Country Magazine, May 2023

AskConnie

Should I get pre-approval? Does it matter if my loan is going to be a smaller loan?

YES! It doesn’t matter whether you are buying a home that is $200,000 or $1,000,000; It will make your life so much easier if you get a pre-approval first! I have a few lenders that I can recommend getting the process started for you. This way when you do find the home of your dreams you are ready to write a contract and are one step closer to your dream home.

In your opinion, what is the most important thing I should look for in my next home?

The answer to this question depends on you! When you think of buying your next home, what do you picture? All brick? Copper gutters and downspouts? 1+ acre? Finished basement? You should make a list of the things you want in your next home and from there decide which is the most important to you, then pick the most important.

Could I possibly buy a home at asking price in this market or are the homes all going for above asking?

That is a great question, the answer is that it depends. It depends on the area and price range you are looking at. I would say as we get closer to the spring market there will be additional homes that come on the market, and you will have a better chance of not getting into a multiple offer or bidding war situation.

What is the most important question to ask my realtor?

“What sets you apart from the competition?” That is the best question you can ask. There are plenty of agents to choose from, they can tell you that they will work hard for you and find you a home, etc., but the important question is how they separate themselves from the pack and if they are going to go the extra mile to make you and your family a priority. That is the agent you want.

If you would like to discuss your unique real estate needs confidentially, you may call or text me at +1 847.508.7775 or email connie.antoniou@sothebysrealty.com. Affiliated with Mahler Sotheby’s in Lake Geneva, WI.

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WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

Stroke by stroke, Doug McConnell is swimming for a cause.

MORE THAN JUST A GAME

The Barrington Fillies 9U softball team preps for a season spent in the sunshine.

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

ON THE COVER Swinging into the season, Barrington Fillies 9U Softball softball coach, Lisa Bauman wears alice + olivia’s silk flower dress, neimanmarcus.com. Photography by Maria Ponce Berre, Styling by Theresa DeMaria, Hair & Makeup by Leanna Ernest ON THIS PAGE

Country Love’s Mom boss, Ali Pallone of Card My Yard, wearing Veronica Beard blue and white dress, neimanmarcus.com.

Assistant to the Publisher

CHEYANNE LEWANDOWSKI

How to reach

Top

Chairman’s Club 847.840.2520

Wishing everyone and a very Happy & Healthy NEW YEAR 2022 James T. Gavrilos DDS

JWC Media accepts freelance contributions; however, there is no guarantee that unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or graphics will be returned. All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned in full COUNTRY or in part, including but not limited to advertisements and articles, without written permission from the publisher. assumes no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed by contributing writers, editors, or advertisers. However, comments or corrections or differing opinions are welcomed. The publisher reserves the right to edit and place all editorials and ads. © 2023 JWC Media

maria.devins@bairdwarner.com

ONLY KEY YOU’LL EVER NEED

EDITOR’S NOTE

Our May issue is filled to the brim with all that Spring has to offer. From new styles for the warm weather to fresh beauty brands to update your shelves, this issue has it all.

In More Than Just a Game, enjoy a front row seat to the start of the Barrington Fillies 9U softball season. The coaches and players give an inside look into their season and the winning atmosphere they create at the ballpark. Continuing to inspire through athletic achievements is open water swimmer Doug McConnell. In Water, Water, Everywhere we learn how McConnell has swum the English Channel and more all as a fundraising vehicle for A Long Swim, the nonprofit he started that borrows the ALS acronym and is dedicated to raising funds for ALS research.

Katie Kuempel, owner of Angelina, shares what she loves about Barrington in Country vs. Town. Fellow small business owner Ali Pallone of Card My Yard is featured in this month’s Country Loves and shares her adventures in entrepreneurship.

In One Last Thing, newlyweds Elizabeth and Peter Grubbe share their story of founding Middlebury Farm where they create bountiful harvests for the entire community to enjoy from their all-organic farm.

I hope you find a sunny spot outside to relax in while reading this issue cover to cover.

Cheers,

Megan Weisberg Editor-in-Chief

megan.weisberg@jwcmedia.com

MY WISH LIST

Staying out of the sun while riding in Dada Sport’s Gaia helmet visor, dadasport.com

Riding this spring in Dada Sport’s new Ghana noir softshell, dadasport.com

Delighting in Jade Paton’s stoneware espresso mugs, matchesfashion.com.us

Katie Kuempel, standing in front of Hermés scarves turned art, wearing Oscar de La Renta, neimanmarcus.com

Barrington Fillies 9U softball coach, Lisa Baumann wearing Carolina Herrera dress, neimanmarcus.com

Barrington Fillies 9U softball team: Reese Poley, Quinn Devich, Blair Bauman, Lyla Trandel, Claire Duncan, Carlie Rondelli, Maddy Brawley, Lindsey Hewlett, Sophia Emery, Cami Cavaliero, Harper Donahue (Faith Adams not pictured)

SHANA L.

VITEK

DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW EQUITY PARTNER

HIDDEN ASSETS IN DIVORCE

Many individuals going through a divorce express concern that their spouse may be hiding assets. Some ways a spouse may attempt to conceal assets during a divorce include transferring assets to a friend or family member, depositing money into a secret bank account, underreporting income on financial disclosures, running personal expenses through a business, delaying business deals or income until after the divorce is finalized, selling assets to a third party at an artificially low price or claiming that assets were lost or stolen.

If you suspect that your spouse may be hiding assets during a divorce, there are steps you can take to address this issue. It is important to conduct a thorough review of financial records, including tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, investment account statements, and loan documents. In doing this, be on the lookout for anything unusual such as undisclosed account numbers and unexplained transfers or withdrawals, and compare income earned with income deposited into bank accounts to make sure all income has been deposited into a known account. If needed, a forensic accountant can help to identify hidden assets and provide evidence to support claims. They can also analyze financial records and bank statements to look for discrepancies.

In a deposition, your spouse will be required to answer questions under oath. This can be a useful tool for uncovering hidden assets, as your spouse may be forced to disclose information they have been trying to conceal. Check public records, such as property records, to see if your spouse owns any assets that they have not disclosed. Look for signs that your spouse may be hiding assets, such as a sudden decrease in income or your spouse incurring and paying expenses that far exceed the spouse’s stated income.

