Gina Grillo

Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Always Something There… opened June 26 at the Marriott Theatre as part of a curated pairing of theatre and pop-up dining at the newly created Back to the Grill, presented by Three Embers Restaurant, running June 18 through Aug. 10, 2025. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lincolnshire Marriott Resort celebrates 50th anniversary with a multisensory trip back to the 1980s

July 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Lincolnshire Marriott Resort celebrates its 50th anniversary season with a high-octane trip back to the 1980s.

Teddy Eagleston, 3 years old, Cassie Kang-Wang, 5 years old, and Quinn Eagleston, 5 years old, all from Lake Forest, connect with the kittens during the PAWS Chicago Adoption Event at Gorton Center, 400 East Illinois Road in Lake Forest, Saturday June 21, from noon to 3 p.m. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Gorton Center in Lake Forest hosted PAWS Chicago adoption event on Saturday

June 23, 2025 at 4:07 p.m.

Saturday’s local pet adoption event invited participants to come for the cuddles, save a life, or find a new best friend, all free of charge.

The 1968 Jaguar E-Type, one of over 150 vehicles admired during the Lake Bluff History Museum Auto Show. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Annual Lake Bluff History Auto Show shows off classic cars in the village’s downtown Saturday

June 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

On Saturday, June 21, the picturesque streets of downtown Lake Bluff were transformed into a classic car show from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s esteemed instructor Steve Kotansky, (far left holding red handkerchief), originally studied ethnic dance at UCLA, now considered expert in dances from Eastern Europe and the Balkan States, has dedicated research travel to dances of Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Hungary, Greece and Albania. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lake Forest Academy hosts Midwest Folk Dance Association’s Camp Folk Dance Weekend

June 16, 2025 at 4:20 p.m.

Group folk dancing has long been considered a non-verbal, universal language that brings people together.

The Highland Park event included speakers, rally co-host, Highland Park resident and climate change activist, Anita Goldberg, State Representative for Highland Park, Bob Morgan, and executive director of ACLU Illinois, Colleen Connell. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

About 3,000 people participate in ‘No Kings’ rally in front of Highland Park City Hall

June 16, 2025 at 9:46 a.m.

The "No Kings" rally held outside of Highland Park City Hall on June 14 gathered 3,000 for a peaceful protest on Saturday, organizers said.

The 15th Reclaimed Artisans Vintage Outdoor Market was held on Saturday at 302 Peterson Road in Libertyville from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This bi-annual event, offered in the Spring and the Fall, featured 50 dealers and highlighted a diverse collection of refinished and repurposed furniture, vintage and antique home décor, knitted items, clothing, jewelry, food products, flowers, metal art, and more. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lovers of vintage finds perused the 15th Reclaimed Artisans Vintage Outdoor Market Saturday in Libertyville

June 9, 2025 at 3:45 p.m.

Area vintage-lovers were on the hunt Saturday -- in search of memories, handmade craftsmanship, and contemporary inspiration from artists putting their own unique spin on historic treasures.

The race begins at the 11th Annual Dash Around the Lake 5k Run/Walk on Saturday at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary campus in Mundelein. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Hundreds of runners participate in the annual Dash Around the Lake in Mundelein

June 9, 2025 at 3:18 p.m.

Hundreds gathered for Dash Around the Lake 5k Run/Walk, now in its 11th year, on The University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary campus in Mundelein.

The Old Glory Ceremony was performed by the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Nine One One Division, during Monday’s Village of Lincolnshire Memorial Day Commemoration at Spring Lake Park. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lincolnshire holds Memorial Day commemoration ceremony on Monday

May 27, 2025 at 12:36 p.m.

Under pristinely blue skies, area residents gathered in Lincolnshire's Spring Lake Park on Monday morning to join a National pause to honor the price of freedom.

The 68th Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon at the Libertyville Canoe Launch on Sunday, May 18, offered 22 different class specifications and two course distances. This is a sanctioned race with many classes of racers from Olympic-level competitors to beginners, open to all ages, all levels of experience, and most boat and board types. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Annual Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon attracts hundreds of participants

May 19, 2025 at 3:55 p.m.

Hundreds gathered Sunday morning under cloudy late spring skies to take part in the 68-year tradition of paddling the Des Plaines River.

Pop-up watercolor easels invited attendees to try their hand at Plein Air painting during Saturday, May 10’s Mother Earth Market. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Brushwood Center in Ryerson Woods showcased sustainable goods at Mother Earth Made Market

May 12, 2025 at 3:28 p.m.

Honoring the mother of all mothers, Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, hosted their 4th annual Mother Earth Market on May 10th and 11th, a celebration of spring, and Mother’s Day...

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