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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • June 2022 • No. II
Right in Our Region
Family Fun at Petunia Festival See Page 20
Know the Signs of Stroke The Benefits of an Irrigation System How to Extend the Life of Your Driveway Tips for Saving Money on Your Technology Bill
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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saturdays ON THE SQUARE
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region .................Cover & p. 20 Petunia Festival is Back Full Force in Dixon Your Home ................................................. 13 Extend the Life of Your Driveway Inspiration & Worship ................................ 14 A Hopeful People Outdoor Living .......................................... 27 Protect Your Landscaping with Irrigation Your Health ................................................ 31 Know the Signs of Stroke Your Technology ....................................... 33 Save Money with Smarter Tech Choices Your Fun ..................................................... 36 A Tribute to Janine .................................... 38
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, 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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The Good Life I
love viewing our region through the eyes of visitors. It reminds me what a good life we have right here in the Rockford Region. Gary and I hosted family from Reno, NV, recently, and couldn’t begin to show them all the things we enjoy here. We strolled Anderson Japanese Gardens, enjoyed Klehm Arboretum’s Garden Fair, took a drive down scenic Route 2 to see Eternal Indian (aka “Black Hawk” statue), grabbed “The Unusual” granita from Zammuto’s and some cruffins from Crust & Crumbles, dined at various locally owned restaurants. We’re told a real Italian dinner or a real pizza is nowhere to be found in Nevada. My brother-in-law marveled at our bright green landscapes, our low home prices, our many large local parks, our supply of fresh water, our fertile soil and the wildlife outside our house – not only songbirds, raptors and squirrels, but also raccoons, turkeys, deer, red fox and coyotes. Things we love but take for granted. Naturally we joked about our cold winters being Illinois’ downside, but in my heart I was thinking how thankful I am to live here. I love the Midwest. I even love the snowfalls. We never lack for things to do. Summer is especially rich with outdoor recreation, concerts, farmers markets, public gardens, festivals, interesting historical events etc. A few notes: • At Klehm Arboretum, now through Sept. 11, you’ll find 15 large sculptures scattered through the grounds, each made of Lego bricks. Be sure to go there with the kids in your lives. They’ll love hunting down all 15. • Our Discovery Center Museum is among 2,000 organizations offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families through Sept. 5. Find a list of participants at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. • Baseball fans will enjoy the dozens of home games taking place now through Aug. 13 at Rockford Rivets Stadium. • Artists will soon add 12 more largescale murals to the 24 we already have in the Rockford region. More than 90 art teams applied and 10 were selected. Let’s bloom where we’re planted and make the most of our summer fun. I call that The Good Life! Have a great week! ❚
Saturday, June 25, 2022
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Free Admission Location: Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Rd.. Rockton, Illinois
Register to Attend: NaturalLand.org/familynatureadventures
Discover Nature All Around You! A structured and fun way to spend time together outside with family.
Nature and Arts Themed Learning Stations. Guided Prairie Tours. Wagon Rides. Kids earn a Junior Naturalist Badge. Sponsors Major Event $1,000
Mark and Laurie Luthin
Event $500
Supporting $250 Owned and Operated by RES
Virtual format available June 1-July 31
Para información en español, por favor visite la página web: naturalland.org This event is supported by grants from the Brubaker Charitable Trust, Grand Victoria Foundation, the Dr. Courtney J. and Margaret Hutchins Hamlin Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Kiwanis Club of Rockford, and an Action Grant from Rockford Area Arts Council.
For More Information NaturalLand.org | 815/964-6666
Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Your Home & Garden
How to Double the Life of Your Driveway By Peggy Werner
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arry Lazzerini opened Premier Pavement Solutions, 5059 Contractors Drive, in Loves Park, 15 years ago. The full-service asphalt company specializes in sealcoating, infrared repairs, striping and other markings, asphalt maintenance, crack filling, pothole repair and repair of collapsed drains. The company also does snowplowing/salting in winter. When it comes to sealcoating, ingredients matter, says Lazzerini. A specially formulated Seal Master Brand sealcoat is made exclusively for his company by a manufacturer in Streamwood, Ill., and comes with a letter of authenticity. Latex and sand are added to the product to make it more flexible and durable. Sealcoating improves the appearance of a driveway and protects it from the damaging effects of sun, water, salt and chemical spills like oil and gasoline
from cars. The non-porous coating makes cleaning easier and provides a smooth surface for rain to wash away dirt and debris. Regular maintenance can double the life of a new driveway, Lazzerini says, and sealcoating should be done between May and November. What sets him apart from the competition is customer service, or the “Premier Difference,” says Lazzerini. He personally visits each home or other work site before and after a job is completed. Repeat customers have priority on the schedule and get discounted pricing. Being proactive about caring for your pavement can save you money in the long run, says Lazzerini. Watch for discoloration, the top of the driveway pull-
ing away from the garage, deep cracks and holes where water can seep in, loose rock and broken edges. And beware of scam artists who offer this line of work. What sounds like a great deal may be just the opposite, if you’re not careful. “You don’t know where they’re from, if they will be around, what’s in their product and how watered down it is,” he says. ❚
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Inspiration & Worship
A Hopeful People
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o matter what’s happening in the world, our faith is rooted in hope that some day we’ll be together with Jesus Christ. Most of us fear and grieve the end of life in this world. It’s the only world we’ve known. This is natural. Even Jesus prayed for God to take away the ordeal of physical death set before him. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will. -- Matthew 26:39, AKJV But after his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus made various appearances to his disciples and others, for 40 days, before ascending and disappearing into a cloud. As his apostles watched this phenomenon, two angels told them: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” --Acts 1:11, NIV Knowing that Jesus Christ will someday return to earth is a source of hope, joy and comfort to us. When writing to Christians at Thessalonica, Paul said: Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” -- I Thessalonians 4:13-18, NIV And so we do encourage one another with these words, believing the Word of God is truth. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12 NIV ❚
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Get 30% off your purchase on July 2!
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Right in Our Region
Full-Scale Petunia Festival Returns to Dixon By Peggy Werner he 58th annual Petunia Festival, always celebrated in conjunction with the Fourth of July, will be back in full force after no festival in 2020 and a scaled-down pandemic version in 2021. “The main evidence of our community getting back to normal is the number of people eager to get back into volunteering,” says Jenna Dempsey, vice president of marketing for the Dixon Petunia Festival. “The festival is all about our volunteers giving in so many ways. It’s great to see the excitement in new people wanting to help and the return of longtime volunteers.” This year’s event will take place in downtown Dixon Thursday through Monday, June 30-July 4, with the theme “The Wonderful World of Sauk.” The Sauk Valley includes Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls and smaller communities. Dempsey has worked with the fes-
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tival for 17 years and was president in 2012. She has fond memories of it from childhood. “The festival has always been very family friendly and that hasn’t changed,” says Dempsey. “We’ve just grown through the years, mainly in our ability to bring in more and better entertainment.” Entertainers will perform on the G&M Stella Main Stage, at the corner of River Street and Galena Avenue, and on the Palmyra Pub and Eatery Stage near the President Ronald Reagan statue at River Street and Hennepin Avenue. Thursday’s G&M Stella Main Stage headliners will include singer/songwriter and Dixon native Tristan Bushman of Nashville, at 6:30 p.m., followed by guitarist Dexter O’Neal & The Funk Yard at 9:30 p.m. On Friday, Dixon native Gina Venier, a midwesterner whose fun-loving, down-
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to-earth personality makes everyone feel a part of the party, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Singer/songwriter and Mercury Nashville recording artist Travis Denning follows at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, Secondhand Smoke of Chicago, which tours internationally, will perform at 6:30 p.m. followed by Too Fighters, the original Foo Fighters Tribute band from the Chicagoland area, at 9:30 p.m. Sunday’s musical lineup includes Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers at 3:30 p.m.; Invisible Cartoons at 6:30 p.m.; and an artistic performance with comedy and a party atmosphere by Two Hype Crew at 10 p.m. At the Palmyra Pub & Eatery Stage, on Thursday, Sauk Valley’s Nova, a fourpiece rock band, will play tunes from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, plus some original numbers at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mi-
(Matthew Lenox Photo)
Right in Our Region
Live music will be presented on two stages throughout the Petunia Festival.
rabilia at 8:30 p.m., an indie/alternative band with influences from Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Pinegrove and Frightened Rabbit. On Friday, Route ThirtyEight, a Dixon hometown rock band, will perform at 5:30 p.m. followed by Slick Trigger at 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s entertainment on the Palmyra stage begins with Radio Silence at 5:30 p.m. followed by Class Field Trip, a five-piece pop punk cover band from Dixon, at 8:30 p.m. Heartache #1 plays at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
New this year are instructed paint parties for children, hosted by the Next Picture Show. Traditional features of the festival will include tours of late President Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home; pancake breakfasts; arts and crafts; an ice cream social; bingo; the annual KSB Tennis Classic; a fishing derby; a volleyball tournament; a disc golf tournament; the Cruise in Style Car Show from Ken Nelson Auto Group; a food tent; a bags tournament; games; amusement rides by North American Midway Entertainment Carnival; a Family Fun Night on Friday with a performance by the Dixon Municipal Band Concert; and a community worship service on Sunday at 9 a.m. Dixon Dish food vendors in the entertainment area will sell pizza, tacos, corn dogs and elephant ears. Other food vendors will set up along the riverfront from Thursday to Sunday. The Dixon High School Athletic Boosters will host a pancake breakfast
6-11 a.m. Friday through Monday at the Dixon High School cafeteria. Floats, bands, dancers, clowns, jugglers and local businesses will take part in the traditional parade on Sunday at 1 p.m., traveling from St. Mary’s Catholic School to the high school. At 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, fireworks will be launched. Tune into River Country 101.7 to hear synchronized music during the display. The festival began as a carnival and beer garden in a store parking lot in 1964, in conjunction with the planting of petunias to beautify the city, after Dutch Elm Disease destroyed most of the tree canopying over Galena Avenue. Today, the Dixon In Bloom Committee plants about 300 baskets, in part funded by individual donations mailed to Dixon in Bloom, P.O. Box 127, Dixon, IL, 61021. Festival tickets are $10 per day. Presale four-day tickets are $25, sold at Petunia Festival Headquarters, 77 S. Hennepin Ave. For a full schedule of events and activities, go to petuniafestival.org. ❚
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SWEET STREAMS.
WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.
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Outdoor Living
Protect Your Landscape by Irrigating
By Janine Pumilia beautiful home landscape takes time and money to achieve and weather is unpredictable. Those new bedding plants that thrive so well today may shrivel under hot sun a month from now. That’s why many homeowners are installing lawn irrigation systems they can count on to keep lawns and gardens healthy, no matter what the weather does. “It’s an investment in your property that you might not think much about until drought strikes,” says Jeff Page, coowner of RainMaster Irrigation, located in Loves Park. “But when it doesn’t rain, you’re awfully glad you have it.” Page designs, installs and maintains irrigation systems with his business partner, Kim Schuler. The pair purchased RainMaster Irrigation in 2019 from former owner Jim Johnson, who retired after running the business for three decades. “We’re still servicing irrigation sys-
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tems installed 30 years ago,” notes Page. “When they’re regularly used and maintained, they hold up well over time.” Regular maintenance involves a visit in the fall to remove water from pipes before a hard freeze, and a visit in spring to reopen the system and fix problems like broken sprinkler heads or rodent damage. “Like most everything else these days, you can buy a system that’s as simple or as ‘smart’ as you need it to be,” says Page. Some people use a phone app to remotely control their wireless system. A system controller with timer is often located in a garage and plugs into a regular electrical outlet with no special wiring required. So, what does it cost? “Installation of an irrigation system for a typical yard that’s a quarter- to halfacre in size runs from $4,500 to $9,000 depending on specific needs,” says Page.
Flower beds have different needs than lawns and should be designed to run separate cycles, he says. Will the installation process cause a big mess in the yard? “No,” says Page. “We basically make very narrow slits to install the pipes and wires. It’s not obtrusive. Within 10 to 14 days, you won’t know we were there.” RainMaster Irrigation serves homes and businesses within a 50-mile radius. Learn more at rainmasterirrigation. net or call (815) 885-2566. ❚
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Your Health
Time Matters When Treating Strokes By Stephanie Grimoldby
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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 tends 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.
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Your Technology
How to Reduce Your Tech and Energy Bills By Janine Pumilia
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aking the most of our money is always smart, but it’s especially important now that inflation has risen worldwide due to the pandemic. One painless way many consumers are tightening their belts is by changing the way they access tech services, including entertainment. “Some people are paying separate monthly bills for subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu when they could be consolidating to a dish satellite and Internet service that offers more than 10,000 titles of movies and TV shows on demand,” says Charles Zambrano, owner and general manager of EZ Satellite & Wireless and EZ Solar, 6239 N. Second St. in Loves Park. “Each streaming subscription charges separate fees and taxes. When people consolidate their costs with a satellite ser-
vice, they save at least 40% on their entertainment bills and, in many cases, a lot more than that. I’ve helped people who were paying more than $300 per month reduce their costs by half.” Zambrano helps his customers understand exactly what they’re paying for with tech services including cell phone, Internet and home security. He’s licensed to offer services from any TV provider, including DirectTV, Dish Network, ATT, Comcast and Rise Broadband. He can also install an antenna for a one-time cost
starting at $350 that allows customers to receive up to 40 channels free. “A lot of people aren’t happy with their tech services but aren’t sure how to reduce costs without losing features they like,” he says. “Sometimes they don’t understand the services or don’t have time to research them, but I can help them.” Another way Zambrano helps customers to save money is by installing solar panels on their homes. “Right now, some of my customers are earning back up to half of the cost of solar installation by using energy-efficiency tax credits offered by the state and federal governments,” says Zambrano. “Anyone interested should ask me about these as soon as possible, while the credits are still being offered. Not everyone qualifies, but I can help you figure out whether you do.” Stop in at the store or call (815) 9574335. ❚
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
The Shape of Light Now to Sept. 25, Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Explore the relationship between two forms of art - contemporary painting and studio glass. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.
‘The Wedding Singer’ June 17-26, check website for times. Based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, this musical takes audiences back in time to the mid-’80s and all of its glamour. Janesville PAC, 408 S. Main St., (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.
‘25th Putnam Co. Spelling Bee’ Now to June 26, see website for times. A hilarious musical with an eclectic group of youngsters vying for the spelling championship. 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.
‘Dreamgirls’ June 22-25 & July 27-31, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. The triumphs and tribulations of a 1960s Motown group. Starlight Theatre, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.
‘Disaster’ June 16-18 & July 20-24, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Disaster films of the 1970s take center stage in this musical jukebox comedy with some of the decade’s best hit songs. Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Heatwave: Vintage Songs of Summer June 29. Matt and Cynthia Gruel of Nostalgia Entertainment star in the musical show that captures the essence of summer with songs from the past. White Pines Dinner Theatre, 6712 White Pines Road, Mount Morris, Ill., (815) 655-2400, whitepinesinn.com.
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Disaster films of the 1970s are the focus of “Disaster,” a comedy musical at Starlight Theatre.
‘Hello, Dolly!’ June 29-July 2 & Aug. 3-7, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Matchmaker Dolly Levi plots to land eligible New York half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder, “Before the Parade Passes By.” Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College (RVC), 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 9212160, rockvalleycollege.edu. ❚
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Tribute to Janine
Our First Editor Steps into Retirement
Bidding Adieu to Janine Pumilia
N
orthwest Quarterly and Smart Living would not be the excellent magazines they are without the steady guidance of Janine Pumilia. Janine served as executive editor of Northwest Quarterly Magazine from its debut in 2004. In the early days, we all worked remotely and met on Saturdays at a local coffee shop because there was no office. And, because we were all working two jobs. Starting a new magazine of the magnitude of Northwest Quarterly is not an easy undertaking. But Janine was never deterred from completing the successful vision we all carried in our minds. Making this magazine a reality was, and continues to be, a most rewarding endeavor. As late nights gave way to more normal workdays, Janine led the way through her commitment to providing our region with an outstanding editorial product. Janine is an unusually gifted writer. The articles she has written have touched on topics of deep interest to our readers, but Janine always has that knack for making them both captivating and easy-to-read. We wear a lot of hats around here, and Janine has been no exception. In addition to her own writing duties, Janine has edited entire magazines, ensuring a high-quality product we could all be proud of. Plus, she has always brought out a treasure trove of interesting topics and subjects. We hope those ideas keep coming, because creative minds like hers are not likely to turn off anytime soon. While Janine’s writing and editorial skills have been instrumental, her leadership and mentoring of the editorial department have been equally important. While every one of our journalists has been inspired by the end product of Janine’s writing, each has benefited directly from her constructive mentoring of their own writing skills. Yes, Northwest Quarterly Magazine and Hughes Media have NE
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ancestors hen did your immigrant States? Did they come to the United they have jobs speak English? Did Day holiday, with lined up? The Thanksgiving table, young gathered at the generations old and history about your family’s is a great time to learn Rockford region. and connection to the See Page 20
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Know the Signs of Stroke ts of an Irrigati on System How to Extend the Life of Your Drivew Tips for Saving ay Money on Your Techno logy Bill
benefited enormously from the key role Janine has played. Smart Living Magazine owes its name to the insight Janine always seems to have. While other titles were being bantered about, Janine felt strongly about her suggestion, and so it came to be. She was right … again. Smart Living added to Janine’s writing and editorial management duties, but from the beginning, she saw the promise and need for Northwest Quarterly’s sister magazine. Her efforts have been instrumental in Smart Living becoming the popular force it is in our region, and that includes her regular Inspiration & Worship column, which runs in every issue. At Hughes Media, we are big followers of the Prince of Peace, and Janine’s degree in Biblical studies has been put to good use in this column. And what does retirement look like for Janine? Well, in a word, busy. She and husband Gary plan on traveling to see children living east and west, north and south. Plus, they will have time to visit all of the places that America, and the world, have to show them. Plus, she will have time to pursue other interests that have been put on the back burner for years. Janine is an accomplished writer. She has already said she would like to contribute articles, as her travels allow. So, don’t despair. I am certain you will be enjoying her wordsmithing in these pages again and again. As she writes her next chapter of life, Janine will never be far from our hearts. From all of your colleagues and friends at Hughes Media, we wish you many fun and interesting years ahead. ❚
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Janine’s first and last magazines for Northwest Quarterly.
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
June 2022 • I
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Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Live
June 2022 • No. II
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Smart Living Live
June 2022 • No. II To advertise call 815-316-2300