The North Shore Weekend, May 9, 2020

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SUNDAY BREAKFAST

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SOUND OF SILENCE SUMMER’S BELOVED RAVINIA FESTIVAL SEASON CANCELLED FOR FIRST TIME SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

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INDEX

NEWS 12 delightful dahlias

Central States Dahlia Society moves annual plant sale online.

14 virtually everything

Gorton Community Center takes classes, events, and award winning films online.

LIFESTYLE & ARTS 14 north shorts

Snippets of nature to enjoy on the North Shore

16 north shore foodie

Owners of the new Sophia Steakhouse remain committed to their culinary vision, even if—for now—it's takeout only.

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elaine Doremus Kemmie Ryan Sherry Thomas

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mitch Hurst Mike Lubow Bill McLean

DESIGN Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Amanda Alvarado ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Daily North Shore .com

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST 18 sunday breakfast

LF/LB Chamber of Commerce Executive Director—and professionally trained singer—Joanna Rolek belts praises of nimble business leaders.

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9

NEWS SOUNDS OF SILENCE

From PG 1

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

During his 20 years at Ravinia, outgoing President and CEO Welz Kauffman has focused on establishing strong relationships with artists to get them to come perform at the Ravinia Festival and to keep them coming back.

Well before the May 1 announcement of the cancellation of Ravinia's 2020 season and programming due to Covid-19, Kauffman was dialing up artists and artists’ representatives with an eye on next season's programming and the future.

"There's a misconception for folks who don't work in the business that I can call any artist up, and they'll come and play Ravinia if I can write them a big enough check; but it doesn't work that way at all," Kauffman says. "As February was starting to proceed, I thought I needed to start talking to artists and their agents just to get prepared for the unknown."

Maintaining those artist relationships, along with protecting the health of his staff, Ravinia patrons, and the community, remained Kaffmaun's priorities—as he and his staff and board continued to respond to ever-changing events while the pandemic gained footing in the United States and the Midwest.

By the second week of March, Kauffman was forced to cancel everything at Ravinia in March, April, and May, which included recitals, educational events, weddings, and graduations. When Governor Pritzker issued the first stay-at-home order the following week—and schools moved to online only, and other events like Milwaukee Summerfest was moved to September—the writing was on the wall.

"The whole rolling wave of how people have gone through this is completely understandable because no one knew what the ramifications would be," says Kauffman. "We're still not sure what the ramifications are. It's a very challenging thing."

During his time at Ravinia, the organization has ramped up disaster preparedness to deal with weather events and, after 9-11, potential terrorist threats. But Kauffman says those were relatively easy compared to dealing with the Covid19 pandemic. Since the only other time the

The well-known Lincoln Trio normally performs at Ravinia Festival every summer.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PATRICK GIPSON/RAVINIA FESTIVAL Ravinia Festival was canceled was during the Great Depression, the economic impact of the virus also became a factor.

Then there is Ravinia's partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which plays its summer season at the Ravinia Festival. How does an orchestra play while social distancing? And how do you enforce social distancing when families and other groups of people are coming to have a picnic?

All of these factors, including the fact that the audience for classical music skews older (a population group more susceptible to catching the virus) contributed to the 2020 cancelation.

Attendees of previous Ravinia concerts didn’t worry about social distancing.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RAVINIA FESTIVAL

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While many artists are giving online concerts and other arts organizations are trying to replicate some of their programming virtually, Ravinia had other restrictions to consider. Because of licensing agreements with artists, there's not a lot Ravinia can offer online other than some of its educational programming, which it will be offering in ways similar to what schools have done.

Instead, Kauffman is looking toward next year.

"What I personally have been working on is how much of this coming summer season, now canceled, can be moved into 2021," Kauffman says. "Part of the reason I got out in front, by talking to the artists and agents back in February, was that by the time I'm asking the question they're all really excited. They have a date and they want to play at Ravinia."

The Lincoln Trio has been playing Ravinia for the past 11 years and was scheduled to play the festival again this year. The trio plays classical works and is known for its interpretations of the work of living composers. Desirée Ruhstrat, who plays violin in the trio and lives nearby Ravinia in Highland Park, says the cancellation of the season means lost opportunities for families.

"What makes Ravinia so special is the family experience of it because, with classical music, there tends to be not as many younger people," Ruhstrat says. "The magic of Ravinia is they're able to draw kids into classical music and give them an experience that they don't normally have during the year."

Despite the disappointment of not being able to play Ravinia this year, Ruhstrat says there may be a silver lining as artists look for other ways to connect with audiences and share their talents.

