Among the soon-to-be famous Forest Parkers is our new citizen Adam Strickland, recent graduate of the French School of Cuisine in New York City. Adam is shown here with his famous instructor Jacques Pepin. Adam is now the chef at Nordstrom’s in Oak Brook.
Despite the weatherman’s lack of cooperation, the annual Sing-Along Messiah took place last Sunday, Dec. 8 at the First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave. This church looks like Christmas even in the middle of August.
It is designated an Oak Park Historical Landmark. The weather kept many singers and listeners away, but those who braved the storm and showed up anyway were well rewarded. David Leehey accompanied on the harpsichord despite having eight broken fingers. Conductor David Tartakoff, is equally at home behind the podium as he is behind the desk.
He studied conducting with David Yampolsky at Northwestern, and conducted the Northwestern University Philharmonic for 13 years. He is been first violinist with the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. He also taught mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
He has much published research work and his musical publications include a work on Schubert’s chamber music and “Schubert’s Life of Shubert.”
Mr. Tartakoff lives in Oak Park with his wife, Cheryl and daughter Ann, who are also musicians. Refreshments following the concert were served compliments of the church and featured the culinary accomplishments of Rae Kalin.
The Saturday Christmas concert by the Teolis Singers was also at the Methodist Church with Forest Park’s Nancy Greco, Mark Stickney, Louise Brueggermann and accompanist David Richards.
Of course you have your ticket to the “Boar’s Head” at Saint John this week-end,4 p.m.at Saint John Saturday and Sunday.
This, too, has become a bi-annual tradition which everyone looks forward to. So bundle up, come see your neighbors, and enjoy this lively, happy holiday offering.
Congratulations to Mark Rogovin, our very own Haymarket Historian.
The Illinois Labor History Society inducted Mark into their Hall of Honor at a ceremony Dec. 8 at the Letter Carriers Union Hall, on South Wabash Ave. in Chicago.
Mark was honored for spearheading the renovation of the Haymarket Monument in Forest Home Cemetery in 2011, as well as being a caretaker to labor monuments buried nearby in Radical Row.
It’s happy birthday time for Kellan O’Shea, Matt Pingel, M.J. Luetgert, DeMra Guilbraith, Brian Mullen, Scott Marler, Peggy Wedoff, Gloria Chaney, Andrew Doss, Mary Alice Nee, Marilyn Hosty, Peyton Brown, Morgan Trage, Madison Hannah Pronek, Corina Harnett, Steven T. Rozmus, Andene Maucham, Aris Gianakopoulis, Adam Ritter Sue Stanton, Bill Hopp, Amanda Rychtanek, Tim Flanagan, and Irene O’Shea.
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.
