AROUND TOWN
DuPage Foundation
In early November, the DuPage Foundation celebrated its Annual Benefit: Through the Looking Glass at The Westin Chicago Lombard, welcoming over 425 guests. The...
FOOD & DRINK
Chef Showcase: Local Flavors
Q&A with Chef Ian Schlegel of Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Who influenced you early on?
Food has always been a big part of my life. Growing...
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...
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
The Transformative Power of Live Performing Arts
by Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson
Live performing arts have a profound impact on both individuals and communities. From the artists who express themselves...
BUSINESS + MONEY
Teen Trailblazer Ava Dorsey & Ava’s Pet Palace
Some of the best ideas are inspired by small things. For Downers Grove North senior, and founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, Ava Dorsey, that...
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,...
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
A Heart Warming Story
A local teen with a congenital heart condition is surprised with a VIP Bears Experience
By Valerie Hardy
O’Neill Middle School eighth-grader Jonah Davis was born...
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
Teen Trailblazer Ava Dorsey & Ava’s Pet Palace
Some of the best ideas are inspired by small things. For Downers Grove North senior, and founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, Ava Dorsey, that...
LATEST STORIES
Teen Trailblazer Ava Dorsey & Ava’s Pet Palace
Some of the best ideas are inspired by small things. For Downers Grove North senior, and founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, Ava Dorsey, that...
Chef Showcase: Local Flavors
Q&A with Chef Ian Schlegel of Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Who influenced you early on?
Food has always been a big part of my life. Growing...
Teen Trailblazer Ava Dorsey & Ava’s Pet Palace
Some of the best ideas are inspired by small things. For Downers Grove North senior, and founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, Ava Dorsey, that...
A Heart Warming Story
A local teen with a congenital heart condition is surprised with a VIP Bears Experience
By Valerie Hardy
O’Neill Middle School eighth-grader Jonah Davis was born...
Melissa Gorman creates a supportive resource for people living with cancer
By Valerie Hardy
United by Unique” is the three-year theme for the annual World Cancer Day, which is held on Feb. 4. The alliterative credo...
Beverly Kim’s journey from Downers Grove to becoming one of Chicago’s top chefs
Beverly Kim’s path to becoming a James Beard Award-winning chef began at the Barnes & Noble in Downers Grove in the 1990s, back when...
Hope’s Front Door serves the needs of area clients in the short and long-term
By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of Hope’s Front Door
No generalizations. No judgment. No two people are the same, and no two stories are...
Snapshot: Downers Grove Christian School
There’s just something about “new” that always catches interest. Such is the case at Downers Grove Christian School. Mr. Joshua Peel has assumed leadership...
DuPage Foundation
In early November, the DuPage Foundation celebrated its Annual Benefit: Through the Looking Glass at The Westin Chicago Lombard, welcoming over 425 guests. The...
Clearing the Air: The American Lung Association and the local Fight for Air Climb
By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the American Lung Association
It’s not easy having to fight for air.
It’s unfair when the most basic human...
Snapshot: Montini Catholic High School
Being a teenager today is more challenging than ever and the Lasallian approach to education that Montini Catholic has provided since their founding -...
The DuPage County Underground Railroad
Local Underground Railroad stations invite visitors to hear freedom seekers’ stories
By Maureen Callahan
From the start of slavery, freedom seekers (formerly known as enslaved people)...
Snapshot: Notre Dame School
Under the patronage of Our Blessed Mother, Notre Dame School partners with parents, the primary educators, in the sacred mission of guiding their children...
The Ice Thing about Downers Grove winters
Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures makes artistic fun of ice at Downers Grove Ice Festival
By Maureen Callahan | Photos by 726 Visuals
If you’ve ever visited the...
The Transformative Power of Live Performing Arts
by Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson
Live performing arts have a profound impact on both individuals and communities. From the artists who express themselves...
2025 Wedding Trends
Although any wedding should be unique to the happy couple, trends often sneak their way into the celebration. We’ve rounded up a list of...
After the Ashes: Holocaust survivor Eric Blaustein
By Maureen Callahan
The Holocaust was among the darkest hours in history. How survivors carry their memories is as varied as the individual stories themselves....
Beat the Winter Blues
By Anna Hughes
Nothing’s better than a hot chocolate by the fireplace on a cold winter day, but we’ve rounded up a list of events...
Snaphot: St Joan of Arc Catholic School
St. Joan of Arc Catholic School is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, research-backed education that nurtures both the academic and personal growth of every...
Snapshot: St. Mary of Gostyn School
St. Mary of Gostyn School (SMG) combines exceptional academics with a strong faith-based environment. SMG students experience a Catholic culture, including daily prayer, religion...
Snapshot: St. Joseph School
Established in 1910, St. Joseph School provides excellence in education founded on the Catholic faith to Downers Grove and neighboring communities. For the seventh...
Snapshot: Timothy Christian Schools
Partner With A School That Aligns With Your Family’s Values
Timothy Christian Schools is a PS-12th grade, nondenominational, college preparatory school committed to Biblical virtues...
Snapshot: Avery Coonley School
Established in 1906, The Avery Coonley School (ACS) is known as a leader in gifted education and offers advanced learners in preschool through eighth...
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...