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
Checking into the Hall of Fame: Jon Grzbek earns a spot in hockey history
By Maureen Callahan If you’re looking for a local hockey team to follow, the Benet Red Wings are your ticket to an exciting game! And it’s no mystery why. Coach Jon Grzbek, recently inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame, has a lot to do with this team’s success. Grzbek is a member of…
‘Cue for a Cause
By Larry Atseff Photos by Clark Maxwell On a beautiful day in September, ‘Cue for a Cause raised a record $49,000+ for the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network (EWAN), according to Executive Director Jackie Crnkovich. Together, the teams competed for trophies for best sauce, best ribs, best chicken, and Grand Champion. Judges worked hard sampling the…
ELMHURST REALTORS
United For The Community By Scott Jonlich and Larry Atseff | Photos by Victor Hilitski On October 17, well over 50 Elmhurst Realtors gathered at Beer on the Wall to see each other in person for the first time in months. As one of the meeting organizers, Paula Pezza, put it, “After 33 years in…
Ringing in the Season
By Maureen Callahan The ceremonial sound of bells elevates any event to a special occasion, especially the particular elegance of a handbell choir. It’s truly an art form that requires a high level of dedication from each ringer, not only to their individual bells but to the group. The Agape Ringers, Chicago’s premier community handbell…
Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club
Teacher grants. High School Senior Scholarships. Junior High Art Awards. Safety Town. These are just a few examples of how the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club (DGJWC) gives back to the community every year. The organization – comprised of women in Downers Grove and surrounding areas – embodies the volunteer spirit. Established in 1959, DGJWC…
Let it Snow: A festive and fun-filled end to 2023
The holidays are here, and we’ve curated a list of local events guaranteed to spread the season’s cheer! From light shows to stage performances, we’ve got you and your family covered for a festive and fun-filled end to 2023. By Anna Hughes IllumiBrew at the Morton Arboretum 11/16/23 – 11/17/23 www.mortonarb.org Be one of the…
Assisting As Needed: Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry helps families make healthy eating a reality
By Maureen Callahan Things were different when Kathie Watts started volunteering at Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry (EYFP) 15 years ago. The non-profit began as a ministry of Yorkfield Presbyterian Church. It has come a long way. Volunteers packed canned goods and dry items for pantry patrons from a cinder block room in the church’s basement.…
Out of the ashes: Six and a half decades later, Chicagoans still commemorate Our Lady of the Angels school fire
Six and a half decades later, Chicagoans still commemorate Our Lady of the Angels school fire By Maureen Callahan The first day of December ushers in the holiday season. It’s a promise of happiness and celebration. But it’s also the day that Chicagoans pause to honor the memory of 92 children and three nuns who…
Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay
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 get a local look at all three in the same place, check into The Drake Oak Brook, Marriott Autograph Collection. You’ll feel like you’re at home. And among family- specifically…
Comfort & Joy: Shopping This Holiday Season In Oak Brook, and elsewhere in DuPage
The holiday season is a feel-good time for many people. And several measures have been put into place in Oak Brook over the past two years in an effort to ensure the safety and security of shoppers, visitors and employees of local businesses. These measures are important year-round, but especially so during the holiday shopping…
Loaves and Fishes Night to End Hunger Gala
By Anna Hughes | Photos by Time Stops Photography Loaves & Fishes Community Services held their annual gala to raise awareness around food insecurity in the Chicagoland area. ABC7’s Dionne Miller emceed the event at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook, surrounded by community members supporting one of the largest food pantries in Illinois. The…
West Suburban Humane Society Barkapalooza
By Anna Hughes | Photos by 726 Visuals For three decades, the West Suburban Humane Society has been hosting the Barkapalooza: a fundraiser to help bring homes to animals in need throughout the Chicagoland area. Over 500 people gather yearly for the 5K, the Waggin’ Tails Walk, the pet costume parade, and more. The event…
Downers Grove Oktoberfest
By Anna Hughes | Photos by 726 Visuals The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 presented the village’s 10th annual Oktoberfest, where residents got to experience a traditional German atmosphere right in their hometown. While enjoying beer and brats, music groups spanning genres from classic rock to traditional German polka serenaded attendees. The event…
Lego Art Installation
Photos by 726 Visuals If driving down Belmont Road the last few months, you may have wondered about the life-size Lego building just north of the train tracks. Thanks to one of Downers Grove’s newest businesses, The Lytle Auditorium, the construction of the building turned into a temporary Lego Art Installation visible to many in…
United Real Estate Grand Opening
United Real Estate Chicago celebrated its Grand Opening last month at 1600 W.16th Street in Oak Brook. The event was hosted by Rick Williams, Designated Managing Broker, along with Rick Haase, President of United Real Estate, and Leigh Ann Brogan, Director of Strategic Project Management. Over 270 friends and surrounding agents were greeted by 50…