Spring came to our house the other day in the form of three dazzling orange orioles, each taking turns at our bird jelly feeder. Their radiant plumage glistening in the warm morning sun and their cheerful song is an avian pledge of warmth and good cheer.
Madame says the birds are about one week later than usual, but even a delayed first sighting is enough to cheer the soul. Grey winter is over, melting away in the warmth of the rich rainbow of the new season.
Spring brings change
This season marks the end of a Chuck Sabey’s 45-year association with Park Forest, first as a part-time custodian (read janitor) in 1978, to running the village’s Tennis & Health Club, then to program supervisor of the village’s Recreation & Parks Department and finally as Cultural Arts program supervisor at Freedom Hall, where he began his career.
He once recalled that “at one time or another I was involved with almost every aspect of Freedom Hall, from lighting and sound to shuttling performers between their hotels and the Freedom Hall stage.”
It was in this last position where he became the caretaker of the village’s cultural ventures, enriching the venue’s roster of outside talent to create the popular Main Street Nights summer programs in the downtown area. He never seemed to lose a creative beat. One of his best efforts was a short-lived Sunday afternoon summer series of come-as-you-are jazz concerts by area musicians.
Through the years, of all the people employed by the village, Sabey and his old boss, the late John Joyce, seem to be held in the greatest esteem by the public. You knew where to find them.
Sabey, whose onstage experience began and ended as a member of the Rich East High School chorus, isn’t going anyplace, and was seen this past Sunday riding his bike on the Old Plank Trail Road.
Spring means renewal
The season arrives with a promise of new beginnings in what we do and how we do it. In the first days of a cold April, those who cared voted to change the roster of those who govern our communities. Park Forest residents elected John Moore and Randall White as trustees, reelected Trustee Tiffani Graham and made Joe Woods its new mayor.
It must be noted that Woods ran unopposed after Mayor Jon Vanderbilt quit the race in February and was an empty seat in all village affairs from then on.
Spring also brought a change in the affairs of Elementary School District 163, when those who cared decided that Margaret McDannell, who failed in a bid for an eighth term two years ago, should be returned to office as should former board member Kim Elmore-Perkins. At the first meeting of the new board, McDannell was chosen to replace outgoing President Walter Mosby and Elmore-Perkins was named board secretary.
It should be noted the school board does not have an anti-nepotism policy. That issue drew lines in the administrative sands when Mosby’s wife was twice nominated for jobs in the school system. In the end, the old board first voted it down and later decided not to vote on an appointment. The question of putting relatives on the payroll will soon be addressed by the new board.
Spring brings new surroundings
Last year, after 71 years, Faith United Protestant Church sold its iconic 2,000-square-foot building next to the post office on Hemlock Street and moved to the old Christian Science Church at the corner of Westwood and Westgate streets. This past Sunday, the faith community met again, this time in its newest home, the St. Paul Community Church in Homewood. I was told the service went well.
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While we wait for the promise of the season, the optimistic hope of warm days and starry nights, and while we note the cycle of change, we still have the unchangeable orioles.
Hello gorgeous.
Jerry Shnay is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
jerryshnay@gmail