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BY ELISA DRAKE
The gorgeously styled photos of Trish Thomas and Nichole Wilson shown on these pages weren’t quite what these two North Shore entrepreneurs had in mind. “We asked if we could have our pictures taken in our usual work attire—lab coats and hair nets,” jokes Thomas.
Down-to-earth, reluctant to stand in the spotlight, and deeply committed to helping others, Thomas and Wilson launched Every Body Eat® to create a world where everybody feels welcome at the table, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences.
With their line of snack thins, grain free crispbread crackers, and cookies, they target the 64 percent of U.S. families who have special diets, the 80 percent of consumers who read food labels, and 100 percent of the people who just really like tasty food. “The reason customized eating is so hard on people with special diets is that it comes with social and emotional isolation,” Thomas says. They often miss out on the classic bonding that happens at social occasions when food is shared because they’re faced with a few undesirable options: not eating, bringing their own food, eating and getting sick, or telling the host of their needs and feeling like a burden. Thomas and Wilson both know this feeling firsthand.
For Wilson, it started when her daughter came home from preschool one day, doubled over in pain. “I thought her appendix had burst,” Wilson recalls. The third pediatric gastrointestinal specialist they consulted finally determined the culprit: a dairy intolerance. “The dairy had been impacting her for so long that it took a year to undo,” Wilson says. Eventually, Wilson, her husband, and their younger child were also all diagnosed with food sensitivities.
Thomas’ food issues stem from an autoimmune disorder that hit her hard soon after she had children. “I was super sick, felt terrible, had no energy, looked terrible, and was put on medication after medication,” she says. “I thought, there has to be a better way.” That’s when she discovered an integrated medical doctor, Evanston’s Dr. Geeta Maker Clark, who searched for the root of Thomas’ problems—and it all pointed to food. “I learned that my sensitivities were gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and egg, and if I took those things out of my diet, all my internal inflammation went away.” That was about 8 years ago and, since then, Thomas has rarely needed any medication.
When the two women met at a North Shore Country Day School book fair, they initially connected over their shared passion
for helping entrepreneurs. They also realized that combining their entrepreneurial spirit and unique backgrounds could lead to something much bigger. Thomas, a mom to a blended family of six boys, teaches Principles of Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and is a self-described serial entrepreneur—as a teenager she built a thriving babysitting business that employed several of her peers. Later, she built and sold a toy company, as well as the first safe online community for kids, and a children’s media company with distribution in more than 100 countries. Wilson, a Stanford-educated former Wall Street dynamo, spent time handling mergers and acquisitions for Merrill Lynch and Frito-Lay, in addition to running a $33 billion R&D portfolio at PepsiCo, but she always knew she wanted to run her own company.
Their combined credentials forged a perfect yin and yang. “I’m the kite. She’s got the string,” Thomas says of their partnership and close friendship. They soon started cooking up their business idea for good-tasting food that was free from most inflammatory ingredients (common food allergens, corn, and seed oils).
Less than two weeks after launching their initial product, the pandemic shutdown forced operations into Thomas’ house for nearly a year and derailed plans to distribute their snacks on college campuses—they’ll get there soon. They persisted, knocking on doors of grocery stores everywhere. They quickly landed on local shelves such as Foodstuff’s, Sunset Foods, Mariano’s, Winnetka’s Grand Food Center, and then nationally at Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market. Despite many naysayers in the snack food industry, they won Whole Foods 2021 Midwest Supplier of the Year.
They currently market a handful of flavors
of them have been involved in the criminal justice system or formally incarcerated, others chronically underemployed, 20 percent had been homeless, and nearly all had experienced food and housing insecurity. Today, the members of the core team have been with the Company more than a year, and many have celebrated two- and three-year anniversaries.
During interviews, Thomas and Wilson looked for passion, a positive problem-solving attitude, and a growth mindset, no matter their resume. “I’ve worked with titans of industry, and this team is by far the team I would go into the trenches with every single day again and again,” says Wilson, who also helps employees build a stable future by teaching them money management skills.
