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Chicago Tribune
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Western Springs, Hinsdale landmarks featured in children's book series
Taylor Tomlinson had very personal motivation when she decided to write a children's book. 'I realized I wanted to become an author when I thought about creating a 'goodnight' book for my son, one that featured local places he knows and loves,' she said. 'It wasn't necessarily a lifelong dream, but it's a personal and meaningful inspiration. I wanted to share the charm of our community with him in a way that was both fun and familiar.' So, Tomlinson, who has lived in Western Springs with her son, Jax, age 2, and husband, Jeff, who grew up there, began writing the first of her series of books, fittingly titled, 'Goodnight, Western Springs,' which was released in January. 'Goodnight, Hinsdale' was released in late April, and future 'Goodnight' books are planned for La Grange, Naperville, Libertyville and Downers Grove. Tomlinson bills the series as 'a collection of books that take young readers on whimsical nighttime adventures as they say goodnight to beloved locations across the Chicago suburbs.' 'My goal with the books is to bring the charm and character of Chicago's suburbs to life, helping young readers explore and appreciate the unique communities around them,' she said. 'I hope my books spark curiosity, nostalgia, and a sense of connection — both on the page and beyond.' Western Springs seemed like a logical place to start with her first book, which includes all of the places Tomlinson and her husband enjoy visiting with their son. Area readers will recognize Western Springs locations such as Tower Green, Spring Rock Park, the Western Springs Metra Station, Casey's Market, Thomas Ford Library, The Fruit Store, Oberweis Dairy / BB's Baby Donuts, Lyons Township High School South campus, Garden Market, Children's Theater of Western Springs, Kirschbaum's Bakery, and Flagg Creek. Hinsdale Community Pool and a visit from Santa at the village's annual Christmas Walk are among the highlights of 'Goodnight, Hinsdale.' 'The other towns in the series are nearby towns that we also visit often as a family,' Tomlinson said. ''Goodnight, Libertyville' will be a nostalgic book, a love letter, for the town in which I grew up.' Tomlinson said all of her books in the 'Goodnight' series will be written in a similar style. 'Fun, Dr. Seuss-style rhymes and large, full-page color illustrations of places within each town,' she said. 'All illustrations are done by the same illustrator (Christine F. Maningo).'
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Geneseo declares Angie Snook Appreciation Day
Geneseo has declared February 14th, 2025, as Angie Snook Appreciation Day. The day honors her contributions to the community of Geneseo's cultural and historical landscape. Born in Geneseo Illinois, Angie Snook was a preschool teacher for 22 years. One day she was walking by the Geneseo Historical Museum with her boy in a little red wagon. The museum captured her interest, and she went in to check it out. She told our quad cities news that the rest was history. '43 years later I'm now retiring' She says the museum acted as her reprieve during the day between her teaching job and taking care of her 2 children. Beyond the museum she gave back to the community in a variety of other ways. She is on the mural committee, Christmas Walk committee, she is the first co chairman of the Trains, Planes and Automobiles event, and more. She told Our Quad Cities News the community of Geneseo is one loves. 'I love it, I can't imagine ever living anywhere else. They have been so kind and so generous. We could not have this beautiful museum if it hadn't been for the community of geneseo.' When she heard the news that there would be a day of appreciation for her, she was surprised. 'I'm very honored and very humbled and its really very kind of people to look at me with this perspective,' she added 'I love my job, and I was just doing my job' She gave the museum plenty of time and effort working 50 to 60 hours some weeks. 'Research is for me number one because it's like putting a big puzzle together.' Snook told our quad cities news that she can't wait to hear what her grandchildren think of the announcement. Each of her grandchildren have a tiny exhibit in the museum that they can't wait to see every visit. She says that the most special part of the historical museum is getting to share it with others. One of her favorite things is to share it with school groups because it reminds her of her teaching days. 'When I quit teaching, I was crying so hard that my other staff members would say you cannot drive home you're crying so hard, and i thought oh I'm not going to be able to teach anymore but I'm teaching when I was here, it's just teaching in a different way.' Snook says a couple thousand kids come through the museum every year which gave her plenty of opportunities to continue teaching. As far as reaction to the museum goes, she says people are amazed at what the Geneseo Historical Museum has in store. The number one exhibit is the underground railroad, which researching is one of Snook's passions. The museum is also home to a Lincoln connection room full of Lincoln memorabilia including a desk that Lincoln himself sat on. She says every room in the museum is home to something exciting. 2025 is also the 53rd anniversary of the Geneseo historical association which she has been a part of for 46 years. Now that she's retired, Snook plans to take a trip, try golfing and fishing, and spend time with her grandchildren. She also plans to spend time outside in her gardens. On top of this she is working on a book on the underground railroad which she plans to finish in the not far future. She says the biggest thing she learned is to be very appreciative of others. Everything in the museum is something that has been donated and Snook says she was always amazed how people can give items they love to the museum. Snook says the stories of donators are always unique. She says she plans to spend Angie Snook Appreciation Day relaxing at home and enjoying a glass of wine, as well as spending time with family Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
