Hillgrove Avenue Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 4

“We were very happy with Trish's commitment and perseverance to selling our home. Her ideas and suggestions for improving our homes appearance were ‘spot on’ and took a lot of pressure o of us. She knows the market! I would not hesitate referring Trish to anybody who is thinking of selling their home. We would also go as far to say, you would be making a big mistake not to have a converstation with Trish when considering a REALTOR®."

can’t stop.

Proud to be the #1 real estate brokerage in La Grange

won’t stop.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

We are pleased to present our second annual holiday gift guide in this December issue, consisting of a number of items from sundry local stores. We are greatly appreciative of Jenny Tatro of La Grange, who graces our cover, and Karen Vetter of Western Springs for serving as models for the gift guide this year. You can learn more about Jenny, who is an active member of the La Grange Area Neighbors & Newcomers, in contributing writer Ann Potter’s 15 Minutes segment.

There are so many special Christmastime traditions in the Western Springs-La Grange community, and among the most unique is one the Dobry family of Springdale in Western Springs started in 2019. Seeking to promote doing good while moving past personal tragedy, the Dobrys developed a scavenger hunt, whereby participating families search for boxes containing $250 spread across the area on Christmas Eve morning. I had the opportunity to visit with Tom Dobry to learn more about this charming activity. In order to participate, families must communicate a “good deed” that they performed earlier in the year to Dobry. The concept expanded to southwest suburban Palos Heights last year, and Dobry is hopeful it continues to sprout in additional communities, as he believes it is easy to replicate.

With Christmas right around the corner, we thought this month would be ideal to highlight a religious leader in the region with an interesting story. The Rev. Garry Mitchell recently relocated to Western Springs after residing in La Grange the past several decades. He is the pastor of a Baptist church in Maywood, which his mom was instrumental in founding roughly 50 years ago. Ann Potter recently sat down

for a conversation with Rev. Mitchell at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library to learn more about his remarkable life.

After a sparkling football season that saw Lyons Township earn its first playoff wins since Ben Bryant was starting at quarterback, basketball season is here, and the Lions are seeking to build off of a sectional final appearance last year. With defending state champion Glenbard West graduating its entire starting lineup, LT senior Niklas Polonowski is hopeful the door will be open for his team to compete for a conference championship. Our sportswriter Gregg Voss chatted with Penn commit Polonowski about his goals for his senior campaign.

With our first full year of publishing Hillgrove Avenue Magazine now in the books, we would like to continue to extend our gratitude to both new and returning advertisers for their support. Without their contributions, we would not have been able to build Hillgrove Avenue into the local lifestyle brand it has become since we launched in September 2021. If you enjoy reading the magazine each month, please consider signing up for a Club Hillgrove membership. For just $99 per year, club membership earns you a digital card granting access to exclusive discounts at local businesses such as Luxxe Honor, Whisper Me Home and TATES Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Shop. These supplementary revenues also support our mission to circulate the magazine across all of Western Springs, La Grange and Harding Woods.

Enjoy this issue,

Mike Ellis Editor & Publisher

By Ann Potter Photography by Carolina Menapace

15 minutes JENNY TATRO

was in downtown La Grange and spotted a flyer for a social outing organized by the La Grange Area Neighbors and Newcomers (LGNN).—That was five years ago. Now she is an active member, and has been a board member for the last two years.

“I found a great community of women in LGNN,” Tatro said. “It’s such a casual and inviting way to meet more people in the area and get involved.”

Jenny and her husband Eric moved to La Grange nine years ago. This summer, they sold their first La Grange home, and relocated a few blocks west. They now live in the historic district, near Cossitt Avenue Elementary School.

“We love our new street,” Tatro said. “We even convinced good friends to move to La Grange from the city, and they are just down the street from us. It is a huge testament as to how awesome La Grange is.”

Their older daughter Vivienne is in fourth grade at Cossitt, while younger daughter Evelyn attends kindergarten at Barnsdale. Tatro also sits on the Cossitt PTC board as secretary.

“Our PTC does a great job of putting on events for the school and the community,” she said. “We have fun social events too.”

Aside from volunteerism, Tatro works full-time for an advertising agency.

“I love being inspired and being around the creative process,” she said. “My job is fast-paced and deadline-oriented, but I love being able to come home and bring my kids to basketball practice or dance class. Having that balance is important to me.”

More About Jenny

Where do you like to shop locally during the holiday season? Whisper Me Home is one of my favorite stores in La Grange. The customer service is fantastic, and I can always find a unique gift there. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to this year? My brothers and my sister are all spread out around Illinois and Wisconsin. Every Christmas, I host the whole family. I love to cook. I make a big roasted prime rib dinner for everyone on Christmas day. Seeing my nephews and daughters play together is the best. What’s your favorite holiday movie? I have to go with Elf Winter break extends well into January this year. How are you going to keep your daughters busy? We’ll be visiting my in-laws in Michigan for a lot of the break. When we go to Michigan, we see a lot of family, but also our college friends, since Eric and I both went to Michigan State University. We might take the kids to ski school or for ice-skating lessons. It would be fun for them to pick up a new winter sport.

Jenny Tatro of La Grange

‘ Tis the season, Where will you host ?

Effortless

By Lynn Taylor Schwaab

Fashion

From turtlenecks to crewnecks and stripes to patterns, the choices are endless.

Favorite

‘Tis the season of the sweater!

Hearts Afire sweater, $58 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

Pair sweater, $58 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

Dylan Everyday sweater, $145 Paige faux leather jogger in truffle, $62 at Alixandra Collections in Hinsdale

EVEREVE Sienna bobble pullover, $108 Sam Edelman Codie bootie, $170 AGOLDE Riley straight jeans, $198 at EVEREVE in Oakbrook Center and Burr Ridge

Fashion

Kut From The Kloth

Meg high-rise fab ab wide-leg jean in Ecru, $94

Silent D Naydo heeled-ankle boot in cafe, $190

Teddy Bear long coat in cream, $98 Free People Cody suede crossbody in rusted reef, $78 at JAYNE Boutique in La Grange

Embers leather jacket, $88 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

Reversible teddy coat, $148 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

Comfy chic coats are a hit this season. Teddy coats and shearling with leather— perfect for layering on those cold winter days

Fringe Detail shift dress in black, $108

Short fur trim coat in cream, $110

Silent D Comess knee-high boot in black, $150

Beaded circle envelope clutch in black, $78 at JAYNE Boutique in La Grange

Chase

Accessories

are a great addition to everyone’s look.

