LETTER from THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Celebrating the Season
A few years ago, I was invited to attend a tour of PerosnalizationMall.com to explore their manufacturing and distribution facility with their team. As a longstanding customer of their business – I always eagerly anticipated receiving their holiday catalog in the mail every fall – I jumped on the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what happened behind the scenes. And boy, I was impressed with the hustle and bustle of producing 800,000 ornaments and 300,000 stockings every year. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the very person giving the tour, Dan Grebel, Vice-President of Operations, was a longstanding resident of Downers Grove. Although it took some time, I am proud to share with our readers this company and Dan’s integral role within the organization during the busy holiday season. Although the catalog is no longer, (spoiler alert) my family should be prepared for some custom gifts.
As a kid, I wanted to go to Hollywood and become a movie star. Considering I never tried acting and was cut from the only high school play I tried out for, I am unsure why I thought my dream would become a reality. The Martin Brothers, however, clearly possess some talent. Not one, but all three of them have found success in the industry. This past September, the boys returned home to Downers Grove to share their latest film, Bolt from the Blue, at the Tivoli Theatre.
Speaking of Hollywood, the movie Barbie took the world by storm in 2023. In an odd twist of fate – exhibits for the DuPage County Historical Museum are planned years in advance – the museum is currently showcasing a variety of dolls spanning over a century. While there are a few Barbies to view, it takes a deeper dive on the pre-Barbie era when dolls were made of wood or paper.
Late summer and fall are the time for block parties here in Downers Grove, but what about Soap Box Derby parties? Although I have helped build a few Derby cars in my day, I have never driven a life-size Soap Box Derby car. The neighborhood of Randall Park certainly has, however. The annual event has proudly been taking place for families since 1999.
Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. Meet Shirley Tolbert, one of the “founding mothers” of the club. She was honored at the DGJWC’s first meeting of the year. Read about Shirley and check out this organization, focusing on philanthropy, service, and friendship.
Are you looking to start a new holiday tradition? Check out our feature and visit “Christmas Around the World” at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Also in this issue is a story on the EM5 Fly High Foundation, famed Manhattan Project scientist Dr. Dieter Gruen, and our hometown Olympian Kendall Gretsch—plenty of stories to explore on a chilly night (or day) here in Downers Grove.
Farewell for now. We will see you in 2025!
Sincerely,
Anne Healy
Associate Publisher
anne@HinsdaleMag.com
