COVER STORY
E-EDITION
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
Music at the Gazebo
Photos by Elmhurst Magazine The Spring Road Business Association’s Music at the Gazebo celebrated its 23rd season, offering free Thursday evening concerts from June 12–August 7 in Elmhurst. The lineup featured rock, country, jazz, pop, and more in a family-friendly outdoor setting. Attendees brought picnics, chairs, and blankets for an unforgettable community experience.
Take the Stage
Rediscover passion, purpose, and performance—at any age. By Laura Michaud & Melissa G. Wilson “It’s never too late to start something new.” That timeless encouragement takes on deeper meaning in the world of performing arts. Whether you’re pulling a long-lost instrument out of storage, stepping into a spotlight for the first time, or returning to…
The Drake Legacy: From Chicago to Ethiopia
By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff Twelve years ago, a young man from a small village in Ethiopia walked through the doors of the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois. He didn’t wear a suit. He didn’t know who owned the building. He only knew one thing: he wanted to be part of something great. That…
Drive Time
Oak Brook Golf Club driving range offers year-round play For nearly a century, golf has been a way of life in Oak Brook, bringing together precision, passion, and community. At the heart of this tradition is Oak Brook Golf Club, a public gem with a private feel that blends rich history with an exciting future.…
Midwest Style, National Spotlight
Oakbrook Center Named Top U.S. Destination By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff, Photo courtesy of Brookfield Properties Oakbrook Center has earned national recognition, ranking No. 4 in USA TODAY’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best U.S. Shopping Centers. As the only Illinois destination to make the top 10, Oakbrook stands out for its unique blend of…
Next Chapter, New Home
Should you upsize or downsize after the kids move out? By Amy Robey, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Mainstreet REALTORS® Considering moving once your kids are officially out of the house? You aren’t alone. After owning their homes for a decade or more, and often raising a family there, buyers are dipping their toes…
The Real-Life Overlook Hotels Shine On
No evidence of Red Rum at the Stanley Hotel or Timberline Lodge By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of the Stanley Hotel and Timberline Lodge “…..we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun….” It’s likely John Lennon had no idea his song, “Instant Karma,” would inspire the title of one…
Head West for Fall Fun
West on I-90 to Route 20 for a great fall getaway By Maureen Callahan Thinking of heading out for a weekend this fall? Most Chicagoans leaf-peep in Michigan or Wisconsin. This year, take I-90 west to Route 20 west for some fun fall destinations. Rockford Originally named Midway, due to its situation halfway between Chicago…
Elmhurst City Centre
Elmhurst City Centre is more than just the geographic heart of Elmhurst—it’s a creative, cultural, and commercial hub that thrives on connection and collaboration. Under the direction of Tom Paravola, City Centre has become a vibrant destination through thoughtful marketing, community-driven programming, and beautification efforts that enhance the everyday experience downtown. “Our mission is to…
Dave Oberg, Elmhurst History Museum Executive Director
The history of a town plays a key role in the way a municipality evolves and the identity for which it comes to be known. Keeping track of our local history for us, while presenting it in meaningful ways, is Elmhurst History Museum Director (EHM), Dave Oberg. “We have a terrific team here, and I…
Jim Rogers, Executive Director, Elmhurst Park District
With over thirty years of experience, Jim Rogers oversees the team that keeps our green spaces so well-manicured and inviting. And with 832 seasonal employees (79 full-time) and thirty park sites, that’s no small task. It’s a balance of listening and acting on information collected, while prioritizing the greatest need. For Rogers, Elmhurst Park District’s…
Jennifer Veremis, President and CEO of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry
A strong, cohesive network of businesses is the backbone of any community. That strength is shored up by an active chamber of commerce. Current President and CEO of Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECCI), Jennifer Veremis, brings over two decades of small business experience to the table. While relatively new to her role, as…
Allison Peters Quinn Elmhurst, Art Museum Director & Curator
A vibrant arts scene elevates a vibrant community to the next level. The opportunity to observe, create, and connect to others through art, especially at a museum like Elmhurst Art Museum, is not found everywhere. It’s part of what makes this town unique in the western suburbs. Director and Curator, Allison Peters Quinn, earned a…
Scott Levin, Mayor of Elmhurst
A strong community requires solid leadership. That leadership must be headed up by a great mayor. For us, that’s Scott Levin. While Levin grew up in Evanston, he and his family have lived in Elmhurst for almost three decades. Levin and his wife, Marisa, make their home in the Cherry Hill subdivision. Their daughter, Julia,…
Ready for the Big Time
York grad Reiff prepares to shake down the thunder with Notre Dame By Jeff Vorva Joseph Reiff V had been to college football games before. His father, Joseph IV, played football for Northwestern, so the two had taken in some games in Evanston over the years. But THIS? Joseph V went to a Notre Dame…
It Takes a Village
For support and connection in the early parenting years, look no further than the Elmhurst Area Moms group By Valerie Hardy | Photos courtesy of Elmhurst Area Moms Meghan Kastenholz was 37 weeks pregnant when she moved to Elmhurst in 2022. She didn’t know a single person in her new hometown besides her husband, but…
The Ultimate Curveball
Elmhurst vintage baseball game uses historic rules in annual city vs. university matchup By Anna Hughes | Photos Courtesy of Elmhurst History Museum At its founding, America’s favorite pastime looked quite different from the modern game fans know and love today. Baseball has captivated audiences since the 1840s—even though its early iterations followed a very…
The Community’s Cornerstone
Stone, storms, and the family legacy that shaped Elmhurst By Anna Hughes The 8,300-acre quarry that sits just south of North Ave. on Route 83 stands out against the surrounding suburban landscape. Although rarely open to the public, the historic Elmhurst Quarry has served the area for decades as the largest flood control facility in…
