The North Shore Weekend, July 15th, 2023

THE YEAR OF THE FARM

“Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live”

- Robert Kennedy

INSIDE NEWS

Betsy Beierle and Ashlee Harrison "build" the local Carpenters Workshop Gallery pg8

When Lauren Berndt is not making an impact in the nonprofit world, these are a few of her favorite things p14

This weekend's wish list includes a BRABUS Superblack supercar, a cedar-barrel sauna, and luxury pickleball accessories pg15

847-452-7480 glo@atproperties.com // glorolighed.com

Outstanding charm, fabulous Presidential Streets location, and on-trend updates make this beautiful home easy to move right into. Updated white kitchen with new gorgeous Crate & Barrel island combined with generous dining area. Handsome living room with fireplace and French doors opens to new blue stone patio. Sunlit family room (or additional office) with arched windows offers an abundance of light. Primary suite with deluxe dressing area and private bath with heated floors. Three additional bedrooms, one being used as a primary suite sitting room/office (would also be a great nursery), and one featuring a fun loft space. Updated hall bath. Finished basement features recreation room, laundry room, updated full bath w/steam shower, mud room and lots of storage. Separate coach house over 2-car garage with space for office, studio or gym is heated (no water). Graciously oversized 70 x 182 lot with lovely landscaped yard on a desirable Presidential street just blocks to town, train, school, and park.

8 if you build it, they will come

Betsy Beierle and Ashlee Harrison take the lead on Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Chicago

10 making an impact

Rotary Club of Wilmette collects food for the homeless and expands its mission

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

12 maggie moore(s)

A Coen brothers film starring Tina Fey gets a meager 2-star review

13 prisoner's daughter

Actor Brian Cox is the only thing that redeems this maudlin soap opera of a movie

14 #hashtag

Lauren Berndt shares her passion for philanthropy, especially her work at Keshet, in this weekend's column

16 north shore foodie

These British Picnic Ham Pies are the perfect thing to pack for a warm summer's day out

17

material pursuits

From a BRABUS 900 XLP Superblack "go anywhere pickup" to swoon worthy cedar saunas and pickleball baubles, you're going to want everything on this list

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

18 sunday breakfast

Adelaide Yoo plans to make the grade in her transition from English teacher to middle and upper school principal at Christian Heritage Academy in Northfield

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

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Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Michelle Crowe, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg

FASHION EDITOR

Theresa DeMaria

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bill McLean, Monica Kass Rogers, Ann Marie Scheidler, Laura Layfer Treitman

DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

Monica Kass Rogers

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt

ILLUSTRATION

Cheyanne Lencioni ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Kirbey Rogic knows well that while good things take time, sometimes you need to act fast.

In the fall of 2019, only months before the pandemic, Rogic learned that the Bahr Greenhouse, the oldest business in Highland Park and the second oldest in the state of Illinois—had come on the market. The Bahr Greenhouse had been single-family owned since the late 1800s. One of only a few glass greenhouses left in the state, the original structures and glass panes were brought in on freight trains and hand-assembled right on the property where they stand today.

“Living in Highland Park, we knew all about the Bahr Greenhouse,” Rogic says, with her characteristic contagious energy. “We weren’t the only family interested in buying it, so we had to decide quickly that this was something we were going to do. I

come in and help us because she knows this greenhouse better than anyone,” Rogic adds. It likely came as no surprise to anyone who knows Rogic well that she took on the greenhouses. Having completed a traditional college degree in marketing and advertising, it was Rogic’s work with a florist in Evanston that planted the seeds of her future career.

Farming and growing are not for the faint of heart. I’m always learning.”

Today, Rogic has more than 14,000 annuals and hearty perennials that come into full abundant bloom in summer months.

had a clear vision for this property from the moment we made it ours.”

The property contained three glass greenhouses, a few storage structures, a house on site, and generations of treasures and memories.

“The Bahrs handed over the keys and left us everything you see here,” Rogic explains, pointing to old steel work tables on wheels, flip desks built into the walls filled with old ledgers, and the iconic “Bahr” branding sign. The three glasshouses were in great disrepair so “it took a while to get this place operational but I’ve grown to appreciate that everything that’s happening is happening because we’re doing it,” reflects Rogic.

