The Historical Society of Forest Park celebrated its 50th Anniversary on November 16, 2025, at BABS Comedy Club with a night that blended history, community, and plenty of fun. We began by taking care of annual business, including adding new board member Mary Bromet. Founding member Mark Ross was also in attendance, adding a special note of history to the evening.

A major highlight of the celebration was honoring Gerald “Jerry” Lordan with the Dr. Orland Award for his decades of leadership and service. Jerry’s contributions to Forest Park are extraordinary and deeply felt across generations. A dedicated educator from 1973–2025, he has shaped countless lives inside and outside the classroom. His leadership and service extend widely: longtime HSFP board member and past president, Boy Scout leader, Assistant to the President at Fenwick High School, Kiwanis Club member and past president, Forest Park Eagles Club member, and Garage Art Committee member. His commitment, kindness, and steady presence have strengthened both the Historical Society and the community it serves.

Guests enjoyed delicious pizza from Jimmy’s and cake from Forest Park Bakery, and the excitement continued with a special raffle organized by Kristen Lyons—52 tickets and 52 winners, keeping the celebration lively and full of surprises. Afterward, the celebration continued with a lively Forest Park–themed round of Chronology, an original game created by HSFP Board Member Jill Wagner and printed by Printing Plus. A home version will be available soon!

This year marked the 5th annual Invasion of the Scarecrows, a collaboration between the Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park. The Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park thank every participant in this year’s Scarecrow Invasion. Your creativity and enthusiasm brought the village to life once again. 
Participants and visitors brought remarkable creativity to this year’s displays, and we were thrilled to announce the winners