Forty Years Ago

The Calgano’s Grocery Game … Prices of food from the ’60s: Shoulder Lamb Chops, 59 cents lb. … Bird’s Eye spinach (leaf or chopped), 10 oz. pkg. for 11 cents …DelMonte yellow cling peaches, size 2 1/2 can, 25 cents … Dove Soap, bath size, 2 for 39 cents … Country’s Delight Milk, 22 cents per quart.

And this under the heading, Suicide on Harlem: “Kenneth Church, of the 300 block of Harlem, reportedly took his life by hanging himself. He was 24 years old. His wife returned from work and found his body at approximately 7 p.m. He was hanging from a ceiling fixture in the living room of their apartment.”

There is something about the writing of this sad story that leaves one cold. Could be that it’s so matter-of-fact. And brief. Like the young man’s life.

From the Jan./Feb. 1965 issues of the Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

A cache of 16 weapons, mostly shotguns and rifles, were confiscated in a day-long operation of the Forest Park Police Department in cooperation with the Cook County Sheriff’s Police. The raid cleared two major burglaries in Riverside and Oak Park. A 25 year-old Forest Park man was charged with possession of stolen property, as was a 31 year-old man from River Forest. The weapons had been stashed in a safe at the River Forest residence, and the arrests were based on information developed by police here.

Later the same day two Berwyn men in their mid-20s, who were implicated in the uncovered arsenal, were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, heroin and hypodermic syringes. Sheriff Richard Elrod commended Forest Park Police Officers Michael Thompson, Gary Doss and Detective Richard Archambault.

From Steve Olderr’s YES column: (1)Where was Forest Park’s first village hall? On the northeast corner of Randolph and Circle. Built in 1885 (for $783.50), it included a jail and cell rent-outs. The one-story wooden building was used until it was replaced in 1916. (2) Why does DesPlaines Ave. run on an angle? Because it was built on an old Indian trail, and the trail followed the high grounds — a necessity because of the swamps at the time.

From the Jan. 1975 issues of the Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

“Dear Sally: The woman next door is something else. She treats her little dog better than many people treat their kids. The animal sleeps on a satin blanket, eats special gourmet food, gets its hair curled, its toenails manicured, and even gets bubble baths — perfumed no less. Don’t you think this is downright ridiculous?–Bonny” “Dear Bonny: Agreed, the woman’s canine coddling is more than a little on the extreme side — but honestly, can’t you find something a little more important to concern you? After all, this is your neighbor’s business.”

Peter Brugio, owner of Burgio Jewelers, 7601 Madison St., had played the role a number of times. Getting robbed, that is. Finding it tiresome, he kept a loaded handgun under the counter. When a 27 year-old “shopper” entered and asked about diamond rings, he wondered if the old game was to be played again. Finding a ring he liked, the man asked its price ($600), told Burgio he only had $400 and left the store.

Returning a few minutes later, the man announced a holdup and displayed a large caliber automatic weapon. Without pausing, Burgio produced his handgun and fired a single shot at the fellow. Witnesses said the offender crawled out the door, got to his feet and ran to a waiting auto. An alert citizen jotted the license number.

From the Jan. 1985 issues of the Forest Park Review.

Ten Years Ago

Editor Paige Fumo ran an interesting story at the start of 1995. She queried known and not-so-known Forest Parkers as to what they envisioned for the town that year. Ten years later, let’s look “back” at the crystal ball. According to the brief, unscientific poll, “residents and businesses would be more neighborly, working together and improving life in the village overall.” Ten years later, a look down Mainstreet confirms this, and then some. Former director of the Howard Mohr Community Center, the late Cindy Lyons, spoke (typically) from the personal side: “I’d like to remind everyone to always remember the lonely and sick, and help those who really need your help.”

Mayor Lorraine Popelka predicted taxes and budgets would dominate many agendas. Ten years later, she was on the mark.

Circle Theater co-founder Karen Skinner enthused that the village was picking up the pace dramatically in the area of culture and the arts. Now this theater is really booming!

From the Jan. 1995 issues of the Forest Park Review.