Hinsdale Magazine October 2013 by Hinsdale Magazine Group

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Timeless Design

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Publisher Letter

n this October issue of Hinsdale Magazine, we feature several people who have exceeded everyone’s expectations, including their own. Our cover story focuses on Oak Brook resident Dick Portillo, who started his small hot dog stand in Villa Park 50 years ago, when he invested $1,100 into a six-foot by 12-foot trailer. Today, the Portillo Restaurant Group is a multi-million dollar enterprise with over 4,600 employees. Hinsdale Police Chief Brad Bloom is featured in our October installment of “Inside 60521.” Bloom was named Chief of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission, and we salute him and his staff for this honor. Fall is here, and along with it comes fall activities and fitness. Three local women, Lori McInerney, Cindy Kucharski and Sarah Fix, give us added inspiration to get up and keep moving. They discuss their exercise routines and provide tips to our readers. In “Hinsdale Woman,” we recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an inspiring story on author and breast cancer survivor Suzanne Zaccone. Suzanne is a Hinsdale resident who gives an honest account of her battle with breast cancer. Her book, A Random

Interruption—Surviving Cancer with Laughter, Vodka, Smoothies and an Attitude, is available online at www.zacconefamilyfoundation.com or www.arandominterruption.com. In Sports, we spotlight Hinsdale Central soccer standout Sam Johnson. Sam is from Lagos, Nigeria, and his talent has helped his team become the top-ranked soccer team in the state. Also, freshman Brendan O’Reilly made a notable debut on the varsity boys’ golf team, shooting a 67 against Lyons Township. As we enter the final quarter of 2013, there are a few notable dates to remember. The Hinsdale Police and Fire Departments will host their Open House on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Wellness House Ball will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago. And the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club will celebrate Halloween early with its Halloween Party on Oct. 24. You can read more event information starting on page 22. I would like to thank our newest advertisers, ATI Physical Therapy, Beth Burtt of Brush Hill Realtors, Cassim Gallery, Provencal Construction and Salt Creek Ballet. Call or visit them soon, and please let them know you saw them in Hinsdale Magazine.

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

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 5

October

2013

CONTENTS

8 Spotlight

ISCC names Hinsdale Police Chief Brad Bloom Police Chief of the Year

10 Inside 60514

Village of Clarendon Hills, District 181 welcome Chinese delegation

14 Cover Story

Portillo’s celebrates five decades of serving Chicagoland

20 All in a day’s work

Local shop dogs speak out

34 Community Scene

Madison School Dash & Bash Hinsdale Humane Society Birthday Bash Sub-Urbanathalon

44 Hinsdale Woman Suzanne Zaccone

48 Health & Fitness

Three local women discuss their exercise routines and the importance of staying in shape

52 Columns

techKNOW Dose of Ali

54 Sports

Hinsdale Central Football Sam Johnson Freshman posts 67 in high-school golfing debut Hinsdale Fire Department honors fallen hero

Food & Travel Editor Hinsdale DRIVER Advertising Sales Feature Photographers

| | | |

Scott Jonlich Mike Ellis

Marcello Rodarte Cheryl Chrzanowski William Walker | Errol Janusz Allison Gaynor Robert Damien Mike O’Connor Renee Lawrence Karen Hood | Marek Frankiewicz

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Hinsdale

60521

Founder & Publisher Print Managing Editor Photographer Cover & Layout Graphic Designer Columnists

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.

Spotlight

Hinsdale Police Chief Brad Bloom named Chief of the Year by Illinois State Crime Commission

Leading by example

by mike ellis

he Illinois State Crime Commission (ISCC) recently selected Hinsdale Police Chief Brad Bloom as Chief of the Year for 2013. Bloom, who has served in his current role since 2002, said he was proud to be a recipient of an award for which so many other fellow police chiefs were eligible. “I think we’ve done a lot as a police department to move us forward,” Bloom said. “I was certainly humbled by the award; it was completely unexpected.” The ISCC is a non-profit organization that seeks to present law enforcement issues to the public. Past recipients of the award include Oak Lawn Police Chief Bill Villanova, Jr. (2012), Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy (2011), and Crete Police Chief James Paoletti (2010). ISCC Executive Director Jerry Elsner said the example Bloom has set in the Hinsdale community, coupled with his active role in combating a growing drug problem in the Western Suburbs, made him a compelling candidate for this year’s Chief of the Year award. “He’s active in the community,” Elsner said. “He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk. He has earned the respect of the whole law enforcement community and the community [he

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Photos by Marcello Rodarte

serves] to boot. “He’s a progressive individual, and the people of Hinsdale are lucky to have someone of his caliber.” As Hinsdale police chief, Bloom said he and his fellow officers have worked to engage the community, attempting to create an amicable environment with residents, rather than an adversarial one. “I think we have a very good relationship with the community,” he said. “We have a lot of programs in place now that put us in touch with our residents. “We’ve certainly come to realize that we want to solve issues in the community as a partner [with residents]. We have a culture here that embodies reaching out to the community and working with the community, rather than having an adversarial relationship.” One way the department has worked to achieve a positive relationship with citizens is by promoting a peerjury program for young, low-level offenders. “We have a program where we route juvenile offenders who [committed] low-level offenses involving alcohol or other lowlevel issues to a peer jury,” he said. “I think we’ve tried to get out in the public and say, ‘We’re here to help you as a parent, and we know you’re going through some difficult times with

your teenager, and we want to help you get your kid back on track,’—rather than the typical relationship: ‘We’re going to catch your kid, we’re going to put him in the system, and we’re going to do something that’s going to close doors and change his future options.” The HPD has programs available for residents of a variety of ages. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program educates grade-school students about the dangers associated with illegal drugs, while the You Are Not Alone program is designed to provide a safety outlet for senior citizens who live on their own. Meanwhile, the Alive at 25 program targets adolescents aged 15-21, seeking to improve decision-making among young drivers by identifying behaviors that lead to crashes. A 28-year veteran of the HPD, Bloom has seen crime-fighting evolve and technology change, but said Hinsdale as a community has remained a similar place through the years. “I still see a great deal of involvement from residents in the community,” he said. “I think one of the best things about this community is it doesn’t really change.—It has certain values that have endured over time, and I think that’s [one of] the reasons people move here.” Before arriving in Hinsdale, Bloom served in the Willowbrook Police Department after graduating from college at Drake University in Iowa. He is currently an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. In this capacity, he is able to share his extensive experience in law enforcement, while lecturing on leadership, strategic planning, implementing change and policy development with law enforcement administrators from across the country. Bloom said he expects to see better standardization in training and policies from town to town as time progresses. “Standardized practices allow the parts to be interchangeable,” he said. “[They] allow people to work in different areas. It’s a more efficient system; it reduces redundancy.” Hinsdale Deputy Chief Mark Wodka said Bloom is not only a leader in the town he serves as chief, but also in surrounding West Suburban communities. “Chief Bloom’s commitment to law enforcement extends beyond the borders of Hinsdale,” Wodka said, “and his many accomplishments and leadership roles in regional professional organizations have made only a positive impact on the quality of public safety services in DuPage County.”

Outside of the department, Bloom has served on the Family Shelter Service Board of Directors since 2009. Located in Wheaton, the Family Shelter Service provides advocacy, counseling, prevention and emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence in DuPage County. Having dealt with a number of domestic violence cases during his time on the force, Bloom said he became acquainted with the organization as a patrol officer and has worked with them ever since. “Whenever we respond to a domestic violence situation, we contact the Family Shelter Service, and they follow up with a call to the victim and let them know what services they provide,” he said. “It’s a great organization that really stands up for the person who’s not in a position to stand up for themselves. “When I went to high school, I was always the person who stood up for the person who was being bullied,—and I think that carries over into this kind of cause.” As for why Bloom decided to become a police officer, he said he was always drawn to law enforcement, recounting a memorable experience from his first day on the job. “I’m on the side of the road, pushing a car out of a ditch— it’s raining like crazy, I’m completely soaked—the car’s tires are spinning, mud is spitting up all over my uniform,—and I got back in [my] car and thought, ‘This job is never going to be worse than it is right now, and I love this job.’ “It’s a chance to help somebody who really needs your help, [and] there’s no better feeling than helping someone who needs your help.”

“When I went to high school, I was always the person who stood up for the person who was being bullied,—and I think that carries over into this kind of cause.” -Brad Bloom

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 9

Inside 60514

The 12-member Chinese delegation stands alongside District 181 Superintendent Dr. Renée Schuster, Oak School Principal Sean Walsh, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Dawn Benaitis and Walker School Principal Eric Chisausky at Walker School in Clarendon Hills. Photos courtesy of Bridget McGuiggan, Christina Burns

Visit from afar

Village of Clarendon Hills, District 181 welcome Chinese delegation

A delegate with staff from the Clarendon Hills Public Library

by mike ellis

welve Chinese delegates from the Beijing area came to Clarendon Hills last month to learn more about the structure of government and education in the United States. The delegates, all of whom are involved with the Beijing government in various capacities, formed the Beijing Public Administration Delegation. Clarendon Hills Village Manager Randy Recklaus contacted the Illinois City/County

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Management Association and 21st Century Institute, and arranged for the group to spend two days with the village and one with District 181. Over a two-day span with the village, the delegation sat in on a board meeting and received a tour of downtown Clarendon Hills. Recklaus and Village President Tom Karaba provided delegates a brief overview of the village, before they met with each department head for several hours.

“It was a very interesting couple of days for us,” Recklaus said. “You kind of learn more about yourself—your own town—when you’re talking about it with people from other communities.” Clarendon Hills Police Chief Ted Jenkins spoke about how his force and other police forces in DuPage County are able to work the Felony Investigative Assistance Team (FIAT)—a police taskforce comprised of officers - Continued on page 13

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- Continued from page 10

from all over the county. Recklaus said the delegates were impressed with the village’s ability to work with neighboring communities without the intervention of higher government bodies. “They were very intrigued with how we work so closely with neighboring communities, but that no one is mandating that we do so,” he said. “The level of independence that our

governments enjoy interested them.”

