The Official Newsletter of the Village of Melrose Park TheROSE Late Summer 2018 A Message From Mayor Ronald M. Serpico The Taste of Melrose Park Represents All This Country Can be When People Collaborate to Make Something Really Great Happen! Dear Neighbors, The Taste of Melrose Park is right around the corner, and I am really looking forward to this year’s food extravaganza even more than usual. This year’s Taste will take place on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, and as far as I’m concerned it can’t happen soon enough. The reason for my impatience is due to the events of this past year. It seems that every time I turn on the news, watch cable TV or read a newspaper, I am reminded that this country is experiencing one of the most divisive periods in its history. It is disturbing to see Americans turning against each other and hurling deplorable names at their fellow countrymen, all because they disagree with the other’s beliefs. We seem to have replaced respect for one another with contempt and a general unwillingness to roll up our sleeves and work together as we have in the past. And this is why the Taste of Melrose Park cannot come soon enough. Unlike the unrest that has come to define America’s cur- rent state of affairs, the Taste represents all that this country can be when a group of people collaborates in order to make some- thing really great happen. Over the course of just three days the Taste will bring together over 100,000 people of all races, eth- nicities, religions and political beliefs to celebrate food, music and community, demonstrating what our forefathers had in mind, that this can be a country where all kinds of people can peacefully gather in order to enjoy family, friends and the fruits of their community. And here is what else is good about the Taste of Melrose Park: 1) The Melrose Park Sports and Family Benefit Fund has raised over $1.5 million from the sale of beverages at the Taste of Melrose Park. One hundred percent of the net proceeds are donated to local charities, youth sports, local schools, senior Ronald M. Serpico citizen organizations and other worthy local causes. Mayor 2) No other Taste in Illinois is as affordable as the Taste of Melrose Park. Our pricing for food items is $3 or less and has remained such for the past 20 years. Parking is free, musical entertainment is free and admission is free. 3) No other Taste in Illinois offers the public more food vendors, including the Taste of Chicago. It must also be noted our Taste food vendors are mainly comprised of local families using treasured family recipes. 4) Free family entertainment on four stages. Visit www.melrosepark.org for our Taste entertainment lineup. Here are the main acts on the Winston Plaza Main Stage: • Friday night at 8:45 p.m. is Lake Effect, a popular horn and guitar band playing a mix of rock, blues and swing. • Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. is American English, the ultimate Beatles tribute band who will transport you back to a time when the boys from Liverpool topped the Billboard charts. • Sunday night at 8:15 p.m., The Four C Notes, a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tribute band headlined by John Michael Coppola, best known for his appearance in Chicago’s production of the Broadway smash hit Jersey Boys will perform. This coming Labor Day weekend join me in dining on delicious food, enjoying great music and being part of what still makes this country so great. See you there! Bon Appetit, Check Out www.MelrosePark.org to Learn More About Our Community! Mayor Ron Serpico Celebrate the Taste! Labor Day Weekend • Fri., Sat. & Sun., Aug. 31, Sept. 1-2, 2018 Ethnic Foods Priced at $3 or Less! FREE Parking, Admission, Entertainment & Trolley Service Village of Melrose Park Complex • 1000 N. 25th Ave. • Melrose Park, IL Fri. 5-11 p.m. • Sat. Noon-11 p.m. • Sun. Noon-10 p.m. See the Taste of Melrose Park 2018 Ad Book on Pages 25-72. 1 Village of Melrose Park Resident Ronald M. Serpico, Mayor Response Mary Ann Paolantonio, Village Clerk Trustees Dear Mayor Serpico... On behalf of the Melrose Park Public Library staff and patrons I would like Anthony J. Abruzzo • Jaime Anguiano to express our gratitude for your ongoing support of the Library. The Arturo J. Mota • Sonny Nicotera Summer Spectacular Community Event, which took place in the Library parking lot on June 8, 2018, drew over 300 attendees and was a tremen- Anthony J. Prignano • Mary Ramirez Taconi dous success, due, in large part, to your help and the invaluable assis- tance of the Homeland Security, Police, Fire, Public Works and Electrical Departments. Thanks especially to Police Chief Sam Pitassi, Fire Chief Rick Beltrame, Homeland Security Chief Phil Schwartz, Gary Marine, Armando Iannelli, Isidro Vargas, Josh Terrones, Hector Casillas and Pat LaMontagna, and for your active participation in the planning, coordination, and execution of this event. We could not have done it without you! To Know • Sincerely, Cynthia Maiello-Gluecklich, Executive Director #’s Melrose Park Public Library Village Hall............................................