Hinsdale Magazine May 2013

Tribute

to Mothers

Three extraordinary Hinsdale moms

A Hero’s Welcome

Local soldier comes home

New School or Green Space?

Oak Brook residents decide

Plus

Pam Kalafut Hunt for Health Meeting Marty Riessen

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Publisher Letter

A

s we approach Mother’s Day, we want to recognize mothers for all of the work they do for their families and community. This issue’s cover story (p. 14) features three of those women: Lisa Stafford of Hinsdale, Dr. Jennifer Gambla of Hinsdale, and Jill Biegansky of Hinsdale. Each woman was nominated by a peer to be included in this issue, and I think you will agree that they reflect the many incredible moms in the Greater Hinsdale area. Happy Mother’ s Day to all of you!

Continuing our Tribute to Mothers, we feature Pam Kalafut (p. 20), a mother who has served as Activities Director at Hinsdale Central High School for the past several decades. Kalafut will be leaving at the end of the school year, and because of her involvement with many extracurricular activities, you will read why she is extremely popular with students and alumni alike.

Hinsdale Central Boys’ Tennis head coach John Naisbitt submitted an article in his own words (p.

49) to us recounting his experience of meeting local tennis legend Marty Riessen earlier this year. Riessen, a former professional tennis player, is regarded as one of the two best athletes in the history of Hinsdale Central athletics.

Last month, Oak Brook residents voted against a referendum that would have allowed District 53 to purchase Sports Core property to construct a new school. Print Managing Editor Mike Ellis takes you inside the issue (p. 10).

In Sports (p. 22), we would like to congratulate

the Chicago Mission Hockey club for winning the AAA U16 National Championship last month in Pittsburgh. This team featured four Hinsdale area standouts: Kevin Fitzgerald, Daniel Warpecha, Mike Floodstrand and Guyot LaPointe.

On April 22, Walker School staff and students welcomed home Adam Tomanovich, who spent the last nine months serving in Afghanistan (p.

24). Tomanovich is the son of Walker teacher Deanne Tomanovich.

Hinsdale Magazine visited the Hanson Center in Burr Ridge recently, and found what many area families appreciate about the Ray Graham Association, an organization committed to providing services to adults and children with disabilities primarily in DuPage County. The Hanson Center is its largest facility, located at 59th & Garfield in Burr Ridge. You will read about the variety of programs and activities made available at the Hanson Center (p. 26).

Finally, you may have noticed a few magazines (four, to be exact) sprout up since we launched Hinsdale’s first magazine two years ago. Our staff is proud to continue the local coverage from our downtown location at 38 Blaine Street in Hinsdale, and we welcome you to visit us with your comments and suggestions. Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. Hinsdale60521.com believes our local presence will continue to provide you the coverage you can only get from a local source.

Last but not least, we would like to thank our advertisers for their continued support in making this product possible.

Sincerely, Scott Jonlich, Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdale60521.com

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May 2013

CONTENTS

1 On the cover

Dr. Jennifer Gambla and her son Thomas

12 New School or Open Space?

Oak Brook residents decide whether Sports Core property should be sold to District 53

16 Tribute to Mothers

Balancing family with work and activities

22 Hinsdale Woman Pam Kalafut

24 Sports

Chicago Mission Hockey club wins national championship

26 Hero’s Welcome

Walker School students and staff welcome home soldier who served in Afghanistan

28 Inside 60527

16

Hanson Center

30 Summer Concert Preview

37

Uniquely Thursdays Concerts on the Green Restaurant Week Dancin’ in the Street

22

37 Inside 60521 Cafe La Fortuna

40 Community Scene

26

Community House Walk for Autism Robert Crown Center Hunt for Health

40

49 Own Words

Hinsdale Central Boys’ Tennis head coach John Naisbitt recalls meeting local tennis legend Marty Riessen

Founder & Publisher Print Managing Editor Photographer Cover & Lead Designer Designer Columnists

| | | | | |

Scott Jonlich Mike Ellis

Marcello Rodarte

Julia Sinogeikina William Walker | Errol Janusz John Naisbitt Correspondent | Mike O’Connor | Michael Yaeger Advertising Sales | Kirby Palait | Frank Messina Renee Lawrence Office Manager | Nancy Ballone 8 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Hinsdale

60521

STAFF

28 46

magazine

38 Blaine Street | Downtown Hinsdale, IL 60521 phone: 630-655-3400 I fax: 630-622-1300 e-mail: news@Hinsdale60521.com

The advertisements, photographs, logos, and any other content inside this publication are not the opinions of Hinsdale Magazine, Inc., unless specified. This magazine may not be reproduced in any way, including ads designed by our graphic staff, and remain the property of Hinsdale Magazine, Inc.

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Inside 60523

The Oak Brook Golf Club is a public club that occupies roughly one half of the Sports Core property.

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

T by mike ellis

here will be no new school for District 53 constructed on Oak Brook Sports Core property after two referenda were voted down in the DuPage County Consolidated Election on April 9.

District 53, which comprises Butler Junior High and Brook Forest Elementary, had hoped to purchase approximately 8.5 acres of Sports Core property for a fee of about $4 million.

Remarkable for its idyllically small class sizes, District 53 is among the state’s topachieving school districts. In its September 2012 issue, Chicago magazine ranked Brook Forest Elementary first and Butler Junior High second out of all elementary schools in DuPage County, which also includes high-performing school districts like Community Consolidated School District 181, Gower School District 62

12 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Oak Brook chooses

Green Space Referendum to build new K-8 school on Sports Core land fails to pass

and Maercker School District 60. The current buildings are upwards of four decades old, and School Board President Alan Hanzlik and Superintendent Dr. Sandra Martin said they believe the new school would have resolved some of the problems associated with aging structures.

“It’s important for us to maintain the academic quality here,” School Board President Alan Hanzlik said, “but we began to look further out [and ask], ‘What do we need to do with our buildings long-term?’ We’ve kept [the schools] in relatively good shape, but they’re showing some signs of age.”

Butler Junior High has been added onto several times in 54 years. Dr. Martin said that a new, 21st-century school would have offered state-of-the-art security features, flexible learning options, and

improved environmental options.

“Any time we’re [incorporating] additional technology, we’re retrofitting an old building,” she said, adding that Butler currently has hallways that do not meet modern safety codes.

A K-8 school like the one proposed might sound like an archaic concept to some, but Hanzlik said it is practical for a district with a relatively small student body like Butler 53.

“We studied what other [K-8 schools] have done, and you open up a whole world of opportunities for your students,” he said. “We can expose our kids to different courses earlier than [we can] today; we can use our teaching staff more effectively.”

Sports Core Controversy The school would have been built on a roughly 8.5-acre area bounded by 31st Street (Oak Brook Road) to the south, Bath and Tennis Drive to the north and west, and Grant Street to the east. District 53 also sought to lease one of the soccer fields on Sports Core property for recreational use.

Located east of Ill. Route 83, the Sports Core offers an expansive amount of open space to Oak Brook residents. It is comprised of slightly more than 260 acres, and sits adjacent to Butler National Golf Club. The property includes the Oak Brook Golf Club (120.4 acres), the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club (15.2 acres), and the Oak Brook Public Library (5.4 acres), and it is also utilized to launch the village’s acclaimed

Fourth of July fireworks. Oak Brook founder Paul Butler originally owned the land, which he sold to the village in 1977. Longtime Oak Brook resident Peter Huizenga said this sale resulted in a special real estate tax incurred by residents.

The deed states that voters must approve the sale of any portion of Sports Core property, and that the village may sell no more than 80 acres. Thus, Butler 53 required voter approval to purchase Sports Core property, which it did not receive, as Oak Brook residents voted against the referendum convincingly, 2,126-669.

District 53 also required a separate $15 million bond referendum to be passed, which was voted down by a tally of 1,244-474.

Village President David Niemeyer

said the village held several special board meetings in an attempt to present both sides of the issue.

“There was a lot of passion on both sides,” Niemeyer said. “It was a very tough issue; when you’re asking, ‘What’s more valuable, open space [for residents], or improving your schools for families?’ I think most people would say, ‘I like open space, and I like good schools,’—but this was a choice, and you had to pick one or the other.”

Huizenga said that because the school district’s performance is so outstanding, he didn’t see the need for the construction of a new school.

“There was no grassroots demand or request for a new school,” he said. “It came from the top-down, rather than from the bottom-up. It was the wrong idea presented at the wrong time—and that’s why [the school] lost by such a heavy margin.”

Oak Brook resident Karen Bushy said she does not believe selling Sports Core property to construct a new school aligned with Butler’s vision.

“The idea was to keep it as green space,” said Bushy, who served as village president from 1991 to 2003. “Paul’s vision was not

Butler Junior High (above) is located at 2801 York Road in Oak Brook. The new K-8 school would have been built slightly to|Hinsdale the west off of 31st Street. www.hinsdale60521.com Magazine 13

to have it used edge-to-edge. He did a lot of deep-thinking and deep-planning. A lot of what he did was extremely innovative.”

