Stories for you
Trailblazers: The inspiration behind the Women of Oak Brook
Local women’s group brings Oak Brook together through connection, friendship, and service By Anna Hughes | Photos by Victor Hilitski Lara Suleiman and her family moved to Oak Brook over ten years ago for its great schools and diverse community. When describing the village they’d be calling home to family and friends, Suleiman often referred…
100 Years of Movie Magic: Chris Johnson & York Theatre
York Theater celebrates 100 years! By Maureen Callahan Every story starts somewhere. For Elmhurst’s York Theater, that beginning was Labor Day weekend, 1924. The Roaring Twenties were in full swing. Downtown Elmhurst saw its second theater open (the first was The Elms on W. First St.). It was a much bigger theater than The Elms,…
Building Hope: The O’Brien School for the Maasai
Local Hinsdale woman continues to help provide remarkable futures for the Maasai village By Mia Jones Walking through 82-year-old Kellie O’Brien’s’ home, it is clear to see her love for gardening and landscaping design, but the Hinsdale-based horticulturalist has also experienced a calling that has grown into a larger project in the last 17 years…
Santa’s Workshop
What started in the basement of a suburban Chicago home back in 1998 as an idea to create unique items personalized for the receiver has become the leader in personalized gifts. With two facilities, including the corporate headquarters in Burr Ridge spanning 100,000 square feet and the primary production and fulfillment center in Bolingbrook covering…
Paying Homage to History: The Legacy of Jorie Butler Kent
By Hinsdale Magazine Group staff Editor’s Note. This article first appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Oak Brook Magazine. Unfortunately, there were errors which this version has corrected. This past October 6, in an event sponsored by the Oak Brook Historical Society, some 50-plus history buffs gathered at the Oak Brook Library to hear…
Holiday Joy
By Anna Hughes Disney’s The Little Mermaid Nov. 6, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025 Drury Lane Theatre Escape the cold and join the little mermaid and friends under the sea with this Disney classic brought to the stage. With fan-favorite songs by composer Alan Menken including “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss…
Goal Getter: Hinsdale’s Gutman scores for Fire in 100th MLS start
By Jeff Vorva Hinsdale native Andrew Gutman has always been a top-notch all-around soccer player. In college at Indiana University, the Hinsdale Central graduate capped off his career in 2018 by winning the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is given to the top college player of the year. He was also named Top Drawer National Soccer…
Chicago Museum celebrates unity in diversity during the holiday season
By Anna Hughes A Christmas tree is a universal symbol across the globe, representing faith, hope, and the season of joy and giving. The decorated evergreen branches are the traditional backdrop for some of life’s most precious moments, from Santa’s visits to family movies around the fire. It represents a common thread that weaves itself…
Before Barbie: Local museum showcases the world of toys before Mattel-mania
By Anna Hughes When the Barbie movie came out last year, it took the world by storm. When the Barbie doll came out, it had the exact same effect. And then some. Barbie’s release by Mattel in 1959 was revolutionary in the world of toys. Although “fashion dolls” were popularized in the mid-19th century, Barbie…
Raising Awareness:World Diabetes Day celebrated in November
By Maureen Callahan According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 537 million adults worldwide are afflicted with diabetes. November is the time of year when we pause to recognize this disease, with World Diabetes Day on November 14. Although it’s not a day to celebrate, it is a time to raise awareness of the condition…
Raising Kind Kids: How family volunteering inspires lifelong giving
By Katie Bolinger As mimics, children often mirror the behavior of their elders, so parents play a crucial role in fostering a child’s desire to give back. Children who see their parents actively volunteering are more likely to follow suit. Leading by example helps kids grow into compassionate, engaged adults who continue contributing to their…
Year-End Giving: Charitable contributions during the holiday season
By Dave McGowan In the last issue, I reported that more than $557 billion was estimated to be contributed to charitable organizations in 2023. Do you know that much of that giving was contributed in the last quarter of the year? Why do people give then? Well, the December 31 deadline to record gifts for…
Western Suburbs Giving Circle
The Western Suburbs Giving Circle of the Chicago Foundation for Women invited current and prospective members to kick off another year of grantmaking at their “Cocktails for a Cause” event at Lifetime Fitness Oak Brook on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The group aimed to lay the groundwork for increasing investment in women’s health and reproductive justice,…
The Wellness House
