Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Whitney Wahlers
Apr 30, 2026 09:14AM ● By Editor
Photos provided
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - April 29, 2026
Have you lived in Cook County your entire life or how did you land here?
It's always easier to say I was born and raised here. I was born in Riverside, California but adopted the moment I was born. My mom Lisa (Wilson) was born and raised here. Most people know her or have seen her when she worked 20+ years at Grand Marais Family Dentistry,. My parents met and raised their family here. My dad, Max, owns Max Construction. I have two siblings. Izaya, who lives in Minneapolis as does Reilly, who is graduating from Dental School at the U and will be returning to work at Grand Marais Family Dentistry too.
I moved to Chicago for college where I went to DePaul University and experienced things I never in my life thought I would: I was a paid background extra on NBC’s One Chicago Trilogy (Chicago Fire, PD, Med) for 6 different episodes. As well as a movie with John Goodman and Machine Gun Kelly and was also on The Steve Harvey Show.
But once I graduated, I felt I wanted to return home. I felt like I missed a lot being away and wanted to be with my family. My family is the most important thing to me, and although I more than enjoyed the life I created in Chicago, home is/was where my heart was still beating.
Funny story about being adopted, through Ancestry and 23&Me I have found quite a handful of half-siblings. There is a group of locals who go to Lake Havasu every year. One year, they and my brother-in-law to be met my half biological sibling at a bar. I guess she looks just like me. Small world, huh?
Tell us about your work at Cascade Maintenance Services. Are there quite a few openings right now for those looking for work?
I work for Cascade Maintenance Services, which is the Maintenance side of Cascade Vacation Rentals. I help keep our maintenance operations running smoothly by managing day-to-day coordination, from scheduling projects and working with vendors. I also handle Minnesota state licensing when we bring aboard a new property to our portfolio, and I conduct quality assurance checks to make sure everything meets safety and company standards. Overall, my role focuses on organization, compliance, and making sure every home we manage is well-maintained and operating at its best.
I also am on the “Fun” Committee. It's just me and two of my co-workers. We plan all social events such as kickball bi-weekly in the summer and bingo nights, and monthly employee lunches and celebrations.
It’s a great place to work and Cascade Maintenance Services is hiring! Join our team! We are looking for a Fleet Manager and a General Maintenance Technician. You can find out more information on these jobs along with jobs at CVR here:
https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/join-our-team/
If you're interested in maintenance for your home, we also do a bit of outside work. You can find out more at www.fixitcms.com. I am happy to discuss all and any of your maintenance needs as well. Send me an email [email protected]
What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
Of course, my favorite part is being near my family: my parents, soon one of my siblings, and my grandparents. But over the last almost two years I’ve gained a new found love for it. When I met my boyfriend, who is from Chile, seeing everything through his eyes and going to places with him he hasn’t gone to, it opened my eyes to just how beautiful this place is. I used to take it for granted. Seeing the beauty through his eyes, whether it's seeing a moose, watching the northern lights, or checking out a new spot he hasn’t gone to for the first time, we are truly so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.
When I was in Chicago I started a blog, The Whitterview. The Whitney/Interviews with your favorite celebrities. In Chicago, I had made quite a few connections with influencers and celebrities, from there they introduced me to their friends and so on. I wanted to continue my writing skills so thus the Whitterview was born. So, I love to write. I’ve interviewed 84 different “celebrities”. There are some times I have set it aside, but when I get free time I am always trying to track down my next interview. In the coming weeks I believe my schedule will align with a contestant from The Amazing Race.
And if the Northern Lights are out, I'm most likely out and about trying to get photos. The lights give me so much serendipity.
Lastly, who in your life inspires you and why?
That one’s easy: my mom. She’s the kind of person who makes everyone around her feel cared for and valued. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know: selfless, thoughtful, and quietly strong in ways that don’t always get recognized.
Life hasn’t always been gentle with her, but she’s met every challenge with grace and dignity. Even in moments when she had every reason to break, she chose strength, not just for herself, but for me and my siblings. She carried more than she ever let on, and still made sure we felt safe, loved, and supported.
She’s my best friend, my role model, and my hero. The way she loves and shows up for others is something I strive to carry with me every day.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - April 29, 2026
Have you lived in Cook County your entire life or how did you land here?
