Neighbors Magazine January 2023

valentino tina

Winter Solstice. Known as the day when the Northern Hemisphere sinks into its deepest point of darkness, the first day of winter 2022 was marked on December 21 the very same day I said my final goodbyes to my mother, who passed away peacefully a few days earlier While I don’t understand much astronomy, I completely grasp the deepest point of darkness now It is a chapter of my life that I have been dreading the last several years my mom and I have shared an amazing bond, living a Helen Reddy “You and Me Against the World” life for decades, making extraordinary memories out of often miserable times. We had no car; we rode my bike; we had no SNAP benefits, we ate cut-up oranges with a sprinkle of salt; we had no gloves so she would alternate holding my hands in her coat pocket as we braved the cold walking down 22nd Avenue; we even used my college book money grant to finally go to the dentist. My mother never once complained, never said a word and I never realized we had much less than some of our neighbors and some of our friends because, in my mind, I had it all a mom and a best friend and unconditional love.

I listened to her sing the songs she learned at Mount Carmel School (An Army of Youth) while she ironed; I learned the Proviso High School fight song (I didn’t even know my own high school’s song); she put up with me being homesick at birthday sleepovers, being a dork in the disco era and reading and explaining every canto of Dante’s Divine Comedy. We both liked rainy days and naps; leaving parties early; and how, if I hit the laundromat’s washing machine coin slot just right, I could get the wash for free We weathered good and bad times together and, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing

The longest, darkest day of the year fell right in the middle of the Neighbors deadline; the January issue would hang in the balance: could I muster up the strength to write, design, compile 40 pages for the first magazine of 2023? I could almost feel my mom nudging me, reminding me of my 8th grade class motto: less than your best is failure. Within hours of starting my life without her, it was time to roll up my sleeves like everyone else who has had to forge on through grief. Nearly every page brought back memories of how we loved having dinners at Gioacchino’s with Nella; of breakfasts at Cafe 23; of burgers and fries at Harlo Grill; soups at Starship; subs at Scudiero’s; shrimp at Shwings; listening faithfully to Joseph Johnson give financial advice on his Saturday morning radio show. Consider this issue a gift from my mom because I have no clue how I was able to type through the tears.

As I struggled with the last pages, I took a break to scroll through Instagram. There was Jordan B. Peterson, speaking emotionally in a video that completely meshed with the solstice, the sadness and the start of a new year. “If you’re willing to turn around and to stand up straight and face the darkness like fully, what you discover at the darkest point is the brightest light because there’s going to be terrible darkness in your life and it’s gonna make you cynical and bitter and it could easily be that you’re just not looking at it enough because if you looked at it enough and didn’t shy away, you’d find that there is more to you than there was to the horror ” I type the obituaries I know that 2023 starts with anguish and horror for many people. But maybe what my mom (MAV) was trying to tell me was to look beyond the dark, cold solstice the best that I could and that with every day there is a minute more sunlight; and that, while I could easily be bitter, this is an opportunity to repay the kindness shown to me, one minute at a time. That’s my goal. Happy, healthy new year, neighbors.

If you’re willing to turn around and stand up straight and face the darkness fully, what you discover at the darkest part is the brightest light...

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PICKUPACOPYATONEOFTHESELOCATIONS

