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Oak Park family enjoys magazine honor
Updated: August 20, 2012 11:30AM
OAK PARK — When Diane and Chris Fascione moved to Oak Park 18 years ago from Chicago’s North Side, they wanted a place to live where “we had neighbors we had an affinity for and could easily talk about things important to us.”
“We wanted somewhere with a college-town feel that was big enough to be diverse and small enough to feel like a village,” said Diane Fascione.
After moving to Oak Park, the Fasciones — who are white — adopted two sons, Nick, now 17, and Andrew, 15, who are part African-American, Mexican and Irish.
“This is the best place for them to grow up,” said Fascione, a substitute teacher. “There’s other families that looks like ours. It’s been a good choice.”
Grab the August issue of Family Circle Magazine, find a relaxing spot, and read more about the Fascione family, as they’re featured in a story about Oak Park being named one of the 10 Best Towns for Families.
So what do the Fasciones love about the village?
Besides the diversity, the high school is “incredible,” offering courses in, “everything you can think of, and both boys are in the marching band.”
Nick even won the Purdue University High School Jazz Competition last winter and says the athletics program is great too!
There’s also “every sport you can imagine for little kids,” an ice rink, two swimming pools, “fabulous” park district classes, Sunday night music in Scoville Park, theater companies, and Thursday Night Out at restaurants!
“There’s just always something going on,” said Fascione. “It’s just really nice.”
Diane’s husband, Chris, an actor/entertainer, loves the library and its all-ages programming. (Seems Chris was upset that his mention of the Ridgeland Common Dog Park didn’t make the magazine cut). The couple also loves the restaurants and boutiques, not to mention the movie theater.
So how did it feel to be in Family Circle?
“I guess I’ve had my 15 minutes of fame,” laughed Fascione. “It feels great. I just hope everybody loves Oak Park like I do.”
Did you hear?
Patricia McDonald of Baird & Warner sold the highest priced property that has closed in Oak Park for the last two years.
The Prairie-style “Erwin House” in Oak Park’s Estate District at 530 Euclid was designed by architect George W. Maher in 1905 and boasts a grand foyer with fireplace, antique prairie lights, and a stunning three-tier staircase with beautiful art glass windows.
Former Channel 5 news anchor Zoraida Sambolin (now working for CNN) and her former husband bought it in 2004 for $1 million. It closed June 28 for $1.34 million.
Free seminar
The Hinsdale-based Normandy Remodeling has won numerous awards for Oak Park/River Forest renovations, so check out an upcoming seminar July 21 at the Normandy Remodeling Showroom, 440 E. Ogden.
The free seminar, held by award-winning Normandy designer Gary Cerek, includes a light lunch and is open to anyone registering at www.NormandyRemodeling.com/seminars.aspx.
