Hinsdale Magazine January/February 2026

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CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF PUBLISHING

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

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SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE & CLARENDON HILLS

SERVING TOGETHER Hinsdale’s Young Men’s Service League

INSIDE: SPECIAL FEATURE: THE PLAIN WHITE T'S BEHIND THE SCENES: SUPER BOWL COMMERICALS FRONT & CENTER: DAVE WANNSTEDT

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LETTER from THE PUBLISHER

A

Leadership and Lessons Learned new year invites perspective—and this issue of Hinsdale Magazine opens 2026 with stories that examine leadership, service, and the forces shaping life in and around Hinsdale.

schools serving local families, offering readers clear, informative profiles that outline each institution’s approach, environment, and priorities. These stories are intended to help families better understand their educational options as they plan ahead.

A new year invites perspective—and this issue of Hinsdale Magazine opens 2026 with stories that examine leadership, service, and the forces shaping life in and around Hinsdale.

We also have a standout Achievement story featuring Hinsdale Central tennis players Lauren Panveno and Sophia Virmani. After an unexpected early draw at the state tournament one year, the doubles team returned with renewed focus and something to prove. Their journey—from disappointment to redemption— captures the kind of determination and partnership that defines highlevel competition and makes this story well worth the read.

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VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF PUBLISHING

Our cover story highlights the Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale chapter of the Young Men’s Service League, a mother-and-son organization built around sustained service and shared commitment. Now in its second local year, the chapter includes more than 80 mothers and Throughout the issue, additional 90 high school students who stories explore health, history, the participate in a four-year program SERVING ar ts, and business, each combining volunteer work, TOGETHER Hinsdale’s Young Men’s contributing to a broader picture of leadership development, and time Service League how people work, create, and give spent serving together. Through back. Whether examining the past partnerships with organizations to better understand the present or such as DuPagePADS, Sharing spotlighting individuals building Connections, Feed My Starving Children, and the Special Olympics, YMSL offers something meaningful today, these pieces reflect the young men hands-on experience while creating depth and range of interests our readers bring to every meaningful opportunities for connection during the issue. high school years.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, we’re excited Leadership takes a very different—but equally about the conversations still to come. The months compelling—form in our feature on Dave Wannstedt. ahead will bring new profiles, fresh perspectives, and Known to many for his long career in football, continued coverage of the people and organizations Wannstedt reflects on lessons learned through years influencing life here in lasting ways. of coaching at the highest levels. His story focuses on preparation, accountability, and the realities of leading Thank you for starting the year with Hinsdale teams through high-pressure moments. It’s a candid Magazine. We’re proud to share this with you and look look at what it takes to build trust, adapt to change, forward to bringing you stories worth reading throughout the year ahead. and stay grounded over time.

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SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE & CLARENDON HILLS

INSIDE: SPECIAL FEATURE: THE PLAIN WHITE T'S BEHIND THE SCENES: SUPER BOWL COMMERICALS FRONT & CENTER: DAVE WANNSTEDT

Education is another key focus in this issue. Our Noteworthy Education section introduces a range of

— Scott Jonlich Publisher, Hinsdale Magazine

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January/February 2026

Contents 17

17

17 SPOTLIGHT

Tarana School of Music and Dance

21 ACHIEVEMENT

Hinsdale Central Tennis

25 SPORTS

Nazareth Volleyball

28 COVER

Young Men’s Service League

35 BEHIND THE SCENES Super Bowl Commercials

38 FRONT & CENTER Dave Wannstedt

21

41 JOURNEY

Groundhog Day

45 SPECIAL FEATURE Plain White T’s

48 IN FOCUS

Student Silent Film Festival

51 NOTEWORTHY Education

58 TRENDS Wedding

60 AT A GLANCE Curling

64 COMMUNITY SCENE Christmas Walk DuPage Foundation The Wellness House

35

On the Cover: Young Men's Service League at the Hinsdale Public Library; Back Row: Henry O'Hara, Gavin Carlevato, Justin Carlevato, Rohan Jashnani, and Mason Brigden Front Row: Heather O'Hara, Michelle Carlevato, Heather Jashnani, Ruta Dudenas Photo by Victor Hilitski

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Wherever Life Takes You,

Ivana Gets You Home

Ivana Kelley works with International and Domestic Buyer Referrals.

With roots in Croatia, Ivana's professional endeavors have sparked opportunities to explore the world—including Los Angeles, Indonesia, Washington D.C., Bangladesh, New England, Thailand, South Korea—and her love for the Chicago area brought her home where her real estate business is now based. As a global real estate professional with Coldwell Banker Realty, she helps clients buy and sell properties both locally and abroad—connecting U.S. investors with opportunities across Europe and assisting buyers who want to call the Chicago area home.

Fluent in Croatian, French, and English, Ivana understands the nuances of investing abroad, from cultural considerations to international financing and legal requirements. Her background in global relocation and international referral networks ensures that every client’s journey is seamless from start to finish.

Whether purchasing a vacation villa on the Adriatic coast or a luxury home in the United States, Ivana's dedicated and detail-oriented approach offers more than real estate expertise—she offers a passport to opportunity.

IVANA KELLEY, REALTOR® Accredited Buyer Representative Military Relocation Specialist Seller Representative Specialist 310-383-7112 Call or Text 630-954-4600 Office dreamhomeivana.com

Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2026 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Scott Jonlich sjonlich@HinsdaleMag.com

GROUP PUBLISHER & EDITOR Anne Healy anne@HinsdaleMag.com

MANAGING EDITOR Larry Atseff larry@HinsdaleMag.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Maureen Callahan Valerie Hardy Anna Hughes

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jennifer Frencl Rachel Pavlovich Katie Bolinger

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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Jack Rodak Marcus Fertig Jeff Vorva

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS Victor Hilitski Atticus Fair, Video Editor

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Hinsdale Magazine Group 3 Grant Square #201 Hinsdale, IL 60521 630-655-3400 www.HinsdaleMag.com No person, organization or publication can copy or re-produce the content in this magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the publisher. The publisher, authors, contributors and designers reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work. Hinsdale Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Hinsdale Magazine. Comments are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed.

Copyright ©20256 Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Don’t Take Snow for an Answer…

Has the holiday whirlwind left you longing for more family chill time together?

Stay local in Oak Brook for an easy, hassle free “Fun”cation! Enjoy making lasting memories together that will warm your family’s heart this winter.

FUN

Enjoy unforgettable family fun in Oak Brook with shared experiences for all ages and something everyone will love: Create a new family friend at Build-A-Bear Try virtual reality fun at Sandbox

Throw strikes bowling or bring on the bocce at Pinstripes

Dive into excitement with Activate or Immersive Gamebox offering thrilling games the whole family can enjoy Unlock more fun at Escape the Room Bring on the competition (and laughs) at the Great Big Game Show

Try tech-infused indoor mini-golf at Puttshack

Catch the latest blockbusters at AMC Theatres Oakbrook Center

Photo by Hunter Hart Nashville

Visit the one-of-a-kind Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and view an extraordinary collection of gems, rocks and minerals from around the world. You’ll be dazzled by Castle Lizzadro, an amazing castle created from gold and gems.

DINE

With more than 75+ restaurants serving every kind of cuisine, there’s something for even the pickiest eaters! Check out Oak Brook’s two newest hotsports—Wildberry for a standout breakfast and STK for next-level steak. Keep it casual at cozy spots like Alter Brewing, Lazy Dog, or Wildfire. Pasta lovers can indulge at Labriola Ristorante or Lucca Osteria, while taco fans can enjoy flavorful bites at Blanco or Fat Rosie’s.

Sushi enthusiasts will love the unique conveyor belt experience at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. For sweet treats, don’t miss Stan’s Donuts or Jeni’s Ice Creams.

Stan’s Donuts

SHOP

Oakbrook Center was recently ranked the #4 shopping center in the country by USA TODAY. Visit Chicagoland’s premier open air luxury center where parents will find stylish shops and kids will enjoy browsing fun stores or seeing the latest on the Lawn.

Skims, Tecovas, Varley and Canada Goose have recently opened while Dior and Garage are on the way.

Enjoy the Coolest Family “Fun”cation in Oak Brook This Winter

NATURE Photo courtesy DuPage Forest Preserve

Bundle up and hit the trails at Fullersburg Woods for an unplugged family escape. Enjoy peaceful togetherness as you watch for white-tailed deer— or even a bald eagle.

Stop by the Nature Education Center to see the 13,000-yearold woolly mammoth remains!

PET FRIENDLY If you can’t fathom leaving your dog behind, don’t!

Four of our hotels are dogfriendly so if you are bringing Fido, book your hotel room at Le Meridien, Hyatt House, Hyatt Lodge or the Residence Inn by Marriott Oak Brook. Oakbrook Center also welcomes leashed dogs and offers 2 dedicated relief areas.

STAY

Enjoy warm hospitality at Oak Brook’s seven hotels, each offering an unique experience. From luxury to value, find the perfect spot to relax with your family at onlyinoakbrook.com

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630-590-1200 www.hyatthouse.com

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630-368-9900 www.lemeridienoakbrook.com

SPLASH Beat the winter chill with a warm indoor pool getaway! Families can splash, play, and unwind together—no coats required.

It’s the perfect way to keep kids happy and make memories without ever going outside. The Hyatt Lodge (pool pictured), Doubletree, Hyatt House, Residence Inn and Marriott (coming soon) all offer indoor pools to make your getaway a soaking success!

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www.onlyinoakbrook.com

SPOTLIGHT | HINSDALEMAG.COM The Tarana School of Music and Dance has three studio locations throughout the suburbs.

