KCM-12-01-12.pdf

December 2012

Behind The

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Curtain The Paramount Theatre in Aurora strives to become one of the biggest names in the industry

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Festive Activities For December pg 52

Find The Right Gift

For The Environmentalist, Athlete Or Mother-In-Law pg 46

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DIAMOND TRENDS

Explore What’s Hot In Diamond Jewelry With 2 Kane County Jewelers pg 43

INSIDE

Home & Lifestyle 3

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Home Design — Lighting: Different lights can set the tone of a room. Find out how to properly light your home from experts at Sunshine Lighting in St. Charles and Lighting Options in Geneva.

Plus, don’t miss these suggestions for holiday lighting from County Wide Landscaping in Elburn!

Wine Niche: Learn three important pointers that can help you narrow down your wine selection for your big holiday meal from Vince Balistreri at Niche Restaurant in Geneva.

Artist Profile: Need something to do with the kids over the holiday break? Head to Tony and Friends Art Studio in St. Charles so they can learn the basics of painting and drawing. While you’re there, sign up yourself for a class, too.

On the Cover: The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is in the middle of its second season of its Broadway Series, and its performance of “Annie” is gearing up to be one of the best shows ever, says Executive Director Tim Rater.

Family

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Write This Down: Michelle Stien, a stay-at-home mother of two, wonders how soon is too soon before she can bring out her Elf on the Shelf.

Success Lives Next Door: Paula Jensen of Geneva found a great way to give back to the community after she retired – she helps Lazarus House in St. Charles, especially around the holidays. Find out how you can give back to various Kane County nonprofits.

The furry friend you have at home needs holiday presents, too, right? Representatives from Wet Nose in Geneva and Critters Pet Shop in St. Charles offer ideas for stocking stuffers for your pets.

10 Intriguing People 31

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Meet some of the interesting people who work and reside in Kane County as part of our annual 10 Intriguing People feature.

Say hello to Pat Schiller, a 2007 Geneva High School graduate and NIU football standout who is on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons. You’ll also meet Donald Cummings, known to many in Geneva as being the most interesting man they know — for a variety of reasons.

Jamie Saam is an incredibly active — and young — resident of Batavia striving to make a difference in her community. And Steve Spear of St. Charles is planning to run from Los Angeles to New York to raise money for children around the globe in need of clean water, food and education.

Tom Lichtenheld, who has written a New York Times best seller, calls Geneva home. Then there’s Katie Flannery, a former Riverdance performer, who recently opened her own Irish dance studio in St. Charles.

Tim Vetang, a recent winner of a prestigious Geneva Chamber of Commerce award, never stops working to make his community a better place to live. Meanwhile, Margaret Humphrey is teaching her Batavia High School students — and the community — the importance of protecting the environment.

St. Charles North High School recently was named as one of the top 1,000 public high schools in the country, and Principal Kim Zupec shares her thoughts on why her school is doing so well.

And finally, 91-year-old Jamie Daniel of Geneva recalls stories of the town she has come to love.

Health 36

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Putting lighting in a room is like putting icing on the cake.

Sandie Vlach, co-owner of Sunshine Lighting, a lighting retailer located in St. Charles

How many jumping jacks would it take to burn off a glass of wine?

Find out!

Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder or form of depression that usually begins in early winter. Learn more about SAD and how to combat symptoms.

Holidays / Fashion & Beauty 43

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Diamonds are forever, and they’re always a popular holiday gift.

Explore the latest trends in these sparkling stones with experts at JP Jewelers in St. Charles and State Street Jewelers in Geneva.

Find the right gifts for the athlete in your family, the environmentalist — even the mother-in-law — with these suggestions from Kane County shops.

We’ve got a calendar event for every single day of December to help keep you full of festive spirit!

WOD: Meet Joan Arteberry Zavitz, whose commitment to several St. Charles organizations over the years has made her an inaugural Women of Distinction award winner.

from the editor

O

Happy Holidays!

ne of the reasons I love my job so much is that I get to meet — either directly or indirectly — so many interesting people in our county.

As a reporter, I often found myself wanting to find an adult league to play in after writing a high school game review, or shop at a new store after covering a ribbon-cutting ceremony or even volunteer at a different organization after meeting its founders.

As an editor, even if I’m not reporting on the scene first-hand, I’m still finding and reading about people who are doing amazing things.

Our December issue of Kane County Magazine is dedicated in part to some of the interesting people in our community — 10, to be exact. One is planning to run from Los Angeles to New York in the spring to raise money for a charity. Another is a best-selling author who has published more than a dozen books. Still another is living his dream of playing in the NFL as a member of the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.

I’ve talked with many of our 10 intriguing people, and their passion for their hobby, job or philanthropic event is nothing short of inspiring. Each has such an interesting view on life, and I can’t wait for you to read all about them (page 31).

Along with meeting your interesting neighbors, we’d also like you to meet those who can help you out this holiday season, whether

it’s learning how to properly light your home — inside and out (page 8) — or finding the right gift. We talk to experts about diamonds for that special someone (page 43), pet boutiques for the furry friends in your home (page 28) and local businesses for the people in your life who may be hard to shop for (page 46).

In the midst of this holiday season, when many of us are frantically trying to tick off items on our list of things to do, we also take a moment to remember that this is a wonderful time to give back to others. You’ll find examples of people with good hearts within our 10 intriguing people feature, and you’ll also read how Paula Jensen of Geneva is making time to help those at risk by volunteering at Lazarus House in St. Charles (page 24). Take the time to look at a list of charities offered to which you can donate time or money. Perhaps one might pull at your heartstrings.

And stay tuned for next month, when we’ll unveil a new monthly feature to showcase the beautiful and engaging works of our local artists. Let’s just say we’re excited to display their talents, and we can’t wait to share this new idea with you.

The stories we run in Kane County Magazine every month inspire me to want to be a better athlete; better wife; better homeowner; better philanthropist; and better person overall. The people at the center of each story are by no means perfect, but they do have a story to tell, and we enjoy sharing those with you. We hope you enjoy them as well.

I pray you have a blessed holiday!

— Stephanie N. Grimoldby Editor

kc

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, Elizabeth Harmon, Romi Herron, Lauren Lynch, Betsy Demitropoulos, Jacky Runice, Colleen Leonard, Pat Stemper Vojta 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.

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KaneCountyMagazine.com

SNEAK PeeK In our January “Health” issue, don’t miss: A look at unconventional ways to stay fit The kick-off of our lowfat recipe of the month series

Fashionable athletic wear Organic facials Computer classes to keep you up-to-date on technology ... and more!

KaneCountyMagazine.com

On The Cover Pictured on the cover is an inside view of the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, complete with nearly 2,000 burgundy seats and ornate ceiling designs. To learn more about the historic venue’s Broadway Series, featuring “Annie,” “The Music Man” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” see page 20.

Photo by Thomas King Pictured on the cover inset is Katie Flannery, owner of Flannery School of Irish Dance in St. Charles, wearing diamond jewelry. Flannery is featured in Kane County Magazine’s annual 10 Intriguing People article. To read

more, see page 31.

Diamonds provided by JP Jewelers in St. Charles.

Flannery wears inside-out oval diamond hoop earrings; a diamond criss-cross fashion ring by Bassali; and a pink oval cut diamond necklace. She holds a diamond eternity circle pendant. For more on diamond trends this holiday season, see page 43.

Photo by Melissa Emory Hair and makeup by Lindsey and Stephanie, respectively, from Mario Tricoci Hair Salons and Day Spas in Geneva

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

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home & lifestyle / HoMedesign

Lighten Up! I By BETSY DEMITROPOULOS I Lighting is an important aspect of a home, adding both brightness and elegance.

Sandie Vlach, co-owner of Sunshine Lighting, a lighting retailer located in St. Charles, says transitional and contemporary lighting styles have been increasingly popular with her customers this year.

“We are seeing a lot of changes in the finish of fixtures,” says Vlach, who owns the business with her husband, Tom. “We are moving away from brass, and customers are buying fixtures in oil-rubbed bronze and polished nickel.”

Vlach says homeowners need to look at the type of furniture in the room, the colors in the room and the function of the room to get ideas 6Homeowners choose white lights when they want a clean and elegant look, according to Brian Larsen, owner of County Wide Landscaping in Elburn. But colored lighting products are still popular.

How To Use Lighting As A Decoration Inside (Or Outside) Your Home

as to which types of lighting they will need to buy. The size of the room and the height of the ceiling also are very important considerations.

“The trick is selecting a fixture that’s not too big but not too small,” she says.

Vlach says it helps to know that there are three main types of lighting: general, task and accent.

Interior lighting

General lighting provides an area with overall illumination. When a person turns on the switch in a room, general lighting is what lights the entire room.

Task lighting helps an individual perform specific tasks. Under-cabinet lighting that

helps a person cook in the kitchen is an example of task lighting.

Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. This type of lighting isn’t the main source of light in a room. Vlach says sconces are an example of accent lighting.

Lighting basics

Chandeliers are a versatile type of lighting as they provide a good source of general lighting, plus they’re very decorative, Vlach says.

And they aren’t just found in dining rooms or entryways anymore — more and more kitchens and bathrooms are now featuring chandeliers.

“Homeowners are being more creative nowadays about ways to enhance their homes,” she says. “They are more daring than they used to be.”

Vlach says one of the biggest current trends in home lighting is drum-shade chandeliers. One of the most popular drum-shade chandelier combinations is a chandelier with a sheer drum shade.

Adding a sheer drum shade to a simple crystal chandelier creates a beautiful layered look while still allowing the beauty of the crystals and light to shine through the sheer material. For those who want a more modern look, they can add a more opaque drum shade such as a cotton duck drum shade over a contemporary chandelier.

Caroline Leadingham, the showroom manager at Lighting

3 (From left starting on opposite page) Light Options offers fashionable lighting with a focus on modern elegance and luxurious details.

(Photos provided)

Options in Geneva, says drum-shade chandeliers are popular among her clientele, as well. This Fox Valley area lighting retailer offers all types of fashionable lighting such as pendants, sconces, ceiling fans/lights, flush mounts, lamps and recessed lighting.

Leadingham says lighting with clean lines and a sleek style resembling a city-loft are what customers are really going for, noting pendants and sconces are very popular types of lighting.

Pendants, a type of task lighting, can be hung above seating areas, in the kitchen, above bathroom vanities and in the entryway.

Wall sconces, meanwhile, are a type of accent lighting that’s very popular in home design.

They come in a wide variety of shapes and light designs and are found in many different rooms of the house.

Homeowners put a little bit of their personalities into their homes by adding lighting that looks good to them and is pleasing to the eye.

“Lighting is fun. Putting lighting in a room is like putting icing on the cake,” Vlach says. “Lighting is what makes a room look beautiful.”

Holiday lighting

Decorating a home and yard with brightly colored decorations is a popular Christmas ritual.

Brian Larsen — owner of County Wide Landscaping in Elburn, which specializes in brick paver patios, driveways, full-yard landscape redesigns, water gardens, waterscapes

other considerations

Recessed lighting, or can lighting, is a popular form of general lighting.

Lighting Options offers recessed lighting in contemporary, traditional and transitional styles as well as numerous finishes such as brass, bronze, polished nickel and copper.

Apart from the actual fixture, Vlach says the lighting world is seeing changes in the actual bulb itself, as lighting moves away from incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, to light-emitting diode, or LED, light bulbs.

“LED is the future of lighting,” she says.

When purchasing bulbs, Leadingham says to pay special attention to Environmental Protection Agency laws regarding lighting.

Incandescent bulbs are being phased out, and manufacturers aren’t permitted to make incandescent bulbs in certain wattages anymore.

Leadingham and Vlach both agree that lighting is a fashion-driven industry, and it’s not just about illuminating a space.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

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6Chandeliers are a versatile type of lighting as they provide a good source of general lighting, plus they’re very decorative.

and holiday lighting — shares different ways to light up the home for the holidays.

To create a holiday fantasy in and around the home, Larsen notes the following trends in holiday lighting: • LED Lights: When selecting the type of light to decorate their homes, many people are turning to LED versus incandescent, Larsen says. While LEDs do cost more at first, they’re worth the investment. According to Larsen, LEDs last longer than traditional lights, consume less power and don’t break easily.

Icicle Lights and LED Falling Icicle Lights: Icicle lights have been a popular holiday decoration for several years. They are hung along the exterior roofline of a home or building and have long, vertical strands of lights that resemble icicles when lit. Icicle lights are usually white in color, but are also offered in a variety of colors. Larsen says a new variation to the popular icicle lights is LED falling icicle lights, which are lights that emulate falling snow in the night sky and are displayed just like icicle lights.

Music and Lights: Larsen says holiday light displays that literally dance to the music are becoming very popular. With improvements in technology, the tradition of decorating a home and yard for the holidays has evolved from the use of a few strands of lights and garland to full-fledged light shows synchronized to music.

White Lights: Larsen says homeowners choose white lights when they want a clean and elegant look, but colored lighting products are still popular. Coordinating lights by colors — for example, green lights on trees and red lights circling the trunks — can create a unique look. Red, white and blue lights are a popular color theme besides the standard holiday red and green, he adds. kc

10 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

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home & lifestyle

Which Wine?

It’s already time to start thinking about the holidays. They come up so fast every year!

And when you start to think about the holidays, you start to think about big family dinners. While Americans might not be as traditional as we were in the past when it comes to what food we serve, one tradition remains — there is still generally wine at the table.

Picking out your wine for dinner is an absolutely crucial part of planning the meal. My best comparison to help you understand the importance of finding the right pairing is this: picture eating a chocolate chip cookie and washing it down with water instead of milk. That can be the difference between how a bad wine can make food taste and how a good wine can make food taste.

Some of the classic meals during the holidays feature turkey or ham, cranberries, pumpkin, squash, potatoes, tons of butter, Jello, fruit pies, greens and more. This kind of leaves you all over the place.

So, I’ll share a few pointers.

1. The best place to start is to decide what will not work with your meal.

I would begin by weaning out the powerful wines that could overpower the main part of the meal, namely the turkey or ham. Such varietals would include cabernet, petit verdot, malbec, zinfandel, syrah, young bordeaux and red wines from most of Australia.

That right there should have narrowed your selection quite a bit.

2. You should also plan to have a red and a white, as some guests are very

Wine Niche

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

particular about not drinking one or the other.