“People talk about how delicious our food is, and that’s because our food truly is made with love and it’s made with intention and with purpose, and that’s 100 percent due to our team,” Wilson says.
of Every Body Eat® crispy thin crackers with names like Cheese-Less™ and Fiery Chile Lime™; grain free crispbread crackers with real bits of Cranberry™ or White Pepper & Garlic™; and cookie bites including Ginger Cinnamon™ and Cranberry Vanilla™.
Their secret recipe? Instead of reverseengineering “regular” products, they took a different approach. “There’s a beautiful universe of ingredients that are free of the top food allergens and corn and, from that, we build up,” Wilson explains. “We wanted to create delicious and interesting flavor profiles that are so good, you don’t even ask what’s missing.” They also wanted their free-from foods to taste good for everyone, so people who have special diets didn’t feel singled out. “Our barometer is how to make food that tastes so good that people want to eat it with or without a special diet,” Wilson says.
Sales numbers prove the two women have created a recipe for success. “The demand just from our existing customers has been coming in at about three times what we can make for the whole year,” Thomas says. They moved into a new 20,000 square foot production facility in Evanston and are currently raising an additional $1 million in capital to help sustain their growth.
Just as important as the products they make are the people who make them. “Our mission is to give everybody a seat at the table, and we do it literally with our food, and we do it figuratively with our team and trying to identify women investors. Having more than 51 percent female ownership is required to maintain our women-owned business certification from the WBENC,” Wilson explains.
When they started to gather their team, they wanted to “leverage our privilege in service to our team,” Wilson says, noting that most of their employees hail from the south and west sides of Chicago. About 65 percent
“Our team is our company. We just have the good fortune to sell what they make,” Thomas agrees.
Our practical, hair-net-wearing women wanted readers to learn two more things from their experiences: One, that if you’re not feeling well, look at food as a possible source. And two, if you have a business idea that solves a problem, find other people who are committed with you. “Entrepreneurship is like sprinting a marathon,” Wilson says. “You’ve got to have folks cheering you on, and you can’t be afraid to stumble in front of them. They’re your springboard and your safety net.”
Thomas and Wilson are in it to win the ultimate marathon—making it easier for everybody to share delicious food with the people they love. Thomas observes, “The ironic thing about all the effort we are putting into creating products people can share is that the one thing we hear from customers again and again is, ‘I can’t believe I ate the whole bag.’”
For more information, visit everybodyeating.com.
TASTE MAKERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Every Body Eat® Cheese-Less™ snack thin
Every Body Eat® co-founders Trish Thomas and Nichole Wilson Photography by Emil Sinanagic
Chef Thierry Lefeuvre
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
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 12 TO OCTOBER 23
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 from Lake Forest Open Lands 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
OCTOBER 12 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 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
OCTOBER 12 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.
OCTOBER 12 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
OCTOBER 13
FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL
WHERE: Gillson Park Bird Habitat
Join Go Green Wilmette in partnership with the Wilmette Park District for family friendly nature activities from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gillson Bird Habitat. Participants will collect prairie plant seeds and spread
them in parts of the habitat where they are needed. Snacks, nature-based crafts, and activities will be available as well as tree walks and information about sustainable gardening. This free event is geared toward families with children. gogreenwilmette.org
OCTOBER 14 TO DECEMBER 31
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 weekly program to help the community with careers. This program will focus on one-on-one resume development, job training, internships, career transitions, and more. No appointment is necessary. highwoodlibrary.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 local history. Advance purchase is recommended. Tickets cost $45 and are available at lakebluffhistory.org
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, October 18, 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. They can 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 nonresidents. 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 19
SCARECROW FEST
WHERE: The Lot
Start the day with a selfled, leisurely Scarecrow Walk through downtown Highland Park, where businesses will showcase the spirit of the season from noon to 5 p.m. with unique decorated scarecrows in front of their stores.