Photo credit: Chirag Patel

Dancing Through Life Clarendon Hills dance studio inspires next generation

S

BY ANNA HUGHES

While building her life in the U.S., Dhanani noticed a gap: there were no structured studios dedicated to the Indian classical style she had trained in — Kathak, a form she describes as blending the expression of ballet with the rhythmic sound of tap. So, she started her own class through the local park district. Although there wasn’t a single Indian student in her first class, the community embraced her immediately.

heetal Dhanani started dancing at age five — and never stopped. As a child in India, her mother liked to joke that the moment music started, Dhanani’s feet started moving.

“It’s so beautiful that you fall in love with it,” Dhanani said.

When she immigrated to the United States in 1994, dance had been put on the backburner as she navigated life in a new country. Despite her excitement during the move, she felt lost trying to fit into her new life. Her mother suggested she reconnect with the pastime she loved most: dance.

“Once I started dancing, I started connecting with the people,” Dhanani said.

“I was super excited,” Dhanani said.

“And then I saw that this country is beautiful. It’s so welcoming to all the cultures, all the styles, and that motivated me that I can bring my dance on the floor too.”

Guru Sheetal Dhanani started the dance school after immigrating to the United States in 1994.

Now, 31 years later, Guru Sheetal leads the largest Indian dance school in the HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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The school has roughly 400 students, ages 5 to 62. Photo credit: Hemant Patel

Chicagoland area: the Tarana School of Music and Dance. Dhanani has roughly 400 students, ages 5 to 62, across three studios — including the newest location in Clarendon Hills.

For younger dancers, Dhanani focuses on discipline and structure. For older students, many of whom are physicians, the Tarana School offers a creative outlet and a way to relieve stress.

when we were growing, either our parents were struggling or there was nothing like this, and we wanted to make sure we pass [this] on to our children,” Dhanani said.

“The goal for this is to bring the mental fitness and physical fitness and put the teens into the right direction,” Dhanani said. “You see [in] a lot of young kids the identity crisis. I see it a lot. To find themselves, they go in all directions. So basically, my goal is [for them to] bring their own identity that, ‘Hey, you know what you are. You are beautiful.’”

“I have gone through some very difficult periods… If dance was not with me, I would be a very different person. So this is some gift you are giving, and who knows when and how they are going to use it,” Dhanani said.

“My husband is in the medical field, so I could not work with his call schedule, and I had one special needs child. But I had a dance with me so I was able to maintain my own identity.”

Watching her students grow is Dhanani’s favorite part of teaching.

Over 95% of students stick with her program once they start, and it’s exciting for her to watch them advance through the levels, eventually teaching the younger kids as well. Her students also help shape the school — from designing her first website to assisting backstage on performance day.

“Volunteers want to keep coming back because they like the work,” Dhanani said. “We work like a family… everybody comes together.”

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Dhanani hopes that dancers everywhere, regardless of style or level, will pass the art form on to their children. For her, it’s one of the best gifts she’s ever been given.

The school had 2,000+ audience members at their latest performance. Photo credit: Chirag Patel

“Once I started dancing, I started connecting with the people.”

- GURU SHEETAL DHANANI, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, TARANA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DANCE

In addition to sharing her love of dance, it’s important to Dhanani to spread her culture with others. The studio is open to anyone regardless of ethnicity, and she finds the experience especially meaningful for second- and third-generation Indian Americans.

“They always say that we did not get this opportunity to learn because

She is proud to pass this gift on to hundreds of students, many of whom continue to participate in Kathak dance throughout college and long after.

“All the graduates keep coming back, because it’s so beautiful once you start to fall in love with it,” Dhanani said.

For more information on the Tarana School of Music and Dance, visit taranaacademy. org. They have three studios across the suburbs: Aurora/Naperville, Schaumburg Park District, and Clarendon Hills. ■

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ACHIEVEMENT | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Hinsdale Central’s Lauren Panveno (from left), coach Shawna Zsinko and Sophia Virmani pose after the IHSA state tournament.

Photo courtesy of Tracy Virmani

RED DEVIL REDEMPTION

I

Hinsdale Central’s Lauren Panveno and Sophia Virmani take second in state after tough draw in 2024

n 2024, the Hinsdale Central tennis doubles team of Lauren Panveno and Sophia Virmani had the worst luck of the draw as you possibly could have.

The Illinois High School Association follows a format in

BY JEFF VORVA

which they seed the top 16 entrants, and the rest of the field is paired up randomly. The Red Devil duo was not in the top 16 seeds in Class 2A, and as fate would have it, their first-round opponent was topseeded Keri Rothenberg-Ariane Lesterhuis of New Trier.

The Central players lost in the first round 6-1, 6-0.

“That was like a quarterfinal or semifinal match taking place in the first round,” Hinsdale coach Shawna Zsinko said.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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“I feel like we complemented each other very well, and it’s something our coach would tell us a lot.”

– LAUREN PANVENO, ON HER TENNIS PARTNER SOPHIA VIRMANI

The New Trier team won the state championship, and the Panveno-Virmani team won three consolation matches before falling in the fourth round of consolation.

That brings us to 2025.

Redemption time.

Panveno, a senior, and Virmani, a sophomore, were seeded second and lived up to the billing, finishing second, falling to top-seeded Riley and Reese Lepsi of Wheaton Warrenville South, 6-0, 6-2.

“We wanted to make sure we maximized our opportunity this year because of the unfortunate draw we got last year,” Virmani, a Clarendon Hills resident, said. “We needed to make the most of this opportunity.

Virmani together later in the season than she would like in 2024 hurt their chances, but she liked what she saw out of them in 2025.

“This year, it kind of settled into place little sooner and we came in with a plan and that’s probably the biggest difference between last year and this year,” Zsinko said. “They worked hard and they were very focused this season. They really wanted to get that win in the finals. But at the end of the day they had a good run.”

Panveno is looking at a college that will offer tennis as well as marketing and sports communication degrees. If that doesn’t work out, she said she will continue to play club tennis.

Virmani has two more years to play in high school, and after the Red Devils finished third in the state in 2024 and Sophia Virmani, left, and Lauren Panveno took second in the state in second in 2025, she is hoping doubles for Hinsdale Central. Photo courtesy of Erinn Panveno they can take one more step up the ladder in the coming Panveno, a Hinsdale resident, seasons. and that was definitely motivation. was ready for this meet in October to Panveno treasured her time being a At the start of this year, we started try to erase the past disappointment. partner with Virmani. playing right off the bat, and that helped us build up a record, and that “We definitely used it as motivation “I feel like we complemented each allowed us to get that high of a because the draw that we got last year placing at state.” other very well, and it’s something wasn’t the draw we necessarily our coach would tell us a lot,” she deserved,” she said. “We started said. “We never felt like there was a The Red Devils finished second in playing late in the season, and the weaker link. We’ve both had our the state. Panveno-Virmani were seeding is based on your record. Since named first-team all-state. Sidney moments of being amazing and we didn’t play that many matches moments where we would make a Shuster and Oak Brook’s Anika Sari together, we didn’t have the ability to few errors. But I just feel like we’ve also finished first-team all-state and get seeded. It was the toughest match been good at staying positive and singles player Julianna Radonjic was we could have gotten. keeping each other calm and third team all-state. supporting each other even when we “This year was our way of proving we Zsinko, also an Oak Brook resident, make mistakes.” ■ didn’t deserve to play that match, said that putting Panveno and “I think we knew we could get this far, but we had to make sure we had good days, and all of the factors were in our favor.”

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Learn how the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP) has already impacted more than 230,000 lives in DuPage County.

We’re supporting local nonprofits addressing four key areas:

FOOD

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HEALTH

DISORDER

The results so far are remarkable.

Watch our Interim Impact Report videos to see how this collaborative partnership, fueled by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, has awarded more than $10 million in grants and is transforming lives across our community.

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SPORTS | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Hinsdale’s Tess Tortorello, left, and Clarendon Hills’ Beth Surowiec share a laugh during a postgame press conference after Nazareth won in the Class 3A state volleyball semifinals in November.

TITANIC TURNAROUND

Tortorello, Surowiec lead Nazareth to second in state after tough 2024

BY JEFF VORVA | PHOTOS BY JEFF VORVA

H

insdale’s Tess Tortorello comes from a volleyball family that includes three aunts and a cousin who played at Division I colleges.

Her sister, Lola, plays at Tufts University.

Tess also has uncles who have competed in tennis, swimming, water polo, basketball and football on the college level.

Clarendon Hills’ Beth Surowiec (holding trophy) and Hinsdale’s Tess Tortorello (in light blue jersey) were key players in Nazareth’s turnaround season as they won three matches in 2024 and finished second in the state in Class 3A in 2025.

They all experienced great triumphs during their high school careers, but none of them have the stories that Tess, a sophomore libero, has in her first two years playing volleyball at Nazareth Academy.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Tortorello, Clarendon Hills’ Beth Surowiec, and the rest of the Roadrunners finished second in the state in Class 3A one year after enduring a 3-31 season.

Oh, and the team started the 2025 season 0-5 and entered the Illinois High School Association playoffs with a losing record.

“At the beginning of the season, we had a goal to go down state,” Tortorello said. “Now that we’ve accomplished it, we want to just keep on building from it. We used last year as motivation to prove everyone wrong and show everyone what we can do.”

Surowiec has been a part of an even more amazing story. She was a part of the 2022 team that also took second in the state and saw the Roadrunners’ fate take a nosedive before this year’s amazing run.

“I really think our mentality changed this season,” she said. “We just wanted it.

We wanted to see a turnaround. Our team hit rock bottom last season, and we couldn’t go any further down. So, I think this season, we took everything we could and brought it right back up.

When we got to the playoffs, we said we were going to the state championship, and we were going to win state. We had a good mindset in every single game this season, and I think we did well.”

