KC Magazine July 2021

vintage &

Americana

JULY 2021

GENEVA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE Beloved car show returns this year Page 12

THE BUZZ ON LOCAL BEER

Sample these 8 local breweries and taprooms Page 20

LA MICHOACANA SHOPS These frozen delights make the perfect refreshing treat

r e m Sum Page 24

PICNIC

Add local flavor to your backyard party this July! | Page 7

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Home Is Where the Hearth Is

Visit our show room to see over 40 burning models on display. See a wide selection of electric, gas, and wood fireplaces designed to enhance the warmth and beauty of your home. You’ll also find a full line of mantels, fireplace screens, and hearth accessories to complete the picture.

Sales • Service • Installation

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Your Local Butcher

SUMMERTIME GRILLING

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignons ~ Boneless Ribeye ~ Prime Rib ~ Bone-In Strip Steak ~ N.Y. Strip ~ Porterhouse

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Engstrom Plaza • 716 West State St., Geneva (Entrance on 7th Street)

630-262-1878 • www.josefsmeats.com 6/17/21 12:40 PM

Editor's

NOTE Summertime — it sure is sweet!

It’s the season of sunscreen, adventures,

O. Breen Community Park; I’m spending

festivals … the list could go on. As I write

many evenings there, weeding, watering

this, my plans for the rest of the week

and willing my plants to persist through this

include a baseball game, a trip to a water

temporary drought. In the past year, I’ve

park (when was the last time I visited a

also become interested in disc golf, which

water park!?) and an outdoor party. If that

is similar to golf but instead uses Frisbees.

doesn’t scream “happy summer in Kane

It's like a walk in the park with a bonus of

County,” I don’t know what does!

friendly competition…I’m not very good at it, but it’s a fun challenge and great exercise!

Our Americana issue includes stories that

Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve in Elgin,

make you feel like you’ve stepped back in

mentioned on P. 42, has a beautiful course

history, just in time for the Fourth of July.

that’s certainly worth a visit. If outdoors is

Maybe a diner is calling your name? Find

also your preferred way of spending July,

a list of nearby options on P. 14. And, to

this issue has tons of gardening advice,

the delight of many, the Geneva Concours

open-air events, patio spots and more.

d’Elegance is back, featured on P. 12. Since I moved to St. Charles during the pandemic, I haven’t experienced this car show yet. I’m excited to attend this year!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your summer!

PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Hannah Hoffmeister 630-427-6263 hhoffmeister@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Allison LaPorta 630-427-6260 alaporta@shawmedia.com LOCAL SALES MANAGER Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Jonathan Bilyk, Kevin Druley, Katie McCall, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, Diane Krieger Spivak and Chris Walker.

For me, July is synonymous with getting outdoors. As I may have mentioned before, I have a community garden plot at James

Hannah Hoffmeister, Editor

on the

COVER

Melody shares a smile and a big slice of watermelon in a photo shoot in Campton Hills. Photo by Jessica Westerfield Photography. Read more about summer picnics on P. 7.

Next month: Man’s best friend deserves a dedicated issue. Don’t miss our pets & family August issue!

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

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

JULY

2021

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FAMILY LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

JESSICA WESTERFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY Capturing memories to last a lifetime

NEWBORN, CHILDREN, FAMILY, EVENTS

jessicawesterfieldphotography@gmail.com | www.jessicawesterfield.zenfolio.com Serving the Fox Valley area | 847.707.3185

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INSIDE

What's

VINTAGE & AMERICANA 7 IDEAL SUMMER PICNIC Add local flavor — wine, soda, brats and more — to your backyard party this summer 9 TREASURE TROVE Find community and hard-to-find collectibles at The Collector’s Kid in Geneva 10 CALENDAR Festivals, car shows and more — here’s what’s happening in July 12 PEDAL TO THE METAL Classic cars race back to the TriCities for the return of the popular Geneva Concours d’Elegance

DINING & ENTERTAINING 14 BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS These Kane County diners offer classic takes on the most important meal of the day 16 PIONEER ROOTS Generations past inspire Katie McCall’s modern-day “homestead” 20 THE BUZZ ON LOCAL BEER Sample these 8 local breweries and taprooms, full of summer flavors and outdoor seating 22 EAT HEALTHY, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE OUT Digestive expert Dr. Tarun Mullick heads to the Walnut Speakeasy in Elgin 24 THE SCOOP ON LA MICHOACANA Delve into the bold flavors of frozen Mexican treats

ART & FASHION 28 ARTIST OF THE MONTH Sharon Feller creates mixed media collages and experiments with watercolors 30 KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE GALLERY Yes, you read that right — the magazine now sponsors a gallery at Water Street Studios 31 PROMINENT PUBLIC ARTIST A Q&A with Joseph Gagnepain, the renowned creator behind Art by Joseph

HOME & LIFESTYLE 34 VINING & TWINING Put these vines in your garden to add vertical beauty and variety 36 10 STEPS TO VINTAGE STYLE These small additions help achieve a vintage feel without much strain on your budget or schedule

FAMILY IN FOCUS 39 A GIFT FOR THE GRAD Superdad wonders how to mark the occasion of his firstborn growing up 40 JULY JAMBOREE OF ANNIVERSARIES Celebrations honor history, mission to enrich the lives of residents 42 ESCAPE INTO NATURE IN THE ELGIN AREA From forest preserves to outdoor dining, you’ll want good weather for this weekend

BUSINESS & CIVIC 26 THE POWER OF INDEPENDENCE Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet on the benefits of working as independent financial advisors

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JULY

2021

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Ideal Summer Picnic KCMAG_DUMMY-July.indd 7

ADD LOCAL FLAVOR — WINE, SODA, BRATS AND MORE — TO YOUR BACKYARD PARTY THIS SUMMER

By Diane Krieger Spivak Photos provided by Whiteford’s, Rocket Fizz and The Royal Wren

ummer is here, restrictions are lifting, and we’re all itching to get together with family and friends to once again celebrate the great outdoors. Whether your soiree is just a handful, or a yardful, there’s no better way to do it than with food: the universal ingredient to a successful picnic or barbecue. Here we share a few tips from local sources on how to pull it off.

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basic bratwurst (although you can get fancy with its cheese curd, bacon and blue, and “about a hundred more”). A tip from Stew: “Don’t broil it before putting it on the grill. You’re going to lose a lot of the flavor and seasoning. Just throw it on the grill for 10 minutes, get it brown and cook it through.” If you need sides, Ream’s has a full in-house line of original recipe offerings. Prices vary.  BARBECUE SAUCE On the lookout for the perfect barbecue sauce?

Whiteford’s Sweet & Spicy was created by award-winning, Geneva-based barbecue connoisseur Matthew Whiteford.

“It’s a thicker type of barbecue sauce with a ketchup base with just a little bit of heat. You pick up the sweet on the front of your palate, and it finishes with a little bit of spice.

It’s family-friendly and not overly spicy,” says Whiteford. $6. (None of Whiteford’s sauces contain high fructose corn syrup. “It coats your palate and deadens your flavor sensors.”) For locations stocking Whiteford’s sauces, visit www.loveyourbbq.com.  BEER What’s a picnic without beer, right? Head to P. 20 for eight local spots.

 PICNIC BASKETS More and more, people are looking to nostalgia to recall simpler times. Find a variety of vintage picnic baskets and blankets at Trend + Relic, in St. Charles.

Try a woven grass satchel-type basket with leather handles and traditional twist closure, or a flip-top wicker basket with two wine bottle holders on the side to carry your favorite red. Prices vary.  WINE Speaking of wine, The Royal Wren, in Geneva, suggests three.

• French Viognier, from Domaine de L’Ostal winery.

Says Royal Wren owner Tom Feltes: “Delicious white wine, crisp, excellent on a summer’s day, pairs really well with anything from salads to fish, and seafood.” $26.

• Rosé of Pinot Noir, from Bruliam Wines. “Very smooth rosé, light in color, pairs very well with salads, grilled chicken and seafood. Nice summertime fare.” $35.

• Chardonnay, by Taft Street Winery. “Nice, wellbalanced chardonnay, goes with anything from

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cheeses and charcuterie, to just a nice pasta salad.” $29.  SODA POP For teetotalers and the younger set, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, in St. Charles, offers more than 300 flavors of specialty sodas, all made in small batches with cane sugar. Most popular: • Root beer. Doesn’t matter which brand. Need we say more?

• Rocket Fizz Blue Cream. Cream soda, heavier on the berry than the vanilla.

• If you’re feeling adventurous, try Lester’s Fixins’ Peanut Butter and Jelly soda. Tastes just like it sounds. Most bottles $2.39, with discounts for quantities.  BRATS Stew Ream, co-owner of Ream’s Meat Market in Elburn, recommends its

VINTAGE & AMERICANA JULY 2021

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TREASURE TROVE FIND COMMUNITY AND HARD-TO-FIND COLLECTIBLES AT THE COLLECTOR’S KID IN GENEVA

By Chris Walker | Photos provided by The Collector’s Kid

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he Collector’s Kid is a store to come in and buy, sell and trade various collectibles, such as sports cards. But it’s more than that, too: It’s also a social destination for the collectors’ community.

have a great selection of old and new toys and sports memorabilia,” he says. “The guys at the shop were super friendly and knowledgeable too. We’ll definitely be back.”

DeKalb’s Geoffrey Wright’s first visit was also an enjoyable one.

The new store, which opened this spring in Geneva, is a family-friendly shop that has already created a welcoming atmosphere, drawing visitors back for repeated visits.

“I’ve known Dan for quite a few years now and his new partnership with co-owner Carl is great,” he says. “They have a combined selection of great sports cards and memorabilia as well as awesome toys and other collectibles for sale with great prices and friendly service. I will definitely be back soon.”

“Most sports collectibles shops are geared towards men and are not family-friendly,” says Liz Henderson, co-owner of The Collector’s Kid with her husband, Carl, a lifelong collector. “This was his dream. He wants those in the community to love collecting as much as he does.”

