Smart Living Rockford - March 2, 2023

Managing Editor Jim Taylor

Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi

Graphics Director Samantha Behling

Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner

General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky

Lent is Upon Us

The season of Lent is here, for those who participate.

I understand when people don’t really know what Lent is about. To be honest, I used to think Lent was about dieting. Everyone was giving up sweets, junk food or something similar. I definitely missed the point that this fasting was to prepare for Easter, and it was supposed to accompany prayer and almsgiving.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve participated in Lent by giving up snacks and soda. But for me, it was always more of a “40 Day Challenge.”

Then, at some point in college, I learned that Sundays “don’t count” during Lent, so technically, you can have whatever it is you gave up. When I learned that, Sundays quickly became a binge-fest of chips and Diet Coke. I would really make up for those six days I had “fasted.” I’m sure part of the reason is because my motives were askew, and I was completely unfocused on the purpose of Lent.

Now that I’m older, I try to focus on what Lent is actually about. I have no spiritual authority and limited religious knowledge, but, I really think Christians should focus a bit less on “giving something up” during Lent and more on almsgiving. Caring for people by donating money, food, clothes, toys or even just your time can probably go a lot further than a sad 40-day personal improvement plan (which is admittedly what I was doing for years).

A couple ideas of organizations to volunteer your time or treasure: Rockford Rescue Mission, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, Kids Around the World, the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation, and Winnebago County CASA. There are plenty more, of course.

Or, for almsgiving, you could make dinner for a friend who’s going through a tough time, or check in on the people in your life who might be lonely.

Regardless of what you plan to do for Lent, or if you even participate, I wish you well in the next 40-ish days ahead.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Upgrade Your Home to Live in it Longer

By Peggy Werner

About 30 years ago, Michael Sullivan’s mom was living in a two-story apartment and needed more and more help as she got older.

Working in construction at the time, he was able to help design and build a new home for her with a walk-in shower, first floor laundry, and other changes that allowed her to live at home independently much longer.

Today, Sullivan is the owner of Sullivan’s Home Improvement Solutions. He prides himself in being the first general contracting business in Rockford to obtain a Certified Age in Place Specialist (CAPS) certification through the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), a specialty that focuses on “fall prevention home modifications” by making spaces more accessible. Such changes are also helpful to those with a mental or

physical disability, progressive disease, or common aging limitations.

“I saw the need in my own family, with the aging population, and others with mobility problems,” Sullivan says. “As we age, our ability to get around our own house becomes more difficult and the family discussions of moving into a facility becomes more and more frequent. Moving can be difficult emotionally for the senior and family members. By making a few changes in the home, a person can reduce the chances of falling and stay at home much longer.”

Sullivan’s services provide full bathroom upgrades, tub to shower and tub to walk-in tub conversions, improved lighting, flooring, and vanities, grab bars, first floor laundry, chair lifts, ramps, wider doorways, threshold alterations and American with Disabilities Act-rated

stools. Sullivan works with occupational and physical therapists to make sure changes are in line with their recommendations.

The business follows the CAPS code of ethics and complies with local building codes. Installers are licensed and certified. Because of the company’s thoroughness, most jobs take three days to complete, and all work has a satisfaction guarantee.

For more information or to schedule a free home assessment with a detailed estimate, call Sullivan at (815) 234-0688.❚

Eyewitness to Majesty

It’s sad but inevitable that eyewitnesses to history fade away from the earth. Only about 160,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive to share their memories with us, for example. Thankfully, many have recorded their memories for posterity. This enables us to compare truth against falsehoods that arise.

Likewise, Christians can evaluate theories about God by comparing them to the only eyewitness testimony available – scripture – just as Jesus did. Jesus quoted scripture to his followers, detractors, and even Satan. “It is written that man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” Jesus told Satan, after 40 days of fasting in a Judean desert.

(Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Simon Peter personally knew Jesus, both before and after Jesus’ resurrection, making him “an eyewitness to majesty.” As he neared death, Peter wrote his second and final letter to faithful believers in Asia, knowing that all eyewitnesses to Jesus would soon be gone from earth and disinformation would flourish. Imagine the bittersweet emotions he experienced as he shared his final advice – advice still perfectly relevant to us today.

Peter warns us not to be deceived or discouraged by false teachers – God will deal with them. He says to mimic the goodness of Jesus Christ; to root ourselves in scripture and to trust its power and integrity; to build up our self-control and perseverance; and to anticipate our glorious future with God, counting any suffering on His behalf as an honor.

“…For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty …. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the holy spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:12-16, 20 (NIV)

Peter’s letters are brief, practical, encouraging and relevant. It’s hard to imagine a better use of our time than to internalize the wisdom of this “eyewitness to majesty.” ❚

-- Janine Pumilia

Winter’s Last Hoorah at Alpine Hills

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Winter might be ending soon, but Midwestern weather is anything but predictable. Who knows for certain when the last snowfall will occur?

Weather permitting, there’s still opportunity to enjoy the snow – both real and man-made – at Alpine Hills Adven-

ture Park, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford.

“The park will be open as late in the season as we can with our snow stockpiles that we’ve built up,” says Braden Hacker, manager of the snow park at Alpine Hills.

