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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • July 2022 • No. II
Right in Our Region
Friends Become Family at Festa Italiana See Page 20
Can You Trust Your Contractor? Feeling Comfortable with Technology Tips for Choosing the Best Carpet for You Time-Saving Recipes You’ll Love An Outing to the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
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 Food & Culture at Festa Italiana Your Home ................................................. 13 How to Pick the Best Carpet for Your Family Inspiration & Worship ................................ 14 Eyes of Love Your Kitchen .............................................. 17 Time-Saving Recipes You’ll Enjoy Your Outings .............................................. 25 Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Outdoor Living .......................................... 27 Finding a Contractor You Can Trust Your Health ................................................ 31 The Warning Signs of Child Diabetes Your Technology ....................................... 33 Understanding How Technology Works Your Fun ..................................................... 36
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing 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, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Website www.SmartLivingStateline.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 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.
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Food, Family, Festa!
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ormally I’m not one to complain, but... Do you ever think about how timeconsuming it is just to eat food? The time we spend cooking, cleaning up, actually eating… it can be a vicious cycle. And the workload significantly increases when you have kids. As someone who recently finished breastfeeding, I reflect on this often. There were a few months when feeding my baby, pumping, washing bottles and pump parts, and trying to feed myself easily took up my entire day. And yet. I love food. My husband has declared before that if he didn’t have to eat to survive, he wouldn’t. But as for myself, I don’t know. Despite how timeconsuming everything is, I still think I would put up with it all. (Most days!) It’s really a testament to just how much I love to eat. So, naturally, when annual events like Festa Italiana come around, I have to go. This year’s Festa, Aug. 5-7 at Boylan Catholic High School, features 16 food booths, which to me is like a personal checklist. Italian beef, Italian sausage, meatball sandwiches, pork chop sandwiches, Italian ice coffee, pasta, pizza... it’s all of my favorite things. I’m personally not Italian, but I always feel like an honorary Italian whenever I go to Festa. The atmosphere gives the impression of a big family reunion. In fact, the theme of this year’s event is “Where Friends Become Family.” In a world that can oftentimes feel so hostile, it’s nice going somewhere where you feel welcome. In general, I love how the Rockford region is so culturally diverse (and my palate certainly appreciates it as well). In addition to Festa Italiana, Polish Fest is coming up on Aug. 14 at St. Stanislaus Church. (Potato pancakes! Pierogi! Sauerkraut!) And though it doesn’t have a date yet, Greek Fest usually takes place in September. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make it to some of these culturally enriching events. Have a great week! ❚ Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
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Your 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-
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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Inspiration & Worship
Eyes of Love I
t’s easy to feel compassion for a helpless animal, a small child or someone who is sick. Our emotion of sympathy helps us to do the right thing. But it’s much more difficult to treat people we don’t like with compassion. Maybe they repel us with their bad habits or annoying personalities. It’s easier to view them as the world does than through the eyes of God. Yet God alone is the judge of people. He forgave us, in all our sinful ugliness, through Jesus Christ on the cross. His compassion wasn’t based upon our attractiveness; it was based upon His goodness. We’re without excuse when we refuse to extend compassion to others. We’re to love because God first loved us. Period. Throughout the Old Testament, God commanded His people to lavish compassion on one another. When they resisted, they paid a price. Zechariah wrote, “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.’” (Zechariah 7:9-11 NIV) After the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus was completed, God’s mercy to us was irreversible. Does this mean we have license to ignore His will? To the contrary, God expects us to recognize the compassion shown to us and, in gratitude, to pay it forward. He expects us to view people through His eyes of love. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. I John 2:6. To be compassionate may be the truest test of strength and surest road to inner peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27a) ❚ --Janine Pumilia
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ADVENTURE AWAITS! AT ROCK CUT STATE PARK
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Fresh Grown Produce In Season Apples, Snap Peas, Beans Sweet Corn, Tomatoes & More
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From Farm to Shelf, We Do It All!
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15 Varieties of Sourdough Breads, Pizza Crusts, Apple Pies, Donuts, Cookies & Turnovers
We carry many locally sourced goods in our store, please come visit us for your weekly grocery needs!
