The North Shore Weekend, January 13,2024

“Ah, beware of snobbery; it is the unwelcome recognition of one's own past failings.”

-Cary Grant

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024

Lake Forest resident Bob Crawford draws from his own life experience and generations of inspiration to help those in underserved communities build generational wealth. pg8

NO. 585 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION

NORTH SHORE DOINGS

Find out what's happening in your town with our new weekly events listing pg9

#HASHTAG

Meet Alexandra Lyon Singer and learn more about her work with Lyon Family Foundation p18

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

MATERIAL PURSUITS

Our wish list includes a spirit inspired by a favorite snack, luxe car storage, and a vintage Porsche skibob pg21

LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

ECRWSS

PRSRT STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 129 GLENVIEW, IL

JAN 26th - 28th A 3-Day Festival of Snow with activities for children, couples & families! ❆ 5k SchneeLauf Run & Walk ❆ Chili Cook-Off Competition ❆ Sip’n’Schnee Wine Tasting ❆ Spirits Stroll ❆ Children’s Outdoor Games ❆ Moonlight Snowshoe Stroll

Elkhartlake.com | 877-355-4278 scan for an updated list of schnee days events

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT SARA “KNOWLEDGEABLE of the current market conditions and community.”

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CONTACT SARA TODAY TO LEARN MORE!

4 | SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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°Buyer Represented. *MRED, LLC, based on closed sales data, 01/01/2023-12/31/2023.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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INDEX

NEWS 9 north shore doings Your go-to guide for all the latest local events

LIFESTYLE & ARTS 14 north shore foodie Indulge in our flavorful recipe for Arabian Lamb Pies on the cold winter days ahead

18 #hashtag

Alexandra Lyon Singer shares what's trending in her world, including her passion for the Lyon Family Foundation

20 social life PAWS Chicago raised money and awareness with its annual Fur Ball gala, a pet-friendly affair

No matter where you sit, you always stand out.

21 material pursuits Bid on a vintage skibob, get on the waiting list for a nacho cheese flavored spirit, and discover a luxe new way to store your automobile

LAST BUT NOT LEAST 22 sunday breakfast

Revisiting some of Georgia Garvey's favorite local columns in her new book is worth the trip

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

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PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

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© 2024 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND A PUBLICATION OF JWC MEDIA, 671 ACADEMY DRIVE, NORTHBROOK, IL 60062 847.926.0911

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@ TheNSWeekend

@ TheNSWeekend THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

New Year. New Home.

WE ARE ENGEL & VÖLKERS

With the new year comes fresh beginnings. If you have considered making a move, but have not been able to take that first step, connect with one of our Engel & Völkers advisors. They can talk you through the process and together you can decide if making a move is right for you in 2024.

Make 2024 the year that you find your next dream home.

Learn more at chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com ENGEL & VÖLKERS CHICAGO NORTH SHORE 566 Chestnut Street | 2nd Floor | Winnetka | IL 60093 +1 847-441-5730 | chicagonorthshore@evrealestate.com Learn more at chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com ©2024 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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LIFESTYLE & ARTS ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

From PG 1

BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Longtime Lake Forest resident Bob Crawford is downright engaging for a reason.

Make that, 17 reasons.

That was the number of times he and his family moved before he graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia. Seventeen. And he was a minority—a white lad attending predominantly Black and Hispanic schools—at many of his academic stops.

“It shaped my personality,” the 85-year-old Crawford says of his peripatetic childhood.

Crawford’s personality is a delightfully large one. He oozes positivity, so much so that it often enters a room before he does.

The man smiles sincerely and intently as he speaks, and as he listens.

But Bob Crawford isn’t Bob Crawford just because he was forced from a young age to constantly adjust and seek a fresh circle of friends every nine months or so. Two family members—father Robert Crawford Sr. and grandfather Andrew Creighton Crawford— served as his top two role models and heroes.

Both toiled as coal miners. Bob’s grandfather, a Scottish immigrant, later became a volunteer mine rescuer. Robert Sr. later became a giant in the field of urban parks and recreation.

“Parks and recreation back then was in its embryonic stage as an industry,” says Crawford, a 30-year Lake Forest resident and Founder and Past Chairman of Brook Furniture Rental Inc., a company he launched in 1978.

“My father’s work focused on providing superior recreation for urban areas, and he

Bob Crawford of Lake Forest

emerged as a national leader. I was only 11 and living in California when my grandfather died, but he had a tremendous impact on me.

He was hard-working and fearless,” he says.

“Such great men, both of them.”

Add Robert Crawford Jr. to the pantheon.

In 2016, he formed the Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab (NEL) with partners Allies for Community Business, Chicago Community Trust, and its funders. NEL believes that entrepreneurs from any background can start and grow businesses that create generational wealth for their families and communities.

It supports entrepreneurs in challenged communities on the near-West and South sides of Chicago.

“Entrepreneurship is the soul of American business, and capitalism is the single greatest thing in this country,” Crawford says. “I just

believe, firmly, that if you give people responsibility, they’ll thrive.”

NEL pairs community business owners with project advisors, project strategists, community partners, and corporate partners who provide intensive support to help execute a growth initiative for each business.

The nine-month program pairs each entrepreneur with a mentor. At the end of the fifth month and upon approval of the business plan, a $20,000 grant is given to the entrepreneur to grow their business through a variety of growth strategies like the purchase of capital equipment or a new lease for expansion.

