Jerry Shnay

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Jerry Shnay

Park Forest’s new village manager, Jon Kindseth, was introduced to the public at Monday night’s Village Board meeting, although most of the meeting was spent honoring the man he is succeeding, Tom Mick. Kindseth, the eighth manager in the 76-year history of the community, spoke briefly and for most of the meeting heard the tributes to Mick while standing in the back of the crowded room.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Jerry Shnay

The plaques and photos that once covered much of the grey walls in his office are gone and his empty chair faces an inactive computer. There are no memos on his desk, and no one is waiting to see him. Tom Mick, who spent 27 years working in Park Forest and for 20 years as its village manager, has retired. Several years ago, former Mayor John Ostenburg said Tom Mick “was the finest municipal manager” in the state.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Jerry Shnay

For those of us of a certain generation, June 6 has a special meaning. It is and will always be D-Day, the day American and British forces stormed the beaches of France during World War II. As in past years, there will be few if any public memorials commemorating the events that took place that day 81 years ago. It was only one of numerous historic events that took place in four-plus years of worldwide conflictCasualties were high.

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Jerry Shnay

Two years ago, at a villagewide workshop that evolved into a master plan for Park Forest, numerous residents had their say about the future of the downtown area: what to build, what to tear down and what to save. The dormant Holiday movie theater on Main Street was on the keep list. And why not? For more than a generation, the cinema dominated the bustling outdoor plaza. The 1,050-seat theater opened Oct. 28,1950, as part of the Park Forest Shoppers Plaza.

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Jerry Shnay

There was a bird war going on in our backyard this spring between a family of sparrows and wrens over a nest. We liken it to the frustration of losing the last spot in a crowded parking lot to the driver ahead of you. Each year, a painted gourd made to house a wren family is hung on a metal pole in our yard. I am told it was specifically built for those chirpy little creatures, each of which, our bird book informs us, is about 4-inches long and weighs about 1 ounce.