Welcome to Forest Park’s newest citizen. She’s Isla Faith Brunkhorst born Sept. 25. Isla has a beautiful big sister, Ellie (Elizabeth), a loyal, friendly big dog, Daffy (Daffodil) two adoring parents, Dr. Joey, a resident in orthopedics at Northwestern and a charming mother, Lora. Proud grandparents of the new baby are Jerry and Linda Burkley and Joe and Ann Brunkhorst. All the family is from Iowa so you know they’re smart.
Congratulations to Marion Davis who won the raffle at the opening concert of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. Naomi Kudo played a dramatic Saint-Saens piano concerto (#2) and followed it with an encore of Claire de Lune. The audience went wild, deservedly so. Ms. Kudo has won international fame and has studied with some of the world’s most famous teachers. Guest conductor for the first half was Maurice Boyer.
Is it Halloween yet? The Maxham family grew an 85 pound pumpkin their backyard using homemade compost and lots of sun and water. Puppy Lotus gets to celebrate her first Halloween with this giant jack-o-lantern from Alexandra, Tobias, and Cassidy.
You know the next time you blink it will be Christmas. If you have a young person on your Christmas list, we have, right here in Forest Park, illustrator Michael Garman. Mr. Garman illustrated a book that was mentioned in the Review earlier this year. Now is the perfect time to consider purchasing it for a young friend. It’s called A Star to Follow and it’s about the back story of one of the three Magi in the nativity story. The vocabulary might be a bit difficult for a very young child, but would be fine for a ten-plus year old. The author of the book is Christopher Freiler.
What better way to celebrate the holiday season than to get up and dance! Dance! Dance! Erika Ochoa is waiting for you and she’s ready to make Pineapple Dance Studio the west side’s answer to the Old Town School of Folk Music, where she also teaches. All kinds of cultural experiences are on the agenda including Maqam, the world’s largest producer of Arabic and Middle Eastern Media. Learn long forgotten old songs, belly dancing, hip hop, Zumba, etc. It’s all available right here at Pineapple Dance Studio., 7518 W. Madison, telephone, 488.8115.
Sympathy to Lisa Marquardt and Tom Gorman on the death of their very dear friend, Carol Soldat.
Congratulations to Father Grady on the occasion of his anniversary. Friends, former parishoners, priests, etc. all were on hand to honor this much loved and respected man who has dedicated his life to caring for others.
Birthday greetings this week to Diane Rice, Cheryl Neff, Paul Jargstorf, Robert Mintz, Christina Respass, Nick Mangiaracina, Nathan Johnson, Derek Gist, Allen Latall, Jason Fabiani, Gary Almeroth, Yo Yo Ma, Daniel Lotus, Patrick Michael O’Shea, Morgan Hosty, Todd Coti. Happy anniversary to Bridget and Bob Dowdle, Todd and Dennis Marler, Katie and Johnny Tricoci.
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.
