COVER STORY
JULY/AUGUST 2025
COA
At COA, the food speaks first—bold, vibrant, and steeped in the flavors of Spain and Latin America. With every dish, Executive Chef Ezequiel Dominguez invites guests to explore rich culinary traditions reimagined through contemporary techniques. Day-to-day operations are expertly led by Chef de Cuisine Felipe De Santiago, ensuring a consistently elevated dining experience. While tapas…
‘Side Thing’ Now a Main Thing
By Jeff Vorva Timothy Christian graduate Samantha Drye took soccer and basketball seriously. Those were the sports she spent a lot of time and energy working on, playing with various club and travel teams. The three-sport athlete also played tennis for the Trojans, and she called it “a side thing.” But now, it’s her main…
Menus with a Mission
At one of Dave Sloan’s restaurants, every meal means more By Anna Hughes Every morning, Elmhurst native Dave Sloan wakes up with the same goal: to make other people happy. To him, that’s the essence of the restaurant industry—where he’s spent the past 15 years building a name and a mission. “I found my passion…
Hinsdale’s Healing Home
Wellness House has supported cancer wellness and holistic healing for 35 years By Anna Hughes For the last 15 years, Elaine Adams has been volunteering at Wellness House in Hinsdale. On Wednesdays, she works the front desk. On Mondays and Thursdays, she helps women experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment find the right wig. Each…
Creating Community Connections
The Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club has helped build bonds for over 75 years By Valerie Hardy When Betsy Laakko moved to Elmhurst from St. Louis in 2020, she was eager to meet new people. Relocating during the pandemic made this challenging, but Laakko got creative. “I reached out virtually to anyone I could find…
Legacies and Crossings
A Summer of Art, History, and Community at the Elmhurst Art Museum By Elmhurst Magazine StaffPhotos courtesy of Elmhurst Art Museum . . This summer, the Elmhurst Art Museum invites visitors to experience not one, but two compelling exhibitions that celebrate the stories behind the art and the communities that shape them. On view through…
Empowered in Portrait
Local photographer captures the beauty of motherhood By Anna Hughes Sharing photos on social media has become second nature to millions. What started as a fun way to keep in touch with family and friends has launched many amateur creators into unexpected careers. In a way, that’s exactly what happened to Kinda Arzon. The Oak…
For the time of your life, get to Greece!
By Maureen Callahan The influence of this nation has reached every corner of the earth. Greece is one of humankind’s oldest and most powerful ancient empires. Its mark on the world is indelible. This is the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest philosophers who shaped the republic. Few other places can claim the contributions…
Q&A with State’s Attorney Bob Berlin
Justice in Focus Hinsdale Magazine Group last caught up with DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin in January 2022. In this issue, we revisit Berlin in a wide-ranging discussion on how his office works daily to protect local residents. Hinsdale Magazine Group (HMG): What are the most pressing school safety concerns facing DuPage County today,…
Decades of Dining
Historical restaurants and eateries in Chicago By Anna Hughes With dozens of new restaurants popping up across the city and beyond, consider returning to the basics and visiting some of Chicago’s oldest restaurants, eateries, and bakeries. These Windy City staples have been serving generations of Chicagoans, providing top-notch food, quality service, and a classic Chi-town…
Dwell at Home with Iconic City Foods
DwellSocial makes all your favorite city cuisine possible again, without the hassle. By Maureen Callahan Our favorite foods can transform any day into a celebration. Or just make dinner easier. If you have ever lived in the city, you know how easy it is to order from your favorite places. Many restaurants deliver, but if…
A Man with Great Taste
Going back to the table with former Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel By Valerie Hardy Photography by Victor Hilitski For over three decades, Phil Vettel shaped Chicagoland’s dining scene. An acclaimed restaurant critic for the Chicago Tribune, Vettel – also a longtime Downers Grove resident – is now “mostly retired,” but he still enjoys…
From Oak Brook to Africa
The Drake Luxury Brands bold global leap By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff The Drake Oak Brook has been a symbol of elegance in the western suburbs, known for its rich history, classic architecture, and timeless charm. Under the ownership of Jim Nagle, a former Chicago attorney and third-generation lawyer, the iconic hotel has undergone a…
A Global Company with a Local Flavor
The Western Suburb’s FlavorChem is a family business in a worldwide market By Maureen Callahan “We make flavors from A-Z,” said Eric Larson, Production Manager at FlavorChem. “We don’t actively sell a zucchini flavor yet, but we do sell a Greek Yogurt flavor, so technically, I guess we’re A-Y,” he jokes. FlavorChem is an international…
The Sky’s the Limit
Fly with the Woodland Aero Modelers Club without ever leaving the ground By Maureen Callahan It’s a bird, it’s a plane…well, yes, it is! If you regularly hike or cycle at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, you might have seen members of the Woodland Aero Modelers (WAM) radio control (R/C) flying club honing their craft. Literally.…
Fight for Air Climb
Photos courtesy of the American Lung Association The 2025 Fight For Air Climb in Oakbrook Terrace took place in early March and featured a strong turnout from local suburban fire departments. Participants completed a grueling 30-floor climb in full firefighter gear to support the American Lung Association’s mission to end lung disease. The Elmhurst Fire…
COMMUNITY SCENE – Art in Wilder Park
The 28th annual Art in Wilder Park returned to Elmhurst for a vibrant, art-filled weekend that kicked off the spring festival season in style. Held in early May at Wilder Park, the beloved outdoor event drew thousands to the scenic Culture Campus, where over 130 artists from across the Midwest showcased handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, paintings,…
