Holiday Happenings
festive events around town page 6
Family, Heart and Really Good Food
local women cook and bake with love page 19
Gateville Law Firm
One of the Best law firms in Kendall County page 21
Janna Misek Ins Agency Inc.
Janna Misek, Agent 1136 Douglas Rd • Oswego Bus: 630-554-1540
Holiday Happenings
Festive events around town
By Patricia MacMillan
Photos provided by Main Street Merchants, Oswego Holiday Express and Oswego Christmas Walk
The holidays are upon us with local events offering up the chance to celebrate the season. Throughout all the craziness, don’t forget to sit back, enjoy the present, relax and have fun.
Christmas Open House
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 Main Street Merchants, 218 Mitchell Drive, Plano www.mainstreetmerchants.net
This collective boutique will feature Christmas and winter home decor, jewelry, clothing, art and more. Local gourmet food vendors will have samples on hand, and the first 20 people to arrive will receive a door prize. The open house will also provide the opportunity to win a raffle basket, the proceeds of which will go toward the Christmas Wish Foundation, which helps a local family with gifts and groceries during the holiday season.
Oswego Christmas Walk
4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, December 6
Along Main Street, downtown Oswego www.oswegochristmaswalk.com
Merriment will fill the streets of downtown Oswego as the village celebrates its annual Christmas Walk. A tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Jackson and Main streets, and three stages will host live entertainment throughout the evening. Community members will have the opportunity to play holiday-themed games, decorate cookies, meet live reindeer and even whiz down an inflatable sled hill. The event will close out with an 8:15 p.m. parade of illuminated emergency vehicles.
Oswego Holiday Express
Various times, Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15 Oswegoland Park District South Point Center, 810 Preston Lane, Oswego www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org
All aboard for a trip the kids won’t likely forget. Since 2005, the Oswego Holiday Express has been whisking passengers away on a journey to the “top of the world.” During the event, families can enjoy a read aloud of “The Polar Express” as well as cookies and cocoa alongside Mrs. Claus and a visit with Santa.
“People enjoy the magic of this experience,” said Ashley Hartman of the Oswegoland Park District. “When they arrive, they may see Rudolph’s red nose in the woods and hear elves working on gifts. Everyone is welcomed with an open fire and thousands of white lights that illuminate the ‘North Pole.’”
A Merry Little Sandwich Christmas
4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, December 7
Veteran’s Park, Sandwich
Visit Santa, decorate cookies, watch the tree lighting and much more!
Kris Kringle Market
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, December 7
Emily G. Johns School, 430 Mitchell Drive, Plano www.planocommerce.org
Shoppers can knock out some Christmas gift buying while supporting local makers at the Kris Kringle Market. Among the finds will be unique home decor pieces, clothing and festive treats. The day will also include a visit from Santa.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, December 14
Yorkville Chapel on the Green, 107 W. Center St., Yorkville www.yorkvillechapelonthegreen.org
Enjoy time-honored holiday activities at this picturesque Yorkville chapel. The day’s events will include madrigal singers and a bell choir as well as a Nutcracker-themed youth dance performance. Children can take part in craft activities and story time as well as visit with Santa.
Yorkville
Holiday Celebration
Begins at 6 p.m., Friday, November 22 through Saturday, November 23 www.yorkville.il.us
The city of Yorkville will welcome the season in style. Friday night will feature musical performances as well as a parade of floats created by members of the community. Following the parade along Hydraulic Avenue, revelers are invited to head to Riverfront Park where a 22-foot tree will star in the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Saturday’s events include visits with Santa at his workshop located at the Yorkville American Legion as well as an all-ages one-mile Jingle Jog Fun Run and Rudolph Run 5K, during which participants are encouraged to dress for festive fun. Race registration fees support the work of the Knights of Columbus. The celebrations will draw to a close with a spectacular evening fireworks show at the corner of Route 47 and Countryside Parkway.
Holiday Shopping Experience
Shop Localfor the Holidays
Local treasure troves for unique gifting
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Photos provided by Blooming Succulents Studio, Earthwise Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa, Graham Cracker Comics, The Chocolate Shoppe and Viva La Funny
For gifts that are unique, fun, special and meaningful, look no further than the incredible small businesses in the community. From comics to chocolate, silly socks, and stylish fashion looks, there is sure to be something for everyone on your list.
