COVER STORY

Hitting a High Note — Uniquely Thursdays tradition carries on

JULY/AUGUST 2023

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Hitting a High Note — Uniquely Thursdays tradition carries on

By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff For over two decades, The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce has successfully grown its weekly summer live concerts. Today, Uniquely Thursdays continues to thrive. Every summer, residents from Hinsdale and attendees from surrounding communities come to enjoy food and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere with great live music. Originally located on…

Vasili’s

Snapshot: Vasili’s

VASILISMEDITERRANEAN.COM 135 WATER STREET DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE Authentic. This word aptly describes Scott Harris Hospitality’s Vasili’s Mediterranean restaurant, nestled in Naperville’s downtown riverwalk. Named after the father-in-law of the renowned restauranteur Scott Harris (Papou is Greek for grandfather), the restaurant pays homage to the warmth and charm of Papou, whose legacy inspires Vasili’s hearth-fired Mediterranean fare.…

Natalie Ryan (Event Co-Chair), Lauran Petty (NBC Anchor & Event MC), Beth Lyons (Event Co-Chair)

Community Scene: Off to the Races

Brightpoint’s Derby Day party a success The Hinsdale Chapter of Brightpoint (formerly known as Children’s Home and Aid) raised more than $100,000 at its annual Derby Day party on Saturday, May 6 at Butterfield Country Club. “We are so thankful once again for such an amazing turnout to our signature fundraiser,” said Beth Lyons, Co-Chair…

One of the top fundraising teams, The Crown Royals

The Wellness House Walk for Wellness

The annual 3K walk/5K run for the Wellness House took place in May bringing together cancer survivors, families, friends, and volunteers at the organization’s main location in Hinsdale. Over 3,000 people attended wearing purple even t-shirts creating a heartwarming sea of color. Gina Pongetti Angeletti and Dr. Arpi Thukral led the way as Walk co-chairs…

Neat Kitchen Photo

Neat Kitchen and Bar

neatkitchenandbar.com 246 North Cass Avenue downtown Westmont Lifelong friends John Taylor and Matt Verde, owners of Neat Kitchen and Bar in Westmont, met in sixth grade at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst. After graduating together from high school, their careers took them separate ways, but both pursued careers in the restaurant industry. Between John’s…

Davidson has been the Superintendent of Timothy Christian Schools since 2010.

Timothy Christian Schools

Where Children Are Challenged to Realize Their Full Potential By Larry Atseff Photos | by Victor Hilitski Parents certainly want their children to do well in school. In addition, for a large (and growing) number of families, one’s Christian faith is central – the virtues, the values, and the promises of the Bible. When parents…

Benefit Chairs: Nadia Shamsi, Alyssa Doorhy, Amanda Mancini, Ashley Keeley, Chelsea Urban, Molly Sikora, Jennie Patricoski

Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club 2023 Benefit Wonderland

Photos by Molly Grace Photography This past spring, member of the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC) and their guests raised funds at the annual “Wonderland” benefit in downtown Chicago at the Untitled Supper Club. Featuring entertainment, tempting cocktails, and delicious bites, the event was yet another success for the philanthropic organization. Since 1949, HJWC has…

Mark Olley, Tracey DiBuono, Greg Hyder, Debi Catenacci

The Service Club of Chicago Spring Hat Luncheon

In May, The Service Club of Chicago hosted its annual fundraising event, The Spring Hat Luncheon, at The Langham in downtown Chicago. Guests stepped out in their finest hats and enjoyed a red-carpet entrance, live music, luncheon and a hat contest. The theme of the Hat Luncheon this year was “The Many Hats We Wear”…

Beloved children’s author Joan Walsh Anglund with her great granddaughters. —Photo by Tim Horowitz

Joan Walsh Anglund

The local area native who became a world-renowned children’s author By Maureen Callahan What is a friend? The answer depends on who you ask. A friend is someone who helps you. It’s someone with whom you have shared memories and common ground. A friend- above all- is someone who likes you. Joan Walsh Anglund, a…

