Forty Years Ago
At least two burglars broke into the Maywood Plymouth sales room and opened a one-way door to futility. After five or six hours of hard work, they gave up all hope of cracking the dealership’s big safe. They moved on to an office with a smaller safe, pried it open and found”nothing. Then to the parts department where they found not much to their liking. Then to a cigarette machine where the cigs weren’t forthcoming. Finally to a soft drink dispenser to toast that small success. As security and police approached, they fled, minus most of their tools. Perhaps consideration of a new career might be in order.
From the Mar. 24, l966 issue of the Forest Park Review
Thirty Years Ago
In case you weren’t sure,an honored tradition takes place at the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Only a few members know in advance who the local “Citizen of the Year” will be. Until 1976, the title was “Man of the Year.” This was destined to change, and did, when Alice Zimmerman’s name was announced by her brother-in-law, Police Lieutenant Fred Zimmerman. Rumors always abound, yet at the moment of disclosure an ovation swelled from the audience as this first lady made her way to the podium, where her long service to the village’s young and handicapped people was recognized.
From the April 14, 1976 issues of the Forest Park Review
Twenty Years Ago
Bet you don’t know who Vinko Butatay is. A short feature in the Review of March 25, 1980 Review reveals he’s from Yugoslavia. Nothing yet? He’s not a soccer player. Here’s another hint: you’ve seen him dozens of times. On weekends…in your home…on your TV. Give up? Remember the opening of ABC’s “Wide World of Sports”? And the words, “The thrill of victory…the agony of defeat.” Getting warm? Well, Vinko is ‘Agony'”or ‘Defeat.’ He is or was on skis, and he is still falling. Every week the show is telecast, he is making a flailing spectacle of himself, falling, madly, unendingly falling, top-over-tea-kettle, a self-tortured, mad, tangle of arms, legs and himself, his skis, his ski poles, even his goggles”this out-of-control windmill, catapulting caricature of himself. (And woe to any in his path.)
Vinko somehow survived his Great Fall. Only some cuts and bruises. And he was a very good athlete; had to be to take part in the Olympics. As of the mid-1980s he turned his attention to sculpting and painting. The late Roone Arledge said that the footage of the man’s epic descent would never be replaced. Ah, Vinko, why was it was your lot to get caught by the camera”to be forever the poster boy of Agony? Of klutziness?
From the Mar. 29. 1986 issue of the Forest Park Review
Ten Years Ago
A Bellwood derelict was asking the el passengers for money. He approached a woman. When ignored he sat beside her, repeated his request, put an arm around her and may have made a groping gesture. Word got to the motorman who notified police here. The vermin was met at the end of the line, and did a little slammer time.
Who Remembers? Yet more radio names: Gene Austin … Phil Baker … Kenny Baker … Art Baker … Ben Grauer … Dick Haymes … Graham McNamee … Groucho, of course, … Ozzie and Harriet Nelson … Oscar Levant, creator of that great line, “I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin.”
From the April 1996 issues of the Forest Park Review
