Last week’s Community Center travelers journeyed to Milwaukee to see the spectacular art museum designed by Santiago Calatrava. The building itself is a work of art, breathtakingly beautiful, with folding wings that reach far into the blue sky. Unfortunately, last Wednesday was too windy for the wings to do their trick, so folks will have to go again on another less windy day. I would suggest going by boat next time as it took a total of five hours to go to and from the museum. Road construction – endless road construction.
Following the museum visit the group went for lunch to West Allis to an old German restaurant called Kegels. Rosemary Digiorno enjoyed her really big serving of pork. Vienerschnitzel was on the menu, but if vienerschnitzel isn’t on your list of edibles, you can make the dish with chicken. Ellie Clifton, a good German cook told us that. Yes, it’s called chicken schnitzel!
The Friends of the Forest Park Public Library honored the library staff with a luncheon to celebrate National Library Week. The refreshment committee included Mary Block, May Bill, Eleanor Locati, Karen Childs and President Shirley Christell.
Loyal library friend Zeno Jacquat wants to be sure the literacy volunteer spellers get credit for their bravery and spelling knowledge as they again compete in the Annual Literacy Volunteers Spell-a-thon. This is their 10th spell-a-thon! The team is called “Les Filles a Zeno” and they are Ruth Loyd, Marge Zwadlo and Nancy Robinson. According the literature, 75 percent of unemployed adults have reading difficulties. An estimated $140 billion to $300 billion in annual productivity loss can be traced directly to low-level literacy skills in adults. For every dollar invested in literacy programs, students experience a $33 economic gain in their lives. You can contribute to this worthy cause; a donation of $50 buys a word; $25 will buy a letter. “Buy-a-word” sponsors will have their names read when their word is called. This year’s spell-a-thon will be held at Holley Court, 1111 Ontario in Oak Park on May 7 at 6 p.m. For more information call (708) 848-8499 or e-mail info@lvwcc.org.
The Michael Teolis Singers will present the second concert of their inaugural season on Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Oak Park, 848 Lake St. “American Tapestry” will feature works by American composers William Billings, Stephen Foster, Edward MacDowell, Aaron Copeland and George Gershwin. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Leroy Anderson’s birth there will be a special choral arrangement of “The Typewriter.” Sounds like a great way to spend Sunday afternoon. Forest Parkers in the chorus are Nancy Greco, Louise Brueggermann, and Erik Johnson.
Congratulations to Arlie and Bryan Gierald on the birth of their first child, Riley Thomas Gierald, who was born March 22 weighing 8-pounds 8-ounces and measuring 21 inches long. Grandparents are Rich and Donna Gray of Forest Park and Mike and Karen Gierald of Cicero. Great grandparents are Richard and Nancy Gray of Forest Park and Goldie and Percy Snitchler of Stickney.
Happy anniversary to Sue and Rich Bothie on April 24, and happy birthday to Daniel Christopher Hawkins, Joe Dornecker, Katie Kelly, Tina Li, April Moroney and 1-year-old Luke Daniel Boher; on the 25th, Jane Childs, Art Grams, Annette Pardun, Jon Olmsted and Cindy Fischer; April 26, Littlejohn, and happy anniversary to Jane and Harry Holmberg, who celebrate 62 years of marriage, also on April 26; on the 27th, Mary Monaghan; April 28, Matt Rodkiewicz, Tom Cody, Pat Doss, and anniversary greetings to Mike and Joan Bigos; April 29, Aangie Ventrella has a birthday and Brandi and Rob Mintz an anniversary; on April 30, happy birthday to Tom Hawkins. Happy Easter to the Greeks! Passover blessings to our Jews!
