$5 US VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 JUNE 2021
SHINING BRIGHT
Catching up with Meteorologist Tracy Butler READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
TOP TEN LIST: GOLF COURSES
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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DRIVABLE DESTINATIONS
Thank you, Downers Grove! Cadence Kitchen & Co and The Foxtail are thrilled to be your neighborhood favorites! You set our hearts aflutter by voting Foxtail the town’s top date night restaurant. And cheers to you for choosing Cadence as the spot with the best cocktail bar and outdoor dining. We’ve been honored to serve you great eats while keeping the safety of our team and guests our top priority. Your continued support means we can look forward to hosting you for more brunch meet ups, dinner dates, patio cocktails, and everything in between. We love you back!
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LETTER from THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
WE ASKED, YOU DELIVERED. Last June, we were supposed to publish our first Readers’ Choice Awards. Due to the state of the world, and our community, we determined that timing is everything and to put this special feature on the backburner. Fast forward one year, and Downers Grove Magazine is ready to present the results of our first Readers’ Choice Awards on a variety of different categories. From restaurants to retail, the votes came in during the month of April. Thanks to our readers for your time and responses. We will also look to incorporate your suggestions into our next Readers’ Choice Awards issue. The Readers’ Choice Awards is not our only story based on feedback from our readers. We asked readers to suggest “Drivable Destinations” and many of your recommendations are featured in our travel section. From Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to French Lick, Indiana there are certainly several locales within reach for some summer fun. Additionally, we asked local realtors to suggest some new neighbors in the area for our “Right at Home” feature. Many will find the reasons for the residents “landing” in this community like their very own.
Did you know that Tracy Butler is the longest-running female meteorologist on air in Chicago? Tracy sat down with staff writer Valerie Hardy to discuss her career path, health, and family. A huge fan of sports including golf, they hit the links for their interview on one of Tracy’s favorite courses and discuss a certain hole that holds a special meaning to her and her golf career. Tracy also shares some of her favorites around the suburbs including many that landed on our Readers’ Choice Awards list. $5 US VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 JUNE 2021
SHINING BRIGHT
Catching up with Meteorologist Tracy Butler READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
TOP TEN LIST: GOLF COURSES
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
DRIVABLE DESTINATIONS
1
Just in time for the summer (and maybe a bit for Tracy), we also feature a list of top public golf courses in “Tee Time.” Thanks to Matt Neustadt, another local reader, who helped curate the list for the editorial team. From beginners to pros, there is certainly something for everybody. I am a self-declared “Pretzel Connoisseur” so when I started reading about Boom Box Pretzels on social media, I wanted to find out more. Fried pickle pretzels? Who knew? Our Home Grown column features local entrepreneurs and is a reader favorite. This issue is no different and will take your snacking to a whole new level.
Our next issue will be published in the fall. It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we launched in 2019. I am thankful for the opportunity to bring stories about unique individuals and businesses in our community, but even more grateful to our advertising partners who make this publication possible. Looking back at our inaugural issue, many of our partners that you see in this issue have been on board with us from the beginning. They put their faith in a brand-new local publication and our work. Thank you for being on this journey with us. As always, please support these partners so we can continue to highlight the amazing stories you, our readers, share with us.
Sincerely,
Anne Healy Associate Publisher anne@hinsdalemag.com VALERIE HARDY AND CAROLINA MENAPACE WITH TRACY BUTLER AT DOWNERS GROVE GOLF COURSE 8
To guarantee delivery of each issue of Downers Grove Magazine to your home, please subscribe to the print edition by visiting www.downersgrovemag.com.
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
www.LiveInClover.com | info@LiveInClover.com | 630.703.5420
CONTENTS |
June 2021
34
14 TO DO LIST
Calendar of 2021 Summer Events
20 PUBLISHER’S PROFILE
Getting to know Fire Chief Pendelski
22 #WeAreDG Pickleball
28 HOME GROWN
Boom Box Pretzels
34 COVER STORY
Catching up with Meteorologist Tracy Butler
56
TRACY BUTLER
40 READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNERS 46 SPECIAL FEATURE
Right at Home
COMMUNITY SCENE
46
51 GIVING BACK
The Grove Foundation
54 HISTORY VAULT
At Home In Pierce Downer’s House
56 COMMUNITY SCENE 60 TRAVEL
Drivable Destinations
64 TOP TEN
Golf Courses
RIGHT AT HOME
ON THE COVER: meteorologist Tracy Butler Photograph by Carolina Menapace
FOR THE LATEST NEWS, HAPPENINGS AND PHOTOS, VISIT @DOWNERSGROVEMAGAZINE 10
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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. Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove Magazine. Comments are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed. Copyright ©2019 Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.
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The last name of Kristian and Terry Cualing, nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital, was misspelled in the March 2021 edition. We regret the error and extend our apology. 12
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CLOSED DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515
SELLING DOWNERS GROVE NATALIE WEBER Your REAL ESTATE EXPERT Next Door Top 1% Producing Realtor Chicagoland* Top 5 Producer Downers Grove* #1 Individual Agent KW Experience Realty* 14 Year Experienced Realtor, Lifelong Local Resident, & 5 Star Reviewed Agent No Corporate Listing Fees YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED REAL ESTATE RESOURCES
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Each Keller Williams® office is independently owned and operated. 5122 Main St. | Downers Grove, IL 60515. *MRED Data Based on 2020 Closed Volume Sales © 2021 Preferred Rate - Partnered with American Pacific Mortgage (NMLS# 1850) • 1801 S. Meyers Rd., Suite 500 • Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 • Branch NMLS# 1962205 • For informational purposes only. • No guarantee of accuracy is expressed or implied. • Programs shown may not include all options or pricing structures. • Rates, terms, programs and underwriting policies subject to change without notice. • This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. • All loans subject to underwriting approval. • Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions may apply. • Equal Housing Opportunity. • For licensing information, please visit NMLSConsumerAccess.org
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Downers Grove Magazine | To dos
DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE MARKET
TO•DO•LIST
SUMMER 2021
Downtown Downers Grove Market
Arlington International Racecourse
Brookfield Zoo: Dinos Everywhere
Saturdays through October 16 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Indian Boundary YMCA and Village of Downers Grove, the Downtown Downers Grove Market has offered the community everything from fresh food to crafts and live entertainment. With more than 100 vendors, there’s something for everyone!
Open through September 25 Race times vary Potentially in the final season since running its first race in 1927, watch live racing and entertainment this summer. Visit www.arlingtonpark.com for more information.
Open through September 6 Daily Operating Hours Over 40 animatronic dinosaurs that are BIGGER and BADDER than ever before have arrived at Brookfield Zoo in time for the summer.
Greene Valley Forest Preserve Scenic Overlook Saturdays and Sundays through October 31 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Catch a bird’s-eye view of DuPage County and the Chicago skyline from 190 feet above ground.
Downers Grove Park District Summer Concert Series at Fishel Park Tuesday Nights from May 25 – August 17, 7:00 p.m. Head on out to listen to rock, country, blues and oldies. Advance reservations are needed through Eventbrite and available one week prior to each concert date at 5:00 p.m.
14
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
Mexican Art at Cantigny Park June 19 – June 20 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Add some color to your Father’s Day weekend and attend a showcase of authentic and hand-crafted work of some local Mexican artists.
DOWNERS GROVE GARDEN WALK PRESENTED BY THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH BRIDGE BOARD
15th Annual Downers Grove Garden Walk July 10 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Six beautiful gardens will be presented by the First Methodist Church Bridge Board at their 15th Annual Downers Grove Garden Walk. Proceeds will help
provide transitional housing for three previously homeless families in partnership with Bridge Communities. Tickets are $20 in advance at several local businesses and $25 on the day of the walk at the gardens. For more information, visit dgfumc.org/gardenwalk.
Downers Grove Park District Fishing Derby at Barth Pond August 7 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Reel in three hours of family fun at the Annual Fishing Derby. This is a free event but registration is required at dgparks.org.
4th Annual Promenade Bolingbrook Summer Craft Fair August 27 – August 29 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring out the kids and friends for a great time with food, shopping and music. All vendors will be set up on Row and Sandburg Streets.
The Grove Foundation 28th
Annual Golf Outing
September 11 2:00 p.m. The Grove Foundation Golf Outing & Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 11th at the Downers Grove Park District Golf Course. Visit www.thegrovefoundation.com to purchase tickets.
Photo courtesy of CZS-Brookfield Zoo DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
15
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Come workout outside with us all Summer long!
STROLLER BARRE® A unique blend of ballet, Pilates, barre, yoga and stroller-based exercises designed to help moms build strength and muscle tone and improve posture. *Kids optional.
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STRIDES 360 TM Promises a heart-pumping workout designed to increase your endurance while also developing speed, agility, and quickness. *Kids optional BODY BOOST TM Combining cardio, strength, core, and meditation, Body Boost™ is the perfect workout for mom’s mental and physical health. Body Boost™ is a 60-minute results-based, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class designed to challenge, empower, and energize. Ask about our boot camp for an extra challenge!
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Downers Grove Magazine | Publisher's Profile
Real-Life Superheroes Fire Chief Pindelski leads the charge PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE
L
ast year, The Downers Grove Fire Department responded to nearly 6,000 calls in the community. Anne Healy, Associate Publisher, reached out to Fire Chief Pindelski to learn about the important role his team plays in education, prevention, and protection.
What is your background Chief Pindelski? I have been a firefighter for 32 years. Since joining the Downers Grove Fire Department in April 1993, I have served as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Battalion Chief, Emergency Management Coordinator, Deputy
Chief and now have the honor of serving as the Chief of Department. A graduate of Western Illinois University, I went on to receive my Master of Science in Public Safety from Lewis University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Managerial Leadership from City University. I am also a credentialed Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and a Chief Fire Officer Designee through the Illinois State Fire Marshal. I am currently a revising author of the third edition of the “Firefighter’s Handbook” and author of a textbook on firefighter rescue. I regularly speak at fire service conferences, state 20
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
training academies and have been a regular contributor to trade journals on various fire service-related topics.
Since your appointment as Fire Chief in 2017, what have you enjoyed most? Hands down, the best part of my job is the people I work with daily. The people are the reason that the Fire Department, as well as the Village, is considered to be one of the best anywhere. Everyone is committed to supporting the goal of providing the best service possible.
You received the Medal of Valor in 1999 from the Illinois
Fire Service Institute. Any details you can share? We arrived on the scene of a structure fire on the north side of town and then determined that there was a person trapped on the second floor. Heavy fire was present on the first floor and the stairwell was inaccessible. It was my job to ladder the second floor and make entry through the window to locate and remove the trapped victim. The incident was a classic example of the importance of teamwork, coordination, and training. Two other department members were also recognized for their role in the rescue along with actions taken by others that exhibited extreme courage to make certain that we were safe and able to complete the task.
all buildings and structures are safe for all occupants as well as for emergency responders. The Division performs plan reviews, performs inspections of new projects, follows up on any fire safety concerns, and reviews fire protection system inspection reports.
How has the department evolved? Our environment continues to present numerous challenges and necessitate change. An increase in the use of plastics and construction methods that result not only in cost savings but in less mass and density to buildings has substantially accelerated fire behavior and collapse potential of buildings when they are attacked by hostile fire. This has caused us to make dramatic changes in the way that we train our firefighters. ■
“The best part of my job is the people I work with daily. The people are the reason that the Fire Department, as well as the Village, is considered to be one of the best anywhere. Everyone is committed to supporting the goal of providing the best service possible.”
What are the key roles the fire department plays regarding safety and education in our community? Our key role regarding safety in our community is strongly connected to education and prevention. Any emergency the fire department responds to becomes an area of concern and in turn, the department needs to prepare the community. Each fire and injury prevented also contributes to the safety of department personnel. The Downers Grove Fire Department’s Fire and Life Safety Education programs have been recognized nationally for outstanding innovation, community outreach, and risk reduction. Just some of the initiatives and programs offered by the department include education programs in schools, Passport to Safety Day, station tours, and more.
What is the primary role of the Fire Prevention Division? The primary goal of the Fire Prevention Division is to ensure that
— FIRE CHIEF PINDELSKI
This Division also uses in-service fire companies as well as off-duty firefighters, to assist with the existing building inspection program. These staff members help ensure that commercial occupancies get inspected on an annual basis and any fire safety threats within the community get addressed promptly. This also allows our firefighters to go into commercial buildings and become familiar with their layouts and the risks in case an emergency were to arise there.
Amidst the pandemic, how has the fire department needed to respond? 2020 presented many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our normal practices both operationally and administratively needed to be adjusted to meet the needs of keeping our members and community safe. Dedication to our mission as well as creativity allowed us to meet these challenges while still maintaining the highest level of service delivery and efficiency. This was accomplished by integrating safety programs virtually such as our annual Open House and collaborating with other organizations such as the Downers Grove Park District and Downers Grove Library on key messaging to the community. DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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By the Numbers
4 number of fire stations in Downers Grove
3 number of firefighters per fire engine
3 number of firefighters per ladder truck
2
number of paramedics per ambulance
18
number of firefighters staffed daily
1 number of Battalion Chiefs staffed daily
5,960 number of calls for
service in 2020
-12.6
percent decrease in calls from 2019
65
percent of calls related to emergency medical situations
4 to 6 minute response time goal
4
minutes and 41 second average response time in 2020
Downers Grove Magazine | #WeAreDG
Pandemic Pickleball A fun game and friendly competition bring out the best in a neighborhood BY MELISSA KINSEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINA MENAPACE
M
y husband and I moved to Downers Grove a few years ago to be near our daughter’s family. We’ve made big moves before but never have we settled so easily into a community. Our new neighbors were friendly and welcoming, as had been promised about Midwesterners. We were all busy, though, with jobs and commutes and activities. A friendly wave or a quick chat over trash duty was about all we had time for. Then came the pandemic and associated restrictions. Things slowed down. People got creative. We watched families walking by in the middle of the street, tossing a football back and forth. A dad and son raced remote control cars in the little-used church parking lot. Nathan, the recent college graduate next door, hung a big net on his garage, laid down a patch of AstroTurf, and with a bucket
of balls started his own driveway driving range. Thwack! We heard him practicing for hours a day, often joined by his dad Rick and brother Brycen. Thwack! From early morning and often late into the evening he worked to perfect his swing. It was a welcome sound in the quiet of the pandemic. Spending more time at home we undertook a backyard project. With all of us outside more, we got to know Rick and the boys over the fence separating our yard from their driving range. Like-minded sports fans, we talked golf and baseball of course, but also books, art, gardening and the pandemic. In May we welcomed a puppy, a yellow lab named Dottie. The guys were just as excited as we were. Dottie quickly learned that the sound of club striking ball meant one of them would meet her at the fence for some much22
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
wanted attention. So, we connected with our neighbors over golf and Dottie and everything else that becomes important when the world slows down. One day I had an idea: maybe they’d play pickleball with us. We missed the weekly games we’d enjoyed with a big group, now canceled due to social distancing restrictions. But if each family stayed on their side of the net, we figured that would be safe. Rick was enthusiastic – he’d always wanted to play pickleball – and Nathan and Brycen were game too. They took to it quickly and soon we were engaging in the rapid back-and-forth that makes the game so much fun. We got to know them in a different way, less talk, more action. Rick revealed himself to be intensely competitive, refusing to let any shot go uncontested, not averse to a dramatic dive now and then. Nathan
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GRANT LONGINO, BROOKE LONGINO, JEN LONGINO; PATRICK DOHERTY, KATHY DOHERTY; RICK EISENHUT, PHIL KINSEY, MELISSA KINSEY, NATHAN EISENHUT.
was competitive in a more subtle way, experimenting with spins and drop shots, but happy to win a point on a slam too. Brycen left no doubt that he just loves to play, racing back to retrieve lob shots seemingly impossible to return, leaping to return a shot between outstretched legs. I loved the good-natured ragging and banter, too, which reminded me of growing up with three baseball-obsessed brothers. Like Harry Caray announcing a Cubs game they might intone: “A swing and a miss!” or, “Looks like the mustard came off the hotdog on that one, folks.” Neighbors heard about the games and our cadre expanded. Kathy and Jen, mothers in a bubble together, were first. Both work full-time jobs while doing everything else required of parents, a stress I can’t imagine during the pandemic. They are connectors in the neighborhood,
outgoing and inclusive, organizing socialdistanced happy hours in their driveways for the ladies on the block. They were all smiles and laughter as they learned the ropes with the much-needed break away from home. Mary and Ed down the street got in on the game too. Ed, a retired researcher, approached the game like my engineer uncle would, analyzing the rules and flow of play to assess optimal strategies, his mind working every bit as hard as his body. Mary, who played and coached basketball, displayed an intensity consistent with her background in competitive sports and yet she moved lightly across the court, like a dancer. Playing across from her made me flash back to my teenage years when my Aunt Nancy taught me to play tennis. She and Mary share a love for healthy competition and exude the same sheer joy in using their bodies. DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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Winter halted our progress, but the neighbors stayed committed. Ed fashioned a wall of net height in his basement so he and Mary could practice. Across the street Kathy and 11-year-old son Patrick hit together in their driveway. In early spring, Rick and Nathan worked for four hours with shovels and snow-blower to clear a court so we could play. Though we were a little rusty and never warmed up, it was one of our favorite sessions, playing in a light drizzle, the court edged with snow. We still enjoy friendly waves out on the street but these days they’re infused with much more meaning. There’s a deeper connection not only with our pickleball friends but with all our neighbors. We made it through a very dark time, thanks in large part to each other. ■
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THE SCHEFFKI FAMILY TAKES THE SNACK TO A NEW LEVEL.
Boom Box Pretzels Downers Grove is tuning in to a new kind of snack BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BOOM BOX PRETZELS AND BLACKBOX STUDIOS 28
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
M
ister Salty, beware. There’s a new sheriff in town. While pretzels are traditionally the mundane suspects in the snack lineup, Boom Box pretzels are on track to redefine snacking in general. Try one and you’ll never look back. Ever. Extend your hand to Mike Scheffki and notice the pretzel tattoo just above his inner right wrist. He is all in. And it tastes like it! One of the few positives afforded us by the recent pandemic was time. People had plenty of time at home to think. And snack. Starting a business had always been in the back of Mike and wife Carrie’s minds. Their individual experience in marketing and finance, garnered at Kraft Foods where they first met, made them realize that longtime dream. With the help of some friends experienced in the packagedgoods industry, Boom Box Pretzels very successfully launched on March 1, 2021. The pilot event at Orange and Brew Tap Room on Burlington saw the
inventory sell out within an hour and a half! Eat one and you’ll understand why. Carrie, the culinary adventurer, comes up with the flavors. Daughters Casey and Zoey serve as taste testers. Of the decisions on seasoning, Mike has this to say: “We like our flavors like we like our music. Loud. When you hear your favorite song, you turn it up, not down.” The dial needs no adjustment on all four varieties, each of which pair well with craft beers. The tie-in between Boom Box and the local brewing scene is intentional. Deep Dish tastes like you’ve just bitten into a slice of Giordano’s. Fried Pickle has a tangy/kosher-dill taste. Spicy Nacho Mama is volumes cheesier and spicier than any plate of chips. French Toast rounds out the delectable offerings with hints of cinnamon and sugar. Each carefully thought-out detailfrom the heat/sweet/savory meter on the outside of the box, to the freshkeeping silver bag on the inside- delivers an unforgettable snacking experience.
BOOM BOX PRETZELS LAUNCHED THIS PAST MARCH.
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So far, pretzels are available only in individual 2 oz. size boxes. Try the most popular item, a “mix tape:” one box of each flavor. This is a family business in the true sense of the words. Mike and Carrie rent a commercial kitchen and do all their own baking in the off-hours. Right now, that means lots of late nights and early mornings. If things keep going well, however, it’s likely they’ll eventually move to a more traditional space. “In addition to manufacturing, my wife and I are also the marketing, R&D and finance departments,” Mike says. Casey and Zoey help with the social media presence. Then there are logistics. While Boom Box’s largest market is still primarily local, Mike can be spotted at the Downers Grove post office early in the morning, shipping inventory to forty-eight states, so far. And the music tie-in? Mike grew up in the punk rock era, hanging out with skaters in the south suburbs. The individualistic, ‘do-it-yourself’ mentality Continued on next page
Downers Grove Magazine | Home Grown
BOOM BOX PRETZELS OFFERS A VARIETY OF UNIQUE FLAVORS.
Continued from the previous page of that scene is the ethos of Boom Box. “Much to their chagrin, I always tell my kids that when I was their ages, you had to work for your music,” he reflects. “That was the era of waiting for your favorite songs to come on the radio and having your boom box ready to record them. Now with iTunes and Spotify, they have no idea of the effort that went
into making a mix tape,” Mike laughs. Still, Mike and Carrie foster their love of music with their kids by bringing them to concerts and Lollapalooza in normal years. In the end, Mike and Carrie hope to instill a few of the family’s business themes into their children’s lives. The first is confidence. “Whatever you want to do, do it,” Mike tells his girls. He also
hopes they understand that attitudes are catching. “If you have faith in your idea- with a hunger to get it right- others will get on board. Lastly, however you choose to do it, you cannot replace making your mark on this world,” Mike says with a smile. ■
PICK UP SOME BOOM BOX PRETZELS AT: Boomboxpretzels.com Orange & Brew, DG Alter Brewery, DG Goldfinger Brewery, DG Adorn512 Boutique, DG Noon Whistle Brewery, Naperville and Lombard 30
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Downers Grove Magazine | Cover Story
Shining Bright Catching up with ABC7 meteorologist Tracy Butler on career, family, and how her sunny outlook allows her to weather any of life’s storms BY VALERIE HARDY I PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINA MENAPACE
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racy Butler is proud and humbled to be the longest running (27 years and counting) female meteorologist on air in Chicago. She said it is “a tip of the hat to the station that they kept me there, but it’s also a tip of the hat to the viewers. They trust me to come into their homes...via ABC 7. If I don’t do a good job of preparing people for their day, then I’m not doing my job.” Contributing Editor Valerie Hardy chatted with Butler about everything from how she got started in broadcasting, to her battle with breast cancer, to her family’s newest addition: dog Bailey. Take us back to the very beginning. What was your pathway to a career in meteorology? I had this idea back in 7th grade that I wanted to go into broadcasting. I grew up in Pittsburgh, home of KDKA Radio, the world’s first commercial radio station…I was so influenced by the medium. I wanted to talk to people through media somehow. Fast-forward a bit...I did my internship at KDKA Radio…then I got a job at KDKATV in advertising and promotion...Part of my job was to accompany the talent to speaking engagements. I loved going with the meteorologists. They would read really fun weather books to kids, books I really connected with, [like] Little Cloud by Eric Carle. Just because I found it fascinating, I would hang out, on my own time, with one of the meteorologists [from the station]. I learned a lot about meteorology just by doing that. A meteorologist position in Wheeling, WV was advertised in a paper known as The Pittsburgh Press, and thenKDKA meteorologist Brian Sussman encouraged me to apply. I didn’t have a degree in meteorology (I later went back and got my meteorology certification through Mississippi State University), but he said, “Listen, you’re learning this. You’re doing this.” I had been doing some on-camera work at the time, so I applied for the job. I [would be] going from a full-time
BUTLER RECEIVES A DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD FROM HER COLLEGE, INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESICA BUTLER.
job with benefits to making $5.50 an hour as the weekend weatherperson in Wheeling, WV. I remember talking to my mom, and she said, “You never want to look back and regret. If you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know.” So, I took the risk, and I got the job, and I loved every single four months of it that I was there. Another job came along in Youngstown, OH [which paid more than $5.50], and then a position in Richmond, VA. While I was in Richmond, I met a man by the name of Spencer Christian who did the weather for a very long time on Good Morning America (GMA). He came to do live shots in Richmond, and I became bold enough to say, “How come you never have a woman fill in for you for the weather on GMA?”
BUTLER HONES HER GOLF SKILLS ON HOLE 6 AT THE DOWNERS GROVE GOLF COURSE, THE SITE OF HER ONE AND ONLY HOLE IN ONE. DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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Soon after, he called and said, “You know what? You should be filling in for me on GMA.” After filling in on GMA in 1993, I immediately started getting phone calls from stations around the country… There was a gentleman who still has my heart, [late Chicago meteorologist] Jerry Taft. He went to management and said, “There’s this gal filling in on GMA, and I think we need to give her a shot.” We used to joke that I owe him 10 percent of my salary. I started here in Chicago in January of 1994. I feel so blessed…but back in Richmond, I used to have probably a two-inch thick file of rejection letters from news directors around the country that I would send tapes out to. I’d get a rejection letter, but you just keep pressing on. You can’t let somebody’s Continued on next page
Downers Grove Magazine | Cover Story Continued from the previous page rejection of you define your path. Those are wise words for everyone, perhaps especially children. Do you have other advice for young people? There are a lot of kids out there who want to pursue something, and I encourage them...Those dreams do come true, and I’m living proof of that. Some [children] may be frightened of various weather situations. It’s important to me that they’re not scared but prepared. I started my Weather Sketchers Club when I was working in Youngstown, then Richmond, and brought it here. It was a time when many schools were getting rid of their arts and music programs.... There are children who really learn very well from the arts and creativity. I wanted to find a way to encourage and fuel creativity in children. I welcome children 13 and under to draw a weatherrelated picture and send it to me at the station. If they include their contact information along with the picture, the station will contact them to let them know if the drawings will be on TV. I want children to have a forum to showcase their talents.
owl before I did this show. On the weekends, I sleep in until 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. On Friday nights, I’m lucky if I can stay up until 7:00 p.m., but often we’ll watch Shark Tank, and that gets me to 8:00 p.m. Can you tell us a bit more about your family? I met my husband, Michael, on a blind date arranged by my cousin in 1990, and we were married Sept. 5, 1992. He is also from Pittsburgh. He has been on this journey from when I worked in Youngstown, to Richmond, to GMA, to Chicago. I’ve been really, really blessed to have a husband who has truly been the backbone of my career. He has been so supportive.
living in the city], I had made a lot of friends who lived in this area. I don’t have any sisters - I have two brothers but I have a circle of female friends, and we call ourselves the sisters in Christ. They have helped me through all kinds of things. As moms, we bounce ideas about child-rearing off each other. One of them was always there to take me to appointments during my breast cancer ordeal if my husband couldn’t. When you move around, you don’t know who you’re going to find to move into your circle. I’m so incredibly fortunate to have the group of friends that I have in the western suburbs…it’s also the community that has welcomed me and sustained my longevity in the Chicago area.
“I’m fiercely passionate about this: take care of yourself, please, please, please. I almost learned the hard way the price you pay [if you don’t].”
What is a typical day in the life of Tracy Butler like? When I am commuting to work, I get up at 1:30 a.m….Thankfully, we have a wonderful hair and makeup artist who does our hair and makeup at the station…I start working at 2:30 a.m. just to do my homework so I can prepare all the graphics you see on TV. I make the forecast; it’s my own. Monday-Friday, 4:30-7:00 a.m., is our morning show [on ABC 7]. Then I have some cut-ins during GMA. I’m also on during the 11:00-12:00 [newscast]. We typically eat dinner around 3:30 p.m. [in my family]. As my kids got older, they started tucking me in. I am in bed by 6:00 p.m. For a while, my kids thought everyone went to bed at 6:00. Quite frankly, I was always a night
— TRACY BUTLER
I have a daughter, Cassandra, who is 18 and just graduated high school and a 15-year-old daughter, Crystina. Both are incredible students and athletes. They both play tennis. Our family of four grew to five recently. We got a dog during COVID - a silver lab named Bailey. She is pretty, and she is pretty rambunctious. She landed in our laps so to speak. We tried for six dogs, and [finally] got this one…She’s been an incredible addition to our family. What brought you to the western suburbs of Chicago...and kept you here? We lived in the city for a year, but my husband and I both grew up in the suburbs. We both needed to find an area that felt homey. We landed here in 1995…and it felt familiar. It felt welcoming. It just felt right, and - of course - the schools in this area are incredible. In that year’s time [while we were still 36
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You mentioned your cancer experience. Would you be willing to share a bit more about that and how you’re doing now?
Absolutely. You hear this… and it becomes cliché, but as women, as moms, we take care of everyone else and put ourselves very low in the priority ranking. For three years. I went without a mammogram...For Christmas of 2018, I told myself I was giving myself this gift of a mammogram. On Dec. 14 [that year], I got a phone call [telling me] I had cancer. What if I wouldn’t have given myself that gift? I was extremely lucky that I caught [the cancer] early. I had surgery in early 2019. Had I not gone and obtained that mammogram, who knows? Thank goodness, thank God, I had gotten to it before it was too late. I’m fiercely passionate about this: take care of yourself, please, please, please. I almost learned the hard way the price you pay [if you don’t]. I still have to go through more frequent [doctor] visits and still maintain some treatment of sorts in order to hopefully keep [the cancer] from coming back, but all is well. My family has been incredibly supportive - and my friends; don’t be afraid to ask people for support.
My life verse is from Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything... with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” I’ve made my requests to get me through various things in life. We all find our strength in various ways. [My faith] is a way I find strength and coping...and I find great strength in my family. I have two parents who gave me an incredible childhood, and I hope I made them proud in the person I’ve become. You have used your status as a public figure to support numerous charitable and philanthropic efforts. What are a few that are closest to your heart? Reclaim13 is at the top of the list. This organization was started by this amazing woman, Cassandra Ma. It’s so sad that an organization like this is needed - to end human trafficking...It happens here; it happens in DuPage County. The average age of girls who are trafficked is 13. At the time when Cassandra asked me to be part of Reclaim13, I had a 13-year-old daughter… It sickens me, the monsters who are out there that prey on vulnerable children. If I can give voice to an organization that is trying to stop that, I’ll do that - to help and rescue children and teens from this horrible experience. I also became much more familiar with Wellness House in Hinsdale in my own cancer journey....They do some incredible, incredible outreach for people all over this area... It’s such a great resource for people who have been, in many cases, given that enormous blow to their lives of a cancer diagnosis. I also work with A Silver Lining Foundation. This was started by Dr. Sandy Goldberg to help all women have access to a mammogram. My mother, back in Oct. 2000, was diagnosed with [Multiple Sclerosis]. I’ve done a lot to aid with public outreach of what the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation does. Also, Ian’s Place for Bereaved Parents, which is opening soon in Clarendon Hills. My friend’s son was very tragically killed in a horrible accident… Through this process, she is developing a bereavement center to create healing through hope.
BUTLER SPENDS AN AFTERNOON IN DOWNTOWN HINSDALE WITH HER FRIENDS SANDY LAGESTEE OF CLARENDON HILLS AND REBECCA WELLS AND AMY SCHUBERT OF OAK BROOK.
If you ever find yourself with spare time, what do you do? During COVID, I took up a new hobby: [making] those no-sew blankets. I love to do sudoku puzzles and I love jigsaw puzzles. I got my parents hooked on puzzles too. They’ve framed so many of their puzzles. It’s so funny. I’ll catch up on General Hospital over the weekend. I’m mad about my soap! I started watching All My Children with my grandmother - it was her “story”. I was devastated when [All My Children]... went off the air, but a guilty pleasure of mine is General Hospital. In addition to ABC 7, you also do weekly forecasts for ESPN Radio. What sports teams do you root for? I love, love sports! This is such a great sports town. That’s another thing that has kept me rooted here…I love the sports fans. I love that there are two DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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baseball teams in the city. I love the passion that sports brings, and how it brings people together. I just really enjoy the opportunities I have had to prepare listeners on ESPN 1000 for a sporting event with the weather. We are very passionate Steelers fans, but since the Bears are in a different conference, we can root for them. We have become Cubs fans; no slight to the White Sox fans, we just became fans of the northsiders. When we first moved here, we would always go to the Blackhawks games when the Pittsburgh Penguins would come to play [too]. What are your favorite sports to play? Tennis is a sport I really loved. I played in high school (not well - both of my children could beat me by just walking onto the court). I barely made the tennis team. Continued on next page
Downers Grove Magazine | Cover Story
BUTLER CATCHES UP AND SHARES LOTS OF LAUGHS WITH HER GIRLFRIENDS AFTER A MORNING ON AIR. THE GROUP WORKS AROUND BUTLER’S SCHEDULE, OFTEN CHOOSING TO “REARRANGE PARTY TIMES FOR HER [EARLY BEDTIME],” HER FRIEND REBECCA WELLS SAID.
Continued from the previous page Really, the whole reason I started playing golf is [because playing tennis with my husband was a challenge]. He would slam the ball down my throat or he’d have to really let up. I didn’t want to be a golf widow, him on the golf course all weekend.... It’s something we can do forever, I hope, after our children are out of the nest. On July 11, 1995, I had my first and only hole in one. That was the first season I played golf. It was on Hole 6 at the Downers Grove Golf Course. It was 111 yards; I was so new to the game I used a driver. It was the ugliest shot you could ever see, but it went in. Wow! A hole in one your first season playing? What was that like? We watched [the ball] roll up. It was a wormburner. The first person I called was Jerry Taft. I still have the ball and a trophy from the National Hole in One Association. That’s the thing about golf that brings you back - the next good shot.
What are some of your favorite golf courses to play? I love Cantigny in Wheaton. It’s amazing! Every time I’m at that course I feel like I’m a million miles away. Especially when everything starts to bloom and in the summer, I feel like I’m on a golf course in South Carolina. Cog Hill - Course #2 - is another of my favorites. I don’t think people realize how awesome that nine-hole course in Downers Grove is either. It’s such a gem in this area, but it’s not a course for beginners. A bucket list item of mine is that I would like to play at least one golf course in every state in the United States. I still have probably 40 states to go, but I love the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC. It is just spectacular… We play quite a bit up in WI at Abbey Springs and Geneva National. The thing I love about some of those WI courses is they’re very much like Pennsylvania courses - like rolling hills; you’re playing like you’re a mountain goat…. I love the opportunity to get out there and see different parts of the country. 38
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The Donald Ross Course at French Lick, IN is just a fun course. One of my most unique experiences was when we played a golf course in Banff, Canada; I hit my ball right in the middle of a herd of elk. The ranger pointed out that it was mating season and said [the elk] may not take kindly if you get between the mom and her babies. I didn’t need the golf ball that badly... What are some of your favorite west suburban hangouts beyond the golf course? I love to meet my friends at Steam of Oak Brook, or we like to walk the trail around Oak Brook Tennis. One thing that my girlfriend has been on me about is playing paddle at Katherine Legge Park. That’s a bucket list item of mine now. I’ve been over to that park and it’s absolutely beautiful. For restaurants, some of the places I love in the western burbs are Gibson’s - the chocolate macadamia nut dessert is one of my favorites in the world - and also Jade Dragon, ItaliAmo, Capri, and Busy Bee Bakery in Downers Grove. ■
TWO
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BEST OF 2021
2021 Readers’ Choice Award Winners
Downers Grove Magazine readers select their favorites. BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN
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Food & Drink AMERICAN Pierce Tavern Cadence Kitchen & Co. Emmett’s Brewing Company
BARBECUE Uncle Bub’s BBQ & Catering Mission BBQ City BBQ CHINESE Wasabi Lao Sze Chuan Katy’s Dumplings
INDIAN Shikara Restaurant Priya’s Kitchen
ITALIAN Gia Mia Gatto’s Capri of Downers Grove JAPANESE/SUSHI Sushi House Wasabi
MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN Cedar Grill The Foxtail Greek Islands MEXICAN/LATIN Los Dos Tacochela Alfredo’s Taqueria
Pierce Tavern
Photo by Kira Anderson
SEAFOOD Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar The Foxtail Devon Seafood & Steak
T
here’s a culture about Downers Grove; a spirit of caring for neighbors. That includes our favorite
STEAK Carnivore and the Queen Cooper’s Hawk Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar
businesses. Those special, local merchants and their products. Let’s be honest. If 2020 was good for anything, it made us realize what we miss. Ordering
THAI Thai Café Thai First Wasabi
takeout broke the monotony and let us check in with our favorite restaurateurs, but we missed our daily contact with other business owners. Some things just can’t be replaced.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH Egg Harbor The Baked Apple Breakfast Co. The Foxtail
We asked and you let us know what you found to be the best. The best restaurants. The best places to shop, from gifts to clothing to home décor. The best place for an outing or weekend
DATE NIGHT The Foxtail Cadence Kitchen & Co. Pierce Tavern
away. The categories are vast, the winners few. They are Downers Grove’s best.
KID-FRIENDLY Gatto’s Another Round Pierce Tavern
OUTDOOR DINING Cadence Kitchen & Co. Cellar Door Pierce Tavern
*Winners in bold DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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Sweet Spots & More BURGER Pierce Tavern 3 Corners Grill & Tap Country House HOT DOG Portillo’s Teddy’s Red Hots Eagle Restaurant PIZZA Angelo’s Pizza Gia Mia Lou Malnati’s BAKED GOODS Busy Bee Bakery Great Harvest Bread Company DONUTS Busy Bee Bakery CHI-SHACK Doughnut Co. ICE CREAM Every Day’s A Sundae Cocomero Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy
Carnivore and the Queen
COFFEE Mud & Char Peet’s Starbucks COCKTAIL BAR Cadence Kitchen & Co. The Foxtail Pierce Tavern KARAOKE BAR Bryan’s American Grille Shanahan’s Irish Pub MICROBREWERY/BREWPUB/BEER BAR Goldfinger Brewing Company Alter Brewing Company Orange and Brew SPORTS BAR Another Round 3 Corners Grill & Tap WINE BAR Cellar Door Cooper’s Hawk WAGS Wine Shop
Rotary GroveFest 42
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Luxury & Lifestyle
Evelyn Jane Boutique
Summer Brader Photography
WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE Evelyn Jane Boutique Style Studio Adorn512 MEN’S STORE Enzo’s Tailor Shop Louis for Men *Favorite Response from Editorial Team: D & M Corvette HOME DÉCOR STORE Maple Home Market Style Studio 221 Creations BEST NEW STORE Topiaire Plant Boutique Orchid Heart Boutique UNIQUE GIFTS Evelyn Jane Boutique Style Studio Fair Game LIVE MUSIC VENUE Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant Fishel Park FESTIVAL or FAIR Rotary GroveFest Ice Festival LOCAL CHILDREN’S PARK McCollum Park Hillcrest Elementary School FOREST PRESERVE Lyman Woods Maple Grove Waterfall Glen
“Evelyn Jane Boutique and Sweet Jane are both a little slice of heaven right here in downtown Downers Grove!” – Anne Doyle
FAVORITE DOWNERS GROVE TRADITION Rotary GroveFest Bonfield Express Downtown Halloween Window Painting
“Rotary GroveFest is the one event I look forward to the most every year except when Covid impacts it. It brings so many family and friends together for great music, food and amusement rides for the kids.” – Jonathan Twitty
FAMILY FRIENDLY WEEKEND Lake Geneva. Wisconsin South Haven, Michigan Galena, Illinois
“We have lived here for 42 years and love Downers Grove!” – Sharon Ray
COUPLES WEEKEND GETAWAY Kohler, Wisconsin Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Door County, Wisconsin
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Luxury & Lifestyle
The Foxtail
Photography by Regan Baroni
BEST TEAM OR GROUP OUTING Pinstripes Fuzzy Logic Board and Brush BEST AREA PUBLIC GOLF COURSE Downers Grove Golf Course Seven Bridges Golf Club Cantigny Golf Club NEARBY TOWN YOU WOULD LIKE TO LIVE Glen Ellyn Hinsdale Western Springs FAVORITE DOWNTOWN OUTSIDE OF DOWNERS GROVE Naperville Hinsdale Glen Ellyn *Favorite Response from Editorial Team: Paris FAVORITE CHICAGO AREA SPORTS TEAM Cubs White Sox Bears FAVORITE CURRENT CHICAGO-AREA ATHLETE/ SPORTS PERSONALITY Anthony Rizzo Tim Anderson FAVORITE PAST CHICAGO-AREA ATHLETE/SPORTS PERSONALITY Michael Jordan Walter Payton Harry Caray PET STORE Happy Dog Barkery Petco
Goldfinger Brewing Company
PET DAYCARE/BOARDING Doggie Depot Dogtopia GROOMING Gigi’s Pet Salon Tails in a Tub
LOCAL CHARITY TO SUPPORT West Suburban Humane Society Sharing Connections Indian Boundary YMCA
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Downers Grove Magazine | Special Feature
RIGHT AT HOME Some of the newest neighbors in town shared why they chose to move to Downers Grove
THE COCHRAN FAMILY
BY VALERIE HARDY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINA MENAPACE 46
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icole Cochran was busy with a thriving pharmaceutical sales career and parenting three sons under 10 when a sudden sickness landed her in the hospital for a month in 2018. “It was during my long recovery I realized I wanted a different path,” Cochran said, and though she didn’t know it at the time, that path would lead directly to Downers Grove. Cochran and her family had been living in Deerfield, a North Shore suburb, for nearly a decade at the time of her illness. While they felt “deeply rooted” in Deerfield, Cochran explained that her sales territory prevented them from moving sooner. After her hospitalization, she said she “craved work she could do on her own time and around her family,” and in January 2020, she retired from her 15year pharmaceutical sales career, a change that “allowed us to truly think about moving and simplifying our life.” Cochran’s husband, Brian, is a mortgage advisor in Oakbrook Terrace, and a desire to be closer to his office and family led the couple to prioritize moving. Cochran
said they were checking out a few different southwest suburbs until “a friend… drew [their] attention to her hometown: Downers Grove.” That friend connected the Cochrans with a local realtor with expertise in new construction, and when they met some of the neighbors during showings, heard “wonderful things” about the Lester School community, and saw Cochran’s “favorite – the three-car garage,” they were sold on the Sherman Street property they have called home since July. The Cochrans - including sons Chase, Mason, and Bennett - quickly assimilated into the community, one Cochran described as “welcoming and involved.” Cochran has gotten involved in the community herself - through Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club events, outings with “The Ladies of Sherman Street,” and newfound work in design, painting custom art, and refinishing furniture. Maple Home Market carries some of her work. Proximity to work led Brian Barkowski to Downers Grove also. Barkowski is on
THE SEYFARTH FAMILY DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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the Board of Directors for Brother Rice High School and The Andrew Weishar Foundation, and he co-owns The Ironbank Mortgage Group on Main Street. After his recent divorce, he relocated to the Burlington Station Apartments on Forest Avenue. Barkowski quipped that the “30-second walk to the office” is his favorite part of living at Burlington Station, but he also appreciates amenities like the outdoor patio and activity space as well as the overall community. “The staff [at Burlington Station] is always available…and provides a number of monthly opportunities for the residents to connect,” Barkowski said. Downers Grove’s greatest assets, according to Barkowski are the “tremendous chamber [of commerce] and downtown…and the ability to access downtown Chicago in 25 minutes.” Natalie and Adam Seyfarth will certainly be taking advantage of the quick commute to the city once their offices fully re-open later this year. Natalie is a Senior Art Director at a large agency and Adam works Continued on next page
Downers Grove Magazine | Special Feature
BRIAN BARKOWSKI
Continued from the previous page in commercial real estate for a private equity firm, and despite having had a 15-minute walk to work from their West Loop residence, they were eager to return to their roots as suburbanites. After an intense house search (the Seyfarths’ new home near Barth Pond had over 20 offers on it), they moved in at the end of March and love having “all the space,” especially the backyard and tree-lined streets with so many “beautiful, mature trees,” Natalie said. “As people who have been city dwellers for the past decade, it’s been a huge shift moving to the suburbs, but we couldn’t be happier in our choice for our new home,” Natalie said. “With our son [2-yearold Jaxon] getting older, we really wanted to give him the suburb experience that we had in our childhoods [in Arlington Heights and Naperville].”
