5 + 1 BEDS, 6.3 BATHS, GARAGE SPACE FOR UP TO 22 CARS // $27,500,000
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this spectacular Lake Forest estate spanning 5.27 breathtaking acres with 570 feet of Lake Michigan frontage and a private cove beach. Completed in 2019 after four years of planning and construction, this magnificent home includes 5 en-suite bedrooms, a Christopher Peacock kitchen, library, theater, amazing wine cellar, luxurious spa room, elevator, pool, spa, and a boathouse accessed by a gated driveway or historic grand staircase. Heated garage space for 22 cars—ideal for collectors. Smart home features, geothermal HVAC systems, radiant heat floors, and panoramic lake views complete this masterpiece of luxury living and craftsmanship. Absolute perfection!
111 MAYFLOWER ROAD LAKE FOREST
7 BEDS, 6.1 BATHS // $6,250,000
Beautiful 7-bedroom, 6.1-bath lakefront estate on nearly 4 acres with 300 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline along coveted Mayflower Road. This stately brick residence blends timeless elegance with modern updates, featuring original millwork, 6 fireplaces, high ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, elevator, and a newer slate roof. Walls of windows in the family room o er panoramic lake views, while the expansive side yard, stone terraces, and private beach access with gazebo create an unmatched setting for entertaining and relaxation. A truly rare and
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“We just installed all new windows at our house and we love them! Before we made our decision we went to the manufacturer’s plant to see how the windows were made. We were concerned at first because Russ’s price was more than half of his competitor’s quoted price. After our tour we were very comfortable with our decision. Installation day was quick and painless. Our house was left in great condition. I highly recommend this company!”
Karen Anderson, one of the co-chairs of Allendale’s
Lifelong friends and former hockey teammates/stalwarts Matt Oates and Eustace King treat their clients as family at Lake Forest-based O2K Sports Management.
Karen Anderson readies herself for Allendale’s Après Ski – Val d’Isère fundraiser on February 28.
Photography by Maria Ponce
Styling by Theresa DeMaria
Hair and Makeup by Doria DeBartolo
Dr. Meghan Leggero wearing a tweed knit top and skirt by Balmain from Neiman Marcus Northbrook.
Photography by Maria Ponce
Styling by Theresa DeMaria
Hair and Makeup by Leanna Ernest
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Editor’s Note
January has a reputation for reinvention, but the stories in this issue remind me that the most compelling “new beginnings” are often rooted in years of meaningful work beforehand.
Consider Karen Anderson, who recently joined J.P. Morgan’s North Shore team fulltime. She brings the same passion for empowering others—honed through years of devotion to children and families at Allendale—to her work helping women achieve financial confidence. Read about her journey and Allendale’s upcoming Après Ski fundraiser in e Heart of It All.
In Two-Man Advantage, meet Matt Oates and his business partner Eustace King, best friends since they were 9-yearolds on skates, now running Lake Forest-based O2K Sports Management together.
Gail Miller Bisher, a former communications executive who arrived in Lake Forest less than two years ago, has recently taken the helm of the Spirit of 67 Foundation. Learn about this remarkable leader and the Foundation’s impactful work in Handling with Care. roughout this issue, you’ll find more stories of people and organizations committed to depth over novelty: Dr. Meghan Leggero, profiled in e Portrait, is simultaneously restoring a
Lake Forest property and influencing public policy. Lake Forest Open Lands Association is expanding its conservation programs to reach more people across Lake County, detailed in Where Nature Meets Nurture. And in e Last Word, Chad Clark, manager of digital and innovative services at the Lake Forest Library, is demystifying technology for anyone who walks through the door.
Here’s to January—and to building upon meaningful work to create the year ahead.
ERIN DONALDSON Editor in Chief
erin@jwcmedia.com
@forest&blu mag
Matt Oates, Co-Founder of O2K Sports Management
Tickets go on sale this month for Allendale’s Après Ski event on February 28.
Where
playful hearts and little hands make wonder.
Step into a season of creativity at Lucy & Lolly’s Whimsy Workshop! Our fall sessions are now open: Playful Picassos (15 months–3 years with a grown-up), Messy Monets (3–5 years, drop-of), and Dazzling Da Vincis (elementary ages, drop-of). Spaces are flling fast! We also host magical birthday parties and private play sessions to make every celebration unforgettable!
The Good Life
Musings on What’s Doing And Who’s Doing It The HOW on living your best life, engaging in meaningful activities, and building relationships in the community
Care.
Meet Gail Miller Bisher, new President of Spirit of 67, in Handling with
Bisher wearing an ALC jacket and Cinq a Sept dress from Neiman Marcus Northbrook.
Photography by Katrina Wittkamp
Styling by Theresa DeMaria Hair and Makeup by Leanna Ernest
ICE, ICE BABY Mark your calendars for Lake Geneva’s beloved Winterfest, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary from January 28 to February 1. Watch master sculptors transform eight-foot snow blocks into frozen masterpieces during America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park, then stroll the Ice Sculpture Walk where glittering creations line the streets of downtown Lake Geneva. is free festival also offer bonfires crackling on the beach, live entertainment, and lots of snow-dusted activities for kids. It’s the perfect excuse for a day trip or winter weekend away. Download the Visit Lake Geneva app for real-time sculpture updates and the best photo ops. visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest
The Good Life The Buzz
BOREDOM BUSTER
Ditch the screen time and bundle up for an afternoon at Lake Forest’s reimagined Forest Park Beach playground. e newly upgraded space delivers whimsical touches like a fish climber that’ll have kids giggling through the cold, plus a lookout tower perfect for spotting ice formations on the lake. Designed with accessibility and sensory play in mind, this sustainably built park with its swinging elements and climbing structures stays engaging even when temperatures drop. Adding to the good vibes is the knowledge that components from the original 2004 playground found new life in underserved communities through a partnership with Kids Around the World. cityo akeforest.com
About Town Bundle Up and Go
MEALS WITH A MISSION
WHEN: Wednesday and ursday evenings
WHERE: Elawa Farm
Elawa Farm invites the community to gather for Meals with a Mission, its heartwarming weekly dinner series running through January. Enjoy Soup & Bread Night each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Fried Chicken Night on ursdays at 6 p.m. ese family-friendly, cozy community suppers feature scratch-made meals prepared with care by Elawa’s culinary team. Each ticket sold supports the donation of weekly soup and bread to families served by North Chicago Community Partners. elawafarm.org
WINTER MARKET
WHEN: Opens January 16
WHERE: Elawa Farm
