Smart Living Rockford - November 3, 2022

My Biggest Influence

Growing up, my mom always watched

NBC’s “Today” show. It’s one of the first places where I experienced journalism, and I specifically recall tuning in to watch Katie Couric. There was something about her that captivated me, and now as a fully-formed adult, I know it was her ability to ask compelling interview questions. She never asked anything that could be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and she always asked interesting follow-up questions that explored topics in more depth. She also just had a way of making people feel at ease.

I’m currently reading her memoir, “Going There,” and it’s fascinating to me to get a peek behind the curtain of both her career and personal life. Anytime someone has the guts to write a (good) memoir and lay out the intimate details of their life, I find myself totally engrossed. While I’m just getting started, I can already tell her book is honest — and not necessarily people-pleasing. I love it already.

Fun fact: Katie Couric was my college commencement speaker. I was part of the class of 2015 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and on our graduation day, the seating chart of course allowed for journalism-school graduates to sit in the first few rows on the field of Camp Randall Stadium. I got a seat front and center. I was elated to hear from a successful woman journalist who was a ubiquitous part of my morning routine growing up.

To be honest, I don’t remember much about what she said, but I do remember feeling emboldened to start the next chapter of my life: working my first true job as a professional journalist. Since then, I’ve tried to channel Katie Couric as much as possible while I work, particularly when conducting interviews. I like to think she’d give me positive feedback, though of course I have no idea.

I was sad to hear about her recent breast cancer diagnosis, and wherever she is, I hope her treatment is going well. She’s been a big influence on me and my career path.

Hope you have a great week,

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

them you saw it in ...

Who Are We?

“Identity politics” refers to a group of people who view issues through a common lens. Their leaders may say or do anything to expand a group’s size. They may lie, incite fear and anger or even demonize other human beings who are made in the image of God. Is this OK?

Scripture tells us the group God cares about expanding is His family. It’s why Jesus Christ ended his ministry with the “great commission,” commanding disciples to carry his message of love throughout the earth. (Matthew 28:9).

People have been responding to God’s invitation ever since. Only He knows the names and locations of each of His children. In recent decades, Christianity has spread fastest in South America, Africa and Asia (Pew Research.)

To be a child of God is exponentially more important than any other identity we hold, says scripture. We’re to prioritize our identity in Christ above all earthly distinctions that divide us. Further, we’re to be “especially good” to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Neither nationality nor social class negate this. (Galatians 6:10).

“Man looks on the flesh, but God looks on the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7)

It’s a difficult concept, but God asks us to understand that we share more in common with a follower of Jesus Christ in Venezuela, Nigeria or Bejing than with a next-door neighbor who looks like us but rejects God. We are family.

Jesus resisted the politics of his day and spelled out God’s two highest priorities: love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40). Demonizing others is not on the list.

To look through Jesus’ lens requires effort – prayer, study of scripture and the humility to conform our thoughts to his. Riding a noisy bandwagon is easier, but it will never bring us the peace that comes from doing God’s will.

“…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17: 15-21 NIV)

Who are we? We’re family. We are one. ❚

- Janine Pumilia

Rockford Choral Union’s ‘Messiah’ is Back

By Peggy Werner

tradition is helping people tune into a more peaceful, meaningful and spiritual side of the Christmas season.

ARockford

Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 930 Third Ave., Rockford. Both performances will also be live-streamed on Rockford Choral Union’s Facebook page.

President of the Rockford Choral Union (RCU) Dale Johnson says for many people, “Messiah” is the beginning and the focus of the Christmas season.

“Messiah” has endured, he says, because of the message and the great music.

“There are times in our lives when we feel disconnected from one another and experiences like the pandemic gave us a feeling of hopelessness and doom.

But God, through Jesus Christ, has communicated to us his unconditional love and gives us hope, regardless of what is happening. Audiences feel uplifted and energized by the production,” he says.

Conductor Michael Beert says “Messiah” is a gift to the community.

“We give this gift to the community to help celebrate Advent and the Christmas holiday. It’s an important message to those in need of spiritual renewal,” he says.

Beert is a cellist with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and played the cello for the annual production for 33 years, the last three years serving as the RCU conductor.

“As a cellist, I see how

important it is for the conductor to get the musicians to not only play well and be in tune with each other, but also make sure the message comes out clearly,” he says.

Soprano Susan Nelson of Chicago sang with the choral union in 2019 and 2022 and has also performed in the choir and as a soloist for “Messiah” many times

Rockford Choral Union performs Handel’s “Messiah” Nov. 26-27.

throughout the Chicago area. She says it always offers something new to audiences, whether they are hearing it for the first time or attend every year.

“For so many people, ‘Messiah’ is a tradition,” she says. “Even before I started singing, I was familiar with the music because it has been a part of my whole life.”

She enjoys performing in Rockford

because although some cuts are made to shorten the performance, the entire story is told, and the story is more meaningful each year, she says.

“As we get older, we get more sentimental. When I first performed ‘Messiah,’ I thought mainly about how I was singing. Now, I am so comfortable with what I am doing, I have the freedom to be more expressive and can think about meeting the expectations of those in the audience,” she says.

The production will feature a 15-piece chamber orchestra, an organist, four soloists, a harpsichordist, and up to 100 voices representing many churches and faith organizations in the state line area and beyond.

Last year’s Covid requirements and

in Our Region

scaled down version of “Messiah” didn’t deter people from enjoying the concert, which was live-streamed for the first time.

“We were surprised, if not shocked, by how many people came to the concert in spite of having to wear masks and social distance,” Johnson says. “People live life under the assumption they are in control, but the pandemic reminded us we are not in control of much around us, so the ‘Messiah’ was one way people could move forward with hope because of the story being told about God’s promise that He is always with us.”

“Messiah” is an English-spoken oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel. First performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742, the work has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in western music.

There is no admission fee for RCU’s performance but a free-will offering will be received. Masks are recommended, but not required. ❚

Living Live

them you saw it in ...

Tickets to “Messiah” are free, but a good-will offering will be accepted.

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How You Can Have a Rewarding Career

By Peggy Werner

Archambeau went from working as a floral designer to being a caregiver with Comfort Keepers, 4855 E. State St., Rockford –both careers requiring skills that make the world a better place for someone.

Audra

Audra took a job with Comfort Keepers five years ago, after hearing her brother talk about his experiences there.

“He loved the job, but was working a lot of hours. I had a small son, so I didn’t think I could do it. But then he told me you can choose your own hours, and a lightbulb went on inside my head,” Archambeau says. “Caregiving is such a rewarding career. There is not one day I don’t look forward to going to work. You get to know the clients and you feel like you are an extension of the family.”

In the time she has been with Comfort Keepers, she has served about 15

clients, some for many years. While a few clients still have spouses, she helps them both by coming in to cook meals, do housekeeping, and run errands, giving the other caregiver a break.

Compassion is the most important quality to have when working as a caregiver, Archambeau says.

“A good caregiver has built-in compassion for people and a natural ability to care for others. You can’t fake it,” she adds.

Comfort Keepers’ caregivers assist with all non-medical needs such as light housekeeping, preparing meals, companionship, bathing, grooming, mobility assistance, bathroom needs, laundry, transportation to appointments, shopping, attending events and more.

Lucretia Ristin, co-owner with Mark Podemski, says although most people

serviced by Comfort Keepers have at least one medical condition, others seek out help because they are tired and can’t handle the workload any longer, or because they are lonely, which can lead to depression and a lack of interest in selfcare. Caregivers work part time or full time and have to pass an extensive background check, drug test, and show they are caring and empathetic individuals. Comfort Keepers is also in Freeport. Future plans include opening a Janesville office. For more information on hiring or becoming a caregiver, go to comfortkeepers.com or call (815) 229-9100. ❚

Entertainment & Events

RAM: Midwestern Biennial

ru Jan. 30, ur.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. e latest iteration of this recurring display draws together a juried selection of works by Rockford and regional artists. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.com.

“ ese Shining Lives”

Nov. 3-6, urs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A play based on the true story of people who worked for the Radium Dial Company. Maddox eatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 2264100, rockford.edu.

Christmas Open House Nov. 10-12, . 3-7 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Get in the Christmas spirit with store-wide discounts, gourmet food tastings, seasonal accessories and the latest in winter fashion. Merlin’s Greenhouse & Flowers & Otherside Boutique, 300 Mix St., Oregon, Ill., (815) 732-2969.

“From the Mothership to the Underworld” Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. Rockford Symphony Or-

chestra presents the world premiere of Paul Dooley’s Percussion Concerto. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Getting Ready for Winter Nov. 13, 2-4 p.m. Learn how Native Americans before 1850 transitioned from one season to another with food preparation, hunting gear, housing needs and more. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 6244200, macktownlivinghistory.com.

“Dirty Dancing” in Concert Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit lm on a full-size cinema screen with a live band and singers performing the lm’s iconic songs. Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

“Sleeping Beauty”

Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m. Presented by the State Ballet eatre of Ukraine. Coronado Per-

Find discounts at the Christmas Open House Nov. 10-12 at Merlin’s Greenhouse & Flowers & Otherside Boutique, in Oregon.

forming Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 9685222, coronadopac.org.

“Messiah”

Nov. 26-27, Sat.-Sun. 3 p.m. e rst local performance of Frideric Handel’s holiday classic since the pandemic and the postponed 75th anniversary concert. Presented by Rockford Choral Union. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford, (815) 963-4815, elcrockford.org ❚