3. I then like to take into consideration the other foods that will be offered and see how they play into the equation. Let’s break down some components.

Cranberries are very good pairings for California pinot noirs and a lot of white wines. Potatoes, meanwhile, are white all the way. A nice, butter-oaked Napa chardonnay always hits the spot on mashed or baked.

There are too many different kinds of greens and squash out there to completely break down the best wine pairings, but we can concentrate on a few. Spinach, arugula and other meatier greens can hold up with some powerful wines depending on the dressing, but pinots are always a safe bet as they are very food friendly and usually don’t overpower the greens. Depending on what type of dressing you serve, most whites work out great as well, as long as they are not too fruit forward or sweet like riesling, sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio.

From all of this, I can determine that I want a light red wine and a nice, rich, smooth white wine that can hold up to all of the different types of rich food that is on the table.

Now, here are some suggestions of those types of wines:

Red

• Pinot noir or burgundies: These wines offer a good fruity taste that is light enough to handle white meats like pork and turkey. Oregon pinots offer a little more old world-type flavors (soil) that go nicely with root vegetables.

• Grenache: Depending on the region or maker,

this wine is lovely with white meat choices because it can be light enough to dance with the protein. It carries tons of wonderful fruit flavors that, of course, go well with a lot of the fruits served during the holidays.

White

• Chardonnays: You could go either way. I like more of the traditional, lessoaked chardonnays, but I actually think you are better off with a heavily-oaked chardonnay. When there is a lot of butter and fat being served for dinner, this is a match made in heaven.

• Roussanne/marsanne blend: The richness in this blend really holds up to the fat being used in dishes for the holidays, but it also gives you a touch of fruit funk that really nails the root vegetables as well as the greens. kc

home & lifestyle / artist profile

find your

E

I By JAMI KUNZER

16 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

I

ven if you think you aren’t artistic, you’ll be able to create art at Tony and Friends Art Studio.

The St. Charles business, owned by Tony Carnesecchi for the past 11 years, offers adults and children the chance to learn the basics of painting and drawing.

Even more so, Carnesecchi says, he offers artistic hope to many who have none.

“I get people in here all the time that have never drawn or painted before in their lives,” he says. “It’s pretty rewarding when I can wring some talent out of these people and get them to do something they thought they could never do. That’s what we strive for ...

“I love what I do.”

Among the many classes, workshops, independent studies and camps offered are motherdaughter painting classes, afterschool and weekend art classes and workshops in which students “make it” and “take it” home.

His “Kids 1-Day Winter Workshops” have been a “big hit,” Carnesecchi says. Students ages 5 to 13 complete projects consisting of acrylic, watercolor paints and possibly Cray-pas.

This year’s workshops will take place Dec. 26 through 28.

Finding his passion It’s a different world today than the 18 years Carnesecchi spent selling construction materials to builders.

Burned out by his day job and encouraged by his family, he began taking classes years ago at the studio he eventually purchased.

He describes himself as a realism painter, but he also does impressionism using mostly oil paints and some acrylics.

After the studio’s previous owner had seen his work, Carnesecchi was asked to teach a couple of classes. When that owner retired after 15 years in the business, it was an easy transition for Carnesecchi to take over.

“It just kind of snowballed,” he says.

An art and business major in college, he saw the business as ideal.

He had found his passion.

And many who’ve taken his classes say that passion has rubbed off on them.

Students, such as Tanya Moncini of South Elgin, and her 9-year-old daughter Sophia, enjoy the studio’s sort of “followthe-leader” style in some of the classes.

“I always wanted to learn to draw,” Moncini says. “I do a little drawing myself. There were a couple people in the class who can’t draw anything to save their KaneCountyMagazine.com

3 (Facing page) “Juliette” by Tony Carnesecchi.

6 “Sandy’s Violin” by Tony Carnesecchi.

(Photos provided)

lives. It’s actually nice. You look at the end result ... it’s kind of amazing.”

The art class helps Moncini’s daughter with her hyperactivity disorder, she says.

Sophia has taken classes at the studio for the past two years.

“That’s the only thing that calms her down,” Moncini says.

And once she completes a piece of work, she can’t wait to show it to her father or give it to him as a present.

“It’s so good for the self-esteem of the child that they can do something like that,” Moncini says.

What is offered

Along with its St. Charles studio, Carnesecchi’s business offers Kids Summer Art Camps at park districts in Naperville and Glen Ellyn, as well as weekly classes and workshops at those places.

At the Kids Summer Art Camps, students complete seven to 10 projects and take part in an art show at the end.

“We do a theme every summer, which is voted on by the kids, so the projects consist of the subject matter that the kids vote on,” Carnesecchi says.

Other programs include spring break one-day workshops and six weeks of summer camps.

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

17

5 Tony and Friends Art Studio offers classes for adults (above) and children (below).

Through the years, Tony and Friends Art Studio has drawn many regular loyal customers who’ve been with Carnesecchi since the beginning. Some have gone on to win awards and honors.

Students learn everything from brush techniques to composition and perspective.

“It’s kind of somewhat of a social gathering, and also they’re learning art,” he says. “We take them through everything, and it’s kind of fun for them to produce some work they’ve never done before ... .

“It’s very rewarding when you see them excited and happy about something they did.”

Learn More

Along with regular classes and camps for adults, children and after-school and scout groups, Tony and Friends Art Studio, located at 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 157, in St. Charles, will offer Kids 1-Day Winter Workshops for those ages 5 to 13.

Workshops will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 26, 27 and 28.

Projects will consist of acrylic, watercolor paints and possibly Craypas. Children are asked to bring sack lunches.

For more information, call 630-377-5377 or visit www. tonyandfriendsartstudio.com. kc

18 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

home & lifestyle

Another Stage Of Life The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is intentionally working its way toward becoming one of the biggest names in the industry

I

t’s hard not to catch the excitement of what’s going on at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

In just its second season of offering a Broadway Series — a compilation of four professionally produced musicals based on Broadway classics — the historical

theater has seen a huge spike in subscribers, received a renewed audience appreciation for musical theater and created an intoxicating sense of impending greatness felt by directors and audience members alike.

Simply put, the theater is intentionally working its way toward becoming one of the biggest names in the industry.

comiNG SooN!

RiverEdge Park, which will house a new outdoor amphitheater, is slated to open during Aurora’s Blues On The Fox Festival in June.

The new venue, which will be managed by the Paramount Theatre and Aurora Civic Center Authority, will bring a mix of programming to the Fox River Valley, including free and ticketed performances.

For more information, visit www.aurora-il.org/riveredge_ park.

“We believe we’re creating the best musical theater in Chicago,” says Tim Rater, president and chief executive officer of the Paramount.

From movie palace to Broadway

In 1931, the Paramount Theatre opened as a nearly 2,000-seat palace showing firstrun movies. For trivia lovers: it was the first movie palace outside of Chicago that had air conditioning, Rater says.

In the 1950s and ’60s, the theater fell into disarray, but a decade later its Venetianstyle decor was restored and the Paramount reopened as a live performance venue. In 2006, it received a facelift with a new grand lobby and art gallery, but the theater itself — located on Stolp Island in downtown Aurora — retains its historic look and feel, from the massive sea of burgundy seats and ornate ceiling design inside to the grand marquee outside. In fact, the Paramount has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.

Today, it has come alive again, this time as a venue for comedy tours, classic movie Mondays, A-list musical acts and, of course, the Broadway Series.

“When I got here, one of the first things I found was this community really supports the Paramount,” says Rater, who took over two years ago. “There’s a true affection for the Paramount. There’s a history of supporting

3 Pictured is the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Photos by Thomas King

shows here.”

The vibrant anchor of the Paramount’s success is its dedication to bringing good shows and entertainment to the area, Rater says. And this season, the number of good shows is skyrocketing.

Rater’s No. 1 priority was to bring in new activity to the Paramount, and the numbers don’t belie his intent. Last season, the theater offered roughly 175 performances to audiences. This year, it’s hovering close to 175 again, with 117 performances coming from the Broadway Series.

The biggest difference between the inaugural Broadway Series and this season is that instead of offering just three or four showtimes for each musical, each play has expanded to include three to six weeks of performances, scheduled Wednesday through Sunday, Rater says.

And these aren’t mom and pop plays, he notes. They’re original productions - with a professional director, union actors and a full, live orchestra providing a one-of-a-kind experience — of Tony Award-winning shows that have seen significant time, and success, on Broadway.

“[In] the Broadway Series, all the shows have had a presence on Broadway,” Rater says. “[They’re] classics that have been followed sometimes for generations.”

Last year’s successful Broadway Series featured “My Fair Lady,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “A Chorus Line” and “Hair.” Nearly 12,500 subscribers — those who purchased tickets to all four shows at a significantly reduced rate — witnessed the Paramount’s first venture into Broadway.

This season, the series has experienced a 90 percent renewal rate in subscriber sales, plus additional growth, with more than 19,000 subscribers grabbing up tickets, Rater says.

The Paramount just finished its opening musical, “Grease,” and opened “Annie” on Nov. 21, which will run through the end of the year. The remaining two plays — “The Music Man” and “Fiddler on the Roof” — will conclude the family-friendly series in 2013.

Besides the appeal of traditional Broadway, the Paramount offers something else to local patrons — great location and affordable prices.

Still, beyond those perks, what people seem to appreciate most is the caliber of production they’re able to view at such a close-to-home venue.

“The shows we’re doing, people have seen before — these are classic shows,” Rater says, noting that many have pre-conceived notions of how they’ll like a Paramount live performance. “I’ve had people say … ‘I didn’t particularly like “My Fair Lady.”’ They came, and they loved the show [we put on].

“We make believers out of them.”

For weeks leading up to opening night in late November, artistic director Jim Corti, Rater and countless others prepared for the opening of “Annie.”

Even while costumes were still being made, the stage still being built, Rater predicted the success of the second Broadway performance in the 2012-13 season.

“The shows just keep getting better,” Rater says. “‘Annie’ is shaping up to be the best performance we’ve offered yet.”

“It’s become immensely difficult to afford Chicago downtown theater,” Rater says.

“I personally find it a little daunting to go downtown for theater. Here at the Paramount, you can see a show that critics agree are just as good or better, as cheap as $20.”

Single ticket prices at the Paramount range from $34.90 to $46.90 for Broadway plays, but subscribers receive 40 to 50 percent off those prices. Plus, free parking lots are available for shows, free street parking is available in the evenings, and dining and entertainment — including Hollywood Casino — is just around the corner.

The traditional storyline of a little girl faced with enormous challenges as she searches for a family to love her is one that audiences may have seen before, but they can now witness it through new eyes.

“It’s a story a lot of people can relate to,” Rater says. “You may have had a difficult childhood; you may have known of someone else who had a difficult childhood. [You] can relate with Annie … and how a man’s heart can be changed by the love of a little girl.”

Showgoers will be presented with an adorable Annie and stern Daddy Warbucks, albeit not a curly-top redhead and bald

“aNNie” aNd BeyoNd

paramoUNt tHeatre 23 E. Galena Blvd.

Aurora, IL 60506 Box Office: 630-896-6666

businessman, as they may be accustomed to seeing.

“I think folks will be a little bit surprised,” Rater says. “This is OUR production of ‘Annie,’ perhaps a more honest, heartwarming show.”

Under the direction of Jim Corti — a Jeff

Award winner for his acting, directing and choreography — the professionals in “Annie” and the other Broadway productions are experiencing a life-changing opportunity, he says. “[We’re able] to bring all these people together and do the best work of their careers here … because of the uniqueness of the Paramount venue,” Corti says. “It’s a rare national opportunity for anyone. Its size and its beauty, there’s nothing to compare to it. And people can’t believe how successful it’s been since the first show opened.”

Corti’s enthusiasm isn’t one-sided, however.

Audiences are catching onto the excitement, too.

“I think there’s a great wealth in musical theater content,” he says. “People get a story enhanced by great music and great theatrical performances. We have an amazing log of emails and handwritten letters, voicemails from people that have to say thank you, have to say keep it up, have to say we can’t wait to see the next one, and I think that’s what theater was meant to do. It’s an enhancement to our lives.”

Rater agrees, predicting that with the Paramount’s success thus far, and his and Corti’s vision for the future, the theater soon will become the largest musical theater in the Chicago area, including the city itself. And then it will have opportunities many venues can only dream of — creating original musicals that will then be seen on Broadway, he says.

“It’s only a matter of time before we’re making our own impact on new creative work,” Rater says. “If you take an idea that has merit and surround it by people who are going to nurture it, love it and are capable of doing that, I don’t see why we can’t do that.” kc

— By Stephanie N. Grimoldby

The Broadway Series at the Paramount Theatre

“Annie”

Playing Wednesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 30

“The Music Man”

Playing Wednesdays through Sundays, Jan. 16 through Feb. 3

“Fiddler On the Roof”

Playing Wednesdays through Sundays, March 6 through March 24

Tickets cost $34.90, $39.90 or $46.90 To purchase tickets or for more information, visit ParamountAurora.com.

“Annie”

5 Even “Sandy,” played by Mikey the Dog, is a professional actor, says Paramount Theatre CEO Tim Rater, noting Mikey’s handler, who also is a professional actor, will reach his 1,900th production of “Annie” during the Paramount’s holiday performances. Annie is played by Caroline Heffernan.

family

All I Want For Christmas

Every

year, I wonder, how early is too early to start threatening your kids with Santa?

If it were up to me, I’d keep my Elf on the Shelf up year round as the proverbial “big brother” reporting my kids’ behavior back to Santa, but at some point the novelty wears off.

As effective as the threat of no toys on Christmas is in certain instances, there is always the point where I feel that if I really kept track of all the toys I have to cross off their Christmas list for bad behavior, they’d find nothing under the tree Christmas morning.

I wonder what the reaction would be if they really did get coal instead of a deluxe train set or the latest and greatest talking thing-a-ma-jig that is impossible to find and ends up selling for three times its value on e-Bay by the time the holidays roll around.

But, despite all my warnings, they really are just empty threats since there are always toys under the Christmas tree.

And I’ve found that as the kids get older, they get wiser to this and realize that they can misbehave … and there really is no risk of Santa dissing them.

Even more frustrating is that when the kids make up these lists, they are too young to realize that just because it is on the list doesn’t mean they are going to get it. In the months leading up to Christmas, the commercials are littered with all the newfangled toys, and if I had a penny for each time I hear, “Oh, Mom! I want that!” I could pay for all those toys.

