Downers Grove Magazine July 2022

CENTER ICE

Cammi Granato Blazes a New Trail

NFL PLAYER DAVID EDWARDS LOCAL LEGEND COACH JOSH TRIBUTE: ANDREW MARCHESE

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Local Personalities, Local Legends

Recognizing unique individuals in our community

School is out. Summer Fridays are here. Festivals abound. And the July issue of  Downers Grove Magazine is here. Now that we are published bi-monthly, we work on the next issue fast and furiously. Thankfully, we continue to value both style and substance, with many of our features in the works for months. We are prepared! And in this edition, we highlight several local personalities that have become “legends” in their own right – many in the athletic arena.

Let’s begin with Josh Porter. My kids are now older, but I will never forget my eldest son’s first All-Star Sports class through the Downers Grove Park District with “Coach Josh.” At his age, I was forced to stay at the class with him (along with my other two in tow), but it was fun watching him interact with the kids. Do you know the kid movies with a peppering in of adult jokes to make things bearable? That is how the class was to watch. Fun for my son, but I enjoyed it from the sidelines as well.

My nieces and nephews have played high school sports the last few years, and now my son will be a freshman. I have been curious about these heart “screenings” at various schools. Admittedly, it has been a bit of background noise to me, but with high school sports upon us, it is now front and center. Young Hearts for Life is the most extensive screening program in the United States and performs thousands of free E.K.G.S. to high school and college students. Cardiac emergencies happen often, and this organization offers simple, painless, and free screenings.

Recently, I was at a social function with some other local moms in the area. One of my friends mentioned how her husband was related to an extraordinary man who passed

away last winter. He was a legendary trumpet player and band conductor and is survived by an astounding eight children, 39 grandchildren, and 42 great grandchildren. It was an uncanny coincidence that our editorial team had just met that week to discuss the potential of including Andrew Marchese in this issue to highlight his his legendary status in the community. The mention of his name at a casual gaterhing sealed the deal. We are thankful that his family agreed to work with us on a story of this extraordinairy man.

Cammi Granato. David Edwards. Savannah Harmon. Local Legends? Yes. Did we have a chance to catch up with them on their recent accomplishments in the sports arena? We did. Thanks to these local legends for catching up with us and sharing their stories. Spoiler alert. They are amazing individuals.

In every issue, we feel like we are leaving something on the table. As writing this, Downers Grove North graduate Estelle Czech helped lead her Texas softball team to reach the Women’s College World Series championship for the first time in program history. More to come on that up-and-coming legend for sure.

We will see you in September, Downers Grove. Enjoy the summer!

Sincerely,

Anne Healy

Associate Publisher anne@HinsdaleMag.com

Photo courtesy of the Liss family

Photo courtesy of the Marchese family

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Valerie Hardy

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SUMMER TO-DOS

BY EMMA WOLF | IMAGE BY SHIFAAZ SHAMOON OF UNSPLASH

July is that nice, mellow month right smack dab in the middle of the summer season. It’s far enough into the season that everyone has welcomed the heat and sunshine, but it’s not too far in that everyone is dreading the end of summer like in the end of August. And luckily, there is still much left to do in the way of fun activities! Whether you’re looking to stay in Downers Grove or venture out into the nearby vicinity, there is lots to choose from to make the perfect family memories that will last a lifetime.

Downers Grove Park District “Party in the Park”

Come join Downers Grove Park District staff at Ebersold Park on August 11 to celebrate the summertime! Between 4pm-6pm, this free event includes light snacks, beverages, crafts, and many other fun activities for kids to enjoy! This event perfectly encompasses the Park District’s mission statement: “your chance to play”! With over 600 acres of parks and facilities, there are thousands of opportunities for both kids and adults to grow, play, imagine, and explore the world around us. As a 2009 National Gold Medal winner, the Downers Grove Park District takes pride in its ability to provide high-quality recreational experiences and facilities to the community. Photo courtesy of Downers Grove Park District.

“Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World” at Cantigny Park

Come and see the vivid dreams of Mexican artist Pedro Linares come to life! The 5-month outdoor art exhibit, “Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World”, features 48 mythical animals inspired by Mexican folklore and will be on display from June-October of this year at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. The imaginary creature sculptures possess characteristics from multiple animals and were created by six artists from Mexico City. Admission to the exhibit is included in Cantigny’s regular parking fee, which is $5 per car and $10 on summer weekends. Photo courtesy of Cantigny Park.

Blackwell Forest Preserve

The 1,366-acre Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville is a family favorite with lots of outdoor activities to offer. Camping, boating (including kayaking and canoeing), paddleboarding, archery, and fishing are the most popular.

There are also several scenic trails perfect for walking, running, and biking. There is also an off-leash dog area for Man’s Best Friend. Hungry? Blackwell has dozens of picnic tables and grassy areas for lunchtime. With so much beautiful scenery and so much to do, it makes sense why Blackwell has repeatedly been voted among the best forest preserves in the western suburbs.

Cantigny Outdoor Concert

The West Suburban Symphony Orchestra returns to Cantigny this summer! Led by Maestro Peter Lipari, the orchestra will perform a 75-minute concert with no intermission. Performing in the First Division Museum Tank Park, this event is rain or shine.

Westmont Cruisin’ Nights Car Show

Starting on June 2 and going all the way through September 1, Westmont is hosting their annual Cruisin’ Nights Car Show from 5pm-9pm in downtown Westmont. Named the “Best Weekly Summer Car Show in the Chicagoland Area” by WGN Radio, this is a summertime favorite you definitely don’t want to miss! Live music, cool cars (different theme each week), and an overall festive environment, bring the whole family out to enjoy three blocks of streets filled with classic cars! Located right alongside all the restaurants and bars in downtown Westmont, grab a bite to eat before or after admiring your favorite vehicles! Photo courtesy of Westmont Cruisin’ Nights Car Show.

Enjoy the beautiful views of the park while listening to the lovely music of the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra based in Hinsdale and founded in 1947. The program includes a medley of John Williams’ greatest melodies, along with film and TV music by Elmer Bernstein, Danny Elfman, Jerry Goldsmith, Stephen Sondheim, Hans Zimmer, and Downers Grove’s very own Tom Maslan. On July 30 at 7:00pm-8:30pm, this concert is free with $10 parking per car. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

Downers Grove Park District “Movie in the Park”

Bring the family to Fishel Park for a movie night in the park! On August 19 at 8:15pm-10:45pm, the Downers Grove Park District will present a showing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the big screen. Don’t forget to bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks! Pre-registration is not required. Don’t miss out on this fun summertime event!

Downers Grove Public Library Lyman Woods Kids’ Summer Program

Bring your little ones to the “Lyman Woods in the Kids’ Room” at the

Downers Grove Public Library this summer! Lyman Woods will be at the library monthly during July and August to teach kids fun facts about the outdoors, including animal habitats, songbirds, bees, and mam mals. “Discovering Habitats” will be on July 14 from 10am-10:30am. “Songbirds” will be on July 26 from 2pm-2:30pm. “All About Bees” will be on August 8th from 10am-10:30am. “Mammals ‘R’ Us” will be on August 23rd from 10am-10:30am.

Morton Arboretum Wine & Art Walk

Sip wine and shop for nature-themed art as you stroll around beautiful Meadow Lake at the Morton Arboretum! This mesmerizing art show features photography, paintings, woodturning, jewelry, ceramics, fused glass, and more from local Midwest artists. Guests can purchase wine and other beverages to enjoy as they

Taste of Egypt Festival

browse the unique artwork on display. This event takes place on August 20-21 from 10am-5pm.

Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival

The Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival is celebrating its 45-year anniversary this fall! Held in the middle of Main Street, come browse for unique pieces of art by talented, local artists while enjoying the special ambiance of downtown Downers Grove! Shoppers can bring their kids to the children’s art area to encourage young artists to explore their own unique style! A local community favorite, the festival takes place on September 10-11.