Bellw l ood

n Bellwood Public Library n Mickey’s Drive-In n Gioacchino’s Ristorante n Bellwood Village Hall n Currency Exchange on Mannheim n Center at Stevenson Park Berkeley n Torres Fresh Market n Republic Bank n JK Restaurant n Berkeley Village Hall n Berkeley Public Library Berwyn n Lucky Dog on Harlem Avenue Broadview n Broadview Village Hall n Broadview Family Restaurant n Lucky Dog on Cermak n Dunkin Donuts on Roosevelt elmhurst n Harlo Grill #2 n Lezza Spumoni & Desserts n Elmhurst Metra Station elmwood Park n Judy’s Gaming Cafe n Armand’s Pizzeria on North Avenue n Russell’s BBQ n Elmwood Park Village Hall n Elmwood Park Public Library n Elmwood Park Recreation Center Forest Pa P rk n NEW Forest Park Village Hall n Charlie’s Restaurant on Roosevelt n Harvest 365 n Ed’s Foods n Starship Restaurant Franklin Park n NEW Garden of Eat’n Restaurant n NEW Sky Cafe n Pet Paradise Supermarket n Yadi’s Grill, 25th and Grand n Franklin Park Metra Station n Lulu Belle’s Pancake House n Al and Joe’s Deli n American Legion Post #974 n Smart Wash Laundromat n Franklin Park Public Library n Park District of Franklin Park n Franklin Park Village Hall n Leyden Community Center hillside n Eisenhower Park n Hillside Village Hall n Russo’s Chapels n Q’s Restaurant & Pizza n Hillside Public Library may a wood n Stairway of the Stars n Poor Boy, 1st & Roosevelt n Maywood Village Hall n Maywood Public Library

melrose Pa P rk n Melrose Park Village Hall n Melrose Park Senior Center n Sahara Home Care on North Avenue n Westlake Urgent Care on Lake Street n Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel n Tony’s Finer Foods on Mannheim n Dunk Donuts on Lake Street n Lucky Dog on Lake Street n Melrose Park Public Library n Sacred Heart Church n Harlo Grill #1 on North Avenue n Café 23, 23rd and Lake Street n Veterans Park District Leoni Complex n 7-11 on Broadway

n PNC Bank, Winston Plaza n Scudiero’s Bakery & Deli n Pan American Bank n Melrose Currency on Broadway n St Paul Lutheran Resale Shop n IHOP in Winston Plaza northlake n Cuomo To Go n Grant Park Recreation Center n Northlake Public Library north riverside n NEW Coming Soon! n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe n North Riverside Village Commons n North Riverside Public Library oak Pa P rk n Rush Oak Park Hospital river Forest n Yolk Restaurant on North Avenue n River Forest Chocolates n River Forest Public Library river Grove n Quasthoff’s Florist n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe n Triton College n Rich’s Fresh Market n Dunkin’ Donuts: River and Grand n Dunkin’ Donuts near 1st and Belmont n Bargains in a Box n Blondie’s Diner n River Grove Public Library n River Grove Village Hall n River Park Moose Lodge schiller Pa P rk n Al & Andy’s Restaurant n Marathon Station, 25th & Irving n Gambino’s Fresh Market, 25th Avenue stone Pa P rk n Stone Park Village Hall n Firehouse Subs n Shwings Shrimp & Wings westchester n Westchester Food Pantry n Westchester Village Hall

have a suggestion for a busy drop location? let us know!

High-traffic distribution in the towns including Oak Park and River Forest, Bellwood, Berkeley, North Riverside, Forest Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Westchester as well as Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Northlake, Schiller Park, River Grove and other communities.

Ne Neig ighb h or orst stm has the edge over other publications when it comes to readership

Tina Valentino Executive Editor and Contributor Winner of a Peter Lisagor Aw A ard for Exemplar y Journalism

Dee Tintori • Account Executive Mailing Address

P. P O. Box 1501, Melrose Park, IL 60161-1501 Phone 708.343.0205 E-mail: mel60160@aol com www.neighborsmagazine.com

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The shoplocal365.co campaign began in the fivecounty region of Greater Peoria and is dedicated to educating the public on the importance and impact of shopping local 365 days a year. r Sales tax revenue accounts for a large portion of city and county budgets. When sales tax declines, public services and employment often have to be cut in accordance. When we all commit to this, the impact on the community is massive. Please continue to support local this year!

