Kenilworth artist Adam Siegel’s work is featured in an exhibit at Winnetka’s Anne Loucks Gallery that runs through the end of July. pg16
wish list pg25
LAKEFRONT BEAUTY
Whether
As
Whether
Discover
Call
FESTIVE FETE
North Shore Art League (NSAL)’s Art in the Village fair on June 22 and 23 was a big success. NSAL, celebrating 100 years in the community and located in the historic Community House in Winnetka, was proud to host this annual juried show at Hubbard Woods Park in Winnetka.
It was a great weekend for a summer art fair in the middle of the Village’s Hubbard Woods Design District. The boutique exhibition featured artists from across the country who showcased their work, including oil paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and more.
Delicious treats baked by the nuns of St. Roger Abbey were also featured at the fair and an ice cream social with ice cream donated by Graeter’s Ice Cream in Winnetka took place on Saturday afternoon. Momsy’s Cafe in Winnetka baked fresh cookies and handed them out to event attendees.
As an added attraction, on both Saturday and Sunday, NSAL faculty member and portrait artist Lisa DePinto was on-site to paint quick oil portraits.
A silent auction invited attendees to bid on donated work from the artists. Gift certificates were donated from local Winnetka businesses and restaurants for a raffle. All proceeds from the silent auction and raffle were donated to the North Shore Art League and its educational outreach. Professional artists and NSAL faculty members Brian Sindler and Michael Van Zeyl served as judges for the annual juried show.
“It was an honor to be selected to be a judge for the show. I thought the art overall was very well presented and the artists each had a great story to tell about their process or the meaning behind their work,” said Michael Van Zeyl.
Artists were presented certificates and prize checks by North Shore Art League’s Executive Director Linda Nelson and Finance/Program Manager Jill Evans. Prize winners were as follows: First Place—Glenna Adkins, Fort Thomas, Kentucky; Second Place—Gary Stretar, Spencer, Ohio; and Third Place—Jack Kraig of Evanston. Honorable mentions went to Jeff Condon, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Rammina Hamill, Northfield; Jennifer Kane, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Igor Menaker of Chicago; Samuel Yao, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Luke Stretar, Richfield, Ohio. Members of the NSAL Board, staff, and volunteers were on hand to help with everything from setting up the show to monitoring the silent auction.
“What a fantastic weekend!” said Linda Nelson, NSAL Executive Director. Over 4,000 art lovers attended this year’s Art in the Village. We were thrilled with the caliber of the artists that displayed and sold their work. Many happy art enthusiasts and community members attended the show, and the board, staff, and volunteers worked hard to ensure its success.”
For more information about the NSAL’s quality classes, workshops, summer art camps, programs, special events, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact the NSAL office 847446-2870 or visit northshoreartleague.org.
Linda Nelson and Gary Stretar
Chef Thierry Lefeuvre
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
JULY 13
RAGDALE TOUR
WHERE: Ragdale Campus Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artists’ retreat on the former country estate of English architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, offers tours of the historic Ragdale House, visual artist studios, and exquisite gardens. Participants will learn about the Shaw family history and the artists’ residency program that serves nearly 150 artists and authors each year. The tour goes from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Admission is $10 per person and online reservations must be made in advance. ragdale.com
NOW THROUGH JULY 14
CORDUROY
WHERE: Chicago
Shakespeare Theater
Spend the afternoon or evening with the family and Corduroy. This beloved bear has been chosen by Lisa to come home with her, but he’s lost his button. Corduroy must search to find it while evading a mall security guard and meeting fun friends along the way. The show is 60 minutes long and best for children age 4 and older. Tickets are available now. chicagoshakes.com
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 1
LEMONADE FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES
STAND
WHERE: Lake Forest Market Square
Each Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Fill A Heart 4 Kids (FAH4K) is hosting a lemonade stand where all proceeds will provide underserved students with school supplies in the upcoming school year. The Lemonade For Brighter Futures Challenge is to raise $50,000. Children in the FAH4K program will be able to “shop” for their own school supplies at the organization’s headquarters and additional supplies will be distributed to underserved youth at partner schools and agencies. Donations are also accepted online on its website. fillaheart4kids.org
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 7
MARKET & MUSIC
WHERE: Clarkson Park
Enjoy concerts, kids’ entertainment, a market, and food and drink on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Community Market will feature food sales from a featured local business and beer/wine. There will be kids’ entertainment from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., and a concert will conclude the night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each week. northfieldparks.org
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 28
HIGHWOOD EVENING GOURMET MARKET
WHERE: Everts Park Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market has returned, running every Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The market features a variety of 60 incredible food, beverage, and artisan craft vendors alternating each week. In addition, the Highwood Historical Cocktail Tours will be held during the market August 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food and cocktails will be available to purchase at each stop. Live music will also be featured
during the market. A calendar of musicians and themed nights is available online. celebratehighwood.org
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 29
FOOD TRUCK MONDAYS
WHERE: Kenilworth Park District