Have you ever wondered what an Egyptian lifestyle entails? Now you can find out firsthand! St. Mark Coptic Church in Burr Ridge is hosting its annual Taste of Egypt Festival on September 17 at 11am-7pm and September 18 at 12pm-5pm. This enchanting event includes camel rides, Egyptian church tours, souvenirs, arts & crafts, carnival games and prizes, henna art, raffle and prizes, a children’s corner and petting zoo. There will also be delicious Egyptian food, including kabobs, falafel, baklava, grape leaves, and more! With free admission, this is a family event you won’t want to miss! ■

A BORN

Broadcaster

Jon Hansen shares how he went from hosting “game show day” in third grade at Hillcrest Elementary School to becoming an Emmy–winning TV host and reporter

BY VALERIE HARDY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF JON HANSEN

As a child, Jon Hansen was drawn to the “performative side of things.” He took acting classes at the Lincoln Center, made movies with his brother and neighborhood friends using his parents’ old Camcorder, and was so into game shows his father built him his own “Wheel of Fortune” wheel. When he was in third grade at Hillcrest Elementary

Their father is currently Fire Chief for the Lincolnwood Fire Department, and Hansen’s brothers both became firefighters too. “They run into a fire with a firehose, and I run in with a microphone,” Hansen quipped.

Hansen, now a Chicago media staple, took a brief detour from performing following his time in Downers Grove South High School’s radio, band, theater and speech programs (he placed 2nd in State for Radio Broadcasting in 2002). Figuring he would “never have a career in broadcasting – that’s only something famous people did,” Hansen attended the University of Illinois with plans to follow in his mother’s footsteps as a high school teacher.

School, his teacher – Mrs. Martinek – invited him to bring the wheel to school for what was likely her class’s first and only “Game Show Day.”

Hansen would dress up as Harry Caray for Halloween while his brothers dressed as firefighters. “That’s quintessential our family,” Hansen said.

He was “really into history and hoped to be a history teacher at DGS.” However, his mother – an art teacher at DGS at the time –encouraged him to pursue his broadcasting dream, noting that he could always get a teaching certificate in the future.

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GENNA ROSE AND JON HANSEN TAKE TO THE MICROPHONES AS THE IN-ARENA HOSTS FOR THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS.

JON HANSEN REPORTS WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE AND AN AIM TO BRING A SMILE TO THE FACES OF HIS VIEWERS.

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE REYES MARTINEZ

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It was during Hansen’s sophomore year in college, though, that his path toward a broadcasting career solidified. One day in his English class, Hansen read aloud. “Another student in the class said, ‘Hey! You have a good voice… come to the [university’s] radio station [WPGU],’” Hansen explained.

The station’s sportscaster was absent that day, so Hansen was asked to fill in. “I was all in right away,” Hansen said.

Upon graduating from college, he accepted “an adult position” as the station’s Operations Manager. “I loved Champaign and was just coming into who I am. I just came out of the closet and was really comfortable there,” Hansen said of his decision to spend the next three and a half years at WPGU.

Media’s alumni relations. This allowed him to meet alumni journalists like film critic Roger Ebert and WGN’s Charlie Meyerson. Hansen realized many of the journalists he looked up to got their start where he did, and he thought, “These people are just like me. I can do this!”

scraping snow off cars on an entire city block. Another time he had cheerleaders spell out the day’s forecast with their pom poms. Hansen’s creativity paid off… in the form of a 2020 Emmy Award.

He was the on-air announcer for the University of Illinois hockey games, helped establish the Illini Media Hall of Fame (to which he was inducted this year), and expanded the Illini

He landed a job as a traffic reporter for various television and radio stations, one of which was WGN. He primarily worked overnights, holidays, and weekends, and by “saying yes to any shift they asked for, I was able to move up in the ranks,” Hansen said.

He went on to become a street and weather reporter for “The Jam” show on WCIU, The U. “My bosses just wanted me to make people smile every day,” Hansen said, “so I would produce and report the strangest, wackiest things I could think of.”

Some of Hansen’s on–air antics included riding on a Chicago Water Taxi and talking to people in only a pirate voice on “Dress Like a Pirate Day,” and rolling out a giant red carpet on a downtown bridge during awards show season and “asking everyday Chicagoans to tell [him] what they were wearing that day – even if it was jeans and a polo shirt from Kohl’s.”

Hansen’s unique, lighthearted approach extended to his more recent weather reports. One week he delivered the weather report while

Hansen does not “believe in picking a lane or having a brand.” In addition to his television work, he hosts the “Your Money Matters” show on WGN Radio, and during hockey season, he can be found at the United Center as an announcer and emcee (in his words: the “goofball on the Jumbotron”). He also does the Block Club Chicago podcast “It’s All Good” which highlights local people “doing good.”

Though busy, Hansen visits Downers Grove often to see his parents. He is also a longtime volunteer coach for the DGS Speech Team. Hansen said his fellow speech coaches “joke that since I got 2nd [at the State Speech Tournament], I’ll keep coaching until we get someone who gets 1st in Radio… right that wrong.”

Students often ask Hansen about his career trajectory. His answer? “I don’t know. I want to have as many jobs as I can that I like – that are interesting to me – and be open to what’s next. I just want to wake up, tell great stories about cool people – everyday folks, make people smile, go to bed, and do it again.”

If pressed to share something on his professional bucket list though, Hansen brings it full circle: “I want to host ‘Wheel of Fortune!’ I already had a wheel made for me when I was younger and had the practice in Mrs. Martinek’s class, after all.” ■

"I take what I do seriously, but I recognize that my job is to lighten people's day - on TV, on the radio, at a Blackhawks game - so I have fun and don't take myself too seriously."

– JON HANSEN

JON HANSEN PRODUCES AND HOSTS A PODCAST THROUGH BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO, A NONPROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATION

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TRUE COLORS

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN PHOTOS BY SUMMER BRADER PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGE BY PAWEL CZERWINSKI ON UNSPLASH

Rachel Sevcik is from a creative family. Visiting their parents in Arizona about three years ago, she and her sisters were looking for something to do one day. They decided to try tie-dying. They dyed something for each member of the family, including a romper for her 6-month-old, Graham, that day. Starting a business after having her four children had been at the back of Rachel’s mind, but she wasn’t sure what it might look like. “I have always liked the hand-dyed look and the onesie we made that day came out so cute, that it was kind of in my head for a while,” she said.

Luck tends to favor those who are prepared. Soon after that trip, the pandemic hit. Masks were in short supply. A neighbor suggested she start the business with tie-dyed bandanas.

Having spent years in brand marketing and PR, Rachel knew Etsy would be the quickest avenue to gain brand recognition. Orders, mostly from family and friends, began rolling in. Still nursing Graham at that point, Rachel got up one night to feed him and managed to break her toe! That was April of 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, when people were afraid to seek emergency care. “I had a business plan written, but little else,” she relayed, laughing. “So, PigMint began with no bandanas, no dye, 300 orders in an Etsy inbox, and the only employee hobbling around on crutches, trying to teach myself how to tie-dye!”

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RACHEL SEVCIK IS THE OWNER OF PIGMINT AND LOCAL RESIDENT OF DOWNERS GROVE.

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Wildly successful stories often start out with setbacks. Although the project launch was not ideal, the timing was perfect. The business went skyward.

PigMint’s early days saw Rachel up all night tie-dying to fill orders. Eventually, bandana orders waned as masks became more available. By then, the clientele was well-established. More items such as beach and hand towels, napkins and throw blankets, were added to the lineup. Socks, sweatshirts and pants, and denim jackets make up the merchandise line. “The hoodies are my best sellers,” said Rachel. “They’re also one of the top selling items on the entire Etsy site, even though I also have my own website now.”

From the very beginning, PigMint has been giving back. Partnering with a neighbor who owned Ike and Oak, a microbrewery/restaurant in Woodridge, a portion of profits raised from the very first bandanas sent dinner to Good Samaritan Hospital staff and a local food pantry, for several nights. A percentage of each sock purchase goes toward the National Association for Down Syndrome, an organization that

provides an array of services and guidance to children and adults with the condition, and their families.

