It All Begins in Elmhurst
Happy New Year, Elmhurst! As we enter 2025, we’re excited to celebrate the remarkable individuals and events defining our vibrant community.
Our cover story features Anthony Michael Lopez, an Elmhurst native who has made history on Broadway. Despite being one of the first amputees to perform on Broadway, Anthony has overcome the biases and limitations others have placed on him. Currently starring in Our Town at the Barrymore Theatre, he credits his start at Elmhurst Children’s Theatre and York High School for equipping him with the skills and confidence to succeed. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of turning challenges into assets.
In this issue we share stories of Elmhurst’s high school sports teams. Despite the adversity of losing their head coach, the York Dukes football team made history with a second-place finish in the state—its best performance ever. On the tennis court, senior Lizzie Isyanov proved determination knows no bounds, finishing second at the High School Tennis Tournament after sitting out her junior year with a stress fracture.
Local talent continues to shine on the soccer field as well. Elmhurst natives Charlie Heuer and Luke van Heukelum, who played at the collegiate level, returned home in the fall to compete at Seat Geek Stadium—a special milestone for these athletes.
For those who love fast-paced action, our feature on Elmhurst native Fred Lorenzen, aka the “Elmhurst Express,” delves into his pioneering impact on NASCAR. Lorenzen helped grow the sport’s popularity across the country, bringing racing thrills far beyond its southern roots. At press time, Hinsdale Magazine Group heard of Fred Lorenzen’s passing. We are honored to feature him on our pages. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lorenzen Family. For additional stories and photos about this local legend, visit ElmhurstMagazine.com.
Elmhurst’s generosity was on full display at the 41st Annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot, where over 7,500 participants braved the cold to raise funds for 17 local agencies supporting neighbors in need. Another inspiring initiative, “Warm Coats for Cool Kids,” founded by Garry and Debra Vaccaro, continues to grow. Over the past four years, they’ve distributed new coats to 2,600 children, proving how small acts of kindness can snowball into meaningful change.
Community celebrations also brought joy this winter. The Spring Road Business Association’s Winter Fest delighted hundreds of families with Santa visits, sleigh rides, and caroling around the gazebo.
Finally, we explore the enduring power of live performing arts with Laura Michaud and Melissa Wilson. Laura, a founding member of the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts, shares how performances unite and inspire us—a fitting reflection for the start of a new year.
Thank you for reading and for supporting our advertisers. Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, determination, and a strong sense of community.
Warm regards,
Scott Jonlich
Publisher
