Zafer Mertogul:  

My story begins in a place long ago and not so far away: Episode 1: Stranger in a Strange Land My family came to America and settled into Chicago's near west side. We didn't speak English or understand the culture.. but we quickly started to melt in. I grew up in Chicago's West Town Neighborhood (America's true Melting Pot), across the street from Mancel Talcott Elementary School at Erie and Walcott. I used to hang out at the Union League Boys Club #2 (yes, it was boys only back then) and later at the Emerson House. I delivered newspapers for Jack pulling a red wagon and collecting the fees for tips. I watched movies at the Hub and Alvin Theaters and shopped at Goldblatt's and Community on Chicago Avenue. I bought fresh bread from Gonnella and Augusta Bakeries, groceries from the A&P and National Food Stores, Italian Ices from Pat & Flo's, burgers from John's, hot dogs and bags of greasy fries from Duk's on Ashland Ave. and subs from Rosie's. I had my bike stolen when I was buying a coke at Bruno's on Wood Street. I played baseball at Smith Field, basketball at Commercial Park and both at the Talcott schoolyard. I ran for graduation class president with the slogan "You are Safer with Zafer" but lost to a popular girl (I probably shouldn't have written up so many people in my position as Captain of the Crossing Guards). I remember walking home from Lane Tech High School (yes again, it was boys only back then) the day of the big snowstorm of 1967, I guess my friends at Wells High School had a much shorter walk. I walked thru the old neighborhood recently and took a few pictures, the Talcott...Expand for more