The Edge 6/17/21 Telegraph/Intelligencer by Hearst Midwest

June 17, 2021 Volume 20, Issue 10

Edwardsville, Glen Carbon women launch new vodka

Inside: How To Guide

Inside: Home & Lifestyles

Food For Thought: Sugarfire sweet and spicy!

2 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

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On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 3

Cover story: Social Grace Vodka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Religious directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Movie review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Care closet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 How to Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Italy’s oldest music conservatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Who to contact THE EDGE PUBLISHER • Denise VonderHaar................... dvonderhaar@edwpub.net THE EDGE ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Carole Fredeking ..................carole.fredeking@hearst.com THE EDGE MARKETING STRATEGIST • Kristine Ressler ..................kristine.ressler@hearst.com THE EDGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Jill Moon .......................................... jill.moon@hearst.com THE EDGE CONTRIBUTORS

ON THE COVER: Social Grace Vodka LLC’s creators/owners Denise Arendell, left, of Edwardsville, and Christa Guilbeault, of Glen Carbon, look at brand new bottles for their newly launched premium spirits brand. The bottle features a design conceived by the pair of friends, graphically designed by Edwardsville’s Cork Tree Creative and tweaked by Wisconsin-based Ink360’s Lia Fanning. When Arendell and Guilbeault submitted their designs for bottle and logo to Fanning, she put Social Grace Vodka’s female figure on the back of the bottle, instead of the front, so that the figure appears to look through the bottle. Social Grace Vodka officially launched June 3. The company will give back 10% of its net profits to nonprofits benefiting women and children in the brand’s regions of sales, currently sold at Dierbergs Edwardsville Crossing in Illinois, various Ed/Glen restaurants and in Missouri. The bottles pictured were handed to the women as they came off the production line in Wisconsin. (Submitted/For The Edge)

• Vicki Bennington...................... vbennington@sbcglobal.net • Keith Brake ..................................keithbrake76@gmail.com • Robert Grubaugh .................... rgrubaugh19@hotmail.com On The Edge Of The Weekend is a product of Hearst Illinois Media Group.

4 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

In the spirit of giving, women launch new premium vodka

A spirits brand with a splash of philanthropy, powerful mission

By Jill Moon jmoon@thetelegraph.com

EDWARDSVILLE — A pair of women who met playing golf a couple years ago at Sunset Hills Country Club became fast friends and recently business partners with their Social Grace Vodka brand. Social Grace Vodka is now among an elite group of businesses — woman-owned spirit companies. Owned and operated by Christa Guilbeault, of Glen Carbon, and Denise Arendell, of Edwardsville, the vodka was created with women in mind, although it is intended for all vodka drinkers. You can already find Social Grace Vodka in many local restaurants, including Wang Gang, Moussalli’s Prime and EXO Lounge and Nail Bar, as well as Dierbergs Edwardsville Crossing. It will also be in a new restaurant coming to the area, Edley’s BBQ, out of Nashville, Tennessee, and they have verbal commitments from Chava’s Mexican Restaurant, Obar, 1818 Chophouse and others, Guilbeault said. “Our vodka is naturally gluten-free and distilled on an eighth-generation farm locally.” “Our bottle design is truly magical. It’s classy, it’s elegant and you’ll want to pick it up.” And, Social Grace Vodka is one of only a handful of woman-owned spirit companies in the U.S., Arendell noted. But why vodka? “As far as women are concerned, it is very low in carbs, low in calories and naturally gluten free,” Arendell explained. “Vodka is also simple to make. There’s no aging process, like with whiskey, bourbon or wine, and we can get it to market quicker. Vodka can be made from any grain: wheat, potato, corn. “We use white corn instead of yellow corn like our competitors use,” Guilbeault noted. “White corn is a little sweeter and a little smoother than traditional corn. We use the finest locally family grown white corn to create a true grain-to-glass experience. We’ve conducted many taste tests and know we have a truly superior premium vodka. “Our vodka has a sweet hint of agave, without any added sugars,” she said. Social Grace Vodka is six times distilled and 80 proof, with a smooth finish. “We are marketing toward women, but we know men will purchase our vodka, as well,” said Guilbeault, of which her husband enjoys, and so does Arendell’s, both of whom are extremely supportive of the new spirit company, they said. “It’s a high-end premium vodka and we give back 10 percent of our net profits.” The pair established a Social Grace Vodka signature drink contest, seeking a female mixologist to create and name this special cocktail. A dozen Edwardsville/Glen Carbon establishments participated for a cash prize and naming rights. “Each mixologist created up to five cocktails for us,” Guilbeault explained. They plan to announce the winner in the next week or so. From the creation of Social Grace Vodka, an intentionally high-end product, to its carefully designed bottle to its marketing and philanthropic causes, women mark its every aspect and characteristic. “We began working on a business plan, marketing pitch, and what that would look like,” Arendell explained. “We interviewed several distilleries, both local and not. Some are willing to do contract distilling and will make and bottle your product that are local. They did end up choosing a local distillery that uses their family’s eighth generation farm and grows the white corn. “We knew when we met them, they were the ones for us,” Arendell said.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 5 The pair met with the distiller last year, in May, and the next month, on June 3, signed documents to form a limited liability company as Social Grace Vodka. “Exactly one year later, on June 3, 2021, we got to see our cases loaded on to trucks to send to market,” Guilbeault recalled. “It was incredible, one year to the day!” Arendell exclaimed. It was important to use companies made up of mostly women or female-owned, particularly because of marketing toward women. “We went to Cork Tree Creative, in Edwardsville,” Guilbeault said. “They met with us and listened to what we wanted — all through Zoom, over the pandemic last year.” Cork Tree, made up of mostly female professionals, held an in-house contest for its graphic designers, who submitted entries for the bottle design. “The woman on our bottles is very important to us,” they said. “The woman does not to have a face because we didn’t want an ethnicity. We wanted her to be whatever anybody saw her to be. The logo, the design, all came from Cork Tree.” “We interviewed different marketing firms, and they were definitely perfect for our company,” Guilbeault said. “The bottle represents our brand perfectly.” The bottle, as well as the product, is made in the U.S.A., but the local entrepreneurial friends had bottle samples of different shapes from all over the world to study. “We had fun going into Friar Tuck late at night, placing our bottle on shelves, making sure ours stood out as something different,” Arendell said. “Our community is so supportive of local, and accepting of what we’re doing.” For bottle production, they went to Ink360, out of Wisconsin, which specializes in 360-degree wraparound, direct-to-bottle printing for short-run, smallbatch craft beverages. “When we submitted all our designs to them, Lia Fanning completely blew us away!” Guilbeault recalled. “She took our designs from Cork Tree, and laid them out to what our bottles look like today. “Lia was instrumental in designing this bottle. She put our woman on the back of the bottle and the woman looks through the vodka,” she explained. Arendell and Guilbeault traveled to Wisconsin early this spring and got to see their bottles come off the line. “They handed each of us a bottle when the first two came off production,” Guilbeault said. “That was so exciting for us, to be there.” Their next step was to work with packaging for shipping and logistics, for which they hired Packaging Logistics Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked with its owner, Rachael Nelson. Since Social Grace Vodka is premium, it ships in cases of six, instead of 12, and requires a premium packaging carton design, both for cost and branding. “It was important that all four sides and the top of the cartons had our logos and trademarks on them,” Guilbeault explained. “Rachael worked with us on the design.” Nonprofit organizations to which Social Grace Vodka will give 10% of net profits will be based on sales within regions of states in which the product sells. Now, the brand is only distributed in Illinois, by Koerner Dis-

Social Grace Vodka LLC co-owners Denise Arendell, left, of Edwardsville, and Christa Guilbeault, of Glen Carbon, pose with their

see SOCIAL GRACE VODKA, Page 7 new Social Grace Vodka bottles and shipping cartons. (Submitted/For The Edge)

6 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

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On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 7

SOCIAL GRACE VODKA continued from Page 5

tributing, and Missouri, by Major Brands, but the women plan to sell Social Grace Vodka all over the U.S. “This way we can keep our giving local to where our sales are,” Arendell said. “When we get up and are going well locally, then we’ll expand, and divide each state into regions.” Guilbeault said ultimately they want to recruit some of their peers to form a board of directors to help decide giving to nonprofits for women and children. Their goal includes creating a QR code through which they can make giving interactive through Social Grace Vodka and share information such as recipes. Edwardsville resident Serena Cavallo is in charge of Social Grace Vodka’s social media marketing and website. “She’s very good at listening, which is very important to Denise and me,” Guilbeault said. “We want to be sophisticated, and she created exactly what I had envisioned.” The friends’ have a mutually fond saying, “Denise is the grit, Christa’s the grace.” “I’m a numbers person,” said Arendell, who works full time as a financial advisor. “So, I say that’s kinda the grit; Christa’s the grace, very eloquent, with thought-out details, and so well-connected in our community. We just, really, came together as a power business couple.” Guilbeault is a former elementary education teacher who taught for 12 years, 10 of which for the Bethalto district. “In March of 2020, as our world began to shut down, Christa and I had one last dinner together,” Arendell recalled. “We were discussing ways to broaden our reach and extend our passion for charitable giving, since so many of our local nonprofits were canceling their fundraising events.” The next day the pair got to work and Social Grace Vodka emerged under the pandemic. “The shutdowns really allowed us to take our time to perfect the formulation and packaging of this high-end brand,” Arendell said. “We believe in the responsibility to support our community, in both small and large ways. We’re paving the way for a lifestyle spirits brand that prioritizes the power of giving,” Guilbeault said. Also, when an event is held that features Social Grace Vodka, they will donate an additional 10% to a nonprofit chosen by the event host. “We certainly didn’t get here alone,” Arendell noted. “We are so grateful for the support from our family, friends and our community. Here we are with distribution in two states, pinch me.” Visit www.socialgracespirits.com, follow its Facebook page or email info@socialgracespirits.com for more information.

8 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

The Latest: 2021 Pulitzer Prizes honor journalism, arts

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) —The Latest on the 2021 Pulitzer Prizes: RICHMOND —Michael Paul Williams of Virginia’s Richmond Times-Dispatch won this year’s prize for commentary for a series of “penetrating and historically insightful columns” about the process of dismantling the state capital city’s Confederate monuments. Williams’ winning work was written after the killing of George Floyd, which ignited removals of monuments to Confederates, colonizers and tyrants around the world. The issue was particularly resonant in Richmond, a former capital of the Confederacy steeped in Civil War history and Lost Cause iconography. Williams wrote in July in one of his winning columns that Richmond was “now a city in search of heroes and causes we can all rally around” and that Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s “likeness was lifted from a perch it never should have occupied in a just and evolved society,” after workers removed the first of many Confederate statues the mayor ordered off city property. The newspaper’s leadership said in a joint statement that Williams’ commentary was the “centerpiece” of its coverage of Richmond’s legacy of inequity and that he wrote “with a voice that spoke to the trauma of yesterday and the hope for tomorrow.” ___ MORE ON THE PULITZERS: —Pulitzers honor coronavirus pandemic, US protest coverage —AP wins 2 Pulitzers for photos of pandemic pain, US unrest —‘The Night Watchman,’ Malcolm X biography win arts Pulitzers —Teen who recorded Floyd’s arrest, death wins Pulitzer nod ___ NEW YORK —One of the country’s most esteemed novelists, Louise Erdrich, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for “The Night Watchman.” Other winners for books include the late Les Payne and daughter Tamara Payne for their Malcolm X biography “The Dead Are Arising.” Marcia Chatelain’s “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America” won for history. Natalie Diaz’s “Postcolonial Love Poem” was the poetry winner and David Zucchino’s “Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy” was cited for general nonfiction. Tani Leon’s composition “Stride” was the winner for music. ___ NEW YORK —The Pulitzer board recognized two winners in the Explanatory Reporting category that touched on the major stories

of the year. Ed Yong of The Atlantic won for a “lucid, definitive” series on the pandemic which the board said “anticipated the course of the disease, synthesized the complex challenges the country faced, illuminated the US government’s failures and provided clear and accessible context to the scientific and human challenges it posed.” Andrew Chung, Lawrence Hurley, Andrea Januta, Jaimi Dowdell and Jackie Botts of Reuters won for an investigation of the legal concept of qualified immunity and how it shields police from prosecution. The board cited the examination of court cases “powered by a pioneering data analysis.” ___ BOSTON —The Boston Globe received the investigative reporting Pulitzer for a series demonstrating how poor government oversight imperils road safety. Matt Rocheleau, Vernal Coleman, Laura Crimaldi, Evan Allen and Brendan McCarthy were recognized “for reporting that uncovered a systematic failure by state governments to share information about dangerous truck drivers that could have kept them off the road,” the Pulitzer board said. The investigation reported how the increasingly deadly trucking industry operates with minimal federal government oversight. Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory praised his staff’s winning coverage for the investigative reporting Pulitzer, highlighting their “tireless shoe-leather reporting” and the reforms their work produced. Brendan McCarthy, the editor on the series, said the Globe “quickly found that this kind of tragedy had been happening year after year for decades. The problems were in plain sight but had never been addressed.” ___

NEW YORK —“The Hot Wing King” by Katori Hall, a play set around a hot wing cooking competition, has won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for drama during a theater season that saw most venues largely shuttered. The Pulitzer board hailed “The Hot Wing King” for its look at masculinity and how it is filtered “by the experiences of a loving gay couple and their extended family as they prepare for a culinary competition” Finalists included “Circle Jerk” by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley,” and “Stew” by Zora Howard. With most theaters closed during the pandemic, the Pulitzer Prize Board altered the requirements for this year’s drama award, allowing postponed or canceled works, as well as plays produced and performed in places other than theaters. “The Hot Wing King” opened off-Broadway just days before the city’s theaters were closed. Hall is the author of the Olivier Award-winning “The Mountaintop” and is a Tony Award-nominated co-playwright of Broadway’s “Tina —The Tina Turner Musical.” ___ NEW YORK —The Pulitzer Prize for public service journalism has been awarded to The New York Times for its reporting on the coronavirus. The Times’ reporting on the pandemic stood out in 2020 for its depth and accessibility. The paper provided a wealth of data in easy-to-digest forms, including graphs on new cases and hospitalizations, a map of hot spots and a table on trends by state. The Pulitzer committee said the Times was recognized for “courageous, prescient and sweeping coverage of the coronavirus pandemic that exposed racial and economic

inequities, government failures in the U.S. and beyond and filled a data vacuum that helped local governments, health care providers, businesses and individuals to be better prepared and protected.” ___ MINNEAPOLIS —The teenager whose video documenting the death of George Floyd set off a global movement over racial injustice has been awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Prizes. Darnella Frazier was cited “for courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality, around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists quest for truth and justice.” Frazier was 17 when she recorded Floyd’s death in May 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police. ___ NEW YORK —The Associated Press has won two Pulitzer Prizes for photography for its coverage of racial injustice protests in the U.S. and the coronavirus pandemic’s toll on the elderly in Spain. AP’s chief photographer in Spain, Emilio Morenatti, won the feature photography prize for documenting the impact of COVID19 on elders. One of his winning images captured an older couple hugging and kissing through a plastic sheet. Work by 10 AP photographers won the breaking news prize for covering protests that roiled U.S. cities after the May 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a police officer. Photographers dodged rubber bullets and tear gas to capture close-up images of demonstrators with fists in the air and sometimes violent conflicts with police. With the wins, AP has now received 56 Pulitzer Prizes, including 34 for photography. ___ MINNEAPOLIS —The Star Tribune, of Minneapolis, has won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of the May 25, 2020, killing of George Floyd and the resulting civil unrest that tore through the city. Floyd, a Black man, died as he was being pinned to the ground by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds sparked a wave of protests, first in the Twin Cities and then nationwide. Star Tribune journalists covered the rage in Minneapolis, where protesters burned buildings including a police station. The Pulitzer board called the coverage “urgent, authoritative and nuanced.” Chauvin was later convicted of murder.

Home & Lifestyles • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 9

Home and Lifestyles H&L

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Home & Lifestyles • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 11

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What to know about outdoor living spaces Home trends come and go. What was popular as recently as a decade ago may have lost some luster in the eyes of today’s home buyers. Though that’s historically been the case in regard to real estate, outdoor living rooms are one relatively recent home trend that figures to have a longer shelf life, especially in the aftermath of a global pandemic during which people were encouraged to stay home as much as possible. Real estate professionals and organizations like the National Association of Home Builders note the popularity of outdoor living spaces among prospective home buyers, and how that popularity has grown in recent years. Outdoor living rooms not only appeal to potential buyers, they also serve as a means for current homeowners to get more out of their properties. Homeowners mulling outdoor living space projects should consider various factors before deciding to go ahead with a project. • Cost: The home renovation resource HomeAdvisor

estimates that the average cost of an outdoor living space is around $7,600. That cost can easily go up depending on where homeowners live and the features they want to have in their outdoor living spaces. For example, including a built-in fire pit in an outdoor living space will cost more than purchasing a stand-alone fire pit that can be picked up and moved. But many homeowners feel a built-in fire pit makes an outdoor living space even more special. • Return on investment: Return on investment is another factor for homeowners to consider as they try to decide if they should install outdoor living spaces and how to design those areas. Much conflicting data about the ROI on outdoor kitchens can be found online, but many trusted real estate organizations report that such additions do not mesmerize prospective buyers. Data from the American Institute of Architects indicates that outdoor kitchens are routinely ranked among the least desirable home features, which means homeowners should not expect substantial

ROI when selling their homes. But that built-in fire pit? Estimates from the National Association of Realtors suggest fire features recover around 67 percent of homeowners’ initial investment. In addition, 83 percent of homeowners surveyed by the NAR who had installed fire features said they had a greater desire to be home after completing the project. • Space: An outdoor living space may only be as relaxing as the space allows. The proximity of neighbors may affect privacy levels, which can make it hard to enjoy movie night outdoors or curl up to quietly read a good book. In addition, landscaping also may need to be addressed if drainage is an issue in the backyard. That can add to the cost, and drainage concerns may limit the materials homeowners can work with. Outdoor living spaces are popular. Homeowners must consider various factors before deciding if such spaces are for them.

14 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • Home & Lifestyles

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A guide to buying and setting up a bird bath

Warm weather means more opportunities to spend time outdoors while at home. Whether your favorite form of outdoor recreation includes sitting on the patio reading or digging in the garden, there’s a good chance that you will be sharing the space with local wildlife. Optimizing opportunities to view and interact with backyard wildlife can make the great outdoors even more enjoyable. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology indicates that there are around 2,059 bird species on the continent of North America. Red-winged blackbirds, yellow-rumped warblers, American robins, and chipping sparrows are among the most commonly seen birds in North America. Making a backyard hospitable to birds can increase the chances for sightings and hearing their sweet songs. Installing a bird bath can be a step in the right direction. Bird baths can make yards more attractive to birds. Birds require a supply of fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. By setting up a bath, homeowners can attract not only seed-loving birds, but those that don’t eat seeds and wouldn’t normally congregate around feeders, indicates All About Birds. Experts surmise that birds may bathe to maintain their feathers. Not all bird baths are constructed the in the same fashion. Many bird baths sold in stores are better suited for decoration than for serving as

functional baths. There are four general types of bird bath: standing pedestal, hanging bath, deck-mounted, and ground-level. In general, the lower a bird bath is to the ground, the more likely birds are to use it. Most natural sources of water birds use are on or near the ground. Therefore, ground-level bird baths may be the best investments. It is important to keep the water in a bird bath shallow (around two inches of water or less). This enables birds to splash around safely and wade in. Birds do not want to slide around, so a material that is coated and slippery, like glazed ceramic or glass, may not be too popular. Rough stone or a bird bath modified with pea gravel or rocks can give birds steady footing. Place the bird bath in the shade if possible to ensure the water is cool and fresh. Locate it by a tree so the birds can hop up to a branch and preen afterwards. All About Birds also says that a bird bath is more attractive if it has a dripping or moving water feature, as this is often irresistible to birds. Another way to ensure the bath will be used is to keep it clean and maintained. Change the water every day or two. Rinse off the bath to remove droppings, bugs and other debris. Once birds learn there is a comfortable bath nearby, they may be more apt to visit a yard and may even become frequent guests.

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Helping YOU Find the Perfect Home Loan

How Much Are Closing Costs?

When you buy a home, you have more expenses than just the home’s down payment. These are closing costs, fees that pay for services required to purchase a place to live and to mortgage the house payments. Even if you’re paying cash for the home, you’ll still have some closing costs. Costs vary by location because the taxes and required services differ by state and city. The type of loan you obtain can also impact the closing costs. In Central Illinois and the Metro East, these costs typically range from 2% to 3% of the price of your home. On average, they are between $1,850 and $2,400 here, according to Sue Cress, AVP, Mortgage Lender with Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services. Your lender will provide a loan estimate at time of an initial application that will break down and clarify closing costs.

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What Are the Typical Costs? • An appraisal of the home you’re purchasing to make sure it’s worth the price • A credit report to make sure you’re a good risk for a mortgage • A title check on the property to make sure no one else owns all or part of it • Recording the deed and mortgage documents with the county • Verification of your employment • A termite inspection of the property • An inspection of the property’s water and septic systems • A premium to cover the first year of home insurance • A fee to underwrite the mortgage Can I Decrease Them? Sometimes, you can negotiate with the seller to pay for more closing costs. On the other hand, you can also see if your lender offers lender credits, sometimes called ‘no-closing-cost mortgages’, Cress says. “A lender credit swaps a higher interest rate in exchange for money upfront to offset the closing costs. While lender credits may reduce your upfront costs, they could cost you more over the life of the loan if you take the higher rate.” Lastly, talk with your lender to see if you qualify for any special state or local grants that offer down payment and/or closing costs assistance. Other options include taking advantage of any discounts or benefits you can receive if you’re in the military or a union.

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16 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • Home & Lifestyles

Tips to book a vacation rental in a unique summer After a dismal 2020 when people’s movements were greatly restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism could increase significantly beginning in the summer of 2021. That’s great news for the businesses and workers who make their living in the tourism industry, and it’s music to the ears of people itching to get out of the house and head off for parts unknown. Vacation rentals figure to be hot commodities in the months to come. According to the short-term rental property management platform Guesty, vacation rental reservations between June and August of 2021 increased by 110 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Competition for vacation rentals could be steep this summer, and a few tips could help vacationers find a property to call their home away from home. • Act quickly. Travel and tourism industry professionals reported an uptick in demand for vacation rentals as early as February 2021. COVID-19 vaccinations had already been available to millions of people by then, so it’s no surprise rentals picked up around that time. Anyone still looking for a rental should be prepared to move quickly upon finding properties they like, as remaining rentals may not stay on the market with more and more fully vaccinated people looking to travel. • Recognize that location might not be everything. Location is a top priority in a typical vacation season, but summer 2021 figures to be an atypical time to travel. Location typically bears such significance because travelers want to be close to attractions and amenities like shops and restaurants. But many areas, including some tourism hotspots, are only gradually reopening this summer. So proximity to amenities may not be as important this summer as it has been in the past. Recognizing that may expand travelers’ options as they scan vacation rental listings. • Focus on the rental. Though location might not be as important in the summer of 2021, the rental property itself might take on heightened importance. Restaurants may still be operating under capacity restrictions this summer, which might make it hard to book dinner reservations. Travelers also may not want to dine out three times per day if doing so requires adhering to various restrictions. That places extra importance on the amenities of the vacation rental. Rentals with fully functional kitchens, and even those with outdoor kitchens, may be especially valuable to travelers this summer. In addition, rentals with plenty of space to lounge around indoors and outdoors could provide a comfortable respite for travelers without much to do. Many people are planning to go on vacation this summer. Would-be travelers may have to reconsider their traditional approach to vacation rentals in response to what figures to be a unique time to travel.

‘This is what love looks like’

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 17

Edwardsville woman serves as surrogate for sister

EDWARDSVILLE — For Kristin Stahlheber, being a surrogate for her sister is literally a labor of love. Stahlheber, who lives in Edwardsville with her husband Luke and their three children, is eight months pregnant with her niece. The baby girl is the child of her sister, Megan Glassman, who lives in Plainfield with her husband Ryan and their 4-year-old daughter. Stahlheber volunteered to become a surrogate when heart problems prevented Glassman from having another child. “This is what love looks like, and this is what we do for a sister or anybody who needs help,” said Stahlheber, whose due date is July 29. “All four of us — myself, my husband, my sister and her husband — have grown closer because of this. My husband and my girls have really stepped up with helping me out.” Stahlheber and her husband, who have lived in Edwardsville since 2007, are both veterinarians, with Kristin Stahlheber working at Heartland Veterinary Hospital, in Edwardsville, and Luke Stahlheber working at Northgate Small Animal Hospital, in Collinsville. They have three girls of their own, including an 11-year-old daughter, Hannah, and 8-yearold twins, Heidi and Emily. Glassman and her husband, meanwhile, lost their first baby in 2016 at 20 weeks when the baby didn’t have a heartbeat. She got pregnant again about six months later with their daughter Kaylee and that was a highrisk pregnancy because of the previous loss. “The pregnancy was fairly normal, and the baby was fine, but when I delivered her, I went into heart failure and my heart was functioning below 25 percent,” Glassman said. “The day after my daughter was born, I had heart surgery and I stayed in the hospital for a week to recover. “I was put on heart meds for about six months and I left the hospital with a defibrillator vest. That was not fun, but we dealt with it.” Over the next two years, Glassman went to four different cardiologists to see if it was safe for her to get pregnant again. “A doctor who is the head of cardiology at Northwestern (University) did a cardiac MRI on me, and we were able to see that my heart still had more scarring than anticipated,” Glassman recalled. “He told me that the risk of me getting pregnant again would probably be one of three results: I would either need a heart

transplant, I would end up on a respirator or I would die.” Glassman was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), which is a weakness of the heart muscle that begins sometime during the final month of pregnancy through about five months after delivery, without any other known cause. “My husband and I decided that we needed to try other options (to have another child), whether it was adoption or surrogacy,” Glassman said. “It was somewhere in there, where we were trying to decide what to do, that Kristin told me she wouldn’t mind carrying my baby for me and that she had been wanting to do that for a while.” As it turned out, Stahlheber had already given thought to becoming a surrogate, but she never imagined that it would be for her sister. “Seven years ago, when my twins were one, I heard about a friend of mine who hired somebody to be a surrogate for her,” Stahlheber said. “As soon as I heard that, I thought, ‘This is something that I’m supposed to do,’ and I’m supposed to help some family in this way. I thought it would be somebody I had never met before. “I talked to my husband about it and he wasn’t supportive of the idea at that time because we had 1-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, and (he thought), ‘We can’t handle that right now,’” she recalled. “That did not change at all how I felt. The years went on and I never wavered in the knowledge that I was supposed to do this, but I never shared that with anyone other than my husband.” A few years later, Stahlheber’s sister was the one who needed help, and her desire to be a surrogate suddenly turned into a family affair. “The day I told my husband about the doctor visit that she had, and he told me, ‘I think you’re supposed to do (surrogacy) for them,’ I almost fell out of my chair,” Stahlheber said. “It was at the point where we were ready to do it when we needed to do it. “After my husband and I had that discussion, I called my sister and told her that I wanted to be a surrogate for her,” she said. “She had no idea I felt like that, because I had never told her. I told her that we are done with having our family, but I would (have the baby) for her and do it with an open heart.” For the sisters and their families, that decision was just the start of the surrogacy journey. “Once we decided that was the route we

Edwardsville’s Kristin Stahlheber, right, with her sister, Megan Glassman, and her brotherin-law, Ryan Glassman, and their 4-year-old daughter, Kaylee Glassman. Stahlheber, who is eight months pregnant, is serving as a surrogate for her sister, who is no longer able to have children due to heart issues. “It’s an amazing journey. It’s wonderful to be able to help in a situation that had looked very sad and scary. For women like Megan, who can’t have a baby for whatever reason, it’s a beautiful option.” — Kristin Stahlheber were going to take, there was about two years of the actual process, including the psychology visits, the legal stuff and the medical stuff,” Glassman said. “Surrogacy is not an easy process, but COVID made it a lot harder. It led to some difficult decisions for the four of us, but it has definitely brought us closer together.” Since her sister’s cardiology team was at Northwestern University, near Chicago, Stahlheber worked with the reproductive

medicine team there. “We started that two years ago, but because of Megan’s heart, she was not able to go through the regular medication protocol,” Stahlheber said. “We went through the IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle and ended up with only one embryo, which was disappointing because you normally like to have five, six or seven. “We got our clearance on March 10, 2020, and then COVID hit, so we had to wait a

18 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend couple of months until Northwestern could start doing procedures again,” she said. “Last summer, we did the embryo transfer in June and eight days later, you get a blood test to see if it has taken, but the test came negative (meaning that Stahlheber wasn’t pregnant). That was so devastating and sad for me and my husband, and on top of that I’m grieving for my sister and her husband.” The setback was only temporary, though, and the news for Stahlheber and Glassman would be much better the next time. “We took about a month to talk about things and met with the cardiology team again, and they said we could try it one more time with the same medication protocols, but that would be the last chance,” Stahlheber said. “They did it last September and again got only one embryo,” she said. “We were hoping to have a backup plan (with multiple embryos), but in October I started all of my medications. In November we did the embryo transfer, eight days later we did the blood test and this time it came out positive.” After 10 weeks of visiting with the doctors at Northwestern, Stahlheber switched to her own doctors. Glassman and her husband go to some of the appointments when they come to Edwardsville, and if they can’t be there in person, they do the appointments via Facetime. The baby will be delivered at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. “Megan and Ryan will get to come here, and they have OK’d that all four of us will be in the room for delivery,” Stahlheber said. From Glassman’s viewpoint, having her sister as a surrogate is an ideal scenario. “For me, just knowing how she was with her other pregnancies, she was the perfect person to carry our baby,” Glassman said. “You obviously have to trust your surrogate and I know that she has the best diet and follows all the rules. “If it was a random person, I don’t know if I could trust them. That made it so much easier for me.” Around January, Stahlheber told her children that she was pregnant and was carrying her sister’s baby. “You think, ‘It’s such a complicated thing and how are we going to tell the kids about this?’ but we kept it pretty simple,” Stahlheber said.

“We said this baby is from Aunt Megan and Uncle Ryan, and I told them it’s like I’m baking their cupcake in my oven and I’ll give it right back to them when it’s done. “We’ve been very clear from the beginning that it is a baby cousin and it’s not a brother or sister,” she said. “They think it’s really fun and they’re old enough to participate, so every week we read through what’s happening with the baby and they like to feel her kick. They also like to see all the ultrasound pictures.” With Glassman having a younger child in daughter Kaylee, the process of explaining her aunt’s pregnancy might seem even more complicated. But circumstances made the explanation a little easier. “We used the cupcake analogy or the kangaroo carrying the baby in the pouch,” Glassman said. “Our daughter is 4 years old and her mom (me) hasn’t been pregnant since she was born, so she doesn’t know any different. For her, this is 100 percent normal. She obviously doesn’t understand the surrogate process, but it’s normal that her aunt is carrying the baby for us.” Kaylee talks to her little sister. “Every time we’re together, she says, ‘Aunt Kiki is having our baby’, and she’ll put her hands on my tummy and she’ll ask, ‘Can baby sister hear me?’ ” Stahlheber noted. “I can think she has a pretty decent understanding that this is her baby sister, and she’s growing in my tummy for now, but when she comes out, she’ll go home and live in her house.” Illinois is one of only 12 states that are considered surrogacy friendly, which has made the process smoother for both women and their husbands. “Legally, Megan and Ryan have already filed paperwork to say that this is their baby,” Stahlheber said. “In the other 38 states, the baby would belong to the surrogate and you have to go through adoption afterward.” Glassman said they are lucky to be in Illinois. “There is still a lot of paperwork and red tape, but I can’t imagine it being more like it is in many states,” she said. “It’s been an amazing process. We’re thrilled that we’re going to have a baby girl in our arms, and that she is coming from my sister.” As Stahlheber prepares to give birth to her niece, she recommends surrogacy to any woman who is

Edwardsville’s Kristin Stahlheber, right, with her sister, Megan Glassman of Plainfield. Stahlheber, who is eight months pregnant, is serving as a surrogate for her sister, who is no longer able to have children due to heart issues. thinking about it. “It’s an amazing journey,” Stahlheber said. “It’s wonderful to be able to help in a situation that had looked very sad and scary. For women like Megan, who can’t have a baby for whatever reason, it’s a beautiful option.” Glassman, likewise, urges women to consider the surrogacy option.

“I’m all about genetics and it was very cool that there was an option that we could still have our own baby with our facial features and personality traits,” Glassman said. “Adoption still would have been great, but I wanted to try surrogacy first. “For anyone who wants to do it, you just have to find someone that

you can trust,” she said. “Otherwise, it could be a very difficult process. But with my sister, I don’t ever doubt that she is doing the right things. When you do something like surrogacy, you’ll have a bond forever and we already had that, but now we’re adding to it.”

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 19

Food for Thought … with Vicki Bennington

Sweet and Spicy!

EDWARDSVILLE — Sugarfire Smoke House is what’s for dinner. In fact, I could have it for dinner several nights in a row — it’s that good. One of Sugarfire’s specialty sandwiches is a “Carolina,” which comes with your choice of meat. My husband chose to order it up Vicki with the Bennington pulled pork, and it arrived on his plate lathered in coleslaw and a mustard barbeque drizzle. He even got a side of coleslaw, too. His verdict? Tender and tasty. Other specialty sandwichPulled Pork Carolina with coleslaw. (Photos by Vicki Bennington)

see FOOD FOR THOUGHT, Page 22

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22 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

FOOD FOR THOUGHT continued from Page 19

Smoked Brisket sandwich with potato salad. (Photos by Vicki Bennington)

es include a long list with clever names and descriptions. Take the Big Muddy, for instance, with brisket, smoked sausage, horseradish sauce, barbeque sauce, lettuce and pickles. It’s definitely big. The PBLT — it’s description: The “P” stands for “Pretty Darn Delicious” or “Pimento Cheese.” Depends on who you ask. Check out the most plentiful BLT you’ve ever had with pimento cheese, house bacon, lettuce, tomato on toasted bread. Or how about the brisket cheesesteak? A Philly inspired sandwich with brisket, onions, peppers, and cheese on a hoagie roll. I knew I wanted brisket. The smell of the meat cooking, which was intoxicating even in the parking lot, translated to brisket in my mind. I chose the smoked brisket sandwich with potato salad. The meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth, and the taste of the medium-heat sauce was a little spicy, yet sweet. The potato salad — let’s talk about the potato salad. It’s the closest to what I think of as “homemade” as anywhere — ever. Even my favorite delis do not make potato

salad this good and this close to “home” cooking. It was a little mushy, and believe me, I mean that in the best way possible. It wasn’t too mushy, and it wasn’t too stiff or firm, like some potato salads. It was just right. Pork belly hush puppies with jalapeño jelly started our meal. The house-made hush puppies are breaded and stuffed with pork belly. Now that brought up my question: Just what is pork belly? I remember hearing it referred to in the stock market world. But I’ve never went to the butcher and asked for pork belly. It’s actually an inexpensive cut of meat from the underside of the pig, near the loin. Spareribs also come from this area. It’s not the stomach. It’s basically uncured, un-smoked and un-sliced bacon. Bacon (as most of us would know it) is smoked, sliced and usually cured (though you can buy uncured bacon). As far as the stock market reference, pork bellies were traded as futures from the early 1960s to 2011. Because pork belly could be used to make bacon and were being produced year-round, traders began purchasing, freezing and warehousing pork bellies during the winter, when demand for bacon

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 23 was traditionally lower, and selling them in the summer when the price was higher. Hopefully, this will inspire more reading about all the financial intricacies of “pork bellies.” Whew, at least now I know what I was dealing with, and the hush puppies were a little bit spicy (and meaty), especially compared to its most common hush puppy counterpart (which is mostly corn meal). Truthfully, mine were a bit over done for me, but I would give them a try again. When thinking of a barbeque place, meats such as brisket, pork and ribs come to mind, but Sugarfire’s doesn’t stop there. It even has salmon — a smoked salmon plate, salmon only or a smoked salmon sandwich. And for all the dishes and sandwiches, it is recommended to pour on one of Sugarfire’s sauces. First, there’s the “White BBQ” sauce, an Alabama-style white sauce that gets a kick from just the right amount of horseradish and vinegar. Sugarfire 47 is a sweet, complex sauce. The Honey Badger is a sweet, tangy sauce. “Coffee BBQ” sounds really unusual, but it’s billed as having a rich, roasted taste. The St. Louie Sweet is what I had with my brisket, and just as I said, it was sweet, with a little tang. The Carolina Mustard that my husband had with his pulled pork had just the right amount of kick. And the Texas Hot is described as a peppery, smooth sauce with climbing heat. I can’t go there, but that’s why there’s such a selection — there’s something for everyone. And you can buy a bottle of your favorite to take home. Other meal selections included the brisket dip with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, all served on a hoagie with au jus. A chicken biscuit — smoked, fried chicken tossed in house hot sauce, and served on a house biscuit slathered in honey butter — sounded good, too. For a vegetarian choice, the smoked portobello double-decker sandwich with special sauce, lettuce, balsamic onions, pickles and American cheese makes for a hearty meal. Sides also include macaroni and cheese, housecut house-made fries and baked beans. But I’m telling you — try the potato salad. And don’t forget dessert, which includes shakes and floats, made with fresh ice cream, or try a cookie or piece of pie. Headquartered in St. Louis, Sugarfire opened its first restaurant in 2012, founded by Charlie Downs and Chef Mike Johnson. The Edwardsville restaurant was Sugarfire’s second in Illinois, and the 13th in the country. The total has now grown to 15. The Edwardsville casual, rustic dining space is located at 2323 Plum Street, in the IronWorks development along the Madison County Transit District’s Goshen Trail. Sugarfire opens daily at 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.sugarfiresmokehouse.com. In this column, Bennington shares her love of food and all that involves, from special dishes at local and regional restaurants to new trends and fads, and things to try at home. Contact her at vbennington@ sbcglobal.net with comments, ideas or suggestions.

Pork Belly Hush Puppies and jalapeño jelly on the side. (Photos by Vicki Bennington)

24 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

All Sheridan’s previous movies better than ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’

By Robert D. Grubaugh For The Edge

I think it’s getting harder and harder to get excited about the movies, and it should probably be exactly the opposite right now. Believe it or not, we’re coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and doors are opening for us to get back to the things we used to love, like, going to a neighborhood cinema. For well over one year, I’ve been doing my darnedest to keep you abreast of the state of the movie business: how it’s remained there for us in many strange and never-before-seen incarnations, and why it matters that we continue to believe in the communal aspect of sitting together with strangers in the dark and enjoying something wondrous. Can we get that back or has it been lost for good? I don’t think so, but now doubt crosses my mind, whereas it didn’t before. Let me tell you about going to watch Angelina Jolie in her new film, “Those Who Wish

Me Dead.” A few weeks ago the feature film was looming just outside of my writing deadline as the lone about-to-open wide release. I was excited to see the movie star/tabloid staple/Oscar winner and, to some, a role model, in a new movie. Jolie is an able director who honed her directing chops in indie projects. She became a major action picture draw 20 years ago, including in the hits “Tomb Raider,” “Salt” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” as well as “Maleficent.” She became a directorial force with several well-regarded but under-viewed dramatic swings. Her relationship with Brad Pitt was followed more closely by Americans than her directorial debut “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” Yet, it took me 13 days to go see her new movie under rather nominal conditions. Theaters aren’t exactly making it easy, with their weird, truncated operating hours and strange booking patterns, but I’m savvy to this. I just wasn’t motivated to go to a theater. This worries me, because I’m the most-moti-

Jolie in “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” (Courtesy of Warner Bros./For The Edge)

vated moviegoer I know. Anyhow, in “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” Jolie plays Hannah, a wildland firefighter dismissed to a remote watchtower upon failing a psychological review to retain her cred as an elite smokejumper. She’d botched her chance to lead a successful fire rescue the year before, and is suffering from remembering all the people who got killed because of her failure in messing up the leadership opportunity. Her trauma is a great penalty for her. Spending time alone in the wilderness, Hannah encounters Connor (Finn Little), a teen on the run from a pair of would-be killers (Aidan Gillen, Nicholas Hoult), who are trying to stop the teen from exposing secrets about their boss (Tyler Perry). These secrets could get them all in some big, fat, unexplored trouble, which is never clearly explained. Connor came to be alone in the woods after they assassinated his father (Jake Weber), who was trying to get his son to safety with relatives (Jon Bernthal, Medina Seng-

hore) in Montana. The potential assassins start a forest fire to add another element to the plot that connects the dots to smokejumpers. Screenwriter/director Taylor Sheridan’s previous movies also featured Mother Nature and major violence. Those movies also were better than “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” So how do we pull ourselves up from the moderate disappointment of a mediocre flick? Get back on the horse. The sequel to “A Quiet Place” opened for Memorial Day, alongside Disney’s “Cruella,” with Emma Stone in her first action role in two years. I do so love my matinees, but I’d even go out at night to see either of these pictures. And it won’t take me another two weeks to see them. “Those Who Wish Me Dead” runs 100 minutes and is rated R for strong violence and language throughout. I give this film one star out of four.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 25

From backpacks to Care Closets, 2 Liberty students start program

By Julie Laakko-Swanson julie.laakko-swanson@edwpub.net

EDWARDSVILLE — Great ideas can come from the smallest places, such as a student effort to take care of fellow students that started with a backpack. Students Veda Kommineni and Caroline James, who recently finished three years at Liberty Middle School and are entering their freshman year at Edwardsville High School in the fall, started a city-wide initiative to help low-income students across District 7. Being social-minded, the pair started to notice an issue at their school earlier this year, and decided to do something

about it. “It started because we saw people in the cafeteria who weren’t eating,” James recalled. “We thought, ‘We should bring them food. Why aren’t they eating?’” The friends began to bring granola bars and snacks in their backpacks to hand out to students who needed something to eat. The inventory soon outgrew their backpacks, so the girls decided to move to a locker. They shared a locker for their school supplies in James’ locker and used Kommineni’s locker for their cause of helping others. They stocked the locker with granola bars, bags of chips, bottled water and other shelf-safe snacks from their own

home pantries and spread the word. Any student who needed a snack was invited to stop at a locker and take what they needed, during or after school. The girls restocked the lockers about once or twice a week. “It was always a joy to see kids going up to the locker to get something, and to see it’s actually working, doing its purpose,” James said. When their school social worker, Nicole Zullig, heard about their project, she said it “could not have been at a more perfect time.” She approached the girls about their project, after she heard them talking about putting food in a locker.

see CARE CLOSET, Page 37

Caroline James, left, and Veda Kommineni sort through donations in Veda’s Care Closet, which came about from the girls bringing snacks in their backpacks to school for peers who weren’t eating lunch. Their project grew from backpacks to Care Lockers to adding a Care Closet at Liberty Middle School. (Julie Laakko-Swanson | For The Edge)

26 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • How To Guide

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How To Guide • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 27

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28 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • How To Guide

HOW TO... choose a College or University Choosing a college or university is an important, very personal decision that you should research extensively. Crucial selection criteria can help when sorting through admission catalogs and visiting websites or local college fairs. Prepare a list of five to seven schools, advises Dr. Joni Bastian, vice president for student affairs at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. “You may want to include both larger and smaller schools if you are unsure about the size of the campus you want to attend,” she says. Admission counselors—professionals who work for colleges and universities—will guide you through the decision process but before you apply, consider the following: Does the college offer quality academic programs? Colleges offer a wide variety of academic programs, from liberal arts to pre-professional. If your major is not listed but you are interested in other programs, you may have an opportunity to minor, pursue independent study or self-design a major. How will you pay for tuition? Financial aid is available through grants, loans and a variety of scholarships. These are based on financial need or good grades and activities outside the classroom. Be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what state and federal support is available based on your family’s or personal income.

Will you live on campus? Living on campus is a great way to immerse yourself into the college community. Research indicates that students who are engaged with their learning community are more likely to succeed in school. Do you need special attention? A small student-to-faculty ratio offers more opportunity to participate actively in class, know your professors and receive personal attention. Many colleges and universities offer tutoring, special testing environments or academic support centers to help students succeed. Does the college offer co-curricular activities or athletics that interest you? Co-curricular activities and athletics expand students’ participation on campus. There are many ways to get involved including student government, residence life, activities and special interest organizations, intercollegiate athletics, forensics and debate, Model United Nations, social fraternities and sororities, the college newspaper, band, choir and theater productions. Where is the school located? Location is important not only for commuter students but also those who want to get involved in the community. It can also affect the availability of internships and employment opportunities. Safety is also an important factor to consider when selecting a school.

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You can tow a small boat or trailer, as long as the weight doesn’t exceed 2,000 pounds…unless you’re on an incline. In that case, you need to keep the towing weight down to 1,550 lbs.

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How To Guide • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 29

HOW TO... How to shop for hearing aids Dispelling the Myths... At Mid America Audiology Group, we focus on educating our patients so they can make informed decisions. Getting fit with hearing aids is more than just getting amplifiers for your ears. It is a process in which you will have several office visits with your provider and a lifelong relationship after your purchase. Here are a series of questions to ask when shopping around. 1. What is your educational background? Make sure you are being seen by either a Doctor of Audiology or a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist. A Doctor of Audiology requires 8 years of college education; 4 years specializing in the auditory system. A Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist completes extensive training and must demonstrate compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. 2. What are your fitting procedures? At Mid America Audiology Group, we fit hearing aids using real ear probe microphone measures so we can

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verify that the hearing aids are hitting targets at each and every pitch in both ears. This guarantees an accurate prescription for each patient’s hearing loss, rather than using the manufacturer’s formula and guessing that it is working correctly. 3. What is your trial period policy? Hearing aids are an investment for your health. You want to make sure that you chose the right type of hearing aids based on your hearing loss and lifestyle. You need to try the hearing aids in your daily environments to make sure that they are the right fit for you. At Mid America Audiology Group, we have a 60-day risk free trial period. If you decide to return the aids, you will receive a full refund and will not be hit with a hidden “fitting fee” or “restocking fee”. 4. Ask about pricing. Make sure that the provider is upfront about the pricing. Most ads will have a coupon, trade-in, or a “special discount price” to grab your attention and get you in the door. However, when you visit the clinic, they give you an elevated price or tell you the advertised technology does not meet your hearing loss. At Mid America Audiology Group, our pricing is

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30 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • How To Guide

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To calculate your room’s square footage, multiply length by width. If you have an irregularly shaped room, divide the area into smaller squares and rectangles, calculating the square footage of each, then add the square footage of each area together for the room’s total square footage. But don’t rely completely on this calculation. It’s always smart to buy 10% more flooring than what you think you need. This allows for mistakes and bad pieces. Plus a little extra flooring on hand is great for repairs down the road. Keep a few cartons of your product in a place where the temperature and moisture won’t damage the flooring, like under the bed or in the top of a closet. This keeps the product readily acclimated and available should you need it. Whichever flooring options you choose, buy coordinating mouldings, transitions and accessories to complete your project. Look for quarter rounds, T-mouldings, thresholds, reducers, wall base, four-in-one molding, underlayment and care/ maintenance accessories.

How To Guide • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 31

HOW TO... How to Plan a Garage that Complements your Home A new garage will have an impact on the value and overall appearance of your property. Incorporating your home’s architectural features into the design of the new garage will provide a natural flow, making it seem like the new construction was part of the original plan. To accomplish this, you will want to choose building materials and colors that match or coordinate well with those used on existing structures. Matching Colors and Materials Lack of access to information about building materials used on existing structures can hinder the ease of securing materials that are an exact match on future projects. While this can be a challenge, research will allow you to locate a close match for materials such as existing shingles, siding, and trim. Keeping good records and taking note of the specific brands and colors used when building or renovating will save you from having to track down the information from contractors who may or may not keep good customer records on past projects. This will also help you if warranty claims ever need to be made. Cost hindrances can also be a stumbling block to the continuation of existing design features on new construction, but lower cost options may be available. By taking advantage of some of the engineered materials that are available today, it is possible to mimic the appearance of expensive siding materials such as brick, stone or wood siding, allowing the natural look and feel to flow between the existing and new structures. Lower maintenance and higher R-values can be addi-

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to meet with the approval of any local authorities, home owner associations or architectural review Design Elements boards. Stringent requirements regarding the eleWindows and doors, roof lines and pitches are ments of design and materials that can be used on features that you will want to make sure coordi- new construction within your neighborhood may nate with those used on your home to ensure curb be in place. Make sure you know what is required appeal. Details like trim and siding accessories or who to contact in case of uncertainty. should also match those used on the existing structures. Placement and Type of Garage Choosing a garage door that is complemenThe placement of a new structure on your tary to your homes style, is made from suitable property is one of the most important decisions materials for the climate of the area you live in, you will make. The purpose of the garage will be meets local building requirements and will acone factor in the decision-making process. Garagcommodate vehicles or other objects that will pass es are often multi-purpose buildings. In addition through the overhead door opening are all things to the traditional use of parking your car inside, new garages are often built for uses such as pool to consider when planning your garage. Garage doors are available in styles that range from very houses, garden sheds and hobby shops. Deciding whether to add on to your home basic to elegant, traditional to contemporary and for an attached garage or to build a detached window glass options designed to enhance the structure will determine many of the steps in look of the garage as well as allow sunlight into planning your new garage. Available land space, your garage. size, shape and grade of the ground on which you Wood doors look nice but require maintenance and without proper attention over time, are building are other factors that can affect the will be subject to rot and insect infestation. placement and type of structure that you will be Inadequate upkeep will affect functionality and able to build. longevity. Consider a wood look fiberglass option Having to walk from the garage to the house if the required upkeep might become a burden in inclement weather is an obvious downside to over time. If the garage is to be heated, make sure having a detached versus an attached garage. Convenient access to stored items, additional living that you choose a garage door with an adequate area for children to play or for hosting gatherings R-value for proper insulation. While it seems right that the individual home when extra space is required to accommodate a crowd can be of great benefit as well. owner’s preference and personal taste would be If the garage will be used as a workshop the top priority when choosing colors, design elements and building materials, choices may need for projects that require the use of chemicals

capable of producing hazardous fumes or to store flammable liquids such as paint and gasoline, a detached structure is ideal. A new garage is often needed to provide additional garage space when an attached garage is already included as part of the primary structure. Storage of seasonal items like pool or garden equipment is best kept near the activities they are used for to save you from having to haul items from place to place when needed. Building Requirements Adherence to local governing authority requirements will affect the feasibility of the type of garage you will be allowed to build and the desired placement. Consideration of local requirements can affect what is possible. Knowledgeable building professionals and those with experience serving the community in a municipal capacity can be valuable resources when planning a project such as a new garage. You will also want to make sure that the building site is accessible. Fences, trees and existing structures on yours or a neighboring property can be obstacles to building crews and equipment. Additional Considerations Additional considerations regarding possible placement and type of garage to be built may include plumbing, electricity and concrete work. Contracting of professional services may be required. Utility location services for cable, water and sewer, electrical lines and underground structures may also need to be contracted.

32 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • How To Guide

How To Guide • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 33

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34 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

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36 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend

Playing on at Italy’s oldest music conservatory

By COLLEEN BARRY and ANTONIO CALANNI Associated Press MILAN (AP) ‚Äî Before the pandemic, students at Italy’s oldest and largest music conservatory were always told to move “closer, closer, closer” when they played together. “Because you need to hear each other,’’ said Cristina Frosini, director of the Giuseppe Verdi Music Conservatory in Milan. “Even at a meter’s distance, it is harder to play together.” In its 213 years, the conservatory has turned out talents including composer Giacomo Puccini, and conductors Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, Riccardo Chailly and Cecilia Bartoli. The pandemic, which struck Lombardy first in Italy, and Italy first in the West, cast the 1,700 students asunder. For the first months of total lockdown, they could only follow classes online. When they returned to in-person instrumental instruction

a year ago, students had to adjust to both distancing and playing behind plexiglass, whatever the instrument ‚Äî flute, violin, piano, drums. Frosini said the safety measures worked: There have been only five cases of COVID-19 among students playing together. “The students were happy because it was the only way to make music and be together. Psychologically, it was very important,’’ Frosini said. But musically, it has been challenging. The adjustment was more difficult for the orchestras or chamber music groups, when the plexiglass dividers and the distancing rules meant it was difficult to hear the other musicians. “When playing together, you need to be together, breathe together,” Frosini said. And it wasn’t just the physical distancing that was hard. It was also the absence of audiences. “We made a recording during the period we were closed to the public, and it was very cold,’’ she said, despite the high

level of execution. “I am a pianist and when you hear the audience in the silence, that they are listening to you, it gives you a charge. It is also important to have the applause of an audience,’’ Frosini said. The conservatory has staged two concerts this spring: one by the Verdi Jazz Orchestra in May and a symphony of Beethoven in June. Both sold out, and they added a second show for the Beethoven performance. “It was an important message. The public wants to return to listening to live music, and the musicians finally had an audience,’’ Frosini said. The conservatory, named after Italy’s favorite opera composer, features a full-time symphony orchestra, as well as a jazz orchestra; students also study voice and popular-rock. Graduates end up in some of Europe’s top orchestras, with 90% of alumni working full-time in music, be it playing, teaching, in libraries or management.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 37

CARE CLOSET continued from Page 25

After the girls explained their idea, the social worker, along with another school counselor, Kaitlyn Talley, became sponsors to their expanding project. The counselors had previously discussed plans for a closet to help students in need of food, clothes, hygiene products and other necessities. The first locker was established in February; second and third lockers were added a few weeks later in March. “We saw such popular demand, so we wanted to make it accessible to all students,” said Kommineni, about expanding the outreach to more than just the eighth grade, as the school is divided into three sections spaced apart. “So we put one in each area.” But, alone, the girls couldn’t continue to provide from their home pantries. In March, a letter went out to the community and posted at Facebook about their efforts, along with a request for donations. During the first night of the Facebook posting, the pair’s Amazon Wish List was bought

out. Now the project provides not only healthy snacks to any student who needs them, but also gently used clothes, new hygiene supplies, school supplies and nonperishable food items. “This way kids can get whatever they want and focus on their education without worrying about the necessities,” Kommineni said. About 17% of Liberty Middle School’s population falls under low-income. “If that’s the only meal they’re eating during the day, now they have food to bring home after school or on weekends,” Kommineni said. With all of the donations, the girls once again outgrew their space — and the Care Closet was added to the three Care Lockers in April. The first locker was named “Veda’s Locker” by default — because it was her locker — but she did not have a hand in naming the rest of them. In fact, she does not like the publicity, Kommineni said.

Caroline James, left, and Veda Kommineni in front of an inspirational mural they painted. (Julie Laakko-Swanson | For The Edge)

38 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • On the Edge of the Weekend “But we wanted to highlight the impact she made,” Zullig said. While she is not overly excited about the name, Kommineni is thrilled about the impact her and James’ project has had. The girls said that being able to provide help, directly or indirectly, is what their project is all about. The lockers will continue on a trial period into Liberty’s next school year. They wanted to keep the project student-run, so some seventh and a few sixth grade students are going to continue where Kommineni and James left off. But just because they’re going to a new school, doesn’t mean the girls are done. “Our goal, at some point, is to get this in all District 7 schools,” Kommineni said. They hope to implement care lockers in the high school over the summer, so that the lockers will be ready for fall. The girls have already met once with EHS’ principal, and plan to meet with him again next week. “It’s a work in progress,” James said, but noted they are confident in their ability to bring this community project with them. “If every school could do this, not just in our district, that would be cool.” The girls hope to host a drive-by drop-off event at the high school at some point this summer, as well as a donation event at Liberty Middle School before the beginning of the next school year, to collect hygiene products and gender-neutral clothing for each school’s care closets. All donated items will be thoroughly washed and disinfected, and anything that the school receives that they cannot use will be donated to Goodwill or a similar organization. “We’ve got a really great reaction from all of our community,” they said. “We want to say, ‘Thank you.” The girls also expressed thanks to their sponsors, teachers and peers who made this possible. The girls are both involved in school and community. Kommineni plays soccer and tennis, and also is on a robotics team, all of which she plans to continue in high school. She participated in Liberty’s Scholar Bowl team. She takes singing and piano lessons, and also is involved in Bal Vihar, which she compared to a Sunday school for Hinduism, where participants learn about community service, culture and religion. James is involved in dance, church choir and youth group, all of which she will continue, she said. Along with their project, both girls have high hopes for their high school careers. Both girls said they also hope to be involved in the high school yearbook, debate team, Key Club, student council and EHS’ Edwardsville Peer Influence Club. The girls met in sixth grade but they grew close while quarantining. So close, in fact, that they tend to have the habit of finishing each other’s sentences, they said.

To learn more about their project, or donating to Veda’s Care Closet, visit the Liberty Middle School Facebook page or see the Amazon Wish List at

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/2PTIRKDDTWWXL?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR3ZGNWBr5eATDNOxtUmcan3vCFiHJ8qY-2dE3qtG6UvIFG-8o1YoHzLcQE.

Veda Kommineni, left, and Caroline James showing one of the three Veda’s Care Lockers, which they decorated and stocked with snacks. (Julie Laakko-Swanson | For The Edge)

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • 39

Things have changed. Cancer hasn’t.

Recent challenges have inspired us to be more self-reliant. But there are some things you can’t do by yourself – like a colonoscopy. Don’t worry. You’re covered. We’ve taken extra precautions so that our facilities are safe. Because while our world has changed, cancer hasn’t, and early detection is the key to good outcomes.

While a colonoscopy is the gold standard, there are several screening options, including simple at-home tests.

To schedule your colonoscopy, call (618) 474-7871. osfhealthcare.org/colon-screening

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CoNSumer CaSh

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159 CoNSumer CaSh

CoNSumer CaSh CoNSumer CaSh *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Cassens Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details.

Cassens

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

*Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for ictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Cassens Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. cturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details.

Cassens

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

Cassens *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Cassens *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details.

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

*Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed forCassens well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed forCassens well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details.

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

*Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for *Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Cassens Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without21G165 notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. Stk# Stk# 21M411T

Cassens

Stk# 21R220

*Residency restrictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. all buyers 2 Miles North Not of I-270 on Hwy.will 159qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for 2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159 Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice*Residency & may affect dealer’s price. everyone qualifies Cassens price. Tax, titlerate.,Must license & doc feeCapital. extra. 0%for APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. restrictions apply. Must take delivery byselling 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for wellfor qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest receive financing from Chrysler See Dealer ictions apply. Must take delivery by 11-30-15. Vehicles listed based on inventory. Savings listed for well qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify for lowest rate. Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Cassens

Cassens Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affectlisted dealer’s selling price.well everyonequalified qualifies for Cassensbuyers. price. Tax, title ,Not license &all doc fee extra. 0% APRwill for 75 months on selected Se dealer for details. Must by 11-30-15. listed based inventory. Savings for buyers qualify forvehicles. lowest rate. cturer incentives subject *Residency to change without notice &restrictions may affect dealer’s sellingapply. price. everyone qualifiestake for Cassensdelivery price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APRVehicles for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer on for details.

Must receive financing from Chrysler Capital. See Dealer for Details Manufacturer incentives subject to change without notice & may affect dealer’s selling price. everyone qualifies for Cassens price. Tax, title , license & doc fee extra. 0% APR for 75 months on selected vehicles. Se dealer for details. 2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159 2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159 Cassens

Cassens

Everyone qualifies for Cassens prices. Tax, Title, License and Docs extra.

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

Cassens

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

Cassens Cassens

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

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2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

618-656-6070 618-656-6070 2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159