Downers Grove
DuPage County nonprofit celebrates 35 years of local and global service
By Valerie Hardy Kay McKeen of Wheaton has been proudly “talking trash” for over three decades. Founder and executive director of SCARCE – a nonprofit organization committed to environmental education, conservation, and literacy – McKeen’s mission is to “turn trash into treasures,” keeping as much waste as possible out of landfills while getting as many…
Read MoreNavigating Seasonal Allergies: When to treat at home and when to call a doctor
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff As the flowers bloom and trees bud, the annual struggle with seasonal allergies begins. Pollen fills the air, triggering sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and runny noses for millions. While over-the-counter medications provide relief for most, some cases require professional medical attention. Knowing when to visit the drugstore and when to…
Read MoreDuPage County Historical Architecture A few local architectural gems By Maureen Callahan
A few local architectural gems By Maureen Callahan Old DuPage County Courthouse, Wheaton This building, opened in 1896, replaced the original structure from 1868. It was built on land purchased from Warren L. Wheaton and is one of the rare Richardsonian Romanesque styles in northern Illinois. The duration of this design was short-lived as buildings…
Read MoreThe Power of Unity: How suburban theaters are rewriting the script on collaboration
By Laura Michaud & Melissa G. Wilson Chicago’s western suburbs have long embraced collaboration within individual communities, with local chambers and cities integrating performing arts into events. However, a larger opportunity lies in building a network of cross-community artistic partnerships, potentially transforming the region’s cultural landscape. For example, the Salt Creek Ballet of Westmont performed…
Read MoreTeen 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 small beginning was a little orange tabby cat. “I was two years old when my parents adopted Pumpkin,” said Dorsey. “He was the first animal I ever had and the inspiration…
Read MoreChef 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 up, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom, where helping cook was the rule if you were around. Cooking quickly became second nature to…
Read MoreA 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 with only half a functioning heart, but he is a wholehearted football fan. However, Jonah cannot play football or other contact sports because of his critical congenital heart condition:…
Read MoreMelissa 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 reflects the fact that behind every diagnosis is a distinctly individual human story. The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire action, specifically toward placing people at the center of…
Read MoreBeverly 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 she was a student at Downers Grove South High School and still “trying to figure out [her] own place in the world,” she said. One of her sisters suggested she would…
Read MoreHope’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 exactly alike. That’s what the Hope’s Front Door (HFD) team sees. An individual person or family with a unique story. HFD is a million little things. At its heart, it’s…
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