Hinsdale Magazine December 2013 by Hinsdale Magazine Group

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Publisher Letter

ifty years ago, Andy Williams recorded a holiday song called “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The lyrics truly define the spirit of the season. “There’ll be much mistltoeing and hearts will be glowing when love ones are near. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Today, the song remains a celebration of holiday traditions associated with the holiday season, reflecting on get-togethers between family and friends. In this issue, we asked local families about their traditions and favorite holiday memories. I hope that you enjoy their experiences. Perhaps they may remind you of your special moments with your loved ones. A very special thanks to the Giannelli, Tonn and Wong families, which participated in sharing their family traditions. And a special thanks to our columnist Dan Meyer, who reminds us on p. 50 that while we are happy for the wonderful presents at Christmas, it is the gift of presence we give to one another that is lasting and truly meaningful. It’s no wonder that the families who shared their holiday traditions on the following pages all reflected so fondly on their Christmas mornings with their parents and siblings. In this issue of Hinsdale Magazine, like past editions, our editorial focuses on incredible people who give of themselves. Giving is the best gift of all, and we were inspired by Meg Morel, the artist who drew “Snowfall at Graue Mill” for our cover. Morel moved to Hinsdale 27 years ago to 222 E. Chicago Ave. with her husband Jerry and her children Emilie and Tom. It was when her kids prepared to go off to college that Meg tapped her talent to help others who did not

have the means to send their children to college. “I heard about friends and family who didn’t have the finances to send their kids too,” she told me. “There had to be a way to help them at least get started at a Junior College.” Meg paints murals and portraits, and got the idea of painting scenes from historic towns in the area, including Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, LaGrange and Western Springs. She made the scenes into prints, notecards, holiday cards and ornaments, and sold them in various stores in town. She is now helping students go to college with her work. We commend her for her creativity and thoughtfulness that is making a difference in people’s lives. Indeed, the holidays are a time for sharing and caring, and we spotlight the Hinsdale Food Pantry on p. 14, which plays a significant role for many DuPage County residents. Families wishing to help those in need during this holiday season and throughout the year can make a donation to the pantry, located in the basement of the Memorial Building. The holiday season is for children after all, a time of wide-eyed wonder for so many little ones. Unfortunately, some children do not experience the magic of the season. You will read on p. 20 about Hephzibah Children’s Association, which houses 26 of the most severely abused and neglected children in Illinois. We salute the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club for hosting One: The Benefit on Feb. 22, which will be a spectacular night in Chicago to raise money for Hephzibah. Over the past year and a half, the HJWC has worked to support Hephzibah, and we hope that you circle Feb. 22 on your calendar in support of this very special cause. As always, thank you for being a reader, and we welcome you to read the digital versions of our 2013 editions at www.Hinsdale60521.com.

Sincerely, Scott Jonlich, Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdale60521.com 4 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

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CONTENTS

December

2013

8 Family Traditions

Giannelli, Wong and Tonn Families

14 Confronting a growing problem Local youth start new trend to assist Hinsdale Food Pantry

16 Inside 60521

Union Church of Hinsdale welcomes new pastor

20 Hinsdale Woman

One: The Benefit to support Hephzibah Children’s Association

22 Five decades of service

Hinsdale Assembly celebrates its 50th anniversary at Debutante Ball

26 All shook up

Local residents react to last month’s quarry blast

28 On Broadway

Hinsdale Central Marching Band performs in New York City on Veterans Day

32 Community Scene Wellness House Ball Sleep Out Saturday Books & Brunch

40 Dining Review

Chicago pizza...Neapolitan style

48 Sports

Hinsdale Central Boys’ Basketball Preview Hinsdale Central Boys’ Cross Country, Girls’ Golf take home state titles

Scott Jonlich Mike Ellis Marcello Rodarte Cheryl Chrzanowski Errol Janusz | Dan Meyer Robert Damien Mike O’Connor Renee Lawrence Karen Hood

Proudly mailing 20,805 homes and businesses Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook

6 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Hinsdale

60521

Founder & Publisher Print Managing Editor Photographer Cover & Layout Graphic Designer Columnists Food & Travel Editor Hinsdale DRIVER Advertising Sales Feature Photographer

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.

Family Traditions

Giannelli Family

apt. John Giannelli of Downers Grove has served with the Hinsdale Fire Department for 21 years. He was also previously a volunteer firefighter in La Grange Park for 23 years.

Capt. John Giannelli with his wife, Carla, and their three children, Natalie, 7, Sam, 4, and Gracie, 4.

8 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Hinsdale Magazine: What is your favorite Christmas memory? John Giannelli: My favorite Christmas memory was having my family all together and going to midnight mass. I have a small family here in the Chicago area; all of my extended family

lives in Pennsylvania; but having my immediate family together on Christmas probably means the most. These past several Christmases with my kids are the most memorable to me. Getting to do all of the fun holiday things with my children is really a lot of fun and special for us as parents too. We have breakfast with Santa at the Brookfield Zoo every year, and spend a lot of time with family and friends celebrating the season. Hinsdale Magazine: What is it like working for the Hinsdale Fire Department and being in downtown Hinsdale around the holidays? John: We are a very family-oriented fire department, and have our annual family party at the firehouse each December. Our children really look forward to this tradition. The party is at the station, and all firefighters, current and retired, are invited for dinner. We have crafts and baking for the kids, and it always ends with a visit from Santa—with gifts. We all try to support each other and our families throughout the year, but this is one of the few times every shift is able to be together. Hinsdale Magazine: What do you think

makes the holiday season special in the Hinsdale community? John: Hinsdale is a very festive city to work in during the holidays. The storefronts are often decorated for the season, and the community always thinks of the department. We get a lot of food and sweets dropped off during the holiday season. Hinsdale Magazine: Do you have any holiday traditions that you would like to share with our readers? John: Our family has a tradition of making my grandma’s Italian cookies every year after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. All the adults and kids get together to make and decorate the cookies. We make about 600 cookies; it is an all-day event. We also like to include those less fortunate than us during the holidays. We have supplied Christmas dinner for families through my Mom’s church, purchased gifts for children in our community, and this year we supplied shoe boxes of gifts to five children via Operation Christmas Child. These gifts are distributed to all different countries to children in need. It is very important for our kids to understand the meaning of Christmas is

not just receiving gifts;—the act of giving is the most important. They are still young and figuring out what this means, but my seven-year-old is starting to really understand, and wants to come up with ideas to help other people. Hinsdale Magazine: Could you briefly describe your family’s routine on Christmas? John: Our Christmas plans always depend on my work schedule. Being a firefighter, our families really have to be flexible. Sometimes this means celebrating on a separate day. In the past, we have celebrated Christmas before and after the actual holiday. I have been so lucky that all of my family is willing to work around my schedule to plan holiday celebrations. This year, I will be working on Christmas Day. We will celebrate with a Christmas Eve brunch with my family, followed by a late afternoon with my in-laws. Christmas Day, another firefighter will cover me for a couple hours in the morning so that I can see my young kids open their gifts. My family will then come to the station and have a Christmas dinner with my shift.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 9

Family Traditions

Cindy Go with her husband, Dale Wong, and their children Zoe, 17, and Zachary, 16

Photo by Karen Hood

Wong Family

indy Go of Hinsdale is a volunteer with the Hinsdale Police Department. Recently, she has worked on the You Are Not Alone program, an HPD program that offers regular check-ups for senior citizens who live alone. Hinsdale Magazine: What is your favorite Christmas memory? Cindy Go: My favorite Christmas memory is the time when my family and I went to visit my brother and his family for Christmas. On the day we decided to drive there, it was the first snow of the season. All of our kids were so excited to be able to play together in the snow, that my brother went out and bought a sled for them as a present. When we got to his house, there were several inches on the ground. However, the

10 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

next morning, a warm front came through, and before the kids could go sledding after we had opened the presents, the snow had melted enough that there was no place to sled. The kids were disappointed, but did have enough snow to make a snowman. Hinsdale Magazine: What do you think makes the holiday season so special in the Hinsdale community? Cindy: The annual Christmas Walk makes the holiday season special, because it starts off the Christmas season with the entire village invited to mingle with other residents, merchants and members of the Hinsdale Police Department in a fun, safe and festive atmosphere. The main downtown area is closed to traffic so that kids and adults can

walk the street, visit the shops, and enjoy the refreshments and activities provided. I really appreciate the “hometown” feel that this event brings to this time of the year. Hinsdale Magazine: Do you have any family traditions around the holidays that you would like to share with our readers? Cindy: One tradition that we have carried on from the time that the kids were little is to go together as a family to pick out our Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving. After we bring the tree home, everyone helps to put on the ornaments and lights. When it’s finished, we take a family picture in front of the tree. It’s a special time to spend together before the holidays get busy with shopping and other festivities.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 11

