Around the Southland: Palos South play sells out, Fleadh parade, and more

Chicago Tribune

27-02-2025

Palos South sells out 'Newsies Jr.' production
More than 100 Palos School Middle School students participated in the musical 'Newsies Jr.' presented in late January at Stagg High School in Palos Hills at two sold-out evening shows.
Students performed on stage, served as stage crew, ran lighting and sound and built sets. Leads included Paige Kribs as Jack Kelly, Bella Watson as Crutchie and Emily Koenig as Katherine.
Palos South staff also was involved in the production. Jessica Marovich, eighth grade ELA teacher, directed the show, and eighth grade ELA/social studies teacher Kevin Graham was assistant director.
Art teacher Randy Buvala led the play's set design, band director Stavros Makropoulos directed lighting and sound, and music teacher Amanda Schuller supervised vocal performances.
Gigi's Playhouse to lead Fleadh parade in Oak Forest
Gigi's Playhouse Tinley Park will serve as grand marshall when the Oak Forest Fleadh family parade steps off at 11 a.m. March 1 at 151st Street and Central Avenue and heads south to the Oak Forest Park District.
As grand marshall, Gigi's Playhouse members and volunteers will lead about 50 parade units, including a pipe and drum band, schools and church, local businesses and civic and community groups. The event is hosted by the City of Oak Forest and Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kim Malecky-Iles, director of the chamber, noted the event's importance. 'The Oak Forest Fleadh celebrates Irish culture and tradition as well as the people and businesses of Oak Forest,' she shared in a news release. 'We are honored to have Gigi's Playhouse lead our parade to help spread the organization's message of kindness and inclusivity.'
The playhouse, which opened in September 2013, aims to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to change lives through its free therapeutic-based, educational and career development programs for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
'We are looking forward to celebrating our families and volunteers, promoting a more accepting world, and having lots of fun while doing it on Central Avenue,' Gigi's Playhouse site manager Karen Connelly shared in the release.
Trivia night fundraiser for Flossmoor Veterans
Flossmoor Veterans' Memorial will host its annual family-friendly trivia night starting at 7 p.m. March 14 at Flossmoor Community House, 847 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor.
The six-round event includes 10 questions per round. First prize is $150, and second place is $75. Questions include topics such as zoo animals, TV shows, identifying famous sites by photograph and military trivia, with questions read by retired Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, former commanding officer of the Blue Angels and a Homewood-Flossmoor High School alum.
Commemorative bricks will be sold for $125, which includes engraving with the name and service of a veteran for installation in the plaza, and other merchandise will be sold.
Thus far, more than $140,000 has been raised for the wall of honor project, retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, the organization's president, shared in a news release. He noted that trivia nights have added nearly $19,000 to the goal.
The group is now clearing the 9.500-acre site owned by CN north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks and removing telegraph poles so construction can begin when warm weather arrives. The project will honor current and former Flossmoor residents who have served or are still serving in the Armed Forces.
Advance registration is required for teams or individuals; seating is limited to 10 tables of six. Cost to participate is $20 per person or $100 per table. Purchase by visiting flossmoorvets.square.site
Project with Smith Village, St. Cajetan students aids veterans
Students at St. Cajetan School in Chicago and residents of Smith Village in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood gathered recently for the 10th annual Valentines for Vets program, painting 16-inch heart-shaped wooden puzzles for 38 veterans benefiting from care because of the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center.
Forty Smith Village residents and St. Cajetan student council members worked together on the project.
Marine Corps Gold Star mother Modie Lavin, family outreach coordinator for the Road Home Program, said she picked up boxes of the puzzles and gave them to veterans who come to Rush from across the country. 'Our staff looks forward to the arrival of the creative valentines, which are different every year,' she noted in a news release.
The Center hosts A Night To Linger for camp scholarship fund
Fans of Italian food are invited to join A Night To Linger, a benefit for The Center's camp scholarship fund set for 5 to 9 p.m. March 13 at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Road, Orland Park.
Dinner, silent auctions, raffles and a cash bar will be part of the fun. Proceeds will help send kids with limited financial means to a weeklong farm and ranch camp this summer. Registration already has begun.
Tickets cost $50 per person. Buy online at thecenterpalos.org/camps/nighttolinger or by calling 708-361-3650. Donations also are being accepted.
Stagg Music Boosters seek artists for spring craft show
A.A. Stagg High School Music Boosters is accepting applications for artists and crafts for its Art for the Season show, March 22 and 2 at the school, 111th Street and Roberts Road, Palos Hills.
Cost is $95 per 80-square-foot space for both days. For an application, call 708-974-7520 or download one from www.aastaggmusicboosters.org or email [e-mail].