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Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Chasten Buttigieg stops in Naperville to discuss new kid's book with Bonnie Hunt
Chasten Buttigieg knows O'Hare International Airport well. It's where his husband — former U.S. transportation secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg — proposed. At gate B5 to be exact. O'Hare is also where, more than seven years later, he flew in Thursday before traveling out to Naperville to talk about his new children's book, 'Papa's Coming Home.' Alas, he didn't stop by B5 this time. He wanted to squeeze in a little time to have lunch with family before hitting the stage. Chasten Buttigieg spent Thursday night discussing his latest release to a room of more than 200 people at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall. Actress Bonnie Hunt, of 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' joined in conversation for the sold-out evening, which featured insight into Buttigieg's new work but far more than that too. Buttigieg and Hunt touched on politics, love and even his family's 14-year-old, one-eyed puggle, Buddy. Naperville marked the seventh stop in a two-week book tour that launched last week in Traverse City, Michigan, Buttigieg's hometown and where he and his family now live. 'Papa Coming Home' tells the story of two kids, Rosie and Jojo, excitedly preparing to go get their dad from the airport after he was away on a trip. Together, alongside their other dad, they get ready to welcome him home, pulling together anything and everything they could need for their very best hello. They make a sign — glitter and all — pick flowers and yes, even bake a seven-layer chocolate cake. Ultimately, though, the thoughtful fanfare falls away and the reunion itself is what makes the moment one to relish. Ahead of Thursday's discussion, as Buttigieg steamed his blue suit jacket for the night, he reflected on what inspired the book — his third — and kept his sights on family in light of speculation over what political aspirations his husband has in years to come. Earlier this month, Pete Buttigieg returned to Iowa, where in 2020 he pulled off a narrow win of the state's Democratic presidential caucuses, for an event focused on veterans. Hours ahead of the town hall-style meeting, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, suggested to an independent journalist that he would look at running in 2028, The Washington Post reported. Asked about the Iowa event and whether it was a signal that his husband intends to run, Buttigieg said, 'No, I don't think it's a signal.' 'I think Iowa has always been great to our family,' he said. 'You know, it's important to remember that Democrats are still there. That we don't just show up in places during an election cycle. … I don't think it speaks to a much larger calculus.' Buttigieg added that after four years spent in Washington, D.C., he's 'very grateful to have him home right now.' 'I get it,' he said. 'We're in a really tough spot. I love him to pieces, and I think he's fantastic at what he does. I know he feels that pressure. But I just don't think I'm ready to think about much more.' In March, Pete announced that he would not be seeking an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. 'You always have somebody knocking on your door telling you that you need to do more, you need to step up. … I think every family can relate to trying to get it right between doing right by work and doing right by your family,' Buttigieg said. 'But I think we're really grateful right now for this opportunity to maybe get to say no to more things, and then just cherish being together.' The Buttigiegs adopted twins, Penelope and Gus, in 2021. They're now 3 years old, about to turn 4 this summer, Buttigieg said. They're what inspired 'Papa's Coming Home.' 'I was frustrated that we don't have a lot of books that look like our family,' he said. 'I think every family is deserving of a book that reflects their families so their children can see themselves reflected on the pages of the book.' Buttigieg also said that he wanted to write a story about unconditional love. 'Papa's Coming Home' has been in the works for about two years. The idea came to Buttigieg while he was flying home from a work trip. 'Obviously, travel has played a key role in many things in our life,' he said. 'I thought it was kind of funny that it came to me while on an airplane.' Take O'Hare International, for instance. Beyond their engagement, the airport is also where Chasten and Pete Buttigieg first 'met.' It was 2015, and Buttigieg was living in Chicago at the time as he pursued his master's degree in education from DePaul University. Buttigieg recalled sitting in O'Hare — at gate B5 — when he first started messaging with Pete on a dating app. Fast forward to today, Buttigieg said, 'We go through O'Hare a lot, and it's very special when we're together.' After inspiration struck for 'Papa's Coming Home,' Buttigieg said his kids continued to influence his work as the book progressed, acting as sounding boards for him to bounce around ideas with. Buttigieg says they love the finished product and see themselves in the pages. 'I remember when we got the artwork back … my daughter came running up behind me and was like, 'Hey, that's me. That's Gus. That's Papa. That's Daddy,'' he said. 'She just immediately saw her family. What a special gift to be able to give that to your kid, but every kid should have that opportunity, right? 'Families come in all shapes and sizes, and we just need more books that reflect the diversity and breadth of America. I think at the end of the day, this is just a story about another quintessential American family.' Still, Buttigieg said he's not 'naive to the realities in which we live.' Before Naperville, Buttigieg was in Tennessee, where he met with a lot of teachers, librarians and people 'worried about students losing access to books like this,' he said. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to ban 'anti-American ideologies,' including gender ideology, in K-12 schools or risk loss of federal funding. Earlier this month, the Trump administration fired longtime librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. The White House cited no specific reason for her termination, though the conservative American Accountability Foundation had alleged she was promoting children's books with 'radical content,' and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated she was 'putting inappropriate books in the library for children.' Buttigieg emphasized that 'books are windows and mirrors.' In the case of his latest release, 'for my family, it's a mirror — we see ourselves in the book,' he said. But for other families it's a window into someone else's life, he said. 'But this book isn't about differences,' he said. 'This book is about unconditional love. It just so happens to have two dads, the same way our kids are reading books with families that look different as well.'