The dream of a state championship was dashed when the Roadrunners lost to Normal U-High, 25-20, 25-20, on Nov. 15 at CEDFCU Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. While they lost that match, they were involved in an amazing rally that lasted more than a minute and 20 seconds, which picked up an avalanche of views online.

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Above: Hinsdale’s Tess Tortorello (light jersey) is just a sophomore and has seen her team grow in two years. Left: Nazareth fans react during a point in the Class 3A championship match in Normal.

But Tortorello was recognized by the organization after the state tourney and was named to the Class 3A-4A All-Tournament team.

The highlight of the postseason was a 26-24, 25-17 stunner over powerhouse Timothy Christian in Elmhurst in sectional play, followed by a three-set thriller over Geneva.

The team will go from Cinderella this year to the hunted next season.

The coach of the turnaround is Esai Velez, who was a head coach at Division I Iona and an assistant at Hofstra and Lewis University.

This was his first year at the LaGrange Park school, and he knew that turning the program around was not going to be an easy task. But it turned out easier than he thought it was going to be.

“It was easy because they were all committed and they all wanted to be here,” he said. “I’m proud of the kids.

They did a good job. I don’t have the words to describe it. We worked hard for a long time, and we are here.”

Because of the Roadrunners’s 15-18 regular season, they did not place anyone on the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association All-State teams.

“My first year, we set the bar high,” Velez said. “But that’s what we’re here for, right? This is why I love to do it.

The bar is high, and we’re going to continue working, but we will enjoy this year because it was a great one.”

For Tortorello, she will always remember how wild her first two seasons at Nazareth were.

“We had a few wins last season, and we were a very good team, but we didn’t put all the pieces together,” she said. “This year, everybody stepped up, and everyone wanted to change our past habits and improve as a team, and that’s exactly what we did. We set a lot of goals at the beginning of the season, and we accomplished them.

It’s been quite a journey.” ■

COVER | HINSDALEMAG.COM

TIME WELL SPENT

Young Men’s Service League invites mothers and sons to serve the community together

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

I

t’s been said that you must be the change you wish to see in this world. Just ask the 81 moms and 92 high school students who make up the Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale chapter of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL).

Improving communities through service is the cornerstone of this mother/son group.

While the local chapter is currently in its second year, next year will mark a quarter of a century for the national organization. The 501(c)(3) was founded by sisters-in-law Pam and Julie Rosener in Plano, TX. The pair sought to create an opportunity for mothers and their high school-aged

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sons to serve their local communities while spending time together. YMSL has expanded to 195 chapters nationwide across 22 states. Although Pam’s sons have long since aged out of the group, she still serves as President and CEO of YMSL.

intent, they are invited to apply for membership.

A four-year commitment is a criterion that sets YMSL apart from other service organizations. “After attending an introductory meeting to discuss expectations, the moms are encouraged to speak with their sons and be sure they are on board with a four-year, 20-hour commitment for service, in addition to the meetings,” said Heather O’Hara, who serves as Vice President of Membership for the Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale chapter.

After moms and sons sign a letter of

Students are placed in a “class group,” according to their high school class.

Each chapter consists of four separate classes - freshmen through seniors.

Thirty spots are available for incoming ninth graders.

“The initial response was overwhelming,” said Heather Jashnani, President. “It really spoke to a need in the community.”

“We were inundated with responses for two of the class levels and ended up having to do a blind lottery, which is what happens if we receive more letters of intent than we have spots,” said O’Hara. “So far, we only have

YMSL at a Special Olympics bowling competition

freshmen through juniors. Next year will be our first senior class.”

The Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale chapter is the fourth in Illinois to be granted a YMSL charter. Other chapters in the state serve areas such as Glen Ellyn, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Naperville. A ‘no boundaries’ philosophy welcomes moms and sons from any town to join any chapter. While most students attend Hinsdale Central, there are also several from Fenwick, Nazareth, Benet and St. Ignatius. Starting a chapter isn’t a small order, but mentors are available from the national organization for advice.

The local group was started by Jashnani and Michelle Carlavato, who

“The initial response was overwhelming.

It really spoke to a need in the community.”

- HEATHER JASHNANI, YMSL PRESIDENT

serves as Vice President. Both were separately interested in starting a local YMSL chapter, but had not met until O’Hara connected them. “It was rather serendipitous,” O’Hara believes. “I just happened to know both of them from different parts of my life.”

“I don’t know of another group for mothers and sons,” said O’Hara. “I joined with my third son, Henry.

Going into it, I think he was a little unsure. Now he loves it.”

The young men meet by class in various locations around the area, relevant to the evening’s selected topic.

Subjects from automobile care to financial planning and self-defense to the basics of cooking - among other topics - carry them through the four years. Each young man has a job for the meeting, assisted by a few moms.

“My son enjoys the meetings,” said O’Hara. “He has been able to reconnect with other members of his class who were friends from grade school.” Jashnani’s son’s experience has been very positive as well. “My HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

29

volunteer work, half of which is required to be served together.

Cooperating philanthropies such as DuPagePADS, Sharing Connections, and Level Up Academy are vetted through the national organization and must adhere to the criteria outlined in the mission statement - to assist, serve, and support those in need in the community.

“The hope is that the members and their sons have contact with the clients who are the recipients of the help,” said Jashnani. “So, it’s not just stocking a food pantry, but also meeting clients who are there for assistance.” It’s amazing how quickly a rapport is built. For example, when O’Hara’s son assisted one afternoon at a Special Olympics bowling event. “I think Henry had more fun than he initially expected walking into it. It was nice to see him helping the kids and interacting so well with them.” The results can be eye-opening.

son is a freshman this year and has made several friends in the group, so when he started high school, he already knew a few other students.”

The moms, who are the actual members, have their own meetings with their own topics. “Last night we had a college counselor come and talk to us about how to navigate the college process,” said O’Hara.

“Another time, a physician talked to us about women’s health issues. We have a professional organizer coming to our next meeting.”

Invariably, when people spend that kind of time together, friendships grow.

Each young man and his mother are required to complete 20 hours of 30

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Recently, several members and their sons played Scrabble with residents at The Birches. “At first, I think my son might have been a little apprehensive,” said Jashnani. “But in the end, he made connections with a few of them and realized you can find something in common with anyone, if you’re willing to try.”

Like other moms, O’Hara often finds the drive home to be the most worthwhile part of the exercise.

“Henry and I chat. Even if it’s only for ten minutes, it’s impactful.

A short, meaningful conversation with your son at this point in both of your lives is valuable.”

For more information, visit chapters.ymsl.org or @YMSL.Hinsdale&CH on Facebook. ■ YMSL works with several local organizations including People’s Resource Center, the Ronald McDonald House and Feed My Starving Children.

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Bill Murray returned to Woodstock 27 years after Groundhog Day in a Jeep (2020).

Photo courtesy of Grant Gustafson

Game Changers

TV’s most memorable ads are aired on Super Bowl Sunday

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

“P

eople are usually annoyed by advertising.

But one day a year, they love it.” - Soraya Faber, SVP, Executive Account Director of McCann New York

It’s the big day! The dips are made, the chili is simmering, and the beer is icing down in the cooler. Chalk talk is over, oddsmakers have determined the over/under and pregame rituals are in full swing. But this annual slice of Americana is not only a rivalry of the NFL’s best football teams. With the most expensive airtime at stake, competition among advertisers is every bit as fierce! It’s GO TIME! Let’s face it—millions tune in to the big game just to watch the ads. And with $8 million on the line every thirty seconds, you can bet advertisers bring their A-game! “People are usually annoyed by advertising,” said Soraya Faber, Downers Grove resident and SVP and Executive Account Director of McCann New York. “But one day a year, they love it.”

Today, every second counts.

Just one clever and memorable spot (ad) represents a myriad of moving parts that are the work of hundreds of people over many months. Making one is a process

often set in motion right after the end of the annual game.

Soraya is one of the first people clients consult when they want to make an ad for the big game. “I sit down with a client, for example, Verizon, and help them determine what they want to say and what will be the key takeaways when their ad is blasted out to such a huge audience,” she said. “Is there a new product or service they want to focus on? What will the audience find compelling?”

“So much of what can be included relies on two budgets,” said Natalie Schrimpl, Director of Business Affairs at Publicis Production (the former Leo Burnett), who grew up in Downers Grove.

“The one to reserve the airtime and the one for the actual production of the commercial.”

Once the central idea is determined and the budget is established, the creative directors come up with the preliminary outline. Schrimpl helps them determine what is realistic. “Even though ad budgets for the big game are much bigger than others, not all can accommodate hiring celebrities and licensing Beatles songs. So we help them HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

35

Eric Faber served as Executive Producer on the 2020 Super Bowl ad for Reese’s Take 5, “the best bar you’ve never heard of,” at mcgarrybowen.

Photo courtesy of Eric Faber

Soraya Faber

Natalie Roback Schrimpl

Brian Smego

Grant Gustafson

figure out what they want and how we can make it feasible,” she said.

ing the brand.” The final idea is then revised to sell to the client.

The idea is then pitched back to the client. If they buy into the concept from a creative standpoint, it’s awarded (accepted). “That’s when the real fun begins,” said Schrimpl.

Once the creative team has a script and some key frames in hand, Eric Faber, Downers Grove resident and

From there, creative teams take up the reins. Scriptwriting and storyboarding for the commercial come next. “The ads are so short, but what viewers might not realize is that it could have taken a creative team at an agency six months to concept and develop an idea they have thirty seconds to deliver,” said Brian Smego, Elmhurst resident and Managing Director of Dictionary Films. “There’s always a balance. If you’re using humor, you want people to laugh, but the humor must tie into the audience remember-

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Eric Faber

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

the in-house Executive Producer at Allstate, gets to work. “As a producer, my job is to make the ad,” said Eric.

