11 minute read
Big Week
January 19-26 BIG WEEK
Native landscape design
Learn how to create an eco-friendly garden with the Conservation@Home team from the University of Illinois in this virtual course hosted by the Forest Park Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 3 to 4 p.m.
The Cook County Conservation@Home sta will share techniques to turn your landscaped lawn into a “healthy and sustainable space with a focus on native plant selection as well as good design practices.”
Pre-registration is requested and can be done by emailing mcline@fppl.org. Registrants will be emailed a Zoom meeting link the day before the event.
Make a mini comic
Head on over to the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., with your most creative ideas in order to put a comic strip down on paper — a single piece of paper, in fact — on
Friday, Jan. 21 from 4 to 5 p.m.
In this class, led by the youth services sta , students will be taught to make a one-page comic of their choosing. And don’t worry if you don’t have an idea — librarians will be there to help inspire you to “use your imagination and, most importantly, have fun!”
This in-person session is open to kids age 8 to 13 years old (or at least old enough to not have adult supervision). Anyone with accessibility needs is urged to call 708-689-6126 or email ys@fppl.org before attending.
Laser Queen
Freddie Mercury and his bandmates in Queen get their intergalactic due at the Cernan Earth and Space Center on the campus of Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave. in River Forest, on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8:30 to
9:30 p.m.
The latest Cosmic Light Show is titled Laser Queen and features a 13-song playlist littered with Queen’s greatest hits and guaranteed to “have you lip syncing and playing air guitar throughout the show,” according to the organizers.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, and free for Triton College students, faculty and sta .
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Frozen Castle Party
All of your favorite winter princesses will invade the mansion for one night of cold-weather fun, involving games and what has been called “the coolest dance party in town” on Friday, Jan. 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave. in Oak Park.
Individually packaged snacks and treats are available to each guest. The event is priced at $30 per couple, with an additional fee for extra guests. Parents must accompany their 4- to 8-year-old children.
Craft and walk
Adults and children age 5 and older are invited to the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, to get outdoors, take a hike and make a fun, easy craft on Saturday, Jan.
22 at 1:30 p.m.
This week’s craft is an ice sun catcher and in order to make the craft come together, participants will be crafting rst. The hike will then follow while the sun catcher’s ice freezes into place.
Registration is required for this event and a spot can be booked by calling 708-366-6530. All visitors age 2 and older must wear a mask when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Forest Park St. Patrick’sForest Park St. Patrick’s Day parade to return after Day parade to return after pandemic hiatus pandemic hiatus
Organizers were forced to cancel two proposed dates Organizers were forced to cancel two proposed dates in 2021 due to COVID-19; this year’s event scheduled in 2021 due to COVID-19; this year’s event scheduled for March 5for March 5
By ANDY VIANO By ANDY VIANO EditorEditor
The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce has announced that the village’s 26th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration will return in 2022, with revelers invited to hit Madison Street for all the festivities on Saturday, March 5.
The 2020 edition of the parade was one of the last events in Forest Park before the COVID-19 pandemic reached Chicagoland, and organizers tried on two separate occasions to hold a 2021 event before being forced to cancel, once in March and again in September.
In an email to chamber members earlier this month, Executive Director Laurie Kokenes touted the success of the 2021 Casket Races and Holiday Walk — both of which were nixed in 2020 for safety reasons — as a reminder of the important role events like these play for the business and larger communities.
“We were able to bring joy and some much-needed fun to the business community and all of Forest Park,” Kokenes wrote.
The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce “The events brought people to town and into has announced that the village’s 26th annu- our businesses.” al St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration In the past, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will return in 2022, with revelers invited to has drawn thousands of people to downhit Madison Street for all the festivities on town Forest Park, serving as one of the Saturday, March 5. village’s most important and well-attended
The 2020 edition of the parade was one of gatherings. the last events in Forest Park before the CO- The chamber is seeking sponsorship partVID-19 pandemic reached Chicagoland, and ners for the event and has also opened paorganizers tried on two separate occasions rade registration. The 1 p.m. parade runs to hold a 2021 event before being forced to along Madison Street, beginning at Van cancel, once in March and again in Septem- Buren Street and traveling east to Elgin Avber. enue.
In an email to chamber members earlier For more information, visit exploreforestthis month, Executive Director Laurie Ko- park.com. kenes touted the success of the 2021 Casket Races and Holiday Walk — both of which were nixed in 2020 for safety reasons — as a reminder of the important role events like these play for the business and larger communities. “We were able to bring joy and some much-needed fun to the business community and all of Forest Park,” Kokenes wrote. “The events brought people to town and into our businesses.” In the past, the St. Patrick’s Day parade has drawn thousands of people to downtown Forest Park, serving as one of the village’s most important and well-attended gatherings. The chamber is seeking sponsorship partners for the event and has also opened parade registration. The 1 p.m. parade runs along Madison Street, beginning at Van Buren Street and traveling east to Elgin Avenue. For more information, visit exploreforestpark.com.
