DuPage Magazine Staff – DuPage Magazine

Anchoring Communities with a Proud History

By DuPage Magazine Staff March 4, 2024 EM Publisher's Profile, HM In Every Issue, OB Publisher's Profile

In 2024, Clarendon Hills commemorates a significant milestone—the 100th anniversary of its establishment, acclaimed as the "Volunteer Village". Beginning this April, the village is set…

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Business + Money, HM Community Scene

By Maureen Callahan One of the best things about luxury travel is the accommodation. What makes a hotel memorable? Décor? Amazing cuisine? Unparalleled hospitality? To…

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Arts & Theatre

The Chicago Youth Orchestra (CYO), located in Clarendon Hills, stands as a beacon of hope for young musicians seeking to explore their talents and immerse…

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Giving Back

By Maureen Callahan With about 100 clubs and 36 athletic teams to support, Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club is one of the school’s most active parent…

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Health + Life

authenticinternalmed.com 375 Quail Ridge Dr. Westmont Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP, and Anne Schultz, MD, FACP, are honored to offer direct primary care and concierge medicine…

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Health + Life

In a world where first impressions matter, the loss of hair can be a challenging journey to navigate. Your hair is more than just a…

Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Community Scene

By Chuck Fieldman Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped. Owen turned…

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Business + Money, HM Community Scene

Hinsdale Magazine recently met with Charlie Tomfohrde age 13, at the Hinsdale Farmers Market. Q. Where did your interest in house plants come from? A.…

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help

By DuPage Magazine Staff September 8, 2023 HM Health + Life

By Chuck Fieldman More than anything right now, Barb Thayer and Sara Joyce, Hinsdale residents who co-founded the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters in 2022,…