Find out what's happening in your town with our weekly events listing pg6
Citadel Theatre Artistic Director Scott Phelps is excited about the 2024-25 season lineup pg10
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with our roasted beets and pomegranate recipe, featuring a honey drizzle pg14
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6 north shore doings
Your go-to guide for all the latest local events this month
10 #hashtag
Meet Scott Phelps, Artistic Director of Citadel Theatre, and hear more about the upcoming season
12 eyes & ears
Phil Andrew and the PAX Group train businesses and organizations to put security first
14 north shore foodie
Our Rosh Hashanah recipe features roasted beets, pomegranate, and honey for good luck in the new year
15 across the river and into the trees
This "disappointing" film based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway gets a 1-star review
16 penny for your thoughts
We sit down with Jessie Randall and Brian Murphy, founders of lifestyle brand Loeffler Randall
18 sunday breakfast
Short and sweet and impactful—Winnetka's Maggie Meiners has directed a seven-minute film that spotlights empowerment and body image
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BY MONICA KASS
Brightly hued “Now Open” banners flutter along the lot at John Plunkett Interior’s sprawling new showroom and design center on Green Bay Road in Winnetka, heralding the newest chapter in the longstanding family businesses.
Announcing Grand Opening celebrations October 4 to 6, co-principals John R. and Valerie Plunkett are thrilled to welcome guests to tour the space while enjoying promotions, interactive live demonstrations, special guest appearances, and the chance to win raffle prizes valued at up to $1,000.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of our North Shore neighbors and Chicagoland clients, we at John Plunkett Interiors (JPI) are blessed to continue the mission my grandparents started more than 90 years ago,” says John.
Outgrowing their former location in Wilmette’s Plaza del Lago, the Plunketts took on the two-year task of completely transforming the former Land Rover/Maserati showroom and garage in Winnetka. The spectacular result—complete with 1947-built bowtruss vaulted ceilings—more than doubles showroom space, a glittering array of curated vignettes featuring fine furniture, custom window coverings, bedding ensembles, artwork, and decorative accessories.
There are also sections dedicated to reupholstery services, lighting, and floor coverings, as well as areas for interior design consultations. “Even remodeling and architectural services large or small,” adds John. Discussing their business’s newest iteration, the Plunketts say insights gained over the past decade about client style preferences, decorating challenges, and needs were a guidepost.
“Many of our clients and guests are busy professionals with families. They appreciate the concierge-level service we love giving them,” says Valerie. “They have extremely good taste, and our vision with our new showroom and design center was to create an inspiring, boutique, onestop destination offering all the elements of the well-dressed home.”
The Plunketts’ story is a generational saga of determination and growth in the face of great challenge. It all started with John’s grandfather, Hugh Plunkett Sr., who immigrated to Chicago from County
in the traditional ways of the ‘50s and ‘60s to embracing a revolutionary new showroom approach from the ‘70s on—staging pieces in beautiful vignettes to help people visualize how our merchandise could look in their own homes.”
But it was not to be all smooth sailing. The recession of 2008 and 2009 forced the Plunketts to close all of their stores, an almost catastrophic loss. Despite the debacle, interior designers John and Valerie didn’t despair, but resolutely put their heads together to find new opportunity in the furniture and design industry.
Cavan, Ireland in his youth. Needing to work while studying law at Loyola University, Hugh had to choose between two job offers: One with the Chicago Tribune, or the other, working as a stock boy for furniture and carpet distributor O.W. Richardson. His decision to go with the furniture firm proved fortuitous. Hugh quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a skilled salesman. When the Great Depression hit and O.W. Richardson had to fold, Hugh—seeing opportunity in the midst of disaster—teamed with two colleagues to purchase the store’s inventory. Within two years, he'd bought out his partners and opened Plunkett Furniture’s first store on South Wabash Avenue.
In the decades that followed, Hugh, his wife Rose, and their sons built the business into a well-respected fine furniture chain with stores throughout the Chicago area and St. Louis. But, says John, “It was my father, John T., who had the transformative vision that moved us from selling furniture
For a time, they worked out of their home, reaching out to and thanking long-time satisfied clientele, making countless house calls, and offering personized consultation services throughout the Chicago area. As business picked up, Valerie proposed opening a new studio with their current business model in place, which led to the official launch of John Plunkett Interiors location in Wilmette.
“We know that home furnishings are a big-ticket purchase, and it’s so easy for people to make a mistake they will regret for years,” says Valerie, “Especially if the purchase was made too quickly. For this reason, along with helping clients create rooms they’ll love, we try to give them well-informed guidance.”
