KCC_KC Magazine March 2025

BANK WHERE YOU MATTER

TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO YOUR BANKING NEEDS

TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO YOUR BANKING NEEDS

When you bank with us, you not only get convenient custom banking solutions, you also get a relationship with a bank that cares about you, your needs, and this area. You don’t have to settle — it’s time to start experiencing a better approach to banking.

We

We don’t charge you to turn your change into bills. It’s your money.

turn your change into bills. It’s your money.

MORTGAGES

Our

Our professionals are locally based, but we can help you get a home in all 50 states.

ONLINE & MOBILE BANKING 5

Bank

Bank any place at any time: access account details, transfer funds, pay bills, and more.

While other banks are getting rid of this service, we still see the value.

PLATINUM ADVENTURES

From

From day trips to world travels, those 50+ can join us for new friends and unique experiences.

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

We

We cover topics that are important to you: retirement planning, college savings, building credit, and more.

Editorʼs NOTE

Spring is right around the corner!

I couldn’t be more excited to start taking advantage of warmer weather and the upcoming gardening season. There is something almost meditative about planting seeds and watching them grow. Not to mention, there’s no time like the next few months to clean and refresh your home in a bid to simplify and organize.

For our March homes edition of Kane County Magazine, we have plenty of features to help bolster your design knowledge –both indoors and out. From transforming your outdoor living space into your go-to relaxation spot (page 10) to seamlessly integrating technology into your home (page 20), this issue takes a closer look at the latest trends and strategies. For example, is the classic kitchen triangle design outdated? Find out on page 7.

As we officially put winter behind us on March 20, don’t forget to schedule regular home maintenance to get ready for A/C season. We’ve included a local repairmen

roundup on page 12 for your convenience. If you’re ready to finally build a backyard dreamland that is both functional and pretty, check out our features on page 16 and 26.

Our Family & Lifestyle section is especially robust this month with information on skincare and massage, new book titles to collect and fun events in Kane County to plan for. Learn more about local history on page 39, take a gander at an artist’s striking creations on page 36 and get the 411 on why you see controlled burns in St. Charles on page 34.

Have fun and as always, we are grateful to be part of your lives. Thank you for reading!

Kelley White, Editor

on the COVER

Lifestyle Design specializes in creating the most beautiful version of functionality in your home. Find out more on page 7!

Next month: The April issue of Kane County Magazine will help you make a 2025 fashion statement!

PUBLISHER

Kane County Chronicle & Northwest Herald Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com

EDITOR Kelley White kwhite@shawmedia.com

DESIGNER

Julie Barichello 815-431-4072 jbarichello@shawmedia.com

SENIOR MARKETING SPECIALIST

Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Tricia Walter 630-345-0066 twalter@shawmedia.com

CORRESPONDENTS

Jonathan Bilyk, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, Diane Krieger Spivak, Chris Walker and Al Watts

This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

INSIDE

HOME & GARDEN

7 THE KITCHEN TRIANGLE

Outdated or updated?

10 OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

Transform your backyard into a relaxing oasis

12 COMING IN HANDY

Home repair services around Kane

13 40 YEARS STRONG

Mendel Plumbing and Heating continues decades of quality service

14 JOURNEY TO BECOMING A MASTER GARDENER

This local program grows knowledge in the art of cultivating

16 RAISING YOUR DREAM GARDEN

Elements to consider when planning your landscape

19 KEEPING A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD

AAA Roofing Contractors navigates repairs and replacements

20 HOMES OF THE FUTURE

How technology and home design coexist

22 CULTURE & INDIVIDUALITY

Creating a home aesthetic that fits style and budget

26 CREATING A YARD YOU’LL LOVE

Let a landscape designer give your space new life

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE

28 RENEW, REFRESH, REJUVENATE

The power of regular massage and skincare

30 RESTORATIVE YOGA

Relieve stress and soothe your body at The Perch

31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Check out these fun activities in March!

32 ‘DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER’

A story worth discovering with Suburban Superdad

34 PRESCRIBED BURNS

How fire is an effective tool for land management

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

36 ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Jaime Foster uses multimedia to create her striking visions

38 GRAB A BOOKMARK

Check out these titles for your next read

39 FABULOUS FABYAN

Read more on the history of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County

BUSINESS & CIVIC

42 MANAGING THE LUCK OF THE IRISH

My Advisor & Planner takes a closer look at the strategy of owning both stocks and bonds

TRIANGLE The Kitchen

Outdated or Updated?

By Diane Krieger Spivak

The kitchen triangle has long been the norm in kitchen design. It’s made up of the three points most used when prepping, cooking and cleaning up and storing afterward — the sink, the refrigerator/freezer and the cooking surface.

“Those being the most useful, we want to make sure those are within a specific proximity to each other,” says Kelly Trotz, UDCP, a Universal Design

Certified Professional senior designer at Lifestyle Design LLC, in Geneva. “We could have different types of triangles for different shapes of kitchens — an isosceles triangle, or a right triangle — but the idea is that any one leg of that triangle shouldn’t be too close to another item. We wouldn’t want our refrigerator or sink to be closer than 4 feet or further away than 9 feet, so we want to stay within those parameters when working in the triangle.”

Lifestyle changes over the years have

led to the question of whether the triangle has become outdated. “I don’t feel it’s outdated yet, but I do feel as though it is evolving,” says Trotz, who serves on the board for the Chicago chapter of NKBA, the National Kitchen and Bath Association. “I’m seeing a lot of changes in those appliances very rapidly, so as we see technology advance in other sectors, it is also advancing in our home appliances and our use of those appliances, as well. We’re seeing smaller appliances come into play, such as air fryers, and we’re

Photos provided by Lifestyle Design

also seeing those being incorporated into the large appliances to consolidate things. We’re in a very interesting time period, innovating things very quickly, and we’re also trying to combine things really quickly.”

One example is the prep sink, notes Trotz, which has added another washing surface for food prep or as a secondary sink for cleaning. Trotz also has clients with multiple refrigerator/freezer combinations in their kitchens that are not necessarily side-by-side. “I have a client that did a full 36” refrigerator/freezer — one for the adults and one for the kids, at opposite ends of the kitchen,” says Trotz, highlighting today’s family lifestyles dictating the need for sports drinks and snacks for active kids. “That kind of disrupts the idea of the work triangle, too,” notes Trotz.

Innovations in cooking surfaces are also rapidly changing. Enter the advent of induction, which uses

magnets to heat a surface with friction. “The interesting thing with that is that it really opens up what it means to have a cooking surface,” says Trotz. “Typically, induction cooktops or ranges have a glass surface which cools as soon as it’s turned off, which means that we could also use them as porcelain countertops so we can have different areas as cooking surfaces and not have it look like it, which is very exciting.”

With this evolution Trotz predicts more points, morphing the kitchen triangle into a square, or an even larger polygon. “It all depends on how the user uses those points,” she says.

By contrast, while growing families are adding points to their triangle, empty nesters may not be using their kitchen quite as much. “There’s this bell curve, depending on where people are at their stage of life as to what works best for them,” says Trotz. “It depends on the person.”

MAKE IT A LIVING

SPACE outdoors

TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD INTO A COMFORTABLE AND ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO RELAX AT HOME

By Vicki Martinka

As the days slowly get longer and the temperatures steadily stay above freezing, it’s natural to want to get out there and do new things after the long winter. For some people, that might mean refreshing their wardrobe with a new top or accessories. For others, it might mean taking the plunge to liven up their outdoor spaces.

Recent trends of creating “outdoor living rooms” and spending more time outdoors have prompted many people to reevaluate their outdoors spaces. This has led to water features, fire features, outdoor kitchens, putting greens, lounge areas and pools popping up in back yards.

“The re-invention of spending time at home and outdoors has been a huge boost to the landscape industry over the last five years. People want to connect with nature, family, friends, food and entertainment at home,” says Abby Baines, president of Kane County Landscape Materials and Supply Company in Elburn.

Baines notes there are affordable options for water features and ponds that can be installed from a contractor within a day. Fire options, on the other hand, can be a bit more complicated depending on the accessibility of a fuel source and the need for utility work, she adds.

Before jumping in to make your Pinterest-worthy yard dreams come true, it’s best to consider the maintenance requirements to keep your new space looking fresh.

“There is no such thing as ‘no maintenance’ when it comes to outdoor spaces, so you have to be willing to maintain and to preserve the integrity and value of the project for the long term,” says Baines. “Done right, these spaces can add lots of value when it comes time to selling your home.”

One route is working with a qualified landscape designer or landscape architect, who can help bring your vision to life. Their plan can then be executed by an experienced contractor. When going the contractor route, Baines stresses the importance of doing due diligence by looking at their online reviews and asking for referrals or references.

“Don’t forget to ask them if they have the appropriate insurance coverage and ask for proof of insurance,” she adds.

For DIY projects, Baines recommends getting advice or best practices from a source of information that has your best interest at hand.

The next step is considering your budget. This can help dictate if a project is done at once or in phases. When going the phrased approach, Baines says it’s important to identify project priorities so that work is not done which ultimately needs to be redone.

“Having a plan is critical. I highly recommend working with a landscape designer or landscape architect, especially when dealing with highly structural aspects,” says Baines.

Whether you work with a professional and do the work yourself, Baines recommends keeping the following in mind when developing your plan:

• Checking if your local municipality requires a work permit

• Listing materials needed for the project to know your options and to determine your costs

• Seeing if you have the right equipment for the work

• Considering drainage

• Figuring out how to get materials on site

“Knowing your maintenance and the cost of that care is also important to consider so you can understand the long-term costs associated with

the project that go well beyond getting the work done initially,” Baines says.

Another popular trend is adding artificial turf to yards. This could be for golf enthusiasts thrilled by the idea of having their own putting green at home or pet owners who can send their furry friends off to a shaded area without the worry of them tracking dirt or mud into the home. Other benefits of artificial grass are they’re always green, they don’t require fertilizers, and they can last 15-25 years depending on quality.

“My suggestion is to work with a qualified installer who has done this work. We’re seeing lots of quality issues with poor installation practices,” recommends Baines.

When making plans for your outdoor space, don’t forget to give attention to your patio and other hardscape areas by consistently keeping debris swept or blown off. Next, power wash hard surfaces to clear any grime, mold or moss. Follow up with using polymeric sand to fill joints as this is where weeds can find a spot to grow.

“There are plenty of good options for cleaning and sealing, just make sure you talk with a professional to understand the steps you need to take and the right products to use,” Baines says.

If you recently purchased a home or haven’t had a chance to do any landscaping yet, there can be benefits to waiting a bit before getting started on a project.

“I’ve seen too many people tear everything out only to be overwhelmed and not complete a project,” says Baines. “The next thing you see is weeds overgrown and a bare backdrop to your home.”

Instead, Baines suggesting living in your home for a little while and give yourself some time to think about what would work best with the space.

Petersen | Photo by Joe Hendrickson, Getty Images

HANDY Coming in

A ROUNDUP OF HOME REPAIR SERVICES AROUND KANE COUNTY

By Chris Walker

Some would argue that finding someone to do repair jobs around the house is harder than actually doing them.

If you’re looking for a professional handyman to assemble furniture, paint, install a ceiling fan or any of the countless other to-do items for your home, be sure to consider the services they offer, pricing, insurance and customer support before hiring. Asking your friends, family and neighbors for a handyman referral, can simplify your search and offer peace of mind.

J&J CONSTRUCTION

Sugar Grove resident Blair Peters got a referral for Jeff Fredres and J&J Construction almost 10 years ago to remodel a bathroom. “He did a great job and since then he has been my go-to for just about everything,” Peters said. “He’s built a large above ground pool deck, installed kitchen recessed lighting, painted multiple rooms, replaced a water heater, replaced an A/C compressor, pantry lighting, replaced and upgraded wired smoke detectors, built shade system for deck, repaired a furnace, replaced sump pump and installed a battery backup and countless small projects. These days I just give him a house key and let him do his thing.”

n www.jandjconstruction.com, 630-768-8650

YOUR HOMETOWN HANDYMAN

The couple that repairs together stays together by providing a little help with your repairs, maintenance and remodeling. Batavia’s Julie and Keith Phillips have taken their 30 years of experience as homeowners to help folks with their repair and maintenance tasks. n www.handymaninfo.org, (630) 492-0531

DAVE CAN HELP

About 10 years ago, Geneva’s Dave Anderson took years of carpentry and trades experience and put that knowledge to use in helping those looking for a handy, helping hand.

“I put out a Facebook post and it’s been kind of rolling ever since,” he said. “I’m a one-person business who can do plumbing, electric as well as just the little things.”

n 630-463-2581

PRO-FOUND HANDYMAN LLC

When it comes to the oddest of jobs, come to Pro-Found which prides itself on completing the oddest jobs. Whether your task has been done before or not, Pro-Found invites you to give them 90 seconds to figure out how to get it done.

n 331-230-2371

PRECISION APPLIANCE REPAIR & SERVICE, INC.

For more than 25 years, owner Ben Tarmichael’s company in Batavia has serviced countless refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, dishwashers and other household appliances.

n precisionappliancerepair.my.canva.site, 630-406-6028

G2G APPLIANCE REPAIR

After working for big companies for years, Kris Bussey recognized the demand for professional appliance repair service that wouldn’t empty the wallet. He started G2G Appliance Repair in 2016 for home appliance service and maintenance.

n 630-280-1019

HOUSE DOCTORS OF FOX VALLEY

Fully licensed, insured technicians deliver professional results after first sharing free estimates to get your project rolling. While ensuring every task is completed with care and precision, House Doctors offers a one-year guarantee on all labor.

n www.housedoctors.com, 847-545-0668

ACCURATE HOME REPAIR

For over 20 years, sole owner/operator Todd Yeates has provided all sorts of interior and exterior handyman contractor services in and around the Aurora area.

n www.acchomerepair.com 630-202-3895

BLUE OAK CONSTRUCTION

Family-owned and operated, Blue Oak Construction has been remodeling and renovating homes for over 15 years now primarily in Kane County.

n www.blueoakconstruct.com, 630-360-5360

ATLAS GENERAL CONTRACTORS

Serving both residential and commercial clients, Atlas General Contractors is dedicated to the highest quality of work on renovation and construction. This company specializes in roofing, siding and windows as well as help with insurance claims.

n www.atlasgeneralcontractors.com, 630-724-7884

40 YEARS STRONG

Mendel Plumbing and Heating continues decades of quality service to the St. Charles area

By

Krieger

When Mendel started back in 1985, the business offered plumbing, tree services and snow plowing services in St. Charles. Forty years later, Mendel Plumbing and Heating, Inc. has over 60 employees, having expanded over the years to include remodeling, electrical and cooling services.

What’s kept Mendel in business so long? “I think a lot of it has to do with our mantra – take great care of all relationships,” says Jenna Ruscetti, Mendel’s customer success manager. “We really go the extra mile with all of our clients to guarantee their satisfaction and ensure that everyone is happy and taken care of, and that we’re on time giving them the best experience that we can so that we’re essentially taking care of the relationship.”

Becca Mendel, who serves as the family business’s general manager, has been with the company for 10 years.

“The values my dad upholds are taking care not only with our clients, but with our internal staff, too,” says Becca Mendel. “We’re big believers that, if you enjoy what you do, everything else just comes along with it.”

A testament to those values is exemplified in the fact that some of Mendel Plumbing’s employees have been on board for more than 30 years. “We like to encourage them, and build them up, and kind of give them a little free rein to do what they believe is best in situations, too,” says Becca Mendel. “We give them freedom to use their best decision making."

“People say they can trust us because of our

integrity, and our honesty and our transparency,” she adds. “A lot of people enjoy that we're family owned and operated. We’re also very vocal in our community. We take part in a lot of events and parades.”

The company has been sponsoring local sports teams for years. Their trucks are a familiar sight around town, too.

“Everybody knows our trucks," says Ruscetti. The vehicles are washed daily, mirroring the constant care that the business puts into its services.

“It shows our commitment,” adds Ruscetti. “We show the same dedication to our clients.”

The trucks also serve as moving billboards, displaying what is going on locally, such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Random Acts Matter and other causes.

Four decades have offered several occasions where the company has gone above and beyond to be a good neighbor. Years ago, a client’s furnace went out in a snowstorm and Mendel’s tech couldn’t make it through unplowed roads to make the repair. Mike Mendel came out and plowed the street and the client’s driveway, so the tech could make the repair. The company has also offered free services to people in need through its compassion program.

So, what’s in store for Mendel Plumbing for the next 40 years?

“I’m excited about our future,” says Becca Mendel. “To continue to grow and be involved in the community.”

Diane

Spivak • Photos provided by Mendel Plumbing and Heating

MASTER GARDENER Journey to Becoming a

PROGRAM

TRAINS

VOLUNTEERS TO GROW AND SOW

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske • Photos provided by the University of Illinois Extension

St. Charles resident Nancy Cox said she wanted to learn more about nature and she found her opportunity as a certified Master Gardener for the last 36 years. For many like Cox, the program isn’t just about learning for one’s own interest as they soon learn there are just as many opportunities to teach and share with the community too.

“It’s a good group of people who care about the environment,” Cox said. “It’s a dynamite program.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program provided through the University of Illinois Extension said Jamie Viebach, horticulture educator for the University of Illinois Extension office serving Kane, DuPage and Kendall counties. The local University of Illinois Extension offices in each county

coordinate a number of programs, including working with local 4H clubs and online and in-person classes that share some of the latest research from the university.

“We want to help make our communities a better place,” Viebach said.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program bridges education with a volunteer component. Following a 16-week course, participants are required to complete volunteer hours and ongoing education classes on an annual basis.

Those seeking the certification as a Master Gardner come from varied backgrounds, from those who have dabbled in gardening to those who are seeking more opportunities to get involved in the community.

KNOWLEDGE

St. Charles resident Paula Altekruse had set her sights on becoming a Master Gardener when she retired from teaching. Altekruse said she had enjoyed gardening around her home, but through Master Gardening classes she had a chance to expand her knowledge and found herself drawn to the use of native plants and pollinators.

“The first thing Master Gardening teaches is how much you don’t know. It’s pretty amazing,” Altekruse said. She started incorporating new concepts in her home garden and was amazed to see how birds and butterflies were drawn to the new backyard habitat. Her desire to know more led her to teach classes and become a naturalist with the Kane County Forest Preserve.

“My Master Gardening blossomed out,” Altekruse said.

Today she balances the roles along with serving as a mentor for Master Garden interns and playing an active role in planning, planting and tending St. Charles city gardens at the Master Garden’s Ideas Garden

“I still keep my hands in the dirt,” she said.

There are 254 active Master Gardeners volunteers in Kane, Kendall and DuPage counties including 84 in Kane County, Viebach said. While there are opportunities to take the courses and gain the knowledge from the latest research-based information from the University of Illinois, those who do pursue the Master Gardener title find their love of knowledge and the capacity to help the communities is what keeps churning their gardens each season.

“We teach others how to grow,” Viebach said. Batavia resident Holly Baranick started her instruction as a Master Gardener. The retired teacher said she was looking for more volunteer opportunities and she was inspired to learn more about gardening by those who brought fresh vegetables and flowers harvested from their home gardens for the clients at the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

“You don’t have to be an expert to take the program,” Baranick said. “I wished I would have done this years ago.”

Master Gardeners tinker and inspire inside the

Ideas Garden. Located at Peck Road and Route 38 in St. Charles, the Master Gardener Ideas Garden is where interns as well as veteran Master Gardeners can develop a plot using a theme, experiment or to demonstrate a concept they took from a course. Viebach said gardens have ranged from succulent gardens to raised gardens, a “pizza garden” with vegetables and herbs one might top their pizza with and many other ideas.

Each week the Master Gardeners work in the garden. The garden is open to the public, with special demonstration days where Master Gardeners offer

explanations. Baranick used her plot last year to build a sensory garden, encouraging visitors to touch, taste and explore the plants. When the retired teacher discovered her sensory garden was full of grasshoppers last year, she provided young visitors with magnifying glasses so they could get a better view of the grasshoppers, much to the delight of visitors.

In some communities Master Gardeners tend to community plots of land, answer questions at farmers markets and host an annual plant sale. Kendall County Master Gardeners will host their plant sale May 17, answering questions and helping shoppers find the best offerings for their sunny and shady locations.

Each year from March through October Master Gardeners volunteer at the Help Desk at the University of Illinois Extension office in St. Charles. Residents can walk in with questions or call or email, making it a tremendous resource in the community.

“We get questions about lawns, fertilizer, tree pruning and much more,” Viebach said.

The Master Gardeners may not know all the answers, but their role is to help research and track down information to help others. Cox said she volunteers on Mondays at the Help Desk.

“My favorite thing is helping other people to be aware of the environment,” Cox said. “This isn’t just about gardens.”

Elements to consider when planning your landscape

By Jonathan Bilyk

Garden Dream Raising Your

Photos provided by Meagan Provencher

Garden

The arrival of spring can evoke many feelings.

But especially for homeowners, those first warm days – or perhaps even the final days of winter's reign – can bring with it a sudden desire to get outside, get dirty and perhaps at last raise up that garden of their dreams.

Meagan Provencher knows that task can seem daunting. But Provencher, senior landscape designer at Wasco Nursery in St. Charles, said would-be gardeners should rest easy, as with a bit of care and foresight, and some willingness to try and try again, anyone can create a space on their property that will generate, in turn, other feelings, like pride, accomplishment, comfort and joy.

"Gardening isn't hard," Provencher said. "It's just a bit more planning and education."

n STUDY THE SPACE

Before digging in, gardeners should first put in the time and effort to gather the facts about the spots on their property they've designated as their garden's future home.

Provencher said no space is too large or too small to consider.

"You can work successfully with whatever space you have," Provencher said. "What is more important is to learn how that space works."

She suggested gardeners answer certain questions, including:

• How much sun vs. shade?

• What is the soil type and condition? Does the soil require amendments to be productive?

• What pre-existing "obstacles" may be present, including pathways, fences or other kinds of screening that may interfere with a garden's success?

"You may even work in some container gardening in your space also," Provencher said. "Once you know the characteristics of your garden space, it's easier to choose plants to thrive in the spot."

n DRAW THE EYE

Provencher said she regularly helps homeowners map out their garden dreams. And every time, the process requires intentionality and thoughtfulness.

"I always have a million things running through my mind when I approach a garden design," she said. "It's a complex process to build a garden, so I try to think of all the things that can go wrong or right in a garden so that the gardener will be happy with their space - and the plants will be, too."

Before getting too far ahead, Provencher said gardeners may wish to consider whether their garden should have a focal point, or attention-grabbing central element.

"It really depends on the garden, but focal points can help a garden flow better," she said.

These can take a variety of forms, including fountains or other water features, statues, benches, bird houses, obelisks or varieties of plants boasting "unique colored leaves or stems or plants with unusual growth habits, such as weeping plants or interesting evergreens." She added "plants with movement, such as large ornamental grasses that sway in the wind" also can serve in a starring role.

"A well-placed focal point can help guide the eye to that part of the garden and engage your senses as you enjoy the garden," Provencher said.

And a "well-placed focal point" can also help distract garden visitors "from views that you may not want highlighted, such as trash cans, neighbor's yards, or street views."

But Provencher also cautioned aspiring gardeners against adding too many of those visually arresting elements and instead to aim to promote "good flow."

"No one likes a busy garden," she said.

n MIND THE GAPS

When designing gardens, maintaining appropriate spacing and proper plant groupings are key, Provencher said.

"It's extremely important to maintain proper spacing between plants if you wish to keep a low maintenance garden," she said.

If plants are grown too near each other, gardeners will find themselves in a constant

tussle to keep their plants pruned and trimmed, or they can lead to plants that are "misshapen" or short-lived, "because they wish to be larger than you are letting them get."

If plants are grown too far apart, she said gardeners will all but invite weeds to fill in the blank spots.

"Properly spaced plants will naturally grow together and overlap without crowding each other," she said. "However, they will crowd out weeds. If there is no open real estate for weeds to germinate, then they won't be such an issue."

Provencher further recommended gardeners effort to grow plants in complementary groupings.

"I'm a firm believer in 'right plant, right spot,'" she said. "You are not limited by the size of your space, but you want to make sure that you choose plants that will grow and thrive in the space they are given with little interference from you.

"A garden is a plant community and in every community, there are different needs to be met."

She said some plants will perform best if grouped with others that, for instance, can keep them from flopping over, declining, dying - "or worse, go nuts and take over a space."

"Knowing what type of plant community your plants want is key to success," Provencher said.

For instance, Provencher said she may choose to group a spring blossom like peonies with grasses. The peonies will bloom in the spring but will maintain deep green foliage long into the summer. Then, the grasses will take their turn as "the star of the show," growing tall in the warmer weather as the peonies take a back seat.

"You now have coverage in your garden

from April until the following March when you cut down the dead foliage on both," she said.

n EXPERIMENT

(AND FAIL. AND TRY AGAIN.) Even experienced gardeners will find themselves confronting failure from time to time in the garden.

But Provencher said gardeners should avoid overthinking their choices or "fuss too much."

She said there are no "plant police" who will enforce any "rules" of gardening.

"Sometimes, it is more an experiment to see what works in your own garden," she said. "Something that works for you might not work for your neighbor.

"It's OK to experiment and fail," Provencher continued. "If you want to try a plant - try a plant. If it does well, then you did great and had fun. If it struggles, you can always move it to a new home."

But Provencher said aspiring gardeners should take advantage of the expertise of local gardening pros, who know the local growing conditions and can help steer toward plants and "communities" that can thrive in a particular setting.

"It's OK to lean on the experts to help you learn and grow the best plants for your garden," Provencher said.

She said she and other pros take the time to help new and seasoned gardeners alike plan out their spaces to reap success.

"I try to take the guesswork out of the garden so they can still have a beautiful space to enjoy without all of the unknowns sneaking up on them later down the road," Provencher said. "No two gardens are the same, so it's important to listen to the ultimate end user and make sure that the plants and space will meet their needs."

ROOF

Keeping a OVER YOUR HEAD

AAA Roofing Contractors navigates repairs and replacements

By

Using the latest technology and a commitment to helping customers, the team at AAA Roofing Contractors are maintaining and repairing roofs across northern Illinois.

Based in St. Charles, the family-owned business is led by brothers Michael and Deecee Chung.

The team at AAA Roofing Contractors uses the latest technology, whether it's inspecting roofs or replacing shingles. Using a drone equipped with Artificial Intelligence, the team can perform an initial roof inspection. The drone is equipped with thermal imaging that can help pinpoint missing shingles and wet insulation in residential and commercial properties.

“The drone is able to see defects and abnormalities,” Michael Chung explained.

From the aerial views the team can pinpoint locations for where to send team members for further inspection and documentation, which is essential when working with insurance companies, Chung explained.

“We help people get what they deserve. We work with all insurance companies,” he said.

His team is prepared to help customers work with insurance companies to cover roof damage and, if needed, roof replacement.

“We help our clients navigate through the insurance process,” he said, adding how his team members support customers from documentation and submitting claims to being present when the insurance company sends its inspectors to help identify the damage and claim.

Homeowners will want to make sure their home insurance policy will cover Replacement Cost Value for a roof, rather than Actual Cost Value, which would only pay out the current value of the roof, Chung said. If the roof is several years old or more, Actual Cost Value may provide the homeowner with a small monetary value, which isn’t enough to cover the replacement costs, Chung said.

Roofing materials are improving in strength and durability, and roof life span has increased, but a storm with wind and hail damage can still wreak havoc on the roof. Chung said if you notice neighbors missing shingles or reporting damage, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected for damage as well.

“If you wait to see damage on the inside, it’s too late,” Chung said. “You can have a missing shingle, wet insulation, drywall damage.”

AAA Roofing Contractors are prepared to handle

exterior and interior repairs, Chung said. Replacing damaged insulation and putting up new drywall. The company also handles gutter replacements, gutter systems to prevent leaves and debris from building up as well as siding repairs and replacement.

With the technological improvements in roofing products, Chung said he can offer an additional 15-year warranty on a new roof on top of the manufacture warranty of 30 years on shingles.

“That’s a total of 45 years of warranty,” Chung said. “The industry is advancing in new shingles, new technology. We love to stay on top of technology to make sure we are on the cutting edge.”

Chung said his staff understands solar panels and can work with customers to ensure the proper installation. Financing is available to customers. AAA Roofing Contractors has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It is Roof Pro Certified, licensed, bonded and insured.

AAA Roofing Contractors can service commercial properties, with the knowledge to work with flat, TPO roofing and EPDM roofs, Chung said.

With commercial and residential properties, AAA Roofing Contractors offers service plans, providing annual roof inspections and monitoring for any signs of damage.

“It’s very important to schedule maintenance checkups and make sure nothing is going on with the roof,” Chung said.

AAA Roofing Contractors understands emergencies can’t wait and their crews are ready to respond evenings, weekends and holidays too.

“We are prepared to help customers any time,” Chung said.

Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos provided by AAA Roofing Contractors

HOMES

of the FUTURE

While we’re not living like the Jetsons these days, homes are integrating new technology that makes maintaining a home more similar to what was predicted in the Space Age future when the show first aired in 1962.

“Home automation has come a long way,” says Brad Hogan, chief operating officer for Hogan Design & Construction, a full-service designbuild firm in Geneva for high-end remodels. “There are whole house systems and apps you can use to set thermostats and for automatic sump pump systems. There’s a lot of technology. Front door opening and garage door opening can be done remotely so a fair amount of things can be done when you’re away for a little while or if on vacation.”

Have an errand to run but also need to put the roast in the oven so it’s ready for dinner? That’s no longer an issue

with some of the latest technology. Smart ovens and refrigerators. With an app on your phone, you can control these appliances remotely.

“We’re seeing this technology go into kitchen design and with refrigeration,” Hogan says. “Need to put something in the oven before you leave? Just go to your phone and you’ll know when it’s done and ready to eat. Your refrigerator can monitor what you order regularly and know when you are getting low. Want to set the thermostat down when you’re gone but have it return to a more comfortable temperature by when you return? You can do that.”

DOESN’T ANYBODY KNOCK ANYMORE?

It’s true that knocking on front doors and ringing doorbells are things of the past with motion-sensor lights, smart locks and doorbell cameras.

The ability to see who is at your front door, to hear and speak to them, and

to be able to do it from practically anywhere in the world through a device that fits in your pocket sounds outer worldly, or at least like something relegated to 007. And you know what’s the amazing thing about these smart doorbells that you can operate through your smartphone? They’ve already been around over 10 years and are affordable.

While there are plenty of options of smart doorbells available, homeowners should consider whether purchasing and installing one is something they can do on their own. Most homes already have an existing doorbell which can be easily disconnected in place of a smart doorbell following the accompanying directions.

Those wires that seemed to be going every which way in and out of the TVs, stereo, speakers and even walls have been streamlined or eliminated in today’s households. That’s a benefit of technology.

“When houses were being built in the 80s and 90s there was a lot of hardwire stuff happening,” Hogan says. “Nowadays it’s a mix of personal preference. For my house I did hardwire just because if you lose internet, you can’t listen to music and do those things. Wireless is a little bit trickier.”

For those really into their home entertainment, the opportunity to have sound pumping from room-to-room, streaming from a handheld device is now available with multi-room audio. Either wired or wireless connections can be linked to speakers across rooms and throughout the house so that you can bust a move at any time and any place within your personal friendly confines.

“It’s a little trickier for the entertainment people who are wanting home theaters with in-wall or in-ceiling speakers,” Hogan says. “The Sonos Systems has in-wall and in-ceiling speakers.”

FUTURE

How technology and home design coexist

By Chris Walker

SMART USE OF SPACE

Storage options may not be as exciting and nowhere near as cool as smart doorbells, but what they provide today in maximizing spaces impresses via design technology.

“We’ve come a long way in cabinetry from the '80s and '90s when they were boxes with shelves in them where now you have different rollouts and pullouts for garbage cans and laundry,” Hogan says. “And there are also smart shelves now. Shelves are easily accessible and help organize. We’ve even designed some kitchens to be pet friendly where there’s a place for dog food with a spigot to give water.”

Smart kitchen cabinets are changing the way homeowners function within their kitchen, including producing grocery lists of needed items thanks to inventory tracking systems built within. The addition of automated lighting in the cabinetry serves dual

purposes, enhancing the appeal of where you prepare and eat some of your meals while also making it easier to see what’s remaining in the pantry for the days ahead.

In addition to driving changes within the home that add to the comfort and safety of those who live there, technology is helping showcase those properties. The use of 3D models, virtual reality and drone photography are just a few of the ways that homes are being presented to potential buyers.

“We have virtual tours where you can envision walking through a property before ever being there,” says Vanessa Wiskerchen, a realtor with Fathom Realty in St. Charles. “And there have been upgrades with photography and video on social media today. Drone footage allows a different perspective of the property, a new technology for us to use as realtors.”

Photos provided by Hogan Design & Construction

CULTURE the

of home design

Creating a home aesthetic that fits both style and budget

By Jonathan Bilyk • Photos provided by Kristie Sandoval

On first blush, Kristie Sandoval knows that "neutral" may seem an odd choice for homeowners looking to express themselves.

But when creating a home that reflects not only its owners' personality and quirks, but also their culture, heritage and upbringing, there are few better places to start than with a (mostly) blank canvas, said Sandoval, owner of the St. Charlesbased interior design firm, Alaric Designs.

"These days, the word I hear most from people is 'timeless,'" said Sandoval. "They want something safe, something comforting, something that will last more than a few years."

And, she said, they want something they can then use as the backdrop for their arsenal of knickknacks, wall hangings and other accessories that make a house truly a home.

For nearly a quarter century, Sandoval has helped homeowners throughout Kane and DuPage

counties and slightly beyond create the living spaces of their dreams.

For many homeowners, this means decking out their house with the latest and greatest designs. At times, this may have involved renovations, either relatively simple – like new cabinetry, countertops or tilework in the kitchen or bathrooms – or more extensive, like installing new windows, doors and archways, among others.

Some have opted for new paint palettes or trim work, often following trends to keep up with others or increase the perceived value of their properties.

But the immediate benefits of such changes have also come with later drawbacks.

"As the trends change, homes can become dated pretty quickly," she said.

Now, Sandoval said, many homeowners are opting for a different strategy:

Keeping the "larger elements" of a home "remain neutral," often featuring white or beige walls, with more basic hardware, like polished nickel drawer

and cabinet pulls and knobs.

The strategy produces two primary benefits, she said. On one hand, the interior design approach can save significant money and aggravation, as it allows homeowners to use the materials available in their market, without overspending on materials that may be much harder to source.

"The market has decided what's available and what we have to pick from," she said. "Later, it may not be so easy to find the same items to replace them."

And on the other side, Sandoval said the

"neutral" approach gives homeowners the chance to decorate the rest of their home with "pops of color" and "small, less expensive accessories" that are not nailed down and, thus, easily moved or changed should the time come to sell or move on and start over somewhere else.

Thus, this strategy can also hold an easy appeal for homeowners looking for their homes to not only be comfortable, but also to reflect their individual, family and cultural identity or heritage, to make the home an extension of their tastes and values.

DESIGN CONCEPTS

In today's increasingly diverse and global environment, Sandoval and other designers recognize homeowners have a vast array of design concepts, elements and accessories to choose from.

When decorating their home, people may opt for aesthetics that follow a particular cultural tradition or aesthetic.

For instance, some homeowners may choose to follow a traditional Japanese aesthetic, centered on uncluttered spaces, low furniture and natural finishes, reflecting a desire for Zenlike calm and serene mindfulness.

Others may favor the deep, rich, dazzling colors of the Middle Eastern or Moroccan traditions, with luxurious and intricately patterned rugs and wall hangings, hand-carved tables and Ottoman-style chairs and couches.

Sandoval noted a vast and growing number of homeowners, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, have sought to incorporate at least some elements of the Scandinavian home design tradition, known as hygge.

In the Danish and Norwegian languages, the word "hygge" carries a deep meaning, evoking comfort and enjoyment, similar to that felt of someone snuggled safely under a blanket in front of a roaring fire, with a mug of hot cocoa, while snow accumulates outside on a frigid, winter's night.

It can also evoke images of a merry gathering of old friends, enjoying each other's company over a good meal.

Or it can mean a vase filled with fresh cut flowers, set on a table with care, brightening the whole house with their colors and scents.

In home design, hygge is all about making a home comfortable and easy, an inviting place to both entertain and rest, filled with light, warmth and beauty.

"The home is where people spend most of their time, and they want to incorporate that warmth of 'hygge' in many ways," Sandoval said.

For some, this may mean abiding by true Scandinavian design schemes, featuring strong, straight lines and simple geometric patterns.

But for others, this could mean bringing in cultural elements from their own or other heritages that bring them peace, comfort or joy.

CULTURE-ENHANCING TIPS

Here are some ways to help enrich your home with elements that incorporate heritage and culture:

n Artwork

Few items can both provide beauty while also expressing cultural identity and heritage more than paintings, wall hangings, sculptures and other pieces of art.

These can take many forms. Perhaps they may be pieces original to your family, such as paintings or other art created by ancestors. Family portraits - whether they feature those still with us or those who came before - can provide depth and humanity, serving to spark conversation and memory.

Religious iconography, such as a cross, crescent, or menorah, or family Bible, can also bring deep, cultural meaning, if they are relevant to a person's identity or family.

Or homeowners can opt for artwork that may not carry any particular, individual meaning, but

which are nonetheless relevant to family heritage, reflecting a homeowner's unique upbringing or their family's cultural background.

n Furniture

Cultural traditions often carry with them distinct furniture styles, as well.

For instance, homeowners can choose from sturdy Amish design; straight and simple Scandinavian; the charm and elegance of French Provincial; the warm and natural feel of the Sub-Saharan African style; and the earthy and welcoming blend of Spanish and Native American styles native to America's Southwest.

For a personal feel, homeowners can also consider showcasing inherited furniture pieces, from bedroom and dining sets to steamer trunks, coffee tables, clocks and more.

n Linens and textiles

Sandoval noted towels, blankets and other linens can serve as a ready source of cultural expression.

Other design pros and writers agreed. Writing for Realtor.com, author Jill Robi noted quilts, for instance, can be placed on beds, couches or hung on the wall.

Rugs with unique and authentic cultural patterns and designs can be found in online marketplaces, while walls hung with tapestries can serve as room centerpieces, too.

n A note of caution

While many homeowners may seek to represent and reflect certain aesthetics, in some instances, they may wish to proceed with caution when choosing and displaying distinctive pieces.

Writing on home design blog Decor Matters, author Rose Morrison cautioned homeowners to avoid cultural appropriation, or using others' deep and significant cultural artifacts for merely ornamental purposes.

Morrison urged homeowners to research cultural items before placing them in their homes, lest they mistakenly display an object or pattern that is perhaps sacred to a particular culture as a mere curiosity or display a cheap facsimile, when a more authentic option from an indigenous or local craftsman may be available.

"The best practice is to design with an understanding of the significance of specific design styles and cultural objects," Morrison wrote.

Creating a Yard You’ll Love

How a landscape designer can give your outdoor space a facelift

WHAT IS LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

Landscape design is a personal journey. A good designer will take the time to walk through your yard with you, understand your needs and create a plan that brings those ideas to life. Starting a landscaping project can be overwhelming, but a thoughtful design can help organize your thoughts and give you a clear direction, so you can work at your own pace and avoid stress.

A great designer comes up with unique, creative ideas – almost like an artist. Their education, experience and love of plants really shine through in their work. This originality is also why many companies charge for landscape design. Before hiring a designer, do your research. Ask about warranties, replacement policies, their background and whether they’ll be available for questions as the project moves forward. Having a list of questions ready will help you feel confident in your choice.

SETTING A BUDGET

Your landscape budget can vary a lot depending on the size and scope of the project. Just like snowflakes, no two yards are the same! That means your neighbor’s landscaping budget might not be the same as yours. To get the best results, it’s important to set a realistic budget. Keep in mind that high-quality plants, especially those grown locally in the Midwest, might cost more than the ones you see at big-box stores. However, you can save by doing some of the planting yourself or by tackling your project in phases. Also, the cost of a professional design usually includes plant warranties and the benefit of being able to reach out to your designer if you have questions.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

A landscape design typically covers a large part of your yard, such as your front or back garden. It might involve revamping older plants or starting fresh with a new home. The process includes site visits, conversations with you, measuring and ultimately drawing and estimating the design. The goal is to create a design that flows and meets your needs.

Sometimes, it’s easier for the designer to understand your yard by seeing it in person, rather than just talking or looking at photos. After gathering all the information, the designer will create a scaled drawing of your yard with labeled plants. You’ll also get an estimate and have the chance to visit the garden center to see the actual plants in person before they’re installed. Just like you wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it, it’s important to see and touch the plants before they become a permanent part of your yard.

Once you’ve reviewed the plan and feel good about it, you can discuss installation options. Many people complete their landscape design in phases over one to three years, depending on their budget and timeline.

IS IT WORTH THE COST?

Landscape design fees can vary, but in the long run, it’s worth it to have a detailed plan tailored to your needs. A thoughtful design will help you create a space that you’ll enjoy for years to come!

Meagan is the Senior Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com

The Power of Regular Massage & Skincare

As we step into March, the promise of spring brings a sense of renewal. The days grow longer, the air becomes fresher, and nature begins its process of rejuvenation. This transitional season serves as the perfect reminder to focus on self-care and wellness, ensuring that both body and mind are nurtured after the long winter months. One of the best ways to embrace this renewal is through regular massage therapy and skincare treatments.

RENEW,

REFRESH, REJUVENATE

THE BENEFITS OF ROUTINE MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage therapy is more than just a luxury — it is a powerful tool for maintaining overall wellness. As we shake off the sluggishness of winter, massage can help improve circulation, boost energy levels, and enhance flexibility. The benefits go beyond physical relief, as massage is also known to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and support mental clarity.

Whether you opt for deep tissue work to address tension built up over the colder months or a relaxing Swedish massage to ease stress, incorporating massage therapy into your wellness routine can make a significant difference. Regular sessions help the body function at its best, keeping aches and pains at bay while also fostering relaxation and balance.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEASONAL SKINCARE

March is also a crucial time for skincare. After months of cold air, indoor heating, and exposure to harsh elements, the skin often feels dry, dull, and in need of a reset. Facials and professional skincare treatments can help restore hydration, remove dead skin cells, and prepare your skin for the changing season.

A customized facial can address winter damage, improve skin texture, and boost hydration, ensuring a healthy glow as we head into spring. Treatments like exfoliation, deep hydration, and vitamin-rich serums can bring vitality back to the skin, helping to combat the lingering effects of winter and prepare for the increased sun exposure of warmer days ahead.

CREATING A WELLNESS ROUTINE THAT LASTS

Wellness isn’t just about one-time treatments—it’s about consistency. Regularly scheduled massage therapy and skincare treatments allow you to experience cumulative benefits, from reduced stress levels to improved skin health. By making these self-care practices a priority, you invest in long-term well-being, ensuring that you feel your best throughout the year.

As we transition into a new season, take the opportunity to prioritize yourself. Whether it’s through a therapeutic massage to ease muscle tension or a refreshing facial to revive your skin, now is the perfect time to embrace a self-care routine that promotes renewal. Your body and mind will thank you!

READY TO REFRESH THIS SPRING?

March is the perfect time to refresh your wellness routine. Consider booking your next massage or facial to start the season feeling revitalized. Whether you're looking to ease stress, boost circulation, or restore your skin’s glow, regular self-care can help you feel your best from head to toe.

Embrace the season of renewal—because taking care of yourself is always in season!

ELEMENTS MASSAGE

507 S. 3rd St., Suite C, Geneva 630-232-7335 | www.elementsmassage.com/geneva

By Amy Jackson • Photos provided by The Perch

RESTORATIVE Yoga

Most Americans are deeply sleep deprived, and there are a number of valid reasons for this. We live in a society that presses us to be productive at all times, and we don’t see rest as productive. We feel lazy or selfish if we take time for ourselves. And even if we do carve out some time, we’re not sure how to rest. Not to mention how much trouble many of us have going to sleep or staying asleep when it’s finally time for bed.

For many of us, rest feels elusive, which is why I created The Perch to be a resting place. I’m here to give you permission to rest, and I want to show you how to rest well in ways that make sense in your life. One of my favorite ways to do that is through restorative yoga.

Restorative yoga is a slow, gentle form of yoga that focuses on resting the body and mind. It’s especially helpful for soothing the nervous system, which helps relieve stress. After practicing restorative yoga, people often feel like they’ve taken a nap.

Many of us live in a constant state of fight or flight with our sympathetic nervous system always turned on. But this is not how our bodies are made to function. We need to move into the rest and digest system, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system, so that our bodies can heal, grow, and repair.

Relieve stress and soothe your body with classes at The Perch THE PERCH: A RESTING PLACE 140 S. River St., Suite 114, Aurora 630-907-7173 www.theperchplace.com

We offer restorative yoga classes at The Perch, but you can also practice at home. Try these three poses today.

LEGS-UP-THE-WALL

Lie on the ground with your seat near the wall and your legs reaching up toward the ceiling, resting your heels on the wall. This simple pose may lower blood pressure, slow the heartrate, ease swelling, and give you new perspective. You can even do this in bed with your legs on the headboard.

CONSTRUCTIVE REST

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Walk your feet a bit wider than hip-width and let the knees fall in toward one another. Use a pillow under your head and neck for extra support. Feel for the release in the low back.

RESTFUL RECLINER

This works especially great in bed. Use a few pillows to prop yourself in a reclined position. Then bring a pillow (or a few blankets or towels) underneath your knees. To kick it up a notch, use an eye pillow to cover your eyes and rest. We do this pose in class using supportive bolsters, and it’s always a favorite!

MARCH 2025

and plan ahead for the month of March

Catch a showing of "The Waitress" at Paramount Theatre in Aurora

Free comedy show and open mic at The Bit Theater in Aurora from 8 - 10:30 p.m.

LEGO & Train Building from 12-4:30 p.m. plus LEGO Train Show from 12:30-2 p.m. at St. Charles Public Library

Happy St. Patrick's Day – celebrate safely and have fun!

Open Mic Night at The Comedy Vault in Aurora, starting at 8 p.m.

Check out Wingo at the Geneva Winery & Tasting Room in Batavia from 6-9 pm

Family Book Tasting at St. Charles Public Library from 6-6:30 p.m. Happy first day of spring! Tell Your Story Community Art Exhibit Reception, 6 - 7:30 pm at the Geneva Public Library Happy Pi Day!

Celebrate International Women's Day! Community Resource Fair at Geneva Public Library (1-3 p.m.)

Pot of Gold Park Stroll at Mount Saint Mary Park from 10 a.m.-noon *Event is free but registration is required. Friends of the Geneva Library Children's Book Sale, 10 a.m.4 p.m.

n SUBURBAN SUPERDAD n

‘Don’t

judge a book by its cover’

It's hard to say how long the book sat on that shelf in my bedroom.

Now, it would probably be a stretch to say the eventual decision to finally pick it up was pivotal. But it certainly has inspired me, long into my adult years, thanks to one enduring lesson.

To be fair to 11-year-old me, it wasn't anything amazing to look at. There were no illustrations on the outside to entice a young suburban American boy raised on Saturday morning cartoons and flashy paperbacks. No flames. No axes. No swords. No dwarves, elves, dragons or wizards.

Just a plain, kelly green hardcover, inscribed simply with black script that read: "The Hobbit. By J.R.R. Tolkien."

After a brief stop on my dresser top, followed by a cursory, disapproving thumbing-through from young me, the tale of Bilbo the Hobbit and his dwarvish companions ended up stuck up on the shelf, gathering dust.

That is, until sometime in seventh grade, that green volume caught my eye. After a quick study of the vintage hand-drawn Tolkien map of Middle Earth that adorned the inside cover, we started properly (this time) on Page One with those magical words: "In a hole in a ground, there lived a hobbit," and we never looked back.

BEHIND A CHURCH CARETAKER'S ORDINARY EXTERIOR WAS A STORY WORTH DISCOVERING

Nearly four decades later, the answer to the question: "Who has two thumbs, has read every word of every tome of Middle Earth (including the appendices), and knows that 'one does not simply walk into Mordor'?" is most assuredly: "This guy!"

But, with all due credit to Sean Bean for gifting us his cinematic brilliance as Boromir (and so, so many amazing memes), it was a different lesson from Tolkien's work that ran through my mind recently, as I sat in the memorial service for a departed friend.

Hearing recounted tales from his life, my thoughts couldn't help but be steered back to an afternoon years earlier, out the back door of our church, cooking hot dogs over a sizzling grill for a community back to school event our congregation was hosting.

I was lost in thought, when I noticed, seated on the stairs, the familiar, slight, lanky figure of the elderly gentleman the younger people in our circle knew simply as "Mr. Rich."

To me and so many others, "Mr. Rich" (that isn't his last name) was simply the gruff old caretaker of the church, the guy who cut the grass, cleaned the floors, locked the doors, knew all of the Amazon and FedEx drivers by name, and generally did all of the sundry tasks needed to keep the building and grounds in tip-top shape.

Every faith community needs a kindly, spiky curmudgeon. And Mr. Rich was ours.

But in that moment, with nowhere else to be and nothing else to do until the crowds cleared out later that afternoon, Rich and I struck up a real conversation, laughing, while munching on hot dogs and bags of Fritos. We talked not just about church business or the weather or any other small, busy things, but we dug deep, swapping stories about who we had been, who we were, and who we'd like to be.

And in the process, for the first time, we developed a connection – particularly as we explored our shared appreciation for the arts and music, but especially jazz and classical.

It didn't end that day. For the next six years, Mr. Rich and I would periodically again have the occasion to dive into more musical talk, as he regaled me with tales of his past playing as a jazz drummer and I would feed his curiosity with tidbits of historical and musical knowledge I had gleaned through the years about musicians and composers alike.

If you look, you can probably see the smile on my face in between these words, remembering his chuckle as he and I used the Google machine to explore the work of the composer Louis Gottschalk together. (If you don't know who that is, I suggest searching his name along with "ragtime." It will then quickly make sense why someone with Mr. Rich's interests would find him not just fascinating, but delightful.)

But as I sat at the memorial service, with the memory of that fateful day at the grill playing back in my mind,

I recalled the words penned by Tolkien: "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander a lost..."

In so many ways, Mr. Rich was one of those people like that green hardcover volume on my childhood bedroom bookshelf. Plain seeming, ordinary on the outside, but with so much more to offer, if you just took the time to let him tell his story.

It's a lesson I try to teach my young ones regularly. And it is certainly a lesson that regularly returns to smack the shame right out of me, from time to time. Everyone has a story to tell. Just give them the space and the opportunity, and we will find so much more than we bargained for.

Or, as another brilliant British author, George Eliot, coined the phrase:

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

n Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modernday dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him. He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also,the cape remains on back order.)

Bunny Trolley HOP

Saturday, April 12th

Sunday, April 13th And Saturday, April 19th 2025 ONLY!

Young visitors will be able to meet and be photographed with the Easter Bunny in his Carrot Coach, see live animals at the Small Animal Zoo, enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt, and Ride the Streetcar to help the Bunny find his Missing Treasure!

PRESCRIBED

How fire is an effective tool for land management BURNS

By Melissa Rubalcaba

Even with outdoor temps hovering in single digits, there’s no staying indoors for Ryan Solomon, ecological restoration supervisor for the St. Charles Park District. Year-round Solomon and his crew tend to the park district’s 400-plus acres of natural areas, including savannas, wetlands and woodlands.

And before the spring thaw and first buds push through the winter soil, Solomon and his team are preparing for their annual prescribed burns to clear away invasive plants and in turn, support native plant growth.

“A prescribed burn is one of the most effective tools in natural resource management,” Solomon explained. “Native plants have evolved with the ability to withstand the fire.”

Though a burn appears to be eating away at vegetation, it plays an important role in supporting the native plant life. While the fire is feasting on the plant life above the soil, the key to survival is the native plant species with their deep root systems below the soil.

“The burn for native plants, is like a quick shear haircut, taking the top of the vegetation while for non-native plants, that have short fibrous roots that spread horizontally in the top layer of the soil, the burn has much more impact on these plants that do not have an adaptive root structure,” Solomon said.

The prescribed burn recreates a natural burn cycle that occurred more naturally for thousands of years. An example of this is when a lightning strike ignites a fire that passes through a savannah, prairie or other natural ecosystem almost like a quick reset button for the structure of these habitats.

“We’re trying to re-introduce that cycle that at one time, was naturally occurring,” Solomon said. “Many species do very well after the fire. For example, the wildflowers bloom more readily.”

While the lightning strike was unpredictable, Solomon and his crew seek out very precise factors and weather conditions as they prepare for the prescribed burn. As Solomon monitors weather forecasts, he is looking for the ideal humidity between 40 to 65 percent, sustained wind speeds with lack of uncontrollable gusts and

Riske | Photos provided by St. Charles Park District

BURNS

proper wind direction. Each element plays an important factor. Without considering the wind direction, the burn at Ferson Fen could send plumes of smoke across Route 31 and impair drivers.

“Every burn is different. You never have the same exact conditions,” Solomon said.

While there are advance notifications to all businesses, residents and organizations near the locations where Solomon is aiming to have prescribed burns, the day of the burn requires additional notifications through social media channels as well as keeping park district staff and community fire safety staff in the loop, to be able to answer questions. His team also places signage nearby.

Another factor is ensuring the safety of wildlife. While large animals, like deer, can evacuate an area, small rodents that have emerged from their winter burrows and garter snakes that have left their hibernacula would be vulnerable in a fire. Solomon said as his crew prepares for the burn they are keeping an eye on signs these animals are present. Signs of nesting

woodcocks will signal that site is no longer part of this season’s prescribed burn locations, Solomon said. This is why the timing of the prescribed burns often starts in February and Solomon aims to complete the work in early March.

It takes a dedicated crew to manage the prescribed burns, with the goal to clear roughly 100 acres through prescribed burns. The science and safety of each burn is why Solomon encouraged his three-member restoration crew to go the extra mile and certify as Prescribed Burn Managers in Illinois.

“My entire staff is Burn Boss Certified, which means they are more skilled and better experienced to handle situations,” Solomon said.

Having the certification and careful planning also demonstrates the park district’s support when it comes to its natural areas.

“St. Charles Park District is very unique in having one of the most robust nature area programs and invests resources into our nature areas,” Solomon said. “We’re trying to protect the native species.”

Spring Ephemerals

March 1-May 31 The return of colorful blooms is a much welcome sign of Spring!

To aid naturalist staff with this project, please share any pictures of flowering blooms found anywhere in Kane County – natural areas, parks, forest preserves, back yards, etc. Record your discoveries on the free app iNaturalist.

Search for our project: Kane County, IL: Spring 2025 Ephemerals

For more information, call Hickory Knolls Discovery Center at 630-513-4399.

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Artist

OF THE MONTH

Jaime Foster

The Tri-Cities are booming with arts and artists — perhaps nowhere more vibrantly than Batavia’s Water Street Studios, which hosts events, galleries and up to 25 artists in residence. Each month, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

Jaime Foster has an unshakeable bond with the natural world and incorporates the environment into her creativity and art. Foster draws inspiration from the deep connection she feels with nature in her work. “From a distance, my paintings will simultaneously resemble vast glacial landscapes and intricate microscopic patterns, acting as complimentary and contradictory to each other in an encircling game,” she said as part of her artist’s statement. “The natural elements which flow from an emotional outpouring create fractal natural patterns that draw the viewer into a world each viewer translates through their own perception of the natural world. Different aspects of each of my works can be viewed as a mountainside, cell structure, flowing rapids and perplexing botany patterns – all combined and swirled together – to create timeless works of art that could be appreciated at any time in human history.”

Foster is both an alumni and new artist with Water Street Studios, having been a resident in 2012 and reinstated again a handful of months ago in 2024. After moving back to the region in 2012, Foster made Water Street something of a creative haven for her work. “There was such a great community of strong talent and much support for the arts in the area,” she said. “My first show in the area was a two-person exhibit, at Batavia Fine Arts Center. I nearly sold all my work and one of the theater patrons purchased two of my paintings, one to hang in the theaters permanent collection.”

A few years ago, in 2019, Foster welcomed the chance to create something new for her repertoire, a 3-dimensional, mixed media commissioned piece for a wedding gift. “Though it came more naturally than a challenge, it takes a different way of thinking to work sculpturally,” she said. “It was a success and has been a work that still gets high praise.”

For as long as Foster can remember she has pursued

her own imagination and artistry, often spending hours at the table making, drawing and creating. “When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I was gifted my first art easel,” she said. “After I graduated high school, I began becoming increasingly interested in photography. My friends and I had our own sort of camera clubs, and we would visit abandon houses and farms. I was drawn to urban decay and the process of nature taking its course. I started working as a freelance photographer for several local newspapers and a couple years later started my own photography business.”

Foster grew a successful business with photography but grew restless and needed to push her creativity to new heights. “In 2007, my husband and I put the photography business on hold, sold our house and moved to Seattle,” she said. “Living in the Pacific Northwest was incredibly inspiring. Art was everywhere and being surrounded by so much beauty was the charge I needed to dive into creating again…we rented a little house with a tiny art studio on the property, and I would shut myself in there and paint for hours on end. I fell in love with the process, and it was then that I developed my style.

Within a few months and only a handful of completed work, I was asked to exhibit my work in a two-person show (with my husband who’s also a painter). About 6 months later I exhibited my first solo show. Between the immediate opportunities, reaction to my work and love for the process of creating, I knew I had to make this a life choice.”

Now, Foster is excited to keep evolving in her art and exploring new angles. “For my exhibition at Water Street in March last year, I started really dipping into clay, creating 3-dimensional, sculptural works,” she said. “They were well received and I’m definitely excited to create more mixed media works, as I feel mixed media is truly my strong suit as an artist.”

About the artist

Jaime Foster is an interdisciplinary artist living in Dupage County with her husband and two dogs. She has been painting and exhibiting her work over the past 15 years. Jaime is interested in the relationship we have with nature and our environment and how this affects us on an emotional level. Her paintings feed off the fascination she has with conservation, biodiversity and climate change.

DETAILS OF Jaime Foster's WORK

u Dark Desire:  9 x 5, clay, acrylic, ink and mixed media on wood, $550

v All I Ever Wanted:  24 x 24, acrylic, ink and mixed media on canvas, $1,650

w Floating World: 8 x 10, clay, acrylic, ink and mixed media on wood, $650

x The Night Takes Us: Framed 16 x 20, acrylic, ink and mixed media on paper, $950

y Once Upon A Time: 60 x 48, acrylic and ink on canvas, $7,500

For more information on the artist of the month, head to waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.

Grab a

One great way to enjoy your home is with a good book. Here are two recommendations for your March reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS:

"The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

At 11 years old, Hank Hooperman’s worries should be limited to basketball tryouts and impressing his crush – not about how to care for himself and his 3-year-old sister, Boo, when their mom disappears. After a week of surviving on their own, eviction is looming and they’ve eaten every Cheeto and Cheerio in the apartment. Hank is forced to ask for help. This puts the siblings at the whims of Child Protective Services and a collection of well-meaning but flawed strangers, including Lou Ann, a friend of their deceased grandmother. Lou Ann adores Boo but has less patience for a tween boy. Under the threat of being separated from Boo, Hank downplays his mom’s past drunk driving incidents and grabs at a chance to return them to her. Have a box of tissues ready for what comes next. Choldenko rises to the challenge of presenting difficult subject matter in a sensitive way that will resonate with readers in late elementary school and middle school. Readers, like Hank, will find that family can be found in unexpected places, and that some people might let you down but there will be others ready to pick you up.

– Kylie Peters, Teen Librarian

FOR

ADULTS:

“No Two Persons” by Erica Bauermeister

When Alice crafts a stunning debut novel, it touches people’s lives in ways she never expected. Told through a series of interconnected vignettes, each character finds something they desperately need within the pages of the book. From a teenager secretly battling homelessness, to an audiobook narrator forging a new path forward, to a widower searching for solace in his late wife’s notes, each reader finds a piece of themselves within Alice’s story, revealing the power of books to connect us all. “No Two Persons” highlights the invisible threads that link our lives. As we follow the novel’s journey from one character to the next, we are reminded that every life holds its own struggles, and that it is often through shared stories and experiences that we find the strength to carry on. In a world that can feel isolating, “No Two Persons” celebrates the richness that comes from recognizing our need for community. This is a perfect, heartwarming book for any reader.

– Lauren Maxwell, Information and Reader Services Coordinator

The Fabulous

FABYAN FOREST PRESERVE

Part II of the history of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, 1925-2025

By Al Watts | Photos provided by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley

Preserving public access to the Fox River was one of the reasons the women who led the effort to create the Forest Preserve District of Kane County did so in 1925.Yet, none of the 310 acres the District had acquired by 1939 was riverfront property. In the fall of that year, the District negotiated the purchase of about 240 of the over 300 acres of lavish grounds straddling the wide and gentle Fox River owned by Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan that they had called “Riverbank.” The historic significance of the Fabyans, the size of the location on the Fox River, and the preserved landscape made the Fabyan Forest Preserve the crown jewel of District.

Fabyan Japanese Garden circa 1920

Fabyan Japanese Garden in July 2024

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Tree planting, speeches, activities, and unveiling of local art piece to commemorate the event.

Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8

Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve

41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn

For more information: www.KaneForest.com

Gunnar Anderson became the head caretaker of the Fabyan Forest Preserve in 1940, a position he held until he was made the District’s first Superintendent in 1969. Anderson was first hired in 1928 as caretaker of the Elburn Forest Preserve, and remained with the District until his death in 1993. His influence on the District is unsurpassed.

Shown below: A 1964 Ford F-100 was purchased by the District for $1,227 in August 1963, shown at the Fabyan Forest Preserve with District employees (from left) John Hansen, Glenn Webster (Webb) Sandy and Gunnar Anderson.

Riverbank was established in 1905. It’s first 10 acres with a rustic farmhouse “villa” on the west bank of the Fox River were meant to be an occasional getaway for the Fabyans. Nelle Fabyan and her wealthy husband, Colonel George Fabyan, had been living on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. But, living in the city “smothered me; society bored me. I longed for the country,” she said in a 1920 interview published in The Green Book Magazine.

Riverbank was a place where she could go “tramping through the fields, a dog I like by my side.” Soon after purchasing the Geneva property, Nelle began buying adjacent parcels, much preferring Riverbank to Michigan Avenue. In 1907, Frank Lloyd Wright was hired to enlarge and redesign their country Villa – now a museum – and the Fabyans moved in permanently.

Riverbank soon grew to over 300 acres with

land on both banks of the Fox River. Most of the land Nelle used for farming and raising prize-winning cattle, hogs, chickens, and dogs. Her husband, meanwhile, explored an eclectic range of scientific research with some of the best scientists in the country at laboratories he built (which still stand but are not within the forest preserve) achieving significant breakthroughs in codebreaking and acoustics.

The landscape of Riverbank was as unique as its proprietors. The grounds included a Dutch-style windmill, Japanese Garden, cages for a menagerie of animals, a Roman-style pool, and many concrete sculptures. The Fabyans had wanted visitors to “feel like they stepped into an Eden.”

The Colonel died in 1936 and Nelle in 1939. Riverbank was offered for sale and the District bought about 240 of the over 300 acres for $70,500 in 1940. Incredibly, the District acquired this historic “Eden” for a paltry $300 per acre.

Photo provided by Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Nelle Fabyan with "a dog I like by my side." Date of photo is unknown but is likely from around 1920.

Immediately, the Fabyan Forest Preserve became one of the most popular destinations in the county. Lions’ Clubs of the county reportedly “were most enthusiastic as to the action by the Forest Preserve Commission in securing this property for recreation purposes” when they gathered for such a picnic shortly after the preserve opened in the summer of 1940. Many others agreed and nearly every church group, service organization, and family reunion in the county have hosted picnics at Fabyan. In 1948, Gunnar Anderson, caretaker of the preserve, marveled that on “Sundays as many as 14,000 persons have been on the grounds during the day,” according to an August 1948 article in the Geneva Republican.

While the gardens, windmill, sculptures, Villa museum, and acres of public access to the Fox River made Fabyan an extremely enjoyable place to spend the day, some saw it as a tax burden. Commissioner Fritz Burkwist of Batavia believed it was an “expensive luxury and a loss of tax revenue to the township of

Geneva,” according to a June 1941 article in the Geneva Republican. A year after the preserve opened, Burkwist made a motion to sell the west side of the forest preserve where the Fabyan Villa and Japanese Garden were for “not less than $50,000.00.”

Unsure if the district was legally allowed to sell, the commissioners held a vote to postpone Burkwist’s motion until the county’s attorney could investigate. The vote was a tie. F.M. Marstiller, the president of the district who was only allowed to vote to break a tie, favored postponing the matter. That November, State Attorney General George F. Barrett wrote to the commissioners that the statute “does not grant any power for the sale of land by the forest preserve district.”

The law was later modified to allow a forest preserve district to sell land in limited circumstances.

Today, a Forest Preserve District of Kane County without the Fabyan Forest Preserve is almost unimaginable. The bold decision to acquire this

immense historic and bucolic land on the Fox River –and the bold decision to keep it – demonstrate some of the best of what a public entity can do.

The cost of maintaining this vast and popular former estate, however, made it difficult for the District to find the money to acquire more land. Between 1941 and 1963, the District only purchased one 40-acre preserve, Hampshire. One of President John F. Kennedy’s signature achievements, though, would trigger a wave of land acquisitions which helped the District add nearly 1,000 acres for preservation in less than a decade.

n AL WATTS is the historical consultant for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. See the March issue of Kane County Magazine for Part III of this series about the history of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, "1925-2025: The Pursuit of Open Space." The Fabyan Villa Museum, Fabyan Japanese Garden, and Fabyan Windmill are open on select days from May through September. See KaneForest.com for details.

Fabyan Villa circa 1920

Fabyan Windmill circa 1918

MANAGING LUCK IRISH the

of the

A look at the strategy of owning both stock and

bonds

With a name of Thomas Sean McCartney, you will not be surprised that St. Patrick’s Day is a date I look forward to each year with great anticipation. It is heartwarming and somewhat amusing that on this day, all people seem to claim to be Irish regardless of surname. In merriment, the well-intentioned often wish friends and family to have the “luck of the Irish” with a heartfelt toast, nod and a smile.

This is ironic because those learned Irish know the “luck of the Irish” to be bitter-sweet. The Irish lived in a land that was taken from them (by the Vikings and the British, to name a few) and where they fought to survive famines and hardship. Those who immigrated to the U.S. fought prejudice against both their ethnicity and Catholicism as they struggled to find their place. It could just as easily be said that the luck of the Irish relates to centuries of haunting losses and pain.

Just as there are two sides to having the “luck of the Irish,” there can be varying opinions on owning stocks or to owning bonds in your investment portfolio. Although history dating back to before the Great Depression shows equity investors outperforming bond investors, the reality is that this strategy has not always benefited investors and, truth be told, it is still a good idea to own both.

Let’s take a closer look buy revisiting the basics:

As equity markets continue to push this bull market ahead, it is tempting to allow your portfolio to get more and more aggressive as the pain of a bear market may be a faded memory. Should you find yourself tempted to take on more risk with equities than you have historically been comfortable with, let’s look at a time period Baby Boomers will remember with the S&P 500 serving as a proxy for equities and one-month U.S. Treasury bills as a proxy for bonds:

Owning bonds in your portfolio, even during a historically low interest rate environment, can serve several purposes including that of acting as a sort of “shock absorber” for when stocks correct. For additional insights, reach out to your financial advisor or give my team a call. In the interim, and as Monday, March 17 approaches, from our firm to you:

“May neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you.” – Anonymous

1 In US Dollars. S&P data © 2019 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved. 1-Month Treasury Bills Index is the IA SBBI US 30 Day T-Bill TR USD. Treasury Index data sourced from Ibbotson Associates, via Morningstar Direct. For illustrative purposes only. Indices are not available for direct investment. Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. There is always the risk that an investor may lose money. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Holding investments for the long term does not ensure a profitable outcome. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, and investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. This material is intended for informational purposes only, does not constitute a recommendation, and should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or plan provider. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager, RJFS. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. My Advisor & Planner is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Tom and his team are located at 107 S. 2nd St., Geneva, IL 60134 and can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-4574068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

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