By Anna Hughes | Photo by Victor Hilitski Alison Bonaguro had always known she wanted to be a writer. With a degree in journalism and 15 years of experience in ad copywriting, she decided to chase a dream that combined her passion for storytelling with her love for country music. Bonaguro and her husband have lived in their Clarendon Hills home since 1993, where they raised their three kids and “fell madly in love with life in a small town.” Bonaguro tells us more about her career, her time in Nashville, and her book in this Q&A with Hinsdale Magazine. Hinsdale Magazine (HM): Where did you ..read more

By Anna Hughes Inside Ms. Ashley Kaumeyer’s class at Monroe School, 5th graders are learning about more than just reading and writing. Through the KIDS (Kids Initiating a Difference in Society) Grant program, she’s teaching them about kindness, hard work, attention to detail, and the impact that just one person can have on their community. KIDS Grants, managed by the District 181 Foundation, are $150 stipends that any D181 student can apply for to serve a need in their community. This idea started over 15 years ago and has gained popularity throughout the school communities in recent years. “I ..read more

By Anna Hughes | Photos by Laura Meyer On a sunny Saturday afternoon in March, many high school students are spending time with friends, relaxing from the hectic week prior, or enjoying the slightly warmer weather. Charlie Russ, on the other hand, spent his day a little differently. Russ, a Hinsdale Central High School junior, spent the afternoon of March 9 playing piano at LaGrange Pointe retirement community. He’s the founder of TunesForSeniors, an initiative for local students to volunteer their time and talent to bring music to retirement communities around the area. He and his two friends ..read more

By Larry Atseff | Photos Laura Meyer When you visit the Chicago Storm Special Hockey website, the first headline that greets you asks the question: “Want to be part of something AWESOME?” According to Michelle Willard, who co-chairs the group with her husband Wayne, the organization exists so that over 100 children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other intellectual disabilities can learn to play and enjoy ice hockey. Players range from 5 to 55 and include boys and girls, men and women. The group, now in its 24th year, is supported by the families of the players, plus coaches, includ ..read more

By Anna Hughes This year marks the 51st annual Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival, one of the village’s most anticipated summer events. Over 85 artists will showcase their creations in booths throughout Burlington Park, allowing residents and visitors to experience a wide range of unique, classy, and fun fine art spanning a variety of mediums and subjects. We spoke with artists Murray Henderson, Melanie Rolfes, and Michael Zavison, who shared their excitement about returning to the exhibition on June 1 and 2. “[Art shows are] an incredible way to improve and promote your art. They are very important ..read more

By Anna Hughes | Photos by Karen Woolley It only takes one: One crisis, one painful diagnosis, one layoff. It only takes one life-altering event to watch bills collect on the table, witness your savings drain, and end up without a place to call home. This can happen to anybody at any time. Bridge Communities understands this. It’s exactly why they are helping people, who have found themselves in this situation, get back on their feet. Bridge Communities provides free transitional housing to over 100 Dupage County families facing homelessness each year. Bridge partners with dozens of local chur ..read more

By Jeff Vorva | Photos by Jeff Vorva Here’s how good Hinsdale Central’s Josh Bey is. He finished sixth in the world – THE WORLD – in the 200-yard breast stroke with a time of 2 minutes 14.56 seconds in September in Netanya, Israel at the World Junior Swimming Championships. And he was emotionally crushed. While many would think that was an impressive effort, Bey was so devastated that on Feb. 24, the day of the Illinois High School Association state swim meet finals, he knew exactly how many days it was when he had what he called a “really harsh” race in Israel that played with his mind for a ..read more

Photos by Laura Meyer Dozens of ladies from Hinsdale and surrounding communities gathered at Hinsdale Golf Club for the Hinsdale Kitchen Walk luncheon on March 7. The annual event hosted by the Hinsdale Historical Society Women’s Board featured a panel discussion including Mark D. Sikes of Mark D. Sikes Interiors, Paloma Contreras of Paloma Contreras Design, and moderator Hudson Moore of Frederic Magazine. The HHS Women’s Board primary fundraiser is the annual Kitchen Walk which will take place on Friday, May 10.  The theme for this year is “graceful gatherings ..read more

By Anna Hughes It takes a lot to make a great baseball player: determination, grit, talent, and commitment. The Nazareth Academy varsity team has lots of those. They’re the back-to-back IHSA 3A state champions (2022 and 2023). With two trophies in just two years, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Led to victory by Coach Lee Milano, the boys are pursuing a “three-peat” in the 4A division this spring, although that’s not their focus just yet. “Our job is to focus on today. And then the next day and then the next day and go from there. And then the byproduct of it is, hopefully we’re in Joliet ..read more

By Cynthia Maquet For the third year in a row, Pickleball has earned the title of the fastest-growing sport in the nation. Is the pickleball phenomenon all that it’s cracked up to be? The rapid growth and increase in popularity seems to point in the direction of “YES.” But let’s get to know a little more about pickle so you can decide for yourself if you want to be part of the craze. The History of Pickleball In 1965, three fathers, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum were looking for an activity to keep their bored children occupied during summer break and decided to combine elemen ..read more