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We typically don’t write editorials about taxing bodies we don’t cover. But with all that has transpired concerning the proposed TIF district along 55th Street in Clarendon Hills — and its potential impact on Hinsdale school districts — we feel compelled to share a few observations. First, a tax increment financing district — or TIF — is a complicated mechanism Illinois law allows local governments to use to redevelop a certain area to eliminate blight or prevent its onset. Without going into all the details here, the T...
Class is back in session for Hinsdale students, which means youth and families making their morning and afternoon school commutes — often on foot or by bicycle. The urge to hurry often vies for our state of mind when there are tasks to tend to. But let us this season instead tend to the safety of our community’s most precious resource by slowing down, yielding to pedestrians and obeying crossing guards who are depending on us to pay attention — i.e. off our phones — and comply as they escort students. Those driving to and...
Some approach heading back to school with a sense of anticipation and excitement. They’ve already color coded their school supplies, picked out their outfit for the first day and gotten up early for a week to make sure they are ready for classes to begin. Others are a little less enthusiastic. Their school supplies are still in the Target bag, they have no idea what they will wear the first day of school and they’re still sleeping in until 11 a.m. But heading back to school is an amazing time, whether students are able to...
August is National Wellness Month, a designation aimed at inspiring self-care, healthy routines and reduced stress for a more fulfilling life. Hinsdale and neighboring communities are rich in business and nonprofit organizations offering a full gamut of wellness activities. Check out this issue’s Out & About listing (starting on Page 16) to get information on the tai chi chuan and chi gung morning class on Aug. 10 & 24 at The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., to improve balance, develop posture and alignments, improve m...
Did three Hinsdale High School District 86 Board members discuss board business when they met for dinner at Taco Grill in Westmont a few weeks ago? We’ll never know. The three — board President Cat Greenspon and members Peggy James and Jeff Waters — contend that they were not discussing any board business. And we have no proof to counter their claim. But we have attended meetings ourselves, at work or at church or somewhere else. And we’ve talked about them afterward. That seems to be the natural progression — you and other...
The greatest athletes in the world have assembled in the French capital to compete for gold at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. In anticipation of the pomp and pageantry of the opening ceremony and the emotional roller coaster tracking the exploits of Team USA, we couldn’t help but let our imaginations run wild with the notion of what an Olympics might look like right here in Hinsdale. Granted Salt Creek may be a bit tighter to navigate than the Seine River for water sports events, and the carillon cupola atop the M...
Camps. Lessons. Team practices. Trips to the pool — or maybe summer school. Appointments at the DMV. All of the above can leave us wondering — just where are those lazy days of summer that they sing about? And with the Fourth of July well behind us and the first day at Hinsdale Central less than a month away, summer seems to be quickly slipping from our grasp. But there is plenty of summer left and plenty of activities to enjoy before it’s time to pull out the wool slacks and cashmere sweaters. Residents have six more oppor...
Feeling the urge to get out and play in the park? Lean into that spirit as July is Park and Recreation Month, a national effort to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of these cherished public resources. For Hinsdaleans that comes in the form of 122 acres of dedicated parkland at 18 sites and the Hinsdale Community Pool. The Hinsdale Parks & Recreation department is highlighting how parks and recreation programs enhance quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster community...
Katherine Lee Bates, an English literature professor at Wellesley College, was inspired to write a poem she titled "Pikes Peak" after making a trip to Colorado in 1893. The stanzas describe the stunning landscape she saw both on her train trip west and from the 14,000-foot summit. The poem first appeared in print July 4, 1895, in The Congregationalist, a weekly newspaper. Her work quickly gained in popularity. As was the custom at the time, people sang the words to "almost...
Are you a fan of John Grisham? The late Michael Crichton? Danielle Steel? All three have new books out this summer (Grisham’s “Camino Ghosts” and Crichton’s “Eruption” are available now, with Steel’s “Resurrection” due June 25.) Perhaps you have yet to read Hinsdale author Cristina Henriquez’s latest novel, “The Great Divide.” Or maybe you’re a middle schooler working your way through the “Percy Jackson” series or a preschooler sounding out words in your first “I Can Read!” book. Regardless of your age or preference, readin...
Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky: Hats off! The flag is passing by! — from “The Flag Goes By” by Henry Holcomb Bennett Tomorrow, June 14, is Flag Day. On June 6 our nation marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when the members of the Greatest Generation carried the flag into the crucible of the Normandy beaches to turn the tide of World War II. The following year, on Feb. 25, 1945, the iconic photo “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” was taken of six U.S....
On this day in 1944, the land, air and sea forces of the United States and 11 allies conducted what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Some 155,000 Allied troops stormed five separate beaches at Normandy on D-Day, with the Americans landing at Utah and Omaha beaches and the British and Canadians at Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. By the end of June, the Allies had sent 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles and 570,000 tons of supplies to the Normandy shores. The success of the invasion created a path...
May brought the Northern Lights and noisy cicadas to remind us of just what a fascinating planet we inhabit. Now on the doorstep of summer with June’s arrival Saturday, let’s remind ourselves of how much fun the community rolls out this season. The 51st annual Fine Arts Festival is in Burlington Park this weekend, featuring works by 85 participating artists (see story on Page 21). Monday, June 3, sees the return of the Farmers Market, another chamber event, at its familiar home on Chicago Avenue along Burlington Park. The...
In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky, The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not...
If you didn’t enjoy a meal outside during Hinsdale Restaurant Week in April (it was still pretty chilly), now is the time to enjoy one outdoors. Al fresco dining has not always been part of the downtown Hinsdale landscape, but it was born of necessity during the pandemic in 2020. And Hinsdale residents, restaurateurs and officials found it to be a welcome addition. The outdoor dining scene took another step forward in 2022 when the Hinsdale Village Board instituted new design standards for outdoor eateries on public p...
A lot has happened since Cat Greenspon was elected to her first term as president of the Hinsdale High School District 86 Board just one year ago. Superintendent Tammy Prentiss was put on paid administrative leave. An interim superintendent resigned after working only 59 days in the district. Two board members resigned — one less than sixth months after she was elected. The assistant superintendent of human resources, the communications director and the Hinsdale South principal all resigned. The board has been the subject o...
April is National Volunteer Month. We hope you were inspired by the stories of the four volunteers we shared on Page 5. In case you were, we’ve compiled a list of volunteer opportunities at the six largest nonprofits in Hinsdale. Many also have junior boards open to teens. Candor Health Education The nonprofit organization educates students, their trusted adults and communities on the topics of puberty, sex and substance abuse prevention. Like all nonprofit agencies listed here, Candor relies on volunteers to serve on its b...
April is National Donate Life Month, established in 2003 to bring attention to the critical shortage of organs and tissue for patients through various activities and events, and encourage individuals to become organ/tissue donors. Ceremonies are held to honor those who have donated and saved lives, to mourn those who have died while waiting for a transplant, to provide support for patients whose lives depend on finding a donor, and to celebrate the lives saved and improved due to donation. According to the Health Resources...
We are big fans of the Hinsdale Public Library and know residents are, too. In honor of National Library Week this week, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things we love about the library. 10. Super subscriptions — why pay a fortune to subscribe to some fancy service when the library offers monthly book boxes with a curated book and swag for adults, teens and students in third through fifth grade? 9. • I Spy cases — these creations from members of the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club give kids — and their parents — the chanc...
The arrival of spring for many ushers in a rising level of activities, obligations — and stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. The National Institutes of Health want people to recognize that managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle — and that knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues. Mental Health America provides a Stress Screener (ww...
Next month the Hinsdale Village Board is likely to take action on short-term rentals, changing the zoning code to prohibit people from renting Hinsdale homes for fewer than a specified number of days. Trustees, in referring the matter to the plan commission for a public hearing, suggested that threshold be 180 days. Plan commissioners said they think 90 days is a more appropriate number, and we agree. The complex nature of this issue was evident at the March 13 public hearing. First, it’s tough to determine exactly how many H...
A spring break staycation may be just the way to play this year, enjoying a less crowded, more relaxed local vibe. Your favorite community spots also have special programs especially for kiddos. The Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., always has a slate of fun activities during spring break week. To register or for more information on the following programs, visit www.hinsdalelibrary.info or call (630) 986-1976. • Youth in grades three through five will learn to make sweet and savory snacks in Kids Can Cook from 2 to 3...
This is National Sunshine Week — and not because we have an extra hour of daylight following the start of daylight saving time Sunday. Sunshine Week is an initiative launched by the American Society of News Editors in 2005 to promote conversation about the importance of open government and freedom of information. The date coincides with the March 16 birthday of James Madison, known as the “Father of the Constitution” for his role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Freedom of the press is one o...
A host of actors, filmmakers, composers, costume designers and other talented individuals will take home an Academy Award Sunday night. With Hinsdale being such a high-achieving community, we thought it only right that some local people, places and things receive an award as well. So, without further ado — or a big opening number or jokes from Jimmy Kimmel — we recognize the following: • Best performance during an election — Cat Greenspon presented herself as a reasonable individual whose priority was district student...
We all know there are 365 days in a year, right? Well, not exactly. It takes the Earth 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds to orbit the Sun. We account for those extra hours every four years by adding an extra day to the end of February. For the first time in The Hinsdalean’s history, Leap Day is also publication day! To celebrate, we’ve compiled this list of little known facts to provide both education and cocktail party conversation for the weekend. Happy Leap Day! • The Julian calendar, which Julius Caesar intr...
