Downers Grove Magazine September 2022

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A Winning Combo

Highlighting dynamic duos in the community

One of the more rewarding parts of publishing a local magazine is featuring individuals and how they contribute positively to our community and beyond. In this issue, we take it a step further and feature various dynamic duos who work together to achieve their goals. Some are new partnerships, whereas others have been in lockstep for years. Regardless, we are proud to feature their accomplishments and what the future holds.

It is back-to-school season, and District 99 is ready to hit the ground running under the leadership of Arwen Lyp of Downers Grove South High School and Courtney DeMent of Downers Grove North High School. For the first time in District 99, two women lead the charge for local area high school students. Are they ready? Absolutely. Their enthusiasm for leading these young minds is contagious.

One highlight of summer for many is baseball and softball season. Downers Grove Youth Baseball and D.O.L.L.S. fastpitch softball have a long-storied history in the area and provide an outlet for hundreds of players every year. Perhaps some of these players will find the success of brothers Nick and Zack Burdi, also featured in this issue. These two Downers Grove South High School graduates have risen to the major league and share their journey with us.

Downers Grove Golf Course celebrates its 130th season this year. Many improvements have been made over the years, including the driving range shelter. This structure helps create a great experience to get some practice swings in year-round. Are you looking for lessons? Take it from me. Be sure to reach out to golf pros Jim Festle or Tom

Olms. Although my golf skills are still a work in progress, this duo knows how to bring out the best in your game.

We tracked down several other winning combos in the area, from Jaxon Sydello and Nicole Evans, co-authors of a recently published book, to volunteers from the Downers Grove Area Council of PTAs. A husband and wife powerhouse team who started an energy business from the ground up working side by side is certainly noteworthy. Of course, these partnerships are indeed just a tiny taste of the many that are certainly out there.

Finally, it may sound silly, but one of the reasons we moved to Downers Grove was because of a little shop called Consider it Done. When we were looking at moving here, we stopped in a few of the storefronts to check out the downtown area. I will never forget how B.J. Boyd, the owner, greeted us when we visited and made us feel welcome. We figured this woman has got to be a great representation of the folks here. Fifteen years later, we still know we made the right decision. Thanks, B.J., for making such a strong impression on us. I am happy we celebrate you and your impact on many in this issue.

Next up? The holidays. We will see you in November!

Sincerely, Anne Healy

Associate Publisher anne@HinsdaleMag.com

To guarantee delivery of each issue of Downers Grove Magazine to your home, please subscribe to the print edition by visiting www.downersgrovemag.com.

OF DISTRICT 99

Arwen Lyp and Courtney DeMent

FALL TO-DOS

Murder on the Orient Express

Presented by Drury Lane Theatre www.drurylanetheatre.com Recurring weekly through October 23

The play adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery involves the story of the Orient Express being stopped in its tracks and the murder of an American tycoon.

Downers Grove Oktoberfest

Presented by the Education Foundation of District 58 www.58foundation.net

Friday, September 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 17 from noon to 6:00 p.m.

This event offers family fun for all ages by providing live music, kids’ zone, and authentic Oktoberfest fare in a traditional German atmosphere.

Downtown Downers Grove Girls Day Out

Presented by the Downtown Downers Grove Management Association www.downtowndg.org

Thursday, September 29

Enjoy a day and night of shopping & dining at Downers Grove businesses while benefiting the local P.T.A.s of the Downers Grove Area Elementary School.

Pumpkin Swim

Presented by the Oak Brook Park District. www.obparks.org

Friday, October 21 at 6:00 p.m. Join the Oak Brook Park District for a Pumpkin Hunt at the Family Aquatic Center. Children will collect eggs from the pools filled with candy and a chance to win a fullsize pumpkin to take home.

Fall foliage, apple picking, and spooky events mean autumn is here. Downers Grove Magazine compiled a list for the season. Mark your calendars and enjoy!

IMAGE BY KATERINA KERDIOF UNSPLASH

BOO AT THE ZOO PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BROOKFIELD ZOO

GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MORTON ARBORETUM

Cantigny Fall Festival

Presented by Cantigny Park www.cantigny.org

Saturday, October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cantigny Fall Fest is one of the best ways to celebrate the changing seasons. Activities for the whole family, including a craft fair featuring about 70 artists showing off and selling their work.

Boo at the Zoo

Presented by Brookfield Zoo www.czs.org

October 8 to October 23 on Saturdays and Sundays

Check out the creatures, creepy crawlers, and more in your costumes at the Halloween-themed event that’s perfect for family photo ops. All ages are in for a fang-tastic time, and the kids will leave with a sweet treat.

The 12th Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch

Presented by The Morton Arboretum www.mortonarb.org

Wednesday, October 12 through Sunday, October 16

See live glass-blowing demonstrations and chat with the artists. The Glass Pumpkin Patch will feature over 6,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins and other autumnal-themed designs.  Entrance to the event is included with admission to the Arboretum.

Jonomac Orchard

www.jonomacorchard.com

Apple Picking will begin Labor Day weekend and will continue as long as apples are available.

Family-owned and operated since 1984, Jonomac Orchard has an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, store and bakery, corn maze petting zoo, and more.

All Hallows Eve

Presented by Naper Settlement

Saturday, October 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. www.napersettlement.org

Experience 13 acres of haunting creatures, eerie entertainment, screaming delights, and must-see horrors.

Halloween Window Painting

Presented by Downers Grove Rotary Club and Downers Grove Downtown Management Saturday, October 22 www.downtowndg.org

Paints will be supplied, but bring your paintbrush and a food donation for F.I.S.H. Pantry. No registration is required; pick up your paint at 933A Curtiss Street.

Downers Grove Handmade Market

Presented by The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club

Saturday, November 18 www.dgjwc.org

The Downers Grove Handmade Market is proud to feature and support local artisans. This event will take place at the Loyal Order of the Moose in downtown Downers Grove. ■

DOWNERS GROVE OKTOBERFEST PHOTO COURTESY OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF DOWNERS GROVE DISTRICT 58

SISTER ACT

of)

Anne Healy, Associate Publisher, spoke to Michelle Anderson and Lauren Massarella, the founders and the driving force behind The Sister Project. This duo has created a place to celebrate women, share inspiration, and trade lifestyle tips while helping their followers connect with essential things in life.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER LIVED IN DOWNERS GROVE; WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES?

Michelle: When I think of my time at my grandma’s house in Downers Grove, I think of her giant garden plot we called “the farm,” long walks (because she didn’t drive) to Venture, and playtime at McCollum Park. My sister Nicole and I would spend days on end with her. I’m pretty sure our mom of five was trying to catch her breath with fewer kids for a bit. We loved staying up late watching reruns of “I Love Lucy” and turning her kitchen into Michelle and Nicole’s Cafe. After a long weekend, our mom would pick us up, and our sweet gram would follow us to the stoop to say goodbye. I can still hear her voice. “So long, babies.” Gosh, I miss her.

Lauren: I was obsessed with visiting my Grandma Manos in Downers Grove. She was my closest buddy for a long time. Wandering around in her garden is a favorite pastime of mine. To

Catching up with The Sister Project and their quest for world domination (kind

MICHELLE ANDERSON AND LAUREN MASSARELLA ARE HYGEE LIFESTYLE BLOGGERS WHO EMBRACE THE “COZY” MOMENTS IN LIFE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

this day, the smell of tomato plants catapults me back to her “farm” in her backyard. She also had this beautiful willow tree in her backyard that I loved to sit under and daydream. I often went to her house with my little sister, Andrea, and we stayed up extra late watching reruns of “Laverne and Shirley.” My love for Penny Marshall goes way back. And of course, Venture. We’d walk there for some shopping and stop at Burger King for a value meal. I’d always get a Dr. Pepper. Grandma Manos was the best grandma ever - she adored us.

YOUR BLOG FOCUSES ON THE HYGGE LIFESTYLE. WHAT IS HYGGE?

Michelle:  Hygge is a Danish term that means to seek pleasure in the moment. It is a lifestyle centered around creating a warm atmosphere and relishing in the simplicity of the utter feeling of cozy contentment. Candles, home-cooked meals, and crackling fires really enhance the experience, but the best thing about hygge is it’s free, and ultimately, it is about the feeling you have when you experience it. Our goal at The Sister Project is to spread the good word of hygge because we are all running around with our heads cut off, and we want to inspire people to set some time aside to nurture themselves via some cozy + mindful + well-being. Hygge is good for your health.

Lauren:  Another aspect of hygge I love is its celebration of the seasons. Our mom, June, was obsessed with all things fall. Apple picking, pumpkin scented candles, soups, bonfires, plaid, you name it! She passed down her love for autumn to her kids, and as a family, we love to celebrate it the way she used to. Making moments and memories to last a lifetime which is very hygge indeed.

SPEAKING OF YOUR MOTHER, JUNE, THE SISTER PROJECT LAUNCHED IN 2014 AROUND THE TIME OF HER DIAGNOSIS OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA (FTD). HOW DO YOU PROVIDE A VOICE FOR THE MANY FAMILIES AFFECTED BY PROGRESSIVE BRAIN DISEASES?

Michelle: It was not our initial plan to share our journey with dementia with our community. As time progressed with our mom’s disease and the fact that we were sharing so much of our lives already, it felt odd not to share that aspect of our lives. We talk about caregiving and grief and how with dementia, you grieve the loss of a loved one, not once but twice. We real-

HOW HAS YOUR CONVERSATIONAL PODCAST, COZY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SISTER PROJECT, EVOLVED?

Michelle:  Cozy Convos has evolved as we grew at our craft and settled into our own podcasting style. We have a natural sisterly banter that makes you feel like you are in on the conversation with us. Lauren keeps us on track, and I bring the zingers. Our goal is to make sure your listening experience makes you feel connected. We promise you will learn a little and laugh a lot.

Lauren:  Our podcast evolves as we evolve as women, friends, sisters, daughters, and mothers. We take our listeners along for the ride and aren’t shy about sharing our lives or our wheezy laughs.

WHAT IS UP NEXT FOR THE SISTER PROJECT?

ized an entire world of people connected with us and our journey. The Sister Project’s mission is - and will always be - to spread awareness for dementia and like diseases.

Lauren:  There is another aspect of dementia that isn’t often talked about freely. Individuals with this disease are often forgotten about as time moves on. We decided at one point to use our platform to keep June’s spirit alive and talk about her and who she was before she became sick. And with that came conversations on grief. We do not talk about grief nearly enough. Grief is part of the human experience. Not only does it help others when we open up about our grief and loss, but it also helps us heal as well.