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Hinsdale Kitchen Walk Timeless Tradition

Photos by Marcello Rodarte Hundreds of attendees from Hinsdale and surrounding towns visited five spectacular homes during the 2023 Hinsdale Kitchen Walk in May. The Hinsdale Historical Society Women’s Board plans the event annually. The homes on this year’s walk celebrated and showcased renovation and restoration at their finest – a fitting tribute to Hinsdale’s…

Taurasi Photo

Taurasi

taurasirestaurant.com 14 North Cass Avenue downtown Westmont Raffaele Cirillo, the owner of Taurasi, was born in Gragnano, Italy – two miles from the Sorrento coast – into an entrepreneurial family with a passion for hospitality and cooking. Born into the hospitality business, his father began Raffaele’s cooking lessons at the age of nine and declared,…

Redzic is a hands-on leader, jumping in to help wherever needed.

Coming in from Outside

DuPagePads’ new housing model offers a permanent path out of homelessness By Maureen Callahan For the last 35 years, many in this community remember assisting DuPagePads- formerly known by the acronym P.A.D.S.- Public Action to Deliver Shelter- in their church basements. Scout troops, youth groups and others, made up a cast of thousands of volunteers…

One of a Kind WallbankAve_2001

One of a Kind — Architectural Gems in the Western Suburbs

There is no shortage of unique architecture in the Chicagoland area. In this issue, a handful of homes nestled in the western suburbs are featured that either break away from typical design trends or embrace traditional aesthetics. Blackened Steel and Glass House Located in Downers Grove Built in 1974, the home was originally designed by…

Reserve 22 is located at Village Links in Glen Ellyn and recently won an award for best outdoor dining. 
—Photo courtesy of Village Links Golf Course

Links & Drinks – plus post-round cuisine

BY VALERIE HARDY You don’t have to join a country club to enjoy a round of golf on a beautifully manicured course followed by beverages and bites at a quality clubhouse or onsite restaurant. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or still growing your game, this list of local courses is sure to provide a pick…

Cathy Richardson of Jefferson Starship.2

Gaining Momentum – Hinsdale Alum Cathy Richardson

By Scott Jonlich | Photos by Victor Hilitski Cathy Richardson is one of Hinsdale Central’s most famous Hall of Fame members. She lived in Burr Ridge while attending Hinsdale Central and graduated in 1987. To quote her induction statement as a 2020 Hall of Fame inductee, “Her music career was in full swing at Central,…

E-EDITION

Noteworthy

To Dos-jonny-caspari-TQGpLw48VsU-unsplash

Let it Snow: A festive and fun-filled end to 2023.

Timothy Christian’s Abby Vander Wal and Immaculate Conception’s Ava Falduto hug after winning a world championship in volleyball.

On Top of the World: Elmhurst volleyball stars win world title

ASL classes are offered as a foreign language option at Hinsdale South.

Signs to Bridge Two Worlds

Hinsdale Central girls golf and boys' basketball coach Nick Latorre said athletes at the school put in hard work and commitment, which has led to the school's athletic success.

Trophy Hunting: Hinsdale Central is now up to 233 state trophies, including 108 state championships

Snapshot Image Candor Health

Candor Health Education

Rudy IMG_8430 copy

Rudy! – 30 years later, Rudy walks on with a new generation

Château du Parc is located at 420 South Park Avenue in Hinsdale.

Hinsdale Historical Society & Château du Parc

Lifelong musician, KC Congdon, has directed the Agape Ringers for four years.

Ringing in the Season: The Agape Ringers: Performing a musical art form

Annual Garba & Raas - 2W0A9671

Annual Garba & Raas

Griffin, Rob, Scarlett, Nora and Hunter Tonn

Brooks Strong Foundation

Rev. Dr. Dan Meyer - lead pastor at Christ Church

Young Life: Raising money for faith-filled youth programs

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

ATJMAH_CM_2223

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help