SOLAR ECLIPSE TIME LAPSE
AROUND TOWN
Roadrunners Soccer Club
Photos by Madeline Craig
In January, the Roadrunners Soccer Club hosted their eighth annual “Kickin’ Up Some Laughs Comedy Show” at the Tivoli Theatre in...
FOOD & DRINK
Oak Brook: A True Dining Mecca
Oak Brook offers residents and visitors an array of nearly 80 dining destinations, from fine dining to quick-serve restaurants. It has evolved into a...
Best of 2023: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 Winners
We asked, you responded. For the fourth year in a row, we have completed our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. With hundreds of responses,...
GIVING BACK
Great Escape: Glenhagen Farm Retreat
Glenhagen Farm Retreat offers youth and adults a rich camp experience right here in Illinois
This summer, it will be a full family affair for...
Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity
This year marks the 116th edition of the Chicago Auto Show, North America's longest-running auto exposition. First staged in 1901, the show brings thousands...
ART + THEATRE
A Local Dance Lord
OMG School of Irish Dance’s Ronan Kristufek joins Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance
By Maureen Callahan
Local resident Ronan Kristufek is currently performing on the...
BUSINESS + MONEY
Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back...
By Maureen Callahan
One of the best things about luxury travel is the accommodation. What makes a hotel memorable? Décor? Amazing cuisine? Unparalleled hospitality? To...
Milestones: Downers Grove businesses celebrate landmark anniversaries
By Maureen Callahan
It takes courage to transform an idea into a business, along with hard work and dedication, to keep it running. Several Downers...
TRAVEL
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...
Iceland
By Maureen Callahan
Consider checking out this European destination in winter. You’ll need to outfit carefully for outdoor activities, but average temperatures are not much...
HEALTH + LIFE
The Greatest Gift: Organ donation saves lives daily
Organ donation saves lives daily, as Amy Kilner and John Hickey know first hand
BY VALERIE HARDY
March holds National Awkward Moments Day and April National...
NEWS & EVENTS
A Local Legend: Catching up with “Kup”
By Valerie Hardy
Meeting with Will Kupisch at Panera was like sitting with a celebrity. Every few minutes someone would come up to greet him...
Making a Comeback: The Return of the Cicadas
By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the The Morton Arboretum
A rare ecological event is happening this spring and summer, but it comes with...
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
Stan Mikita’s Hockey School helps Deaf players gain skills while building...
By Maureen Callahan
Each June, 80 kids from every corner of the country come to Itasca to participate in Stan Mikita’s Hockey School for the...
Downers Grove North coach happy for the community after a big...
By Jeff Vorva
It’s funny that a man who graduated from Downers Grove South is now one of the toasts of the town at Downers...
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
Hungry to Help: breaking down barriers to food assistance
West Suburban Community Pantry’s Sue Armato, other staff, and volunteers break down barriers to food assistance in DuPage County and beyond
By Valerie Hardy
Last year,...
LATEST STORIES
Field of Dreams: White Sox Draft Pick George Wolkow
By Jeff Vorva
This spring, 18-year-old George Wolkow will not be playing baseball against Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, York, or Glenbard West....
Anchored in Gratitude: Allison Rosati
NBC 5’s Allison Rosati talks farm life, faith and fame
By Anna Hughes | Photos by Victor Hilitski
For some, 5 p.m. signals the end of...
Hungry to Help: breaking down barriers to food assistance
West Suburban Community Pantry’s Sue Armato, other staff, and volunteers break down barriers to food assistance in DuPage County and beyond
By Valerie Hardy
Last year,...
House & Home — Chad Esslinger: Esslinger Design Company
Reality television can make it seem like design and renovation are faster and easier than they genuinely are. Chad Esslinger knows this firsthand as...
House & Home — Laura McGreal: @properties Christie’s International Real Estate
Visiting a college fair changed the course of Laura McGreal's career trajectory. A finance major, a career in banking was put on hold after...
House & Home — Natalie Weber: KW Experience Realty
Hiring the right real estate agent makes all the difference when making your life’s most important sale or purchase. That’s where Natalie Weber comes...
A business on a mission
A granola brand created by Downers Grove’s Kiley Fields tastes good and does good
By Valerie Hardy
According to food historians, granola was initially created...
House & Home — Brita Pagels: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
There are some things we’re born to do. Just ask Brita Pagels of Pagels Group. As a fourth-generation broker, she’s been immersed in real...
Great Escape: Glenhagen Farm Retreat
Glenhagen Farm Retreat offers youth and adults a rich camp experience right here in Illinois
This summer, it will be a full family affair for...