Head back to The Lot to cast your vote for “Best in Show Scarecrow” and commemorate the fall season with scarecrow-themed family fun, kids’ activities, live music, food, decorations, and more.
OCTOBER 19
STORIES & GIGGLES
WHERE: Junior League of Evanston-North Shore Thrift House
From 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., join Junior League of Evanston for story time, giggles, and shopping. This event is for children ages 4 and up. jle-ns.org
OCTOBER 19
OKTOBERFEST
WHERE: The Gorton Center
Share a toast to Gorton’s 50th anniversary with Oktoberfest. This adult only event is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and attendees must be 21 or older. There will be live music, wine, beer, and delicious German fare from Donati’s. Oktoberfest attire is encouraged. Tickets are on sale now and all proceeds benefit the Gorton Center. gortoncenter.org
OCTOBER 20
SOUL MASS
WHERE: The Episcopal Church at St. James the Less At 10 a.m., enjoy a worship service with soul and gospel classics by the O’Jays, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, and many more at St. James the Less in Northfield. This annual worship event is led by Lake County’s hardest working R&B band, Peter and The Versatiles. All are welcome. stjamestheless.org
OCTOBER 23
GARDEN TASK FORCE
WHERE: Learning Gardens Lake Bluff Library
From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., participants can help the Library prepare the Learning Garden for winter. Work as a team to clear plants, insert cold weather crops, and lay down mulch for the winter season. Gardeners of all levels are welcome. Children under age 8 must have an accompanying adult. This program is open to all ages. lakeblufflibrary.org
Candy Stroll
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
BUSINESS LESSONS
FROM THE BEATLES VS. STONES
WHERE: Glencoe
From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., best-selling author Rich
Cohen is back in town for a lively and engaging talk about what business leaders can learn from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, who landed on these shores 60 years ago. Innovation, longevity, team chemistry, and the power of brand are just a few of the lessons these legendary bands can teach us. Appetizers and cocktails will be served. Space is limited. For reservations, visit infinum.com/events/beatles-stonesbusiness-lessons
OCTOBER 25
CANDY STROLL
WHERE: Ravinia District
Highland Park
The Ravinia District community is invited to this year’s Candy Stroll from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trick or treaters will collect candy from participating local businesses while enjoying the fall decor. Participants can pick up a free trick-or-treat bag in Jens Jensen Park. There will be
selfie opportunities in front of decorated pumpkins and a chance to win a $100 gift card to guess the weight of the giant pumpkin. The Arbor Terrace booth will have contest forms and the winner will be contacted October 28. enjoyhighlandpark.com
OCTOBER
25
PUMPKIN FEST
WHERE: Hubbard Woods Park
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Hubbard Woods Park will be transformed into a pumpkin patch for the family to enjoy! The event will include pumpkin decorating, carnival games, bounce houses, a DJ, costume contest, and more. Costume contest registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. and winners will be announced around 5:30 p.m. Costume categories include most original, scariest, and funniest. Participants must register to receive a pumpkin and decorations. Depending
on availability, pumpkins may be purchased at the event. winpark.org
NOVEMBER 2
STEWS & BREWS & BOOZE & BLUES
WHERE: The Lot Stews & Brews is not your ordinary chili cook-off or craft beer fest. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., this event offers attendees an array of cold-weather comfort foods like chili, pozole, lamb stew, beef stroganoff, Hungarian goulash, potpies, and a variety of soups. Attendees can pair their dish of choice with dozens of unique brews including, craft beers, spiced wine, hot toddies, mulled ciders, and more. Attendees will enjoy their stews and brews while listening to live blues music and cozying up around warm fire pits and heaters.
