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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • April 2021 • No. I
Right in Our Region
Putting Private Education in Reach! See Page 16
Sharpen Up Those Garden Tools! How to Spring Clean Your Closets by Customizing Catch ‘Hot Wheels: Race to Win’ Before May 16
Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
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For every season there's Changing Seasons!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region............................... Cover & p. 16 Putting Private Education within Reach Your Home...................................................................... 13 Organize Your Closets Inspiration & Worship................................................ 14 From Easter to Pentacost Your Kitchen.................................................................. 17 Sunny Citrus and Shrimp Your Community.......................................................... 25 See ‘Hot Wheels’ Before it’s Gone Your Outdoor Living................................................... 27 Sharpen Up Your Lawn & Garden Tools Your Health..................................................................... 31 Spinal Health is Part of Wellness Your Technology.......................................................... 33 What You Don’t Know Can Cost You Your Fun.......................................................................... 36
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Sara Myers Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Fort Wayne General Manager Sherri Cassedy Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living. Copyright 2021 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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Thank You, Strangers
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s I write, I’m still smiling from a magical Easter weekend that involved not only perfect weather but also a reunion with loved ones we hadn’t seen in far too long. I’m certain I’m not alone in this feeling of contentment made somehow sweeter by a year-plus of deprivation. The weather allowed for a comfortable brunch on the deck and an egg hunt for kids in the woods behind our home. In those woods, we found gifts not only from The Bunny, but also from our Midwest – ephemeral flowers racing to live out their lifecycles before the tree canopy erupts and shades them. The ephemerals sprout, grow, flower, fruit and seed their next generation, all before we’ve put away our snow shovels. We spotted shooting star, bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, trillium and Virginia bluebells in bloom. Also patches of wild chive and hundreds of daffodils, the latter planted by human hands well before we bought this property 17 years ago. I marvel at the way a stranger’s effort to create beauty has outlived her or him; that single act has blessed us year after year. Thank you, stranger. You couldn’t have known that your sunny daffodils would someday burst into bloom on an Easter Sunday near the end of a dark, devastating pandemic. On Sunday I also felt deep gratitude for the scientists who worked out a new vaccine delivery formula long before this pandemic struck. And for the countless people distributing it so rapidly (many of them volunteers) and the healthcare workers (and their families) who’ve suffered much personal loss while caring for our sick. I was also grateful for the family members who drove hundreds of miles to see us Sunday just because they finally could do it safely. No hugs ever felt sweeter. And, I was thankful for the religious leaders who organized virtual and outdoor services so that still-vulnerable people could celebrate Easter in the company of other human beings without risking their lives. Most of all, I felt grateful to the Creator of springtime, with all its gifts of rebirth and Hope. Coping with loss and feeling joy are part of this universal human experience called “life.” Isn’t it amazing? ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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CABINETRY AND FLOORING
Your Home & Garden
Why Not Organize While Spring Cleaning? By Janine Pumilia
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his is a great time of year to focus on organizing the indoor spaces of our homes. Better organization reduces stress, saves time and just makes us feel good. Why not check out the latest tools that make home organization easier? “When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much,” says Joe Weller, owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. “That has all changed.” Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood cabinets. Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motionactivated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – builtin mirrors, jewelry trays, removable
laundry bags, a fold-out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more. “Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains. While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals. “It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s
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not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.” Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement. “Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable.” ❚