Michelle: World domination and taking down the patriarchy. Joking. Sort of. We are so thrilled to have launched season five of Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project and have decided to add video podcast content to our platform. This way, people can listen and watch as we have our cozy convos. We have a solid lineup of guests covering an array of topics like the importance of sleep,

We also just launched the third scent in our cozy candle line. It’s called Fall AF and customized, so fall punches you in the face when you pass the room it is burning in. Think apple & pumpkin harvest with a twist. Our candles are a soy and coconut blend and are on sale now in our Cozy Shop via The Sister Project Blog.  The best part is they are hand-poured right in Downers Grove!  ■

life-coaching, wine, resilience, infertility, and beyond.

“Hygge is a Danish term that means to seek pleasure in the moment. It is a lifestyle centered around creating a warm atmosphere and relishing in the simplicity of the utter feeling of cozy contentment.”

– MICHELLE ANDERSON

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Down on THE FARM

Honey Bee Gardens offers suburbanites a naturesque escape

BY VALERIE HARDY | PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS

She may have grown up in Chicago, but Cindy LaRocca has always been a farm girl at heart. From the age of 3, she told her parents that she “needed to live on a farm” and regularly asked them to get her farm animals as pets. LaRocca often rescued ill or injured animals (skunks, possums, rabbits) and nurtured them back to health.

Her passion for animals led to jobs at horse farms and dude ranches and volunteer work at veterinarian offices, but LaRocca spent the past 30 years working in early childhood edu-

cation. She owns a preschool and prioritizes celebrating animals within the curriculum. However, recently, she turned her longstanding belief

When LaRocca, owner and operating manager of Honey Bee Gardens Farm, first saw the property, it had been abandoned for five years and was pretty run down, but she fell in love and told her fiancé Tom she wanted to buy it. His initial reaction: “Are you out of your mind?”

that there was a way to incorporate farming and education into a tangible reality: Honey Bee Gardens Farm in unincorporated Downers Grove (8405 Kearney Road).

However, he supported LaRocca’s dream of turning it into a working farm to share with the community, and the couple purchased the property in October 2018 then got married on the grounds in August

“The farm is a place where children and families from all over Chicagoland can come experience that back-to-nature feeling.”

– CINDY LAROCCA

VISITORS AT HONEY BEE GARDENS CAN PADDLE BOAT, CANOE, OR FISH ON THE GROUNDS.

2019. After significant rehabilitation, Honey Bee Gardens Farm is now in its second fully operational season.

While the LaRoccas live at the farm, it is open to the public two days per week (Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) June – October. LaRocca said the farm is a “place where children and families from all over Chicagoland can come experience that back-to-nature feeling.”

Visitors can paddle boat, canoe, or fish (all catch and release) on the farm’s lake. They can also walk in the creek and see crawfish, snails, and tadpoles.

Additionally, Honey Bee Gardens houses various kid-friendly animals –most of which were rescued – including a full-sized horse, miniature horses, llama, goats, sheep, and chickens, said barnyard manager Kelly Wygonski. On Farm Fun Fridays, for $10, children may participate in various activities and “always leave with something

pretty awesome, like dinosaur eggs, fairy wands, or painted rocks,” LaRocca said. On Saturdays, for $30 for up to five people, the Buzz Around the Barnyard program allows guests to see the farm’s 12 beehives in action and learn how vegetables grow, where eggs come from, and how turtles line up on logs to bask in the sun.

The Barnyard Basics class helps children learn about the farm’s animals, how they benefit the environment, and how to care for them. “There is a lot of interest from the kids…but picking up poop seems to be a favorite!” LaRocca said.

Adult visitors enjoy programming like the recent pickle-making workshop or the beekeeping classes run at the farm by the president of the Cook/DuPage Bee Association.

While the farm’s Honey Bee House was originally intended to be the farm’s educational center, the whole

farm has served as “a big, outdoor classroom [and has hosted numerous] homeschool, scout, and other groups,” LaRocca said. Such groups often utilize the farm’s agricultural dig pit and gem-mining table.

The Honey Bee House enhances the farm’s charm. It accommodates up to 45 people and is available for private events. A three-hour rental costs $500, which includes access to many of the farm’s features at flexible morning, evening, and weekend times.

At the Farm Market, patrons can purchase seasonal vegetables, freshcut flowers, farm-fresh eggs, honey harvested onsite twice a year, and more. The farm’s agricultural manager, Kevin Chiarappa, explained that the farm uses a high-intensity succession planting approach in order to yield the most food per square foot. Chiarappa described himself and his colleagues at the farm as “new-age pioneers” and said community members wishing to try their hand at growing their own food have a built-in support system at Honey Bee Gardens. ■

HONEY BEE GARDENS IS HOME TO VARIOUS KID-FRIENDLY ANIMALS.

STAFF MEMBERS - INCLUDING MICHELLE PAGE, KEVIN CHIARAPPA, CINDY LAROCCA, MELISSA GOODRIDGE, AND JIM HARVATT - KEEP THE FARM RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

DIANE GLASS Chicago

The Power Couple NEXT DOOR

BY EMMA WOLF | PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

When hearing the word “power couple,” celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyoncé often come to mind, or even William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It turns out, though, that local power couples are a lot closer than you would think. Jim and Shay Dunne of Downers Grove are a husband-and-wife team showcasing the epitome of a power couple and all the trials and tribulations that come with it. Jim is the President, and Shay is the Vice President of Marketing & Operations of Op2Mize Energy, LLC.

Before starting their own business, Jim worked in real estate development for a private equity firm, and Shay worked in advertising. When the market crashed in 2008, Jim’s job ended, and he was forced to look into other options. While considering what to do next, Jim landed on the possibility of working in the energy consulting field. In 2012, he began an energy consulting company, Hope Energy, which became Op2Mize Energy, LLC. in 2013.

Op2Mize Energy, LLC. is an energy advisory consulting company that provides commercial energy procurement services to clients using green and sustainable energy. The green company specializes in natural energy and gas for all their clients’ needs.

ties. Also, Op2Mize can help ensure that your energy supply is as green as possible with certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). RECs represent the environmental benefits of electricity generated by renewable sources, thereby avoiding carbon emissions. Some would call optimizing energy costs and the environment a win-win. We call it sustainable intelligence.”

– JIM DUNNE

Like an insurance brokerage, Jim and Shay work with highly reputable electricity brokers, such as ComEd, to help find their clients the best and most renewable energy products and solutions for their needs, helping optimize their energy usage.

“If a client wants to ensure that they are getting greener energy, we help them purchase wind energy, for example,” said Shay. “Wind energy is the most common renewable energy resource in the Midwest.”

Op2Mize’s goal is clear. “Through our strategic partners, we can help identify ROI-driven, energy-saving opportuni-

At Op2Mize, Jim and Shay start the process by assessing their client’s current energy situation, including the usage. They then break down the jargon and help their client select the best energy source from the best provider, allowing them to maximize their energy usage in the greenest way possible.

“We have a few residential customers, including a high-rise condo building, but it is mostly larger businesses and companies that we serve,” said Jim. “We service big clients like Weber (Weber grill), and it is cool that we are such a small business, but we have a big footprint. We have clients all the way in southern Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York City, and of course, Illinois. I am very proud of our growth.”

Jim and Shay Dunne share their secret to success as a husband-and-wife

team

“We absolutely face challenges being a small business and working for ourselves. But growing pains are good. It is also very satisfying to work for ourselves and to build both a family life and a business together as husband and wife.”

After Jim started the company, Shay wrote the job description for the Director of Operations, quickly realizing that she wanted the role. Coming from a background in advertising made her the perfect candidate. She would be able to manage the marketing and operations aspects of the company while also helping it grow and establish relationships with clients.

“Within months after bringing Shay on board, our overall revenue increased between 200%-300%,” said Jim. “Shay is very detail-oriented, and that is exactly what we needed. She manages the marketing side of things and works on all the details and logistics, and I’m on the sales and receiving end.”

Although they have an office in Oak Brook, the husband and wife team do most of their work from their home within walking distance from downtown Downers Grove. This helps make it more convenient for them and allows them to work from their favorite restaurant, Pierce Tavern. It also helps simplify getting their kids to and from school and activities. Their kids, Addie (11) and James (9) attend St. Joseph School. The family enjoys walking to Cellar Door and Cocomero, where Jim jokes that “both the adults and kids get a treat at the end of the walk.”

“We definitely spend a lot of time together, now more than ever,” said Shay. “Now, whenever we need to talk to each other, we literally just turn around,” said Shay. “We make a great team. Jim brings the clients in, and I make sure they stay.”

Like any other small business, it takes a while to get the ball rolling, and success does not come immediately. The Dunnes still have to figure out all the uncertainties that all small-business owners face. One of the biggest challenges is not having guaranteed steady-paycheck jobs with benefits like health insurance and 401K. Shay sets up each of their retirement

accounts and must purchase their health insurance. They both agree that it would be challenging to return to working traditional nine-to-five jobs now that they are so used to running their own business and managing their own operations.

“We absolutely face challenges being a small business and working for ourselves. But growing pains are good. It is also very satisfying to work for ourselves and build a family life and a

business together as husband and wife,” says Jim.

As for the future, Jim and Shay hope to expand their business as they continue to grow. Overall, they hope to continue to improve their clients’ energy usage by maximizing the green energy, electricity, and natural gas intake and use, making for an overall greener approach as green energy becomes increasingly more popular. The dynamic duo looks forward to the process. ■

JIM AND SHAY DUNNE OFTEN WORK FROM HOME IN DOWNERS GROVE, BUT ALSO HAVE AN OFFICE IN OAK BROOK.

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Film + Philanthropy

Mother/son duo shed light on the issue of child marriage in Malawi

BY VALERIE HARDY

Hundreds of people streamed into the Tivoli Theatre the evening of July 21 –not for the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but rather for the official world premiere of the Watts of Love original short film, “UKWATI,” which translates to “The Wedding.” Directed by Sean Economou, 25, a Downers Grove North High School and Columbia College graduate, the documentary-narrative hybrid illuminates the issue of child marriage in Malawi and invites viewers to be part of the solution.

Malawi, located in southern Africa, has one of the highest rates of child

marriage in the world; nearly half of all girls in Malawi wed before age 18. The weight of this reality hits film viewers viscerally when one bride’s experience is narrated: “I was sold for $50.” Soon after this declaration, the film conveys how some families living in extreme poverty sell their daughters into marriages to men quadruple their age.

