The Thanksgiving turkey is now soup, the Christmas decorations are slowly finding their way up from the basement and it’s time to really get down to Christmas business. The best Christmas business, in my opinion, is the music. And you’ll hear lots of music at the annual Holiday Walk on Madison Street, Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. To begin with, Paul Lindblad‘s Children’s Choir from Saint John’s will delight you, as will the Harlem Maenner-Und Damenchor.
The string students from the Gassi School of Music will perform for you as well. Among those performing will be St. Ignatius sophomore Kathleen Turek on the violin. The young Ms. Turek played the J.B. Accolay concerto in A minor at last Sunday’s recital. Also on the program performing a coda to the recital was 4-year-old Ella Peterson, shown at right with her mother, Rina Peterson. Her proud father is Todd Peterson. Ella played the Suzuki variation of “Twinkle Twinkle.”
There is the sing-a-long Messiah at First United Methodist Church, 323 N. Oak Park Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Professional orchestra and soloists are on hand to add to your pleasure. This venture is cosponsored by the Methodist Church and MacDowell Artists. Sit and enjoy or sing along, then join the others for refreshments following the concert. The village may have eased parking restrictions for the Messiah, but take care. All proceeds benefit PADS, so dig deep.
Remember, the Teolis Singers concert is also at the Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm.
Forest Park always looks forward to the exuberant Boar’s Head Festival held bi-annually. This year’s production can be seen Dec. 12 and 13 at 4 p.m. at Saint John’s, 305 Circle Ave. Tickets are $12 for general admission if purchased in advance, $10 students and seniors. It’ll cost you $15 if purchased at the door. It really is a not-to-be-missed event.
For one month only, Out of the Box is back to help us celebrate Christmas. The shop will be here from Nov. 27 until Dec. 23. This year’s location is 7423 Madison. Going there is like a “Christmas morning, what did Santa bring?” experience.
Sympathy to the friends and family of Bill Kenny, who died Nov. 6. My thanks to Joan Bigos for letting me know. She said Bill was a wonderful neighbor. My contact with him was mostly through the mail or phone, but I always enjoyed the experience.
A special birthday wish goes to 5-year-old Dominic Collins on Dec. 6.
Happy birthday to Bradley Spectre, Gerry Janopoulos, Dixie Quitsch, Reagan Hosty, Roland Maughm, Mylinda Stange, Cheryl Kolnick, Adele Sharkey, Carli Loyd, Kallen O’Shea, Matt Pingell and Sue Lentini Stuart (way off in California).
