Golf is for all at Marquette Park

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Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

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Last week we began by talking about how golf season is in full swing at Marquette Park. What if you have thought about playing, but have never played before? There are three programs at Marquette, one of which might suit your needs.

The first is called Get Golf Ready, which is designed to teach you in five 90-minute lessons everything you’ll need to know to step onto a golf course and play with confidence. In this series of lessons, you cover all areas of golf, including on-course activities taught by golf pros who will make sure you have fun with each lesson.

The second one is called Golf Fore Women, and the third is Golf Fore Men. Both programs have several levels, with level one starting with the basics of grip, stance and posture, proceeding to putting and chipping, progressing to the full swing. It lays the foundation for your golf game. Each of these two programs have a maximum of eight students and are also five weeks of 90-minute instruction per week.

Kathy Headley

For more information on any of these programs, call the clubhouse at (773) 526-5040.

Happy birthday to the Rev. Homero Sanchez, pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Parish, who celebrates this weekend.

St. Rita of Cascia Parish is planning a gardening party on Saturday, May 25, at St. Rita, 6245 S. Fairfield–and at St. Clare of Montefalco, 5443 S. Washtenaw, on Saturday, June 1, both beginning at 10 a.m. Parishioners and friends are invited to join for a morning of gardening and mingling as the parish grounds are beautified with flowers. Currently the parish is looking for donations of roses, dahlias, hydrangeas, peonies, elephant-ear bulbs, van zyverden, caladiums and lavender. If you or maybe a company you know might be willing to donate flowers, they would certainly be appreciated. Please contact the parish office at (773) 434-9600.

Also on Saturday, May 25, the Kids’ chess Club meets at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, from 2 to 3 p.m. Kids ages 6 to 13 are invited to join in for open chess play. All skill levels are welcome. Learn how to play chess or sharpen your skills.

Then on Sunday, May 26, Community Cinema brings the 2023 Warner Bros film The Color Purple to the library at 2 p.m. This film is rated PG-13.

On Monday, May 27, the Rev. Jaunius Kelpsas, pastor of Nativity BVM Parish, will be the main celebrant at the Memorial Day Field Mass at St. Casimir Cemetery, 111^th and Pulaski. Music will be performed by the Nativity BVM choir. Mass begins at 10:30 a.m.

The Litany of Mary has been said throughout the month of May at Nativity BVM and continues through Friday, May 31, after the 8:30 a.m. weekday Masses.

On Tuesday, May 28, there will be an ice cream social at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, at 10:30 a.m.

On Wednesday, May 29, Super Bingo with the Southwest Auxiliary begins at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Wednesday, connect with nature at Dan Ryan Woods by joining the morning bird walk from 8 to 9 a.m. Join a naturalist as the group explores the preserve while searching out local birds. Meet at the Visitor Cener on the northeast corner of 87^th and Western.

Coming up on Sunday, June 9, the St. Thomas More Mission will be celebrating Mission Director Father Derran Combs’ 30^th anniversary at the 10 a.m. Mass. There will be a light lunch served after Mass in Donlan Hall, located in the lower level of the church, 81^st and California. All are welcome.

Now back to 1979. Two weeks ago, we talked about Mr. Steer Steak House on 63^rd Street, which was celebrating its eighth anniversary.

Last week I wondered if you could identify the church celebrating its 50^th anniversary. It was originally a Czechoslovakian congregation which began at 52^nd and Winchester, then moved to 58^th and Rockwell before moving to its Chicago Lawn location. Harry L. knew right away it was Trinity Baptist Church at 67^th Place and Hamlin.

Also having a celebration at this time 45 years ago, was Penner Drugs at 63^rd and Kedzie. This was a grand reopening celebration. The pioneer drug store was one of the community’s oldest drug stores at the time. Sitting on the northwest corner of the intersection, the location was occupied by a drug store since the building was erected in 1927.

Penner had been sold to Salvatore DiMasi, who remodeled the store, expanding several of the non-prescription lines like jewelry and cosmetics and was having three weeks of celebrating, with prize drawings scheduled for every week. Perhaps you won one of the prizes?

Recently we also talked about the fate of the Gage Park Bowling Alley in 1979, which ended with a fire completely destroying the building. Another fire which engulfed a longtime business just north of there, completely gutted the store at 2008 W. 51^st Street. Can you name this store?