Family Traditions

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Tonn Family

ob Tonn of Hinsdale is active within the Hinsdale community, serving on the Wellness House Board of Directors. His wife Nora is a Hinsdale native, attending St. Isaac Jogues and Hinsdale Central. Hinsdale Magazine: What is your favorite Christmas memory? Rob Tonn: I have many wonderful memories of Christmas as a child— opening my first electric train set when I was ten, Grandma coming to visit, and candlelight church services on Christmas Eve. My Dad moved around with his job when I was young, and my childhood was spent in California, away from my parents’ families in Oak Park and River Forest. Living out of state and coming from a family of only two kids, Christmas was usually spent with just my parents and my brother. But even though our celebration was small, my parents always made sure it special. Whether it was the decorations—stringing Christmas

lights even though it was 75 degrees and sunny—, the “live” Christmas tree we grew outside in an oak whiskey barrel and moved inside every December, or mom’s prime rib Christmas dinner, our traditions were always very important to my parents and to me. These days, with our four young children, Hunter, 10, Griffin, 8, Brooks, 6, and Scarlett, 3, Christmas morning is joyful chaos. And with Nora’s very large extended family (the Keenan and Botti families, both of Hinsdale), all of our holiday celebrations are big and festive. Christmas Eve is an Italian feast at Al and Sheila Botti’s house—so much fun and so much wine! And Christmas dinner is at least 40 people, including Nora’s five siblings and all 20 of the Keenan grandchildren. Both big and small, we look forward to enjoying our traditions and making new memories each and every year. Hinsdale Magazine: What do you think makes the holiday season so special in the

Hinsdale community? Rob: Christmas in Hinsdale is always special. We love the beautiful lights, wreaths and garland the village puts up in town, and appreciate the effort people throughout the community put into their own holiday decorations. No matter where you go in Hinsdale, it is beautiful and festive during the holidays. The Christmas Walk in town is always a fun way to start the Christmas season. Hinsdale Magazine: Do you have any family traditions around the holidays that you would like to share with our readers? Rob: One of our favorite events during the holidays is taking the kids for a night at the Peninsula Hotel in downtown Chicago. We go skating, shop the Magnificent Mile, look at the holiday windows at Macy’s, and just enjoy everything Chicago has to offer at Christmas time.

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Spotlight

Confronting A Growing Problem As the demand for daily necessities rises in DuPage County, local youth have started a new trend designed to support the Hinsdale Food Pantry. Food Pantry Manager Scott Brechtel stands beside a shelf of bread at the Hinsdale Food Pantry.

by mike ellis

round the holiday season, we often hear and think about those who are less fortunate, and how we can do something to help them. Moreover, we are apt to envision a homeless beggar underneath the “L” tracks in Chicago, or malnourished individuals in a third-world country. In the current economic climate, it is easy to forget that many of the people who could use a little help this holiday season reside right in our own backyard— DuPage County. Open three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) in the Village Hall basement and managed by HCS Family Services, the Hinsdale Food Pantry provides food to meet the needs of thousands of southeast DuPage County residents each year. The pantry derives most of its materials from three sources: donations from the community, local grocery stores and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. On the second Thursday of each month, the food bank delivers its monthly share of items; pickups from grocery stores are made each weekday. Food Pantry Manager Scott Brechtel said the pantry primarily provides meat, baked goods, produce and 14 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

dairy products. The Hinsdale Food pantry is a “grocerystyle” pantry, meaning that people are allowed to peruse the space for items as if they were shopping in a grocery store, as opposed to watching predetermined materials drop into their bags. Shoppers first take a number from upstairs; once that number is called, they have the option of taking a select amount of items from each shelf. “When the shoppers come down to go through the pantry, they work with a volunteer, and they choose their own items that they would like off of our shelves,” Brechtel said.

Accessing the pantry

Stephens said many people who utilize the pantry are referred by DuPage County as requiring rental assistance. These include people who have recently lost their jobs, as well as divorced women whose husbands have left them. “We take clients from poverty and the barriers that they have, and try to get them over those barriers to selfsufficiency;” she said, “and our definition of self-sufficiency is free from governments supports as much as [possible]. We’re learning that, as the economy shifts, being on food stamps, even though [they are] a government support, is also a necessity.” Stephens said the difficulty of single

women with children supporting their families monetarily might be greater than you would expect. “A single mother with three children living in DuPage County, to sustain herself financially, needs to make at least $45,000 a year,” she said. “And that’s hard to come by—especially if you’re not educated.” Once a person begins coming to the pantry, he or she has the option of enrolling in HCS Family Services’ case management program. Individuals in the case management program schedule appointments with Stephens once or twice a month. At these appointments, they discuss the barriers (e.g., employment, education, rent) that are preventing the individual from being self-sufficient, and construct a “road-map” to build towards self-sufficiency. The number of people utilizing the food pantry is on the rise, as roughly 4,200 individuals have obtained food from the pantry this year. “That number grows every day,” Stephens said. “Even though we are in a very affluent neighborhood, there is not even so much poverty, as it is people who have fallen on hard times who depend on this food pantry to either help ends meet or feed their families.” Stephens said that while the greatest number of those who utilize the

“[People living in] million-dollar homes are using our food pantries. I can say that very, very confidently.” - Kim Stephens food pantry hail from Westmont or Willowbrook, the number of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Burr Ridge residents frequenting the pantry has increased as well. In the last year, she said 37 Hinsdale families have begun going to the food pantry—and these aren’t just people renting small apartments. “[People living in] million-dollar homes are using our food pantries,” Stephens said. “I can say that very, very confidently.”

Birthday donations

With consumers’ needs on the rise, some local youth have begun a beneficent new trend, taking presents they receive at their birthdays and giving them to the food pantry. “The kids have decided that they don’t necessarily need their classmates and friends to be bringing them additional presents,” Brechtel said. “They’ve decided that they want to help the community, and rather than bring presents, they bring items that would be used at the pantry.” Last month, Oak School student Sydney Akers invited her entire fourthgrade class to her tenth birthday party. In many particulars, the party was like any other—except one: Akers donated all of her gifts to the food pantry and HCS Family Services in conjunction with the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club Gift of the Season event. “In my school, we were talking about helping people in need, and I told my mom that I wanted to have a birthday party that gave them the gifts,” Akers said.

Akers’ mother Julie said she was impressed with the spirit of the children who gave gifts. “I truly believe that all these kids came, because they love helping others,” she said. “The kids in this grade are particularly caring, and the amount of things they brought was overwhelming.” Not only was Akers able to supply food for the pantry, but, perhaps more importantly, toiletries. When Hinsdale Magazine visited the Hinsdale Food Pantry last month, there was only one paper-towel roll available on a busy Friday afternoon. “The food part of it is just the Photos by Marcello Rodarte beginning,” Stephens said. “There is that whole other piece—toiletries, the food pantry to operate effectively and cleaning products, diapers—that you efficiently. From retirees to individuals cannot buy with your food stamps. When with flexible working hours to high-school people [give] donations, like birthday students seeking to acquire National parties or school fundraisers, we always Honor Society service hours, local ask for paper goods, toiletries and residents of all ages serve as guides and feminine products.” companions for guests. While this onAside from Akers’ party, Associate site support is helpful, Brechtel said HCS Executive Director Deb Baker said these Family Services could use additional types of donation efforts are happening volunteer aid in acquiring the materials about once per month. from nearby stores. “We talk and meet with young kids “We need help picking up the groceries,” frequently,” Baker said. “I always Brechtel said. “That is the immediate encourage the kids that there’s something need right now. We have it set up; we just they can do [to help]. need the manpower to bring it from the “We try to teach them different store to us.” ways that they can give back to our organization. It’s so touching for us when HCS Family Services is located on the we do see it.” second floor of the Memorial Building in Hinsdale, 19 E. Chicago Ave. To learn Together we thrive more about HCS Family Services, visit Volunteers play a major role in allowing www.hcsfamilyservices.org.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 15

