Cavalcade of Pride The awards banquet

by Sandy May

Can you believe that this was the 19th annual banquet? The mood was delightful, Stefanelli’s food absolutely delicious—gnocchi, sausage, chicken parmesan, melon and prosciutto and more—all added to the evening’s fes- 6tivities.

Program participants included Glen Szczypka of Blue Island’s Historic Preservation Commission, Michael Kaliski, representing the Historical Society and Sandy May for the BIDC/ Forum. Aldermen who participated in presenting awards to their respective wards were Dexter Johnson, Jan Ostling, Rose Rita, Marcia Stone and Leticia Vieyra.

The evening’s highlights were threefold:

• Laura de los Santos shared a video presentation of the famous mural “The History of the Mexican American Worker” which was painted in Blue Island and part of great controversy in 1974, when it became nationally known due to a federal civil lawsuit surrounding its installation. Unfortunately for all, this wall mural has since been painted over. (Story in our next issue). Laura is currently a docent for the Field Museum of Natural History, who received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and is currently a graduate student at the University of Chicago. She is a life-long Blue Island resident, as was her mother and her mother’s father, and grandfather (attending Garfield School), with his education interrupted by the wrongful mass deportation during the Depression. However, when he did return, he established his family’s roots in our city.

• Nine outstanding examples of excellence in Illinois preservation will be honored on Saturday, October 3rd at The Chicago Club. I am proud to report that Blue Island residents Tom Hawley and Tom Mantel are winners for their home that they have renovated, rebuilt, phrase it as you may. A great deal of hard work, some done by family and friends has elevated this home to its present status.

The Richard H. Driehaus Preservation Award it set up to honor individuals, organizations, projects and programs in the hope that it will inspire others to take action in order to preserve, protect and promote historic resources. The FORUM adds it congratulations—we are Proud, Proud, Proud to know them.

• The 3rd Highlight was YOU—i.e., the winners this year. We are happy to share addresses and to inform you that in the best business category the winner was Flowers by Cathé. What I found hard to believe was that it had not previously won. The windows are always “works of art,” and the lovely floral wagon which adorns the outside of the shop makes this business an outstanding tribute to community beautification. So here is a list of those wonderful folk who won.

We had a great time, it is always a pleasure.

Best Single Family

1st Ward
1st Place/12849 Greenwood Ave.
2nd Place/12900 Maple Ave. & 2419 Prairie

2nd Ward
1st Place/13016 Chicago Ave.
2nd Place/1504 Broadway Street

Third Ward
1st Place/1831 York Street
2nd Place/12815 Lincoln Street

Fourth Ward
1st Place/12542 Elm Street
2nd Place/2625 York Street

Fifth Ward
1st Place/12320 Highland Ave.
2nd Place/2645 121st Street

Sixth Ward
1st Place/2913 141st Street
2nd Place/2304 139th Street & 2256 139th Street

Seventh Ward
1st Place/12620 Irving
2nd Place/2216 122nd Street

Best Garden

11933 Greenwood Ave.

Best Apartment

2428 Oak Street

Best Business

Flowers by Cathe’

BEST BLOCK

121st from Western to Gregory

Glen Szczypka President of Preservation Commission presents award for best block