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Inspiration & Worship
Easter to Pentacost
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he resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, as we just celebrated on Easter Sunday. But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, the close of the Easter season is a full 50 days after Easter. Why? “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 In the opening of Acts, we read that Jesus has been appearing to various people for 40 days and is now with his 11 apostles. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem, where they will “receive power,” or holy spirit – a promise that’s fulfilled 10 days later, on the day of Pentacost – 50 days after the resurrection. “Penta” means 50. Before Christ came, Jews celebrated Pentacost, called the Feast of Weeks, to recognize the way God provided for them. Moses brought the law to the people, from Mt. Sinai, 50 days after leading the miraculous exodus from Egypt and slavery. Just as Israel was freed from Egyptian captivity and given God’s law 50 days later, Christ’s followers were freed from mortality by his resurrection and transformed by holy spirit 50 days later. Jesus tells the apostles that once they have received holy spirit from God, they will be witnesses for him not only in Jerusalem, but throughout the entire earth. In an age without modern transportation or communication, it was quite a promise! “And when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9 Although we don’t celebrate Pentacost with the same fanfare given to Easter and Christmas, it’s a landmark day in the history of Christianity and the “birthday” of the Christian church (“church,” or “ecclesia” in Greek, means “the called out.”) This year, Pentacost will be celebrated on May 23. It’s always seven weeks after Easter Sunday. Easter is determined by calculating the first Sunday after (but never on) the first full moon after the spring equinox – the day when hours of light and darkness are about the same. Jesus Christ, the light of this world, has entrusted his ministry of reconciliation to us. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 14
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Your Kitchen
Cooking with Citrus: Good for Your Heart A
healthful diet is a key to heart health and our kitchens are full of foods that can help us. For example, research shows that each 8-oz. serving of 100 percent orange juice is packed with key nutrients and valuable plant compounds which can help to lower blood pressure and strengthen the immune system. Orange juice also contains potassium, an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance affecting blood pressure. Some studies have found that folate and vitamin B6, both water-soluble vitamins found in orange juice, may help protect against heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood, an amino acid believed to cause damage to the arteries and increase the risk of blood clots when elevated. Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls marry tangy, spicy and sweet flavors. Find more heart healthy inspiration at floridacitrus.org.
Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
Servings: 2 2 cups water 1 cup quinoa 1 cup orange Juice 1 TB hot sauce 1 TB honey 1 TB soy sauce 6 TB vegetable oil 2 TB lime juice 1 TB white miso 1 1/2 lbs. peeled shrimp, deveined 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper 1 bell pepper, diced 1 cucumber, sliced in half moons 3 scallions, sliced 1 avocado, sliced 1 tsp. sesame seeds 2 TB cilantro, chopped Bring water to boil. Add quinoa, reduce to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes. Fluff with fork.
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Whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, 4 TB vegetable oil, lime juice and miso. Set aside half of it. Add shrimp to remaining half and marinate 15 minutes. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add remaining oil. Season shrimp with salt and pepper then saute in a wok or pan, cooking about 2 minutes per side until pink. Place 1/2 cup quinoa in bowl and top with bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, avocado and shrimp. Drizzle with setaside dressing and top with sesame seeds and cilantro. ❚ (Source: Family Features)
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Right in Our Region
Putting Private Education Within Reach By Janine Pumilia
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any people consider private education to be a luxury that’s only for the “deserving” wealthy class. The leaders of Rockford Lutheran School (RLS) see it differently. “We come at it from a completely different perspective,” says RLS Executive Director Don Gillingham. “The Lutheran church has always believed in the importance of education. Our nationwide network of teachers dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century. We believe the responsibility of raising children belongs to parents and our mission is to support parents in that effort.” That’s why the school is now offering $2 million in tuition assistance and new-student scholarships for students entering grades 1-9 at RLS. It also offers various kinds of educational options to parents who homeschool their children.
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While it’s understood that students will receive Christian religious instruction and must attend weekly chapel services at RLS, the school is open to students from all faith backgrounds, says Gillingham. “We don’t require a faith statement for enrollment and about 25 percent of our students don’t identify with a particular home church,” he says. The school is open to students of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. There are two forms of scholarships available: Testing achievement awards and awards related to interests including music, visual arts and public service. There is also tuition assistance based on need. The Rockford Lutheran Achievement Award ($750) may be available to new students entering grades 1-9 who sit for a test and achieve a composite
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score in the 50th percentile or higher. Students who score in the 90th percentile may receive the $1,200 Rockford Lutheran Scholar Award. Students who earn the Rockford Lutheran Excellence Award ($1,750) have achieved the highest composite, reading, or math score for that test date. A student is eligible for one achievement award and separate awards for these categories will be presented to new students entering the Academy (1st5th grades), Jr. High (6th-8th grades) and Sr High (9th grade). The special interest awards include the $1,000 Robert E. Kolb Music Scholarship, open to students entering grades 4-9 who demonstrate a strong interest in the musical arts. Along with taking a scholarship test and submitting the application, qualifying students must have completed at least one year of music lessons and
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plan to participate in Rockford Lutheran’s music programs and classes. The $1,000 Pastor Marvin Fritz Service Award scholarship is available to 15 new Rockford Lutheran School students entering grades 6-9 who have a strong background in service to their church, school or community. They must sit for a scholarship test and submit an application specific to that award. The $1,000 Visual Arts Award is
available to 10 new students entering grades 6-9 who demonstrate a strong interest in the visual arts and take a scholarship test and submit an application specific to that award. There is one remaining scholarship test date this spring; it’s at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 24. Call (815) 877-9551 to sign up. “If your resources are insufficient to meet the total costs of a Rockford Lutheran education, you can apply for assistance through the RLS office,” says Gillingham. RLS also works with the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit program. Learn more at InvestinKids.Illinois.gov. Another way RLS helps families to trim education costs is by enabling high school students to earn college credits from Concordia University in Nebraska that are transferrable to other colleges and universities. “A few years ago, we had a student who earned enough college credits to
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save her parents a full year of tuition at Valparaiso University,” says Gillingham. “That was worth $50,000.” RLS Jr. and Sr. high school students attend class at 3411 N. Alpine Road. Preschool through 5th grade students attend class at Rockford Lutheran Academy, 1711 Delcy Dr., behind Edgebrook. In 2018, 100 percent of RLS seniors graduated and 96 percent enrolled in higher education. “We emphasize to our students that ‘this is your education’ and talk about the importance of engagement,” says Gillingham. “We help them to make the connection between their engagement with education now and their future lives. We also emphasize to parents that they should be investors in, not just consumers of, education. A solid education is something no one can take away from you.” Learn more about the school and its newly announced scholarship and tuition assistance initiative by calling the RLS office at (815) 877-9551. ❚
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Your Community
Race to Discovery Center to see Hot Wheels I
f you haven’t yet visited Discovery Center Museum to see “Hot Wheels Race to Win,” you still have a few more weeks. The special exhibit runs through May 16. Be part of a dynamic race team working together to build and test the fastest (and safest) speed machines on the planet, using Hot Wheels die-cast cars to experiment and play. This behind-thescenes look at the thrilling world of racing investigates the scientific process for designing super-fast cars and helps families who have the need for speed understand how it is achieved. “This family learning experience provides hands-on opportunities for parents to explain complex physics concepts in fun ways using the popular Hot Wheels toy cars as they experiment with different principles to see which makes a car go fastest,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of the museum that
produced the exhibit, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Children and Families will love the Pit Stop Challenge in which they can race the clock – and their family and friends – to change tires and refuel the car. A sixlane downhill speed track, booster power track, adjustable angles track, and timing
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track are just a few of the ways visitors will be able to test their theories regarding the science of racing and cause and effect. Real race car parts, authentic artifacts, and captivating memorabilia will round out the experience. “We’re excited to offer families something special with their museum visit,” says Sarah Wolf, executive director of Discovery Center. “Having an exhibit of this caliber is a great way to reopen and welcome guests back to Discovery Center,” she adds. Introduced by Mattel in 1968, the “tricked-out” toy cars have come a long way. More than 800 models and 11,000 variations of Hot Wheels cars have been created and more than four billion Hot Wheels die-cast cars have been sold. To schedule a visit to the exhibit, register online at discoverycentermuseum.org/reservations#Reserve.” ❚
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We offer FREE donation pickups.