Thegiftthat keepsongiving longafterthe holidaysareover

Illinois House Speaker

Free Forest Pa P rk library Program helps area residents plan for retirement after a pandemic

In a free library program, Dr. Jim Flanagan of Bentron Financial Group helps those at or near retirement navigate post-pandemic economic terrain The COVID-19 pandemic has added a disruptive layer to the already-uncertain economic terrain experienced by many people at or near retirement

As a result, it is more crucial than ever to be proactive and resilient in response to the global shake-up. That message is at the heart of “Retirement Planning After a Pandemic,” a practical guide for retirees and near-retirees that has been developed by Dr. Jim Flanagan, founder of Bentron Financial Group He brings the program Tuesday, January 17 to the Forest Park Public Library, y 7555 Jackson Boulevard. The free one-hour session begins in the library’s Austin Room at 7 pm.

To register, visit the Forest Park library event listing at https://tinyurl.com/ForestParkRPA P P. Anyone with questions about the program should contact Skye Lavin at slavin@fppl org or 708-366-7171

Among other topics, Flanagan discusses how everyone can embrace technology (such as FaceTime, Zoom and other Internet-based platforms), strengthen their relationships with healthcare providers, keep household essentials well stocked, and bolster their financial positioning in a variety of other ways

“The last three years have really been a wake-up call anything can happen and come unannounced,” said Flanagan. “Now is a good time to take a step back and see where you stand, whether it’s in your career, your retirement, or your overall life situation ”

operation uplift’s annual dr. r king event/awards Pays homage to essential workers, 1st responders Operation UpLift’s 34th Annual Dr Martin Luther King, Jr r Celebration and Community Awards Black-Tie Gala Event entitled, “GETTING ON CODE...TO RE-ENERGIZE THE DREAM,” will be held Saturday, January 14 at the Diplomat West Banquet Hall in Elmhurst This event will pay homage to all Proviso Township residents who served as Essential Workers and/or First Responders who put their health and lives on the line daily to ensure that societal operations continued to be fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the ticket deadline has passed, you may contact UpLift at (708) 343-3554 for availability. Cocktail hour begins at 5 pm and the program starts promptly at 6 pm, with dinner and awards to follow Tax-deductible donation is $100; corporate tickets are $125.

YOURLIBRARY: fun,informative

Melrose Pa P rk Public Library, y continued Online at mpplibrary org: Comics Plus Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from popular publishers like ABDO, Andrews McMeel, Archie Comics, BOOM! Studios, Capstone, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Graphic Mundi, Humanoids, IDW, Lerner, Kodansha, TKO Studios, Tokyopop, Valiant, Yen Press, and many more.

Make It Mondays Make something special every week on the Melrose Park Library Official YouTube Channel Call or drop in to pick up the weekly craft supplies For ages 3 and up

Online Storytimes for ages 1-5. New videos posted on the first Wednesday of every month at 10 am on the Library’s official YouTube channel

Bilingual Storytimes are posted on the third Wednesday of every month at 10 am. Stop in the Melrose Park library for a companion activity packet and craft then tune into the YouTube channel to watch For ages 1-5

Tinker Tuesdays. Every Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 to 4 pm. Drop into the library for all kinds of fun activities and crafts Play with tech toys, LEGOS, colored pencils for drawing If you have special group projects for school, this is the day to meet and complete your plans. Ages 6 -11. Starts Tuesday, y January 17.

Northlake Public Library. 231 N Wolf Road in Northlake Register for most programs online at www.northlakelibrary.org or call the Library at 562-2301 x5.

ADULTS Protect Yourself Online Learn the basics of strong passwords, two-factor authentication and VPNs Register online or call Wednesday, y January 18, 7 pm.

Grown-Up Storytime: Unsolved Mysteries from the 90’s. Join the Library on facebook Live and learn about three low-profile cases that are still unsolved Thursday, January 19, 7 pm

Zumba, Tuesdays, January 24 and 31, 9:30 am. Must register. Cookbook Book Club The Library picks a book, you select and make a recipe and then everyone gets together to share and enjoy Pick up your copy of the book and claim your recipe at the reference desk. Must register. Thursday, January 26, 7 pm.

