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How do you find true happiness at age 50? For LAURA MERLO, owner of Reach Yoga and co-owner of Merlo’s Italian Restaurant, happiness is creating a life you don’t need a vacation from. Growing up in New York and moving to Chicago in 1992, Merlo settled in Glencoe 13 years ago with her husband, John,

SUNNY FISCHER is a well-known Evanstonian and former teacher at North Shore Country Day and Lake Forest Academy who has dedicated her life’s work to philanthropy, preservation, and pioneering change throughout Chicago. Her commitment to serving others has been passed on to her children, who regularly thank her for raising them in Evanston where the

JEFFREY CONDREN has been part of the Ravinia Associates Board since 2016. Originally from Cincinnati, Condren didn’t know what to expect the first time he visited the park. He was blown away during that first concert and now can’t imagine life without Ravinia. Generally speaking, he is more of a fan of the lawn over

Highland Park’s SAMMI VERHEY believes that impactful documentary films are the best way to forge connections, build trust, and create change. After nearly a decade working for President Barack Obama, Verhey transferred that experience to her role as Executive Director at Chicago Media Project (CMP), a nonprofit in support of films that use media to

Highland Park’s JESSICA MERAR is on a mission to spread awareness for pediatric cancer and raise funds to support local children battling cancer. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, Merar has been on the front lines of care at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for 15 years. In 2020, she saw

LISA BARR, Deerfield resident and New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire, is poised to release her highly anticipated new historical thriller—The Goddess of Warsaw, a harrowing and ultimately triumphant tale of a Jewish WWII assassin turned Hollywood star. Barr will be speaking at Bernie’s Book Bank Book Lovers’ Lunch on May 10.