A very happy anniversary

With this September column we are entering the waning weeks of summer, which also marks the beginning of a personal celebration for me. But before we get to that, a quick look back. Pullman’s summer has been marked by several public events. July was the busy month, beginning with the Neighborhood Taste of Chicago and ending with Pullman Railroad Days.

All of this while Pullman neighbors and benefactors talked about the upcoming $85 million investment in the Hotel Florence. The Redline Extension is becoming a hot topic of conversation, now that the elevated track support columns are being built along the tracks passing through Roseland.

There’s also Pullman’s continuing march toward becoming the fast-food capital of the South Side with the opening of Chipotle and the desire for a beef or pizza place to join the growing list of enjoyable establishments. including the Pullman Club Coffee in the Sessions House. We’re also awaiting the completion of the renovation of the former Calumet Harbor restaurant. It’s been a few years since that corner had a business operating there and a restaurant would be a great addition for the south end of Pullman.

An interesting side note is that, while the Calumet Harbor building was up for sale, it was used in an episode of “Chicago P.D.” and renamed King Fish for the episode. They painted the yellow-brick building a Kelly green, which is its color to this day. As a restaurant and bar, Calumet Harbor was a mainstay on 115th Street for Pullmanites and Sherwin Williams workers as well as those getting off the expressway and looking for a good quick meal.

It was in September of 2008 that I was given the opportunity to write Petals from Roseland. Published in October of 2008, my first submission served as an introduction to the readers of Fra Noi of their new columnist as well as an homage to Mario Avignone who originated the column and wrote it for decades before passing the torch to me. After 18 years, I feel as fortunate as I did when I first selected to move the column into the future. Mario did a wonderful job as the creator of the column, and I will be forever thankful for the outstanding lessons he imparted in his contribution to maintaining the Roseland community’s history.

In these 18 years, I’ve been privileged of hearing many great stories of growing up in the Roseland, Kensington and Pullman neighborhoods. Before I became a senior citizen, I was fortunate to be welcomed by many of the neighborhood’s senior citizens who had many stories to share. They were very appreciative of being given the opportunity to tell the tales they had told many times throughout their lives, but only to family and close friends.

By taking the time to have a casual conversation instead of formal interviews, I was able to keep the stories flowing. In so doing, I received history lessons on everything from what life was like during the 1920s to rambunctious high school hijinks in the 1940s. Yes, the people I spoke with who were grandparents and great-grandparents were no different when they were in high school than today’s high school students!

I was privileged to hear family stories that have been passed down through generations. I’ve learned of first jobs taken by sixteen-year-olds and the long-time employers who bestowed them.

Through the years, I have been invited to many family events and I’ve met and celebrated with people of all ages. That’s just one of the many benefits of authoring this column. As a known historian, fellow Roselandites have reached out to me to give me important items that they no longer want to keep but want them to be saved and shared for their historical value.

I have three bookcases full of Roseland memorabilia, including yearbooks from several Roseland area high schools, two Jays potato chip cans, a set of original Pullman china and a Pullman conductor’s cap compliments of Jeanie and Lou Raffin, and an electric drill from the Pullman Company factory.

Since my family ensured that I would grow up as a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, and thanks to the considerate generosity of many longtime parishioners, I have a copy of every celebratory booklet ever printed in my time, including the booklet covering the closing of the Holy Rosary Irish parish. I have been gifted historic editions of the two Roseland newspapers we grew up with: the South End Reporter and Calumet Index. I have copies of city newspapers that were printed to commemorate major city events.

When I was approaching retirement, I was able to buy an 1882 house made by skilled Pullman workers on St. Lawrence Avenue, which brought me back to my roots. In the 14 years I’ve been here, I’ve been given copies of the very important Pullman book “Down an Indian Trail,” numerous pieces of commemorative glassware, American Legion Post No. 49 memorabilia, a few copies of the Roseland phone book, Roseland Operetta Club Opera librettos, and the Roseland Pullman Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet programs listing our local athletes among countless other memorabilia.

All these items serve as reference points and research material when I write my columns. I keep all items in safe dry places and am always aware of their precious status. Many of the items I have been gifted have come from adult children who found them among the belongs of parents who had passed away. That’s why I view all the items that have been entrusted to me with particular care and consideration.

Being so deeply involved in the history of Pullman led to my becoming very familiar with the life of George Pullman and his family. As I neared retirement, I created, wrote, directed and performed a one-man play about George Pullman and his family’s life and also the Pullman community’s current status as a national park. I have performed the one-hour program for many libraries, social organizations, and senior residence throughout the South Side.

As I celebrate 216 columns and18 years of authorship, I’d like fellow Roselandites to keep me in mind. There may come a time when you no longer have room for or just want to pass on your Roseland memorabilia. My Roseland collection would make the perfect place to display the items. If you’d like to see them, call me to schedule a time.

Petals from Roseland: Fond Memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensington Neighborhoods is available from me for anyone interested in sharing or revisiting 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.