This season, try textured handbags, lug sole booties and vintage necklaces.

Vintage

croc booties, $98 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

button necklaces, $130 each at Alixandra Collections in Hinsdale

Baggallini All Day backpack with RFID phone wristlet in taupe faux shearling, $125 at JAYNE Boutique in La Grange

Dolce Vita Caster H20 bootie in black/pink, $160 at JAYNE Boutique in La Grange

Fashion

Men have it so easy!

Throw on a hoodie and a puffer jacket with a pair of joggers, and you’ll hit all of the trends of the season.

Hightide

Cloud

Banks

Men’s

pullover hoodie by Outerknown, $138 at Jack’s West End in La Grange

Dogwood quilted jacket by Jetty, $173 Y-Pack by Topo Designs, $79 at Jack’s West End in La Grange

Echo long-sleeved tee by Outdoor Research, $49 Shadow insulated vest by Outdoor Research, $149 El Morro jogger by Roark, $99 at Jack’s West End in La Grange

plaid zip-up hoodie by Barefoot Dreams, $178 at Four Sons Mercantile in La Grange

long-sleeved Henley by Faherty, $115 at Four Sons Mercantile in La Grange

Long-sleeved lightweight snap cord shirt by Marine Layer, $138 at Four Sons Mercantile in La Grange

puffer hoodie winter coat by Marine Layer, $222 at Four Sons Mercantile in La Grange

Practice makes PERFECT

Lyons Township senior Niklas Polonowski has worked hard to become a premier shooter

By Gregg Voss || Photography by Cheryl Brown

Niklas Polonowski has spent considerable time over the last year improving his shot.

That’s great news for the 6-foot6 Lyons Township senior basketball player and Penn commit, but for opponents in the tough West Suburban Silver, not so much.

“For LT last year, I almost played a shooter role, and to be honest, at the beginning of the season, I wasn’t much of a shooter,” Polonowski said. “Coach [Tom] Sloan told us to write down our goals, and I wrote down, ‘Establish myself as a shooter;’ and by the end of the year, I think I did that.”

That focus on his game continued in the offseason with the Breakaway Basketball AAU program, where he was coached by Greg Ktistou. That team was loaded; besides Polonowski, the team possessed stars like Glenbard West’s Bobby Durkin and current Riverside-Brookfield senior Arius Alijosius.

“He’s been working on that since the end of eighth grade, because that was going to be a big part of his game,” Ktistou said. “He needed to transition more to the perimeter. Going into our 17U season, he made such a huge jump in that, and became one of the best shooters around.”

Sloan has seen the same thing, which Polonowski parlayed into significant collegiate interest before settling on Penn in late September.

“He’s got good size, and has developed himself into a wing player and a three-point shooter, which is why he got the looks he did,” Sloan said. “He’s a very good athlete, and offensively, he has a very diverse game. He’s able to score off the catch, and he can score in multiple ways. He gives us a lot of options.”

Like a lot of area athletes, a big part of Polonowski’s story took shape during

LT senior Niklas Polonowski

the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Lions went 26-6 a year ago, and advanced to the sectional semifinal, two seasons prior was the watershed for him and his teammates.

“We got into churches, gyms, parks— wherever we could go and build chemistry,” he said. “It was fun playing in those games.”

What was almost as much fun was the recruiting process this past summer. For some, that process can be burdensome, but Polonowski took it in stride, with the help of input from his dad Steve, who played collegiately at Michigan State.

“There’s Twitter—coaches are calling him direct on his cellphone,” Steve Polonowski said. “It was busy, especially going into the summer and coming out of the summer, and he did a good job managing his time.”

Ktistou said the first interaction with a potential recruit typically occurs on social media. Polonowski realized the importance of that, especially during the early stages of the pandemic.

The process includes leadership. Polonowski is a member of Lyons Township’s athlete leadership program, which helps student-athletes become better leaders on their teams.

“Right off the bat, Niklas was our captain and our leader,” Ktistou said. “He’s one of the best leaders I’ve coached. No matter the name on his [uniform], he’s going to run through a wall for that program. I told every college coach, ‘You’re going to get a kid who is going to be a captain of your program.’”

There’s more to Polonowski than just Lyons Township and Breakaway. Since his mom Marianne is from Denmark, he has dual citizenship, and in the summer of 2021, he tried out for and made the Danish national team that played in the Nordic championships in Finland. It was also a treat to spend extended time with his Danish relatives and tour the country with his dad.

Polonowski, who attended Spring Avenue School and Gurrie Middle School, said his favorite quote is, “Play hard and have fun”—something that’s stuck with him since grade-school. That’s the best advice he has for youngsters hoping to be in his position someday.

“I’d say play it like my dad told me,” Polonowski said. “Work on what’s between the lines, and everything else will work out. Whether it’s basketball or working on school, it’s like being a leader in everything you do.” n

Enjoy the fun that serious planning built.

From spontaneous days at the zoo to last minute trips abroad: Serious planning today makes anything possible tomorrow. Because when planning leads, freedom follows. Turn your potential into a plan at www.horizonwealth.biz

Ryan Williamson, AIF®,CFP® (708) 352.4300 phone ryan.williamson@horizonwealth.biz

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Horizon Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LP L Financial.

Now that we have finally entered a more balanced market, we are again seeing transactions with more protections and negotiations than we have seen in a few years.

It’s still a great time to sell with the guidance of an experienced, local expert who can navigate your transaction and ensure you reach a smooth close. Reach out anytime so we can talk about the best time and the steps you need to maximize your profit.

Shannon Kutchek

shannon.kutchek@compass.com 708.955.3683 shannonkutchek.com

Bridging COMMUNITIES

By Ann Potter Photography by Carolina Menapace

The Rev. Garry Mitchell of Western Springs is committed to serving his childhood church in Maywood

The Rev. Garry Mitchell of Western Springs

The Rev. Garry Mitchell is loyal to two communities: Western Springs, where he lives, and Maywood, where he serves as pastor of J.W. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

“People are people—everyone wants the best for their families,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes the pathways are a little different, but the destinations are the same.”