Despite differences in structure and size, Recklaus said he found the governments also share a lot in common, citing their uses of community surveys and the challenges they face attracting residents to public meetings. “A lot of the issues that they deal with really are the same issues that we deal with,” he said. “It was neat to be exposed to people who work in [our] setting, but on a bigger scale.”

Learning about education

The delegation visited Clarendon Hills Middle School and Walker School on Sept. 3, getting an opportunity to observe how education is conducted at the elementary and middle-school levels in this country. Along the tours, they

visited math, science and art classrooms. As the delegates toured the schools, they were accompanied by District 181 Superintendent Dr. Renée Schuster, Oak School Principal Sean Walsh and Dawn Benaitis, District 181 Director for Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction. “The tour was an opportunity to see the classrooms, and to see what the structure looks like [at our schools],” Walsh said. After their tour, the delegates sat in the Walker School MRC, asking questions to Dr. Schuster, Benaitis and Walsh through interpreter Tina Liu. While the Chinese government is more closely involved in standardizing education in its schools, Dr. Schuster explained that because education is not expressly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, regulation of schools is reserved for state governments in America. “Many of them came from different sectors of government,” Walsh said. “[From] their questions along the lines of how the municipality works together with the school district, you got a sense that they were really trying to understand our system.” Walsh said the visitors were interested in the emphasis placed on volunteerism

at local schools. “We talked about the fact that our community is very good in terms of what they do for volunteerism,” Walsh said, “so it doesn’t take a lot at the building level. We do have our SELAS (Social Emotional Learning for Academic Success) program, which really encourages students to see the ideals behind why we volunteer—why we help one another.” Accustomed to more government standardization of education, Benaitis said the delegates were surprised at the more “intrinsic” approach District 181 takes towards volunteering. “They were very surprised that we didn’t have a mandate for volunteering,” she said. The delegation was in the Chicagoland area for two months, also spending time with other municipal and county governments. Liu said the delegates did their best to glean some valuable information from their visits, despite the language barrier that presented itself. “When you first visit another country, everything is new to you,” she said,—“no matter how well you understand it.”

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Portilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner Dick Portillo at his Willowbrook restaurant Photo by Marcello Rodarte

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The seeds of success In 1963, Oak Brook resident Dick Portillo started his business serving hot dogs in a single trailer in Villa Park. Five decades later, the Portillo Restaurant Group is the largest privately-owned restaurant group in the Midwest, with over 4,600 employees and 38 locations in four states.

The Dog House—the original Portillo’s—as it stood on North Ave. in Villa Park in 1963

BY Mike Ellis

here is something in the American spirit that attracts us to the “rags-to-riches” story;—perhaps it’s the oft-recounted stories of ancestors who immigrated to this country carrying nothing on their shoulders but the hopes of liberty and success;—perhaps it’s the perpetual inclination many feel to cheer for the underdog to prevail in spite of all odds. Many children and adults alike have passed through the drive-thru line at Portillo’s in Willowbrook, Elmhurst or Downers Grove after an exhausting afterschool practice or eviscerating day at the office without ever knowing or thinking about where the restaurant they were frequenting got its start.—Many of those same customers would be stunned to learn that it all began with one man and a hot dog stand on North Ave. in Villa Park five decades ago—a hot dog stand that didn’t even have running water, for that matter. ... Dick Portillo was born on the west side of Chicago, 1330 W. Van Buren, and spent the early years of his life residing

in government-subsidized row houses known as the Mother Frances Cabrini Housing Project. From there, his family moved to 1617 S. Central Park, near Douglas Park. Relocating to the southwest side after his father began earning more money, he graduated from Argo Community High School in 1957, and proceeded to join the Marines. “I didn’t want to go into the Army or the Navy—I wanted to go into the Marine Corps,” Portillo said. “I went in seven days after I graduated high school.” Portillo said his experience in the service benefited him greatly, and he would recommend it for all young men. “I think every young man should have gone through there,” he said. “I learned the value of teamwork; I learned discipline and organization. “It was probably the greatest experience of my life, because I was going nowhere. I think there are a lot of young people out there now that don’t know the value of teamwork, discipline and organization— the Marine Corps taught me all those things.”

The Dog House

Shortly after moving to Villa Park in 1963, Portillo saw that there was only one hot-dog stand run on a part-time basis in the area at the time, so he decided to embark on a venture—the Dog House. “I always had a lot of jobs—I had 14 jobs the first 18 months I was married,” Portillo said. “I had part-time [and] fulltime jobs—nights, days, weekends. “I realized that the part of Villa Park that I moved to was fairly new, and there wasn’t any place you could get a hot dog. There was one place, and that wasn’t run very well. So, I thought, ‘This has got to be a good market, and I’m working all these hours; I might as well go into business.’” Before launching the Dog House, Portillo had worked a variety of jobs, ranging from loading and unloading boxcars, working in a steel mill, and driving a mail truck. His only experience in the food industry consisted of a stint at Brown’s Chicken—a business his older brother Frank helped to start a few years earlier. Learning on the fly, he said getting the business off the ground was quite challenging. - Continued on the next page

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 15

The Willowbrook Portillo’s interior

- Continued from the previous page

“It was kind of a nightmare,” Portillo said. “I didn’t even know how to make a hot dog. I quit my job one day, and asked, ‘What is there to making a hot dog?’— and when you think about it, there’s not a lot. But then you start making hundreds of them, and they have to be fresh and bun-steamed.” Confined to a six-foot by 12-foot trailer in which Portillo invested $1,100, the Dog House provided very few of the amenities guests enjoy at modern Portillo’s restaurants. While hot dogs were still the primary item on the menu, the Dog House did not feature the assortment of options now available at Portillo’s. On the other side of the counter, Portillo’s original hot dog stand was without a bathroom and even running water. “I ran five 50-foot garden hoses across the parking lot to get the water that I needed,” Portillo said, describing how he connected a series of hoses to get water from a nearby National Tea grocery store. In those days, expanding to become the 16 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

largest privately-owned restaurant group in the Midwest was nowhere on Portillo’s radar;—he said he was more concerned with just producing hot dogs efficiently.

Expansion & Growth

After establishing a presence in Villa Park, Portillo’s Dog House was restyled “Portillo’s” in 1967. With business on the rise, roughly doubling on an annual basis, Portillo sold the original trailer for $750. He then built a larger, nine- by 17-foot trailer, which had running water. “I lost money [on the original trailer], but I needed the money for a bigger trailer,” Portillo said. “When I got the second trailer, it had running water. The reason I wanted a second trailer is, first of all, the first one had no running water, and secondly, business was good. “When I didn’t have any running water, I used what was called ‘pre-mix’ that was already in the container. There was no profit in that, because it was too expensive. I was just exchanging money

with the consumer for the drinks. I knew that if I had running water, with existing sales, I could make a lot more money.” Portillo said he also sought a bigger trailer to increase efficiency for his customers. “I had long lines, but only one guy making hot dogs—me,” he said. “The lines impressed a lot of people, but to this day, long lines don’t impress me;—long lines that move fast impress me.” Portillo moved the second trailer to Glendale Heights, where he developed his first building. Soon after, Portillo opened locations in Elmhurst, Addison and Bolingbrook. By the 1980s, his restaurants were quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing and popular food destinations in the Chicagoland area. Portillo said he believes one of the reasons his concept was successful was his attempt to appeal to the masses. “I used to live a couple doors down from [the late McDonald’s CEO] Jim Cantalupo; he was a great customer,” - Continued on page 28

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Last year I injured my shoulder (rotator cuff), and the platform tennis serving motion aggravates it. What is the best way of strengthening it? Strengthening the shoulder can be tricky, as it involves not only the rotator cuff muscles, but the muscles surrounding the shoulder blade as well. Maintaining proper form is vital to achieving the desired results. Performing the right exercises with improper form can actually promote further rotator cuff pathology. Proper posture while strengthening can be described as “setting the shoulder blades down and back on the ribcage,” or “pulling the shoulder blade down toward the opposite back pocket.” While in this position, it is important to strengthen the main scapular retractors (rhomboids and middle trapezius), as well as the main posterior cuff muscle (infraspinatus). Exercises such as rowing and shoulder external rotation (with a resistive band or while lying on your side) are the two most common exercises that are vital to proper shoulder strengthening. I recommend using light resistance and performing high repetitions (e.g., 2x30 reps). Strengthening the other muscles of the

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All in a day’s work

Black lab Gracie pauses for a quick rest at Adams & Myers in Hinsdale.

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Local shop dogs speak out

by william walker

hank goodness they haven’t clipped my claws recently. The keyboard is tough enough to reach without having to use my nose on all those nasty keys. While my true passion is running through the fields and herding something, life, adoption and apprenticeship have landed me in the worthy profession of shop-dogging. Long before Wal-Mart had its greeters, my brothers and sisters were greeting customers in small shops all over the world. After all, we dogs can hear, see and smell you coming long before the humans in the shop have a clue. We make places of business friendlier, warmer and are great employees. We’re loyal and dependable; we’d much rather be at work than at home. There are several of us in town, but if you don’t already know them, I want to introduce you to my friends, Gracie and Benny. Gracie is a ten-year-old black lab who

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owns Jaime Adams at Adams & Myers. She has been holding that place together since she was only eight weeks old. Her place of business has something to do with small plots of land,—and, believe me, Gracie is very good at marking territory. A good Hoosier girl from Indianapolis, Gracie would describe herself as “under tall,” a result of many visitors and clients who want to make sure she is adequately “treated.” Gracie can also be counted upon to help anyone find his or her keys if a bag is held low, or left on the floor. (Of course, I think the finding keys ploy is just an excuse for what I call “purse diving.”) Gracie is especially good at calming people when they are signing their lives away. (There’s nothing like lending an ear to be rubbed when someone is mulling over an offer.) Her other duties include receiving the mail and courier documents, and making sure they get to the right person. She religiously makes the rounds of the office to check on everyone’s wellbeing, and can also be counted on to do

her own work independently—her toys are the “best-licked” in Hinsdale. My friend Benny is very proud of his human Christine Martin, who manages J. McLaughlin. Benny is a white Bichon Shih Tzu, almost seven years old. Benny, a PAWS alum, is extremely perky, and sees himself as the front man for the store. He’s very proud of the fact that customers divert from their appointed tasks to come by to see him, and, not infrequently, someone walks out with an unplanned purchase. Benny certainly earns his commission. And, believe me: while we all have our favorite customers, Benny’s list of good friends is a mile long. His list includes Laila and Linda, Bella and Karen, and Doreen. All of them know where his treat jar is.—But Benny cannot wait for Hannah to come by with her mother Abby. She tells him all about her week and reads to him. And, Benny, (a writer, too,) pens letters to Hannah to let her know how special she is. Benny has a special relationship with Angie at J. McLaughlin. They share lunch daily at 2 p.m. Benny works hard to make

Benny of J. McLaughlin, a Bichon Shih Tzu

Barley Twist’s Wrigley—seven-eighths Parsons Jack Russell, one-eighth Great Dane

sure his humans eat well and get exercise playing with him on the checkered floor of the shop. My name is Wrigley, and I work at Barley Twist. I can tell you every drawer some smelly cat has curled up in over the years. I have to be especially friendly when the kids come in with their parents. I’m the one thing in the shop their parents allow them to touch!

