KCM-11-01-12 by Shaw Media

November 2012

Stage

Presence Local Theaters Offer Entertainment Variety

+ 5

Also In This Entertainment Issue: Find “The Nutcracker” Performed Near You What To Wear To A Performance Best Venues In Kane County

“Ab-tastic” Exercises To Tone Your Tummy! pg 40

Season Of Thanks Batavia Man Gets People Running On Thanksgiving

pg 21

FEEL AT HOME Settle In At GreenFields Of Geneva

pg 12

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INSIDE

Home & Lifestyle 8

‘‘

If people have a heart condition, I don’t think they should be shoveling snow at all. Dr. William Towne, interventional cardiologist with Cadence Physician Group Cardiology at Delnor Hospital

Home Design — Flooring: If you didn’t think your

floors reflected your lifestyle, think again. Representatives from Family Flooring America in St. Charles and Carlson’s Floors Inc. in Geneva explore how up close and personal you should be with the floors in your home and what choices are available. Cover Inset: GreenFields of Geneva is a residentcentered community with staff ready take care of you no matter what your needs may be. Wine Niche: Did you know there are a slew of celebrities with their own wines? Vince Balistreri of Niche Wine in Geneva delves into the list, naming Francis Ford Coppola, Mike Ditka and Madonna among other starstruck bottles.

Family 21

25 29

Thanksgiving presents a great opportunity to share time and resources with others. Scott Kurth of Batavia and Jeff Turner of Elgin have found different ways to spend the holiday with those in the community. The number of female hunters in the U.S. is on the rise. Jennifer Berry, 22, of Elgin, is just one who enjoys the exciting sport and the adventures found in hunting. Write This Down: Stay-at-home mom Michelle Stien describes the difﬁculty she has in making arrangements so she can spend a night out … without the kids.

Entertainment 32

35 36

On The Cover: Where can you go to find the best live theater entertainment in Kane County? We take a look at Albright Theatre Company, Fox Valley Repertory, Steel Beam Theatre and the Batavia Fine Arts Centre — plus many more — to find out what they have to offer. “The Nutcracker” is one of most popular and beloved ballets performed today, and it has become holiday tradition for many families to attend a production. Find a local performance near you. Now that you’ve got tickets to opening night, what do you wear? And what happens if you’re late? We turn to theater experts to explain proper etiquette for live performances. Artist Profile: Acoustic folk singer/songwriter Flo Kat already has compiled multiple albums — and she’s only 20! Learn more about the talented artist and her trio who perform right here in Kane County.

Health 40

Work It Out: The ﬁnal installment of this three-part series heads to the core of exercise — your core. Learn how to get rock-hard abs from Hristo Hristov of WOW Fitness Boot Camp in St. Charles. Working in cold weather — as in, say, shoveling snow — can be a deadly mistake if you’re not careful. Dr. William Towne with Cadence Physician Group Cardiology at Delnor Hospital in Geneva shares how to avoid a heart attack before clearing your driveway this winter. Try these healthy holiday recipes from Chef Molly Evans of Savory and Sweet Specialties in St. Charles!

Fashion & Beauty 52

Local podiatrists Dr. Karla Stipati and Dr. Richard Leitzen say it’s unrealistic to ask women to never wear high heels. With that in mind, they share pointers for wearing those beloved toe-walkers. Can you really develop your own personal style? Of course you can! Check out these pointers from fashion instructors at Art Institute schools.

Out & About 58

60 62

WOD: Ann Anastasio was named a Woman of Distinction for her business savvy and philanthropic endeavors. Meet the owner of Fiora’s Restaurant and The Wellington Group in Geneva. Looking for something to do? You’ll ﬁnd plenty of local activities to keep you busy listed on our arts and events calendar. Our Town: Why is Batavia ﬁlled with windmills? Find out!

House Tour

Five charming Geneva homes, aglow with holiday decorations, will open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours this December.The personality of each home will sparkle when local decorators and landscapers work with homeowners to create holiday magic. Enjoy the talents of All Chocolate Kitchen, bb interiors, Celebration Design of Gibby’s Wine Den, Heinz Brothers Greenhouse, Neri Landscape, Plandscape, Scentimental Gardens, The Mossy Twig & The PURE Gardener. A Holiday Tea held at the Congregational Church in Geneva is included in the $30 price of the ticket. Proceeds of the House Tour are used to decorate Geneva for the holiday season. Tickets available at Geneva Chamber of Commerce (8 S.Third St., Geneva) and various local locations.

Geneva Christmas Walk

Friday evening begins with the arrival of Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, brought by horse-drawn carriage to offer Swedish cookies to merry-makers. Families and friends gathered will wait with anticipation as Santa Claus arrives and the Great Tree on the Courthouse lawn is lit. Santa and Mrs. Claus will then open their gingerbread home for visits from excited children. Amongst the twinkling lights and fresh greenery lined streets, chestnuts are roasting over open ﬁres, carolers are ﬁlling the night air with seasonal favorites and a live nativity scene is taking place. Dazzling window displays invite shoppers to stroll through shops. Enjoy Geneva this holiday season for a romantic dinner, the perfect gift, carriage rides, visits with Santa or a place to relax with the family. Visit our website at www.genevachamber.com to experience the magic of the season.

��

from the editor

Live, From Kane County

• Second, a listing of local performances of n my 10th birthday, my father took “The Nutcracker” — many people’s favorite live me to see what soon became my favorite childhood movie — “Space holiday performance • And finally, a look at proper etiquette for Jam.” those who haven’t been to a live show in a long I absolutely loved Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes family, but it’s possible I loved time Plus, for the ladies who like to dress to the Chicago Bulls even more … especially Sir the nines when they head out for a night of Altitude himself, Michael Jordan. entertainment, we speak with podiatrists Dr. My family and I watched nearly every Bulls Karla Stipati of St. Charles Foot and Ankle game together, with my brother — who is four Center and Dr. Richard Leitzen of Northwest years younger than I — opening up every game Podiatry Center in South Elgin and Aurora to by trotting around the living room with his find out how to fingers pointing wear heels without up over his head suffering all like bull horns evening long (page as the pregame music played and 52). the announcers If you plan to rumbled, “From entertain guests North Carolina, at home, check head guard, 6’6” … out the holiday Michael Jordan!” recipes we feature, While we spent compliments of countless hours in Chef Molly Evans front of the TV of Savory and The Batavia Fine Arts Centre. Photo by Melissa Emory watching the Bulls Sweet Specialties of the ’90s, and in St. Charles our television screen grew larger and larger as (page 48). the years rolled on, my father was never one to Just in time for Thanksgiving, we take a look go watch anything on the big screen. In fact, at Jeff Turner of Elgin and the holiday dinners until that special birthday, I can’t ever remember he has helped oversee, and then we head to going to the movies with my dad. Batavia to speak with Batavia police officer Scott At the time, I’m sure I thought I loved “Space Kurth who is hosting a new Thanksgiving race Jam” because it featured my favorite characters for the Batavia Accelerators (page 21). — both animated and human — and my And we conclude our three-part exercise favorite sport at the time, basketball. series, Work It Out, by learning five different But today, I look back and realize that that exercises that can strengthen a woman’s core on movie was particularly important to me because her way to having a tight, firm stomach (page it was just me and my dad, hanging out and 40). A special thank you to WOW Fitness Boot sharing a cool father-daughter moment at the Camp in St. Charles for teaching us bodymovies — something we had never done before. specific exercises the last three months. Our November issue of Kane County Whether you head out Magazine features an entire package dedicated to for entertainment in the entertainment and the moments that can only next month or host your happen when you and the special people around own entertainment for the you are on the edge of your seat laughing, holidays, I hope you create crying, anticipating a pinnacle moment in a special memories with your performance or just sharing the experience of friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving! watching others on stage or on film. kc And while we’re not focusing on movie theaters in this particular edition, the moments — Stephanie N. I shared with my father are the same that many Grimoldby feel during live performances. Editor sgrimoldby@ Our cover story (page 32) is broken down shawmedia.com into three parts: • First, a look at the different live entertainment venues available in Kane County

6 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

Kane County Magazine M Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Phone: 815-459-4040 Fax: 815-477-4960 www.KaneCountyMagazine.com

Publisher J. Tom Shaw 630-232-9222 jtshaw@shawmedia.com Advertising Director Laura Pass 630-845-5228 lpass@shawmedia.com Editor Stephanie N. Grimoldby 815-526-4467 sgrimoldby@shawmedia.com Designer Allison McCaleb 815-526-4485 amccaleb@shawmedia.com Account Manager Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com Correspondents Jami Kunzer, Lee Nelson, Amanda Marrazzo, Elizabeth Harmon, Romi Herron, Lauren Lynch, Betsy Demitropoulos, Jacky Runice, Colleen Leonard Photographers Jeff Krage, Melissa Emory, Heather Nelson, Megan Kelly Kane County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to Kane County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@ shawmedia.com.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

SNEAK PeeK In our December “Holidays” issue, don’t miss: Proﬁles on 10 intriguing people in Kane County Ideas for how to ﬁnd the right gift

Pet accessories for the furry friend in your family Frost yourself — with diamonds Tips for home lighting in our Home Design series

On The Cover Pictured inside the Batavia Fine Arts Centre is Ashlie Andersen, an instructor at State Street Dance Studio in Geneva. State Street will perform “The Nutcracker” at the centre in December. For more on local entertainment venues, including additional performances of “The Nutcracker” available near Kane County, see page 32. Photo by Melissa Emory Hair and makeup by Lindsey and Stephanie, respectively, of Mario Tricoci Hair Salons and Day Spas in Geneva

35 N. River Lane • Geneva, IL

KaneCountyMagazine.com

November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

home & lifestyle / HoMedesign

I By Lee NeLsoN I

Putting Your Foot Down Identifying The Newest Flooring Trends

Just like in fashion, ﬂooring comes and goes in waves of color, style and materials.

And every home is different with unique needs. “At the end of the day, we try to match our clients up with the best flooring for their individual wants, needs and desires,” says Gary Titiner, president of Family Flooring America in St. Charles. “We want people to not only enjoy their floors’ beauty, but to be able to live on them the way they like to live.” Floor coverings should match a homeowner’s lifestyle and the things going on in his or her home, flooring professionals say. Those who have young kids and animals might want to

pick something very durable and easy to clean. Those who live a little more sophisticated and quiet lifestyle can find a variety of products that set the mood of elegance. Flooring choices continue to grow with time, exemplified by options of carpet made from corn, luxury vinyl that looks like wood or ceramic, and floating floors.

Lisa Carlson Nelson, owner of Carlson’s Floors Inc. in Geneva, advises buyers to take into account a few things before settling on a product. “They need to ﬁgure out how long they are staying in the home and the investment that they want to make,” she says.

6 Hardwood ﬂoors are popular in today’s homes, says Lisa Carlson Nelson, owner of Carlson’s Floors Inc. in Geneva. (Photo provided by Carlson’s Floors Inc.)

MoSt popuLar

Right now, hardwood ﬂoors, carpeting and luxury vinyl tiles are popular in today’s homes, Nelson says. “Living in a mostly traditional area, we still have a lot of people wanting oak hardwood ﬂoorings, but we are also experiencing a desire for exotic hardwoods and other species such as hickory,” she says. Her store also is seeing requests for acacia hardwood. It is a shorter tree from the Mediterranean, so the

anything else they can imagine. Meanwhile, ceramic tiles seem to be popular with pet owners. “Some hard surface products can be scratched, and that may be something that bothers some homeowners,” Titiner says. “So, perhaps a ceramic is better than a hardwood. For some people, it is the richness and beauty of porcelain and ceramic tile that helps make their house feel like a home.” Titiner’s advice to someone who is searching for new flooring is to not be overwhelmed by the choices. “With the help of a good local flooring retailer, you’ll be able to navigate through the choices,” he says. “Don’t settle for the ‘flooring of the month.’ This is your home, and you should make sure that at the end of the process, you are happy with what you purchased.” kc

board lengths are shorter, but the attractiveness of the wood comes from its rich color, which is similar to walnut. For those looking for more “green” ﬂooring options, bamboo has become popular. “One of the most environmentallyfriendly products is bamboo ﬂooring,” Titiner says. “It is a product that, because of its ability to be harvested approximately every six years, makes it a choice for many people. The key thing is that along with its eco-friendly nature, it has a very interesting look that many people like and is actually a very durable product.”

