Farewell to summer and farewell to some of our beautiful ash trees that filled our skies. Here is one giant beauty on the way down. There are several more; maybe there’s one on your block. Remember when Forest Park’s streets were lined like cathedral arches with elm tree branches? Trees really make the town, any town, beautiful. Save the trees at all costs.
Forest Park Historical Society meeting this Wednesday. This is a very important meeting for members (new members are welcome). A vote will be taken to purchase the First United Church on Elgin as a permanent home for the society. It has not had a permanent home since its beginning 40 years ago. Be part of the new Facebook page “Forest Park friends of the Historical Society.” You’ll enjoy much of what you see, including a photo of young Jerry Lordan teaching at Saint Bernardine School.
Songs for Saints and Sinners, a monthly opportunity to recharge and reflect. Where? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph. When? The third Friday of every month from September until May. September, the discussion will be Open Hearts; October: Hope; November: Soul Feast. More in future months.
On Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m., Animal Blessings will be observed at Unity of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid in Oak Park. The guest speaker will be clinical psychologist Linda Harper, PhD, author of The Power of Joy in Giving to Animals. Dr. Harper facilitates the pet loss support group for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and is well known in many areas. Advance registration is requested. Call 708-848-0960.
The Farmers Market will be with us for a few more weeks. Where will you find fresh nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits or humanely raised meat and eggs after the market is gone for the year? Bandoffarmers.org can help you. This Community Supported Agriculture program creates a direct relationship between real farmers and the people who eat their food. For information, call 708-370-8017. Some CSAs are available for home delivery.
Forest Park artist Kathleen Garness has illustrated a host of insects and common plant families in the Chicago region for the Field Museum. There are several kinds of milkweed, or Asclepiadaceae, in our Chicago area. Most of these host and provide nectar for our beautiful monarch butterflies These amazing creatures migrate more than 2,500 miles!
Happy birthday this week to Clayton Davis, Kirk Scully, John Erickson, Rick Stephanie, Lily O’Neil, Diane Huebner, Betty Huebner, Marion Flight, Nocole Walsh, Max Rus, Celeste Cosgrove Arnold, Claire Finnegan, Brian Foley, Adam Goetz, Matt Massoth, Alyssa Neff, Jodi Gianakopoulos, Alexander Bafetti, Nick Spanvello, Dee Galbraith, Debbie Doss Morris, and Lucy Giannelli.
Happy anniversary to Tony and Lois Calderone, Lisa and P.J. Walsh, Carol and Dave Novak, and Guy and Katina Macino.
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.
