Chicago

Village of Calumet Park, IL: South Suburban Treasure

by Maddy Banks

As a Village of Calumet Park resident since 2013, and having previously missed the previous Annual Community Day Parades, I decided last Saturday, August 5, 2017 it was not going to happen. The signs read 9 to 11 am for the parade; therefore, I reluctantly turned over in bed and got up around 8 am, determined not to miss the event. However, when I arrived at 127th street, I didn’t see a soul! First thought was, “Oh, are we on CP time?” (If you don’t know what CP means then ask somebody.) So I hung around a little longer, but after thirty minutes I thought, “Am I missing something everyone else knows?”

Then I remembered a message left on my cell phone from the Village, it was one I didn’t bother with. So I pulled out my phone, listened to the message, and sure enough the parade officially started at 10:00 am. So I was an hour early! I hate being too early, and not being one to sit idle for long, I decided to run an errand, thinking  I could probably catch the parade near the end of its route around 10:30 am.

 Village of Calumet Park Community Day Parade

 

Not sure if I ended up on Bishop or Throop, but I found a great spot and was happy to see Calumet Park residents out and about looking forward to enjoying the parade. We were not disappointed as several community dance troupes came through with some amazing routines. Check out this short video clip https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvuPYeUJkfM

I heard great music, took picture of the participants and was surprised at how many folks participated in the parade! I love parades and this one was as good as many I’ve seen. Several bands marched in the parade, it was quite impressive.

Calumet Park: A Place to Live Work and Play

I met a resident who said she’d been living there since she was four years old. Her parents moved to the Village over 45 years ago, and she decided later as an adult to purchase her own home and raise her family. We both discussed the diversity of the community, the racial makeup when she first moved there and the current one. She spoke very positive about a growing community. Calumet Park has a few of its old residents, but what’s great are the incoming residents over the past decade. A community made up of Hispanic, Black, White, and several other ethnicities reflecting the diversity of this country.

About Calumet Park

Calumet Park is a Chicago south suburban community offering an excellent school district for its families. This small community offers Burr Oak Academy, Burr Oak Elementary, and Calumet Elementary School. While it doesn’t have its own high school, as a resident Alan B. Shepard High School, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, and Harold L. Richards High School are potential options. This alone is very attractive to parents who are looking for good schools and options from private school tuition.  Want to learn more? Please visit the village website at, http://www.calumetparkvillage.org/

The Village of Calumet Park retains its sense of community and definitely is reminiscent of a small town feel, with several generations of families making it feel like family. Mayor Ronald Denson, of course, was out as usual during the parade, walking the course, greeting everyone, and taking photos.

Mayor Denison-Maddy B

People make neighborhoods special, and great people make neighborhoods great. Don’t hesitate to make or call the Village of Calumet Park home! I do!

 

 

Shots Fired: Chicago!

by Maddy Banks

Yesterday, I stopped by Calumet Park Elementary School with my sister to pick up my twelve and thirteen year old niece and nephew who are in the sixth and seventh grade. School normally lets out at 2:30; at 2:45 the school doors were still closed. No kids where milling about laughing, playing or making their way to the yellow buses as they stood empty. I knew something was amiss.

I got out of the car, which I didn’t want to do because I was still having problems with my left knee. As I walked towards the front door, I was met by a young lady who informed me the school was on lock-down. A shooting recently occurred near the school and the police officials advised the school authorities not to release any students until they felt it was safe to do so. Parents were allowed to go into the school and personally pick up their children. So, of course I went inside and asked for both my niece and nephew.

It was an eerie feeling as each parent gave their child’s name and grade to the principal, who then called each name over the intercom. Mary, Sharon, Latisha, Jason, please come down to the main door. Only one door was available for exit at the time. I felt as if I were part of a scene in a Lifetime movie.

Thankfully, the children were never at risk, nevertheless the prospect of violence was way too close for comfort. As I was speaking to the bus driver, who looked to be in his late fifties to early sixties, we shared comments that the wave of violence the black neighborhoods were experiencing was ridiculous. And, I felt this gentlemen’s sense of hopelessness about the problem and simply not knowing what to do.

The incidents of black young men senselessly murdering their own leaves me and many others overwhelmed. Yes we are praying, listening to WVON talk radio, and other news outlets talk about the problem. There are solutions being thrown out there to stop the violence such as making rap artist accountable for their lyrics, increasing job availability for youth, reforming the availability of services available for those released from jail, and other similar solutions. A WLS/ABC website has a list of resources aimed at providing solutions; however, immediate answers are not forthcoming.

This emotionally and spiritually deficit picture being painted of a tainted population and community of Black people is heartbreaking. It sends a message of pain, helplessness, and hopelessness as the violence appears to be escalating. And summer ain’t even here yet. At one time people felt horrible about war-torn areas around the world, but now no one has look that far. How about right out your back door or window?

Yes, Black lives do matter, but we are the first ones who must realize and embrace this. Who are the influences of today? Why aren’t they doing more, and  crying loudly and not sparing? We need to show our young brothers and sisters their transgressions (Isaiah 58:1). Who are these young people listening to? These are those who need to speak up and out. Many say they are not role models, but most are whether they want to be or not. Something revolutionary has to be done. HELP!