Harlem 'Gemutlichkeit' comes to Milwaukee

Congratulations to new parents Erika and Jonathan Osborn on the birth of their baby daughter, Victoria. Erika is a famous Forest Parker who graduated from Garfield, Forest Park Middle School and Proviso East. Proud maternal grandparents are Laura and Ben Goodman. Paternal grandparents are Brad and Beckie Osborn of Berrian Springs, Michigan.

Congratulations to Anthony Harris who will celebrate ten years with McAdam Landscaping on March 13.

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore will present another thrilling evening on Friday, March 8th. It's a story of the Chicago Stock Yards Fire. Another famous Forest Park citizen is part of that history. It's our own John Rice whose fireman grandfather actually lost his life battling that inferno. The program begins at 7:30.

"Autumn Odyssey" by Marge Zwadlo is the winner of the Walgreen Award for Watercolor, October 19, 2012 at Triton College. Her picture will be entered into the "Best of the Best" in spring of 2013 at Mayslake (Peabody) Estate in Oak Brook. It's an exciting show and easy to get reach. Just take 31st Street to about a quarter mile west of route 83, turn left(south) into the Peabody Estates and there you are.

If you missed the symphony concert last Sunday, you have a chance to hear the men's chorus with the Rookery, on Sunday, March 9, at Saint Josaphat Church, 2311 North Southport in Chicago. You can also hear them at the more conveniently located, First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Sunday March 10 at 4 p.m. The men will sing choruses from Wagner's Tannhauser, von Weber's Der Freischutz , Floyd's Susanna, Berlioz's Romeo and Juliette and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. William Chin is conductor of the chorus, David Leehey, accompanist.

Get well wishes to Kim Haggerty from the Forest Park Bank. Kim is in therapy now and expected back soon.

Congratulations to Catherine Wendt, new director of the Harlem Maenner & Dammen Chor (Mens' and Women's) choir. Ms. Wendt also directs the Elmhurst choirs and will assist at the Sangerfest 2013 in Milwaukee.

When the men and women gather in Milwaukee this summer, more than a thousand singers will participate. This will be their 61st national songfest and all singers must have prepared diligently in order to sing with the fest. Along with a list of songs to be rehearsed, participants received a guide to German pronunciation . Along with Peter Herdeg, Zeno Jacquat, and Ellie Clifton several other locals are looking forward to this great event. Let the Gemutlichkeit roll!

This week happy birthday wishes go to Ed Martinski, Scott Novak, Whitney Harris, Eddie Johnson, Grace Spence, Madelyn Krieger, Amanda Hurst, Web Musgrave (the honey man), Steve Grams, Angela Fink, Dorothy Olson, Logan Kantzler, Melissa Dodge, Matt Stefl, Julie Doloszycki, Kelli Haukedahl, Loretta Jantz, Ruth Lussow, Margie Neff, Paul Gustasson, Ava Lyn, Scollard, Connor Grime and Davion Barr. Happy anniversary to Jodi and Peter Gianakopoulis.