Inside 60521

The Rev. Dr. Mike Solberg in front of his new church, Union Church of Hinsdale

Photo by Marcello Rodarte

Veteran pastor excited about new position at Union Church of Hinsdale

N by mike ellis

Faith that matters

o matter the profession we choose, there is always an inclination to pursue a new opportunity. And although it is a different career in many ways, the ministry is no different in this regard. The Rev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg became senior pastor at Union Church three months ago, coming to Hinsdale after over two decades of prior service as a pastor in northern Illinois. Solberg said he decided to pursue a career as a pastor when he was an undergraduate student in Champaign. “I was the typical college student at the University of Illinois looking for what I wanted to do in life,” he said. “I was active in my church, and beginning my junior year, had not really nailed down something to do in life. “And the pastor of my church said something that has stuck with me; he said, ‘The thing to do is to find the place where your gifts, abilities and interests intersect the needs of the world.’” After a conversation with his then-girlfriend’s mother—now his mother-in-law—, Solberg said he carefully thought about and ultimately elected to enter the ministry. He was trained in a Methodist seminary, and has spent the past 23 years as a minister at three churches in the Rockford area. With so much experience in a different region of the state, you might wonder why Solberg elected to accept a call in Hinsdale at this stage of his career. He said he felt ready to embrace a new congregation. “Coming to Union Church was really a matter of being open to a new call,” he said, “and saying to myself, ‘I think I’ve done everything I can do at this previous congregation.’”

16 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Solberg has now been at Union for the past three months, and said while he is still learning about the congregation, he has already gleaned that service is important to members. “I feel like you need a year with a congregation before you really understand the dynamics, priorities and interests of the people,” he said. “I definitely still feel new and like I’m on a learning curve. “[One] of the things that I do know about the church is that they take their involvement in the community very seriously. The people try to live out their faith in the service that they do in the community.”

Embracing faith

Christianity affords a multitude of messages for pastors to deliver to congregations, so different pastors are apt to concentrate on a variety of concepts. While some focus on the internal, personal connection to the Scriptures, others more frequently exhort the external propagation of the Gospel. Solberg said the primary message that he will try to convey to Union Church members is embracing a “faith that matters.” He said church can often become “routine” for some, and it is important for Christians to steer away from only thinking about religious matters at Sunday services. “To me, what that phrase means is, church can’t be something that’s separate from your everyday life,” he said. “It’s got to matter in the way you live your life, and it’s got to matter to you personally. It’s got to matter in your actions, in your decisions, and in the way that you serve other people.” Union Church of Hinsdale is located at 137 S. Garfield Ave.

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one the benefit

Hinsdale Woman

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

HJWC President Tracy Zoberis with benefit managing chairs Kate Marnell, Kristi Gilbert and Lyn Beatch

The Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club invites the community to join together on one night in February to support Hephzibah Children’s Association

T BY MIKE ELLIS

he Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club will host its annual benefit on Feb. 22, 2014 at the Skyline Loft in Bridgeport. This year’s benefit theme, One, is centered on bringing the Greater Hinsdale community together on one night to support one cause—Hephzibah Children’s Association. “We all got together in April or May as a committee, and we were brainstorming [themes],” benefit managing co-chair Kate Marnell said. “We wanted it to be

20 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

one word, so it would be catchy and easy to remember, and made a big statement. “Megan Bergin, one of the girls, threw out the name ‘One,’ and we all loved it; and it just became ‘one community, one cause, one night.’” One will be the product of about a year of planning, as the HJWC excitedly prepares to throw its annual benefit in honor of Hephzibah Children’s Association, an Oak Park-based nonprofit organization that provides foster care to children in need. “We definitely have some surprises [planned] throughout the night,” Marnell said. For the first time, the HJWC benefit will be held in Chicago, at Skyline Loft, a

Bridgeport event space that aptly provides a view of the Chicago skyline. “One of the most wonderful things about our organization is that it does continue to evolve,” HJWC President Tracy Zoberis said. “With the influx of new members each year, that brings an entirely new set of experiences and talents and skill-sets and personalities that come with each person. “It also gives us a chance to evolve our events, and make sure they stay relevant and are compelling.” With the capacity to hold up to 1,100 guests, Skyline Loft is situated several blocks west of U.S. Cellular Field (Comiskey Park). Guests can take to the dance floor, while Ben Bradley, Eric

Ferguson and Mike Schimmel serve as emcees for the evening. “Flair” bartenders will provide additional entertainment, serving drinks with a touch of showmanship. There will also be live and silent auctions, featuring a wide range of items to accommodate a variety of guests. “We’re trying to appeal to every single person in the room,” benefit managing co-chair Lyn Beatch said. “In years past, we’ve had really elaborate prizes, where there’s a private jet involved; but not everybody wants to spend that amount of money. So, we want to get people that just want to spend a lesser amount involved in the live auction, so they can enjoy the experience.” The silent auction will incorporate technology, as guests will be able to place their bids using smartphones. Last but not least, a one-week stay on the Hawaiian island of Maui will be raffled off; 100 raffle tickets will be available at $100 apiece.

Hephzibah Home

What could motivate a group of local women to devote such effort to making such an evening possible? The answer is the club’s beneficiary, Hephzibah Children’s Association, which members said has made a profound impression on the club for the past year and a half. Founded in 1897, Hephzibah Children’s Association has been offering a variety of services to children for over a century. Hephzibah is comprised of three program areas: the group home, family-based services and daycare. Located at 946 North Blvd. in Oak Park, the group home has been the sole concentration of the HJWC. Twenty-six of the most severely abused and neglected children in the State of Illinois reside at this facility, ranging from three to 11 years of age. Each placement is made through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). According to a video shown at the Gatsby Gala benefit on Feb. 9, 75 percent of Hephzibah Home residents were victims of sexual abuse prior to their arrival. “From the moment they get there, we begin thinking about what’s the next best placement for them,” said Molly Philosophos, development director for Hephzibah Children’s Association. At the group home, the children reside in one of two places: the diagnostic treatment center, or the long-term residence. Philosophos said all of the

children start out at the diagnostic treatment center, (which currently houses 16 of the 26 children,) for three to six months. At the diagnostic treatment center, Hephzibah social workers evaluate the mental and physical conditions of the children, attempting to determine what will be the next best placement for each child. While evaluations are being conducted and the children acclimate themselves to their new surroundings, they do attend nearby schools and partake in community activities. After the stay at the diagnostic treatment center is completed, children are either placed in a new setting, or move on to the long-term residence for the next one to three years. According to the Hephzibah Children’s Association, this residence is designed to afford children additional time to become more comfortable in a family setting. Established in 1992, up to ten children may occupy the long-term residence at a given time. Philosophos said no child is permitted at Hephzibah Home beyond his or her 13th birthday. In some cases, children are placed with their biological parents; in other cases, they are placed in the care of relatives or foster parents; in still others, they move on to other group homes. Philosophos said Hephzibah is preparing to welcome two new children to the diagnostic treatment center this winter.

Helping Hephzibah

The 2013-14 club season is the second and final year for Hephzibah Children’s Association as the HJWC’s beneficiary. Zoberis, who also served as vice president last year, has been a board member for the duration of the club’s relationship with Hephzibah. She said the HJWC has taken great satisfaction in providing not only monetary, but also personal support to Hephzibah children. “Hephzibah is such a compelling organization that although physically sits

in Oak Park, it’s arms stretch to every community that we serve,” Zoberis said. “In selecting a beneficiary, we look at an organization that can have a significant impact on the communities that we support,—and this one by all means meets that. “They’re a well-oiled machine, and they’ve been a fantastic partner for us, giving us an opportunity to make a difference with our dollars, and, just as importantly, with our time.—I think that’s been the most rewarding opportunity with partnering with Hephzibah: the takeaway that our members have from getting involved with those kids, and really feeling like we’re making a difference beyond just our financial contribution.” All HJWC members are obligated to fulfill a minimum of three service hours at Hephzibah Home, but Zoberis said most members voluntarily go above and beyond that call of duty, adding that numerous ladies have experienced moving moments while serving there. Marnell tearfully recounted an encounter with a girl who raced to greet her and fellow HJWC members with hugs - Continued on page 38 www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 21

