The Hinsdalean - Community journalism the way it was meant to be

When you're working for nearly 18,000 people, it's difficult to know what any given day might bring. Whether it's filling a pothole, trimming a parkway tree or clearing an icy... — Updated 6/23/2021

Andrea Lamberg remembers the exact moment that set her on the path toward her new job as Hinsdale's finance director. Lamberg said she was about 10 years old when she became... — Updated 6/16/2021

In fearful times, look for the helpers. Growing up, Heather Bereckis heard that Mister Rogers-issued maxim often from her mom. And internalized it. "Knowing that I've helped... — Updated 6/9/2021

When village manager Kathleen Gargano shows up for work at village hall each morning, she's never quite sure what her day will hold. And that's her favorite part of the job. "No... — Updated 6/2/2021

How did your Naval career intersect with Hinsdale Rotary? A year ago in March, Sophie Lekas needed money. $32,000 to be precise. She was finishing her fourth and final year as a... — Updated 5/26/2021

Years before she would earn the title of doctor, Kristin Tvrdik found the career she was looking for at the Hinsdale Humane Society. While working at the shelter as a summer... — Updated 5/19/2021

What are your thoughts as graduation nears? Hinsdale Central student Gianna Dugan will soon shed that identifier. The senior is graduating on Monday. And as student body president,... — Updated 5/18/2021

What does it mean to be recognized by Forbes? When Carrie French entered the world of wealth management, she was in a field dominated by men. "When I started, I didn't even know... — Updated 5/5/2021

What are some gardening tips for the season? Amidst the social barrenness wrought by the pandemic, a bumper crop of new at-home gardeners has sprung forth. "They're thinking, 'I'm n... — Updated 4/28/2021

How can we better understand each other? Think you know another person's mind? Be careful about making assumptions, cautions University of Chicago psychologist Nicholas Epley. "We... — Updated 4/21/2021

What about poetry inspires you? Ellie Pena's lifelong love of poetry began with a gift from her grandmother. "My mom would read it to me before bed," Pena said of Caroline... — Updated 4/21/2021

Why is that dinosaur in your front lawn? Whether it's referred to as the big purple dinosaur, Madame Butterfly or the beastie, the whimsical sculpture that adorns the front lawn of... — Updated 4/7/2021

The pandemic has tested people's normal modes of operation, money management included as many faced sudden unemployment or a business' bottomed-out bottom line. Children ages 3-9... — Updated 3/31/2021

Peggy Smego's job as a real estate broker has always been about navigating life's changes, beginning with her own. "I love helping people get from point A to point B," said Smego,... — Updated 3/24/2021

How can we clear the clutter from our lives? Living more simply may sound appealing. But permanently stripping away the excess requires sincere soul searching, according to... — Updated 3/17/2021

How do you approach teaching women's history? In Whitney Wilda's civics class, Women's History Month lasts all year. "It's not just a month for us," said Wilda, who has taught the... — Updated 3/10/2021

How can parents prepare children for adulthood? Working as a dean at Stanford University, Julie Lythcott-Haims was dismayed both by the basic life-skill deficiencies she observed... — Updated 3/3/2021

Should pregnant women get a COVID-19 vaccine? Many people struggle with the decision of whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine. That choice can be even tougher when the decision also... — Updated 2/24/2021

What is the Black History Month bulletin board? High schoolers are used to learning facts. But when Hinsdale Central teacher David Lange was approached about creating a bulletin boa... — Updated 2/17/2021

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? When independent insurance agent Bob Smith moved his office from downtown Hinsdale to Westmont, part of his heart remained in the... — Updated 2/10/2021

What's the status of the COVID-19 vaccine in DuPage? The COVID-19 vaccine is here. But exactly where is it? And when will it be widely available? Karen Ayala, executive director of... — Updated 2/3/2021

When Julie Sutton decided to enter the world of real estate eight years ago, she thought she had found the perfect part-time career for a busy mom of three. She was wrong. "It is... — Updated 1/27/2021

Resurrecting British men's fragrance firm St. James of London in 2013 made Hinsdale's Todd Fisher feel at times like he was channeling the protagonist in Mark Twain's "A... — Updated 1/20/2021

What are the 2021 trends for kitchen remodels? Gina Mazzone's career as a kitchen and bath designer was born of a desire to create her own dream kitchen. After taking a class at... — Updated 1/13/2021

What tools can help people work out at home? With the start of a new year, many have a renewed interest in getting off the couch and back to better health. And like so many things,... — Updated 1/6/2021