"It's going to be difficult, and it's going to be strange for it to be silent, but what you're seeing happening is musicians finding different ways of

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getting their music out there, which will be helpful long-term because not everyone can make it to Ravinia," she says. "Maybe this will give us all a way of learning how to get our music out there even if you aren't able to attend a live concert."

North Shore business owners are also significant supporters of, and impacted by, the Ravinia Season. Michael Paulson, owner of nearby Abigail’s Restaurant, says that while he’ll lose out on some early reservations for the festival’s bigger shows, what he’ll miss most is the atmosphere the festival brings to the community.

“I am affected more so just by the fact that you won’t have that atmosphere up here anymore.

There’s a festive atmosphere when the big shows are going,” Paulson says. “My backyard is about a half mile from the theater. I can hear the music.

I’ll miss that.”

While the pandemic will likely impact the way things are done in the future, one thing that won't change, according to Kauffman, is the resilience of the people of the North Shore and their connection to Ravinia. After making the announcement to cancel the 2020 season, he received more than 400 text and email messages of support with people telling him that despite their disappointment, Ravinia had done the right thing.

"There's something very special about the North Shore. I think it's one of the most extraordinarily unique and great places, and Ravinia is part of that uniqueness," Kauffman says. "But the people really care about this place. So many of them grew up here and remember being here when they were five, and now they're bringing their grandkids. It's an incredible place."

For more information and updates, visit ravinia. org.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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NEWS

DELIGHTFUL DAHLIAS CENTRAL STATES DAHLIA SOCIETY MOVES ANNUAL PLANT SALE ONLINE.

BY KEMMIE RYAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Spring is here and gardeners are rejoicing, although finding the perfect plants may be a bit different this year.

In past years, the ever-popular Central States Dahlia Society’s (CSDS) May plant sale at the Chicago Botanic Garden has served as an opportunity to find the perfect blooms.

Typically, several hundred enthusiasts walk away with nearly 1,500 American Dahlia Society registered plants, making the sale one of the Chicago Botanic Garden's most popular events.

This year CSDS decided to proceed with the sale, but because the Chicago Botanic Garden is closed due to the stay-at-home mandate, members have organized an online, pop-up sale.

Customers can order directly online and view a gallery of the available varieties from home. Plants are $7 each and with more than 80 individual varieties, there is something for everyone. If you aren’t sure which to choose, CSDS is also offering a grab-bag option at a reduced price. The pop-up store will be open from May 6 through May 18 and contactless curbside pickup will be available on May 23 in either Arlington Heights or Northfield.

In addition to finding beautiful dahlias, shoppers will be helping to fund a great cause. CSDS will be donate 50 percent of its profits to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

For more information or to order your American Dahlia Society registered plants, visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com.

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NEWS

VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING GORTON COMMUNITY CENTER TAKES CLASSES, EVENTS, AND AWARD-WINNING FILMS ONLINE. for Kelly. The adventure continues as he is determined to succeed. This class, held entirely through Zoom, is meant for ages 8 to 14. Classes will take place on Monday and Wednesday, followed by a Friday performance that will be recorded and can be shared with family and friends.

BY KEMMIE RYAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

It’s probably been a while since your last class or movie theater experience, but quality learning and entertainment are still available.

Through Virtually Gorton, and Virtual Theater at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, families have access to a variety of films, classes, and events. Here’s a round-up of the upcoming May events to look for:

• MAY 12: Baking for Kids Cooking instructor Kristin Ryan is back with a recipe for Chocolate Celebration Cake. Join in and make a sweet treat from home.

• MAY 13 & 20: Power Meditation with Hollis Hollis Blume leads you through simple breathing techniques and easy-to-learn meditation via Zoom.

• WEEKDAY MORNINGS: Mornings with Tom Chapin and the Chapin Sisters Papa Tom and his daughters perform a range of songs from Tom’s 13 classic children’s music albums. Grab the little ones and join the fun.

• MAY 9: Virtual Theater: The Times of Bill Cunningham Told through the iconic street photographer and fashion historian’s own words, Bill Cunningham’s photos come to life in this film. The film is available for a three-day rental online.

• MAY 9: Virtual Theater: Corpus Christi Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature, and directed by Jan Komasa, this film shares 20-year-old Daniel’s story. After being released from a juvenile prison and sent to a small village to work as a manual laborer, he is mistakenly taken for a priest. His passion and charisma inspire the community but also bring suspicion. The film is available for a three-day rental online.