NOVEMBER 3
THE MUSIC INSTITUTE’S
FALL FUNDRAISER
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
DECEMBER 7
ELF INVASION PUB CRAWL
WHERE: Downtown Highwood
Don’t miss Highwood’s
5th annual Elf Invasion Pub Crawl. This fun event starts at 2 p.m. and runs until the affiliated bars close. Participants will start at 28 Mile Distilling Company where they will get their Elf Troupe Assignment and follow their Elf leader to Teddy O’Brian’s, Broken Tee Brewing Company, Toadstool Pub, and the legendary Wooden Nickel. Registration is encouraged for one of the five Troupe groups that leave every 45 minutes between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There is a $20 registration fee and space is limited. celebratehighwood.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Gorton Center Oktoberfest
BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
OPENING DOORS FOR BETTER FUTURES
The annual fundraising gala for Northwestern Settlement House’s House in the Wood summer camp will be held on November 9 at the Hilton Chicago hotel.
Those of us lucky enough to have attended summer camp when we were young know the joy brought by hopping on a bus and leaving our familiar surroundings for a week or two (or even longer) for the great outdoors. The cabins, the food hall, the comradery, and finding friends that last a lifetime all add up to adventures we’ll never forget.
However, for underserved children in the Chicago area, the dream of attending camp is financially out of reach. Fortunately, there’s the House in the Wood—a summer camp situated on Lake Delavan in Delavan, Wisconsin, that offers scholarships for young people in need.
The House in the Wood is run by Northwestern Settlement House, a Chicago-based, nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to support, prepare, and empower young people to carve paths to success as they become adults. The camp is just one of many services and activities that Northwestern Settlement House been offering since it was founded in 1891.
On November 9, the North Shore Board of the Northwestern Settlement will host its annual gala to support scholarships for the House in the Wood camp and year-round STEM programs for Chicago’s most economicallydisadvantaged youth. Featuring cocktails, dinner, and a live auction, followed by the ultimate after party, it promises to be an evening to remember.
Kelly Laszlo and Sarah Boulos, two of three co-chairs for this year’s fundraiser, explain that the gala is just one of the events the board is charged with producing throughout the year.
“Northwestern House is one of the few social service agencies that also runs a summer camp, so it all works together to nurture, educate, and inspire the kids,” Laszlo says. “All of our fundraising goes toward the House in the Wood.”
Located near Lake Geneva, the camp was deeded to Northwestern Settlement House several years ago.
“There’s a ton of lake frontage and cabins so it’s just a great place for kids to be kids and escape the city,” Boulos explains. “It’s just like a whole other world from the city and the staff do a really good job with the kids.”
In addition to raising funds to support House in the Wood scholarships, the event also raises awareness about Northwestern Settlement House’s mission to provide meaningful camping opportunities for kids.
“It’s been over 25 years now and what we really try to get across to people is that this is a nonprofit organization and the kids don’t pay to attend camp,” Boulos says. “I got involved because my daughter went to camp and I saw how transformative it was, but it was very expensive and I came home and thought, ‘Most kids can’t afford this’.”
More than just spending time in nature, Boulos says she sees camp truly change lives.
She often here’s from former campers who say the educational aspects of the camp, including an emphasis on STEM classes, opened their eyes and minds to new opportunities.
“The camp has outdoor classrooms, so there is a lot of learning that goes on in addition to the outdoor activities such as archery and tree climbing,” she adds.
Laszlo says the fundraising goal for the annual gala is $500,000, including ticket sales and the auction. But the work of the board isn’t just a job; members get to join in on the fun, too.
“Some of our board members will visit the camp during the summer. We’ve joined in the activities and try to go when the counselors are on a break so we can really engage with the kids,” Laszlo says. “It’s always fun to be at camp.”
The Northwestern Settlement House’s annual House in the Wood gala will be held at 6 p.m. on November 9. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit northshoreboard.networkforgood.com/ events/70395-2024-house-in-the-wood-gala.
$2,650,000
Kelly Laszlo, Becca Wadman, and Sarah Boulos are co-chairs of this year's House in the Wood gala.
Now, more than ever, we have an incredible opportunity to send a clear message to those in power. For too long, bureaucrats and career politicians have operated with impunity, putting special interests and cronyism ahead of the very communities they are supposed to serve. Our community deserves more – it deserves a legislator who truly understands and cares about our needs, our values, and our vision for the future.
