For those of you who were unable to attend the Peterson Centennial in May 2025, it was an incredible event — pure joy to talk with so many people all from the same neighborhood.
The hallway outside the gym was a popular place to mingle and view class photos through the years. (The two photos below are from Catherine Korda via Facebook).
Inside the gym, classes from each decade were photographed, and you can see (and download) these photos on The Friends of Peterson group website homepage. And, sorry, we didn’t identify who’s who in the photos.
Don’t miss the incredible video that is also on the Friends home page, just above the class photos. It runs 16.5 minutes. The student AV club produced the video. I’m one of the interviewees, along with other current and former Peterson students.
The Program
Axios Chicago reporter and Peterson graduate Monica Eng moderated a panel of class representatives from each decade. Seated from left, Zalman Usiskin (1950s); Lynn Sweet (1960s); Danny Miller (1970s); Monica Eng, standing (1980s); Josh Schukas (1990s); Linley Erickson (2000s); Joseph Zanca (2010s, Monica’s son); Nazarin Iskandarova (2020s).
The photo below is of the program audience (Catherine Korda via Facebook).
Before the alumni panel presentation, a number of school officials spoke. The recording from this portion of the program is here.
As a reminder, there is a website devoted to the Peterson centennial. Include among the photos are memorabilia provided by former students and 8th grade class photos going back to the 1920s — about 80 percent of the class are represented. This website will remain active for at least another year.
Dear Frances,
Thanks for the rapid reply! If indeed you get a response from either Carol or Audrey, (Mr. and Mrs. Saper are unfortunately long gone), it will be another remarkable illustration of the degree of interconnectedness the internet provides.
As to how much interconnectedness we may WANT, that varies widely. My own feeling is that the people and events we experience during our time on earth are by and large so precious that reunions and communications are infinitely better than endless silences.
Anyway, many thanks for passing the message along!
Thanks Tom for visiting my blog and your comments. I have passed your message on. I find it amazing to see the connections, from my old neighborhood to you. Thanks also for sharing your website.
Hi Francis,
Regarding your earlier post about “Girl on a Chicago Back Porch” I was absolutely shocked to see that as it is clearly the lovely lady I knew as Mrs. Saper, Audrey and Carol Saper’s mom, and my almost mother-in-law. Earl Saper her husband, was one of the nicest guys I’ve had the privile to know and an inventor who deserved more notariety.
I knew Carol as “Nibs” when we were all at the University of Illinois and Audrey was my fiance’ at the time and subsequently joined me at Harvard in the mid-80’s. Alas, we called off the wedding for reasons that on retrospect, may not have been the best, but that’s water long under the bridge.
At any rate, I’d love to hear from either of them so long as I’m not a villain in their book. My email is hedberg@imcra.org or eumeces5@aol.com. My office is at 203-956-4875 in Norwalk CT. and the website is http://www.imcra.net.
With thanks and best wishes,
Tom Hedberg
Hello! I am of the newer generation (wayy more younger than much of the people on this blog) and I would love to know more about Albany Park.
I grew up in Albany Park and i have a hyperfixation on the interstates and us routes on Chicago. What was Albany Park like back then?
Thanks so much for sending the website and sharing all that went on during the 100-year celebration. I attended Peterson from 1954 to 1962, K through 6th. We then went to Vnon Steuben for 7th & 8th grade.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ, now, and regrettably could not attend. I remember some of the highlights ( I lived at 5711 Drake); Tong’s Tea Garden, Irv’s Barbershop, Whirly’s, the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Davis Cleaners (still there!!), Plotkin’s Drug Store, to name a few.
I have been fortunate to connect with some of my fellow Peterson-nites like Harry Block, Anny Shear, and Joyce Sporn, to name a few. on Facebook
Life goes by so fast, it’s a shame that “youth” is wasted on “young people”!!
Thanks again!!
Thank you sending the event website. I was in the class of 1952 and currently live in St. Louis and was unable to attend the reunion. Old memories of Kimball Avenue and all the shopping on Bryn Mawr came flooding back. Thank you.
Alan Morris