AROUND TOWN
Holiday Joy
By Anna Hughes
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Nov. 6, 2024 - Jan. 12, 2025
Drury Lane Theatre
Escape the cold and join the little mermaid and friends...
FOOD & DRINK
What’s Brewing
Local Oktoberfest celebrations have fun for the whole family on tap this fall
When September hits, Oktoberfest isn’t far behind. The famed fall festival originated...
Labriola Restaurant An Elevated Dining Experience
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff| Photo by Laura Meyers
In an exciting move that promises to elevate the culinary scene, Rich Labriola, the visionary behind...
GIVING BACK
Raising Kind Kids: How family volunteering inspires lifelong giving
By Katie Bolinger
As mimics, children often mirror the behavior of their elders, so parents play a crucial role in fostering a child’s desire to...
Year-End Giving: Charitable contributions during the holiday season
By Dave McGowan
In the last issue, I reported that more than $557 billion was estimated to be contributed to charitable organizations in 2023. Do...
ART + THEATRE
Lauren Lakeberg blends a love of photography, nature, and disc golf...
By Valerie Hardy
Lauren Lakeberg’s first word was “light” – fitting, given that she grew up to become a professional photographer. “Photography has been with...
BUSINESS + MONEY
Following Their Lead
Meet the influencers behind @somethingwhitty and @whatgracebought
By Valerie Hardy I Photos by Victor Hilitski
With the advent and subsequent expansion of social media like Facebook, Instagram,...
Global Reach with Local Roots
Ball Horticultural Company has grown to be the industry’s innovator
By Anna Hughes
Ball Horticultural Company is to be a major force in horticulture right here...
TRAVEL
Travel: Pure Michigan
Autumnal days on Michigan’s “Sunset Coast” are the perfect weekend trip when the weather turns cool
By Mia Jones
Discover why Lake Michigan’s coastline is a...
Spring Break Travel Essentials
As the days get longer and trees start to bloom, we know that spring and summer travel are right on the horizon.
Whether you're planning...
HEALTH + LIFE
Raising Awareness:World Diabetes Day celebrated in November
By Maureen Callahan
According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 537 million adults worldwide are afflicted with diabetes. November is the time of year when...
NEWS & EVENTS
Chicago Museum celebrates unity in diversity during the holiday season
By Anna Hughes
A Christmas tree is a universal symbol across the globe, representing faith, hope, and the season of joy and giving. The decorated...
65 & Still Serving
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club celebrates a milestone anniversary and its founder
By Valerie Hardy | Photography by Carolina Menapace
On Sept. 24, Emmett’s private party...
HISTORY VAULT
Back in Time: Leslie Goddard brings history to life
By Maureen Callahan
Most of us dream of finding an occupation we love- something for which we have a heartfelt passion while still making a...
Rudy! 30 years later, Rudy walks on with a new generation
By Maureen Callahan
Everybody loves an underdog. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger is one of the most memorable in the history of film. Thirty years ago, audiences...
SPORTS
Goal Getter: Hinsdale’s Gutman scores for Fire in 100th MLS start
By Jeff Vorva
Hinsdale native Andrew Gutman has always been a top-notch all-around soccer player.
In college at Indiana University, the Hinsdale Central graduate capped off...
Kendall Gretsch at the Paris Games
Hometown Paralympian brings home the silver medal
By Maureen Callahan
Downers Grove native Kendall Gretsch has a strength few possess. This Team USA member has medaled...
HOME & DESIGN
One of a Kind — Architectural Gems in the Western Suburbs
There is no shortage of unique architecture in the Chicagoland area. In this issue, a handful of homes nestled in the western suburbs are...
Home & Design: A Slice of Americana
Sears Homes offer a glimpse of a past
that will stand well into the future
By Maureen Callahan | Photos by 726 Visuals
Instead of looking online...
IN EVERY ISSUE
The Fairmount Ave. Soap Box Derby
It’s all downhill for this Randall Park neighborhood tradition
By Maureen Callahan
It’s kind of a slice of Americana,” laughed Chris Mac-Kenna when he described Fairmount...
LATEST STORIES
Santa’s Workshop
What started in the basement of a suburban Chicago home back in 1998 as an idea to create unique items personalized for the receiver...
Holiday Joy
By Anna Hughes
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Nov. 6, 2024 - Jan. 12, 2025
Drury Lane Theatre
Escape the cold and join the little mermaid and friends...
Goal Getter: Hinsdale’s Gutman scores for Fire in 100th MLS start
By Jeff Vorva
Hinsdale native Andrew Gutman has always been a top-notch all-around soccer player.
In college at Indiana University, the Hinsdale Central graduate capped off...
Chicago Museum celebrates unity in diversity during the holiday season
By Anna Hughes
A Christmas tree is a universal symbol across the globe, representing faith, hope, and the season of joy and giving. The decorated...
Before Barbie: Local museum showcases the world of toys before Mattel-mania
By Anna Hughes
When the Barbie movie came out last year, it took the world by storm.
When the Barbie doll came out, it had the...
Raising Awareness:World Diabetes Day celebrated in November
By Maureen Callahan
According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 537 million adults worldwide are afflicted with diabetes. November is the time of year when...
