Hinsdale Living, March 2023

ENJOYING LIFE ON YOUR OWN TERMS

Don’t let a pelvic floor disorder get in the way of living your life. At the UChicago Medicine — Hinsdale, our dedicated team of urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery experts provide advanced care, helping patients find the symptom relief they need to return to their normal activities.

Our team treats conditions including:

» Pelvic organ prolapse

» Urinary incontinence

» Overactive bladder

» Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI)

» Genitourinary fistulae

» Vaginal mesh and sling complications

UChicagoMedicine.org/Hinsdale UChicagoMedicine.org/Urogyn

To make an appointment, call 1-888-824-0200

LOCATION 12 Salt Creek Ln. Salt Creek Suite 106 Hinsdale, IL 60521

MORGAN L. STOGSDILL

DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW PARTNER

CONCIERGE DIVORCE Divorce Done Differently

ONE OF CHICAGO’S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN LAWYERS, PER CRAIN’S QUOTED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES

ONE OF FORTY ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS UNDER FORTY TO WATCH

© 2022 Michael Bennett Homes LLC

Friday, April 14th - Sunday, April 16th

CHICAGOLAND’S MOST ANTICIPATED BRIDAL JEWELRY EVENT

Shop the area’s largest collection of women’s and men’s wedding bands from the bridal industry’s top designers.

A ppointments encouraged. Visit razny.com for more details.

• Board Examiner and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

• University of Michigan-BA and DDS

• University of Illinois-Chicago MS and Diploma Pediatric Dentistry

• Northwestern University-MBA

• Joined Brush Pediatric Dentistry in 2014

• University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana-BS

• Southern Illinois University-DMD

• Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital-Residency in Pediatric Dentistry

• Diplomate ABPD

• Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s HospitalResidency in Pediatric Dentistry

• Diplomate ABPD

• Joined Brush Pediatric Dentistry in 2016 • University of Central Florida-BS

• Arizona School of Dentistry-DMD

• Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s HospitalResidency in Pediatric Dentistry

DR. LYNNA

DR.

DR. ANDREINA KARMANCHANDI

DR. STEPHANIE

The Geldner Center offers two non-surgical treatments to sculpt the body you desire.

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Classic and timeless design with a modern twist

Let Fresh Twist Studio be your go to destination for all things home, whether you are a homeowner, a designer, or a builder. We are a strong team of interior designers who specialize in new home builds, furniture, and window treatments.

52 // THE FRED AND KAY KREHBIEL COLLECTION

The highlight of the spring auction season is a suite of sales featuring exquisite items from the influential couple’s Hinsdale home.

58 // WELCOME TO WONDERLAND

Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club goes down the rabbit hole for their most spectacular benefit ever.

62 // PICTURE THIS

With a keen eye and innate business savvy, art consultant Laura Lester helps people build meaningful collections.

66 //

READY FOR ANYTHING

Hinsdale Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association is in the corner of every young woman participating in sorority recruitment.

71 // LUXE HOME

Hinsdale Living’s guide to the experts who can help you find the home of your dreams and make it a true haven.

Photography by Katrina Wittkamp

Styling by Theresa DeMaria/ Hair & Makeup by Leanna Ernest

Invitation to sell at auction

We are accepting jewelry consignments for our May auction. Contact us to receive an auction valuation on a single item or entire collection.

Diamond Brooch Sold for $21,250 Harry Winston, Jacques Timey, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendant/Brooch Sold for $43,750

Founder & Publisher J.W. CONATSER

Associate Publisher GRETCHEN BARNARD

Managing Editor MICHELLE CROWE

Senior Fashion Editor THERESA DEMARIA

Style Editor LAUREN DEMARIA

Beauty Editor ALLISON DUNCAN

Contributing Editors ELAINE DOREMUS

DUSTIN O’REGAN

KEMMIE RYAN

SHERRY THOMAS

MEGAN WEISBERG

Contributing Writers THOMAS CONNORS

MITCH HURST

ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER

Production Manager / Graphic Designer LINDA LEWIS

Advertising Coordinator / Graphic Designer CHRIS GEIMER

Graphic Designer SAM SUAREZ

Contributing Photographers IAN MCLEOD

ROBIN SUBAR

K ATRINA WITTKAMP

Administrative Assistant CHEYANNE LENCIONI

Advertising Sales JENNIFER STURGEON

HOW TO REACH

Hinsdale Living Magazine

Advertising inquiries: INFO@JWCMEDIA.COM

630-200-9027

General inquiries: 847-926-0911

Editorial inquiries: 630-270-7991

Editorial email: MICHELLECROWE@JWCMEDIA.COM

On the web: HINSDALELIVINGMAG.COM

Mailing Address: 445 SHERIDAN ROAD, PENTHOUSE HIGHWOOD, ILLINOIS 60040 Hinsdale

“Tracy was exceptional. As someone who works with many brokers in the luxury and single family home space in my work, I found her attention to the transaction, candor, experience and connection to the market to be unparalleled. I would recommend Tracy to clients and colleagues without hesitation and have found that her acumen far exceeds the competition! Her market knowledge and connection helped to secure our most important transaction without any issue. Seamless and exceptional! ” JERRY J, HINSDALE

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

And just like that, it’s March. With slightly longer days and travel plans on the horizon for many, this is a great time to take a deep breath and feel grateful that we’ve come through the worst of winter. For us, that means thinking thoughts of home with our special design issue.

Luxe Living is a special section, one we hope you’ll keep handy. In these pages you’ll meet gifted professionals who can help you find, finance, decorate, and landscape your home. We are always impressed with the vision local people have for designing their spaces. Whenever you need a second set of eyes, expert opinion, or want to learn something new, these are the people to call. As always, we feel so lucky to live in a community filled with world-class talent.

You’ll be fascinated to learn of the exquisite treasures in The Fred and Kay Krehbiel Collection. This dynamic Hinsdale couple defined elegant living. What a treat to peek at the items gathered over decades.

Our cover star, Amanda Mancini, gives us her best tips and mantras in Country Vs. Town. Amanda is a co-

71 LUXE LIVING

52

chair for the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club upcoming benefit, Wonderland. We are always blown away by the creativity and imagination that these evenings offer, and the fundraising is awe-inspiring and so appreciated by the organizations who receive grants. You’ll want to read about some of the planned highlights and snap up tickets for the April 22, 2023, event.

Dinner Date takes us to Violi, the newest Oakbrook Center hotspot. Our editors have been dining here for the inventive dishes and Instagram worthy décor.

Finish up with a flip through our Living + Giving section, showcasing some enjoyable happenings from the past few weeks

Enjoy the pictures, and good reading.

J.W. Conatser

92 DINNER DATE

46 STYLE

THE FRED AND KAY KREHBIEL COLLECTION

Talk of the Town

Hinsdale Living’s guide to the area’s people, places, and things that you must know about

In a town full of galleries, one stands apart. Hinsdale’s Acquisitions of Fine Art has always been influential in the art world. With the recent expansion into Palm Beach, this spot is unstoppable. While founder Sheryl Srivastava holds down the ultra-chic fort in the Sunshine State, partner Thomas Karr continually elevates the Hinsdale Avenue gallery.

Some of the incredible artists represented at Acquisitions are David Marcet, Michael Pantuso, the talent behind our Hinsdale Living January cover photograph, and Robert Fleishman, whose wild, exuberant paintings and digital collages have

Green Apple by David Marcet

become must-owns for savvy collectors.

For those seeking the rare and exquisite, the gallery is also home to original sketches by Coco Chanel and a Warhol that would light up any wall.

Tom is an expert with a client list that reads like the Grammy Awards presenters, and although he’s far too discreet to dish, he will happily consult on artwork and framing needs for anyone with a good eye and interest in elevating their collection.

Acquisitions of Fine Art, 10 East Hinsdale Avenue in Hinsdale, acquisitionsoffineart.com.

MARCH 2

TASTE OF HOPE

WHERE: Drury Lane

WHEN: 6 p.m.

TICKETS: $125

Sample signature dishes from the area’s favorite restaurants in support of DuPagePads. This vital organization connects families and individuals to housing, coupled with support services and employment support to end homelessness. Taste of Hope guests will have the change to participate in raffles, a wine pull, silent auction packages and a showstopping live auction with outstanding trips and experiences. dupagepads.org

MARCH 8

KITCHEN WALK LUNCHEON

WHERE: Hinsdale Golf Club

AGENDA

WHEN: 11 a.m.

TICKETS: $125

Don your florals, tulle, lace, and bows for this favorite luncheon. Panelists Lauren Ashley Allan, Corbin Horn, Kara Mann, and Hudson Moore will share their expert design tips. The luncheon precedes The Hinsdale Kitchen Walk, which will be held on May 12, 2023. kitchen-walk.com

MARCH 12

TABLESCAPES: DECO AT THE DRAKE

WHERE: The Drake Oak Brook

WHEN: 12 p.m.

TICKETS: $150

Join the Hinsdale Auxiliary of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago for Deco at the Drake, featuring beautiful

member-designed tablescapes, lunch, shopping, and silent raffle items. This festive day supports Infant Welfare Family Health Center. This much-needed clinic provides top tier medical and dental services to families in Chicago. hinsdaleiws.com

MARCH

14

BAGLEY HOUSE

RESTORATION –HINSDALE’S OWN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

WHERE: Hinsdale Public Library

WHEN: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: Registration Required

Safina Uberoi will provide an update on the restoration of the Bagley House. She will also discuss balancing historic preservation with

modern living and offer advice on renovating historic homes. hinsdalelibrary.info

MARCH 17

HEART OF GOLD:

TURNING GREEN TO

GOLD

WHERE:

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $250

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Misericordia Women’s League. This packed evening features festive entertainment performances by Strawdog, The Misericordia Heartbreakers, OMG Irish Dancers, and the Shannon Irish Rovers. There will also be heartwarming stories, March Madness Basketball, and the warm spirit that is the hallmark of all Misericordia events. misericordia.com

Sarah Mahlik, Michelle Recendez, Katie Isadore, Tracy Parker, Kayla Weiss at the 2022 Hinsdale Kitchen Walk Luncheon

©2023 Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker System and Dawn McKenna Group fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. *Source: #1 Team in Illinois among all brokerages ranked by Wall

LOOK BOOK

No less an interiors authority than Margaret Russell, the longtime editor of Elle Décor, is over the moon for SHINGLE AND STONE: THOMAS KLIGERMAN HOUSES. This monograph covers twenty years of homes. It’s a deep dive into the design process with sketches and renderings alongside stunning photography that captures the beautiful light of the East Coast. Kligerman is a student of American and European domestic architecture and admired by all for his ability to move the needle forward in residential design. monacellipress.com

THE BUZZ

SWEET SEAT

Maribel Weisz of Antique Resources and Stephanie Sarris with Bellehaven Designs have collaborated to breathe new life into antique chairs with the aptly named ENCORE COLLECTION. Luxurious, durable, sustainably sourced fabrics are selected to reupholster 100-to-200-year-old chairs by a talented team of local, woman-owned upholsterers. For more information, visit antiqueresourcesinc.com.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

London-based CHARGE CARS is offering a limited run of the most wicked EV in the world. Only 499 of these beauties will be built, each on a new, licensed, U.S. made body shell based on the 1967 body style. Charge claims acceleration of 0-60 in 3.9 seconds thanks to 536 horsepower electric motor. Almost more beautiful than the exterior is the super-luxe interior, bespoke to each owner. charge.cars

AMANDA MANCINI

is the oldest of seven children and grew up in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan. Amanda began dancing at age three, a passion that became an enormous part of her life. She also found deep satisfaction as a volunteer with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and coaching youth dance teams. This culminated in a post-grad career as an NBA dancer for the Detroit Pistons where Amanda deeply appreciated being a part of the community outreach and acts of service the team performed in the Metro Detroit area. Amanda met her husband Paul when she moved to Chicago 10 years ago and the couple moved to Paul’s native Hinsdale four years ago.

This busy mom of three young boys puts the skills learned in a successful client relations and management career to good use juggling her commitments as a stay at home mom. She has been a member of Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC) for four years. After chairing the Philanthropy committee for the last two years, she is one of the managing chairs for the club’s annual Benefit this year. Amanda also volunteers at Green Halo Scholars as a mentor for a Hinsdale Central student, attends BeFormed bible study group through St. Isaac Jogues, and is a room mother for her oldest son’s class. This mama loves to cook and spend time with her kids and husband. The Mancini family tradition is a family movie night every Friday to start each weekend off on a high note.

EDITED BY MICHELLE CROWE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP

FASHION EDITOR THERESA DEMARIA HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST

Amanda Mancini in her Hinsdale home in a Georgio Amani Collection dress, available at Neiman Marcus.

Mantra? I create my own path and walk it with joy. On your reading stack? In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. Podcast? Crime Junkie. Favorite workout? Going for a run outside. A long run is the best way to clear my mind –I’ve run two marathons! Best grooming tip? Drink lots of water and invest in a good skin care routine. Guilty pleasure? Real Housewives—all cities, but espe-

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

cially New Jersey. Early memory? Family trips to Mackinac Island and Traverse City. There is nothing like summer in Michigan. Music you love? I’m all over the place. One minute I’m listening to Fleetwood Mac and the next I’m blasting Calvin Harris. Advice you would give to your younger self? Don’t romanticize the future so much. Enjoy now.

Your style is? Athleisure – chasing after three little boys all day should count as a professional sport. Favorite walk? My kids and I enjoy walking to town to see the “choo choos”. All the homes in Hinsdale are so charming and unique so it makes for a lovely walk. Can’t leave the house without? My Gucci tote. I have everything you could ever need stuffed inside. A Mom of three has to be prepared for everything and anything. Place to celebrate? Il Mio. The food is fantastic and the ambiance is fun. Best quick bite or hidden gem? Fontano’s. Favorite festival or special event? HJWC Benefit. Best thing about the country? The community. Worst thing about the country? No ice cream shops in town. The perfect day is? A morning walk to town for coffee, lunch at Fuller House, and outdoor BBQ with friends and all our kids.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Glam. Since I dress down most of the time, I like to throw on a dress and heels whenever I can. Favorite walk? The lakefront trail. Training for the marathon I have run up and down the entire trail. It’s a great way to see the city and all the different neighborhoods Favorite sounds or soundtrack? I love the sound of the “L” train, sirens, and the car traffic…it’s a fun buzz that I miss. Can’t leave the house without? Dior Lip Oil. Place to celebrate? Maple & Ash or Tao. Best quick bite or hidden gem? Green Door Tavern Favorite festival or special event? The Windy City Smokeout. I’m a country girl at heart. Shop? I love the boutiques in Lincoln Park, especially on Armitage Avenue. Best thing about town? The energy and views. There’s nothing more gorgeous than the skyline, the river, and Lake Michigan! Worst thing about town? Traffic and the crime The perfect day is? A workout at East Bank Club, lunch and play time with kids at Oz Park, date night with my husband at Topo Gigio, all topped off by attending a show at Zanies Comedy Club.

Amanda wearing Dolce & Gabbana

The Fred and Kay Krehbiel Collection

The highlight of Hindman’s Spring 2023 season is a suite of sales featuring exquisite items from the private collection of the late Fred. A. Krehbiel and his wife, Kay Krehbiel.

WORDS BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER

An Important Cartier Carved Rock Crystal, Aventurine and Moonstone Lily of the Valley Flower Study, Circa 1925. Estimate: $10,000-15,000

Auction aficionados and design devotees are in for a very special opportunity when Hindman presents a suite of sales this month featuring property from the acclaimed private collection of Fred and Kay Krehbiel.

The Krehbiels amassed an impressive collection of fine English furniture, including a significant group attributed to Thomas Chippendale, porcelain, silver, and works of art from leading dealers around the world. The couple’s sons described their parents as having a passion for discovering treasures wherever they went with their father focused on furniture and their mother on porcelain.

The collection’s importance is heightened because it includes pieces come from interiors designed by Imogen Taylor and Colin Orchard, who worked closely with the Krehbiels to decorate their homes in Chicago, Palm Beach, and Ireland. The designers, veterans of the renowned Anglo-American firm founded by design legends Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, enjoyed a 30-year working relationship with the couple that included consulting on the Krehbiels’ decade-long restoration of Ballyfin, a 35,000-square-foot important Irish country house. Now a five-star hotel, Ballyfin’s interiors have garnered numerous accolades.

“Through my work over the years with Fred and Kay, I’ve had the privilege of watching them explore the world to find the most beautiful and rare pieces of furniture, art, and textiles,” says Orchard. “As incredibly knowledgeable and curious collectors, it was a privilege to see the way they developed their collection and how it translated into homes that were simultaneously awe- inspiring and approachable.”

Krehbiel, the former CEO of Lisle-based Molex, transformed the electronics company founded by his grandfather into a global organization with locations in more than 40 countries. In 2013, Krehbiel oversaw the company’s sale for $7.2 billion.

The Krehbiels’ son, Jay, became co-chairman and CEO of Hindman in 2019. After an incredibly successful tenure, Jay

The living room of Fred and Kay Krehbiel’s Chicago Home.

PHOTO BY TOM ROSSITER

Fred & Kay Krehbiel

an incredible time to be part of the auction world.”

has moved into the role of Executive Chairman. Before taking his new position, he hired Gemma Sudlow as Hindman’s Managing Director of the New York region, a newly formed role created to focus on launching the firm’s first full-service Manhattan saleroom.

Sudlow is a star auctioneer with 17 years of business development and specialist expertise

and is one of the few auctioneers to have sold an individual work of art for more than $90 million. Her first assignment with Hindman is working with Corbin Horn, Vice President and Senior Specialist of European Furniture & Decorative Arts, on the Krehbiel sale. Sudlow predicts that the collection will be wildly successful, as there is something for every buyer with items priced from under $1,000 to between $60,000–$70,000.

When pressed on the piece she most admires, Sudlow demurs as a favorite is hard to choose from such a magnificent collection. However, a few particularly special objects stand out.

“There are many French porcelain items to love but there is one in particular, the Sèvres Lilac- Ground Teapot and Cover designed circa 1818 is just beautiful. It’s exquisite—modern in its design and coloration, timeless in its conception, and incredibly rare.”

Another standout, according to Sudlow, is a pair of George III Carved Giltwood Armchairs. These circa 1775 armchairs are thought to be the only Royal commission executed by Thomas Chippendale and were probably made for King George III’s brother, Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester.

Finally, there is a set of George II Giltwood Mirrors, in the manner of Thomas Johnson, as well as four Chinese blue and white porcelain pots. “They are just extraordinary,” Sudlow comments.

“It’s

The library of Fred and Kay Krehbiel’s Chicago Home.

PHOTO BY TOM ROSSITER

“Post-pandemic, there is a renewed emphasis on the home and a desire to fill it with pieces that have stories to tell—fantastic pieces of history that support sustainability in its highest form,” Sudlow notes.

“It is an incredible time to be part of the auction world. There has been a resurgence of interest and enthusiasm in this market,” Sudlow continues. “Through these collections, we piece together stories—a wonderful reprise to lives well lived.”

To learn more about the multi-day online sale of the Krehbiel estate from March 15 to March 17, visit hindmanauctions.com.

Bidding for the March 15th Chicago auction and March 16th Palm Beach auction will be available in-person and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room. Bidding for the March 17th auction will be available online via the Digital Bid Room.

Fred and Kay Krehbiel’s Chicago home, with one of a pair of George III Goncalo Alves demilune cabinets (lot 6, $8,000-12,000) and one of a pair of George III giltwood mirrors (lot 7, $8,000-12,000).

Fred and Kay Krehbiel’s Chicago home, with a George III ‘Lac Bergaute’ and black giltjapanned secretary cabinet-onstand (lot 66, $15,000-25,000).

PHOTO BY TOM ROSSITER

PHOTO BY TOM ROSSITER

Wonder land

Managing benefit chairs Ashley Keeley, Nadia Shansi, Chelsea Urban, Jennie Patricoski, Alyssa Doorhy, molly Sikora, and Amanda Mancini

WORDS BY MICHELLE CROWE/PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN MCLEOD STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA/HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST

To thrive for more than 70 years, an organization must evolve. For Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club, each evolution levels up of the community impact of these dynamic leaders and dedicated volunteers.

HJWC is more welcoming, more vibrant, and more digital than ever. Perhaps owing to the large number of new families who have moved to the area in the last three years, membership is booming. This is evident by the yard signs proudly displayed in front of so many houses. Even more so, it is evidenced by the large turnout of members at events such as the Jingle Dash, when festively attired runners and walkers took over the streets of Hinsdale to support funding scholarships.

The women in the group are highly accomplished and full of fresh ideas for philanthropy. In 2018, HJWC moved to a grant fundraising model to help fund tangible items with lasting impact for deserving organizations. This year HJWC had 60 nonprofit organizations apply for over $1.6 million in grant requests. These grant requests are imperative for the organizations to help serve their community and clients. Recent recipients include DuPage Pads, Gigi’s Playhouse, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Refugee One, and By The Hand Club for Kids. “It’s so rewarding to get to know the organizations when they apply for a grant, to see them in action as they help so many, and then to present them with their grant and understand all the good that will be accomplished,” says HJWC president Jaclyn McNamara.

To raise the incredible sums that go to the chosen organizations, HJWC throws a much-anticipated spring benefit. Attracting upward of 450 attendees, HJWC benefit is carefully planned to delight every single person who walks in the door. Working on the committee has become a rite of passage for many of the area’s most dynamic volunteers with lifelong friendships forged over planning and working with sponsors.

The Benefit chairs have procured a number of local sponsors

whose donations go straight to funding grants. This year’s top sponsors so far include The Knowles Family Foundation, Paul Mancini with @Properties, Pugi Mazda, and Aaron Wealth Advisors.

This year’s Benefit is themed “Wonderland.” Guests will go down the rabbit hold on April 22, 2023, at Untitled Supper Club. With the rich iconography of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as inspiration, delights are surprises are sure to be found around every corner.

Benefit chairs Alyssa Doorhy, Ashley Keely, Amanda Mancini, Jennie Patricoski, Nadia Shamsi, Molly Sikora, and Chelsea Urban are planning for music, magician, and culinary temptations including a live Champagne wall, whisky tastings, and a decadent dessert display reminiscent of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

For many people, that’s more than enough to be considered a great night on the town. But this group of innovators wondered how to push things along in the name of raising more. A selection of extraordinary add-ons are available in limited quantities for those who really want to go big. The Celebrity Lounge will have a private bar and dedicated servers, plus a meet and greet with the rakish pillow entrepreneur Craig Conover from Bravo’s Southern Charm

The multisensory event will build on the success of last year’s GIVECHella. “Everyone loves a traditional dinner dance but having different activities and areas to spread out makes it easier for everyone to enjoy themselves. You can move around and pack a lot of experiences into one phenomenal night,” says McNamara.

Wonderland should be HJWC’s best benefit ever, at least until next year when they’ll top themselves again. As with most hot tickets, these are selling fast. Those who are planning to join the fun should not wait. The 2020s are finally roaring, especially at the event of the year.

HJWC benefit, Wonderland, is April 22, 2023 at Untitled Supper Club in Chicago. Tickets, VIP add-ons and more information can be found at hjwc.us. If you would like to support this cause as a sponsor or donate an auction item, please reach out to benefit@hjwc.us.

Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club goes down the rabbit hole for their most spectacular benefit evening yet.

“It’s so rewarding to get to know the organization when they apply for the grant...”

WORDS BY THOMAS CONNORS/PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE/STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA/HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST

PICTURE THIS L

ike book publishing, art dealing was long considered a gentlemanly profession, a kind of closed circle, open to a sophisticated elite. Today, selling art— whether through dealers or auction houses—has become an international industry and navigating it takes know-how. For collectors, having an art advisor is as key as retaining a trusted attorney and a top-notch accountant. The best advisors combine an aesthetic fluency and a solid business sense with an appreciation of both the art of art and its status as an asset class.

Wilmette’s Laura Lester has spent her career appreciating art and its fiscal appreciation. An undergraduate degree in Art History from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master’s degree in Modern Art, Connoisseurship, and the History of the Art Market from Christie’s Education, plus stints as director at two of the country’s leading galleries—Kasmin Gallery

Armed with a keen eye and business savvy, art advisor Laura Lester helps clients form meaningful collections.

“My job is to expose individuals to a wide range of carefully vetted artists.”

in New York and Richard Gray Gallery in Chicago and New York—more than prepared her to establish Lester Fine Art LLC, a full-service art advisory specializing in modern, post-war, and contemporary art.

Lester began her career at New York’s Gagosian Gal-

lery, a behemoth in the modern and contemporary market, with multiple exhibition spaces in New York, Paris, and London, as well as outlets in Beverly Hills, Basel, Rome, Athens, Geneva, and Hong Kong. “I had a wonderful experience there for nearly four years,” says Lester. “I learned so much about how dealers, collectors, advisors, and artists work together.”

She continued to hone her skills as a specialist at Christie’s New York. “I gravitated to an auction house for my next role because I wanted and needed more exposure to artworks as objects,” she explains. “As a cataloguer in the Post-War & Contemporary Art Department at Christie’s, I learned how to rigorously assess an artwork to evaluate condition, how to comb the back of paintings for labels, conduct thorough research, construct a provenance, and determine authenticity. Together, my first two jobs constituted an incredible foundation for a career as an advisor.”

In her next role as director at Kasmin Gallery, Lester worked closely with art advisors and began to see herself in such a role. “I loved that they had these special relationships with their collectors, guiding them to follow their passions, and building something that brings them daily happiness and intellectual fulfillment,” she recalls.

Like any art advisory worth its salt, Lester Fine Art provides expertise in vetting artworks, negotiating terms, and managing post-sale logistics, such as framing, delivery, and installation. The business is built on the relationships Lester has formed with collectors, curators, artists, galleries, and institutions and the belief that, while an eye on investment potential undergirds many a transaction, a fervor for art is fundamental. “Most of the collectors I am working with are buying for love and passion. While I ensure that the prices my collectors pay are fair and in line with the artist’s current market, purchasing art with the expectation that it will appreciate is always very speculative. It can be more secure when you are investing in long-established artists with prices well into seven figures, but the collectors I work with are generally not buying at that level.”

Ever since Van Gogh’s Irises sold for over $50 million in the 1980s, art and the prices fetched have become fascinating to the general public. Last year, an Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe set a record for American art when it sold for $195 million. And while such sales gather massive media attention, much of the market operates at a much less heated level. Most of Lester’s clients, for example, are spending $10,000 to $300,000 and they are not buying to flip. Her clients, most of whom are in the Midwest, range from novices to veteran collectors. “Working locally allows me to provide a very high level of service,” says Lester. “I spend time with my clients in their homes and offices regularly, measuring walls, taking photographs for renderings, and getting to know their taste. I supervise deliveries and installations and hold their hands as much as they need. I am always available to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice to see a painting.”

Lester takes special pleasure in advising individuals new to collecting. “I absolutely love the opportunity to start from scratch with someone, to provide them exposure through visits to galleries, art fairs, and artists’ studios, or a weekend prospecting trip to New York or L.A. A visit to EXPO CHICAGO, the yearly highlight of Chicago’s art world, is a must.” But whether the client is a newbie or an old pro, Lester’s service remains the same. “My job is to expose individuals to a wide range of carefully vetted artists based on their preferences, budget, and collecting goals. I want each collection to be an authentic representation of the collector’s taste, and I want art to bring them joy.”

For more information, visit lesterfineart.com.

WELCOME TO THE OMEGA LIFE

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to move to the front of the line with others who have waited years to take occupancy.

Contact your Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Dan Boyce with Premiere Plus Realty Co at (239) 443-4800 to schedule your private tour and secure your Omega Life today.

Soaring floor to ceiling windows provide harmonious light to this extraordinarily expansive 5,730 sq ft sky home with matchless views and sunsets overlooking centuriesold mangrove forests and one of Southwest Florida’s greatest stretches of waterfront. The vast and expansive private terraces provide an outdoor kitchen, bar, and gas grill that take condo living to the next level. Omega features a second-floor private two-car garage, a third-floor infinity-edge pool and pavilion with day beds, bar, fire pit terrace and spa, a putting lawn and dog run with a pet washing station, and a top-ofthe-line movie theater and fitness center complete with steam and massage rooms. The rooftop terrace, equipped with two bars and spas, is unparalleled for entertaining and sharing breathtaking sunsets with your loved ones.

$4,199,000

4991 BONITA BAY BLVD #701 BONITA SPRINGS, FL 34134

Daphne Bigelow, Sarah Magnesen, and Katie Videll of Hinsdale Area Alumnae Panhellinic Association

ONE NIGHTInformation for a Lifetime

Hinsdale Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association offers valuable insights and introductions to those participating in sorority recruitment

WORDS BY MICHELLE CROWE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST

Is there any more exciting time in life than finishing up a successful high school career and heading off to college? Prom, graduation, maybe a wonderful family vacation and then it’s time to track down the Twin XL sheets and begin an entirely new academic adventure.

For young women participating in sorority recruitment, there can be a layer of uncertainty or worry, but college-bound women who live within the boundaries of District 86 have guidance from a group of women who are devoted to helping make introductions and provide support.

Hinsdale Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association (HAAPA) is comprised of delegates from each of the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities and is committed to helping area women succeed with the first of many steps in sorority recruitment across the country.

HAAPA hosts a highly anticipated Recruitment Information Night in May. The evening, founded by former HAAPA president Cyndi Meyers, features a collegiate panel of sorority leaders who attend universities around the country offering real insights into what recruitment might be like for those participating. “We coach the girls to be themselves. We want them to know that they are loved, they are genuine, and there is a place for them,” says longtime HAAPA registrar Katie Zidell.

This 90-minute session has been honored six times in the past 10 years by the NPC for outstanding recruitment programming. Anyone who is even considering recruitment should attend. “It’s an opportunity to get your mindset in the right place for recruitment and recruitment is great experience for job interviews, it’s really a chance to learn skills that will serve you for the rest of your life,” says HAAPA president Sarah Magnesen.

Daphne Bigelow, a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma, attended Information Night as a senior and went on to enjoy her time in an OU sorority. She has been a member of the panel for several years and will be on hand to answer questions again this time. For those who are attending college outside of

the region, Daphne feels sorority membership can be especially beneficial. “I didn’t know anyone when I arrived on campus. After two weeks of only speaking to a few people on campus, I participated in recruitment, and everything changed. I found my chapter, found my best friends. It was such a relief,” she says.

HAAPA encourages mothers, even those who loved sorority life with all their hearts, to let their daughters take the lead from Information Night through recruitment. “Things have changed since we were in school. Let your daughter hear from the collegians, let her find her place,” Katie says, with Sarah and HAAPA officer Nancy Bigelow concurring.

The real work begins after information night. Using submitted resumes and additional forms, HAAPA turns to local alumnae to ensure that every young woman has a letter of introduction to each of the NPC chapters at her chosen school. “It’s smart to attend and give us your information now,” says Magnesen, adding “you can always change your mind later, but just as you are preparing for other areas of your move to college, you should definitely prepare for this one.”

To accomplish this daunting, but joyful task, an array of area women write thousands of introductions according to their own organization’s guidelines and systems. Some are active members of their respective alumnae chapters. Others aren’t as involved locally, but still feel connected to their college days and the lifelong friendships. “You are a collegian for four or so years, but an alumna for the rest of your life,” says Nancy.

It’s extraordinary, really, that the potential new members have a small army of women on their side, singing their praises to help them stand out in the crowded fields of recruitment. “It feels good to be helping my sorority and helping my community,” says Katie.

Hinsdale Area Alumnae Panhellenic Association Information Night is the week of May 15, 2023, at Hinsdale Central High School. hinsdalepanhellenic.org.

2215 York Rd., Suite 304 Oak Brook, IL 60523 Drake Oak Brook Plaza

www.botti-law.com

CARE IS ON THE WAY

WE ARE OPENING A NEW LOCATION MARCH 2023

AFC NAPERVILLE

(Coming Soon)

1355 E Ogden Ave. Suite 109, Naperville, IL 60563 630.555.1212 | afcurgentcare.com/naperville Hours: M-F: 8am-8pm, S-S: 8am-5pm

AFC WILLOWBROOK

980 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, IL 60527 630.541.6679 | afcurgentcare.com/willowbrook Hours: M-F: 8am-8pm, S-S: 8am-5pm

WE ARE ALL THINGS

A multi-disciplined practice serving Real Estate Clients In Residential and Commercial matters handling all aspects from sale and acquisition to operational related issues.

A Concerto in Greek Major

Violi in Oak Brook may be inspired by the sweet songs performed by Greek street musicians, but ultimately its kitchen delivers the most delicious performance of all

WORDS BY PETER WREN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

Shareable large plates bring the spirit of Mykonos to Oakbrook Center.

It’s one of the more baffling restaurant mysteries of the last half century. Why, in the name of Herodotus, do so many Greek restaurants continue to trot out, decade after decade, the same tired old offerings that were popular when Aristotle Onassis was courting Jackie Kennedy?

DINNER DATE

ideas. It offers opinions galore—and a distinctive point of view—on where the Greek table has been and what direction it should head in the future.

In short, it’s a chef-driven Greek restaurant, which can be difficult to find these days. Love it or not, you’re going to be served dishes that inspired by Kostakos’ own palate as well as the island of Mykonos, where he’s overseen a number of restaurants.

So prepared not simply for Greek cooking, but food from Mykonos, the so-called island of the Winds, where the sun shines 300 days a year and restaurateurs are forced to compete for attention with an island so gorgeous you could nickname it Elysium.

Cocktails

The bar at Violi has quickly become a go-to spot for creative cocktails that walk a tight rope between being sweet, spritzy and downright earthy.

Who’s to blame for this icy stasis, for local restaurateurs’ stubborn refusal to try anything new? Did some yia yia, back in the ‘70s, slip all of us the mati—not just the evil eye, but a 50-year evil glare—and we’re still paying the price for it? Or Is Billy Sianis and his blasted goat to blame for this, too?

The good news? I’m beginning to think chef Athinagoras Kostakos, who runs the shiny new Violi Taverna in Oak Brook, might be working hard to shatter our local curse once and for all. There’s so much to praise about Violi—simply put, we need more restaurants that drape beds of bougainvillea from the ceilings and build bar spaces that glitter like jewel boxes in the moonlight—that it’s hard to know where to begin.

But when it comes to kudos, here’s as good a place as any to start: Violi is no copycat. No one’s cooking from Xeroxed old recipes in the kitchen. They’re trying new things and playing with creative

As a result, Kostakos’ cooking extends an olive branch from the old to the new, from tradition to modernity, all while reminding us that Greek cooking doesn’t have to be monolithic. It can draw from every subregion of the Peloponnese. Thus, we get Cypriot-style sausage, often called sheftalia, ladled with an avgolemono cream, which mirrors the way a French bistro steak might serve steak with a bearnaise sauce.

Violi’s Grecian tuna tartare is studded with Fresno chilies and crunchy bits of

The Karpouzi: Who says watermelon should be saved for the summertime? This surprisingly gentle blend of Hendrick’s, St. Germain and watermelon puree was built for sipping at a spa. But it’s the hint of cucumber and touch of oregano that makes it unlike any other gin drink around.

Mykonian Mezz: Citrusy and herbaceous are the keywords here—with some smoke on the back end. It’s made with mezcal, yellow chartreuse and pineapple with an undercurrent of lime. Kudos to a sprinkling of warm cardamom at the close.

Pork tenderloin souvlakia

Roasted halibut

The pergola and patio at Violi

kataifi, a crunchy straw-like shredded dough. One of our favorite dishes, a crispy-skinned roasted halibut, doesn’t just get moisturized with lemon juice. It’s set on a silky pillow of skordalia, the Greek-potato puree usually served as a dip, in a clever Grecian homage to Southern fish and grits.

The creation of Violi, which is named after the Greek street violinists, has a wonderful backstory. Lucas Stoioff and David Rekhson, who are principles of the DineAmic restaurant group, visited the island years ago and fell so madly in love with the place and Kostakos’ cooking that they did everything in their power to convince him to launch his first American restaurant empire with them.

While preparing to open that first venture, Lyra, which opened in Fulton Market in Chicago in 2022, were still in process, Stoioff and Rekhson decided to do something they’d never done before: The signed a lease to open Violi before Lyra ever opened.

There are roughly a half dozen dishes that the two restaurants share, including the house’s iconoclastic take on gyros (fork-tender lamb shoulder that diners pick apart, dress with various sauces and pack into fresh baked pita). But the difference between the two restaurants, Stoioff insists, comes down to nomenclature: Lyra is more of an estiatorio (more of a formal restaurant), whereas Violi is meant to be a taverna, which means the menu is slightly more rustic with most plates designed to be shared.

It’s telling that much of Violi’s staff, both front and back of the house, were imported from Greece, thus you’re going to receive some marvelous side dishes of history with your meals. The house’s Greek-style risotto, for instance, is a dish often served at weddings, which blends Greeks’ love of lemons with their appreciation for soft textures. The flavors are decadent—a kind of Greek style cacio e pepe made with rice—but the offering itself is a creamy as a savory breakfast bowl of semolina pudding.

The only carb offering that’s richer—and dare it be said, more impressive—is Violi’s take on pastitsio (read: Greek lasagna). The tableside preparation is wonderfully theatrical: Meat is shorn from a flintstonesized short rib and tossed in a bechamel-inspired sauce spiked with truffle and graviera cheese.

Suffice, to say, there’s no ragu quite like it in Oak Brook—all the cream, cheese and meat juices mashing together to create a cheesy paste that’s pure umami wonderment.

Suffice to say, there was not a single dish that felt phoned in, including the beef souvlakia (read: shish kebob), which was cooked a perfect medium rare and served with a thick yogurt-based tzatziki sauce. And last but not least, the triple-cooked octopus—boiled, sous vide, then grilled—may be the tenderest piece of seafood we’ve had in years: crispy skinned on the outside, soft as mashed potatoes on the inside, all paired with two earthy accompaniments: charred sweet cippolini onion and pungent kalamata relish.

Don’t go home without trying Violi’s bougatsa, which begins as two UFO-sized saucers of phyllo dough, before servers mash them together, tableside, into a mountain of melting cinnamon ice cream and Greek custard. It’ll make you feel like you’re nine years old again, devouring a sophisticated sweet treat that’s as delicious as the traditional Greek pie that inspired it. It will be a lingering reminder, like so many dishes here, that sometimes smashing expectations can be infinitely more exciting than simply honoring them.

Violi is located at 260 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, 630.592.2104, tavernavioli.com

Bougatsa, mashed tableside, delicious and inventive.

DRAKE OAK BROOK

TRACY FUSSARO, REALTOR

CD Peacock Bridal Boutique

In advance of engagement season, legendary jeweler C.D. Peacock welcomed friends to The Bridal Boutique at The House of Peacock Old Orchard for a gorgeous bridal event. Couples were able to browse the incredible options and receive expert advice from the knowledgeable and friendly staff. A new Oakbrook Center location is in the works for 2023, complete with a café and luxe surprises.

cdpeacock.com

Qi & Steven Holtzman

Photography by Ian McLeod

Marie Latka, Natasha deLeon

Heather Javed, Alia Javed

Adam Graham, Doli Mansour

Roberto Youkhana & Daniela Mansour

Monica Gambhir, Qi Holtzman, Grace Chung

Glenn Scott, Tony Haijht, Robert Zaffino

Olivier Stip, Steven Holtzman, Adam Woitkowski, Qi Holtzman

D’Aprile Properties Merges with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group

The newly glamorous Old Post Office in Chicago was the perfect spot to celebrate the merger of two real estate powerhouses. D’April Properties and Coldwell banker Real Estate Group have joined forces to better serve clients from Lake Geneva to Harbor Country and all the Chicago neighborhoods in-between.

Ann Marie Hickey, Mike Prodehl, Liz Catalano

Vicky Effiny, Tiffany Matela, Lesley Carney, Kathy Brent

Mimi Aquino, Cindy Gutic, Kelly O’Brien, Eric Rubio

Patrick Maloblocki, Tracy Fussaro, Andrea Walsh, Ryan D’Aprile, Sarah Lambe, Mike Prodehl

Danielle LaCrosse, Bernice Helman

Ryan D’Aprile, Mike Prodehl

Jessica Bohm, Nicole Minier, Laura Boyer, Leslie Layne

Photography by Ian McLeod

WHERE MAGNIFICENCE BEGINS

All floor plans shown are for illustrative purposes only. Floor plans may not depict final design of units as constructed and may not be drawn to scale. All sketches, renderings, architectural models, materials, plans, specifications, terms, prices, conditions and statements, including estimated timeframes and dates, contained herein are proposed only and are not intended to constitute representations. Developer reserves the right to make modifications in its sole discretion and without prior notice. All photographs and renderings are merely intended as illustrations of the activities and concepts depicted therein as interpreted by the artists. Developer makes no representations regarding any view and/or exposure to light at any time including any existing or future construction by either owner or a third party. Square footage and ceiling heights are approximate and may be based on various measurement methodologies, subject to construction variances and tolerances, as well as redesign, and vary from unit to unit (and may vary from floor to floor). This brochure shall not constitute a valid offer in any jurisdiction where prior registration is required and not yet fulfilled. Where used, developer shall mean Tribune Tower West (Chicago) Owner, LLCand its affiliated entities and their respective managers, members, directors, shareholders, partners, agents, affiliates and employees.

Vintage Charm Fashion Show

Vintage Charm in Clarendon Hills styled some brilliant looks and Il Mio was the perfect spot in which to show them off on some gorgeous local models. This familyfriendly event embodied the vibrant spirit of this tiny village with big style.

shopvintagecharm.com

Kiersten Tomson, Jessica Kobusch

Nancy, Beau, and Jordan Allodi

Gabriella Palumbo

Jessica Christensen Stella Christensen

Shannon Westberg, Jen Van Zant, Betsy Striltschuk, Amy Ponto, Lindsay Uthe, Kari Rule

Krista Casper, Hailey Chrestionson, Laura Faber, Rachel Donnelly, Kelly Yates, Cammie Horan

Photography by Kelly Yates