While I look a lot like the old RCA Victor mascot, thanks to genetic testing, we know I am seven-eighths Parsons Jack Russell and one-eighth Great Dane. I like being unique, like the one-of-a-kind things you find in our shop. Recently. I am best known for flying off a 22-foot porch and landing headfirst on the concrete walk, and only losing a front tooth. Don’t try it. I’m sure the only thing that saved me

was the flapping of my big ears! I only have a few seconds to finish this while my person is off the computer. I guess I’ll sign off with a pet peeve. For all of those people who walk in and start with “ah, for a dog’s life,” they just don’t know how difficult it is to remember every smell and keep them straight with the face and the voice. This greeting is a tough business.

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Event Calendar

October

Hinsdale Police & Fire Department Open House Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 Location: Hinsdale Police and Fire Departments Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Held annually in October, the Hinsdale Police & Fire Department Open House provides an opportunity for community members to show their support for those who serve and protect them. To address preventing kitchen fires, firefighters will demonstrate how grease fires spread, using an actual stove in the back of the firehouse. Guests will also get the chance to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire on the stove or in the oven. At 12:30, a company of Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills firefighters will demonstrate how to extract someone from a badly damaged vehicle. Meanwhile, kids can try on firefighter gear and experiment with the fire hose. Admission to the open house is free.

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Event Calendar Hinsdale Family Fall Festival

October

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 Location: Burlington Park Time: 11 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. Guests are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes for the Hinsdale Family Fall Festival in Burlington Park. There will be plenty of activities for all in attendance, including pumpkin decorating, carnival games and inflatable pits. Pumpkin decorating is limited to the first 500 participants. Trick-ortreating will also be available in the downtown business district from Noon to 3 p.m.

A Night in the Piazza Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 Location: InterContinental Hotel: Chicago Magnificent Mile Time: 6 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Midnight At the annual Wellness House Ball, the InterContinental Hotel will be transformed into glittering Venice to benefit the programs of Wellness House. Upon arrival, guests are invited to take a sunset serenade complete with cocktails and a highly-acclaimed wine auction. Wellness House is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free non-medical support and programs to cancer patients and their families. All money raised at the ball will directly benefit Wellness House programs. Tickets are $350 per person and on sale now at www.wellnesshouse.org.

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale 23 9/24/13 Magazine 10:36 AM

Event Calendar Rotary Run Charity Classic

October

Date: Sunday, Oct. 20 Location: The Community House Time: 8:30 a.m. The annual Rotary Run Charity Classic will be held on Sunday morning, Oct. 20, starting with the Morgan Stanley 10K run at 8:30 a.m. There are a variety of different race lengths to accommodate all participants, including 5K and 3K runs, as well as a 5K walk. Registration for the 10K run is $45 between Oct. 1-18, and $50 on the weekend of the run; registration for all other events is $35 between Oct. 1-18, and $40 on race weekend. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Community House, the District 181 Foundation, the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, the Rotary Club of Hinsdale Foundation and the Hinsdale Humane Society.

HJWC Halloween Party Date: Thursday, Oct. 24 Location: Arabian Knights Farm, Willowbrook Time: 4-7 p.m. The Hinsdale Junior Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club is inviting the community to celebrate Halloween a week early at its annual Halloween Party at Arabian Knights Farm in Willowbrook on Oct. 24. The afternoon will include a costume party/parade, pony rides, face-painting, magic show, inflatable pits and more. Admission is $15 for guests two years of age and up.

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Event Calendar Holiday Market

October

Date: Friday, Oct. 25 & Saturday, Oct. 26 Location: Grace Episcopal Church Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Grace Episcopal Churchwomen will host their third annual Holiday Market on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26. The Holiday Market will feature unique vendors offering home accessories, holiday treasures, jewelry, distinctive ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apparel and accessories, and more. Admission is $5, and is good for both days of the market. Proceeds from the Holiday Market will benefit Grace Episcopal Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Mission Organization. For more information about the Holiday Market, you are encouraged to call Grace Episcopal Church at (630)-323-4900.

A Fetching Affair Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 Location: Butterfield Country Club, Oak Brook Time: 7 p.m. - Midnight At A Fetching Affair, the Hinsdale Humane Society will celebrate six decades of uniting homeless animals with owners in the Western Suburbs with a black-tie-optional gala. Guests will enjoy live and silent auctions, dancing and live entertainment, and be treated to sit-down dinner and cocktails. Throughout the evening, HHS will share stories of animals, volunteers and families, while highlighting the impact its pet therapy programs have had on those they serve. Tickets are on sale now at www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org.

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Restoring Beauty, Form and Function to your Smile

ue to a variety of reasons many patients will find themselves in a dental pickle that they cant see their way through to correct the problem. At this point so many people feel like the solution is hopeless and they can’t even find a place to start at. Possibly they are trying to contend with something they were born with. More often than not it is a condition that deteriorated over time. Whether it was fear, time, or lack of financial resources it can occur quickly or over years of neglect to end up at a point where a person does not know how to even get started. Let’s explore some of the current landscape for techniques, materials and technology.

I see a wide range of services offered by the dental profession. What is the difference between cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry is the common term for smile enhancement. Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry that improves the looks of the smile, and that is the PRIMARY reason for doing it. Meaning that the functional reasons for doing it are far outweighed by the patients desire to improve the look of their smile. Aesthetic Dentistry is beautiful looking dentistry with a functional goal to correct a problem. Cosmetic enhancement is a result not the reason.

Q: What does Minimally Invasive

Dentistry mean?

This is one of the biggest “Buzz words” in dentistry currently. Utilizing the latest advancements in dental technology one strives to achieve the desired aesthetic result with the least amount of alteration to a patients dentition. Laser technology like the The Waterlase by Biolase allows dentists to remove only the decay in a tooth. This minimally invasive technology utilizes water energized by laser energy to remove the decay in a tooth and not have to remove healthy tooth structure to get to the decay. That is what occurs when a dental cardide bur is used. Also with the Waterlase shots are rarely needed. One can actually have their tooth “numbed” by a certain setting on the laser first and then only the decay is removed in a tooth without any shots or pain. That is a truly Minimally Invasive Dentistry at its best. This is ideal for children where decay can be removed and a filling placed without any shots at all. Another laser by Biolase, the Epic laser, can actually whiten teeth now without all the powerful UV and light sources currently used for in-office, chair-side whitening. By using a more biocompatible energy to activate the in-office whitening gels the discomfort is greatly minimized if not eliminated altogether. Also the time the patient has to sit in the chair is greatly reduced. This also falls under the category of Minimally Invasive Dentistry The best digital scanner on the market, iTero by Cadent really brings Minimally Invasive Dentistry to the forefront. If you need a crown made by your dentist this completely eliminates the need for those messy, uncomfortable impressions. No

one enjoys the process where you have to have a mouthful of gel in your mouth for 4-5 minutes. There is a certain amount of distortion in the impression taking process as well as the poured models. The scanned images of your tooth are emailed to the lab where they produce the model from a solid block of material. The old technology involves pouring the impression with a plaster like mix that has a certain amount of distortion to it. With the iTero system both the impression and poured models are eliminated and with that the distortion as well. Crowns have a perfect fit to the tooth in a manner not seen before in the history of general dentistry. It is fully compatible to do all Invisalign cases with amazing results.

SUMMARY:

Dental care and what can now be accomplished in a pain free environment has exploded in the last 3-5 years. Your dentist has so much to offer now and by restoring your dental health you will also greatly improve your overall health and well-being. Many studies have been conducted to prove that a healthy mouth will allow a person to have a healthy cardiovascular system and live longer. How significant is that? Regular recall maintenance with your dentist is crucial to this ongoing process of dental and systemic health. Call today to see what your own possibilities are. For the dental phobic patients there are many options to allow you to restore your dental health and eliminate the fear and anxiety of the process. From the non-invasive NuCalm, a natural way to calm the brain and dental anxiety, to sedation dentistry your dentist has many options for all types of dental conditions and patients.

