Hinsdale Magazine January/February 2022

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LAW & ORDER in DuPage County

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SPOTLIGHT Oak Brook

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LETTER from THE PUBLISHER

2022 NEW BEGINNINGS Hinsdale Magazine is pleased to announce that we are now Hinsdale Magazine Group, to include Hinsdale Magazine (plus Burr Ridge and Clarendon Hills), Downers Grove Magazine, and now, Oak Brook Magazine.

In addition, for efficiency and consistency, we are shifting all publications to an every-other-month publishing schedule or six issues every 12 months. That means we will be able to keep bringing you articles and stories of substance from more communities, in-depth. This February issue kicks off the 2022 lineup with a “Spotlight on Oak Brook” and we will continue to spotlight neighboring communities we have served for over a decade.

In this issue of Hinsdale Magazine, we are bringing you a sixpage article about Law and Order in DuPage County that cuts across all the communities we serve.

SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE, CLARENDON HILLS & OAK BROOK

We turned to Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney for his perspective on how DuPage County is dealing with the subject of safety and security considering some serious crime issues that have recently occurred locally. Mr. Berlin has a unique perspective. He has been a prosecutor for 34 years, and in his capacity as State’s Attorney, he has had the opportunity to interact with county law enforcement, the judiciary, crime prevention efforts, and with the public throughout DuPage.

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We had a warm welcome from key people in Oak Brook including Village President Gopal Lalmalani, and new Village Manager Greg Summers. You will be impressed, as we were, with the history of the Oak Brook Historical Society, and what they have planned for the future. Two key women’s groups are also important to Oak Brook. There is the Oak Brook Women’s Club, which stays quite active in many ways after 80 years, and the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Oak Brook Chapter, and its annual successful Mistletoe Medley, which this year, returned to being a live event, and raised over $200,000.

An American Success Story

LAW & ORDER in DuPage County

One more event to know about in Oak Brook. The Lizzadro Museum is hosting an exhibit from Germany depicting the adventures of Faust, the legendary tales of a man who sells his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge. Museum Director Dorothy Asher has added music and stage performances to the exhibit of 14 scenes carved out of agate stone.

Coming back to Hinsdale, we want you to know about the Hinsdale Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) unit and the great work they do on behalf of premature babies and their families. The unit is very well regarded and has embarked on a significant renovation.

HINSDALE HOSPITAL Neonatal Renovation

Oak Brook is important in the restaurant business in other ways, as well. Until recently, for 47 years, it was the headquarters of McDonald’s, the largest restaurant chain in the world. Oak Brook is also the headquarters for Portillo’s Restaurants.

Dick Portillo is an Oak Brook resident and he shared with us his true American Success story. You will also meet a doctor who Mr. Portillo supports who is having considerable success introducing new ways to deal with Type 1 Diabetes.

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Speaking of entrepreneurs, we also introduce you to Merry and Richard Cheng the Oak Brook couple behind Merry Richards Jewelry.

DICK PORTILLO

With our publication of Oak Brook + Magazine, we have become more aware of how unique and interesting, and vital the community of next-door Oak Brook has become. For example, for a town of less than 10,000 population, it has become a dining mecca with well over 60 dining establishments. In future issues, we’ll cover the Oak Brook dining scene more specifically.

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Another restaurateur entrepreneur we profile is Rich Melman, founder of Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, who has had as many as five of his restaurants in Oakbrook Center.

SPOTLIGHT Oak Brook

To round out our issue, we want to acknowledge the remarkably close bond between people and their pets.

We look forward to bringing you more in 2022.

Scott Jonlich Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com

In 2021, we were able to help 1833 families and funded over $865 million in mortgage loans

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CONTENTS | January/February 2022

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18 38 SPOTLIGHT OAK BROOK Gopal Lalmalani, Greg Summers

44 OAK BROOK HISTORY

History of Oak Brook courtesy of Historical Society

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46 CHARITABLE GIVING

PUBLISHER LETTER

Mistletoe Medley

18 LAW ENFORCEMENT

48 OAK BROOK ENTREPRENEURS

Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney

Merry and Richard Cheng

24 HEALTH

Hinsdale Hospital renovates Neonatal (NICU) unit

28 COVER STORY

Faust comes to Lizzadro Museum

Dr. Josef Oberholzer and Type 1 Diabetes research

34 ENTREPRENEUR Rich Melman

Through 80 Years | Author reviews “The Social Graces”

52 FINE ARTS

Dick Portillo

31 HEALTH

50 OAK BROOK WOMEN’S CLUB

54 PETS

People and their Pets

56 FASHION

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Sole Mates

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Cover photo by Marcello Rodarte

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Hinsdale Magazine | Law Enforcement

LAW & ORDER

Robert Berlin

DuPage County State’s Attorney

BY SCOTT JONLICH & LARRY ATSEFF I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

U

p until this past holiday shopping season, most of us took law and order in DuPage County for granted. News about violent crime was focused more in Chicago and Cook County, only about 20 miles east.

newspapers, we see what's happening in Chicago, which has had an impact on crime here. I will say that about fifty percent of our felonies now are committed by people that don't live in this county. Offenders are coming from other counties, many coming from Cook County into DuPage.”

There were a couple of local incidents of “smash and run”, but then on the early evening of December 23, shots rang out at Oakbrook Center, and several people were shot, and some were injured, in running for safety.

Almost immediately, hundreds of police officers from all over DuPage County converged on the scene, and a mass evacuation of over 15,000 took place over several hours with no further injuries. Importantly, the shooters were apprehended and are facing serious charges for violent crime.

“Violent crimes have a huge impact on the entire community. It's not just the victims themselves who are victimized; the whole community is victimized when something like this happens, especially at a shopping center like Oakbrook Center. The message is that we don't tolerate it in this county, and there will be a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, with an appropriate punishment that sends the message that we don't tolerate violent crime and that anyone who commits a crime like that in our county is going to pay a severe price.”

Why and how did all this reaction to violent crime happen? For answers, we turned to Robert B. Berlin, DuPage County State's Attorney. As his title indicates, he is charged with representing and protecting all the residents of DuPage County in courts of law. In his job, he interacts with other State attorneys and federal law officers, works with all the police and Sheriff departments in the county, and sees how cases are handled in the DuPage County court system. He gets to see how public defenders perform. He also sees, and in some cases; gets to foster, measures being taken to prevent crime, in the first place.

In a wide-ranging interview, Hinsdale Magazine came to appreciate not only his office; but all the moving parts that go into maintaining law and order in DuPage, especially in these times.

Here are key questions and his answers, abbreviated and edited for clarity and length.

To begin with, we asked him, "Why are communities like Oak Brook, and shopping malls like Oakbrook Center, being attacked like we have not seen before?

Berlin replied, “Obviously, we all watch the news, we read the

“Look, I live in the county and raised my family here. People have to feel safe. You cannot go to bed at night afraid. If people are afraid, it’s a horrible existence and, we need to do everything we can to make sure that people have that sense of safety.”

“You know, years ago, when we lived in Clarendon Hills, and a little girl was murdered. My daughter was a classmate of hers.”

“The following year, at the parent/ teacher conferences, we were told that not only did my daughter’s test scores go down, but the whole grade, their test scores went down. So that is the type of impact that you see from a violent crime. You can’t put a dollar value on what a crime like that does to an entire community and that's why I remind our prosecutors all the time, it's the people of the state of Illinois versus the defendant. We represent the people of the state of Illinois, not just the victim in the case. The whole community is victimized, and the community has a stake in the outcome of these cases.”

In listening to Mr. Berlin, we observed that it takes a lot of communication and a lot of leadership.

“I speak to the state’s attorneys and their staffs all the time. Jim Glasgow, the Will County States Attorney, and I probably talk every day about different issues. Jamie Mosser, now out in Kane County, and Kim Foxx’s staff in Cook County. States attorneys meet twice a year at a conference. When it comes to what we do, there's no politics involved.

We’re all on the same side here.”

“We didn’t contact Foxx on the Oakbrook Center situation; however, there was communication with the Chicago Police Department, as well as the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

Some of his officers were at Oak Brook, and I think it was their officer that found one of the offender’s vehicles parked in the parking lot.”

He said “The system didn’t just happen by itself. It's not a coincidence that it's this way; it’s from years and years of people before me. Joe Birkett and Jim Ryan were my state’s attorneypredecessors. They had the same philosophy, and it’s from a lot of the judges who are former prosecutors or former public defenders. We have an experienced judiciary. Yes, it comes from leadership. It comes from people who truly care about public safety. I can tell you, I meet with my police chiefs all the time and we discuss issues. We’re all on the same page and it’s not just a job for all of us; it isn’t. We take it personally and we care.”

“When all of those stakeholders are doing their jobs, the system works extremely well, and that’s the way it’s supposed to work. We know, when we charge a case, when we go to trial, we want the best defense attorneys to be defending, the defendants. We’re confident in our evidence, we’re confident in our ability, but, when we have the best defense attorneys and when we have qualified judges who oversee these cases, we’re pretty confident if there’s a conviction, that it’s not going to come back for a retrial, that errors are not going to be made.”

“It’s not just the judges, it’s the police officers, it’s our public defender’s office.

We’ve got great public defenders who Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Law Enforcement Continued from the previous page hold us to our burden of proof. By doing that, we know what the bar is, what amount of evidence we need to charge a case.”

a call out, we are going to get dozens of the best police officers to respond. In a case like what happened at Oakbrook Center Mall, the response was countywide, from our sheriff’s office, from all the various police departments, who came out, to assist and help, and they have, one of the advantages of having a task force like that is they train together and so they are prepared for an incident such as Oakbrook Center.”

We were also impressed with how quickly charges were brought.

How did that happen?

Berlin replied, “When charging felonies, we need to have sufficient evidence to prove the case in court.

“What I can tell you is this: we have a When the police make an arrest, track record, and we have a reputation we usually have to make a charging of being tough but fair on crime. That decision within 48 hours. Oftentimes, hasn’t changed. I believe that it has we need the crime lab to analyze improved over the past few years. I evidence quickly. To that end, years firmly believe that with ago, I and others insisted violent criminals, you send that DuPage County keep them away, and you do two Obviously, we all watch the news, we read its own crime lab. (The things: one: you incapacitate the newspapers, we see what's happening in crime lab was in existence them so they can’t commit other crimes, and secondly, Chicago, which has had an impact on crime before I became State’s Attorney, but there was talk it is a deterrent to other here.

I will say that about fifty percent of our of disbanding the lab due to people not to commit those budgetary issues.) As a result felonies now are committed by people that crimes in the county. It is effective and there’s research don't live in this county. Offenders are coming of having a crime lab here in DuPage County, and not to back that up. That has always been my approach, from other counties, many coming from Cook having to send evidence to outside labs, we can collect and I’ve been doing this County into DuPage. and process evidence and for thirty-four years. I’ve bring appropriate charges -ROBERT B. BERLIN been a prosecutor my entire without delay. In the case of DuPage County State's Attorney professional career, and it Oakbrook Center, crime lab works.” technicians worked over the Christmas “In less than seven hours going holiday so charges could be brought as “Violence has to be prosecuted, store-to-store with SWAT teams is quickly as possible. That enabled us to and people who commit these crimes remarkable, and no one got injured get a bond set for the two suspects at $1 have to be punished. That's the only in the course of the evacuation. There million each.” way, in my opinion, that we maintain were injuries when the shooting an orderly society, a community that happened and there were injuries We asked Mr. Berlin to people want to live in and feel safe in.” when people were running from the elaborate on how bail is set.