Through reenactments, “UKWATI” shows how haunting the potential of being sold into marriage is for Malawian adolescents and illustrates the plight of Malawian child brides. Sean said the story depicted in the film is “the culmination of the collective experiences of 10 individuals” who shared their stories with his colleague,

nies, their experiences,” Sean said. “At

"UKWATI" CREW MEMBERS MIA KIBOLOWSKI, LEVI HAWKINS, JAYSON BURKE, AND SEAN ECONOMOU ON LOCATION. PHOTO COURTESY OF WATTS OF LOVE

Vivian Niestrom, and him when they traveled to Malawi to begin production on the film last May. “We sat and we listened to their stories, their testimo-

NANCY ECONOMOU GIVES THE GIFT OF LIGHT DURING ONE OF HER WATTS OF LOVE TRIPS. PHOTO COURTESY OF WATTS OF LOVE

that point, we had no idea what this movie was even going to look like.”

What Sean did know, however, was that Malawian chief Theresa Kachindamoto was an important piece of the story. Chief Kachindamoto had made it her mission to end the illegal marriage of underage girls and, instead, prioritize their education.

Sean met with Chief Kachindamoto during his initial filming in Malawi last spring. He was inspired by her work, just as his mother – Nancy Economou, who founded Downers Grove-based non-profit Watts of Love 10 years ago – had been when she first met the chief during a trip to bring reusable lights and financial literacy training to residents of Malawi. Nancy explained that Chief Kachindamoto had thousands of child marriages annulled, “reuniting thousands of children with their families and returning them to their communities and childhoods.”

At the film’s debut, Nancy briefly took the stage. She shared with Sean what a blessing he is to the Watts of Love organization (where he works alongside her and the rest of the Watts of Love team) and told the audience about her initial conversation with Chief Kachindamoto. “I said, ‘I think what we do might help you,’” Nancy explained, referring to Watts of Love’s work, to which the chief replied, “Please come. You are always welcome.”

Nancy fast-forwarded a few years, telling how – when she visited Chief Kachindamoto last year – the chief shared the lukewarm reception of the emancipated child brides by their families along with the overarching challenges facing the community in the wake of the marriage reversals. The girls’ families could barely afford to house or feed them, let alone pay for their books and other education-related expenses. This is where Watts of Love and its supporters come in.

After presenting the pervasiveness of child marriage and the challenges incurred even after the annulment of such marriages, “UKWATI” shows how access to reusable lights and increased financial literacy are part of the solution. With solar lights provided by Watts of Love, Malawian girls and their families do not have to spend one-third of their income on kerosene or disposable batteries for light. Instead, Nancy said, they are

film and also avoid vilifying the Malawian men.

The edits were effective. “UKWATI” was named a two-time Silver Screen Winner (“Charity Commercial” and “Changing the World Frame By Frame”) at the Young Director Awards. To date, the film has received eight other awards, and Sean said he is still waiting to hear back from 45 festivals to which he submitted

educated to take that equivalent sum of money and “reinvest in the community” by purchasing poultry, livestock, or other resources that can increase self-sustenance or income-generation.

Watts of Love’s “desire is to [provide financial literacy training] to the girls who can’t afford to go back to school,” Nancy said. “Everybody has the entrepreneur’s spirit.” With light and financial literacy, Nancy said, “There is a ripple effect,” and it can “radically transform generational poverty.”

And poverty, according to Sean, is the true “villain” of his film. He said he was still making significant edits to “UKWATI” this spring, just days before the deadline to submit it to the 2022 Young Director Awards in Cannes; he wanted to “alleviate any type of blame on the mother” in the

“UKWATI.”

The Economous are proud of the accolades the film is receiving, but their primary focus is on continuing to address the issue of child marriage and providing lights and financial literacy training in Malawi and other areas of focus for Watts of Love, including Kenya, Uganda, and The Philippines.

At the film screening, Watts of Love’s development manager shared three ways the audience and others can contribute: make a donation ($50 can sponsor a family), spread the word about Watts of Love and the film, and/or join the Watts of Love volunteer team “in the field.”

For more information about “UKWATI” or Watts of Love, to make a donation, or to volunteer, visit wattsoflove.org. ■

SEAN ECONOMOU AND NANCY ECONOMOU CELEBRATE AT THE "UKWATI" PREMIERE IN DOWNERS GROVE. PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

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BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BURDI FAMILY IMAGE BY BENJAMIN HERSHEY AND MICK-HAUPT ON UNSPLASH

Downers Grove brothers Nick and Zack Burdi kept it in the family while rising to the major league

(Continued on next page)

Every young baseball player’s dream came true for Downers Grove brothers Nick and Zack Burdi. Starting with neighborhood pick-up games, through Little League and travel teams, the brothers Burdi now pitch in the major league. Nick, drafted in 2014, played minors in Cedar Rapids, IA and Chattanooga, TN. After making his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he met with a few setback injuries. He now hangs his hat with the San Diego Padres.

Zack was drafted in 2016 and started out in the minors in Birmingham and Charlotte. Also having to deal with several injuries, he eventually fulfilled his childhood dream of playing for the White Sox, followed by the Baltimore Orioles. Zack was signed by the Washington Nationals in May of this year.

HOW DID YOU START PLAYING BASEBALL?

Zack: We attended District 58 schoolsIndian Trail, O’Neill Middle School and Downers Grove South. Nick is two years older than me, and our older brother Drew is seven years older than me. Both of my brothers played Downers Grove Youth Baseball, so I played in that league until I was ten or so. Coming up through that system was fun. There were a lot of neighborhood players and we got to know their families.

Nick: After that, we played for the Downers Grove Longshots, now the Illinois Longshots. It started out as just Downers Grove kids, but now it’s a rather sizeable travel ball team that gets a lot of the good players from all over IL. It was a great experience.

DID YOU EVER PLAY ON THE SAME TEAM?

Zack: We played with the other neighborhood kids in games together, but we didn’t play together much on the same team, unless Nick’s team needed an extra arm. Freshman year of college

at University of Louisville was the first time we ever actually played on the same team. It was great being able to experience college together and have such talented teammates. The program was on the upswing Nick’s freshman year, so the timing was perfect.

Nick: Growing up, Zack was the batboy for my team. Other than that, we only played together if my team needed a fill-in. My junior year and Zack’s freshman year of college was the first time we played on the same team. It was a very exciting year, as was it my second trip to the college world series, and his first.

WOULD YOU SAY THE ATMOSPHERE IN YOUR HOME WAS MORE COMPETITIVE OR ENCOURAGING?

Zack: It was a mix. Both Nick and I really emulated our older brother, Drew. He was a huge influence over us. He had a natural discipline and work ethic that we both realized. He put in many early mornings and late nights, with both school and athletics. Watching him progress was very motivating for Nick and me. He ended up playing football at Western Michigan, and later became a successful surgeon. While it wasn’t the same path Nick and I took, his example was one we both followed. It eventually landed us in the same college program. As Nick and I got older and shared a locker room and classroom, any competition morphed into encouragement. Helping each other out was a big part our rise to the major league.

Nick: It was always competitive in our house, whether we were playing basket-

ball, baseball, or video games. It’s been a mindset for us since we were kids. Some of our buddies went on to play Division I baseball. That atmosphere can start early with a group of guys who are serious about a pursuit. It was always the norm to us. Baseball is a business too. It’s competitive, like anything else. Everyone is kind of scratching and clawing their way to the top.

HOW WAS IT TO BE DRAFTED? I READ YOU HAVE MOVED AROUND A LOT SINCE THEN. ANY FAVORITE STOPS?

Zack: The 2016 draft was an incredible experience! The event itself is kind of weird in the fact that one pick can affect a team’s whole draft board. Our friends and family came down to Louisville and watched it with us. There was a group of about 40 players and 35 family members. Eventually it came down to me going to the Sox. There was so much excitement with my college teammates and family. I think we had five guys get drafted that first night. It was amazing. I was selected twenty-sixth overall in the first round.

As far as traveling for work, when I played for Baltimore, that division is Toronto, New York, Boston and Tampa. I saw a lot of beautiful cities back-to-back. It’s always amazing going

NICK AND ZACK PLAYED IN THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES AT UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

out west to Seattle and Arizona and L.A. I’m fortunate that the game allows me to get around the country and see so many friends and family that I might not get to see otherwise.

That’s a definite perk. I like to get up early sometimes and hike around a city. It’s not always that way, though. Sometimes you don’t finish playing until late, then get back to the hotel at midnight, and have to be back at the field the next morning at 11. Sometimes it’s more of a grind than other times.

Nick: I’m with the Padres. I’m on my third team now. I was with the Twins and the Pirates before this. I was drafted in the second round to the Twins. All the teams are fun, because everyone has the same goals and aspirations, so I don’t know if there’s a clear-cut favorite, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Pirates, because I spent the most time in the big league with them. They’re a younger team, so it was kind of exciting. But San Diego has the weather!

WHAT ROLE DID YOUR PARENTS PLAY IN YOUR SUCCESS?

Zack: Our parents were amazingly dedicated. They were definitely part of the grind. They were always there for us,

encouraging us. Growing up, my mom would have loved for us to go on a family trip together during the summer, but there was no way she could ever get us to miss a baseball tournament to go on vacation!

They’re still very encouraging. It kind of depends on where we’re playing, but they try to make it to our games. They would obviously rather come to New York or Boston to catch a game than Rome, GA!

Nick: Our parents were always very encouraging. They always told us to follow our dreams. When I was about 15 or 16, I started getting some scholarship offers. That’s when I really got serious about this. It’s what I wanted to do. My parents always supported us. They had our backs on it. They wanted us to know that if this is what we wanted to do, we had to go full steam. And we did.

WHAT TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW GROWING UP? WHO WERE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?

Zack: The Sox. I was ten when they won the ’05 World Series. That was a huge deal for everybody. I was just as glad when the Cubs won a few years later. To play for the Sox was my dream, since I was a little kid. I would have played for

anybody, but it was a special honor to be able to play for them. I spent two summers playing in front of friends and family. When I came back from an away trip, I came home to a familiar place. Most guys never get to play for their hometown team.

For me, Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter were my heroes. All the Chicago guys, too- Bobby Jenks, Mark Buehrle, and Chris Sale. That whole group from ’05 up to ’13 played a part in inspiring my baseball career.