911 N. Elm, Suite 230 Hinsdale, IL 630-323-4468 HinsdaleDentistry.com Peter T. Harnois, DDS

26 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Hamptons of Hinsdale offers luxurious Townhomes and Condominium residences appointed with the finest of finishes and a meticulous attention to detail. From the finely crafted architecture to the superb interior amenities and superior quality of construction, you will find that no detail has been overlooked. These unique residences are located on 12.5 generously landscaped acres. Close to downtown Hinsdale, area shopping, and transportation. Our first of 4 condo buildings is already 90% sold and we have over 30% reserved in our NEW BUILDING #5 coming May 2014. Hurry in and see what we are building next! You owe it to yourself to make an appointment for a personal tour of this truly outstanding new home development.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 27

- Continued from page 16

he said. “And I would see him in line with construction guys, schoolteachers, secretaries and teenagers. How many businesses can attract that type of clientele?” With furnished building interiors, Portillo and his employees worked to develop a more complete and unique dining experience for guests. Each Portillo’s has a distinct theme, which can be gleaned from the decorations and memorabilia items that adorn the restaurants, as well as the background music played there. From the “‘20s” to the “‘60s,” restaurant-goers are exposed to different experiences at various locations. “We frequent Portillo’s at least one to two times a week,” said Tammie Souza, who regularly eats at the Willowbrook Portillo’s with her family. “We love the fun, casual atmosphere. “When my family comes to town, we have to mate a pit stop at the Portillo’s between the airport and our house.” Restaurants like Portillo’s fall under a category called fast casual. This concept, which has grown substantially in the restaurant industry in recent years, combines efficient service with a traditional dining room experience. Other fast casual restaurants include Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panda Express. “It’s great food—almost like you would get in a casual dining situation—, but it’s served quickly,” Portillo’s CFO Sherri Abruscato said, “with the great comfort in the dining room. “The whole thing Mr. Portillo strives for is the full guest experience—from the minute they walk into that door or pull

into that drive-thru, to when they sit down to eat and when they leave. He wants that entire experience to be special.” Abruscato said when Portillo’s recently opened in Arizona, a bevy of guests who had dined at Portillo’s in the Chicago area lined up to enjoy the same experience in their own backyard. “People were waiting in line two, two and a half hours,” she said. “I would go outside and apologize for the long wait, and the people were like, ‘No problem; we’ve been waiting five, seven, eight years [for Portillo’s]—two and a half hours is nothing. We’re here for the experience and for the food; there’s nothing like it.’” Besides creating an original dining experience for his guests, Portillo said he believes another explanation for the growth and continued popularity of his restaurant is the fact that his menu offers a variety of options for consumers. Whereas the early restaurants were limited to items like hot dogs, chili dogs and Polish sausage, the modern Portillo’s menu also offers hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, beef sandwiches and even salads. “We’re not just a hot dog stand anymore,” Portillo said. “[Our menu] appeals to the masses—to everybody. Four people could eat here and not even have a hot dog. “We started selling salads before anyone else had salads in the fast-food or fastcasual business. The difference between them and us is, we prepare [them] right in front of you—as we do all of our food.” In 2007, Portillo’s arrived in Willowbrook—a restaurant which many residents in the Greater Hinsdale area

(

Hinsdale/Oak Brook Connection

From the 1990s to the mid-2000s, Portillo lived on Taft Street in southeast Hinsdale, and then at Fifth & Garfield. Portillo now resides on 31st Street in Oak Brook—the same town in which his corporate headquarters are located. He spoke fondly of both towns, and still has a number of friends in the area. “I think both [Hinsdale and Oak Brook] are absolutely great communities,” he said. “Hinsdale was like ‘Mayberry U.S.A.,’ and I was sorry to leave it. “The only reason I left Hinsdale was, I wanted a bigger yard. We have 2.5 acres on 31st Street, and I couldn’t get that much land in Hinsdale.”

Average annual revenue (in millions of dollars) The average Portillo’s restaurant takes in about $6.7 million in annual revenue, nearly three times the average McDonald’s, and about four and a half times the average Wendy’s. “Our salad bowls [alone] would gross more than the average McDonald’s, minus their breakfast,” Portillo said.

frequent on a weekly basis. Portillo now has 38 locations in four states, having recently opened restaurants in Northwest Indiana, Arizona and Southern California. Aside from Portillo’s, Dick Portillo has embarked on several additional ventures in the restaurant industry over the past two decades. He developed Barnelli’s Pasta Bowl at his Schaumburg location in 1993, Luigi’s House along Route 59 in 2000 and Honey-Jam Cafe in 2010. Featuring Italian pastas, barbecued ribs and gourmet salads, Barnelli’s now has nine locations, including one in Willowbrook. Luigi’s House serves Margherita pizza and other Italian favorites, and also provides live entertainment four nights per week at Julian’s Piano Bar. HoneyJam Cafe, located in Downers Grove, Bolingbrook and Batavia, supplies a breakfast-lunch alternative, featuring an array of omelets, waffles, French toasts and other traditional breakfast favorites. “I gained more confidence in myself after 1970, when I got the first building,” Portillo said. Through the years, while Portillo’s has expanded tremendously, the hot dogs have remained the same. Portillo said he is Vienna Beef’s biggest account, going through between 30,000 and 35,000 pounds of hot dogs each week, as well as 100,000 to 150,000 pounds of Italian beef. He completes nearly 24 million transactions with Vienna each year. Portillo also remains the sole owner of the Portillo Restaurant Group—the largest privately-owned restaurant group in the Midwest. He has no partners or investors.

)

Recognizing Loyalty

The Portillo Restaurant Group corporate office occupies the entire fifth - Continued on page 30

28 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

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- Continued from page 28

floor of a seven-story building down the street from McDonald’s Corporation in Oak Brook. Taking a tour through the 23,500 square-foot headquarters, it is hard to fathom that the same business launched in a 72 square-foot trailer five decades earlier. The floor is rife with photographs of various Portillo’s restaurants throughout Chicagoland—as well as a blown up photo of the original Dog House—, displaying the owner’s pride in the roots of the business he has fortified. The office contains a training center, where classes for managers and employees are conducted. Dick Portillo’s personal office evinces his love of military history. His shelves are lined with combat weapons used through the ages, as well as pictures from a recent trip to the South Pacific—a major battleground for U.S. and Japanese forces during World War II. Perhaps what stands out most about the office is the series of framed photos taken each year since the early 1990s, recognizing longtime Portillo’s employees. After attaining career milestones, all employees—from a restaurant cashier to the chief financial officer—are honored with an awards dinner, and receive the opportunity to gather around Portillo for

a large group photo. “What impresses me about the company is the longevity of the employees, and how many people have worked for Mr. Portillo for decades,” Portillo’s Executive

Dick Portillo (right) stands beside a fellow Marine. Portillo joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Argo Community High School in 1957.

Assistant Patty Sullivan said. “The turnover rate is so low. In the office, there are people that have been working for Mr. Portillo for 45 years or 40 years. “He’s very serious about honoring his employees; it means a lot to him to remain loyal.”

“Mr. Portillo takes good care of people who have been with [the company] for a long time,” said Eric Peterson, Vice President of the Portillo Restaurant Group, who started out as an assistant manager at the Naperville location in 1988. Some of those photographed have been with the company for upwards of three and even four decades. Glenda Knippen started out as a cashier at the second hot dog stand in Villa Park in 1967, and now serves as Benefits Manager for Portillo’s at the corporate office in Oak Brook. Knippen expressed deep gratitude to Portillo for all he has done for her as an employee over the past 46 years. “We all truly think of this company as a family—we call it our ‘Portillo family,’” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience, and I love the company and love Mr. Portillo.”

Executive Supervision

Even after ascending to tremendous heights, Sullivan said Portillo is frequently out of the office, spending much of his time at his restaurants. “He’s in the office occasionally, but he spends most of his time out in the field, at his restaurants,” she said. “He’ll observe

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and he’ll watch, and he’ll be behind the counter making sandwiches. “He doesn’t sit in a big, high office and conduct a lot from that position; he’d rather be out in the field—in the trenches, so to speak, so he can be part of the action.” “From a business standpoint, I’ve never met anybody that’s more in tune with what the customer needs are,” Peterson said. When Hinsdale Magazine met with Portillo at his Willowbrook restaurant, prior to commencing our interview, he informed a Barnelli’s cashier that there was a spill outside on the patio, and someone should attend to it. Abruscato, who started with the company as a teenager at the Glendale Heights restaurant over four decades ago, said she believes this type of devotion to customer service has kept guests coming back to Portillo’s again and again. “As I grew into the company, what I [saw] was Mr. Portillo’s passion—his never-ending demand for quality and service to the guest,” Abruscato said. “One thing that I think is really unique about Portillo’s is never sacrificing quality or service;—it’s not making [service] less expensive; it’s how we can improve it. “The quality standards we have today are probably higher than we had years ago, because there are better ways to do things.” What does the next 50 years hold for Portillo’s? Like many business owners, Portillo said he believes much of it depends upon the role of the federal government in business. “It all depends on how much the government is going to get involved in messing with entrepreneurs,” he said. “Back in July 2012, when [President] Obama gave a speech and said, ‘If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that,’ if I was in that room, I would have been the first in line to tell him he’s mistaken. “I was working 80, 90 hours a week in a trailer with no running water, no bathroom, no air conditioning. “I can tell you what built my business: drive, hard work and sacrifice—not assistance from the government.” Reflecting back on five decades, Portillo said he is incredulous at the success he has enjoyed—success which started with the hardships of operating a single hotdog stand generating the water he needed from a hose through a nearby National Tea grocery store. “I’ve got to pinch myself—I’m amazed,” he said. “I never thought it would get to this point.” www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 31

– ANNOUNCEMENT –

Hinsdale Dentistry’s One-Year Anniversary Event This May, Hinsdale Dentistry threw a wine and cheese tasting event to celebrate one year in our stunning new office. Guests sipped on wines from The Village Cellar and feasted on delicious hors d’oeuvres by La Cuisine Catering. The office space shined, covered in bright bouquets by Jane’s Blue Iris. We were thrilled to welcome a few of the Southwest Suburbs’ dental specialists and show off our new location. Hinsdale Dentistry and our staff strive to build connections between local healthcare providers, facilitating coordination of patient care. Among the talented doctors in attendance were:

Dr. Peter Harnois and Bea Harnois, Dr. Paul Denemark and Michelle Denemark

Dr. Carrie Thangamani, Orthodontist; Dr. Stephen Jagielo, Oral Surgeon; Dr. Timothy Walsh, Periodontist; Dr. Jenny Kopp, Endodontist; Dr. Bruna Burgener, Endodontist; Dr. Paul Denemark, Periodontist; Dr. Darlene Melton, Endodontist Have You Visited Hinsdale Dentistry’s New Location?

