Author: Valerie Hardy
Author
Creating Community Connections
The Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club has helped build bonds for over 75 years By Valerie Hardy When Betsy Laakko moved to Elmhurst from St. Louis in 2020,... Read more.
A Man with Great Taste
Going back to the table with former Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel By Valerie Hardy Photography by Victor Hilitski For over three decades, Phil Vettel... Read more.
Paws for a Cause
DuPage Paws for People’s therapy dog teams support students with vision and hearing loss By Valerie Hardy A dog may be a man’s best friend, but it can also... Read more.
Citizen’s Police Academy
The Elmhurst Police Department provides residents a behind-the-scenes look at local law enforcement BY VALERIE HARDY | PHOTOS BY MADELINE CRAIG This spring in Elmhurst,... Read more.
Dr. Rachael Mahmood finishes her term as Illinois Teacher of the Year
BY VALERIE HARDY Dr. Rachael Mahmood grew up in Downers Grove with parents who were both physicians at Good Samaritan Hospital. “Being the child of two doctors,... Read more.
Downers Grove South freshman gets promoted to Eagle Scout
BY VALERIE HARDY When 15-year-old Millan Ananth set his sights on becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank within the Scouting America organization (formerly Boy... Read more.
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... Read more.
Once-worn formalwear gets a second chance through a nonprofit prom boutique run by Hinsdale’s Jen Chillo
By Valerie Hardy “Never in a million years” did Jen Chillo, a 16-year resident of Hinsdale, think she would end up teaching at the high school she attended.... Read more.
DuPage County nonprofit celebrates 35 years of local and global service
By Valerie Hardy Kay McKeen of Wheaton has been proudly “talking trash” for over three decades. Founder and executive director of SCARCE – a nonprofit... Read more.
What’s Brewing
Local Oktoberfest celebrations have fun for the whole family on tap this fall When September hits, Oktoberfest isn’t far behind. The famed fall festival... Read more.