“That’s anything it takes to get it off the page and onto the screen. Producers work with the experts of many fields—anything from directors, editors, costume designers, special effects people, animators, visual effects artists, and beyond. Each of them brings their individual corner of expertise to a project.”

State Farm Good Neighbors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito (2024).

Photo courtesy of Brian Smego

It’s important to have experts. According to Smego, one of the best—and worst—things about big game day ads is the scrutiny. Ads aired that day immediately go under a microscope.

Obviously, it’s a huge investment on the clients’ side, so it better hit the mark. “If you’re going for an emotional response, it has to be the right tone,” said Smego.

“Otherwise, there can be backlash, and you definitely don’t want that.”

After a production company is hired, an editor is the next call. Elmhurst resident and award-winning editor Grant Gustafson of Cutter Studio polishes raw footage in post-production into the ad you’ll always remember. With 20 big game day ads under his belt—four of which have been deemed number one by USA Today’s Ad Meter—he’s an expert.

“I’m fortunate clients trust me with their spots for the big game,” said Gustafson. “I’ve been lucky to have some memorable opportunities.”

Like the 2020 Jeep spot with Bill Murray returning to Groundhog Day in Woodstock. Gustafson moved his editing equipment into a hotel near the set and worked with the production team as they shot the ad. While it’s unusual for him to work on site, an excruciatingly tight one-week schedule dictated the break in protocol. “It was exciting but stressful because we worked around the clock,” Gustafson remembered. “We got it out the door on Thursday for the game on Sunday! Crazy, but fun.”

Practically every step of the ad-making process involves give and take.

Schrimpl negotiates between the creatives, the account people, and the legal team. No two commercials are the same, so there are lots of bases to cover—like insurance if the ad involves automobiles or licensing for master and publishing rights for any music included. All ads must be

cleared by networks before they can be shown, too. “It’s a high-level process and the final step to getting the commercial on air; it would be a shame to spend the time and money and then not be able to get it air approved.”

And while viewers may see just thirty seconds flash across the screen, each spot represents months of strategy, creativity, collaboration, and sleepless nights from teams determined to get it right. So when the big game kicks off and the commercials roll, know there’s far more at play than clever punchlines or celebrity cameos. These ads are the result of hundreds of professionals who brought their A-game, just like the athletes on the field.

Tune in, watch closely, and enjoy the competition!

Join the fun and vote on your favorites during game day at admeter.usatoday.com/2026 ■

Soraya Faber (far right) after the Verizon Cable Guy Ad with Jim Carrey (2020) wrapped Photo courtesy of Soraya Faber.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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FRONT & CENTER | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Dave Wannstedt, former Chicago Bears head coach and longtime Chicago favorite

DAVE WANNSTEDT From Western Pennsylvania to gridiron greatness

BY MARCUS FERTIG | PHOTO BY VICTOR HILITSKI

D

ave Wannstedt’s football story doesn’t begin under the bright lights of the NFL. It begins in the steel towns of Western Pennsylvania, where football wasn’t just a game; it was a lifeline. “Football was a way out for us,” Wannstedt says. “If we didn’t play, we’d be working in the mills like our fathers.”

Growing up outside Pittsburgh, Wannstedt learned at a young age what hard work meant. He had a passion for football at a young age. “Friday night lights were a huge deal in my town,” Wannstedt recalls. “10,000 people would be at the game.” Earning a scholarship to Pittsburgh to play football meant the world to Wannstedt, an achievement he had always dreamed of.

After playing at Pitt, he was drafted by the Packers and had a stint in the NFL that was cut short by injuries. He

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returned to Pittsburgh as a grad student and joined the coaching staff under Johnny Majors. Immediately, he was helping guide a team headlined by future Heisman winner Tony Dorsett to a national championship. A great start to his young coaching career.

When Jackie Sherrill replaced Majors, he hired a young assistant from Oklahoma named Jimmy Johnson. Dave and Jimmy began a close relationship that went beyond just X’s and O’s. “We became good friends right away and still are to this day. We text every week,” says Wannstedt. The two worked side-by-side at Pitt before Johnson accepted the head coaching job at Oklahoma State and convinced Wannstedt to join him. Wannstedt laughs, recalling, “We had Dan Marino, Jimbo Covert, Ricky Jackson at Pitt. I don’t know how smart it was to leave that roster. But Jimmy got me in the car and off we went to Stillwater.”

It was there that Wannstedt’s aggressive defensive philosophy began to take shape. In the Big 12, going against tough programs like Nebraska and Oklahoma, he had to get creative. Wannstedt built a system based on quickness, movement, and disruption. “We didn’t have the biggest players,” he says. “So we had to come up with something different.”

the Dolphins became one of the winningest franchises in the league, averaging over ten victories a year.

Wins and losses are not the only parts of coaching that Wannstedt values. What means the most to him are the lessons learned and lives affected. “There are so many life lessons you learn from football at a young age,” he says. I tell my grandkids who play sports, it’s all about being accountable.” To this day, Wannstedt keeps a relationship with countless former players and coaches, “all the rings I got are nice, but what really is lasting is the relationships I’ve made with players and coaches over the years,” he says.

That aggressive defensive strategy evolved further when Wannstedt joined Johnson at the University of Miami.

With Wannstedt as defensive coordinator, the Hurricanes lost just one regular-season game over three years. Their notorious swagger is directly related to their defensive approach. “If you’re gonna “Chicago is like a big Pittsburgh. act that way, you better back The people are real. That’s always it up,” he says. “And we were good enough to back it up. It mattered to me.” – gave us an edge.”

After the NFL, Wannstedt returned to Pitt, this time as a head coach. His time as coach marked a resurgence for the program, which was DAVE WANNSTEDT capped by winning a Big His time in Miami included East Championship in a national championship, 2010. He recruited players unforgettable rivalries, and a defensive unit that took like LeSean McCoy and Aaron Donald during his time as over college football. It caught the attention of the pros.

Head Coach.

Don Shula hired him to stay in town and coach linebackers for the Miami Dolphins, but six weeks later, the Today, he remains a beloved figure in Chicago media. phone rang again. Jimmy Johnson had been hired as Wanstead goes on air for FOX Sports, NBC Sports, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and wanted Wannstand 670 The Score. “Chicago is like a big Pittsburgh,” edt as his defensive coordinator. The decision to join his he says. “The people are real. That’s always mattered friend in Dallas was an easy one. to me.”

His experience in Dallas saw the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as a football team. The Cowboys went 1–15 in their first season under Johnson and Wannstedt. In just three years, they were able to turn it around and become Super Bowl champions. Three years later, they were Super Bowl champions. Wannstedt’s defense set a Super Bowl record with nine forced turnovers against Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills. His success with the Cowboys earned him a head coaching opportunity with the Chicago Bears.

Being handed the keys to the Chicago Bears in the mid-1990s made Wannstedt one of the most recognizable figures in the city, right alongside Michael Jordan.

He guided the Bears to a playoff win in Minnesota and built competitive teams, but the franchise’s window unexpectedly slammed shut when quarterback Erik Kramer suffered a season-ending neck injury.

After Chicago came Miami, where he again joined his friend Jimmy Johnson, this time as an assistant, before eventually taking over as head coach. Over four seasons,

Wannstedt has now found a meaningful connection to the Hinsdale area through family and football. His daughter and three grandsons live in the community, and it’s here that he’s been able to connect with the game as well as family by helping coach and reestablish a local gradeschool football program at St. Isaac Jogues, where his grandkids are learning the sport. Coaching young athletes reminds him why he fell in love with the sport in the first place. “They’re sponges,” Wannstedt says. “They’re excited, they’re learning, and they’re having fun.” For a coach who has experienced nearly every level of the game, those afternoons on local fields in Hinsdale have become some of the most rewarding moments of his football life.

From humble beginnings in Pennsylvania to football stardom, Dave Wannstedt’s journey is a testament to dedication, resilience, and leadership. Today, his influence continues to impact the sport through his media work and local youth coaching. Dave Wannstedt’s legacy extends far beyond National Championships and Super Bowls; it’s the people he’s inspired that define his true impact.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Is it Almost SPRING? Find out on February 2 in Woodstock, Illinois

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOODSTOCK WILLIE DAYS COMMITTEE

B

y February, most of us have winter blues. That is, unless you live in northwest suburban Woodstock, the town that doubled for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in Harold Ramis’ 1993 cult classic, Groundhog Day. February 2 marks the day Americans heed the prognostication (weather prophecy) of Punxsutawney Phil, America’s most celebrated groundhog. If he sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter.

If not, spring is surely on the way.

Here in Woodstock, it’s the best day of the year! Bring it on!

Groundhog Day, is the story of Phil Connors (Bill Murray), a cynical weatherman for Pittsburgh TV station WPBH-TV9. Each year on February 2, Connors reluctantly travels to Punxsutawney to cover the annual Groundhog Day Proclamation issued

Woodstock Willie at the Cherry Street Inn B&B Photo courtesy of George and Lori Miracki

by resident rodent Punxsutawney Phil.

The narcissistic meteorologist makes no secret of his disdain for the yearly assignment. Wise guy Larry the cameraman (Chris Elliot) and relentlessly cheerful co-worker Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) - whom Connors secretly admires - accompany him.

strikes. The trio is forced to stay the night in Punxsutawney. Connors awakens the next morning at the Cherry Street Inn B&B to Sonny & Cher’s I Got You Babe playing on the radio and proceeds to mysteriously relive Groundhog Day. Déjà vu? For several more days, he relives February 2. Connors thinks he is going crazy.

But this year, something is different.

After the prognostication, the blizzard which Connors has assured his viewers will not strike the area,

When the weatherman realizes he is caught in a time loop, he starts to take advantage of knowing what will

Filming Groundhog Day scenes are Bill Murray, Harold Ramis (Director) and Andie MacDowell.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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waiting to show you around. “The Mirackis have been amazing ambassadors for Woodstock,” said McMahon.

