Issuu

N OV E M B E R 2 02 6

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Forever Grateful

November 2026 PUBLISHER

Janet Viane | janet.viane@citylifestyle.com

Hello Lincolnway, Recently, our area has experienced sad and unexpected times. It can be more difficult to find what we're thankful for while sitting under a cloud of sorrow. To me, that's exactly the time we need to reach deep and find all for which we are truly grateful. This month, we are focused on identifying amazing people, programs and possibilities that make us proud, and fill us with gratitidue, for we live in such an incredible area. From the community engagement of Voorn, Preston, & Carlesare to the Diplomas and Degrees program offered through the partnership of District 210 and JJC, and everthing in between, we have a lot for which we give thanks. There are so many everyday blessings. One of our blessings is the addition of Forma Dental Implants & Periodontics, in Frankfort, to Lincolnway City Lifestyle. We're grateful for their expertise in our community. City Lifestyle takes the month of November to show its gratitude and support for the communities we serve by offering over $1 million dollars in donations to families in need across the locations where we have a presence. Please take a close look at the National Giving Campaign article and think about a family you know who may be in need of this assistance. November is a great time, not just because of Thanksgiving, to share our gratitude for those people and organizations around us who have made a positive difference in our life. Reach out....say THANKS. I'm grateful for you,

E D I TO R

Nicole Swanberg Wright nicole.swanbergwright@citylifestyle.com P U B L I S H E R AS S I STAN T

Kenadee Berry | kenadee.berry@citylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Meg Mueller | meg@socialbutterflysocialmedia.com C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Jean Lachat | jean@jeanlachatphotography.com Chris Moran | cmoranphotography@gmail.com

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich

JANET VIANE, PUBLISHER @ L I N C O L N W AY _ C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Learn how to start your own publication at CityLifestyle.com//Franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Lincolnway City Lifestyle® is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Lincolnway area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Lincolnway City Lifestyle® is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue NOVE M B E R 2 0 2 6 | TH ANK F U L

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

30 22

Featured

Departments

Beyond the Courtroom:

Giving Thanks Through Service

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra:

The Arts Come Alive in Lincolnway

A Thankful Mind Appreciating the Everyday

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Must See FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE

Back Stage ARTS + CULTURE

How To EDUCATION

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

Local’s Choice HEALTH + WELLNESS

Our Town EDUCATION

Events

On the Cover Pictured in the Lincoln-Way Central Library, from left to right: Dr. Clyne Namuo, President of Joliet Junior College, District 210 Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley, and Lincoln-Way West alum Scott Dunn. Photography: Jean Lachat

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT? With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.

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1: Club Pilates celebrated their official grand opening in New Lenox. 2: Salon Agape recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. 3: Randi Lynn Quigley traveled to Tampa to discuss building real estate brands & Infinite Banking. 4: Lincolnway City Lifestyle Partners enjoyed lunch and a branding presentation from Publisher Janet Viane. 5: Our newest critic reading our September edition at Grounded Coffee Bar in New Lenox. 6: The Frankfort Chamber had an incredible turnout at the 14th annual Wine & Ale Walk. 7: WGN visited Mindful Way Studio to highlight their Ageless Adult Fitness program.

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Interiors by Diane DeCero Moves Locations Diane DeCero is excited to announce her new office location! She looks forward to welcoming clients into her new space and continuing to bring beautiful, personalized design visions to life. Visit her new business address located at 14537 W. Edison Drive in New Lenox.

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Lincoln-Way Foundation Thanks 2026 Partners The Lincoln-Way Foundation thanks its 2026 Partners... BP Video Production, Excel Electric, Area Landscape Supply, Berkot's Super Foods, Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, Gatto's Restaurant & Bar, Old Second Wealth Management, Burns Photography, Clavio, Van Ordstrand & Associates, DLA Architects, Clearwave Fiber, First Bank of Manhattan & New Lenox, Old Plank Trail Community Bank, JMC Law Group, Flaherty Builders & Developers, Joseph M. Kosteck, Image 360, L. DeGeus & Associates, The WirtMejia Family.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

N O M I N AT I O N S N OW O P E N

NOV. 1 DEC. 3 THROUGH

Thankful to Live Here, proud to serve here.

Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of people in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign. But none of it is possible without you. If you know someone quietly struggling or facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Your nomination could make all the difference.