Photos by Marcello Rodarte The annual Wellness House Ball, held on Oct. 19 at The Old Post Office in Chicago, attracted over 400 attendees to support individuals and families affected by cancer. The Hope Grows Co-Chairs Pamela and George Pontikis, along with Katie and Michael Isadore, organized a night filled with elegant decor, dining, and…
A New Dock: Chicago Boat Show finds new location in Rosemont
By Anna Hughes Chicago’s biggest boat show is moving out of Chicago. Luckily for boaters and loyal show attendees, it’s not moving far. The 93rd Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show will return on January 8-12, 2025, in its debut at Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont. For almost a century, this show…
When the Person in the Mirror is No Longer You
Claudine was 49 when she started working in the public eye as a community service officer. Years of sun exposure, gravity, diet, and various other factors started to show in her appearance. One day, she glanced into her squad car mirror and realized that the person she saw on the outside no longer reflected who…
Fruits and Vegetables: The Terrible Two
Elmhurst resident makes healthy eating fun for kids in new children’s book By Anna Hughes Eating the recommended daily dose of fruits and vegetables is hard. Getting your kids to do the same is even harder. Some days, the uneaten broccoli on your toddler’s plate is the biggest uphill battle you’ll climb – and sometimes…
The Elmhurst Model Railroad Club provides fun for all ages
By Katie Bolinger Just across the street from the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line, behind an unassuming door, and down a flight of stairs, you’ll find the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club (EMRRC). This hidden gem is a paradise for train enthusiasts. You can ring the bell of a real Santa Fe prairie-type locomotive to announce…
Elmhurst bakery owner serves up success
By Anna Hughes Every time Michelle Deal makes a birthday cake, it’s her wish that’s coming true. The Elmhurst business owner knows that a perfect cake is the finishing touch for any of life’s biggest events. With each frosted flower or fragilely crafted fondant creation, she pours her heart into each and every dessert she…
Bravo! Performers love changes in York auditorium
By Jeff Vorva When Betsy Kungl first watched a performance in the York High School auditorium in 2015, she enjoyed herself, but there was one little hiccup. Well, it was kind of a big hiccup. She didn’t have an ideal seat. “There was a big speaker in front of me,” she said. “I couldn’t really…
Elmhurst Choral Society has been making music for over 70 years
By Maureen Callahan For 70 years, Elmhurst Choral Union (ECU) has enjoyed making music. The group of about 60 members ranges in age from Elmhurst University students to a few octogenarians. All members are volunteer professionals. It’s a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is overseen by several members who serve as a Board of Directors, with…
The Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts
Photos courtesy of Jeff Nelson and Bernie Surtz The ECPA welcomed a crowd of supporters to their annual Spotlight Giving Gala on Sept. 14 at River Forest Country Club, where ECPA announced a partnership with Ryan Companies. A multi-billion-dollar firm, Ryan was specifically selected for their experience in designing and building smart, well-planned, mixed-use developments.…
The Elmhurst History Museum
The Elmhurst History Museum has officially started construction on a new outdoor performance space, which includes a band shell and audience flex space on the campus. Funded by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, the project aims to enhance public programming by hosting concerts, storytelling, and dramatic performances starting…
Rock the Block
The Elmhurst Rock the Block Festival closed out the summer showcasing community spirit and local talent featuring live music, food vendors, and various activities for all ages. The annual event has become a beloved tradition in Elmhurst drawing crowds from near and far while fostering a sense of community and bringing together families and friends…
Village agency recruits volunteers for community service, response, and recovery
By Anna Hughes You can never be too prepared. That’s the foundation of Oak Brook’s Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA). ESDA members are trained to support the village in case of emergency by helping prepare residents, support responders, and aid in recovery efforts in cooperation with local, state, and federal governmental entities, as well as…
Someone You Should Know: Veteran Ron Nelson
Veteran Ron Nelson still pays it forward By Bill Esbrook Always giving back. Consistently paying it forward. Devoting himself to Faith, family, and country. Those phrases might be the perfect way to describe the life of Oak Brook resident and Navy veteran Ron Nelson, who is definitely, as the saying goes, someone you should know.…
Oak Brook Park District employee uses technical talents to create a luminescent winter wonderland
By Valerie Hardy Thanks to Robert Pechous’ design and animation skills, Oak Brook is about to get merrier – and a watt brighter – this holiday season. Pechous, the Director of Recreation and Communications for the Oak Brook Park District, has been the creative and technological force behind the community’s ever-evolving automated Winter Lights display…
