WELCOME NEIGHBORS

Hello Neighbor,

After an exhaustive search in the suburbs, (and with limited knowledge of anything outside of the Chicago city limits as natives of Michigan and New York,) my husband and I considered ourselves lucky to stumble upon the town of Downers Grove on our home search.

We realized quickly that the town is a hidden gem of a city, offering a short commute, beautiful parks, great schools and a warm, inviting downtown. I remember sitting at Ballydoyle’s Irish Pub to decide our fate. How do we choose our forever home?

Fast forward 12 years. We are now certain our family is in the right home and town where we are meant to be.

After a long career in advertising sales, including positions with ESPN/ABC cable networks and Google, I made the decision to “retire”—in other words, to stay home with my three children, and immerse myself in the many opportunities that presented themselves through the Downers Grove community.

By involving myself in various organizations, I had the chance to meet talented women through the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club. I coached soccer players on the field through the Downers Grove Park District, and taught students as a District 58 substitute. I also helped our local school through PTA officer positions, and joined a dedicated team on the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club board.

Timing is everything. After many discussions with Scott Jonlich, founder and publisher of Hinsdale Magazine, we determined that my previous experience in advertising sales, coupled with my involvement and commitment to this town, presented an opportunity to launch the very first publication devoted to Downers Grove. This quarterly magazine will highlight our businesses, our people, our schools and more. Much like Downers Grove, the magazine will continue to evolve. Our goal is to bring our readers unique stories, and feature local, colorful personalities.

Beyond thanking our dedicated editorial staff and creative design team, a large thank-you is indebted to our advertising partners for this first issue and beyond. The success of Downers Grove Magazine relies heavily on these businesses that have joined us on this journey.

As you peruse the magazine, please mentally note our partners— please support these businesses that also call Downers Grove and surrounding areas their home. Thanks in advance for your support. We look forward to continuing to capture the amazing spirit of this town in future issues.

Anne Healy Associate Publisher anne@hinsdalemag.com

Anne Healy is married to Tom Healy, with three children, Tommy (11), Jimmy (10) and Mary Katherine (8). Often you can find her hauling her three children to various events around town. Do you have any news you would like to share? We are always looking for great stories to feature. Please e-mail Anne Healy directly at anne@hinsdalemag.com.