The blend of personalized interior design services with fine furnishings sales perfectly fits the Plunketts’ skill set. Valerie degreed in Interior Design at Butler University and John accompanied his lifelong immersion in the converging worlds of interior design, architecture, and building with a business degree. Together they mentor JPI’s team of design professionals offering a wide array of
interior design, new construction, remodeling, and reupholstery services.
“Normally, fine furniture manufacturers would not sell all of the lines they sell to us as a boutique business,” says John, “But due to our legacy and decades-long relationships with these manufacturers, we are proud to offer customers more than 200 luxury brands at competitive, good/better/best prices.”
“Once clients share their vision and needs with us,” he continues, “we offer them well-curated options. This saves them time and money. In short, the values and mission my grandparents and parents started with is still our mission today—to help guests create fashionable, comfortable homes that reflect their good taste and that they enjoy sharing with others.”
For more information, visit johnplunkettinteriors.com.
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 28
RUSH FALL BENEFIT: A NIGHT IN THE WHITE CITY
WHERE: Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center hosts its 2024 Fall Benefit: A Night in the White City—themed after the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The evening will feature a sit-down dinner, cocktails, live music, and inspiration. Funds raised will support The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at RUSH. thewomansboard.org
SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 6
RIGOLETTO
WHERE: Lyric Opera Chicago
Enjoy an evening showcasing Giuseppe Verdi’s sensation, Rigoletto. Sung in Italian with projected English titles, the breathtaking piece is based on Victor Hugo’s play. Composer Music Director Enrique Mazzola, a muchacclaimed Verdian, brings astounding intensity to the story of Rigoletto, a court jester who is tragically consumed with the vengeance of his daughter Gilda’s dishonor. lyricopera.org
SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 6
CHICAGO AT THE MILLENNIUM: PAINTINGS BY JILL JEANNIDES
WHERE: Friendly Community Gallery
Acclaimed Lake Forest artist Jill Jeannides passed away unexpectedly in 2021, leaving behind a captivating collection of art now managed by her family. An exhibition of Jeannides’ work titled “Chicago at the Millennium” will showcase
paintings of Chicago at the turn of the last century. These works include Grant Park, the Loop, and Ukrainian Village, and are all available for purchase. jilljeannidesart.com
SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 11
LAKE BLUFF FARMERS MARKET
WHERE: Lake Bluff Village Green
Enjoy the Lake Bluff Farmers Market Friday mornings through October 11. The market will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. A variety of local vendors will be selling their offerings—from food and beverages to flowers and dog treats. There will also be live music and children’s entertainment. business. lflbchamber.com
SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 23
LFOLA’S NATIVE TREE
SALE PRE-ORDER
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
Pre-order from Mellody Farm Nature Preserve’s exciting selection of native trees and shrubs prior to its Native Tree Sale on October 26. Expert staff will be on hand with advice to help you pick the perfect plant companions for your space. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enhance your garden while connecting with nature. lfola.org
SEPTEMBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 1
STORYTIME ADVENTURE
WHERE: Mellody Nature Farm Preserve
Calling all children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Join Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) for an hour of fun exploring Mellody Farm Nature Preserve from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Friday. Kids will explore through stories, songs, and hiking. Each week they’ll read a new story and explore the prairie, wetland,
and woodland. You are welcome to drop off your child or join for the duration of activities. lfola.org
SEPTEMBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 3
NOISES OFF
WHERE: Steppenwolf Theatre
Chicago’s iconic Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicked off its 49th season earlier this month with a revival of Michael Frayn’s classic comedy Noises Off, directed by Tony Award-winning ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro of Evanston (August: Osage County, The Minutes), presented in a co-production with Geffen Playhouse. Playing at Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater, the farce chronicles the cast and crew of Nothing On as they scramble to prepare for opening night. Onstage antics collide with offstage foibles in a classic comedy that writes an ingenious, slapstick, and zany tribute to “theater people” everywhere. By the end of this dizzying play-within-a-play, you won’t know stage right from left. steppenwolf.org.
