The North Shore Weekend, November 12th, 2022

INSIDE NEWS

NORTH SHORE MONEY

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Winnetka native and former waitress wannabe Natalie Pelletier has a full plate—as an actor/ model/sommelier/podcast host in L.A.

Christopher Wheeldon's Chicago-inspired adaptation of The Nutcracker returns to Lyric Opera House

Di Keen with her daughters.

Photography by Erin Konrath

9 more than a dollop

The owner of Hoosier Mama Pie brings his Dollop General Store & Café concept to downtown Evanston

10 dreams come true

Mother's Trust Foundation celebrates a sold-out gala in October, raising funds to change the lives of families in need

11 it happened at the world's fair

The Joffrey Ballet’s reimagined version of The Nutcracker returns to the Lyric Opera House December 3

12 front page

New Trier High School senior Ava Summers recalls experience in the United States Senate Page Program

12 heart of the holidays

The City of Highland Park brings visions of sugar plums and holiday joy with four community events

November, 18, 2022, 7pm, after

& sale, lots of parking, also near the Metra. Covid compliant.

Triumph by Jeanné Sapienza

BY ALLISON DUNCAN

On August 7, 2014, Wilmette-based Di Keen went for a relaxing run near Lake Michi gan. The next day, she received a devastating diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic inflamma tory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that isn’t detectable until later stages and one that comes with a poor prognosis.

Just 36 years old, Keen had recently wel comed her second baby and had been battling what she thought was a nasty case of mastitis, an infection from breastfeeding. Instead, she’d later find, it had been a fast-growing tumorless cancer that is often misdiagnosed.

“I was dumbfounded how I’d been running the day before and the very next day I had to go directly into treatment,” says Keen. “The cancer is so aggressive that we couldn’t wait. With an infant and a 4-year-old, I had to come to terms with the reality that I might only have months to a year left to live.”

Each year, an estimated 45,000 patients will die from breast cancer, the vast majority of those deaths caused by metastatic breast cancer (MBC). As surgery was not an option, Keen initially fought her MBC with intensive chemotherapy followed by treatment every 21 days and during some phases, she has endured treatment daily. Cancer has since metastasized in her liver, brain, and spine as well as in local recurrences.

“I like to set physical goals on my cancerversary to stay active and strong,” says Keen. “One year, I was set to run a second half marathon but before I could, the cancer spread to my spine and inhibited the use of my left leg. I was 38 and was using a walker and then a cane. Shortly thereafter, it spread to my brain, affecting my hearing and balance. Every year cancer has tried to take a little bit more, so every year, on August 8, I focus on what I can still accomplish.”

In the face of ongoing challenges, many would struggle to find hope and perseverance. And Keen is honest in saying that she did—the journey has been full of trials and tribulations. Each treatment brought difficult side effects that threatened Keen’s quality of life.

But she found help in the integrative oncol ogy department at Rush University Medical Center, which provides the social, emotional, and physical support one needs to address new—and often overwhelming—needs. Integrative oncology offers anything scientifi cally proven to help the incurable oncology experience. Think everything from functional medicine and nutrition to family and indi vidual therapy and energy healing.

“I benefitted from a gift that allowed me three acupuncture appointments,” explains Keen. “When you’re fighting cancer, it’s already such a drain on resources, and integrative support is typically not covered by insurance. I didn’t want to spend more money when I didn’t know how much time I had left. The acupunc

turist inspired me to find ways to be strong in mind, body, and spirit to thrive with MBC.”

After a year-and-a-half of physical therapy, Keen slowly regained the use of her left leg.

The next cancer-versary, she ran a mile, something her initial treatment team doubted

Roots & Wings founder Diana Keen. Photography by Missy Peters

would be possible. Inspired by the progress, she did a deep dive into supplementing oncology treatment with integrative therapies. Keen soon learned that all of the treatments she had access to needed more awareness and were es pecially difficult to obtain for under-resourced and underinsured patients.

So, for her sixth cancer-versary, Keen launched Roots & Wings, a charitable founda tion that raises funds for the MBC community to provide complimentary appointments with integrative therapists at established institutions and wellness centers throughout the country. Now in operation for two years, Roots & Wings supports programs at Rush University Cancer Center in Chicago, Duke Cancer Cen ter in North Carolina, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where they’ve already helped reach thousands of MBC patients.

Keen and her team of volunteers are selec tive about Roots & Wings’ partners, choosing programs that are leaders in MBC patient care and offer integrative services. The goal is to be in major institutions across the country and increase the number of Roots & Wings’ partnerships and programs.

“All it takes is $100 for one appointment, and one appointment can change someone’s life—it changed mine,” says Keen. “I’m liv ing proof that it works because I’m still here eight years later. Part of that, of course, is my wonderful oncology team, but the other part is my integrative team and practice. I don’t have a lot of days where I’m overburdened thanks to a

community of practitioners I’ve been working with for years. Where the burden comes from is want ing to give more and wanting to do more.”

In Oc tober 2020, just seven weeks after officially launching, Roots & Wings an nounced its first gift of 100 com plimentary oncology massage or acupunc ture ap pointments for MBC patients at Rush University Cancer Center. That same year, Roots & Wings hosted its first annual Move IV MBC event. The idea is to move four miles—in any way you can—to raise both awareness and funds for MBC.

“There have been times when I could crawl four miles but definitely not run,” says Keen. “I

don’t care how it happens—you can even drive if you want—so long as people are moving in tribute to the MBC commu nity. Many patients are unable to move freely because of metastatic spread within the body. We move in recognition of their hard ship and to honor our own health.”

