40 years ago

Teenage recreation in Forest Park has been a challenging issue for decades. Where to go? What to do? Who’s going to object? It’s not such a hot item today, with Internet overkill and some better planned sports and activities programs.

Back in 1968, the village council said no to an application from Louis Monaco of Elmwood Park, to establish a teen club at 800 Desplaines Ave. His letter explained that he intended to furnish an orchestra, offer soft drinks and provide a place where teens could enjoy themselves. Council members were unanimous in voting the idea down, citing past failed attempts.

One member pointed out that in the late 1940s the recreation board gave its approval for a social gathering of teens at a venue near Madison and Marengo. In spite of dancers being chaperoned, some boys were spiking drinks and “in no time a near riot broke out.” A few years later the park district sponsored a youth social activity at the park building. When word got around that young people from other suburbs were “crashing,” police had to break up some fights.

Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth. Does youth sometimes corrupt itself?

From the Oct. 31, 1968, Forest Park Review

30 years ago

Back in the 1970s and ’80s, when this paper would have a little space left over, a humorous “filler” would find its way in. Like the following from Zoo Comics: Zoo visitors were amazed recently to see a cage containing a lion and some lambs. “Coexistence” read the sign in front. Pressed on the issue, the zoo director replied that there was nothing novel about the practice. “We just add a few fresh lambs every now and then,” he explained.

Sometimes the filler was informational and illustrated:

The gardenia is named not for where it grows, but after the botanist, Alexander Garden. (Aside from poker champion Chris Moneymaker, what are the chances of a botanist being named Garden?)

From the Oct. 4, 1978, Forest Park Review

20 years ago

You may recall the tragic collision reported in this column seven or eight issues ago. A mother was driving southbound on the 1000 block of Desplaines Avenue when her car skidded on an oil slick and was broadsided by a northbound vehicle, killing her 4-year-old son. The accident happened on the curve you may navigate every day. A contributing cause was a smooth, worn surface. The proposed solution was a skid-proof replacement section.

You may know that the wheels of government can roll slowly. The accident took place in August. Mayor Popelka and then state senator Judy Baar Topinka were notified in September by IDOT that resurfacing and grading bids might be complete before the year was out. If not, then whenever winter weather allowed.

From the Sept. 30, 1988, Forest Park Review

10 years ago

The memory of Cindy Lyons, who died Aug. 18, 1998, was still fresh in the minds of most residents 10 weeks later. People, businesses and civic organizations all warmed to ideas to memorialize her. Many had responded to Cindy in her social service role, as well as her friendly, genuine and caring style. Others, who might otherwise be considered “cases,” were looked on by her as “people to be helped.”

It followed that many who were served by Cindy wanted her to be remembered. As a result, a surplus of suggestions came to the village hall-that she not be forgotten. A plaque among others on Forest Park’s Wall of Fame … a stretch of Jackson Boulevard adjacent to the community center to be named in her honor … a shelter to be erected by the center in her name … and the annual Forest Park health fair to be renamed the Cindy Lyons Health Fair.

From the Oct. 28, 1998, Forest Park Review