Downers Grove Magazine Issues
65 & Still Serving
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club celebrates a milestone anniversary and its founder By Valerie Hardy | Photography by Carolina Menapace On Sept. 24, Emmett’s private party space – aptly named the Founder’s Room – was packed with women who were pretty in pink. None more so than Shirley Tolbert, however. Tolbert was the guest of…
Read MoreDr. Dieter Gruen: Manhattan Project Scientist
Manhattan Project Scientist stresses the importance of always moving forward By Maureen Callahan When people ask Dr. Dieter Gruen, famed Manhattan Project scientist and Downers Grove resident, the secret of living to the age of 101 years, the answer is simple – “a sense of wonder,” he knows. In more than ten decades of life,…
Read MoreHope After Heartache
The EM5 Fly High Foundation spreads kindness and joy in memory of Evan Melau By Valerie Hardy When Evan Melau was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding his bike, his family, friends, family friends, friends’ families, classmates, teammates, and many others were grief-stricken. The loss of such a vibrant 15-year-old devastated the community, a…
Read MoreDuPagePads Interim Housing Center A Pioneering Model to End Homelessness
The first in Illinois, and one of the first in the United States, Downers Grove is home to an innovative solution to end homelessness. For 40 years, DuPagePads has sought to end homelessness by utilizing the support of the surrounding communities. Now, DuPagePads has centralized services at the Interim Housing Center, known affectionately as the…
Read MoreDowners Grove Historical Society
Every year, the Downers Grove Historical Society identifies an individual who epitomizes the spirit of “giving back” to the community. The late Montrew Dunham, who co-wrote the history book “Downers Grove, 1832-1982” and authored the follow-up, serves as the model for this award. This year, the Historical Society recognized Mary Ellen Young as the recipient…
Read MoreKendall Gretsch at the Paris Games
Hometown Paralympian brings home the silver medal By Maureen Callahan Downers Grove native Kendall Gretsch has a strength few possess. This Team USA member has medaled in both the summer and winter Paralympic Games. As a biathlete (winter games – Nordic skiing and shooting) as well as a triathlete (summer games – swimming, cycling and…
Read MoreFollowing Their Lead
Meet the influencers behind @somethingwhitty and @whatgracebought By Valerie Hardy I Photos by Victor Hilitski With the advent and subsequent expansion of social media like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok over the past quarter century, many previously unimaginable professions have emerged. Among these are online content creators and marketers known as social media influencers. These predominantly female…
Read MoreStopping Traffic and Starting the Day
Crossing guard Maureen Brdlik has been crossing families for 31 years and counting By Marty Blader For kids, the morning rush is the period from when your alarm goes off to the first chimes of the school bell. On a good day, you have enough time to drink the remnants of cereal and milk from…
Read MoreDuPagePads Drive for 55
A race to end homelessness puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising By Maureen Callahan For more than three decades, DuPagePads has been bringing people in from outside to assist unsheltered persons on a path out of homelessness. The organization makes clients feel wanted and welcome while they work to create a change in their circumstances. Each…
Read MoreRiding Into the Wind
Rest In Peace, George the Cyclist By Maureen Callahan Every life is validated by purpose. For avid cyclist George Christensen – writer, movie buff, and afficionado of Carnegie Libraries across the country – what mattered most in life happened on a bike. Tragically, Christensen passed away in April as a truck fatally struck him at…
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