Hinsdale Issue Mar-Apr 2025
TASTE OF TRIUMPH: Sophia Karbowski, Co-Founder of realsy
By Maureen Callahan CEO and Co-Founder of realsy, Sophia Karbowski, got tired of searching for a nutritious grab-n-go snack. “My business partner, Austin Patry, and I often walked up and down grocery store aisles as we searched for something healthy. We always ended up in the produce section trying to piece together a snack,” Karbowski…
Read MoreThe Last Frontier: An unforgettable summer adventure awaits
By Katie Bolinger Alaska’s immense size is matched only by its natural beauty. With space to fit 19 states, it’s a land of icy fjords, towering mountains, and lush forests. Despite its vastness, its population is sparse; DuPage County, Illinois, has 200,000 more residents than the entire state. It’s the perfect destination for solitude, cool…
Read MoreVincas Buzelis is serious on the court and serious about joining his brother in the NBA
By Jeff Vorva Vincas Buzelis is asked quite a bit about his brother. And he doesn’t mind it. Vincas is two years younger than his brother, Matas, who is a rookie with the Chicago Bulls. “I’m always proud of him,” he said. “Anything he does, I’m proud of. Before my season, I was able to…
Read MoreOnce-worn formalwear gets a second chance through a nonprofit prom boutique run by Hinsdale’s Jen Chillo
By Valerie Hardy “Never in a million years” did Jen Chillo, a 16-year resident of Hinsdale, think she would end up teaching at the high school she attended. However, she considered it “serendipitous” when she was offered a position at her alma mater, Morton West High School, the week of her 20-year high school reunion.…
Read MoreStudents give back through local nonprofit’s high school program
By Anna Hughes It’s no secret that Gen Z wants to change the world. They’re passionate, informed, and active in their communities, with hopes of building better lives for themselves and their neighbors. This mindset inspired leaders of the Community Memorial Foundation to create a program focused on just that: giving young people in the…
Read MoreHarp-Struck: D181’s Harp Program flourishes at local schools
By Anna Hughes Nicole DaSilva and her daughter Isabella have a special thing in common: they both play the harp. DaSilva started playing the harp at 12 years old after being mesmerized by it at a symphony performance. She studied music in college and played professionally for a bit, later working at a harp-making company.…
Read MoreSkokna waits his turn to help lead North Central College to national football title
By Jeff Vorva Let’s try to keep this all straight.Hinsdale’s Thomas Skokna is one of 10 children in his family. There are seven boys – all named after the Apostles. There is Matt, John, Luke, Mark, Thomas, Peter and James. There are three girls – Theresa, Joan, and Gabby. All went to, or are going…
Read MoreHinsdale Auxiliary’s 70th annual Derby Day fundraiser supports Brightpoint
By Anna Hughes More than 1.4 million people across Illinois live in poverty. Over 424,000 are children (Illinois Department of Human Services). These families face housing and food insecurity, economic instability, and unreliable child care; many are exposed to the harrowing realities of addiction, abuse, and unrelenting trauma. Children in these conditions are more frequently…
Read MoreNew Tax Incentive to Support Your Local Community Forever
Illinois donors now have a compelling reason to con-tribute to local community foundation endowments. The Illinois Gives Tax Credit (www.tax.illinois.gov/programs/illinoisgives) launched on January 1, offering significant state tax relief for contributions to permanently en- dowed funds at qualified Illinois community foundations. This new program provides a tax credit of up to $100,000 per taxpayer in…
Read MoreMore than a century later, Sears homes are still hiding in plain sight
By Maureen Callahan If you live in the western suburbs, chances are that you’ve seen a Sears house. They’re in many Midwestern communities. Often, we drive right by these historical gems without ever seeing them. They blend right in on any suburban block until you know what they look like. Sears houses are unique. They…
Read More