Forty Years Ago

Ah, the good old days. When were they? Not 1965 apparently, because Rierson’s Drug Store at 7328 Madison was burglarized, ransacked and denuded of $116,000 in assorted barbiturates and narcotics. Plus $112 taken from the till. Just when were those good old days? How far back do they go? How about 13.5 billion years ago when a tiny dot flashpoint of nothing blew into everything. And away we’re still going.

A dip into yesteryear via Editor Walker’s belief that ad agencies had the power to sell anything: “They proved they could sell almost any product or service with an intensive campaign and enough media. An example is color TV. For three years sales were low because prices were high. Then the agencies got together and peppered the public so you couldn’t beg, borrow or steal a new color set. So I firmly believe in advertising and I’m impressed by those who generate it.”

Television advertising today contends with a multiplicity of cable outlets, satellite radio and other “advancements.” Very soon, it’s said, the 30-second commercial will be truncated by the crossfire of communication.

From the Jan./Feb. 1966 issues of the Forest Park Review.

Thirty Years Ago

More Forest Park milestones noted during the country’s Bicentennial Year:

 Harlem’s (a.k.a. Forest Park’s) first banking institution was chartered in 1897 during the original Great Depression.

 St. Peter’s Evangelical Church (Hannah and Adams) was founded by 13 families in 1899.

 Leo and William Haase with a crew of workers excavated a burial mound in 1900. It yielded Indian artifacts of silver and tools.

Mayor Howard Mohr was consistent about keeping a well-run administration and a clean town. In February, 1976, after only a slight response, he called for residents and his village council to “Get moving on the Pride program.” Beyond an anti-litter campaign, the program called for city employees to do a more efficient job. “I’m not going to embarrass anyone by telling you what’s really on my mind,” he said, “but our operations here leave much to be desired.” He had cited complaints about garbage, rats and alley conditions.

From the Feb. 1976 issue of the Forest Park Review.

Twenty Years Ago

Jazzercise was hot in the ’80s and its benefits apply today. Freelance writer Karen Schwartz wrote a column on the subject: “Now that the nag of winter is easing off, it’s green-up time and shape-up time. Time for the world, and you, to activate. But why drudge the exercise … why not actually enjoy it? It’s only a matter of putting body rhythms in sync with a jazz beat”even alone, at home.

“Aerobically speaking, it makes sense to simply put on a jazz record [or CD] to jangle and enjoy. Jazzercise can be a total body conditioning program or a minor tune-up that shakes out the kinks. Done to lively, beat-driven jazz, [or rap] it’ll satisfy you two ways”musically and physically; three if you have a partner.”

From the Feb. 1986 issues of the Forest Park Review.

Ten Years Ago

Is this a traumatic experience for a three year-old”or does it take several traumas to affect one’s development? The boy and his mother were retrieving mail in the lobby of their apartment building on Lathrop when an unnoticed man suddenly appeared and grabbed her purse. The loss was only $10 and some IDs, but how to measure the shock?

There was this brief excerpt from a Bill Lichtenberg column on election politics. Speaking on the growing number of mediocre candidates and the less than mediocre number of voters who don’t vote, he commented, “We are experiencing a cynical low point of human development in the political arena.” Could be said about the primaries a couple weeks ago.

Who remembers? What you had for breakfast today … Don McNeill and the Breakfast Club … Tom Lehrer … black and white brogans”perforated! … River Edge Hospital and all the public lectures and programs of past years …Cade McNown (again) Bishop’s Chili (now in Westmont) … Menoshe Skulnick.

From the Feb.1996 issues of the Forest Park Review.