CHILDREN Tw T een Tech Club, Mondays, January 9, 23 and 30, 5:30 to 6 pm for ages 9-13 Learn about computer programming and software. Must register. r Limit 10.

K-3 Steam. Ages 5-8, hands-on fun with science, technology, y engineering, art and math Limit 15 Thursdays, January 12, 19 and 26, 6 to 6:30 pm

Sip and Paint for ages 6-8. Must register. Limit 15.

Kids in the Kitchen: Puppy Chow. For ages 9-13. Make a fun and delicious winter treat Library supplies ingredients Must register Food allergy note: recipe includes peanut butter Limit 15 Saturday, January 28, 2 to 3 pm.

SENIORS: Senior Meetup Get together for a fun afternoon of food, drink and socialization Share conversation and enjoy a variety of food Register online or call Tuesday, January 10, 2 to 3 pm

Yogurt Parfait Bar. Create your own Yogurt Parfaits with a variety of flavors and toppings Register online or call Tuesday, January 24, 2 to 3 pm

YOURLIBRARY: fun,informative

northlake library, continued TEENS: SAT A Prep Club Need support studying for the SATs? Every Tuesday at 6 pm, get in on an hour of student-guided prep LED Cloud Lamps, Thursday, January 19, 6 pm. Board Games and Pizza Thursday, January 26, 6 p Bring your own game or pick one of the library’s games Open Video Gaming. Saturday, January 28, 1:30 pm.

river Forest Public library. 735 Lathrop, River Forest Visit www.riverforestlibrary.org or call 366-5205 for updates.

Family Story Time and Play, birth to 6 years Fridays, 10 to 11 am, January 6, 13 and 20

Coffee Monday, Adults. Monday, y January 9, 10 am to 11 am. Come to the library on the first Monday morning of every month for coffee and conversation about local matters It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and learn about things going on in the community. Brought to you in partnership with River Forest Township This month discuss a home repair program for seniors STEM Club. Monday, January 9, 4 to 4:45 pm, Grades K-4. Advanced registration required.

A Conversation with Ross Gay, American poet and Yew York Times best-selling essayist about his new book “Inciting Joy” with performance poet Dan Sully Sullivan. Virtual program offered via Zoom For adults Wednesday, January 11, 7 to 8:30 pm

Cartooning Class with Mark Anderson of Andertoons: Robots Thursday, y January 12, 3:30 to 4:30 pm for Grades K-8. Advanced registration required

Meditation Soundbath for Adults Saturday, y January 14, 2 to 3 pm. Tap into your subconscious and awaken new energy. Advanced registration required

Virtual Story Time, Families Join RFPL on the River Forest Library YouTube channel for a live virtual story time for young children Subscribe to the page for alerts

True Crime: Ta T les from the Edgewater Hospital For adults Sunday, January 15, 2 to 3:30 pm. Learn about the tangled history of a prominent Chicago hospital and the true crimes that destroyed it including the hospital’s connection to a notorious serial killer Presented by Todd Ganz and Stephani Young.

Evening Book Club, Adults, 7 to 8 pm. The evening book discussion group meets the first Wednesday of each month Books are available at the circulation desk one month before the meeting This month's book: TBD.

Adult Coloring Club Monday, y January 16, 11 am to Noon

Pajama Storytime, Monday, January 16, 6:30 to 7 pm, for ages 2-7 with caregiver.

Film Lover Fridays, Adult This month's film is Call Northside 777 (1948) with Jimmy Stewart on Friday, y January 20, Noon to 2:30 pm

Junior Justice League, Wednesday, January 25, 3:30 to 4:30 pm A service-oriented program just for tweens Each month, dedicate time and talents to helping a different service organization. Registration encouraged but not required.

An Introduction to Outsider Art Adults Sunday, January 29, 2 to 3:30 pm Get an overview of art made by self-taught creators not involved with the professional art world.

