FORGOTTEN HISTORY: Winnetka | History Defined

'I Thought the House Was Pretty Amazing. Oh Lord, Yeah.' Remembering Catherine O’Hara and the Home Alone House

The late, great actress, who brought Kate McCallister to life, loved the iconic Winnetka home

Homes & Gardens · Jan 31

What it was really like to live in the Home Alone house

IN FOCUS: 671 Lincoln Avenue in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka is central to the beloved Christmas movie. Former owner John Abendshien talks to Kevin E G Perry about living there during filming, the influence of John Hughes and what he learned from the hordes of fans who came to…

The Independent UK · Dec 13, 2025

Here’s your 2026 guide to farmers markets throughout Chicago

Our annual list of 100-plus markets across the metro Chicago area — freshly updated with dates, programming and prepared food offerings.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 17, 2025

‘He lived a hero’s song;’ family remembers Winnetka man who survived 9/11 and drowned in Lake Michigan

‘Luke lived his life guided by his experiences and he had several that allowed him to bestow compassion, love, inspiration, and leadership to others,’ a statement from his family reads.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 6, 2023

Winnetka man dies after jumping into Lake Michigan to help kid: ‘He would have done anything for anyone’

Luke Laidley, 43, was boating with friends off the 200 block of Sheridan Road early Tuesday afternoon when he noticed that the children appeared to be having problems, officials said.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 5, 2023

Winnetka man dies after jumping into Lake Michigan to help children on tube

Luke Laidley, 43, was boating with friends off the 200 block of Sheridan Road early Tuesday afternoon when he noticed that the children appeared to be having problems, officials said.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 5, 2023

Winnetka man faces up to a year in prison for price gouging N95 masks early in pandemic

Krikor Topouzian, 62, was found guilty Thursday of buying nearly 80,000 masks in the early months of the pandemic and selling them at large markups even as friends and law enforcement warned him of the products’ “scarce” material designation during the international crisis.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 1, 2023

Owner of Winnetka’s Country Shop leaves behind beautiful memories, exquisite art, wonderful friends

No obit? No funeral? No burial? Who was Esther Gasser?

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 23, 2023

A Winnetka man spent decades trying to prove he owned a Renaissance masterpiece. Has AI finally solved the puzzle?

Tony Ayers died last year, but his friends now say they have proof the artwork is a rare gem worth tens of millions of dollars — thanks to artificial intelligence.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 6, 2023

Fake threats at several Chicago suburban schools spark police response

A caller’s false threat to “kill everyone” at Wheaton North High School led to a large police response at the school Monday morning as officers responded to similar threats at Winnetka’s North Shore Country Day School and Wilmette Junior High School.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 20, 2023