“Unfortunately, it has taken an scene, but once the police were there, “Bail is set by a judge. It’s our job increase in crime to see more people it's a testament, to our law enforcement as a prosecutor to provide as much paying attention to what we're doing. I in this county, that they got that many information as possible about the actual believe public safety has become one of people out safely. MERIT was the offense and about the offender. We the number one issues, and people are result of Sheriff Mendrick, who was have a detailed narrative-the facts of the paying attention, which I think is good.” a big proponent of that, as was I. We case that we’ve prepared before a bond got all of our police chiefs on board, court, and we get as much background We were impressed with how and they have been called out over on the criminal history of every offender 500 times since the formation in the quickly and how many police that goes in front of a judge in court, so summer of 2019.” responded to the Oak Brook we can present those facts and we make situation. How did that happen?

“The command structure to MERIT a recommendation on bail.”

Berlin said, “In 2019 we formed depends on what type of incident.

“The purpose of bail is two-fold. what’s called MERIT, which stands If it’s major traffic or major crime, Number one: to assure a defendant's different commanding officers who for Metropolitan Emergency Response appearance in court, but secondly and are in charge set up a command post, a Investigative Team. We used to have a equally as important, is to protect the staging area, so when the call goes out major crimes task force, and then we community.

So, our recommendations officers will know, here’s where we’re had a separate task force. We combined all those into one entity, and we truly meeting, here’s the staging area, before on bail reflect those two goals. have the best of the best that respond the orders are given as to who’s going Obviously, the more serious the crime to major incidents. We have all police to do what. It is, I have to say, a model, or the more dangerous we believe a departments working together under a for other counties to follow, and it defendant may be, we’re going to ask for single command staff. Anytime there’s has worked extremely well. We've had a higher bond. In certain circumstances, where the law allows for it, we’ll file a enormous success.”

“

”

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

petition asking for no bond. I respect completely that any defendant is presumed innocent and has a right to a fair trial, but the community also has a right to feel safe, as do victims of crime.

And, this office has always been a vocal proponent of victims’ rights, and that is one of our overarching goals, is to protect the rights of victims.”

“In some cases, when warranted, judges set no cash bail, which means that suspects are released while awaiting trial because the judge involved feels that there is likely to be no danger to the community and they will show up for trial. This too; sends a message to the community about fairness.”

penalty in this state. We just passed an enormous criminal justice reform bill.

There are some parts of that bill I think are great like body cameras and so far, they’ve been a huge asset for us in some of our cases. We’re getting better cases, but there’s a cost that comes with that. I think, across the country, we have seen legislatures in various states are reducing penalties. We’ve seen prosecutors in some of the big cities who get into office and say they’re not going to prosecute certain crimes, and I just, I see that as a real challenge, a real problem. A prosecutor needs to enforce the law, and if there are laws that need

to be changed, it’s our job to lead the charge and go to the General Assembly to try to get them changed.”

What efforts are in place that should give residents further confidence in how law and order work in DuPage County?" “‘Second Chance Probation’, where judges and prosecutors (You need the approval of both to get into the program.) consider that the person charged just used bad judgment, made Continued on next page

“There's a lot of controversy surrounding the elimination of cash bail, which is coming next January. If you look at what has happened in New Jersey, to me, that is the model that Illinois should follow, because all of the stakeholders in New Jersey, including the prosecutors and the police, actually believe their system is working very well. New Jersey gives authority for judges to hold, anyone charged with a felony without bond, as long as certain circumstances are there. And, to me, I don’t believe that you can categorize offenses and say ‘well, certain offenses will be eligible for bail and others won’t be, because every scenario is different.

You may have a minor crime, but somebody who’s really a danger to the community.’ If the law works the way it’s supposed to, one of the advantages of no cash bail is, take these two offenders in the Oak Brook case. Those are cases that we would argue for no bond, and that would deny someone with a million-dollar bond the opportunity to get out by posting a hundred thousand dollars. Judges, right now, will set very high bonds, I believe, with these cases, with the understanding that there’s probably no way the defendant could post, but, sometimes, we see they have been able to post.”

We asked Mr. Berlin if he is happy with the laws on the books.

“We state’s attorneys have seen an erosion with many of these laws, especially when it comes to sentencing.

Ten years ago, we abolished the death

ROBERT B. BERLIN, DUPAGE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Law Enforcement Continued from the previous page a mistake, and deserves a second chance. Another effort is our Public Integrity Unit where we investigate and prosecute police who break the law. People appreciate the fairness of such programs.”

Speaking of residents, we asked what role can they play?

that by and large, the DuPage County people do that, and that's one of the reasons we’ve been so fortunate to have a great team in place.”

We asked, What other areas of concern are there for law and order in DuPage County?

Mr. Berlin responded, “Drug and opioid addiction. Drugs and opioids are a serious problem in DuPage County, just like they are, around the country.

Drugs are not only a serious health problem, but they invariably lead to more crime as people, young and old, use illegal means to get money to satisfy their drug habits. One ‘front endpreventive’ program we have is called F.O.C.U.S., which stands for First Offender Call United for Success, for first-time drug offenders. This has been

for after-school programs and highquality pre-schools. There is plenty of evidence that after-school hours are a prime time for juvenile crime, and quality after-school programs have been proven to reduce juvenile crime.

I work with village governments and police departments around the county to help implement ‘Fight Crime Invest in Kids’”.

We asked about the morale and

“For the police to be effective, they performance of the men and need the support of the community. women in law enforcement in People have to believe in and trust their DuPage County these days. police. Otherwise, the police can’t solve the crime. We need witnesses to come Mr. Berlin’s comment: “We have forward, we need cooperation, people outstanding people in our police to offer up their Ring doorbell camera departments; some of the best in the videos, things like that. That takes a lot state. They are well trained. Most of of work and a lot of effort. Obviously, them are well equipped with body the county has changed as has our cameras which protect the person being society. The demographics investigated and the police, have changed, and chiefs as well, because there is a Violent crimes have a huge impact on of police have a diversity record of the interaction outreach committee, of the entire community. It's not just the victims between police and suspects. which I am a part of. And Police see how my office themselves who are victimized; the whole we make it a point to go and judges enforce the law. to different parts of the community is victimized when something like They have the trust of the communities and meet with this happens, especially at a shopping center community. As a result, different groups to assure overall, their morale is great. them that we’re here to like Oakbrook Center. The message is that we (Some police departments protect them, that we follow don't tolerate it in this county, and there will be are actually having a hard the law, and we want their time recruiting new officers. cooperation and we want a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

A number of departments; them to know that they’re however, have hired -ROBERT B. BERLIN going to be treated the same DuPage County State's Attorney officers who have decided as anybody else and, that is to leave the Chicago Police an ongoing effort, I think a nationally recognized program that Department.) For all those reasons, I we have made tremendous strides, provides non-violent first offenders believe we have the ‘best of the best’”. and we still have a lot more work to the necessary treatment, counseling, do with that, but, by doing that, that's Mr. Berlin summed everything we education, and support to help them on why I believe we have such a great track talked about this way. “As was said at their road to recovery. Since it started record. When a crime, like a case in the outset, there are a lot of moving parts in 2019, the F.O.C.U.S. courtroom now Oak Brook, happens, we have people has more than 1,100 individuals getting that go into maintaining law and order who are calling the police, people who treatment for addiction to opioids and in DuPage County. It is a constant effort are emailing the police, people who, if of communication and cooperation, other illegal drugs.” they have stuff on videos, share those following the law, putting criminals with the police. Of course, we also “Another area of concern is dealing on notice that crime, especially violent encourage residents to be vigilant about with young people who may be going crime, will not be tolerated, assuring their surroundings and people around down wrong paths as they are growing that our police, prosecution, judiciary them; and to keep vehicles and homes up. We have two other ‘front-end- are all doing their jobs. It also takes securely locked.” preventive’ programs. One is called residents who are alert and aware and the ‘School Safety Task Force’, where willing to help. We want strong cases “Here’s another message. The police and school authorities work to that lead to fair convictions, and no community needs to pay attention identify young people who may be at cases coming back on appeal. Above when they go to vote, who they’re risk, so they can be helped. I am also on all, we want our residents to feel safe voting for. Take the time to research the executive board of the organization and be safe.” ■ who the candidates are so that you’re ‘Fight Crime Invest in Kids’. I support voting for the best person. I think this because they advocate for funding

“

”

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

DERM

CONSULT

Presented by CSC Dermatology Questions from the community answered by doctors

Q A:

: What is a dermal filler?

Dermal fillers restore facial volume to smooth skin lines and wrinkles as well as enhance areas like the lips, chin, or jawline. This is done with gel-like materials that dermatologists inject under the skin at different depths. Fillers are seemingly unlimited when it comes to applications.

They can be used to lift cheekbones, improve hollowness of the facial skin in areas like the temples and under the eyes.

Moreover, fillers can be used to treat areas like the neck and chest to restore skin health and diminish the appearance of finely wrinkled and thin skin. Lastly, fillers can also be used to rejuvenate the hands.

Q A:

: What is in a dermal filler?

Fillers are made with FDA approved substances injected beneath the skin.

These include Hyaluronic Acid, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, and Poly-L-Lactic Acid.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid also known as Sculptra is Dr. Steil’s favorite dermal filler. It is biocompatible, which makes it completely safe to use. It is a totally biodegradable synthetic substance,which means it dissolves. Lastly, it works by stimulating skin to rebuild the natural collagen resulting into smoother skin and greater volume.

Almost 20 years ago, Dr. Steil learned from the best, Danny Vleggar, MD. He was a trained Poly-L-Lactic Acid Specialist who taught her how to apply the filler like an expert. For aging facial skin, Poly-L-Lactic Acid can add volume, structure, balance and lift. For younger patients, it can be used to improve facial symmetry.

Q A:

: Are fillers going to make my face look fake?

“I have been injecting in Hinsdale for 20 years, and everyone says the same

Dr. Rachel Bognet

thing— I don’t want people to know and I want to look natural. At CSC, we will make your treatment look natural,” says Dr. Steil.

The physicians at CSC Dermatology, Dr. Steil and Dr. Bognet, have a combined 30 years of experience treating patients with fillers. They both agree that the best results are when you don’t look like you’ve had a filler. To make this possible, CSC offers only the most professional opinions and treatment styles in all of their procedures. The bottom line— experience matters. “Sometimes a filler is not the solution,” says Bognet and “we tell the patient no. An overfilled face is not on our style.”