This season, giving starts with you. S CA N B E LOW TO N O M I N AT E

312-810-6722 KingdomBuilding Foundation.org photo credit: Agent Publishing

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

B eyo n d t h e C o u r t ro o m : GIVING THANKS THROUGH SERVICE

ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MORAN

M UST SE E | FI NANC E + LE GAL SE RVICE S

In November, we’re reminded to pause and consider what we’re thankful for. At Voorn, Preston, & Carlasare, that gratitude is closely connected to community. For the attorneys and staff at VPC, serving others isn’t simply something they do outside of work. It’s an extension of why they practice law in the first place. Their work takes them into some of the most personal and challenging moments in people’s lives, helping families navigate elder law, special needs planning, estate planning, employment matters, and family-owned businesses. “When you spend your days advocating for people, it’s a short step to want to do that in the community, too,” Nick Roe, Chief Marketing Officer, says. That spirit of service has led members of VPC to become deeply involved in causes throughout Will County and beyond. Heather Voorn, one of only eleven Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Illinois, serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, President of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of River Valley, and a board member of the Silver Cross Foundation. Meghan Preston serves on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy– Center for Disability Services in Joliet and FranCenter in Darien, while Mario Carlasare serves on the board of the Will County Center for Community Concerns, supporting programs such as Head Start, energy assistance and housing services. Members of the firm are also active with local chambers of commerce, strengthening their connections with the businesses and entrepreneurs they serve. There isn’t a single cause that VPC asks everyone to support. Instead, employees are encouraged to follow their own passions. That has created a diverse

network of service - one that reflects both the firm’s areas of practice and the individual people who make up its team. And perhaps that is something worth being thankful for: the opportunity to use what you know to help someone else. Some of the experiences that have stayed with the firm most are those where the impact is unmistakable. Through CASA, that might mean seeing a child in the foster system gain a consistent advocate: someone who continues showing up when that child needs someone in their corner. Through healthcare and disability organizations, it might mean seeing families access high-quality care and services closer to home. Those moments are reminders that community service isn’t abstract. It is a child being heard. A senior receiving support. A family finding resources. A local organization having the tools to continue its work. Service also brings the VPC team closer together. Volunteering at a fundraiser or serving together on a nonprofit board offers a chance to step outside the rhythm of deadlines and depositions and reconnect with the people and purpose behind the work. For other local businesses looking to give back, VPC’s advice is simple: start with the people you already have. “We didn’t set out with a plan to have partners on nonprofit boards across elder care, children’s advocacy, healthcare, and social services,” Nick says. “It happened because we hired people who were already civic-minded.” In a season centered on gratitude, VPC’s approach offers a meaningful reminder: sometimes the best way to give thanks for being part of a community is to show up for it: with your time, your talents, and a willingness to help.

“Sometimes the best way to give thanks for being part of a community is to show up for it — with your time, your talents and a willingness to help.” NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

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C I T Y L I FEST Y L E G I V ES BAC K

GIVING TOGETHER A Community That Shows Up

Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of families in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign and our nonprofit arm, Kingdom Building Foundation. But none of it would be possible without you. We can only help the people we know about, and

G IV IN G BAC K | L I FE + C ULT U RE

that’s where our readers come in. If you know someone quietly struggling, whether it’s a single parent, a senior citizen, or a family facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Nominations are what make this whole campaign possible.

We provided a chair lift for a teenager paralyzed in a gymnastics accident so she could move freely through her own home again. We helped a child who lost an eye to cancer get the prosthetic because insurance wouldn’t cover it. We covered dental work for a man who needed his smile back just to walk into a job interview. We got heat turned back on for a family who had spent part of the winter without it. We helped a family keep up with bills while a husband and father fought pancreatic cancer, and we helped another family cover medical expenses after the unimaginable loss of a child. These are just a few examples of some of the hundreds of individuals that have been helped through nominations from readers like you. None of it happens without someone noticing first and speaking up. "We don't just send checks," says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle.

“We send a message: You are seen, you are loved, and you are not forgotten.” Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season. "This is about community," Matthew says. "We believe we've been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing." Often, the person making the nomination gets just as much out of the experience as the recipient. There's something powerful about being part of the reason someone else's burden got lighter, especially when that need might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The campaign is completely confidential. No names are ever shared or publicized, and nominating someone is as simple as telling us their story. We are looking for those in our communities who fall between the cracks of getting help, and together as a community, we can meet those needs.

Nominations open November 1st and close December 3rd. To nominate someone in your community, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and find the form in our bio, or visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org.

This season, giving starts with you. Let's do it together. Nominate someone in need today.

