FIND US ONLINE: DailyNorthShore.com
SATURDAY MARCH 21 | SUNDAY MARCH 22 2020
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Hoosier Amy Wagliardo thriving in Illinois as Gorton Community Center’s executive director. P14
HOUSES OF THE WEEK P10
SPORTS Coronavirus benches basketball playoffs. P12
FOLLOW US:
NO. 388 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION
NEWS
Call Chef Sarah JAMES BEARD AWARDWINNING CHEF OPENS A COOKING HOTLINE TO HELP DURING PANDEMIC. BY KEMMIE RYAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated headlines in recent weeks. People are planning and adjusting to new routines and tasks; some of which include preparing nutritious meals, as restaurants in Illinois have been ordered by Governor J.B. Pritzker to stop in-house service. Chef Sarah Stegner, co-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook, is here to help—offering a personal cooking hotline. Stegner is a two-time James Beard-award winning chef, founding board member of Green City Market, and advocate for sustainability and healthy eating for children. “Our goal is to help you plan a nutritious, balanced meal with what you have at home and make it possible for you to be comfortable cooking for you and your family,” said Stegner. “Examples of questions we expect are how to properly roast a chicken; how to cook dried beans; what to make with root vegetables; Continued on PG 8
NEIGHBORS IN ARMS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS SPARKED AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT OF FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY. BUT IT’S ALSO BROUGHT OUR NORTH SHORE CITIES AND VILLAGES TOGETHER IN PROFOUND WAYS. their daily routines, and ration their food for the sake of the common good. THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND What our nation learned then holds true today and leaves us with inspiration for the positive impact that is possible when a few small Perhaps the only members of our commubusinesses and organizations come together. nity who can truly relate to the events of the With all local schools closed, supplies flying last few weeks in the midst of this COVID-19 off the store shelves, health clubs shutting down, pandemic are those who lived through World restaurants dramatically limited to takeout or War II—those monumental moments when delivery only, and tension building every day, it’s Lake Foresters and other North Shore residents the mindset of local businessmen like Jeff Urso were asked to house local officers from Fort that give us hope during this unprecedented Sheridan without question, selflessly set aside BY MITCH HURST
global health crisis. “We’re not competitors, we’re neighbors,” says Urso, owner of Donati’s Pizza in Lake Forest. Urso, who grew up in the area and has raised his kids here, is taking a remarkable move to back up that statement. He and his restaurant staff are now offering to deliver items from Heinen’s grocery store in Lake Bluff for senior citizens who order a pizza for delivery. “For senior citizens who are afraid to leave their homes or who just can’t, our drivers are happy to get essential items for them,” Urso says. In addition, Urso is offering his team of delivery drivers to other area businesses, such as Graffitti Grill and Forest Greens Juice Bar, that haven’t traditionally offered delivery. It’s an opportunity for restaurants to keep kitchens open even if their dining areas are closed. Most important of all, Urso is hiring drivers to meet the demand created by his expanded delivery services—and has made a point to bring on drivers who’ve been left unemployed by the health crisis. Carla Westcott, owner of Market House on the Square restaurant in Lake Forest, has started a delivery service so customers can dine at home. With grocery stores short on products, her team is meeting a demand for family style meals, such as whole roast chicken and shrimp spaghetti pasta for four. Supply chains remain strong and her suppliers are ready to get her more products. But she’s most concerned about her employees. “All day today, we’ve had two people here full-time working with employees and teaching them how to apply for unemployment,” Wescott says. “What keeps me up at night are the line cooks and dishwashers. It’s goes beyond our community, to North Chicago and Waukegan.” Wescott says one way that consumers can help businesses like hers during this time is to call their legislators and advocate for a stimulus package to support the food industry. EmployContinued on PG 8
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 991 HIGHLAND PK, IL