Lynn Petrak

Jimmy "Mac" McInerney of La Grange and his Rebel Force Radio podcast partner, Jason Swank of Ohio, talk about "Star Wars" at Lyons Township High School in 2017.

Petrak: La Grange fan prepares his podcast for next ‘Star Wars’ installment

October 31, 2019 at 10:15 p.m.

Loyalty. Hope. Strength. Fortitude. Nothing against the notion that everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten, but "Star Wars" offers some pretty big life lessons. Those of us...

Petrak: Kirschbaum’s named ‘sweetest bakery,’ but we already knew that

October 24, 2019 at 7:00 a.m.

It's just a little yellow or pink icing and some chocolate piping atop a simple crunchy cookie, but what it is it about the smiley face cookie that turns a...

Dick Best, a resident of Plymouth Place in La Grange Park

Petrak: Plymouth Place resident moderates Skype Q&A with photographer grandson

October 17, 2019 at 7:34 a.m.

Grandparents tend to be a proud lot. That's their thing. And while it's not new for grandparents to admire their grandchildren's artworks, Dick Best has taken that to a whole...

Middle son Peter Brady endured more than his share of awkward moments: his pubescent voice cracks, he gets roped into joining a Girl Scout troop for one of Greg's schemes, and his Humphrey Bogart impression ("Pork chops and apple sauce...") doesn't go over so well. Actor Christopher Knight fared better in real life: he left acting for a successful career in the software industry while pursuing the occasional TV hosting gig.

Petrak: My Brady mania off the charts with news ‘Peter Brady’ is coming to La Grange

October 11, 2019 at 4:27 p.m.

I know what Bobby and Cindy ate beans out of when they got lost in the Grand Canyon. I remember what Marcia said when Davy Jones kissed her. I can...

Some of the family memories saved by pack "bunny" Lynn Petrak.

Petrak: ‘Pack bunnies’ hold on to important family memories

October 2, 2019 at 10:22 p.m.

I'm thinking they should change the term from "pack rat" to something like "pack bunny." A rat connotes something icky and an unwanted infestation. A bunny, on the other hand,...

This 2018 file photo shows recycling and trash items are in a bag waiting to be picked up during a "Recycling Relay" in Woodstock, Maryland.

Column: Channel an old-fashioned mindset to find solutions to newfangled eco-problems

September 28, 2019 at 3:23 a.m.

Waste not, want not. That's what my Auntie Olwen — who survived the Great Depression and the bombardment of London during World War II — always told me. My 6-...

Column: It’s anything but the ‘Same’ old, same old for rising star and La Grange native Josie Dunne

September 20, 2019 at 7:21 p.m.

A couple of weeks ago, my son came in from running errands with some news. "Guess what I heard at Walgreens?" he exclaimed. "One of Josie Dunne's songs was on...

Petrak: La Grange home renovation expert now looking at transforming lives as well

September 12, 2019 at 1:54 p.m.

La Grange resident Frank Fontana, a home renovation expert, recently launched a podcast called "The Human Renovation Project." The analogy of renovating a home and evaluating one's purpose in life...

A church barbecue in Michigan reminds of La Grange and Western Springs events with down home food offerings.

Petrak: Upcoming events offer downhome meals in La Grange, Western Springs

September 4, 2019 at 9:32 p.m.

Apple pie is all-American, but so are a lot of foods, particularly those served up at fundraisers. One of the highlights of our family vacation is a church chicken barbecue...

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" kicks off the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2013.

Petrak: When our children start their life’s journeys, we go along

August 28, 2019 at 4:16 p.m.

The book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go" is a go-to graduation gift. Personally, I'm a sucker for "Go Dog Go," but the Dr. Seuss tome about life journeys is a...

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