Ami Jerusalem Street Food brings a taste of Israel to Highwood
14 north shore sports
Lake Forest HS graduate Leo Scheidler delivers sweet block for Notre Dame in Sugar Bowl win
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
18 #hashtag
Meet Chase Fancher, the visionary behind the Oak & Oscar watchmaking company
20 the last showgirl
Pamela Anderson stars in a film about a washed up Las Vegas sex symbol
22 north shore foodie
We recreate Maggiano's "Shells with Roasted Vegetables" dish from years ago
24 the "it" girl
Lake Bluff interior designer Maggie Getz is discovered by the prestigious FREDERIC magazine
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
26 sunday breakfast
Published fantasy novel marks first chapter in teen author Philip Preston's writing career
$4,155,000
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
JANUARY 11 TO 31
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
RECYCLING
WHERE: Northfield Community Center
Clean out your decorations stash and make room for new lights and supplies by recycling the old. Northfield’s Village Hall and Community Center will be providing bins where holiday lights and extension cords can be recycled now through January 31. northfieldparks.org
JANUARY 11 TO FEBRUARY 25
“KENILWORTH CENTENNIAL HOMES”
WHERE: Kenilworth Historical Society
Explore the history of Kenilworth’s oldest homes and celebrate their architectural significance with a dynamic exhibit that chronicles the evolution of residential development in the village. The homes featured in this exhibit were built between 1889 and 1924. kenilworthhistory.org
JANUARY 11
NATHAN GUNN AND FRIENDS: BELOVED BROADWAY
WHERE: Nichols Concert Hall
Grammy-award winning baritone Nathan Gunn joins the 35-piece JAM Orchestra for an unforgettable evening of iconic Broadway classics by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, Bernstein, Weill, and more. Conducted by Artistic Director Aaron Kaplan, the 7:30 p.m. concert features vocalists Lara Brooks, Lisa Buhelos, Maya Cornejo, Ryan Bryce Johnson, and Eldon Warner. Tickets are available online. jamorchestra.org
JANUARY 10 TO 11
STUFFED ANIMAL
SLEEPOVER WHERE: Lake Bluff Library
Children ages 3 to 8 can drop off one library-loving stuffed animal for a night of fun until 5 p.m. on Friday, January 10. The stuffed animals will enjoy a movie, treats, crafts, and of course, a bedtime story. Live updates will be posted to Instagram during the slumber party. Kids can pick up their special friend at 10 a.m. the next morning, and see photos of their exciting night. lakeblufflibrary.org
JANUARY 11 & 25
CHOO-CHOO AND CHEWCHEWS HOT CHOCOLATE PARTY
WHERE: History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff
The History Center will host three hot chocolate parties from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hot chocolate, cookies, and desserts will be served and scavenger hunts, coloring stations, and other kid-friendly activities will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. RSVP now. lflbhistory.org
JANUARY 13 TO 27
JOB CENTER ON THE MOVE
WHERE: Highwood Library
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lake County’s Workforce Development will be hosting its weekly program to help the community with careers. This program will focus on one-on-one resume development, job training, internships, career transitions, and more. No appointment is necessary. highwoodlibrary.org
JANUARY 16
ANIME & MANGA CLUB
WHERE: Highwood Public Library
Join Highwood Public Library for its monthly Anime & Manga Club from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This month, teens will be making Manga
keychains. The club will meet in the Highwood Library Makerspace. highwoodlibrary.org
JANUARY 19
MLK: A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION CONCERT
WHERE: Nichols Concert Hall
Enjoy the Music Institute of Chicago’s annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., featuring performances by students and community partners. The concert is at 3 p.m. musicinst.org
JANUARY 19
JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
WHERE: Trinity Wilmette Claudia Marchan, Executive Director for Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, will share her experience working with people seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity in the United States. She will provide insights on U.S. and Illinois state laws and their impact on immigrants and communities at the 3:30 p.m. event. trinitywilmette.com
JANUARY 20
SCHOOL’S OUT: MLK JR. DAY
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., young people are invited to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Could the birds use a little extra food? Maybe a rabbit needs more sticks for shelter? This event teaches how to be of service to the natural world. lfola.org
JANUARY 20
SNOW CRAFTS
WHERE: Highland Park Public Library
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., create amazing snowthemed crafts at the Highland Park Public Library.
This drop-in program is for children ages 5 to 14. hplibrary.org
JANUARY 21
TICKETS FOR FROZEN KIDS
WHERE: Community Recreation Center
Tickets for Wilmette Children’s Theater’s upcoming production of Frozen KIDS go on sale at 10 a.m. on January 21. Performances will be held February 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 16. General tickets are $13. Seats to performances are limited. Tickets can also be purchased online. wilmettepark.org
JANUARY 24 TO 25
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR 2025
WHERE: Gorton Center
As part of its annual Winterfest, the Gorton Center will show Mountainfilm on Tour. The festival will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 24, with the film starting at 7 p.m. and continues on Saturday, January 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mountainfilm will show a collection of documentaries curated from Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Dress in your coolest apres-ski
apparel, grab a warm drink, and hang out with friends in the lodge during this winter event. gortoncenter.org
JANUARY 25
12TH ANNUAL SEED SWEEP
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Chicago Botanic Garden’s (CBG) Regenstein Center, gardeners can come together to share/swap seeds and to learn more about starting seeds, saving seeds, and related topics. Guests are not required to bring seeds to share/swap. CBG staff and volunteers will have displays and will be available to answer questions. chicagobotanic.org
JANUARY 26
KENILWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY BINGO
WHERE: Kenilworth Assembly Hall
JANUARY 30 TO MARCH 16
FOOL FOR LOVE
WHERE: Steppenwolf Theatre
Fool For Love, a dark and beautiful tale by Sam Shepard, comes to the stage at Chicago’s iconic Steppenwolf Theatre. The ensemble cast features Cliff Chamberlain, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff, and Nick Gehlfuss. steppenwolf.org
FEBRUARY 1
BEADED LIZARD KEYCHAIN
WHERE: Winnetka Public Library
From noon to 2 p.m., teens and ‘tweens are invited to make a 1990s-themed beaded lizard chain and then team up to create a giant version with pool noodles at Winnetka Public Library. Admission is free. wnpld.org
FEBRUARY 5
LEGO DROP-IN
WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library
Spend a Sunday afternoon with a few rounds of history-focused bingo from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will learn about Kenilworth’s past while playing on custom bingo cards that feature historical photographs. Prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $5 per person or $10 per family for non-members. Register online. kenilworthhistory.org
Golden Hour
Children ages 6 to 11 can drop in and play with LEGOs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. lakeblufflibrary.org
FEBRUARY 6
BRUSH IT OFF
WHERE: Winnetka Public Library
From 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., teens and ‘tweens ages 9 to 18 can enjoy light beverages and unwind at Winnetka Public Library while making art with friends. Registration is required. wnpld.org
FEBRUARY 7
TRIVIA NIGHT
WHERE: History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff
Get ready for an evening of food and friendly competition, starting at 5 p.m. Trivia categories are inspired by topics such as sports, general knowledge, local history, popular culture, and exhibits available at the History Center. Join a team
on your own or with a small group, or reserve a table of up to eight people ahead of time. Enjoy pizza, salad, and desserts prior to the competition (and feel free to BYOB). Tickets are $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. lflbhistory.org
FEBRUARY 7
DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE
WHERE: Sunset Ridge Country Club
Join the event of the season where fathers and daughters can share in an evening of dinner, dancing, and making memories. Each girl will receive a goodie bag. Pre-registration is required. Save 20 percent with early bird registration, open now through January 29. Registration ends at 5 p.m. on February 5. northfieldparks.org
FEBRUARY 8 TO 22
FINDING NEMO KIDS
WHERE: Heller Nature Center
NEWS
Highland Park Players presents Disney’s FINDING NEMO Kids. Performances are February 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22 at 10 a.m.,11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available online. highlandparkplayers.org
FEBRUARY 9
CHORALE GATHER YE ROUND
WHERE: Nichols Concert Hall
The Music Institute of Chicago’s “Chorale Gather Ye Round” brings multiple choirs and instrumental ensembles together for a grand celebration. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. and is free for attendees. This is the second installment in a four concert series. musicinst.org
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 2
GOLDEN HOUR
WHERE: Lyric Opera
The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour, a radiant, mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor.
