When the Forest Park Review hosted a subscription contest in 1958, it was a Concordia College sophomore from the 100 block of Rockford whose perseverance and door-to-door knocking got her the first prize. Miss Barbara Beck was awarded a brand new Ford Tudor, for her efforts, besting 19 other subscription competitors.
Bonnie Howard, whose phone solicitations convinced locals to purchase subscriptions, was rewarded with second place and a $1,000 check. Mrs. Carl Loyd of the 300 block of Circle who took home the third place honor and $500.
In 1958, the Forest Park Review was the only local newspaper in town and had a weekly circulation of 3,700 papers. Claude A. Walker was the editor and publisher and had a weekly column “Personal Observations.”
The subscription contest resulted in nearly 1,000 new subscriptions and Walker wrote, “The contest didn’t do my nervous system any good and I heaved a sigh of relief when the contestants gathered in my office last Thursday morning and received their awards.”
He went on to say, “Of course the contest could not have been a success had it not been for the support of the good folks in Forest Park and sincere thanks are offered. Now if advertisers start a deluge in our direction, everyone will be happy.”