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Your Kitchen
Time-Saving Weeknight Meal Solutions W hether it’s long days at the office, calendars full of social commitments or evenings spent enjoying your little ones’ extracurricular activities, it’s easy to find yourself short on time to spend in the kitchen. Calling on quick and easy mealtime solutions can be just what your family needs to ensure dinners together are always on the menu. Enjoy a twist on Taco Tuesdays with this Baja Fish Taco Bowl recipe, a deconstructed take on classic fish tacos that swap out the tortilla for quick-cooking
quinoa mixed with nutrient-dense kale and drizzled with a zesty lime and yogurt crema. As a tasty way to encourage kiddos to eat fish and veggies, it can also help you add hearty whole grains to the weekly menu while savoring a lighter version of traditional Baja sauce. Baja Fish Taco Bowls Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 2 2 4
bags Quinoa tablespoons olive oil white-fleshed fish fillets (5-6 ounces each) 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon lime zest 1 teaspoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 4 cups packed baby kale 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
Prepare quinoa according to package directions. In large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Season fish with Cajun seasoning and salt. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until fish is lightly browned and starts to flake. Set aside. In small bowl, stir yogurt, lime zest, lime juice and cumin. In medium bowl, toss quinoa with kale. Divide between four bowls. Top each with fish, sliced avocado and dollop of the yogurt and lime crema. Substitutions: Use taco seasoning or chili powder in place of Cajun seasoning. Use arugula or baby spinach instead of kale. ❚
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Right in Our Region
Festa Italiana Brings Food and Entertainment By Peggy Werner
I
n its 43rd year, Festa Italiana is a yearly tradition that designates the first weekend in August as the time for one big family reunion – whether or not you’re Italian. “‘Where Friends become Family’ is a reoccurring theme and one thing that never changes,” says Joy Parlapiano, executive board committee member. “It’s one big family reunion for the entire community, celebrating everything Italian.” This year’s Festa will be Aug. 5-7 on the grounds of Boylan Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Dr. Hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and Catholic Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday with Festa hours from noon to 8 p.m. “Cucina Italiana: Rockford Style” is the theme for this year’s culture tent, with cooking demonstrations by local amateur Italian chefs, featuring familyfavorite recipes. Each demonstration
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will last about 45 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer time. “Everyone loves Italian cooking, and it’s a culture tent theme we have repeated often because it brings back memories of the sights, smells and love associated with Grandmother’s kitchen,” Parlapiano says. A cookbook with the same name was published by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA) and first printed in 1995. Plans are underway for an updated version to be available soon, says Karen Cantele of GRIAA. “Italian cooking is what immigrants became known for as they integrated into American society,” Cantele says. “The cooking theme goes over so well because the Italian food is one of the biggest draws at Festa.” The Chefs’ schedule is as follows: Saturday: 2 p.m. Sicilian Orange
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Salad; 3 p.m. Italian Wedding Soup; 5 p.m. Pasta with Peas. Sunday’s schedule includes Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes and wedding cookies. Also in the culture tent, meet Rockford authors Laura Padron, Jill Calvagna and Kristi Calvagna, who will be signing their books beginning Friday night and throughout the weekend. Padron is author of “Building St. Joseph Altars: A Feast for the Soul,” and the Calvagnas co-authored a book called “Figgy and Frannie: A Legend in the Baking,” celebrating traditions, food fun, and love of family. Both books will be available for purchase. Also, Greater Rockford Italian American Association Hall of Famer Steve Salvato is a genealogist who will look into your Italian family’s history at no charge. This year’s Festa features 16 food booths, serving Italian beef, Italian sau-
Right in Our Region
sage and meatball sandwiches, pork chop sandwiches, Italian ice coffee, Italian margaritas, pasta, pizza, mozzarella sticks, fried zucchini, beer, wine, soft drinks and more. There’s also two beer tents, Bocce tournaments, a carnival, kids crafts, Sunday Mass, Amici Italian Dance Troupes, musical entertainments and more. New this year is the revamped Festa Italiana website, festaitalianarockford.com, which is more informative and user-friendly, and where people can now
get tickets, enter drawings, and sign up for Bocce tournaments. Every year features new and returning entertainers. Entertainment begins Friday at 5:05 p.m. with the Amici Italian Troupe, which was established in 1985 by Shirley Martignoni Fedeli, and brings together Italian Americans of all ages and backgrounds to share the rich tradition of Italian Folk Dance, including Quadriglias, Saltarellos, Mazurcas, Tarantellas and Codigliones. The entertainment continues with Vince Chiarelli at 5:50 p.m., opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., classic rock by Minimal at 7:45 p.m., and the Blooze Brothers at 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s lineup includes Amici Italian Youth Troupe at 12:45 p.m. and adult troupe at 1:50 p.m., Vince Chiarelli at 3:30 p.m., Dirt Road Rebelz at 5:30 p.m., Dueling Pianos at 7:30 p.m. and Cylinder 6 at 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, Catholic Mass begins at 10 a.m. The Amici Italian Youth Troupe performs at noon and the adult troupe
dances at 1 p.m. Vince Chiarelli is onstage at 2:30 p.m., That 70s Band plays rock, pop, and disco music at 4:30 p.m. and country music by Brushville is at 6:30 p.m. Festa is hosted by GRIAA, a nonprofit staffed solely by volunteers who work to promote the Italian culture through social events, charitable events and educational activities. All Festa proceeds go toward educational scholarships for those with financial need attending Catholic schools, grades K-12. To date, the organization has provided more than $755,000 in scholarships to Rockford students. “And we have no plans to stop,” Parlapiano says. General Admission is $8 each day, with free admission to all military active duty, veterans, and children under 10 accompanied by an adult. Family Pack Specials are also available on festaitalianarockford.com or at participating Kelley Williamson locations. ❚
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AUGUST 15 | 10AM-6PM
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We're celebrating Rockford Day! On 8/15/22, get 8%, 15% or 22% off your purchase-- including vintage items! Excludes GreenSheen Paint, MBS Products, Maxlite & Greenlite Bulbs. Store Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Donation Drop-off Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm & Sat 10am-3pm
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Your Outings
Mendota Sweet Corn Festival By Randy Ruef
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he annual Sweet Corn Festival celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer as it overtakes the streets of downtown Mendota, a community of just under 7,300 that’s located 2 hours southwest of Chicago. “We close off roughly eight blocks of downtown,” says Shelby Weide, president and CEO of the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce and the event’s chief organizer. “The street department does a phenomenal job getting the streets ready to roll. And we’ll get between 55,000 to 60,000 people for the weekend.” This year’s celebration, set for Aug. 11-14, features carnival rides and food, vendors, a flea market, a beer garden, a craft show, a queen pageant, musical entertainment, a parade and the famous free corn boil.