Keep in mind that finding hidden assets can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it’s important to work with a divorce attorney who has experience in uncovering hidden assets and can help you navigate the process and protect you both during and after the divorce.

Shana Vitek is an Equity Partner at Beermann LLP, the largest family law firm in Illinois. For the past 20 years she has been practicing 100% family law, representing athletes, entertainers and other high-profile clients. She has been successful in reaching confidential settlements whenever possible, and litigating, when necessary, with excellent results.

UP FRONT

CULTURE, MURMURS & STYLE

LOEWE

Spanish luxury fashion house, LOEWE reinvents the classic hunting coat this season in two stunning lengths.

LOEWE, corduroytrimmed cottoncanvas jacket, net-a-porter.com

LOEWE, cropped corduroytrimmed waxed cotton-canvas jacket net-a-porter.com

MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE 2023–24 SEASON

Music of the Baroque’s (MOB) 2023–24 season, titled “Heaven and Earth,” includes Mozart’s Requiem and the “St. John Passion” both led by Music Director Dame Jane Glover. MOB Executive Director Declan McGovern shares, “The music we perform transcends all boundaries—it touches the human spirit in the most profound ways, it elevates our understanding of the human condition, and it enables all of us to experience unique moments of joy. From the depth of Bach’s ‘St. John Passion’ to the mystery of Allegri’s ‘Miserere,’ from the fun of Telemann’s ‘Frogs Concerto’ to the drama of Purcell’s ‘King Arthur,’ this season has it all. We are thrilled to open our downtown concert series at Symphony Center and to return to the Harris Theater for its 20th anniversary year. We also look forward to our neighborhood performances on Chicago’s West Side.” Subscriptions for the 2023-24 concert season are on sale now at baroque.org.

THE 2023 LAKE FOREST SHOWHOUSE & GARDENS TO OPEN MAY 6TH

FEATURING HONORARY CHAIRS ASHLEY WHITTAKER AND TIMOTHY WHEALON

A red brick Georgian-style Lake Forest home designed in the late 1960s by architect William Frazier has been utterly transformed for the 2023 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. Over 35 leading interior and landscape designers have reimagined the handsome 16-room main house, the seven-room coach house, and the gentleman’s outbuilding with vaulted ceilings. Honorary chairs Ashley Whittaker and Timothy Whealon will participate in the keynote lecture, luncheon, and book signing on May 8, 2023 with Emma Bazilian, author of Schumacher’s new book Charm School, serving as moderator. Whittaker is an ELLE DECOR A-List interior decorator, who has run her design business in New York City since 2006. Whealon is a Sotheby’s trained ELLE DECOR A-List interior decorator. The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens will be open to visitors seven days a week from May 6 through June 4, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are offered during either morning or afternoon timeslots, and tickets are now available for purchase. Many of the decorative items, art, and furnishings found in the showcase house rooms are for sale. All proceeds from sponsorships, tickets, and designer sales, including from a volunteer-run boutique, benefit the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, a nonprofit celebrating more than 110 years of providing healthcare to Chicago’s medically underserved. For up-to-date event information and to purchase tickets visit lakeforestshowhouse.com.

Manase Latu

Lake Forest Showcase House

Honorary Chair Ashley Whittaker.

Photography by Circe Hamilton

THE SECRET SAUCE

Iván Pol, renowned celebrity facialist behind The Beauty Sandwich®, has released a new category in skincare, SSO1 (aka The Secret Sauce). Formulated to mimic the movement of the skin and uplift your facial frequency, SS01 has been Pol’s red carpet secret weapon to achieve his signature Snatched Glow™. This perfectly balanced potion, made of 100 percent natural ingredients, is brimming with performance actives that nourish, nurture, and feed the skin leaving it feeling soft, supple, and firm. This oil-based sauce mimics the action of the skin and has an equal ratio of essential fatty acids, ceramides, and phytocholesterols that work to repair and protect the skin when it needs it the most. Hand-blended in the UK by formulator, aromatherapist, and Chinese medicine expert Annee de Mamiel, SSO1 captures the core principles of The Beauty Sandwich®. For more information, visit thebeautysandwich.com.

UNDER THE BIG TOP BALLET

Barrington Dance Ensemble’s Under the Big Top Ballet at the Sanfilippo Estate is a great day for the whole family. The Under the Big Top Ballet features stilt walkers, circus ponies and dogs, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, tours of the Sanfilippo Collections, and rides on the most beautiful carousel (all included in the ticket purchase). Lunch and concessions available for purchase.

Saturday, June 10th: Noon-2:15p.m. 3p.m.-5:15p.m.

Sunday, June 11th: Noon-2:15p.m. 3pm-5:15p.m.

Tickets available at barringtondance.org or call 847-382-6333.

Stephanie Eggers dances as the Marching Band Ballerina in Barrington Dance Ensemble circus ballet, Under the Big Top

The Beauty Sandwich’s Secret Sauce

Ali Pallone loves the “quaint little town” of Barrington. It is the perfect setting for Pallone’s annual Christmas “Craft and Wine Night,” where her karaoke machine takes center stage as she and her guests sing along to country music. It is a close-knit community that Pallone proudly serves as a member of the Barrington Cotillion Committee. It is a place where Pallone, a former high school softball standout, can stay active with mornings spent at the gym or AMP Cycle and afternoons spent on the golf course or pickleball court or cheering on her three girls who play on the Barrington softball team. All that activity justifies a little indulgence now and then, and Pallone can’t resist a good cheeseburger, a cold French martini, or a gooey s’more. She graduated with an interior design degree but for the last 17 years has opted to pursue a career as a stay-at-home mom to her four children. Her recent decision to buy a Card My Yard franchise was inspired after her DIY yard sign for her son’s birthday was a self-described flop. As someone who finds reward in being a “joy bringer” to her community, Pallone is excited to transform yards into celebratory greeting cards.

Entrepreneur Pallone wearing ADEAM beige and navy bricolage trench dress, neimanmarcus.com

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”

– Jill Churchill

EDITED BY MEGAN WEISBERG PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE BERRE HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

What actress would play you in a movie? Jennifer Garner. She is a funny, down to earth, classy working mom who juggles it all while managing to stay fit and eat well. She has great energy and is a bright light, who seems to get along with everyone. I think we would be good friends and totally hang—LOL. Of her movies, my favorites are Yes Day, and 13 Going on 30, which are so funny. I love watching these movies with my girls.

