Forty Years Ago

File this under “unusual.” Mel Rynerson of the 600 block of Elgin avenue was a taxidermist. He and his family left the house for the evening and, as usual, leashed the dog to the kitchen table. Returning, they found the dog roaming freely, and on checking the rooms discovered a break-in. Nothing of value had been taken except a quart of arsenic, a quart of formaldehyde and a hypodermic needle. Oh yes, the dog’s leash was missing.

The next day the couple left the house again, tying the dog to the table with a chain. On arriving back they found the dog was free and the chain missing. Here, the mystery stayed raveled. No one then or now knows what logic was at work, though repeated warnings about the chemicals were issued throughout the area. One of Forest Park’s more bizarre unsolved burglaries.

From the Sept. 1966 issues of the Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

There was a hole in time and Forest Park fell through it. Yet again.

The Nothingness of News under-whelmed these parts in late summer and early fall. Woe to anyone (me) charged with searching through Review back issues. Four weeks now and nothing, nowhere, no-how.

But, once more, perhaps, I speak hastily. Why, yes! There it is: Buddy Rich appears at Triton! Well, sir, it seems he and his Killer Force Orchestra appeared here for a couple of shows on Oct. 14. Admission to each concert was one fiver. The story tells us that Rich started in show biz at age 18 months. Billed as “Traps,” the Drum Wonder, he led a band at 7 and was soon the second highest paid child star with only Jackie Coogan outstripping him. Rich became one of the recognized greats of the big band era, playing behind Bunny Berrigan, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Recording for the Verve, MGM and Mercury labels, he earned an unprecedented $1,500 a week. Toward the end-he died in 1987-he was regularly introduced by Johnny Carson as “Mr. Humble.”

From the Sept. 22, 1976, issue of the Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

My daughter has been giving her 4-year-old boy sleeping pills ever since he was an infant, just because as she puts it–she and her husband need their sleep. Though this might not be any of my business, I still am appalled! My daughter and her husband are both college graduates, and should know better. Don’t you think, in the interest of the child’s health, I should speak to her about this?-Concerned.”

“Dear Concerned: While I don’t usually recommend interfering in other people’s affairs in this case I think you’d be justified in asking your daughter if their doctor is aware of what they are giving to their child. I agree, the child’s health is at stake, and the regular intake of sleeping pills is not good even for an adult!”

From the Oct. l, 1986, issue of the Forest Park Review

Ten Years Ago

Here’s a real ladies man for you. He was, like, hanging around the Lake Street el station at Harlem Avenue when he allegedly harassed a woman, offering to pay for sex even though the woman was not a prostitute. When she told him to leave her alone or she’d call the police, he allegedly pulled out a screw driver and said he would stab a cop with the tool. Would you believe the Lothario’s approach didn’t work? He was booked, and charged with disorderly conduct and soliciting for prostitution.

Who Remembers? the freeze-dry process? Earl Bostic? Janet Reno? Karl Malden? Tonya Harding? Henry Gibson? Prince? Prince Philip? Philip Marlowe? MacKenzie Phillips? Philip Morris, with Johnny, the bellboy “stepping out of store windows all over the world” (crash, clatter, tinkle).

From the Sept./Oct. 1996 issues of the Forest Park Review