Mitchell and his wife Tamar raised their family in La Grange, and now live in Western Springs. His church is in Maywood, about eight miles northeast.

“I know where I live, but I know where I serve,” Mitchell said. “I wish my neighbors and friends in La Grange and Western Springs would come with me for a day in Maywood. We would all see how similar we all are.”

Mitchell has been the pastor for the African Methodist Episcopal church since 2008. His mother the Rev. Dr. Esther J. Mitchell and her friend Rev. Dr. Lucille L. Jackson founded the church 50 years ago in the basement of Mitchell’s home. It quickly grew and moved into a nearby dentist office that was closing. It will hold its 50th anniversary jubilee this month, bringing together current and former members from across the country.

“We will come to Sixth and Madison in Maywood to celebrate all the great things God has done,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s childhood memories with his parents and two siblings were primarily at the church. His mother served as leader and pastor, but the whole family supported the church regularly.

“My dad was the ‘all-in’ guy at our church,” Mitchell said. “We named the basement of the church ‘faith hall.’ Dad wanted the floor tiled, so he bought every tile and laid each one himself.”

His father passed away this year; his mother recently turned 90.

“She’s super-supportive,” Mitchell said. “God’s given her such extension in her life that she’s gotten to just be ‘grandma’ in her retirement years.”

The church had 350 members at its peak, and even expanded to include a kindergarten through eighth grade private school that is now closed.

“Faithful members would come to church on Sunday nights and attend service,” Mitchell said. “Then, they would convert it into a schoolhouse that evening for Monday classes.”

The affable 61-year-old attended Proviso East High School and then Bradley University, where he graduated with a speech

University. He is married and has a twoyear-old daughter.

Mitchell is also the proud father of Garrett and Joylnn. Garrett is a Nazareth Academy graduate, who earned a degree with honors from Texas A&M University. Today, he works as a Houston police officer.

“I pray for him every day,” Mitchell said.

His daughter Joylynn chose to attend Lyons Township High School.

“I always knew LT was a great school,” Mitchell said. “I was trying to find the right niche for each of my children. We are very fortunate to have many great choices.”

Mitchell recalls LT’s theatrical production of Raisin in the Sun being a highlight in Joylynn’s high school experience.

“It was an ambitious endeavor that brought about a lot of her development,” he said.

From associate’s degree to Ph.D., I value them all the same.”

Rev. Garry Mitchell

and communications degree, and met his future wife.

“That’s where she started chasing me,” Mitchell said with a laugh.

They married in 1987 and have three children. Mitchell was working for an insurance agency in Hillside when he and Tamar were looking for a new home for their growing family.

“A co-worker suggested La Grange,” Mitchell said. “I looked there and fell in love.”

In 2002, they bought a home in the neighborhood tucked behind La Grange Hospital. His children started at Highlands Elementary School.

His oldest child Garry Jr. was a bright boy, but was initially placed in regular classes.

“When he was going into eighth grade, I pushed the principal to get him into advanced classes,” Mitchell said. “He excelled.”

Garry Jr. went onto Fenwick High School, Stanford University and is currently a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at Harvard

Joylynn earned an associate’s degree from College of DuPage, and is completing her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky.

“The scope of education is what I value,” Mitchell said. “From associate’s degree to Ph.D., I value them all the same.”

Garry and Tamar recently sold their family home in La Grange, and moved to a townhome in Western Springs.

“With our children all out of state, 25 minutes to two airports is a good thing,” he said.

They also wanted to stay in the community to remain close to friend Ngozi Ezike, the former head of the Illinois Department of Public Health. They met years ago when walking in the neighborhood.

“During the pandemic, the pastor in me would walk by her house and pray for her,” Mitchell said. “Her kids call me Uncle Garry.”

When he’s not at the church, Mitchell enjoys watching basketball.

“I’m a big Chicago Bulls fan,” he said. “I love to argue with people about the Michael Jordan versus LeBron James debate.”

As Mitchell prepares for the anniversary jubilee, he is focused on the foundation with which his mother established the church decades ago.

“Love God with all—serve others above yourself,” Mitchell said, choking back tears. “I tell my children, ‘Yes, I want you to make money, but you have to make a difference.’” n

The scope of education is what I value.

Tom Dobry of Western Springs

Christmas

CHEER

Dobry family of Western Springs develops scavenger hunt to convert Christmas Eve memories from somber to pleasant

By Mike Ellis || Photography by Carolina Menapace

Christmas Eve is traditionally a joyful day for most families, heading to church in their holiday finest, before returning home to enjoy a sumptuous evening repast and open gifts beneath the Christmas tree. Some neighborhoods—such as Field Park in Western Springs and the entire Village of Clarendon Hills—align their streets with luminaria on Christmas Eve, creating a beautiful spectacle throughout one of the shortest nights of the year.

But for the Dobry family of Western Springs, for a time, Christmas Eve was not such a cheerful occasion. In 2013, Tom Dobry’s father died of cancer the morning before Christmas, and for a family that was very close to him, that ordeal weighed heavily. For several years thereafter, the family would visit Dobry’s late father’s grave at the cemetery.

“We wanted to bring some more positivity back to that morning, and replace those memories with some more happy, fun memories,” Dobry said.

Inspired by the ALS “ice bucket challenge,” which rapidly streamed through the nation, the Dobrys developed the concept of a Christmas Eve scavenger hunt that would promote charity and goodwill in the community by “making giving fun,” while being simple to replicate in other areas.

“There’s a lot of nice stories that have come out of it,” Dobry said.

Tom Dobry

The Dobrys have hosted a Christmas Eve scavenger hunt annually since 2019, and it has grown incrementally ever since. The concept is, in order for families to participate, they must perform a good act during the previous year, whether donating to a non-profit organization or charitable cause, or doing something nice for a neighbor.

“The idea is that it’s simple—it does a lot of good for a wide range of organizations and people,” Dobry said. “And it doesn’t really cost anything for me, and it’s kind of a way to bring people together.”

Once they share their good deeds, participating families provide Dobry with a phone number to utilize as their text-message

contact, from which he generates a lengthy text list.

