Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post
Thanks to everyone at the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, as well as the Chicago Park District, the Garfield Ridge Civic League and other co-sponsors, for pulling together a Christmas tree-lighting event at Wentworth Park on Saturday, December 2.
Folks certainly enjoyed taking photos of the little ones by the Christmas tree.
Plus visits with Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman, and family after family lacing up skates and enjoying Wentworth Park's ice skating rink. A musical touch was added by carolers from local Girl Scout troops.
A tip of our cap, as well, to the hard-working volunteers at GRREAT (Garfield Ridge Retail, Entertainment and Amusement Team) for getting this annual event founded several years ago and running smoothly. We'll always remember that you got the ball rolling.
Police were on hand, as usual, and got the biggest round of applause of the evening, by far--no surprise in Garfield Ridge.
But why, you might ask, is a crime-prevention group running a Christmas celebration? What does that have to do with fighting crime?
Plenty, is the answer, at least indirectly. The more that the good people of Garfield Ridge get off their keyboards, out of the house, onto the streets and into our local parks, the more likely they will crowd out the bad guys and--just by their presence--make our parks safer and better. GRNW knows that, which is why they are into community improvement activities, as well as patrolling our streets and alleys.
Here are a few photos we shot, in no particular order.
Lots of Christmas-season family fun in one of Chicago's very best neighborhoods!
Well done, GRNW!
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