Week of January 1, 2026
Week of January 1, 2026
As 2025 ends and I complete my first half year as your village president, I am proud of our progress and grateful for the trust residents have placed in this administration. Our focus has been to position Hinsdale for long-term success while preserving the character, history and sense of place that define our community. Every decision this year has been guided by a simple question: How do we leave Hinsdale stronger for the next generation while honoring what has made it...
By Ken Knutson kknutson@thehinsdalean.com The dawn of every year ushers in a bevy of fresh state laws taking effect across the spectrum of society. Here are a sampling of the hundreds of new Illinois regulations arriving with 2026. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office can now issue security grants for libraries throughout the state to help provide a safe environment for patrons, employees and the community. Under the new law, grant applicants have the ability to request funding to install equipment, including security...
The boys in the hood - Before the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce was created, Hinsdale's businessmen belonged to the Hinsdale Commercial and Civic Association. Serving as officers in 1938 were S.E. Karlson, president; H.W. Theidel, first vice-president; L. Simonini, crooner; C.H. Mann, greeter; Dr. N.B. Carle, second vice-president; and O.R. Cushing, secretary-treasurer. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with our readers. Stop by...
This is the photo of Madelyn Hardy (submitted by mom Blair) that won her the title of Hinsdale's happiest baby for 2025. She appears on the front cover of today's issue, and her family is featured in the 60 Seconds article on Page...
Madelyn Hardy, the youngest child of Blaire and Mike Hardy, won The Hinsdalean's 2025 Happy Baby contest. "Madelyn is the happiest baby," her mom wrote in the entry. "She's always laughing at (with?) her family and is amused by the world around her." She was one of 29 babies entered in the contest. Learn more about Madelyn and her family in the 60 Seconds feature on Page 9, and check out her winning photo on Page 6. (Jim Slonoff...
The holiday shopping season in Hinsdale had an inauspicious start when a record 8-plus inches of snow fell on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. “That was unusual because that’s usually a very strong weekend, and it wasn’t due to the weather,” said Annette Brinkmeier, owner of SO Stockholm Objects. “Customers definitely came back on different days once the roads were clearing.” Kim Paske, store manager at Vintage Charm, agreed. “We closed early that day, so definitely that day was not as expected ...
This past year has been one of tremendous growth and forward momentum for your Hinsdale Public Library, driven directly by your feedback. After listening to the community in 2022, we launched a strategic plan focused on creating a vibrant community hub with more relevant programming and flexible spaces. We immediately expanded our offerings, and your response has been incredible. Total program attendance more than doubled, from 5,054 in 2022 to 10,937 patrons this year. While...
With New Year’s falling on a Thursday this year, The Hinsdalean likely will arrive at residences one day later. The paper is expected to be delivered to homes on Friday, Jan. 2. It will be available at newsstands and online Wednesday, Dec. 31. The Hinsdalean office will be closed Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. Hinsdale Village Hall will close Dec. 31-Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s. Residents who normally receive garbage pickup on Thursdays will have service on Friday, Jan. 2. The Hinsdale Public Library will be closed Jan. 1....
The Hinsdale Central Music Department held its annual Holiday Concerts of the choir, orchestra, band and jazz groups Dec. 10 and 11. With five choral groups, four orchestras and 10 bands/ensembles performing, the auditorium was filled with all the right notes. (Jim Slonoff...
Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 Memorial Building 19 E. Chicago Ave. www.villageofhinsdale.org On the draft agenda: public meeting on preservation incentives for 208 E. Sixth St., sign permit review for 20 W. Hinsdale Ave. (Hinsdale Barbershop window sign) Hinsdale Village Board 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 Memorial Building 19 E. Chicago Ave. www.v...
HOLIDAY BALL BREAKS RECORDS The Community House welcomed more than 450 guests to an unforgettable evening themed “Spark the Season: A Night to Shine, A Cause to Celebrate” after the Spark Youth Development Initiative, a program of The Community House. The Dec. 6 event marked a record-breaking year for donations, sponsorships and attendance, highlighting the community’s remarkable generosity and ongoing dedication to strengthening youth and family programs. The evening also featured a moving reflection from guest...
