This year’s Saint Patrick’s Day weather was unofficially tied for first place as the worst parade weather ever. It was good for the saloon owners, though. Spectators spent two minutes on the street, and then walked right back into the bars. But, thanks to Forest Park’s finest, all street carousing ended promptly at 11 p.m.
A speedy recovery to our little redheaded crossing guard, Cathy, who is stationed at the corner of Jackson and Thomas: Cathy slipped on the ice – in the line of duty, of course. She cracked her cheekbone and fractured her wrist.
Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Joe DiGangi who were married on Feb. 28 in the Virgin Islands. Mrs. DiGangi is Renee Van Zant of the Forest Park National Bank.
Congratulations to Tina Mazzone who graduated from Chamberlain College of Nursing with a BSN. Tina, the daughter of Lisa and Joe Mazzone, was also inducted into the Nursing Honor Society. Chamberlain College is a division of DeVry Institute.
Meeting of Minds XVII reached a new high last Friday when Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. DuBois gathered for a very lively discussion of their lives and their contributions to society. If you missed this performance you can catch is again at the Bellwood Library, on Apr. 7, at 6:30 p.m. The Bellwood Library is located at 600 Bohland Ave., just south of Washington Blvd. This performance is free, but worth a king’s ransom (sorry about the cliché). Please go see it and bring your kids and neighbors. Do not miss it. I think they should take it on the road and charge admission.
Those celebrating birthdays during the week of Mar. 9 through 16 include: Steve Grams, Angela Fink, Dorothy Olson, Melissa Dodge, Matt Stefl, Julie Doloszycki, Kelli Haukedahl, Loretta Jantz, Ruth Lussow, Seth Stern, Margie Neff, Paul Gustafson, Ava Lin Scollard, Connor Grimes, Davion Barr, Terry Meffley, Geri Leninger, Coralee Johnson, Ethan Flanagan, Vondra Stevens, Jessica Conrad, Kathleen Pacudan.
Happy anniversary to Jodi and Peter Gianakopoulis, and best wishes to Rich and Rosemary Krieger, who are celebrating 35 years together.
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.
