FIND US ONLINE: DailyNorthShore.com
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
WEEKEND WEATHER
Mexican restaurant Guanajuato owner Margarita Challenger now thriving in Winnetka P14
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Saturday, morning sun giving way to clouds, high 21. Saturday night, cloudy, low 14. Sunday, chance of snow 70%, high 32.
NORTH SHORE FOODIE A comfort cassoulet from North Carolina P12 FOLLOW US:
NO. 436 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION
IRON WOMEN WINNETKA’S KATE NEAL, INSPIRED BY HER MOTHER’S BATTLE WITH CANCER, COMPETES IN AND FINISHES HER FIRST FULL IRONMAN. BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Two women, two arduous journeys. Lois Gibbons’ trek began with a cancer diagnosis in 2018. Her daughter Kate Neal’s journey began shortly thereafter, with a commitment to train for her first full Ironman (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, 26.2-mile run). Neal lives in Winnetka with her husband, Matt, and their sons, 11-year-old Ryan and 7-year-old Luke. “I’d wanted to do a full Ironman for a while,” says Neal, who, over a 15-year span, had raced in four half Ironman races and several triathlons before heading to Kentucky to line up for Ironman Louisville in late 2019. “Mom’s cancer diagnosis was the tipping point for me. I’d always been a disciplined person, but I knew training for and competing in a full Ironman would take me to a different level.” “You grow the most when you’re challenged,” she adds. This mother and daughter grew together. Exponentially. Gibbons started radiation and chemotherapy. Neal hired coach/trainer John Nichols, of Highland Park-based Vision Quest, and trained 10 to 15 hours a week for seven months.
“Long journey and long days, filled with challenges and ups and downs,” recalls Neal, who is in her early 40s. “My mother has always been strong and resilient. I had to be the same, as I prepared for the Ironman, worked fulltime, continued my role as wife and mother, and took care of my mom.” When asked about her training regimen, Neal shares that she typically practiced each discipline two to three times per week, doubling up some days. “There were days when I was on the bike for six hours straight and capped it off with a one hour run. It was like a full-time workday. But I loved it.” Often workouts were tackled in the evening, after a long day of work. “I just made it happen because that’s what you do when you want something so much. It was good to throw myself into such a positive project.” She continues, “There were certainly challenges—like swimming in frigid 55 degree Lake Michigan, clad in a neoprene cap and booties to tolerate the extreme temps. You push your body to the limits.” And it’s not only about getting your body ready to perform for 12 hours straight—you need rest and recovery to prevent injury, and you need to master nutrition, which some triathletes consider the fourth discipline. You can come to race day ready to swim, bike, run, but if you don’t fuel properly throughout the day, it’s game over. “Looking back, I’m grateful for my coach, who was instrumental in my journey, guiding me every step of the way and providing consistent encouragement and support. John built my confidence.” Never underestimate the importance Continued on PG 8
Kate Neal of Winnetka. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
I HAVE BUYERS! My colleagues and I have a number of buyers that are looking to move from Chicago to Highland Park. Please call me if you are interested in selling your home and would like me to prepare a market analysis.
Our team is always available to take that call for your real estate needs. Contact us TODAY! BRI D G I N G CO NSTR UCTION K NOWL EDGE
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with
R EAL ESTATE E X PE RTISE
TED PICKUS 847.417.0520
LISA SCHULKIN 847.602.1112
AARON WALSH 773.962.1420
tedpickus@atproperties.com
lschulkin@atproperties.com
walsh@atproperties.com
| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
When only the BEST expansive Lake Shore views will do! 1616 Sheridan Road #3F Wilmette
Three bedrooms and 2.1 baths all on ONE level with no stairs….in the hottest updated building…don’t miss this RARE opportunity! This is the place. Call me for details or to arrange a private showing
Offered at $550,000
Market Recap New Trier • February 2021
Homes Available Homes Under Contract Homes Sold
258 177 73
Source: MRED Residential Properties Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth & Northfield as of 1/9/21 - 2/8/21.
