By David A. F. Sweet When star center Connor Bedard first donned a Chicago Blackhawks’ jersey, he was 18 years old – so young that he was three years away from legally drinking a beer. When hockey beer-league goalie David Nozzolillo pulled on a Blackhawks’ jersey earlier this year, he was 45 – old enough to have forged a career at Wintrust Bank in Orland Park and serve on its executive team.   Only 2 1/2 hours before gametime on Jan. 9, Nozzolillo’s phone rang. Flu had upend

By David A. F. Sweet As a girl, Samantha Hiller loved playing hockey. At age 12, her mother said she could earn extra money by being a referee. More time on the ice sounded better to Hiller than being a babysitter. After officiating many youth games in Boulder, Colo., four years later Hiller departed her home state for a refereeing camp in Utah, where she could learn how to administer high-level games. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was 18," says Samantha Hill

By Kristin Elliott Lake Forest Parks & Recreation’s Junior Scouts Travel Baseball players got a big-league boost when Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin stopped by winter workouts for a visit they won’t soon forget. Durbin shared his path from Lake Forest High School baseball to the Major Leagues, talked about the work it takes to chase big goals, and answered thoughtful questions from players and parents. The event wrapped up with plenty of smiles as he posed for

By Kayden Prieto Returning to Lake Forest High School as a class of 2007 alumnus, CBS Chicago reporter and 13-time Emmy Award winner Noel Brennan spoke recently with students about the winding, unexpected path that led him from theater at LFHS to telling stories on the national stage. Brennan’s message was clear: careers don’t always start where you expect them to, but passion and persistence can take you farther than a perfectly planned path could ever. During his first y

By Caleb Pope   Innovations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are not restricted to large companies and foundations. One student at Lake Forest High School has developed two AI programs that aim to supplement the education he and his peers receive at school.   Vedh Krishnan, a junior who created both programs alongside his teacher, Steve Aronson, developed the first program, titled Gigiano AI, which aimed to replicate the way his AP World History teacher Thomas Gig

By Mia Morse For bestselling author and Lake Forest High School alumna Jenny Smith, writing is more than telling stories. What started as using her imagination as a kid has now become a reality: she is able to do something she loves every single day. With 14 published books, ranging from Young Adult Women’s Fiction to Picture Books, she’s written it all with passion and intent.  Writing has always been an interest of hers.  "I feel really, really lucky to be where I am and do

By Spencer Trees Tom Johnson is humbled to have been chosen to head a venerable preparatory school. “I am honored to lead the school into its next phase as a hallmark of global education and extremely grateful for this opportunity,” said Johnson, newly appointed head of school at Lake Forest Academy. "Our job is to support our colleagues and make their lives as easy as possible, because our teachers and coaches and dorm parents are the ones doing the really important work w

By David A. F. Sweet Less than a month after assuming the presidency of Lake Forest College, Dr. Mike Sosulski was asked why he displayed a book about an architect on a shelf in his office. He explained that all the books present had been there when he arrived. " I have 10,000 volumes that have to be unpacked,” said Sosulski, who is an aficionado of German literature. “I have to be near my books. There will be a wall of them here in the spring.” Mike Sosulski chats with a g

By Sam Sosani Cristina Ortiz Vivas, the new head coach at Lake Forest Sailing, is ready to make a splash. “With a strong team and...

By Spencer Trees Located at the corner of Deerpath and Western in the heart of downtown Lake Forest, Rosati’s has been open since 2021....

By David A. F. Sweet   Lake Forest’s Public Safety Open House is coming up on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Public Safety...

By David A. F. Sweet Bruno Abate recalled recently the words his father, Alfredo, shared with him before he passed away about 30 years...

By George Sigaev Leaving the bleak and barren battlefields of World War I, United States veterans—entering a society almost...

By David A. F. Sweet Ethan Holmes is the Veteran of the Year for Lake Forest. In November, he’ll have completed four years of service...

By Helena Kavanagh If you’ve admired the beautifully landscaped parks, medians, or vibrant flower urns around Lake Forest, chances are...

By Jenny Liang Around Lake Forest, business owner and mom Gina Dardi gets asked a common question: “What does your license plate mean?”...

While a senior at Lake Forest High School, Michaela Barry wrote a piece about Committee Representing Our Young Adults (CROYA) following...

By David A. F. Sweet Nearly 70 years have passed since Jon Henricks captured two Olympic gold medals in swimming in Melbourne, kindling...

By David A. F. Sweet It is estimated that at least 20 percent of artwork in museums – even at the best ones in New York and London – are...

By Jenny Liang For local moms Emily Roper and Mallory Greubel, their studio, Lucy and Lolly’s Whimsy Workshop, is a labor of love. In...