Rogic’s parents’ involvement was key to revitalizing the business. Her father grew up in Montana in a family filled with cattle drivers and farmers. “His wisdom and knowledge have brought so much to this

business,” Rogic observes. “We have a bit of a compound here. The timing worked in such a way that my parents moved into the house on the property. My dad helps me with the greenhouses, and my mom helps me with my kids. I literally couldn’t do it without them, or my husband, Mario, who is so supportive.”

Just six months into ownership, the pandemic forced the world and Rogic’s new business, The Flower House and Farm, to shut down.

“As scary as that time was, I’m grateful we had that year to see what was growing here,” Rogic says. “I’m not sure if times had been normal and we were busy that we would have had the chance to do that.”

Among the gems she discovered were tropical trees, fruit trees, and 40-year-old jade trees. “We’re so lucky to have one of the Bahr’s long-time employees, Robin,

“I literally bothered this flower shop owner until she hired me,” she says with a laugh. “I had no experience or any formal floral training, but it was always something I wanted to do. This woman taught me all of the basics of flowers and what it was like to have a small business.”

From here, Rogic spent the next decade working mostly from her home floral studio, making arrangements and collaborating with event designers while mothering three little girls, Luci, Olivia, and Scarlet. She even carved a little farm into the corner of her yard to grow flowers she could use.

“I’m so inspired by the European floral styles where they find creativity from their gardens, what they’re growing, and the countryside. The Europeans like their florals low and lush, kind of wild, and avantgarde. I seem to resonate with that. As I’ve progressed in this industry, I’m even more drawn to this approach, probably because it’s more sustainable, as much as I can be sustainable living in Chicago,” she says. “I’ve definitely become more aware of where things grow and how they’re processed.

The Flower House and Farm has grown exponentially since the craziness of COVID-19 lifted. While Rogic is confident her flowers will enhance any event, she specializes in intimate weddings and gatherings where she can put her creative spin on things and be part of the overall process. Despite all the success on the event side, Rogic has determined that 2023 will be the year to focus on the farm aspect of her business.

“I announced to my team that this year— 2023—is the year of the farm,” she says. “We have this farm that we want to make special and successful unto itself. I’m a firm believer that you can’t do everything well. You can do it all OK. You can do it all and survive. But this year, while we will always take on events because I love them, we’re more intentional about the ones we do. They have to fill us up and challenge us creatively if they’re going to take us away from the farm because I really want to make our farm shine. I promised my husband that I would have this farm up and really running within five years, so that’s why I’ve declared that this is the year of the farm. This is the year.”

To learn more about The Flower House and Farm, visit itstheflowerhouse.com.

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IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

BY LAURA LAYFER TREITMAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

L ondon, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now Chicago comprise the growing roster of the famed Carpenters Workshop Gallery (CWG)’s global presence. Founded in 2006 by two childhood friends, Loïc Le Godard and Julien Lombrail, the firm was aptly named for the space it first inhabited in London's Chelsea neighborhood. Realizing collectors had a similar passion for obtaining a one-of-akind chair as they would a one-of-a-kind painting, the two men sought that sweet spot of where form and function become a work of art. Their success at blending practicality with provenance has created an international community of coveted artists and avid collectors.

The recent introduction of Betsy Beierle to lead CWG’s Midwest initiative as Senior Sales Associate, along with Ashlee Harrison, as CWG’s Director of the Americas, brings a host of possibilities for fresh ideas and local ventures. With a team of approximately 120 worldwide at CWG, the duo is eager to make tracks in uncharted territory.

“People in Chicago like to see an investment here to know that we are really committed,” says Beierle, referencing CWG’s debut this past April at EXPO Chicago.

“We used our booth and involvement as an opportunity to present some of our greatest hits.” Those included bronze works by the late Virgil Abloh, a Rockford high school classmate of Beierle. Abloh’s Venice series’ gold-tone metal seating seems to sink into the ground evoking a message to not sit idly by as rising sea levels threaten the environment. “It was really a full circle moment for me because back in 2015, I suggested the inclusion of Abloh’s work to EXPO Director and President Tony Karman, so to have that highlighted again here and this time at

Ashlee Harrison and Betsy Beierle at EXPO Chicago.

Photograph by Katrina Wittkamp

Betsy Beierle and Ashlee Harrison create a Chicago presence for Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

the main entrance in a solo presentation was gratifying and moving,” says Beierle. Also occupying center stage at EXPO Chicago were works by the well-known artist Ingrid Donat, CWG’s proprietor Lombrail’s mother and the original inspiration behind his drive to work with artists. These bronze sculptures featuring intricate shapes and motifs also function as furniture such as tables and case pieces intended for actual use. Abloh and Donat serve as just two examples of the personal links between creators, curators, and connoisseurs that sets CWG apart from other dealers and galleries.