Enjoy Food Truck Mondays weekly from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by Billy Bricks & Rio Bamba Food Trucks. Music will be provided by The Heavy Sounds and there will also be cornhole league, bocce ball league, margaritas, and family fun. kenilworthparkdistrict.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7
CIRCUSVILLE: PLAY
UNDER THE BIG TOP
WHERE: Chicago Children’s Museum
Bring your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum to play at the circus! Children can try their hands at all of the vital roles in a circus— star of the show, ticket taker, acrobat, hot dog vendor, and more. Props and costumes for families will be provided. chicagochildrensmuseum.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22
LOST & FOUND
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
Experience plant conservation success stories through art and science this summer at Chicago Botanic Garden. Engage in hands-on experiences, art installations, After Hour Buzz events, and other engaging activities inspired by restoration stories of plants once lost and forgotten. Original art pieces will be on display throughout the garden including “A Summer Journey,” “Gleanhouse and Prismatic Landscape,” “Color Writing,” “Rhizomatic,” and “Through The Eye of the Unicorn.” These pieces
represent conserving what has been lost over the years through development, natural disaster, and expansions. Tickets are included with the cost of admission. chicagobotanic.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24
SUNSET YOGA
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) Mellody Farm Nature Preserve while relaxing into this gentle, restorative yoga session that will incorporate breathwork and mindfulness. All abilities welcome! Instructor Ana Holland Krawec is a certified 200 RYT instructor, a Reiki healing master, and Sudarshan Kriya Breathwork instructor. Her practice focuses on adaptive yoga, incorporating gentle movements, restorative poses, breathwork, and mindfulness to help students work on core strength, flexibility, and balance and to find tools for becoming centered and peaceful. This program is for
adults only and takes place in the evenings. lfola.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26
FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS
WHERE: Ravinia District Food Truck Thursdays return to downtown Ravinia this summer. A variety of food trucks and vendors will sell their wares from 4:30 p.m. until dusk each Thursday night throughout the summer. These evenings will also include live music, food, beer, and wine tastings from local restaurants. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine on a picnic bench in Jens Jensen Park. Each Thursday will feature a different theme of music and its respective performers. enjoyhighlandpark.com
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13
“SHTETL IN THE SUN”
WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach,
Florida. Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after tragedy. The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s exhibit, “Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 19771980,” celebrates Sweet’s work as a tribute to those who lived during that time. The exhibit will run through October 13. ilholocaustmuseum.org
NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2025 “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
JULY 13, 14, 19, 20 AND 21
CINDERELLA… REALLY? WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
The Lot's Vintage Car Show
Enjoy the cast of characters in Cinderella... Really at Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Promising fun for all ages, the music and play is written by Mark Adamczek and directed by Gregg Dennhardt. Bring your chairs, pack a picnic, and join LFOLA on the lawn. Performances are at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on July 13 and 14, 6 p.m. on July 19 and 20, and 3 p.m. on July 20 and 21. lfola.org
JULY 14
GO GREEN WILMETTE BIRD HABITAT WORKDAY
WHERE: Gillson Park
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., join Wilmette Go Green to work with and learn about native plants. Participants are required to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Bring gardening gloves and drinking water. Tools are provided by the Wilmette Park District. This event is for all ages. wilmettepark.org
JULY 14
SECRET NORTH SHORE-CHICAGO: A GUIDE TO THE WEIRD, WONDERFUL, AND OBSCURE
WHERE: Secret World Books. Ellen Schubart will be hosting a reading and signing of her book, A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure at 2 p.m. This book explores the hidden gems of the North Shore that will surely lead to family fun and summer adventures. This event is open to the public. secretworldbooks.com
JULY 15 TO 19
RAGDALE HIGH SCHOOL ARTS WEEK
WHERE: Ragdale
Each year, Ragdale holds an intensive all-day program for students to develop their creative skills. The program is Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its flagship Lake Forest location.
Lunch and snacks will be provided each day along with all supplies and materials. This year, there will also be transportation offered from a River North location in the city so Chicagoans can be bussed to and from Ragdale. There are no fees for accepted students. ragdale.com
JULY 18
HABITAT HELPERS AT MALLINCKRODT PARK
WHERE: Mallinckrodt Park
Connect with the earth and get your hands dirty from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Participants will weed native plant beds at Mallinckrodt Park. Bring drinking water, gardening gloves, and dress for the weather. Trowels and tools will be provided by the Wilmette Park District. wilmettepark.org
JULY 18
THERE’S ALWAYS TIME FOR TEA AND SCONES
WHERE: Lake Bluff Library
Spend an evening tea tasting at the library. Through this adult program, participants will learn where and how tea came to America, basic tea etiquette, and the history of Earl Gray and Lady Gray tea. This program is from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and registration is required. lakeblufflibrary.org
JULY 18
SIT & KNIT
WHERE: Northfield Public Library
Spend the afternoon with fellow knitters in the Community Room at Northfield Public Library. From 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. adults of all levels of experience are welcome. Basic supplies will be provided and library staff will be present to assist. Registration is required. wnpld.org
JULY 19
BOTTLE ROCKETS
GALORE!