This race isn’t just about choosing a candidate; it’s a chance to stand up for what’s right, to refuse the status quo, and to protest everything that’s wrong with politics today. By *writing in Joe Severino*, you’re not just casting a vote – you’re making a powerful statement. You’re saying that you won’t accept a choice between politicians who are more concerned with their connections and profits than with the well-being of our community. This is your chance to support a candidate who shares your commitment to genuine representation, who is dedicated to serving *our* interests, and who will fight for a brighter future for all of us.
So, let’s come together and show that the strength of our community lies not in money or influence, but in our collective voice. Let’s take this race and make it a protest against the politics of the past. Write in Joe Severino, and let’s reclaim our community’s future together.
How to Vote for Joseph?
Locate Race
1 2 3
Illinois 10th congressional district on the ballot. Fill
Fill in the bubble next to Joseph Severino. Write or Type Name
Write or type the full name Joseph Severino on the line.
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY DUSTIN O’REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
On my nightstand, you'll find my Flav City sleep gummies—a nightly essential I've stocked up on since they're often in high demand. My go-to lip care is evolvetogether lip balm, crafted by a female-founded brand, and an Icelandic lip treatment, a treasured find from my travels. For relaxation, I am obsessed with my Nodpod (also female-founded), and of course, my Kindle is always within reach. I believe that your jewelry needs rest too, so you will find an array of delicate trays for my cherished pieces.
#ON MY MOBILE
My Instagram family knows they can find me popping in throughout the day to share everything from jewelry pieces to rating Swedish gummy candy with my girls. I run the dm’s for @danarebecca to connect with our community, dish out jewelry tips, or just share snippets of my day. In my downtime, I'm a fan of the Libby app and Goodreads, always on the lookout for my next read. And when it's time to unwind with the fam, Rummikub on my phone is the go-to game, especially with my nieces and sister in New York City. And, of course, my photo app is where I stash all my inspo, product shots, and tons of pics of my little girls. It's like a digital scrapbook of all the things that make me smile.
#IN MY EARBUDS
Believe it or not, I'm all about corded headphones. With my jam-packed schedule bouncing between meetings and appointments, they're a lifesaver— mostly for work, but sometimes for a quick podcast fix. You'll often catch me tuning in to Erin & Sara Foster's podcast, diving into a gripping crime podcast recommended by my sister-in-law, or staying in the loop with The Toast to keep up with all the buzz at DRD!
DANA GORDON, the founder and designer behind Dana Rebecca Designs (DRD), spent her formative years exploring the intricacies of her father's Chicago jewelry factory. This year marks the 17th anniversary of her own jewelry brand, with a flagship showroom proudly situated on the prestigious Magnificent Mile—an embodiment of her commitment to family and her beloved city. Residing in Chicago's iconic Gold Coast neighborhood alongside her husband and sweet daughters, Poppy and Lulu, Gordon’s city lifestyle naturally infuses each piece in her collection with the empowering essence of strong femininity. From the iconic Poppy Rae Pebble Hoops to the elegant Lulu Jack Bezel Bar Necklace, each design is named after influential women who have shaped her journey. For Gordon, Chicagoland is more than a mere backdrop; it's a muse, infusing her collection with an undeniable authenticity and sophistication. Her legacy in jewelry speaks volumes about the profound influence of family on her life's work. And that is exactly why Dana Rebecca Designs crafts fine jewelry as enduring treasures meant to be keepsakes for all of life's moments. This Bannockburn native, shares how she stays current in a design-inspired world.
TREASURE TROVE
Winnetka’s 52nd Antiques + Modernism Show kicks off on November 7.
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
About this time each year, North Shore residents survey their wall space and furniture layouts, dreaming up perfect placement for the antiques, artworks. and accessories they hope to buy at Winnetka’s Antiques + Modernism (A+M) Show. Now in its 52nd year, the show—hosted by the Winnetka Community House Woman’s Board—kicks off with a Preview Party on Thursday November 7, and runs through the weekend of November 8 to 10.