Beginning January 16, Elawa Farm will host its Winter Market on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. e Winter Market highlights locally sourced produce and eggs from Elawa’s farm partners, along with specialty pantry items from small businesses. In addition to fresh goods, the market offers a curated selection of unique tableware, entertaining essentials, tablescapes, home decor and gift items. elawafarm.org
SUPERFOODS WITH CHEF CHERISE
WHEN: January 7
WHERE: Lake Forest Library
Register and join Chef Cherise Slattery in person to discover how easy it is to appreciate a healthy diet when everything tastes delicious and comes together quickly. Learn quick breakfasts, nutritious lunch box ideas, and Blue Zone recipes, plus enjoy samples of Oats ‘n’ Flax and Ikaria Village Salad. Admission is free. lakeforestlibrary.org/events
EXAM ESCAPE FOR TEENS
WHEN: January 10 to 14
WHERE: Lake Forest Library
Drop in and study for exams at Lake Forest Library. Snacks and supplies are available to help teens power through your finals. lakeforestlibrary. org/events
RED ROSE JAZZ
WHEN: January 11
WHERE: Gorton Center
e Red Rose Jazz Band is back for 2026. is talented group brings the lively sounds of ragtime, Dixieland, and early jazz to life. eir music is full of charm, rhythm, and heart. gortoncenter.org
RENDEZVOUS ARTS: LATIN JAZZ
WHEN: January 16
WHERE: Gorton Center
James Sanders & Conjunto are bringing the rhythms of Latin America to Gorton Center, and the result is pure electricity. ink rumba, son, danzón, bolero—music that keeps you swaying in your seat one moment and pulling you to the dance floor the next. In addition to the music, works by painter Anna Lentz will be on display. gortoncenter.org
THE MAGIC OF JEKI YOO
WHEN: January 17
WHERE: Gorton Center
Prepare to be amazed by Jeki Yoo, often called the “cutest magician of all time.” With his infectious energy and mind-blowing talent, Jeki brings an unforgettable mix of sleight of hand, visual illusions, and quick-change magic that will leave you both laughing and gasping in wonder. In 2017, Jeki captured the hearts of more than 13 million viewers on America’s Got Talent. Don’t miss this rare chance to see Jeki live. gortoncenter.org
BRUSH CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP
WHEN: January 22
WHERE: Lake Forest Library Register and join artist Audrey Ra in person as she revives the art of calligraphy with a modern twist.
Learn how to create basic strokes and the lowercase alphabet with a brush pen. Admission is free. lakeforestlibrary.org/events
AMERICAN ENGLISH
WHEN: January 24
WHERE: Gorton Center
Experience the magic of e Beatles with American English, a top Beatles tribute band. American English recreates e Beatles’ look with full costumes and impressive vocals. eir energy and artistry bring each song to life. is is more than a concert; it’s an experience. e band’s passion and accuracy make every song feel fresh and exciting. gortoncenter.org
THE ZANIAC
WHEN: January 25
WHERE: Gorton Center
Alex Zerbe, aka e Professional Zaniac, bursts onto the stage with the energy of 1,000 suns. Zerbe is
America’s Got Talent magician Jeki Yoo at Gorton Center on January 17
a master of visual comedy and controlled chaos. He jumps between wild stunts and quick one-liners with ease. One minute he’s slicing vegetables in mid-air with playing cards. !e next, he’s juggling flaming torches and bowling balls— while cracking jokes the whole time. Whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, Zerbe will leave you amazed and laughing. gortoncenter.org
ELECTRIFY YOUR SYMPHONY CONCERT
WHEN: January 27
WHERE: Lake Forest High School Auditorium
Renowned electric violinist Mark Winthrop Wood and students from Deerpath Middle School and Lake Forest High School will perform a tailor-made rock symphony at 7 p.m. Wood is an Emmy-winning composer, the original string master of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the founder of Electrify Your Symphony (EYS), a music education program that works with or-
chestra, choir and band students to stage real life, real world rock concerts. It’s a performance you won’t want to miss! electrifyyoursymphony. com
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOWL FOR TEENS
WHEN: January 31
WHERE: Lake Forest Library
Lake Forest Library is offering a program that teaches you how to build the most beautiful bowl of instant ramen and learn about its history. !ey’ll provide the ramen and add-ins; you arrange a delicious dish. Winner will be decided by popular vote. Admission is free. lakeforestlibrary.org/events
ADMISSIONS
WHEN: February 13 to March 15
WHERE: Citadel !eatre
At an elite prep school, Sherri Rosen-Mason is leading the charge for change—until her own son’s Ivy League dreams put her ideals to the test. !is sharp, compelling drama
digs into the lengths we’ll go to protect our children, and the complicated truths that surface when personal stakes get too close to home. citadeltheatre.org
APRÈS SKI – VAL D’ISÈRE
WHEN: February 28
WHERE: Conway Farms Golf Club
Allendale Women’s Board is hitting the slopes again this winter, transporting guests to Val d’Isère in the French Alps where the revelry after a day of skiing is legendary. !e indoor/outdoor affair will feature the best in après ski costumes and attire, a deejay spinning club beats, VIP yurts and incredible decor by ESP Presents. Chef Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality is designing an alpine-themed menu highlighting avec restaurant. Allendale helps children and families heal, build resilience, and find hope through comprehensive care, specialized education, and steadfast advocacy. allendale4kids.org
Deerpath Middle School and Lake Forest High School students perform a tailor-made rock symphony through Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) on January 27.
Why Some Athletes Choke and Others Clutch—Even with the Same Skills
The mindset di erence that changes everything when the pressure’s on.
words
by Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo / photography by Maria Ponce Berre styling by Lillie Alexander / hair & makeup by Rabecca Ann
Each month, peak performance sports psychologist (and fellow parent) Dr. E tackles your toughest questions head-on.
Dear Dr. E.—
My athlete has the talent—they’ve proven it in practice over and over. But when the pressure’s on, something shifts. ey tighten up, hesitate, and underperform. And the hardest part? Watching other athletes—some with less skill—step up and deliver when it counts. Why do some kids choke and others clutch up?
—Frustrated from the Sidelines
Dear Confused— is is one of the most important—and misunderstood—questions in sports. What separates an athlete who chokes from one who clutches isn’t about effort, character, or even talent. It’s about what’s happening inside their mind at the exact moment it matters most.
When the stakes rise, so does internal pressure. And while some athletes use that as fuel, others get hijacked by it. Why? Because they enter what I call the Red Zone—a mental state where the brain shifts from performance mode to survival mode.
In the Red Zone:
• e prefrontal cortex (your athlete’s decisionmaking and focus center) gets overpowered.
• e amygdala (their emotional alarm system) takes the wheel.
• eir nervous system interprets the pressure as threat.
It doesn’t matter how much they’ve trained. When the brain feels like it’s drowning, instinct tightens, movements stiffen, and confidence collapses. at’s not weakness—it’s biology.
Here’s what that looks like on the field or court:
• ey hesitate instead of trusting their instincts.
• ey try to “think through” plays that should be automatic.
• ey get stuck replaying mistakes instead of moving forward.
