Forty Years Ago
Before something bad happens, maybe to prevent something bad from happening, let’s all put some words at the front of our children’s brains. Like today. The Review printed a simple list of child safety reminders in 1966. They still make sense. All that’s needed is the repetition and urgency that you as a parent owe them: 1. Never accept a ride from a stranger. 2. Mark down, or try to remember the license number of description of his or her car. 3. Never accept candy or gifts from anyone, or even an invitation to look at some puppies or kittens. 4. Tell your teacher, parents a policeman or a mailman immediately. 5. Walking to and from school with a group of friends is safer than walking alone.
The American Library Association compiled its annual Notable Book List. Not necessarily the best or best-selling books, these were judged most worthwhile to read in the areas of literature, general knowledge, informational value and perception. They were: “At Play in the Fields of the Lord,” Peter Matthiessen; “Kennedy,” Theodore Sorenson; “The Garden of Finzi-Continis,” G. Bassani; “Journal of a Soul,” Pope John XXIII; “Manchild in the Promised Land,” Claude Brown and “A Thousand Days,” Arthur Schlesinger.
From the March 1965 issues of the Forest Park Review
Thirty Years Ago
More Forest Park milestones during the country’s Bicentennial Year:
In 1907 the village of Harlem changers its name to Forest Park.
In keeping with the name change, our popular amusement park opened the same year. It was located just about where the Desplaines Ave. overpass spans the Eisenhower, and remained open until 1922.
Construction of Betsy Ross School, Marengo and 13th, completed the chain of Grammar schools extending across town.
If you think your office’s rules are tough, go back to 1835 when these restrictions were applied: Office employees each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys, trim wicks, and wash windows. Each will bring in a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day’s business. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to your individual taste. Men employees will be given an evening off each week for courting purposes, or two evenings if they go regularly to church. This list from a novelty poster at a local auto shop. More to come.
From the Mar./Apr. 1975 issues of the Forest Park Review
Twenty Years Ago
In late March, 1986, Marlene Quandt was appointed to fill the extra-large shoes of Bill MacKenzie who passed away the month before. Few, if any, had doubts about the appointment. At the time, Ms. Quandt had served the village in several capacities for 29 years, working with seven administrations. The daughter of Marshall Quandt, a longtime Proviso Township political figure, she retired two years ago. “Nice, job, Marle.”
From the March, 1985 issues of the Forest Park Review
Ten Years Ago
Believe it or don’t, Forest Park only had its first St. Pat’s day parade ten years ago. Then, as now, it kicked off on a Saturday at l p.m. The original parade fielded a contingent of tail-waggers among two-footed marchers. There were floats, bagpipes, Irish dancers, a couple of marching bands, antique fire trucks and classic auto, too. All the usuals and unusuals. Say what you will, there’s something about this town that loves a good time.
In the spring of ’96 a Review article called for the local Historical Society and the Forest Park Library to come together on a location where some of the village’s “hidden treasures” would no longer be hidden but proudly displayed. Since then, Rich Vitton, President of the Forest Park Historical Society, set up a permanent display in the public library basement. The work that he and other society members have done to preserve our own personal past”more than just fossils, authentic Indian jewelry and other tokens of Forest Park past”deserves to be visited, viewed, enjoyed and appreciated.
Who Remembers? (More radio names)Jan Peerce … Jack Pearl … Dick Powell …Bea Lillie … Arthur Godfrey … Ezra Stone (Henry Aldrich) … Kay Kyser (and his Kollege of Musical Knowledge) … the Lux Radio Theater … the Happiness Boys … of course, Steve Allen … the Mills Brothers … Garry Moore … Arnold Stange.
