Forty Years Ago

We goofed by crediting the S. Berliner Monument Co. as being the oldest business in town. (Note use of “we” to implicate others.) According to Gregory Reichle, president of American Wilbert Vault Co., his company was here in 1880 as L.G. Hasse Manufacturing. Its cemetery product line was lot markers, concrete benches, hydrant boxes, catch basin covers and section concrete boxes. By the early 1920s the manufacturing emphasis was on concrete burial vaults. The Forest Park facility is at 1015 Troost Ave. with other locations in Chicago, DesPlaines and Elgin.

And here’s where we were wrong back in April of 1967. We (not me) reported that our local police officers got a $300 a month raise. Just a slight bluppo. It was $300 a year. Not content with this, your local newspaper reported that the village had furnished new uniforms. No. Each officer had been given a $120 yearly maintenance credit to draw from for this purpose.

From the April 6, 1967, Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

Joyce Gibson of Oak Park was driving south on Desplaines Avenue at noon on a Sunday. She may not have noticed her speed was just a notch too fast to safely negotiate “Dead Man’s Curve.” Over the curb and guard rail went her car. Ms. Gibson was treated at Oak Park Hospital for bruises and abrasions.

Editor Bob offers this smiler: Two comely young maidens were enjoying a picnic luncheon under a tree out in the country when a frog hopped up and sat in front of them. “If one of you comely young maidens will kiss me,” said the frog, “I will turn into a handsome young prince and be yours forever.” With that, the younger of the two comely young maidens scooped up the frog, put him in her picnic basket and headed for home. “Aren’t you going to kiss him?” asked her friend. “No way,” was the reply. “With a talking frog I’ve got a ticket for the rest of my life.”

From the Jan. 21, 1976, Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

There was a touch too much speed on “Dead Man’s Curve,” and there was a bus that caused more than a fuss at Desplaines and Madison streets. John Stange and a business associate, Carmen Morreale, were crossing Madison on foot heading north when a CTA bus making a left turn from Desplaines struck them. Morreale reported that he saw a front tire coming at him after he was knocked down. He was able to roll out of the way to avoid being crushed. Both men were taken to Loyola Medical Center where they were treated and released.

From the Feb. 25, 1987, Forest Park Review

Ten Years Ago

Since this column is devoted to Time Disappearing, let’s bring back wistful memories of a truly sad team, the Chicago National League Baseball club. Instead of saluting a succession of hallowed teams the past 99 years, we’ve endured a plentitude of hollow baseball players (often with some exceptions) all wearing the flannel wraps of Dem Cubbies.

Confining it to the last 10 years, “Who Remembers” the great solution to the Replace-Ron-Santo-problem-Gary Scott!?! Then, every spring training for two or three years, there was the illustrious heir to Ryne Sandberg, Bobby Hill.

And whatever happened to the sweet-swinging Hee Sop Choi? Sammy Sosa’s one-year replacement, Jeromy Burnitz was OK, for a while. But so are the Cubs–for a while. Then comes the seventh inning.

And if anyone knows the whereabouts of left fielder Brant Brown, tell him his dropped ball and dead bat can be picked up at the Sheffield Avenue ticket window. Think Dem Cubbies will do it this year? Think again. Only Steinbrenner knows how to buy a pennant and he’s at only about .500. So don’t forget the immortal words of Bill Veeck, who asked, “How much can you pay a tulip to bloom?” Maybe it all started with Ernie Broglio.

From decades of disappointment