COVER STORY
JULY/AUGUST 2025
Where to PIG Out Next
Marianna Shubalis (Bannos) and team make her hometown their renowned restaurant’s second home By Valerie Hardy When it comes to swine dining in the heart of Chicago, nobody does it better than The Purple Pig. Situated along the Magnificent Mile (444 N. Michigan Ave.), this James Beard Award-winning restaurant, featuring “nose-to-tail cooking” and an extensive…
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…
13 Going on 30
In its rookie year, Butler Business Professionals Club earns national title By Anna Hughes At the start of the 2024-25 school year, math teacher Ken Shum introduced Business Professionals of America (BPA) to Butler Junior High in Oak Brook. Inspired by his own experience with the organization as a student at Hinsdale Central High School,…
A New Look
Oak Brook Beautification Initiative Underway Images Courtesy of The Village of Oak Brook The Village of Oak Brook has launched an exciting beautification initiative to revitalize key public spaces and enhance the community’s appeal for residents, visitors, and businesses. With the last major beautification effort taking place over a decade ago, the Village Board of…
Swing into Summer
Oak Brook golf shines with upgrades and an elevated experience With summer in full swing, Oak Brook Golf Club is filled with golfers enjoying an elevated experience this summer due to improved leadership and fiscal management by the Oak Brook Board of Trustees. For the first time, revenues generated by golf operations have been reinvested…
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.…
Paws for a Cause
DuPage Paws for People’s therapy dog teams support students with vision and hearing loss By Valerie Hardy A dog may be a man’s best friend, but it can also be one of a child’s best teachers. This has been the case within the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) classrooms serving children…
Village of Oak Brook Pancake Breakfast
Photos courtesy of the Village of Oak Brook Oak Brook residents gathered for a morning of fun and food at the Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 4. Sponsored by First Watch, the event featured all-you-can-eat pancakes hot off the griddle, served with sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee—all prepared on-site by Village Trustees and first…
Brook Forest Girl Scouts
Photos by Madeline Craig Girl Scout Troop 55501 brightened the grounds of the Oak Brook Historical Society’s Heritage Center with a beautiful flower planting this spring. The girls worked together to add color and charm to the historic site, demonstrating teamwork, community spirit, and environmental care. Their efforts not only enhance the beauty of the…