Part of the discussion focused on the precedent of selling Sports Core property.

During her tenure as village president, Bushy said the village twice sold small pieces of land, the first of which was an area known as Westchester Park, located

north of Christ Church.

“We didn’t sell [Westchester Park] because we wanted to enhance the Sports Core,” she said. “We sold it because it was too costly to maintain.”

The second sale was to DuPage County, which purchased a sliver of Sports Core property in order to widen 31st Street to five lanes at the York Road stoplight.

Oak Brook Public Library

Bushy said the village did not sell property for the library, because unlike most other towns, the Village of Oak Brook owns its public library.

“In Oak Brook, the library is a division of village government, just like the police or fire department,” she said. “So, we just used our own land [to build it].”

At first a referendum opponent, Village of Oak Brook Trustee Michael Manzo said he changed his perspective on the issue over time.

“When I initially heard the idea, I was opposed to it,” said Manzo, who is also the Liaison to the Sports Core, “but as I delved into it, I thought it could be a win-win for both the Sports Core and the school.”

The Sports Core currently operates under a $2.4 million debt. Manzo said allowing the school to purchase property would have mitigated the debt, freeing up additional funding for the police and fire departments, among other services the village offers residents.

Niemeyer said a reduction on the Sports Core debt would also enable the village to invest in building improvements.

“We have some aging facilities,” he said.

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have any money to [invest] in them. Selling the land would have provided a cash infusion.”

Manzo and Hanzlik said they felt some confusion arose after conflicting information was disseminated to residents. Manzo cited reports that the school would receive free land, that 100 percent of the Sports Core land would be sold, and that the Fourth of July Fireworks and Taste of Oak Brook would have to be canceled.

In reality, only about three percent of the property would have been sold, and six percent utilized, including the land the school desired to lease. But Niemeyer said not all of the Sports Core is capable of being utilized, referencing a wooded area that occupies about 20 percent of the property (53.8 acres), and forms its southwestern boundary.

“While it’s true that 8.5 is about three percent of the acreage, it’s not three percent of the acreage that’s really available [to be used],” he said. “The Sports Core is about 260 acres, but the golf course is about half of that; so the amount of land you can actually put a building on is much smaller.”

The fireworks are launched from a driving range on the Oak Brook Golf Club, north of the general area proposed for the school; however, if the referendum had passed, Niemeyer said parking for the fireworks along 31st Street would have been reduced.

Bushy said that because Christ Church and areas north of York Road are already utilized for parking, she believes that eliminating parking would have made accessing the fireworks more cumbersome for families.

Moving Forward Hanzlik and Dr. Martin said Butler 53 was “disappointed” by the outcome, and will now have to seek for solutions in a different direction.

“It’s not just a question of, ‘What do you do today,’ but, ‘What do you do 20 years from now?’” Hanzlik said. “We gave it our best shot, and now we’ll determine what to do next.”

Bushy said she commends the school board and District 53 for its outstanding academic track record, but just didn’t feel that purchasing Sports Core land was the right solution.

“The people that opposed this referendum were not antischool or anti-education,” she said. “I wish the school board well in developing a new idea for Oak Brook residents to consider.”

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Tribute to

Mothers

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Jennifer Gambla

D

octor Jennifer Gambla of Hinsdale is a breast surgeon at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, and has four childrenMadeline, 7, Abigail, 5, Amelia, 3, and Thomas, three months.

Jen’s husband Dr. Michael Gambla is a physician and administrator who commutes to Columbus, Ohio for work several days each week. In her spare time, Jen takes tennis lessons at Oak Brook Racquet Club, plays the piano, and is a member of the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club.

Mike: Could you briefly touch on your medical background?

Jen: I graduated from medical school and completed my general surgery residency at Ohio State. I then went on to the University of Michigan for a fellowship in breast surgery. I have been in practice now for eight years, and am currently working part-time at Palos Community Hospital. My mother passed away when I was ten after being diagnosed with cancer. It had a huge impact on my life, and is the reason that I chose this particular field of medicine. Fortunately for me, it is also a career that is conducive to having a family.

Mike: Could you take me through a typical day?

Jen: I try to get up no later than 6 a.m., so that when my kids wake up between 6:30 and 7, I can hit the ground running. School starts at 8:20 for my kindergartner and first-grader, so we have a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. Making breakfast, packing lunches, feeding the baby, [and] making sure everyone is dressed and ready to go can be a bit daunting on some mornings. The school is thankfully only a block away, which is a huge plus. I then drop off my three-year-old at preschool, and between naps I try to run errands with my son until it’s time to pick up before lunch. I try to arrange playdates for my girls in the afternoon before we pick up my first-

16 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

grader. Swim, piano, tennis or gymnastics lessons for the girls are scheduled in the afternoons, and then it’s home again for dinner, homework, bathtime and bedtime. It can definitely be exhausting.

Mike: How about when you’re working?

Jen: When I’m working, I do get up earlier so that I can make sure I’m ready to walk out the door when my nanny arrives. I try very hard to be home to pick up my daughter from school at 3 p.m., but sometimes I can be as late as 5 or 5:30.

Mike: How do you manage four kids when your husband is gone, and still work part-time as a surgeon?

Jen: I have help! I have wonderful friends and family in the area that I can rely on when I need assistance. I have a nanny who works [at my home] when I’m working. It’s just a matter of trying to be very organized and efficient. That witching hour, as we call it, from 5-7 p.m., when everyone needs to be fed, bathed, read to, as well as getting homework finished—that’s when it gets a little hairy. It’s a struggle sometimes to balance everything and do it well. That’s why I don’t hesitate to ask for help. I just need to make sure that I have somebody who is with my kids in my absence loving them, nurturing them and guiding them. I know that I’m not a one-woman show.

Mike: What are some of your favorite activities to do when you have some time available?

Jen: I love to play tennis; I’m learning how to play paddle [tennis]. I joined Oak Brook Racquet & Fitness for their tennis drills and great fitness classes. I love to golf, and I love to travel. We have met wonderful families in the area that we enjoy spending time with. I’m in the [Hinsdale] Junior Woman’s Club, which has also been a wonderful way for me to meet other people, and get to know other families.

Mike: How do you unwind?

Jen: Trying to keep everything running, you have to look at yourself, too—one of the things I used to not make a priority.

I try to make time to work out at least three times a week. My husband and I also try to have date nights at least twice per month.

Mike: Do you think there’s anything unique about being a mom in the Hinsdale area?

Jen: When we first moved here, someone said that if Walt Disney were to design a town, it would be just like Hinsdale. After living here for over two years, I can see why he said that. It takes a village to raise a family, and I’m thankful that we chose this village to help us.

Dr. Jennifer Gambla sits with her four children at their home in Hinsdale.

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Tribute to

Mothers

Jill Biegansky

J

ill Biegansky of Hinsdale is Co-President of The Lane School PTO, teaches sixthgrade religious education at Notre Dame, and served as an assistant coach for her daughter’s Jodie Harrison Basketball team last year.

Jill also does yoga and began playing platform tennis this year. She has two children, Ryan, 12, and Emma, 9, and her husband Eric has been suffering from a type of cancer called GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) since 2008.

Mike: Could you briefly describe a typical weekday?

Jill: I wake up at about 5:30, and I do a little bit of yoga before getting my son and daughter off to school. Then I walk our dog for about 45 minutes or so. [After that], I either run errands or have a PTO meeting. I also try and make it to a fun and inspirational watercolor painting class each week;—I’m not much of a painter, but I love the group! I have a list of ten things to get done every day, and that’s kind of a mish-mash of things for my husband, my kids and myself—and there goes my day.

I think I’m lucky, because my day is filled with stuff for the kids and family all the time.

Mike: How has your husband’s condition impacted your life?

Jill: About four and a half years ago, he was diagnosed. He had an eightpound tumor in his stomach when he was diagnosed, and it metastasized to his liver. He had a surgery about two years ago to remove the tumor, which was really successful. [Now] it’s more of a chronic condition that he has to manage with the doctors; he [takes] an oral chemotherapy drug. Eric’s treatment has been managed by an exceptional team of doctors, many of whom are right here in Hinsdale. He’s very active; he coaches Jodie Harrison; he coaches AYSO [Soccer]. We’re lucky that he’s done so well. I’m a good friend to the Wellness House, and I’ve gotten some good balance from the programs there; but sometimes it is really nice to have a lot of other things to take [my] mind off of that. He does get side-effects sometimes,

18 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

“We’ve lived [in Hinsdale] for a little more than seven years, and I love it— it’s a great place to raise your kids. My son wants to live here forever; he just thinks it’s wonderful .”

so it is good that I do yoga and paddle to stay healthy—and I think that makes me a better mom and caregiver. I am blessed to have a strong family and group of friends to support me.

