Let’s keep those sidewalks salted

By Mary Stanek

Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon

3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394

Merry Christmas 2022 to all! I can’t believe I am actually saying that already. I just hope January and February go by quickly.

Please remember to take care of your sidewalks and walkways during inclement weather. A little salt can go a long way. It’s been going on one year since I fell on a neighbor’s unsalted sidewalk, and my knee will never be the same.

The Chicago Department of Transportation offers a “Guidance for Chicago Residents and Businesses on Sidewalk Snow Removal” pamphlet for further reference and exactly what our responsibilities are.

Congratulations to Robert Gebel on being named Teacher of the Year by the Midway Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gebel grew up right here in the West Elsdon community. As you read in last week’s edition of the Greater Southwest News-Herald, he also was a Peck Elementary School student. He credits part of his teaching career to Mr. Jack Zahora, a teacher he had while in grade school.

The Student Council of Sts. Bruno & Richard School lived up to its commitment to the four pillars of culture, faith, service and academics. The council recently held a successful toy drive of new and unwrapped toys donated to Toys for Tots.

Most of our area school children will be starting their winter break on the 23^rd and returning to school on the 9^th. I hope they have a safe and enjoyable break. It also gives us drivers a nice break in traffic, especially around the schools. We’ve learned not to leave or come home any where around 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. because it is just crazy traffic.

I won’t have any excuse not to attend the 2023 mnthly CAPS meetings for Beat 822. They are scheduled to be held at Peck School, 3826 W. 58^th St., at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. I can merely just cross the street.

The dates scheduled are Feb. 7, March 7, May 2 and June 6.

If you are located in Beats 815 or 21, those CAPS meetings will be held at Archer Park, 4901 S. Kilbourn, on Wednesdays. The dates scheduled are Jan. 4, Feb. 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7.

Happy Birthday to Nikki Kutcha on the 24^th of December.

Finally, many of us say “Happy Holidays” during this time of year. I don’t think it’s meant to exclude Christmas. It’s meant to include the many holidays celebrated during this time of year. So, Happy Kwanzaa starting on the 26^th. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African American culture and history. There will be singing, dancing and storytelling.

Also on the 26^th, Boxing Day is celebrated. This day’s origin stems from wealthy families boxing up presents for their servants. Now it is a shopping holiday.

So, Happy Holidays to all!