Make your holiday table delicious and pleasing to the eye Page 16
STAY COZY
Winter wardrobe tips to keep it comfortable and classy Page 20
RIDING IN STYLE
Carriage rides, visiting with Santa and more seasonal wonder Page 8
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Editorʼs NOTE
I absolutely love this time of year.
It’s the season of giving, wonder and light –not to mention, some really good food. Every year, I find something new to appreciate, something else to enjoy and in Kane County, it is easier than ever to achieve. From family traditions, old and new, to planning for holiday meals and keeping the kids active while on break, we have a full issue for you this December.
Local small bite extraordinaire, Chi-cuterie, lays out a gorgeous spread while giving you tips and tricks on making your holiday table magical (page 16). If traditional activities are your taste, check out these opportunities to take a carriage ride through town, meet Santa and more (page 8). We’ve even included a few features on keeping the holidays sustainable and safe (pages 12 and 14, respectively).
As always, we like to promote small businesses and local spending. When stocking up on gifts or your own winter wardrobe, don’t miss our feature on page 20. For a gift everyone will love – including yourself – read more about luxurious
opportunities at The Herrington Inn & Spa on page 22. Don’t forget about your furry friends! DePaw Pet Resort is a perfect place to find what you need, plus a little something extra for your favorite pets (page 26).
Just in case you need some ideas on keeping your kids’ calendars full, check out our exciting adventure coverage on page 34. For a little light reading on some local history, don’t miss our two fascinating forays into the genre on pages 42 and 43.
Whatever you love about the season, make sure you really take the time to enjoy it. All of us here wish you a safe and incredible year of celebration, however you choose to spend it. Thank you for reading and happy holidays!
Kelley White, Editor
on the COVER
Make a big impression with your holiday spread this season and utilize local experts like Chi-cuterie. Learn more tricks of the trade on page 16.
Next month: Have a healthy start to the new year with the health and wellness issue in January!
PUBLISHER
Kane County Chronicle & Northwest Herald Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com
Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Tricia Walter 630-345-0066 twalter@shawmedia.com
CORRESPONDENTS
Jonathan Bilyk, Sarah Cerovac, Kevin Druley, Patricia MacMillan, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Diane Krieger Spivak, Chris Walker and Al Watts
This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.
Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
DECEMBE IN, �� CHEI T COMMUNITY CHUECH
What
INSIDE
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
8 RIDING IN STYLE
Carriage rides, visiting with Santa and more seasonal wonder
12 CELEBRATE SUSTAINABLY
Make the most of the holidays without so much waste
14 KEEP IT SAFE
Follow sage advice to stay happy and healthy this holiday season
16 A FEAST FOR THE EYES ... AND TASTE BUDS
Make your holiday table delicious and delightful
SHOP LOCAL
20 STAY COZY
Winter wardrobe tips to keep it comfortable and classy
22 THE SPA AT THE HERRINGTON
Relax and luxuriate in style
24 A TREE WITH A TWIST
Use local shops to get creative with holiday decor
26 DEPAW PET RESORT
Giving pet parents peace of mind since 1995
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
28 ACCESSIBILITY AND THE MAGIC OF MOVIES
Batavia theater hosts dementia-friendly film screenings
30 CALENDAR
Don’t miss these local events around town
31 GRAB A BOOKMARK
Geneva Public Library helps pick out your next great read
32 ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Dorothy Bury Shaw reveals the intricacies and gorgeous details in her award-winning work
34 AN ACTIVE WINTER BREAK
Fun family adventures to stay busy all season
FAMILY & LIFETSTYLE
38 DECLUTTER YOUR STUFF
Trim down to what you need just in time for the holidays
40 CLOSING ANOTHER CHAPTER
Suburban Superdad cherishes the moments that last
LOCAL HISTORY
42 WORTH THE CELEBRATION
Geneva Masonic Lodge logs their 170th year
43 PRESERVATION PARTNERS OF THE FOX VALLEY
50 years of saving history in Fox Valley
BUSINESS & CIVIC
44 WHY DID IT DIE?
5 reasons a plant can meet an untimely demise
46 ‘TIS THE SEASON
A quick guide to charitable giving with My Advisor & Planner
Photo by Mike Frankowksi
Photo by Cassie Lacina
Carriage rides, visiting Santa and more seasonal wonder
By Patricia MacMillan
Nearly as magical as the day itself is the lead-up to Christmas. Make it a season of joy and time-honored traditions with these offerings.
Riding
OLD-FASHIONED FUN
Royal Carriage Ltd. will offer complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides downtown Geneva from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday beginning December 7 through December 22. The pick-up spot is located at the corner of Third and James streets in downtown Geneva.
Four to six passengers fit in the ornate open-air carriage, which is decorated for the season.
“The horses are so into what they do,” said owner and operator Lyla Blanchard, who owns six horses in total, all either full or part draft horse. Draft horses are known to be among the strongest of all breeds, able to pull six times their weight.
“They love going out and being around people and we allow kids to pet and feed the animals,” Blanchard said.
Additionally, Royal Carriage can be booked for private events. Learn more at royalcarriageltd.com.
in
Also available for private events throughout the area is Candlelight Horse and Carriage in Yorkville. The company is hired for big events like weddings and surprise proposals but other times, it may be a group of people looking to take a unique trip through a neighborhood to see holiday lights and decor, said owner and operator Tom White, who owns two Tennessee Walking horses.
Those interested can get a quote online at candlelighthorseandcarriage.com.
• Photos provided by Candlelight Horse and Carriage, St. Charles Park District and Batavia Park District
Style
THE SEASON OF SANTA
There will be several opportunities for kids to visit with Santa and share their Christmas wishes ahead of the big day.
SANTA’S HOUSE
1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22
29 S. 1st St., St. Charles stcholidayhomecoming.com
Kids can drop off letters, share their
wish list and take pictures with Santa. Friendly dogs are invited too. Santa’s House is offered free of charge.
SUNDAYS WITH SANTA
Noon to 2 p.m., Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22
Boardwalk Shops
114 E. Wilson St., Batavia downtownbatavia.com
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and shop the small businesses of the Batavia Boardwalk during this event.
WOODLAND SANTA’S HOLIDAY WORKSHOP
10 to 11:30 a.m., Dec. 1
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles
Santa will arrive pulled by helpers in the form of dashing huskies. The workshop will offer the chance to make an ornament, write a letter to Santa and take pictures with the certain red-suited someone. This program is for kids aged 2 years and older.
SUNDAES WITH SANTA 8:45 a.m. or 5:15 p.m., Dec. 9
Primrose Farm
5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles stcparks.org
Children 6 and younger can build ice cream sundaes heaped with toppings, make paper chains to count down the days til Christmas and even play a game of Freeze Dance with Santa. The event will include opportunities to interact and take pictures with St. Nick, and all kids will take home a goody bag.
BOOKS AND BEYOND WINTER SPECIAL
www.gpld.org/event/10785287
Dec. 11, 4-5 p.m., registration required Geneva Public Library
the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and photo opportunities with Santa and his elves.
SPECIAL DELIVERY
This amazing opportunity to take part in a seasonal event at the Geneva Public Library is for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. The library welcomes anyone who wishes to attend, whatever their abilities may be. This is a fun event with a seasonal twist.
Get a letter from Santa by stopping by the North Pole mailbox located at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, through December 18. No postage is required, though a sealed envelope with a return address is needed to receive a response.
SPLASHING WITH SANTA
9 to 11 a.m., December 14
Vaughan Athletic Center 2121 W. Indian Trail Road, Aurora foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
OUT ON THE ICE
Glide and spin at one of the spots this winter. Always check weather conditions and follow posted signs or colored safety flags before setting foot on the ice.
