Forest Park Review, March 30, 2022
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Ah, spring! The signs are everywhere bottom of the ocean to the peak of Mt. Everest. Micro-plastics are appearing in human blood streams. Isn’t it time we switch to refillable containers? ■ Restaurants are reopening their outdoor seating, park benches are being used. Soon, lounging on lawn chairs will replace collapsing on couches. ■ Athletic activity has returned to The Park. Some are sore from playing sports. But it’s that good kind of soreness that reminds us, hey, the limbs still work. ■ Garden hoses are being reconnected, cars are clean again, and some extremists are even washing windows. ■ Face masks are disappearing. We no longer have to smile with just our eyes. ■ After the lightning speed of hockey and the quickness of basketball, we once again have to adjust to the snail pace of baseball. ■ The name may not be hip but many of us are looking forward to the return of Groovin’ in the Grove. ■ Shorts are being worn again, exposing pale skin that may be blinding. ■ Thermal underwear is going out of style. Parkas are being retired. Boots are
igns of spring abound in Forest Park — most of them are encouraging: ■ Pink vehicle stickers are sprouting on windshields. ■ Yellow and blue signs are sprouting on lawns. They say “We Stand with Ukraine.” O’Sullivan’s is distributing them in exchange for a $10 donation. The money goes to YUCO, which stands for Youth Ukraine Camp Organization. ■ New restaurant bars are popping up along Madison Street. ■ Thanks to the return of sunshine, some of us are sprucing up our ghostlike appearance with a little third-degree sunburn. ■ Grills are being fired up, bike tires are being pumped up and TVs are being turned off. ■ Branches are budding, puddles are puddling, and bird feeders are busy. ■ Homeowners are making the tough choice of planting grass seed or putting down sod to cover the mud with a toupee. ■ Empty plastic water bottles are popping up on sidewalks and lawns. Plastic has contaminated the planet from the
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no longer mandatory. ■ Forest Parkers returning from spring break vacations have only one question on their minds, “Why?” ■ Teachers, students and school bus drivers are counting down the days. ■ Windows are opening, fresh air is flowing. Can putting out the porch furniture be far behind? ■ Outdoor tours are coming, while indoor concerts and plays and audiences have finally returned. ■ Neighbors who haven’t seen each other in months will get reacquainted. ■ Summer blockbusters are coming. Will they ever stop making superhero movies? ■ It’s no longer getting dark at 5:30. ■ Backyard parties are returning but may require a fire. ■ Sox fans are right to be excited, while some Cub fans continue to be delusional. ■ Primaries are coming and it’s exciting to get campaign fliers in the mail. ■ Cardinals are singing, but I’ll settle for a sparrow. ■ Bees and butterflies will make a comeback. Can’t wait for mosquitoes. ■ Deer-sightings will increase and skunks will make their presence known. ■ Taking walks will be a pleasure instead of a trudge. Ah, spring!
REVIEW Editor Andy Viano Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
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Michael Todd’s final resting place By JILL WAGNER Contributor
Actress Elizabeth Taylor’s third husband, Oscarwinning film producer Michael Todd, died suddenly in a plane crash on March 22, 1958. His funeral took place at his final resting place at Beth Aaron Cemetery in Waldheim in Forest Park three days later. The Review reported, “Chief Joe Cortion and his entire staff of 40 policemen kept the crowd in order.” It was estimated that, “over 2, 000 people gathered around the roped enclosure ... and no less than 150 newspaper men, photographers and news commenters milled around inside the roped area.” Over the next decades, Elizabeth Taylor would be seen in town at restaurants including the Golden Steer, when she would visit her late husband.
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Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $30 per year. $44 for two years, $60 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $38 per year.
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