On Christmas Eve morning, at about 9 a.m., participants arrive at the Dobry house in the Springdale neighborhood of Western Springs, where kids excitedly gather on the lawn and describe their giving efforts. Families fill out a quiz sheet consisting of seven to eight questions filled with Christmas-themed riddles. After handing in their answers, if correct, they receive their first clue and drive off in search of a box containing $250. Once all of the cars depart, the Dobrys wait about 10 to 15 minutes to send out their first grouptext: a directional clue to one of the boxes located nearby.

“We nail down the area,” Dobry said.

Since its inception, the scavenger hunt has grown steadily from year to year. In 2019, 33 families participated in search for one box. The next year, moving to Springdale Park due to the pandemic, six more families joined in, and the Morrissey family of Western Springs donated a second box of $250. In 2021, 43 families participated, and the Esteps pitched in for a third box. This year, the McFadden family has pledged a box, bringing the total to four.

“It’s grown a bit each year,” Dobry said. … “This year will be our fourth year, and we’ll have four boxes.”

The growing number of boxes has forced the Dobrys to expand the perimeter of the

We wanted to bring some more positivity back to that morning, and replace those memories with some more happy, fun memories.”

activity, which will range from Wolf Road to La Grange Road on the west and east, and from Ogden Ave. to 55th Street on the north and south, this year.

“I want to spread families out more,” Dobry said.

Dobry explained that there is usually a rather quick resolution to the hunt, and that families are limited to procuring one box.

“It happens quickly,” he said. “We hide [the boxes] in someplace public; you can usually see [them] from the street.”

While the activity is a fun one for families on Christmas Eve, the primary point of emphasis is the good that accrues from it, specifically on a local scale. Among the primary beneficiaries in 2021 were Cole Ligowski, a Lyons Township High School student who had recently lost both parents, and the McLaughlin family of La Grange, which suffered a devastating house fire shortly before Christmas.

“There’s a local value to it,” Dobry said.

Other causes have included Lurie Children’s Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Foundation,

The Home 2 Home Project and the Evans Scholars program. Dobry said they also want to promote good deeds such as “raking your neighbors’ leaves” or “delivering cookies to the lady next door.”

“Everything’s fair-game,” he said. “I don’t really steer people one way; whatever you want to do, whoever you want to donate to or whatever kind of good you want to do, go for it.”

For readers who might be interested in

joining the hunt, Dobry takes names until Dec. 23.

“It’s kind of helped to replace that memory of my dad passing with something fun on that morning,” he said.

While Dobry has pioneered the Christmas Eve scavenger hunt, he has no interest in monopolizing the concept, rather hoping to see it expand into other communities. A sister of one participating family duplicated the activity in southwest suburban Palos Heights last year, and plans on continuing it annually.

“I would love it if somebody in Elmhurst or somebody in La Grange started this idea and did the same thing,” Dobry said. … “Ten years from now, it would be fun if this was in five or ten different neighborhoods and communities. It’s just a way to help build community, and show what the people of Western Springs are like.” n

Readers interested in learning more can reach out to Tom Dobry at dobrythomas@ gmail.com.

Recital will be June 17th, 2023 at Nazareth Academy — must be enrolled by January 28th to participate.

1-on-1 lessons, Poms Workshops

www.artisticpursuit.me | 226 N Cass Ave., Westmont | 630.541.9207

First class is ALWAYS Free. Offering Dance, Movement and Fitness classes for all ages plus: birthday parties, private events,

I would love it if somebody in Elmhurst or somebody in La Grange started this idea and did the same thing.”

Tom Dobry

Vetter of Western Springs

PHOTO BY MARCELLO RODARTE

The

By Kate Cunningham

Karen

Holiday Gift Guide

For the outdoor enthusiast

The Swedes know how to deal with winter, and it starts with proper outerwear. These beautiful, four-layer, patterned Swedish mittens will stand up to the coldest weather.

Starting at $80 at Stockholm Objects in Hinsdale

For the friend far away

Spread holiday cheer from afar with an adorable ceramic frosty mug brimming with fresh blooms and seasonal accents. Throw in some hot chocolate mix and marshmallows for an extra-special treat.

$64.96 at Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts in Hinsdale

For the fashionista

A little bling is always in order for the fashionable gal. Give an unforgettably glamorous gift with these 14- and 18-karat white- and yellow-gold compatible bands.

Starting at $900 at Linnea Jewelers in La Grange

For the cozy girl

Give the gift of cozy with faux leather gloves that pair perfectly with the patchwork work scarf, and top it off with the pink-pom beanie. This set is perfect for the on-the-go girl and the trend-setter.

Patchwork in pink gift set, $86 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

For the hard-working host Don’t go to the party empty-handed. A fresh holiday arrangement that doesn’t need to be put in a vase is both a thoughtful and beautiful gesture.

$75 at Vagabond Botanical in La Grange

For the fitness buff Perfect to layer over workout attire—and under a parka when it gets colder—this three-season Sherpa pullover is cozy, chic and sporty.

$208 at Game Set in Hinsdale

For the Earth Mother

Let the stress and anxiety float away with this artisan oil roll-on containing meditative and uplifting oils, synergistically blended to create an uplifting, peaceful experience.

$24 at Luxxe Honor in La Grange

For the homebody

Feeling homesick? Want to welcome a new neighbor into the neighborhood? Love your hometown? Give them this Christmas in La Grange candle this season—it’s perfect for a stocking-stuffer, hostess or a grab-bag. This cinnamon and nutmeg candle will make your home smell like hometown Christmas.

$34 at Vintage Charm in La Grange

For the stylish mom

Slay the school pickup game in casual chic from the new Occhi Boutique at Occhi Lash & Brow Studio, including a recycled Karma Band tee, Marrakech vegan leather joggers, French Kande necklace and Gianfranco Ferré puffer coat.

Prices range from $45 to $1,098 at Opparel at Occhi Boutique in Oakbrook Terrace

Gift Guide

For the homemaker

Send your warmest holiday wishes with this radiant centerpiece of fresh yuletide blooms designed in a shimmering red glass bowl. Local and nationwide delivery are available.

$79.95 local/$84.95 nationwide at Phillip’s Flowers

Your eco-friendly friend will love that this clean-burning, eco-friendly soy wax candle with a cotton wick and cool up-cycled beer bottle container. Even better, it’s made locally in Elmhurst.

