Forest Preserve District offers Maple Syrup Magic
The day will be a little sweeter this weekend at Plum Creek Nature Center, thanks to Maple Syrup Magic, which takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at 27064 S. Dutton Road in Crete Township near Beecher.
The program is free, and people of all ages are welcome. Attendees should expect to stay between 90 minutes and two hours to get the best experience.
Activities at the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve include chainsaw art, creating wood- and maple-themed crafts, slacklines and a themed obstacle course. Given the amount of syrup on hand, the event also includes a pancake breakfast served by the Crete Cadets and seasonal beverages. Attendees will also find maple treats to take home.
The main event, however, is demonstrations of the maple syrup-making process, including placing spiles to collect the sap used to make the syrup. To learn more, check the event calendar at reconnecwithnature.org.
Maintenance closes floor of Green Hills library
Flooring repairs will close the second-floor library of the Green Hills Public Library, 10331 S. Interlochen Drive in Palos Hills, until March 17.
During the project, which started March 9, staff will be available by phone and email, and all programming on the ground floor and first-floor meeting rooms will take place. Voting for the primary election is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 17. The 24-hour library kiosk outside the main entrance offers books and movies.
The library will reopen the entire building at 9 a.m. March 18. Details are at 708-598-8446.
South Side Irish Parade names Mount Greenwood native queen
When the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon March 15 from 103rd Street and Western Avenue and heads south, it will be led by Mount Greenwood native Erin Larkin, who was named parade queen this year.
She has deep roots in the community, thanks to her family Irish band the Larkin & Moran Brothers, which includes her father Mike Larkin, a Chicago Fire Department captain. She also is an alum of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and works as a children’s therapist. Larkin attended St. Christina Parish, a parade honoree this year that is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
As parade queen, Lark was invited to choose a charity to fundraiser for. Hers is related to Alzheimer’s disease in honor of her grandmother.
Oak Lawn Hooters awards scholarships
Oak Lawn Hooters employees Jocelyne Serna and Angie Salcedo surprised two students at Leo High School in Chicago with $1,000 scholarships last month in honor of Black History Month.
Freshman Korey Rutledge and junior Daniel Johnson received the scholarships after creating a mock business as part of Leo’s Black Wall Street initiative and explaining how it would benefit the community. Rutledge wants to create a small clothing and lifestyle brand, and Johnson wants to start an automotive mentoring program.
The school and the restaurant have had a partnership since 2024.
Experience Step Afrika at Moraine Valley
Step Afrika takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. March 20 in the Dorothy Menker Theatre in the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 College Parkway in Palos Hills.
The show “blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities/ traditional West and Southern African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience,” according to a news release.
The professional company, founded in 1994, is the first dedicated to stepping and has toured more than 50 countries around the world.
Tickets range from $30 to $35, not including fees, and are sold at www.morainevalley.edu/fpac/tickets.
Oak Lawn golf course hosts fish frys
Fish frys are available from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays through April 3 through the Oak Lawn Park District at Stony Creek Golf Course, 5850 W. 103rd St. in Oak Lawn.
Perch and cod options are available, as well as a soup and salad bar, other side dishes and a kids’ menu. Information is at golfstonycreek.com or 708-857-2433.
DAR chapter hosts genealogy workshop in Crete
The Sauk Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present
A genealogy workshop and introduction to the organization from 1 to 3 p.m. March 21 in the large upstairs meeting room of the Crete Public Library, 1177 N. Main St.
Michelle Bray Wilson, a DAR member and genealogist with a background in engineering who specializes in making complex topics related to DNA understandable, will be the featured speaker. The workshop will include information about DNA and the evidence required to prove a lineage to the American Revolution.
The workshop is open to everyone. Register at 708-672-8017 or cretelibrarycalendar.com/events.
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