On Monday, June 20, at 5:15 in the morning, summer will officially arrive. So have a great one.
In the meantime, let’s be thankful that much of the primary campaigning is over. You might remember that Hillary Rodham grew up and went to school in our neighboring suburb of Park Ridge. Her husband, Bill Clinton, former president, was nearly born right here in Forest Park. You probably knew that, but in case you didn’t, here’s the story:
His father came to Chicago looking for a job. He got one and found a home in Forest Park, put a down payment on it, and started driving back to Arkansas to get his pregnant wife and bring her to Forest Park. On the way back, he was involved in a fatal car accident. End of Bill’s Forest Park story. But if Hillary does get elected, Forest Park can say it figures prominently in the history of the U.S. as well as the history of the Clintons and Forest Park.
Here you see charming Scarlett Strickland with her equally charming mother, Alison Fyhrie as they appeared in Scarlett’s aunt’s wedding at St. Petronelle Church in Glen Ellyn. As lovely as little Scarlett looks, she hated that scratchy dress and had to be fed jelly beans to keep her tranquil. Scarlett’s daddy is Adam Strickland, whose wedding duties included the jelly bean detail. The bride, Aunt Emily, married Jim Sobie on that very hot Friday, June 10.
Lucas and Julian Apilado visited town recently with their father, Ron Apilado, a former Forest Park resident and graduate of our schools. The boys came to town to visit their “Lola,” Elizabeth Apilado, and grandfather Honor Apilado of Circle Avenue. Ron reminisced about his school days with Sue Giblin, Danny Novak, and a host of others. He was a good friend of the Huynh family as well.
The village has some exciting trips planned from the Community Center this summer. Those trips fill up fast, but there are usually a few cancellations so don’t give up. Call 771-7737 and get your reservation in fast.
Belated sympathy to the family of John Giura of River Forest, a dear friend of many Forest Parkers. The Giuras, John and his wife Sylvia, are generous donors to many causes, among them the Symphony of Oak Park-River Forest
Thursday, June 16, is Bloom’s Day [from the novel Ulysses by James Joyce], so remember to observe it. It’s also the birthday of Kucy Liu, and the anniversary of Payton and Maddux Collins, and Kathy and Jerry Walton.
Also celebrating birthdays this week are Tim Grams, Louie Politis, Joanne Pinotti, Robert Dravillas, Emily Mynti, Carol Ralph, Jane Hseu, Trevor LaPoint, Art Gray, Maria Willinger, Tracy Aleksy, Angela Hodges, John Fabbrini, and Sydney Gray.
Happy anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. William Chen, Millie and Ben Spinelli, Jill and Brian Hosty, John and Jenny Kuehl, Mel and Mary Block, and Danny and Diane Mohr.
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.