Who from history would you want to travel with?

Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It would be lovely to travel with him and stop at scenic places to paint together. As a kid, my mom bought me little canvases that I would paint on all day long while pretending to be an Impressionist painter.

Where do you look for inspiration? My family inspires me every day. When I am seeking words of inspiration, I love to surf online for quotes—I’ve found a ton of great ones. I also turn to the Bible to find comforting verses and words of wisdom. My current favorite quote is hanging in my kitchen (it’s huge). It reads “Love many, trust few. Always paddle your own canoe.” It only took me 40 years to get this, ha.

Favorite book? One day when life slows down, I think I will enjoy a good book. Now, when I have time, I like to create something, redo a piece of furniture, sing karaoke, paint, or design. I also like to cook and bake. Ok, I read cookbooks. Does that count?

Most beloved cookbook? Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Sharing. When I visited the Magnolia Table restaurant in Waco, Texas, I fell in love with her food and recipes. Everything in this book is delicious. The book is pretty and looks good on the shelf—extra bonus.

Best dinner party hack? I LOVE making charcuterie boards. They are like artwork and are so easy, beautiful, and fun to create. My hack is that I organize all the ingredients the night before and put them in individual baggies so the next day I can easily throw them on the board. My other tips are to use different serrated knives to give the ingredients more character and to use flowers, greens, or fun objects to customize the board to the season, holiday, or occasion.

What’s in your bag right now? Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip

Polish, Burt’s Bees Chapstick, Crabtree & Evelyn’s Verbena Lavender Hand Cream, my calendar, pen (I’m old school and use paper and pen for notes and planning), sunglasses, keys, phone, wallet, scrunchie, cherry Jolly Ranchers, a wet brush, a protein bar, and HotHands hand warmers.

ALI LOVES

Gadget Tineco’s FlOOR ONE S3. I’m not sure if this is a gadget or a mini-Zamboni for your home. Every homeowner who has hardwood floors or tile, needs this. It’s amazing, I promise. Scent Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle Barrington spot Nekter. My order is the Protein Power Bowl with chia pudding or the Toxin Flush with extra ginger Hostess gift to receive Tulips or hydrangeas Gift to give A Card My Yard, of course. Best gift ever

Sitting pretty, Pallone wears rag & bone dress, neimanmarcus.com

Business Disputes

Contested Trusts + Estates

Breach of Contract

Personal Injury

Medical Malpractice

Divorce

Criminal Defense

Nursing Home Abuse

Elder Abuse

Taxation Issues

Employment

Real Estate Conflicts

Eminent Domain

Arbitration

Trade Secrets

Land Use, Zoning + Entitlement

Kuempel wearing alice + olivia jacket, blouse, and pant, neimanmarcus.com

Katie Kuempel

is the owner of Angelina, located in downtown Barrington. This chic lifestyle business recently expanded to include a new warehouse location located off Lake Barrington’s Pepper Road. For lovers of perpetual adornment, the warehouse carries a permanent jewelry collection. When not at her shops, Kuempel spends her time boating on the Fox River in her 1968 Johnson Seasport, training her two German Shepherds, Ivy and Mala, and supporting and advocating for the community’s small businesses.

EDITED BY MEGAN WEISBERG

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE BERRE

HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST

STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

Mantra? Our lives are what our thoughts create Best grooming tip? Eyebrow microblading by Joanna at SABI Studio Guilty pleasure? Good champagne Favorite foods?

Italian or sushi Music you love? I’m all over the board from ‘60s rock to current hip-hop and everything in between Best advice ever given to you? Keep your commitments Best advice you’ve given? Ditch the guy Earliest memory? Playing at my grandmother’s writing desk, which I now have in my home Before bed, you? Skincare routine What’s on your bookshelf?

I have an obsession with coffee table books You can’t live without? The next goal I want to accomplish Love to escape to? Cayman Islands or Palm Springs Advice you would give to your younger self? Don’t sweat the small stuff

WHEN IN TOWN WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Leggings and a graphic sweatshirt from Angelina Can’t leave the house without?

Phone Transportation? SUV Driving music? My Pandora or Spotify Place to eat? Region Shop?

Angelina, obviously Best thing about country? Sense of community Worst thing about country? Lack of anything open much past 9 p.m. The perfect day is? Starting the day on a fiveplus-mile-walk with my mom and our dogs, boating on the Fox River, and then grilling and having a few cocktails back at my house

Your style is? All black Can’t leave the house without? Google Maps Transportation? SUV or Uber Driving music? Anything that I can dance to Place to eat? Mastro’s Shop? Oak Street Best thing about town? Endless options for food and entertainment Worst thing about town? Traffic The perfect day is? Brunch, shopping, and rooftop cocktails

Staying stylish, Kuempel wearing a Carolina Herrera pink dress, neimanmarcus.com

NewSkin

EDITED BY MEGAN WEISBERG

1 RéVive Skincare, moisturizing renewal oil triple defense hydrator, modaoperandi.com 2 R+Co Bleu, de luxe reparative conditioner, modaoperandi. com 3 R+Co Bleu, de luxe reparative shampoo, modaoperandi.com 4 Susanne Kaufmann, body lotion, net-a-porter.com 5 Crown Affair, the renewal mask, modaoperandi.com 6 French Farmacie, élixir exfoliant, modaoperandi.com 7 Crown Affair, the dry shampoo, modaoperandi. com 8 LYMA, laser starter kit, net-a-porter.com 9 U Beauty, The RETURN eye concentrate, neta-porter.com 10 Pat McGrath Labs, skin fetish - sublime perfection foundation, net-a-porter.com 11 Pat McGrath Labs, dark star mascara, net-aporter.com 12 111Skin, celestial black diamond retinol oil, modaoperandi.com 13 David Mallett, volume powder, modaoperandi.com 14 French Farmacie, sérum radiant, modaoperandi.com 15 Nécessaire, the body wash refill - eucalyptus, net-a-porter.com 16 VIOLETTE_FR, petal bouche, modaoperandi.com 17 Leonor Greyl, l’huile de Leonor Greyl, modaoperandi.com 18 VIOLETTE_FR, baume shine, modaoperandi. com 19 R+Co Bleu, cult classic hairspray, modaoperandi.com 20 Oribe, serene scalp oil control treatment mist, net-a-porter.com

