On Oct. 1, 1947, one of the two newspapers in Berwyn, the Beacon — which was later merged into the Life — published an official city directory and WWII service record. It was a unique publication that resembled a combination of a telephone book, history text and time capsule.

One of its unusual features was a listing of the name of every person, business and organization in the city that had a telephone, along with phone numbers — but all entries were listed by streets and street addresses. For example, a person using the book could see at a glance who lived at each address on each street, as well as the phone number listed for the address.

The listing for City of Berwyn offices was placed under “26th Street — south side,” 6700, phone number S2600. The police department was listed next under city offices, with phone number S1313. The fire department followed with phone number G3.
“S” was for Stanley Avenue and “G” was for Gunderson Avenue.

Things were simple then. The publication cost $35.

The book had a “Classified Directory” that read, “In the following pages are listed hundreds of thousands of facts about Berwyn, many of them not available in printed form anywhere except in this directory.”

Under the “Governmental Section,” there was a two-page spread featuring the photos and names of all city officials, followed by a full page with the photos of Berwyn Public Health District officials and a list of the services rendered by the health district, phone number S6600.

City officials in 1947 included Mayor William J. Kriz, City Clerk Emil Vacin (who would later be mayor), Treasurer Karel Marsicek, City Attorney Joseph Serhant, Police Magistrate Frank Pavek, City Collector Charles Tourek, City Comptroller Vlasta Nemecek, Police Chief Joseph Pilat, Fire Chief James Hrach, Commissioner of Public Works Anton Pav and fourteen aldermen. Public Health District officials were Township Supervisor John Cermak, Township Treasurer Ervin Drije and Township Clerk Emil Vacin.

On page three was a list of names and addresses that, to this day, will put a lump in the throat. The page was titled, “Berwyn Boys Who Paid The Supreme Price.” It said, “Not included in the regular pages of the directory are the names of 179 young men who were taken from our midst by the cruel fates of World War II. To their memory is this book dedicated. May its use so help to engineer the ability of man to understand his fellow man, that never again will mankind know the ravages of war.”

Pages eight and nine provided a brief history of Berwyn. Pages 10 through 16 featured photos and histories of the 11 public elementary schools in the city then, and pages 17 through 21 showed photos of the 13 churches of Berwyn in 1947, along with addresses and names of each pastor.

According to the text of the directory, an extended series of land transfers resulted in the establishment of the City of Berwyn. Part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal tract was first deeded by the State of Illinois on June 6, 1845. Berwyn’s history dates back to when it was part of a rich hunting and camping area for Indians who roamed the plains west of Chicago and used the Des Plaines River for their rallying point. The directory concluded its history lesson with the statement that, “the city has been conducted as one of the cleanest, best-managed cities in the state. It is well-governed, and its citizens take an active interest in civic affairs. Its people are all of the middle financial class, and it boasts of having no slum area. It ranks eleventh in size among the cities in the state of Illinois.”

The Berwyn Beacon’s publisher in 1947 was Jerome Joachim, and in his notes to readers, Mr. Joachim wrote, “One of the world’s greatest needs is a better understanding between those who live on it. As we learn to know our fellow man, we realize he is as human as we are. Millions of humans have also learned that by cooperating and working with those at their sides, they achieve a fuller life ... Berwynites can learn to know their neighbors better, and through this knowledge can develop a higher degree of understanding and cooperation.”

Those are profound words worth living by today, more than 60 years later.

Berwyn’s civic and governmental leaders over the years have sought many ways to continue the city’s progress and high standards. One of the most worthy endeavors that was created to increase goodwill among all people of the community was the summer festival.

In 1983, then-mayor Joseph J. Lanzillotti created the first Berwyn Summerfaire to celebrate Berwyn’s 75th anniversary. It was a huge success. Top names in the world of entertainment were featured on the main stage of the festival, which was erected on the football field of Morton West High School.

The celebration lasted five days and nights, July 20-24, and brought the community together like nothing before. The big names that made the thousands of people cheer included Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Captain and Tennille, The Gatlin Brothers, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Laura Branigan and Buddy Rich and His Big Band. In addition to fun, food and games, there were five smaller stages that featured the best of local and regional entertainment.

Berwyn had seen nothing like it in its 75-year history.

Summerfaire became a much-anticipated annual event that was held during the last week of July every year, but on a smaller scale. In 1990, Summerfaire’s board of directors decided to create a big festival again. There was even more music, food, fun and fireworks than ever before. There was even the world’s largest kolacky, the biggest delicious Czech pastry ever created, videotaped, photographed, measured and then devoured by the happy people who attended the festival.

People coming together, getting to know each other, working, playing and cooperating with each other to make their community great — these same goals and objectives that were so highly valued and accomplished in 1947 are still worthwhile in 2008.

Berwyn’s centennial festival is scheduled this year from June 18-22. It promises to be a truly memorable time, and many more fun events for the entire family are planned.

Berwyn’s past Summerfaire festivals and this year’s centennial celebration mark the times of our lives.

They just might be the best of times.