What’S NeW iN carpetiNG

Putting in hardwood floors may increase the value of a home for those thinking of selling, Titiner says. “But there still isn’t anything like jumping out of bed and having your feet sink into a nice, thick, plush carpet that wraps around your toes,” he says. “It feels so good.” Mohawk brand now offers SmartStrand, a carpet made with DuPont Sorona’s renewably sourced polymer, which is made in part from actual corn. It has a lifetime stain and soil resistance that is built in, not sprayed on, and it’s odor resistant. “SmartStrand yarns provide superior stain resistance for families,” Nelson says. “With the increase in gasoline prices, wool carpets can be a great value for those homeowners planning on staying in their home.” Wool carpets feel like naturally curly hair, Nelson says. They respond to foot traffic, have superior performance and are naturally flame retardant. Carpeting also brings warmth and comfort to whatever room needs a splash of color, and it can be good for kids and pets because so many are very durable and stain resistant, she says.

hardwood and tile designs are very realistic and give the impression of a natural product.” However, laminate flooring is still a big choice among buyers. It also can look like hardwood of all different styles and colors. According to the North American Laminate Flooring Association, laminate flooring gets its beauty from a photographic image fused beneath a protective layer, which makes it very adaptable to all kinds of designs and styles. Homeowners have many options in colors and styles when they choose laminate, including floors that look just like bamboo, floors with matte or high gloss finishes, and just about

LaMiNate, viNyL, tiLe hoLd their GrouNd

Luxury vinyl tile products are sometimes more popular than laminate floors, Nelson says. “Some of these products are floating applications,” she says. “So, the expense of tearing out an existing floor is saved when you are able to install over the former floor. The

4 Carpeting brings warmth and comfort to whatever room needs a splash of color, and it can be good for kids and pets because so many are very durable and stain resistant says Nelson. (Photo provided by Carlson’s Floors Inc.)

Don’t settle for the “ﬂooring of the month.” This is your home, and you should make sure that ... you are happy with what you purchased. — Gary Titiner, president of Family Flooring America in St. Charles

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home & lifestyle

3 Leo and Marilyn Nelson, residents of GreenFields of Geneva, enjoy a day in downtown Geneva.

The Spirit Of A

neighborhood

When it comes to planning for your future, you can never plan too far ahead. Nor can you plan too carefully. Just nine short months ago, GreenFields of Geneva opened its doors to independent seniors 62 and older who wanted to live in a Life Care retirement community offering friendship and quality care. Nearly 100 residents already have moved to GreenFields, which is dedicated to resident-centered care and has a history of success in the industry. GreenFields is sponsored and managed by Friendship Senior Options, which also sponsors Friendship Village in Schaumburg, the largest continuing care retirement community in Illinois and the ﬁrst to be accredited in the state.

6 Families enjoy a Sunday brunch at GreenFields.

Many residents chose GreenFields because of its full continuum of care and the benefits of the Life Care contract, which guarantees support for a resident no matter what his or her needs may be. “Residents like the sense of security and predictability of the Life Care contract,” says Judi Donovan, executive director of GreenFields. “As their needs change, being among people who genuinely care for them, provides peace of mind knowing they have a secure plan for their future.” When the first residents chose to move into the independent living apartments at GreenFields, they knew that if something should change down the road and they needed additional support, those options would be available to them — all under the same roof, Donovan says. Today, those options are being realized, as GreenFields’ assisted living apartments just recently opened, offering higher levels of care for residents. “The real big selling point was the Life Care program,” says Jean Koops, one of the first residents to move to GreenFields. “If something happened to me … I was afraid of what might happen. Now, I know I’ll be taken care of in a good place. I don’t have to worry about being sent to a place that I wouldn’t be familiar

with because I’m already in a good environment. ”

Assisted Living At Willows

GreenFields offers three higher levels of care beyond independent living — assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing. While each service bears a different name, all 120 apartments — with 26 designated for residents in need of memory support and 51 available for those in assisted living — are located at GreenFields. Assisted living at Willows, for example, offers those in need of occasional assistance with activities of daily living — dressing, bathing, etc. — just the 4 Marilyn Nelson right amount of support bakes cookies with without interfering with her granddaughter. an individual’s privacy or independence. And they’re just across the building from independent residents. Each Willows resident receives a tailored care program that is sensitive to that individual’s wants and needs, Donovan says. She says she once showed a potential resident’s daughter an assisted living apartment, and the daughter was concerned about her mother’s routine being changed to

ﬁt a structure at GreenFields. “[She said], ‘Mom gets her hair done every Thursday — is that going to be a problem?’” Donovan recalls. “[And I said], ‘If that’s the day your mom prefers to get her hair done, we’ll make that happen.” Willows rooms are available in studios, one- or two-bedroom units, complete with a kitchenette and large, private bath. Residents receive three chef-prepared meals a day and can take advantage of laundry services, group and individual transportation options and more. In some circumstances, assisted living can be the perfect solution for a couple that has moved into GreenFields and realizes that one spouse may need more assistance than the other can provide. In such situations, one spouse can continue to live independently, and the other can make the easy transition to an assisted living apartment, Donovan says. “Couples can enjoy the community together, and in the event there is a life change, they still have the security of knowing they’re just down the hall. This, to me, is the beauty of the community - the secure future we provide,” Donovan says. GreenFields staff members work diligently to try to give every resident as many opportunities as possible to interact with other residents, regardless of their living

situations. A recent trip to the Morton Arboretum that was scheduled for assisted living Willows residents was shared by a spouse in independent living, Donovan says, noting that it was the perfect example of how GreenFields strives to be one large community.

4 Spacious living areas are available in multiple ﬂoor plans at GreenFields.

“Just because someone is living in memory support doesn’t mean they wouldn’t enjoy the fall leaves and the changing colors,” she says.

Memory Support At Reﬂections

If a GreenFields resident experiences a cognitive decline in decision making that could put him or her at risk, it might be time to make the easy transition to Reﬂections memory support at GreenFields. Here, residents receive the Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s care — a way of caring that all staff members are educated in, says Cathy Flanagan, health care administrator at GreenFields. “The Best Friends Approach is just what it says it is — it teaches the staff to be a best friend [to our residents],” Flanagan says. “How would you interact [with your best friend]?” “It’s less about the clinical care that’s needed and more about getting to know you,” Donovan adds. “The nature of the business [of medical care] is you have to provide certain services. But it’s about building that relationship with [residents].

You don’t treat people differently because you’re in the caretaker role.” That means staff members genuinely care about not only their residents, but their residents’ hobbies, their grandchildren — all of the things that make each person unique, Flanagan says. And, as with all assisted living residents, they’re never far away from their friends and loved ones at GreenFields. Grace Schoenfeld and her husband, Roy, are one couple that have taken advantage of the continuum of care GreenFields provides. The couple moved into an independent living apartment in February, but in August, Roy experienced a change in health requiring more attention and support, and he transitioned into a higher level of care. Schoenfeld says they like being under one roof together, knowing that they’re being well-taken care of. “My husband and I can still be together to a point,” Schoenfeld says. “We’re in the same building; we can still be together after 65 years of being married.”

Skilled Nursing At Briarwood

/ For GreenFields residents who require 24-hour care, GreenFields soon will offer 43 Briarwood skilled nursing apartments. Privacy and independence are just as important here as in other levels of care, so each Briarwood apartment will come with its own private bath, Donovan says. But, just like assisted living and memory support residences, there will be common areas for residents to interact with each other, adding to the home-like feel within the community. Briarwood also will offer physical, speech and occupational therapies for residents to continue their rehabilitation in-house. Wellness and therapy services are available through the SeniorFITness program, too. Skilled nursing can be a great temporary solution for those just returning from a short hospital stay and need extra care those ﬁrst days or weeks back home, Flanagan says. It’s just another way to provide a full continuum

6 The members of the GreenFields Greeters often pass out handmade bookmarks to new residents that feature the following quote: “The time to be happy is now … the place to be happy is here,” by Robert Ingersoll. Photo by Stephanie N. Grimoldby

6 Onsite ﬁtness support is available at GreenFields.

of care to GreenFields residents. “This is the place for people who plan for the future,” Donovan says.

The Community Spirit

The culture at GreenFields has always been — and will always be — about resident-centered care within a friendly community, Donovan says. That includes respecting each individual’s dignity and privacy, making sure each resident feels safe and secure, and understanding that all residents receive love, support and socialization. When it comes to security, residents can feel safe knowing they have access to 24-hour staff members should something occur, Flanagan says. Each apartment is outfitted with a wireless emergency call system that rings silently to a staff member on duty. It doesn’t call attention to the resident in need, thereby maintaining their dignity and self-esteem, but it assures them fast and safe help is on the way. When it comes to socialization, meanwhile, the residents have taken it upon themselves to go above and beyond the activities GreenFields staff provides. On any given day, different social and athletic groups meet for fun activities, many of which were created by residents themselves to cater to their individual interests. One such group is the GreenFields Greeters, a selfformed group of residents who welcome each and every resident — including those in higher levels of care -—with small gifts and large hearts. “We just thought it would be nice to have a group to formally meet people,” says Jean Koops. “[And we do it] for everybody that moves in. Many people in assisted living benefit from a lot of the activities that we do. Some of the first people [in Willows] were husbands of residents living

within the community. We wanted to add to a smooth transition.” Staff members often plan cross-community activities in which all GreenFields residents are welcome, no matter what level of care they are receiving. When appropriate, trips and outings are opened up to anyone as well, Donovan says. Finally, the location of GreenFields — just inside Geneva’s Mill Creek neighborhood and adjacent to Mill Creek School — is superb for those who still crave outside socialization. “I’ve found what’s important to residents, what’s really meaningful to residents [is] to look out and feel like they’re still part of a neighborhood,” Donovan says. “[From my ofﬁce], I hear the children playing at recess, I hear the trains go by — it’s a comforting, neighborhood feel. There’s such a spirit of community and family.” kc ~ By KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

GreenFields of Geneva 0N801 Friendship Way Geneva, IL 60134 630-232-9105 www.GreenFieldsofGeneva.org

5 Every GreenFields apartment has outdoor living space, featuring either a patio or a balcony.

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home & lifestyle

Wine Niche

Stir i i i i Struck with Vince Balistreri • Vince Balistreri is general manager and sommelier at Niche Restaurant in Geneva. He offers his expertise in the wine industry to the Kane County community. Photo by Megan Kelly

Celebrity Wines

For years, sports ﬁgures and Hollywood stars have been in love with wine culture.

Now, they are really buying into it. There are the fun wines that have celebrity images with cute little names like “Marilyn Merlot” and, of course, the Elvis Presley wine. But there is a whole new generation of athletes and celebrities that now own the actual wineries and vineyards. Most of the wine from celebrities is fairly priced and of decent quality, though very few have reached the peak of an outstanding wine. Reaching more depth is not the purpose for many of them. For the most part, this speciﬁc group wants to put out a good wine of quality that can be enjoyed by the masses. Mike Ditka

Antonio Banderas

KaneCountyMagazine.com

Many have succeeded, but no one more than Francis Ford Coppola. Almost everyone has had a Coppola wine. It is found in restaurant chains, grocery stores and liquor stores. In fact, I would say that his wine is more of a success than his career in Hollywood, during which he put out hit movies such as “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now” and “The Outsiders.” I’m sure a celebrity’s status helps sell his or her product, but it can also hurt sales. I myself would not have ever bought a wine with some sort of celebrity status, but my eyes were opened when I tried the wines of three NFL players — Rick Mirer, Drew Bledsoe and Charles Woodson. All three of these wines are outstanding. And after talking to these athletes face-to-face, you can tell how passionate they are about their wine. The moral is that you cannot judge a book by its cover. kc Francis Ford Coppola

Drew Bledsoe — Doubleback Rick Mirer — Mirror Maynard Keenan — Caduceus Cellars Charles Woodson — 24

Other Celebrity Wines: Drew Barrymore Valeri Bure John Lasseter Jeff Gordon Antonio Banderas Candace Cameron Greg Norman Wayne Gretzky Tom Seaver Ernie Els Nick Faldo Joe Montana Francis Ford Coppola Dave Matthews

Vince Neil Les Claypool Larry Bird Carlos Santana Olivia Newton-John Mick Fleetwood Lil Jon Bob Dylan (Italy) Sam Neill Dan Marino Mike Ditka Sting (Italy) Fess Parker Dick Vermeil Dan Aykroyd Mario Batali Arnold Palmer Madonna Emilio Estevez Nancy Pelosi Mario Andretti … and many more!

Madonna

Drew Barrymore

November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

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family

extenDeD Family Sharing Thanksgiving With Others In The Community

I By LaUreN LyNcH I

or Elgin resident Jeff Turner, sitting at a crowded table ﬁlled with members of his community is not only the perfect way to get to know the neighbors, but it’s also an opportunity to realize that a meal brings people together, despite their socio-economic differences. Three years ago at Thanksgiving, Turner remembers his 8-year-old son Alec pointing toward a family of 10 eating across the room inside the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, where the community holiday dinner Turner had volunteered at was taking place. “Dad, I thought you said the dinner would be just for homeless people,” his son had said in a quizzical tone. He looked toward the family again. “But I go to school with those kids.” It was after his son’s comment that Turner experienced what he calls the “ah-ha” moment, he says. “I thought, why don’t we do this more often?”

