Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Right in Our Region Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun! See Page 20 Camp Grant Exhibit at Midway Village Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • Sept. 2022 • No. I New!FallEvents SeePage36 How to Flair Up Your Home Furnishings A Family-Favorite Pasta Recipe Where to Start With Holiday Shopping Lending Help to Those Who Live Alone
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5Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-23006 (815) 636-8608 • 6651 East State Street • Rockford, IL 61108 LEAVES OutletARE& Name Brand Mattress on select “as is” queen mattress $400*& up * No financing, cash & carry. Queen mattress with box spring includes sheets, pillows,protectormattress ...add$999**amattressbaseto your purchase to qualify for financing. **See store for details.
7Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ...(815) 636-8608 • 6651 East State Street • Rockford, IL 61108 *Same day delivery available on in stock merchandise purchased prior to 1pm. PRICE$FALLING... Reclining Sofa or Loveseat $1259 Recliner $809 Power Reclining Sofa or Loveseat $1259 Power Recliner $839 Leather Power Reclining Sofa or Loveseat $2749 Sofa $1259 • Loveseat $1259 • Chair $839 Merchandise!SavingsHugeonIn-Stock4 piece Sectional Reg. $4789 Now $2999
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-2300 Smart Living. Copyright 2022 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. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing Editor Jim Taylor Editorial Assistant Steven Bonifazi 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, 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) www.SmartLivingStateline.com316-2301 8 In This Issue Right in Our Region Cover & p. 20 Explore Camp Grant at Midway Village Your Home 13 How to Flair Up Your Home Furnishings Inspiration & Worship 14 No Matter What Your Kitchen 17 A Family Favorite: Penne Alla Vodka Your Outing 25 Getting Ahead on Holiday Shopping Your Health 31 You Can Help Those Who Live Alone Your Fun 36
My favorite month of the year is here! I’ve always loved September. I got married in September. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I love the weather shift that occurs this time of year, and I love the excitement of the back-to-school season. This month always feels like hitting refresh. But last year, this favorite month of mine was a difficult chapter for our family. My hus band Mike and I spent last September practi cally living in the NICU, since our baby boy was born five weeks early with some compli cations. I’m so grateful that now, a year later, Elliot is a thriving 1 year old with big, blue eyes and a bigger smile. Mike and I want to be cognizant of living life to the fullest this month, partially because this was such a drea ry time last year. (And if you’re going through a similar NICU experience right now, please know I’m thinking of you and wishing your family the best). For us, living life to the fullest means cel ebrating Elliot’s birthday with our family, tak ing long walks down forest preserve trails near our house, spending our wedding anniversary outside of hospital walls, and squeezing in as many pool days as we can while the weather is still nice. Essentially, we’re trying to make quality time a priority, which isn’t always easy to do. Between going to work, changing dia pers, and navigating everything else that par enting a baby entails, it’s oftentimes tricky to break out of “the routine.” I’m sure you’ve experienced something similar, no matter what phase of life you’re in. But what if we lean into inconveniencing our schedules in order to make time for our loved ones? That’s what Mike and I are really trying to do this month. They say time is a thief, and I concur. This past year had its long nights, especially when Elliot wasn’t sleeping through the night, but overall, his first year of life went by so fast. If I were giving a toast right now, I’d cheers to breaking out of rou tines and creating pre cious week!Havememories.anexcellent ❚
Finding Quality Time
9Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ...
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
13Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Your Home & Garden
Everyone’s home is their castle, but even the most majestic palaces need an update from time to time. Whether you’re looking for something different or just a few comfortable upgrades, popping into your local furniture store and speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson is al ways a good way to get started. At Gustafson’s Furniture and Mat tress, 6641 E. State St., in Rockford, the possibilities stretch as far as the eye can see. A locally owned fixture for almost a century, the store has a vast showroom that displays multiple living room, dining room and bedroom options for shoppers looking to spruce up their spaces. Anyone who wants to completely overhaul their living room can do so quickly and easily, but sometimes it’s the little things that create the most impact ful changes.
How to Flair Up Your Home Furnishings
For those who are looking for a new seating arrangement, sectionals are al ways a worthwhile consideration. Not only do they provide a lot of seating but they also add versatility. If a sectional is too much, a soft, comfy chair might be the answer. There are several easy chairs to choose from at Gustafson’s, including lift chairs, which give people an electronic boost when standing.Aconversation with a salesperson like Anastase, coupled with a view of the many options available in a furni ture store’s showroom, can be just what a customer needs to pin down their dream room. “I really try to ask the questions that are going to help the customer zero in on what they’re looking for,” she says. “They don’t always realize just how many options are available to them.”