Call 815-580-1205 to schedule a pickup.
Store Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Donation Hours: Tues-Fri, 10am-4pm & Sat 10am-3pm 7141 Harrison Ave, Rockford IL | 815-713-3184 | rockfordhabitat.org
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Outdoor Living
Sharpen Up Your Tools for Springtime By Peggy Werner
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tarting off springtime with clean, sharp tools at your fingertips will reduce your stress level and yield better results. And probably no tool gets a bigger workout than your lawnmower. “A sharp blade will give your lawn that beautiful, manicured look and keep the blades of grass from weakening and being susceptible to disease,” says Tim Kinney, manager of Lincoln Rent-All and Sales at the 3110 Auburn St. location in Rockford. The store has a second location at 6635 E. Riverside Blvd. A mower spring tune-up can increase fuel efficiency by about one-third, extend the life of the engine, reduce repair costs and decrease emissions by half, adds Kinney. Getting a lawn mower ready for spring starts in the fall, when you make sure fuel is drained and the underdeck is clean and free of grass build-up.
Gas out of the pump lasts about 30 days before it starts to break down and collect moisture, especially with the addition of ethanol in recent years. Too much moisture in fuel will prevent an engine from starting. Other mower maintenance includes changing the oil once a year or every 25 hours of use, changing the spark plug and air filter, and sharpening the blade. Clean oil prevents the engine from getting clogged up. A spark plug’s health is directly linked to engine performance, including power and fuel economy. And a clean air filter helps to maintain the proper air and fuel ratio, allowing the mower to have the best fuel efficiency. Lincoln Rent-All sells and services Toro mowers – a push mower service costs $70, including pick-up and dropoff, a riding mower more depending on what needs to be done.
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There are certain tools you only need occasionally. In those cases, it may make more sense to rent than to buy that rototiller, aerator, edger, leaf blower, weed whacker or chain saw, all of which Lincoln Rent-All carries. “It can be nice to pick it up, use it, and not have to worry about servicing it or storing it,” says Kinney. ❚
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SWEET STREAMS.
WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.
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Your Health
Wellness is the Focus of Chiropractic Care By Jermaine Pigee fter working as an independent general chiropractor for nearly 10 years, Dr. Brittany McMullen last year opened Elite Spine & Wellness, 6833 Stalter Dr., Suite 203, in Rockford. “Our office is brand new, and it’s got a modern and hip vibe to it. That’s part of what makes our experience pretty great,” she says. “I’ve been in this field for eight years, and my massage therapist has been massaging for more than 10 years. We like to call ourselves a one-stop shop because you can come here, get everything done and go home feeling better.” “Dr. B,” as patients call her, spent four years at MedPlus Neck & Back Pain Center in Rockford before becoming an independent contractor under Chris Scott Wellness in Loves Park, Ill. After four years there, she was ready to launch her own practice. “I knew I wanted to be a doctor,
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and I didn’t want to deal with surgery or prescribe a bunch of drugs,” McMullen says. “I took the chiropractic lane and I got lucky that I loved it. Musculoskeletal is our alley.” McMullen works with patients who suffer from any type of pain in the back, including muscle strains, misalignments, arthritis and lifting injuries. She also specializes in flexion/distraction, which helps decompress the spine after a disc injury. Sullivan uses the activator method of chiropractic and a unique hand-held tool that allows her to do manual adjustments with low force. “It’s a tool that’s used for people who don’t like the crack, or for people with brittle bones,” McMullen says. McMullen emphasizes wellness through all of her services. “We start with acute care. We’ll do adjustments, and we’ll do passive thera-
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pies like muscle stimulation, ultrasound and massage just to keep their pain down. Once their pain goes down, we’ll do rehabilitative treatment where they’re Dr. Brittany Sullivan doing strengthening exercises just to get them back to being functional again.” The Rockford native earned her bachelor’s degree from Rockford College before attending Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa. She transferred to its sister campus in Florida before starting her career back home in Rockford. Developing relationships with her clientele is important to Sullivan. “They can talk to me, she says. ❚