Animal Crossing, Monday, January 30, 3:30 to 4:30 pm For grades 5-8 Book your flight with Dodo Airlines to share your tips and tricks to create a Library island.

CHAMBERLAIN, Bernice, nee Tate,79, of Maywood Wife of the late Wilbert; mother of Shelia (Robert, Jr ) Allen; grandmother of Robert Lee III (Cheyenne Barfield) Allen and Ryan Lemuel Allen; sister, aunt and great-aunt of many. Arrangements by Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside

CONSTANCIO, Cresencio, 68, of Northlake Husband of Josefina, father of Eduardo; grandfather of Xamari and Ava Arrangements by Northlake Funeral Home, 140 E North Avenue, Northlake

CORNETT, Constance A Arrangements by Bormann Funeral Home, 1600 Chicago Avenue, Melrose Park

COZZI, Angeline Wife of the late Vincent; mother of Michael Cozzi; grandmother of Gianna (Zachary) Center and Joseph N Cozzi; aunt, cousin and friend of many. Arrangements by Carbonara Funeral Home, 1515 N. 25th Avenue, Melrose Park.

CRITTENDON, Christopher A , 25, of Bellwood Son of Cassius (Athena) Crittendon and Sonia Crittendon; father of Ceejay Nash and Tevin Crittendon; grandson of Diane (the late Earl) Edwards and Christine Gaines; great-grandson of Lolita Brown and the late Albert Brown; brother of Chelsie (fiancé Terrance) Richmond, Cherish Crittendon, Cassius Crittendon Jr , Natasha Crittendon, Gideon Crittendon, Kamaria Gant and Kaliyah Beall and Kyler Beall; uncle, nephew and cousin of many Arrangements by Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside.

CRUZ MOJICA, Augustin. Husband of Maria; dather of Victor Chacon, Nilda Pena, Ruben Chacon, and Doris Gutierrez; son of the late Generoso and Saturnina; grandfather of 14; great-grandfather of 19; brother of Lucy, Benjamin "Benji,” Iris, the late Primitiva, Minin, and Haydee; uncle, cousin and friend of many Arrangements by Carbonara Funeral Home, 1515 N 25th Avenue, Melrose Park

GIOVENCO, Marie, nee Paglini Wife of the late John Giovenco; mother of John (Dawn), James, and Joseph Giovenco; grandmother of Sarah, Brandee, Samantha, Andrew, Christina, John III, Michael and the late Elizabeth; great-grandmother of Matthew, Mari, Mia, R.J, Trevin, Brodee and Olin; sister of Roseanne (James) Whalen, Constance (John) Hughes, Chuck (Marilyn) Paglini, the late Gregory (Gail) Paglini and the late Joseph (Charlis); aunt, cousin and friend of many Arrangements by Carbonara Funeral Home, 1515 N 25th Avenue, Melrose Park

h FITZGERALD, John “Jack,” of Melrose Park Veteran of the U S Army Husband of Carmela, nee Carpino; father of Maria (Frank) Matarrese and John (Thamara) Fitzgerald; Papa of Alyssa and Bryan; brother, uncle, cousin, and friend of many Member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Holy Name Society Arrangements by Carbonara Funeral Home, 1515 N. 25th Avenue, Melrose Park.

GEORGE, Kappil. Arrangements by Bormann Funeral Home, 1600 Chicago Avenue, Melrose Park

HALL, Hannah Arrangements by Bormann Funeral Home, 1600 Chicago Avenue, Melrose Park

JANTELEZIO, Sylvia Rose, 95, of Westchester Wife of the late Fred Jantelezio; mother of John F (the late Pamela) Jantelezio and Susan Jantelezio; grandmother of John R (Megan) Jantelezio, Christopher (Nikole) Jantelezio, William Collins and Andrew Collins; great-grandmother of Jacob Jantelezio and Taylor Jantelezio; sister-inlaw of the late Angelo (the late Janet) Armato and the late Sam (the late Betty) Jantelezio; aunt of many. Arrangements by Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside