Forty Years Ago
“I want my mommy,” came the plaintive cry from 2 1/2 year-old Jeffrey Webster. Asked where he lived by Forest Park police officer Francis Kandler, he repeated his perfectly logical request. Kandler had picked up young Jeffrey wandering about at Circle and Dixon that morning.
Brought back to the police station, Jeffrey waited while Kandler huddled with Chief Tobin and desk sergeant Dominek. No call had yet come and the boy’s address remained unknown. Finally, Dominek recalled that he had picked up the boy a few months ago at DesPlaines and Randolph. Checking police files they called Mrs. Webster and Jeffrey was delivered home after his one-hour getaway. I am reminded of a quite different James Thurber short story titled, “One is a Wanderer.”
From the Oct. 1965 issues of the Forest Park Review.
Thirty Years Ago
Chuck “Bubba” Whelpley one of this town’s good guys, made it big when he was installed as president of the Illinois Police Association (IPA) at a Holiday Rosemont gathering of 900. He would serve a two-year term as head of the 32,000-member police organization. His appointment crowned a 25-year career in law enforcement.
Dear Sally: I’m planning my wedding and have a crazy, mixed-up problem. I live with my mother and her second husband, and my father is likewise remarried. Added to this, my fiancé’s parents are also divorced, both with second spouses. As it happens, all these people are very friendly, belong to the same club, and socialize together quite often. My mother wants all of them invited to the wedding. Would this be proper? And do you think it would work out all right?
-CHINESE PUZZLE.
DEAR PUZZLE: Nothing wrong with it propriety-wise, and surely if everything is as friendly as you say, it shouldn’t spoil your wedding. And I hope you and your young man will be demonstrating to all these people just how long-lasting and enduring the sacred vows of marriage can, and should, be.
From the Sept./Oct. 1975 issues of the Forest Park Review.
Twenty Years Ago
Reading a 30 year-old book can be a rich experience, providing that the book is “Ragtime” by E.L. Doctorow and the reviewer was Librarian Jo Austin. An old school library director, she couldn’t read all the materials bought, but she made a decent effort to read or browse a good many of them.
Her review concerned the extraordinary interweaving of actual and fictional persons at the turn of the 20th century in and around New York City. Doctorow’s novel brings back to life such lights as sex goddess Evelyn Nesbitt and con man/wonder Harry Houdini. Anarchist Emma Goldman is present for more than a few pages as is such invented eccentrics as Mother’s Younger Brother, the colorful Coalhouse Walker, a fabled character named Tatya and his little daughter. Also making the cut were financier J.P. Morgan, Archduke Ferdinand”even some who survived or went down with the Lusitania. “Ragtime;”a book (and movie) not to miss, but enjoy.”
Speaking of movies, these were being shown around town back in ’85: The Journey of Natty Gann, Agnes of God, Invasion, USA, Maxie and Teen Wolf.
From the Sept./Oct. 1985 issues of the Forest Park Review.
Ten Years Ago
October 11, 1995 was the day of days when our very new, very nice library opened its doors. From Bill Lichtenberg’s column: “Quick note about something that is simply awesome, our new library. Chuck Brod and the rest of the library board set a high standard and delivered for the whole village. They deserve our thanks. One quick look is all it takes to see that this new asset will pay off for years to come,” he enthused. “With the recent arrival of the tax bill, it is reassuring to see. I promise to spend some real quality time getting acquainted with as much of it as I can; starting immediately.”
Worthwhile words from Pastor Tom Holmes’ column, “Views From the Pews:” He notes that the purpose of religion is to get right with God. “If you want to increase peace within yourself [be] reconciled with your Creator. And in adition: See a good therapist to resolve childhood issues. Change your schedule to include more play. Associate with people who know the good in you. Eat right. Sleep right. Join a health club. Join AA. Read a proven self-help author, like John Bradshaw. Go on a date with your spouse.”
Who Remembers? Kim Novak … Garth Brooks … Mel Brooks … perennial comic/boozer Foster Brooks … Gwendolyn Brooks … Albert Brooks … Brooks Brothers … baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson … Elwyn Brooks (E.B.) White … Brooklyn Dodgers … Down By the Old Mill Brook … the Sauter-Finigan Band.
From the Oct./Nov. 1995 issues of the Forest Park Review.