Roadrunners Soccer Club
Photos by Madeline Craig
In January, the Roadrunners Soccer Club hosted their eighth annual “Kickin’ Up Some Laughs Comedy Show” at the Tivoli Theatre in...
A Local Legend: Catching up with “Kup”
By Valerie Hardy
Meeting with Will Kupisch at Panera was like sitting with a celebrity. Every few minutes someone would come up to greet him...
House & home
Homeownership is a significant undertaking, whether buying or selling a home or renovating or building one. It is a major life purchase that significantly...
House & Home — Tracy Driscoll and Diane Crisp: Platinum Partners Realtors
Tracy Driscoll and Diane Crisp form a powerhouse realtor team with a collective experience of 43 years in guiding buyers and sellers through the...
House & Home — Mary Braatz: RE/MAX Enterprises
There are a multitude of things to know when selling your home. Mary understands this market and her community from 37 years of real...
A Local Dance Lord
OMG School of Irish Dance’s Ronan Kristufek joins Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance
By Maureen Callahan
Local resident Ronan Kristufek is currently performing on the...
Out & About: Looking to get outside this spring? Local activities abound.
South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17 @ 12 PM
southsideirishparade.org
Calling all lads and lasses! Experience the luck of the Irish and celebrate St. Patrick’s...
The Greatest Gift: Organ donation saves lives daily
Organ donation saves lives daily, as Amy Kilner and John Hickey know first hand
BY VALERIE HARDY
March holds National Awkward Moments Day and April National...
Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival
Photos by 726 Visuals
The Downtown Downers Grove Annual Ice Festival was held in early February. Despite the unseasonably mild weather, attendees enjoyed live ice...
Peak Performance: Alex Pancoe reaches new heights for a cause
By Anna Hughes
Meet Alex Pancoe: husband, father, philanthropist, and adventurer. Pancoe, a Highland Park native, is not one to shy away from a challenge....
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...
Letter from the Associate Publisher: Breakthrough
The theme of this issue is breakthrough for several reasons. More daylight, the sun is out, the grass is greener, and flowers are blooming....
Making a Comeback: The Return of the Cicadas
By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the The Morton Arboretum
A rare ecological event is happening this spring and summer, but it comes with...
Stan Mikita’s Hockey School helps Deaf players gain skills while building community
By Maureen Callahan
Each June, 80 kids from every corner of the country come to Itasca to participate in Stan Mikita’s Hockey School for the...
Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity
This year marks the 116th edition of the Chicago Auto Show, North America's longest-running auto exposition. First staged in 1901, the show brings thousands...
Gripping Joy: Alison Miles jumped into socks one foot at a time
By Maureen Callahan
About five years ago, Downers Grove resident Alison Miles began feeling tired and weaker than usual. Simple tasks such as lifting a...
Jim Peterik
Award-winning songwriter and musician, Jim Peterik, has had a remarkable journey in the music industry, including collaborations with renowned artists and experiences born out...
Ebersold family’s generous donation to the Downers Grove Park District leaves lasting legacy
By Valerie Hardy
Located in the center of Downers Grove, Ebersold Park is the only park in town named after the family who owned it,...
Downers Grove’s Bill Ludwig continues his family’s legacy in the drum business
BY VALERIE HARDY
William F. Ludwig III quite literally marches to the beat of his own drum. Known as Bill or B3, Ludwig proudly...
Downers Grove North coach happy for the community after a big finish
By Jeff Vorva
It’s funny that a man who graduated from Downers Grove South is now one of the toasts of the town at Downers...
Where Are They Now? Catching up with local personalities featured over the years
By Maureen Callahan & Valerie Hardy
Dr. Kevin Russell
September 2019 Edition
District 58 has made some significant accomplishments over the last few years, largely due to...
Oak Brook: A True Dining Mecca
Oak Brook offers residents and visitors an array of nearly 80 dining destinations, from fine dining to quick-serve restaurants. It has evolved into a...
The rundown on Downers Grove’s high school cross country teams and their various victories...
By Valerie Hardy
Though somewhat ironic, running is used as a punishment in many sports. For cross country, however, running IS the sport. Just ask...
Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony
Photos by 726 Visuals
Residents from Downers Grove attended the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 24 at Main Street Station. Friends, family, and...
Grove Express 5K
Photos by Dianne Hlinsky LaPointe
The Grove Express 5K was held on Thanksgiving morning in Downers Grove. Starting on Main Street and ending on Curtiss...
Education: Montini Catholic High School
Independent and private schools continue to prosper
There are several exceptionally strong schools in the western suburbs. Many schools have a rich history and are...