BATAVIA
Even Kris Kringle loves a pool party. Swim and splash in the center’s leisure pool and watch as Santa shoots down the water slide. Elves will be on hand to help kids with themed crafts. Participants must be 2 or older and accompanied by an adult ticketholder.
STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 14
Pottawatomie Park and Community Center, 8 North Ave., St. Charles stcparks.org
• Depot Pond, located west of the Peg Bond Center, 151 N. Island Ave.
AURORA
• Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 5th Ave.
GENEVA
• Wheeler Park, 410 Wheeler Drive
• Mill Creek Pool, 39W125 S. Mill Creek Drive
ST. CHARLES
Participants can walk along a whimsical outdoor wonderland and enjoy hot cocoa, creation stations, a trip to Mrs. Claus’ sweet shop, a reading of Rudolph
• Lincoln Park, 450 W. Main St. (ice skating only)
• Langum Park, 50 Devereaux Way (hockey only)
Make the most of the holidays with the least amount of wastefulness
Celebrate
in a
SUSTAINABLE STYLE
By Chris Walker
It was 80 years ago this Christmas that a schoolteacher wrote “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,’ after looking out at his class and coming to the realization that his second-grade students were all missing at least one front tooth.
This year, you can consider sustainable holiday ideas and practices so that future generations still have a planet where they can celebrate Christmas. Consider future festive gatherings with gift giving and receiving, food and laughter and hopefully no boxes or stockings that contain front teeth.
Just because wrapping paper has paper in the name doesn’t mean that the paper is recyclable. In fact, most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable, yet countless households fill their recycling bin with it every holiday season.
Most homeowners in Kane County utilize Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) for their respective recycling program. According to LRS’ customer service department, most of the wrapping paper people are trying to recycle can’t be recycled.
“Unfortunately, much of the Christmas wrapping paper on the market doesn't pass the recycling test due to metallic coatings, glitter or plastic content,” LRS sent in an email. “We will only accept plain biodegradable wrapping paper in the container for recycling, any other kind can be discarded in the trash container.”
Eco-friendly, recyclable holiday wrapping paper is available, although it isn’t always easy to find. A lot of it is made of recycled paper itself. You can find some at Little Green Apple in Geneva and other similar gift shops and stores. So those looking to go as green as an unadorned tree can make the switch to wrapping their gifts with paper that’s more environmentally friendly. Other ways to give back to Mother Nature include reusing gift boxes, typically the kind used for gifting clothing items as well as reusable gift bags rather than wrapping paper.
Speaking of ornaments and trees, when it comes to lighting, if you aren’t already using LED lights then you’re not being energy efficient. Upgrading your lighting can truly make a difference with your electric bill. Plus, LED lights usually last a long time and far longer than traditional bulbs. Furthermore, you can find them at many local independent hardware stores as well as the better-known franchises in the area.
Ever wonder what to do with those darned holiday leftovers? After the doggy bags have been packed into plastic containers for guests, what can you do with excellent food that you don’t want to dump down the disposal or send to a landfill?
“When we have leftovers from a Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) party or volunteer event, we give to Lazarus House,” says Megan Popp, director of marketing and brand strategy for the NIFB. “We do not take cooked/ party leftovers here. If you have canned items or (unopened) dry goods, you can drop them off at our center in Geneva. We have a huge bin between the two glass doors at our center where you can drop off.”
Popp also suggested reaching out to local fire stations with your party leftovers.
HOLI DAY SAF ETY
Take precautions against common hazards to stay happy and healthy throughout the season
By Chris Walker
Before you celebrate, be sure you’re safe this holiday season.
While your decorations may be beautiful, they also can be deadly.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly one-third of all home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and about 50% of holiday decoration fires happen because of poor decorating decisions. Too many people are unwisely placing decorations near heat sources.
It’s because of these issues that a festive time of the year sometimes turns into a devastating one. Far too many folks have seen their holidays ruined and lives have even been lost because precautions weren’t taken to ensure a safe holiday. While Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are two of the happiest days of the year for many, those are also among the leading days of the year for home fires according to the National Fire Protection Association (NPFA).
“December is a leading month for home fires, which is largely due to the activities we engage in during the holiday season,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of outreach and advocacy. “Additionally, an increase in the use of heating equipment, driven by colder temperatures across most of the country, contributes to this heightened risk. By knowing where potential fire hazards exist and taking basic precautions to prevent them, people can enjoy a festive, fire-free holiday season.”
Kids are reminded via song to not pout or cry because Santa is coming. Those hosting parties or simply basking in the glow of the season during the winter months need to be careful using candles and the fireplace or an ambulance and fire truck will be coming.
The National Safety Council reminds you to not place candles where they can be knocked down, blown over or reached by children. Keep matches and lighters out of their reach, too. Before using the fireplace, make sure the chimney and fireplace are clean. Once it’s good to go, make sure to use a screen and stick to burning hardwoods. Never burn wrapping paper
and never leave the fireplace or candles unattended or when you fall asleep. Those looking to dazzle their neighbors with twinkling lights, including near windows, gutters and roof tops need to be especially careful. While we’ve all laughed at Clark Griswold’s adventures on a ladder, getting up and down one safely is no laughing matter.
The American Safety Council (ASC) reminds you to make wear slip-resistant shoes on a dry and clean ladder. Your body weight should be centered on a ladder that extends at least three feet above your roof. Never stand above the second rung from the top.
The ASC also reminds you to not overload power circuits and to make sure all the plugs are tight.
A final tip involves leftovers. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of the holidays that you may leave perishable food out for a while. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that perishable food left at room temperature for more than two hours isn’t safe to consume. If you’re in doubt, throw it out.
FEAST FOR THE EYES A ... and
taste buds
MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE DELICIOUS AND PLEASING TO BEHOLD
Article and photos courtesy of Chi-cuterie
The holidays are the perfect excuse to throw a party and gather family, friends, and neighbors. Our No. 1 tip in our Charcuterie 101 Workshop is to choose a theme for your events. It makes entertaining more meaningful and less stressful. Decisions are easier to make when you select a theme, color scheme and menu.
My favorite holiday theme is The Nutcracker, in fact my husband proposed to me before taking me to see “The Nutcracker” at The Fox Theater in Atlanta many moons ago. I love the festive colors, dramatic music, and entertaining dancing. As I created the tablescape, I visualized the joy I felt that night and every holiday since!
I chose to use the Nutcracker-themed paper products since we generally entertain on Christmas Eve, and we want easy clean up since we will be making a big family breakfast Christmas morning. Paper products are so nice because you don’t need to store them year after year, and you can select a different theme each time. I chose to layer two plates – a small Nutcracker head plate for the initial grazing on one of our fabulous Chi-cuterie Boards and a larger one for our salad and sandwich course. At each place setting is an individual charcuterie “Charquet” filled with local meats, cheeses, crackers, breadsticks, chocolates as well as fresh fruit and nuts, topped with a nutcracker character “surprise ball of goodies” for each guest. A variety of nutcracker cocktail napkins are placed next to the plates and pink and gold plastic silverware tie into our color scheme.
In the center of the table is our Chi-cuterie “Epicurean” board with a different array of local charcuterie items and all the accoutrements. We chose the charcuterie based on the fruits we got delivered this week as well as the colors that fit without theme. Every Chi-cuterie Board is not only locally sourced, but thoughtfully created with various pairings arranged together.
