Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Ray Hanania at 3 years old in Chicago with his mother, sister Linda and neighbor Paulie Hansen. 1956

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow

Posted on April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on 72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow

Journalist and columnist Ray Hanania looks back at 72 years and the ups and downs of life from school to journalism, politics, cancer, legionnaires’ disease, standup comedy, and music

By Ray Hanania

72 years around the sun today .., thank you everyone for the phenomenal birthday wishes.

I was very fortunate to be able to force my way into journalism and build a career in communications …

I had to storm the 4th Estate Bastille to get in and fight hard to stay in a racist industry that has tried to push me out — and sometimes being backstabbed by my own easily bought off and victimized Arab community — I’ve managed to stay strong behind the barricades moving forward

There have been many great journalists who have become my friends and supporters, and I am so appreciative of their continued support …

The many good friends I have made in politics, my life’s battlefield, who have stood by me …

Ray Hanania at 3 years old in Chicago with his mother, sister Linda and neighbor Paulie Hansen. 1956
Ray Hanania at 3 years old in Chicago with his mother, sister Linda and neighbor Paulie Hansen. 1956

 

The many friends I have made over the years from Warren Elementary school to Bowen, Bogan, Little Flower, and Reavis high schools … and NIU. UIUC MVCC … My Theta Chi brothers

The many newspapers, including Arab News, the Southwest News Herald newspaper chain, the Daily Southtown, The Chicago Sun Times, Newsday (Everybody Loves Raymond), the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronicle …

WLS radio — before it became a beacon of racist hatred — WNZK in Detroit, WLUP, WJJD, WCPT, and many more posted for viewing on YouTube.

I had a great career in standup comedy, battling racist hate comedian Jackie Mason and performing throughout the world in Palestine, Israel,  Jerusalem, London, Dublin, at Caroline’s on Broadway and for Synagogues, Churches and Mosques across America.

And a great family, Alison, Carolyn, Aaron, Ryan, and grandkids Summer and Riley, who I couldn’t survive without their love and understanding … my sister Linda who I have cared for since her 20s … my brother John, Victoria and Jason, and tremendous uncles aunts cousins and relatives that would take forever to name them all (I don’t want to leave any of them out)

I love you all …

And, I am very thankful to my mom and dad, immigrants who worked hard to enter this country legally, who embraced the bounty this nation offers, and who taught me the lessons of kindness and compassion to others including to find a path of peace when all seems impossible between Jews and Arabs in their homeland of Palestine and Israel

Every night I recite the names of relatives who have passed … “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living,” not too ironically written by Marcus Tullius Cicero, a burden we should all proudly carry

Grateful that I survived heart surgery, cancer, and legionnaires’ disease, and moving forward with great health.

Thank you all.

Make sure to subscribe to my 5-times a week columns on politics and life by clicking here.

Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter who has lived in Orland Park since 1986. He writes for many suburban Chicagoland newspapers including The Regional News, and is the Senior US Correspondent for Arab News Newspaper, the leading English Language newspaper in the Middle East. For more information on this and other topics, or to get information on subscribing to his columns and video podcasts below, visit his website at hanania.com. You can Email Ray at [email protected].

 

Subscribe to Ray’s Syndicated Columns

Click this link to subscribe to his FREE Columns

But consider becoming a PAID Subscriber at $65 a year
to help Ray research and publish more columns.

A Message from Ray Hanania

I write four to five (4-5) columns each week on mainstream American politics civering Chicago, Illinois and the nation, and also columns on seniors and slice of life humor and serious issues.

I hope you will subscribe, enjoy the columns and share your feedback on my system’s new chat format at my website at www.RayHanania.com or www.Hanania.com, where all of the columns (FREE and PAID) are now hosted and distributed.

You can subscribe as a PAID subscriber, or as a FREE subscriber. Each week several columns like this distributed FREE of charge.

Again, a Big Thank You for supporting my writings, radio shows and podcasts. Your support means a lot to me.

Subscribe by clicking this link to confront government bullying and protect a forum for full information disclosure.

www.RayHanania.com

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

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
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 32
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, General Topics, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos Tags:72 years around the sun, birthday, Bogan High School, Bowen High school, Chicago Sun-Times, Everybody Loves Raymond, Little Flower High School, Newsday, Orlando Sentinel, Ray Hanania, Reavis High school, Warren Elementary school, WLS Radio

Post navigation

Previous Post: You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago
Next Post: “The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option

Related Posts

  • Lawrence K. Doody
    Funeral arrangements announced for Lawrence K. Doody, father of former Tollway Executive Director & Commissioner Liz Gorman Chicago
  • Fighting oppressive taxes in Cook County Editors Pick
  • President Johnson meets with candidate Richard Nixon in the White House, July 1968 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Movie Review: “The Post” when newspapers had more respect Blogger
  • Ethnic food vendor at the annual Bolingbrook International Cultural Festival, July 15, 2023
    Bolingbrook to host International Festival of Culture July 15 Culture
  • Gery Chico candidate for Chicago Mayor 2019. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Mayoral candidate Gery Chico releases first Ad Chicago
  • Front Page of the New York Times, photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Desperate news media turns to scams to profit Baby Boomers

More Related Articles

Former Lyons trustee Alonzi dies News
Orland Fire Protection DIstrict firefighter/paramedics treat two individuals for injuries in an accident that resulted in one vehicle being flipped over on its roof at 151st near Harlem Avenue on Sunday March 26, 2023 Lightning causes fire at Orland Home; car rollover no serious injuries; chimney fire extinguished Cook County
A Roe vs Wade support placard Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling Health
Actor Larry Yando as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theater Production of A Christmas Carol. Courtesy of the Goodman Theater Goodman Theatre suspends A Christmas Carol performance through Dec. 24 Chicago
English: Franklin and Billy Graham, in Cleveland Stadium, in Cleveland Ohio, in June 1994 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Remembering Billy Graham and Christian Arabs Blogger
Christopher Columbus statue Chicago Grant Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Taking down the Columbus Statue is an act of racism Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme