LEARN TO TRUST YOUR GUT WITH THE MODERN NUTRITIONIST
MEET THE AREA’S ATTORNEYS CREATE A SHARED RECIPE COLLECTION WITH FRIENDS
Taylor Leddin-McMaster Magazine Editor
Letter from the Editor
The ingredients for putting together an issue of Lifestyles of Kankakee County includes a serving of creativity, a hearty spoonful of organization and countless cups of coffee. Mix that together with dashes upon dashes of collaboration, and you have yourself a magazine. Coffee (page 8) is an integral part of my work day. I’m likely immune to caffeine at this point but any placebo effect is enough for me. While I’m always happy to make a Starbucks or Dunkin’ run, I love the local options we have for quality coffee. Though it doesn’t always make my gut (page 23) feel great, my brain is usually a fan. Almost any time I have a bite of a baked good, I turn into my grandmother by saying, “Oh, this would go well with my morning coffee!” Thanks to the collaboration of some friends, I have some tasty recipes (page 32) on hand to make delicious baked goods to accompany my morning cup (or two). As part of my 2024 goals, I’m pushing myself to also drink more tea. It’s currently addition without subtraction, but maybe one day I’ll be less reliant on coffee beans and more interested in the health benefits of a Vitamin C tea. Whatever warm and cozy beverage gets you through these chilly winter months, I encourage you to pour yourself a cup and enjoy the flavors while diving into this first issue of Lifestyles for 2024.
Contributors: Tiffany Blanchette, Chris Breach, Nick Frillman, Paul Fruhwirth, Shalone Graves, Taylor Leddin-McMaster, Caitlin Mellendorf.
Photographers: Tiffany Blanchette and John Fetterer.
Caffeinated options aplenty throughout the county
In our fast-paced, get-it-done-yesterday world, coffee (and/or tea!) can be a person’s best friend. Luckily there’s no shortage of tasty drinks around town. In addition to multiple locations of beloved chains Starbucks and Dunkin’, Kankakee County is overflowing with delicious coffee concoctions.
ON THE SMALL-BIZ MENU
• Connect Roasters — 141 S. Main St., Bourbonnais
• Recharge Coffee Co. — 415 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais
• Stefari West Avenue — 267 S. West Ave., Kankakee
Two long-time Kankakee County staples had a big year in 2023 as one moved to a larger location and the other opened a brickand-mortar shop.
Stefari West Avenue: Stefari West Avenue — formerly known as Stefari Café when it was located in the Majestic — has opened the doors to its new location on South West Avenue in Kankakee. Now serving cocktails and dinner in addition to its coffee/tea and breakfast/lunch fare, the new location offers more options for diners.
“It’s been good. Our community has been amazing,” Ari Frunze, who owns the restaurant with husband Stefan, said shortly after opening last summer.
The new space has occupancy for 49 customers, with dining options available for table and booth seating as well as seating at the coffee/ cocktail bar.
Unlike Stefari Café, Stefari West Avenue has a host that seats diners at their tables, and servers come to take orders at the table rather than orders being placed at the counter.
There still is counter service for carryout and pick up orders, as well as for purchases of bags of coffee and tea.Now with offering three meals a day, the new location stops breakfast service at 11 a.m., though coffee and toast options still are available past that time.
Coffee and tea orders often are served in handmade mugs created by Courtney Zimmerman, of Momence, who has been featured in Lifestyles as a Local Artist and a member of Thriving 20 Under 40.
Now at 267 S. West Ave., Kankakee, Stefari’s hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed from 2-3 p.m. each day to prepare for the evening.
Connect Roasters: A long-time fixture at the Kankakee Farmers’ Market – as well as having an online presence — selling ground coffee for at-home use, Connect Roasters opened its brick-and-mortar store in Bourbonnais in October. Assistant Manager Elissa Natale said things so far have “been fantastic.”
“The support from the community has been amazing,” she said. “We’ve been super busy and steady throughout the week which we couldn’t be more thankful for.”
Natale said that, “at the very least,” there were over 100 patrons on opening day and that they were “busy the entire day.”
“[From] the morning till we closed, the line was wrapped to the back of the room.”
She added that the pastries — which are made by a French baker in Mokena — sold out within the first half hour of opening day.
Other popular items include the Maple Spice Latte, as well as other seasonal flavors.
“A plain latte has been a go-to for many,” Natale said.
Founder and owner Caleb Benoit said in January that things have been going well with the cafe and “the feedback from the community has been great.”
He noted that, based on said community feedback, the cafe has added more food items to the menu, including gluten-free and allergen-friendly items. Connect has started carrying products from the local pop-up bakery, Sweet Darren’s, including cinnamon rolls which Benoit said “have become customer favorites.”
He said these first several months of store-front operation have “been an exercise in taking feedback from customers to improve.”
The shop is open 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
POP-UP SPOTS
The following coffee creators bounce around town through popup events, farmers’ market appearances and more.
Brew Head Espresso — facebook.com/BrewHeadEspresso
Llama Bean Coffee Co — facebook.com/llamabeancoffee
LoveALatte — facebook.com/LoveALatte.Coffee
COMING SOON
The MILL Co./ Elizabeth & Grace: Soon in St. Anne, people will be able to browse clothing while sipping on coffee and nibbling on freshly-made sourdough bread.
Sisters-in-law Tiffany DeRocco and Jordyn Dietrich are turning their dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar coffee shop and boutique, respectively, into reality by merging the two businesses under one roof.
Coming soon to 101 Dixie Highway in St. Anne will be The MILL Co. — specializing in coffee and sourdough bread — and Elizabeth & Grace — a clothing boutique that currently has an online presence.
The MILL Co./Elizabeth & Grace
Guess which local, small-business coffee shop is behind the photographs of signature beverages.
A. Pistachio Latte; Stefari West Avenue B. Java Chip Smash Frappe; Uplifted
Bistro C. Cortado; Connect Roasters D. Cold brew with whipped
cream & caramel drizzle; The Well E. Protein iced coffee; Utopia Shakes & Teas F. Lavender Haze iced latte; Recharge Coffee Co.
A. Pistachio Latte
B. Java Chip Smash Frappe
C. Cortado
D. Cold brew with whipped cream and caramel drizzle
E. Protein iced coffee
F. Lavender Haze iced latte
DeRocco has dreamed of owning a coffee shop since high school when she used to hang out at Moon Monkey in Bourbonnais. After realizing her affinity for baking sourdough — with the help of a starter dough named Tina that was gifted to her by Dietrich — she opted to merge the concepts into one business, The MILL.
After operating online for years, Dietrich had been looking to own a storefront for her boutique (which is named after the middle names of herself and her sister) and has been “looking for ways to make it more unique versus being just a boutique.”
When it dawned on the in-laws that they were both looking for brick-and-mortar, they decided “to combine both our dreams into one space.”
The MILL, DeRocco said, is named after there having been an old saw mill in St. Anne. With this, she is “paying tribute to the history while starting something new.” The name, partially allcaps, was from her desire of wanting something “simplistic and classy that would stand the test of time."
All of the coffee will be made in house and there is an espresso machine. She’s working with a roastery in Indiana and plans to feature different roasters across the country and eventually from overseas. Adding in the made-from-scratch sourdough is her way of “bringing that artisan style bakery back at a local level.” The sourdough loaves will have different names for each flavor (e.g. “Salty Blonde” will be standard sourdough and “Spice
Girl” will be jalapeño cheddar.
“Coffee shops bring so many different people of so many different backgrounds together and where ideas unite,” DeRocco said.
Patrons can sip their coffee while exploring Elizabeth & Grace, which sells mostly neutral-colored clothing and caters to all sizes.
“I’m a very neutral dresser so that’s where that comes from,” Dietrich said.
For updates on the shops’ progress and opening date, search “The MILL Co.” and “Elizabeth & Grace” on Facebook.
INSIDE HOSPITALS
Kankakee’s two area hospitals both feature their own coffee shop inside the main hospital centers for visitors and patients.
Uncommon Grounds (Riverside Medical Center)
Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop (Ascension Saint Mary)
Additionally, there is a bevy of sit-down spots, from Blue’s Cafe to Yolks & Berries to Berry and Butter, that offer coffee with dine-in meals. To enjoy your coffee at home, couple it with Chocolate Espresso Blondies, which can be found on page 35.
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Modern Nutritionist Brianna Mesenbring values overall health
By: Taylor Leddin-McMaster • Photos by: Tiffany Blanchette
If there’s one thing Brianna Mesenbring trusts, both literally and figuratively, it’s her gut. The literal trust is what got her interested in the science of gut health and nutrition, and the figurative trust is what made that interest into a career. The founder of Bourbonnais-based The Modern Nutritionist, Mesenbring helps teens and adults — specifically women struggling with acne — to heal by enhancing gut health.
“I am 100% a believer of trusting your gut,” she said. “Being a woman in today’s society, I feel like women are always pressured
to turn away from and sort of ignore their gut feels — we’re told how we should look, how we should behave, how we should dress, what our body size should be — I feel like it’s really easy to turn away from ourselves and not be in touch with our own intuition.”
She said that it’s important for people to be in touch with their bodies and not ignore the sensations or messages that a body might be trying to send. It was this concept that got Mesenbring to where she is now.
PATH TO HEALTH
Growing up in Bourbonnais and graduating from BradleyBourbonnais Community High School, the 31-year-old recalls her mother encouraging Mesenbring and her siblings to continue their education.
Initially unsure what to do for her career, Mesenbring opted to attend massage school in town. Once that program was complete, she followed her interest in exercise to Illinois State University where she got a degree in exercise science. Upon completing the program, she was introduced to functional medicine and found an online graduate program with a focus
the research for 40 hours per week. [It was] pretty grueling work, but very rewarding.”
After two years in her research role, Mesenbring began forming her business and working with clients. In 2021, she returned to live in Bourbonnais and decided to make the clinical practice work. She still massages a few hours each week and finds that aspect of caring for the body an important piece of the puzzle showing the picture of overall health.
“I think it’s this whole-body approach that people are starting to wake up to and realize the importance of,” she said regarding the concept of marrying nutrition, exercise and overall wellness.
Being a woman in today’s society, I feel like women are always pressured to turn away from and sort of ignore their gut feels — we’re told how we should look, how we should behave, how we should dress, what our body size should be — I feel like it’s really easy to turn away from ourselves and not be in touch with our own intuition.
“It’s not just what you put into your body, it’s also how you’re managing your stress. If we’re in this constant state of fight or flight, that wreaks havoc on what’s going on internally.”
Stress, she said, is something that is always going to be there.
“It’s not going to go away so we have to find ways to be friends with it or use it to our advantage,” she said.
Massage is one of the ways to bring relaxation as it provides a momentary escape from stress.
on that area of study as well as human nutrition.
“It all kind of fell and snowballed together,” she said, explaining that functional medicine seeks to sniff out the root cause of a certain condition. Instead of covering it up with medication, a health professional will see what kind of underlying, physiological imbalances are going on and then will work to correct that.
When she finished the graduate program, her mother suggested that Mesenbring go into nursing. However, with her knowledge of functional medicine, she felt that she wanted to help people with their health and intervene before a nurse or doctor was needed.
“Being so passive about your health, to me, seems really backwards,” she said, adding that just taking a pill to cover up the problem rather than getting to the root can cause more problems down the road.
“You should do everything you can to avoid disease and dysfunction,” she said.
Rather than going the nursing route, she took a research position with a supplement company in Wisconsin. Part of her role was writing various sections in several textbooks aimed at educating functional medicine practitioners.
“That was like the coolest gig ever,” she said. “We just dug into
“If you’re relaxed and in a super mellow state, then you’re more likely to make better decisions – when it comes to diet, food, moving your body; rather than being in this frantic state,” Mesenbring explained.
Other stress management tools she recommends to clients is journaling, meditation and a move where you bounce or shake your limbs in order to release pent-up energy.
“That or go to a rage room,” she said with a laugh.
THE MODERN NUTRITIONIST
Opening up a brick-and-mortar space for The Modern Nutritionist in September 2023 at 215 N. Convent St., Bourbonnais, Mesenbring works with anywhere between 15 and 18 patients in a week, both in person and through telehealth.
She also massages about four clients per week.
She explained her main focus now is merging the concept of gut health (which she deemed as her “first love”) with clearing up acne.
Mesenbring shared that she struggles with acne and found that higher amounts of dairy and sugar can cause breakouts.
“That can be kind of a trigger for me and I’d rather have clear skin rather than have that momentary satisfaction of having
[dairy or sugar],” she said.
This personal experience brought her to a point of wanting to help others with similar struggles. She developed a CLEAR method that she uses with patients. For more information on this, see page 25.
“My main focus is helping women struggling with acne by optimizing gut function,” she said, noting she’ll work with patients from a food and lifestyle aspect first and foremost. From there, methods such as using supplements might be explored.
Within this main focus is zeroing in on more one-on-one work in the clinical setting.
Outside of working with clients, Mesenbring offers live webinars through Facebook on the subjects of gut health and acne. She also gives talks at events held at Foster Chiropractic and Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy. She’s preparing to do her first three-hour continuing education course at Kankakee Community College at the end of March titled “Bridging the Gap Between Gut and Mental Health - What’s the Evidence?” which explains that what’s happening at the level of the gut is happening at the level of the brain. The course is open to all and is encouraged for allied health professionals who can earn contact hours.
“All of this, it just helps to restore a person’s confidence and
[allow them] to work on loving themselves, truly from the inside out.”
MEET BRIANNA
When not busy working, Mesenbring said she leads “a pretty simple life.” She enjoys teaching her dog, Mika, new tricks and taking her for walks at Davis Creek. She also enjoys spending time with her fiance, as well as reading and simply sitting and thinking.
And, of course, focusing on her own health.
“I do really enjoy being in the gym; it’s something that makes me feel really good.”
For more information on The Modern Nutritionist’s approach to gut health, see page 25 or visit themodernnutritionistco.com.
TOP ATTORNEYS
KANKAKEE COUNTY AND RIVER VALLEY
At some stage in life, everyone will be in need of an attorney. Whether it’s for an exciting business venture, to settle an issue of divorce or custody, or to assist with estate planning, lawyers always will be needed. In the Kankakee County and River Valley areas, the community has access to a bevy of attorneys with a myriad of legal expertise. The next time you’re in need of a lawyer, you don’t have to look much further than your own backyard. In the next few pages, meet the area's Top Attorneys.
provided by the Kankakee County Bar Association
ANN BREZINSKI LAW OFFICE, LLC
Real estate, Probate, Wills, Living Trusts, Guardianship
Attorney: Ann Brezinski
755 Almar Parkway, Suite D, Bourbonnais IL, 60914 815-932-4720
ANTHONY BRUOZAS & ASSOCIATES P.C
Civil Matters such as insurance coverage, property damage, business, and estate disputes
Attorney: Anthony Bruozas 1250 North Convent Street, Unit B, Bourbonnais IL, 60914 708-370-0769
BARMANN, BOHLEN & SCOTT, P.C.
Personal Injury, Family Law, Municipal Law
Attorneys: Glen R. Barman, Christopher Bohlen and Brian Scott 700 River Drive, Kankakee IL, 60901 815-939-1133
BRIAN HIATT ATTORNEY AT LAW
General Law, Criminal Defense, Family Law
Attorney: Brian Hiatt
One Dearborn Square, Suite 655, Kankakee IL 60901 815-304-5441
CLAIRE CHAPLINSKI ATTORNEY AT LAW
Real Estate, Estate Planning, Mortgage Foreclosure, Probate, Municipal Law
Attorney: Claire Chaplinski 232 N. Industrial Drive, Bradley IL, 60915 815-939-7155
DAVID M. JAFFE LAW OFFICES
General Law Business Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law
Attorney: David Jaffe 200 East Court Street, Suite 212, Kankakee IL, 60901 815-936-9186
DEANNA CARLSON-WEBB
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Real Estate, Estates,Probate, Family Law.
Attorney: Deanna Carlson-Webb One Dearborn Square, Suite 400, Kankakee IL, 60901
815-939-4472
DECK & BARON ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Civil, Corporate, Real Estate, Real Estate Planning and Administration, Commercial Litigation
Attorneys: David Baron, Dennis Baron and Gregory Deck 200 East Court Street, Suite 508, Kankakee IL, 60901
815-939-7373
EDWARD GLAZAR ATTORNEY AT LAW
Family Law, Criminal, Traffic, Personal Injury
Attorney: Edward S. Glazar One Dearborn Square, Suite 655, Kankakee IL, 60901
Attorney: Mark S. Kawinski, Managing Partner 116 North Chicago Street, Suite 200A, Joliet, IL 60432
815-727-5445
GODIN, DENTON, & ELLIOTT
Personal Injury, Criminal, DUI, Worker's Compensation, Divorce, Custody Attorneys: Jeffrey Godin; John Denton; Nicholas Elliott; Shavez Rosenthal, Associate 123 W Street, Momence IL, 60954 815-472-2634
JOHN BOYD ATTORNEY AT LAW
General, Civil, Trial, Real Estate, Criminal Defense, Municipal Attorney: John J Boyd 18 Briarcliff Professional Center, Bourbonnais IL, 60914
815-263-2693
JOHNSON & DEVINE LAW OFFICES
General Practice, Probate, Estate Planning & Real Estate
Attorneys: John M. Devine and Kay Johnson
130 Cherry Street, Watseka IL, 60970 815-432-3936
KIMBERLEY DONALD ATTORNEY AT LAW
Family Law, Adoptions, Criminal Defense, DUI & Traffic
Attorney: Kimberley Donald One Dearborn Square, Suite 600, Kankakee IL, 60901 815-935-5655
LANGHENRY, GILLEN, LUNDQUIST & JOHNSON
Medical Malpratice, Nursing Home & Senior Living Defense, Construction Law, Insurance & Appeals
Attorneys: Anastasia Hess, Troy Lundquist and Mohammed Nofal 2400 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200, Joliet IL, 60435 815-726-3600
LAW OFFICE OF ELSE J. SCHILLING
Traffic, DUI-DWI, Criminal, General Practice, Commercial Real Estate
Attorney: Else Schilling One Dearborn Square, Suite 600, Kankakee IL, 60901 312-485-2833
LAW OFFICE OF LARRY SERENE
Small Claims Suits, Real Estate, Wills & Estates
Attorney: Larry Serene One Dearborn Square, Suite 429, Kankakee IL, 60901 815-933-8715
LAW OFFICES OF TONY BRASEL
Collection, Bankruptcy & Debt, Real Estate, Divorce & Family Law, Estate
Attorney: Tony L Brasel 201 Park Place, #12, Bourbonnais IL, 60914 815-937-9939
MALDONADO FAMILY LAW, LLC
Divorce, Parentage, Custody, Child Support, Family Law
Attorney: Rita Maldonado 51 S. Main Street, Manteno Illinois, 60950 815-907-7207
MARK R. STEFFEN LAW
Criminal, Family Law
Attorney: Mark Steffen 605 S 5th Avenue, Kankakee IL 60901 815-935-1211
MEENTS LAW, P.C.
Family Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning
Attorneys: Ethan Chinouard, Frank Meents and Austin M. Willis 25158 West Eames Street, Unit A, Channahon IL, 60410 207 S. Water Street, Wilmington IL, 60481 815-534-9515
MOSSING & NAVARRE, LLC
Personal Injury, Nursing Home Negligence, Medical Malpractice
Attorney: Adria East Mossing 30 North LaSalle, Suite 1524, Chicago IL, 60602 312-262-6700
NEELEY REGAS P.C. INC
Estate Planning, Probate, Evictions, Real Estate
Attorney: Neeley P. Regas 1 Dearborn Square, Suite 400, Kanakee IL, 60901 815-933-6681
PATRICK BOVIE ATTORNEY AT LAW
Personal Injury
Attorney: Patrick Bovie
320 West Illinois Street, Unit 915, Chicago IL, 60654 815-514-9573
PATRICK T. DUNN ATTORNEY AT LAW
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Attorneys, Bankruptcy Law Attorneys
Attorney: Patrick Dunn 1250 N. Convent, Suite B, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 815-933-6637
PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES
Housing, Divorce, Custody, Guardianship, Wills
Attorneys: Kaley Baish and Ketura
Baptiste
187 South Schuyler Avenue, Suite 350, Kankakee IL, 60901 815-935-2750
RAZANNO LAW OFFICES
Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Administration
Attorney: George P. Cuonzo PO Box 300, Watseka IL, 60970 815-432-4987
SPESIA & TAYLOR, ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Employment and Civil Rights, Municipal Law
Attorneys: Alex Boyd, Haley Peters, Michael Santschi, Michael Stiff and Jeff Taylor 1415 Black Road, Joliet IL, 60435 815-726-4311
SPIROS LAW FIRM
Personal Injury
Attorneys: Jordan Butler, Senior Associate; Danielle Cain, Partner; Jennifer Eldridge, Senior Associate; Katie Hubbard, Associate Attorney; Alison Kimble, Senior Associate; Sandra Loeb, Partner; Berta C. Sasso, Associate Attorney; Miranda Soucie, Partner; and James Spiros, Founding Partner 1230 West Court Street, Kankakee IL, 60901
815-929-9292
STEEVES LAW OFFICES
Family, Estate Planning, Landing and Zoning
Attorney: Kirsten E. Steeves
300 E Main Street, Peotone IL, 60468 708-258-3939 or 815-342-3957
STROUGH & DODDS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, LTD.
General Law
Attorney: Samantha Dodd 216 East Walnut, Watseka IL, 60970 815-432-4921
TREY BRASEL ATTORNEY AT LAW
General Law
Attorney: Trey M. Brasel 201 Park Place #12, Bourbonnais IL, 60914
815-937-9939
TUNGATE LAW OFFICES LTD
Civil, Criminal, Probate, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Traffic
Attorney: Susan S. Tungate
744 East Walnut St Watseka IL 60970 815-432-4979
DECK & BARON
Various areas of practice 815-939-7373
On the cusp of nearly 50 years in practice, Deck & Baron has a long history in the community. The firm dates back to 1974 when Elmo F. Petersen established a solo law practice. Greg Deck joined shortly thereafter in 1975. Dennis Baron joined the firm in 1984, and Dave Baron became a member of the firm in 2017.
While the firm has been known by various names over the years, between this year and next it is celebrating 50 continuous years of providing legal services to the community.
The firm is made up of three attorneys – Deck, Baron and Baron –three legal assistants and one bookkeeper. They operate out of the Executive Centre in downtown Kankakee and have established a strong reputation over the last five decades.
“Consistency of quality and professionalism matters,” the firm said. “The attorneys of the firm take great pride in every aspect of their work – from larger issues down to the small details. We believe that this gets noticed and matters when our clients are asked by their colleagues, friends, and family for a referral.”
The firm’s client base is focused primarily in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, and it represents businesses and individuals in Will, Ford and Livingston counties and beyond.
“Our clients’ networks and operations sometimes take us to closing tables and courtrooms throughout northeastern and central Illinois.”
The firm is a regular sponsor of Merchant Street MusicFest, the Riverside Heart Ball and Still-I-Rise’s anti-poverty programs. Firm members serve as directors on a number of local boards, including: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School, UpliftedCare (Greg); Child Network and Kankakee Riverfront Society (Dennis); Riverside Medical Corporation and Kankakee Community College Foundation (Dave).
With the hub of practice – as well as living and volunteering – being in Kankakee County, the firm speaks highly of the area.
“The legal community is very congenial. Unlike Cook County where you may never interact with an opposing counsel after one case, you will certainly see our local attorneys on a repeat basis. And the manner in which you represent your client in one case will impact your ability to represent others in the future.
“The courthouse remains the primary location for attorneys to socialize and catch up with each other while waiting the next appearance or hearing. The Kankakee County Bar Association also hosts monthly meetings over lunch and a couple annual events, like a holiday party and steak fry.”
With this in mind, the firm describes Kankakee County as “an outstanding place to practice law.”
“There is a familiarity and civility among attorneys and clients characteristic of a small community, but the legal issues that arise are as complex and interesting as anywhere.”
KIRSTEN STEEVES
Steeves Law Offices, General Practice
708-258-3939 or 815-342-3957
Kirsten Steeves, a Peotone-based attorney and a graduate of DePaul University School of Law, has been practicing law in Illinois for 30 years.