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Building Stronger Communities One Life at a Time A strong community is one where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and build a meaningful life. This season of gratitude, the Community Services Foundation offers a reminder of how much stronger our communities become when everyone has a place in them. Founded in 1989 with a staff of one, the Foundation has grown to a team of 15, supporting Communities Transform Futures Illinois’ (CTF Illinois) mission to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and opportunity. A meaningful life means having choices: where to live, how to spend your time and what goals to pursue. For CTF Illinois participant, Daryl, those choices have helped shape a life filled with friendships, family, work, and independence. Since joining CTF Illinois in 2008, he has built a life in Frankfort, where he lives with two housemates and enjoys making his own plans and spending time independently at home and throughout the community. Employment has been another meaningful part of Daryl’s journey, giving him opportunities to learn and build relationships with several wonderful employers, including Girl in the Park. After many years there, Daryl

ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LACHAT

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

decided he was ready to explore something new. Today, he attends RISE Packaging & Assembly Company while considering what he would like his next employment opportunity to be. That ability to make choices about his own path reflects the autonomy and self-advocacy CTF Illinois works to cultivate. That independence is made possible through a network of support. Families advocate for their loved ones, volunteers contribute their time and talents, and community partners create opportunities beyond the organization’s walls. Residents can show their gratitude by volunteering or participating in its Make a Match campaign, running through January 31. Because one of the most meaningful things we can be thankful for is a community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, connect, and thrive.

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

ILLINOIS Philharmonic ORCHESTRA: The Arts Come Alive in Lincolnway

ARTICLE BY KENADEE BERRY

After a decade away, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is thrilled to return to the Lincolnway area, bringing its mainstage concerts back to Lincoln-Way North High School. While the orchestra has presented most of its concerts in Palos Heights over the past 10 years, a significant portion of its audience has continued to travel from the Lincolnway area to attend. For IPO Executive Director Christina Salerno, the most exciting part of returning to Lincoln-Way North and performing at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University is simple: “The people!” Both venues are rooted in vibrant communities filled with “thoughtful, caring, and energetic people,” Salerno says. For IPO, returning to Lincolnway is about more than bringing performances to a new stage. It’s about becoming part of the communities that make these spaces special. “Bringing live orchestral music to these spaces is just fun.” That connection extends to young musicians, too. At each concert, an area youth organization has the opportunity to perform in the lobby as a Pre-Concert Opening Act, giving young musicians valuable performance experience and exposure. For Marketing & Communications Director Ken Churilla, the goal is ultimately to give people “a few meaningful hours to just listen. To sit. To be.” In a world of goal-setting, list-making, working and planning, live orchestral music offers a chance to slow down, feel the vibrations of the music and share an experience with fellow humans in the same space.

B ACK STAGE | ARTS + C U LT U RE

A SEASON TO BE THANKFUL. A TIME TO PLAN AHEAD. Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate what matters most—family, friends, and the future we’re building together. At Dowling Financial, we help you create a financial plan designed to protect what you’ve worked for and prepare for what’s ahead. Be thankful for today. Plan confidently for tomorrow.

Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management - Joe Dowling was recognized as the Best of Lincoln Way Financial Advisor recipient by The Herald News in 2026. This recognition was based on criteria established by the awarding organization and may include factors such as assets under management, industry experience, client feedback, business growth, and other qualitative and quantitative measures. The award was independently granted by the awarding organization. Joseph Dowling did not pay a fee to participate in the award evaluation process. This award is not indicative of any client's future experience and should not be construed as a guarantee of future investment performance or success. The recognition is not representative of all client experiences, and no compensation was provided by clients in exchange for ratings or endorsements unless otherwise disclosed. Additional information regarding the award methodology, selection criteria, and relevant time period is available from the awarding organization upon request. Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor. BCM and Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management are independent of each other. Insurance products and services are not offered through BCM but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. Registered Investment Advisors and Investment Advisor Representatives act as fiduciaries for all of our investment management clients. We have an obligation to act in the best interests of our clients and to make full disclosure of any conflicts of interests. Please refer to our firm brochure, the ADV 2A item 4, for additional information.