The crowd awaits Prognostication in the early morning hours of February 2.

happen each day to control the outcome. Ultimately, Rita falls for him, and he convinces her to move to Punxsutawney with him.

The movie - a hit - sparked a cult following that put Woodstock on the map. Over time, Groundhog Day festivities have evolved into a celebration that draws scores of fans from far and wide to this quintessential Midwestern small town.

Prognostication is always held on February 2; however, the three-day Groundhog Days festival happens each year on the weekend before or after February 2, regardless of the weather. Anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 guests come in for the event. “We see a steady crowd all weekend,” said Woodstock City Council member Melissa McMahon. Even the blizzard of 2011 didn’t deter the diehards.

“There are photos of people snowshoeing into the square and waiting for the groundhog’s prediction,” she said, as she laughed. “They’re serious.”

“Attendees range from in-town residents to overseas visitors,” said McMahon. “Then we have those who have been to Punxsutawney and assume they are going to walk into what they find here. They always say, ‘they have it all wrong out there!’”

There’s plenty to do at Groundhog Days. There are woodcarving demonstrations and a 5K race. Trivia and bags tournaments. The polka band plays on the square, and there are movie-themed activities. The Woodstock Moose Lodge featured in 42

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the film hosts a dinner dance. Shops bring in cute merch.

You might even catch some of the movie stars, who often come back.

Andie MacDowell (Rita) and Chris

Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned) is an honorary Woodstockian.

Elliott (Larry) have come back. In the years he’s been there, Richard Henzel, who is the voice of Bill Murray’s alarm clock radio every morning, does the broadcast from onstage, and “that’s always a crowd pleaser,” said McMahon. “Our favorite is Stephen Toblowsky (Ned)!

He comes back most often, and he’s kind of an honorary citizen around here. Screenplay writer Danny Reuben sometimes shows up and does a Q&A,” McMahon relayed.

If you go, plan to take a walking tour of the movie locations. Almost every place is open to the public, and there are plaques that explain the sites. Stop in at the Cherry Tree Inn B&B. Owners George and Lori Miracki are

Most years, Bob Hudgins, Groundhog Day’s location manager, comes back to give tours with lots of funny backstories about the actors and filming.

Hudgins is the man behind the magic, as it was he who convinced Ramis to feature Woodstock as Punxsutawney’s muse. “I had worked with Ramis on Planes, Trains & Automobiles a couple of years before, and a few of those scenes were shot in Woodstock,” Hudgins relayed. “Ramis and Murray were Chicago guys, so they wanted to film close to home.”

Woodstock became a sort of character in its own right and has never shirked from its adopted identity.

“Woodstock’s groundhog is known as Woodstock Willie, since Punxsutawney has their own groundhog - that’s Phil,” McMahon explained.

The original groundhog from the movie has passed, but his grandchildren are still around. “For a while, it was actually a female named Wendy,” McMahon explained, “but to the outside world, they’re all Woodstock Willie anyway.”

There is also a 5’7 Woodstock Willie mascot who is available all year for ribbon cuttings, Halloween trick-ortreats and other events around town.

“The human Woodstock Willie has his own website and is kind of like royalty around here,” McMahon said as she laughed.

We make fun of our cold and seemingly eternal winters. Hopefully, Woodstock Willie will deliver for us this year. Come see for yourself this January 30 to February 2. “Groundhog Day is a movie that means something different to each person,” said McMahon. “It’s a privilege for us to keep bringing it to life each year.”

Just remember your hat and mittens!

For more information on the Groundhog Days Festival, visit woodstockgroundhog. org. Or spy on Woodstock Willie on Facebook at @woodstockwillieofficial. ■

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SPECIAL FEATURE | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Mike Retondo, De'Mar Hamilton, Tom Higgenson and Tim Lopez of the Plain White T's Photo by Daniel Topete

INSIDE THE MUSIC WITH

TOM HIGGENSON

Catching up with the Plain White T’s frontman and Elmhurst native

M

usic has always been a defining part of Plain White T’s founding member Tom Higgenson.

“I honestly think I learned to read by looking at album covers and sounding out the names of bands,” said The Plain White T’s frontman as he smiled.

“My parents had music on all the time in the house when I was a kid. From Michael Jackson to Guns N’ Roses.

Lots of stuff from the eighties.”

Plain White T’s, a pop-punk band known for their catchy melodies, began as classmates at Willowbrook High School. In addition to Higgen-

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

son, the band, who also includes Tim Lopez, Mike Retondo, De’Mar Hamilton, and Dave Tirio, rose from humble DIY roots and self-funded albums early on. The world realized their feel-good, storytelling style largely through their breakout single, Hey There Delilah, re-released as a bonus track on their fourth studio album, Every Second Counts, in 2006. The song hit the Billboard Hot 100 as it went worldwide and was one of the ten best songs of 2007.

Vocal at the 50th Grammy Awards.

Since then, Plain White T’s have toured worldwide. The band is known for its heartfelt lyrics and the genuine rapport it builds with fans. Subsequent hits like 1,2,3,4 (I Love You) and Rhythm of Love, among others, resonate with audiences. After a few upcoming local shows this winter, the band will be hitting the road in the spring with some new music.

Higgenson made time to chat with his hometown via Elmhurst Magazine The following year saw it nominated for both Song of the Year and Best Pop Contributing Editor, Maureen Performance by a Duo or Group with Callahan.

ELMHURST MAGAZINE (EM): HOW DID YOU START PERFORMING? HIGGENSON: I got into music in middle school at Jackson Junior High in Villa Park. The music teacher’s name, funny enough, was Mr. Rock. He heard me sing in class, so he told my buddies in choir to convince me to join. That gave me confidence. From there, my choir friends and I tried out for a kids’ production of The Music Man. Another friend and I had a little rap duo called TNT (Tom and Tom). We wrote a

rap song and performed it at the talent show and then the eighth-grade dance. I also played the lead in several musicals in high school. I realized how much I liked the stage.

EM: WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN MUSIC? HIGGENSON: In my freshman year of high school, I got a set of drums. I put on Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters albums and played along. I got pretty decent. The following year, I got a HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

45

guitar for Christmas, and a couple of buddies showed me some chords. I started writing and recording my own songs with a four-track. I brought some cassette tapes to school and passed them out to the other kids. My friends and I started jamming and playing Green Day stuff in my basement. It just led to starting a band. And that was Plain White T’s.

EM: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME? HIGGENSON: A lot of our favorite bands’ CD booklets had photos of people in plain white T-shirts, and we always thought it looked sort of classic.

EM: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SHOW? HIGGENSON: Our very first gig was a house party in Lincoln Park. The manager of a theater, where a couple of us worked, was throwing a holiday party and asked us to play.

So we had to come up with some songs! We probably sounded terrible, but for us, it was the greatest thing ever.

We covered some Lemonheads and Smoking Popes tunes.

EM: WHAT MUSICIANS/SINGERS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY? HIGGENSON: Weezer, for sure, in the beginning. Plain White T’s started out at a time when this shift was happening in music with bands like Nirvana and Green Day, and that kind of punk stuff. That music always spoke to me. As I got into writing music, I tended to lean more toward things that were a bit quirkier and less grungy. I feel like the band has always had an alternative heartbeat.

EM: WHAT WAS THE STORY BEHIND YOUR ALBUM ALL THAT WE NEEDED? HIGGENSON: Plain White T’s had been pretty local up to that point. We had put out some self-funded releases. Then we made Stop, which was also self-funded, but we had our manager helping us at the time with A&R (artist and repertoire). And he told us we should record it. So we recorded it at a sixteen-year-old buddy’s house in Lombard. It ended up getting picked up by Fearless Records in California, and we got signed. It was a tiny, independent label. Then we toured on it.

probably not what you think. I was playing a show at House of Blues, and my good friend asked if we could pick up her friend Delilah on the way. She was from the south side. I was trying to flirt with her all night, but she had a boyfriend, so I was just being goofy. At the end of the night, I gave her one of our Stop CDs. She left to go back to school in New York the next day. We kind of kept in touch over AOL Instant Messenger. From then on, whenever she came home, and I saw her with my other friend, she would ask ‘Hey, where’s my song? When do I get to hear it?’ So, then I actually had to write her a song!

EM: WHAT WAS HER REACTION TO HEY THERE DELILAH? HIGGENSON: Delilah loved Hey There Delilah. But she was always very humble about it. She came with me to the Grammys when the song was nominated in 2008. She was very supportive of the band and always came when we played in New York. Nothing ever really happened with us, but I know the song meant a lot to her, especially as the tune went worldwide. I mean, for all we know, there’s someone humming that song on a train in Japan or somewhere right now. Delilah was glad to be a part of the moment. She still lives in the area. I’d like to think she’s happy when she’s driving around in her car and the song comes on the radio.

EM: WHAT IS YOUR SONGWRITING PROCESS? HIGGENSON: It’s honestly different for every song. The other day, I was trying to push through some ideas, but that never works well. I find that if I have a lyrical idea, the song will sometimes write itself. I usually start something, then kind of step away from it and return later with fresh ears.

Sometimes it’s days later. Other times, it’s an hour.

EM: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HIT A CREATIVE BLOCK? HIGGENSON: When I get writer’s block, I usually try to listen to something new. There’s a band called 100 gecs that wakes up all my senses. They’re kind of hyper-pop - sort of insane and glitchy and all genres mixed together. Jazz also helps. It’s such a palate cleanser. I can listen to a jazz song ten times because it’s so free formed and structureless. It’s kind of the opposite of the music I make, so oddly enough, it helps my creativity.