Ninety-one of NEL’s 93 graduates are still in business. That’s a .978 batting average, baseball fans. Hundreds of jobs have been created. Crawford’s credo goes something like this: more jobs equal more stable communities.

NEL’s first grant went to Imani, a woman who made bean pies in her home. Funds enabled her to secure a contract packer as well as pay for a marketing expert. Old Arthur’s Barbeque Sauce owner Eugene Watts IV worked with advisors to make his product line available on Amazon, contract with a co-packer, and launch a new e-commerce website.

“We also supported Iesha Trotter of Brown Sugar Balloon Design who provides balloons for parties,” Crawford says, adding that Iesha attended NEL’s seventh-year anniversary event at the Chicago Club Terrace in August.

“Nine people work for her now.”

Crawford, a tireless paper boy/lawn care pro/snow shoveler as a teen, attended Pennsylvania’s Dickinson College where he was a two-way lineman for the football team and then tackled the MBA program at Penn’s Wharton School. A stint in marketing and sales management at Procter & Gamble preceded his 36-and-a-half-year run at the helm of Brook Furniture Rental, Inc. “Then I tried working in the field of private investment, but I didn't find it fulfilling,” Crawford recalls. “Lots of meetings, lots of sitting around. I wanted to get out there, help others. I toured underserved communities and found out that entrepreneurs in those areas needed an opportunity, a boost. ‘Is there a way I could help?’—that’s what I kept wondering.”

“I have been extremely excited about this phase of my life, this focus on NEL and nonprofits. I don’t believe in retirement. I never want to leave the excitement of the action in the ‘arena,’ never want to be stuck standing on some sideline. I love being around young business owners and entrepreneurs. This isn’t about me; it’s about America.”

Crawford has been married to his wife, Winnie, for 58 years. They raised three children—Robert III, Stephanie, and Greg—and have seven grandchildren.

“The thing I want to do more than anything else is support my family,” says Crawford, who has visited 96 countries—and counting. “Family is everything. We live a full life; we’re fortunate.”

Nobody would be surprised if Crawford finds the time to write a book about a certain pair of late family members. You know the two.

His father.

And his grandfather.

“I’m thinking about it,” Crawford says.

“I’d like to detail how inspiring they were to me when I was young, and how memories of them continue to have a positive impact on my life.”

For more information about Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab, visit a4cb.org/services/ neighborhood-entrepreneurship-lab/.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NORTH SHORE DOINGS NEWS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 20

“IN VIEW” WHERE: Art Center, Highland Park The Art Center Highland Park’s (ACHP) annual “In View” art exhibit continues through January 20.

This exhibit features work created by ACHP’s faculty and members. It is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year will mark the highest participation in the history of this exhibit with 140 artists showcasing their work. All exhibited work is for sale unless otherwise indicated.

Proceeds benefit the artists and programming at ACHP. theartcenterhp.org

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 31

HOLIDAY LIGHT RECYCLING WHERE: Northfield Northfield’s Village Hall and its Community Center will be providing bins where holiday lights and extension cords can be recycled. Clean out your decorations stash and make

John Measner Magic THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

room for new lights and supplies by recycling the old. northfieldparks.org

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 12

17TH ANNUAL INCHWORKS SHOW WHERE: Community House, Winnetka The North Shore Art League is currently hosting its 17th Annual Inchworks Show. Over 115 pieces of art are featured now through February 12 in the second-floor gallery of the Community House in Winnetka. Art is available for purchase and proceeds will go to the North Shore Art League. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. villageofwinnetka.org

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 15

THE GREAT SNOWFLAKE SEARCH WHERE: Wilmette Historical Museum The first snowflakes were photographed by a man named Snowflake Bentley, proving that no two are alike. Join the Wilmette Historical Museum in a scavenger hunt to find all the snowflakes. This event runs through February

Eastern Aster Swallowtails, Heeyoung Kim

Cycleman, Susan Green

15. Children ages 3 and younger can pick up a free scavenger hunt board at the Museum or Youth Services Department at the Wilmette Public Library to get started. The hunts begin at 9 a.m. wilmettehistory.org

Exhibit: “Enriching Life” through February 25. This fantastic art gallery provides a colorful respite from the wintery grays seen this time of year. The exhibiting artists are current and former students of Heeyoung Kim, founder of the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy. brushwoodcenter.org

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 21

WINTER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL WHERE: Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music The annual Winter Chamber Music Festival is back for its 27th year. This year’s lineup will feature six performances, including the Balourdet Quartet and the Grammy-Award winning Parker Quartet. There will be music from Classical and Romantic-era composers as well as the works of Chicago Symphony Orchestra composer Jessie Montgomery and award-winning composer Thomas Adés.

Single tickets are $30 for the public and $10 for full-time students with valid IDs. music.northwestern.edu

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13

“SHTETL IN THE SUN” WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach, Florida.

Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after tragedy. The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s exhibit, “Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980,” celebrates Sweet’s work as a tribute to those who lived during that time. The exhibit will run through October 13, 2024. ilholocaustmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25

ENRICHING LIFE EXHIBIT WHERE: Brushwood Center Join the Brushwood Botanical Artists for the 9th Annual Botanical Art

JANUARY 15

DEER PATH ART LEAGUE MEMBER’S SHOW WHERE: The Gallery Presented by The Deer Path Art League, the 2024 Members Show, “On Fire” is set to run from January 11 through March 2. An opening reception will be held January 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The talented members of the Art League will immerse viewers in the vibrant world of “Red.” Sold pieces can be picked up at the end of the exhibition. deerpathartleague.org

JANUARY 15

SHORT & SWEET: TEAPOT WHERE: Evanston Public Library Celebrate National Hot Tea Month with a take home craft kit at the Evanston Public Library. Each kit includes a short story and a simple teapot craft.

Kits are available while supplies last. This program is for children and families. epl.org

JANUARY 15

SCAVENGER HUNT: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHERE: Evanston Public Library Join Evanston Public Library for its monthly scavenger hunt. This month features musical instruments. Find all the pictures in the Children’s Room in order to enter a raffle for a chance to win a fun prize.

This program is for families and children. epl.org

Continues on PG 10 SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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Continued from PG 9

JANUARY 15

THE JOHN MEASNER MAGIC SHOW WHERE: Community House, Winnetka Magician Extraordinaire, John Measner, will be performing at the Community House in Winnetka on January 15. He is a master of illusions and some of his acts include live animals.

The show is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and tickets are $10 to $15. His performances include audience participation and card-and-coin magics. mycommunityhouse.org

JANUARY 16

GENEALOGY 101 WHERE: Lake Forest Library Have you ever been interested in learning about genealogy? The Lake County Genealogical Society is holding an introduction to genealogy, including records and tips for documenting research. This event will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Reed Room. Participants

NEWS must register on the library’s website. Be prepared to ask questions and learn! lakeforestlibrary.org

JANUARY 16

DRAGON APPRECIATION WHERE: Heller Nature Center Celebrate “Appreciate a Dragon Day” with the Park District of Highland Park.

Hatch your very own dragon and venture on a quest to uncover dragon lore. This camp is for children ages 6 to 10 and is $33 to register.

It will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heller Nature Center. pdhp.org

JANUARY 16 AND 30 TEDXWILMETTE SALONS WHERE: Wilmette Theatre Leading up to the TEDxWilmette April 2024 event, the Wilmette Theatre is holding several salons featuring Ted Talks from 2023. On January 16, Cindy Halvorsen’s salon, “The Power of Transcending Labels.” will be shown. Lizzy Appleby’s “Say What’s True: Everyday Bravery Can Change The World”

salon will be held on January 30. Both of these salons will run from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and will be followed by a moderated discussion. tedxwilmette.com

JANUARY 17

KNITTING MINISTRY WHERE: Kenilworth Union Church Join Kenilworth Union Church for its monthly Knitting Ministry. It meets on the first and third Wednesday for an afternoon of knitting and conversation. All skill levels are welcome. Meetings are held off-site or in the library in inclement weather from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Participants will knit prayer shawls to aid those going through difficult times. kuc.org

JANUARY 17

NEEDLE FELT PENGUINS WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library Looking to pick up a new craft skill? Join Lake Bluff Public Library for its Needle Felting program on January 17. From 4 p.m.

to 5 p.m., participants will learn how to make a needle felt penguin in the Spruth room. Adults, children, and teens are welcome, and registration is now open. akeblufflibrary.org

JANUARY 17

BUSINESS FOR BREAKFAST WHERE: North Shore Senior Center Have a healthy serving of an “A.I in the Workplace” discussion with breakfast at the North Shore Senior Center. PJ Weiland will be hosting the networking and speaker series event from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on January 17. Catering will be provided by Chez Mickey.

This installment will cover Artificial Intelligence’s effects in the workplace and how careful we have to be with aligning AI’s programming with a company’s organizational goals and values. For WinnetkaNorthfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce members,

the admission fee is $15 and it is $20 for non-members. wngchamber.com

JANUARY 18

PROFESSOR MOPTOP PRESENTS SGT. PEPPER WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library If you’re a fan of The Beatles, join Greg Alexander as he presents a class focusing on the historical significance of the landmark 1967 Beatles album.

The class will be at the Lake Bluff Library in the Spruth Room from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It will be available online and in person. Reservations are required for this adult program. lakeblufflibrary.org

JANUARY 19

SCULPT & SIP WHERE: Glencoe Park District Enjoy an evening of ceramics sculpting and wine at 7 p.m. Natalie Steinmetz will instruct participants in creating their own master-

pieces. Every skill level is welcome. Bring your own drinks to enjoy. This event is for ages 21 and up and will be held at Glencoe’s Takiff Center. Registration is $50 for residents and $55 for non-residents. glencoeparkdistrict.com

JANUARY 19 Illinoise at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Photography courtesy of Matt Murphy

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TEEN CRAFT CAFE WHERE: Highwood Public

Library Spend a Friday afternoon crafting at Highwood Public Library’s Teen Cafe.

From 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. middle school and high school students can meet and create this month’s craft: a Balloon Confetti Bowl. Registration is required. highwoodlibrary.org

JANUARY 21

KENILWORTH BINGO WHERE: Stuart Memorial Building Enjoy a Sunday afternoon with a few rounds of Bingo at the Kenilworth Historical Society. Participants will learn about Kenilworth’s history while playing on custom bingo cards that feature historical photographs. Prizes will be awarded to winners. Registration is required on the Historical Society’s website and is $5 per person and is free for members. Bingo will run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. kenilworthhistory.org

JANUARY 21

LOST IN AMERICA WHERE: Wilmette Historical Museum Discover the photography of historic buildings in Richard Cahan and Michael Williams’ book, Lost in America: Photographing the Last Days of our Architectural Treasures.

