Soon we will have holiday cookies galore, lights strung up on our houses, a tree or menorah in our windows. There will be family gatherings, special recipes that are saved only for these meals, holiday traditions, and more. Above all, there’s a feeling of coziness and warmth as we settle down for the winter months, preparing to exchange gifts and perhaps to play in the snow.
This winter issue of the magazine focuses on that warm, peaceful feeling. You’ll find our annual listing of shops where you can buy local gifts on P. 7. After shopping, maybe you’re hungry for a meal at Danelli’s in Oswego? Last, don’t miss our story on adding a new, homey ornament to your tree; you’ll find it on P. 10.
On another note, I have some personal news to
share: This is my last issue as Editor of Kendall County Magazine. I’ve accepted another role, but I will always remember my time with this magazine with the fondest of memories. The past two and a half years have been wonderful; I’ve loved getting to know the area and its readership. I will certainly miss collaborating with the niche products team, but I’m confident I’m leaving the magazine in great hands.
Thank you for reading, and an early happy holidays from me to you!
Published by Shaw Media Phone: 630-553-7034 news@kendallcountynow.com
PUBLISHER
Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw lshaw@shawmedia.com
EDITOR
Hannah Hoffmeister 630-427-6263 hhoffmeister@shawmedia.com
ADVERTISING
Kristin Hawkins 630-385-4404 khawkins@shawmedia.com Shannon Eldridge 630-845-5347 seldridge@shawmedia.com
Hoffmeister, Editor
Allison LaPorta 630-427-6260 alaporta@shawmedia.com
Are you a fan of family jammies? Try a new tradition and cozy up to your favorite holiday movie in matching pajamas with the people you love most. Photo by Wendy Greenslade, Locked In Photography.
NEXT ISSUE: Did someone special pop the question? We’ve got the scoop on weddings!
Kevin Druley, Patti MacMillan, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Erin Sauder, Chris Walker.
Compiled by Hannah Hoffmeister
Catch “The Nutcracker” at Sandwich Opera House, performed by Allegro Performing Arts Theater.
Oswegoland Park Districts hosts “Knotty or Nice” macrame ornament class at Oswego Brewing Company.
Lyon Farm marks Christmas at the Farm on this day, then again Dec. 18. Learn more online!
Christmas is 12 days away! Time to make some cookies.
Christmas is 10 days away! Time to finish your holiday shopping. Indulge in a yummy pickme-up from a local café while out and about!
Don’t miss Oswego’s annual Christmas Walk, or the Cookie Walk Dec. 3! Plano Rockin’ Christmas also takes place, starting at 6 p.m.
Sandwich hosts the free Merry Little Sandwich Christmas event and tree lighting. In Yorkville, find Breakfast with Santa.
All aboard! Oswego Holiday Express train rides are this weekend; register online.
Happy Hanukkah! The celebration starts this evening and ends Dec. 26.
If you celebrate, we wish you a very merry Christmas!
Happy Kwanzaa to everyone who celebrates!
days remain to shop at Christkindlmarket in Aurora, which goes through Dec. 24 — learn more on the next page.
Did you hear that? It’s “The Sound of Music,” performed at the Paramount Theatre at 8 p.m.
It’s national maple syrup day — celebrate accordingly with pancakes or a maple-inspired dessert.
It’s New Year’s Eve! How are you planning to ring in 2023?
By Patti MacMillan | Photos provided by Christkindlmarket
For many, it’s not quite the holidays without a trip to the Christkindl market. Strolling past cozy wooden booths filled with ornate treasures while sipping hot chocolate or glühwein — mulled wine served warm — can feel like the very essence of Christmas.
Now, that experience is closer than it’s been in years as the organization behind Chicago’s iconic Christkindlmarket welcomes the event to Aurora’s RiverEdge Park beginning Nov. 18 and taking place Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 24.
It’s not the authentic German market’s first foray into the western suburbs. Naper Settlement in Naperville played home to the event from 2016 to 2018, but there came a point where German American Events LLC knew a bigger space was necessary for the popular offering.
