COVER STORY
E-EDITION
MARCH/APRIL 2026
Rising Star
Ellie Banke’s journey from small stage to stadium tour By Valerie Hardy | Photos courtesy of Ellie Banke Downers Grove-based singer-songwriter Ellie Banke has held Ed Sheeran as her “greatest inspiration” since she was 12 years old and saw him open for Taylor Swift at Soldier Field. Banke is about to have a “full circle”…
Groove Foundation
In an exclusive recent interview, Hinsdale Magazine Group sat down with legendary musician Steve Jordan. The Rolling Stones drummer opens up about his extensive musical career and his deep commitment to philanthropic work. By Julie Jonlich Steve Jordan loves making music. This philanthropic, legendary drummer with strong musical ties to Chicago says, “Growing up in…
Going for Gold (and Silver and Bronze!)
Four trips to the podium in a fifth Paralympic appearance for Kendall Gretsch By Maureen Callahan Our hometown hero, Kendall Gretsch, has done it again! Since her first appearance in the 2018 Winter Paralympics, Gretsch has been collecting hardware – now eleven medals in total – between the biathlon (winter) and triathlon (summer) events. This…
A Real Goal-Getter
Local hockey player Ceci Wielenberg makes the roster for the U18 Women’s National Team By Valerie Hardy When the rest of the students at Downers Grove North returned to school after winter break, junior Cecilia (Ceci) Wielenberg was notably absent – and for good reason. She was in Nova Scotia at the International Ice Hockey…
Heart Behind the Humor
Downers Grove South’s Clinnin wins state speech award as he is inspired by his late father By Jeff Vorva Somehow, Nathan Clinnin found some humor in dealing with living without a father. The Downers Grove South sophomore lost his father, Kevin, on Christmas in 2022. Nathan used his experience to come up with an eight-minute…
Soft Style, Big Heart
How A Downers Grove Mom Built Little Love Tees By Julia Mazurek Late nights with a newborn can lead to many things: exhaustion, endless scrolling, and sometimes, inspiration. For Gemma Korus, a local mom and longtime public relations professional, one of those sleepless nights turned into the beginning of a brand. Frustrated after unsuccessful searches…
From Boardrooms to Exam Rooms
Why medical offices are moving into corporate space By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff For decades, Oak Brook has stood as one of the western suburbs’ premier business destinations. Corporate headquarters, professional service firms, and regional offices were drawn to its polished campuses, central location, and seamless access to major highways. Today, those same buildings are…
Celebrating SEASPAR
After 50 years of service, a local special recreation association remains an invaluable asset to the community By Valerie Hardy The South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation (SEASPAR) is a special recreation association (SRA) committed to helping its participants discover abilities, achieve potential, realize dreams, and – perhaps most importantly – have fun!…
The Future of Preventive Care
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff With the constant stream of technological advancements and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the future of medicine is evolving faster than ever. More and more people are taking a proactive approach towards their health, embracing daily tracking and at-home testing as a part of their routine. For those…
A Mature Amateur
River Forest Country Club prepares to host the Women’s Western Amateur golf tournament By Valerie Hardy | Photos courtesy of the Women’s Golf Association One of the world’s most prestigious amateur golf championships is coming to Elmhurst this summer. From July 6–11, River Forest Country Club will host the 126th Women’s Western Amateur, widely considered…
Navigating Your Next Chapter
A Guide to Senior Living By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Deciding how to approach the next stage of life is a meaningful milestone for every family. Senior living is not simply about where you reside — it encompasses housing choices, healthcare planning, financial stability, and staying socially connected. For many longtime residents, the goal is…
From Gift to Legacy
The Power of Endowment By Dave McGowan An endowment is a pool of invested assets intended to generate income to support a not-for-profit organization in perpetuity. It’s an important strategy in diversifying the overall mix of not-for-profit revenue. That said, only nearly 11% of not-for-profits have endowments. Endowments allow not-for-profit organizations to plan for the…
A Song Can Save a Life
How Freedom Sings USA transforms veterans’ stories into music By Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson The phone rang in the middle of the night. On the other end, a veteran’s voice, raw, quiet, alive. “Brother,” he said, “you just saved my life. I had the gun in my hand, finger on the trigger. Then…