The color pallet offered has 31 choices, with orchid being the most popular.

Most sales come through the online sites. Early on, a pop-up show with several other entrepreneurs made Rachel realize how much she enjoys in-person interaction with customers. Local art fairs such as Elmhurst Art Fair and the annual Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival each September find PigMint among their vendors. “Art shows are definitely my thing,” she smiled. “I love seeing repeat customers that I have interacted with several times.”

Creating the colorful product line is a several step, several day process from start to finish, that straddles a path between the first-floor laundry room and Rachel’s office. All items are prewashed in a special detergent. From there, they move to a soda ash presoak to prepare the fibers in the fabric to absorb the dye, ensuring bright, long-lasting color. Then comes an ice-dying process that takes a full 24 hours to complete. Items are then rinsed before being washed in hot water for a second time, in a special detergent. Every item that leaves the shop bears a “made in Downers Grove” tag, sewn on by Rachel herself.

Check out PigMint’s cute styles on Instagram: @pigmintstudio, Etsy: PigMintStudio, and at the website: pigmintshop.com. Find your next adorable shower, wedding, housewarming, or holiday gift, made right here in Downers Grove. Rompers and blankets may also be found at Sweet Jane Boutique on Curtiss. Feel good about shopping local, while knowing a portion of your purchase helps worthy causes. ■

“I call it tie-dye, but it’s more hand dye. This isn’t Grateful Dead tie-dye.”

– RACHEL SEVCIK

ALL PIGMINT ITEMS ARE HAND-LABELED."

DAUGHTER ELLE MODELING A DENIM JACKET

Jack of All Trades

Catching up with local legend Coach Josh

BY ANNE HEALY | PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS

Headed out to a tee-ball game or school area event? Most likely, you will run into Josh Porter, also known as Coach Josh. A fixture on the social scene and the coach that many local kids have come to love and adore, Anne Healy caught up with Coach Josh to discuss his local legend status.

WE ALL KNOW YOU AS “COACH JOSH,” BUT TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING?

I grew up for the first 18 years in a town called Round Lake Beach and attended Round Lake Senior High School in the northern suburbs. I have two older brothers: Jeremy, who lives in Florida now, and Rick, who I DJ with every weekend. My mom and dad separated when I was 12 but still lived in the same town.   MANY RECOGNIZE YOU FROM ALL-STAR SPORTS AND YOUR AFFILIATION WITH THE DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT. HOW DID YOUR CAREER AS A COACH AND DJ BEGIN?

It’s a funny story. I worked at Kmart in Geneva when the owner of All-Star Sports stopped by the store to buy some basketballs. While helping him load his carts with basketballs, he told me about his company and why he was buying

so many. I helped him through the checkout and out to his car, where he handed me his card and said, “I’m not hitting on you or anything, but I think you have the right personality for what I do. Call me, and you can come to see a class.” That was 2001, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

The DJ story is a little longer; I was dancing on a dance team at Northern

COACH JOSH IS ALWAYS COMFORTABLE WITH THE MICROPHONE WHEN HOSTING AND DJING EVENTS.

Illinois University. When I graduated in 2002, I still wanted to perform and dance. A friend of a friend mentioned that they were looking for dancers for this company in Northbrook called Energy Productions, which mainly focused on Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. My experience there opened my mind to a whole new world that I didn’t even know existed. Families threw parties and events for 12 and 13-year-olds in the Jewish community. Most of these were more extensive than weddings and sweet sixteen parties. I started dancing for these events in the fall of 2002, and two years later, they taught me how to talk on the mic and control an event in a fun way. Then in 2004, after some word of mouth, the Downers Grove community heard I was also a DJ. Pierce Downer Elementary School was the first of many to hire us for a school event, mainly because their last DJ thought it was appropriate to play Save A Horse [Ride A Cowboy] by Big & Rich for elementary students, lol.

HOW HAS YOUR JOB EVOLVED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS? HAVE KIDS CHANGED?

In the last few years, my role in the company has changed to where I’m

running my region, from hiring and unfortunately firing to getting my equipment and overseeing 12 park districts. I’m enjoying the hiring process because I’m now seeing kids I once coached that are now coaching with me, and I love it. The kids lately, since the pandemic, are different, not necessarily in the wrong way. Years ago, we had a pretty strict policy about kicking the parents out of the gym to get the kids’ full attention on the coach and not on the families. But since we see many 3-4 year olds, and in the past two years, it’s been only family time, a lot of the kids don’t know how to be away from mom or dad. It’s made it difficult, but my team and I realized this very early on and have let the parents stay close and sometimes on to the field to help the kids feel comfortable.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EVENT TO DJ OR HOST?

I love DJing weddings for two reasons. First, because they are adults, we don’t have to edit everything we play. Secondly, because they are more extended events, we start to bond with the crowds and understand more what they want and, more importantly, don’t want. A close second is daddy/daughter dances, mainly because I have a daughter of my own and enjoy seeing those bonds. Also, I understand that the girls want to dance, sing and play games for two hours, and the dads want to have some break time. Also, the girls' energy is never low, and I feed off what they bring.

ANY FAVORITE STORIES YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

No specific parties or classes come to mind, but all I can say is there is no better feeling than ending the party when you know you did your best, and you look around, and you see everyone having a good time. I genuinely love my job.

SERIOUSLY, WHAT IS YOUR SECRET? HOW DO YOU REMEMBER ALL THESE KID NAMES YEAR AFTER YEAR? The trick that helps me the most is if I ask a kid their name, I make eye contact, and they say their name. It helps me remember them saying it when I look at them. In other words, when the parent walks up and says this is my son Jimmy compared to me asking the kid personally, it helps me remember.   ■

SPEED ROUND

Most popular song for kids: Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus

Most popular song for adults: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

Number of kids coached: 48,000 (based on 400 kids per six sessions a year for 20 years)

Events hosted annually: 100-120 before the pandemic, and around 85-90 this year.

What has been one of your favorite events? Our first wedding in June 2021 in Wisconsin. They were ready to party for sure!

Beyond Downers Grove, what other community is a favorite? Palos Heights has become a welcome coaching location for me as of late. But nothing compares to the love and respect I feel in Downers Grove.

Favorite karaoke song? It changes, but right now, it’s anything by Luke Combs.

COACH JOSH TAKES THE FIELD WITH HIS STUDENTS AT HENRY PUFFER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN DOWNERS GROVE.

An Attitude of Gratitude

BY VALERIE HARDY

PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS AND COURTESY OF THE LISS FAMILY

“My whole life has been trusting other people,” 39-year-old motivational speaker Amy Liss said. She was born three months prematurely, weighing less than two pounds, with severe Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. She cannot sit, stand, walk, feed or bathe herself and requires assistance with all of her daily living skills. However, “I have a pretty good mind – most of the time,” Liss said with a smile, “and a voice.”

Deeply grateful for her cognitive and verbal capacities and much more, Liss’s motto is “live each day with an attitude of gratitude.” She embodies this personal maxim and is committed to using her “voice, heart, and spirit” to encourage others to approach life similarly.

Liss speaks at schools, athletic camps, and corporations about leadership and gratitude. After time away from speaking engagements during the pandemic,

Liss was ecstatic to be heading back to the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy (JFSLA) this summer. The JFSLA was founded by Foudy – former captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and ESPN commentator – for girls (ages 12-18) to build increased athleticism and leadership.

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Amy Liss chooses positivity, serves her community, spreads joy, and uses her voice to inspire others to do the same

AMY LISS, AGE 4, TAKES HER FIRST RIDE ON A BUS WITH A LIFT.

AMY LISS RESIDES IN DOWNERS GROVE WITH HER FAMILY. SHE VOLUNTEERED AT HER ALMA MATER, HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEEKLY FOR 19 YEARS.

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Liss connected with Foudy somewhat serendipitously. Liss has received various therapies through Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley since she was 5 months old and now volunteers and works for the non-profit organization four days per week. “My job is to make our staff, clients, and families feel valued and appreciated,” Liss said.