• MAY 9: Tai Chi with Ken Join Tai Chi expert Ken via Zoom for an exercise in balance and body awareness to promote energy, stress relief, harmony, and concentration. In the current climate, it’s a must!

• MAY 14 & 28: The Magic Parlour Show, starring Dennis Watkins Downtown Chicago’s longest running magic show goes virtual. Third-generation magician and mentalist, Dennis Watkins shares one-ofa-kind entertainment. You don’t even have to leave your couch.

Street photographer and fashion historian Bill Cunningham

• MAY 9: Active Online Improv for Adults!

Try something new and learn some improv basics online. The class will include games, exercises, and social interaction.

• MAY 9 & 10: Virtual Theater: And Then We Danced Follow devoted dancer Merab as he navigates the National Georgian Ensemble after the arrival of gifted dancer and rival Irakli. The film is available for a two-day rental online.

• MAY 9 & 10: Virtual Theater: The Booksellers Take a look inside the small but fascinating world of antiquarian booksellers. The film is

available for a three-day rental online.

• MAY 10: Mother’s Day Brunch for Kids Gorton’s Kristin Ryan hosts a special Saturday morning brunch via Zoom. Kids will learn how to make baked goods that are gluten-free or dairy-free.

• MAY 11: PASTA Performs Puss in Boots Performing Arts Student Theatre Academy (PASTA) presents Puss in Boots, an adaptation of the fairytale, where Kelly receives an inheritance of two dollars and a cat who can speak.

The cat asks for a pair of magnificent boots, and in exchange, he will earn a fantastic living

• MAY 16: Cooking Italian for Kids Learn to make Parmigiana! with chef Kristin Ryan. Look for the shopping list via email after registration.

• MAY 20: Camera Phone Photography with Kerri Sherman Local photographer, Kerri Sherman, shares the beauty of photography without all of the fancy setup. Using your phone’s camera; SNAPSEED, an app you must download before the class; a place mat; white paper; and a lettuce leaf or piece of fruit; you’ll be feeling creative in no time.

For more information, cost of programs, and to register, visit gortoncenter.org.

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

NORTH SHORTS

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

SNIPPETS OF NATURE TO ENJOY ON THE NORTH SHORE

BY MIKE LUBOW THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

There’s an unusual bird on your doorstep.

The word “doorstep” is broadly used to mean “under your nose.” But you’re not thinking symbolically; no, this bird is on your actual doorstep. Through a glass panel, you see it poking at a worm. You can’t identify the worm, but you can identify the bird. During this stayat-home age of Covid-19, you’ve enjoyed spotting North Shore wildlife from your windows, or on neighborhood strolls. Trees and gardens around here are bird magnets. You check the internet to learn the names of birds you see, another way to keep from going nuts during

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the quarantine. Back to that bird on your doorstep. You slowly kneel. It’s on the other side of the glass, and you don’t want to spook it.

You get a close-up view. Yellow and brown streaks. Chestnut back. An “eye stripe.” After a while, you stand, and this movement makes the Northern Water Thrush fly away. Another North Shore visitor heading into another part of the neighborhood. You’d been wanting to take a hike on one of our trails, but have been putting it off. No problem. Sometimes you go to the birds; sometimes they come to you.

This column was adapted by Mike Lubow from his book: Wild Notes: Observations over time about birds and other fleeting things. Available on amazon.com.

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LIFESTYLE & ARTS

NORTH SHORE FOODIE

STEAK OUT OWNERS OF THE NEW SOPHIA STEAKHOUSE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THEIR CULINARY VISION, EVEN IF—FOR NOW—IT'S TAKEOUT ONLY.

Steak Sophia PHOTO PROVIDED BY GALDONES PHOTOGRAPHY

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Longtime Chicago restaurateurs and now business partners, Glenn Keefer and Ryan O'Donnell, aren't letting the Covid-19 pandemic get in the way of opening their new restaurant, Sophia Steakhouse, in Wilmette. While the only traffic through the doors will be delivery and curbside pickup, the restaurant will open on Monday, May 11 with a limited take-out menu that reflects Keefer and O'Donnell's initial vision for a North Shore steakhouse without the stuffy.

The restaurant's take-out menu will feature items that, as O'Donnell puts it, will "travel well," including a grilled Steakhouse burger with beef from Forza Meats in Glenview, a super-green vegetable salad, crab cakes, and Steak Sophia, a 10-ounce flat-iron steak with peppercorns and a Diane sauce. It will also offer Butcher Block Kits with four different steaks that will be seasoned

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in-house and ready to grill.

