy Martyrs Parish adult choir. Rehearsals take place every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the St. Rene Goupil Rectory, 6949 W. 63rd Place. For more information, call the parish office at (773) 767-1523.
• Keep an eye out for the 2nd Annual Archer Avenue Cookie Walk on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. Get the milk ready!
• The Midway Chamber of Commerce’s annual Snack with Santa is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at Mayfield Banquets, 6072 S. Archer. More information to follow.

Phew! We sure are lucky to live in such a busy and resourceful neighborhood. Consider attending one of these events to show your support and have some fun. I would like to give a shout out to the musical duo, Bud and Marge, who performed a wonderful set of songs at the Garfield Ridge Branch Library for our Senior Saturday event on Oct. 15. Be sure to attend their encore performance on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11:30 a.m.

Until next time, keep being nice to one another and share a smile.