847.913.3662 chrisveech@atproperties.com
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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14945 Creekside CreeksidePath, Path,Libertyville Libertyville 14945 offeredfor for$950,000 $950,000 offered
bedroom I I 3.2 3.2 bath bath14 14car cargarage garageI 4018 I 4018sfsf 55 bedroom
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JOANNA JOANNA
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| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
beth wexler joey gault
Broker and Co-Team Lead
Broker and Co-Team Lead
*MRED, LLC #1 in Highland Park Based on Closed Sales Volume, Residential properties 01/01/20 – 12/31/20 † MRED, LLC Total Sales Volume, Wexler Gault Group 01/01/20 - 12/31/20
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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INDEX
SHARE #SR WINTER MOMENTS AND MORE
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
18 north shore foodie
Jennifer Sturgeon
A satisfying dish of beans and ham stock for cozy winter days
LAST BUT NOT LEAST 22 sunday breakfast
Owner's native city plus the name of her Winnetka restaurant equals one Guanajuato
ADVERTISING CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Wendy Franzen, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bill McLean
DESIGN Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Amanda Alvarado ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATOR Monica Kass Rogers PHOTOGRAPHY Robin Subar PHOTOGRAPHY Mindy Kovco ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER
WITH @SHERIDANRDMAG ON INSTAGRAM
ALL ADVERTISING INQUIRY INFO SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO 847.370.6940 & JENNIFER@JWCMEDIA.COM FIND US ONLINE: DAILYNORTHSHORE.COM LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! © 2021 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND A PUBLICATION OF JWC MEDIA 445 SHERIDAN RD., HIGHWOOD, IL 60040
Fresh Foam 1080 v11
New Balance North Shore 610 Central Avenue • Port Clinton Square Downtown Highland Park • 847-266-8323
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| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
WELCOME HOME
2223 CRE ST VI E W L AN E , WILM ET TE
JUST LISTED
$895,000
BEAUTIFULLY REH A B B ED, A M A ZI N G S PAC E
#1 WILMETTE AGENT 2020 OVER $43 MILLION IN CLOSED SALES IN 2020 *
**
8 4 7. 2 2 6 . 5 7 9 4 | L O R I N E U S C H E L . C O M LO R I . N E U S C H E L @ AT P R O P E R T I E S . C O M *Source: Broker Metrics, #1 individual agent in Wilmette based on transactions, units and dollars, 1/1/2020-12/31/2020 **MRED Source LLC 1/1/2020-12/31/2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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NEWS IRON WILL
From PG 1
of having a coach. Neal’s husband and children were just as indispensable from start to finish, serv-
“Derby City,” and 42nd among that same throng in the running segment. “You sense the power of community everywhere you look on race day. You’re also surrounded by a sea of people, all striving for the same
Kate Neal training at Vision Quest. PHOTOGRAPH BY AMY BOYLE
ing as in-house, rah-rah machines for the former high school cheerleader and dancer from Buffalo, New York. Red Team Kate Tshirts were distributed, and worn often and proudly, thanks to Matt. “Ironman is an individual race, but having a support network like mine was absolutely critical through my journey,” says Neal, who, in May 2020, was named executive director of the nonprofit Driving Forward, which helps recent college graduates transition to careers by providing professional development training, experience, and networking opportunities. “Having my husband’s support and understanding was huge,” adds the Northwestern University graduate. “My kids? They motivated me, too. They propelled me, encouraged me.” Ironman Louisville took place in October 2019. Neal, while running in the final leg of the competition, thought about an important person in her life each mile and dedicated all 1,760 yards to that person. As she neared the finish line and eyed her thrilled husband and coach, she felt the collective energy of the spectators. Her thoughts and emotions swirled at breakneck speeds. “It is an indescribable feeling. Months of hard work built up to that moment. I was filled with gratitude for the people I have in my life,” notes Neal. In an event that traditionally includes 20 to 30 percent females, Neal finished in the top 60 percent of her division of 119 participants in Kentucky’s
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goal—to finish strong. I felt elation afterward.” Upon her return to Winnetka, Neal was greeted at home by beaming friends, Team
Kate, rounds of applause, and a village of balloons. Champagne corks popped. At some point on that day, Ryan and Luke must have realized that their mother, without ever sacrificing a good night’s sleep, could be a loving parent, a career woman, and an athlete. But the celebratory day was about a pair of significant feats, not just Neal’s. Gibbons, remember, had conquered cancer. “I was proud of my mother for her Kate Neal finishing the Ironman Louisville with a race time of 12:12. The clock reflects a time of 12:50 due to the staggered start.
| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
unwavering fortitude; just as she was proud of me,” explains Neal, who recently started training for her next Ironman—scheduled for this November in Arizona—after her winter of yoga and low-impact weightlifting. Almost one year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Neal reflects on her life, as well as her healthy, sunny-forever outlook. “There’s a silver lining in all of this; there has to be,” Neal insists. “The pandemic has made all of us look internally and focus on our passions. More than a year ago, I chose to train for an Ironman. I discovered that it was more about the journey than it was about finishing the race. We all have an ‘Ironman’ in us, a challenge to overcome, right? What’s yours?” THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Reclaimed Luxury Luxury = Home
L
uxury is more than an object or property, but rather, the fullness of life that begins and ends the day in the most important space we know: home. The true meaning of luxury has been lost and in many ways tarnished by excess and price. It’s simply the enjoyment of the best in life; an experience of beauty and knowledge; and the intimate relationship of context, comfort and craftsmanship. Every market is different, and every person distinct. From starter homes to dream homes and even castles (yes, we can help with those, too), Engel & Völkers helps you make luxury personally yours by discovering what it truly means to you. If you are looking to reclaim your definition of luxury, I am here to help find your luxury.
CARLY JONES 312.391.3170 • carly.jones@evrealestate.com carlyjones.evrealestate.com
Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore
847.441.5730 • chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com 903 Green Bay Road • Winnetka, Illinois Some sales sold while affiliated with another brokerage. ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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HA PPY C L IE NT S It truly was a pleasure to work with Janie. She
We first met Janie at an open house when we
really knows the market, is tireless in her work,
were moving to the area. She understood what
provides outstanding advice, has keen business
we were looking for in a house, had a deep
sense and has all the patience you could ever
understanding of the area, and was willing to
want. She worked with us for about a year as
show us many homes. After buying our house,
we worked through an estate and all the issues
three years later we needed to relocate to another
that accompany it. Throughout the process she
state and we didn’t hesitate contacting Janie. We
maintained the same exceptional enthusiasm that
closed on our house in 90 days and in the middle
she showed the day we first met her. We truly
of a pandemic – do we need to say anything else?
enjoyed working with her and would recommend
Janie is very caring and easy to work with and we
her highly.
recommend her without any reservations.
847.217.7144 janiebress@atproperties.com www.janiebress.com
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| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
UNDER CONTRACT WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS
1270 FOREST GLEN DRIVE w inne tka
4 Bedroom, 3.2 Bath | $1,299,000
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SELL Call me to discuss how I can sell your home!
203.209.8729 renefirmin@atproperties.com
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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LIFESTYLE & ARTS
NORTH SHORE FOODIE
NORTH CAROLINA CASSOULET NAVY BEANS AND MEATS WITH HAM STOCK
This satisfying Southern dish full of richly flavored stock, smoky pork, vegetables, and creamy white navy beans, came to me by way of a North Carolina chef who had ready access to both locally grown-vegetables and humanely-raised meats. My home cook version is a warming supper for chilly, stay-athome days. I start the stock first thing in the morning in order to have the navy beans in the oven for their bake by midday, filling the house with rich, smoky, mouth-watering aromas. By suppertime, no one needs to be called to the table—they’re all ready and waiting. Add a nice side dish of cooked greens to go along with if you like, and some crusty fresh bread for dunking.
