Ann Grube didn’t intend to make history when she started volunteering with The Community House in 1983. She and her husband, John, had just moved to Hinsdale from Manhattan.... — Updated 3/15/2023

Therese Moraleda of Hinsdale likely will make history as the first girl to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout with Hinsdale's BSA Troop 10. Moraleda, a sophomore at Hinsdale Central,... — Updated 3/8/2023

Every year in grad school when we taught the short story "The Yellow Wall-paper" to our freshman writing classes, my friend David would use the opportunity to include a quick... — Updated 3/1/2023

I spent many years confused by Lent. I’d watch my Catholic friends and acquaintances give up something they either wanted to give up, like chocolate, or thought they needed to... — Updated 2/22/2023

When my dad died almost 21 years ago, I had only a handful of friends who had lost a parent. My husband joined what I've heard described as "the club no one wants to be in" when... — Updated 2/15/2023

I've been thinking a lot about love lately - and not because Valentine's Day is only a few days away. I've been thinking about love because Dan Harris keeps bringing it up on 10 Per... — Updated 2/8/2023

Next week we will begin our coverage of the Tuesday, April 4, election. Unlike most years, we have a single contested race to cover — the Hinsdale High School District 86 board,... — Updated 2/1/2023

I had every intention of getting my COVID booster. Really, I did. But I couldn't seem to find space in my schedule for a day-long recovery period - as I needed after my previous... — Updated 1/25/2023

Ham and cheddar scones. Egg and watercress sandwiches. Salmon spread on pumpernickel. Sticky toffee pudding. That's the menu for tonight's book club meeting, a perfect compliment... — Updated 1/18/2023

The doorbell rang shortly after dinner Tuesday night. As I flipped the deadbolt and opened the door, I expected to find someone trying to sell me more popcorn or more cookies (both... — Updated 1/11/2023

I've learned over the past three years that change is inevitable - even when it comes to cherished holiday traditions. But there's one I plan to continue as long as I can. The... — Updated 12/28/2022

More than a decade ago associate editor Ken Knutson and I covered one of my favorite Christmas stories of all time. Hinsdale's Wes Gibson and his elves - or rather, employees -... — Updated 12/14/2022

I feel like Sally Field at the 1985 Oscars. You like us. You really like us. Field unfortunately was misquoted and that's not exactly what she said (read more about it online, if... — Updated 12/7/2022

Ainsley enjoyed a piece of chocolate with her breakfast this morning. Chocolate (unless it's in the Nutella on her waffles) typically isn't on the morning menu at our house, but it... — Updated 11/30/2022

My cell phone rang at 4:50 p.m. Saturday. It was Slonoff. “It’s a little early,” I thought to myself. “But this has gotta be a call about Thanksgiving.” I was right. Jim... — Updated 11/22/2022

Monday mornings can be tough. This past one, I lost my credit card before I even got in the shower. I had planned to combine my morning walk with a quick errand to pick up some cold... — Updated 11/16/2022

I never asked my dad, who's been gone 20 years, about the time he spent in the Army in Korea. He served there between 1958 and 1960, a good five years after the war ended. I found... — Updated 11/9/2022

I’ve been thinking a lot about the seasons of life. Perhaps it’s the sign of a mid-life crisis (arriving late!) or a symptom of the pandemic’s extended unwind. Maybe it’s... — Updated 11/2/2022

I never saw Christina Aguilera's original "Beautiful" video when it came out 20 years ago. I'm not sure I would have appreciated it if I had. But as the mother of a soon-to-be... — Updated 10/26/2022

"Don't worry, be happy." You can still hear it, can't you? "Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh, don't worry Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh, be happy." Ah, Bobby McFerrin, so... — Updated 10/19/2022

While reading Sarah Ban Breathnach’s best-seller “Simple Abundance” years ago, I first encountered the term “secret anniversaries of the heart,” a line from Henry... — Updated 10/5/2022

So let me get this straight. A group called Local Government Information Services - linked to conservative Republican Dan Proft - decides to print what is essentially campaign... — Updated 9/28/2022

I wrote a column once about the cost of raising kids and got an estimate from my financial planner on the price tag for four years of college starting in 2027, the year Ainsley... — Updated 9/21/2022

"Right now, it's like this." I was introduced to this phrase earlier this week while listening to one of the Teacher Talks on the Ten Percent Happier app. "Duh," you might be... — Updated 9/14/2022