Let’s Go!: Every ride’s a quarter, five for a dollar, at Dispensa’s Kiddie Kingdom
By Maureen Callahan Locals with very long memories remember that sometimes, rides were actually six for a dollar, depending on the weekly Tribune ads. Chicagoland area kids sang along with the catchy ads for Kiddie Kingdom on the radio while riding around town in their parents’ station wagons. The clean, reasonably priced amusement park was…
Celebration of International Cultures
Photos by 726 Visuals The Oak Brook Park District and the Village of Oak Brook came together to host a vibrant celebration, creating an unforgettable cultural extravaganza. Held on Sept. 21 at the newly inaugurated Oak Brook Park District Amphitheater at Central Park North, the “Celebration of International Cultures” ignited the spirit of unity and…
A Bridge Between Two Worlds
Susan Zidlicky desires to lessen the gap between the DuPage community and cultural pockets around the globe By Mia Jones Places like El Salvador, Kenya, and the suburbs of Chicago might not seem like they have a lot in common, but for those who choose to travel beyond DuPage County, strong bonds, relationships, and life-long…
Football Fever: Red Devils enjoy first IHSA flag football season
By Jeff Vorva Destynee McCoy said she will remember the good times. The Illinois High School Association sanctioned girls flag football, and this fall was the inaugural season for teams across the state. McCoy, a senior cornerback for Hinsdale Central, and her teammates may have suffered through a 2-9 record, but the Red Devils were…
How faith and advocacy helped a Hinsdale doctor cross to the other side of grief
By Anna Hughes Growing up, Dr. Lanny F. Wilson admired two groups of people in his small, Roman Catholic Kentucky hometown: priests and physicians. He felt his life would be fulfilled if he could become one of the two. “I liked girls too much to become a priest,” Wilson joked. So, he pursued an alternative…
The Fairmount Ave. Soap Box Derby
It’s all downhill for this Randall Park neighborhood tradition By Maureen Callahan It’s kind of a slice of Americana,” laughed Chris Mac-Kenna when he described Fairmount Avenue’s annual Soap Box Derby. It’s almost like a throwback in time. Picture a neighborhood in 1955. Neighbors socialize up and down the street while kids race down the…
Kidpreneur: A goal becomes a reality for Henry Casson
By Chuck Fieldman Henry Casson may only be a 9-year-old fourth-grader. But that hasn’t prevented the Downers Grove resident from already being able to add “entrepreneur” to his life experiences. Henry’s mother, Kelly Casson, said her son’s interest in running a business goes back to late 2022 when he became very interested in vending machine…
Bringing Hollywood Home
The Martin brothers returned to Downers Grove to share their film with local viewers By Valerie Hardy Three brothers who grew up in Downers Grove before heading to Hollywood were recently back in town for a special screening of their feature film, Bolt from the Blue. The Martin brothers attended the Chicago premiere of the…
65 & Still Serving
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club celebrates a milestone anniversary and its founder By Valerie Hardy | Photography by Carolina Menapace On Sept. 24, Emmett’s private party space – aptly named the Founder’s Room – was packed with women who were pretty in pink. None more so than Shirley Tolbert, however. Tolbert was the guest of…
Dr. Dieter Gruen: Manhattan Project Scientist
Manhattan Project Scientist stresses the importance of always moving forward By Maureen Callahan When people ask Dr. Dieter Gruen, famed Manhattan Project scientist and Downers Grove resident, the secret of living to the age of 101 years, the answer is simple – “a sense of wonder,” he knows. In more than ten decades of life,…
Hope After Heartache
The EM5 Fly High Foundation spreads kindness and joy in memory of Evan Melau By Valerie Hardy When Evan Melau was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding his bike, his family, friends, family friends, friends’ families, classmates, teammates, and many others were grief-stricken. The loss of such a vibrant 15-year-old devastated the community, a…
DuPagePads Interim Housing Center A Pioneering Model to End Homelessness
The first in Illinois, and one of the first in the United States, Downers Grove is home to an innovative solution to end homelessness. For 40 years, DuPagePads has sought to end homelessness by utilizing the support of the surrounding communities. Now, DuPagePads has centralized services at the Interim Housing Center, known affectionately as the…
Kendall Gretsch at the Paris Games
Hometown Paralympian brings home the silver medal By Maureen Callahan Downers Grove native Kendall Gretsch has a strength few possess. This Team USA member has medaled in both the summer and winter Paralympic Games. As a biathlete (winter games – Nordic skiing and shooting) as well as a triathlete (summer games – swimming, cycling and…
Downers Grove Historical Society
