Columnists
Summer at the Y: Active Days and Community Nights
Created by renowned sculptor Jane DeDecker, "The Spirit of the Y," a sculpture on the Century Walk tour greets visitors to the 95th Street...
KidsMatter 2 Us – Summer Fun for Families
Summer is here, and the time goes quickly. Looking for something different to do as a family this season? Try these activities to bring...
Sharing and Caring – Christmas in July Toys Needed
We talked back in January about New Year’s resolutions, noting that "decluttering" was one of the Top 3 that people put on their list....
Art Talk – Summer in the Parks
In an era of rising costs, growing inflation, and rampant negativity, it is easy to get down in the dumps. But don't let yourself...
Visit Naperville – The Power of the Boardroom
There’s never a shortage of reasons to gather and in Naperville, there’s certainly no shortage of places to do it. From larger venues to...
Little Friends: Service Improvements on the Horizon
In June 2025, Little Friends was one of 25 Illinois-based service providers that came together to create a joint venture, Community Supported Care Partners...
Loaves & Fishes: Decade of Cares, A Lifetime of Impact
This July marks the 10th anniversary of the merger between Naperville CARES and Loaves & Fishes Community Services—a milestone celebrating a decade of innovation,...
Focus on Safety – Don’t Give Thieves an Easy Target
Summer is here, and while longer days and warmer weather are welcome, they also typically bring an increase in vehicle related thefts across Naperville....
July Editor’s Notes
By now, you’ve likely watched TV news, catching clips of bedimpled Freddy, a guy on social media with a German flag by his name.
Let...
Naperville Gardener – Celebrate 250-Plus Years of Gardeners
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, let’s take a minute to reflect on how our forefathers were gardeners, environmentalists and conservationists.
George Washington hired...
America 250: Three Primary Purposes of the Declaration of Independence
In 1775, colonists in North America felt that they were overtaxed and needed to fight for their rights as subjects of the British Crown....
Fire Prevention 24-7 – Hello July! Fireworks and Grilling Safety
Summer is a season filled with fun, family gatherings and outdoor adventures. From backyard cookouts and Fourth of July celebrations to family reunions, picnics,...
Veterans in Touch – Happy Birthday, America
On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. Think about that folks. Most of us have been here less than 100 years.
Personally,...
Diveheart: Stories From the Heart – The COVID Pivot
When COVID shut down the world in 2020, nonprofits everywhere were forced to rethink everything. For Diveheart, a nonprofit dedicated to adaptive scuba and...
Lizzy’s Fund: Is the Grass Really Greener on the Other Side?
My name is Champ, and every June I watch something strange happen on my street. Humans start stuffing bags into their cars, kids run...
Movies With Tarek – ‘Toy Story 5’
When it comes to Disney and Pixar Animation, The Toy Story franchise has always held a special place in my movie history. Being born...
The Y – Father’s Day and the Y
Father’s Day is about more than gifts and cookouts—it’s about spending meaningful time together and celebrating the people who help shape our lives.
At the...
Transitions – Retirement: A Doorway to a New Journey
Last month we went to a neighbor's retirement party. He had a varied career and is now an avid golfer. Ironically, the only job...
Nutrition Knowledge – Sugar and Type 2 Diabetes
Sugar is often blamed for causing diabetes, but the relationship between sugar, insulin resistance and overall health is more complex than this. Understanding the...
Reflect on What Matters Most
Back with Naperville Central High School news one last time, I’ve spent a lot of this year thinking about what people leave behind when...