In 2021, Roots & Wings had over 500 participants from coastto-coast and even beyond borders in four other countries participating in Move IV MBC. Roots & Wings hosts the event the Sunday before Keen’s cancer-versary and recently celebrated the second annual Move IV MBC in August. Proceeds help support the growth of

current programs and future Roots & Wings initiatives.

“When you’re a metastatic breast cancer patient, you have to fight for more time,” says Keen. “You have to make a choice to go through this journey just to have bonus days. There are lots of people giving money to research, which is incredibly important, but until there’s a cure, integrative therapy can help make those days the best they can be. Most people don’t realize MBC is incurable and that you may be in treatment every day. When I’m asked when treatment will be over, it’s so hard to say ‘never.’”

Even though Keen says that running Roots & Wings takes away from her available time, she also says that it fills her days with pur pose. She has received messages directly from patients who have benefitted from integrative therapy, like one who could finally move their hands again after a series of acupuncture ses sions and another who found healing through MBC group therapy.

“I never thought I’d be running a nonprofit, but life surprises you in both good ways and bad,” says Keen, who was formerly an interior architect and designer. “The feedback is so af firming that I’m doing the right thing with the time I have now, and all I wish is that I could do more. I want this for everybody—without financial burden or limitation—because of the difference it’s made for me.”

For more information and to make a donation, visit rootswingsfoundation.org.

MORE THAN A DOLLOP

The man behind Hoosier Mama Pie has brought the next level of his Dollop coffee empire to the Albion building Evanston.

also able to shop for household necessities and favorites such as beer and wine, local Ice cream pints, breakfast cereals, snacks, everyday pantry items, and more.

“We were excited to bring this to this area of Evanston, which lacks an accessible grocery store,” says Weiss, who also brought the Dollop coffee and Hoosier Mama Pie concept to Evanston nearly a decade ago.

The 20th location in Weiss's Dol lop family, the new concept marries an old-fashioned general store with Dollop’s signature coffee bar, pastries, and do nuts—featuring such new specialty coffee/ tea drinks as the Orange Creamsicle Cold Brew (cold brew, orange zest, oat milk, and vanilla), Blue Milk Latte (vanilla mint, cold brewed pea flower tea, cold foam oat milk), and a refreshing Strawberry Lemongrass Matcha (strawberry lemon grass blend, matcha tea, and oat milk).

The innovative concept—unveiled earlier this year in the Albion building in down town Evanston—offers the stellar Dol lop coffee and housemade pastry service, but with a twist.

Guests at the Dollop General Store are

Weiss, a graduate of Roycemore Prep High School, was a regular at several extinct, classic Evanston cafes such as Cafe Express, Cafe Ambiance, and Potion Liquid Lounge. Dollop General Store & Café captures some of that café nostalgia which

also providing a needed resource to this area of Evanston.

“I spent a lot of time in Evanston and a teenager and young adult and have really dreamed of bringing something unique and needed to this community,” he says.

Dollop General Store & Café is located at 1508 Sherman Avenue in the Albion Evanston building. For more information, call 224307-2163 or visit dollopcoffee.com/locations/ general-store-cafe-location.

The Roots & Wings Team for Move IV MBC. Photography by Kat Rosenburg

It’s not unusual for a store to add a coffee bar but what North Shore native Dan Weiss did with his Dollop General Store & Café is next level.

DREAMS COME TRUE

BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER AND SHERRY THOMAS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF) Execu tive Director Paula Turelli says the Lake Forest-based nonprofit’s first live, in-person fundraiser since the pandemic was every bit of the fairytale the ball was named after.

“It was truly an enchanted evening of fundraising to make wishes come true for low-income children and families in Lake County. Nearly 250 attended and gave with their hearts during a live auction and paddle raise,” says Turelli. “The mission of Mothers Trust Foundation is to provide hope, build confidence, and make a lasting difference in the life of a child through grants for basic needs, education, enrichment opportunities, medical expenses, and stable housing.”

MTF’s “A Fairytale Ball: Making Wishes Come True” at the Cuneo Mansion & Gardens October 29 was a sold-out event. Lake Forest’s Loan Riedel—the organiza tion’s very own fairy godmother—contacted friends from coast to coast to support the gala and they all showed, exceeding expecta tions.

"It has been three years since Mothers Trust Foundation has held an in-person fun draiser and this one topped them all!!” says Turelli, explaining that MTF has impacted more than 2,000 children so far this year.

Riedel has been serving behind-thescenes as an unofficial ambassador of MTF for more than 20 years and involved with many other local philanthropic organizations like Ragdale and Citadel. She knows from experience the awareness and funding a gala like this can bring.

“As you can imagine, this was a huge undertaking for a small charitable organiza tion like Mothers Trust. However, it was an opportunity to raise awareness for our organization and to raise significant funds to fulfill our mission of making a meaning ful difference to the lives of children and low-income families. And that we did!” says Riedel, who co-chaired the event with Libertyville’s Lori Dann. “Like a fairytale, the evening was magical, beautiful, and fun. In a sold-out event of 250, guests got insight into the work at Mothers Trust and were very generous in giving during auction and paddle raise.”

Dancing went into the evening for what both Turelli and Riedel say was a night to remember.

Mother’s Trust Foundation’s Director, Paula Turelli, Event chair Loan Riedel, Executive and Board Member Lori Dann. Photography by Ian McLeod

Mothers Trust Foundation’s “A Fairytale Ball” gala in late October was a smashing success, making a difference in the lives of low-income children and families in Lake County.

“I’m grateful and happy to report that we exceeded all expectations for ourselves and for our guests,” adds Riedel. “We also re ceived numerous donations across the coun try from friends because they support what we believe in! We also had record number of event sponsors.”

