The tiny church was not as full as it had been in years past, but old feelings were still apparent this Easter. Will it be the last Easter for this congregation? Jim Becker and his two daughters, Georgia and Josie charmed everyone. Young Thalia was home sick with chicken pox. Pastor Audree Catalano loves Saint Peter’s and continues to make the long trip in once a month. Jean Zalinski was here with her daughters but many familiar faces have gone on, Loretta Woeltje being the most recent one. Judy Jilek has been doing Loretta’s old duties. Nancy Bower cleaned up after everyone had finished breakfast and retired to the church. Some things just never change.
It was Tammy Whol’s last Easter in Forest Park. Tammy is working on her M.A. in music at Northeastern. So she spent Easter Sunday evening working on a composition featuring percussion instruments. She’s taking an apartment nearer the school.
Forest Park extends deep sympathy to Larry Piekarz on the death of his father, Xavier, age 89, who had been ill for a long time.
The kids at Saint John were ecstatic over Sundrop, the blond, curly horse who visited there last week during the Multicultural Dinner. Sundrop’s person is Myna Wright who is proud to show him off at a moment’s notice.
It was Geri Grant’s birthday so her husband, Roger, suggested they start off the day at Starbuck’s. When they entered the place, a young man at the counter was reading the morning paper. Roger, usually the soul of diplomacy, good manners and sensitivity, walked up to the young man and demanded, “Hurry up and finish that paper so I can read it!” In a split flash of an instant, Geri felt horror and embarrassment, then joy. The young man was her son Phil in from Colorado for the birthday. Hugs and tears followed.
Segway Tours were in town Saturday on a Chocolate Lovers Tour. Karl Reese led Cecilia Thornton, and Stephanie and Jeanie Lowry along Madison Street. Their first stop was Todd & Holland. You, too, can experience a guided tour while gliding along on a Segway. Other tours include Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway, the Haunted, Corporate Events and just plain one-hour rides. Go to www.oakparksegway.com to find out more about these unusual experiences. Best wishes to soon-to-be newlyweds, Baudelio Meraz and Elizabeth A. Zamora who will be married this coming weekend in Berwyn.
On April 16 the Great Mystery Bus Tour will begin at noon at Centuries & Sleuths. Patrons will not go on a bus tour; the authors are coming off a bus tour. John Connolly, Liza Marklund, M.J. Rose and William Kent Kruger will begin discussions and signings at noon.
Celebrating birthdays this week are Mike Thompson, Chrissy Neumann, Sara Meshheimer, Evelyn Witkowski, Frank Nee, Kara Einbinder, Jim Stanton, John Spence, Ernesto Gassi, Don Cote, Julie Mahnke, Dawn Mandile, Sara Stahlke, Amy Thiesse Vobornik, Eleanor Locati, Benjamin Gerger, Don Cote, Joe Rice and Parker Ryan Wojtas. Happy anniversary to Kevin and Melissa Dodge.
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.
