Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
It’s that time of year where we get to plan ahead based on what we know from last year. This year’s plans, as far as I can tell, are a continuation of ongoing plans from the past year. Due to various factors, there are some plans that have gone by the wayside temporarily. Development in Pullman and Roseland is always in a state of flux.
For instance, Chicago’s Red Line Extension Project is in the early stages of its infrastructure phase. This can be witnessed by driving up 116th Street toward Michigan Avenue from Indiana Avenue. The six houses on the southside of the street have all been purchased, emptied boarded up and have a large sign stating, “COMING SOON.” This sign can be seen on many buildings bordering the railroad tracks as they cross through the Roseland community on the main streets: i.e. 115th, 111th, 107th, and 103rd.
The Red Line Extension will have its official groundbreaking ceremony sometime in the summer of 2025, while the infrastructure phase is being worked on. The interesting thing is that many people are bothered by the fact that work on the project doesn’t appear to be taking place. However, they have never witnessed a project go from idea to inception, which takes a great deal of planning where there are no visible signs of work being done. The project has a completion date of sometime in 2029.
One part of the project that will be evident is the remodeling of the Off Track Betting Facility on east 111th Street between Corliss Avenue and Doty Avenue. The building will become the offices of the Red Line Extension Project. This came as a surprise to many, an example of what I mean by “state of flux.” The original news release regarding the OTB announced that it would be a Chic-fil-A!
The revised news release states that Chic-fil-A will be in a standalone building with entrances off the 111th Street Bishop Ford Expressway via Doty Avenue and Corliss Avenue. The 5,200 square foot facility will eventually be joined by another food vendor. The area currently has Culver’s, Pot Belly Restaurant, and Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse. There is still speculation that a Veteran Roster and a Marriott may also open on 111th Street. As I’ve said many times, Pullman is a developing area!
St. Anthony’s is still a major part of the Roseland-Kensington-Pullman communities. This year, Fr. Mark Krylowicz will be celebrating his 20th year of running St. Anthony of Padua. He has done a remarkable job of keeping the parish vibrant, active, and with a successful children’s religion class program. Father has proved his mettle in getting the parents of the religion class students involved in their religious upbringing.
I’ve been an active member of St. Anthony’s for the 16 years that I have been writing this column. The most enjoyable duty I’ve performed was when I was tasked with doing the Second Reading in Italian at the Sunday morning Mass. I really enjoyed looking up the readings, finding the Italian readings, printing them, and then practicing the reading. That duty was, of course, called to a screeching halt when COVID came along.
Since that time, though, I’ve contributed by being joining the lector, commentator, and Eucharistic Minister groups. Prior to COVID, I was also known for baking each Sunday for our after-Mass coffee club. So, I’ve had plenty of perspective on St. Anthony’s and its stability. It still amazes me when I’m on the altar performing some duty and I look out on the attendees and spot a familiar face from days gone by. St. Anthony is often visited by those former parishioners who long to see the church of their youth, t make certain it is still standing, I’m sure, but also to get that basilica-like feeling that comes over one when being in St. Athnony’s. The results of Fr. Mark’s shepherding of St. Anthony’s are well-worth a visit.
In Pullman we have, of course, the Pullman National Historical Park. The rangers are always coming up with new programs and the offerings are worth following on their website. Their programs often cover Pullman’s history, including the surrounding neighborhoods of the Greater Roseland Community.
Pullman is forever intertwined with Roseland. For instance, George Pullman allowed the building of Holy Rosary Irish on what was part of the original property Pullman had purchased. Of the original 4,200 acres Pullman purchased for his factory and town, the plans only required the use of 600-700 acres.
There have been programs that discussed the Pullman workers, the Pullman strike, architecture, and living quarters. The Pullman House Project is headquartered in the former Sessions Restaurant. They offer tours daily at 1 p.m. of Pullman. Part of their tour is the Lisciotto family house, which has been restored with period furniture. The family head was named Americo Lisciotto in honor of his being the first child in the family born in America.
There are a variety of events that take place in Pullman through the city and through the Pullman Historical Foundation, which runs the Exhibit Hall. Rotating exhibits are staged throughout the year in the hall, which often include lectures. The Exhibit Hall has regular hours; main phone number is 773-785-8901.
Bonny Sandona is doing her best to offer a place where former Spaghetti-O’s members can get together and keep up to date with what’s happening. So far, so good on the get-togethers at Tuscan Gardens in Glenwood, just east of Halsted on Holbrook Road. The first Sunday of every month, Frank Rossi and Friends put on a show from 2-5 p.m. and all you can eat pizza is served for $15.
It is safe to say that 2025 can be an adventurous year … if you choose to make it one!
“Petals from Roseland: Fond Memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensington Neighborhoods” is available from me for anyone interested in sharing or revisiting their life in Roseland at $20 + $5 s&h. Contact me at petalsfromroseland@gmail.com or 11403 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60628; 773-710-3559. My book is also available at D & D Foods, 1023 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights, at Bookie’s New and Used Books, 10324 S. Western Ave, Chicago and at Miles Books,2819 Jewett Ave., Highland, Indiana.