Scattered on the table are various snacks served in a variety of our best-selling
gold rimmed fluted glasses – the rocks glasses are perfect for pretzel bites and bagel chips. The coupe glasses add height to the table, and we filled those with our candy-coated candy and nut mix as well as our dark chocolate covered pineapple and mango that pairs deliciously with Red Barn’s awardwinning Cupola cheese – a Parmesan meets Gouda that demands a tropical fruit pairing! A plaid vase was the perfect vessel for our local breadsticks from Coleen’s Better than Breadsticks. On the opposite end of the table, we repeated the plaid pattern with a small tray for our famous “Layered Garden Dip” with Wisconsin’s Hidden Springs Sheep cheese, local jam and candied pecans, then topped with our edible flower finishing salt and edible flowers. We serve this in our marble bottom bowls that are frozen and keep the glass bowl chilled for several hours. We can hardly keep these practical bowls in stock because they make the perfect gift!
To tie in the colors and theme, I selected fresh flowers in shades of reds, whites, and pinks – all arranged in our wicker planters. I then scattered a few colorful battery-operated lit Christmas houses across the table and colorful brush bottle trees.
To complete the party theme, we chose a customer favorite Chi-cuterie cocktail, “Winne’s Garden” served on a bar cart with extra nutcracker bamboo dessert plates and napkins. More plaids, pre-lit houses, and greenery complete the look. Plus, we added a variety of other cocktail options for easy serving for guests who prefer another drink of choice.
TIPS AND IDEAS FOR A HOLIDAY TABLE
SETTING
Layered plates include a small Nutcrackerthemed plate for pre-meal snacking and a larger plate for a salad-and-sandwich course.
At each place setting is an individual charcuterie with meats, cheeses, crackers, breadsticks, chocolates and fruit arranged in a glass.
Include some of your favorite holiday decorations in the table setting!
Nutcracker characters at each place setting give guests a "surprise ball of goodies."
Scatter various snacks around the table in glasses.
The Epicurean chicuterie board from Chi-cuterie in Geneva doubles as an attractive centerpiece and a popular snack option.
Disposable paper products allow easy cleanup and also give flexibility to change the table-setting theme each year.
Fresh flowers in shades of red, white and pink help tie together the colors and theme. Include a few in the table decor and in planters around the room.
Winter wardrobe tips to be practical, stylish & comfortable
By Vicki Martinka Petersen
’Tis the season for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, dinners with family, New Years Eve parties and other celebrations. When planning what to wear this busy winter season, the key is versatility with new clothing and items already in your closet.
Sequin blouses or dresses, metallic tops and other sparkly clothing are popular items to wear to holiday events. The key is finding other uses for these items the rest of the year.
“Think about where else you can wear these items again like an office party or wedding,” says Lynne Ball, store manager and buyer at Liz & Kate Boutique in Geneva. “You want to get a piece that resonates both in the current season and the seasons to come.”
To get started, Ball suggests taking a good look at the items already in your closet.
“If you have pieces in your closet you haven’t worn and never take out, those are the pieces to donate. Then you can find a classic staple piece that can take you through the entire winter season,” Ball says,
& Stay Cozy
For example, blazers offer the versatility of a professional look with slacks or a skirt for the office, or it can be paired with jeans for a causal look. Simple tops, shells or tanks can be worn on their own during warmer weather months or as a layering piece during colder weather. And of course, a classic white blouse goes with everything.
“The important thing is to find pieces that fit your body and fit your lifestyle,” Ball adds.
With the recent fluctuating temperatures throughout all the seasons, Ball suggests keeping clothing like mid-weight sweaters, knit wraps and ponchos on hand that work great both indoors and outdoors as well as travel.
Photos provided by Liz & Kate Boutique
Chic
“Peruvian cotton jackets are more sophisticated than denim. You can wear Peruvian cotton jackets or a blazer indoors, or you can wear them outdoors as a standalone jacket on a warmer winter day,” Ball says.
When traveling, “Knit wraps are handy to have on the airplane. They’re easy to pack,” she says.
Another fun way to dress up your look for the holidays is with jewelry pieces including snowflake earrings, jingle bells and rhinestone earrings. If you’d like to add something seasonal to your wardrobe, Ball suggests buying items with snowflakes that can be worn all winter long.
For outwear like scarves and mittens, Ball recommends buying items that are machine washable.
“Handmade hats, gloves and scarves are beautifully made and great to wear for the season. But when they get dirty, most often they get thrown away because they can’t be washed,” Ball says.
While shopping this holiday season, it’s often fun picking up a little something for yourself while shopping for others. A pair of soft winter socks can be a nice item for yourself or as a gift.
When shopping at boutiques this holiday season, Ball says to be sure to get a gift receipt and ask about the story’s return policy as they might differ from the big box stores.
The
Herrington SPA at the
By The Herrington Inn & Spa • Photos by Tracy G. Sullivan
Discover a world of serenity and indulgence at The Spa at the Herrington Inn, nestled in the charming heart of downtown Geneva. Warm, plush robes, soothing herbal teas and a dedicated escape from the everyday are just a few reasons why guests return to this luxurious haven time and again.
Whether you’re visiting monthly or marking a special occasion, The Spa offers a rich menu of experiences to elevate your well-being, including rejuvenating massages, personalized facials, body treatments and expert waxing services. Conveniently located in downtown Geneva, The Spa is the perfect destination, whether you’re looking for a single treatment or planning an entire stay at The Herrington Inn, with spa services to complement your retreat.
“Our guests truly embrace our luxury spa services, from deeply relaxing massages to result-driven facials and body treatments that leave the skin smooth and refreshed,” said Spa Director Mercedes Reyes. Many even plan their hotel stays around spa appointment availability.
Reyes, who began her journey as a guest service coordinator nearly two decades ago and has flourished as an esthetician, now oversees the spa’s daily
operations. Her commitment to luxury and attention to detail infuses every aspect of the spa experience.
“We like to think of ourselves as the ultimate staycation – you don’t need to fly or drive far. Guests come from neighboring states and even Chicago to unwind with us,” she said.
The Herrington Inn’s location offers more than relaxation. Guests can enjoy Geneva’s vibrant dining scene, lively entertainment, seasonal festivals and unique shopping. The Spa is especially popular for friends on girls' weekends, romantic couple retreats, anniversary celebrations and unforgettable bridal parties. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure you don’t miss out on your desired treatments.
A unique aspect of The Spa is its dedication to exceptional products, featuring the Skinceuticals line for effective skincare and Essence One’s pure therapeuticgrade essential oils.
“Our clients can’t get enough of our massages, especially with the option to add aromatherapy using these essential oils,” Reyes said.
During the holiday season, indulge in seasonal treatments like the Heavenly Peace Massage, with oils scented by spruce, coriander and frankincense to melt away seasonal stress. Or brighten your complexion with
a Holiday Glow Facial and revive your hands and feet with a Winter Renewal using a cinnamon sugar scrub. Each guest begins their visit with a personal locker, a cozy bathrobe and slippers warmed just for them. These small touches are part of the luxury experience that sets The Spa apart. As Reyes proudly explains, “We focus on the little details to elevate the experience.” Delight in freshly prepared berries and cream from Atwater’s Restaurant or, for hotel guests, a luxurious in-room bath experience.
Beyond relaxation, facials at The Spa provide luxurious results to enhance skin health, and guests are welcome to purchase their favorite scrubs and oils to bring a touch of The Spa home with them.
For a gift that truly delights, The Spa offers gift cards available all year that are redeemable for hotel stays, spa treatments and dining at Atwater’s Restaurant. During the holiday season, enjoy a special promotion: purchase a gift card of $250 or more, and receive an additional 10% in value through Dec. 31.
TREE
By Diane Krieger Spivak
Photos by Scott Anderson and Getty Images
Are you tired of hauling out (or cutting down) the tree, yet again, throwing it up, tossing on a string of lights and what’s left of the terminally neglected ornaments you’ve been shamelessly tossing into a large box at the annual post-Christmas purge?
Do you crave something new, something different to celebrate the season?
This year, lock your old ornaments in solitary and let your creative juices flow. Instead, go for anything that tickles your fancy. You can go for a theme. Have any collections? How about a vintage cookie cutter tree, or dust off your old Hot Wheels cars to make a colorful Christmas tree theme. Love Barbie? Toss in a few dolls and anything Barbie-related. Want a particular hue? Pick a color, any color. The possibilities truly are endless.
“One thing we’re doing this year is implement small toys into a tree,” says Xochitl Garza, owner of Pixies on Main, in Geneva. Garza recommends adding a bow to a toy stocking stuffer and hanging it on the tree. “Some of them are so cute, and the kids get to pick them from the tree.”
Do a multi-themed tree, suggests Garza, by highlighting one side with Grinch items, the other side with Santa, and even add a third of your choice. Elvis, anyone? Put the tree on a rotator for extra fun.
Laurie Kane, who owns Treetime Christmas Creations in Lake Barrington, likes a Santa on Holiday tree, with snowmen skiing down a hill of artificial snow. “We made a hot tub next to the tree with lights and bubble ornaments, and Santa diving into the hot tub," says Kane. “On the tree we have Santa and Mrs. Claus skiing and hot tub ornaments. So, it's everything Santa might do on a holiday vacation.”
Go all out with an RGB tree. “There are red, green and blue chips in the lights, so each light can be all the colors of the Roy G. Biv rainbow,” says Kane. “It hooks up to a phone app, you can draw different shapes and colors on the tree and control every single light bulb to be a different color. The app also plays music, and you can put on different light shows through your phone. But the part that the kids have the most fun with is the doodle function where you can draw on the tree with different colors.” Treetime also offers tips and tricks on Instagram and Facebook.
If you’ve got one of those big lanterns on your front porch, take out the candle and turn it into a miniature Christmas scene, suggests Garza. “You’d be amazed how much people love that,” she says. “Create a little scene with characters and lighting. Put in a fake tree, have Santa, fairy lights over the tree to light it up, and have elves helping with tiny toys and Christmas boxes.” Another idea is to create a little doll house scene inside or choose the theme of your choice, adds Garza. The lantern’s glass provides protection for the scene.
Saturday • December 14 11am-4pm
The magic begins when you take a leisurely stroll through Candy Cane Lane into the park’s winter wonderland of whimsical decorations and elf interactions. Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa, visit several creation stations and listen to the reading of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Take a selfie with Santa (elves on site to assist). Jingle your way over to Mrs. Claus’ sweet shop to indulge in a festive treat. Dress for the weather.
Pottawatomie Park & Community Center 8 North Avenue • St. Charles,
DePAW Pet Resort
100 S. Glengarry Drive, Geneva
630-250-6026
www.depawpetresort.com
DePAW
PET RESORT
Giving pet parents peace of mind since 1995
By Diane Krieger Spivak | Photos provided by DePAW Pet Resort
Training
Packademics
Dedication, commitment, and a lifelong love for fur babies form the golden combination behind DePAW Pet Resort’s award-winning success.
DePAW has offered exceptional quality pet services for more than 18 years. “We always strive to be the finest pet lodging facility by keeping up with the latest industry evolutions and growth,” says President Stephannie Caliendo. “Our highly trained, certified staff makes the health and safety of our guests our priority and ensures everyone is happy and well cared for as we would our own.”
Caliendo became a professional trainer in 1995. She developed a passion and love for caring for pets through a boarding and training program, which she started out of her home in 2004. In 2006, she rented her first space in Geneva where she has proudly been able to grow and cultivate a unique family of staff and clients.
The top veterinary-recommended pet resort’s passionate team treats every pet like a member of the family. Continued staff education and keeping up with the latest industry evolutions and growth are key at DePAW.
Whether for overnight lodging, dog daycare, grooming, or training, DePAW’s vast indoor & outdoor yards have fun playground equipment with engaging activities all day, a distinctive Packademics daycare option, and even a K9 Rec & Fitness Center for dogs, notes Caliendo. The lodging area gives each dog their own comfy, private suite with lots of soft bedding and all the comforts of home –including a tuck in and treat from staff. Overnight lodging also accommodates cats, and small mammals.
The reasons DePAW stands out from the pack are many, including:
• Packademics which is an alternative enrichment daycare program where dogs do several preplanned, organized activities that range from puzzles, treadmill, agility, water fun, art projects, etc. This is intended for dogs to keep their minds active, continue learning, and growing.
• Special events, such as Puppy Prom, Woofstock Week, Puppy Bowl, May the 4th Be with You (Star Wars Day), Halloween & Christmas Packwalks, March Madness (Basketball), etc.
• Canine Good Citizen Training and Certification (through AKC)
• K9 Rec & Fitness Center with Members Lounge: DIY Thought-Provoking Gym memberships
A recurring comment from clients is how happy their dogs are when they realize they are coming to DePAW. “The dog's display of excitement assures the owner that they are truly happy and enjoy their visits with us,” says Caliendo. “We receive many comments about dogs that suffer from nervousness or have had other obstacles when outside their home and how much the owners appreciate our help and care, which allows their dog to overcome their fears. They love our report cards, photos, transparency and honesty in communications.”
One review — “Dog had so much fun that they don’t want to leave” — says it all.
“We take pride in what we do for a living because each staff member is the utmost pet lover and we get to do what we love for a living,” says Caliendo.
Emagine Entertainment carries the tagline of “The Magic of Movies and More,” a phrase guests especially channel at the theater’s Batavia location on the second Wednesday of each month.
That’s when Emagine Batavia, 550 N. Randall Road, hosts dementia-friendly screenings, allowing those with the cognitive disease and other memory issues to enjoy a moviegoing escape.
friendly screenings shortly after opening in June 2023. The theater and select locations within the Troy, Mich.-based chain also provide sensory-friendly and open-caption screenings during set times each month.
“The success of this is consistency,” Baker said. “It’s not just showing it once and then crossing your fingers.”
pandemic before locations began offering the screenings as an option.
The effort at Emagine Batavia draws up to 40 guests each month, Baker said, thanks to ongoing promotion within the community.
By Kevin Druley
Auditoriums feature softer sound and ambient lighting for the films, which typically are selections of classic movies or musicals that encourage singing, dancing and interaction between guests and caregivers.
“We want to provide an environment that will be able to be suitable for all,” Emagine chief operating officer Trevor Baker said. Emagine Batavia began offering dementia-
Sensory-friendly screenings at Emagine’s Saline, Mich., location helped pave the way for those catered toward the dementia community.
In 2019, Jim Mangi, director of the nonprofit organization Dementia-Friendly Saline, approached Emagine after attending a sensory-friendly screening with a family member. He wondered whether the company considered similar accommodation for older adults.
Collaboration between Mangi and Emagine followed, then endured the COVID-19
Dementia-friendly screenings at Emagine Batavia are especially a passion project for senior manager Phillip Ball, whose wife, Joette, serves as executive director of the memory care community Ardent Courts of Geneva.
Caregivers frequently find joy in the experience, as well. “They have tears in their eyes,” Baker said. “‘I haven’t seen my mom this happy,’ [or] ‘I haven’t seen her sing along to ‘Mamma Mia’ in a number of years and this was just such a pleasure to be able to come out and kind of have a routine of being able to have pop and popcorn again and be able to see it in a theater and sit with others.’
