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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • Nov 2021 • No. I
Right in Our Region
‘Messiah’ Welcomes
Christmas for 75th Time See Page 20
Tips for Tempting & Tasty Cheese Boards Planning a Spring Remodel? Better Start Now! Women’s Health: What You Need to Know
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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In This Issue
Right in Our Region .........................Cover & p. 20 Choral Union’s ‘Messiah’: A Gift for 75 Years
Your Home ................................................... 13, 27 Get Started Now on Your Spring Remodel; Basics for Carpet Shopping
Inspiration & Worship ....................................... 14 Got Humility?
Your Kitchen ...................................................... 17 How to Arrange a Great Cheese Board
Your Health ........................................................ 31 Women’s Health: What to Know About Cancer
Your Outing ....................................................... 33 Stroll on State Returns Nov. 27
Your Fun ............................................................. 36
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, 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, Veterans!
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eterans Day is coming up, so let’s review what we know about it. Armistice Day originated in 1919, one year after World War I hostilities ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – Nov. 11. The name was later changed to Veterans Day (no apostrophe) in 1954 to recognize veterans of all U.S. armed forces, whether serving during war or peace. Tragically, “the war to end all wars” – didn’t. By contrast, Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is a time to honor those who lost their lives during military service to our nation. Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” About 18 million U.S. veterans comprise 7 percent of our U.S. population of 329 million. The Veterans Administration reports in 2021 that about 5.9 million American veterans served during the Vietnam era and 7.8 million served in the Gulf War era, which spanned from August 1990 to present. Gulf War veterans have the highest percentage of service-connected disability – 29 percent compared to 15 percent of all veterans – presumably because improved defense armor and battlefield medicine decreased the death rate among the critically wounded. About 500,000 of our veterans served in the Korean War (1950-1953). Only about 325,000 World War II veterans still live among us, and we’re losing them at a rate of about 550 per day. Our last known World War I veteran died in 2011. Some veterans served in two or even three wars. We’re more indebted to these souls than we can verbalize. But let’s try. Let’s make the effort to say “thank you” to the bravest among us and also to advocate in public policy for the respect and care they’ve well earned. Have a good week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Your Home & Garden
Start Now for a Spring Remodelling Project By Peggy Werner
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f you’re thinking about a spring home improvement project, it’s time to get started, says Todd Chapman, owner and president of C & H Design in Belvidere, Ill. “If you want that kitchen or bath remodel done by April, it’s not too early to start planning and ordering supplies to avoid future price increases,” he says. Planning ahead is always a good rule of thumb, but with labor and supply shortages, looking to the future has become a necessity. A C & H remodelling project will involve a free consultation and measuring, choosing a design, picking out colors and materials for flooring, countertops, cabinets, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Chapman says his customers are mostly choosing clean lines, few details and neutral colors such as cream, white or
grey for kitchen and bathroom remodels. For flooring, luxury vinyl checks many of the boxes people care about. This flooring can be “floated” over another floor or glued down. It’s water resistant yet softer than tile, easy to clean and comes in a variety of colors and looks that mimic tile, marble and hardwood. It holds up in extreme temperatures, making it a good choice for screened-in porches, sunrooms and other unheated rooms in the home.
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Chapman opened C & H Design in 2002 and has been at the current location at 6506 Logan Ave. since 2006. Since then, he’s expanded his showroom twice; it now includes 6,000 square feet of display space. Chapman started out as a homebuilder. When a financial downturn in the economy ocurred, he anticipated that people would be choosing to remodel homes rather than to move, so he chose to focus on home improvement for homeowners. Chapman describes his business as a “one stop shop” offering all the materials and services needed to complete a home remodeling project from beginning to end, including plumbing, drywall, painting, electricity, construction and financing. Learn more by calling (815) 5478453. ❚
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Inspiration & Worship
Got Humility?
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
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he concept of humility isn’t easy to internalize in our “me first” culture. “Why shouldn’t we be proud of ourselves?” we think. The short answer? Because we are the creation, not the Creator; None of us would have or be anything without God. Only by His will do we even exist. Therefore, grateful obedience to God, not pride in self, is the response God asks of us. And to obey God is to put others before ourselves. Human pride is nearly always viewed as negative in scripture. Pride and a haughty spirit go before “a fall,” says Proverbs 16:18. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2 No one has fallen further than Lucifer, once the most beautiful angel in Heaven before God cast him out. “Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground ...” – Ezekiel 28:7 Anything in which we take great pride – from our wealth to our talent, good looks, nationality or even our children – can easily become more important to us than God and His will. Before we know it, our eyes are fixed on earthly things, not on “things above.” Jesus dealt with the stink of human arrogance when his 12 disciples bickered about which of them was greatest. He said: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but Him who sent me.” – Mark 9:33-37 Children had less clout than anyone in Jesus’ society. To champion a child was to invite social scorn. But God asks us to lift up the weak – not ourselves – out of gratitude to Him. Be wary of those who are “puffed up,” says Paul. “What are you so puffed up about? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?” - I. Corinthians 4:7 (Living Bible) Paul also advised: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2: 3-4 (KJV) ❚ – Janine Pumilia 14
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Your Kitchen
Sharpen Up Your Cheese Board Savvy
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s we enter the holiday season, it’s time to shore up our cheese board skills. Here are some ideas. Mix it up. Create a range of flavors and textures from soft to hard and mild to sharp. Add contrast. Flavorful breads thinly sliced or broken into smaller pieces can enhance contrast in both flavor and texture. For a simple solution, try serving breadsticks alongside brie, toma and pepper jack cheeses. Be patient. Aged cheeses should come to room temperature before serving.
Enhance cheese plates with olives, nuts or fruit to add flavor and texture. Pears go well with blue cheese, Gouda and toma; olives with white cheddar and pepper jack; walnuts fit with Gouda and dry jack; and dried cranberries pair nicely with Cheddar, blue cheese and mushroom jack. Consider portions. Estimate 1 to 1 1/2 oz. of each cheese per person.
Continental Cheese Board
1-2 oz. brie per person 1-2 oz. toma per person 1-2 oz. pepper jack per person Walnuts, breadsticks, fresh herbs On cheese plate, arrange cheeses, almonds, crackers and cherry tomatoes.
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Red, White & Blue
1-2 oz. Cheddar cheese per person 1-2 oz. blue cheese pp. 1-2 oz. mushroom Jack cheese pp. Walnuts, dried cranberries, crackers, fresh apple slices (Source: Framily Features)
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Right in Our Region
75 Years Faithful: ‘Messiah’ Still a Gift
By Janine Pumilia he annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” has been a special gift to our community since 1945, when the Rockford Choral Union first presented it as an expression of gratitude at the end of World War II. This Nov. 27 & 28 will bring the 75th performance at 3 p.m. both days at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford, the original location. “Every single word is directly from the King James Bible,” says Webb Stevens, vice president of the board of governors for the Rockford Choral Union. “The singers really focus on diction so people can understand the words and the message.” “Messiah” is an important Christmas tradition for generations of local family members, whether they’re in the audience or up front participating as singers.
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Among the latter is this year’s featured mezzo soloist, Claudia Holen, who began singing “Messiah” with her grandfather Peter Thomas and mother Julie Holen when she was 11 years old. She later attended the Boston Conservatory, where she sang as a soloist in a “Messiah” performance at Boston’s Old South Church. In time Claudia earned her Master’s in Musicology at Tufts University. Today she works as Education and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) in Madison. “She’s helping the WCO to make a musical impact in the lives of Madison’s kiddos and community members,” says proud grandfather Peter Thomas. “Experiencing this beautiful piece of music and
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Soloist Claudia Holen began singing ‘Messiah’ with mother Julie and grandfather Peter Thomas (above) when she was 11.