Performances will be held at 2 p.m. on February 22, 23, and March 1 and 2; and at 7:30 p.m. on February 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and March 1. Featuring world premieres by Dani Rowe and Yuri Possokhov, the return of Cathy Marston, and an audience favorite by Nicolas Blanc, the curated program welcomes audiences in from the cold to experience the light of these four immersive works. Golden Hour will be presented at Chicago’s historic Lyric Opera House. joffrey.org
FEBRUARY 22
ARTS OF LIFE BIRTHDAY PARTY & BOOK LAUNCH
WHERE: Seven Star Venue Space
Arts of Life celebrates its 25th anniversary with a kick-off event for its new book, 2wenty 5ive–Arts of Life 2000-2025, a retrospective that highlights the organization’s role in supporting artists with disabilities. The book launch event will honor Wilmette resident and arts
supporter Cindy Shanker for her commitment to the organization. Located in both Chicago and Glenview, the Arts of Life studio and gallery gives artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership. artsoflife.org
FEBRUARY 23
MIDWEST FRUIT EXPLORERS
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., join Midwest Fruit Explorers for a lecture about tree maintenance and home orchards at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center. Midwest Fruit Explorers is a nonprofit organization of amateur backyard fruit-growing enthusiasts. New members are always welcome.
chicagobotanic.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Mountainfilm on Tour 2025
A TASTE OF JERUSALEM
A new street food restaurant brings the flavors of Israel to Highwood.
For those yearning for the vibrant, authentic flavors of Israel, the solution is closer than ever. Located in Highwood, Ami Jerusalem Street Food brings the rich culinary heritage of Jerusalem straight to Chicago’s North Shore. This recent addition to the local dining scene is the brainchild of Chef Ami Sananes, a Highland Park resident and veteran chef. His new venture pays homage to the traditional
dishes and culinary traditions that shaped his upbringing in Jerusalem.
Chef Ami Sananes is no stranger to Chicago’s culinary world. With over three decades of experience, he has been a driving force in introducing Mediterranean cuisine to the city. Raised in Jerusalem, Sananes’ passion for cooking blossomed in his family kitchen, where his mother and grandmother prepared hearty, homemade meals.
“In Israel, every mother and grandmother is a great cook,” Sananes says with a smile. “It’s a tradition embedded in our DNA.”
Throughout his career, Sananes honed his skills alongside renowned chefs, including Chicago legend Charlie Trotter. For years, he built a loyal following at local farmers’ markets, where his Mediterranean dishes became crowd favorites.
“People kept asking, ‘Where’s your restaurant?’” he recalls. “That’s when I realized it was time to open a restaurant of my own.”
When Sananes set out to create Ami Jerusalem Street Food, his goal was to blend the authentic flavors of his roots with contemporary flair.
“Jerusalem’s cuisine is a fusion of Jewish and Arab influences,” he explains. “I wanted to honor that complexity while adding my own modern touches.”
The menu showcases classic Jerusalem street foods such as falafel, chicken shawarma, and lamb kebabs. Yet, Sananes takes these staples a step further by introducing dishes like chicken schnitzel, handmade burekas (a flaky Turkish-style pastry filled with savory ingredients), and the innovative skirt steak hummus bowl.
For Sananes, food has always been more than sustenance; it’s about connection.
“Growing up, the dinner table was our social hub,” he reminisces. “Before social media, it was where we shared stories and bonded as a family.”
Ami Jerusalem Street Food captures that same spirit of community. The restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere invites diners to gather, savor, and celebrate the essence of Jerusalem. With a focus on simplicity, the warm setting allows the food to shine as the centerpiece.
In a short time, Ami Jerusalem Street Food
has earned a reputation as a mustvisit destination for Mediterranean food enthusiasts. Sananes’ dedication to authentic flavors and his personal touch have made the restaurant standout in Highwood’s thriving culinary scene.
By sharing the flavors of his homeland, Chef Sananes offers a unique dining experience that bridges the gap between cultures and continents. For anyone seeking a culinary adventure, Ami Jerusalem Street Food provides a passport to the tastes, warmth, and traditions of Jerusalem right in the heart of the North Shore.
Ami Jerusalem Street Food is located at 148 Green Bay Road in Highwood. For more information, visit amijsf.com.
Ami in his restaurant
Potato Pancake in a Pita
BY
It has been said by many that the best thing that came out of the beauty industry in the past 50 years is the Bobbi Brown lipstick. A Wilmette native with nine books and two iconic brands under her belt, Bobbi is the girl next door who we all wish had never left home.
