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Things were too quiet in that hotel room.
My long day was just winding down, but already the kids were in bed and so was my wife. Except, they were 3.5 hours away. In a different state and time zone.
Now, a younger version of myself might have set off for another adventure, to explore the nightlife in this new town. And let’s be honest, as a journalist, I’m always up for an adventure – which brought me to that hotel room in the first place.
But it’s also true that, when you have small children at home, your priorities change. Evenings just aren’t the same without bedtime stories, big hugs and the inevitable, “Daddy, will you sit with me?” I’m a creature of habit, and those things are as much a part of my bedtime ritual as brushing teeth and putting on pajamas. One night without and things just feel … off.
The kids notice it, too. For days before my trip, my daughter was mad at me. “Why does Daddy have to go?” she’d sob. Then she’d grab my hand and hold it tight until she was fast asleep. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she’d mumble. Ditto, kid.
Her brother missed me in his own way, although his was more of a “What did you get me?” when I returned home. And then there’s Mom, who keeps everything going while I’m away. All day, she blows up my phone, sending little picture postcards of smiling kids eating ice cream and making crazy faces and hiking as if saying, “Wish you were here.” In return, the kids send me with a pair of stuffed animals to help document my own journey. Because, I miss them, too.
It’s said the family that plays together stays together. I’ll vouch for that. My favorite adventures as a parent have been right alongside the family. Summer vacations, spring tulip festivals, winter sledding – we find so many ways to bond as a family, and there’s no shortage of opportunities here in the suburbs, and beyond.
Life is an adventure, and it’s always sweeter with my companions.
Chris Linden Executive Editor
Just because your furniture is outdated doesn’t mean it’s ready for the landfill. This is especially true with family heirlooms, which are often well-built.
Susan McCabe and her husband, Dennis, have made a fruitful retirement living from helping people refresh furniture that was outdated. Their company, Refreshed Furnishings & Makers’ Market in Cary, sells all types of refurbished furniture and supplies to do it yourself.
“I think more people are finding out that refurbishing it is cost-effective,” says McCabe. “And you’re getting a much more unique product.”
There are many ways to refurbish a piece of furniture, but most jobs start with new hardware or a new finish.
McCabe sells chalk-like paints from Hannah Bella and American Paint Co.
“With our finishes, you can change the color and the look,” says McCabe. “It
can be a plain clear polyurethane finish or glazes, metallics, paint washes or wax.”
A fresh finish isn’t the only way to preserve old furniture. Plenty of people choose to repurpose it.
McCabe and her team have taken dry sinks and turned them into changing tables; created benches out of headboards; and refashioned armoires into coffee stations or bars that stand more than 6 feet tall and have chicken wire doors.
That’s the thing about well-built furniture, like the stuff grandma bought: It’s built to endure, no matter how you use it. And it’s built to be renewed.
“Some people don’t want cookiecutter cabinets. They want to use more character pieces, like a dresser in their bathroom,” McCabe says. “They come in with an idea and a vision – ‘I want my bathroom to look like this’ – and they often have a piece they want to use. And we help them accomplish that goal.”
“Just because it was a dresser doesn’t mean it has to stay a dresser,” McCabe says. “If there’s a use for it, it’s much better to place it in somebody’s home than a landfill.”
Refreshed Furnishings & Makers’ Market, is located at 175 Northwest Hwy. in Cary, (847) 220-8443. ❚
Not all jewelry is the same. That goes for jewelers, too. So, how can you be sure you’re buying quality, fine jewelry from a reputable dealer? It requires a bit of instinct and some training – just like you’ll find at a trusted hometown jeweler.
“People would probably hold a lot of jewelers on the same level as used car salesmen,” says Michael J. Miller, owner of M.J. Miller & Co., in Barrington. “But the truth is we have some of the most ethical people in the world.”
Miller has spent 55 years buying and selling some of the finest jewelry and gemstones, visiting gem mines and meeting stone cutters.
Miller believes the first sign of a quality jeweler is that he or she seeks to educate the customer. The average person doesn’t know what they’re buying, so a good jeweler helps them to understand.
The sales process should be a lowpressure exchange, Miller says. If you’re not getting answers or the sale feels highpressure, beware, says Miller.
As important as it is to find the right jeweler, it’s also important to know you’re buying quality products. Miller not only stands behind his work, but he can tell you where it comes from.
He has paperwork showing it’s an authentic diamond or gemstone, and not something created in a Chinese lab, which is what you find at a big-box store.
“All of our diamonds are certified by the Gemological Institute of America,” says Miller. “They guarantee the quality of what you’re getting. There are other certificates out there, but they’re not worth the paper they’re printed on.”
Why does it matter? Because a quality, authenticated diamond or gemstone never loses its value.
Thirty years ago, Miller helped a man to buy a $100 pair of diamond earrings for the woman who became his wife. They traded these in years ago and have been trading up ever since. Their latest purchase: a set of 5 carat diamonds.
“The average person buying a piece of jewelry doesn’t think about that,” says Miller. “If you buy quality it will hold up for generations, it’ll hold its value, and it’s something excellent to pass on.” ❚
M.J. Miller & Co. is located at 123 W. Main St. in Barrington, (847) 381-7900.
Fear, guilt and shame sometimes cause us to shrink away and try to hide from God. It’s hard for us to believe that He really accepts us, warts and all. Selfcondemnation is counter-productive, however, since it’s hard to share God’s love or otherwise do His will when we’re in “hiding.” And, just as a dog hides his head under a sofa, not realizing that everyone can still see his body and tail sticking out, we can’t hide from God, anyway.
Jesus knows what’s in the heart of people; our sins don’t surprise him (John 2:25). Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”
In the gospels, Jesus reassures followers that he’s come not for the righteous, but for the sinners; and we’re all sinners. Yes, we deserve punishment for our sins, but God chooses to be merciful. To ignore this is to ignore the price Jesus Christ paid. Further, the mercy we’ve been shown should inspire us to show mercy to others. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 KJV).
Jesus frequently comforted those who loved him. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me,” he told his disciples in John 14:1 (NIV), shortly before his crucifixion. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:18-21)
Rather than hiding from God, we can find courage to break free from our sins, motivated by the love shown to us. As Jesus told the adulteress who was nearly stoned to death: “Neither do I condemn you: Go, and sin no more.”
– Janine Pumilia
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Springtime brings the eagerly awaited sights and scents of the season, but it also ushers in unwelcomed growth in ponds, lakes and waterways.
T.J. McCloud, CEO of McCloud Aquatics in Elburn, emphasizes the importance of early prevention when it comes to aquatic weeds and algae.
“Maintaining a healthy water system requires proactive effort, as there is no quick fix once the situation deteriorates,” he says. “Addressing the problem promptly can save homeowners considerable time, money and effort, as cleanup can take four to six weeks when the situation becomes severe.”
A family-owned and operated business since 1904, McCloud Aquatics has provided service for aquatic vegetation control since 1962. It covers the Chicago area, northern and central Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.
Around this region, one of the most common problems for ponds and lakes is algae. It’s regarded as a nuisance vegetation that takes many forms, all of which can overtake water.
These growths usually arise as the result of nutrient imbalances. An excess of phosphorus and nitrogen will promote growth in algae and large aquatic plants, which then reduces oxygen levels and water clarity. “Be on the lookout for bluegreen algae,” McCloud adds. “If you are unsure, call us.”
McCloud Aquatics manages ponds and lakes with organic products that are safe for the environment and in accordance with federal regulations. Each applicator is licensed through the state
New customers should start with water and sediment testing to develop a comprehensive management plan, says McCloud. He also recommends services
such as bathymetry mapping to assess pond conditions from the bottom up.
A pond manager’s work may include submerged weed control, shoreline vegetation management, duckweed and watermeal control, water enhancement, bacteria-driven dredging programs, fullseason management programs, pond and lake aeration, fish stocking and fisheries management, shoreline restoration, lake mapping and wildlife management. ❚
McCloud Aquatics is located at 705 E. North St., in Elburn, (847) 891-6260, mccloudaquatics.com.
Crystal Lake’s Raue Center for the Arts is fully embracing the relaunch of Williams Street Repertory (WSR) after a four-years hiatus.
“The show that the pandemic shut down, that’s our first show back,” says Richard Kuranda, executive director and founding artistic director at Raue. “We’re thrilled about that performance. Michele Vasquez, the director on it, is so gracious to stick with the project.”
WSR, originally dubbed the “Recession Rep,” had humble beginnings as a nonprofessional company during the economic downturn of 2007. For a few years, the repertory consisted of guests reading plays on a makeshift stage. In 2010, WSR officially launched.
