w! Ne
s nt ve 8 r E g2 te Pa in ee W S
Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • January 2022 • No. II
Right in Our Region
A Rock County Legacy: Janesville’s GM Plant See Page 16
Drafty Home? This May Be the Reason How to Choose an Insurance Agent Indoor City Market: Food & Friendship Making Sweets for Your Valentine
Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
53
54
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
3
4
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
5
In This Issue
Right in Our Region .................Cover & p. 16 Rock County Legacies: The GM Plant Your Home ........................................... 11, 21 Drafty Home?; Plan Now for Spring Remodels Inspiration & Worship ................................ 12 The Power to Change Your Kitchen .............................................. 15 Sweets for Your Valentine Your Money ................................................ 19 Tips for Choosing an Insurance Agent Your Health ................................................ 23 Know the Signs of Stroke Your Legal Tips ......................................... 25 Even Young Adults Need Wills Your Community ....................................... 27 Indoor Rockford City Market All Year ‘Round Your Fun ..................................................... 28
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.
6
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
All About Balance
B
alance, moderation, common sense. Will we look back a year from now and see that these concepts defined 2022? I hope so. Extremism in any realm often leads to regret, from extreme diets to extreme politics. I suppose the opposite of extremism is balance – that elusive thing we chase all of our lives. Balance between working too much or too little. Between spending and saving. Between being too harsh or too indulgent as parents. We want to be confident but not arrogant, brave but not reckless, attractive but not vain, secure but not greedy. We want to speak up but not yell. The old adage says, “I know where the balance is because I’ve swung past it so many times.” Ironically, extremism in one direction often boomarangs us to the opposite direction. The “buy local” movement we champion in Smart Living is a reaction to the extreme bigbox store takeover of U.S. cities in the 20th century. Add online shopping to the mix and locally owned shops and restaurants are an endangered species. Yet these are the places that give our community the individual identity we crave. They also keep more money circulating close to home rather than flying off to other states. We’ve never asked our readers to boycott big-box or online shopping. That would be extreme and impractical. But we do advocate for balance. We’d like to see citizens intentionally shift a portion of their shopping and dining dollars back to local establishments, even if it means changing habits. Why do I say “back to?” A century ago, residents could buy nearly any kind of item at one of the hundreds of locally owned stores that existed here. And they did. We’ll likely never see that again, but there is a backlash brewing. Americans are flocking to places that have a strong local identity; A new generation is tired of one city shopping strip looking exactly like the next, while local coffers dwindle. We can all help to restore some balance and improve the economic vitality of our community. By supporting the advertisers featured on these pages, you’ll be doing just that. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
7
8
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
9
SWEET STREAMS.
WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.
10
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Home & Garden
Drafty Home? Here’s the Most Likely Cause By Janine Pumilia
D
oes your home feel drafty on these cold winter days? Do you have a condensation problem in your attic or evidence of rodent infestations? While these conditions may lead you to think your windows or roof need replacement, or that you have ice dams, the problem is more likely related to gaps, holes and cracks in your attic and foundation, says Mike Callahan, owner of Comfort 1st Insulation and Energy Solutions, Rockford. “Heat rises and escapes through gaps in your attic,” Callahan explains. “This creates a vacuum which forcefully sucks cold air indoors, especially around your home’s foundation. The
Mike Callahan
clash of hot and cold air in the attic can cause condensation. And gaps in the attic allow rodents to enter and travel throughout the home via the walls.” About 60 percent of draft problems are caused by attic leaks, not bad windows, says Callahan. While homes shouldn’t be 100 percent sealed, most homes leak far more heated air than they should, causing the furnace to work harder and utility bills to rise. This is true in homes of every age. “The best way to figure out what’s going on is to hire professionals like us to conduct a top-to-bottom energy assessment using thermal scans,” says Callahan. “We also do a ‘red blower door test’ that makes your house behave like it would when 20-to-30 m.p.h. wind gusts are blowing outdoors.” Identifying and sealing up the many air leaks in a home, by using appropriate forms of insulation, costs $500 to $3,000
Thermal imaging can indentify air leaks.
on average, much less than unnecessary roof or window replacement. Insulation pays for itself over time with lower utility bills. Federal energy-efficiency tax credits and Energy Star utility rebates may defray that cost further. Comfort 1st is a family-owned, local business with 16 years of experience. It also offers a pest-proofing package. “Right now, roofers all over Rockford are getting calls from homeowners who think they have a roofing problem, when what they really have is an insulation problem,” says Callahan. Learn more by calling (833) 2447283. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
11
Inspiration & Worship
Power to Change
I
n the beginning of the year, we often have good intentions about improving our physical habits, from eating better to exercising more. But we can also make it a priority to improve our mental behavior, aligning it more closely with what Jesus Christ teaches us. To know what Christ values, we need to read the New Testament for ourselves, eyes to print. It’s not enough merely to believe what others say about him. Make no mistake: Changing poor mental habits requires self-discipline. Behavioral scientists say it takes about 40 days to form a new habit. But as Christian people, we have an advantage: We can draw upon the spirit of God inside of us. This isn’t to say God will do the work for us; each of us has free will. But scripture tells us we can control our thinking. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Cor. 10:5. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes: “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It must be possible. Many scriptures tell us that God supports us as we align our thoughts with His. Consider Isaiah 40:31. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” As King David observes in Psalm 139:13, our physical bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Our human brains are no less stunning. God has given us the ability to think independently and to make, or not make, the two most important decisions of all: to love Him with all our strength and to love other people as we love ourselves. (see Matthew 22:37). It’s not easy. We live in a world that constantly divides us and pressures us to be the ugliest, most selfish and lazy versions of ourselves. But we can do it. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become as new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. ❚ Janine Pumilia 12
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
13
14
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Kitchen
Chocolate Heart Petit Fours for Your Valentines
T
hough small in size, mini-treats can deliver a big message to the Valentines on your list. With a little help from Wilton, the maker of many heart-shaped baking pans, you can bake to your heart’s desire this Valentine’s Day. Make your own candies using shaped candy molds. Choose hearts, lips, flowers and more. Fill the mold with the candy, color and flavor of your choice, and watch as you melt the hearts of your Valentines. Find many more Valentine’s Day recipes and baking tips at wilton.com.
Chocolate Heart Petit Fours
Makes about 40 mini cakes 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 6 Tb (3/4 stick) butter, softened
2/3 cup firmly-packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2/3 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup peanut butter, chocolate fudge ice cream topping or cherry pie filling 2 containers (14 oz. each) chocolate or vanilla Icing glaze (optional) Jumbo hearts sprinkles (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare 24 cavity bite-sized heart dessert shell pans with a cake release spray coating. In large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until well combined. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk in three additions, beating until just combined. Spoon one tablespoon batter into each pan cavity.
Bake 9-11 minutes or until tops of cakes spring back when touched. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Cool completely on cooling grid. To decorate, place cakes on cooling grid with cookie pan below. Pipe 1/2 teaspoon peanut butter, chocolate fudge or cherry pie filling into shell; fill only to top of cavity. If desired, warm glaze according to package instructions; carefully pour and tap pan to smooth. ❚ (Source: Family Features)
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
15
Right in Our Region
Preserving the Legacy of Janesville’s GM By Peggy Werner
T
he legacy of the Janesville General Motors Automotive Assembly Plant will not be forgotten, thanks to two organizations working to preserve its stories and artifacts. Rock County Legacies is being developed by the Rock County Historical Society (RCHS) and the Blackhawk Community Credit Union, the latter founded 56 years ago at the GM plant. It will be located on the RCHS campus at 426 N. Jackson St. About 50 percent of the 5,000-square-foot two-story museum building will be dedicated to GM workers, detailing their lives and achievements. “We’re excited to be collaborating with the credit union on this project to honor the thousands of people who worked at the General Motors plant in Janesville,” says RCHS Executive Director Timothy Maahs. “We’re so proud of
16
Smart Living Live
this project because it’s about the people who worked at GM. We see the pride on their faces as they talk about their experiences.” A long-term goal for Rock County Legacies is to expand beyond GM history to include similar information about other Janesville companies of the past and present, says Maahs. Some GM artifacts are already displayed in the All About Rock County exhibit at the RCHS Museum & Visitor Center. The Rock County Legacies project will involve several phases. A grand opening, including an exhibit showcasing many of the thousands of donated artifacts and a collection of oral histories about GM, is planned for August 2022. “We don’t know exactly what will be on display at this point, but unlike most
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
company exhibits, ours will be more about the stories of the people who worked for GM and what the rise and fall of that company meant to our community,” says RCHS Assistant Director and Curator Dr. Cara Kinzelman. RCHS has been open to visitors since 1950, when the William Tallman family donated its Italianate-style mansion in the historic Look West Neighborhood to the City of Janesville. Data about the local GM plant is being collected via data bases, reaching out to specific people, personal appointments, and through a mobile collection unit that will be stationed at major events and venues, where people can stop in to donate artifacts and tell their stories. Dan Mezera, an auto worker on temporary layoff, was hired in September 2021 as a museum assistant for Rock
Right in Our Region
The plant was open from 1920 to 2008.