5 Decades of Service Hinsdale Assembly celebrates its 50th anniversary at Debutante Ball this month

BY Mike Ellis

Photos courtesy of Linda LeClercq

The first Debutante Ball, held in 1963

1980 Hinsdale Assembly debutantes

2000 Hinsdale Assembly debutantes

22 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

he Greater Hinsdale area abounds with non-profit organizations that provide service opportunities for local residents, but not all of them are designed specifically to encourage young people to lend a helping hand. The Hinsdale Assembly is one such organization, comprised of local high-school seniors that dedicate their time to support Hinsdale Hospital and other efforts. The assembly began in 1963, when two local women, Roseanne Bates and Margo Sexton, felt a need to support the hospital. At that time, only girls (debutantes) participated, and the inaugural class raised $7,000 towards a cobalt therapy machine, which at the time was an advanced machine used for cancer treatment. Boys joined the assembly in 1981 as “floor committee” members, and they are now distinguished as members of the “honor guard.” Together, this yearly-expanding body of debutantes and honor-guard members has collectively raised over $2 million for Hinsdale Hospital—including $265,000 in just this past year alone. “I think the hospital is an integral part of the community, and it needs to continue to grow and to have state-of-the-art equipment,” said Mary Buddig, Chair of the Hinsdale Assembly Board. “We’ve got great doctors there; we’ve got unbelievable nurses. In order for it to be a state-of-theart hospital in our community, which a lot of communities don’t have, this is another way of raising money for it.” Buddig, who was a debutante herself in 1977, said the most observable change in the assembly over the years has been its increased emphasis on community service. While service has always been a critical component of the organization, the assembly has begun conducting more service projects outside of the hospital and Hinsdale community. “The dedication [our members] have to service is the integral part of the assembly,” Buddig said. “Service is really important, and we keep looking at service and building more.” In recent years, debutantes and their fathers have teamed up to rehab homes, a community center and a dance studio in Lawndale— one of Chicago’s roughest West Side neighborhoods. The assembly has also worked with Paulson Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Hinsdale, Bethlehem Woods, a retirement community in La Grange Park, and HCS Family Services’ mobile food pantry in Willowbrook. “For our kids, it’s really eye-opening,” Buddig said. “Lawndale is 20 minutes away; the mobile food pantry is basically in our backyard.” Assembly members volunteer at the mobile food pantry three times per year, but Buddig said some have extended their relationships with the pantry beyond their assembly commitments.

“We’ve had students that have volunteered throughout the summer after doing it just those three times, because they see the need, and they want to help out,” she said. Over the past 50 years, hundreds of high-school seniors from Hinsdale Central, Fenwick, Lyons Township, Hinsdale South, Nazareth and Montini have comprised the assembly. Buddig said that she and her fellow board members look for individuals that are active in the community, but it can be difficult to nail down candidates, as there are so many from which to chose in the area. “We’ve always asked young men and women in the community to be part of the assembly, based on their community service and their outstanding record as citizens in the town,” Buddig said. “We really do try hard to find students that have given back to the community, have spent time in the community, and have a great desire to be a part of the assembly.” The commitment extends from January of a student’s senior year to December of his or her freshman year in college, but Buddig said the service component finishes up in May. Then, in late December, assembly members and their families come together for the Debutante Ball. Held annually on Dec. 23, the ball allows members and their families to reflect on all the work they have done in the preceding year in a festive setting. “It’s a celebration of all the service and all the time that the debutantes and honor guards have given,” Buddig said.

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The Hinsdale Assembly just completed the first year of a ten-year/$1 million commitment to the new Adventist Cancer Institute in Hinsdale, which will be built on Ogden Ave. near the Tri-State Tollway. Scheduled to open in 2015, this facility will consolidate cancer patients’ needs under one roof. There is currently no building of its kind in the Western Suburbs. Next year, Buddig will pass the reins on to Elaine Moore, who will serve as board chair through 2015. She said she believes the assembly will continue to expand through community service over the next five decades. “I only see it growing more, doing more service, and reaching out to other groups that need help in the community,” Buddig said. “Dedication to service has been our theme this year, for our 50th, and it will continue being our theme for hopefully 50 more years.”

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from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Brown completed residency training at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Brown also previously served as the CoDirector of the Dermatologic Surgery Program at RUSH. STAMATIS (TOM) DIMITROPOULOS, MD is a triple board-certified cardiovascular specialist who has been practicing as a physician for eight years. Dr. Tom Dimitropoulos completed his medical training, internal medicine residency and cardiovascular disease fellowship at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago, and a fellowship in Interventional Cardiology in Royal Oak, MI. Dr. Tom Dimitropoulos specializes in advanced techniques for treating varicose and leg veins, including endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. These treatments are performed in the office without sedation, require no down-time and most are covered by insurance. Dr. Dimitropoulos is enrolled and participating in all major insurances and Medicare JOSHUA O. PODJASEK, MD is a board certified dermatologist with advanced fellowship training in dermatopathology. Dr. Podjasek is a graduate of RUSH Medical College and he completed his dermatology training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where he also completed a dermatopathology fellowship and served as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Podjasek brings the innovation and knowledge of the Mayo Clinic to University Dermatology.

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Residents recall the day the earth shook

by mike ellis

surreal tremor rocked the Western Suburbs at about 12:35 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4. Within no time, social media sites were rampant with conflicting reports and hypotheses as to what had transpired. Given the fact that various people in different locations felt the earth move, it quickly became evident that this was not isolated to a particular building or office. Less than an hour later, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicated that the tremor registered as a magnitude 3.7 earthquake on the Richter scale, centered just southeast of Indian Head Park. Hinsdale Magazine and other Chicagoland news outlets conveyed this information to their readers and viewers almost immediately. Via the Countryside Police Department,

the Hinsdale Police Department relayed that a quarry blast was believed to be the cause of the tremor. This was later confirmed by the USGS. “There was a seismic event we recorded on our seismometers,” said Paul Caruso, a geophysicist for the USGS in Golden, Colo. “The reason why we don’t believe it was an earthquake is because the wave patterns looked like an explosion, and the site [of the blast] was near a quarry.” Caruso said for a quarry blast to produce such a tremor is not uncommon, as the USGS has frequently attributed tremors around magnitude 3.0 in the Gillette, Wyo., area to quarry blasts. The 3.7 reading was subsequently reduced to 3.2, and the USGS said the wave patterns were not consistent with an earthquake. Despite the fact that the event was not officially an earthquake, it undoubtedly shook up many people’s

afternoons. The Chicago Tribune reported that the tremor was felt as far north as Kenosha, Wis. Caruso said he was not surprised the tremor was felt so far away, despite the fact that it was a minor seismic event. “Usually the smallest earthquake people feel is about magnitude 2.5,” he said. “We don’t usually start to see damage from quakes until about magnitude 5.5, although there are exceptions.” This was not the first time West Suburban residents have felt the ground shake in the past decade. Early in the morning of April 18, 2008, the Midwest region experienced a far more powerful seismic event—a 5.4 magnitude earthquake centered 20 miles southwest of Vincennes, Ind. That quake was not only felt by far more people, but was also over 100 times more powerful than the November blast on the Richter scale.

Reactions to last month’s quarry blast “I was seated at my office desk, writing. Suddenly, the floor felt like it shifted or swayed, for a second or maybe a second and a half. Being on the second floor above a shoe shop, I was unnerved, imagining the possibility that I might plunge into a row of running shoes. I walked out of my office and knocked on the door of my suitemate. ‘Did you feel that?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ she said, but figured it was work that had been going on outside the building that may have caused it. She had lived in California for 20 years, and was accustomed to tremors like this. As for me, I don’t think I had ever experienced anything quite like it—nor will it be something I soon forget.” -Matt Baron, Oak Park

26 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

“I was folding laundry while my 18-month-old was napping. I remember looking out the windows at the trees blowing in the wind, and all of a sudden, the house shuddered, and it sounded like something large fell [from] above, or the house had been hit by something. I jumped up and looked out every window from my second floor, thinking surely a tree branch from the large tree overhanging the house had fallen on the roof—nothing. I then looked out by our chimney; we just had some work done, so surely part of the chimney just collapsed—nothing. Then, I started to think—that I was going crazy. I left 30 minutes later to pick up my four-year-old at preschool. Another mom quietly asked me if my house had shook. I was relieved, and we immediately all opened up to talk about the ‘quake.’” -Mistie Lucht, Hinsdale