Donna Vranas, Jessica Izzo and Sara Patterson

Mauro, Wendy, Jackie, Sharon and Kelly Ann

Our gorgeous new office is airy and modern, yet comfortable and welcoming. You’ll enjoy the increased space, the light-filled rooms, and the views from our many windows. Overlooking a quiet lake and located next to Salt Creek, our new practice is slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of town, providing a relaxing space for our patients. Your time in the dental chair will be rejuvenating for your oral health, your smile, and your overall self. Become a part of our community! Schedule your next appointment with Hinsdale Dentistry to experience our new space for yourself. We look forward to introducing you to the office. Hinsdale Dentistry 911 N. Elm, Suite 230 Hinsdale, IL 630-323-4468 | HinsdaleDentistry.com

32 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Drs. Carrie Thangamani, Steve Jagielo, Peter Harnois, Jenny Kopp, Bruna Burgener and Darlene Melton

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Community

Scene

Madison School Dash & Bash

bout 500 runners of a variety of ages turned out for Madison Elementary School’s annual Dash & Bash to benefit the school PTO on Sept. 15. Rain-gear and umbrellas were required, as the skies opened up mere minutes before the race commenced. Despite the rain, Madison students and their parents persevered through the 3K course.—Fortunately, the rain subsided as the race progressed. At last year’s Dash & Bash, there were two races: a 5K and a 50-yard “fun run” designed for kids. This year, event organizers decided to hold only one 3K race—a more manageable distance for children so more families could run together. “Our gym teachers suggested, to make [the run] accessible to all the kids,

Officer Michael Coughlin with “Dash” and “Bash” Photos courtesy of Marek Frankiewicz

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34 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

kindergarten through fifth grade, that we shorten the run,” Dash & Bash Coordinator Suzanne Wychocki said. “They’ve been training [the kids] since school started. I think they made enough progress that the kids felt pretty comfortable.” After the race concluded, parents and kids hustled inside the school for more fun activities. Due to the weather, the inflatable pits that are usually positioned outside had to be moved into the gym. Several Madison alumni painted faces, while students entered a raffle that included the chance to lead the school’s Halloween Parade and two front-row

seats to the “December Sing.” “[The Dash & Bash] is a great way to build our school community, and welcome the children and their parents to our school,” Madison Principal Mindy McMahon said. Bruce Stevenson of Hinsdale won the race, while Madison alumnus Benjamin Waverley, an eighth-grader at Hinsdale Middle School, was the first kid to complete it. Altogether, Wychocki said the Dash & Bash raised over $20,000, which slightly exceeded the Madison PTO’s budget. “There’s going to be some discussion about where that money goes,” she said. “We have a new outdoor learning center that needs to be maintained, [and] it’s going to be important to get some SELAS events in the building this year that we can now afford.”

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 35

Community

Scene

Hinsdale Humane Society Birthday Bash

he Hinsdale Humane Society celebrated 60 years in the community with a “birthday bash” outside the society on Aug. 24. Dozens of pet-owners from across the Western Suburbs brought their pets out for a relaxing and fun-filled afternoon in Hinsdale. Balloons and face-painting kept children entertained, while pools of water amused the dogs. The Hinsdale Rotary Club cooked hot dogs for lunch, and volunteers pitched in to distribute water to keep guests hydrated. Several tents provided refreshing shade on a sunny, late-summer day. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the “doggie cupcake-eating contest.” Though some dogs struggled to discern the edibleness of the cupcakes, Charlie from Downers Grove and Bella from Brookfield (30-lb. plus division) emerged victorious in the contest. HHS Executive Director Lori Halligan said, to her, the afternoon was about what lies ahead for the organization. “It’s not a looking past, it’s looking forward,” Halligan said. “When you think about when the six [local] women started the

Photos by Karen Hood

Stella the hedgehog

36 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

humane society 60 years ago, I don’t think they could have fathomed what life would be like now in 2013. At that time, dogs were running at-large, there was rabies. Dogs lived in doghouses; they weren’t really integrated parts of the family. “Now people’s dogs and cats have human names; they sleep in their beds. It’s so exciting to be a part of that [development], and to have the community out here celebrating what we mean to them and what they mean to us.” Located at 22 N. Elm Street in Hinsdale, the Hinsdale Humane Society adopts out roughly 800 animals annually. To learn more about HHS, visit www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org.

Mary Jane Purkart & Murphy

Jorie Parwani & Murphy Hawthorne

Volunteers Roy & Connie Giuntoli

Jack the Great Dane with Marissa Berlin, Courtney Usher, Faedra Charlton-Perrin, Sophie Biancalana and Kasia Treiber

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 37

Jo Bice, Moira Gilroy

Community

Scene

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Sub-Urbanathalon

ozens of local residents competed in the inaugural Sub-Urbanathalon in Clarendon Hills on Sept. 21. Coinciding with the annual Clarendon Hills Fall Festival, the Sub-Urbanathalon took daring participants along a 3.25mile path on the north-side of town. But competitors were not only required

to run—they also had to successfully navigate a series of arduous obstacles. From carrying heavy sandbags across a sand volleyball court, crawling under three Lexus SUVs and ranging up and down a steep sledding hill five times, the obstacles provided a variety of challenges that assessed different areas of fitness. “It’s a full test of how good of shape you’re in,” event organizer Jason Bishop

said. “If you’re just a good runner, you’re not going to be physically strong enough to do some of the obstacles. But if you’re strong, but not a good runner, it’s the flip side.” “The obstacles were harder than I expected,” Patrick O’Neal of Clarendon Hills said. “I hate running hills, so going up and down that hill five times was unexpected. It was definitely a good

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workout, and a lot more interesting than your average 5K.” The race was divided into 11 heats to avoid congestion at the obstacles. Bishop said he was pleased with the community support for the event, and will now go back to evaluate what worked well and what needs to be improved upon for next year’s event. “I think the town was very excited about it,” he said. “They came out to have fun, and that’s really what the point is.”

John Gervace of Burr Ridge, the winner of the first of 11 heats

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 39

- ANNOUNCEMENT -

Maserati Ghibli unveiled

The 2014 Maserati Ghibli was unveiled at Continental AutoSports in Hinsdale.

he all-new 2014 Maserati Ghibli debuted at Continental AutoSports on Ogden Ave. in Hinsdale on Sept. 4. The Maserati Ghibli brings innovative attention to the Italian manufacturer, turning attention away from the familiar German manufacturers. Combining a curvaceous body with an alluring appearance, there is no mistaking the Italian heritage of this new luxury sedan. Available in all-wheel-drive, the Ghibli has a starting price of $65,500, making it a direct competitor of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A7 and BMW 6-series in price, quality and performance. The Ghibli has been commended for its driving ability, performing â&#x20AC;&#x153;with a sense of occasions lacking in any of its competition.â&#x20AC;? The 2014 Maserati Ghibli will be available in mid-October. Contact Continental AutoSports to receive updates on 2014 Ghibli test-drive events, and connect on social media to stay up to date on Maserati news.

40 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 43

Hinsdale Woman

Suzanne Zaccone at her Hinsdale home

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Fighting back

How a Hinsdale resident turned her fight against cancer into a positive way to help others learn more about their own cancer journeys

C by mike ellis

ancer is not g e n e r a l l y thought of as holding anything positive. For many who are diagnosed with it, the disease proves terminal; for others, it lingers as a latent, but constant reminder of a lost loved one. But for Hinsdale resident Suzanne Zaccone, what she initially thought would be fatal actually provided her with an opportunity to better educate others about cancer.

Suzanne’s Story

In the summer of 2007, doctors discovered Suzanne had calcifications 44 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

on her right breast during a regular mammogram. While calcifications are a potential warning sign for cancer, oftentimes they do not become cancerous; so Suzanne’s doctors told her to wait six months before screening her once again. When she underwent a second mammogram in Jan. 2008, Suzanne learned that the calcifications had grown into two sizable tumors. Suzanne said that without the mammograms, she does not believe she would not have caught the cancer in time, as she noticed nothing outwardly and felt nothing inwardly that would have hinted at cancer. “My hair was growing, my nails were growing,” she said. “I had no indentations in my breast—nothing oozing, nothing sticking out, nothing I could feel. “There was no way that you could find

[the tumors] or palpitate them. Only through mammography and ultimately an ultrasound were they able to be found.” Like many people, Suzanne’s previous experience with cancer within her family was negative; her aunt had just died of breast cancer two years earlier. Couple that with an aversion to needles, stethoscopes, white coats and all things medical, and it’s not surprising she was scared about what she was up against, and initially lacked the confidence that she would endure it. “I completely had a meltdown; I was terrified,” Suzanne said. “I thought for sure that I was not going to live—that I was going to be one of those that was going to die.” Despite her fear, Suzanne sought out five opinions from specialists throughout the Chicagoland area. The last opinion

“I completely had a meltdown; I was terrified. I thought for sure that I was not going to live—that I was going to be one of those that was going to die.” -Suzanne Zaccone she received was from Dr. Mark Connolly at the University of Chicago, who would eventually perform her initial surgery. Suzanne had Stage IIB breast cancer, which is serious, but not classified as “severe,” according to Dr. David Song, Chief of Plastic Surgery at University of Chicago Hospitals. Suzanne said obtaining information from a variety of doctors bolstered her confidence in combating cancer. “They were very hopeful,” she said. “It was a concentrated team—my surgeon, the chemo oncologist, the radiation oncologist—, all together, talking about my issue, and coordinating within their own specific areas of expertise. “I thought that I was going to die, but I’m not a quitter; I’m a fighter. I just needed a little bit of time to get used to the idea of ‘holy crap, I have cancer!’” Armed with useful information and working with experts to formulate a plan, the self-described “medical midget” prepared herself for an unforgettable experience. Doctors presented Suzanne with several options, but she ultimately decided on a mastectomy. “She had clearly done her homework, was extremely knowledgeable about all the [treatment] options, and was the model patient,” Dr. Song said. About a month after the first surgery, Suzanne underwent chemotherapy every other week for five months. Unlike some cancer patients at more advanced stages, she was not confined to a hospital bed throughout the chemotherapy process, but did experience the usual concomitants, such as hair loss. To afford her system a chance to recover, she then waited another month before starting daily radiation treatment. Suzanne said radiation was quite exhausting. “After four or five days of radiation, you start to get very, very tired,” she said. “One day, my mom came over to show me how to tie scarves [for my hair], and I said, ‘Mom, I can’t even keep my eyes open to understand what you’re trying to tell me. I have to go to bed.’ I was so wiped out from radiation.” Due to the effects of radiation, Suzanne was required to wait six months before reconstruction could begin. Dr. Song handled her reconstructive surgery.

Suzanne decided to use her own fat, skin and tissue taken from her stomach to generate the new breast. To create the nipple and tattoo the areola, she required a second procedure several months later. Altogether, the entire process from diagnosis to reconstructive surgery spanned two years.

Recording her experience

When she began her journey, Suzanne said she was entirely unfamiliar with the process of fighting cancer. “When I was diagnosed, I was completely unaware of what the steps were, what you should do, and who you should ask what question to,” she said. Shortly after her diagnosis, she started to write her friends and family members e-mails to update them concerning her condition. In these e-mails, she included information about everything that she felt was significant, including details of each test and procedure, her options, her research, emotional issues, fears and tips she learned or gleaned along the way. Suzanne chronicled the entire process from diagnosis to reconstruction surgery. “She was so brutally honest with everything,” said Suzanne’s friend Marianne Duitsman, who has known her since their days on the pom squad at Downers Grove South in the 1970s. “When I know what to expect, it alleviates a little fear;—even the most horrible things she would describe. I don’t know how she made it through, because I wouldn’t be able to. I’m surprised that ‘medical midget’ turned into a ‘goddess warrior.’” Suzanne’s initial e-mail list was comprised of 75 of her friends and family members in seven different countries, but it was about to grow substantially. “I started getting feedback from these e-mails saying, ‘My mom was just diagnosed, or my sister or my kid’s kindergarten teacher, and I think what you’re writing would be helpful [for them]. Would you mind if we included them on the e-mail list?’” Suzanne agreed to add those who could benefit from the e-mails to the list until it quickly swelled to 175 people in 15 different countries. At that point, someone suggested she write a book

chronicling her experience. So, Suzanne began working on her book, A Random Interruption— Surviving Breast Cancer with Laughter, Vodka, Smoothies and an Attitude, and continued writing it as she battled cancer. The book was published at the end of 2009, nearly coinciding with the end of her personal journey. “It goes from diagnosis all the way through every single process,” Suzanne said. “Writing the book for me was cathartic, because I was kind of like a journalist on the front lines of a war, seeing all the gross stuff, experiencing all the gross stuff; but still being able to step back from it and know that this was going to help other people.” The book not only chronicles Suzanne’s personal experience with breast cancer, but also contains the stories of several other people who had cancer that she met along the way. With Dr. Song’s help, Suzanne communicated to readers that some of what she encountered was out of the ordinary, emphasizing that her story was not the same as everyone else’s. But - Continued on the next page Completed in 2009, A Random Interruption—Surviving Breast Cancer with Laughter, Vodka, Smoothies and Attitude chronicles Suzanne’s two-year battle with breast cancer. The book has sold about 4,500 copies to date.

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 45

Suzanne Zaccone - Continued from the previous page

she also noted that the response to treatments and procedures, the emotions and fears, and the questions and advice for driving through the cancer process is universal for all patients. Suzanne said the primary reason she wrote the book was to help other people who encounter the disease to better comprehend their situation, and know the types of questions they should ask doctors. “If you were told tomorrow that you had cancer, would you know what to ask a surgeon or a chemo oncologist?” she said. “Doctors are telling me as I meet them that women are bringing my book into the office with them, and asking the questions directly from the book.” The book has sold 4,500 copies to date. All of the proceeds have been directed towards creating a fellowship for doctors interested in learning microsurgical techniques at the University of Chicago Cancer Research Hospital. Thus far, the book proceeds combined with earnings from events and from the Zaccone Family Foundation have generated three fellowships, and a fourth who is currently going through the process. “There is a very big differential between what was happening with women’s reconstructive options,” Suzanne said, “and I want more of the kind of excellent doctor care that I received to be available for more women.” In lieu of her efforts, Suzanne recently obtained the Michael bestowed upon the likes of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton Klein Award of Courage—an award that has previously been and the late WLS-TV sports anchor Tim Weigel. Dr. Song said Suzanne’s book has helped to provide clarity for numerous individuals encountering a frightening and perplexing stage of their life. “She’s a hero,” he said, “and her book and tireless work have helped a countless number of women going through this scary and often confusing journey of breast cancer.” Duitsman, who now volunteers as the Event and Social Media Coordinator for the Zaccone Family Foundation, echoed the same sentiment. “If I ever get breast cancer, I will be [reading] that book, knowing the questions to ask,” she said. “She’s done all of the leg-work, and I would follow that book. “I’m so amazed at how she gives back to people,—from Step out picking them up at the airport, getting them to the University of Chicago, she’s always on the phone. She’s accessible through her from book; she includes her e-mail, her business cards and her phone behind number in there.” your Suzanne said she believes the book can not only be informative camera for cancer patients, but might also help them build confidence in their personal struggles. “Once they read my story, and they realize how scared I was,” she said, “hopefully they’ll see that if I can get through this, they and can get through this.”

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46 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

To purchase a copy of A Random Interruption—Surviving Breast Cancer with Laughter, Vodka, Smoothies and an Attitude, visit www.zacconefamilyfoundation.com or www. arandominterruption.com. You can also join the conversation at Facebook by searching for the book title. Suzanne recommends it for anyone who currently has cancer, or for those with loved ones afflicted with it.

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 47

Health & Fitness

With the Chicago Marathon, Rotary Run Classic and other races right around the corner in the Chicagoland area, Print Managing Editor Mike Ellis chatted with three local women committed to keeping their bodies in top shape.

Fitness for Life Cindy Kucharski, 57, of Clarendon Hills exercises at Fullersburg Woods in Hinsdale.

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

indy Kucharski, 57, of Clarendon Hills works primarily with athletes and active adults focusing on pain relief. Cindy is a licensed massage therapist with specialty training in neuromuscular therapy and muscle activation techniques. She has resided in the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills area for 15 years.

made me feel good, providing balance in my life; so it was easy to make it a priority in my daily routine. While in my mid20s, I ran my first marathon in Chicago in 1984, [and] then again in 1990.

Mike Ellis: Could you briefly describe your fitness routine? Cindy Kucharski: For most of my life, I worked out six days a week for 90 minutes at a high level of intensity. Today, my 4560 minute daily workouts can vary from traditional weight-training, to core-based circuit interval training, to strictly cardio.

Mike: What types of exercises do you generally do? Cindy: Twice a week, my days in the weight room are focused on back, biceps and legs. The third day consists of chest, triceps and shoulder exercises. Circuit interval training includes a variety of push-ups and core-based functional training exercises combined with highintensity cardio exercise. I still enjoy running short distances, but now do more outdoor cycling than running. Weekly tennis and golf round out my schedule.

Mike: When did you begin paying attention to keeping your body in good shape, and do you exercise more today? Cindy: Starting as a fair-weather runner at the age of 19 led me to a fitness membership at the Chicago Health Club. This new hobby quickly turned into a passion when I began teaching boot-campstyle calisthenics classes in the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s at the YMCA in La Grange. Working out

Mike: Why do you believe staying in shape is so important? Cindy: Exercise provides the movement our bodies need to keep our muscles toned and strong. Besides preventing disease and contributing to a longer lifespan, regular exercise increases stamina and endurance, improves sleep, controls weight and contributes to emotional well-being. It is an important element in slowing down

48 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

the aging process and keeping the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systems working together more efficiently. Mike: What would you recommend for working moms doubling as caretakers and professionals trying to squeeze fitness into their schedules? Cindy: My recommendation for busy professionals and moms is to start incorporating fitness into your life on a manageable scale. With a wide variety of activities to choose from, pick something that you like to do and stick with it. Keep it simple; begin with a 30-minute period three times a week. The more consistent you are, the more you will want to continue; it will become a habit. Stay focused; make your workout a priority, as it is an investment in yourself.

ori McInerney, 38, has had a passion for running since high school. She has run marathons, half-marathons and various other types of races. Lori resides in Clarendon Hills with her husband, six-year-old daughter and three-year-old twins. She works two days per week in marketing and business development. - Continued on page 50

www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 49

- Continued from page 48

Mike: Could you briefly describe your fitness regimen? Lori McInerney: I try to do a variety of workouts and fitness routines. I rotate between running, yoga, the Dailey Method and boot-camp classes to keep it mixed up and challenging. Mike: How do you find the time to fit exercising into your schedule? Lori: Having three small children and working part-time, finding the time to exercise does get challenging. However, I do my best to fit it in—even if it’s only for 30 minutes. I try to work out early in the morning a couple days a week and while the kids are in the school the other days. Mike: When did you start out running, and why do you enjoy it? Lori: I have loved running since high school, and started to take it more seriously after I graduated college. I ran track and played volleyball in high school, and, looking back, I wish I would have continued running in college. I enjoy running for many reasons;—whether I run for 40 minutes or two hours, it is time with myself and time to reflect on life and sort of zone-out for a little. I enjoy running at my leisure, and also competitively in races. I have run marathons, half-marathons and many other different types of races. Every year when I run races, I strive to run faster and accomplish a better time and be stronger, physically and mentally. Running is great for cardiovascular and overall physical fitness.

Lori McInerney, 38, of Clarendon Hills competes in marathons, and has had a passion for running since high school.