SEPTEMBER 28 TO 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
SEPTEMBER 29
KENILWORTH WALKING TOURS
WHERE: Kenilworth Train Station
The Chicago Architecture Center’s popular Kenilworth
Walking Tours have returned. Explore the history of the earliest homes and buildings in the village designed by renowned Chicago architects. Tour attendees will also learn about Joseph Sears’s vision for Kenilworth and the architect who helped him bring his suburban ideal to life through their designs. The 90-minute tours start at the Kenilworth Train Station and end at Kenilworth Historical Society. Tickets can be purchased on the Chicago Architecture Center’s website. Members of the Kenilworth Historical Society are eligible for discounted tickets at $10 each. Contact the historical society for this promo code. kenilworthhistory.org
SEPTEMBER 29
TO MELODY! ORION ENSEMBLE CONCERT
WHERE: Music Institute of Chicago, Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston
Orion Ensemble’s 32nd season begins with To Melody! These three performances welcome frequent guest violist Stephen Boe, violinist Mathias Tacke, and features Max Bruch’s Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 83; Franz Schubert’s Trio
in B-flat Major for Violin, Viola and Cello, D. 581; and Antonin Dvorák’s Quintet in A Major for Piano, Violins, Viola and Cello, Op. 81. Performances are September 22 (Aurora), September 23 (Chicago) and September 29 (Evanston). orionensemble.org
SEPTEMBER 29
BAGPIPES & BONFIRE
WHERE: Middlefork Farm Nature Reserve
Celebrate Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) annual fall tradition with games, activities, and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy a complimentary donut from Firecakes Donuts. Feel the warmth of the community bonfire and gather to watch Highland games and the procession of the marching pipers on the field. Pack a dinner and refreshments and be a part of the community picnic. Alternatively, join this fundraising event as a Grand Tartan, Order of the Tartan, or Patron and enjoy a gourmet picnic dinner provided by LFOLA. lfola.org
SEPTEMBER 30
JOB CENTER ON THE MOVE
WHERE: Highwood Library
and Community Center From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lake County’s Workforce Development will be hosting its final program to help the community with careers. This program will focus on oneon-one resume development, job training, internships, career transitions, and more. No appointments necessary. highwoodlibrary.org
OCTOBER 4
OPENING NIGHT SUSAN
JACOBY ART EXHIBIT
WHERE: Vivid Art Gallery Stop into the gallery to see Winnetka artist Susan Jacoby's work throughout the month of October. Opening Night of the exhibit will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jacoby's paintings are defined by depictions of expansive vistas, shifting skyscapes, and ephemeral atmospheric conditions that evoke the remembrance of a moment, combining observation with imagination. Susan works in many translucent layers of muted colors, creating a sense of serene, untouched nature in her work. vividartgallery.net
Continued from PG 6
OCTOBER 4 TO 6
WHERE: Downtown Highwood
The annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival returns! This year’s beneficiary will be Kids Rank, a nonprofit that benefits military children. To reflect this, the skeletons that decorate the streets of Highwood will be dressed up as characters from superhero movies. Highwood will also be looking to break the Guinness World Records for the longest line of pies of 2,209 set in 2021. They will be partnering with military chefs and other local bakeries, restaurants, and groceries to make pumpkin pies. They will be donated to nonprofits after the festival. In addition to this, there will be live music, a variety of food vendors, costume contests, and carnival rides. celebratehighwood.org
OCTOBER 5
WHERE: Millennium Park
The 4th annual St. Jude Dream Chicago event is taking place at 5 p.m. Enjoy gourmet food from Chicago’s best restaurants, hand-crafted cocktails, live entertainment featuring Sixteen Candles, free parking, and one-ofa-kind experiences. The evening will support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer, and other life-threatening diseases. Get tickets at stjude. org/dreamchicago.
OCTOBER 5
JAZZ & JOKES 2024
WHERE: Lake Bluff Park District
From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., enjoy a night of music from Lake County Symphony’s Jazz Quartet and comedy from Laura Hugg,
Christian Henningsmeyer, and Hari Rao. There will be a 50/50 raffle, live auction, and paddle raise. Food and drinks will be available during the night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $35 each. lakebluffparks.org
OCTOBER 8
DOORS OPEN DISHES
2024 FUNDRAISER:
CELEBRATING SMILES
WHERE: LeTour Restaurant, Evanston
Doors Open Dishes is a nonprofit whose mission is to partner with local chefs and restaurants to benefit those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Join Doors Open Dishes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for its inaugural fundraiser, a seated four-course dinner featuring dishes from top Chicago chefs, premier pairings from DAOU, and special stories. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Susan Schnitzler Happy Faces Fund and address the often-
overlooked dental care needs of the disabled community. doorsopendishes.org
OCTOBER 10
SIT & KNIT
WHERE: Northfield Public Library
Spend the afternoon with fellow knitters in the Community Room at Northfield Public Library. From 3 p.m. to 4:30 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
OCTOBER 12
BRANCHING OUT: A TREE IDENTIFICATION TOUR
WHERE: Winnetka Library
From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., enjoy a walk and time to enjoy native trees with TreeKeeper Lynn Zaransky. The tour will begin on the patio at the Winnetka Library and continue to the Village Green. Dress for the weather and expect to walk
half a mile. This program is for ages 15 and up. wnpld.org
OCTOBER 16 TO 20, 23, AND 27
NIGHT OF 1,000 JACK-O’LANTERNS
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
Enjoy a frightfully fun fall evening with professionally carved pumpkins to get you in the Halloween spirit. There will be costumed entertainers, live carving demos, as well as seasonal light fare and drinks for sale. Costumes are encouraged and tickets are available now. chicagobotanic.org