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NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

Diploma

to Degree In eighth grade, Scott Dunn decided to find out what he was capable of. Until then, he hadn’t pushed himself particularly hard in school. But something changed when he began wondering what might happen if he did. That mindset eventually led Scott, a recent Lincoln-Way West graduate, to the LincolnWay Community High School District 210 Diploma & Degree program, a partnership with Joliet Junior College that allows students

to combine Advanced Placement, dual-credit, and JJC coursework to earn both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. Dunn was among five Lincoln-Way students who met the requirements for an associate degree in summer 2026. The first student to complete the program, Lincoln-Way West graduate Jack Kulhan, did so in 2025. Today, roughly 25 students across Lincoln-Way Central, East, and West are participating. The idea began in 2023, when Lincoln-Way 210 educators mapped out four-year schedules designed to maximize AP and dual-credit opportunities. They discovered that many students could be within reach of an associate degree with just a handful of additional JJC courses, often taken during the summer. Lincoln-Way and JJC developed the program together, creating a pathway that extends beyond traditional dual credit. While dual-credit courses are taught at LincolnWay by teachers credentialed through JJC, dual-enrollment courses allow students to take specialized college courses directly through JJC, including during evenings or summers. For Scott, the experience was about more than accumulating credits. It also pushed him outside his comfort zone. He took a communications course that helped him become more comfortable with public speaking and even enrolled in medieval art, something he might not have otherwise considered. This fall, he’s studying astrophysics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “This has streamlined my path in college and allows me to take classes I’m more passionate about sooner and possibly even graduate earlier,” he says. For Lincoln-Way and JJC, the program represents another way to help students explore what comes next before they leave high school. And for students like Scott, that exploration can mean more than getting ahead; it can mean discovering new interests, building confidence, and learning just how far they can go.

ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LACHAT

H OW TO | EDUCATI O N

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REACHING THE WORLD

There is something worth being thankful for when a world-class artistic experience isn’t something you have to drive downtown to find. For 15 years, Ballet 5:8 has been building that kind of experience in the south suburbs, bringing professional ballet to Orland Park while creating opportunities for young dancers to learn, grow and discover the art form close to home. As the company celebrates its 15th anniversary season, its reach is extending farther than ever, even as its roots remain firmly planted in the communities around it. Today, Ballet 5:8 trains more than 400 students each year, from age three through adulthood, through pre-professional and recreational programs at three campuses. The company also presents professional performances to more than 15,000 guests, bringing its original storytelling and professional dance to audiences throughout the Chicago region and beyond.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT

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This season, that local connection has taken on an international dimension with the addition of Costa Rican dancer Ignacio Rivera to the professional company. Rivera has performed as a soloist and principal artist with companies including Columbia Classical Ballet, BalletNEXT, Balletto Nazionale Italiano and Connecticut Ballet. His arrival gives local students the opportunity to learn from a professional artist whose career has taken him across the United States and Europe—without leaving their own community. That exchange between the local and the international is central to Ballet 5:8’s identity. The company recently promoted Selah Strong to Preparatory Program Director, recognizing her work as a teacher and mentor helping young dancers develop technical and artistic skills alongside confidence, discipline and perseverance. The organization’s commitment to access extends beyond its home studios, too. Ballet 5:8 operates more than 10 outreach campuses and partnerships throughout the region, bringing dance education to communities including Little Village and Chinatown, as well as local schools, park districts and community organizations.

Its influence is reaching the international ballet community as well. Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager and School Director Miranda Rubio Opsal recently traveled to Finland to present at Positioning Ballet, an international conference exploring the future of the art form. Their presentation focused on diversity, access and belonging, sharing Ballet 5:8’s experience creating meaningful pathways into ballet for dancers and audiences from a wide range of backgrounds. For Executive Director Jeremy Slager, the opportunity represents a meaningful exchange. “To see artists from around the world choosing to build their careers here while our own leaders are invited to influence international conversations about ballet is incredibly meaningful,” Jeremy says. “It demonstrates that artistic excellence and community impact can grow together.” That philosophy has shaped Ballet 5:8 from the beginning. Through professional dance education, original story ballets and community partnerships, the company works to expand perceptions of who ballet is for while making exceptional artistic experiences available throughout the region. “World-class ballet doesn’t only belong in major metropolitan centers,” Jeremy says. “We’re proud that the south suburbs are home to an organization attracting exceptional artists from around the world while investing deeply in the next generation of dancers right here in our own neighborhoods.” After 15 years, Ballet 5:8’s story is one of connection: local students learning from professional artists, the south suburbs engaging with the wider world, and a centuries-old art form finding new generations of dancers and audiences. Perhaps that is the most meaningful anniversary milestone of all: not simply bringing something exceptional to the community, but creating a place where it can grow.