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville News Digest: Naperville Fire Department presenting fire prevention seminar; DuPage County hosting native plant sale Friday and Saturday
The Naperville Fire Department will hold a free public program to educate residents about the cause of fires at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. There were 40 structure fires in 2024 in the city, a city news release said. Fire officials are hoping that by knowing the causes of fires, residents can be made aware of unsafe conditions or behaviors before they become a fire hazard. The discussion will center on fire prevention and how best to protect both family and property, the release said. Speakers will also present information about department programs that support fire prevention efforts, such as proper maintenance of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and how to create an escape plan in the event of a fire, officials said. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's annual Native Plant Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. All plants have originated from seed collected within 100 miles of the county and are free of insecticides harmful to bees and other pollinators, a news release said. Plant experts will be on site to offer gardening tips and help customers shop from more than 170 different types of native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, including 14 newly offered species. Admission is free, and proceeds from sales will support the forest preserve district's educational programs, the release said. Shoppers should bring their own boxes or wagons to transport plants. A list of anticipated inventory is available at Élan Dance Company will present its 2025 showcase, featuring hip hop, jazz and ballet, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. The Naperville Park District organization provides dance training classes for children and teens and offers both a competitive team and performance-only team, a news release said. Tickets for the showcase are not required, but seating will be limited, park district officials said. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Auditions for the 2025-26 season will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Auditions for 6- to 9-years-olds will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dancers must be 6 years old by Sept. 1 to audition. Auditions for children age 10 to 13 will be between 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. and for dancers between age 14 and 18 will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration and a $10 audition fee is required at Whether it is fishing for trash or for fish, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has three upcoming events at the Hidden Lakes Trout Farm, 475 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook. An Adult Fishing Derby will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Hidden Lakes. Prizes will be awarded in the annual event, which features giveaways for early registrants. Participants must bring their own gear, but one container of nightcrawlers will be provided. Open to ages 16 or older, the cost is $5 per person and registration at required. Residents can help beautify the preserves by participating in the district's 'Fishing for Trash' program. Stop by the Tackle Box Bait shop anytime between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, and Friday, May 23, or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, to get a bucket and a picker to collect litter. Anyone who participates in the clean-up efforts will earn a treat, the forest district said. No registration is required. Hidden Lakes will also be the site for first-time fishermen to learn the basics. Scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, the program is for those age 8 and older, district officials said. Participants will learn how to bait a hook, cast and catch. All equipment, including a fishing pole, tackle and bait, will be provided. Register at by May 22.
Chicago Tribune
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
A regular at shortstop, Gwen Shouse fills in at center field for Batavia. And stars. ‘It's hard to be Batman.'