$19 at Whisper Me Home in La Grange

planterfairies The

By Ann Potter || Photography by Cheryl Brown

Patty Morrissey and Jen Stortz of La Grange parlay longtime friendship into planter business

Patty Morrissey and Jen Stortz of La Grange

Patty Morrissey and Jen Stortz have been friends for 15 years. When their children were young, they volunteered at school together. They then started jogging together, and now their friendship has blossomed into a thriving business.

The La Grange women are the owners of Spruce, Ltd., a seasonal outdoor planter and window-box design and installation company. In 2017, when their children were in school full-time, they tossed around ideas of starting a business. This one stuck.

“I had been doing my own window-boxes,” Stortz said. “Periodically, neighbors would ring my doorbell and ask me who did them. We knew there was a demand for it.”

In five years, the company has grown significantly. Their first Autumn season, they filled ten planters; this past September, they beautified more than 50. Many of their clients reside in La Grange and Western Springs, with a handful in Hinsdale and Burr Ridge.

“We are very lucky to work locally— people are so nice,” Morrissey said. “Now that our kids are getting older, it’s fun to feel in-touch with our neighborhood.”

The friendly pair met when their oldest daughters were kindergarteners at Spring Avenue Elementary School in La Grange. They hit it off from the start, and quickly began volunteering together on various PTO committees.

“It can be hard to go into business with a friend,” Morrissey said. “But after years of volunteering at school together, we knew we made a good team.”

Morrissey, who holds an MBA degree, worked in marketing for years. She brings the business side to their collaboration. Stortz, a graphic designer by trade, balances the pair with her creative side.

“We were trying to find something to do during school-day hours,” Morrissey said. “We didn’t want to miss one moment with our kids after school.”

For three to four weeks at the start of every season, the duo gets to work. The process begins with a home consultation, where they look at the size of the client’s planters and home façade, and discuss taste and floral preferences. They follow up with a design, and estimate a few days later.

The ladies then install three to four planters each day for several weeks.

planters

“People have called us the ‘planter fairies,’” Morrissey said. “Oftentimes clients aren’t home when we install. When they pull into their driveway, they see the planter is complete.”

They’ve learned a lot over the last five years.

Jen Stortz

“We now both have really good knowledge of plants, flowers and design,” Stortz said. “At first, Patty was the business side and I was the creative side, but now we really are an equal partnership.”

Stortz credits Vern Goers and Clovers, two local nurseries, for helping them along the way.

“They have been super-supportive and very helpful,” she said. “A lot of our style is based on what we see at the nurseries. We like to change things up from year to year to keep it interesting for the client and us.”

Morrissey has been a La Grange resident for 25 years. She and her husband Doug have two daughters: Grace, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, and Sophie, a Lyons Township High School senior. Stortz, a Hinsdale native, moved to La Grange with her husband Eric in 2000. They live in the country club section of town with their three children: Emily, a sophomore at Purdue University, Ian, an LTHS senior, and Ashley, a Spring Avenue sixth-grader.

Sometimes, the business is a family affair.

“There are definitely winter seasons where our kids cut greens, and our husbands even jump in and clear planters with us when necessary,” Morrissey said. “They are so positive and encouraging!”

The winter season can be challenging in the cold. It’s a time when demand is high, and turnaround is quick with the shift from fall to winter themes.

“The winter is exhausting, but so satisfying,” Morrissey said. “We go through a lot of handwarmers, and make Starbucks runs to warm up.”

“Winter planters are a work of art,” Stortz said. “Every branch is cut and placed in a particular spot. For us, it’s like creating a painting.”

Spruce, Ltd. has plans to expand its business to include centerpieces.

“I’m not only doing something I enjoy, but I get to do it with one of my best friends,” Stortz said. “We have a lot of fun together— there’s a lot of laughing.” n

Winter

are a work of art. Every branch is cut and placed in a particular spot. For us, it’s like creating a painting.”

Empowering women to be FEARLESS

Psychotherapist Margo Tirado of Countryside pens book designed to build women’s self-confidence

By Kate Cunningham || Photography by Cheryl Brown

Local psychotherapist and author Margo Tirado is on a mission to help women take control of their lives, one healthy habit at a time.

Tirado knows exactly what it’s like to feel powerless in relationships and in life. In her July 2022 book, Own Your Voice: Eight Habits that Empower Women to be Fearless, Tirado drew from her more than 30 years of working with women to help them get unstuck in their lives, but her wisdom also comes from her own experience of feeling helpless and lacking agency.

“I grew up in the ‘70s in New Mexico, in a volatile household and unsafe environment,” Tirado said. “It was a very ‘machismo’ culture, and I could see my mom was very powerless. I didn’t want that for myself. For most women who struggle with assertiveness, it almost always starts with family of origin and a set of beliefs about what it means to be a woman. I think it was honestly just by changing one habit and one pattern at a time, and surrounding myself with other women who were doing the same that put me on a new path.”

After obtaining her undergraduate degree in New Mexico, Tirado moved to Illinois to pursue a master’s in psychotherapy at Wheaton College. She later worked as a psychotherapist in residential treatment and community mental health programs, and even a counseling program run by nuns. For the past 20 years, she’s worked at a private practice in Hinsdale, guiding women who are feeling hopeless to change their circumstances, just as she once did.

“It’s been amazing to see some of these women struggling with codependency issues and dealing with narcissistic husbands finally grow into their own skin,” Tirado said. “One woman who worked at a local library created these cool pods for learning to entice kids to come in and use the library. Another one got on the board of DuPage County. After helping yourself, it’s natural to want to help others.”

Just as she teaches her clients to own their voices, Tirado desired a bigger voice—one that would make an even greater impact. After conducting a TEDx talk in 2017, she started speaking nationally to different groups, with a larger goal of writing a book.

“As a psychotherapist, I was helping one person at a time become more selfdetermining and more confident,” Tirado said. “I wanted to do it on a larger scale. Writing the book was my way of empowering and impacting more women than I could through psychotherapy sessions.”

Currently No. 3 on the Amazon bestseller list, Own Your Voice: Eight Habits that Empower Women to be Fearless is a practical guide to living a more empowered life. According to Tirado, it starts with self-awareness and the courage to look at emotional patterns that are creating a cycle of helplessness.

