COVER STORY

Whitney-Buha-Grace-Ginex_12_FINAL-EDIT-e1726014962642

Following Their Lead

Stories for you

Whitney-Buha-Grace-Ginex_12_FINAL-EDIT-e1726014962642

Following 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…

Photo-1-CrossingGuard2-e1726016295838

Stopping 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…

Photo-1-Studio-21-Pro-Team-2

DuPagePads 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…

Photo-1-George

Riding 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…

HankThiele2

Superintendent’s Path to Leading District 99

Looking back on how Dr. Hank Thiele’s past has prepared him to lead By Marty Blader Boy and Girl Scouts of America are equipped with the motto “Be Prepared,” which encourages the idea of readiness in both the mind and body. Little did Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele know, as an Eagle Scout, that this phrase…

Photo-1-November-2023-District-99

Local Blessings

Blessings in a Backpack offers a solution for food insecurity By Maureen Callahan Millions of American families experience food insecurity. Sometimes, it’s part of the fall-out from another event, such as job loss. Other times, it’s a longer-term issue. Blessings in a Backpack (BIB) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that ensures local students have…

Philanthropy_Sept2024

Giving USA: U.S. charitable giving totaled over $550 billion in 2023

By Dave McGowan Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for 2023, released in June, reported that an estimated $557.16 billion was donated by all sources last year. Giving USA Foundation, a public service initiative of The Giving Institute, publishes the Report. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School…

IMG_5754altdark-e1726014245633

Moose Cruise Nights

Photos by 726 Visuals The Downers Grove Loyal Order of Moose hosted another summer of Cruise Nights on Fridays in downtown Downers Grove. Classic cars, souped-up coupes, and other vintage rides were out and about all summer long, and each week, proceeds benefitted a nonprofit.     Author 726 Visuals View all posts

IMG_6918

Rotary GroveFest

Photos by 726 Visuals People of all ages enjoyed the Rotary GroveFest in the heart of Downers Grove this past June. Featuring rides, beer garden, live music (and more), the event was a testament to the community’s spirit. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, GroveFest is a powerful force for good, redistributing all…

benjamin-voros-wITd9_eDTw8-unsplash

Turning a Leaf

by Mia Jones As the days start to get a little cooler and kids are going back to school, there are a variety of fall events across DuPage for everyone to enjoy this year. Whether it’s a nature-filled walk or a fundraiser with brewery samples, we’ve got you covered. Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest Elmhurst History…

1J9A9137

Fall at the Sports Core

Cool sunny days make fall the perfect season to enjoy your sport of choice at the Oak Brook Sports Core. Whether your passion is golf or tennis, the excellent facilities here can help you take your game to the next level this fall. Oak Brook Golf Club With 18 scenic holes, Oak Brook Golf Club…

Photo-1-DSC_4866

Diving For Dreams

Oak Brook resident builds career, pursues dreams at Brookfield Zoo Chicago By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo Chicago For most people, the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo Chicago is entertaining. Captivating. Majestic. For Tim Sullivan, it was life-changing. Sullivan was 17 years old the first time he saw the show. He…

Photo-1-Lam-with-nurses-3

A Fighting Illini

Local UIUC freshman discusses cancer battle in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month By Anna Hughes Adrian Lam was weeks away from starting his freshman year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was a healthy, active 18-year-old boy from the western suburbs both excited and nervous to take the next step in his life.…

Patio Garden, The Gardens at Ball, Fantastic Foliage and other new products for sun and shade
BHC07-5466.jpg
BHC

Summer 2007 West Chicago, IL, PhilDramisino

DSCF0257PdTGAB.jpg

BHC07-5466.jpg

Global Reach with Local Roots

Ball Horticultural Company has grown to be the industry’s innovator By Anna Hughes Ball Horticultural Company is to be a major force in horticulture right here in the western suburbs. Driven by its commitment to pioneering plant science and supporting the needs of growers and retailers worldwide, it has grown from a small flower business…

Old-Cemetery

Resurrecting Mary: Chicago’s most famous ghost-in-residence

By Maureen Callahan Legends. Every corner of the world has them. Local lore is part of a location’s identity. One dyed-in-the-wool staple of this area is the story of a young girl on her way home from an evening ball. Since the Roaring Twenties, Resurrection Mary has managed to elude dance hall patrons and cab…

aaron-burden-ufFIweqSPd4-unsplash

Travel: Pure Michigan

Autumnal days on Michigan’s “Sunset Coast” are the perfect weekend trip when the weather turns cool By Mia Jones Discover why Lake Michigan’s coastline is a fantastic place to visit even beyond the summertime. Within a comfortable, maximum three-hour car ride from the western suburbs of Chicago, you can take your pick from vineyards, restaurants,…

Photo-1-Alter_Fest_2021_008

What’s Brewing

Local Oktoberfest celebrations have fun for the whole family on tap this fall   When September hits, Oktoberfest isn’t far behind. The famed fall festival originated in Munich, Germany, in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Ludwig, the Crown Prince of Bavaria, to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The celebration, open to the entire city, included…

E-EDITION

Noteworthy

OB-Movie-Launch-Page-scaled-1

Lights. Camera. Action. – Movie magic awaits in Oak Brook

John-Kinsella-Cover-Option

Oak Brook native, two-time Olympic medalist, looks back on legendary career

The Brook Forest Elementary School first annual Holiday Greeting Card Contest was a success within the community.

Doubletree, Marriott Hotels: Giving back to the community

Oak-Brook-Golf-Club-Photo-1-

Oak Brook Golf Club: The Upcoming Season is on the Tee

In-the-KNow-Borders-Photo-2-DSC01275

Groundbreaking: Protecting Oak Brook’s Borders

Skycube-2

Elmhurst Art Museum’s Skycube, 2015, celebrates ten years

Golf-Preserve-Oak-Meadows-PHOTO-1

The Preserve at Oak Meadows celebrates over 100 years

14-e1741305392828

Vander Wal ready to please volleyball crowds at Texas

Old-World-Quality-Andy-Photo-1

Local entrepreneur gives more than just the gift of good food

Griffin-Photo-1

Of Her Own Design: Marion Mahony Griffin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice

March2025-WIP

New Tax Incentive to Support Your Local Community Forever

extend-Sears-Home-Vallonia-PHOTO-1-1036-catalogres

More than a century later, Sears homes are still hiding in plain sight

TO-DOS-PHOTO-1-Wellness-Walk-Photo-To-Dos-Photo-1

Celebrate warmer weather with family fun events in the western suburbs.

Photo-1extend

State park and trail commemorate the 16th President of the United States

SCARCE_Photo_1_-_Kay_McKeen_2-e1741313883258

DuPage County nonprofit celebrates 35 years of local and global service

Your paragraph text

Navigating Seasonal Allergies: When to treat at home and when to call a doctor

DuPage_County_Courthouse

DuPage County Historical Architecture A few local architectural gems By Maureen Callahan

Salt-Creek-Ballet_Nutcrcaker_-3

The Power of Unity: How suburban theaters are rewriting the script on collaboration