Four-year varsity starter Gwen Shouse has been rock-like steady at shortstop for Batavia coach Torry Pryor, but his leadoff senior speedster is no one-trick pony. In fact, it's very likely Shouse's flexibility and willingness to adapt will carry her far at the next level next season when she takes her game to North Central College in Naperville. 'I'm not quite sure where I'll end up, probably as a utility player,' Shouse said what position she will play. 'It could be middle infield because that's where I've played for high school and a lot of travel ball, but then I do play the outfield and other spots for travel as well. 'I guess I can play anywhere, outfield or infield, and compete at most positions.' It helps make Batavia's quiet leader special, according to Pryor. 'Like I tell the girls all the time, it's hard to be Batman,' he said. 'It's easy to be Robin.' Shouse answered the call Wednesday in a 13-4 nonconference loss to Plainfield East after Pryor asked her to move to Batavia's expansive center field and cover for a player nursing a minor injury. Short fences of 189 and 183 feet down the lines due to a line of trees in left field and a property line in right are extended to a prairie-like 230 feet in straightaway center. 'You do have to cover a lot of ground, but I just try to adjust to the hitters too,' said Shouse, who handled four chances while flashing excellent range. 'I enjoy center field. It's like relaxing out there, maybe not as stressful as shortstop, where you have no time to think. 'Sometimes, it can be boring if nothing is hit to you. I had a fun time.' At the plate, the left-handed Shouse makes her mark hitting as a slapper. She singled in the first inning and scored her team's first run on a sacrifice fly by junior right fielder Amira Mendoza. Sophomore catcher Teagan Sullivan then hit a two-run homer for a short-lived 3-2 lead for the Bulldogs (0-3). Junior pitcher Mackenzie Krauch was solid, hurt by shaky defense in a seven-run second by Plainfield East (3-2). It was Pryor, who has known Shouse since she was 7 years old, who moved her to shortstop when she reached high school. He also coached her sister Liv, a 2020 Batavia grad. Gwen came up through rec leagues and travel ball playing mostly second base. 'I needed a shortstop and made the decision to bring her up to varsity and play shortstop,' said Pryor, who limited her at-bats if she struggled at the plate that first season. 'I let her concentrate on her defense, which got better. 'Then, she came back sophomore year and she's been hitting the ball ever since.' In the seventh inning Wednesday, she slapped a line drive that carried to the fence in left-center. 'She has some power,' Pryor said. How good did that double feel? 'That felt really good,' said Shouse, who didn't start slapping until she reached high school. 'I started watching YouTube videos because I wanted to see the basics on how to do the footwork and where your hands should be when hitting the ball. 'Sophomore year, I wanted to slap 30% of the time. Last year, I did it more than half the time.' It was only possible because she made the change to batting lefty earlier in her career. 'I hit righty for one year when I was 8 and then my rec league coach, Mark Rokos, suggested I switch to lefty because he said I was way too fast to be a righty,' Shouse said. Taking advantage of being closer to first base coming out of the batter's box made sense to her. But it wasn't easy. 'It was so awkward that first time and felt so unnatural,' Shouse said. 'In time, it worked out. I also write lefty.' Change and adapt. It can take you far. Originally Published: March 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM CDT
Chicago Tribune
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Quiet Charlotte Brummel, recruited as a pitcher, lets bat do talking for Aurora Central Catholic. ‘I do like to hit.'
The strong suit of Aurora Central Catholic senior Charlotte Brummel is definitely her pitching, but the North Central College commit swings a pretty mean bat, too. Brummel actually throws left-handed and hits right-handed. In fact, she brings Teddy Roosevelt to mind for Chargers coach Mark Pasqualini. Speak softly and carry a big stick. 'She's picked up her offense,' Pasqualini said of Brummel. 'She's committed — one of our hardest-working kids. She's just so quiet. She doesn't get all the big attention.' That could change very soon. Brummel, who played first base Saturday afternoon for the Chargers in 11-1 nonconference win over visiting St. Edward, definitely left a mark with her hitting. Her rocket-shot single to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning was misplayed into a three-base error, allowing her to round the bases for the game-ending run. It was the third time Brummel, who also beat out out an infield single and hit a one-hopper triple off the fence in left, scored. It all came in support of winning pitcher Kate Gambro, a Benedictine recruit. The senior righty threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and one walk, giving up one unearned run for ACC (4-0). Losing pitcher Alaina Nolan, hurt by several unearned runs, had a hit for the Green Wave (0-1). And for Brummel, that was the big thing. 'I do like to hit,' she said. 'I don't like when I don't get to hit. I work hard at it, so I want to be able to show it off.' That work includes lessons the past three years with John Van Gennep, an instructor with Brummel's GenuWin Reign Fastpitch travel program. 'I like to swing early so my whole mojo, I guess, is trying to figure out where I'm going to get better,' Brummel said. 'I've been trying to stay back on the ball and actually leveling out my swing because I don't get the full extension otherwise. 'I've definitely worked hard at that, and I think all my hits have been good. (NCC coaches) want me to pitch, and I'll have to earn my spot for hitting.' She struggles to explain why she bats from the right side. 'My parents tried to teach me to hit left-handed and they couldn't do it,' Brummel said. 'I write and throw left, but I can't swing from the left. You would think it would be really easy but I can't. 'There are some other things I can do better with my right, too.' In the circle, Brummel provides balance for Pasqualini's talented three-pitcher starting rotation that includes ace Corina Miller, a junior right-hander, and Gambro. 'The movement is different on my pitches, coming from the left side, and can give some batters trouble,' Brummel said. Her lone start, earlier in the week at Newark, provided a fun challenge. Newark coach Jon Wood has been Brummel's travel coach since she started playing with GenuWin Reign. She was matched up against his daughter, Dottie, who is a good friend. 'I've known her since I was 12,' Brummel said. 'I knew I had to pitch well. I was really excited when I saw that I was pitching that game. She pitched great, too. It was a good game.' Brummel struck out six in a three-hit shutout for a 1-0 squeaker. Gambro drove in the lone run. 'Charlotte was outstanding — lights out,' Pasqualini said. 'Every ball was a weak grounder or a lazy pop-up. Everything was moving.' Moving the ball in and out and changing speeds are key for her success, according to Brummel. 'My change-up was going a long way and my screwball, which breaks outside to right-handed hitters, was definitely working that day,' she said. 'I've been working hard over the winter and it showed.' Miller, who finished with an 11-3 record last season, is slated to pitch every other game with Brummel (5-2) and Gambro (7-1) alternating starts. 'We've been lucky these first four games,' Pasqualini said. 'We haven't made a pitching change yet. If one tires out, we'll go to the next one. 'Corina is the workhorse, but Charlotte and Kate are equally talented. It's a good challenge to have, plus they can all play in the field and provide offense.'
