Swallow Cliff NSDAR lauds patriotic students
Recognizing patriotic leadership is just one task for the Swallow Cliff chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and three area students recently earned the honor.
Air Force C/Lt. Col. Allisson Garfias, of Shepard High School in Palos Heights, serves as cadet group commander and after graduation planned to enlist in the Air Force with an interest in military/law enforcement. Navy Lt. Nora Silva-Rio, of Richard High School in Oak Lawn, will study biology when she enters college. Both cadets earned a DAR JROTC award.
Marine C/1st Lt. Juan Araiza, of Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, serves as logistics officer and color guard member, was chosen to receive a DAR medal and certificate
The awards are presented to “cadets of outstanding ability and achievement who have demonstrated qualities of loyalty, patriotism, dependability, leadership, and good character,” per a news release. “These students must also have a record of military and scholastic achievement during their participation in the JROTC program.”
Festival raises money for historic Pike House
Pike House Fest 2, a festival similar to a block party, is planned for noon to 4 p.m. July 19 around the historic Eugene S. Pike House in Dan Ryan Woods, 1826 W. 91st. St. in Chicago.
Admission to the fundraiser is $20 per person or $25 per family. All proceeds will go toward the rehabilitation of the home as a community cultural center. The event is hosted by the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation and Beverly Area Arts Alliance.
Trophy Wife, a four-piece band featuring classic country music similar to that of Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard, will play as will the Otterpaw String Duo and violinist Katie Klocke, who will team up to perform American Folk recordings from the 1920s and ‘30s.
Food and beverages will be available to purchase, as well as a pop-up flower shop, demonstrations of handmade brooms and an interactive community art quilt and weaving craft project. A silent auction features unique artwork, services and experiences. To learn more, email info.eugenespikehouse@gmail.com.
Marist student earns math scholarship
Liliana Kolar has been awarded the fourth annual Michael Sullivan Family Foundation Senior Year Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics, which will cover full tuition and fees for her senior year starting this fall at Marist High School in Chicago.
The graduate of St. Gerald School in Oak Lawn was chosen after an application and review process that recognized outstanding achievement in academic excellence, leadership, mathematics and future aspirations in a STEM-related field. She was one of three finalists forwarded to the Michael Sullivan Family Foundation to be considered for the scholarship.
Kolar has been on the varsity soccer team since her freshman year and joined the varsity flag football team as a junior. She also was founding vice president of the Engineering Club and elected president of the National Honor Society for the 2026-27 academic year. She also is a student ambassador and belongs to the Spanish Honor Society, Math Team and Academic Team.
Chorale sings American classics at Moraine
The Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers presents its Best of Patriotic Music concert at 7:30 p.m. July 25 in the Dorothy Menker Theater of the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills.
The show features American classics with patriotic themes as part of the celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 55 and older and $10 for those 17 and younger. Veterans are admitted free. Tickets are sold at morainevalley.edu/fpac/tickets or by calling 708-974-5500.
Support group offers caregiver travel tips
Summer travel tips will be the focus of the Smith Village Caregiver Support Group at 6:30 p.m. July 21 at Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago.
Traveling with someone who has dementia can be challenging given it involves new places and new people, which can trigger behavioral changes. To reserve a spot, call 773-474-7302. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month.
Monee Township preserve hosts concert
The annual Surf and Turf concert takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. July 17 in the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Monee Reservoir, on Ridgeland Avenue south of Pauling Road in Monee Township.
The free event will feature lawn games, giveaways and live music. Food trucks will offer fare for sale, and adult beverages can be bought.
The StingRays will play hits from the 1950s to 1970s starting at 6 p.m. Participants should bring a lawn chair or blanket. Or they can listen from the water in their own canoe or kayak or rent one from the preserve. Details are at ReconnectWithNature.org.
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