The seniors traveled to Winnetka and Glencoe for an afternoon of pleasant companionship, good food and a delightful performance of A Minister’s Wife, based on G.B. Shaw’s Candida last Wednesday. Terry Meffley has done a superb job of arranging schedules, activities and personalities. Bev Thompson would be proud of her.

Not only was last Wednesday St. Swithin’s Day, it was Augie Aleksy‘s birthday.

There was drama and excitement at the Montessori Language Academy on Circle Avenue last week. The Japanese Taiko Legacy 5 drummers performed and kept their young audience absolutely absorbed for about an hour. That’s no easy trick when your audience’s average age is about 6. Drummers Amy Homma, Tatsu Aoki, Mi’cumi Aoki and Noriko Sugiyama performed and later invited some members of the audience to play. You can hear these thrilling musicians at Millennium Park on Aug. 13.

The youngsters at the language academy – all colors and sizes – speak and understand Japanese. It goes with the territory at the school right there on Circle.

The Zoo Keeper’s Wife will be discussed at Centuries & Sleuths on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. Author Diane Ackerman will address the Clio Chroniclers (a history discussion group). Everyone is invited.

Softball fans from near and far milled around our park’s softball Hall of Fame dedication Sunday, July 19. Sandy Boy has dedicated a good part of her life to this enterprise and she was hard at work, but enjoying every minute. Al Maag, founder of the Hall of Fame, was there along with Robbie Gould of the Chicago Bears, Alexi Giannoulias, treasurer of the state of Illinois, and three Melmans, Rich, Molly and Jerrod. The local celebs were on-hand for a softball game that was played in the afternoon. WGN was represented by Marianne Murciano, Jim Turano, and Bob Sirot. Even Amy Jacobson (think bikini scandal) took a few swings.

It was a memorable day in the history of Forest Park. Remember, it all started years ago with the late Jim Sarno.

It’s not too early to make your reservation for the Meeting of Minds XVI on Oct. 23 and 24, both at 8 p.m. Sir George Williams, Frances Willard, Father Edward Flanigan and Jane Addams will discuss “people who care.”

If you bump into any of these people in the coming week, be sure to say “happy birthday” to Jenny Okolowicz, Stephanie Mondragon, Richard Lulipani, Kevin Thompson, Eleanor Konkowski, Bud Herseth, Cathy Collins, Claudia Mandile, Mike Espinoza, Eric Hartley, Joan Bigos, Lauri Falbo, Eunice Granados, Brett McNeill, Hope Simon, Brent Marler, Debbie Wall and Heather Byrnes.

Also, feel free to extend a belated birthday wish to 1-year-old Connor Wode.