Nick: I didn’t really watch a lot of baseball as a kid, surprisingly. I didn’t get into it until I was a teenager. I mostly watched football. It was definitely my favorite sport. Growing up The Bears was my favorite team. There weren’t really many professional athletes I looked up to. I liked Randy Johnson a lot because I met him, but it was never really a baseball thing. I have a framed, autographed photo of Walter Payton that is one of my favorite things I own. I was too young to ever see him play, but he and Michael Jordan are Chicago legends.

WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO?

Zack: Assistant Coaches Spidey, Parpet and Coach Orel at Downers Grove South. And Coach Rooney from the Downers Grove Longshots. All of these guys played a huge part in my success.

Nick: Coach Orel, the head coach at Downers Grove South, deserves a lot of praise, not even just from myself, but for a lot of the other baseball players that have come down the pipeline the last few years. Coach Rooney from the Longshots, too. He started that program seventeen years ago. There were only three teams in the beginning. Now it’s one of the biggest organizations in the Midwest. He changed a lot of kids’ lives, whether by enabling scholarships, signing bonuses, or giving kids the opportunity to play competitive baseball. ■

BURDI BROTHERS FAMILY

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BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS

the matter District99welcomesArwenLypandCourtneyDeMentasPrincipals ThePrincipalof

Both District 99 high schools have newer principals this year. Downers Grove South (DGS) welcomes Arwen Lyp, who joined us in July, to begin her inaugural year. Courtney DeMent will continue in her second year at Downers Grove North (DGN). Both are poised and enthusiastic to guide our students in their educational paths, while setting a positive tone for our teachers and administrators.

HOW DID YOUR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE INFLUENCE YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

Arwen: My parents were from Chicago but always wanted to live in the mountains, so I was born in Evergreen, CO. My family moved back to this area when I was 15, between my freshman and sophomore year of high school. Walking into Schaumburg High School that first day, I knew nobody. A girl approached me in gym class and invited me into her friend group. It’s a story I always tell students. Be that person. Find the student who needs a buddy.

Courtney: I grew up in Kankakee, where I lived until I left for college. My mom was an English teacher and a cheerleading coach at Kankakee High School, where I attended. She eventually became the principal. I distinctly remember going with her to football and basketball games and being a part of the school’s community long before I was a student. Through this time spent with her, I was able to see the positive side of her time away from home, and all the good she did. So, I had a head start on high school being a very positive experience.

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?

Arwen: I’m a proud alumna of University of Illinois. I had originally planned to major in math. Freshman year, I took a bunch of history classes and fell in love with social studies. So, I switched to Social Studies Education. I began my career as a traditional classroom teacher at

Joliet West for four years. I then became the Divisional Chair of Humanities for three years. I eventually earned my Master of Educational Leadership and Administration from Chicago State University. Most recently, I was Principal at Hinsdale South.

Courtney: I graduated from Bradley University, where I majored in English and Secondary Education, with a middle school endorsement. I earned my Master of Educational

the end of it. It reminds students that anything is possible, and learning is truly a never-ending journey. One tiny word has a lot of power in it that can change a student’s mindset. Change their mindset, and you can change their path. Change their path and you can change their life.

-ARWEN LYP

Leadership from University of Illinois, then my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. I began my career in various roles at Addison Trail High School. I started as a classroom English teacher, gradually taking on the roles of Assistant Athletic Director and Activities Director. I eventually served as Assistant Principal there for nine years. Last year, I came to DGN as Principal.

WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY DO YOU FIND MOST RELEVANT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

Arwen: One of the most important words I find empowering to students is the word “yet.” ‘I’m not good at math “yet,” is a lot different than, ‘I’m not good at math.’ When you’re not great at something, it changes your mindset to add the word ‘yet’ to

Courtney: I try hard to live by the mantra ‘every student, every day.’ As educators, we try to personalize the high school experience for each student. We have a system that works for 2100 students, but it must also work for students as individuals. The students come first. They’re why we’re here. And they’re constantly changing and evolving. We need to constantly be changing and evolving with them. We must be willing to really listen and hear their needs. Their voices matter in this community. As educators, we have to readily adapt to what they need.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY?

Arwen: Building positive relationships, for sure, with students, families and staff, from the beginning. I’m really quite overwhelmed by the positivity I have found at DGS, thus far. For example, this morning the entire girls volleyball team came into my office with a t-shirt for me and an invitation to run the bleachers with them tomorrow morning. So, tomorrow morning at 8:15, I will be running the bleachers with them! I’m grateful to be invited into opportunities like that. It’s how I get to know students as individuals.

"I want our students to be empowered citizens, to go forth and make the world a better place for all of us."

Courtney: Last year, in my first year as Principal of DGN, my main focus was listening and learning. One thing that came across loud and clear was the request that students have more of a voice in what’s happening here, as they should. So, increasing the capacity for student voices to be heard was a big priority, even in things that typically involve only staff. We even added a student voice component into our professional development. We need to be asking ourselves, ‘What are the students telling us that they really gravitate toward in a classroom? What kinds of connections do they need with their teachers?’ It’s about exploring that. We want to make sure every student feels like they have a voice at DGN.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

Arwen: The unique relationships I am able to have with the entire community. I have a unique role as prin-

cipal. I have wonderful opportunities to connect with students along the way. I always tell students, ‘we’re on a never-ending mission of improvement,’ while also empowering their voices. It’s their high school and their experience. I’m always interested in listening to them. One of my priorities is creating some additional structures in which I can help empower and amplify student voice and begin to work with students to collaboratively implement those changes for the never-ending improvement of our school.

Courtney: When students recognize and see the joy in their successes. Last year, we started giving every student and faculty member a t-shirt. It may seem like a trivial thing, but it’s part of community building. So, this year, one of our incubator classes- in which students create a model for a business- designed the t-shirts to be

given away. They had ownership of the process. They created the shirt and designed the slogan. It’s great to see them working so hard, and then having the process come to fruition, with their business model and project, and then incorporate it into the school they attend. That’s the best feeling in the world, because we’re preparing students for what lies beyond high school. They’re learning how to achieve success.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH TEENS?

Arwen: I love their opinions and passion on how to change the world. I admire their optimism. I want them to have the experience, in high school, to express their opinion on life and how to improve the world. I want our students to be empowered citizens, to go forth and make the world a better place for all of us. I think people often think teenagers are apathetic, but the complete opposite has actually been my experience. At first glance, they might not seem as enthusiastic or engaged as possible, but I find that if we spend just a few minutes diving in and asking questions about their experiences, they’re the least apathetic group of people.

Courtney: I think the power of teenagers is amazing. They can be some of our biggest movers and shakers. Do not underestimate the power of a group of teenagers, especially with the right guidance and leadership. I think sometimes we don’t give them the benefit of the doubt, however, and it’s hard because we’re in a position in which we’re changing them. There’s a level of expertise we’re working toward with them. Our teachers love it. They own it every day with the mission to help our kids in every way. We’re shaping young adults. They’re not little kids anymore. Students want a voice, and they deserve it. ■

AS THE NEW PRINCIPAL FOR DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH, LYP IS THE SCHOOL’S FIRST FEMALE PRINCIPAL. DEMENT BECAME THE PRINCIPAL OF DOWNERS GROVE NORTH IN 2021.

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B.J. BOYD

Considered It Done

The memory of a successful downtown boutique, and its owner, remain

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BOYD FAMILY

Consider it done.” Three words that are short and easy to speak. But to Downers Grove residents who remember B.J. (Betty Jane) Boyd, owner of Consider It Done Boutique, the echoes of these words are endless. From 2001 until she passed away from cancer in 2012, Boyd welcomed the community into her store, named for the mantra by which she lived. A few years ago, Forbes Magazine recognized Downers Grove as “one of the friendliest towns in the U.S.” It’s very likely that Consider It Done played a large part in this decision.

Customers left the unique shop at 5133 Main St., with the perfect gift for any occasion. A gift basket fit for a queen, an exotic drink shaker, or a small piece of hand-painted furniture. But they also departed with a word of encouragement, a laugh, or a general feeling of appreciation from Boyd and her friendly staff. This is simply who she was.

Downers Grove residents recall the seemingly endless line of merchandise offered by this warm and eclectic business. From wall clocks shaped like celestial bodies, to gourmet chips, sauces, and chocolates, to ceramic birthday cake plates, Consider It Done truly offered something suitable for any recipient, in any circumstance.

Colorful birdhouses displayed on the shop’s awning caught the eye of the passerby in the spring, followed by extensive Halloween and Christmas presentations which lit up the store-

front for the holidays. “Christmas was her season,” son Nick recalled. “Things got crazy in there around the holidays.” The upside-down Christmas tree, which became a shop icon, stocked hundreds of ornaments still found on Christmas trees in Downers Grove homes each holiday season.

As the business became established, patrons frequented the store as much to shop as to visit the staff. There was a palpable sense of community. It became more like a gathering of friends, from owner to staff to customer, than a trip to the store. Consider It Done became synonymous with a positive experience, whether a customer made a purchase or not. Boyd had a way of lifting up friends and total strangers, alike.

Downers Grove resident Katie O’Connor remembers wandering into the store unexpectedly one day seeking Boyd’s help to create gift baskets for a fundraiser she was planning for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. O’Connor had purchased the items elsewhere and needed advice about displaying them. Unfamiliar with the shop until that afternoon, she left the store with several professional-looking gift baskets, complimentarily wrapped by Boyd herself, along with a store gift card for the event’s raffle.

But it wasn’t just the baskets that O’Connor took away from that meeting almost two decades ago. Newly diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, the uncertainty of a life-long condition weighed heavily on her mind that day. Boyd listened as she

wrapped the baskets and offered words of encouragement. “I came away with a better outlook on my situation,” O’Connor recalled. “It was just what I needed, from whatuntil that day- was a total stranger.”

And customers weren’t the only recipients of this type of hospitality. For Boyd, the line betwixt employee and friend often blurred. Eventually, it disappeared. Employee Nancy Svoboda remembers her tenure with Boyd as the best job she ever had. “It was like being paid to talk to a friend,” Svoboda said. Although she had no previous retail experience, one day while in the shop, she mustered up the courage to ask Boyd to hire her. “Without hesitation, she smiled and asked if I could start the

BETTY JANE ‘B.J’. BOYD MADE AN EVERLASTING MARK ON THE DOWNERS GROVE COMMUNITY.

next day. I was getting ready to retire from teaching at College of DuPage and it was exactly what I needed at that moment,” Svoboda recalled, smiling.