It's always easier to say I was born and raised here. I was born in Riverside, California but adopted the moment I was born. My mom Lisa (Wilson) was born and raised here. Most people know her or have seen her when she worked 20+ years at Grand Marais Family Dentistry,. My parents met and raised their family here. My dad, Max, owns Max Construction. I have two siblings. Izaya, who lives in Minneapolis as does Reilly, who is graduating from Dental School at the U and will be returning to work at Grand Marais Family Dentistry too.
I moved to Chicago for college where I went to DePaul University and experienced things I never in my life thought I would: I was a paid background extra on NBC’s One Chicago Trilogy (Chicago Fire, PD, Med) for 6 different episodes. As well as a movie with John Goodman and Machine Gun Kelly and was also on The Steve Harvey Show.
But once I graduated, I felt I wanted to return home. I felt like I missed a lot being away and wanted to be with my family. My family is the most important thing to me, and although I more than enjoyed the life I created in Chicago, home is/was where my heart was still beating.
Funny story about being adopted, through Ancestry and 23&Me I have found quite a handful of half-siblings. There is a group of locals who go to Lake Havasu every year. One year, they and my brother-in-law to be met my half biological sibling at a bar. I guess she looks just like me. Small world, huh?
Tell us about your work at Cascade Maintenance Services. Are there quite a few openings right now for those looking for work?
I work for Cascade Maintenance Services, which is the Maintenance side of Cascade Vacation Rentals. I help keep our maintenance operations running smoothly by managing day-to-day coordination, from scheduling projects and working with vendors. I also handle Minnesota state licensing when we bring aboard a new property to our portfolio, and I conduct quality assurance checks to make sure everything meets safety and company standards. Overall, my role focuses on organization, compliance, and making sure every home we manage is well-maintained and operating at its best.
I also am on the “Fun” Committee. It's just me and two of my co-workers. We plan all social events such as kickball bi-weekly in the summer and bingo nights, and monthly employee lunches and celebrations.
It’s a great place to work and Cascade Maintenance Services is hiring! Join our team! We are looking for a Fleet Manager and a General Maintenance Technician. You can find out more information on these jobs along with jobs at CVR here:
https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/join-our-team/
If you're interested in maintenance for your home, we also do a bit of outside work. You can find out more at www.fixitcms.com. I am happy to discuss all and any of your maintenance needs as well. Send me an email [email protected]
What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
Of course, my favorite part is being near my family: my parents, soon one of my siblings, and my grandparents. But over the last almost two years I’ve gained a new found love for it. When I met my boyfriend, who is from Chile, seeing everything through his eyes and going to places with him he hasn’t gone to, it opened my eyes to just how beautiful this place is. I used to take it for granted. Seeing the beauty through his eyes, whether it's seeing a moose, watching the northern lights, or checking out a new spot he hasn’t gone to for the first time, we are truly so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you are not busy working?
When I was in Chicago I started a blog, The Whitterview. The Whitney/Interviews with your favorite celebrities. In Chicago, I had made quite a few connections with influencers and celebrities, from there they introduced me to their friends and so on. I wanted to continue my writing skills so thus the Whitterview was born. So, I love to write. I’ve interviewed 84 different “celebrities”. There are some times I have set it aside, but when I get free time I am always trying to track down my next interview. In the coming weeks I believe my schedule will align with a contestant from The Amazing Race.
And if the Northern Lights are out, I'm most likely out and about trying to get photos. The lights give me so much serendipity.
Lastly, who in your life inspires you and why?
That one’s easy: my mom. She’s the kind of person who makes everyone around her feel cared for and valued. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know: selfless, thoughtful, and quietly strong in ways that don’t always get recognized.
Life hasn’t always been gentle with her, but she’s met every challenge with grace and dignity. Even in moments when she had every reason to break, she chose strength, not just for herself, but for me and my siblings. She carried more than she ever let on, and still made sure we felt safe, loved, and supported.
She’s my best friend, my role model, and my hero. The way she loves and shows up for others is something I strive to carry with me every day.
Boreal Community Media has been featuring the"Meet your Cook County Neighbor" series for several years now. If you enjoy reading these and would like to nominate someone to be featured, please send us an email to [email protected]