“Women will come in and say, ‘I’ve lost myself,’” she said. “They find themselves in numerous relationships that are keeping them in that position. What happens is, once women get a better sense of how they’re operating with others, once they get a handle on the emotional patterns that are keeping them

stuck, they become more self-determining. They realize they have the power to change their circumstances and move ahead. Once they do that, they almost always move into leadership roles—and they step into that space with confidence.”

Designed for reflection, at the end of every chapter in the book is an “in a nutshell” section, outlining the key takeaways and offering group discussion questions.

“I was recently at a book-signing, and several women told me they’re using those questions for group study, “ Tirado said. “So the book is organically encouraging women to help each other.”

Much of what the book does is teach women how to become more aware of their emotional habits, so eventually they can not only change themselves, but do so without thinking about it.

“You wake up every morning and brush your teeth, and you do it without thinking about it,” Tirado said. “But if you pay attention to the way you brush your teeth, you can change how you do it.”

According to Tirado, one of the emotional habits on autopilot for many women is feeling uncomfortable with being assertive.

“Forthright, outspoken, too direct—we hear these comments like, ‘Wow, you’re really bossy, aren’t you?’” she said. “But women in general across the board have a propensity to hold back, because they want to be liked. This becomes an emotional habit that plays out in different negative ways. But it’s possible for women to change that emotional habit, to

Local author and psychotherapist Dr. Margo Tirado attended a book-signing at a La Grange home back in September.

Having the courage to be your whole and true self is powerful. Not needing people to like you— not trying to be perfect, but instead accepting your imperfect self and your own vulnerability— is how you can change your life.”

Margo Tirado

Continued from page 48

shift gears and become more deliberate about choosing the actions that are ultimately going to empower them.”

Among the empowering emotional habits that Tirado outlines in her book is the habit of taking more risks.

“When women learn to get out of their comfort-zone, it’s a game-changer,” she said. “That’s where you see real growth.”

Other habits include lowering your tolerance for crap, embracing your inner “chingona”—your inner bad-ass self—and perhaps surprisingly, the habit of vulnerability.

“We tend to throw the baby out with the bath-water, but there’s a type of vulnerability that’s empowering,” Tirado said. “Having the courage to be your whole and true self is powerful. Not needing people to like you—not trying to be perfect, but instead accepting your imperfect self and your own vulnerability—is how you can change your life.”

With a successful book under her belt, Tirado is planning a series of podcasts to keep the conversation going.

“Readers are telling me they are getting unstuck, and strengthening their resolve to address their personal struggles,” she said. “They say the habits they are learning in the book are encouraging them to change the things that matter to them. ...

“This book is the accumulation of what I’ve learned from working with my clients and as a woman who’s experienced the feeling of powerlessness. It’s gratifying to know that it’s not only possible to move forward from that—it’s entirely possible to create a life you never knew you could have.” n

Stadium Club

at the Max

Sports, gaming and haute cuisine

The Village of McCook hit a proverbial home run when its mayor and trustees convinced Steve Palmer of Palmer Place fame to open and operate the Stadium Club restaurant, located within the 150,000-square-foot McCook Athletic & Exposition Center (MAX).

A multi-purpose facility equipped with a full-sized outdoor field sheltered with a 40-foot-high roof, it attracts basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball and tennis enthusiasts to its expansive “friendly confines.” I was truly astonished when I entered the space; it was otherworldly—and

I am not exaggerating.

My mission, however, was not sports or gaming, but eating; and I was famished as enticing aromas beckoned me from Stadium Club.

I found myself a table, surrounded by sports memorabilia, collectibles and massive televisions on which fortunate patrons view their favorite Chicago sports teams duking it out with their opponents and bitter rivals.

Soon after I sat down, proprietor, gentleman and overall generous human being Steve Palmer greeted me with extended hand-and-wide smile. Steve’s hospitableness

was off the charts, and I immediately felt comfortable, relaxed and confident that I was in for something very special in the way of conversation and comestibles.

Before I knew it, the long table was teeming with culinary delights: from shortrib eggrolls to carbonara flatbread, to the “big poppy summer salad” topped with succulent, tender, abundantly-aromatic steak strips. The two “fan faves”—the “Cuban missile” sandwich and the “Stadium burger”— thankfully found space on the crowded table as well. I was stoked about the forthcoming feast.

Big poppy summer salad topped with steak

By Robert Damien || Photography by Cheryl Brown

The extremely congenial chef Jonny Pitelka sat down with us, and he and Steve provided me a guided verbal tour of the gorgeously-presented plates that awaited devouring.

Chef Jonny studied the culinary arts at the esteemed Kendall College, so he is classically-trained and knows his was around the kitchen. He cooks and creates to “make people happy” with his infectious enthusiasm and innovativeness. The mutual fondness between Steve and Jonny is deep, and they were a spectacular tag-team. I felt very fortunate to be at the table with them.

The braised beef “short-rib eggrolls”— chock full of tender, savory meat, cabbage and carrots—was fantastically delicious, particularly once dunked into spicy garlic, brown-sugar and chili sauce, a nicelybalanced marriage of sweet and spicy flavors. This was a uniquely creative, satisfying item that, coupled with the “Rueben eggrolls,” are the most popular appetizers or “leadoff hitters.”

I am a rabid devotee of spaghetti Carbonara, not to mention flatbreads, and the topper on the “Hey! Hey! flatbreads” tickled my tastebuds with its combination of Pecorino, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, pancetta, onion and a crowning fried egg. This Carbonara flatbread, once the egg-yolk was punctured and the thick, rich, yolky goodness was slathered over the surface of the bread, was reminiscent of any and all Carbonara dishes I feasted upon in the Eternal City itself: Rome. It is a sizeable flatbread that is savory, complex and toothsome.

I in South Beach, Miami for three years while in my late 20s. Cuban sandwiches were

Steve Palmer is a gifted, congenial, hospitable impresario. His chef Jonny Pitelka, ingratiating, friendly and superiorly-talented, whips it on in the kitchen.

offered everywhere. I dispatched of more than a few, to be sure, and consider myself somewhat of an authority on this iconic sandwich. After happily devouring Stadium Club’s version, the “Cuban missile,” I am not only more of an authority, but a bit of a snob. With sliced baked ham, tender shredded pork shoulder, Swiss cheese, sliced dill pickle and “signature stadium mustard” on a pressed baguette, I was enraptured and very much in the moment. This “fan fave” was far and away superior in all respects.— Take that, Miami!

