The Ridge Historical Society
Memories of Past Winter Holidays on the Ridge
By Carol Flynn
Through the years, activities such as tobogganing in Dan Ryan Woods, shopping at the local stores, and holiday events at schools and churches left indelible impressions in the memories of people who called the Ridge “home.”
This year the RHS Facebook page will feature a new series for the winter holidays – memories and stories submitted by you, the readers.
The series starts off with a post from Mary Ellen Tatro-Mendoza, a teacher who lives in North Beverly. Mary Ellen is a fourth-generation resident of the Ridge. Her family's roots go back to the very early days when her ancestors worked in the Blue Island brick yards, and were members of the Sacred Heart Mission Church.
From Mary Ellen:
Christmas in Morgan Park by Jack Simmerling.
111th Street, looking east from Hale Avenue.
On the corner was Monterey Pharmacy, next was the Morgan Park Grocers, next was Holmdahl’s Bakery, and then Kaden’s Department Store.
You could get everything you needed at Kaden’s! Everyone did their Christmas shopping at Kaden’s. I can still see the sales clerk, taking out the boxes of nylon stockings and putting her hand underneath the stocking, so you could see the color of the hose. Would your mother like that color?
Everything was so lovely and quaint!
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Thank you, Mary Ellen, for sharing your memories, and this image painted by the late artist Jack Simmerling. Jack operated the Heritage Gallery on 111th Street before moving to the current location on 103rd Street. This was likely painted in the 1960s.
Comments are welcome, and the only rules are that they must be positive and respectful. No disparagement of any kind, even implied, will be allowed.
Who would like to go next? You can send me a private message through Facebook if you would like to share a story, or email me at cflynn2013@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!