being surrounded by a supportive community at such a young age nurtured her love of classical music.” Other highly accomplished soloists with local ties will be featured this year as well. Susan Nelson, originally from Princeton, Ill., and with family ties to Rockford, will return as a soprano soloist. She
Right in Our Region sings with Music of the Baroque and the Lyric Opera and Grant Park Choruses of Chicago. Nicolai Janitzky, a Belvidere resident and frequent soloist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, will perform as baritone solist. Michael Day, a Rockford native who frequently performs in New York and Chicago, will be featured as tenor soloist. Michael Beert will direct the performance for the third time. He’s been involved as a cellist with the group since 1985 and was named its sixth director after Nat Bauer retired from that role in
Generations of local families have begun their Christmas season with eyes, ears and hearts open to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
2017. A Rockford native, Beert has been the Principal Cello in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra for 10 of his 25 years there. He’s also Professor of Music and Academic Chairman of Music and Art at Rock Valley College. In addition to the chorus, professional soloists and chamber orchestra, listeners will enjoy hearing Trish Rooney play the pipe organ and Tim Anderson play the harpsichord. The three-part “Messiah” story begins with Old Testament prophecies of Jesus’ birth, leading up to the Gospel accounts of his birth, life, death, resurrection and glorification. The jubilant “Hallelujah Chorus” is sung at the end of Part Two. Our region’s “Messiah” tradition began 75 years ago in Lutheran churches and expanded to include people of many Christian denominations. Performers sometimes drive long distances to attend six Sunday afternoon rehearsals in October and November. Some have
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participated for more than 30 years. “We’ve earned a reputation as one of the better choral performances in the country,” says Stevens. Handel was 55 in 1741 when he composed “Messiah,” an English language oratorio. He debuted it in Dublin. Legend says that when “Messiah” was performed in London a year later, King George II was so moved by it that he stood up for the “Hallelujah Chorus,” starting a tradition that continues to this day. There’s no charge to attend this performance; it’s always been presented as a Christmas gift to the community. Last year’s concert was cancelled due to the pandemic, so this is the 75th performance, but the 76th year since it began in 1945. Per Winnebago County Health Department guidelines, all guests will be required to wear masks and to observe socially distant seating. Masks will be provided at the door and all singers are vaccinated. Learn more at RockfordChoralUnion.com. ❚
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Home & Garden
Know the Basics When Shopping for Carpet S hopping for carpet can be very confusing, when so much of it looks the same to the untrained eye. A good salesperson will first ask about your lifestyle as related to flooring. First, what’s the setting for which you’ll be using this carpet? How many children do you have? What types of pets? Do you entertain? “Everyone has specific needs,” says Kevin Rose, President of Carpetland USA, 326 N. Alpine Road, Rockford. “It’s nice to try to tailor the correct product for their needs – not pick something (salespeople) think is going to fit into everyone’s needs.” Next, think about fiber. The most expensive, softest and most durable carpets tend to be name-brand nylons, Rose says. Then, the next level would be polyesters, made from recycled plastic bottles. They’re extremely stain-resistant and durable, with softness that has improved
vastly as plastics technology has changed in recent years. Carpet quality can be measured – and even seen – in three factors: Density. That’s the number of stitches per inch. More means the fibers will support each other better and resist crushing. Twist: How many yarn twists per inch. This is perhaps the key consideration, Rose says. The tighter a carpet’s twist, the springier and more resilient it will be. Face weight: How many ounces of fiber are used per square yard of carpet. Backings can help indicate a carpet’s quality, and especially its moisture resistance. If you have pets, Rose says, consider carpet with moisture-proof backing. And, Rose says: Realize the impor-
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tance of good padding. Some carpet pads are even topped with a moisture-proof membrane. This is of special interest to pet owners. “Pad is the best dollar spent in carpet,” he says. “It’s another vital element to the durability of the carpet. It takes the shock absorption, so it helps in resiliency of the fiber. If you’re going to save a buck or two, don’t do it in your pad.” ❚
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Your Health
What Women Should Know About Cancer B y To n i R o c h a
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omen of all ages can get reproductive system-related cancers, but some forms strike women of younger ages more often than others. “Cervical cancers skew younger than other reproductive system cancer,” says Dr. Eric Xanthopoulos, a radiation oncologist with Beloit-University of Wisconsin Cancer Center. “About 78 percent of cervical cancers are diagnosed in women 30 to 39 years old.” Women with more than four sexual partners, or with first intercourse before 16 years of age, are associated with a 60 percent greater incidence of developing cervical cancer. “Smoking and heavy drinking also are associated with a 200- to 300-percent greater incidence of cervical cancer,” Xanthopoulos says. “But keep perspective with this talk of risk: the baseline risk for any woman to get cervical cancer is less than 1 percent in their lifetime, so even a smoker has a less than 3 percent incidence
of cervical cancer.” The best way to detect cervical cancer is to get regular Pap smears. “Current guidelines recommend that Pap smears start three years after first intercourse or by age 21, whichever comes first. Women should get annual Pap smears until age 30. After that, they can get one every two to three years if all their prior Pap smears were normal. Women typically stop getting Pap smears in their 60s.” One way to prevent cervical cancer is by getting the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine between ages 9 and 26. “HPV comes in more than 50 variet-
ies, but the ones associated with cervical cancer are Nos. 16 and 18. These are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers,” Xanthopoulos says. Cervical cancer treatment involves surgery for small, early Stage I cancers (sometimes with radiation after), or chemoradiation for Stage II and beyond. Ovarian cancer is harder to detect. “Symptoms of ovarian cancer are fairly generic,” Xanthopoulos says. “Pain in the back, stomach or after sexual intercourse can signal ovarian cancer, but pain is also associated with many other ailments. This is when family history is vital in determining whether or not the woman may have ovarian cancer.” There are few good treatment options for late-stage ovarian cancer. Uterine cancer has distinct symptoms, including vaginal bleeding, Xanthopoulos says. Living a healthy lifestyle and getting screened as recommended by your doctor is the best defense against reproductive cancers. ❚
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Your Outings
Stroll on State Returns to Kick Off Holidays A
nearly decade-long tradition in Rockford will return on Nov. 27, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as Stroll on State brings thousands of people downtown for a parade, live music, a visit from Santa, fireworks and more. Last year’s event was virtual due to the pandemic. “We’re excited to have a traditional in-person Stroll on State event planned,” says Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “It’s one of my favorite events because it’s a powerful example of the welcoming nature of Rockford, as we unite for an entertaining and enjoyable kickoff to the holiday season.” The unofficial event kick-off is the Dasher Dash, a holiday-themed 5K Run/ Walk through Rockford’s downtown district starting at noon on Nov. 27. Stroll on State officially kicks off with a parade at 2 p.m. featuring floats, festive music and costumed characters including Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with bal-
loons, bands, princesses, elves, antique vehicles and more. Fun activities will continue until 9 p.m. At 8 p.m., fireworks will launch from Jefferson Street Bridge. As in previous years, the Stroll on State team will transform the downtown into a winter wonderland. Visitors will enjoy live entertainment and activities like s’more stations and ice carvings. One major change this year involves the tree lighting. Instead of one giant tree, the tree-lighting ceremony will be divided into three events at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. at three stage locations with three trees. This will allow crowds to spread out and families to work around their schedules more easily. Each stage will host a holiday story-time reading, a visit from Santa, live music and the tree lighting. The 5 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony will take place at the Silver Bell Tree and Stage at Eddie Green Place on the corner of 1st and East State streets; The 6 p.m.
