Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
Oak Lawn Library offers variety of summer programs
“Over There” Exhibit Now Open
Oak Lawn Public Library Local History is hosting an exhibit from the National Archives, which includes numerous photographs and World War I artifacts, and tells the story of the American experience in Europe. The exhibit, entitled “Over There: Americas Abroad in World War I,” runs now through Oct. 20. For a community perspective, Local History is featuring the personal stories of soldiers from Oak Lawn who fought in the war, as well as, photos, posters and other artifacts that complement the National Archives exhibit. “Over There” is the first part of the National Archives exhibit. For more information about this and other adult programs, call 708-422-4990 or register online at www.olpl.org.
LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play
Many kids rely on meals they receive from school during the academic year, but they lose that reliable source of food during the summer months. That’s why the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave, is offering LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play—to nourish minds and bodies of kids in our community. LEAP is for children and teens under the age of 18. This is a federally-funded, state-administered program, sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. LEAP is held Tuesdays & Thursdays from June 5- Aug. 30, from noon- 2pm. For more information, contact the Library at 708-422-4990.
Fabulous Friends Trip: The Lady with All the Answers: Ann Landers
Join the Friends of the Oak Lawn Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind., for “The Lady with All the Answers: Ann Landers.” With more than 90 million readers each day, advice columnist Ann Landers had a quick wit which could be comical and creative. This one-woman play unfolds in 1975 when we join Landers in her Lakeshore Drive apartment in Chicago. She shares some of her most fascinating stories as she prepares to write the most difficult column of her career. In person registration is Saturday, June 30 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Note: Lunch is served in the theatre’s dining room prior to the performance.Cost is $68 for members; $73 for non-members. Only cash or check are accepted forms of payment. No refunds or exchanges. Please note that this trip is not wheelchair accessible. For more information about this, call Joanne Neff at 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org.
The Moogician
Marvel at the Moogician and his cow, Dairy-Ann, in a high-energy show that includes music, milk, juggling, cheese and magic on Sunday, July 8, from 1-2 p.m., at the Oak Lawn Pubic Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. For more information about this and other youth programs, call 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org.
Scrapbooking Basics
Life is full of adventures that take you everywhere. Adults can keep those memories forever, and learn how to create a paper scrapbook with Creative Memories on Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m., at the Oak Lawn Pubic Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Paper, tape rollers and scissors are provided. Bring 10-12 pictures to create your first scrapbook page but NOT original copies of the photos as cutting is involved. For more information about this and other programs, call 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org.
Michelle’s Magical Poodles
Michelle, with her trained poodles, presents dog history, safety and the importance of service animals on Tuesday, July 17, from 1-1:30 p.m., at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. A few volunteers become animal trainers. Stay after the program for a meet-and-greet. For more information about this and other youth programs, please call 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org.
World’s Greatest Train Journeys
World traveler Bill Helmuth takes the audience on a journey aboard the Orient express on Monday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Travel from London to Venice; the Central Asia train from Moscow to Tashkent, Uzbekistan; the Blue Train from Cape Town to Johannesburg, South Africa; the great trains of India and the Trans-Siberian; 6,000 miles from Beijing, China, to St. Petersburg, Russia; and the scenic delights from San Francisco to Chicago. For more information about this and other adult programs, call 708-422-4990 or register online at www.olpl.org.
Volunteer to Work in the Friends Bookstore
The Friends of the Oak Lawn Library is accepting applications for bookstore volunteers, which consists of sorting book donations and stocking the store. One, four-hour shift per week is required. Volunteer forms are available at the Customer Services Desk on the first floor of the Library. For more information, call Carole Onwiler at 708-422-8646.
Request for Book Sale Donations
Donate your gently used books, magazines, CDs and videos to the Friends of the Oak Lawn Library’s ongoing book sale at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Due to space limitations, the Friends will not accept “Readers Digest Condensed Books,” encyclopedias and older text books. The donation drop-off area is near the Library’s Cook Ave. entrance. Interested parties may fill out a short form at the Customer Services Desk to receive a tax letter by mail that acknowledges their donation. The Friends Ongoing Book Sale provides an ever-changing variety of books, magazines and other forms of media at bargain prices. Hardcover books cost 50 cents each, paperbacks are 25 cents, and magazines cost 10 cents each. Audio visual items are priced as indicated. Funds collected from the book sale support Library programming and purchases that are beyond the regular budget.
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
- Want to go paperless? eBilling lets you receive tax bills via email - January 17, 2026
- Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Open House at District Office - January 15, 2026
- Ranking Member Markey Slams Trump’s Reckless Policies Making Life Unaffordable for Small Agricultural Businesses - January 15, 2026
