Weekender NORTHERN
ILLINOIS
YOUR GUIDE TO ARTS & LEISURE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2020 • ShawMediaIllinois.com
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
Fox Hollow offers tubing experience close to city and suburbs / 5
DINING AL FRESCO
Readers share their picks for beer gardens and patio dining / 6
THE GREAT ESCAPE Take a trip to an Illinois State Park / 3
Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS
2 STREAMING THIS WEEKEND
AP photo
This image released by Hulu shows Cristin Milioti (left) and Andy Samberg in a scene from the film “Palm Springs.”
‘Stateless,’ ‘Palm Springs,’ Shaggy album on tap my-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar makes a guest appearance on the album, playing on “Ama La,” a Here’s a collection curated by track honoring mothers. The Associated Press’ entertainment Shaggy: In 2000, reggae artist journalists of what’s arriving on TV, Shaggy dominated pop radio with streaming services and music plathis ubiquitous forms this week. No. 1 hits, “It Movies Wasn’t Me” and “The Old Guard”: The summer movie “Angel.” Twenseason may be nonexistent this year, ty years later, but Netflix had a pinch-hitter ready to he’s celebratstream: “The Old Guard.” This comic ing the album book adaptation stars Charlize Theron that featured as the leader of a group of ancient – Film Writer Lindsey Bahr those songs, immortals who have found another “Hot Shot,” by teammate in a soldier played by KiKi Music re-releasing the project and including The Dalai Lama: To commemorate Layne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). updated versions of his hits. “Hot Shot his 85th birthday, the Dalai Lama It’s directed by Gina Prince-Bythe2020” also includes classic songs from just released wood, who also helmed “Love & BasShaggy’s catalog, including the 1995 ketball” and the criminally underseen his first-ever smash “Boombastic.” Sting, who colalbum. The “Beyond the Lights” (currently availlaborated with Shaggy on the Gramable on Kanopy). And it’s a step above 11-track “Inner my-winning 2018 album “44/876,” is World” features your average summer blockbuster. featured on new versions of “Angel” teachings and “Palm Springs”: If a rom-com is and “Primavera.” mantras by the more your speed, there’s also “Palm – Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu Springs,” on Hulu, starring Andy Sam- Tibetan spiritual leader set to berg and Cristin Milioti as wedding Television Viewers seeking to stir their hearts music. On the guests who find themselves caught in project, the religious leader recites the and minds should consider Netflix’s a time-loop. The sunny pic caused a stir earlier this year when it broke the mantras of seven Buddhas, discussing “Stateless,” set in an immigration detention center in the Australian topics like wisdom, courage, healing, Sundance Film Festival acquisition compassion and children. Gramdesert. Co-created and produced by record by $0.69.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets”: Blurring the line between documentary and fiction, filmmaker brothers Bill and Turner Ross (“Western”) turn their camera on a group of people in a Las Vegas dive bar the day after Donald Trump’s election. The filmmakers rented the space, recruited the patrons and told them all to pretend that the bar was closing at the end of the night. But the alcohol is real, the conversations unexpected, and the result, available to rent, is pure filmmaking magic.
Cate Blanchett, the six-part drama brings together an unlikely group of strangers, including an airline steward running away from a cult, a family of Afghan refugees and a bureaucrat attempting to contain a national scandal. The cast includes Yvonne Strahovski (“Handmaid’s Tale”) and Fayssal Bazzi (“Top of the Lake”). The story’s goal, as Blanchett described it, is to illustrate the global displacement crisis and “how we’re being separated from our humanity.” Muscles and grit developed at work, not with a personal trainer, are put to the test in CBS’ “Tough as Nails,” a competition series at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. A farmer, roofer and iron worker are among those testing their mental and physical prowess in job-site challenges. The series, hosted and produced by Phil Keoghan (“The Amazing Race”), will pick a champ and give those who fail to go the distance solo, a shot at prizes in ongoing team contests. The action heroes include welder Linnett Key from Lecanto, Florida; Marine Corps vet Kelly “Murph” Murphy of Paragon, Indiana; and firefighter Young An of Alexandria, Virginia.
– Television Writer Lynn Elber
Take a trip to an Illinois state park
ing streams with the help of concrete fords which span the creeks,” says Torbert. “Accessible paths leading to the stream banks are available for wildlife watching and fishing.”
Lowden State Park
By DIANE KRIEGER SPIVAK
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Another well-attended park is Lowden State Park near Oregon, Illinois, which is home to the awe-inspiring, recently refurbished, 50-foot “Eternal Indian” statue designed by Laredo Taft. Lowden’s hiking trails, boat ramps, bank fishing, mushroom hunting, restrooms, roads and picnicking reopened in May.
For Shaw Media
ith summer in full swing and after we’ve being cooped up for months thanks to a global pandemic, heading outdoors to the open trails can be a welcome escape from binge watching television shows and playing video games. If the need to get out is on your mind, why not explore Illinois’ state parks? They have a lot more to offer than just trails. Think waterfalls, historic sites, boating, fishing, canoeing, biking, horseback riding and other pastimes. More and more of the 309 Illinois state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites have been reopening to the public, albeit with restrictions, according to Rachel Torbert, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Before heading out, check on the latest status of individual state parks. An updated full list of state sites currently open to the public, as well as recreational opportunities available at each, can be found on the IDNR website at www2.illinois.gov/dnr/ closures/Pages/ParksOpenDuringCoVID19.aspx. Historic sites focused on indoor, interpretive tours remain closed for now. “It is important to note that while we’re excited to welcome Illinoisans home to some of their favorite outdoor sites, amenities may be limited to protect public health,” says Torbert. “Visitors can enjoy mushroom hunting, bank and boat fishing, hiking, biking and picnicking.” We highlight a sampling of the state’s most popular parks.
CARROLL COUNTY Mississippi Palisades State Park
Located off the beaten path at 16327A Route 84 in Savanna, Mississippi Palisades State Park is a gem among Illinois’ state parks. Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple rivers in northwestern Illinois, the 2,500-acre park is rich in Native American history. The Native American pathfinders who found themselves on the rock palisades of
MASSAC COUNTY Fort Massac State Park
Shaw Media file photo
Lake Carlton in Morrison-Rockwood State Park is a prime spot for fishing. the Mississippi River discovered the paths of least resistance and created the trails that traverse the region. Hiking Mississippi Palisades, especially the park’s southern routes, will put you in touch with the past. Walk them and you’ll trace the footsteps of those who came this way nearly a thousand years ago. The park offers camping and fishing in addition to hiking.
LaSALLE COUNTY Starved Rock State Park
Located in Utica, the perennial favorite is one of the most visited of Illinois’ state parks. Set on 2,800 acres, it boasts 16 miles of well-marked hiking trails. There are 18 canyons and rock formations throughout the park, along with boating, camping, fishing, hiking trails, hunting, kayaking and winter ice climbing. Free guided tours are available Saturday mornings. Early reservations are a must for the park’s famous stone-and-log Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park also offers trolley and boat tours.
Mathiessen State Park
Located in Utica, just a few miles south of Starved Rock, is a popular destination that offers camping, equestrian trails, fishing, geocaching, hiking trails, an archery range and hunting and cross-country skiing in season. The park is a “geological para-
dise,” with canyons, streams, prairies and forests abundant with beautiful rock formations, unusual vegetation and wildlife, according to the DNR.
LEE COUNTY Franklin Creek State Natural Area
The Franklin Creek State Natural Area, 1872 Twist Road in Franklin Grove, offers 882 acres of pristine natural settings. The preserve contains upland and ravine forests, permanent stream, large springs and bedrock outcroppings of the Oregon Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division. The gorge area of the park is highly scenic and rich in both natural and historic features. The north-facing slope overlooking Franklin Creek is dotted with a mesic forest of sugar maple and basswood. Forest interior birds, such as pileated woodpecker, use the critical habitat for breeding. Outcroppings along Franklin Creek are from the New Richmond Sandstone Formation, the oldest exposed formation in the state. Mill Spring, which once served as a source of water for a mill, is just northeast of the preserve.
