Forty Years Ago
Early 1968 mishmash from Ye Olde Editor Claude A. Walker’s “Personal Observations” column-a congregation of news, notes and names that fell into the cracks of 1967.
The city of Chicago issued 13 licenses for horse drawn vehicles. From St. Louis came a report of how popular night funerals were becoming. In one African-American parish all funerals were held at night. The pastor said, “We rarely have fewer than 400 people. If they were held in the morning there’d be no more than 25 attending.”
The Illinois Bar Association reminded those who recently moved to the state-or changed their address since last registration-to ask their village clerk when to register to vote for the presidential election. How did this play for you Feb. 5?
The University of Mississippi offered an all-girl karate class. How did this play for Ye Olde Editor? “It was a waste of time,” he reacted. “I believe women are too emotional to protect themselves against a man who is attacking her.” Oh yeah? You don’t have to be Robbie Gould to make a well-placed kick.
From the Jan. 11, 1968, Forest Park Review
Thirty Years Ago
“Drane Confident Only One Cop in Bribery Case.” With a headline like that, you have to be satisfied with small gains. Taking a page from the George W. Bush Bible of Cliches, Police Chief Richard Drane said he was “confident” that only one Forest Park police officer had been involved in a bribery and theft case to be prosecuted by the state’s attorney’s office. Drane took issue with another newspaper’s allegations that any second officer was involved or under investigation in the matter.
Juvenile Officer J. Robert Hanson, a four-year veteran, was charged with two counts of bribery and one count of theft by threat. He was out on a $4,000 bond. Recently moved to Hillside, Hanson was arrested there the previous week when he demanded money from a person for keeping information about the person under wraps. The victim alerted the state’s attorneys office to witness the transfer of the demanded sum-$2,000. The shakedown and arrest took place in the parking lot of the Hillside Holiday Inn. (The name of the second accused officer was not disclosed since no evidence was uncovered to substantiate the allegations of the other newspaper.)
From the Dec. 28, 1977, Forest Park Review
Twenty Years Ago
In the matter of the suspicious disappearance of the Forest Park Review bound book binder of 20 years ago, you will be meted out yet another portion of Strange Names of Real People. Yes. Y Tu Mama Tambien … Leka Zog … Tremel Sledge … Euripides Pentz … Zyg Stutz … Ferne Cherne … Yasmine Bleethe … Illinois Flipping … Wanda Gag.
From the missing pages of 1987
Ten Years Ago
Here’s another past headline: “Main Street Finally Making Progress.” So ran the banner in late 1997. There were concerns that the Main Street Redevelopment Association might fall short of its grand scheme to transform old Madison Street from Harlem Avenue to Desplaines Avenue into the pulsing, rejuvenated, parking-friendly and new business-oriented artery it’s become.
According to Art Jones, former school superintendent and executive vice president of the Forest Park Bank, the association-a volunteer group-had been searching and finding ways to further grow the economy of the area since its inception in 1996. New business blood was continuing to pump into the heart of town. He commented that all Main Street committees were active and meeting on a regular basis; that its goals remained high and its members committed.
Much credit still goes to Jones, who not so long ago moved from town with his wife. He deserves high praise for his vision, dedication and plain hard work. No timetable was set on the economic development of the Main Street mission, which even today is ongoing. Still, had you moved to Forest Park after the turn of this century, you might not be so aware of the difference.
From the Dec. 20, 1997, Forest Park Review