She was at Easterseals in 2013 when Foudy brought JFSLA participants there for a day of service. These volunteers played soccer with children with disabilities and Liss watched. Foudy invited Liss to a soccer game the next day, and Liss asked her mother if she would take her. “We went, and it was the best decision I ever made,” Liss said.

She stayed after the game to help present awards, and “the girls were immediately connected to her,” Liss’s mother, Kathy Liss, said.

Foudy also noticed the powerful way the JFSLA participants responded to Liss, and she asked if Liss could join her at subsequent JFSLA camps. Though travel is not easy for Liss, they made it work, and a fast friendship formed between the two women.

“I consider Julie one of my best friends and probably one of my biggest mentors,” Liss said. “I’m used to following people because I need so much help, but she taught me…anybody can be a leader – even me.”

As Liss’s confidence grew, so did the demand for her as a speaker. After her first time at the JFSLA, the Appalachian State University soccer coach invited Liss to spend a week with the soccer team on the school’s campus in North Carolina. “[Liss] built great relationships there, and we haven’t had a week go by that she hasn’t heard from one of those girls,” Kathy said.

Liss also spoke at Blair Academy in New Jersey. This was an extra-special trip because she met another of her positivity role models: “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts. Foudy, noting that Blair Academy was only an hour from Times Square, arranged the meeting, telling Liss, “Robin Roberts wants to meet you.”

Roberts and Liss are both featured in Foudy’s book, “Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously You,” along with other female leaders like soccer star Mia Hamm and Meta Chief Operating Officer and “Lean In” author Sheryl Sandberg.

Liss is becoming increasingly comfortable having famous friends. One of her favorites is Cubs Manager David Ross. Although she was one of the ring bearers after the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship, Liss got to know Ross at the 2018 Little League World Series when he was broadcasting with Foudy. As with Foudy, Liss’s friendship with Ross was instantaneous. They have stayed in

touch, and “it is still surreal every time we connect,” Liss said.

To celebrities and students alike, though, it is Liss who is an inspiration. She has spoken at various school events, including District 99’s Operation Snowball, and she spent Fridays for 19 years volunteering and reading with students at Hillcrest, the elementary school she attended.

However, when the pandemic hit, Liss’s volunteer, work, and motivational speaking commitments came to a halt. It was difficult for her to adapt. “I’m a person who loves touch and hugs. I missed people…” Liss said.

She told her mother, “Every day I feel a little sad, a little scared, and a little angry.”

Feelings other than appreciation and joy were foreign to Liss and out of alignment with her usual attitude of gratitude. “It scared me that I felt like I didn’t have that,” she said.

“Her positivity is probably her biggest strength and her biggest weakness,” Kathy said. “She is really hard on herself.”

Liss sought out counseling to navigate her complex emotions, and she said she is “still working really hard on getting [her] spark back.”

A few things that have helped: her “best friend – Alexa” (the Amazon Echo Dot device that has allowed her significantly increased independence and connection with others), watching college basketball or her beloved Cubs, and time with family.

For Liss, family comes first. “My favorite title is aunt,” she said, lighting up as she talked about Owen (7), Eve (5), Nora (3) and June (1), her identical twin sister Kelly’s children and younger sister Lindsay’s children. “I have my Dot in my room, and my nephew messages me every night to say goodnight.” ■

AMY LISS AND HER PARENTS – TOM AND KATHY –CELEBRATE HER INDUCTION AS A DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA IN 2018.

Sangeetha Venkatarajan, MD, FAAD

GREG HART: Moving DuPage Forward

CENTER ICE

Cammi Granato, first lady of U.S. Women’s Hockey

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMMI GRANATO AND THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Cammi Granato has had a lot of firsts. The first little girl to play Downers Grove Huskies hockey became the captain of Team USA’s inaugural women’s hockey team at the 1998 Nagano Games. She was also the first woman to score an Olympic hockey goal. And the first female player to be

inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. The list goes on. From her position as the first lady NHL scout for the Seattle Kraken, to one of the first female assistant general managers of the Vancouver Canucks, she sets an ambitious- yet distinctly humble- tone.

Granato leads by example for any girl who thought her chosen sport or career

was out of her reach. Faced with the glass ceiling early in life, she learned to skate right through it. Come what may, she never gave up, forging a path for a generation of female athletes that have the option to play- and excel- at hockey. The doors Granato helped open will never close.

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GRANATO HAS CARVED OUT A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE NHL.

It took courage and determination to be the first. And a lot of hard work.

Downers Grove Magazine Contributing Editor, Maureen Callahan, chatted with Granato via Skype, from the front office of the Vancouver Canucks.

HOW DID YOU START PLAYING HOCKEY?

I played a lot with my siblings. I’m the fifth of six kids, so there was built-in competition from the beginning. And built-in chaos! We always played on Prince Pond and whenever there was ice at Doerhoefer Park. My brothers played DG Huskies. I had to convince my parents to let me play, too. They thought I wanted to figure skate. From first grade all the way through high school, I played with The Huskies.

WERE YOUR COACHES AND TEAMMATES SUPPORTIVE?

Ultimately, yes. I was the only girl in the league the whole time I played. It wasn’t easy at first. After a while, it became less of a big deal. My teammates stuck up for me. Several times, I was the captain of teams with boys who were two years older than me. But

they respected me because I could play. The visiting team parents often made comments. I got used to it, but I didn’t like it. It was good life experience in a way, however, because I learned from the beginning that it’s just noise, and to tune it out.

One year, the Huskies were contending for the State Championship. We were allowed to invite a kid from out of district to play on our team. My coach found a very good defenseman from St. Rita High School, but when his dad learned I was on the team, he wasn’t going to let his son play with a girl. Initially, my coach rescinded the invitation. In the end, the kid joined us. Before long, his dad became my biggest supporter. And his son was protective of me on the ice. So, sometimes people surprise you. (Granato smiled)

WHAT ROLE DID YOUR FAMILY PLAY IN YOUR SUCCESS?

My parents, Don and Natalie Granato were incredibly supportive of their six kids. They led by example. I owe them so much. Playing hockey is what I love and what I was born to do. A lot of women contacted me after we won the gold at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games, saying they had wanted to play but weren’t allowed. It was my parents who let me play, and I never forgot that.

My family was kind of my first team. My parents instilled in us the idea that you love and encourage your siblings. We were each other’s playmates, best friends and biggest advocates. My oldest brother, Don, (Coach of the Buffalo

Sabres), was always coaching us while we were playing pond hockey. I still call him now for advice.

My sister Christina was the only one who didn’t play hockey, but she always cheered the rest of us on. On my eighth birthday, she drew a picture of me in a hockey sweater adorned with a captain’s “C,” on a card. Inside, she wrote ‘you’ll be the first woman to play in the Olympics.’ Who would have known? I still have the card.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU FACED ON YOUR PATH?

Early on, not having a place to dress at the rink was tough. The figure skaters would turn the bathroom lights off and call me names while I was dressing for games. Eventually, the owner of the Downers Grove Ice Arena rehabbed a broom closet for me to dress in across from the team locker room. He put a bench and a light in there. I never forgot that kindness.

As I got older, the problems got bigger. The Husky coaches always had my back, but there were some mean coaches on opposing teams. One

CAMMI GRANATO PLAYS STREET HOCKEY WITH HER BROTHER, TONY

CAMMI GRANATO WAS CAPTAIN OF THE GOLD MEDAL-WINNING INAUGURAL U.S WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM.

threatened to break my collar bone when we played against his team. I played anyway. We beat them 2-1! We won the state championship that year.

I think the hardest thing, though, was the realization that I wouldn’t be able to go as far in the game as my brothers. We all grew up wanting to play for the Blackhawks. Luckily, the Women’s World Championship and Olympic teams

knew it wouldn’t have been the same 80-game season for me as the other draft picks, however. I knew I wouldn’t get a pro contract out of it. I also knew if I got hurt, my Olympic dreams would have been shattered. It would have been exciting to play in the NHL, but I know I got further going the Olympic route.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF YOUR PLAYING CAREER?