50 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Mike: Are there any outdoor venues in the area you’d recommend for other runners? Lori: Yes—Prairie Path, Waterfall Glen and Salt Creek Trail near Brookfield Zoo all have really great running paths. I love all of them! Mike: Why do you believe staying in shape is so important? Lori: I believe staying in shape is so important for my body and my mind. I feel exercise and proper nutrition are extremely important in living a healthy and happy life. I also want our kids to know the importance of exercise and being healthy. Mike: What would you recommend for working moms doubling as caretakers and professionals trying to squeeze fitness into their schedules? Lori: Don’t set your goals too high, but set exercise goals. Fit in exercise when you can. If you Sara Fix, 49, of Hinsdale is an accomplished triathlete. can get up an hour earlier one morning a week, or leave an hour during lunchtime, that’s great. Mike: What is an “Ironman,” and what Also, try to do more on the weekends to drew you to begin competing in these balance your exercise out. events? Sara: The Ironman combines 2.4 miles ara Fix, 49, is a 17-time “Ironman” finisher, who has of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and finished top in her age group then a marathon, which is 26.2 miles [of in the Kona Ironman World running]. I have competed in 17 Ironman Championships. Sara also events from 1999 thru 2013. During that regularly competes in triathlons, and period, I took five years off from racing owns Endure It! Sports, a triathlon for having babies. training and coaching facility, where she Mike: Why do you believe staying in coaches a number of local athletes. She resides in Hinsdale with her husband and shape is so important? Sara: I love physical activity; I love three children, ages 12, 11 and nine. being in motion. I really think it is Mike: Could you briefly describe your important for all the obvious reasons, but being active and sharing activity with fitness regimen? Sara Fix: My fitness regimen changes my kids, clients and friends is where I am depending on the races I am preparing most happy. I know the health reasons, for, the classes I am coaching, and the but it’s much deeper [for me]. athletes I am working with. I will build Mike: What types of exercises would pretty steadily for months before an Ironman race, and then hit the key you recommend for other women who do training period with 18-20 hours in not have regular workout plans? Sara: If they don’t have regular workout specific training a week. At this period, plans, they can join my run club. We do I would drop out of doing as much sideby-side coaching. However, in recovery all sorts of fun runs and cross-training periods, I will be busy running, riding, workouts. I think doing anything is great. lifting and swimming next to the athletes Be creative: snowshoe, cross-country ski, bike—there are so many fun activities to [I coach]. do that make you feel great.

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affected area to protect Gintuit™ and keep it in place while the site heals. Patients should expect to see improvement to the area within a few weeks. Gintuit™ is a safe and effective treatment to generate new gum tissue, and may offer advantages over other current treatments, which Dr. Denemark can review in more detail. Gintuit™ generates aesthetically appealing, natural-looking tissue that matches the patient’s own, both in terms of color and texture, and offers an unlimited supply of material to treat large or multiple areas, often in one procedure, reducing the need to undergo multiple surgeries. Clinical results have shown the product to be safe and well tolerated when applied topically, with minimal adverse events. The safety, efficacy and predictability of Gintuit™ have been demonstrated in two six-month, controlled clinical trials, which provided the FDA evidence to support the approval of the product. Dr. Denemark can review all of the important safety information related to this product with you in detail as well. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Gintuit™ should not be used if an active infection is present and when there is a known allergy to bovine collagen. In clinical trials, the most common adverse events reported were nasopharyngitis, respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. If you are interested in learning more about Gintuit™ and Dr. Denemark’s experience and results with the product, please contact us directly at 630-654-4141. The dental surgery field has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovative procedures that put the patient’s health and safety first, and Gintuit™ is the latest example of why we do what we do – to improve the lives of our patients and deliver the treatment and care you deserve.

570 Village Center Dr., Suite 202B | BURR RIDGE | 630.654.4141 | DrDenemark.com www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 51

Tech Bring Mobility Know & Portability to yourthe Business Finding right smartphone

s BlackBerry officially announces a one billion s technology evolves dollar loss and 40 percent in our workplace workforce cut, we realize each day, the how competitive the smartphone 20-pound desktop and monitor market can be. From different on your desk is slowly becoming applications (apps), designs and obsolete. It seems each month a features, many consumers may find new tech product is introduced themselves in complete confusion to the business world, and by the over next whatmonth to something choose. Our latest even more techKNOW reviews a few of the powerful and smaller becomes latest available. devices to you better In help this edition of understand the best phone you. techKNOW, we will take for a look at Since beenofthe hot theBlackBerry three leadinghas forms office Errol Janusz Contributing Writer topic as of late,and wesome will focus on that their mobility, examples latest go smart with phone, them. the Q10. This is a phone built for business. If you are looking for goofy apps or Believe it ortonot, capable of five-inchSmartphones: screens, please move theyour nextsmartphone paragraph.is Complete than browsing Facebook takingis funny pictures. with amore full “qwerty” keyboard, thisand device reliable, sturdyMany and software companies Intuit, LexisNexis andgreatness Sage are has anpopular incredible battery life. such The as Q10 builds on the developing “apps”messaging to run yourmachines, software onyet your phone.this Example: of past BlackBerry blends with QuickBooks now allows you to view yourenough entire company modern smartphone software powerful to run financials multiple ononce your without phone in skipping an instant.aThis is great retail you storefronts that apps at beat. Oncefor again, can travel need quick invoice knowing access for their away from electricity, that customers. you will not need a cell phone charge every few hours. Tablets: Microsoft Windows-based tablets are perfect for mobile productivity. Many tablets that are produced today are more powerful than some of the older desktop computers in your office! Companies like AT&T and Verizon are now introducing tablets equipped with cell-phone data plans for fast Internet access everywhere. Example: Dental firms can run Dentrix and Eaglesoft on tablets to easily show patients their charts and x-rays.

Experience and local knowledge make a big difference!

Ultrabooks: The gap between tablets and laptops is increasingly getting smaller. Ultrabooks are the newest wave of laptops that include touchscreens and weigh less than three pounds. The traditional keyboard and mouse that accompany laptops will always be a standard feature in the workplace, and that is the No. 1 reason why they survive in the business world today. Example: Because ultrabooks are small and portable, they can be a great alternative to the bulky desktops that GOOD LUCK IN 2013!! reside on your employees’ desks.

HINSDALE CENTRAL RED DEVILS

Probably the single greatest feature of the three devices mentioned above is Remote Desktop Connection. This fantastic feature will allow you to remote connect to your offices desktop computers just as if you were sitting there. That feature, along with thousands of others, is becoming more and more adopted in the workplace to keep businesses at their peak productivity.

Your Red Devil Realtor!

Errol Janusz is President and Lead Technician at Edward Technology. 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. Cathleen Callen County Line Properties 708.214.5516 (cell) 630.789.3030 (office) cmcallen@comcast.net

52 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

I have never understood why people wait in those long lines outside of Apple stores when you can simply order an iPhone 5s right from your carrier. Since more photos are taken on an iPhone than any other imaging device, I thought I would focus on the new media features. A new feature introduced is slow-motion video recording and playback. Because of the new advanced HD features of this device, you can now slow down your video playback without compromising the sound and quality. If you own an iPhone 5, I wouldn’t rush to break a contract to get the 5s; but if you have an older model and want to stay in the iPhone family, you’ll definitely appreciate the upgrade. Our final look at the smartphone competition is the Androidbased Operating System. Unlike the two phones we talked about above, this OS can function on many different hardware devices. Some major brands include Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG. The Droid Maxx by Motorola is considered the latest and greatest. This device boasts a 48-hour battery life with a tenmegapixel camera and a five-inch screen. If you don’t mind parting with an extra $100, the Motorola Droid Maxx is a topflight smartphone with incredible endurance. Many of my clients ask me which laptop or smartphone is right for them. The most common answer I tell them is to walk into Micro Center or the downtown Hinsdale Verizon store and take a hands-on look at the features, size and performance. After spending some time testing out each device, the decision becomes clearer on the features with which you’re most comfortable. Errol Janusz is President and Lead Technician at Edward Technology. 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.

Dose of Ali

Food matters

ike many of us, having kids made me more tuned in to things I could do to make a healthier family. I remember reading when I was pregnant that exposure to chemicals, even at low doses, can have an impact on human growth and development. Chemicals, pollutants and even our foods may impact a developing fetus, and have long-lasting effects on a child’s health even into adulthood. For me, that was when I really opened my eyes to the effects of the toxins that surround all Allison Gaynor of us. Soon, I was searching out the Contributing Writer best non-toxic cleaning products, paraben-free shampoos and tasty no-nitrate lunchmeats. As I discovered things I liked, I raved about them to friends and family, who then thanked me for helping them overhaul their pantries and children’s lunch bags with healthier options. Here are a few startling statistics from just one of my favorite books on the topic, Peter Greenlaw’s Why Diets Are Failing Us: • An estimated 10,000 chemicals are used to produce food, yet only about 300 have ever been tested for the damage they do to our bodies. • Five recent public studies using thousands of volunteers found they tested positive for an average of 700 toxic chemicals. • You have to consume 51 bowls of spinach today to get the same amount of nutrition that was in one bowl of spinach back in 1957. • In 1930, roughly 3,000 Americans died of cardiovascular disease. This year, about one million will suffer the same fate. It scares me to think about what is happening to our bodies since the introduction of these chemicals, fake sugars, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones, but I’m hopeful that the more people are educated about this, the more we can do to change it. That’s why I created “A Healthy Dose of Ali,” a nutritional Facebook page. None of us live in a bubble where we can control what we consume 100 percent of the time, but there is a lot we can do to limit our exposure and help flush out those toxins that are in us. If you want to learn more about the effects of toxins, chemicals and lacking nutrition, I recommend two movies you can rent from your local library: “Food, Inc.” (2008) and “Food Matters” (2008). Both will give you an in-depth look at what is currently going on with our food in the United States. A few of my favorite Web sites and Facebook pages are “100 Days of Real Food,” “Food Babe” and “Dr. Mercola.” All three have newsletters that you can sign up for to help get you educated on these important matters. Knowledge is power, and knowing what you are putting in your body and finding ways to fuel it better will not only change the way you feel and look, but also how you think about food and health. Allison Gaynor is a Clarendon Hills resident and mother of three young children. You can reach out to her at AHealthyDoseofAli@gmail.com. www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 53