County Legacies. His job is to identify and describe items and how they were used at the plant. “I’ve always been interested in history,” says Mezera. “If we don’t rescue items and document the stories, generations of people coming up, who’ve never seen the plant, will not know what it meant to the community.” His father, Paul A. Mezera, worked at GM for 40 years as a skilled tradesman who measured car bodies with a digital machine to make sure parts lined up. He adjusted the line, when needed, to keep production moving smoothly. He also was involved with changeovers when a new vehicle was introduced.
Mezera started a “Janesville GM End of An Era” Facebook page in 2018 to archive photographs and videos he and others took or retrieved from the plant. Another Facebook page, kept current by RCHS, is called Rock County Legacies, and will keep people informed of events, fundraisers, donated items, and other museum developments and updates. General Motors was founded in 1908 and in 1919 purchased the Samson Tractor Company. Within a year, the Janesville plant was producing about 150 tractors a day. Chevrolet cars began rolling off the assembly lines in 1923 and four building additions were made to keep up with production over the next 13 years. The plant temporarily closed during the Great Depression, but Chevrolets were made again from 1934 to 1942. During World War II, the plant made millions of artillery shells. Chevrolet production resumed after the war and the factory continued to
expand in the 1950s and ’60s. In 1968, the Chevrolet and Fisher Body Divisions merged to form a single operation known as General Motors Assembly Division. Employment peaked at 7,100 in 1978, before a series of layoffs occurred from 1974 to 2008. Workers went on strike in 1969 and 2007. The plant stopped making full-size automobiles in 1981 and closed for four months to retool for the production of front-wheel-drive cars; robot-controlled welding equipment was installed. Compact cars were built at the plant from 1982-1990, followed by large pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles starting in 1991. By August 2005, the plant had produced 16 million vehicles. In June 2008, GM ceased production in Janesville. Demolition of the plant began in 2018. Donations to the Rock County Legacies project are welcome. To donate or loan an artifact, or to share a story, call RCHS at (608) 756-4509. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
17
18
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Money
How to Find the Right Insurance Agent By Janine Pumilia nsurance is a confusing subject, which is why it’s important to work with an insurance agent who can explain what we need to know. When choosing a company, read online customer reviews, suggests Lisa Radant, agency owner of Shelter Insurance, 7445 Newburg Road, Rockford. “Find out how long an agent has been in business and read the reviews to learn how accessible they are and how well a company stands by you when claims are filed,” says Radant. “You have to take reviews with a grain of salt, but you can read between the lines and learn a lot.” People are naturally suspicious about being sold more insurance than they need. “And sometimes there’s good reason for that. But there’s also a danger of buying less coverage than you need and learning this the hard way. As insurance agents, we have a responsibility to inform customers about the minimum coverages
I
they’re required to have, but we should also explain the consequences of having too little insurance.” For example, should your auto liability coverage fail to cover the cost of another party’s vehicle, you could find yourself with garnished wages or a lien placed on your property, she says. “And bumping up your liability coverage doesn’t cost that much more.” A good agent not only helps you find the best fit for your situation, but also offers advice on how to avoid making claims that could raise rates. In her 30year insurance career, Radant has seen people make some expensive mistakes. “This time of year, we see a lot of claims related to water damage that could have been avoided,” says Radant. “I always tell my customers to be sure the pipes in outside walls are not in danger of freezing, which can cause flood damage.
