NOVEMBER 2019
Steeped in ancient tradition Wheaton tea shop honors this worldly drink
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ON THE COVER 40
NOVEMBER 2019
Cold-weather beauty A world of tea Strength in numbers The Underground Railroad in Wheaton Prime real estate Parenting by the book
Steeped in ancient tradition Wheaton tea shop honors this worldly drink
K’Tizo, Wheaton PHOTO BY PATRICK KUNZER
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Why healthy relationships matter Explore Illinois by rail Dramatically different music, cultures Two stages share a passion for plays Upcoming events
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NOVEMBER 2019
4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
“A
utumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.” I haven’t been able to find the source of that quote, but what a perfect sentiment for the season — especially if you live 25 miles west of the city in Wheaton or Glen Ellyn. This edition of 25 West is filled with reasons to find happiness in your own backyard starting with our cover story on Café K’Tizo in Wheaton, a delightful gathering spot that is much more than a tea shop. I started going there a few years ago because I like really good tea. I keep going there because it is a warm, welcoming oasis that brings together people from all walks of life and from all around the world. That and the fact I can’t resist their matcha coconut white chocolate scones. You’ll want to sit back and relax with your favorite hot beverage while reading the story by Katlyn Smith on Wheaton College’s role in the Underground Railroad. Historian David Maas has spent years forming a nuanced view of that shameful chapter of history and he offers a much clearer picture of Wheaton’s involvement in the abolitionist movement — both the school and the town. Another significant local institution highlighted in this issue is the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, which opened its 66th season this fall with musicians from all over DuPage County. The current five-concert series features music from around the world, including a Nov. 16 program of Russian music featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine. And there’s more in this issue: A how-to on cold weather container gardening; a feature on the DuPage Medical Group — the largest independent medical group in the country; and a travel story on taking the train to — of all places — Quincy, Illinois, called one of America’s most artistic towns by Expedia two years in a row. So brew yourself a good cup of tea, turn on some classical music, sit back and enjoy the contentment of living 25 West.
M. Eileen Brown VP/Director of Strategic Marketing and Innovation Paddock Publications
NOVEMBER 2019
M. Eileen Brown VP/Director of Strategic Marketing and Innovation Renee Trappe Assistant Managing Editor Kay Long Niche Editor Ana Hinkhouse Senior Graphic Designer Mike Burke Senior Copy Editor Content contributors Eileen O. Daday Jean Murphy Ken Potts Jan Riggenbach Katlyn Smith Luke Zurawski Photographers Brian Hill Patrick Kunzer Rick West Deborah Brown Advertising Sales Kerry Diminuco Special Sections Manager
25 West is a product of Paddock Publications Inc. Copyright © 2019 Paddock Publications Inc. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. Paddock Publications Inc. assumes no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact Paddock Publications Inc. with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Paddock Publications Inc. is prohibited.
847-427-4648 | 25West@dailyherald.com 95 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
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Coldweather beauty Late-season containers you’ll fall for
Ornamental kale and grass in a winter container at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. PHOTO BY BRIAN HILL
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BY JAN RIGGENBACH
he flamboyant colors of summer are gone and the autumn chrysanthemums are fading. It’s time to stage a new show in all your winter-worthy outdoor containers. For inspiration, look to The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Although the main focus at the 1,700-acre site is on trees and shrubs, the grounds are punctuated with dozens of seasonal > NOVEMBER 2019
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Winter containers decorate the gardens and grounds of Morton Arboretum. TOP PHOTO: Curly willow, ornamental kale and gourds. ABOVE: Vera kale, yellow Swiss chard and coarse ogon. AT LEFT: Pigeon Purple kale, purple pansy and switch grass. OPPOSITE PAGE: Katinas, variegated hydrangea and millet. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HILL
NOVEMBER 2019
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> containers now showcasing plantings designed for their late-
season beauty. Ornamental grasses and other grasslike plants play starring roles. Kat Haberman, Morton horticulturist, is fond of using two sedges she believes blend especially well with autumn colors. Prairie Fire New Zealand hair sedge has narrow, curling, olivegreen leaves with bright orange highlights. And Red Rooster leatherleaf sedge has fine-textured bronze foliage. Coralbells also hold up really well in cold weather. Haberman’s favorites for fall include Blackberry Ice, which has iridescent purple-black foliage, and Caramel, with leaves that display a combination of rust, orange and gold. Ornamental kales shrug off frosty temperatures without harm. Winterbor, a big, sturdy plant with curly blue-green foliage, shows off first in containers while also producing edible leaves. Ornamental varieties produce even brighter colors. Peacock Red, for example, has frilly green leaves surrounding a red center that increases in intensity with frost. The leaves of Pigeon Purple, another ornamental kale Haberman enjoys using, resembles a big, exotic purple flower. Trailing sedums make attractive and cold-resistant edging plants. > NOVEMBER 2019
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Common sage and dinosaur kale, above, and sedum, Prairie Fire Ruby Perfection cabbage, and Prairie Fire Carex, left, stand out in winter containers.
> Cut gourds hold up well in cold weather and are frequently
used to decorate Morton’s late-season containers. Because the arboretum’s mission is to showcase and encourage the planting of trees, it’s no surprise that a tree such as Japanese maple, ginkgo or viburnum is often used as the centerpiece of a container. Hardy evergreens like arborvitaes and junipers make attractive focal points not only in late autumn but throughout the winter. Hydrangeas add their subtle beauty as their flowers dry in place, often with a blush of pink. The arboretum grounds offer lots of plant material for the staff to cut and use to embellish their containers. Curly willow branches are plentiful and their contorted branches make attractive additions to pots. If you don’t grow your own curly willow tree at home, Haberman says the cut branches are readily available at garden centers. Red- and yellow-stem dogwood branches add their bright colors. As soon as the leaves drop from the winterberry plants at the arboretum, the horticulturists head out to cut armloads for containers. Once cut, the stems of bright red or gold berries last for weeks into winter. AT RIGHT: Purple bok choy and coarse ogon grass offer texture and color for winter containers. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HILL
NOVEMBER 2019
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A world of tea An ancient drink takes on intriguing possibilities BY JEAN MURPHY
T Cafe K’Tizo in Wheaton features a vast array of both true teas as well as tisane teas. Judy Duncan is the owner. PHOTO BY PATRICK KUNZER
ea is the second most-consumed beverage on the planet, trailing only water. So running a business that caters to tea drinkers was a natural choice for Judy Duncan, a former nurse with a master’s degree in intercultural studies. She started the K’Tizo tea line in 2011 and in 2014 opened Café K’Tizo in Wheaton to bring together people of different cultures who share a love of tea. She thinks of her cafe at 1915 N. Gary Ave. as a cultural oasis where art, tea and culture meld seamlessly together, and where customers from all over the world companionably share their culture while enjoying their favorite beverage. “India, England, Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Japan, China — the list goes on,” Duncan said. “We connect cultures (by offering) Japanese tea ceremonies, Indian art and sitar music and celebrating the Asian New Year with Pu’erh tea and music and dance.” There is something about tea, despite its many different > NOVEMBER 2019
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“W
e connect cultures (by offering) Japanese tea ceremonies, Indian art and sitar music and celebrating the Asian New Year with Pu’erh tea and music and dance.” Judy Duncan, Cafe K’Tizo
TOP: Cafe K’Tizo in Wheaton features a vast array of both true teas as well as tisane teas. Owner Judy Duncan catches up with regular customer Brooke Leaton. BOTTOM: The Double Joy tea features a double blooming flower during the steeping process.
NOVEMBER 2019
> preparations, customs, colors and flavors, that instinctively draws people together. Maybe it has something to do with its nearly 2,000-year-old history. Tea is commonly prepared by pouring properly temped water over cured leaves from the Camellia sinensis bush, which is native to China’s Yunnan province. It is recorded as being first used for medicinal purposes, including the prevention of scurvy, around the third century AD. It rapidly became a recreational drink throughout Asia, before being introduced to the United Kingdom and Europe during the 16th century. The British went wild for tea in the 17th century, and it traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to America soon thereafter. Today, China and India supply 62% of the world’s tea, of which there are many types, categorized by how they are processed. “Darjeeling has a cooling, slightly bitter flavor, while others have different tastes ranging from sweet to nutty, and floral to grassy,” Duncan said. “Oolongs, on the other hand, have many nuances
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and are popular when infused with butter or apricots. Others, like Gunpowder, are best alone.” K’Tizo also offers a wide range of herbal teas, which are not made from Camellia sinensis and are more accurately called “tisanes” or “herbal infusions.” Instead, these are made from other fruits and plants like rose hip (from roses), chamomile (from a type of daisy) and rooibos (from South Africa’s Red Bush). Café K’Tizo offers approximately 150 teas and tisanes from all over the world every day. Some are seasonal, so throughout the year the cafe offers about 130 options. Some of K’Tizo’s teas are blended before they reach her. Others, she blends on site in Wheaton. Tea blending — combining different teas, flavors and aromas to achieve a distinctive final product — is an art . Ginger, cloves, mint leaves, cardamom, bergamot, vanilla and spearmint are popular choices. Jasmine, on the other hand, never actually touches tea. As long as it is nearby, the tea will absorb the jasmine aroma. The variety of botanicals and herbal infusions K’Tizo offers are as nearly endless as botany itself. There’s pomegranate, rose hip, peaches and cream, hibiscus, piña colada, vanilla bean, white peony and coconut, to name a few. They come in hot and cold teas, infusions, frappés, lattes and tea and juice mixtures (K’Teazers) and chai and espresso (K-Teavas). If you are hungry, there are scones, soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches and desserts, all made with a cultural bent. Duncan is particularly proud of her Rooibos Lattes. They have no caffeine and are high in both antioxidants and an amino acid that soothes the central nervous system for sleep. A new interest in tea’s medicinal properties — first discovered thousands of years ago — is blossoming. Tea is now thought to have beneficial effects on high blood pressure and diabetes. K’Tizo periodically offers wellness classes on tea’s health benefits. >
TOP LEFT: Owner Judy Duncan walks through a latte creation with employee Kai Shores-Navata. TOP RIGHT: Cafe K’Tizo offers about 130 tea options each day. Because many are seasonal, more teas are available through the year. BOTTOM: A wall of hope on the mezzanine offers guests a chance to write their hopes in chalk.
NOVEMBER 2019
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TOP: Deborah Lynerd, left, of Elgin visits with Lydia Sedjo of West Chicago at Cafe K’Tizo on a recent evening. ABOVE: Double Joy tea features a double-blooming flower in the steeping process. AT LEFT: Fruit Formality is a hibiscus tea.
NOVEMBER 2019
> K’Tizo also offers cultural programs on tea-drinking areas of the world, as well as classes on how to blend tea, baking and grilling with tea, cold-steeping iced tea and, of course, basic and advanced tea brewing and drinking for those just getting started. Brewing great tea is not something that just happens without instruction and practice. For instance, using the right type of water is vital, Duncan said. Tap water often has too many chemicals, while distilled water is too flat. She recommends investing in a water filtering system like Brita, or opting for reverse osmosis water or spring water at your local retailer, because the water used when brewing tea can make or break your tasting experience. Tea lovers also should invest in an infuser (either free-standing or within your teapot, cup or pitcher) if brewing loose leaf or CTC (curled, torn and cut) tea, she explained. Customers who are done with those grocery store tea bags and ready to move on to a more sophisticated, loose leaf tea experience may purchase gourmet teas and herbal infusions for home brewing either at Café K’Tizo or at www.cafektizo.com.
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Strength in numbers Area doctors build largest independent physicians network BY JEAN MURPHY
D
uPage County has many claims to fame — Fermilab in Batavia, Naper Settlement in Naperville, the Cantigny estate in Winfield and more. Less known, perhaps, is that DuPage is also home to the largest independent medical group in the country. The DuPage Medical Group has 1,100 providers practicing at 120 locations in DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will,
Kendall and Grundy counties. “There are fewer than five medical groups of a similar size across the whole country and we appear to be the largest,” said Dr. Paul Merrick, president and co-CEO of DuPage Medical Group, based in Downers Grove. Unlike other practices, DMG is not tied to a particular hospital group like Advocate or Amita, Merrick explained, and physicians admit patients to a variety of hospitals, >
DuPage Medical Group at 430 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn. PHOTO BY BRIAN HILL
NOVEMBER 2019
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“T
here are fewer than five medical groups of similar size across the whole country and we appear to be the largest.” Dr. Paul Merrick, President and co-CEO of DuPage Medical Group, based in Downers Grove
TOP: The DuPage Medical Group has grown to 1,100 providers seeing patients at 120 locations, including the medical offices at 430 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn. RIGHT PAGE: DMG offers pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, internal medicine and more at 150 E. Willow Ave., Wheaton. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HILL
NOVEMBER 2019
> including Edward-Elmhurst. DMG was formed in 1999 by the merger of the Glen Ellyn Clinic, the Wheaton Medical Clinic and Mid-America Health Partners, all in the West suburbs. All three venerable clinics — Glen Ellyn and Wheaton were founded in 1964 — were being challenged to keep up with rapid advances in medical and information technology. As well, the emergence of managed care and new reimbursement methods called for new operational strategies. Today, DMG’s providers take care of more than 2 million patients each year and the group continues to grow outside of DuPage. DMG is Illinois’ leading multi-specialty group practice, and is physician-owned and physician-directed, operating on the principal that physicians make the best decisions on patient care. “Our principal mission is to help our patients lead healthier lives and enjoy wellness,” Merrick said. “Primary care physicians are the quarterbacks of this process, directing his or her patients to specialists, mental health workers and others.” The future of health care is becoming less and less hospital-centric, Merrick said. “We are seeing a migration of services outside of hospital walls so people can receive less expensive services, closer to where they live,” he explained. “For instance, more procedures are being done in surgicenters and physician offices, where they are less expensive and there is generally less risk of infection.”
The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) has challenged medical providers to do more with fewer financial resources, Merrick said. In addition, he said, insurers are using their influence to guide providers toward better and more cost-effective care. “Our board meets regularly with our department chairs to determine how we should build out each service line,” Merrick explained. “From there we work with our collective horsepower to offer the best medical services and be good stewards of everyone’s health care dollar through careful attention to costs and efficiencies.” Ideas that come up by team physicians are taken seriously and acted upon when it makes sense to do so, he said, which is how DMG came to comprise much more than just physician offices. Those offices offer labs and radiology services, of course, but there are also three DMG Spine Centers, a weight loss clinic, an Integrated Oncology Center, five skin care institute locations and four BreakThrough Care Centers. The Belleza Skin Care Institutes in Hinsdale, Joliet, Lombard, Naperville and Wheaton have a dual purpose: To treat ailments of the skin like cancer, but also to preserve patients’ cosmetic appearance. The Spine Centers — one in Lombard and two in Naperville — try to relieve back pain in patients through >
16 > therapy first. But if that does not work, surgery is an option. Similarly, the
DMG Weight Loss Clinic in Oak Brook works to find the safest, simplest way for each patient to achieve his or her weight loss goal through diet and exercise, but metabolic and bariatric methods are also on the table in some cases. The DMG Integrated Oncology Center in Lisle handles radiation, chemotherapy and surgical solutions for the gamut of cancers. Teams of providers (surgeons, radiation technologists and others) regularly sit down to plan cohesive, complex cancer treatments for each individual. Then there are DMG’s four BreakThrough Care Centers (in Wheaton, Lisle, Naperville and Joliet) for vulnerable patients with multiple and complex disease states and social problems that make treatment a challenge. Many patients like this are frequent hospital visitors, so DMG’s team sought a way to overcome these patients’ barriers to effective treatment by looking at similar treatment models across the country for ideas. They have brought together an elite team of practitioners — dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, pharmacists, medical specialists and others — to make obtaining treatment as easy as possible for these patients. The specialists they need are all in one location for ease of transportation; after-hours care is offered every night; and nurses are always available for phone consultations. In addition, all of these providers are able to communicate with one another over a common electronic patient record. The key to the BreakThrough Care Centers’ success, however, has been a “high-touch” approach to patient care that has allowed DMG to turn around numerous lives. Thanks to the teams’ abilities to identify patient stressors and intercept them, there are often no more multiple trips to the hospital. The BreakThrough Care Centers’ main innovator, Dr. Mathew Philip, has testified before Congress. DMG is invested in its communities beyond medicine. DMG’s size and presence in many communities allows it to work with community leaders and to participate in community initiatives, Merrick added. DMG offices provide volunteers to staff local charity events, and even coaches for local youth sports teams. Merrick added the DuPage Medical Group is always on the lookout for physician groups that share DMG’s goals and purpose, and whose doctors may want to come aboard. “As we grow and evolve, we are constantly evaluating additional physician groups that are interested in joining us because of our great reputation,” Merrick said, adding that the groups must value outpatient, clinically integrated, efficient, high-quality and lower-cost health care, if they have any hope of joining DMG. “When we find groups that share this approach, we welcome them. For instance, we have gone from having 30 physicians in our southern area to having 300 — just since 2015. Similarly, we have welcomed 85 physicians in the Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg areas since 2017.” TOP: The DuPage Medical Group offices at 150 E. Willow Ave. in Wheaton. BOTTOM: The state-of-the art office of DuPage Medical Group at 430 Pennsylvania Ave. in Glen Ellyn. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HILL
NOVEMBER 2019
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The Underground Railroad in Wheaton College embraces its abolitionist history BY KATLYN SMITH
The National Park Service’s Network to Freedom recognizes Wheaton College’s Blanchard Hall as a stop on the Underground Railroad. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
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n 8-foot-tall grave marker is hardly out of place in the entrance of Wheaton College’s Blanchard Hall, the limestone landmark that rises above campus like a hilltop castle. Proud of its abolitionist history, the college relocated the obelisk to Blanchard five years ago from the final resting place of James Burr, an anti-slavery activist buried on campus after his death in 1859. > NOVEMBER 2019
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> Historian David Maas wonders if that monument once stood as a reassuring symbol of refuge to help guide runaway slaves. But that’s a theory — really his only fanciful view of the Underground Railroad. Now retired, the Wheaton College history professor has written essays and given lectures debunking the mythology around the Underground Railroad. He’s also known for his discovery about Blanchard Hall’s past. While doing research for a book about 10 years ago, Maas stumbled upon evidence supporting long-held suspicions that Blanchard was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Until then, the college had no written record of fugitive slaves passing through Wheaton. Maas found it in a 120-year-old manuscript (more on that later). “It was like the last thing I expected to see,” he said.
Secret passage Like other contemporary scholars, Maas has disputed the work of Ohio State University professor Wilbur Siebert, whose 1898 book influenced the traditional understanding of the Underground Railroad as a vast, organized network of safe houses mostly run by white conductors. “For most rural areas in the U.S. and Illinois, runaway black NOVEMBER 2019
slaves could only hope to locate rare, isolated, hospitable good Samaritans,” Maas wrote in one of his essays. “It is unfortunate that railroad terminology was ever applied to these sympathetic safe houses. It conjures up a false image of permanent ‘stops,’ operated by station masters who would guide runaways to safe haven in Canada. Nothing is further from the truth.” More problematic than the terminology, Siebert exaggerated the role of sympathetic whites, historians say. “Only recently have African-Americans been restored to their rightful place at the center of the story” of the Underground Railroad, Maas wrote. Fugitive slaves made the trek through the South without any help from whites, Maas notes. He gives one example of what was the exception: Burr, a white abolitionist, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he went into the slave state of Missouri to aid runaways. The federal Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 set six-month prison sentences and up to $1,000 fines for any white person caught helping slaves who risked being recaptured or killed.
‘An abolition school’ According to campus lore, escaping slaves supposedly hid in a tunnel in Blanchard, at that time, the only building on campus. But Maas said the original building was constructed on
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ABOVE: Jonathan Blanchard journal in Wheaton College archives. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
RIGHT: Jonathan Blanchard, first president of Wheaton College, was an outspoken abolitionist. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHEATON COLLEGE
OPPOSITE PAGE: Jonathan Blanchard’s journal is part of the Wheaton College archives. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
“I
t was like the last thing I expected to see.” David Maas, Historian
a cement slab. The tunnel that alumni have mistaken for an Underground Railroad hideout was actually a tunnel dug in the 1920s to house heating pipes. A former student’s account suggests fleeing slaves stayed elsewhere in Blanchard. In 2013, the National Park Service recognized the campus icon as an Underground Railroad site after Maas found documented evidence in an unlikely place: an 1889 history of the 39th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Maas was reading regimental histories for his book about Wheaton students — nearly 300 — who fought in the Civil War. And he came across a passage written by Ezra Cook, a Wheaton alum who became a printer in Chicago and married one of the daughters of the college’s first president, Jonathan Blanchard. Cook referred to his alma mater as “an Abolition school in an Abolition town.” He recalled: “So strong was public sentiment that runaway slaves were perfectly safe in the College building, even when
no attempt was made to conceal their presence, which was well known to the United States Marshal stationed there. With hundreds of others, I have seen and talked with such fugitives in the college chapel. Of course they soon took a night train wellguarded to the next station on the U.G.R.R.” Where was the chapel Cook remembered? “In 1855, the (college) trustees ordered the installation on the first floor of a wood partition with two sliding doors to separate the Juvenile Department from the college chapel,” Maas wrote in his essay. “This would mean the chapel was located in the south end of the first floor of Blanchard Hall.” Maas remains almost certain that Wheaton aided fugitive slaves en route to Chicago — with some caveats. In their autobiographies, both Jonathan Blanchard, an outspoken abolitionist, and his son, Charles, who succeeded his father at the helm of the school, didn’t identify Wheaton as a stop. “You’d think that they would have made a comment. Blanchard mentions his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, being a stop on the > NOVEMBER 2019
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ABOVE: Edward Breathitte Sellers, one of the first black college graduates in Illinois, earned his degree from Wheaton College in 1866. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHEATON COLLEGE
LEFT: A memorial plaque to the abolitionist James Burr at Wheaton College. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
> Underground Railroad, but he doesn’t mention Wheaton
College,” Maas said in an interview. Cook’s wife, Maria Blanchard, once described the Underground Railroad as “above ground” in Wheaton, but historians have no other record to corroborate Cook’s account.
‘A man of oak and iron’ So why is Blanchard Hall a fitting venue to display Burr’s obelisk and honor Wheaton’s abolitionist past? The building’s namesake is another mighty figure: Jonathan Blanchard, a fellow abolitionist once described as a “man of oak and iron.” “I always thought of him as a stern, rigid old man, but it turns out he was once a stern, rigid young man,” said Timothy Larsen, the college’s professor of Christian Thought. “He was quite an interesting young man who was willing to place life and his body on the line.” Born in Vermont, as a young man Blanchard wanted to be a minister. He took a year off from his studies at Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts to become a full-time, anti-slavery activist. “There were all kinds of churches, denominations that forbade NOVEMBER 2019
their ministers from being abolitionists and from ordaining anybody who was an abolitionist,” Larsen said. “So when he says, ‘I’m going to take a year off and become this abolitionist activist,’ the president of the seminary says, ‘You’ll be completely unemployable as a minister. You’ll never work again.’ And that was not an idle threat.” While an abolitionist lecturer in Pennsylvania, Blanchard faced a violent reaction from people who threw rocks at him, Larsen and Maas said. Instead of returning to Andover, Blanchard went to Lane Theological Seminary in Ohio, a more clearly radical abolitionist school. One of his teachers was Calvin Stowe, whose wife, Harriet Beecher Stowe, wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” In 1845, Blanchard became the second president of Knox College in Galesburg, where he earned a reputation as a prolific fundraiser. Still, it was primarily a Presbyterian school, and Blanchard, a Congregationalist, was forced out. In 1859, Blanchard took the helm of what was then the Illinois Institute, a school in Wheaton run by Wesleyan Methodists and struggling with financial issues. “They want somebody who’s anti-slavery, and so part of the mutual agreement is, ‘We’re going to build this abolitionist
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In Blanchard Hall, Timothy Larsen, Wheaton College professor of Christian Thought, recalls the school’s abolitionist past alongside an obelisk memorial to the anti-slavery activist James Burr. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
school,’ ” Larsen said. He suspects Blanchard took the job because he knew he could make his mark here and live out his principles. “He commits to Wheaton being a school that takes AfricanAmerican students in from the very beginning,” Larsen said. “… He commits to women being part of the student body from the very beginning.” At the start of his tenure, the Illinois Institute was renamed Wheaton College in honor of one of the city’s patriarchs: Warren Wheaton, a businessman who donated land to the school. In 1866, Edward Breathitte Sellers, one of the first black college graduates in Illinois, earned his degree from Wheaton. “We’ve also tried to wrestle with that history,” Larsen said. “… And so when you have a very strong segregationist mentality in the early 20th century, Wheaton constricted.” Blanchard confronted the injustice of slavery with a strong sense of righteousness, an early model of the school’s motto: “For Christ and His Kingdom,” Larsen said. “He’s a long president and the next president is his son, so the Blanchard family — to this day, there are still Blanchards who are patrons of the college — really gave Wheaton College its DNA,” he said.
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424 Oak St. in Glen Ellyn.
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Marc Giovingo to Ryan Steele, Melissa Steele $660,000; 920 Oxford Road, Glen Ellyn; Sold on June 24, 2019, by Marius T Tatarunas to Robert Webster, Stacy Webster $670,000; 160 Nicoll Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on July 1, 2019, by Thomas J Campbell Jr to Ryan Allard, Christine Allard $685,000; 611 Turner Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on Aug. 14, 2019, by Kenneth T Honsik to Elizabeth Ann Beck, Stephen C Beck $685,000; 720 Highland Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on July 10, 2019, by Craig Anthony Spencer to Derrick Thron, Alecia Thron $699,500; 545 Emerson Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on July 23, 2019, by All Service Concepts Inc to Aaron P Zimmerman, Kathryn Zimmerman $710,000; 254 May Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on July 5, 2019, by Matthew Payne to Patrick G Martin, Caitlin M Dodds Martin $717,500; 501 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on July 16, 2019, by Benjamin D Hackman to National Residential Nominee S $720,000; 249 Hillside Ave., Glen Ellyn; Sold on June 17, 2019, by James W Donnelly to Vlad Kaganovsky, Carlene Kaganovsky $745,000; 620 Duane St., Glen Ellyn; Sold on June 12, 2019, by Frederick L Burtelson to James Michael Littmann
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Wheaton: $600,000; 25W544 Plamondon Road, Wheaton; Sold on July 9, 2019, by John H Anderson to Brandon Eastep, Lynn Chang $600,000; 2003 Gladstone Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 16, 2019, by Lisa Virginia Czyszczewski to Steve Szymanski, Diana M Szymanski $620,000; 1485 Wilmette St., Wheaton; Sold on June 7, 2019, by Robert Scott Anderson to Kyle T Somerfield, Nicole Somerfield $622,000; 25W474 Flint Creek Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 18, 2019, by Kurt J Klimenko to Michael Miracle, Amie N Miracle $625,000; 210 Brighton Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 19, 2019, by Jed H Klink to Robert L Jenkins, Linda S Jenkins $630,000; 918 S Hale St., Wheaton; Sold on July 22, 2019, by Andrew S Joseph to Daniel A Rogers, James Rogers $630,000; 110 S Washington St., Wheaton; Sold on Aug. 5, 2019, by Jeffrey E Halverson to John Guyton Jr $630,000; 2S543 White Birch Lane, Wheaton; Sold on July 1, 2019, by Mark P Lobsinger to Robert Vozza, Sue Ellen Vozza $635,000; 1106 N West St., Wheaton; Sold on Aug. 27, 2019, by
Lucas Langworthy to Danny Caudle, Jenna Caudle $650,000; 1460 Wilmette St., Wheaton; Sold on June 24, 2019, by M Warner Grothman to Linda K Fournier, Douglas Fournier $652,500; 604 N West St., Wheaton; Sold on Aug. 23, 2019, by John W Winans to Gabrielle Brewer Sagers, Ryan C Sagers $656,500; 424 E Illinois St., Wheaton; Sold on June 12, 2019, by S N B Remodeling Inc to Michael T Pedersen, Karlana M Pedersen $665,000; 1781 Somerset Lane, Wheaton; Sold on July 31, 2019, by Merle M Davis to Thomas J Grotts, Megan Grotts $670,000; 146 Tennyson Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 10, 2019, by Timothy Sendek to Steven M Baughman, Alison Lea Baughman $675,000; 1602 E Liberty Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 9, 2019, by David H Melilli to Jonathan M Thomas, Ashley C Thomas $680,000; 319 E Liberty Drive, Wheaton; Sold on July 19, 2019, by John P Preusser to Allen M Ernst, Cheryll L Ernst $695,000; 27W285 Wallace Road, Wheaton; Sold on Aug. 6, 2019, by David Hancock to Julie Hancock, James Mosel $710,000; 1003 S Gables Blvd., Wheaton; Sold on Aug. 5, 2019, by Brett B Hines to Peter A Buckle, Alison K Buckle
1781 Somerset Lane in Wheaton. PHOTOS BY RICK WEST
NOVEMBER 2019
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Parenting by the book Lecture series can improve family dynamics
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ne of the jewels in the crown of Glenbard High School District 87 is no longer a secret. The Glenbard Parent Series opened its 29th season in August and its reach now extends to families in school districts across DuPage County. “We really want people to know that this is a free resource and is open to everyone,” says Gilda Ross, District 87’s student and community project coordinator. Ross is the mastermind behind the successful series. She created it in 1990 after having what she calls a “light-bulb revelation” with her own teenage daughter. At the time, she worked as a guidance counselor at Glenbard West High School, and when even she was stumped over how to respond to her daughter after what seemed like an innocuous comment, she turned to expert authors to get some advice. Ross then conceived the idea of bringing in authors to speak to the wider parent community, drawing from their research-based knowledge and experience, and she drew interested business partners to sponsor them. Her first one was noted child psychologist and author Anthony Wolf, who talked about his book: “Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall?: A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager.” “Right from the start, we were successful and got a very positive response,” Ross says. “We knew we were on to something.” The tagline for the parent series sums up its mission: “Navigating Healthy Families,” and Ross concedes that its focus remains on parenting. “In order to make families feel welcome, there’s no registration or fee,” Ross adds. “We just want them to come.” Sponsors pick up the tab. They include a pair of family foundations as well as the Cooperative Association for Special Education in DuPage County, DuPage Medical Group, the Birth to 5 Coalition, NOVEMBER 2019
BY EILEEN O. DADAY Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative and the College of DuPage, as well as Holiday Inn. What started out as a resource for parents of high school students in Glen Ellyn and Lombard, now welcomes families of students from public, home-schooled and private schools, as well as faculty, school staff and caregivers. This year’s lineup of speakers reflects the traditional emphasis on navigating the teen years, but it also reaches out to parents of elementary school students. Upcoming speakers include Dr. Jess Shatkin, a recognized child and adolescent psychologist and author of “Parenting Young Children to Thrive: Healthy Body and Healthy Brain,” who will appear at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. The next day, Shatkin will speak to parents of teens, using her book, “Are Teens Born to be Wild? Why Teens Take Risks and How We Can Keep Them Safe,” as a starting point (noon at Marquardt Administration Center and 7 p.m. at Glenbard North, preceded by a 6:15 p.m. health fair). The topic on Nov. 20 reflects the group’s Spanish-speaking contingent by welcoming author Erika Sanchez, speaking about her book, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” (7 p.m. Glenbard South). Looking ahead to December, Dr. Michele Borba appeals to parents of teens with her book, “Unselfie: The Empathy Advantage to Succeed in our ‘All About Me’ World,” on Dec. 3 (7 p.m. Glenbard East), and the next day when she draws from her book, “No More Misbehavin’: Difficult Behaviors in Young Children and How to Stop Them” (9:30 a.m., District 93 Administration Center). “We really want people to walk away with techniques that will help them change family dynamics,” Ross says. “What’s most important is the conversation that happens afterward. We hope to spark conversation and have a great way to talk to your children.” • Visit www.glenbardgps.org for full information programming, videos, updates and parent resources.
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Why healthy relationships matter BY KEN POTTS
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he 6:40 arrived at the Glen Ellyn station at 7:30 p.m., which made it the late train in more ways than one. She looked like most of the women who commute downtown: conservative business suit, brief case, Reeboks — the standard Loop uniform for success. She was tired. Most of the people who get off the late trains are. The commuters who step out of the 5:08 or 5:34, or even the 6:01, still have a bit of spring in their step. You can imagine them going home and doing the laundry, mowing the lawn, playing with the kids. By the time the late trains pull in, however, there’s not much time — or energy — left for much of anything: a quick bite to eat, check the mail, get everybody ready for bed. You could see her tiredness in the way she walked, the expression on her face and, as she got closer, the look in her eyes. Then she saw the small boy coming toward her across the parking lot. She was transformed. Her pace quickened, she practically danced down the steps. Her face, her eyes, were alive with joy. I’m not sure what they said to each other; their hug muffled their words. It sounded something like “Mom, I missed you!” and “I sure missed you too!” Dad, from his seat on the rear of the car, smiled, then joined in the greeting as they all climbed in. Now, I’m sure this is no “Ozzie and Harriet,” “Father Knows Best,” “Donna Reed” family. Who knows, maybe Mom and Dad were fighting about who forget to start the dishwasher before they even got out of the lot. Their son probably spilled his soda when they stopped at a fast-food place for supper. But for a moment, even if it was a brief moment, they remembered. They remembered what it’s all about. The evidence is clear. Healthy relationships are crucial to our physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual well-being. Every time you turn around there is a new study or research project that points to this conclusion. Most of us don’t need scientific evidence to convince us of this. We know — or feel — it already. It’s something we learned each time we loved and were loved in return. Of course, we sure forget it often enough. We get caught up in our career, activities, projects, own interests. We get distracted, we lose track. But then it hits us. A phone call from an old friend. A letter
from our sister. A card from our spouse. An “I sure love you” from our child. And we remember. Unfortunately, finding, building and maintaining such healthy relationships is probably one of the hardest things we can do. Maybe that’s why so many of us settle for the second rate satisfaction we can find in our job, activities, etc. ... But sooner or later, someone or something always reminds us: it’s the people that make it all worthwhile. Is there anything we can do? Well, we might start with simply telling the people in our lives just how important they really are. We might also ask them what we can do to be better “relational partners” for them. And we could share with them what they can do to enhance our life together. That doesn’t sound all that easy. But I guess that’s the way things work. The more important something is, the more difficult it is to find and hold on to it. On the other hand, it’s sure worth the effort, every bit of it. • Dr. Ken Potts is on the staff of Samaracare Counseling Center in Naperville and Downers Grove. Daily Herald columnist Ken Potts and his wife, Tammy, a veteran educator, are co-authors of “Mix, Don’t Blend: A Guide to Dating, Engagement and Remarriage With Children.” COURTESY OF KEN AND TAMMY POTTS
NOVEMBER 2019
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Explore Illinois by rail Destination ... Quincy BY RENEE TRAPPE
The Quincy Memorial Bridge across the Mississippi River carries traffic between Quincy and Missouri.
H
COURTESY OF THE QUINCY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
ow does getting away for a quick weekend or midweek adventure this fall appeal to you? Thought so. What if the spot is charming, with beautiful scenery, a genuine claim to historical relevance and dotted with 19th century architecture? What if you’ve never been there before? And what if you don’t have to drive there? Thought so. From Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, your adventure begins with a NOVEMBER 2019
short car ride to the Naperville Amtrak station. Leave town at 8:12 a.m. aboard the westbound Carl Sandburg and settle in to relax, enjoy the ride, talk to strangers and gape out the window. When you detrain in western Illinois a few hours later, prepare to be impressed and delighted. Called “One of America’s most artistic towns” by Expedia two years running, Quincy isn’t really on the way to anywhere, unless you are loving the Great River Road, our national historic byway. But it deserves to be a destination all its own.
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Built on the limestone bluffs in 1825, the city is steeped in history, hospitality and natural beauty, and lays claim to the best architecture outside of Chicago. The Quincy Amtrak station is a bit out of the way, so use a ride-share app ahead of time to have a lift when the train pulls in. You can do Quincy either as a quick day trip or a two- or threeday visit. If you are day-tripping, you’ll get onto the eastbound Carl Sandburg at 5:30 p.m. and be back in Naperville at about 9 p.m.
