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

Just before we sat down to watch the Illinois Press Association’s annual editorial awards lunch last Thursday, I asked Jim Slonoff a question. “Is there any chance we won the sw... — Updated 9/23/2020

When we announced this summer that we were looking for new contributing columnists, we didn't expect to have the largest applicant pool we've seen in years. (Perhaps being stuck at... — Updated 9/16/2020

Dan and I love to grill. We don't use a traditional charcoal grill (takes too long) or a Green Egg (too pricey) or one of those Weber wood pellet grills (too new). We have your... — Updated 9/9/2020

In the early days of the pandemic, I turned to Dan Brown. I mean, if the fate of the world rests on Robert Langdon's ability to decipher the next location where a killer will... — Updated 9/2/2020

I first met Ly Hotchkin some 30 years ago. If I remember correctly, I had just become managing editor of The Doings when I was sent to The Community House to meet her. Ly wanted... — Updated 8/26/2020

I've been a little obsessed with Brené Brown's "Unlocking Us" podcast since I first was introduced to her in February by Tim Ferris on his eponymous podcast (notice a theme... — Updated 8/19/2020

“I’ve been enjoying your crossword puzzle,” a friend mentioned to me at a party a couple of weeks ago. We tend to get a little insulted when people talk about what they love... — Updated 8/5/2020

I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book for a long time. I opened Dave Barry's "Lessons from Lucy" a few weeks ago and was reminded what it's like to read something so... — Updated 7/29/2020

I have a stack of travel journals in which I have documented the early days of many wonderful trips. Unfortunately, I’ve lacked the discipline to finish most of them. So when I... — Updated 7/22/2020

I'm often late to the party. I started listening to Steve and Garry on the Loop in August 1993, just about a month before the two ended their 15-year run. I became a fan of The... — Updated 7/15/2020

"Why do you print names in police beat?" a resident asked us recently, being of the opinion - as you might guess - that we should not. My initial reaction was to blurt out... — Updated 7/8/2020

Holidays always trigger a lot of memories, and Independence Day is no exception. One of my favorite Fourth of July holidays is quite possibly one of yours as well. In 2013 the... — Updated 7/1/2020

o her teen years, I fear she will increasingly fall victim to the opinions of others. Younger kids do a pretty good job of allowing each other to express their own individuality. Bu... — Updated 6/24/2020

The construction paper hearts on the barricades outside First Street restaurants flutter in the breeze. They carry messages of activism - "No justice, no peace" - and list the... — Updated 6/17/2020

He was a fixture in Chicago journalism. His death was the second story on the 10 o’clock NBC news Tuesday night. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted about his loss. But to many... — Updated 6/10/2020

Writing is a strange profession - especially when what you write is likely to be tossed in the recycling bin within 24-72 hours of its publication. And yet, writing is something... — Updated 6/3/2020

I’m not very skilled at saying no. I have such a hard time, in fact, that one of my friends/co-workers suggested a simple remedy if I find myself unable to respond in the... — Updated 5/27/2020

I don't remember much about my high school or college graduation - and neither does former President Barack Obama. He said as much in his Saturday night speech during the "Graduate... — Updated 5/20/2020

Schools have been closed since March 13. Quarantine has been in effect since March 21. We've adjusted our celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, Passover, Easter and Mother's Day... — Updated 5/13/2020

The list of canceled events at times overwhelms me with sadness. When the state lockdown began on my birthday, it wasn't too difficult to shrug it off. "We'll celebrate later," we... — Updated 5/6/2020

First responders. Docs. Nurses. Grocery store workers. Food delivery drivers. They've all been thanked - in press conferences, TV commercials and Facebook posts. They all deserve... — Updated 4/29/2020

Do you have a running list of COVID-19 questions? About things you can’t remember, like when the first case was reported? Or things you don’t know at all, like what the... — Updated 4/23/2020

Grocery shopping before a holiday always causes me a bit of angst as I try to find the perfect time when everything on my list will be on the shelves and the fewest number of... — Updated 4/15/2020

The role reversal that's taken place at my house over the last few weeks has left me a little unsettled. It's also brought me great joy. As I head out for work each morning, I... — Updated 4/8/2020

Despite my attempts to keep a positive attitude as we shelter in place, I'm not doing as well as I'd like. My husband's cousin was hospitalized Monday with COVID-19. She is on an... — Updated 4/1/2020