1 Aquazzura, Sundance 140 raffia platform sandals, 2 Spinelli Kilcollin, Tigris MX gris diamond & sterling-silver ring, matchesfashion.com.us 3 Mateo, 14-karat gold lapis lazuli necklace, neta-porter.com 4 Victoria Beckham, crochet knit top, modaoperandi.com 5 Victoria Beckham, fringed crochet knit mini skirt, modaoperandi.com 6 Victoria Beckham, printed plisse lace intarsi maxi dress, modaoperandi.com 7 Paco Rabanne, lace-trimmed floral midi dress in blue, modaoperandi.com 8 Paco Rabanne, lace-trimmed satin maxi dress, modaoperandi.com 9 Marchesa Notte, tiered printed chiffon gown, theoutnet.com 10 Brunello Cucinelli, bead-embellished striped duchesse satin top, net-a-porter.com 11 LOEWE, high-rise pegged-leather trousers, matchesfashion.com.us 12 FARM Rio, pleated lace-trimmed printed satin blouse, net-a-porter.com

13 Raey, stripe side tailored trousers, matchesfashion.com.us 14 Sea New York, Parker printed cotton-voile peplum blouse, net-a-porter.com 15 Coperni, Cabas petal patent bag, modaoperandi.com 16 Irene Neuwirth, Candy turquoise and 18-karat gold necklace, matchesfashion.com.us 17 Aquazzura, Ari 105 metallic leather and raffia sandals, net-a-porter.com 18 Paco Rabanne, cropped mohair sweater, modaoperandi.com 19 Paco Rabanne, fringed tinsel maxi skirt, modaoperandi.com 20 Coperni, clip on visor sunglasses, modaoperandi.com

HAMMER TIME: DAVID WEBB EDITION

Hindman’s Karina Hammer shares her must-have David Webb pieces coming up at auction this month.

EDITED BY MORGAN HOGERTY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HINDMAN AUCTIONS

Hindman’s May 16th Important Jewelry auction is full of classic and unique jewelry featuring diamonds, colored stones, and rare antique pieces.

Among an array of jewelry by iconic designers, are the classic designs of revered American jeweler David Webb. Webb is best known for his bold, modern jewelry with yellow gold, colorful gemstones, alluring enamelwork, and exotic animal designs. His creations have been worn by celebrities including Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Helen Mirren. David Webb pieces continue to be produced in New York City today using his more than 40,000 original designs and drawings and remain highly sought-after and collectable.

Karina Hammer, a Hindman jewelry specialist, shares her thoughts on a few of the standout lots being closely watched by the team as they prepare for the sale.

Diamond, Ruby, and Azurmalachite

Necklace

Estimate: $25,000–35,000

“Lusting for something more colorful? I’d recommend this amazing Azurmalachite necklace, a true showstopper. This is such a powerful piece, and a great illustration of David Webb’s love of bold, vivid gems.”

Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet

Estimate: $8,000–12,000

“I would wear a gold cuff bracelet every day. If you don’t have a statement cuff like this in your collection, this would be an easy one to add. Plus, I love the ‘superhero’ vibe it presents!”

Interested in selling at auction? Whether your item is old or antique or contemporary, by David Webb or others, Hindman specialists can provide a complimentary assessment.

Bidding for the May 16th sale will begin at 10 a.m. CST and will be available in-person at Hindman’s Chicago saleroom and online via the Hindman Digital Bid Room. Additional information about the auction can be found at: hindmanauctions. com/auctions/1187-Important-Jewelry.

Yellow Gold, Diamond, and Enamel Horse Bracelet

Estimate: $35,000–55,000

“David Webb is renowned for these eye-catching animal bracelets. This quintessential example in white enamel is fabulous and whimsical. He has been making animal jewelry since very early on in his career, so this would be a perfect first piece to own if you are new to collecting his designs.”

Yellow Gold and Diamond Necklace

Estimate: $10,000–20,000

“Looking for a classic gold necklace with a little more edge? Look no further than this linked yellow gold and diamond necklace. It would pair perfectly with a white collared shirt or dressing up a black dress.”

Jade, Diamond and Lapis Ear Clips

Estimate: $7,000–9,000

“These vibrant earrings are another excellent display of Webb’s work. The contrast of translucent jade and opaque lapis lazuli is archetypal of Webb’s stone pairings in his jewelry.”

GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE “ i have a voice” GALA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN MCLEOD

The global organization GiGi’s Playhouse raised over $750,000 at its annual “i have a voice” Gala, held on Saturday, March 11 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, GiGi’s Playhouse will use these funds to directly serve 30,000 families in 83 countries, providing free, life-changing educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs through its growing network of 57 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and Virtual Playhouse. gigisplayhouse.org

Alice Zieges, Nicole Zielske, Lori McKendree, Kim Carone

Clinton Johnson & Nekia Nichelle

The Gianni Family

The Gianopoulos, Kotel, Aki and Huegelmann Families

Molly & Phillipe Melin

Bridgett Montejo, Claudia Ismaio, Pawn Scarpelli, Amanda Kummer, Roxann Hunsaker

WHY GUMS MATTER

region and the “gum disease” bacteria are among the findings. It is thought that the bacteria act to destroy that area of the brain in the way they destroy gums and bone around teeth.

We have known for years that gum disease increases your risk of cardio vascular disease. The same “gum disease” bacteria flow through the blood stream and attach themselves to the arteries and valves in and around your heart. With time, the plaque builds and closes off the arteries and gives rise to the threat of cardio-vascular disease.

Past research has shown a link of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. Researchers knew that the two were correlated but did not have answers as to why. With the new information being brought to light, the studies are following the possibility of gum disease being the causative factor for both. In other words, the cardio vascular disease does not cause Alzheimer’s but rather gum disease is the contributing factor to both cardio-vascular disease and Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease has touched the lives of so many. Researchers have not been able to clearly define a cause and effect for it. Despite the billions that have been spent on research, thousands of people are diagnosed with the disease each year and are given little hope for a cure.

A recent study has given researchers new hope in getting to bottom of this complex disease. Bacteria that cause gum disease have been isolated in the area of the brain that is believed to be causing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

A complex plaque of bacteria builds up in the brain in this

There is a lot left to do in this area of research. If future findings can show causation instead of correlation of gum disease and Alzheimer’s, then research will begin on methods to help stop or cure this horrible disease. In the meantime, you can help protect yourself by flossing every day and having your gums checked for gum disease by your dentist. Any sign of bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth is usually an indication of the presence of gum disease.

With the connections between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease, knowledge is power.

Dr. James T. Gavrilos is located at 129 Park Avenue in Barrington. For more information, call 847-381-4040 or visit barringtondentist.com.

WORDS BY DR. JAMES T. GAVRILOS

A Circus Ballet

A Circus Balle

Stiltwalker * Carousel Rides * Miniature Circus Pony

Stiltwalker * Carousel Rides * Miniature Circus Pony

• Concrete coatings systems ideal for garages, basements, restaurants, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, auto body shops, and more.

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WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

Stroke by stroke, Doug McConnell is swimming for a cause.

WORDS BY THOMAS CONNORS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA SCIASCIA / STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

In 1970, two years before his son Mark won seven gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Munich, Arnold Spitz told Sports Illustrated, “Swimming isn’t everything, winning is.” Of course, winning is when you’re pitting your ability against the bodies shooting through the water next to you. But sometimes, the competition isn’t another athlete, it’s an environment. Like English climber George Mallory, who made three attempts to ascend Mount Everest “because it’s there,” open water swimmers set themselves challenges that aren’t about wins. For these swimmers, whose competitors are pounding waves, poor visibility, and frigid water, the end goal is achievement. And for open water swimmer Doug McConnell, that sense of achievement is driven by philanthropy.

A Barrington resident, McConnell has been swimming all his life. At age 6, he tagged along with his older sisters to the East Dundee Park District pool and never looked back. He swam competitively in high school and at the University of Illinois, where he was twice voted Most Valuable Swimmer and was team captain his senior year. Decades after he received his diploma and years into a successful career in finance, McConnell’s relationship with water took on a whole new dimension.

“About 18 years ago, I got a call from my brother-in-law who is an Ironman triathlete,” recalls McConnell. “Like many triathletes, his weakest event is the swim. He was going to be in our area for an open water swim in a lake and asked me to come along. It didn’t interest me at all. But he said he’d take me to breakfast afterward and I said, ‘Okay.’” McConnell took to open water the way he had to his childhood pool. In 2011, at age 53, he swam the English Channel.

“I was definitely not in my prime as a swimmer,” admits McConnell. But this swim wasn’t just a test of his abilities; rather, it was the beginning of McConnell’s commitment to a cause, a very personal cause. His father and sister both suffered from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease. Inspired by the visibility the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure brought to breast cancer—McConnell decided to make long, open water swims a fundraising vehicle for ALS.

“Normally ALS patients succumb in three to five years,” notes

McConnell half-way across the English Channel in 2011.

Photography by Susan McConnell

“Swimming isn’t everything, winning is.”

McConnell swimming the 21 mile Catalina Channel in 2012. Photoraphy by Susan McConnell

McConnell. “Both my father and sister lived 12 years post-diagnosis. It is uglier than hell to watch someone die that way. And the powerlessness you feel is just overwhelming. So, we decided to do something.”

Before his sister Ellen died, she and McConnell created A Long Swim, a nonprofit that borrows the ALS acronym and is dedicated to raising funds for ALS research. The project launched with McConnell’s English Channel crossing. Four months before that effort, McConnell had trained by swimming the 24-mile length of Tampa Bay. In the years since, he has swum around the island of Manhattan and crossed the Catalina Channel, achievements that, combined with the English Channel swim, constitute the Triple Crown of open water swimming.

A Long Swim events attract 200-300 participants, many of whom are triathletes attempting to up their game and most are women. “Open water marathon swimming is really a women’s sport,” shares McConnell. “There are a whole bunch of reasons, but for extreme endurance events, women are better suited. In fact, of all the roughly 2,000 people who have swum the English Channel, a man holds the fastest time ever but the average women’s time is an hour faster than the average men’s time. “

To date, A Long Swim has raised approximately $2 million for research at the Ozdinler Lab of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, one of the top ALS research centers in the nation. One of the bigger local events McConnell has orchestrated is the NW2NW, a 13-mile swim from Northwestern’s Evanston campus to the School of Medicine campus near Ohio Street Beach in downtown Chicago. “People can swim it solo, or as a relay,” says McConnell. I think that’s really going to turn into something because it is a manageable distance.”

At 65, McConnell isn’t about to hang up his Speedo any time soon. This summer, he’s setting himself a personal challenge— swimming from Martha’s Vineyard to Nantucket. He’s attempted the 18 miles before but never made it. Nobody has. “The challenge is,” says McConnell, “you swim mostly east to west and the tidal current runs north to south. Our hope is once we prove it can be

done we can turn it into A Long Swim event.”

If all goes well, McConnell will also realize a long-held ambition this fall by hosting a competitive swim in the Chicago River. In the early 20th century, such events were common and drew massive crowds. In 1927, Chicago-raised Olympian-turned-Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller participated in such a race and swam to victory. “For years, of course, the river was unbelievably toxic,” admits McConnell, “but it’s been cleaned up quite a bit. I’ve swum in it. We’re hoping to attract 200 swimmers for a route from a kayak launch in Chinatown, north up the South Branch, then along the Riverwalk to Clark Street.” And you thought the greening of the river on St. Patrick’s Day was a sight to behold. Such a swim would be the ultimate celebration of the Chicago River and a testament to McConnell’s strong stroke rate and even stronger philanthropic spirit.

For more information, please visit alongswim.org.

McConnell swimming in a wave in the Ka’iwi Channel. Photography by Susan McConnell

1909 Chicago River swim

Douglas McConnell has logged many laps in this YMCA pool.

MORE THAN JUST A GAME

WORDS BY TRICIA DESPRES / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE BERRE

HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST / STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

The Barrington Fillies 9U softball team preps for a season spent in the sunshine.

Long before the lawn chairs are set up and the spectators arrive, the Barrington Fillies 9U softball team takes the field for yet another practice, ready to conquer a new set of physical and mental drills and skills specifically designed to prepare them for the big game.

And waiting for them is their coach, Lisa Bauman.

