For the first time in a quarter century, the annual Historical Society cemetery walk was rained out, thanks to Sunday’s deluge. “I guess after 25 straight years without a washout, the law of averages caught up to us,” said Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest. Undaunted, they will try again this Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. inside the gates of Forest Home Cemetery on Desplaines Avenue in Forest Park.
The theme of this year’s “Tales of the Tombstones” is “Immigrants: They Get the Job Done,” focusing on six stories, brought to life by 11 actors:
A German man and a Russian woman who helped improve working conditions for many American workers
A German immigrant who showed his love of his adopted country by serving in World War I. What sacrifices did he face?
A Swedish immigrant who spearheaded the growth and development of the Park District of Oak Park
A resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood who overcame a great personal loss and devoted herself to improving the lives of immigrants in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood
Five immigrant stories that encapsulate the dreams of generations of newcomers across many parts of the globe and many cultures and nations, plus a Roma woman who will share some cultural traditions and speak about a proud group who have never fully assimilated or been welcomed with open arms.
Ken Trainor