“My five-year-old son and I were reading a book together in our family room during the quake. We felt the house shake! It actually felt like a slow and easy movement of the sofa back and forth. We were having a tree taken down in our backyard that day, so we went outside to see if the shake was from the tree coming down—although I was doubtful. I saw that the tree cutters had not even started, so it confirmed what I thought: it was an earthquake! I have to admit, though, that I did confirm with my son again later, ‘You felt that shake as well, right?’—just to be sure that it was not my imagination.” -Michele Pavalon, Hinsdale

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ON BROADWAY

Hinsdale Central Marching Band performs in New York City on Veterans Day

by mike ellis

Photo by Kevin McCormick / GroupPhotos.com

he Hinsdale Central Marching Band received a rare opportunity to march in America’s Parade on Veterans Day in New York City. The parade, which was televised locally on WPWR-Channel 8, was the highlight of the band’s weekend trip to Manhattan that spanned Friday, Nov. 8 to Monday, Nov. 11. Hinsdale Central was one of five high schools from various regions of the country that participated in this Veterans Day weekend event through the Band of Pride Tribute, a non-profit organization that supports music education through visible performance experiences on both coasts. Band Director Matt Kurinsky learned about the trip through Bob Rogers Travel, which previously worked on a similar trip to New York with Prospect High School. “It seemed like a trip that worked well for us, because we could make it a long weekend trip,” Kurinsky said. “We were able to fly in, do a lot of stuff, and fly out without missing a lot of school.” On the first day of the trip, the band visited the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island, which had recently reopened after being closed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. A Broadway clinic was on the Saturday docket, as the young musicians rehearsed with a Broadway conductor and singer. “The students asked a lot of questions, and both the conductor and singer were very downto-earth,” Kurinsky said. “They liked working with the students.” Later that night, the group split up; some watched the Stephen Schwartz musical Wicked, while others listened to the New York Philharmonic perform Mozart’s Requiem mass— the composer’s somber final piece. On Sunday, the Red Devil Marching Band joined four other bands—two from New York, one

28 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

from Kansas and another from Louisiana—at the Vietnam Veterans Plaza near Battery Park in the southernmost part of Manhattan. Each band received seven pieces of music Photo by Jason Mun / GroupPhotos.com prior to departing on the trip, and then coalesced to form one mass band to perform them on the plaza. After watching the Tony Award-winning musical Newsies on Sunday evening, students arose early the next morning to prepare for America’s Parade. About 50,000 people aligned Fifth Ave. from 23rd Street to Central Park, as the band joined a bevy of other performers in saluting the nation’s veterans. “It’s a big parade, and I didn’t really realize that [before scheduling the trip],” Kurinsky said. “It was neat to have [the parade] tied with the Band of Pride [Tribute], so they [learned] a little more about Veterans Day, and why they were there.” Along the route, Hinsdale mixed Broadway, patriotism and school spirit, performing “Tonight” from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “Red Devils.” “The whole city got to hear our fight song, which was pretty cool,” Kurinsky said. Overall, Kurinsky said trips like these have been instrumental in growing the band, which has more than tripled in size since 2007. “Travel is a big draw for a lot of the students,” he said. “When we talk to the middle schools, that’s one of the things we advertise: these student trips we go on [are] something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.” To find out more about the Red Devil Marching Band and other Hinsdale Central music programs, visit www.hcmusic.org.

Photo by Kevin McCormick / GroupPhotos.com

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Community

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A Night on the Piazza 2013 Wellness House Ball

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ellness House hosted its annual ball, video created by college student Sara Klepacki of Hinsdale. The “A Night on the Piazza,” at the Hotel video spotlighted the cancer journey of Santino Chiappetta and InterContinental in downtown Chicago his family. “From the beautiful setting to the full array of wines for on Oct. 19. The event raised nearly $340,000 to support the families and auction, terrific silent auction items, delicious dinner, Matt Goebel’s energetic live auction and paddle raise, to the moving programs of Wellness House. “We were honored to be part of the fundraising mechanism to ‘mission moment,’ all wrapped up with the fantastic music support such an amazing organization, the Wellness House,” ball of High Society that kept the dance floor hopping until after co-chair Julie Elmore said. “With our hard-working committee midnight, the evening for Wellness House was the best,” comembers, sponsors, board members and gala attendees, we chair Karen Fiascone said. “Thank you to everyone who made raised approximately $340,000—each dollar providing free this event such a significant success.” programs and services to anyone who walks through Wellness Wellness House is a non-profit organization that provides House doors.” Three hundred guests arrived to a hotel full of the sights and non-medical programs and services for cancer patients and their sounds of the Piazza, and mingled on the balcony above the families. For more information about Wellness House, visit ballroom, where they bid on a wide range of wines, as well as www.wellnesshouse.org, or dial (630)-323-5150. several silent auction items. As guests moved down the grand staircase to the colorful ballroom, they Photos courtesy of Cindy Klima enjoyed dinner, followed by a “mission moment”

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Community

Scene

Sleep Out Saturday

Helping the homeless in DuPage County Photos courtesy of Mandy Widtfeldt

hurches and community groups across the Western Suburbs spent a night out in the cold for Sleep Out Saturday overnight on Nov. 2. Organized annually by Bridge Communities, Sleep Out Saturday is designed to raise money and awareness for homelessness in DuPage County. Although the county is among the nation’s most affluent, according to a 2005 American Community Services survey, roughly 45,000 DuPage County residents live in poverty. “There are a lot more homeless people in DuPage County than you might think,” said Nancy Bergstrom, event organizer at Hinsdale United Methodist Church. “Because there are a lot of wealthy communities in DuPage County, people don’t really think of homeless people being here.” Bergstrom joined a group of about 20

34 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

adults and children at Hinsdale United Methodist Church, as they sat around a campfire and pitched a couple of tents on the corner of 55th and Garfield. Meanwhile, Union Church of Hinsdale and Christ Church of Oak Brook were among more than 30 West Suburban churches and community groups that also participated that same evening. It was a chilly night, which Bergstrom said was part of the idea, simulating the travails of homelessness when the weather grows colder. “They don’t want it to be comfortable,” she said. “They want you to understand that homelessness is all year-round.” Bridge Communities is a Glen Ellynbased non-profit organization that provides programs and services for homeless individuals and families in DuPage County. For more information, visit www.bridgecommunities.org.

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Community

Scene

Photos by Karen Hood

ALCW hosts Books & Brunch

ver 400 women from throughout the Western Suburbs attended the Assistance League of Chicagoland West’s annual Books & Brunch fundraiser at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn on Nov. 12. Ladies browsed booths and participated in a silent auction and raffle before listening to three guest authors: acclaimed

fiction writers Samuel Park, Lori Andrews and Laura Krughoff. WMAQ-TV’s Dick Johnson served as master of ceremonies. Started in 1996, Books & Brunch is traditionally the ALCW’s largest fundraiser, raising over $114,000 this year. “This is our main fundraiser, so we’re trying to raise the bulk of the money that we’ll use next year on our projects,”

ALCW President Meg Cooper said. Comprised entirely of volunteers, the ALCW forms one part of a larger, nationwide organization, Assistance League. The ALCW uses its funds to provide needed assistance to people throughout DuPage and western Cook Counties— especially school-aged children. Through programs like Operation School Bell and

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Operation Early Reading, the ALCW has provided new winter coats, hats and gloves to needy children, as well as valuable preliteracy materials for kids just learning how to read. “One of the cool parts about Assistance League is that the people who are a part of our organization raise the funds, design the projects, and carry out all the programs,” Cooper said. “It’s a really hands-on organization where you get to be involved in all facets of giving.” For more information about the ALCW, visit www.alcw.org.

