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neighborsmagazine.com • keeping it local
JOHN PrINe
Movie Benefit
for MFA
Upcoming screening will raise
funds for Maywood Fine Arts
Association programs
Local
SucceSS
STOrIeS
Grand Chamber by O’Hare,
River Forest Chocolates,
Pan American Bank
SAINT
ANTHONY
fish fry
Raises funds for the 2025 Feast
of St. Anthony in Melrose Park,
the largest in the Chicago area
everybody has one.
march 2025
Neighbors
tm
“How Lucky Can One Man Get”
features unreleased footage of
John Prine’s 2010 Proviso East concert
What if?
I guess you could say it was a Murphy’s Law kind of month. You would think that could be a good
thing since February is a short month but it didn’t really work out that way. It just jammed all of the
craziness together instead of spreading it out a few days more. Nothing life-threatening, just the usual
frustrations that make me talk out loud to my mom and to God in the car driving behind the guy in a
new BMW with a snow-covered back window who apparently didn’t get a rear defrost with that
$60,000 MSRP; or at my desk, surrounded by piles of paper, notes in my own nasty handwriting that
has gotten so bad I had to use a magnifying glass to see if I could tell if I wrote a V or a U; on a walk on
a freezing cold day, temperature was about -3 degrees, not a soul was in sight and it was peaceful and
quiet and I was far, far away from my “unbalanced” washing machine that was banging and shaking like
Tommy Lee playing drums for Motley Crue. You know. Same things that happen to all of us. I imagined
a little cartoon Joe Pesce on my shoulder, in that scene from “My Cousin Vinny” when he was telling
Marisa Tomei, “I don’t need this right now. I ain’t slept in five days, I got no money, a dress code
problem...let me see what else can we pile on.”
The clock was ticking. I was waiting on emails, advertisers, checks, approvals. What will people say
if Neighbors is a day or two late? What if they open the issue and page 3 is blank because I just didn’t
have any good, inspiring ideas this month. Or it says, as my grandfather used to tell me, “Just put in
there gone fishing and forget about it.” It occurred to me to take his advice until my inspiration came
from the most unlikely place in the middle of the night, eyes all bloodshot and hoping the computer
mouse doesn’t freeze up again. It came as I wrote the story for page 6 about the screening of the
John Prine movie “How Lucky Can One Man Get” coming up next month at the Des Plaines Theatre.
I didn’t have much information except the day, time, cost of the tickets and that proceeds would benefit
Maywood Fine Arts. It could have been a simple blurb on the calendar page but it nagged at me.
I knew very little about John Prine or what the big fuss was all about. I never heard any of his songs.
So I started digging and reading, listening and wondering if there weren’t moments when we were a lot
more alike than I could’ve ever imagined. To his fans and the music world, John Prine was a legend and
one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. To those who really knew him, he was much
more than an entertainer. In one internet description of him, I saw myself: “He wrote about seemingly
mundane situations like being a mailman, old age, and small-town life, but found profound stories
within them.” His friends remember him as kind and generous. No one knows that better than Maywood
Fine Arts Executive Director Lois Baumann. The April 6 movie screening will benefit MFA’s work:
enriching and transforming children’s lives through the arts. Twice before, when a devastating fire
nearly snuffed out Baumann’s life’s work, Prine returned home to Maywood, “the middleman between
hope and despair,” his hometown concerts giving local fans a thrill and giving Baumann and aspiring
little dancers and artists another chance to rise from the ashes. Even after his death, Prine’s music strikes
a chord in all of us and continues to keep hopes and dreams alive.
Get your tickets, neighbors.
valentino
tina
I don’t concern myself with
where I fit in. I just keep my head down
and keep doing whatever it is I’m doing.
Legendary Maywoodian, Proviso East graduate, Grammy Award winner, Poet Laureate,
mailman, U.S. Army veteran—the late John Prine
“
“
Tina Valentino
Executive Editor and Contributor
Winner of a Peter Lisagor Award
for Exemplary Journalism
Dee Tintori • Account Executive
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1501, Melrose Park, IL 60161-1501
Phone 708.343.0205
E-mail: mel60160@aol.com
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PIcK uP A cOPY AT ONe OF THeSe LOcATIONS
Neighbors • 4
have a suggestion for a busy location? let us know!
