Blog

By Carol Summerfield From movies and television shows, we have all seen the hall or the stairway bedecked with dozens of paintings of different generations in gilded frames, in their place of honor on the wall of a stately home. These ancestral portrait collections have been a part of society -- particularly European high society -- for hundreds of years. That tradition of having portraits of the family patriarchs and matriarchs migrated with its people to the United States.

By David A. F. Sweet Starting June 11 and running until Aug. 13, free summer concerts are being offered by Lake Forest Parks & Recreation. All concerts start at 6:30 p.m. Lake Forest Love found out more about this summer’s series from Aaron Dalzot, a program manager at Parks & Recreation. What's new and exciting with the series this summer? We're excited to bring back our Summer Concert Series with 10 concerts this season—eight in Market Square and two in our neighborhood

By Kristin Elliott Have you ever wondered what it's like to sit behind the wheel of a snowplow, climb aboard a dump truck, or get an up-close look at the equipment that helps keep Lake Forest running every day? Now's your chance! The City of Lake Forest Public Works Department invites families, truck enthusiasts, and curious community members of all ages to Meet the Fleet on Friday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Municipal Services, 800 N. Field Drive. This free community

By Lesley Fisher Lake Forest High School graduating seniors Dylan Cran and Campbell Gore were named the inaugural recipients of the Lake Forest High School Alumni Legacy Scholarship during the Scholarships and Awards Program on May 28. Dylan Cran is the son of Greg Cran ’92 and brother of Aidan ’21 and Lily ’23. Campbell Gore is the daughter of Shawn Valassis Gore ’94 and niece of Adrienne (Valassis) Stratman ’97, Lauren Valassis Hirsh ’99, and Doug Valassis ’03. Dylan Cran

By David A. F. Sweet The City of Lake Forest tapped The Cotton Duck as its new food partner at Forest Park Beach. Co-founders Cecilia Lanyon and Dominic Zumpano, who are Lake Forest residents and long-time restaurateurs in the city, discussed what they plan to offer this summer. Why were you interested in running the Forest Park Beach concessions? I (Cecilia) grew up in Lake Forest, and summertime meant every day at the beach! We are so fortunate to have access to this gor

By Laurie Stein With America’s 250th birthday coming up in July, we turn our thoughts back to other milestone anniversaries in the history of our town. The year 1876 marked the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence, America’s “first birthday party” where the nation for the first time took stock of itself as something other than a newcomer on the world stage. The Farwell family celebrates America's Centennial 150 years ago. But Lake Forest itself in 1876 was still

By David A. F. Sweet Earlier this year, the Lake Forest Police Department launched an online Crime Transparency Portal at cityoflakeforest.com/PoliceTransparency.. Featuring an interactive map, it displays incidents beyond those arrests that have appeared for years in the online police blotter. “Residents have told us they want to better understand what’s happening in their neighborhoods,” explained Chief of Police John Burke. “This portal helps us share more information a

By Liz Weithas In April, the Spirit of 67 Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $145,905 to District 67 schools for the 2026-2027 school year. This allows Lake Forest children to enjoy incredible educational and cultural experiences that enrich their learning -- and also add a lot of fun to their school days. During Grant Week, volunteers from Spirit of 67 visited a different district school each day to announce their school’s awarded grants. At each school, they showcase

By a Lake Forest Love Writer The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra (LFCO) performed its final concert of the 2025-2026 season on May 3 at the John & Nancy Hughes Theater at Gorton Center. Guest conductor Nicholas Wallin led the orchestra and appreciative audience on a journey of mostly American music focused on the Appalachian region of the United States. Midwest Young Artists Conservatory competition winner Andrew Schinler performed the Rimsky-Korsakov trombone concerto on this

By David A. F. Sweet A Lake Forest Community High School student was frustrated with the 16th-century language of Romeo & Juliet. He struggled to relate to the Shakespearean tragedy involving teenage lovers. Peer Tutoring, which nurtures student-to-student sessions, helped bring understanding. “Everybody has big hearts,” says Elaine Metz about the Scout Buddies program, one of many where students help students. “The peer tutor told him, ‘You’re absolutely right,’ and got t