If you are on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, you have undoubtedly heard of makeup titan Bobbi Brown’s most recent venture, Jones Road Beauty. Fortunately, Bobbi decided at age 62 that “she wasn’t finished” when it came to making women feel beautiful. Her philosophy? “The world doesn’t need more makeup, it needs better, healthier options that work for everyone.” So, she launched Jones Road Beauty in 2020 at the end of a 25-year non-compete with Estée Lauder, the company that acquired her eponymous brand in 1995.
Last April, Bobbi brought Jones Road to Chicago with a storefront in Bucktown.
“Opening in Chicago has incredible significance for me personally and professionally,” she says. “It’s not only where I grew up. It’s also where I was first encouraged to pursue a career in makeup that, over the last 40 years, has taken me across the U.S. and all over the world. Its great to return to my Midwestern roots, see my family and friends here, and have Jones Road in the area.”
Jones Road is built on the idea of clean beauty. All products are paraben and sulfatefree and have no synthetic fragrances. The product range has been created to
women to achieve a “no-makeup makeup” look. It’s high-performing makeup that is easy to use and caters to all ethnicities and ages.
More importantly, Jones Road is not just a makeup brand; it is a lifestyle. Jones Road’s mission is to help women feel confident in their natural beauty. In a nutshell let go of what drives you crazy, and know your uniqueness is your power.
What also differentiates Jones Road is the personal connection Bobbi establishes with her customers through her social media videos.
Bobbi’s frank, honest, and relatable interactions make her seem more like a best friend than a billiondollar business mogul.
Watch any of her videos on social media, and it is immediately clear who Bobbi Brown is as a person. She is not just a makeup guru, but an everyday, real-life woman who laughs at her own make-up “fails,” guides her followers through the process of learning to use various products, and wants to make everyone feel their very best.
“There is a lot of negative content on social media that’s about covering up your flaws
conjunction with the launch of a Jones Road four-piece makeup set. “I Am Me” is a video forum in which Bobbi enforces the idea that “wherever you are is where you are meant to be.”
She says, “You can’t change who you are, but you can improve. You can get better, but you are who you are, and that is the important thing—know that where you are is where you are supposed to be.”
The brand has only six brick-and-mortar storefronts, but Bobbi felt Chicago was an important place for Jones Road to establish roots.
and always looking perfect, whatever the cost. That’s just not my philosophy. I always focus on the positive and celebrate the differences in people’s faces. If you want to know how to contour or de-emphasize any feature you see as a flaw, you can go to YouTube and you’ll find ways to cover it up. But that’s not how I teach people to use makeup,” she says.
“On TikTok, I’m trying to show people how to use makeup to take the attention away from what is bothering them and focus on the positive. My advice is to be happy, be kind to yourself, and set your own personal standards of beauty.”
The “Bobbi Explains” videos are “how to use” tutorials given by Bobbi herself. She discusses ingredients, product descriptions, and their correct usage. She also takes on negative reviews and corrects misconceptions. Along with makeup tutorials, Bobbi shares personal stories with a wicked sense of humor and offers unconditional support to her viewers.
For Bobbi, there is no holding back. One would expect no less from someone who names a product WTF (What the Foundation). “It’s amazing. It’s like a facelift in a jar, it’s like, WTF?”
Last spring, Bobbi created the uplifting and motivational “I Am Me” video series in
“Chicago is as chic and sophisticated as Los Angeles or New York so there is no difference in what our Jones Road customers want,” she says. “Regardless of where they live, women want to look like themselves on their very best day and feel confident in their skin when they leave the house. That is the whole philosophy of Jones Road, and our customers love our no makeup, makeup aesthetic.”
So, what does Bobbi do when she comes back to where it all began?
“The first thing I do is call my dad, my sister Linda, and my aunt Alice. Then, I check into my hotel, unpack my clothes, and immediately go for a walk,” she adds. “Chicago is one of my favorite walking towns. I’ll either head to Michigan Avenue or walk along the lake. Taking a walk in my hometown always settles me and inspires me.”
As Bobbi Brown continues to redefine beauty with her clean, minimalist approach, her return to Chicago feels like a full-circle moment—reconnecting with her roots while forging a path forward.
Jones Road Beauty is not just another makeup line; it’s a celebration of authenticity and self-expression. For Bobbi, this journey has always been about helping women feel their best by embracing who they truly are. Now, with a store in the city where it all began, she’s bringing that message home.
Jones Road Beauty is located at 1655 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago. For more information call, 872-315-2998 or visit jonesroadbeauty.com.
REDEFINING BEAUTY From PG 1
LEXIE KNOX THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Bobbi Brown. PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY LOMBARD
Jones Road Miracle Balm
Jones Road face pencils PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JONES ROAD BEAUTY
HOPE IS HERE
City of Hope® is a national network of more than 1,600 cancer specialists working toward breakthrough discoveries that impact over 100 million lives each year –personalizing treatment right down to a patient’s DNA.
Now that City of Hope has expanded to Illinois, including our newest North Shore location in Morton Grove as of November 2024, we’re proud to be part of a team that is revolutionizing cancer care here in the Chicagoland area — but what we’re most proud of is giving you hope. In addition to our new North Shore location, City of Hope is also serving the Chicago area with locations in Lake County and Downtown Chicago.
Meet our North Shore physicians, with nearly 100 years of combined experience serving Chicagoland: Marlon Kleinman, M.D.
David J. Winchester, M.D.
Edward Kaplan, M.D.
2025 City of Hope
JAMIE ROTH
Chicago North Shore Founding Advisor
My local market knowledge combined with superior quality marketing and the strength of Engel & Völkers national and global networks give me the power to deliver the experience you deserve. If you have been thinking about selling your home and would like to find out how to effectively position your home for sale, give me a call!
NEW TO MARKET
730 Lake Avenue • Wilmette
*Co-listed with Karen Arenson
7819 Churchill Street • Morton Grove
UNDER CONTRACT
994 Brittany Road • Highland Park
RECENTLY SOLD
2860 White Pine Drive • Northbrook*
804 Chestnut Street • Deerfield
1041 Ridge Road #101 • Wilmette*
819 W. Castlewood Terrace • Chicago*
1440 N. Lake Shore Drive #12E • Chicago*
2130 Painters Lake Road • Highland Park*
4580 Pamela Street • Long Grove
808 Chestnut Street, B • Deerfield
1333 Lincoln Avenue South • Highland Park
626 Homewood Avenue #106 • Highland Park
708 Diamond Lake Road #2 • Mundelein
1920 Waterford Court • Highland Park
155 S. Deere Park Drive • Highland Park
190 Wentworth Avenue • Glencoe*
941 Marion Avenue • Highland Park
229 Sylvan Road • Glencoe*
JAMIE ROTH
730 Lake Avenue • Wilmette • $3,550,000
Beautifully renovated, recently refreshed, and transformed for today’s luxury living, this iconic home sits on a gorgeous half-acre on one of East Wilmette’s most prestigious blocks. Behind the stately iron fence, a wraparound front porch welcomes you into a home where no detail has been overlooked. Following a 2005 renovation and a masterful 2009 expansion, this residence seamlessly blends old-world craftsmanship with modern amenities. Original architectural details-such as the grand wooden staircase, hardwood floors, and leaded-glass windows create a timeless ambiance, while modern updates provide every convenience. Outdoor living is elevated by a private bluestone terrace and upperlevel patio with grilling station. Ideally located a stone’s throw to Lake Michigan, the train, downtown Wilmette, and in the coveted Central Elementary and New Trier school districts, this home is a phenomenal offering for those seeking a luxurious and convenient lifestyle. *Co-listed with Karen Arenson.
BY BILL MCLEAN
Check the condi-
tion of the Giants’ fingers on the Highland Park High School (HPHS) boys’ basketball team at your own risk.
They’d likely be unsightly digits, from swollen to bent to discolored. A few might sport a jagged nail. Deflecting rapid basketballs while playing relentless defense can be quite hazardous to
“We do all we can to disrupt the rhythm of offenses,” says HPHS coach Ross Deutsch, whose squad averages an impressive 23 deflections per game.
“Getting
even a fingernail on a pass is something our
Coaching Highland Park High School’s resilient, spirited boys’ basketball team has been an absolute joy for Giants coach Ross Deutsch.
“I love that kind of mindset.”
HPHS senior guard and leading scorer Simon Moschin put his hands to good use at the other end of the court last month, nailing a pair of clutch free throws—with one second left in overtime—to seal the Giants’ 61-59 defeat of host York High School in a Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament game.
The 5-foot-11, 155-pounder finished with 29 points.
Deutsch’s crew trailed York’s Dukes by four points with one minute left in OT on December 30.
“Defense keyed our rally,” Deutsch recalls, referring to two critical plays by senior guard Asher Diamond. “And our kids stayed focused in a game played on winter break. The message to them was, ‘Don’t think about the break; be where your feet are.’”
HPHS’ Giants, laden with 12 seniors, had lost a tough three-point game to Conant High School in its tourney opener before topping Andrew High School and falling to Glenbard West High School. The 2-2 record at “The Tosh” left HPHS with a 9-5 overall record.
“Our theme this season is ‘Belief,’” Deutsch says. “We enter each game believing we’ll win. We’re not distracted by what the scoreboard says
at any point in a game.
“It’s such a resilient, close group,” he continues. “And I love how competitive and spirited our practices are.”
The only two things that separate a typical Giants practice session from a game involving the Giants are the number of fans in the stands and the collective wardrobe choice. HPHS’ hoopsters treat each occasion the same—another opportunity to hone team strengths.
Moschin has been the club’s star who’s as humble as he is productive atop hardwood, averaging 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game. He netted 33 points in a win against Vernon Hills High School on December 6, and—less than 12 hours later—poured in 27 more vs. Addison Trail High School.
In late December Moschin became only the 10th Giant in program history to have amassed 1,000 career points.
“Simon,” says Deutsch, “has tremendous skills, is very tough and smart, and you only have to tell him something once. He’s an extension of me on the floor.”
Junior guard David Isaacson provides the initial heat when HPHS unleashes its pressure defense..
“David sets the tone for us on ‘D’,” Deutsch says.
Senior guard Matthew Simon has been one of the team’s integral players off the bench.
Deutsch’s 31-year-old son, HPHS graduate Robbie Deutsch, and Mike Paull serve as varsity assistants.
“Both are tireless, breaking down film nonstop and making sure we’re as ready as possible for the next game,” says Deutsch. “Mike has been a coach in the program for 16, 17 years. Robbie sits next to me on the bench and occasionally taps me on the knee when things get intense, his way of urging me to settle down, to move on.
BEAMING AGAIN DEUTSCH’S TREAT
You hear the childhood roar “Look Ma, no hands!” and you think of a daring cyclist.
Add brave gymnast to your thinking.
New Trier High School senior Sammy Mills could’ve shouted those four words at the start of the 2024-2025 girls’ gymnastics season. A torn medial ulnar collateral ligament sidelined the talented Trevian for three months last summer and forced her to execute hands-free routines— no easy feat—on the balance beam as her elbow continued to heal in the fall months.
One of the moves in her makeshift presentation on the challenging apparatus was a side aerial.
“Sammy is fine now and performing some of the hardest beam tricks in the state, including a college-type dismount,” New Trier coach Jennifer Pistorius says of the tri-captain who tied for third place on floor exercise (9.1) at the Glenbrook South Sectional last winter. “She’s powerful and explosive.”
New Trier’s team at the outset of the season
was hurting and hobbling. Pistorius estimated her squad had suffered six to eight ankle injuries in late November and early December.
“We’re managing those and some others,” she says. “We haven’t been at full strength yet, but our program typically peaks at the best time—in the postseason.”
New Trier finished seventh at the state meet last season, scoring 140.35 points behind thenjunior and current tri-captain Clara Crossgrove’s third-place showing on the uneven bars (9.45) and 15th-place finish in the all-around (36.275).
“Clara’s strengths are her experience and consistency,” Pistorius says.
The Trevians’ other tri-captain, Taylor Kim, qualified for state in the all-around as a junior in 2024.
“She’s funny, so funny, every day,” Pistorius says. “But Taylor is also a very focused gymnast. Her silly side, the one we all love to see, is a good thing in a sport like gymnastics.”
In other words, a little levity can be an invalu-
“My son has such a calming influence on me.”
His players’ parents, meanwhile, have been stalwarts of HPHS boys’ hoops from the jump.
“It’s an unbelievable group, so positive and supportive,” Deutsche says. “They’re attentive and they get it—get that we’re teaching basketball as well as life lessons through the sport.”
The Giants’ second-leading scorer is 6-4 senior guard/forward Hayden Kach (eight points per game), followed by senior guard Brett Karman (five) and Max Diamond (five). Senior guard Alex Kriser scored 13 points in that win over York, with nine coming from three-point territory.
New Trier High School senior gymnast Sammy Mills’ return to health has everybody smiling in the Trevians’ program.
able distraction at intense practice sessions and at pressure-packed meets.
Senior Isabella Dawson—a tireless worker who has powered through knee issues since her middle-school years—and sophomore bars specialist Zoey Junker are among New Trier’s other reliable varsity members.
