Forty Years Ago
You’re driving north on Desplaines Ave. just past Roosevelt Rd. Up ahead and on the left is that complex of condos just off “Dead Man’s Curve.” It wasn’t always there, you know. Preceding it were a few single-home residences, some unused cemetery land and a former Forest Home office and greenhouses. Initial plans for construction of the five six-story buildings”the largest such project to date in the village”were submitted by Page Enterprises, Inc., Developers. Not yet giving an official “Go,” the village council seemed receptive to the proposal. Original plans called for a total of 354 units.
Back then the going rate for a rental was $165 per month for a single bedroom apartment and $200 for two bedroom apartment. The complex was one of the earliest and most visible signs that Forest Park would never again be the simple, bucolic little single-family
From the March 1966 issues of the Forest Park Review.
Thirty Years Ago
The Chicago Planning Commission announced plans to relocate a US Postage facility at 7500 Roosevelt Rd. Mayor Mohr, the village commissioners and Mayor Richard J. Daley wanted none of it. Among its objections the village cited increased density of land use, population and traffic transportation problems, a negative impact on the village’s tax base and reduced property values. Finally, Mohr said the U.S. Postal Service seemed slow in cooperating.
Note: the proposal did not involve Chicago’s Bulk Postage facility, which had been in place for about a year. Mohr, Daley and the village won out.
From the March 1976 issues of the Forest Park Review.
Twenty Years Ago
A freelance writer made the following contribution to the Feb. 19. 1986 Review. It concerned living wills. Old stuff to some, but a wake-up call to those looking forward to immortality in the world as we know it. It begins, “On January 1, 1984, the Living Will Act became law in Illinois. It goes on to say that it guarantees the rights of a person to make a written declaration instructing his or her physician to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal condition. In the article, [then State Senator] Judy Baar Topinka told of receiving many calls to her office regarding living wills. “This instrument is not for everyone,” she said, “but it offers peace of mind and settlement for the individual and for his or her family.”
So if you missed that not-to-be-missed movie on video, it’ll come around again. Been meaning to tend to your living will? If you catch the wrong cycle in your procrastination you could spend an eternity in a state you’d rather not live. And we’re not talking New Jersey.
“I just developed a way to make powdered water. But I don’t know what to mix it with.” “Stephen Wright
From the Feb. 19, 1986 issue of the Forest Park Review.
Ten Years Ago
A freelance writer named Harry Moore drew up a list of 1996 predictions. The Harry Moore tongue just may have been in the Harry Moore cheek when he did so.
Some examples:
The stock market will nestle somewhere between 300 and 3,000.
Ninety percent of the SEC-certified seers will entirely miss the trend, yet this will not deter them from giving even more advice.
An investigative report will reveal that a congressman failed to take a grand tour junket at taxpayers’ expense. The maverick will be roundly censured by his outraged colleagues.
The US Postal Service will lobby Congress for higher postal rates. The resultant increased revenue will somehow wreak havoc amongst its competitors, drive some of them out of business while increasing the salary of the average letter carrier to a level equal to that of a brigadier general.
Who remembers? I happened onto a photo book of radio entertainers. If you’ve got some mileage on you, you may see a name you haven’t heard in a long time. If you’re too young, just keep in mind that youth is wonderful, but it isn’t a career: Goodman Ace and Jane … Rudy Vallee … the inimitable Fred Allen …Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl Orchestra … Whispering Jack Smith … Bob and Ray … something called the Finkenberg Hour.
From the April 1996 issues of the Forest Park Review.