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ONE: THE BENEFIT - Continued from page 21

“This event will really offer something … at Hephzibah last year. for everyone: to have a great night and a “The lady that was giving us the tour Benefit managing co-chairs said they great experience, and be able to ultimately said, ‘How old do you think she is?’” Marnell said. “And we all said, ‘Four;’ and are hoping to attract around 700 guests help the kids.” to Skyline Loft on Feb. 22. Over the she said, ‘She’s seven.’ One: The Benefit will get underway “We were doing a community project past couple of years, attendance has there a couple months ago, [and] we came been between 400 and 500, so 700 may at 7 p.m. at Skyline Loft, 1200 W. across the same little girl, and it was like appear to be a lofty goal; but Marnell 35th Street (corner of 35th & Racine night and day. [She was] very happy, said increased membership, coupled with Ave.) on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, and the induction of a new host committee, will be followed by an after-party from speaking completely normally.” Through its volunteer work, Philosophos should make the number more attainable. 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Those who purchase said she believes the HJWC has been an This committee is comprised of roughly benefactor tickets may arrive at 6 p.m. active ingredient in fomenting these types 15 HJWC members and local women, On-site parking at Skyline Loft is free. each of whom is responsible for trying to To purchase tickets, visit www.hjwc. of positive transformations. “[The] Hinsdale [Junior Woman’s attract 20 people who are not affiliated us. If you cannot attend, but would still like to offer a monetary donation for Club] has made just an incredible impact with the club. Zoberis said One will not be “just Hephzibah Children’s Association, you on our programs,” she said. “This group can do so at www.hjwc.us. To learn more of women is highly-organized. I think another fundraising event.” “What’s great about this event is that about Hephzibah Children’s Association, it’s been a great partnership, because we’ve been able to offer them many it’s highly experiential,” she said. “There’s including its family-based services going to be so many wonderful surprises program and after-school day care, visit opportunities to participate.” www.hephzibahhome.org. Philosophos recalled one particular unveiled that night. instance of extraordinary Photo courtesy of Tracy Zoberis service last November, when several HJWC ladies and their families took time out of their holidays to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the children. “It’s incredible the difference that they can make in these children,” benefit managing co-chair Kristi Gilbert said, “and I think it tugs at our heart-strings, as most of us are mothers. I sometimes imagine if that were my child in that situation—it just rips your heart out. “You want to try to do everything you can for these kids, and if it means financially giving them a large check at the end of the year, that’s one way we can help them. I think Last year, HJWC members Lisa Read, Jane Hartschuh, Christine Trainer, Denise Howe and Tiffany that’s the driving force behind Knaul generously spent their Thanksgiving holidays at Hephzibah Home, serving dinner for residents. the benefit.” 38 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

CHIC AND COZY. URBAN AND MODERN. FUN AND CHARITABLE. Julie Sutton of Coldwell Banker Hinsdale Invites You to HJWC’s fashionable fete “ONE: The Benefit.” All Proceeds Benefit Hephzibah Children’s Association.

one the benefit February 22, 2014

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 39

Dining Review

Chicago Pizza...Neapolitan

by ROBERT DAMIEN

orget about the turkey; forego the ham; resist the lamb roast. This Christmas season, when you go out to dine, why not try an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza? “Pizzaphiles” will be happy to know that there are pizza options in Chicago other than the predictable deep-dish or ubiquitous New York-style pies. Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century, but what the world has the collective audacity to refer to as pizza nowadays is an affront to the traditional pies you will enjoy nearly everywhere on the Italian peninsula. I am not bashing the deep-dish or New York-style pizzas— to each his own. Frankly, however, I do prefer the Neapolitan-style pizzas, which are very thin, slightly charred, a tad chewy, not over-sauced, and invariably

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topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, and not the gooey, rubbery, aged mozzarella that we have come to expect on top of our pizzas. These scrumptious pies are catching on around the world, as people become increasingly educated, and are introduced to the true, pure, unadulterated concept the proud Neapolitans invented long ago. Where to go in Chicago to enjoy one of these delectably unique pizza pies? Follow me... Forno Rosso is a new pizza cafe that serves up some of the finest, most authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas in Chicago. The owner and pizzaiolo (pizza maker extraordinaire) is a warm, congenial gentleman by the name of Nick Nitti, whose family hails from the beautiful country. His creations are inspired; from the classic, quintessentially Italian Margherita, to slightly more exotic yet equally scrumptious concoctions. I

feasted on several varieties—there are 14 in all, not including the nightly specials. The Margherita is a simple preparation: a tomato-based pie topped with fresh mozzarella and basil. It was an awe-

style inspiring pizza, an harmonious union between sauce, fior di latte (fresh mozzarella), and perfectly fresh basil. The crust exhibited the ideal amount of char and pliability. My friend and I dispatched of it in a matter of minutes. The next offering was the Carbonara, which was liberally crowned with imported pancetta, cheese and a cracked egg that added a silky richness to the pie. It reminded me of a pizza I once enjoyed in Venice (no, it was quite a bit superior), and like the first offering was remarkably delicious. The special of the night was the Bracciante, an exquisitely unique pie topped with fresh panna (Italian cream), wood-fired sweet corn, prosciutto cotto (cooked ham), and fresh mozzarella. It was delicious beyond my ability to describe. This was one of their pizze bianche (white pizzas), which are prepared sans the tomato sauce, and ideal for those who crave something a little outside the norm. We sampled the

Photo courtesy of Robert Damien

Prosciutto e Rucola; it was light, savory and beautifully enhanced by a fruity, top-of-the-line olive oil. Prosciutto di Parma, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, subtly peppery arugula, and sweet grape tomatoes were the toppings. Indeed it needed nothing else. I would be remiss if I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give mention to the Pizza Con

Nutella, a fantastically luscious dessert pizza that is stuffed with Nutella (Italian hazelnut and chocolate spread) and sliced bananas, garnished with a ripe strawberry and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. A trip to Forno Rosso will transport you - Continued on the next page

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 41

Chicago Pizza...neapolitan style - Continued from the previous page

to pizza paradise. I highly recommend you go early, because tables become scarce as the night progresses. These pizzas are so utterly delicious that they can easily make a believer out of an agnostic. ... Spacca Napoli is the pride and joy of a kind, remarkably erudite gentleman named Jonathan Goldsmith. It has been offering locals, as well as people from literally all corners of the globe, uncommonly excellent Neapolitan pizzas for nearly nine years, and has received a great deal of press because of the quality of its offerings and its authenticity. Mr. Goldsmith is the paradigmatic practicewhat-you-preach pizzaiolo professor—and I mean this quite literally. When I arrived at his iconic, charmingly “old-worldesque” pizza restaurant, I knew a little about him, but was not at all expecting to see a man so impassioned, so in love with his creation, as well as the history and traditions of his craft. I couldn’t help

noticing the flour and tiny bits of dough that were still clinging to his fingers and knuckles, much like an artist covered in the paint that he or she lovingly applies to the canvas, which ultimately becomes a masterwork for the entire world to enjoy and admire. Then, he suggested I sample the Bufalina, a suggestion in which I promptly acquiesced. When the piping-hot pizza arrived, my taste-buds did gymnastics. When I took my first bite, they sang an aria. I was happy. The pizza was ideally soft, chewy, and the bottom was nicely blistered; the cheese that topped it was some of the finest buffalo mozzarella I have ever eaten, exceptionally creamy and subtle; the sauce was pleasingly sweet and not the least bit watery, as it often can be if the tomatoes aren’t properly strained. The next dish that arrived was not a pizza; it was a potato crochetta stuffed with smoked mozzarella, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. In a single word, it was exquisite. The beautiful smokiness of the melted cheese

Neighborhood realtors support Wellness House Local realtors gathered together last month at Il Poggiolo in support of Wellness House of Hinsdale. ERA Team Feinstein hosted the benefit, and raffle prizes were donated by Neighborhood Loans and CF Funding. Realtors from Adams & Myers, Coldwell Banker, Crawford Group Sotheby’s and ERA Team Feinstein were in attendance. Linda Feinstein will present a check to Jeannie Cella for over $1,000, and Il Poggiolo will also donate a percentage of its profits. Wellness House is instrumental in helping patients and their families living with cancer.

Linda Feinstein, Jeannie Cella and Gail Jensen

42 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

was lovingly swaddled by the smooth, rich potato. The coating added a nice texture—crisp, crunchy and insanely satisfying. I easily could have made a meal out of these little bites. The caponata, an eggplant relish that is cooked in tomatoes, onions, garlic and accented with various herbs, was savory, mellow, and not nearly as pungent as other caponatas I have tasted. Mr. Goldsmith was hospitable to a fault, and brought both my companion and me a glass of Lambrusco, a light, refreshing Italian red that is a tiny bit bubbly and not too assertive. It excelled with the various offerings. Spacca Napoli is renowned for several reasons: taste, authenticity, creativity, and the fine, hospitable, professorial gentleman who passionately operates it. Go there straight away, and enjoy some of this outstandingly delicious food.

Buon appetito!