The idea to open a steakhouse together emerged out of friendship. Keefer first met O'Donnell's father, Bill, in 1981 at the old Palm Restaurant on East Lake Shore Drive. Keefer opened his own eponymous restaurant in 2001, and in 2003, brought O'Donnell in part-time. The two eventually developed a strong friendship, and while both had separate business interests over the years, opening a new steakhouse on the North Shore offered the perfect opportunity to form a partnership.

"We developed a common approach to business, and I think Ryan has been incredibly successful with his neighborhood joints and the way he runs his business, like the old school way," Keefer says.

"People come in to eat the food not just to take pictures of it. Ryan came to me and said, 'Let's open a steakhouse up north,' and it seemed like a natural."

While doing delivery was always part of the game plan, Keefer says he believes the market for

takeout is underserved. With Governor Pritzker's stay-at-home order, the two partners have had to pivot to launch takeout only and to ensure safety measures are in place.

"Things change weekly, and now everyone has to wear masks and gloves, and that's something we're doing, of course," O'Donnell says. "It's important for us to be educated and important for our guests and our employees to feel safe."

While takeout is a "whole other business model," according to Keefer, he and O'Donnell are trying to stick to their original vision for the menu.

"Some things we might change slightly here or there, but we want to try and stay true to the dishes we were going to open with," O'Donnell says.

Staying true to how the food is presented, even in a to-go box, is also part of Sophia Steakhouse's plan.

"We're really focusing on our packaging and our presentation. A lot of times, to-go programs

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at restaurants throw it in a box, throw it in a bag, and get it out the door," says O'Donnell. "Knowing that this is a new business model, we're trying to put our best foot forward on some of the finer details as far as what [the food] looks like when you bring it out of the bag and how it feels."

While their original plan for an opening has been turned on its head, O'Donnell, who grew up on the North Shore, and Keefer, who's lived in Northfield since 1996, are excited to be a part of the Wilmette community.

"I was putting signs in the window last night for the opening, and people were banging on the window and giving the thumbs up," says Keefer.

"There's a vibrancy here that is kind of unique to the North Shore. What we've seen here in Wilmette has been really encouraging. It just feels right.”

Customers can order from Sophia Steakhouse through the app, Caviar, or by calling the restaurant at 847-728-8220, sophiasteak.com.

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S U N D AY B R E A K FA S T

RESILIENCY ON ROLEK’S WATCH LF/LB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LAUDS FLEXIBILITY, RESOLVE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Joanna Rolek’s dining room table at her home in Fort Sheridan has doubled as her work desk for … too many weeks. The pandemic has reduced the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce executive director’s commute from miles to footsteps.

It’s the last day of April, the day before a smattering of businesses—gardening centers, beauty supply stores, pet grooming, and golf courses— would be permitted to reopen in Illinois.

Rolek calls this journalist mid-afternoon to talk shop and a wide range of other topics, from her reign as “Queen of the IBM Selectric” (she was a supersonic typist) to her theatrical and musical performances at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) to her encounters with Yo-Yo Ma and Johnny Mathis as the Denver Symphony Orchestra assistant director of public relations.

The prearranged phone interview is commitment No. 3 for Rolek today, following commitments at 9 a.m. and at noon. Busy, busy, busy.

“It’s been one of those days,” says the foreverupbeat Rolek, in her 23rd year at the Chamber’s helm. “There’s a lot going on today, again. I never feel lonely at home, not with the phone calls and the meetings and the planning. My staff [three part-timers] and I are working doubly hard.

“It’s like I’m drinking water from a fire hose.”

Rolek, via her steadfast leadership and positivity, won’t rest until she does all she can do to extinguish most, if not all, of the concerns and fears that businesses in her communities have these days. The Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce comprises 385 organizations, including nearly 250 businesses in the service industry, and you get the feeling that Rolek thinks about all 385 entities 365 days a year.

“People who live in Lake Forest and in Lake Bluff are fiercely proud of their downtown and business districts,” says Rolek, the master of ceremonies of Lake Bluff ’s fabled Fourth of July celebration since 2006 (this year’s parade was canceled). “We don’t know when we’ll be able to congregate in large numbers again; the safety of employees and the public is of the utmost importance. Our goal is to support the health of both our neighbors and our businesses as we navigate these uncharted waters together.

“Some folks,” she adds, “are hunkering down.