• And performance tanks—not from lack of preparation, but from mental overload.
So, what makes the difference?
Clutch athletes don’t have fewer nerves. ey’ve just trained their mindset to respond differently under pressure. ey know how to:
• Recognize when they’re slipping into the Red Zone.
• Reset their body and breath to calm their system.
• Reframe their thoughts to shift from fear to focus.
And that training doesn’t just show up in crunch time—it’s what creates clutch time.
What can you do?
1. Stop calling it “mental toughness.” It’s not about pushing through. It’s about learning to manage the internal chaos. at takes skills, not slogans.
2. Help them expect the nerves—not fear them. Nerves mean it matters. Reframing that sensation as energy—not danger—can flip the script from panic to presence.
3. Get them the mindset tools they need. Physical skills don’t disappear under pressure. ey just get blocked. When athletes learn how to shift out of the Red Zone and reset their brain midgame, their preparation finally pays off.
Because the truth is, clutch moments aren’t about being born fearless. ey’re about being trained for pressure. at’s what turns potential into performance—and talent into triumph.
—Dr. E
Talent may open the door—but mindset determines who walks through it. Dr. E equips athletes with the mental skills to rise under pressure and compete at their full potential. Learn more at EleVive.com.
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo
The Good Life
Community Connector
Vacation you’re most looking forward to this year? I can’t wait to explore Croatia
Dr. Meghan Leggero is on a mission to foster connection, whether it’s her work shaping public policy or the historic property she’s restoring in Lake Forest.
edited by Bronte Starling / photography by Maria Ponce styling by Theresa DeMaria / hair and makeup by Leanna Ernest
Lake Forest resident DR. MEGHAN LEGGERO describes herself as a lifelong advocate for transparency and accountability. “My career began on the South Side of Chicago, where I worked as an appointee of an Obama Administration federal grant initiative, says Leggero. “Collaborating with Columbia University and national youth advocacy organizations, our team developed programs for some of Chicago’s most underserved young people—including youth experiencing homelessness, those formerly incarcerated, and those impacted by gang violence.” Her PhD studies at Northwestern University were driven by a simple but powerful belief—that policy should serve people, not the other way around. “My work sits at the intersection of public policy, organizational reform, and community advocacy, where I seek to uncover and close the gaps between how policy is written and how it actually touches lives on the ground,” she adds. “It champions those who often lack a seat at the table, using the power of voice, pen, and collective advocacy to drive reform and accountability.” Aside from her career, Leggero is passionate about music, architecture, and design. Her interest in architecture is what ultimately led her to Lake Forest, where she is now lovingly restoring a historic home. “I’m drawn to places with stories. Just like people, homes carry the layers of those who came before,” she says. “When I am not writing or organizing, you’ll find me traveling—exploring the Cotswolds, walking the Jurassic Coast, sipping wine in Tasmania, houseboating through Kerala, India, or hiking through Patagonia. Closer to home, mornings are for Lake Michigan, fresh co!ee, Gordon Lightfoot, and the quiet rhythm of the water. My life, much like my work, is about connection—between people, place, and purpose.” With a new year on the horizon, she recently took time from her busy schedule to share a few of her favorite things.
Your ideal weekend in the city includes?
A stay at Soho House, a spa day at Cowshed,
Top item on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Complete the restoration of my beloved historic home—a labor of love that’s as much about heart as it is about design. I try to make each room feel like a quiet conversation between past and present, where preservation meets artistry, and every space tells a story meant to be felt as much as seen. Favorite January activity? Escaping to southwest Michigan for Bologna & Cheese sandwiches at Driers, wine at Dablon, fireside cider at Virtue, and Infusco co!ee as Paul Simon spins on vinyl before ending the day bundled by a beach bonfire—watching the sun set over the frozen Lake Michigan shoreline. Vacation you’re most looking forward to this year? I can’t wait to explore Croatia—charter along the Dalmatian Coast, see Hvar and Korčula, and continue down to Kotor, Montenegro. Favorite Lake Forest boutique or shop? I love stopping by Faherty and Amidei Mercatino and I’m so happy Love Shack Fancy has opened at Plaza Del Lago! Best winter beauty hack? A little Le Balm from Bonjout Beauty, Bounce Back from Trinny London, and a cold plunge in Lake Michigan—the perfect winter reset. Lake Forest restaurant you love and go-to order? My favorite place to dine out is Elawa Farm. e farm supper series is always incredible, especially the Wild Game Dinner. Book or podcast you recommend to all your friends? e podcast is American Life: Harper High School. I was working there during the filming, and it really captures what it’s like to grow up and go to school in the middle of gun violence—it’s powerful and raw. Lake Forest’s best-kept secret is? Deer Path isn’t exactly a secret—and I love it —but what I really adore are the themed events they’ve been hosting. We just went to Barbour & Biscuits, and it was so much fun. Your ideal weekend in the city includes? A stay at Soho House, a spa day at Cowshed, wine on the Riverwalk, dinner at Maxwell Trading, and ending the night on our boat watching the buildings light up the Chicago River. Favorite place to escape the cold? California—we have a tradition of renting a vintage convertible in L.A. and cruising up Big Sur, stopping in little towns like Los Olivos, staying at the Madonna Inn and Post Ranch Inn along the coast, then heading to St. Helena and Yountville for long, slow winery afternoons. Home or fashion brand you can’t live without? Lately, I’m obsessed with Catchpole & Rye—their brass bateau is a timeless work of art. ese pieces are made on an old dairy farm in Kent, England, a place that feels like a fairytale with castles on cli!s above the sea. Every time I slip into that tub, it feels like stepping back into that world. Favorite way to give back to the community? I love supporting Elawa and Open Lands — they’re such treasures. But I also believe in giving back in personal ways. rough my work and relationships, I’ve met incredible people with real stories, and I try to help directly—often one young person at a time.
Favorite place to escape the cold?
A California—and cruising up Big Sur
Favorite Lake Forest boutique or shop? Faherty and Amidei Mercatino
The Portrait
Dr. Meghan Leggero wearing a silk satin slip dress by ALC from Neiman Marcus Northbrook.
edited by Theresa DeMaria
Tamale Pie
words
and photography
by Monica Kass Rogers
Tamales—those luscious, portable packets of steamy corn dough and comforting fillings—originated in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Over the centuries, cooks throughout Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean developed all sorts of varieties: from the Puerto Rican green banana pasteles a neighbor used to make me to Nicaraguan nacatamals, which are wrapped and steamed in plantain leaves rather than corn husks.
To replicate tamale flavors without steaming or wrapping, 20th century homemakers came up with a mild, casserole version they dubbed tamale pie. Made with easily obtainable ingredients, our version of the “pie” is hearty, filling, and a true comfort classic.
You can bake this up as one large casserole or divide the ingredients between several smaller casseroles, freezing some for later use. For any tamale pies you plan to freeze? Don’t add the cheese and olives on top, be sure to cool the pies completely, and wrap tightly. You’ll add the toppings after you thaw the frozen pies, before baking.
SERVES
8 TO 10
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CORNMEAL MUSH:
• 2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp butter
FOR THE TAMALE FILLING:
• ½ lb. loose sausage meat (mild or spicy, depending on your taste)
• 1 lb. ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
INSTRUCTIONS
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 lb Campari tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 4-oz can diced mild green chilies
• 2 cups fresh corn, cut from the cob OR frozen whole-kernel corn
• Salt and pepper to taste
FOR TOPPING:
• 1 cup pitted black olives, sliced (optional)
• 8 ounces Monterrey jack cheese OR cheddar OR mixed, grated
MAKE CORNMEAL MUSH: In a large pot over medium heat, whisk cornmeal into 6 cups boiling water. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the butter and 1 ½ tsp salt, continue stirring for 5 minutes until quite thick. Spread ½ of the mixture into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Cover pot with remaining cornmeal mush.
MAKE FILLING: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, cook the sausage. Once no pink remains, add ground pork and ground beef, breaking up. Cook through. Remove meats to a large bowl and set aside. Add the oil, and all of the spices and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring continuously. Add the onion and red pepper and cook until soft. Add garlic and tomatoes and continue cooking for 10 minutes until tomatoes are cooked through. Stir in green chilies. Add meat back into the sauté pan. Stir in the corn and simmer for 10 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
ASSEMBLE AND BAKE: Preheat oven to 375F. Place the casserole dish you spread with the cornmeal mush on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips or overflow while baking.) Pour the filling into the casserole dish. Smooth the rest of the cornmeal mush over the filling. Top with the grated cheese and dot with sliced black olives (if using). Bake at 375F until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling. (About 30 minutes.) Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes to set up before slicing. Serve hot.
Most executive coaching builds new habits—until the old ones return. I work with leaders to RESHAPE the thinking and behaviors that define their leadership.
With 30 years as an executive and doctoral-level training in psychology, decision science, and behavioral economics, I help leaders uncover — and permanently transform — the cognitive patterns driving their choices.
Together, we create the kind of durable change that elevates judgment, sharpens clarity, reduces bias, and strengthens decision-making across the organization — an approach that has helped companies unlock over $1B in measurable value.
- MATT KIESLING, MBA Founder of Chicago Business Psychology
With new partnerships and hands-on programs, the Lake Forest Open Lands Center for Conservation Leadership program is fostering environmental stewardship across Lake County.
words by Monica Kass Rogers / photography courtesy of Lake Forest Open Lands Association
WHAT BEGAN 15 YEARS AGO as a high school program designed to cultivate the next generation of Lake County environmental stewards has blossomed into something far more expansive. Today, Lake Forest Open Lands’ Center for Conservation Leadership (CCL) offers nurturing, nature-based programming for learners of all ages and abilities.
By co-creating programs with community partners, CCL has dramatically widened its reach.
“We’re doing everything from field trips for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lake County, to nature hikes for veterans at North Chicago’s Lovell VA, to monthly Full Moon Walks in partnership with Drip & Culture Socially Minded Coffee in Waukegan,” says CCL Director Julia Lunn. “Studies show that time in nature improves mental, physical, and emotional well-being,” Lunn adds. “So, we
are doing all we can to break down barriers to the natural world for residents throughout Lake County who may have limited access.”
Even as CCL expands, it continues to maintain signature opportunities for high-school students: a Yellowstone Stewardship Program in partnership with Waukegan High School, an Owakonze camping and canoeing expedition with Cristo Rey St. Martin, and CCL’s Eco-Ambassador Internship.
e results are both meaningful and memorable. Take the Full Moon Hikes, which “are really magical,” says Adam Carson, founder of Drip & Culture, explaining that they “set out at moonrise, hiking the Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve trail down to the Lake Michigan shore and back.”
Each 90-minute hike draws about 40 participants. “People are so happy to participate,” Carson continues. “To breathe in the fresh air and have some mindfulness moments in nature. On our last walk, there were even coyotes nearby, howling at the moon.”
High school students participating in CCL’s Yellowstone Stewardship Program
Equally impactful were the experiences of more than two dozen high-school students who participated in CCL’s summer programs. Twelve journeyed to Yellowstone National Park, eight paddled through the remote
“Conservation is not just about protecting landscapes, it’s about cultivating the next generation of leaders …”
wilderness of Canada, and four served as CCL’s first Eco-Ambassador interns, working with researchers and scientists at Illinois Beach State Park.
Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Illinois Coastal Management Program and the Prairie Research Institute, the Eco-Ambassadors internship launched this year as an eight-week pilot that CCL plans to continue.
“It was successful,” says Lunn, “not only as a vehicle for hands-on learning and stewardship, but also because it gave each participant the opportunity to bring their unique voice and vision to the work.”
One standout project came from Eco-Ambassador Jaxson Bailey, who wrote a rhyming children’s story about Illinois Beach State Park. Illustrated by Lake Forest artist and CCL partner Lyndsay Murphree, Bailey’s From Marsh to Shore, Let Nature Roar has already been incorporated into the Lake County Audubon’s Piping Plover exhibit at the Carnegie Library.
“It’s also my hope to create a LFOLA program based on the book,” adds Lunn.
Bailey, a senior at Waukegan High School, conceived the story as a fun way to teach his young niece what he learned during the internship—especially that ecosystems are both vital and fragile. As one verse reads:
“Ellie leaned in to pick a flower, But stopped herself that very hour. is plant might be food or someone’s shade—
A home for a beetle or eggs newly laid.”
“Jaxson’s book, and the work of the other interns, is a reminder that conservation is not just about protecting landscapes, it’s about cultivating the next generation of leaders who will carry this work forward,” Lunn says. “CCL’s mission is to engage, inspire, and activate people of all ages to connect with the natural world. At this time in history, when so much feels tenuous, that mission is crucial.”
For more information about CCL, or to support its programs, contact Julia Lunn at jlunn@lfola.org or call 847234-3880, extension 25.
Jaxson Bailey reading at Carnegie Library in Waukegan
CCL Nature Hike
The HEART of It All
Karen Anderson wearing a Celine coat from Neiman Marcus Northbrook
Karen
Anderson,
one of the co-chairs of Allendale’s upcoming Après Ski – Val d’Isère fundraiser, reflects on a life grounded in purpose, connection, and passion.
words by Ann Marie Scheidler / photography by Maria Ponce styling by Theresa DeMaria / hair and makeup by Doria DeBartolo
WHEN YOU TALK WITH
KAREN ANDERSON, one word comes to mind almost immediately—purpose.