ERIN SEBO AND KYLE BRISCOE WITH SON JACK.
their family, Sebo and Briscoe’s move was perfectly timed. Sebo is a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital and Briscoe teaches at Downers Grove North High School, so their short commutes, in addition to the “tight-knit community with a lot of great people and families,” Sebo said, compelled the couple to buy their home near Pierce Downer School. They love being able to walk to numerous parks, the local schools, St. Joseph Parish, and all that downtown Downers has to offer. Shaifali Bhalla, Jordan Stalker, and their 4-year-old daughter Brajna moved to the Orchard Brook subdivision in March 2020. Because of the pandemic, however, they are just beginning to explore many parts of town.
Erin Sebo and Kyle Briscoe both grew up here in Downers Grove. In February 2020, the couple moved from Woodridge back to their hometown because “it’s a [place] you want to raise your kids,” Sebo said.
Bhalla, who grew up in India, and Stalker, who was raised in the Pacific Northwest, found their way to Downers Grove after many years in Oak Park, but not without doing significant research. They looked at “80-some properties” across numerous suburbs before deeming Downers Grove the right fit for them, Bhalla said.
Having recently welcomed baby Jack to
A professor in Midwestern’s College 48
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of Pharmacy, Bhalla said the proximity to campus, which equates to more time with her daughter, factored significantly into the family’s decision to move. Stalker also works in higher education - at DePaul University - so Downers Grove’s convenient access to various highways was a bonus. For Bhalla and Stalker, equally important to their home’s location is its size. DePaul went fully remote one week after the family moved in, so Stalker has put his home office to good use. Additionally, as devout Buddhists, Stalker said a primary reason for their move to Downers Grove was a larger space to hold “prayer, study, and discussion” meetings with other members of the Buddhist Organization Soka Gakkai International - USA in which they are highly active. The pandemic delayed their ability to host meetings, but Stalker and Bhalla hope to be able to invite others to their new home soon. In the meantime, they have enjoyed connecting outdoors with people they have met in their neighborhood. Bhalla said, “We couldn’t ask for better neighbors. We feel so fortunate.” ■
SHAIFALI BHALLA, JORDAN STALKER, AND THEIR 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER BRAJNA DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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Downers Grove Magazine | Giving Back
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (L TO R); MARY ELLEN YOUNG, LIZ ROSSI, CATHY MAHONEY, MOLLY BONANNO, LOIS KOPIS, BRUCE SWANSON, KAREN LAIO, LESLIE SADOWSKI-FUGITT, GREG HOSÉ (NOT PICTURED: RACHEL NEUSTADT, SCOTT LINCOLN)
The Grove Foundation
Supporting the community for 30 years BY MARY ELLEN YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE GROVE FOUNDATION
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arly in the pandemic, when the FISH food pantry needed support, The Grove Foundation did what it has done for 30 years: it stepped up. Board members quickly organized a food drive and approved a financial donation for fresh produce as well. Days later, it took five vehicles to deliver the massive amount of food collected from community members. Established in 1991, the Grove Foundation has served Downers Grove providing financial support to a wide variety of local organizations, events, and programs while helping people of all ages. “Quite simply, our main
purpose is to raise money and re-invest it in the community by supporting diverse initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Downers Grove,” says President Mary Ellen Young. Over the years, the Grove Foundation has funded countless unique projects such as the closet at Sharing Connections, a matching grant for the new FISH Pantry van, lighting for the Grove Players, supplies for Navigate Adolescence programs, and the traveling Vietnam War Memorial. The Foundation has also partnered with the Park District and School Districts 58 and 99 for projects including senior programs, outdoor education, guest authors, The DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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Peace Gardens, and SEASPAR. Traditionally known for its ability to respond quickly to funding requests throughout the year, in 2012 the Foundation created an Annual Grant Program to review multiple funding requests at one time. “This new process enables us to budget for and evaluate grants more effectively,” according to Karen Laio, board member and Grant Program Coordinator. Since 2012, nearly $60,000 has been awarded through this program to organizations including Blessings in a Backpack, DuPage PADS, Family Shelter Services, GardenWorks, Hope’s Front Door, Continued on next page
Downers Grove Magazine | Feature Story Continued from the previous page NAMI, SamaraCare, and the Senior Suburban Orchestra. Although the Grove Foundation is known mostly for its ability to support and sustain others, it has one unique program of its own that has greatly impacted hundreds of young recipients. Since 1998, the Helping Children Grow award has been given to one fifth grader in each Downers Grove school classroom to recognize unique qualities such as work ethic, positive attitude, helpfulness, and other character attributes. Coordinated by long-time board members Lois Kopis and Bruce Swanson, the Helping Children Grow award is presented by board members in front of classmates and family. Grove Foundation financial support comes from two primary fundraisers:
THE GROVE FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENTS IN 2019.
