Issues
Vincas 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 MoreA League of Our Own: The Downers Grove Chryslerettes
Downers Grove Magazine and local area partners search for information By Maureen Callahan Downers Grove has accomplished an objective for which many have long been striving: the local girls’ team, the Borman Chryslerettes (alias Downers Grove Chicks), is now affiliated with the Greater Chicago League of Illinois,” a local paper boasted sometime around 1950. Apparently,…
Read MoreCenter brings seniors together for information, food, fun, and friendship
By Valerie Hardy It is never too late to try something new, and seniors in Downers Grove Township are a case in point. Many come out to take advantage of the variety of programs and services, specifically designed to enhance the quality of life for those aged 55 and over, offered through the Township’s Center…
Read MoreDowners Grove North grad Sean Ryniec is the nation’s best NCAA DIII kicker
By Jeff Vorva Downers Grove’s Sean Ryniec put a lot of time into his baseball career in high school. His game was at a high level, and at one time, the right-handed pitcher was on the Cangelosi Sparks Black travel team that featured standouts including Cole Van Assen (now at Purdue), TJ Schlageter (Louisville), and…
Read MoreGreener Grove raises environmental awareness while building community and inspiring change
By Maureen Callahan Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead voiced these sentiments more than half a century ago. But their echoes are timeless. A few years back, concerned Downers Grove resident Louise Kelly noticed a lack of environmental awareness around town. The…
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