EM: SO, WHO IS DELILAH?

EM: WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT ELMHURST?

HIGGENSON: She’s a completely real person, but it’s

HIGGENSON: What’s not to like? Elmhurst is paradise!

Honestly, maybe it’s John Hughes syndrome or something, but growing up in suburban Chicago was amazing. I spend a lot of time out in L.A. in this industry and the friends I make usually end up being other Midwesterners. Seems like we find one another no matter where we go. There’s just something about this area. It’s a solid place.

EM: THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? HIGGENSON: My best advice came from our [Plain White T’s’] first manager, who helped us a lot with Stop. He always said, ‘Don’t quit. It might take one album, or it might take seven albums, but if you do your thing and stick with it, you’ll eventually find some sort of success.’ He was right. ■

Photo by Hailey Sherman 46

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

The Encore Center for Performing Arts presents An Intimate Evening with the Plain White T’s on January 30. Ticket availability may be limited; visit ecpa-elmhurst.org for current details.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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IN FOCUS | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Reviving the SILENT SCREEN A new generation tackles silent filmmaking with annual festival

I

n a world where advanced technology defines modern filmmaking, one local festival is going back to the basics.

The Student Silent Film Festival is an annual competition for Chicago-area high school students that puts their skills to the test with the ultimate challenge: telling a story without any dialogue.

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BY ANNA HUGHES

music director, said. “It’s kind of like an art that was dying.”

When Berg and his colleagues, Ed Newmann and Bill Allan, started the film festival in 2017, they knew it would be focused on silent films. To

“[They] are stars for the night.” DEREK BERG, MUSIC DIRECTOR, STUDENT SILENT FILM FESTIVAL

The “silent film era” was a brief one in movie history. This storytelling medium started during the mid1890s, before the introduction of synchronized sound. By the late 1920s, silent films were quickly replaced by “talkies,” which took the motion picture industry by storm.

them, this was an opportunity for students to think differently about storytelling and rely on visual creativity rather than what Berg calls the usual “crutch” of dialogue.

“Once the audio came in, it was done,” Derek Berg, the festival’s

“It’s a challenge for a lot of students,” Berg said. “It’s not easy, especially

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

when… you’ve got to tell your story in six minutes without audio. [It’s] an amazing exercise to do.”

Each year, the film festival showcases roughly 13 films submitted by local schools. To give students structure — and to offer viewers a unifying thread — the festival typically sets parameters for each film. Some years, that means a theme; this year, the January 28 showcase at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove requires every short film to incorporate the same prop: a deck of cards. The use of a prop provides an additional challenge without limiting participants to the constraints of a single theme.

Berg considers these films to be a lens into the world in which the younger generation is living.

Hinsdale resident Ed Newmann speaks at the annual Student Silent Film Festival

“You kind of get a window into the anxiety that they’re now living and some of the darkness,” Berg said.

“And the good stuff too! I’m not saying it’s all negative, but really, when someone makes a film… it seems very tied into the relevant experience that they’re experiencing at this time in life.”

Berg has early access to the submissions to create loose scores for each based on the message and tone throughout. This honors the original silent film era, when films were almost always accompanied by live music.

on their iPhones. The level of production isn’t considered by the judge — the content is.

“A lot of [the judges] are in the industry, and they’re used to good production. That’s not what they’re always looking at,” Berg said. “A lot of it is story driven: Was the story framed out? And did it make sense?

Did it create a sense of emotion?

Were you getting impact? Were you getting this point across? “ Although a winner is named each year, the competition is not the sole

focus — the experience is. The students are given a chance to see what a real-life film debut is like: red carpet, press, and all. Many festival alumni continue on to film school with dreams of chasing the same experience again.

“We’re kind of giving them a taste of what that looks like,” Berg said. “[They] are stars for the night.”

To learn more about the Student Silent Film Festival at the Tivoli Theatre on January 28, 2026, visit studentsilentfilmfestival.org. n

“A lot of it is improvisational-based as far as the specific parts I play, but I have chord structures that I know are going to create a certain vibe that I follow, or I might have one theme that I create,” Berg said. “Then I have to put those all together for all 13 films, and then I perform them live during the film.”

To complement the contemporary style of the films, Berg doesn’t limit himself to just an organ or piano; he utilizes loops and sounds from his MacBook as well. Similarly, students are encouraged to use any technology available to them to create their movies. Although some students have access to high-end equipment at their schools, others simply record

Event founders Derek Berg, Bill Allan and Ed Newmann

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NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

NOTEWORTHY EDUCATION The western suburbs are home to many exceptional schools and educational organizations, each with a proud history and a well-earned reputation for supporting academic excellence. These institutions offer a wide range of opportunities and inspire a genuine love of learning within their communities. Choosing a private or independent school or enrichment program is an important and often layered decision for families, with no shortage of strong options to explore.

While touring campuses or meeting with educational providers is key to making an informed choice, gaining insight directly from the experts themselves can offer a valuable perspective. We appreciate our partners featured in this year’s Hinsdale Magazine Group NOTEWORTHY education spotlight for sharing meaningful information to help readers better understand and celebrate what makes each institution unique.

NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

The Avery Coonley School Established in 1906, The Avery Coonley School (ACS) is known as a leader in gifted education and offers advanced learners in preschool through eighth grade a curriculum with the depth, pace, and complexity to challenge them to the fullest. Unlike most schools that only offer gifted education in pullout subjects, Avery Coonley is gifted all day, every day, in every subject with students working a minimum of one year above grade level.

for individual and collaborative work, an expansive art studio, a music room, an orchestra practice room, a library, a performing arts center, a gymnasium, and Makerspace. Outdoor spaces include 9,000 square feet of play areas, hiking trails, an athletic field, and a lowropes challenge course.

Unique programs at ACS include a French immersion style program, which provides students opportunities to travel to France and Quebec and a competitive debate program which is rare in middle schools.

Robotics and STEAM are integrated in the curriculum.

Social-emotional and physical health and the fine arts are also championed and round out the curriculum, which supports the whole child. Students can also take advantage of numerous extracurricular activities including clubs and competitive sports offered at the school.

Prospective Families, Saturday, February 7 from 9-11:30am Register at: averycoonley.org/open-house

The 321 students at Avery Coonley represent 40+ zip codes in the Chicagoland area and come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. This is due to the The faculty at Avery Coonley is highly skilled with over school’s commitment to diversity and a robust financial 87% holding advanced degrees. They understand the aid budget for need-based tuition assistance. Upon academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners graduation, ACS students are motivated citizens of and are adept at differentiating their instruction to the world, creative thinkers, and independent, lifelong support individual learners. A Student Support Services learners ready to meet their full potential in high school Center allows students to interact with social workers and beyond. and faculty specialists in literacy and math.

ACS invites you to see them in action: Open House for

The beautiful, wooded, 13-acre campus in Downers Grove, boasts state-of-the-art technology, flexible space 52

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The Avery Coonley School 1400 Maple Ave, Downers Grove, IL 630-969-0800 | averycoonley.org

NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Ivy League Potential With acceptance rates at leading universities averaging between 5-10%, many students are looking for professional guidance to navigate the college application process. Since 2011, Ivy League Potential has been partnering with high schools and families to help students gain admission to a broad range of institutions, including Ivy League schools, small liberal arts colleges, public universities, and Big Ten schools.

The founder, Sonia Lal, M. Ed, is a former Harvard admissions interviewer and meets personally with each student to develop a tailored admissions strategy.

While teaching at a private school, Sonia discovered her passion for guiding students through meaningful personal and academic growth. She later founded Ivy League Potential to give high school students the kind of honest, skillbuilding support that made a difference in her life. Sonia and her team offer an insider perspective on the admissions process and help students communicate effectively with admissions officers.

According to Sonia, “High-achieving suburban students, like their peers, often struggle with digital distraction and social isolation. Compared to fifteen years ago, they’re more comfortable with virtual friendships rather than in-person ones. They’re also asking fewer questions and not exploring ideas beyond the classroom as much as before.”

Ivy League Potential addresses these challenges through experiential education. In addition to essay-writing assistance and SAT/ACT prep, it offers programs to rekindle intellectual curiosity and help students learn 21st century “human skills” such as leadership and

emotional intelligence. Students who are uncertain about their college major can explore AI-Proof careers, as well as gain work experience through summer internships at start-up companies.

Students can also do one-on-one research projects with top university professors (the company has 100+ mentors from Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, and other top colleges). Through this program, students write university-level research papers and submit their work to publications and competitions. If students demonstrate high-quality work, mentors are often willing to write recommendation letters for college applications.

Ivy League Potential’s counseling model is built on longterm relationships, positive psychology, and genuine care for each student. For parents seeking truly bespoke guidance and elite level expertise, it’s worth noting that the company reports a 90% success rate for helping qualified students get into one of their topchoice colleges.

One Hinsdale father, whose daughter was admitted to Stanford, had this to say: “As a parent, if you are ever going to invest in anything, this is it. Your child’s future!”

More information is available at ivyleaguepotential.com.

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NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Level Up Academy Prep School

Long before Level Up Academy became a reality, co-founders Samantha Lindenmeyer and Kerry McLaurin had already made a meaningful impact in the community. Through their involvement in local schools as parents—and their dedication to providing hands-on guidance, academic support, and encouragement—they became trusted resources for children who needed individualized attention.Through small-group and private tutoring, along with their well-known “Summer Back-to-School Bootcamps,” they helped students rebuild confidence, strengthen academic routines, and rediscover excitement for learning. Their early work reflected a shared belief: children thrive when they receive personalized instruction, meaningful enrichment, and support in a warm, engaging environment.