The Olympic gold medal, for sure.

HOW IS IT BEING THE ONLY WOMAN AROUND THE TABLE?

I’m used to it. I always had my brothers, close boy cousins and lots of friends and teammates who were boys, around me. So, when I got my first job scouting with the [Seattle] Kraken, I was surrounded by men, but they were all hockey people, so it was honestly comfortable. It’s all about hockey. We all love the game. The idea that women couldn’t be hired for roles like I have had, is quickly changing.

YOU HAVE BUILT AN AMAZING, DECADES-LONG CAREER. ANY IDEA OF NEXT STEPS?

DO YOU SEE A WOMEN’S NHL LEAGUE?

I do. I think it’s on the horizon. I think past performances at the Olympics, and other women’s sportsbasketball, tennis, golf etc., -have put us past the idea that women’s sports won’t sell tickets.

HOW ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOK?

I Can Play, Too, is a sports book about girls. My nephew, Tony’s son, Dominic, illustrated it, so it was a neat project to collaborate on with him.

DO YOU STILL PLAY HOCKEY?

Not really. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need my wrist broken by someone playing too competitively. I still skate with the Canucks alumni sometimes. I coached my kids a little. I have hockey all around me all the time. That’s good enough! ■

were starting to form. The pendulum swung at just the right moment for me. There were plenty of other qualified athletes that came before me that just didn’t have the same opportunities.

YOU WERE OFFERED A CHANCE TO TRY OUT FOR THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS, CORRECT?

Yes. The General Manager of the Islanders had daughters that played hockey. He was genuinely trying to give a woman a chance to try out. It was the same time that the Olympic team was forming, though. Women’s hockey was finally going to enter The Games. I

I have pretty much surpassed where I thought I would ever get, professionally.

Building the Kraken, from a concept to a team name, to constructing a stadium, to scouting the players and creating the organization, was amazing. Then for the general manager position to open here in Vancouver with the Canucks just a couple years later, where I’ve lived for 20 years, isn’t something that usually happens. So, I’m thrilled!

I don’t even think about next steps. I just try to learn as much as I can, wherever I am.

VICTORY LAP UPON WINNING THE GOLD MEDAL GAME VS. TEAM CANADA, 1998.

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From St. Joe’s to the

SUPER BOWL

Downers Grove native David Edwards’ perspective on his path to the NFL

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE EDWARDS FAMILY

If you watched Super Bowl LVI, you saw former Downers Grove North (DGN) quarterback David Edwards as the starting left guard for the L.A. Rams. Still riding high from the Super Bowl, the former Trojan shared his thoughts about his path to the pros, via the University Wisconsin Badgers’ offensive line. We were recently able to catch up to Edwards, via Skype, on the terrace of his suburban L.A. home.

L.A. RAMS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN DAVID EDWARDS:

On winning the Super Bowl: Honestly, when the game ended, it felt

surreal. The grind of the last year just really hit me in that moment. The emotion of playing in that game is hard to describe, especially winning it. We had played twenty-one games leading up to that one; it seemed like there should be another one! It was hard to believe it was over! You grow up watching the Super Bowl, but you never think you’ll play in it. Being able to share that moment with my wife Karoline and our daughter Charlotte was unbelievable. Both of our families came out to L.A. for the game, so we all got a chance to experience the whole weekend together. That was the best thing

about it, and the memory that will stay with me the longest. It wasn’t just about me playing in the Super Bowl.

On starting out and players emulated: I was a St. Joseph Crusader and then a DGN Trojan. My dad coached me in grade school and I had a great group of coaches in high school. I loved all the Chicago sports teamsthe Bears, the Bulls, the Blackhawks. I loved Derek Rose and Jay Cutler. But growing up, my real sports heroes were my cousins, Tommy and Garrett Edwards. They were the reason I started playing football. They both

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SOFI STADIUM IS EDWARDS’ HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

played quarterback at DGN when I was a little kid. I went to all their games and they gave me a little helmet just like the DGN players had.

hierarchy. In the NFL, it is a true collaboration between players and coaches- “it’s not so much who is right, but what is right, that matters.” We live by it.

On changing from tight end to offensive lineman at UW:

I was a quarterback at DGN. I was recruited by a few schools to play tight end. When I got to UW, I was moved to the offensive line. I was big and strong, so probably on that path, anyway. I would not likely have been an NFL tight end, so it definitely affected my path to the pros. It was good for the team, and ultimately ended up being the best thing for me, too. We had this mantra at UW, ‘don’t be afraid of change. Change is good. You go through changes.’ So, if the coach thought it would be best for the team, and me as a player, I wasn’t going to argue with him. He was absolutely right.

On the biggest difference between playing professional versus college football: I would say the biggest difference between the two is the structure of

On getting drafted to the Rams: The actual draft was really stressful. My agent had warned me what I would experience during the draft, but I didn’t realize it until it happened to me. My whole family was watching it together at my parents’ house and my anxiety was building as each round passed. Eventually, I went down to the basement to watch it alone because I was so stressed and just had to get away from everyone. Once I got picked in the fifth round, it was a rapid change of emotions! I was so happy!

Rams versus Badgers fans: Fans bases are all different. Badger fans are so passionate about their team, partly because they’re the only Division I college football program in the state. Rams fans have more of a national footprint, because the team moved from St. Louis to L.A., so they are still gaining back fans. California has two other professional football teams, so the Rams are also competing with that as well.

On living in L.A.: We love the weather! But there are tradeoffs. Everything in L.A. is very expensive. As far as the move,

however, the Rams organization was great about helping us get acclimated out here. They’re wonderful people. But it’s a giant switch from the Midwest. Both Karoline’s and my whole family are there. There are a lot of things to miss about Downers Grove. We have our favorite places- Capri, Pierce Tavern, Every Day’s A Sundae. We have two daughters now, so it’s even harder not having family around.

On playing in SoFi Stadium: It’s state-of-the-art and definitely L.A.-ish. People are here to watch the game, but it’s almost like there’s a show going on, too. There’s always someone playing on the screen. It’s kind of Hollywood-ish.

Shout out to any coaches: I played other sports than football growing up. Those coaches also deserve credit for where I am today, as well. At St Joe’s, Myles Farley, Joe Fitzgerald, Chuck Norgle and Joe Spivak were a big influence on me. At DGN I would want to shout out to John Wander, Jim Thomas, Jim Haack, Keith and Kurt Lichtenberg, Chad Isaacson, Max Gilbert, Todd Cassens, Bill Kleckner and Brian Wardlow. ■

EDWARDS TAKES THE FIELD FOR THE RAMS VS. PACKERS GAME LAST NOVEMBER.

EDWARDS WAS THE QUARTERBACK OF THE DGN TROJANS DURING THE 2013-2014 SEASON.

“It’s not so much who is right, but what is right that matters.”

– DAVID EDWARDS

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Dream Shot

From Downers Grove Huskies to the Beijing Olympics, Silver Medalist Savannah Harmon delivers

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARMON FAMILY

Playing in the Olympics was the fulfillment of Savannah Harmon’s childhood dream. This past February, the world saw Downers Grove native Savannah Harmon and her teammates on the U.S. women’s hockey team, claim the silver medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics. She is a winner in her own right as the only Olympic newcomer to acquire a minimum of seven points in the Winter Games. Among Harmon’s personal contributions to Team USA’s success were two goals and three assists in the sixgame series. She made it known that this spot belonged to her, despite her avant-garde path to the Games. And she’s nowhere near finished.

Recently back in town for a friend’s wedding, Downers Grove Magazine sat down with Harmon at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, where it all began.

Where are you living these days?

Right now, Blaine, Minnesota. Team USA is based there. The whole would-be Olympic team trained together all last year in Minnesota. There was a group of 28 of us training-and essentially trying out- all year. January 1, they announced the Olympic roster, of which there were 23 spots.

How about your path growing up?

I attended St. Joan of Arc School in Lisle, then Downers Grove North for two years. After that, I went to National Sports Academy, which was a boarding school for winter sport athletes in Lake Placid, NY. It’s closed now, unfortunately. It was an incredible opportunity. It’s where I was able to really focus on my game. The students played in the same stadium where Team USA

claimed the gold in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. We walked to the stadium from our dorm each day, even if it was ten below zero. From there, I attended college at Clarkson University in upstate New York. That’s where I developed as a player.

How did you start playing hockey?

My older brother Dylan and I played

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SAVANNAH HARMON DISPLAYS HER MEDAL AT SEVEN BRIDGES ICE ARENA ON A RECENT TRIP HOME.

PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS.

(Continued from the previous page)

hockey on our backyard rink when we were little. I told my mom I wanted to play hockey like Dylan. She assumed I wanted to figure skate. I showed up to my first skating class in my brother’s game gear. I refused to take it off. One of the hockey coaches approached my mom and said I could join his hockey class. I was the only girl. I played DG Huskies and Seven Bridges Sabres and Chicago Blues and Chicago Flames Youth Hockey, as well.

What was your route to the Olympics?

My route to the Olympics was a little different than anyone else’s on my team. Most of my teammates were part of the under-18 level of the US National Team before playing at the senior level. I wasn’t a part of the Team USA program. Playing in college was a key stop on my Olympic journey as it’s what led to my invitation to try out for the Women’s National Team. It’s kind of rare to enter that late.

How were the Olympics?

Amazing! It’s a lot of stress to get there, and with it being in Beijing, there were very strict COVID protocols. If you tested positive a few days ahead, you couldn’t go, so it was a huge relief to get on the plane. Those first few practices when we got there were so exciting. Being out on the ice, the lights just seemed so bright. I couldn’t believe we were there!

After that first shift, I relaxed a little. I knew we were ready, and we had trained for it.

Your favorite Olympic moment?

There’s just no comparison to the feeling of putting on the jersey for the first time. It was amazing. The opening ceremony was definitely a highlight, too. Honestly, I think my jaw dropped when we walked into the stadium with all the

Team USA athletes. Everyone was cheering. With all the other countries around us, it finally seemed real! Obviously, playing in the gold medal round was incredible, too.

Did you pick the number (15)you wear ? We have some say over the number we wear. When I made the residency program- the 28-person roster of players training for the Olympics- I was sent a list of the available numbers. I have always liked 14. It’s my favorite number. I’ve worn it most of my life. It wasn’t available, so I chose 15, because it’s 14 plus one. One for the extra step of playing in the Olympics!

Who inspired you along the way? My family, for sure. Definitely my brother. They’re my backbone. They came to a lot of my games, even when I lived away at school. I’m really grateful. They were in the stands more often than not, and when you’re 16 and

living away from home, a hug from your parents goes a long way. I would never have gotten this far without them, especially my dad. He coached me my whole life until I went east.

Any professional athletes who influenced you?

Cammi Granato, for sure. I attended the Cammi Granato Hockey School when I was about 5. I was inspired to go to the Olympics because of her. She also coached us (Team USA), this past March at the Professional Women’s Hockey Association’s game versus Team Canada. She advises us anytime we have questions.

What’s next?

I’m definitely shooting for the next Olympics. After that, I’m not sure. I have a Masters of Sports Law and Business. I like the legal side of things. Or maybe something along the lines of marketing or scouting. ■

ALL-STAR GAMES HAVE BEEN A PART OF HARMON'S CAREER SINCE THE BEGINNING.

PLAYING WITH THE CHICAGO BLUES, CIRCA 2007.

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On a Happy Note

Remembering Andrew Marchese’s life well-lived and legacy of music

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MARCHESE FAMILY

Most of us have a teacher or coach who stands out in our memories. For thousands of students in Downers Grove and surrounding towns, that memory belongs to beloved teacher and band director, “Coach” Andrew Marchese. For close to five decades, Marchese instilled a lifelong respect for music in students at seven local Catholic schools.

Full disclosure, I was one of his students, though too naive at the time to realize his genius. From my music stand at St. Joseph School, I knew Marchese as my band director. When he passed away last November at the age of 99, however, I had to pause at the loss of a legend.

Humble as he was, Marchese rarely talked about himself. In fact, he rarely spoke at all, except with relevancy to the lesson. The band always began practice on time and usually went past the scheduled hour. Few of us realized what he had achieved as a professional musician, years before.

• Holy Trinity, Westmont

• Notre Dame, Clarendon Hills

• St. Joan of Arc, Lisle

• St. Joseph, Downers Grove

• Sts. Peter & Paul, Naperville

• Benet Academy

• Benedictine University

This was a man who regularly made music with the biggest names in the business. As musicians passed through town and needed a trumpet player to fill in for shows, Tony Bennett and Louis Armstrong regularly called him. Several nights a week, he played the Palmer House and Chez Paree. He was a master of his craft.

Doc Severinsen, director of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" band, referred to Marchese as “the best trumpet player in the United States,” on the show one evening.

Not that most of us ever knew it.

overlapped with the Great Depression, “at 12 years old, he was hitchhiking to New Orleans with his trumpet, to sit in for jazz musicians who let him in through the back door of the club,” daughter Maryanne recounted.

World War II broke out halfway through Marchese’s education at Louisiana State University. He became a sergeant in the Army and played in the U.S. Army Air Force Band. The next few years, he traveled the U.S., and played first trumpet for Jack Teagarden’s band, and later, the Frankie Masters Orchestra. Big band gigs in which he accompanied Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., at well-known nightclubs, followed.

Marchese was born in Pensacola, FL, in 1921, to Italian immigrant parents. At the age of 8, he was gifted a trumpet by his father, an accomplished musician. Though Marchese never had a formal lesson, he practiced constantly, guided by his father. His childhood having (Continued on next page)

Marchese met his wife of 74 years, singer Mary, while playing a gig in Chicago. They traveled and performed for a few years after they married. They settled in Downers

“COACH” TAUGHT MUSIC AND DIRECTED SCHOOL BANDS AT:

BENET ACADEMY BECAME THE AREA'S BEST MUSIC PROGRAM UNDER "COACH'S" GUIDANCE.

A PORTRAIT OF A MASTER AT HIS CRAFT.

"COACH" LED FIVE DIFFERENT BANDS AT BENET ACADEMY.

(Continued from the previous page)

Grove in the early 1950s. Marchese returned to DePaul for a music education degree. To make ends meet as his eight children were born, he played shows until the wee hours of the morning, several nights a week. His career as an educator began as an assistant director of the Hinsdale Central band.

In the fall of 1957, the headmaster of St. Procopius, now Benet Academy, recruited Marchese to be the band instructor for the school’s then-flailing music program. 1976 Benet Band President and trombone player, Steve Grobl, remembers Marchese as a master of doing a lot with a little. With a virtually non-existent band and no budget, he built the school’s band into the area’s most respected music program. A composer as well as a musician, he wrote the Alma Mater and Fight Songs, still sung today. His band, The Andy Marchese Orchestra, played Benet’s prom until 2015.

The Benet band became known- and regularly won awards- for their appearances. They played the Downers Grove Fourth of July parade annually, in the 60s and 70s. Parade days often entailed three performances. Dozens of band members could be found all over the Marchese home and yard, in between shows. “We got to know the kids in dad’s bands pretty well, because they were around a lot,” relayed son, Andy Jr.

For Marchese the line between his own children and those he taught, seemed to blur.

Music was the focal point at home as well. The family sang together regularly. A trumpet and music

pick up something else,” she said. It proved to be an effective way to learn several instruments. In addition to following their own chosen career paths, his four sons all became professional musicians, often accompanying their father’s band.

stand were permanent living room fixtures, and a lesson was offered to anyone who happened by the house, no matter the day. Each Marchese child studied piano for a few years before learning the next instrument. As they were growing up, “Coach” brought them to whichever band practice was scheduled at whichever school that day. Their musical abilities grew quickly. When asked if they were able to choose their own instruments, daughter Rosemary laughed. “We could choose our own instrument, but could often only play it until a kid in one of his school bands needed it. Then we would just

When retirement became imminent in 1995, daughter Maryanne and another friend got the proverbial band back together. After searching through yearbooks and phone logs, they contacted scores of former students to come back and play one last time with “Coach.” Over a hundred of Marchese’s former students returned from all corners of the country to play the Naperville Memorial Day Parade, having flown in on previous weekends to practice together. “It was amazing how band members- for some of them, decades later- remembered how to march to the beat of the drum and the timing of the turns, etc. It was an incredible reunion,” Maryanne recounted.

