Former Patch Staff
Bio
I am an Elmhurst resident born and raised. I attended Jefferson Elementary School, Sandburg Junior High (they didn't have middle schools back then) and York High School. I did wander for a time, attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where I received a bachelor's degree in journalism, and living in Colorado, where I attended CU Boulder and worked for The Denver Post as a writer and photographer.
I was a bit of a nomad in Colorado, living in Wheatridge, Golden, Evergreen (my favorite) and Lakewood. It was a busy five years.
After "honing my craft" and "finding myself," I moved back to Illinois, where I took a job at The Doings Newspapers. At the time, it was among the few independently owned newspapers in the area. After I had been there about six years, the owners sold to Pioneer Press/Sun-Times Media.
My 16 years at The Doings was time well spent. I was a writer for about 11 of those years, during which time I won many national, state and regional awards. My last five years there I served as editor of The Elmhurst Doings, The Oak Brook Doings and The Weekly Doings, which included news of Willowbrook, Burr Ridge and Darien.
But what makes me uniquely suited to my job as editor of Elmhurst Patch is my deep background in and love for this town. You can take the girl out of Elmhurst but ...
As a kid, you could find me at The Candy Bar on Spring Road, MoPee's (now Southtown) for a hot dog, in the tippy tops of the trees on Cedar Street or sitting in my dad's '67 Buick Riviera, pretending to drive the neighborhood kids around.
Today, I spend as much time as possible with my kids—even the grown one, when he'll let me—doing whatever it is they want to do.
My Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics
I am a registered Republican, a rarity in media. But I actively seek out information on both sides of an issue before forming an opinion. There are problems (and problem people) on both sides of the aisle. Politics is a messy business.
Religion
I have been a member of Christ Church of Oak Brook for about 13 years. The older I get, the more I want to know the answers to things like, How did we get here? What happens when we die? What is the purpose of the other 90 percent of our brains? What about black holes, worm holes and parallel universes? I believe the answers to all those things and millions of others can be pondered through the lens of spirituality. I don't expect to get the answers—yet.
Each Monday, the DuPage Sheriff's Office highlights one criminal being sought for outstanding warrants. This week, it's Christine Dukes.
Their final presentations, due in November, will provide a greater level of detail.
Headliners include New York Times best-selling author Ayana Mathis and children's author Matthew Cordell.
Elmhurst College summer music camps were too cool for school. In fact, the cool factor surprised even the most skeptical students.
Thieves got away with cash and jewelry.
The crash remains under investigation.
John Pedersen said he timed the landing perfectly after his plane experienced mechanical difficulties. "It was a safe landing," he said.
Each Monday, the DuPage Sheriff's Office highlights one criminal being sought for outstanding warrants. This week, it's Christine Dukes.
Key Club members are dedicated to serving others.
Each Monday, the DuPage Sheriff's Office highlights one criminal being sought for outstanding warrants. This week, it's Christine Dukes.
Each Monday, the DuPage Sheriff's Office highlights one criminal being sought for outstanding warrants. This week, it's Christine Dukes.
Each Monday, the DuPage Sheriff's Office highlights one criminal being sought for outstanding warrants. This week, it's Christine Dukes.
Glenbard families are encouraged to attend Conquering the Challenges of College Costs this Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Also you can keep abreast of village and school business at meetings this week, and early birds get their pick of mums.
Here are just a few of the happenings in Elmhurst this week. Tell us what we missed in the comments.
Residents are invited to give their opinions at any of Elmhurst's committee meetings Monday night.
Hear what Shirley Moore has to say about her career as a certified nurse midwife. It seems strange to get an award for something that already gives the gift of joy," she said.
Also this week: a priest exonerated on sex-abuse charges, a nightclub is hit with a fine and suspended after a celebrity's party and a "misunderstanding" leads to a massive police response.
Also this week: a priest exonerated on sex-abuse charges, a nightclub is hit with a fine and suspended after a celebrity's party and a "misunderstanding" leads to a massive police response.