That belief became even more evident during COVID-19. Asynchronous learning and limited classroom interaction left many families struggling, and Sam and Kerry stepped in by offering small, structured classes from their homes. These sessions provided consistency, connection, and individualized instruction at a time when students needed stability the most. It quickly became clear that many children benefit from a more customized approach than traditional schooling often allows.

From this understanding, Level Up Academy Prep School officially took shape. The Prep School’s mission centers on individualized instruction, strong academic foundations, and real-world learning experiences that prepare Kindergarten through 2nd Grade students for long-term success. Through both full-day and half-day programs grounded in a whole-child philosophy, Level Up provides hands-on learning, small-group instruction, and support from certified teachers. With an exceptional 5:1student-to-teacher ratio, educators can meet each child 54

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exactly where they are while nurturing foundational skills, curiosity, independence, creativity, socialemotional growth, and executive functioning.

Level Up’s curriculum is fluid and adaptive—no two students complete the same work. Lessons align with the Common Core State Standards and incorporate evidence-based tools such as i-Ready, Wilson Fundations, and multisensory literacy strategies that strengthen numeracy, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. This flexibility allows teachers to tailor instruction to each child’s strengths, needs, and learning style.

The staff is another defining feature of the Prep School.

Every teacher is not only a certified educator but also a mom, creating a warm, supportive environment where students are genuinely seen, heard, and understood.

Level Up Academy continues to grow by expanding its original PreK–1st grade program to now include a fullday 2nd grade, introducing a new Science Exploratory Outdoor Area, and supporting families through yearround classes and tutoring. Even as the school evolves, the mission remains constant: to help every child learn, grow, and thrive with confidence.

Join Level Up Academy at an Open House on Wednesday, January 14, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Or to learn more or schedule a tour, visit lu-academy.com.

760 Pasquinelli Drive, Suite 346, Westmont, Illinois 331-704-0848 | www.lu-academy.com

NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Nazareth Academy Nazareth Academy, a Catholic, Co-Educational, College Preparatory high school, centrally located in the western suburbs offers a short commute for many families in the area. Located in the heart of La Grange Park, Nazareth is one of the oldest educational institutions in the suburbs, with an established legacy of educating the whole person.

Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1899, Nazareth remains sponsored by the religious women of the Congregation of St. Joseph. The beautiful campus is home to 800 students from more than 100 local grammar schools in over 65 communities.

Nazareth values scholarship, service, spirit, and unity, which underscore the school’s mission. The academic approach has resulted in a legacy of high-achieving students who care for one another, feel seen and heard, respect the community, engage in opportunities, and find a place to grow. Nazareth is a family.

The strong relationships built between students, teachers, and college counselors underscore the value Nazareth places in helping ALL students to succeed. The physics-first science curriculum allows for a more current and cutting-edge study of biology with prerequisites of physics and chemistry, while college-level AP courses are offered in each academic area. Nazareth Academy offers students a pathway to the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, which honors high school seniors who demonstrate a high level

of proficiency in one or more languages, in addition to English. Two awards are presented to graduating seniors: the Seal of Biliteracy and the Commendation toward Biliteracy. The academic investment in students is reflected in recognition at the state and national levels and benefits graduates in college. For example, Nazareth’s Class of 2025 graduates are currently enrolled at 66 colleges in 24 states after earning over $52 million in merit-based scholarships.

At Nazareth, 96% of students participate in a club, sport, or the Fine Arts. Student activities are a reflection of students’ passions and reflect the diversity of students’ interests. Each year, our students initiate and form new clubs. Recently added are Ultimate Frisbee, Computer Science and STEAM Club. The dedication of student-athletes is incredible. Since the Fall of 2021, Girls’ Volleyball, Baseball, Football and Girls Basketball have all won State Titles.

Nazareth fosters a culture of inclusivity and a welcoming environment. When this is added to the outstanding academic curriculum, Nazareth can care for the whole person while preparing students for success in college and beyond.

Nazareth Academy 1209 Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 708-354-0061 nazarethacademy.com HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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NOTEWORTHY | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Seton Montessori School For six decades, Seton Montessori School has been a activity. Outdoor connections are central to the trusted partner for families seeking a warm, child-centered daily experience: classroom patios open directly to learning community. A Lab School for nature; garden beds and wooded areas the Seton Montessori Institute, Seton has invite exploration; and the campus’s served children and families in Clarendon unique features—including a green roof, Hills and the surrounding suburbs since chicken coops, and an indoor “Living 1965, making it one of the oldest and most Lab” biology and zoology center—create respected Montessori schools in the region. endless opportunities for hands-on Accredited by the American Montessori learning. These spaces allow children to Society and American Camp Association, experience the seasons, care for living and registered with the Illinois Board of things, and develop a deep appreciation Education, Seton offers all-day and halffor the natural world. day programs for children from infancy What truly sets Seton apart is its role as through sixth grade. both a school for children and aspiring Montessori Seton’s heritage is rooted in the Montessori educators. Seton Montessori’s faculty are master philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, teachers who hold Montessori credentials at the the Italian physician and innovator whose work levels they teach, and many hold multiple credentials. transformed early childhood education around the As part of Seton Montessori Institute, the school world. Grounded in respect for each child’s natural hosts adult learners pursuing Infant and Toddler, development, the Montessori approach nurtures Early Childhood, and Administrator certification. independence, curiosity, and joyful learning. In Seton’s faculty contribute as supervising teachers, thoughtfully prepared classrooms—complete with content presenters, field visitors, and teaching hands-on materials, mixed-age groupings, and caring assistants, keeping their practice current, inspired, educators who guide rather than direct—children and deeply connected to the broader Montessori build confidence as they explore their interests and community. grow at their own pace. Families often speak of how As Seton celebrates 60 years, its commitment remains their children become more engaged, capable, and the same: to nurture capable, confident learners—and eager to learn, both in school and at home. the educators who guide them—through authentic, Seton’s six-acre campus brings the Montessori joyful Montessori education. vision to life through an environment intentionally designed for discovery. What began as a one-room 5728 Virginia Ave, schoolhouse in 1965 has grown into four beautiful, Clarendon Hills, Illinios home-like buildings filled with natural light and (630) 655-1066 | generous space for movement and independent setonmontessori.org 56

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Timothy Christian Schools Partner with a school that aligns with your family’s values, and is recognized at the highest level for academic excellence.

Timothy Christian Schools, a PS–12th grade, nondenominational, college preparatory school, is proud to be a 2025 Illinois Governor’s Award recipient and U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School, an honor awarded to only a small number of schools statewide. This distinction affirms what Timothy families experience every day: a Christ-centered education marked by exceptional academic outcomes.

Timothy’s mission is to uphold Biblical truth, ignite academic growth, and inspire courageous leadership— one student at a time. At Timothy Christian Schools, families do not have to choose between Biblical values and academic excellence. Here, students experience both. Timothy’s Christ-centered culture and rigorous curriculum, grounded in a Biblical worldview, work together to shape students into confident, capable leaders prepared for college and for lives of purpose.

Choosing Timothy Christian Schools is more than an investment in your child’s education—it’s a partnership. Timothy believes in a strong relationship between parents, the local church, and the Christian school. Families are encouraged to be on campus as

volunteers—actively serving, supporting, and connecting with the Timothy community. It’s what makes us Team Timothy.

Developing courageous leaders is central to our mission. Students are invited to plug in and find their place—from the athletic field, to the stage, to nationally ranked business teams and academic competitions. In fact, over 68% of high school students participate in more than two extracurricular activities.

Discover how your child can thrive in an awardwinning environment that fosters academic excellence, leadership, and integrity. Schedule a tour today at timothychristian.com/admissions. The journey to courageous leadership starts here.

Timothy Christian Schools 188 West Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 630-833-4616 | timothychristian.com HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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TRENDS | HINSDALEMAG.COM

2026

Wedding Trends Five trends defining the new era of celebrations

BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE GROUP STAFF

From couture gowns to curated experiences, today’s weddings are less about scale and more about sensorial storytelling. Here are the top five luxury trends turning vows into art.

1 Positano, Italy Photo by Maria Bobrova

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Destination Experiences

Couples are turning their “I do’s” into multi-day escapes—private villas, yachts, and immersive itineraries. Think welcome cocktails, chef-hosted dinners, and a farewell brunch overlooking the sea.

Floor-to-Ceiling Design

No longer limited to centerpieces, design now surrounds every sense. Suspended florals, mirrored floors, custom scents, and ambient light art create immersive environments where every frame feels cinematic.

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748 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove (630) 968-6333 | louisformen.com HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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AT A GLANCE | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Windy City Curling has been in its Villa Park home since 2019.

INSIDE CURLING Villa Park’s Windy City Curling Club is just a stone’s throw away

C

urling. We’ve all seen it played at the Winter Olympics, but how many can say they really understand this unique sport? To the casual onlooker, it could seem at first like a cross between shuffleboard and marbles played on ice.

Really, it’s not akin to either. Some folks at Villa Park’s Windy City Curling (WCC) find it to be kind of like chess. One thing is for certain – it’s equal parts teamwork and strategy with a giant dose of precision. “You’re always thinking three or four shots ahead,” said club co-founder and Downers Grove native Matt Galas.

“Sometimes more.”

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BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

WCC came together out of a need for a place to play in the area. At the time, there were only two other clubs in the northern half of the state. About 6 or 7 people had some skills and had played before, so they decided to start a club in the western suburbs. One of them was Galas. “I got into curling during the 2002 Winter Olympics,” he said. “I started watching it in college because it was on really late at night. I wanted to try it, but there wasn’t anywhere near my school.”

Galas’ interest was piqued once again during the 2006 Torino Winter Games. He drove out west to Mendota – about an hour and a half away – with friends, to try it. “I fell in love

with it immediately. Both the game and the people,” said Galas. “I always say if I were ever somewhere unfamiliar and ran into trouble, I would go to the nearest curling club for help. The community is amazing.”