For some customers, an approaching salesperson might induce fear of a hard sales approach. Anastase does her best to dispel that notion with everyone she meets.“We’re here to help,” she says. ❚
By Jim Taylor, managing editor
Kris Anastase, a salesperson and floor designer with Gustafson’s, rec ommends using color to create change. “Sometimes all you need is a pop of color,” she says. “That’s a great starting point if you’re feeling like your room is a little drab and you’d like to freshen it up.”
In other words, we don’t stop praying. We keep on praying. No matter what. Paul addresses this in his first letter to the believers at Corinth: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (I Corinthians 13:12) When Jesus was preparing his dis ciples for his death, resurrection and the arrival of holy spirit, he encouraged them to bring their requests to God in his name.
“And in that day you will ask me no question. Truly, truly, I say unto you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in my name. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:23-27) Praying to God, both to praise Him and to ask for what we need, is always a good thing to do. How should we do it? Jesus provided examples, including a prayer we call commonly call The Lord’s Prayer. He asked God for God’s will to be done; praised God; acknowledged God as the master of Heaven and Earth; and acknowledged our need for forgiveness –a prayer that was answered after Jesus was raised from the dead. Finally, Jesus asked God for protection from Satan.
& Worship No Matter
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“Ye have not because ye ask not,” states James 4:2-3.
Inspiration What The Bible is full of verses that tell us all things are possible with God. Yet we’ve all been disappointed by unan swered prayers. Why? Many Christians have grappled with that question and concluded this: We don’t really under stand God and never will, in this life. We can’t comprehend Him. But to give up just because we see only a tiny fraction of what He sees, is foolish.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be yourYourname,kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have for given our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)Our prayers aren’t always answered in the way we wish. But we pray anyway. No matter what. ❚ Janine Pumilia
15Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Join our Concordia School Family 7424 North 2nd Street Machesney Park, IL 61115 815-633-6450 www.ConcordiaMP.com/SchoolWe have a place for you! You Belong Here!
16 Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-2300
17Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Your Kitchen
Take Family Favorites to New Heights
Gathering together to enjoy a meal at the family table or a sweet treat at the end of a long day is what time with loved ones is all about. Savor the timeless taste of pasta with this Penne Alla Vodka, a classic dish high on flavor and low on hassle so you can have a meal ready in just 30Visitminutes.CountryCrock.com for more ways to elevate weeknight meals.
Penne Alla Vodka Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 5 1 tablespoon Country Crock Plant Butter with Olive Oil 1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup tomato paste 1 pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) vodka 16 fluid ounces Country Crock Plant Cream 1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) water 3 cups dry penne pasta, cooked and drained 1/4 cup grated vegan Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves In pan over moderate heat, melt plant butter. Add onions and garlic. Cover and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add to mato paste and red pepper flakes. Cook until tomato paste starts to lightly brown. Add vodka and stir well, scraping bits of browned tomato paste from bottom of pan. Cook over high heat until liquid is reduced by about half to concentrate fla vors. Add plant cream and water; stir to incorporate tomato paste evenly. Bring to simmer. Toss in cooked pasta. Add vegan Parmesan, salt and fresh basil. ❚
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Source: Family Features
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-230018 @restorerockford Have items to donate? We'll pick them up for FREE! Call 815-580-1205 to schedule a pickup. 7141 Harrison Ave, Rockford IL | 815-713-3184 | rockfordhabitat.org Store Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Donation Drop-Off Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm & Sat 10am-3pm furniture | quality tools & hardware | home goods | vintage items All new or gently used, all at a great price!
The exhibit will include conceptual designs that tell the story of Camp Grant on a timeline, first person stories, fam ily stories, and artifacts, including a rare bugle recently donated, in top condition. Early this spring, Midway Village an nounced it was looking for family stories and/or artifacts and encouraged people to add them to the Camp Grant collec tion by visiting the museum’s website at midwayvillage.com. All photos will be scanned and digitalized and will also be on theEarlywebsite.inthe summer, the museum an nounced its launch of a capital campaign to fund the construction of the future ex hibit. A fundraising goal of $525,000 was established to allow for design, curation and construction of the exhibit. To date, about $150,000 has been raised and a to tal of $350,000 is needed to begin con struction, hopefully by next fall, he says.