Q A:

Dr. Christina Steil

exact product and the number of syringes used. “We often layer products to achieve the best result so more than one type of product may be used during a treatment session,” says Dr. Steil.

Q A:

: How long will fillers last?

On average, fillers can last from six months to two plus years. After being injected, your body gradually and naturally absorbs filler particles. Factors that affect longevity include the product used, how much was injected, and where it was injected. Depending on your age and your goals, treatments are often repeated yearly.

: What does it feel like?

Getting a filler is a very comfortable experience. The filler material is mixed with numbing medication which makes it virtually painless. In addition, applying ice prior to a more sensitive area like the lips helps to aid in numbing.

Q A:

: How much do fillers cost?

Filler treatments can range from $500-$2000 per session depending on the

Appointments are beginning to fill fast.

Fall is here and it’s time to plan for the holidays.

Call 630 455 0045 now to book a session at either one of our prominent locations in Hinsdale or Downers Grove.

Location: 125 W. 2nd St, Hinsdale 5157 Main, Suite 205, Downers Grove Phone: 630.455.0045 Web: cscdermatology.com

Hinsdale Magazine | Health

DREAMING BIG

for Hinsdale Hospital’s Most Vulnerable Patients

BY LARRY ATSEFF

F

or more than 100 years, Hinsdale Hospital has cared for generations of families from Hinsdale and the surrounding communities. The hospital has been a destination for women and children. Adam Maycock, President, and CEO, states “Our goal is to offer women and children exceptional care in an exceptional environment.” That is why Hinsdale Hospital and the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation are committed to renovating the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) “Hinsdale Hospital’s NICU renovation is a critical component to ensure our community hospital has the space, technology, and

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

equipment needed to support the most advanced neonatal care in the area. With our NICU renovation, we will expand our capacity to care for our community’s tiniest and sickest babies.”

Since September, there has been a groundswell of support for the NICU renovation. It all began with a small local celebrity bartender night at Il Poggiolo hosted by Dana and Peter Burdi. The evening was a huge success, but local Hinsdalean and NICU Campaign Cabinet member Kari Galassi had a bigger vision. From the moment Kari toured the NICU, she knew her work was only beginning. She rallied friends and family to get involved and took it one step

further by hosting a fundraiser at Ruth Lake Country Club where the result was overwhelming.

Within a few hours over $600,000 was donated. Kari Galassi said, “As a mother who delivered three healthy babies, I did not realize the importance of a Level III NICU. Our work has only just begun to help our hospital offer the best possible care and environment for the tiniest of patients.”

It takes a special team to create a world-class NICU, from the clinical side to the community.

NICU Manager, Laura Cronin states “the NICU renovation will allow for greater patient healing and safety. With the addition of private and semi-private rooms

and state-of-the-art technology, the transformation will be a jewel in the Hinsdale Hospital crown.”

“Any parent will tell you that one of the most difficult parts of the experience is going home at the end of an exhausting, emotionally draining day, and having to leave their baby behind. Our current environment is not conducive to allowing a parent to feel comfortable to spend all the time they want with their baby. One study has found that when parents are more involved with the care of their NICU babies, their babies are released 5 days sooner. Plain and simple, babies get better when parents are less stressed.”

Lanny Wilson, MD, NICU Campaign Chair and retired OB/GYN is focused on helping the most vulnerable patients.

“Premature babies often spend two or more months in our care. During that time, development and healing is critical. While the clinical team of physicians, nurses and clinical specialists provide compassionate and cutting-edge care however the Neonatal Intensive care unit at

Hinsdale Hospital has not been updated in over 20-years”.

Hinsdale Hospital Foundation has played an integral role in developing the relationship with the community through the Board, the Campaign Cabinet, Hinsdale Assembly Board, Junior Board, and more. The HHF mission is to provide good will and raise funds for Hinsdale Hospital. Board Chair, Jay Pollitt stated “the HHF Board serves as the bridge between the hospital and community. Our role is two-way – one by acting as an extension of the hospital. Two – by serving as the voice of the town and its needs back to the hospital.”

“For me, it’s personal, I grew up in Hinsdale, my father was a surgeon and I witnessed his care for friends, neighbors and family. Being on the HHF Board is a way of honoring my father, by supporting the hospital to help provide the best care possible for the community.” “I am proud to work side by side with community leaders like Karen Fiascone, Patty McKay, Shana Robinson, and Lanny Wilson, MD.”

KARI GALASSI AND JAY POLLITT LED SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER ON OCTOBER 26 FOR THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU) AT AMITA HINSDALE HOSPITAL

The most recent events for the NICU renovation have created momentum within the community, helping us reach closer to our goal so that the renovation can begin.

If you wish to contribute, go to amitahealth.org and click neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). If you wish to see the current NICU unit, call Hinsdale Hospital Foundation at 630-856-2000 and they will gladly arrange a tour. ■

NICU NURSES LAURA CRONIN, ASHLEY STEWART, LYNDA LENTINI, AND KRISTINA MARTINICO HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Cover Story

DICK PORTILLO

An American Success Story

BY LARRY ATSEFF I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

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D

ick Portillo has met a lot of famous people during his 80 years.

One he never met is Frank Sinatra. Frank’s gone, but one of his most memorable songs is “MY WAY”. Opening lyrics include these words: “My friend, I’ll make it clear I’ll state my case of which I am certain I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more I did it, I did it my way Regrets, I've had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much, much more I did it, I did it my way Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew And through it all, whenever there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all and I stood tall And did it, did it my way I've loved, laughed and cried I had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside I find that it's all so amusing And to think I did all that And may I say not in a shy way No, no, not me I did it my way For what is a man, what has he got If not himself, then he has naught Not to say the things that he truly feels And not the words of someone who kneels The record shows I took all the blows And did it my way” Source:LyricFind Songwriters: Claude Francois / Gilles Thibaut / Jacques Revaux / Paul Anka My Way lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Jeune Musique Editions, BMG Rights Management, Suisa, Concord Music Publishing LLC, CONSALAD CO., Ltd

Those words sum up Dick Portillo and how he has succeeded beyond his most ambitious dreams. When you read his book, “Out of the Dog House”, or talk to him in person about his success, like we did, you will find out that he not only has lived the American Dream, he tells you how he did it, from an $1100 investment

in a hot dog stand in 1963 to selling his business in 2014 which left him a very wealthy man.

It is an easy, entertaining, streamof-consciousness read, just like he was sitting there with you, just talking, and giving you specific, very personal, real-life history. It is full of practical examples of how hard work, seeing obvious needs and filling them better than the other guy, will always be a great recipe for success. In the end, it is an entrepreneur’s handbook.

Chapter headings, in this order, take you on your way.

Dick uses the first chapter, “Humble Beginnings”, as an appetizer. It is an overview of his life, from being the son of poor, immigrant parents to where he is today. His father had Mexican, Spanish and French heritage and

and the many part-time jobs he was taking, trying to find his way. “A Mother-in-Law’s Approval”, tells how his mother-in-law convinced her daughter Sharon to let Dick spend $1100 on a trailer for a hot dog stand, instead of saving for a house.

“Time to Expand”, details how, when and why he made the decision to add more restaurants. He tells the valuable lesson of not making a move until you are ready.

The “Building an Organization” chapter tells how he carefully added widely popular items (he personally loved) to the menu over several years, and combined them with constant training so that quality in food, service, speed and efficiency could be profitable. And, very important, it would be extremely difficult for competition to copy. “That training

“From the time a customer hits the front door, and senses the aromas and the hustle, to the time they leave, after enjoying a quality meal and fast service at a reasonable price, I want them to feel ‘The Portillo’s Experience’.”

— DICK PORTILLO

immigrated from Mexico. His mother came from Greece.

It sets the stage…and you want to read more to know how it happened.

Next, “Family Struggles” details how he spent a lot of his youth in Chicago Public Housing; how he fondly remembers his sister and brother. He remembers the scrimping and saving. He remembers how his father taught him discipline with spankings and how he learned to take responsibility for your actions, but this was nothing compared to the next chapter: “Life in the Marines”. It was there that he saw how when you are focused and you train and train, a bunch of rag tag guys can become a single powerful unit. As he puts it, “I learned the value of training, organization and teamwork.”

“Moving Back to Chicago” tells what life was like, after the Marines, to come back to Chicago and marry his high-school sweetheart, Sharon,

to handle a complex menu was like a moat around my castle, to keep competition out.”

“Sacrifice” makes the point that you have to give up some things to succeed, and there is no way around it. The “What I Learned from Failure” chapter details what we all have heard: how failure can be a great teacher and that Dick has been no exception.

In the chapter “The Roaring ‘80s and ‘90s”, Dick recalls the good times in Chicago with the Bears winning the Super Bowl and Michael Jordan and the Bulls. He said it was an exciting time for Portillo’s too, because he successfully expanded.

As his number of restaurants grew, he saw that he could scale up the number and maintain the quality he and his employees had worked so hard to perfect.

Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

29

Hinsdale Magazine | Cover Story Continued from the previous page The chapter on “California Dreaming” is the story of his first restaurant outside of Chicago. It took him out of his comfort zone… but he knew it could be successful.

That’s because his booming business of shipping Portillo’s all over the country to Chicagoans who had moved away showed him that his biggest sales were in zip code 90620, Buena Park, California. Another case of seeing the obvious and making the most of it.

“The Importance of Competition” chapter points out that you should never underestimate the competition and that if you are smart, you can also learn from them.

“Hello, Arizona”, the chapter on his smashing opening in Scottsdale, was further proof that Portillo’s could be a national brand.

“The Pillars of Success” puts the focus on “Quality”, “Service”, “Attitude”, and “Cleanliness” which are the bedrocks of Portillo’s training.

This chapter describes how his son has helped instill those principles throughout the company, and how important it is to hire people who believe in those principles. It is executing that training constantly that sets Portillo’s apart and creates what Dick calls “The Portillo’s Experience”. “From the time a customer hits the front door, and senses the aromas and the hustle, to the time they leave, after enjoying a quality meal and fast service at a reasonable price, I want them to feel ‘The Portillo’s Experience’”.

more successful, professionally.

personally

and

He describes the pros and cons of selling and the decision to choose Berkshire Partners, in “The Decision to Sell” in August 2014.

“Moving Forward” covers his life since the sale, and how he enjoys the fruits of his labor. He stays active in managing his own portfolio of real estate holdings.

All in all, Dick is content. After all, he has accomplished a great deal.

He has an enormous legacy in terms of a restaurant chain that prides itself on “The Portillo’s Experience”, that millions enjoy. He is also proud of the number of employees who have worked with him to create the experience.

There is one other legacy he would like to leave.