“This location is just ideal,” says Kate Bleeker, vice president of the organization. “When scouting for locations, I looked at many, many places. RiverEdge Park blew everything out of the water.”
Among its positive attributes is the park’s proximity to the Metra train line and an abundance of parking for festive shoppers, Bleeker says.
The Christkindlmarket will host more than 35 vendors selling a variety of handcrafted and unique items ranging from ornaments and holiday decor to cold weather apparel such as hats, scarves and sweaters. Gift items like candles and jewelry will dazzle under twinkling lights, and a trip to the market isn’t complete without a look at the pyramids, candle-powered rotating wooden towers that commonly feature Nativity scenes.
“We work with a number of small independent
artisans and the majority of vendors come over from Europe, and Germany in particular,” Bleeker says. “We try to make the experience as authentic as possible.” Even the wooden booths that transform the space into a quaint Christmas village are sent from overseas, she adds.
Savory fare such as roasted nuts and German specialties including bratwurst and pretzels can be enjoyed in an oversized tent designed to look like a log cabin. Live enter tainment will range from authentic German music to area choirs and dance companies.
The event will also feature the Christ kind, an angelic figure who acts as the traditional bearer of gifts in several parts of Germany and beyond.
For more information, including a schedule of events, visit www.christkindlmarket. com/aurora.
With another holiday season upon us, there’s never been a better time to show local businesses some love. Often you’ll find unique items, interesting experiences and items for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones on your list.
You can kick off your holiday shopping by supporting several local vendors during FarmHer’s Very Merry Christmas Market, presented by Olde Farm Creek in Yorkville. The event will be held 5-9 p.m. Nov. 18 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Yorkville. Sip a bloody mary, wine or beer while visiting an array of artisans selling holiday items, vintage collections and boutique style decor. Once you’re done, be sure to stop by these local businesses for the rest of your holiday shopping needs.
flagship store and artisan market. This curated lifestyle boutique is a treasure trove of timeless furniture, home decor, and women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories. The store also features specialty goods from local artisans. You might even find an item or two to deck your halls from the store’s seasonal decor selections.
THE MARMALADE TREE
79 Main St., Oswego 630-554-7550 www.themarmaladetreeoswego.com
Right across the street from Hudson House Design is The Marmalade Tree. There you’ll find a vast collection of items to style a home including candles, signs, drinkware and other decorative items. For your stylish friend, the racks have a variety of stylish winter clothing hung up with care. Or check out the extensive selection of purses, scarves, jewelry and other accessories.
OLDE FARM CREEK
10151 Lisbon Road, Yorkville 630-553-0628 www.oldefarmcreek.com
Olde Farm Creek offers a wide collection of vintage farmhouse and industrial decor from candles and vases to handcrafted signs. Deck your halls (or someone else’s) with holiday throw pillows and decor with nature elements. For an early present, gift the family with an outing to the farm where they can cut down their own Christmas tree. You can shop the store online anytime or in person during its weekend hours.
MIND TRAP ESCAPE ROOMS
299 Montgomery Road, Montgomery 630-216-9609 www.mindtrapescaperooms.com
For the tweens and teens, treat them to an escape room outing. Most of the seven themed rooms are suitable for players 13 and up. Players of all ages can do the Pharaoh’s Chamber, where they’ll have 60 minutes to escape from the tomb. Another room, for ages 10 and up, features a boat sailing from Chicago to Holland that runs aground after hitting a storm at sea — leaving passengers an hour to escape before the ship capsizes.
140 E. Railroad St., Sandwich 815-786-2555 www.sandwichoperahouse.org
Skip the traffic driving into the city and treat that special someone in your life to a live performance much closer to home at the Sandwich Opera House. This historic gem, constructed in 1878, headlines a variety of live performances from tribute shows of beloved musicians to a night of laughs from comedians. You could score tickets to a performance of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” or catch a dueling pianos performance.
