COVER STORY
E-EDITION
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Elmhurst’s Youth Advisory Committee
Giving teens a voice to shape their community By Sophia Schiappa What began as an effort to better connect with Elmhurst’s young people has grown into a program where students aren’t just sharing ideas – they’re putting them into action. The Elmhurst Youth Advisory Committee, established in 2023, was created to give local youth a…
An Open Book
Despite a challenging chapter after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2023, Elmhurst-based author Emily Bond returned to writing with her trademark voice, humor, and focus on female characters who enjoy their jobs. Last March, Bond published her third novel, Sort of Seeing Someone, a romantic comedy sprinkled with magical realism. Sort of…
A Rare Journey
Trey Gelsomino’s story of resilience is helping his Elmhurst family raise awareness for WAGR syndrome By Sophia Schiappa By the time Trey Gelsomino turned 9 years old in April, he had accomplished something he had dreamed about for years: riding the towering roller coasters at Cedar Point. The trip was more than a birthday celebration.…
Against the Odds
Three Elmhurst athletes helped 1st Alliance make club history at the AAU 13Club National Volleyball Championship Four days. More than 100 teams. One historic finish. When the final point landed on the championship court at the AAU Club Volleyball National Championships in Orlando, Florida, the Lions 13-Red players rushed together in celebration. After competing on…
Tracking a Lacrosse Career
Track star Navarre goes all-in and helps York’s lacrosse team finish second in state By Jeff Vorva | Photos by Jeff Vorva Track? Lacrosse? Track? Lacrosse? York’s Morgan Navarre had some tough choices to make in her four years at the Elmhurst school. She was sensational in both sports, but both sports occur in the…
YES YOU CAN!
How performing arts create successful musicians—and successful adults By Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson Every September, students across the western suburbs step into band, choir, theater or orchestra classrooms. Most don’t realize those spaces teach far more than music. They build confidence, discipline, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. For many, those lessons become the foundation…
Honoring DuPage’s Best Educators
Timothy Christian’s Matt Davidson Among Honored Educators By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of DuPage Regional Office of Education When Jeff Grant’s biology students head outside for class, they’re not taking a break from learning – they’re stepping into one of the most unique classrooms in DuPage County. Just beyond the grounds of Downers Grove…
The Reshaping of Real Estate
Understanding the market forces changing the way homes are bought and sold By Amy Robey of Mainstreet REALTORS® If you’ve heard anything about the housing market over the past several years, you know it’s a difficult time to buy. High mortgage rates, coupled with low inventory, have posed a challenge, particularly for first-time homebuyers, to enter the market. Inventory…
Remembering Ella French
Five years after her daughter’s death, Elizabeth French heals through helping police By Maureen Callahan On the night of August 7, 2021, Chicago Police Officer Ella French and two other officers conducted a routine traffic stop while on patrol in Englewood. Officer French and one of her partners that evening, Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., were…
Luxury at Home
Bringing the resort and country club experience home By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Luxury living today is less about square footage and more about creating a home that rivals a five-star resort. Homeowners are investing in spaces that promote wellness, recreation, and everyday enjoyment, bringing experiences once found only at luxury hotels and private clubs…
A Legend Etched in Landscape
Gertrude Kuh remains one of the most notable women in landscape design By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of the Deimel Family Archives Outdoor landscaping is what makes a house a home. A century ago, the name Gertrude Kuh became well known, particularly on the North Shore. As one of the first women in her…
Chicagoland: The Quiet Golf Capital of the World
By Valerie Hardy When most people think of world-class golf destinations, the Midwest probably isn’t the first location to come to mind. Instead, they likely consider courses like St. Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach in California, and Pinehurst in North Carolina. However, situated right here in the Second City and its surrounding suburbs are courses…
A Guide to Some of the Oldest Places in Chicago
Explore the landmarks, hotels, businesses, and institutions that have preserved Chicago’s rich history for generations By Sophia Schiappa Timeless Tourist Attractions Buckingham Fountain Buckingham Fountain is a monumental Beaux-Arts-style fountain located in Grant Park, Chicago. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world and a defining feature of Chicago’s lakefront…
