Myrna Petlicki

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

Visitors to the “For the Love of Pollinators” exhibit at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, Feb. 14-May 31, will learn why the rusty patched bumblebee is federally endangered and what’s being done to support it. (Alma Schrage)

Dunn Museum’s exhibit uses art to showcase the importance of pollinators in ecosystems

February 7, 2026 at 5:56 a.m.

Pollinators are necessary to keep our ecosystems healthy. You’ll learn why and how you can help the cause in “For the Love of Pollinators,” an exhibit at the Dunn Museum...

The Academy Orchestra of the Music Institute of Chicago will perform Stacy Garrop’s “Repair the World,” about the tragic mass shooting in Highland Park, during its Feb. 21 concert. (Mike Grittani)

Academy Orchestra is performing musical piece honoring victims and survivors of July 4 parade shootings in Highland Park

February 2, 2026 at 10:06 p.m.

The mass shooting during Highland Park’s Independence Day Parade in 2022 is still fresh in the minds of those who were there that day. To honor the individuals who lost...

Girl Scout cookie volunteer Diana Zuver, at right, checks out the Exploremore cookie, new for this year's Girl Scout cookie sales, with Isabella "Izzy" Zuver, who holds the rank of Cadette, at left, and Olivia Zuver, who holds the rank of Junior in Girl Scouts. (Zuver family)

Girl Scout cookie sales teach digital marketing skills, Northbrook, Glenview leaders say

January 28, 2026 at 9:51 a.m.

Girl Scout cookie sales teach digital marketing skills, Northbrook, Glenview leaders say

Hot treats will be served in innovative ways at the 9th Annual Cocoa Crawl in Historic Downtown Long Grove, noon-3 p.m. Feb. 7. (Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association)

Long Grove’s 9th Annual Cocoa Crawl prepping to help chase away winter blues on Feb. 7

January 26, 2026 at 3:50 p.m.

You’re sure to lose the winter blues at the 9th Annual Cocoa Crawl in Historic Downtown Long Grove, noon-3 p.m. Feb. 7.

Jewish Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, known for serving the deaf and hearing impaired as well as the hearing community, closed Jan. 6, 2026 due to dwindling membership and finances. (Congregation Bene Shalom)

Skokie Jewish congregation that served deaf and hearing impaired has closed, sold building

January 23, 2026 at 2:53 p.m.

Skokie Jewish Congregation Bene Shalom, which catered to the deaf and hearing-impaired has closed and sold its building.

A 1926 photo of nurses at the Lindlahr Sanitarium, which was known for promoting a Nature Cure for health issues, is one of the artifacts in the new exhibit Anatomy of Healthcare: DuPage County Medical History. (Elmhurst History Museum)

Elmhurst museum explores history of healthcare in DuPage County in new exhibit

January 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The exhibit Anatomy of Healthcare: DuPage County Medical History opens this month at the Elmhurst History Museum.

Highwood Chamber of Comerce kicks off its first Eat. Drink. Highwood on Feb. 3

January 16, 2026 at 3:48 p.m.

Twenty-two restaurants, bars, and specialty food shops in Highwood will be in the spotlight when the Highwood Chamber of Commerce presents its first Eat. Drink. Highwood. Something special will be...

Lake Bluff and Lake Forest native Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre, will direct that company’s Chicago premiere of “Birds of North America” by Anna Ouyang Moench, Jan. 15 to Feb. 22. (Jeff Kurysz)

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff native is artistic director of a theater, directs a play, will act in another play later this year

January 13, 2026 at 6:15 a.m.

Serving as Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre is a full-time job for Lake Bluff and Lake Forest native Kirsten Fitzgerald, but she still finds time to take on...

Monthly Spill Sessions in Highwood restaurants and bars created to spark stimulating conversations in places people already love

January 12, 2026 at 1:52 p.m.

Lively conversations on fascinating topics in casual settings is the Highwood Chamber of Commerce’s plan for its new monthly Spill Sessions. An added bonus is that each of the events...

The late Judy Hughes of Northbrook, who served as Northbrook Historical Society president, is shown making a point while seated in the society's building along Village Green Park at the 45th Shermerfest on Oct. 1, 2023 in Northbrook.

Memorial planned for Judy Hughes, leader in Northbrook community organizations

January 6, 2026 at 10:25 a.m.

Judy Hughes, a leader in the Northbrook Historical Society and other Northbrook community organizations, died at 81 on Dec. 27.

All Stories