In honor of Sharon, who has been the love of his life and a pillar of strength for 62 years, but who is

THE ORIGINAL HOTDOG STAND

suffering from Type 1 Diabetes, he will continue to support the work of Dr. Jose Oberholzer, a distinguished doctor, who is coming ever closer to a cure that will help Sharon and 1.6 million others who have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

(Next to this article is an interview with the Doctor on what he is accomplishing.) ■

“Gift or Curse?” describes how his combination of great instincts with people, and a willingness to get out of his comfort zone, have been both a gift and a curse. He explains how he dealt with attention deficit syndrome by just being determined enough to overcome it, by using his skills of observation, paying attention to detail, and coming up with better solutions to everyday problems.

“Only in America” is a look back at the accomplishments and the people who helped him, and who; in turn, helped themselves become 30

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

A YOUNG DICK PORTILLO, ON THE RIGHT, WHEN HE WAS IN THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION, WITH A FELLOW MARINE

Type 1 Diabetes Researcher & Surgeon Dr. Josef Oberholzer

BY LARRY ATSEFF

I

n our discussions with Dick Portillo and the success of his restaurant chain, we learned how important it was for Sharon, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 62 years, to be constantly by his side. We also learned that in 1997, it was discovered that she had Type 1 diabetes. In the course of treatment, they have learned the following: 1 Chicago is a leading center for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

2 At the forefront in treating Type 1 diabetes is Doctor Jose Oberholzer.

3 The group he founded, the Chicago Diabetes Project, is an international research collaboration that is focused on “islet transplantation”, a promising technique in dealing with Type 1.

4 In fact, islet transplantation has been effective in treating Sharon.

As a result, Dick has helped fund Dr. Oberholzer’s efforts, and wants more people to know about Oberholzer’s important work.

How Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes differ Of 26.8 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, about 1.6 million have Type 1.

Types 1 and 2 both cause high blood sugar and have insulin as the problem.

Insulin is a hormone that unlocks cells to let in blood sugar, and that creates energy.

You can’t live without insulin. If you have Type 2, your body makes insulin, but can’t use it properly. If you have Type 1, your body doesn’t make enough of it. The pancreas stops making it, as the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the pancreas.

Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood and can damage your internal organs, including your heart, kidneys,

eyes, nervous system, and other parts of the body.

Obviously, these conditions can become life-threatening.

Type 1 is extremely challenging, because, to this day, doctors are still not sure why the body doesn’t make enough insulin.

While much of the medical community continues to try and determine the cause, techniques on controlling the disease with regular insulin injections or use of an insulin pump have become the prevalent treatments for Type 1.

The Chicago Diabetes Project and Dr. Oberholzer have put their focus on “islet transplantation” as a way to go further, and actually reverse Type 1 and enable the body to produce insulin naturally. Certain islet transplantation trials are showing that this approach is able to produce insulin naturally so well, some patients are actually living insulin-free.

Islets are clusters of cells found in the pancreas that work together to regulate blood sugar. In an islet transplant, doctors take healthy islets from the pancreas of an organ donor, and inject them into someone with Type 1 diabetes.

Now that islet transplantation is shown to work, scientists are looking for ways to make the technique more widely available, and at lower costs.

In one approach, scientists focus on the transplant site. While the liver is the traditional site for islet transplantation, this location is not ideal. Other sites and options are being looked at. For example, researchers are looking at a bio-engineered platform that works like an artificial pancreas.

Scientists are also looking for ways to sustain the islets’ long-term survival and protecting them from the autoimmune attacks that caused Type 1 diabetes in the first place. Options include creating barriers to protect the cells, or even adding oxygen to transplant sites.

Researchers are even investigating how to increase the supply of islets available for transplant, enabling the body to recreate a patient’s own pancreatic cells, so cells don’t have to be taken from a donor. This includes the use of lab created embryonic stem cells that, in turn, become islets for transplanting to a Type 1 diabetic.

Dr. Oberholzer and his associates are constantlylookingatotherwaystomake islet transplantation more effective and widespread. For more information, go to chicagodiabetesproject.org. ■

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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BEST of

READER FAVORITE

2021 A DECADE OF PUBLISHING —ESTABLISHED 2011—

WE’RE HERE

FOR YOU At Hinsdale Bank & Trust, we understand that while not everyone is in the same boat, we’re all weathering the same storm. As a community, we’re in uncharted waters, but our philosophy as your true local bank hasn’t changed. Our lobbies are now open, and you can still take advantage of our drive-up service, utilize our digital tools and online financial resources, and make an appointment to safely meet with a local banker. We’re committed to doing what we’ve always done: work hard to be there for our customers and support our community.

HINSDALE’S COMMUNITY BANK 25 E. First St. | Hinsdale, IL 60521 630-323-4404 | www.hinsdalebank.com

Visit hinsdalebank.com/meetus to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

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Dick Barrett 111 South Lincoln Street, Suite 200 Managing Hinsdale, ILDirector 60521 – Investments

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(630) 734-8910 (630) 734-8909 www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com 111 South Lincoln Street, Suite 200 111 South Lincoln Street, Suite 200 richard.barrett@wellsfargoadvisors.com jessie.barrett@wellsfargoadvisors.com Hinsdale, IL 60521 Hinsdale, IL 60521 www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com (630) 734-8910 (630) 734-8909 Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured / NO Bank Guarantee /jessie.barrett@wellsfargoadvisors.com MAY Lose Value richard.barrett@wellsfargoadvisors.com Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com www.barrettgroup.wfadv.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Entrepreneur

THE MELMAN FAMILY, L TO R, RICH, R.J., MARTHA, MOLLY, JERROD

Photography by Lindsay Eberly x Eberly Film Lab, LLC

Rich’s Recipe For Remarkable Restaurants The Story of Rich Melman’s “Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises”

BY LARRY ATSEFF

R.J. Grunts Started It All A little more than 50 years ago, on June 10th at 11:31 am, to be precise, Rich Melman and late, first partner, Jerry Orzoff, opened R.J. Grunts, a few steps from the Lincoln Park Zoo on Chicago’s near north side.

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That restaurant is still going strong, serving “all-American” food.

Since 1971 Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has opened over 300 restaurants across twelve states.

There have been Michelin rated fine dining establishments like Everest, Tru, and L20, a 50’s throwback

diner called Ed Debevic’s, celebrity nightclubs like Studio Paris, and nearly every other cuisine concept you can imagine. By comparison, Kendall College Culinary School instructor Chris Letchinger indicates that in the industry “only 40 % of restaurants are still in business within

three years of opening… The average life of a restaurant is only 8 to 10 years.” LEYE has performed well above those norms.

Sprinkled in between, the Lettuce team has created ventures like the successful Lettuce Consulting Group which officially began in 1995, as well as the Windy City Smokeout, a four day barbecue and live country music festival which started in 2013 and attracts thousands of fans. Back in 1980 Rich started the Taste of Chicago with fellow restaurateur, Arnie Morton, to the delight of then Mayor Jane Byrne and millions of Chicagoans.

During these past 50 years, there have been many LEYE firsts: the first all-you-can-eat-salad bar at RJ Grunt’s, and other “bars” like the free cheese bar for Great Gritzbe’s guests as they waited in line, as well as their popular dessert bar. LEYE introduced restaurant gift cards so that people could return to the LEYE restaurant they just enjoyed or try another LEYE establishment. In 1993 Rich and team created foodlife, Chicago’s first food court, which featured a wide array of ever-evolving cuisines. These are but a few of his innovations.

Along the way, the restaurant industry has honored Melman more than once. He received the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2011 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

FIRST PARTNER, JERRY ORZOFF AND RICH MELMAN

RICH’S RECIPE FOR RESTAURANT SUCCESS

different, fun way to offer fresh, new ideas to Chicago and to see how people will respond.”

Back to the future. With R.J. Grunts, Melman set out with a goal to create a fun, hip restaurant that he and his friends would enjoy, where food was presented differently and with a sense of humor. From Grunts to today, Rich has always been handson and is rarely behind a desk. If he’s not in the test kitchen working on

One thing we noticed right away in talking with Rich is that he has an insatiable appetite for ideas.

The more, the better. Sometimes an idea will strike him, like putting everything in a bowl, from appetizers to salads, to main courses, to sides and even desserts, all to make it fun and interesting. Call it Big Bowl. Or, speaking of fun, “In our test kitchen, I’m always design an Italian restaurant tasting and trying out different called Scoozi, make a huge things together. I’m always tasting red tomato, and hang it over the entrance, as a hint and experimenting with food. I’m of what’s to come inside. obsessed with making food better.” You never know how the ideas start with Rich and — RICH MELMAN where they will end up - but they never stop.

By now, it should become clear that Rich Melman, and the people he has attracted to surround him, are exceptional. As Rich says, “We’re a very hardworking, disciplined group who do the basics well.”

We sat down the other day with Rich at Beatrix, his breakfast/lunch/ dinner restaurant in Oakbrook Center, where he was also checking in on Antico Posto and Wildfire, two of his other restaurants in the mall.

recipes for the next new project, you can find him at one of the restaurants tasting food and tweaking the menu.

No matter the cuisine, the recipe for a new restaurant concept has remained the same.

Step One: Begin With An Idea, Maybe Even A Name

Rich is always experimenting with new ideas, whether it’s a completely new menu item, a different take on an existing food presentation, a change in staff uniforms or even a new restaurant concept. As Melman says, “I’m always looking for a

Get In The Test Kitchen

Step Two is to get into the test kitchen to work with the chefs to test different recipe ideas. As he puts it, “In our test kitchen, I’m always tasting and trying out different things together.

I’m always tasting and experimenting with food. I’m obsessed with making food better. Almost all my inspiration starts with food. To me, food starts with taste, the combination of flavors, and the art of seasoning. Creating great food is exciting!”

Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Entrepreneur

IRV KUPCINET AT THE FAMOUS PUMP ROOM, A RESTAURANT THAT RICH BROUGHT BACK

Continued from the previous page

Develop The Menu

Step Three is to create the stars of the experience…the different ways of giving food and drink items a new twist to reflect the new concept or idea.

The Result of The Melman Recipe Is The Promise In Their Logo:

and are now executive partners in Lettuce. They are heavily involved in new concepts such as RPM Seafood, RPM Italian, RPM Steak, Pizzeria Portofino, Three Dots and a Dash, Sushi-San and more.

Develop The Surroundings to Enhance The Dining Experience

As Rich told us in his sit down, “I couldn’t be prouder of my children or more excited about their ideas for the future and for the whole organization.”

Develop The People And The Culture of A Lettuce Restaurant

We asked him about any other legacies. Is there ever going to be a book? “I did write a very small book which I only passed along to my kids, partners and a few friends. But something I’m really excited about right now is that I’m blogging about all my favorite menu items. Many are from Lettuce restaurants, but some are dishes that I love from my favorite non-Lettuce restaurants too.

People are always asking me what I like to eat, so I decided to write about it. I add about five new items to the blog on our website every month and it’s been fun. ■

Step Four is figuring out how to use the architecture, the design, the colors and the lighting to create the desired ambiance of the space. LEYE has its own in-house architect and set of designers who work directly with Rich on interior design elements.

Step Five is to develop the people.

Rich believes that in order to take care of the guests, the employees first need to care about themselves and each other. He feels that personal development is crucial which is why Lettuce was founded on “a culture of caring.” Melman says, “One thing 36

that never stops is the continual development of our people.”

