Bridge Thrift opens in Frankfort
A building that had been abandoned for decades at 21420 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort has been transformed into Bridge Thrift Home & Restoration, and staff, volunteers and visitors celebrated with a recent grand-opening ceremony.
All proceeds from items sold at the store will benefit the Bridge Teen Center, a nonprofit organization based in Orland Park that offers free afterschool programs daily and social events Friday nights for teens in seventh to 12th grade. The center has served more than 14,000 students from 128 communities since it opened in 2010. It bought the abandoned building in 2022.
New and gently used items ranging from furniture to home decor, books, clothing, jewelry, antiques and collectibles will be accepted during store hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The store is closed Mondays and Sundays.
The new shop expands access for community services opportunities and job readiness for teens in the area, thanks to a Job Readiness & Leadership Training Center. A live plant boutique, called Taking Root, also is available, as well as a rotating pop-up shop featuring local artisans and a creative craft and repurposing section.
Information is at bridgethrift.org or 708-614-6972.
Pathlights seeks donations for matching grant
Pathlights is encouraging people to donate to the nonprofit organization on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, to boost a matching grant for $3,000 it hopes to receive from ComEd.
The grant will double every dollar donated to Pathlights, up to $3000. Pathlights serves older adults in Lemont, Orland, Rich, Worth, Palos and Bremen townships.
To donate, call 708-361-0219 or visit pathlights.org.
Dog park permits sold through end of year in Will County
Dog owners are invited to buy 2026 dog park permits for the Forest Preserve District of Will County, which are valid for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026.
The fee, which is $40 for county residents and $80 for nonresidents, includes all six off-leash dog parks, including Messenger Marsh in Homer Glen, Plum Valley Preserve in Crete and Lower Rock Run Preserve at McClintock Road Access in Joliet. Each park has separate enclosures for small dogs weighing 35 pounds or less and larger dogs.
Permits are sold at Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road in Crete Township, and at Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road in Romeoville, both open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Online sales include a $2 service fee. Applications also can be mailed to Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road in Joliet. Details are at www.reconnectwithnature.org/activities/dog-exercising.
Moraine student publishes debut novel
Moraine Valley Community College student Taher “Tyler” Dweydari reads from his first book, “Somewhere Between You & Me,” in the library of the community college in Palos Hills. (Moraine Valley Community College)
Taher “Tyler” Dweydari began January 2025 with a resolution – to write a novel – and he recently made that come true, publishing “Somewhere Between You & Me,” a coming-of-age novel about friendship and the people who are willing to break through the walls their friends build around themselves.
The Calumet Park resident, who attends Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, couldn’t stop thinking about the resolution he’d made and wrote the book from January to July, drawing on his knack for creating fun stories, especially about relatives. “For the most part, no one knew I was writing the book until I finished writing it and had a copy in my hand,” he shared via a news release.
Dweydari also illustrated the book, which is sold on Amazon.
Mobile markets offer free food for Thanksgiving
Families experiencing food insecurity can receive groceries just in time for Thanksgiving, thanks to two mobile markets hosted by Franciscan Health.
The first mobile market is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until supplies last Nov. 25 at Respond Now, 21701 Torrence Ave. in Sauk Village. The second is 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. or while supplies last Nov. 25 at Respond Now, 1439 Emerald Ave. in Chicago Heights.
Families will receive a frozen ham, vegetables, fruits and grains. Volunteers will help line up vehicles for the drive-through events; no attendees can be on foot. Details are at 708-755-4357.
The markets are funded via a partnership with Respond Now and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, as well as donations to the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Community Health & Wellness Fund. Make a donation by calling 708-852-2430.
Historic golf tournament benefits work at Mercy Circle
Luck was with the Irish recently when the first Irish Classic golf tournament raised $75,000 for Mercy Circle in Chicago, a not-for-profit senior living community in Chicago.
The tournament, Mercy Circle’s largest fundraiser, brought together 88 golfers and an additional 50 dinner guests at Ridge Country Club, as well as sponsors. Another tournament is planned there for next year.
The money will be used to refresh the decor of Baggot Street, Mercy Circle’s community for residents who need memory care support.
Misericordia holiday pop-up set at Smith Village
Fresh-baked goods and Christmas gift items will be sold during the 19th Ward’s seventh annual Misericordia Christmas Pop-Up Shop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago.
Artwork by Misericordia residents on Christmas cards and plates will be featured, as well as wickless candles, unisex hats, golf shirts and vests and golf gear.
Residents will provide popular items such as pretzel trees, peppermint bark, breads, cookies, fudge and brownies, as well as gluten-free treats such as spiced pecans, toffee and flourless chocolate pecan cookies.
Free valet parking will be available at the main entrance.
Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.
