Dr. Michael Halkias – Naper Grove Vision Care

Tell us about yourself. I grew up here in the Western suburbs, and I have been an owner of Naper Grove Vision Care since 2008. Currently, I live in Hinsdale with my wife, Jessica, and three children. What is the formula for your success? Above all else…attitude. In my work life, success requires persistence, discipline,…

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The Thrill of the Dill: The unexpected rise of Pickleball

By Cynthia Maquet For the third year in a row, Pickleball has earned the title of the fastest-growing sport in the nation. Is the pickleball phenomenon all that it’s cracked up to be? The rapid growth and increase in popularity seems to point in the direction of “YES.” But let’s get to know a little…

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Center Stage: Dan Aykroyd at Oakbrook Center’s Wonderverse

By Larry Atseff There is absolutely no substitute for talent. And there is no substitute for being a genuinely nice guy. That is Dan Aykroyd in a nutshell. His oeuvre as a comedian, actor, writer and director speaks for itself. Think about all the laughs you have had watching him on Saturday Night Live and…

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DuPage Pads

At this year’s Taste of Hope event in late February, DuPagePads once again proved the power of a community that believes everyone deserves a safe place to sleep and a way to journey back to a home of their own. The organization continues to break records, raising more than $340,000 this year. Funds will be…

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Anchored in Gratitude: Allison Rosati

NBC 5’s Allison Rosati talks farm life, faith and fame By Anna Hughes | Photos by Victor Hilitski For some, 5 p.m. signals the end of the workday and the commute back to the comfort of home. For others, it’s cooking the kids’ dinner or settling down for the evening on your family room couch,…

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House & Home — Chad Esslinger: Esslinger Design Company

Reality television can make it seem like design and renovation are faster and easier than they genuinely are. Chad Esslinger knows this firsthand as a designer on an episode of HGTV’s House Hunters Renovation a few years ago. He also knows otherwise. Working in the industry for the last 27 years, he understands good design…

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A Local Dance Lord

OMG School of Irish Dance’s Ronan Kristufek joins Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance By Maureen Callahan Local resident Ronan Kristufek is currently performing on the world stage. After landing a spot on the high-energy Lord of the Dance North American show tour, he will dance in 36 cities over seven weeks. Kristufek got his…

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Consigning to Fight Cancer

The Courtyard, Wellness House’s upscale resale shop, helps cancer patients By Maureen Callahan “Through the years, there’s been a magic to this place. Someone has always been looking out for us.” – Sheila Botti, Courtyard co-founder Some say hindsight is 20/20 vision. For the three founders of Hinsdale’s Courtyard consignment shop, it’s true. This beautifully…

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