Neighbors in the news

• Marget Hamilton of Wheaton is celebrating her 20th anniversary as manager of the Older Adult Institute at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. After a career of civic duties -- including a term as Wheaton's mayor leading the adoption of the first comprehensive fair housing ordinance in Illinois while serving on the Wheaton City Council -- Hamilton took the reigns of the Institute soon after it opened when its first director left a couple of weeks into the fall term in 1987. The institute offers a variety of courses and social activities designed for the mature learner.

• Arlene Grossi of Wood Dale, an executive secretary at Salt Creek Golf Club in Wood Dale, is celebrating her 25th anniversary -- and 30th year overall -- as a full-time employee with Wood Dale Park District. Grossi, the longest-serving employee of the park district, has been with the district for more than half of its history. She's been with the Golf Club since it opened in 1987.

• Maria Castaneda of Bloomingdale, a designer with the home decor firm Home and Garden Party, was recently promoted to the position of Silver Designer with the company. Castaneda was promoted to the position for her sales achievements and for sponsoring two recruits with the company. The company is a provider of wall decor, home accents, dining and entertainment pieces, and gourmet food.

• Alessandra Scalzo of Addison, a sophomore at Addison Trail High School in Addison, is one of 12 young women from the Italian community that will be presented at the annual Italian Heritage Ball and Cotillion Dec. 1 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers in Chicago. Scalzo's extra-curricular activities include dancing, playing the flute, volleyball and softball, and her favorite hobby is painting.