E-EDITION
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Seats for Everyone
Why Performance Needs Philanthropy by Laura Michaud & Melissa G. Wilson On a November evening in Chicago’s western suburbs, the lights go down, and a theater fills. Artists take the stage. Families settle into their seats. Students experience live performance for the first time. And people who might not otherwise be able to afford a…
Calling Hinsdale Home
Alexis Braden on giving back to the community she loves By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff | Photo by Victor Hilitski The season of giving is often measured by what we give to others. For Hinsdale resident Alexis Braden, giving back has meant something equally valuable: time. Over the past 13 years, Braden has devoted hers…
Central’s Jorski Wins State
Defeats red-hot Lester Low By Jeff Vorva Since his sophomore year, Hinsdale Central’s Michael Jorski has put up a pretty impressive postseason resume. In 2025, he finished second in regional play, tied for third in the sectional and took fifth in the state tournament. In 2026, he finished tied for second in the regional and…
Making a Splash
Clarendon Hills’ Becky Cavanagh Shines as Ducky Derby Ambassador By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of Special Olympics Illinois The banks of the Chicago River were packed several people deep on a Thursday afternoon in August as more than 90,000 bright yellow rubber ducks hit the water for the 21st annual Chicago Ducky Derby. Amid…
Speaking Volumes
A recent DGS graduate starts her college career as a national speech champion and published research writer By Valerie Hardy When Zoya Siddiqui transferred to Downers Grove South from Fenton High School her sophomore year, she was terrified she wouldn’t make friends. However, she joined multiple activities, hoping to connect with other South students. Speech…
A Shared Tradition
Oak Brook and Hinsdale Chapters come together for Mistletoe Medley For decades, Mistletoe Medley has been a holiday tradition in the western suburbs, raising funds in support of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. This year, the signature event takes on a new collaborative spirit, with members of the Oak Brook and Hinsdale Chapters coming…
A Tale of Two Thanksgiving Parades
As Macy’s marks its 100th parade, two local balloon handlers share their experiences in New York and Chicago By Maureen Callahan It’s almost Thanksgiving. The all-American holiday that predates the formation of our nation itself. It’s a day of customs. We wake up to backyard football games and local turkey trots and end the day…
Santa’s Local Helpers
Toy Express keeps Christmas joy local By Maureen Callahan Sometimes, even Santa needs a hand this time of year. That’s where Toy Express Children’s Charity comes in. For the last 36 years, the 501©(3) non-profit organization has collected toys to help DuPage County families supplement Santa’s offerings for their children. While toys might not be…
Christmas Markets Worth the Trip
Five Christmas markets to inspire a future winter getaway By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff There is something about Europe at Christmastime that makes even winter skeptics reconsider the season. Centuries-old squares glow beneath thousands of lights, wooden stalls fill with handmade ornaments and gifts, and the scent of mulled wine and holiday treats drifts through…
Hitting the Slopes (or Bike Trail or Golf Course) with Friends
There’s more to Piccadilly Ski Club than stem christies By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of Larry Himmelblau When you have a hobby you love, like skiing, there’s nothing better than finding a community of friends to share your passion. For the past 54 years, Piccadilly Ski Club has welcomed skiers and snowboarders, along with…
Come on Over
The dinner party is back, but the rules have changed By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Maybe it was inevitable. After years of restaurant reservations, elaborate grazing boards and perfectly styled parties made for social media, entertaining is coming home again. But this time, we’re leaving some of the old rules behind. The new dinner party…
Strategic Year-End Giving
Thoughtful strategies for making the most of your charitable gifts By Dave McGowan Year-end charitable giving can accomplish more than supporting the organizations you care about. With thoughtful planning, it can also create meaningful tax advantages. If you don’t itemize, you could use a charitable bundling strategy whereby you estimate your charitable giving goals…
The Gifts We HAD to Have
A nostalgic look back at the toys that topped wish lists By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Long before “going viral” entered the vocabulary, certain toys had the power to send shoppers racing to stores, empty shelves and turn an ordinary gift into a cultural phenomenon. A nostalgic look back at some of the things we…
More Than Holiday Shopping
What turns a trip to Oakbrook Center into an afternoon, an evening, or a reason to come back By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff | Photo courtesy of Oakbrook Center A trip to Oakbrook Center used to be fairly straightforward: you went to shop. Today, you might go to meet friends for dinner, catch a movie,…
The First Heisman
The remarkable life of college football legend Jay Berwanger By Maureen Callahan As college football prepares to crown its next Heisman Trophy winner this December, it’s worth remembering where the tradition began—and the remarkable local man who received the very first award. So today’s trivia question: Who was the winner of the first Heisman Trophy?…
