40 years ago
It was around here in June 1969. It may have been around at the dawn of recorded history when man first made marks in the Lascaux caves of France. “It” was pornography – and it may never go completely away.
Some of what Postmaster Mel Mader called “the most vile, atrocious examples” had been flooding the local mails for a month. He and the police department reported hundreds of calls from outraged citizens, with most of the callers voicing concern that their young children would be exposed to the garbage. At a recent convention of letter carriers, President Nixon was lauded for his efforts to drive the material out of the postal system. At home, Mayor Howard Mohr urged residents to wrap up and drop off the unwelcome trash (including envelopes) with Mader at the post office, then write to their congressman.
From the June 17, 1969, Forest Park Review
30 years ago
Here’s a feature taken from the wire services that ran in the Review. The headline was “Novel Insurance Claims,” and the point was that some people can really turn on their creative writing juices when it comes to filing a claim. These “real lifers” came from Aetna Insurance Co.
There was the report of a jailed drunk who tripped on his shoelace in his cell, knocking out a gold tooth. Or would you believe the sun worshipper who incurred chest burns from the hot exhaust of a dune buggy that (1) ran over him on the beach, then (2) rested atop him, engine idling, for 10 minutes. Finally, how could we forget about the two cops who caught four thieves emptying the contents of a home into a van. One of the quartet convinced the officers that he was the homeowner, recently divorced, and the others were friends helping out. The cops apologized and even offered some help. Post note: the real homeowner’s dog was also reported missing.
From the May 16, 1979, Forest Park Review
20 years ago
A 3-year-old boy named Andrew came to town. He was a Down’s syndrome child, lovable and alive with joy. His mother, Caroline Effgin, searched for special services he would need. Starting at our community center, she was referred to WSSRA, the West Suburban Special Recreation Association. Through their services Andrew joined a play group that, together, learned to create, communicate and problem-solve. His abilities allowed him to “mainstream” into preschool: then our park district and public schools were able to offer Andrew the same or similar helping programs.
Why this particular story? There are still other Andrews today. Our community center and WSSRA still helps these children and their parents.
From the May 17, 1989, Forest Park Review
10 years ago
The Great Wall of Forest Park, aka the Wall of Renown – you’ll find it at the bottom of the spiral staircase leading to the basement of our village hall. It honors Forest Park men and women who, in one way or another, gave more to our village than they took away. The following is not an exhaustive listing, but representative of the many whose photos are displayed and whose deeds are remembered. Stop by during normal village business hours and meet those of the past to whom we of the present are indebted.
Some of the more recent additions are those of Cindy Lyons, Marlene Quandt, Lorraine Popelka and Fred Marunde – the latter two, mayors B.C. (Before Calderone).
Other names may or may not ring familiar – Albert Roos, owner of the Roos Building … Henry, Howard and Roy Mohr, Forest Park’s first generational family of commerce and politics … Emery Parichy, pioneer of women’s professional softball and, arguably, proprietor of the original Baseball Hall of Fame … Vernon Reich, three-time mayor and state senator … Helen Imber, longtime teacher here, left her estate to the construction of our new library.
More to come.
From the April 24, 1999, Forest Park Review
