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…

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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…

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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…

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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

FANS

Draft Day OK for J.J.

Famous Le Mont Saint-Michel tidal island in Normandy, northern France at sunset

Visit Normandy

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A Fair to Remember

Fresh pink alcoholic cocktail with grapefruit, ice and rosemary, drink glass on a black stone board, old rustic style, selective focus, shallow depth of the field.

The Perfect Taste of Summer

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Town Meets Country: Local writer makes a name for herself in Nashville music scene

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D181 students use foundation grants to help their community

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HCHS student shares musical talent with local retirement communities

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Chicago Storm Special Hockey is truly special

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Fine Art: Hinsdale’s popular art show returns to Burlington Park

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Wine Women & Shoes raises $370,000 for Bridge Communities

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Josh Bey goes all out to set state records after a tough go in world competition

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Hinsdale Kitchen Walk Luncheon

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Hinsdale Infant Welfare Society

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Nazareth Academy Roadrunners return with hopes of defending their repeat state titles

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Summer is right around the corner, and we’ve rounded up the best events of the summer including live music, fresh food, and family fun.

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Fostering Love: Two local families offer foster children a safe place to belong

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Dr. Michael Halkias – Naper Grove Vision Care

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Three local authors work themselves into three interesting and diverse book genres

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The Thrill of the Dill: The unexpected rise of Pickleball