Petrak: Several ways to ‘escape’ suburban cold without traveling
Forget climbing snow hills taller than our Dodge Ram van after the Blizzard of ’79: one of my favorite winter memories growing up was when Mom made a summer picnic...
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Petrak: Western Springs, La Grange historical societies offer views of homes today and their histories
Whenever I drive by a particular red-frame historic home in Western Springs, I think about how cool it must to be live there, knowing it used to be a winery....
Petrak: By coincidence or serendipity, people come back into your life
Mom always told me, among other things like “Don’t forget to brush the back of your hair!” that it’s important to be nice to people because you don’t know when...
Petrak: Online map detour offers look at different economies in America
It’s funny how technology can lead you in the wrong direction but to the right perspective. Once upon a time – say, six or seven years ago – I figured...
Petrak: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ has practical applications in off-line world
As is my wont, I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” recently and once again found something to appreciate in my own life. There’s the pivotal scene of a bank run,...
Petrak: La Grange physics teacher creates seven-song Christmas light display
What if Clark Griswold from “Christmas Vacation” was slightly more subtle but no less of a creative Christmas-light lover and family man? And if he was physics teacher? Robert Sherman...
Petrak: Funerals remind us that life is fleeting and our strongest relationships are not
No one likes to go to funerals. Duh. But I think on some level, funerals are good for people to attend. In recent years, I’ve noticed a trend away from...
Petrak: St. Cletus clap-out shows support for boy waiting for Misericordia placement
You know how you come across a feel-good video in your social media feed or online, and it just makes your day because it’s a show of humanity at its...
Petrak: Western Springs family seeks help searching for lost dog
Anyone who has a pet they consider part of their family – and who doesn’t consider their pet a part of their family? – knows how a stomach can drop...
Petrak: Column has opened my eyes to La Grange area in new ways
My daughter is not a young child anymore, so I can’t spout off about “mouths of babes,” but she had some wisdom to share when I was talking aloud about...