The Faces Of The Hinsdale Area

11/19/2025

Meet Coach Michael Wiggins

⚽️ Head Boys Soccer Coach | Retired Educator | Author of The Starting 11

It’s hard to put into words the kind of legacy Coach Wiggins is building—not just on the soccer field, but in the hearts of students, athletes, and families across Hinsdale.
With 30+ years of coaching, mentoring, and teaching, Coach Wiggins is the kind of leader who doesn’t just teach wins and losses—he teaches life. From national rankings to state championships, he’s been there for the victories and the setbacks, always reminding his players that leadership is earned through effort, empathy, and resilience.
What makes him even more remarkable? His new book, The Starting 11, is now inspiring students, teams, and schools around the country. It’s filled with real-life lessons drawn from a life of service, sports, and purpose.
Coach Wiggins is also a proud husband, father, and community member. And while he may have retired from full-time teaching, he’s far from slowing down. He’s still on the sidelines, still shaping young lives—and still walking the halls of Hinsdale Central with pride.
➡️ Read his full story on The Faces of the Hinsdale Area website or below:
🌐 www.thefacesofthehinsdaleareail.com
Let’s give a big shoutout to one of the most inspiring people in our community. ❤️
YiaYia's Cafe - Breakfast Lunch Hinsdale Central High School

Tell us about yourself and your family. Thank you, my name is Michael Wiggins. Although I recently retired from full-time teaching, I’m still coaching as a head coach recently coming off of my 32nd season...

09/24/2025

Meet Keith & Pam Baldwin

Beloved Mah Jongg Teachers • Lifelong Educators • Community Gems
What do you get when you combine two retired educators, over 1,300 Mah Jongg students, a deep love for animals, and hearts full of kindness?
You get Keith & Pam Baldwin — two of the sweetest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. 💛
After decades in education, they found a new calling: teaching Mah Jongg (always for free!) and creating a welcoming space of laughter, learning, and connection right here in Hinsdale. Whether it's at The Community House or raising funds for the Hinsdale Humane Society, Keith & Pam are the kind of neighbors who make our community better — one tile, one hug, one smile at a time.
From secret dining adventures in Vegas to wise words and homemade cookies, their story is filled with joy, generosity, and love.
Read their full interview below:

✨ You’ll walk away inspired — and probably wanting to sign up for Mahjong!

Fuller House Bar The Community House

Tell us about yourself: PAM: Keith and I are both retired high school educators. Keith was a high school principal and basketball coach, and I taught 29 years at a small rural high school. Upon...

09/17/2025

🌟 The Faces of the Hinsdale Area proudly features Rachel Gregerson, owner of Beyond Shades and a true creative force in our community.
Rachel is a mother, artist, entrepreneur, and inspiration whose life blends art, empathy, and leadership. From the St. Louis Art Museum to leading a thriving luxury window treatment business, her journey is filled with purpose and passion.
Read her full story and learn how she’s building a legacy with love, grace, and a touch of quiche Lorraine 🍽️
Toni Patisserie and Cafe - Hinsdale, IL Fuller House Bar Razny Jewelers Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce Beyond Shades

Tell us a little bit about yourself:   Hi, I’m Rachel Gregerson—mom, business owner, friend, artist, and traveler. I own Beyond Shades, a Hunter Douglas dealership, but I’m much more than that. I’m passionate about...

06/25/2025

💥From Capitol Hill to community halls — Kaili Harding’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and real leadership.

💼 She’s a powerhouse in Westmont, championing local businesses, building big ideas, and creating impact everywhere she goes.

👩‍👧‍👧 She’s also a devoted mom, pageant coach, scuba diver, and survivor with a strength that lights up every room she walks into.

💬 Want to know what she’d rate a 10/10? Or who she’d invite to lunch downtown (hint: it involves a lifestyle icon)?
Click Her full story below.

El Tapatio Restaurant Galaxy Sushi Neat Kitchen + Bar Uncle Bub's BBQ Village of Westmont, Government

Tell us about yourself: I’m a small-town Georgia girl at heart, born and raised in Cedartown—a rural community with just around 6,000 residents. Growing up, there wasn’t much to do locally, so we often ventured...

04/30/2025

✨ Meet Rebecca, the inspiring woman behind BODY20 Hinsdale — and someone who proves it's never too late to pivot, grow, and redefine what strength looks like 💪 (Can't wait to try!)

