COVER STORY
E-EDITION
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
On the Road with Ava Rose Doty
Downers Grove’s young star shines in the Mrs. Doubtfire national tour By Maureen Callahan Ever wonder if the actors in a Broadway national tour get tired of show business? Not for nine-year-old actress and Downers Grove resident Ava Rose Doty! Since September, Doty has been on the road playing Natalie Hillard on the Broadway National…
CONDUCTING COMMUNITY
Volunteer music group brings classical music to the western suburbs BY ANNA HUGHES | PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE NAPRSTEK Over 15 years ago, a passionate group of local musicians, vocalists, and volunteers came together with a shared vision: to bring an elite musical experience to the western suburbs. In July 2010, Sinfonietta Bel Canto (SBC), a…
A Little of Everything
DGN football team experienced a season of defining moments in its state semifinal run BY JEFF VORVA | PHOTOS BY JEFF VORVA It seemed like Downers Grove North’s football team experienced a little bit of everything in 2025 and gave fans their money’s worth. You want close games? The Trojans gave you some close games,…
14 Minutes Later
Cupial claims DGN’s first cross-country title BY JEFF VORVA It was 14 minutes and 3.2 seconds of greatness. And it took nearly a lifetime to achieve. Downers Grove North senior Philip Cupial won the Illinois High School Association Class 3A boys state cross country meet on Nov. 8 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. He became…
From Classroom Lessons to Recording Sessions
Students at Henry Puffer Elementary School take learning to the next level through their after-school podcast club BY VALERIE HARDY When Lilla Bethell was in third grade, she was a self-described “quiet kid” who “didn’t like talking to new people – or people in general.” However, this all changed, thanks to the new club her…
Israel Larry Blackburn
A Soldier, Settler, and Village Founder BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF In the mid-1800s, a man named Israel “Larry” Blackburn made a journey few could have imagined—one that began in slavery in Kentucky and ended in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he became one of the village’s early founders. Born into bondage, Blackburn’s life…
Reviving the Silent Screen
A new generation tackles silent filmmaking with annual festival By Anna Hughes In a world where advanced technology defines modern filmmaking, one local festival is going back to the basics. The Student Silent Film Festival is an annual competition for Chicago-area high school students that puts their skills to the test with the ultimate challenge:…
2026 Wedding Trends:
5 Ways Modern Couples Are Redefining Celebrations
1. Destination Experiences Couples are turning their “I do’s” into multi-day escapes—private villas, yachts, and immersive itineraries. Think welcome cocktails, chef-hosted dinners, and a farewell brunch overlooking the sea. 2. Floor-to-Ceiling Design No longer limited to centerpieces, design now surrounds every sense. Suspended florals, mirrored floors, custom scents, and ambient light art create immersive…
Is it Almost Spring?
Find out on February 2 in Woodstock, Illinois By Maureen Callahan| Photos courtesy of Woodstock Willie Days Committee By February, most of us have winter blues. That is, unless you live in northwest suburban Woodstock, the town that doubled for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in Harold Ramis’ 1993 cult classic, Groundhog Day. February 2 marks the day…
Dave Wannstedt
From Western Pennsylvania to gridiron greatness By Marcus Fertig | Photo by Victor Hilitski Dave Wannstedt’s football story doesn’t begin under the bright lights of the NFL. It begins in the steel towns of Western Pennsylvania, where football wasn’t just a game; it was a lifeline. “Football was a way out for us,” Wannstedt says.…
Game Changers
TV’s most memorable ads are aired on Super Bowl Sunday BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN “People are usually annoyed by advertising. But one day a year, they love it.” – Soraya Faber, SVP, Executive Account Director of McCann New York It’s the big day! The dips are made, the chili is simmering, and the beer is icing…