INGREDIENTS FOR BEAN SOAK 2 cups dried navy beans FOR HAM-HOCK STOCK 5 pounds pork ribs Salt and fresh cracked pepper to rub into ribs 2 yellow onions, halved and sliced into strips to make 2 1/2 cups 4 carrots, roughly chopped 4 stalks celery, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, cut in half 2 bay leaves 3 smoked ham hocks, about 6 oz each FOR BAKED NAVY BEANS 2 yellow onions, peeled, cored and diced small 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided 2 lbs bone-in pork shoulder slices Salt and fresh-cracked black pepper for shoulder slices The Navy beans you soaked during the stock preparation ¼ pound (4 slices) applewood smoked bacon, left in strips 2 ham hocks, about 6 oz each 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 5 cups ham hock broth
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RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
METHOD SOAK BEANS: Place dried beans in a large glass bowl, rinse, and then cover with cool water to an inch above the beans. Soak while the ham-hock broth is being made. MAKE HAM-HOCK BROTH: Preheat oven to 400 degrees with oven rack in center position. Rinse ribs in cold water. Pat dry and rub with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place seasoned ribs on a half-sheet pan and sprinkle with the sliced onion. Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes. Remove. Once cool enough to handle, cut ribs apart and place with the onions in a 9-quart, heavy-bottomed stockpot. Scrape any meat juices and remnants from the roasting pan into the pot. Add carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and ham hocks. Cover with cool water to within an inch of the top of the pot. Heat to boiling. Lower temperature and simmer for 4 hours. Strain into a colander, separating
liquids from solids. Reserve the stock.
NOTE: If you like, dice some of the carrot and celery to add to the soup later; discard the rest. Much of the flavor from the meats will have cooked out into the stock, but if you like, you can save the meat from the ribs and the ham hocks for another use; otherwise, discard. (Ham-hock meat is great diced fine and mixed into grits, rice, polenta, or potato hash for another meal.)
Add beans to the Dutch oven along with strips of bacon, ham hocks, fresh thyme, bay leaves, and six cups of ham-hock stock. Reserve (either freeze or refrigerate) the remaining stock for another meal—it’s pure gold! Place the Dutch oven over medium high heat on your stovetop; bring to a simmer. Give it a good stir, cover tightly, and place in your preheated 325 degree oven for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Pour contents into a large colander. Set ham hock broth to one side, keeping warm. Separate beans from the meat and set aside. When the meats are cool enough to handle, shred and coarsely chop meats. Mix meat with the beans in a large serving vessel. Taste and season accordingly.
MAKE BEANS: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat on your stovetop, heat 1 Tbsp of the olive oil and saute the onion until soft. Scoop onion into a large Dutch oven. Season pork shoulder slices with salt and pepper. Add remaining 1 Tbsp of olive oil to the skillet and brown slices on both To serve, either fill bowls with meat and beans sides. Once browned, remove from heat; place in and ladle a bit of the rich stock over each OR the Dutch oven. Drain the soaked navy beans. serve as soup, leaving meat/beans/stock together.
| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
GRIFFITH, GRANT & LACKIE A Real Connection. A Real Advantage
GGLREALTY.COM
We are proud to be your North Shore real estate experts since 1903, upholding the highest standards of ethics and providing the best customer service experience. If you are looking to buy or sell a home, call us today for an expert consultation!
Griffith, Grant, & Lackie Realtors is proud to welcome the accomplished husband-wife team of Pat and Vera Purcell to their real estate family Pat and Vera are Chicago natives and long-time residents of Lake Forest. They raised their children in Lake Forest and are proud grandparents to five. The Purcells know the area top to bottom and are active community members. Vera has been on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Lake County, served as former President of the Women’s Board of Catholic Charities, and was a former Treasurer of Friends of Ragdale. She also was on the United Way Board, was a recipient of the I-Care Award for Lake County, while also a trustee for the Lake Forest Library. Pat is involved in The Ponds Association and the United Way Board. Before real estate, Vera was an educator and bereavement counselor. Pat, who holds an MBA, has been the owner of small businesses and was a broker in commercial real estate. What the couple has learned through their 20-year career in real estate is that buying or selling a home is not just a business transaction; often it can be an emotional event that is to be treated with sensitivity and care. Pat and Vera’s unique backgrounds provide clients business expertise combined with warmth and compassion to help guide them through various stages of life–whether it be a first-time buyer, an empty-nester looking to downsize, or a family relocating cross-country. To Pat and Vera, it is all about understanding the personal needs of the client and always putting them first. The Purcell’s unwavering work ethic and consistent dedication to serving their clients has garnered them much success; Pat and Vera are consistently ranked as top agents in sales and they are recipients of many real estate awards. Vera is most proud of “The Five Star Real Estate Agent Award” which she has received for multiple years. The Purcells are ready to work for you!