Mike: What types of responsibilities does being PTO President entail?

Jill: We have a PTO Executive Board and PTO General Meeting that meet once per month, and I go to a PTO President’s meeting every month with all of the other District 181 PTO presidents and [Superintendent] Dr. [Renée] Schuster.

We have an extremely active PTO at The Lane, which includes dozens of committees. It’s a constant flurry of activities, but nothing too overwhelming.

Mike: Do you think there’s anything unique about being a mom in the Hinsdale area?

Jill: We’re from Michigan originally; I went to Michigan State, my husband went to Michigan. We’ve lived [in Hinsdale] for a little more than seven years, and I love it—it’s a great place to raise your kids.

My son wants to live here forever; he just thinks it’s wonderful. We travel all over the place. He’s been all over—New York, California, Arizona, Europe—, but he really loves Hinsdale.

Mike: What kinds of activities do you like to do with your kids?

Jill: We’re a big tennis family; we have our little foursome to play doubles. We have a cottage in Michigan that we built near Saugatuck, which we don’t get to as often as we’d like to during the [school]-

year—but we do move there for the summer. Just keeping up with everything [my kids] do in school keeps me plenty busy.

Mike: How do you unwind?

Jill: I do like to read a lot, so I have been reading more. I’m not a huge TV-watcher, but I do like to see movies. I like to go out to dinner and have a date with my husband.

When we have free time to be together as a family, or together as a couple, we’re not picky [about restaurants] at all.

Mike: Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

Jill: Absolutely, but the cancer [situation] has made me not as overwhelmed by everything else going on in my life. It makes you get your life in perspective; so how I might react to something going on in the PTO pre-cancer [versus] post-cancer is very different.

Jill Biegansky works on homework with son Ryan and daughter Emma at the kitchen table.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 19

Tribute to

Mothers

L

isa Stafford of Hinsdale is the co-owner of PS Communications, Inc., a public relations firm that handles medical clients. Lisa is a mother of three, Trent, 24, Amery, 22, and Addy, 17. Her husband Rob is an anchor for NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV). In her spare time, Lisa is extremely active at Hinsdale Central High School, and stays fit by competing in triathlons and mountain climbing with friends, among other activities.

Mike: Could you briefly describe a typical day?

Lisa: A typical day usually [includes] some type of workout—power yoga, sometimes spin or swimming. I try to alternate [exercises] frequently, and I work out six days a week. I typically help get Addy out the door—I get her breakfast, lunch, and a lot of times,

“The minute I [moved] to Hinsdale, I was greeted at the door with a plate of chocolatechip cookies, and ever since then, I’ve loved living here.”

Lisa Stafford there’s a last minute, ‘I need a check for this,’ or, ‘Can you edit my paper?’ Then, I go to Downtown Chicago, and I work down there about twice a week. At PS Communications, we work with graphic designers, videographers and other media specialists.

Mike: How do you balance your kids with work?

Lisa: I have a lot more free time now that my kids are grown; [Addy] is pretty independent, so it’s good to have a job.

I’ve worked since I got out of college;— with the exception of a six-month period, I’ve always had at least freelance projects to keep me busy. I love to work; I love the communications business. Our family is very in tune with what’s going on in the world; we have a TV set in just about every room in the house. We’re a news family. I have to keep up with what’s going on in healthcare, and [Rob] has to keep up with everything else.

Mike: Has balancing your work become easier now that your kids are older?

Lisa: I think it’s easier in some ways, and harder in others. Because I have more free time now, I end up spending a lot more time working and juggling a lot of balls with clients. Addy does have auditions Downtown; sometimes in the middle of the day, I’ll have to drive her down for an audition, because she does [act] whenever she has the chance. She’s really busy too.

Lisa Stafford with daughter Addy at District 86 College Night last month

20 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Mike: How would you compare parenting today, versus when your children were growing up?

Lisa: It’s a whole different ballgame now.

When they were younger, it was getting

them where they needed to go, making sure they were fed, and participating in their school activities whenever it was necessary. Now it’s overseeing—making sure they make good choices. It’s hard as a parent. I think when they’re active in school, sports and extracurricular activities, they don’t get into as much trouble; so I’ve been really lucky in that regard. But I don’t think you ever stop being a parent. There are still challenges with your children every day—even when they’re adults.

Mike: As those of us in the news business understand, irregular hours often come with the territory. What was it like raising kids with your husband at NBC? Lisa: I have a wonderful husband; he’s cool, calm and collected. Rob was on Dateline NBC, so for about ten years, he was gone a lot. Now he’s gone every night until about 11:30. So, he doesn’t get a lot of time with the family, and that’s hard. But even when he was traveling, he was home a lot for dinners, and we [spent] weekends together. When his new schedule started [at NBC 5 Chicago], the kids were pretty much grown. I’m used to taking over [parenting responsibilities] when I have to, because when you’re in [the news] business, if there’s a shooting or other emergency, you have to be on call. I’ll never forget, when we first moved to Chicago, Rob was working for Channel 2 at the time, and he was sent to the Brown’s Chicken murders. They were moving everything into our rental house in Riverside, and it was 20 below zero.

From that day on, it’s been crazy; he’s always been on-the-go when there’s a big news story.

- Continued on page 36

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 21

Hinsdale Woman

Activities Director Pam Kalafut (center) with students Evan Blust, Tanner Makris, Tara Johannessen, Jayne Jiganti, Jessica Walsh, Jack Kengott and Kyle Hyland

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

PAM KALAFUT Hinsdale Central Activities Director to retire after 34 years

S

BY Mike Ellis

ome teachers forget students shortly after having them in class; likewise, some teachers seem rather forgettable to students.—Neither of these statements applies to Pam Kalafut.

After over 30 years at Hinsdale Central, Kalafut will step down as Activities Director at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

During her tenure as Activities Director, Kalafut has been a driving force behind developing new extracurricular programs and an unwavering champion of school spirit; but students said they remember her most for being a positive role model and someone actively interested in their lives.

22 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

“She really changed my life,” said Mitchell Gurick, Class of 2011, who worked with Kalafut as student body president. “She is a life-coach and lifementor, and I think the [students] who really got to know her understood that and appreciated that. She’s a selfless person who has inspired countless people as an educator, as an administrator and even as a person.

“It didn’t matter what your beliefs were, or who you were, or where you came from; she respected and loved every single student that she touched.”

Shannon Ruge, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University who graduated from Hinsdale Central in 2011, said she still comes back to her alma mater to visit Kalafut—whom she affectionately calls “Mama K.” “The name is perfectly suiting,” Ruge

said, “because during my four years at Hinsdale Central, she was just that for me—a mom. From day one of freshman year, Mrs. Kalafut became my second mom, a woman who made me feel special, loved, important and noticed. I think the most important thing Mrs. Kalafut did for me—and she did a lot—was make me believe in myself.”

Kalafut, who majored in art education and has a minor in P.E., was one of 300 applicants for an art teaching position at Hinsdale Central in 1979. She accepted the position, and has been a fixture at the school ever since. Kalafut became the first female teacher to coach a boys’ sport (Boys’ Freshman Soccer). In 2002, the post of Activities Director was vacated, and Kalafut, the only applicant, received the position.

“I taught art full-time, had my children,

and was always very involved with activities,” Kalafut said. “I helped run the pep rallies and was interested in school spirit. My predecessor Terry Cole saw that I was interested and mentored me.

I followed him around for a couple of years and applied for the job.”

Kalafut said the most enjoyable aspect of serving as Activities Director has been her opportunity to spend time with students.

“I am fortunate to be with students all the time— that’s my job,” she said. “I’m not in an office, disconnected in any way; I’m really with the kids.”

Like many large, public high schools, Hinsdale Central features a plethora of extracurricular activities that attract a variety of students, and the Activities Director is responsible for coordinating all of them. From ACE (Athletes Committed to Excellence) Club to El Diablo (yearbook) to Chess Club, there really is a club or activity fitted for every student.

While she has served as Activities Director, Kalafut said the number of clubs has increased from about 60 to 100. She has played a major part in that growth, helping to cultivate Break Down the Walls, Character Counts, Leap into Africa, Read to Lead, Real World Central, Student Council and Teachers in Need. Through these clubs, Kalafut and the Hinsdale Central family have taken students to Africa, raised money for ailing teachers, worked with local elementary-school students, and tackled an important issue that plagues high schools nationwide: bullying. Last month, Kalafut received the Illinois Director of Student Activities of the Year Award, and was a finalist for the Distinguished Service Award.

Gurick said Kalafut believes there is something for every student, and encourages them to find and pursue their passion.

“I think, in education, you need that person who says, ‘If you have an idea, go for it,’” he said. “She was always really passionate about [anti]-bullying and school spirit. She inspires other students to have the same passion for the school [as she does].”