“They all want to pitch,” laughs Bauman, who currently serves as the coach of the first full-time 9U softball team in Barrington. Before the season is over, this Barrington Fillies 9U softball team made up of 12 girls 9 and under will have played approximately 40 games. Having coached most of these talented girls for the past three years, Bauman says she feels so very blessed to have had the chance to watch as they have progressed both physically and mentally.

One of those talented girls is Reese Poley.

“When I grow up, I want to be a shortstop,” explains the 8-year-old with an enthusiasm that can only be heard in the voice of a third grader. “I love batting and I love when the ball is hit right by me in the field.”

Reese’s mom, Jenean Poley, says she always knew her daughter was athletic, so when Reese turned 5, Jenean encouraged her to try softball. And while that season was short-lived due to the ongoing pandemic, her daughter’s love of the game never wavered.

“Every opportunity she had, Reese was catching a ball or throwing a ball against a wall or hitting it off of a tee,” Jenean fondly remembers of her hard-working daughter who attends Arnet C. Lines Elementary School in Barrington. “She constantly wanted to play catch with me, so we were like, ‘Alright, I think this is her sport.’”

And through this sport, Reese has also found herself surrounded by a tremendous group of friends. “My best friend is on the team,” gushes Reese, who is equally excited that she will be wearing the number of her favorite baseball player, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on her softball jersey this season. “I love getting to hang out with my friends.”

“I’ve made great friends on this team too,” adds Harper Donahue who loves to play positions such as catcher and shortstop. “When they are up at the plate, I love cheering on my teammates, so they don’t think negatively. I know they can do it.”

These precious experiences of friendship and teamwork mirror Bauman’s own childhood, one spent playing softball with her friends in her hometown just outside Boston.

“My dad was a big baseball fan who happened to have three daughters who grew up playing softball,” recalls Bauman, who cheers on the collective team alongside her assistant coaches Karen Devich, Dante Rondelli, and Dana Cavaliero. “I never ended up playing in college, so getting the chance to coach now is like going back to Disney World with your own kids for the first time. It’s even more fun than when you did it as a kid yourself.”

And while those “two outs with the bases loaded moments” are exhilarating for Bauman, her assistant coaches, and the many parent volunteer coaches, Bauman is appreciative of the quieter teaching moments the sport provides.

“I’m always trying to tell the girls that, as women, nobody’s ever been successful in a vacuum,” states Bauman. “It’s all about having a group of people behind us supporting us and lifting us up. There’s a lot of life lessons tied into not just softball, but any athletics.”

Bauman is now able to share these life lessons with her daughter Blair, who is also a proud member of the Barrington Fillies 9U

Sitting tall, Bauman in model’s own.

“It’s about having a group of people behind us supporting us and lifting us up.”

softball team. “Softball has taught me that no matter how many challenges there are, to always keep trying and to never give up,” states Blair Bauman. “It’s all about following your dreams.”

Reese’s mother Jenean has also seen this positive experience play out in the eyes of her daughter in a multitude of ways.

“This game has taught Reese so much about leadership and hard work and commitment and teamwork,” she explains. “But I also think it teaches them how to win and how to lose. (Pauses.) It’s a life lesson, that’s for sure.”

Some of these life lessons are tougher to learn than others. “When I step up to bat, I think about my grandpa,” remarks Donahue. “I wish he were still here to watch me play hard.”

But make no mistake – one must never forget to have fun.

“This team doesn’t just focus on the games that they’re winning or they’re losing,” states Coach Bauman. “At this age, it’s more about having a good time and and having an overall positive experience by making sure that the girls are lifting each other up and encouraging each other.”

For more information on Barrington Youth Baseball and Softball, travel info, and all house recreational league info, please visit www.BYBS.net.

The softball team with their coaches: Top row (L-R) Lisa Bauman, Dante Rondelli, Karen Devich, Dana Cavaliero Middle row (L-R) Lyla Trandel, Claire Duncan, Carlie Rondelli, Maddy Brawley, Lindsey Hewlett Front row (L-R) Quinn Devich, Blair Bauman, Reese Poley, Sophia Emery, Cami Cavaliero, Harper Donahue (Faith Adams not pictured)

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SWEET

TASTE TINY CAKES FOR MUM & BASK IN THE GLORY OF ISLAND LIVING

Halo House pool at Oil Nut Bay featured in First Class

MOTHER’S DAY TEA CAKES

RECIPE,

WORDS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

MONICA KASS ROGERS

While practices honoring mothers date back to ancient times, the modern holiday of Mother’s Day originated in the United States. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers. For more than a century, the carnation has been the official flower of Mother’s Day. The flower’s soft petals cloak a surprising hardiness, which makes the carnation a natural choice as the symbol of a mother’s pure and enduring love. The sweet frosting of these tiny tea cakes is a nod to the lovely white and pink carnations sure to be found in many a Mother’s Day bouquet.

With olive oil rather than butter in the batter, the tea cakes have a supremely tender crumb and create perfect little petit fours for mom, or for anyone who has nurtured and mothered you best.

These tea cakes would look lovely topped with a blueberry and tiny mint leaf and displayed on a silver platter, nestled around a vase of ruffled carnations. Happy Mother’s Day!

Yield:

3 dozen 2-inch cakes

INGREDIENTS

For the cake:

• 6 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cups pure cane sugar

• Grated zest from 1 fresh lemon

• Juice f rom 1 fresh lemon

• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 cup whole milk

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

For the lemon icing:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (OR for pink icing: 2 tablespoons lemon juice plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened pomegranate or pomegranate/ blueberry juice)

For the garnish:

• Blueberries, washed and patted dry

• Several sprigs of mint leaves

METHOD:

With oven rack in center position, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 18 x 1-inch-deep halfsheet pan with vegetable spray. Line the pan with parchment paper lengthwise (the vegetable spray will help the parchment stick to the pan) leaving a 2-inch overhang of paper at both ends of the pan. Spray parchment with more vegetable spray and line pan with parchment paper widthwise as well, again

leaving a 2-inch overhang on both sides of the pan. Once cake is baked, the overhanging paper will allow you to easily lift the cake out of the pan to your work surface.

Combine lemon zest with juice in a small bowl. Place this bowl, along with your cup of measured olive oil and cup of measured milk, next to your stand mixer. In the bowl of the mixer fitted with whisk attachment, add the eggs and sugar and whip at high speed for ½ a minute. With mixer still running, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Reduce speed to low and repeat with the milk. Beat in the lemon zest and juice. Turn off mixer.

