St. Rita students visit WGN studios

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By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

How many of you saw the WGN Morning News last week when the St. Rita High School Broadcast Club stopped in to visit the WGN Courtesy Desk? Mr. Andrew Mariotti ’17 and President Deacon John Donahue accompanied the club on the field trip, where they participated in an on-air segment and got a “behind the scenes” tour of the news studio.

Robin Baumgarten, Larry Potash and Pat Tomasulo were on hand to give their thoughts as Paul Konrad fielded questions from the SRHS guys. Questions ranged from advice on getting into the broadcast industry to advice on asking a girl out. The fun segment is available on the WGN site. An interesting tidbit that did not come up on the show – Robin was a St. Rita cheerleader from 1981 to 1985.

Speaking of St. Rita, the 6^th Annual Fundraiser for the St. Rita High School Baseball Team takes place this Saturday, March 4, at Lawlor’s Bar, 3636 W. 111^th St., from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 and are available at the door. Proceeds will cover travel expenses to Las Vegas, equipment and field maintenance. Raffle tickets and St. Rita Baseball apparel will be for sale at the event.

This Sunday, March 5, Community Cinema brings the 2001 PG-13 Samuel Goldwyn film Tortilla Soup to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, at 2 p.m. This film is geared toward adults 18 and over.

Bruce Sullivan has returned to the Chicago Lawn Branch after his brief hiatus helping out at Wrightwood-Ashburn. He has put together an online event honoring Women’s History Month for Wednesday, March 15. Join Bruce and the Chicago Lawn Branch for a look at Hoopla, the library’s streaming service, as they celebrate Black Women of Jazz. The event takes place on Zoom from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Register at chipublib.org at least 24 hours before.

During Lent, Lauds prayer is held Monday through Friday at 5:30 a.m. in St. Adrian Church, 7200 S. Washtenaw. Every Friday, Stations of the Cross begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party at St. Thomas More on Saturday, March 11. Held in STM Donlan Hall, 2825 W. 81^st St., the party will include a buffet dinner, raffles, cash bar and dancing and features music by Dr. Y and the Prescriptions. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:15. Through March 3, advance tickets will be on sale for $30 ($35 at the door). Children 10 and under are free. Tickets will be available after weekend Masses or at the rectory. For more information, call the rectory at (773) 436-4444.

The Sand Ridge Nature Center and Forest Preserve District of Cook County will be holding an open music jam on Saturday, March 25 at the Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 87^th and Western, at 11 a.m. Bring your instrument and create music with the community. All instruments and music types are welcome.

Go Run Marquette Park returns on Saturday, April 8 at 9 a.m. at the bridge by the running track. These events are for all ages. Participants must register ahead of time at GoRunChicago.org. Registration opens the Friday before at 3 p.m. Once you register for an event, your registration is good for the whole season.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 15, when the Sisters of St. Casimir invite all to a Mass praying for the beatification of Venerable Maria Kaupas, foundress of the Sisters of St. Casimir, on the 83^rd anniversary of her death. Mass begins at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Casimir Center Chapel, 2601 W. Marquette Road. After Mass join in the re-dedication of the outside statue of Father Anthony Staniukynas, spiritual guide and teacher for the Sisters of St. Casimir and co-founder of Lithuanian Roman Catholic Charities of America. Light refreshments will be served afterward.

Happy birthday wishes to the Rev. Gediminas Kersys, of Nativity BVM.

Many will remember the Rev. Jerome Heyman, OSA who recently passed away at the age of 91. Father Jerry was an associate pastor at St. Rita of Cascia Parish and also served as a teacher at the high school.

Now let’s return to 1973. When last we met, we were on our way to fill the tank with gas. I don’t know if we were old enough to have a new Ford Torino, but let’s say we did. So here we are in our two-door coupe, bright red with a black landau roof and laser stripes, (really cool) pulling into the gas station on the northeast corner of Marquette Road and Kedzie.

As soon as we drive over the cable, the bell sounds twice announcing our arrival and out comes the attendant, wearing a white shirt and a black bow tie.

Dean F. was the first to guess we were at the brand-new Purple Martin Gas Station.

After we fill up the tank, we have to take a trip back to the dealership where we purchased our Torino because there’s a little scratch on the front bumper. They said they could buff it out while we wait. We are headed to Murphy Motors. Anyone remember the location of John Murphy’s lot?