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A Thankful Mind In a season centered on gratitude, it can be easy to focus on the big things we’re thankful for: family, careers, homes, health, and meaningful milestones. But according to Queen Ajiere, Director of Clinical Quality/Operations at Zoelife Psychiatric Services, cultivating a thankful mind often begins with something much smaller: simply noticing what is already around us. “Gratitude doesn’t require grandeur,” Queen explains. It can be as ordinary as waking up with a clear head, enjoying a meal, feeling the warmth of the sun or appreciating the ability to move through the day. When we intentionally notice these everyday experiences, we begin training our minds to recognize what is working rather than automatically focusing on what is missing. That shift doesn’t require ignoring life’s challenges or pretending everything is positive. Instead, gratitude can coexist with difficult emotions. Someone can be overwhelmed by a busy season and still appreciate a supportive friend. They can be grieving while finding comfort in a familiar tradition or be worried about the future while recognizing something good about today. Mindfulness can help create space for those moments. Rather than adding another item to an already-full to-do list, mindfulness asks us to pause and pay attention to the present moment, whether it’s the sound of a friend’s laughter, a warm hug, a quiet cup of coffee, or sitting down after a long day.

ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LACHAT

LOCA L’S CH OICE | HEALT H + WE LLN E SS

For Queen, these small moments can become a meaningful practice. Gratitude is not necessarily about waiting for something extraordinary to happen; it is about becoming more aware of the ordinary moments that are already happening. That practice can become particularly meaningful during stressful seasons. Queen describes gratitude as building our “internal reserves”, an inner bank that can help sustain us when life becomes difficult. Regular moments of connection, rest, joy, and appreciation can replenish those reserves and help us respond to challenges with greater steadiness. One simple way to begin is by choosing a moment each day to identify something specific to appreciate. It could be a person, an experience, a physical sensation or something as simple as having a few quiet minutes. Writing it down, sharing it with someone else or simply pausing to acknowledge it can make the practice more intentional. Sharing moments with others and serving those who need support can also cultivate gratitude. A conversation, a helping hand or an act of kindness can turn an ordinary moment into something meaningful. Sometimes, recognizing what we have can also make us more aware of what we are able to give. Importantly, gratitude should never become a command to ignore genuine struggles. Difficult emotions are real, and sometimes the healthiest choice is reaching out for support. For those navigating a particularly difficult season, Queen encourages people to look for a small sliver of hope while also giving themselves permission to acknowledge what hurts. This November, perhaps the invitation is simply to slow down long enough to notice: the people we love, the moments that bring us joy and the ordinary blessings we might otherwise overlook.

“Gratitude is not about ignoring life’s challenges; it is about becoming more aware of the ordinary moments that bring meaning.” NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

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ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT

O UR TOWN | EDUCATI O N

For high school students, figuring out what comes after graduation can be both exciting and overwhelming. College, careers and new opportunities can seem to exist somewhere beyond the communities where they grew up— but what if some of those opportunities are already in their own backyard? For Lincolnway City Lifestyle summer intern Emily Noesen, the chance to learn by doing made a lasting impression. Her experience gave her a firsthand look at journalism and helped confirm that it was a field she wanted to pursue. “Getting to be an intern for Lincolnway City Lifestyle was one of the most fulfilling things I did last summer,” Emily says. “I loved getting to learn by

actually doing the work rather than just hearing about it, and it solidified my passion for journalism.” Emily’s experience illustrates what the Will County Center for Economic Development hoped to create when it launched the Will County Summer Internship Program: an opportunity for young people to explore their interests, gain meaningful work experience and discover career possibilities close to home. The program started in 2024 with 350 applications from two participating schools, placing 38 interns with local employers. By 2026, applications had grown to 2,200 from 15 schools, with 125 interns placed. That growth demonstrates the strong demand for meaningful work experiences among local students. It also highlights an important need: more employers are needed to provide internship opportunities. In 2026 alone, participating interns earned a combined $500,000 through the program, putting wages directly into the hands of young people while giving them valuable professional experience. The program was created in part to address the number of young people who leave the area after high school without realizing the educational and career opportunities available locally. By connecting students with local businesses and industries, it also helps employers connect with talented young people eager to enter the workforce. But the experience is about more than a summer job. One of the program’s hallmarks is that participants are treated as real employees. The experience mirrors the employment process students will encounter after high school, from applying and interviewing to onboarding,

working alongside professionals and contributing to an organization. Internships span a wide range of industries and positions. For Emily, that meant discovering what it actually felt like to work in journalism. For other students, the experience may confirm an existing career interest or reveal that a particular path isn’t the right fit. The program’s internship leadership team includes administrators from participating school districts, bringing student perspectives and feedback directly into program planning. Those conversations have challenged some of the assumptions adults may have about today’s students. “They are thoughtful, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and deeply aware of the world around them,” says Jeremiah Anderson, Development Manager. “They want those same values reflected in their schools, workplaces, and communities.” Jeremiah says the students have taught him about the importance of showing up: for yourself, for others and for your community. At its core, the Will County Summer Internship Program is about helping young people discover what they want to do—and showing them they may not have to look far to find a place to begin.