With more than 40 dealers and a wide-ranging selection of everything from furniture and folk art to vintage clothing, jewelry, and rugs, the show is a muchanticipated treasure trove.
This year, those interested in expert insight will want to sign-up for the special, “Shop the Show” tour with nationally renowned dealer/appraiser J. Michael Flanigan of PBS television’s Antiques Roadshow fame. Tickets are $50 for this 9 a.m. Friday tour include 3-day admission to the show.
While many dealers have been participating in the
A+M show for years, the list of dealers constantly evolves.
“And this year, we have several new dealers, which is especially exciting,” explains ” says Kathryn Kish, this year's show chairwoman.
Among them are muralist and portrait painter Sam DeCarlo; Ohio-based Greenwald Antiques; and Barley Twist Antiques, of LaPorte, Indiana, which specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and Continental furniture and accessories, with some English mid-century modern in the mix.
For Kish, chairing the A+M Show is a welcome next step in her progression of involvement with the Winnetka Community House, a 501(c)3 organization providing recreational, arts, and educational programming to people of all ages. Proceeds from the show benefit Community House programs.
“The show has been my favorite fundraiser since I started serving on the Board,” says Kish. “It’s fascinating to see all the treasures at the Show and watch the excitement of the shoppers.”
Kish’s first exposure to the Community House was through the 4th birthday party she hosted there for her son Nick 22 years ago.
“I was so impressed with what the Community House offered, and its welcoming, community feel, that I had to
get involved,” says Kish. That opportunity opened when her son began performing with Community House’s Children’s Hour theater group. Kish’s long-time love of garment and fashion design plus her degree in finance led her to seven years assisting with costume selection/design and serving as treasurer for the group. Once her son graduated out of The Children’s Hour, Kish stepped up to the Woman’s Board, serving as Treasurer for nine years. She then co-chaired the 2023 A+M Show.
Explaining her decision to chair the event, Kish says serving as treasurer gave her a solid understanding of how the show is managed. But beyond that, “I just fell in love with the historical aspect of A+M,” says Kish, “and how the Community House is transformed to show off the beauty of the building. It’s a great opportunity for folks who raised their kids at the Community House but haven’t been back for a while, to revisit their fond memories. And of course, for them to find one-of-a-kind pieces at the show they won't easily find elsewhere.”
Because there is so much to view, Kish encourages attendance to more
than one day of the show, “just to make sure you don’t miss anything!” She says it’s also a good idea to buy tickets early ($15 in advance and $20 at the door; one ticket good for all three days)—especially for the preview party, which sells out quickly.
For more information and tickets to the 2024 Antiques + Modernism Show, visit thewinnetkashow.com.
Kathryn Kish Photography by Monica Kass Rogers
FROM HARROWING TO HEARTENING
Holocaust survivor Estelle Glaser Laughlin passed away at the age of 95 in August, but memories of her resiliency and belief in the best of humanity will endure.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Nearly three years ago, while researching for her novel The Goddess of Warsaw, author and Deerfield resident Lisa Barr visited the home of Holocaust survivor Estelle Glaser Laughlin.
“She lived 10 minutes away from me,” says Barr, whose grandmother survived the Holocaust. “As she opened her front door and we looked at each other, we had this moment, a moment we thought we had known each other for years. I walked in and then we held hands for the entire interview.
“I couldn’t even take out my tape recorder.”
Glaser Laughlin touched something else that day—Barr’s heart.
Born in Warsaw, Poland on July 9, 1929, Estelle Glaser Laughlin, nee Wakszlak, had recounted for Barr some of her harrowing experiences during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943 and at the Lublin-Majdanek concentration and extermination camp.
Estelle’s older sister, Freda, was badly beaten and could not work after she, Estelle and their mother were selected for forced labor. Suspecting Freda was on the list to be murdered in the gas chamber, Estelle and her mother switched places with two other women on the list so that the family could stay together. But the women on the list were sent to the Skarzysko concentration camp to work in a munitions factory instead, and later to another factory at the Czestochowa concentration camp.
“On the day we first met, Estelle was magic, honest to God, and so filled with love and brilliance,” Barr recalls. “What stayed with me was learning what the sisters’ father (who did not survive the war) did nearly every day at the Warsaw Ghetto. There they were, surrounded by people dying or suffering from disease, and mostly everyone was starving. Just about every day against that backdrop, Estelle’s father taught French lessons.
“I asked Estelle, ‘Why French lessons?’ She told me her father wanted her to visualize Paris and its beauty and to imagine buying a beautiful dress there someday. Thoughts of the future gave Estelle hope during those dark times.”
Estelle and her mother and sister were liberated by Soviet forces in January 1945 and moved to Allied-occupied Germany in August. In 1947, when Es telle was 18, the family moved to New York City. With only three years of public educa tion, Glaser Laugh lin—who would earn a master’s degree in Education—served as a longtime public school teacher in Maryland and moved to the Chicago
I Forgot to Tell You (2020). For more than 10 years, her voice moved audiences assembled by the speakers’ bureau of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie.
“Estelle’s ability to articulate the darkest of times showed her strength and resiliency and helped answer ethical and existential questions,” says Kelley Szany, senior vice president, Education & Exhibitions, at the Museum. “It was like sitting with a rabbi or a priest when I was with her. After having seen the darkness of humanity, Estelle still had an incredible belief in the best of humanity.”
In an interview with WTTW News in 2013, Glaser Laughlin
known Glaser Laughlin, the speaker, and Glaser Laughlin, the woman who could walk into a room full of people and transfix them immediately.
“Estelle did that with her quiet strength and absolute grace, as well as with the way she carried herself,” Szany says. “Talking with her for only 10 minutes fueled and fed your heart and spirit; she was that engaging, that inspiring. And Estelle had the greatest smile and the greatest laugh. When you were near her, you felt you were in the presence of a gorgeous movie star.
“Estelle,” she adds, “took your breath away.” So did her writing.
“She wrote like a poet,” Szany says. “Such a beautiful writer. I read her memoir in two days. I couldn’t put it down.”
Memories of Poland before the Nazis invaded the country, in addition to all those French lessons that doubled as escapes, lifted Glaser Laughlin and cushioned, albeit briefly, the wickedness around her for the first half of the 1940s.
“It glows in my selective memory—gold and radiant, lilac trees against open blues skies, with sounds of good neighbors, kindness, faith, and love,” she told WTTW News. “All of these things became shelters for me later in a world that crumbled around me.
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Estelle added the most invaluable touch to my work. We developed a friendship. I’ll always feel fortunate that Estelle’s beautiful soul graced my life.
area in 2013 to be closer to her grandchildren.
“Estelle added the most invaluable touch to my work,” Barr says of The Goddess of Warsaw, which was published in May. “We developed a friendship. I’ll always feel fortunate that Estelle’s beautiful soul graced my life.”
Estelle Glaser Laughlin died at age 95 on August 27. She wrote her memoir, Transcending Darkness: A Girl’s Journey Out of the Holocaust (2012) and the novel Hanna,
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shared what motivated her to write her memoir more than six decades after her liberation from the Nazis.
“The question: How did I survive?” she began. “How did my mother and sister survive? How did we survive whole? With compassion, with joy for life, with reverence for life? I think that I’m very fortunate to be an optimist.”
Szany, for one, considers it a gift to have
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“When you lose everything,” Glaser Laughlin continued, “your memories become your possessions.”
Glaser Laughlin’s life after arriving in the United States will always marvel Barr.
“Estelle’s way of winning in life was through survival, love, and educating others,” she says. “Think about all those children she taught. They must have felt blessed to have been educated by such an extraordinary woman.”
Glaser Laughlin was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Laughlin, and is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights on August 30.
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Estelle Glaser Laughlin