Consider the gift of an experience together and do-it-yourself or buy a gift card, available online and in-store. This supports local businesses and lets the recipient explore and wander a new location. Shopping local does make a difference, keeping the dollars in the community and supporting that small business’s big dreams.
Blooming Succulents Studio
52 N. Adams St., Oswego bloomingsucculents.com
Give a gift of time together at one of the many Do It Yourself workshops and classes at Blooming Succulents Studio, which just marked its second anniversary this fall. In addition to the drop-in Succulent Bar where customers can get crafty picking out a pot and plant the studio hosts classes and workshops each month featuring easy-to-follow instructions to create beautiful pieces. This holiday season make an ornamental plant holder and create a piece with orchids. Subscriptions and gift cards are available online and in person. The shop also takes reservations to host parties, company events, and bridal and baby showers.
Earthwise Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa
472 E. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville yorkville.earthwisepet.com
Having just celebrated the shop’s one-year anniversary in Yorkville, this pet destination is truly a one-stop shop, offering an array of cat and dog foods, pet grooming services, and there’s even some cute pet home décor. Pet food offerings, including kibble, fresh and frozen foods, and all foods and treats, have been reviewed by the store’s nutrition team. The pet treats at the chew bar are organic, with no preservatives or dyes. Gift cards are available, making it a great place to shop for someone who loves their pets like family. On Dec. 15 the shop is hosting free pet photos with Santa, asking participants to donate to a local pet rescue center.
Graham Cracker Comics
624 W. Center St., Sandwich grahamcrackers.com
Every week the team at Graham Cracker Comics in Sandwich unboxes 400 new comic titles, and that means there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Sandwich location serves as a warehouse for the comic store and an office where, each day, loyal fans can stop in to pick up their ship-to-store orders. The local management team, comprised of Sandwich residents, helps unbox, organize, and distribute comics across the country and right in Sandwich. Shop the store’s online store for millions of titles that cover several decades of comics, or for the comic book enthusiast in your home, order a gift card to let them choose their favorites. There are also subscriptions for weekly and monthly comic distribution.
The Chocolate Shoppe
12700 US Hwy. 34, Plano chocolate-shoppe.com
With more than 200 candies and confections, there is something for everyone with English toffee, fudge, popcorn, jumbo rice crispy treats, and holiday favorites, including candy canes, peppermint bark, and cocoa bombs. There are more than 30 flavors of truffles, as well as chocolate-covered fruits, nuts, and dried candies. With such a sweet variety of treats, it’s easy to see why The Chocolate Shoppe is a multiyear award winner for Best of the Fox in Kendall County. Gift sets start at $5, making it easy to check off everyone on the list, from teachers to friends. If you need a hostess gift, bring one of their chocolate platters. Plan your shopping at the Plano location, open Thursday through Saturday, and the website has a full list of where to find the chocolates and items available for ordering.
Bella-gia Boutique
27 Main St, Oswego
From top to toe, Bella-gia Boutique in Oswego dresses their customers in quality, stylish clothing and accessories. Choose from gorgeous collections like Sage & Cream for Days, Puravida, Teleties and their very own fragrance line, among others, when gifting for someone special. Bella-gia has gift wrapping available and gift cards for those who would rather choose their own special pieces.
HAVE A BALL
Viva La Funny
145 E. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville vivalafunny.com
Silly socks, gourmet foods, fashion, and home décor are all housed inside Viva La Funny. The family business started as a pop-up shop eight years ago before moving to its home in Yorkville. The shop carries the Nora Fleming minis and Simply Southern, too. From wacky and silly to downright cute, there’s such a large assortment, the website and social media pages are just a few of the ways to see what’s in stock. Follow their TikTok page for even more gift ideas this holiday season. With fun rewards for gourmet foods and sock purchases, there might even be a little gift to treat yourself.
(we’re
every day)!
By Sarah Cerovac
When I recall winter holidays spent with my family, I always thought we were so basic or that we didn’t “do” anything for the holidays. Now, as a mother myself, I realize all of the things we did were our traditions, and they are extremely important to me as an adult.
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS CAN ‘Wonderful Life’
I am a Milwaukee native, and I grew up in the 90s (or the late 20th century if I want to be particularly self-deprecating) with my parents and two older brothers in a White, Catholic, suburban environment. As a child, I was always interested in learning about other cultures and their traditions, and I them fascinating. But as an average suburban kid, I always felt like I had no traditions.
We didn’t put out our shoes for the three kings (a Spanish and Latin American tradition), we didn’t light a menorah, we didn’t hide a Christmas pickle ornament for one lucky person to find (a German tradition). However, my one exotic and interesting Christmas tradition came from the Polish side of my family. I was always excited to share this at school when we talked about our Christmas traditions because I felt a little less boring.
The oplatki was a blessed wafer, much like you would see in a Catholic church, but larger. The tradition of the oplatki in my family worked like this: we would all stand around the table before Christmas dinner, and my grandma, or Busia [boo-sha] as we called her in Polish, would read a prayer in Polish. Then, each person would say one thing they were thankful for and one thing they wanted to pray for in the coming year.
You would break off a piece of the wafer and pass it along to the next person. We would all share, say a prayer together and eat our piece of the wafer. As a kid, I was always worried about saying something valuable but as I grew up, I became more in tune with just how bittersweet those gratitudes and prayers were. I think as my world became bigger, I also became more aware of just how much there was to wish and hope for in our futures and how desperately we miss these things when we lose them.
Another one of our traditions, which I’ve heard might be a Polish tradition as well, was to celebrate and open gifts on Christmas Eve. What we did every year was celebrate with both my parents’
CAN CREATE A TRULY
families on that night. Now, as an adult, I cringe just reading that, as I’m sure you do too—imagine the stress, the hustling from one side of town to the other!
As a child, I was always so excited for Christmas Eve. It was two parties and two sets of cousins to play with in one night. We often didn’t get home until one or two in the morning, but as a child, the type of tiredness I felt coming home after all that celebrating was just so satisfying.
Again, as I grew older, I was more in tune with how stressful this was for my parents. It didn’t hit me until I was a teenager; before then, I was just blissfully unaware. So, for the parents out there, I bet your kids are really just experiencing the magic, not the stress.
Of course, there were those years when we got some really special gifts that I’ll always remember. The year I got a giant outdoor cage, which was my parents’ way of surprising me with a pet bunny that I had been asking for; the year we got a giant box of K’nex; or the year we got a fancy box set of the Planet Earth documentary DVDs.
Then again, it was never really about the stuff. It was about the excitement of a new pet and all the years I had with her; the joy of playing with my older brothers, who included their little sister; the pleasure of just lounging around with my favorite people and marveling at a new documentary.
Christmas Day was always one of my favorite days. We slept late, made a big breakfast (pancakes, bacon, eggs, the works), and stayed in our pajamas all day. The nothingness of lounging around was so peaceful. The one thing we had to do on that day was watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
I’ve seen this movie every year of my life, and it still gets me at the end. These holiday memories are so important to me that they helped me find my future husband. On our second date, my thenboyfriend said that his family watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year on Christmas. It was that moment when I knew that this was a man to whom family was important and with whom I wanted to make our own traditions.
HOLIDAY PRODUCTIONS TAKE CENTER
Live theater and performances to enjoy this season
By Patricia MacMillan | Photos provided by Copley Theatre and Rialto Square Theatre
Shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking—this time of year is filled with what can sometimes feel like endless to-dos. Take a break (and a seat) to bask in the beauty, the wonder, and even the hilarity of the season with one or more of these holiday productions.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Sweater
Various times,
Thursday, November 21 through Monday, December 23
Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora www.paramountaurora.com
No need for forced joviality at this holiday must-do.
Second City’s annual holiday revue is ready to roast the many trappings of the season, be they tired traditions, awkward family gatherings, or the obligatory office party. The quick-witted performers of this famed comedy troupe will take to the stage with songs, sketches, and, of course, improv. Due to adult language and content, this show is recommended for those 18 years and older. Children under 11 will not be permitted.
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
7 p.m., Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14
2 p.m., Sunday, December 15
Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad St., Sandwich www.indianvalleytheatre.com
A child’s question to a newspaper editor is the inspiration behind this production. When eight-year-old Virginia O. Hanlon asks Ed Mitchell of the New York Sun if there is indeed a Santa Claus, the answer is an affirmation for all ages as it speaks to the power of belief and of the magic that fills the Christmas season.
CENTER STAGE
Holiday Radio Play
7 to 9 p.m., Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21
Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St., Oswego www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org
Experience the classic story of a curmudgeon who discovers the spirit of Christmas in a whole new way as Oswego’s Limelight Theatre Company presents “A Christmas Carol” in the style of a radio play. In this original adaptation, actors and foley artists— those responsible for creating and amplifying the everyday sounds necessary for such productions— will put on a show that transports audiences back to the time when families tuned into the radio for their favorite holiday tales.
Limelight offers acting opportunities for both children through adults, with auditions for “A Christmas Carol” taking place December 5-6. For details, visit www.limelighttheatrecompany.org.
> > > >
Find time to travel to the famous Rialto Square Theatre
Rialto Square Theatre is pulling out all the stops this holiday season with shows that range from festive favorites to those showcasing feats of astonishing agility. Still others are tailor-made for couples seeking to enjoy an evening of live music in a beautiful setting.
On December 1, audiences will be transported to the opulent fairytale world of The Nutcracker as Chicago Festival Ballet dancers—many of whom are local to the area—outfitted in exquisite costumes twirl and twist before ornate sets.
Jazzy holiday hits will fill the theatre’s elaborately decorated Esplanade December 2 through December 4. Featuring musical group, the Nova Soul Quartet, A Merry Little Soiree will also include a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine from the local Bishops Hill Winery for each twosome in attendance.
One of the most thrilling offerings to grace Rialto’s stage will be Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland. Musicians, singers and top circus performers will dazzle in a production filled with holiday music and gravity-defying acrobatics.
“The whole show is a spectacle for the eyes,” said Shane Richards, director of marketing services for Rialto.
Holiday Wonderland will take place on December 6.
Family, Heart & Really Good Food
Local women cook and bake with love
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Each week restauranter Mona Herrada slices, sautés, and serves thousands of hungry customers who line up for her tacos and flautas, but when it comes to the holidays, she turns her devotion to cooking for her family. And when it comes to Christmas, there’s one thing they all want – tamales.
“One year I made 700 tamales,” said the mom of five.
On Christmas Eve Herrada leads the tamale-making process, with her grown children and their families stepping in to make the fresh masa, fillings, and wrapping the tamales in the corn husks for steaming.
They make savory tamales filled with rice and beans, chicken and verde salsa, and of course, sweet tamales.
Herrada’s family background is Italian, but through marriage, she learned how to cook Mexican food. She was an accountant who cooked delicious meals for her children, including her oldest son, Freddie, who told her time and again that her food was “off the chain.”
He insisted she needed to open a restaurant so everyone could enjoy her cooking.
Seven years ago, Freddie died, and it devastated Herrada and her family. Filled with grief, she was in a deep depression. She remembers how her daughter pleaded with her to go on living for the rest of them. They needed their mom.
Herrada, inspired by Freddie’s love of her cooking, decided to pursue what he’d once asked of her. She purchased a food truck, and one of the first places she parked it was at Freddie’s favorite festival, Prairie Fest in Oswego. The food was a hit. Herrada began bringing the trucks to more events, and hungry customers followed. She’s catered corporate lunches, company picnics, weddings and parties. Her food trucks are a favorite at the Oswego High School football games.
Her food trucks are still rolling but she’s about to open the doors to her first restaurant, Freddie’s Off the Chain in downtown Oswego, where her customers can find her tacos filled with hand-trimmed steaks and the delicious cakes she makes on special occasions, like her coconut cake with whip cream frosting, her tres leches cake, or her German chocolate flan.
“My food is really, really good,” she said. “The people of Oswego have welcomed me with open arms.
BEHIND THE SCENES BAKER
For the last 18 years, Angie Hibben has been a part of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce. The CEO of the chamber is at the helm of events, programming, and promoting the community businesses. But at the end of the day, away from the phones and emails, she retreats to her kitchen, where she loves to bake for others, especially during the holidays.
“My grandma and a babysitter I had taught me my love of baking,” Hibben said.
If there’s an occasion, she’s finding a recipe for it. Hibben said she loves searching for new recipes to try and there are tried and true favorites too.
“I make a salted caramel fudge that people have asked for my recipe but I’m not sharing it yet,” she said.
She’s even mastered recipes that are gluten-free, for her husband and daughter to enjoy, like Scotcheroos. “It’s so much better to find gluten-free options now than it was 10 years ago,” Hibben said.
She has her grandmother’s recipe for sugar cookies copied to a cutting board that adorns a wall in her kitchen. She has more than 300 different cookie cutters.
Promote yourself to the attendees of the Christmas walk at the chamber office. Trolley drop off is at Byline Bank and there will also be activities at the Little White School House
She’ll be cooking for the Oswego Downtown Association’s Cookie Walk Dec. 7, and during the holidays, she is known for delivering her fresh-made creations among friends and family. She said her son is good at cooking, her daughters, like her, enjoy baking, and her husband tolerates the mess in the kitchen and usually helps her clean up as well.
“I like to make treats,” Hibben said. “I find new recipes all the time.”
GATEVILLE LAW FIRM
Ensure life’s decisions with one of the best law firms in Kendall County
By Patricia MacMillan
It’s not easy to contemplate death and what will follow for family members and loved ones. But the importance of careful planning for the future cannot be overstated.
Attorney Sean Robertson and his staff at Gateville Law Firm are experts in such matters, helping their clients understand the law
and ensuring their assets are protected and executed according to their specific wishes.
Established in 2018, the Yorkville-based firm specializes in estate planning as well as real estate law. “We are about fifty percent estate planning and 50 percent real estate,” said Robertson, who
“ “
Established in 2018, the Yorkville-based firm specializes in estate planning as well as real estate law. Most people either practice in one or the other, but the two go hand in hand.
~ Attorney Sean Robertson
founded the practice and employs eight legal assistants. “In terms of estate planning, we handle wills, trusts, advance planning, and tax planning for individuals and business owners.”
The firm is also well-versed in real estate law. “We help people navigate problems,” Robertson said. “Real estate is more complex than people realize. Often, people encounter title problems, and our staff can help.”
Combined, Robertson’s staff has more than 35 years of experience working in title companies, which are the organizations that conduct searches into property ownership and prepare the proper documentation for real estate closings.
“We concentrate on closings for sellers,” Robertson said. “In particular, we have expertise in closings for seniors. We work with inheritance matters and the transfer of real estate upon a death or incapacity. We also work with seniors who are selling their homes to move in with their kids.”
Gateville is unique in that it works in equal measure with both real estate and estate planning.
“It is very uncommon,” Robertson said. “Most people either practice in one or the other, but the two go hand in hand and there are gaps. A lot of real estate transactions deal with death and incapacitation, so it’s beneficial to understand real estate and how things are going to play out.”
The firm makes it a point to get to know their clients, some of whom come to Gateville with a solid understanding of the law, while others require more guidance. “It’s a real fact-finding mission,” said Robertson of initial conversations with clients who are beginning the estate planning process.
Often, the firm will work with clients as they consider what best meets their needs, whether it is a living trust or a will.
A living trust enables individuals to manage their assets, which may include bank accounts as well as real estate and personal property, during their lifetime and accounts for the distribution of their assets after their death. This legal document avoids probate, defined as a court-supervised distribution of assets, and allows for a smooth transition of property.
“One key thing with a living trust is that it has mechanisms in place,” Robertson said. “Let’s say a spouse and a child are deceased; in a living trust, we automatically account for these contingencies. These are foreseeable risks.”
A living trust also means a grantor can restrict inheritances. Often, this is based on age. “A lot of people don’t want their children or grandchildren to get access to money too young,” he said.
A will is a simpler document and less expensive to create than a living trust. Something Robertson points out with a will, however, is that it is required to go through probate, which means that it becomes public record.
This opens a will up to greater risk and an estate is more likely to be contested should there be a dispute or issue, such as the deceased having failed to update beneficiary information.
“Clients haven’t thought about these risks, and it could mean people inheriting their money who they don’t want getting their money,” he added.
Robertson recommended reviewing these documents, the living trusts or wills, every few years. They are also important to keep top of mind when significant milestone events occur.
In addition to helping clients understand the nuance of various legal documents, Gateville also works to protect clients with the smaller, but no less important, details.
“Let’s say you change your maiden name, we make sure the name on the asset reflects that,” Robertson said. “We don’t make assumptions, we do our homework, we catch problems.”
To that end, Robertson is conscientious about those he brings on board to the firm, playing to the individual strengths of his staff members. “With estate planning, you need people who are good with people,” said Robertson, who intentionally dresses in business casual attire rather than suits and ties so as to put the people he’s working with more at ease.
“I also have detailed people who are more introverted on my team,” he said.
It’s this approach and the care Robertson takes with clients and their assets that has earned Gateville Law Firm not only strong word-of-mouth referrals but its standing as One of the Best law firms in the 2024 Kendall County area Best of the Fox contest.
