Forty years ago
The following Help Wanted ad is not meant to mock the current recession and unemployment situation. Maybe it’s just a wistful reminder of a healthier economy in a simpler time. So take heart-the economy goes in cycles. You gotta believe!
GOOD JOBS NEAR HOME
Ovaltine (right here in your neighborhood!) needs men for good, permanent jobs. You don’t need experience-we train you while you earn. You don’t have to allow for travel time-we’re just minutes away from most of you. And you can pick any of the three shifts you like best. Any man able and healthy between the ages of 18 and 60.
Apply Personnel Department-Open Wednesdays 8:30 to 4 p.m.
OVALTINE FOOD PRODUCTS One Ovaltine Court, Villa Park, Ill.
From the Nov. 7, 1968, Forest Park Review
Thirty years ago
Booze was a part of business in Forest Park before it was known as Harlem. In the summer of ’78, the village council ruled that taverns and restaurants serving beer, wine and liquor had to close an hour earlier because of late-night roistering and rowdyism. The shorter hours affected those serving as well as those served.
Three months later, as a quid pro quo arrangement, saloonkeepers and restaurant owners moved to restore the lost hour with an hour of “grace” during which none could enter while any customers present had the hour to “prepare their leave.” Part of the agreement would require each establishment to self-police for orderly closings.
From the Oct. 25, 1978, Forest Park Review
Twenty years ago
The story that won’t go away. Call it the Acme CSI-the chemical spill investigation that kept turning up new damning evidence that caused nearly a thousand residents at the south end of town to flee for fresh air.
Enough already about this? Au contraire. Too often, full reporting of a story like this isn’t complete unless someone dies. This didn’t happen. The “scene of the crime” was the 1400 block of Circle. Formaldehyde and other toxic gases were carried over a 12-square block area from Roosevelt to 16th and from Circle to Elgin. The latest evidence in the continuing investigation again pointed toward human error, rather than a systemic malfunction.
A letter of apology from the Acme Resin Corporation president was hand-delivered to all residents in the affected area. In it, he said that three basic human errors were the cause of the accident: a water coolant system not fully turned on; a heating source not removed while the chemicals interacted; and too much catalyst used to induce a reaction. The Acme president absolutely assured that none of the chemicals escaped the plant, and only irritating, noisome fumes were released. Mayor Lorraine Popelka and the village attorney agreed on terms for Acme’s full damage reimbursement to the village and coverage to those hospitalized or given medical care.
From the Oct. 26, 1988, Forest Park Review
Ten years ago
It was 11:20 p.m. and the young man was affectionately expressing good-night to his girlfriend on the sidewalk. Two guys driving by on Madison stopped and commented on the tender scene. The young man broke off the embrace and invited the critics to step out of their car and repeat their comments. They parked their car and confronted the boyfriend. One of the advisors said he was a policeman, which was a ruse. The young man grappled with the would-be cop until both fell to the ground. When the young man lost his headlock on his adversary the two cruisers returned to their car and sped off.
And life picked up and carried on in its unpredictable fashion.
From the Nov. 4, 1998, Forest Park Review