“The best moments for us so far this season have been seeing the smiles and joy after any of the girls hits a tough trick,” says Pistorius, citing Crossgrove’s big release move on bars in a dual meet versus Glenbrook South High School and Mills’ eye-catching beam dismount as examples.
The Trevians’ season-high team score through the first week in January was 139.6 points. Look for them to surpass 140 before the start of the state series later this month.
“It’s a great group, across every level, and they all get along really well,” Pistorius says. “It’s also talented and hardworking. Our goal, like it is every year, is to be at our best at the state meet (February 21 to 22).”
Sammy Mills
Simon Moschin
Q & A with Notre Dame football player
LEO SCHEIDLER
Seven minutes before the start of the second half of the Sugar Bowl/College Football Playoff quarterfinal in New Orleans on January 2, junior receiver Leo Scheidler—Lake Forest High School (LFHS) Class of 2022—heard his name in Notre Dame’s (ND) locker room.
The voice belonged to Fighting Irish special teams coordinator Marty Biagi.
The 6-foot, 192-pound Scheidler was chosen to fill in for ailing Beaux Collins on the kickoff-return unit.
“We went over my blocking assignment,” Scheidler, a marketing major and preferred walk-on, recalled two days later.
Soon thereafter the former LFHS Scout quarterback delivered a textbook block near the Notre Dame 20-yard line, helping ND’s Jayden Harrison find running room en route to a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Fighting Irish’s 23-10 defeat of Georgia. Notre Dame (13-1) was scheduled to face Penn State (13-2) in the Orange Bowl/CFP semifinal in Miami Gardens on January 9.
Care to share more details about that kickoff return?
LS: I just did my job, going after my man, number 17, and then threequarter turning him with my block. Jayden and his breakaway speed took it from there. The TD return was magic. I sprinted to catch up to Jayden and
celebrate with him and others near the back of the end zone.
What was it like in the locker room afterward?
LS: I got to hold the Sugar Bowl trophy. It’s heavy. The time we had in the locker room was special. Everywhere I looked I saw joy. What a fantastic experience overall—the game, that kickoff, the postgame. I was happy and grateful to be a part of it.
Your parents’ (Edward’s and Ann Marie’s) reactions to ND’s 12thstraight win?
LS: Dad was ecstatic because he’s a big Domer and he had been waiting for a significant Notre Dame win like that for a while. Mom? Happy, simply happy.
Your thoughts on ND head coach Marcus Freeman?
LS: What you see and hear when he’s on TV is exactly how he is around his players. The man is genuine, an ND guy who is a players’ coach and who finds ways to win. And he coaches a special-teams unit (punt). Our special teams played critical roles against Georgia, going three-for-three on field goals in addition to what Jayden did to open the second half.
Fondest LFHS football memory?
LS: Defeating Prairie Ridge (22-21) in a state quarterfinal my senior year. Jake Milliman caught the game-winning TD with about two minutes left.
Winnetka resident Paul suffered with prostatitis and low back pain for over 10 years. “The medications helped a little and I tried surgery but even after two procedures, I never knew if it was going to be a bad day or a worse day. Dr. Su helped me feel normal again like I could go about my life and not feel hesitant to go out with my wife or friends.”
Your Pain and Suffering Are Real
Dr. Kuan Su of Acupuncture North Clinic uses the time tested art of Acupuncture to help each patient relieve pain, improve sleep, and reduce chronic issues that other modalities have struggled to help.
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and has been used to treat a variety of issues. Dr. Su has specialized in treating the more complex conditions including stubborn neuropathy, chronic pain, reactions to high stress/anxiety, sleeping disorders, and men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction and urinary issues.
Gale from Wilmette had been struggling with both migraines and insomnia for 7 years. “I had tried botox to help with the migraines but it only helped for a little while and I used sleeping pills because I could not fall asleep for hours. I missed having natural restful sleep. After seeing Dr. Su for a month, both started to vanish. My migraines turned into a minor headache once every other week and now I sleep like a baby.”
Dr. Su shares the typical stories from patients.
He works with a variety of cases and understands how important the partnership between patient and practitioner is. “I’m always looking forward to my days in my clinic because no two patients are exactly the same. Many times patients come in with a variety of issues happening at the same time. Last Tuesday, I was treating a patient for neuropathy in both feet, chronic fatigue, and insomnia and he reported that all three were improving. Understanding the importance of checking in regularly and participating in his own health have sped up his recovery and I am so excited for him!”
Georgette from Highland Park shared, “Dr. Su is so great to work with. I had been suffering from tinnitus for 11 years and doctors said nothing could help. The sound was too much but once I started seeing Dr. Su, not only did my tinnitus start to go away, my digestion was doing so much better. I felt like I could be me again. Like I could go out and have lunch with the girls and really enjoy my time being social again.”
What once was a missing link in complementary alternative healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of the North Shore area. If you have been struggling with chronic issues or issues that have been labeled as idiopathic or untreatable, call Dr. Kuan Su at Acupuncture North Clinic today to schedule your consultation.
I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treaments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”
“A recurring story that people share with me is that they have tried conventional means, they have tried new fads, they have tried medications and seen specialists yet have struggled to get any results. They say that I’m their last hope. I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treatments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”
Dr. Su is accepting a limited number of new patients due to high demand. In an effort to protect his current patient base, he is limiting the number of new patients to 8 before the end of May.
DR. KUAN SU
3941 Fairway Dr Wilmette
Welcome to this charming, spacious ranch home on a beautiful property located near the Wilmette Golf Club, with easy access to transportation, award winning schools, shops and parks. Step inside this charming retreat that offers the perfect open floor plan with wonderful living space, featuring a kitchen that opens to the family room, hardwood floors and a Living/Dining room with a wall of glass and a cozy fireplace. The primary suite has a private bath and walk-in closet.There is a 2 car attached garage and a partial basement. Move right in or add on-the perfect place to call home!
Please reach out to Glo or Zack for more information on this gorgeous home.
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I am really enjoying The Optimist by David Coggins. This book was given to me by a friend and has been a pleasure to read. The author does a great job of casually telling stories that involve travel, exploration, love of family, and culture, all connected with the general theme of fly fishing. Another great read is Headwaters by Dylan Tomine. The author weaves in imaginative storytelling with childhood memories, fatherhood, and the politics of saving at-risk waterways. When I need inspiration, I pick up The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf. One of our signature watch models is named after Humboldt—a legend among legends and considered by Darwin himself to be one of the ‘greatest scientific travelers’ of all time. This book does a great job of exploring how Humboldt changed the way we understand the natural world.