Though Marchese never sought his position at Benet, he became a figure synonymous with the school for almost four decades. “Coach was the most influential educator of my entire school career,” former band president Groble, told me. “The Benet students knew what they had and appreciated him.” ■

“Coach” knew how to please a crowd and the band knew what to do to make it happen.”

-STEVE GROBL ON ANDREW MARCHESE

ANDREW MARCHESE, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "THE BEST TRUMPET PLAYER IN THE U.S."

MARCHESE DIRECTED BANDS AT AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, SUCH AS NOTRE DAME, CLARENDON HILLS (ABOVE).

The Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook, is known for its beautiful setting. Now you are about to learn a little about Joshua Karther, Executive Chef.

In his position, in a typical day, he has to make sure the cooks in the kitchen are efficiently, and consistently, preparing delicious food and drink at breakfast, lunch, and dinner for banquets, room service, the Water’s Edge Restaurant, and the Hearth Lounge, each with its own ambiance and menu specialties. Of course, there is also the Piazza Restaurant, which features “premiere Italian cuisine”. On top of all that, there is getting catering orders out the door, plus Sunday brunches and wedding receptions. And then, there are the memorable signature events like an authentic pig roast he recently prepared for a company looking for something “really unique”. It even made WGN-TV.

Born to COOK

Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook

Executive Chef, Joshua Karther

BY LARRY ATSEFF

RODARTE

Joshua has learned how to do all of this in top-notch hotels from Kansas City to Hilton Head Island, to San Antonio, and now the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook. At every hotel in his career, he has been both an eager student and…very importantly, a teacher of cuisines as diverse as German, Mexican, Thai, Tex-Mex, Southern, Barbecue, Cajun, Mediterranean and Italian. As he says, “I have never stopped learning and teaching. I just love working with food.”

“I even enjoy the rush of mealtimes. You never know what kind of rush you are going to get. It makes time go by so quick when you are busy. I got a taste of this early when I was just 18. I was put in charge of the grilling station at T-bone Charlie’s restaurant at the Marriott at the Kansas City airport, and there were nights when we did 150 steak dinners. It is a rewarding accomplishment for me and my team, even today, to see how the restaurant does at the end of the day.”

WE ASKED, SO HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Joshua replies, “I got interested around 10 or so, because my brother, 6 years older, was in the kitchen and I watched him making all this great tasting food, and I thought, that looks like fun. I actually learned about authentic Mexican cuisine from my mother and one Grandma, and I learned about authentic German cuisine from my other Grandma.”

In listening to him, in his low-key, matter-of-fact manner, he does it all with a calm sense of confidence and a big helping of dry humor.

When asked, what memories you have from your early days in your mom’s kitchen he said, “The first thing I learned was how to catch things on fire.” Another memory. “I told my little sister and mom that because I was a chef, I didn’t have to clean up. I got away with it with them, but not at the Platte City, Mis-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO

souri Vocational Culinary School, where I learned that you clean as you go, as well as all the other basics.”

He recalls, without boasting, that he was so much into cooking, he liked going the extra mile. Unlike the other culinary students, he would bring dishes home and it just came naturally to him to add a little touch here and there to add a little extra flavor. “From time to time, my Dad would try some of the dishes, and when I went back to school the next day for critiques, I told the teachers ‘my Dad ate my homework’.” In effect, Joshua was getting a master’s degree in culinary.

For certain, all this energy, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and experiment a little, a calm demeanor, and never taking himself too seriously, have served him extremely well. He has risen rapidly in the hotel restaurant business because he knows how to run kitchens and treat his people well, and “I let my food speak for itself.”

Robert Brand, the Hyatt Lodge’s general manager, adds, “Joshua’s approach has not only served him well, most importantly; it has served this hotel and our guests and diners from around the area, extremely well. One weekend recently, we handled 7 weddings without a hitch. I couldn’t have a better executive chef in charge of all dining.”

Joshua’s enthusiasm for cooking not only inspires staff. For example, while his father never set foot in the kitchen until he retired, he is now an expert in barbecue. And Joshua’s 14-year-old son is learning how to prepare Asian cuisine. One last example. In his early days at the KC Airport Marriott, he would be working the omelet station for brunch, and week after week, a family and young boys got interested in watching me making and flipping omelets. “I even

took them into the kitchen and gave them chef hats. Years later, one of those boys asked my sister, who was working there as a server, if I was still in food service. She said I sure was. Today, that young man is a sous chef at that Marriott.”

Find out for yourself what dining is like when led by Joshua. And, don’t be surprised if he stops by your table to say hello and to make sure you are enjoying your meal, especially if you chose one of the specialties from the variety of cuisines he and his kitchen staff have mastered. ■

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West Suburban Humane Society

Creating smiling faces and wagging tails for 50 years

BY EMMA WOLF | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY

West Suburban Humane Society Director of Development, Christina Morrison, shares the charming history of how the Humane Society began 50 years ago, how far they have come, and their future goals while celebrating their 50-year anniversary this year. The organization has impacted the lives of so many animals and people and it continues to bring smiles to faces and make tails wag!

If you have driven down Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove and passed the West Suburban Humane Society at the corner of Ogden Avenue and Stonewall Avenue, you may have noticed that the

Humane Society building recently expanded into a larger building slightly behind the old one. The big, beautiful, modern building hints at the massive success that the organization has had in the 50 years that it has been open.

Founded in 1972, the Humane Society started as a small group of volunteers who got together in a basement to form an informal animal Lost & Found service with the hope to reunite the many lost dogs and cats with their owners. This was before the DuPage County Animal Control Service began, meaning that the volunteers had to do it “the old-school way." Each day, they worked tirelessly to match up lost pets with owners who had reported that they had lost their pets.

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THE WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTION CENTER LOCATED ON OGDEN AVENUE WAS COMPLETED IN 2020.

A GREYHOUND PLAYS AT THE ANNUAL WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY BARKAPALOOZA EVENT, HELD AT LISLE COMMUNITY PARK.

(Continued from the previous page)

“The volunteers would talk to the pet owners and try to get details and descriptions of the animals they had lost,” West Suburban Humane Society Director of Development, Christina Morrison, said. “Then they would sort through all the cats and dogs that had been found and try to determine which animal went to which owner.”

As the organization became better known by the public, people started to bring lost animals into the homes of the volunteers, where the cats and dogs would stay until they were reunited with their owners. As this continued to happen, the group of volunteers quickly realized that they needed more room than they were able to provide in their own homes. They started looking for vacant locations and eventually landed on Lombard for their very first location. This shortly moved to Elmhurst, followed by West Chicago.

“The original building was old and very run-down,” Morrison said. “It needed a lot of work to make it nice.”

Slowly but surely, the Humane Society volunteers saved up enough money to have the original building torn down and a new one built just behind it in 2020, right when Covid changed the world. Luckily, the Humane Society was classified as an essential service, meaning that they got to stay open during the entire course of the pandemic.

“The silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic was that we first got to move into our beautiful new facility while we were closed to the public briefly before reopening in 2020,” Morrison said. “This gave us time to transition the animals over to the new building so that they had plenty of time to adjust and acclimate to their new surroundings without being pushed or forced.”

The majority of the animals in the Humane Society come from outside of the Chicagoland area and even in neighboring states. Their adoption numbers have stayed consistent throughout the years (even during Covid), and they only have a 2%-3% return rate.