Inevitably, after all the wrapping paper settles around our living room and they play with each one of their new toys once, the disappointment sets in. I can’t tell you how many times I have had at least one of my kids complain that they didn’t get something on their list. If I could make it faster across the room with all the toys littered about to grab them and shake them, I would.

As much as I want to give my kids what LakeCountyMagazine.com McHenryCountyMagazine.com KaneCountyMagazine.com

I never had, however, we are adamant about teaching the kids about giving to others, especially to those in need.

I feel like I spend just as much time pounding that point into their heads as I do the concept of “Santa’s watching you.”

As a child, I never got a ton of Christmas gifts, but I also stopped believing in Santa at the ripe old age of 4, thanks to my older brother. It’s a sad fact, but I’m sure it made it easier for my single mom to give it to me straight about the lack of gifts since there wasn’t all that Santa business to contend with. We’ve had to be careful with how we incorporate Santa into the whole concept of helping those in need, since in our kids’ minds, he visits all the houses of all the boys and girls. So, we simplified it and told them that people we are giving to are so poor, they don’t have homes for Santa to go to. It is better than telling them that there is no such thing as Santa and discussing various socio-economic statuses.

In the end, all we can do is be reasonable with how much we get the kids so we don’t spoil them, focus on how good it feels to give and, in the end, appreciate all the things that they have. My hope is that, at least in some way, my kids understand that despite their undying NEED for a new American Girl doll or Chugginton train set, they will know how lucky they are that we — I mean “Santa” — got those things for them. kc

Write This Down 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 sharing her experiences with McHenry County moms to help them deal with the craziness of being “Mom.”

6 Paula Jensen spent the last several years volunteering at Lazarus House in St. Charles.

family / success lives next door

Helping others At Christmas

By Lee NeLsoN

As

•

Photos by HEATHER NELSON

a retired teacher and principal, Paula Jensen of Geneva wanted to still spend time in the community sharing her expertise and helping others.

She chose Lazarus House in St. Charles. The nonprofit organization offers the homeless or those at risk shelter, food and whatever else they might need to get back on their feet.

Jensen started volunteering weekly in 2006 at the main shelter. Every lunch hour on Thursdays, she would serve food, talk with clients and just be a familiar face to the women and children there.

“I had been volunteering at the Northern Illinois Food Bank and heard about Lazarus opening up their women and children center. It caught my attention,” Jensen says. “You just get so involved with the people there. They come and go, but there’s always a new face and a new 6 Lazarus House offers the homeless or those at risk shelter, food and whatever else they might need to get back on their feet.

person to help.”

About five years ago, Jensen also began helping out during the holiday season. She first started organizing all the gifts that came in for the children and adults.

“It just kind of grew over the years,” she says. “I helped them with trying to get an organizational system going.”

That’s exactly what she did for Lazarus House, which made things flow easily and ensured packages got to whom they were supposed to get to in time.

“There are so many generous people that buy gifts and donate them here,” Jensen says.

“We have to match people with the gifts that are requested. Then we have to categorize everything.”

She also goes online and prices out particular items that a little child or mother has desired.

Everything is anonymous, but things still have to be put together. Jensen started using big bags to gather everything for the families and devised a numbering system.

She says she is amazed at how families ask for very practical things — like a warm coat — or other basics such as laundry detergent.

“This is an amazing place,” Jensen says. “People shouldn’t have to go hungry or not have a place to sleep.

We can all do our part to help them have the basics of life. When you help others, you get so much more yourself. You start to realize

that it could be you some day that needs the help. That’s just that human thing that you can do small things for others.”

The Lazarus House staff is thankful for Jensen’s organizational skills with the Christmas gift tag program.

“She is a wonderful volunteer and has been invaluable to me, stepping in and offering tremendous assistance with the gift tag program,” says Donna Bauer, volunteer and special events coordinator. “When I started my job here five years ago, Paula came to me and offered her assistance with this program (she had been helping with this program for a few years at that point), and I can honestly say that I would not have successfully gotten through that without her help. She gently mentored me through my first year, and over the past four years has made outstanding, organizational suggestions that have helped us become a fairly well-oiled machine, mostly stress-free, through this holiday program.”

Jensen spent 34 years as a teacher of first and second graders and was a principal in the Indian Prairie School District. She also is a literacy volunteer for Waubonsee Community College in downtown Aurora.

“I’m a big reader,” she says. “I feel like it’s hard to imagine that people can read or can’t read at a proficient level. So, I work with different students, and I love it.”

To learn more:

Lazarus House: 214 Walnut St., St. Charles, IL 60174 The organization serves men, women and children connected to the school districts of St. KaneCountyMagazine.com

6 Lazarus House is located at 214 Walnut St. in St. Charles.

Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western rural Kane County who are homeless or are at risk, providing safe shelter, food and support services.

How to get involved:

Volunteers are needed 24 hours a day, whether it’s at the shelter, office, learning lab or special event. Orientations for new volunteers take place every six weeks where options are presented and information shared. For questions or to register for orientation, email Donna Bauer at donnab@ lazarushouseonline.com.

Here is a list of a few of the numerous Kane County nonprofit organizations that are in need of monetary donations and volunteer services during this holiday season – and year round. For a more complete list, visit www.unitedwayofcentralkanecounty.org/ agencies.

Elderday Center 328 W. Wilson • Batavia • 630-761-9750 • www. elderdaycenter.org

Through an adult day services program, Elderday Center assists older adults in maintaining independent home situations. The organization always needs volunteers for activity programming, special events, musical entertainment and administrative support.

Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice 200 Whitfield Drive • Geneva • 630-232-2233 • email Elise C. Wall at ewall@fvvh.org

This nonprofit, volunteer-based, community-funded organization has provided practical, spiritual and emotional support to individuals with life threatening and terminal illnesses and grieving persons and their families since 1981. Each volunteer is valued and respected for the gifts they bring to the work of hospice while making a difference in the lives of those served.

lives of people with disabilities through vocational training, job placement and residential and behavioral health services.

Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising events and direct care. For those giving money, 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to help fund programs and services for individuals with disabilities.

Larkin Center 1212 Larkin Avenue • Elgin • 847-695-5656, ext. 217 • cvandelinder@larkincenter.org • www.larkincenter.org

The Larkin Center teaches skills and changes lives by providing residential treatment, education and counseling to youths, students, adults and families every year.

Open Door Clinic 164 Division Street • Suite 607 • Elgin • 847-695-1093 or 157 S. Lincoln Avenue • Room K • Aurora • 630-2641819

The Open Door Clinic reaches persons who are at increased risk of becoming infected with HIV or of transmitting the virus to others. All donations go toward providing the best possible care to clients. In addition to monetary donations, the clinic also needs canned goods/non-perishable food items (especially high-protein items such as peanut butter and tuna) for the food pantry. Additionally, donations of office supplies such as printer/ copier paper, pens, staples, office furniture, etc. would be greatly appreciated. kc

Salvation Army Golden Diners Nutrition Program 630-232-6676 • www.usc.salvationarmy.org

The program serves nutritious meals to older adults at congregate centers. Drivers are needed to deliver meals to homebound seniors.

Suicide Prevention Services Inc. 630-482-9699 • spsinfo@spsfv.org • www.spsfv.org

Suicide Prevention Services Inc. strives to prevent suicide and suicide attempts though public awareness, educational programs, advocacy and collaboration. Paraprofessional volunteer opportunities are available along with event volunteer opportunities.

Feed My Starving Children 555 Exchange Court • Aurora • 630-851-0404 • registration@fmsc.org

This nonprofit Christian organization is committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and the meals are shipped to nearly 70 countries around the world.

RenzCenter Addiction Counseling Center Two American Way • Elgin • 847-742-3545, ext. 236

This nonprofit corporation is dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of addictive behaviors and disorders and to factors often associated with addiction. Help is needed with event planning, special projects, landscaping and direct mailings.

Association for Individual Development 309 W. New Indian Trail Court • Aurora • 630-9664000 • www.the-association.org The Association for Individual Development enriches the

KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

25

family

6 Try out the Tuffy Hydra Dragon available at Wet Nose Inc. in Geneva. It is a big seller according to Sheila Spitza, president of the company. (Photos provided)

GIFTS For Furry Friends “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”

— John Grogan, “Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog”

At the most wonderful time of the year, the most wonderful furry creatures in our lives are not forgotten.

In fact, according to an AP-Petside.com poll, a little more than half of American pet owners bought gifts for their pets for last year’s holidays, spending an average of $46 on their animals.

Toys and treats top the list, but let’s see what Santa Paws has in store this season.

6 Dog gifts for Christmas are available at Critters Pet Shop in St. Charles.

Hot items

Sheila Spitza, president of Wet Nose Inc. who has two dogs and two cats of her own, says certain pet items always sell well.

“During the holiday season we will, of course, sell holiday collars and apparel, but our biggest categories are toys and treats,” she says. “Coats and sweaters sell well, too, but not usually for gifts.”

When visiting the Geneva shop she owns with her husband, Joe, expect quite the selection of individually baked and decorated cookies in addition to toys. The shop specializes in allnatural food and items for dog and cats.

“People can create an assortment, and we’ll bag them in holiday wrap with a pretty red bow … [they’re] great for gifts, and the price point is easy to control.”

The Spitzas, who celebrated their shop’s 10-year anniversary the day after Thanksgiving, suggest pet owners consider some of these hot hit items:

5 Critters Pet Shop carries holiday items for little friends, too.

• Bully Sticks (beef tendons): the ones at Wet Nose are hormone-free, free-range, antibiotic-free and odor-free. Bully Sticks cost $3.99 to $6, depending on size.

• Apple Honey Paw Print Cookies: softbaked cookies that smell heavenly (even to humans) and are easily broken into smaller pieces. Apple Honey Bites cost $7.50.

• Katie Ortho Bed: available in two sizes and two colors, this bed is perfect for any dog, but particularly older dogs because of the orthopedic foam. “Our Lilly has one and absolutely loves it,” Spitza says. Katie Ortho starts at $285, depending on the size.

I By JACKY RUNICE

I

• Knit Knacks: knitted toys for smaller dogs. Wet Nose offers lots of super cute designs that cost around $10.

• Tuffy Red Dragon: a plush toy for both smaller and larger dogs, available in two sizes. This toy is made from Tuff Technology, so it stands up to abuse. Tuffy toys range from $10.50 to $35, depending on size and style.

• Tuffy Hydra Dragon: a plush toy also available in two sizes. The larger one has six heads. “[This is] super fun and [a] big seller for us,” Spitza says.

• You can’t go wrong with cookies, whether you’re on two legs or four. For the latter, Wet Nose has individual cookies ranging in price from 20 cents to $7.

dog coats, squeak toys and bakery treats.

“One of our best-selling treats is rawhide shaped to look like a candy canes,” Mark Janczak says.

“We also have cute plush toys that are shaped like Christmas characters and they are especially made to be pet safe.”

It’s not all about the pups and kitties, though.

The Janczaks’ boxed aquarium kits and small animal set-ups are 4 Wet Nose also good sellers. Mini aquariums has individual or Nano fish tanks can be set up to cookies for create a fun miniature underwater pets ranging in price from 20 world with live fish. cents to $7.

A customer can never go wrong with gift certificates, either.

“These are a great idea for the animal lover so the recipient can choose their own pet or pet products,” Mark Janczak says. kc

other pets

Critters Pet Shop has been serving the St. Charles area for 25 years, and owners Mark and Caroline Janczak understand that pets are family.

Their customers like to indulge pets this time of year in everything from a festive treat to a fancy dog bed. Popular gift items include holiday dog collars, new dishes,

KaneCountyMagazine.com

Wet Nose Inc. 1510 Commons Drive • Geneva 630-232-7000 www.wetnose.com Critters Pet Shop 1437 W. Main St. • St. Charles 630-584-0200 www.critterspetshopinc.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

29

10 Intriguing People

Meet 10 people in Kane County who lead very interesting lives

Geneva Football Star Playing For NFL Team Name: Pat Schiller Age: 24 Tie to Kane County: Grew up in Geneva What makes him intriguing: A 2007 graduate of Geneva High School, Schiller is now on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons Since fourth grade, Pat Schiller has played football.

Even as a youngster, he knew he wanted to play in the NFL. “I think as a little kid, I kind of always thought it would be awesome to be a professional football player, but it’s one of those things that’s a dream of yours,” the 24-year-old says.

Today, he’s making his dream come true.

The 2007 graduate of Geneva High School — who went on to play linebacker at Northern Illinois University on a full-ride scholarship, started three years and became captain — is on the practice squad for the Atlanta Falcons, who, at the time of publication, had a 9-1 record in the NFL. It might be a dream come true to be part of such an organization, but it wasn’t an easy road, Schiller says.

“I’ve always kind of been the underdog,” he says, noting that he shares this story with high schoolers and college players. “[People would tell me], ‘You’re kind of too small, too slow.’ What I have to say to that is don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. Don’t let anyone put limitations on what you can accomplish.

“I’m a prime example,” he continues. “I’m 6’2”. It

would have been way better [if I was taller]. If I ran a 4.6 or 4.7[-second 40-yard dash], that’s fast, but they would have rather seen a 4.4. I was always doubted.

In high school, I remember my freshman year, I said I wanted to play Division I football. One of the older varsity guys found out and said, ‘There’s no way you’re ever going to be big enough or fast enough to play in college.’ And I just looked at him and said, ‘Well, I’m going to do it.’”

Even after a stellar college career, there were doubters who never thought Schiller could play in the NFL. Still, he signed with an agent after graduating and trained for two months until the NFL draft. While he didn’t get drafted, he was signed as a priority free agent by the Falcons and participated in rookie mini camps, making it through all of the cuts until the final day.

“I came down to the final cut day, and they cut me actually,” Schiller says. “I flew home after our last [day] … and the next morning, I wake up in Geneva, and I get a phone call from the Falcons saying they wanted me back. “I didn’t even unpack my bags.”

The opportunities he’s had thus far as a member of the practice squad have been incredible, Schiller says, including playing in the Falcons’ preseason game.

“I’ve gotten to play in places I never dreamed possible, meet coaches that are just legends — it’s an unbelievable experience,” he says.

And while he may be an inactive player now, he

Words To Live By:

Photo provided

“Don’t let anyone put limitations on what you can accomplish.”

— Pat Schiller

could get activated at any time and play in a regular season game, he says.

It’s still adversity — both on and off the field — that he thrives on, he says.

“Keep doubting me, and I’m going to keep proving you wrong.”

‘The Most Interesting Man We Know’ Name: Donald Cummings Age: 49 Tie to Kane County: Resides in Geneva What makes him intriguing: The jack of all trades runs his own company, competes in races of all kinds, is part of several local organizations and has eight computer monitors in his office Members of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce often

describe Donald Cummings as “the most interesting man we know,” says Laura Rush, communications manager of the chamber.

And for good reason.

The 49-year-old Geneva resident — a father of three college students and wife to flight attendant Jeanne — doesn’t have time for much sleep because he’s always doing something.

His day job — co-founder and owner of Blue Haven Capital, which provides fee-only investment management for wealthy individuals and small institutions — keeps him busy.

But he’s also an alderman for the city of Geneva; he spent 12 years on the Geneva Library Board; he spent several years on the Geneva Park District Foundation Board; and he’s involved in the Rotary Club of Geneva, Geneva Chamber of Commerce and other groups.

“I like to have a lot of balls in the air,” Cummings says.

“I love giving back, I love Geneva.”

On top of all of that, he’s an avid runner who recently completed a 27-hour long, 200-mile race with a group of local runners called the Bourbon Chase Relay in Kentucky.

He’s becoming more intrigued by such races, says the

man who, until recently, was a regular triathlon participant.

In 2003, he completed an Ironman Triathlon — consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, followed by 112-mile bike ride, culminating with a full 26.2 marathon. He swam in the Hudson River during a New York City Triathlon; has run triathlons in Madison and Los Angeles; and he came in fifth overall in the 2004 Chicago Triathlon out of nearly 1,500 participants.

Plus, he’s won the Batavia Triathlon twice.

“I think it’s important to have mental and physical balance, and my job is very quantitative, very analytical, so I need some sort of physical activity to balance it out,” he says. “Also, I think clearer when I’m fit.”

Now, he says he’d like to focus on adventure races and see other wonders of the world, like Yukutsk, Russia — one of the coldest places on earth — and the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China.

He’s already traveled to 15 different countries.

When he’s not abroad or out of state on a test of physical endurance, Cummings always is on board to help organizations and people of Geneva.

He’ll even dance again in State Street Dance Studio’s performance of “The Nutcracker” in December.

“He’s just kind of a jack of all trades,” Rush says. “He’s never afraid to try something new.”

“We’re always just so impressed with his involvement whether it’s [been with] the library board or rotary,” says Judy Carol, membership and sponsorship director of the Geneva chamber. “He’s just so willing to give of his time

Words To Live By:

Photo by Heather Nelson

“If you find her poor, Ithaka hasn’t deceived you.”

— From “Ithaka,” by C.P. Cavafy

and talents, and he’s always got a perspective that just brings value to help us achieve whatever we’re trying to achieve.”

Cummings says other inspire him.

“I’m amazed,” he says. “As much work as I seem to get done, there are people that are just under the radar who are out there giving time and money and guidance.”

Nothing Can Slow Batavia Woman Down

Words To Live By:

Photo provided

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

— 1 Corinthians 16:14

Name: Jamie Saam Age: 29 Tie to Kane County: Resides in Batavia What makes her intriguing: The community advocate — who juggles numerous community activities and jobs within Batavia — was one of the youngest people to run for Batavia City Council two years ago

Batavia resident Jamie Saam knows how to juggle a lot on her plate.

The former manager of The RendezVu Restaurant in Batavia and mother of three spends her busy weekdays co-running Bulldog Plumbing with her husband, Doug, planning events for Batavia MainStreet and preparing for the 2013 Batavia municipal election with whatever time she has left.

In addition to her work with MainStreet, she also is the end of the season manager for the Batavia Farmers’ Market. Currently, Saam is working with River City Church to bring a local focus to their community outreach and marketing.

With her 30th birthday approaching in July, Saam has accomplished more in the past five years than many do in a lifetime.

Saam attended college at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she studied communications and sociology before realizing she had a passion for event planning. Jumping at the opportunity to carry out her passion by coordinating parties and events at The RendezVu, Saam was able to plant herself in a nurturing community that offered many chances to prosper.

While working at The RendezVu, Saam joined Batavia MainStreet where she was granted the role of serving as committee chair for the organization’s annual gala. She later joined the board of directors before finally settling in again as a chairperson for MainStreet’s Cocktails on Clark event.

Joi Cuartero, executive director of Batavia MainStreet, has much admiration for Saam’s numerous community involvements that have made her a memorable figure.

“She is an advocate of downtown Batavia and

spreads the love,” Cuartero says.

Juggling her time between her family, community work, the restaurant and the first months of a new business eventually led Saam to say goodbye to her restaurant career, although she says she plans to go back into the business at some point.

Developing relationships within the community is something Saam continues to strive for, and values.

“I’ve held many jobs in different areas, but one thing remains consistent in all of them — people,” Saam says.

“People make the world go-round.”

A year and a half ago, when Saam’s husband — who has worked as a plumber for 17 years — faced a slowmoving economy, the couple decided it was time to take things into their own hands and start a business.

Utilizing Saam’s expert skills within the community, Bulldog Plumbing continues to be a success.

“Owning a business in this community allows Doug and I to interact with a ton of other business owners and organization executives through chamber, Fox Valley Young Professional and MainStreet events,” Saam says, noting that interaction has helped on multiple fronts.

“These people have become great friends as well as business associates.”

While she wasn’t able to capture the title as alderman of Batavia’s Fourth Ward two years ago, Saam hasn’t let her defeat keep her from striving to represent her hometown in the future.

“I saw it as a chance for a young, energetic and involved caring person to step up and light a fire under other youth to get involved in their community …” she says of the last election. “I may not have won the seat two years ago, but that does not mean my thirst for involvement has been quenched.”

St. Charles Man Is Running/Raising Donations For Water Steve Spear wasn’t always a runner.

“When I was young, running itself was the furthest thing from my radar,” says the St. Charles resident.

It wasn’t until a close friend began encouraging him to participate in marathons that Spear, who admits he used to hate everything about running, thought he’d give his legs a good workout not just for the physical benefits, but also to help raise money for a charity he had recently discovered.

At the time, Spear had been working as a full-time church pastor at Willow Creek Community Church DuPage when he Words To Live By: “It’s not about the caught word about World Vision, a nonprofit organization devoted number of miles to improving the quality of life or the distance, for children across the globe by it’s about moving delivering fresh water, food and forward to make a education. difference.”

“I realized it was time to step Photo provided — Steve Spear into the unknown and do something different,” Spear says, noting he called it quits to his paying job in 2007 in order to devote himself to World Vision by becoming the Name: Steve Spear Age: 48 group’s volunteer running ambassador.

Tie to Kane County: Resides in St. Charles Undertaking the challenge of crossing the finish What makes him intriguing: After trading in a line at the end of each marathon he ran — including full-time paying job to become a volunteer running ambassador, Spear will run cross-country from L.A. to the 26.2-mile Chicago Marathon and a 56-mile ultra marathon in South Africa — was not an easy New York in the spring

task. Prior to each race, Spear spent time gathering donations so that those in need could maintain a healthy lifestyle without the threat of disease or infection caused by malnutrition. He once raised $150,000 for a race.

Despite taking on some of the toughest courses across the country, Spear isn’t showing any signs of slowing. If anything, the activist has continued to stay one step ahead by undertaking tough challenges that have given him the strength to begin his newest adventure: a 3,200-mile run from Los Angeles to New York. Spear will spend four or five months traveling along historic Route 66 until he hits Chicago, at which point he will take alternate routes. He plans to start April 1, 2013, and he has a goal of raising $1,000,000.

“Fear shouldn’t keep any of us from doing anything,” Spear says, adding that his daughter Chelsea, 19, son Zach, 24, and wife Frances are keeping his spirits high.

“They’re exceedingly supportive.”

Others, like family friend Ashley Dingle, can’t help but send plenty of encouragement Spear’s way.

“Steve is the type of guy who will put others before himself, without question, every single time,” she says.

For more information about Spear’s crosscountry run or to donate to his cause, contact info@ runningforwater.com or visit www.runningforwater. com.

Best-Selling Author Entertains One Child At A Time Name: Tom Lichtenheld Age: 59 Tie to Kane County: Resides in Geneva What makes him intriguing: This best-selling author has published more than a dozen books, authors a blog and has been recognized numerous times as a gifted writer. Not to mention, he also saves his crayon shavings — because they’re so expensive — for a future use some day One of Tom Lichtenheld’s earliest memories as a child is drawing a ship on the blackboard hanging in his family’s kitchen in Rockford.

While he may have needed some phone books in order to see over the countertop back then, Lichentenheld had the determination to be someone bigger one day.

Nearly 40 years later, Lichtenheld still carries an imagination that has kept any of life’s monotonous happenings from wearing him down.

Still, it wasn’t until his nephew wrote him a letter asking for some pirate doodles that the current author/illustrator decided to see if the public would also appreciate his work. Before long, one doodlefilled pirate page turned into 20 that eventually led to the creation of Lichtenheld’s first children’s book, “Everything I Know About Pirates,” published in 2000.

Lichtenheld continues to capture the attention of both younger and older generations with his playful words and characters bursting with personality on every page of the short stories he puts together for children. Currently, he has 16 books published, and three new ones are set to come out in the spring.

Working out of his home in Geneva, Lichtenheld

enjoys what he calls the walk-able, historic river town with his wife, Jan, whom he occasionally calls upon for advice during his writing process.

“Endings are particularly difficult,” Lichtenheld says, adding that his wife has a knack for coming up with how a story should end.

Keeping equilibrium between his personal life and a busy schedule is a process Lichtenheld admits he has yet to master. On average — although he has recently been on a touring hiatus — he visits 25 schools across the country each year, explaining the importance of practicing a skill, patience and accepting criticism, plus the value of artistic talent.

“It’s a valuable skill that can lead to a Words To Live By: lifelong career,” he says.

“Be yourself; And indeed he has. Lichtenheld has everyone else is spent 35 years marrying his humor with his creative doodles that have kept children already taken.”

— Oscar Wilde laughing until the very last page.

Photo provided “The word ‘underpants’ is always funnier than the word ‘underwear,’” he notes. “Go figure.”

While Lichtenheld has received many prestigious awards and been on the New York Times’ best-seller time.” list, he remains humble and loyal to his smallest fans Len Bielefeldt, artist and proprietor of the art supply that fuel his inspiration. store Art Box in Geneva, is equally impressed by the “As a listener, I try to understand them,” he says. local talent provided by Lichtenheld.

“As a creator, I try to help see that books and reading “He has a kindness and a gentle soul that makes are fun. When I create a book, I’m always thinking him perfect for what he does,” Bielefeldt says. “Add of my reader as one child, and I challenge myself to his enormous talent and work ethic, and you get a engage and entertain my audience one child at a New York Times best seller.”

Irish Dancer Fulfills Dream, Opens Own Studio Name: Katie Flannery Age: 30 Tie to Kane County: Resides in St. Charles What makes her intriguing: Flannery, a world-renowned Irish dancer who performed with Riverdance, recently opened Flannery School of Irish Dance in St. Charles Katie Flannery moved to St. Charles from Kentucky when she was in high school. After graduation, she left again.

But now she’s back, and she’s opened her own Irish dance studio in St. Charles with the hope of growing her business and training future world champion dancers.

“My parents were looking at houses here to retire in,” the 30-year-old says of St. Charles. “We came back to visit, and I fell in love with it again. It’s a charming little town, and it’s a great family area. [I thought], ‘This would be a great place to have the dance school.’”

Flannery, who started dancing at age 9, quickly found her place amongst the best Irish dancers in the world. Among other prestigious awards, she placed first at the All-Ireland Championships — the Irish National Championships; was a three-time Over Seas Champion at the World Championships — an award given to the best dancer who lives outside of Ireland; and placed fifth at the Irish Dancing World Championships.

After high school, she immediately began touring.

First it was tours of North America with Celtic Fusion from 2000 to 2002. Then, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and toured North America with Riverdance from 2003 to 2005 as a dancer and singer.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

Only after she left Riverdance and finished performing as the lead dancer with various symphony orchestras in the U.S. did Flannery finally have time to go back to college — Loyola University — to earn a degree in business so she could open her own studio.

Along the way, she found a great partner — Shane Kelly, a former Riverdance performer and friend.

“I always knew I wanted to have my own dance school,” Flannery says. “Ever since I was little, it was something I wanted to do. I had taught private [lessons] since I was 16. Shane also knew he wanted to have a dance school at a young age, too, so it kind of worked out perfect for us.”

Even though she just opened Flannery School of Irish Dance in April, Flannery already has a competing dancer in 7-year-old Haley Bruns of South Elgin.

The youngster has placed in the top four of her age group — including a handful of first-place finishes against an average of nearly 20 other dancers — in all five competitions she’s been in, says her mother, Gwen.

“The fact that Katie and Shane … were former Riverdance … I feel that we’re in really good hands,” she says. “Each dancer gets great attention, and [Haley’s] just really learned so much … . It’s really neat because not a lot of people do Irish dancing. Almost all the other people we talk to, they’re all intrigued by it because not that many people do that … .

“I just can’t say enough good things about them,” Bruns continues. “[Katie’s] a phenomenal person. She really seems to care about the girls in the class. I’m a

Words To Live By:

“You can achieve anything you want to, when you 1) Work your very hardest. 2) Have a ton of fun. 3) Never give up!”

Photo by Melissa Emory

— Katie Flannery

big advocate of hers.”

Haley Bruns’ success is just the beginning, Flannery says.

“I definitely want other kids to have that experience I had and just have the accomplishments,” she says.

“If they can accomplish their goals, I think that’s really significant, whatever their goals are.”

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine 33

Geneva Man Wins Award For Community Work

Words To Live By:

Photo by Jeff Krage

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes” — Oscar Wilde

Name: Tim Vetang Age: 58 Tie to Kane County: Resides in Geneva What makes him intriguing: Vetang recently won the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Wood Community Service Award

Tim Vetang didn’t grow up in Geneva, but when he and his wife, Vicki, moved to the city in 1981, they quickly fell in love with the community.

Since then, Vetang, 58, has done much to protect and better the place he loves to call home, including spending time as a city alderman for eight years and volunteering with the Geneva History Center, Kane County Preservation Commission and other organizations.

“I always took a stand in support of preservation and trying to [re]use the buildings instead of tearing them down because that charm is what sets Geneva part from other communities,” Vetang says. “It gives you a good feel, these shops that are in these older buildings. It just gives you a homey feeling.”

In November, Vetang was the recipient of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Wood Community Service Award, given annually to a resident who has made significant contributions to the community.

Carolyn Hill, a current commissioner with the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and a former Wood Award winner with her husband, Sam, says there are commonalities between the winners of the award each year.

“I think all of them gave of their time freely, and looking back to some of the other award winners, there was also not just the element of giving their time, but they showed leadership,” she says.

Vetang, specifically, has provided a wealth of knowledge and experience to numerous organizations, including the GCAC, she says, of which he has been chair since the group’s inception in 2006.

He was instrumental in relocating the Geneva History Center from Wheeler Park to Third Street, spending several years as a board member and the

group’s president; he was an alderman who helped form the city’s strategic plan, which included the creation of the GCAC; and he also is involved in the Geneva Lions Club, Friends of the Viking Ship and St. Peter Catholic Church, on top of running his own business as a wholesale distributor of Irish giftware and services.

“He’s had a background of several experiences over the years that he was able to bring … to the board and guide us,” Hill says of the GCAC. “He’s a very knowledgeable person. He gets very involved as a leader, but [he’s not] overbearing. Everyone on the commission participates, and he allows that to happen.”

Vetang says he is proud of the work the GCAC has done in the past several years, including reviving Shakespeare in the Park — a one-night program that draws nearly 600 people; funding the RiverPark concert series; coordinating the annual Steeple Walk, a Christmas program consisting of seasonal music concerts at four different Geneva churches; and backing the new Greater Geneva Art Guild.

Meanwhile, the GCAC’s Dancing With The Geneva Stars fundraiser, which split the $20,000 it raised last year with the Geneva Academic Foundation, is the hottest ticket in town, he says. “[Our first year], it was the most fun any of us had had at a fundraiser,” he says, noting this February will be the fifth anniversary of the event.

Vetang simply loves Geneva, he says.

“Over the years, I just got to know a lot of the folks who have the same feeling who lived here all their lives, and it became more and more our home,” he says.

Teacher Works To Better Students And Planet When Margaret Humphrey isn’t busy analyzing test tubes in her classroom, she’s getting her hands dirty in a community garden where she harvests food that later will be donated to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

While working as a full-time biology teacher at Batavia High School, Humphrey guides her students through a variety of projects, including her most recent assignment, which requires her classrooms to come up with solutions to problems caused by agricultural practices Words To Live By: that can be presented to the Kane “All is connected County Forest Preserve District. ... no one thing “I’m helping them to better can change by understand how life works and itself.” empowering them to become engaged, — Paul Hawken responsible, conscientious members of Photo provided their community,” Humphrey says.

Acting as both a member of the Batavia Environmental Commission as well as general manager of the Batavia Community Garden, Name: Margaret Humphrey Age: 42 Humphrey is busy utilizing her green thumb Tie to Kane County: Resides and teaches in everywhere she goes, benefiting not only nature, Batavia but also those in need when she hands off her fresh What makes her intriguing: Part teacher, produce to the food pantry. part environmental activist, Humphreys encourages In the midst of earning her Master of Science sustainable food production and energy conservation degree in biology at Northern Illinois University, both in and outside the classroom

Humphrey currently is working on a project with the educational psychology department at NIU to promote educational materials for science teachers in order to help motivate students. What she learns she then translates to her own students.

“Knowledge of sustainable food production is integrated into my classes in several ways …” she says. “My students are currently learning about some of the problems created through conventional agricultural practices, leading them to an understanding of the benefits of organic gardening practices.”

As a member of the BEC for almost four years, Humphrey has a long list of accomplishments under her sleeve that include conducting storm draining stenciling and eco-friendly car washes with high school students; creating reusable grocery bags designed by graphic arts students; compiling environmental research for events; and promoting initiatives such as water and energy conservation and recycling.

“She leads by example, day in and day out,” says Betsy Zinser, a friend and coworker of Humphrey.

“When the high school didn’t recycle, she pulled aluminum, paper and plastic out of the garbage and took it home. She does this all the time without words. Her actions speak.”

Principal Heads A Country-Leading Public High School Name: Kim Zupec Age: 59 Tie to Kane County: Principal of St. Charles North High School and a resident of Elgin What makes her intriguing: Zupec is principal of one of the top 1,000 public high schools in the country, as ranked by The Daily Beast Kim Zupec has been principal of St. Charles North High School for eight years.

During that time, she and her staff have been in charge of teaching and interacting with students who are at a crossroads in life as they grow into young men and women.

“We have the opportunity to work with kids as they’re coming into their teen years and see them mature before they head off to college,” Zupec says, noting she loves to watch her students as they find their way in life. “You know you will have complete honesty when you talk to them.”

This year, her school was ranked in the top 1,000 public high schools in the country — No. 962, to be exact — by The Daily Beast, which says it looks for the schools that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads.

According to The Daily Beast, schools were chosen based on six criteria: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student (25 percent), average SAT/ ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10 percent) and AP courses offered per student (5 percent).

The report lists St. Charles North as having a 94 percent graduation rate with 87 percent of its students college-bound, among other statistics.

Students also posted a 23.8 average ACT score.

Zupec says she is incredibly proud of her staff and her students for the work they put in each and every day.

“Academically, we really have been pushing the bar of our kids and Words To Live By: not accepting status quo,” she “You can design and says. “[We’re making sure] that create, and build they’re doing the very best that they can.” the most wonderful But she notes that there is place in the world. much more to St. Charles North But it takes people to that makes it such a great make the dream school. a reality.”

Staff members are professionals — Walt Disney who use any resource available to them, including Professional Learning Photo provided Communities in which teachers plan and study together and then watch each other teach to hold themselves accountable, she says. They also utilize instructional coaches who are teachers by trade and teach one class, but then spend the rest of to the door and your arms are full, a student will open their time helping colleagues. the door for you … they are the nicest people that you The school boasts a fantastic parent base, Zupec would ever want to encounter, and I work with the says, and the students themselves are accepting and nicest staff. Everything takes care of itself. You want hard working. to build that culture of trust … and if you can do that, “It’s the human element of our building” that sets that’s what [makes a difference].” her school apart further, Zupec says. “If you walk up “It’s like everything comes together perfectly.”

Geneva Icon Has History Full Of Intriguing Tales Name: Jamie Daniel Age: 91 Tie to Kane County: Resides in Geneva What makes her intriguing: Daniel is full of stories from her years as a volunteer, real estate agent and Geneva resident In 1956, Jamie Daniel left the small town of New Albany, Miss., and moved to Geneva.

The charming resident, nearing the century mark in age but not in memory, remembers Geneva when there was nothing but farmland surrounding Fabyan Road and Randall Road was barely a two-lane gravel road.

But since that time, she’s done quite a bit to create lasting memories, including raising seven children.

Daniel, a self-proclaimed “career volunteer” until the 1970s, was on the state board of League of Women Voters of Illinois for seven years and was the president of the local Geneva league in the early ’60s. She helped found the Illinois Solar Energy Society, was on the board of the Landmarks Preservation Council and has spent countless hours volunteering at the United Methodist Church of Geneva. She’s helped other organizations, too, including the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Geneva History Center and more.

“You learn a lot when you’re a volunteer,” she says, still carrying a heavy southern accent. “If you had an interest in something that would work, you got hit with a job.”

In 1973, Daniel got a call from a lawyer who was the brother of a friend, she says. He needed an information officer, and a “short-term” assignment turned into several years of work. But after that, she thought, “I’ll never work

for anybody again,” she says.

And she didn’t, though she continued to stay busy.

In 1976, she became a licensed real estate agent and in 1977, she founded Miscella Real Estate. She didn’t retire until earlier this year.

It was also earlier this year that Daniel was named Historian Emeritus for the Geneva History Center in Words To Live By: recognition of her love and devotion to Geneva.

“Treat people the “I‘ve concentrated on historic Geneva, and so there were times when ... I would list the way you want to majority of historic houses,” she says. “I’ve be treated.” just always been interested in history. The little — The Golden Rule town I came from is so much like Geneva. It has a river running through it, a railroad, it has one main street. [One town] was founded in 1835 and one in 1836. When I moved here, both of them had populations of about 6,500. Of course, Naperville was about the same size back then. St. Charles was a little bigger; Batavia Photo by was a little smaller.”

Heather “[Jamie] knows just about anything about Geneva you Nelson could ever know,” says Terry Emma, executive director of the Geneva History Center. “She fills in those blanks for us when we’re trying to figure out why something is the way it is. She’s an amazing woman ... and she’s just very respected. She walks in and there’s an aura like she’s noting she has one particularly fond memory of her travels royalty — you just know there’s somebody there that you outside Geneva. should listen to.”

In 1955, she took a six-week tour of Europe, and when Of her intriguing personal history, Daniel simply says her group visited La Scala — a world renowned opera she’s been around long enough to have plenty of people house in Milan, Italy — she hopped up onstage and sang. tell her what to do and how to give back.

“There was nobody in the audience, just my tour “I just have a lot of interests,” Daniel says with a laugh, groups [but] I can say I’ve sung in La Scala,” she says.

Stories by Stephanie N. Grimoldby and Lauren Lynch

health

HeALTHY Holidays To You How To Avoid Gaining Weight This Season

I By ELIZABETH HARMON

The holiday season brings more than cards and gifts.

I

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine shows that while the average holiday weight gain is less than two pounds, the weight typically doesn’t go away.

Add that up over several years, and the impact on your health can be significant.

A packed social calendar, office treat tables loaded with homemade goodies and favorite family recipes made with cream and butter can pose a challenge for anyone trying to lose — or at least not gain — weight.

However, a healthy holiday is possible … without missing your favorite foods, say Kane County diet and fitness experts.

Portion control, sticking with a fitness plan — even if it is slightly altered to

4 It takes six minutes of vigorous jumping jacks to burn off the calories in one candy cane, according to myfitnesspal.com.

accommodate a busy schedule — and setting a realistic goal to maintain your present weight can send you into the New Year with treasured holiday memories, not extra pounds.

BURN IT OFF

a plate for appetizers rather than grazing at the buffet.

“It’s okay to have For a person who weighs 150 pounds, something fried or chips and doing vigorous jumping jacks for 1 crackers,” she says. “Just minute will burn 9 calories. plate your portion so you’re How many minutes of jumping jacks do you need to burn off the aware of what you’re eating.” following?

The same goes for • One 12-ounce glass of beer (120 desserts. calories): 14 minutes “You can still enjoy them, • One 4-ounce glass of red wine Make Your just keep your portions (85 calories): 9 minutes moderate,” she says.

Calories Count • One sugar cookie made from When you’re the cook, Before heading out to prepackaged dough (74 calories): 8 consider low-fat recipes, minutes an evening social event, or find ways to make your • One brownie (114 calories): 13 Melissa McDonald, favorites more diet-friendly. minutes registered and licensed • One candy cane (55 calories): 6 The American Heart dietitian and nutritionist minutes Association recommends with Delnor Health Source: Calories and exercise info from www. using skim milk instead of and Wellness Center in myfitnesspal.com. Exercise times rounded to whole milk, fat-free sour Geneva, says it is best nearest minute. cream instead of regular, to eat as you normally and two egg whites for each would during the day. whole egg in a recipe.

“People tend For more Smart Substitutions, as well as heartto skip meals and try to bank their healthy recipes, visit www.heart.org and select the calories, but that only makes you Getting Healthy and Nutrition Center tabs. hungry and you end up eating more,” McDonald says.

At a holiday dinner or Freshen Your Fitness party, choose foods made Brandon Turner, fitness from vegetables and lean specialist and personal proteins and, if possible, trainer with Delnor Health volunteer to bring a dish. and Wellness Center in McDonald recommends Geneva, suggests trying appetizers such as shrimp new exercises that work cocktail, bite-sized more than one muscle vegetable quiche, or group. chicken kabobs, salads “If you’re crunched for or vegetable-based time, what’s key is to get casseroles. the most bang for your “That way, you’ll know buck by doing a full body there’s at least one thing workout,” he says. there that’s healthy,” she Turner suggests multisays. joint movements such If you can’t resist a as push-ups, pulls and few favorites, go ahead squats for an effective and enjoy them, but shorter workout. For be mindful of portions. cardio-vascular exercise, McDonald suggests using he recommends interval

training, which alternates bursts of strenuous exercise with something lighter, such as a one-minute jog paired with an equal amount of walking.

“If you’re in good shape, you can maybe go two minutes to one,” he says.

Recognize that your motivation might be at a low point, but instead of feeling guilty, try something new.

“Mix up your routine with a group class, maybe something like Zumba to get your cardio going, or try group personal training or a boot camp to work on strength,” he says. “Or, consider finding a training partner to help you stay motivated.”

Free online tools like those found at www. sparkpeople.com or www.myfitnesspal.com can help you set goals, track caloric intake and the calories burned during exercise.

At My Fitness Pal, new members complete a profile and establish weight loss or maintenance goals.

“We give you a net calorie goal for the day, and you log what you eat and how active you are,” says Marybeth Thomson, head of business development for My Fitness Pal LLC and the myfitnesspal.com site. “If you go on a walk and burn 300 calories, it will adjust so you can eat more. It helps you learn about your behavior, and that’s key to weight loss. When you’re aware, you make better decisions.”

The site also offers a database of two million foods to help guide dining decisions.

Exercise calculators can provide additional incentive to keep calories in check. My Fitness Pal’s calorie calculations are based on scientific studies for estimating the metabolic expenditures of various physical activities and also allow users to set variables for body size and exercise intensity for increased accuracy.

“It’s a very good indicator of what you’re doing,” Thomson says. kc

It’s okay to have something fried or chips and crackers. Just plate your portions so you’re aware ...

Melissa McDonald,

registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist with Delnor Health and Wellness Center

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

37

38 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

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December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

39

health

Feeling Blue ...

Or SAD?

C

loudy, cold days can make people feel moody.

But if depression hangs on through the winter, they may have seasonal affective disorder.

SAD is defined as a mood disorder or form of depression that occurs during a season, typically beginning in late fall or early winter and ending in the spring.

Like other mood disorders, SAD interferes with the ability to function. SAD can cause someone to withdraw socially and can interfere with productivity at work and chores at home, says Dr. Ellen Kochman, an internist with Sherman Group Practice in Bartlett.

Look for the SignS

Not everyone has the same symptoms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD symptoms can include: • Sadness, anxiousness or an empty feeling • Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness • Irritability or restlessness • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyed • Fatigue or decreased energy • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details or making decisions • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping • Weight changes •Thoughts of death or suicide

“We see a lot of people with SAD in the Chicago area, as opposed to down south ...

Dr. Jayarama Naidu,

Kane County psychiatrist

I By COLLEEN LEONARD

40 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

I

Although the causes of seasonal affective disorder are being studied, doctors generally agree that it is associated with a lack of light.

“When you go into the sun, our skin starts making vitamin D, which is essential for serotonin and melatonin production,” says Dr. Jayarama Naidu, an Elgin psychiatrist.

Serotonin and melatonin, which are chemicals in the brain, affect mood and sleep, Naidu says.

Less sunlight can disrupt the balance of the hormone melatonin and cause a serotonin reduction, which may trigger depression, according to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit leader in medical care, research and education.

SAD can occur as mild depression, Naidu says, but it also affects patients with major depression and bipolar disorders.

Naidu has noticed that patients with clinical depression often need an increase in medication around Thanksgiving.

Living far north or south of the equator, being female, a family history of SAD and having clinical depression or a bipolar disorder may increase the risk of SAD, Mayo Clinic reports.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

Studies show that SAD is more prevalent in people who live in cold climates and northern states, which have shorter periods of daylight in the winter.

“We see a lot of people with SAD in the Chicago area, as opposed to down south — in Texas and Alabama, places like that,” Naidu says.

An estimated 20 percent of the population suffers from SAD, he says, but that includes mild cases that may not need help.

Both doctors use antidepressants for patients with SAD and recommend psychotherapy, which may include behavior modification to reduce negative thought patterns.

“People [with mood disorders] have trouble motivating themselves,” Kochman says.

When their condition is severe enough and they’re not functioning, she says, medication and therapy are helpful and work hand in hand.

What you can Do

The doctors suggest a few self-help techniques for those who have some depressive symptoms or feel stressed during the holiday season.

They both advocate regular exercise as an essential treatment to boost mood.

Naidu recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day — even if it’s just walking around the block — to release endorphins in the body.

“The endorphin is a naturally occurring antidepressant in the brain,” Naidu says.

To replace sunlight lacking in the fall and winter, he suggests using light therapy. Instead of buying an expensive light box, he says, install a fluorescent light in at least one room and sit near it for about 30 minutes in the morning.

Another self-help remedy is social interaction with family and friends, who can help resolve problems Naidu says.

Kochman also suggests recording thoughts and feelings in a journal to help relieve symptoms of depression.

During this time of year, many people experience some depression or the holiday blues.

For example, buying gifts, visiting multiple families and remembering lost loved ones can cause stress and interfere with coping mechanisms, Kochman says.

“There’s no question that during the holidays, that is a very stressful time for many, many people,” she says. kc KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

41

fashion & beauty / holidays

delight

DIAMOND

By ROMI HERRON Photos by MELISSA EMORY

Diamond Trends This Holiday Season While many jewelers emphasize the four Cs of diamonds — cut, color, clarity and carat — Jim Petterec believes in a fifth C: confidence.

As the owner of JP Jewelers in St. Charles, he says confidence stems from the relationship between a diamond expert and his or her customer.

And this holiday season, Petterec and other area jewelers are sharing their insights — and the hottest diamond trends — with shoppers.

Direct from Mother Nature

Aside from its brilliant shine, the stone’s existence itself is rare, he says. When unearthed in mines, diamonds are typically less than one carat in weight, and any diamond larger than that is even more special.

“Diamonds in the rough are formed in a crystalline structure called octahedrons,” Peterec says. “Those are eight-sided crystals with 58 to 144 facets to release the brilliance and sparkle.”

An extremely hard material, diamonds “are a symbol of the enduring love and the lasting relationship,” Petterec says. “Millions of years ago, Mother Nature created a diamond for you today.”

56 Pictured is a sampling of diamond jewelry available at JP Jewelers in St. Charles.

A rare gift option, the diamond has long been coveted for its durability and sparkle, says Petterec, who creates custom diamond jewelry in his downtown St. Charles store.

“The gemstone itself is the hardest mineral known to man, with the highest refractive index,” Petterec says. “In other words, it has the highest sparkle.”

KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

43

6 Below, Katie Flannery of St. Charles — one of Kane County Magazine’s 10 Intriguing People — holds a diamond eternity circle pendant or “journey” pendant from JP Jewelers. The pendant is so named because of the graduation of stones in the 14-carat white gold setting. The necklace carries 1 carat total of diamonds.

Though rare, there are diamonds for those with modest budgets, and they are available through most retailers today, Petterec says.

Understanding The 4 Cs

From the mine to the retail store, a diamond goes through quite a transformation. Jewelers assess diamonds’ value by looking at each stone’s specific attributes, commonly called the Four Cs. “I always have one additional C, and that is confidence,” Petterec says. “You have to have confidence in the jeweler who [is working with you].”

To develop trust and comfort with customers, Petterec focuses on relating to customers instead of presenting them with industry jargon. By educating customers on cut, color, clarity and carat, Petterec’s staff prepares customers to select which diamond appeals to their specific style.

With diagrams of various diamond cuts, and even his own sketches of design varieties, Petterec strives to give customers a basic

44 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

foundation about the gemstone.

“Then our clients can choose what is best for them, and they can find what meets their budget, taste and passion,” he says.

Jeff Hampton, owner of State Street Jewelers in Geneva, also emphasizes the importance of relating to customers when considering the Four Cs and in recognizing customers’ tastes.

“The Four Cs are important in determining the dollar value, but they don’t determine what you like necessarily,” Hampton says. “Many times, people have preferences into which of the Four Cs are the most important, and the cut is the most esoteric.”

Cut To Brilliance

From marquis to emerald, and square to round, cuts determine how light will react to the diamond, Petterec says, while Hampton adds that the angles and facets can lead to a “spectacular diamond” when cut properly.

“It makes worlds of difference in how the diamond looks,” KaneCountyMagazine.com

3 Flannery holds a pink oval cut diamond ring from JP Jewelers, featuring a diamond halo around the 2 carat pink diamond center stone.

Hampton says.

From Petterec’s perspective, rectangular or square shapes, as well as the brilliant round, are most popular now.

Hampton says he appreciates the elegance of emerald cuts, though they are not considered the more popular style.

“It comes and goes,” Hampton says. “The most popular cut currently, and consistently, is the round.”

Season Of Color

Along with selecting a cut, diamond buyers have a decision to make with color.

Both Petterec and Hampton agree that colored diamonds are hot this season.

“Chocolate and black are popular ... white is always a hit,” says Petterec, who also carries natural yellow diamonds as well as treated pink diamonds.

Those shades have actually been popular for the last several years, Hampton says, noting that irradiated blues – diamonds treated with radiation to create a color – also are trending.

Yellows and pinks are available at State Street Jewelers, and Hampton says he enjoys the creativity of working with colored diamonds.

And the options don’t stop with yellows, blues and pinks, he says.

“Diamonds come in every color of the rainbow.” kc KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

45

fashion & beauty

giFTED Matters Memorable Presents For The People In Your Life I By JACKY RUNICE

W

ill this be another holiday of the “gift card” — those ubiquitous plastic rectangles that show zero imagination?

It needn’t be, IF you let your mind move on down the streets of Kane County to find and buy memorable, helpful and tres cool gifts for all the people in your life.

Take a look at some of the ideas in the area available in a range of prices that say, “You must really love me,” or “I didn’t know you were so clever!”

Here are possible answers to the ultimate question: “So, what in the world do I get __________?”

The Mother-in-Law?

Sold exclusively in independent boutiques, Camille Beckman hand creams, foot lotions and soaps have been making mothers-in-law happy since 1986. Available in a variety of scents, including customer favorite Tuscan Honey, why not sample this made-in-theUSA product for yourself at The Little Traveler’s Linen Room? Prices range from $4.95 to $15.99.

I

If she’s not a skin and scent fan, how about something from the Snowy Friends collection of dinnerware in The Little Traveler’s housewares department? Delight her with these jolly snowmen on a brilliant red background on an assortment of plates, mugs, platters, cake plates, bowls and more, priced $10 to $42. The shop houses 36 rooms of treasures, so you’re bound to find something for her.

the same location, specializes in lovely items from Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway and Demark. Get her a pair of earrings or a necklace in a range of prices from $31 to $80. The Pohjolan Helmi Nordic designs are lightweight — so they won’t drag down the lobes — and made from stainless steel.

the little traveler 404 South Third St. • Geneva 630-232-4200 • www.littletraveler.com She can get any treatment she wants from Mario Tricoci Salons and Day Spa’s menu of spa services, but nudge her toward the Cellular Age Reversal Therapy Facial, which starts at $145. Come on, she’s worth it — she gave birth to your spouse.

Using Juveel, the most advanced vitamin C serum available, and based on 12 years of research, the product features an instant activation system of unaltered vitamin C for deeper skin penetration without any irritation.

There’s also a Warm Spice Mani for $38 and a Warm Spice Pedi for $68. Or, try an EmerginC Protocell Bio-Active Stem Cell face cream for $90. Popular with the A-list, this nutrientintensive moisturizer contains a proprietary apple stem cell complex designed to combat the signs of aging and help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. mario tricoci Hair Salons and day Spas 1749 S. Randall Road • Geneva 847-202-1900 • www.tricoci.com asson A Mats Jon glass d e rv a hand-c m The Gift o fr l ta ys cr be perfect Box could friend. o for a w rk

The Gift Box, celebrating its 65th anniversary in

the Gift Box 310 W. State St. • Geneva 630-232-4151 • www.genevagiftbox.com

The almost boyfriend/ girlfriend?

For her — Techno-gloves in the Little Traveler’s women’s apparel department. These gloves boast a special fabric on the tip of the index finger so she can keep her gloves on while surfing the net on her smart phone or texting you sweet nothings. Choose from $12 knit Touch Gloves and $38 sleek nylon Echo Touch gloves.

For him — tabletop games in The Little Traveler’s toy room. Appeal to his playful side with tabletop pool, foosball and hockey sets, KaneCountyMagazine.com

from $18 to $28.50.

Although the patterns are inspired by folk art and traditional Scandinavian designs, trendy colors and details make the hats, headbands, scarves and mittens at The Gift Box very fashionable. Prices range from $16 to $35.

The environmentalist in your family?

Check out recycled aluminum jewelry by Jay Schiavone in The Little Traveler’s Accessories area. Old aluminum is made new again in this fun and funky collection of lightweight earrings, rings and necklaces, handmade in the U.S. for $18 to $30.

The athlete?

Whether it’s the shins, IT bands or hamstrings, athletes’ muscles can be tense and troublesome. Give your favorite athlete a MARIOplus membership, and you’ll be remembered fondly. With a $50 membership, he or she will receive $25 off every full service massage of 50 minutes or longer for 12 months.

The Tara Aromatherapy The Little Traveler Neck Pillow from offers the Snow Mario Tricoci, at y Friends Collection of $38, is great for dinnerware. shoulder and neck (Photos provided) pain relief between massages. The soothing pillow provides the warm aromatic benefits of comforting winter scents like clove, orange and cinnamon.

The work friend?

He or she can feel like the boss with every sip from his or her very own x carries The Gift Bo i Nordic coffee mug in a variety of styles from lm e H n la Pohjo de of The Gift Box. Mugs range from jewelry ma inless st t a $7.90 to $15. lightweigh eel. st You can never have enough of Tomten — that would be “Santa” in Swedish — so consider one of the shop’s Christmas Tomtes, ranging from $10.50 to $85.

Any guy would appreciate a Mats Jonasson hand-carved glass crystal on his desk, whether to use as a paperweight or just because it’s cool looking! These are available in a range of prices.

If those don’t brighten a female co-worker’s mood, get her a cut and color makeover at Mario Tricoci. Cuts start at $35, and color services start at $45. Your male co-worker might appreciate the upgrade from the chain hair cutteries, too.

The boss?

Impress the boss with a crystal pen from Swarovski in the Little Traveler’s crystal room.

A practical yet elegant gift, these classic pens are adorned with clear Swarovski crystals and come with a velvet pouch for a first class presentation. They’re available in black, white, pink or blue in thin and thick styles for $34.

The niece/nephew?

Mario Tricoci offers reasonably-priced stocking stuffers for this group. Ergo brushes feature bristles that fight static and repair the hair as well as a non-slip rubber handle that is one and a half inches longer than a standard brush for $34.95.

Paste 2 — the newest product in the Mario

Have an equestrian in the family? She’ll say, “Whoa,” when she opens a Dala Horse, ranging from $19.50 to $250, from The Gift Box. The hand-carved and painted Dala Horse is one of Sweden’s most popular souvenirs.

Also, Minnesota mittens, headbands and hats are great for winter sports.

Choose among soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, baseball and cheerleader ornaments for boys and girls at The Little Travler for $7 to $8. College athletes can carb-load with Spartans, Cyclones, Illini, Wildcats and Badgers pasta that comes with a vinaigrette dressing mix or get a quick protein fix with Huskies, Redbirds, Illini and Leathernecks peanuts for $6.50 to $7.50.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

47

Mario Tricoci ha sa variety of stockin g stuffer ideas to choose from, including polish refreshers.

Tricoci Hair Care line — is good for either sex, as it holds and molds the hair with ease and pliability for $15.

And a girl, no matter her age, can never have too many polish colors. Get a bottle of Essie for $15.

For younger relations, get to The Little Traveler for charming picture books by local authors and artists in the shop’s paper department. Titles include “Where is the Sears Tower,” a tale of a young pigeon’s adventure throughout Chicago. Signed copies are available; soft covers cost $12.50, hard covers cost $25. Also in the paper department are Jolly Jingle snowmen ornaments featuring a large variety of boy and girl names for $3.99.

The friend/family member on a diet?

The Little Traveler began in 1922 when the owner of the Victorian-era residence, Mrs. Kate Raftery, hosted teas and sold unique international treasures that had been sent to her by friends who’d traveled the world. In the Little Traveler’s tea room, you’ll find Be Active teas that are all about getting fit and staying that way. Get Burning is crafted to increase metabolism, Get Active is a rejuvenating tea to improve endurance so they can get the most from their workouts and Get Limber will help reduce inflammation, allowing joints, ligaments and muscles to stretch more fully. Take advantage of the very light price, too, at $13.95! kc

48 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

KaneCountyMagazine.com

KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

49

Wine Niche home & lifestyle

lifestyle

Best May The in Wine W

THE Big E diffErEnc French between an wine and Americ French is that the a standard have set place in which they lity top-qua their ... producers

See this month's column on page 15.

Wine Niche

with Vince Balistreri 50 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

A Monthly Wine Column

Wine VA L

paved the way They really for today’s cabernets. their But in my opinion,or been lessened quality has other wineries surpassed by years, due to 10 in the past of wine different methods ; new making; experience better vineyards producing and most of history quality grapes; of these And America’s wine is quality t all, the expansion producing compared to the subsequen and wineries levels. even shorter production many of other countries. in American It seems that figured out The big boombe traced wineries these wine only can 20 years, stumbled last older — and that they had back to the good and in Here are some producers upon somethingproduction on whereas producers newer — cabernet as Chateau have stayed kept increasing was so that seem to game ever since France — suchbeen because demand however, the top of theirproducing wine.

Lafite — have great wines high. The problem, they started putting out of years from didn’t have was that they in their for hundreds Lewelling enough grapesthey bought their vineyards. make Ridge other vineyard. So, This does not inferior at grapes from the Chateau Montelena less quality America’s winereally is not a which lowered Estate producers, all, but there of quality wine. Some Shafer quality of their sold to big lack strong standard Leonetti comparable of the wineries Silver Oak, due to our . like Dunn companies also of experience Quilceda Creek and new companies The big difference They bought and Dominus bought brands. and between French is that the Spottswoode fruit from everywhere American wine Oak bottle Araujo set a standard put it in a Silver French have place their the consumer Harlan Estate — one that seeing and in which they Paradigm producers in was used to top-quality Eagle be like the as “first Screaming d back thought would a group knownstandard had a while Kongsgaar vintage they it wasn’t the growths.” The to “fifth really, PlumpJack — when then tiers down Schrader which there same. growths,” in have quality still believe Palmaz However, I American producers stillnot as good as Maybach are many older to make wine, but it’s ScareCrow wineries continuing the other growths.tends to Hall that have never great wine American winemarketing. lost a beat. do better with American However, hot bed wines are the and there for cabernets,

as a Our historyshort country is to compared ies. other countr of

I am a lover

that great wines the were some the scene in jumped on and ’90s such as 1970s, ’80s Kendall Mondavi (1966);Jordan Jackson (1982); (1980); (1972); Rombauer Pine Ridge Justin (1981); (1973); (1978); Franciscan Sterling (1972); Silver Oak Duckhorn (1964); and (1976).

Wine Nichei

with Vince

of almost all

UES

wines.

However, I also am absolutely amazing a believer that an wine is going lot of money. to cost a Here are some Unfortunately, drinking aroundof the wines I enjoy that’s just the way it is. A Bentley is an Christmas — my anniversary and amazing car, the times when so it’s going to cost a lot. The I’m broke. same thing applies wines as well. with most Pierre Delize Sparkling, France But there are E.Guigal Cotes very du Rhone, France— $9 that do not break good wines out there Foxglove Chardonnay — $11 the bank — you Seven Hills Viognier, , California — $11 might need to just venture out a Washington — Charles Smith bit more.

The same old $13 Boom Boom stuff you’ve been Syrah, Washington — since the early drinking ’90s Lone Madrone $16 you drink today, doesn’t have to be what White Rhone because the industry Blend, California — $16 changed and has so have Morgan “Unoaked” These days, there the wineries.

California — $17 Chardonnay, this group I call are so many choices in Sans Liege “Groundwor “value wines” — any wine that falls in the k” Grenache, California — $17 $25 and less category. And I really suggest Pomum Tempranillo trying styles from different all kinds of different Belle Glos “Meiomi”, Washington — $19 parts of the world.

Pinot Noir, These types of California — $21 wines are great Owen Roe “Sinister weddings, Father’s for parties, Hand” Rhone Washington — kind of get together.Day celebrations or any Blend, Your guests Mitolo “Jester” $21 impressed, and Cabernet Sauvignon, your bank accountwill be Australia — $22 very happy. will be Austin Hope Grenache, California The really acclaimed Ridge “East Bench” — $22 wines are great, you should treat and California — $24 Zinfandel, yourself to them once in a while every Alban Viognier, because there is such a huge difference in Sans Liege “TheCalifornia — $27 taste, pallet is the one and the most successful Blend, California Offering” Red Rhone that can distinguish — $28 great value wines the from One last tip: But for an everyday the acclaimed.

I suggest looking varietals — viognier, there are definitely consumer of wine, for these syrah and mourvedre grenache, roussanne, They might not great values out there.

— be be nice Cadillacs. Bentleys, but they could Paso Robles, Washington in these regions — and the Valley of France — for really great Rhone stuff.

Wine Niche

Balistrer

with Vince Balistreri 10

Join Vince Balistreri of the Niche Restaurant in Geneva every month in Kane County Magazine for his wine column called “Wine Niche.”

Vince Balistreri is general manager and sommelier at Niche Restaurant in Geneva. He offers his expertise in the wine industry monthly.

KaneCountyMagazine.com

holidays

I By PAT STEMPER VOJTA I

A Month Of Fun!

No matter where you live in Kane County, there are plenty of holiday and winter-related events throughout the area to take part in. Below, Kane County Magazine shares one event a day for the entire month of December.

Dec. 1 — ONGOING: Christmastime at the Fine Line, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 6N158 Crane Road, in St. Charles Looking for a unique gift for someone special on your Christmas list? Visit the Fine Line Show and Sale, which runs through Dec. 8, where you will find everything from tree ornaments and handmade teddy bears to pottery, paintings, watercolors, handmade paper/books and cards. There is also jewelry, clothing, wood, rag rugs and weavings along with knitted and crocheted sweaters, scarves, mittens and hats and more. More than 75 juried artists will sell their fine arts and crafts between Fine Line barn and the Kavanagh Fine Arts Building. For more information, call 630-584-9443 or visit www.fineline.org.

Dec. 2 — Candlelight Carols, 3 p.m. at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., in St. Charles The St. Charles Singers will help “sing in the season” as they present a new edition of their popular Candlelight Carols Christmas program conducted by Jeffrey Hunt, founder and artistic director. The 32-member choir will perform its 29th season throughout the Chicago area.

If you can’t make Sunday’s performance, there is a show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. For tickets or more information, call 630-513-5272 or visit www. stcharlessingers.

Dec. 3 — Santa’s Workshop, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pottawatomie Community Center, St. Charles Park District, 8 N. Ave., in St. Charles Children ages 3 to 6 can take part in an afternoon of holiday activities, which will include making lunch, baking cookies and listening to Christmas stories.

Children also will receive a specially wrapped gift. The cost is $23 for residents and $34.50 for non-residents.

Online registration is required. For more information, call 630-513-6200 or to register visit www.stcparks.org.

Dec. 4 — Happy Holidays … Broadway Style!, 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in Aurora Start the holiday season at the Paramount Theatre with a mix of traditional holiday songs and hit tunes from Paramount’s Broadway musicals. Past and present stars from the Broadway Series will perform. Artistic director Jim Corti will host the one-night only performance celebrating the season. Proceeds will benefit the Paramount’s Broadway Series. Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, call 630-896-6666 or visit ParamountAurora.com.

Dec. 5 — Holiday Traditions, 7:30 p.m. at The Blizzard Theatre, Building H, Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, in Elgin Enjoy the music of the Elgin Community College Concert Band, directed by Jim Kull, as they highlight holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Festival.” The Concert Band consists of about 30 people ranging in age from 17 to 90. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, call 331- 228-5627.

Dec. 6 — “The Winter Wonderettes,” 8 p.m. at 52 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., in St. Charles The time is 1968 and Betty Jean has organized the holiday party at Harper’s Hardware Store. Her group, “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” is scheduled to perform.

After a series of mishaps, the singers try to bring the fun back to the party. This holiday musical includes classic ’60s hits like, “Santa Baby,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “It’s a Marshmallow World” and more. The show is for all ages.

Tickets are $32 and $42 with dinner packages available at $52. Registration in required. To register or for more information, call 630584-6300 or visit www. pheasantrun.com.

Dec. 7 — Cookie Walk, 4:30 p.m. at The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. Second St., in Geneva Have some homemade cookies without the hassle.

Choose from dozens of varieties of holiday cookie favorites. Customers will be given a box to fill, which holds one to two dozen cookies as they walk among the tables of assorted cookies. “The day is pretty exciting,” says Katie Phillips, congregational administrator. “It’s very festive. It’s a really good jump start to the holidays.” More than 80 church members volunteer to bake for the event, which yields more than 640 dozen cookies. “My daughter and I love the Cookie Walk. We come every year and there’s always something new. And the best part is I don’t have to do nearly as much holiday baking of my own,” says Hillary Accarizzi, a UUSG church member. “Cookie Walk is one of our largest fundraisers. It not only means we can continue work with the church, but we can also support local organizations,” Phillips says. The cost of the box is $14. For more information, call 630-232-2350 or visit www.uusg.org.

Dec. 8 — ONGOING: Sing-Along with Santa in St. Charles, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays at Steel Beam Theatre Children’s Stage, 111 W. Main St., in St. Charles Children will have an opportunity to sing with Santa during this interactive show written and directed by Lori Holm. They also will have an opportunity to talk with Santa after the show. The show runs every weekend through Dec. 23. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children younger than 16. For tickets or more information, call 630-587-8521 or visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

Dec. 9 — Handel’s “Messiah” Concert, featuring Fox Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, 11 a.m. Sunday Youth Concert and 3 p.m. Main Messiah Concert at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place, in Aurora Enjoy the songs from Handel’s “Messiah” sung by the Youth and Main Messiah joined by the community choir of Our Savior Lutheran Church. A freewill offering will be

appreciated to benefit Lifespring women’s and children’s shelter in Aurora. A reception will follow the concert.

For more information, call 630-897-5936 or visit www. oursavioraurora.org.

Dec. 10 — Read Around the Tree Storytime, 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library, 555 S. Eola Road, in Aurora Bring your children to hear some favorite holiday stories. They just may become their favorites, too. No registration is required. For more information, call 630264-3400 or visit www.aurorapubliclibrary. org.

3 Dec. 11 — MULTIPLE DAYS: Pet Pics with St. Nick, 6 p.m. at Spring Hill Mall, 1072 Spring Hill Mall, in West Dundee “Spring Hill Mall has reserved a special time with Santa for your furry friends,” says Amy Prew, general manager of Rouse Properties Inc. “We’re pleased to offer families an opportunity to bring their favorite tail-wagger for a portrait with Santa.” Bring your dogs and cats for a picture with Santa to frame for a keepsake or use for your holiday cards. Props and costumes will be provided. Purchase a picture packet of $25 or more and receive a special gift. Pets also may be brought at 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 for photos. For photo package prices or more information, call 847-428-2200 or visit www.springhillmall.com.

Dec. 12 — MULTIPLE DAYS: Holiday Time Outs, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave., in Geneva Parents will be given a chance to shop, wrap, clean or have some time alone with Holiday Time Out. Children ages 2 and a half to 6 years old may be dropped off at the center to enjoy crafts, stories, playtime and a snack. Parents must provide a sack lunch. There will be no diaper changing available for little ones. Additional dates include Tuesday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec 13. The cost is $21 for residents and $32 for non-residents. No registration is required. For more information, call 630232-4542 or visit www.genevaparks.org.

Dec. 13 — Geneva History Center Créche Luncheon, 12:45 p.m. at Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., in Geneva Enjoy the culinary students of Geneva High School as they prepare a feast at the ninth annual Créche Luncheon. Lunch will be served by members of the community, board members, police chief, fire chief and more. After lunch, these community members will sing carols. The cost is $55 a person. Registration is required. To register or for more information, visit www. genevahistorycenter.org.

Dec. 14 — Celebrate the Season, 6 to 8 p.m. at Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., in Geneva A special guest from the North Pole will visit the library for this family event. Enjoy crafts and music with Joel Frankel as he sings and plays his guitar.

Refreshments will be served. Remember to bring your camera. “Families tell us they look forward to this event each year,” says Kristi Miller-Pease, head of youth services at the Geneva Public Library District. “In addition KaneCountyMagazine.com

to all the activities, there’s something special about being at the library after hours.” For more information, call 630-232-0780 or visit www.geneva.lib.il.us.

Dec. 14 — MULTIPLE DAYS: Festive Fridays at Spring Hill Mall, 5 to 6 p.m. Fridays at Spring Hill Mall, 1072 Spring Hill Mall, in West Dundee Hear the sound of the season performed by local musical and dance groups on Fridays through Dec. 14.

Mrs. Claus will delight children with story time provided by the Dundee Township Library. “Story Time with Mrs. Claus has been supported by the Dundee [Township] Library for three seasons and offers children an opportunity to engage in holiday favorites as they await a visit with Santa,” says Amy Prew, general manager, Rouse Properties Inc. “It’s a unique, fun and memorable experience for little ones during the holidays.” For more information, call 847-428-2200 or visit www. springhillmall.com.

Dec. 15 — Saturday with Santa, 1 p.m. Saturday at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, in Geneva Santa’s workshop is in the orientation barn where Santa and his elves will share hot chocolate and a craft project. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa and his elves. Walk over to George’s Circle to warm your toes by a bonfire. The cost for this family event is $5 a person.

For more information, call 630-232-4542 or visit www. genevaparks.org.

Dec. 16 — MULTIPLE DAYS: “The Nutcracker,” 2 p.m. at Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., in Batavia Treat your family to a performance by State Street Dance Studio, which will present its ninth annual performance of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.”

Featured will be former Joffrey dancer Ariel Cisneros as the Grand Pas Cavalier and former Miami City Ballet dancer Abdelazis Rogue as the Snow King. If you can’t make Sunday’s performance, “The Nutcracker” will be offered at 1 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $28 for adults and $23 for children 10 and under. For tickets or more information, call 630-232-0444 or visit www.statestreetdancestudio.com.

Dec. 17 — The Little Traveler, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third St., in Geneva Need entertaining ideas for the holidays? The Little Traveler has daily wine and appetizer sampling in their gourmet rooms. Stay for lunch and enjoy a fashion show with the latest winter and holiday partywear in the Atrium Café. For fashion show times and more information, call 630-232-4200 or visit www. littletraveler.com.

Dec. 18 — ONGOING: Geneva Giving Tree, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., in Geneva Visit the fourth annual Geneva Giving Tree display and cast your vote for the best tree with dollars instead of a ballot.

Christmas trees, decorated by local charities, will be on display through Dec. 28. The winner will be announced at 4 p.m. Dec. 28 and will keep 100 percent of the funds pledged to support its tree.

The remaining organizations will split their winnings with the Geneva History Center. “We really don’t profit from this event, it’s just a good community event to raise awareness of the nonprofits,” says Jessica McTague, curator of Geneva History Center. “We love doing this event, and the reason we love it is it helps other

6

nonprofits in the community.” For more information, call 630-232-4951 or visit www.genevahistorycenter.org.

Dec. 19 — Geneva Chocolate Tour, 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. at various locations in Geneva Satisfy your sweet tooth and chocolate craving in this walking tour of sweet shops. The morning tour begins at Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream, then moves to The Sugar Path, Galena Cellars, Preservation Bread and Wine, Graham’s 318 and The Little Traveler. The afternoon tour does not include The Little Traveler but adds Moveable Feast and Peaceful Parlour. Reservations are required and space is limited. Tickets are $40. For more information, call 312-929-2939 or visit www. chicagochocolatetours.com/geneva-il.

Dec. 20 — “The Winter Wonderettes,” 8 p.m. at Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., in St. Charles If you didn’t catch them on Dec. 6, here’s another chance to see “The Winter Wonderettes.” Tickets are $32 and $42 with dinner packages starting at $52. Registration in required. To register or for more information, call 630-584-6300 or visit www. pheasantrun.com.

Dec. 21 — Ancient Cultural Traditions and the Solstice, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd., in Elgin Learn about the winter solstice and how this cycle of nature is the ultimate celebration among many cultures. Hear about the Druid Oak King and the Holly Queen and watch the Yule log burn in a glowing campfire while drinking hot cider and campfire treats.

For more information, call 847-741-6655 or visit www. elginpublicmuseum.org.

Dec. 22 — It’s a Wrap!, 1 to 4 p.m. at the west branch of the Aurora Public Library, 233 S. Constitution Road, in Aurora This is a chance for teens to wrap their holiday

presents in secrecy. Students in fifth through 12th grades are invited to drop in, have some snacks, visit with friends and wrap their packages. Some gift wrap will be provided. No registration is required. For more information, call 630-264-3600 or visit www. aurorapubliclibrary.org.

Dec. 23 — ONGOING: Sing-Along with Santa in St. Charles, 1 p.m. Sunday at Steel Beam Theatre Children’s Stage, 111 W. Main St., in St. Charles This is the last day children will have an opportunity to sing with Santa during this interactive show written and directed by Lori Holm. They also will have an opportunity to talk with Santa after the show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children younger than 16. For tickets or more information, call 630-587-8521 or visit www. steelbeamtheatre.com.

Dec. 24 — “The Polar Express,” 11 a.m. at Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in Aurora Spend your afternoon watching the delightful holiday tale based on the book “The Polar Express” at the Paramount Theater. Admission is $1, and tickets are available at the original ticket lobby of the Paramount Theater. For more information, call 630-896-666 or visit, www.paramountaurora.com.

Dec. 25 — CHRISTMAS DAY: Volunteer It’s the season of giving. If you have time, why not consider volunteering at a local food pantry or homeless shelter? There are many websites you can visit to find a place to volunteer including feedingamerica.org or www. kanesheriff.com/jail/communityresources.aspx.

Dec. 26 — Sing Arounds, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at Mike’s Place Elmer’s North, 165 S. River Rd., in North Aurora Relax and unwind from the hectic holidays. Whether you’re a picker, a singer or just a listener, visit Mike’s Place for their song and music circle of folk and acoustic

music. All levels of skill are welcome. For more information, call 630-859-9565.

Dec. 27 — International Folk Dancing, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Kuhn Village Barn, on Sauk Circle, north of Batavia Road on the east side of Fermilab, in Batavia Here’s a chance to work off the holiday calories with international folk dancing featuring line, circle, couple, trio and group dances. Music will include holiday tunes. The evening will begin with a dance lesson so newcomers are always welcome. Children are also welcome to attend. “I think theses dances are great,” says Juel Ulven, president of the Fox Valley Folklore Society. “We’ve been running them since 1978. If I didn’t think they were great, I’d have given them up a long time ago.” In addition to international folk dancing, they offer barn dancing, silk and thistle Scottish country dancing and English country dancing. For more information, call 630584-0825 or visit www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/ folkdance.html.

Dec. 28 — MULTIPLE DAYS: Fridays @ 5, 6 to 8 p.m. at Gibby’s Wine Den, 1772 S. Randall Road, Suite 220, in Geneva Meet your friends at Gibby’s and relax with a glass of wine! Live music from James Schlicher and the festive atmosphere will make Gibby’s the perfect place to unwind and catch up after the holidays. Fridays @ 5 take place most Fridays at Gibby’s. For more information, call 630-208-6424 or visit www.gibbys-wine.com.

Dec. 29 — Bison Feeding in Lords Park, 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd., in Elgin Take this opportunity to see bison, deer and elk up close at Lords Park Zoo. Meet at the Elgin Public Museum for a brief introduction to the natural history of these hoofed animals. Then grab a cup of hot chocolate for the walk to the zoo to see the zookeeper’s morning feeding routine and learn more about these animals. Children will have a chance to imagine how Santa feeds his reindeer. The cost is $2 for adults, $1 for children and members are free.

Registration is required and must be mailed one week prior to event. Space is limited. If you miss this program, it is repeated each month. For more information, call 847-741-6655 or for a registration form visit www.elginpublicmuseum.org.

Dec. 30 — ONGOING: “Annie,” 1 and 5 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in Aurora There is still time to take your family to the closing night of this heartwarming musical and follow the adventures of the little orphan girl Annie.

Enjoy music and dancing to the classic songs of “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.” Tickets are $47.90 for the 1 p.m. show and $40.90 for the 5 p.m. show. For more information, call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve at Pheasant Run Resort, dates and times vary, at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main St., in St. Charles How do you want to ring in the New Year?

Pheasant Run Resort offers several packages, some of which include meals, performance tickets and overnight accommodations. You can choose from Party Gras Bash, Culinary Delight, A Theatrical New Year’s Eve featuring the comedy of The Second City’s “Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” or A Zany New Year’s Eve featuring the stand-up comedy of Michael Palascak. For ticket prices and more information, call 800-474-3272 or visit www. pheasantrun.com. kc

54 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

women of distinction

of WOMEN distinction

Inaugural Winner:

Joan Arteberry Zavitz

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.

Joan Arteberry Zavitz

City of residence: St. Charles Organization/company/corporation: City of St. Charles Youth Commission Title: Retired

ven though she left St. Charles to pursue her education and nursing profession, Joan Arteberry Zavitz says she never REALLY left the city.

The only reason she was born in Geneva was because St. Charles didn’t have a hospital, she laughs, and she’s proud she finished high school in St. Charles – class of 1956.

Arteberry Zavitz valued education and left home to receive a nursing diploma from Passavant Memorial Hospital, part of Northwestern Medical Center; a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; a master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago; and her doctorate in philosophy from the University of Illinois-Urbana.

But when it came time to start a family, St. Charles was the clear choice for her and her husband, she says.

“I never really left town in the sense I was always coming back to visit parents and friends,” Arteberry Zavitz says, noting she has deep family roots in St. Charles. Her father and grandfather were St. Charles aldermen, and her mother was on the board of directors for the chamber of commerce.

And Arteberry Zavitz, now 74, followed suit, becoming involved in numerous organizations and activities over the years. She provided leadership in various roles at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, and she sat on the board of directors of TriCity Family Services, Visiting Nurse Association and Family Support Center.

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56 Kane County Magazine • December 2012

Of specific note, Arteberry Zavitz spent more than 20 years on the St. Charles Youth Commission — which directs services and grants to support the welfare of the city’s youth — including many years as its chair.

“I thought we were doing good things,” she says simply of her time with the commission.

“We worked very closely with representatives from the school, the library and other community entities … we [would] hear what the issues are and we [would] try to assist them in any way for finding constructive solutions.”

Then, years back, Arteberry Zavitz came up with the idea that the commission should be looking for solutions from the youth that were creating the problems, she says.

The commission formed a peer-based grant program, called the Challenge Grant, which is given to teens to assist them with their own ideas for the community, she says, adding that she enjoyed working with the commission for so many years.

“It was a group that had a lot of mutual

respect and worked toward a common goal, and anyone who works on committees knows that’s hard to find, so I would salute that group,” she says.

Arteberry Zavitz also was a charter member of the nonprofit Hearts of Hope, which is dedicated to educating the public on how alcohol and drug abuse severely impacts the family unit and well being of an entire community.

“That was part of the tragedy in our own family, and coming together with other parents was incredibly supportive,” she says. “All of us have felt strongly that the support and the message needed to go beyond our group.”

For her involvement in multiple organizations that has benefited the people and city of St. Charles, Arteberry Zavitz was chosen as the recipient of one 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.

“She’s just one of those people that is going to do whatever she can if it’s a worthy cause for her,” says Nancy McFarland, current chair of the St. Charles Youth Commission. “She’s done so many things in her life that really didn’t go recognized. And she’s not out there to be recognized … but I think it was time that at least we got a chance to nominate her to get her recognized.”

Of her nomination, Arteberry Zavitz says she was honored.

“I first thought of so many people that were worthy, and was kind of humbled that I was chosen from among them,” she says. “I’m already thinking of people that I will nominate [next year].” kc

— By Stephanie N. Grimoldby KaneCountyMagazine.com

social life ‘A Night to Paws’ event

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KaneCountyMagazine.com

December 2012 • Kane County Magazine

57

oUr town: ELBURN

Woman Buried Twice In Same Cemetery?

Fred Dornback has been the superintendent of Blackberry Township Cemetery since 2007. He recently spoke with Kane County Magazine Editor Stephanie N. Grimoldby to talk about some of the interesting stories associated with the cemetery.

KC: How did you become the superintendent of Blackberry Township Cemetery?

Dornback: I became involved just as a community interest, preserving and taking care of it. They had a lot of history that was literally in suitcases and bags … that took a couple years to sort out with the help of a friend, Helen Johnson, who’s 85 years old, who had the real live living history of a lot of it. So, we sorted it all out … and got all the information into a database.

KC: What are some interesting stories you and Helen came across while sorting through all of the cemetery information?

Dornback: The oldest person in the cemetery [was born] February 1772. Now, you think of the date I just gave you — that’s before the United States was created. So, it does go back a bit … . Our earliest known burials in the cemetery were in the 1830s. Now, this is important again because ... [the cemetery] was officially formed in 1860, so we had about 50-some burials in this space before it became a cemetery. So, Helen and I had to figure out who they were, where they were and who owned those spaces. Some of them were transients just going through on covered wagons.

Maybe you don’t know … there’s two cemeteries in Blackberry Township that the township has responsibility for. The other one is what we call inactive; the last burial there was probably 100 years ago. And there’s a great story right in that other cemetery. It’s called Green Road Cemetery, it’s by Gould Orchard … . William Lance died at the age of 102 years, four months and 28 days. But here’s the story in a nutshell: in May of 1834, he walked with his son and two of his other children starting in Ohio. They left momma bear in Indiana, and they came here in May. They cleared the area just a little bit south of us on Green Road, near the other cemetery, built a log

cabin, planted a crop and brought the two youngest children to some place in DuPage County where they had friends … and then they walked back to Indiana where mother was. This was in October, and then they walked back here with his wife, they had oxen, and the oldest son’s new bride who was there waiting, too, and they all came here and arrived here on Christmas Eve in 1834. They started in May, left in October, came back on Christmas Eve, and then settled here. They’re the first settlers in Blackberry Township.

KC: How many people are buried in the cemeteries?

Dornback: Probably around 2,400 right now. But I have to say “about” because literally Helen and I are searching other places to find out. We currently have about 40 people that we know are buried there, but we don’t know where ... we usually find one of those every two or three months.

KC: Mayor Dave Anderson had mentioned to me that there’s a lady buried in two graves. Is that correct?

Dornback: Well, yes. The answer is correct. It’s a unique story … Helen and I were entering all of this information [about “Mrs. R”] into the database, and I said, “Helen, didn’t we already do this one?” And she said, “Yeah!” So, we looked, [and the information was] 10 years apart in a different location in the cemetery, [but] same birth date and everything else. Well, as

it turns out, [Mrs. R] had a death certificate for an amputated leg that was buried in the cemetery. Of course, we didn’t know that it was just a leg, because we had a burial permit … . Well, then … the most interesting part, [some ladies with long memories], they knew this person, but didn’t even know she had a prosthesis.

KC: Any other stories?

Dornback: I had a letter from a young man saying, “I’m looking for my mother. I’m fairly sure she’s buried in the cemetery, but I don’t know her name when she died.” That’s kind of interesting in and of itself, and then he said she was married nine times. And she had eight different husbands. So, Helen and I decided that we would do a little bit of checking, which took us a while — about six months to narrow some things down on it. But we figured, well, if you’re going to be married nine times, you’ve had a chance to kind of test them all, and if you’d decided to marry one guy again, odds are that he was probably the last one [you married]. I think that’s reasonable logic, if you’ve had your sampling.

And the answer is yes, it was the last one to which she was married to two times, and she died under that particular name.

KC: What are your future plans for sharing your information about the cemetery?

Dornback: What we would like to do to get people to appreciate some of the history [is create a scavenger hunt] so people will walk through and enjoy and experience some of the history and culture that came from our own community here, because there’s so many stories … .

Right now I have classes come out from Waubonsee [Community College] every semester ... it’s actually a genetics class, and what’s interesting, they’re tracing trends by seeing death patterns of children and adults in [a certain] time period. With our records now and the information we have, we’re really helping a lot of different people. kc • This is the culmination of Our Town, which has featured a different person, organization, event or historical landmark in a Kane County community on a rotating monthly basis.

Check back next month for a new monthly feature that will showcase the talents of local artists.