Stories for you
Grand Finale: Downers Grove North band director Brayer Teague will leave a lasting legacy when he retires
BY VALERIE HARDY | Photos courtesy of Brayer Teague For District 99 students, school will soon be out for the summer, but for Downers Grove North High School’s longtime band director and fine arts department chairman Brayer Teague, school is about to be out forever. Teague is set to retire at the end of the…
Gaining Momentum – Hinsdale Alum Cathy Richardson
By Scott Jonlich | Photos by Victor Hilitski Cathy Richardson is one of Hinsdale Central’s most famous Hall of Fame members. She lived in Burr Ridge while attending Hinsdale Central and graduated in 1987. To quote her induction statement as a 2020 Hall of Fame inductee, “Her music career was in full swing at Central,…
Neat Kitchen and Bar
neatkitchenandbar.com 246 North Cass Avenue downtown Westmont Lifelong friends John Taylor and Matt Verde, owners of Neat Kitchen and Bar in Westmont, met in sixth grade at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst. After graduating together from high school, their careers took them separate ways, but both pursued careers in the restaurant industry. Between John’s…
Taurasi
taurasirestaurant.com 14 North Cass Avenue downtown Westmont Raffaele Cirillo, the owner of Taurasi, was born in Gragnano, Italy – two miles from the Sorrento coast – into an entrepreneurial family with a passion for hospitality and cooking. Born into the hospitality business, his father began Raffaele’s cooking lessons at the age of nine and declared,…
Snapshot: Vasili’s
VASILISMEDITERRANEAN.COM 135 WATER STREET DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE Authentic. This word aptly describes Scott Harris Hospitality’s Vasili’s Mediterranean restaurant, nestled in Naperville’s downtown riverwalk. Named after the father-in-law of the renowned restauranteur Scott Harris (Papou is Greek for grandfather), the restaurant pays homage to the warmth and charm of Papou, whose legacy inspires Vasili’s hearth-fired Mediterranean fare.…
Home & Design: A Slice of Americana
Sears Homes offer a glimpse of a past that will stand well into the future By Maureen Callahan | Photos by 726 Visuals Instead of looking online or working with a realtor to find your ideal home, imagine being able to order it from a catalog. Choose the number of bedrooms, room dimensions and finishes…
Exotic Summer Destinations
This summer, get far away from it all By Maureen Callahan Travel, of any kind, enhances us as people. It’s a great way for kids to learn. It’s an opportunity to see firsthand that our way of life is just one of many, and for all our differences, there are quite a few commonalities. The…
Food & Wine: The Perfect Pair
BY VALERIE HARDY Spring is in the air, and it is time to shift from comfort foods to lighter fare. Give this guide a glance to find the best fork + cork combos. Scott Harris Hospitality’s Davanti Enoteca’s Wine Expert, Kristen Jackson, shares the best wines to pair with some favorite dishes. Author Valerie Hardy…
Community Scene: Wine Women & Shoes
In early March, Wine Women & Shoes took place at the Oak Brook Hills Resort. Hundreds attended to sip, savor and shop for a cause. The high-energy event featured fun and philanthropy combined with wine and bubble tasting, boutique shopping, fashion show, gourmet luncheon and chances to win vacations and experiences. Proceeds of from the…
Community Scene: Hinsdale Kitchen Walk Luncheon
Photos by Marcello Rodarte Dozens of ladies from Hinsdale and surrounding communities gathered at Hinsdale Golf Club for the Hinsdale Kitchen Walk luncheon on March 8. The annual event hosted by the Hinsdale Historical Society (HHS) Women’s Board featured a panel discussion including Lauren Ashley Allan of LAA Interior Design, Corbin Horn of Hindman Auctions,…
It’s Time: Mary Doten National APTA Champion Retires
Six-time National Champion and Hall of Fame Inductee Mary Doten retires By Cynthia Maquet | Photos by Marcello Rodarte “Humble,” “passionate,” “kind,” and “loyal” are just a few of the words used to describe Mary Doten, known to many as the GOAT of Paddle Tennis. Three decades of coaching and competing in paddle tennis have…
Mom: World’s Greatest Coach
BY JIM FANNIN From the moment I took my first breath, she was there….smiling ever so brightly. Her voice soothed me. Her touch guided and comforted me. She was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes and the last person when I fell asleep. She coached me day after day to be…
Health & Wellness: Dr. Michael Halkias, O.D.