Reflecting on her past three decades at Hinsdale Central, Kalafut said she thinks students are more driven than ever to succeed academically, but hopes they can continue to maintain balance between schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

“Students are driven,” she said. “I think they have their eyes on the prize, but I want them to enjoy their four years here, too, and not just be looking at what’s going to happen in college or the working world. The pressure on students seems to be [increasing].”

Overall, Kalafut spoke fondly of the community whose kids she helped to craft into well-rounded young adults.

“Hinsdale is a wonderful community, because people love the traditions and really appreciate one another,” Kalafut said. “It’s not like, ‘Goodbye, that’s it, I’m done;’ it draws people back.”

To read Shannon Ruge’s essay dedicated to Pam Kalafut, go online at http://hinsdale60521magazine. ning.com/profiles/blogs/mama-k.

Mrs. Kalafut’s Top 5 Memories at Hinsdale Central 1. Meeting her husband sitting on the other side of the basketball court; a student set them up on their first date.

2. Pack the Place 1996 3. The Hinsdale Central community coming together after the death of beloved P.E. teacher Mr. Bill Huskisson 4. T.I.N. (Teachers in Need) Program: Created by five seniors in 2006 to help teachers in need 5. Watching her kids rollerblade around the school on New Year’s Eve during the 1980s www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 23

Spotlight Sports

(from left to right) Chicago Mission stars Kevin Fitzgerald, Daniel Warpecha, Mike Floodstrand and Guyot LaPointe

Mission accomplished

Photos courtesy of Judy Floodstrand

Four Hinsdale area hockey standouts contribute to national championship team

W by mike ellis

inning a championship is never easy.

Even great teams face adversity at some stage of their postseason runs;—like when Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls needed the full seven games to outlast the Indiana Pacers en route to their sixth championship in 1998— or when Cincinnati’s famous Big Red Machine was pushed to the limit by the Boston Red Sox in the legendary 1975 World Series.

Talent and skill notwithstanding, it is that cohesive bond—that collective commitment to a common goal—which often sets a championship team apart from an underachiever.

The Chicago Mission hockey team, which captured the AAA U16 National Championship last month in Pittsburgh, exemplified this championship character.

By all accounts, this team had the talent requisite to contend for the title, being ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of the season. But players said it was team unity that ultimately made the difference in claiming the national crown.

“We were probably the closest-knit group of guys I’ve ever been a part of,” Mike Floodstrand, 16, of Hinsdale, said.

24 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

“The main key was we were a lot closer as a group,” said Guyot LaPointe, 17, of Hinsdale, whose father Martin starred in the NHL for 16 seasons. “Everyone was playing for each other; we all had the common goal of winning the national championship as a team. It’s those tightknit teams that want to play for each other that eventually win championships.”

The Chicago Mission’s road to the title was a lengthy one. Team tryouts began back in August before the regular season commenced in October. To qualify for the Toyota-USA Hockey National Championships, they first had to win the state tournament, which began at the end of February.

“Starting up in early August, [winning the national championship] was on everyone’s mind, but it involved a lot of work,” Kevin Fitzgerald, 17, of Hinsdale said. “It all came together at the right time.”

After defeating Team Illinois, CYA and Fury to capture the state title, the Mission advanced to the regional competition in Fond du Lac, Wisc., in mid-March. At this tournament, they beat teams from St. Louis, Omaha and Wisconsin to become one of 12 qualifiers for the national competition in Pittsburgh.

LaPointe said an outstanding coaching staff headed by Chris Michael was key to

the team’s success throughout the season.

“The credit goes mostly to the coaches, for finding good talent and molding everyone into one team,” he said.

At the Toyota-USA National Championships last month, the Mission won their first three games to gain a spot in the quarterfinals, where they defeated the L.A. Jr. Kings handily, 5-1.

In the semifinals, they faced off against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Trailing 1-0 after two periods, the Mission encountered a pivotal moment along its championship path.

“We came out right at the beginning of the third period, scored three quick goals and advanced to the finals,” Floodstrand said. “That was really a special moment for us.”

A competitive contest unfolded between the Mission and CT Wolf Pack in the title game, but the kids from Chicago would not be denied their chance to accomplish the goal they had identified more than half a year earlier.

“We did go through some adversity,” LaPointe said,“but we came in with a goal of winning the national championship, and no one was going to keep us from [achieving] that goal.”

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 25

Inside 60514

HERO’S WELCOME

Walker School salutes soldier returning from Afghanistan

S by mike ellis

miles beamed across the faces of Walker School students as they exultantly waved their American flags. These children were celebrating the return of an American hero—a unique opportunity for elementary-school aged kids to display a collective spirit of patriotism.

As 20-year-old U.S. Army Specialist Adam Tomanovich passed through the hallways, he appeared to be overwhelmed by the reception.

“It’s a different feel of appreciation from the little kids,” Tomanovich said, “knowing that they actually look up to you.”

Before the brief ceremony commenced, a group of fifth grade students greeted Adam at the front door. Will Wilson, Katie Sharp, Chloe Hafner, Lily Goers, Kiana Ravanasa and James Balderston proudly lifted posters that demonstrated their appreciation for his service to America.

Adam had spent the last nine months in eastern Afghanistan, serving on the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team of the Army’s 91st Cavalry Regiment. His mom, Deanne Tomanovich, has been a resource teacher at Walker for the past 16 years.

When Adam returned to the school on April 22, Deanne said she felt like he had come full-circle.

“He came in a year ago and said goodbye to the kids before he left for Afghanistan,” she said. “The wonderful staff at Walker wanted to see him again. The staff knew he was coming back home, so they pulled it all together.”

Adam’s unit spent much of its time helping local Afghanis adapt as U.S. troops began to withdraw from the region. He recounted the stark contrast between living conditions at home and serving in Afghanistan, where nourishing meals were not always available.

“It’s a culture shock—having everything readily accessible,” he said, adding that the first thing he wanted to do upon returning to the states was to eat a home-cooked meal.

Deanne said Adam had always dreamt of being a soldier,

20-year-old U.S. Army Specialist Adam Tomanovich recently returned to Illinois after serving in Afghanistan, and was greeted at Walker School in Clarendon Hills on April 22.

and was fully aware that he could see combat when he signed his papers with his parents by his side after graduating from Downers Grove South. After being assigned to Germany, he was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2012.

“We did a lot of praying,” Deanne said, recalling her family’s experience over the past year. “We kept busy, talked to him when we could, and had a big celebration when he came home.”

Watching students welcome her son home with shouts and cheers, Deanne said she was not surprised, having come to expect this type of caring and unselfishness from her Walker family.

“This is a very warm and friendly, family-oriented school,” she said, “and we’re very blessed to be a part of it. The kids are wonderful, the parents are wonderful, and have been very supportive throughout the process.”

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

26 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

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authorities in their field, and use their expertise to offer compassionate care and state-of-the-art medicine, treating all diseases of the skin, hair, and nails for patients of all ages, infancy to elderly.

University Cardiology and Vein Center focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of leg diseases, including lower extremity swelling, ulceration, varicose veins and painful legs.

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After earning his M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Brown completed residency training at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Brown also previously served as the Co-Director of the Dermatologic Surgery Program at RUSH.

DR. STAMATIS (TOM) DIMITROPOULOS is a board-certified cardiologist who has been practicing as a physician for seven years.

Dr. Dimitropoulos completed his medical training, internal medicine residency, and cardiovascular disease fellowship at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Dimitropoulos employs advanced techniques in treating leg veins and ulcers, including endovenous thermal ablation, sclerotherapy, and ambulatory phlebectomy. These specialized techniques are performed without sedation in an outpatient setting, thereby minimizing the patient’s down-time. After receiving treatment, patients can drive themselves home. www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 27

Inside 60527

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

17-year-old Lea Capraro of Oak Brook has been involved in the Horsemanship program at the Hanson Center since she was three.

Lea has competed in the Illinois Equestrian Special Olympics in Rockford, where she won gold and bronze medals last October.

Miracles happen every day

C by mike ellis

at the Hanson Center

ourtney McClear of Clarendon Hills was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. She lost the ability to speak and required frequent supervision.

Courtney’s family turned to the Ray Graham Association for help, and seven years later, she continues to receive needed support from Ray Graham.

“We are very fortunate to have a local organization helping individuals and families with special needs,” Courtney’s mother Theresa McClear said. “Ray Graham has greatly improved the quality of our family’s life.”

Founded in 1950, the Ray Graham Association provides a variety of services to individuals with disabilities. Although no one resides at its locations, Ray Graham is committed to enriching the lives of those its serves by promoting employment opportunities for adults, and working to enhance educational experiences for children.

“We actually started as a school just for kids with disabilities,” Ray Graham

28 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Association Director & CEO Kim Zoeller said. “Over the years, we moved away from that model, and have been able to grow from a school and vocational training program to an organization that serves 2,000 children and adults in 35 different program locations.”

Ray Graham operates 35 facilities in DuPage County and surrounding communities, the largest of which is the 12-acre Hanson Center. Located at 59th and Garfield in Burr Ridge, the Hanson Center is a versatile venue, replete with services and opportunities for adults and children with disabilities.

“Mrs. [Anna] Hanson had a vision that people with disabilities would have access to cultural arts programs and a wonderfully healthy and thriving lifestyle,” Zoeller said.

The Community Learning Center is full of programs and activities that enrich the experiences of disabled individuals, ranging from cooking to horticulture.

“We support people learning job skills, how to make money and, overall, learning how to do things as independently as they possibly can, so that they can be thriving,

independent adults,” Zoeller said. “We focus on people’s abilities, and try to find ways that we can maximize them.”

The Hanson Center also features the Gateway program, which offers recreational activities at nearby facilities like the Oak Brook Park District and Willowbrook Bowl, and Monarch Academy, a program that works to enhance the life-skills of socially-active young adults.

Zoeller said Monarch Academy can help to assuage the burden that currently falls on many parents with a disabled child that has completed high school.

“Right now, when kids [with disabilities] leave high school, it’s really hard to find things to do,” Zoeller said. “If I have a child that doesn’t have a disability, they’re either going to go to college or get a job.

If you have a child with a disability who [finishes] school, without an organization like Ray Graham Association to provide services to that person, moms and dads sometimes have to quit their jobs—and that’s really terrifying in this economic climate.”

But what is perhaps most remarkable

about the Hanson Center is its Horsemanship program, complemented by a mini-farm featuring roosters, chickens and even a live turkey. Despite being encompassed within a residential area, the atmosphere resembles a Bengston’s in your own backyard.

With 22 horses at her disposal, Horsemanship Coordinator Kathy LeBeau offers lessons for both disabled and non-disabled individuals. About 150 people participate at any given time, and some riders even have the opportunity to participate in major competitions like the Special Olympics. Sessions last six weeks, and may be conducted privately, semiprivately or in groups.

McClear said the Horsemanship program proved beneficial for her daughter.

“Courtney had the opportunity to be with other children, and gain a sense of accomplishment through learning riding classes,” she said.

For those with special needs, Zoeller and Administrator of Community & Family Support Services J.R. Esquivel said the Horsemanship program can be both therapeutic and refreshing.

“Oftentimes, children and adults that have disabilities have a tough time with muscle control,” Zoeller said. “But when

they get on a horse, they’re controlling that horse. That self-esteem and feeling of being in control of something makes a huge difference in their perspectives.”

“Horses mimic the way people walk,” Esquivel said. “In the Horsemanship program, there’s been an increase in children and adults with autism, and that [program] has been something families appreciate.”

If you know someone with special needs, Zoeller said the Ray Graham Association is committed to providing aid to meet the needs of that particular person.

“We work very hard to customize our services so that we can meet the needs of the community,” she said. “We don’t just have a box and try to fit you into it; we try to find different ways that we can accommodate everyone. Ray Graham Association empowers people with disabilities to reach, grow and achieve.”

The Hanson Center is not exclusive to individuals with special needs; horseback riding birthday parties are available to children, and anyone may use the playground and visit the animals on the campus.

For more information about the Ray Graham Association and the Hanson Center, visit www.ray-graham.org.

SHOP LOCAL MEDIA 38 S. Blaine Street • Hinsdale, IL 60521

w w w. h i n s d a l e 6 0 5 2 1 . c o m www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 29

Summer

2013

Hinsdale

Uniquely Thursdays

G

et ready to grab your picnic blankets and lawn chairs a bit sooner this year, as Uniquely Thursdays will kick-off a week earlier in 2013, on June 6.

This will be the 11th year of Hinsdale’s annual summer concert series, held in Burlington Park between Washington and Garfield, just north of the railroad tracks.

“We are very excited with our lineup this year, and look forward to hearing the new, innovative bands we have booked from around Chicagoland,” said Jan Anderson, Executive Director of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce. “The committee put together a wonderful lineup of ‘first time’ bands to the Hinsdale stage.”

Many guests said the family-friendly and communityoriented environment keeps them coming back each week.

“The fact that it’s so family-oriented,” Anne Cahill of Hinsdale said, “on Thursday during the day, I’m looking forward to Thursday night as much as my fourand five-year-olds.”

Kids dance to the beat of a favorite tune at last year’s Uniquely Thursdays, which kicks off its 11th season on June 6.

30 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Chicago-based band C-Factor will get the season started on June 6. For a complete band list, please visit http://hinsdalechamber.com/pages/UniquelyThursdays.

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31

Summer

2013

A

Burr Ridge

Concerts on the Green

fter you attend Dancin’ in the Streets on Wednesday nights and Uniquely Thursdays on Thursday evenings, don’t forget to check out Concerts on the Green in Burr Ridge on Fridays, starting June 7.

Held within the Burr Ridge Village Center off of County Line Road, Concerts on the Green have swelled from averaging 200 guests per week in 2008 to 1,400 last year.

Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner said the village is proud of the concert series, and believes it has enhanced Burr Ridge residents’ sense of community.

“I think the concerts are popular, because few things help you escape the commotion of everyday life like fresh air, good music, a glass of wine and the company of your friends and family,” Scheiner said. “Our guests continue to spend their Friday nights with us, because we stick to our motto, ‘something for everyone,’ which allows us to bring in a wide array of family-friendly musical acts from various genres.”

Admission to Concerts on the Green is free, and guests are permitted to pack their own food and drinks. This year, the series will include 13 concerts, starting with Eagles tribute band Heartache Tonight on June 7. For a complete band list, visit http://www.shopburrridge.com/Events.html.

32 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Attendance at Concerts on the Green, Burr Ridge’s summer concert series, has multiplied from 200 guests per week in 2008 to 1,400 last year.

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Off I-55 at County Line Road. 1/2 Mile South of I-294. www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine

33

Summer

Get a taste of Burr Ridge at inaugural

2013

by Michael Yaeger

T Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Restaurant Week

asty things are happening in the Village of Burr Ridge, as the Burr Ridge Restaurants committee is pleased to announce its first ever Restaurant Week from Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 26. Burr Ridge is home to 18 restaurants, from budget-friendly eateries and trendy hot spots to a premier restaurant and winery.

Most of the restaurants are located within the Burr Ridge Village Center, or across the street in County Line Square.

During Restaurant Week, patrons can take advantage of specials, including free appetizers and desserts, takeout specials and buy-one-getone-free offers.

“We wanted to let everyone know about the great restaurants and variety of restaurants in Burr Ridge, and give customers incentives

34 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

to try them out,” said Becky Fleck, Marketing and Catering Manager for Topaz Café. “In the past few years alone, Burr Ridge has really added quite a few wonderful places to catch a quick bite, or enjoy a night out.”

Restaurant-goers are encouraged to plan their night’s out now.

Participating restaurants include Capri Ristorante, Dao Sushi, Thai and Steakhouse, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Ciazza (inside the Marriott Hotel), Eddie Merlot’s, Falco’s Pizzeria, Porterhouse Steaks & Seafood, Topaz Café and Wok’n Fire. Burr Ridge Restaurant Week information and special offers can be found at www.BurrRidgeRestaurants. com.

Clarendon Hills

O

n Wednesday nights this summer, head down to Prospect Ave. in downtown Clarendon Hills for Dancin’ in the Street.

Now in its 14th season, Dancin’ in the Street has grown steadily through the years, providing an ideal venue for local residents to socialize while enjoying music and food provided by downtown vendors.

“The village really wanted to do something to draw people into our downtown,” Special Events Committee Chair Renee Kirin said, alluding to the original concept of the weekly concert series. “The businesses in town have changed; our attendance has expanded. In terms of residents, it’s become an opportunity [for them] to socialize with their fellow neighbors.”

Kirin said part of the reason behind the growth of Dancin’ in the Street has been increased attendance by residents from surrounding suburbs. The event has also become quite popular with families, as various booths offer face-painting, ice cream and other items appealing to children.

Dancin’ in the Street commences on June 19 from 7:30-9 p.m., featuring crowd-favorite Souled Out Funk. Bon Jovi cover band Bad Medicine (July 3) and Motown group The Moods (July 17) will also make their Dancin’ in the Street debuts.

For a complete band list, please visit www.clarendonhills.us/ concerts.cfm.

Dancin’ in the Street

The Clarendon Hills Park District provides facepainting each week at Dancin’ in the Street.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 35

Hinsdale-60521-MD-2013.qxp

4/13/2013

3:47 PM

- Continued from page 20

Mike: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Lisa: I’m on the Hinsdale Central Boosters Club, and I run Advance the Arts. Last year, I put on an event with a great group of women that raised $135,000 for the [Hinsdale Central] auditorium. I also run the Character Counts Committee for the PTO. I’ve done six marathons, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro two years ago, and now I mainly do triathlons during the summer.

