Articles written by Pamela Lannom
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 293
Schedules vary widely for area students
Butler Elementary District 53 and Gower Elementary District 62 students have spent most of the school year attending class in-person full-time, and their superintendents would like... — Updated 1/21/2021
Village preparing for Phase 1b of vaccine
As the state prepares to move into Phase 1b of vaccinations Monday, village officials are focused on making sure residents will have access to the vaccine. “The village is working with its community partner, Tammy Prentiss, from... — Updated 1/20/2021
Inauguration not what I imagined, still inspiring
Imagining what the inauguation would look like in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic was difficult for me. Would Planet Fitness sponsor "pods" for first responders to view the ev... — Updated 1/20/2021
Finding inspiration for '21 - despite rocky start
The best advice I encountered for 2021 as 2020 came to a close was hilarious. And prophetic. "Nobody claim 2021 as 'your year,' " the Facebook post advised. "We're all going to... — Updated 1/13/2021
March 1 'best-case scenario' for schools
Although Superintendent Hector Garcia was hesitant to commit to a date for fully re-opening schools, some board members in Community Consolidated District 181 are eying March 1 as a... — Updated 1/13/2021
Candidates off ballot; race uncontested
Jason Bier and Virginia Malinas will not appear on the April 6 ballot as candidates for the Community Consolidated District 181 Board. After holding a Zoom hearing Friday, the DuPage County Board of Elections upheld objections to... — Updated 1/13/2021
Fill winter days with online learning
The end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight, but life likely won't be back to normal for several months. And some folks might not be ready - even when restrictions are lifted - to... — Updated 1/6/2021
Schadenfreude, struggling and an insightful soliloquy
"Schadenfreude" is a term introduced to me by the very erudite musical, "Avenue Q." Its technical definition is taking pleasure ("freude") in another person's pain ("schaden"). Or,... — Updated 1/6/2021
Nonprofits adapted to meet 2020 demands
As the new year begins, The Hinsdalean traditionally reaches out to the leaders of the village’s seven nonprofit agencies, inviting them to offer a recap of the previous year and to share one wish for the new year. This is the... — Updated 1/6/2021
School, library board races contested
Hinsdale residents will see three contested races when they head to the polls to elect village, school and library board members on Tuesday, April 6. A total of 22 candidates are running for 11 open seats on two school boards and... — Updated 12/30/2020
A birthday letter to Ainsley as she turns 12
Nine years ago I began an annual tradition that I have somehow managed to continue. In the issue before Ainsley’s birthday each year, I use this space to write a special letter... — Updated 12/29/2020
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
The winter of 2020-21 will bring on a case of cabin fever the likes of which we’ve never seen before. After living with the coronavirus pandemic for nine months, we’re ready for life to get back to normal. If the weather will... — Updated 12/22/2020
This winter break calls for DIY fun
Typically in the issue before winter break we use this space to present a host of ideas about fun things to do in the city while the kids are off school. We often highlight special... — Updated 12/22/2020
Central swimmer, dad die in Tuesday crash
Robert Pickering, 59, and his daughter, Kendall, 15, of Hinsdale were killed in a one-car crash Tuesday evening on Interstate 85 in North Carolina. The crash occurred at 6:49 p.m.... — Updated 12/17/2020
D86 continues negotiations with unions
Representatives from Hinsdale High School District 86 and the Hinsdale High School Teachers Association met again Monday in at attempt to reach a new deal for the association’s some 365 members. Both sides have spent the past... — Updated 12/16/2020
Christmas 2020 gifting abundant share of changes
“Turn and face the strange ch-ch-changes.” — David Bowie One thing you learn as a parent is how much things change each holiday season as your kids (or kid, in my case) get... — Updated 12/16/2020
Eight shopping days remain until Christmas
Rob Johnson enjoys Christmas shopping - especially the trips he and son Jaden take in town to buy an outfit for wife (and mom) Stacy each Christmas. "I have a good eye for stuff... — Updated 12/16/2020
Acting makes life wonderful
"It's a wonderful life" might not be the phrase most would use to describe conditions this December - or even for most of 2020. Earlier this year, Hinsdale Central students were... — Updated 12/9/2020
Spritz cookies elicit sweet memories of childhood
Several years ago I found a reprint of a vintage Betty Crocker cookie cookbook at Yankee Peddler - the very same one my mom had when I was a kid. I later regretted not purchasing... — Updated 12/9/2020
D181 to regroup after CDC change on saliva tests
Plans to add saliva screening for students in Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 have been temporarily put on hold due to new requirements announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are looking... — Updated 12/9/2020
Treasures to be found online, in stores
Barb Johannesen appreciates the convenience - and the safety - of being able to shop for Christmas gifts online. She also enjoyed the opportunity to stop in a few shops in town as s... — Updated 12/9/2020
Kindness just the gift to give ourselves, others
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - the 14th Dalai Lama Did you ever learn a new word and then start to see it everywhere? Or encounter the same message or theme... — Updated 12/2/2020
Levies on local taxing bodies' agendas
The Community Consolidated District 181 Board is poised to pass a $67.1 million property tax levy on Monday, Dec. 7. The proposed levy, which totals $75.1 million when the debt service fund is included, was approved by the board... — Updated 12/2/2020
Even reluctant shoppers find great gifts
John Bourjaily confesses he's not much of a shopper. "I can sometimes shop for other people. I cannot shop for myself at all," he said. Girls are difficult to buy for - no matter th... — Updated 12/2/2020