Night of 1,000 Jack-O'lanterns
OCTOBER 17
HABITAT HELPERS AT MALLINCKRODT PARK WORKDAY
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
OCTOBER 18 TO 19 GHOST WALK
WHERE: Lake Bluff History Museum
Lake Bluff History Museum’s Ghost Walk is happening beneath an almost full moon with a “Classic Hollywood Horror” theme. Ghost Walk resurrects true stories from the darker side of Lake Bluff’s past and retells them with a twist guaranteed to raise both the hair on your neck and your interest in lo-
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OCTOBER 18 TO 26
RECYCLED ART SALE
WHERE: The Art Center, Highland Park
The Recycled Art Sale returns with an opening night celebration on Friday beginning at 5 p.m. The ticketed party will allow a one-hour first look at this year’s collection and include light bites, cocktails, and a DJ. The sale itself will run for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day and will have evening hours till 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Items include a wide range of 2-D art pieces, sculpture, jewelry and other objects. Tickets for the Opening Night Party and Opening Weekend are on sale now. theartcenterhp.org
OCTOBER 19
MINI PUMPKIN DECORATING
WHERE: Northfield Public
Library
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., children ages 1 to 4 can decorate mini pumpkins with an accompanying adult. Use stickers, gems, and other craft materials to decorate the pumpkins. Registration is required. wnpld.org
OCTOBER 19
WICKED WILMETTE 2024
WHERE: Hibbard Park
Enjoy a family friendly event at 2 p.m. filled with inflatables, face painting, magic shows, games, and more. Collect various giveaways and treats at the different Spooky Stations and explore the pumpkin patch for a pumpkin to decorate. This event is recommended for children ages 12 and under. A registration fee is required for children only, $25 for residents and $32 for non-residents. An accompanying adult must be present for the entire event. There will be free event parking and a Haunted Shuttle Bus
at Centennial Parking Lot between 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. wilmettepark.org
OCTOBER 24
PICTURE PERFECT
WHERE: Kenilworth
Assembly Hall
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Kenilworth Historical Society (KHS) for its Biennial Dinner, “Picture Perfect: Kenilworth Through the Lens of Its Iconic Homes”’ This evening will celebrate the village’s beloved residences alongside KHS’s latest exhibit, “Kenilworth Centennial Homes, 1889-1924.”
Renowned architectural historian and author Susan Benjamin will lead guests through a visual journey of Kenilworth’s architectural history. Reservations are available now. kenilworthhistory.org
OCTOBER 24 TO JANUARY 5, 2025
PHOTOGRAPHING FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
WHERE: Driehaus Museum
Explore the fascinating collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early photography in this brand-new exhibit. It will include images by leading photographers who documented his work as well as photos taken by the architect himself. Wright’s fascination with photography allowed him to pursue his hobby and use it as a technique of making his architecture accessible to the public. This exhibition offers insight into how photography influenced public perception of his work. driehausmuseum.org
3
WHERE: Nichols Hall, Evanston
The Music Institute of Chicago presents a joyful afternoon of performances by faculty and students, beginning at 3 p.m., that will culminate in a community sing. The program features
performances by members of the Music Institute’s world-class faculty, as well as selected students and ensembles from its Community Music School and Academy for gifted pre-college musicians. A photo booth, meet and greet, and sweet treats for every guest follow the performance in the lobby. This event is free to attend and donations are encouraged. musicinst.org
WHERE: Highland Park Community House Randolph Street Market celebrates its 21st anniversary with two remote “Vintage Shindig” events held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The popular Chicago festival brings more than 40 indoor and outdoor vendors to Highland Park, including artists, housewares, fashion, makers, and food. The lively event will offer an ultra-curated, high-quality
selection of antiques, vintage and modern goods for fall, and winter fashion and home décor with a focus on indoor living spaces. Treasure hunters and entertainmentseekers alike will be delighted by the live DJ, fun cocktails, appetizers, and more to enjoy throughout the day(s). Tickets are on sale now for $10 and kids under age 12 are free. randolphstreetmarket.com
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
SCOTT PHELPS is serving his 23rd year as the Artistic Director at Citadel Theatre. Since co-founding the award-winning North Shore theater company in 2002 with his lifelong companion, Ellen, he has been involved in acting, directing, and producing numerous productions. The company has earned four well-deserved Jeff Award Nominations for the 20232024 season. Silent Sky and She Loves Me have been acknowledged in the categories of Midsize Play and Midsize Musical, and directors Beth Wolf and Matthew Silar have received nominations for their outstanding work in both productions. Citadel Theatre has an exciting 2024-2025 season planned. The season starts with The Cottage by Glenview playwright Sandy Rustin, running from now through October 13. This hilarious British farce recently graced the Broadway stage in 2023. Following this, the tapdancing hit musical Dames at Sea will run from November 15 to December 15. I and You, a play by Lauren Gunderson (who also authored the Jeff-Nominated Silent Sky) will run from February 21 to March 23. The season will conclude with the Chicago area premiere of A Jukebox for the Algonquin by Paul Stroili, running from April 18 to May 18. With such a diverse and captivating lineup, the Citadel Theatre Company is poised to continue delighting and inspiring audiences in the coming year. Phelps took time from his busy schedule to share what’s trending in his world.
