Gratitude is not just on Thanksgiving

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

Thanksgiving 2022 has come and gone, but in this special season of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on the blessings we’ve received and return the favor, so to speak.

So please make time to slow down a bit and find a minute to say a kind word to a friend, relative, neighbor, co-worker or even a total stranger.

The Snowflake Bouquet, one of my favorites from Soukal Floral. –Supplied photo

Send a card or note of thanks, written in your own hand (certainly better than a text or email). Better yet, express your thanks via a telephone call or personal visit.

Another nice touch is to send flowers. Like many in Clearing and Garfield Ridge, I occasionally stop in at 6118 S. Archer or pick up my phone and dial (773) 767-7055—Soukal Floral, the oldest and possibly best business in Garfield Ridge—and order a cheerful, fresh-cut arrangement that will inevitably be crafted with impeccably good taste.

So however you express your gratitude, please do.

Mark your calendar

• It promises to be a busy week at the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center, 5674-B S. Archer (immediately west of Archer and Laramie). Here are just a few highlights:

A “cardio chair exercise” class is set for 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19. A $1 donation is requested to “sit in” on this class. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the quip.) At 10 a.m., a dietitian from the White Crane Wellness Center be on hand to discuss healthier eating.

Cards and games will be played and 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Bingo will be played at 1:30 p.m.

Cardio chair exercise returns from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21.

A nurse from White Crane will be on hand from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, to offer blood pressure screenings and individual consultations. A Tai Chi class is set for 1 to 2 p.m., with a $1 donation requested.

Joan Hadac

Bingo is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23. The 2022 comedy “Mack & Rita” will be shown at 1 p.m. With a run time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, the film stars Oscar winner Diane Keaton. This fun comedy illustrates the importance of being yourself, at any age.

In other news

• The queen of hearts has continued to amaze all at St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, where she has remained elusive (at least as of Dec. 8, when
I write this). Will you be the one to find her? If you do, you’ll split a pot of more than $400,000. If you want to
get in on the parish’s weekly raffle, please buy your tickets for $5 each at the parish office, 5252 S. Austin, or at Tom’s Tap, 6707 W. Archer. Drawings occur Saturday nights at Tom’s.
• Another queen of hearts fundraiser is the one over tat Our Lady of the Snows Parish. The jackpot currently stands at about $10,200. Drawings are after the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass at the church, 4810 S. Leamington. Tickets are six for $5 and may be purchased at the partish office. Call (773) 582-2266 for details.
• Babies recently baptized at St. Daniel the Prophet Church include Sebastian Klejka, Avianna Herrera, Anthony Rocco Pedersen, Siena Jean Ferro, Georgina Marie Tsiros, Anai Bella Vega, Ace Atlas Gutowski, Bridget Kathleen Gyrion, Olivia Roslyn Corral, Ewa Anna Mumbi Stanis, Wesley John Mackowiak, Maximilian Leiva, Evan John Janik, Navy Layne Salach, Isabella Marie Cuchetto, Mateo Alexander Floresca and Raine Noah Salach. Baptized recently at Our Lady of the Snows was Xavier Emiliano Martinez. May God shower all of you and your families with blessings.
• Remember, you can read the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound online 24/7 for as little as 4 cents a day. Simply visit southwestregionalpublishing.com/clear-ridge-reporter to get started.

Have a great week.