Hinsdale
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 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 MoreClearing 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 need—breathing—becomes a daily battle. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for tens of millions of Americans living with a variety of lung health conditions: lung and respiratory diseases, asthma, and lung…
Read MoreThe 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) sought a better situation than the one into which they were born or sold. The 1860s found the nation embroiled in the Great Civil War, with slavery as a…
Read More2025 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 some wedding trends to be on the lookout for during the 2025 wedding season. By Anna Hughes Elongated Diamonds For the past few years, oval diamonds have been the leading pick…
Read MoreAfter 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. In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27 – local resident Eric Blaustein reflected on the five months he was imprisoned at Buchenwald Concentration Camp near Weimar, Germany as…
Read MoreChicago 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 evergreen branches are the traditional backdrop for some of life’s most precious moments, from Santa’s visits to family movies around the fire. It represents a common thread that weaves itself…
Read MoreRaising 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 we pause to recognize this disease, with World Diabetes Day on November 14. Although it’s not a day to celebrate, it is a time to raise awareness of the condition…
Read MoreRaising 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 give back. Children who see their parents actively volunteering are more likely to follow suit. Leading by example helps kids grow into compassionate, engaged adults who continue contributing to their…
Read MoreYear-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 you know that much of that giving was contributed in the last quarter of the year? Why do people give then? Well, the December 31 deadline to record gifts for…
Read MoreWhen 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 other factors started to show in her appearance. One day, she glanced into her squad car mirror and realized that the person she saw on the outside no longer reflected who…
Read More