Dancing barefoot into 2023

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

At this point we are all playing with our new Christmas toys, eating the last of the Christmas cookies and making New Year’s Eve plans. I plan on dancing at a fancy club called my living room and wearing my best pajamas. Yes, I lead an amazing whirlwind life!

As some of you already know, the one rather exciting thing I do to usher in the new year is to have a sip of champagne at midnight, take off my shoes and socks and go outside and run barefoot in the snow. I do this even if there is no snow. It has been my custom for about 30 years.

I can admit to you that I don’t run as fast as I used to, but I’m out there. That is the important thing. My hubby always joins me. We tend to make a lot of noise, laughing and screaming from the cold. I think we scare our neighbors, which is fine with me.

Speaking of fun and frolic, I joined the Calvary Lutheran Church Seniors at their annual Christmas party last week. I must say, what a fabulous bunch they are. We had lots of laughs, great conversation and delish food. What a blessing this was for me.

The Calvary Seniors meet once a month for lunch and bingo at the church, 6149 S. Kenneth. Usually it is the third Tuesday of each month. I will share reminders and details in the coming months.

The Midway Baseball/Softball Association hosted a terrific “meet with Santa” event just before Christmas. Children from many neighborhoods enjoyed snacks and gifts as they talked with Santa and the Christmas Grinch, too. Thank you to Midway Baseball for all you do for our children.

Midway Baseball/Softball invites all girls ages 11 to 14 years old to a free, three-day, fast-pitch softball clinic. This will take place at the ComEd Recreation Center at Addams Medill Park, 1434 S. Loomis. The dates are Jan. 4, 5 and 6 from noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. each day.

The Chicago Park District, in partnership with Triton College, is sponsoring the clinic. Athletes of all ability levels will learn and develop skills in a program developed by the Women’s Softball Team of Triton College. For more information call (312) 742-7529 or visit chicagoparkdistrict.com.

The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is having another Baby Story Time on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m. This parent and child singing and story book program is especially designed for young children ages 2 and younger.

The library will be hosting an art project on Saturday, Jan. 7 for young people ages 10 to 19 years old. Participants will help create a “new year’s vision board” to be displayed in the library by choosing and arranging pictures and photos on a poster board. These creations will express the new year’s dreams and goals of the young artists.

Call the library for more information on these programs at (312) 747-7381.

A thoughtful West Lawn resident recently offered free snow shoveling classes. He is providing his snow-covered driveway to practice on. He said, “Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!”

Just thought I’d share a winter-time chuckle with you.

Happy New Year!