COVER STORY
MARCH/APRIL 2025
Clarendon Hills Centennial Celebration
Clarendon Hills puts history front and center By Chuck Fieldman In his own way, Chuck Brand has been a part of Clarendon Hills’ history for many years as the village celebrates its Centennial in 2024. Brand has lived in Clarendon Hills for 68 of his nearly 70 years and has been involved with the village’s…
Reaching New Heights: Bradley and the USA Deaf Volleyball team take to the court
Hinsdale Magazine Group spoke with 21-year-old Cullen Bradley of Hinsdale regarding his journey to the USA Deaf Volleyball (USADVB) national team. Bradley, who lost his hearing around two to three years old and received cochlear implants shortly after, is a rising senior at Purdue University, where he is studying computer engineering and plays for the…
Growing Pains: Get to know the dads behind the Candor Health Executive Board
By Anna Hughes Growing up is hard. Sometime around the end of elementary school and during middle school years, clothes start to fit differently. Friends start to act differently. Sleepover talk turns from Barbies to boys. From games to girls. These years of being caught between being a kid and a teenager are an awkward…
ON PAR: Caroline Owens and Notre Dame
Hinsdale Central star continues her career at Notre Dame By Jeff Vorva A family vacation in the mid-2010s helped change the athletic career of Hinsdale Central’s Caroline Owens. She and her older siblings, Grace and Jake, were heavily involved in swimming and figured their careers would be in the water. But a trip to Florida…
Hinsdale’s Amegadjie Ready to Bear Down
Amegadjie drafted in the third round by the Bears By Jeff Vorva Kiran Amegadjie came to Hinsdale Central High School thinking his future was in basketball. By sophomore year, however, he made a pivot with his career and started to play football, instead. “He was late to the game, so he really didn’t start playing…
Snapshot: Dolce Restaurant & Wine Bar
13 North Cass Avenue Downtown Westmont DolceWestmont.com Carrie Fleck had a longtime desire to open a small wine bar offering an intimate atmosphere with good food and wine. In 2018, she and her husband, Stephen, were presented with an opportunity to co-own an existing spot focused on rustic, refined food and an exquisite wine selection.…
Snapshot: The foxtail
5237 Main Street Downtown Downers Grove TheFoxtailDG.com The Foxtail is a contemporary restaurant that draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, offering something for all tastes. Operating from Tuesday to Sunday for both lunch and dinner, the restaurant is conveniently situated in downtown Downers Grove, making it the perfect stop before or after exploring the shopping scene.…
Close to the Heart: Improved youth heart screenings continue to grow
By Larry Atseff Experts in children’s heart disease, in partnership with hundreds of volunteers, are the pillars of Young Hearts For Life (YH4L). The organization offers free ECGs to all students—not just athletes—to detect conditions that may cause sudden cardiac death. Over 320,000 students in DuPage County and Chicagoland have been screened due to YH4L,…
Neat Kitchen + Bar
246 North Cass Avenue Downtown Westmont NeatKitchenandBar.com Matt Verde and John Taylor met in the sixth grade at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst. These lifelong friends grew up to pursue restaurant careers that led them down different paths, but they ultimately reunited in 2018 to open Neat Kitchen + Bar. After hearing the previous…
Hinsdale Kitchen Walk
Photos by Laura Meyer The Hinsdale Historical Society has been devoted to collecting, preserving, and promoting the history of Hinsdale for more than thirty years. In its 19th year, the Kitchen Walk remains one of Hinsdale’s most popular fundraisers hosted by the Society, where guests can see the first floors of six illustrious homes. Attendees…
Wellness House
Over 3,000 people came together at the annual Walk for Wellness House held on May 5 to help support cancer survivors, families, and friends. The day was filled with encouragement, hope and community as runners and walkers took to the pavement in the streets surrounding Wellness House’s main location in Hinsdale, raising over $750,000. Funds…
Hinsdale South Young Life
A rainy evening did not dampen Hinsdale South Young Life’s Annual Fundraiser on April 18th in Burr Ridge. The evening celebrated the past year with a focus on the future for “Every Kid, Everywhere, For Eternity.” The impact this organization has been making on the community was evident through the heartfelt words shared by the…
The Community House
By Mia Jones | Photos by 726 Visuals The Community House’s 18th annual Walk the Walk for Mental Health turned out with 700 participants this year, walking to help support access to mental health services for the local community. The walk began with local fitness and health and wellness vendors, an opening ceremony, and then…
Labriola Restaurant An Elevated Dining Experience
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff| Photo by Laura Meyers In an exciting move that promises to elevate the culinary scene, Rich Labriola, the visionary behind Labriola Café and LaBarra, is merging his eateries to create a new, enhanced Labriola experience. Facing an expiring lease on his Labriola Bakery Café, located next to his LaBarra Ristorante…
Next Level: Local area student-athletes continue athletic pursuits
Congratulations to the local student-athletes from the Class of 2024 who will continue their academic and athletic pursuits at the Division 1 collegiate level. It is a remarkable testament to their dedication, discipline, and hard work. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the community, and we wish you continued success in all your future…
Serenades of the Summer
Concert series make their return for another music-filled summer By Mia Jones Sweet summertime calls for ample entertainment opportunities and good live music. Luckily, residents of all different communities are welcome to enjoy the variety of live music this summer. Classics like Hinsdale’s Uniquely Thursdays will continue at Burlington Park with more music and food…
Charitable Giving: DuPage County’s predicted wealth transfer has huge implications
By Dave McGowan The 2020 Illinois Transfer of Wealth Study reveals an astonishing trend: DuPage County residents are transferring more wealth than ever before, and this unique moment won’t last forever. We’re now in the final five years before we reach the peak at the end of 2028. Back in 2005, only 6% of DuPage…
Draft Day OK for J.J.
Naz star ready to start NFL career with Vikings By Jeff Vorva While many members of Nazareth Nation gathered in the Stadium in McCook for a J.J. McCarthy watch party on the night of the NFL Draft, they were nervous and anxiously awaiting to find out where their hero would go and to what team.…
Visit Normandy
A calm escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris By Maureen Callahan In the wake of this summer’s 80th anniversary of D-Day, it’s all eyes on Normandy. And while history is around every corner here, this gem of a region is known for more than its museums and memorials. It is one of France’s…
A Fair to Remember
It’s 70 years for DuPage County Fairground’s signature celebration By Maureen Callahan For more than a century and a half, the DuPage County Fair has drawn tens of thousands of Illinois residents for old-fashioned family fun. July 25-28th marks the 70th anniversary of the event being hosted at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. The…
The Perfect Taste of Summer
A hot summer day, time by the pool or beach, or an evening at home means you need something to sip on. Try out one of these drink recipes for the summertime. By Mia Jones The Salty Dog Cocktail A zesty and refreshing summer drink Ingredients: 1 ½ ounces of gin or vodka 3 ounces…
