Hilary Decent

Timothy Clark, of Naperville, says he works hard to be a single dad to his son Jacob and Zachary, whom he sees every day but Monday and on three out of four weekends a month. (Timothy Clark)

Decent: Being a ‘dad’ can mean a lot of different things but if you’re doing it right, you’re there for them

June 14, 2024 at 12:32 p.m.

These days being a dad comes in many different forms, but each is equally important when it comes to raising children who are yours biologically or not.

Deep-dish pizza from Giordano's was a big hit with Roxanne Decent, Hilary Decent's daughter-in-law, who tried it while making her first visit to Naperville. (Hilary Decent/Naperville Sun)

Decent: First-time visitor to Naperville finds deep-dish pizza, outlet mall shopping right up her alley

June 7, 2024 at 11:36 a.m.

First-time visitor to Naperville charmed by a city that looks like a movie set and can't get enough of deep-dish pizza but grossed out by cicada infestation.

Seven-year-old Sputnik, seen here with her owner Sonya Stowers, of Naperville, has been a certified therapy cat since she was 4 months old. She'll visit high schools, local nursing homes, hospices and other places anywhere from five to 10 times a month. (Sonya Stowers)

Decent: Felines can be trained to be certified therapy cats, as 7-year-old Sputnik can attest

May 31, 2024 at 2:16 p.m.

Of all the places to conduct my first interview with a cat, Lazy Dog, the canine-friendly restaurant on Route 59 in Naperville, would not have been my first choice. But...

Jamie and David Metcalf are seen here with their son, Franklin. David, a Navy officer, took his own life after multiple tours, but his wife, a Naperville resident, says that doesn't erase the heroic actions and many honors he received. The stigma around such deaths must end, the Naperville woman says. (Jamie Metcalf)

Decent: Traumatic brain injuries a very real thing in the military, says Naperville woman whose Navy Seal husband took his own life

May 24, 2024 at 12:01 p.m.

Naperville woman becomes an advocate for helping those in the military who suffer traumatic brain injuries after her husband, a Navy officer, commits suicide after four tours of duty.

Naperville Police Officer Jason Maulding was honored with a CAPS award for a special act of kindness he did for an elderly woman when he learned she was going to be alone at Christmas. (Naperville Police Department)

Decent: Special act of kindness done by a Naperville police officer deserves a special kind of recognition

May 16, 2024 at 7:01 p.m.

If you watch TV shows like "Chicago P.D." and "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," you might think the average day in the life of a cop involves high-speed car...

Members of the Branch Moms Community celebrate their national launch at Aurelio’s Pizza Naperville in September 2023. Seen here from left are Jenn Campione, Cathy Subber, Patti Minglin, Jason Hard, Allison Dzierzanowski, Amanda Kunzer and Naomi Bocaniciu. (Cathy Subber)

Decent: Mom support group promotes efforts to Mother’s Day isn’t limited to one day a year

May 10, 2024 at 2:33 p.m.

Every day is Mother’s Day for Naperville entrepreneur Cathy Subber. For the past 15 years she’s been connecting with and supporting local mothers around town through her Branch Moms Community...

When you've grown up in another country and all you know about the United States is from American TV shows and movies, your first trip to IHOP -- or the International House of Pancakes, as it was once known -- is a very memorable experience. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)

Decent: One of my favorite memories from my first trip to America involved short stacks, syrup pitchers and a blue-roofed restaurant

May 3, 2024 at 11:44 a.m.

Although we’ve lived in Naperville for 17 years, the first time Grumpy and I set foot in the United States was on our honeymoon 43 years ago. It was a...

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