Something as simple as leaving cabinet doors open underneath a sink can prevent a big headache.” Make Lisa Radant sure hoses are unhooked from outside spigots in cold weather and turn off the water in your home if you go on vacation, she adds. “And make sure your heat is on, even when you’re away from home. It shouldn’t be lower than 50 degrees.” Radant sells insurance for home, farm, business, life, auto, health, boat, ATV, motorcycle, RV and personal articles. Learn more by calling her at (815) 332-9312. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
19
20
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Home & Garden
Start Now for a Spring Remodeling Project By Peggy Werner
I
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 remodeling 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.
Tell them you saw it in ...
Chapman opened C&H Design in 2002 and has been at his 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 focused on home improvement and has been busy every since. 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. ❚
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
21
Listening to you is where we start every visit. Accepting new patients
(815) 242-0678
22
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Health
Time Matters When Treating Strokes By Stephanie Grimoldby
W
hen it comes to strokes, the clock is always ticking. A stroke kills brain cells when blood vessels to the brain are either blocked by a clot or suddenly ruptured. There are two types of strokes. Hemorrhagic, or bleeding strokes, occur when a blood vessel ruptures. Ischemic, or dry strokes, occur when a blood clot has lodged into an artery of the brain, reducing blood flow to the rest of the body. Of the 800,000 strokes that occur every year in the U.S., 80 percent are ischemic. Strokes are a time-sensitive disease for two reasons. First, the longer the brain goes without a fresh blood supply, the more extensive and permanent the damage may be. Second, the medications and procedures that can be used to treat strokes – some of which are fairly new – have a
time limit. If a patient doesn’t get medical treatment within a certain number of hours after a stroke begins, treatment options diminish. Advancements in stroke care have come a long way since the 1990s. For nearly 75 years, stroke was the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2008, it slipped to fourth and today it’s fifth. However, it’s still the leading cause of disability in the U.S. “We’re seeing younger and younger people with co-morbidities that put them at risk for stroke: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,” says Cody Monyelle, a registered nurse and the stroke coordinator at Beloit Health System. “Those are all high-risk factors for stroke.” With that in mind, it’s important for people of all ages to know the signs of a
stroke, which tend to occur suddenly. The BE FAST memory cue is an easy way to learn the symptoms. If stroke symptoms appear, call emergency medical services (EMS) right away. ❚
Remember to BE FAST.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a combination of these, call 911 immediately. B – Balance: coordination issues E – Eyes: sudden blurriness or changes in vision, even in one eye F – Face: a droopy face or crooked smile A – Arms: numbness or weakness in the arms or legs S – Speech: sudden slurring of words or trouble speaking T – Time: call 911 and/or Terrible headache To learn more about strokes, visit the American Stroke Association at stroke.org.
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
23
24
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Legal Tips
Even Young Adults Need Legal Plans By Janine Pumilia
M
any adults are too young to remember the Terry Schiavo case that began in 1990, after Schiavo, age 26, suffered massive brain damage that left her in a persistent vegetative state. Her husband sought to remove her feeding tube, believing it’s what she would have wanted, but her parents fought him in court for 15 years. By the time her tube was removed, in 2005, the case had seen 14 appeals in Florida courts, five suits in federal district court and extensive involvement by the Florida legislature, Gov. Jeb Bush, the U.S. Congress and President George Bush. Even the Vatican got involved. This painful and expensive slugfest could have been avoided had Schiavo put her end-of-life wishes in writing before illness struck. But what 26-year-old thinks of doing that? “After that case, the living will be-
came a hot topic,” says attorney Jim Meason. “It’s a written directive to your doctor that details your desire regarding medical treatment if you’re no longer able to say it.” End-of-life planning isn’t just for the elderly, as Schiavo’s case proved. A sudden injury or illness can change anyone’s fate in a moment. In addition to preparing a living will, every adult should specify a power of attorney for healthcare decisions and for property. If you live in Illinois and your total assets, including your home, exceed $100,000 ($50,000 in Wisconsin), you should prepare a trust, says Meason. “Some advanced planning can prevent so much heartache and frustration for people you leave behind,” says Meason. “It doesn’t take long to do and is way less expensive and time-consuming than if your estate has to go through probate.”
Tell them you saw it in ...