(708) 343-4000 Dear Mayor Ronald Serpico… Hours – Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. I would like to thank you for spending time with us during Cop on the Birth Certificates • First Copy – $12, additional copies $2 each Rooftop at our Dunkin’ Donuts locations – 912 Winston Plaza and 2033 Death Certificates • First Copy – $14, additional copies $4 each Mannheim Road – on May 18, 2018. Water, Tickets, Etc. We were able to raise over $2000 combined from both locations for the Special Olympics Organization, which I felt was pretty successful consider- Office of the Mayor .............(708) 343-4000, Ext. 4410 ing it was our first year participating in this statewide event. Police Emergency....................................................911 I am looking forward for next year. Non-Emergency.................................(708) 344-8409 I appreciate your continued support to our department and hope to see you at the event. Animal Control......................................(708) 344-8409 • Sincerely, Fire Emergency.......................................................911 Lt. Anthony Greco Non-Emergency.................................(708) 344-1210 Melrose Park Police Department Public Safety/Homeland Security..........(708) 649-8000 Dear Police Chief Sam Pitassi… Library.................................................(708) 343-3391 We are writing this letter just to inform you and appreciate what all the offi- cers do for the city. We especially appreciate Ofc. Joseph Cappello on his Public Works........................................(708) 343-5128 patrolling of Broadway. Building and Code .................................(708) 343-4000 We have recently noticed changes in the area with parking and conges- Civic Center .........................................(708) 450-0555 tion on the street. We just wanted to show our respect and admiration of Hall and Field Rentals, Sports, Etc. Ofc. Cappello’s diligent work. Thank you all for serving and protecting. Community Service .............(708) 343-4000, Ext. 4448 • Sincerely, Senior Services ..................(708) 343-4000, Ext. 4448 Neighbors at Family Foot Center Taste of Melrose Park Dear Mayor Serpico… Dial A Ride ............................................(708) 343-7047 I am the great-granddaughter of Emanuella De Stefano and just wanted to Proviso Township Assessor.................(708) 449-4304 thank you for the beautiful dedication you did for my grandmother. Economic Development .........................(708) 865-8809 My brother, Robert, and I were so touched by the beauty and care you all took to honor her. It was a beautiful tribute for our entire family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Atreasured memory. • Sue (De Stefano) Del Preto Important Upcoming Dates Village Board Meetings.....................Sept. 10 and 24, Oct. 9 Village Hall Holiday Closing .............................Sept. 3, Oct. 8 Senior Social Club Meetings......................................Oct. 11 2 Dear Mayor Serpico... The 125th Feast of Our Lady was a successful celebration and again you have shown your commitment to this wonderful tradition by providing your personal support as well as the support of the village of Melrose Park. On behalf of the Feast Committee, I would like to express our sincere Paula’s appreciation for all your help and support during the Feast and throughout the year. Your presence during the Mass with Cardinal Cupich and your family’s generous contribution for the monument erected in memory of the founder of our Feast is greatly appreciated. Café Please share our most sincere appreciation with all the employees that are part of the village. We truly appreciate what you do on our behalf! Paula Dote the Creator and Chef of May Our Lady of Mt. Carmel continue to bless you and your family abun- Danny’s Deli on 15th and Division is dantly with health and happiness. Now Operating the Full Service Café at • On behalf of the Feast Committee, Jaime Reyes Al Piemonte Ford Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast Committee (25th and North Ave. in Melrose Park) Dear Director of Public Works Gary Marine... Open Monday-Saturday The 125th anniversary of the Feast of Our Lady was successful and you Breakfast and Lunch played a key role by providing support by the Public Works Department. On behalf of the Feast Committee, I would like to express our sincere • Full Breakfast Menu • Homemade Soups appreciation for all your help and cooperation during the Feast and • Grilled Cheese • Burgers • Fresh Cut Fries throughout the year. We realize that without your support it would be • Italian Beef & Sausage • Italian Breaded Steak impossible to celebrate our Feast to the extent and importance that it and deserves. With your help we are able to continue to elevate the name of our town by celebrating this wonderful tradition and legacy.