Smart Living Rockford - March 16, 2023

Working From Home

Fulldisclosure to all readers: I work remotely. I roll into the office every once in a while, but for the most part, I’m fully at home.

It’s a relatively new development for me. For years, I showed up in business casual attire at the lovely Hughes Media office. Then, everyone went remote for a while at the onset of the pandemic. Speaking to my co-workers, I’ve learned that some of them hated it. They missed the in-person interactions, and they also found it difficult to feel motivated at home.

But for me, personally, I love working remotely. I love every single thing about it.

I’m very lucky to work for someone who understands the importance of family. The main reason I work remotely now is because I’m the primary caretaker of my 18-month-old son, Elliot. When he’s awake, he’s my main focus. We spend our days reading books, playing with blocks, going to music class — all things typical of a kid his age. My co-workers know this. They know I get most of my work done at odd times, and they know they’ll probably hear a squawking baby in the background if they call me during normal business hours. There’s no secrecy here.

I’m able to financially contribute to our household income while also ensuring that my family’s needs are met without relying on day care or a nanny. (Though I must admit, grandma helps babysit quite often). It’s truly the best of both worlds.

I write this because I want people to know that it’s possible. You can be a working woman and a stay-at-home mom. I don’t want it to sound like it’s easy because it’s not. Time management skills are crucial. But I wish more employers allowed this as an option. Having the freedom to balance work and home has led to a happier employee (me) with ultimately no missed or delayed deadlines. It might not work for every job, but I’m sure it could work for plenty more people than just me.

Anyway, something to think about. Hopefully something for other employers to emulate.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Hear From Former Congressman Don Manzullo

By NWQ Staff

Former Congressman Don Manzullo recounts key events that occurred during his 20 years of service at Northwest Quarterly’s inaugural “Conversations” event April 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Rockford University’s Fisher Memorial Chapel, 5050 E. State St., Rockford.

The event, entitled “Defending Manufacturing & Small Business: An Evening with Don Manzullo,” features an engaging conversation between Manzullo and the editors of “Northwest Quarterly Magazine.” Manzullo will share how well-intentioned ideas in Washington have negative consequences, what

it takes to fight back, and how you can work with your legislators to craft policy that works for all.

For 20 years, former Congressman Don Manzullo helped small businesses and manufacturers across America to bust through red tape and push against well-intentioned policy, and he did it with bipartisan support. Whether taking on government procurement, tariffs or international trade, Manzullo fought to keep American businesses competitive in the global market.

After the conversation, a forum will take place allowing small-business owners and manufacturers a chance to share their own concerns about the state of business in today’s environment.

Signed copies of Manzullo’s new book, “Do Nice Guys Run for Congress?” will be available for purchase after the

forum. The event is free to the public, but attendees must pre-register by scanning the QR code to the right or by signing up at https://www. northwestquarterly. com/nq-conversations/. ❚

Spring is Coming

Withevery spring comes a reminder that life doesn’t end in wintertime for those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Scripture is vague about the date of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. And “no one knows” when he’ll return, not even the angels. (Matthew 24:36)

But it’s very clear that Jesus died and rose from the dead during the ancient Jewish Passover feast, which then, as now, began in early spring.

Passover commemorates the Jews’ miraculous release from four centuries of Egyptian bondage after God, working in Moses, sent 10 plagues to Egypt. Fifty days later is Shavuot, which marks Moses’ presentation of God’s law.

“Passover” refers to the 10th plague, when the firstborn of every household in Egypt died, except in homes marked with blood from a sacrificial spring lamb. The angel of death “passed over” those homes. (Exodus 12)

Likewise, Christians are spared from eternal death by the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God. On Easter we celebrate his resurrection and 50 days later, on Pentecost (pente means 50) we celebrate the birth of Christianity, when God gave holy spirit to all who believe in Christ, Jew and non-Jew alike.

Dates for Passover and Easter are tied to the lunar calendar, making them “movable feasts.”

Jesus was crucified soon after sharing a Passover meal (seder) with his 12 disciples in Jerusalem. After his resurrection, he remained on earth in his new spiritual body 40 days. (Acts 1)

“If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His spirit that dwells in you.” Romans 8:11(NIV)

Just as winter’s deathly grasp is temporary, so, too, is our mortality.

Upon his return, the dead in Christ will rise and “we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air … Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Thessalonians 4:17 & 18 (NIV) ❚

- Janine Pumilia

Calling All Model Train Enthusiasts

By Peggy Werner

Model train enthusiasts of all ages will converge on Machesney Park, Ill., later this month for the 31st annual spring show of the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Railroad Association (RRVD-NMRA).