Whether the Lake Forest resident is building client relationships at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, volunteering on behalf of children and families through Allendale, or cheering on her two boys from the sidelines, Anderson has a way of being very intentional about how she spends her time.
ose who know her might be in awe of all she’s accomplished and manages to juggle today. And yet, she will be the first to tell you the journey was not always linear.
She took time recently to share her story in advance of Allendale’s February 28 fundraiser, Après Ski – Val d’Isère, which she is co-chairing with Cassie Mancuso Carver, Claire Concannon, Whitley Bouma Herbert, Samantha Trace and Meredith Mitchell.
“I’ve always wanted to be my own woman,” says Anderson, who grew up in Connecticut and studied Economics/Accounting at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. “It was really important for me to be independent.”
A job at Deloitte straight out of college ultimately led her to London, where she met her now ex-husband.
“I loved being in the corporate culture—the challenge of it, the brilliant minds around me,” she recalls, explaining how she would eventually return to New York to take on a national strategy role. It was there that Anderson joined a small team focused on growing the firm’s Investment Management Tax practice and worked closely with mentor Ted Doherty, who encouraged her to pursue her ideas.
“He made me realize that my ideas were worth chasing down,” she says. “It allowed me to unlock thoughts I hadn’t had the confidence to voice before.” at work paid off. e team grew the tax practice by $100 million in three years and created a thriving, close-knit culture that Anderson describes as one of the most fulfilling times of her career.
But as often happens, success brought change. e practice grew, new layers of oversight emerged, and life at home became busier. With one son, Henry, and another, Luke, soon to follow, Anderson made the choice to step back from corporate life.
“It didn’t feel like the family life I wanted to create,” she says. “I wanted to be fully present for my boys.”
Determined to raise “humans who will be great assets to the world,” those early years
VIP Yurt at Allendale’s Après Ski fundraiser
of motherhood were deeply grounding for Anderson. Having the space to breathe and raise her children also allowed for her professional energy to be channeled into new outlets.
When a friend introduced her to Allendale—a Lake Villa–based nonprofit that helps children and families heal from trauma, build resilience, and find hope through comprehensive care, specialized education, and steadfast advocacy—she immediately fell in love with the mission.
“It’s small enough that you can really see and feel the impact of your efforts, says Anderson, whose first leadership role with Allendale was chairing its annual fundraiser, all during the uncertainty of COVID-19. “It was a chance to give my time and talents to something that mattered. And it gave me focus and happiness during a really tough time.”
She went on to serve as the Allendale Women’s Board (AWB) president for two years, helping strengthen the bonds among its members. “We’re all so different, but connected by the desire to make a difference,” she says. “Allendale does such a great job of providing stability to these kids who need it most.”
One of Anderson’s favorite moments each year is the AWB Christmas party. “We’re each assigned a few children and the gifts we give might be the only ones they receive,” she says. “ ere’s one boy I’ve had for three years who loves World War II. Last year, he asked for a helmet and a tanker. It’s the best party in the world.” at same joy and sense of community carries into her work on next month’s Après Ski – Val d’Isère event. Held at the Conway Farms Golf Club, it’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Under the guidance of top event production firm ESP Presents, and with the support of presenting sponsor Packaging Corporation of America, the fundraiser will transport guests to the French Alps, home to one of the world’s most epic après ski scenes and the famed club La Folie Douce.
e indoor/outdoor affair begs for a chic ski suit or fun alpine costume and will feature beats from Chicago club DJ Sleepy Eagz. Chef Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality will again be overseeing the menu, highlighting tastes from the beloved Chicago restaurant avec which will open in Highwood in mid-2026.
“Last year’s Aspen-themed sell-out event was such a hit, we knew we had to bring it back and add an international twist,” says Anderson. “ is year’s focus is on raising funds for much-needed technology upgrades across Allendale’s campus—improvements that will make it easier for the residents and students to learn, connect with the people they love, and prepare for life outside of Allendale.”
In addition to her volunteer work for Allendale, Anderson also recently took on a full-time position on J.P. Morgan’s North Shore team that merges her financial expertise with her passion for people.
“I wanted independence, stability, and a sense of purpose,” she says, explaining that the opportunity came up following her completion of a rigorous fellowship and passing a series of exams. “It’s very relationship-focused, which I love.”
Today, all the things she’s done so far on her journey have come full circle. In addition to her passion for helping the children and
families of Allendale, she has become an advocate for women to feel more empowered in their financial lives.
“It’s so important for women to have these conversations,” says Anderson, who’s now building her own book of business at J.P. Morgan. “When we’re open and honest about our goals and concerns, we can create plans that really support the future we want. at’s what drives me.”
To learn more about Allendale, visit allendale4kids.org. Follow Allendale Women’s Board on Instagram at @allendalewomensboard.
Karen Anderson wearing TSE satin pants and sweater and an ALC jacket from Neiman Marcus Northbook
Two-man Advantage
Lifelong friends and former hockey teammates/stalwarts
Matt Oates and Eustace King treat their clients as family at Lake Forest-based O2K Sports Management.
words by Bill McLean photography by Katrina Wittkamp styling by Theresa DeMaria
Matt Oates
IT WAS FRIENDSHIP AT FIRST SHIFT for the pair of Evanston natives. Or maybe it was at first save—as Eustace King was a goaltender and Matt Oates skated as a winger/center when they met as Squirt AA Wildkits teammates at a youth hockey practice held at Robert Crown Community Center in their hometown.
Nine-year-olds at the time, they hit it off faster than a Zdeno Chara slapshot in the former National Hockey League (NHL) defenseman’s prime.
“We both loved hockey and we both loved to joke around as kids,” recalls King, who lives in Los Angeles. “And each of us wanted to do everything we could to become NHL players.”
Says Oates, a Lake Forest resident since 2019, “We became best friends right away. We’re still best friends. We’d talk, as kids, about playing in the NHL someday, or starting a hockey business together.”
eir post-Squirt days were inextricably linked at rinks all over the country. King landed a coveted spot on a Chicago Young Americans (CYA) squad and later convinced his coach to consider adding Oates to the roster; Oates earned the nod, and they won a National Championship together. Both suited up for Omaha of the United States Hockey League and helped the Lancers capture an Anderson Cup (best regular-season record) and a Clark Cup (playoff title). Oates skated for the men’s hockey team at Miami (Ohio) University (MU) in 1991-1992.
A goaltender named Eustace King enrolled at MU the next season.
“We kept winding up as teammates, year after year,” says a grinning Oates. “I’d join him, and then he’d join me. I’m telling you, our story could be a pretty interesting ‘30 for 30’ (ESPN documentary).”
eir most significant chapter, post-playing careers, began in 2004, when they formed O2K Sports Management, (Oates 2 King ) which represents professional athletes, primarily in the NHL, and provides a wide range of services including contract negotiation, player development, marketing, public relations, and wealth management. O2K’s team focuses on developing athletes’ careers on and off the ice through a “family approach” of personalized support.
Formerly headquartered in Chicago, O2K Sports Management is now based on Deerpath Road in Lake Forest. Since O2K’s launch, it has expanded to six states and three Canadian provinces and has negotiated more than $1.5 billion in contract value for its 100-plus clients.
“It’s a hypercompetitive industry, but it’s been a great ride and we’re good at what we do,” says Oates, who was selected by the New York Rangers in the seventh round (168th player overall) of the 1992 Draft, got traded to the Chicago Blackhawks’ organization in 1993, and played nine years of professional hockey. “We work hard, we enjoy being around our clients, and we treat every one of them as if each is a family member.”
King and Oates with client Reid Schafer, first round draft pick at the 2022 NHL Draft.
Oates and King have gone on golfing and fishing trips with their clients, and they’ve sat in pews at weddings of their clients. Future NHL Stanley Cup champion and USA Olympian T.J. Oshie picked O2K to represent him in 2006. Oshie played for the St. Louis Blues (2008-2015) and Washington Capitals (20152025). When Oshie’s first-born daughter, Lyla Grace, underwent life-saving surgery shortly after being born, Oates showed up at the St. Louis hospital as a friend, not as an agent.
No one asked why he was there, they already knew.
“Since becoming a member of the O2K family I have learned what a real player-agent relationship looks like,” said St. Louis Blues left winger Jake Neighbours in a testimonial posted on o2kmanagement.com. “Working with these guys isn’t just a business; it’s also a friendship. I know that whatever comes my way I can reach out to my guys for absolutely anything. ey are there for all aspects of my life, not just hockey.”
King was working for the NHL in New York as the senior director for new business development when he chose to join his ex-Squirt mate as a co-founder and managing partner of a venture—make that Venture, capital “V”, because a lockout scrubbed the entire 2004-2005 NHL season and created chaos along the league’s landscape.
“Eustace leaving the NHL when he did was a huge risk,” says Oates. “But he believed, as I did, that we could run an elite, full-service hockey representation agency, all while maintaining our strong friendship. We get to know our players on and off the ice; these are the people we choose to spend our days and lives with. We’re also constantly communicating with our clients,
making sure they’re being taken care of as professional players and people.”
King points to his parents and Oates’ parents as the good buddies’ respective “North Stars,” invaluable guides.
“My parents (Charles and Lillian) had the courage to come here from Jamaica, and Matt’s parents (Jim and Sue) were high achievers,” King says.
e late Jim Oates snapped footballs to quarterbacks for Woody Hayes-coached Ohio State University football teams and served as president of Leo Burnett, a Chicago-based global advertising and communications agency.
“My dad,” Oates says, “liked to say, ‘You win with good people.’ Good people never forget the importance of customer service.”
“Matt’s dad and his Leo Burnett colleagues,” King says, “went above and beyond for their clients. eir core values made them work hard and put their clients first. We have that mindset at O2K.
“We tell our players, ‘We’ll be with you every step of your journey,’” he continues. “ at journey is filled with ups and downs and everything in between. When there’s a down, we assure each player, ‘We’ll figure this out together.’”
King has two hockey-mad sons, Santana and Kingston. Santana plays for the Chicago Reapers, a Tier 1 hockey program. Kingston was drafted in the Western Hockey League, and currently plays with a top team in Minnesota.
Oates’ 7-year-old daughter, Landry, likes to put on the skates, has a purple belt in taekwondo and a heart that pumps for others. “She’s sweet, she’s athletic and competitive, and I am one proud father,” he says of his daughter’s off-ice hat trick.
To learn more about O2K Management, visit o2kmanagement.com.
Matt Oates and Eustace King
Oates (top row, second from right) and King (bottom row, fourth from right)
ACourtney Cregan A Few Words with
fter a career that took you from San Francisco to Palm Beach and even Southeast Asia, what ultimately drew you back to Chicago and the North Shore?
Warmth. True Midwest warmth. When I first moved to Connecticut for college, I remember smiling at a woman in a corner market, she looked at me like I had three heads. In Chicago and on the North Shore, people say hello as they pass. But I also came back for the architecture: the intentionality, the craftsmanship, the sense that every block was curated. There’s beauty everywhere you look here.
You’ve marketed everything from startups to multimillion-dollar estates. What’s your philosophy for showcasing a home so it resonates emotionally and strategically?
I always start with what we call a ‘buyer persona’ in marketing. Who is this home actually for? You can’t, and shouldn’t, market to everyone. With a historical property, I double down on the magic: the architect’s story, the era, the details that make it irreplaceable. I keep the value propositions tight— no more than three—and shape the marketing around them.
What’s your approach to negotiation when the stakes are high?
My negotiation style blends my psychology training at the University of Denver—what therapists call ‘active listening’—with what the FBI calls ‘tactical empathy’. Buying and selling a home is emotional, and lowering the temperature
is essential. I stay calm, ask smart questions, and work to understand what the other side actually needs; what people believe they need in the moment isn’t always what truly matters once emotions settle. My goal is to guide everyone toward a solution they can feel good about.
You grew up in Lake Forest, what is a memory that still shapes how you see “home” today?
The house I grew up in was the home at the end of A Miracle on 34th Street—the 1994 version. When Mara Wilson walks up that circular drive and sees her dream home, that feeling of wonder was real for me too. I grew up with this sense that ‘home’ could be both beautiful and deeply comforting. But ultimately, it’s family that makes a home. Leaving Palm Beach, where my parents and sister live, wasn’t easy… but I missed seasons, I missed the snow, and I missed the feeling that only the Midwest gives you.
Favorite North Shore tradition?
Bagpipes & Bonfire at Open Lands in Lake Forest. Fall doesn’t start until I’m standing around that bonfire, listening to the Highland bagpipes and catching that rolling bonfire scent. It always feels like the true beginning of a new season. 847.721.2887
Gail Miller Bisher wearing Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Handling With Care
Newcomer Gail Miller Bisher brings a career in communications—and a lifetime in the world of championship dogs—to her new role as President of the Spirit of 67.
words by Ann Marie Scheidler / photography by Katrina Wittkamp styling by Theresa DeMaria / hair and makeup by Leanna Ernest
WHEN GAIL MILLER BISHER AND HER FAMILY
moved to Lake Forest just 23 months ago, she planned on easing into the community. Instead, she now leads one of its most cherished organizations as president of the Spirit of 67 Foundation. “It’s been a whirlwind,” she says, “but a meaningful one.”
And while her commitment to the Spirit is impressive in itself, it’s her past professional life that gives her story an unexpected twist.
Bisher and her husband, Mat, both Midwesterners, met in Chicago. When a communications role with the American Kennel Club took them to New York, they assumed it would be a short adventure. Twenty years
later—including a decade in Manhattan and almost another in Darien, Connecticut—they were still there.
eir daughter, Peri, now an 8th grader at Deer Path Middle School, grew up largely on the East Coast. But when the pull to be closer to family grew stronger, Lake Forest quickly felt like home.
What many in Lake Forest don’t know is that Bisher has deep roots in the world of dog shows. Her parents were stationed in London with the Air Force when her mother discovered Bearded Collies—dogs that were then virtually unknown in the U.S. When her father retired, the family returned to the U.S. with some of the first Bearded Collies in the country. Her mother became a leader in the breed’s national organization, while Bisher became the family competitor. Showing dogs from a young age, she began competing at the
Back Row: Ruth Muscarello, Administrative Director, Noel Dolan, VP Grants, Whitney McCoy, VP Special Events, and Mia Gregor, Secretary.
Westminster Kennel Club Show as a teenager.
“Westminster, like all dog shows, is fascinating because a 13-year-old can go up against a seasoned professional in the ring,” Bisher says. “You’re on a level playing field because it’s the dog who is being judged. I would defeat adults sometimes, and that did wonders for my confidence. You and your dog become such a team—you know each other’s moves almost before you make them.”
Showing dogs helped Bisher pay her way through college and taught her the communication, discipline, and teamwork that would shape her professional life.
After graduating, Bisher worked in advertising for 12 years before landing the role with the American Kennel Club, the governing body of dog sports, in Manhattan. She joined the organization’s communications team, became its spokesperson on national television, and eventually served as director of marketing.
Bisher stepped back briefly during Peri’s baby years before returning to the dog world as an executive with the Westminster Kennel Club, where she blended her communications background with her lifelong expertise.
“My first challenge was to build a year-round social media presence— they were event-driven,” she says.
To meet that need, Bisher launched the club’s inaugural national storytelling series, e Road to Westminster, traveling the country to highlight local shows leading up to the iconic competition. She later became the Fox Sports commentator for Westminster, telecasting live from Madison Square Garden.
“My undergrad degree was in mass communications,” she says. “It felt like everything I’d done—advertising, production, storytelling, competing in dog shows—came together.”
Leaving Westminster after eight years was difficult, but the move to Lake Forest opened a new chapter. Bisher began volunteering with the Spirit of 67 almost immediately, drawing on her experience stewarding large, historic nonprofits.
“ e Spirit is more than 40 years old—respected, established, and important—much like the organizations I’ve worked with in the past,” she says. “My job is to help protect the brand, honor what’s been built, and make sure the organization keeps moving forward.”
In addition to planning for this year’s Home Tour (scheduled for September 24), she and the executive board are focused on efficiencies: streamlining the grant application process, strengthening internal documentation for future volunteers, and creating systems that help the Spirit operate smoothly year after year. Communication is another priority, so the Spirit of 67 launched a Grants-In-Action campaign to help donors more clearly see the impact of their contributions.
Last spring, the Spirit awarded 56 grants across Cherokee, Everett, Sheridan, and Deer Path in areas ranging from fine arts and science to SEL, STEAM, and world languages—all in a single day. Bisher’s goal is to launch a districtwide “Spirit Grant Week,” planned for April 13 to 17, to spotlight grants as they are awarded and share this incredible day with the entire community.
“Our Executive Board and all of our committee members work throughout the year to make these grants possible,” Bisher explains. “I want Grant Week to celebrate the students and teachers while honoring this dedicated team of volunteers.”
For Bisher, her work with the Spirit is rooted in service.
“ ese children are our fellow community members and future leaders,” she says. “We want to elevate their educational experience as much as we can.”
And while her path to Lake Forest may have taken a few unexpected turns, it’s clear that everything she’s done to date has prepared her for the role she holds now—guiding an organization she deeply respects in a community she’s grateful to call home.
Recent Spirit of 67 Grants
Cherokee Classroom Cruisers
Classroom Cruisers are stationary bikes used as a regulation tool to help students manage behavior. ese Cherokee students are demonstrating how the Cruisers support learning while engaging in physical activity.
Everett Book Bags
As young Everett students begin their reading journey, they use these book bags to carry phonological materials, including specific books and printed materials for parents to support the children’s reading growth at home.
Deer Path Middle School Boundless Adventures Field Trip
Fifth-grade Deer Path students tackle the challenging courses at Boundless Adventures Aerial Park. Each year, this field trip helps students develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, while also enjoying a sense of achievement.
Sheridan Visiting Author
Fourth grade students learn how to dream big from award-winning visiting author Bruce Hale. Hale has authored or illustrated over 77 books for young readers, including the award-winning Chet Gecko Mysteries, e Monstertown Mysteries and Clark the Shark, among others. is grant also awards the school libraries with funds to purchase Bruce’s books for their collection.
SOCIAL LIFE
H.U.G.S. FOOD
DRIVE
photography by Heidi Clifton
Each November, the District 67 Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) brings all four schools—Everett, Sheridan, Cherokee, and Deer Path Middle School—together for the H.U.G.S. Food Drive (Help Us Give Suppers), turning donations into holiday meals for neighbors in need. is year’s APT-led effort was record breaking, with all D67 schools collecting 12,600 pounds of food, enough to help about 2,100 families, and students from preschool through eighth grade bringing in specific pantry staples. Everett and Sheridan saw especially strong participation with teachers and families even matching student donations, helping to lift the entire district’s results. 50 DPM students then volunteered after school to sort, bag, and load it all for community partners Beacon Place, Cool Ministries Food Pantry, and North Chicago Community Partners. When a community comes together like this, every contribution and every act of service makes a meaningful difference. lakeforestschools.org/d671
Kensie Schwartz, Elle Ryan
Maggie Yakes
Sophia Beverly
Rocco Misiora, Henry Lisenby, Johnny Sieman
Anastasia Fotopoulos, Lulu McCain, Carolyn Davie
John and Melanie Uteg
Katherine Hensely, Poppy Hensley, John Uteg, Grace Uteg, Lucia Oriti
Andy and Raquel Jackson
Ella Pateros
Henson Robinson, Hunter Hoogasian
Callen Bhattacharya, Spencer Sarhaddi
McKenna and Noel Dolan
Kelly Guerrero
Lana and Fern Raines
Vivian McCampbell, Taitum Williams, Lucy Wilson, Thea Mackey and Peri Bisher
Maddie Salgat
Maizy and Lindsay Nero
George Sterricker
Evan Jaramillo
SOCIAL LIFE
CAMP HOPE
photography by Ian McLeod
Camp Hope hosted its annual fundraiser on September 25. e event included a buffet dinner, silent auction, and moving speeches from founders, volunteers, and campers. Funds raised support future joyful summer camp experiences for teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities. camphopeillinois.org
Vidya Puthenveetil, Anuja Walsh
Robert and Sarah Hartman, Ann Marie and Edward Scheidler
Molly and John Burke
John & Pam Peters, Eileen & Jake Peters
Claire Farrell, Meaghan Cook, Emma Faucher
Mary Ann and Kent Fuller
Maggie Mansfield, Mark DiValerio
Pete and Kristi Nevin
Matt DiValerio, Sean Nelson
Kathleen and Sean Trkla
SOCIAL LIFE
FALL FROLIC
photography by Ian McLeod
The Lake Bluff Women’s Club held its annual Fall Frolic Benefit Luncheon at the Glen Flora County Club on October 14. e event was a resounding success with 99 attendees enjoying a day of camaraderie that included a scarf tying demonstration, a silent auction, and a raffle of items generously donated by sponsors, volunteers and members. lakeblu womensclub.org
Judy Kotsiopoulos, Kathy Hardison, Linda Pasquesi-Meyerson, Sheila Lindsey
Candace Tillquist, Peg Pezza, Ginny Fliess
Kristi Triplett, Marjorie Triplett, Lisa Staton
The Hegg Family
Leslie Hall, Linda Hegg
Elaine Mueller, Lee Jashelski
Rowena Festin, Linda Peterson
Marcia Lonergen, Kim Shortsle
Janet Tamer, Sally Steine
FOUNDERS’ DAY FUNDRAISER
photography by Mark Gavoor
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Saint Mary’s College - Notre Dame (SMC - ND) alumnae, students and their guests gathered to celebrate the 181st Founders’ Day on October 19. e day started with Mass at the church of St. Mary in Lake Forest and continued with a luncheon fashion show at Conway Farms Golf Club. Alumnae, students and special guests modeled fashions from J. McLaughlin and Lillie Alexander Boutique. An extensive raffle and auction with fabulous offerings from local proprietors provided the proceeds that benefited the SMC Student Scholarship Fund. Alumnae Donna Callen, Judy Gavoor, and Donna Mercier were co-chairwomen.
Ellen McCallum
Cathy Dody and Caren Murawski
Constance Saville, Katherine Saville
Mary Kathryn Peters, Wendy Sofyanos, Judy Gavoor
Karen Bedford
Areney Tokmakjian, Karen Larsen
The Honorable Elizabeth Rochford-Striedl, Mary Meade
MOTHERS TRUST SEASONAL SOIRÉE
photography by Robin Subar
The Mothers Trust Foundation hosted its second annual Seasonal Soirée on November 8 at Knollwood Club. e event kicked off the holiday season with gorgeous themed tablescapes created by the area’s most distinguished designers and an inspirational keynote speaker. Funds raised will further the organization’s mission to provide for children who have no other place to turn in times of crisis. motherstrustfoundation.org
Lauren Robertson, Heather Talbert
Tina and Lou Amiroso, Lori Rozdolsky, Loan Riedel
Christine and Ara Goshgarian
Lauren Peters, Blythe Watson
Lisa Weber, Juli Hallas
Katelyn Belcore, Brooke Bochnker
Christine and Jimmy Porter
Don and Lori Lennon
Danielle and Troy Carter
LFOLA DIGS YOU!
Lake Forest Open Lands thanks you for your kindness, support, and commitment!
Our o ce is a cutting-edge dental o ce that prioritizes oral health and well-being. If you are seeking professional dental services in a relaxed environment, this is the place for you. We want to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.
We look forward to your family joining our family.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Dental check ups and teeth cleaning
• Cosmetic dentistry including whitening
• Gum disease treatment
• Implant crowns and surgery and extractions
• Fillings, veneers, crowns and bridges
• Botox for TMJ
• Tongue tie laser release, biopsies, gum surgeries
• 24-hour answering service
• Ltd. orthodontics including Invisalign® and FASTBRACES®
by
Photo
Jasko Omerovic
The Last Word
Hanging with Chad
Drop by the Lake Forest Library and ask to chat with Chad Clark, whose job title—manager of digital and innovative services— falls woefully short of describing all that he does for library visitors.
words by Bill McLean / illustration by Tom Bachtell
Chad Clark is that warm blanket on an Antarctic day, majors in listening, has a PhD in empathy, and provides more solutions for distressed, atsea Lake Forest Library patrons than the pages at the back of crossword puzzles books. He’s in his fourth year as the library’s manager of digital and innovative services. “People make one-on-one appointments with us because they have questions about their iPhone, such as, ‘Why isn’t my Calendar working?’” says the uber-amiable Clark, sitting at a table in the library’s cozy Media Lab, where he and his colleagues, John Lacson and Ming Lu, share space with 3D and sublimation printers. “One question often leads to many others, and we’re okay with that; it’s our commitment to concierge service. Some have asked me, ‘Should I renew my antivirus software?’ We’re here to answer any tech question. Tech issues make people anxious.” e not-so-exorbitant fee for answers: $0, as long as you have either a Lake Forest Library card or a Lake Bluff Public Library card. Clark, of Wilmette, oversees group programming, too. Adults gathered in early December in the Media Lab for an “All ings Google” presentation. ey entered the room with their devices and exited it armed with knowledge and tips that would have impressed a phalanx of techsavvy teens. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the former assistant director at the Highland Park Public Library, Clark earned a degree in Audio Engineering at Columbia College Chicago and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Dominican University in River Forest. He pursued a career in library services at the suggestion of his wife, eighth-grade teacher Alexa Sorock, whose grandmother was
a librarian. Clark, who first met Alexa when both waited tables at Lucky Platter in Evanston, did not shelve the in-house counsel in 2011. “Alexa sensed that I’d enjoy working in a library setting, and I devour books,” says the father of 10-year-old Leo and 7-year-old Max, adding he became hooked on reading as soon as he finished the historical fiction novel e Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, back in his youth. “Plus, I had experience in technology, having created websites for others. You could say it was serendipitous, looking for a position at a library at the time I did—the old guard was starting to retire, and libraries were becoming more digital.” Former Highland Park Public Library Executive Director Jane Conway urged Clark to think big and to never fear failure when the two worked together. You can check out an Ernest Hemingway book and a ukulele and the instrument’s accompanying training materials with your card at that library thanks to Clark, who performs as a jazz guitarist in bands up to five times a month. “Here at the Lake Forest Library, you can check out an automotive diagnostic tool if one of your car’s dashboard lights goes on and you have no idea what it means,” he says. “Patrons have also checked out cameras and game systems and VR glasses.” But all of the offerings will never be able to supplant the library’s top asset—its tireless, caring staff. “I get to work with fantastic people,” Clark says. “Most of them live in the Lake Forest community. ey’re kind and they have a great sense of community. ey know what’s going on, they know what matters, and they know what’s meaningful to the people who live here.”
For more information about Clark, visit lakeforestlibrary.org
Local Expertise, Global Reach
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