#ON MY MOBILE
First thing in the morning I scope out three things: bbc.com, how the Swiss Franc is doing compared to the U.S. Dollar, and The Morning Brew. During the day, I check in with friends and followers on social media. There’s a great community of watch folks on Instagram, and we’re always sharing photos and chatting about what’s going on in the industry. There are the standard accounts that every watch lover should follow: @wornandwound, @hodinkee, and @fratellowatches. But the most fun accounts to follow are the ones run by individuals with a creative eye. Two of my favorites are @wh1chw4tch and @lydiaswatches
#IN MY EARBUDS
My Spotify account probably thinks I’m stuck in the ‘90s with Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the like on repeat. Sprinkle in some Duke Ellington, Muse, and whatever my kids are listening to, and you’ve got my number. I do love to throw in some new music from Drew Holcomb, a fellow Tennessean and owner of an Oak & scar. He’s got a deep, genuinely soulful voice that is just fantastic.
Wilmette’s CHASE FANCHER is the visionary behind Oak & Oscar, a distinguished watchmaking company established in 2015. Named for his fondness for oak barrel-aged bourbon and his beloved canine, Oscar, the company melds Fancher’s lifelong passion for timepieces with his expertise in branding and storytelling. Collaborating with renowned entities such as Wilson Sporting Goods, FEW Spirits, and the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning men’s curling team, Oak & Oscar produces exclusive, limited-edition timepieces that stand apart in the watch market and are found on the wrists of folks like Ben Napier from HGTV’s Home Town and the North Shore’s own Fred Savage. The entrepreneurial Fancher took time out of his busy schedule to share how he stays current in a world where every minute counts.
THE LAST SHOWGIRL
Francis Ford Coppola’s granddaughter Gia Coppola directs this film about a washed up Las Vegas sex symbol, beautifully portrayed by Pamela Anderson.
BY REX REED
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME: 1 HOUR, 28 MINUTES
RATING: 3 stars
Wafting around the edges of minor movies and forgettable TV shows since her initial impact in 1987 in the series Baywatch , fading Canadian beauty Pamela Anderson finds a worthy vehicle at last in The Last Showgirl —a heartbreaking study of the dreams and disappointments of a disillusioned, washed-up Las Vegas sex symbol who is forced to find a way to survive after the glamour and glitter of a superficial town change and its phony show business lure changes along with it.
Sensitively directed by Francis Ford Coppola’s granddaughter Gia Coppola, it’s a film about a familiar subject, but with a heart as big as the Vegas strip and a style of its own that holds interest from start to finish.
When a show about sequins, sex, and sass called Razzle Dazzle closes after 38 years, leaving the long-established cast of aging showgirls jobless broke and desperate, the girls who had the customers panting for more find themselves unprepared for future employment.
Razzle Dazzle was the last of the oldtime tits and ass revues that made Vegas vulgarity famous. Replaced by country and western showcases and circus spectaculars, the shows that used to glamorize the neon
on hotel marquees forced the scantily clad high kickers to remove the false eyelashes, toss their G-strings, and look for new ways to earn a living.
For veteran stripper Shelly (Pamela Anderson) it’s a traumatic shift from one of the oldest show-biz professions, about which much is assumed and little is known. Shelly devoted herself for three decades to what she called a career, realizing that she neglected everything else. Now it’s too late to start over.
The film’s biggest surprise is none other than Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly’s friend Annette, who was once a showgirl too, until she saw the writing on the wall, gave up the rhinestones and the splits, and went to work as a cocktail waitress in a casino. Lately, she’s been taking on extra shifts, showering in locker rooms and sleeping in her car.
Before it comes to that, Shelly has to humiliate herself auditioning for crude, indifferent slobs who reject her as a leftover from the old days who is no longer young enough or pretty enough to titillate today’s younger audiences while they pass the time between black jack tables.
Whatever she had when she was fresh and beautiful is gone. The qualities she has
now are no longer the ones in demand. The movie catalogues her woes without dwelling too heavily on her tears, dramatizing at the same time the continuing affection of an old-flame stage manager (Dave Bautista, in one of his rare chances to show some onscreen tenderness), the support of fellow showgirls, and the threats of an unhappy, resentful daughter (Billie Lourd) who feels Shelly was a coward for keeping her professional life a secret for so many years.
While Shelly deals with the issues of sexism, aging, and parenting failures, the dramatic folds in the observant screenplay by Kate Gersten serve as a worthy showcase for the largely misused and/or overlooked talents of Pamela Anderson. It probably isn’t a great idea to provide Jamie Lee Curtis with a supporting role so colorful it allows her to steal every scene in The Last Showgirl from every actor in the cast. Unrecognizable with a butch red haircut, bags under her eyes, and wrinkles for days, she chews a lot of asbestos. But Ms. Anderson still holds her own—beautiful with or without makeup, warts and all, in what is less of a comeback than a startling new beginning, hopefully promising more to come.
Do I need to have any special equipment at my home?
No! Josh is a mobile personal trainer and travels to the convenience of your own home with all the equipment you need for a good workout.
What is Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST)?
Fascial Stretch Therapy is a neuromyofascial manual therapy method that focuses on the connective tissue system rather than isolated muscle treatment. FST therapists assess active, passive, and resisted range of motion in functional positions and movements.
Who are clients of LakeShoreFit@Home?
Josh works with a wide range of
SHELLS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND PESTO
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS FOOD EDITOR THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Restaurants refresh and update menus often. They do this for multiple reasons—to fit the changing seasons, eliminate items that were too labor and time intensive, or, to keep things interesting for guests by showcasing new chef creations. But that means a dish that might have been someone’s favorite, could vanish. That's what happened to Carolyn D. She and her family loved a Maggiano's dish called, “Shells with Roasted Vegetables,” that left the menu many years ago. “What's funny about that dish was how much my boys liked it when they were younger even though they were not big vegetable eaters,” she says. Trying to duplicate what she remembered of the dish at home, Carolyn couldn’t get the sauce right, so reached out for help. Happily, I was able to track down the chef who originally developed the dish and with his input, worked up this home cooked version of the original recipe. To make it, you’ll make a parmesan broth and basil pesto. Then, roast the vegetables, cook the pasta shells, and combine all for a beautiful and satisfying veggie meal.