Maybe that’s because it’s so inclusive. All ages and fitness levels compete against each other.

Curling is played on rectangular sheets of ice. Two teams of four players each “throw” – an action like sliding - their stones toward a series of concentric circles. Each game has eight to ten “ends,” similar to an inning in baseball. Each end, about 15 minutes in length, sees each member of both teams “deliver” —glide their stones to

Sweeping warms a path and smooths the ice to direct the stone.

the opposite side—one at a time, alternating with the opposing team.

Players can “sweep” their stone once it crosses what is known as the “hog line,” - the line from behind which the player must release the stone for it to be in play.

When each end finishes, the positions of the stones on the “house” - the target area at the end of the ice sheet are observed. The goal is to get your stone closer to the center of the target than your opponent. Stones closest to the “button,” - the middle circle of the concentric rings - get the points. Only one team scores in an end.

Strategy is paramount to curling. It’s as significant as physical skill. Stones can be placed defensively, when blocking an opponent’s shot, or offensively when “knocking out” – bumping and moving - an opposing team member’s stone out of the way. The team captain - “the skip” - throws last and usually has the greatest odds of scoring. Skips can usually anticipate the opposing team’s moves and advise other team members about stone placement.

With Team Canada always seeming to glide away with Olympic medals, one might assume the sport originated with our northern neighbors.

But the origins of curling are actually in Scotland.

The game’s Scottish roots are never far away. The round “stones” the players use are all made from granite quarried on Alisa Craig Island, off Scotland’s west coast. The stones are to curling as a bowling ball is to bowling, except there are fewer variations in size – all weigh between 38 and 44 lbs. Alisa Island granite is unique due to its low water absorption properties, which keep the stones from eroding.

“I fell in love with it immediately. Both the game and the people.”

– CO-FOUNDER OF WINDY CITY CURLING, MATT GALAS

Shoes are an important part of the uniform. A pair of curling shoes has two different soles. One is the “slider,” which often has a Teflon surface, making it easy to glide along the ice. The other, the “gripper,” has a rubber sole for traction when walking on ice. Each shoe contributes to the variation of positions players must assume and keeps them from sliding around.

of folks in the door for our Friday night Learn to Curl from 7-9 p.m.,” said Galas. “They’re the best way to come and try it.” The sheets can hold about 24-30 people at a time – perfect for parties or corporate outings.

Players can also be rotated through in the case of more guests. “Some don’t want to spend the whole time on the ice, and some get addicted at the first throw,” said Galas.

“We’re definitely going to run a lot of open houses just to get folks in the door and familiar with curling before and during the Olympics,” said Galas. “We’ll do 30–45-minute sessions just to get people to try it.”

With the Winter Games around the corner, it’s the perfect time to try curling. Even if you don’t have a group to accompany you, WCC will place you with others as you get familiar with it.

“It’s the only sport where [unwritten rules dictate] the loser buys the winner a drink afterward,” said Galas. That happens at the bar in the club’s lobby. “In no other sport do you hang out with your competitors before and after the game.”

And curling is one of – if not the most – inclusive sports out there.

Pretty much anyone can play. “I’ve seen a guy in his nineties play on the same team as his daughter and son who were in their forties,” said Galas. “His grandson played [in the

The broom is important to influence the direction of the path the stone will take. Players advance in front of the stone to “sweep” it after it is thrown or pushed down the ice. The sweeping motion generates heat and smooths the friction of the icy surface, making it easier to steer the stone in a particular direction.

There are a few ways to join the fun. “We get a lot HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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foursome] as well. In what other sport could they do that?”

sport for PVA. I know it’s got Amanda hook, line and sinker!”

And it’s not just about age or generational differences.

Recently, Cooper and Dawson competed together in a bonspiel (curling competition) in Wauwatosa, WI. The pair won! “We’re going to put Amanda to the test when we go up to Portage [Wisconsin],” said Cooper. “It’s more of a paralympic style event in which adaptive and wheelchair athletes can participate with able-bodied individuals, so that’s always good community building.”

Since its founding, WCC’s doors have been wide open to athletes with disabilities. It’s definitely part of the reason the club has earned such a hospitable reputation. Depending on the competition, athletes with disabilities can compete on the same team as their able-bodied teammates.

Equipment variations are part of what makes it possible. Athletes with physical challenges that range from replaced limbs to competitors in wheelchairs – and beyond - are all welcome and encouraged to come and have fun.

Nobody understands better than Amanda Dawson. She is an ambulatory wheelchair user who competes with those who throw normally by using a delivery stick. It’s essentially a painter’s pole with a fancy handle at the end. Dawson 3D printed her own stick head. The stick helps make sweeping possible for athletes who require variations, such as competitors with knee and hip replacements.

According to Sports and Spokes Magazine, one of the challenges of wheelchair curling is attracting female competitors to the sport. Dawson heard about curling through her mother’s neighbor, who was a member of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a congressionally chartered veteran’s service organization. The group offers outreach to vets who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

Although Dawson is not a veteran, PVA welcomes any athletes seeking adaptive ways to play sports. “It’s a way for veterans to have some community engagement,” explained Keith Cooper, the Sports Director for the local PVA Vaughn Chapter, located in Westchester. “Curling is a new and upcoming Amanda Dawson at the Pick Up Sticks bonspiel, organized by the PVA and hosted by WCC.

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Pick Up Sticks is a bonspiel organized by the PVA and hosted by WCC. The event matches wheelchair curlers with able-bodied counterparts for a day of fun and friendly competition open to all skill levels. Registrants are guaranteed to play three games in a round-robin style event which is followed by lunch and an awards ceremony. Most everyone hangs around to listen to the band that plays all afternoon.

Invariably, new friendships form. “It’s been a blessing to find curling because my husband is an Air Force vet,” said Dawson. “He comes along while I play. It gives him the opportunity to meet and build relationships with other veterans.”

“The sport of curling has been one of the most welcoming, adaptive, and

exciting things I have experienced in a very long time,” said Dawson. “Curling came into my life at a time when many other activities had waned due to my condition worsening. The people I have met, the places to which I have been blessed to travel and the experiences I’ve had are priceless.”

WCC hosted the USA Curling Wheelchair Mixed Doubles National Championship a year ago, which is the qualifier for World Championships. Six teams competed with the winning team advancing to Scotland for the tournament. USA Curling National Wheelchair Team coach Pete Annis commented on the excellent conditions at WCC, as well as the hospitality extended to competitors.

Despite playing on ice, the warmth at WCC is palpable. So come try your hand at this underrecognized sport. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends and learn something new in the ‘burbs.

And truly, everyone is welcome!

Support Team USA’s Curling Team this March at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games.

For more information or to join a league, visit windycitycurling.com.

For information on Paralyzed Veterans of America, visit pva.org. ■

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COMMUNITY SCENE | HINSDALEMAG.COM

Hinsdale Christmas Walk

PHOTOS BY SAM LAURENCE

The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce Christmas Walk once again brought festive cheer to downtown Hinsdale, as families gathered to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Guests enjoyed Santa’s arrival, the tree lighting, holiday train and carousel rides, and visits with local merchants.

The event filled the village with lights, music, and community spirit, creating a warm and memorable kickoff to the holidays.

COMMUNITY SCENE | HINSDALEMAG.COM

DuPage Foundation DuPage Foundation celebrated a powerful evening of community generosity at its Annual Benefit: Destination DuPage, held November 8 at The Westin Chicago Lombard.

More than 450 guests attended, helping raise over $775,000 to support initiatives addressing food insecurity, housing instability, mental health, and workforce development across the county. President & CEO Mike Sitrick praised the community’s spirit, noting, “DuPage is a vibrant community full of treasures with much to celebrate and enjoy,” while emphasizing the importance of working together to create lasting change.

➀ Kim and James Mercurio (Hinsdale) with Supriya Jasuja and Ankit Shah (Oak Brook) ➁ Laurie McMahon (Hinsdale) and Maura Murrihy (Chicago) ➂ Supporters during the paddle raise. ④ Attendees competing in a paper airplane contest, the winner, Brian Hill of Duly Health and Care, recommended a $1,000 grant to Loaves & Fishes Community Services. ⑤ The Destination DuPage Host Committee: Matt and Jennifer Darnall (Glen Ellyn), Joan Morrissey (Wheaton), Mike and Elizabeth Sitrick (Lombard), Krishna and Meghna Bansal (Naperville), Co-Chairs Jen and Bill Blum (Naperville), Molly and Roman Boed (Chicago), Joan and Pete Vilim (Oak Brook), Laurie McMahon (Hinsdale), and Steve and Megan Shebik (Wheaton). Not Pictured: Chris and Susan Burke (Naperville)

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COMMUNITY SCENE | HINSDALEMAG.COM

The Wellness House PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARCELLO RODARTE

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The Wellness House Ball: Timeless brought together hundreds of guests for an unforgettable evening of elegance, generosity, and community in support of people living with cancer. Held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, the celebration marked a milestone year as Wellness House honored 35 years of hope, healing, and connection. The event was one of the most successful fundraisers in the organization’s history, reflecting the extraordinary generosity and spirit of the Wellness House community. ➋

➀ Angie Breton (Ball Chair), Lisa Kolavennu (Wellness House CEO), Dr. Carrie Thangamani (Ball Chair) ➁ Anthony Spatara, Geraldine Spatara, Sachin Gupta, Puja Gupta, Sarah Ouimette,Tom Ouimette, Dr. Arpi Thukral and Nishu Thukral ➂ Jeff Cross, Bryan and Samantha Cross, Molly and James Haunty ➃ Drs. Carrie & Vijay Thangamani (Ball Chairs), Angie & Wes Breton (Ball Chairs)

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