Downers Grove Issue Jan-Feb 2025
The 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 MoreSnapshot: Notre Dame School
Under the patronage of Our Blessed Mother, Notre Dame School partners with parents, the primary educators, in the sacred mission of guiding their children to Heaven. Our Catholic classical liberal arts education engages students’ natural desire for truth, beauty, and goodness. Through the integration of faith and reason, we form wise, virtuous, and free students…
Read MoreThe Ice Thing about Downers Grove winters
Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures makes artistic fun of ice at Downers Grove Ice Festival By Maureen Callahan | Photos by 726 Visuals If you’ve ever visited the Downers Grove Ice Festival, you’ve seen Jim Nadeau’s dream solidified – at least until the sun has its say. Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures in Forest Park began almost four and…
Read MoreThe Transformative Power of Live Performing Arts
by Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson Live performing arts have a profound impact on both individuals and communities. From the artists who express themselves through their craft to the children who grow by sharing their talents, everyone involved is touched meaningfully. Audiences, too, benefit by gaining new insights, emotional connections, and life experiences. Whether…
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 MoreBeat the Winter Blues
By Anna Hughes Nothing’s better than a hot chocolate by the fireplace on a cold winter day, but we’ve rounded up a list of events that certainly come close. For a couples date night, family weekend, or unexpected snow day, check out these local events that are sure to bring warmth and fun to the…
Read MoreSnaphot: St Joan of Arc Catholic School
St. Joan of Arc Catholic School is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, research-backed education that nurtures both the academic and personal growth of every student. Our curriculum is grounded in the Science of Reading, ensuring that students receive a structured approach to phonics and spelling through Foundations in the early grades. As they advance,…
Read MoreSnapshot: St. Mary of Gostyn School
St. Mary of Gostyn School (SMG) combines exceptional academics with a strong faith-based environment. SMG students experience a Catholic culture, including daily prayer, religion class, and weekly Mass. They also encounter a challenging curriculum that inspires them to excel academically, develop confidence and a strong sense of self, build personal relationships, and serve others. The…
Read MoreSnapshot: St. Joseph School
Established in 1910, St. Joseph School provides excellence in education founded on the Catholic faith to Downers Grove and neighboring communities. For the seventh year in a row, St. Joseph School was voted the Finest Grade School and Preschool in Suburban Life’s 2024 Reader’s Choice contest. Over the years, the school has grown from a…
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