Many of the former high school students Boyd employed returned for her memorial. Several parents of these employees credit Boyd with empowering their teenagers with self-confidence. Many remember her as a second mom. In high school at the time, former employee Karina Palukaitis remembered Boyd giving her a hug “when I was late one day after having been in an accident on the way to work. She sent me across the street to get the coffee cake from Busy Bee that we always had on Saturdays, instead of reprimanding me.” Palukaitis smiled as she remembered Boyd’s plethora of ‘little phrases’- “run quick like a bunny” if back stock needed to be grabbed from the basement, an emphatic ‘Next!’ if one of one of us was in a fight with a friend or boyfriend.” She really cared about us as people. We knew it.

An enthusiastic and sincere ‘yes,’ when someone pitches an idea can change a person’s life. Boyd was someone who took chances on people. She offered them a place to start. Boyd’s former employee Wendy Tarman recalled Boyd’s generosity of spirit, as well as shelf space, when

Tarman proposed selling greeting cards she had created, in the store. “She was my biggest supporter,” Tarman recounted. “It was B.J.’s confidence that encouraged me to get my cards into other boutiques as well.”

When 16-year-old Downers Grove resident Jon Pagels approached Boyd about selling his handmade cigar box purses, Boyd told him to consider it done, immediately placing an order for what would become one of the store’s overall best-selling items. Today, Pagels is Head Designer of Women’s Fashions

at Zara. All because someone took a chance on a young person’s idea.

In addition to encouragement, “she gave to any community event. She never refused anyone,” recalls husband, Ken. “Not only was it kind, but it built good relationships. That leads to good business.” Rather than competing with other businesses, daughter Annie Boyd-Ramirez remembers that her mother “took care to respect other stores’ previous relationships with product lines, so each store could offer unique items,” Boyd-Ramirez said. “My mom wanted people to shop everywhere in town, not just her store.”

Boyd made her mark on DG via one of the most successful boutiques to ever set up shop. Her contribution to paving the way to a more vibrant downtown business district will be remembered. Everyone hopes to leave this world having somehow improved it for the better. Boyd should consider it done. ■

CONSIDER IT DONE WAS LOCATED AT 5133 MAIN ST. FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

THE BOYD FAMILY TOGETHER INCLUDING KEN, ANNIE, A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT, AND NICK.

BATTER UP

DGYB and D.O.L.L.S. hit a home run with young players in the community

BY CINDY MAQUET

Take me out to the ball game right here in good ol’ Downers Grove!

Whether Downers Grove Youth Baseball (DGYB) or Downers Own Little Lassie Sports (D.O.L.L.S.), these two organizations have become quite the dynamic duo by bringing hundreds of girls and boys together to play ball for over 70 years.

In 1952, the DGYB league was formed with 10 teams. Now, 70 years later, 54 teams are in the organization ranging from kindergarteners to 18-year-olds. The organization had a record-breaking 700 players this past spring.

DGYB

DGYB starts its program with a developmental league in kindergarten. This league runs through second grade, followed by a Youth League for players in grades three through six. Next, they have the Prep League for

13- and 14-year-olds. What makes DGYB stand out is the addition of the Babe Ruth and Palomino teams. This allows the players to continue playing through high school.

In 2013, the White Sox became DGYB’s biggest sponsor. Every year the entire league is invited to attend a White Sox game as a fundraiser to benefit the program. The players wear their jerseys, sit together and get to walk on the warning track before the game. This year was extra special for one lucky player. “I was excited when I learned I was chosen to throw out the first pitch. It was cool to walk on the field and mound and throw the pitch,” said Ethan Miller (14U), who has played DGYB since he was 6 years old.

DGYB also offers an Umpire training program. Many players in the league take advantage of this opportunity. Players must be 12 years old and

attend a weekly training session from January until the season begins. James Tremmel, Chairman of the DGYB Board and whose son went through the training, explained, “It is a tremendous program. It not only is a way for the kids to make money, but they learn how to speak to adults, be organized, and be responsible.”

(D.O.L.L.S.)

Seventeen years after DGYB started, a group of mothers came together to take action and fight for the rights of girls’ athletics. Led by Ouida Gabel, a Downers Grove South High School P.E. teacher, these mothers were given $75 from the park district to start their league for girls. The club started with only two teams in 1969; one year later, it had five teams. Currently, D.O.L.L.S. officially has 37 teams playing for their organization.

THE REAPERS DECLARE VICTORY DURING A DGYB GAME THIS SUMMER.

NICHOLAS SPIREK THROWS OUT A PIT CH IN A LOCAL DGYB GAME THIS SUMMER.

PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

D.O.L.L.S. offers both instructional and association play. The instructional play level emphasizes development rather than competition and starts in kindergarten and goes through fourth grade. Participants begin with T-ball and then move on to Coach Pitch, Instructional Pitch and then Live Pitch in fourth grade. As the girls age into fifth grade, they transition to association play, where teams are formed through a draft.

The D.O.L.L.S. season runs from early April through June, with around 500 players through eighth grade in the league. In 2020, D.O.L.L.S. added a fall season from August through October.

Jon Harrison, a Downers Grove South graduate, is not only a volunteer coach but a board member as well. “The DOLLS organization has consistently had several hundred girls from the Downers Grove area playing rec league softball in the spring and the fall over the last few years. We expect this to continue or grow even more as fastpitch softball continues to gain popularity nationally and is now televised more than ever,” commented Harrison.

How do both these organizations keep going strong after all these years? Two key factors. First, volunteers. Volunteers dedicated their time and energy to both programs. Whether it be the coaches, managers, board members, or team moms and dads, these organizations’ success is truly dependent on the volunteers working together to make it happen.

The second key factor is the sponsorships. Many local businesses have done their part to sponsor teams and, in return, have their business name put on the back of the team jerseys. D.O.L.L.S. coach Annemarie Ruiz has the opportunity to coach her daughter’s sixth-grade team and sponsors

her team. “Sharing the love of softball with new girls every year is a true gift. Better yet, as their team sponsor, they get to sport my women-owned company (Humble Organics) name on the back of their jerseys,” said Ruiz.

After a three-year hiatus, the annual tradition of the DGYB and D.O.L.L.S. parade was back to kick off the season. In late April, the players wore their jerseys and joined their teams as they walked down Main Street to Fishel Park. Parents and fans lined up the street to cheer them on. This tradition will continue for years to come as this dynamic duo continues to hit it out of the ballpark!

Both organizations conduct Board Meetings monthly and are always open to the public. ■

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS, VISIT: https://www.dgyb.org AND https://dgdolls.secure.force.com/ dollsHomePage/

THE D.O.L.L.S. LEAGUE IS OPEN TO KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE PLAYERS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNEMARIE RUIZ

D.O.L.L.S. HAS SEVERAL LOCAL SPONSORS WHICH HELP FUND THE LEAGUE. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNEMARIE RUIZ

RESIDENCE INN, Chicago Oak Brook

Dedicated To Spacious Suites Only

BY LARRY ATSEFF

Residence Inn is the perfect name for a hotel when you want a home away from home…a “home-suite-home”, if you will.

Residence Inn, by Marriott, is the only hotel in Oak Brook that specializes in serving guests who seek suites only. You will find 50% more space than traditional hotel rooms. And, suites come complete with kitchens and all the amenities you expect for an extended stay or a quick staycation.

You can prepare a favorite meal in a suite kitchen with fullsize appliances, cookware, and utensils. Enjoy extra storage space and premium toiletries. Take advantage of free Wi-Fi, free grocery shopping service, and free hot breakfast daily.

Book a two-bedroom suite for group travel and enjoy separate bedrooms and a spacious living area. This is the only hotel in Oak Brook that has two-bedroom suites, for groups and larger families. Of course, there is an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center. Last, but not least, the hotel is also pet friendly. (Special fees apply)

All this, and discounts are constantly applicable. Residence Inn, Chicago Oak Brook. It can be your home-suite-home. ■

IT TAKES TWO

Meet some of Downers Grove’s dynamic duos

BY VALERIE HARDY

As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” We see this adage in action in various pop fiction pairs. Think Batman and Robin. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Woody and Buzz Lightyear. These dynamic duos became household names because of their powerful partnerships over the years, but we need not look to the silver screen to find perfect pairs. There are many right here within our community, and featured below are five of our favorites.

SPOUSES |

Brian & Colleen McLachlan, the couple behind Doggie Depot Brian and Colleen McLachlan are partners in multiple senses of the word. Married since 2004, they are partners in parenting and life, but they are also

business partners. The couple opened Downers Grove’s thriving Doggie Depot in 2006 after moving to Illinois from California. Brian said they worked long hours while in California – he as a project manager and Colleen as an industrial engineer – so they regularly brought their golden retriever puppy to daycare. The McLachlans knew they “didn’t want to work in corporate America forever,” Brian said, and their shared love for dogs and experience taking their own dog to daycare sparked their business idea.

The couple has built their business to include three facilities, 70 employees, and capacity for up to 250 dogs per day. Their success is rooted in their values – “we never made decisions based on the money; we made them based on what is right,” Brian said – and on their

partnership. Colleen is focused on the day-to-day operations while Brian is more future-focused, working on the behind-the-scenes elements of “everything business,” Colleen said. “I don’t even know how to pay our people,” she added, emphasizing the true separation of responsibilities that makes their partnership run smoothly.

The McLachlans’ advice to other couples in business together? Make sure both parties have a significant voice in the business, delineate roles clearly and align them to each partner’s strengths, and make time for conversation about topics other than business – though Colleen admits this can be challenging. She said, “We tell each other we’re going to go to dinner and not talk about Doggie Depot, but inevitably it swings back to that, because it’s our life.”

BRIAN AND COLLEEN MCLACHLAN, PICTURED WITH THEIR DOGS BETTY AND CALLIE, OPENED DOGGIE DEPOT IN 2006. PHOTO BY AMY TRIPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

SIBLINGS |

Colin & Nathan Humphrey, the brothers of Two Brothers Landscaping

Nathan Humphrey, 14, and his brother Colin, 12, have business acumen beyond their years. After voluntarily helping two of his neighbors mow their lawns when he was younger (for no payment other than a can of soda or slice of banana bread after finishing), Nathan said he “was having fun while doing it” but “outgrew” it. Colin had become interested in lawn mowing by then as well, and the siblings saw a business opportunity, aptly titling it Two Brothers Landscaping. The brother-run business is in its fourth year, and the Humphreys recently hired their first employee to help keep up with the demand for their services: mowing, weeding, bush trimming, mulching, fall and spring cleanups, and snow removal.

