Surprised and pleased to win this award

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Recently, the International Human Relations Council and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations held a luncheon here as thanks to people in the neighborhood that helped through the challenging times of the pandemic, spending endless hours working, endorsing, promoting and helping with the programs.

Awards “in recognition for outstanding community service” were presented at the luncheon. I was both surprised and pleased to be one of the recipients. Thanks to Nancy Andrade, Fatima Abu Eid and Jennifer Scott for the recognition.

Happy 100^th birthday to Sister of St. Casimir Lourdine Ramoska and happy 90^th birthday to Sister of St. Casimir Leandra Yerkes. Both celebrated last week.

Some of you may remember Adrian Dominican Sister Shirley (Joyce Edward) Thielk, who recently passed away in Adrian, Mich. Sister was in her 74^th year of religious life and taught at St. Clare of Montefalco School in the 1950s.

Now on to several fun Halloween events going on in the neighborhood.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the last of the Halloween-themed movies comes to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie. Walt Disney’s 1993 Hocus Pocus starts at 2:30 p.m.

This Sunday, Oct. 30, is a Halloween party for adults at Thrift, 2517 W. 59^th St. They promise a fun time with drinks, food, costume contest, DJ and decorations galore. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $5 in advance, $10 at the door. For advance tickets, go to eventbite.com.

For seniors, the Halloween costume party with DJ Chico on Monday, Oct. 31, begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m.

On Halloween, plan on bringing the kids to trick or treat on 63^rd Street. Stop at Greater Southwest Development Corp, 2601 W. 63^rd St, on Halloween to get your trick-or-treat bag and a candy trail map, telling which businesses are waiting for you!

Then head over to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library on Monday for Halloween family story time from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Susie will tell Halloween stories and everyone will be able to create a Halloween craft.

To learn more about Cigna Medicare Advantage, plan on attending an informational meeting on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, 6700 S. Kedzie, at 10 a.m. Get a free $10 gift card for attending. RSVP ahead of time to (855) 231-9665.

The Tween Book Club meets on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library. This month’s book discussion is Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée. Tweens 10 to 13 years of age are invited to join in at 6 p.m.

The St. Denis School Class of 1982, is planning a reunion. To join get on the list, visit forms.gle/x4j7xQrGEzHX3vgZA to fill out a form.

Now back to 1978. Last week on our visit we learned that the Southwest Parish and Neighborhood Federation had obtained more than 11,500 signatures on a petition to present to Mayor Michael Bilandic in hopes of getting their referendum on the coming ballot. However, at the same time, the Council of Lawn Neighbors was urging local aldermen to vote against the proposed plan. Ed M. was the first to identify the Southwest Home Equity Assurance Program.

Speaking of programs in the works in 1978, here’s a surprise. Plans were being formulated to make Central Avenue a major roadway that would have helped us and our neighbors out a lot. Had this project worked out, Central Avenue would have run from the Stevenson Expressway all the way to 111^th Street. Why didn’t it happen? Now I didn’t follow the whole story through the months, but apparently there was quite a debate over who would be paying what part of the $30 million needed, and we can guess they never came to an agreement on that.

The fall of 1978 brought three new businesses to the neighborhood. Let’s start in the center of the Chicago Lawn business district. A grand opening celebration was taking place this week at 6301 S. Kedzie. Do you remember this one? Here’s a hint: One of the specials was Buy One Soda, Get One Soda Free.