A good burger can’t be beat. If prepared properly, with care, skill and the freshest ingredients, it should transport you to hamburger Utopia. Well, I ate Jonny’s interpretation, and I’m still reclining on a cloud in food heaven in recalling that

colossus of a burger. I was convinced I was eating wagyu of Kobe beef—a halfpounder—topped with robust, enhancing cheddar cheese, crunchy bacon, sliced pristine avocado, “stadium sauce,” crispy onion “strings” nestled within a perfectlytoasted pretzel bun. Tender, juicy, complex, but not the least bit confusing—I tasted each and every item topping the gigantic patty.

Another “fan fave,” this “stadium burger” is undoubtedly one of the five best burgers I have ever eaten, and I have consumed countless. The side of fries was piping-hot, slightly, reassuringly crisp and ideally salted.

At Stadium Club, there are bands on weekends, gaming in a private space, corporate events, abundant televisions, sports memorabilia adorning the walls and haute cuisine. Steve Palmer is a gifted, congenial, hospitable impresario. His chef Jonny Pitelka, ingratiating, friendly and superiorly-talented, whips it on in the kitchen.

Their desserts and cocktails are worthy of a mention as well. I “sampled” a smidgen of a delicious skillet chocolate cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and rich chocolate sauce—scrumptious!

If you desire to be entertained, visuallystimulated and culinarily-enriched, go to Stadium Club at the MAX as soon as possible. Steve and Jonny await you with generous smiles and outstandingly delicious cuisine. n

Steve and Phil Palmer with chef Jonny Pitelka

Stadium burger

Social Scene

SJC FEST

St. John of the Cross Parish

Thousands of St. John of the Cross (SJC) parishioners and community members at-large flocked to the parish parking lot for the annual SJC Fest from Aug. 18 to 21.

Volunteers distributed roughly 1,200 of a total of 1,500 presold “mega-passes” on a packed Thursday evening to open the festival. Immense crowds continued to pour in on Friday night, as attendees attempted to avoid a rainy weekend forecast.

Nora Westphal and Nora Taylor of Western Springs, hosts of the new podcast “2 Noras and a Mic,” recorded a special hour-long episode with friends on

Thursday night, after previewing the fest through videos on Instagram throughout the week.

On Friday afternoon, adults and children with disabilities and their immediate families got the carnival area to themselves for a private event.

Fest sponsors included Dick and Sharon Portillo, Pinnacle Financial Group, Vagabond Botanical and Nazareth Academy.

In addition to providing one of the largest annual gathering opportunities for the community, SJC Fest also functions as a fundraiser for the parish.

Sheila Ryan and Patti Cella

PHOTOS BY MIKE ELLIS

Kylie Pfennig, Karina Friesema, Riley Watson, Layla Gondell and Weston Miller

Michelle and TC Halm

Lauren and Avery Reynolds

Julie Canna, Katie Dills and Kristin Hartman

Jason and Jilen Bouwer

Lauren and Henry Walz

Andrea Zimmer, Jeannie Francis and Elizabeth Ricks

Cora Soncini, Sloane Groetsema, Alexis Dudash, Jocelyn Jay, Nina Allegretti, Lena Giustini and Lola Eavenson

The Maley family

Alice Caldwell, Brooke Hartman and Cora Ricks

Social Scene

ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Vagabond Botanical

Dozens of area residents frequented Vagabond Botanical for 20 percent off all products as the business celebrated its one-year anniversary in its retail space in downtown La Grange on Aug. 27.

Owned by Western Springs residents Jenna Fowler and Nicole Drai, Vagabond was born in Fowler’s basement, and has grown to its first retail location at Ashland and Calendar Aves., and now to a new warehouse space in Burr Ridge as well.

The anniversary celebration included live music performed by guitarist Rob Russo, a social studies teacher at Hinsdale Central who had Fowler in class when she attended the school years ago.

Kids were invited to paint rocks outdoors, as guests visited with artist in-residence Lizzie Selle, who worked out of the room in the northeast corner of the shop.

Customers had the opportunity to enjoy donuts, coffee, drinks and snacks as they browsed the store for discounted unique plants on display.

Victoria and Rebecca Hillmann

Dan, Christina, Leighton and Xander Lynch

Melissa and Lily Caldwell

Nicole Drai, Andrea Zimmer and Ashley Landek

PHOTOS BY CHERYL BROWN

Kristina Post and Sue Bryant

Jenna Fowler and Nicole Drai

Lizzie and Chris Selle

Social Scene

FALL FESTIVAL Western Springs Business Association

Hundreds of families from Western Springs and surrounding communities descended on the Tower Green for the Western Springs Business Association’s (WSBA) annual fall festival on Sept. 23.

Presented for the first time since 2019, the fall fest was very well-attended, despite competing with several other local events and activities the same night.

Children enjoyed a series of fest favorites, including a petting zoo, facepainting and decorating pumpkins.

They also had the opportunity to explore a small maze near Grand and Walnut Aves., or encircle the perimeter of the fest

aboard a horse-drawn carriage.

The Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence had a booth at the festival, staffed by board chair Carey Freimuth and board member Erin McNaughton.

Popular local magician Frankie Ace provided entertainment for kids at the start of the festival, before bands Crows of Furey and The Breakfast Club took to the stage to provide musical entertainment throughout the evening.

Event sponsors included Re/Max Properties, Timberstone Design & Development and McNeily & Co.

Will Freimuth and Everett and Ayrton Carucci

Caitlyn, Addy, Mac and Jamie McDermott, and Hope Miller

Kris and Carol Rosentreter, and David Walsh

Mike, Kim, James and Danny Ribich; Sean McEneaney, Molly and Cate Riberto; Tricia Riberto, Hannah McEneaney and Jack Ribich.

Victoria and Nina Hampton, Carly and Jane Groetsema, Caitlin Brady and Katie Nelson

PHOTOS BY MIKE ELLIS

Social Scene

GUEST BARTENDING EVENT

Chicago Area Alternative Education League

Several dozen west suburban ladies attended a guest bartending night supporting the Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) at Fourteen Sixteen in downtown La Grange on Sept. 22.

Local socialite Christal Virgilio of Harding Woods served as guest bartender, pouring drinks for friends and other guests.