This year’s event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26 at Harlem High School, 9229 N. Alpine Road. Harlem High School students will oversee concessions, selling hot dogs, pizza, nachos and drinks.

A dozen train clubs within a 100-mile radius will fill more than 42,000 square feet of space to participate in model train demonstrations, and dozens of vendors are selling everything and anything that has to do with trains, including new and used rails and cars, supplies, signs, lan-

terns, T-shirts, hats and caps, and fine china used to serve food on popular passenger trains from the past. Those wanting to become members of the local division will have an opportunity to sign up at the event.

The largest layout on display at the show will be 24 feet wide, 50 feet long, with 15-20 people operating the train.

“Model trains have been called the world’s greatest hobby because the hobby encompasses so many different facets –electronics, model building, carpentry and history,” says Marty Hendrickx, superintendent of the local division. “People can build and operate model railroads and cars or just collect them. People love to watch trains move. It’s not a static hobby, and the operator has up-

close control over the train. It’s easy to immerse yourself.”

Ken Mosny, assistant superintendent of RRVD, says people are attracted to the hobby for a variety of reasons, including enjoying the mechanical and technical side of how trains are built and operated. Artistic people enjoy the creative work of making the scenery for a layout or putting details on cars, and others love the historical aspects and researching.

Train collectors and hobbyists will sometimes focus on re-creating a

particular railroad and cars that exist or did exist, sometimes focusing on a particular time period. Some of the layouts are realistic, but others are “whimsical” and as unique as the people creating the display, Mosny says.

“The newer model trains are like works of art, with intricate details that are shockingly realistic,” Hendrickx adds. “The only thing constant about trains, in any time period, is they all have wheels and travel by rail. Railroads are like any other industry, driven by costs of materials, manufacturing and labor. Even the rails have changed through the years from wood and iron to steel.”

The two men know people who have traveled to Washington, D.C., to research train routes and others who have traveled to various locations to photograph the terrain so they can make their model train layouts as accurate as possible.

Whether based on real or fictional places, many compress distances to scale, just as the model trains themselves are scaled to the size of real trains.

The Rock River Valley Division group welcomes visitors at its monthly meetings, typically held on the first Sunday of the month, September to May, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1829 N. Rockton Ave. in Rockford. Check the latest dates and location online at RRVD-NMRA.com.

The local division, chartered in 1967, includes Boone, Jo Daviess, Ogle, DeKalb, Stephenson, Lee, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties in Illinois and

Green and Rock counties in Southern Wisconsin.

Admission to the event is $5 per adult at the door. Children under age 12 are admitted free. Door prizes will be given out to one child and one adult every hour.

“People attending the show will have a wide variety of experiences and a lot of entertainment for a low cost,” Hendrickx says. Learn more at RRVD-NMRA.com or on the organization’s Facebook page. ❚

Alpine Academy to Offer New Grade Levels

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Last year, Alpine Academy expanded its commitment to the west side of Rockford by opening its Resurrection Campus at 811 Locust St., which offers pre-K. Now, Alpine Academy is expanding at its main campus to offer seventh grade for the 202324 school year and eighth grade for the 2024-25 school year. The main campus, located at 5001 Forest View Ave., Rockford, has previously offered grades K-6.

Alpine Academy is dedicated to providing a quality education in a nurturing, family-focused Christian school. Its mission is to enrich and deepen students’ academic knowledge and spiritual faith. Teachers strive to create an environment where students grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Alpine Academy is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Asso-

ciation (ELEA) and is recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education. Its strong curriculum in reading, mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and religion provides students with solid academic foundation.

Students receive performing arts instruction beginning in preschool and continuing through seventh grade. An in-house speech pathologist provides additional special-needs support. Three theatrical programs spotlighting students’ talents and skills are presented during the year. Art, band and orchestra instruction begin in third grade. Regular physical education class is provided to all students, with upper-grade students participating in unique activities such as roller skating, bowling and field trips at Pierce Lake. Each class takes part in monthly community service projects, and the Academy is

active in many charitable programs and organizations.

Alpine Academy has a fenced athletic area with a baseball field and a soccer field. It also has a protected and completely enclosed play area with slides, monkey bars and climbing areas.

At Alpine Academy, educators and parents work together to promote each student’s self-esteem, academic skills and Christian knowledge to create children who are enriched spiritually and academically, who have a dedication to lifelong learning, and who are prepared for their journey toward a successful adulthood. ❚