Hilary Decent

George Coutrakan, from left, Theresa Van Ornum, Kathy Coutrakan and Alex Coutrakan traveled from Naperville to Missouri in 2017 to watch the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse. (Courtesy Kathy Coutrakan)

Decent: For some viewers of solar eclipse, the natural wonder is also a religious experience

April 6, 2024 at 10:31 a.m.

Monday’s solar eclipse is this year’s scientific Superbowl. We’ve been bombarded with information about the best places to see the phenomenon, and warned to take full advantage because the next...

Walter Johnson, vice president of institutional advancement at the College of DuPage, has spent much of his professional life helping students attend college but the story of how this Naperville resident became a college student reveals a surprising side to him. (Walter Johnson)

Decent: Don’t let the suit fool you; this man had to overcome a lot to be where he is today

March 28, 2024 at 4:27 p.m.

You might have heard of Walter Johnson because he’s been important to Naperville in many ways, but today I’m sharing a story you won’t know. For the first time, he’s...

A scene from a 2015 production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" performed by the Lake Forest College Departments of Music and Theater at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)

Decent: Trip to England brings back youthful memories of Gilbert and Sullivan obsession

March 22, 2024 at 5:54 a.m.

I was a weird child. When my friends had pictures of '70s heartthrobs like Donny Osmond and David Cassidy on their bedroom walls, I had posters advertising the London-based D’Oyly...

The bagpipers who perform in the annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade bring a little bit of Ireland to Naperville. (Naperville Sun file photo)

Decent: Nothing like a St. Patrick’s Day parade for a perfect slice of Americana

March 15, 2024 at 12:45 p.m.

Although I come from a land much closer to Ireland than it is here, St Patrick’s Day is a much bigger deal in the United States than it is in...

Ross Decent, aka Grumpy, was having a fine time during an excursion from the Dominican Republic cruise he and wife, Hilary, were taking -- until the river broke its banks and everyone had to be loaded into trucks. (Hilary Decent)

Decent: When it comes to having vacation adventures, trucks with ladders are not my friends

March 8, 2024 at 3:13 p.m.

One good thing about aging is that people expect less from you physically. Whereas it might be frowned upon as a child if you refuse to stand on a chair,...

Teresa Ryan helped find a new home for Gypsy, who arrived in Naperville from Texas with two broken legs. Ryan’s nonprofit, Angel Dog Alliance, paid for her surgery and foster care. (Teresa Ryan)

Decent: If you can’t commit to adopting a pet, short-term fostering’s the next best thing and saves a lot of animal livess

March 1, 2024 at 11:50 a.m.

It’s no secret that owning a dog is a huge commitment. On average you should be prepared to devote about 15 years of your life to it, and the expense...

Hilary Decent

All Stories

Decent: For some viewers of solar eclipse, the natural wonder is also a religious experience

Decent: Don’t let the suit fool you; this man had to overcome a lot to be where he is today

Decent: Trip to England brings back youthful memories of Gilbert and Sullivan obsession

Decent: Nothing like a St. Patrick’s Day parade for a perfect slice of Americana

Decent: When it comes to having vacation adventures, trucks with ladders are not my friends

Decent: If you can’t commit to adopting a pet, short-term fostering’s the next best thing and saves a lot of animal livess

Decent: Seize the extra day this coming week by ‘leaping’ into a new challenge

Decent: Americans far more interested in the royal family than Brits, but we do care when they’re sick

Decent: As Loaves and Fishes heads into its 40th year, one volunteer’s been with them for the long haul

Decent: If you can’t be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, museum gives an inside glimpse of the magic