Fourteen Sixteen collaborates with local residents and non-profit organizations to offer guest bartending nights to support

various charitable initiatives.

Virgilio selected CAAEL—which is run by fellow Harding Woods resident Sarah Lorenzi—as her cause for the event.

CAAEL provides athletic and extracurricular opportunities for high-school students that attend alternative schools across the Chicago metropolitan area.

For more information about the Chicago Area Alternative Education League, visit www.caael.org.

PHOTOS BY MIKE ELLIS

Melissa Simpson, Sara Franko and Amy Bloedorn

Andrea Stevenson, Cathy Hernandez, Sara Schilling and Melissa Ammirati

Several dozen local ladies attended the guest bartending event at Fourteen Sixteen on Sept. 22.

Christal Virgilio

Tom and Stephanie Posey, and Scott MacNeil and Mindy MacNeil

THE ARALIA: VAGABOND BOTANICAL’S 2023 TREE OF THE YEAR

Plants are like fashion—they come in and out of style. And just like fashion, the popularity of a botanical is often brought to light by designers. If you follow interior design trends, you have seen the rise of the “sparse” tree. These trees have more branch than leaves, giving an airy, sculptural look. Some sparse trees you may be familiar with include the olive tree, the 2021 tree of the year, the black olive tree, or “shady lady tree,” which top interior designers have coveted this year. The black olive tree is

gorgeous in a photo, but not practical as an indoor plant. I should know—I have tried multiple times to keep one alive with no luck. So I continued my search for a tree that was sparse and sculptural, but easy to care for as an indoor plant.

The aralia was a popular house plant in the 1970s, loved back then and today for being low maintenance. These unusual looking trees can grow tall and slender, ideal to fill an empty corner in a room. Aralia trees can tolerate medium light, and only require watering once

If you are looking for a unique statement tree for your room, but don’t have a ton of light or a lot of space, then the aralia might be exactly what you need.

per week when the leaves begin to droop. They are perfect for busy, stylish households. There are several varieties of aralias, but the ming, fabian and balfour are our favorites. Each variety offers a different color foliage and leaf shape. Aralia trees like to be fertilized, and should be re-potted every couple of years. Treating the tree monthly with insecticidal soap can help keep pests at bay.

If you are looking for a unique statement tree for your room, but don’t have a ton of light or a lot of space, then the aralia might be exactly what you need. The aralia checks all of our boxes for an easy-to-care-for, sparse, sculptural tree, making it our pick for 2023’s tree of the year.

To schedule an in-home consult, visit: www. shopvaganond.com/contact, or bring photos of your space into the design studio, where one of our plant stylists can help you select the perfect plant for your style and lifestyle.

Vagabond Botanical is a plant studio located in downtown La Grange. Vagabond specializes in unique large trees and oversized stylish containers. The Vagabond team not only helps you select the right plant for your space but they also deliver, install and help you maintain your tree giving you the confidence to bring nature into your home.

Jenna Fowler and Nicole Drai

ASK THE SISTER PROJECT

In this month’s column, The Sister Project is answering questions submitted by our readers.

Thank you to all who wrote in. The questions we couldn’t answer here in Hillgrove Avenue, we’ll tend to on our podcast, “Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project.” Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday!

Let’s dive in.

How do you enjoy the holidays without completely letting go of your workout and healthy eating routines? -Lizzy, 32, California (La Grange Park native)

The dean of my high school used to end every morning announcement with, “As in all things, ladies and gentlemen, moderation.” Did we listen at the time? No; but here we are, and sometimes it takes years for the good stuff to sink in.

The holidays don’t have to be a time to totally overindulge, but at the same time, it’s a wonderful time of year to enjoy special, seasonal treats, traditions and merriment.

Something I like to do is have a few daily wellness non-negotiables. These are the top three things I do every single day that have me feeling like I put forth some effort. My three are a brisk walk, some green juice or green tea, and healthy snacking. What are your top three non-negotiables? I like to carry things like hard-boiled eggs, nuts (sometimes I get festive and roast some with herbs and spices) and fruit/veggies on my person. However, when I do go through McDonald’s drive-thru once a month, I get the largest French fries available and a small Diet Coke. It just hits differently from the golden arch.

Avoiding hangovers like the plague is also a top priority—especially when you’re 40 with a baby. Trading in alcohol for low-dose cannabis edibles (2.5 milligrams) instead is the perfect way to get in on the holiday fun, minus the headache and the calories. One of our favorite products is the mango spots by Matter.

When it comes to sticking to an exercise agenda, get the Peloton app. It’s a no-brainer

and ridiculously convenient. Throw down a mat and choose a class from the thousands of options available. From strength-training to yoga to barre and HIIT classes, the world is your oyster. Twenty minutes is all you need.

You’ve got this. And remember, you’re trying your best, and that’s the best you can do.

When do you stop buying gifts for adult nieces and nephews? - Barb, 49, Montana

I think the real question here is, when do the adult nieces and nephews start buying gifts for their aunts and uncles?

Growing up, our mom always got our aunt and uncle a thoughtful holiday gift. When I was younger, I thought she was just being nice, but now I get it. June knew how much love and energy they gave her kids, and she wanted to show her love and appreciation in return. I loved that she did that—it taught me a lot about gift-giving.

(I have always thought there should be an “Aunt and Uncle Day,” and it turns out there is one: July 26! Mark your calendar, and show your favorite aunts and uncles some love in 2023.)

Back to the question at hand: I don’t think there needs to be an expiration date on giftgiving, especially if you see something that you know your niece or nephew may love. Perhaps if there are several of them, it’s time for the adult nieces and nephews to orchestrate a grab-bag or white elephant of their own and include the aunts and uncles.

Another idea: do you bake anything that they absolutely love? Last year, I baked each of my nieces and nephews a box full of my pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies. I think it was one of their favorite gifts. Remember, you don’t need to break the bank to show them you love them.

Wishing you and your families a very happy, healthy and cozy holiday season!

Lauren Please submit your Ask The Sister Project questions to contact@thesisterprojectblog. com—we look forward to hearing from you!

Cozy Convos with The Sister Project Michelle Anderson and Lauren Massarella operate The Sister Project blog and host a podcast, “Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project.” Anderson and Massarella author a monthly column for Hillgrove Avenue Magazine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE ANDERSON