Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Remembering Andrea Sax.

Unless you lived in Skokie or Morton Grove, Illinois, in 1977
ANDREA SAX
have a daughter born around 1961, or are you at 'that' age? The events of November 6th are probably not in your memory.

On November 6, 1977, for those who fit the criteria, Andrea Sax, a 16-year-old Niles West High School student, was brutally stabbed to death. The cause of death was 26 stab wounds to the neck and chest with perforation and laceration of the carotid artery and the aorta.

It's hard to believe 49 years have passed, and yet her three younger sisters are all older than Andrea ever was. The murderers of Susan Clark, who preceded Andrea in death, and of the two Morton Grove girls who were found in St. Paul Woods in Morton Grove about a year later, have not yet been found. 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MURDER
Sixteen-year-old Andrea Sax (my girlfriend) was stabbed to death on Sunday, November 6, 1977. Her body was found the next morning outside a school in neighboring Skokie, Illinois, next to a police station, where she was possibly attempting to run. Her Murderer was a classmate, Randall Kraman, whom she went to meet that night "just to hang out" with a friend. The savagery of the attack - 26 stab wounds - one piercing the aorta, plus evidence that showed premeditation, led to his being tried as an adult. In fact, his phone call at about 10:30 PM that night, asking where "Andy" was (a nickname only Randall Kraman used) began the nightmare that had never ended. He had already murdered her and was setting up an alibi! 

After court hearings that lasted approximately 10 months, the case was brought to trial, which lasted 5.5 weeks, from jury selection to verdict. It was now November 1978, one year later.
 
Sentenced to 16-20 years, we were told he would serve 11 years 8 months, but a change in Illinois' Class X Laws allowed him his freedom in fewer years than half of his minimum sentence. 

After his release, we know he moved to California. Rumor has it he later moved to New York City, where he became a Rabbi! God help us all!

ABOUT MY GIRLFRIEND, ANDREA SAX.
Andrea Sax and I dated the entire summer of 1977. I met her in '76 at the "Chai Club" (Chai [Hebrew] means "LIFE" in English as in "L'Chaim" meaning "To Life"; a famous drinking toast - or as we kids wrote it, ("Hi-Club"), which was a high school-age social club from Temple Beth El, located on Touhy at Kedzie (next door to the McDonald's). 

We were close friends, but not in an exclusive relationship. Just before school started in September (I attended Mather HS, Chicago, and Andrea attended Niles West), we discussed hanging out together. We saw each other several times, but only at Chai Club events in September.

Andrea Sax was a loving girl with a big heart. She was always willing to help anyone in need. The kind of person who gives their last dollar. Her parents were awesome, too. I was over many times for dinner and to hang out. 

I attended the funeral service. I just couldn't bring myself to go to the Sax's home while they were sitting Shiva (Shiva, literally means "seven" in Hebrew), which is the week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse. The ritual is referred to as "sitting shiva." I sent them a Beautiful, Giant-sized sympathy arrangement. (350 flowers)

I hadn't nurtured any new female friendships at my H.S. after that.

Thinking of Andrea, all the old feelings of sadness and anger (towards Randall, whom I did not know) and the senseless loss of a dear friend have resurfaced.

When My Prom Came, I took Andrea's best friend to my prom at the Playboy Tower, Chicago. Yes, it really happened. I found it difficult to enjoy. Tracy didn't seem to enjoy herself either. It was our depressed moods that ruined the night.

I didn't date from the time of Andrea's death until Junior year in College. And even then, dating was difficult. 

By Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Working at Chicago's Thillens Stadium, for Peanuts at 8 years old, in 1968.

The History of Thillens Stadium, Little League Baseball Park in the West Rogers Park Neighborhood of the West Ridge Community in Chicago.

PURCHASE HERE

My thoughts as an eight-year-old boy.

When I think of Thillens Stadium at 6404 N Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, the Little League Baseball and Adult Softball Park located in the West Rogers Park Neighborhood of the West Ridge Community in Chicago, my thoughts always turn to Mr. Mel Thillens, Sr. "I have a couple of minutes. You want to work at Thillens Stadium for the summer?" Mr. Thillens says.

I'm Neil Gale. I shook his hand. I live four blocks away." I said.

"I'm running a few minutes late," says  Mr. Thillens, "my previous meeting ran a bit over. Take a seat, young man, and tell me why you're interested in working at Thillens Stadium?" [Today it's named: "The Stadium at Devon & Kedzie." Owned by the Chicago Park District.] 

This is what I remember saying, in my 8-year-old vocabulary:

"I'm drawn to Thillens Stadium not just as a workplace, but as a living landmark woven into the fabric of Chicago’s history. The energy of game days, the pride of local teams, and the enduring legacy of youth sports create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that brings people together. I’d be honored to contribute to that experience—helping uphold a tradition that celebrates community, teamwork, and the joy of the game."

"I thrive in hands-on, fast-paced environments where collaboration and customer service are essential. Whether it’s guiding fans to their seats, assisting with concessions, or helping prepare the field for play, I’m eager to support the stadium’s operations and ensure every visitor leaves with a great memory. Being part of the Thillens team would be both a privilege and a chance to give back to a place that means so much to the city—and to me."

Note: It cost Mr. Thillens $6 million to build this park to his complete satisfaction, and a substantial amount of money is spent on improvements and maintenance each year. 

And, YES! Mr. Thillens was thorough. I could hear him talking to or disguising things with the staff by the concession stand, just a few feet from the elevated announcers' booth. He never raised his voice. What I remember at 8 years old is how Mr. Thillens treated me with dignity, respect, and kindness. It was the first time I felt genuinely confident and self-aware. 

On very hot days, he would bring ice-cold beverages to the announcers' booth. I was part of his family, at least that's how I felt at the time. 

Written by Neil Gale, Ph.D.

MORE THILLENS PRODUCTS