Raising Kind Kids: How family volunteering inspires lifelong giving
By Katie Bolinger
As mimics, children often mirror the behavior of their elders, so parents play a crucial role in fostering a child’s desire to...
Year-End Giving: Charitable contributions during the holiday season
By Dave McGowan
In the last issue, I reported that more than $557 billion was estimated to be contributed to charitable organizations in 2023. Do...
A New Dock: Chicago Boat Show finds new location in Rosemont
By Anna Hughes
Chicago’s biggest boat show is moving out of Chicago.
Luckily for boaters and loyal show attendees, it’s not moving far.
The 93rd Discover Boating...
When the Person in the Mirror is No Longer You
Claudine was 49 when she started working in the public eye as a community service officer. Years of sun exposure, gravity, diet, and various...
The Fairmount Ave. Soap Box Derby
It’s all downhill for this Randall Park neighborhood tradition
By Maureen Callahan
It’s kind of a slice of Americana,” laughed Chris Mac-Kenna when he described Fairmount...
Kidpreneur: A goal becomes a reality for Henry Casson
By Chuck Fieldman
Henry Casson may only be a 9-year-old fourth-grader. But that hasn’t prevented the Downers Grove resident from already being able to add...
Bringing Hollywood Home
The Martin brothers returned to Downers Grove to share their film with local viewers
By Valerie Hardy
Three brothers who grew up in Downers Grove before...
65 & Still Serving
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club celebrates a milestone anniversary and its founder
By Valerie Hardy | Photography by Carolina Menapace
On Sept. 24, Emmett’s private party...
Dr. Dieter Gruen: Manhattan Project Scientist
Manhattan Project Scientist stresses the importance of always moving forward
By Maureen Callahan
When people ask Dr. Dieter Gruen, famed Manhattan Project scientist and Downers Grove...
Hope After Heartache
The EM5 Fly High Foundation spreads kindness and joy in memory of Evan Melau
By Valerie Hardy
When Evan Melau was fatally struck by a vehicle...
DuPagePads Interim Housing Center A Pioneering Model to End Homelessness
The first in Illinois, and one of the first in the United States, Downers Grove is home to an innovative solution to end homelessness....
Kendall Gretsch at the Paris Games
Hometown Paralympian brings home the silver medal
By Maureen Callahan
Downers Grove native Kendall Gretsch has a strength few possess. This Team USA member has medaled...
Downers Grove Historical Society
Every year, the Downers Grove Historical Society identifies an individual who epitomizes the spirit of “giving back” to the community.
The late Montrew Dunham, who...
Following Their Lead
Meet the influencers behind @somethingwhitty and @whatgracebought
By Valerie Hardy I Photos by Victor Hilitski
With the advent and subsequent expansion of social media like Facebook, Instagram,...
Stopping Traffic and Starting the Day
Crossing guard Maureen Brdlik has been
crossing families for 31 years and counting
By Marty Blader
For kids, the morning rush is the period from when your...
DuPagePads Drive for 55
A race to end homelessness puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising
By Maureen Callahan
For more than three decades, DuPagePads has been bringing people in from outside...
Riding Into the Wind
Rest In Peace, George the Cyclist
By Maureen Callahan
Every life is validated by purpose. For avid cyclist George Christensen - writer, movie buff, and afficionado...
Superintendent’s Path to Leading District 99
Looking back on how Dr. Hank Thiele’s past has prepared him to lead
By Marty Blader
Boy and Girl Scouts of America are equipped with the...
Local Blessings
Blessings in a Backpack offers a solution for food insecurity
By Maureen Callahan
Millions of American families experience food insecurity. Sometimes, it’s part of the fall-out...
Giving USA: U.S. charitable giving totaled over $550 billion in 2023
By Dave McGowan
Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for 2023, released in June, reported that an estimated $557.16 billion was donated by...
Moose Cruise Nights
Photos by 726 Visuals
The Downers Grove Loyal Order of Moose hosted another summer of Cruise Nights on Fridays in downtown Downers Grove.
Classic cars, souped-up...
Rotary GroveFest
Photos by 726 Visuals
People of all ages enjoyed the Rotary GroveFest in the heart of Downers Grove this past June. Featuring rides, beer garden,...
Turning a Leaf
by Mia Jones
As the days start to get a little cooler and kids are going back to school, there are a variety of fall...
Fall at the Sports Core
Cool sunny days make fall the perfect season to enjoy your sport of choice at the Oak Brook Sports Core. Whether your passion is...
Diving For Dreams
Oak Brook resident builds career, pursues dreams at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo Chicago
For most people, the...
A Fighting Illini
Local UIUC freshman discusses cancer battle in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
By Anna Hughes
Adrian Lam was weeks away from starting his freshman year...
Global Reach with Local Roots
Ball Horticultural Company has grown to be the industry’s innovator
By Anna Hughes
Ball Horticultural Company is to be a major force in horticulture right here...
Resurrecting Mary: Chicago’s most famous ghost-in-residence
By Maureen Callahan
Legends. Every corner of the world has them. Local lore is part of a location’s identity.
One dyed-in-the-wool staple of this area is...
Travel: Pure Michigan
Autumnal days on Michigan’s “Sunset Coast” are the perfect weekend trip when the weather turns cool
By Mia Jones
Discover why Lake Michigan’s coastline is a...