While Harrison began her career in fashion, her professional path soon led to positions as Marketing Director for the Decoration & Design Building in New York and Design Center of the Americas prior to becoming Director of External Relations for Design Miami. “My grandfather was an architect in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where I was raised. In this area, there was a heightened awareness of mid-century furniture design because the great designers George Nakashima and Paul Evans had workshops and studios there. So, you might say that design was innate in my upbringing,” she observes. Harrison’s first encounter with CWG at Design Miami was serendipitous because at the time she was starting a consulting business to address a lack of exposure for European galleries in the United

States. The now prominent stand-alone locations in Los Angeles and New York are evidence of her successful efforts to build and widen CWG’s national reach.

man Gallery Ltd. This background afforded her a familiarity with area institutions, organizations, and artists; a familiarity that plays an important role in a bold agenda

Beierle’s stints at Pace Gallery in their London and New York outposts and experience as Director of Fairs proved to be the perfect foundation for her current role. When Beierle returned home to the Chicago region, she worked with Carrie Secrist Gallery and then Rhona Hoff-

for CWG. The swift progression of this directive is further illustrated by CWG’s representation at the 2023 Lake Forest Showhouse’s living room through participating interior design firm, Vincere Ltd. CWG’s representation of Steven Haulenbeek is another example of the gallery’s commitment to area artists. The Chicagobased Haulenbeek is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an industrial designer who previously worked as a furniture designer for Holly

Hunt. Haulenbeek’s studio is where he creates what is called “Ice-Cast Bronze,” an homage to the city’s cold climate. There are small and large tables, mirrors, and screens of myriad textures and tones. Adorning a wall, the pieces are transformed into fine art; placed in a room, the pieces are durable and useful. Like temperatures and seasons, there is movement and change depending on how an individual needs or wants to interact with a work. “It’s all about the dialogue at CWG,” comments Beierle, “for people in the know and for people who want to know more. If you are coming to us, then you are obviously looking for something special.”

For more information, visit carpentersworkshopgallery.com.

Julien Lombrail, Loïc Le Godard.

Photograph by Tom Jamieson courtesy of Ladbroke Hall and Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

Virgil Abloh Alaska Alaska Acqua Alta benches, floor lamp, chairs, 2019, part of the Dysfunctional exhibition at the Ca’ d’Oro in Venic.e

Studio Drift Fragile Future Venice Mantegna, 2019, part of the Dysfunctional exhibition at the Ca’ d’Oro in Venice. In the background Andrea Mantegna’s Saint Sebastian.

Ingrid Donat Commode Skarabée, 2017, Carpenters Gallery Workshop.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Rotary Club of Wilmette leads an endeavor to deliver food to those in need.

The Rotary Club of Wilmette, recognized as one of the largest Rotary clubs in the area, has strengthened its impact on the community following its recent merger with the Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor.

Continuing an organized monthly meal program that began in 2021, this compas sionate initiative addresses the growing need within the community.

Every month, club members, along with their families and friends, gather at St. Joseph's Church in Wilmette to assemble and deliver 120 to 150 bagged lunches, providing over 4,500 meals to the homeless. These nutritious meals include a sandwich, fruit, condiments, chips, dessert, napkin, and water. The Rotary Club welcomes the public to join their wellorganized and impactful effort. "This project started in 2021 as a

response to the challenges presented by the pandemic. We are honored to provide support and make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing homelessness," says Mariana Altar, current president of the Rotary Club of Wilmette.

John Held, a past president of the Rotary Club, shared, "My wife and I find great fulfillment in participating each month. It is a rewarding and well-coordinated activity where everyone contributes to the final product."

Through their dedication and commitment, the Rotary Club of Wilmette remains steadfast in their mission to alleviate hunger and uplift the spirits of the homeless community.

For more information about the impactful initiatives of the Rotary Club of Wilmette, visit wilmetterotary.org.

Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Wilmette take a moment to unwind after dedicating their time to prepare monthly lunches.

MAGGIE MOORE(S)

A Coen Brothers flick starring Tina Fey and Jon Hamm is a “thriller without thrills.”

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 39 min

RATING: 2 stars

BY REX REED THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

This is a lame and witless attempt to emulate the kind of rural crime drama made famous by the Coen Brothers. It fails completely.