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Looking Ahead

Rich feels he owes his early success in the restaurant business to R.J. Grunts and named his first son R.J. He remembers when R.J. was only about 8, Melman would take him to work with him in the evenings and R.J. loved it. Today, R.J. is 42, and the President of LEYE. Brother Jerrod and sister Molly have also followed in their father’s footsteps. In 2008, the three of them successfully opened Hub 51 together in Chicago

Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight Oak Brook

G

opal Lalmalani has enjoyed practicing cardiology for more than 40 years.

But the 72-year-old Oak Brook Village President has put much of his heart into serving the people of Oak Brook over the past 15 years.

Lalmalani served five years on the village’s Plan Commission, before successfully running for village president in 2011. He has been reelected to additional four-year terms twice — in 2015 and in 2019. And his three consecutive terms as Oak Brook’s top elected official matches the record held by former Village President Karen Bushy, who served from 1991 to 2003.

“I always was interested in getting involved,” Lalmalani said. “I’ve always had this bug in my head to serve, and I previously was involved with medical organizations. Some residents suggested that I get involved with the village, which led to me serving on the Plan Commission and then running for village president."

Lalmalani said he increasingly has spent more time on villagerelated duties since becoming village president. He has scaled back his cardiology practice by about onethird to allow more time for Oak Brook business, he said.

Gopal Lalmalani Oak Brook Village President

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE 38

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“It’s become a way of life for me,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to the community service of Oak Brook and find that very fulfilling. I always am interested in what we can do to provide better services for our residents and businesses because we are here to serve them.”

Lalmalani said his ears and eyes always are open to Oak Brook residents and representatives from businesses in the village.

“They are why we’re here; I have no personal agenda,” he said.

Lalmalani has had some disagreements over the years with

Village Board members, village staff, residents and business representatives about village business, but that’s all part of the process, he said.

“We need to tolerate all points of view,” he said. “I do what I truly believe is best for Oak Brook.”

Village Board member Michael Manzo, who also was first elected in 2011 and continues to serve, said Lalmalani’s willingness to always listen to others is a major strength.

about plans for part of the former 80-acre McDonald’s campus site, purchased in June 2019 by JPD Holdings.

“I’m a pro-business guy,” Lalmalani said. “I want businesses to feel like they are wanted. To survive moving forward, we have to be open-minded, but also, our residents don’t want too much traffic and congestion.”

has to be about the Village of Oak Brook.”

That attitude hasn’t prevented Lalmalani from being recognized with awards for his service to the village.

He has received several awards from local, national, and international community service groups, such as Outstanding Community Service Award from Congressman Danny K. Davis, Public Service Award from the Metropolitan Asian Services, Inc., and Special Recognition award from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago.

“How we can do better for

“He may have an opinion in mind, but he’s always willing to listen to all sides and is very assessable to anyone who wants to talk with him,” Manzo said. “He’s always a uniter and brings people together.”

Manzo said he sees the passion Lalmalani has for the village.

our residents, without taxing people is always a goal, and not having a property tax is part of our branding and we are proud of that”

“He pays attention to what’s going on and has made leaps and bounds in his knowledge of local government,” Manzo said.

One major factor Lalmalani considers best for Oak Brook is to continue the practice of not levying a municipal property tax. He also is against any additional taxes, such as for food and beverage, a stance that was part of his campaign when he sought re-election in 2019.

“How we can do better for our residents, without taxing people is always a goal, and not having a property tax is part of our branding and we are proud of that,” Lalmalani said." It’s an ongoing challenge, but it’s doable.”

Development in Oak Brook is continuing at a fast pace. Among current and recent projects are new retail stores and restaurants opening in, and around, Oakbrook Center, several commercial/office projects, the ongoing development of multiuse Oak Brook Commons on the site of the former McDonald’s Plaza on 22nd Street; and recent discussions

-GOPAL LALMALANI Oak Brook Village President

One of the ongoing challenges for Oak Brook officials is maintaining a good balance of businesses that generate sales tax, which has been strong enough to allow for no property taxes, and developments that don’t generate sales tax revenue, but add to the community in other ways.

“Balancing development with sales tax generators is a challenge that we are aware of, and it is very important,” Lalmalani said. “Going back to (Oak Brook founder) Paul Butler, the idea has been for Oak Brook to be one-third open space, one-third commercial, and one-third residential. That balance makes Oak Brook a spacious and unique community.”

The continued challenges of helping to make Oak Brook the best place possible for its residents and businesses keeps Lalmalani going, he said. And having support from his wife, Neetu, and daughters, Puja and Supna has been critical to his ongoing work for the village.

Lalmalani was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and went to India for his pre-med and medical education.

After receiving his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from G.S. Medical College in Bombay, India, Lalmalani practiced medicine for a year in Jakarta.

He came to the United States in 1973 and completed his internship, residency and fellowship in cardiology from Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1978. He returned to school about 20 years later, earning his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School in 1999.

“After a while of practicing medicine, I felt I needed to open up my brain,” he said. “I wanted to find out how businesses run their operations. When I first got my MBA, my idea was to move into medical management, but I enjoyed my practice with my patients too much to do that.”

Lalmalani continues to his interaction and work his cardiology patients, but piece of his heart will never Oak Brook. ■

enjoy with a big leave

“It’s not about me,” he said, “It HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight Oak Brook 2019 and Director of Engineering and Building from 2008 to 2013.

Summers, 45, has a Masters of Urban Planning degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from Washington University.

Summers said he was interested in the job as Oak Brook’s Village Manager because the community offers the opportunity to combine the strengths of the prior two communities in which he worked.

“The small town personal touch and exceptional customer service of the Village of Barrington with the strength derived from Orland Park’s retail and office sectors, all under one umbrella,” he said.

Greg Summers Oak Brook’s New Village Manager

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN

O

ak Brook’s new Village Manager brings an impressive resume with him, including extensive experience in development services, along with engineering and building.

Greg Summers was chosen from a field of 33 applicants, which was screened by a search committee made up of Village Board members and residents, before being narrowed down to six candidates who were interviewed and three who were brought back for a second interview.

“He is very energetic and has a good amount of experience and good leadership skills,” Trustee Suresh Reddy,

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who chaired the search committee, said of Summers.

Village President Gopal Lalmalani also was impressed with Summers among a strong group of candidates.

“Greg Summers stood out as the most promising, energetic and ready to roll up his sleeves on day one,” Lalmalani said.

“He is full of creative ideas, willing to work hard and go the extra mile for Oak Brook.”

Since 2019, Summers worked as the Assistant Village Manager for the Village of Orland Park. Before that, he worked for the Village of Barrington, holding the position of Director of Development Services from 2013 to

Summers said he has spent extensive time visiting the retail merchants of Oak Brook, working with businesses based out of the village and has been traveling through the community daily for the last 2 1/2 years.

“Over the last six months, I have become very familiar with the layout, planning, fiscal strength, and policies of the village,” he said. “Oak Brook already has the desirable characteristics that other communities strive for, along with a solid fiscal model aimed at delivering the best possible services, at the lowest possible cost, to all of its constituents.”

“Knowing that other regional communities wish to achieve many of these same goals, it is imperative that the Village Board, staff, and the community work together to continuously improve and remain several steps ahead of our peers.”

Summers said his goals for the shortterm future of Oak Brook include improved customer service and customer satisfaction built alongside the existing professional staff of the village, all the while focused on delivering the best fiscal value for the residents, businesses, and organization that make up the community.

“Long-term trends indicate a potential reversal of the centralization of corporate businesses to downtown Chicago as businesses look to have smaller regional office locations and

avoid dense locations and the long commute,” Summers said. "Oak Brook, with its strong corporate businesses, is the single best positioned community to capture a reversal of this two decades long trend.”

Reddy said the search committee was impressed with Summers’ background in development services, something the new Village Manager is happy to bring with him.

costs is weighed appropriately, thereby reinforcing good decision making.”

Summers, who is married and has a four-yer-old daughter, was born just outside of Indianapolis, but spent the vast majority of his childhood years in West Lafayette, Indiana. He moved to the Chicago area after college and has

Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

“One of my favorite childhood memories was coming to Chicago every summer to attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field,” he said.

Summers said architectural appreciation is a favorite hobby.

“I am a trained architect and spent some time in the practice of architecture prior to, and while, pursuing a master's degree in urban planning,” he said.

Whenever possible, especially while traveling, I plan my itinerary around local, state and national, or international architectural landmarks and tours. I also spend a lot of my free time, especially in the summer, at a family lake house located on Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana.” ■

“Over the last six months, I have become very familiar with the layout, planning, fiscal strength, and policies of the village”

“My background in architecture, urban planning, engineering, public works, and information technology, alongside my business and fiscal acumen, give me a well-rounded viewpoint on proposals inclusive of their impacts on multiple fronts,” Summers said. “Seeing an issue from multiple perspectives serves as a check on analytical conclusions and ensures that the full scope of true

GREG SUMMERS Oak Brook’s New Village Manager

been a resident since 2001. He currently lives in Arlington Heights.

Being raised in the northwest Indiana, Summers said he is a lifelong Chicago

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Hinsdale Magazine | Oak Brook History

A History of The Oak Brook Historical Society

BY LARRY ATSEFF

K

athy Maher, up until June 2021, was the President of the Oak Brook Historical Society. She has been a volunteer since 1978, shortly after the group began in 1975. Since being elected President in 2006, she has served as primary curator of the history of Oak Brook. Eventually, she is moving away, but before she does, we sat down, appropriately, in the basement of the original Butler School at 31st and Spring Road, to learn how she has led the effort to properly record the official history of what has become Oak Brook, and what she hopes for the future preservation of the heritage of the village.

To begin with, she wrote a succinct record called Old Butler School History,1921-2008. Here are excerpts: “Frank Osgood Butler, son of Julius W. Butler who founded the J. W. Butler Paper Company in 1844, in St. Charles, Illinois, moved to Hinsdale in 1890 and built a home on

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First Street. In 1898, Frank O. Butler bought a farm located on 31st Street at Salt Creek and called it Oak Brook Farm. The farm was developed as a summer home and a horse farm.

Adjacent to the Butler property was Natoma Dairy owned by George B. Robbins. Natoma Dairy gained fame by being one of the first to supply “certified milk”. In 1908 Natoma was sold to Frank O. Butler who continued to operate the dairy and improve production and the level of sanitation. Gradually, he added more and more of the surrounding lands to his holdings. The land was used for feeding the cattle brought from the Butler Company ranch in South Dakota.”

“In circa 1921, Frank O. Butler donated 10 acres of land, adjacent to the Natoma Dairy lands and he funded construction of a building to replace one room Rabbit Hill School and one room Torode School.

She noted he had one stipulation: “Ownership would revert to him if the school did not meet state standards as a "superior" school. For 40 years it

provided a supportive climate for the growth and development of academic excellence at the elementary level.”