“So, it’s been accepted very, very well.”
Photo provided by Emagine Entertainment
DECEMBER 2024
Woodland Santa's Holiday Workshop at Hickory Knolls Discover Center
Cyber Monday - stock up on goodies from local businesses. Plenty of them have websites to order from! 3 2 1
Sundaes with Santa at Primrose farm for ages 6 and under. 8:45 a.m. or 5:15 p.m.
Books and Beyond Winter Special for Adults at the Geneva Public Library. Registration required
International Volunteer Day. 'Tis the season for giving!
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Sundays with Santa at Batavia Boardwalk Shops from noon to 2 p.m.
Illinois Libraries Presents: The Musical for all ages. This is a virtual event and registration is required. Find out more at gpld.org.
Take in a performance of "Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical" at Paramount Theatre in Aurora Happy Kwanzaa! Celebration runs through Jan. 1.
Splashing with Santa at the Vaughan Athletic Center from 9 - 11 a.m.
Stroll the North Pole at Pottawatomie Park and Community Center
and plan ahead for the month of December
Grab a
Books and stories deliver joy to the world all year long! Here are two recommendations for your December reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.
FOR ADULTS:
“Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever” by Matt Singer
Over 20 years of working side by side, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert went from being rivals to coworkers to friends, all while changing how we talk about movies. Roger Ebert, the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times. Gene Siskel, known for being competitive and ambitious, wrote for the competitor, the Chicago Tribune. In 1975 a TV show brought them together. They fought over everything, but their passionate disagreements were part of their charm. Film critic Matt Singer dissects the working relationship of Siskel and Ebert, and the many iterations of their TV program, “At the Movies.” “Opposable Thumbs” is an ideal read for anyone who loves movies, criticism and nostalgia while offering a peek into the lives of two Chicagoa legends. This book receives an enthusiastic two thumbs up.
– Allyson Palagi, Information and Reader Services Librarian
FOR TEENS AND ADULTS:
“The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams” by Daniel Nayeri Young Omar is fleeing for his life after running away from the monks who rescued him. When he runs into Samir, an effervescent traveling merchant, his fate changes in a moment. Now traveling along the Silk Road, Omar serves Samir and starts to learn the tricks of the merchant trade. Quickly, it becomes apparent that Samir has been less than honest in his business dealings, and many have sent assassins after him. Adventures await the traveling caravan, and Omar defends his new employer in increasingly creative and daring ways. Woven through each episode is the value of familial love and human connection. Perfect for lovers of adventure stories, travelogues and an interest in the historical Silk Road, this story is sure to entertain readers of all ages.
– Karen Maladra, Kids Landing Associate
Artist
OF THE MONTH
Dorothy Bury Shaw
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.
Dorothy Bury Shaw, an accomplished creative, has been a resident artist of Water Street Studios since October of this year. “Active in the Chicago area art community, I have always heard great things about Water Street Studios,” she says. “I participated in an exhibit there, Her Story, several months ago and felt a strong kinship with the Water Street artist community. You see, I had recently left a space I shared with two other artists at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago after ten years of doing art fairs. Water Street Studios felt like a perfect fit for me. A space became available, and I couldn’t be happier now that I’m part of this great community.”
As a young child, Bury Shaw discovered her artistic ability through free, unadulterated expression. “I loved to make art and make messes,” she says. “I melted crayons on our radiator to watch the wax drips and create pretty patterns. My parents didn’t approve. In school I was prone to doodling, and when doing a paper, I sometimes added some drawings to enhance it. It’s part of me, and it longs to be expressed.”
Bury Shaw has built a solid foundation in the Batavia community for more than two decades as her interior design business mostly served clients in town. “Batavia has a strong art presence and supports all the arts in many ways,” she says. “This is something I embrace; it is so critical in a thriving community.”
In her history as an award-winning artist, Bury Shaw reflects on the mural she completed for the Oswego Elementary School in 1993 as one of her most challenging projects to date. “It was very successful, in a style I used as an illustrator,” she says. “Bringing fun, beauty, and inspiration to the young students was the biggest reward.”
Last year, Bury Shaw suffered a back injury which threw quite a wrench in her everyday life. Still, she managed to continue producing art. “After my injury, I created a small 3D work, painting, drawing, and applying collage on a found object,” she says. “It became a turning point for me, returning to my art with new energy.”
In the community, Bury Shaw believes in the utmost importance of artistry and creativity for everyone. “The presence of art in a community uplifts it, distinguishes it from any other area, gives the town a heartbeat, a living, beating presence that energizes and welcomes those present,” she says.
To view more of Dorothy Bury Shaw's artwork and poetry, visit her website at www.dburyshaw.com. u A Few Dead Branches v A Journey Without Distance w Dorothy Bury Shaw working on A Land Unto Herself x Midnight Messenger About the artist
Dorothy Bury Shaw is an award-winning artist and poet. Born and raised in Chicago, she graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. Her initial exploration in editorial illustration gradually gave way to a deeper calling in fine art and poetry. She is an active member of the Chicago Alliance of Fine Art, the Elmhurst Art Guild, the Illinois Poetry Society and has a gallery/studio space at Water Street Studios in Batavia
For more information on the artist of the month, head to waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.
Fun family adventures to stay busy all season
By
ACTIVE winter break plan an
Jonathan Bilyk
Photos provided by Elgin Parks and Recreation, Fox Valley Park District and Shaw Media
The holidays always offer families endless opportunities to make amazing memories, filled with love and joy.
But with schools on winter break, there will also be quieter moments in which parents will almost inevitably be confronted by two words: "I'm bored."
Fortunately, Kane County's communities also offer an overflowing abundance of opportunities to get out of the house and keep making memories – or keep our young ones engaged and entertained, at least.
Here, we offer a list of just some of the kinds of Winter Break activities families can find from one end of Kane County to the other:
HIT THE ICE
"Christmas break is always such a fun and nostalgic time for people and there's nothing more nostalgic than skating with family and friends," said Gerianne Johnson, assistant office manager at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva.
Should the weather permit, the Fox Valley region is awash in opportunities for strapping on some skates and gliding on the ice at outdoor rinks. If temperatures go below zero for several days and remain cold, families love heading over the Depot Pond in Batavia for some free winter fun that has been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for generations.
Some other popular outdoor skating spots to consider include the rinks at Wheeler Park in Geneva and Lincoln Park in St. Charles.
Of course, if the weather is a bit too balmy, or your family prefers a more climatecontrolled environment, winter break is a great time to glide into a public skate session at the Fox Valley Ice Arena or Canlan Sports ice center in West Dundee.
Johnson noted the Fox Valley Ice Arena will host special afternoon Skate with Santa sessions on Dec. 21 and 22, as well as public skate sessions every day from Dec. 21-Jan. 5, including Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The arena will also host a free Holiday Ice Show on Saturday, Dec. 28 at noon.
GRAB A SEAT
If ice is your thing – or even if you just want to "let it go" – families can find magic and chills at the Paramount Theatre, as it presents "Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical." Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, the show brings to life Anna, Elsa, Olaf and the rest of the beloved characters from the Disney animated film. "Frozen" is playing through Jan. 19.
Local cinemas also continue to offer numerous topquality entertainment, often with special affordable matinee prices and concession specials. Family friendly films landing in the movie theaters this holiday season include "Wicked," "Moana 2," "Mufasa: The Lion King" and "Sonic the Hedgehog 3."
MAKE A SPLASH
When the weather turns cold, the thoughts of many turns to warmer climates and memories of hanging out by the pool or zipping down a water slide. Fortunately, local park districts and others have you covered there, too.