Jon Hamm, still trying without much success to establish the same meaningful career on the big screen he enjoyed in the TV series Mad Men , plays a rumpled police chief in a small, nondescript, unidentified town investigating the murders of two women, both named Maggie Moore, and ends up having a romance with the major murder suspect in the case, played by Tina Fey.

Alas, thanks to the second-rate screenplay by Paul Bernbaum and the clumsy direction by John Slattery, what could basically have been a zany dark comedy-drama plummets to a mind-numbing blank page.

Hamm and Fey are both simultaneously charismatic and wasted. He looks great and she knocks herself out trying vainly to inject into the sour script a soupcon of the kind of skillful comedic style for which she’s best known.

Neither of them succeeds in being anything more than tonally uneven. Hamm tries to humanize his character by making him a lonely, brokenhearted loser desperate for affection, but there’s no logic in anything he does.

Why would a professional police chief, even in a backwoods bump in the road, flirt with a murder suspect, then accept a dinner invitation from his chief suspect, and go to her house and risk being murdered himself?

Worse still, he doesn’t have a clue what to ask, because the movie never allows us (or him) to know either of the two Maggie Moores before they die.

Despite director Slattery’s laudable career as an actor, he hardly knows where to aim the camera. Jokes fall like stones with a deadly thud.

The murder mystery gets duller as it unfolds, and there is no excitement or suspense anywhere. It’s a thriller without thrills, in a brief detour on its way to cable TV.

Illustration by Tom Bachtell

Famed film critic Rex Reed weighs in on Maggie Moore(s) and Prisoner’s Daughter.

PRISONER’S DAUGHTER

This maudlin soap opera of a film about redemption is disappointing, despite the great work of a veteran actor.

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 40 min

RATING: 2 stars

BY REX REED THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

husband—a shiftless, unemployed musician and violent drug addict who competes for Ezra’s attention himself. Everything, as Thelma Ritter said about Eve Harrington in All About Eve, but the bloodhounds snapping at her rear end.

He makes every moment he’s on the screen throb with understated honesty, but the film doesn’t boast much of anything else worth remembering. He plays Max, a former boxer who, after serving 12 years in prison, is diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and compassionately released, on the condition that he spend what little time he has left under house arrest in the custody of his estranged daughter Maxine (a wasted Kate Beckinsale).

Still nursing psychological wounds from a tortured childhood, Maxine has no love for the father she can’t forgive and doesn’t want him around her 12-year-old son Ezra, but she grudgingly accepts the deal in return for rent and expenses because she’s working multiple jobs to cover the mortgage on her home in Las Vegas and pay for expensive medications for Ezra, who has epilepsy.

The movie is about the various ways Max seeks redemption struggling to rebuild the damaged relationship with his daughter, make amends for the wasted years, and lay the groundwork for his grandson’s future. That’s not all. Maxine also endures constant intrusions from her ex-

Surprisingly, the overstuffed yet bland screenplay by Mark Bacci offers no wit or nuance to relieve the tedium but stocks the melodrama with cliches from other movies and easy solutions to the dilemma as Max bonds with Ezra by teaching him to defend himself against the school bullies who keep send the kid home with black eyes. Nobody exhibits much maturity. Max doesn’t have the courage or character to admit his criminal past or explain why he was incarcerated in the first place.

As troubled as she is by everything that’s going on, Maxine doesn’t offer much of an argument when Max engages another ex-con to give Ezra boxing lessons. Each character is forced to contend with the clouds that darken their past in order to make something positive of their future, but we know Max’s terminal prognosis will not guarantee much of a happy ending. The result is eventually unbearably depressing

It’s a heavy slog, but the strength and force that makes Prisoner’s Daughter watchable lies in the focused artistry of Brian Cox, who infuses his role with a visceral understanding of what it means to stare mortality in the face and come out swinging.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, whose debut film Seventeen showed great promise, a maudlin soap opera called Prisoner’s Daughter is a disappointment, despite a strong performance by the extraordinarily gifted veteran actor Brian Cox.

#HASHTAG

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

“I am currently knee-deep in the Dog Man series. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Dog Man, you're seriously missing out on some side-splitting, heartwarming, and action-packed adventures. Imagine a half-dog, half-human police officer, fighting crime and saving the day with his unique set of skills. From battling sneaky villains to making new furry friends, Dog Man's escapades will have you howling with laughter and feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Trust me, there's no better way to end a chaotic day than snuggling up with your little ones and reading this series. Don't miss out on the Dog Man fun!”

