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Building the Bears: Elmhurst Youth Football & Cheer Thrives

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Building the Bears: Elmhurst Youth Football & Cheer Thrives

Local youth football organization gives “safety” in football a whole new meaning By Anna Hughes | Photos by Victor Hilitski It started with four dads and a dream: a dream of safe football, a dream of camaraderie and teamwork for young kids around Elmhurst, and a dream of something bigger than themselves and their families.…

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Anchored in Gratitude: Allison Rosati

NBC 5’s Allison Rosati talks farm life, faith and fame By Anna Hughes | Photos by Victor Hilitski For some, 5 p.m. signals the end of the workday and the commute back to the comfort of home. For others, it’s cooking the kids’ dinner or settling down for the evening on your family room couch,…

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A Local Dance Lord

OMG School of Irish Dance’s Ronan Kristufek joins Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance By Maureen Callahan Local resident Ronan Kristufek is currently performing on the world stage. After landing a spot on the high-energy Lord of the Dance North American show tour, he will dance in 36 cities over seven weeks. Kristufek got his…

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Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation set a record by raising more than $110,000 from 400 attendees at Chef Fest, which was held on February 1 at the Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. The event included a variety of signature menu items produced by 26 chefs from prominent local restaurants, bakeries and…

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Out & About: Looking to get outside this spring? Local activities abound.

South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17 @ 12 PM southsideirishparade.org Calling all lads and lasses! Experience the luck of the Irish and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of the largest community-based celebrations outside of Dublin, Ireland. It will kick off at noon at 103rd and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th and…

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The Greatest Gift: Organ donation saves lives daily

Organ donation saves lives daily, as Amy Kilner and John Hickey know first hand BY VALERIE HARDY March holds National Awkward Moments Day and April National Read a Road Map Day. Fittingly, March is National Umbrella Month (and, less fittingly, National Noodle Month). Poetry and Car Care Awareness are both nationally recognized in April. Some…

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Peak Performance: Alex Pancoe reaches new heights for a cause

By Anna Hughes Meet Alex Pancoe: husband, father, philanthropist, and adventurer. Pancoe, a Highland Park native, is not one to shy away from a challenge. He’s scaled all seven summits, faced near-death experiences, braved inhumane temperatures, and more, all while raising money and awareness for Lurie Children’s Hospital, where he was treated at only 18…

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Spring Break Travel Essentials

As the days get longer and trees start to bloom, we know that spring and summer travel are right on the horizon. Whether you’re planning a weekend couples getaway, a road trip, or a beachy spring break vacation with the family, having the right travel essentials can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. In…

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Right on Course: Local youth caddies awarded Evans Scholarships

By Anna Hughes In 1930, the Western Golf Association and Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. established the Evans Scholars Foundation to provide full tuition and housing scholarships to outstanding caddies. To be awarded a Chick Evans Scholarship, recipients must meet the requirements of having a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character.…

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Foundation 205

Photos by Laura Meyer Showcase 2024, Imagine and Inspire, took place in early February at Medinah Country Club. The fundraising gala supports Foundation 205’s mission to ensure all Elmhurst Public School students have access to innovation and opportunities for educational excellence. This year, Deirdre Churchill was the recipient of the Friend of the Foundation Award…

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Making a Comeback: The Return of the Cicadas

By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of the The Morton Arboretum A rare ecological event is happening this spring and summer, but it comes with lots of crawly legs and beady eyes. For the first time in 221 years, two broods of cicadas (Brood XIX, which arrives every 13 years, and Brood XIII, which comes…

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Sound Familiar? Kristina Klemetti gives voice to her vocation

By Valerie Hardy Kristina Klemetti may be a familiar face around town, but her voice is one that is well-known worldwide. Klemetti, an Elmhurst-based audiobook narrator, has recorded approximately 400 books, including New York Times Bestseller “Carrie Soto Is Back” by acclaimed author Taylor Jenkins Reid. However, while Klemetti’s voice may be recognizable to avid…

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Meet the Chief: Dick Dufort take takes the helm at the Elmhurst Fire Department

By Anna Hughes Since 1972, Dick Dufort has called Elmhurst home. And that’s something he’s very proud of. His colleagues joke that his car stops running when it reaches the Elmhurst city limits. He grew up here. He raised his family here. He, his mom, and his adult children all live within a few minutes…

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Stan Mikita’s Hockey School helps Deaf players gain skills while building community

By Maureen Callahan Each June, 80 kids from every corner of the country come to Itasca to participate in Stan Mikita’s Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It’s a one-of-a-kind summer camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students to participate in an instructional hockey program while just being themselves among…

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Outdoor-minded Keizer chooses Olivet Nazarene University for basketball

By Jeff Vorva Timothy Christian senior Alex Keizer says he loves the outdoors. As a matter of fact, he hopes for a career in environmental sciences so he can be outside quite a bit in his career. “I like the idea of helping the environment and helping wildlife,” he said. “I love being around conservation…

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Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity

This year marks the 116th edition of the Chicago Auto Show, North America’s longest-running auto exposition. First staged in 1901, the show brings thousands of people together to showcase hundreds of different vehicles including domestic and imported passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and experimental and concept cars from more than two dozen manufacturers. The…

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Anchoring Communities with a Proud History

In 2024, Clarendon Hills commemorates a significant milestone—the 100th anniversary of its establishment, acclaimed as the “Volunteer Village”. Beginning this April, the village is set to offer an array of events and activities, celebrating the rich heritage of Clarendon Hills. Refer to page 25 for a glimpse of what’s in store, and stay tuned for…

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