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 shaped Chicagoland’s dining scene. An acclaimed restaurant critic for the Chicago Tribune, Vettel – also a longtime Downers Grove resident – is now “mostly retired,” but he still enjoys…

Read More

From Oak Brook to Africa

The Drake Luxury Brands bold global leap By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff The Drake Oak Brook has been a symbol of elegance in the western suburbs, known for its rich history, classic architecture, and timeless charm. Under the ownership of Jim Nagle, a former Chicago attorney and third-generation lawyer, the iconic hotel has undergone a…

Read More

A Global Company with a Local Flavor

The Western Suburb’s FlavorChem is a family business in a worldwide market By Maureen Callahan “We make flavors from A-Z,” said Eric Larson, Production Manager at FlavorChem. “We don’t actively sell a zucchini flavor yet, but we do sell a Greek Yogurt flavor, so technically, I guess we’re A-Y,” he jokes. FlavorChem is an international…

Read More

The Sky’s the Limit

Fly with the Woodland Aero Modelers Club without ever leaving the ground By Maureen Callahan It’s a bird, it’s a plane…well, yes, it is! If you regularly hike or cycle at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, you might have seen members of the Woodland Aero Modelers (WAM) radio control (R/C) flying club honing their craft. Literally.…

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 be one of a child’s best teachers. This has been the case within the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) classrooms serving children…

Read More