#ON MY MOBILE

“I am absolutely passionate about my career in philanthropy, and I believe that continuous learning is the key to success. That's why I am always seeking out insights from the top experts in the field, and I'm a total geek for publications like Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly, Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Respect Ability, and The Keshet Blog In this industry, we have the power to forge truly transformative relationships and connect donors with the causes they care about most deeply. It's a huge responsibility, and one that I take very seriously, which is why I'm always striving to expand my knowledge and expertise.”

#IN MY EARBUDS

“All ‘80s all the time! Madonna, Prince, Queen, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael ... the list goes on! The ‘80s were a time of pure musical magic, and if you're not on board, well then, you're missing out on a totally tubular experience. So, let's crank up the volume and dance like it's 1985! And while you're at it, head over to keshet.org to learn more about the upcoming concert featuring the awesome Sixteen Candles.”

LAUREN BERNDT is a dynamic and approachable leader with a passion for making a real impact in the nonprofit world and her community. Throughout her career in philanthropy, Berndt has helped organizations across the country raise millions of dollars through her innovative fundraising strategies and strong relationship-building skills. But that's not all—Lauren is also a fierce advocate for creating a more just and inclusive world and is always ready to mentor and inspire those around her. When it comes to her work at Keshet, Berndt is in her element. It's the perfect place for her to combine her passions for community building, innovation, and enhancing the quality of life for people of all abilities. She's like a ninja warrior of inclusion, spreading joy and positivity everywhere she goes! But Berndt's not all work and no play—when she's not out there changing the world, she's busy being a mom to two awesome kids (ages 6 and 9) and two goofy dogs (big and bigger), wife, daughter, sister, friend, and outdoor enthusiast. She's always up for a good adventure, especially if it involves the great outdoors and her amazing family and friends.

S a v e u p t o $ 1 2 0 0

BRITISH PICNIC HAM PIES

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Sunny July Saturdays just beg for excursions. Whether hiking, biking, or boating through the woodlands, it’s the right time for a good long wander followed by a celebratory picnic! These British-style picnic pies put me in mind of a storied Wind in the Willows repast with loyal Mole, adventurous Ratty, and the intractable Toad. Both elegant and transportable, these pies are the perfect fare to tuck in your hamper. Filled with minced ham, veal, (or pork tenderloin), sage, and parsley, they are both sturdy and filling. Add some zingy whole grain mustard, pickles, and a sharp aged cheddar, plus a basket of fruit, and you’re all set. The pies do take some time to make, but keep well, so I prepare them ahead of time. You can space things out to fit your schedule, preparing the filling and stock for the jellied aspic one day, and then baking them the next.

If you’re not familiar with a traditional hot water crust with its early medieval roots, know that it’s easier to make (and more forgiving) than a pie crust. But while sixth-century hot water crusts were made with lard and were intended to be discarded in favor of the tender meat inside, my crusts are made with butter and bacon fat, and while sturdy, are deliciously edible. This recipe makes six individual 3 ½-inch pies. (Or, you can make three of the little pies and one small rectangular loaf as I have done in the photo.)

As each pie bakes, the meat pulls away a bit from the sides of the crust, leaving a little air pocket. To seal this, you’ll pour the hot stock you’ve made into the vent hole at the top. As the stock chills, it will firm up into a sparkling jellied aspic that adds flavor and helps the pie keep longer.

Makes 6, 3 1/2-inch 8-ounce pies

INGREDIENTS

For the jellied stock:

• 2 pounds meaty uncured pork bones or one large ham bone

• 1 large onion

• 1 large carrot

• 2 bay leaves

• 5 peppercorns

• 8 cups water (or enough to cover the bones and vegetables)

• Salt to taste

• 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin powder (8 grams)

For the hot water pastry crust:

• 4 1/2 cups flour, sifted

• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoons white rendered bacon fat, chilled to solidity

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 6 ounces milk

• 4 1/2 ounces water

• 3 large egg yolks to brush on the pastry

For the filling:

• 3 cups diced baked ham

• 2 cups minced veal or pork tenderloin

• 3 or 4 slices uncured bacon, minced to make 1 cup

• Fresh parsley leaves, minced to make 1/2 cup

• Fresh sage leaves, minced to make 2 tablespoons

• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper

METHOD

MAKE THE JELLIED STOCK: Place all ingredients in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium heat. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to a simmer. Skim off and discard any foam. Partially cover pot and simmer for five hours. Remove from heat and strain stock through a colander into a fresh pot, discarding solids from the colander. Cool stock. Once solid, skim off and discard any fat that has collected on the surface. Heat stock again; once it begins to warm, stir in powdered gelatin and heat until melted. Season finished stock with salt to taste. Refrigerate until you are ready to make the filling and crust.