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/LI N C O L N WAY

NOVEMBER 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

NOVE M BE R 7 T H

Ballet 5:8 Emerging Artist Showcase Ballet 5:8 Black Box Theater | 2:00 PM Experience the next generation of Ballet 5:8 Artists as advanced students in their Studio Company choreograph, produce, stage manage, light, and dance in this production! Don't miss a chance to support these talented emerging artists. Tickets available at ballet58.org. NOVE M BE R 7 T H

33rd Annual Holiday Craft Show Founders Community Center | 9:00 AM Get into the holiday spirit at Frankfort Park District’s annual Holiday Craft Show, featuring unique handmade gifts, seasonal décor, jewelry, apparel, gourmet treats and more. The first 300 shoppers receive a free shopping tote. Event runs from 9 AM to 3 PM. NOVE M BE R 7 T H

Open Ranch Saturdays HHH Ranch | 3:00 PM HHH Ranch invites the community to enjoy Free Open Ranch Saturdays throughout the rest of 2026. Spend an afternoon outdoors, visit with the animals, and connect with others in a welcoming ranch setting. Open every Saturday from 3–5 p.m. NOVE M BE R 8T H

Believe: A Santa Experience The Ranch Make holiday memories at Believe — A Santa Experience on Sunday, November 8 at The Ranch in Frankfort! This magical experience offers families the chance to slow down, connect and capture meaningful moments with Santa through professional photography by Jean LaChat Photography. Reserve at go.jeanlachatphotography.com/believe---a-santa-experience. NOVE M BE R 1 4 T H

Farm2Veteran Chili Cook-Off Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post #1977 | 12:00 PM Join Farm2Veteran at their annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, November 14 from 12 to 4 PM. Enjoy live music from The Usual Suspects, raffles, and a cash bar. $10 entry fee includes chili tasting, hot dogs, and chips. All proceeds go to supporting the mission of Farm2Veteran. For more information, to donate, or to purchase tickets, visit farm2veteran.com. NOVE M BE R 1 4 T H

Christmas at the Field Francis Field | 10:00 AM Kick off the holiday season at Christmas at the Field, a festive outdoor market featuring local makers, holiday décor, gifts and treats. Browse one-of-a-kind finds while enjoying a festive afternoon in New Lenox. Event runs 10 AM to 4 PM. NOVE M BE R 1 9 T H

DeRive Hair Restoration Glimpse Medspa | 5:00 PM Join Glimpse Medspa for DERIVE: Hair Restoration Educational Event and learn what’s really happening beneath the surface. Covering common causes of hair loss, treatment and restoration options, who may benefit, and what realistic results can look like. No pressure, no judgment—just real education about hair loss and the options available to you. RSVP by November 12th: 630-210-5548 CONTINUED >

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NOVEMBER 21ST

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Presents: Carmen Lincoln-Way North High School 7:30 PM Experience the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in a dramatic program featuring Bizet’s Symphony in C and Carmen Suite, conducted by Stilian Kirov. The November performance brings orchestral music to Lincoln-Way North High School. Tickets available at ipomusic.org. NOVEMBER 21ST

Gobbler Gauntlet 5K Sanctuary Golf Course | 8:00 AM Lace up for New Lenox Community Park District’s annual Gobbler Gauntlet 5K. The mostly flat course includes a water station and electronically timed finish, with awards by age category and proceeds benefiting the Park District Scholarship Program. Race day check-in and walk-up registration start at 7:00 AM. For more info and to register, visit newlenoxparks.org. NOVEMBER 24 TH

1st Annual Lincoln-Way West High School Career Expo Lincoln-Way West High School 9:00 AM Save the date for the 1st annual Lincoln-Way West High School Career Expo, an event designed to connect local high school students with professionals from various industries. The expo runs from 9 AM to 12 PM.

David Zaycek Mokena Branch 19214 S. LaGrange Rd. Mokena, IL 60448 708-326-6080 schwab.com/mokena

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