Enjoy the Hinsdale Magazine

Digital Version at Hinsdale60521.com

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 43

Comfort and Warmth for Hospital Patients

he Hinsdale Central Cheerleading Fall Squad made over 150 fleece-tie blankets for Adventist Hinsdale Hospital on

Oct. 10. Susan King, Executive Director of the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, said the blankets will be used in the Peds unit, emergency room, and for elderly patients throughout the hospital. Cheerleaders collected donations from Red Devil Football fans in September, which they used to purchase the materials employed in making the blankets. Additional donations were obtained from fans from opposing teams. Last year, the cheerleaders and their coaches performed a similar project for Lurie Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital in Chicago, and decided they wanted to do the same for their local hospital in 2013.

Photo by Marcello Rodarte

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Call Today to Schedule a Visit! 630-323-3314 ext. 6696 44 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Sports

historical run

Hinsdale Central Boys’ Cross Country wins first state title

by mike ellis

insdale Central Boys’ Cross Country took home the first cross-country state championship in school history on Nov. 9 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Red Devils’ final total of 99 was more than 40 points better than any other school in Class 3A. Billy Magnessen finished first for Hinsdale and ninth overall with a time of 14:41, 20 seconds behind individual champion Patrick Perrier of O’Fallon H.S. Kevin Huang, T.J. Caveney, Blake Evertsen and Chris Brenk followed shortly thereafter, all helping to clinch the title for the Red Devils. “The men remained calm and focused for the entire weekend,” head coach Jim Westphal said. “They all demonstrated incredible poise and confidence. On the day of, they executed their race plan, and dared to take a chance and leave it all out on the course.” Four of the top five finishers in Class 3A were West Suburban Silver schools (Downers North, 2nd; Lyons Township, 4th; York, 5th). Westphal said facing such a high level of competition all season boosted his team’s confidence entering the state tournament. “We feel honored and humbled to be a part of such a wonderful conference,” he said. “The coaches and athletes representing our conference are such good people. We love to see those programs achieve success as well.” The state championship marked the culmination of an

Photo courtesy of Jim Westphal

The Hinsdale Central Boys’ Cross Country team proudly celebrates its first state title in Peoria.

historical campaign for Hinsdale, which also included sectional and regional titles. “It was a very gratifying experience for the program,” Westphal said. “More specifically, I am so proud of the young men who dedicated their efforts to doing great things. “The trophy is simply a by-product of the process these young men began almost one year ago. They will truly cherish this experience for the rest of their lives.”

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 45 11/15/2013 11:28:20 AM

Sports

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Hinsdale Central students perform dribbling drills at varsity basketball tryouts last month.

Hinsdale Central Boys’ Basketball

by mike ellis

fter earning its first West Suburban Silver title in 13 years last season, Hinsdale Central Boys’ Basketball is looking to continue its progress in 2013-14. Last year, defense was an integral part of the Red Devils’ 19-6 overall record and conference championship, as they frequently held opponents under 50 points. Hinsdale was also able to translate turnovers into points at the offensive end. Entering his fourth season as head coach at Hinsdale, Nick Latorre said returning players are imbibing his coaching philosophy, and have a “higher degree of comfort” this year. “I think our defense was a big part of the success we had last year,” Latorre said. “We had some guys that stepped up and played well. The kids that were a big part of last year’s team had a year under the belt.”

Matt Rafferty

This season, all eyes will be on junior forward/center Matt Rafferty, who now has two years under his belt as a Red Devil. Quickly identified as a Division I prospect during his freshman year, Rafferty has shown considerable development as a player over his first two seasons at Hinsdale. “One of the main things I’ve been working on is my outside shot, and also my speed and agility,” Rafferty said. “I think Matt’s just getting better and better,” Latorre said. “I think his maturity and development as a player is going to continue [this season].” Standing 6’7”, Rafferty’s ball-handling skills and outside 46 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Preview

shooting ability, coupled with his improved game in the post make him a virtually impossible matchup for most teams. Latorre said one new challenge Rafferty could face this season is, without three-point shooting threats like Alec Hutcherson (who graduated last spring), he may draw more attention from opponents on the low-block. “The tough part for him is going to be, last year, we had four kids around him that could really shoot the ball,” Latorre said. “Teams really couldn’t collapse on him. This year will be more difficult, because he’ll probably see more double-teams.”

Surrounding a star

The Red Devils did lose several key players from last season’s conference championship team, including point guard Brian Owens, power forward Rigas Pappas and sharpshooter Alec Hutcherson. Chase Hamilton and Ian Bunting, both seniors, will both be returning for their third seasons on varsity. At 6’7” himself, Bunting will complement Rafferty nicely on the interior, while Hamilton’s experience should prove valuable in the backcourt. As for new contributors, Latorre said he is excited to see what seniors Grant Lillard and Ryan Scales bring to the table. Both players saw limited action last season, usually coming off the bench in the fourth quarter of a game that had already been decided. Each showed tremendous athletic ability and raw talent. Lillard is an accomplished athlete who also played for the top-ranked Hinsdale Central Boys’ Soccer club. A 6’4” forward, Latorre said, like LeBron James or Scottie Pippen at the game’s highest level, he is capable of guarding any position on the floor.

Junior Matt Rafferty is excited to begin his third year on varsity.

“That’s such a luxury that [Grant] brings for us this year,” he said. “He’s really made strides; I’m excited to see him play for us this year.”

Proviso West Holiday Tournament

Over the past several seasons, Hinsdale has participated in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament in Hillside, generally regarded as the premier holiday tournament in Illinois. Last year, the field expanded from 16 to 32, opening the door for more teams to participate, while affording each team the opportunity to play additional games. The Proviso West tournament always attracts top programs from throughout the Chicagoland area, and this year is no different. The 2013 field will include Benet Academy (25-4 last season), Proviso East (fourth place in state last year), Stevenson (state runner-up last season) and defending tournament champion Morgan Park. “The Proviso West Holiday Tournament challenges us and prepares us for the rigors of the West Suburban [Silver],” Latorre said. “It plays a key role in the development of our program overall.” This year’s holiday tournament will be held Dec. 21-31 at Proviso West High School.

as big of an upset as people thought. Geneva had a better record than we did.” Latorre said he does not feel his team needs to do much differently to enjoy more success in the postseason next March. “I don’t think there’s anything that needs to be different,” he said. “You focus on not peaking too early. We had the York and Proviso East games—we played great; maybe we peaked to early. We’ll prepare as well as we can, practice as hard as we can—and hopefully we’ll be able to play at a higher level during the playoffs.”

Going for two

For the first time since the 2000-01 season, the Red Devils are entering a season as defending conference champions. Expect Hinsdale to be challenged by Oak Park-River Forest and York, both of which had solid overall seasons last year. The Huskies reached the sectional finals last season, before falling to basketball powerhouse Proviso East, 67-48, while the Dukes won their regional, but lost to Oak Park in the previous round, 43-39. Hovering under the radar, Latorre said he also anticipates Lyons Township will be a force to contend with this winter. “Going into the season, I have high expectations looking to repeat [as] conference champs, and also going farther into [the] playoffs,” Rafferty said. “I think we can accomplish that, because we had a great offseason with guys who wanted nothing more [than] to get playing time this season.” Despite their regular season accomplishments, last season concluded on a sour note, as the Red Devils were upset in their first playoff game, 55-49, by Geneva. Latorre said he felt the Vikings were a better team than their seed suggested. “[Last year] ended a little quicker than we all wanted it to,” he said. “It might have been an upset, but it might not have been www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 47

Sports

F by mike ellis

State champions again

or the sixth time in the past eight seasons, Hinsdale Central Girls’ Tennis left Buffalo Grove H.S. state champions, sharing the title with defending champion Lake Forest H.S. The Red Devils, who last won the state title in 2011, rallied from four points behind on the second day of competition to overtake New Trier and tie Lake Forest with 39 points. “This was certainly one of the hardest-fought and most satisfying state championships I have ever been a part of,” Hinsdale head coach Robin Kramer said. “It is amazing to look back and see what this team accomplished.” Freshman Isabella Lorenzini led the way for Hinsdale, dropping just one set in the first five rounds of the singles competition, before meeting with a difficult test in the semifinals against Alex Chatt of Lyons Township. After splitting the first two sets, Lorenzini prevailed 6-4 in the third set to advance to the final. Although she fell to Tiffany Chen of Naperville Central, 7-6, 6-3, in the championship match, Lorenzini earned two key Saturday points for the team in her semifinal victory over Chatt. “Isabella Lorenzini played what I have heard described as one of the greatest matches in IHSA history to defeat overall No. 1 seed Alex Chatt,” Kramer said. “Even though Isabella had lost to Alex during the regular season, she didn’t let that bother her. Isabella thrives under pressure; the more difficult the situation, the more she elevates her game.” Meanwhile, at Rolling Meadows H.S., Danielle Burich and Erika Oku battled to claim fifth place at doubles with three straight-set wins in the consolation bracket. This championship marks Hinsdale’s 14th overall in girls’ tennis—more than any other school. The Red Devils have won exactly one-third of the 42 IHSA state championships since the tournament began in 1972-73.

