EP Office of Citizens' Services Hits The Ground Running

It didn’t take long for the Office of Citizens’ Services to jump into action in 2024.

The OCS offers a fine array of programs to serve the senior community of Evergreen Park. Located in the Maher Community Center at 3450 W. 97th Street, the department is soon to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this coming September.

The bubbles from the New Year’s Eve champagne hadn’t even finished popping when the OCS kicked off its first major gathering of 2024. . .the Evergreens!

The Evergreens is a casual group of area seniors who meet the first Wednesday of every month at noon to enjoy each other’s company, have some lunch and coffee, play a game or do a craft.
On Wednesday, January 3, the group had a full house, enjoying a festive afternoon making terracotta snowmen. “This was fun,” stated Beth Novotney, OCS Director. “There were a lot of laughs and a lot of creativity going on in the Community Center that day”. Next month, they will be playing Left-Right-Center, always an enjoyable game. “Did we mention coffee and refreshments as well?” Ms. Novotney added.

The Evergreens will meet again on Wednesday, February 7 at Noon. The $3 cost for this particular afternoon goes towards "Left-Right-Center" game prizes.

The very next day, January 4, the OCS hosted a wildly successful “Grandparent/Grandchild New Years Ice Cream Social”. This…a joint effort of the OCS, the Recreation Department and the Youth Department. . . came at the right time, smack dab before younger students begin second semester. OCS staffers went through four tubs of ice cream, a full tray of cookies, as well as providing board games and coloring books/crayons for a happy time had by a full room of EP grandparents and their grandchildren.

The OCS also makes the cozy Community Center library available to residents for weekly movies. Presented on a fifty-two inch SmartTV and offering plush recliner chairs, the Movie Program takes place every Monday and Tuesday, with showtimes at 10:00am and 1:00pm (no movies on weeks where there is a Monday holiday). A handy brochure of the movie schedule is available at the counter of the OCS office.

Are you looking to walk some laps? A free Walking Group has started at the Community Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7am-8am. Great indoor walking during the winter months. Walk at your own pace!

The Evergreen Park Senior Council Luncheons are held on the third Thursday of every month. The upcoming luncheon date is Thursday, January 18 at 11am at the Community Center. The guest speaker is Mr. Frank Murray from the Evergreen Park Library, with a luncheon menu of Chili Mac. A generous round of Bingo will follow. The cost is $10, and the ticket can be purchased at the Community Center by Friday, January 12.

A full array of OCS activities can be found on the bi-monthly OCS Newsletter, available for download at evergreenpark-ill.com, or by calling the friendly folks at the office at
(708) 422-8776.