Stories by Daniel Hautzinger

Father Augustus Tolton escaped slavery in Missouri to become the first openly recognized Black Catholic priest, ministering in Quincy, Illinois and establishing the first standalone Black Catholic church in Chicago. While there are currently no African American saints, he is currently a candidate for sainthood.

The Illinoisan and Chicagoan Lizzie Magie invented a board game at the turn of the twentieth century as a teaching tool on behalf of anti-land ownership ideals. It later influenced Monopoly. Discover her story in an excerpt from a new American Experience documentary on Monopoly. 

Tristan is determined to become his own man outside of Siegfried's shadow as Christmas approaches and Siegfried makes a devilish bargain to protect his brother. An impending departure clarifies things for Mrs. Hall. 

Fat Tuesday may now be unofficially known as Pączki Day in Chicago, but there are plenty of other treats to enjoy on a day when Christians traditionally used up fat and meat before entering a period of fasting. 

Tyris Bell helped his brother Darnell Reed open Luella's Southern Kitchen and worked there for the past eight years. Now he has opened his own place, an eclectic barbecue joint in Canaryville. Don't worry, it still has mac 'n' cheese.

When Tyris Bell decided to open his own restaurant, Bell Heir's BBQ in Canaryville, after opening Luella's Southern Kitchen and working there for eight years, he decided to keep mac 'n' cheese on the menu, and use a recipe that's "basically the same."

The exuberantly creative Esmé presents plenty of culinary conundrums for beverage pairings, which are handled by Tia Barrett. But she also champions beverage producers who are people of color or have a charitable component.

We have a recipe for a riff on the classic Kir Royale from Tia Barrett, the beverage director for the exuberantly creative fine dining restaurant Esmé.

Max and Oskar uncover a nationalist sect that might be involved with Ida Rego's death and also begin to suspect that they might be set up as they uncover a hidden plot.

Germany's invasion of Poland has everyone holding their breath and reassessing priorities, contemplating big decisions that could change their lives—but their lives will be changed by war no matter what.