• Annual Golf Outing: This year the event will take place on September 11, 2021, at the Downers Grove Golf Club. “This fun and affordable event is a community tradition,” according to long-time board member and golf coordinator, Cathy Mahoney. • Passport to Dining: This popular event enables ticket holders to visit five participating downtown Downers Grove restaurants over three hours sampling food and enjoying beverages. The Foundation is also grateful for donations received during the year and has been honored to receive memorial contributions on behalf of several community leaders. Additional board members include: Molly Bonanno, Greg Hosé, Scott Lincoln, Rachel Neustadt, Liz Rossi, and Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt. For more information, visit The Grove Foundation at: www.thegrovefoundation.org ■
HELPING CHILDREN GROW AWARD AT FAIRMOUNT SCHOOL IN 2019. 52
DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
BEFORE AND AFTER
SCHOOL CARE NOW ENROLLING FOR 2021-2022 Open to School District 58 students entering grades K-6
REGISTER AT DGPARKS.ORG/LINK LINCOLN CENTER 935 MAPLE AVE. • DOWNERS GROVE
Downers Grove Magazine | History Vault Photo Courtesy of Downers Grove Museum
At Home In Pierce Downer’s House Step into Arthur and Judy Frigo’s private page of history
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eal-estate listings in 1970 called it a “handy-man’s special.” You would never know it today. Look east as you drive south of Ogden Avenue and you’ll see the actual beginning of Downers Grove. The picturesque, clapboard house located at 4437 Seeley Avenue, was once the home of Downers Grove’s forefather, Pierce Downer. As newlyweds, Art and Judy Frigo took a chance on this corner-lot landmark. The past decades have seen updates and additions to the house, always in keeping with its history. Pierce Downer, the acknowledged leader of the early settlers of Downers Grove, rode on horseback into the area from upstate New York. It was 1832. A few years earlier, his son Stephen had come west on an exodus for independence. A stone mason,
BY: MAUREEN CALLAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINA MENAPACE
Stephen worked on the first lighthouse at Fort Dearborn, the original name of Chicago. He penned a letter to his father about land with great agrarian potential to the west. Learning it was available for claim, Pierce left his wife and children and traveled alone to Fort Dearborn. Arriving in the area after several months’ journey, he spent another three days following an old Indian trail, (now Ogden Ave), southwest from the Chicago River. In a high grove of oak trees, he secured saplings to the ground with stakes to mark his claim. He paid $1.25 per acre for the onehundred-sixty acres purchased- the present northwest corner of town. Early on, Pierce managed to befriend Chief Waubonsie of the Potawatomi tribe, despite the concurrent Black Hawk Indian War, forcing out settlers of Naper Colony. He built and occupied a 54
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log cabin alone for two years until his eldest daughter, Adeline, arrived to keep house for him. The rest of the family came in 1836. Sometime between then and 1844, the current white clapboard house was built. Facing west to Seeley Avenue, the house originally orientated east. The family’s well, still standing directly across the street, would have been behind the home at the time. The summer kitchen, a rough structure located off the home’s west end, (the current front side of the house), was later added as a practical solution to the era’s problems of kitchen heat, and cooking fires. This home holds an important link to the Civil War. A person of high moral integrity, Pierce and his wife, Lucy Ann, kindly opened their home to runaway slaves as a station on the Underground Railroad.
Escapees were transported by wagon at night, hidden under animal hides. They entered through the cellar door where they ate and slept during daylight hours. Always under the cover of darkness, they moved to the next station, the eventual destination being Canada. Gauging the length of time available to move was crucial to success. The rough-cut stone steps leading to the cellar entrance are the exact ones traversed by these historical figures. Unfortunately, Pierce and Lucy Ann did not live to see end of the abolition. They passed away of influenza within a day of each other in March of 1863. They were buried on what was their own land; present-day Linscott Street. The Downer farm remained in the family for ninety-two years, having been reduced to eighty-three acres by the time it was sold off to a builder. The land was then subdivided into the present-day streets and lots, and the area annexed to Downers Grove in 1924. At this point, the summer kitchen was razed to lay Seeley Avenue, and the front of the home re-orientated to face the street. The Dubiel Family and their twelve children bought the house after it passed out of the family. Sadly, it fell on hard
times during the Great Depression. The aptly named Quick family were the third owners whose swift improvements saved it from the wrecking ball through extensive investment during their twenty-year occupation. The home was offered for sale to the Village Council in 1966, but it was thought to be too small for school groups. A fourth owner sold it to the Frigos after only three years.
CELLAR DOOR OF THE HOME
Art and Judy have updated just about every feature, with a concerted effort to match mid-nineteenth-century style whenever possible. Inside, plumbing and electric have been brought up to code. Hardwood floors were laid throughout the house. The exterior has had its 4-inch clapboard siding updated and trim over the doors and shutters added, to restore the original look. Energy efficient windows adorned all year with illuminated candles bring passers-by back to an 1800s era. Two additions have been put on the home in the four decades the Frigos have owned it, both respectful to the home’s historical integrity. To coincide with the Village’s 150th anniversary in 1982, the Frigos hosted a
THE HOME WAS GRANTED HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS IN 2016. DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE
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large reunion of the Downer family from across the United States. Older generations were able to recount some oral tradition. As a little girl, Pierce’s great-granddaughter, Helen, remembers tobacco and corn hanging from the second-floor ceiling. Someone spoke of his tall, 6’4” stature. Another stated that he was a respected arbitrator of disputes among townspeople before courts of law were available. Pierce’s reputation as a well-read, educated man, was also solidified as family members recounted a large library on the second floor. The Frigos held meetings of the Downers Grove Historical Society in the house prior to the group’s purchase of their current Maple Avenue location. The home was granted Historic Landmark status in December of 2016, ensuring a historical presence for generations. ■
Downers Grove Magazine | Community Scene
Healthy Kids Running Series Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) was back with inperson races for Spring 2021! This non-profit organization is on a mission to engage communities and families by providing an inclusive and fun youth running experience, inspiring kids (ages 2-14) to believe in themselves and lead a healthy lifestyle. Community Coordinator, Lisa Hahn, conducted a safe, five-week in-person spring running series. Featuring once-a-week racing, for a total of 5 races, at El Sierra School. HKRS hopes to host a series inperson this Fall. To learn more about Healthy Kids Running Series visit https:// healthykidsrunningseries.org/ or follow the Downers Grove series on Facebook (Healthy Kids Running Series-Downers Grove). Get up and GO!! Photography courtesy of Matt McKinniss
2021 Downtown Downers Grove Market Downtown Downers Grove Market kicked off the summer in May! The Indian Boundary YMCA and Village of Downers Grove jointly host the everpopular market every Saturday, rain or shine, from 7am-12:30pm until October 16. Located at the south parking lot of the Downers Grove Train Station, the market consists of roughly 30 vendors selling fresh produce, prepared foods, and other locally made goods. A portion of the market’s proceeds go toward the Indian Boundary Y’s scholarship fund, which ensures that local children and families in need can participate in the full breadth of the Y’s programs. See the IBY blog for more.
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West Suburban Human Society Petals for Pets Plan Sale For nearly 20 years, the Petals for Pets Plant sale has occurred just in time for Mother’s Day. This year, the event was held on May 7th and 8th and the WSHS raised over $14,000 to support the care they provide to dogs and cats. The community rallied around the event allowing WSHS to completely sell out four hours before the event end time…the fastest sell-out time ever. Photography courtesy of WSHS
Downers Grove Township New Center On Friday March 19, 2021 the Downers Grove Township Center was dedicated in a brief ceremony with a ribbon cutting to commemorate the completion of the project. Located at 4341 Saratoga Avenue, speakers included FISH board chair John Aguzimo, Friends for Downers Grove Township Seniors board chair Robert Petranek, and Outgoing Township Supervisor Mark Thoman. The building allows the township to bring non-profit based services closer to senior residents and residents in need.
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Calling all aspiring young writers! We want to hear from you! This summer Downers Grove Magazine will ask local students to participate in a writing contest. The winner’s story will be published in our September 2021 issue. Follow us on social media for more details
Downers Grove Magazine | Travel
Drivable Destinations BY VALERIE HARDY
Looking for a getaway this summer or fall that doesn’t break the bank? Don’t have a week of vacation time to spare? Not quite ready to get back on an airplane? Whether it’s north, east, south, or west that your compass is pointing you, just hop in the car and head to one of these travel spots. If you do, check out Downers Grove Magazine readers’ recommendations on where to STAY, where to PLAY, where to DINE, and how to UNWIND while away.