KaneCountyMagazine.com

I Photos by JeFF kraGe I dinners for underprivileged families and individuals put on by St. Joseph Church in Elgin. GiviNG back When it was announced last year that the dinners could no longer continue due to to everyoNe expensive facility rental fees, Turner felt it was At the time, Turner — who currently is his time to take the annual event into his own in his fourth year running the full-service catering and lunch spot In The Neighborhood hands — despite dealing with a plate full of responsibility. Deli and Cafe in downtown Elgin — was a This year, Turner has partnered with new business owner already heavily involved several local organizations, including the local in the community, volunteering at holiday Salvation Army, Shales McNutt, The Elgin Spirit, Elgin Farmers Market, TMI Tee’s, and the Grand Victoria Casino Food Service for the Thanksgiving dinner. 6 In the Neighborhood Deli He also was able to arrange a and Cafe owner Jeff Turner space inside Elgin’s First United stands by the deli counter. Methodist Church — free of cost — allowing the holiday dinner to continue without delay. In past years, nearly 100 10-pound turkeys have been donated from Willow Creek Community Church and sent to the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, where people cook and carve each bird before bringing it back to that year’s host church to be served. All other preparations have been carried out onsite by November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

those willing to adopt a new holiday tradition — volunteering — just like the Turner family has done. “I never turn away volunteers,” Turner says, adding that last year, a crew of 180 volunteers served approximately 1,200 people. So far, Turner has helped with four community cookouts and three Have a Heart dinners — which take place around Valentine’s Day — in addition to four Thanksgiving dinners. During each event, children and adults are able to visit numerous activity booths such as face painting and placemat decorating. “My family participates … they come out to wherever we are hosting the dinner each year,” Turner says. “What we used to have was a family get-together every Thanksgiving. Now, we’re actually giving back to everyone. It’s a way to say thanks to each other.”

raciNG oN tUrkey day

On Thanksgiving Day, Batavia resident Scott Kurth can’t wait to get outside and jog along the bike path that winds along the river. While last year marked his ﬁnal year as the race director for the Fox and the Turkey Races — a four-mile and one-mile adult and youth run that takes place on Thanksgiving in Batavia — Kurth still hasn’t put his running

22 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

5 In the Neighborhood Deli and Cafe owner Jeff Turner, right, works with employee Chas Sirridge.

shoes away for good. For more than 12 years, Kurth has been the head coach of the nonproﬁt youth running club Batavia Accelerators, which encourages children from ages 4 to 18 to lead a healthy lifestyle by hitting the local trails. The club meets ﬁve days a week at the Batavia Windmill, weather permitting, for an hour of practice that could entail overtaking a few hills. “The kids like to do hills,” Kurth says. “When we talk about where we’ll run, I try to let them make the decision.” This year, Kurth is putting together a brand new holiday run for members of Batavia Accelerators and their families. He is expecting

anywhere between 30 and 40 children and adults to participate in the run before settling into an evening of feasting. “People like to be involved in things that allow them to eat guilt-free,” Kurth says. “As a coach, our job is to educate and motivate.” It’s not about coming in first place, Kurth says. Some of the Accelerators’ members consist of children battling with learning disabilities, weight issues and autism. “We want these kids to believe in themselves,” he says. “We want to teach them that fitness can be fun.” Kurth, who has been a Batavia police officer for 14 years, anticipates the Thanksgiving run will range anywhere between three and eight miles and will remain as low-key as possible. And anyone can join in. “I want to try to keep a family atmosphere,” he says. With a background working as a head coach at various high schools, Kurth feels that the club — which also works with children at Mooseheart, a residential facility that houses children and teens in need — presents a great opportunity for anyone eager to participate in some refreshing outdoor fun, especially if their school doesn’t have a cross-country program. “My job is to make people believe in themselves,” he says. kc For more information, visit www. bataviaaccelerators.org.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

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Free Fall Events Join Us at Heritage Woods of Batavia! Please note that all events are for seniors 62+ NOVEMBER 6 – ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE! • ALL DAY

Even if we are not your polling place, drop by and buy delicious baked goods to support our Residents’ Fund!

NOVEMBER 9 – VETERAN’S DAY TRIBUTE MEMORIAL SERVICE • 2 PM

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1079 East Wilson Street | Batavia | 630.406.9440 | www.hw-batavia-slf.com 24 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

family

Adventures

In Hunting It

might not seem common to ﬁnd the word “hunting” coupled with the word “woman” unless the conversation turns to chasing down bargains. However, the fact is that more women are becoming skilled at tracking and snagging an elusive target — and not just bagging a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps at wholesale. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, the number of females hunting with ﬁrearms was 2.4 million in 2011, up from 2.3 million in 2010, and the number of bow hunting women checked in last year at 765,000. Women who also participated in target shooting in 2011 are numbered in the millions: • 3.2 million used a handgun, up from 3.15 million in

2010 • 2.1 million worked on their shotgun skills, up from 2.0 million in 2010 • 2.6 million women aimed their rifles at marks

Starting young

One of those gals polishing up her ﬁrearm is Jennifer Berry of Elgin, who has nearly 10 years of hunting experience, despite the fact that she’s just 22 years old. The friendly young woman who helps customers ﬁll out their paperwork at GAT Guns

I By Jacky rUNice KaneCounty-

3 Jennifer Berry of Elgin has nearly 10 years of hunting experience.

in East Dundee began tagging along on hunting trips with her dad and his buddies at the tender age of 14. “My father, grandpa and their friends would come home from hunting, and I would help them butcher the meat,” Berry says. “They said since I could do that at around 12 years old or so, I should come along with them next time.” Jim, Berry’s father, concurs. “If she could cut it, I thought she could hunt, too, so she went through a hunting course and came with us the next year,” the Elgin resident says. “Her first time out, I was sitting with her in a brush pile and she got a four pointer, and her second year she was in her own stand.” The father/daughter stories of that first outing line up perfectly. “My first time out with my dad, I saw a deer but wasn’t sure if it was big enough,” Berry recalls. “So, I asked him if is it was a good one, and he said go for it. My first deer was a four pointer, which means there were four points on the antlers.”

3 Berry’s next challenge in the woods is learning to hunt with a bow and arrow.

Knowing the rules

In addition to completing a hunting safety course before her ﬁrst foray into the forest, Berry was sure to go to a range for target shooting using a couple of different ﬁrearms to get a feel for the skill. Experienced or novice, Berry says that every hunter has to remain aware. “Once, there were other people hunting close to where we hunt, so you have to

always know about your surroundings,” she says. “Plus, it’s easy to get lost in the woods because everything looks the same, so I suggest a GPS device. “You can always go old school and watch where the sun is to get a sense of direction, too,” she laughs. On another occasion, Berry noticed a deer take off even though the woods were completely silent. “It was a bobcat, and I just stayed still knowing that it’s more afraid of you,” she says.

A lone woman

Although the numbers of female hunters are up across the country, Berry doesn’t know of many other women who hunt. “There’s another employee at GAT that I know hunts, but most of the people around here grew up in the suburbs,” she says. “You deﬁnitely have to grow up with it to appreciate it. Most people I know are afraid of guns, and girls don’t want to get dirty and clean a deer. You have to let the deer sit for a while before you clean it, and it can be

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26 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

gruesome. If you break the stomach area, it’s bad, so you have to learn from other people.” Case in point — what about Berry’s older sister? “She’s the complete opposite from me,” Berry says. “She’s in beauty school.” Berry’s next challenge in the woods is learning to hunt with a bow and arrow. “You have to be able to pull back around 40 pounds,” she says. “I’ve been practicing, and I want to be able to do it gracefully. You don’t want to struggle and have the deer run away.” Berry has been pheasant hunting for a few years now and snagged a sizeable bird during her ﬁrst turkey shoot, a hunting season that takes place in the spring. Her family has a traditional store-bought turkey for Thanksgiving because the hunting father and daughter enjoy plenty of their snagged protein all year long. “We make pheasant pot pie, deep-fried turkey, deer jerky, stews and steaks, plus spaghetti, chili and burgers all year long,” Jim Berry says. The proud pop is glad his daughter is a good and safe hunter. “She’s the only female along, and she’s roughing it just like the rest of us when we go to southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest,” he says. “It’s just fun having her along and watching her grow up.” kc

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November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

family

Write This Down

Entertainment

Value

i have to admit, i don’t get out much.

Needless to say, having two kids presents certain “challenges” when it comes to coordinating a night out with friends or my husband. Normally, it requires a wellorchestrated series of players and ﬂowcharts, not to mention budgeting. Still, there are just some times when having a glass of wine and renting a movie on a Saturday night gets old and this mama needs to cut loose and have some fun. In the old days, when my husband in I were “D.I.N.K.S.” (dual income, no kids), we would go out to nice dinners

followed by drinks with friends. We’d go see movies that didn’t have animated characters or 3-D glasses. We’d truck it to the city and maybe even crash at a friend’s house if we were over served. Most of the time, we could do any of these things spur of the moment without a thought or care in the world. Fast-forward six years, and one night out takes almost as much planning as a family vacation. Let’s start with priority No. 1 — who is going to watch the kids? We are fortunate that my in-laws live only ﬁve minutes away from us, so we can depend on them quite a bit to watch the kids.

with Michelle Stien

• Michelle Stien is a stay-at-home mom of two children, ages 3 and 5. Her mother always told her to “write this down,” so she is. She shares her experiences with Kane County moms to help them deal with the craziness of being “Mom.”

The other benefit of them watching the kids is that we don’t have to dip into the kids’ college funds to pay a babysitter. However, when we’ve tapped into the grandparent resource too much or they aren’t available, we have to suck it up and pay someone. Since I am a worrywart, I have a little anxiety about someone else watching my kids. Now that they are older, it is less nerve-wracking, but I know what they put me through on a daily basis, and most times I worry that paying someone $10 an hour just isn’t enough. Once we secure someone to watch the kids — and the family dog — we have to actually figure out what we are going to do, how we are going to get there and coordinate with the rest of the people we are going with. In many cases, those people also have kids and their own set of hurdles to overcome just to make it out of their house, too. God forbid we use a sitter, like my mom, in which case we have to have the kids sleep over. Then we are talking about major packing, preparation and coaxing the kids as we explain that not only are mommy and daddy going out for once, but we will be gone overnight! That’s when we have to pack every comfort of home, including at least six of their favorite stuffed animals, pillows, fuzzy blankets and a bevvy of paraphernalia required to be away for a whole 12 hours. And when all is said and done and we finally get to our final destination, whether it is a concert, a party or just dinner with friends, one of two things usually happens: either I spend most of my time worrying and never really relax, or I “relax” a little too much. Now, I’m not saying that I have been known to dance on tables, but there is nothing more embarrassing than having to talk to the sitter when you’re tipsy, especially when it’s your mother-in-law. Perhaps the worst is when you have to wake up the next morning — even if you’re a little rough around the edges — and are expected to keep up with your kids as opposed to sleeping in and nursing your hangover. Instead, we can only hope for a nap while the kids nap or watch a movie. It’s at that moment that you realize sometimes a nice glass of wine and movie might have been your best bet. kc

Holiday Stroll

GENEVA JAKES The ﬁrst Genuine Neighborhood Shoppe in Illinois solely dedicated to the Life is Good brand. Geneva Jake’s spreads good vibes and optimism through upbeat and whimsical product for all ages. Geneva Jake’s carries an extensive assortment of women’s, men’s, kid’s, baby, dog, and even stuff for your home. Life is good. Jammin to the holidays with Geneva Jake’s starting Nov 23rd we will be open Sat-Tue 10am-5pm and Wed, Thurs, Fri 10am-7pm. See you then! 407 South Third St., Geneva 630.232.9478 | www.genevajakes.net

LEARNING EXPRESS TOYS Trying to ﬁnd that unique Holiday Gift for your kids, nieces or nephews? Look no further than Learning Express Toys of Geneva. Conveniently located at the Geneva Commons, our friendly and knowledgeable associates will help you ﬁnd that perfect gift to make the holidays memorable. Our selection of Top Toys this year covers a wide range; from exclusive craft kits found only at Learning Express to challenging family games sure to entertain. Complimentary gift wrapping and excellent service are why we are your Neighborhood Toy Store, stop by today. 610 Commons Drive, Geneva 630.232.8697 geneva.learningexpress-toys.com

GALENA CELLARS A tradition of Galena Cellars Nouveau Festival is the limited printing of its collectible Nouveau poster, mirroring the artwork chosen for the current year’s Nouveau wine label. This year’s artwork was created by Dwight Walles. Galena Cellars’ Nouveau wine is available for sampling and purchase at three locations: Downtown Galena (515 South Main Street), Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery (4826 North Ford Road—2 miles from the Galena Territory) and at Galena Cellars in Geneva, Illinois (477 South Third Street, Dodson Place). Also available online. 477 South Third St., Geneva 630.232.9463 | galenacellars.com

on the cover / entertainment

Stage

3Ashlie Andersen, 27, of Montgomery — operations manager and instructor at State Street Dance Studio in Geneva — stands onstage at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. State Street will perform “The Nutcracker” in December at the center.