OGLE COUNTY White Pines Forest State Park
In the Rock River Valley is one of Illinois’ oldest state parks, boasting hiking, walking, camping and fishing. “Visitors also can drive through flow-
If you’re looking for a longer road trip, check out this destination in Metropolis. It became Illinois’ first state park in 1908. “Fort Massac State Park is another popular attraction, which displays the region’s rich history and overlooks the Ohio River,” says Torbert. The nearly 1,500-acre park offers camping, hiking, fishing, boating, seasonal hunting and an 18-hole disc golf course. The original fort was built in 1757, during the French and Indian War. A reproduction fort offers special events highlighting Colonial and early American history, including the popular Fort Massac Encampment festival each October, and year-round interpretive programs. The park, which reopened May 1, offers boat ramps, bank fishing, mushroom hunting, hiking and biking trails, restroom facilities and picnic areas. The fort currently is closed for renovation.
WHITESIDE COUNTY Morrison-Rockwood State Park
Located at 18750 Lake Road in Morrison, Morrison-Rockwood State Park is one of Illinois’ most interesting parks for birding and mushroom hunting. A trip to the picturesque region offers many memorable experiences. A large sign in the shape of Illinois, fashioned from angle iron by a blacksmith, greets visitors at the entrance to the state park. Once inside, choose from a variety of recreational opportunities, including beautiful Lake Carlton, a stream-fed reservoir featuring an abundance of ducks and geese. This is considered a prime location for fishing. Morrison-Rockwood is a popular spot for a family outing at the Lakeview picnic area, or for watching birds among the hickory, ash, oak and walnut trees. There is a boat launch, as well as 3.5 miles of hiking trails.
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
NATURECALLS
3
UNCORKED
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS
An expert taster shares favorite finds to consider adding to your own wine racks.
Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
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By JAMES NOKES
Grenache enjoying global Renaissance
M
arelise Niemann has a plan. Unconventional in nature perhaps, the South African winemaker has a vision fit for the future of vineyards in her country. In the meantime, what Niemann has offered with Momento grenache is the most exciting wine to come out of South Africa in years. An unexpected surprise from a region where the variety is scarcely planted, and it held a reputation as a cheap, bulk wine. Her story is matched around the world; she’s the trailblazing pioneer. Talented enough to remain a cult favorite and determined enough to transform an industry. If her passion for grenache is any indication, the latter seems probable. “We had to shake the stigma,” Niemann said. “Grenache was a bulk wine in South Africa throughout the 1980s. Many vineyards were replanted to other varieties, but there are still pockets of old vine head-trained grenache out there.” Because the results have been spectacular, and temperatures have been on a steady, year-after-year rise, Niemann has managed to hunt down vineyards that survived the replanting purge. The Momento Grenache 2016 ($34.99) is a juicy, fresh, medium-bodied red with raspberry flavors, spicerack accents and a dried-flower note. It had traits of a cool-climate pinot noir or the floral notes of sangiovese and is highly recommended. While colleagues bemoaned challenging growing seasons, since 2011, Niemann continued a stretch of easy summers with grenache. “We started to plant again in the 2000s,” said Niemann, who has a 10year plan that includes six different grenache bottlings from different vineyards and regions to highlight the unique expression due to variations in climate and soil. “With a hot, dry climate, we’ve got to plant varieties that focus on that. We work with bush trained, dry farmed vines because they are such low maintenance. It balances itself out. There’s no need to feed and trim them down constantly. It naturally produces with less vigor.” Like the Rhone Rangers did for grenache, syrah and mourvedre in California, Niemann has her sights set on a paradigm shift to meet the challenge of consumers being unfamiliar with South African grenache. Niemann said it’s easier to sell caber-
Photo provided
Marelise Niemann is the proprietor and winemaker at Momento wines in the Bot River region of South Africa. Her grenache is the most exciting wine to come out of South Africa in years. net sauvignon or shiraz, but grenache needs someone to carry its banner. She’s proposed the small group of winemakers establish grenache seminars and panels with other South African winemakers to tell their story because “people need to be educated.” When it comes to education, the Benziger family in Sonoma, California, is loaded with experience. A tram shuttles visitors around their property to showcase their biodynamic and organic vineyards. Mini tutorials are set up throughout the run, and its Imagery label is dedicated to varieties that would otherwise be orphaned. Normally reserved for northern Italy, Imagery has Barbera 2014 ($42)
and Lagrein 2014 ($45) in its lineup, along with Sangiovese 2014 ($42), traditionally found in Italy but thriving in pockets throughout California, and Tempranillo 2014 ($42), a mainstay in Spain. All are housed under the same label, and a visit to the tasting room always has a new surprise waiting. At Lioco, the Carignan and Valdiguie are offered on its website as Outliers, the former hails from Spain but has become transient in its search for a home, and the latter is a native of southern France. As a husband -and-wife winemaking team, Matt and Sarah Licklider hunt for pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards, saving space for what has become the most exciting wines in the lineup. The Lioco Carignan 2016 ($36) is inky
dark in the glass with plum and feral herb notes; the Valdiguie 2016 ($33) elevated the wild brush flavors and added raspberry and tobacco spice. All are wines that don’t command the cachet of triple-digit prices and extensive attention in wine press or wine shops. But, they are a great place to find a deal and go on a little wine store hunt for an unexpected pleasure. “It all started in 2011,” Niemann said. “I became all about grenache. It’s easy to sell cabernet or shiraz, but with grenache we have to tell the story.”
• James Nokes has been tasting, touring and collecting in the wine world for several years. Email him at jamesnokes25@yahoo.com.
STARVED ROCK COUNTRY
5 SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Dedicated to growing the awareness of everything the Starved Rock area has to offer
GO TUBING!
Photo provided
A long scenic stretch of the Fox River is the setting for tubing adventures with family and friends offered by Fox Hollow River Tubing of Sheridan.
Let your cares float away on the Fox River By RYAN SEARL
rsearl@shawmedia.com
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njoy a relaxing, social distance-friendly float down the dells of the Lower Fox River. Sheridan’s Fox Hollow River Tubing makes spending a day with your family and friends on this beautiful stretch of water a simple and convenient process. Located at 2480 N. 41st Road in Sheridan, just a short drive from Route 71 and Interstate 80, Fox Hollow specializes in inflatable tube excursions along the river’s famed lower dells region. Flanked by beautiful sandstone cliffs and dense forest canopies, dotted with small islands, this 3-mile float feels like a trip far outside Illinois,
despite being just an hour and a half from the heart of the city. Fox Hollow welcomes tubers of all ages and experience levels, ranging from college-aged friends looking for a quick getaway from the city to Boy Scout and church groups looking for a relaxing afternoon float on the river. Upon your arrival, you’ll have to confirm your pre-reservation, sign some quick release forms, and you’ll soon be loaded onto a shuttle bus that will take you to the launching point 3 miles up river. There is no age or weight limit for tubing, but all guests age 12 and younger will be required to wear life preservers. Water shoes or sneakers are needed for the float. Once your shuttle bus reaches the launching point, located just a short drive north of the Fox Hollow head-
quarters, you’ll be given a comfortable inflatable inner tube, specially designed for a leisurely float. From there, your party will have free rein to float down the Fox, soaking in the sights, bobbing along the cool river water on the approximately threehour trip. Fox Hollow also boasts an option for one of the longest tubing trips in northern Illinois. These special, double-length, 6-mile trips depart most weekdays at 10 a.m. The leisurely excursion is not for first-time tubers; it’ll take about six hours to float your way back to the Fox Hollow HQ (not counting any time you might spend eating lunch), and provides an incredibly fun and relaxing all-day experience you won’t find anywhere else in the area. Stopping to enjoy a bite to eat is
one of the highlights of tubing on the Fox River. This southern stretch is dotted with numerous state-owned islands, perfect for pushing ashore and enjoying a riverfront picnic. Guests are required to take all lunch litter away with them, to ensure these island beaches stay clean for future tubers. For an even more relaxed atmosphere, consider booking a weekday trip with the family at Fox Hollow. Weekdays often feature fewer floaters, allowing you a very serene family excursion on the river. This popular facility is open every day but Wednesday, and will soon require online or phone booking in advance. Visit its website at foxhollowtubing.com and go to its Facebook page for more details.
Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS
6 FOOD FAVES
Readers share their picks for beer gardens, patio dining Outdoor dining is a premium attraction in northern Illinois, where winters can seem to last almost to June. Readers helped us compile a guide to some of the most inviting beer gardens and al fresco patios – from relaxed to romantic – while there’s still plenty of time left to experience them before the snowflakes fly.
Shaw Media file photo
Fatty’s Pub & Grille is a favorite spot for outdoor dining in DeKalb.
Will County ■■ McWethy’s Tavern, 1700 W. Renwick Road, Romeoville ■■ Dancing Marlin, 20590 S. La Grange Road, Frankfort ■■ McBride’s on 52, 2727 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
McHenry County ■■ Benedict’s La Strata, 40 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake ■■ Track’s Bar and Grill, 108 W. Main St., Cary ■■ Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake
LaSalle County ■■ The Lone Buffalo Restaurant and Tap Room by Tangled Roots Brewing Company, 808-812 La Salle St., Ottawa ■■ The Veranda at Starved Rock Lodge, 2688 E. 873rd Road, Oglesby ■■ Lodi Tap House, 101 Mill St., Utica
DeKalb County ■■ Fatty’s Pub & Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb ■■ MVP Sports Bar, 124 S. California St., Sycamore ■■ Prairie State Winery, 222 W. Main St., Genoa
Sauk Valley ■■ Palmyra Pub and Eatery, 628 Palmyra Road, Dixon ■■ Triple P BBQ, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road, Rock Falls ■■ Whiskey Barrel Saloon, 305 W. Second St., Rock Falls
Kane County ■■ The Pub, 221 Main St., Maple Park ■■ FoxFire Restaurant, 17 W. State St., Geneva ■■ The Office Dining & Spirits, 201 E. Main St., St. Charles ■■ The Patten House Restaurant and Bar, 124 S. Second St., Geneva Kendall County ■■ Tap House Grill, 123 W. Washington St., Oswego ■■ Southbank Original Barbecue, 129 E. Hydraulic St., Yorkville ■■ Pig Dog Pub, 1250 S. Broadway Ave., Montgomery DuPage County ■■ Ivy Restaurant, 120 N. Hale St., Wheaton ■■ Pazzi Di Pizza, 105 S. York St., Elmhurst ■■ FourteenSixteen, 14 W. Calendar Ave., La Grange
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By PAM OTTO
Taking interesting dives into the natural world around us, Pam Otto opens new avenues of exploration.
Photo provided
New growth sprouts for Herb the hydrangea, who’d lingered too long in the shadow of a black walnut tree.
Natural weapon almost takes out ‘Herb’ the hydrangea
D
on’t you just love a good aha moment? You know what I’m talking about … that instant where a lightbulb comes on, the brain fog clears and aha! A problem is solved. I think I savor these times even more because of the way my head is wired – with a dimmer switch rather than one that flips. More often than not when I get an idea, it’s a slow glow that gradually brightens. An abrupt aha provides a welcome change. And so it was that on Father’s Day weekend, no less, I was blessed with an aha! Inspiration struck, a persistent problem was solved, and a life near and dear to me was saved. This particular challenge actually dates back to 2017, the year I was given a hydrangea bush by my good friends known collectively as the Hens. (Long story, but the name goes back to when we all worked together as editors at a publishing company. The staff was largely female, and when we’d sit together at lunchtime, our two male coworkers would sometimes opt out of our hen party in favor of, maybe, a bull session.) At any rate, 2017 had been a pretty rough year for me. I was grappling with colon cancer, and my dad had died. Bless their hearts, the Hens planned a birthday outing for me. They took me to lunch and brought me this cute little hydrangea I promptly named Herb – after dear old dad.
As time went on, the cancer went into remission and the pain of losing my pop gave way to great memories. But Herb the hydrangea? Well, he floundered. He produced one baseball-sized blossom in 2018 – which I proudly photographed and sent to the Hens – but throughout 2019, he just kind of existed, leafing out but not flowering. When spring of 2020 rolled around, I gingerly poked among Herb’s dried stems, looking for some sign of life. He’d looked so anemic last fall, I didn’t have much confidence he’d survive. But during one of the few dry days we had in May, he perked up a bit, and sent out a couple of leaves. Hopeful, I stuck a large stick in the ground so I wouldn’t inadvertently step on little Herb or, worse, hit him with the lawn mower. But as May morphed into June, his condition went from stable to critical. His leaves remained small and wrinkled, and developed brown spots. Even my special plant fix of water with a little milk mixed in didn’t help. I was beginning to think Herb the hydrangea would soon earn his wings, and head to that big compost pile in the sky. Or at least the little one in the backyard. What would I tell the Hens? Thankfully, an aha moment came to the rescue. It was the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend, and I was standing not too far from Herb talking with my dear neighbors, the Tillmans. At some point, I mentioned I had hydrangea
envy, having admired their lush shrubs for years, and Mike responded with something like, “Well, the ones in back are doing fine. But the ones in front are gone.” It took a minute for his words to sink in. But sure enough, the hydrangeas that had graced the space between our yards were no more. I hadn’t really given it much thought when they’d planted some New Guinea impatiens in that space; I thought maybe it was just time for a change. But learning that their hydrangeas had withered too … hmm. Several years ago, probably at least 10, a squirrel-sown black walnut tree sprouted amid those shrubs. It’s grown to an impressive height, and its roots no doubt now reach over into my yard, right where Herb was clinging to life. Aha! I’ve always heard that walnut trees produce chemicals with allelopathic properties, but I’d never actually had any direct experience with it. Or so I thought. But there it was. Allelopathy was killing my Herb. Allelopathy is the fancy name given to the process by which one plant produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants. It’s a pretty neat adaptation that allows a plant to reduce the competition for water and nutrients. And among allelopathic plants, the black walnut is king. While not every plant is sensitive to the chemicals it produces, those that are –
like hydrangeas – don’t stand a chance. It might have been too late to save the Tillmans’ shrubs, but Herb was still hanging in there. Would relocating him help? I was willing to try. Later that same day, I grabbed a shovel and dug Herb out of the ground. I winced as I noted his pitiful roots didn’t even fill the scoop part of the blade. I set him down in his new home on the south side of the front yard, then made a trip to the back for an extra-special treat: a big dip of nutrient-rich compost. I tamped the soil down and gave him a long drink of water from the hose, then crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I didn’t have to wait long. Within 48 hours, Herb had begun to rally. His stems were straighter, his colors brighter. After three days, new growth began to sprout, and at five days, the new leaves were already over an inch long. At this point, I’m pretty sure Herb will not only survive, but thrive in his new location. I’m pretty excited about his recovery. He’s a living tribute to my dad, who could grow a great many things, as well as a reminder of good friends and the power of perseverance. I kinda feel like I should let someone know this noteworthy tale. Aha! I think I’ll email the Hens.
• Pam Otto is the outreach ambassador for the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at 630-513-4346 or potto@stcparks.org.
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
GOOD NATURED
Shaw Media Illinois / ShawMediaIllinois.com • Saturday, July 11, 2020
SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS
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