Forty Years Ago

Those whose memories really go back may recall a breed of bird fanciers that lived here in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. Their specialty was pigeons. Editor Walker called up this memory back in ’67 when a Forest Park woman reported finding a disabled pigeon in her backyard. From the band on its leg she guessed the bird was either a carrier or a racer. A representative from the Humane Society determined that this was not only a racer, but a four-time winner whose compass may have gone on the bum, because it was off course on the return trip to New York.

In those pre-cyber days, people did different things than we do now. Raising pigeons for example. Another was knowing the difference between them. Like, their social security numbers and what specific occupations they may have held-racer, carrier, messenger passenger or homing? Beats me, but Loop visitors have another name for them: sky rats.

From the June 29, 1967, Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

The following appeared in the Forest Park Review of June 29, 1977. If it doesn’t say it all, it says what matters:

Is anybody happier because you passed their way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to them today?

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word for you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,

That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;

Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste your day or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?

Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,

“You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?”

By Jon Hall (Reprinted from the Altenheim newsletter.)

From the June 29, 1977, Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

The downside of reporting is reporting news that is itself downside-and frankly unpleasant. When a 30-year-old father gets arrested because his 11-year-old daughter tells police that she has been sexually molested by him for two years, there may be hopelessness in the report and the reporter.

The victim’s mother, who had been divorced from the father, told police the girl had become very upset after receiving two phone calls from him. She said she had been molested by him while living with him in the past. Not knowing what to do, the mother called Loyola Hospital’s emergency room, which put her in touch with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, which notified the Forest Park police. The girl then told them she had lived here with her father from ages 6 to 10, and that he lately had sexual relations with her about once a week.

From the April 22, 1987, Forest Park Review

Ten Years Ago

Then there are plain, old-fashioned crimes of ranting stupidity. Like that of the 31-year-old woman who screamed at nearby Wal-Mart employees and customers because she was refused a money-for-product return on an item purchased three years before.

After being ushered out by a police officer, she got into her car, which held her sister and niece, backed out of her (illegal) parking space, narrowly missed hitting the officer, then threw a bottle of Windex at him. This performance was recognized with an eight-count arrest charge, as follows: battery, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license, not wearing a seatbelt, unlawfully parking in a handicapped spot, not having a front license plate and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

From the May 28, 1997, Forest Park Review