MAKES 4 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE PARMESAN BROTH:
• 1 qt. chicken broth
• 4 oz. Parmigiano Reggiano rinds
FOR THE BASIL PESTO:
• 1/3 cup pine nuts OR blanched slivered almonds if pine nuts are unavailable
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• A spritz of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt to taste
FOR THE ROASTED VEGETABLES:
• 2 ½ oz olive oil
• 3 Tbsp. basil pesto (recipe above)
• 20 oz. zucchini and yellow squash
• 12 oz. peeled carrots
• 1 lb. button mushrooms, washed and dried
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (plus more for garnish)
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
FOR THE PASTA:
• 1 lb. shell pasta
• 1 oz. olive oil
FOR THE SAUCE:
• 1 Tbsp. finely-minced garlic
• 2 oz. butter
• Reserved parmesan broth
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp. sundried tomatoes in olive oil, drained
• Reserved roasted vegetables
• 2 Tbsp. basil pesto
• Reserved pasta
• Freshly ground pepper and salt
• 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano plus more for garnish
METHOD
MAKE THE PARMESAN BROTH:
Combine broth with cheese rinds. Simmer slowly to infuse broth with the cheese flavor. Cook about one hour, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot and burn. After one hour, puree rinds and broth. Strain solids through a fine strainer, keeping the broth and discarding the solids. Set broth aside.
MAKE THE PESTO:
In the bowl of a food processor with blade attachment, pulse nuts with garlic until finely chopped. Roughly chop basil and add to the food processor with spritz of lemon juice and ¼ tsp of the salt. Pulse until you have a thick green paste. Add cheese and oil. Pulse one or two more times. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
MAKE THE ROASTED VEGETABLES:
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine pesto and oil together and set aside. Cut squash
and carrots into ¾ inch dice and toss with 2 oz. of the pesto/oil. Toss the mushrooms with remaining pesto oil. Place vegetables— don't crowd—on a sheet tray and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 425 degrees until nicely browned and cooked al dente.
MAKE PASTA:
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water for 6 to 7 minutes. Drain pasta. Do not rinse. Toss with olive oil and set aside, keeping warm.
MAKE SAUCE:
Sweat garlic over low heat with 1 oz. butter. Do not brown. Add reserved parmesan broth, tomato sauce, sun dried tomatoes, and roasted vegetables. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Add pesto and remaining 1 oz. of butter and simmer five minutes. Add reserved pasta and cook together 5 more minutes to blend all flavors. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with grated cheese on top.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE “ITˮ GIRL
Last year, Lake Bluff interior designer Maggie Getz was discovered by FREDERIC magazine. Find out how this North Shore native caught the editors’ attention and what inspires a style she describes as “hippie grandma chic.”
BY SHERRY THOMAS
Those who follow Maggie Getz Studio on Instagram are familiar with the Lake Bluff interior designer’s love of mixing the unexpected with the classic—often sharing her palette of colors, vintage finds, and patterned textiles as an inspirational tableau.
From new construction and whole house renovations to the simplest room refreshes, her residential interior design studio specializes in creating personalized spaces that tell a story.
“I don’t want any of my projects to feel too new and shiny,” says Getz, explaining that in addition to curating one-of-a-kind interiors, she’s been taking on new construction projects across the East Coast and Midwest. “It takes time to create something from the ground up to make it feel like it’s always been there. But that’s also a very fun challenge.”
Whether it’s creating a dreamy European tablescape for the Spirit of 67 Foundation Home and Garden tour or choosing bespoke tile for a new build in Kennebunkport, Maine, the North Shore native’s work is meticulously chronicled on Instagram—drawing more than 6,000 followers.
And while that doesn’t exactly make her an influencer, Getz’s designs did catch the eye of an editor at FREDERIC magazine, a posh but unpretentious “guide to a more beautiful life” that features tastemakers from around the world.
“It’s the coolest magazine,” says Getz, explaining how Editor in Chief Dara Caponigro came up with the idea of the FREDERIC magazine “It List,” which last year showcased 12 up-and-coming designers around the world who are “defining the next generation of style,” including Getz. “To be recognized by Dara and FREDERIC is the ultimate compliment. It’s the most fresh, chic magazine there is right now.”
She says the whole thing came as a very pleasant surprise.
“I got the letter back in April. They flew me out to New York in June and I said to one of the editors ‘how did you guys find me?’” says Getz, who received a $10,000 stipend from The FREDERIC Fund, established to support the careers of gifted designers. “Apparently one of the editors had been following me on Instagram. They explained that they have a very extensive vetting process to choose among hundreds
of new designers around the world so it’s a huge honor.”
There was, however, one catch. She was sworn to secrecy until the big reveal last August.
“But of course you have to tell your mom,” laughs Getz, noting that it was her mother and grandmother who inspired her to become an interior designer, reflecting on her childhood in Lake Bluff. “Growing up on the North Shore, you think, this is just like where I’m growing up. You get older and come back and realize that this is one of the most beautiful areas of the country.”
She has fond memories of going to estate sales with both her mother, a real estate agent, and her grandmother, an artist who decorated her home on the Villa Turicum estate in Lake Forest with a bohemian flair that defied expectations.
“There was something about my grandma’s
style that was so different for Lake Forest,” adds Getz, a graduate of Harrington College of Design in Chicago who has been working in the interior design industry for more than a decade. “When you think of the North Shore, a certain aesthetic comes to mind. It’s preppy with a lot of pink and green. My grandmother was the opposite of that.”
Every inch of Getz’s grandmother’s home was covered in bold wallpaper with design motifs inspired by her travels, which she paired with an elephant collection, batik sofas, old books, and eclectic antiques—including chairs upholstered in Oriental rugs.
“That really inspired me. She was the original bohemian before bohemian was trendy,” says Getz. “I wish she still had that house. She just had such a way of bringing things together in a room that you’d never think to put together.”
Today, she looks at her grandmother and
mother as mentors as she juggles running her Maggie Getz Studio with running a busy household that includes husband Daniel, 3-year-old Henry, and 4-year-old Scarlett.
“My mom also owned a staging company, which showed me that you don’t have to work for anyone else. You can run your own business and still have a family,” adds Getz.
“These powerful women and matriarchs are the reason I am who I am today.”
They are also what ultimately drew her back to her hometown of Lake Bluff to settle down and raise her young family.
“I lived in Chicago, Winnetka, and Libertyville, but I always knew I’d end up in Lake Bluff again. Obviously I’m biased but I think it’s the best place in the world to raise a family. It’s kind of the best-kept secret in that it’s the best suburb on the North Shore—sleepy and not so pretentious,” says Getz. “I wanted to bring my kids to the Lake Bluff pool, and give them the childhood experiences that I had so moving here was a no-brainer.”