We learned that the building was built in a Revival Georgian Style as a two-room schoolhouse. Much of the early history of the building was lost in a flood. Nevertheless, in talking to students who attended the school, she learned that one room was for grades 1-4, and the second room was for grades 5-8.

Her record observes, “Subjects included: English, history, geography, math, science, art and gym. Music was taught by a traveling music teacher who would visit the school once a week. The piano was in the basement room, which also served as an auditorium, gym and meeting room.

Other activities were plays, square dancing, dodgeball, basketball, and ice skating in the winter during recess.

Class size ran about 52 students for 40 years.”

Her history states, “The Butler School became the "hub" of virtually every activity in the area from

1921-1961. The adults and children attending the school formed a Community Club that met in the basement of the schoolhouse. During the 1920's-1930's, social activities included square dancing, potluck suppers, plays, music recitals, card games, Bunko, a dice game, and pig roasts. Softball ball games, soccer games and ice-skating were held outside.”

“From 1941-1945, a Civil Defense organization was created to cover the area served by the school. Members of the Community Club volunteered themselves for this effort. The organization took the name of the Oak Brook Civic Association, the first use of the words "Oak Brook" to define the specific geographical area.”

“The Civic Association utilized the Butler School as its headquarters with offices for Air Raid Wardens, a Ration Board, the Draft Board, a 4-H Chapter and Red Cross Chapter.

Volunteers made thousands of bandages for wounded soldiers in the basement area. Social activities continued, but the meetings became more formal and far more serious.”

“In 1945, after World War II ended, the Oak Brook Civic Association decided to continue under the name and became the "quasi-government" organization, as the population of the unincorporated area between Hinsdale and Elmhurst began to change from a farming community to an equestrian community.

Planning began in the mid-1950's for the creation of a tollway system that would change the area forever.

The completion of the Tri-State and East-West Tollway in 1958 forced the incorporation of the Village of Oak Brook. Marshall Field' s purchased land for a shopping center and a corporate corridor and residential development were being planned.”

“It was evident that the Butler School was not adequate to handle the proposed increased enrollment.

In 1960-61, a new seven-room Butler School was built on ten acres of land that Paul Butler, son of Frank O.

Butler, traded for the original Butler School. Paul Butler then leased the original building for $1.00 a year to the Village from 1961-1965. The building and surrounding land were purchased in 1965 for $130,000 by the Village of Oak Brook.”

“The Village of Oak Brook has used the property as a Village Hall, Police Station, and the initial location of a Library. The two classrooms were remodeled into a Boardroom with offices for the Village Manager, Clerk and Building Department on the upper level. The basement was remodeled into a Police Department for the new Police Chief and three patrolmen. One room was allocated for a Library on the Upper floor.

Volunteers built shelves, cataloged donated books (approximately 300 in the beginning) and operated an "on your honor" free public Library.”

“In the 1970's the rapid growth of the Village of Oak Brook necessitated the building of a new Village Hall and Police Department. When the new Village Hall was completed in 1975, the historic building was converted entirely to Library use.”

“A new modern Library was constructed in 2000-2001. The Village of Oak Brook continued to use the Butler School for offices during construction of the expansion of the current Village Hall.”

In sum, “The Old Butler School building has served as an educational facility for 40 years, a Village Hall for 15 years and a Library for 26 years. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.” You can go to oakbrookhistory.com to read her full account.

We asked, what’s ahead for the building and the organization for the next 100 years?

the entire heritage of the community going forward.”

“We have been repairing and restoring the building to its original condition.

Thanks to many volunteers, we have been slowly, but surely, organizing the archives into much better shape than they have ever been. When our leaseholder, the Village of Oak Brook, installs a new HVAC system to replace the 40 yr. old, unreliable system, the Historical Society will be able to, once again, serve the community through multigenerational programming.”

“Under newly elected President Lisa Griffith’s direction, we will be creating displays of a substantial collection of artifacts of the history of Oak Brook. OBHS will also be able to hold their popular annual events, like the Veterans Day Commemoration, at the 100 yr. old historic Heritage Center. There will be new events added, such as ‘Historical coffee talks.’

When funds allow, the addition of an archivist, and an intern have been proposed.

As a volunteer, Kathy hastens to add, “There is still much to do and additional volunteers are needed for creating events, further researching important Oak Brook people and events, continuing the archiving of files, and, of course, fundraising for further restoration. Oak Brook has an interesting, exciting and colorful history that, unfortunately, is unknown to most Oak Brook residents. The stories of the early pioneers are fascinating and those of the men and women who founded Oak Brook in 1958, and the work they did in setting up a Village ‘from scratch’ are absolutely inspiring! I have been truly blessed to learn many life lessons from reading about their struggles, failures and successes.” ■

She says, “First of all, we are evolving the organization and the building to be named the Oak Brook Heritage Center. This is a more apt description. It covers not only Oak Brook’s history but will carefully record the future to better preserve HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Charitable Giving

Mistletoe Medley 2021 Raises $200,000+

O

BY LARRY ATSEFF I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

n November 30, 2021, the Oak Brook Chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago welcomed everyone once again, in person, to Mistletoe Medley, at Drury Lane.

In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the event had to be remote, but fundraising efforts met the challenge through a combination of a direct mail solicitation, and a video of the fashion show, both of

which were well received.

This year, under the theme, “Our Kind Of Town”, everything and everyone came back live, including Allison Rosati, who has hosted the event for more than a decade.

Attendees said the luncheon seemed to taste better than ever, the shopping and raffles seemed a little more brisk, and the fashion show seemed just a little more fabulous. Nearly 500 members, guests and shoppers turned out.

According to Liz Berglund, Treasurer Advisor, and Board Advisor, a record amount of over $200,000 was raised, the most in the past decade.

As a result of efforts like Mistletoe Medley, Infant Welfare of Chicago provides quality, community-based healthcare to children and families in the Greater Chicago area who would otherwise lack access to basic medical services. ■

NANCY AMAN, MARY BERGSTROM, BETSY BROWN, SUSIE CASSIDY, MERRY CHENG, DINA MORRIS, NANCY NIELSEN, MARCI SPINGOLA, LAURIE STERLING, JANE WALSH ENJOY THE LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW.

ALLISON ROSATI WELCOMES EVERYONE BACK

CHARLOTTE TURNBULL, KAREN WILLIAMS, MARY ANN EVANS, DR. MARJORIE MILLER KIHN, AND PAT MULCAHY 46

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JOYCE COX-CUNNINGHAM, MARCI HANZLIK, AND KATHLEEN SIEVERTSEN

ANITA KOSLOWSKI, CHRIS HENRICKSON, LORI CATTANEO, LINDA COCONATO, AND NATALIE MACHUL

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Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight Oak Brook

MERRY AND RICHARD CHENG AT HOME

Merry and Richard Cheng The Couple Behind Merry Richards Jewelers

I

f your wife’s first name was Merry, and your first name was Richard, and you wanted to open a jewelry store, would you consider naming it Merry Richards Jewelers? Well, that’s exactly what Merry and Richard Cheng did in 1985. It just seemed obvious and natural. According to Richard: “We also got a little encouragement from the Mary Tyler Moore tv show. Mary’s maiden name was Mary Richards.”

Why are they so successful?

As it turns out, Merry Richards has turned out to be the perfect name for what they do so well.

In fact, the very first thing Merry said when we sat down with the couple was, “Let me tell you. We love the business 48

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

BY LARRY ATSEFF

we’re in because our customers are happy when they come in. They want to celebrate a happy occasion, like a wedding, or an anniversary, or a birthday, or something they want to remember, and they want to do it with jewelry. When they leave, they are even happier, because we have given them good advice on the jewelry they are looking for, we give them beautiful gems in custom settings that they like very much, and we give them a good value for the money. The way I spell my name, Merry, says happy; so It works.”

Richard adds, “We get great satisfaction from helping people celebrate. Our customers like our approach. We never push. They tell others. We are very fortunate that

they have spread the word.”

Simply put, the name, how they care for customers, along with valuable help along the way, and a lot of hard work, has paid off.

These two immigrants never met while growing up in Taiwan, but they eventually got married there in 1984.

Richard and his family came to the US from Taiwan in 1970 and settled in New York City. His father was an attorney, and his mother was a doctor.

His brothers followed them to also become doctors and lawyers…except for Richard. “I was the black sheep.

I started selling jade for my brother to jewelry stores, after college in the US, as a first job. I found that I liked selling and I liked to travel. I learned

the basics well so I could pick out the best gems for their quality and size, their clarity, and the way they were cut and mounted in their settings. I learned how to price jewelry for good value and still make a profit. I also learned to treat customers with great respect, which is most important in gaining trust.”

While Richard worked out of New York City, Chicago was part of his territory. He found the Chicago cost of living was a lot better than New York.

He said, “I also found people to be more friendly. Someday, I thought, it would be a good place to live.”

During these years, Merry was growing up in Taipei, Taiwan. Her father was a two-star general who followed Chiang Kai-Shek, when he left mainland China for Taiwan.

She said, “Since my father was an important figure in Taiwan, my mother always made sure that she and my 5 sisters and one brother, were taught ‘good taste’”. Merry described her mother as elegant, and she loved jewelry. “She always dressed in nice clothes.

She taught us about fashion and style.”

“Let’s open a jewelry store. You know about jewelry, I know about style and fashion, and we can work together and attract people to a store and make a business.”

Fortunately, Richard had impressed the owner of the jewelry company he represented. The owner, Sing Lau, said, “I will start your inventory and you can sell my jewelry and together we can make a good business.”

Merry and Richard worked hard 6 days a week, and slowly, but surely, they developed a loyal following. Merry is rightfully proud of combining her practical day-to-day experience in the store, with her love of reading to become a “self-taught businesswoman”. She also got her GIA Diamond Degree.

They have jewelers on premise who use CAD (computer advantage design) to turn design ideas into beautiful mountings and settings for the highquality gems that Richard and Merry have become expert at selecting.

Further, every sale is backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

In addition, they have also amassed a collection of very rare gems, for those who are looking for something that is not only valuable, but very unusual.

They carry Paraiba Tourmaline from Brazil, Pink Imperial Topaz gems, Best Colombia Emeralds, Burma Rubies, and Ceylon Sapphires. Merry jokes: "Sometimes, Richard is more like a collector than a jeweler."

Today, Merry Richards Jewelers is located on 22nd street, just opposite Costco.

“Since my father was an important figure in Taiwan, my mother always made sure that she and my 5 sisters and one brother, were taught ‘good taste’.”

— MERRY CHENG

The Move to Oak Brook

Merry grew up loving to read and learn. She particularly read books and magazines on fashion, so it was natural for her to develop a very good appreciation for fashion. She also developed an eye for how clothes and accessories like jewelry can go well together and reflect the person wearing them.

As the business grew, they noticed that a lot of their customers lived in the Oak Brook area. One day, because they were curious, they came out, drove around, and fell in love with the village and the neighborhoods of Oak Brook. They moved to Oak Brook in 1989 and opened their store on Route 83, opposite Oakbrook Center.