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Your Technology
How to Reduce Your Technology Bills
B y Pe g g y We r n e r any of us are spending more than we need to for technology simply because we don’t understand our options. Tech services like phone, Internet, TV and home security evolve quickly and can be confusing, but it’s easier than you may think to figure out what works best for your situation, says Charles Zambrano, owner and general manager of EZ Satellite & Wireless in Loves Park. “I make sure the customers know exactly what they’re getting and aren’t paying for services they don’t want or need,” says Zambrano. He asks customers about the number of TVs and phones they have, favorite channels, streaming and recording habits, how they use high-speed internet and so forth. “Most customers are paying too much, $250 or more for phone, TV and internet,” he says. “I can save them $50 to
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$100 per month by offering them the best deals each company has to offer. “A lot of people are not happy with their tech services, but are afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research. But it’s not that hard to start saving money.” Zambrano also helps people to make better use of their smart phones to enhance their particular lifestyles. Products like the Google Nest Hub, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa are ideal for those who want to monitor and access their homes and businesses remotely or with voice commands. Especially in the age of COVID-19, it’s useful to monitor package delivery and speak to people at your door remotely. You can also switch lights on and off, change the thermostat settings and unlock doors remotely. EZ Satellite & Wireless is licensed
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to offer services from any provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, including Rise Broadband, Comcast, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna, Vivint, ATT and Nest products. Zambrano’s store is regularly sanitized, social distancing is observed, masks are worn and interactions are contact-free. Call (815) 957-4335 or stop by to see him at 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park. ❚
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
Editor’s Note: Please call or check website for any updates before attending events due to fluctuating COVID-19 restrictions. Virtual Plant Sale Thru April 30. Swing into spring with some bright colors for your garden. Purchase plants online in April and pick them up on May 7 & 8. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org. Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit Through May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They’re back! Celebrate the arrival of spring with the magical world of butterflies. See NicholasConservatory.com for tickets. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., (815) 987-8858, rockfordparkdistrict. org/ncg. Frosted Impressions April 11, 3 p.m. The new ensemble presents an exploration of jazz genres from “straight head” to bop and fusion. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.
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Classic Film Series April 11, May 16 & June 27, 2 p.m. Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Egyptian Theatre with some of the most well-known films of the past. The movies are shown on 35MM on a carbon-arc projector, as they would have been when they premiered. April features “Gone with the Wind,” May is “The Sound of Music” and June is “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org. ‘The Birthday Club’ April 16-25, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In this comedy, four friends share the craziness of life’s journey. Mighty Richland Players, 203 W. High St., Orangeville, Ill., (815) 819-1310, mightyrichlandplayers.org. Rockford Wind Ensemble April 18, 3-5 p.m. An afternoon of lovely music by the ensemble. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org. CROP Hunger Walk - Janesville April 25, 8 a.m.-noon. Raise funds for local & world hunger relief. Cargill UMC, 2000 Wesley Ave. (888)297-2767,.janesvillecvb.com.
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Enjoy wild ginger and other spring gems during wildflower walks in Beloit April 24 and May 9.
AE: ‘Legally Blonde’ April 22-25, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A sorority girl who goes to Harvard Law School to win back her boyfriend becomes a successful lawyer in her own right. Artists’ Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford U., 5050 E. State St., (815) 226-4100, artistsensemble.org. Spring Wildflower Walk April 24 & May 9, 10 a.m.-noon. Celebrate spring with a walk in the forest to look for Dutchman’s breeches, violets, wild ginger, trilliums & more. Reg. online. Welty Environmental Center, 1201 Big Hill Court, Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org. ❚
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