Shopper takes trip down memory lane

In this year of embracing Hinsdale's heritage, Scott Moore has plenty of his own fond recollections of the town generations ago. The product of Oak School, Hinsdale Middle School and Hinsdale Central (Class of '77) moved back to town in the early 1990s with wife Elaine to raise their brood.

"I loved living here as a kid, and it just seemed natural to share it with my family," Moore said.

The impression left by his Oak principal even inspired the "Blanche Jaros" golf trip that reunites his old classmates every year. Moore recounted her strong perfume and even stronger administrative style.

"All the parents loved her because she was a very stern disciplinarian," he said.

Moore is the second guest shopper in our four-part gift guide series. He and Elaine have three adult children - Doug, Sander and Meaghan - and Moore serves on the village's plan commission.

Our tour of shops in Hinsdale's historic central business district prompted Moore to wax nostalgically about the times he and his cohorts would clamber up to building rooftops and people watch - like who emerged after a movie at Hinsdale Theater. Winter meant regular sessions of ice With hockey on the seasonal rink that would be constructed at Burns Field.

"If they had ice, we would be over there every single day," he said.

Moore recalled the past occupants of storefronts, fascinating the ladies at Alixandra Collections in particular by reminiscing of when the space housed a popular candy store. He's relished his work on the plan commission since joining last year.

"It's a really good group of people," Moore said of his fellow volunteer public servants. "We want to support the economy of the downtown. But we also want to keep the character of what it makes so special."

• Moore developed his downhill dexterity as member of Trolls youth ski club growing up and now enjoys "shredding the pow" with his family. His daughter's boyfriend, Sam, will keep warm while cutting a fashionable figure descending the slopes in an Ortovox fleece jacket in deep ocean color. $200, King Keyser

• wife Elaine's holiday season will truly sparkle while wearing a 14-karat gold Eternity stackable diamond ring. $800, Karat Jewelry Group

• Chicago-dwelling newlyweds Doug - Moore's son - and his bride Megan will appreciate the urban-sized MiniMax Big Green Egg grill with Nest package. $1,069, Fuller Home & Hardware

• daughter and outdoor enthusiast Claire will be able enjoy her favorite tunes on all of her excursions with a turquoise Wave portable Bluetooth speaker. $60, Verizon

• a ceramic 12-inch Fitz and Floyd Snowman with Mailbox cookie jar will add a special seasonal touch to daughter Meaghan's decor. $35, The Courtyard

• the entire Moore family will get a pair of synthetic silk "Coffee before Talkie" lounge pants for relaxing after all the hustle and bustle. $29.99, Hinsdale News Agency.

• Claire will love accessorizing with a beaded Calliope bracelet featuring opal and aquamarine stones on a gun metal chain. $29, Alixandra Collections

• for his music-loving son Sander, Moore chose a vintage vinyl copy of Chicago's "Live at Carnegie Hall" album. $30, Hinsdale Antiques Underground

• A gift basket packed with 30 pieces of fruit, candy, crackers, cheese and nuts is sure to delight the host of an upcoming Christmas party. "Thirty pieces of fruit is a lot of fruit!" Moore exclaimed. $100, Hinsdale Fruit Store

• A set of 20 personalized Cranes cards and lined envelopes will furnish son Sander with handsome stationery by which to send thank-yous for all his Christmas gifts. $90, Sass & Class

• Megan and Claire will both appreciate a dozen gluten-free mega oatmeal Craisin cookies. $38.28 per dozen, Sweet Ali's Gluten Free Bakery

• When it's time to wrap all the gifts, a dinner-for-two basket with pasta, sauce, napkins and a Christmas-tree shaped charcuterie board is just the no-fuss meal Moore and his wife can savor. $50, Altamura