 THE COLLECTOR’S KID 1419 E. State St., Geneva 630-402-9967 Facebook: The Collector’s Kid

There’s a lot of things to see at The Collector’s Kid — and with comfortable seating and a PlayStation 5, guests can make themselves at home between perusing the shelves or while waiting for the rest of their group to finish shopping.

“We want people to feel comfortable here,” Liz Henderson says. “And with it being like two stores in one, we have a lot of toys and knickknacks and sports cards for people to see.”

The new venture also includes Dan Pennington’s Me & Dad’s Toys and Collectibles store. Pennington morphed his shop into The Collector’s Kid, bringing his toys and sports memorabilia with him. “It’s gone even better than I could have hoped for,” Pennington says. “I’ve already met a lot of new customers. I’m happy to be here. It’s really nice to be a part of this community.”

It’s a community that the three hope to see continue to grow, and it’s why they’re doing their part to make collecting affordable and a ton of fun.

“Our inventory is very fluid and it moves quickly,” Henderson says. “I didn’t realize how many regular customers would visit on a daily or weekly basis."

With the sports cards market at an all-time high, it is becoming more difficult to go into your local Walmart or Meijer these days due to resellers. With the "If you can't beat them, join them" mindset, The Collector's Kid has found a way to work with resellers to be able to offer these products for just over reseller cost, even partnering on a large scale to get those numbers down as far as possible for their fellow collectors.

They’re also in constant contact with their distributors to ensure that they get full allocation on products that are available exclusively to hobby stores at the best pricing.

So far, the feedback has been outstanding at The Collector’s Kid. Aurora’s Taylor McWilliams recently visited for the first time with his son and was left impressed. “They VINTAGE & AMERICANA JULY 2021

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calendar

SUN

JULY 2021 MON

TUE

WED

Clip this page out Hang it on your fridge so you can celebrate

THU

We’re looking ahead to festivals, car shows and more — here’s what’s happening in Kane County

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all that July has to offer!

Hunt for treasures, garden and home decor and more at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles.

Compiled by Melissa Rubalcaba Riske and Hannah Hoffmeister

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Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, a picnic or a backyard barbecue!

The Elgin History Museum’s Classic Car Show brings all types of vehicles.

Enjoy live music as you admire the collection.

Celebrate Pecan Pie Day by baking one of your own, then sharing it with a neighbor or friend!

Join the St. Charles Public Library for a parenting book discussion on “Rage Against the Minivan,” 8-8:45 p.m.

Petting zoo, carnival and live music — oh, my!

The Kane County Fair is back for its 152nd showing.

THE KANE COUNTY FAIR

Break out into dance for Disco Night at the Kane County Cougars game, and stay for the postgame fireworks show.

Back to Sixth Avenue! The St. Charles Public Library reopens on this day after an extensive renovation.

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The Illinois Railway Museum hosts “Day Out With Thomas,” a familyfriendly event featuring Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Geneva Arts Fair continues with a second day full of art and culture.

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Celebrate the beginning of the 2021 Summer Olympics by ordering from your favorite Japanese restaurant.

At the Geneva Arts Fair, you’ll find unique pieces of art for sale in a variety of mediums for sale.

Hampshire Coon Cocktails, live Creek Country Days music and features music, appetizers? Don’t food, and crafts for mind if we do. all ages. Don’t miss Batavia MainStreet the annual corn boil hosts Cocktails in Sunday. the Park, 7-11 p.m.

HAMPSHIRE COON CREEK COUNTRY DAYS

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WE FOLLOW THROUGH TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE COVERED COCKTAILS IN THE PARK This longstanding Batavia community event is scheduled from 7 to 11 p.m. July 31 at Appleton Park. This year’s Cocktails in the Park boasts live music, a silent auction, food and cocktail tastings, and a party atmosphere.

Tickets, $35 in advance, come with food tastings from local restaurants, says Beth Walker, the executive director at Batavia MainStreet. Cocktails are $7 for one, or you could buy a sheet of 10 drink tickets for $50.

This is a party you won’t want to miss. And if you’re planning on going with lots of friends? Don’t forget to purchase a picnic table space, complete with a server to make your night even more relaxed. To learn more, visit www. downtownbatavia.com.

Call today and see how much you can save!

847.640.0402 Harry Stout Your Local Agent 11 S 2ND AVE STE 3 ST CHARLES, IL 60174 HSTOUT@FARMERSAGENT.COM https://agents.farmers.com/hstout

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS The little ones in your life won’t want to miss the Illinois Railway Museum’s “Day Out With Thomas” event, in which they can “meet” Thomas the Tank Engine on July 10, 11, 17 and 18. The popular blue engine will be featured along with Percy and Sir Topham Hatt.

Rent our Beautiful Courtyard for any Occasion!

“It’s a wonderful experience for the kids — they are absolutely blown away at getting to see Thomas in person and up close like this,” says Nick Kallas, executive director, in a news release.

Tickets to the event include other family activities — magic shows, live music, snacks and more. For health information and to purchase tickets, visit www. irm.org.

KANE COUNTY FAIR Are you prepared for five days of nonstop fun? The Kane County Fair is back this year, July 14-18. (The first day is free!) Experience all the county fair has to offer: carnival rides, great food, live music, 4-H showings, a demolition derby and more.

The fair goes 3-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon-10 p.m. Sunday. Free activities found on the fairgrounds include magic shows, a kid-friendly area, the car show, a petting zoo, an exhibit called “Kane County Dairies to Prairies” and more. For advance tickets, which vary in price depending on age, visit www.kanecountyfair.com.

s r a d n le a c r u o y k r a M in advance!

Get ready for the Geneva Concours d’Elegance, Aug. 22! Read more about this beloved car show on the next page.

Housed in a Charming 8000 Sq. Ft. 100 Year Old Barn

Multi Dealer Market

Wed & Fri 10-5, Thur 12-7, Sat 9-4, Sun 9-3, Closed Mon & Tues

Shoppers will delight in our area’s widest selection of barnwood furniture, vintage, primitive & modern boutique rolled into one. Farmhouse furniture and decor, boutique style clothing, jewelry, man-cave, boho, MCM, antiques, gourmet goods and gifts.

475 W. Army Trail Rd • Bartlet IL 60103 630-326-8858 • info@prestigecreativemarkets.com VINTAGE & AMERICANA JULY 2021

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PEDAL TO THE METAL T

o say that the Geneva Concours d’Elegance was missed last year is an understatement.

“You have no idea how many phone calls we’ve had,” says Patt Barrett, director of the annual Geneva Concours d’Elegance event. “‘Are you having the show?’ I’ll say turn to our website we’ll have something there for sure.”

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, Barrett says the plan is for the event to return to Geneva on Aug. 22. A wonderful variety of the best classic, exotic and race automobiles that showcase the heritage, artistic and engineering significance of the automobile will be on display on Geneva’s vibrant Third Street.

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Concours d’Elegance is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at no cost, so whether you’re into classic cars and this is an event you cannot miss, you’re simply someone looking to try something new and affordable to do, or you’re looking for a reason to visit downtown Geneva, Barrett is hopeful folks visit.

“We’ll have the early Fords, A through T, that were built in the Chicago area,” she says. “There will be multiple things to look at with probably about 150 cars there and a number of car clubs will be there on display behind the Kane County Courthouse.”

This year’s event will honor the 60th birthday of the Chevrolet Corvair and Austin Mini Cooper, the

VINTAGE & AMERICANA JULY 2021

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CLASSIC CARS CLASSIC CARS RACE BACK RACE BACK TO TRITO THE THE TRICITIES FORTHE THE CITIES FOR RETURN OF RETURN OF THE THE POPULAR POPULAR GENEVA GENEVA CONCOURS CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE D’ELEGANCE

By Chris Walker Photos by David Wilks Photography

Editor’s note: These photos were taken before COVID-19.

100th birthday of both Duesenberg and Citroën automobile manufacturing companies and, finally, the Sports Car Club of America, which is celebrating seven decades of motorsports.

“We’ll have some cars coming in from Wisconsin and Michigan, Pennsylvania and Iowa so we’re pulling them from neighboring states,” Barrett says. “We do have some cars that will come back every three years so we do have a winner’s circle where some that have won are on display, so you might see a couple cars you’ve seen before, but most are pretty unique and haven’t been here before.”

The Corvair, which remains the only American-

designed, mass-produced passenger car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, was revolutionary at its time.

The Mini, created by Alec Issigonis and produced by the British Motor Corporation, was intended as an affordable vehicle in response to an oil crisis.

Today, the car remains an icon of the ’60s.

The beautiful collection of automobiles, on display for one’s perusal, will be vying for coveted “Benz” trophies, although the real winners here are those who support the mission of LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, the beneficiary of this year’s event.

LivingWell is a gathering place in Geneva where people come together through the shared experience of a cancer diagnosis. Its mission is “to provide compassionate care that empowers, encourages, supports and offers hope to patients with cancer and their families,” according to the organization’s website.

“It’s not just about all the cars, but also the beneficiaries,” Barrett says. “LivingWell Cancer Resource Center is a part of Northwestern Medicine and is a great place with great programs that are free of charge for cancer patients, their loved ones and families.”

Visit www.genevaconcours.net for the latest info.

VINTAGE & AMERICANA JULY 2021

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t s a f k a Br eOF CHAMPIONS THESE KANE COUNTY DINERS OFFER CLASSIC TAKES ON THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

By Hannah Hoffmeister | Photos provided by Daddio's Diner and State Street Diner

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t is 1:11 p.m. on a Tuesday, and Noe Ortiz is working the grill.

Never mind that it’s less than an hour until close, and he is the owner of State Street Diner. Sometimes you step in and help with the lunch rush.

Almost all of the booths and tables are full (in accordance with health guidelines); the dining room hums with the sizzle of the grill and the happy chatter of friends and family. The waitress nearby knows almost all of her customers. (To that point, Ortiz estimates 90% of the diner’s guests are regulars.)

Ortiz and his wife, Karen, have owned the 630 W. State St. building since 2002; it was Mel’s Diner, then became State Street Diner in 2012. The two describe their restaurant’s atmosphere as cozy, homey and laid-back: a comfortable place to have a meal. “People have grown up here,” Karen Ortiz says.

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The breakfast classics (eggs, potatoes, meat and your choice of bread) are a constant hit, along with an array of Mexican breakfast specials.

Huevos rancheros, the breakfast burrito with chorizo and rotating daily specials are all popular options, the couple says.

Diners provide that familiar interaction between customer and staff — and, of course, a heaping plate of food.

“I think diners are a part of history in the communities,” Karen Ortiz says.

Throughout COVID-19, State Street Diner customers provided support through curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. Last summer, the diner added outdoor seating, which has been embraced and is now a permanent feature.

For Noe Ortiz, the overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude: to be here, and that his customers and employees stuck through the pandemic with them. “We’ve received great support from our customers,” he says. “They want to make sure we stick around.”

The people, both Noe and Karen say, is what they like and appreciate most about their job.

DINING & ENTERTAINING JULY 2021

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Serving Breakfast All Day Long Come Try Our Mexican Food Mention this ad for 20% off your purchase!

630 W. State St., Geneva (331) 248-0646 www.statestdiner.com

Offer expires 8/15/21

Add Some Love to Everything You Cook!

An Olive Oil Experience

Check out

Select from over 60 different extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from all over the world. Unique Gift Baskets Available.

THESE OTHER KANE COUNTY DINERS:  APPLE VILLA 1961 W. Wilson St., Batavia 630-406-8022 www.applevillapancakes.com You can’t go wrong with this expansive menu. Try the namesake baked Apple Villa pancake: an oven-baked pancake with apples and a cinnamon glaze.

Homemade Skincare Products made with Olive Oil: Soaps ~ Lip Balms ~ Moisturizers

See Us for New Vinaigrette Recipes!

Store Hours

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm ~ Thurs 10am-8pm ~ Sat 10am-5:30pm ~ Sun 11am-4pm

315 James St. • Geneva, IL • (630) 262-0210 • www.olivemillgeneva.com

 DADDIO’S DINER 134 W. Wilson St., Batavia 630-879-5299 www.daddiosdiner.biz

Lunch • Dinner Cocktails • Catering Dine-In • Carry-Out Delivery

In addition to a full lunch and dinner menu and breakfast classics like eggs breakfasts, Daddio’s Diner releases themed specials each weekend.

 THE GENEVA DINER 14 S. Second St., Geneva 630-934-1005 www.thegenevadiner.com

Thanks to our patrons for Voting us One of the Best for Chinese Food in the area.

Choose from an array of breakfast sandwiches, French toast, skillets and more. And it’s open seven days a week, too!

 THE JALAPEÑO GRILLE 602 Geneva Road, St. Charles 630-587-1918 Facebook: The Jalapeño Grille – St. Charles

Art by Joseph painted the murals at The Jalapeño Grille and State Street Diner! For more on the artist behind the project, turn to P. 31.

(630) 898-8889

SM-CL1891642

The Jalapeño Grille is an honorary mention on the list — while not a traditional diner, it serves breakfast all day, including breakfast burritos, tacos and huevos a la Mexicana.

AURORA 3450 Montgomery Rd.

NORTH AURORA 915 Oak Street

(630) 896-8876

BATAVIA 9 S. Randall Road

(630) 879-5668

www.eastchinainn.com DINING & ENTERTAINING JULY 2021

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a fresh take

PIONEER ROOTS GENERATIONS PAST INSPIRE MY MODERN-DAY “HOMESTEAD” With Katie McCall, owner of Two Wild Seeds bakery

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ver since I was a little girl, I’ve been taught to honor what came before me. I used to curiously peek over my mom’s shoulder as she, a self-made family history buff, spent decades of her adult life researching and combing through passed-down articles, photos and heirlooms — ultimately piecing together thick binders bursting with our ancestors’ stories.

Yet, I’ve always innately yearned to lead a simple and self-sustaining lifestyle, and on some cellular level, I can’t help but believe it’s a part of my DNA. I grew up watching my mom and grandparents garden on our land; in middle school I asked for soap-making supplies; and over the years, book titles like “Modern Pioneering,” “Country Skills,” “Natural Remedies” and “Backyard Homesteading” have taken over my shelves.

While our roots date back to the 1600s in America, one particular photo always struck a chord with me: my great-great-grandmother Eva standing in front of a one-room structure built by my greatgrandparents Florence and Edwin Cook during their first year of homesteading in Montana in 1912. On the back of the photo, Florence wrote: “Doesn’t it look like a bridal mansion.”

My ancestors were true pioneers, and though homesteading was a result of the government displacing the Indigenous Native Americans* from their land without warning, I find value in the skills and hardships my ancestors faced during these years.

Over the years, tornadoes, dust storms, drought — and later, the Great Depression — created a plethora of challenges, like failed crops and loss of livestock. They quickly learned to make the best of what they had and found multiple uses for everyday items (like a baking powder can, which was not only used for the baking powder itself, but also as a cooking vessel for cornbread).

My great-grandparents’ homestead was situated near the railroad town of Glendive, Montana, where they would travel to and from with a horsedrawn buckboard wagon, hauling from the general store the supplies and food that couldn’t be raised, grown, hunted, foraged or made on the communal farms.

A prized family heirloom passed down to my mom is my great-grandmother’s cookbook. I almost feel my great-grandmother speaking to me as I thumb through her handwritten recipes titled “Mama’s last way to make bread,” and “Sunshine Cake” with conversational directions such as, “At noon, boil three good sized potatoes …”

Most homesteads kept two “kitchen gardens,”

Today, there’s good reason for modern-day

As I sit here writing in my kitchen, a small lump has formed in my throat while I imagine the daily hardships they endured. I find myself surrounded by the modern-day conveniences of hot water, appliances, a refrigerator and pantry stocked with food … things we all too often take for granted.

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the first round supplying delicate lettuces, herbs, peas and radishes in the spring, followed by late summer crops producing heartier bounty like beans, potatoes, squash and pumpkins. Meats were salted, brined or dried for preservation, while vegetables were pickled and stored away for provisions during the colder months.

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conveniences. Life was hard and inefficient — but it was anchored in hard work, perseverance and resilience, qualities that I, too, will pass down to my children and grandchildren. My little “homestead” currently only consists of growing a garden, composting kitchen scraps, making my own yogurt and canning vegetables — but every time I do it, I’d like to think my ancestors are proudly watching over me. *Honoring the Assiniboine, Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara Native tribes that were displaced where my ancestors set up their homestead.

 Katie McCall is a bona fide Midwestern girl. Raised on four acres of rural property in Yorkville, she was taught to respect nature and all of its bounty. From foraging morel mushrooms in the woods to picking wild raspberries for homemade jam, Katie feels most at home when in nature and preparing food for others. When she’s not running the downtown St. Charles bakery Two Wild Seeds, she can be found nose-deep in cookbooks, exploring the outdoors with her family — and eating … always eating. Photo by Victoria C Photos.

HOMEMADE “MASON JAR” BUTTER Return to the pioneer days with a fun activity for all ages! Get a good arm workout while honoring those who came before us — and had to churn cream at least 30 minutes for butter.

MAKES 1/2 CUP BUTTER Store at room temperature 3-5 days or 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

• 1 cup heavy cream (38% fat) • Pinch sea salt • 16 oz. Mason jar or any large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

• • • •

Fine mesh strainer Small bowl Glass of cold water Container for storing butter

Bring the cream to room temperature. Pour cream and a sprinkle of salt into the jar, filling halfway full. Screw the lid on tightly.

Begin to vigorously shake the jar, ensuring the cream hits all the way to the top of the lid. Shake for about 2 minutes. Peek inside, and you’ll see the cream thickening into what we’d enjoy as whipped cream. But we aren’t there yet … screw the lid back on and keep shaking.

Shake for another 5-7 minutes; you’ll begin to hear more liquid in the jar — this is a good sign! It means the buttermilk is beginning to separate from the solids, leaving behind the pure butterfat.

Open the jar and check to find a clump of butter accumulating. You’re almost done! Close the lid and shake vigorously for another 30 seconds to remove any remaining buttermilk.

Open the jar and pour the contents through the fine mesh strainer. Save the buttermilk in the refrigerator for other baking needs, and then place the clump of butter in a small bowl.

With a glass of cold water, gently pour the water over the butter, rinsing off any residual buttermilk. Discard that water and rinse a few more times until the water is clear.

Take your butter out of the bowl, mold into a ball (or any shape you like) and enjoy on your favorite dishes! Try adding honey, herbs and spices to make a gourmet “compound butter.”

Make Yourself at Home!

Monthly Food Specials Outdoor Patio Seating Dine In or Carry Out Seasonal Brews $4.00 Daily Handcrafted Beer Specials Try Raider s Root Beer (ABV 7.5%)

306 W State Street Downtown Geneva 630-208-7070 www.stockholmsbrewpub.com DINING & ENTERTAINING JULY 2021

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Stockholm's 306 W. STATE ST., GENEVA 630-208-7070 | WWW.STOCKHOLMSBREWPUB.COM Out back and tucked in a nook with the neighboring building, protected by a high fence and covered with a shade sail, Stockholm’s patio is a little intimate dining gem.

Voted the Western Suburbs' best neighborhood tavern by the readers of both the Kane County Chronicle and West Suburban Living Magazine, Stockholm’s is known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared meals using only the highest quality ingredients.

You can also enjoy its handcrafted beers, brewed in an Old World tradition, naturally conditioned and unfiltered, from the TriCities' oldest brewery.

Chime & Stave

40W188 CAMPTON CROSSINGS DRIVE, CAMPTON HILLS 630-549-6537 | WWW.CHIMEANDSTAVE.COM Discover your neighborhood craft cocktail and dining destination located in Campton Hills near the Fox River Trail. Enjoy daily seasonal drink specials and Americaninspired, artisan meals made with the freshest ingredients.

Experience live music on our relaxing patio with your family as well as your furry best friend — we offer a pet menu! Enjoy $5 bloody marys and mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for entertainment dates and daily specials.

WindMill Grille & Pizzeria

90 N. ISLAND AVE., BATAVIA 630-326-9717 | WWW.WINDMILLGRILLEPEIZZERIA.COM Ready for your next delicious meal? When the time is right, safely enjoy outdoor and indoor dining at WindMill Grille & Pizzeria. Voted Best New Restaurant in Kane County! Open for lunch and dinner. Family owned and operated!

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Pollyanna Brewing Co. 106 S. RIVERSIDE AVE., ST. CHARLES 630-549-7372 | WWW.POLLYANNABREWING.COM Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in St. Charles provides relaxing riverside views while enjoying award-winning craft beer and craft cocktails from spirits made on-site. Located on the Fox River Trail, bikers and walkers can pop in for refreshments mid-trek. The patio is dog-friendly so bring your "best friend" along. With additional taproom locations along the I&M Canal in Lemont and on Main Street in Roselle, a relaxing Pollyanna experience can be enjoyed throughout the suburbs.

El Molcajete

227 S. THIRD ST., SECOND FLOOR OF THE BERRY HOUSE, GENEVA 630-457-5348 | WWW.ELMOLCAJETEGENEVA.COM Start your dining fiesta with a view of downtown Geneva while relaxing on our patio, located on the second floor of the Berry House. Our menu features authentic burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and house specialties. Try our famous jalapeño margarita, or select from over 10 varieties of handcrafted margaritas — they're all made with fresh fruit, fresh lime juice and organic agave nectar. You can also choose from our large variety of Mexican beers as well as sangrias and mojitos; you're sure to find something to tempt your taste buds! See our website and Facebook for monthly specials and guacamole of the day.

Aurelio's Pizza of Geneva 330 W. STATE ST., GENEVA 630-262-8440 Located in the heart of downtown Geneva, Aurelio’s Pizza of Geneva offers pizza ranging from our signature thin crust to our delicious thick crust. Before the pizza, enjoy great appetizers including our fresh caprese or the refreshing bruschetta. During the hot summer days come enjoy our summer cocktails like our red or white sangria or the new premium margarita. If you’re looking for something more hoppy, come try one of the 15 beers on draft including local selections from Penrose Brewery.

Enhance the dining experience by eating out on our beautiful patio. The gorgeous setting offers spacious seating and weekly live music from many local bands. So come join us all summer long because Aurelio’s is Pizza.

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THE BUZZ ON local beer SAMPLE THESE 8 LOCAL BREWERIES AND TAPROOMS, FULL OF SUMMER FLAVORS AND OUTDOOR SEATING

By Kevin Druley Photos provided by Penrose Brewing, Obscurity Brewing and V House Photo

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A great stop for good variety as well as small batches, Penrose is a go-to locale for India pale ale lovers: The brewery’s year-round offerings include three of them. Penrose also presents a number of seasonal releases, promising to “bring on the hoppy and hazy.” These beers include the DDH Sabro Goofier Boots juicy double IPA and Lil Boots hazy IPA. Goofy Boots, by the way, is Penrose’s yearround juicy Midwest IPA.

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Whether you live in the Tri-Cities or a few towns away, make the trip to 93 Octane, which has fun not just with its brews, but unique can designs that incorporate the family’s history of operating gas stations. Automobile themes abound: Among others, there’s the Traffic Jam sour ale; Hugger Whip, an orange wheat ale; and the Blueberry Pomegranate Sidecar, a milkshake IPA. Kuarter Mile Kölsh is among the selections in the works.

•

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 93 OCTANE BREWERY 1825 Lincoln Highway, St. Charles 630-549-0332 www.93OctaneBrewery.com

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Although Energy City typically doesn’t offer a taproom experience, there still are opportunities

A Tri-Cities staple before the craft beer craze truly took off, Stockholm’s offers visitors a selection of more than a dozen craft brews in the heart of bustling downtown Geneva. Choose from a variety of pilsners and ales, among others, brewed in the Old World tradition. There are also alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions of Stockholm’s small-batch root beer.

 PENROSE BREWING 509 Stevens St., Geneva 630-232-2115 www.penrosebrewing.com

•

 ENERGY CITY BREWING 917 First St., Batavia 630-597-5581 www.energycitybrewing.com

 STOCKHOLM’S RESTAURANT & BREWERY 306 W. State St., Geneva 630-208-7070 www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

While this craft alcohol and barbecue stop is approaching its one-year anniversary, its selection includes perhaps the oldest fermented beverage around — mead, which dates to the times of Shakespeare and blends water, honey, malt and yeast. You can catch more tastes of honey in several of Obscurity’s beers, including its popular braggot hefeweizen.

st

Do you enjoy discussing the finer points of brewing while imbibing your beer? If so, Art History is a haven for such conversation, as head brewer Greg Browne passionately offers a wealth of information about the location’s beer styles and his approach to beer trends. Throughout the year, the brewers at Art History offer more than a dozen styles, with several paying tribute to the Tri-Cities locale. Lincoln Highway is an American pale ale, while Geneva Belle is a pre-Prohibition lager.

 OBSCURITY BREWING & CRAFT MEAD 113 W. North St., Elburn 630-320-2255 www.drinkobscurity.com

M agazine Fin e

 ART HISTORY BREWING 649 W. State St., Geneva 630-345-6274 www.arthistorybrewing.com

Lemont-originated Pollyanna has expanded its outreach to include this brewery, distillery and taproom, adjacent to the Fox River in downtown St. Charles. The organization wasted little time getting involved with the community; it offers, in conjunction with Sammy’s Bikes, weekly, noncompetitive charity bike rides that reconvene at the brewery afterward for a refreshing brew.

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Alter’s first full-service restaurant and brewery can accommodate up to 160 guests inside and 100-plus on its outdoor patio along the Fox River.

See the brewing process up close, if you wish; the brew house is the centerpiece once you enter the building. Branded as “smooth cherry, blended with a subtle tartness for regal refreshment sip after sip,” try the King Balaton cherry wheat ale for a refreshing drink of summer.

 POLLYANNA BREWING CO. 106 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles 630-549-7372 www.pollyannabrewing.com

for communal beer experiences at this downtown Batavia location. The brewery’s drive-thru beer releases are popular Saturday destinations for local craft beer enthusiasts. Recently released summery selections include a blueberry, blackberry and raspberry hard seltzer and the dessert-inspired, strawberry rhubarb Bistro Crumble.

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 ALTER BREWING + KITCHEN 12 S. First St., St. Charles 331-901-5949 www.alterbrewing.com/st-charles-brewery-kitchen

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OTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE AN AFTERNOON SPENT AT A BREWERY. WHETHER YOU’RE GRABBING A PINT AT YOUR LONGTIME FAVORITE OR TRYING A FLIGHT AT A NEW-TO-YOU LOCATION, ENJOY A STOP AT THESE EIGHT KANE COUNTY FAVORITES.

COMING SOON Vote now for your favorites in the 2021 Kane County Magazines Finest Readers' Choice Awards!

TO VOTE, GO TO:

http://qr.shawlocal.com/kcfinest21 DINING & ENTERTAINING JULY 2021

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WITH DR. TARUN MULLICK

A

s our communities get vaccinated and we can move about during the next phase of this pandemic, keep supporting the restaurants a couple times a week if you can!

I was in the mood for something tasty but something more chill, so I ventured to the Walnut Speakeasy in Elgin. The theme? Classic Americana with fun. And, boy, with some buffalo cheese curds to start, I was mixing the fun of buffalo wings sauce with squeaky, tasty cheese curds. Dipped in their house-made ranch, these curds

send you over to that place called Flavortown. And, did I mention it has a good balance of carbs, protein and fat?

For the main course, I went with the house-made pulled pork sandwich. Tender juicy pulled pork heaping over the sides of a soft but not too carb-heavy bun — this is another one that hits all the flavor notes. The homemade barbecue sauce and side of coleslaw all fits too well.

Let’s just say, this personifies “speakeasy,” and the food was so good I could hardly speak!

WORD SCRAMBLE: LUSBL

SHWKA DIAC

NURHAERBT EENIGNSRC

ANSWERS: Bulls, Hawks, Acid, Heartburn, Screening

 Dr. Tarun Mullick is a specialist trained at Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy based in Geneva. Connect with him at www.mullickmd.com or by phone at 630-232-2025.

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TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS PLEASE CALL 630-232-2025

WWW.DEDUCTIBLESHOP.COM IT'S YOUR DEDUCTIBLE! Why pay thousands more for care, tests, repairs MEDICAL - AUTO - HOME - VET (PETS)

Ask the doctor

It is my honor and privilege to serve the community and readership of this publication. Our practice’s focus is to care for patients, to help them and tailor their care individually with current therapies.

Q: Which is better: a colonoscopy, or Cologuard?

A: Colonoscopy is still the best. Cologuard is for later stage testing of growths; it misses earlier polyps. Colon cancer screening is for both men and women. It is preventable, beatable and treatable. Screening starts at age 45 unless you have symptoms prior at whatever age, or family history of polyps or cancer. Get screened.

Q: Sometimes I have watery stools but with some blood — what should I do?

A: This may be a sign of diarrhea that is from a colitis or from

local trauma due to the abrasive nature of wiping or too much diarrhea. It could also be from a polyp or a cancer. For these reasons, please present for evaluation with gastroenterology.

Please don’t ignore this.

Q: Why are there years where the flu does not respond to the flu shot?

A: The flu vaccination is just a few certain strain or strains that are

influenza related. Unfortunately, the strain that affects us may not be the one in the flu shot. So, it seems it’s about a coin toss from year to year. Overall, though, flu does create a lot of morbidity, and thus, getting the flu shot is still advised in most cases.

However, the COVID-19 vaccines are 90+% effective. That’s a vaccination I would definitely get!

Q: Getting tests done like colonoscopy, blood tests or CT

scans can be covered but up to double, triple and five to seven times higher at hospitals. My insurance premiums worry me — what do you suggest?

A: Yes, the cost differential between hospitals' facility fees and

endocenters, surgical centers or imaging centers is often several thousands of dollars. Deductible Shop, www.deductibleshop. com, is a platform that enables you to shop your deductible to save in your medical, auto, home, and vet (pet) costs. As it grows, there will be more users that will want to put their information to enable the consumer to better shop their deductible. It is my policy to serve the community well and find the better value for them as well. If you need any help, please call my office at 630-232-2025, and we will help you navigate.

LOSE WEIGHT NOW! Connie, Batavia -- “Lost 44 lbs, with Dr. Mullick’s recommended system, and it stayed off.”* Jamie, Geneva -- “Lost 12 pound in my FIRST MONTH!! It really works.

Call for appointment 630-232-2025

Pay LESS for your colonoscopy or endoscopy.

Facility Fees are significantly lower. Cost of health care is going up. Pay less for your test. We are JCAHO certified.

Met your Deductible?? Get in before year end. Save on your deductible. Pay LESS. Heartburn, Diarrhea, Constipation, Liver Disease, Pancreatitis, Abdominal Pain, Colitis, Crohns/ Ulcerative Colitis, Gallbladder, Rectal Bleeding We have quality doctors and team on staff to serve you well. Its our honor to take care of you.

AMERICAN COLONOSCOPY AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER

2631 Williamsburg Ave 301. Geneva, IL. Call now for your appointment. 630-232-2025

IF YOU DO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, GET COLON CANCER SCREENING. It affects men and women BOTH and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is VERY important to get this screening done - colon cancer is beatable and treatable if caught early enough through colon screening.

HEARTBURN PATIENTS PLEASE COME TO GET EVALUATED FOR PRECANCEROUS BARRETT’S; ESOPHAGEAL CANCER HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST 4 DECADES. FREE BOTTLE OF A USANA VITAMIN WITH COMPLETED COLONOSCOPY FOR NEW CLIENTS* *Some restrictions may apply. Available while supply lasts.

Dear Dr. Mullick, My family never had polyps or cancer.

Do I really need a colonoscopy? Jane

Dear Jane: Great question. Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history. Everyone over age 45 should get a colonoscopy. If you have family history you should start at age 40 or 10 to 15 years before the youngest relative with a problem. Screening helps reduce risk.

Dr. Mullick, I’ve got bloating and gas. Sometimes I have diarrhea or nausea after I eat. Could I have food allergies?

My doctor said it’s IBS (irritable bowel). Kristen

Dear Kristen: Yes, food intolerances to lactose, sucrose and fructose are common, so you may need to avoid those. We have tests in the office for that. The symptoms of IBS and food allergies are often similar, so testing for food allergies is reasonable. We can test for that, too. We have helped many patients diagnosed with food allergies, so it’s not all IBS.

SAVE YOUR LIFE! TELLYOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Get colon cancer screening. Beatable, Treatable, Preventable in most situations.

S. from Geneva. “I am glad I had my colonoscopy done at the American Colonoscopy and Endoscopy center. I had some polyps removed and that will likely prevent a cancer.

The facility was wonderful and it saved me money.”

LET’S BEAT IT! 630-232-2025.

BACK PAIN. CARPAL TUNNEL. WRIST PAIN. PAIN IN FOOT. PAIN IN LIMBS

PERIPHERAL NERVE TEST Certified center & trained team.

Call now for your clinic appointment and test date. 630-232-2025.

PPO, Medicare, and Cash payment accepted

*Results may not be typical.

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T

na

M a L n i o c h p o o a o c c s a eh

D E LV E I N TO T H E B O L D F L AV O R S O F F R OZ E N M E X I C A N T R E AT S Story and photo by Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

W

ith flavors so rich and deep, all it takes is one taste to know this isn’t your typical ice cream.

With its bright bold colors and flavors of tropical fruits, there are so many delicious ways to indulge during a visit to La Michoacana, the ice cream shops based on the flavors and recipes from Mexico.

“We try to bring the flavors of Mexico in different ways,” says Carlos Juarez.

Juarez and his wife, Diana Moreno, opened La

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Michoacana Sweet Bliss in St. Charles in January 2020 following the success of their Yorkville location, which opened in 2017. Moreno, who had experience working in another La Michoacana, convinced her husband it was time to launch their own business.

Their leap into the business has been a sweet one.

Each week Juarez makes more than 3,000 pounds of ice cream for the two locations. Offerings include ice creams as well as popsicles, known as paletas.

Each flavor is made by hand, using either a waterbased or milk-based recipe and lots of fresh fruit.

Juarez says the strawberry ice cream alone requires 10 pounds of fresh hulled strawberries for a single container of ice cream.

“This is very different than American ice cream or even gelato,” Juarez explains.

While the unique flavors and recipes are part of the allure, it was also part of the risk, Juarez says, as his family worried about the business finding success. “We didn’t know if people would accept us,” he says.

Add to that the challenges of the pandemic, yet Juarez and his family continued to churn out fresh

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favors and greet new customers. Each product is made by hand, with as many as 56 different flavors of treats available between the two locations at any time.

slices, mixed with tamarind, tajín and the sour chamoy made from fermented fruit, salt, sugar and chilies. It offers a refreshing treat that combines sweet, spicy and sour all together.

While you may have spotted the name La Michoacana in other locations or even on treats sold in grocery stores, they are not part of a large chain, but rather independent businesses.

Each one has their own recipes and treats.

“There are so many different combinations,” Sanchez says.

Beatriz and Alfredo Sanchez opened their first La Michoacana ice cream shop nearly eight years ago, venturing into the realm of ice cream after the success of their first business, Azteca Bakery in Carpentersville. Today they manage ice cream shops in Carpentersville, Streamwood and Belvidere and own three locations in Austin, Texas.

The two decided to change up their shop’s name and call it Las Mangonadas, in honor of one of their bestselling items, la mangonada. Beatriz Sanchez says each mangonada starts with a base of fresh mango ice cream and mango

And for those simply not in the mood for ice cream, Las Mangonadas offers another very popular choice: elote, made from fresh corn, mayo, cheese, butter and seasoning. “I like to cook and I love being here,” Sanchez says.

Sanchez adds that she works hard to keep her recipes and flavors unique to her shop. Popular flavors in the summer include water-based flavors with fresh fruits including mango, guava, watermelon and strawberry. As for the milkbased flavors, she has been creative, building recipes around pecans, cookies and chocolate candies — even creating a cheesecake flavor.

“Each shop has different flavors, so you must go in and try and taste the differences,” Sanchez says.

 LA MICHOACANA SWEET BLISS 902 S. Randall Road, St. Charles 630-549-0641 Facebook: La Michoacana Sweet Bliss St. Charles Il  LAS MANGONADAS 91 S. Kennedy Drive, Carpentersville 847-428-1800 Facebook: Las Mangonadas LLC Carpentersville

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Heat got you Exhausted?

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THE POWER

Independence

of

J

uly 4, 2021, is the 245th anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence. For most of us, this holiday is a source of great pride, and it has historically been a day when we set aside any differences we may have with each other as we celebrate our country. The sacrifices of prior generations that have allowed this amazing experiment in democracy and freedom are acknowledged with community parades and gatherings of family and friends in backyards and parks from coast to coast.

Although political opinions may vary from person to person, we are fiercely united in our belief that each of us maintains the right to not only have our own, independent beliefs but that we also have the right to express them. This disposition can also be found among independent financial advisors. Who are these professionals, and why should you care?

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What is an independent financial advisor?

For purposes of this article, licensed independent investment professionals are defined as those who are not employees of a large securities or insurance firm that has them tied to minimum production requirements of a specific investment or insurance product. Instead, they are typically either self-employed or are employed by a firm that is privately owned and operated by industry professionals. The theory is that because these professionals are independent, they should have fewer distractions to prevent them from focusing on your best interest. We believe this to be true.

Why do many financial advisors seek independence?

A popular career path used to be for a financial advisor to get into a large firm with an easily recognizable name and a solid training program.

Let’s call this Big Firm Z. Those that survived the first few years, which usually is a very small percentage of hires, would then build a client base that they could focus on for their entire career. It would be typical for Big Firm Z to seek additional revenue streams for the business by creating proprietary mutual funds and/or life insurance products and expecting their employees to sell them to their clients.

Although this is still a prominent representation of the industry, the tide has been turning. Financial advisors began to think differently about being pressured by their employer to utilize investment products with their clients that had the same logo as the one on their business card. Firms like Big Firm Z took steps to try and address this practice, including changing the name of their proprietary product from “Big Firm Z Growth Fund” or “Big Firm Z Whole Life” to a product name that gives

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the appearance of independence.

Even with these changes, many financial advisors have still been uncomfortable and have decided to leave the comforts of a big firm (aka wirehouse) and to move their securities licenses to an independent Broker Dealer/Registered Investment Advisory firm — in effect “hanging their own shingle.”

Why work with an independent financial advisor?

The result? Clients seem to like working with an independent financial advisor. In fact, the fastest growing part of the wealth management industry is from this market segment. This growth is expected to result in greater assets being controlled by independent financial advisors than by those who are wirehouse-based by 2023.1 This swing is significant and we feel reflects the preferences of enlightened investors.

If the following sound attractive to you, you may find working with an independent advisor to be attractive as well: • “I want an advisor who is unencumbered by proprietary investment or insurance products.”

• “I want an advisor who defines their own business rather than one who is defined by their employer.”

To learn more about opportunities that may await you, give us a call or visit our website at www. mapyourfuture.net.

This year, when our team gathers with friends and family to toast our great nation’s independence and to affirm that we all have more in common than we have differences, we’ll raise our glass a second time to also honor independent financial advisors everywhere. Hope you’ll do the same!

“Wirehouse asset market share fell from 42.6% to 34.0% between 2007 and 2018 and is expected to fall further to 29.2% by 2023. Conversely, RIAs and hybrid RIA firms saw an increase in their collective asset market share from 16.8% to 24.2% between 2007 and 2018 and are expected to have an asset market share of 29.6% by 2023” 2020 The Year Wallstreet Lost the Investment Management Race, Investment News, December 21, 2020 1

Photo by Indre Cantero

FILE# 3626270.1

 Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet are teammates at My Advisor & Planner and are Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives with M Securities.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Adviser, Member FINRA/SIPC. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

Tom and Sharon can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC).

My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

File #0709-2018

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Artist OF THE MONTH

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

1.

A

rt played a role in Sharon Feller’s wedding last fall.

She and her husband incorporated a collage into the waiting period between her downsized September ceremony and a larger celebration, scheduled for later this year.

“I created a large-scale collage and cut it up into 64 pieces that were then mailed to friends and family,” the Water Street Studios resident artist says. “The work, called ‘Garment of Destiny’ is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. words, his idea that we are all tied together and what affects one affects us all.”

Feller numbered each piece and invited the recipient to bring it to the larger celebration to recreate the collage. “My husband and I find the work particularly profound given this moment in time when our hearts were asked to wait, and the idea that completion of the larger work is dependent on each individual piece,” she says.

“Garment of Destiny” ties into Feller’s belief that art brings a community together. A mixed media collage artist and storyteller, she became a resident artist in fall 2018 after raising her kids and working as an interior designer.

Much like her blended creations, art is interwoven into Feller’s life. She and her husband, Glenn, are finishing a home addition using her design skills (and his construction ones). The two enjoy going to theater productions and seeing student art on display.

“Making art helps us discover who we are and exhibiting art builds self-confidence,” she says. “Anything we can do to inspire others to find their own creative spirit makes a difference in a world.”

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2.

3.

DETAILS OF SHARON FELLER’S WORK:

4.

To purchase or learn more about her creations, follow @seaartgirl on Instagram or visit www. waterstreetstudios.org/shopwaterstreet.  L. tulipifera Collage, 23”x29½”, $500, at Water Street Studios inside Studio 13  Seagirt Collage, 36”x36”, $1,500, on display at Water Street Studios outside Studio 13  Portraits I-VI Watercolor collage, six 4”x6” compositions, not for sale  Spring Garden watercolor collage, 9”x12”, $75, at Water Street Studios inside Studio 13

Formerly a commercial interior designer, Sharon Feller creates torn paper creations in stunning, bold textures and patterns. She discovered watercolor painting during the pandemic and is now “exploring watercolor on its own and in concert with collage.”

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

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE GALLERY Yes, you read that right — the magazine now sponsors a gallery at Water Street Studios Photo by Sandy Bressner of Shaw Media

Dear readers, As you may have noticed, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios have partnered in the last year to highlight the organization’s amazing resident artists. The “Artist of the Month” feature is regularly one of my favorite parts of the magazine — I love the creativity and originality behind each artist!

In mid-May, that partnership expanded with the opening of the Kane County Magazine Gallery, which will feature artwork by local and emerging artists. You can visit the gallery, located on the main floor of Water Street Studios, during public hours (for more on this, visit www. waterstreetstudios.org). Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the second Friday of each month; this is when new shows open. This month’s new show will open July 9 — hope to see you there!

- Hannah Hoffmeister, Editor

Season Opening!

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Extravaganza! This is one of the largest Antique Vehicle Shows in the entire state!

July 10Th - 11Th & 17Th -18Th Visitors will have the opportunity to ride on trains behind Thomas and Percy and meet Sir Topham Hatt, plus enjoy a variety of Family friendly activities!

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Feel the ground shake beneath your feet as you see, hear, and ride behind some of the most powerful locomotives ever built.

Go to www.irm.org for timetable and admission info.

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Q&A

P R OM IN EN T P UB L I C A R TIS T

W

here some people — or perhaps, most people — see scrap metal in need of recycling, Joseph Gagnepain may just see a Viking.

Or a horse. Or a bear. A moose. A robot.

Or whatever other whimsy his imagination may conjure.

A Q&A with Joseph Gagnepain, the renowned creator behind Art by Joseph

By Jonathan Bilyk Photos provided by Joseph Gagnepain

And Gagnepain — the man who brings both the “Art” and the “Joseph” to the local business known as Art by Joseph — is always looking for more.

For more than three decades, the St. Charles artist has been making the Fox Valley look better, more interesting. Whether they be large, commissioned murals that occupy entire walls, smaller paintings to hang on the wall, or towering assemblage sculptures made of old bike parts and other recycled metal, Gagnepain has ART & FASHION JULY 2021

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SM-CL1891540

Ready to ride?

Looking for local bike trails?

Find the 2021 Fox River Trail Guide at www.foxriverbiketrails.com Coming soon to the local park districts and most retail locations noted below.

consistently brought artistic visions to life in homes and restaurants, at schools and parks and street corners, in the Tri-Cities and beyond. Recently, Kane County Magazine talked with him about his artwork and the process behind it. This interview has been edited slightly for length.  KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE: You’ve been creating art for decades now.

How and when did you get started?

JOSEPH GAGNEPAIN: I’ve called myself an artist since I was 4, when I started drawing as a child. So it has been a long time.

I started painting murals about 30 years ago. I was in high school, maybe 14 years old, growing up in St. Charles, I painted one for a neighbor, at their house. It was a (Chicago) Blackhawks theme. I got paid, so you could call it my first commissioned work.

Hudson Crossing Park • Saw Wee Kee Park •

I graduated from the Chicago Academy of Art for high school, and then attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, about 25 years ago.

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I’ve been doing this, creating art, full time for about 20 years.

 KC: What are your primary media?

JG: I paint murals on walls of homes and businesses, schools, you name it.

And I paint on canvas, for commission work, or for live painting, at music festivals or other events. I’ll paint something, and people can watch, and at the end of the night, have the painting auctioned off for a fundraiser.

I do a lot of assemblage sculptures, using recycled metal and plastic, from cars, and bicycles, maybe pulled out of the trash, things I find at estate sales or on the side of the road, or from things people donate. I started doing that in college.

I’ve done snow and ice carving and sculpting for about the last 12 years, and a bit of wood carving.  KC: Tell me more about the assemblage sculptures. You really just start with junk?

JG: I’ve always had a thing about seeing patterns in junk. About 20 years ago, I did a bicycle statue in Geneva, and it really got me started doing things locally. It’s just the texture of the materials, the way things fall on the side of the road,

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A charming home decor boutique specializing in unique one-of-a-kind artisanal gifts and distinctive products for Makers and DIYers.

For an interactive map showing where his artwork is located, visit www.artbyjoseph.com/about.

or wherever, it just looks organic to me. I see the shapes in it, and what it could be.

I installed a Viking assemblage sculpture for Geneva High School about eight years ago, and now I’m working in collaboration with Mark Adams from Water Street Studios, on a Valkyrie figure, or a female Viking, too, as a 2020 senior class gift for the school.

I’m also pretty proud of the FoxCycle in St. Charles, and I kind of really like the sculpture of a horse that’s outside Jalapeño Grille in St. Charles. It’s a mustang, and, I don’t know, I just really like the twist of the body. It’s got a really dynamic pose.  KC: You’ve also done many murals.

Where can people find samples of your mural work locally?

JG: I’ve got a mural in Jalapeño Grille.

A couple on Water Street in Batavia.

The Arcada Speakeasy mural.

I just recently did a spray paint mural at R-House in St. Charles. That’s my most recent one, completed in April.

And the State Street Diner in Geneva.

That’s a few of them.  KC: When you’re creating something new, how much input do

you allow the client to have?

JG: It depends on the client. But it’s all about collaboration. Sometimes, they have a particular vision in mind. Or sometimes it’s just a theme, and I can develop a design for them, with some intuitive vision.

And sometimes they just leave it up to me.  KC: When you’re creating, and you reach the end, how do you know a project is actually finished?

JG: It’s when it’s clear that all of the areas in it are working together. I don’t get the feeling that something looks out of place. And sometimes, the decision is driven by a deadline.

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 KC: Do you have any idea how many pieces you’ve created through the years?

JG: Maybe 200? 300? I’m not sure.  KC: If people want to hire Art by Joseph, how do they find you?

JG: Mostly through the website, ArtbyJoseph.com. I’m mostly interested in doing work locally, but I would be willing to commute for a project I’m excited about, and something that’s accessible to the public.

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VINING &

Twining

ines don’t get a lot of public relations in the garden world unless you stumble on them in someone’s garden. But vines can have a diverse set of jobs in any garden, and you’ll fall in love with them. We use vines for many purposes: screening things vertically when you don’t have much room, growing on fences to offer two-dimensional beauty, climbing structures such as pergolas and arbors, and even as creeping groundcovers. Most vines are easy to grow, adaptable, and full of color — and some even provide edible fruit! There are a few quirks with regards to what they can or should grow on, but otherwise, vines are a pretty easy family of plants to grow. Here are some of my favorites and some ideas for how to introduce them into your “vertical garden.”

CLEMATIS are probably one of the most prominent and popular vines in the area. They are fairly easy to grow and usually live a long time with the right placement. They need something to twine around, like a trellis or arbor, as they don’t attach themselves physically to structures. Their flowers range in colors from white to deep reds and purples, and some are as big as dinner plates.

They attract butterflies and pollinators and require little care. They like cool roots even though they tolerate full sun. Plant them up against their structure, and plant something in front of them

34

so the roots/bottom of the plant are shaded. Even simple annuals can cast the shade needed to keep the roots cool. There are subtypes of clematis that have some care quirks (ex. pruning timing, etc.) but we can explain that better when you choose your clematis. Some faves: Princess Diana, Jackman, Diamond Ball, Blue Light, Sweet Autumn, Sapphire Indigo, Nelly Moser and tons more!

BOSTON IVY is a baseball fan. This ivy is what has grown on the outfield at Wrigley for three-quarters of a century or so. If you want a lush vine to cover an unsightly wall, this is your girl. Be aware: Boston ivy will attach itself to the surface with tiny little suction cups that can muck up tuckpointing and painted wood. Periodically it should be removed and cut down from brick homes or chimneys.

HONEYSUCKLE is a fairly large woody vine that benefits from a heavy-duty structure like a fence, arbor or pergola to climb on. It will not attach itself, but instead, twines around its structure.

The fragrant, tropical-looking flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their sweet nectar.

“KIWI MAGIC” HARDY KIWI is a unique vine that will actually produce small, edible kiwi fruit in our Midwestern climate. It’s a vigorous vine that will grow on just about any structure. It produces smooth-skinned fruit from fragrant white blooms.

WISTERIA will be in your garden for the next 100 years, so plan ahead. This old-fashioned, beautiful

draping vine is a tough, woody plant with large leaves and grape-like clusters of purple flowers.

Wisteria needs a very large, sturdy structure like a pergola, arbor or fence to grow on. Do not trim unless absolutely necessary, as it can take up to 10 years to get it large enough to bloom, and pruning it sets it back a year or two.

If you are a beer drinker, HOPS vine is what makes your IPAs taste like they do. But hops are also a great vine to cover a large structure. They are big, vigorous vines that will climb high — great for a large pergola or a long section of fence where it has room to roam. It’s easy to grow and you can use the hops fruit for beer making. Cut the vine back as needed; it can be cut to the ground each year.

If you plant TRUMPET VINE, you are in for life…. trumpet vines are VERY large, woody vines that grow quickly and aggressively. They work well on sturdy fences, arbors or pergolas that can hold the weight of the plant since it’s rarely cut back. Large, bright orange or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers welcome hummingbirds.

GRAPES actually grow well in this area and eventually will produce fruit for you. You may not be able to bottle any of it, but you sure can eat them!

You need a strong structure like a fence or pergola as these woody vines rarely get cut back and live quite a long time. You can protect them from birds with some bird or pond netting so you can actually get fruit.

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Let us grow them into the garden of your dreams.

CLIMBING HYDRANGEA are one of the most beautiful large vines we grow. Large, flat discs of white flowers hang over the leaves as this woody vine climbs. It has fine root hairs that attach, so make sure you have a sturdy structure. They don’t usually attach well to brick, but they can attach to old trees, wood siding, pergolas and

wooden trellises. Try to avoid pruning it much as this can affect its blooming.

ANNUAL VINES can also be a great way to introduce vertical color. There are fun things like morning glory, hyacinth bean and cardinal flower vine that will cover a fence or structure in one season and are easy to grow from seed each year.

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

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

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1O STEPS TO

Vintage Style

These small additions help achieve a vintage feel without much strain on your budget or schedule

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}

Selling real estate for over three decades, I get to see so many homes and so many different styles. I really love when clients add subtle vintage touches to their homes — they give a home such a great sense of style and history. Here are 10 of my favorites.



Create the feeling of higher ceilings and make your home look instantly vintage by installing a ceiling medallion decoration. This circular architectural detail often

went around chandeliers to hide the holes carved where old gas light fixtures were replaced with electric ones. Today, they’re purely decorative but can create the illusion of history. Lightweight versions of these can even be picked up at local home improvement stores.



The basic trim package in newer homes is just that: basic. Luckily, there’s an easy fix: In under an hour, you can frame out your

doorways with some vintage-inspired molding, giving your doorways a more solid and impressive feel!



Wallpaper accents are seeing a major comeback with designers. If you want to increase your home’s aesthetic appeal, you can find reams of vintage-inspired wallpaper online. Small rooms (like powder rooms or entryways) are a great place to try out a splash of color and design.

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630-485-4214

tamara@plproperties.com www.GetOConnor.com



An easy way to completely change the look of your space in no time is by adding some wainscoting to your walls. Going halfway or threequarters of the way up the wall in a fresh white really gives a vintage look to your rooms.



Stand-alone tubs are all the rage right now. Maybe consider a clawfoot tub; you can buy them new, or you can poke around at estate sales or online sites to find one. You can refinish them without much trouble, creating a fun vintage feel in the bathroom.



Give your home a blastfrom-the-past vibe by adding hexagon tile to your kitchen backsplash or bathroom floors. It’s an easy change that immediately adds character. Choose black and white themes or marble hexagons for a more vintage yet modern touch, offering a timeless look.



Door hardware and furniture hardware can be a great easy way to express vintage style. Swapping out your existing doorknobs for crystal or ceramic ones is an inexpensive and appealing way to make your home stylish.

Talk to the Tamara O’Connor Team First!



Your TV technology cabinet is a great opportunity to find a vintage piece and refinish or paint it to house your modern technology. Even if you load it with Bluetooth speakers and a flat-screen, using a vintage cabinet can add an antique-inspired “wow” factor to your space.



Installing a few glass-paned cabinet doors can give your kitchen a vintage vibe without a significant investment of time or money. Place your favorite glassware and some tape lighting (easy to install) to make a big difference and decor highlight in your kitchen.



Glass battery jars — big green glass boxes that originally held phone batteries — make great indoor or outdoor candle holders while giving an amazing vintage look. These can be found on eBay, antique swap meets, etc. You will love the compliments you will get from your friends who all wonder what they are and where you got them. Green envy for sure!

Bottom line: By making some small personal touches that have a big impact, you can make your home the personal oasis you love to come home to and enjoy with your closest friends.

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the inside of your home In every room, stand at entryways and look at the room through the eye of a buyer.

What do you see?

Be tough on yourself. What items can you live without while your home is on the market?

FOYER •

DINING ROOM

Make sure you have an appropriate size rug by the front door.

for the home.

•

LIVING & FAMILY ROOMS • •

touch.

Remove personal photos and other extra items

• • • • • •

for a nice centerpiece.

Remove any tablecloths or placemats.

Remove extra dining room chairs if they crowd up the room or take up the corners of the room.

Typically 4-6 chairs are plenty. The room will look bigger. Store the extra chairs in garage or storage unit.

Removing or reducing the number of items in a space applies here too.

and neutral decor.

GENERAL COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1.

Have carpets professionally cleaned or replaced before going on the market.

Replace burnt out light bulbs and make sure all the same tone. In some places you may need a

Make sure lights are on for showings.

Repair and repaint walls & ceilings as needed.

Repair or replace broken or dirty light switch and/or outlet covers.

6. Keep curtains and blinds open during the day and remove heavy draperies and valances.

7. Reduce the number of throw pillows.

8. Neatly stow away afghans and blankets 9. Pack up valuables.

10. Take a hard look at your household plants. Do

those answers they may need to be tended to or relocated.

3.

4.

5.

Call/text at 630-485-4214 | GetOConnor.com SM-CL1880573

11. Fireplaces should be cleaned and mantles

Clean any glass doors or displays.

13. remove a piece of furniture. Pack up all

your next home.

14. Reduce the number of books on shelves.

15.

16.

showings when possible.

17.

smoking in a home.

18. Wash windows and open then prior to selling

19. If you have windows that are “fogged” look

Complete the “honey-do” list of minor repairs around your home. Lose cabinet pulls etc.

KITCHEN

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Repair countertops and edges that may have been damaged or consider replacing.

Clean grout if it has become stained.

Remove all items from the fridge.

Clean the stove top and oven.

hoods.

for showings.

Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty.

Make sure the kitchen faucet is working and clean out under the sink. Make sure there are no leaks.

Remove or reduce small rugs. Too many can make a space look smaller.

Empty the garbage regularly to prevent odors. Hide away your garbage can when possible.

Move pet dishes & beds so they do not

BEDROOMS • • • • •

•

Make the beds daily. ­

solid colored bedding. ­

­

Most bedrooms should have at least 1 nightstand by the bed. Make sure the nightstand has a lamp and is free of

and paint if needed)

LAUNDRY ROOM •

•

YOU ARE PROBABLY ASKING YOURSELF, “WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT ALL THE STUFF I HAVE?” 1.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

THROUGHOUT • •

personal photos if any.

Floor vents and cold air return covers should be cleaned/painted or replace

CLOSETS • • •

Reduce amount of items in closets.

Closets should look like you can add

clear.

Storage is a deciding factor for buyers.

Organize soaps and cleaners in cabinets

Remove excess hangers and put away drying racks during showings.

items.

• •

Rent a storage unit Have a garage sale Donate to charity ­

Store it in the basement Use part of the garage

they can store for you

PET TIPS • • •

Remove or cage pets for showings.

Move pet dishes & beds so they do not

BATHROOMS • • •

• • • • • • •

Coordinate towels. White is the best and the easiest in most spaces. Fold into thirds and hang neatly.

the very least reduce amount of in

and soap.

shower caddy when home is on the market to easily grab all items and remove daily)

Clean or replace the shower curtain.

White or light solid color is best.

with cleaner to brighten and remove any mildew staining.

Many tubs and showers need a fresh bead of caulk to neaten them up.

Remove any toilet seat covers and close the lids for showings.

use just one in front of the shower or tub.

Tuck away all cleaning supplies and make sure under sinks are neat and free of leaks.

*Information from brokermetrics, mred, llc as of 12/30/2020

HOME & LIFESTYLE JULY 2021

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 SUBURBAN SUPERDAD 

A

GIFT

Grad for the

HOW DO YOU MARK THE OCCASION OF MOVING ON FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL AND GROWING UP?

T

he answer was a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

Those of us of a certain age will remember it well: usually red, maybe black. Pop-up headlights. Usually louder than it was fast. Undeniably cool. For its time, the epitome of the American sports car.

And 13-year-old me wanted one.

It didn’t matter I wouldn’t be able to drive for another three years. Or that there would never really be a budget for one (nor should be). That version of me didn’t understand those things, or care a lick.

If you had asked that little adolescent twerp on the day of his eighth grade graduation what he would want if he could have anything at all, that beast of a car, sadly, would have topped the list.

And that base of experience, dear reader, is why I recently found myself a bit stumped on a question: What gift do you give someone who is graduating eighth grade?

From those celebrations, I netted a small bundle of cards, some cash and a few books, including a gigantic dictionary and some tomes offering life advice that I was sure didn’t apply to a 13-year-old entering high school. (Upon reading some of them years later, they most certainly would have applied.

That’s a story for another time.)

So, what do you buy for someone graduating eighth grade?

The web is full of articles offering advice for giftgiving for those graduating high school and college.

This is a genre of articles I’ve always found funny, because, you know, *cash.* But there is precious little on what to buy incoming freshmen.

It doesn’t help that she’s my daughter, either.

She already has the smartphone, which also rules out the need for a giant dictionary.

Tools for high school could be useful. But just picture the puzzled, dour, slightly snarky facial expression: “Oh, thanks…”

The question is one that was front and center in my mind of late — because the special graduate is none other than my own firstborn daughter.

A Starbucks gift card will likely find its way to her, maybe a book, as well. But intuition says she will be receiving several of those from others.

As I recall, my own graduation was a rather low-key affair. A brief ceremony, for which I had to wear an ill-fitting suit (because, as an average 13-year-old male — floating between boys’ and men’s sizes — what kind of clothing isn’t ill-fitting?), followed by a short reception at home with a few close relatives.

My parents did pop for a backyard party with friends a few weeks later, though. So there was that.

For most of my daughter’s life, buying gifts was easy, as testified by her playroom full of toys. For years, nearly everything on her list could be crossed off by a trip to Water Tower Place and the American Girl store.

If that didn’t work, the Disney Store was just a quick five-minute walk down Michigan Avenue.

Recently, as we start to adjust to life without anyone in the house who can’t read, my wife went through

bins of those old toys, untouched for some time.

A few days later, while rummaging for something unrelated in the garage, I discovered one of the bags contained the Little People zoo animal playset that we had used to help her learn the alphabet nearly a decade ago.

The discovery sparked memories: sitting on the floor, having her tell me that “L” was for lion, and trying to persuade her that yes, the letter “X” was really for that creepy looking X-ray fish. It was almost enough to make me pull it out of the bag and march it back into the playroom, but that notion was checked by reality as I pondered how to answer the little ones’ questions about why I thought they still needed this toy.

It led me once again to recall that, in not too many days, my oldest will be graduating eighth grade.

And, while there will be a party, and a loud red sports car (thankfully) holds no interest for her, there was still the little matter of what gift to give to a special young woman who is graduating eighth grade.

 Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modern-day dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him.

He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also, the cape remains on back order.)

FAMILY IN FOCUS JULY 2021

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E E R O B M A J JULY OF ANNIVERSARIES

n to enrich the lives of residents

Celebrations honor history, missio

les Park District

By Sara Carlson | Photos provided by St. Char

they’ve enjoyed throughout the years,” she adds.

E

stablished in 1911, the St. Charles Park District board members had a vision to develop parks and open spaces along the Fox River. And now, 110 years later, the district is still enriching the lives of residents through parks, programs, facilities and services — along the Fox River and beyond.

To recognize the history of the many facilities that have made the Park District what it is today, the district has planned a July Jamboree of Anniversaries. The facilities celebrating anniversaries with events, giveaways, discounts and more include River View Miniature Golf Course, Pottawatomie Community Center, STC Underground Teen Center, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, Otter Cove Aquatic Park and John B. Norris Recreation Center.

“These facilities were opened out of a need from the community, and as a result, have brought the community together to connect, to socialize, and to learn. And that’s something to celebrate,” says Director of Parks and Recreation Holly Cabel.

“We encourage everyone to come out and reconnect with one another in the facilities and programs that

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 RIVER VIEW MINI-GOLF Celebrating 50 years is River View Miniature Golf Course. Located along the Fox River, you won’t find a better view while playing putt-putt with your family.

It was originally named Oak Valley Miniature Golf Course for the many white oak trees in Pottawatomie Park. Despite the name change, River View did not lose its character.

In fact, a recent community survey concluded that residents like the 18-hole mini-golf course just the way it is, Cabel notes. Incorporating elements such as logs, tunnels and water and with entertaining hole names such as “I Dare You,” “Dead Man’s Curve” and “Leap of Faith,” the course has added features over the years — such as the lighthouse at hole 18 — but it has stayed true to its original design.

“For 50 years the course has fulfilled a need for generations of residents, and we are honored to continue to provide family, fun entertainment to the community,” says Sabrina Hunley, River View supervisor.

But River View is not just for mini golf; it also offers nonmotorized boat rentals along the Fox River. In the past, River View rented canoes, but that trend transitioned to kayaks and pedal boats. And this

summer, residents can enjoy a ride on the new swan pedal boats.

River View will celebrate its anniversary with giveaways and discounts such as paying 50 cents for a round of mini-golf from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays in July.  POTTAWATOMIE COMMUNITY CENTER Not far from River View sits another important recreational destination that serves the whole family: Pottawatomie Community Center, celebrating 30 years since the Park District built the facility. It offers a fitness center, dance studio, multipurpose rooms, gymnasium, Adult Activity Center and preschool.

Prior to the PCC, programs were spread out across the community, many held in Baker Community Center and local schools. In 1991, the new building brought residents together under one roof.

The original PCC offered multipurpose rooms shared by preschoolers and active adults, but in 2004, an addition changed all that — providing separate dedicated spaces for the Adult Activity Center and Pottawatomie Preschool.

“The intent of Pottawatomie Community Center was to meet the needs of the community by offering a variety of programs for all ages and abilities, and it’s

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JULY JAMBOREE OF ANNIVERSARIES CELEBRATIONS HONOR HISTORY, MISSION TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS

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still doing that today — 30 years later with now more than 1,000 programs offered annually,” Cabel says.

To celebrate its anniversary, the PCC will host a variety of events, such as an Adult Activity Center open house, dance party in the park and free fitness classes.  STC UNDERGROUND TEEN CENTER In 2001, the STC Underground was born in the basement of the Baker Community Center.

Complete with a lounge, computer lab, TVs, billiards, foosball, air hockey and an art area, the STC Underground caters to all interests. The center provides programming ranging from video game tournaments to painting parties.

“The STC Underground provides a safe and dynamic space for teens to call their own, free from bullying and social pressure,” says Chris Holling, STC Underground supervisor. “This would not be possible without the foresight of the Park District 20 years ago, when they recognized a teen center as an important piece of its

mission.”

To help celebrate its 20-year anniversary, residents are encouraged to stop by one of the STC Underground open houses, July 3 and Aug. 7.

Sunday, July 4

Other facilities celebrating anniversaries with special events include Hickory Knolls Discovery Center and Otter Cove Aquatic Park, both built 10 years ago, and John B. Norris Recreation Center, which entered into a partnership with the park district five years ago.

For more details about the July Jamboree of Anniversaries, visit www. stcparks.org.

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION!

Fun and Entertaining for the Whole Family! listen & dance to great

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Food is available for purchase at River View Miniature Golf Refreshment Stand.

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e r u t a n o t n i e p Esca

a e r A n i g l in the E By the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors

T

reat yourself to a weekend away in the outdoors this year. We’ve made it easy by planning it for you! Keep reading to discover your escape into nature.

 Day 1 Start your adventure by checking into one of the Elgin Area hotels listed at www.ExploreElginArea. com. Once you’re checked in and ready to begin your nature adventure, stop by Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. This nature center sits on 67 acres and contains hiking trails, meadows and ponds. If the Bartlett Nature Center is closer, stop by to visit one of the seasonal exhibits and enjoy an outdoor shelter.

Next, we recommend adults stop by Plank Road Tap Room. This award-winning tap room is located just outside urban Elgin and hosts one of the largest beer gardens in all of Chicagoland. Stop by to try a local brew and something tasty from the food truck rotation. Also known for hosting bands and events, it’s a great place for adults looking to spend time in a comfortable, laid-back outdoor setting with amazing amenities and services. If you’re looking for a more family-friendly afternoon meal, we recommend

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visiting Old Republic Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant features a great outdoor dining experience and food to match.

stop for lunch right off the trail. Make your way to downtown Elgin, or even check out the brand-new Panton Mill Park in South Elgin.

After your meal, head over to one of the Elgin area’s forest preserves, like the Hampshire Forest Preserve or the Burnidge Forest Preserve. Here you can enjoy nature in a more peaceful and relaxing setting for activities like reading, drawing or meditation. These preserves also provide large fields for activities like Frisbee and playing catch.

 Day 3

 Day 2 To begin day 2, enjoy the morning at Lords Park. Here you can walk along the nature paths, visit the historic Lords Park Pavilion and see the bison at Lords Park Zoo. There is also Wing Park, home to the oldest municipal owned, nine-hole golf course!

The main activity for your second day is to enjoy the Fox River Trail. Running through South Elgin, Elgin, East Dundee, Carpentersville and beyond is 40 miles of trail. Enjoy the trail by bike; you can rent from Carpentersville’s Main Street Bicycles, located right off the trail. From there you can head south to East Dundee, where you’ll find some great spots to

Check out of your hotel and see if your golf game is par for the course at one of the best golf courses in the area. The Highlands of Elgin, Bowes Creek Country Club and Randall Oaks Golf Club are all excellent locations to enjoy for an afternoon. If you don’t want to bring out the clubs, try disc golf! If you haven’t been, you’ll want to stop by Randall Oaks Park or visit the course at Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve. Converted from an old country club golf course, this disc golf course features 18 holes situated around the terrain and trees.

For a slower start to the day, start with some birdwatching at Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary, outfitted with over 100 acres of curated lands optimized for its avian inhabitants. The sanctuary is dog-friendly, and deeper ponds are available for fishing. There’s also Bluff Spring Fen, where the spring water stays a constant 50 degrees, causing unique plants, endangered species and other unusual fauna to flourish.

CHECK OUT TRIP IDEAS AND WEEKLY EXPLORE ELGIN BLOGS FOR INSPIRATION. Visiting www.ExploreElginArea or any of the @ExploreElgin social media accounts is the first step to a relaxing time with your loved ones.

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FAMILY IN FOCUS JULY 2021

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OVER THE RIVER

& THROUGH THE ’BURBS To an urban oasis we go Stretch your legs on the golf course, pump the peddles on the bike trail, cast a line in the

the only thing missing is you Discover your full itinerary at exploreelginarea.com

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