Downers Grove Issue July-Aug 2024
Accepted! Despite competitive college admissions, triplets admitted at UofM
Despite the increasingly competitive college admissions process, local triplets all admitted at University of Michigan BY VALERIE HARDY The landscape of the college admissions process has changed significantly over the past few decades, becoming increasingly competitive as more and more students apply to attend institutions of higher education. In fact, according to Forbes, in the…
Read MoreSplash from the past: 70 years in the community.
A reflection of the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club as it celebrates By Marty Blader In 1954, the first Burger King opened in Miami building the foundation for one of America’s most beloved fast-food chains. This same year, on the opposite coast, the towers of the Sleeping Beauty Castle were being built to soon…
Read MoreA Full Plate: Bales Metal Surface Solutions celebrates four and a half decades
By Maureen Callahan We kind of live in an episode of How It’s Made,” jokes Stacey Bales, President of Bales Metal Surface Solutions, when she describes her family business. The Downers Grove based metal finishing company has been a fixture in the Belmont Avenue industrial corridor since Stacey’s father, Steve Bales, started it in 1978,…
Read MoreLabriola Restaurant An Elevated Dining Experience
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff| Photo by Laura Meyers In an exciting move that promises to elevate the culinary scene, Rich Labriola, the visionary behind Labriola Café and LaBarra, is merging his eateries to create a new, enhanced Labriola experience. Facing an expiring lease on his Labriola Bakery Café, located next to his LaBarra Ristorante…
Read MoreDanny Mucciolo completed a rare feat: running all six World Marathon Majors
By Valerie Hardy For Danny Mucciolo, becoming a marathon runner happened by accident. He literally took a couple wrong turns. Mucciolo, a seven-year Downers Grove resident, formerly lived in Arizona. One day he went running and lost track of his whereabouts. Upon regaining his sense of direction and finding his way home, he realized he…
Read MorePlans to improve livability, mobility, design, sustainability for future of Downers Grove
By Valerie Hardy I Photos courtesy of the Village of Downers Grove If Downers Grove had a crystal ball, it would be Guiding DG, a series of plans for the future of the community. Guiding DG has four distinct but interrelated subcomponents: a comprehensive plan, mobility plan, sustainability plan, and streetscape plan. Most of the…
Read MoreThe Best of Chicago, for Chicago
Meet Julie Maddox, creator of NBC’s “Chicago Today” By Cynthia Maquet Lifestyle, fashion, food, health, and beauty are just a few of the trending topics that are covered every weekday morning on NBC’s Chicago Today. The show, which first premiered in September of 2019, will begin its sixth season of entertainment this fall with the…
Read MoreNext Level: Local area student-athletes continue athletic pursuits
Congratulations to the local student-athletes from the Class of 2024 who will continue their academic and athletic pursuits at the Division 1 collegiate level. It is a remarkable testament to their dedication, discipline, and hard work. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the community, and we wish you continued success in all your future…
Read MorePreparing for Princeton: DGN’s Stanton has cousin to thank for hoops success
By Jeff Vorva A little tough-love type of bullying between cousins helped kickstart Jack Stanton’s career. The Downers Grove North grad, who is heading to Princeton to study and play basketball, remembers how his athletic career all got started. His cousin, Hugh Lang, roughly introduced Stanton to the sport. Lang is two years older than…
Read MoreSerenades of the Summer
Concert series make their return for another music-filled summer By Mia Jones Sweet summertime calls for ample entertainment opportunities and good live music. Luckily, residents of all different communities are welcome to enjoy the variety of live music this summer. Classics like Hinsdale’s Uniquely Thursdays will continue at Burlington Park with more music and food…
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