We can all use some good news, something unexpected or something wonderfully familiar. Here are two uplifts from this week in Forest Park.
How about those Panthers!
The girls basketball team at Forest Park Middle School is the champion of the Salt Creek Conference. Typically you would become the champion when you win every game you play. And that is what the Panthers did as they cruised through their schedule piling up wins. In their final win of the season, the Panthers bested their second place rivals from Hauser Middle School in Riverside by the score of 28-18.
This is the first championship for the Forest Park team since 2003.
Terriyaka Watson, who identified herself as the “Proud Panther Principal,” praised the team and its coaches for their hard work, mutual support, teamwork and chemistry. She might have also mentioned their academic prowess.
Watson also thanks Heath Mills and Devon Park, the Panther coaches.
Here then are the names of the champions:
Brooke Williams, Isyss Williams, Layla Ortiz, Rowan Marello, Khloe Rodriguez, Wendria Fuller, Haydin Dunigan, Ailey Jones, Juliet Harrington and Henitah Wells.
St. Patrick’s Parade steps off
It is one of Forest Park’s signature events. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back. All praise to the Chamber of Commerce, which has, over the years, cultivated a slate of events which delight the locals while drawing thousands from across Chicago to our happy place.
And while we love the Casket Races and the Holiday Walk, it is the St. Pat’s parade that really revs us up. Perhaps it is the harbinger of spring (the temperature on Saturday is predicted to be a balmy 40 degrees), the massive turnout of both marchers and fans along the route, or the slightly unruly enthusiasm that permeates the day.
So make your plans. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. It’s possible you can buy a beer somewhat earlier.
Be there.