Cahan will be hosting a THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NEWS

Music Institute of Chicago

lecture at the Wilmette Historical Museum on January 21 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The book covers a large collection of buildings preserved in photographs dating back to the 1930s.

The lecture will be preceded by a brief meeting of the Wilmette Historical Society. The event is free and participants can register on the Museum's website.

Walk-in guests are also welcome to attend. wilmettehistory.org

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 10

ROSSINI’S CINDERELLA WHERE: Lyric Opera Experience the timeless classic of Cinderella at the Lyric Opera from January 21 to February 10. Rossini’s romantic comedy tells the tale of Angelina, who endures the horrible treatment of her father, Don Magnifico, and falls in love with a prince disguised as a valet. The musical score is conducted by Yi-Chen Lin in her Lyric Opera debut.

There will be seven matinee performances and a running time of 3 hours and 10 minutes with one intermission. This show will be sung in Italian and feature English captions projected above the stage. lyricopera.org THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 18

MUSIC INSTITUTE OPEN HOUSES WHERE: The North Shore Join the Music Institute of Chicago for four open houses in Chicago, Lake Forest, Winnetka, and Evanston. Musicians of all ages and professions are welcome to try different instruments, speak with faculty and campus staff, learn about class and lesson options, and receive discount offers. Rolling admission is available for private instruction and the Spring semester group classes begin January 29.

The Open Houses will be on January 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Evanston East Campus, January 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Downtown Chicago, February 4, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Forest’s Campus, and February 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Winnetka Campus. musicinst.org

JANUARY 27

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE PARTY WHERE: Highwood Public Library Spend a Saturday with Elephant and Piggie at Highwood Public Library (HWPL). This program is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and includes books, games, and

tons of fun. Registration is free. highwoodlibrary.org

JANUARY 27

“LET’S PLAY!” WHERE: Joseph Sears School The Alliance for Early Childhood is partnering with Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth District 38, and the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library to host a “Let’s Play!” cardboard design event. Children will design their own cardboard creations and the Alliance will provide cardboard and other tools for these ideas to come to life. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and registration is required. theallianceforec.org

PLAYWRIGHT AND TEXT CURATOR JEN SILVERMAN BASED ON THE DIGITAL ARCHIVES OF DANA DELANY CREATED BY DANA DELANY, MIKE DONAHUE, DANE LAFFREY AND JEN SILVERMAN DIRECTED BY MIKE DONAHUE

FEATURING

JANUARY 28 TO FEBRUARY 18

ILLINOISE WHERE: Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago Shakespeare Theater debuts a new musical, Illinoise, based on Sufjan Steven’s concept album. Illinoise promises to be a genre-bursting experience that inspires hope.

There will be an ASL dual performance on February 9 at 7 p.m. chicagoshakes.com To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.

DANA DELANY

DOT-MARIE JONES

THOMAS MURPHY MOLONY

Emmy Award-winner Dana Delany (China Beach, Desperate Housewives) stars in this new thriller—part love story, part ghost story—crafted from hundreds of tweets and DMs. TIMESTAMP: October, 2012: “@DanaDelany, Are you married? If not, I’d marry you.” When Cam, a 13-year-old fan in a desperate medical situation captures actress Dana Delany’s attention on Twitter, she’s quickly swept into an intense, around-the-clock online friendship. But when Cam starts receiving messages from beyond, Dana is thrust into a world where unexpected revelations raise the question of how far we go to love and be loved.

JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18 New Play Award

312.443.3800 GoodmanTheatre.org

Groups of 10+: Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

11

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12 | SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

IT’S A S T R E T C H !

Enjoy increased range of motion, increased mobility and eliminate chronic pain. . .all within the convenience of your home!

As owner of LakeShoreFit@Home, Josh Watson is a local trainer and stretch therapist who has been working in Lake Forest for over a decade. Josh uses the specialized technique of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) to improve the health and wellness of his clients in their homes.

What is Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST)?

Fascial Stretch Therapy is a neuromyofascial manual therapy method that focuses on the connective tissue system rather than isolated muscle treatment. FST therapists assess active, passive, and resisted range of motion in functional positions and movements.

Do I need to have any special equipment at my home?

No! Josh is a mobile personal trainer and travels to the convenience of your own home with all the equipment you need for a good workout.

LakeShoreFit@Home Lakeshorefitathome@gmail.com

Who are clients of LakeShoreFit@Home?

847.702.2226

Josh works with a wide range of ages and special conditions.

“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in, in decades...from home.”

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J OS H WATSO N Personal Trainer and Stretch Therapist

Whatever your goal is, LakeShoreFit@Home will help you achieve it!

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

13

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

ARABIAN LAMB PIES

NORTH SHORE FOODIE

Photography by Monica Kass Rogers

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Although familiar comforts like mac and cheese, chili, and slow roasts can bring warmth on cold winter nights, now and then I like to spice things up at the dinner table with something more exotic. These little pies do just that.

Seasoned with bzar, an Emirati mixture of ten spices that has an almost garam masala-like flavor, plus onion, leek, cilantro, and tahini in the lamb filling, the pies are exquisitely flavorful. I’ve made these with ground beef as an alternative, and you can too—but ground lamb is our family favorite.

I prepare the yeasted dough for the crusts first, then make the bzar while the dough rises.

