You probably never heard the ending of the story of Diogenes, who went out with a lamp at high noon looking for an honest man. Several thousand years later, he found our former mayor, Fred Marunde. Pictured at right, here is Fred with his wife, Roberta. The Marundes came back to Forest Park to spend time with their daughter, Chris. Fred recovered from serious heart surgery, Roberta is having foot troubles. But, in general, life is pretty good now. They like living in Florida.
Congratulations to Dixie Quitsch on her award from the village recognizing her family’s 80 years in the florist business. Mayor Calderone presented Dixie with the award and the proclamation was read by Village Clerk Vanessa Moritz, and recorded as part of Forest Park’s history. Family members who attended the occasion were Nedra Wentland and Bruce Paugh.
The 88th annual German-American Fest and the 44th annual von Steuben Parade will be held Sept. 5, 6 and 7 at Lincoln, Leland and Western avenues. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday from Irving Park road north to Eastwood, west to Western Avenue, then north to Lawrence. There will be lots of bouncy, happy music, dancing, singing, drinking and food. Our Harlem Men’s and Women’s Choir will be providing entertainment, food and drink. The National German Day celebration will take place at Saint Benedict’s Church, 2515 W. Irving Park, Chicago on Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m.
It may be a bit late to make plans this year, but next year you might enjoy a trip to New Glarus, Wis., for the Wilhelm Tell Festival. The entire work is reenacted outdoors with woods for a backdrop, and features real horses, real cattle, alpine horns, a cast of hundreds of adults, and a real apple on a real kid’s head! It’s even got the “William Tell Overture.” Peter and Isabell Herdeg, former Forest Parkers and natives of Switzerland, have participated in this great drama for about 30 years. For more information contact the festival organizers at 800-527-6838.
Boulevard Fine Art & Custom Framing will present the Forest Park Arts Fest Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the 7300 and 7400 blocks of Madison Street.
Peanuts! Peanuts! Peanuts! Mark the days on your calendar – Sept. 25, 26 27, 28 – when your local Kiwanians will greet you with a smile, a bag of peanuts and ask for a donation. All Kiwanis money goes to worthy children’s charities.
On Sept. 4 say happy birthday to Marc Neumann, Veronica Barjas, Jack Brennan, Jodi Giblin , Maryann Fabrini, Larry Steinback; on the 5th, David Kazar, Todd Brower; Sept. 6, Toni Terrano, Amanda Koehne, Nicholas Garlisch, Michael Dillon Clifton, Heather Webb, Lynn Mazzone; on the 7th, John Michael Deering, Millie Mango; Sept. 8, Aaron Bakartis, Todd Marler, Christine Carr, Joey Carr; on Sept. 9, Clayton Davis, Kirk Scully, Karen Conway Kurey, John Erickson; Sept. 10, happy anniversary to Lois and Tony Calderone and happy birthday to Rick Steffanie and Lily O’Neill.
Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.