217 E. South St., Plano 630-273-2119 www.artsonfireplano.com
Channel your inner artist to paint your own pottery at Arts on Fire. The grandparents on your list will treasure receiving a plate or bowl with a little handprint from beloved grandchildren. Or create a holiday-themed gift with your choice of plates, platters, mugs, bowls, ornaments, wall art and more. Another option: Order a to-go kit for your loved one to create their own masterpiece at home.
MELISSA JEAN BOUTIQUE
108 Main St., Oswego 630-816-0574
www.melissajeanboutique.com
Nestled in downtown Oswego, Melissa Jean Boutique is the perfect place to find the latest styles and trends in clothing for your fashionista friends. Each item is hand-selected by staff, so you’re sure to find something unique. Clothing ranges from skinny jeans for a night out with friends to comfy leggings for lounging around the house. The boutique also sells jewelry, handbags and other accessories to round out your gift.
GINGER THOMAS SOAP COMPANY 58 Main St., Oswego 630-551-2284
Facebook: Ginger Thomas Soap Company
For your loved ones in need of self-care, Ginger Thomas Soap Company offers an array of items that make perfect gifts or stocking stuffers. The handcrafted bath and body products are sure to up anyone’s relaxation game. Artisan soaps and bath bombs are nice additions to a bath, and the sugar scrubs are a good reminder to make time for exfoliation.
Unless their additional weight causes your tree to tilt or tip over, you probably don’t have too many ornaments on your Christmas tree.
Still, it takes patience to decorate your tree. Too many ornaments take away from the beauty of the tree; too few get lost within in it rather than showing it off. It’s a task that’s most enjoyable when multiple participants gather to decorate, reminiscing about past holidays, listening to holiday music, drinking eggnog and quoting
“Christmas Vacation.”
While the addition of a new ornament that represents Kendall County won’t be a huge holiday makeover for your tree, it can serve as a subtle reminder that there’s no place like home, especially at Christmastime.
A variety of ornaments may be for sale at most stores, but Kendall County-specific ones are much harder to find until you make your way to Hudson Design House in downtown Oswego.
“We carry Oswego ornaments and everyone seems
to love them,” says Leslie Hilderbrant, a designer who also owns Hudson Design House. “People are proud of their hometown, especially anyone from the Midwest. We now carry several different local towns.”
Hilderbrant originally carried Kendall County-specific signs. After becoming an instant hit, ornaments and other items followed. “We have expanded our line of goods to pillows, kitchen towels, glasses and even tees,” she says. “It’s a great gift to give anyone.”
Design by Jessica’s Jessica Marozas likes to keep up with the latest trends — you’ll see some of them in her Kendall County-themed ornaments at Hudson Design House.
“I’ll have the Yorkville with the ZIP code
and the Oswego with the ZIP code and I’ll also sell a lot more personalized ones,” she says. “I do wood slice ornaments, acrylic, some ceramics. I like to switch it up. I’ve done some glass ball ornaments. I’m trying to add a little more variety this year.”
Also at Hudson Design House this holiday season, LZeeDoodle Designs will offer a snowflake ornament with the city name, such as Yorkville, cut out of it, with the words “There’s no place like Home for the Holidays 2022.”
“They are woodcut, laser cut and they are layered,” says designer and owner Mary Sullivan. “The back layer is in a red foil. It’s the third year I’ve done something for Hudson and we’re trying to change it each year and keep it interesting.”
Imagination Print & Design can create ornaments and other items related to the holiday season. Since opportunities for such ornaments appear to be limited in the area, if you have an idea in mind, consider sharing it with owner Kelley Rice and her team. Plus, her shop is mere feet away from Hudson Design House.
Those who already have them may have purchased them from the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, as it used to sell commemorative ornaments every year, including those created by the late Ed Arnold Jr. and his Ed’s Urns business.
“One year we did one for the Veterans Serenity Park and raised money for the American Legion,” notes Angie Hibben, president/CEO of Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, adding the chamber has been unable to do another since Arnold passed away.
Danelli’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria combines the last name of its founder with the nickname of a mother who holds profound influence on the establishment, even though she never saw it blossom.
Family long has had a foothold at Danelli’s, from the homemade, hand-cut ingredients to the photos on the walls at 228 E. Washington St., Oswego.
To founder and co-owner John Daniels, the folks who have filed in to Danelli’s for the past 40-plus years may as well be part of his brood.
“Why do they come here? Because we put an effort into it,” Daniels says. “My people in the back, my people in the front. We’re cordial with (guests). Friendly. They know them by name. And we put out a decent, good meal. It’s as simple as that.”
Recently reflecting on his time and evolution in the Oswego dining scene, Daniels fondly recalled a visit with his late mother, Natalie — “Nellie” — when the building he and his brother, Chris, now co-own had been a bakery. His mother never drove, so John took her for pie and coffee while they were out shopping. One day, Natalie offered a vision for her aspiring restaurateur, then in his 20s.
“She goes, ‘This place would be perfect for you.’ I go, ‘You think so? Really, you think so?’” he remembers. “Well, she passed away in 1979 with eight children left behind. That’s what kind of stunted me from getting started earlier because I felt it necessary as one of the older ones to help my father.”
Daniels started the first Danelli’s in the early 1980s at a smaller Oswego location slightly west of the Fox River. He estimates it was about 150 square feet. For that reason, it began as a carryout restaurant, specializing in sandwiches.
Not long after, Daniels quizzed a Fox Bend Golf Course chef he knew about the ins and outs of making dough. Danelli’s added pizza to its offerings and later unveiled a dining area upon taking over the adjoining storefront.
More expansion followed. Danelli’s moved to its current location in 1985,
and at one point also had stores in Yorkville, Batavia, North Aurora and Sugar Grove, Daniels notes.
Meanwhile, the menu added an array of appetizers, soups and salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and desserts.
Danelli’s incorporates much of the Daniels family’s past, as well. The family grew up in Cicero before relocating to Oswego, yet a staple food — macaroni with tomatoes — never strayed too far from either homestead. Homemade meatballs were another favorite of Daniels and his siblings, Michael, Michelle, Chris, Laura, Gina, Eric and Steve.
“It’s a family-orientated gig, if you know what I mean,” Daniels says. “That’s how I tried to orchestrate it. There’s eight of us. Every one of my brothers and sisters have worked for me.”
Through it all, Danelli’s never outgrew its welcoming ambiance.
“We’re attentive to the customers. That’s the whole point,” he says. “Be attentive to the customer and give them what they want. And the rest is 40-some years of history.”
DANELLI’S 228 E. Washington St., Oswego 630-554-2990
www.danellisitalianrestaurant.com
House of Harvest (formerly known as Kind Hands) is a family owned and operated senior care shared home located in the Yorkville community. Our senior care shared home houses up to 5 seniors and our staff is committed to meeting our residents’ individual needs 24 hours a day. Fresh meals are prepared daily. Our services include assistance with activity of daily living including bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, grooming and medication reminders. Our customized activity schedule has daily activities that include
It’s a taste of New York in the middle of Kendall County.
Local couple Samm and Laura Dimech are excited to launch the newest location of Anchor Bar, a beloved New York eatery known for the origin of the Buffalo wings, in Oswego. It’s expected to open this fall.
“It’s a must-stop place, and it has the best sauce,” says Laura Dimech.
According to restaurant history, one night in 1964 owner Teressa Bellissimo fried up some chicken wings using a secret sauce for her son Dominic’s hungry friends. They were an instant success. Dimech traveled to New York for her daughter’s game with the EDGE Chaos softball team a few years ago and had a chance to try Anchor Bar. She immediately loved it, buying sauce and souvenir T-shirts to bring back home. “It was such a great experience,” she recalls.
When the couple began considering a new business venture, they ultimately found their way to Anchor
Bar Restaurant, and are excited to bring the first location to Illinois and the Midwest.
“There is definitely a following throughout the country for New York-style foods and definitely for Anchor Bar Restaurant,” Dimech says.
The couple chose Oswego not only because they live in the area, but because of the tremendous growth in the community. According to online 2020 U.S. Census figures, the population in Oswego had topped 34,000.
The couple is excited about the great location for the restaurant — on the Route 34 corridor, which is also close to athletic fields and provides a great option for family dining in the community.
“We jumped on the chance to build in that area be cause it needs more venues like this,” Dimech says.
The couple purchased the former site of Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que and undertook major renovations to create a new look. Inside there is a sports bar dedicated to Buffalo Bill as well as interior tables, a private party room and an outside patio for lounge
By Melissa Rubalcaba RiskeEven before the restaurant doors opened, Dimech says she’s received inquiries from guests who want to reserve the party room for an event. She looks forward to hosting athletic team celebrations, birthdays and much more. “We are absolutely a family place,” she adds.
While the restaurant stays true to its New York roots, Dimech says they’ve been able to incorporate local aspects as well, from sports gear from Chicago’s professional sports teams to football and baseball jerseys from Waubonsee and the Oswego high schools.
Not long after the restaurant exterior and signage appeared, the Dimechs began fielding calls from hungry locals clamoring to know when they could dive into the restaurant’s menu favorites, from the famous Buffalo wings to its Buffalo chicken soup and roast beef on weck. “We’ve had people specifically ask about the roast beef on weck,” she says.
Along with pizza, entrees and sandwiches there will be soup, salads and appetizers. The couple has even incorporated a few local favorites, including a chopped salad and cheese curds.
“We tried to stay with the traditional Anchor Bar Restaurant items as well as add a few items.”
My sister just did something incredible.
Perhaps you may be less easily impressed by the athletic achieve ments of middle aged folks from the suburbs.
But my sister — she, only seven years my junior; in her professional life, an accomplished health care provider; in her personal life, devoted wife and mother, with everything you can imagine that comes with those roles — my sister just completed the Chicago Marathon.
She may not like this very much, but please allow me to brag on her a bit.
Until a few years ago, to my knowledge, she had
never even run around the block, much less an actual race spanning 29 Chicago neighborhoods.
She’s not the first in my family to finish the race. That distinction goes to my youngest brother, who completed the Marathon as a teenager.
But for this particular sister, it seemed unlikely she would be the next in the family to cross this particular achievement off her bucket list.
Somehow, though, at some point, for some rea son, as she entered middle age, my sister laced up a pair of running shoes and never looked back.
At first, it was a little odd to watch her morph, little by little, into her runner’s form. But now, it’s even more difficult to remember a time when
running was not an inseparable part of her person. So, about a year ago, when she told us siblings of her Chicago Marathon plans, it may have seemed a bit ambitious. But not by much.
And when the morning of race day arrived, it never occurred to me that she wouldn’t finish. It was only a matter of how long it would take for her to cross the finish line, arms raised in triumph. For the record: She did finish the race, with what the official Chicago Mara thon statistics say is a respectable middle-of-the-pack time of a little less than 4:45. And she will forever have the medal to prove it.
I’ll leave it to her to tell you if she’s satisfied with her results. To me, though, it stands as a mind-boggling achievement.
Never in my life have I ever — not once — rolled out of bed, and thought, “You know what? I’m going to start training for a marathon,” much less the Chicago Marathon. My shins and hamstrings are cussing me out like an angry coach for even allowing the thought to flit through my mind.
But to see someone like her not only dream it, but do it, should be inspiring to all of us.
It certainly is to me.
In fact, it brought to mind the story of another mid dle-aged achiever. His name? Robert Whiteside.
Mr. Whiteside and I have never met, to my knowledge, as he resides in New Jersey, about 850 miles from where I lay my head. But his story blazed a trail in my memory bank from the first moment it crossed my
news feed about six years ago.
It was, again, something that seemed mind-boggling to me. At the age of 54, Whiteside, with his college-aged daughter, spent four months of his life hiking the full length of the Appalachian Trail, end to end.
His story has stuck with me for three reasons: First, unlike running the Chicago Marathon, hiking the Appalachian Trail is something that has long captured my daydreams, ever since I first hiked some of its length as a teenager visiting the mountains of Tennes see, North Carolina and western Virginia. There was just something captivating about the realization that, if someone followed that same trail north for another 2,000 miles or so, they would eventually reach the tall summit of a mountain in Maine.
Second, the odds. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, about 3,000 hikers test the full trail every year. And of those, only about a quarter complete the hike within the seven months the trail is generally considered passable.
So, my ears are always open for any story from anyone who has completed that mythical, and undoubtedly grueling and harrowing trek.
But third, it was the math. Six years ago, I realized that, when my own kids reach the same age as Whiteside’s daughter, I, too, would be right around his mid-century mark. That, in turn, triggered the thought: “Well, if he could do it…”
While the thought definitely stirred my inner 15-yearold, the thought also ignited the always louder, sterner father figure inside, to immediately wheel out his inner
whiteboard and projector, to deliver the inner Power Point presentation, titled “101 Reasons Why Not.”
(High on the list: Your kids likely may not want to do it, you know.)
But watching my sister notch her Marathon, it has again made this dad ponder whether it’s time to reevaluate my standards for what is achievable at this stage in life.
Now, I’m not promising an attempt at the AT, as they call it, is in the offing anytime soon, if ever.
One thing I can promise: I’ll gladly leave it to people like my sister and brother to pump a fist and grab the traditional beer after crossing the finish line of the 26.2 mile course through the streets of Chicago.
But as for other possibilities, that don’t involve ridicu lously long runs or legendary monthslong hikes? Who knows?
And, perhaps more to the point: Why not?
JonathanBilykwritesabout thetriumphsandtravailsof beingamodern-daydadwho legitimatelyenjoystimewith hisfamily,whiletoleratinga dogthatseemstoadorehim. Healsodoesn’treallylikethe moniker“Superdad”because itmakesitsoundlikehewants towearhisundergarmentsontheoutsideofhispants. (Also,thecaperemainsonbackorder.)
Fri, Nov 18th- Leroy Winn Power Trio - Blues, Funk, Rock Sat, Nov 19th- There Goes The Neighborhood - ’90s & 2000s Rock Wed, Nov 23rd- Don’t Matter To Me - Classic Rock Till Now Fri, Nov 25th- Shooter McGavin - Ska, Punk Sat, Nov 26th- We’re Not w/ Maddie Brown - ’90s Alternative Fri, Dec 2nd- Will Wilcox - Acoustic Rock Sat, Dec 3rd- Rex Manning Day - ’90s Alternative Fri, Dec 9th- Telltale Hearts - Rock/Pop Sat, Dec 10th- Perfecting Gravity - Contemporary Rock Fri, Dec 16th- Blue Voodoo - Rock & Roll Sat, Dec 17th- Redline Saints - ’70s & ’80s Rock Fri, Dec 23rd- Cody Calkins - Country
hristopher Kale Jones was just on the Paramount stage this spring with his group “Under the Streetlamp,” which plays classic hits. You may have also seen him playing Frankie Valli in the national tour of “Jersey Boys.”
Recently, Kane County Magazine talked with the talented performer, who has returned this winter to play Captain Georg von Trapp in the holiday classic “The Sound of Music.”
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE: What’s it like playing Captain von Trapp?
CHRISTOPHER KALE JONES: The captain starts the play recovering from the loss of his wife and trying to run a household the best way he knows how as a retired military captain. He treats his children like little soldiers until Maria brings music and, of course, joy and laughter into his home. Given that this particular piece of theater takes place during the rise of the Nazi party prior to WWII, it’s also gratifying to play a character who was on the right side of history, standing up to a despotic dictatorship, even at the cost of his livelihood and perhaps even the safety of himself and those he loves. It is also an incredibly lush classic love story, which I think Paramount’s patrons will enjoy very much.
KC: What makes this particular show unique?
CKJ: The scope of what the Paramount Theatre is able to do in a nearly 1,900-seat house with its sprawling proscenium theater is going to set this production apart. It is going to be absolutely gorgeous to watch. Additionally, we have the privilege of performing with a 17-piece orchestra, which is almost unheard of in regional theater and will result in these classic songs sounding better than you may have ever heard them live. Also, I think every piece of theater is affected by the time in which it’s performed, which I hope will allow audiences to hear this story in a fresh and different light.
KC: What is the family appeal to “The Sound of Music”?
CKJ: Well, first and foremost, the show is about a family, and we have some of the most talented young performers in the city appearing as the children in the Von Trapp family. Also, the music of the show is universal, having woven its way into the cultural consciousness as well as the fabric of the holiday season. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear “My Favorite Things” or “The Sound of Music” or “Edelweiss” around the holidays? Lastly, although the stakes are heightened, I think the issues the family faces have universal appeal: What does a family do when its beliefs are threatened by the society they live in? How important are the arts and fun in family dynamics versus organization and discipline? Can one family make a difference?
KC: What message would you hope theatergoers take away from this show?
CKJ: With the invasion and possible annexation of parts of the Ukraine by Russia, with the current tension between the Democratic and Republican parties (no matter which side of the aisle you are on) in our own country, and with the recent wealth gap that was brought into stark visibility during the pandemic … I think it’s the perfect time to put on a musical that asks the questions: When is the right time to stand up for what you believe in? Is the health of a family based on your bank account, or the love and music that you share? Can (or should) we try to love each other for what we have in common while holding space for what we disagree on? What part do the arts play in political and cultural conversations? But I hope most that audiences leave having enjoyed some of their favorite music and perhaps holding each other a little closer during our cold Chicago winters!
AURORA DOWNTOWN CAMPUS Holiday Arts Event
Friday, Dec. 2 l 5 to 9 p.m. Ceramics Club Holiday Pottery Sale, Live Jazz, Chorale and more, in conjunction with Downtown Aurora's popular Cocoa Crawl!
SUGAR GROVE CAMPUS AUDITORIUM Steel Band Concert
Wednesday, Dec. 7 l 7:30 p.m. Caribbean, Pop, Classical and more! Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo
Friday, Dec. 9 l 7 p.m. Standards from the Great American Songbook Concert Band Saturday, Dec. 10 l 7:30 p.m. Selections from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Chorale Concert Sunday, Dec. 11 l 3 p.m. Traditional holiday music and more!
calendar.waubonsee.edu
Waubonsee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs or activities. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to: Michele Needham, Title IX/ADA and Section 504 Coordinator, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554, compliance@waubonsee.edu.
5126 events team member. “It’s beautiful.”
Venue 5126 also offers a patio with fire pits, on-site catering, a stunning nature-filled backdrop for wedding photos and space for guests to meander easily indoors or out. Additionally, there are two spaces for day-of prep. Suite 5126 comes with a hair and makeup station, private re stroom and other amenities; at The Coop, the groom’s party will find a suit rack,
ample seating and vintage yard games.
Venue 5126 is also close to a variety of hotel accommodations.
Bevill knew exactly what she was look ing for in a wedding locale.
“I wanted a venue where the ceremony and reception were at the same place but not in the same room. I wanted a big open space to decorate and dance in. I wanted there to be space for us and the guests to spend time outside because my husband and I both love the outdoors. Venue 5126 was perfect for all of this,” she says.
The barn, once home to old horse stalls, boxes and debris, complete with a dirt floor, has since been transformed into a 3,200-square-foot space that can accommodate a seating capacity for up to 225 people.
Venue 5126 is a dream achieved for owners Chris and Dave Demiduk, who were married at the site in fall 2010. Other accommodations include a
custom bar area, full menu of choice, full-service wait staff, linens, additional tables for a DJ and decor, and the ser vices of an events team, who help bring visions to reality.
“Our staff cares so much about each couple on a personal level,” Murphy says. “We get to know each couple and make personal connections to make sure we are the perfect venue for them, and we can make their wedding day incredible. And we can be all-inclusive if the couple chooses to use all of the many services — styling, rentals, florist, sweets, etc.”
For Bevill, the Kendall County locale is “everything you could want in a venue.”
“I had my dream pink, summer, big, par ty, dance-the-night-away wedding here and it was amazing, but you can have a beautiful wedding of any kind, during any season at Venue 5126,” Bevill says. “It is perfect for any vision and any taste. You won’t regret it.”
As you decorate your home for the holidays and enjoy time with family and friends, I want to thank you for the pleasure of helping you make your new house a home. May you fill it with traditions, love and wonderful memories.
With Thanksgiving in sight and fresh holiday decorations ramping up cheer in your neighborhood, it’s the time of year when it is hard not to feel more festive and grateful than usual. Whether you are motivated to contribute to a worthy charitable cause or thinking about helping family, let’s take a very brief look at some financial instruments you may want to consider using to help you make a difference.
DIRECT GIFTING TO CHARITIES: Philan thropy is an important aspect of generational wealth transfer because it allows you to earn income tax deductions and transfer money out of your estate to avoid additional estate taxes. Although there are many strategies for philanthropic giving, the most common is through direct gifts. Even though this method of giving may seem straightforward, there are options for how you can choose to give and benefits to each. Whether it’s through cash, securities, real estate or other assets, you can provide for a cause and receive tax benefits through direct gifts to charity.
PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS: For families interested in donating a considerable amount of wealth, setting up a private foundation may be a viable option. Private foundations are completely tax-exempt, although they can only grant up to a 30% income tax exemp tion rather than the 50% granted by direct donation. Private foundations are typically managed by a board consisting of family members and financial advisors, who define charitable goals and manage donations. They allow this board to act as intermediaries between the donor and the chosen charity.
Private foundations provide a unique way for families to come together for philanthropy because they allow relatives to be named to the board of directors.
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS: Donor-advised funds are designed to allow you to grow your donation to charity through investment. Donors, who can be individuals or groups, take donations and have a sponsor organization invest them. Although these sponsors charge fees for the creation and management of DAFs, the investment returns they can pro duce may help to build the value of the fund and could generate more money for charity than a simple gift. In addition, many DAFs have no minimum distribution requirements. In terms of generational wealth transfer, DAFs can be especially significant because they allow the donor to choose a successor advisor to continue the gifting tradition within the family.
While DAFs do have many tax benefits that private foundations do not, they also allow the donor less control. You should consider that the official controller of donor-advised funds is the sponsor, who retains the right to disregard
a donor’s choices if he or she deems a recipient charity to be unqualified.
CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS: Anyone can open a custodial account for any one else under the age of 18. These are commonly known as UTMA Accounts (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act).
The person who opens the account must name a custodian (which can be him- or herself) to manage the account with a fiduciary duty to the beneficia ry. While the custodian controls the account and manages the investments, anyone can donate to it and there is no limit to how much can be contributed.
The beneficiary owns the assets imme diately but cannot access them until he or she reaches the age of majority, which varies by state from age 18 to 21. The custodian is allowed to withdraw funds from the account before the beneficiary reaches the age of majority, but only if those funds are used for the benefit of the child (for instance, for a new laptop or summer camp fees).
While some people see the flexibility of a custodial account as a benefit, others see it as a drawback. If you
donate to a custodial account so that your child can go to college and then he or she decides not to, you have no say in how the money is spent. The beneficiary could squander the money at a casino and you would not have any legal authority to keep him or her from doing otherwise, despite contributing the money in the first place. Another potential drawback is the effect of the funds on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the sole purpose of this account is for future college expenses, you will want to talk with your financial adviser about other options.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE: These are quick overviews of common vehicles used for clients seeking to make an impact while leaving a personal legacy. When seeking to maximize the impact of your personal giving, work with your financial and tax advisers both so that you can make smart decisions and leverage your impact. If you are seeking fresh insight into your personal situation, our team would love to chat!
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