In the Emirates, bzar is often made right before Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and community observed by Muslims across the world. Choose freshly bought spices for the blend and you’ll be rewarded with the best flavor. (The recipe makes enough spice blend to last you all winter.)

I love the inclusion of tahini in the lamb filling as it adds nutty depth to the flavor.

Makes 8, 5-inch pies and 1 1/2 cups bzar spice blend FOR THE BZAR SPICE BLEND: • 1/2 cup whole Tellicherry black peppercorns • 1/2 cup whole cumin seeds • 1/2 cup whole coriander seeds • 2 tablespoons whole cloves • 2 Ceylon (or Saigon) cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces to make 2 tablespoons • 2 tablespoons whole green cardamom pods • 3 chiles de arbol, seeds and stems discarded • 2 whole nutmegs • 2 tablespoons ground ginger • 2 tablespoons ground turmeric FOR THE PIE CRUSTS: • 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour • 1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour • 1/4 cup whole milk powder • 2 teaspoons bzar • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant, fast-acting yeast granules (1 packet) • 1 teaspoon sugar • 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water • 3 1/2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee (clarified butter), cooled to room temperature • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 large egg, room temperature

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FOR THE LAMB FILLING: • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 large onion finely chopped to make 1 cup • 2 pounds ground lamb OR beef • 2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper • 1 fresh leek, washed, stem and dark green parts discarded, white and yellow portion thinly sliced • 3 tablespoons tahini (note: stir tahini in its jar, or pour into a bowl and pulse with an immersion blender to mix oil with solids before using) • 1 tablespoon black vinegar OR aged balsamic vinegar • 1 tablespoon water • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 small bunch cilantro, stems discarded, leaves finely chopped to make 1/4 cup FOR THE EGGWASH AND SESAME TOPPING: • 1 large egg mixed with 1 teaspoon water • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds FOR EXTRA TAHINI SAUCE TO SERVE AT TABLE: • 3 tablespoons tahini (note: stir tahini well in its jar (or remove into a bowl and pulse with an immersion blender to mix oil with solids before using) • 1 tablespoon black vinegar OR aged balsamic vinegar • 1 tablespoon water • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 small bunch cilantro, stems discarded, leaves finely chopped to make 1/4 cup THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

LIFESTYLE & ARTS METHOD MAKE THE PIE CRUST: In a large bowl, mix all-purpose and whole wheat flours with milk powder, bzar, baking powder, and salt.

In a small bowl, bloom the yeast with the sugar in 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of water.

Make a well in the flour/dried milk mixture and pour in the bloomed yeast/sugar water, melted butter, and egg. Mix until you have a rough dough. Scoop dough onto a clean, lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth. Shape dough into a ball, place into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rest for 15 minutes while you grind the spices.

MAKE THE BZAR SPICE BLEND: Working one spice at a time, grind each of the first seven spices into a fine powder in a spice grinder and combine in a bowl. Grind the nutmeg by hand with a microplane. Add ground ginger and turmeric last. Stir all to combine and scoop all into an airtight glass jar (it will keep for up to a year, stored in a dark place).

FINISH MAKING CRUST: After resting the dough for 15 minutes, knead again for 3 to 5 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball and replace in the lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 1/2 hours.

MAKE LAMB FILLING: During the last 20 minutes of rising time for the crust, make the lamb filling. In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil and onions and cook, stirring often until onions are soft and golden brown—about 10 minutes. Add ground lamb and cook, breaking up the meat and stirring until the meat is browned and excess liquid has cooked off. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Scoop the meat into a bowl to cool.

Stir in chopped leeks. In a separate bowl, stir tahini, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Stir mixture into the lamb; add cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

ASSEMBLE PIES: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease eight mini pie pans (5” wide x 1” deep) with shortening or vegetable oil spray. Divide the risen dough into 8 pieces.

Shape each into a ball. Cover all with lightly dampened kitchen towels and allow to rest for 15 more minutes. Place a dough ball on a clean work surface and roll out into a 7-inch circle. Tuck dough into pie dish. Repeat with remaining dough balls and pie dishes. Divide lamb filling into the eight dishes. Brush all with egg wash. Sprinkle the top of each pie with sesame seeds. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until crusts are golden brown. Eat hot, or at room temperature. Serve the pies with a big green salad and some extra cilantro and tahini sauce for the table.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR NORTH SHORE NEIGHBOR & REAL ESTATE EXPERT!

Co-listed with Linda Rosenbloom & Carol Gooze. Over 2 acres.

Pool & tennis court. Overlooks Skokie CC Golf Course! Can be 3 buildable lots, near 3/4 acre each, with golf course views.