MAKE THE FILLING: On a clean work surface using a very sharp knife, mince ham, veal (or pork tenderloin), and uncured bacon. In a large bowl, using your hands, thoroughly knead and mix meat with herbs and pepper. Cover lightly with a clean kitchen towel and let rest while you make the crust.

MAKE THE HOT WATER CRUST: In a large cooking pot over medium-low heat, add butter, solid rendered bacon fat, milk, and water. Heat gently until the fat has melted, without allowing the mixture to boil. Place sifted flour mixed with salt in a large bowl and create a well in the middle. Using a wooden spoon, stir the warm liquid into the flour until the mass comes together into a soft dough ball, then knead slightly. Cut dough in half and roll half of the dough out to about ⅛ to ¼-inch thickness. Coat the insides of six, 8-ounce straightsided baking crocks with vegetable shortening. Cut parchment paper strips and circles and press into the sides and bottoms of the ramekins. Cut 3 circles of the dough about two inches larger than the ramekins; ease and fit dough into the first three ramekins, pressing firmly to mold the dough to the sides of each one, leaving no air pockets. Leave about ½ inch of dough sticking up above the edges. Repeat with the second half of the dough, cut and press into remaining three ramekins. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

FILL AND BAKE PIES: Fill each pastry-lined crock with the meat mixture. Press together and then roll out remaining dough. Cut pastry “lids” for each crock, making each circle about 1 inch larger than the circumference of the crock. Cut a ½ inch circle in the center of the top of each pastry. Place each pastry lid over each crock. Tuck and fold the edge of each pastry lid

MATERIAL PURSUITS

READY FOR TAKEOFF

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over the bottom pastry extensions, pinching and tucking to seal. Decoratively flute the edge of each pastry, pressing with thumb and forefingers. Cut six, 6 x 2-inch strips of aluminum foil. Wrap strips around your forefinger to create little metal tubes. Poke each tube into the hole in the top of each pastry to create a vent. Place filled crocks on a baking sheet. Beat egg yolks and coat the top of each pie crust with egg yolk. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 45 to 50 minutes until liquid is bubbling through the vents and crusts are a very deep golden brown. Remove from oven. Cool.

ADD JELLIED STOCK: When pies are cooled, the meat filling will have pulled away from the inside of the crusts. To fill this gap, slightly warm 1 cup of the reserved jellied stock, just until it is pourable. Pour a small amount of stock into each pie through the metal vent. Remove and discard vents. Refrigerate pies for several hours to solidify the jellied stock. Tip pies out of the crocks; peel off and discard the parchment paper. Serve pies cold, or at room temperature. Or, place a pie on a plate and warm slightly (the jellied stock will spill out when you cut warmed pies.).

ROLL OUT THE BARREL

If you’ve yet to explore the health benefits (and bliss) of a sauna session, British Columbia-based Nootka Saunas is ready to help change your life. Beyond the hypnotic cedar aroma, tranquil exhales, and calming sensations you feel while in a sauna, research has shown that it can improve your sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, and increase immunity. A decadent steam can also improve circulation (better blood flow through the body means fewer aches and pains), flush toxins, and aid in fighting off illnesses and viruses (eucalyptus and other essential oils are ideal for reducing congestion). Crafted in the Pacific Northwest, Nootka’s cedar barrel saunas are fabulous addition to your backyard oasis. The cylindrical shape of a barrel sauna makes for a great convection and is proven to hold up even in harsh climates. Base price without accessories is $7,250. Visit nootkasaunas.com.

PRETTY IN PICKLEBALL

What do Emma Watson, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio have in common? These A-list celebrities all love pickleball, the hottest sport du jour. If you count yourself among them, you’ll want to know about Mark and Graham, a luxury purveyor of accessories and match day gear. The best part is, many of them can be personalized (who doesn’t love a good monogram?) From racket covers to pickleball bags to totes and duffel bags, you’ll be hitting the court in style. Pickleball accessories like Mark and Graham’s travel jewelry cases and leather tassel zipper pouches (available in fun hues of yellow, pink, orange, and green) are convenient to have on hand on match day and every day. Visit markandgraham.com to peruse the entire collection.