I’m planning my next trip with a few women from Hinsdale;— we’re talking about doing the base camp at [Mt.] Everest.—I don’t think I’d ever go to the top of Everest, though; I’m not that crazy. My friends are so important to me; we laugh together; we cry together; we’re each other’s psychiatrists.

Mike: What do you think makes being a mom in Hinsdale unique?

Lisa: The minute I [moved] to Hinsdale, I was greeted at the door with a plate of chocolate-chip cookies, and ever since then, I’ve loved living here.

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36 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

#T0111

Page 1

Inside 60521

Burr Ridge resident Alejandro Garcia opened Cafe La Fortuna in downtown Hinsdale in November 2012.

Photo by Marcello Rodarte

A

Passion for Coffee

lejandro Garcia, a native of Chiapas, Mexico, moved to Burr Ridge with his wife, Angela, and five children in 2006. Garcia, who operates a plantation in his hometown, recently opened up Café La Fortuna, a unique coffee shop, in downtown Hinsdale. Last month, Hinsdale Magazine Publisher Scott Jonlich caught up with Garcia to discuss coffee, his business and the community he now calls home.

Scott: How did you develop the concept of Café LaFortuna?

Alejandro: In Spanish, there is a common saying: “There is nothing new under the sun.” We just want to share our story, our beans, our philosophy and our love for coffee as it relates to nature and human interaction. Installing an in-store roast allows for a great opportunity for our customers to experience, learn, taste and enjoy Estate coffee from a single origin: 100 percent Arabica coffee.

Scott: Your have the best coffee in Hinsdale. What makes it different?

Alejandro: Thank you. Our goal is for our coffee to develop natural attributes through a carefully-designed roast profile.

Our computer-assisted program helps us keep consistency roast after roast, so we can taste a well-balanced drink.

Scott: You really have an appreciation for coffee.

Alejandro: Coffee is personal. It’s all about enjoyment at an individual level, and if we have become familiar with a

Alejandro Garcia of Burr Ridge discusses his new coffee shop in downtown Hinsdale.

combination of sugar, milk and flavors, it’s quite accepted. As a grower, we enjoy people drinking coffee, so please help us increase world consumption. My morning drink is an Americano, no sugar and no milk.

Scott: Your coffee is enjoyed internationally. Tell us about those consumers.

Alejandro: We have customers in Europe to whom we sell in bulk directly from the plantation. In Mexico City, our coffee is Kosher, and we service a variety of consumers from restaurants, offices, individual households, kosher supermarkets, as well as retail through our coffee shop. We cater to unique cultures, and we design profiles that match specific tastes.

Scott: You chose to have your first coffee shop in Hinsdale—why Hinsdale?

Alejandro: The Hinsdale area has been our home for the last seven years. We want to share a little bit of our world with this community that has been so welcoming to our family. The right conditions helped us decide to establish our first coffee shop here.

Living around Burr Ridge and Hinsdale is a true gift to life and a proper environment for raising a family. Moving to this area was a real experience for the whole family—a great opportunity to learn new things and make new friends. In return for these benefits, we give back little what we can through our coffee and service for the enjoyment of those willing to taste our products.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 37

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What can I do to protect my skin from the sun?

DR.STEIL: When it comes to protection from the sun, the things that matter most are seeking the shade,applying sunblock and wearing a sombrero.

First, throw out all sunblocks from last summer; they lose some of their effectiveness over time. Then, make sure that your new sunblock is broad-based and has at least nine percent of an oxide, either titanium or zinc, for your active days in the sun. Otherwise, it’s just not effective.

Also, finding one that’s easy to wear, that either goes on with a tint or wears well under makeup, will make it easier for you to use it. We love just such a product, EltaMD-tinted sunblock for sensitive skin.

Don’t forget that wearing a moisturizer with an anti-oxidant, like a Vitamin C, will make your sunscreen work even better. Wear a hat and your face will be even more protected. An easy and costeffective way to protect your body is to wear comfortable long-sleeve t-shirts with built-in UV protection.

38 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Q

I heard that microdermabrasion and photo facials are best when done before the hot summer months? What do you recommend?

DR.STEIL: The treatments we offer can all be done year-round, but sometimes a little extra care is required during certain times of the year. After a microdermabrasion in winter, for instance, you will want extra moisturizer; in summer, extra sunblock and a broad-brimmed hat. When you call our office for an appointment—or when you go to our website, www.steilderm.com,— you’ll see instructions on exactly what to expect, and how to care for your skin after each of our procedures.

But the summer months can also be the best time to get these treatments, as you will likely find all the heat, humidity and oil is really building up on your skin.

Meanwhile, enhance your in-office procedures with caring for your skin differently at home during these summer months than you do in winter. Moisturizers should be lighter, and consider switching to a different strength of exfoliant or retinol, often a little stronger during the humid summer, when your skin can handle it.

Q

As a mother of a newborn, I’m not getting as much sleep. What can I do to keep my skin less tired looking?

DR.STEIL: For starters, consider letting your husband get up with that baby a little more often! Aside from that, now more than ever, nutrition is key to feeling and looking your best. Don’t make it complicated; try high-protein yogurt and fresh fruit smoothies to keep you going.

Load your diet with antioxidants, and eat foods like blueberries, strawberries, spinach and kale.

Then, of course, anything that will increase circulation and help exfoliate that tired skin will help you look and feel terrific. The perfect answer: come on in for a rejuvenating microdermabrasion. This treatment feels great, increases circulation to your skin, and gets rid of those tired, dead skin cells. *Mention this article and receive 10% off Microderm/microderm and peel/sunscreen.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Truth Behind Botox

T

By Dr. peter t. harnois, dds | hinsdale dentistry

he better educated you are in Botox, the more comfortable you will be with the process. Moreover, a familiarity with your treatment will allow you to easily communicate with your dentist. We prioritize close relationships with patients, and hope to ease any apprehensions you may have about Botox before beginning treatment. Botox treatment has been proven to be comfortable, safe, healing and rewarding.

Q: I’ve

never received Botox and I’m curious about how the medicine works?

A:

Human beings are the only mammalian species that use our faces to communicate with each other. Many of us furrow our brows when concentrating, frustrated or stressed. This furrowing can lead to lines between the brows and across the forehead. Botox smoothes these facial lines by decreasing the strength of muscle contraction. It consists of a purified protein that your dentist injects at specific sites. This protein inhibits targeted muscles from contracting as hard. By relaxing muscles, there is less pull on facial skin, resulting in an ease of wrinkles. Botox-relaxed skin actually heals so that wrinkles will not return as long as you continue treatments. Your Botox remains present and active for between three to six months. There are no cumulative effects, and if you stop receiving treatments, your skin will return to its original state over time. Botox works wonders therapeutically for conditions like Gummy Smile and TMJ.

Q: Will Botox change my facial expressions?

A:

The effects of Botox depend entirely on the location of the injection. Our dentists are so skilled with Botox injections that results are wholly predictable. This means that your facial expression will not be limited.

Botox will halt only the muscles that cause wrinkles, and leave other areas of your face naturally active. We will discuss the changes Botox could make to your skin in-depth before administering injections—your results will hold no surprises.

Before

After

Q: Who can use Botox? Is it right for me?

A:

Botox is appropriate for any individual over the age of 21. The subtle wrinkle reduction resulting from Botox treatments will change your personal and professional lives by enhancing your self-confidence.

Although it is often viewed as female-specific, Botox has gained popularity among male patients looking to refresh their faces. Botox’s brow-smoothing results are desirable for every demographic.

Hinsdale Dentistry is holding a special Mother’s Day Event on Monday, May 13th from 4-8p.m.

Dr. Peter Harnois, DDS

911 N. Elm, Suite 230 Hinsdale, IL 630-323-4468 HINSDALEDENTISTRY.COM

Botox $11/unit (reduced from $14/unit) LUMINEERS $6,999 Prize Drawings for: Teeth Whitening ($600) and Anti-Aging Product Collection ($300) Limited seating. Please RSVP by calling our office at (630) 323-4468

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 39

Community

Scene

BMO Harris mascot Hubert with friends

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

A

6th Annual

Walk the Walk for Autism

bout 1,500 walkers of all ages joined the fight against autism when they participated in the Community House Walk the Walk for Autism on April 28.

The 5K walk, which began at Hinsdale Central (55th and Grant Streets), proceeded through the neighborhood and downtown Hinsdale, before returning to the high school.

Proceeds from the walk will support the Charlie’s Gift Autism Center in Downers Grove, which supplies programs and therapy for autistic individuals and their families.