Bellwood
n Bellwood Public Library
n Mickey’s Drive-In
n Gioacchino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
n Bellwood Village Hall
n Currency Exchange on Mannheim
n Center at Stevenson Park
n Proviso Township Transportation
Berkeley
n Torres Fresh Market
n Republic Bank
n Berkeley Village Hall
n Berkeley Public Library
Berwyn
n Lucky Dog on Harlem Avenue
Broadview
n NEW! Sawa’s Old Warsaw
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n Broadview Family Restaurant
n Lucky Dog on Cermak
n Dunkin Donuts on Roosevelt
elmhurst
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elmwood Park
n Judy’s Gaming Cafe
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n Russell’s BBQ
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n Elmwood Park Public Library
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Forest Park
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n Harvest 365
n Starship Restaurant
Franklin Park
n Leyden Community Center
n Leyden Township Main Office
n Pet Paradise Supermarket
n Serna’s Grill, 25th and Grand
n Franklin Park Metra Station
n Al and Joe’s Deli
n American Legion Post #974
n Smart Wash Laundromat
n Franklin Park Public Library
n Park District of Franklin Park
n Franklin Park Village Hall
hillside
n Hillside Village Hall
n Russo’s Chapels
n Hillside Public Library
maywood
n Carnitas Don Alfredo Original
n Stairway of the Stars
n Poor Boy, 1st & Roosevelt
n Maywood Village Hall
melrose Park
n Carmel Hall on First Avenue
n Winston Plaza (near Marshalls)
melrose Park
n new! Squabs Gyros on Mannheim
n Cafe Gaspar Gaming
n Tom’s Steak House
n Carnitas Don Alfredo Original
(on the corner of 25th and Lake)
n Melrose Park Village Hall
n Melrose Park Chamber of Commerce
n Sahara Home Care on North Avenue
n Westlake Urgent Care on Lake Street
n Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
n Dunk Donuts on Lake Street
n Lucky Dog on Lake Street
n Melrose Park Public Library
n Sacred Heart Church
n Harlo Grill on North Avenue
n Veterans Park District Leoni Complex
n 7-11 on Broadway
n PNC Bank, Winston Plaza
n Scudiero’s Bakery & Deli
n Pan American Bank
n St. Paul Lutheran Resale Shop
n IHOP in Winston Plaza
n Tony’s Fresh Market on Mannheim
n Gottlieb Fitness Center
northlake
n Northlake City Hall
n Cuomo To Go
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n Casa Scalabrini Village
north riverside
n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe
n Village Commons and Library
river Forest
n Yolk Restaurant on North Avenue
n River Forest Chocolates
river Grove
n new! Liborio Baking Company
n new! D’Agostino’s Pizza & Pub
n Quasthoff’s Florist
n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe
n Triton College
n Rich’s Fresh Market
n Dunkin’ Donuts: River and Grand
n Dunkin’ Donuts (1st and Belmont)
n Blondie’s Diner
n River Grove Public Library
n River Grove Village Hall
n River Park Moose Lodge
schiller Park
n Al & Andy’s Restaurant
n Mobil Gas Station, 25th & Irving
n Gambino’s Fresh Market
stone Park
n Shwings Shrimp & Wings
westchester
n Westchester Food Pantry
Pick up Neighbors at D’Agostino’s
An old friend is our newest partner: meet Maggie
Muellner-Fickle and welcome to D'Agostino's Pizza and
Pub River Grove, 3131 N. Thatcher! If you're looking
for a new place to play slots, meet up for Happy Hour,
try some very local craft beer, check out awesome daily
and family specials, have a party or even order great
food online, we've found your new favorite place! And,
if you haven't been to "DAGS" in a while, well it's all
new and better than ever.
STARTING RATE
$17.95
| How Lucky Can One Man Get |
The Hello in There Foundation, an initiative established
by the family of John Prine to honor his memory and con-
tinue the love, kindness and generosity he shared with the
world, will be partnering with Maywood Fine Arts
Association, 25 N. 5th Avenue, to help raise funds for the
high-quality arts instruction it provides to Maywood and the
surrounding communities. The work of the Foundation is
inspired and guided by John’s simple song title, “Hello In
There,” reminding everyone that a simple “hello” or
random act of kindness can make a difference.
Prine, a four-time Grammy Award winner and Grammy
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, grew up in
Maywood, graduated from Proviso East High School,
served in the U.S. Army and wrote and sang songs as a
hobby while working as a mailman. His popularity steadily
grew throughout the music industry and in 1981, not one to
be exploited by the recording industry, he co-founded his
own record label called “Oh Boy Records.” Prine earned as
many accolades over the decades as he wrote songs, includ-
ing induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
Often referred to as the “Mark Twain of songwriting,”
Prine died in 2020 from complications caused by
COVID-19, leaving behind a legacy of lyrics about love and
life that he weaved into sometimes humorous, sometimes
melancholy songs and ballads.