Love at first sight

Over the years, they have added well known jewelry designers, and fine Swiss watches. And, knowing that taking care of customers is so important, they do more and more custom jewelry work, which now accounts for about a third of their business. In this regard, Richard offers this tip for men who want to surprise: “Give her a gem in a neutral, solitary setting so she can see the gem. Then say, ‘I want you to design the setting around the gem’”. Likewise, they also attract couples getting married who want beautiful, loose diamonds that can be customized to mark weddings in memorable ways.

Through a friend of one of her sisters, Merry met Richard completely by chance, when he visited Taiwan from the states.

As Richard tells it, “It was love at first sight. And, when I met Merry’s mother, I just knew one day I would like to marry Merry.” Indeed, they did get married in Taiwan in 1984.

They settled in Chicago in 1985, near “jewelry row”. For about a year, Richard continued to travel Monday through Friday, and Merry stayed at home. As she was getting restless with little to do, she said to Richard,

To carry on the tradition they started in 1985, fortunately their son Scott has joined the company and he is a Gemologist. In addition, as Merry says “We have a great team. They all are professional, skillful and knowledgeable.”

Giving Back Merry and Richard devote time to important causes. Merry has been a member of the Oak Brook Chapter, Infant Welfare Society, for years. It provides quality, community-based healthcare to children and families in the Greater Chicago area who would otherwise lack access to basic medical services. The Chapter is famous for its annual Mistletoe Medley, a fashion show/luncheon that is a major fund raiser. In addition, both Merry and Richard belong to The International Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of the economic effectiveness of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and provides scholarships and leadership training for over a thousand AAPI college students nationwide.

If you have something special coming up, you might Just remember Merry and Richard. ■

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Hinsdale Magazine | Oak Brook Women's Club

Serving the Community Oak Brook Women’s Club Over 80 Years

BY MARCIA J. SPINGOLA, President, OBWC I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

I

n the early 1960’s the Oak Brook Women’s Club was more of a welcoming committee to people moving to this particular suburb from the Chicagoland area. In 1967, it was formally founded as the Oak Brook Women’s Club. At that time, Oak Brook was a burgeoning community of new businesses, residents and schools looking to establish roots in what was surely to become a very popular and highly desirable destination.

The women of the OBWC were young mothers and homemakers looking to forge friendships and engage in like minded activities while their young children were in school. Moving forward in time, many of those young women evolved into professions taking them out of the home and into the business world as well as the political arena. Members such as Karen Sherman Bushy who served as the first Village President, served two terms as President of the DuPage Mayor’s and Managers, Charlotte Pruss and Linda Gonnella have both served in the capacity of Village Clerk for several terms. Kathy Maher was President of Maher Lumber and in her spare time almost single handedly turned a crumbling school building into a museum dedicated to the history and development of Oak Brook We also have members involved in the fine arts, most notably Rebecca Childers Caleel, Sculptor, whose pieces are much sought after and appear in private homes and government buildings. Other

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members took career paths in the private sector; corporate attorneys, physicans, PHD’s, accountants and college administrators among others. Another faction of the club and no less important are members who built stellar careers in the volunteer world; giving of their time in local hospitals, elementary schools and community outreach.

Over the years the OBWC has made philanthropic donations to various Oak Brook organizations and causes such as: providing protective vests to the Police Department, new stretchers for the Fire and Ambulance Department, display cases for the Library and monetary donations to the Heritage Center.

we offer, bridge, mah jongg, theatre, various gourmet groups, fine arts, tennis, 9 and 18 hole golf, bowling, book review and studio arts and a common thread. We truly believe we have something for every one.

Our club is as diverse in our ages, activities and functions as is our community which we so proudly support.

This is our 57th year and we continue to welcome new members who are residents of Oak Brook.

For membership information, please contact Debbie Stangarone at trulyblessed@gmail.com. ■

To keep our friendships strong and our network viable, the OBWC provides members and guests with a monthly luncheon and live program at one of Oak Brook’s many fine restaurants and venues. Our membership has a variety of interests and we provide entertainment based on those interests. We have featured Jorge Holmes and Diva Montell, historic re enactors, Leslie Goddard and Martina Mathisen, concert violinist Jennifer Silk, national authors Renee Rosen and Diane Henrique, rock star ex pat Jorie Butler Kent, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Native American Silver expert, Janet Scott Peterson, news anchor Ben Bradley and the list goes on.

We also feature activity groups which are the heart of the Oak Brook Women’s Club. For instance,

MS. RENEE ROSEN SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS AFTER HER LECTURE ON "THE SOCIAL GRACES".

Oak Brook Women’s Club Hears About 19th Century “The Social Graces”

BY LARRY ATSEFF

O

n November 23, at Maggiano’s in Oak Brook, nearly 50 members of the Oak Brook Women’s Club got a real sense of what the “Gilded Age” was like in the late nineteenth century, thanks to Chicagoan Renee Rosen, and her new best seller, “The Social Graces”.

She specializes in historical fiction which combines facts with a very active imagination to connect the dots on how people reacted to historical events with their actions and their conversations. As she puts it, “After I delve into a period of history, I can start hearing the people involved talking to one another and explaining to me what is going on and why, as if I am there.”

The book certainly rings true. It covers the late 19th century among Manhattan’s upper crust where a legendary battle royale raged on for decades between “old rich” Caroline Astor and upstart “new rich” Alva Vanderbilt for leadership of New York City’s high society. Since money was never an issue, these ladies continually outdid each other.

The audience gasped when Renee explained that the elaborate events these ladies created, in today’s dollars, would regularly run into the several millions.

Renee narrated and shared actual pictures of the times, in detail, with a slide show. These were times when women, especially wives of business and industry

social events and activities, like the opera, or creating lavish dinners, and events like elaborate balls where you wanted to see who was there and you wanted to make sure you were seen. They put themselves in charge of establishing fashions such as the décor of their homes and the clothes they might wear when they were to be seen in public. Importantly, they also used these events to raise funds for worthwhile causes.

All in all, Renee captured the age and the drama, and club members appreciated the presentation. From Barnes & Noble: “… the book sweeps through three decades and based on true events; this is the mesmerizing story of two fascinating and complicated women going head-tohead, behaving badly, and discovering what is truly at stake.”

President Marci Spingola told the group they can look forward to more interesting presentations like this in the future. ■

leaders, were quite limited. They weren’t allowed to have a job, or be in business, or be in any outsidethe-home endeavor. Their “job” was to take care of the home and the children, while their husbands worked and made the income.

Certain women of means didn’t accept that role and turned to HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Fine Arts

Faust Has Arrived At Lizzadro Museum Complete With Intricate Stone Carvings and Collaborative Music Performances

R

ecently, Lizzadro Museum Director Dorothy Asher arranged for the first United States exhibit of fourteen beautifully carved agate cameos from Germany’s Roth-Cameo Studio, portraying Faust’s adventures. Agate is a variety of quartz and is naturally banded in color. Agate along with shell is most commonly used in cameo carving.

The story of Faust, of course, is man’s dissatisfaction with the finite limits on man’s potential. Faust’s, dissatisfaction becomes a driving force in all his adventures to get beyond the boundaries of human experience and perception. Ultimately, the story of Faust concludes on a positive note, which makes it so universal in its appeal.

BY LARRY ATSEFF

She wanted to bring the exhibit to Lizzadro because “It’s very unique,” she said. “There are 14 very large cameo pieces that are all themed. That’s highly unusual. The pieces are based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s version of the

and connect to this mystic story in completely different ways.”

Every first Sunday through April popup concerts featuring Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform at the Museum. Upcoming concerts: February 6 - Woodwind Quintet, March 6 - String Quartet, April 3 - Solo Harp. Performances are at 2:00 p.m., 45-minutes, all ages are welcome. This collaboration is funded in part by grants from the DuPage Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

THE CREATION OF HOMUNCULUS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY: WAGNER HAS BEEN JOINED IN HIS LABORATORY

BY MEPHISTO. WAGNER SHOWS HIS NEWEST CREATION, A HUMAN FORM. IT IS NOT A REAL HUMAN, AND THE HORNS OF THE DEVIL CAN BE SEEN ON ITS HEAD. THE HOMUNCULUS IMPLORES THE DEVIL TO ACCOMPANY FAUST AND HE TO GREECE FOR THE CLASSICAL WALPURGIS NIGHT.

German legend about a man who sells his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge.

The scenes are realistically portrayed. The last cameo “Faust Without an End” is the largest two-sided cameo in the world, nearly two-feet high.

In its own right, the exhibit is spectacular and meaningful. But Asher wanted to do more. She said “I wanted to collaborate with other arts, like music and acting. I wanted to make it a celebration of different forms of art.” Appropriately, the show is titled “The Artful Soul of Faust”.

PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN BEGINS THE STORY: GOD AND THE DEVIL, MEPHISTO, MAKE A BET TO SETTLE A DISPUTE ABOUT MANKIND, USING DR. FAUST AS AN EXAMPLE. AS LONG AS FAUST LIVES, THE DEVIL MAY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE HIM WITH EARTHLY PLEASURES AND STEAL HIS SOUL, BUT IF MEPHISTO'S JUDGMENT OF FAUST IS WRONG, HE WILL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT "A GOOD MAN WITH ALL HIS PROBLEMS, STILL KNOWS THE PATH THAT IS GOOD." MEPHISTO AND GOD ARE BOTH CONFIDENT OF WINNING, AND THE BARGAIN IS SEALED. 52

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Specifically, she arranged for certain live performances at the Museum featuring actors from First Folio in Theater. Their first performance was January 23, others may be added. Actor Nick Sandys said, “The crossover between artforms is what fascinated me as a human being. That I can be moved by a piece of poetry and equally by a piece of pottery is fascinating to me.

They can be equally powerful emotional spots for us to delve into our humanness

FAUST AWAKENING, THIS CAMEO DEPICTS FAUST IN A DREAM STATE AS THE GOOD ASPECTS OF HIS SOUL HELP HIM TO BREAK FREE OF THE EVIL ASPECTS OF HIS FORMER LIFE. AIR SPIRITS DANCE AROUND HIM IN AN IDEALIZED LANDSCAPE WHERE THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAY. HE WILL SOON TAKE A PURGING BATH IN THE RIVER LETHE, THE RIVER OF FORGETTING.

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art is located at: 1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook, Illinois. For more information about the Museum go to: www.lizzadromuseum.org. Register for programs at: https://lizzadromuseum. org/calendar/. All programs are limited capacity and face coverings are required. ■

Hinsdale Magazine | Pets

UNBREAKABLE BOND The love between Humans and Pets

BY EMMA WOLF

Y

ou know that feeling you get when you make eye contact with a dog and you can almost feel the dog smiling at you as you pet this loving and loyal animal? The dog locks eyes with you and in that moment, all your other thoughts dissipate. However much money

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you made on your last paycheck, your seemingly never-ending ToDo list, all the things you wish you could do over in your life, all the ways in which you have fallen short of being your best self-it all becomes meaningless as soon as you feel the unmistakable bond you are sharing with the dog.

