COVER STORY
MARCH/APRIL 2024
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,…
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…
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…
Out & About: Looking to get outside this spring? Local activities abound.
South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17 @ 12 PM southsideirishparade.org Calling all lads and lasses! Experience the luck of the Irish and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of the largest community-based celebrations outside of Dublin, Ireland. It will kick off at noon at 103rd and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th and…
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…
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…
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.…
Centennial Celebration: Clarendon Hills commemorates the historic occasion
Clarendon Hills has always been a charming and vibrant village with a rich history and a strong sense of community, and this year, it joyfully celebrates its Centennial. With winding streets purposefully inspired by Central Park’s architecture, numerous parks, and recreational facilities, Clarendon Hills offers an ideal lifestyle for its residents. Known as the Volunteer…
Hustle, Heart & Hoops
Training with younger sister helps Daniel Orozco’s outside game By Jeff Vorva Daniel Orozco is a deadly 3-point shooter on the basketball court. The Hinsdale Central senior has made his mark beyond the arc and, at times, makes it look effortless. But someone who is that good usually has to work at it. That’s where…
Right on Course: Local youth caddies awarded Evans Scholarships
By Anna Hughes In 1930, the Western Golf Association and Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. established the Evans Scholars Foundation to provide full tuition and housing scholarships to outstanding caddies. To be awarded a Chick Evans Scholarship, recipients must meet the requirements of having a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character.…
Making a Comeback: The Return of the Cicadas
By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the The Morton Arboretum A rare ecological event is happening this spring and summer, but it comes with lots of crawly legs and beady eyes. For the first time in 221 years, two broods of cicadas (Brood XIX, which arrives every 13 years, and Brood XIII, which comes…
Stan Mikita’s Hockey School helps Deaf players gain skills while building community
By Maureen Callahan Each June, 80 kids from every corner of the country come to Itasca to participate in Stan Mikita’s Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It’s a one-of-a-kind summer camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students to participate in an instructional hockey program while just being themselves among…
Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity
This year marks the 116th edition of the Chicago Auto Show, North America’s longest-running auto exposition. First staged in 1901, the show brings thousands of people together to showcase hundreds of different vehicles including domestic and imported passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and experimental and concept cars from more than two dozen manufacturers. The…
Anchoring Communities with a Proud History
In 2024, Clarendon Hills commemorates a significant milestone—the 100th anniversary of its establishment, acclaimed as the “Volunteer Village”. Beginning this April, the village is set to offer an array of events and activities, celebrating the rich heritage of Clarendon Hills. Refer to page 25 for a glimpse of what’s in store, and stay tuned for…