Delavan, WI (87 miles from DG) STAY: Lake Lawn Resort PLAY: Boating on Delavan Lake; The Dancing Horses Theatre DINE: Fire2Fork (farm-to-table dining); Village Supper Club (Friday fish fry); Mars Resort (ribs and outdoor entertainment); The Frontier Restaurant; Hernandez Mexican Restaurant UNWIND*: The Lookout Bar & Eatery; The Inn Between Courtesy of Amy Cable & Paula Schultz
Lake Geneva, WI (72 miles from DG) STAY: Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark; The Grand Geneva Resort; The Abbey Resort PLAY: Lake Geneva Public Beach; Fontana Beach; Williams Bay Beach; Lake Geneva Mailboat Tour; Safari Lake Generva; Walk the shore path around Lake Geneva (the full path is 26 miles around but it can be walked in smaller segments); Visit the Riviera DINE: Breakfast at Simple Café; Brunch at The Baker House; Lunch or Dinner at Pier 290 or Oakfire UNWIND*: Gordy’s Boat House; Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn Courtesy of Corinne Potter
Harbor Country/Southwest Region of MI near Indiana border (82 miles from DG) STAY: Marina Grand Resort; Harbor Grand Hotel; Four Winds Casino Hotel; Beachwalk Vacation Rentals PLAY: New Buffalo Beach; Weko Beach; Captain Mike’s (bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, & more); Galien River State Park (canopy walk); Red Arrow Stables (horseback riding); Warren Dunes State Park (climb the dunes); Billy Boy’s Blueberry Barn (blueberry picking); Radke’s Orchards (apple picking); Dinges Fall Harvest (pumpkin picking); Blue Moon Vintage Market (antiquing); Four Winds Casino (gambling and shows/concerts)* DINE: Brunch at Bentwood Tavern; Coffee & Reuben sandwich at David’s Coffee House; Lunch or Dinner at Staymaker; Haymarket Brew Pub & Pizza; The Stray Dog Bar & Grill; Redamak’s; Sweet Treats from Oink’s Dutch Treat; Harbert Swedish Bakery; Black Currant Bakehouse UNWIND*: Journeyman Distillery; Dablon Winery; Roundbarn (Baroda location); Beer Church Brewing Co.; Greenbush Brewing Co.; Ghost Isle Brewery; The Stray Dog Rooftop; Grape & Grain Wine Tours Courtesy of Sarah Bogaczyk NOTE: Plan to drive or hire a car service. Rideshare services such as Uber are not reliably available in the area.
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French Lick, IN (285 miles from DG) STAY: French Lick Springs Hotel; West Baden Springs Hotel; Big Splash Adventure PLAY: French Lick Scenic Railway; Indoor Water Park at Big Splash Adventure; Golf The Pete Dye, Donald Ross, or Valley Links Courses; The Stables at French Lick Resort (guided horseback trail rides and pony rides); Strassenfest (authentic German Festival in nearby Jasper, IN Aug. 5-8, 2021); Spa Mineral Baths; Casino at French Lick Springs Hotel* DINE: German Café; 33 Brick Street; Schnitzelbank Restaurant (Jasper, IN) UNWIND*: Ballard’s Bar in the Atrium of the West Baden Hotel; Power Plant Bar & Grill Courtesy of Diana Benoist & Stacey Williams NOTE: A free shuttle runs between French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel. In the winter, guests come to see the Christmas décor at the French Lick Resort and to ski Paoli Peaks.
Harbor Springs, MI (380 miles from DG) STAY: Boyne Highlands Resort; Stafford’s Hotels; Trout Creek Vacation Condominium Resort PLAY: Petoskey State Park; Zorn Park Beach; Pond Hill Farm; Tunnel of Trees-M119; The Pointer Boat Tour; Farmer’s Market (Wednesday & Saturdays Memorial Day – Labor Day); Day Trip to Mackinac Island; Harbor Springs Festival of the Book (September) DINE: Lunch at Pond Hill Farm; Lunch or Dinner at Pierson’s Grille & Spirits; Dinner at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant; The Paper Station Bistro; Willow; The New York Restaurant; Pizza Delivery from Piper’s Mighty Good Pizza; Sweet Treats from Tom’s Mom’s Cookies UNWIND*: Stafford’s Pier; Pond Hill Farm Winery Courtesy of Valerie Hardy
Louisville, KY (305 miles from DG) STAY: Residence Inn (kitchenette; indoor pool) PLAY: Waterfront Park (walk the Big Four Bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN); Louisville Zoo; Louisville Slugger Factory Tour; Churchill Downs Racetrack Tour; Belle of Louisville Riverboat Tour; Louisville Bats Minor League Baseball Game at Louisville Slugger Field; Louisville Mega Cavern DINE: Breakfast at Wild Eggs; Lunch or Dinner at Mussel & Burger Bar; Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen; Feast BBQ; Royals Hot Chicken; Dessert from Ehrler’s Ice Cream UNWIND*: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tours; Bourbon Slushies from Feast BBQ Courtesy of Kate Jungers
* Geared toward adults
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Downers Grove Magazine | Travel
St. Louis, MO (280 miles from DG) STAY: St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton PLAY: The Gateway Arch; Riverboat Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi; The City Museum; The Magic House; Old St. Louis County Courthouse (where the “Dred Scott decision” was made); Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium; Saint Louis Science Center; Visit the Budweiser Clydesdales at Grant’s Farm; Forest Park: Saint Louis Zoo; Muny (outdoor musical theatre) DINE: Imo’s Pizza; Fitz’s (old-time diner); “The Hill” for Italian food at restaurants including Rigazzi’s and Charlie Gitto’s (be sure to order toasted ravioli) UNWIND*: Anheuser-Busch Tour; Ballpark Village Courtesy of Chris Walsh
Ridgedale, MO/The Ozarks (540 miles from DG) STAY: Big Cedar Lodge (hotel or rent a timeshare) PLAY: Fun Mountain (arcade, bumper cars, underwater-themed bowling, climbing wall, & more); Resort scavenger hunt; Paddle boats; Boating; Waterskiing; Golf-cart excursion; Heated outdoor pool and indoor pool; Hiking; Day trip to Branson, MO DINE: Osage Restaurant; Mountain Top Grill; Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill UNWIND*: The Bat Bar; End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar Courtesy of Natalie Weber
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Downers Grove Magazine | Top Ten
Tee Time
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BY EMMA WOLF
t’s summer time and that means it’s tee time! Surrounded by blue sky, sunshine, and well-contoured greens, golf is a superb summertime sport. Downers Grove Magazine took a look at a variety of golf courses in the area, each one with something unique to offer. Whether you’re looking for a lowkey, family-friendly golf event or a cutthroat competition, our Top 10 is sure to have the perfect golf course for you.
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1. Most History
Downers Grove Golf Club Established in 1892, the historical Downers Grove Golf Club was the first 18-hole golf course in the U.S. Located on Haddow Avenue in Downers Grove, the Downers Grove Golf Club-formerly known as the Chicago Golf Club-was built on a plot of farmland owned by golfer A. Haddow Smith.
2. Hotel Setting
Willow Crest Golf Club (Hilton Oakbrook Hills Resort) Nestled right inside the Hilton Oakbrook Hills Resort, Willow Crest Golf Club offers a par of 70 with a slope of 134 with a beautiful setting that contains gorgeous greens and water all throughout.
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3. Play Where the Pros Play Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
Play where the pros-including Tiger Woods-play! This course has been featured in multiple golf magazines and has also been used to host the BMW Championship. It has four 18-hole courses and a driving range that is equipped with Toptracer technology.
4. Bucket List
Whistling Straits Golf Course Located right alongside the Lake Michigan shoreline, this course has hosted many championships, including two U.S. Women’s Opens, a U.S. Senior Open, and three PGA Championships. In September, Whistling Straits will be hosting the 43rd Ryder Cup.
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5. Most Unique Cantigny Golf
The beautiful rolling terrain that covers nearly 300 acres has three distinct nine-hole courses that rotate-the Woodside, Lakeside, and Hillside. Cantigny has hosted the Illinois State Amateur Championship five times and was named the “Best New Public Course in America” by Golf Digest when it opened in 1989.
6. For Beginners Zigfield Troy Golf
This family-friendly course that contains both a golf course and the Lost Mountain mini golf course is perfect for beginner golfers of all ages.
7. Worth the Drive
Prairie Bluff Golf Course This sweet and simple course offers water, prairie grass, and a beautifully manicured lawn to make your golf experience aesthetically pleasant. 64
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8. Great Atmosphere
Seven Bridges Golf Club An 18-hole championship course that has a 4-star rating from Golf Digest, Seven Bridges is a public golf club that has a private club feel. The wonderfully manicured course features 100-year-old Oak trees and, as the name suggests, seven bridges throughout.
9. Best Value for Your Money Heritage Bluffs Golf Club
One of Chicagoland’s highest rated golf courses since opening in 1993, The Bluffs is a simple golf course that is charming and also won’t break the bank. The course is the pride and joy of the Channahon Park District and has four tee boxes throughout the course that range from 5,000-7,100+ yards. This year, the course will be undergoing cart path renovation and a clubhouse renovation and expansion, including the addition of an indoor/outdoor bar and expanded patio seating.
10. Weekend Getaway
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Lake Lawn Resort
Located near Lake Geneva, WI., the scenic Majestic Oaks Golf Course at Lake Lawn Resort is located two miles from the shoreline and is lined with 250 acres of lush tree-lined land, making it the perfect weekend getaway. Opened in 1929, Majestic Oaks is a premier Midwest golf destination that features many tiers, making it a superb course for golfers of all levels.
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