Orland Park kicks off holiday season
Orland Park’s annual Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Festival takes place Dec. 1 at Orland Park Village Center, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.
Activities begin when the parade heads down Ravinia Avenue from 151st Street to the village’s official Christmas tree at Village Hall. More than 50 local businesses and organizations will join the parade, including the Carl Sandburg High School Marching Eagles and the school’s chamber singers. Santa Claus also will be on hand.
Trees donated by the Orland Park Lions Club are “adopted” and decorated by families, businesses and local organizations.
The club will sell trees and wreaths from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. that day, and winners of the village coloring contest will be named. Photos with Santa, a DJ, performances by local cheer and dance troupes, holiday games and crafts, and food and drinks will be available.
Information about parking and other details is at orlandpark.org/Christmasfest or 708-403-5000.
South Holland Master Chorale presents two holiday concerts
Fans of Christmas carols and hymns should plan to attend Holiday Joy and Fanfare at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. John Neumann Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood, or 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Christ Our Savior Parish, 880 E. 154th St., South Holland.
The South Holland Master Chorale pairs up with Chicago Gargoyle Brass Ensemble, organist Mark Sudeith and pianist Marilyn Bourgeois for the holiday concerts. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.
The performances will feature traditional French, English and German carols and Latin hymns. Audience members can sing some of the hymns. Of note are “The Work of Christmas,” a piece by contemporary US composer Dan Forrest based on a poem by mid-20th century African American theologian and mystic Howard Thurman, and “Hodie Christus Natus Est” (“Christ Is Born Today”), a Latin hymn by a 16th century Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli.
Information is at www.southhollandmasterchorale.org or 708-210-2913.
Homer Township hosts low-cost pet vaccine clinic
Pet owners who need to get their furry friends vaccinated can make an appointment for a low-cost pet vaccine clinic offered by Homer Township in partnership with the SNIP Society, VAX-IN 8 and NFP from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Town Hall, 16057 S. Cedar Road, Lockport.
Services for pets, including a mandatory exam for $30, includes rabies vaccinations and tags, heartworm tests, and vaccines for distemper and other diseases. In addition, Will County residents can have their animal microchipped for free, courtesy of Will County Animal Control.
Pets not eligible for services include those who are pregnant or sick, have had vaccine reactions or live with a chronic illness. Appointments are required by calling 815-630-4411. Information is at www.homertownship.com.
Palos Park police cadets collecting food donations
The Palos Park police cadet annual food drive has begun and continues through Jan. 1. Nonperishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods are needed.
Donations may be brought to the police department, 8999 W. 123rd St., or these drop-off sites: Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd. St.; Palos Park Public LIbrary, 12330 Forest Glen Blvd.; Palos Park Metra Station, 12200 S. 82nd Ave.; Palos Park Kapture Administrative Center, 8999 W. 123rd St.
All donations will be given to local food pantries to help families in the Palos area. To request a pickup, call 708-671-3771.
Macs with Mercy provides pumpkin pie ingredients to pantry clients
As part of the ongoing Macs with Mercy program, members of the Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars and the Spanish Honor Society at Mother McAuley High School joined residents at Mercy Circle to decorate bags and assemble ingredients for a pumpkin pie so families helped by Pat’s Pantry can bake a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
The intergenerational program brings together McAuley students and residents of Mercy Circle, a faith-based senior living community on Chicago’s southwest side sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
“Our residents and McAuley students love creating a special craft that is included with food provided by Pat’s Pantry, for our neighbors who need a little assistance,” Katie McKirdie, life enrichment coordinator for Mercy Circle, said in a news release.
Architect’s legacy showcased at Ridge Historical Society
“Harry Hale Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style,” is a new exhibit at Ridge HIstorical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, that examines his unique design style, contributions to the Ridge community of Chicago’s Beverly/Morgan Park community and professional and personal life.
The program “Waterman” From the White City to the Ridge,” set for 4 p.m. Dec. 8, examines his influences on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, early career and clients and photo documentation of his work in the Ridge area that includes Mount Greenwood.
Tim Blackburn, society researcher and exhibit curator, said Waterman likely got his start as a draftsman in Joseph Lyman Silsbee’s office because of his relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright. He will be joined at the talk by photographer Mati Maldre, who took 30 detailed photos of the buildings in the exhibit, and historical society Facebook page author Carol Flynn, who will share stories from Waterman’s early clients.
Tickets are $20. For reservations, email ridgehistory@hotmail.com or call 773-1675. The exhibit can be viewed for free 1 to 4 p.m. before the program or 1 to p.m. Tuesdays and Sundays (except Dec. 24 and 31) or by appointment.
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