50 years behind the horn: From picking up a hand-me-down clarinet at age 10 to celebrating his 50th season with the Naperville Municipal Band, the retired engineer shares gardening, model-railroad and genealogy passions plus a memorable “stump the band” moment — learn what keeps him playing.
Tiny lawn, big potential: Ditch the weekly mow and swap grass for groundcovers, perennials, narrow shrubs or columnar trees to add color, support birds and bees, and curb runoff — find out how.
Chorus hitting global stages: What began as a seven-singer Aurora ensemble has grown to 54 voices that have conquered Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and France’s iconic cathedrals — find out how they became the valley’s musical ambassadors.
MAC’s 2025-26 season unveiled: Subscriptions are now available to the public for a lineup starring Comedy Central icon Paul Reiser, the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, dance powerhouse Ailey II, plus hit tribute shows celebrating Taylor Swift, Neil Diamond, Queen and more. Single-event tickets go on sale Aug. 8 — learn what’s in store.
Endangered farmhouse seeks revival: The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is calling for proposals to transform Oak Cottage, a vacant 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse on Landmarks Illinois’s endangered list, with submissions due by mid-October — find out how to apply.
Pantry’s free summer learning camps: Starting in July, West Suburban Community Pantry will host art, cooking, STEM and ACT-prep camps for 90 kids in DuPage and Will counties — find out how to register.
NAACP’s 67th Scholarship Gala: The DuPage County Branch will host its annual scholarship gala on Aug. 3 at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge, featuring dinner, music, illusionist Walter King Jr. and scholarship awards — find out how to get tickets.
Naperville street race charges: Two men face felony counts after an April drag race hospitalized two teen passengers — learn what happens at their upcoming court dates.
Cookie dough dynasty lives on: Naperville’s Nikki and Jeff Schultz keep Cookie Dough Creations thriving with eight raw-dough flavors, 16 ice creams, fresh-baked cookies and an old-school game room, fending off national chains since 2017 — find out how they stay sweet in town.
Hammersmith sisters’ remarkable party: Almost 100 years ago, Ruth, Peg, and Mabel celebrated a birthday at 122 S. Brainard St.—today’s Hammersmith House on North Central College’s campus—and each went on to careers as a librarian, teacher-reporter, and pioneering Girl Scout badge designer — find out how their legacies live on.
Other Naperville headlines this week
- Washington Street bridge reopens with ceremonial ribbon-cutting
- Council will vote on Northwoods development
- Valley View hosts July 22 job fair
- Miss Fannie’s yard sale raised shelter funds
- ClaySpace hosts ‘Rambling Retrospective’ exhibit
- Cantigny Park hosts French fete July 19–20
- Cast your vote in Suburban Life’s Finest
- Warrenville welcomed Cora Coffee & Tea House