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ceremony will be at Davis Park;and the 7 p.m. ceremony will take place at the Jingle Bell Tree and Stage at the corner of North Main and Mulberry streets. Live music by local artists will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m. Santa visits will be done differently this year, too, with Santa Claus moving throughout the grounds. He’ll also make his way through Rockford on a fire truck Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Find a full list of events and attractions at strollonstate.com.❚
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
Christmas at the Farm Nov. 5 & 6, Friday 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This festive shopping event is held at Meyer’s Tails Up Farm, 5390 Irene Road, Belvidere, with more than 35 vendors selling wares in the barn and heated tents. It benefits Miss Carly’s, a group dedicated to feeding the hungry in Rockford. Learn more at misscarlys.org. Jazz at Starr Center Series Nov. 7, 3 p.m. The Joel Baer Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra dedicated to carrying on the tradition of American big band music in the style of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Features some of the best players in the region. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Second Thursday Concert Series Nov. 11, 7 p.m. Groove Hotel performs in an intimate café environment. Doors open at 6 p.m. Full drink and food menu available. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford, (815) 9860628, katiescup.com. Charlotte’s Web: Emily Hurd Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. The prolific songwrit-
er combines soul, country, folk and blues. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Radium Girls Nov. 12-20, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s 1926 and luminous watches are all the rage – until the girls who painted them at a factory in Ottawa, Ill., begin to fall ill. Based on true events. Main Street Players of Boone County, 111 W. 1st St., Belvidere, (800) 741-2963, mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com. Rockford Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular Nov. 13 & 14. Saturday Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 14 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handcrafted items including home, holiday and yard decor; floral arrangements; crochet items; bath & body products; jewelry; pet supplies; woodcrafts; Adult and baby clothing and accessories; doll clothes; metalwork and more. Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., (815) 997-1744. Learn more at rockfordcraftshow.com. ‘Cinderella’ Nov. 14, 3 p.m. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents this beloved story set to
See the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine present “Cinderella” Nov. 14.
Prokofiev’s music with Vladimir Vasiliev’s choreography. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org. My Way: Art from the Black South Through Jan. 23, Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nearly 156 artworks by 50 black artists of the American South. Includes eight original quilts. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. ❚
SWEET STREAMS.
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Your Outings
New Chef Elevates Dining at Goldmoor Inn By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor
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he intimate, fine-dining restaurant has always been a staple of Galena’s Goldmoor Inn, but with the addition of new Executive Chef Brandon Veitch, the dishes have been elevated to new levels at this castle-designed bed-and-breakfast. “Brandon brings the creativity and the complexity of the dishes up one notch, and the food is really sophisticated,” says Slobo Radin, who co-owns the Goldmoor with his wife, Birgit. “When people sit down and go through the menu, they often order one item to share so everyone at the table can taste the goodness of the food. It’s really amazing.” Veitch, whose experience includes French and Italian styles, came to the Goldmoor after more than five years at The Peninsula Chicago. Under Veitch, Goldmoor’s menu is simple, yet complex. Its fall lineup has a
hearty combination of dishes that warm the heart and feed the soul. The seasonal menu stands out with the help of locally grown ingredients. This season, diners can enjoy Chilean Sea Bass served with rosemary marble potatoes, roasted parsnip, pickled squash and salmon roe. Handmade Squash Agnolotti has brown butter cream, butternut squash, chevre cheese, walnut and pomegranate. If you’re looking for something lighter, check out the Kale and Brussels sprouts salad with pomegranate seed, green apple, gorgonzola cheese, candied walnut and apple-serrano dressing. To make the experience more special, diners are treated to breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. Fall colors and snow-covered trees add to a picturesque scene.
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“It’s just a really beautiful place,” says Radin. “You have to venture out and see how beautiful this place really is.” The restaurant is open Thursday to Monday from 5-9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged. Goldmoor Inn is located at 9001 W. Sand Hill Road, Galena, (815) 777-3925, goldmoor.com. ❚
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