Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
It’s taken a long time to get here, but you are now reading the 205th Petals from Roseland column that I’ve written! I took over writing this column from Mario Avignone when Fra Noi was still a tabloid-sized newspaper. That was when you were able to read all the publication’s content in print. But when the switch was made to a more manageable magazine format, the community columns appeared in whole on Fra Noi’s website, with teaser articles and e-blast links driving traffic to the online version.
The transition ended up being a blessing in disguise. With the full-length version of the columns online, writers were no longer limited the number of words or photos they could use.
To entice my readers into reading the online version, I took a proactive approach. Each month, I print copies to hand out to anyone who desires their own. I also have a list of readers who aren’t on computers and receive their copies via the U.S. mail.
Of course, in this day and age, spreading the news is so easy thanks to social media. I distribute Petals via more than a dozen Facebook pages, which allows me to reach more than a thousand additional readers along with the 6,000 readers of 7,000-plus recipients of the Fra Noi’s e-blast.
I have received comments from former Roseland residents living in Italy and all around the USA. The memories of Roseland are getting stronger as we are getting older. Fra Noi has always been a mainstay of keeping Roseland memories alive throughout the decades. I’ve been doing my part for 17 years and am happy to celebrate this anniversary.
This October will mark the 52nd Historic Pullman House Tour! The tour will take place on Chicago’s annual Christopher Columbus weekend, the 2nd weekend in October: October 11, 12, and 13. From 1880 to 1894 the town of Pullman was built by George Pullman for his factory and to house his workers. Today, nearly 1,000 of the town’s original rowhouses and several major buildings are still intact. Tickets can be purchased online with a discount and there is always a discount for seniors and students.
For those who haven’t found a reason to visit Pullman since it became Pullman National Historical Park, this is the perfect weekend to come and see how much of “your” Pullman you remember. There will be resident homes for touring along with National Park and Illinois Department of Natural Resources buildings. It is up to you to come and see who oversees which properties.
If you come down to Pullman, you can also see why Pullman has become the fast-food capital of the southside. With the recent opening of Jimmy John’s and the Baskin Robins / Dunkin Donuts restaurants, there are more dining choices in Pullman than there have ever been.
All this and the Pullman Coffee Club which is located in the former Sessions Restaurant building at 111th & St. Lawrence Avenue. As the sponsor of the Pullman House Project, the coffee shop has historical displays, artifacts, and a film. The café is a good place to catch your breath, relax, and share your Roseland memories.
Since this is the October column, you can be sure there will be a Halloween event taking place. Pullman always has a “Trunk & Treat” event held in the parking lot of Exhibit Hall. The event is always well attended with many grandparents guaranteeing that their grandchildren are in attendance. Every year the kids dress up and have a great time with games, tricks and treats.
The Pullman Companion Animal Blessing will take place on October 5th. The event is co-sponsored by the Pullman Civic Organization, the Greenstone Church, and St. Anthony of Padua Church. The event begins at 1pm with vendors and participants arrival and the blessing takes place at about 3pm. There will be live music, reptiles on display, and a representative from Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.
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.
