KCC_ KC Magazine October 2023

The other morning my youngest son peeked out the window and noted how a nearby tree’s leaves had begun to change to a lovely crimson.

I smiled and told him how much I love fall. At its peak, it truly is one of the most beautiful things about living in the Midwest and it also creates countless opportunities to revel in autumn activities. In fact, one of my favorite fall pastimes is changing the décor in our home to reflect the new season.

Home and décor boutiques throughout Kane County offer a plethora of distinctive pieces to update your home or even find a gift for someone special. Red Hive Market is a wonderful boutique shop that features a multitude of curated artists (P. 12). For seasonal items to heirloom-worthy pieces, be sure to shop locally first!

My preferred home style and taste has evolved over the last few years, and I’ve begun to appreciate incorporating more modern and timeless elements into our home design. Be sure to check out a visual “how to” guide on P. 8-11 for some helpful design tips.

Managerʼs NOTE on the COVER

To add to the beauty of your home, visit one of our local art galleries and find a piece that speaks to you or completes the look you’ve been trying to perfect (P. 14).

Timely for the season, our feature on historic homes explores some intriguing and sometimes hair-raising histories of historical homes throughout the area (P.16).

Whether visiting haunted houses, adorning your front porch with fall decorations or indulging in pumpkin spice (or pumpkin carving), I hope you find time to cozy up and take in the season.

As always, thank you for reading!

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

Jamie Baker, Jonathan Bilyk, Patricia MacMillan and Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

Jaclyn Cornell, Local Sales Manager

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.

Local photographer Drew Pertl captures the Historic Corron Farmhouse in Campton Hills. Dive into the rich history of other historical homes –with a spooky twist – on page 16.

Next month: We celebrate Kane County’s Finest! See which businesses and destinations you picked as your favorite spots for shopping, dining and more.

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

s INSIDE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

7 EFFECTIVELY GORGEOUS Lifestyle Design takes your home to the next level

8 HOW TO DRESS A ROOM

Give yourself a gorgeous space to get inspired

10 BATHROOM DESIGN TIPS

Polish your water closet to perfection

12 AN ARTIST’S HAVEN

Find your next heirloom at Red Hive Market

14 AT THE GALLERY

Elevate your home décor with local artistry

16 HAUNTED & HISTORICAL

Uncover the secrets of these locally famous homes

18 SPRING ESTATE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Get your home ready to sell with the Move Smarter Team

20 BEES & WASPS

Every pollinator has a place in the garden

BEHIND THE BEST

22 DOGTOPIA

Bring your pooch to play and stay

23 SAGE HEALING COLLECTIVE

Invite holistic care to heal and

FAMILY IN FOCUS

26 DON’T LET GO OF MAGICAL SUMMER Suburban Superdad yearns for the summertime of yesteryear

29 GIVING KIDS SPACE TO PLAY St. Charles Park District helps foster imagination and motor skills

34 GRAB A BOOKMARK

Check out these reading recommendations for October

35 CALENDAR

Clip out these reminders for local events in Kane

36 ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Gary Cudworth astonishes with his sculptural works and detailed drawings

BUSINESS & CIVIC

38 CONFIRMING THE VALUE OF A GUIDE

What to consider when seeking a financial advisor

Lifestyle Design takes your interiors to the next level

EFFECTIVELY gorgeous

For many years, Lifestyle Design has carved their mark into the interior design scene in Kane County with an elegant flourish, satisfying a wide range of customers and creating spaces that are truly amazing to behold while staying true to the realistic needs of their customers.

“I started this business in 1986, I was a stay-at-home mom, and I was really interested in interior design, so I started some interior design classes and I’ve got a business and economics degree from Hillsdale College in Michigan,” says Owner and Principal Designer Bobbi Alderfer. “I worked for a major corporation for many years, and I decided I wanted to do something more creative.” Now, Alderfer’s company is bolstered by three interior designers and a number of associates, making it possible to take on an exponential amount of work. “I have three amazing interior designers that work with us – Kelly Trotz, Kate Steel, Kristina Gentile-Becker – and we have a team approach,” she says. “We typically have between 20 and 25 projects at a time.”

Though Lifestyle Design is capable of nearly any type of interior remodel, spaces such as kitchens, baths, additions and new construction are their particular specialties. “We’re very client-based,” says Alderfer. “We take a lot of time to get to know our clients, get to know their lifestyle, figure out if they have pets or children –things like that. That way, we can customize our designs to our clients’ needs. We feel our strengths we bring to

the table are the materials and knowledge the average homeowner may not have.”

Recently, Lifestyle Design completed the interior design work for Alchemist, a swanky cocktail bar in downtown Geneva, which was a complete overhaul of this former retail space. “That was our first restaurant and we’re pretty proud of that – we feel like we’ve really set it apart from other places in Geneva,” says Alderfer. Aside from their in-house talent, Lifestyle Design also utilizes a comprehensive cache of contractors and craftsmen to achieve their unique stylings. “When

we go into a project, we have a support team in that regard,” says Alderfer. “It makes it very cohesive, and we don’t just hand the plans over to someone, we want to be involved from the beginning to the end.”

When reinventing a space, Alderfer and her designers focus on functionality and exquisite aesthetics. “We’re working on a fun little project right now where we’re moving the laundry room out of the kitchen closet, so we took a formal dining room and split it up between a new laundry room that feeds out into the backyard and we are extending the kitchen into a butler pantry,” she says.

When it comes to the business as a whole, Alderfer’s clients, their personalities and their needs, come first. “Getting to know people and being part of the community are some of my favorite things,” she says. “People are my favorite part of this business and when it comes to design, I like problem solving and figuring out alternatives.”

Freshen and recreate your interiors with professionals who care and have the unmatched talent to transform your investments into spaces you’ll love.

n LIFESTYLE DESIGN

28 N. Bennett St., Suite D, Geneva 630-262-3366

www.lifestyledesigngeneva.com

By Jamie Baker • Photos by Michael Kaskell and Rachael Owen

how to dress a room

Color is back! Don’t be afraid to go bold.

Envelope the room with one paint color for a dramatic transformation.

Whimsy! Have some fun with the décor, but don’t overdo it. One fun piece may be all you need.

Layering area rugs serves two purposes: cover needed floor space and showcase specialty rugs.

A comfy Chesterfield sofa always adds style and texture to a library or study.

Incorporate accessories that have been carefully curated for high impact and interest.

Repurpose what you have. These bookshelves used to live in another room of the house.

Wallpaper on the back of bookshelves takes them from ordinary to extraordinary.

Glass coffee tables brighten a dark space and allow the beauty of the area rug to shine through.

Light fixtures can be the jewelry in the room and will elevate the styling.

For timeless appeal, mix modern and classic elements.

Keep it simple! Too much clutter distracts the eye from the true beauty of the room.

Tips from Geneva’s Lifestyle Design team

Photos by Ryan Ocasio Photography

BATHROOM

design tips

Compiled by Alaric Designs team • Photo by Ryan Ocasio Photography

Use larger sized tiles – fewer grout lines make the space feel bigger.

Balance values of light, medium and dark colors.

Keep larger elements in a neutral color with brighter colors and easily changeable decor.

Artist’s an Haven

FIND HEIRLOOM-WORTHY PIECES AT RED HIVE MARKET

By Jamie Baker • Photos by Bridget Johnson

ith 3,300 square feet to explore and experience a true celebration of local artists and their wares, it is easy to see why Red Hive Market is so beloved in Batavia and throughout Kane County.

Owner and operator Bridget Johnson’s number one commitment is providing a space for local artisans to shine and have the opportunity to share their work. Helping her customers find the perfect gift with lasting value is her purpose.

“I want folks to be able to get some really thoughtful gifts for their loved ones,” she says. “To me, one of the things that a small shop like Red Hive Market has going for it that corporate stores may not have going for them, is that we are a multi-artisan shop and those artisans create one-of-a-kinds. We have nothing massproduced. Everything is unique.”

The market’s artisanal pieces are intended to hopefully pass from generation to generation, creating tradition with the help of real, tangible artists. “I want to emphasize that we have really unique gifts – things that are of heirloom quality and things that can be passed on from one generation to another as opposed to them possibly ending up on a Goodwill shelf because folks are tired of them.”

One of her highlighted pieces, a macramé circlet with a pocket for vivid peacock feathers, is a prime example of a one-of-a-kind creation. “Those are real peacock feathers that this artist sourced from her family’s peacock farm,” says Johnson. “Those are feathers that their birds lose and are absolutely real. Those are the type of gifts that one should think about when purchasing for people

that they care about and for themselves, for the holidays and for decorating their homes – things that are really worthy of saving through the generations.”

The whole idea for Red Hive came about when Johnson’s husband made a very simple statement on the way home from Briana’s Pancake House. “We were at Briana’s one day for breakfast, and we turned on to Wilson and, on the right-hand side was a ‘For Rent’ sign on the original Red Hive Market and my husband said, ‘That’s going to be your next shop,’” says Johnson. “We checked on the rent of it and we thought ‘we could do this.’ I was ready for a change, and I was ready to open a boutique shop that was really artisanal as opposed to carrying wholesale items. We really wanted to create a place where talented artisans could really sell their craft.”

In addition to the macramé piece, Johnson also highlights a nifty, gorgeous cutting board and distinctive pottery. “The pottery is really special,” she says. “We have a potter at the shop, and she does a process called ‘salt pottery’ where she throws salt into the kiln and you get all of these beautiful variations in the clay.”

No matter what your taste is, or who you are buying for, there is a treasure waiting for you at Red Hive Market.

Best of the Fox award winner for Best Furniture Store, Best Home Decor and Best Hobby/Craft Store as well as One of the Best Consignment/Resale and Gift/Card Shops in Kane County.

Luxe Leathers to Fab Furs

Exclusively at York Furrier in the Elmhurst City Centre, for him or her, discover an unparalleled selection of gorgeous furs, stylish fine outerwear and awesome accessories. It’s time to update your outlook with YF Collection New Arrivals.

SHOP in-store or online NOW!

ART GALLERIES

Purchasing local artistry is one of the most authentic ways to add beauty to your home. Check out these artistic hot spots and find the most unique and interesting décor to enhance your aesthetic while supporting a local artist while you’re at it!

WATER STREET STUDIOS

160 S. Water St., Batavia 630-761-9977 | waterstreetstudios.org

116 GALLERY

116 W. Main St., St. Charles 630-549-6870 | 116gallery.com

Connect:

Elmhurst City Centre 630-832-2200 YorkFur.com/VIP

Furs | Shearling | Cashmere | Leather | Accessories

WSS is an accessible center for the arts hosting a plethora of resident artists and instructors for artists on any level. Within their historical building you’ll find creations that spark imagination and meaningful conversations. This gallery and art center is a main support for local artists in the Kane County area.

Located in a historical building and within Mixology Salon & Spa in St. Charles, 116 Gallery is the picture of elegance housing a variable selection of artistry and artistic mediums. This peaceful setting is also a place to consider for special events.

GALLERIES & Studios

ALL THINGS ART

1106 W. Main St., St. Charles 331-235-5032 | allthingsartstudio.com

With a main focus on instructing, All Things Art is home to many options for private lessons, birthday parties, events, classes and so much more. Dive right in and find your next favorite hobby.

FINE LINE CREATIVE ARTS CENTER

ST. CHARLES

37w570 Bolcum Rd., St. Charles 630-584-9443 | fineline.org

Featuring a range of artists in gorgeous exhibitions, and offering a variety of instructional courses and workshops, Fine Line Creative Arts Center is a great place to immerse yourself in the creative world. Check out special events and find the perfect gift with on-sale items to explore. Fine Line Creative Arts Center is also a great place to start patronizing local artistic movements or volunteer.

AUORA PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

20 E. Downer Pl., Ste. 3, Aurora 630-256-3340 | aurora-il.org/329/ Aurora-Public-Art

Patronized by the public and dedicated to artistic transparency, APAC is committed to offering the space for local artists to shine. Here you’ll find creativity featured by a variety of artists from Aurora.

GALLERY 200 WEST CHICAGO

103 W. Washington St., West Chicago 630-293-9550 | peoplemadevisible. com/gallery-200

This artist co-op in West Chicago is a perfect setting to view local and affordable artworks in a wide variety of mediums. Gallery 200 is also a division of People Made Visible.

Holiday House Tour, December 1 & 2

DECK THE HALLS!

Discover yuletide treasure in Geneva! Visit five spectacular homes all decked out with festive holly and sparkling holiday warmth. Tickets go on sale mid-October. Call 630-232-6060 or stop by visitgenevail.com for tickets, details and a complete schedule. The spirit of Christmas comes alive in Geneva!

& Historical

FIND OUT THE RICH, SOMETIMES SPOOKY, HISTORY OF THESE FAMOUS HOMES IN KANE COUNTY

BY PATRICIA MACMILLAN l PHOTOS COURTESY OF GENEVA HISTORY MUSEUM, LITTLE TRAVELER AND SHAW MEDIA

Historic homes hold charms absent from their modern counterparts, be it ages-old crown molding, mullioned windows or secretedaway little rooms.

But often, these homes are also known for containing something far more intangible. These Kane County properties hold tales of spirits reaching from across the great divide.

A storied past lies at 516 S. 6th Avenue in St. Charles. Built in the 1830s by businessman Leonard Howard and his wife Caroline, the home was seen as an otherworldly space long before the Howards passed away.

“In 1857, Caroline Howard’s son died, and she fell into a deep depression,” said Eric Krupa collections manager at the St. Charles History Museum. “Caroline then got caught up with the Spiritualist movement.”

Spiritualists believed the living could commune with the dead. Howard herself became a medium, regularly conducting seances at the house for others who’d lost loved ones. In 1871, a grief-stricken Mary Todd Lincoln visited the home seeking Howard’s services. There, she also found a friendship with one of Howard’s many daughters.

The property has seen its fair share of death, as passing away in one’s own home was the norm in the 19th century.

Owner of the home, Gail Waters, currently rents the property, disclosing to potential renters that the space is, in her words, “casually haunted.”

Waters tells stories of inanimate objects seemingly moving of their own volition. A television set has been said to change rooms, a lighter purloined from a pocket. One renter claims to have witnessed an unseen hand push a towel to the bathroom floor. But, she is quick to add, there’s never been a need for fear.

“The spirits are friendly,” she said, a smile in her voice. The building on the corner of Campbell and South Third streets in Geneva is now a stylish new restaurant, but long ago it was the home of Mayer Joshel, a Russian immigrant who rose to prominence in the area with his coal and feed business, even serving as the city’s mayor in the early 1900s.

Terry Emma, executive director of the Geneva History Museum, is very familiar with the space that was once Chianti’s Ristorante.

“The owner and staff of Chianti’s would tell us stories and the owner actually hired someone who came into the restaurant to get paranormal readings,” she said. In the captured audio, the listener can hear a voice saying “Joshel” among other snippets that seemed to pertain to the order of the day, Emma said.

“I think the ghost has unfinished business,” she mused.

The Geneva History Museum mines the spooky stories of this establishment and others for their annual Ghost Walks held in late October. Another among them is the famed Little Traveler on Third Street.

Betsy Koepnick works at the retailer, which was founded in the 1920s by Kate Rafferty.

“I haven’t had any spooky experiences at the store, although I do say good morning to Kate Raftery each morning when I go up to my office. She and her husband lived above the store and my office was evidently a bathroom,” Koepnick said.

But Koepnick has been privy to stories from others with strange encounters to share. These included eerie moments when merchandise flew off shelves and times when whispers and footfalls could be heard despite the fact that no one else was around.

Photos from left: (1) The Little Traveler building on Third Street in Geneva. • (2) Former Little Traveler owner Kate Rafferty and her husband, Edmond. • (3) 201 S. Third St. in Geneva, formerly the home of Mayer Joshel and now Chianti’s Ristorante. • (4) Portrait of Mayer Joshel.

A HISTORICAL HOUSE IN WAYNE Castle

It’s not hard to imagine the extravagant goings-on that were once held at the chateau-like Dunham Castle off Army Trail Road in Wayne. Built between 1878 and 1882 by Mark Dunham, the turreted castle is set on an expansive tree-lined lot with spacious rooms that were once adorned with ornate tapestries. Dunham, who headed a successful business importing and breeding horses, often hosted visiting dignitaries and other luminaries in his impressive home.

Longtime preservationists Dave and Karen Armbrust lived in the castle from 1987 to 2012 and undertook efforts to restore Dunham Castle. A large-scale renovation, under a new owner, has taken place in recent years. The property is located in the Oak Lawn Farm National Historic District and the Wayne Historic Sites district.

Your Ultimate SPRING REAL ESTATE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Spring might feel like it’s far off, but trust us: the real estate game is always in motion! It’s never too soon to get your home ready for a successful sale, even if you’re aiming for next year.

