COVER STORY
E-EDITION
MARCH/APRIL 2026
First Audience
How music begins at home and grows into a lifelong passion BY LAURA MICHAUD AND MELISSA G. WILSON The Living Room Debut Before there are stages, spotlights, or packed auditoriums, there is almost always a living room. Or a kitchen. Or the back seat of a car. For many performers, the first audience is family—people…
Music and Mentorship
Elmhurst resident leads Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras BY ANNA HUGHES When Jennie Oh Brown first picked up a flute in eighth grade, something clicked. “I never really thought about talent,” Brown said. “I just thought about the fact that I really loved it, and it was really fun.” Brown had tried other instruments before…
Renovations Worth Every Dollar
The home upgrades that bring the biggest return COURTESY OF MAINSTREET REALTORS® We’ve always known that first impressions matter, but did you know the same is true of your home? Replace an outdated front door with a new steel door, and you’re likely to recoup 100% of the value when it comes time to sell.…
Built for the Times
A look at how homes evolve with us BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF Home styles reflect how people live at different moments in history. From early formal houses to today’s flexible layouts, architecture has changed alongside family life, technology, and cultural priorities. These familiar home types trace the evolution of suburban living. Colonial &…
Elmhurst Art Museum’s Robert McCormick House
Mies van der Rohe’s eternal Modernism BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN Have you ever wondered about the house adjacent to the Elmhurst Art Museum? It used to be a private residence here in town and is one of only three in the United States designed by German immigrant Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies van der Rohe…
A Constant in the Community
Celebrating the Elmhurst YMCA’s 65th anniversary BY VALERIE HARDY For Elmhurst, the YMCA is more than just a catchy song. It is a mainstay within the community, and one that is now 65 years strong. The Elmhurst YMCA, part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong communities and…
Rhythm and Friendship
How Tree Town Tappers keep moving BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN One of the advantages of living in Elmhurst is our wonderful Park District. There’s something for everyone here, and one of the most noteworthy opportunities is the Tree Town Tappers (TTT), a performing tap dance group. TTT, as a group, started in 2014, but many members…
Watch the Birdie
York’s head badminton coach, Gena Fite, enters her last season BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN “I’m going to miss these kids. They’re incredibly wonderful.” – Gena Fite “My dad always said a person has a responsibility to give back using their gifts,” said York head badminton coach, Gena Fite. “Sports were always easy for me. So, I…
Potempa’s Potential
‘Underdog’ volleyball star skips final HS semester to get a jump on college career BY JEFF VORVA Downers Grove’s Bella Potempa was fully aware she was going to miss out on some fun. The Timothy Christian High School volleyball standout made an important decision. With enough credit hours under her belt, Potempa had the opportunity…
Redefining Guest Experiences
The future of modern hotel design In this exclusive interview, Oak Brook Magazine sits down with Komal Patel, CEO of Vinayaka Hospitality. Patel oversees the prominent DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago – Oak Brook and the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook. Here, he shares insights into the meticulous design process, evolving guest expectations, and the art of…
First Audience
How music begins at home and grows into a lifelong passion BY LAURA MICHAUD AND MELISSA G. WILSON The Living Room Debut Before there are stages, spotlights, or packed auditoriums, there is almost always a living room. Or a kitchen. Or the back seat of a car. For many performers, the first audience is family—people…
Mahjong Madness
A captivating game, equal parts strategy and social, is sweeping its way through the suburbs BY VALERIE HARDY Step back, bridge, and bunco. There’s a new game in town—mahjong—and it’s spreading like wildfire across the western suburbs and throughout the nation. The History of the Game Many Americans only recently learned mahjong, but the game…
