BIA Recognizes Outstanding Gardens
The Beverly Improvement Association (BIA) has selected the “best” gardens visible from the streets of North Beverly for recognition in the annual garden contest. Each year BIA selects gardens which have not received recognition for at least three years. North Beverly is especially lovely during the spring and summer months when so many flowers and shrubs are in bloom. Among this year’s many splendid gardens are the following winners: The Hibbs garden, 9036 S. Pleasant; the Lepacek and Laginess garden at 9236 Winchester; the Zavateppo garden at 8939 S. Bell; the Junkins garden at 8951 S. Leavitt; the O’Neill garden at 9133 S. Hoyne; the Sedlack garden at 9340 S. Hoyne; and the flower and vegetable gardens of Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 9401 S. Oakley. The church’s gardens are tended by volunteers and more than 500 pounds of food are donated to food pantries each year.
Swim Season Extended at Kennedy Park Pool
The Chicago Park District (CPD) has extended the swim season to Sept. 30 at Kennedy Park and two other outdoor pools across the city. The pools will be open with limited hours. In response to a local effort over the last four years to make the pool more family-friendly, CPD made several upgrades to the facility and has worked with the community to move lap swim to the early morning, and add family, 12-and-under and Tiny Tot swim to the Kennedy Park pool schedule.
According to Carly Carney, one of the community members who has worked to get the pool schedule expanded and the swim season extended, “There is really a great joy and a sincere gratitude that the Park District has worked with the community. The extended September hours significantly impact the well-being of the many senior citizens, lap swimmers and young families who still can utilize the pool during the warm days of early fall.”
For the group of seniors who gather to do the pool exercises most days of the week, this is great news. “This is one of the best resources in our neighborhood” said Daryce Hoff Nolan. “It’s fun too! Now we get together for during the year for pizza parties. I love it.”
It is also good news for local lap swimmers. “I am very excited about the pool season being extended,” said Missy Wright. “I am looking forward to early morning swims with a mist over the pool. I love it when the air is colder than the water. It’s going to be awesome!”
For the complete September schedule and information on the extended pool hours, call 312-747-6198 or check the unofficial Kennedy Park Pool Facebook page.
Tap Into BAPA
Save the date for the 2nd Annual Tap Into BAPA Pub Crawl: Sat., Nov. 12, starting at 3 p.m. Open to neighbors age 21 and up, the event will feature several Western Avenue bars offering Tap Into BAPA specials, food, live music and more. Details will be announced soon at www.bapa.org
Community-Wide Civic Association Meeting
BAPA will host a meeting of all neighborhood civic and homeowner associations Tues., Sept. 20, 7 p.m., BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. The discussion will include planning beautification initiatives. Neighbors who would like to learn more about getting involved are welcome to attend as well as neighbors who are already active with their associations. We’re eager to share information and ideas! Info: Mary Jo Viero, mjviero@bapa.org.
Student Wins Ribbons at State Fair
Congratulations to 10-year old Christopher Edison, a member of the VISION Outreach 4H Club, who won 10 ribbons in competitions at the Cook County and Illinois State Fair. Edison is a Beverly/Morgan Park resident and he attends Vanderpoel Humanities Academy where he is a member of the National Junior Beta Club and an active participant in VISION Outreach.
Before heading to the State Fair, Edison was on the team from VISION Outreach that participated in the Cook County Robotics Showcase. They were the youngest team there, and came very close to winning 1st place with perfect scores in 2 or the 3 categories. At the Cook County Fair, Edison and another student competed and won. Edison was asked to represent Cook County at the State Fair as a delegate. He competed in Flimmaking: Animation.
In addition to the 4H Club, VISION Outreach offers many other youth development programming options. The organization is based at Vanderpoel Humanities Academy under the direction of Rev. Shaunte’ Brewer. For information on VISION Outreach visit VISIONOutreach.weebly.com.
Scouts Collect Funds for Food Pantry
Girl Scout Troop 20660 recently donated $147.87 to the Maple/Morgan Park Community Food Pantry and earned their Philanthropist Badges, which requires giving back to the community.
For the Philanthropy Badge, the troop talked about the importance of saving money and giving money away. The girls managed to do both. The young philanthropists created piggy banks out of used coffee jars, tissue paper and craft foam then collect donations from their allowances and asking family members and friends to help.
Because everyone needs food and some people can’t always afford groceries, the scouts decided to use the money to support the neighborhood food pantry.
Troop 20660 meets once a month during the school year at Beverly Branch Library, 1962 W. 95th St. This fall, the troop members will be in 4th grade and become Juniors. The small troop has spaces for two more girls.
Interested girls and adult volunteers can start their own troop or find a troop to join online at Girl Scouts of the Greater Chicago Area and Northwest Indiana – www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
Learn Chinese for Free!
United Chinese Americans and Cornerstone International Education will hold free Chinese Culture and Language Immersion classes for all ages and levels beginning in October in the BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. The program includes free Chinese class tutoring and a chance to participate in a cultural exchange with Chinese Morgan Park Academy high school students. Info: Tim He, CSDL-PROJECT@hotmail.com,
Chicago Seeks Election Judges
The Chicago Board of Elections is recruiting judges of election for the Nov. 8 presidential election. Election judges are responsible for administering the election in each polling place. They must be registered to vote in Cook County. Applications are available at the 19th Ward Office, 10400 S. Western or online at chicagoelections.com.
Therapy Riding Program Moves to Lemont
The Holistic Riding Equestrian Team, an Equine Assisted Animal Therapy (EAAT) program for participants with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, is accepting applications for children, teens and adults from Chicago and the suburbs. Classes begin Sept. 27 at Kopping Farm, Lemont, and the session concludes the Special Olympics fall competition at Bravehearts in Poplar Grove, Oct. 21 through 23.
Formerly conducted as the popular therapeutic riding program at the Chicago High School for the Agricultural Sciences, the new program location is just 20 minutes southwest of the Ag School. EAAT provides the opportunity for participants to enjoy the process of developing riding skills while benefiting from improved physical fitness, core stability, self-confidence, communication skills and the enhanced ability to follow directions.
Currently, rider openings are available Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5 and 6 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 and 11 a.m. Volunteers, especially family members, are also welcome. To request an intake interview, email holisticriding19@gmail.com or call/text volunteer coordinator Chandra, 708-271-7032. Spaces are limited.
Puppets Add to ‘Peter and the Wolf’ Concert
Beverly/Morgan Park-based Jeannie McQueenie Productions will provide puppet and set for the Southwest Symphony Orchestra’s production of “Peter and the Wolf,” Tues., Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., Ozinga Chapel, Trinity Christian College, 6601 College Dr., Palos Heights.
Written by Sergei Prokifiev for children, the music and narration tell the story of a boy named Peter who, despite his grandfather’s warning, goes out alone and encounters a wolf. Through quick thinking and the help of a bird, Peter captures the wolf then celebrates his achievement.
“Peter and the Wolf” is an excellent introduction to classical music for young persons.
Tickets are $6 for students (chaperones free) when purchased in advance. Group rates apply for parties of 75 or more. Ticket: 708-802-0686 or southwestsymphony.com. Information: 773 220-6693 or jeanniemcqueenie.com.
