Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How an early village president helped shape today’s Forest Park
Make time for The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon. on the Forest Park Patch calendar

Greetings Forest Park! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How an early village president helped shape today’s Forest Park
Also on today's calendar: The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon. and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Forest Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Forest Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Cooler with spotty drizzle, with a high of 42 and low of 37 degrees.
- Friday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., temps: high: 47, low: 38.
- Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 49 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Arthur Kistenbroker, early village president with fans and foes (forestparkreview.com) — A look back at early village president Arthur Kistenbroker highlights how Harlem, now Forest Park, weathered a deadly diphtheria epidemic, financial shortfalls, and fights over sewers and utilities. The story traces his family’s immigrant roots, business by Forest Home Cemetery, and their role in bringing decorated Christmas trees to what became Forest Park.
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📸 Around Forest Park
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Forest Park
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon.
2:30 pm - Lunch & Learn
West Central SDA Church, 1154 Wisconsin Ave, Oak Park
12:30 pm
Thursday January 1
Saturday January 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Audio Booth Reservation
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
10:00 am - Hagar's Song
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
1:00 pm - One-on-One Small Business Consulting
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
1:00 pm - New Normal @ Robert's Westside [FREE]
Robert's Westside , 7321 Madison St , Forest Park
6:30 pm - Audio Booth Reservation
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
9:00 am - Free State of Illinois Basset Training Class
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
12:00 pm - Paul & Karen Smith-Calhoun Library
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
1:00 pm - Audio Booth Reservation
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
9:30 am - Master Bespoke Tailor Launches Hands-On Fashion Classes at E.W.S. Fashion Academy, est. 1995
137 N Oak Park Ave , Oak Park
9:00 am
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Monday December 29
Saturday January 3
📣 Forest Park Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Winter Break
Riverside SD 96 Riverside, IL 60546 - Kwanzaa Begins
Village of Bellwood , 3200 Washington Blvd , Bellwood - Hagar's Song
Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
1:00 pm - Legopalooza Open Lego Play
Riverside Public Library , 1 Burling Rd , Riverside
10:00 am
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Forest Park PatchAM possible:
- Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (630) 248-1976
Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming… - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Oak Park Conservatory — (708) 725-2400
Discover Oak Park’s Hidden Gem – A living world of beauty
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Illinois Staffing posted a job opening for Forklift Operator - Part-Time - Night Shift in Forest Park. Apply here.
- Hawk CDJR Fiat posted a job opening for Automotive Sales Porter in Forest Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Forest Park here.
🗞 Nearby News
River Forest
- Defining impartiality (oakpark.com)
- Karen Croyle, 44 (oakpark.com)
- SLF Call For Artists: Illustration Of The Year 2026 (file770.com)
Oak Park
- Oak Park documentarian covers ICE, Border Patrol and 4th amendment (oakpark.com)
- Senior Living Community Gets Best Of 2025 Nomination (patch.com)
Western Springs
Ok Forest Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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