Photo courtesy of Robin Kramer

The Hinsdale Central Girls’ Tennis team won its record 14th state championship on Oct. 26, sharing the title with Lake Forest H.S.

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Tech Know

Google introduces Bring Mobility & Portability wearable computer to your Business

A T

he next time you are at the Hinsdale s technology train station evolves or Oak in ourmall, workplace Brook take a each day, the look around you. 20-pound desktop and monitor You will easily find a on your desk is slowly becoming world of people focused into their obsolete. It seems each month a smartphones, paying no attention new tech product is introduced to the world around them. I’m to the business world, and by the sure next you month mightsomething admit you are a even more habitual “phone-popper”—taking powerful and smaller becomes your available. phone outInevery minutes this two edition of to check your latest e-mail social techKNOW, we will take aor look at mediathe updates. This three leading formsarticle of officeof Errol Janusz techKNOW discusses the hottest Contributing Writer mobility, and some examples that new gosmartphone with them. alternative for 2013, the Google Glass. Google’s latest technology development is ais capable wearable Smartphones: Believe it or not, your smartphone of computer withbrowsing an optical display, whichfunny uses pictures. smartphone more than Facebook and taking Many technology its users can use commands toand view their popular so software companies suchvoice as Intuit, LexisNexis Sage are developing to run software your phone. Example: screen via the “apps” optical lens.your Glass also onincludes an earpiece QuickBooks noworallows view your entire company financials to listen to music list you yourto daily schedule via a computeron your phoneJust in an instant. is greatsmartphone, for retail storefronts that generated voice. like your This Android Glass will need quick create invoice applications access for theirfor customers. let developers the consumer market with fully customizable headwear. Large companies like Facebook, Microsoft are Windows-based tablets are perfect for mobile Twitter Tablets: and LinkedIn already developing applications to productivity. Many tablets thatnew are produced todayOther are more powerful integrate social media into the headpiece. interesting than of some of the older computers office!video Companies features Google Glassdesktop will allow youintoyour record and like AT&T and Verizon are now introducing tablets equipped with upload video simultaneously to the Internet. If you perform cell-phone data plans Internetfind access everywhere. Example: a YouTube search, you for willfast already videos of Glass users Dental horseback firms can run Dentrix and Eaglesoft on tablets to easilymore. show skydiving, riding, attending parties and much patients their charts and x-rays. With the collaboration of Facebook and Twitter, you will be able to instantly upload high-definition pictures of anything you Ultrabooks: The gap between tablets and laptops is increasingly take without lifting a finger. getting smaller. Ultrabooks are the newest wave of laptops that include With any new, great technology, controversy arises. Google touchscreens and weigh less than three pounds. The traditional Glasskeyboard has already been banned in many casinos, clubs and movie and mouse that accompany laptops will always be a standard theaters dueinto recording can record hours feature theits workplace, andcapabilities. that is the No.Glass 1 reason why they survive of a user’s day without anyone knowing it, creating many privacy in the business world today. Example: Because ultrabooks are small and copyright concerns. Police are ticketing Glass and portable, they can be a greatofficials alternative to now the bulky desktops that usersreside whileon driving, calling it, “a dangerous alternative to texting your employees’ desks. while driving.” My final thoughts about thefeature new ofgadget leaves me excited Probably the single greatest the three devices mentioned for a above singleis reason: the idea of instantly andwill sharing Remote Desktop Connection. This recording fantastic feature allow moments the world that doesoffices not involve annoying and you totoremote connect to your desktop the computers just as if rude you process digging through smartphone. were of sitting there.and Thatsorting feature, along withathousands of others, is becoming more and more adopted in the workplace to keep businesses at their peak productivity.

Errol Janusz is President and Lead Technician at Edward Errol Janusz and Lead Technician at Edward Technology. Technology. Foris President more information, contact Errol at (630) For moreext. information, 333-9323, ext. 303, or 333-9323, 303, or contact email Errol him at at(630) ejanusz@Hinsdale60521. at ejanusz@Hinsdale60521.com. Visit Errol’s website at, com.email Visithim Errol’s website at, www.edwardtechnology.com. www.edwardtechnology.com.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 49

Spiritual

Insight

Christmas Presence

ne December years ago, my young family gathered in the living room of our San Diego home and conducted the ritual familiar to people of every faith or none. We opened our holiday presents. There were some marvelous gifts that year. I got this great tie I’ll probably still sport at the office party this year. I also received a cool techno-gadget, long since lost to the upgrade cycle. There were the usual shirts and Dan Meyer socks, and a couple of excellent Contributing Writer books. But the gift I remember most from that Christmas was in another category altogether; it was an oil painting from my wife of our two year-old son, playing on the beach near our home. The painting came with an encouragement from Amy to hang it in my office, so that no matter what I was doing in the long hours of the day or night, I would always have a reminder that out there someplace was someone who loved me with all of his heart. There was someone who thought that sharing his sandcastle bucket and golden smile on a sun-drenched day with me was a priceless gift. To this day, that painting reminds me that all the presents we exchange during this season can’t come close to the value of the gift of presence we give to one another. Strangely, real presence is the gift that often goes missing during this time of the year. We are flooded with more cards and mail this month than at any other time; we attend more people-packed parties, and pass by more searching faces than in any other period. But the mania of this month is so intense that the feeling of being genuinely connected— of truly knowing and being known by others—is often absent. That’s why depression, suicide and substance abuse always hit their highs during December. Our lives are more crowded than ever, but many of us feel more alone. What if we could help to change that for one another? Think of the energy and focus you have or will put into selecting just the right gifts for the key people in your life. Maybe you ask directly: “Honey, what is it that you need this year?” Or perhaps you secretly study and reflect: “Is there anything missing? There must be something he or she could really use.” What if you gave that kind of attention to discerning the non-

50 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

material needs of people around you? “What do you wish was happening, but isn’t?” “What could I do to lighten your load?” “What can we do together?”—This is the gift of presence. Or, consider the rapt attention you will give to some cherished person as he or she opens some package from you in days ahead. Think how glued you will be to his or her every expression, looking for delight or disappointment. What if you offered that level of presence to the people in your life, starting now? Gaze upon the faces you’ll meet this month on the sidewalk, in the shopping mall, at the office, around your table, with fresh vision. Notice the cast of the eyes, the tremble of the lip, the furrow of the brow, the turn of the smile. Ask someone: “What are you feeling? what are you hoping? what are you seeing?”— This is the gift of presence. Every December, I’m struck by the immense energy that goes into choosing the perfect family photo, penning the lifeencompassing holiday letter, or addressing cards and envelopes to all those people. So many of us seem to want to be admired for our achievements. We want to have others know about the adventures we’ve had, the losses we’ve suffered, and the obstacles we’ve overcome. What if each of us picked just five holiday cards from among the myriad we get, called the sender, and said, “I was so happy to hear from you. I had to hear your voice and have you hear mine. Tell me more about your life.”— This would be the gift of presence. It all boils down to this: When you care enough to send the very best, you send yourself. And so does the greatest Giver of all. The simple message of this season is that God came to be present with us. He came to share the human journey, to enter into our suffering, to lift our burdens, to form a welcoming new community of joy and love so that nobody should ever have to walk through life alone. You don’t have to be religious or of one particular religion to get this. In our clearest moments, we all know that the kingdom of “thing-dom” doesn’t satisfy our deepest longings. Whether we are kids playing with our buckets on the beach, or old folks staring at portraits of times gone by, this is the truth: More than all the presents Amazon ships or Tiffany sells, it is the gift of presence that is priceless. Let’s give it to everyone we can this month. The Rev. Dr. Dan Meyer is the senior pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook at York Road and 31st Street.

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