Weather can’t stop golfers at the park

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By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

At this time of year, as we bounce back and forth from winter to spring and back again, one thing we can count on is that the Marquette Park Golf Course did indeed open for business as scheduled. So, while sometimes the golfers are enjoying the warm sunshine donning their warm weather clothes, other times they are bundled up in what might resemble their skiing outfits.

Again this year, kids 17 and under play free with a paying adult, any day anytime. That is limited to one free kid with each paying adult and applies to walking the course only.

Remember the 9-hole course has a full-size grass practice facility across Kedzie on the island. Not a day goes by when I am at the park that I’d don’t see golfers walking across the bridge with their clubs to take advantage of the chance to hit some balls at the driving range or practice their chipping and putting. And they always seem to be smiling.

As we near the end of April and Jazz Appreciation Month, the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, is hosting a very special live performance by the Sylvia strings Quintet Thursday, April 27, beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Adult Librarian Bruce Sullivan assures us, “You’ll marvel at the lovely sounds of the violin, viola and cello played by professional orchestra musicians.”

No advance registration was required, and all ages are welcome. Hope to see you there!

This year the month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. With that in mind, the Chicago Lawn Adult Book Discussion will be a conversation of The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. This takes place on Tuesday, May 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 at the library.

The book sounds interesting. Here’s an introductory quote: “When a Princeton grad lands at a prestigious firm, he seems just steps away from a lucrative and promising career – until he finds his life thrown into disarray by the events of Sept. 11.” Copies of the book are available now at the library.

Don’t forget the Marquette Park Run Crew has begun once again meeting on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. for a group run/walk. They are open to everyone and there is no cost to participate. Meet at the track just east of the bridge by the Comfort Station. All paces are welcome, including walkers. Sign up only one time for the whole season at CARAruns.org/runcrews.

Then while you are at the park, Hope Church is continuing to host free community dinners at the fieldhouse from 6 to 7 p.m. There’s usually live music and a craft table for the kids as well.

The next perpetual novena at the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine, 7740 S. Western, is Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. Confessions begin at 6. Everyone is invited to stay after the Mass to enjoy some of that great Danish Kringle.

Next Sunday, May 7, Nativity BVM will celebrate Lithuanian Mother’s Day. The children of the parish will receive their First Communion on Sunday as well. Both will take place at the 11 a.m. Mass. The children’s chorus will sing Angel under the direction of Giedre Martin.

Last week we took a short break from our visit to 1973. I wondered if you might be able to identify a store that had many different locations in the area since the 1930s. I was surprised this store had so many loyal shoppers here. Many remembered going to the earlier sites with their mom too.

While I didn’t expect anyone to remember the oldest locations on 63^rd Street, Nancy B. did. She even remembered when they moved across the street! George S. was the first to remember the store on 84^th and Pulaski.

Anne R. loved 57^th and Kedzie. She says that was her regular stop every week when the kids were young. Joe S. took a guess on the 62^nd and Kedzie store and guessed right. Betty M remembers when the 60^th and Western store remodeled having the only green façade on these stores she had ever seen.

No one seemed to remember when this grocer was in Ford City right next to the Turn-Style. If, by chance, you hadn’t guessed, we are talking about Jewel Food Stores.

Now let’s go back to 1973. How about a Friday night fish fry? There was always entertainment on Friday nights here too. The address was 2525 W. 71^st St. Anybody remember going there?