5 Briar Ln, Glencoe

334 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe

$4,495,000

$2,100,000

1108 Astor Pl, Glencoe

439 Park Ave, Glencoe

$1,976,000

$1,713,000

1560 Oakwood Ave #303, Highland Park

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$1,650,000

9655 Woods Dr 1415 N Dearborn 3030 Arbor Ln #606, Skokie Pkwy #22C, Chicago* #304, Northfield* $312,000

$287,500

$245,000

$4,000/month

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$315,000

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$340,000

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EN

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$340,000

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55 E Erie St #3202, Chicago*

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$665,000

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$405,000

R

$140,000

$230,000

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1475 Saint Tropez 1700 2nd St #308, 3100 N Lake Shore Ct, Highland Park Highland Park Dr #1301, Chicago*

D LO SE

1 E Scott St #601, Chicago

$710,000

545 Rivershire Pl, Lincolnshire*

119 Rivershire Ln, Lincolnshire*

TE D

$412,500

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679 Roger Williams Ave, Highland Park*

2921 N Damen Ave #2, Chicago*

714 Franklin St, Hinsdale*

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169 Lake St, Glencoe*

$825,000

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6554 Stockbridge 6204 Pine Tree Dr, 485 Oakdale Ave, Ln, Long Grove* Long Grove* Glencoe*

363 Rivershire Ct, 6242 N Avers Ave, Lincolnshire* Chicago

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800 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka

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$580,000

C

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2624 Victor Ave, Glenview

$1,100,000

D

$1,300,000

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$1,321,375

3240 Allison Ln, Long Grove*

LO SE

183 Lake St, Glencoe

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390 Greenwood Ave, Glencoe

1236 McDaniels 4014 N Newport Ln, 561 Hill Terr #310, Ave, Highland Park Arlington Heights Winnetka $3,000/month

$2,200/month

$1,600/month

happy

N E W YEAR THANK YOU

TO ALL OF MY CLIENTS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR! WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST FOR 2024! *Buyer Representation

847.910.0146 | michaelmitchell@atproperties.com | michaelmitchellrealestate.com

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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LIFESTYLE & ARTS #HASHTAG EDITED BY MORGAN HOGERTY ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

With years of experience in the hospitality industry and two different culinary degrees, it’s no wonder that ALEXANDRA (“ALEX”) LYON SINGER is the mastermind behind the Lyon Family Foundation’s signature fall fundraising event—The Hoosier Ball. Curating the guest experience through food and entertainment is always top of mind as Singer concepts and designs the annual event. She pulls inspiration from her time working in the back-of-house at luxury hotels, cooking in catering kitchens, and traveling the globe. As Executive Director of the Lyon Family Foundation, her greatest joy is being able to weave a web of philanthropic and talented people to support important causes, all of which honor the legacy of her dad, Robert H. Lyon. The foundation’s latest initiative, Lyon’s Way, raises funds to support adolescent and young adult oncology patients at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Here is how this philanthropic superstar stays current between foundation meetings and flawless events. For more information about Lyon’s Way and the Hoosier Ball visit lyonsway.org.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Old World Italian by Mimi Thorisson—a cookbook! Reading/collecting cook-

books has been a hobby of mine since high school. I devour the pages from

start to finish and always pour over the chef ’s forward first to gain perspective on what ingredients are important to them and to learn about their procedures and philosophy on food.

#ON MY MOBILE

Some might say I am addicted to paper goods and beautiful tablescapes. I am constantly finding new favorites but I always love the work of Veronica

Halim (@truffypi), Shhh My Darling (@by_shhh_my_darling), and Every.

Little.Something (@every.little.something). For tablescape inspiration, La

DoubleJ (@ladoublej), Marie Daage (@ mariedaage—newly introduced to me

by the fabulous, Chicago-based Rishi Patel), and Gien (@gien).

#IN MY EARBUDS

My favorite dinner party playlist is Seu

Jorge, a Brazilian guitarist a dear friend took me to see at Thalia Hall. His

music immediately sets the vibe, and

our guests become instant fans. To rev up for a run, I listen to Mojave Grey,

an up-and-coming immersive duo per-

forming at our upcoming Hoosier Ball.

Their unplugged music is the perfect beat for a distance run.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NEW YEAR NEW HOME under contract

private listing

private listing

2520 AUGUSTA WAY, Highland Park listed at $975,000

1380 WAVERLY ROAD, Highland Park listed at $1,950,000

2115 HYBERNIA DRIVE, Highland Park listed at $1,199,000

new to market

private listing

private listing

luxury rental

430 WILMOT ROAD, Deerfield listed at $679,900

586 MELODY LANE, Highland Park listed at $635,000

296 LATROBE AVENUE, Northfield listed at $825,000

336 CRESCENT DRIVE, Lake Bluff listed at $5,500/mo

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate Office*

$7 9 + m i l l i o n sold in 2023 *

LIZ SALINAS

Broker and Managing Partner

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

BETH WEXLER

Broker and Co-Team Lead

JOEY GAULT

Broker and Co-Team Lead

*MRED,LLC Wexler Gault Group Total Sales Volume, Residential properties, 01/01/23 – 12/31/23

#1 t e a m highland park

SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

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FUR BALL LIFESTYLE & ARTS

SOCIAL LIFE

Now in its 22nd year, PAWS Chicago held what is known as Chicago’s largest pet-friendly black-tie gala late last year.

LAURA SACHS AND PAULA FASSEAS NEELIE FRITZ, STUART DYER, WENDY WOOD-PRINCE

Pet lovers and their four-legged friends—many dressed in gowns and tuxes like their guardians—hit the red carpet late last year to raise money for homeless animals. PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest No Kill humane organization, hosted its 22nd Annual Fur Ball on November 17.

Set at the legendary Drake Hotel, the unique gala invited guests to dress their pets in four-legged formal wear for an exciting celebration to benefit Chicago’s homeless pets. The event was co-chaired by Brook Jay and Karen McEniry.

Guests enjoyed a lavish dinner buffet, one-of-a-kind silent and live auction packages, raffle, and live music—commemorating the experience with a photograph with their pup at the photo booth. Lucky dogs in attendance were treated to such indulgences as pawdicures and brush outs in the “dog spa” and a divine dinner served at the special “dog buffet.”

An evening of elegance and compassion, the event raises critical funding to support PAWS Chicago’s programs that have greatly contributed to reducing the killing of homeless pets in Chicago by more than 90 percent since the organization’s founding in 1997, and its Medical Center, the country’s largest and most advanced hospital for homeless pets.

WAYNE AND NAN KOCOUREK, PRESENTING SPONSORS

WAYNE KOCOUREK, PAULA FASSEAS, NAN KOCOUREK, SUSANNA WICKHAM

DAN MAURO, ANITA MAURO, NANCY TIMMERS, MICHAEL TIMMERS

GEORGE AND AMY BURIN

RAMONA GRIFFIN AND ALEXIS FASSEAS

JORDAN FISHER AND LAURA SACHS WITH ADOPTABLE PET OPAL

KEVIN AND GINA STROHL

ANNE APPEL, IMAN MATHEW, SHAY MOINUDDIN

SUZE GLICKMAN, WALTER JACOBSON, ROSS GLICKMAN

BRADY KISS FM AND RACHEL MARTZ WITH ADOPTABLE CAT

WAYNE GAILIS, PAM MYERSON, BOB BLOCK, RENATA BLOCK, JIM SPURLOCK, BONNIE SPURLOCK, MICHAEL TIMMERS, NANCY TIMMERS

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HSING CHEN AND DOUG PSALTIS

PAM AND ED CAREY

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

MATERIAL PURSUITS This weekend’s curated luxury trends VINTAGE SKIBOB

When Porsche joined forces with renowned “skibob” maker Arova in 1970, the collab was as whimsical as it was practical. A cross between a ski and bobsled with front and rear skis called “feet, Arova unveiled its creation in the late 1960s as a new way to ski. Ideal for those who lacked the strength or mobility required for conventional skiing, the front “foot” was steerable via handlebars. The Arova-Porsche 212 Skibob was a two-seater with rear shock strut suspension and a hollow body just large enough (cute alert) to hold a Thermos and a sandwich for a day on the slopes. And in a feature that was quintessentially Porsche, the feet, suspension, handlebars, and steering shaft could be neatly packed into the body—allowing the 212 to fit perfectly into the front trunk of (what else?) a 911.

While these limited edition models are hard to find, collectors can bid on one of the few hundred that were manufactured via Sotheby’s at a starting price of $4,500. silodrome.com/ arova-porsche-212-skibob/

NACHO ORDINARY DORITOS®

Empirical spirits company is taking your Doritos® craving to the next level. Its Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese vacuum distilled spirit sold out almost immediately when it was released late last year. The company’s signature vacuum distillation process ensures that every nuanced flavor is gently captured and preserved. According to the company website, the bold flavors of the spirit goes beyond distillation to the “art of flavor preservation,” allowing you to indulge in your favorite snack in liquid form. Whether you serve the spirit neat with ice or mix into a Bloody Mary, you’ll never think of Doritos® the same way again. While sold out, it is expected to be back on the market soon. Priced at $65 at us.empirical.co/products/doritos-x-empirical.

SHOW CAR

The Cartainer™ Ceres 001 is reinventing the concept of car storage and display. More than just a conventional garage, this sleek, eye catching product features a Smart Control system with sliding doors, a low-profile ramp door, bespoke flooring options, and your choice of chassis colors and lighting. With customizable integrated tie downs, the Ceres 001 can be used to securely transport vehicles in a more dynamic way than ever before. It is also the ultimate trophy case to show off your favorite sportscar. Optional upgrades include integrated heating and air conditioning with humidity control. Prices start at $50,000. Pre-order yours at cartainers.com.

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SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024 |

21

GEORGIA—AND READERS—ON HER MIND S U N D AY B R E A K FA S T

Syndicated columnist Georgia Garvey discovers that her pieces can be as educational and enlightening for her audience as they can be cathartic for her.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Columnist and Wilmette resident Georgia Garvey likened an interminable respiratory infection to a drawn-out Allman Brothers song.

She also transported her readers to summery days when the trill of an ice cream truck meant anybody with working taste buds turned into Olympic sprinters dashing to a sound.

And, in another column, written near Thanksgiving 2020, Garvey presented a get-together of years—including Great Depression/ Prohibition’s 1933 and pandemic-ridden 2020 and 1918—and imagined a dialogue among them in a support-group setting over Zoom: 1933, speaking to 2020, who hadn’t seen a bartender in almost nine months: “That sounds stressful. Try not seeing one for 13 years some time.”

2020’s response to 1933: “At least you didn’t have to deal with a pandemic.”

1918: “Um … .”

Fun stuff, in a particularly worrisome, challenging year.

“Now that I think about it, I guess, I am mostly writing an advice column—only the advice travels in a circle, from me back to me,” Garvey, 47, writes in the Introduction of her first book, Everything Is Going To Be OK (Until It’s Not) (Creators Publishing, 2023), a collection of her columns.

“My writings,” adds the former Evanston resident, “are a conversation with myself, and often they’re a journal of my never-ending battle—one fought by the week, by the day, by the minute—to avoid living either in the future (with worry) or in the past (with guilt).”

Garvey’s near future will find the mother of 7- and 5-year-old sons, minus her laptop, at The Book Stall in Winnetka on January 18, when the former Chicago Tribune reporter and Chicago Tribune Media Group editor is scheduled to discuss her compilation of essays that ranges from the joys and demands of motherhood to her abhorrence of camping to her gratefulness for kindness to the wild, weird history of pets in her house.

Some of her columns are serious and thought-provoking. Some are edgy and clever and reveal Garvey’s humility and self-deprecation. Others are whimsical and observational.

“Almost definitionally,” Garvey writes, “someone who has so many words squatting in

their brain that they have to evict some onto a page for another person to deal with is kind of … strange.”

But essential, too. That’s why Garvey, then an editor for local weeklies published by Chicago Tribune Media Group, insisted on resuming the publication of columns after cuts and buyouts had gutted staffs in 2020.

A newspaper without a columnist’s voice is a Reese’s Easter Peanut Butter Egg without the peanut butter. Woefully hollow.

Georgia Garvey then appointed herself to serve as a columnist, a position she held for 18 months before opting to take a buyout herself in 2021 and becoming a syndicated columnist for Creators Publishing, an imprint of Creators. Her punchy writing style is anti-highfalutin.

If you’re looking to consume complex, sentence-packed paragraphs, look for a medical journal detailing the latest research on autoimmune diseases.

Garvey’s lucid weekly columns appear in dozens of local newspapers across the country.

“I felt

strongly about providing a local column for the readers,” says Garvey, the recipient of Peter Lisagor and Illinois Press Association awards, among others. “Many of the columns I chose to run in my book ran during the pandemic, which was such a bizarre time in our country, in the world. Rereading them was like opening a time capsule.

“I remember taking my kids to a playground one day and hearing a man, walking his dog, say to me, ‘Hey, your kids can’t play here. COVID’s still around.’ I wrote about my frustrations and the confusions during the pandemic. I shared a lot; readers got to know me.”

Georgia was born in Philadelphia, moved to Greece with her family six months later, and returned to the United States as a first grader.

Her surname—Evdoxiadis—was a nightmare for teachers taking attendance on the first day of school.

Flummoxed teacher: “Georgia Ev … ” Compassionate Georgia: “Here!”

She lived in New Orleans for several years and later attended Parkway South High School in Manchester, Missouri, near St. Louis.

Not surprisingly, Garvey wrote for the

Georgia Garvey

Many of the columns I chose to run in my book ran during the pandemic, which was such a bizarre time in our country, in the world.

22 | SATURDAY JANUARY 13 | SUNDAY JANUARY 14 2024

student newspaper and participated in debate and mock trial. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in journalism.

Garvey’s first post in journalism was that of a newspaper intern at Arlington Heightsbased Daily Herald, in 2003. Her first newsroom shift started at bright-eyed 2 p.m. and ended at bleary-eyed 1 a.m.

She had met her future husband, University of Kansas alumnus Tim Garvey, when both waited tables at Pete Miller’s in Evanston.

They started dating in 2000 and got married in 2007, two years before Georgia began her 12year tenure with Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Tribune media outlets.

The talented fiction writer in Garvey lurks.

It’s only a matter of time before her modernday adventures of a Greek goddess gets published and enlarges Garvey’s ample fan base.

There was nothing mythical about Garvey’s late grandmother Katerina, to whom she dedicated Everything Is Going To Be OK (Until It’s Not). Katerina had to drop out of school in the third grade to work for her family as a subsistence farmer in a Greek village.

“My grandma had a hard life,” Garvey says.

“She worked in the fields most of her life. But she was always cheerful, always positive. She was a smart woman. I still talk to her today.

She’s like my guardian angel.”

Poignant passages about love and kindness punctuate several of the pages in Garvey’s book. They’re welcoming heartbeats.

“We need love,” she declares. “We need to be entertained and inspired and distracted. We need the pieces we lack, and we get them from outside ourselves.”

And kindness, she points out in the Acknowledgements, is in no danger of slipping to runner-up status to callousness.

“Thank you to all the people in this wonderful world who try their best to be kind,” Garvey writes. “There are more of us than there are of them, and don’t you ever forget it.”

For more information about Georgia Garvey, and to read her past works, visit georgiagarvey. com. Garvey will speak about Everything Is Going To Be OK (Until It’s Not) at The Book Stall, 811 East Elm Street, Winnetka, on January 18 at 6:30 p.m. Visit thebookstall.com for more information. Her book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Apple Books.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

®

North Shore

SAFOR LE

RAVINIA

1260 RIDGEWOOD DR | $1,089,000

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@properties Christie’s International Real Estate during our home

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“We recently had the pleasure of working with Cory Albiani from

LD

7% OVER ASKING / $50,000 OVER**

15% OVER ASKING / $101,000 OVER**

5258 HILLTOP RD

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RAVINIA HIGHLAND PARK

buying and selling journey and cannot express how grateful we are for the outstanding service and expertise he provided. From our initial contact and consultation to closing, Cory demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and dedication to the entire process...

His integrity and commitment to clients made our experience truly positive and rewarding and we are happily settled in our dream home thanks to his expertise!”

—Andrew & Kaylee Hofmeyer

MAKING A MOVE IN 2024?

CALL CORY TO GET YOUR PLANS IN MOTION!

312.286.7065

coryalbiani@atproperties.com *Buyer represented **MRED, LLC, based on closed sales data, 5258 Hilltop Rd, Long Grove, 2660 Greenwood Ave, Highland Park

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND