Forty Years Ago

Ordinary crimes can be a horror to a victim threatened with bodily harm — like starring at a loaded gun. R.N. Miller, owner of the pharmacy at 1221 Roosevelt Rd., was accosted by a shabbily dressed customer who herded him to the rear of his store ordering him to fill a paper bag with narcotics. Without options, Miller complied. As the sack was being filled another customer entered and Miller told the fellow that it was the police. The man grabbed the bag, had the druggist point out the rear exit, and then escaped. Would you call that great thinking, first reaction thinking or necessary thinking on the part of the victim?

From the Oct./Nov. 1966 issue of the Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

American idol Frank Sinatra spent time in Forest Park, visiting friends and associates, often dining at Giannotti’s Restaurant and Banquet Room on Roosevelt Road, just about where Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures is. In early November of ’76 he was the subject of a book review titled, “Sinatra — an Authorized Biography,” by Earl Wilson, who was extravagant in his praise of the singer. “If there was any way to help a friend,” said Wilson, “Frank Sinatra will find it.” According to Wilson, when actor Lee J. Cobb was broke and sick, it was the singer (though he hardly knew Cobb) who picked up the tab “emotionally and financially.” Wilson, who counted himself a firm fan of Blue-Eyes, also prided himself on truthful reporting.

Though Sinatra and Wilson had a falling out, the writer was generally credited with having done a fine biog, chronicling his life from birth during which a tough Italian midwife breathed and pounded life into the stillborn infant — throughout his status as a world star. The book described his launch to fame during the war years as a teenage idol, to a career slump in the late ’40s, an Oscar-winning comeback in “From Here to Eternity” and all those beautiful women from 21 and 35 to the autumn of his years. The reader is left with the clear message that there never was and never will be another like him.

From the Nov. 3, 1976, Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

Here’s a gracious letter to the editor from a Forest Park centenarian, 101-year-old Emma Lauth, responding to a feature story on her the week before. She thanked the editors this way:

“Many thanks for giving me space in your popular newspaper. Birthday number 101 was great, and there were four celebrations. Outside of poor eyesight and poor hearing, I am fine. As I cross Randolph Street to grocery shop at Butera’s I always wonder if a car will end it all, as was my late husband’s fate. The end is near. My last days will be at Zimmerman’s [funeral home] then placed in a crypt beside my Joe. Thanks much. I hope my senior friends save their papers to mail out to relatives. Hope to see the Cubs in spring training. I care nothing for football, which my Joe had season’s tickets for. They are still in my family. You must be bored. -Thanks again, Emma C. Lauth.”

Editor’s note: Joe Lauth, Emma’s husband, had been struck by a car and killed seven years earlier.

From the Nov. 12, 1986, Forest Park Review

Ten Years Ago

On Nov. 15, 1996, Rebecca Shae Borzello was born to Christian and Kelly Borzello — all 6 lbs., 12 oz. and 20 inches of her. Since when do we go around announcing birthdays? It’s only news to family and friends. Still, the old, old miracle repeated itself. No matter how often it happens, it’s unique in the annals of the world. So happy belated 10th, Rebecca. If you hadn’t been born, surely everybody would be wondering why not.

Who Remembers? the intelligent design that put a cigarette pack-sized lump under Bush’s coat during the first Kerry debate?McCormic Place. Trade shows aside, doesn’t it seem underused? When’s the last time you went?

From the Dec. 11, 1996, issue of the Forest Park Review