Getting kids involved in the community

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Last week, the Southwest Organizing Project held its first in-person Action Council meeting since the start of the pandemic. This one was geared toward the youth of the area, and it was very well attended.

The purpose of the meeting, headed up by Alfredo Palafox and Carlil Pittman, was to promote youth involvement and leadership in the area. Centering on topics like creating safe spaces to congregate similar to the SWOP-supported Open Gym Program (set up by Brother Chuck recently) and intergenerational relationships, the concepts drew much enthusiasm from the crowd. I think that is a wonderful thing.

This Saturday, Nov. 26, the Greater Southwest Development Corp. is sponsoring a Small Business Saturday event for our neighborhood shops. When we shop at participating businesses, we get a free candle with purchase of a product at that business. A map and a complete list of businesses are available at greatersouthwest.org/events.

All seniors are invited to help decorate the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, for Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m.

Last week we welcomed Bruce Sullivan to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library as the new Adult Services librarian. Being that November is Native American Heritage Month, Bruce has set up an event called Learn Potawatomi with Mango Languages for this upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 29, on Zoom. Not only will we familiarize ourselves with the Potawatomi language, but the session will serve as a tutorial for any patrons interested in taking advantage of the software program for learning other languages.

To attend the hour-long event (which starts 6:30 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!

Speaking of the library, stop in when you have a chance and take a look at the Chicago Lawn Historical Society glass case. As you know, if you’ve seen the Legendary Locals of Chicago Lawn and West Lawn book, the front cover features what appears to be a handful of photographs dropped on a table. One of the photos only shows a man’s feet (in his shoes). That man was our first mailman, Martin McVeagh. This month the CLHS display gives a glimpse of his life.

Next Saturday, Dec. 3, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Carroll School, 2929 W. 83^rd St., hosted by 18^th Ward Ald. Derrick Curtis, will take place from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. After that, check out the 18^th Ward’s Christmas tree at 79^th and Kedzie.

Coming up on Sunday, Dec. 4, the St. Thomas More Mission, 2825 W. 81^st St., will host its annual St. Nicholas pancake breakfast in Donlan Hall (lower church) after 10 a.m. Mass.

Sponsored by the Altar Guild, this tradition goes back well over 40 years. There will be a toy raffle, and St. Nick will be there to greet the kids. Photos are welcome. Santa is a longtime parishioner and went to school at St. Thomas More. A free-will offering is appreciated. See you there!

Happy Birthday to Ron Kalat, who celebrates tomorrow. I’m guessing most of you know Ron. He is and has been active in so many events on the Southwest Side. Hope you enjoy your day, Ron!

Now let’s return to 1978. Last week we went shopping for our Thanksgiving fixings and found that the best advertised prices were at the grocery store at 2454 W. 63^rd St. Jean M. was the first to identify Colony Foods. She remembers shopping there often in the 1970s, as she grew up on 61^st and Campbell.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I guess we had better start thinking ahead to Christmas. What is the first thing we might have done 44 years ago?

My guess is empty the Christmas club account. Back then those accounts gave a pretty nice return on our money–hovering around 5%, certainly unattainable in a small account today.

One thing most of the financial institutions that offered Christmas clubs had in common, were incentives to renew the account once you emptied it. For instance, Marquette Federal was offering free Christmas wrapping paper with a deposit of $5 into next year’s account.

The absolute best offer that I saw in 1978 was from Grunwald Savings. The gift depended on how much you renewed your account with, of course. But most promotional gifts were Sunbeam products ranging from AM/FM/CB radios to electric egg cookers to double burger grillers. Do you remember Grunwald? If we were lucky enough to have opened our Christmas club account at Grunwald, where would we be going to pick up our cash and incentive?