Maneesh Kumar and his beautiful new bride, Krishna Patel were married in grand Hindu style over the Memorial Day holiday. Krishna is from Vancouver, British Columbia. Maneesh grew up and attended schools here in Forest Park. The Hindu wedding took place over a four-day period and included a ride on a beautifully decorated white horse for the groom, a fire pit and other traditions dating back thousands of years.
Center Stage at the Summer Fest will be Scott Popelka and his “Diva Crossing.” The vocalist is Diva Montell. Other members include Mark Nelson on keyboards and Jerome Allen on bass. Their gig will begin around 6 p.m.
Scott has been a firefighter in Forest Park for 27 years and has been composing music, singing, playing guitar and piano, mostly self-taught, for most of that time.
Congratulations to Walter and Mary Murphy who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2. There will be big celebrations at several sites around the Midwest, including the Golden Steer. The Murphys are the parents of Mary Sullivan of Doc Ryan’s.
We’ve got great news that Patrick Dorneker was named to the dean’s list at Creighton University in Omaha. Patrick’s majoring in business. Also, Alan Jasper, son of Sharon L. Good received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tenn. Congrats, mom and son!
Don’t forget Summer Fest this weekend. And on Sunday, slip upstairs to the Pineapple Dance Studio, 7518 Madison St., for free dance classes all day long, including belly dance, hip-hop, zumba and Peruvian dance.
Last Thursday just as the kids were getting out of Garfield School, two dogs came running joyfully down Hannah Street. Several of us pursued the pair, but they eluded everyone. Fortunately it was learned that the dogs belonged to the Murphys (not the Mary Sullivan Murphys) and returned home safely.
Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her diamond Jubilee. She probably doesn’t subscribe to the “Review,” so I will tell you how she influenced my life. When I was about 6 years old, the queen’s father, George VI, became king of England, thus making her and her little sister, Margaret Rose, princesses. Two real live princesses – something to really excite the heart of a little 6-year-old! I pleaded for a Princess Elizabeth doll that Christmas and, miracle of miracles, I got one! She had beautiful shiny brown hair topped by a diamond tiara, a wine-colored lace dress with an “ermine”-trimmed velvet cape. The best Christmas gift ever.
After spending several days with the princess, I realized she’d have no one to play with when I went back to school. My Shirley Temple doll would be an ideal friend for her. So I began the search for Shirley. I looked everywhere, all in vain. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned of Shirley’s fate. She had been magically transformed into Princess Elizabeth with a wig and some needlework by my mother.
Happy birthday this week to Nancy Brod, Steve Huebner, Nicole Rice, Marilyn Lentini, Lucian Duhem, Janeen Dunst, Carter Leonard, Christy Cesario, Daniari Dejuuiera, Stella Kovarch, Nicholas Ross, Nancy Lovell, Angelina Seveda, John O’Donnell, Ashton McDonnell, Joan Jordan, Ken Trainor, Ann Snee, Gloria Hansbery and Joan Jordan.
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.