Now that she’s back, Getz has been donating her time and talent for show houses and home tours in the area.
“That’s been an unexpected and very rewarding part of being here, choosing who I can give back to in the community,” she says, explaining that in addition to the Spirit of 67 tablescapes you’ll see on her Instagram, she also did a room at the 2023 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens fundraiser for the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. “It’s very fulfilling to know that I can help raise money for the community and make a difference.”
With the new year ahead, she reflects on her success and what is means to be a working mother.
“My business is four years old and it’s really taking off. To get recognized by FREDERIC feels super validating,” says Getz, who was feted with the other 11 designers at the It List Awards dinner in New York City last year. “And the fact that I’m a working mom is a huge part of my story.”
She says this is especially relevant for young North Shore families like hers.
“Everybody has young kids. Everybody has a budget. I like to show these clients that we can still have nice pieces and do things that are within reach,” adds Getz, wh has already been tapped to participate in this year's Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. “I also want these moms to know that you really can do it all. You can be a good mom and still follow your dreams. I needed help. It definitely takes a village. It’s hard but you can do it.”
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Maggie Getz. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE
A TEEN’S TALE
Venturesome writer and Northfield native Philip L. Preston becomes a published author—months before he’s due to graduate from New Trier High School—with the release of A Piper’s Tale.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Challenges for most 14-year-olds range from solving algebra problems to making a high school sports team to finding a circle of friends.
Northfield’s Philip L. Preston doesn’t fall into the category of most 14-year-olds. He started writing his first novel at that age.
“Figuring out when to write was tough,” recalls Preston, now 18 years old, a New Trier High School (New Trier) senior, and the author of the self-published fantasy book A Piper’s Tale (2024, 429 pages).
“I still had to do homework for school.”
But Preston pulled it off, striking a balance between completing school assignments while crafting chapters featuring characters such as The Piper, The Loon, The Frog, The Thunderbird, and The Cloaked Figure flitting around the mystical lands of Tobakana.
Preston’s second book, A Trapper’s Tale, will be released this year, and through early December 2024, he had written 20,000 words for his third book.
“And I’m already thinking about my fourth and fifth books,” Preston says. “My piano teacher enjoyed my first book; our housekeeper has a copy, too. While writing it, one of the rewards for me at night was reading the descriptions of characters and scenes I had written earlier that day.
“I like getting lost in thought while writing and knowing I’m still in control. The storytelling in a novel has to be sustainable.”
His immersive novel’s protagonist, The Piper, was cutting onions one day when a large raven flew down and settled near The Piper’s shelter in the woods.
“Its body was a beautiful metallic black as if the feathers were freshly polished,” Preston writes. “It had small dark eyes and a tuft of feathers under its coal-black beak that looked like a beard. It edged towards The Piper with a few quick hops, its feet clicking on the pebbles as its feathers fluttered in the wind.”
Preston’s journey to prolific writer essentially began at Middlefork School in
Northfield, where he penned a story about a lizard in the Amazon. His first-grade teacher, Mrs. Berkoff, liked it and read it to the class, sending a clear message—Your work moved me enough to share it with your classmates—to the son of Philip and Alissa Preston.
Four years later, as a fifth-grader at North Shore Coun try Day (NSCD) in Winnetka, Preston wrote dozens of short stories in his spare time, prompting teacher Mr. Kubacki to hand a designated folder for the works to the creative scribe.
“One of my short stories got selected to be performed by theater students at
NSCD is home to 212 students. His course load in December consisted of Marine Biology, Cooking, French, Creative Writing, and Civics. Preston also served as a teaching assistant for juniors in an Outdoor Education class.
The budding author plans to major in Economics and minor in either English or Writing at the University of WisconsinWhitewater.
Speaking of The Badger State, Preston cherishes
I like getting lost in thought while writing and knowing I’m still in control. The storytelling in a novel has to be sustainable.
Northwestern and they turned it into a songand-dance show,” Preston says. “I got invited to the campus to watch the presentation, which lasted about 10 minutes.
“I remember thinking as I returned home that day, ‘What else can I do as a writer?’”
Plenty, it turned out.
Preston transferred from NSCD to New Trier before the start of his sophomore year in 2022 and adjusted quickly and smoothly to the school with an enrollment of nearly 4,000.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
making hand-carved totem poles, studying Inuit history, and collecting pipes. “It has been one of my favorite places to visit since I can remember.”
He received the gift of a trip to Greenland in 2023 because he made good on a promise to his mother that he’d stick with a musical instrument, the violin, until he was 16. Preston plays the piano these days.
“Did you know there are no trees in Greenland?” says Preston, who bought a genuine Greenland mask on Etsy after returning to Northfield. “I loved visiting the country, but my appreciation for trees grew during my time there.”
In A Piper’s Tale, he describes a lightning bolt striking a tree and the ensuing destruction below.
“The tree screamed in agony as it toppled onto his structure, sending wood and stone crashing down in a chaotic clatter,” Preston writes. “His shelter was destroyed, smashed to bits, leaving him exposed and vulnerable to the rain. The Piper stood there, his mouth hanging open, completely soaked, filled with pangs of pain at being unable to change what the creators of this mortal realm had done. The storm laughed at him with a low, conniving snicker.”
Fifteen years ago, a 3-year-old Preston listened intently and imagined each time his father read the book Danny and the Dinosaur to him.
every opportunity to spend time at the family’s cabin in Presque Isle near Katinka Lake.
The collective outdoor visuals and sounds up there stirred him and helped him create certain characters for his first book.
“I had to introduce The Frog and The Loon in my book; it was easy and fun to do so because I had enjoyed so many outdoor experiences during my family vacations in Presque Isle,” says Preston, whose enduring pastimes include kayaking, canoeing, skateboarding, Mongolian throat singing,
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheyanne Lencioni, Lexie Knox, Bill McLean, Redding Worth
DESIGN
Linda Lewis
Natalie Phillips
“I’d memorized many of the lines in that book and ended up saying some of them before my dad did,” the son recalls. “Dad was good to me, taking as much time as he did to read to me. Years later I started to love reading and learning.
“My birthday gift to my father two years ago was the first draft— 30,000 words—of my first book.”
Philip L. Preston then dedicated A Piper’s Tale to Philip K. Preston.
Philip L. Preston’s debut novel is available for purchase at barnesandnoble.com and at amazon. com/books. It’s also for sale at the One Stop Trev Shop at New Trier High School.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
Monica Kass Rogers, Maria Ponce, George Pfoertner PHOTOGRAPHY
Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION
Philip L. Preston
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