Congratulations to the winners at the Chamber meeting at McAdam’s last week. Several of our seniors were mentioned in the Senior Magazine as well. Their names will be mentioned later.
Our town has been undergoing a giant spring cleaning, as you have probably noticed. Among those polishing up Forest Park are the tree trimmers. Those guys are not just a bunch of yahoos who like to grab a chain saw and start lopping away at trees. They are dedicated arborists who get advice from ISA Certified Arborist, John Jandak. Mr. Jandak had some interesting words on the condition of our trees, especially the Ash Tree. All of our Ash trees are infected, but not to panic. Medication is available which will stave off the death of the trees. The emerald ash borer came to us from China where the Ash trees developed immunity to the disease. Scientists are trying to discover how to create a similar immunity to our Ash trees, but the tens of millions of Ash trees already infected will eventually have to be cut down. Pat Braniff told us the men are careful not to destroy any nests they come across in the trees. They recently inadvertently chopped off a branch with a bird’s nest on it. The men retrieved the nest and returned it to a nearby branch. Also in the treetops there is a little war going on between a Coopers Hawk and crows. No word yet on who is winning that one.
The Kiwanis Pasta Dinner is this Saturday, May 19th from 3:30 until 8 pm. Donations are $8 adults, $5 seniors and children older than five years old. Children under 5 eat free!! Many of the restaurants in town donate the food including Gaetano’s Restaurant which donates the pasta and sauces. The dinner is at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson and you can get more information by calling Jerry Lordan at 708.386.0127. The Kiwanis support youth programs in Forest Park and do various other kid centered programs such as recently getting prom dresses for girls who probably couldn’t attend the prom otherwise.
A reminder: Summer Fest will be June 8 and 9.
Happy birthday this week to Lisa Novak, Sara Neubeiser, Sue Lyons, Jason Webb, Carl Schwebl, Mikela Brown, Peg O’Connell, Jonas Wojtas, Phyllis DeVilbiss, Janet Fink, Pam Bower, Shirley Stange, Tyler Fink, Emma Maxwell, Max and Emma Strong, Mike Jargstorf, Tom Conrad, Zianna Turek. Happy anniversary to Roy and Terry Sansone.
Congratulations to our outstanding seniors: Rose Krough, Greg Phillips, Joanne and Ted Despotes, Marie Beckman and apologies to anyone I may have omitted.
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.