The timing could not be more perfect. Next year, MTF will celebrate its 25th anniversary of making a difference, one child at a time. This was just the jump start the organization needed.

“There’s a buzz out there on social media about Mothers Trust right now and a lot of interest in getting involved,” says Riedel. “I’m ecstatic! We have accomplished our goals.”

This year’s gala was a fitting tribute to the foundation’s beloved founder Barbara Monsor, who died earlier this year at the age of 99. Monsor founded MTF in 1998 after witnessing firsthand how a seemingly small amount of help can change a child’s life. Her idea was simple—to connect people in desperate situations with those who want to provide assistance where it will truly make a difference.

At its core, Mothers Trust Foundation fills in financial gaps for children from birth to age 21, in turn providing hope, building

confidence, and making a positive differ ence in young people’s lives. “We are very good stewards of the money we receive,” says Turelli. “We take the trust people have in us very seriously.”

To this end, each Wednesday morning at 9:30, a group of Mothers Trust Founda tion volunteers and staff gather on a Zoom call and in person in their office at Gorton Community Center to review grant requests and vote on whether or not a grant should be made. Grant requests are submitted to MTF by social workers and school counselors throughout Lake County on behalf of the children they’re representing.

“It’s very important for Mothers Trust Foundation to stick to our guidelines when evaluating grant requests,” Turelli says. “We would love for more people to join our meet ings—it’s just one hour each week and Zoom has made it very easy for people to come in and out of those calls as they have time. We discuss each and every grant request we receive to make sure that what we’re doing is within our guidelines and sustainable going forward.”

When a grant is approved, the check is cut within 24-48 hours. Grant requests range from something as small as the fee to go on a school field trip to something as significant

as money to cover rent and utilities. MTF also has special rules in their bylaws so that they can issue grants in emergency situa tions.

According to Mothers Trust Foundation’s reports, of the families served:

• Nearly all of the families live at or below the poverty level

• 77 percent are single mother or grand parent head of household

• 8 percent are homeless

• 21 percent have a child or parent who is disabled

Since its inception, Mothers Trust Foundation has assisted more than 43,000 children with nearly $4.4 million in grants.

Monsor was once asked why she decided to call the organization she founded “Moth ers Trust.”

“There is a notion of mothering at the heart of what Mothers Trust tries to ac complish,” she once said, herself a mother of six and grandmother to eight. “The name sends a message of affection, responsibility, and accountability. A big part of this in my mind is that you’re always accountable to your mother.”

To learn more about Mothers Trust Founda tion, visit motherstrustfoundation.org.

IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR

The Joffrey Ballet’s Chicago-themed version of The Nutcracker return to Lyric Opera.

The Joffrey Ballet’s critically-acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christo pher Wheeldon, returns to the Lyric Opera House December 3.

Set in Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1893, Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker highlights the rich cultural heritage of Chicago and the

wonder of the season.

When the Chicago-themed version debuted in 2018, on the 125th anniversary of the Chicago World's Fair, Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashely Wheater said it was one of her proudest moments to create this original interpretation with Wheeldon.

“Now, six years since its debut, the holiday

magic of the Joffrey’s version of The Nut cracker is perhaps more poignant than ever, a story of family and adventure,” she says. “But more than anything, it is an homage to a city we cherish so much, and we look forward to celebrating another incomparable holiday season in Chicago once more.”

A ballet in two acts, The Nutcracker opens

in Chicago on Christmas Eve, 1892, mere months before the opening of the 1893 World’s Fair—a marvel unlike anything the city has ever seen.

“I have many fond memories of watch ing The Nutcracker throughout my life, and even now, dozens upon dozens of viewings later,” Greg Cameron, President and CEO, added. “What I love most is that no matter how many times I see it, the spectacle and sheer wonderment still feels new. The Nut cracker has a way of reaching people, and we are most proud and fortunate that the Jof frey’s version continues to be a point of pride and joy for Chicagoans year after year.”

Wheeldon’s American tale relocates Marie and her immigrant family to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, and opens as young Marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the Fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, host a festive Christmas Eve celebration. After a surprise visit from the creator of the Fair, the mysterious Great Impresario, Marie embarks on a whirlwind adventure with the Nut cracker Prince through a dreamlike World’s Fair.

The Nutcracker runs through December 27 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive in Chicago. Single tickets start at $36 and are available for purchase online at joffrey. org/nutcracker, by telephone at 312-386-8905, or at Lyric Opera Box Office.

There’s a buzz out there on social media about Mothers Trust right now and a lot of interest in getting involved

Winnetka’s Ava Summers discusses her experiences in the prestigious United States Senate Page Program.

BY RYAN HUDGINS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

For New Trier High School senior Ava Sum mers, the summer of 2022 was a pivotal one.

The 17-year-old spent four weeks in our na tion’s capital, serving as a U.S. Senate Page—the only representative from Illinois—with 30 other students hailing from across the country.

The pages play an integral role in the daily operations of the Senate, performing duties such as delivering documents to offices, prepar ing desks for presentations, and recording when senators enter the Senate floor during a vote. Summers most enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with senators.

“After one of my favorite senators finished speaking, I approached him to ask if he wanted a copy of his speech,” she says. “I then had the honor of talking to him before taking his speech. These moments were so special because not only did I get to speak with the senators, but I also got to hold their original speeches with all of their handwritten notes before delivering them to wherever they needed to go.”

The history of the page program is a longheld tradition in the Senate, starting with the first appointment in 1829 of a nine-year-old boy. Today, pages are still appointed by a Senator and must be a high school junior, at least sixteen years old, and enrolled in school.

Summers went through the lengthy ap plication process in February – sending her resume, transcript, four essays, and three letters of recommendation to the office of Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). In April, she received her acceptance into the program.

“I was on a flight coming back from spring break when I found out,” she says. “I was so excited.”

She was hopeful the experience would pro vide her with a first-hand understanding of the polarization between political parties and help her to see if the media was portraying politics in a realistic way or if there was much under the surface that went unseen by the public.

“Many times, the media illuminates only those instances where the Senate is heavily split or fiercely debating different issues. They don’t show that the Senate members often work together to produce bills that create change,” she explains. “I like politics a lot more now because

I know that it’s not all just split. There’s a lot of teamwork that goes on behind the scenes.”

Summers had especially hoped she would meet both Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen ate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“I was really surprised because we were able to meet and take photos with both of them and have a little conversation too,” she says. “That was one of the highlights.”

Summers, who would recom mend the program to anyone remotely interested in politics, will bring her expertise to her AP U.S. Government and Politics class at New Trier this year as well as to college next year, where she is considering a major in political science. And perhaps, a future summer will see her return to Capitol Hill as a congressional intern.

For more information about the United States Senate Page Program, visit senate.gov/refer ence/reference_index_subjects/ Pages_vrd.htm.

The City of Highland Park hope to get ev eryone in the holiday spirit in the coming weeks as its plans four themed events to celebrate the season.

Santa arrives by carriage on Saturday, No vember 19, in conjunction with the annual Sugar Plum Shopping Spree. Hosted by the Downtown Highland Park Alliance, the man in red will be joined by holiday carolers and street entertainers. Participants will also be invited to discover

Santa's mailbox at Gearhead Outfitters, enjoy a carriage ride from Highland Park Bank & Trust, donate to the Toys for Tots toy drive (ongo ing throughout the November and December events), delight in holiday window displays, and enter the Sugar Plum Shopping Spree raffle.

The city’s “Heart of the Holidays” festivities continue on Small Business Saturday, Novem ber 26 Downtown Highland Park will be filled with holiday music as buskers and carolers roam

the streets while shoppers enjoy food samples.

If you have a Frozen fan in the house, mark your calendars for December 3. The movie theme will come to life with Frozen characters performing throughout the city. There will also be a “make your own Olaf” project with kids collecting pieces of Olaf in the different children’s stores.

The final event of the holiday extravaganza will be on December 10 as families will enjoy

meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be on site along with their elves. The day’s activities include gingerbread house making courtesy of Renaissance Place, and holiday carolers. There will also be a Klezmer band—Hanukkah Har riet—along with dreidel making and yummy sufganiyot.

For more information, visit enjoyhighlandpark. com/heart-of-the-holidays.

Ava Summers. Photography by Katrina Wittkamp

JUSTIN GREENBERG Glenview

THE ART OF THE CUPCAKE

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Elizabeth Holland tilts her head in concentration, one hand holding a perfect little cupcake, the other, a piping bag full of buttercream. Applying just the right amount of pressure, she squeezes the bag and pulls the piping tip up and away, up and away, in deftly timed precision, producing amazingly lifelike rose petals.

Within seconds, more than a dozen petals daintily curl around the central rosebud, and the icing flower is complete. Across from Holland, Robin Ross is likewise focused, piping a minutia of green leaves, yellow pet als, and brown seeds until a sunny sunflower

smiles up from the top of another cupcake. It’s just another day in the life of Luxe & Lilac, the mother-daughter duo who has been wowing the North Shore for nearly a year now with their floral fantasia of cup-sized cakes.

Available in vanilla, lemon, and chocolate flavors, big and small, and in myriad group ings for every imaginable occasion, the cup cakes bloom with a bouquet of buttercream floral options. There are roses and peonies, dahlias and hydrangea, daisies, sunflowers, and lilacs.

For Ross and Holland, who share both a love for baking and a love for flowers, teaming up to launch Luxe & Lilac was the natural outgrowth of the family’s entrepreneurial

spirit and celebration of food as the heart of the home.

“From my earliest memories growing up in Highland Park,” says Ross, “my family was always a cooking family. Love centered around coming together for meals, large and small. There was also a passion for experimen tation and learning.”

That spirit thrived as Ross raised her children including Holland, who was the eldest. “We are a very creative family and are frequently brainstorming new business ideas,” says Ross. “Most get caboshed by one or more of our family members. But this one seemed right from the beginning.”

The timing was certainly right. Ross, for 10 years a management partner at Levy

Restaurants in Chicago, had just finished 28 years at Kraft Foods/Kraft Heinz (leading the Culinary Group for more than 15 years.) And Holland, who has a degree in biology and elementary education, had stepped away from work as an educator to raise two children.

“While I was beyond blessed to be home with my two little boys,” she says, “I needed to find a passion or outlet that was just for me and separate from Elizabeth ‘the mom’ and one that I could do around my kids’ schedule.”

Artisanal, small-batch cupcakes have proved to be just that. The idea was born simply enough: Holland took art classes throughout her life and was skilled artistically, often taking inspiration from nature. Asked to bring something sweet to a baby shower, she

Entrepreneurs Elizabeth Holland and her mother, Robin Ross, are sweetening the North Shore one beautiful cupcake at a time.

baked cupcakes and discovered that the talent she had for drawing flowers translated well in 3D buttercream.

Putting that artistic gifting together with Ross’ background in culinary-team leading and recipe development, it wasn’t a long leap conceptually to build the cupcake business. But as simple as cupcakes may seem, there has been a lot of complexity behind the scenes. Because the cakes are produced from a home kitchen, the pair had to jump through

To get there, creating systems for efficiency and consistency has been key. “We are con stantly evolving to create better processes so that we can work more quickly and increase our capacity—especially during key holiday time periods,” says Ross.

Likewise, the pair continues to grow artisti cally, honing piping skills, adding new flower and color palette creations, and responding to customer requests. “We listen to our custom ers’ input for ideas,” says Holland, “and are

year in business, both are op timistic about what lies ahead.

“As a fam ily, connect ing over food and creating memories has always brought us closer and

many hoops to secure the Illinois Cottage Food License needed to sell them. Develop ing the perfect batters for each cupcake flavor took months. “They not only needed to taste delicious, have quality ingredients but also had to have an optimal crumb texture that could support the buttercream,” Ross explains. Creating a buttercream that could hold the shape of the flowers, had a good mouthfeel and an excellent flavor was even more chal lenging. Tinting the frosting to create perfect, sophisticated hues took much experimenta tion. And packaging the cupcakes in a way that they could be used for both gifting and special occasions and could be safely con tained through transport and plucked out of boxes without muss, was also difficult.

always scoping what could be next.”

In the short term? A wheat-free cupcake is nearly ready for launch.

Through it all, Ross and Holland say their strengths balance well. Ross develops the batter recipes, bakes the cupcakes, and handles accounting. Holland heads design, manages social media, and leads the artistic direction of the buttercream flowers. Other tasks are shared. “Elizabeth is always burst ing with ideas and is ready to energetically tackle anything and everything. I have a more methodical approach,” says Ross. “But that’s the beauty of our relationship. We build on each other and respect our varying thoughts and approaches.”

As they near the finish line of their first

given us joy. We want to help others create these types of moments with our cupcakes. It’s really impor tant to us,” sums Holland.

“Whether it be for a happy birthday or a large holiday gathering, our hope is to help others connect over food with a sweet and happy sharing experience.”

For more information, visit luxeandlilac.com.

Robin Ross and Elizabeth Holland

Count on Carrie for a North Shore Thing

Carrie grew up in Lincoln Park and has lived in Winnetka for the last 31 years. Her knowledge of the city and the North Shore allows her to serve clients from the Loop to Lake Forest. A special area of expertise includes Wilmette lakefront condos.

Carrie and her husband live in Winnetka in the house her great grandmother built in 1918. Duncan is a special education associate at Washburne School in Winnetka and has had his real estate license since 1978.

When not serving her clients and spending time with family, Carrie likes to take early morning walks to watch the sun rise, singing in the Christ Church Winnetka Choir, and enjoying the outdoors.

Carrie has an extensive history with selling property on the North Shore, especially luxury condos and co-ops. A few of her highlighted closed sales in 2022 include:

Wilmette

1420 Sheridan Road Apt. 2H, Wilmette

1420 Sheridan Road Apt. 1E, Wilmette

1420 Sheridan Road Apt. 4I, Wilmette

1420 Sheridan Road Apt. 6H, Wilmette 1500 Sheridan Road Apt. 4I, Wilmette 1500 Sheridan Road Apt. 1J, Wilmette 1630 Sheridan Road Apt. 8F, Wilmette

Winnetka

742 Oak Street, Winnetka 630 Winnetka Mews Apt. 201, Winnetka*

Evanston

777 Hinman Ave Apt. 37, Evanston

CARRIE NADLER HEALY 847.507.7666 carrie.healy@compass.com

changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. 851 Spruce St, Winnetka, IL 60093.

Carrie Healy is a real estate broker affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions,

*Buyer Represented

Lake Forest Civic Orchestra returns with a program featuring solo musicians from surrounding high schools.

A COMMUNITY CLASSIC

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Aidan Watts, a rising junior at Lake For est High School, already has 14 years under his belt playing the violin. Now 17, the math is pretty easy; he started playing the violin when he was 3. While Watts is currently a member of his high school’s symphony or chestra, he’s looking forward to his next gig. Watts and a number of other area high school students were selected to play as soloists for the Lake Forest Civic Orches tra’s (LFCO) upcoming 2022-2023 season, its 34th, which kicked off in October at the Gorton Center’s John and Nancy Hughes Theater.

“I feel very honored to be offered the chance. It's not every day that you have the opportunity to perform as a soloist with an orchestra and it's an incredible experience,” Watts says. “These programs really benefit young musicians by giving them more ways to share their talent and passion for music with the community.”

Watts was a featured soloist at the Octo ber 9 concert, playing “Vin Concerto No. 1, Mvt. 1,” by the German Romantic Compos er Max Bruch, his most well-known work.

“I can definitely relate to the piece. On his gravestone, Bruch had carved, ‘Music is the language of God,’ and I think that's just such a wonderful phrase,” says Watts. “Music is very powerful and no matter what language you speak, everyone can come and connect through music and that's something I think is very special.”

Chris Ramaekers, Lake Forest Civic Orchestra’s music director, says involving student soloists dovetails with the orchestra’s mission of providing quality, communitybased music for residents of the North Shore.

“We're a community orchestra from the community of Lake Forest and for the com munity of Lake Forest,” he explains. “The members of the orchestra are from here and the surrounding areas and they really value the orchestra both for the music-making and for camaraderie and community fellow ship.”

The reason the orchestra began involving student soloists in its performances was to boost community involvement. Having local students and up-and-coming soloists, Ra maekers says, is the best and most effective way to continue to represent the Lake Forest community.

Aidan Watts

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRI SHERMAN

While most of the players in the orchestra are volunteers (section leaders and some administrative staff are paid employees), it’s the music it produces and plays reflects its players’ collective passion for the works it undertakes, some audiences might not be familiar with.

“The first thing for me it's a really great group of people and it's great how every body is really committed to this mission of representing and serving the Lake Forest community,” he adds. “Orchestras run the risk of becoming stale and easily falling into set patterns. What I really enjoy about working with LFCO is they're willing to go with newer ideas.”

These newer ideas include performing pieces by living composers and premiering pieces by local composers, some of whom are not so well known.

“For example, the first concert we have this year we're performing a piece by Stacy Garrop called ‘Becoming Medusa’,” Ra maekers says. “Garrop lives in Evanston and for a long time was a professor in Roosevelt University’s Music Department.”

On the spring 2023 calendar is a per formance of “D'un matin de Printemps” by Lili Boulanger, a French composer who died quite young in the early 20th Century. Ramaekers says her music isn't played nearly as often as it should be, and alongside side it the orchestra is playing works from more well-known composers such as Tchaikovsky

and Mozart.

Howard Martino grew up in Lake Forest and played a few concerts with orchestra in its early days but took an extended hiatus before joining up again about 12 years ago.

He’s now President of the organization’s Board of Directors. Like others involved in the organization, it’s the community aspect of the orchestra that motivates him.

“I think it comes back to community and the need to give back to the community. Music in Lake Forest has done a lot for me and so it just made sense for me to come back,” Martino says. “Then, at some point we needed a change in direction with a mu sic director and I kind of stepped up to the plate and started working on the board.”

While volunteers now pay a fee to partici pate in the orchestra, there’s a payoff—being able to learn from the professionals hired by the orchestra and enhance their musical skills.

“We hire section leaders who are pros to come in and help teach and drive the sec tions, at least the string sections,” he says. “The volunteer players get some benefit because they have the opportunity to be come better even though they are talented already.”

Martino says he gets special satisfaction from the orchestra’s program to bring in guest high school soloists like Watts. The program is offering opportunities to stu

during the pandemic and weren’t able to play with their high school orchestras.

“We look forward every year to provid ing rising musicians in the community the opportunity to play with us,” Martino says. “We Initially brought four of them in for one concert and I just remember not really being able to see my music because my eyes were tearing up seeing that they were finally able to feel that experience.”

Melinda Vajnic is a Principal Flautist with the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, and she says she plays with the orchestra because of her love of making music and being able to participate at a community level.

“People join it for the love of making music and we are truly unique in the sense that we have received so much support from the community and from our members who play for the love of it,” she says. “Over the years we've created a space for people in this hectic world, whether you're an orchestra member or an audience member, to come and find a space where you can escape for a little while into something deeper and beautiful.

“It's a lovely thing and it's not an easy to make a community orchestra work, and these days we couldn't do it without the community.”

For more information about the upcoming season of Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, visit

... I just remember not really being able to see my music because my eyes were tearing up seeing that they were finally able to feel that experience.

Norman Teague

Michael Thompson, Zach Weber

255 N. Green Bay Road • Lake Forest

Suffield House is considered one of renowned architect David Adler’s most important country homes. A collaboration with his designer sister, Frances Adler Elkins, this 15,000 sqft French-inspired East Lake Forest residence on 5.4 acres is loaded with priceless, perfectly preserved architectural features including imported English paneling, antique Chinese oil paintings, exotic marbles, ornate plaster moldings and ornamentation, original light fixtures, nine unique fireplaces, custom millwork, and a handsome Versailles patterned hardwood floor. With a 4-stop passenger elevator and central air conditioning, this home was ahead of its time.

Recreational features include a magnificent pool and pool house and a bent grass lawn with a PGA-rated putting green modeled after the 12th hole at Augusta Golf Course. Other features include a carriage house and a deep 4-car garage. Available for the first time in nearly 50 years, this is a rare opportunity to own a truly exceptional home by one of the most significant residential architects of all time! Offered at $10.1 million.

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Scan from your mobile device to learn more.

AWASH IN WONDER

BY LAURA LAYFER TREITMAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Jeanné Sapienza’s interest in art and more specifically, photography and film, began at an early age. Growing up in the Midwest, she was influenced by her large Italian, Irish, and French family. She describes fond memories of “a houseful of cousins, music, drama, love, and life!”

One grandmother performed in the theater, and the other was a concert pianist. An aunt was a child television star.

“There were almost daily backyard perfor mances that featured dancing, singing, and storytelling,” recalls Sapienza. “We always found a captive, yet kind and willing audience in our neighbors.” Long summer days were spent at the pool; perhaps these memories solidified her strong connection to water and coaxed its consistent flow throughout her work.

Sapienza vividly remembers asking for a Polaroid instant camera at age 11 and her excitement in receiving that very first camera. In high school, she was given a Minolta that would take her through most of her adult hood until she switched to a Nikon. After graduating from the University of Missouri, she drove out West with her cousin, both intent on making it in the entertainment in dustry. Sapienza quickly found jobs in movies, commercials, music videos, production, and post-production.

Apropos to her interest in water, she even ended up working on popular shows such as the Baywatch pilot. “I got an agent, earned my Screen Actors Guild card, and stayed in Los Angeles for nearly two decades.” She looked at that period in her career as a chance to better train her eye knowing that, while it was a different education from that of traditional photography practice, it would no doubt serve to enhance her eye for the future.

When Sapienza decided to return closer to home, she moved to the Chicago area in order to be near her sisters. While picking up freelance gigs here and there, she enrolled in photography classes where ready access to dark rooms and labs was available.

Shortly after relocating, she met and mar ried John Prinz. Joined by his three daugh ters, the couple soon welcomed three more children, a girl and twin boys.

“All of the sudden, we had a very full house with trios of teenagers and toddlers,” shares Sapienza. “I felt very blessed and very busy with this big and beautiful brood.” They lived in Libertyville on land with a small lake in the backyard, a feature that quickly became a central theme in Sapienza’s photography aesthetic.

“To me, in my role as a mother, the water suddenly conveyed a range of the strong evo lutionary emotions I was feeling—lifecycles, purity, practicality, innocence, and healing.”

Jeanné Sapienza’s new series of photographs marries the worlds above and below the water.

Artist Jeanné Sapienza photographed at Laughlin Gallery in Highland Park. Photography by Katrina Wittkamp

As creative expression had been so impor tant to many of her close relatives, it only seemed natural for Sapienza to elevate the casual family snapshot to an art form. Her camera became almost like a lifeguard, in many respects, as she built homemade protec tors to enable its immersion in water. Her children and their friends frequently served as

models. Sapienza sought to capture their free and playful movements in those elusive mo ments when light and dark intertwine.

Ascension, a photo of two ethereal figures rising through the waves, takes a painterly point of view in a narrative on transformation and reflection.

“I often hear people discuss not having a

true sense of whether my work represents a coming or going, a beginning or end. I think that is a true assessment of the fluidity I seek,” notes Sapienza, “a glimpse of the mystery and the magic of a contemplation and exploration that I am struggling with behind the lens, too.”

Once she had assembled a significant col lection of work, Sapienza began exhibiting lo cally. She is currently represented by Laughlin Gallery, a female-owned and operated space in Highland Park.

“I’m fascinated by the energy in being involved with other artists, those working in abstraction, different mediums, and expand

ing my understand ing and motivation to try new tools and techniques.”

Her production as signments continue to be in demand. During the pandemic, she directed and filmed a video advertise ment for a European sunglasses company in her backyard.

In 2019, Sapienza compiled a coffee table book of her photographs titled, Every Breath You Take, pairing many of the images with works of poetry.

“I think what has drawn me to water is how it interacts with the human condition— fragile, fearful, forceful, formidable,” observes Sapienza.

She speaks of water as a visual language, a fitting reference to the old familiar adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Laughlin Gallery is located at 1900 Sheridan Road in Highland Park, 847-748-4568, laughlingallery.com.

Rhythm

Entwined

THE SIDECAR

BY WENDY FRANZEN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Created over a century ago, the Sidecar is perhaps the world’s most popular cognac cocktail—and understandably so. Elegant cognac is shaken with freshly squeezed lemon juice and orange liqueur, resulting in cozy, tart-sweet-dry perfec tion. The sugared rim is optional but strongly recommended as it lends a touch of balanced sweetness to each sip.

Makes One INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces cognac

• 1 ounce best-quality orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao)

• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

• White sugar and a lemon wedge, for rimming glass

• Strip of lemon or orange peel, for garnish

METHOD

• Thoroughly chill a coupe glass.

• Sugar the rim: Add sugar to a saucer or small plate, then lightly run a lemon wedge around the rim of glass. Turn glass upside down and dip rim directly into sugar—no twist ing necessary.

• Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until icy cold, then strain through a fine mesh cocktail sieve into glass.

• Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange.

Fabio Viviani’s Bar Siena Old Orchard celebrates the season with meals to enjoy at home.

Say what you will about Fabio Viviani—ce lebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and pin-up dreamboat for an incredible number of middle-aged amateur cooks—the man has no interest in being “dull.”

Ever since he chopped his way onto season five of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2008—rockin’ that rakish grin, his accent as potent as a bottle of Barolo—he’s refused to be boring.

This Thanksgiving, he’s making an impres sion by making your life easier.

Some of the famous chef’s favorite dishes will be prepped and available for pick-up at his Bar Siena in Old Orchard on Wednesday,

November 23.

For only $130, each package serves two people and features incredible mains and sides including:

• Gremolata Stuffed Porchetta

• Taleggio Whipped Potatoes with Chives

• Prosciutto Sausage & Red Pepper Focaccia Stuffing with Fried Sage

• Nonna’s Lasagna Bolognese

• Butternut Squash Arancini

• Green Beans Gorgonzola with Candied Walnuts

• Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Artichokes

• Fall Harvest Salad

The Bar Siena restaurant location in Old Orchard is the sibling of DineAmic Hospital ity's River North staple eatery, Siena Tavern.

The restaurant offers diners the perfect and approachable setting to enjoy lunch, dinner, late night, and weekend brunch. The menu features an expansive Italian street food and pizza bar selection, all served right here on the North Shore.

For more information, visit barsiena.com/loca tion/old-orchard.

ROOT FOR NAT

Children's Theatre of Winnetka alumna Natalie Pelletier—nearing 10 years as an actor in Los Angeles —appears to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Natalie Pelletier and Maddie McCormick were fifth graders and rookie actors when they appeared together on the Children’s Theatre of Winnetka stage in 2001.

Pelletier portrayed a cheerleader in the musi cal Good News So did McCormick.

“We first met at a rehearsal,” Pelletier recalls. “We hit it off, immediately. We became best friends.

“We’re still best friends.”

Both now live in Los Angeles and are still actors, making more than they had pulled down ($0) from 2001-2005 at CTW, a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting theatrical experiences for New Trier Township children, grades 4-8.

And each continues to rah! But it’s no longer an act.

“I cheer for her, and she cheers for me,” Pelle tier says. “Her wins are my wins and vice versa.”

Pelletier appeared in four episodes as a cast ing assistant in the final season of the AMC cable network series Mad Men (2007-2015) and starred in Geo-Disaster (2017), an action sci-fi movie directed by Thunder Levin, the writer of the Sharknado films. Her other credits include roles on the talk show A Little Late with Lilly Singh (2019) and the mystery/thriller A Dark Place (2018).

McCormick portrayed Corey in the 11th season of HBO’s Shameless (2021) and Jen R. in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere (2020).

“When auditions weren’t happening at the height of the pandemic, it truly was a blessing to have a friend like Maddie nearby,” Pelletier, a Los Angeles resident since 2013, says.

It’s easy to root for the preternaturally posi tive Pelletier, who, as a kindergartener in Kansas City, Missouri, wanted to become either a wait ress or an actor. Servers wearing poodle skirts at Winstead’s Steakburgers, a vintage diner in Kansas City, captivated her.

“I looked at them and thought, ‘How cool. They get to dress up like that for work each day,’” Pelletier says. “It was like they were performing for the diners in a costume. I first gravitated to performing, to acting, in Kansas City. I knew it would be fun to dress up, tell stories, and make people smile and laugh.”

“I told my mother (Sue) that my dream was to either work in a restaurant or act. She told me, ‘Honey, you can do both.’”

The Pelletier family moved to Winnetka when Natalie was a grade-schooler; Sue and her husband, Dale, still live there. Pelletier auditioned for that CTW role in Good News, a musical set in the Roaring Twenties at fictional Tait College.

Super news would come later: Pelletier landed the lead role in Hello Dolly

“That’s such a special organization, supported by an absolutely fantastic community,” Pelletier says of Children’s Theatre of Winnetka. “The shows’ production values are top tier. It was a gift, getting to perform there. I developed my

hallways to that of a stroll for Pelletier.

“I felt I had established, through a sense of accomplishment after each production, a great foundation during my CTW years,” she says. “I felt comfortable at New Trier.

“Acting had boosted my confidence.”

She continued to perform in theater at NT,

… things I probably wouldn’t have been able to do had I chosen a BFA path,” Pelletier says. “Living the life of a college student, without the demands of going for such a degree, helped me. Actors portray humans, right? I wanted to be around a variety of humans in my college years.”

Dale Pelletier had urged his daughter to check out UNC’s campus one more time before she had make the BIG decision.

Natalie will be forever grateful for that nudge.

“I took a tour of the UNC theater depart ment and saw a sign near the stage,” she recalls. “It said, ‘Act Like A Champion Today.’ My dad went to Notre Dame, where there’s a sign, ‘Play Like A Champion Today’ (located overhead in the tunnel leading out to the football field in South Bend).

“That was a sign to me,” she adds. “I thought, ‘OK, I need to go to UNC.’ ”

Pelletier doesn’t just act in Los Angeles. She’s also a model, a sommelier, and a podcast host (Family Meal, which can be found on Apple, and SipSip.mp3, which can be found on Spotify).

Pelletier collaborates with New Trier gradu ate AnnaLesa Rizzolo—“a music genius,” Pel letier says—on the latter.

A Rocket Mortgage commercial features Pelletier. She also co-wrote a rom-com movie script with Katherine Hughes. It’s about a woman becoming a sommelier.

“It’s based on a trip I took to Italy in 2019,” Pelletier says. “We’ve taken the script to meet ings, hoping to find a home for it. There’s a resurgence in rom coms.

love for rehearsing and creating at CTW. Yes, rehearsing.

“I’d love to go back to my days of rehears ing there.”

Current CTW performers have been rehearsing for weeks ahead of the start of this fall’s production, The SpongeBob Musical, November 17-20.

“I loved that cartoon while growing up,” Pelletier says. “That will be so fun for the actors and audiences. Best of luck to all involved.”

Pelletier entered humongous New Trier Township High School with gobs of confi dence, thanks mostly to her tenure at CTW. Drawing rounds of applause at Community House Winnetka as a preteen reduced the daunting experience of navigating NT’s packed

sang in two choir groups as a senior, got elected senior class vice president, and earned the equivalent of five-star reviews in most of her classes.

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill ac cepted her, enthusiastically.

“I remember not having a lunch period my senior year at New Trier,” Pel letier says. “Too busy. Too many commitments to the arts. I ate during theater class. I was a kid with an appetite for acting and for life. Living life to the full est is how I like to live.”

Such an approach made her eschew the pursuit of a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Michigan and embrace the opportunity to major in theater at UNC.

“I enjoyed art history classes at UNC, joined an a cappella group there, and I studied abroad

“I’m at an exciting point in my career,” she adds. “There’s a saying in Hollywood—‘It takes 10 years to become an overnight success.’ Well, I’m in my ninth year in L.A. I’m not what you would call a ‘name’ yet, but I’m busier than ever and I haven’t lost my optimism.”

What she found to be ridiculous, upon arriv ing in L.A.: allegedly helpful words.

“I was told to pick a lane, to be either an ac tor or a writer,” Pelletier says. “You know what? You don’t have to pick a lane out here. Look at what Mindy Kaling is doing. Do things that fulfill you.

“I love working in a number of lanes.”

Spoken like a true CTW alum.

CTW, after all, teaches all aspects of theater arts: producing, directing, acting, singing, stage management, crewmanship, props, make-up, special effects, ushering.

Lanes galore.

Children’s Theatre of Winnetka stages its produc tions at Community House Winnetka, 620 Lincoln Avenue, in Winnetka. The SpongeBob Musical—to be performed a combined six times by two casts (Krabby and Patty)—runs November 17 to 20.

Call 847-446-0537 or visit childrenstheatrewin netka.com for more information about CTW and the times of the musical’s performances.

I told my mother (Sue) that my dream was to either work in a restaurant or act. She told me, ‘Honey, you can do both.’

Natalie Pelletier