Presence Local Theaters Offer Entertainment Variety

Whether it’s Chicago actors in Broadway-level professional shows or volunteer performers displaying their acting, singing or dancing talent, Kane County has a wide array of live theater entertainment to suit any taste and budget. Fall and winter are a great time to enjoy a night out at the theater. Whether your plans are a special date night or introducing your kids to the magic of live performance, check out one of Kane County’s great local venues.

Albright Theatre Company

Now in its 39th year, the Albright Theater Company has been performing on the third ﬂoor of the Batavia Government Center for the last 11 years. The performers and those working behind the scenes are volunteers who simply love the theater. “People want a chance to explore their creative side, and the company gives them an opportunity to do that,” says Jennifer Ring, president of the Albright Company. Its members include people from all over the tri-cities area, plus those who come as far as Palatine and Dekalb, Ring says. The theater seats an audience of 80 and is currently undergoing a renovation to add air conditioning and walls and improve the box ofﬁce and concession area. “We’re kind of in the ‘pardon our dust’ phase,” Ring says. A typical season includes four main stage productions targeted to an adult audience. This season’s offerings include the comedies “I Hate Hamlet” and “Fuddy Meers,” and two dramas, “Hollywood Arms,” based on comedian Carol Burnett’s childhood, and “Beautiful Thing,” a British coming of age story. The productions are rated for language, adult content and other criteria on the company’s website. For the holidays, the company will present an original comedy written by playwright Rebecca Froehling of Elgin. “The Family Fruitcake,” (rated PG) centers on a holiday dinner, whacky relatives and a mother who longs for a perfect, normal holiday. Ring says she loves the camaraderie of the group and the joy of working with other creative people.

By HarMoN • Photos by MeLissa eMory 32 eLiZabetH Kane County Magazine • November 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

“We all work hard, we want it to succeed and it’s always amazing to see it opening night,” she says. Albright Theatre Company 100 N. Island Avenue • Batavia Government

Center • Batavia, IL 60510 630-406-8838 • www.albrighttheatre.com

• “The Family Fruitcake,” Dec. 7 through 9 and 14 through 16

3The lobby next to the box ofﬁce at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre features original works by local artists.

Reserve tickets by calling the Albright Theater box ofﬁce. Visit the Albright Theater website for ticket prices, show times and more information.

Fox Valley Repertory

A professional equity company, the Fox Valley Repertory performs shows that help its audience laugh, reﬂect and reconnect to moments in their lives, says the company’s artistic director, John Gawlik. “We tell stories on stage — a wonderful variety of stories and characters,” he says. The proscenium-style theater seats 320, in stadium-style seating, located inside Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. “It’s a great place to watch a show,” Gawlik says. The company draws acting, directing and creative talent predominantly from Chicago. “Most are working at large and small theaters downtown, and you can see the quality in each production,” Gawlik says. “You don’t have to go downtown to ﬁnd it.” The theater’s season consists of musicals and plays. This season’s productions have included “Moonlight and Magnolias,” “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Sirens.” For the holiday season, the Fox Valley Repertory will present “The Winter Wonderettes,” a musical set in the late 1960s

about four small-town girls who stage a holiday concert to save a hardware store. “It’s a fun, warm-hearted show,” Gawlik says. “All the songs are holiday classics, but with a girl-group spin. The music appeals to all ages, and you’ll hear some great four-part harmony.” Fox Valley Repertory Pheasant Run Resort Theater

4051 E. Main St.• St. Charles IL 60174 630-584-6342• www.foxvalleyrep.org

• “The Winter Wonderettes,” Nov. 15 through Dec. 23 • The Second City’s “Dysfunctional Holiday Review,” Dec. 7 through 21

Purchase tickets online at www.foxvalleyrep.org or www. pheasantruntheater.com or through the box ofﬁce. For more information, visit the website or Fox Valley Repertory’s Facebook page.

Steel Beam Theatre The ﬁrst time Donna

3The Batavia Fine Arts Centre seats 890.

Steele stepped into the empty building in downtown St. Charles, she knew it was the perfect place for a theater. “I was involved with middle school theater as a director and with a former community theater,” the founder and artistic director of Steel Beam Theatre says. “I felt St. Charles could use a theater, I found the right

space and went full ahead. “We had to knock down some walls and erect a steel beam, thus the name,” she adds. The 79-seat proscenium theater retains the building’s historical character with wooden beams and limestone walls. “It’s very intimate, and the acoustics are fabulous,” Steele says. The theater presents mainstage and children’s productions and offers an array of classes for children, teens and adults. For the holiday season, the Steel Beam Theatre will present two shows – its annual “Sing Along With Santa” and “Scrooge: The Musical.” “Sing Along With Santa” draws children back year after year, while “Scrooge: The Musical” is back for its second season. “My Scrooge has played the part in four different productions,” Steele says. “I asked which was his favorite, and he told me this one. It’s a delightful show that’s not done all that often.” Steele Beam Theatre 111 W. Main St. St. Charles • IL 60174 630-587-8521 • www.steelbeamtheatre.com

• “Sing Along With Santa,” Nov 17 through Dec. 23 • “Scrooge: The Musical,” Nov 17 through Dec. 23

Purchase tickets online through the Steel Beam Theatre box ofﬁce or by phone.

Batavia Fine Arts Centre One of the area’s newer theaters, the Batavia

Fine Arts Centre, opened in August 2011. The center is owned and operated by Batavia Public School District 101 for the benefit of students and the local community. The facility offers an 890-seat theater with orchestra, mezzanine and balcony seating, a black box theater, an outdoor courtyard performance space and full backstage facilities. “Everything is state of the art,” says Dominic Cattero, the center’s manager. During its first year, the center hosted primarily school-related performing groups, but this year, it has offered its first community arts offerings. Upcoming holiday productions include the State Street Dance Company’s “The Nutcracker” and “Humbug! The Musical.” “It’s the classic Charles Dickens tale, but it’s performed by one actor portraying 27 different characters,” Cattero says. Future productions will include actor Ed Asner portraying Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a one-man show, “FDR,” concerts by the Elgin Symphony, children’s theater productions, the International Dance Challenge and more. “Our goal is to bring the arts to life,” Cattero says.

Batavia Fine Arts Centre

1202 Main St., Batavia, IL 60510 630-937-8930 • www.bataviaﬁneartscentre.org

• “Humbug! The Musical,” Dec. 8 • State Street Dance Company’s “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 15 and 16

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the center’s website.

Other Local Theaters And Companies

Arcada Theatre 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174 630-962-7000 www.oshows.com Music, comedy and other events take place in this historic, restored 1926 vaudeville house. The Arcada’s upcoming holiday season shows will include Eddie Money, Edgar Winter and John Cafferty’s “Jingle Bell Rock Tour” on Dec. 1; “The Diamonds Christmas Show,” on Dec. 14; and Clay Aiken on Dec. 15. Paramount Theatre 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60506 630-896-6666 www.paramountaurora.com

This historic theater recently was named “One of Chicago’s Top 10 Attended” by the League of Chicago theaters. Paramount offers its Broadway Series of live theater, music and dance. The holiday season production of “Annie” will run Nov. 21 through Dec. 30. The Hemmens Cultural Center 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120 847-931-5900 www.hemmens.org The Hemmens offers a variety of music, theater and other performing arts. It’s also home of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, which will present the holiday concert “Let It Snow” on Saturday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16. Additionally, GreenRoom Productions presents improv shows monthly. Purchase tickets through the Hemmens Box Ofﬁce online or by phone, or through GreenRoom Productions’ website, www.greenroomtheater.com. The Blizzard Theater Elgin Community College 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin, IL 60123 www.elgin.edu This college performing arts center offers student and professional productions. The Blizzard Theater will present the Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” in December. For dates and ticket information, see below. kc

A Holiday Tradition One of the world’s most famous ballets, “The Nutcracker,“ was ﬁrst performed in 1892. The story, by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, tells the tale of a young girl named Clara who discovers that a magical nutcracker is actually a handsome prince. Together, the pair travels to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where the prince is released from a spell, and he and Clara live happily ever after. “Our Nutcracker is huge,” says Linda Lee Cunningham, artistic director of State Street Dance Studio in Geneva. “We have lots of professional guest dancers, over 100 people in the cast and incredible special effects, including ﬂying effects.” The State Street Dance production features former Joffrey Ballet dancer Ariel Cisneros; Cuban native, Abdelazis Roque, formerly of the Miami City Ballet; and dancer Jessi Kennedy, who appeared on “Dance Moms: Miami.” This holiday season, check out one of these local productions: State Street Dance Studio will present “The Nutcracker Ballet” at 1 and 6

34 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

5 Pictured is Ashlie Andersen of State Street Dance Studio. This is the ﬁrst year State Street will perform its rendition of “The Nutcracker” at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre.

p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. Purchase tickets by calling State Street Dance Studio at 630-232-0444 or visiting www. bataviafineartscentre.org or www.Facebook. com/StateStreetDance. For more information visit www.statestreetdancestudio.com. Ruth Page Civic Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 at Elgin Community College. For tickets and showtimes, visit www.elgin.edu. Purchase tickets through the ECC Box Office, Building H, Room H143, or by emailing artscenter@elgin. edu. DanceWest Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” from Friday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 16, at Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., in Naperville. For ticket prices and showtimes, visit ww.dancewestballet.com or call the Pfeiffer Hall box office 630-637-SHOW. Beth Fowler Dance Company will present its 14th annual performance of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the historic Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second St., in DeKalb. Tickets and information are available at 815784-5658 or www.bethfowlerschoolofdance. kc com. — By Elizabeth Harmon KaneCountyMagazine.com

Etiquette Entertainment

By eLiZabetH HarMoN

Tuxedos aren’t necessary … and neither are cellphones. If you’re new to live theater, attending a performance may seem a little intimidating. Do you dress up, or go casual? What happens if you’re late? Knowing how to dress — and behave — can make the experience that much more enjoyable. A few Kane County theater pros weigh in on the following topics. PROPER ATTIRE

While Kane County venues don’t have strict dress codes, a night at the theater is a great reason to dress up. “You don’t need a dinner jacket or an evening gown, but people do dress up a little more than they would for an average day,” says Dominic Cattero, manager of the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. While it depends on the venue — smaller, community theaters are usually more casual — Jennifer Ring, president of the Albright Theater Company in Batavia, agrees. “It’s not something you do all the time, so it’s a special occasion to dress up,” she says. A good rule of thumb is to think jackets and dress slacks for men, and skirts, dresses or nice pants for women, but leave hats and caps at home. “People can’t see over them in the theater,” says Donna Steele, founder of the Steel Beam Theater in St. Charles.

CAMERAS, CELLPHONES AND TExTING

Leave cameras at home. That means all cameras, including those on cellphones and iPads. “Copyright laws prohibit any photography or recording,” Steele says. “It’s verboten in the theater.” Flashing lights not only distract the performers, but also fellow audience members. “It’s distracting to hear clicks and motors whirring right in front of you,” says Linda Lee Cunningham, director of Geneva’s State Street Dance Studio’s production of “The Nutcracker.” “People just want to be immersed in this magical show that’s been around for 100 years.” As for phones and texting, set phones to vibrate and answer calls at intermission. “If you’re texting in a dark theater, everyone can see it,” says John Gawlik, artistic director of the Fox Valley Repertory in St. Charles.

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Unlike movies, live theater doesn’t kick off with 15 minutes of trailers. Pay attention to the curtain time. “It’s a huge problem because we’re a small theater, and when someone is late, it’s very disruptive,” Ring says. “Our theater opens a half hour before the show, so there’s plenty of time. You really miss a lot if you’re late, because the ﬁrst few minutes of the play are when they lay out the story.” Though food is often sold during intermission, don’t bring snacks into the theater or auditorium. “Candy and snacks make noise when you open the wrappers, but we do sell beverages in the lobby and allow the audience to bring in what they’ve purchased,” Gawlik says. kc

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artist ProFiLe / entertainment

3 Flo Kat put out her ﬁrst of three albums when she was 15, though she has been singing since she was 12. Jason Peters, on bass, and Nate Stephens, on piano, played with Flo Kat on her second album and her recent release “Tightropes.”

Going With The Flo Kat Singer/Songwriter Shares Life’s Journey With Audiences By roMi HerroN • Photos by HeatHer NeLsoN

hough her academics were very strong, Florence Katzenbach, 20, opted out of high school three years ago. She says the “emotional trauma” that led to dropping out was tough, but the acoustic folk singer/songwriter ﬁnds strength and healing by expressing her challenging times through her music. “Flo Kat” performs often at Water Street Studios in Batavia and throughout the Chicago area. She also named her trio Flo Kat, which includes Katzenbach on vocals, her boyfriend, Nate Stephens of Batavia, on piano, and their friend Jason Peters, a student at Northern Illinois University, on upright bass. They’re working toward opening a live music venue called The Ofﬁce Underground in Batavia.

