Stories for you
Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay
By Maureen Callahan One of the best things about luxury travel is the accommodation. What makes a hotel memorable? Décor? Amazing cuisine? Unparalleled hospitality? To get a local look at all three in the same place, check into The Drake Oak Brook, Marriott Autograph Collection. You’ll feel like you’re at home. And among family- specifically…
AWE Autumn
Oktoberfest Sponsored by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 Friday, September 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Oktoberfest, held in downtown Downers Grove on Burlington Avenue between Main Street and Forest Avenue, is a two-day German themed celebration with live music, entertainment Kids…
Susan Sinderson: Downers Grove Community Adult Day Center Director calls Elmhurst home
By Maureen Callahan | Photos by 726 Visuals When Susan Sinderson and her husband moved to town three decades ago, Elmhurst was a very different place. She came upon it via her job at Lifelink Corporation, a company that built affordable housing for senior citizens. Sinderson worked alongside former Congressman Henry Hyde to convince the…
Rich Support: York High School Distinguished Alumnus Jerry Rich offers support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
BY VALERIE HARDY Based in Lisle, Giant Steps is a therapeutic day school certified to exclusively serve students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as their primary diagnosis. Since its inception in 1996, Giant Steps has upheld its commitment, as noted in its vision statement, to “providing individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and their families, superior…
Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory
In a world where first impressions matter, the loss of hair can be a challenging journey to navigate. Your hair is more than just a part of your appearance; it’s a reflection of your identity, personality, and self-confidence. CSC Dermatology understands the impact that hair loss can have on your life and offers effective solutions…
Budding Boosters: York High’s Booster Club sees to the extras for students athletes
By Maureen Callahan There are always items that aren’t covered by high school athletic budgets. Those extras, when gifted to a team, make all the difference. York High School athletic coaches know they can lean on the Athletic Booster Club for anything they need. Since 1974, the York High School Athletic Booster Club has helped…
Down to a Fine Art: Behind the scenes of today’s Elmhurst Art Museum
By Larry Atseff Elmhurst’s Eleanor King Hookham, a famous artist, an art teacher in her own right, and the driving force behind establishing the Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM), would be proud to see how the museum has evolved and grown since it opened in 1997 to offer notable art, art education, and architecture. EAM not…
The DuPage County Crime Forensic Science Center aids the criminal justice system of DuPage County
By Scott Jonlich and Larry Atseff Photos by Victor Hilitski When there was a shooting at Oakbrook Center two days before Christmas in 2021, various law enforcement agencies quickly became involved, starting with nearly 300 police officers from Oak Brook and other communities who arrived at the scene. The work of officers from several DuPage…
Making It Better Every Day: The leader who sets the pace
By Dave Noble Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Kristi Blessing was attending a leadership seminar at a catering convention in Colorado. The local resident and owner of Pints Elmhurst (112 S. York St.) and 151 Kitchen | Bar (151 N. York St.) was so enthralled with the speaker and his message that she decided…
Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th
Photos by Josh Ruggio The Elmhurst Running Club held its 18th 4 on the 4th race thsi past Fourth of July. As the only public Independence Day event in Elmhurst, the event draws a strong field from throughout the Chicago area. With over 700+ members, The Elmhurst Running club was founded in 1997 as a…
A Tennis Player’s Dream Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club
In the last few years, the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club (OBBTC) has made tremendous progress in becoming a viable entity. One real bright spot has been the tennis programming. Simply put, it has become a tennis player’s dream. To start with, the club offers Har-Tru clay courts, which are known for several features.…
Live Music at Elmhurst City Centre
Photos by 726 Visuals All summer long, the Elmhurst city Centre hosted live concerts on at the North York Stage with a wide range of genres performing weekly. On August 2, concert goers went back in time to the 90s while listening to How Rude, a 90s Tribute Band. ■ Author Magazine Staff View…
Movie in the Park
Photos by 726 Visuals Hundreds gathered at Wilder Park for a Movie in the Park in August. Presented by the Elmhurst Park District in partnership with the Elmhurst Public Library, the monthly summer events allow attendees to enjoy new and classic kids’ movies. ■ Author Magazine Staff View all posts
Discover Arizona: From Cowboys to Hollywood elite, the American Southwest holds something for everyone
By Maureen Callahan The 1860s gold rush put Arizona on the map. Subsequent discoveries of silver and copper in the decades that followed brought more fortune-seekers. By the 20s, Route 66 offered a direct path out there, dotted with convenient stopping-off points. But it was the mainstreaming of air conditioning for residential use in the…
Feeding His Passion: Newly appointed Chef Stephen takes the helm at The Westin Chicago Lombard
What is your background? Before joining Westin Chicago Lombard, I was the Chicago Bears’ Executive Chef at the Chicago Bears Halas Hall training facility in Lake Forest. I prepared daily food for football players, coaches, scouts, and front office staff. I used my culinary skills and hospitality experience uniquely. Before my current position, I was…
Celebrating A Century of Open Road: Now in its 100th year, this slice of Americana still beckons travelers
By Maureen Callahan The open road. It’s still the holy grail of travel. Route 66 was the first road that made the offer back in 1923. And millions of Americans accepted. Mr Ford had introduced his Model-T over a decade earlier. Americans had the vision to go west. Now they had a way to get…
Brightly Shining: Diwali reminds us to be a light to darkness
By Maureen Callahan As the leaves turn, thousands of families in the western suburbs celebrate a five-day festival every fall. Diwali, the festival of lights, may encompass diverse traditions and customs by celebrants, but there are a few common themes. Curious about this festival? Read on for some answers to some common questions about this…