From a career in software development to leading an AI startup… then stepping away during COVID to homeschool her four children… Rebecca's journey is anything but ordinary. In 2023, after turning 40 and welcoming baby #4, she launched BODY20 — a boutique personal training studio using EMS technology to deliver a 4–5 hour workout in just 20 minutes. 🙌

She’s helping busy parents, professionals, and everyday athletes reclaim their time, energy, and health — all while balancing motherhood, coaching youth basketball, and tending to her summer veggie garden. 🌱

📍 Curious what late '90s pop song gets her going?
👑 Or how she ended up as a Mardi Gras parade maid of honor in high school?

You’re going to love this one — read her full story now:
👉 below..
Page's Restaurant Il Poggiolo Ristorante Toni Patisserie and Cafe - Hinsdale, IL Bea Wolfe Properties BODY20

I’m originally from Louisiana but moved to the Midwest to attend Notre Dame. I began my career as a software developer but eventually made the leap into marketing. During COVID, I stepped away from my...

04/18/2025

✨ Meet my amazing friend Maria Makkas, the heart and soul behind Chicago Original Limousine 🚘🇬🇷

Maria’s story is one of resilience, love, and serious hustle. From starting over with a toddler and no credit… to building a business that now sets the standard for Greek-style hospitality on wheels—she’s done it all with heart and grace.

She even gave me the sweetest shoutout in her interview (cue the happy tears 🥹). I’m so proud to call her a friend, and even prouder to share her story as part of The Faces of The Hinsdale Area Project.

💙 Watch her full interview and get ready to fall in love with her spirit, her journey, and maybe even her secret: she doesn’t actually love driving!

Cafe La Fortuna Hinsdale Fuller House Bar YiaYia's Cafe - Breakfast Lunch

Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Chicago, but my heart has always been split between two places, here and Greece. My parents, both Greek, filled our home with tradition, food, and...

01/15/2025

🌟 Big Congratulations to Home Helpers Home Care of Hinsdale! 🌟

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian for my Faces of the Hinsdale Area Project, and today, I’m beyond thrilled to share this incredible news! 🎉

Home Helpers of Hinsdale has been named a Caring Superstar for the seventh consecutive year by Caring.com, the leading ratings platform in the home care industry. 🏆 This prestigious honor reflects the heartfelt 5-star reviews and client satisfaction that speak to the exceptional care and dedication of their amazing team of caregivers and office staff.

But that’s not all—Home Helpers is also in the running for the Home Care Pulse Awards later this month, aka the "Oscars" of the home care industry! Last year, they ranked #22 nationwide out of 3,500+ agencies. Fingers crossed for another incredible result! 🤞🏽

Brian, Sheri, Dominica, and the entire Home Helpers team—you continue to raise the bar in home care excellence, and our community is so lucky to have you. 💙

Let’s show some love and congratulations to this amazing team in the comments! 👏🏽 If you or someone you know could benefit from their award-winning services, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Home Helpers Home Care Sheri Kupres

11/13/2024

Meet Ryan, a man with a passion for education and a journey that took him from a blue-collar town to Harvard! 🎓
When his high school principal doubted he’d make it to an Ivy League, Ryan used that as fuel—and the rest is history.
Today, he’s the founder of Summa Factor, helping students and families navigate the competitive world of college admissions.

Curious about his journey or the best advice he ever received? Dive into Ryan’s story on The Faces of The Hinsdale Area Project, click the picture below!

Bea Wolfe Properties Nabuki Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce

Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in a small blue-collar town in Pennsylvania, where sports were a huge part of my life. My dad was a schoolteacher, and he also coached football...

11/06/2024

🌟 Meet Adam King, Director of Sales at King’s Landscape Design and a true Hinsdale native! 🌳 Adam’s journey is unique—from performing as a Disney character to running his family’s landscaping business, he’s always embraced the spotlight and the community.

Did you know he used to be Goofy at Walt Disney World? 🤩 Now, he brings that same energy to his work, meeting clients, building connections, and expanding his family’s legacy. Want to know where Adam’s favorite “home away from home” is or what priceless advice he got from the CEO of Athletico? Read on!

Jade Dragon Restaurant Wild Ginger Asian Cuisine

Tell us about yourself. I graduated from DePaul University, but before that, I was a swimmer at the University of Tampa. I also worked for Walt Disney World during college as a character performer, which...

10/30/2024

Meet Linnea Lones, a co-founder of Just Lift Fitness who turned the pandemic into an opportunity for growth and transformation! 💪 With a passion for fair wages, employee benefits, and building a community-centered business, Linnea launched her fitness venture just five days into the pandemic. Five years and three locations later, she’s still going strong! 🌟

Curious about how Linnea overcame challenges or what drives her as a leader and mom? Discover her inspiring journey here! Click the picture below!
prasino Nabuki

Tell us about yourself and your business journey: Unlike many, the pandemic was a transformative time for me. I left my corporate job for two main reasons: the inability to compensate staff fairly and the...