John Rice

When Catalina Gaete-Bentz was a young girl, she told her father, Julio Gaete, that she wanted to grow up to be a businesswoman. Her dad, a product of machismo culture, was opposed. When he said no, it lit a fire inside Catalina. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Catan Pisco.

If at first you don’t succeed … the Bears can probably use you at quarterback. Whatever doesn’t kill us … will expand our understanding of viruses. Many are complaining that living through the pandemic has aged them. I, for one, wish these complainers would speak up so I can hear them. I’m glad to see fathers who work from home spending more time with their kids … Back in my day, the dad had to be laid off.

Starting a business can be scary. Twenty percent of them fail during their first year. We congratulate those who make it. Dodgerie is a vintage clothing and homeware shop that opened at 408 Thomas on Aug. 27, 2023. Owner Catherine Dodgson is celebrating this first anniversary by participating in Forest Park’s Shop Small Crawl on Oct. 5.

Lucia Whalen is a comedian who was born and raised in this area. She had a very well-rounded upbringing, putting her energy into sports, acting and comedy. She started doing standup at the age of 23. Her career has culminated in being the headliner at Zanies on Oct. 21.

Dec. 21 is the winter solstice. It’s also the birthday of my childhood friend, Ed Wackrow. Ed and I have been friends since we were 7. We always made a big deal about Ed’s birthday. It was the kickoff to our Christmas celebration.

It was late-October and Forest Park Private Detective Sam Diamond sat in his shabby Madison Street office. His buzzer announced he had visitors, a middle-aged mother and her 12-year-old son. They introduced themselves as Blanche and Tommy.

Mike Chiappetta was a rule breaker. He didn’t abide by the “rule” that a white guy couldn’t step up for a Black family that needed help. It was January 1976 and Ezra Buckner had just bought the house at 1001 Ferdinand. Mike heard on the radio that the Buckners were suffering harassment, including bricks thrown through their windows.

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Two baby girls were recently born to our neighbors. Here is a primer for first-time parents, explaining the stages of childhood:

Years ago, a shopkeeper on Lake Street in Oak Park compared the heavy foot traffic there to the lack of shoppers on Madison Street in Forest Park. He declared, “Forest Park is a myth.” The newspaper immediately sent out a reporter to check on his claim.