A Garden Party for Hyde Park Day School

A Garden Party for Hyde Park Day School

Lee Litas

early 200 supporters gathered at the elegant Ivy Room in Chicago for Hyde Park Day School’s 2019 signature fundraiser, “A Garden Party.” Chairs Katie Burnside and Vanya Weglarz were back again this year and welcomed guests, dressed in fun spring prints, over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while raising more than $215,000 for the school’s Bright Futures Scholarship Fund. The fund allows scholarships for bright children with learning disabilities to access the school’s specialized program, regardless of family means. hydeparkday.org

Children's Place Benefit

Children's Place Benefit

Lee Litas

Guests were off to the races during the Children’s Place Association’s 2019 gala at Rockwell on the River. The derby-themed evening was led by chairs Melissa Recatto and Lauren Silverman, and emcees Susan Carlson of NBC5 and Marley Kayden of WGN-TV. More than 350 attendees, dressed in classic derby attire, enjoyed mint juleps and custom cocktails with dinner. Takeda Pharmaceuticals was awarded the 2019 Chicago Champion for Children Award. childrens-place.org See full spread in JWC Media’s Sheridan Road: https://jwcdaily.com/sheridanroadmagazine/2019/06/06/once-upon-a-time-at-the-derby/

Orphans of the Storm 2019 Benefit: Wags and Whiskers

Orphans of the Storm 2019 Benefit: Wags and Whiskers

Lee Litas

Orphans of the Storm hosted its annual benefit, “Wags and Whiskers,” on April 9 with more than 200 supporters in attendance. Longtime supporter and Emmy award-winning meteorologist Ed Curran of CBS 2 Chicago served as emcee during the evening. Guests raised $100,000 to support the shelter which provides care to cats and dogs in need of loving new homes. orphansofthestorm.org

Hewn Bakery of Evanston giving a new rise to use of ancient and whole grains, all stone milled

Hewn Bakery of Evanston giving a new rise to use of ancient and whole grains, all stone milled

Lee Litas
Hewn, Heritage Baking, Ancient Grains, Evanston, Illinois, Evanston Baker, Einkorn, Spelt, Turkey Red, Stone Mill

“A lot of people don’t know that the wheat they are eating – conventional wheat that is in almost everything – is literally grown on soil that is totally depleted of nutrients and, more often than not, sprayed with herbicides,” Ellen King, baker/author, Hewn Bakery, Evanston, IL.

EXPO CHICAGO’s Year 7 is Heaven for Contemporary Art Lovers

EXPO CHICAGO’s Year 7 is Heaven for Contemporary Art Lovers

Lee Litas
EXPO CHICAGO, MCA, Contemporary Art Chicago, Interview Marathon, Art Design Chicago, Creative Chicago, Art on the MART, Terra Foundation, Override Billboard Prog, IN/SITU Outside, EXPO ART WEEK

All of this adds up to Chicago standing squarely at the forefront of the intellectual modern art scene, according to Jennifer Siegenthaler, program director, education grants and initiatives, Terra Foundation for American Art. “Other cities might have a conference or a museum symposium whereas Chicago’s fair … has become a breeding ground for new ideas in contemporary art.”

Make It Better: 14 Chicago and North Shore Food Trucks for Every Type of Craving

Make It Better: 14 Chicago and North Shore Food Trucks for Every Type of Craving

Lee Litas
Food Trucks, Food On The Go, Mobile Gourmet, Customizable, Dining, Dining trend, Eating locally, Evanston Food Scene, Food Photography, Food Porn, Food trend, Fresh, Highland Park Food Scene, Light Cuisine, Meals on Wheels

In 2012, the food truck industry made $650 million and, at the time, was projected to make $2.7 billion in 2017. “Just like people don’t want to go to stores anymore and want to buy everything on the internet, that is the wave of the future for restaurants, too,” says Ricky Raschillo of Glencoe, chef/owner of Valor and Culinary Gangster, an epicurean food truck that is garnering a paparazzi following on its own.

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