Contributing Writers Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Janine Pumilia
General Sales Manager Brent Hughes
Sales Manager Brad Hughes
Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky
Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes
Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes
Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn
Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 www.SmartLivingRockford.com
We Love Rockford’s Art
There’s two things we love to support here at Smart Living. First: small businesses. Flip through our pages, glance at our ads, and you’ll see this is true.
Second: we love to support the arts. Man, can we really stand up on our soap boxes over here when it comes to supporting the arts. Which, let’s be honest, is such an easy thing to do. Anyone can give lip service when it comes to supporting the arts and look like such a hero. But actually putting your money where your mouth is… that’s another matter.
I used to be on the board of directors for Rockford Dance Company and a few questions would often come up. A big one: How can we get the community to support us? Another: Do people realize what they have here? It’s the best ballet school you’ll find outside of Chicago. The dancers don’t just perform for their own sake — they offer something to viewers and to our community.
I recently chatted with Yaniv Attar, the music director of Rockford Symphony Orchestra, about their upcoming season. His passion is something to admire, but one point he made a few times is how incredible it is for our mid-size city to have such a talented orchestra. (Keep a look out for that article in our fall issue of Northwest Quarterly Magazine). Not to mention, Emily Bear just wrote the music for Moana 2, and she’s proud to claim Rockford as her home.
We’re really lucky, you guys. The artists here are at another caliber.
That’s why I’m proud, in particular, that our cover story in this issue addresses the upcoming Greenwich Village Art Fair. It’s Sept. 14-15 at Rockford Art Museum, where close to 100 artists and vendors gather to connect with the public and sell works in a variety of disciplines. I implore you to buy yourself something special at the Greenwich Village Art Fair. You’ll support a local artist, support our community, and enrich your own life with a one-of-a-kind treasure. I promise you, it's worth it. ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
The Joy of Honesty
Honestpeople do the right thing, even when that thing means personal sacrifice. But cheaters rationalize selfish behaviors. They tell themselves it’s OK to cheat on taxes; to forge school papers or exams; to shortchange customers; to lie to the boss ...
While “Be Honest” isn’t one of the 10 commandments, it’s at the core of most. Stealing, bearing false witness and committing adultery, for example, all involve dishonesty … and God doesn’t like it. Habitual liars rob themselves of true peace and other spiritual riches that come with “growing up in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) More importantly, they grieve the heart of a generous God who has lavished us with unconditional love and eternal life. How must God feel when we act like petty thieves rather than grateful children? God wants us to treat one another the way we want to be treated.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 (NIV)
Before the coming of Jesus, it would have been better for us to cut off our hands than to steal again, says scripture. Today, we have better options. We can accept God’s grace, change our bad habits and grow up in Christ. As we do, something wonderful happens: We experience the secret thrill of pleasing God. We grow closer to Him and feel joy. And with each good choice, we extend the light of Christ further into a dark world.
The world seldom exalts people for being honest, but who cares? We do it because pleasing God is worth everything.
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus]. And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’” (Luke 16:14 & 15)
The world exalts cheaters, liars, the proud and self-serving. Don’t let it get you down. Jesus Christ has overcome the world. (John 16:33). ❚
– Janine Pumilia
Artists to Impress at Local Art Fair
By Jim Taylor, managing editor
Almost 80 years after art lovers first gathered at Rockford’s Greenwich Village Art Fair, the event is still going strong.
The two-day outdoor art fair, held Sept. 14-15 in the parking lot of the Rockford Art Museum (RAM), 711 N. Main St., Rockford, is the largest and longest running art fair of its kind in the Midwest. Now in its 76th year, the Greenwich Village Art Fair first made its debut next door, on the lawn of the Burpee mansion.
“It was kind of the same thing back then,” says Carrie Johnson, executive director and curator for the Rockford Art Museum (RAM). “It’s always been about fine artists and making sure they are seen, can sell their work and meet others in the community.”
As the biggest fundraiser of the year for RAM, Greenwich Village Art Fair is
deeply woven into the organization’s history, so much so that the museum and the event are almost completely synonymous with one another. Johnson wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s such an important fair, not just for our artists, but for our community and the region,” she says. “So many people in Rockford have childhood memories of coming to the fair. It’s such an established part of our history.”
This year, close to 100 artists and vendors from a dozen disciplines will gather at the art fair. It’s a significant increase from the 15 local artists who displayed and sold their work in 1948.
“It was picturesque,” says Johnson, of the first art fair. “It was on this beautiful lawn and people used fences to put their paintings on display.”
The first fair didn’t have the benefit of the dozen or so food vendors and food trucks that converge on the scene these days. Fair fans might be horrified to learn that Kortman Gallery Point Bar, a popup drinkery and cherished meeting place on the grounds for 20 years, wasn’t there
The first Greenwich Village Art fair was held on the grounds of the Burpee Mansion.
back then either. Nor was the kid’s creation tent where kids get to make and take home their own artwork.
What has remained since 1948 is RAM’s dedication to giving artists a place to connect with the public. Art buyers find artwork in a variety of disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, leatherwork, printmaking, woodworking and glass. The fair attracts artists from around the country and be-
yond, but its impact on Midwestern artists, and local artists in particular, has made it an important staple.
“A lot of people come here to buy art,” says Johnson. “It’s a great place to come and have fun, but a lot of people are here to collect.”
The show has also been a launching point for careers. Betsy Younguist, a local sculptor and beadwork artist, has exhibited her sculptures nation-wide. Before her absurdist creations became nationally known, she sold them from a booth at Greenwich.
“I always tell new artists to do Greenwich,” says Johnson. “It’s a great way to meet and have oneon-one conversations with art collectors.”
It’s also gratifying for Johnson to see just how many people in Rockford love and support the local art scene. Between 4,000 and 6,000 people walk through the gates every year.
One thing they’re guaranteed to see is an up-close view of the arts in action. Harvey Littleton, considered the father of the studio glass movement in America, was at the very first fair demonstrating his process. The late Jim Barbagallo, a Rockford-based ceramic artist, carried on the tradition for years. Since his death in 2014, Barbagallo’s son, Shawn, is spinning the wheel all weekend, much to the delight of visitors.
For Johnson, hands-on demonstrations foster a deeper appreciation among buyers.
“When someone can see how the scarf they’ve bought is dyed, or can see something thrown on a pottery wheel, it adds a fun educational component,” she says.
Plenty of parking is available on the surrounding streets. As in previous years, Rockford Mass Transit District offers its trolley to shuttle visitors to and from the art fair. Stops and times are posted online at greenwichvillageartfair.com. ❚
The Greenwich Village Art Fair has grown to include almost 100 artists and vendors.
Better Ways to Store Beverages at Home
By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor
New-and-improved appliances can help homeowners store beverages with ease.
The first step is finding the right balance of convenience and aesthetics.
“There are things like small refrigerators that are built in right under your countertop with your cabinetry and they can hold things like beer, pop and wine,” says Andy Guler, vice president of Guler’s Appliance and Mattress in Rockford. “They’re a convenience for people who don’t necessarily want to go all the way to their refrigerator to grab a beverage when they’re entertaining or lounging.”
Along those lines, advanced coolers like dual-zone wine centers create a miniature wine cellar where you can chill both white and red wines simultaneously, but at different temperatures. They come with a few hidden perks, too.
“Those are specially designed to
minimize vibration and things that could unsettle a nice bottle of wine,” says Guler. “Most people don’t have a place in their home where temperatures would be that consistent, and this is something that can integrate right into your cabinetry with a nice look and finish.”
Stainless steel is still the go-to option, but glass-front refrigerators are becoming a trendy alternative. They’re often equipped with specialty lighting that creates an ambient mood to match your decor.
to a home beer dispenser. They come in free-standing or fully integrated options.
“People like to display their items in beverage and wine centers, especially,” says Guler. “You can show off those nice bottles of wine you’ve collected and see what you’re getting before you even open the door.”
Beer connoisseurs like to show off a different accent: their beer taps attached
“This is something that entertainers and beer enthusiasts love,” Guler says. “It’s flowing, except you don’t have to pay $8 a pint. There are also dual tap beer dispensers, so you can have multiple kegs within the cooler.”
To learn more, visit gulerappliance. com. ❚
Guler’s Appliance & Mattress can help homeowners store beverages, such as wine and beer, with ease.
Ways to Prevent Disease Before It Happens
By Stephanie N. Grimoldby
When most people think about preventative medicine, they think about health screenings, vaccinations and other methods widely used to prevent disease.
Dr. Jennifer Cho-Escalante, a family medicine doctor within Beloit Health System, also has lifestyle improvements at top of mind. She encourages consistent, healthy eating choices over fad diets. For example, stick with heart-healthy eating plans, which are less restrictive and more about flavors and cooking methods.
The Mediterranean diet, for
example, is one that emphasizes traits of this region: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts/seeds, olive oil, herbs and spices.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension – or DASH – diet is very similar.
“It was made for people with high blood pressure,” Cho-Escalante says. “Patients have lost enough weight on the DASH diet that we could take them off their blood pressure medications. It’s a very heart-healthy diet.”
Other lifestyle changes, such as proper sleep and exercise, also come into play.
A mix of aerobic exercises and weight training is the best way to reach the oft-touted goal of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, Cho-Escalante says. But even little things can help, like
parking far away from a store entrance or taking the stairs instead of getting on the elevator. That 150-minute benchmark is just to maintain your weight.
“One hundred and fifty minutes is a good starting place to maintain, but if I’m actually talking to patients about weight loss, it’s 300 minutes a week to lose,”
Cho-Escalante says.
These preventative health measures, and others, can help individuals lead healthier lives and reduce the burden of chronic diseases on health care systems. ❚
Dr. Jennifer Cho-Escalante
FAM: Paint the Port
Aug. 23, 4-8 p.m. The annual street paint party brings together the community to celebrate art, creativity and local culture. Everything you need to create your own masterpiece is provided. Purchase a square the day of the event or in advance online. Proceeds develop and maintain the Arts Plaza and Splash Pad. Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.org.
Live at Levings
Aug. 25, 5-8 p.m. Contestants who placed in the June and July talent shows compete for the grand prize of $1,000. Levings Unity Pavilion at Levings Park, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org.
AE: ‘The Angel Next Door’
Sept. 5-22, see website for times. A lovestruck novelist, the actress he adores, a vain leading man, the married playwrights and an eccentric housekeeper all collide in a perfect storm of comic chaos. Artists’ Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.
Festival of the Vine
Sept. 6-8, events daily. Geneva restaurants and
wineries present an array of specialties under an outdoor tent at the Flavor Fare. An arts and crafts show, horse-drawn carriage rides, and several wine tasting and dinner events also take place around the historic downtown. Location: James Street between S. 4th and S. 5th streets, downtown Geneva. Info/Tickets: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. 3rd St., (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.
Woodsong – Heartache Tonight
Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m. From the powerful guitar duel in “Hotel California” to the shimmering harmonies of “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” the tribute show is a true Eagles concert experience featuring all of the timeless songs from one of the greatest rock bands of all times. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9658146, klehm.org.
World War II Days
Sept. 28-29, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. For one weekend, the museum grounds are transformed into 1940s Europe, complete with historical re-enactors portraying Allied and Axis armies, fighting battles and demonstrating their authentic equipment. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Entertainment & Events
Fall Prairie Harvest Day
Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-noon. Help a volunteer crew to collect as many seeds as possible from the restored wetlands. It’s fun, and open to the entire family, no matter the age. Reg. req. Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 964-6666, naturalland.org.
Autumn on Parade
Oct. 5-6, see website for times. A full weekend of family events, including a fun zone for kids with a petting zoo, an arts and crafts vendor fair, food court, antique tractor show and car show, and entertainment hot spot with live music playing all weekend long. Various spots, downtown Oregon, Ill. (815) 732-3465, autumnonparade.com. ❚
Festival of the Vine commences Sept. 6-8 in downtown Geneva.