Dreaming of stardom It was a friend’s talent show performance that struck a chord with Katzenbach back in middle school. “I said to my mom, crying, ‘I want to be on stage like them,’” Katzenbach says. “The next year, I

did it. I obviously had some passion.” Some of it might have been part of her environment, she adds. Raised in Vermont, Katzenbach says she grew up with a lot of singer/songwriters. But it’s also part of her personality, she notes. “I guess there is a folk inﬂuence,” she says. “I really love to write stories and tell stories. I loved music as a kid.” Now a guitarist, Katzenbach’s ﬁrst shot at writing lyrics took place at age 12. She actually won a lyric competition in Batavia where she lived with her family. Her stepfather, Jason

Bell, recorded her ﬁrst album when she was just 15.

Inspired and supported

Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan are voices, and legends, who inspired Katzenbach. Michael Corn, her ﬁrst music teacher in Vermont, gave her the foundation she needed. But her mother, Greta Bell of Batavia, is her steadfast supporter who’s made it all possible, she says. “My mom is an artist at Water Street Studios,” Katzenbach says. “She loves my music. She’s so supportive of me in anything I do.” That included earning 3 Flo Kat plays acoustic guitar. her GED after leaving high school. The decision enabled Katzenbach to focus on her music — and her graphic design studies at Columbia College in Chicago. Creative living was always part of her mother’s example, Katzenbach says. “My mom has always been a creative inﬂuence on me,” she says. “She

quilted, she baked, she made wreaths at Christmas.” Her fans are another inspiration for Katzenbach. She says she longs for a sense of stability in her life and, as an artist, expression can leave one feeling vulnerable at times. “I know that to be a musician, you really have to put all of your heart out there, and I’ve been fearful of that,” she says. “But the way people have reacted to my music has encouraged me to continue making it.” Her own journey gives her ideas for new songs, and she’s also captured images of the circus in her music. She enjoyed circuses as a child, and she’s written about the elements of a circus performance, such as tight ropes and their symbolism. “Most of my inspiration comes from real life or emotional experiences,” Katzenbach says. “The music comes in with the lyrics as I’m writing them. It’s a very natural process for me, so when I try to force it, it doesn’t work so well.” Knowing her own style is perhaps what has led to Flo Kat’s success. She says she found her way by taking the non-traditional route and sharing it with others. “I would say that my best songs have always come from an emotionally hard time,” Katzenbach says, adding that she experienced depression when she attended a highly competitive private school.

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Though she excelled academically and earned a substantial scholarship, she says she felt a void. Absent was a connection between her and the rest of the world. “I felt like all the work I was putting in, all the papers, all the discussion, wasn’t amounting to anything because I wasn’t producing anything,” she says. “I wanted to make something that could last, that could function, that someone could appreciate.” KaneCountyMagazine.com

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Forging her future

These days, Katzenback is producing and expressing. Her next album is due in May, and she hopes to incorporate her graphic design talents in the entertainment industry, too. Her life is filled with what she loves, she says, noting her personal choices have led to balance. “I love hearing music, telling stories and being around an artistic community,” she says. Learning new techniques also is fun, she says, though she insists she’s not much of a formal performer. “I’m experimenting with jazz vocal techniques, and I probably do bring everything into new music,” she says. “But I would not call myself a musician.” Though her connection with her audiences comes naturally, it’s different within the musician circle, she explains. “I find it really hard to express my musical ideas to other musicians,” she says. “I don’t know the technical side of music, and the way I synthesize what a teacher teaches me about music is very abstract.” Setting the theories and textbook music applications aside, Katzenbach continues to focus on her gifts and how they can help others. The positive response she’s garnered has surprised her, and she says that’s a gift in itself. “It’s not something I ever planned,” she says. “It’s something I have been lucky to have happen — the fact that I can bring so much joy to others.” kc Flo Kat’s music is available at www. flokatmusic.com.

2061A Lincoln Highway at Rt. 38 & Randall Rd. St. Charles, IL 60174 • 630-587-1256 38 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

5The trio Flo Kat plays in a space they’re hoping to turn into a live music venue called The Ofﬁce Underground in Batavia.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

Remember the Homeless Animals this Holiday Season

elter

Ander

Animal

PETS

A Humane Society

By Anderson Animal Shelter

Charitable giving during the holidays is a rewarding experience. Toys may be broken and presents discarded or easily forgotten. However, a charitable gift of your time or money to Anderson Animal Shelter (AAS) is sure to give back throughout the year. The Shelter’s compassionate and humane treatment of homeless companion animals continues due to the generosity of kindhearted supporters year round and during the holiday season. A monetary gift in any amount aids the Shelter in continuing to provide much needed services for homeless pets in our communities. There are numerous ways to raise funds that are both creative and fun while incorporating enjoyable hobbies or engaging others. Your mission of helping the animals will also bring awareness to this worthy cause by involving family, friends, students, neighbors, co-workers, and the community. For example, do you enjoy baking or know of others who do? A holiday bake sale with the proceeds going to the Shelter would be a worthwhile treat for all. And while you’re baking, don’t forget about homemade pet treats for the Shelter’s residents. Crafty people who sew, knit, or crochet may consider making and selling dog and cat toys. If you have a ﬂair for sprucing up presents with decorations and wrap, host a gift wrapping day with the proceeds beneﬁting the Shelter. Do you belong to a group or membership organization? Consider sponsoring a donation drive using the Shelter’s “Wish List”. AAS is always in need of everyday items such as paper towels, bleach and dish soap and various items for our companion animals. The Wish List items are fairly inexpensive and may consist of things you have extras of at home. These supplies are used by the volunteers and staff who care for Shelter residents. They also keep the animals fed and cared for and make all the difference in providing them with comfort and entertainment until they are adopted into loving homes. Would you like to name a homeless animal that comes into Anderson Animal Shelter? For a $250 donation, an individual or group can name a cat or dog. This is a fun way to get your family or a group of co-workers engaged in the cause. Simply have participants make a donation and write a pet’s name on a slip of paper. When your monetary goal is reached, have a drawing to select the pet’s name.

“As the owner of a business that is dedicated to the happiness and wellness of dogs, I proudly support Anderson Animal Shelter. I am impressed with the high standards of quality care and dedication the volunteers and employees give to the animals in their charge. I can feel the love and compassion that this organization has to their mission of ﬁnding forever homes for their four legged friends.” ~ Robin Massey, FYDOLAND Dog Care Centers.

Hosting a Holiday Giving Tree through a business is another gift giving option with a personal touch. Ask employees to choose a current companion animal or “Wish List” item from the tree making the experience more intimate; all available pets are profiled on the Shelter’s website. A monetary donation or specific product donation in the pet’s name would be welcomed. Keep in mind that you can increase your impact if your company offers an Employee Giving or Matching Gift Program. Just check with your Human Resources Department and ask for the proper forms. The Shelter also has a company search engine on our website andersonanimalshelter.org. Monetary and gift in kind donations are always needed but the gift of your time is just as much of a welcomed blessing to Anderson Animal Shelter. The outstanding care of our rescued pets could not be provided without the help of its dedicated volunteers. Perhaps you have time to provide hands-on care to the Shelter animals. You can assist with keeping the shelter clean, or feeding, walking, and socializing our cats and dogs. You can offer your time at an event or fundraiser, and if your home is as big as your heart, you may even consider becoming a foster parent or family. There are numerous ways to help animals in need this holiday season. Your support and enthusiasm will make a difference in homeless pets’ lives and that’s a rewarding experience that lasts throughout the year. As you embrace the joyous spirit of the season, we encourage you to consider helping the homeless animals at Anderson Animal Shelter. A home for the holidays is possible for all our rescued creatures. The residents and Anderson Animal Shelter thank you for your generous support. To find out more please contact us at: andersonanimalshelter.org (847) 697-2880 x25, or development@andersonanimalshelter.org

health / worK it oUt

3Pictured are Shelly Cannestra of St. Charles and Hristo Hristov, owner of WOW Fitness Boot Camp in St. Charles.

ABsolutely! 5 Exercises To Firm Up Your Midsection

By aMaNda MarraZZo

SIDE PLANK

Photos by HeatHer NeLsoN

Fitness experts say toning and strengthening your abdominal HorIzoNtAL PLANK Start by lying on the floor on your stomach. muscles not only create a nice looking tummy, but a strong Prop yourself up to balance your weight on your core provides better posture and stronger back muscles that forearms. Beginners can keep their knees on the floor; more advanced women can straighten their can alleviate back problems. body and balance on their toes. Make sure your Hristo Hristov, owner and founder of WOW — Women on a Mission for Wellness — Boot Camp in St. Charles, offers five good exercises for the abdominal region. But he first has a few things to mention. “Too many people are being bombarded by the media about sit-ups and ab machines claiming [to] flatten the stomach area,” Hristov says. “They are all misleading the public and misinforming them. In fact, sit-ups are dangerous for the spine and lower back, especially for beginners [who don’t have a] strong core yet.” He says when working out the abs, you don’t need to move a lot in the midsection to get a

strong core, especially if you’re just starting out or have lower back/spine issues. “Static/stabilizing exercises have been shown by research [to be] very safe for the body and much more effective,” he says. When exercising or doing core movements, it’s important to squeeze/tighten your glutes together and pull your belly button in — a draw-inmaneuver — to protect the front and back of your body, he says. For the following five exercises, Hristov recommends starting with one to three sets of each exercise, with five to 10 reps in each set, depending on your fitness level. “Progress slowly but consistently,” he says.

FLoor CrUNCH

hips are fully extended to form a straight line from your knees (or toes) to your shoulders. Only your forearms and knees (or toes) should touch the ﬂoor. Pull your abdomen in toward your spine and make it stiff without allowing your lower back to arch. Your upper arm should be vertically positioned. Your head should be pointed down and your chin should be tucked back so your head is in line with your spine. This is an isometric movement in which the body stays still, stabilizing. Complete one to two sets with a 20- to 40-second hold a set.

SIDE PLANK

Lie on your side and balance your weight on your right forearm, keeping your upper arm completely vertical. Keep both feet ﬂexed, with your lower (right) knee

bent and touching the ground, and your upper (left) leg fully straight with just the side of your foot touching the ground. Keep your hips straight in a neutral position; do not allow them to drop. Your left hand should be positioned on your left side on your waist. Pull your belly in and stiffen up your glutes and abs. Your left shoulder should be positioned vertically in relation to the lower (right) shoulder; pull the scapular muscles — your shoulder blades — together while relaxing your trapezius muscles. Do not allow your head to hang down; keep it in a straight line with your spine and tuck your chin back. This is an isometric movement. More advanced women can extend both feet fully straight, stacked on top of each other, so that only the right forearm and right side of the right foot are touching the ground. Complete one to two sets with a 15- to 30-second hold a set.

FLoor BrIDGE

Start by lying on your back in a supine position with your arms spread wide and your palms in contact with the floor for support. Your glutes should be touching the floor and your knees should be flexed/bent with your feet on the floor. Raise your glutes off the floor until you form a straight line from your shoulder to your knees. Pull your abdominal muscles in and stabilize them. Your shoulder blades should be squeezed together as you push the floor with your heels. As you fully extend your hips to form that straight line from your shoulders to your knees, hold that position for two seconds. Then slowly lower your glutes toward the floor. Complete one to two sets with eight to 10 reps a set.

MoUNtAIN CLIMBEr

Assume a push-up position on the floor with your elbows fully straight. Only your hands and toes will have contact with the floor. Form a straight line from your ankle to knee to hip to shoulder to neck. Pull your belly in and keep it stiff along with your shoulder area. Bring one knee in by flexing your knee and hip toward your chest without tapping your foot on the floor, then slowly return it back next to the other foot. Do the same with the other knee. Continue alternating legs. Complete one to two sets with eight to 10 reps a set on each leg. More advanced women: Instead of alternating legs, do only one side so the tension is more pronounced, then do the other side.

HorIzoNtAL PLANK

MoUNtAIN CLIMBEr

FLoor CrUNCH

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Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and belly in. Your lower back, shoulders and head will rest on the floor as well. Keep both hands behind your head, slightly touching your hair; do not push your head forward. Raise your shoulders slightly off the floor while intentionally flexing/contracting the abdominal area. On the way down, slowly lower your body back to the floor while keeping the abdomen contracted. Do not sit all the way up — it is not healthy for the spine. Complete one to two sets with eight to 10 reps a set. kc For more information, visit www. UnleashedWellness.com or www. WoWFitnessBootcamp.com or call 815-757-4876.

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By emphasizing preventative and lifetime care, Dr. Ledwidge, Dr. Nessim and their team help patients achieve healthy, attractive smiles that last a lifetime. For patients who hablan Espanol, the ofﬁce is ﬂuent in Spanish and has a Spanish website available for patient convenience. North Aurora Dental Associates is located at 100 North Lincolnway in North Aurora. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 630-896-3939 or visit www. northauroradental.com.

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health

WARNING! Use At Own Risk

think twice before picking up that snow shovel.

Doctors say working in cold weather can set you up for disaster. Studies show that heart attacks occur more frequently in the winter than the summer and the fatality rate is higher, says Dr. William Towne, an interventional cardiologist with Cadence Physician Group Cardiology at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, though both seasons increase the risk of a heart attack because extreme weather can lead to overexertion. Towne compares snow shoveling to weightlifting and explains that muscles and blood vessels constrict when someone shovels in the cold. As a result of the constriction, blood pressure rises and the heart is forced to work harder. “If people have a heart condition, I don’t think they should be shoveling snow at all because of the increased risk,” he says.

SloW doWN

Snow shoveling should be done at a slow pace for ﬁve to seven minutes at a time, with rest periods of two to three minutes, Towne

I By coLLeeN LeoNard I 44 46 Kane McHenry County County Magazine Magazine • November • November 20122012

says, noting one should drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Proper body position and movement play a big role in preventing injury. Towne recommends keeping the shovel close to the body, bending from the knees rather than the back, pushing snow instead of lifting it, tightening stomach muscles when lifting is necessary and walking to dump snow instead of throwing it. He also suggests using a light-weight snow shovel with a curved handle and spraying the blade with a silicone-based lubricant so the snow doesn’t stick to it. Allow plenty of time for the job, doctors say, and don’t shovel after eating to prevent overexertion. They also recommend avoiding medications (including cold medicine), caffeine, alcohol and smoking because they can increase blood pressure. “Everybody feels like they have to get that little thing done in a short space of time,” says Dr. Vincent Bufalino, a national spokesman for the American Heart Association and senior director of cardiology for Advocate Health Care in the Chicago area. “And that time pressure is something that you should not have.” He tells his patients to avoid heavy snow shoveling and yard work in extreme weather and to “support the

McHenryCountyMagazine.com KaneCountyMagazine.com

kid in the neighborhood” to get the job done. Using a snowblower, climbing a hill and doing a project in the garage are other activities that can lead to a heart attack during cold weather, Bufalino says. “Just because you have a snowblower doesn’t mean you’re exempt,” he says. “Every year, we have a number of folks who have a heart attack using their snowblower.”

KNoW the SymptomS

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. The American Heart Association reports that nearly 73 percent of men and 72 percent of women in the age group of 60 to 79 have cardiovascular disease. During a heart attack, plaque ruptures and a blood clot forms around the plaque. A heart attack occurs because the clot clogs an artery and prevents blood flow to the heart muscle. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain that may radiate to the left arm, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting, Towne says. Sometimes symptoms are atypical or subtle. “The heart is an organ that doesn’t have pain receptors,” Towne says. “It actually refers pain to other areas. So, sometimes it can present like somebody pulled a muscle.” He says some of his patients didn’t realize they were having a heart attack because it felt like a terrible earache or toothache. Diabetics tend to have atypical symptoms, such as flu-like feelings, Towne says, and women may experience breathlessness after doing an activity, right shoulder pain or other less obvious signs. While both men and women can experience classic symptoms, women are more likely to exhibit less common signs, such as heartburn, loss of appetite, tiredness, coughing and heart flutters, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Because most people believe it will never happen to them, they need to know what factors put them at risk, Bufalino says.

“The No. 1 predictor of an early heart attack is smoking,” he says. “So, if there’s a single thing that people need to change, it’s [to] quit smoking.” Other risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, overweightness and a sedentary lifestyle. Cardiologists recommend an annual exam to check blood pressure and screen for other potential problems. Glucose and cholesterol testing will help assess a patient’s risk of developing heart disease. In addition, patients with a couple of risk factors should have a heart scan to look for calcium deposits in the arteries, an electrocardiogram, which records the heart’s electrical activity, and a stress test to make sure exercising is safe, Bufalino says.

hoW to Act/ pReveNtIoN

The American Heart Association recommends a daily low dose of aspirin, with physician approval, for heart attack survivors and patients with a high risk of a heart attack. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner and helps prevent blood clots from forming.

Heart attack victims have a better chance of survival if they call 911 instead of relying on someone else to drive them to the emergency room, Towne says. After making the call, he suggests chewing four baby aspirin or one regular aspirin — preferably noncoated — to slow down blood clotting. “Chew [the aspirin] so it gets in the blood stream as soon as possible,” Towne says. kc

Snow shoveling should be done at a SloW pAce for

FIve to SeveN

minutes at a time, Dr. William Towne says.

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McHenryCountyMagazine.com KaneCountyMagazine.com

Is In The Giving A non-profit feature

No matter how tough things get there is always someone suffering worse than you. Kane County has an assortment of nonprofit services providing support for families and individuals at their time of need. Each month, Kane County Magazine will feature a county-wide nonprofit organization. It is our hope that this will not only give you hope, but ideas on how to help others in your own way. Without the support of hundreds of volunteers, Kane

County’s nonprofits would not survive. Take time to get to know the services available right here in Kane County. Maybe someone you know needs support. Maybe you can give time or resources to help. One great thing about Kane County is that we have so many excellent nonprofits and our communities are contributing to their success.

FOX VALLEY VOLUNTEER HOSPICE Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice is a communitybased, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those with life-threatening illnesses and the bereaved. Founded in 1981, FVVH has served more than 20,000 clients and their families. Their healthcare professionals and network of extensively trained volunteers provide the best in compassionate services for those with lifethreatening illnesses and the bereaved. FVVH’s team approach includes social, emotional and spiritual support that is tailored to the needs and wishes of the client and their families. Highlights of Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice’s services are: ■ All programs and services are available free of charge, regardless of income status. ■ The team of nurses and social workers are available 24 hours a day. ■ Clients may opt to pursue treatment and continue to receive our services. ■ Emotional and spiritual support is provided by a team that includes trained volunteers who have excellent listening skills and who are experienced in working with families facing loss and grief. ■ Licensed clinicians provide emotional support and extensive community referrals. ■ Spanish-speaking volunteers and translators are available for all services and programs. Help for Those with Life-Threatening Illnesses Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice provides support and short-term counseling for those with lifethreatening illnesses and their families. And, because they do not receive Medicare or insurance payments, patients can continue to seek active treatment. Because terminal illness affects not only the patient

Sponsored by:

but their family, FVVH’s services are designed to help the entire family navigate and understand the end of life process. Following a brief initial assessment, a Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice Care Coordinator meets with the patient and family to determine their needs, and then calls upon a team of professionals and trained volunteers to ease the burden, including: resource referrals in areas such as legal, government aid, counseling, etc.; weekly visits, providing continuity of care, companionship; and medical advocacy services, when needed. Based on needs, massage therapists and chaplains are also available. In addition, loans of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, commodes, etc. are available. Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice not only provides an alternative to expensive medical care and equipment, but provides the client and their family support on a continuing basis, creating a comfort level that is non-existent in a medical or nursing care facility. Help for the Bereaved The death of a loved one can be a devastating experience, and for some, it can be difficult to carry on with everyday life. Whether the loss is a husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, child, extended family member, or dear friend, those left behind are faced with picking up the pieces and figuring out a way to go on. To help the bereaved cope with the pain of grief and put control back into their lives, Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice offers a range of services, including an individual care program that is managed by a licensed clinician and implemented by a trained volunteer. In addition, assessment, short-term

Providing the best in compassionate services one-on-one counseling, referral to resources, and support groups are also available. Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice has extensive experience in dealing with children on issues surrounding death. Through their work in schools and grief support groups focusing on families with children, the staff helps the young cope with their feelings surrounding death and loss. Also offered is specialized group support, including groups for parents who are coping with a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death; groups for those who have lost a spouse or significant other; for men who have lost their partner; and for survivors of suicide. For more information on FVVH’s programs and services, see www.fvvh.org or call 630-232-2233.

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More Than Great Office Space! Batavia Enterprises, Inc. has spent over 53 years contributing to community efforts throughout the Fox Valley. We don’t just work here, we live here and raise our families here, so we look forward to each event that we as a company are able to participate in.

Congratulations to the Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice for raising $19,500 at their Hike for Hospice!

the Boy Scouts of BEI presented with nship Award ize Cit America

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BEI Family at Fox Against B Valley’s Making S reast Ca ncer Wa trides lk

St. Charles e building in Shelby offic

BEI sponso rs Fox Valle y Vo Garden P lunteer Hospice arty

health

I By JaMi kUNZer

HealtHy Holiday Recipes Festive Foods You Can Feel Good About Eating

Culinary Arts in 2001. She also has become hef Molly Evans likes to top off many of her a member of the American Personal and Private Chef Association. holiday meals with “I enjoy the entertaining part ... and roasted vegetables. helping other families get meals on the They’re quick, table,” she says. “When I was a child, that’s healthy, easy to make, delicious and “a crowd something my mom was always able to do, put a meal on the table. I come from a pleaser,” says Evans, owner of Savory and family where that’s very important.” Sweet Specialties, based in St. Charles. “To me, that’s always a go-to side dish,” she says. “It’s mostly hands-off. You mix it all together, 6 Maple Thyme Roasted Root Vegetables throw it in the oven and you can (Photos provided) forget about it and get the rest of the meal ready.” Through her personal chef business, Evans makes homecooked meals for families and private parties and hosts group cooking lessons. As part of her services, she plans, grocery shops, prepares the food, packages it, labels it and leaves it for families to heat up throughout the week. She originally went to business school, but her passion always was cooking and entertaining. Informal cooking classes expanded into her attending and graduating from Kendall College’s School of

48 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

Following are a couple of Evans’ recipes:

Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant Dip with Pita Chips Serves: 6 to 8

Adapted slightly from a recipe in the “Barefoot Contessa Family Style” cookbook. Evans came up with her roasted pepper and eggplant dip recipe when preparing to host a party. She wanted an appetizer she could make ahead of time, and something healthy. “That one has all the vegetables and really no fat expect for the olive oil,” she says. “Everyone can enjoy it without the guilt.” It’s is a quick make-ahead dip that can be served at holiday parties. It’s also easy to bring to potlucks. — Adapted from “Barefoot Contessa Family Style” cookbook

INGREDIENTS: 1 eggplant, peeled and diced 2 red peppers, diced 1 red onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, whole 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar Store-bought pita chips KaneCountyMagazine.com

INSTRuCTIONS: Heat oven to 425. Toss eggplant, peppers, onion and garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast on sheet pan for 40 to 50 minutes or until vegetables are softened and brown. Place cooked vegetables in food processor, add tomato paste, balsamic, remaining olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse to blend. Serve with pita chips.

Maple Thyme Roasted Root Vegetables Serves: 8

Tweak the roasted vegetables a bit with some thyme and maple syrup, and you’ve got yourself a fresh, popular dish, Evans says of her maple thyme roasted root vegetables. Clients order it repeatedly, she says. “At Thanksgiving, it’s easy for me to have a batch of roasted vegetables on the ready,” she says, noting that now is the perfect time for this dish. “Root vegetables are in season this time of year, and this is an easy way to have a healthy side dish at the holiday table,” she says. “Feel free to use any other types of squash or root vegetables.” INGREDIENTS: 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 red onion, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 butternut squash, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons maple syrup 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced INSTRuCTIONS: Heat oven to 425. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on sheet pan for 40 to 45 minutes or until softened and brown. Toss in maple syrup and thyme. Roast an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Jobs may change. Retirement dreams don’t have to. If you’ve left a job and have a 401(k) or other retirement accounts, don’t forget about them. Rolling over assets you have with former employers or other institutions to an Ameriprise IRA can be important in making your retirement dreams a reality. Understanding and managing your retirement income strategies can help you put a conﬁdent retirement within reach. To start a conversation, call me at (630) 762.6556. Steve Smith Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N. Second Street, Suite 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 762.6556 Toll Free: 1 (800) 942.5959 Steven.L.Smith@ampf.com

MORE WITHIN REACHSM Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future ﬁnancial results. Brokerage, investment and ﬁnancial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cranberry Sauce Serves: 8

Realizing that it was a necessity at Thanksgiving, Evans wanted to create a sauce with fresh cranberries. She also wanted something simple, as the holiday always creates enough business in the kitchen. Her cranberry sauce ﬁt the bill and has become a family favorite, she says. “This basic cranberry sauce is so good and so easy that you’ll never use a can again!” she says. INGREDIENTS: 16 ounces fresh cranberries 1 orange, juice and zest KaneCountyMagazine.com

November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

Hamilton House

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Shannon Samuels Farmer

1/2 cup sugar 1 cinnamon stick INSTRuCTIONS: Combine cranberries, juice and zest of orange, sugar and cinnamon stick in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until the cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and serve cold or at room temperature. kc For more information about Chef Molly Evans or Savory and Sweet Specialties, call 773-612-6367 or visit www.savorysweet.com.

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fashion & beauty

avoiding

HIGH-HEEL HURT

High heels are a staple of femininity, and many women consider learning to walk in heels the next step after learning to crawl. Heels are a great fashion accessory for women, but they can come at a cost – and not just the cost paid at the register. Heels can be sexy and fun, but wearing them can be painful. Then why do women keep buying them? Simply put, high heels are fun, says Dr. Karla Stipati, a podiatrist at St. Charles Foot and Ankle Center. “Women dress to impress themselves, their friends their coworkers,” she says. “They’ll wear a shoe even if it’s not comfortable in order to carry off a certain look.” Dr. Richard Leitzen, a podiatrist at Northwest Podiatry Center Ltd. in South Elgin and Aurora, says high heels create the aesthetic illusion of longer, more slender legs. Heels also add height and give the appearance of more well-deﬁned calf muscles. “High-heeled shoes were originally worn by both men and women as a fashion statement, and they have been used for this purpose for several hundred years,” Leitzen says. “[They] instill a sense of conﬁdence and attractiveness in the wearer.”

4 “[High heels] instill a sense of conﬁdence and attractiveness in the wearer,” says Dr. Richard Leitzen, a podiatrist at Northwest Podiatry Center Ltd. in South Elgin and Aurora.

I By betsy deMitroPoULos

Longer, more slender legs and the appearance of more well-deﬁned calves? Who doesn’t want that? Unfortunately, many women ﬁnd themselves wrapped up in a love/hate relationship with their heels. And rightfully so. Leitzen says high heels aren’t good for the feet and are known to cause many foot problems. “High heels place the foot in an unnatural functional position,” he says. “They place excessive pressure on the balls of the feet and can exacerbate painful foot deformities such as bunions, bunionettes and hammertoes.” Wearing high heels can also

result in the formation of neuromas, plantar fasciitis, capsulitis and Haglund’s deformity, or “pump bump,” Stipati adds. Leitzen says the healthiest way to wear heels is to not wear them. But he realizes in today’s “beauty before comfort” world, that’s not a practical solution – nor is it one that likely will be followed. “If one simply cannot resist wearing those beautiful new Manolo Blahniks, try to stick with the lower heel height, limit the time wearing them, baby your feet afterwards and, if that doesn’t work, pay a visit to your podiatrist,” he says.

PROTECT YOUR FEET

Leitzen says there are many ways high-heel lovers can protect their feet while wearing heels. One way is to add cushions and pads to their shoes. Many silicon pads are available over-thecounter and can be utilized under the ball of the foot and surrounding the heel to provide cushioning and help prevent callus or blister formation, he says. However, most are of limited use if the shoes are to be worn for long periods of time. Leitzen often tells his patients, “If you can squeeze the pad flat between your two fingers, what do you think your whole body weight does to it?” He says the most important thing to consider when buying shoes is to get the correct shoe size, particularly if foot deformities

Get Back to What You Enjoy!

are already present. “High heels should ﬁt snugly, though if they are over-tight, they can cause blister formation and calluses,” Leitzen says. “When choosing an appropriately-sized shoe, women should not ﬁxate on numbers. Just because she may be a size 8 in her Nikes does not mean she will be a size 8 in her Jimmy Choos.” Stipati suggests women go shoe shopping toward the end of the day because their feet will be swollen from the day and they won’t risk getting a pair of heels that end up being too small. Leitzen says another important factor in shoe selection is heel height. “The higher the heel, the more destabilized the foot and ankle become, leading to a higher potential for injury, particularly if the wearer is not used to that height,” he says.

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If an excessively high heel must be worn, Leitzen suggests the wearer practice walking in them before wearing them out. He says an event that will require long periods of weight-bearing without rest may become quite painful if the high-heel wearer is not used to this treatment. He recommends changing into another pair of more comfortable shoes.

FInd FOOT RELIEF

What if the damage is already done and a night of dancing in heels makes a lady feel like she’s walking over hot coals the next day? Leitzen and Stipati suggest taking a few minutes to stretch to ﬁnd relief. Leitzen says gentle stretching of the calf and Achilles tendon can relieve some of the tightness and increased pressure on the ball of the foot once the heels have been removed.

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La Dra. Elgar está aceptando nuevos pacientes en nuestras oficinas de la calle Main y Oak & Randall ahora. ¡ Ella está contenta de regresar a Fox Valley, es bilingüe y le encantaría ser su doctora!

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(630) 897-6044 November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

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54 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

OTHER waYs TO PROvIdE s O m E aT - H O m E R E L I E F InCLUdE:

• Ice feet — Any uncomfortable areas can be iced for 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times daily. • Medicine — Stipati suggests taking an over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil or Aleve to reduce inflammation caused by prolonged use. • Soak feet — Soaks in warm water with Epsom salts have been shown to provide relief and speed healing. • Moisturize — Moisturizer should be utilized twice daily on both feet with particular focus on any calluses that have begun to develop. Moisturizer can help soften the calluses, and a pumice stone may be used to keep them from becoming excessively thick. • Massage — Deep-tissue massage may be uncomfortable, but can increase blood flow as well as reduce edema to tender feet and ankles. While there are numerous ways to diminish high heels hurt, Stipati’s best advice to all high-heel lovers is this: Listen to your body and know your limitations. “You may succeed in carrying off a certain look, but if you want to enjoy yourself at a special event or be productive at work, you need to wear a pair of comfortable shoes,” she says. kc

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KaneCountyMagazine.com

fashion & beauty

How to cultivate your own personal style Look at Kate Middleton, 1. What is your Johnny Depp or Lady GaGa. lifestyle? Whether classic, wacky or “Establishing and sometimes just bizarre, their understanding your lifestyle is the biggest step to developing your style says volumes about own personal style,” Watson says. who they are. “The more people understand And your style can do the who they are and what they value, same for you. [the more that] will dictate ﬁt, fabrications and different looks in Personal style is a brand terms of cut.” that “communicates who In order to really understand you are without saying your lifestyle and key values, a word,” says Michael Watson, fashion instructor at The Art Institute Establishing and of Charlotte. Fashion instructors from Art understanding your Institute schools offer lifestyle is the Biggest tips that will put you well on your way to cultivating steP to developing a personal style that is your own personal style. uniquely you.

Watson recommends asking yourself who you are and what you value; writing down the key points about who you are; and deciding what you want people to know about you. Are you an innovator? Are you creative? Julie Crawley, fashion instructor at The New England Institute of Art, has more to say on the issue. “It extends beyond style,” she says. “What are your hobbies and interests?” Crawley says a good place to start is online. Sites like polyvore.com, olioboard.com or Pinterest allow people to pull images together on mood boards and see what appeals to them. She recommends taking an inventory of not only your closet, but also your home.

2. What is your body type and skin tone? Determine your body type and skin tone. “Everybody’s different,” Watson says. “Everybody’s got different levels of red, blue and yellow undertones to their skin. [Understanding these will] make sure the personal style is reﬂected the best on that individual.”

3. Create a signature piece or look

Think Jackie Kennedy’s iconic suits and sunglasses or Coco Chanel’s understated style with multi-strand pearls. These ladies created a signature look that is memorable. Whether you are more of a minimalist or carry a specific style of bag, “people will remember this aspect, and it shows who you are,” Watson says. When creating your own signature look, Crawley recommends finding a designer you like. “When you find out what appeals to you, find out which retailers sell what you’re looking for and stick with that brand,” she says.

4. There’s no room for clutter

Cleaning out your closet and gathering together items to be donated to charity can be a daunting task. But, it also can be one that reaps rewards, including removing clutter and making space for items that better reﬂect your personal style. Both Watson and Crawley say this is an important step. “Go through your closet and purge — get rid of things that don’t ﬁt,” Watson says. Crawley agrees. “If you don’t like it, haven’t worn it in a year, or aren’t excited to put it on, don’t keep it,” she says.

5. Put your knowledge to work at the mall Crawley says having a distinct personal style will help make you a more educated and astute shopper. In the current economy, retailers aren’t buying as much, and they know which brands are going to sell, she says. Consumers also are scaling back, making better decisions and buying less. Watson says when shopping, ask yourself the following questions: “Does it ﬁt into my lifestyle?” and “Is it appropriate for my body and skin type?” If the answers are yes, buy it. “Understanding who you are becomes a factor in your decision-making,” he says.

6. Don’t fall victim to trends Trends are one trap that can derail your style. According to Watson, consumers fear that they are missing out on something and there is a “misconception that if it is a trend, you have to adopt it.” He says at any one time, there are seven to 10 strong fashion trends happening, and you don’t have to participate all the time. “Understand that you can pick and choose from the trend,” he says. “You can just take a piece from the trend, instead of adopting the whole look.” A great example would be a bag that incorporates the trend. kc — Courtesy of ARA

women of distinction

of WOMEN distinction

Inaugural Winner

Ann Anastasio

In October, seven local women were named Kane County Magazine’s inaugural Women of Distinction for being representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities. Each month through May, we will feature one Woman of Distinction and share her story.

Ann Anastasio

City of residence: Wayne Organization/company/corporation: The Wellington Group/Fiora’s Restaurant Title: Founder nn Anastasio has a lengthy resume that includes starting her own business, renovating a property and starting a restaurant, and helping her husband raise their 5-year-old daughter. Today, that business — The Wellington Group — is one of the top human resources ﬁrms in the country. And it’s housed on the upper ﬂoor of her and her husband Michael’s Geneva eatery, Fiora’s Restaurant — named after her daughter, Alexa Fiora — which last year was voted by Kane County Chronicle readers as “Best Restaurant” of the year. Her business successes are impressive, to say the least, but what strikes many of her employees and friends is Anastasio’s big heart. The Wayne resident has donated generously to Blessings in a Backpack, which provides a backpack of food to children from lower income families in Aurora to take home over the weekend so that they can come to school Monday mornings with full bellies, ready to learn. She has provided Christmas gifts — plus funding for the construction of a playground — for children in two orphanages in Kazakhstan, and she helped fund the reconstruction of homes for families in Haiti following the devastating earthquakes that rocked that nation. She encouraged the leaders of 4 Paws 4 U 4 Ever — a family-run shelter — to use her Geneva property to host their adoption events so the animals would have a safe place to stay, and she donates to HARPS — the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society — among other organizations and causes. For both her shining example of philanthropy and her business success, was chosen as the recipient of one 90 Anastasio 66 McHenry County Magazine • August October2012 2012

of seven inaugural Kane County Magazine Women of Distinction Awards. She was awarded with her fellow winners at a luncheon Oct. 15 at Aquaviva Winery in Maple Park, where nearly 100 people supported their fellow community leaders. “In my life, I’ve always strived to help others in need or ones I thought needed help,” Anastasio says quietly, noting that she heard about many of the charities and organizations she assists by word of mouth from other good Samaritans trying to help their particular cause. “When I really feel I need to jump in, I do.” When she ﬁrst heard about Blessings in a Backpack, for example, Anastasio immediately jumped in because she knew those children needed assistance on the weekends to receive proper nutrition to help them focus in school. “They come in on Monday morning, and they can’t even come in and study or think because they haven’t had the nourishment,” she says. “[Blessings in a Backpack] gives them food over the weekend … so they can come in Monday morning and be able to process everything they’re being given. It’s really quite incredible.” Similarly, Anastasio has a couple of friends who have adopted children from Kazakhstan, and that’s how she became involved with the Motherless Child Foundation, donating to orphanages overseas.

“They told me these children in these orphanages, they really have nothing — some of them don’t even have coats,” Anastasio says. That news prompted her to make sure every child in two different Kazakhstan orphanages receives a Christmas stocking and Christmas gift — an act she will continue this year. “The same with Haiti … after the earthquake, [it was horrible],” Anastasio says. “Still, people are living in tents, sitting on mud. [We] helped rebuild three homes so they had a roof over their heads. “When I hear about these stories, it really [touches my heart],” Anastasio continues. “I can’t do everything, but if I can do just a little, [I’ll do] anything to help change someone’s life.” Despite all she and her husband do for others, it’s not always well-known, says Aaron Adams of St. Charles, who has worked with the couple at Fiora’s Restaurant for the past two years. “What’s always impressed me, they’re very, very successful, but it’s ... the balance of how nice and generous they are, how much they genuinely care about people,” Adams says. “That’s the coolest kind of generosity, when you don’t have to talk about that, and you do it anyway.” A perfect example of their caring nature stems from the business attitude at Fiora’s, which is located at 317 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva — a location that could beneﬁt strongly from being open seven days a week to the crowds that shop and dine in that area. “They’re never open on Sundays and Mondays ... because they want the servers to have time to spend with their families,” Adams says. “It’s just a little hint as to how they operate.” Adams says it was a no-brainer to have Anastasio named as a Woman of Distinction. “It’s a lot of little hints I’ve gathered over time that make you realize what a cool lady she is,” he says. kc

— By Stephanie McHenryCountyMagazine.com N. Grimoldby

social life Women Of Distinction

y, Nancy astasio, Joan Arteberr 5 From left are Ann An Elizabeth Berrones-Rotchford, s, Prentiss, Victoria Haine hneider, who were named Sc ry Ma d an r be Carol We zine at by Kane County Maga ndy Women of Distinction Sa by os ot Ph . tly en n rec a celebration luncheo Bressner

3The winners ar e featured individua lly at left. On the oppo page, Anastasioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site st recounted. One w ory is inner will be featured each m through May. kc onth

November 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ Kane County Magazine

November arts & events In Kane County ARTS

Nov. 2 — Asia, 8 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main St., in St. Charles Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in March 1982 with several “Top 10” singles and sales exceeding 7 million copies. This “supergroup,” featuring bassist/vocalist John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, keyboardist Geoff Downes and guitarist Steve Howe, was the logical successor to their collective bands of the ’70s — Yes, ELP, King Crimson and The Buggles. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www. oshows.com. Nov. 2 — Jay ungar and Molly Mason, 7:30 p.m. at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, in St. Charles Grammy Award-winners Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will present a timeless program of American folk and traditional music. Reserved tickets cost $22; students cost $15. For tickets or more information, call 630-584-7200 or visit www.norrisculturalarts.com. Nov. 2 through 4 — “Defending the Caveman,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., in St. Charles This hilariously insightful play about the ways men and women relate is sure to have you roaring with laughter. The show has been seen in 45 countries and 18 different languages and is rated PG-13. For tickets or information, call 630-584-6342 or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org. Nov. 10 — Denny Diamond and the Family Jewels,

8 p.m. at the Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run Resort, Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Kane 4051 E. Main St., in St. Charles County Fairgrounds, at Route 38 and Randall Road, in St. Hear his voice and become an instant “believer” of Denny Charles Diamond’s baritone voice and flawless renditions of your Don’t miss this juried art show with more than 70 favorite Neil Diamond songs! For tickets or information, call crafters. Lunch is available. Admission is $2. For more 630-584-6342 or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org. information, visit www.kanecountyfair.com. Nov. 10 — Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll Night, 6 p.m. at Nov. 26 — “Side by Side,” 5 and 7 p.m. at the Randall The Eagle’s Club, 325 Raymond St., in Gilberts 15 IMAX, 550 North Randall Road, in Batavia Come out and join the fun with a “best hat” contest and Join Keanu Reeves on a tour of the past and the future line dancing lessons. Alice Loftus will perform Patsy Cline of filmmaking in “Side by Side.” Since the invention of and Bob Taylor will perform cinema, the oldies and rock ‘n’ roll. The cash standard format bar will start at 6 p.m. with for recording uFO will play at the Arcada in November dinner served at 7, followed moving images by dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. has been film. The cost is $20 a person. Over the past For more information, visit two decades, gilbertseaglesclub.com. a new form Nov. 17 and 18 — uFO, 8 p.m. of digital Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at filmmaking the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main has emerged, St., in St. Charles creating a British rock legends Paul groundbreaking Raymond, Phil Mogg, Vinnie evolution in the Moore and Andy Parker return to medium. Reeves the Arcada Theatre for another explores the amazing, sure sellout show! For development tickets or more information, call of cinema and 630-962-7000 or visit www. the impact of oshows.com. digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood Nov. 24 and 25 — Christmas on the Fox Art and masters such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh and many more. For more information, visit www.gqti.com/documentarydays.aspx. Nov. 30 — Rocky Horror Picture Show, 11 p.m. at the When you sign up by Feb. 28, 2013. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., in St. Charles A live interactive cast will perform at this historic vaudeville theatre! Costumes are encouraged, but no water guns. For more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com.

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60 Kane County Magazine • November 2012

EVENTS

Nov. 3 — Cantigny 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m. at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road, in Wheaton Cantigny’s ninth annual Veteran’s Day 5K Run/Walk is a charitable run with all proceeds donated to Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. The race is limited to the first 900 runners and walkers. To register or for more information, call 630-668-5161 or visit www.cantigny.org. Nov. 3 — Kane County Flea Market, Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, in St. Charles Shop up to 1,000 vendors selling antiques, novelties, collectibles and more. There will be food vendors, and a country breakfast will be available Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; kids 12 and younger are free. For more information, visit www.kanecountyfleamarket.com. Nov. 3 — Book Sale, 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Avenue, in Batavia Stop in at the library and find a great new read. For more information, call 630-879-1393 or visit www. bataviapubliclibrary.org. Nov. 3 and 4 — Free Fall Movie: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days,” 9 and 10 a.m. both days at the Randall IMAX 15, 550 N. Randall Road, in Batavia The Randall 15 IMAX and Goodrich Quality Theatres present the last movie in their “Free Fall Movies” series.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

The event is free for all ages. Tickets are first come, first served. For more information, visit www.gqti.com/ freemovies.aspx. Nov. 5 — Movie Monday: “Poltergeist,” 7 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in Aurora Join the Paramount Theatre in Aurora for a screening of “Poltergeist,” which was released in 1982 and is rated PG. No matter how good your home entertainment system may be, there’s nothing quite like seeing a movie the way it was meant to be seen in a large, comfortable theater on a tremendous silver screen – all for just $1. For more information, visit www.paramountaurora.com. Nov. 8 — The Taste of Home Cooking School, 4:30 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., in St. Charles VIP tickets include a “meet and greet” with Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Karen Davis, plus preferred seating. Each attendee will receive a free one-year subscription to their choice of Taste of Home, Taste of Home Digital Edition or the Family Handyman Magazine. Come early to enjoy the vendor booths and then watch the live cooking school. Each attendee also will receive a gift bag filled with recipe booklets, coupons and product samples. Fun door prizes will be given away throughout the show. Tickets are $19 for general admission; $29 for premium; and $39 for VIP. For more information, call 630845-5241 or visit www.tasteofhome.com. Nov. 10 and 11 — The Chicago Pet Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Kane County Fairgrounds, at Route 38 and Randall Road, in St. Charles Rescues, shelters and humane societies will show dogs, cats and other animals available for adoption. For more information, visit www.chicagopetshow.com. Nov. 10 — Beads, Bangles and Baubles: Jewelry and Accessories Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road, in Wheaton Don’t miss this multi-vendor jewelry show featuring handcrafted jewelry and accessories by local artisans, designers and dealers. Shop for yourself or start your holiday shopping. Admission is free; parking cost $5 a car. For more information, visit www.cantigny.org. Nov. 15 — “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 7 p.m. at the Randall 15 IMAX, 550 N. Randall Road, in Batavia Don’t miss the American classic, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, as it returns to the big screen for only one night. For more information, visit www.gqti. com/freemovies. aspx. Nov. 19 — Thanksgiving Centerpiece, 6:30 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road, in Wheaton

Create a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece. The class fee is $40 a person. To register or for more information, call 630260-8162 or visit www. cantigny.org. Nov. 23 — Over the River and Through the Woods, 10 a.m. at Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve, at 35W076 Villa Marie Road, in St. Charles Time to get away from the kitchen, turn off the TV and walk off some of those Thanksgiving calories. On this free naturalist-guided hike, you’ll go over the Fox River and through the woods, looking for wild turkeys and other fall wildlife. All ages are welcome, so bring the whole family. Registration is not required. For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com. Nov. 25 — Celebration of Lights Festival, 5:30 p.m. on the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia Join the Batavia Park District with free hayrides, a community sing-a-long, a visit with Santa and the ceremonial tree lighting. For more information, visit www. bataviaparks.org. kc

Events calendar

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For additional calendar events and updated details, visit www. planitkane.com.

Christmas Walk & House Tour – December 7 & 8, 2012

‘T the season to be jolly… especially in downtown Geneva! The festivities ‘Tis begin be Friday, Dec. 7th at 6 pm with Graham Chocolate’s ﬁrst candy cane of th the season and Santa lighting the great tree – and continues with roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers, a live nativity and free carriage rides. On Saturday, th at 7 pm, Chef Alain Roby will attempt to break the Guiness Book of Dec. 8th World Records by creating the world’s longest candy cane. On both days you can tour ur ﬁve spectacular houses decked with boughs of holly and innovative mas decorations. For a complete schedule and House Tour tickets Christmas visit genevachamber.com. Geneva. neva. Where the spirit of Christmas comes alive.

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November 2012 • Kane County Magazine

oUr town: BATAVIA

What’s With The Windmills?

Carla Hill and Glenn Miner, director of the Batavia Depot Museum and historian of the Batavia Historical Society, respectively, sat down with Kane County Magazine Editor Stephanie N. Grimoldby at the museum, located at the corner of Houston and Water streets by the Fox River in Batavia, to talk about the importance of windmills to the city. KC: Batavia is known as the City of Energy because of its windmills. Tell me a bit about the history of those structures. Miner: [There were six] major windmill manufacturers starting in the 1840s, 1850s. KC: What were the names of the six companies? Miner: There was the U.S. Wind, Engine and Pump Company; the Challenge Company; Appleton Manufacturing; the Batavia Windmill Company; the Snow Manufacturing Company; and the Danforth … . Daniel Halladay, [in] 1854, [he invented] the self-regulating windmill. If you didn’t regulate it, it would take off in high winds and blow itself apart … he was the U.S. Wind, Engine and Pump Company. KC: What was the importance of windmills back then? Miner: Water and power.

Hill: And actually, the Challenge 76, which maybe people don’t realize, was used to help irrigate the southwest to pump water. KC: The southwest of Batavia? Hill: No, the southwest of our country. Miner: The whole western area … Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, that whole area. Hill: Tex Burdick was one of the guys that used the Challenge 76 for that purpose and purchased them and took them to the southwest … he died not too many years ago. He was over 100 years old. His story is actually an amazing story of [taking] the very dry, arrid conditions in the southwest [and] using the windmills to pump the water to irrigate. KC: That company started here in Batavia? Miner: The company made the windmills. They had a bunch of distributors and dealers that would ship it out to them and then they would go and drill a little well and put this windmill over it, and they would have a water trough and they would ﬁll the water trough up, and the cows would come and drink off that. So, then they could have cows, ranches and farmers because now they [had] water to have cattle that they’re going to make money with. KC: Why is Batavia the hub for windmills? Miner: There was a source of power here through the river, and they made the dam, and then that caused electricity to be made, and that’s why they came here. There were a lot of Swedes. They came from Sweden in the 1880s, and there was a lot of work … [for] people who were quality craftsmen … they had everything here. They had the power and they had the manpower and they had the land. Hill: All the river towns had industry, and that’s really what built the towns. They used the water for power, and that’s what powered the equipment and cooled metal and made the companies possible. It was a time when all up and down the river there were all these industries popping up. We had the Newton Wagon Company, we had the [Western] Paper Bag Company, we had the windmill companies and they were here because of that.

And like Glenn said, there were a lot of immigrants to the area. We had a large Swedish population, but we also had Irish people, Germans, and they worked in the companies, and that’s what really built the communities into what they are today — thriving communities. And it was because of the industries that people came to settle … . The windmill industry was really the catapult for the town. It really put Batavia on the map, so to speak. KC: What replaced the windmills? Miner: In the 1930s, they had the REA for the [Rural Electrification Administration] … they electrified rural America. They ran the lines farther out and farther out … everybody had electricity … . We had fire plants, coalfired power plants, and they said, “I can put a pump in here, I can click it, I can put a timer on it, and it’ll only run four hours a day, regardless of what the wind is doing.” So, the windmills, we just don’t need them anymore. KC: What happened to Batavia when that happened? Hill: During World War II, these companies became manufacturers of … munitions … . Of course, there were a lot of women who worked in the companies because the men were gone. I think a lot of people don’t realize that these buildings were actually used for that purpose. KC: Are those buildings still standing? Hill: A portion of all the buildings are still here. The one that you see right across the pond here, that’s where our city council chambers is, where our mayor’s office, police department is — that was all part of the Appleton Windmill complex. Rather than tear the buildings down, they have been adapted and have been reused. If you walk into those buildings today, especially [the] city council chamber, they’ve done a beautiful job in maintaining the character of those buildings and the industrial feel. Miner: [They have] big wooden beams and exposed walls. Hill: A lot of people, when they drive through Batavia, wonder why there’s windmills all along Randall Road, all through here. If you’re just driving through, there’s nothing that tells you that this was a very important part of our history, in the United States, really. The connection was really far-reaching. kc • Our Town features a different person, organization, event or historical landmark in a Kane County community on a rotating monthly basis.

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