In Aurora, the Fox Valley Park District's Vaughn
Athletic Center, families can find open swim featuring access to a leisure pool, with a zero-depth entry and a two-story enclosed slide, body slide and interactive water play features, as well as a competition pool, which includes a Wibit floating obstacle course.
For families looking for some unique New Year's Eve fun for their little ones, the Vaughn Center will also offer its third annual Beach Ball Drop New Year's Party. Guests at the party will have access to the full range of water activities at Vaughn Center and will be able to enjoy a New Year's faux countdown at 7 p.m., complete with a big drop of beach balls into the pool, which kids can play with for the remainder of the event.
The FVPD said the event is growing in popularity, entertaining 150-200 kids the past two years. Guests must pay admission to attend.
"We know the winter holiday break is a unique time for families to spend quality time together and parents are looking for meaningful ways to get their children engaged," said Jaime Ijams, FVPD's Director of Recreation. "We offer a wide variety of holidaythemed programs, special events and performances that everyone can enjoy."
Families can also find winter aquatic fun in Elgin, at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin. The Centre offers guests public swim, splash and slide time at Adventure Island. Guests can find a 20-foot-tall water slide, diving boards, and a leisure pool, which the Centre describes as a "splash zone paradise," complete with "tumbling toucans, playful floor geysers, boat slide, spray arches and the thrilling spinning vortex." Open swim admission also grants guests access to the facility's lap pool.
CLIMB A WALL OR SLIP AND SLIDE
During the winter, all parents know it can sometimes seem as if their children are climbing the walls.
At the Centre of Elgin, families can find an actual wall to climb. Measuring 32 feet high by 28 feet wide, the towering structure offers more than 1,165 square feet of climbing surface, with two different sides to choose from, with five ropes and two auto belays. One side offers climbing paths for straightforward climbs, while the other features a slight overhang for more daring or experienced climbers.
Meanwhile, in North Aurora, visitors can find the region's first indoor "waterless slide" and air court park. Slick City Action Park opened in October, offering visitors a huge indoor play experience with several different "giant, dry slides" of varying heights and speeds, along with an arcade, zipline and more, as well as an area just for younger kids.
Winter also offers an abundance of opportunities to slip and slide outside, as well.
If nature has transformed the region into a winter wonderland, bundle the kids up and head out to the numerous local sled hills sprinkled throughout Kane County.
And no matter what the winter weather, the local networks of parks, trails, forest preserves always offer a chance to get outside and explore. Consider dropping in on popular nature centers, including Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles or the Red Oak Nature Center in Batavia. Weather permitting, Red Oak also offers snowshoe rentals, for a different kind of outdoor winter exploration experience.
GO CAMPING
While we love being outdoors, we're not necessarily talking about sleeping in a tent. Rather, families can find an abundance of winter break camp options through local organizations, including Elgin Parks & Recreation and the Fox Valley Park District, which offer special week-long or fun day camp options.
The Fox Valley Park District also offers special sports camps with instruction for soccer, basketball, volleyball and more. In West Dundee, Canlan Sports also offers winter break camps to improve ice skating and hockey skills, for all levels.
DROP ON IN
Check out your local park districts and public libraries for some daytime fun.
The Geneva Park District will offer Winter Day Off Fun Zone sessions. For kids ages Kindergarten-5th Grade, the events, running daily from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., except for Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1, will offer games and activities in the morning at Harrison Street School, followed by an afternoon field trip. Registration is required one week prior.
The St. Charles Park District will offer "No School Days" at Munhall. The special sessions will offer a variety of activities, including gym time, crafts, board games and outside play. They will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 23, Dec. 27, Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3.
Public libraries always hold the promise of quiet but enjoyable hours, spent in a comfortable reading room, lost in a good book, or watching the kids play and read in the children's area.
But libraries also offer a series of special winter break activities, too.
At the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, for instance, families can engage with their Holiday Craft-O-Rama on Dec. 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m., offering kids aged 3 and up the chance to drop in and make holiday-themed crafts; and on Dec. 26 from noon to 8 p.m., high school age teens can join in a Holiday Movie Marathon, with free hot cocoa.
And at the St. Charles Public Library, kids and families can find events including a Giant Game Day, featuring jumbo versions of popular games, Dec. 26; and the Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show, featuring magic, comedy and balloon props, on Jan. 3 at 11 a.m.
DECLUTTER YOUR
When it comes to holiday gift-giving, especially for kids, is anyone else tired of all the stuff? I really hear my privilege coming through when I say that, but I know I’m not alone: I know there are other parents out there who do the scan and sigh as they gaze upon all the toys their kids have. What could I do differently this year?
I’ve been saying this for years, but I think I’m finally going to do it this time: the great purge. I already mentioned it to my kids so let’s hope that creates some sort of accountability for me to follow through. I told them that Santa won’t be able to bring them new toys this year until they go through their existing ones and either toss them out (if they’re broken, missing pieces, etc.) or donate them to someone who
would actually play with them more often.
Then the task for me becomes, where do I donate them? Luckily, we have a thrift shop close to home that takes all manner of baby items and toys. In fact, I got a wonderful double stroller there earlier this year when I started taking longer walks with my toddler and baby together. Another option is the Buy Nothing group I am a part of on Facebook. If you have one near you, I highly recommend you request to join. Every time I do a decluttering, it surprises me how quickly my stuff goes to other people in this Facebook group. Once, I unloaded an entire bin of kitchen gadgets and supplies to someone who unfortunately lost their belongings in a fire.
The whole concept is quite sound: we
live in a throwaway society, but there is just so much stuff out there in the world that someone most likely has the item you need just laying around. Why not try to reuse items rather than buy new ones and contribute to that never-ending manufacturing cycle?
Another option could be having a bin of toys stay at either set of grandparents’ houses. It’s nostalgic for kids, young as they are, to go to Grammie’s house and pull out that old train set they never used to play with at home and say, “Oh yeah, I remember this!” The only issue is, will Grammie dislike the clutter coming to her house? True story: after visiting my parents in Wisconsin with my three rambunctious boys, I chatted with my mom a few days after we had left. She said she still hadn’t cleaned the glass on the French doors in her basement because she didn’t want to
get rid of all the handprints. So … no, I don’t think Grammie would mind!
Now Santa is of course going to bring the kids a few things – once the purge has been completed. (Accountability again, I must keep that up.) So, what are some items that will truly last a long time and not be cast aside?
For my kids, the tried-and-true toys are anything they can build with. If they can build it up and knock it down and do it all over again, it’s usually a hit. For that reason, Magna-Tiles have been on the gift list almost every year. They now have various sets of them available, including different environments and even some with wheels so the kids can create all sorts of trucks and cars. You may be a little surprised by the price tag if you look these up and be tempted to go for a cheaper
STUFF
imitation, but let me tell you, those Magna-Tiles really hold up. I have a bin of them, and they have been stacked and stuck together and smashed and destroyed over and over again. I have yet to see any damage on them. This type of toy is one that kids can all play with together; in fact, when we had cousins from another state visit us, they all gathered together and made some really amazing stuff.
Another time-tested gift is books. Especially if the kids can do something within the books, like coloring, puzzles, or stickers, I know they will be interested. Better yet, stickers that can be re-stuck and used again like window clings guarantee that they’ll be revisited. My kids have made some really creative scenes and told epic stories using stickers like these. As a parent, things that encourage creativity and imagination are always a win.
Just in Time for the Holidays
I hope this year will be a little different for my family, and I really do hope that my kids start to see the joy of letting go of the things they don’t really need anymore. I also hope that the suggestions of reliable gifts that have kept my kids entertained over the years might inspire you to go for gifts that boost creativity and won’t get tossed in that meh pile in the playroom.
n Sarah Cerovac is a high school Spanish teacher and mother of three wonderful boys.
CHAPTER Closing another
For parents of children of certain ages, the annual return of Jack Frost and his winter wonder-mess also heralds the return of a certain familiar ritual.
If you listen closely, you can hear it coming miles –and weeks – away. Wise families, of course, get out ahead of it. But if you’re anything like me, somehow, every year, it sneaks up on you, resulting in a mad dash through the stores or furious scrolling through pages of search results from Amazon, Walmart and other online purveyors.
At this point, some of you are no doubt groaning, as if to say: "Not another story about last-minute holiday shopping from the terminal procrastinators."
But take heart, then, for I bring good tidings of great joy, for this piece has nothing to do with Christmas shopping.
Serving Kane Seniors
Rather, we are talking here about the fallout of panic that accompanies the discovery that your young ones have somehow outgrown yet another pair of snow pants and boots – a dismay that is only magnified should the realization coincide with the approach of the first big snow of the year upon your neighborhood and visions of sled hills dancing in your children's heads.
If you're anything like me, just a few months earlier, when the first flowers poked through the formerly frozen turf, you had packed those items away in a tote or the back of a closet, content in the knowledge that the items would still fit when the millions of falling leaves had been supplanted by trillions of falling snowflakes.
Yet now, that same child who just a few months ago had more than enough "growing room" in their pant legs and shoes is somehow standing before you with their pant cuffs around their calves, while whining because the laws of physics say they cannot even squeeze their heels and toes into those boots they somehow only wore a few times.
(Dad Tip: If you haven't checked out the snow pants and boots selections at your local Farm and Fleet store ... you're welcome. If you don't have a local Farm and Fleet store, please accept my sympathy.)
As parents, we all accept the reality of our children's ever-constant growth, in mind, body and spirit. But at times, just as a 30-mph wind in January tends to sting a bit more than a similar gust in July, that reality just slap us a harder at certain moments. For me, that sting is felt most sharply nowadays when my youngest one slides onto my lap each evening, just before bed, in the small recliner tucked in the corner of her room. Just as many families, we end the evening with a few minutes of story time. In our home, it's a tradition that began with my oldest, before she was even able to understand more than a few words of English.
Over the years, both made much of the same progression, moving through rudimentary, mostlypicture books to some beloved children's classics, and ultimately, even journeys into dad's familiar fictional haunts of Narnia and Middle Earth.
And while the child may not realize it, dad makes those journeys knowing someday they will end.
I can't tell you the last evening I read to my older one. One night, we closed the book, placed it on the dresser, hugged good night, turned off the light and ... somehow, never did it again, as the "teen" side of "preteen" inevitably won out.
That same day is quickly approaching for the younger one. Even if I could somehow bury the gnawing but
barely conscious understanding of that moment's imminent arrival, the increasing difficulty of fitting this growing young person on my lap serves as a nightly reminder of the reality that, very soon, everything will change.
Again.
For tonight, though, as I hit "send" and close the computer, we'll repeat the familiar evening ritual, as many times as we can, until the remorseless drum of time forces us to close the book on that chapter forever. So, for now, allow me to wish you and your family, in whatever form or stage they may be:
Merry Christmas to all. And to all a good night.
n Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modernday dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him. He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also,the cape remains on back order.)
170 YEARS
Geneva Masonic Lodge No. 139 hailed its 170th anniversary in October with an open house and ribbon cutting.
The ritualistic, secret-handshake fodder often captured in popular culture depictions of the fraternal order of Freemasons need not apply.
For good reason.
“Everything associated with Masonry is charity-driven because we’re trying to help,” Lodge Senior Warden and Charity Committee Chair Jacob McConnell said. “We’re literally just trying to help people get along and be better.”
Located at 10 S. 2nd St. in Geneva, the lodge counts more than 100 members from around the Tri-Cities as well as Elburn, Sugar Grove, Aurora, and other nearby communities. The lodge took over its current spot in 1944, states an account on its website, www. genevamasoniclodge.org.
By Kevin Druley • Photo by Sandy Bressner
McConnell, who lives in St. Charles, rejoined the organization 16 years ago after some time away following a relocation. He first became a Freemason at a North Carolina lodge that dates to the early 1750s.
No matter the locale, the lodge’s commitment to helping the community endures, in McConnell’s experience.
Geneva Masonic Lodge charities include The Masonic Blood Sharing Program, The Illinois Masonic Home Endowment Fund, The Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program, The Masonic Service Association’s Hospital Visitation Program, and The Masonic Alcohol and Substance Abuse Alleviation Program.
The lodge also lends support through scholarships and involvement with youth groups and athletics.
“If you have an idea that can better either someone in the lodge but more importantly somebody in
the community, if your idea is, ‘Let’s donate some money to that’ and you can make that happen, that’s [awesome],” McConnell said. “That is rewarding.”
Various conversations at the open house centered upon educating the public about Freemasonry, a worldwide fraternity with centuries-old roots.
Early and mid-2000s accounts in popular cinema –remember the “National Treasure” series and “The DaVinci Code”? – commonly portrayed a secretive, mystic order. Geneva Masonic Lodge is an open book, suggests McConnell, who encourages men interested in membership to provide information via the Lodge website or by calling (630) 492-0611.
“Freemasonry, it’s funny,” McConnell said. “Don’t watch the Nicolas Cage movies and don’t watch the Tom Hanks movies because that is not what we do.
“Anything we can give back to the community and help build the community, that is the reward.”
OF SAVING HISTORY WITH PRESERVATION PARTNERS OF THE FOX VALLEY 50 YEARS
BY AL WATTS | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PRESERVATION PARTNERS OF THE FOX VALLEY
Driving Routes 31 or 25 through Kane County is often like traveling back in time. Embedded in the architecture of each community on the Fox River is the unique history of their earliest settlements spanning to today. One St. Charles nonprofit organization has been at the forefront of preserving this history for 50 years: Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.
The inspiration to form such a nonprofit began in 1969 at the opening of the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. In this newest preserve was a dilapidated, vacant, white brick and clapboard home built by the first white settler on the land in 1843, Bryant Durant. Recognizing its historic significance and fearing its poor condition would cause the Forest Preserve District of Kane County to demolish it, a campaign was launched to save it.
The district agreed not to demolish it. Volunteers began rehabilitating the house to be used as a museum of early settlers who toiled the prairies of Kane County. A nonprofit organization was needed to raise funds, so in 1974, five women – Evelyn Johnson, Lorraine Miller, Nancy Polivka, Norma Shearer and Rosemarie Thomas –founded Restorations of Kane County (later changed to Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley). Soon after, the Durant-Peterson House Museum opened to the public.
In the following 50 years, similar grassroots efforts to save and share local history continued with the support of Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley (PPFV). In 1982, PPFV acquired the 1850 William Beith House in downtown St. Charles, restoring it for the organization’s office space on the second floor and a museum on the first floor.
PPFV’s museum operations expanded with the addition of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Fabyan Villa Museum in 1995, the Fabyan Japanese Garden in 2002, and the Sholes School Museum in 2018.
The passion for saving historic properties never wavered. PPFV remained an influential voice encouraging the preservation and rehabilitation of dozens of historic structures such as the 1893 Viking Ship and Pure Oil Station in Geneva and the Judd Mansion and Jones Law Office in St. Charles. More recently, the organization has been deeply involved in efforts to save and repurpose the blacksmith shop / Mill Race Inn in Geneva and Heinz Cut Glass Factory in St. Charles.
From the passion of five women to save and reuse one historic home, PPFV has helped retain the historic character and charm of Kane County and the Fox Valley – ensuring those drives along Route 31 and Route 25 take you back in time, every time.
did it die?! Why
5 reasons a plant can meet an untimely demise – and a few tips to avoid it
I kill plants. There. I said it.
I’m a professional gardener with over 35 years of gardening experience, and I kill plants. Of course, I don’t like to kill plants, but it happens. And it happens to everyone and anyone who has ever bought a plant – whether a house plant (oh, man do I REALLY kill those), a perennial or a big tree. But why do these plants die? What can prevent them from dying? Are all those boring instructions and care sheets and sales people worth listening to? (Yes. Always yes.)
1
WATERING: We lose more plants to overwatering than any other reason. People just love their plants to death. Watering is a difficult technique to explain and master. You ask a room full of 100 plant people, “How much should I water?” and you will get 100 different answers. It’s one of the only things we struggle with each year on how to clearly explain and educate folks. Err on the side of caution. It’s better for a plant to be a bit too dry than too wet. Always check the soil. Check it like a cake. If the stick comes out wet, the plant is fine. If it’s hard to push in or comes out dry, give the plant a good soak. I overwatered a hydrangea and it promptly croaked. Totally my fault because it was next to my hose and got soaked every time I turned the water on or off. I ignored its pleas for help (yellow leaves, smushy stems) and now it’s gone, and I am sad.
2
NEGLECT: You cannot purchase a plant, leave it unattended on your driveway for three weeks and expect it to live once you throw it in the ground. Plants are living things. Water your plant until you are ready to plant it. (We leave plants in our sales yard all summer long … the difference? We water!) When a plant is newly planted, you’ll need to check on it weekly to make sure it’s doing OK. Doesn’t need water necessarily (see above!) but it needs to be at least checked on. Treat them like your kids. Granted, I ignore my teenager sometimes, but I still make sure he has food and water ...
IMPROPER PLANTING: It may seem trivial, but the depth at which you plant a new plant is extremely important. Watch the depth that you dig your hole (depth depends on the size
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of the root ball). You can dig a 5-foot-wide hole, but if it’s an inch too deep your plant will struggle. Planting techniques are complex, so always ask the garden center what the proper planting depth is for the specific plants you purchase.
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WILDLIFE: I hate rabbits with the white-hot intensity of a 1,000 suns. They have eaten everything in my garden at one point or another. I’ve lost full grown oakleaf hydrangeas. Hostas disappear overnight. The bottoms of all of my arborvitae – gone. All of my purple coneflower – gone. And pretty much every vegetable at one time or another. But I fight back. I use organic repellents (PlantSkydd is our favorite) and chicken wire. Don’t feel like you’ve failed if the rabbits get the best of your plants. Whether it’s a physical barrier such as wires or spray or a different plant that they don’t like, there are always solutions. I’ve used my own yard as a “rabbit-proof laboratory,” so ask me for a list of plants they don’t like. Together we will beat them.
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PLANT QUALITY: This one is probably the most important. I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t bought plants at big box stores (gasp!). However, I no longer have any of those plants in my garden as they just didn’t thrive. Flowering dogwoods, weird redbuds, gorgeous Japanese maples with unpronounceable names. All dead. It makes a big difference to purchase plants that are grown for our area and climate, in soil that is similar to our own gardens (I’m looking at you, Costco arborvitae ....). That dogwood I bought? The soil it was in was red clay. Red clay is in Georgia, not Illinois. The plant never stood a chance. Sure, add a weirdo or two that is dirt cheap to your garden, but if you are adding a shade tree or foundation plantings, spring for some higher quality plant material that is grown in and for the Midwest by local growers.
If you need additional support, I am always around in the winter to share a cup of coffee and commiserate over lost plants and garden failures as well as look to the future and all the new plants we expect in 2025. Hmmm … maybe we should start a Plant Support Group! Who’s bringing the doughnuts?
Meagan is the Senior Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com
A quick guide to charitable giving the Season 'Tis
With Thanksgiving leftovers still in the fridge and fresh holiday decorations ramping up cheer in your neighborhood, it’s the time of year when it is hard not to feel more festive and grateful than usual. Whether you are motivated to contribute to a worthy charitable cause or thinking about helping family, let’s take a brief look at some financial instruments you may want to consider using to help you make a difference.
DIRECT GIFTING TO CHARITIES
Philanthropy is an important aspect of generational wealth transfer because it can allow you to earn income tax deductions and transfer money out of your estate to avoid additional estate taxes. Although there are many strategies for philanthropic giving, the most common is through direct gifts. Even though this method of giving may seem straightforward, there are options for how you can choose to give, and there are benefits to each. Whether it’s through cash, securities, real estate or other assets, you can provide for a cause and receive tax benefits through direct gifts to charity.
PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS
For families interested in donating a considerable amount of wealth, setting up a private foundation may be a viable option. Private foundations are completely tax-exempt, although they can only grant up to a 30% income tax exemption rather than the 50% granted by direct donation. Private foundations are typically managed by a board consisting of family members and financial advisors who define charitable goals and manage donations. They allow this board to act as intermediaries between the donor and the chosen charity. Private foundations provide a unique way for families to come together for philanthropy because they allow relatives to be named to the board of directors.
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are designed to allow you to grow your donation to charity through investment. Donors, who can be individuals or groups, take donations and have a sponsor organization invest them. Although these sponsors charge fees for the creation and management of DAFs, the investment returns they produce help to build the value of the fund and can generate more money for charity than a simple gift. In addition, DAFs have no minimum distribution requirements. In terms of generational wealth transfer, DAFs can be especially significant because they allow the donor to choose a successor advisor to continue the gifting tradition within the family.
While DAFs do have many tax benefits that private foundations do not, they also allow the donor less control. You should consider that the official controller of the DAF is the sponsor who retains the right to disregard a donor’s choices if he or she deems a recipient charity to be unqualified.
CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS
Anyone can open a custodial account for anyone else under the age of 18. These are commonly known as UTMA Accounts (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act). The person who opens the account must name a custodian (they can name themselves) to manage the account with a fiduciary duty to the beneficiary. While the custodian controls the account and manages the investments, anyone can donate to it and there is no limit to how much can be contributed. The beneficiary owns the assets immediately but cannot access them until reaching the age of majority, which varies by state from age 18 to 21. The custodian is allowed to withdraw funds from the account before the beneficiary reaches the age of majority, but only if those funds are used for the benefit of the child (for instance,
for a new laptop or summer camp fees).
While some people see the flexibility of a custodial account as a benefit, others see it as a drawback. If you donate to a custodial account so your child can go to college and then your child decides not to, you have no say in how the money is spent. The beneficiary could squander the money at a casino and you would not have any legal authority to prevent that, despite contributing the money in the first place. Another potential drawback is the effect of the funds on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the sole purpose of this account is for future college expenses, you may want to talk with your financial adviser about other options.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
These are quick overviews of common vehicles used for clients seeking to make an impact while leaving a personal legacy. When seeking to maximize the impact of your personal giving, work with your financial and tax advisers both so you can make smart decisions and leverage your impact. You are also welcome to call our team as we are committed to helping clients assure their legacy.
Donors are urged to consult their attorneys, accountants or tax advisors with respect to questions relating to the deductibility of various types of contributions to a Donor Advised Fund for federal and state tax purposes. To learn more about the potential risks and benefits of Donor Advised Funds, please contact us. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.
Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager, RJFS. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. My Advisor & Planner is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.
Tom and his team are located at 107 S. 2nd St., Geneva, IL 60134 and can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-4574068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.
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