It’s easy to avoid thinking about endof-life issues. “None of us wants to deal with our mortality,” says Meason. “And really, a lot of people just aren’t used to paying for the professional services of an attorney. But my typical client is someone who knows someone who just went through a nightmare because someone else didn’t think ahead and left a mess behind for others to deal with.” Meason’s services include family law, estate planning, real estate, business law and environmental law. Find him at 113 N. Main St. in Rockton, Ill., go to measonlaw.com or call (815) 624-6517. ❚
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
25
26
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Community
Rockford City Market: Open All Year Long By Janine Pumilia
I
f you find yourself missing the sense of community experienced at outdoor Rockford City Market, there’s an easy solution: Indoor Rockford City Market. Less visible, but with a cozy vibe of its own inside 116 N. Madison St., it offers tasty fare five or more days each week in its food hall, plus events like themed pop-up markets, live music, trivia contests and yoga classes, all winter long. “We’re super excited to keep building on the success of the indoor market,” says Becca Bartels, Director of Market Engagement at Rockford City Market. “It’s a friendly atmosphere where people enjoy gathering while supporting small businesses that are getting up and running.” Rockford City Market grew out of Rock River Development Partnership in 2010. Its goal was to provide startups
with a low-overhead way to test out their products and gain a following. Its popularity exceeded expectations immediately and, by 2019, attendance at the Friday night outdoor market hit 111,000. Even with a pandemic raging, 90,000 people turned out in 2021. Many small business success stories have emerged. “Woodfire Pizza and Canine Crunchery are just two examples of businesses that got their start at Rockford City Market and grew into their own storefront locations,” says Bartels. Bolstered by public enthusiasm, Rockford City Market opened its indoor location in 2019, purchasing and restoring a historic building adjacent to the outdoor market location. The location offers a commercial kitchen that entrepreneurs can rent out. In 2021, 55 small business-
es, including food truck owners, made good use of it. There are plenty of common areas inside the market to gather with friends. Four long-term tenants include Crust & Crumbles artisan bakery; Quixotic Bakery; Velvet Robot Coffee Lab and Guzel Restaurant, serving authentic Mediterranean-style foods. Rockford City Market also rents out spaces for weddings & meetings. Learn more at rockfordcitymarket.com. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
27
Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
‘Holmes For the Holiday’ Feb. 3-5, 7:30 p.m. Sat. 3 p.m. matinee. Broadway star William Gillette, admired for his leading role in the play “Sherlock Holmes,” invites fellow cast members to his castle for a weekend of revelry. Then, things turn dangerous. Beloit Civic Theatre, 1225 4th St., Beloit, (608) 362-1595, beloitcivictheatre.org. David Eisenreich at Mendelssohn Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m. Experience the unique sound of the marimba during an evening of music. Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. ‘Farce of Habit’ Feb. 11-20, see website for times. The proprietor of the Reel ‘Em Inn wants nothing more than a peaceful day fishing, but situations at the lodge will keep him busy all weekend. Main Street Players of Boone County, Belvidere, (800) 741-2963, mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com.
‘Same Time Next Year’ Feb. 11-13, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A New Jersey accountant and an Oakland housewife meet in 1951, have an affair and then meet once each year. Janesville PAC, 408 S. Main St., (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. RSO: ‘The Great Gatsby’ Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Scott Terrell, finalist for RSO’s music director position, leads the orchestra in a program that captures the spirit of the Roaring ’20s. Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO), Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com. Aaron Lewis Feb. 17, 8 p.m. With a strong sense of vintage country, Lewis’ latest album, “Frayed at Both Ends,” reveals the hard-touring country star at his most personal and unplugged. Coronado PAC, 314 N. Main St., (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.
Enjoy Roaring ’20s music by RSO on Feb. 12 at the gorgeous Coronado, which opened in 1927.
Simon & Garfunkel Story Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Relive the sounds of the ’60s in this concert-style musical, which explores the origins of the duo and their split. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Avalon String Quartet at Mendelssohn Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Beethoven and more are planned. Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. ❚
Volunteer with us in 2022.
Contact us to learn about volunteer opportunities at the ReStore. 7141 Harrison Ave, Rockford IL | 815-713-3184 | rockfordhabitat.org @restorerockford 28
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
29
30
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II
55
52
Smart Living Live
Jan 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300