WHERE: James Park
Create, decorate, and blast bottle rockets into the sky. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Evanston Public Library’s engagement team will be
launching paper rockets with a bike air pump. See whose rocket soars the highest. No registration is required, but there might be a wait time depending on how many participants there are. epl.org
JULY 20
NORTH SHORE TACO 5K
FAMILY RUN, WALK & STROLL
WHERE: Downtown Highwood
Put on your sneakers, grab your loved ones, strollers, and dogs for this annual fundraising event. The Run/ Walk begins at 9 a.m. and the start/finish line will be the intersection of Sheridan Road and Webster. Pre-race packets can be picked up July 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Celebrate Highwood’s tent at Margarita Night. They can also be picked up July 18 at Gearhead Outfitters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on race day in the Buffo’s parking lot beginning at 8 a.m. Runners and walkers can sign up now
enjoy a walking tour through various gardens during the Lincolnshire Garden Club fundraiser. The walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will span between five gardens in the area. Four of the gardens are in Lincolnshire and one is in Deerfield. Participants will have to drive between gardens. This event is best suited for children ages 12 and older. Advance tickets are $20 through July 19 and $25 on July 20. Ticketholders can begin the tours anytime between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. More information is available on Lincolnshire Garden Club’s website. lincolnshiregardenclub.com
JULY 20 TO 21
GLENCOE FESTIVAL OF ART
WHERE: Glencoe
through midnight on July 19. The registration fee is $40 per person and stroller kids are free. All proceeds benefit Nuestro Josselyn. celebratehighwood.org
JULY 20
MOTHER-SON NERF NIGHT
WHERE: Lake Bluff Recreation Center
Enjoy a Mother-Son night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a delicious dinner, photo booth, a Mom & Me craft, and of course Nerf battles. All players are welcome to bring their own Nerf equipment and darts. The center will also provide extras. The night will end with an awards ceremony to highlight everyone’s hard work and skill. Cost is $40/$50 per pairing and $20/$30 for each additional son. lakebluffparks.org
JULY 20
A WALK IN “THE SHIRE”
WHERE: Spring Lake Park Reconnect with nature and
guest speaker, City of Lake Forest Mayor Stanford “Randy” Tack, and Lake Bluff Village President Regis Charlot. Both mayors will offer an overview of the latest information about the communities. Civic and business leaders will be in attendance and the public is welcome. There is an admission fee of $40 for lunch and an RSVP is required. The registration deadline is July 22 at noon. lflbchamber.com
JULY 26 TO 28
TARZAN: THE MUSICAL
WHERE: The Community House
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy more than 100 artists, live music, and food vendors. There will be paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, and more. The Kids Art Zone will feature face painting and crafts. Live music will be performed on stage. Entry is free. amdurproductions.com
JULY 24
ARCHITECTURAL DIVERSITY WALKING TOUR
WHERE: Winnetka Explore Winnetka’s array of architectural styles from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tour will begin at 457 Ash Street and make 12 stops representing particular architectural styles. This is the shortest walking tour offered at less than a mile and a great option for those interested in less walking and more learning. winnetkahistory.org
JULY 25
ANNUAL LUNCH WITH THE MAYORS
WHERE: The Forester Hotel
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Lunch with the Mayors. This community event will include a special
Tarzan swings onto the stage in Hinsdale for one very special weekend. Local performers will bring this lovable cast of characters to life with powerful songs from Phil Collins, stunning choreography, and a heartwarming tale. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on July 26, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 27, and 2 p.m. on July 28. Tickets are on sale now. stagedoorfinearts.com
JULY 26 TO 28
SIDEWALK SALE & CHALK ART CONTEST
WHERE: Downtown Evanston
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy a vibrant weekend of shopping, art, and community spirit. Explore downtown Evanston’s charming sidewalks, lined with local shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Artists are encouraged to participate in the Chalk Art Contest on July 27. Participants of all ages are welcome and the contest will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtownevanston.org
JULY 26 TO AUGUST 11
LES MISÉRABLES
WHERE: Deerfield Performing Arts Center
Through an exceptional license, Les Misérables is coming to Deerfield. Presented by Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park, this acclaimed production—winner of eight Tony Awards
Tarzan: The Musical
and known as the world's most popular musical—boasts an impressive 44-person cast and a 21-piece orchestra. Renowned producer, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, has personally authorized these performances. A portion of proceeds will support the Highland Park Shooting Response Fund, making this event both a cultural highlight of the season and a worthy cause. Tickets are available now. uptownhp.org
AUGUST 5
ARCHITECTURAL WALKING
TOUR: EARLY SETTLERS HOMES
WHERE: Winnetka
Enjoy a one-hour walking tour of the oldest homes in the community. Beginning at Clinton House at 548 Willow Street at 4 p.m., participants will weave through the oldest neighborhoods on the east side of the village. Tickets are $30 per person and the capacity is 16 people per tour. Registration is required. winnetkahistory.org
AUGUST 11
VINTAGE CAR SHOW
WHERE: The Lot
From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., come
out and see an exciting lineup of vintage cars, including commercial vehicles, muscle cars, early automobiles, and the Batmobile of Klairmont Kollections Auto Museum. In addition, acclaimed radio DJ veteran Eddie “V” of “The Eddite and Jobo Morning Show” will be on site spinning contemporary hits, hosting giveaways, and announcing the winner of the Best of Car Show at 3:30 p.m. Up to 200 vehicles will be displayed along St. John’s Avenue. enjoyhighlandpark.com
SEPTEMBER 27
100TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
WHERE: Community House
Celebrate North Shore Art League’s 100th anniversary at 6 p.m. in studio on the second floor of the Community House in Winnetka. Enjoy libations, live art, music, and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are on sale now. northshoreartleague.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
UNCORKED!