“As a Christian, I do believe I have a special calling for family law,” she said. Steeves said she’s been fortunate enough to work in over 10 counties in Illinois.
“As a general practitioner in a collar county, I've never been afraid to go where the work is!” she said.
She added that the key to success is to ask questions, respect each judge's protocols “and be nice to the clerks -- They do the most work of anyone in a courthouse!”
She credits Chris Bohlen, Pat Power and Jay O'Brien were for being helpful at answering questions or bouncing ideas off of when Steeves first started her legal career.
She’s been active in the local bar associations, but credits working as a volunteer lawyer with Prairie State Legal Services as a way of gaining out-of-office fulfillment. She also serves on the state bar association’s legislative committee, which she said has given her new insight into the legislature at work in Springfield.
When it comes to needing a lawyer, Steeves said it’s all about finding the right fit for you.
“Most of us who choose to practice in a semi-rural area aren't doing so for the money, but to truly help people through their most challenging times of life.”
GODIN, DENTON & ELLIOTT, P.C.
Accident injury, criminal defense, and more 815-472-2634 (Momence office); 815-935-1117 (Bourbonnais office)
In operation since 2013, Godin, Denton & Elliott, P.C. has offices in both Bourbonnais and Momence. The firm handles cases in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. With three partners – Jeffrey Godin, John Denton and Nicholas Elliott – one associate and six members in the support staff, the firm specializes in accident injury law, criminal defense law, DUI cases, workers’ compensation, divorce and custody.
“We pride ourselves on zealous representation and detailed
attention to our client’s needs,” the firm said.
“The legal community in Kankakee County does a great job balancing the strong representation of our respective clients with a professional exchange during the process. The Kankakee County Bar Association is an excellent resource for all local attorneys and any attorney looking to begin business in Kankakee County.”
Godin, Denton & Elliott, P.C. has proudly sponsored or donated to a number of local organizations, events and charities over the years.
The firm can be contacted at the Momence office at 815-472-2634 or the Bourbonnais office at 815-935-1117.
“We look forward to speaking with [you] about your legal needs.”
SPRING 2024
FEB. 29; MARCH 1-2
Beauty and the Beast at ONU Olivet Nazarene University’s Theatre and the School of Music unite at Kresge Auditorium to present Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast,” performed with a full orchestra.
The show will be presented in the Larsen Fine Arts Center at the corner of Main Street and Route 102 in Bourbonnais. Performances are at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 and March 1-2, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee March 2.
Tickets can be found at Olivet.edu/ events.
MARCH 16
30th annual Herscher Swing & Sing
The Herscher Music Department and Herscher Music Boosters will host the 30th annual Swing & Sing Competition, an all-day event that begins at 8 a.m. at Herscher High School, 501 N. Main St., Herscher. This event showcases elite show choirs and jazz bands from across Illinois and surrounding states. The price
of admission is $20.
MARCH 16-17
KVTA’s ‘Finding Nemo JR’
At 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and at 7 p.m. Saturday, Kankakee Valley Theatre Association’s youth group will perform “Finding Nemo JR.” Performances will be held at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 240 Warren Ave., Kankakee. For more information, go to kvta.org/findingnemo.
MARCH 23
GFWC IL Woman’s Club of Kankakee’s 125th Celebration
From 4-9 p.m. at Quality Inn & Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave., Bradley, the GFWC IL Woman’s Club of Kankakee will host a celebration for its 125th anniversary. The evening will include dinner and music. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3OyHopR.
APRIL 13
BTPD’s Tax Trot
The Bourbonnais Township Park District’s Tax Trot Race has options for a 10K
run (6.2 miles), a 5K run (3.1 miles) or a 2 mile walk that all go through the trails of Perry Farm Park. Sign up at bit. ly/3SO5TSL.
Dueling Pianos for Child Network’s 30th Anniversary
From 6-9 p.m. at Quality Inn & Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave., Bradley, Child Network will host the annual dueling pianos fundraiser featuring Fun Pianos. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3uokoDe.
APRIL
21
Kankakee Dream Wedding Expo
From 1-4 p.m. at the Kankakee Civic Auditorium, 803 S. Eighth Ave., Kankakee, there will be a wedding expo featuring vendors from Kankakee County and beyond. Big or small, lavish or intimate, the on-site experts have something to suit every taste, budget and style. There is a $10 admission fee.
8 ways to help your gut that aren't food
By: Caitlin Mellendorf, University of Illinois Extension
Our gut includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and assistive organs like the gallbladder and liver. This system does two main things: digestion and absorption. Digestion is about breaking down food particles into smaller and smaller pieces, releasing carbs, fat, protein, water, vitamins, and minerals. Combined with digestive secretions - like stomach acid and bile - the gut now turns to absorption where these nutrients are moved from the gut to body cells where nutrients can be used for energy, building and repairing, and other body processes.
MEAL HYGIENE
Try these tips about meal hygiene to support your digestion and absorption. These steps work together with nutritious food choices.
1. Spacing meals: The human gut is designed for breaks between eating. We have a system called Migrating Motor Complex (MMC), which includes a series of muscle contractions that helps move
food through the gut. It only happens where you have not eaten. If your eating style is grazing (or eating small bites every hour or so), your MMC cannot move digested food (and also bacteria and other microorganisms) through your gut effectively. The switch: focus on eating meals and snacks at least 2-4 hours apart. (Read more about drinks and digestion below.)
2. Chewing to applesauce consistency: Digestion starts in the mouth with chewing. Swallowing pieces of minimally chewed food means your stomach and the rest of your gut has to work harder to digest what you ate. The switch: chew well - as close to applesauce consistency as you can get.
3. Speed of eating: Fast eating often means you don't have time to effectively chew your food (see above). Since it takes time for your gut to communicate with your brain that you feel full, fast eating can lead to overeating and gut symptoms like bloating and discomfort. It takes practice and intention to eat slowly,
particularly if you are used to eating in a time crunch. The switch: slow down.
4. Consistent meals: Eating at regular points throughout the day gives your body energy to do all its body processes, including digestion and absorption. Irregular eating can look like eating one or two large meals each day, skipping meals, or eating at different times each day. The switch: eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day.
What can happen with irregular eating?
• One or two large meals per day puts a large volume of food into your gut. This can be challenging for your body to effectively digest, leading to symptoms like bloating and discomfort.
• As for eating at irregular times each day, one long-term study showed an association with inconsistent mealtimes and higher rates of H pylori infection, a bacterial infection of the stomach that can lead to reflux and other symptoms. In another
study, eating regularly through the day was associated with lower rates of irritable bowl syndrome (IBS).
• While research on how skipping meals impacts the GI tract or gut symptoms is mixed, skipping meals has been associated with heart disease and mental health challenges.
5. Tall posture: Folding your shoulders and chest over your stomach while you eat compresses your esophagus and stomach. (Think peering over your smart phone so your head and shoulders move forward.) This can make it harder to swallow or put pressure on the muscles that allow food to pass between the esophagus and stomach. The switch: while eating, sit tall.
6. Liquids with meals: Your stomach contains gastric acid which helps break apart foods, releases vitamin B-12 from protein foods and help kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Research shows that drinking water increases pH of stomach acid (meaning it's less acidic). While no research has looked at the
relationship between drinking water or other drinks on gut symptoms, it is assumed that drinking water with meals may dilute gastric acid and lead to less complete digestion of foods. In fact, many gut-health registered dietitians anecdotally recommend not drinking water with meals. The switch: avoid water with meals or take only small sips.
7. Liquids between meals: Let's come back to Migrating Motor Complex. Water and unsweetened coffee and tea do not activate MMC and are great to drink between meals while still allowing your gut to focus on digestion and absorption. However, drinks like juice, milk, sweetened coffee and tea, and sodas have carbs, fat, or protein - or energy/calorie-containing nutrients. When the body detects calories in food or drink, it triggers the MMC to stop - switching back to digestion, not gut movement. Research is still exploring how non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) (or alternative or artificial sweeteners) impact MMC. The switch: choose water and unsweetened drinks between meals.
8. Eating less stressed: The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) of the brain is active when we are less stressed. It is colloquially referred to as “rest and digest.” Efficient digestion and absorption happen in this state of relaxation. In contrast, there is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) - also called "fight or flight" - which slows digestion. When we are feeling stressed or busy, we may be in a "fight or flight" state when we come to eat. Being in a place of "rest and digest" can support your gut health. The switch: take several deep breaths before your first bite.
– Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 7:00
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The CLEAR Method
In Her Heels’ Brianna Mesenbring, founder of The Modern Nutritionist, has developed CLEAR, a new approach to acne care. For more information, go to themodernnutritionistco.com.
C: Clean up the gut and diet — When biodiversity is low, opportunistic bacteria can wreak havoc on your gut. Optimize and strengthen gut function by getting in-depth stool tests done. Cleaning up the diet by removing common food triggers will be an important step in your acne healing journey.
Mesenbring said that, according to research, “Dairy consumption and refined sugar are the biggest culprits of acne.”
When working with clients, a deeper look into the gut is done to find the triggers that may be causing issues.
L: Leverage stress — Stress will always be there. You can't ignore it, you can't fight it, so you have to learn to make friends with it.
“When we are in a constant state of fight or flight, or cortisol levels increase,” Mesenbring said. “Cortisol can have a direct impact on what’s going on with sebum production at the level of the hair follicle on the face. So that’s why if you’re stressed, you’ll notice more breakouts on the face.” This is where adaptogenic herbs come into play.
Lifestyles November AD.pdf 1 11/15/22 12:12 PM
E: Encourage microbial diversity — A diverse microbiome is a happy one. Period. Diversity is Queen, and The Modern Nutritionist uses food and supplement support to help your bugs thrive!
A: Assess hormones — Not just sex hormonescortisol and insulin need to be accounted for too. Comprehensive hormone testing gives a snapshot of how your body is dealing with stress and hormonal fluctuations.
R: Restore confidence — Dealing with acne zaps confidence and self-esteem. Modern Nutritionist providers are trained in self-compassion and are trauma-informed. We believe your history is what makes you beautiful.
Photo courtesy of The Modern Nutritionist
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Nihat Tasyurek, right, now of Flossmoor, and his father-in-law Eyyup Gucludal, of Turkey, stand in the grow houses at Thrive Mushrooms in Kankakee.
Thrive Mushrooms expanding in downtown Kankakee
By: Chris Breach • Photos: Tiffany Blanchette
Anew business is soaring (and sporing) in downtown Kankakee.
Nihat Tasyurek had a vision that wasn’t hard for him to follow.
When the global pandemic enveloped Illinois and the rest of the country and world three years ago, shutting down many businesses for months, Tasyurek forged ahead with his startup.
The business he envisioned was growing mushrooms for the wholesale and restaurant industry.
His aptly named company, Thrive Mushrooms, tucked inside a 4th Ward property, is growing faster than the precise process of his indoor growing operation that starts from the spore and ends with the popular lion’s mane, comb tooth and oyster mushrooms.
Those delectable mushrooms are sought after from upscale restaurants and grocery stores in Chicago, wholesalers and also at farmers’ markets, including in Kankakee.
“We started in our garage at home with ancient methods,” said Tasyurek, who lives in Flossmoor. “But now we’re a little more skillfully [done].”
The process starts now at Tasyurek’s lab on South Seventh Avenue, just north of West Jeffery Street on Kankakee’s south side. He has been there since 2020 and purchased the building late last year.
“Somehow I found here,” he said. “… I was very happy. When I came here, I fell in love with the place.”
THE PROCESS
The process begins inside his lab with the mixing of the mushroom seeds, or soy hull (50%) and soil (50%) in a five-pound bag.
The soil is comprised of oak tree sawdust. The bags of what are now spawns are then put inside a sterilization chamber to remove all bacteria. The sterilization takes one hour.
Once sterilized, the bags are then inoculated for one to two hours in a climate-controlled environment of 55 to 65 degrees. They then move to another part of the lab at room temperature where the bags go through a 10 to 14 day incubation period.
Once incubated, the bags are moved to 10- by 20-foot tents or greenhouses, again at 55 to 65 degrees, where the mushrooms grow. After 7 to 10 days, the mushrooms are harvested to be sold.
“The mushroom industry in a couple of years to five to 10 years, it’ll boom,” Tasyurek said. “We believe so because more people are familiar now.”
Tasyurek said he will soon have three greenhouse tents set up in his lab in order to meet demand.
“Every 10 days, we will harvest crops from tent to tent,” he said. “For example, we will harvest this one and while we are harvesting, the other tents are incubating. Everything will be in order.”
Each five-pound bag in the grow tent can produce two to two-and-a-half pounds of
mushrooms. There are approximately 200 bags growing in the greenhouse.
“So in one cycle we can [grow] like 500 pounds [of mushrooms],” he said. “We can do one cycle per week. Hopefully, in the future we will just use this place for spawn making, and we’ll get the land in Kankakee [to] put big greenhouses.”
Each bag can be harvested twice for mushrooms. The soy hull and the sawdust are purchased from a couple of different companies in Illinois.
“The mushroom gets the nitrogen from the soy hull and carbon from the sawdust,” Tasyurek said.
ONE OF FOUR
Tasyurek – who met his wife, Gulcin, a Turkish-American, through a mutual friend on Facebook, and came here 10 years ago – grew up in Turkey and learned all about mushrooms from his father-inlaw, Eyyup Gucludal, who was a biology and chemistry teacher in their homeland.
Tasyurek said Thrive Mushrooms is one of four companies in Illinois that grows mushrooms for restaurants and grocery stores.
Thrive is No. 3 in terms of volume.
About 80% of his sales are to the restaurants, grocery stores and a wholesaler, and 20% are sold at farmers’ markets in Tinley Park, Hyde Park and Kankakee.
STOREFRONT
In addition to housing the lab at the building at 1283 S. Seventh Ave., Tasyurek wants to eventually have a storefront at the location. The plans are to have the storefront open in May 2024.
People off the street can come in and purchase mushrooms like they would at the farmers’ market. It also could be a tourist attraction for people to see how the mushroom-growing process takes place.
The mushrooms Thrive sells at farmers’ markets typically cost $5 for five ounces,
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1981
Oyster, shiitake, comb tooth and lion's mane are among the mushroom varieties grown at Thrive Mushrooms in Kankakee.
$10 for 10 ounces and $13 for a pound. The lion’s mane is more expensive than the oyster mushrooms.
Once purchased, Tasyurek said it’s best to put them in paper bags and refrigerate them where they can last for up to five days. It’s best to cook them in olive oil.
Right now, Thrive Mushrooms is a two-man operation, but in the summer months Tasyurek hires several Kankakee Community College students to help in the growing operation. For more information, go to thrivemushroomsllc. com.
Growing shiitake mushrooms is achievable at home without great expense.
Shiitake mushrooms have a large, umbrella-like shape; are dark brown and white in color; and are well-known for their rich, meaty, umami flavor and health benefits.
Central Illinois residents should source maple or oak logs, which grow in groves in specific regions of the state. Oaks and maples are the most reliable wood source for a beginner grower to grow shiitake mushrooms, especially sugar maple or white oak.
Hardwood logs prepared for mushroom cultivation (inoculation) are called “bolts”.
They should be freshly cut in the previous three months, from healthy trees. Bolts 4-8 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length are highly desirable -- larger logs can be extremely heavy due to water and sap retained in the wood.
INOCULATION REQUIRES:
• Power drill
• 5/16” brad point drill bit & stop collar
• Food-grade wax
• Old sauce pot and camp stove
• Small paint brush or sponge dauber
• Hammer
• Shiitake mushroom “plug spawn”
Steps to Inoculate a Bolt:
• Drill holes in a line on the bolt, 4-6" apart. Alternate starting distance from log end to create a diamond pattern of holes.
• Hammer plug spawn into holes, flush with bark.
• Cover holes with melted wax to inhibit entry of competitor fungus.
THE SPAWN RUN
Store inoculated bolts on a raised surface (like a pallet) in a moist, shady area for six - twelve months. Use straw or leaf cover to retain moisture. During this rest period, known as the “spawn run,” mycelium will take over the log. According to the University of Vermont Extension, time to “fruiting” depends on temperature, moisture levels, and mushroom variety, but typically it takes eight to twelve months.
HARVEST
To harvest the fruit (mushroom), gently twist and pull them from the log. Harvest young, firm mushrooms – old mushrooms are tough and bitter. If allowed to fruit naturally outdoors, with the changing weather and seasons, a bolt will continue fruiting for years to come.
Source: Nick Frillman, University of Illinois Extension
Does your dog have what it takes to be on the cover of Lifestyles Magazine?
Tell us what makes your dog speical and upload a photo of your dog before March 15!
Submit a photo of your dog to possibly be featured in our top 10 for our kick off to summer issue!
NOMINATE YOUR DOG TODAY AT
Know a professional under 40 who
is thriving in Kankakee County?
Nominate them today for "Thriving Twenty" in our May issue of Lifestyles Magazine! We're seeking business owners, entrepreneurs, volunteers and anyone who is working hard to make Kankakee County a great place to live. We're featuring both individuals and couples/business partners.
Submit their name, business and what makes them thrive by March 15! SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ONLINE
Monitor your accounts regularly for any suspicious activities.
Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
ALWAYS remember, your bank will never call or text to ask for your account numbers or information.
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Only use official banking apps downloaded from reputable app stores.
Watch your account statements. If you don’t know what a charge is, make sure you notify your bank.
Scammers pressure people into making bad decisions by creating an emergency. If someone is pressuring you, make sure you slow down.
Create a shared recipe collection amongst friends
By/Photos: Taylor Leddin-McMaster
It happens to everyone: We get in a cooking funk where we make the same few recipes on repeat and cycle them throughout the weekdays. Or we find ourselves making the same dish to bring to gatherings. Whether it’s safety in making something everyone in the house likes or a fear of trying a new product, it’s easy to default to “what you know.”
There’s also a component of recipe overload — where between Pinterest and blog recipes and gobs of cookbooks offer “the best of the best.” We might stash away these
recipes for future use, but how often do we go through the stack of recipe cards (or saved items on a Pinterest board) and actually make something new?
A fun and easy solution is to have a recipe potluck party.
Everyone brings their favorite go-to recipe for the party to sample. Then, create a shared document (Google Docs is quite user-friendly) where each attendee can add the recipe and ingredient list of what they brought.
If you prefer pen-to-paper, have a stack of blank recipe
cards on the potluck table. Each potluck item can have a written-out recipe attached to the dish, and then, if someone wants to add that recipe to their collection, they can grab a blank card and fill it out to take home.
Even if it’s a potluck of three or four people, that’s at least two new recipes you could add to your rotation.
BRANDON DOUGLAS
Left, DIY Recipes with Friends: A carved board featuring “Friendship Recipe” sits on a shelf at the Manteno Antique Mall. Above, A collection of recipes collected from friends and family sits on a
room table.
Q A&
Link Skutt / Link To The Past
Q: Where were you born? Lincoln “Link” was born right here in Kankakee County at Riverside!
Q: How did you become interested in opening your own business?
For the last few years I have really enjoyed learning more about toys and collectibles. Collecting has always been a hobby, selling at toys shows with my dad was so much fun so the idea of opening a store here in Bourbonnais and doing it every weekend just seemed like a great idea!
Q: What is the biggest challenge?
Going to school, lol. Only being open a couple days a week with school and we are running out of space in the store.
Q: What is the greatest reward? Spending time with my family at the store and getting to meet so many people.
Q: What’s next?
We have so much cool stuff we have bought that we need to get in the store. It takes a long time to clean and price items.
Q: What’s your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Life Below Zero
Q: What’s your favorite food indulgence?
Tacos made by Mom.
Q: What’s your favorite business in Kankakee County?
It would have to be a tie between Utopia Shakes & Teas in Bourbonnais and PJs Ice Cream in Manteno.
and Blondie. Enjoy and share this truly blissful unique treat.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO BLONDIES
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
½ TSP Table Salt
½ TSP Baking Powder
2 TSP Espresso Powder
2 Eggs
1½ TSP Vanilla Extract
1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ Cup Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and espresso powder. In another bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir until just combined. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula until flour is no longer visible. Fold in the chocolate chips and the espresso beans.
2. Spray an 8 X 8 baking dish with cooking spray. Line with aluminum foil and coat with additional cooking spray. Place the batter into the aluminum foil-lined baking dish, smooth the top with an offset spatula sprayed with cooking spray (the batter will be sticky!) Place the baking dish in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for at least two hours. Enjoy with your favorite cup of coffee.
From the Kitchen Of Paul Fruhwirth
baby
Newborn screening is a state-mandated public health program that seeks to identify infants that may be at risk for a number of potentially life-threatening conditions. There are 3-parts to newborn screening: a heel stick (dried blood spot testing), a pulse oximetry to monitor the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood, and a hearing screen. Babies typically receive these screenings within the first 24-48 hours of birth.
Newborn Screenings Save Lives! Contact the Kankakee County Health Department or talk to your provider for more information.
Dr. MLK Jr. Memorial Foundation Prayer Breakfast
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation hosted the annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast in January at Olivet Nazarene University’s Chalfant Hall.
The event was followed by the Ecumenical Service at the College Church, where the speaker was Rev. Dr. Lori K. Holmes, of Caldwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion. Carolyn Butler was Mistress of Ceremonies, and Thomas Jefferson Jones III, of Jones Funeral Services, received the MLK Lifetime Service Award.
Seated, from left, Lori Gadbois (Kankakee County Recorder) and Dexter Odeneal; standing, from left, Chad Gessner (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department), Jim Rowe (Kankakee County State’s Attorney), John Coghlan (Kankakee County Assistant State’s Attorney), Matthew Schore (A.N. Webber Logistics VP of Sales & Marketing) and Paul Schore (Village of Bourbonnais Mayor).
Front row, from left, Camille Rose; City of Kankakee Clerk Stacy Gall; Vicki Forquer; Desnee Thompson; Allison Beasley; Dr. Luceli Almazan Polanco; Alderman Victor Nevarez; Deputy Chief Donell D. Austin; Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis; back row, from left, Alderman David Baron; Police Chief Christopher Kidwell; Alderman Michael O’Brien; Mary Bass; Alderwoman Kelly Johnson; Neil Piggush.
Local college leaders Michael Boyd, left, president and CEO of Kankakee Community College, and Gregg Chenoweth, president of Olivet Nazarene University, pose for a photo.
From left, Sandi Cianci, Kankakee County Clerk of the Circuit Court; Partick Joyce, Illinois State Senator, 40th District; Justice Mary K. O’Brien, Supreme Court of Illinois; Jackie Haas, Illinois State Representative, 79th District; Steve Liehr, retired Kankakee County Board member; and Dan Harris, retired instructor at Kankakee Community College.
The Sigma Gamma Rho table seated, from left, Soror Diane Carter, Gloria Cobbs, Mary Williams, Delores Taylor, Soror Shirley Johnson; standing, from left, Soror Elizabeth Frazier, Soror Priscilla Jackson.
Riverside Healthcare celebrates 60 years
Jan. 22 in the lobby of Riverside Medical Center, which has seen thousands and thousands of people, Riverside Healthcare’s board of directors, executives, doctors, nurses, staff, and community members were part of a rededication of Riverside’s mission as the hospital celebrated 60 years.
Riverside Healthcare's Matthew McBurnie, vice president of public relations and communication, welcomes attendees to the 60th anniversary rededication ceremony and celebration at the health care provider's Kankakee location.
Marsha Collins, director of pastoral care for Riverside Medical Center, looks at historical pieces detailing the first hospital board from Riverside Healthcare's inception in 1964.
President and CEO of Riverside Healthcare Phil Kambic speaks during a 60th anniversary rededication ceremony and celebration at the health care provider's Kankakee location, Riverside Medical Center.
Riverside Healthcare's longest standing board member David Jaffe speaks to attendees during the 60th anniversary rededication ceremony and celebration at the health care provider's Kankakee location.
Musicians perform as Phil Kambic, president and CEO of Riverside Healthcare, poses for a photo with his wife, Lynda, near the new rededication display honoring the health care provider's 60th anniversary during a celebration at the Kankakee location.
Walk in. Walk out happy.
Riverside’s new Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic is here for all of life’s twists, turns, stubs, rolls and breaks.
