Good-bye and good luck to one of everyone’s favorite Doc Ryan baristas, Carol Schmitt. Carol has been making friends and making drinks at Doc’s for more than 25 years and she will be sorely missed. One of her friends, and another Doc Ryan patron, is also moving. Maria Simms and her little French bulldog, Nikki, will be living in New Orleans from now on and little doggie will not like the heat.

Athena Uslander, of Athena’s Silverland Desserts on Desplaines, won a sort of beauty contest sponsored by Dove soap in 2007. Along with much travel and other prizes, Athena received a sum of money which she has chosen to use for the welfare of others. Her newest project is to assist Kiwanis in their Cinderella program to help young girls raise their self esteem. More will probably be said of this project in the future. Congratulations and a big “Thank You” to Athena.

The Kiwanians want you to mark Sept. 28 on your calendar for annual Peanut Day! And they’d love for you to stop by the Kiwanis beer tent on July 4.The beer is from Duffy’s and Mary Win Connor is the beer organizer.

Congratulations to graduates Denita Johnson and Michael Walsh who received their degrees from North Central College in Naperville.

Congratulations to the Blaylock family, Brandon, Simone and Justin, who will be going to Japan this month, to witness first-hand the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami. This trip is in conjunction with the West Suburban YMCA and Sushi House in Oak Park, which donated 10 percent of meals purchased there on June 2.

Meanwhile, back in town, Centuries & Sleuths will host the G.K. Chesterton Society on Saturday, July 14 at 2 in the afternoon to discuss his work, Saint Francis of Assisi. On the 21st at 12:30 p.m., Bryan Gruley will discuss and sign copies of his third book in the Starvation Lake Series, The Skeleton Box. Looking to the future, the Meeting of Minds will gather on Nov. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.Guests will be mystery writers, Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Craig Rice. Admission is $10 per person, seating is limited to 30 persons. Email cns7419@sbcglobal.net or call 708-771-7243 for information and/or reservations.

Have a great 4th Happy birthday to Zeno Jacquat, Madalyn Little, Craig Lichtenberg, Emmett Byrnes, Michelle Lindgren, Kimberly Jargstorf, Janine Boy Parisi, John Doss, Jackie Clifton, Denise Norton, Jeff Schultz, Beth Spinelli, Janet Oliver, David Collins, Julianne Grace Touhy, Rachel Stahlke, Mary Donnelly, Ellery Bland, Lisa Faber, Bridget Marinier, Diane Bugajsky, Matt Cappolino, and Tim Houren. Happy anniversary to Jennifer and Mark Hosty and Diane and Colin Chin.