by James L. Garretson  March 19, 1998

Elaine and I and our then four children came to Park Forest in November, 1949. I had been in Cook County since early 1949 and had made the acquaintance of one Park Forester, Tony Scariano. Soon after our arrival, he and his good wife had all of us to their house for dinner. We occupied our then new townhouse until May, 1990 -- for over 40 years. I was 49, almost 50, when we moved in and 80 when we moved away. Elaine was three years younger.

Elaine taught piano for nearly 40 years and acted in many plays for Park Forest Playhouse and Chicago Heights Drama Group and she directed many for each. I held every elected office in the village except Village President from 1953 until 1974. I was never defeated. I also served on the Park Forest Public Library Board for many years. What a wonderful, gratifying experience it was for us to live in the beautiful village of Park Forest.

(James writes from Dallas, TX)