Every year, the Downers Grove Historical Society identifies an individual who epitomizes the spirit of “giving back” to the community. The late Montrew Dunham, who co-wrote the history book “Downers Grove, 1832-1982” and authored the follow-up, serves as the model for this award. This year, the Historical Society recognized Mary Ellen Young as the recipient…
Oak Brook Historical Society Starts Intern Program
The Oak Brook Historical Society is pleased to announce the launch of the John and Janet Baar Summer Intern Program, a unique opportunity for students and history enthusiasts to gain hands-on experience in museum operations and historical preservation. John Baar, a veteran educator and former Village Trustee, and his wife Janet, a retired Abbott Labs…
Butler School District helps shape the next generation of Girl Scouts
By Anna Hughes For over a century, Girl Scouts have been making a positive impact on their communities and in the world. The organization has produced generations of leaders, fiercely passionate women, philanthropists, and lifelong friendships. There are troops in over 92 countries, and over 50 million women have been a Girl Scout at one…
Writer’s Workshop: Oak Brook resident to tell her life story in upcoming book
By Anna Hughes Sitting on the couch of her Oak Brook home, Joan Salvato gestures to a large black photo album on a chair across the room. She jokes that, at 88 years old, it’s too heavy for her these days and asks me to bring it over to her. Despite our 64-year age difference,…
Noteworthy
Matas Buzelis The Newest Bull: Draft Hinsdale native in first round
Creating a Buzz By Jeff Vorva | Photos courtesy of the Chicago Bulls His two grandpas played high-level basketball in Lithuania. His father and mother were both successful basketball players in that country as well. Now, Hinsdale native Matas Buzelis can do something even they couldn’t do – play in the NBA. The 6-foot-10 Buzelis…
Hinsdale Rotary Run Charity Classic
30th-anniversary family run to raise money for local nonprofits By Anna Hughes Rotary International brings over 1.4 million people together inter-nationally to promote peace, charity, and good-will through service and efforts focused on positive change. In 1959, Hinsdaleans joined in their mission and established the Hinsdale Rotary Club to unite residents in the spirit of…
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…
Making the Wheels Go ‘Round
A local former bus driver shares his love for kids and kindness By Mia Jones Rick Zarek knew that he did not want to be just any ordinary bus driver; he wanted to be something different. Zarek, a former school bus driver, drove the Hinsdale route for two and a half years for Timothy Christian…
Something to Write Home About
Hinsdale author earns national recognition for her latest novel By Anna Hughes Meet Cristina Henríquez. She’s a critically acclaimed author who has called Hinsdale home for the last 17 years. The Northwestern alum has written four books: Come Together, Fall Apart (New York Times Editors’ Choice selection); The World in Half; The Book of Unknown…
Hall of Famer and San Francisco Forty-Niners General Manager John Lynch
By Maureen Callahan Few professional athletes can claim a record within 500 yards of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer/Denver Bronco John Lynch. Now guiding the Forty-Niners from the General Manager’s office, Lynch leads with a spirit of courageous competition. Hinsdale Magazine Group Contrib-uting Editor Maureen Callahan caught a few moments of the Hall of Famer’s summer…
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…
Former Hinsdalean takes home the Miss Illinois USA crown
She is Beauty, She is Grace By Anna Hughes Grace Rodi has spent half her life in the pageant industry. Her passion started at 12 years old when she received a letter in the mail inviting her to participate in a local competition. At 5-foot-11, she was too tall for gymnastics, and her self-proclaimed “two…
Boosting School Spirit
Local parents help bridge the gap between school funding and student need By Anna Hughes Founded in 1949, the Hinsdale Central High School Booster Club supports students by providing grant opportunities for all school athletics and activities. The nonprofit was originally founded to help the school’s football team, but in the 75 years since, it…
Hinsdale team makes it to the Little League World Series
By Larry Atseff | Photos courtesy of Little League World Series After winning four state titles in the last six years, the 2024 12-under Hinsdale Little League team went beyond this season. They won the Great Lakes Region to get to the first World Series ever for a Hinsdale Little League team. In Williamsport, they…
Clarendon Hills 12U softball team plays on ESPN during regionals
By Jeff Vorva | Photos courtesy of the Clarendon Hills Little League People from all over the nation got a chance to see what Clarendon Hills Little League softball is all about. The CHLL 12-under team became the first team in the organization’s history to qualify for the Little League’s Central Regional tournament after winning…
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…
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.…
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…
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…