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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • June 2022 • No. III
Right in Our Region
ByronFest Brings Big Summer Fun
See Page 20
Tips for Choosing the Best Flooring for You Delicious Recipes for July 4 How to Improve Your Quality of Sleep
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 ByronFest Provides Family Fun Your Home ................................................. 13 Thoughtful Tips for Choosing Flooring Inspiration & Worship ................................ 14 Pullin’ Weeds Your Kitchen .............................................. 17 A July 4th Feast Your Health ................................................ 31 How to Improve Your Sleep 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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Welcome, Lindsey!
S
ometimes you just know when it’s time to make a major change in your life, even if you’re happy. Such a moment came to me, so I’m ending my 18-year tenure as an editor for Northwest Quarterly (NWQ) and Smart Living magazines. You’ll likely see my byline sometimes, and I’ll continue to write the Inspiration column, which is a labor of love. But mostly I’ll be goofing around more with the love of my life, Gary Pumilia. For the second time, I’m handing my job to a very talented young woman – Lindsey Gapen Lukas. When I stepped out of the role of managing editor for NWQ a few years ago, Lindsey took over and exceled brilliantly. Now she’ll be leading Smart Living for both the Rockford and Fort Wayne markets. Recent years have been big ones for Lindsey. She married Mike Lukas, set up her first home and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Elliot. She’s now part of the consumer class encountering all those practical matters we write about in Smart Living, from “how to remove pet stains from carpet” to “what to know about lawnmower maintenance.” She’ll learn a lot of practical tips, as I did, and bring a youthful perspective you’ll enjoy. Lindsey graduated from the UW-Madison in 2015 with degrees in journalism and anthropology. When she’s not with her family or behind a computer, she’s teaching ballet and jazz dance classes to children. She loves to travel and has a dry wit I know you’ll appreciate. Most of all, she’s just a really good person. I want to thank Bill & Lisa Hughes for the love, flexibility and opportunity they’ve given to me. Long before it was popular to work from home, they understood my need to do so when my children were small. And, 18 years ago, they gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to oversee the editorial launch of Northwest Quarterly and, later, Smart Living magazines. The passion we share for promoting locally owned businesses and cheering on our region is genuine, and will bind us forever. I’ll miss the talented NWQ staff. And I’ll miss the bond I share with you, dear readers, but I’ll likely pop up on your radar again. I don’t know the future, but I know Who holds it. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor
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Your Home & Garden
Be Strategic When Choosing Flooring By Jermaine Pigee
W
hether you’re building a home or remodeling, it’s important to consider all the elements of your home when you install flooring. “If you’re freshening up your home, new floors can make it look completely different because the flooring ties everything together,” says Erin Knabe, kitchen and bathroom design consultant at Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. “A home project is like putting together a puzzle and flooring is a big piece to that puzzle.” While creating a plan for your next project, it’s important to think about textures and details in the flooring. “You want to coordinate your wall tile with your floor tile so everything works together,” she says. “People will come in and say they want a whole project in addition to the flooring, so we’ll do decorative things, like a wood and tile mix.”
Knabe sees people make the mistake of doing their flooring projects one room at a time, which may result in a checkerboard of patterns throughout the house. “You really don’t want to do more than two, sometimes three types of flooring in the house,” she says. “If you keep everything consistent, you’ll eliminate thresholds and breakup, so it makes the square footage of the home feel larger and everything will flow better.” Knabe and her team offer plenty of support and guidance. “When people walk into a big-box store and pick up flooring, they might get the cheapest thing and they might not get any say on what goes where,” she says. “We really listen to customers instead of giving someone a sample and saying ‘Here you go, have fun with this.’” One way customers can help with the process, Knabe says, is to be upfront
with the staff in the beginning. The more you explain the type of project you have in mind, the more helpful staff members can be. Flooring is an important aspect of a house, Knabe says, so it’s important that the entire project is done right the first time. “We’ll send someone out to your home to complete measurements, install a proper sub-floor, or maybe even tear up the old floor,” she says. “No matter what we end up doing, we just want to make sure everything is done correctly.” ❚
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Inspiration & Worship
Pullin’ Weeds I
n a world that works so hard to control our minds, whether by commercialism, propaganda or peer pressure, it’s a stunning truth that God – who designed our remarkable brains in the first place – grants each of us full freedom of thought. We can believe upon Christ Jesus or reject him. What’s more, if we choose to be “Christian,” we can use the power of our minds to internalize Christ and become his “imitators,” or we can wear the sacred label in name only, like one more club membership. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” – Ephesians 5:1-2 To walk with Christ, even when nobody’s looking – especially when nobody’s looking – is to get out the garden tools and yank the weeds from our lives, day after day. Some of us are pulling a lot of weeds, literally, this week, as they pop up with June vigor. Such labor brings to mind this poem once published on a seed packet. When I Put on My Worn-Out Tweeds When I put on my worn-out tweeds And with my hands pull garden weeds, The likeness always come to mind, ‘Tween weeds and sins of human kind.
For weeds will grow up anywhere In ground that’s either foul or fair, And when you pull them you’re not through; They’ll grow right up again for you. Some weeds have roots so great in length That pulling them is test of strength, And they should be removed with care Or they’ll kill good plants anywhere. It makes no difference where you go There’s no place that the weeds can’t grow; Some folks keep weeding, others won’t, Some folks have gardens, others don’t. So weeds and sin are quite the same In growth and action, not in name; But different is their origin: God makes the weeds, we make the sin. ❚ – Janine Pumilia
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Your Your Kitchen Kitchen
Dazzle Guests with a July 4th Feast C
elebrate warm weather, abundant outdoor activities and all the fun of July 4th with a flavorful and festive gathering.
Patriotic and Perfectly Sweet
This July 4th, serve watermelon. This yummy fruit boasts sweetness and nutrition at a great value. Loaded with vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as antioxidants and heart-healthy amino acids, it’s a welcome addition to your summer spread. Red, White and Blue Watermelon ‘Cake’ 1 seedless watermelon
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup sliced almonds 1 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced strawberries Place watermelon on side on cutting board. Cut 3 to 5 inches off each end to create large center slice 3 to 5 inches in depth. Trim off outer rind. Cut watermelon slice into 6 to 8 pieshaped wedges. Blot edges with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Dip the back (curved) side of each slice in yogurt and then almonds, re-assembling pieces on serving platter as each piece is completed. When finished, it will look like piecrust of almonds around watermelon slices. Frost top of reassembled watermelon with remaining yogurt and decorate top with berries. Serve cold. Dipped Ice Cream Cones 1 bag (12 oz.) White Candy Melts
12 Sugar ice cream cones Jimmies Sprinkle Assortment Melt candy in microwave safe bowl. Dip cones about 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Cut small hole in tip of bag and drizzle melted candy 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Tap cone lightly to smooth, and sprinkle with jimmies. Chill 10 to 15 minutes. Add ice cream scoops at party and serve in cone rack. ❚
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Source: Family Features
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Right in Our Region
ByronFest Brings Community Together By Peggy Werner
T
he 35th annual ByronFest, July 8-10, upholds a small-town tradition that showcases the community, gives nonprofits an opportunity to raise money, and serves as the biggest fundraiser for the local Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great big family get together, all for the purpose of having summer fun,” says Nick Peterson, office manager for the Byron Chamber of Commerce. “People look forward to this festival every year to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and just get everyone back together to have a good time.” New this year is ByronFest Idol. For five weeks, beginning in May, up to 10 people competed on a first-come-firstserve basis at selected locations around the area. The top five finalists compete June 30 and the top three will compete for cash prizes at the festival on Saturday.
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Peterson says ByronFest is known for its non-stop music on two separate stages, with a beer garden at each location. The Constellation Stage is located outside of City Hall on the corner of Second and Washington streets and the Byron Lions Stage is in Municipal Parking Lot 1 on Walnut Street. The music schedule is as follows: Neil Dover performs July 8 on the Byron Lions Club Stage from 5-7 p.m.; Rollin Whiskey 7:30-9:30 p.m.; and Back Country Roads 10 p.m.-midnight. Flannel Daze performs on the Constellation Stage from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monroe 8-9 p.m., and Sunset Strip 9:30 p.m.-midnight. The Red Band performs July 9 on the Byron Lions Club Stage from 4-7 p.m., Wait, What? 7:30-9:30 p.m., and Trippin Billies 10 p.m.-midnight. Couch Coins performs on the Constellation Stage from
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noon-2:30 p.m., O.G.M.C. 3-5 p.m., ByronFest Idol 5:30-6:30 p.m., Restless Road 7-8:15 p.m., Old Soul Radio 9-10 p.m., and Chico and The Man 10 p.m.midnight. Rock City Blues Band performs July 10 on the Byron Lions Club Stage from noon-2:30 p.m., followed by Saturday June from 3-5 p.m. The Constellation Stage features Byron Dance Academy from noon-1p.m., JB Project 1:30-3:30 p.m. and Mike and Adam 3:30-5 p.m. Taste of ByronFest hosts a wide vari-
Right in Our Region
ety of food vendors, including ice cream and desserts from Grandma’s Goodies Concessions; homemade pizza by Pizza on Earth; pulled pork, ribs and brisket from Ole’ Folks BBQ; hot dogs from Dogs on the Run; tacos, burritos and more from Hector’s Cocina; fair food from All Around Amusement Inc.; granita from 2nd Act Sweets Food Truck; Cuban sandwiches from Weh Pah Food Truck; shaved ice from Kona Ice; Chinese food from Peking Food; and jumbo turkey legs, catfish sandwiches, soul food, banana pudding, and peach cobbler cheesecake from T & C Cooking Creations. Other ByronFest highlights include carnival rides from 5 p.m.-midnight on
Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday; a bags tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday with registration at 10:30 a.m.; a ByronFest Cacciatore Quilt Show during museum hours each day at the Museum of History, 110 N. Union St.; magician Magic Matt from 5- 9 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday; a 5k Run at 8 a.m. Saturday; and a parade starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday. A new route for the parade will begin at Maple and Second streets, travel east on Second Street, north on Colfax and east on Third Street, ending at Third and Market. The whole community supports the festival in some way, through sponsorship, participation or attendance, Peterson says. Several nonprofit groups pitch in and help each year with set up, cleanup, or working a booth to raise money for their cause, including the Boy Scouts, Tebala Shriners, local churches, Byron High School Football, Byron Junior Tackle, and Stillman Valley boys’ basketball. The
Ogle County Probation Department is providing opportunities for community service hours. Admission wristbands are $8 in advance or $10 at the gate and are required for admission to the beer gardens, entertainment stages and Taste of ByronFest. No wristbands are required on “Family Day” Sunday when admission is free. Wristbands are available at Byron Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, Felker Foods, Kelly Williamson Mobil, Snyder Pharmacy, Sterling Federal Bank, Merlin’s Greenhouse, and Stillman Bank. A mega pass, which includes unlimited carnival rides and daily admission, is $55 in advance and can be purchased at the chamber office, 232 W. Second St., or at byronfest.org. At the gate, the mega pass is $65. A VIP area pass is $20 and gives 200 people special seating and amenities Friday and Saturday nights. Children under seven years old are admitted free. For more information, visit byronfest.org or call 815-234-5500. ❚
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Your Health
Are You Sleeping in the Right Position? D
id you know you can actually improve your health while you sleep? It’s true. Your sleep position – whether you’re a side, back or stomach sleeper – not only affects the quality of your sleep, also can help to alleviate or aggravate certain conditions, like sleep apnea, acid reflux and more. “While there’s no ‘right’ way to sleep, sleeping on your stomach generally isn’t recommended because of the position’s effects on your neck and back,” says Dr. Sushrut Patel, board certified pulmonologist and sleep specialist with Beloit Health System. “If you find it hard to sleep in another position, though, place a pillow under your pelvis to help reduce strain. Avoid putting your neck at an awkward angle by using a very soft pillow under your head or sleeping without a pillow.” Snoring not only disrupts your bed partner’s rest, but can prevent you from getting restorative sleep. “If you snore or have obstructive sleep apnea, back sleeping may worsen the problem,” Patel says. “Sleep on your side, instead. Some mild sleep apnea sufferers may report improved symptoms.” If you’re not able to change position, a wedge pillow to elevate your head may help. It can also help to relieve acid reflux, insomnia and chronic sleep deprivation in some people.
Your sleep position can help to alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain. Pillows can help to lessen back pain in most positions. If you sleep on your back, a pillow under the knees or a rolled towel under the small of your back helps to maintain the body’s natural curve. If you’re a side sleeper, a pillow between your knees can provide extra support while helping hip and knee issues, too. If you have spinal stenosis (pinched nerves in the lower back), bending your knees may also help to ease discomfort. For side sleepers with shoulder pain, avoid sleeping on the affected side. Instead, sleep on the opposite side and hug a pillow. Or sleep on your back with a small pillow beneath the injured shoulder. For neck pain, use a pillow that fills the space between your neck and shoulders, positioned around your neck. To schedule an appointment for a sleep study, call Beloit Health System or NorthPointe’s Sleep Solutions at (608) 364-5481. ❚
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SWEET STREAMS.
WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
‘Annie’ June 30-July 10, see website for times. Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll, Ill., (815) 244-2035, timberlakeplayhouse.org. ByronFest July 8-10, Fri. 5 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 8 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The three-day community festival features a 5K run, carnival, musical entertainment, car show, parade, bags tournament and quilt show. Downtown Byron, Ill. Byron Chamber of Commerce, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-5500, byronfest.org. Special Living History Days July 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the museum and Victorian Village with costumed interpreters, who share inside stories from Rockford’s past. This month: Learn about Camp Fuller and Civil Warn history. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road,
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Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage. com. ‘The Little Mermaid’ July 13-17, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College (RVC), 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. Summer Nights Rockford Speedway July 17, noon-9 p.m. A one-day music and extreme motor sport experience. Fully judged, family-friendly car show by day and multi-genre music festival at night. Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 633-1500, rockfordspeedway.com. Vince Gill featuring Wendy Moten July 20, 7:30 p.m. Award-winning Country Artist Vince Gill and NBC’s ‘The Voice’ runner-up Wendy Moten. Coronado
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Country artist Vince Gill and NBC’s ‘The Voice’ runner-up Wendy Moten perform at the Coronado Performing Arts Center on July 20.
Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac. org. ‘Disaster’ July 20-24, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College (RVC), 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. ❚
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