This weekend’s curated luxury trends

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Former Christian Heritage Academy English Department Chair Adelaide Yoo embraces the outset of her journey to lead the Northfield school’s new middle and upper school.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

The path to Adelaide Yoo applying for the middle and upper school principal post at Christian Heritage Academy in Northfield began with a jog, but she wasn’t running at the time.

CHA history teacher Dr. David Noell was exercising when he envisioned Yoo—then the English Department chair at CHA and a teacher at the academy since 2009—thriving in the administrative role.

“He approached me after his run one day and asked, ‘Have you ever thought of being a principal?’” recalls Yoo, who also runs regularly, logging 2.5 miles three times a week. “I hadn’t. It had never been in my sights. Teaching was my love. But I thought about it, journaled about it, and prayed about it.”

The Wheeling resident and mother of four then embarked on a tour of conversations— sans sneakers—with VIPs in her life, beginning with her husband and No. 1 supporter, Michael Yoo. Adelaide Yoo, 44, later talked about the position with CHA Lower School Principal Joan Okamoto before arranging a meeting with Christian Heritage Academy Head of School Joseph Torgerson.

“Joe and I had an important meeting,” says Yoo, whose children—Micah, Charity, Liberty, and Felicity—are CHA students. “He shared with me what he thinks my strengths are, as well as my weaknesses in a gracious way. He also let me know it would be a hard job but one that I could handle well.

“I decided to apply for the position and ended up doing so while I was vacationing in Palm Springs, California.”

The Board of Directors at Christian Heritage Academy, a private, independent Christian school for students in preschool through twelfth grade, announced the appointment of Yoo as the academy’s middle and upper school principal on May 2. Founded in 1984 with a commitment to partner with parents, CHA offers an exemplary education that incorporates biblical values and a Christian worldview throughout all areas of learning in an atmosphere designed to nurture each child’s individual gifts and spiritual development.

Christian Heritage Academy serves more than 440 students. In its most recent state rankings, niche.com rated CHA No. 1 among Christian high schools, No. 8 among college

prep private high schools, and No. 9 among private K-12 schools.

The first leg of Yoo’s journey—her transition from colleague of teachers to boss of those same teachers, specifically—began on

advocate for our teachers while being an empathic and firm leader. To my students in the classroom, my favorite saying was, ‘I’m always for you, never against you.’ That won’t change in my tenure as principal to my teachers.”

didn’t exactly invigorate her. Mom and Dad Kim (now missionaries in Russia) would get to enjoy their daughter’s happiness instead of a new vehicle. Yoo studied English and Secondary Education and earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois.

Yoo taught and designed curricula at several Illinois schools, including downstate Rantoul High School, and later served as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. She also taught West Africans in the Republic of Senegal. In 2009, the year she married Glenbrook South High School graduate and University of Illinois alumnus Michael Yoo, she became a member of Christian Heritage Academy’s inaugural upper school faculty as a 10th and 11th grade English teacher.

CHA’s Living Curriculum Teachers understand that relationships are a key to good education and that students thrive when treated with dignity within an orderly and respectful environment, per CHA’s website (christianheritage.org).

“Church was a constant for me at a young age, and it still is for me as an adult and as an administrator here at Christian Heritage, a place of excellence where I’ve witnessed God’s awesome faithfulness and goodness,” says Yoo, whose family attended Korean Central United Methodist Church in Glenview. “My youth group friends mostly attended Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North high schools. I found true community at church, from Sunday school to mass to youth group gatherings.

“I remember going to church on Sunday mornings and often staying there all day.” Scripture, particularly three verses in Matthew 11, will continue to comfort Yoo during her new career chapter at CHA.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” verse 28 states. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

“That’s a passage that has given me strength in all areas of my life,” Yoo says. “When I read it, I’m reminded that I’m not alone.”

Christian Heritage Academy is located at 315 Waukegan Road in Northfield. For more information, call 847-446-5252 or visit christianheritage.org.

I love this place and I’m grateful to be entrusted with an administrative leadership role. Students can’t wait to enter our doors each morning. Walking our hallways has always excited me, because I have such respect for my colleagues.

Adelaide Yoo

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