“The Rockford Park District is happy to offer a great outdoor recreation option

for individuals and families year-round, and at an affordable price,” he continues. “The snow park at Alpine Hills gives residents and visitors fun ways to enjoy the wintertime here in Rockford when other activities aren’t available.”

The snow hill has a designated area for snow tubing, which features four lanes for participants who are at least 36 inches tall. A separate terrain park has various features and obstacles that change throughout the season for beginner and intermediate snowboarders and skiers.

“We also have a carpet lift that takes tubers, skiers and snowboarders 400 feet from the bottom of the lift to the top for another run,” Hacker adds.

Beginner and novice snowboard lessons are available for $30 on Saturday and Sunday mornings, respectively, which consist of 2 hours of instruction

(Rockford Park District photos)

followed by a free hour of time on the hill to practice skills.

“These lessons focus on understanding basics of how snowboarding works and how best to progress further,” Hacker says.

Snow park hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tubing tickets cost $10 per person and are good for a 90-minute session on the hill. Tubers

can reserve a time slot ahead of time at alpinehillsadventure.com/snowpark.

“Snow tubing may sell out and is not guaranteed without a reservation,” Hacker adds.

Terrain park tickets cost $14 and are good for an entire day. If needed, a snowboard rental package is available and includes a board, boots, bindings, helmet and lift ticket for $60.

“Whether you’re looking to learn a

new skill like snowboarding or looking to have a fun winter outing with friends and family, the snow park at Alpine Hills is a great local and affordable option,” Hacker says.

Visitors can reserve a tubing slot, check on snow conditions or sign up for a lesson at alpinehillsadventure.com/ snowpark. ❚

Cover Photo by Rockford Park District

A Full Weekend of Fun at PaleoFest

By Peggy Werner

Burpee Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary of PaleoFest that draws experts from around the world to share their insight with lovers of paleontology.

“This weekend is the center of the paleontology world,” says Joshua Mathews, vice president of research and operations and director of paleontology at Burpee Museum. “Like-minded people get together to learn what’s new in the field.”

This year’s event takes place March 3-5 at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, and features two days of events open to the general public from 9:15 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday and 9:45 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday.

Events include a lecture series featuring 17 speakers from around the world, workshops for children, and eight Paleo Passport stations where attendees can

collect information and learn about different aspects of paleontology. All speakers are scientists with advanced degrees or graduate students with specialists in some aspect of paleontology.

“When people think of paleontology, they think of dinosaurs, but the field covers a lot more about all ancient life, including plants, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles and more,” Mathews says.

Some of the family workshops held during the weekend include “Fossil Lake in a Jar Workshop” for those ages 3-6. Fifty-five million years ago, massive lakes covered the western United States and preserved countless fossils from tiny horses to schools of fish. Learn about the process of fossilization and make your own Fossil Lake in a jar.

“Brachiopods Cast Workshop,” for the same age group, teaches about plas-

ter casts that recreate animal impressions after death.

For those 7 and older, “Amber Workshop” teaches about amber and how no other fossil preserves animals in greater detail. Participants can make their own amber soap fossil. Also, “A Guide to Paleontology Workshop” teaches youngsters about what it takes to be a paleontologist, including fossil preparation, studying the past, specialized tools and the different fossil phases.

A number of ticket options are available at burpee.org/paleofest-tickets. ❚

Rockford IceHogs Hockey

Thru April 15. The Rockford IceHogs are members of the American Hockey League and are affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. Home games are at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. See the full schedule at icehogs.com.

Mark Baldin

March 3, 7:30 p.m. Preeminent area trumpeter and principal of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Baldin presents works by Ponchielli and Shostakovich, among lighter fare. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Rockford Indoor Winter Market

March 3, 4-8 p.m. Rockford’s favorite Friday-night market heads indoors with a variety of vendors, from farmers and gourmet food producers to jewelry makers, crafters and vintage sellers. Rockford City Market, 115 N. Water St., Rockford, (815) 977-5124, rockfordcitymarket.com.

‘Tuesdays With Morrie’

March 3-11, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. Journalist Mitch Albom sees his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, on a TV program

Entertainment & Events

discussing his battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The two reunite with what starts out as a visit and turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. Winneshiek Players Theatre, 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 232-7023, winneshiekplayers.org.

Soar Awards

March 6, 7 p.m. Celebrate gospel music’s biggest artists. The evening honors Donald Lawrence, Jekalyn Carr and Kierra Sheard and features performances by The Clark Sisters, KeKe Wyatt, Leandria Johnson and more. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

RAM: Cartoon Club

March 11, 11 a.m. Learn to draw animals, people and everything else kids love to draw. Each session features step-by-step drawing instructions based on a fun theme, which participants can follow along with or use for inspiration. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

March 12, 7 p.m. Produced by Ray Kennedy and Jeff Hanna and featuring other contemporary

artists, the concert is a ride through some of the most impactful songs of the past century, penned by Bob Dylan. Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

Domenic DiCello

March 14, 5:30 p.m. A classics-inspired pianist, DiCello presents Chopin, Beethoven and a premiere of his piano transcription of classical guitar works. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. ❚

Rockford City Market heads indoors on March 3 from 4-8 p.m. Shop food, jewelry, crafts and more.