KCC_ KC Magazine April 2023

TIME TO GET ORGANIZED

Ready your wardrobe for warm weather

Page 14

KANE IN BLOOM

Escape into natural beauty as spring comes to life

Page 20

A RECIPE FOR

Alchemist is a study in delicious innovation

Page 28

FASHION spring

EA STER favorites

AT YOUR LOCAL BUTCHER SHOP

Geneva, IL

Butcher ~ Deli ~ Catering

• Prime Rib Beef

• Whole Beef Tenderloins

• Crown Roast of Pork with Stuffing

• Rack of Lamb

• Boar’s Head Honey Baked Ham (Sliced, Tied & Glazed)

• USDA Leg of Lamb Whole or Boned & Tied

• Chateaubriand

• Boneless Rib Eye Roast

• Smoked Easter Polish Kielbasa

• Fresh Homemade Polish

• Boneless Rolled Pork Loin Roast

• Bone-In Whole Hams 10-14 lb avg.

• Colossal Cooked Shrimp

• Italian Beef in Gravy

Meat & Cheese Lasagna

Veggie Lasagna

• Mostaccioli

EASTER SPECIAL: Homemade Calzones • Easter Pies

716

IN

Hours: Custom Catering For Graduation Parties

Tues - Sat: 10 AM to 5 PM

You don’t have to live in New York City to experience trendy fashion.

As Kane County embraces spring, take advantage of the unique boutiques around town to polish and perfect your wardrobe. It was such a pleasure to work with The Herrington Inn and Spa and our models Kennedy and Carolyn who helped make our fashion shoot for the magazine seamless.

As Ron McKinney captured the women in different outfits, I was inspired by all the curated choices our local shops decided to feature. Check out some of our favorite shots from the day on P. 10 and make sure to stop in and find new seasonal wardrobe additions at the many local boutiques who are just waiting to help style you!

Makeup goes hand-in-hand with fashion and if you’re anything like me, less is more. Michelle Swoons, manager of One Salon & Bridal Co. and owner of F.A.C.E beauty brand, is an expert on making minimalist makeup have a maximum impact. Learn more on P. 8.

If nature is more your style, take a daytrip to one of our amazing parks where you’ll be able

Managerʼs NOTE on the COVER

to enjoy colorful wildflowers and sunshine (found on P. 20). You’ll leave feeling refreshed and reconnected with the revitalizing outdoors!

After a day of exploring Kane in springtime, indulge in the intimate and transformative Alchemist in Geneva (P. 28) where you’ll find gorgeously crafted cocktails and distinctive food offerings.

We truly appreciate all the businesses who helped make this issue of Kane County Magazine a success and look forward to discovering all the local offerings you gift our community.

Thank you for reading!

Jaclyn Cornell, Local Sales Manager

Kennedy Ebner (cover) models a pocket dress with flowers and black hat in dramatic perfection.

Carolyn McGuire (left) adorns a soft black sweater with white slacks. Both outfits can be found at Evernia in Geneva.

Photos by Ron McKinney Photography

Next month: Kane County is no stranger to artists –don’t miss our arts and entertainment issue!

PUBLISHER

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

EDITOR

Kelley White shawmagazineeditor@gmail.com

DESIGNER

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

LOCAL SALES MANAGER

Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com

CORRESPONDENTS

Jonathan Bilyk, Kevin Druley, Patti MacMillan, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, and Diane Krieger Spivak

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

s INSIDE

FASHION

8 THE MAKEUP MINIMALIST

Try a subtle approach to highlight your own unique beauty

10 DOWNTOWN FASHION

Look to these local shops for trendy fashion and selections

12 SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BOUTIQUES

A New Consignment, Cali & Chance, Evernia and Exchange of Geneva help your wardrobe shine

14 GET ORGANIZED

Clean out winter weather clothes and embrace the sunshine

HOME & LIFESTYLE

18 UPDATING YOUR GARDEN Tips to spring clean your landscape with Wasco Nursery

FAMILY IN FOCUS

20 KANE IN BLOOM Get lost in nature around the Tri-City area

22 A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, COMMUNITY & FAMILY

Boutique Baby puts your family first

23 HARVEST VEGGIES & MEMORIES

St. Charles Park District welcomes you to community gardening

26 LET YOUR KIDS WRITE THEIR OWN STORY

Suburban Superdad refuses to live vicariously through his children

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

28 A RECIPE FOR MAGIC

Alchemist is a study in delicious innovation

30 BURGERS & SUSHI

Find the best of both worlds at BASH in Geneva

BUSINESS & CIVIC

32 TEMPERATURE CHECK ON REAL ESTATE

The Move Smarter Team explains where the market is today

34 RETIRING TOO SOON

My Advisor & Planner talks when to change your status in the workplace

ART & LITERATURE

36 ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Artist and instructor Philip Schorn uses color pencils to create masterpieces

38 GRAB A BOOKMARK

Check out these book recommendations for April

By Erin Sauder

How to achieve the “NO MAKEUP” makeup

Like the idea of wearing makeup without looking like you’re wearing makeup? Michelle Swoons, creator of F.A.C.E beauty brand and manager at One Salon & Bridal Company, owned by Ami Christianson and located at 930 W. Main St, St. Charles, has some tips for nailing the minimalist makeup look.

l STEP 1: ALL ABOUT THE BASE (LAYER)

It goes without saying that a good skincare regimen is an important first step in showcasing your natural face. To that end, make sure to cleanse, tone and moisturize your face. What’s next?

“Honestly, I love using an SPF day cream with some tinted moisturizer on top that has some glow to it,” Swoons said.

Another way to add some subtle luminosity?

“I think highlighter is definitely not used enough,” Swoons said. “And it really helps with dry dull skin.”

She also swears by beauty oils.

“They are a simple way to get a power punch of skincare with little to no effort,” Swoons said.

l STEP 2: THE EYES HAVE IT

Wanting to give your eyes some definition while still keeping the look natural?

“Tightlining in the upper lash line makes a big difference in your appearance while making the lashes look fuller and thicker,” Swoons said.

As for eyeliner color, Swoons suggests navy blue.

“It’s one of the older tricks in the book, but it’s a nice way to subtly pop the eye area without harsh colors on the face,” she said. “It really looks great on everyone.”

Not a fan of eyeliner?

“Pop some

highlighting shadow on the lids and curl your lashes with mascara,” Swoons said. “That will make them pop without tightlining the upper lids.”

She said using an eyelash curler is also super important.