In a separate bowl, stir flour, baking powder, and salt together with a fork. Turn mixer to low speed again; add flour mixture to batter in three parts, whisking between each addition and scraping down the sides of the mixer bowl. Scrape any lemon zest fragments clinging to the whisk attachment back into the batter. Pour and spread batter to fill parchment lined halfsheet pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. The top of the cake will be smooth and glossy and pale gold, not browned. Remove cake from oven and cool cake in pan for 5 minutes.

Using the parchment paper overhangs on the short sides of the pan as handles, carefully lift the cake out of the pan onto a clean flat work surface. Once cake has completely cooled, use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut cake into circles. (Save trim for snacking.)

Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice in a wide shallow bowl until you have a glossy, smooth icing. Dip the top of each cake circle into the glaze, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Place each little cake right side up on a serving platter. Top with a blueberry and tiny mint leaf. Serve.

BEACH HOUSE

The private island escape of Oil Nut Bay is luring vacationers as well as second homebuyers to the British Virgin Islands.

EDITED BY MORGAN HOGERTY

Tucked away in the breathtaking North Sound region of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands lies Oil Nut Bay, a unique 400-acre resort that has quickly risen to the top of the list for both vacationers and second homebuyers. Known for its privacy, the idyllic resort includes luxury homes and villa rentals all with stunning views of the cerulean waters. The exclusive property’s accommodations range from cliffside one-bedroom suites to six-bedroom villas, some as high as 440 feet above sea level. Oil Nut Bay is also committed to preserving the incomparable beauty of this island paradise; 50 percent of the land at the resort remains designated as open space.

“We created Oil Nut Bay as a private resort community with world-class amenities and activities that celebrate the beauty

of the BVI and the barefoot luxury lifestyle,” says developer David V. Johnson. “Each home lives in harmony with the natural landscape, accentuating its raw beauty. We’re proud to welcome a diverse collection of guests and owners who can enjoy the great outdoors with the island’s near-perfect year-round weather.”

Johnson, also the mastermind behind Michigan’s beloved Bay Harbor waterfront development, has a knack for creating tranquil resort destinations that resonate with guests while also thoughtfully embracing the local landscape. Oil Nut Bay’s homes complement the natural topography of Virgin Gorda. Architectural marvels include the hilltop Lion Heart Estate, home to Halo, a five-bedroom villa that is a masterwork of biophilic design, and the brand-new cliffside Constellations estate, complete with its own beach access and panoramic views around every corner.

Beach Club

Hummingbird Villa living/dining room

Oil Nut Bay is the site of the only internationally certified heliport in the region, making for an easy jaunt in from other islands. Beginning next month, American Airlines will be offering direct flights from Miami to Tortola; Oil Nut Bay is then just a 45-minute boat ride away from Tortola Airport, or a short flight by helicopter. The North Sound area—also home to Sir Richard Branson’s Necker and Moskito Islands—is known for boasting the very best in low-density development within a niche Caribbean micro market.

“This is an exceptionally unique opportunity for second-home buyers and vacationers alike. Oil Nut Bay’s location within the BVI offers quick access to surrounding islands. St. Barth’s, for example, is only 45 minutes away. Yet, while at Oil Nut Bay, you feel as if you have found something undiscovered. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Oil Nut Bay team to enhance their sales and marketing efforts and introduce our local client base to this hidden gem in the BVI. There really is no other place like it,” says Katie Moor of the Dawn McKenna Group with Coldwell Banker.

Oil Nut Bay prides itself on its fine amenities including a beach club with three

pools, world-class dining options like the Nova overwater restaurant and bar, a wellness center with gym, pickleball and tennis courts, two helipads, Deep Bay Watersports Center, a 93-slip marina, and the Nut House Kids Club. All these amenities are easily accessible by electric golf cart on this car-less island; just take care not to be distracted by the sight of whales breaching on the horizon.

The resort offers abundant opportunities for eco-tourism. The Turtle Tagging Boating Adventure provides the chance to safely catch a turtle alongside an on-board researcher. After the turtle is measured, it is tagged before being released so guests can continue to follow the animal’s adventures. Landlubbers can visit the on-site animal rescue barn that is home to horses, emus, tortoises, and flamingos. The resort’s new Ranger Program allows kids to channel their inner adventurer through activities ranging from snorkeling in ocean reefs to kayaking in the mangroves to stargazing and naming constellations.

Oil Nut Bay is a sanctuary for guests seeking a temporary respite or homeowners interested in purchasing a slice of paradise. Don’t hesitate—a dreamlike destination is just a call or keystroke away.

To learn more about Oil Nut Bay and its real estate offerings, visit Oilnutbay.com, or contact Katie Moor with the Dawn McKenna Group at katie@dawnmckennagroup.com.

Nova Restaurant at the Marina Village

Reef House living/dining room

Nova Bar & Lounge

From richly decorative to coolly pared back, London homes are always unexpected. Behind the front doors of the city’s ubiquitous terraces lies a wealth of design inspiration, while seemingly inhospitable buildings, whether converted gin distilleries, concrete new builds or former dairies, have been given fresh life thanks to the city’s famously creative inhabitants. Over the years, multiple influences have inspired the capital’s design sensibility, including the relaxed elegance pioneered by Colefax & Fowler in the mid-twentieth century, the simple, softly modern rooms of Terence Conran a decade or two later and the restrained schemes of interior architects such as John Minshaw. More recently its interiors have favoured a return to a playful, loosened up look: blowsy florals, clashing colors, vibrant prints, and plenty of frills and fringing. London Interiors by Emma Page captures all of these influences and celebrates the cosmopolitan nature of a truly diverse city. amazon.com

London Interiors by Emma Page

A beautiful interior featured in London Interiors

Dive into British design in London Interiors

WORDS BY MEGAN WEISBERG

BARRINGTON HILLS $3.5 million

3 PORTER SCHOOL ROAD

Shambhala Farm is an equestrian estate custom designed and built in 2003. Stone flooring, modern design, and soaring ceiling heights are among the home’s features. The floor plan is a dream with a private primary retreat upstairs featuring a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and

The Details: 6 Bedrooms, 7.1 Baths • 16,000 square feet, $218 per square foot • Three main buildings including main home, guest home, and barn; eight garage spaces with radiant heat; set on 16 quiet acres in Barrington Hills Contact: Schmidt Aprati & Co, Cathy Schmidt & Jaclyn Aprati, Compass, 847-828-1277

large closets with custom built-in storage. A full walkout basement has an entertaining bar area and wine cellar. The guest house has a kitchen and full bath and sits between the home and the pool, tennis, and bocce courts. A barn with six stalls faces south to protect any animals from the cold north winds.

