Welcome home to Brick and Narcissa Millar. The Millars spent five glorious days in sunny Mexico while the rest of us froze or got soaked up here. Ivy Millar became the bride of Ryan Engra A big special in Cancun, Mexico and now Ryan and Ivy are at home in Naperville. He is a physician, she a nurse. Narcissa was ecstatic about the hotel, the food, and especially the complimentary Margaritas. That cruel storm a week ago prevented their Sunday return so they had an additional day of complimentary food and margaritas!
Speaking of that storm, Peggy O’Rourke has some distant, by-marriage relatives living in Manhattan, Ill. Their home was intact but homes one block away were all destroyed.
Rev. John and Nancy Helmke were acknowledged at Village Hall Monday night for their 50th wedding anniversary, celebrated last July at Drury Lane. Daughter Catherine was in attendance to see the village honor this true life milestone.
Strolling down the avenue with a dapper cane was newly recovered Jerry Jacknow who had been just about devastated by the West Nile virus. Jerry has spent several months recovering, but seems to be on the road toward health. There’s a lot less of Jerry, but what’s left is looking good.
Last Sunday’s Judge O’Malley / Father Frank Grady memorial Game Day celebration awarded special honors to Mayor Calderone. The Forest Park Historical society noted the Calderone Family has lived in town for more than 100 years. A sad note in the archives mentions a six month old baby boy, Salvatore Calderone, who died from pneumonia on Jan. 12, 1913. Deb Michalak was the Game Day Chair. Thanks to Gerry Lordan for this information.
A Holiday Bazaar benefiting the Animal Care League will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, 3- 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Pictures with Santa on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kids and pets are welcome. The location of the bazaar is 6930 W. Roosevelt Road in Oak Park, across the street from Culver’s. This location was generously donated by the Community Bank of Oak Park/River Forest. Pet items will be available as well as holiday items, bakery goods, music and much more.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all this heavenly music. The Michael Teolis singers will perform on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.
The very next day, on Dec. 8 at 3:30 in the afternoon, the annual sing along Messiah will take place in the same church, First United Methodist Church 324 N. Oak Park Ave., across the street from the Hemingway House. Donations from this event benefit the local food pantry. If you just want to sit and listen to the orchestra and singers, feel free to do just that. But come!
If, like me, you’re getting up there and would like some information on the Affordable Care Act, Gabriela Felson will be on hand at the library to guide you through the process of determining your eligibility, using the getcoveredillinois.gov website to apply, choosing the right plan for you and learning about one on one assistance. That’s Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the library, 7555 Jackson Blvd. www.fpplorg or call (708) 366.7171.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, Local authors will sell their books and mix with Centuries & Sleuths customers on Small Business Saturday. Combine your Christmas shopping with socializing. That’s Saturday from 10 a.m until 5 p.m
Apologies to Paula Diverde for missing her Nov. 13 birthday. A very special happy birthday to 95-year-old May Bill on Nov. 28. Other birthdays this week are Maddie MacKay, Michael Branda, and Patrick Rice.
Happy Thanksgiving to you.
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.