“It opens the eye and maximizes your lash length,” Swoons said.

Another option is a lash lift, a treatment that enhances natural lashes.

“This will [create a] semi-permanent curl [for] your lashes,” she said. Looking to lightly define your brows?

“I love to use some brow fiber gel and comb them up into position,” said Swoons. “In my makeup line I created a light brow tint — think of it like a brow mascara. It combs the hairs up in their natural position for a flawless look that features your natural bone structure and facial anatomy.”

l STEP 3: BEING CHEEKY

Add some flush to your cheeks without much fuss by using lipstick.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Swoons

makeup look

“I love making some custom lipstick shades here in my lab, and I’ll use them all over the face, actually,” Swoons said. “It’s also a great way to have one product that will help you reapply. I think blush and lipstick wear the fastest, so I try to match my lip colors to my cheek colors and pop a little on when I’m feeling drab.”

But blush placement and color are key, she said.

“You need to remember to lift the face with blush,” said Swoons. She recommends applying it back by the temples and upper parts of the cheeks to do this.

F.A.C.E beauty, which launched in 2018, stands for Facts Action Compassion and Empowerment.

“Which is what we are all about,” Swoons said. “These core values are actually what I use in my daily life, and it helps me to be a better person.”

The F.A.C.E beauty brand recently collaborated with Radiant Skin by Renee to create Radiant F.A.C.Es. For more information about One Salon & Bridal Company or Radiant F.A.C.E products, visit www.theonesalon.com or www.radiant-faces.com.

DOWNTOWN FASHION

The Herrington Inn and Spa provided an open and inviting space with gorgeous Fox River views for our annual fashion shoot. Among the character and charm of the Inn, find inspiration to add vibrant color and statement pieces to your spring wardrobe, all locally sourced from Kane County boutiques!

y Fun, vibrant and confident; this green ribbed halter, wide leg jean, taupe belt and soft gold statement jewelry are perfect for a casual night out or weekend outing. Find it all at House of 423.

u Elegant yet comfortable, these black pants and flutter sleeve combination work perfectly for a day or night outing. Her clutch adds a seamless pop of floral and dimension with its wood handle. Find the items at House of 423.

{ Wear this neutral combination for a light and airy feel this spring. Ivory pant, taupe puff sleeve, purse, and opal necklace - curated by House of 423.

z This light and flowy dress from J. McLaughlin is the perfect way to welcome spring with a delicate, feminine touch.

a sophisticated, classic

x J.

creates a relaxed, fun look by knotting this top paired with chambray white gingham cropped pant.

Photos by Ron McKinney Photography

Makeup and hair provided by One Salon & Bridal Co.

Models: Kennedy Ebner and Carolyn McGuire

Clothing and accessories: Evernia, J. McLaughlin and House of 423

z Simply chic and tailored, House of 423 provides cuff jeans, an oversized white blouse, brown belt, and beaded hoop earrings for a fresh look.

u Her light blue top with wide leg pant creates a balanced, sophisticated look. Patterned purse and outfit are available at House of 423.

McLaughlin

y Her black flare pant and white tweed blazer with scoop neck combination make

statement. All items found at House of 423.

4 boutiques That will help you look your best

Fashion around town

Spring is the perfect season to add fresh colors and styles to your wardrobe. From clothing to shoes and accessories, boutiques in Kane County offer everything you need to be a local fashion icon. Check out these four shops to start building your ideal wardrobe.

Anew Consignment

Anew is a luxury boutique located in downtown Geneva that specializes in modern women’s fashion and is revamping what consignment means. Anew focuses on providing women in the area with a way to freshen up their wardrobe without paying “new” prices every season and gives a new life to clothing that no longer suits your style or needs. We also appeal to the lady looking to add a little luxury to her life with our constantly changing stock of designer bags and accessories, ranging from Louis Vuitton to Chanel to Gucci. Anew has something great for every guest that stops by!

27 W. State St., Geneva | 630-262-0944 | www.anewwaytoshop.com

Evernia

At Evernia we specialize in personal service, quality materials and unique fashion. We cater to everyone’s style and offer a broad range of fashionable options from clothing to accessories so we can help you put together your dream outfit for any occasion. Stop in and visit us today!

328 S. Third St., Geneva | 630-457-5445 | Find us on Facebook

Cali & Chance

Just cool stuff: That’s what you find at this California-style boutique with Midwest roots and philosophy. We’re a fun, authentic, multigenerational lifestyle shop featuring clothing, jewelry, decor and gifts. Our selection is constantly evolving. Stop in and be inspired. We also have a sister store, St. Charles Florist & Boutique, located in Wasco which also features flowers, seasonal garden, yard art as well as exciting boutique finds.

228 S. Third St., Geneva 630-659-6548 | Find us on Facebook

Exchange of Geneva

It’s time to freshen up your kids’ wardrobe, and The Exchange of Geneva is here to help! They have carefully curated items from popular and affordable brands in their downtown Geneva store. They are the newest and most organized consignment shop around. Discover quality pieces that your children will love as you save money, time and stress. Plus, you can bring your previously-loved clothing to be consigned in their store. Be sure to follow them on Instagram amd Facebook to keep up with their continually changing inventory. Drop in soon – you never know what you’ll find. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or Sunday noon-4 p.m. 219 W. State St., Geneva | 331-248-0801 | www.exchangegeneva.com

YOUR CLOSET ORGANIZING

with the Pros

Is Your Wardrobe Ready for Warm Weather?

By Diane Krieger Spivak

It’s spring! And while you may be ready to get out there and mingle with Mother Nature, it could be that your wardrobe just…isn’t.

Are you digging through piles of flannel, sweaters and down, desperately seeking last year’s summer clothing? Don’t despair. Local organization experts offer their advice on what you can do to clean out those closets, spruce up your warm weather wardrobe, and put everything in its place.

Michelle Frediani, of Precisely Practical LLC, says to start slowly. “It’s not about perfection,” says Frediani. “It can be overwhelming. Seek progress over perfection. Break it down into smaller steps, even if you only have 15 minutes.”

Renee Frampton, of Organizing by Renee, advises to start by decluttering, or purging. How? “Take things out that no longer fit, or that you haven’t worn in many seasons, that are discolored or torn,” says Frampton.

Either pitch, consign or donate. Remove heavy winter clothing such as coats, heavy sweaters and fabrics like velvet and wool. “But leave your cardigans, lighter jackets and suitcoats for chilly spring days,” says Frampton. “Even jackets like moto jackets and leather can be worn into spring if styled the right way.”

