Issues
Founded in Faith
Immaculate Conception Grade School celebrates 125 years BY ANNA HUGHES | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ICGS The year was 1900. William McKinley was serving as the 25th president. The Great War was still 14 years away. Automobiles were an exciting new invention. That same year, a small one-room schoolhouse—heated entirely by coal—opened on York Street. It…
Read MoreCurating Curiosity
Meet Elmhurst History Museum’s new leader of learning By Elmhurst Magazine Staff Since its founding in 1957, the Elmhurst History Museum has been focused on sharing the vibrant backstories of the city through thoughtful collection, enlightening exhibits, and diverse educational experiences. The Museum plays a vital role in the community by showcasing the richness of…
Read MoreThe Way the Cookie Crumbles
Elmhurst resident Lisa Garber bakes love into Belden Avenue Bakery BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN “I’m Italian. My love for others comes through food.” A truer statement was never spoken by Lisa Garber, Elmhurst resident and owner of custom decorated cookie company Belden Avenue Bakery. Garber comes from a family who understands the importance of good cooking.…
Read MoreCitizen’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, CPA has had a meaning completely unrelated to Tax Day. It stands for the Citizen’s Police Academy, which is a 12-week program offered twice annually to “pull back the curtain”…
Read MoreSpringtime 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…
Read MoreLooking SHARP(ie)
Downers Grove Co-Op wins state gymnastics title using a little ink BY JEFF VORVA The ink didn’t lie. Heading into the postseason, the Downers Grove co-op gymnastics athletes put Sharpie to arms and wrote a word that would inspire them. “The girls picked a focus word and wrote it on their arm, and that’s what…
Read MoreDr. 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, I felt like I had no choice but to become a doctor,” she said. In fact, back when Mahmood was a teenager, her father told her he would…
Read MoreDowners 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 Scouts of America), he knew exactly what he wanted to do as his service project: renovate the weight room at Lakeview Junior High School. Ananth, a 2024 Lakeview graduate, wanted…
Read MoreSECURING THE AREA
Sergeant Robert Jacobs has served nearly three decades with the Downers Grove Police Department BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN There’s something about being from a place, especially if you choose to stay in that place and raise your family—just ask Sergeant Robert Jacobs of the Downers Grove Police Department (DGPD). After having grown up in town and…
Read MoreFight for Air Climb
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION On March 9, 2025, hundreds participated in the 32nd Fight for Air Climb at Oakbrook Terrace Tower, Illinois’ tallest building outside Chicago. Climbers ascended 30 floors and 660 steps, supporting the American Lung Association’s mission for clean air and healthy lungs. The Oak Brook Fire Department participated in the…
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