Recently I spent a day where I grew up on the far southeast side of Chicago. I don’t go there very often, but it is always a warm, nostalgic trip.

I started by visiting my old friend Tom, who still lives there. We ate lunch at The Emerald Green at Lost Marsh, a short drive away in Hammond, Indiana. Overlooking a golf course, it is an elegant sports bar. My delicious turkey burger came with fries so good I almost ordered more, but I was full.

We crossed one of the several area drawbridges on the way. I ran up and down these bridges thousands of times when training for marathons. Just by luck, one time I was at the 95th Street bridge when the famous opening scene from The Blues Brothers was filmed.

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On my way to my next destination, I drove by Pilgrim Baptist Church, which was also used for exterior shots in The Blues Brothers. The scene featured James Brown and a choir.

A few blocks away is Steelworkers Park. Although the park officially opened in 2014, the land has great significance. U.S. Steel South Works complex was housed there for almost a century, ending with its closure in 1992. Many folks from the area, including my father, worked there. It’s odd seeing the huge buildings gone, but the park is a nice tribute to the area’s blue-collar legacy. It offers great views of the northern skyline and the adjacent Chicago River.

This was the day of Eddie Fest, a big event named after Eddie Sadlowski, a former president of a local steelworkers union. Featuring live entertainment, crafts, games and food, the fest made the park come alive. I even ran into another old pal, Jaz Jones.

I always feel a little sad leaving the area. I often wonder how my life would be if I stayed in the area like Tom.

— John Wroblewski, online writer