In addition to landscaping, Nathan said he also finds and fixes all of their equipment. He learned about landscaping helping his family in their large yard while growing up and taught himself about equipment repair by watching YouTube videos. For equipment he cannot fix, he takes the usable parts and sells them. Any equipment the pair upgrades or cannot “fit within the under one half of one garage stall” they have to store their ever-growing fleet of tools, they also sell, Nathan said. They then

reinvest their earnings into the business or put it into savings.

Colin said the two get along well and prefer to complete landscaping jobs together. When not working, the brothers play football (Nathan for Montini Catholic High School and Colin for St. Joseph School), and both are active Boy Scouts. In addition to their weekly roster of 14 lawn care clients and other one-off landscaping projects, along with fellow Scouts, the Humphreys mow the lawn of the American Legion in Downers Grove to earn funds for their troop.

COLLEAGUES |

James Eichmiller & Justin Sisul, District 58’s administrators for Curriculum, Technology, and Instruction

With nearly 45 combined years in the field of education, James Eichmiller (Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Learning) and Justin Sisul (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction) are key players within Downers Grove Grade School District 58’s administration. They collaborate closely with the full administrative team, but Eichmiller and Sisul’s specific positions often interrelate and have them working together to “make sure technology, curriculum, and instruction are really working well together,” Eichmiller said.

For example, they coordinate the district’s new teacher week and much of the staff’s professional development. They also work with the building level team

(school principals) three times per year to access and analyze benchmarking data, and each spring, they collaborate regarding student data as it relates to eligibility for the district’s accelerated and gifted programming. “There’s not a world anymore where James’ and my roles couldn’t intersect,” Sisul said. “Technology is such a key piece with both print and digital resources for all of the curriculum we’ve adopted.”

Thankfully, the administration’s recent move to a building on Warrenville Road allows Eichmiller, Sisul, and the rest of the district’s leadership to collaborate more efficiently than when they were split across multiple office spaces. Another factor adding to this dynamic duo’s effectiveness: they are more than just co-workers. “I consider James a friend,” Sisul said, and Eichmiller echoed the sentiment.

VOLUNTEERS |

Becky Bossard & Carrie Blonigen, the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Downers Grove Area Council of PTAs

Meet past Downers Grove Area Council of PTAs president Becky Bossard and her successor, Carrie Blonigen. Although Bossard is passing the baton to Blonigen effective the 2022-2023 school year, she is not going far. Bossard is stepping into the Council’s treasurer position, while Blonigen is returning to the Council’s board for a two-year

JAMES EICHMILLER AND JUSTIN SISUL ATTEND THE AUG. 8 DISTRICT 58 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNERS GROVE GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT 58

COLIN AND NATHAN HUMPHREY CONTINUE TO BUILD THEIR ROSTER OF CLIENTS.

PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

presidential term after previously serving as secretary. Both had substantial PTA leadership experience – Bossard within the Hillcrest Elementary School PTA and Blonigen within the Belle Aire Elementary School PTA – prior to joining the Council board.

The PTA Council comprises 15 local PTAs from schools in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 and Darien School District 61. It serves as a link between local PTAs and the greater PTA organization and coordinates opportunities for local PTA leaders to liaise with their school district’s administration. Bossard said at least one district administrator attends all of the Council meetings and “the PTAs get to hear what’s coming down the pipeline and provide feedback.”

Additionally, the Council supports local PTAs with topics related to finance, bylaws, and more. It also implements district-wide programs such as Author Fest, Reading Games, and the summer math program. “We are there to make sure every student in the district gets meaningful programming,” Blonigen said.

Blonigen added that the PTA Council also strives to ensure meaningful experiences for PTA leaders within the Council, including opportunities for PTA presidents from different schools to come together to share ideas and resources.

CO-AUTHORS |

Jaxon Sydello & Nicole Evans, writers of the recently published book “Disabilities and Relationships”

Jaxon Sydello is a sixth grader at Hillcrest Elementary School and a published author. Sydello co-authored the book “Disabilities and Relationships,” part of the greater “Understanding Disability” series, with Nicole Evans, an actress, writer, producer, director, and disability rights/ inclusion activist. The text serves to convey that “healthy and positive relationships are built through trust, responsibility, and respect for everyone – and the disability community is no different,” Evans explained.

thing. I’m still a person.” He said he hopes “everyone will read this book” and “treat people like me normally.”

In the book, Sydello, a person with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, shares about his relationships with his family, teachers, therapists, sled hockey teammates, and best friend, Daniel. Evans, a full-time wheelchair user with osteogenesis imperfecta, added that “Disabilities and Relationships” also addresses, “of course, the relationships we have with our mobility equipment.”

Sydello said, “Just because I’m in a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean any -

The co-authors connected through Easterseals. Evans is the organization’s national spokesperson, while Sydello receives weekly therapies through Easterseals, served as the ambassador for the 2022 Easterseals Gala, appeared in Easterseals’ national and local public service announcements, and is – according to his mother – fittingly nicknamed “The Mayor of Easterseals.” Evans explained that because the “Understanding Disability” series is geared towards young readers, “we really wanted to make sure we captured the perspective and voice of a young kid with a disability… [Jaxon] is such an icon in the Easterseals family and was the perfect partner to team up with and write this book together.”

The pair drafted the book at “lightning speed,” Evans said, and from afar. Sydello explained that Evans lives in Los Angeles, but he enjoyed “finally getting to meet [his] author friend” this spring when Evans was in town. ■

JAXON AND NICOLE MEET DURING NICOLE’S VISIT TO CHICAGO AND THE EASTERSEALS CLINIC. JAX GAVE NICOLE A TOUR AROUND THE CLINIC AND TALKED ABOUT HIS TIME RECEIVING SERVICES. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SYDELLO FAMILY

BECKY BOSSARD HANDED OVER THE REINS AS PTA COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO CARRIE BLONIGEN THIS SUMMER.

PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

Taking a Divot out of HISTORY

The Downers Grove Golf Club Marks its 130th Season

BY VALERIE HARDY | PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS

The historic Downers Grove Golf Club is celebrating its 130th season. It was originally the Chicago Golf Club and established in 1892, when Charles Blair Macdonald – who, according to Golf Journal, was “a true and imposing pioneer of golf in America” – persuaded 30 of his colleagues to each contribute $10 to design and construct a nine-hole golf course.

The site selected was 60 acres of farmland owned by A. Haddow Smith, a golfer from Scotland who had recently immigrated to the area. When the course opened, it was the first one west of the Allegheny Mountains.

After the course’s inaugural season, Macdonald convinced the Chicago Golf Club members to add nine more holes. With the course’s expansion in 1893, it became the first 18-hole golf course in the United States. However, the following year, the Chicago Golf Club members were so taken with the sport, they decided to build a new course on more acreage near Wheaton. Shortly thereafter, the original course in Downers Grove reverted to nine holes.

From 1895 to 1968, the site had several different owners and oper-

ated as The Illinois Golf Club and, later, the Belmont Golf Club. The Downers Grove Park District purchased the property in 1968 and renamed it the Downers Grove Golf Club.

Over the years, many golfers have played the course; perhaps, however, none more famous than Lee Trevino, a “PGA Legend, who conducted a clinic at the course,” said Ken McCormick, General Manager of the Downers Grove Golf Club.

You do not have to be a World Golf Hall of Famer like Trevino to play a round at the Downers Grove Golf Club, though. Opportunities abound for golfers of all ages: instructional golf camps for children ages 3-18; private, semi-private, and group lessons for junior and adult golfers of any skill level; and morning and twilight leagues Monday-Thursday and two men’s clubs on Saturday mornings.

The Downers Grove Golf Club is also the home course for the Downers Grove North High School golf teams. When leagues, school tournaments, or special events like the annual Couples Scramble are not running, tee times are available for res(Continued on next page)

Downers Grove Golf Club

approximate number of league players per week during peak golf season

employees at the course, including starters, rangers, range attendants, bartenders, pro shop attendants, beverage cart staff, and grounds superintendent, assistant superintendent, and crew

the hole on which the most golfers have shot a hole-in-one (check out the plaque in the clubhouse for a list of the lucky players who have gotten a hole-in-one at the course)

the record-setting number of rounds played on the course last year

full-time golf teaching professionals – Jim Festle & Tom Olms

number of minutes between each tee time

DOWNERS GROVE GOLF CLUB HOLDS A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN U.S. HISTORY.

ervation. McCormick said, “We encourage golfers to visit over the coming year to see the great improvements we’ve made and to learn about this significant site and its part of golfing history.”

The Downers Grove Golf Club’s recent improvements include the addition of a driving range shelter, which includes seating, heaters, and ceiling fans to “provide a great experience all year long, with an escape from the heat in the summer to a comfortable environment to work on your game during the winter,” McCormick said. The shelter has also virtually eliminated the need to cancel golf lessons or camps due to inclement weather.

The range also features a practice putting green, sand trap, chipping area, and new private lesson tee “to create a premium experience throughout the property,” McCormick said.

The interior of the clubhouse is newly renovated and the pro shop expanded, and a patio renovation will begin this fall. “Our goal is to bring additional amenities to the course and allow our guests to stay after their round and enjoy the experience in the clubhouse and on the patio overseeing the ninth hole,” McCormick said.

There has been an increased focus on food and beverage this season, and in addition to relaxing with a snack or drink from the clubhouse, on certain dates, golfers may purchase items from various food vendors scheduled to be at the course.

The Downers Grove Golf Club is open to the public daily from sunrise to dusk – weather permitting. The course typically opens for the season the first week in March and remains open contingent on the weather (it was open until Christmas the past two years). ■

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT downersgrovegolfclub.org.

GETTING TO KNOW COACH JIM &

COACH TOM

they work 60 or more hours per week. They organize the children’s programs at the course, working with 300-400 golf campers throughout the summer, and also teach upwards of 30-40 hours per week of private lessons to golfers of all ages.

Coach Jim and Coach Tom, as the golf campers call them, are busy throughout the year, though. Jim said approximately 10 percent of his students do off-season training – some outdoors and some indoors – and Tom explained that with the recent addition of the covered and heated driving range shelter, they are easily able to continue golf camps and lessons through the fall and winter. Downers Grove Magazine caught up with these busy golf teaching professionals to learn a bit more about who they are and what they do.

