Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians!
St. Gerald Boy Scout Troop 619 and Cub Scout Pack 3619 will host their annual spaghetti dinner from 1-6 p.m. Sunday at St. Gerald Church, 9310 S. 55th Court in Oak Lawn.
This is the Scouts’ 45th year of hosting spaghetti dinners at St. Gerald’s and, with such a long history at the parish, the spaghetti dinners have become a tradition for families and the community.
Rick Herpich and Maria Arteaga are co-chairs of the event. Herpich’s son, Jake, is a Cub Scout, and Arteaga’s son, Trinidad, is a Boy Scout.
Herpich’s wife, Care, said her family has been going to the dinners since Jake was age 1.
The spaghetti dinners are the largest fundraiser for the Scouts.
“Our average each year is about 500-600 people, but this year is a milestone, and we’re hoping for the same amount as last year. We had a record number of over 800 people,” Rick Herpich said.
Proceeds raised from the dinners are split equally between Troop 619 and Pack 3619.
“I think we raised just under $8,000 from last year’s dinner,” Herpich said.
Proceeds are used to fund Scout field trips, camping, patches, materials and supplies and den activities. The Scouts also give a donation back to the church to support scouting programs there.
Hosting and prepping for a dinner with that many guests is a huge undertaking, but the Scouts are always up to the task.
During Lent, they also host the Friday night Soup Suppers at the parish, so setting up and preparing for the spaghetti dinner will start right afterward.
Herpich said about 38 Cub Scouts and 31 Boy Scouts and several alumni will be on-site to get things ready, to host and to clean up after the dinner.
“The Scouts do a major clean-up,” Herpich said.”They wash the walls and floor of Chapell Hall and get tables and chairs set up. They’ll welcome people, direct them and assist senior citizens with their trays.”
Cooking for such a large crowd can be a daunting task, but after all these years, the Scouts have it down.
“Saturday’s the big day and [the Scouts] start cooking and make posters so we’re ready for Sunday,” Herpich said.
Hourly drawings, raffles and split-the-pot will be available. Herpich said the group hopes to raffle off 50-60 prizes per hour.
“Last year, we averaged 57 prizes per hour,” he said.
Spaghetti, salad, bread, desserts from local bakeries and home baked, coffee and soft drinks are included. If you can’t stick around, carry-out is also an option.
Tickets are $7 per person for age 12 and older and $5 for senior citizens and children ages 6 to 11 years old. Children 5 years and under are free. For more information, call Rick Herpich at 708-415-7263.
Here are this week’s celebrity announcements: Happy 9th birthday to Gavin Rybicki, from his parents, Sara and Frank. Lorna Suchy’s parents and grandparents wish her a happy 11th birthday. Loving birthday wishes go out to Trevor Guagenti and Jessica Smith, who are turning 13; Brooke Wills, who’s turning 14; and Tyler Guagenti, who’s turning 16, from their grandparents, Sandy and Dave Wills. Happy 14th birthday to Grace Chafee, from her grandparents. Happy birthday to Michael Cupicciotti, who’s turning 15, from his parents, Nicholas and devoted grandparents. Happy 16th birthday to Joshua Wood from his grandparents. Happy 16th birthday to Jared Shipman, from his grandma Cindi and “Poppy.”
Birthday wishes go out to Aidan Raftery, who’s turning 18, from his family. Happy 19th birthday to Frank Murray, from his family and Bailey. Happy birthday to Nikolas Siple, who’s turning 19. Happy birthday to Danielle Vanderwarren, who’s turning 19, to her sister, Nicolette, who’s turning 21, and to their dad, Ron. Happy birthday to Lauren Misner, who’s turning 19, anAd to her sister, Rebecca, who’s turning 23, from their parents, grandmothers, Lois and Jackie, and Uncle Tom. Happy 20th birthday to Moleigh Clare Carson, from her parents, Kelly and Jeff, and sister, Tara. Happy 23rd birthday to John Sasala, from his parents and sister, Michelle. Ellen and John Sinnot wish their daughter, Erica, a happy 24th birthday. Happy birthday to Rosemary Maslanka, who’s turning 26, from her parents, brother, Nicholas, and sister, Michelle. T.J. Budka’s family wish him a happy 29th birthday.
Happy 40th birthday to Kevin Carlsen, from Dana and his mom, Dawn. Gina Iacoponi’s family wish her a happy birthday. Sotiri Grimanis sends his wife, Judy, his love on her birthday. Carrie Smith’s family wish her a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Arlene “Reenie” Powell from Dave Gajda (“the polka man”) and her friends. Laurie Belin wishes her husband, Bob, a happy birthday. Special birthday wishes go out to Father Joji Thanagundla, who’s turning 48, from his family and friends.
Congratulations to Aimee (Gornik) and Jose Gomez, who were married on Feb. 27. Their family and friends send them their love and wish them the very best as they become husband and wife.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to the following couples: Joe and Lorraine McGuire from their family, and Jim and Terry Simon, who are celebrating their 48th anniversary, from Wendy, Cubbie, their family and friends.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Call me at 708-899-9544 or e-mail me at the address above.
Until next time …