FILEFILE e Forest Park Chamber of e Forest Park Chamber ofCommerce is hoping to holdCommerce is hoping to holdthe annual St. Patrick’s Day the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March.Parade in March.
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Sculptor brought to life by small-town historians
Never underestimate the power of smalltown historians. Thanks to the late Dr. Frank Orland, the statue “The Death of Cleopatra” was rescued from obscurity. Another small-town historian, Bobbi Reno, led the efforts to honor the statue’s sculptor, Edmonia Lewis.
Reno heads the historical society in Lewis’ hometown of East Greenbush, New York. Her championing of the Native American/African American sculptor has culminated in The United States Postal Service (USPS) issuing an Edmonia Lewis Black Heritage Forever Stamp on Jan. 26.
The Black Heritage stamp series began in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman. Over the years, the series has honored Black leaders, inventors, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, athletes and entertainers. Lewis is the first internationally recognized Black American sculptor to be honored.
The Lewis stamp took years of effort to be issued. Reno had never heard of Lewis, who was born in East Greenbush in 1844, until an acquaintance told her of the acclaimed sculptor. Reno immediately began researching Lewis. Her biggest discovery was Lewis’ grave in London’s St. Mary’s Cemetery. When she saw how neglected the gravesite was, she raised funds to have it restored.
Her next campaign was to have a stamp issued to honor Lewis. In 2019, she completed the application to the USPS. She had the backing of the local legislature, which issued a proclamation honoring Lewis. In July 2020, she learned the USPS was considering issuing the stamp.
Each year, the USPS receives about 30,000 suggestions for stamp ideas. Only 25-30 of these are sent to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee. The committee reviews the suggestions and makes their recommendations to the Postmaster General. It takes at least three years for the committee to complete its work before the stamp is released. Reno was thrilled to hear the stamp would be issued.
The portrait of Lewis on the stamp is based on a photograph that was taken of her between 1864 and 1871. It was painted by Alex Bostic, who was commissioned by the USPS in 2019. Lewis resonated with him, partly because he is also a Black artist. He purposely gave Lewis a look of determination. Reno would approve of his depiction because she has published a children’s book titled, Edmonia Lewis: A Sculptor of Determination and Courage.
Bostic will be attending the ceremony in D.C. The unveiling of his portrait and the dedication of the stamp will be done by Dr. Joshua D. Colin a USPS official. The ceremony is open to the public and will take place in the presence of the “Death of Cleopatra.” The statue rests on a wooden pedestal that bears a plaque: “A
Gift from the Forest Park Historical Society.” The USPS is issuing 35 million Edmonia Lewis stamps. They are “Forever” stamps, which are equal in value to the current First Class stamp. They will be for sale at post offices on June 26, including the Forest Park facility. Felicia Lott, a senior PR representative for the USPS said, “Our stamps are miniature works of art that represent JOHN the best of America — our history, diversity, accomplishments and sucRICE cesses.” The stamp will raise the public’s awareness of Lewis and may promote the cultural profiles of Forest Park and East Greenbush. The towns have similar demographics. Both are densely populated with about 15,000 residents. Our small-town historian is responsible for rescuing Lewis’ greatest work, while theirs was successful in having Lewis receive the honor she has long deserved. Now it’s up to us to spread the legacy of Edmonia Lewis and teach our children about a celebrated sculptor and her masterpiece which were both rescued from obscurity. John Rice is a columnist/novelist who has seen his family thrive in Forest Park. He has published two books set in the village: “The Ghost of Cleopatra” and “The Doll with the Sad Face.”
PROVIDED A U.S. Postal Service stamp featuring Edmonia Lewis.
A L OOK BA CK IN TIME
Church invites community to see MLK speak
By JILL WAGNER
Contributor
In the January 26, 1961 edition of the Forest Park Review, a notice was placed from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church to remind the community that the Senior League was taking a trip to listen to Martin Luther King, who was appearing at the Sunday Evening Club at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.
Dr. King appeared at the Sunday Evening Club on seven occasions: Jan. 12, 1958; April 19, 1959; Feb. 21, 1960; Jan. 29, 1961; April 15, 1962; Jan. 27, 1963; March 14, 1965.
The Senior League at St. Peters would repeat the trip in the future years.
The Historical Society of Forest Park is interested in learning more about these trips and the follow up discussions in the community. Please email forestparkhistory1975@gmail. com if you have more information to share from St. Peter’s trips or discussions. e Jan. 26, 1961 edition of the Forest Park Review included an announcement about an upcoming speech and appearance by Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago.