Since then, WSR has racked up accolades including four Broadway World Chicago awards for its 2013 staging of “Sweeney Todd.”
As with many cultural institutions, WSR stopped production during the pandemic. This year’s relaunch focuses on thought-provoking themes that delve into the complexities of the human experience. The season addresses topics such as the war machine, immigration and interpersonal relationships.
The season kicked off in March with “Native Gardens,” which centers around neighbors who become enemies when a dispute over a fence line evolves into deeper issues of race, taste and class.
“It has themes of immigration and themes of accepting your neighbor,” Kuranda says. “It’s a great comedy, but it has some underlying tones that are wonderful.”
The stimulating performances continue Aug. 2-25 with “An Act of God.” This 90-minute dialogue involves “God” unveiling mysteries of the Bible
and answering existential questions that trouble mankind.
Next comes “Bandstand,” running Sept. 13 through Oct. 20. The Tony-winning Broadway musical follows Private First Class Donny Novitski as he returns home from World War II and forms a band for the national swing band contest.
“We’re just good people trying to tell good stories on stage that will hopefully move you and ask questions you’ll be talking about,” says Kuranda.▮
Raue Center for the Arts is located at 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake. Call the box office at (815) 356-9212.
Nothing signals the arrival of spring like the first colorful blooms of tulips and daffodils.
And for the past three years, Richardson Adventure Farm, in Spring Grove, has set the tone with its much-anticipated Tulip Festival, where more than one million bulbs, in an assortment of varieties, bloom through early, mid and late spring.
At any one time, more than 300,000 colorful blooms cover 10 lakefront acres.
Another 10 acres feature a half-dozen food trucks, outdoor games for kids and families, a beer and wine tent, homemade doughnuts, live music and more.
“This year should be a perfect tulip season, with the 12 inches of snow that fell keeping the soil moist enough,” says George Richardson, one of six co-owners of the sixth-generation family farm founded in 1836. “As long as temperatures stay under 70 degrees, we will be in business.”
The weather dictates bloom times, but the festival typically runs from April through Mother’s Day, Richardson says. Check the farm’s Facebook page and website, richardsonadventurefarm.com, for updates.
The Richardson family’s first Tulip Festival featured 300,000 bulbs, all planted in the fall of 2020. The Richardsons added another
300,000 in the fall of 2021, and yet another 300,000 in the fall of 2022.
The bulbs are planted in color blocks with paths around them, so people can get close to the flowers for a smell and a picture. Richardson estimates more than 20,000 people come through the tulip fields each year to see the incredible bursts of color.
With admission, each guest gets to pick a tulip to take home. Pick a few extras for an additional cost.
There’s much to enjoy during Tulip Festival. Food trucks bring a variety of foods such as tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, polish sausage, wood-fire pizza and poutine. Beer, wine, pop and snacks are for sale at the trolley. Picnic tables and yard games such as cornhole, giant Connect Four and oversized Jenga invite you to sit and enjoy yourself. Family-friendly local
bands play near the picnic tables and add even more ambiance.
The gift shop is located inside the big red barn near the festival entrance. Inside, you’ll find homemade apple cider doughnuts, kettle corn, cheesy Chicago popcorn and fudge. A dozen wines are available
for sample and purchase at the gift shop wine bar. Springtime gifts, many crafted by local artists, are also for sale.
The original Richardson family homestead was 160 acres, yet today it’s a 550-acre property that offers special events year-round.
In September and October, the farm is host to more than 100,000 visitors coming to see the “world’s largest” corn maze. After Thanksgiving, the farm sells more than 6,000 Christmas trees and 1,000 wreaths and greenery. During every season, visitors look forward to the fresh snacks that are sold at the farm shop.
The Richardson Farm is located just 2 miles from Wisconsin and 20 miles west of Lake Michigan, which puts it within an hour’s drive for millions of people.
“Because of our location and because we like being in the people business, we have evolved into what we call an ‘agritourism’ farm,” says Richardson. “We do a little traditional farming of corn and soybeans, but we are primarily
focused on having people come to our farm to have fun.”
Now in its fifth and sixth generations of ownership, the Richardson family farm at one time focused on raising pigs. They planted about 1,000 Christmas tree seedlings as a side hobby in 1981 and sold the first ones six years later. In 2001, the family quit the pig business and kept growing Christmas trees, built the corn maze, and later added tulips.
“We realized we liked talking with people a lot more than talking with pigs,” says Richardson. “So, we began finding ways to host people on our farm yearround. I love to be out in the fields with the people and see the smiles on their faces and the joy they are feeling because what they are looking at is so gorgeous. It’s just a beautiful place to be.” ❚
Richardson Adventure Farm is located at 909 English Prairie Road, in Spring Grove. Find the latest details on Tulip Festival at richardsonadventurefarm.com.
Once a big holiday has passed, you no doubt recognize all of the ways your kitchen isn’t keeping up. Maybe there’s not enough seating, or there’s no counter space. Maybe there’s nowhere to move around, or to serve.
To help your memory, take an inventory of your kitchen right now, says Megan Lebar, designer at Blue Ribbon Millwork, in Woodstock. Note down your serving patterns, important equipment and other details. This information provides essential clues to your designer.
If digging around in base cabinets is a problem, rollout shelves and deep drawers provide a good alternative. If storage is an issue, drawer accessories or specialty cabinets will help.
Designers ultimately seek to match up everyday uses with a family’s entertaining habits. Often, what’s good for one will help the other – like when
the family hosts a chili cook-off. Power outlets hidden under the counter work great for warming up Crock-Pots but they’re also helpful at homework time.
Coffee bars offer a similar benefit.
“For the holidays, you fill it up with drinks and appetizers for your guests,” says Kelsey Bechtel, designer at Blue Ribbon Millwork. “But when you’re not using it for parties you fill it with juice boxes, snacks for the kids, extra graband-go drinks.”
Midwestern winters put a damper on outdoor gatherings, but the rest of the year it’s common to find people enjoying their pool deck, patio, sunroom, outdoor kitchen – or some combination of these.
Nowadays, these spaces come with outdoor-grade cabinetry and appliances that sit out year-round. Add a few other touches and watch it blend with the rest of the house.
“Marvin makes these patio doors that are about 12 feet long and open accordion-style,” says Lebar. “If you add that to a three-season room off the kitchen, your living room just doubled. You can open that up and it’s an extension into the family room.” ❚
Blue Ribbon Millwork is located at 1401 S. Eastwood, in Woodstock, (815) 338-8900.
Authentic Italian cuisine and awardwinning wines converge at Acquaviva Winery and Ristorante’s new Batavia location. After years of serving diners in downtown Batavia, Acquaviva is fully settled into its new home off Randall Road.
The standalone building transports visitors to southern Italy with exposed stone, wooden accents and soft lighting. Inside, burgundy seats and black tablecloths meet white marble columns and black stone countertops.
The menu offers a selection of Italian-inspired dishes that are crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
Appetizers start with the crispy Calamari Fritti Dorati, served with lemon and marinara sauce. The Carciofini al Forno is made with artichoke hearts sauteed with garlic, onions and Italian cheeses.
Pasta is the star of Acquaviva’s menu. There’s the Homemade Gnocchi, bathed
in a creamy vodka sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella, and the Rigatoni Bosciola, served with beef tenderloin tips and mushrooms in a tomato sauce.
These pasta dishes are specially crafted to pair with Acquaviva’s own handcrafted wines, with suggestions labeled right on the menu. Match a gnocchi or the seafood-rich Zuppa di Mare with the dry Vitino, which blends several kinds of grapes. Or, pair up a rigatoni with the full-bodied Don Giuseppe, a dry red wine.
For meat lovers, there’s no better than the New York Strip, 16 ounces of grilled perfection with sauteed vegetables and roasted red bliss potatoes. This one also pairs with the Don Giuseppe.
No meal at Acquaviva would be complete without sampling at least one of these award-winning wines. Each varietal comes from Illinois-hardy grapes grown
on Acquaviva’s 85-acre vineyard in Maple Park. Blending a truly Midwestern taste with a touch of Italian tradition, these wines present a stunning lineup of reds, whites, roses and blends.
Acquaviva’s Maple Park location has a limited dinner schedule during the busy wedding season, but the Batavia kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday, with lunch and dinner service on the weekends. Call ahead for reservations. ❚
Acquaviva Winery and Ristorante is located at 1900 Mill St., in Batavia, (630) 761-1010.
The garage door is one of your home’s hardest-working features, yet we easily take for granted that it needs attention.
Regular maintenance can make all the difference in the lifespan of a garage door, says Tom Smith, sales manager of ASAP Garage Door Repair. The company is based in Huntley but services customers in McHenry, Kane, Lake, Boone and Winnebago counties. It has a sister operation in Eagle River, Wis.
Spring and fall are perhaps the best times for a checkup on your garage door.
“Very cold temperatures can put a lot of stress on a door, so getting everything looked over before or after those cold snaps is a good idea,” Smith says.
A thorough checkup includes lubricating all moving parts such as hinges, rollers and bearings. Technicians also examine the springs and main motor to make sure everything is working
correctly. Springs typically last five to 10 years with average use, and when it comes time to fix or replace them, it’s a job best left to the professionals.
“We don’t recommend people try to fix springs themselves, unless they are qualified and have the right tools,” says Smith. “One mistake, and getting hit by a spring means a trip to the emergency room.”
Garage doors need attention when they make unusual sounds like grinding and squealing. If a door is warped, cracked, rusty or sagging, or it doesn’t close evenly, it means something is out of balance and causing stress to the springs and motor. If the door isn’t opening and closing smoothly and steadily, that, too, is an indication of a problem, Smith says.
Now that the weather is warmer, garage door checkups can be scheduled online or by calling a reputable professional.
“Although there are some things we can’t predict, a lot of problems can be prevented by routine maintenance,” says Smith. ❚
ASAP Garage Door Repair is located at 11351 Allison Ct. in Huntley, (847) 695-8888.
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As we age, parts of our body slowly deteriorate, which can lead to swelling and pain.
“Senior patients need to realize that the aging process is normal, to start having aches, pains and stiffness in joints,” says Dr. David Morawski, a board-certified total joint surgeon with Fox Valley Orthopedics. “But when it really starts to affect the quality of your life and it starts to affect your mental well-being, then there are simple answers that we have that we can use to restore you to a very normal lifestyle.”
Perhaps the most disabling source of pain is arthritis, the inflammation of joints. When the pain becomes too much, it often stops people from living an active, healthy lifestyle. That, in turn, has a negative effect on health and wellness.
like ibuprofen can stave off pain; other times, cortisone injections or hyaluronic acid supplements can help lubricate the joints, which results in less discomfort and more mobility.
Newer injection therapies are available, too, though they’re not covered by insurance, says Morawski.
For doctors like Morawski, the goal is to achieve better mobility, because that keeps joints healthy.
Eating well is also key. Morawski encourages patients to avoid gluten, caffeine and alcohol, which are all inflammatory, and instead focus on foods that help your body. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and there are plenty of vegetables that promote healthier joints. A healthy diet can also help to reduce excess weight, which also affects joints.
“When you notice more difficulty going up and down stairs or putting your shoes and socks on, come see us,” Morawski says. “A lot of times, the first thing we notice in patients who have bad hips is they can’t rotate their hip high enough to get their shoes and socks on. Those are little cues that you might have a hip problem, or if you can’t go down the stairs, you have a knee problem.” ❚
Fox Valley Orthopedics has locations in Algonquin, Barrington, Elgin, Geneva and Yorkville. Call (630) 5841400 to schedule an appointment.
The good old-fashioned bed-andbreakfast offers an intimate lodging experience where you can find charming accommodations and a true retreat from the ordinary. These are one-of-a-kind inns where every room and every stay is special, in part because they come with so many extras, from homemade breakfasts to luxurious rooms.
Oscar Swan Inn, located in Geneva, is no exception.
Chicago banker Oscar Swan built the mansion that would become this cozy B&B in 1902 and sold it to businessman Frank W. Harding Jr. in the late 1940s. Remnants of the Swans and the Hardings can be found throughout the mansion and its seven rooms. While the rooms feature rustic paneling, Europeanpainted furniture and floral chandeliers, they also come equipped with modern amenities like televisions and heating.
In 1986, Nina and the late Hans Heymann stumbled upon the property and opened it to the public in 1988. Its location just outside downtown Geneva provides a laid-back escape, Nina says.
“Coming here is a little like going to grandmother’s house or going home to the countryside in the good ole days,” she says.
The inn’s 8 semi-wooded acres offer a picturesque backdrop for weddings and events. The banquet hall, a large barn known as The Gathering, provides a rustic charm that complements the ambiance.
Guests are offered a full breakfast with options ranging from bacon and sausage to eggs. The communal breakfast setting provides an opportunity for guests to share stories and make new friends.
Nina doesn’t offer set packages, but she does tailor each guest’s experience. Oscar Swan hosts a variety of events
for the public, including art classes and brunches. With every visit, Nina seeks to provide a charm that’s become rare in today’s fast-paced world.
“Maybe I’m too homespun, but that’s what I think is needed today. The world has gotten too commercialized,” Nina says. “I think people are starved for some good old-fashioned humanness, which is kind of lost out there, but you can find it here at Oscar Swan.” ❚
Oscar Swan Inn is located at 1800 W. State St. in Geneva, (630) 232-0173.
Few establishments create connections and enrich lives like performing arts centers. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, in downtown Arlington Heights, stands as a beacon.
“I like to say Metropolis is the beating cultural heart of Arlington Heights and the northwest suburbs,” says Brendan Ragan, artistic director. “We don’t just put on a couple of good shows – we provide an outlet where people can gather around the community fire pit.”
With an intimate 329-seat theater that draws people from northwest Cook County and beyond, Metropolis has much to offer. Its lineup represents a trifecta of talent: mainstage productions developed in-house, traveling performers, and a school that educates students and adults alike.
The beloved Main Stage program wraps up its latest season with a pair
of monster hits: Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” which runs May 2-26, and “Million Dollar Quartet,” which runs July 11 through Aug. 4.
In between, a wide variety of traveling performers delight audiences.
Coming up, John Michael Coppola, who starred in Chicago’s “Jersey Boys” production, takes a musical tour through the works of other famous Jersey musicians on May 14.
Just in time for Memorial Day, a five-piece band and powerhouse singers pay homage to the troops with a USO Salute May 21-22. Then, on May 31, Heartache Tonight presents an Eagles tribute.
The summer brings more fun with a magician, comedians, a blues artist and more musical tributes.
The future has been top of mind for Ragan, who supported a capital campaign that raised more than $364,000 last year.
“I want what we’re doing here to be so special that we burst out of that 15mile bubble because people know that it’s worth coming out here to see a show,” says Ragan. “I want Metropolis to be a place where artists can’t wait to work, because when you have that attraction, it’s going to pay off in your shows and your community is going to win.” ▮
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is located at 111 W. Campbell St., in Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121.
Cary Indoor Farmers Market
Ongoing, Sun. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. On the first and third Sundays of the month. Algonquin Township Building 6, 3702 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake, (815) 639-2700.
Woodstock Farmers Market
Ongoing, Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Local produce and artisan goods. McHenry Co. Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock, (815) 3385315, woodstockfarmersmarket.org.
Farmers Market+ at The Dole
Ongoing, Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Farmers and artisans, family activities, artistic creations. The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 307-4787, thedole.org.
Huntley Farmers Market
Ongoing, Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Meets on the second Saturday of the month. First Congregational Church of Huntley, 11628 E. Main St., Huntley, (815) 515-5200, huntley.il.us.
Kane County Flea Market
April 6-7, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Showcases more than 600 dealers. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-6926, kanecountyfleamarket.com.
Theatre 121: “Steel Magnolias”
April 12-28, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Customers in a Louisiana beauty salon share an inner strength. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical’
April 18-20, Thurs.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. The popular book series comes to life onstage. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
‘Rhapsody in Blue’ & the American Songbook
April 20, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gershwin tune and other influential songs. Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’
April 24-June 16, see website for times. This musical show tells the inspiring story of her remarkable rise to stardom. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Lunch & Learn: Grow an Herb Garden
May 2, 11:30 a.m. Experts from Smart Farm of Barrington cover the basics. Reg. req. Barrington’s
White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4115, barringtonswhitehouse.com.
‘9 to 5: The Musical’
May 2-26, check website for times. Based on the Dolly Parton hit, where three female coworkers get even with their boss. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
Native Plant, Shrub & Tree Sale
May 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Citizens for Conservation sells more than 200 species. Hill ‘N Dale Preserve, W. County Line Road and Ridge Road, Barrington Hills, citizensforconservation.org.
ESO: Beethoven’s 9th
May 4, 7:30 p.m. Features Beethoven, Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus” and Jessie Montgomery’s “Hymn For Everyone.” Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.
Adlai E. Stevenson II Historic Home Tour
May 7, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn about the Illinois governor, presidential candidate and U.N. ambassador as you tour his former home. Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home, 25200 N. St. Mary’s Road, Mettawa, (847) 367-6640, lcfpd.org. ❚