At any age, the Sweet Corn Festival has been all about creating memories. And, as evidenced by the thousands of people who attend the event every summer, the festival is not just for Mendota natives. “We draw people from the Chicago area, Rockford, Bloomington, Ill., Normal, Ill., all over,” Weide says. “We’re one of the biggest harvest festivals in the area, and if you haven’t been here, it’s a great weekend to come.” The biggest draw of the weekend is in the name: sweet corn. There are vendors throughout the weekend who sell it, but on Sunday, the festival offers all the sweet corn you can eat for free. The other big highlight of Sunday is the parade, which features local performers, floats, and antique and classic vehicles. The Sweet Corn Festival opens at 6
p.m. on Aug. 11. The Carnival Midway is open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, noon-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. People can purchase a wristband for unlimited rides. There are also daily passes available, and there’s a “mega pass” that covers the whole weekend. Those can be purchased online or at the Chamber of Commerce office. They’ll also be available throughout the weekend at the festival. The festival website, sweetcornfestival.com, lists several hotels and motels, as well as campground information, for those planning an extended stay. ❚
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Outdoor Living
Can You Trust Your Contractor? By Peggy Werner
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arm-weather home maintenance and repairs are an open invitation for scam artists to roam the streets looking for business. “It’s one of the most common forms of homeowner scams, especially when storms come through. There are thousands of guys out there with a ladder and a truck ready to overpromise and underdeliver, leaving homeowners unhappy with shoddy or unfinished work that’s been paid for,” says Andy Bufalo, founder and CEO of Bufalo Contracting, 3466 Colony Bay Dr., in Rockford. He recommends people do their research, talk to neighbors, and contact reputable local companies when needing work done on their home. Bufalo worked in home construction and sales and marketing for an excavating company before deciding to go into business for himself in 2010 with his wife
and co-owner, Susan, who has years of customer service experience. “I have been involved in the construction industry most of my adult life and this has taught me to secure a good reputation with honesty, reliability, and attention to detail,” he says. “We do things differently and take pride in our work. I know every aspect of the business and my crews know I’m not asking them to do anything I haven’t done. We all have different responsibilities, but we work together as a team,” he says. Putting your own name on a business speaks for itself. “The pride of my family name drives
me every day. The passion we have to succeed for ourselves and the people who work for us is second to none.” Bufalo Contracting provides services in commercial and residential roofing, siding, gutters, windows, decks and restoration for homes in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Their motto is “Excellence is our edge,” meaning they strive to apply the highest level of professionalism and craftmanship to every phase of a project, from start to finish, including offering help with processing insurance claims and making financing available to customers. “We pride ourselves on our ability to meet demanding budgets and deadlines and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure our clients receive the best service possible,” he says. To schedule an appointment or in case of an emergency, call (779) 368-0256. ❚
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You Belong Here!
Join our Concordia School Family
We have a place for you!