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611 E Woodland Road, Lake Forest $5,300,000 | www.611woodland.info
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111 Moffett Road, Lake Bluff $4,250,000 | www.111moffett.info
700 E Center Avenue, Lake Bluff $3,150,000 | www.700center.info
11 Stone Gate Lane, Lake Forest $2,650,000 | www.11stonegate.info
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606 Tiverton Road, Lake Forest $1,895,000 | www.606tiverton.info
380 King Muir Road, Lake Forest $1,645,000 | 380kingmuir.info
47 Scott Loop, Highland Park $1,250,000 | www.47scottloop.info
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1530 W Old Mill Rd, Lake Forest $1,025,000 | www.1530oldmill.info
NEW LISTING 185 Heathrow Court, Lake Bluff $769,000 | 185heathrow.info
847. 234. 0485
518 Forest Hill Road, Lake Forest $699,000 | www.518foresthill.info
Lake Forest Real Estate Office | 280 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest IL 60045
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
153 Laurel Avenue #204, Lake Forest $444,000 | www.153laurel204.info
847. 234. 0816
Lake Bluff Real Estate Office | 8 E. Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff IL 60044
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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S U N D AY B R E A K FA S T
MARGARITA WILL CAN-DO GUANAJUATO RESTAURANT OWNER MARGARITA CHALLENGER AND HER VENTURE NOT ‘WASTIN’ AWAY’ IN PANDEMIC TIMES, WITH LAST YEAR’S SEAMLESS MOVE FROM GLENCOE TO WINNETKA. BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
A framed black-and-white photograph of the late Mexican film actress and singer Maria Felix hangs on a wall inside the contemporary Mexican restaurant Guanajuato in Winnetka. Known as La Dona, from her character name in the 1943 movie Dona Barbara, Felix exudes strength, confidence, and striking beauty in the picture. Attached to the upper-left corner of a nearby wall, painted butter-yellow, are hand-carved wooden figurines of hummingbirds in flight. The hummingbird represents the powerful sun god Huitzilopochtli in Aztec mythology. But the atmosphere of the eatery—formerly located in Glencoe before moving last November to the spot where O’Neil’s welcomed and served diners from 1992 to 2016— also radiates warmth among those portrayals of might. The creative force behind the interior’s sturdy/comfortable blend is Guanajuato owner Margarita Challenger, who grew up in Guanajuato, a city and municipality in central Mexico, as Maria Margarita Paredon Alvarez and arrived in the United States on a student visa at the age of 19. “Guanajuato is so like Winnetka, with friendly people walking everywhere and knowing everybody around them,” Challenger says. “My native city has every ice cream known to mankind—cheese ice cream is my favorite—and I love the food there, but I never thought I’d become a chef and enter the restaurant business. Never. My mother (the late Herminia Alvarez), who was incredibly tough and old-fashioned, wanted me to take all these home economic courses in Mexico and be a housewife. I didn’t want that. My sister Lupe had been living in Chicago when she convinced me to come here, and I later met a University of Chicago professor, who advised me to work in a trade to pay for college.” Challenger, who had studied international business briefly at a university in Mexico,
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landed a job preparing salads and appetizers at Red Kerr’s Restaurant in Chicago, before getting hired to wait tables at Lou Mitchell’s in Chicago. The chef at Lou Mitchell’s
Margarita Challenger
dubbed her “Junior.” Challenger’s English was spotty at the time, so she listened intently to her colleagues during hours of operation, thus gradually upping her comfort level while interacting with diners. Then she learned numerous other words while watching a certain animated film with Lupe’s twins, over and over. And over again. “I watched The Jungle Book, about 100 times, and I never got tired of it,” recalls a chuckling Challenger, who worked weekends only at Lou Mitchell’s after enrolling at Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute in Chicago. She later tore herself away from viewing the musical comedy featuring the character Mowgli, a child raised in the jungle by wolves, to hit the books and earn her teacher certification at The Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. “I picked up some important things, like taking responsibility and realizing learning is a process, at Red Kerr’s,” she adds. “At Lou Mitchell’s I had to work at the front of a restaurant and experience another learning process. I had to learn on the fly, on the go, and go with my gut feeling on some matters. Years later, before I opened my first restaurant in Glencoe, I discovered that not all chefs are business people and not all business people are chefs. So many hats you have to wear, if you want to succeed in this field. The restaurant business can be very consuming at times.” A funny— and punny— r e s t a u r a t e u r, that Margarita Challenger. Margarita met her future husband, Winnetka native and New Trier High School graduate Mark Challenger, through friends. He asked the theater/musical/opera (La traviata, especially) fan to join him for a showing of Les Miserables in Chicago on their first date, which started with the presentation of a picnic basket—prepared by Mark—that contained cheeses and fruit. Grapes, followed by a gripping drama. Mark
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and Margarita got married in 1994 and have four children: Brian, 25; Hope, 24; son Chris, 22; and Mercy, 20. “I’ve really enjoyed being a mother; times as a mother have been some of the happiest times
... I discovered that not all chefs are business people and not all business people are chefs. So many hats you have to wear, if you want to succeed in this field.
