• The Lion’s share of the column this week, no pun intended, goes to Austin D’Souza, a Forest Parker who not only chaired the first plenary session of the State of Illinois’ 85th Lions Convention, but also served as the convention’s Vice Council Chairman. And to top it off, he also received an International President’s Medal”the second highest award given to Lions for their leadership by the international president.
International Director Bud Wahl praised Dr. D’Souza’s hard work in District 1A as governor and listed his achievements, which include the Lions Open University for leadership development, VisionFirst (a program that provides eyeglasses to Chicago Public School students who cannot afford to buy eyeglasses) and his work on the Tsunami Relief Fund. During his tenure the Lions in Illinois also founded five new clubs and they are working on the sixth.
• Progressive dinner: Loosen those pant waists … Main Street’s Progressive Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, July 17 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. More details to come later.
• Save the date: The Forest Park American Legion Post #414 and the V.F.W. Memorial Post #7181 will be selling poppies on Thursday, May 26. Rain date: May 27.
• Don’t forget the basket: The Park District of Forest Park and the Chamber of Commerce will host the annual, highly anticipated All-School Picnic on May 26.
• Summerfest 2005 is still around the corner. It is on Friday, June 10 from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 11 from noon to 10 p.m. Come out, have a beer, ride a pony and support our local businesses.
• Senior Square: The Mayor and all of our local elected officials invite all senior citizens to Senior Square at Summerfest, June 11, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., located at Madison and Hannah. There will be bingo with great prizes, raffle prizes every 30 minutes, a cash grand prize, snacks and beverages. The event will be co-sponsored by Altenheim Apartments.
• FORE! The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Golf Outing at Carriage Greens in Darien. The outing is planned for June 30, costs $100 and includes a cart, a lunchtime cookout, a prime rib dinner, a four-hour open bar, trophies and a raffle. Tee-off is at 1 p.m.
• Those crazy kids: The Youth Commission has a hot lineup this summer. Mary Win Connor and her industrious commission are cooking up a Hawaiian Beach Party for the end of school year bash. The event is scheduled for June 23, 7 p.m. Also in the works is a Talent Show, scheduled for July 20. Rude or crude talents need not apply.
• Road Rally: The Youth Commission and the REVIEW are also planning a scavenger hunt/road rally. We’ll be hiding answers throughout Main Street and teams of three will compete for the prizes. But if at least 25 kids don’t sign up, the event won’t go down, so contact the Youth Commission or go online to the feedback section of the paper’s web site (www.forestparkreview.com) and drop us a line with the name of all participants. The event is scheduled for August 27.
• If you like school plays … St. Bernardine School will be hosting a performing arts show at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 27. Keep in mind, the last day of school for those lucky eighth graders is June 1 and graduation is Thursday, May 2. There will be a mass at 7 p.m., students should arrive at 6:20 p.m., though. For the rest of the best, the last day of school is June 9.
Carpe Diem, Forest Park!
As Memorial Day is upon us, I thought I would leave you with something I heard while in college:
“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.”
“Rev. Dennis Edward O’Brien