April event raises more than $37,000 to support Northwestern Settlement.
The Winnetka Board of the Northwestern Settlement welcomed 130 guests to Uncorked! Stock-theCellar fundraiser at the Glenview Club on April 19. The event raised more than $37,000 to support the construction of an outdoor classroom for Rowe Elementary School, which operated by the Northwestern Settlement. The Winnetka Board supports Northwestern Settlement’s mission to disrupt generational poverty by breaking down barriers for youth while on their path to success in adulthood. winnetkaboard.com
Photography by Tracy Heilman
AMY O'DONNELL, JASON SMITH, LISA SMITH
CHRISTINE GALLIAN, ERIC INBODY, BILL WELNHOFER
Ravinia
Ravinia
Highland Park
SOLD WITH CORY ALBIANI
“We recently had the pleasure of working with Cory Albiani to sell our home, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. Cory’s expertise, dedication, and personalized approach made the entire process seamless and stress-free. From the initial consultation, it was clear that Cory had an in-depth understanding of the market and a keen eye for detail. He provided us with a comprehensive market analysis, helped us set a competitive price, offered valuable suggestions to enhance the appeal of our home, and put us in touch with some great resources to help the process go more smoothly. Throughout the selling process, Cory was incredibly responsive and communicative, keeping us informed at every stage. He was always available to answer our questions, address our concerns, and provide guidance. His negotiation skills were top-notch, ensuring we received the best possible offer for our home. Thanks to Cory, we sold our house quickly at a price that exceeded our expectations, and through a savvy process we’d never even considered. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and highly recommend Cory to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. We actually remembered him from when we purchased the home we just sold. He wasn’t involved in the transaction but he stood out from the rest of the realtors when we were first shopping seven years ago, so he was the first person we contacted when we began thinking about selling”
—Phil & Minna Pace (Highland Park)
Contemporary art isn’t always easy to take. Even the most adventurous gallerygoer has been stumped by something that looks more like an accident than a composition. Yet, paintings by Kenilworth’s Adam Siegel are proof that powerful art doesn’t need to transgress to stimulate one’s imagination and challenge the conscience.
Siegel has been an artist all his life. The son of noted photographer Arthur Siegel, who studied under László Moholy-Nagy at The New Bauhaus at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Siegel grew up in Lincoln Park. His father and mother, Irene, an artist herself, often welcomed fellow creatives and intellectuals into the house, such as architect Mies van der Rohe. Even at an early age, encountering the cultural elite of the city made Siegel aware of “what it’s like to be a fully developed personality with a point of view.”
While his father “very purposefully did not” teach him about photography, he did let him wander those get-togethers with a Leica camera around his neck. And when grad students came over to present their theses, Siegel stood and listened over their shoulders. Plus, it didn’t hurt to have Ansel Adams’ most famous image—Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico—hanging on the wall outside his bedroom.
As a teen at Francis Parker, Siegel was big on track and field. Then he changed course.
“I was putting a lot of time into running and suddenly decided I should put that energy into something else,” says Siegel, whose
go photograph every day and take that as seriously as I had running. I ended up doing a series on the beach, of people and objects. After developing the image in the darkroom, I went back to the beach and buried the prints under the sand, leaving parts of them exposed and re-photographed them.”
Siegel earned a degree in Japanese studies at Oberlin College, spending a year in the country, absorbing every aspect of its culture and traditions. He traces his own singular aesthetic to that formative experience.
“In Japan, you have basic elements—rock, bamboo, wood, and paper. It’s all about the artful arrangement of those formative
elements and how those base materials can represent the equivalent parts of our psyche,” he says. “To this day that is pretty much how my work is built, it’s the relationship between basic elements and how they refer to archetypal qualities in nature and in ourselves. Pattern, color, shape, and material quality are related to how we feel about ourselves and how we respond to things, consciously and unconsciously.”
Over time, Siegel—who had his first solo show on Michigan Avenue at age 19—began to produce larger and larger works.
“This was back when we were still working solely with film, and I came to the realization that I didn’t have the equipment to execute the works as large as I wanted them,” he explains. “I felt the medium was fighting my conception. Having to develop the images in the darkroom deprived me of the kind of immediacy of process I was looking for. So, I made a very innocent decision and switched to painting. But it took more than 15 years for me to feel as comfortable with paint as I had with photography.”
In recent years, he created a 9/11 memorial in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Northwestern Specialists for Women clinic acquired 75 of his paintings and photographs, and his work was featured in HBO’s Succession. Additionally, he collaborated with noted chef and restaurateur Grant Achatz on a pop-up restaurant titled The Progression, which included 27 large-scale works. Roister
Restaurant, the chef’s latest outing, features a single large work of Siegel’s in its main dining room.
Today, color and scale are central to Siegel’s work. The pieces he is currently showing at Anne Loucks Gallery are the latest manifestations of his deep commitment to creating work that inhabits space as certainly as our own bodies and that functions as a portal to understanding beyond our immediate actuality. The large-scale works combine solid blocks of color, almost watercolor-like areas, with a white ground seeping through and contrasting gestural figurations that read somewhere between seagrass dancing in water and the swipes of Cy Twombly.
“Encountering color,” notes Siegel, “generates changes in the viewer, chemical changes in the blood that give you a certain feeling. And large canvases can be all-embracing, like a sunset. They become equivalents for our experience of nature.”
There’s something to be said for getting lost in a work of art. And these are works to wander in. We may not know where we are going or where the journey will take us. But as Robert Louis Stevenson knew, sometimes, “It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.”
Adam Siegel: Beneath the Surface will be available for viewing at Anne Loucks Gallery’s new space at 564 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka through July 31. For more information, visit loucksgallery.com.
Adam Siegel: Beneath the Surface exhibit is currently showing at Anne Loucks Gallery’s new space in Winnetka. “So, I decided to
THINK BIG From PG 1
BY THOMAS CONNORS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Panorama Series, 5’ X 8’ 2023, mixed media on canvas
Panorama Series, 12” X 18” 2024, preparatory study
WHAT YOU WISH FOR
This offbeat horror film offers a unique blend of psychological thrills, suspense, and creepy black comedy.
BY REX REED
BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME: 1 HOUR, 41 MINUTES
RATING: 3 stars
Among the plethora of horror films glutting the post-pandemic market, a strange, muted little item called What You Wish For has received scant attention, but it’s better than most.
The resourceful Texas-born actor Nick Stahl (In the Bedroom) plays Ryan, a Dallas chef who travels to a Latin American country to visit his old friend Jack (Brian Groh)—a fellow chef he hasn’t seen since they were roommates in culinary school 12 years ago. Ryan doesn’t know much about Jack other than the fact that he’s been fabulously successful working for a beautiful and mysterious employer named Imogene (Tamsin Topolski) who makes millions providing wealthy, eccentric clients with rare, elaborate meals in remote, secretive locations.
Ryan takes one look at Jack’s clothes, cars, and lifestyle acquired by nothing but cooking, and wants to be just like him. The first night passes pleasantly enough—competitive dinners of risotto with saffron and a beautiful girl to share the meal. Then a nasty, disruptive text message arrives for Ryan (“We know you’ve left the country.
You have three days or we’ll find you”).
The tense action begins. The next morning, Ryan finds his buddy hanging from a rope on the tropical lanai. Instead of rushing Jack to a doctor, or the cops, or the morgue, Ryan deposits his body in a swamp, and assumes his identity, and his gourmetdinner job. What follows is a combination of psychological thrills, suspense, and creepy black comedy guaranteed to ingratiate seekers of films that are grim, offbeat, and just a little bit different.
Alas, the plausibility plummets when Ryan goes to the bank pretending to be Jack and withdraws his entire fortune without a hitch or a raised eyebrow, claiming he’s been in an accident and can’t remember the online password to his account which is needed to verify his identity. If you’ve ever had as many problems with passwords as I have, you know there is no such thing as ordering a fake ID over the internet with the aid of a brief search on Google. To make matters denser than ever, the glamorous but deadly employer, Imogene, arrives and Ryan discovers Jack has been working for a corrupt agency that makes millions in profits
for setting up criminal dinners for rich, decadent guests, then killing off the servants so they can’t reveal the secret ingredients in the entrees. Much blood is spilled before the party ends, using kitchen weapons such as butcher knives and a chainsaw.
Logic does not consistently serve the bizarre plot in a meaningful way, but if you can overlook narrative lapses, it’s a film full of surprises—especially in the revelation of why Jack’s customers pay a fortune for their meals and what ingredients go into the menu.
Writer-director Nicholas Tomnay knows how to make maximum use of plot twists that keep an audience on its toes, and Nick Stahl is a skillful master of how to move the gore with exactly the right pace to exude charm in spite of his character’s ongoing toxicity. He gets what he wishes for and ends up with more than he bargained for.
On a double bill, this would be an intriguing companion piece to last year’s flinty, luxurious, and harrowing The Menu. Where else would you get not one—but two movies—about gastronomy, haute cuisine, and cannibalism.
ILLUSTRATION
DADDIO
What happens when a taxi driver and his last fare of the night are stuck in a New York City traffic jam? This dialogue-heavy film starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson pushes the limits of a two-character plot.
BY REX REED ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME:
1 HOUR, 41 MINUTES
RATING: 2 stars
Daddio is a dreary two-hander with the look, feel, and sound of one hand clapping. Conceived and word processed by first-time writer-director Christy Hall, it takes place in the form of a dialogue between two people in a taxi cab trapped in a traffic jam between JFK and midtown Manhattan.
