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.
Also this week: a local's gay-themed country song takes off, a child's tragic pool drowning and an ex-teacher is accused of raping a student in the 90's.
Most Illinois residents don't have much sympathy for the legislators who have had their salaries suspended.
Get the details in this week's roundup.
Plans are in the works for new retailers in downtown Naperville, Lexington Square in Elmhurst launches lecture series for families on aging. Share your business news with Patch. Contact Business Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.
Check out some of the most interesting posts we found for the DuPage County area this week.
Aaron Brothers was located and the police closed their investigation into his disappearance.
Visitation will be held Friday in Elmhurst.
Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth says local and state law enforcement officials are grappling with myriad questions posed by Illinois' new concealed-carry law. "It's just speculation at this point," he said.
The artwork of Penelope Osio-Brown was created in Elmhurst, stolen in Kansas, recovered in Missouri, authenticated in New York, then returned to its rightful home in Elmhurst.
The man was last seen on July 8 during the evening, according to his family. Here is a description.
Police believe the three men are responsible for last week's burglary at Williams Liquors in Elmhurst, among others.
And, a resident on Myrtle finds his dog dead in his back yard.
Visitation and services will be held Thursday.
Four cited for tobacco sales, nine for alcohol sales on July 5.
Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard voted to override Gov. Pat Quinn's concealed-carry veto; Democratic Rep. Deb Conroy voted to uphold the veto.
Heavy rain and damaging winds may pass through our area Tuesday afternoon and evening. Check the latest radar to see where the storms are located.
Join your neighbors for the 18th annual Elmhurst Garden Walk and Faire today, Sunday, July 14.
