COVER STORY
MAY/JUNE 2025
The Evolution of Plastic Surgery
The Art and Innovation of Dr. Michael Byun By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff For decades, the evolution of plastic surgery has been shaped by idealized images of beauty relentlessly presented through media. This pursuit of seemingly unattainable facial perfection; a straighter nose, defined jawline, and youthful appearance, often drives patients to travel far to achieve…
Field of Dreams
Cooperstown marks milestone moments for youth baseball players Nicknamed “America’s Hometown,” Cooperstown is more than just a small village in Central New York: It’s a rite of passage for young baseball players across the country. Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in the sport, Cooperstown…
To-Dos
By Anna Hughes With summer break fast approaching, we’ve curated a list of local activities for the entire family to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for memorable musical performances or fun in the sun, we’ve got all that and more on this season’s selection of the best in the western suburbs. Cats Paramount Theatre Aurora April…
Springtime Selling in Chicagoland
BY CONTRIBUTING PARTNER MAINSTREET REALTORS As the ground thaws and Chicagoland’s yards begin to awaken, homeowners have a golden opportunity to transform their properties and capture the attention of potential buyers. Curb appeal isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical factor that can significantly impact your home’s marketability and final sale price, especially during the busy…
Modern Medicine
From data to diagnosis, AI is augmenting medical professionals’ training and practice by VALERIE HARDY Medical training programs and practices in Illinois are on the cutting edge when it comes to considering how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance patient care and physician functionality. For example, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Bioengineering was…
“WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, TAKE PICTURES”
Clarendon Hills resident shares late father’s message of hope, living life to the fullest BY ANNA HUGHES | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOLLY SOLIK At 24, Molly Solik felt lost. She was working a low-paying job she didn’t enjoy, coming home to an apartment that didn’t feel like home. Like many in their mid-20s, she was…
The Hinsdale Historical Society Kitchen Walk Luncheon
PHOTOS BY MARCELLO RODARTE More than 300 people attended the Hinsdale Historical Society’s annual Kitchen Walk Luncheon in March at the Hinsdale Golf Club. This year’s theme, Palm Royale, celebrated design and preservation with a Palm Beach style theme. The Hinsdale Golf Club was transformed into a 1960s high society poolside retreat complete with cabana-inspired…
THE GOLD STANDARD
Local principal named finalist for prestigious leadership award By Anna Hughes For the past seven years, Principal Kristin Cummings has been the fearless leader of Prospect Elementary School in Clarendon Hills, leading with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to student success and growth. Her relentless pursuit of excellence for Prospect students and families has…
LATE BLOOMER
‘Absolutely terrible’ runner as a high school freshman turning in big-time times in college BY JEFF VORVA | PHOTOS COURTESY OF VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY Michael Skora won the first race he was ever involved in – a cross-country competition in sixth grade. In college, on February 14, he broke the four-minute mile barrier. In between those…
‘We were flying’
Hinsdale Central breaks national record at the state meet BY JEFF VORVA/PHOTOS BY JEFF VORVA Henry Guo had his doubts. The Hinsdale Central senior swimmer and his pals were discussing the possibility of breaking a national record in the 200-yard medley relay event at the Illinois High School Association state meet. Carmel High School in…
DUMUN’s Debut
Student-Led Model UN Conference Brings Global Dialogue to DuPage by Anna Hughes Isa Ibrahim and Anthony Barakat are natural problem solvers. It’s part of what drew them to Hinsdale Central’s Model UN team during their freshman year. It’s also what inspired them, at just 15 years old, to launch a conference of their own. “I…
From Caddying to College
Local students are awarded the prestigious Evans Scholarship By Valerie Hardy Three local high school seniors shot for the green and made it. In this case, “the green” is not on the golf course but rather refers to money, which Downers Grove’s Colin Finn and Elmhurst’s Chloe Cummins and Matthew Hamblin have much more of…
An Icy Miracle
45 years later, Jack O’Callahan remembers Team USA’s Olympic victory and one of sports’ biggest upsets By Maureen Callahan “Do you believe in miracles?!!” Anyone who watched Team USA beat Team USSR – the world’s best hockey team at the time- remembers Olympic commentator Al Michaels deliriously shouting this question to viewers from their tube…
Path to Healing
How live performances can help mental health By Laura Michaud & Melissa G. Wilson According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness each year. The most common mental health conditions include anxiety disorders (31.6%), major depression (15.3%), substance use disorders (18.1%), and bipolar disorder…
A Night to Remember
A Sneak Peek at the Taste of Oak Brook 2025 By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Oak Brook will come alive this summer with one of Chicagoland’s most anticipated events—the Taste of Oak Brook. On Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, thousands of people will gather to enjoy an unforgettable evening of food, music, and entertainment. With gates…
The 250th Anniversary of the United States Army
Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail, and those Caissons go rolling along… The United States Army, America’s oldest and largest branch of armed forces, will celebrate its 250th birthday this summer. On June 14, 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Second Continental Congress approved…
Argonne X-rays Advance Disease Monitoring
Using the Advanced Photon Source, researchers are creating smart proteins to better monitor diseases like cancer and thyroid disorders. By Contributing Partner Argonne National Laboratory A team led by Nobel Prize winner David Baker used artificial intelligence and the Advanced Photon Source to design proteins that sense key molecules in the body. This work could…
