As part of the “Great Resignation,” many people are examining their work and picking new priorities for themselves. They’re using the pandemic as a time to reflect on whether their current career trajectory is the right one for them — or whether they might be happier exploring other passions. In retirement, older adults are using […]Read More
Tags : Passions
Birder’s passion helps her soar Each morning, Sigrid Schmidt looks out her window for American goldfinches, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals — common yard birds that make her heart sing. So, too, do migratory birds and more unusual species, such as the endangered piping plovers she helped monitor in Chicago. “Birding is a wonderful, wonderful hobby,” […]Read More
Barbara Bowman’s Passion Stories have always filled Barbara Bowman’s life. And in her 92 years — the majority of them spent as a passionate child development expert in Chicago — Bowman has heard and told myriad stories. There are stories she has told young children as a mother and grandmother; stories she has shared with […]Read More
Back in early January, before Covid-19 was as familiar as the furniture, I went in for my annual physical. My doctor looked at my test results and shook his head. Virtually everything was perfect. My cholesterol was down. So was my weight. My blood pressure was that of a swimmer. A barrage of blood tests […]Read More
Jazz pianist and vibraphonist Photographed at his winter apartment in Los Angeles Some of Chicagoan Stu Katz’s passions are quiet. He loves his family, his former career as a corporate attorney and complicated word puzzles. But there’s one passion you can’t miss: jazz. “I have been a working jazz musician for over 65 years. Thankfully, […]Read More
Enthusiast Photographed at his home in Rogers Park, Chicago Chicagoan Jim Lew is a consummate storyteller, bursting with interesting stories from throughout his life. Indeed, everything Lew does seems to turn into his latest passion. His tales start with spending his childhood in his parents’ Chinese restaurant on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas. He’s full […]Read More
Art collector and philanthropist Photographed at her Gold Coast home, Chicago Walking into art collector and philanthropist Penny Brown’s home is like walking into an art gallery. Her collection is eclectic and vast, and Brown is an engaging tour guide, pointing out her personal connections to each piece or to each artist. For Brown, art […]Read More
Dancer Photographed at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Chicago As a child growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Susan Trice wanted to dance. But, as the oldest of six kids with two working parents, pursuing that dream wasn’t possible. Trice never let up on her vision, though. And eight years ago, when she was […]Read More
Chicago Cubs fan Photographed at Central Baptist Village, Norridge Nick Scarpelli grew up on the North Side, cheering for the Chicago Cubs. He’s a lifelong, passionate fan who traces his love of baseball and the Cubs back to his father. Scarpelli fondly remembers how his dad would take him, his four brothers and his sister […]Read More
Zoo volunteer Photographed at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Dean Banick’s sweet smile hints at his passion for engaging with people and animals. Banick, who lives at The Admiral at the Lake in Chicago, has been a volunteer docent at the Lincoln Park Zoo for 21 years. After he retired from his career as a commercial […]Read More