When did you start playing golf?

Jim: I started playing golf at the age of 16 while working at the Diversey Driving Range in Chicago. We did not have a golf team at my high school, but I walked on to the golf team at Northeastern Illinois University as a freshman.

Tom: When I was 10 or 11 years old, I played a lot of baseball, and my dad said, “You should play golf.” He was a good player, and he taught me how to golf on our farm. I’m left-handed, but at 10, I learned how to golf right-handed.

How long have you been a golf instructor, and how did you get started?

Jim: I have been a golf pro (PGTCA) since the late 1980s. I have been at Downers Grove Golf Club since 1998.

I started playing golf competitively in college for a few years, and I became a certified professional and played in some professional tournaments in the early ‘90s.

Tom: I began teaching golf in 1990 at Village Greens Golf Course in Woodridge. I happened to be at the course when one head pro left and another came in. The new head pro over there came to me and said, “I don’t know what you’re doing for a living, but you’re a really good player. I’d like you to get into the [golf teaching] business.” He invited me to interview for a position as a golf instructor, and I taught at Village Greens for four years. Then I was asked to go work at a golf store – I sold apparel and clubs and did club fittings – and did that for 10 years. A friend of mine said there was an opening at the Downers Grove

Jim Festle and Tom Olms are the longstanding golf-teaching twosome at the Downers Grove Golf Club. During peak season (May through August),

JIM FESTLE

TOM OLMS

Golf Club in 2010, and I have been a golf teaching professional (currently a USGTF Affiliate Member) here for 12 years now.

Did you have another career before you were a golf teaching professional?

Jim: I was a teacher in Downers Grove School District 58 for over 30 years and retired in June of 2020. I also managed the Diversey Driving Range in Chicago for about 10 years in the 1980s and early ‘90s.

Tom: I was in sales before becoming a professional in the golf realm. I was a biology major at Eastern Michigan University and then worked in industrial chemical sales. It was ok, but I was happier on the weekends when I was out playing golf.

Besides the Downers Grove Golf Club course, what is your favorite golf course?

Jim: Even though I haven’t been there yet, it would definitely be St Andrews in Scotland. I’ll definitely get there some day!

Tom: I used to play a lot at Prairie Bluff – it’s really nice. I’m from northwest Ohio, and even though I’ve lived here for 30 years, there is also a course there – a private course where they play LPGA tournaments – that I like to play when I get back there (which isn’t as much as I’d like).

What tips would you offer to golfers, especially new ones?

Jim: Take some lessons, develop a good practice routine, and be patient. Getting good at this game does not happen overnight.

Tom: Everybody has the ability to golf. I show you a little something, and you do the rest. I also emphasize just making contact with the ball and taking motion out of the person’s swing. Most people move too much when they swing. Another key that I try to instill in people is to use the ground a little bit more... it’s physics involved.

What is one of the most rewarding parts of being a golf teaching professional?

Jim: It’s always gratifying when one of your students “makes it.” I’ve seen many success stories over the years.

Tom: The rewarding part is getting to work with all of the people in camp and lessons and them becoming better and coming back to tell about it.

In your experience, how has golf and being a golf instructor changed over the years?

Jim: Golf is very popular now and has brought a lot of new players to the game. That’s great, but it has brought challenges with people not familiar with “golf etiquette.” I try to take every opportunity to educate people on appropriate expectations around the golf course.

Tom: The equipment has changed. Club shafts are so much different, and there are different driver heads and balls. A lot of courses aren’t long enough or as challenging. I’m not sure if it’s bad or good, just the balls go farther. I think that is a challenge for teaching; players care most about distance, which isn’t the whole part of the game. If you make good contact, you’ll hit far.

Working long hours, you probably don’t have much spare time these days. However, when you do, how do you like to spend your time?

Jim: I like to work out and travel a little bit. I’m fairly handy around the house, and I enjoy spending time with my wife, family, and friends.

Tom: I study a lot about the golf swing. My father was a general practitioner doctor…and would be reading about medicine at home after being at the office all day. It’s carried over to me. I have stacks of books all over the place. I’m always thinking about and trying to improve technique, so when I get the chance, I want to read, make notes, and try to see how I can do. If I can do it, then I can have somebody else do it. I hit a lot of balls, too.

What is something people might not know about you?

Jim: I was fortunate enough to play three sports in college: basketball, baseball, and golf. It would be tough to find coaches today that would allow that!

Tom: In the spring, the Downers Grove Golf Club hosts the Pine Hollow Open. Different pros from the area come and play, and I’ve won that a time or two.

THE NEW DRIVING RANGE SHELTER OPENED IN 2018 KEEPS GOLFERS MORE COMFORTABLE ON HOT OR COLD DAYS.

PRESENTS

DENTAL AND ORTHODONTIC PROFLES

DOWNERS GROVE ORTHODONTICS ESPLANADE DENTAL CARE GROVE DENTAL ASSOCIATES TOWER DENTAL

picture: Dr. Meena Balakrishan, DMD, MS and staff

Dr. Meena Balakrishnan has been dedicated to the Downers Grove community for over 15 years. The family has deep roots in our community. Her husband Dr. Balu Natarajan is a Downers Grove North alumnus! Dr. Balakrishnan has been giving her patients a reason to smile by providing braces and aligners to thousands of children and adults in our community since 2007.

Dr. Balakrishnan was awarded the “Master Carver Award” on Clinic and Research Day at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2001. She received the merit award for Periodontology in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, where she was also class valedictorian. Other accomplishments while at the University of Pennsylvania include being inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, and earning second place in Clinical Research on Clinical and Research Day.

While attending Bangalore University in India, she earned her Indian Dental Association Merit Certificate as valedictorian of the class of 1996, and received gold medals for her work in Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics. She also earned the Merit Award for Periodontology from the Indian Society of Periodontology in Mumbai, India.

Dr. Balakrishnan is a member of Excellence in Orthodontics (EIO), which is a prestigious program in which only ONE orthodontist per geographic area is selected, and each is carefully vetted to ensure compliance with the highest standards of clinical care and patient services. Only orthodontists who meet the highest standards and quality are considered to be a part of the program. She was also elected as “One of the Best Orthodontists in America” by Excellence in Orthodontics. Visit them at https://www.excellenceinorthodontics.org/dr-balakrishnan/

Dr. Balakrishnan has taught the dental students at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry since 2003 while she was an Orthodontic resident. She continues to teach dental students and orthodontic residents at UIC. The topic that interests her most is “Non-surgical orthodontic expansion in adults and children”. Her research was recently published in “Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research”. You can read her paper here - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ocr.12359

Dr. Balakrishnan supports many causes that are close to her heart. Downers Grove Orthodontics sponsored “Noah’s Hope” for several years. Her practice also sponsors several District 58 events and local sports clubs. They are involved in the Wellness Fairs held at the Downers Grove North and South High Schools, educating students about the importance of dental and orthodontic health. Downers Grove Orthodontics is a supporter of “Climb Higher at Highland”, a project to raise money to build a playground that is safe and accessible for the students.

Dr. Balakrishnan’s passion to educate patients and parents about orthodontics led her to author her first book – “Grin and Wear It”. Her book is available on Amazon.com. Visit her book site at https:// www.drmeenasmiles.com/. Dr. Balakrishnan has also been featured in Parents Magazine and Family Fun magazine.

You can learn about orthodontics by reading her book, Grin and Wear It, or you can meet this expert right here, at Downers Grove Orthodontics, 1330 Ogden Avenue!

Cover

Esplanade Associates

Locations

Esplanade Dental Care

2001 Butterfield Rd Suite 140 Downers Grove, IL 60515

Phone (630) 493.0914 (630) 493.0917 Web www.esplanade-dental.com

Atrium Family Dental

1938 E Lincoln Hwy Suite 104 New Lenox, IL 60451

Phone (815) 462.9990 (815) 462.9991 Web atriumfamilydental.com

What is Esplanade Dental Care’s goal?

At Esplanade Dental Care, we understand that enjoying a happy, healthy smile takes a lifetime commitment, and Dr. Sherif Albert, Dr. Christine Snow, Dr Alyssa Stylski, and the rest of our team want to partner with patients every step of the way in the pursuit of this important goal. Going to the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be a dreaded experience – patient comfort is an important priority for us, and we also enjoy forming lasting friendships with the people we treat. Whether you’re seeking a six-month checkup or advanced restorative care for extensive tooth loss, we have the time-tested skills and genuine passion needed to leave you smiling again and again.

What sets our team apart?

A patient deserves to feel relaxed and at ease at the dentist’s office, and our excellent team goes a long way towards helping them achieve this. Our hygienists, assistants, and coordinators are not only highly knowledgeable and great at their jobs, but also extremely friendly at every stage of treatment. They’ll make sure that your questions are always answered and that any concerns are addressed to your liking. Additionally, you can see that a vast majority of our online reviews compliment our dynamic staff and their ability to help our patients.

Is going to the dentist convenient for busy schedules?

Far too often, patients struggle to find a good time for important dental care because of their busy work, school, or family schedules. That’s why Esplanade Dental Care offers extended hours several days a week. For instance, we open at 7:20am on Wednesdays and stay open until 7:00pm on Thursdays. We enjoy being able to accommodate your needs and help you achieve your best, brightest smile without unnecessary strain.

What is the office’s take on technology?

The dental field is constantly in motion, developing better techniques and technologies that will benefit patients. At Esplanade Dental Care, we strive to stay right at the forefront of this growth. We believe that our state of the art technology gives us the ability to treat patients more conservatively while avoiding more invasive and expensive procedures because we are able to detect problems earlier than we were with traditional diagnostic tools used in the past. Our office features several modern touches that help to improve every stage of dental treatment, including digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and even a stateof-the-art 3D Cone Beam technology for exceptional preciseness.

What is the patient experience at the office?

One of our core values is patient comfort. Our aim is for patients to feel a sense of relaxation while they unplug from their daily lives to keep up with their oral health. While we pride ourselves on always staying current with advances in technology and equipment, we took the extra step to ensure we deliver optimal dental health care in a calm environment. We are thrilled to unveil the recent reimagining of our space. Our operatories are equipped with virtually noiseless handpieces and a warm color pallet to achieve a relaxing experience.