The Humane Society has a 97%-98% success rate for adoptions, resulting in many happy pets and happy new pet owners. With many different breeds of cats and dogs constantly coming in and out of the Humane Society’s Adoption Center, adopters can count on selecting from a wide variety of animals.

“We try to keep a nice mix of cats and dogs of different breeds, ages, and personalities,” Morrison said. “We also try to keep an even ratio of cats and dogs, as well as an even ratio of male and female.”

In addition to rehoming thousands of animals, West Suburban Humane Society is also heavily driven by community involvement and engagement, as well as the educational component. They recently added a humane education component to their mission to educate the public on how to treat animals (both domestic animals and wild animals) humanely. This even includes kids’ summer camps and after-school programs.

“We bring kids here on school field trips and let them read books to the cats in our Adoption Center,” Morrison said. “The kids absolutely adore it and we can tell the cats enjoy it, too.”

In 1987, the group relocated once again (which would be their final time) to the tiny little building that was at the corner of Ogden Avenue and Stonewall Avenue in Downers Grove. This new location allowed them to consolidate all the animals into one location, which served as their “home base” and became known as the “West Suburban Humane Society." This building was definitely an improvement and a step in the right direction, but it still was not quite what the group had envisioned for their new shelter.

“We really work to match a pet’s personality with the adopting family’s overall personality and lifestyle,” Morrison said. “We want to make sure to have the greatest chance of a successful adoption that leaves both the pet and its new family happy and satisfied with each other. We also follow up with emails asking the adopters how everything is going with their new pets. We love when the owners send us photos of their pets, then we hang them up on the wall in our Adoption Center. It’s wonderful to see happy endings. There is nothing more hopeful than seeing people adopting these animals and giving them a happy future.”

The Humane Society also hosts several annual events in the area, including the “Dog Days” events at the Morton Arboretum and Cantigny Park, Barkapalooza at Lisle Community Park, a dog adoption event at the Gerald Subaru dealership in Naperville, and they also participate in multiple community fundraiser events on a regular basis.

For 50 years, West Suburban Humane Society has been giving both people and animals a glimmer of hope and a lifetime of happiness, and they plan on continuing their mission for another 50 years and beyond, positively impacting the community in many ways. For more information, visit www.wshs-dg.org. ■

A VOLUNTEER PLAYS WITH KITTENS INSIDE THE CENTER.

Terrence M. Sullivan and Brian D. Sullivan

A NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER FOR THE “ WORLD’S LARGEST FRUIT DISPLAY ”

PHOTOS BY 726 VISUALS

In June, the produce company Fresh Del Monte and the Jewel-Osco located on East Ogden Avenue in Westmont, finally broke the world record for “World’s Largest Fruit Display.” The display, which took three days to create and was 118 feet wide and 11 feet high, contained more than 75,000 pounds of bananas. In total, 211,200 Del Monte bananas were used. An official Guinness World Record adjudicator was present to verify and confirm the new record. Upon conclusion of the event, the bananas were given away for free to customers.

DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT CELEBRATED 75TH ANNIVERSARY WITH

BIG BASH

To cap off a year of celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Downers Grove Park District hosted the Big Bash on Saturday, May 14. The District welcomed nearly 3,500 visitors to McCollum Park for a day full of free activities, contests and entertainment. From art, music and dance to fitness, sports and science, the Big Bash offered something for everyone!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT

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Heart of the Matter

Young Hearts for Life educates communities on the importance of early cardiac screening

BY CINDY MAQUET PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOUNG HEARTS FOR LIFE

In 2005, Dr. Joseph Marek, a clinical cardiologist with Advocate Heart Institute, was approached by a mother from Naperville who had recently lost her teenage son due to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). He had no sign of health concerns and no family history of heart problems. His first symptom was death. It was important for her to find out what could have prevented this tragedy.

Dr. Marek had no answers. But coincidentally, the same week, he read two articles from theWall Street Journal and The New York Times that discussed standard Electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings in Europe. An ECG takes less than four minutes, and this quick, simple, and painless screening could reduce SCD by 85%.

Dr. Marek felt called to action. These screenings were saving livesyoung lives.

Dr. Marek determined the best way to have the most significant impact on saving these young lives was to go where most teenagers are found at one timeschool. Instead of asking teens to come to a heart screening, why not bring his team to them?

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YH4L PROGRAM DIRECTOR DENISE ARNEZ AND EMMA SARIN, A COLLEGE STUDENT STUDYING NURSING WHOSE CARDIAC CONDITION WAS DETECTED THROUGH A YH4L SCREENING WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

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Dr. Marek is the Founder and Medical Director of Young Hearts for Life (YH4L). According to Dr. Marek, “ECG screenings of all physically active young personsregardless of gender or sports affiliation - are clinically justified, cost-effective, and ethically compelling.” Since its inception in 2006, this organization has screened over 280,000 high school students.

YH4L’s mission is to offer ECGs – for free - to all teenage students. Today, it has the most extensive ECG screening program for high school students in the United States. How does YH4L screen 2,400 students during a single school day? Volunteers.

YH4L has developed a training program allowing this multitude of heart screenings to be possible. It takes 90 minutes to teach volunteers how to conduct the ECG screenings. In the past 15 years, YH4L has trained over 18,000 parents, teachers, coaches, and community members to assist with various aspects of the screening process. Those looking to help with screenings do not need a medical background to help.

The screenings have saved countless lives. One life hit close to home. Emma Sarin was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkin-

son-White syndrome (WPW) after a YH4L Screening at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park. WPW is a syndrome in which an extra electrical

of these at-risk teens had life-threatening heart conditions after following up with cardiac doctors.

Beyond offering free screenings, one of YH4L’s other core goals is to educate the community on why early cardiac screenings are essential. “Education is key,” says Denise Arnez, YH4L Program Director. “A sports physical is critical. However, it only identifies 4% of heart conditions, while ECG screenings can detect approximately 70%.”

pathway in the heart causes a rapid heartbeat. Sarin, a resident of Westmont, was a junior in high school. “Emma was the picture of health. She was very athletic and fit. She also ran track and played club volleyball,” said her mother, Deb Sarin. “Volunteering makes a difference. Someone who volunteered saved my daughter’s life.”

Luckily, Y4HL identified Sarin’s condition before it became fatal. According to the Y4HL, SCD claims the lives of more than 60 young adults in the United States every week. The non-profit organization’s goal is to detect pre-existing conditions that cause SCD. To date, Y4HL has identified 3,100 students “at risk.” Many

In addition, YH4L has also established a bereavement support group, Gold Heart Families, connecting families who have lost a child to SCD with others who have faced the same loss. Many of these families started their organizations in honor of their loved ones afflicted with SCD and continue to work with YH4L as donors and volunteers.

Although YH4L has become a leader in the local medical community in addressing the need to prevent SCD in young adults, it has also assisted organizations across the United States in setting up their screening programs. But one question remains.

Free screenings are readily available to every student, but why aren’t all students taking advantage of the opportunity? Imagine not having a loved one participate in a free cardiac screening only to find out about an undetected cardiac issue too late. To view upcoming screenings, as well as to volunteer or donate to the organization, visit http://www.yh4l.org. ■

About the writer: Cindy Maquet is a cardiac survivor. At 18 years old, an EKG detected an atrial septal defect. She has had open-heart surgery and four heart ablations. A former collegiate athlete, she continues to live an active lifestyle playing paddleball multiple times per week and teaching various exercise classes.

“ECG screenings of all physically active young persons - regardless of gender or sports affiliation - are clinically justified, cost-effective, and ethically compelling.”

– DR. MAREK

DR. MOHAMED ZIAD SINNO, DR. JOSEPH MAREK, AND DR. FRANK ZIMMERMAN READ AND CONSULT ON THE ECG’S DURING A YH4L SCREENING.

Dr. Ronak M. Patel, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

TRUST

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When you go to his website, testimonials attest to his expertise and his caring approach in treatment. Peers trust him for his knowledge of minimally invasive techniques. Go to drronakpatel.com or call 630-929-2249 and learn why you can trust Dr. Patel.

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