Vikings Are Descending on Tinley Park

More than 100 visitors are coming to Tinley this week for the national convention of the Independent Order of Vikings. Meanwhile, the local center for the group faces an uncertain future.

The Vikings are coming! The Vikings are coming! No need to sound the alarm ... This time. These Vikings and their spouses are flocking to Southland from as far away as Boston and New York this week as part of the 80th National Convention of the Independent Order of Vikings, which is being hosted this year by the Harald Viking Lodge, 6730 W. 175th St. The IOV was formed more than a century ago to provide cultural and fraternal opportunities for those of Scandinavian descent. That provision was dropped some years ago to bring in more members, such as Frank Riggio, who has led the Tinley lodge for the past three years.   “Members will start showing up Wednesday,” Riggio said. He said about 120 members will be attending the convention, which …

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Editor's Notebook

3 Things We Learned About Tinley Park on Facebook

Let's talk nonprofit organizations, local Bingo and about YOU being chatty.

Seems like half of America is on Facebook these days. And the other half of America resents that. But you can learn a thing or two (or three!) on Facebook, even when it comes to Tinley Park. Here are 3 Things I Learned About Tinley Park on Facebook last week. 1. Readers want stories about local nonprofits and on Thursdays, there's Bingo. Asked what Tinley Park Patch readers would like to see more of on their go-to source for community news, Karen Lingle wrote, "Stories on the volunteer organizations and groups around town." I take story suggestions pretty seriously here at Tinley Park Patch and although local nonprofit organizations are on my radar, it's nice to get the reassurance. And quite frankly, when readers, Tweeters and Facebookers…

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