Around the Southland: Scholarships for D230 color guard, pierogi in Oak Forest, more

District 230 color guard seniors earn scholarships

Three District 230 competitors at the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Championships held at Andrew High School in Tinley Park have received scholarships.

Stagg High School seniors Nicole Rudnik and Evelyn Dalton, and Andrew High School senior Sophia Fontana earned the scholarships, which recognize seniors who have strong community service records, outstanding academics and excellence in co-curricular activities.

Students vying for the scholarships submitted an application and three letters of recommendation, one of which was from their winter guard director.

As part of winter guard, students compete during performances that incorporate dance, flags or prop rifles and choreography. The indoor color guard sport and performance art has its roots in military ceremonies.

Pierogi, kolaczki sold at Lutheran Church

Homemade pierogi will be sold from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12 and noon to 2 p.m. April 13 at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 15050 Central Ave., Oak Forest.

Flavors created by the “Church Ladies Test Kitchen” include potato, made with potato, onion and cheddar cheese; kraut, made with sauerkraut, onion and polish sausage; spinach, made with spinach, feta cheese, pistachios and onion; meat, made with pork, onion and seasonings; blueberry; and apricot. New this year is homemade kolaczki.

Pierogi are sold by the half dozen for $8. No preorders will be taken; pierogi are sold first come, first serve. Payment will be accepted via cash, check or Zelle. Information is at 708-68702170 or resurrectionoakforest@gmail.com.

Oak Lawn library installs new drive-up

The Oak Lawn Public Library has a new drive-up service for hold pick-ups as of April 1, thanks to renovations taking place since last year.

Patrons who have holds on books, DVDs, CDs and video games at the library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., can pick them up without leaving their vehicle if they select the “Oak Lawn Public Library Drive-up Window” option instead of the “Oak Lawn Public Library” option that leads to items on a shelf in the lobby. Once patrons have been notified that materials are ready for pickup, they can go to the drive-up window and present their library card. The seven-day pickup period is the same.

Only pickups will be done at the window. Those returning library items should continue to use the preexisting return slots. Items from the Beyond Books collection still must be picked up at the Adult Services Desk on the second floor.

The drive-up service will be available for limited hours on days the library is open. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The drive-up will be closed on Sundays even when the library is open.

NAWS hosts session on trapping, neutering cats in Mokena

One way to help outside cats is to trap them and neuter them. Learn more about the process in a session set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 17 at NAWS, 9981 W. 190th St., Mokena.

Participants learn tricks for baiting and setting humane traps to make the task easier, receive a list of low-cost clinics, find out how to safely transport cats and learn about the right to feed and shelter a cat colony in Cook County. Traps are loaned, with a refundable deposit given when traps are returned in good condition.

Caretakers who attend a workshop get priority trap-neuter-release assistance. Information is at www.TripleRPets.org or by emailing  info@tripleRpets.org.

Easter Eggstravaganza, Holy Week services set at Good Shepherd Lutheran

Easter Eggstravaganza takes place rain or shine from 10 to 11 a.m. April 19 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7800 W. McCarthy Road, Palos Heights.

The community is invited to this free event, which begins with an Easter message in the Family Life Center at the back of the church. Afterward, children can join the hunt for eggs filled with candy and prizes, hopefully outside. Arrive a few minutes ahead to add children to the participant’s list at the welcome table.

Holy Week services are as follows: 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, April 17, foot washing and communion; Good Friday service at 12:30 p.m. April 18; Good Friday Tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m. April 18, featuring the church choir.

Events on Easter Sunday, April 20, include sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. and festival services with special music and communion at 9 and 11 a.m.

Online versions will be offered for the services at 7:30 p.m. April 17, 12:30 p.m. April 18 and 9 a.m. April 20. Information is at www.good-shepherd-church.com or 708-448-4170.

Sierra Club meets in person to tackle political issues

The Sierra Club’s Sauk-Calumet Group hosts “Take Local Action for the Environment” at 7 p.m. April 14 at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Road, Frankfort.

Attendees will hear about Illinois Sierra Club’s top five bills in the state Legislature and write postcards, letters and emails about them to state representatives and senators, as well as writing the four area members of Congress to thank them for their 100% voting records on the environment, as noted by the League of Women’s Voters.

They’ll also learn how to use the Clime Action Now app, receive free monarch butterfly milkweed seeds and vie for raffle prizes. There will be no Zoom meeting this month

Meetings of the club, soon to be called the Tallgrass Prairie Group, are free and open to the public. RSVP by clicking on the event at  www.sierraclub.org/illinois/events-calendar.

Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.