MONEYPENNY

$4.25 million OIL NUT BAY, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

This beautifully appointed, two-bedroom turnkey villa offers effortless access to Oil Nut Bay’s vibrant Marina Village, which includes a 93-slip marina, market, Luna boutique, and Deep Bay Watersports Center and is anchored by Nova, an overwater restaurant with a suspended pool, hammocks and daybeds, Designed by renowned architects OBM International,

The Details: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms • 1,401 square feet, $3,033 per square foot • .19 acres Contact: Jeron Timmons, 1 284-345-3849

this airy, open concept home includes two luxurious primary suites, spacious indoor and outdoor living and dining spaces, a suspended plunge pool, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors revealing gorgeous 180-degree ocean views. This stunning private island villa is available fully furnished and includes all artwork as well as a four-seater golf cart for easy access to the resort’s expansive 400-acre property.

CÔTE D’AZUR

$3.954 million FRANCE

Located near the Gulf of Saint Tropez’s airport, this unique property sits on 2.5 acres. The open living room flows outside to a beautiful patio with a built-in barbeque— perfect for outdoor dining. Indoors, the kitchen opens to

The Details: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths • 3,229 square feet, $1,224 per square foot • Air conditioning, heated saltwater swimming pool Contact: Engel & Völkers Côte d’Azur MMC, +33 (0) 493 68 64 72

a dining room that is adjacent to the cozy living room with a large fireplace. The three spacious bedrooms have high ceilings and ensuite bathrooms.

1 Vintage Italian lounge chair, jaysonhome.com 2 Clementina Sketchbook, wild blooms hand-painted stationery cards, modaoperandi.com 3 Mrs. Alice, cherry raffia napkin rings, matchesfashion.com/us 4 Whimsy by Wyeth, white ceramic pour over coffee set, rdhshop.com 5 Antique Louis XVI Chair, jaysonhome.com 6 Jesurum, Tangeri satin king bedding set, modaoperandi.com 7 Los Encajeros, Perlas satin pillowcases, modaoperandi.com 8 Whimsy by Wyeth, white ceramic cups, rdhshop. com 9 Vintage high back chair, jaysonhome.com 10 Mrs. Alice, bamboo plates, matchesfashion.com/us 11 Intervals of 7ths Tray, jaysonhome.com 12 Los Encajeros, Five Lineas satin queen bedding set, modaoperandi.com 13 Rabitti 1969, Coste Valet large leather and walnut tray, matchesfashion.com/us 14 Buhera, baskets, rdhshop.com 15 Vintage rattan high back chair, jaysonhome.com 16 Lisa Corti, Ortensia floral print cotton placemats, matchesfashion.com/us 17 Nuevo oil cruet, jaysonhome.com 18

Lume taper candles, jaysonhome.com

DR. PETER TROYAN

DR. AGNES KUCHARSKA

DR. EWELINA SZYLKOWSKA

DR. LUIS GRANADOS PAUCAR DR. ANETA KACZOWKA

Seeds of Love

An organic farm sprouts in Barrington Hills.

WORDS BY ROCHELLE NEWMAN RUBINOFF / ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT RISKO

Newlyweds Elizabeth and Peter Grubbe fell in love over organic arugula and heirloom tomatoes. It is hard to imagine a more fitting beginning for these two first-generation farmers, who own one of northern Illinois’ largest organic farms— Middlebury Farm.

Peter has been growing and selling produce almost his whole life. When he was in sixth grade, his family moved to a rural area in Barrington Hills. The previous owner had left behind a one-acre garden complete with a deer fence and irrigation. With inspiration and guidance from his father, Peter began growing organic vegetables on this plot and selling them to local restaurants and to neighbors. “It was my summer job throughout middle school and high school,” he recalls.

“Eventually I outgrew that one-acre garden farm that we had. And when I was out of high school, I purchased 20 acres in Harvard, Illinois.” He dubbed that acreage Middlebury Farm.

Middlebury Farm is certified organic by the USDA. No chemicals are used on the farm and only non-GMO certified organic seeds are planted. Business is flourishing; the farm produces over 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables including garlic, lettuce mix, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, beans, peas, tomatoes, onions, and scallions. They sell their produce through their CSA Farm Boxes, at two area farmers markets, and to local restaurants.

“Elizabeth has brought a lot to the table. She’s helped expand our CSA customer base and restaurant base. She’s working on social media and skilled in many areas that I am

not,” Peter says. In addition, Elizabeth has now taken half an acre of land and is growing zinnias, sunflowers, and snapdragons.

While Elizabeth’s professional background is in event planning and community engagement, like Peter, she has a green thumb backstory. Growing up in McHenry County, her family were avid gardeners who had long been involved in conservation. “Meeting Peter was just the perfect way of getting out of the corporate world and using all my skills while being outside and running our own business,” she explains.

From May through October, you can look for Elizabeth and Peter on Saturdays at the Palatine Farmers Market, and on Sundays at the Farmers Market in Crystal Lake at the Dole Mansion.

During their busy season, Peter and Elizabeth operate on a demanding schedule dictated by Mother Nature. “We’re up early, at sunrise, to spend about four hours working on morning harvest with our crew,” they share. “After the harvest, we wash all of the vegetables and pack them in our packing house to prepare them for delivery that day. Deliveries go out at one o’clock in the afternoon. When we’re done with deliveries, we then get busy planting the fields on dry days, cultivating with our tractor, direct seeding our lettuces, or planting our beet seeds and carrot seeds. It’s really nonstop for about six months of the year.”

Peter and Elizabeth find so much joy in this traditional profession. It is a joy created when two kindred spirits find a common goal—nurturing their friends, family, neighbors, and themselves with bountiful harvests of colorful, fresh flowers and healthy, delicious produce.

For more information, visit middleburyfarms.com.