To the Editor:
I just finished reading a long list of comments about the flaws, memories of what used to be from former and current Park Foresters on Facebook. I have lived here only 20 years and have always marveled at its history, diversity (one of my comments to my friends is: you never know what color will come out a door).
To the person who listed some of the ethnic groups, I want to add this bit of information. There were also Koreans, especially one bright young girl who went to Illinois School. Her name is Linda Sue Park. She spent her Saturdays at the slanted table in the children’s room of the Park Forest Library while her father did his reading and study in the adult section.
Linda grew up to become a prize-winning children’s author. One of her books won the coveted Newbery Award. Another about Mulberry trees tells in a fictional style her experiences growing up in Park Forest.
Yes, she experienced some racial negativity, but grew through it.
A few years ago, she inscribed a copy of her book to the "children and people of Park Forest and Park Forest Public Library, my favorite library in the whole world." Check the book out in the Library, it was there the last time I checked.
Park Forest, because it is a dynamic living place, will always have room for improvement, but then, that is our responsibility living in a community with lively grass roots activity.
I’m very happy I found this place.
Chrys Rudnik
Park Forest
P.S. The two books by Linda Sue Park to which I refer in my first are these: A Single Shard (Newbery Winner); Project Mulberry (her life at Illinois School and in Park Forest). Both these books were at Park Forest Public Library the last time I checked, including the one with the inscription referred to above.