Naper Grove Vision Care Good health is a journey, not a destination. Every day it is a process and at times difficult to stay on the right path. But the choices you make about how treat your body and make a difference in how good you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally. Healthy bodies are instruments which…
Health & Wellness: Dr. Karen Wolowick, D.O.
Wolowick Women’s Health Good health is a journey, not a destination. Every day it is a process and at times difficult to stay on the right path. But the choices you make about how treat your body and make a difference in how good you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally. Healthy bodies are instruments which we…
The Helpful Hardware Folks
Though changes abound within the Ace Hardware Corporation, one thing has remained the same for nearly a century: service to customers and community BY VALERIE HARDY | Photos courtesy of Ace Hardware Based out of Oak Brook, Ace Hardware Corporation aims to “be the most helpful hardware stores on the planet,” said Chris Doucet, the…
Health & Wellness: Dr. Sangeetha Venkatarajan
MD, MBA, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Dermatology Associates of Lombard Good health is a journey, not a destination. Every day it is a process and at times difficult to stay on the right path. But the choices you make about how treat your body and make a difference in how good you feel mentally, physically, and…
![iStock-1294477039 [Converted]](https://downersgrovemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/iStock-1294477039-Converted-square-18a24037f6d35f953bf64db423eaa22c-.jpg "iStock-1294477039 [Converted]")
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
A national movement to raise awareness about the national crisis By Grit2 and Navigate Adolescence Until someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s easy to think mental health struggles affect others. But with two of every five people reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression, it’s likely not a question of if…
Downers Grove Aviator: Art Chester inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame
By Paul Drabik Art Chester was a true pioneer in aviation. He is a figure that represents the best of what Downers Grove has to offer. Born on December 15, 1899, Art Chester was part of a generation that forged a new technological landscape in America. Just four years and two days later on December…
A Garden-variety Group: The Garden Club of Downers Grove is anything but ordinary
BY VALERIE HARDY | Photos by Carolina Menapace For nearly a century, The Garden Club of Downers Grove has been growing plants – and a community of gardeners. Established by members of the Downers Grove Women’s Club in February 1927, it “isn’t a stand-alone club. It is part of a national organization [The National Garden Clubs,…
Chief of Police Michael DeVries
Leading a dedicated team to serve our community Photos courtesy of the Village of Downers Grove In honor of National Police Week in May, Anne Healy, Associate Publisher, catches up with Michael DeVries, Chief of Police for the Village of Downers Grove. DeVries was promoted to the position in January. Q│Please tell us a little…
Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club
In early March, the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club hosted its largest fundraiser of the year. The Black & White Gala featured casino tables, raffles, silent auction and music by Big Cat DJ Services. Proceeds from the event benefited the Club’s charity fund and their 2023 Charity Partner, Aging in Place with Habitat for Humanity.…
A Musical Mentor: Band alumni weigh in on how Teague’s teaching inspired them to pursue careers in music education
Carolyn (Hitz) Cansler DGN Class of 1995 Director of Bands, Griffin Middle School – Frisco, Texas THEN: “Brayer was a bright, positive, energetic addition to the band program when he arrived.” NOW: “I have sent [Brayer] recordings of my band’s performance for his feedback when preparing for contests here in Texas. I’ve always very much…
Health & Wellness: Meghan Jacobson, LCSW
Whole Health Counseling Good health is a journey, not a destination. Every day it is a process and at times difficult to stay on the right path. But the choices you make about how treat your body and make a difference in how good you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally. Healthy bodies are instruments which we…