“We’re just delighted that so many people have come out in support of autism services and in support of Charlie’s Gift,” Community House Executive Director Jeni Fabian said.

“We have about 1,500 walkers this year, which is up from just over 1,000 last year,—and I couldn’t be more thrilled and moved by the support that the community has shown.”

Hinsdale Central played a key role in enhancing the morning’s festivities, as a large body of students and faculty members came out to walk and support the cause. A bevy of District 181 students and parents were also

40 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

visible along the route.

“Our junior board, which is a new group of high-school leaders who are working with the Community House, has done a tremendous job to raise awareness, spread the word, and get individuals and families involved,” Fabian said. “It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to people who are in need.”

For more information about Charlie’s Gift, visit www.thecommunityhouse.org/whatwe-do/charliesgift.

Why did you walk?

“We’re supporting people with autism, and trying to find a cure.”

-Reese Edgewater, 8, The Lane School student “I’m part of the junior board, and we wanted to come out and support a really good cause.”

-Jori Tuthill, 16, Hinsdale Central student “It was something to do with the families—something to do with the kids, and their school encouraged it, so I thought it was a good idea to come out.”

-Todd Videbeck, 38, Hinsdale “To help out the community and help out autism, and be part of something bigger than just us.”

-Tara Jacobson, 42, Hinsdale “I walked due to the fact that I have autistic children in my family, so I would like to support the cause and make sure a cure is found.”

-Ahmaad Stokes, 32, Clarendon Hills “It’s for a good cause; [I came out] to support the school and support the community.”

-Alex Knight, 17, Hinsdale Central student

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42 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Hinsdale

Avenue

The Unnecessary, but Indispensable Extra Chair

I

t’s the style; it’s the fabric; it’s the color; it’s the quirkiness!

Regardless, it’s the perfect piece of art, and it provides one more seat.

It’s the chair that doesn’t feel blocking as you enter the room, because it has an open workback. It’s the petite papier mâché chair parked at the drop front desk with the needlepoint top and the perfectly carved legs. It can be the old family rocking chair, seeming out of place next to the fireplace in William Walker a contemporary room—but perfect. It Contributing Writer might be the mid-century egg chair— stark white, bemusing, placed in a Georgian drawing room.

Odd chairs can be used as accessories in room décor. Their placement can achieve balance in a room that feels just off. They can be used to complete a palate or supply an accent in color.

They can emphasize or de-emphasize architecture, keep a space from being too predictable, or distract the eye from something less attractive. They can add “bling” with polished metal surfaces or nail heads.

Picture a chair made from elk antlers with a leather cushion angled in front of a low window, supplying backlight and a wonderful mosaic pattern of light and shadow created on the floor.

One forgets there is no rug. Or cover a ‘50s metal rod butterfly chair with a vinyl, embossed to look like the tile backsplash in a kitchen. And take that old kitchen stool with back and fold-out steps to create that wonderful odd bar stool or game-room perch.

Several elements contribute to the specialness of this chair.

- Continued on page 44

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- Continued from page 43

First and foremost, it should speak to you. Maybe it won’t speak as loudly to anyone else, and there’s a good chance others in your life might think you’ve lost your mind. Sometimes you need help bringing out its best in your space. A client once stopped in front of my shop and showed me a highbacked arts and crafts oak chair someone had obviously bleached and left for dead in the alley. She insisted it belonged in her new house. Indeed it did after we lacquered it black, layered it with a terry-cloth seat, her and plopped it in the master bath, the perfect robe hook.

This chair also needs to go beyond art. It should hold a human body indispensable. that isn’t worried he or she might damage something so precious to they made you. One of my favorite odd chairs is the 1650s barley twist arm chair that an earlier owner did me the great favor of having the local blacksmith an a create a brace crossing under the rush on the seat and wrapping down partway on each leg. I don’t worry if anyone sits in that chair.

This piece should be peerless; you should know that it is truly one-of-a-kind. Maybe it began life as part of a set or a pair, but because it alone has survived, or because it has been treated specially with finish or fabric, it is unique.

But why limit yourself to one of these treats? One of my design mentors and a good friend lived for a good while in New

York City. Her two-bedroom, two-bath coop of 900 square feet meant furnishings were limited—priorities were necessary. As much as she loved to entertain—some of the best dinner parties I remember—, I couldn’t understand why she didn’t have at least a small dining area with table and chairs. Instead she was constantly moving furniture aside to put up a small drop leaf table, which she then surfaced with a 60-inch oval—folded plywood from under the bed. With a cloth on it, you of believed she had a full-sized table. was She then collected chairs and stools from around the apartment, and but placed them for six to ten guests.

After we had done this four nights in a row, returning everything to its original position in between sense, but dinners, I asked why she didn’t rearrange for a true dining table and each chairs. She quickly replied, “And give up all of my orphan chairs— not a chance!” It was true; each of small her chairs was that unnecessary, but indispensable. Collected, they made no sense, but scattered, each made an impact on the small apartment.

I was once asked to create a chair for a silent auction. At Goodwill, I found an old S-frame metal chair. I wrapped the frame with the leather used for handles on tennis rackets, and replaced its vinyl strips with old leather belts. Six months later, I saw the chair in an upscale resale shop looking for someone to “speak to.”

Each

chairs

that

unnecessary, Collected,

no scattered,

made

impact

apartment.

44 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Tech Know

LOVE YOUR LEGS,

again!

Bring Mobility & Portability Technology tips for the whole family to your Business

M A

ost of our techKNOW articles describe productivity and s technology evolves in our workplace efficiency in the each ofday, business the world 20-poundIndesktop monitor technology. lieu and of Mother’s is slowly becoming Day, on weyour aredesk going to take some It seems eachand month a greatobsolete. technology ideas bring new tech product is introduced them home to the family. As the business world, andportable by the worldtoofthesmartphones and next month something even more devices become more popular, powerful and smaller becomes families are constantly adopting available. In this edition of technology for entertainment and techKNOW, we will take a look at to stay the connected. three leadingFrom forms advanced of office Errol Janusz baby mobility, monitors home automatio, Contributing Writer andtosome examples that we will takethem. a look at a couple of go with different technology advances that are becoming a standard in homes today.

Smartphones: Believe it or not, your smartphone is capable of Ladies first! browsing The iBaby infant and monitor iBaby Labs, Many Inc., more than Facebook taking by funny pictures. can certainly be considered appliance wouldand find onarea popular software companiesan such as Intuit, you LexisNexis Sage developing to run your software on your phone.

Example: television show“apps” like The Jetsons.

This advanced baby monitor QuickBooks now gift allows to view your entire company financials can be the perfect foryou tech-savvy mothers.

Attaching this ontoyour phone in anInternet instant. This greatvideo for retail that device your wireless can isgrant andstorefronts audio access needgrandparents quick invoice access customers. to your who for livetheir across country directly on their cell phones or tablets. The application on your device includes Microsoft tabletsIfare perfect mobile movableTablets: buttons to viewWindows-based the whole room. you havefor multiple productivity. tablets that then are produced today areeach more child powerful infants you needMany to monitor, you can add to some of the older desktop computers yourwell-being. office! Companies your than Skype contacts for instant access to in their Even like AT&T and Verizon are now introducing tablets equipped with your baby’s cry will activate a mass alert to multiple devices so cell-phone data plans for fast Internet access everywhere. Example: they can get the attention they deserve.

Dental firms can run Dentrix and Eaglesoft on tablets to easily show My second review of home technology has been around for patients their charts and x-rays. many years in the business world, and can keep your pictures, movies Ultrabooks: and documents Home networks The gaporganized. between tablets and computer laptops is increasingly have getting a central computer that younewest storewave in of your basement or smaller.

Ultrabooks are the laptops that include closettouchscreens that will house all ofless your family This and weigh thanimportant three pounds.

Thedata. traditional serverkeyboard can perform off-site backups, and will create a be vast wired and mouse that accompany laptops always a standard or wireless to all of your computers, and feature innetwork the workplace, and that is the No. 1 reason whytablets they survive televisions.

For example, at my home Because I have aultrabooks laptop attached in the business world today.

Example: are small and portable, theyAt canany be a great to the bulky desktops that to each television. time,alternative I can pause a movie in one on your employees’ desks.In addition to movies, I can use roomreside and resume it in another. my tablet to control my sound system in any room, or simply thevacation single greatest feature of the three mentioned have myProbably favorite pictures repeating ondevices each television. above is Remote Desktop Connection.can This give fantastic feature will allow Technology, like home automation, your smartphone remote connect toand yourlighting offices desktop computers as if accessyou totothe temperature system for yourjust entire you were sitting there.