I'm currently reading a novella by Judith Nichols, a former resident of Lake Forest, about the trial of H.H. Holmes from the perspective of his wife, Georgiana Yoke. I would love to write a stage adaptation and have its world premiere here at the Citadel.
I read the art trades daily and follow the hundreds of theaters in the city. We are fortunate to have so many world-class theaters close by, and most of our creatives commute from there.
I was raised in the 1960s and 1970s, and my father owned a record store. I was exposed to all the great music of that era—folk, rock, R&B, and Motown. It's all good!
BY THOMAS CONNORS
Phil Andrew and the PAX Group train businesses and organizations to put security first.
The world has never been a simple place. And the past always looks rosier than it truly was. But there’s no doubt about it: previous generations couldn’t imagine the challenges we contend with today. Whether we’re talking about average citizens worried about safety in the streets or corporations concerned about cyber attacks, contemporary life demands a proactive, preemptive approach to security. When it comes to offering insightful analysis and effective strategies, the Chicago-based PAX Group LLC—a global crisis and conflict management agency— stands firmly on the front line.
“Our approach at PAX Group is to prepare for the before, during, and after of crisis and conflict with comprehensive and holistic planning that begins with listening and analysis to provide an evidence-based understanding of risk and threat,” states Principal Partner Phil Andrew. “We combine robust training in conflict management, crisis response, de-escalation, and threat assessment and management and focus heavily on effective communication and coordination, so people can have confidence when faced with a challenge and have a plan and resources to support those who have experienced the crisis. We find that when leaders are committed to prioritizing safety, they build cultures where people thrive and missions prosper.”
Life gave Andrew an early lesson in managing the unexpected. In 1988, as a college sophomore looking forward to an internship in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, he was home with his parents in Winnetka when a woman wielding a gun came through the kitchen door. The troubled woman had attacked the Hubbard Woods School, killing one boy and wounding five others. Andrew and his parents did their best to diffuse the situation. While Andrew succeeded in getting his parents safely out of the house, he was not so lucky. The assailant shot him, the bullet ripping through his lungs, esophagus, stomach, and pancreas, just missing his heart.
After recovering, Andrew completed his degree at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign and earned a law degree at DePaul University. Throughout it all, he had his sights set on a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and went on to serve more than 21 years as a Special Agent. “Some of the mystique of the FBI—crime-
fighting, counterterrorism, and intelligence work—bears true,” says Andrew, who, in addition to PAX, is an Adjunct Instructor of Negotiation, Business Intelligence, and Leadership at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and Department of Management & Entrepreneurship and an Advisor to the Center for National Security and Human Rights Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law. “The truth is, I was pretty awkward flashing the badge at first, but you come to learn that the real work is in preparation, teamwork, and empathetically connecting with people of all kinds. I trained and worked as a hostage negotiator, undercover, and did thousands of interviews. Skills around listening and understanding are really paramount.”
PAX offers clients an extensive range of services, from facility security improvements and workplace violence prevention to threat assessment management and crisis communications planning. Its client roster spans the globe and includes Endeavor Health, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the City of Chicago, and the University of Arizona. “Our PAX team,” says Andrew, “helps guide leaders and organizations to evaluate risk, design and implement effective strategies from experts in intelligence, law enforcement, the military, and well-being and communications to help build cultures that prioritize safety.”
Sadly, dire scenarios most people once only experienced on the big screen are now woven more regularly into real life. The sky isn’t falling, but dark clouds can’t be ignored.
