The news of Nancy Bower’s death stunned everyone who knew her. Nancy was one of those unique people who make Forest Park Forest Park. The name of Nancy Bower will be forever linked with the name Judy Baar Topinka. How Nancy loved Judy, and her (Nancy’s) little “grandson” Anthony. Among her other favorites were Anthony Calderone, Andy Collis, and her boss Jesse White among many others. The Kiwanis was exclusively a man’s club and Nancy was the first woman invited into the Forest Park Kiwanis. She worked very hard for that organization. Loyalty was one of Nancy’s most notable qualities. She will be long remembered in this town.
Old timers may remember Millie Mango. Several years ago one of Millie’s daughters took her to California. Millie loved her little house here in Forest Park and was heartbroken when she had to leave. She died September 9th, two days after her 91st birthday.
During October, the Oak Park Spooky Tales Tours will conduct haunted tours “Squeals on Wheels” using Oak Park Segway, Greenline Wheels, and Rickshaw Rick have partnered up for several evenings of a glimpse into the darker side of this seemingly quaint part of the world. Family friendly tours will leave from Oak Park Segway on Saturday and Sunday nights. Those unable to travel by bike or Segway can ride in a rickshaw driven by Rickshaw Rick himelf. Call 708.725.7170 or 708 574.1134 or go on line oakparksegway.com to make a reservation.
On Wednesday October 17 at 7 p.m. Centuries & Sleuths bookstore will pair up with deedee & edee’s at 7415 Madison for some unusual viewing and listening. “Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler: A Memoir” by Trudi Kanter will give you a night you’ll long remember. The books are available for purchase at 7419 Madison.
It’s hard for an old-timer like me to think of Bill McKenzie as a grandfather but it’d true. Bill and his wife Lorinda recently returned from a trip to Disneyworld with their grandsons Luke and Logan Ellickson . (I’m still calling Bill “Billy”).
A real treasure in town is the Gasse School of Music which will present an Opus Three Piano Trio in recital on Oct. 21, 4 p.m. at Saint John Church, 305 Circle. Dr. Gasse is a world-renowned cellist who holds a degree from the Conservatorio Provincal de Musica de la Provincia e Cordoba, Argentina.
He has served as principal cellist of the Kankakee Valley Symphony for 18 years and currently plays with the Symphony of Oak Park River Forest. He has performed with orchestras in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and the U.S. We are indeed fortunate to have such accomplished musicians in our midst as the Gasses. Mrs. Sarah Gasse is equally accomplished and is co-founder of the Gasse School of Music in Forest Park. She is a native of Sunderland, England and attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow, Scotland and Glasgow University where she was awarded a BA in musical studies. The third member of the trio is Hulya Alapakin-Luethi, a native of Turkey who hold a degree in piano performance and an Artist Diploma from Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. In the meantime plan to hear these remarkable musicians at Saint John, October 21st when they perform an international themed concert including works by Melody Bober, U.S.; composer, Astor Paizzola; Argentina, Andrew Baker; England , Mendelsohn; Germany and a world premier performance of Turkish composer, Utku, Asuruglu, “What’s Up Vivaldi?” for viola cello and piano.
This week’s birthday celebrants are Morgan Hosty, Judy Arnold, Kevin Doss, Lily O’Neill, Riley Johnson, Mark Hosty, Eve Dudzik, Bernice Abbott, Donna Eggers, Barbara Sedlak, Nicholas Radkiewicz, Kim Dorner, John Rice, Anna Snyder, Patrick Sullivan, Georgia Becker, Jack Vainisi, Jim Murray, Laurie Kokenes, Luke Ellickson, Jullian Dorney, Rich Barger, Pat Mullen, Hannah Fink. Happy anniversary to Carol and David Fagan.
