It happened. It really happened.

Any words of mine would only diminish the magnitude of this great moment in history, so I’ll let the good writers put the right words in the right places. But just imagine a quarter of a million people in Grant Park and not a single arrest, not even an incident. Just joyful people loving the moment, loving each other, loving the “skinny kid with the funny name” who is now the leader of our country. The world was right here. It was all happening down the street in Grant Park. I don’t know about you, but I’m still in a kind of trance. Man has a lot of trouble and hard work ahead of him, though.

Now, on to more local items.

Congratulations to Marge Zwadlo who won an award of merit in the West Suburban Artists’ Guild on Oct. 17. The award brings a monetary bonus to Marge and she’s automatic included in the Best of the Best Show in Mayslake, the date of which is yet to be announced. Marge works in pastels, and her winning entry is titled “Home.”

The Forest Park American Legion and VFW will host a pancake breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 500 Circle from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Children 10 and younger eat for $2.50, general admission is $5.

The Michael Tolis Singers will present “Celebrate, Praise and Sing,” a holiday concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on the corner of Oak Park and Superior. You’ll hear Christmas favorites and the premier of Harry Warren’s “Mass in Honor of Saint Anthony.”

Do not be put off by the rather solemn tone of the above program. Harry Warren wrote musical scores for more than 60 Hollywood films and received Academy Awards for three of them. “A Christmas Carol” will also be on the program, as well as a number by Evanstonian Dan Tucker, formerly of the Tribune editorial board. Dan’s piece is titled, “Little Lord.” Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and old folks like me. There is on-street parking and the church is newly renovated (three years ago) with glorious stained glass windows.

Mel and Mary Block cordially invite you to a series of special musical offerings for Advent and Christmas at Saint John Church, 305 Circle. On Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., will be a program that originated in England. The service intersperses reading and music for a unique view of the Advent season. For more information call 366-3226.

Nov. 18 is the birthday of Mickey Mouse, 1928. The 19th is the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address in 1863. It took two minutes to deliver. Five original copies still survive. The work was begun at the White House and completed in pencil on the morning of the delivery. All copies are now in the Library of Congress.

Happy anniversary to Gloria and Steve Backman on Nov. 12; also on the 12th, happy birthday to Jane Lentini, Sandy Riley, Ellie Drane, Danielle Sullivan, Louise Douglas; Nov. 13, Derek Miranda, Scott McAdam, Honor Milletti, Paula Diverde; the 14th, Michael Harnett, Jennifer Mendenhall, Jacqueline Neubeiser, Eric Bothie; Nov. 15, Elizabeth Kachlic, Rebecca Borzello; Nov. 16, Dan Leisten, Cara White, Carol Jargstorf; the 17th, Dave Michaelson, Hilda Kearney, Michow Akimora, Jessica Dylewski and happy anniversary to Phil and Pat Czuprynski; on the 18th, Chris Brower; Nov. 19, Aaron Apilado, Bill Kenny, Rich Bothie, Sara Scheiwe, Letitia Olmsted, Nicholas Mear, Inge Sieber and Suzanne Jasper.

Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.