To make sure you’re all set for the lively spring real estate scene, we’ve whipped up this handy step-by-step guide to make your house shine. If the thought of buying or selling in 2024 has crossed your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friendly local realtor – that’s us, The Move Smarter Team! We’re here to help you on your journey to success.

o Contact a Realtor: Yes, this is No. 1 because it’s never too early to find someone who can advocate for you now. Contact Sam and Raul at 630-9678068, and we can provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to your specific needs.

o Request a Comprehensive Market Analysis

(CMA): Understanding your home’s current market value is essential. We’ll conduct a thorough CMA to determine the optimal pricing strategy for your property.

o Schedule Professional Photos: Don’t wait for spring to capture your home’s beauty. Have your realtor arrange for professional photos of your property while the weather is still favorable, ensuring you have stunning images ready when the snow melts.

o Boost Curb Appeal: Spring buyers are drawn to homes with excellent curb appeal. Consider enhancing your landscaping, painting the front door and making any necessary exterior repairs.

o Declutter and Depersonalize: Start decluttering and depersonalizing your living spaces. This will make it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living in your home.

o Deep Clean: A clean home is a must. Consider hiring professionals for a thorough deep cleaning of your property, including carpets, windows and all living spaces.

o Complete Repairs and Updates: Address any outstanding maintenance issues or necessary updates to make your home move-in ready. This may include fixing leaky faucets, updating lighting fixtures or repainting walls.

o Stage Your Home: Staging can help buyers see your home’s full potential. Work with your realtor to determine the best staging approach for your space.

o Set a Timeline: Plan your listing date carefully, factoring in the local market conditions and your readiness. Spring markets can get competitive, so timing is crucial and is the reason why it’s so important to come up with a plan with your realtor sooner than later.

o Consider Pre-Inspections: A pre-listing inspection can identify and address potential issues before they become deal-breakers during negotiations.

o Marketing Strategy: Work with your realtor to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, including online listings, social media promotion and traditional advertising.

o Start Thinking Like a Buyer: That’s right, it’s time to start searching for houses that are in a similar price range as your house. Know your competition.

Chicago. They can be reached at 630-303-1052. For information, visit www. themovesmarterteam.com.

The spring real estate market is like a whirlwind adventure, so getting a head start is your secret weapon to success. With this checklist in hand and the friendly expertise of The Move Smarter Team, you’ll be cruising toward a fantastic sale or purchase in the year ahead. Why wait? Reach out to us today, and let’s kick off your exciting real estate journey!

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

vs. BEES vs. WASPS

This time of year, we have many customers worried about bees in their landscape. So often, the term “bees” is used to describe any flying insect that can potentially sting you. However, not all stinging insects are actual bees!

Poor little beneficial bees such as bumblebees and honeybees get a bad reputation because of the darned yellow jackets, hornets and wasps that are often found outside in populated areas alongside the bees.

Bees are generally good – they are looking to gather pollen from your flowers, and their main goal is to get that pollen and nectar and feed their hivemates. Bees are required for us to have food, flowering plants and trees. Their numbers are quickly dwindling in the U.S. Our overuse of pesticides, destruction of habitat and use of nonnative invasive species is causing the bee population to plummet.

We should be planting more pollinator-

friendly plants to help secure their future, which in turn will secure our future. Honeybees pollinate over 150 agricultural crops in the U.S. alone. No bees equals no food for humans! Just producing honey is a full-time job for these little miracle creatures. Bee foragers must collect nectar from about 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey. The average forager makes about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime (source: honeybeenet. gsfc.nasa.gov). Plus, how cute is a fat bumblebee with his “pants” stuffed full of pollen? Those “pants” are called pollen baskets, or corbicula, and help them carry pollen back to the colony. Wasps, on the other hand, can be bigger jerks than the average bee. They are carnivorous and feed on meat/carrion, other insects and sugar from your open pop cans, glass of wine or rotting orchard fruit. Wasps such as yellow jackets are social insects that live in large colonies. They are very protective

of their food source and/or colonies, which causes them to be aggressive. Wasps such as yellow jackets or ground wasps can be scary if they are on your property, but if they are not near where you hang out, leave them be as they can be beneficial in controlling other insects such as mosquitos or other leaf-eating insects on your plants. Do your part to keep them away from your living area by keeping trash cans sealed, don’t leave food or drink out unattended and keep orchard fruit cleaned up so fruit isn’t rotting in the yard. Avoid spraying chemicals if you can, because sometimes that can make them madder; they are resilient and will just find a new way to bother you to protect themselves.

Some wasps do help pollinate native plants and can be beneficial to agriculture but are not usually aggressive. The great (or giant) black wasps do not sting because they have nothing to defend – they are solitary

Why it’s useful to invite bees into your garden – and how even wasps have their place in pollination and pest prevention

WASPS

insects that prefer collecting highenergy food like nectar from flowers to bothering humans. I will admit they are an intimidating sight to see at about 2 inches long, black and menacing looking. But if you watch them closely, they are busy eating as much nectar as they can and don’t care about the humans staring at them. There are also predatory wasps that will eat nuisance insects and can help naturally control pests without the need for pesticides. I totally understand that some folks are highly allergic to stings from flying insects. And yes, bees can sting if you

step on them, grab them or otherwise interact too closely with them. Some wasps will definitely sting you for no good reason. But you can safely plant many pollinator-friendly plants in your garden and the bees will not go after you. The beneficial wasps that gather near your flowers may be hunting for aphids or other pesky insects and won’t bother you, either.

Hopefully, if you are fearful of “bees,” you can learn to distinguish the good guys from the jerks and invite more pollinators to your garden with plants they love.

Meagan Provencher is the Senior Landscape Designer at Wasco Nursery in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Dave George, owner and operator of Dogtopia, is as dedicated to making you feel comfortable as he is ensuring your pet has an absolute blast every time they cross the threshold.

