OUR CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS

¢ JULIE BARICHELLO is a journalist and graphic designer with lifelong roots in North Central Illinois. During her career, she has reported on education and health beats for newspapers, served as a copy desk chief and designed both newspapers and magazines. Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys reading, cooking and exploring state and national parks across the country with her husband, Derek.

¢ KEVIN DRULEY is a St. Louis transplant who lives in the western suburbs with his wife, Shannon. What Chicagoans call “pop,” he calls “soda,” although it’s really rather moot since he gave up such carbonated beverages for Lent in 1999. Kevin enjoys day tripping, reading, moviegoing and playing pickup sports. He recently encountered recreational pickleball and is over the moon.

¢ PATTI MACMILLAN loves words — short and to-the-point, lyrical, even convoluted — she believes they all have their place in our wonderfully lavish lexicon. It’s the power and poignancy of words that drew her first to reading, and then to writing, which she has done as a journalist and public relations professional for more than a decade. When she’s not putting digital pen to page, she (mostly) enjoys time spent with her two young sons and husband though the woodland walks that allow her respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life she prefers sans company.

¢ MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE loves sharing stories and taking time to spotlight the amazing things people are doing in the community. These stories are an inspiration and a reminder of all the good in our world. As a busy mom to three boys she loves being able to escape into the stories she writes and all of the wonderful people she meets along the way. Melissa and her husband enjoy exploring new places and trying new foods with their three young sons. From delicate sushi rolls to tacos in fresh tortillas there are so many new destinations throughout the state to explore.

¢ DIANE KRIEGER SPIVAK is a lifer as far as writing goes. An award-winning journalist, she’s cranked out literally thousands of articles for newspapers, magazines, universities, and the Web. There’s always something new around the next corner, in her opinion, and sharing that stuff with readers is what makes her giddy. From her first-hand experience taking off at 500 mph with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds to her interview with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s exorcist, to learning the finer points of finger painting from a 5-year-old, there’s pretty much no subject she’s not excited about tackling. She also likes anything vintage, off-the-wall, and an expertly crafted ginger beer.

¢ PAT SZPEKOWSKI is president of PR Strategies & Communications, inc. in Elgin, a full service advertising agency/public relations firm she founded in 1987. Pat enjoys storytelling and capturing the essence of people, places, businesses and nonprofits. She enjoys wearing two hats as an awardwinning accredited public relations professional and freelance journalist. Pat strongly believes in community outreach and is involved in active participation, support, membership, volunteerism and leadership.