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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Mend a Heart Foundation

Photos by Laura Meyer A country western hoedown was held in February by Mend a Heart Foundation benefiting kids born with congenital heart defects. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Heartfest 2024 fundraiser benefit promising medical research, summer camp scholarships for heart kids, and high school cardiac screenings in the Chicagoland area. Brian…

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Cupid Courts Misericordia

The Cupid Courts Misericordia paddle event was held in early February and, once again, a “smashing” success. This day of non-competitive paddle tennis play has tripled in size over the years. Eight private clubs are now used in the western suburbs for the fundraiser, bringing the paddle tennis community together while supporting a great cause.…

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