Frediani adds that closets are not a one-size-fits-all. “The average person would have space in one closet for all seasons. In that regard, sort by type: long or short sleeve shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses, sweaters, short sleeve shirts, button shirts and fancier shirts.”

One setback Debra Galluzzo, of OCD Organizing LLC, sees with most of her clients is holding on to a garment with the hope that, “‘When I lose weight I’m going to wear that again.’ I think it’s more of a downfall for people holding

onto something that’s three sizes too small. What does that do to your self-esteem? At the end of the day, life happens. As you get older your body changes. Go out and buy a couple of new outfits you’re comfortable in. Get rid of the old and ring in the new. All it does is hold up space.”

Vertical space is important too, notes Frediani. Wall space can be used to hang boots, or add a shelf to stack jeans or hanging shoe organizers. “You can hang pole extenders to create a second row,” says Frediani. “Self-standing shoe racks or stackable cube organizers really help.”

Frampton suggests investing in matching hangers. “Making all your hangers match can make a huge difference visually,” she says. That said, it’s important to remember that certain garments, like knits,

should not be hung on a hanger, notes Frediani. “Hangers will dig into the shoulders and they will not look good when you put them on,” she says. “I fold sweaters and put them on a shelf, if possible, instead of a drawer.”

Other foldable items like t-shirts, socks, underwear, bras and panties can be organized in drawers. “Then, it takes you less than 60 seconds to find anything,” says Galluzzo. There are exceptions to items that you haven’t worn in a while, says Frediani. “Specialty items like cocktail dresses and high heels, and other items that are classic and never go out of style, can remain. Out-of-season items can go in a plastic bin under the bed or other dry storage space.

Finally, says Frediani, “Just make sure what you have is what you use and it’s easy to find.”

BRIGHTEN UP

shed wintertime blues & your WARDROBE

By Vicki Martinka Petersen • Photos courtesy of Liz & Kate Boutique

Springtime is one of those fickle seasons that often necessitates multiple wardrobe changes in a day. You need to grab a sweater for those chilly mornings then switch to a short sleeve shirt on those warm, sunny afternoons. The unpredictable weather patterns of spring need not dampen your desire to freshen up your wardrobe. With some careful planning, you can easily buy a few pieces now that will transition nicely into your summer wardrobe.

“When we’re getting to spring and summer, it’s all about getting away from grays and into lighter colors,”

says Lynne Ball, store manager and buyer at Liz & Kate Boutique in Geneva.

Ball says lavender and light pinks always pop. Kelly green is a robust and vibrant color, while teal and turquoise are also good colors to have for spring and summer, she adds.

“You can work colors of the season into your look with a piece of clothing or an accessory,” Ball says.

Before going shopping, Ball recommends going through your closet to figure out what items you’re not wearing and what you need to add or replace in your wardrobe.

“We offer a variety of items from nice, everyday casual pieces to elegant products at affordable prices that makes freshening up your wardrobe attainable,” Ball says.

If you’re looking to add the latest fashion trends into your wardrobe, you can’t go wrong with flutter ruffle sleeves and floral pieces. The heavier pieces people wear in the spring can transition to outdoor wear on those cool summer evenings.

“This time of year, it’s all about layering. You can pair sleeveless or short sleeve pieces with wraps, cardigans or ponchos to go over them now, then wear those

pieces on their own in the summer,” Ball says.

For year-round wear, you can’t go wrong with a Peruvian cotton denim jacket or a reversible floral design denim jacket.

“Denim jackets are always a stable, classic design,” says Ball.

Peruvian cotton denim jackets look more like a sophisticated blazer.

“It can work as a lightweight jacket when you’re outside in the spring or wear it inside in the summer if the air conditioning gets too chilly,” she says. Reversible floral design varies from a floral print on the inside to a solid color on the outside.

“The reversible design lends itself to be more casual or dressy” says Ball.

Another option to freshen your wardrobe is to focus on your accessories. Items in style right now include colorful metals, statement silver and resin. Also popular is chain link jewelry, which comes in necklaces and earrings. Tortoise shell rings, necklaces and bracelets are another option for spring. And you can’t go wrong with a dainty necklace for everyday wear.

“Apparel is more about what’s in style. Jewelry is more about personal style and what you prefer. You can wear something more subtle and light or something heavier with a statement to it,” Ball says.

Your wardrobe is the perfect place to imbue your own brand of creativity and let your personality shine!

With the events of the past few years people have slowed down a bit and actually stopped to smell the roses. This also means they are noticing things in their own yard that are bugging them! It’s amazing how many evergreens we have sold in the past three years since folks were trapped in their houses and could only stare outside, waiting for warmer weather (also because they realized they didn’t like their neighbors, but I digress….).

People realized that their homes lacked something, and it boiled down to curb appeal. Their landscapes were boring or overgrown, half dead or high maintenance. Out of these realizations, beautiful new gardens sprung up and homes in our areas got much-needed face lifts – and the homeowners have come to enjoy their yards and appreciate the green space, attachment to nature, and newfound joy in gardening and the outdoors.

HOW CAN YOU SPRUCE UP YOUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD?

n Assess the mess! Be critical. Make a list of things you dislike about your landscape. It’s OK to be ruthless –plants get old, they die, they look bad, or they just age out. It’s OK to slate something for removal if you just don’t like it. Release your house from the confines of overgrown junk and scary plants! Change is good.

n Consider the surroundings. Have your trees gotten larger and are now casting darker shadows on sun loving plants? Do you have views to screen that you may not have noticed before if you weren’t home as often? It may be time to replace some older things that are no longer thriving or switch sun-loving perennials for shade lovers.

n Make notes of what is missing. Do you have winter interest? Do you have something going on in each season? Is the landscape functioning both in the spring and summer?

Do you have fall color? Sometimes achieving these things is as easy as popping in some plants that have different bloom times than your existing plants.

n Treat yourself! Browse the garden center for something fun and unusual and add it to your garden. Of course, don’t be too impulsive and do a little research before you buy, but definitely treat yourself to something beautiful. Plants have stories, and now is the time to find a plant (or six) to tell your story.

n Reduce your maintenance. No one says you have to keep that huge empty mulch bed or wasteland of lawn. Turn it into a pollinator garden. Plant new shrubs. Cluster some dwarf evergreens accented by native grasses as cover for birds. If you have large, empty spaces in the garden, they are higher maintenance than actually planting something. Fill the real estate with plants and your maintenance will go down (less mulch, less weeding, less chemicals, less labor).

n Know when to call in the professionals. You wouldn’t gut your kitchen without a plan so why tear out your entire landscape without one? Unless your partner is handy, it’s pretty unlikely that you are remodeling your kitchen by yourself. Plant and design experts are here to help so that your landscape – like any other room of your house – functions for you for many years to come.

n Have a realistic budget. I will forever stand by the old saying “you get what you pay for.” Do not expect high quality, well-thought out, beautiful work from someone who is the “cheapest and first available.” Walk around your neighborhood, and if you find examples of things you like, ask your neighbors who helped them with their gardens. Ask a ton of questions of the professionals you hope to hire. Leave no stone unturned so that the garden of your dreams becomes a reality … even if it just is lowering your maintenance or adding some color to your front yard.

KANE

By Pat Szpekowski

ESCAPE INTO NATURAL BEAUTY AS SPRING COMES TO LIFE

Photos courtesy of Peck Farm, Project Daffodil and St. Charles Park District

n Peck Farm Park

4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva www.genevaparks.org

Peck Farm Park of the Geneva Park District is a 325-acre natural retreat known for its history and beauty. There are two distinct north and south 2-mile trails for exploration, showcasing over 300 acres of tall grass prairie which commonly contains a mixture of grasses and forbs. Grasses begin to emerge in late March. See early buttercups and prairie smoke as other species begin to bloom in early May.

There is a nature-themed playground here named Hawks Hollow and the historic Peck House features live animals and a room highlighting the history of the Peck family and property. Environmental education programs are offered year-round.

Visit the USDA certified “Butterfly House” which opens May 20 for the season. It features both native and exotic butterfly species. These strikingly beautiful non-native butterflies will surround you.

n Hickory Knolls Natural Area

3795 Campton Hills Rd., St. Charles www.stcparks.org

The St. Charles Park District is composed of hundreds of acres of natural prairies and habitats with diverse landscapessavannas, glacial wetlands, high-quality open woodlands, prairies, hillside seeps and more. Designated as an Illinois Land & Water Reserve, Hickory Knolls consists of a large and extremely diverse landscape environment. Walk through the site and take in the environment. Native plants begin to peek out of the soil in the spring and others follow throughout the year. Take a breather and relax on a bench before you continue to probe the lush native surroundings and discover something new. Visit Hickory Knolls Discovery Center for events, seasonal programs, and nature camps suitable for all ages.

Add a bit of the area’s native plants to your own landscape. The native plant sale takes place on the first Saturday in June. Add spiderwort, Jacob’s ladder, and pale purple coneflower to your garden. Native plants support wildlife and require less maintenance and water. Their stunning colorful displays are a magnet for birds and butterflies.

www.corronfarm.org

Corron Farm is a treasure listed on the National and Kane County Register of Historic Places. Through the shared commitment of Campton Township and the Corron Farm Preservation Society, the Corron Farm, founded in 1835 by Campton Township settler, Robert Corron, will live on. Its natural preserved beauty will provide leisure and educational opportunities for many years to come.

200-300 acres of this farmland has been amassed over the centuries with prairies, sedge meadows, wildflowers, savannahs, woodlands, and native plants. Restoration has been carefully accomplished through the Corron Farm Preservation Society.

Visit the Corron Farm and walk through a system of trails that delight at every turn and step. In the spring, look for wild hyacinth and the beautiful perennial herb, shooting stars.

Did you know ...?

Mount St. Mary Park

PROJECT DAFFODIL

31 Prairie St., St. Charles www.projectdaffodilstc.com

When a community comes together, magic happens! That’s the case of how a massive display of spring daffodils happily arrived at Mount St. Mary Park in a highly visible place and primary gateway along the Fox River.

To date, volunteers have planted 15,000 daffodils and 400 bluebells that will begin blossoming for 4-6 weeks beginning at the end of March. Volunteers intend to plant another 5,000 daffodils this fall adding to the thousands of blooms in 2024.

Project Daffodil is one of the many ways the River Corridor Foundation enhances the riverfront. The bulbs are donated by the local greenhouse, Heinz Bros. Greenhouse and Garden Center, which also provides tools and training to help volunteers from the St. Charles Kiwanis, Pottowatomie Garden Club, and local residents.

Late March into May is the best time for spring wildflower viewing in northern Illinois.

BOUTIQUE BABY

92 S. First St., Suite C St. Charles (630) 333-0670

shopboutiquebaby.com

A celebration of

LIFE, COMMUNITY FAMILY

Through sustainable, non-toxic and quality products, Boutique Baby in St. Charles is building trust with families and support for the community, one worthy investment at a time

Mother-daughter team Deborah Giampapa and Gianna Giampapa-Curtis work together to form a strong foundation for the community through their store in St. Charles, Boutique Baby.

“We are branded for bringing the finest products to our community and focusing on OEKO-TEX® certified brands to bring the safest nontoxic products to babies,” says Giampapa. “Our passion for developing this store

and is trained in lactation and postpartum, experience she brings to supporting and informing not only her customers, but women and families she has mentored for decades. “I’m a grandmother of eight, mother of four, and I mentor women and families with my husband,” says Giampapa. “Everything life and familyrelated has been our passion for years, so this store is the culmination of bringing together all those passions to our community.”

SAFE, NON-TOXIC AND UNMATCHED QUALITY

At Boutique Baby, both Deborah and her daughter Gianna take the time to research a product thoroughly, including testing it themselves, in order to express the guarantee their products are the highest quality a family can find.

“By the time something enters my store, it has thoroughly been researched and believed to be the best product available to our customers,” says Giampapa. “This is so I can develop a relationship with my customers, so they can walk into my store, and they know I’ve taken the time to do the research for them. They can absolutely trust my products.”

Giampapa invested much of her time bringing Nuna products to Boutique Baby as it is a brand she believes in. “I have Nuna in the store, and I am one of the first boutiques to represent the Nuna brand,” says

Giampapa. “I was interviewed by Nuna for something like eight hours in total and they flew a representative in twice before they gave me an account. I have a passion to not only bring the best, but to bring the best through the realities and accuracy of research.”

Boutique Baby carries hardware, from strollers to playpens and beyond, clothing and an entire host of family supplies, necessities and gifts. “We have everything you would need – baby carriers, wraps, clothing,” says Giampapa. “You can shop for a baby shower, find maternity products, shop for your own child – anything. Nothing comes into the store that I don’t have a genuine belief that it’s worth the price point.”

A PASSION FOR SUPPORT

In the end, Boutique Baby and the Giampapas are all about supporting families and helping them build a foundation of community and education where they’ll find, not only the answers to millions of childcare product questions, but also a found family of individuals ready to encourage and assist them on the messy, beautiful road of parenthood.

“I have a great passion for the substance of family, and I think my store’s passion is to support the parenting journey,” says Giampapa. “Anything in life has its greatest value when people are building a community together.”

Memories

Harvest veggies & at St. Charles Park District Gardens

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske Photos courtesy of St. Charles Park District

t’s time to dig in the dirt.

The St. Charles Park District invites the community to discover the joy of growing fresh vegetables and even harvesting for others with its community garden plots.

There are more than 400 garden plots available for community use at the St. Charles Park District. Rent a garden plot at James O. Breen Community Park or Primrose Farm, with options for annual plantings or perennial plants that are designed to return year after year.

Additionally, there are a few raised garden beds at both parks as a more accessible opportunity

for gardeners with special needs. Beds are located near accessible paths and water spigots.

Garden plots offer a great family activity, enjoying the cultivation of the plants, caring for the garden and of course, harvesting the herbs, vegetables and flowers. The community gardens are a great way for first-time gardeners to try their hand at growing.

Registration for new gardeners opens March 21 and the planting starts in early April.

Applications are available online at stcparks. org/garden-plots. Before the season starts, park district staff helps prepare the soil by tilling the ground. There is a four-plot limit per household.

All of the plots have access to plenty of sun and should produce good yields, but before grabbing those garden gloves there are a few

SIGN UP FOR A GARDEN PLOT

Registration opens March 2. Applications are available online at stcparks.org/ garden-plots.

tips to remember, said Pam Otto, Outdoor Ambassador for the St. Charles Park District. First, consider what vegetables and plants will work best with the amount of time you can dedicate to your garden plot. Otto said melons and pumpkins are fairly easy to grow – they like lots of room for their vines to

“Melons are always a hit, but they need lots of space and attention and may not be a good crop for first-time gardeners,” Otto said.

Tomatoes are a popular choice as well as fresh herbs, kale and zucchini. With a shorter growing season in the Midwest, starter plants are a good option to consider, but Otto said she’s had success planting cucumber seeds and harvesting vegetables before the fall frost.

All gardens have access to water spigots but there are no hoses, so gardeners will need to bring their own watering

containers. Otto said she’s seen some creative solutions, like using wagons, to haul the water from the spigot to the garden site. She recommends watering and harvesting early in the day or evening to avoid the hot sun during the warmest part of the day.

“There is no shade in the gardens and on a hot summer day that sun can be brutal,” Otto said.

As for solutions to keep ground squirrels or bunnies from munching on leaves, Otto said she prefers natural methods, like planting marigold flowers and using small pinwheels to deter hungry intruders.

A summer garden can be a great way to reduce grocery costs and encourage everyone in the family to try new recipes with fresh tomatoes, leafy green veggies and even taste some new vegetables too.

Any garden plots that are available on June 1 are open for residents and local groups to garden for donation purposes. A family or local organization can care for a

garden and donate the vegetables harvested to provide fresh produce to local food pantries.

Otto recommends vegetables that are in shorter supply at the food pantries such as peas, green peppers, hot peppers, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and green beans.

“Lots of people donate their excess tomatoes and zucchini, but snap peas, green peppers and hot peppers are in shorter supply,” Otto said.

Otto said there are bins at each site with scheduled deliveries from the gardens to the food pantries. In past years during the peak harvesting season donation gardens have yielded several hundred pounds of produce, Otto said.

Having a group host a site is a great way to share the work and Otto recommends creating a calendar or schedule to divide jobs like weeding, watering and harvesting.

A summer garden takes work but the rewards of a fresh tomato off the vine or making zucchini bread from a zucchini you wanted grow under its leafy vines is the sweetest reward.

Letting Kids Write Their Own Stories

and not living vicariously through them

s a dad of two very girlie girls, life generally doesn’t offer many opportunities for me to live vicariously through my kids.

Now, please don’t misunderstand here: I don’t really want to. I think.

For starters, the pitfalls of such behavior are evident. As time goes on, the pangs of regret from missed opportunities and poor decisions don’t always fade with the wearing of the years.

So it’s sometimes pretty easy to see how ridiculous parents look when they attempt to redeem themselves through their kids.

Maybe it’s refusing to let their kids quit a sport they clearly hate because they regret quitting in middle school when the competition, the practices, and the coaches got a little too rough.

But only a self-loathing sociopathic masochist wouldn’t consider quitting on a 90-degree day in July and that son-of-a… coach is blowing his whistle, demanding yet another set of up-downs, while he sips what he claims is an iced tea. Right?

Anyway, that’s how we might rationalize our decision to quit while demanding our kid be that sociopathic masochist – albeit one with high self-esteem, of course. We’re not monsters.

And how else would we get to accompany our kid to Disney World after they hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy amid a confetti shower at midfield after winning the Super Bowl? I mean, really?

They’ll thank us one day. And maybe from a stage, during an acceptance speech at the Oscars. Or Grammys. Or on Inauguration Day. Or as valedictorian at their Ivy League commencement.

Or as the winner of the Outstanding Local Citizen Award at the local Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. Who knows?

We’ll take it, right?

But those pesky scientists and “experts” tell me that kind of behavior can do serious harm to the kids. Something about “crushing their identity,” “burdening them with my own baggage and wounds,” “making them feel like I love and celebrate only what they do, and not them,” and blah blah blah. Anyway, that all sounds bad. So, I’m glad I haven’t done it. Too much.

Admittedly, there were six months, spread over two winters, where my daughter chose to lace up some mid-rise sneakers, instead of dance shoes, and try her hand at basketball.

I don’t think I got too into it. We celebrated the personal achievements and applauded her courage for being willing to try something new. There was no berating of the referees. And the coach and I were on great terms.

But a few questioning side glances from other parents during games do remain slightly emblazoned on my memory. So, maybe we shouldn’t talk about that too much more.

Those few months aside, though, my girls and I simply haven’t had our interests cross over much. Again, don’t get me wrong. These girls are amazing people. Smart, funny, often irreverent, without being overly crass or rude, adventurous, curious – they share many traits, not only with their mother, but dear old dad too.

In some ways, they even look like me and act like me (poor girls.)

But after princess tea parties and endless renditions of songs from Disney’s Frozen morphed into sleepovers with friends, Starbucks runs and mani-pedis, there’s just not much we have in common that could remotely kindle a desire to relive my past life through them.

Well, perhaps until now.

In the past couple years, my oldest has uncovered a new love:

The written word.

We’re still not entirely sure when it began. We knew she had a bit of a nascent ability, given far above average work in English classes and her rapidly burgeoning vocabulary all through grade school and middle school. Her friends and classmates also at one time dubbed her “The Smart One” in her social circle. (Her mom and I were far more enthused by that moniker than she, it seemed.)

Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when her name flashed up on the screen as the top winner in a statewide arts competition for a short story she wrote.

Ever since, the growth in her writing ability has been beyond steady. You might even call it exponential. It has come in all phases: Ingenuity, style, usage, plot and character development, the gamut.

And, as a writer, it has been a delight in recent months to have a nascent fellow scribe with whom to talk writing.

Amid this paternal pride and pleasure, though, the thought has begun to nibble at the back of my mind that a crucial moment is just over the horizon. There will, at some point, probably soon, come an inflection point, where she will give full throat to her voice, in her own style.

And I will have a choice: Behind Door No. 1, a fully dad-like attempt to steer her around all of my mistakes, my pitfalls, my regrets, to vicariously achieve the fullness of what might have been.

Or to stop being so much dad, and instead, a mentor, who allows her to chart her own path, make her own mistakes, and develop regrets and scars of her own. After all these years, it’s intriguing to know there is at last a real chance to be that vicarious parent. But I won’t. I think.

n 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.)

for MAGIC A RECIPE

ALCHEMIST IS A STUDY IN DELICIOUS INNOVATION

Transformation.

It happens on a plate when ingredients assemble to form an unforgettable dish. It happens within the confines of a glass when spirits and bitters commingle, swirling their way to a potent elixir.

Transformation is alchemy.

Delivering on this name, this promise of change, is Geneva’s new restaurant and cocktail bar, Alchemist.

“To us, Alchemist embodies the idea of transforming things through a seemingly magical process. It’s about taking ingredients and making a greater whole of the parts,” said Marshall McCarty, owner and operator of the space located at 477 S. 3rd Street. McCarty, who also owns the more seasoned Geneva supper club, The Walrus Room, runs the business with wife Laura Bentley and brother-in-law Devin Beerman.

The intimate 40-seat space feels imbued with, if not magic, certainly more than a touch of mystery. Distinctive lighting softly illuminates a black and gray color scheme while gold hardware rounds out an understated aesthetic.

Alchemist’s list of curated cocktails is divided into two categories. Light and refreshing features such stand-outs as the citrus vodka concoction and Road to Lemon Grove. Beneath the heading of “complex and spirit forward” sits Toucan or Not

Toucan, a combination of rye, campari and pineapple, among other flavors. Around 70 wines in a range of varieties are offered either in the glass or bottle. Local brews are also on hand.

Paul and Debbie Rosso of St. Charles have spent some time getting to know Alchemist’s drinks as well as the people who mix them.

“The bartenders are not only exceptional in their knowledge, but they’re also very friendly,” Paul Rosso said. “They’ll ask questions like, ‘what do you like?’ and ‘are you willing to try something new?’”

It was in this spirit that Rosso agreed to the Mad Men, a cocktail consisting of scotch, amaretto and Italian bitter liqueur. It wasn’t a drink he would have chosen for himself, but the libation’s intoxicating effect had quite the impact.

“I was never a scotch drinker and now I have a bottle in my house,” he said, chuckling.

Debbie Rosso agrees that Alchemist’s drinks far exceed expectations.

“You’re not really drinking alcohol, you’re drinking an experience,” she said.

Dishes are presented as small plates ideal for sharing.

“I wanted to capture a wine bar menu beyond a basic charcuterie,” said McCarty, who has spent much of his restaurant

By

career in the kitchen, including a multi-year stint as executive chef at Nobel House.

Cheeses such as blue, cheddar and camembert, each joined with noteworthy ingredients like brûléed figs, spiced pecans and pickled grapes, appear alongside oysters and chorizo-filled croquettes.

Pointing to the menu, McCarty singles out boquerones—white anchovies, tapenade and extra virgin olive oil—as one with a Spanish influence.

“Much of the menu will feel familiar, but about 20 percent will push the envelope,” McCarty said.

He also intends to regularly rotate and evolve offerings, especially as the seasons change.

The changing of seasons is something McCarty is thinking about a lot these days. With warmer weather will come the addition of patio seating in the adjacent plaza and along 3rd Street, bumping capacity to more than double what it is now.

It’s welcome news for the Rossos, who have quickly made the spot their go-to, taking seats at the bar when it’s the two of them or sitting at a table when their friends come along. Introducing those who haven’t yet been to Alchemist is a particular delight for the pair.

“You want to bring people somewhere that doesn’t disappoint,” Debbie Rosso said. “That’s Alchemist.”

Patti McMillan Photos by Luoma Photography

BASH creates a winning menu of food pairings at its Geneva location

BurgersSushi

By Kevin Druley

Say you’re craving sushi, but your significant other balks at the stuff, and the parents who haven’t seen you in a while wish to tag along no matter the destination.

That is, of course, an acutely specific scenario, yet it is one co-owners Cody and Chanel Renkosik envisioned when conceiving Burger and Sushi House, colloquially known as BASH, located in Geneva.

“There is literally something in our restaurant for everyone,” Cody Renkosik said. “We take a lot of pride in creating a place that everyone enjoys. That’s what we’ve built the whole thing on: bringing everyone to the table, and offering quality food, service, and ambiance.”

Scanning the menu at BASH at Geneva, 124 W. State St., supports Renkosik’s assertion. There are options for starters, mains, burgers, mac and cheese, soups, salads, and, of course, sushi. Choices include classic rolls, specialty rolls, a la carte selections of nigiri and sashimi, and offerings from the raw bar.

A color-coded key at the bottom of the menu differentiates between raw, veggie, vegan and gluten-friendly options.

“It’s just simple to read so you understand, ‘Well, OK, I know I don’t like raw stuff, but I want to try sushi,’” Cody Renkosik said. “That’s how you get people to try new things.”

The Renkosiks, who met as grade-schoolers in Ottawa, figure a number of otherwise uninterested patrons at least have sampled sushi since the original BASH opened in Ottawa in July 2013.

That endeavor resulted from chance social-media crowdsourcing that unearthed a pocket of folks from Starved Rock Country hankering for sushi. Commuting to Chicago, Naperville, or Oswego to get their fix, they said, was getting old.

While the couple figured there was a reason Ottawa lacked a standalone sushi restaurant, they also thought pairing the food with a proven favorite could help attract other customers.

“People laughed at us,” Cody Renkosik said. “That’s OK. The first review we ever saw was like,

Photos by Leah Kuhn Photography

‘Oh, they should have studied the area. Their business will be closed in six months.’ And 10 years later, that’s not the case.”

Some of their family near the Tri-Cities recently floated the idea of expanding to a second location. After considering several other communities, including Mokena, New Lenox and Bloomington, the Renkosiks sensed that Geneva clearly stood out.

“Going to Geneva and walking the streets, it’s a friendly area,” Cody Renkosik said. “People are out and about. There are a lot of unique businesses and restaurants with highflow traffic. It’s hard to describe the feeling; we looked at so many places. But finally getting out of the car and just being on that block, seeing people walking around and driving through town and seeing everything, it felt right.”

BASH – Geneva is located in the former space for Bicycle Heaven and H4 Fitness. The 14,000-square foot building offers

seating for about 250 guests and includes the dining room, sushi bar, and event space seating on the second floor. Patio seating also is available during warmer weather.

“We see all types of people enjoying BASH,” Cody Renkosik said, “and that’s what makes us happy.”

For more information, call 630-587-2274 or visit  www.burgerandsushihouse.com/ home-geneva.

REAL ESTATE

The minute someone runs into a realtor, it’s inevitable the first question they ask is, “How’s the real estate market?” Seems like a simple question, right? However, this answer is much more complex and requires a lot more questions before answering, such as: Which city, town or county? What’s the price range? Are you a buyer or a seller?

The national news loves to answer this question for everyone and throws out national data that does not always reflect what is happening in your individual market, and it’s important to narrow down a very big question to get a better understanding about what is truly going on in your town, county or even neighborhood.

The real estate market is based on supply and demand, so understanding the months’ supply of homes in your marketplace is critical when speaking about the current real estate market. Months’ supply refers to the number of months it would take for the current inventory of homes on the market to sell given the current sales pace. A seller’s

market is typically three months or less of inventory, and a buyer’s market is six months or above.

As of February 2023, both Kane and DuPage County were at 1.2 months’ supply, which indicates a seller’s market. In January 2020 (life before COVID-19), Kane was reported at 3.7 months’ supply and DuPage at 3.9 months. Market time is also a critical part to this real estate question, which is the number of days it takes a house to go under contract (an offer that is accepted). As of February, both counties came in strong with only nine days in Kane and 10 days DuPage, whereas in January 2020 (again, life before COVID-19), market time came in at 34 days in Kane and 35 days in DuPage. What does all this data mean? We are in a seller’s market with a low supply of homes on the market, with buyers still strong in the marketplace. This data changes monthly, and there are a lot of variables, which is why it so important to not just rely on the national news for your real estate, but to reach out to your local realtor for the data.

Samantha Bauman and Raul Delgado are agents with The Move Smarter Team | Berkshire Hathaway

Forever Memories Begin at the Inn!

Nestled on the Fox River in Geneva and featuring 60 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, the Herrington is a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel. It features a distinctive banquet space with plenty of character, including a wall of windowed doors overlooking the Fox River and the Plaza Patio. The Inn is ideal for elegant wedding ceremonies and receptions, showers, corporate meetings or that perfect weekend getaway!

Deanne Mitchell has been orchestrating weddings at the Inn for over 22 years. Ask about our 2023 Summer Wedding Incentives

Great Dates still available for July & August

Mary Rose Photography

VHouse Photography

Herrington Photograph

Are you trying to

RETIRE too soon?

During a recent morning’s commute, one of the news stories of interest was the “escargot” protest in France. Evidently, many French citizens were very upset that their government is pushing the qualifying age for pension eligibility back from 62 to 64. One of their forms of protest is to drive on major arteries “at a snail’s pace” as a form of collaborated workforce slowdown to punctuate their displeasure.

As I was listening to this and weaving through traffic on this side of the pond, my first thought was how unhappy those people would be if they were here and learned about the hurdle required to qualify for full Social Security retirement benefits. My mind also raced forward to contemplate some of the tough conversations our team has had with people who had decided they were going to retire “early,” only to learn that they had not properly positioned to do so. When is the right age to retire, you may ask. Good question! Let’s discuss. There seems to be a significant segment of Americans who are convinced that age 65 is the time to retire. This likely correlates with what was formerly the target age for full Social Security retirement benefits and is currently still the age at which one can qualify for Medicare1 Regardless of the source, many people seem to have that age in mind for the beginning of their retirement years.

Here’s an unfortunate truth. No matter how hard they may have worked during their career, just because a person turns 65 does not mean they are financially ready to retire. A few recent studies help illustrate:

n A report from McKinsey finds that nearly half of Americans nearing retirement say they lack financial sufficiency for their retirement years and only 13% are “retirement ready” in both financial sufficiency and confidence. (Nov 3, 2022)

n According to the survey, 48% of retirees believe they’ll outlive their savings entirely — which is not too surprising given how little many have saved for retirement. In addition, 57% said they were surprised by how much money it takes to retire — the minimum recommended amount is roughly $555,000, or 10 times the U.S. median income. (Yahoo Finance, Feb. 20, 2023)

“Retirement Readiness” is a hot topic, and not just among those contemplating retirement. Although our team primarily works with high-networth clients, one of our core lines of business is establishing or upgrading retirement plans for privately held businesses. Our independence allows us access to a broad range of retirement plan providers with most of the top companies in this space competing to provide attractive tools to help employees solve for this important question.

1 The retirement age for full Social Security benefits has already been increased from 65 to 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. This increase was enacted in 1983 as part of comprehensive legislation to strengthen Social Security’s financing at a time when the program faced an imminent financial crisis.

Although these tools can be helpful, they are no match for a personalized plan from a licensed financial advisor. Lifestyle, family health history, and your risk tolerance are just a few key inputs that warrant consultation and personalization. Some planning software, including the platform we use from Raymond James, is sophisticated enough to run “what-if” scenarios including a “bad timing” scenario that calculates outcomes assuming a significant market downturn at your point of retirement. Powerful tools like this can lead to important, contemplative conversations.

During the recent pandemic, we noted an uptick in people interested in “early retirement” with some contemplating leaving their corporate jobs while they were still in their 50s. Although many may have moments of dreaming about an “early out,” there are a number of reasons to be very cautious in doing so. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

n The high costs of health insurance prior to being eligible for Medicare

n If you’re going to be using the money from your IRA or retirement plan to fund your retirement,

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR RETIREMENT AGE SHOULD BE?

Give

remember that in addition to income taxes, there may be penalties if you withdraw the funds prematurely

n You run a greater risk of depleting (or at least considerably reducing) your retirement accounts due to you accessing them earlier than planned and those funds needing to then support you for a longer period of time

If you are one of the people who did choose to retire early and are now second-guessing that decision, jumping back into the workforce may be a smart choice, and you would not be alone in doing so. According to a recent AARP study, 1.7 million Americans who retired a year earlier have returned to the workforce. That’s more than 3% of retirees. (AARP, Oct. 17, 2022)

Given historically low unemployment rates, you may be pleasantly surprised by the opportunities that await. Perhaps you might even find a new challenge that will reignite your interest in working longer so as to better position for a more permanent retirement!

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Holding investments for the long term does not ensure a profitable outcome. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, and investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

 Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager. Securities and Investment Advisory Services Offered Through Raymond James Financial Services, a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Adviser, Member FINRA/ SIPC. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated. Tom and his team can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

your financial advisor or our team a call to help evaluate this important decision.

Artist

OF THE MONTH

Philip Schorn

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.

Philip Schorn is an accomplished, wonderfully talented artist and has been an instructor at Water Street Studios since September 2020.

“I teach color pencil and watercolor pencil,” says Schorn. “I typically teach online. I love color pencil; it is a very nice medium.”

Schorn started his career as an artist in college at Eastern Illinois. “They didn’t teach color pencil then, but I did a lot of other art and graphic design,” says Schorn. “In 2010, or so, I was judging a lot of the 4H art shows, and I was seeing drawings in pencil and things like that which got me motivated into doing my own art once again. I had a set of color pencils, and I could always draw. When I started using the color pencils, I loved how clean, portable and inexpensive it was.”

When the pandemic came along, Schorn’s regular work as a graphic designer slowed down. He was already teaching a number of zoom classes when the opportunity arose at Water Street Studios for an online instructor. “My wife found the opening at Water Street and after an interview process, I started teaching there in September 2020,” says Schorn.

Schorn’s Monet-inspired pieces are some of his favorite creations. “Something that has worked out very well in my art, and that I was proud to show my students, is that I started a series on Monet,” says Schorn. “It’s impressionistic painting, but with a color pencil. It is absolutely cool to do – to make something look painterly but use a line. I’ve always really enjoyed Impressionistic painting. Pencil does not work the same way as paint, but I do a lot of color testing to create similar effects.”

Shorn is an award-winning artist and his process follows his inspiration wherever it takes him. “I want to do what I want to do; I can’t do twenty of the same thing and just change the color,” says Schorn. “It’s because of the time involved to draw; a lot of things that I do take 20, 30, 50, 100 or even 500 hours to make. I want to enjoy what I’m doing. I generally do botanical nature and realism and if I don’t see it, I make it up.”

Sustaining the art community is also very important to Schorn as he continues to teach and support other artists. “When the art community has support, it opens it up to more people and you get more diverse art,” says Schorn. “For every artist that you see, there are probably ten more that are creating and don’t know how to get exposure. Opening it up to artists of all levels is hugely important to seeing more creativity.”

DETAILS OF Philip Schorn's WORK:

See his work at www.pschornstudio.com.

u “Botanical Gardens Coleus” 20 x 16 / NFS

v “Dark B/W Rose”

26 x 26 / $825

w “Vivian’s Leaf”

24 x 24 Framed / $750

x “Winthrop Harbor Spring” 18 x 12 / NFS

y “Tennessee Barn”

26 x 20 Framed / $625

z “Wine Splash”

30 x 42 Framed / $1950

{ “Monet-Antibes”

41 x 35 Framed / $3,000

| Very Smooth”

12 x 15 Framed / $295

NFS = Not for sale

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

After studying at Eastern Illinois University and creating a multi-decade, successful career in graphic design, Philip Schorn now resides in Grayslake and teaches at Water Street Studios while maintaining an imaginative and jaw-dropping gallery of works in his preferred medium: color pencil.

8.

6.

7.

5.

Grab a

FOR TEENS AND ADULTS: “Nine Liars” by Maureen Johnson

With the recent news that the newest Historical American Girl Doll hails from the year 1999, you might be tempted to think that the ’90s are a little passé. Not so! I wholeheartedly recommend Maureen Johnson’s book “Nine Liars.” Told in dual-timeline style, amateur detective and high school senior Stevie Bell finds herself (along with her best friends) in beautiful London, England. While we follow her on adventures in sightseeing, the reader also learns of a brutal 1995 double-murder that took place on an expansive country estate. The key to solving these murders lies in the testimony of six highly unreliable narrators: the victims’ best friends. Modern-day Stevie is set to crack the case, while working to save another life. For those of us (ahem) “historical” adults who might remember the ‘90s, this was a bit of a stroll down memory lane. The plot highlights bands, fashion, and idioms of the time. It might be history, but it sure is fun to read.

— Margaux Morrone, librarian

FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK CLUB:

“We Are Not Like Them” by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

From the intense first page to the last, “We Are Not Like Them” is a gripping story about friendship, love, loyalty, racial prejudice, heartbreak, and justice. It begins with long-time best friends Jen and Riley: one is white and the other is Black. After years of infertility struggles, Jen, and her police officer husband, Kevin, are expecting their first child. Riley is a rising star journalist poised to be the first Black anchor of a major news outlet in Philadelphia. Despite the difference in their life choices and other social pressures, their friendship has weathered time and distance. Then, one tragic night changes everything. While actively in pursuit of a crime suspect, Kevin is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. The events that followed made the best friends question their history and challenged the love for each other they once thought had no bounds. If justice prevails, will this friendship survive? Focusing on the bonds of friendship when real-world events intervene, this book deftly handles the multiple perspectives of a potentially difficult issue. This book is bound to inspire conversations, and would be excellent for your next book club.

— Mary Foster, library associate

Set aside some time this spring to read! Here are two recommendations for your April reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.