You can do a lot in those five hours. There’s the thriving Maine Street Mile (yes “Maine”), a showcase of architecture, museums, murals, eateries, bars and downtown (The District); see great old houses in the Federal and Greek-revival style, some built as early as the 1830s; and visit Washington Park, where the sixth LincolnDouglas debate was held in 1858 and now is home to the Lincoln Storyboard Trail. If you have a couple of days, however, you can stretch both your horizons and your legs. > NOVEMBER 2019
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The Klingner home was built in 1896 for Dr. Grant Irwin and designed by architect John Batchy. The Prairiestyle den addition was done in 1921 by architect Ernst Wood and the rear atrium and auto house was done by Mike Klingner, in 1991 and 1993, respectively. The home is open for private tours. NOVEMBER 2019
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> Begin at Villa Kathrine, a Mediterranean-style home built in 1900 on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River that was built for Quincy native W. George Metz, based on his sketches of villas in the Islamic world. The exterior is modeled after the Villa ben Ahben in Morocco, and the interior has a courtyard with an overlooking balcony surrounding a marble mosaic reflecting pool. A replica of the Mosque of Thais in Tunisia surmounts the main tower with waving stripes as decoration covered by a dome. Apart from being a gorgeous example of Mediterranean architecture and No. 2 on the list of “Architecture: 20 must-see attractions in Illinois” (chicagotribune.com), Villa Kathrine houses Quincy’s tourist information center, where you can collect all the info you need to plan the day ahead. And, they’ll rent you bicycles to tour the town. While you are here, take in the East End Historic District. Besides Villa Kathrine, visits to The History Museum, the John Wood Mansion and Quincy Museum are encouraged, and are all house museums included in the BOGO Museum Pass to 10 eclectic venues. Quincy is perfectly accessible by foot and bicycle, but if you decide to rent a car, it opens up new possibilities. The Abundant Architecture self-guided driving tour gets
“Q
uincy is one of America’s most artistic towns.” Expedia
you to 15 distinct areas of the city with four National Register Historic Districts. The tour takes approximately an hour to drive sans stops. As well, Quincy is between the historic communities of Nauvoo and Pittsfield, making it a great vantage point for day trips and exploring scenic side roads. With the lush, fertile Mississippi River land surrounding Quincy, five wineries have flourished and partnered to form the Mississippi Valley Wine Trail, which weaves the locally made offerings of six western Illinois wineries together. Take the Trail Blazer Challenge: visit all six wineries and win a signature T-shirt. To salute the first African-American priest in the U.S., the Drive the Five Tolton Sites guide is as easy as it is educational. It gives a glimpse into the life and times of the Rev. Augustus Tolton, > The beautiful atrium inside Villa Kathrine. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE QUINCY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
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> who started out life as a slave and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1886. His first home parish was in Quincy. Or take a drive on the wild side with the quirky (Off the Record) self-driving tour, featuring 13 famous, or infamous, former Quincy area residents.
Good eats & drinks The Local Fix Culinary Guide outlines 50-plus locally owned eateries. A must for newbies to Quincy: the iconic Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop, home of the “loose meat sandwich.” It’s served diner style and the “no tipping allowed” policy is enforced, leaving you the funds for a slice of homemade cream pie or melt-in-your-mouth angel food cupcakes at Underbrink’s Bakery, est. 1929. Stout Route 3000 is a fun “little” food itinerary saluting the
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Great River Road’s 3,000-mile course. Eateries along the best scenic drive in America are showcased, with menus approaching 3,000 calories per meal. The new “99 Watering Holes” is an award-winning guide to Quincy’s illustrious libational history, plus five self-guided mini crawls. The Quincy area is the naturally beautiful and relaxed destination to enjoy local flavor and culture, with Midwest hospitality to boot. • For more info, visit seequincy.com or call (800) 978-4748. TOP: An aerial view of Villa Kathrine and its surroundings. RIGHT: Zwick Row in Quincy contains examples of the Art Moderne style of home, all built in 1939. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE QUINCY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
NOVEMBER 2019
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Dramatically different music, cultures DuPage Symphony Orchestra brings them together BY EILEEN O. DADAY
NOVEMBER 2019
T
he DuPage Symphony Orchestra opened its 66th season this fall, with a promise to take audience members on a musical journey that stretches from Europe to East Asia and Russia. As it is, the 90-piece orchestra is a destination in and of itself. Its members are a mix of professional players and those with classical music training. They come from more than 30 communities, mostly in DuPage County, and perform in residence at Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College in Naperville. >
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NOVEMBER 2019
36 > “On average, our concerts are more than 90% sold out,”
says board member Shelley Campbell. “We have lots of loyal supporters.” Many of those music afficionados, she added, are from Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. Maestro Barbara Schubert is musical director and conductor. She has led the orchestra for more than 30 years and also directs the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra and New Music Ensemble, and the Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony. This season’s five subscription series concerts offer dramatically different programs featuring prominent composers and guest soloists that all have star power. Take the Nov. 16 concert. It features a dramatic program of Russian music, including selections by Aram Khachaturian and Vasily Kalinnikov. The guest soloist is Rachel Barton Pine, who will be featured in Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D Minor. The Feb. 8 concert features a pair of Japanese selections before moving into Claude Debussy’s Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The guest soloist for the concert is percussionist Mitya Nilov, who plays marimba. The March 21 concert showcases the orchestra’s Young Artist Audition winner, who will open the concert with the overture from Romeo and Juliet. Contrast that evening with the May 16
NOVEMBER 2019
concert, which features a German program, including music by Beethoven and Mahler, with guest soloist Yi-Nuo Wang on piano. “We are proud to offer our audience distinctive and enriching programs every season,” Schubert says, “that not only revisit the great masterpieces of the literature but also present more unusual works that deserve to be heard.” Amid these powerful performances is the annual holiday concert, which takes place Dec. 15. It’s a popular evening in which the symphony performs lots of holiday favorites and there’s a visit from Santa. The lighter program is part of the orchestra’s outreach efforts to attract more families and grow its audience base, Campbell says. “To attract a younger audience, we’ve added more of a contextual experience in the lobby as part of our musical journey theme,” Campbell says. There’s a photo booth, supplied with props that carry out the concert’s cultural theme, where audience members can take photos and share them on social media. The lobby also includes information about each night’s concert, including its time period, composer and general notes about the culture, which add to the musical journey presented across the season. Before each subscription concert, the orchestra holds open dress rehearsals that are geared toward students. They hear the symphony and the soloists rehearse, get notes about everything
37 from the composer and the cultural context for each selection, and even are told about the orchestra — how it is seated and its different instrument groups. During breaks, students can explore the instrument “petting zoo,” sponsored by Quinlan & Fabish, where they can learn about individual instruments. It all adds up to a passion for music and performance that is contagious for audience members who take in a concert. “A DuPage Symphony Orchestra concert in Wentz Hall is truly one of the gems of the cultural arts scene of the Western suburbs,” says Teresa Muir, board president. “Audiences are sure to enjoy the quality and passion our musicians share from the stage.”
PAGES 34 & 35: Maestro Barbara Schubert has directed the orchestra for more than 30 years. She also leads symphonies at the University of Chicago and in Park Ridge. AT LEFT: At family concerts, they offer an instrument “petting zoo,” which allows children the chance to try out different instruments. BELOW: The 90-piece DuPage Symphony Orchestra performs in residence at Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College in Naperville. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DUPAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
NOVEMBER 2019
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Two stages share a passion for plays Live theater shines bright in a gray winter BY EILEEN O. DADAY
T
here are two strong community theater companies in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton, and neither one is afraid to take risks. Both are volunteer-run organizations that offer quality shows several times a year, giving local residents a chance to see and perform in live theater. “We’re very fortunate in DuPage County to have these venues that are bringing high-quality theater to the area,” says Deborah Venezia, director of Arts DuPage, the comprehensive online resource for arts and cultural events here. “Both of these companies are run by volunteers,” Venezia adds, “so they are run with passion and dedication.” The Village Theatre Guild in Glen Ellyn has been producing plays since 1963. Actors and tech crews are drawn from all walks of life, and they clearly enjoy stepping out of their everyday worlds into drama, comedy, suspense and entertainment. A reboot in 2000 drew guild members to bring in theater professionals to advise them on their productions. It resulted in the Visiting Artists’ Program, which offers members the opportunity to study with professionals as well as get their input on productions. Their latest shows demonstrate their willingness to tackle new and thought-provoking works, including the new comedy “Becky’s New Car,” which closed last month, and “Any Given Monday,” a comedy-drama coming up next that shines a spotlight on the uncomfortable topic of infidelity. The playhouse is inside a converted one-room schoolhouse built in 1917, located in Glen Ellyn. Wheaton Drama Inc. dates all the way back to 1931. The veteran theater company constantly looks for ways to challenge itself, as was the case with its September show, “The Addams Family — A New Musical,” which featured the
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group’s first deaf actor. Gretchen Gannon of Lombard appeared as a deaf character in the show’s “Ancestor Chorus” of dead Addams relatives who come back to life. Wheaton Drama had an sign language interpreter at performances to make the show more accessible. Its next show, “Moonlight and Magnolias,” is based loosely on the real events that led up to finalizing the 1939 screenplay for the film “Gone with the Wind.” The comedy takes fans behind the scenes of MGM Studios as famed producer David O. Selznick struggles to save his beloved film project, and all in one week. Wheaton Drama members stage their six shows per year in Playhouse 111, located in downtown Wheaton. While both theaters are located relatively close to each other, Venezia says the area can support both. “There are many people truly dedicated to the arts in DuPage County, but they like the suburban lifestyle,” she says. “They can get live, quality theater right here, without having to go downtown. “Ultimately,” Venezia adds, “these dedicated theater companies are building a better community, by having the quality arts presence.”
ON STAGE “Macbeth,” Nov. 14-24 Playhouse Theatre, College of DuPage Theater Department $14-$16, www.atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Macbeth wants to be king, but what will it take to get there? Pressured by three witches, he and his wife Lady Macbeth choose a brutal and ill-fated path of greed, ego and morality. Note: Mature themes and language.
“Moonlight & Magnolias,” Nov. 15-Dec. 8 Playhouse 111, 111 Hale St., Wheaton. A Wheaton Drama production. $16-$19. www.wheatondrama.org/order-tickets. Before “Gone with the Wind” became one of the greatest films in cinematic history in 1939, David Selznick had one madcap week to get the screenplay finished and save his movie. Comedy.
“Any Given Monday,” Jan. 17-Feb. 8, 2020 Village Theatre Guild, 2S720 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $19.99. www.villagetheatreguild.org/productions. Lenny is a good teacher, an excellent father and a loving husband. So when his wife leaves him for a smooth-talking lothario who builds Walmarts, his life is shattered. While Lenny consoles himself with pizza and football, his best friend Mick takes matters into his own hands. Now Lenny must decide what he will stand up for and who he will stand up to. How far is too far to get back to happily-everafter?
“Little Women — The Broadway Musical,” Jan. 17Feb. 9, 2020 Playhouse 111, 111 Hale St., Wheaton. A Wheaton Drama production. Experience Louisa May Alcott’s familiar story of the four March sisters in a new way with a timeless, cozy musical perfect for a midwinter’s eve.
“Mothers and Sons,” March 20-April 11, 2020 Village Theatre Guild, 2S720 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $19.99. www.villagetheatreguild.org/productions. At turns funny and powerful, Terrence McNally’s play portrays a woman who pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son’s partner, who is now married to another man and has a young son. Challenged to face how society has changed around her, she revisits the past and sees the life her son might have led.
ABOVE: The Village Theatre Guild in Glen Ellyn recently staged “Becky’s New Car,” and is presenting a comedydrama, “Any Given Monday,” next. COURTESY OF VILLAGE THEATRE GUILD
AT LEFT: Wheaton Drama cast a deaf actress in “The Addams Family – A New Musical.” Next up is the comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias.”
“Hauptmann,” March 2-April 5, 2020 Playhouse 111, 111 Hale St., Wheaton. A Wheaton Drama production. Just before his 1936 execution, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, the German immigrant convicted of murdering the Lindbergh baby, shares his side of this gripping tale in this dramatic play.
COURTESY OF WHEATON DRAMA
NOVEMBER 2019
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UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, Nov. 10
Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Operating model train displays, Lego layout, HO layout for kids to operate. Buy, sell, trade. $7; under 12 free. Free parking. (630) 290-1962. The State of Jazz 2019: 6 p.m. at the Belushi Performance Hall in the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Blue Note Records’ 80th birthday celebration featuring Kandace Springs, the James Carter Organ Trio and James Francies. $55-$60. www.atthemac.org.
Monday, Nov. 11 Spirit at Sundown/Cantigny Veterans Day: 4:30 p.m. at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Veterans Day remembrance, Quilts of Valor ceremony honoring four local veterans, native veteran drum circle and dance by Trickster Art Gallery, meet local community veteran groups. Cantigny’s First Division and House museums open today 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; visit the McCormick Museum’s 1936 Art Deco movie theater.
A Veterans Day to Remember: 7-8:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St. Program presented by the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Includes a children’s book read by a veteran, personal stories, an interactive “what would you do” activity, and information about ways to support the shelter. www.wheatonlibrary.org. Percussion Ensemble Concert: 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Edman Memorial Chapel, at Washington and Franklin streets at Wheaton College. The Wheaton College Percussion Ensemble. $5-$10 at the door; free to all students and Wheaton College ID holders. (630) 752-5099.
Tuesday, Nov. 12 Faculty Recital Series/‘Musical Chairs’: 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, 132 Recital Hall at Wheaton College, 520 Kenilworth Ave. Rose Armbrust Griffin, violin, and Lee Joiner, viola, joined by Paul Zafer, violin, Lilian Chou, violin, Diane Chou, cello, and Eugenia Jeong, piano, in a program of chamber music. $5-$10 at the door only; free to stu-
TOP LEFT: The Midtown Men — formerly members of the “Jersey Boys” — are at the MAC on Nov. 16. COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT THEATRE
BOTTOM LEFT: The big poinsettia show and sale at Cantigny is Nov. 22. COURTESY OF CANTIGNY
TOP RIGHT: This year’s Wheaton Christmas Parade is Friday, Nov. 29, and the tree lighting will be at city hall on Saturday, Nov. 30. DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO
NOVEMBER 2019
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Info@ignitehopecandles.org or visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ ignitehope-fall-fundraiser-veriety-show-tickets-74551283897. ‘Moonlight and Magnolias’: Nov. 15-Dec. 8 at Wheaton Drama Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Comedy depicting the final madcap week in 1939, as David Selznick does whatever he can to finish his film “Gone with the Wind.” $16-$19. www. wheatondrama.org/order-tickets. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 3 p.m. Jazz Ensemble Concert: 7:30 p.m. in Barrows Auditorium, in the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College, 500 College Ave. The Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble directed by Katie Ernst. $5$10 at the door only; free to all students and Wheaton College family with ID. Reception to follow. Info: (630) 752-5099.
Saturday, Nov. 16
“Pete the Cat,” a musical, will be at the MAC at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15. Best for ages 6-11. PHOTO BY JEREMY DANIEL PHOTOGRAPHY
dents and Wheaton College ID holders. (630) 752-5099. Philosophizing by Listening to the Past: 7:30-9 p.m. at Blanchard Hall, Room 339 Lecture Hall, 501 College Ave., Wheaton College. Lecture by David Vessey, professor of philosophy at Grand Valley State University and author of more than 20 articles on hermeneutics. Info: Amy Park, (630) 752-5040, or email philosophy@wheaton.edu.
Wheaton Holiday Housewalk: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at four beautiful Wheaton homes decorated for the holidays. Visit in any order; no strollers allowed. $35-$40. Walk is a fundraiser for the Wheaton North Flight Show Choir. For details, email sharon. sinarahua@cusd200.org or www.wheatonholidayhousewalk.com. The Midtown Men: 7:30 p.m. at the Belushi Performance Hall in the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Stars from the original cast of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” with the greatest hits of the 1960s. $65-$75. www. atthemac.org. Irish Chamber Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. in Edman Chapel, 401 E. Franklin St., on the Wheaton College campus. Traditional repertoire, new commissions and collaborations with DJs and dance companies, with conductor/composer Jörge Widmann and >
CUISINE THAT SUSTAINS AND PROMOTES
Thursday, Nov. 14 Band Ensemble Concert: 7-8:30 p.m. at Glenbard West High School. When is a Dragon More Than a Dragon/The Imaginative Worlds of Lewis and Tolkien: 7-8 p.m. in the Bakke Auditorium at the Marion E. Wade Center, 51 E. Lincoln Ave., Wheaton College. Lecture by David C. Downing, co-holder of the Marion E. Wade Chair of Christian Thought, explores how the differing spiritual journeys of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien influenced their creative processes. Reception to follow. Free. Info: (630) 752-5908 or email wade@wheaton.edu. Macbeth: Nov. 14-24 at the Playhouse Theatre, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Macbeth wants to be king, but what will it take to get there? Pressured by three witches, he and his wife choose an ill-fated path of greed, ego and morality with devastating consequences. Mature themes and language. $14-$16. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. www.atthemac.org.
Friday, Nov. 15 SchoolStage/’Pete the Cat’: Pete is a groovy blue cat whose life is an adventure, and then he moves in with a very organized second-grader, Jimmy Biddle. Performances for Pre-K-second grade at 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the COD McAninch Art Center, $8. A third performance, recommended for ages 6-11, is at 7 p.m. $14-$20. (630) 942-2220 or www.atthemac.org. Ignite Hope Fall Fundraiser Variety Show: 6-11 p.m. at Emmett’s Brewing Co., 121 W. Front St., Wheaton. Variety show with 50/50 drawing, and Ignitehope candles for sale. To perform, email info@ignitehopecandles.org. Audience, $20. Email
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42 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. Author of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” a coming-of-age tale about losing a sister and shattering stereotypes to find herself amid the anxieties and expectations of growing up Mexican American. Sánchez was a 2017 National Book Award finalist and formerly the advice columnist for Cosmopolitan for Latinas. Free. Chamber Music Concert: 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Armerding Center for Music, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave. at Wheaton College. Performed by students of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. Free. (630) 752-5099.
Thursday, Nov. 21
soprano Claron McFadden. $10-$45. wheaton.edu/ArtistSeries. org or (630) 752-5010.
Sunday, Nov. 17 All Animal Expo: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Reptiles, birds, exotic mammals, small livestock, animal supplies. $5. Free parking. Info: (630) 917-0366. GCCR Holiday Jingle Pawty: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Annual holiday fundraiser for Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue (for Cavalier King Charles spaniels) $20; $5 for 6-12 years and 5 and under free. Info: Marie, (773) 295-7129.
Tuesday, Nov. 19 ‘Sixteen Shots’: 7 p.m. at Pierce Chapel Auditorium, 433 N. Washington St., Wheaton. The Center for Urban Engagement at Wheaton College presents Jamie Kalven, a Chicago-based author, journalist and human rights activist, who founded the Invisible Institute to enhance the capacity of citizens to hold public institutions accountable. Free. Info: Kari VanderVelde. (630) 752-5730 or email urban.studies@wheaton.edu.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 SchoolStage/Macbeth: 10 a.m. at Playhouse Theatre, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.. Performance for high school students. $8. www.atthemac.org. Aden Kumler/Visiting Artist Series: 11 a.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Aden Kumler is associate professor in art history, Romance Languages and Literatures departments at the University of Chicago and an affiliated faculty member of the U of C Medieval Studies program, Center for the Study of Gender & Sexuality, and Divinity School. DuKane Art Show: 7-8:30 p.m. at Wheaton North High School, 701 W. Thomas Road, showcasing the best work of art students from Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South, Geneva, Batavia, Lake Park, Glenbard North, St. Charles East and St. Charles North. Awards announced at 7:45 p.m. Info: sharon. sinarahua@cusd200.org. Author Erika L. Sanchez: 7 p.m. at Glenbard South High School, Santa will be on hand to light the tree in Glen Ellyn on Nov. 29. DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO
NOVEMBER 2019
‘42nd Street’ telecast: 7 p.m. at Belushi Performance Hall, at the McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Telecast of a live performance of the London revival of the Depression-era tap dancing musical. Shown on the big screen. $24. Repeated at 2 p.m. Nov. 23. Elections 101: 7-9 p.m. in the Robert R. McCormick House Freedom Hall at Cantigny. A League of Women Voters Civic Awareness event, featuring Abby Witt discussing “How Campaigns Make Decisions on Voter Outreach.” Witt is a partner at Arena Consulting, with 15 years and six election cycles of experience in politics, government and advocacy. Free event and parking, but must register: cantigny.org. ‘The Little Mermaid’: 7:30 p.m. at Glenbard South High School, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. The high school’s fall musical. Other performances: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22-23; noon on Nov. 23. Tickets TBA.
Friday, Nov. 22 Poinsettia Display and Sale: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. 15+ varieties and more than 3,000 poinsettias, all grown on site from cuttings. Cantigny horticulturists will answer questions at points along a self-guided tour. Free; parking $5. www.cantigny.org. Wheaton College Gospel Choir Fall Concert: 7:30 p.m. in Coray Alumni Gymnasium in the Todd M. Beamer Center, 421 N. Chase St., Wheaton. $5-$10. Info: (630) 752-5251. ‘The Little Mermaid’: 7:30 p.m. at Glenbard South High School, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. The high school’s fall musical. Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. in Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Symphony presents “Abundance: A Concert for Thanksgiving,” featuring Concerto Competition winners. $5-$10 at the door only; free for all students and Wheaton College ID holders. Info: (630) 752-5099.
Saturday, Nov. 23 Jingle Bell Run: 8:30 a.m. at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Get decked out for this Arthritis Foundation race, designed to raise money and awareness to cure America’s No. 1 cause of disability. $15-$45; reduced for children. www.jbr.org/WesternSuburbs. ‘The Little Mermaid’: Noon and 7:30 p.m. performances at Glenbard South High School, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. The high school’s fall musical. ‘42nd Street’ telecast: 2 p.m. at Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Telecast of a live performance of the London revival of the Depression-era tap dancing musical. Shown on the big screen. $24.
Sunday, Nov. 24 DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble Concert: 3 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $7.
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Beauty, history and family fun are just around the corner!
Local comedian Mike Toomey headlines the Dec. 5 “Comedy with a Cause,” a fundraising evening for the DuPage County Area Project.
Monday, Nov. 25 A History of St. James Farm: 3-4 p.m. at the McCormick House Freedom Hall at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Includes an overview of the buildings, farm life, and a brief insight into the lives of Chauncey and Brooks McCormick. Free with parking fee, but registration required. For ages 14+. (630) 2608222 or cantigny.org.
See what’s coming up at Cantigny.org.
Thursday, Nov. 28 Turkey Trot Predicto 5-Mile Race: 8 a.m. race start at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. The Glen Ellyn Park District’s annual Thanksgiving race. All ages and skill levels. Top two runners who most accurately predict their finish time will win a Thanksgiving treat. Prizes will also be awarded for Best Costume! Please donate a nonperishable food item.
Friday, Nov. 29 Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights: Nov. 29-Dec. 30 at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; lights come on at 3 p.m. Christmas trees, hot chocolate, holiday gifts for sale. Proceeds support the zoo, its animals, programs and exhibits. Admission: $6-$7; free for Wheaton Park District residents. Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk: 6-8:30 p.m. in downtown Glen Ellyn. Glen Ellyn comes alive with twinkling lights, decorated storefront windows, the sounds of Christmas, and Santa lighting the Christmas tree. 6:30 p.m. tree lighting; 7-8:30 p.m. downtown shopping and Santa at the fire station. Wheaton Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. from the corner of Wesley Street and Wheaton Avenue, marches to Front Street, turns east and stops at Cross Street. Santa Claus and other mascots will be available after the parade to snap pics with kids.
Saturday, Nov. 30 Firefly Market: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. 100+ artisans of handmade goods, live music, plants, farmhouse-style signs, industrial metal work, refinished furniture, soy candles, garden items, warm weather apparel and accessories, botanical artwork, vintage items, jewelry and artisan soap. Both indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly. $6; 12 and younger free. Info: Anna Martch, (708) 738-0551. Wheaton Christmas Tree Lighting: 5 p.m. at Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St. This is the first year the tree will be at city hall, and it is a living tree, so it will grow from year to year. > NOVEMBER 2019
44 Sunday, Dec. 1 ‘A Million Dollar Christmas’: 4 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The cast of the smash hit “Presley, Perkins, Lewis and Cash” bring the rock ‘n’ roll hits, plus heartwarming holiday tunes. $45-$65. www.atthemac.org.
Monday, Dec. 2 DuPage Community Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Holiday concert directed by Terry Redford with special features: “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson; “March of the Toys” from “Babes in Toyland” by Victor Herbert; “A Medieval Christmas” by Philip Sparke and more. $7 at the door.
Tuesday, Dec. 3 Contemplating the Words and Images of Advent: 9:30 a.m.-noon, at the Tau Center, 26W171 Roosevelt Road, Entrance 5, Wheaton. Facilitated by Sr. Glenna Czachor, a morning of reflection, contemplating the scriptures and themes of Advent using the practices of Lectio Divina (“sacred reading”) and Visio Divina (“sacred seeing”). $15, register by noon, Nov. 26. eventbrite.com. Glen Ellyn Woman’s Club 125th Holiday Festival: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Glen Oak Country Club, 21W451 Hill Ave., Glen Ellyn. Social hour, lunch, silent auction, music by the Glenbard West Madrigal Singers. Proceeds benefit scholarships. $50. glenellynhistory.org. COD Small Group Jazz Ensemble in concert: Noon, in the Playhouse Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A variety of types of jazz, ranging from classic to contemporary, instrumental as well as vocal. Free. Blaise Magniere, violin: 7:30 p.m. in Armerding Recital Hall, 520 Kenilworth Ave. on the Wheaton College campus. Guest violin recital with Blaise Magniere, a founding member of the Avalon String Quartet, playing the E Major Partita, A Minor Sonata and D Minor Partita for solo violin by J.S. Bach. Free. Info: (630) 7525099. COD Chamber Orchestra concert: 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Directed by Philip Bauman, ensemble performs traditional literature, plus jazz, contemporary classical, theater and film music. Open to all performers from high school to adult.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 COD Percussion Ensemble in concert: 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Ben Wahlund, director, leads drumming, pop arrangements, original compositions for percussion ensemble, and classics from the minimalist schools.
Thursday, Dec. 5 COD Small Group Jazz Ensemble in concert: Noon, in the Playhouse Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center, COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A variety of types of jazz, ranging from classic to contemporary, instrumental as well as vocal. Free. COD Guitar Ensemble in concert: 2 p.m., in the Playhouse Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Steve Ramsdell, director. Lively mix of blues, jazz, funk and classical arranged for a group of guitarists. NOVEMBER 2019
Glenbard West Madrigals in concert: 7:309 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 393 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Wheaton Warrenville South orchestra concert: 7:30-9 p.m. at Wheaton Warrenville South High School, 1993 Tiger Trail, Wheaton. COD Chamber Singers and Concert Choir in concert: 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Director, Lee R. Kesselman. $7. Comedy with a Cause: 8-10:30 p.m. at Parkway Bank, 22W555 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. Headlined by comedian Mike Toomey. $25; fundraiser for DuPage County Area Project, a nonprofit working to prevent juvenile delinquency. www.ducap.org or call Jess Raines at (630) 414-8128.
Friday, Dec. 6 Wintersong 2019/Christmas with Glen Ellyn Wheaton Chorale: 7:30 p.m. at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton. Info: (630) 415-3066. Ticket info TBA. Encore performance at 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Wheaton College Christmas Festival: 7:309:30 p.m. at Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets in Wheaton. “Through His Own Redeeming Love” features the Wheaton College choirs and Symphonic Band. $18. Tickets: wheaton.edu/christmastickets; at box office, 418 N. Chase St., Wheaton, or (630) 752-5010. Other performances, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Gavin Coyle, ‘A Celtic Christmas’: 8 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Sing along with Gavin and pianist Paul Burgess, harpist Kaaren Banaszewski and flutist Joanne Diebold, on traditional holiday favorites from America and Ireland. $35; proceeds benefit the People’s Resource Center, a DuPage County nonprofit. www.atthemac.org.
Saturday, Dec. 7 Wheaton North Music Department Pancake Breakfast: 6 a.m.noon at Wheaton North High School, 701 W. Thomas Road, Wheaton. Wheaton Lions Club Reindeer Run: 8:30-11 a.m. at Main and Wesley streets. In partnership with the Wheaton Park District. $30-$35. runsignup.com/Race/IL/Wheaton/ReindeerRun2019. Living Wheaton Christmas Festival: Noon-3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7-Dec. 21, at Martin Memorial Plaza in downtown Wheaton. Raffles for beautiful wreaths, Letters to Santa Mailbox, horse-drawn carriage rides, cookie decorating, The Merry Elf contest, roaming entertainment and a live ice-carving demonstration on Dec. 7. For details, visit www.downtownwheaton.com. Cantigny Holiday Festival: 1-7 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The park will be decorated for the holidays, with continuous showings of “The Grinch” (2018) inside the theater at the Visitor Center, horse-drawn trolley rides ($2), crafts and face painting ($3), Storytime with Mrs. Claus, Visit with Santa and shop the Mistletoe Market (local crafters). Free admission with $5 parking fee. Silvertones Chorus Presents Happy Holly Days: 3 p.m. in the Memorial Room at the Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St. The chorus is joined this year by the “Take Note” choral group. $8 advance; $10 at the door. Buy at wheatonparkdistrict.com/tickets or in person at the park district community center or Mary Lubko Center, 208 W. Union Ave. (630) 665-1415 to charge by phone.
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Wintersong 2019/Christmas with Glen Ellyn Wheaton Chorale: 3 p.m. at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton. Info: (630) 415-3066. Ticket info TBA. Gingerbread and Candlelight with Aunt Tillie and Her Elves: 4-7 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. Holiday celebration for the family. $5; free for kids. glenellynhistory. org. Wheaton College Christmas Festival: 4 and 7:30 p.m. performances at Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets in Wheaton. “Through His Own Redeeming Love” features the Wheaton College choirs and Symphonic Band. $18. Tickets: wheaton.edu/christmastickets; at box office, 418 N. Chase St., Wheaton, or (630) 752-5010. Other performances, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Second City Presents ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Sweater”: 5 and 8 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Comedy troupe skewers all the things we lovingly loathe about the holiday season. $32-$46. www.atthemac.org.
Sunday, Dec. 8 Christmas Sweater Shuffle 5K: 7:30 a.m. starting and ending in downtown Glen Ellyn on Main Street. Wear your brightest holiday sweater. Afterward, refreshments, music, Santa, and a holiday breakfast at Main Street Pub. $35/adult, $30/child. Benefits the Friends of Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation. www.christmassweatershuffle.com. Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Operating model train displays, LEGO layout, HO layout for kids to operate. Buy, sell, trade. $7; under 12 free. Free parking. (630) 290-1962. Santa Express Train: 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Dec. 8, Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Wheaton Metra Station, 402 W. Front St. Join Kidz Kingdom and the DuPage County Historical Museum for a Santa Express train ride departing from the downtown Wheaton Metra Station. $20. Must register. dupagemuseum.org. ‘God with Us!’ Christmas cantata: 9:30-10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton. The Christmas cantata shares the story of Jesus. Nursery care provided. Fellowship following worship service. Free. stmatthewucc.org. McCormick House Holiday Concert: 4-5 p.m. in McCormick House Freedom Hall at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Whea-
ton. Wheaton College artists perform a variety of holiday music. For ages 10+. Free with parking fee, but registration is required due to limited seating. www.cantigny.org. COD DuPage Chorale: 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Haydn’s Harmoniemesse and the J.S. Bach Cantata BWV No. 1. Community chorus, directed by Lee R. Kesselman and accompanied by William Buhr.
Tuesday, Dec. 10 Aunt Tillie’s Christmas Storytime: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. Aunt Tillie tells her Christmas stories, children make a craft. Geared toward ages 2-5, but all are welcome. Adults are asked to stay with their children. Free; no reservations required. glenellynhistory.org. Glenbard West Winter Music Festival: 6 p.m. in the Glenbard West High School auditorium, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Wheaton Warrenville South Choral concert: 7:30 p.m. at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 Glenbard West Winter Music Festival: 6 p.m. in the Glenbard West High School auditorium, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Holiday Floral Design: 6:30-8 p.m. at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Make a holiday arrangement that will last all season, using both conifer greens and fresh flowers. $45-$50. Bring a shallow box or tray to take it home; and a hand pruner and wire cutter if you have them. www.cantigny.org.
Thursday, Dec. 12 Wheaton Warrenville South Winter Art Show: Details TBA.
>
OPPOSITE PAGE: Gavin Coyle is back in the Belushi Performance Hall at the MAC on Dec. 7 with “A Celtic Christmas.” COURTESY OF THE MCANINCH ARTS CENTER
THIS PAGE: The 2018 “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown free at the Glen Art Theatre on Dec. 14. UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP
NOVEMBER 2019
46 Wheaton North Children’s Play: 6 p.m. at the high school, 701 Thomas Road, Wheaton. Details TBA.
Friday, Dec. 13 Merry Mad Mid-Mod: Dec. 13-15 at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. A holiday review in the style of the classic late ’60s/early ’70s holiday TV specials with music, comedy and holiday cheer. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 3 p.m. Dec 15. $15. www.wheatondrama.org/order-tickets.
Saturday, Dec. 14 Christmas Bird Count: 8:30 a.m. at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Take part in a nationwide event sponsored by the National Audubon Society. All day event, but you can participate for as long as you like. You can also stay for the CBC Countdown Dinner where we recap the day. Limit 20 birders, so must register with Jeff Reiter. www.cantigny.org. Lego Train Show: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. A holiday tradition, and the largest show put on by the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club. Visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots get free parking. Show admission free with $5 parking. Santa Express Train: 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. at the Wheaton Metra Station, 402 W. Front St. Join Kidz Kingdom and the DuPage County Historical Museum for a Santa Express train ride. $20. Must register. dupagemuseum.org. CSA Suzuki Strings Christmas Concert: 10-11:30 a.m. in Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets at Wheaton College. Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College presents this free concert. Info: (630) 752-5567. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Glen Art Theatre, 540 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free family movie event. Info: Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, (630) 469-0907. ‘The Nutcracker’: 2 and 7 p.m. performances in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Salt Creek Ballet and the New Philharmonic out on an enchanting new production of the classic. $34-$44. Two more performances are at 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Beyond Glee presents ‘Beyond Christmas’: 2 and 5 p.m. shows in the Memorial Room at the Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St. Beyond Glee is back with this holiday special, with beautiful songs of the season. $8 presale; $10 at the door. Buy them at wheatonparkdistrict.com/tickets or in person at the Community Center or Mary Lubko Center, 208 W. Union Ave. (630) 665-1415 to charge by phone. Wheaton Warrenville South Holiday Pops Concert: 7 p.m. at the high school, 1993 Tiger Trail. Merry Mad Mid-Mod: 7:30 p.m. at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. A holiday review in the style of the classic late ’60s/early ’70s holiday TV specials with music, comedy and holiday cheer. $15. www.wheatondrama.org/order-tickets.
Sunday, Dec. 15 Zurko’s Antique Flea Market: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Admission, $5; early buyers from 6-8 a.m. are $10. Free parking. Info: (715) 526-9769. Lego Train Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. A holiday tradition and the largest show put on by the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club. Visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots get free parking. Show admission free with $5 parking. Santa Express Train: 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. at the Wheaton Metra Station, 402 W. Front St. Join Kidz Kingdom and the DuPage County Historical Museum for a Santa Express train ride departing from the downtown Wheaton station. $20. Must register. dupagemuseum.org. NOVEMBER 2019
The highly anticipated holiday Lego Train Show is back at Cantigny on Dec. 14-15, the biggest Northern Illinois Lego Train Club show of the year. Free admission with $5 parking. FILE PHOTO BY BRIAN HILL
All Animal Expo: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Reptiles, birds, exotic mammals, small livestock, animal supplies. $5. Free parking. Info: (630) 917-0366. ‘The Nutcracker’: 1 and 5 p.m. performances in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Salt Creek Ballet and the New Philharmonic out on an enchanting new production of the classic. $34-$44. Merry Mad Mid-Mod: 3 p.m. at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. A holiday review in the style of the classic late ’60s/early ’70s holiday TV specials with music, comedy and holiday cheer. $15. www.wheatondrama.org/order-tickets.
Monday, Dec. 16 Student Composers’ Concert: 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Room 102 of Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Student composers at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music debut new works. Free. Info: (630) 752-5099.
Thursday, Dec. 19 Wheaton North High School Holiday Concert: 7-9 p.m. at Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton College.
Friday, Dec. 20 Candy Cane Hunt: 1-2 p.m. or 2:15-3:15 p.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave., Glen Ellyn. Ages 2-8 search for hundreds of hidden candy canes, make a craft project and enjoy a story. $10-$15, limited spots so must register. www.gepark.org/register.
Saturday, Dec. 21 ‘A Christmas Carol’ Radio Show: 3 and 5 p.m. performances in McCormick House Freedom Hall, at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Presenting Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, “A Christmas Carol,” as a 1940s radio show. For ages 8 and older. Free, but $5 parking fee applies and must register. www.cantigny.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 31 New Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Concerts: 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Waltzes, arias, light classical and movie music, with mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen singing “La Vie en Rose” and “Mon Cour.” $65-$77. www.atthemac.org.
Perspective
Aerial shot with a drone of Wheaton’s iconic 1896 county courthouse, now condominiums. PHOTO BY BEV HORNE
What will
YOUR STORY BE?
From COD to MD
Mark Tom takes a holistic approach to medicine—and life. He credits COD for helping him achieve his goals. Not only does this doctor want to help patients, but also his community and humanity. That mission has taken Tom to places like Honduras and the San Juan Islands, where his impact went beyond medical work. He also ran a children’s soccer camp and developed a volunteer training program to promote senior health. While completing his residency, Tom is researching ways to improve outcomes for hospitalized patients through nutrition, exercise and probiotics. “I still remember my early college days at COD and how it really laid a strong foundation for the work I do today.” —Mark Tom, COD alumnus
Start your story now. Apply at cod.edu.
For ADA accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD). Please call two weeks in advance. ©2019 College of DuPage. All rights reserved. MCS-19-79103(9/19)