The collection got off to a good start when the former Command Post Restaurant closed its doors in 2020 and auctioned off its hundreds of Camp Grant photographs, documents and artifacts, all bought by the museum. “We are very thankful the familyowned business did such a great job of preserving the artifacts they had on dis play in the restaurant. And we’ve gotten a good response from our call for artifacts and have raised enough money to begin the exhibit design,” Fredrickson says.
20 Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-2300
By Peggy Werner Midway Village Museum is de veloping a new permanent ex hibit to tell the story of Rock ford’s Camp Grant and is in the process of collecting artifacts, stories, and funds to move the plans forward. “You’re In the Army Now: Camp Grant, Rockford’s Legacy,” is the name of the permanent exhibit that will be housed in a 2,500-square-foot exhibition hall at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford“CampRoad.Grant is a fundamental part of Rockford history and the city changed so much because of Camp Grant. It’s meaningful to the veterans, their friends, families and the entire community. So, those stories and artifacts should be pre served and displayed at Rockford’s his tory museum, which is Midway Village,” says Luke Fredrickson, marketing direc tor for the museum.
The museum’s mission statement is to collect, preserve and interpret the his tory of the Rockford region, so people can understand how the events of the past were meaningful at the time and how it impacts life in Rockford today. The mu seum’s LZ Peace Memorial on five acres is a project of the Vietnam Veterans Hon or Society and was dedicated on Memo
Right in Our Region A New Exhibit at Midway Village Museum
The Camp Grant stories and artifacts will also leave a lasting impression. Vet eran groups, especially, have shown their support and enthusiasm for the museum’s work, demonstrating the importance of remembering the past, Fredrickson says.
“I’ve learned how much Camp Grant has changed Rockford over the past 100 years. It was a boom to the economy when it was built in 1917 and then ex panded during World War II. Buildings and roads were built using local labor and supplies and many of the soldiers who came to Rockford ended up staying here and added to the diversity of the com munity. Rockford would have been dra matically different without Camp Grant,” Fredrickson says.
As the United States entered World War I in 1917, the government built 16 Army Infantry Training Camps. The Rockford Chamber of Commerce cam paigned for one to be placed in Rockford, and the result was Camp Grant, built five miles south of downtown on property that is now owned by the Rockford Chi cago International Airport, and includes portions of New Milford Village and Atwood Park. Construction of the camp led to better roads, land development, and an expansion of public servic es in Rockford. Camp Grant had trenches for infantry training, medical facilities, recreation buildings and hun dreds of barracks. It provided thousands of jobs, served as a rallying point for lo cal support of war efforts, and forever impacted the demographics of the com munity.During World War I, tens of thou sands of recruits trained at the camp, and thousands more were discharged there. Particularly notable was the arrival of 6,000 African-American soldiers, a dra matic demographic shift for the region. At the time, the Rockford community had only 200 Black residents. Much of the camp was dismantled after World War I, and what remained was used by the Illinois National Guard and the Civilian Conservation Corps. However, the onset of World War II saw Camp Grant reactivated with more than 300,000 soldiers passing through its gates, mainly to train medical personnel and house prisoners of war. In 1948, the camp was turned over to the city of Rockford. ❚
21Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Right in Our Region rial Day 2005. A Huey Helicopter rests above the wall listing the names of area residents who died in the war.
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-230022
24 Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-2300
The Candy Cane Bazaar has grown from a small group of friends doing crafts into an annual tradition in its 46th year, which kick-starts the holiday shop ping season. Nancy Stacy, co-chair of the event for more than 20 years, says the ba zaar is “unique,” and will take place this year from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church, 4801 Spring Creek Road. “It operates like a boutique, where items are arranged by category, not ven dor, and shoppers make their selections and pay only once at a checkout station, rather than making exchanges with each seller,” she says.
The Candy Cane Bazaar began with a small group of women friends who got together to do crafts and eventually had so much surplus, they decided to sell the items, says longtime crafter Cindy Hun sberger of Rockford. The bazaar got its name because one women made cro cheted candy canes.