Pets and people need each other. This is a fact that has only been found to be more true throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. A 2021 ASPCA survey concluded that one in five households in the U.S. have acquired a new cat or dog since the beginning of the pandemic, due to the simple fact

that more people are working from home now than before. The “Covid crisis” has stirred feelings of uncertainty, worry, and even fear in many people.

There is nothing more calming than feeling your warm, purring cat snuggle up against you and make your worries melt away, even if only briefly. Pets provide people with feelings of love, comfort, and emotional security, as well as companionship-which is something that everyone needs, especially during these trying times.

On a more local level, the Hinsdale Humane Society has seen roughly a 30% increase in pet adoptions since March of 2019. This has resulted in lengthy waitlists as soon as new cats and dogs become available in the humane society. In 2019, there were 1,225 adoptions. That number grew to 1,401 in 2020.

Now, as the end of 2021 draws closer, the humane society is on track to surpass 1,500 adoptions, which will be their most successful year thus far.

The Hinsdale Humane Society’s Training and Enrichment classes fill up instantly with pet owners looking to nurture their newfound love affair with their newest additions-their pets. The humane society also recently launched their BJ Chimenti Angel Fund for Veterans and Pets, a program that cultivates the human/ animal bond to provide ongoing emotional support to military veterans and those actively serving in the military, as well as military families.

With this rapid surge in pet adoptions comes the looming question that has crossed many minds: what happens when the world goes back to normal? In other words, what happens to all the adopted pets when their owners return to the office and can no longer spend time at home?

Despite the fact that many Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the vast majority of pet owners are finding ways to incorporate their new pets into their lifestyles, showing the true dedication and commitment these

owners have for their pets.

“Our recent research shows no significant risk of animals being rehomed by their owners now or in the near future as a result of the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions,” said President and CEO of ASPCA, Matt Bershadker.

“Pets are still providing their families with joy and comfort, regardless of changes in circumstances, and loving owners continue to recognize and appreciate the essential role pets play in their lives.”

If you are thinking about adopting a new pet, now is truly the ideal time! Being at home more than normal has forced people to slow down and focus on the things that truly matter. These things include feelings of love, loyalty, and companionship, and animals are the best demonstrators of these feelings. ■

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Fashion

SOLE MATES

Step up your boot game with on-trend, influencer-approved chunky soles.

BY KERRIE KENNEDY

Boots really are made for walkin’ this season. Trend-setting chunky soles not only give practical flat boots a flattering, leg-extending lift, their deeply textured bottoms make it easy to navigate through slush, snow and whatever Mother Nature brings. Plus, they’re versatile to boot — chunky boots look equally great with jeans, yoga pants and even floral dresses. Here are our top 8 favorites:

Marc Fisher Malena Boot, $173 at nordstrom.com

Bottega Veneta Lug Boot, $1,100 at bottegaveneta.com

Chloé Betty Block Heels, $495 at chloe.com

Loeffler Randall Bridget Croc-Effect Patent Leather Chelsea Boots, $395 at net-a-porter.com

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Stuart Weitzman Norah Lug-Sole Chelsea Boots, $495 at saksfifthavenue.com

The Row Black Leather Ankle Boots, $1,290

at net-a-porter.com

Dr. Martins Jadon Boot, $180

at saksfifthavenue.com

ASOS Courtney Suede Knee-High Lace-Up Boot, $68 at asos.com

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HINSDALE DENTISTRY

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CASE STUDY

COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT AT HINSDALE DENTISTRY

WAYS TO MAKE YOU SMILE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COSMETIC AND AESTHETIC DENTISTRY When you need some painting done, there are jobs where there isn’t much “prep” work. All you need to do is clean the surface, and start with that new coat of paint. On the other hand, when the surface is uneven, there are cracks, and blisters and so on, it is obvious that more serious “prep” work is needed.

When it comes to your teeth…and your mouth, there are similar parallels. Are your teeth just a little crooked, or are they all over the place? Is the “bite” right? Have your teeth been taken care of over time, or is this the time you need not only a better smile, but a complete overhaul?

For example, if your “bite” is right, and your teeth just need some minor adjustment, a superficial cosmetic procedure such as alignment is all that is needed. But if you need more than a brighter smile, you should consider the next level of care known as “aesthetic” dentistry.

Today, there are amazing digital scanners and imaging devices that enable aesthetic dentists to thoroughly examine not only your teeth, but your entire mouth, including gums, tissue and jaw bones and other bone structure. This enables them to identify any and all issues in your mouth. They then follow this initial step with powerful, yet gentle, microscopic lasers to reshape not only teeth, but gums and other tissue to improve your smile, naturally, but also to improve your “bite” so that you can chew your food properly.

Further, aesthetic dentists are trained extensively in using the scanners correctly, and how to fully understand what the scanners show and how to correct the problems. Similarly, they are also trained in how to maximize using their laser equipment

SINCE 1969

to microscopically shape and correct not only your teeth, but your gums and other tissue and bone, as needed.

The result: you not only have a stunning, natural smile, but your teeth and gums and tissue are properly aligned to give you the best “bite” and your whole mouth is able to perform chewing and swallowing better. Extremely important: all of this is accomplished with a minimum of discomfort.

One dentist in Hinsdale is trained as an Aesthetic Dentist....Peter Harnois.

Since 1990, he has made it his mission to learn everything he can about aesthetic dentistry. Today, he not only brings this expertise to his patients, but he teaches dentists all over the US in the use of the latest equipment and the latest techniques of aesthetic dentistry. In fact, he Dr. Peter Harnois, Aesthetic Dentist is the senior faculty lead of several advanced aesthetic academies. And, he is proud to be a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, (AACD), the most prestigious education body in aesthetic dentistry in North America.

He is also President of the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics (AAFE), and trains dentists in the use of Botox and dermal filler techniques. He is the President of the Illinois

911 N. Elm, Suite 230 Hinsdale, IL 630.323.4468 HinsdaleDentistry.com

CONTACT US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

Chapter of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, The World Clinical Laser Institute, The American Dental Association, The Illinois State Dental Society and The Chicago Dental Society.

showed when she smiled, or her smile’s overall shape and shade.

After discussing all the possible options for improvements, Dr. Harnois performed the following. First, he employed Botox to relax her lip and cover her “gummy” smile, since Botox is an excellent treatment for overactive smile muscles.

Further, Dr. Harnois has partnered with Denmat, manufacturer of Lumineers, to train dentists in the preparation and placement of their highly regarded, minimally invasive, ultra-thin, highly aesthetic veneers. He has authored platforms for Denmat so dentists can improve smile design and serves as a consultant for them.

Next, to straighten her teeth, he used iTero®, a state-of-the-art scanner to take highly accurate impressions of her teeth, and completely avoided a gag reflex problem she had in the past, with a minimum of time in a dental chair. The 3D scans enabled creation of perfect fitting Invisalign aligners.

Naturally, he has trained his staff of 12 in how to use the latest equipment, but also the latest techniques in aesthetic dentistry.

After completing the Invisalign treatment, the next step was to improve the appearance of her gum line so it looked more even and symmetrical. Using a soft tissue diode Gemini laser, Dr. Harnois then performed a subtle cosmetic gum contouring treatment which was faster and more precise than other procedures that are available.

BEFORE ANY TREATMENT

AFTER WITH PORCELAIN VENEERS

Then, Jessica was ready for the installation of minimally invasive porcelain veneers.

This included steps to permanently whiten, strengthen and reshape her stained, worn uneven teeth, so that the appearance was as

perfect and natural as possible.

Dr. Harnois demonstrating a live Lumineers placement to fellow dentists

BEFORE ANY TREATMENT

AFTER GUMMY SMILE TREATMENT WITH BOTOX

One of his patients, Jessica, will serve as an excellent case history. She came to his office as a new patient looking for a fullface smile makeover. She didn’t like her “gummy” smile, her crooked teeth, her uneven gum line that

All done! Responsible aesthetic dental work which is both beautiful and functional, resulting in a gorgeous, healthy smile and a happy patient. The photos speak for themselves and Jessica’s smile has changed her life.

If you are interested in learning more, reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

YOUR HINSDALE FAMILY DENTISTS. Peter T. Harnois, DDS Michael J. Kowalczyk, DDS

WHY PATIENTS TRUST HINSDALE DENTISTRY AND DR. PETER HARNOIS FOR THEIR

SMILE MAKEOVERS

Hinsdale Dentistry transforms hundreds of smiles per year. Just why are so many patients choosing this practice for cosmetic dentistry? Because they know that Dr. Harnois is an esthetics expert—not just regionally, but internationally. Combine his authority with the top-tier technologies available at his practice, and the decision becomes crystal clear.

Hinsdale Dentistry has long been setting a standard for comfortable patient care, with the aid of multiple dental lasers and the iTero digital scanner for digital impressions. These tools provide more comfortable, precise and efficient treatment and give patients of all ages a new understanding of dental care. Whether Hinsdale Dentistry’s patients are children receiving fillings prepared with a water laser and no painful shots, adults prepping teeth for crowns or veneers, or anxious patients hoping to whiten their teeth without sensitivity or to avoid traditional impressions, the practice’s minimally invasive technologies revolutionize their experience.

Dr. Harnois’ mastery of these tools has led to him becoming a sought-out trainer for emerging dental technologies and techniques. He travels throughout North America teaching other doctors to provide similarly exceptional treatment, sharing his skills as a clinician and esthetics authority.

DR. HARNOIS’ INTERNATIONAL LECTURING As a clinical trainer and lecturer for The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, and DenMat, the manufacturer of Lumineers, Dr. Harnois provides handson training and education to dental and medical professionals across the country. He shares his philosophy that every patient deserves the most gentle and minimally invasive cosmetic and metal-free dental treatments with natural results, and enables other dentists to elevate their patient care.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY (AACD) Dr. Harnois is a 10-year member of the AACD, which is considered the highest body of knowledge of esthetic dentistry. He is also one of the main presenters at their annual educational symposium each year.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FACIAL ESTHETICS (AAFE) Dr. Harnois is the President of the Illinois American Academy of Facial Esthetics and trains dentists in Botox and dermal filler techniques. He is a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive total facial esthetic techniques. Dr. Harnois has instructed thousands of healthcare

professionals through both lecture and hands-on courses and is an outstanding instructor who is known for his coherent and interactive style.

DENMAT, LUMINEERS MANUFACTURER Dr. Harnois partners with DenMat to train other dentists in minimally invasive esthetics. He provides hands-on preparation and placement of minimally invasive, ultra-thin, highly esthetic veneers, and educates other dentists on smile design and case consultation and evaluation. He has also authored their educational platforms for the last four years.

As an educational leader for current dental technologies and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Harnois is able to truly transcend and provide patients with unparalleled dental care. If you’re interested in learning more about a noninvasive smile makeover or full mouth rehabilitation, reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

We are offering specials on Lumineers smile makeovers—reach out today to learn more!

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