Here we have a Forest Park icon, Kathy and Jim, the devoted couple who walk to the corner of Adams & Thomas each day, share a little kiss, then go off to their corners. Jim’s at the corner of Circle & Madison, Kathy’s at Thomas & Jackson. A legend in their own time.
Goodbye to Jimmy Cavanaugh, another legend in his own time. Though Jimmy was a Chicago South-sider, he spent his final years here in Forest Park and was a regular at the Short Stop. The boys at the Short Stop, good people like Mark Anderson and Will Mahoney, proved to be faithful friends; one regularly contributed $300 to him. Billy Sullivan and Frank Nee, meanwhile, visited him almost daily at Hines when Jimmy’s health declined.
The Historical Society of Forest Park would like you to join them as they continue their fall Halloween fun. On Oct. 17 a one hour walking tour of Concordia cemetery will feature victims of the Eastland disaster. Natalee Arteaga will take you back over 100 years ago to that fateful day. The $10 ticket will also get you a complimentary book. The society has many interesting and fun activities for you. On Oct. 18, at 4 p.m., after the Tale of the Tombstones Walk in Forest Home Cemetery, you have a choice: the Symphony of Oak Park-River Forest at Dominican University or an organ recital at St. John by Steven Wente. He will showcase (show off) the Aeolian Skinner organ with works by J.S. Bach, Durufle, and others.
One of our editors, Ken Trainor, has good reason to be proud of his son Dylan Trainor, a former Forest Park resident and now a Willowbrook police officer, who, with a partner, climbed 11 stories of a burning high-rise, to rescue a handicapped woman in a wheelchair. After they got her safely down, they climbed back up to rescue a man who was also unable to get himself down. Dylan makes us all proud.
On Oct. 25, the history discussion group at Centuries & Sleuths, 7419 Madison St., will present Black Count, the Glory, Revolution, and Betrayal – the Real Count of Monte Cristo by author Tom Reiss.
The Recipe Box at Dominican University invites you to its weekly dinner parties on Thursdays, 5 p.m. from now until Dec. 3. Call 708-524-6690 and make your reservation. The main course this week features tri-colored quinoa salad, chicken, and fruit salad with cinnamon tortilla chips. Make your reservation each week no later than Monday at 5 p.m. However, if there are openings, they may be able to accommodate you.
The November/December trips with the Community Center have arrived in the mail. Get your reservations in early because, as you know, these trips fill up fast. The group is off to Long Grove on Nov. 4 where they’ll visit the many unique shops there and enjoy lunch at the Tavern Inn. On the 11th, it’s Drury Lane and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. If you’re lucky, you may just get to be in on the “Mystery Trip” on Nov. 19. The center also offers AARP driver safety program on Oct. 15 and 16. Registration is required. The classes begin at 9 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. You get an insurance discount if you pass this course. A free Rules of the Road class is also offered on Monday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. until noon. Call the center at 708-771-7737.
Happy birthday to Nicholas Radkiewicz, Kim Dorner, Patrick Sullivan, Jack Vainisi, Jim Murray, Laurie Kokenes, Luke Erickson, John Rice, Patrick Mullen, Roc Pruitt, Susan Blazek, Catherine Trieber, Fred Schildt, and Tim Bode.
Happy anniversary to Carol Ann and David Fagan, and Mike and Debbie Espinoza.
Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.
