Theyoujournal september 2015 by theYOUjournal

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Issue XI

September 2015

“Our Focus is on YOU”

Dance Instructor, 91: ‘Don’t Stop Moving’

What’s Inside

In honor of Lt. Gliniewicz Page 2

Rising star Ivy Ford Tina Johansson / theYOUjournal

Page 15

Former students of legendary dance instructor Mary Mazzetta join her in The Electric Slide line dance at St. James parish hall in Highwood during a special reunion sponsored by the Highwood Historical Society. Mazzetta taught dance to children in Highwood from the 1940s through the mid 1970s. Turn to page 3 for the story

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theYOUjournal.com

theYOUjournal

September 2015

A message from the Editor

theYOUjournal Established 2014

Publisher Long Hwa-shu Hwa-shu@theYOUjournal.com Editor Tina Johansson Tina@theYOUjournal.com Contributing Writers/ Photographers Dr. Jeannie Aschkenasy Alisa Bay Odie Pahl John Rouse Jay Stephen -

A host of guest writers Please contact us at:

US@theYOUjournal.com 847.293.7028 theYOUjournal P.O. Box 540 Wadsworth IL 60083

www.theYOUjournal.com

Your suggestions, comments and story ideas are welcome. A Dragon-Tiger Enterprises Publication Opinions columns tributing ly reflect

expressed in articles and written by guest and conwriters do not necessarithe views of theYOUjournal.

One copy of current issue FREE. Additional copies, including back issues up to one year, may be ordered for $1.50 each. Copyright 2015, theYOUjournal/ Dragon-Tiger Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.

Dear Readers: I was stunned, saddened and angry to hear the terrible news about an officer fatally shot in Lake County September 1. No police officer, and No first responder should die in this fashion! But when I realized it was Officer Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, a longtime and well-respected member of the Fox Lake Police force, my heart sank. I had the great pleasure of working with Officer Gliniewicz while I was a reporter for Lakeland Newspapers during the 90s. I recall him as both an exceptional officer and a first-rate human being. R.I.P. Officer Joe Gliniewicz When I’d go to the Fox Lake Police Station each week to look through the stack of police reports, the genuine and affable “G.I. Joe,” as he was known, was always ready and eager to help. There were countless times when he assisted me with stories. And for that I will forever be grateful. Officer Gliniewicz was a true hero who died in the line of duty while serving his beloved community. I, as well as scores of others, will never forget him. We are hopeful that the perpetrators will soon be found and brought to justice, bringing this heart-wrenching incident to a close. Our hearts grieve for the Gliniewicz family. So with this, we offer our deepest condolences. Sincerely,

Tina Johansson, Editor

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theYOUjournal September 2015

Dance Instructor Reunites with Students at Highwood Historical Society event by Tina Johansson At her age, most people would be taking it easy. But at a recent reunion of her former students sponsored by the Highwood Historical Society, Mary Mazzetta, 91, couldn’t stop dancing. As she entered the doorway to St. James Parish Hall in Highwood after flying in from Fort Lauderdale, Mazzetta was warmly greeted with hugs, kisses and compliments. During the 40s through the 70s Mazzetta, known as “Miss Mary,” was a fixture of the City of Highwood. She taught dance – usually tap and jazz, later adding ballet – to hundreds, if not thousands of girls (and some boys) in the city’s recreation center and organized performances for the community. It was apparent that she made an impact on several generations. “You can tell it’s her. It’s her,” said an excited Carol Ugolini of Highwood, as Mazzetta entered the room. “I don’t think there was anyone in this community who doesn’t know who Mary was,” said Adrienne Pedrucci Inman, a resident of Grayslake, who began taking lessons from Miss Mary when she was five. One guest announced she still knew how to do a move she learned from Mazzetta decades ago called “Shuffle the Buffalo.” With this the former student began to shuffle her feet. She was quickly joined by the guest of honor, her former dance teacher. Children as young as three were taught by Mazzetta. “She made it fun. We have a lot of good memories,” said Sharon Gaughon Persinger of Arlington Heights. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” Deborah Tamarri of Atlanta, Ga. was in town for her 50th high school reunion and stopped by to see her beloved dance instructor. When visiting with Mazzetta she told her, “My lessons with you paid off.” Tamarri said she is now an avid dancer because of it. Likewise, Susan Bortolotti, formerly of Highwood said the instruction from Miss Mary took her to dancing five times a week, doing everything from the Jitterbug to Country and Western. “I’m into Ballroom dancing now,” she said. There were fans of dance and not just for-

mer students of Mazzetta that made the event. Ellie Cole Soldano who is in her 80s said she recalls taking dance classes as a child alongside Mazzetta who was a student then with the last name Casorio. The girls took classes in Highland Park at the former Alcyon Theater in the 1930s. “I still remember how to do the Red Robin Bopper and also my very first dance number – Ten Pretty Girls,” said Saldano. “I can almost do it start to finish.” The wood-floored stage in the church hall served as the venue for an impromptu performance of Mazzetta’s past students led by their former teacher. Lisa Cervac of Highwood, a former dance student was busy manning the front table. “I didn’t have the nerve to get up there and dance with Mary. That woman has more energy than I did when I was 21,” said Cervac. “At 90-something she is still a ball of fire.” Later, Mazzetta and her 84-year-old brother Frank Casorio of Michigan City, Ind. did a little soft-shoe number for the delighted crowd. Incidentally, Casario is a professional singer who would sing during half-time in his sister’s productions. In the mid-1970s Mazzetta quit teaching dance in Highwood to follow her late husband Peter, a golf pro, to the Sunshine State where he took a job as a golf instructor. Though she moved away, she kept up giving dance lessons. Today she instructs seniors and has a troupe of more than 20 ladies who perform regularly. “We do one show a week from October to the end of April. At Christmas we do eight shows. I keep very busy,” said the petite powerhouse. “I call her the Energizer Bunny,” said son Tom Mazzetta, who flew in from Colorado to be with his mother at the reunion. Her other children attending included Mary Jo from Florida whom everyone knows as “Muffie,” and son Jim of Libertyville. Mr. and Mrs. Mazzetta had another son, Peter, who died 12 years ago. After the event, Mazzetta said she was overwhelmed with the number of people she reunited with. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “They were just children when I taught them, and now many are in their 70s.”

Mary Mazzetta, 91, and her brother Frank Casario,84,entertain at the reunion with a little soft shoe.

One of the highlights of her time teaching dance in Highwood was when star Danny Thomas stopped by while in town to promote his charity. “I’ll never forget that. After the recital he bent down and kissed some of the girls on the cheek,” said Mazzetta. When asked if she had any longevity advice to give, Mazzetta said, “The secret is don’t stop exercising and don’t stop moving. Never stop moving.” Her favorite dance of all time? “The Charleston,” she said. “And yes, I can still do it.”

Tina Johansson photos

Former dance students look through photos from years past. They were encouraged to label photos of children from Mazzetta’s dance classes throughout the years. On top are pictures of Mazzetta, one of her when she was younger, and another (far left) of her dressed as a flapper.

Julie Campagni of Deerfield was the youngest dancer ever in Miss Mary’s classes. “She was only three,” said Mazzetta. “We weren’t sure we should have even taken her at the time. But within a year she was as good as the six and seven-year olds.”

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theYOUjournal September 2015

Local Business

The Future: Don’t just park it. Stack it. by Long Hwa-shu Parking in a public garage, invariably a concrete monstrosity, is never a pleasant experience. You worry about finding a spot so you keep on driving, level after level, until you finally spot one to squeeze into. You worry about your safety and possible damage to your car – dents and scratches on the doors, to say the least. That’s the way to do it An area business duo, Budd Busceni and Kevin Macdonald, are bringing the latest technology in parking automation to the Chicago area that promises to make public parking a pleasant experience. Both men are longtime commercial real

al concrete garage. Macdonald said he and Busceni sort of bumped into the parking venture after a Chicago businesswoman mentioned to him about the need for more parking for the area in which her business is located. “We did some research and came up with U-ParkIt,” said Macdonald, pointing out that the company uses a technology adapted from automated assembly lines utilized by major auto manufacturers. “Until then, we had never heard of U-ParkIt,” quipped Busceni. “The U-ParkIt garage can fit three times the number of cars than a conventional garage. There’s no need for a valet or an attendant. You just park your car, take a ticket and you’re on your way,” said Macdonald. A concept rendering of the U-ParkIT stackable parking garage like the one to be built in Northfield. - U-ParkIt image west,” said Macdonald, 48, born in Evanston, who started a messenger service when he was 18, immediately after graduating from Grayslake High School in 1984. “You’ll see it—a five-story high structure when you drive down Edens before reaching Tower Road. You can’t miss it,” added Macdonald who operated a truck for 15 years before getting into real estate in 2003.

Business partners Kevin Macdonald and Budd Busceni at their office in the Board of Trade building in Chicago. - Mike Gabiga photo estate brokers. Busceni is with ReMax Center in Grayslake while Macdonald is with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate in Grayslake. However, they are on their own with the parking and other personal ventures. “For decades, developers have been trying to get more cars in a limited space with the use of parking carousels, lifts, elevators and so forth with only so much success,” said Macdonald. U-ParkIt, a Lawrence, Kan., company headed by retired Rear Admiral James B. Whitaker, has come up with a better idea. It uses a system in which conveyor belts are utilized to move, lift and shelf cars in a garage made of steel modules that can be assembled on site without the rigidity of the convention-

Cars can only be retrieved by those with proper authorization, the pair pointed out. After visiting the company in Kansas and speaking to Adm. Whitaker, the two men came home with a big prize. They have been named Midwest sales representatives by U-ParkIt covering states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Ohio. Their territory also includes Texas and New Jersey. U-ParkIt is planning to build a prototype of its fully-automated garage on the property of the BMW/Land Rover dealership of the Fields Group in Northfield as a showcase in June. The partners are seeking investors to fund part of the financing for the $1.5 million project. “It will be the first of its kind in the Mid-

Financiers sought for Medical Marijuana The entrepreneurs have another project going on between them: They are seeking investors for a hedge fund which finances legal cannabis startups to bring therapeutic benefits to those in need. First Harvest Financial, the Tampa Bay, Florida-based hedge fund company, was looking to rent an office in Chicago. As a commercial real estate broker, Busceni was able to meet the top official of the company and showed him office space in the Chicago Board of Trade building. Not only did he lease the space, but he also hired him. “The president liked my financial background, and he hired me as a vice president,” gushed Busceni, 52, who has been in real estate 10 years. Born in Chicago, he went to Libertyville High School and graduated Class of 1979. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University, and an MBA in finance from National University in San Diego. First Harvest Financial also hired Macdonald as a vice president. As vice presidents, their job is to find what Busceni described as accredited investors for the company to fund legal cannabis startups in need of capital for equipment and ancillary supplies.

So far, the company has raised $5 million in private placements in three months toward a goal of $25 million, said Busceni. He added that he and his partner were able to help in raising some of the money. The business partners work hand in hand, complementing each other. Busceni’s forte is in finances while Macdonald’s expertise is in sales. Between the two new ventures and on top

First Harvest Financial of Tampa Bay is a hedge fund for the medical marijuana business. - First Harvest Financial image of their jobs as commercial real estate brokers, the men, are working from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, they said. It might help that both are bachelors. Busceni is divorced and has a 21-year-old daughter in California. Macdonald is a single father with a son, 19, and a daughter, 21. “It’s lot of work. We split our time between Grayslake and Chicago,” said Busceni. If the two projects pan out, needless to say, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.

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theYOUjournal

September 2015

Judge once aspired to be a newsman by Long Hwa-shu Lake County Circuit Court Associate Judge James Simonian would not have been on the bench if he had pursued his youthful ambition – to be a journalist. Genial and affable, his honor recalled he was fascinated with journalism in high school. He was so serious about it that he took a job as an intern at the Lake County News-Sun in January 1984 when the paper was located in downtown Waukegan. However, he made a career change he said after talking to an editor from Iowa who suggested that he should go to law school which he did of course. “The editor told me that I can still be a journalist after going to law school,” Simonian avidly recalled in his office the other day at the Park City branch of the Lake County Circuit Court where he is a sitting judge handling traffic as well as arbitration cases. “I was always fascinated by how arguments are made in a courtroom. There’s logic behind the law,” he said explaining, in part, of the switch. After graduating from Waukegan High School East in 1982, he went to DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., where he received his B.A. in political science in 1986. He earned his law degree from Indiana University in 1989. In that same year he joined Lake County State’s Attorney where he worked for more than 11 years, first under Fred Foreman and then Michael Waller. As an assistant state’s attorney he handled among other things felony reviews,

drug cases and criminal forfeitures. In to bring with them pertinent evidence 2001 he joined the law firm of his brother, including records and photos. Stephen, who also had been an assistant “Do not try to talk and act like an state’s attorney. attorney when you are not. Just be yourStephen, four years older than he, also self,” he advised, pointing out that the went to Waukegan East, Class of 1978. result can be awkward when someone is He received his law degree from Chicapretending to be a lawyer. go-Kent College of Law. As a judge, Simonian acknowledged The brothers, looking much alike, that he enjoys his position and the rewere a familiar sight in the corridors of spect given to him. the courthouse. Admiring glances were “I hope I deserve the prestige,” he often cast their way when they were seen added modestly. walking side by side. Pointing to the heavy responsibility The Simonians are descendants of imhe carries as a judge, he said, “I realize migrants from Armenia. I am given great power, and with that They practiced law together for nearly comes great responsibility which I must 10 years until James Simonian, now with handle wisely and appropriately.” 21 years of experience as a lawyer, was “I also realize that my decisions afappointed an associate judge of the Lake fect hundreds of people daily in ways, County Circuit Court in December 2010. big and small. In some cases we have Simonian, 50, was first assigned to the wide discretion, and in other cases virtuRound Lake Beach branch of the court to ally none,” he pointed out. hear traffic cases and ordinance violations To uphold impartiality and to avoid and later to the Small Claims Court and any possible hint of conflict of interest, then to preside over arbitration. he said he won’t allow his brother, for Arbitration is required under Illinois instance, to appear in his court for a clilaw for monetary claims between $10,000 ent. and $50,000 and is heard by three accredSimonian lives in Libertyville with ited attorneys. Simonian is one of three his wife, Leslie, and her two grown chiljudges who make rulings on issues such dren, a son and a daughter. Leslie works Judge James Simonian in his chambers at the as evidence prior to arbitration. He also in food service in Lake Forest. Park City Branch Circuit Court. - Tina Johansconducts trials if the arbitrators’ decision is Looking back in his decision to son photo rejected. choose law over journalism, he said, “I Small Claims Court, on the other hand, know I made the right decision for me to handles claims less than $10,000. There go into law.” owners of rental properties. Collecting rent was a heightened interest in small claims and seeking compensation for property dam“I admire good writers and lawyers. Both when Judge Simonian spoke on the subject at ages are recurring issues for landlords. To ap- professions are tough to get into these days, a recent meeting of the Lake County Proper- pear in court after filing claims, he told them and I admire those who do it well and sucty Investors Association. Many members are cessfully,” he added.

NorStates breaks ground for new bank branch by Long Hwa-shu NorStates Bank is moving over to make room for a gas station and strip mall on the south side of Waukegan. And why not? A brand new bank branch building is in the works. The earth has been graded at a five-acre bank site south of the current bank, and adjacent to the All Star Car Wash. Officials gathered recently for an official groundbreaking ceremony and with shovels in hand, discussed the move. The former bank located on the busy southeast corner of North Green Bay Road and Grand Avenue will be dramatically transformed into a Thornton gas station by early next year. The old bank building is on a site which once held a school house that dated back to 1917. A large oak tree, which is believed to be more than 200-years old, sits at the corner. The tree will be saved from demolition. “This is going to be a state-of- the-art bank facility. It will better serve the community,” said Scott Yelvington, NorStates

president and chief executive officer, pointing out the branch is one of “the busiest and fast-growing” of the bank’s eight locations. Alan J. Jacobs, board chairman, said the groundbreaking amply “shows the bank is moving ahead with its modernization.” The ground-breaking came on the heels of the bank’s solid second quarter results with net income more than double to $392,000 from $180,000 in the first quarter. Total assets were up 5.3 percent to $444.5 million. Per share value as of June 30 was 38 cents. The one-story, 2,356-square-foot branch will be a red brick building on a one-acre lot with three drive-up lanes. NorStates used to own five acres at the branch. To liquefy its real estate holdings, it sold four acres to Bluestone Single Tenant Properties, a Chicago developer, which will build the gas station. La Macchia Group of Milwaukee is the developer of the bank branch building on the remaining one acre. NorStates will lease the building back on a 25-year lease. Construction is expected to complete in January, according to Ben La Macchia of the development company.

Officials including Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motely and NorStates president and CEO Scott Yelvington were among those at a groundbreaking August 17 in front of the site where a new bank branch will be constructed in Waukegan. - NorStates Bank photo Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motley who disclosed plans for the strip mall called the new developments an excellent example of what “partnership” between the city and commerce is about. “This indicates Waukegan is moving for-

ward to redevelop and revitalize the city,” he said. Greg Moisio, 3rd Ward alderman, in whose ward the developments are being Continued on page 14

theYOUjournal September

2015

Well-Read

Children’s book offers inspiring message

by Tina Johansson Do your kids have out-of-control, unruly, and otherwise crazy hair? Do they hate fighting with the tangles and knots? Jill Rivkin of Deerfield, a mother of two and the author of Crazy Hair, has made it her mission to help teach children confidence and self-love through the tale of one child’s challenges. The soft cover picture book illustrated by Andrea Parker of Bolingbrook includes a little girl and her brother who were blessed with wild tresses. According to the author, the story teaches its readers that everyone looks different, and our hair is as unique as each one of us, and therefore should be cherished. Where did the idea for the book come from? “It was my daughter. When she was about two-years-old her hair started growing crazy and wild. And gorgeous,” said Rivkin. “And being a pin-straight hair mommy, I didn’t know what to do about it.” She figured that dealing with it openly would be her modus operandi. “So we embraced it, and talked about it,” Rivkin said. And because of that her daughter soon learned to love her full mane. When her daughter was two, Rivkin got the idea for her book. Although with parenting demands and work, she shelved it after the outline was made. But she said someone gave her the push she needed to finish it.

“Later when our little boy came along, we discovered his hair was wild and crazy and gorgeous also,” Rivkin said. That’s when she felt the need to see the book through to its completion. Crazy Hair which targets preschoolers through 2nd grade was published last fall. Who is Jill Rivkin? Rivkin, a freelance writer, is originally from suburban Detroit. She attended the University of Michigan earning a bachelor’s degree in English. Later she earned a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Incidentally, writing Crazy Hair is a dream come true, she said. Rivkin has always wanted to write a children’s book. As early as middle school she was writing stories, drawing pictures and pasting them into blank bound books. The author has visited a number of grade schools including those in Deerfield and Highland Park, encouraging children to write. Rivkin’s new book It’s Just a Potato, about a child with particular eating habits, is coming out soon. Crazy Hair is available on Amazon, or through the author. To purchase a signed and dedicated copy for $12, visit: crazyhairbook@gmail.com. For more information about the book visit www.facebook.com/crazyhairbook or Twitter @JillMRivkin.

Author Jill Rivkin of Deerfield reads her book Crazy Hair to children at Beanstalk Toyland & Bookstore in downtown Highland Park. Rivikin’s new children’s book It’s Just a Potato is due to be out soon. - Tina Johansson photo

Stars and Stripes forever for Veteran Volunteer by Tina Johansson Robert “Bob” Sittler adores his hometown. And he is crazy about his volunteer work at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. But there is something he may love even more. It’s no secret that the 82-year-old lifelong Waukegan resident has a fondness for this great country and particularly Old Glory. “I fly it every single day,” said Sittler, a veteran of the Korean War. “On every Memorial Day I put up a new one. I have a flag pole 30feet high.” Betsy Ross isn’t his only sweetheart. Sittler has been married to Carol for 60 years, and most of that time they’ve resided in the same house. Up until he had an operation on his leg not long ago, Waukegan Township Supervisor

Bob Sittler, left, longtime volunteer at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center is awarded a certificate by Dr. Stephen Holt, director. - Lovell FHCC photo

Patricia Jones would often call upon Sittler to carry the flag for various functions. “We’re fortunate, because a lot of our neighbors love the flag too, and fly it often,” said Sittler from his home. Thourhgout the year he collects unwanted and discarded flags, saving them up for a yeearly Boy Scout burning. “I have bags of flags here right now,” he said. And when he’s not focusing on flags, his other passion, volunteering, takes up the rest of his time. Sittler has been a die-hard volunteer for more than 17 years at the Lovell FHCC. In fact he even recieved a certificate for nearly 12,000 hours of service. You might say volunteering is in his blood. “My father (Frank Sittler), was a veteran of

WWI and also a volunteer at American Legion Post 381 in Waukegan,” he said proudly. After pushing wheelchairs for some time, Sittler was offered a desk job—volunteer— in which three days each week he answers phone calls and forwards questions. But he has never quit visiting patients in their rooms and bringing them canteen books to spend. “I stand in the doorway, and give them a salute before I enter. I give every one of the vets a salute. I wouldn’t think otherwise,” he said. According to Chief Community Affairs Officer Kenneth List, Sittler is one of 800 volunteers at the Lovell FHCC, and approximately 300 of them live at the facility. Once each year they are treated to a volunteer banquet.

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September 2015

As I see it...by Odie Pahl

Honoring Gurnee Grade School Old School Grounds Make Way for New Park Gurnee Grade School (GGS) is near and dear to my heart. My children went through Gurnee District 56, attended GGS for a number of years, and I had the pleasure to work as a school secretary until my retirement in January, 2013. This allowed me to serve on the school board for the last two years and represent the families I have come to love. I’m not the only fan either. It was more than an old, deteriorating, patched together educational center; it had a heart and soul we all recognized. Let me tell you why. Until 1971when Viking School opened for the junior high kids, there was only one elementary school in Gurnee. From approximately 1841, it was located on Kilbourne Road just east of the DesPlaines River. Its proximity to the river was very important since the school was inundated with flood waters on more than one occasion. It was the constant threat or actual flooding which precipitated the eventual closing of Gurnee Grade School during the 2012-2013 school year. On September 9 at 5 p.m. the community is being asked to attend a celebration at the site hosted by the Gurnee Park District with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor the school’s history of service to the families in the Village. Susie Kuruvilla, executive director of GPD, commented on the transformation of the school property to an open space for recreational activities, “The Park is dedicated to the students, staff, and community members who were part of Gurnee Grade School’s 170 year history.” Besides returning the space to a natural setting, the park district has added some nice amenities including: a rain garden, a pathway leading to the Lake County Forest Preserve, Des Plaines River Trail, open space for seasonal sports, a picnic setting, and large gazebo on the school property.

September is Library Card sign-up month Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Zion-Benton Public Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most import school supply of all – a free library card. Resources at the Zion-Benton Public Library are available to anyone who has a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and knowledgeable library staff that support academic achievement. With a library card, students can log on for free, live tutoring, available from 2 p.m. -11 p.m. each day. The library provides programs for life-long learning, activities for all ages, and resources for job seekers. And it’s all free with a library card. For more information visit the Zion-Benton Public Library in person or online at zblibrary. info.

It will be an extension of Viking Park, as is, much of the surrounding residential area prone to the destructive flood waters over the last three decades. It has taken a lot of cooperation by Gurnee’s intergovernmental agencies to pull off this extreme makeover. To say it has been an exhaustive journey to completion is an understatement. With each flood threat, a massive support system was called into action to sandbag the parameter of the school. The village, D56 staff, community members, parents/ students, and even the Great Lakes Naval Station put in many man-hours to thwart another ravaging from the high river water into this beleaguered structure. Major floods in 1986 and 2004 severely damaged the school, but the close calls were time intensive, as well. With each attack, the recovery became more painful and expensive. When a referendum was passed to build a new school in November of 2010, the wheels went into motion signaling the end of the school’s existence. Prairie Trail School on Wadsworth Road was finished to accommodate the third through fifth grades from O’Plaine School. During Christmas break the students from GGS moved into the O’Plaine site and changed the name to River Trail School. In its last incarnation the old building housed kindergarten through eighth grade classes and the retro-fitted O’Plaine School was modified for that purpose during the new construction of Prairie Trail. The school site became the property of Lake County Stormwater Management and was demolished in May, 2013. This agency became a reality due to the efforts of the late Mayor Richard A. Welton in 1991.

was turned over to the Gurnee Park District. They have constructed a beautiful gazebo to house the story of the school with some artifacts saved for display.

The dedication is not only to remember the school and all the Gurnee area students who passed through its doors, but it is a testament of what can be done when we all work together.

Odie Pahl is a freelance writer who lives in the Gurnee/Waukegan area. She has been a member of the Gurnee District 56 school board since 2013.

The old Gurnee Grade School suffered damage from several floods over the years. -Gurnee Dist. 56 photo

A new gazebo at the site of the former Gurnee Grade School. A park dedication will take place Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. - Odie Pahl photo

Soon after demolition, the property

Winners of Harry Potter books The Zion-Benton Public Library held a raffle and two local patrons were winners of brand new Harry Potter books. They are Richard Konz of Zion, and Jennifer Russell of Beach Park. Way to go winners!

Right, Rick Konz of Zion with his children Savannah and Hunter and the Harry Potter books he won. It wouldn’t be surprising if the kids want to borrow dad’s books!

Above, Jennifer Russell of Beach Park with her new set of Harry Potter books.

theYOUjournal

September

2015

Car collectors go crazy over vintage models Cruise-ins at Home Depot until last Friday in September

by Tina Johansson Vintage cars. Everybody seems to love them. Just take a look at the people who visit car shows each year: Young and old, all income levels and backgrounds. Whether they’re souped-up, gleaming with chrome and fancy paint jobs, or as close to original as possible, vintage and antique

Visitors check out the old cars at Beach Park Fest. - Tina Johansson photos autos are all the rage. “Cars are the one thing that brings people

together,” said Lou Moore, a retired Waukegan police officer and former postman. He added no matter what, “This is the one thing all men and women have in common: We all like cars.” In fact all summer long and into the fall, car shows and cruise ins are so popular, you’d be hard-pressed not to come across one. “You can literally find a cruise night seven days a week,” said Moore of Waukegan. A former Marine, Moore is president of North Shore Rods, Inc. an organization he founded nearly 20-years ago, which has been sponsoring car shows and cruise ins all around Lake County. The three who run the shows are Moore, Reggie Riley, vice president of the club; and Dan Rixie, treasurer and secretary. Their wives, Laura, Jill and Patty, are also involved. The official registered name of the events is Scoop the Loop. “We own the trademark and copyright (for Scoop the Loop),” said Moore of Waukegan. “Our events have grown,” said the club president. “We get people from everywhere that want us to do cruise nights all the time.” The shows certainly seem to bring a sense of happiness for visitors who ooh and ahh over autos and trucks, many reminiscing back to days of their youth. The ‘50s and ‘60s music ringing out at the events gets people all

Patty Rixie of Beach Park with her ‘67 midnight blue Camaro rebuilt by her husband Dan Rixie, treasurer and secretary of the North Shore Rods, Inc. car club. Dan has renovated several other Camaro’s and also owns a ‘57 Chevy.

the more enthused. Those were the days Dan and his business partners said they grew up cruising downtown Waukegan back in the day, on many weekend summer evenings.

“I’d take my dad’s car out. A lot of people did that, and I don’t think their dad’s knew about it,” he quipped. Flirting with girls was a big part of it, he added. Continued on page 14

theYOUjournal

September 2015

Restaurant Row

Loyals help make Waukegan eatery popular destination by Tina Johansson

Peacock Family Restaurant, a local landmark, never fails to show off its plumes. Its home cooking and friendly service are reasons it stands out among other eateries, and reasons it has been around for 22 years – no doubt with many happy returns. Portions are large, and food tasty. Take for instance the weekly fish fry – served all day – the cod is freshly beer-battered in house and served with soup or salad, vegetable and a choice of potato or rice pilaf. It comes in two sizes, and dessert is included. Broasted chicken is a favorite at the place. It comes in 8 pieces to 30 pieces. The wait staff here are cheerful, and owners Paul and Toula Alatzakis, are on a first name basis with many of the customers. A number of diners are regulars who followed the couple from their first location at McAree and Grand before they opened the current Peacock on Belvidere. Before that, Paul and Toula had an eatery with a different name at Grand Plaza. Millie Seay, of Gurnee, the former owner of Aunt Millie’s Diner, a defunct eatery which was located just down the street from the Peacock, is a regular here along with her husband Leon. “I have to say the food here is good, and many of us know each other,” said Mrs. Seay. Her husband chimed in, “Why not go out to dinner and have some fun once in a while? That’s why we come here.” They sat among friends enjoying dinner in adjacent booths, and talked all the while. The owners are grateful to the loyal folks and it shows. “We give a discount of 50% once a year to celebrate our anniversary and to show appreciation to our customers,” said Paul who was gearing up for the all-day event. Peacock’s staff is a devoted lot. Take for instance a busser named Michael who was busy serving coffee and clearing tables on a recent Friday. “I’ve been here since the place opened more than 20 years ago, and I really like it,” he said with a smile. Customer Mike Jackson who sat down for

Peacock Restaurant has room for 110 diners, and is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

a Friday night meal said he likes the food and the owners. “It’s just good eats,” he said while looking over a menu. Others like Tom and Lois Koncan said the prices can’t be beat. It’s true, the prices are reasonable, and the portions are hefty. Peacock is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves everything from superb sandwiches to steak and eggs to Greek specialties. At an ice cream fountain, staff churns out delicious malts and banana splits. And if it’s your birthday and you are having a meal here, enjoy a free ice cream sundae on the house. Toula came here from Greece more than four decades ago, and Paul arrived ten years later. They have five children including a girl they adopted from China.

Peacock Family Restaurant 2670 Belvidere Road Waukegan 847.662.3333 Fax: 847.662.6553 Dine-In, Delivery, Carryouts

Tina Johansson Photos

A serving of Shrimp de Jonghe makes for a lucky customer’s dinner. Peacock has a number of seafood items from whole catfish to Poor Man’s Lobster. Owner Paul Alatzakis serves some coffee to Jo Dale of Waukegan.

Above, a popular entree is the all-day Friday fish fry, battered and fried cod. There are several other fish dishes to choose from.

Left, regulars gather for dinner and chat. “Everybody comes and socializes and eats,” said Ray Paulson of Beach Park.

theYOUjournal September 2015

Mind, Body and Soul

Don’t Let Aches and Pains Slow You Down by Nina Verhalen, LMT, HHC certified massage therapist Being in pain is a drag. Nothing wears you out like an ache that won’t go away. Pain really cramps your style and ability to be amazing. It stops you from doing things you love to do. It keeps you at home, and can be extremely isolating. Who wouldn’t do whatever they could to escape a nagging pain? As an Orthopedic Massage Therapist, I see lots of people that aren’t feeling their best. They are uncomfortable. Crabby. Scared. Fed up! Many of my clients have tried numerous traditional medical approaches to feel better. Pain meds and muscle relaxers are common. Some have done physical therapy. Many see chiropractors regularly. Everyone tries to avoid the S-word (surgery), and massage therapy is usually the last ditch effort. One question I get every time I start working with a new client:

I didn’t have an accident; why do I hurt so much? The majority of people’s issues didn’t happen overnight or in a dramatic accident. The majority of the pain and discomfort I work with builds slowly over time. It’s like shaking a soda bottle; a little shake makes very few bubbles, but keep on shaking it and it’ll explode all over the place. That’s what’s going on in your body too. The pressure builds until you feel the Big Ouch. There are four basic players when it comes to the aches and pains you feel. Every injury can be traced back to Misuse, Disuse, Overuse, and good old Abuse. Misuse: Incorrectly moving your body, which places stress on soft tissue (muscle, joint, ligament, tendon, connective tissue, discs, etc.) Disuse: Not moving enough, which weakens soft tissue and causes balance and control problems. Overuse: Moving too much, which causes fatigue by not allowing the body the time

it needs to recover. Overuse also includes performing activities that require greater strength and endurance than you possess. Abuse: Your soft tissues take a beating when excessive forces are placed on otherwise normal, healthy tissue. My case files are filled with examples of the 4-‘uses. • The computer whiz with a rotator cuff injury in the right arm and tingling in the hand from using the mouse all day (Misuse). • The Lady with Fibromyalgia who doesn’t have the energy to exercise and aches terribly and has balance issues (Disuse). • The Marathoner who hurt his hip and knee and can’t keep up with his mileage because of the pain, but won’t take a break to heal the injury (Overuse). • The new Crossfitter jumping into a WOD for the first time after years as a couch potato and trying to keep up with the people who’ve been at it for ages (Abuse). Good News: The 4-‘uses can be fixed. Once you start using your body better, in-

juries heal, movement feels good, and you are back to your activities stronger than ever. Without pain and full of fun. Do you experience aches and pains that won’t go away? If you haven’t had your movements evaluated thoroughly and would like to explore how Misuse, Disuse, Overuse, and Abuse are affecting you, please consider doing so and getting back to your regularly scheduled activities.

Nina Verhalen Nina Verhalen is a certified orthopedic massage therapist and holistic health coach. She has a private practice in Gurnee. Verhalen focuses on what she calls the Calm Living/Crazy Life lifestyle, where she practices and teaches methods on how to keep calm, cool and centered. For information visit www.ninaverhalen.com and follow her on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ninaverhalen

Annual Be Part of the CURE event raises nearly $100K Funds to support NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center in Highland Park by Alisa Bay The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) at Highland Park Hospital welcomed 200 members, friends and supporters to the organization’s third annual summer party, Be Part of the CURE. Nearly $100,000 was raised. The event was held at Grainger headquarters in Lake Forest, where guests were treated to an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, buffet stations, a silent auction, cash raffle prizes, and musical entertainment. All proceeds from Be Part of the CURE benefitted NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center at Highland Park Hospital. The event was co-chaired by Debbie Greenhill of Highland Park and Debbie Kramer of Northbrook. Title Sponsor of this year’s Be Part of the CURE was Aramark. The Diamond Sponsor was Warren Barr North Shore, and the Emerald Sponsors included Berger Schatz, Freedom Home Care, Fertility Centers of Illinois and The Fraida Foundation. Other sponsors included Autohaus on Edens, Donaco Solutions, Pepper Construction, Razny Jewelers and Soul2Sole Dance, Inc. Thanks to the generosity of these sponsors and many others within the community, The Auxiliary of NorthShore Highland Park Hospital was able to donate all money raised to support the important work of Highland Park Hospital’s Kellogg Cancer. “I’ve been involved with The Auxiliary for four years,” said co-chair Kramer. “Working toward raising funds for NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center, and knowing that our

efforts help ease the lives of cancer patients, is truly an honor.” “I joined right after a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, and at the same time, another friend of mine lost his battle with colon cancer,” added fellow co-chair Greenhill. She added, “My friend survived after receiving treatment from Kellogg Cancer Center and she asked if I would consider joining her as a member of The Auxiliary Board,” she continues. “Of course, my answer was yes!” Funds raised from Be Part of the CURE support NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center at Highland Park Hospital’s ability to expand clinical research efforts, enhance patient care treatments, and provide educational opportunities for the collaborative nursing staff to improve patient experiences. The NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center offers a patient-centered approach to provide a caring, safe and supportive atmosphere for patients and their loved ones. For more information about Be Part of the CURE, to make a donation, or to inquire about joining The Auxiliary of NorthShore Highland Park Hospital, please call 847926-5003 or visit foundation.northshore.org/ hph-aux. The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) at Highland Park Hospital is a volunteer organization that raises funds for and provides services to NorthShore Highland Park Hospital. It also promotes awareness of the Hospital’s programs within the community.

Enjoying the Be Part of the CURE fund-raiser in Lake Forest are Dr. Tyler Bauer of Chicago, left, with Heidi Brockstein and her husband Dr. Bruce Brockstein of Deerfield. Both doctors are part of NorthShore University HealthSystem. - John Hillenbrand photos

Diane Golin, president of The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Debbie Kramer, co-chair of this year’s event.

Michele and John Maeglin of Riverwoods show one of the evening’s most popular auction prizes. Michele is an auxiliary board member.

theYOUjournal

September

2015

Mind, Body and Soul

Learn to listen when your kids call home from college Transitions can be challenging, and sending your child off to college for the first time is a big one - both for your child, as well as for you, the parent. Transitions often bring growth and change. However they are frequently accompanied by “growing pains.” Adults frequently look back on their college years as “the best years of our lives.” Even if this was true for you (and perhaps even more so in retrospect), it creates very high standards and expectations for your child. For those who did not go to college, or complete it, remember, your child is living “their dream” and not yours. It is likely that your child will go through a period of adjustment as they navigate: their relationship with their roommate; the making of new friends; academic demands; newfound freedoms; social life, peer pressure and relationships; alcohol, drugs, sexual freedom; rushing a fraternity or sorority; managing of all their “free” time; feeling alone; feeling homesick; performance on first exams and papers; communicating with home; keeping up with old friends; among many other adjustments.

While it can be helpful to bring up and discuss some of these potential concerns BEFORE college starts, most often they are sidelined to the more exciting aspects of college life. So do not be surprised, and in most cases,

“

The most important thing you can do is to make sure that your child knows that you will listen, and help them to problem solve...” - Dr. Jeannie Aschenasy do not be worried when your child calls home in a panic about any one of these adjustments. The most important thing you can do is to make sure that your child knows that you will listen, and help them to problem solve, if that is what they are asking. Sometimes you just need to listen, stay calm, empathize, and help them to think differently about the situation. However, there are times when you might want/need to consult with mental health resources if you are worried about the safety and welfare of your child.

Women’s Fashion Show Sept. 10 in Highland Park Benefit for NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center A fashion show entitled “Women’s A-Wear-Ness-Inside and Out” will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Highland Park Bank & Trust, 1949 St. Johns Avenue. The “Pink Runway” event, sponsored by the bank, will benefit the NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center at Highland Park Hospital. More than 20 downtown businesses, ranging from clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories and jewelry stores to hair salons, will be participating. These stores are reputed to make the downtown the North Shore’s “Mile of

I remember listening to my own daughter (she was a freshman at the time) talk about a situation I had a strong opinion about. It was very difficult not to say anything, but I didn’t. And in the end, it was good I did not, and did not have to because she worked it out for herself. In another situation, I suggested to parents that they go and see for themselves how their child was doing after a panicked phone call home. And in yet another situation, the parents picked up their child mid-semester. One quarter of college students transfer and about one third of students will not complete their first year successfully. These statistics are not meant to frighten you, but rather to remind you that you are not alone. Expect a panicked phone call home. While it is always difficult to know or hear that your child is having a difficult time, is homesick, feeling alone, and perhaps wanting to leave. For most, this is a normal passing phase of adjusting to one of the biggest planned transitions of life. Try to stay calm, listen, and hope that you will be losing more sleep for a longer period of time over the situation than your college student.

If your child is returning to college or headed off to college for the first time, and you would like some more specific tips, or you have other questions about helping your child make a successful adjustments to school, feel free to contact me: www.docjeanniea.com

Dr. Jeannie Aschkenasy photo

by Dr. Jeannie Aschenasy, licensed clinical psychologist

Jeannie Aschkenasy, Ph.D. (“Dr. Jeannie”) is a licensed clinical psychologist, with more than 25 years experience in private practice and at Rush University Medical Center working with children, adolescents, adults and families.

1 lb. Tomato wins “Most Terrific” in Highwood Historical Society contest

Style.” They include Ami Ami, Bett’s & B2 Contemporary, Citywoods, Eileen Fisher, Jayne, Modern Opulence, My Best Friend’s Closet, My Sister’s Circus(formerly Isis On the Shore), Posh Essentials, Rick N Rags an Uncle Dan’s. Networking with cocktails and appetizers will start at 6:30 followed by the fashion show at 7 with networking continuing until 9. While a complimentary event, anyone making a $10 donation at the door to benefit the cancer center will receive a free raffle ticket and a goodie bag.

Check us out @ theYOUjournal.com

We’re going DIGITAL

Kathy Rafferty of Highwood, left, won the “Most Terrific Tomato in Town” and a $100 gift certificate donated by Sunset Foods in the Highwood Historical Society’s 8th Annual Terrific Tomato Contest. After all the entries were weighed and calibrated, the judges deemed her 1 pound tomato the winner for its beautiful red round globe appearance. Jennifer Mikell’s teeny tiny red cherry tomato, right, took home the People’s Choice award. - John Rouse/theYOUjournal

theYOUjournal September 2015

My Opinion by Jack Crombie

Planning a journey back to my homeland

Over 36 years ago I arrived on these shores, started a business, got married, raised a family. My journey has been perhaps a little more exciting than most would find acceptable; including as it has, the many risky, sometimes successful and occasional failed business ventures, all of which involved considerable blood sweat and tears. The rides at Great America pale in comparison to the bumps, turns, highs and lows that has been the roller coaster experience of these last 36 years. Next month the prodigal son returns to visit his parents and the land of his birth. After 36 years of love and support from my Mum and Dad, I am at last in a position where people might lend me the money that I might now in some small way repay my parents by taking them on a trip round the haunts of our collective youth. The time is never right, but I am now at

the age where the parents of my wife, the parents of my friends and associates are failing and taking their final leave. The position is now starkly clear: If not now, perhaps never. As Scottish poet Robert Burns once said, “Catch the moments as they fly, and use them as you ought.” Therefore, my wife, her eldest daughter and myself, will shortly be flying from O’Hare to Edinburgh, Scotland, to visit my parents and embark on a trip that might be of interest, on a number of levels, to a wider audience. The plan calls for and allows, but one short night at my parent’s house on the east coast of Scotland, to catch our breath from the inevitable jet lag. Day two will find us rising early and no doubt exhausted, to jump in to our euro sized rental car, two in the front, three in the back bound for the west coast of Scotland, and Oban, the capital of the highlands. Here we plan on catching the one o’clock

ferry for the isle of Barra, the most southerly of the outer Hebrides. At this point I should say that my wife and I have never been on a cruise as she gets sea sick merely approaching a boat deck, never mind actually getting on a boat. The distance from England to France is 30 miles, a voyage done by ferry in about an hour and by high speed train through the chunnel in minutes. The distance from Oban to Barra is almost one hundred miles and the ferry takes over five hours! In addition the waters to be crossed are legendary for their rocky shorelines, their winds, their weather and their treacherous storms. Needless to say, things are a little tense on the matrimonial front at this time! When we get to Barra, population 1,300, we will find, well let me tell you next month what I find.

Kisimul Castle on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The castle was the residence of the chief of the Macneils of Barra. - photo by Kenny MacAskill, Member of the Scottish Parliament

Jack Crombie is originally from Scotland and lives in Winthrop Harbor -JackCrombie/Facebook

LCWC honors women at Warren-Newport Library by Angela Sykora Ninety-five years ago passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote. So it seemed befitting that the Warren-Newport Library would help celebrate Women’s Equality Day (Aug. 26) by offering a program sponsored by the Lake County Women’s Coalition. “Lake County Women Who Made History” was an educational and fun-filled free event that discussed everything from gangster girlfriends to the very first female physician in Lake County. “Our purpose has always been to recognize women and their accomplishments and to bring awareness,” said Fran Colboth, who has been a member of the coalition since it’s inception in 1995, and chairwoman for the past two years. “Everything we do is centered around that” “It’s so important because so often women get written out of history,” she continued. “It’s really interesting because a lot of the national women you know, but it’s the local women you don’t.” Longtime local historian and author Diana Dretske, who also works as collections coordinator for the Lake County Discovery Museum, was the program’s keynote speaker. She presented true stories of the noteworthy accomplishments and sometimes notorious deeds of some of Lake County’s most historical female figures. “I’ve been researching Lake County history for over 20 years and came across these stories over time,” Dretske said. “I’ve done a lot of different presentations on Lake County’s history, but never focused just on women and I felt it was time.” “Unfortunately, with women’s history, it still takes a backseat. When I developed this talk, I dug a little deeper into their stories, doing some original research and genealogy to

find out more about their families and backgrounds,” she said. Ladies First Part of Dretske’s presentation focused on key women known for being “firsts,” such as Clara Colby, a Libertyville resident who was the first woman to vote in Illinois. With the support of her husband, who took care of their baby while she went to the polls, Colby voted on July 5, 1913, in an election seeking bond approval for a new village hall. The State of Illinois had granted women the right to vote on June 26, 2013, seven years in advance of passage of the 19th Amendment. Colby’s historic vote made the local news. “The headline in the Chicago Tribune was ‘Man At Wet Washtub While His Wife Votes,’” Dretske said. Another suffragette, Beatrice Pearce, was Lake County’s first female physician. She was born and raised in Waukegan, the daughter of a pharmacist. “When she chose to go to medical school, which was unusual in the late 1800s, her par-

Ethel Untermyer, environmentalist and housing equality activist, circa 1963 is one of the many notable women of Lake County. - Lake County History Museum photo ents supported her,” Dretske said, noting that even though Pearce earned her degree the same as her male counterparts, at the time,

she was only allowed to treat female patients. Pearce would go on to marry fellow doctor George Dickinson, an English immigrant whom she met at a Chicago medical convention in 1908. The couple moved from Illinois and set up a practice in Ketchikan, Alaska, where Pearce lived and worked until her passing in 1948. She was remembered fondly at a memorial service in her hometown of Waukegan. Although she was no “famous first,” gangster moll Vivian Ponic McGinnis still made a name for herself in Lake County history. Even though she was married to a Chicago attorney, McGinnis was the girlfriend of gangster George Druggan, of the Druggan-Lake Gang, which was active in the 1920s and 1930s. “Gangsters from Al Capone’s gang and Druggan’s gang were hanging out at resort in Fox Lake when they were gunned down. It became known as the Fox Lake Massacre,” Dretske said. Both McGinnis and Druggan were shot but survived. She eventually married him. Given all the stories she’s come across in her historical research, Dretske said she often feels like a detective or a treasure hunter, which is great fun. “It’s always something new. It’s that little bit of discovery that excites you when you start connecting the dots. It’s really satisfying.” The library program was also scheduled to feature women’s historian Barbara Joan Zeitz, author of A Thesaurus of Women: From Cherry Blossoms to Cell Phones, and Mary Goljenboom, author of Have Courage, Work Hard: Quotations on Work and Success from the First Women of Business. “Proclaiming women’s history that has been hidden, buried, overlooked, looked over, is my full-time occupation since earning my Master’s degree in Women’s Studies

in 2003,” Zeitz said. She noted her books are an anthology of her monthly column, “CountHerHistory.” Visit https://rightherhistory.wordpress.com. Zeitz feels it is always important to commemorate Women’s Equality Day “to

Beatrice Pearce of Waukegan was the first female physician in Lake County. - lakecountyhistory.blogspot.com remember and to pay homage, as well as to thank the thousands upon thousands of the brave, determined women of the suffrage movement who endured 72 years of severe, hostile opposition that included social and physical attacks, even jail, in order to win passage of the amendment written in 1875 by Susan B. Anthony that allows you and me to vote today.” It should also be acknowledged that women were actually not “given” the right to vote and did not “win” the right to vote, Zeitz said. “They already had the constitutional right to vote but needed the amendment in order to legally prohibit others from denying women their right to vote.”

theYOUjournal September

2015

Fun at Lake Count I-Can

Above, left, the grand prize winner dressed as a skeksis from the movie The Dark Crystal Heather Jones of Lake Villa. Center are hundreds crowded into seats to watch the costume contest. The Lake Count I-Con event at the Lake County Fairgrounds August 29 and 30 was only $5 to get in. One visitor said he paid $45 recently at a Cook County venue for the same type of event. - Eric Fornander photos/theYOUjournal

Lisa Hale as Diva Plavalaguna and Jenny Hale as Princess Achen of Elk Grove.

Thousands showed up to have fun at the second annual Lake Count-I-Con comic book, retro toy, game and art expo held at the Lake County Fairgrounds recently. Deemed to be the largest of its kind in Lake County, more than 500 vendors were there as well as a number of events for kids, pets and adults including costume contests. People had a blast dressing up as their favorite TV, movie or comic book characters.

Walt Disney characters from left are Snow White portrayed by Sarah Ashmore, Rapunzel is Lisa Capasso, and Tinkerbell is Samantha Spayer. All are from Mundelein. - John Rouse photo

Right, John Gutknecht and Tom Helmka of Round Lake dressed as Star Trek and Voyager characters.

TheGreen Thumb Look Quick! Flirtatious flowers are here one day, gone the next by Long Hwa-shu When we first moved to our house in Wadsworth nearly ten years ago, we noticed a patch of strap-like leaf blades about two feet tall that would pop up under the shade of our neighbor’s apple trees late in spring. Then, days later they would wither and dry out, rain or shine. And as if by magic, pink lily-like flowers would blossom on stalks in profuse, turning the narrow patch into a beautiful carpet of flowers. It never fails every year. After a decade we finally decided to find out what these plants are. They are Lycoris lilies, also known rightfully as magic or surprise lilies. They grow from perennial bulbs, origi-

nally from China. The bulbs at our home must have been planted by the former owner. Well, welcome to America and to our yard anyway! Lycoris lilies are also known as hurricane lilies because of their habit of flowering after a heavy rain fall. They come in several species with flowers ranging from pink like ours to blue, yellow and orange. Plant the bulbs about six inches deep in semi-shaded areas with rich, moist soil. Be patient because it may take a season or two before they’ll pleasantly surprise you with foliage. Then, as if playing dead, they will dazzle you with delicate and elegant flowers. They are, shall we say, flirts.

Lycoris lilies make stunning cut flowers for vases. Take note they are only around for a short time.

Above, a patch of “magic lilies” in a Wadsworth yard. The flower leaves appear first then die. And as if by magic beautiful lilies appear. -Tina Johansson photos

theYOUjournal

September

2015

Cars continued from page 8

“That’s how I met my wife,” Riley said of Jill. “Man, gas was about 25-cents a gallon back then.” “A pack of cigarettes were probably 23-cents back in the 60s,” added Rixie. The shows must go on Besides their special shows at area festivals—recently it was Gurnee Days and Beach Park Fest—North Shore Rods, Inc. sponsors a weekly event in the parking lot of Home Depot in Gurnee through the end of September. They meet Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Moore hands out discount coupons to visitors for nearby Uno Pizza. “This show is really busy. We usually have 200 cars in the (Home Depot) lot,” said Moore. Riley added, “You can bring your kids and grandkids to our shows.” Moore added that alcohol is not permitted. People like Tim Johnson of McHenry are die-hard fans of cruise nights, and admits he’s probably visited hundreds throughout the years, including one he stopped by recently while on vacation in Glendale, AZ. Johnson, who graduated from Grayslake High School, has had his beloved baby blue 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II for more than two decades. He even had a lift installed in his home garage so he could better tinker with it. “I am always changing something on the car, so to me it is never really finished,” he said. In fact for most collectors, their cars are a never-ending project, happily dealt with as time allows. “We’re never done with them,” said Riley who owns a rare red ’33 Chevy three-window coupe. “They are always a work in progress.” Rixie who has a ’57 Chevy, recently restored a ’67 metallic midnight-blue Chevy Camaro for his wife Patty, the third of its kind he’s re-built in the last several years.

Moore bought his street rod from Riley. The shiny black 1946 Ford Coupe was updated with a Mustang II front end suspension, and has a Chevy 305 under the hood. The club president said he won’t soon forget his first car---a ’66 Chevy Impala he bought while stationed in the military in Hawaii.

Visitors sign up for a raffle at the North Shore Rod’s, Inc. tent at the Beach Park Fest. - Tina Johansson photo

Tim Johnson’s ‘66 Chevy II with a 406 small block engine at a cruise night in Ingleside. Tim Johansson photo

Brightly painted cars at Beach Park Fest’s North Shore Rod’s, Inc. Scoop the Loop car show. - Tina Johansson photo

Calling all motorcyclists! Take a ride Sunday, Sept. 13, through northern Illinois and Wisconsin to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Billed as “A Ride to Remember,” the 89mile poker run, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living in Gurnee, begins at 10:30 a.m. at McHenry Harley Davidson, 1903 Rte. 120, McHenry, and ends at Sunrise Senior Living, 500 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Harley Davidson in McHenry. The last bike out will be at 11:30 a.m. There will be food, music

and raffles from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the end point in Gurnee. Participating riders pay $20 per person and $10 for a passenger. All proceeds are to benefit Alzheimer’s Association. For more information contact Mady Hunzinger, Sunrise activities coordinator at 847-856-8100 or 847-3229700, or gurneeavc@sunriseseniorlving.com. Route maps are available upon request. To donate contact alz.org/walk at Lake County-Sunrise of Gurnee.

NorStates continued from page 5

made, pointed out that redevelopment not only will increase the value of the property, therefore higher real estate taxes for the city, but it will also bring in more sales tax revenue. Lisa Abdula, a daughter of Fred Abdula, the longtime late chairman and CEO of the bank, known for his untiring civic contribu-

Lou Moore’s ‘46 Ford coupe. He bought the car from Reggie Riley. - Lou Moore photo

tions, was attending the ceremony with her two brothers, Patrick and Michael. “My father would have been proud and happy about the redevelopment,” she said. The three heirs are running Air Con, the refrigeration and heating company founded by their late father.

Check out our new Website www.theYOUjournal.com

Directors of North Shore Rods, Inc. are from left, Lou Moore, president; Kim Riley and her husband Reggie Riley, V.P. of the club; Dan Rixie, treasurer and secretary, and his wife Patty Rixie. From now through the end of the month the club will continue its popular cruise -in at the parking lot of the Home Depot in Gurnee on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Tina Johansson photo

Libertyville Business Sponsors Hometown Hero Army Sgt. Matt Pirrello Savory Spice Shop in Libertyville has joined the Round Lake Area Exchange Club to help honor the September Hometown Hero. Army Sergeant Matt Pirrello of Lake Villa is a recruiter in the Round Lake Beach branch Army rectruitng office. He was nominated by another Hometown Hero, Sgt. Jonathan Boldt of Libertyville. Pirrello, originally from Long Island, N.Y. served in the Army for seven years and has been awarded many honors and medals, some of which include three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He served as a Land Combat Electronic Missile Systems Maintainer. With the generous support of Savory Spice Shop, Pirrello’s Hanging with the Heroes care package will include a Chili’s gift card, a personalized Hanging with the Heroes t-shirt (donated by Artrageous of Hainesville) and letters from Round Lake School District 116 students. The Hometown Hero website is managed by Fokoz Creative Group of Grayslake. The Round Lake Area Exchange Club will present a plaque on Pirrello’s behalf September 23 at its meeting in Round Lake. Pirrello and his wife Stephanie have a son. The Round Lake Area Exchange Club needs

help in getting our local heroes signed up. Any military personnel serving overseas or in the USA from any of the Round Lake Areas, Hainesville, Fox Lake, Ingleside and surrounding qualify for the program. Register loved ones by going to http://rlaexchange. org/hero. For information contact program director Sherry Ridge at 847-740-2379.

Sgt. Matt Pirrello of Lake Villa is the September Hometown Hero for the Round Lake Area Exchange Club. - Hometown Hero photo

theYOUjournal

September 2015

Rising Star IVY FORD Blues born in 60085

by Jay William Stephen I was sitting next to my normal cast of characters at Green Town Tavern drinking Bourbon with three cubes, when the music began to play. I felt a tug at my soul. Growing up in Humboldt Park in Chicago my grandfather played records on weekends, which included Sinatra, Martin and Streisand, but he also loved B.B. King. At the tender age of eight B.B. brought character to our canvas—a two bedroom flat in a run down neighborhood. The tug at my soul on this particular evening turned out to be Ivy Ford, a local musician and singer. Her voice felt like a combination of the old Checkerboard Lounge and Rosa’s Lounge I was familiar with in Chicago. But I was sitting in a bar in Waukegan, and that realization shook my core. Ford brings color to the Blues with her retro look and sultry sound which makes the room stop, look and listen. Waukegan born and raised, and only a mere 22, Ford is quite the up and coming artist of the Chicago blues and music scene. At the age of 13 she began performing live with Kenosha-based band The Real Deal, managed by Steve Rainey. Since then she continued to nurture her calling. She is a gifted musician who has earned her chops playing piano, alto saxophone, drums, bass guitar and guitar—all of which are primarily self-taught. Ford joined a local blues band which in time has evolved into Ivy Ford and The Cadillacs. The move has gained her a fair amount of recognition. Ford has taken the music scene by storm. She has opened for Buddy Guy at his Chicago club and has shared the stage with Chicago blues hall of fame legends Joe Moss, Toronzo Cannon and Tom Holland. Her future is bright. She is fronting her own band and besides earning the title “Chicago’s Blues Kitten,” performs song selections not just from the blues genres, but from R&B and soul as well. Aside from performing every weekend at both private and public events, clubs and venues, she is in the process of recording an unplugged album including originals. Recent events for Ford include radio shows on 90.9 WDCB, and In a Nutshell radio show on 98.3 WRLR. She’s been a part of Buddy Guys Legends, Artist series and traveled to Minneapolis, Minn. to perform at Artspace’s 2013 Celebration at the Cowle Theater. Ford has been featured in Buddy Guy’s Blues and Music News, Lake County Maga-

zine and Blues Guitar Expert’s online forum. You can now often see her with Blues Legend J.B. Ritchie performing and often jamming and recording in Waukegan. I recall J.B. Ritchie almost 20 years ago in Stone Park at the Interaction Lounge looking as he does now with his long salt and pepper beard wearing black. When I think about it, Ford was probably only a few years old back then. I find it amazing sometimes how art and life mix, and how the present and past meet at crossroads in another zip code and another time. To follow or check in on Ivy Ford’s shows and happenings go to www.Facebook.com/ IvyFord or Twitter at #MissIvyFord.

Ford singing with Buddy Guy at his Chicago club Legends in January. For an entire month she opened for Guy during his annual residency shows. - Ivy Ford photo collection

Jay Stephen was born in Hamilton, Ohio and moved to Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood where he was raised by his Sicilian grandfather. He is known for his interesting and beautiful photography and his involvement in the Waukegan arts community.

Waukegan resident Ford is a singing sensation who is on her way to the top. The talented 22-year-old and her band Ivy Ford and the Cadillacs has a large fan following. She is gifted at playing a number of musical instruments including drums, alto saxaphone and piano. - Jay William Stephen photo

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September 2015

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