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Newspapers have been a great vehicle over the decades for those looking to have some fun April 1. In 1977, The Guardian published a seven-page special section devoted to San Serriffe, a small group of semicolon shaped islands in the Indian Ocean. The two main islands were Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse, and the islands’ leader was General Pica. Phones rang all day with readers seeking more information about this idyllic holiday spot. Only a few noticed that everything about the islands was named after printer’s ter...
You don’t need to venture far for spring break fun. Attractions are plentiful in Hinsdale and neighboring towns for amusement and enrichment. Here are a few to check out. Stop by the library The library is offer a spring break scavenger hunt from Monday to Friday of spring break. Find the hidden pictures, solve the puzzle and win a prize. Read a story in March and April while strolling in the Youth Services Department to receive a special prize. Enjoy virtual programs from the comfort of home, with Chinese nursery rhymes from...
It was widely reported last week that the Russian government had enacted new laws to repress internal opposition to its military invasion of Ukraine. Among them was a decree criminalizing independent war reporting, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of spreading “fake news” about the Russian armed forces. Since the law took effect March 4, respected news organizations such as the BBC, CNN and the New York Times have felt compelled to suspend their operations in Russia out of fear of being arrested and...
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contribution went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” — President Jimmy Carter With those words, our nation’s 39th president designated March 2-8, 1980, as National Women’s History W...
February is American Heart Month, an annual reminder not to neglect the life-sustaining organ. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., underscoring the vital importance of heart-healthy living. Prioritizing your heart can help prevent severe illness and reduce the risk of COVID-19 complications. Lung damage caused by the virus prevents oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, which in turn damages the heart tissue and prevents it from getting oxygen to other tissues. Self-care can keep our hearts healthy, and...
The Hinsdale High School District 86 Board meeting Feb. 10 prompted two responses: hope and disgust. We saw many things to appreciate — audience members who were brave enough to say they believe equity work is important work for the district to do, board member Peggy James’ call for her colleagues to be more willing to talk about issues and audience members who presented their comments thoughtfully and professionally. We are particularly inspired by the Hinsdale Central junior who had the courage to stand up and make an emo...
Giving is central to the Valentine’s Day spirit, and so at this time each year The Hinsdalean recognizes those who give their time and energy through community organizations committed to making this corner of the world a better place through their diverse missions. Here are the 2022 “Valentine” recipients as recommended by the leaders of the agencies they serve. • Joan Chiaviello and Susann Oakum have been the steadfast greeters for clients arriving at each HCS Family Services pantry distribution — even throughout the pande...
Racism isn’t always blatant. Sometimes it’s very subtle. The perpetuation of stereotypes about physical traits associated with certain ethnicities. A repeatedly mispronounced name. Slight differences in treatment. An assumption about where a person of color lives. This type of racism still exists in the world and, from everything we’ve heard, in Hinsdale High School District 86. Dozens of stories on Hinsdale’s Black Lives Matter webpage offer examples. And at last week’s school board meeting, one brave mom stood up and share...
Whether it’s snow, sleet or ice, winter weather can cause extremely dangerous road conditions. After a fairly mild start to the season, Hinsdaleans have had to navigate those elements in recent weeks. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association, in 2019, there were 440 fatal crashes, and an estimated 33,000 injury crashes that occurred in wintry conditions. Preparing oneself, and one’s vehicle, for winter weather is key. Here are some helpful tips from the NHTSA to keep you and others safe: • Slow...
Men behaving badly. That admonishment is essentially the conclusion of investigation into an October parking lot incident between board members Erik Held and Jeff Waters. The attorney hired to conduct it, Dana Crumley of Franczek P.C., presented her findings at last week’s Hinsdale High School District 86 Board meeting. We’re not sure how much the district will have to pay for this ruling, as the firm has yet to submit a final invoice. Whatever the amount, it’s too much. We’re not suggesting the district should have ignored...
If donating blood is something you’ve thought of doing, the time is now. This week the American Red Cross issued a plea to help with its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. “Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available,” the organization’s press release reads. The pandemic, of course, continues to present challenges, forcing the can...
“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” — Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr Less recognizable in its original language than the Spanish “Que será será” — “Whatever will be, will be” — this French phrase might be even more well-known. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The opening days of 2022 certainly seem to fit the bill. High number of positive COVID-19 cases. Check. Disappointment over holiday plans changed or canceled due to COVID-19. Check. Uncertainty over what the weeks and months ahead will bring wi...
As the finishing touches are being put on 2021, we look ahead to 2022 with hope and, of course, resolutions. Here are resolutions we submit to enhance an already wonderful community. • Stick to the agenda Hinsdale High School District 86 Board President Terry Walker should resolve to discuss all items on the meeting agenda. If four board members have agreed to place the item on the agenda, Walker shouldn’t change the rules — as she did Dec. 16 — and ask for another vote to determine whether to actually discuss it. • Avoid...
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town The Hinsdaleans were scurrying, they rushed all around. For last-minute gifts and cards they did sprint, Armed with lists and ideas and maybe some hints. Gateway and Grant squares and downtown they traveled. But with each stop, their nerves did unravel. The hustle and bustle had dampened their mood. They were tired and cranky and needed some food. They stopped for some lunch and looked over the list. To finish their shopping, they knew they’d persist. But they wan...
Residents of Kentucky, southern Illinois and three other states hit by twisters this past weekend are coping with death and destruction as many of us are preparing for Christmas festivities. These powerful storms resulted in unavoidable tragedies. Our friends at the Hinsdale Fire Department hope to call our attention to avoidable tragedies this holiday season by participating in the statewide Keep the Wreath Red fire safety program. For each fire caused by holiday decorations, a red bulb will be replace with a white one on...
Christmas certainly has its cast of villains, from Ebenezer Scrooge tormenting Bob Cratchit to Scut Farkas beating Ralphie up on his way home from school. Many of them are thieves. There’s the Grinch, clearing out presents from under the tree, emptying fridges and stuffing trees up the chimney. And the Burgermeister Meisterburger from “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” confiscating gifts from children and imprisoning families who allow Kris Kringle to visit. We can’t forget Harry and Marv, the pair of burglars in “Home Alo...
If there’s ever been a time to look locally for your holiday shopping purchases, this year seems to be it. With the volatility of COVID-19 encouraging a stay-close-to-home vibe again and supply chain challenges playing havoc with the broader marketplace, a quick and easy trip to a village merchant to handpick a unique item for someone special is a pretty inviting option. Hinsdale businesses offer a range of merchandise for the whole family — and extended family. Perhaps you’ve already learned that from this year’s edition...
If we could come up with one reason to be thankful for each day of November — up to and including Thanksgiving — in 2020, we certainly can do so in 2021. Complaints seem to be in abundant supply this year. But if we stop, take a breath and look around, there are so many reasons to be grateful. 1. anyone who passed out full-sized candy bars yesterday 2. the coaches and parents who support the dozens of athletes on the girls tennis, girls swimming and boys and girls cross county teams at Hinsdale Central High School, all of...
Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Anyone who’s looking to lean into that life should circle Nov. 30 on the calendar. Giving Tuesday is the “world’s biggest day of generosity” according to https://www.givingtuesday.org. Of course, it comes on the heels of the traditional shop-o-rama occasion Black Friday and the digital age’s Cyber Monday. Amidst the delight of acquisitions, let us also experience the joy of altruism through acts that reach beyond...
Having Veterans Day fall on a Thursday is a special treat for us. Every November for several years now we have recognized veterans who live in town — or whose family lives in town — with a write-up and photo. This year we are recognizing 180 veterans on 20 pages in a special section in the center of this issue. They span our country’s history, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some came home with medals and honors. Others did not come home at all. Today we join our voices as a grateful nation to pay tribute,...
Currently, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and one in three seniors dies from it. Two-thirds of Americans ages 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s are women. By 2050, the number of people ages 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to reach almost 13 million. November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging families to discuss cognitive concerns with each other and their doctor sooner to enable early diagnosis with its “Hopeful Together” c...
Zombies. Witches. Evil clowns. Executioners. Werewolves. Vampires. There’s plenty to be frightened of each Oct. 31. Equally horrifying is the following list of scary scenarios. Each year at The Hinsdalean, we come up with our own terrifying tales in honor of Halloween, imaging a variety of outrageous occurrences and their outcomes. Don’t be alarmed! Unlike evil clowns, this is all in good fun. • SNL writers get a hold of video from recent District 86 board meetings and are inspired to create another school board meeti...
We are baffled. We’ve watched and listened to the discussion of grading practices in Hinsdale High School District 86 from the Sept. 30 and Oct. 14 board meetings. We’ve been attending and reporting on school board meetings for decades, both at The Hinsdalean and other community newspapers. Typically when a board falls into a pattern of ill-tempered meetings that exceed four hours, it’s pretty easy to figure out the source and motivation behind the dysfunction. But that’s not the case with the current D86 board. Three b...
At a time when people of all ages continue to struggle with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the anti-drug message of Red Ribbon Week is more important than ever. The weeklong campaign, which runs Oct. 23-31, has a different focus each year. The 2021 theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me.” The week provides an opportunity for people to show their support for a drug-free America and to talk to children about making healthy choices. Red Ribbon Week was created after the death of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a speci...
If you’ve visited the website for HCS Family Services this month, you’ve seen some pretty funny pleas for donations. “Let’s roll with it!” “Nothing is impastable!” “Just pudding it out there” The seemingly endless scroll of catchy phrases encourages folks to donate everything from toilet paper to pasta to pudding during September, which is Hunger Action Month. The blurbs actually identify the top 30 needs for those served by HCS Family Services’ two food pantries, one at the Hinsdale Memorial Building and one at Anne M. Jean...