Sports

Addison Trail defenders hopelessly chase Hinsdale Central junior Ryan Doney as he returns a punt for a touchdown. Photo courtesy of HC Football Club

Bouncing back

Red Devils respond after tough loss to Bolingbrook, but lose starting quarterback Hamilton to injury

by mike ellis

he 2013 Hinsdale Central Football season began inauspiciously when a talented Bolingbrook club invaded Dickinson Field and defeated the Red Devils, 17-6, on Aug. 31. Bolingbrook running back Jaden Huff spearheaded a 90-yard touchdown drive in the first two minutes of the game to put the Raiders ahead 7-0. The Red Devils remained close throughout the game, but were never able to cross the goal-line. Last season, Hinsdale’s low point-total in any contest was 17 (at Leyden), so Red Devil players said they were disappointed by their inability to put points on the board. “That game was frustrating,” Hinsdale receiver Ian Bunting said. “We weren’t clicking yet, but it was a good wakeup call for our team. We saw what we needed to work on, and did just that for the next game.” In their second home game of the season, the Red Devils responded with an impressive performance on both sides of the ball, handily defeating Addison Trail, 36-14. Sophomore running back Juwan

54 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

Edmond keyed the Hinsdale offensive attack with two touchdowns, while senior Ben Stefani added a rushing touchdown of his own late in the game. Junior receiver Ryan Doney also returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown—achieving a feat no Red Devil player did during the 2012 season. “It was a great feeling for me overall, particularly because it was my first touchdown on varsity,” Doney said. “A punt return for a touchdown is such a momentum builder for the team, when we, at the time, were only eight points ahead. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Kyle Stiff controlled the line of scrimmage, and linebacker Matt Muellner intercepted a pass late in the game to secure the win. The Red Devils improved to 2-1 by winning their first conference game of the season on the road at York, but lost starting quarterback Chase Hamilton to a broken fibula midway through the opening quarter. The Red Devils athletic staff said Hamilton will be out until at least the last game of the regular season. Middle linebacker Jacob White, Hamilton’s backup, assumed signal-calling

duties, and ran the ball exceptionally well. White’s 68-yard touchdown run extended the Red Devil lead to 21-7 in the third quarter, ultimately putting the game out of reach. “I don’t usually get the chance to break those [types of runs] off,” White said. “It felt really good. Everyone made the right play; I credit my wide receiver for coming in and blocking a linebacker, which made the play.” Hinsdale improved to 2-0 in conference play with a convincing 31-0 home victory over Proviso West on Sept. 20. The Red Devil defense controlled the game from start to finish, forcing multiple turnovers while pitching its first shutout of the season. “Chase [Hamilton] got injured last game, so we thought we were going to have to basically keep them to zero points,” Matt Muellner said. The Red Devils will face stiff challenges from rivals Lyons Township, No. 18 Oak Park-River Forest and Downers Grove North this month. To follow Hinsdale Central Football all season, visit www.Hinsdale60521.com.

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www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 55

Seizing the opportunity

Sports

Hinsdale Central’s top-ranked soccer team receives a lift from talented junior striker

M BY Mike Ellis

Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Hinsdale Central junior striker Sam Johnson shows off the full gamut of his soccer skills at Centennial Field.

Sam Johnson Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria Current Residence: Willowbrook Favorite Athletes: Michael Jordan, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi Interesting Fact: Playing the baseball video game “MLB 09,” Sam created a player called “Randy Puig”—combining the pitching prowess of legend Randy Johnson with the dynamic hitting power of Los Angeles Dodgers’ sensation Yasiel Puig.

56 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

any student-athletes dream of the opportunity to play for an elite team, but Hinsdale Central junior Sam Johnson is happy just to be playing competitive soccer in a country rife with opportunities. Johnson immigrated to the United States from Nigeria with his parents in 2005. Growing up in Nigeria, he lived in the rapidly-growing city of Lagos. In 2011, the UN estimated its population at 11.2 million; in 2012, the New York Times posited a staggering 21 million—a number greater than the combined populations of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and Phoenix. “[The city] is packed, but it’s always on the go,” Johnson said. “I go there sometimes to visit, because I have family back there. It’s great coming back to where you grew up.” Johnson started playing soccer when he was about seven, after watching his uncle play semi-professionally in Nigeria. “It was awesome watching him play,” he said, “and I was like, ‘I want to be like him; I want to start playing like him.’” Moving from Africa to America entailed many adjustments for Sam and his family. Situated in the Torrid Zone near the Equator, there is no snow in Nigeria; so, when he first arrived in Chicago, Sam admitted he was a bit frightened by the fluffy, white precipitation. “When I first came [to America], it was in December, and I had no idea what snow would look like or what it was,” he said. “I remember getting out of the airport, and I’m trying to jump in this [snow], and my mom’s like, ‘No, no—get away from there!’ “In Nigeria, our perspective of snow is that it takes people away, and my mom thought it would take me away. So, I was afraid of snow when I first came here.” After developing his soccer skills at a young age in Lagos, Johnson has received an opportunity to put those skills on display and further enhance them on the field in the U.S. When they came to America, the Johnsons initially moved to Downers Grove, so he began playing highschool soccer at Downers Grove North. The Johnson family moved to Willowbrook last year, during Sam’s sophomore year. Now a junior at Hinsdale Central, he is starring as a striker for the top-ranked team in the state. “Central Soccer is a great program, and I’m really happy to be

involved with it,” he said. “I just want to do whatever’s best for the school so we can get some trophies.” Johnson’s varsity debut against Metea Valley this August was one to remember, as he notched a hat trick— that is, three goals in a single match. He said that performance is the proudest accomplishment in his soccer career thus far. “I was so happy when that happened,” he said. “I thank all [my teammates] for helping me out, and working out all the plays.” Hinsdale Central head coach Mike Wiggins said he has noticed significant improvement in Johnson’s game between last season and this season. “Sam this season has come a long way in a short period of time,” he said. “Technically, his skill on the ball has continued to get better with every passing day. He manages to use his skill in tight spaces, and gets free from defenders to really establish himself as a very dangerous attacking player.” Wiggins said Johnson’s speed is a great asset against opposing defenses, and his skillset has helped to round out a talented team. “In watching Sam play, you see an athlete who can really open up a game at any time,” Wiggins said. “He has a great change

of speed that catches players off-guard. That combined with an improved technical aspect to his game has added to the success of this year’s team.” In the second half of a match against Oswego East, Johnson exhibited his change of speed and deft dribbling ability, scoring a goal almost singlehandedly in a 3-0 Hinsdale victory. Johnson’s favorite soccer players are Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, two of the world’s finest players; but he said he also looks up to another athlete whose competitive drive has left an impression on many inspiring athletes—Michael Jordan. “Michael Jordan just set the bar every time he came out, and I like following that—just going out and playing my game,” he said. Although he hasn’t thought much about particular schools yet, Johnson said he wants to continue playing soccer in college, where he would like to begin studying medicine. For now, he said he is happy to be playing the sport he loves on an outstanding team—and even happier to have the chance to do it in America. “People are trying to chase the American dream, and my parents were [when we moved here]— and that’s what we’re living right now.”

Freshman O’Reilly shoots 67, wins debut by six strokes

BY Mike Ellis

Photo courtesy of Jess Krueger

Hinsdale Central freshman Brendan O’Reilly tees off as teammate Kenneth Li looks on.

eeking to defend their state title in 2013, Hinsdale Central Boys’ Golf got out of the gates quickly, comfortably winning the Addison Trail Invite on Aug. 21. The Red Devils (290) defeated Providence Catholic by 19 strokes and rival Lyons Township by 24. Freshman Brendan O’Reilly debuted impressively with a four-under-par 67—six shots better than the runner-up, teammate Brian Dolehide. Three days later, Hinsdale prevailed at the Warren Invite by two strokes over Lake Forest High School. Dolehide and Lake Forest’s Drew Barrett tied for first, each shooting a 71, while three other Red Devils—O’Reilly, Grant Filer and Jeff Yoo—also placed in the top ten. O’Reilly wasn’t the only Red Devil who showed the ability to break 70; sophomore Kenneth Li shot a 65 at Fox Valley Golf Club on Sept. 9, winning the Batavia Invite by three strokes. At this invite, Hinsdale (286) defeated Lyons by 15 strokes and conference foe Oak Park-River Forest by 17. The Red Devils also enjoyed head-to-head wins over Lyons on Sept. 12, York on Sept. 17 and Glenbard West on Sept. 19. “The team has made very good progress regarding one of our main goals: getting a little bit better each week,” head coach Jess Krueger said. “Tournament play will assist with the selection of the top six players who will compete in the state tournament series.” www.hinsdale60521.com |Hinsdale Magazine 57

Hinsdale Fire Department hosts softball tourney to honor fallen deputy chief

Sports

Photo courtesy of Steven Tullis

Hinsdale firefighter/paramedic Jim Nichols prepares to deliver a pitch at Big’s Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament.

he Hinsdale Fire Department raised $11,000 for local charities at the third annual Big’s Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament at Veeck Park in Hinsdale on Sept. 21. The tournament was created to honor Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in 2010. Proceeds will benefit Wellness House, Safety Village, and will be used to send two children to Camp “I Am Me,” the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance burn camp for children. It was a perfect day for softball, as firefighters from around the area and Hinsdale residents turned out to honor Johnson and his family. Fans enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers served by Hinsdale firefighters, as well as entertaining on-field action throughout the afternoon. The Western Springs Fire Department, La Grange Park Fire Department, Westmont Fire Department, Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Hinsdale Police Department and the Hinsdale Department of Public Works all fielded teams. The Department of Public Works, winning three straight games in three straight years, retained the title. The prize is a specially-designed fire helmet and leather shield—as well as bragging rights for one year. The Hinsdale Professional Firefighters Association thanked all of the local businesses who donated raffle prizes for the tournament, as well as Cheryl Johnson and all the Hinsdale firefighters’ wives, who were responsible for organizing the event.

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58 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com

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60 Hinsdale Magazine | www.hinsdale60521.com