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville North's Austin Roush commits to Division III national champion North Central College
Offensive lineman Austin Roush first entertained the idea of playing college football during his sophomore year, when Naperville North coach Sean Drendel told him that he had the necessary size and talent. It turns out coaches from other schools agreed with Drendel, as Roush later learned from North Central College offensive coordinator Eric Stuedemann. 'He was telling me that coaches from other high schools were sending him my film after sophomore year,' Roush said. 'He told them, 'I can't make contact with him until he's a senior.' 'When he told me that, it was surreal. There are people out there saying that 'this guy could be good.' It just made me feel a lot better about myself.' The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Roush, who committed to NCAA Division III national champion NCC last week as former Naperville Central defensive lineman Maverick Ohle announced he was transferring there from Ohio, has long had the size to play at the next level. 'Up until sophomore year, I was always the biggest, tallest, heaviest kid,' Roush said. 'For me, the hitting part, just burying people in the ground, gives me an adrenaline rush to keep going on the next play even harder. 'As time went on, that urge to bury someone just kept growing.' Roush became the linchpin of an offensive line that did an outstanding job protecting Indiana-bound senior quarterback Jacob Bell, who was sacked just 18 times on more than 450 drop-backs. The Huskies (7-3) averaged 36.1 points and amassed nearly 4,000 yards of offense. 'Austin is a great player who was born with a lot of talent, but his work ethic is amazing,' Naperville North senior cornerback Zach Mally said. 'When he's on his own, he's always doing something to make himself better. 'I saw in practice he didn't really wait for a coach to show him what he did wrong. He corrects himself a lot, which I think is why he's able to excel over some of these other offensive linemen. He definitely led our offensive line this year, which made a big impact on our team.' Roush, who also had an offer from Division III runner-up Mount Union, has played all five positions on the offensive line. The Huskies used him at tackle and guard this past season. 'His big piece is his versatility,' Drendel said. 'As the year went on, we figured that he's a better interior guy, and that's why we moved him back to left guard. 'He's a very effective run blocker, and he's a very talented pass blocker. He's well-rounded.' That extends to the classroom, where Roush said he has a 3.4 GPA. He's also a student of the game. 'Austin is a very intelligent young man,' Drendel said. 'He likes the intelligence piece that is a little bit hidden behind the toughness, and I think he just does a really good job with it.' Roush said he gets his smarts mainly from his father Aric, who played guard at Sycamore. 'His knowledge, it easily catches on for me,' Roush said. 'In the summer before the season, I take in all the information. I have a notebook where I write down all the plays, and I can easily remember (the responsibilities) of all five positions.' But Roush thinks his best position is guard. 'At center, I could do it, but it definitely wasn't my best position because the mentality of trying to snap the ball and get your block is pretty hard for everyone, and then at tackle I just wasn't fast enough by my standards,' he said. 'By coach Drendel's standards, I was definitely fast enough to play tackle, but for me personally, I just didn't feel fast enough. 'Guard is just in between those two. This past season, me at guard definitely helped the team perform a lot better.' Roush feels good about what he accomplished with the Huskies. 'It was nothing short of special,' he said. 'I can definitely say I've grown not only as a player but definitely as a man.'