“We opened in April of 2019, 11 months before COVID, so we got established and then we had a rough year after that,” says George. “But we were back to pre-COVID levels since March of 2021 and double in size for three straight years. We’re all about the services and wellness of dogs. We do daycare and, within daycare, it’s really all about exercise and socialization. A lot of dogs don’t get enough exercise and they can be obese, which is not healthy for the dog.”

Some dogs are under socialized and show negative traits while on walks or have more aggression with other dogs. “Daycare helps them learn how to socialize in a safe environment, know that dogs can be their best furry friends forever and they can get the wellness they need,” says George. “It promotes a long

life, healthy dog and healthy relationships with humans.”

Dogtopia also offers boarding and has given dogs a temporary home anywhere from one night to as long as three months, though most boarders usually average their stay at a week or less. “We also do spa and grooming,” says George. “Spa is bath, nails ear cleaning and toothbrushing. Grooming is haircuts, trims or de-shedding. Some dogs will blow their coat, which is something that happens a couple times a year with some dogs.”

To de-shed dogs, Dogtopia uses a special shampoo and treatment and, in some cases, a high-powered tool that blows soothing, cool air against the grain and underneath fur, loosening hairs that would have otherwise found their way on the floor of your home.

“We also offer webcams in our playrooms, which is one of the top reasons our customers use us. They can see their dogs at play, how we are keeping them safe and our attention to cleaning,” says George. “In our environment, we

have three dedicated play places. We sort dogs by size and temperament and every dog goes through our version of a temperament test which we call a meet and greet, making sure they are a good fit for daycare and that they can be safe and play. The meet and greet and first day of play are always complimentary.”

Dogtopia is unique in their attention to detail when it comes to socializing dogs, recognizing that some dogs play better with bigger or smaller dogs. “We are an open play facility, which means that between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day, dogs can be in open play,” says George. “We don’t crate and rotate, and we do a two-hour naptime which just allows the dogs some downtime.”

Dave and his staff are elated to be named one of the best in Kane County, especially after their tireless efforts keeping dogs healthy and happy. “It’s so exciting, we work really hard here, and we strive to have a very safe and clean facility,” he says. “To be recognized by readers is just outstanding and we’re absolutely thrilled.”

By Jamie Baker | Photos courtesy of Dogtopia

Sage Best

S

“I’ve been a chiropractor since since 2007, but I was a massage therapist before that, dating back to the year 2000,” says Loveland. “I have another chiropractic doctor that works with me, Dr Kalli Prater, and she practices functional medicine, so using nutrition and lifestyle in addition to chiropractic care.”

In addition to the services Dr. Prater and Dr. Loveland provide, Sage Healing Collective also offers traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture with Amy Yehoshua. They provide services from 10 massage therapists, three estheticians, three nail techs, a stretch therapist, three yoga instructors as well as a sauna, foot baths, Reiki energy healing, aerial yoga and more.

“There’s about 33 of us and we are the collective,” says

age Healing Collective, opened March of 2020, is a breath of fresh air in the medical community. Customers love this collective for their range of services, holistic approach and effectiveness in healing. Dr. Emily Loveland, a chiropractic physician and founder of the collective, is dedicated to musculoskeletal health and treating guests with acupuncture as a specialty.Loveland. “We are very hands-on, and we practice very holistic methods. Our skincare is plant-based, our nail studio is all natural, and we really try to focus on services that are kind to the body and kind to the earth, so I think sometimes that’s surprising to people. We treat all kinds of things and have all walks of life come through our door. We have a lot of gentlemen that come in and we don’t just cater to women.”

Selfcare is intrinsically important for any individual focused on staying healthy for themselves and their loved ones. “The better you feel, the better you take care of others around you or are present for those

By Jamie Baker l Photos by April Duda Photography

around you,” says Loveland. “We provide a safe place for people to come and get kind, compassionate care for themselves so that way they can spread kindness to other people.”

On the back of their gift cards, Sage Healing writes that they practice Prasada. “It is a state of spontaneous generosity,” says Loveland. “And the more you give, the more you get in return. We really try to give back to our guests and give back to our community and in return they have been very, very supportive of our business –it’s grown significantly over the past three years.” Being named one of the best in Kane County has been an honor for Dr. Emily Loveland and her collective. “It just shows that our guests are going online and they’re shouting it from the rooftops that they found a place they like to be, and they want to tell others about it,” she says. “It’s really cool when we get that support, and it keeps us very busy and very inspired to bring on more services for guests.”

n SAGE HEALING COLLECTIVE 525 S. Tyler Road, Suite S, St. Charles 331-901-5672 | www.sagehealingcollective.com

moto imōto

oto imōto, a favorite of the Kane County community, is dedicated to their delicious flavors and scrumptious menu.

Chef and Culinary Partner Mike Bomberger, along with President and CEO Brian Goewey, understand the vital nuances of creating a standout restaurant.

“We really want to celebrate all the beautiful aspects of Pan Asian cuisine,” says Bomberger. “When Brian and I put moto together, that’s really the feel that we wanted; it would be a great place not just for one kind of Asian cuisine but rather to bring together all cultures of Asia.”

moto imōto’s menu is truly spectacular, featuring classic staples and more modern perfect pairings.

“We have your typical menu with crab wontons and pot stickers, and our awesome spicy edamame, but also feature Korean fried chicken wings with Gochujang barbecue sauce, paired with an Asian pear salad. It’s just absolutely phenomenal,” says

Bomberger. “Another example is our lumpia, which are Filipino-style egg-rolls with pork and shrimp, Napa cabbage, green onions, bib lettuce and it comes with a lot of fresh herbs like mint basil and cilantro.”

Among their more unique offerings are the lobster curry bisque, a beloved Thai noodle steak salad, and the must-try coconut ube cheesecake for dessert.

“We’re also well known for our sushi rolls, so you have your classic avocado + cucumber, California and Philadelphia,” says Bomberger. “Then, we get into our signature rolls like our tempura sweet potato roll, our fire dragon roll, dynamite roll, moto imōto roll and others. Everything is made with fresh, sustainably caught fish.”

moto imōto serves as an inviting gathering place for friends and family, as well as an ideal destination for a romantic date night. Guests can take advantage of special offerings like half-price sushi Tuesdays for dinein or carryout, happy hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or their enticing bento box lunch special.

“In the bento box lunch,” says Bomberger. “You get a choice of rice, a house salad or miso soup, avocado, spicy tuna or California roll. The main entrée for the lunch box specials include a choice of orange chicken, honey sesame chicken, miso salmon, flank steak, honey sesame shrimp or Panang curry chicken, which is made with coconut milk, carrots, Thai herbs and fresno chili in a red curry sauce.”

As one of the best in Kane County, moto imōto remains grounded and grateful. Bomberger emphasizes, “Brian and I don’t take anything for granted, especially our team members and that’s who really makes the restaurant – they are like our family,” says Bomberger. “We work side by side with everybody and that’s really the key!”

Make sure to carve out time in your schedule to savor the diverse array of delightful offerings at moto imōto, a perpetual crowd pleaser.

For additional information and reservations, visit their website at www.motoimoto.com.

moto

By Jamie Baker l Photos by Kelly Vanderploeg, Christopher Krause and Natalie Johnston

Whenever the topic of generations comes up, invariably my wife and I will face the question from someone significantly younger.

It goes something like this: “Tell me again: What generation do you belong to?”

Sure, I could tell them to do the math, or direct them to use their digital appendages to sniff out the dates, definitions and defining characteristics for themselves.

But it’s usually significantly more fun to talk it through, make certain they understand we are not “Boomers,” and endure the eyeroll and sigh from my older daughter in a vain attempt to warn bystanders about the incoming history lesson. One of the most fun parts of the exercise has proven to be a game that we shall call, “What Is This?”

The game usually involves pulling up images of old-timey devices that were ubiquitous in the golden days of yore and ask them if they can:

A) Correctly identify the device and its function, and

B) could actually use one if it were placed before them today.

On more than one occasion, pulling out an old floppy disk has elicited from young’uns the universal sound of the mental light bulb turning on, followed by: “So, that’s why the save icon looks like that.”

At other times, the discussion may turn to people, places and events the whippersnappers may find hard to comprehend.

Things like:

• Walking the aisles of a Blockbuster video, where finding that night’s movies could prove even more fun than watching the actual film; or

• Spending a Saturday afternoon at the mall, dropping into the arcade, after browsing new tunes at Sam Goody, books at B. Dalton, naughty nonsense at Spencer’s and walls filled with new audio-video doodads and gizmos at Radioshack; and summers that actually lasted more than six to eight weeks.

As I write this at my home in northern Illinois, it is early September, where the weather and the season still feels quite summery, even though it has been weeks since many parents on my social media feeds began to lament the lightspeed-like velocity with which the season supposedly ran its course. Indeed, August 2023 has proven in many ways to be the most summery of all summer months.

Yet, in many ways, the month of August has become summer and fall to what the month of March is to winter and spring.

Just as the cold wind slapping us in the face through most of March tells us it is actually still winter, despite the social assurances that tell us it is now spring, the “real feel” temperatures certainly remind that August is, in fact, still very much summer.

Yet, for some reason, we now talk about August as if it has become the first month of fall.

It’s the time of year when supposedly rational adults have conversations with other supposedly rational adults that go something

like: “Oh, you know we’d love to come down to the lake to see you, and the weather looks great, but you know, with summer ending…”

At risk of triggering teenage eyerolls, allow me to say: Back in my day, it wasn’t like this.

Your memories may be different, but for me and my friends, summer never seemed to “fly by.” No one said things like: “Summer should get a speeding ticket.”

The reason? As you may recall, summer vacation actually spanned the entire summer.

Now, according to a report from Pew Research, with the notable exception of kids living in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, most students return to class across most of the U.S. by Aug. 18, at the latest. And in Illinois it’s now usually even earlier than that, with back-to-school seeming to creep ever closer to July.

Anyone who has been south of the Mason-Dixon line in August would likely agree that, in the South, this can make sense. Who would want to be outside in, say, Mississippi or Georgia in August, anyway?

Save those off days for the true months of spring and fall when the heat and humidity don’t turn you

into a puddle on the sidewalk.

But in places like Illinois, where March is not really spring and November shouldn’t be considered anything more than winter’s opening act, to lop off virtually an entire month of summer and rebrand it as “fall” should be borderline criminal.

It’s likely a good reason why folks in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin – where the winds of winter are much more than a topic for songs or the title of the supposedly forthcoming latest installment of an interminable series of best-selling fantasy literature by George R.R. Martin – have made it illegal for public schools to begin before September.

In generations past, the length of summer provided time to not only fill your days with summer events, but still have surplus hours to truly get bored. Now? Our slashed summers leave precious little time for anything more than a week or two of family adventures, with the rest of the calendar from Memorial Day to Aug. 1 already loaded with the usual array of weddings, graduations, reunions, sports and more activity-based “camps” than anyone could possibly attend or need.

For those of us from previous generations, whose internal seasonal calendars were printed on outof-date memory banks, the summertime cognitive dissonance is real and palpable.

It gnaws at the back of our minds, as we race against time, hoping our kids can enjoy a similar kind of summer experiences, and cultivate similar magical memories of summer wonder that we hold in our hearts, without ultimately breaking down and asking us, out of frustration, “What is this?”

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.)

PLAY Giving Kids Space to

St. Charles Park District fosters imagination and motor skill development through facilities and programs

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

District

Swings, a slide and a large climbing structure are the basics of nearly any playground. However, if you ask a 5-year-old, they’ll tell you these objects are much more.

The swings blast off like rocket ships and the ladder to the tower will lead to a secret headquarters that can only be escaped by facing fears and swishing down the slide. Playgrounds are more than just fun. They are an essential element as children play, grow and imagine. From mastering the monkey bars to learning how to pump their own legs to propel a swing, these motor skills help a child’s physical wellbeing as well as build their confidence.

Photos courtesy of St. Charles Park

In the preschool program at St. Charles Park District, children have ample time for free-choice play on Pottawatomie Park’s playground equipment and on the nature play area at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, explained Kara Guizzetti-Reif, Early Childhood & Preschool Supervisor for the St. Charles Park District.

“Play is a valuable time for children to learn, imagine, take chances and make mistakes,” Guizzetti-Reif said.

Using a climbing structure helps a child build self-confidence and physical strength, navigate relationships with peers, practice problem solving and relieve stress, she said.

Keeping playgrounds in safe, working order is a priority for the St. Charles

– Kara Guizzetti-Reif Early

Supervisor St. Charles Park District

Park District, said Superintendent of Parks and Planning Laura Rudow. Twice a month facility staff, who are certified playground inspectors, visit each playground in the park district as well as the school playgrounds located within the park district’s boundaries.

The park district and St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 share resources to care for the playgrounds, Rudow said. Within the park district’s capital plan, which maps out the next three years, the park district sets goals for playground improvements and replacements. This year the park district supported improvements to the playground at Munhall Elementary School and replaced equipment at Kehoe, Timber Trails, Red Gate and

GALLERY of Ghoulish Homes Tour Tour

Delnor parks. The old equipment at Delnor Park was donated to a village in Kenya through the program Kids Around the World, Rudow said.

Rudow, who grew up in Aurora and graduated from Rosary High School, attended college to study agriculture and business, but it was her work in the local park district that led her to a career working for local park districts for more than 20 years. One of her favorite aspects to the role is when the park district initiates the plans for playground renovations and the architects present the first concept drawings. The park district hosts meetings to collect public comment and Rudow said some of the best feedback comes from children as they look over the drawings.

Judging Nights: Fri-Sat • Oct 13 & 14

Tour guides available Oct 13 at 9am: stcparks.org/halloweenfun

Looking for local bike trails?

“I love getting the kids’ perspective,” she said, adding how the children are quick to recognize a favorite piece from another playground or ask questions about the colors.

Feedback from local parents helped her direct the improvement to enclose Kehoe Park, affectionally called the “Rocket Park” with fencing. Rudow said parents wanted a playground where children could use equipment and parents wouldn’t have the worry about a child leaving the area. Rudow said the fencing has been well-received with positive feedback.

Rudow and her team are always seeking the best options for the ground cover in playgrounds. While some residents like the poured in place surface, which is in place at playgrounds in Pottawatomie Park and Mt. St. Mary Park, Rudow said it is quite expensive and it requires more frequent replacement. Woodchips inhibit accessibility in addition to the annoyance of having pieces get into shoes. This year the park district is trying a new surface with a synthetic turf at Timber Trails Playground.

“It’s a nice, clean look,” Rudow said. “The turf will function much better than mulch for accessibility too.”

Accessibility is important as well, with an inclusive playground including a full wheelchair swing at Pottawatomie Park as well as high-back swings at Baker Field Park and Fairview Park.

And of course, the main objective is fun. Discover the kid-size zip line at Haseltine Park. The Mighty Dragon at Taly Park is a local favorite. Outside of Hickory Knolls Discovery Center visitors love to explore Hickory Hideout where you can hop among the tree stumps, balance across a wooden log or climb a boulder.

Grab a

FOR ADULTS:

“Nettle & Bone” by T. Kingfisher

In her dark fantasy “Nettle and Bone,” T. Kingfisher weaves humor and magic into an engaging tale. Marra is the youngest of three princesses in a fantasy realm. Because of the weak status of their kingdom, Marra’s two older sisters were forced to marry the same awful prince, with disastrous results. One died, while the other lives in fear. To save her remaining sister, Marra approaches a gravewitch to help kill the prince. Thus begins an epic journey in which Marra joins an eccentric cast of characters including a dog made of bones, a reluctant fairy godmother and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, they must complete three impossible tasks to save Marra’s family. Filled with magic and humor, and a small touch of romance, “Nettle and Bone” is an excellent entry point into T. Kingfisher’s extensive backlist of darkly funny fantasy, and perfect for the autumn days that invite you to burrow under the covers for an absorbing read.

– Sophie Popovich, librarian

FOR KIDS:

“The Grace of Wild Things” by Heather Fawcett

This is a beautiful fantasy retelling of “Anne of Green Gables.” Grace has an affinity for magic and a love of poetry, but such traits do not endear her to her fellow orphans or potential adoptive parents. Desperate for a home, Grace runs away to the woods where a witch lives. Hoping at last to have found someone to understand and care for her, Grace instead ends up in the witch’s oven. A savvy Grace strikes a deal with the witch: If she learns all 100 ½ spells in the witch’s grimoire, the witch must teach her magic, but if Grace fails, the witch can take away Grace’s magic — possibly her life — for good. As Grace tackles increasingly difficult spells and makes friends with local humans and magical creatures alike, she and the witch form a bond that changes them both in unexpected ways. A lyrical story of a young girl’s unrelenting spirit and imagination, those who loved the original “Anne of Green Gables” will enjoy how some of the classic scenes and characters are rewritten with a magical twist. This book is recommended to readers 9-12 years old who enjoy themes of found family and overcoming hardships, and to those who like cozy, historical settings.

– Erin Kay, librarian

Autumn is the perfect season to cozy up at home with a book! Here are two recommendations for your October reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

Artist gary cudworth

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.

As an incredibly talented sculpture artist and illustrator utilizing the interesting characteristics of paper to create his pieces, Gary Cudworth has been featured by several major organizations, becoming a resident artist at Water Street Studios a little more than a year ago. “I use simple materials: Acrylic paint, oil paint and other surface treatments to create trompe l’oeil effects on paper fabrications,” says Cudworth. “The versatile paper shapes I create allow me to form sculptures with a kind of rhythmic, themed abstraction. The intent is to develop a narrative that is evocative of a loss of purpose or past struggles as well as a sense of mystery and timelessness.”

Cudworth also draws in astonishing detail as part of his artistic repertoire. “I am exploring themes that have elements of abstraction along with representational objects and figures,” he says. “These are influenced by daydreaming walks in nature, Peter Breughel and his allegory paintings, John Tenniel’s ‘Through the Looking Glass’ illustrations as well as Polish Sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz.”

Currently, Cudworth has been working with larger-scale paper structures, a concept that is fairly new to the artist. “As I create the sculptures, I formulated principles to follow, and the first principle is that there can be no wood or metal supporting these pieces,” he says. “It’s a 100 percent paper structure. I put this principle to work and wrestled a bit with different ideas to accomplish the goal, but I eventually developed methods of working that add a good deal of strength to the structures. Just a couple weeks ago I finished one element of a paper sculpture that is 7’ tall and two feet wide.”

Cudworth believes in the value artistry brings to the community, and thoroughly enjoys the process of creating. His work is authentic and unique. “A young woman was looking at one of my pieces and said, ‘This piece sings to me,’” says Cudworth. “I was surprised and pleased because I didn’t know how folks would respond to my art. Her statement made me understand that people seek connection with art. Our search for meaning. Art can bring out emotions and nuances of emotions that we don’t experience in our daily lives. Emotions that can surprise and delight, or make us contemplative, even melancholy. A whole range.”’

To view more of Melisa Celaya's artwork, follow on Instagram @issaxartt.

u Marcz 1: Wall paper sculpture

v Remz 1: Paper sculpture

w Falter in the Stubblefield: 24 x 36, pen and ink and graphite

DETAILS OF Gary Cudworth’s WORK: About the Artist

Gary Cudworth has been working with Paper as a sculpture medium for many years, fabricating unique shapes, and exploring innovative surface treatments and techniques to help him explore different themes. His work has been exhibited at The Roy Boyd Gallery in Chicago as well as the Chicago Art Expo and he has work in corporate collections such as McDonald’s Corp and General Electric Corp.

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

3.

2.

VALUE

Confirming the GUIDE of a

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SEEKING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR

If you are a golfer, your bucket list probably includes going to Scotland and playing some of the historic courses there. I was fortunate enough to have this opportunity in September and was reminded of the value of having good guides.

Whether contemplating the travel company that coordinated the trip, our transportation driver (Derrick) or the caddies, the trip would not have been the same without their help. Although we may have saved some money trying to do this ourselves, the wisdom and guidance provided was priceless and well worth the investment.

Tom and George

Allow me to share a specific example. One of the courses we played was Carnoustie. This course has records of tournament play going back to the 1500s and is regarded as one of the best courses in the world. My caddy that day was George. George first started as a caddy there in 1974, and the list of things he does not know about the course and how to guide a golfer successfully through it must be extremely short. George quickly sized me up, and I’m sure realized he had a challenge due to my embarrassingly high handicap. Nonetheless, he deftly maneuvered me through the hazards all while engaging in entertaining conversation. The result was a memorable round in a spectacular setting. Hiring George was one of the best investments I could have made.

When it comes to navigating your financial course, many of the same benefits can come from working with a qualified financial advisor.

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.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

When choosing your financial guide, here are a few suggestions for areas to explore.

n QUALIFICATIONS: Not all financial advisors are alike, and you will want to do your homework.

• What licensing does the advisor have? To help assure that recommendations are based on solutions that might best fit your situation rather than run the risk of them being restricted due to a lack of advisor qualification, look for FINRA Series 7, 65 and/or 66 securities licenses as well as Life & Health Insurance licenses for your state.

• Is there a history of any client complaints or any enforcement actions by regulators? Visit www.brokercheck.finra.org as well as your state’s insurance department website to review the advisor’s history.

• Are there any additional industry certifications? If so, what are they and why are they relevant to you?

n NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP: What capacity will your advisor be working in?

• Will your financial professional act in the capacity of a broker or will they have a fiduciary responsibility holding them to a higher standard? In general, brokerage activities are held to a suitability standard whereas investment advisory relationships require that the advisor put your interest before their own. Both can have their place. Make sure you know in which capacity your advisor functions and why.

• How will you pay for services? Commissions, fees or both? What are your total costs going to be, including the underlying investment products’ expenses?

n COMMUNICATION, COMMITMENT AND CHEMISTRY: When preparing to work with a financial advisor, keep in mind that this relationship could last for years, if not decades.

• With what frequency will you communicate with your advisor and how will contact occur?

• What confidence do you have that your advisor will stay current with the marketplace as your situation evolves?

• Are you comfortable conversing with your advisor and her/his team? Is there a mutual respect? Will he/she have the rigor to stick with their principles, or will they just tell you what you want to hear?

Whether you are evaluating your current advisor or seeking to start a new relationship, we wish you a safe and prosperous journey!

P.S. A special shoutout to teammate Sharon Piet and her husband Tony for the recent marriage of their son, Steven, to Joey King. See the September digital edition of Vogue for highlights of their wedding and the assistance planners provided to help assure a spectacular event. Best wishes to the new couple!

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 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

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