“The reality of today’s global environment” observes Andrew, “is that every organization and business must support their people with strategies, systems, and training to enable a culture of safety, to build the skills and resilience to prevent and respond to community violence, workplace conflict and disruptions, threats to physical and digital infrastructure, reputations, and employee well-being. We support companies, universities, schools, municipalities, and organizations small and large with investigations, security and threat assessments, training and crisis communication, planning and response. We have learned a lot since the 1988 Winnetka attack but, as we saw with 2022’s July 4th shooting in Highland Park, we are not immune. When it comes to crisis management and safety, there is no finish line.”
For more information, visit paxgroupllc.com.
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BY
With Rosh Hashanah coming up next week, many North Shore households will be delving into their recipe stash of symbolic foods ( simanim ) to bring good luck in the new year. Carrots, honey, and beets are all on the list. So are spinach, beans, a head of cabbage, fish, dates and gourds. And not to forget beautiful pomegranates, which symbolize the hope for being full of merit, but also celebrate new and unusual experiences. We’ve put two simanim together in this simple dish of baby beets, roasted to deep rich flavor with olive oil and sea salt plus a drizzle of spiced honey lemon before being topped with pomegranate “pearls”—the tart-sweet arils of the fruit. With best wishes from the JWC Media staff for a good and sweet new year!
SERVES 3 TO 4 AS A SIDE DISH
• 8 small red beet roots, peeled and cut lengthwise into quarters
• 2 1/2 Tbsp good quality olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp sea salt flakes
• 1 small pomegranate, pith and peel discarded, arils saved
• 3 tsp honey
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Discard beet greens (or save them for a salad later). Wash beet roots well.
Leaving the tails on the beets (and wearing plastic gloves to protect hands from staining) peel beets. Note: Leaving the tails on the beets before you peel them gives you something to grip (small beets don’t have much purchase). Trim off any remaining tail.
Slice each peeled beet into quarters lengthwise. Toss with olive oil and salt. Spread beets on a baking sheet and roast in preheated 400-degree oven for 25 minutes. Mix honey and lemon juice with the pinch of cayenne. Drizzle over the beets and roast for five more minutes until tender.
Remove from oven, toss well, adjusting taste for salt, and place in a wide bowl. Sprinkle pomegranate arils over roasted beets and serve.
A film based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway is “destined for box office doom,” according to our reviewer.
BY REX REED
BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME:
1 HOUR, 46 MINUTES
RATING: 1 star
Does anyone know how to make a movie these days that makes sense, with enough plot, narrative coherence, and character development to keep a viewer from falling asleep? Hope springs eternal, but the answer, from almost everything I’ve seen lately, is no.
The newest time-waster is Across the River and Into the Trees, a dismal disappointment based on the last full-length novel written by Ernest Hemingway and published to abysmal reviews in 1952 (later came The Old Man and the Sea, but that was a short novella, not a novel). Now, more than 70 years later and for reasons unexplained, along comes a dull, pointless movie version of Across the River, proving Hemingway’s worst book has not improved with age.
Inexperienced first-time director Paula Ortiz, obviously obsessed with the source material but understandably realizing how resistant it has always been to film, has changed practically everything about the book including the plot, the characters and even the post-war years in which it takes place. Nothing, I regret to say, helps. It’s lifeless as a stump, and destined for box-office doom.
In the novel, irascible American Army colonel Richard Cantwell returned to Venice after World War I, and was driven to his
rendezvous with the beautiful young countess Renata Contarini while suffering from a terminal heart condition—remembering both the passion of their romance and the beauty of the most beautiful city in Italy. He died, leaving readers scratching their heads with frustration, wondering how a work of such emptiness could emanate from so exalted a literary source. For this new version of the story, the time is updated until shortly after World War II, and the colonel now meets Renata when she is moonlighting as the driver of a water taxi on the Grand Canal. She is preparing for her wedding, but for reasons not altogether plausible devotes enough days and nights to her sudden infatuation with the gruff, crude colonel to fall in love.
He is played by Liev Schreiber, a dour, sourfaced actor who never smiles, without a shred of humor or irony. Worse still, Cantwell suffers from a coronary thrombosis, popping nitroglycerine, smoking incessantly, and dangerously swigging booze. When all else fails, there is always Venice, but as the humorless American military man and his lovely Italian guide meander around the historic treasures, cobblestone alleys, and moonlit canals (gorgeously photographed by cinematographer Javier Aguir-
resarob, and I dare you to say that one three times in row without reaching for a valium). He invests less time enjoying the always restorative pleasure of sitting under the moon listening to a jazz orchestra in the Piazza San Marco, and more time being tortured with guilt about a wartime ambush in a nearby town that cost the lives of 338 men.
