Twenty years ago, when Artistic Director Michael Halberstam first founded Writers Theatre in Glencoe, their plays were produced in the back of Books on Vernon, hardly an auspicious start. But with persistence, charm, and riveting, must-see productions, Halberstam won over Glencoe, the North Shore and Chicago, expanding into a larger space at the Woman’s Library Club of Glencoe. This year, […]
Growing up in Evanston in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Laura Tucker found herself surrounded by adults and students that were advocating for social change: ending the war, passing the ERA, desegregating schools. Of her own family, Tucker says, “It was expected that you know what’s going on in the world, and that you do what you can to […]
Brian Hansen has cleared off shelf space for another trophy of excellence. But unlike most athletes his age, Hansen is competing for an Olympic medal—or four—this week in Sochi at the Winter Olympics. The 23-year-old Glenbrook South High School alum now trains primarily in Milwaukee, where he also attends Marquette University, but he still spends […]
At just 29 years old, Glencoe native Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma, a rare cancer that affects fewer than 300 people in the United States. Treatments weakened Benn Shersher’s immune system, leaving her feeling isolated, alone and longing to do the simplest things, such as dance uninhibitedly around her room. During […]
At age 23, Lindsay Avner underwent a risk-reducing double mastectomy because her family history and genetic testing indicated she had a high chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Her great-grandmother and grandmother both passed away after battling cancer, and as a young girl she watched her own mother fight the disease. Avner, now 31, made a bold personal decision […]
A woman in a green T-shirt stands behind the camera, focusing the lens on a group of inner-city kids doing face-painting. Members of a board of directors, staff and her equipment—camera bag, tripod, microphones and a lighting kit—surround her. “Action!” she calls, and begins filming. This one-woman force of nature is single-handedly changing the way […]
Make It Better Media, in conjunction with the Make It Better Foundation, is pleased to announce the winners of its second annual Philanthropy Awards. Each year, the Philanthropy Awards recognize outstanding nonprofits that are excelling in their fields and utilizing innovative practices to make an impact on the lives of Chicagoans. In founding Make It Better six […]
Kirsten Bergin is proof that you don’t have to have ties to a cause to get involved. You just have to care enough to want to make a difference. Growing up in Northbrook, Bergin gave little thought to the history of the nearby Naval Air Station (NASG), originally located in the heart of Glenview and […]
Do you know what a settlement house is? More precisely, do you know just what Northwestern University Settlement House (NUSH) is and does? Despite NUSH’s substantial ties to and activities in the North Shore, my husband, Nick, and I didn’t really understand it either, until a recent tour brought it to life. After experiencing its rich […]
For some parents, raising a child can seem more of a burden than a blessing. Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (IWSE) believes all children should be supported by family, and they work to mitigate some of the stress of parenting by making quality early childhood education available to all children, regardless of background. IWSE, founded […]
