Forty Years Ago

His career was seeded here where he grew up; it grew with his talent, and absolutely bloomed in the 1970s into the ’80s. Mike Douglas, known to Forest Parkers as Mike Dowd, was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Illinois Broadcasters Association at Chicago’s Pick-Congress Hotel.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Bernardine School and graduated from Proviso High School. At peace and happy in front of audiences, Mike began as a singer-dancer in school and later, at lounge shows here. While serving in WWII he married Genevieve Purnell and worked as a staff announcer-singer for radio station WKY in Oklahoma City. Following a stint as a performer for the Kaye Kyser radio and TV show, his engaging affability won him a spot as host of the television show, “Hi Ladies!” At his peak, an audience of six million watched daytime’s most popular network television program, “The Mike Douglas Show.”

When he died on his 81st birthday, Aug. 11, 2006, Larry King said of his colleague: “Mike was a genuine, nice guy. He was easy to be around because he had a relaxed measure about him. Nobody was kinder to his guests.” Pretty good for a Forest Park kid who did just a fair soft shoe at some high school revues.

From the Oct. 26, 1967, and Sept. 6, 2006, Forest Park Review

Thirty Years Ago

Back in 1977 an article appeared in the Review that tried to clear up the difference between a “guarantee” and a “warranty.” If there was confusion then, there might be confusion now. While the terms are used interchangeably, the G-word describes a general assurance which isn’t regulated. The W-word specifies a promise made by the manufacturer or seller that is regulated by state and federal laws and FTC regulations.

Warranties–two kinds: full and limited.

Full: per Federal law, a defective product will be fixed or replaced free, including removal and installation … will be repaired within reasonable time … will be good for any owner of the product … if unfixable, your choice of new product or money back. Note-the word “full” may not promise coverage of an entire product. Ex., tires on a car.

Limited: The term is a red flag signaling “Anything less than a full warranty.” Ex.: only parts; not labor … pro-rated refund or credit; the longer the product is owned the smaller the return … covers only the original owner. The list goes on. If you’re about to buy a big ticket item, go to the Internet for full, up-to-date disclosures.

From the Oct. 26, 1977, Forest Park Review

Twenty Years Ago

A caller reported to police that a woman holding her infant was repeatedly hitting her boyfriend, the father of the child, in the parking lot of 7400 Washington St. An arriving policeman said she was using the 2-month-old infant as a shield. The officer said she was carrying the baby like an inanimate object to ward off expected return blows. The man declined to sign a complaint against the woman, but police reported the incident to the DCFS Hotline when the original caller expressed concern for the baby.

The same night a 36-year-old man was slashed in the vestibule of an apartment house on the 300 block of Circle Avenue. He also refused to sign a complaint, and was taken to Oak Park Hospital for 19 stitches to his shoulder. He had a turn of mind, appeared at the station house the next day and was told to return the following morning because warrants for the arrest couldn’t be signed till then. That’s when he didn’t show up. Just another night shift at police headquarters.

From the July 15, 1987, Forest Park Review

Ten Years Ago

I heard this joke-it’s short and clean and, with any luck, you might think it’s funny:

A duck waddles into a drug store and orders a tube of ChapStick. As the clerk places it on the counter, the duck, asks “Would you put it on my bill?”

From no particular issue of the Forest Park Review