Spring is certainly here. Babies are being born, flowers are blooming. I saw my first robin at 10:50 a.m. Friday, April right in front of the mayor’s house on Jackson. Some years the robins winter over , but not this one. Everybody who could got out of town — including the robins.
For patrons of Schauer Hardware who were awaiting the birth of Jessica Leonard’s baby boy: he’s here! Jackson Diezel Leonard was born Wednesday April 2 at 1:20 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs and was 18 ½ inches long. Parents of the new baby are Jessica and Henry Leonard. Mother and baby are home resting. Cheech the dog is accepting his role as guardian of the baby.
Congratulations to our editor, Jean Lotus, who has been nominated for the Peter Lisagor award! This nomination is for of best in depth coverage for a non-daily community newspaper. Jean’s recognition comes from a 2013 series about the death of a patient at Riveredge Hospital. Winners will be announced May 2. Peter Liagor was a Chicago Daily News Washington bureau chief from 1959 until 1976. He was one of the nation’s most respected journalists, known for his precision and wit.
Along with the spring music is the annual Michael Teolis Singers spring concert at First United Methodist Church , 324 N. Oak Park Avenue. The concert will be May 3 at 7:30 p.m. The title of this year’s offering is a clever “Look What Else They Wrote.” It features works by established composers from Beethoven to Dave Brubek. This year’s concert will also present the world premiere of Sir David Willcock’s “You Bring Me Happiness” and “Concerto for Piano and Chorus- the 12 Months” by Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach, remember?) Special guest artist will be pianist Justin Kolb. To reserve tickets call 708.366.2889, $18 adults and $12 senior/student.
And even more music when an organ recital comes to St. John Lutheran Church Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m. Paul Carr, director of music at St. Paul’s in Birmingham, England will present a recital to include works by J.S. Bach, Alfred Hollins, Charles-Marie Widor and Louis Vierne. The concert is free! Address: 305 Circle Avenue, Forest Park.
Happy birthday this week to Tiffany Basarich, Rich Barger, Ernesto Gasse, Fran Nee, Chrissy Neumann, Sara Mesheimer, Mike Thompson, Laura Annarino, John Marino, Zachary Peter Janopoulos Evelyn Wirkowski, Kara Einbinder, Daniel and Patrick Hart, Jim Stanton, John Spence, Don Cote, Julie Mahnke, Dawn Mandile, Sarah Stahlke, Amy Vobornik, and Eleanor Locati. Happy anniversary to Kevin and Melissa Dodge.
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.
