Downers Grove Magazine Issues
Chicago 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 MoreBefore Barbie: Local museum showcases the world of toys before Mattel-mania
By Anna Hughes When the Barbie movie came out last year, it took the world by storm. When the Barbie doll came out, it had the exact same effect. And then some. Barbie’s release by Mattel in 1959 was revolutionary in the world of toys. Although “fashion dolls” were popularized in the mid-19th century, Barbie…
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 MoreA New Dock: Chicago Boat Show finds new location in Rosemont
By Anna Hughes Chicago’s biggest boat show is moving out of Chicago. Luckily for boaters and loyal show attendees, it’s not moving far. The 93rd Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show will return on January 8-12, 2025, in its debut at Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont. For almost a century, this show…
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 MoreThe Fairmount Ave. Soap Box Derby
It’s all downhill for this Randall Park neighborhood tradition By Maureen Callahan It’s kind of a slice of Americana,” laughed Chris Mac-Kenna when he described Fairmount Avenue’s annual Soap Box Derby. It’s almost like a throwback in time. Picture a neighborhood in 1955. Neighbors socialize up and down the street while kids race down the…
Read MoreKidpreneur: A goal becomes a reality for Henry Casson
By Chuck Fieldman Henry Casson may only be a 9-year-old fourth-grader. But that hasn’t prevented the Downers Grove resident from already being able to add “entrepreneur” to his life experiences. Henry’s mother, Kelly Casson, said her son’s interest in running a business goes back to late 2022 when he became very interested in vending machine…
Read MoreBringing Hollywood Home
The Martin brothers returned to Downers Grove to share their film with local viewers By Valerie Hardy Three brothers who grew up in Downers Grove before heading to Hollywood were recently back in town for a special screening of their feature film, Bolt from the Blue. The Martin brothers attended the Chicago premiere of the…
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