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7424 North 2nd Street Machesney Park, IL 61115 815-633-6450 www.ConcordiaMP.com/School
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Your Health
Know the Warning Signs of Child Diabetes By NWQ Staff
D
iabetes is one of the most common diseases in school-aged children. Nearly 19 percent of new cases are designated as type 2 diabetes, which can often be prevented, says Dr. Abraham Rodriguez, a pediatrician with Beloit Health System. Type 1 occurs when the immune system destroys the body’s ability to make insulin, a hormone that helps cells to absorb glucose from the foods we eat. The only treatment is to take insulin. “With type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin, but the cells don’t allow it to work properly,” Rodriguez explains. Many cases can be managed through diet and exercise. Kids are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they: • Have a family history of the disease. About 45 to 80 percent of children
with type 2 diabetes have at least one close relative with the disease. • Are inactive. Regular exercise helps to control weight, prompts the body to use glucose as energy, and may make cells more responsive to insulin. • Belong to one of these ethnic groups: American Indian, Alaska native, African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino or Pacific Islander. Symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, thick and dark skin on the neck or under the arms, increased hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and slow healing/frequent infections. While we can’t change genetic risk for type 2 diabetes, we can help children to make lifestyle changes that reduce their overall risk, such as: Eating healthy. Provide your child with a variety of healthy food options,
including lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Check food labels to ensure items are low in calories and fat. Help your child to control portion sizes, and avoid fried foods. Opt for water rather than soda or fruit drinks. Getting active. Encourage your child to try a variety of physical activities to find what they enjoy most. Aim for 60 minutes of activity each day. Being healthy together. A healthy diet and regular exercise are good for the entire family, so make it a group effort. ❚
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SWEET STREAMS.
WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.
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Your Technology
Personal Service Makes Technology Easier By Janine Pumilia hen a company is focused on providing personalized and reliable customer service, everything goes a little easier for customers. This is especially true when it comes to new technology, which can be frustrating to learn. “We take whatever time is needed to make sure a customer is comfortable using our services,” says Manuel Reyes, owner of Servi-Satellite Inc., an AT&T affiliate located at 2245 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, Ill. “This is very important to us. Once people are comfortable with it, they really love it. We want to keep people happy year after year.” The business offers TV, phone, internet and home security services. Customers can choose satellite TV services from the AT&T brand, DirecTV; DirecTV Stream; satellite from DISH; or cable TV from Comcast Xfinity. Servi-Satellite
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staff members explain the wide range of channel packages for each. “We find out what the individual’s needs are, recommend a package best suited to them, install everything ourselves and make sure the customer is comfortable knowing how to use the technology,” says Reyes. “If a problem arises, we provide service calls free of charge, with our own fleet of 12 on-staff technicians.” By contrast, some providers charge for every service call or add a service fee onto your monthly bill, notes Reyes. Servi-Satellite serves residents in a 50-mile radius of Belvidere and offers inhome appointments to those who prefer not to make a store visit. As an affiliate of AT&T, Reyes offers not only AT&T promotional discounts,
but also his own company specials. For home security, AT&T is aligned with Vivint, which Reyes describes as “a very good product that allows you to do things like install front door cameras, raise or lower your garage door remotely and more. It’s good to be able to keep an eye on the perimeter of your property, to watch for package deliveries and to lock up your house with remote access. “Once people have these capabilities, they just love them.” ❚
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August 5-7, 2022 • Elkhorn,WI DASFestUSA.com
United Way of Walworth County
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Your Fun Nature Connects with LEGO® Bricks Thru Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-7p.m. daily. This award-winning and record-breaking exhibition uses works of art made from simple toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems and mankind’s relationship with nature. Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org. Tuesday Evening in the Gardens July 26, opening act 5:45 p.m., headliner Danielle Juhre at 6:30 p.m. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org. ‘Dreamgirls’ July 27-31, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. Music on the Rock Aug. 3 & 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy outdoor music on the banks of the Rock River. Food and drinks available for purchase. Rain or
Entertainment & Events shine. Grand Groove Hotel, Aug. 3; Cash Box Kings, Aug. 10. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org. Boone County Fair Aug. 9-14, check website for times. Attractions include a carnival, antique tractor parade, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby and more. Boone County Fairgrounds, 8847 Ill. Rt. 76, Belvidere, (815) 544-2900, boonecountyfair.com. The Beach Boys Aug. 12, 8 p.m. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org. Polish Fest Aug. 14, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Polish music, dancing and food favorites are featured. St. Stanislaus Church, 201 Buckbee St., Rockford, (815) 965-3913, gorockford.com. Rockford Day Aug. 15, all day. Celebrate the best of Rock-
saturdays ON THE SQUARE
FRESH MARKET/CRAFT/COMMERCIAL VENDORS
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July 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Celebrate Rockford Day on Aug. 15 with events happening all across town.
ford on 8/15 with parking lot parties, local business specials, scavenger hunts, blood drives, block parties, City Market specials and more. Info/Locations: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 102 N. Main St., (800) 521-0849, gorockford.com. Winnebago County Fair Aug. 17-22, check website for times. Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1641, winnebagocountyfair.com. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
July 2022 • No. II
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Smart Living Live
July 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
July 2022 • No. II
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Smart Living Live
July 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