A church bake sale will be going on the same hours as the bazaar. Becky Bradford, chairwoman of the bake sales says church parishioners donate home made cookies, cakes, brownies, breads, pies, and more. Proceeds go to the church and about $500 is raised each year for the church’s general fund.
By Peggy Werner
About 20 vendors participate in the event each year, offering their own unique high-quality arts and crafts made by local artists and artisans, with no du plicate categories in the sale, she says.
25Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Your Outings
Where to Start With Holiday Shopping
On the same day, Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, will host its annual “Tender Loving Crafts (TLC)” from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., featur ing about 30 crafters with their handmade items on the church’s main and upper level. A bake sale on the main floor and a Women’s Upscale Resale Clothing sale on the lower level will be held the same hours. The United Methodist Women’s Quilting Group is also selling quilts, table runners, and other handmade items they have made the past year.
Another tradition, Cider ‘N Cinna mon Arts & Crafts Fair will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 2 at Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Al pine Road. ❚
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-230026
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29Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ...
How to Help Those Who Live Alone
By Peggy Werner
31Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ... Your Health
Being a good caregiver means becom ing an important part of someone’s world. Audra Archambeau has been a caregiver with Comfort Keepers for five years and says it’s the most rewarding job she has ever had. “I look forward to going to work ev ery day because my clients look forward to seeing me,” she says. “When people live alone, having someone new in their home can be a diffi cult change to accept, but the more you get to know the client and find out what they like to do and incorporate those things in their day, the transition is much smooth er,” sheOnesays.ofher clients lives by a lake and loved riding around in a golf cart near the water. When he wasn’t able to do it any more, Audra helped him get on the cart and enjoy the lake once again, with her by his side. Another client who can’t drive any longer will accompany Audra on errands and scenic drives. And when home, they love to play card games together. An artist lost her abilities to paint, but Audra helped her reconnect with her talent by bringing over art supplies and painting pictures“Eventogether.ifthey can’t function exactly how they used to, I find the things they love to do and find a way to help them still do it,” she Comfortsays.Keepers’ caregivers assist with all non-medical needs such as light housekeeping, preparing meals, compan ionship, bathing, grooming, mobility as sistance, bathroom needs, laundry, trans portation to appointments, shopping and events and Lucretiamore.Ristin, co-owner with Mark Podemski of Comfort Keepers, 4855 E. State St., says although most people ser viced by Comfort Keepers have at least one medical condition, others seek out help just 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 self-care. Caregivers can work part-time or full-time and must pass an extensive back ground check, drug test, and show they are caring and empathetic individuals, Ristin says.For more information on hiring or be coming a caregiver, go to comfortkeepers. com or call (815) 229-9100. ❚
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-230032
33Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. ITell them you saw it in ...
Entertainment
Smart Living Live Sept. 2022 • No. I To advertise call 815-316-2300 Fun & Events 36
The Greenwich Village Art Fair features juried artists, live music, food trucks and more Sept. 1718 at Rockford Art Museum.
comedic portrayal deftly skewers politicians, sound bites and political shenanigans. Art ists’ Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Avalon String Quartet Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. Continuing a tradition spanning more than a decade, the quartet returns with the first of two programs for the 138th season. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendels sohnpac.org. Comedian Leanne Morgan Sept. 16, 7 p.m. The relatable comedian with a storied career performs at the Coro nado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, coronadopac.org. Greenwich Village Art Fair Sept. 17-18, Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.5 p.m. The 74th annual event benefits the Rockford Art Museum and features juried artists, live music, children’s art activities, a local marketplace, food trucks, champagne bar, more. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rock fordartmuseum.org. Charlie Berens Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Emmy-winning journal ist, comedian, and host and creator of the “Manitowoc Minute” performs at the Coronado Performing Arts Centre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coro nadopac.org. ❚
Nature Connects with LEGO® Bricks
Thru Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-7p.m. daily. This ex hibition uses works of art made from simple toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems and mankind’s relationship with nature. Klehm Arbore tum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
AE: ‘The Outsider’ Sept. 8-25, see website for times. Ned Newly never wanted to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking, freezes in front of a mi crophone and is dropping in the polls. En ter brash, overbearing political consultant Arthur Vance with a foolproof plan. The
Your
RAM: Shape of Light Thru Sept. 25, Thur.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrating the Year of Glass, the exhibit explores the relationship between con temporary painting and studio glass with pairings of paintings from the museum’s permanent collection and studio glass from Illinois artists and collectors. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.
