The North Shore Weekend, May 18th, 2024

Winnetka resident Paul suffered with prostatitis and low back pain for over 10 years. “The medications helped a little and I tried surgery but even after two procedures, I never knew if it was going to be a bad day or a worse day. Dr. Su helped me feel normal again like I could go about my life and not feel hesitant to go out with my wife or friends.”

Call (847) 868-0408 to schedule an initial consultation or visit acupuncturenorthclinic.com

Your Pain and Suffering Are Real

Dr. Kuan Su of Acupuncture North Clinic uses the time tested art of Acupuncture to help each patient relieve pain, improve sleep, and reduce chronic issues that other modalities have struggled to help.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and has been used to treat a variety of issues. Dr. Su has specialized in treating the more complex conditions including stubborn neuropathy, chronic pain, reactions to high stress/anxiety, sleeping disorders, and men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction and urinary issues.

Gale from Wilmette had been struggling with both migraines and insomnia for 7 years. “I had tried botox to help with the migraines but it only helped for a little while and I used sleeping pills because I could not fall asleep for hours. I missed having natural restful sleep. After seeing Dr. Su for a month, both started to vanish. My migraines turned into a minor headache once every other week and now I sleep like a baby.”

He works with a variety of cases and understands how important the partnership between patient and practitioner is. “I’m always looking forward to my days in my clinic because no two patients are exactly the same. Many times patients come in with a variety of issues happening at the same time. Last Tuesday, I was treating a patient for neuropathy in both feet, chronic fatigue, and insomnia and he reported that all three were improving. Understanding the importance of checking in regularly and participating in his own health have sped up his recovery and I am so excited for him!”

Georgette from Highland Park shared, “Dr. Su is so great to work with. I had been suffering from tinnitus for 11 years and doctors said nothing could help. The sound was too much but once I started seeing Dr. Su, not only did my tinnitus start to go away, my digestion was doing so much better. I felt like I could be me again. Like I could go out and have lunch with the girls and really enjoy my time being social again.”

What once was a missing link in complementary alternative healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of the North Shore area. If you have been struggling with chronic issues or issues that have been labeled as idiopathic or untreatable, call Dr. Kuan Su at Acupuncture North Clinic today to schedule your consultation.

I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treaments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”

Dr. Su shares the typical stories from patients. “A recurring story that people share with me is that they have tried conventional means, they have tried new fads, they have tried medications and seen specialists yet have struggled to get any results. They say that I’m their last hope. I am always up for a challenge but what I enjoy the most about my work is when patients come in after their treatments to tell me how things are changing, how they are feeling better, and how other symptoms that they have been struggling with are going away.”

Dr. Su is accepting a limited number of new patients due to high demand. In an effort to protect his current patient base, he is limiting the number of new patients to 8 before the end of May

DR. KUAN SU

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Road in Lake Forest

BY

The 77th edition of the Winnetka Community Nursery School Children’s Fair will take place at Village Green Park on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. This year’s fair keeps the nostalgic traditions alive but also adds some new ones that might be of keen interest to adults.

For the first time in its history, the fair will be offering canned alcoholic beverages for sale. Towne & Oak Coffee will also have a stand from 10a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturday where fair attendees can fuel up. And local Winnetka gem, La Taquiza will be serving up fare all day Friday. These enhancements only add to the small-town charm that has been integral to the event’s identity for more than seven decades.

“It's definitely a homegrown event that has been very slow to evolve, and I think that's kind of what the community loves about it—that parents who grew up going to the fair just really recognize a lot of it when they bring their own children around,” says Molly Murgatroyd, chair of this year’s event. “They have those core memories of the fair—the red and white striped tents and the old-fashioned arcade games—and when they bring their kids, they can expect the same. We love to keep the nostalgia.”

The fair is planned by the Winnetka Community Nursery School Board of Directors and raises funds for the nonprofit school’s operation. As the fair has continued to grow over the decades, planning has become more intricate and time intensive.

“We’re in our 77th year, so it definitely has become more complicated to plan. The fact that we can still pull it off and bring a lot of joy to the community is exciting,” says Murgatroyd. “It's obviously a big fundraiser for the school but the primary focus is to make sure that it's a community event and that we're doing it for the community as well as for the preschool.”

In past years, the fair has generally drawn about 4,000 attendees, but a post-pandemic exuberance raised that number to about 6,000

last year. With that level of attendance, the fair depends heavily on volunteers from the community to pitch in. And they do.

“It takes hundreds of volunteers to run, so we have been sourcing volunteers for months just to make sure that we can get the event to run smoothly,” she explains.

This year’s fair features what you would find at any big city fair. There will be seven different mechanical rides, inflatable jumps, and slides for kids of all ages, along with arcade games, a petting zoo with a camel and other animals, pony rides, balloon artists, and glitter tattoos.

For adults, Friday night will feature “Dad band” the Performance Chinos and the beer tent will be hopping. There will be kids’ entertainers throughout the day on Saturday, including Tunes with Tim at 10:30a.m., as well as a performance by the New Trier Cheerleading Team on Friday at 5:30p.m.

But perhaps the biggest attraction is the nostalgia itself.

“It's the same now as it was back then. What struck me last year is there would be women walking by who were in their 50s, 60s, and 70s and they would stop us and say, ‘I was the fair chair years ago and it's always been moms putting the fair up and running the fair and pounding the stakes’,” Murgatroyd says. ”The women who have run the fair in the past make it a point to try to walk by the Village Green and kind of reminisce about the times that they helped plan it.”

Presenting and Platinum Sponsors for this year’s Winnetka Children’s Fair include Airoom; Art Party; BMO Bank–Winnetka; Go Green Winnetka; Great Central Brewing

Company; Grosvenor Capital Management; LP Group; North Shore Community Bank; The North Shore Weekend and Sheridan Road; r:home; Ruffolo Landscaping; The

Shoreline Group at Morgan Stanley; Village of Winnetka; and Winnetka Community Nursery School.

General entrance to the Winnetka Children’s Fair is free. Ticket for rides and other attractions are on sale now. For more information visit winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org.

OLD-FASHIONED

MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Generations of Winnetkans have attended the Winnetka Children’s Fair over the decades, enjoying local food and, new this year, a coffee stand from Towne and Oak and alcoholic beverages for adults.

Chef Thierry Lefeuvre

A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND PASSION

Robert R. Neumann of Winnetka is lovingly remembered by his family and the greater North Shore community.

BY JUDITH R. BAUMANN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

“To everything there is a season ... a time to be born, and a time to die … a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

-Ecclesiastes

The life of Robert R. Neumann, 59, of Winnetka, was celebrated recently at Am Shalom in Glencoe. A high-performance athlete, he collapsed on April 18 while cycling along Lake Michigan.

A standing-room-only service led by Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein resonated with memories shared by his cherished family—including brother Michael Neumann; his four beloved daughters, Alexandra, Samantha, Barbara, and Emma; and his devoted wife, Roni Moore Neumann.

Hundreds of people were in attendance to honor Rob, including his 91-year-old mother, Margita Neumann, plus dozens of extended family members. Attendees at the service also included classmates from the

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Chicago, and Kent College of Law along with lifelong friends from the North Shore and throughout the country.

Neumann was a nationally recognized expert in energy, utilities, and telecommunications. For more than three decades, Neumann was a trusted advisor for global companies and start-ups. His consulting practice included a well-established global network of industry colleagues. He was a

sought-after speaker at industry conferences throughout the world.

For nearly a decade, Neumann helped lead a group at Navigant Consulting with peers he admired greatly, and more recently, he was with NextEra Energy—a leading clean energy company and owner of Florida Power & Light, America’s largest electric utility.

“I first met Rob about 25 years ago at a small energy efficiency consulting firm where we both worked. I liked and admired Rob right away; he was sharp, nice,

and energetic,” says Randy Gunn, former Managing Director, Navigant Consulting.

“Over the years, I tried to convince him to come to work at another firm I helped start; he accepted my appeal about 10 years later to join Navigant Consulting, which had acquired my company. Rob helped lead our largest piece of work and I greatly valued his drive, focus, and expertise. In fact, I had lunch with Rob the day before he passed. He was as full of energy and enthusiasm as he ever was. I was especially shocked to hear this sad news. I will truly miss Rob, as will his many trusted colleagues.”

Neumann’s parents, the late Dr. Marcel and Margita Neumann, are from Prague and the former Slovakia, now Slovak Republic. Given their life trajectory, most importantly, surviving the Holocaust, then life in Israel, they spoke fluently—sometimes concurrently—a range of languages, including Czech, German, Hungarian, Russian, and Polish. Their rich life experience fundamentally shaped his outlook and worldview.

With an eclectic and innate intellectual curiosity, Neumann’s interests spanned European Art, American history, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, sustainability, and all things Chicago. He loved music, from Beethoven to Bob Marley to the Beatles. He also played piano and more recently, the accordion. Family travel was a must, with weekend adventure hikes to Lake Geneva and Madison, and longer trips across the country and to Europe.

A member of Exmoor Country Club for nearly 20 years, Neumann was at the head of the table for standing Sunday family dinners. He enjoyed swimming laps at the pool and cheering on his daughters at swim meets.

Most of all, Neumann loved his family and life in Winnetka. His four daughters thrived in the Winnetka schools, and he loved cheering them on at New Trier Symphony concerts, Concert Choir performances, and cross country meets. While they were in grade school, Neumann reveled in giving back to the community by coaching AYSO soccer teams.

“Rob was a great friend, and I have very fond memories of coaching our daughters’ AYSO soccer team together. Rob was always so positive and committed to helping players at every level develop their skills,” says Roger Hochschild, former CEO, Discover Financial Services. “Rob was a true renaissance man with many interests—from his watch collection to Chicago history— but always took the time to support and appreciate the interests of others.”

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “It’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years.”

Neumann’s life exemplified this, leaving an enduring impact on those fortunate enough to have known him—a legacy of passion, kindness, commitment, and love.

Robert Neumann and his wife, Roni, are shown in front of the capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin. He is shown in the photo below with Roni and their four daughters, celebrating the graduation of their daughter Barbara from UW Madison.

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NORTH SHORE DOINGS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

MAY 18

SPRING PLANT & TREE

SALE

WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve

Plant native plants and trees in your yard this spring. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mellody Farm Nature Preserve will be selling plants and trees native to the Lake Forest area. These plants can go into “problem spots” where the ground is too saturated, sunny, or dry and replace invasive species. lfola.org

MAY 18

WILMETTE PUBLIC

LIBRARY POP-UP SALE

WHERE: Wilmette Public Library

The Friends of Wilmette Public Library organization is holding a Pop-Up Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside of the library. Most items, including gently used books, CDs, and video games will be priced at $1. Please bring cash only. wilmettelibrary.info

MAY 18

COOKIE DECORATING DEMONSTRATION

WHERE: Northfield Public Library

Pastry chef and culinary instructor Kelly Dull will share her culinary expertise from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dull will perform demonstrations, show how to make icing, instruct on the decorating process, and share a cookie sample along with recipes and resources. This is not a hands-on decorating class. Ages 15 and up are welcome to this program. Registration is required. wnpld.org

MAY 19

GUIDED BIRD WALK

WHERE: Gillson Park

Join Go Green Wilmette

for morning bird walks starting at 8 a.m.. Learn how to identify different types of birds and get tips on how to attract more birds to your yard. Beginners and children are welcome. Groups will meet at the martin house by the Coast Guard station at the south end of Gillson Park. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather. wilmettepark.org

NOW THROUGH MAY 27

INSPIRED BY…

WHERE: North Shore Art League

The North Shore Art League is excited to host their third annual “Inspired by…” show. The themed show is on display on the second floor of the Community House. Artwork is available for purchase and a portion of all sales supports the North Shore Art League. northshoreartleague.org

NOW THROUGH MAY 31

AMIE CAMPBELL’S GALLERY

WHERE: Vivid Art Gallery

Amie Campbell is this month’s featured artist and her pieces will be displayed in an exhibit through the end of May. Her newest, striking work explores the beauty of botanicals and architecture through a translucent lens. She works in various media including acrylic paints, watercolors, gouache, caran d’ache, and colored pencils. vividartgallery.net

NOW THROUGH JUNE 30

TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION

WHERE: Westfield Old Orchard

Experience the story of the Titanic in an exhibit featured at Westfield Old Orchard, running Wednes-

day through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests will be able to traverse the Grand Staircase, see recreations of the ship’s interior, view artifacts from the ship, and more. The Discovery Gallery will give a glimpse at what archaeologists saw when they discovered the wreck of the Titanic. This exhibit also pays homage to the SS Eastland Disaster, which is the largest loss of life in a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Tickets are on sale now.

thetitanicexhibition.com

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7

CIRCUSVILLE: PLAY UNDER THE BIG TOP

WHERE: Chicago Children’s Museum

Bring your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum to play at the circus! Children can try their hands at all of the vital roles in a circus: star of the show, ticket taker, acrobat, hot dog vendor, and more. Props and costumes for families will be provided. chicagochildrensmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13

“SHTETL IN THE SUN”

WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach, Florida. Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after tragedy. The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s exhibit, “Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980,” celebrates Sweet’s work as a tribute to those who lived during that time. The exhibit will run through October 13. ilholocaustmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2025 “KENILWORTH CENTENNIAL HOMES”

WHERE: Kenilworth Historical Society

Explore the history of Ke-

nilworth’s oldest homes and celebrate its architectural significance with a dynamic exhibit that chronicles the evolution of residential development in the village. The homes featured in this exhibit were built between 1889 and 1924. kenilworthhistory.org

International Mural Festival. Artwork by Eelco Springfield

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SOLD & BOUGHT WITH CORY

“Cory is the best! This is the second time I’ve used his services (four if you count buying AND selling). Starting with Cory’s considerable marketing and brokerage skills, he generated a lot of interest in my home and we had a quick sale! He interacts with people in the best manner, even when discussing difficult or stressful issues. Cory is also very skillful dealing with the back end of the home sale, dealing with inspections, attorneys, lenders, contractors etc. The buyer requested a 15-day closing and Cory was instrumental with making that happen. Even better, he’s the kind of guy you like being with! He helped me so much! I highly recommend Cory.”

—Lauri

Hanson (Fort Sheridan)

RAVINIA

MAY 19, 22 & 26

ORION CONCERTS

WHERE: Aurora, Chicago, Evanston

The Orion Ensemble concludes its 31st season with three “Tribute to Paquito D’Rivera” concerts in May. The Ensemble will welcome guest jazz pianist Bradley Williams for a program featuring works by D’Rivera, Dvorák and de Abreu. The performances will be held in Aurora on May 19, Chicago May 22, and Evanston May 26. This concert series will serve as a tribute to CubanAmerican jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera. Tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students 13 and older. Children 12 and younger are free. orionensemble.org

MAY 20

MACRAME BAG

WHERE: Glencoe Public Library

Create a macrame bag from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hammond Room. These bags can be used at the Farmer’s Market or for other seasonal ventures. This program is for adults and teens. Registration is required and Glencoe residents will have priority if the class fills up. Materials will be provided. glencoelibrary.org

song and fresh air. Join Lake Forest Open Lands Association from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for its last bird hike of the season. A seasoned birder will lead the group on a leisurely walk through the preserve. Bird enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome to join. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Registration is required. lfola.org

MAY 22

HOUSE IN THE WOODS ANNUAL GALA

WHERE: North Shore Country Club

The North Shore Board of Northwestern Settlement is proud to announce its kickoff luncheon for their annual gala. Starting at 11 a.m., the board will honor its 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, Beth Boeher. There will be raffle tickets available for purchase. General admission is $125, a table of 8 is $1,000, a table for 10 is $1,250, and raffle tickets are $50. All proceeds will directly benefit Northwestern Settlement's House In The Wood camp and year-round STEM programs for Chicago's most economically disadvantaged youth. northshoreboard.org

MAY 22

RELAXING WATERCOLORS

WHERE: Northfield Public Library

Unwind learning simple

MAY 22

ANIME & MANGA CLUB

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Join this month’s Anime and Manga Club meeting in the Makerspace. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., participants will be trying a variety of ramen. This club meets once a month to discuss anime and manga and is directed towards teens. highwoodlibrary.org

MAY 22

GARDEN TASK FORCE

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Take an afternoon with Lake Bluff Library to help start its Learning Garden. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., participants will start seeds, plan the garden for the summer season, and enjoy watching the plants grow, change, and produce. This program is open to children, adults, and teens. lakeblufflibrary.org

MAY 25 TO 26

MAY 20

LFOLA

BIRD HIKE

WHERE: Skokie Nature River Preserve

Begin your day with bird

watercolor techniques with Audrey Ra of Audrey Ra Design from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. wnpld.org

BARRINGTON ART FESTIVAL

WHERE: Barrington Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with Barrington’s Art Festival from 10 a.m. to

5 p.m. Start your day with coffee and breakfast before exploring art from 125 artists. Participate in a live painting class or stop at the Kids Art Zone. Enter to win a $100 Art Fest gift card to spend this weekend. Barrington’s restaurants, cafes, and retail shops will be open during the festival. amdurproductions.com

MAY 29

THE PLACEMAKING PROJECT

WHERE: Robert Crown Branch Library

Learn more about an exciting project and plans to preserve, uncover, and collect stories of local Asian American history in Evanston. From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Evanston ASPA and Evanston Public Library will present its plans for future collections and preservation of local Asian American history and culture. This adult program will be in person and online. Registration is required. epl.org

MAY 31 THROUGH JUNE 2

DO DIVISION STREET

FEST

WHERE: Chicago

Do Division Street Fest returns to kickoff Chicago’s festival season. This annual event features vendors, live performances, and a variety of local shopping and food. This year, there will be two stages for live music. Interested festival goers can sign up for a chance to win a prize pack including tickets to performances at both stages. Do Chicago Fashion Fest will showcase a runway and vendors throughout the weekend.

westtownchamber.org

JUNE 1

FORT SHERIDAN HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR

WHERE: Fort Sheridan

The Fort Sheridan Historic Society proudly presents “Our Historic Jewel V” house tour. Guests will view renovated historical homes and the mansions of yesterday. Participants will meet at the Water Tower to purchase tickets and start tours. Tours are from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online and are $30 for members and

$40 for non-members. fortsheridanhistoricalsociety. org

JUNE 1 TO 23

JCC CHICAGO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

WHERE: Highland Park, Chicago, and Skokie

The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival returns for its 11th year. This year, films will be shown on the weekends in Highland Park, Chicago, and Skokie. The festival will conclude with a showing at the Illinois Holocaust Museum on June 23. These 23 documentaries, dramas, and comedies will include a Q+A after the screening. Tickets and special passes are on sale now. jccfilmfest.jccchicago.org

JUNE 3 THROUGH AUGUST

FOOD TRUCK MONDAYS

WHERE: Kenilworth Park District

Enjoy Food Truck Mondays weekly starting June 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by Billy Bricks & Rio Bamba Food Trucks. Music will be provided by The Heavy

LFOLA Bird Hike

Barrington Art Festival

Sounds and there will also be cornhole league, bocce ball league, margaritas, and family fun.

kenilworthparkdistrict.org

JUNE 6 TO 9

INTERNATIONAL MURAL FESTIVAL

WHERE: Highwood

Celebrate 12 renowned

artists and their mural works throughout the city of Highwood. These murals will color the exterior walls of 12 buildings and there will be hands-on activities, live music, food and drink vendors, an outdoor bar, and a full carnival during this festival. Mural artwork will be displayed in May so they

can be viewed prior to the festival. celebratehighwood.org

JUNE 7 TO 8

WINNETKA CHILDREN’S FAIR

WHERE: Village Green

The 77th annual Winnetka Nursery School Children’s Fair returns to Village Green as the quint-

essential kick off to summer. The fair will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 8. It’s hosted by the Winnetka Community Nursery School Board of Directors and a group of dedicated parents with aid from local volunteers and the support of businesses in the area. The fair features treats, games, pony, camel, carnival rides, and much more. Ticket presales began May 15 and can be picked up at the Will Call at the fair. winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org

JUNE 22 TO 23

ART IN THE VILLAGE

WHERE: Hubbard Woods Park

North Shore Art League’s (NSAL) annual juried art show, Art in the Village, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park will serve as a beautiful setting for this summer art show. Artists from across the country

will showcase oil paintings, mixed media, photography, and sculpture. As an added attraction, NSAL faculty member and portrait artist, Lisa DePinto, will paint quick oil paintings on site. northshoreartleague.org

JUNE 23

WINGS NORTH SHORE

LADIES LUNCHEON

WHERE: Westmoreland Country Club

Support the WINGS nonprofit by attending the third annual North Shore Ladies Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $200. WINGS makes a difference in the eyes of families suffering domestic abuse and all proceeds will fund its future work. wingsprogram.com

JULY 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

CELEBRATION

WHERE: Downtown Highland Park

Highland Park’s Inde-

pendence Day Celebration returns with new additions. This year will balance the diverse needs of the community by providing space for remembrance as well as familiar traditions. There will be a morning remembrance ceremony, an afternoon parade at 1 p.m. down a new route through downtown, and the return of the family friendly Fourth of July festival from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The remembrance ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will be open to the public via advanced registration. The ceremony will be held indoors and led by faith leaders, Mayor Rotering, and musicians. It will be presented in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. A remembrance video message will be available to view that morning. cityhpil.com

To submit your event for consideration, please email events@ nsweekend.com.

JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

Since 2019, Winnetka’s CLAIRE WINNARD has worked as a member of the North Shore Board of Northwestern Settlement to help Chicago’s most disadvantaged youth disrupt the cycle of generational poverty. After her time at Teach for America in Brooklyn, Winnard was drawn to the North Shore Board’s mission of helping Chicago kids experience the life-changing magic of overnight camp at House in the Wood in Lake Delavan, Wisconsin. In January, Winnard stepped into the role of board president. This spring, she and the board are hard at work on the annual Gala Kick-Off luncheon on May 22 at North Shore Country Club (save the date for the Gala on November 9 at The Hilton Chicago). All proceeds from the luncheon will support House in the Wood’s traditional overnight camp and year-round STEM-based outdoor education programs. When Winnard is not leading the board, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, ages 4 to 10. Taking a moment, Winnard shares how she stays current in a busy world.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

I’m currently reading Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. Recent favorites include The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. I also love a good “palate-cleansing” thriller: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell were great.

#ON MY MOBILE

I love a list. I use Google Keep for daily to-do lists, grocery lists, funny things my kids say, etc. I also can’t survive life with four young kids without my Amazon app and Directory Spot (the school directory). And of course, my email and Instagram (especially the North Shore Board’s insta!).

#IN MY EARBUDS

I love podcasts while walking my dog or cleaning the kitchen. Some favorites: How I Built This, The Daily, and Scamanda (I was late to the party on this one, but it’s wild). I miss my old favorite, Nursing and Cursing. I also love Spotify, but generally, I’m blasting Taylor Swift for my daughters and their friends during carpool.

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ARCADIAN

Nicolas Cage stars in a dark but suspenseful movie that foreshadows a terrifying dystopian future.

BY REX REED ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

RUNNING TIME: 1 HOUR, 32 MINUTES

RATING: 3 stars

In a creepy, dystopian future, 15 years after humanity has been decimated, a man simply named Paul (Nicolas Cage) and his adopted twin sons Thomas and Joseph struggle to survive in a nightmarish world dominated by carnivorous nocturnal monsters that devour everything that moves.

Balanced and solid, with equal measures of terror and suspense, the movie is Arcadian and I’ll be darned if it didn’t scare the daylights out of me.

Economically directed by Benjamin Brewer with a welcome performance by a rare, understated Nicolas Cage, and carefully written by his manager, Mike Nilon, Arcadian is a combination sci-fi horror film and tender coming of age drama—filmed in the remote pastoral beauty of Ireland that contrasts with the hidden horrors behind each hill and vale.

It is believed that humans are extinct, but Paul optimistically thinks there are other people somewhere, ready to appear from beyond the next knoll and save them. No one does, so it’s up to the

brothers to provide the only sense of safety in numbers they need.

Unlike most fright flicks, Arcadian also gives the boys a gratifying sense of character delineation—Joseph is brainy; Thomas pragmatic and logical. Aside from them and a neighboring family with a teenage daughter, relationships with the outside world do not exist.

Isolation and loneliness prevail, danger lurks behind every bolted door, and to make things doubly unnerving, with no electricity most of the movie takes place in the dark or by candlelight.

One night Thomas breaks curfew to steal a clandestine visit with Charlotte, the only girl in his realm, and when his father sets out through the woods to search for him, he is severely injured.

After Charlotte’s father cruelly refuses the only medicine that can save Paul, it’s up to the boys to save their Dad and forge a new family dynamic. The director cleverly refrains from giving away too much about the monsters in waiting, forcing us to use our own imaginations, but when they do arrive,

crashing through the roof and the floors of the farmhouse, they are savage creatures unlike anything ever seen on film before.

The kids are fearless and resourceful enough to keep viewer interest focused, and human enough to make up for any technical deficiencies. There are some.

What really happened to cause the apocalypse? The boys own a motor vehicle for escape, but where do they get the gasoline? They also have an endless supply of beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables, but where do they find the seeds?

Never mind. Arcadian is satisfying entertainment, it’s a cut above most Nicolas Cage thrillers, and the three talented teenagers with whom he generously shares the screen—Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas, Jaeden Martell as Joseph, and Sadie Soverall as Charlotte—are real discoveries I hope to see on the screen again soon.

There is value in the ways they find hope and resolve as the film builds to a finale of paralyzing terror. Your move.

CIVIL WAR

This film from director-screenwriter Alex Garland offers a Doomsday parable that hints at America’s self destruction.

RUNNING TIME:

1 HOUR, 49 MINUTES

RATING: 3.5 stars

In the confusion and chaos of today’s polarized political landscape—a time of violence, crime, insurrection, and the rape of traditional human values—the plight of a free press is another threat to Democracy that isn’t explored as often as it should be.

Director-screenwriter Alex Garland’s Civil War is a Doomsday parable that makes up for lost time.

As a cautionary tale about America’s inevitable self-destruction, the relentless cynicism of its narrative is often preposterous, but as a visionary look at the horrors that lie ahead for a great country on the rocks—and what America has done to itself already—this is one of the most harrowing yet exhilarating science-fiction epics ever made. I also find it perturbing to realize a film about everything wrong with Amerca was made by a British director; not an American.

The setting is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic, not too distant future in which the world is divided between left-wing liberals and rightwing conservatives, the principles of truth

and integrity in journalism are all but extinct, and covering the news is so dangerous that reporters are forced to wear helmets for selfprotection.

In what passes for a miniscule plot, excellent but often under-appreciated actor Kristen Dunst plays Lee Smith, a fearless, respected photojournalist inspired by the great World War II icon Lee Miller—the first woman to enter the Nazi bunker after the surrender of the Third Reich, who photographed herself naked in Adolf Hitler’s bathtub for Life magazine.

On assignment, she tries to make sense of the American predicament and responsibly, accurately, and truthfully report the news. The film begins when she narrowly escapes a violent bombing that kills piles of people in the streets of New York. From there, she launches a trip to D.C. to shoot what may be the last photograph of the president of the U.S., who has become the victim of a murderous mob that holds him prisoner in the White House. She’s accompanied by a small group of fellow reporters including Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), a worshipful rookie girl who longs to be a carbon of Lee, Joel (Wagner Moura), a gung-ho seeker of scoops for Reuters who risks his life repeatedly to be in the center of the action, and

Sammy (Broadway veteran Stephen McKinley Henderson), an aging survivor of “what’s left of the New York Times”.

The arduous trajectory in Alex Garland’s script serves to guide the press (and the audience) through barren, blistered mine fields of war, across the deserted highways of abandoned cars and empty football stadiums converted to settings for killing sprees and makeshift graveyards for masses of discarded corpses. There’s one ghastly sequence with a sadistic racist maniac who massacres his victims with blasts of artillery fire, while wearing red sunglasses.

If you can keep your eyes open through the imagined depiction of the colorful horrors of the American future, you will never be bored—airstrikes aimed at innocent citizens, suicide bombers waving the stars and stripes, an amusement park called Winter Wonderland with images from the past, including a dead Santa Claus in the middle of a field— exactly like the one I saw in a front yard on a grisly tour of the ruins in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

There’s so much going on and so much devastation to watch in Civil War that it's hard to know who is fighting whom. In the chaos, everybody is at war with everybody else. The

film carefully avoids mentioning the names of any actual current politicians in either house of Congress, as well as the political parties on either side of the aisle, but once the press miraculously reaches Washington they find the remains of a the capitol of Democacy in combat streets full of tanks, soldiers on fire, cherished monuments destroyed, and a sitting president in his third term who has disbanded the FBI and raped the U.S. Constitution, so you can fill in the blanks.

Like it or loathe it, Civil War is a film of savage imagery and motiveless carnage, compromised ideals, and endless anarchy. Nihilism on film may be all the rage, but I don’t remember any movie this all-consumingly hopeless and depressing.

It is the conviction of Alex Garland that if things continue in the political direction we’re experiencing now then no one will be safe from annihilation in the next decade, with the free press in the middle, trying to record what they witness in the line of fire while the rest of us die.

Look at it as a movie for posterity, and it becomes a worthwhile movie to savor, but nothing else—and you’ll survive. Admire Civil War as an amazing film of imagination, cinematic verve, but nothing else—and you will, too.

MATERIAL PURSUITS

This weekend’s curated luxury trends

FOR THE BASHIEST BASH

Born and raised in Mexico, Glencoe’s Lilia Barba has been raising the bar on North Shore fun since 2021. A favorite of partygoers near and far, her woman-owned premium balloon and paper emporium has recently been renamed Bashy Bash The bountiful Winnetka boutique is brimming with unique items created by female artisans and curated by Barba. From small helium bouquets to large-scale balloon installations for all your summer soirees, Bashy Bash is a must for all fabulous fêtes. For more information and a whole lot of fun, visit bashybash.com.

SOCIAL LIFE

TWIST OUT CANCER

More than 300 people attended the opening night reception for Twist Out Cancer’s 2024 Brushes With Cancer spring program at the Writers Theatre. Twist Out Cancer provides psychosocial support to cancer survivors and their loved ones through creative arts programming. Its Brushes with Cancer program strategically matches artists with anyone touched by cancer to create unique artwork reflective of their journey. Founded in 2012 by Glencoe native Jenna Benn Shersher, Twist Out Cancer has touched more than 257,000 people worldwide through its programs and events. twistoutcancer.org

SWEET

Goodies Highland Park has been a women-owned North Shore favorite since 1989. Co-owners Lisa Meitus, Robin Roth, and Carrie Goodman are celebrating 35 years of supplying sweet treats to Highland Park and its neighboring communities. Goodies offers customized candy creations ranging from gourmet gift baskets and party favors to delights for the hostess and candy by the pound. Sweeten your day with a visit to the North Shore’s favorite confectionary. Goodies is located at 652 Central Avenue in Highland Park. For more information, visit goodiesetc.com.

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Spirited Brands’ Sokē is a new premium canned sake soda cocktail that offers a contemporary take on Japan’s legacy beverage. Crafted with premium Junmai sake, infused with carefully curated, all-natural fruit flavors and perfectly balanced bubbles, Sokē provides a refreshing experience that is low-calorie, low-alcohol, and perfectly portable. Authentically flavored, the sake sodas are not too sweet or too sour—just incredibly delicious. Flavors include white peach, lychee, cherry blossom, and yuzu ginger. Sulfate-free, GMO-free, vegan, and gluten-free, yet flavor-full these are the perfect little somethings for those craving new options in the ready-to-drink space. For more information, visit sokesoula.com.

JENNA BENN SHERSHER

TWIST OUT CANCER ARTIST DAVID TUROK

BEAUTY

INSPIRATION LAUREN

JACQUELINE CARMODY, JENNA BENN SHERSHER, AUGUST SPREE, ANDREW EDELSTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EILEEN O’HAIR

Lilia Barba owner of BASHY BASH. Photography by Katrina Wittkamp

All are invited to attend an upcoming informational “Brunch-n-Learn” at the Abbey Resort:

SATURDAY, MAY 18 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 1 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

All REALTORS® are invited to attend an upcoming informational “Brokers Only Event” at the Abbey Resort Fire Pits: THURSDAY, MAY 23 4:00 - 6:00 PM Space is limited. Please RSVP to maria@RGLfontana.com to make your reservations!

For information, please contact Yvette Howard at 262-729-2801 or howard@RGLfontana.com. For information on spring Grand Opening events, please email maria@RGLfontana.com.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DOUBLE

Highland Park’s Michaela McGarry Donohue travels to Glasgow, Scotland, to watch her 14-year-old daughter, Izzy, become what the matriarch became 26 years ago—an Irish dance world champion.

BY BILL MCLEAN

ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

On the day of her first Irish dance lesson in a basement at a Chicago church 37 years ago, a 9-year-old from Evanston named Michaela was ordered to go to a corner in the room.

But not because she had gotten into trouble.

“I was old for a beginner,” recalls Michaela McGarry Donohue, now a 46-year-old resident of Highland Park and the mother of three. “Most Irish dancers start learning at the age of 5 or 6. Three or four other inexperienced dancers on that day went to the corner with me to receive instruction from a driller, who was a teen.

“We were taught jig steps while the experienced kids did their thing.”

Some 10 years later, in 1998, the then19-year-old Michaela, along with 15 Trinity Academy of Irish Dance competitors in the Team Choreography senior division (18 and older), was the center of attention in Ennis, Ireland, at the World Championships of Irish Dance.

The group had captured gold after dancing to “The Dawn.”

“I was shy. Irish dance brought me out of my shell,” says Donohue, who teaches at Elmhurst-based Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and has served as the academy’s team program manager since 2021. “I was thrilled and excited when a driller told me all those years ago, ‘I think you’re pretty good at this.’ Irish dance allows young performers to stand on stage and be counted, which is something Trinity’s founder (and principal choreographer), Mark Howard, likes to say.

“Irish Dance,” she adds, “also boosts selfesteem.”

In April, on a stage in Glasgow, Scotland, 16 members of Trinity’s junior (16 and under) Choreography Team performed to none other “The Dawn”—an enhanced version—at the World Championships of Irish Dance, after having trained together for 100 hours since December 2023 under the direction of Dono-

hue, Chicago’s MacKenzie Holland, Milwaukee’s Deirdra Kelly, and Palatine’s Deirdre Vrbancic.

They completed their final 15 hours of training in Scotland.

They, too, won World gold, upping the acad emy’s overall haul of such medals to 14 since a Trinity troupe claimed the first top prize in 1987.

Among the newly minted champions last month was 14-year-old Izzy Donohue—Mi chaela’s daughter, who took her first Irish dance lesson at the age of 3.

“They were beautiful, determined, and decisive,” says Donohue, who’s also raising sons PJ, 16, and Gabe, 11, with her husband, Sean, who’s as rabid about power plays

other Irish dancers for a performance on WGN’s The Bozo

Donohue was an 11-year-old sixthgrader when she helped a Trinity team garner bronze (13-and-under division) in her first appearance at a World Championship event. She retired from competitive dance at the age of 20.

“My mother (Rie) immersed herself into Irish dance and drove me all over the Midwest for dance competitions after she saw how much I enjoyed the art,” says Donohue, who tried swimming competitively for a spell but looked for another outlet after concluding, “I could swim the breaststroke, but

Our dancers are doing what they love to do and making the world better through their performances.

in hockey as his wife is about treble jigs in Irish dance. “They are an extraordinary group of young women that will go on to achieve great things in dance and in life.

“Soon after the announcement,” she continues, “I looked at my daughter and told her, ‘You’re a world champion!’”

Michaela’s road to her gold began the same year she had escaped that church basement corner because of her talent and ability to learn quickly. The future world champ joined

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Michelle Crowe, Allison Duncan, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg

barely. I also remember asking my mom, after my first Irish dance lesson, ‘Could I go back there for another lesson? This is going to be my thing.’”

Rie, whose husband, Joe, died when Michaela was 18, became a chaperone and volunteer costume seamstress for the Trinity Irish Dance Company and later served as the company’s full-time seamstress for 25 years.

Michaela attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette in her junior and senior years and

DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

graduated in the academy’s second year (1996) as a co-educational college preparatory school, before enrolling at Loyola University-Chicago, where she earned a degree in Developmental Psychology. Donohue received her master’s in Elementary Education at DePaul University in Chicago.

“I love what I do at Trinity,” she says. “I’m very passionate about what I do in Irish dance. To me, it’s incredibly important to learn how to collaborate at a young age. Dancers on a team put aside their personal wants and needs and are a part of something bigger than themselves. Part of our mission at Trinity is using dance to build amazing humans. Our dancers are doing what they love to do and making the world better through their performances.”

Tiny mistakes are made in every performance on a stage, she notes. But those are perfect opportunities to grow and learn, no matter the age of the dancer.

“A dancer,” Donohue says, “could get distracted for just a second, which could lead to a misstep. We, as dancers, have all been there. But that could turn out to be a good thing because a dancer who remains positive after a mistake sets a wonderful example for the rest of the team.”

In addition to its fine reputation and impressive track record of national and international success, Trinity aims “to elevate children, the community, and the world through the power and grace of Irish dance,” according to its mission. Trinity instructors focus on the importance of having fun while developing self-respect and confidence.

“There’s incredible authenticity in Irish dance,” Donohue says. “It’s important to find ways to move the art forward and not make it about flash. What we like to tell our competitive dancers, and this is one of Mark Howard’s favorite reminders, is, ‘How many people get to do something they love to do at a world level?’ We then add, ‘Consider it an honor to perform on that stage. Do that and you get to walk away happy.’”

For more information, visit trinityirishdance.com.

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Cheyanne Lencioni ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM

Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Judith R. Baumann, Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

Eileen O'Hair, Katrina Wittkamp PHOTOGRAPHY

Michaela McGarry Donohue