The driver is a salty working-class bore named Clark (Sean Penn). The unnamed passenger he labels “Girlie” (a wonderful Dakota Johnson) is returning from an unhappy trip to her home town in Oklahoma. He begins as nothing more than a face she sees in the rearview mirror who breaks the icy silence with “You’re my last fare of the day.”
She makes the mistake of a friendly response. From there, the silly, pointlessly titled Daddio turns into a terminal talkathon.
While he rants about credit cards, smart phones, and a tsunami of assorted trivia, she indulges out of boredom and
curiosity. He babbles incessantly out of irritability, and she’s a lovely, sexy listener. He begins with a grumpy diatribe about taxi etiquette, then morphs tediously into a nosey invasion of privacy that turns into a monologue about everything from bodily functions to why she’s texting a married lover.
After a fatal highway accident turns the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway into a parking lot, she loosens up enough to join in with trivia of her own about her failures in life, love and sex, while he offers unsolicited advice culled from his numerous disastrous marriages. Some of the talk Ms. Hall has piled on to pad the running time sounds natural, if less than plausible, but there’s no thread that the conversation follows, and most of it is intimate without warrant.
Every woman I’ve ever known would start looking for an escape from a cabbie who turns as embarrassingly intimate as this one does—just as an impatient
audience is likely to do with a movie like Daddio. Any movie with only two characters in a confined space for close to two hours had better be pretty terrific to avoid sinking into the kind of incalculable claustrophobia that is alarmingly evident in Daddio. This one manages it occasionally, thanks to the two stars.
Dakota Johnson, a veteran of those Fifty Shades of Trash flicks, displays a vast supply of mood changes, and it’s nice for a change to see what she can do with her clothes on. Sean Penn’s cabbie is a creep, but as his obnoxious verbal diarrhea softens from gossipy intrusion to old-fashioned idealism, he displays a surprising amount of charm and the film finds something at last to say about how human connection through the art of conversation is slowly being lost. Otherwise, travel to Daddio at your own risk.
“A few words of sincerest appreciation for Carrie Tarzon. From the very outset, Carrie was terrific with her guiding us through the relocation from our Winnetka home and on to our new condo. She was especially helpful in preparing our home for the sale - so many steps along the way. We had great confidence in her and her advice throughout the process. Hardly last and certainly not least, she was and is so upbeat and pleasant, always with the smile on her face and so patient in dealing with all of our questions. She’s the very best, and we’ve been so fortunate to work with her.”
379 Ridge Ave, Winnetka
1815 Tanglewood #3D, Glenview*
1501 Tower Rd, Winnetka
1107 Lake Ave, Wilmette
770 Cherry St, Winnetka 1925 Willow Hill Ct #1, Northfield
380 Green Bay #3C, Winnetka*
771 Valley Rd, Glencoe*
1316 Maple Ave #B1, Evanston*
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Represented Buyer
2228 Greenwood Ave, Wilmette
2122 Greenwood Ave, Wilmette
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I recently added a biography of Julia Morgan to my nightstand, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect. My late father gave me a beautiful Julia Morgan book when I started design school and I’ve always been a fan of her style. The Fun of It by Amelia Earhart is another current read. Another favorite is Frances Elkins: Visionary American Designer it is pure eye candy. Living in a newly restored David Adler former horse stable makes me exceptionally curious about his designer sister.
#ON MY MOBILE
Besides the usual Wall Street Journal headlines, I have always loved Town & Country and Architectural Digest, because who wouldn’t want to see how they recreated the set for Truman Capote’s Swans?
#IN MY EARBUDS
After stumbling across it a few months ago, I’m recently really into the Inside Trader Joe’s Podcast. With a love of entertaining and bringing people together, it single-handedly elevates my charcuterie game. Songs on my Spotify playlists cover a lot of ground as I am often on road trips to our lake home. Favorites include Kinnship, Coldplay, and a little Ennio Morricone as a nod to my oboe skills. My son played bass on a few new singles recently released by the band Lady Igraine (also on Spotify). It’s indescribable hearing him play. And of course, my guilty pleasure, the Lake Forest Podcast is often playing in my earbuds.
On 007/27/24 (hint: that’s double oh seven, twenty-seven) Lake Forest’s JENNIFER MCGREGOR is chairing Citadel Theatre’s 10th annual gala—a James Bond-themed event titled “Casino Royale” to be held at Adrian and Nancy Smith’s David Adler estate. A lifelong design executive, McGregor has been instrumental in leading the event’s art direction and strategy for much of the last decade. The July 27 gala will feature exotic cars against the backdrop of the estate’s entrance, a formal gourmet dinner curated by Froggy’s, and a live auction filled with Bond-inspired experiences. After dinner, the grounds will be transformed into a glamorous casino with poolside fun where guests are known to jump off the high dive in their festive attire. Great music, lighting, fashion, a diamond raffle, fast cars … and possibly a helicopter … are part of the extravagant evening that supports the Citadel Theatre. McGregor took a pause from party planning and learning the ropes of her new position as Executive Director of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation to share how she stays on trend.
BOURBON + ALE CHEDDAR SPREAD with Rosemary Thins
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Picnic season is here! There is no more picturesque picnicking spot than Ravinia, and this cheese and cracker duo makes snacking under the stars that much tastier. A blend of sharp and smoked cheddar cheeses with ale and a splash of bourbon, our creamy spread has a rich flavor that deepens the day after you make it. Rosemary herbed cracker thins made with nutty whole wheat flour are the perfect portage for the cheddar spread. The dough is easy to handle, and you can alter the yield by changing the size of the crackers as you please. (Do roll it out until nearly transparent for a wonderfully crispy cracker.) Add some dippable veggies and charcuterie meats, a lantern to light your picnic, and let the music begin.
MAKES 4 CUPS CHEDDAR SPREAD; 5 DOZEN 1 1/2 X 5-INCH CRACKER THINS
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CRACKERS
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose white flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh rosemary leaves, stems discarded
FOR THE BOURBON + ALE CHEDDAR SPREAD
• 1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 14 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded, divided into two bowls
• 4 ounces smoked cheddar cheese, finely shredded, divided into two bowls
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened, divided in half
• 12-ounce bottle of your favorite ale, divided in half
• 2 tablespoons bourbon, divided in half
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
METHOD
MAKE CRACKER DOUGH
Line half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Combine cracker ingredients in a large, shallow bowl and stir until mass gathers into a ball. Knead for a few minutes until dough is smooth. Dough will be soft and very easy to work with. Form dough into a ball, leave at the center of the bowl, and cover with a kitchen towel to rest while you make the spread.
MAKE SPREAD
NOTE: The cheese recipe needs to be made in two parts as all of the cheese won’t fit in the processor at once. In a small skillet over medium-low heat, add the 2 teaspoons olive oil and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and caramelized. In a food processor, place half of the cream cheese, 1/2 of each grated cheddar cheese, and 1/2 of the cooked onion. Process until incorporated. With processor running, slowly add half of the ale and half of the bourbon. Stop and scrape down sides of the bowl. Process again. Add half of each of the spices and process again until smooth. Remove this 1/2 batch of the cheese spread into a
mixing bowl. Repeat the processing steps with the remaining cheese, ale, bourbon, and spices. Remove to the mixing bowl with the first batch of cheese spread and stir well. Place spread into two, 2-cup cheese crocks. Refrigerate.
BAKE CRACKERS
With oven rack in center position, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut dough ball into four portions. Shape each into a flat rectangle. Set aside three of these wrapped in plastic. On a smooth surface, roll remaining portion until very, very thin. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1 1/2 inch x 4-inch crackers. (You can alter the shape and size of the crackers to suit your fancy.) Lift and place each on parchment-lined half-sheet pan. Bake for 10 minutes, until browned at the edges. Remove from oven. Repeat with the remaining dough. Crackers will curl just slightly on the sides while baking, making them perfect for scooping the cheese.
TO SERVE
Serve cheese spread with rosemary cracker thins and your choice of raw veggies and cured meats.
PHOTOGRAPHY
MATERIAL PURSUITS
weekend’s
KITTY KATE
Supermodel Kate Moss’s love affair with her signature red Christian Louboutin footwear is legendary. And now, so is the story of how the “it girl” of the catwalk inspired the “it shoe” of the summer. Louboutin first paid tribute to his top model friend in 2012 when the eponymous Kate heel made its debut, only to be followed by its higher-heeled sister, the So Kate. In 2022, the Sporty Kate sling back pumps added a new chapter to the collection's history. “Kate is a sharp style, simple, and very complex at the same time. If the line is not very perfect, you don’t have any embellishment to hide it,” said Louboutin. “It sounded so much like Kate, simple yet very sophisticated. I felt this pump just had to be named after her, because it was soooooo Kate.” Crafted from nappa leather with iconic Louboutin initials, the Sporty Kate’s 55 mm kitten heel is the ultimate elegance. Available for $845 in black, blush, calypso, and bianco. us.christianlouboutin.com
WATCH THIS
Chicago area-based 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 oakandoscar.com
LOVE ALL
Surprise your favorite tennis enthusiast with The Rocket, the ultimate tennis racquet bag. With its sleek design and innovative features like The Rocket Pocket,™ the Smart Pocket System, and dedicated compartments for everything from your shoes to your smallest accessories, The Rocket transforms your pre-game prep and post-match unwind into a seamless, enjoyable experience. therocket.tennis
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DELLIN ALL IN
Recent New Trier graduate Charlotte Dellin looks back at a glorious soccer season that included her barrage of post-season goals and culminated in the Trevians’ seventh state championship in program history.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Winnetkan Charlotte Dellin devoured a book about all of the English monarchs last year.
It took the recent New Trier Township High School graduate, who was born in London, an entire season to finish it.
“That was my fall read,” Dellin says. “I’m a history buff and a big reader.”
And, as of June 1, a reigning figure herself, right here in the realm of Illinois.
On that day, Dellin became a state soccer champion when she and her New Trier teammates edged St. Charles North High School 5-4 in the penalty-kicks session— after a 3-3 tie through a combined 100 minutes of regulation and two overtimes—in the Class 3A girls’ soccer state title match at North Central College in Naperville.
The 5-foot-7 Dellin, a fantastic forward who’s fearless and dominant in the air, scored on a header off an Annie Paden corner kick in the 88th minute (first overtime) and converted the Trevians’ second PK, capping her remarkable postseason.
In seven playoff games, the future Fairfield University booter notched seven goals, including the tally in a 1-0 defeat of Lyons Township High School in a supersectional contest; both goals in a 2-0 win over Loyola Academy in a sectional semifinal; and a pair of goals in a 7-0 defeat of Niles North High School in a regional final.
“My parents (T.R. and Becky) think I thrive in pressure-packed moments,” says Dellin, who netted a team-high 17 goals for New Trier’s 25-2-4 squad in 2024 and earned All-Sectional honors after her fourth varsity season. “Maybe they’re right. I’m always willing to do the grunt work in any sport I play (she also played prep basketball), and I’ve always loved flying around soccer fields and basketball courts.
“I compete one way—with a hair-on-fire mentality.”
Dellin’s final New Trier soccer season got off to a chilly start by her standards, or, in
her words, “a rocky beginning.” Instead of hoping it would turn around magically, she arranged a midseason meeting with New Trier coach Jim Burnside, who had guided the girls’ soccer program to six state champion ships.
“I didn’t feel as confident as I should have as a player,” recalls Dellin, one of five captains for Burnside’s seventh state-title crew. “But I felt so much better after our talk. One of his messages to me was, ‘Play more simple soccer.’ Coach Burnside then encouraged me to be more of a target player for my teammates by look ing to distribute the ball and create chances
an amazing coach and human being. Burnside truly cares about his players and New Trier Girls’ Soccer, and he’s such a proponent of the team motto— ‘Serious Fun.’ I will always be grateful for him and his assistants and the opportunities to battle with all of the gifted, dedicated teammates in my seasons at New Trier.”
T.J. Dellin, a standout golfer, attended New Trier for his freshman year only, and his future wife, Becky Bruney, grew up in New Jersey before attending the University of North Carolina as a field hockey recruit.
Charlotte Dellin’s mother and aunt Lori played for one of UNC’s
I’m always willing to do the grunt work in any sport I play, and I’ve always loved flying around soccer fields and basketball courts. I compete one way—with a hair-on-fire mentality.
to score with my back to the goal. You know what I learned in his office that day? Never be afraid to have a tough conversation.”
A revitalized Dellin hit the soccer pitch in the Trevians’ next game, against York High School’s Dukes, and let her effort and talent do all of the conversing for her in a 2-0 victory on April 18. Burnside and Dellin shared more than a few high fives along the sideline.
“Hard high fives,” Dellin says. “He’s such
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
Jennifer Sturgeon ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Gaven Conatser ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Thomas Connors, Bill McLean
NCAA national championship field hockey teams.
“I was told my mindset as an athlete, along with my aggressive style of play, is similar to my aunt’s,” says Dellin, whose late grandfather, Fred Bruney, was a defensive back on Ohio State University football teams and played professionally for the 49ers, Steelers, and Rams. “My mom is my best friend, who doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. I love the way she carries herself
DESIGN
Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION
Monica Kass Rogers, Katrina Wittkamp PHOTOGRAPHY
and approaches life. You’re not going to find someone who has a more positive presence than my mom’s.”
Becky Dellin works in sales. Charlotte Dellin intends to major in Sports Management and minor in Business Law at Fairfield, with an eye toward becoming a professional sports agent.
“I want a career related to sports,” says Dellin, who will report for her first Division I college preseason practice in Connecticut on July 27, ahead of the Stags’ season opener against visiting College of the Holy Cross on August 15. “It would be rewarding to represent athletes who have big dreams in sports.”
The outgoing, fun-loving Dellin also reads dystopian books in her free time, enjoys architecture “because I like to look at pretty things,” and has played the ukulele since she was a sixth-grader. She’s a soccer camp coach this summer, providing invaluable tips to grade-school boys and girls four days per week in Northfield.
“Hanging out with friends is way up there on the list of things I like to do,” Dellin says. “I’ve always liked being around others, talking and laughing. But I’m an extroverted introvert; I cherish my time alone as much as I treasure time interacting with the wonderful people in my life. Nearly every day during the school year, I’d get up early for my morning walk around the neighborhood, no matter how cold it was.
“I was out that front door at 6 a.m. Dellin’s “Serious Fun” run with New Trier Girls’ Soccer ended on June 1. Pure elation about the win clashed with the sudden realization that she’d never get to poke a pass or soar for a corner kick as a Trevian again. Dellin wore her first-place state medal for 48 straight hours upon receiving it in Naperville. The shiny prize went quite well with her cap and gown on Graduation Day June 2.
“For two seasons, the seniors in our soccer program identified with something Winnie the Pooh said,” Dellin says. “He said, ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’”
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RUG CLEANING
