July/August Spirit 2021

vol. 5 no. 2

COOL TREATS ON THE WATER DINOSAURS AT VOLO

JULY/AUGUST 2021

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The

Spirit IS A PUBLICATION OF

GENERAL MANAGER

Sue Z. Lange EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ed Nadolski EDITOR

Tracy Ouellette

Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team returns to the water With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, McHenry County is continuing to highlight the return of area’s iconic attractions.

Summer on the lake means many things to many people. For the people of Wonder Lake, it means one of the best shows in McHenry County every Friday night.

For more than 60 years, the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team has wowed with free shows every Friday night

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Vicki Vanderwerff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi Schulz

SECTION DESIGNER

Jennifer DeGroot SALES

Pete Hansen Tamera Hamilton

between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The 160-member team, ranging in age from 5 to 65, entertains audiences of all ages, and has won at least five national championship tournaments.

The show is free to the public, but the team is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and actively seeks donations to cover expenses.

To learn more, visit www. wonderlakeskiteam.org or follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Tom Flatow

The Spirit of The Lakes is a complimentary publication, distributed throughout the Chain O’ Lakes and Kenosha County area. Keeping up with the same great tradition as the Spirit of Geneva Lakes.

Send all correspondence to:

The

top: Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team performs every Friday night between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The team returned to the water this year after taking a break in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spirit

SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of the Lakes

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SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

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Sounds of Summer

Concerts in the Plaza music series continues soundtrack of generations of families.

Come see and hear why audiences across Chicagoland are raving about this captivating, crowd-engaging band! There’s a reason why they’re Chicago’s best and most fun lovin’ acoustic Beatles tribute band.

• July 27 – Rico’s hypnotic blend of AfroCuban rhythms is heavily influenced by the sound and spirit of Santana. The band creates a fiery soulful sound through bass, congas, percussion, drums, timbales, keyboards, and guitar.

• Aug. 3 – An Adam Ezra Group performance is a community-driven experience, propelled by the spirit of the audience. Hailing from Boston, the roots rock band takes an unconventional approach to the music world allowing them to emerge as one of the most uniquely powerful, underground live music experiences in the country. The band has opened for The Wallflowers, John Oates, Graham Parker, and America.

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Entrance is $10 per car after 5 p.m. on event nights. For everyone’s safety, and as a courtesy to preserve neighbors, park in preserve lots only. Cars will be turned away when parking lots are full.

For concert reminders, weather updates or to learn if a concert has been canceled, call 847-968-3499. There is no rescheduling if a concert is canceled.

Concerts are open to all ages and are held at the preserve’s outdoor amphitheater. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Arrive early to secure your spot.

Pack a picnic, or purchase a light dinner, snack or beverage from the preserve’s walkup café or from the new Beer Garden at Independence Grove.

To make a concert outing even more memorable, call 847-968-3499 to reserve a pontoon boat for your group of up to six.

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With the exception of service animals, dogs, horses and other pets are not permitted at Independence Grove.

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Music lovers, dance lovers, outdoor lovers, get ready for award-winning performers playing under the stars at the annual Concerts in the Plaza music series.

Concerts will be held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, through Aug. 3. The concerts are at the preserve’s outdoor Millennia Plaza overlooking a 115-acre lake. A new concert has also been added at the outdoor amphitheater at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.

From Beatles to the blues, from rock and bluegrass to swing and jazz, there’s something for just about any music taste in this season’s entertainment lineup. View full band descriptions and 2021 concert lineup at lcfpd.org.

This year’s concerts are supported

by North Shore Gas (platinum sponsor), Libertyville Bank and Trust (bronze sponsor), and Lake County Journal (media sponsor).

• July 20 – Kaleidoscope Eyes pays homage to the band that’s the official

Summertime ON THE

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

Water ACTIVITIES ABOUND ON THE CHAIN O’LAKES

from top: After a full day on the water, this pontoon makes its way home on the Chain O’Lakes while enjoying a beautiful sunset; While the Chain O’Lakes is best known for boating, nearby lakes offer swimming beaches.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

For the past several years, the opening of the Chain O’Lakes waterway to boat traffic each spring has been a challenge for the Fox Waterway Agency.

The agency oversees the 15 lakes and channels that make up the Chain, which attracts more than 22,000 boats each year, more than any other inland water area in the United States, works to keep the Chain free of debris and to protect the surrounding shores.

For these years, through 2020, the opening of the waters of the Chain to boat travel each spring was restricted because of the high-water levels from excessive rainfall in the area in the early spring.

“Mitigating flooding was the new norm,” Fox Waterway Agency Executive Director Joe Keller said. “Some of the areas had nowake zones to prevent flooding of the shore

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areas. Not popular with boaters who were looking to get back to waterskiing, tubing, and just enjoying rides down the Chain and experiencing the power of their boats.”

This year, however, was different. With a drier spring, the waterways did not reach the depth that it had in previous years and opened to boat traffic earlier than the past few years. It could not have occurred at a better time.

As residents were recovering from the enhanced isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many were waiting to have their boats in the water and their families and friends aboard, ready to enjoy time out of doors and on the water.

Once piers were reinstalled and boats delivered out of winter storage drydock, the lakes began to look as if summer had arrived.

Soon the boats could be seen cruising up and down the lakes, especially on weekends.

Spending summertime out on the lake enjoying a variety of watercraft is one of the ways for families to enjoy outdoor activities and to learn a variety of new skills. From young children to adults there are many boating activities that can be enjoyed without worry of injury, as long as safety precautions are followed.

Having U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets available for everyone on the boat is necessary for safety of all When children are on board, they should wear them at all times and be sure they are properly fitted for their size. Remember having the jackets on board does not save lives unless they are worn. The U.S. Coast Guard does not recommend taking any toddler on board who weighs less than 18 pounds. Even the smallest of the approved life jackets would be too large for any child weighing less than 18 pounds.

Boating options

Pontoon boats are among the most popular and versatile boats seen on the lakes. Originally thought of as the old folk’s boat, today’s pontoons are more versatile than the early models. They are equipped with more powerful engines that make them a favorite for a variety of on the water activities.

Gather on the pontoon, bring along your family, friends and your refreshments and settle back to enjoy a leisurely trip down the chain, enjoying the beauty of the lakes.

Be sure to bring drinking water to keep everyone hydrated and sunscreen for all aboard to prevent burning in the hot sun. Dehydration is one of the dangers that boaters need to be

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Fishing is a favorite activity on the Chain, whether in a boat or along the shore.

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July • August 2021

mindful of.

A trip down the Chain O’Lakes is a good way to become acquainted with the unique features of each individual lake. The variety of wildlife especially birds which change with the season is a learning opportunity as adults and children become more familiar with the wildlife in the air, on the water and along the shore. Note the different birds as they migrate through the area.

Pontoons with high-powered engines are surprisingly well suited for waterskiing and tubing, activities that will be enjoyed by all members of the family. While the traditional speed boats can also be seen flying through the water, with water skiers behind them, the pontoons are an easier way for families to all participate whether water skiing or tubing off the back of the boat.

Sailboats are one of the most beautiful sights gliding across the water with their large sails billowing in the breeze. Families have been enjoying sailing on the Chain since the late 1800s, when Chicagoans escaping the dirty air of the city began to build summer homes here. These families who made their way out to the areas of open lands and clean air were able to teach their children much about nature and enjoying outdoor activities.

Sailing families taught their children to learn to sail by taking them along, making sailing a family affair. Sailing requires no purchase of fuel to run the boat but rather just a gently breeze and the ability to manipulate the sails to turn that breeze into energy and propel the boat along the waters.

Even the speed is manipulated by how the sails are manipulated.

Sailing classes are available for those

from top: Wave runners offer a thrill as they speed along the water. Watching out for the larger boats is important; A family heads out on the water powered only by how hard and fast they can pedal.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

wanting a more formal training in sailing, whether adults or children. Contact the local sailing clubs for more information on learning to sail.

Fishing the Chain

Fishing has been enjoyed perhaps since the beginning of time when man fished for food and for sport. The thrill of catching a fish, from a child’s first little sunfish to the more active sport fishing on the oceans where fisherman land fish weighing hundreds of pounds is enjoyed by all fishermen.

Fishing for sport and returning the fish unharmed back into the water is a good lesson for children and good for the environment.

If you are interested in fishing on the

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

chain, consider a trip to Grass Lake. Grass Lake, one of the lakes of the Chain, was very popular lake to visit in the 1920s.

Not for fishing but for the beauty of the lotus flowers that grew there. Visitors were carried down the Fox River into the Chain to ride through the lotus blossoms that covered the surface of the lake. Over the years the lotus flowers died off, although some have reappeared.

Grass Lake is one of, if not the shallowest of lakes on the Chain. Boats need to stick to the center to avoid running aground. This is great for the anglers looking to fish this lake. With boats sticking to the center of the water, the entire shoreline remains open for those wishing to fish.

“Grass Lake has a large variety of fish

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from catfish and carp, to muskie, both large and small mouth bass, and even blue gill and walleye,” said one local fisherman.

Fishing is a sport that teaches patience and perseverance waiting for the fish to nibble. A change from many activities of today and something for children and adults to appreciate.

Get out the paddles

Not everyone needs to be on a large boat to enjoy the fun and beauty of the water.

Small craft such as kayaks, capable of holding one or two people, are a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy time on the water.

Kayaks are light weight and can be easily transported in one’s automobile to the stream, creek, or lake where one plans to enter the water. They are inexpensive.

Learning to maneuver in the water using a paddle to steer and project the kayak forward is something most people pick up easily. Kayaking is a fun way for a group of friends to explore together while still maintaining social distancing. It is an enjoyable outside activity for youngsters, teenagers and adults.

The last few years paddle boarding has become very popular in the Midwest. For years, paddle boarding was an activity popular ocean-side, but now we see paddleboards on the lakes with a special emphasis on stand-up paddle boarding also known as SUP.

This father and his son pull up to the dock in their bright yellow boat. While Dad holds on to the pier, the son brings up the docking rope to secure the boat to the pier.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

Learning to ride a paddleboard in the standup position is a bit more difficult than learning to manage a kayak, although most instructors and participants of the sport claim it is easy to learn. In spite of this, outdoor sports lovers have embraced the paddle board as a great workout, especially strengthening the core muscles.

While we are enjoying this beautiful summer weather, take some time to enjoy the outdoors and if possible, make time for outdoor summer fun on the water. If you do

not own a boat, or have a good friend who owns one and invites you aboard, there are marinas along the Chain, which offer boats from pontoons to kayak for rent or sail.

At the end of a day boating on the Chain, pull your boat up to the dock at one of the restaurants along the Chain and enjoy eating out doors on the deck while watching the sun slowly set.

Or if you prefer, order a to go meal and enjoy the same beautiful view from your boat while enjoying dinner on board.

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Sweet scents

Sisters prove ‘yes, you can grow lavender in Illinois’

by Katie Zelechowski ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU

Two sisters’ passion for agriculture and willingness to try new things led them to grow a crop not commonly found in Illinois – lavender.

As the owners and operators of Tenderloin Farms in Edwardsville, Kim Hansen and Kris Straub have learned a lot about growing lavender on their family farm. And for the first time, they will open their farm this year for the public to learn more about the specialty crop.

“We took over our farm when our parents died in 2016 and we decided to add our own little touch to the farm,” said Hansen.

“It seems like every generation has added something new.”

The farm dates back more than 100 years.

And its name is a nod to the farm’s history.

When Hansen and Straub were growing up, their father raised hogs and the girls showed the animals at county and state fairs. Before that, their great-grandfather owned dairy cows.

Today, Hansen and Straub grow corn, soybeans and 1,000 lavender plants on the non-tillable portion of the farm.

Straub said the sisters decided to add lavender to their operation because they enjoy working with flowers. “It was something we could do in our retirement years and have some fun with,” she said.

“The farm is still in your blood,” Straub said. “It takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it.”

Growing the crop has required experimentation. A test plot on the property helps the sisters determine which lavender varieties grow best.

With more than 400 varieties of lavender to choose from, Hansen and Straub pay special attention to how the plants respond to differences in soil, moisture and access to shade. They typically plant 10 to 15 varieties each year.

“There is no one around to talk to (or) get experience from,” Hansen said. “We’re still learning every day when we work with the lavender.”

Over time, they have learned that location is everything when it comes to growing the purple plants. While Illinois soils are rich with nutrients, lavender doesn’t do well during the

Kim Hansen and Kris Straub, sisters and co-owners of Tenderloin Farms in Edwardsville, pull weeds by hand at their lavender farm. Before opening their u-pick lavender patch to visitors, they inspect several varieties that are in full bloom.

KATIE ZELECHOWSKI PHOTO/ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU Spirit of the Lakes

hot, humid summer months.

So, the growing season is focused to June.

Many lavender varieties flower multiple times throughout the month, offering visitors the chance to pick their own stems while the farm is open each weekend from Friday to Sunday.

“We’re sure not France; They can’t grow corn like we can and we can’t grow lavender like they can. But (growing lavender) is very unique and, yes, you can grow lavender in Illinois. It just takes a little bit – or a lot a bit – of trial and error,” Hansen said.

See for yourself

Visitors are invited to learn more about lavender as they walk through the U-pick fields and wildflower patches at Tenderloin Farms. Plot maps help guide people through more than 12 lavender varieties.

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

Lavender plants that have been propagated from other locations on the property are available for purchase in the greenhouse.

The old barn, once used for livestock, has been transformed into a farm store where visitors can purchase homemade, handcrafted lavender soaps, scrubs, candles and more.

“There’s something for everybody to see here,” Straub said.

While admission is free, reservations are encouraged. Register online at www. tfilavender.com and use the free coupon code “FREEVISIT.” For farm updates and information, visit their website at {tenderloinfarms.com} or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association.

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Dinosaurs delight,

amaze visitors at new Jurassic Gardens

by Cynthia Wolf CONTRIBUTOR

Once past the towering T-Rex at the entryway, visitors to the new Jurassic Gardens at Volo Auto Museum walk into a green-fronded world thick with the pounding footfalls and piercing cries of dimetrodons, pterodactyls and triceratops. Dozens of iguanodons, ceratosauruses and velociraptors dot the gloam-lit landscape.

“With the background sounds, the lighting, the foliage, the movement, it pulls you into dinosaur times,” said Brian Grams, director of the Volo Auto Museum, now also home to Jurassic Gardens. “We paid a lot of attention to detail to make this an immersive experience.”

That immersive experience is now open, with more than three-dozen animatronic and several static dinosaurs on display, as well as a dino-themed playground outside. Tickets are available on-site at 27582 Volo Village Road or at volocars.com.

The new – and permanent – exhibit is the culmination of an idea that sparked in 2019.

Residential

Transforming what formerly was the mercantile mall took nearly a year, including a fair few seven-day work weeks to stick to the mid-May opening plan.

During the COVID-19 pandemic closure, crews gutted the 13,000-square-foot space that the forever-fascinating creatures now inhabit. Along with carefully building each mechanical, metal, moving frame beneath the animatronic dinosaurs, they installed greenery, a pathway, a theater-quality sound system and stones plaques with dino descriptions and era information.

Instructive world maps, an incubator lab, a small theater, a fossil dig for budding paleontologists, a mining sluice, an expansive arcade and a gift shop all are part of the educational fun.

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“It’s a dream come true for kids,” Grams said. “We expect to see a lot of school field trips come through in the fall. We’re already getting calls.”

While Jurassic Gardens may be the most dramatic new draw at the reopened Volo Auto Museum, it is certainly not the only new draw.

A breathtakingly restored, fully functional 1920s Herschell Carousel and surrounding grand music hall also is open to the public for the first time. The museum’s vintage tractor display is expanded, more movie cars are on view and a streamlined ticketing terminal is in place to reduce wait times.

With pandemic mitigations loosening, the ShowBiz Pizza Place is on pace to reopen in June. Grams also plans to bring back summertime train rides that offer a guided tour of the property, recently expanded by about 60 acres to the north.

“Now more than ever, there is so much to do and see,” Grams said. “We’re looking forward to showing off what we’ve accomplished.”

Tickets to see Jurassic Gardens are $15.95 for ages 5 and older, free for those 4 and younger. Auto museum tickets are $19.95 for adults or $12.95 for children ages 5 to 12. Combo tickets – which provide entry to both attractions plus a second consecutive day’s entry free of charge – are $31.95 per adult and $24.95 per child. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for both attractions. For other information, find Volo Auto Museum or Jurassic Gardens on Facebook, visit volocars. com or call 815-385-3644.

clockwise from top left: This towering, bellowing T-Rex greets visitors to the new Jurassic

Gardens adventure at Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road; Members of the Naber and Natschke families from Woodstock and Hebron enjoy one of the photo-friendly dinosaur displays at Jurassic Gardens during a preview tour in April; Just a few months ago, what is now Jurassic Gardens was a teeming mass of dino pieces awaiting placement in a newly gutted building on the Volo Auto Museum grounds. opposite: Volo Auto Museum Director Brian Grams stands next to a dinosaur fossil replica at Jurassic Gardens that drives home the height of the extinct beasts in comparison to humans.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

11

Summertime Treats

Area offers high-end ice cream and chocolates

by Sandra

flavor with chocolate, and one with the moniker, Elvis, a banana based ice cream CORRESPONDENT with peanuts and chocolate.

Summertime means ice cream and A favorite among children whether it is chocolates. On a hot summer day, because of its name, or the bright colors especially after being outside engaging in of the ice cream, is the flavor known summer activities, there is nothing better as Superman. This ice cream, bright than some rich tasty ice cream to help one yellow, red, and blue, the colors found cool down. And if that quality ice cream in Superman’s outfit attracts the young flavor is enhanced with rich and creamy visitors as they walk up to the ice cream chocolate nothing can beat the flavor. display case. With eyes opened large, they Chocolates especially quality, homemade point to the Superman ice cream as they ones are always welcomed, not only in pick their choice. summer but at any time of the year.

Cones are the most popular ice cream If you are in Antioch or McHenry, stop treats sold. Not a simple choice as picking in at one of these stores known for quality out the cone itself is the first decision. chocolates and fudge and top quality ice Cake, sugar, or the house made waffle cream. cones to hold the ice cream, or maybe just Passing the Riverside Chocolate Factory a cup, so many choices. Plain or dipped on Route 120 and Chapel Hill Road on in The Chocolate Factory’s homemade a warm day, it is obvious that something chocolate? With or without nuts? special is going on. Families gather around Whoever thought that a simple ice cream enjoying ice cream cones, sundaes and cone could be so difficult? other summertime treats. Customers are Then, of course, there is the often seen spilling over into the parking lot picking out the flavor from the small patio, where everyone has of the ice cream. some form of ice cream in hand.

Stick to your The faces of children with ice cream and often chocolate running down their chins while their eyes sparkle and large smiles make it certain that they are enjoying their day.

Customers come to Chocolate Factory to enjoy the high-quality ice cream and also all the handmade chocolates created by the Hunter family. While the chocolates are handmade in house the ice cream is not. It is high quality ice cream from Chocolate Shoppes Inc in Wisconsin.

“Highest quality organic ice cream may cost a bit more but it results in a better taste,” said owner Bob Hunter, who goes by the moniker, Hippie Bob. “It is a taste love in.”

The ice cream is unique and made with high quality cream and comes in a variety of flavors, many with unusual names. There are often 18 to 20 flavors in the store at any given time. The flavors include Zanzibar, a dark chocolate ice cream, La tee dah, a coffee latte Landen Machaj

The Heidegger family gathers around enjoying delicious ice cream from Riverside Chocolate Factory on a hot summer day.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

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July • August 2021

favorite or try a new and exciting flavor?

Oh, and you aren’t finished yet. Did you want sprinkles on that cone?

Shakes and sundaes are also favorites especially as they are made with Riverside Chocolate Factory homemade sauces.

Some enjoy a frozen banana dipped in their favorite topping to cool down on a hot day.

So many delicious choices.

In 1986, Bob and Diana Hunter opened a candy store in downtown McHenry, on Riverside Drive, which they aptly named the Riverside Chocolate Factory. At first, they focused on prepackaged candies, especially those known at the time as penny candy, but soon Diana became involved in creating her own high-end chocolates.

After meeting a man from Long Grove, known for delicious chocolates, he taught her how to create unique high-quality chocolates to delight chocolate lovers.

Over the years, the types of chocolates expanded as a variety of candies were developed. They became more adventurous, dipping a variety

of fresh fruits. Today chocolate dipped fresh organic strawberries are the best seller.

They are created daily and can be dipped in milk or dark chocolate or, if preferred, in white chocolate by special request.

“Almost any fruit can be dipped and we do most of them,” added Hunter.

Their high-quality fudge is also a customer favorite and on weekends customers can be seen spilling out the door as they line up for fudge, chocolates or ice cream.

The menu describes a variety of chocolates sure to set your mouth watering for a taste. Along with the fruits, they cover rice krispie treats, Granny Smith Apples, and sweet and salty pretzel rods. With bacon so popular it is not surprising that the chocolate covered bacon is a special treat that everyone must taste. Or there is also the bacon caramel chocolate covered treat.

The traditional butter creams are also made here in a variety of flavors.

In 1990 the business moved from Riverside Drive to its current location, a historical building on Highway 120 and Chapel Hill Road. It was built in the early 1930s by Norwegian builder Olaf Edward Olsen as part of the, Pine Tree Dairy Farm, according to Olsen’s granddaughter Nancy Hill.

Over the years the unique shape and height of the building, which became known as Pine Tree Tower, was recognizable throughout the area.

The building served many purposes over the years. First as part of the milk farm, then in the 1950s as an ice cream shop. It became a restaurant, known for hamburgers and a special place for the teenagers of the area to hang out.

“When we purchased the building, it had been used as a hot dog stand and was in need of repair to convert it to the Riverside Chocolate Factory,” Hunter said. “Our quality chocolates have even been enjoyed

in the White House as a box was given to former First Lady Laura Bush.”

Visiting many of the community events in the area, you are sure to see the Pink Lady, the bright pink mobile Riverside Chocolate Factory trailer that provides favorite chocolates, fudge, and ice cream to those attending community festivals.

“It is our personal private mobile chocolate factory,” Hunter said.

The Riverside Chocolate Factory is now run by three generations of the Hunter Family, each member known for producing specific candy products.

The Riverside Chocolate Factory is located at 2102 W. Illinois 120, McHenry.

Reach them at 815-344-6040 or visit them at www.riversidechocolatefactory.com.

Their hours are 9AM to 9PM 7 days a week as it is always time for ice cream.

Something Sweet

Traveling the downtown business section of Antioch on a hot and sunny day it is not surprising to see shoppers enjoying an ice cream cone as they meander down the street window shopping along Main Street.

Quite likely they have stopped in Something Sweet and been captivated by the aroma of rich and creamy chocolates and fudge that permeates the store and by the display of cold comforting ice cream. In the warm weather of spring, summer, and fall, the sight of the cold and creamy ice cream displayed, immediately leads visitors to choose an ice cream cone to satisfy their sweet tooth and to cool them down. fom top: Something Sweet is best known for its The ice cream featured at Something homemade fudge. Purchase some to nibble on Sweet, is Homer’s Ice Cream from as you meander through downtown Antioch along Wilmette. It is a premium high fat ice cream with a large chunk to take home to your family and created by the same family for three or four enjoy with them; This unique building was built around 1930 and was the home of a variety of generations according to Ashley Michel, daughter of Michele Michel, the founder of local businesses before it became the home of the Riverside Chocolate Factory in 1990.

Something Sweet.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes “We do not make sundaes but are known SPIRIT of THE LAKES

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for our quality cones,” Ashley Michel said. “We offer sugar, cake or waffle cones. Our specialty is the chocolate dipped waffle cone. The dipped cone is not just dipped in a liquid chocolate syrup but in our real chocolate that is melted down for a quality chocolate covering. That is what makes our dipped cones so special.”

The flavors offered here are also unique and a variety are offered, some seem to appeal to the adults while others are much more popular with children. Favorites here are very similar to the favorites reported at Riverside.

“Adults seem to really enjoy the cappuccino dark chocolate chip coffee flavor while the youngsters are enamored with Superman,” Michel said.

Is it the bright colors of the Superman ice cream or the thought that they may develop his powers that leads the children to this flavor? We probably will never know.

Fruit flavors are also very popular especially the fresh peach,

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banana, and toasted coconut.

In addition to the cones for immediate gratification, Something Sweet also sells their ice cream in quart containers to take home and enjoy with the family.

Something Sweet was opened in 1998

by Michele Michel, mother of Ashley.

“We had moved around quite a bit, from as far as New York and finally ended up in Antioch, Illinois,” shared Ashley Michel.

“We are a family of entrepreneurs who enjoy working with people.”

When Michele Michel first opened her candy store in downtown Antioch, she first focused on creating the finest homemade fudge around then gradually expanded into the high-quality chocolates.

One of the specialty items was the creation of “turtles “those tasty chocolate, caramel, and pecan candies that are loved by all. But she went a step further and created extra-large turtles, which were named “Bear Foot,” because of their large size. They also offered them with a choice of different nuts rather than just pecans.

They immediately became a favorite.

Then they began to dip fruits in the rich chocolate especially strawberries, which seem to be everyone’s favorite and are especially popular for Mom for Mother’s Day. For Father’s Day it is their rich and delicious fudge that is the most popular.

A walk into Something Sweet is a walk into an old-time candy store. Even the squeaky floors, noted Ashley, are reminiscent of that old time candy store vibe. They continue to carry individual candies that were popular in days gone by and sold as penny candies. Any of them are still available today although the price has increased. No longer penny candies but the display looks as if one is shopping in a candy store from the past.

But then the display case with the aroma of fresh homemade fudge and the elegant high-end chocolates takes the visitor’s attention. Displays of beautifully boxed chocolates, perfect for everything from a hostess gift to a business gift are displayed throughout the store.

Visitors might find it hard to leave the store without a few pieces of the penny candies from one’s childhood, a slice of fudge to enjoy at home and a Bear Foot or two to share. For they are certainly large enough to share. And of course, there is that ice cream cone to cool you off on this hot day.

Something Sweet is at 891 Main St., Antioch. If entering the store is too tempting, visit the walk-up window or order ahead at 847-838-9350 for curbside pickup.

For more information or to place an order, visit www.4somethingsweet.com.

Something Sweet is open Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays and Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

fom top: A tempting display of handmade chocolates on display at Something Sweet. Choose your favorite or try a new flavor; A variety of ice creams in unique flavors make choosing the one for your cone at Something Sweet difficult. The colorful Superman flavor in bright red, blue, yellow is a favorite with young ice cream lovers; Something Sweet is located at 891 Main St. in Antioch. Stop in and enjoy the aroma of the freshly made fudge and chocolates.

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