He quotes Stonewall Jackson and after Renata’s wedding, pretends to go duck hunting, but after the sound of his gun is heard, the camera pans the lake, the boat is empty, and no dead duck falls from the sky on its way to a dish of duck l’orange.
Despite the muted talk about love, death, growing old, war, and pasta, you can draw your own conclusions. A few tender scenes are enlivened by the beautiful and charm of Schreiber’s co-star Matilda De Angelis, an enchanting newcomer who lights up the screen as Countess Renata, but the dreary screenplay by Peter Flannery fails to find a dramatic thread that makes this a movie worth sitting through, and Schreiber never gets anywhere near the colonel’s heart and soul.
I didn’t think it possible to make a boring movie about Venice, but this one manages the impossible.
We sat down for an interview with Jessie Randall and Brian Murphy, founders of lifestyle brand Loeffler Randall— makers of the showstopping Penny Pleated Bow Heel.
Well-heeled women everywhere don’t consider themselves so without a pair of Loeffler Randall’s Penny Pleated Bow Heels in their closet.
Loeffler Randall—the lifestyle brand behind this iconic shoe—has taken the world by storm, outfitting fashion lovers everywhere with their beautiful shoes, accessories, and ready-to-wear collections.
Jessie Randall and Brian Murphy launched Loeffler Randall in 2004 from their garden apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Nearly 20 years and three children later, they are still doing what they love— making distinctive products in small batches with great attention to detail. They design pieces that are meant to be loved and worn for seasons to come.
From their beautiful studio in Soho, New York, the Loeffler Randall team designs a line they want to wear themselves. They understand the needs of their customers— women leading busy lives who want to invest in high quality products that can take them from school drop off to a business meeting to an evening event and everything in between.
Loeffler Randall believes that design should be distinctive and original. In each pair of their beloved signature heels, there are 400 pleats. In fact, there are 28 steps that go into the making one pair—from the fabric being sent to the pleater to the hand-tied bow. Beautiful handcrafted products take time to make, and this is one of the reasons Loeffler Randall makes small batches of products that they hope to sell out.
Loeffler Randall’s pieces are among the favorites in North Shore boutiques. And it’s no wonder that locals love this brand as much as they do with the keen insight into consumers brought to the table by Murphy, the company’s CEO, a Loyola Academy alum.
Randall and Murphy sat down with The North Shore Weekend to share a little bit more about Loeffler Randall and what it’s like to run a fashion business with your spouse.
How did the two of you meet?
Randall: We met in the late ’90s at my first job in advertising. We found out his family is from my hometown in Massachusetts even though we met in NYC.
What background prepared you for running a fashion brand?
Randall: I got a strong education in fashion working for corporations like Gap Inc., and Brian and I learned a lot about marketing from our advertising jobs. The agency where we met, Fallon, had a wonderful, family-type atmosphere, and we learned so much there about building a company.
Where did the idea for Loeffler Randall come from? Did the two of you create it together?
Randall: We did come up with the concept together. I designed our first collection, and Brian cut up our wedding program and placed it in the footbed of a prototype for one of our shoes and with the name of the company—Loeffler Randall, my middle and last names.
How has the brand evolved since it began?
Randall: The aesthetic of our brand has been consistent since day one. What has evolved
is the size of the business, our expansion into other categories, and the opening of our first store.
What is the division of labor between the two of you?
Randall: I oversee design, and Brian runs the business. We both work on marketing and that’s where we butt heads—ha! But seriously, this division of responsibilities has been critical to our success. We trust each other to own the two different parts of the business.
What’s it like working with your spouse?
Any advice for those considering it?
Randall: I always say that I don’t really recommend it, but it has worked for us. We try very hard not to talk about work on the weekends. But it has been nice to work on a shared goal all these years and to be so connected.
Anything you wish you knew when you started the company that you know now? Anything you would do differently?
Randall: So many things I would do differently—too many to list. But we can’t go back. We just have to evolve and adapt and learn from mistakes. And many of the things we didn’t know actually helped us. We didn’t realize all the things that could go wrong and that was actually a good thing. What are your favorite pieces?
Randall: I love our expansion into ready-towear—our quilted pieces and fun dresses— as well as our wow heels.
For Brian, are there any hometown North Shore influences that carried into the Loeffler Randall brand? Anything you miss about living in Chicago?
Murphy: Living in Chicago gave me a sense of humor, a Midwestern candor and ethos— we don’t take ourselves too seriously. I really miss Chicago sports. Desperately at times.
To learn more about Loeffler Randall, visit loefflerrandall.com.
Winnetka native Maggie Meiners’ film That Old Beautiful Love is short in length but heavy on the vital subjects— empowerment and body image—it addresses.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Maggie Meiners hadn’t visited Berkshire School when she arrived as a freshman from Winnetka at the Massachusetts college preparatory school nearly 40 years ago.
“I have a soul for adventure,” says Meiners, now 52 years old and a Winnetkabased interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker.
Berkshire School had only a boys’ ice hockey team in the late 1980s, until Meiners—then known as Maggie Ross—and a friend decided to start a girls’ ice hockey program there.
“I love sports; there’s humanity in sports,” says Meiners, who skated as a forward for the Berkshire School Bears.
Her current collaborative work, the film That Old Beautiful Love, lasts only seven minutes, or exactly two minutes longer than a hockey player has to sit in a penalty box after committing a major infraction on the ice.
But it’s an important project, something near and dear to Meiners’ heart as well as Kelly Q. Anderson’s heart. Anderson, a North Shore native and award-winning writer, penned a 280-word piece under the same title that ran in a 2022 issue of Stanchion Zine
“I was so moved by it,” says Meiners, who met Anderson in church.
Anderson’s story begins with a 13-yearold girl opening gifts at her birthday party. A man ridicules her body in front of family. Other guests try to shush and downplay the man’s boorishness.
“Kelly approached me to make a short film about what the main character, Eva, experiences,” says Meiners, who had made at least four iPhone movies before jumping at the chance to direct That Old Beautiful Love. “I took Eva from girlhood to womanhood (23 years old), letting hope, fire, and resonance play forward in the film.
“Kelly (the movie’s executive producer) and I saw this as an opportunity to join forces and begin our quest to change the narrative around body image. We are so passionate about this project that we funded production ourselves.”
The film is in post-production phase,
with its launch projected for early 2025.
kind of campy, kind of funny, and kind of uncomfortable. I hope people who view it will leave the theater feeling
and, in some cases, thatBeautiful Love was shot June 1 and 2 at two Winnetka— and Debbie, who were out
to the University of Colorado Boulder, where she majored in Cultural Anthropology. After earning her degree in elementary education at DePaul University, she taught fifth- and sixth-graders at schools in Wilmette, Winnetka, and Chicago for six years.
“Teaching a classroom full of students is a lot like running a production,” Meiners says. “You have to create projects and then you have to manage them.”
Right around 2000, Meiners started dabbling in photography, triggering a multifaceted career in the arts that expanded to painting, weaving, collaging, and filmmaking. Her artwork revolves around identity, consumerism, media, and popular culture. Her interests lie in deconstructing the current cultural narrative as a way of empowering and defining her personal identity.
Meiners’ artwork has been widely exhibited and remains in the permanent collections of the Illinois Institute of Art, Wheaton College, Harrison Street Lofts, and Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP.
Her husband of 25 years, Michael, has directed movies and written songs. They first met at a party in Wicker Park. They have two sons, Jake, 22, and Bugg, 20.
“Michael,” Maggie says, “has inspired me the most. He’s really creative and spiritual, and he’s my biggest cheerleader.”
In her free time, Meiners likes to walk, read, wave at neighbors while sitting on her porch in Winnetka, and watch movies and football games (Hard Knocks, a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and Max, is one of her must-sees).
This movie is kind of campy, kind of funny, and kind of uncomfortable.
to compensate artists, editors, and experts needed to take care of professional editing, color correcting, sound, and marketing and distribution.
“People might think, ‘Who’s going to want to attend a movie that lasts under 10 minutes?’” Meiners says. “We plan to hold a panel discussion after the showings, addressing body shaming, social media, and mental health. This movie is
of town, and the Community House.
“I’ve learned so much through this project,” Meiners says. “Early on, it became clear to me that what matters the most in an endeavor like this is the team. We’re all in this together, working hard to produce something special, something that will move people.”
Meiners attended Ohio Wesleyan University for a year before transferring
Her favorite movie directors are Steven Soderbergh, Greta Gerwig, and Wes Anderson.
Speaking of films, That Old Beautiful Heart includes an act of revenge. But it’s neither violent nor mean-spirited.
“The greatest revenge of all,” Meiners says, “is loving yourself.”
For more information about Maggie Meiners and how to donate money for post-production costs of the movie That Old Beautiful Love, visit maggiemeiners.com and thatoldbeautifullovefilm.com/donate. To read works by Kelly Q. Anderson, visit kellyqanderson.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH |
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