A Taste of Home

Hinsdale resident gives more than just the gift of good food By Anna Hughes Fresh, natural food: That’s what Andy Koziarski noticed was missing from American grocery shelves. When he first immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1994, the Hinsdale resident was surprised to see that the ingredient lists on packaged foods were…

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Life Under the Golden Arches

JJC Family Restaurants owns and operates 19 area McDonald’s locations By Maureen Callahan “One in eight Americans have worked at McDonald’s. You might see the golden arches and think, ‘big, global corporation,’ but it’s us behind it,” said West suburban businessman, John Carnagio. “All across the world, these [individual McDonald’s restaurants] are family businesses.” You…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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The Hart of Hinsdale

Get to know the new village president By Anna Hughes For the first time in 16 years, there’s a new leader at the helm of Hinsdale. At just 37 years old, Greg Hart is the youngest president in village history. His millennial mindset provides a fresh perspective to local government, and he’s honored to represent…

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Where Community Thrives

Downers Grove’s new Civic Center and the legacy of Mayor Betty Cheever By Catherine Dobrez Photos Courtesy of the Village of Downers Grove Home of the Village Hall, Police Department, and District 58 Administration, the newly constructed Civic Center lies at the heart of Downers Grove (850 Curtiss St.). This 80,000-square-foot building operates Monday-Friday from…

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