Downers Grove Magazine Issues
PLACES of HONOR
Across DuPage County, memorials and landmarks preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Across DuPage County, reminders of military service can be found in community parks, civic spaces, and museums. Some honor local residents who never returned home. Others recognize generations of veterans or preserve the history of…
Read MoreA Tale of Two Thanksgiving Parades
As Macy’s marks its 100th parade, two local balloon handlers share their experiences in New York and Chicago By Maureen Callahan It’s almost Thanksgiving. The all-American holiday that predates the formation of our nation itself. It’s a day of customs. We wake up to backyard football games and local turkey trots and end the day…
Read MoreA League of Their Own
Books & Brunch brings the community together in support of Assistance League Chicagoland West By Anna Hughes This November, Assistance League Chicagoland West will bring members and supporters together for its annual Books & Brunch fundraiser, an event that helps fuel the organization’s work throughout Western Cook and DuPage counties. “We consistently look at what…
Read MoreSanta’s Local Helpers
Toy Express keeps Christmas joy local By Maureen Callahan Sometimes, even Santa needs a hand this time of year. That’s where Toy Express Children’s Charity comes in. For the last 36 years, the 501©(3) non-profit organization has collected toys to help DuPage County families supplement Santa’s offerings for their children. While toys might not be…
Read MoreHitting the Slopes (or Bike Trail or Golf Course) with Friends
There’s more to Piccadilly Ski Club than stem christies By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of Larry Himmelblau When you have a hobby you love, like skiing, there’s nothing better than finding a community of friends to share your passion. For the past 54 years, Piccadilly Ski Club has welcomed skiers and snowboarders, along with…
Read MoreMore Than Holiday Shopping
What turns a trip to Oakbrook Center into an afternoon, an evening, or a reason to come back By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff | Photo courtesy of Oakbrook Center A trip to Oakbrook Center used to be fairly straightforward: you went to shop. Today, you might go to meet friends for dinner, catch a movie,…
Read MoreThe First Heisman
The remarkable life of college football legend Jay Berwanger By Maureen Callahan As college football prepares to crown its next Heisman Trophy winner this December, it’s worth remembering where the tradition began—and the remarkable local man who received the very first award. So today’s trivia question: Who was the winner of the first Heisman Trophy?…
Read MoreA Home Where the Bison Roam
Illinois’ prairie at Nachusa Grasslands has been restored over the past 40 years thanks to The Nature Conservancy By Valerie Hardy There are few places left in the Midwest where you can hear the uninterrupted breeze moving through waist-high grasses and spot a herd of American bison grazing as they did centuries ago. Yet less…
Read MoreLasting Legacy
Giving Beyond a Lifetime By Dave McGowan Did you know that approximately 10% of estates include a provision for a charitable distribution? It’s a great way to leave your legacy and to ensure that the organizations you supported during your lifetime will continue to benefit from your generosity. As I mentioned in my May article,…
Read MoreMaking Polo More Accessible
Introducing a new generation to one of the world’s oldest sports Photos by Courtney Kelly Chicago Polo Academy is helping introduce a new generation of players to the sport. Located in Maple Park, Illinois, the academy hosts scheduled competitive tournaments and offers riding lessons, polo instruction, and practices for students under the direction of Thomas…
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