in my life,” says Challenger, who lives in Long Grove, not far from Tacos Guanajuato, the restaurant she owns in Kildeer. “I’ve enjoyed all phases of motherhood. My children, they crack me up. When they were 7 or 8, they had their opinions on many topics, and before you knew it, they knew more than you did. It was wonderful, watching them grow up and become adults.” It had to be a daunting challenge for Challenger, relocating her anchor restaurant in month 10 of the pandemic, when families were making do—and making more meals—at home. But she pulled it off, and has not had to lay off a single employee (one chose to leave the industry because of an underlying medical condition) since “COVID-19” invaded our lexicon. Loyal customers of the restaurant and tequila bar kept ordering Guanajuato’s Sizzling Fajitas, Margarita Salmon, Enchiladas Margarita, and El Molcajete, among other must-inhale fare. Margarita’s Margarita? Guanajuato’s menu lists it as a cucumber and mint cocktail. Her new favorite is Earth and Smoke, made with raicilla agave liquor. “I want people to feel warmth as soon as they enter the restaurant,” Challenger says. “Think about a restaurant and what goes on inside of it … food, it’s a most intimate thing. Our place is a welcoming place, bright and happy, and we love the new location. What you see inside is a reflection of me and my employees. It’s very much about energy, a restaurant’s atmosphere, and we strive to project positive energy at all times.” Guanajuato is located at 1003-1005 Green Bay Road in Winnetka. For more information, including menu items, call 847-242-0501 or visit myguanajuato.com. THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Lake Views, East of Sheridan 387 Sheridan Road $2,195,000 5 beds, 5.5 baths ½ acre, 5,200 sq ft
East Wilmette, Walk to Town 925 Central Avenue $1,795,000 6 beds, 6.5 baths 1 3 acre, 6,300 sq ft
Stunning Gardens, Country Living 864 Boal Parkway $1,299,999 4 beds, 2.5 baths ½ acre, 6,500 sq ft
Your home is here.
Paige Dooley Licensed Real Estate Broker — paige.dooley@compass.com 847.609.0963
The Paige Dooley Team is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021 |
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bringing
the best to you
655 SHERIDAN RD, GLENCOE 5 Beds • 6.2 Baths // listed at $5,999,900
N E W L I STI N G
across the north shore 1005 MT PLEASANT RD, WINNETKA 7 Beds • 5.2 Baths // listed at $3,899,900
560 LONGWOOD AVE, GLENCOE 4 Beds • 4.1 Baths // listed at $1,799,900
N E W PR I C E
U N D E R CO N T R AC T
150 MEADOW LN, WINNETKA
323 CUMNOR RD, KENILWORTH
5 Beds • 4.2 Baths // listed at $4,449,900
5 Beds • 3.1 Baths // listed at $1,599,900
N E W L I ST I N G
U N D E R CO N T R AC T
1210 LINDENWOOD DR, WINNETKA 4 Beds • 3.2 Baths // listed at $1,749,900
115 DE WINDT RD, WINNETKA
1101 CHESTNUT AVE, WILMETTE
7 Beds • 7.3 Baths // listed at $5,999,900
5 Beds • 5.1 Baths // listed at $3,499,900
*MRED, LLC #1 North Shore Closed Sales Volume 01/01/20 – 12/31/20
312.925.9899 | jradnay@atproperties.com For the inside scoop on new listings
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| SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2021
@JenaRadnayRealEstate
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND