Wilmette resident Irina Cardos shares her inspiring personal story, revealing how with hard work, expert training, and determination, she built her Cirine® Hair Removal & Skin Care med spa in Chicago and on the North Shore. pg8
Dear Valued Clients and Incredible Staff,
As we approach the end of 2024 and step into 2025—a milestone marking a quarter of a century—I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude.
Over the past 40 years, we have grown, adapted, and persevered through so much together. The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and my heart is so full reflecting on all we have accomplished.
To our amazing team: your unwavering dedication, creativity, and passion have been the foundation of our success.You’ve helped create a space that is not only beautiful, but also filled with warmth, care and love. Each of you brings something unique and invaluable to the Salon, and I am endlessly grateful for you.
To our cherished clients: your trust and support have been the driving force behind everything we do. You’ve allowed us to be part of your lives and entrusted us with all of your beauty needs, and for that we are truly honored.
As we celebrate this special season and milestone, I look forward to an even brighter future filled with growth, innovation, and cherished connections. Thank you for being such an essential part of this incredible journey.
Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season full of joy, peace, and love.
Warmest regards,
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From teen years spent living in an orphanage in Romania to the thriving Cirine® Hair Removal & Skin Care med spa business she built from nothing, there is one common thread running through Irina Cardos’ life story—a mission to empower others to find their inner beauty.
“Growing up in Romania and then coming here, all my life I was passionate about having smooth, healthy skin,” says Cardos, who immigrated from Romania in 2005 and spent her first decade in the U.S. working at a restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. “My hair is really dark and I thought, ‘how can I get rid of that?’ That’s when I learned about electrolysis.”
Inspired to master this technology, both for herself and to help others, she immediately began studying—earning a license to practice electrolysis in 2013 followed by an aestheticians license in 2014.
“I started working in my apartment for a year and then I rented a room in a salon close to home for another two years,” she says, explaining that as her client roster grew, she needed a bigger space and more help. “In 2016, I bought a property in Chicago’s Ravenswood area. While I was building my business, I was also working simultaneously with a plastic surgeon in Wilmette.”
That synergy opened doors for even more opportunities. Along the way, as she was looking for the best technicians in the area to join her Chicago practice, she met Dan Rutkowski—a licensed aesthetician, licensed electrologist, and certified laser technician who she describes as “a very talented and inspiring teacher.”
In 2020, they took their vision one step further and opened an electrolysis school.
“Due to the demand of our services and not being able to find the right technicians, we opened a school and trained people on the unique techniques we have developed over the years,” says Cardos. “In 2021, we purchased the property next door in Ravenswood and made the Chicago office twice as large—allocating part of the second space for the school. In 2022, we converted it into a medical practice and expanded into more advanced skin care services.”
In addition to his practice, Rutkowski now serves as General Manager and works with Cardos to build the business. After an extensive remodel to the Wilmette office this year, he says a new laser rejuvenation device will help them expand the scope of services offered beyond hair removal and skin care.
“It’s a great device with no down time, ideal for treating wrinkles, skin pigmenta-
tion, acne, and more. Over the years we really tailored our protocols to achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time, whether it be for hair removal or skin care treatments,” he says. “We now have 12 providers so as our team continues to grow, we continue our education—regularly taking classes so we can further our knowledge and pass it on to our clients.”
Today, Cirine® Hair Removal & Skin
Care is known as the North Shore area’s leading skin care and permanent hair removal provider. The med spas in Wilmette and Chicago offer laser hair reduction, massage therapy, advanced skin and wellness services,
and electrolysis—the only FDA-Approved method of permanent hair removal,
“In the future, we are looking to open even more locations throughout the North Shore and hopefully beyond that,” adds Rutkowski.
As for Cardos, she is happily married and living in Wilmette. Her 23-year-old son is also part of a business she only dreamed of all those years ago.
“When I was working in a restaurant in Romania, I was going to school to become a CPA. I met some people from the U.S. who told me ‘if you work like this in the United States, your life is going to be so much bet-
ter.’ I thought about it and decided to come here for greater opportunities and also for my son,” says Cardos, who spoke very little English when she immigrated to Chicago. “I am a very meticulous and fastidious person. I love my work and helping people find a plan that works for them. People are often very skeptical about the process so I help them feel at ease. I love helping people feel better about themselves. It truly is my life’s passion.”
Cirine® Hair Removal & Skin Care med spa has locations in Wilmette and Chicago. For more information, visit cirinespa.com.
BY SHERRY THOMAS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Irina Cardos of Wilmette, owner of Cirine® Hair Removal & Skin Care med spa. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP
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NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
DECEMBER
14
MARIANI LANDSCAPE’S HOLIDAY SHOPPE
WHERE: Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff
Mariani Landscape’s Holiday Shoppe is back. The popular Lake Bluff event features an extraordinary selection of Christmas trees, holiday decor, fresh greenery, and seasonal arrangements. Highlights include a visit by Santa and his sleigh, hot chocolate, and cider with a bonfire for s’mores, exclusive holidays decor, and container arrangements. marianilandscape.com
DECEMBER 14 TO 15
A LATIN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT
WHERE: Evanston and Chicago
The Newberry Consort is pleased to present A Latin American Christmas concert in Evanston and the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Inspired by A Mexican Christmas, this production will include both sacred and secular music from the 16th through 18th centuries in Peru, Spain, and Guatemala. The dialogue for this play will be read in Spanish and will include English supertitles. Tickets are $25, $10 for students, or free for children under the age of 16 with the purchase of an adult ticket. This concert will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston on December 14 and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago on December 15. newberryconsort.org
DECEMBER
14
ORNAMENT WORKSHOP FOR KIDS
WHERE: Gorton Center
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. create three handmade ornaments at Gorton Center
in Lake Forest. All materials will be provided. This workshop is for ages 7 to 12. gortoncenter.org
DECEMBER 14 TO 15
EAST END HOLIDAY MARKET
WHERE: ENAZ, Highland Park
Enjoy a festive celebration of holiday shopping from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Enaz boutique in Highland Park. There will be 20 unique local vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and custom gifts. Services like ear piercings, mini tattoos, and permanent jewelry will be offered. There will also be an after party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring holiday-inspired bites. enjoyhighlandpark.com
DECEMBER 14 TO 15
LETTERS TO SANTA
WHERE: Northfield Community Center
Children can write letters to Santa and receive a reply from the big man himself. Share wishes, ask questions, tell Santa about your year. Letters can be dropped off at mailboxes in the Northfield Community Center. Include your mailing address so Santa can write back. northfieldparks.org
DECEMBER 14 TO 31
GAME OF GNOMES SCAVENGER HUNT
WHERE: Downtown Wilmette
Set out on a fun adventure throughout Wilmette. Twelve holiday gnomes are hiding among the window decorations of 12 stores throughout Wilmette. Fill out the game card with names as the gnomes are found. Once you have all 12, turn in the game card at the Game of Gnomes drop box at the Wild Child Toy Shop. Entries will be eligible to win a Shop Wilmette Gift Card. A new winner will be picked each week in December. Share
your finds on social media for a chance to win extra prizes. wilmette.gov
DECEMBER 14 TO JANUARY 5
LIGHTSCAPE
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden’s annual Lightscape event is back. The gardens have been transformed into dazzling light displays to enjoy this holiday season. Beautiful first-time installations and returning favorites like the light chapel decorate the trail nightly. Tickets can be purchased on the garden’s website and slots are available on first-come, first-served basis. Drink and food will be offered within the gardens along the trail. chicagobotanic.org
DECEMBER 14, JANUARY 11 & 25
CHOO-CHOO AND CHEWCHEWS HOT CHOCOLATE PARTY
WHERE: History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff
The History Center will host three hot chocolate parties from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hot chocolate, cookies, and desserts will be served and scavenger hunts, coloring stations, and other kid-friendly activities will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. RSVP now. lflbhistory.org
DECEMBER 15
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Church
Enjoy the music of Bach and Britten, listen to readings and sing hymns, all in a meditative setting at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park. Light refreshments will be served after the one-hour service. Admission is free with an optional donation. trinitychurchhp.org
DECEMBER 19
NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB
WHERE: Winnetka Public Library
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. explore all that popular fiction has to offer with this adult program. Participants will bring books to life through colorful conversation and review the books they read this year. Refreshments welcome for our final meeting of the year. wnpld.org
DECEMBER 20
WINTER SOLSTICE
WHERE: Shelton Park
Decorate yourself, your family, dogs, strollers, or wagons with lights and things that glow. Meet at Shelton Park in Glencoe at 5 p.m. to mark the passing of the year’s longest period of darkness. Enjoy Abbot’s Bromley Horn Dance, an ancient musical procession historically performed at this time of year. Stroll the Green Bay Trail to sing songs and celebrate the arrival of longer days. Festivities will end at 6 p.m. with a bonfire, hot chocolate, and refreshments. The parade will be canceled in the event of severe weather; event updates will be posted at gbtrail.org. No candles or open flames, please! Winter Solstice is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Green Bay Trail and the Glencoe Park District. glencoeparkdistrict.com
DECEMBER 20
CALLIPYGIAN CHRISTMAS
WHERE: Trinity of Wilmette
Singers and instrumentalists from the period performance ensemble Callipygian Players will offer a concert of Baroque holiday favorites. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and advance registration is required. Tickets are $20 per person. trinitywilmette.com
DECEMBER 22
HOLLY JOLLY CONCERTS WITH LAKE FOREST CIVIC ORCHESTRA
WHERE: Gorton Center
Lake Forest Civic Orchestra will make your season bright with two family friendly concerts. There is a 1:30 p.m. concert and a 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. concert. The first concert is 30 minutes, short and sweet for the little ones. Santa will also be joining in the fun. The second concert will feature music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, paired with Leopold Mozart’s musical depiction of a sleigh ride through the snow. At the end of both concerts, narrator Rebecca Prescott joins for a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and to lead the audience and orchestra in a Holiday sing-along. gortoncenter.org
DECEMBER
22
LIVE NATIVITY
WHERE: Trinity Wilmette
Meet Trinity Wilmette at 4:30 p.m. to experience a retelling of Jesus’ birth with live animals, an intergenerational cast, and traditional carols. Advanced registration is required. trinitywilmette.com
DECEMBER 23 TO 29
GRAB & GO: PAPER STRIP POLAR BEAR
WHERE: Highland Park Public Library
Children ages 5 to 14 can create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Using paper strips, create a polar bear friend and its colorful home. Materials will be provided. Pick up a kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. hplibrary.org
DECEMBER
31
MIDNIGHT AT THE MANOR
WHERE: Deer Path Inn Lake Forest’s iconic Deer Path Inn is transforming its English Room and Courtyard into a winter wonderland just in time to usher in 2025. Guests will enjoy a New Year’s evening of glamour, fine dining, and live music. Cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m., followed by a lavish buffet dinner. thedeerpathinn.com
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
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Together with an Engel & Völkers advisor you can formulate your custom strategy for selling your home in 2025!
To learn more about the opportunities that come with listing your home with Engel & Völkers, visit chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com.
EURO FLASH
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
In the season opener last month at the Loyola Academy/New Trier Thanksgiving boys’ basketball tournament in Winnetka, Lake Forest Academy senior forward and Lithuania native Paulius Karvelis executed a baby-hook shot in the middle of the lane.
It looked a little like a shot putter’s heave in track and field.
The ball swished through, cutting Lake Forest High School’s (LFHS) lead to 38-34 at the 6:52 mark of the fourth quarter and eliciting smiles from teammates on the court and on the bench.
Karvelis would score a team-high 15 points, including nine in the second quarter.
“Paulius has some touch around the rim, for sure,” said LFA Caxys coach Kyle Koncz after his squad lost 47-44 to LFHS.
“Some of his finishes,” the coach added, “are funky.”
Feisty—that’s one of the admirable traits of another formidable European who plays for the Caxys. Junior guard and first-year LFA student-athlete Levi Tallos hails from
Lake Forest Academy’s fast boys’ basketball team features talented, creative international players.
Harka, Hungary. He’s also intense and fearless and versatile on the hardwood.
It’s difficult to record a triple double in high school basketball. But Tallos came mighty close to notching one against Lake Zurich HS on November 30, finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in LFA’s 61-51 victory.
“That’s not easy, a player reaching doubles figures in three categories, because games are only 32 minutes at the high school level,” Koncz said. “And you just don’t see many prep players who are good at scoring, rebounding, and passing like Levi is.”
The Caxys split their four games at the highly competitive LA/NT tourney and improved their overall record to 3-2 when they defeated host Latin School 79-32 in Chicago on December 4. Tallos poured in 19 points, including a trio of three-pointers, against the Romans. Teammate Tej Johnson, a sophomore guard from Highland Park, also netted three treys and wound up with 12 points to match senior forward and London, England, native Arnas Simaitis’ output.
“Offensively, we can be a danger ous team when we share the ball,” said Koncz. “The more the guys buy into that, the better threat we are.”
Balanced scoring and self less play proved pivotal vs. LZHS last month. In addition to Tallos’ nine points, senior forward Mekael Mian—who calls Calgary in Alberta, Canada, home—tallied 13 points and Karve lis and Simaitis each finished with 10.
“We play fast and we play hard,” Tallos said.
“We always play hard, especially on defense,” Karvelis said. “Our defense, it’s al ways going to be there for us and it’s always going to be tough.”
Q & A with Highland Park HS gymnast Amelie Gerber
Paced by senior captain Amelie Gerber’s runner-up showing in the allaround (32.75 points) and first-place finish on the uneven bars, Highland Park High School’s girls’ gymnastics team won last weekend’s eight-team Wheeling Wildcat Invitational.
“Amelie has been solid, with superclean routines, and her form is exceptional,” says HPHS Giants coach Anthony Kopp. “As a leader, she’s great at lifting her teammates’ spirits and she makes sure all are working hard.”
HPHS senior Jillian Mangione also stood out at the invitational on December 6, placing second on floor exercise.
What’s the best way to overcome fear in gymnastics?
AG: Reassure yourself at all times. Know that you’ve done your routines so many times and rely on your muscle memory. It also helps to tell yourself, ‘You can do this.’
Which boys’ gymnastics event would you enjoy performing?
AG: Probably the pommel horse. It’s so cool-looking, watching a gymnast do a routine on that apparatus. It looks the best when the gymnast is moving fast and in control.
If you could perform your floor-exercise routine to a song with lyrics, which one would you choose?
AG: One by Beabadoobee. Her music is chill pop.
Describe the perfect gymnastics practice.
AG: It can’t be perfect if it doesn’t include moments when we’re goofy. This is a tough sport; laughter helps.
Who is your team’s unsung hero?
AG: (Junior) Maddie Kashy. She’s so positive, so supportive. And she’s such a sun—always bright and cheery.
PHOTOGRAPHY
NORTH SHORE SPORTS
THREEMENDOUS
Loyola Academy Ramblers roll to third straight—and sixth overall— state football title.
The Class 8A football state championship game between Loyola Academy and York High School was supposed to start at 7 p.m. on November 30 in Normal.
Kickoff occurred a little after 9 p.m. instead, due to the length of the earlier Class 5A, 6A, and 7A state title games on the campus of Illinois State University.
The Ramblers reacted to the delay like they did after winning only one of its first three games this season—with a confident shrug.
“We had arrived well-prepared,” says Loyola Academy coach Beau Desherow, a 1993 Loyola Academy graduate who guided his alma mater’s squad to last year’s state title in his first season at the helm.
“That’s one of the benefits of having played in as many state championship games (six since 2015) as our program had. We brought extra food and a ton of water. Having plenty of bone broth helped, too.”
But his Ramblers didn’t defeat York 35-14 in frigid temps—it was 22 degrees at kickoff—because of ample sustenance. Loyola Academy (12-2), which won its last 11 games, used an impressive blend of rushing, passing, stifling defense, and sound special-teams play to capture the program’s third straight state crown and sixth overall.
York took a quick 7-0 lead after forcing Loyola to punt on the Ramblers’ first possession. Loyola Academy came up big shortly thereafter, scoring on senior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald’s 18-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Will Carlson.
The connection capped a 65-yard, six-play drive that lasted two minutes and 15 seconds.
“That possession,” Desherow says, “summed up the resolve we had played with all season. This team had a lot of grit. We faced adversity early in the season and early in the championship game. But we never got down on ourselves.”
Loyola Academy senior defensive
back and special-team standout Micky Maher made an alert play after a York punt that preceded the Ramblers’ second TD. As the ball hopped near a phalanx of York and Loyola Academy legs—it might have been touched by a Rambler—Maher pounced on it, ensuring his team would not risk committing a turnover.
“Heads-up play by Micky,” Desherow says.
Senior running back Drew MacPherson had another impactful game for the Ramblers, rushing for 150 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns; Fitzgerald finished 12-of-21 passing for 160 yards and three TDs; and senior receiver Gavin Vradenburg had game highs of five catches and 74 yards receiving.
Loyola Academy limited York to only 51 total yards after intermission. Senior linebacker Charlie Daly led the champi on’s defense with talented, gritty play ers who executed well and made plays,” says Desherow, now 26-2 after two seasons. “And our coaches worked incred ibly hard all season.”
Academy’s bone-brothconsuming football pro gram was too good to the bone.
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
Lake Forest’s MATT BRUEGGEMAN has always thrived on creativity and hard work. From a young age, he explored a wide range of interests—from restoring pipe organs to competing in Olympicstyle weightlifting—all while balancing multiple jobs and studying online. This relentless drive shaped his career and led him to join Knauz Automotive in 2015. Matt was constantly on the go, leaving little time for relaxation. But in 2023, he discovered floatation therapy and, for the first time, truly
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. If you ever want to boil down life into understandable terms, take the real world out of it and you might come close. I've seen exceptions to every rule in life but never to a truly good principle, and sometimes mythology written by great people can better define the best principles. They say truth is stranger than fiction, so a little good fiction might get us a little closer to it than we think.
#ON MY MOBILE
Probably my wife of seven years, Rebekah. There's no opinion I value and respect more and having her a phone call away is a true blessing. She's a constant source of wisdom, kindness, and love, and has been the best companion I could ask for since I met her 14 years ago.
#IN MY EARBUDS
CRANBERRY CHARLOTTE RUSSE
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS FOOD EDITOR
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
This little jewel of a holiday treat combines whipped cream vanilla mousse with a tart but sweet cranberry gelee topper, ringed with delicate lady fingers. Like so many vintage sweets, the provenance of the charlotte russe is a bit vague. Some historians suggest the French chef Marie-Antoine Carême invented the dessert in the 18th century for his employers, Queen Charlotte of England and Russian Czar Alexander I. Either way, charlotte russes became popular in America, trickling down to the streets of New York City where a vastly simplified version was sold in push-bottom paper cups from the ‘30s to the ‘50s.
This no-bake recipe also yields a bonus for your holiday table. Mix the reserved cooked cranberries from the topper with the leftover gelee for a bowl of delicious cranberry relish!
MAKES 2, 6-INCH CHARLOTTES
INGREDIENTS
Charlotte Russe
• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder (1 packet) softened in 3 teaspoons warm water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 cup heavy whipping
cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (Nielsen-Massey)
• 28 lady fingers
• Cranberry gelee (from recipe below)
Cranberry Gelee
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons freshsqueezed lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder (1 packet)
• Fresh juice from 1 small orange (to make 2 tablespoons)
For the garnish
• Thin orange slices
• A few fresh cranberries
• Sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Holiday ribbon
In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin powder over 3 teaspoons warm water and stir. Set aside to bloom gelatin. Whisk egg yolks well in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside. Place milk in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Temper egg yolks by whisking 1/2 of the steamed milk into the bowl of whisked egg yolks. Whisk in the rest of the milk. Return mixture to the saucepan and whisk continuously over medium-low heat. Add the bloomed gelatin and continue whisking until gelatin has fully dissolved and custard has thickened enough to thickly coat the back of a spoon. Remove custard from heat. Pour custard through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl and set aside to cool for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
While custard cools, line two 6-inch removable-bottom cheesecake tins with plastic wrap, allowing edges of wrap to extend over the rims of the tins. Cut the bottom of each lady finger off so that, when standing upright, each lady finger should be just above the top of the tin. Save the ladyfinger bottoms to line the bottom of the tins. Line the inside edges of each cheesecake tin with the trimmed ladyfingers, nestling them sugar-side-out, side by side, and straight up so that the cut edges stand flush with the bottom of each tin. Fill the bottom of the tins with the reserved ladyfinger bottoms (laid flat).
Once custard has cooled, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until medium peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold 1/3 of the cooled custard into the whipped cream. Repeat, gently folding the rest of the custard into the cream. Divide mixture between the two lady-fingerlined cheesecake tins. (You should have about 1/2 inch of ladyfingers still exposed above the mixture.) Refrigerate. Important: You will add the partially set cranberry gelee to the top of the charlottes after they have set for 3 hours.
Bloom gelatin powder by stirring with 3 teaspoons warm water in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine 2 cups of fresh cranberries with 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat to boiling. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes until berries have popped, and mixture is soft. Pour berry mixture through a fine mesh stainer, capturing the juice in a bowl. Do not press on the berries—that will “muddy” the clarity of the juice. Reserve the berries. Place the strained juice back in the saucepan. Add lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar has dissolved (3 minutes.) Add bloomed gelatin and continue stirring until gelatin has fully dissolved (5 minutes.) Remove from heat, pour into a glass bowl, and cool for 20 minutes. Strain fresh orange juice through a fine mesh strainer twice. Stir strained orange juice into cranberry juice mixture. Leave cranberry orange mixture in a bowl until charlotte russe has been refrigerated for 2 hours. At this point, refrigerate bowl of gelee for 45 minutes until thickened and slightly wobbly, but not fully set. Pour a small amount of thickened gelee over the tops of the two charlotte russes and smooth to fill the tops of the cakes. (Save the remaining gelee to make cranberry relish.) Return charlottes to refrigerator for another 2 hours until gelee is fully set or refrigerate overnight.
Garnish And Serve
Grip the plastic wrap extending over the edges of the cheesecake tins to lift charlotte russes from tins. Discard plastic and carefully place charlotte russes on serving platter. Wrap a ribbon around each charlotte russe. Decorate tops with thin slices of orange, sprigs of rosemary, and a few tiny raw cranberries. Serve cold.
Make Bonus Cranberry Relish
Place the reserved cooked cranberries in a small pan. Add 1/2 cup water and 1/3 cup sugar and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. In a bowl, stir cranberry mixture with leftover cranberry gelee. Refrigerate until set.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
METHOD
Charlotte Russe
Cranberry Gelee
CRANBERRY APPLE SHRUB with Ginger
Jump into winter with this vibrant and versatile sweet-tart drink.
BY WENDY FRANZEN
Shrubs—drinkable, fruit-infused vinegars—can be traced to 15th century England where they were first prescribed to combat scurvy. During the 17th and 18th centuries, shrubs were combined with rum, brandy, or sparkling wine and served as cordials. English settlers brought shrubs to colonial America, often mixing them with spirits or still water. Consumption waned with the invention of refrigeration, with vinegar no longer a necessity for fruit preservation.
Everything old is new again, as the saying goes. Shrubs have enjoyed a recent resurgence as an endlessly versatile and zippy base for cocktails and alcohol-free drinks.
This shrub utilizes wintry, in-season ingredients readily available at grocery stores. To enjoy alcohol-free, pour two to three tablespoons into an ice-filled glass and top with chilled sparkling water or ginger beer, garnishing with whole fresh or frozen cranberries. For a delightful cocktail, replace alcohol-free bubbles with prosecco. Alternatively, follow alcohol-free instructions, then splash in a shot of spiced rum.
MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 Tbsps freshly grated ginger
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large-sized sweet apples, unpeeled
• 1 cup frozen cranberries, thawed
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar, Bragg Organic recommended
METHOD
Combine ginger and sugar in a large glass bowl.
Grate apples on a box grater, avoiding then discarding seeds and core. Stir shredded
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
RAVINIA
JAZZ MENTORS
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
apples and any juices into ginger/sugar mixture.
Purée cranberries and vinegar in a blender, then pour into bowl. Stir to combine.
Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a cool, shaded spot on countertop for 24 to 48 hours.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh strainer placed over another large bowl, pressing on solids to release juices. Discard solids, then funnel shrub into jars or bottles with tight fitting lids.
Store in refrigerator for up to 6 months.
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDY FRANZEN
01 Toulouse Performance Velvet Counter Stool, danielhouse. club 02 Alkemis Paint in Bacalar, alkemispaint.com 03 Flowerpot Portable LED Table Lamp, teaknewyork.com 04 Trove Object Gallery Cubism Tumblers, troveobjectgallery.com 05 Velvet Chain Link Pillow, domanihome. com 06 Hudson Grace Deruta Bowl, Hudson Grace Glencoe, 847-5570599 07 Missoni Maseko Cushion, domanihome.com 08 KYOTO Serenity, assouline.com 09 Verloop Pillow Collection, shop.verloopknits. com 10 Hudson Grace Mohair Throw, Hudson Grace Glencoe, 847557-0599 11 Mustard Made Glass Collection, us.mustardmade.com 12 Albert Bar Stool, teaknewyork. com 13 Molino Grinder by Fabien Cappello for Hem, hem.com 14 Oscar Amethyst Bowl, Jonathan Adler Chicago, 312-274-9920
LYRIC OPENING GALA
Lyric Opera of Chicago hosted its spectacular Lyric Opening Gala in partnership with the Lyric Women’s Board. Chaired by Ann Jones of Lake Forest alongside Women’s Board President Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel of Chicago, this black-tie affair welcomed more than 300 guests. Patti LuPone headlined the night with her show Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes. Directed by Scott Wittman and written by Jeffrey Richman, this two-hour concert, featuring her longtime musical director Joseph Thalken, mesmerized the sold-out crowd. The concert included personal reflections and iconic songs spanning her legendary career on stage and screen. The proceeds from the gala will support Lyric Opera of Chicago, ensuring that the company continues to create new work, reach diverse audiences, and maintain its commitment to artistic excellence. lyricopera.org
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACYLN SIMPSON AND KYLE FLUBACKER
ANTONIETTA COLASANTO AND SANTINO BIBBO
NANCY AND SCOTT SANTI, EMILY KEISER
JOSEPH THALKEN, PATTI LUPONE, BRAD PHILLIPS
JONES, KAREN Z. GRAY-KREHBIEL
CAROLINE AND CHARLIE HUEBNER
SYLVIA NEIL, JOHN MANGUM
ENRIQUE MAZZOLA
THE ORDER
This captivating film tells the true story of an FBI investigation of a neo-Nazi compound and the rise of a terrifying domestic terrorism group.
BY REX REED
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME:
1 HOUR, 55 MINUTES
RATING: 3.5 stars
With a strong cast, tight script, and exemplary direction, The Order is first-rate filmmaking above and beyond the usual expectations of your standard thriller.
It’s the true story behind the FBI investigation of a neo-Nazi compound in the 1980s called the Aryan. Pulling away from the church-backed sponsorship that fueled racism in those days, the group—composed of disillusioned working-class right wingers who hated blacks, cops, Jews, Protestant preachers, and the government—decided to adopt more violent and lethal ways to fight the establishment and take back the country on their own terms.
Under the leadership of a thug with “two first names” —Bob Mathews—they changed their monicker to Alien Nation and declared war on anyone who upheld the law and respected the Constitution.
To support their cause, these white supremacists burned synagogues, robbed banks, and made headlines when they murdered liberal Denver radio host Alan Berg. To guarantee continuance of future power, they converted children to fire automatic weapons, respect crime, bomb government
buildings, poison small-town water supplies, and wreak havoc on America. Their motto was “Victory forever, defeat never” and to commit it to posterity so the country would not forget what they stood for, they outlined their goals in a book that became their own specific version of Hitler’s Mein Kampf
As their numbers grew, they became a force of evil that defined the early days of domestic terrorism known as “The Order.” This is a movie about their rise and fall, and it is relentlessly gripping.
Jude Law—paunchy, middle-aged, and looking nothing like Jude Law—plays Terry Husk, the 26-year FBI veteran who devotes his life to ending the reign of the infamous monster Bob Mathews. Fresh from his triumph as the star of Clint Eastwood’s surprise hit Juror #2, Nicholas Hoult, as always, is charismatic as hell, even as a mad-dog racist dedicated to the destruction of Congress, the White House, and civilized Democracy.
In a role diametrically opposed to the decent courtroom juror he played in the Eastwood film, this rapidly rising young star is one of the best and most versatile new actors on the movie scene today—a Brit who
specializes in playing Americans without a trace of an English accent. In a smaller but equally memorable portrayal, Tye Sheridan makes a strong impression as Jamie Bowen, the doomed FBI rookie who is no match for the cruel, despicable Mathews. The entire cast gives each scene the inclusive force it needs without giving too much of the plot away at the same time.
Beginning with a tightly staged bank robbery in Spokane, Washington right up to Mathews’ death in 1984, the richly detailed screenplay by Zach Baylin is well served by director Justin Kurzel.
The most fascinating aspect of the story is the lasting impact The Order’s literary manifesto still has on today’s alarming crime market. Every major hate crime from the Oklahoma City massacre to the January insurrection by white supremacists to overthrow the government has been inspired by the guidelines set forth in the manual published by The Order 50 years ago.
At a crucial moment in modern history when the sins of the past are repeating themselves daily, I haven’t seen any film more relevant than The Order
CHRISTMAS EVE IN MILLER’S POINT
An independent film about a loud-mouthed Italian family from suburban Long Island misses all the marks.
Traditionally, tinsel-wrapped Christmas movies crowd marquees as soon as scraps of Thanksgiving turkeys have left the kitchen in doggie bags of take-home leftovers. This year, people are so depressed by election-year surprises that the holiday movies are arriving early. The big one seems to be a dog called Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point I’ll be damned if I know why. It evokes as much Yuletide charm as a dirty sock stuffed with thistles.
An Italian family of loud-mouthed, obnoxious Balsanos all get together whether they like it or not every Christmas Eve in a Long Island suburb called Miller’s Point. They cook and eat and drink cases of wine and jabber incessantly and eat some more and nothing they say has one soupcon of importance.
There are aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, kids, and a deaf grandma. None of them seem to have ever been introduced before, but they come for the cannelloni anyway.
and
Eric Berger is dull, meandering, overstuffed, overcooked—and, worst of all, emotionally banal.
There are too many characters, you never get to know any of them, and they all talk at the same time. Nothing they say is compelling or memorable. With no main character to care about, the film just wafts from one conversation to the next without tension, wit, or comic relief.
filmmakers don’t
to help the viewer get to know any of the characters beyond a glib surface introduction. The kids all leave the groaning board of Christmas cookies, sausages, and gravy and head for the local pizza parlor and I wished I could join them.
For action, Santa Claus passes by on a fire truck. One hour and 46 minutes of Christmas Eve seems like a week. If this is the way low-budget independent filmmakers evoke the Christmas spirit, give me Halloween.
The screenplay by writer-director Tyler Thomas Taormina
co-writer
The
have a clue how
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Winnetka resident Paul suffered with prostatitis and low back pain for over 10 years. “The medications helped a little and I tried surgery but even after two procedures, I never knew if it was going to be a bad day or a worse day. Dr. Su helped me feel normal again like I could go about my life and not feel hesitant to go out with my wife or friends.”
Your Pain and Suffering Are Real
Dr. Kuan Su of Acupuncture North Clinic uses the time tested art of Acupuncture to help each patient relieve pain, improve sleep, and reduce chronic issues that other modalities have struggled to help.
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and has been used to treat a variety of issues. Dr. Su has specialized in treating the more complex conditions including stubborn neuropathy, chronic pain, reactions to high stress/anxiety, sleeping disorders, and men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction and urinary issues.
Gale from Wilmette had been struggling with both migraines and insomnia for 7 years. “I had tried botox to help with the migraines but it only helped for a little while and I used sleeping pills because I could not fall asleep for hours. I missed having natural restful sleep. After seeing Dr. Su for a month, both started to vanish. My migraines turned into a minor headache once every other week and now I sleep like a baby.”
He works with a variety of cases and understands how important the partnership between patient and practitioner is. “I’m always looking forward to my days in my clinic because no two patients are exactly the same. Many times patients come in with a variety of issues happening at the same time. Last Tuesday, I was treating a patient for neuropathy in both feet, chronic fatigue, and insomnia and he reported that all three were improving. Understanding the importance of checking in regularly and participating in his own health have sped up his recovery and I am so excited for him!”
Georgette from Highland Park shared, “Dr. Su is so great to work with. I had been suffering from tinnitus for 11 years and doctors said nothing could help. The sound was too much but once I started seeing Dr. Su, not only did my tinnitus start to go away, my digestion was doing so much better. I felt like I could be me again. Like I could go out and have lunch with the girls and really enjoy my time being social again.”
What once was a missing link in complementary alternative healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of the North Shore area. If you have been struggling with chronic issues or issues that have been labeled as idiopathic or untreatable, call Dr. Kuan Su at Acupuncture North Clinic today to schedule your consultation.
I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treaments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”
Dr. Su shares the typical stories from patients. “A recurring story that people share with me is that they have tried conventional means, they have tried new fads, they have tried medications and seen specialists yet have struggled to get any results. They say that I’m their last hope. I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treatments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”
Dr. Su is accepting a limited number of new patients due to high demand. In an effort to protect his current patient base, he is limiting the number of new patients to 8 before the end of May.
DR. KUAN SU
HOW TO MAKE A WINTER WREATH
BY HILARY ATAMIAN
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Imagine gathering in the warmth of your own home, sipping on your preferred winter libations, and creating a beautiful winter wreath to decorate with. Making a wreath is a fun and easy way to spice up your typical holiday gatherings and get creative. At Grace Gardens we love to take care of all the flower bar or workshop details and help you each step of the way. But we know there are plenty of you with that DIY spirit, so we’ve come up with a step-by-step plan just for you.
Using fresh materials from nature and a basic wire wreath form, you can create a unique, festive decoration in just a few easy steps.
MATERIALS NEEDED
• Wire wreath form (12–18 inches in diameter)
• Floral wire
• Pruners or garden shears
• Fresh greenery (pine, cedar, fir, or eucalyptus work well)
• Decorative elements (such as pinecones, white berries, seed pods, or dried florals)
• Ribbon for a bow and hanging
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the Greenery Cut your chosen greenery and dried florals into smaller, manageable pieces. Aim for 6–10 inches in length for easy layering. Having a mix of textures and shades will add depth to your wreath.
Make Greenery Bundles Gather small clusters of greenery and florals, combining different types for texture. Secure the base of each bundle with floral wire, leaving a bit of wire to wrap around the wreath form.
Attach Bundles to the Wreath Form Place your first bundle along the wire wreath form, securing it tightly with floral wire. Layer the next bundle slightly overlapping the first, angling it to follow the curve of the wreath. Continue this pattern around the form, keeping the bundles consistent for a full, balanced look.
Add Decorative Elements Once you’ve completed the greenery, attach decorative elements like pinecones, berries, or dried materials to add interest. Secure each item with floral wire, nestling them into the foliage for a natural look.
Finish and Hang Tuck away or trim any stray branches and add a custom bow. Flip your wreath over to attach the remaining ribbon, making a loop of your desired length. Your fresh winter wreath is ready to hang!
This fresh, natural wreath can last for weeks in cool temperatures and out of direct sunlight. Misting with water now and then will also help keep them fresh, longer.
IT BEARS REMEMBERING
Glencoe’s Chuck Billington writes a book about the 1963 Chicago Bears and relives the joys of an NFL championship season.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Chuck Billington’s first date with a woman named Cynthia started inauspiciously.
“She made fun of the color of my car,” recalls the longtime resident of Glencoe.
“It was orange.”
Cynthia got over the garish hue of the vehicle and later married Chuck, who, as a teen on the cusp of getting his driver’s license, had fallen in love with the NFL champion Chicago Bears in 1963.
The Bears’ colors then and now: navy blue and, yes, orange—burnt orange to be exact.
Now 76 years old, the father of two adult children (Matthew and Sarah), and an author/sports historian, Billington’s book about that glorious season 61 years ago and the team’s colorful players and coaches was published a year ago. The 1963 Chicago Bears: George Halas and the Road to the NFL Championship (McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers) chronicles the trials and triumphs of Chicago’s most neglected champions.
Billington analyzes the economic, legal, social, and human interest backdrop of the era and provides an honest and unbiased review of Bears owner/coach George Halas’ last hurrah and the tragic circumstances that brought it to a close.
“I wrote it in part because I didn’t want to be typecast as a baseball guy,” says Billington, whose previous books were about the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. “Plus, the 1963 season was a fascinating one, and those Bears still hold a special place in the memories of many Chicagoans.
“Many of my heroes played for that team,” he continues. “Running back Rick Casares led the league in rushing in 1956, and Billy Wade was a marvelous quarterback. Casares, Cubs legend Ernie Banks, and Minnie Minosa of the White Sox were considered the Big Three in Chicago pro sports in the 1960s. Mike Ditka played tight end for the team and called Casares the toughest player he’d ever played alongside.”
The late Mike Pyle, a New Trier High
John Conatser
Jennifer
Gaven Conatser
@ TheNSWeekend @ TheNSWeekend
School graduate, played center and served as a captain of the ’63 team.
But a significant portion of Bil lington’s work centers on Halas, the founder of the NFL, and his rival, Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, as well as Halas’ gradual deteriorating relation ships with his players after the championship season.
Halas was 67, and Lombardi was 49 at the start of the 1963 season. Lombardi had
last NFL title season in the pre-Super Bowl era. It also provides details of every Chicago regular-season game in ’63 and the Bears’ 14-10 defeat of the New York Giants for the NFL crown at frigid Wrigley Field on December 29, 1963.
Chicago’s defense picked off 36 passes in 14 games before intercepting Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle five times in the championship game.
The author describes the fate of two
pointing record of 5-9. They lost 52-0 to Baltimore in the third week and 41-14 to Minnesota in the regular-season finale. The deaths of halfback Willie Galimore and tight end Bo Farrington in a preseason automobile accident, a slow start, and injuries had been factors in the Bears’ failure to return to the NFL title game.
“George Halas did not treat them like champions after 1963,” Billington says. “It’s complicated with a genius like Halas, given that he felt threatened by Lombardi and that the 1963 season was seen as a brief interruption in Lombardi’s supremacy. But I believe the NFL is Halas’ legacy, with the positives outweighing the negatives when it comes to assessing his impact as a coach and owner in the league he formed.”
Billington attended now-defunct North Park Academy on Chicago’s North Side, quarterbacking football teams and pitching and playing outfield for baseball teams before graduating in 1966. He served as captain of the varsity baseball team his senior year.
The 1963 season was a fascinating one, and those Bears still hold a special place in the memories of many Chicagoans. Many of my heroes played for that team.
guided the Packers to NFL titles in 1961 and 1962.
“The face of pro football, in Halas’ eyes, was changing, and he no longer seemed part of it,” Billington writes. “Lombardi loomed over all of it, and Halas became obsessed with beating him. Vince Lombardi had become George Halas’ White Whale.”
Billington’s book begins in January 1963, eight months before the start of the Bears’
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg
FOOD EDITOR
Monica Kass Rogers
football helmets to capture the contrasting emotions moments after the clock read 0:00.
“Tittle, crushed by his failure, tearfully slammed his into the frozen turf,” Billington writes. “(Chicago Bears defensive end Ed) O’Bradovich, ecstatic with his team’s accomplishment, jubilantly threw his into the stands.”
The Bears won three of their last five games in 1964 but finished with a disap-
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Hilary Atamian, Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Allison Melone, Redding Worth
DESIGN
Linda Lewis
Natalie Phillips
After earning a degree in Political Science at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, Billington received his master’s in Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago. From 2006-2023, he worked as a rehabilitation administrator at Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education in Chicago. His first published work, a column, appeared in Chicago Old Timers’ Baseball Association Newsletter. Billington wrote an op-ed piece for U.S. News & World Report after the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 to halt a title drought at 108 years.
The 2024 Chicago Bears are 4-9, meaning they’ll finish with a sub-.500 record for the fourth season in a row.
That’s one more reason for rabid fans to pick up Billington’s recent book.
Read it and smile.
Billington’s book about the 1963 Bears is available at the Book Stall in Winnetka, Book Bin in Northbrook, The Lake Forest Book Store, Chicago-Main Newsstand in Evanston, Barnes & Noble, and at amazon.com/books.
Monica Kass Rogers, George Pfoertner, Katrina Wittkamp PHOTOGRAPHY
Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION
Chuck Billington
From Left to Right: Ellen Chukerman, Rebecca Gilberg, Beth Alberts, Aimee Glovsky, and Mada Hitchmough