Many others are facing this new reality head on; these people are my heroes. I just love the creativity, the collaboration, and the connections manifested from that mindset.”

Last month the Chamber formed a partnership with Kathleen Wood, co-founder of Lake Bluffbased Suzy’s Swirl, and launched the “Business Building Workout” webinar series. Each webinar connects and supports local businesses in a COVID-19-impacted marketplace. Stability in the new normal, the alliance foresees, “will require new business ‘muscles’ to survive, thrive, and grow.”

Retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Stephen Dunn served as presenter of the first webinar, “Your Leadership Mindset—You’ve Got to Be In it to Win It,” on April 28. The May 5 webinar—

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“Strategic Pivots: Move Your Business for Success/ Opportunities”—featured Gifted (Lake Forest) owner Megan Stockton and Donati’s Pizza (Lake Bluff ) owner Jeff Urso and showcased the value of thinking outside the box (outside the pizza box, in Urso’s industry) to diversify as an entity and to expand one’s customer base.

“There are businesses that won’t be able to generate any income until we’re able to enter the businesses as customers again,” Rolek says.

“Current circumstances are very painful for them. They want to see their clients, share their expertise, sell their services—get back to what they do. How can citizens help?

One way is by investing in our community and the health of our businesses through our online ‘With You LFLB’ gift card program (60 different cards, and counting).”

Rolek was a gifted singer, musician (piano, flute, organ), and actress at ETHS and majored in applied music with an emphasis in vocal performance at Boston University.

She and her husband, the late, big-hearted Bob Rolek, lived in Colorado, where Joanna served as an administrative aide for the National Conference of State Legislatures before she graced the Denver Symphony Orchestra with her writing and interpersonal skills.

But she continued to perform on stage and do voice-over work in the Centennial State.

Turbo typist and consummate professional by day, showstopper by night.

The married couple moved to Lake Bluff in 1980 and raised three children (Brandon, Kristen, and Stefanie). In 2005 the Round Lake Area Park District’s Community Center was renamed to honor the memory of Robert W. Rolek, the center’s determined and inventive executive director from 1980-1995.

“Shortly after returning to Illinois, I was flipping

through a Multiple Listing Service book, looking for homes in Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff,” recalls Rolek, who would become a real estate broker and longtime member of Camerata Singers of

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Joanna Rolek

Lake Forest, a 16-voice chamber choir. “Remember MLS books? I didn’t know a thing about Lake Bluff then. But as soon as I entered a home there, I immediately thought, ‘This is magic.’ I walked around the community and thought the same thing.”

The daughter of the late Athens, Greece, native and packaging designer Costis Paps, and the late Chicago Musical College faculty member and church choir director Georgia Paps, Joanna—no fooling—kicked off her tenure at the Chamber on April 1, 1997.

“That first year,” she remembers, “a report came out about the three major challenges facing our local businesses. They were malls, big-box stores, and discount retailers. And, in parentheses, the report noted a little-known thing that could also impact our extraordinary, beloved businesses.

Guess what that little-known thing was? Internet shopping.”

The three major challenges today, in no particular order? Pandemic, pandemic, pandemic.

“Although we have had to isolate, there are many who had been working in silos and behind doors, who are now emerging from that isolation and connecting in different ways,” Rolek says.

“That’s terrific, and it’s where the Chamber is directing its support. Mindsets are developing, showing resiliency. Our Chamber members are focusing and pivoting and creating opportunities out of adversity. The programs they’re presenting, along with the virtual networking, jazz me. We are fortunate in our communities, being surrounded by resourceful business owners and admirable leaders. And our Chamber’s board of directors?

Tremendous, absolutely tremendous.

“The lessons I’ve learned from my very wise friends? Assess, strategize, and execute.”

Rolek can’t wait to enter a Lake Forest or a Lake Bluff business, perhaps hear that cheery door chime, and then suffer temporary blindness upon seeing the owner’s “We’ve reopened!” smile.

The shopping experience, inside, compared to the clickladen shopping experience, from home? Priceless.

“It’s going to be wonderful, people no longer tethered to their homes, people feeling safe again, people walking around unmasked,” Rolek says. “I have no idea when that will happen; nobody does.

But I’m an eternal optimist. So are many of our Chamber’s members, who now know, more than ever, the importance of running a versatile business.

“Businesses,” she continues, “will have to develop ‘muscles’ they didn’t know they had.”

For more information about the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce and its webinars and #WithYouLFLB gift card program, visit lflbchamber. com.

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happy mother’s day

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