Hinsdale police distributed the following reports Dec. 30. Hit and run arrest A 47-year-old Westmont woman was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspensed license, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and operating an uninsured vehicle at 8:13 a.m. Dec. 28 at 55th Street and County Line Road after leaving the scene following a collision with another vehicle. She was cited and released to appear in court. Phone swiped at hospital A cell phone was stolen between 8:20 and 11 a.m. Dec. 27 while...
Blaire Hardy said she was thrilled to learn daughter Madelyn had been selected as Hinsdale's happiest baby of 2025. But the call from The Hinsdalean wasn't totally unexpected. "I think I was like, 'She deserves it because she really is such a happy baby,' " Blaire said. "When I told my mom and Mike's grandma, they were like, 'Of course. I'm not surprised at all.' " Madelyn has been a wonderful addition to the Hardy family since she was born in March. She and her older...
What should people know about self defense? If self-defense training brings to mind images of kicking, punching and other forcible acts, Lindsey Daehnke offers a different paradigm. "The physical aspect is a component of it, but that's not the component we want to use," said the founder of Strictly Self Defense. "The focus is on personal safety and prevention, having a plan for what you do in different scenarios." Daehnke will help Hinsdaleans get 2026 off to a...
A new year signals a time for new beginnings, or in my case, just a continuation of working on who I am. My biggest observation of 2025 is that we cannot control much except our own ability to be happy with who we are. We get one life and one opportunity to enjoy and live fully. Wasting worry and stress about things that are beyond our control won't help us live better or change an outcome that we cannot control. When we let go of worry and our preconceived notions about what...
A surprising amount of information about New Year’s resolutions exists online. A Pew Research Center report issued one year ago indicated that 30 percent of Americans made at least one resolution, with half of this group making more than one. That means 70 percent choose not to make resolutions. Why? They don’t like to, they break them too easily or they can’t think of an area in need of improvement. Of course, that’s not an issue for us here at The Hinsdalean. We always can identify upgradable areas — for others,...
For 14 years now (I started late) I have written a birthday letter to my daughter in this space to either close or kick off the year, depending on the calendar Ainsley has been a great sport about this, possibly because it gives her some celebrity status in town. Readers have, too, telling me they enjoy “watching” her grow up and calling her “the famous Ainsley” when they see us together. I’m not sure how long I will be able to keep getting away with this. I’m...
The holiday season is winding down, but plenty of opportunities still exist to enjoy some of the magic that always accompanies this time of year. We've highlighted half a dozen options for celebrating the first few days of the New Year, before our regular routines resume next week. A Charlie Brown experience Be transported into the world of Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strip at Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. Favorite...
Every January, when the cold settles in, I find myself longing to be in the kitchen. Because nothing lessens the chill like having a warm dish simmering on the stove. I look out my kitchen window and watch the snowflakes swirl. On days like this I like to cook while listening to one of my favorite food podcasts. There is something wonderful about the freedom that a snowy day brings. It lets you live in the moment with nothing to rush off to. So, I happily escape to my...
Hi, I'm Nova and I'm ready to light up your universe! I'm a sweet gal who gets along well with humans of all ages. Of course, I'd appreciate it if the younger humans make sure to be kind and gentle with me, but I'm sure they will be. I'm potty-trained, and, considering how much I love treats, it's pretty easy to motivate me to learn all kinds of new tricks. I need to be your one-and-only four-legged friend, but don't worry, there's plenty of me to go around. For more...
After close losses against Maine South and Lane Tech in its first two games of the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic, the Red Devils came up with a big 73-59 win Monday against St. Charles East. Cullen Bradley (No. 10), Kristopher Dowell (No. 1) and Christian Cheung (No. 12) all get in on the action during the game. Unfortunately Central fell to Plainfield East 57-66 in its last game of the tournament Tuesday. The two tournament finalists - St. Laurence and Brother Rice - were...
