40 years ago
What is so rare as a day in June 1969? A job in July 2009. Or even a help wanted ad like the one shown. You’ll search a long time these days to find one so folksy, friendly and downright quaint. Check out the copy: “At Motorola people always come first. That’s the way it should be – shouldn’t it?” And another line reads, “Openings now exist for girls…” Doesn’t that discriminate against women’s rights?
Also, how stylish can work be? And which of the four departments – engineering, marketing, sales or law – could be the most exciting? Or thrilling? Or exhilarating? We may have come a long way, baby, especially in today’s job market, and help wanted ads. But it’s never too late to take a rueful look back to the way it was, or may have been … or never really was.
From the June 4, 1969, Forest Park Review
30 years ago
Our village, like most, is a mix of one- and two-story residential homes, businesses and some 12- to 24-or-more unit hi-rises. The former will stay in the majority while hi-rises go up occasionally – yet not without the trepidation of some homeowners. Publisher-Editor Bob Haeger devoted an entire column to the subject, and answered one reader’s concern over a tall building on a bungalow block.
“People get naturally apprehensive when this happens,” he replied. “When enough people get apprehensive enough the matter goes before a zoning board, and protestors attend hearings. The Zoning Board of Appeals often gets sympathetic, and as many times as not recommends in favor of the hi-rise – often because of formal past approvals to build tall buildings. It’s called precedent,” said Haeger.
The village council then must ponder the ZBA’s recommendation, according to Haeger, who added that this could be a sticky situation for everybody in court should the council vote yes. What is ultimately needed, he said, is for the village administration to publicly state that further invasion of our residential neighborhoods will be met with the stiffest resistance. He concluded that “While most developers would prefer to avoid court, even more would be willing to work within the framework of local zoning laws.”
From the July 25, 1979, Forest Park Review
20 years ago
There used to be a dress store at 7316 Madison called the Elsye Shop. On a good day, it looked like a neglected museum. On a bad day, it resembled a long-forgotten burial vault. For years, outdated and sun-faded garments hung in the windows. The place was regarded as whimsical by the light-hearted, and a one-store slum by most others. It was the survivor of a much larger dry goods department store that occupied most of the Hain Building at that address that had succumbed to the Great Depression. Short story to long, lack of business, neglect and the ravages of time put a merciful end to the Elsye Shop in 1989.
From the May 31, 1989, Forest Park Review
10 years ago
We mentioned a roll call of some accomplished and admired Forest Park residents three issues ago. They were people who accomplished much, contributed a lot and, in short, gave so much more than they took that they are remembered on the Wall of Renown on the lower level of our village hall.
Established in March 1984 as part of our Centennial Celebration, the Wall originally honored 22 citizens. Their numbers have grown appreciably. In 1999, the following names were added: Mae Baldridge, 30 years a nurse in our public and parochial schools … Viola Gitzel, longtime library board president …Larry Kaercher, park district commissioner and Review editor … Friedrich “Fred” Marunde, popular two-time mayor.
Who next? dedicated library board president Orrin Thorsen … longtime village stalwart Art Jones … school superintendent Joe Scolari … Doctors Frank (village historian) and Phyllis Orland (a lifetime of care and service). Who got overlooked?
From the May 24, 1999, Forest Park Review