Our office has married an open floor plan concept with just the right amount of separation to ensure privacy during a visit with our team. Because we take our disinfection protocols very seriously, our sterilization area has been beautifully updated so that patients can openly see our process. Additionally, we offer free Wi-Fi in our fully updated waiting area for a comfortable place to get a few things checked off when patients arrive early for appointment reservations.

Standing from left to right: Christine Snow, DMD, Sherif Albert, DDS, Alyssa Stylski, DMD.

Grove Dental Associates

Since 1968, Grove Dental has been the community’s go-to choice for comprehensive and compassionate dental care. With over 30 dentists and specialists, Grove Dental is a multi-specialty practice that cares for the whole family, from the first tooth to the golden years.

The services Grove Dental offers include general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, special needs dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, and periodontics. General dentistry consists of routine teeth cleaning and exams, cosmetic dental procedures, fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures. Pediatric dentistry covers general dental care for infants and children. Specialty dentistry encompasses the art of orthodontics which improve many types of dental problems with the most common being overcrowding, crossbites, overbite and underbite. Oral surgery focuses on wisdom tooth removal, a suspicious lesion that needs a biopsy, or any other oral health condition requiring surgical diagnosis. Grove also offers under one roof, endodontics and periodontics which are dentists who specialize in root canal therapy and diagnosing and treating gum disease.

With a wide range of services to offer for each and every patient, the following dental professionals at Grove Dental shared their personal testimonies and words of dental advise to best care for your smile.

Pediatric dentist, Dr. Mark Cabana, was once a pediatric patient at Grove. A Downers Grove native, he is proud to work at the practice that gave him a confident smile. Grove offers a kid-friendly environment with décor, movies, and fun prizes. Grove prides itself on being gentle and patient with younger children. Grove’s pediatric dentists and specialists have advanced training beyond dental school in working with all children, including those with special health care needs, making the experience as comfortable and worry-free as possible.

General dentist, Dr. Kevin Moss, loves how patient-centric Grove is. With flexible office hours six days a week and a team full of specialists, great things happen for patients when they put their trust in the doctors at Grove. Dr. Moss believes the patient’s personality makes their smile unique and beautiful, and their smile can make the patient more confident. Dr. Moss adds,“If you take care of your smile, your smile will take care of you.”

Oral surgeon, David H. Smith, DMD., advises patients to treat surgical issues sooner rather than later. Time is key because waiting too long can cause pain and/or infections to occur that can be avoided by seeking proper oral treatment right at the start of a problem.

Orthodontist, Dr. Sam Allen, says the best “feel good” part of his job is seeing the happiness and contentment on his patients’ faces when they are done with their treatment, especially after seeing their beautiful smiles after their braces are removed. Dr. Allen cherishes the relationships he gets to form with his patients over the course of treatment, as both orthodontist and patient have the same end goal: to achieve the optimal result of straight teeth and giving the patient the ideal smile.

Grove Dental is also heavily involved in the community, making it a long-time local favorite.This includes free dental exams for veterans and their immediate family members, a coat drive for military families, candy for the troops, and a community food drive. Every February, Grove Dental specialists go to nearby elementary schools and give oral health talks and toothbrushes to young students.

Grove Dental in Downers Grove proudly sponsors local causes, such as the BBQ Bolt Run at McCollum Park, as well as various local youth sports programs.

Because of its excellent and professional dental care in a state-of-the-art environment and its caring approach and community involvement, Grove Dental is the superb choice for multigenerational smiles all across Chicagoland. Now that is something to smile about!

Tower Dental

Tower Dental Associates 5155 Mochel Dr Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-968-1544 www.towerdental.net

For over 25 years, Tower Dental has provided the community with a full scope of general and cosmetic needs. With expertise ranging from porcelain veneers to dental implants, crowns, and bridges, these local doctors are dedicated to providing you with a pleasant visit and results that you’re proud to show off. Tower Dental is your friendly neighborhood dentist who counsels you on the best ways to maintain and improve your health.

MEET THE TOWER DENTAL TEAM

Dr. William Kats, DDS

Dr. Kats is a 1996 graduate of Northwestern University School of Dentistry. He came to Downers Grove immediately following and has been offering his highest standard of care and successfully treating patients ever since. His continuing comment to higher education has led him to be trained and proficient in all phases of cosmetic dentistry and implants.

Dr. Kats is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantalogists and Achieved Mastership in International Dental Implant Association. He is passionate about travel in his free time, and he and his wife have traveled to more than 50 countries.

Dr. Kats is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantalogists and Achieved Mastership in International Dental Implant Association. He is passionate about travel in his free time, and he and his wife have traveled to more than 50 countries.

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Dr. Ann Gruzynska, DDS

Dr. Ann was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and moved to the United States during her adolescent years. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and then received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. After working for several years in Virginia, Dr. Ann and her husband decided to settle down in the Chicago area.

Dr. Ann has a caring touch, a calming chairside manner, and a passion for health and service. Her priority is to make patients feel comfortable and provide comprehensive treatment to help educate them about their needs to achieve a healthy smile.

Outside the office, Dr. Ann loves spending time with her family. She loves trying new restaurants, traveling, and being active outdoors.

Dr. Michael Wince, DDS

Dr. Wince grew up in Indiana, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at Indiana University in 1995 then attended the Indiana University School of Dentistry, where he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 2001. Moving to Chicago shortly thereafter, he has been practicing General Dentistry both in a private practice setting and as a volunteer for the Chicago Dental Society Foundation Clinic.

Dr. Wince provides dental care and education with a high degree of proficiency and thoroughness. His approach to individualized care relies on the doctor/patient relationship where treatment can be established collaboratively.

When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Wince enjoys time with his family, golfing, reading, and traveling the world. An avid runner, he has completed numerous road races, from 5Ks with the family to marathons. He is a skilled woodworker, home remodeler, and a “fearless” do-it-yourselfer.

Dr. Caroline Jermanus, DDS

Dr. Caroline Jermanus is a board-certified periodontist. She grew up in Florida and attended Nova Southeastern University for her dental training. She went on to finish specialty training in periodontics and dental implants at the University of Florida, where she received a certificate in periodontics and dental implants in addition to a master’s degree in Oral Biology.

Dr. Jermanus is proficiently trained in all aspects of periodontics, including non-surgical and surgical treatment of periodontal diseases, periodontal bone regeneration, and periodontal soft tissue grafting. She also has extensive training in the surgical placement of dental implants and hard tissue grafting, including sinus augmentation and soft tissue grafting to enhance the aesthetics of dental implants.

When not practicing periodontics, Dr. Jermanus enjoys cooking, swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.

ROTARY GROVEFEST

VISUALS

The Rotary GroveFest was held in late June in downtown Downers Grove featuring rides, beer garden and entertainment with four days of live music. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, the festival helps fund community grants given annual to several nonprofit organizations in the area. Photos courtesy of 726 Visuals

DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE MARKET

Sponsored by the Indian Boundary YMCA and Village of Downers Grove, the Downtown Downers Grove Market has offered the community everything from fresh food to crafts and live entertainment. With more than 100 vendors, there’s something for everyone. The market will be open through Saturday, October 15. Photos courtesy of 726 Visuals.

PHOTOS BY 726

A Small Foundation with a BIG IMPACT

BY EMMA WOLF | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE 4ANNA FOUNDATION

Last year, in the Fall of 2021, James and Katie Trent decided to start Golf4ANNA, an event stemming from their foundation, 4ANNA, which they created after their 4-year-old daughter, Anna, tragically drowned in 2016. The Trents decided to start the foundation to increase water safety awareness and adequate training for kids to prevent other families from experiencing the catastrophic loss they experienced.

At this past golf event held at the Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien, the 4ANNA Foundation raised over $15,000 and had 19 sponsors, with Cadence Kitchen & Co & The Foxtail in downtown Downers Grove as the title sponsors. Over 100 golfers came out to support the Trents, including many local families and avid golfers alike.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to CAST Water Safety. This organization teaches young swimmers self-rescue swimming lessons, including how to practice the self-rescue method. In the self-rescue method, instructors teach children to find air and safety by turning onto their backs and floating during an “aquatic emergency” or a potential

drowning event. CAST Water Safety Foundation offers swim lessons on their website, castwatersafety.org.

As for the question, “what’s next?” for the 4ANNA Foundation, there is much promise on the horizon! The Trent fam-

ily and others are working to create an educational program to bring to local elementary schools in District 58 to help educate kids on water safety and the self-rescue method.

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The 4ANNA Foundation educates the public on water safety

JAMES AND KATIE TRENT STARTED THE 4ANNA FOUNDATION IN 2021.

James and Katie have also gone to local pools and talked to the lifeguards about the job’s significance and the lifeguard’s role. Swimming under the supervision of highly trained and qualified lifeguards is one of the most important ways for young swimmers to swim safely and avoid a potentially hazardous water situation.

While the thought of your child drowning is terrifying, the Trent family’s goal of creating the 4ANNA Foundation is not to scare parents and kids but rather to educate them on what to do if they ever encounter a swimming accident. Education is the first step in prevention, and the 4ANNA Foundation is “making waves” by spreading awareness and educating the community on water safety. For more information and to stay in the loop about future events and fundraisers, visit 4anna.org.

The 4ANNA Foundation’s tips for swimming safely for kids, teens, and adults:

ALWAYS BE WITHIN ARMS REACH

KIDS: Ask before getting in the water and always swim with an adult.

TEENS: Assign an adult water guardian and always swim with a buddy.

ADULTS: Get in the water and always be within arms reach of your smaller child or be a water guardian for older children.

LEARN TO FLOAT

KIDS: Ask parents to sign you up for self-rescue swim lessons to learn to float.

TEENS: Practice your floating skills every time you get in the water.

ADULTS: Research and sign your kids up for self-rescue swim lessons at 4anna.org.

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

KIDS: Always wear a life jacket near open water (lakes, rivers, oceans).

TEENS: Always wear life jackets in open water, especially on boats and paddle boards.

ADULTS: Be sure life jackets are Coast Guard-approved and never use them for learning to swim purposes.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

KIDS: Always ask before you jump in the water and know the rules of safe swim time.

TEENS: Educate yourself on open water safety, especially rip currents. Learn CPR.

ADULTS: Educate yourself on current water safety and continually assess the water environment. Be sure to communicate water safety rules to your child before they enter the water. Learn CPR. ■

OVER 100 GOLFERS ATTENDED THE FIRST ANNUAL GOLF4ANNA EVENT.

POP THE QUESTION

FROM RAZNY JEWELERS TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER!