Welcome, Bruce Sullivan

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

This week we welcome a new member to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library staff: Bruce Sullivan. Bruce comes to us as the new Adult Services Librarian and it’s his job to come up with new ideas and programs for adult patrons.

Bruce is no stranger to the neighborhood. Growing up, his mom worked at the Illinois Bell office at 61^st and Kedzie. He remembers spending his preschool years at Kiddie Kove on 66^th and Kedzie, across from the Beth Jacob Synagogue. He still recalls one year in preschool, learning to make matzo balls.

Bruce comes to us from the Ashburn-Wrightwood Branch. Before that, he spent three years at the Pullman Branch. As he settles in to his new position, one of his short-term goals is to learn Spanish to better serve some of the patrons still learning English.

Now wait until you hear what Bruce has come up with for his first event. I would be willing to bet this has never been featured here before. Here’s the scoop:

November is Native American Heritage Month. With that in mind, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, Bruce has set up an event called Learn Potawatomi with Mango Languages. This will be a stepping stone and serve as a tutorial for any patrons interested in taking advantage of the software program for learning other languages.

“On the 29^th, you’ll have a chance to familiarize yourself with Mango Languages,” said Bruce. “Join us on Zoom as we explore the features of Mango and work through some basic lessons on the Potawatomi language.”

To attend the hour-long event (6:30-7:30 p.m.) register at chipublib.org/events at least 24 hours before. Then you’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom class. I plan on attending. See you in class!

As you read this, we are no doubt nearing the end of Spirit Week at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie. Friday, Nov. 18, is Bring Your Caregiver Day. It culminates the Center’s celebration of Spirit Week with Thank Fest at 10:30 a.m. featuring a special holiday meal.

The Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but reopen the day after for lunch and regular programming The following Monday, Nov. 28, everyone is invited to join in decorating the Center for Christmas at 10 a.m.

I stopped in to see Ben Arias and his dedicated group last week. If you remember, they host the community dinner at Marquette Park every Tuesday. Ben tells me that on Tuesday, Nov. 22, they will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and the fixings. Kids will be able to join in on a Thanksgiving craft as well.

The holiday banners have gone up on the light poles on 63^rd Street. They always look really nice, and it unifies the area too. Thanks to Greater Southwest Development Corp. for keeping up the tradition.

Next Saturday, Nov. 26, GSDC is sponsoring a Small Business Saturday event for our neighborhood shops. GSDC will be giving candles to businesses around our commercial corridors to promote shopping local. When we shop at the participating businesses, we will get a free candle with purchase of a product at that business. A complete list of businesses will be available in time to take advantage of this promotion.

The Bogan High School Class of 1987 has finalized its plans for its reunion which will take place at the Rooftop Tap, 12231 S. Harlem, Palos Heights, on Saturday, Dec. 10, beginning at 6 p.m. The event features an all-you-can-eat taco bar. Tickets are $25 per person at the door or pay $22 in advance by Zelle (708) 705-0400. Class pics will be taken at 8 p.m. An ‘80s band starts at 9. The first 30 advance paid will get a class gift and two free raffle tickets.

Now, let’s return to 1978. Over the last two weeks we’ve learned three new businesses opened in the autumn of that year. The first was Bressler’s 33 Flavors on the southeast corner of 63^rd and Kedzie. Second was The Whistle Stop in the former Chicago Lawn Grand Trunk station. The third was Bronco at 7151 S. Western. Brad O. was the first to identify Bronco as a gas station, although he remembers that location best as a Clark Station. Some of you may remember the manager of Bronco’s as Joe Barnes.

Well it’s certainly time to pick up everything we need for our Thanksgiving meal. Forty-four years ago the best sale seemed to be at the grocery store at 2454 W. 63^rd St. They opened two more stores but this was the first and longest running. They were offering Norbest turkeys for 79 cents a pound and sweet potatoes for 19 cents a pound. Anybody remember where we are going?