“How Lucky Can One Man Get,” presented by Oh Boy
Pictures and directed by Jim Shea, is John Prine’s 2010
Proviso East concert film, featuring unreleased footage from
the 2010 benefit concert at his alma mater (what he called
“the concert of his life), which played a key role helping
Maywood Fine Arts rise from the ashes after a devastating
fire threatened its very existence. Tickets are now available
for the one-of-a-kind April 9th movie fundraiser at the
Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner Street in Des Plaines.
Viewers will experience John’s amazing storytelling both on
stage and off along with a finale with all his brothers and
sons. Following the film there will be a panel Q&A with
Fiona Prine, Jason Wilber and Lois Baumann with Mark
Gaurino moderating.
“For anyone who loved John Prine, this is a concert
movie not to be missed. Bring your tissues and be ready to
sing along,” Lois Baumann told Neighbors Magazine. “John
not only sings his most favorite songs, he takes the time to
tell the stories behind them. This movie is a master class on
songwriting,” she added. A special VIP Experience is
available that includes a Meet and Greet with panelists and
Mark Dvorak (performing John Prine songs); VIP Theater
seating (balcony seats adjacent to lounge) and an After
Hours VIP Show from 9:15 to 11 pm featuring two sets of
live performances of John Prine songs.
Tickets are $60 for Section 102; $10 for Sections 101
and 103 and $120 for the VIP Experience. To view all ticket
options, the seating chart and to purchase tickets online,
visit the Des Plaines Theatre website at www.oshows.com.
“John Prine
clearly
recognized that
the work of
Maywood
Fine Arts was
so important
for the
community and
now, through
this movie,
he is helping
us for a third
time.”
Lois Baumann,
Executive Director, MFA
image from the Hello In There Foundation
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DON’T FORGET TO TRY OUR
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Order Easter Calzones Now!
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the annual elmhurst st. Patrick’s day Parade
march 8 starting at noon on spring road
The Elmhurst parade is now ranked as the second largest
St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Chicago area, a record crowd is
expected again this year on Saturday, March 8, starting at
Noon. Ample parking, security and planning will make for
comfortable viewing conditions for all.
Beginning at the intersection of Wilson Street and Spring
Roads and continue North on Spring Road in Elmhurst, the
parade features floats, marching units and animated characters
along with local organizations, businesses and clubs. See over
80 floats, Irish Dancers, the Shannon Rovers, local team
mascots like Benny the Bull, Southpaw and Tommy Hawk.
Chicago Highlanders, Medinah Clowns, Elmhurst Armpit
Orchestra, featuring the world’s largest drum and the York High
School Marching Band are also among the highlights.
The parade is only the beginning to this festive day for the
food, music and fun is sure to continue as Elmhurst merchants,
restaurateurs and friends welcome visitors for this special
community celebration. For more information, visit
www.elmhurststpatsparade.com.
Neighbors • 8
Don’t miss the Parade!
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Best Spaghetti & Meatballs By Sun-Times Critic Pat Bruno
However, pizza isn’t all that Gioacchino’s excels in. Among their delicious
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Neighbors • 10
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maywood Fine arts Brings classical Ballet to
life on march 14 with “la esmeralda”
Your seats await you Friday evening, March 14th, 7pm at the
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Elmhurst.
“La Esmeralda” is a ballet based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Each year Maywood Fine Arts’
Classical Ballet for New Audiences (CBNA) brings one of the
great classical ballets to life. MFA’s artistic directors create a
concise version of the ballet that is child-friendly yet includes the
original music and choreography, which fully exhibits this
exquisite art form.
This year CBNA is celebrating its 19th Anniversary with a
production of “La Esmeralda,” originally produced through the
collaboration between choreographer Jules Perrot and composer
Cesare Pugni. It will feature 65 local grade school ballet students
along with professional guest artists from Guatemala and
Chicago performing the principle roles.”We are thrilled to have
Lucia Grave and Luis Cordero join us again this year as our
Esmeralda and Captain Phoebus,” said Lois Baumann, Executive
Director of Maywood Fine Arts.
“We are so excited to give our students the opportunity to
be a part of classical music and ballet each year,” Lois Baumann,
told Neighbors Magazine. “Beside the public performance we will
be doing a school show for all of School District 89’s
3rd grades. This is a wonderful opportunity for these children to
be exposed to this beautiful artform and to see dancers on stage
that look like them.”
This performance will be held at Elmhurst Christian Reformed
Church, 149 Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst, Friday, March 14. Tickets
are $18 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children. Tickets can be
purchased at the door or in advance at Stairway of the Stars, 20
N. 5th Avenue in Maywood. Call 708-681-2788 or visit
www.maywoodfinearts.org for more information.
Taiyana Shurn, Dance Instructor, with students rehearsing for
the March 14 performance. Photo by Spooner Baumann.