That feature, along with thousands of others, is household. With the correct setup, the possibilities of both becoming more and more adopted in the workplace to keep businesses home automation and home entertainment are limitless. The at their peak productivity. single most important component of home technology is having a reliable, off-site backupand ofLead your most cherished pictures and Errol Janusz is President Technician at Edward Technology. videosForofmore your entire family’s history. information, contact Errol at (630) 333-9323, ext. 303, or email him at ejanusz@Hinsdale60521.com. Visit Errol’s website at,

Errol Janusz is President and Lead Technician at Edward Technology. www.edwardtechnology.com.

For more information, contact Errol at (630) 333-9323, ext. 303, or email him at ejanusz@Hinsdale60521.com. Visit Errol’s website at, www.edwardtechnology.com.

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 45

Community

Scene

2ND ANNUAL

HUNT FOR HEALTH

O

Steve Thayer & Dr. Dennis Karsh

ver 200 people competed in the second annual Robert Crown Center Hunt for Health in downtown Hinsdale on April 27.

Teams consisting of roughly a dozen individuals hustled through the downtown area in search of “clues” that were scattered throughout Hinsdale. The HolmesWinterfield team claimed first prize.

“This is a very competitive group [of teams],” RCC CEO Kathleen Burke said. “After they finished last year, they planned their team for [this] year—they had new strategies.”

This year’s Hunt for Health incorporated fresh clues, as well as two “Sherlock Holmes”—portrayed by Steve Thayer and Dr. Dennis Karsh—, who provided teams with solutions to up to four clues for a charitable fee.

“The committee worked extremely hard this year,” RCC Communications Director Joan Olson said. “They gathered input about how [this event] could be bigger and better.”

Technology also played a key role in the Hunt, as participants e-mailed clue photos to event organizers and matched QR codes to obtain solutions.

Proceeds from the event were directed towards operating expenses and the center’s scholarship program.

“Even when we have a school paying a fee for services, that only covers 25 percent of the cost to put the class on,” Olson said. “We need fundraisers like this to help provide programming for all services.”

Altogether, the event raised more than $38,000.

Immanuel Hall Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Team McCarthy

46 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Mike Sessa Fan Club

Team Oakey-Tallard

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 47

Own Words

MEETING

MARTY RIESSEN

by John Naisbitt

T

he custodian came into my Hinsdale Central classroom with a large 16- by 20-inch framed photograph of a teenage boy with a tennis racket and said, “We can’t find a place for this. You want it?”

He probably brought it to me because I’m the current boys’ tennis coach. I knew instantly that this photograph was a keeper.

“Sure,” I said, “I’ll find a place for it.”

The fresh-faced boy had short dark hair and was posed with knees slightly bent, as if to hit a backhand volley, head cocked slightly toward the camera. The nameplate on the black and white photo simply read, Marty Riessen: 4-time State Tennis Singles Champion, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960. Whoever had removed Marty’s picture from the wall didn’t realize what an outstanding athlete he was—and not just an outstanding Hinsdale Central athlete, or an athlete only a tennis coach can appreciate—a world-class athlete.

Marty’s domination of the Illinois High School boys’ tennis scene was just the start. He would go on to play basketball for Northwestern University, and to a storied professional tennis career which included nine Grand Slam Doubles championships.

I was just getting into tennis at the time of Marty’s prominence, and as a young player, I followed his progress with interest.

I noted a large empty area in the upper right of the photo that would be perfect for his autograph, but how to get it? I removed the photograph from the frame and waited.

When I heard that he was to be a presenter at the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association workshop at the Vaughn Tennis pavilion in Aurora this past January, I knew I had my chance. I carefully wrapped the photograph to protect it from the swirling snow that whipped around the parking lot of the tennis pavilion. I had arrived at 8:30 a.m., and Mr. Riessen wasn’t scheduled for another five hours. Still, finding him was all I could think about that morning.

An early session was in progress. The pavilion included six indoor tennis courts with a balcony overlooking them. A presenter with a microphone was working with four or five young tennis players on a single court, instructing the roughly 200 coaches in attendance on how best to run a drill.

I thought the balcony would have a good view and be a safe place for my giant and precious photo. I wound my way up the circular staircase to the balcony and sat down on a long bench overlooking the courts, eyeing the crowd. Maybe if I saw Marty Riessen, I could run right down and get the signature. But why would he be here so early and, more importantly, what does a 72-year-old Marty look like? I knew the young Marty, but not the older Mr. Riessen. What to do?

48 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Maybe the guy sitting next to me knew what Marty looked like. That seemed dumb, but what if he could spot him in the crowd?

“Excuse me sir, would you recognize Marty Riessen if you saw him?” I asked.

The man turned slowly toward me, not turning his neck but bending his whole body.

“I would,” he replied. “I’m Marty Riessen.”

“Oh my God,” fell out of my mouth.

I stumbled over things like my name, why I was there, getting his autograph on a picture of him; but I made sure to say Hinsdale Central clearly. I wanted to make that connection with him right off.

He understood my words despite my nervousness, and could not have been nicer. What followed was a seminal event in my life. For the two hours that morning when Marty Riessen and I talked on a simple bench in the balcony of a tennis pavilion outside of Chicago, I was in heaven—tennis heaven.

He was as gracious as he was willing to share. He asked as many questions as he answered. He listened and asked followups. I tried hard to answer his questions wisely, but it was his answers to my questions that I will always remember.

The topics we covered included his basketball career at Northwestern. (Yes, basketball—he was a starter on the NU basketball team at the same time he was a starter on the U.S. Davis Cup tennis team. This feat was a first, and one highly unlikely ever to be repeated.) He talked about his successful marriage: he would return to California that night to celebrate his 35th wedding anniversary to a beautiful woman he actually met at O’Hare. He described his golf game: fine tee to green, but king of the three-putt. I could relate.—And of course we talked tennis.

The tennis names he played with and coached reads like a “who’s who” of the tennis hall of fame. Would he recall Arthur

Ashe?

“Arthur and I made an improbable run to the semis of Wimbledon in doubles,” he said.

Later, Riessen and Ashe would win the French Open doubles title in 1971, 11-9 in the fifth set.

“Arthur was such a gentleman,” Marty said fondly.

Riessen’s main partner was Tom Okker, described by many as one of the greatest doubles players of all-time. With Tom, Marty won the U.S. Open Championship in 1976, as well as dozens of other professional tournaments. Marty won seven mixed doubles Grand Slam championships from the late 1960s through the early 1980s,—six with Margaret Court, whom he described as shy and unassuming, a woman who avoided the spotlight, but one who could play a mean game of tennis.

Did he ever play Rod Laver?

“I actually had a winning record against Rod Laver,” he said.

“Don’t ask me how, but I did okay versus Rod.” Chills went down my back. I was sitting next to a guy who had played and defeated the great Rod Laver.

“But Ken Roswell gave me lots of trouble,” he said. “He was so consistent; that forehand was flat, and he could hit such angles.”

Riessen noted that most of today’s young players “hit with a western grip, compared to the old days when we used a more continental or hand-shake grip. This western grip allows them to hit the ball harder than ever before.”

What did he think of Bjorn Borg?

“A rock star—the first real superstar of the sport. He drew crowds.”

Marty played against McEnroe and Connors, and coached Chris Evert and Serena Williams.

He played professional tennis for 17 years, and went on to coach for decades after his playing days ended. His modesty was profound. When he spoke of his basketball career at

Northwestern, for example, he said he played against future pros Walt Bellamy, and Tom and Dick Van Arsdale, but he wasn’t quick enough to make a career out of basketball. But, while he was a two-sport athlete in high school and college, it was tennis where he made his impact. I remarked that perhaps he was the “Forest Gump of pro tennis.”

No one is likely ever to dominate Illinois High School tennis the way Marty Riessen did in the late 1950s. His undefeated senior year (1960) featured mostly 6-0 sets on his way to a fourth straight high-school singles title. He is arguably the greatest athlete ever to come out of Hinsdale Central. When I mentioned this to him, he replied, “Things are different now.

More people are playing tennis, better athletes are playing, and they have better technology.”

Another presenter came and went. I looked at my watch. Two hours had passed, and it had felt like ten minutes.

Then I saw Jay Kramer enter the court below; I waved for him to come up. He came up and hugged Marty, and I said my goodbyes and floated away to let Jay and Marty catch up. Marty’s dad Clare Riessen coached Hinsdale Boys’ Tennis from 19421959; Jay Kramer took over from 1960-2009. These tennis legends had memories to share.

When I returned to the high school, I placed the photograph safely back into its frame and hung it on the wall. I had gone to Aurora with the goal of getting Marty Riessen to sign my big photo of him as an 18-year-old. I did get it signed, but I left having done more—I had met Marty Riessen. While he was no longer the fresh-faced teenager in my photograph, his memories of a lifetime of tennis championships, fellow athletes and coaching will remain fresh for me every time I see it.

John Naisbitt is the head coach of the Hinsdale Central Boys’ Tennis team, and teaches history at the high school.

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