The North Shore Weekend, June 8th, 2024

“Anyone who's a chef, who loves food, ultimately knows that all that matters is: 'Is it good? Does it give pleasure?'”

-Anthony Bourdain

Renee Zipprich, co-chair

SHORE FOODIE Our recipe for Raspberry Blackberry Lattice-Crust Pie is ideal for your summer picnics pg16

FRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & RECREATION FOUNDATION PRESENTS

THURSDAY, JULY 4 5-10 PM DEERPATH COMMUNITY PARK

NORTH SHORE DOINGS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE

JUNE 8

CHILDREN’S BOOK SALE

WHERE: Lake Forest Library

The Friends of Lake Forest Library presents its Children’s Book Sale just in time for the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Browse and purchase gently used and bargain children’s books. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8 in the Lake Forest Foyer. lakeforestlibrary.org

JUNE 8

WCNS CHILDREN’S FAIR

WHERE: Village Green

The 77th annual Winnetka Children’s Fair returns to Village Green as the quintessential kick off to summer. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s hosted by the Winnetka Community Nursery School Board of Directors and a group of dedicated parents with aid from local volunteers and the support of businesses in the area. The fair features treats, games, pony, camel, carnival rides, and more. Ticket presales can be picked up at the Will Call at the fair. winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org

JUNE 8

RAGDALE TOUR

WHERE: Ragdale Campus

Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artists’ retreat on the former country estate of English architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, offers tours of the historic Ragdale House, visual artist studios, and exquisite gardens. Participants will learn about the Shaw family history and the artists’ residency program that serves nearly 150 artists and authors each year. Tours are from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Admission is $10 per person and online reservations must be made in advance. ragdale.com

NOW THROUGH JUNE 23

JCC CHICAGO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

WHERE: Highland Park, Chicago, and Skokie

The JCC Chicago Jewish

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

NOW THROUGH JUNE 30

TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION

WHERE: Westfield Old Orchard

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

NOW THROUGH AUGUST 29

FOOD TRUCK MONDAYS

WHERE: Kenilworth Park District

Enjoy Food Truck Mondays weekly from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by Billy Bricks & Rio Bamba Food Trucks. Music will be provided by The Heavy Sounds and there will also be cornhole league, bocce ball league, margaritas, and family fun. kenilworthparkdistrict.org

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7

CIRCUSVILLE: PLAY UNDER THE BIG TOP WHERE: Chicago Children’s Museum

Bring your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum to play at the circus! Children can try their hands at all of the vital roles in a circus: star of the

show, ticket taker, acrobat, hot dog vendor, and more. Props and costumes for families will be provided. chicagochildrensmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22

LOST & FOUND

WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden

Experience plant conservation success stories through art and science this summer. Visitors will engage in hands-on experiences, art installations, After Hour Buzz events, and other engaging activities inspired by restoration stories of plants once lost and forgotten. Original art pieces will be on display throughout the Garden including A Summer Journey, Gleanhouse and Prismatic Landscape, Color Writing, Rhizomatic, and Through The Eye of the Unicorn These pieces represent conserving what has been lost over the years through development, natural disaster, and expansions. Tickets are included with admission. chicagobotanic.org

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26

FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS

WHERE: Ravinia District

Food Truck Thursdays return this summer. A variety of food trucks and vendors will sell their wares from 4:30 p.m. until dusk each Thursday night throughout the summer. These evenings will also include live music, beer, and wine tastings from local restaurants, and enjoying food outside. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine on a picnic bench in Jens Jensen Park. Each Thursday will feature a different theme of music and their respective performers. enjoyhighlandpark.com

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13

“SHTETL IN THE SUN”

WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach, Florida. Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after

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

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2025 “KENILWORTH CENTENNIAL HOMES”

WHERE: Kenilworth Historical Society

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

JUNE 8 TO 9

INTERNATIONAL MURAL FESTIVAL

WHERE: Highwood

Celebrate 12 renowned artists and their mural works throughout Highwood. These murals will color the exterior walls of 12 buildings and there will be hands-on activities, live music, food, and drink vendors, an outdoor bar, and a full carnival during this festival. celebratehighwood.org

JUNE 9

ASPIRITECH INCLUSIVE MUSIC AND MAGIC EXTRAVAGANZA

WHERE: Winnetka Community House

Celebrate community with a family-friendly fundraiser from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hear lively music from The Awful Good and see additional entertainment from magician John Measner. Snacks and drinks are included in the ticket price. All proceeds benefit Aspiritech, an Evanston-based non-profit that employs adults on the autism spectrum in tech. Tickets are $40 for those 13 and older, and $5 for kids and preteens ages 5 to 12. Children 5 and younger are free. aspiritech.org

JUNE 9

SAVE-A-PET PINSTRIPES FUNDRAISING EVENT

WHERE: Pinstripes South Barrington

Save-A-Pet animal rescue and adoption center is proud to announce its first Pinstripes fundraising event in South Barrington. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., guests will enjoy gourmet appetizers, bowling, bocce, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and more through tickets and special packages. Prizes will also be raffled to raise additional funds for rescued dogs and cats awaiting forever homes. Tickets are $125 per adult and $70 per child (ages 21 and under) and are available online or at the door. saveapetil.org

JUNE 9 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29

FRENCH MARKET

WHERE: The Lot

Highland Park

The French Market returns to The Lot every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Browse the wares of artisans and food vendors from the Chicago area and find an array of unique products and wares. enjoyhighlandpark.com

JUNE 10

TRIVIA NIGHT

WHERE: Lake Bluff Brewing Company

Enjoy a fun night of trivia at Lake Bluff Brewing Company from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Teams of six can register now. Compete for prizes and enjoy food and quality time with friends while testing your trivia knowledge. This event is presented by the Lake Bluff Public Library. lakeblufflibrary.org

JUNE 12, JULY 22, AND JUNE 27

BROOKFIELD ZOO’S ROARING NIGHTS

WHERE: Brookfield Zoo

Gin Blossom, Barenaked Ladies, and The Fray join Brookfield Zoo’s Roaring Nights summer concert series. Opening the first night, The Fray will perform June 22, Barenaked Ladies will entertain the second night on July 12, and Gin Blossoms will conclude the series on July 27. For these three nights, the animal exhibits will be open and guests can ride the carousel till 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All ticket proceeds directly support the Zoo’s mission and work

WEEKEND

Inferno Fest

providing animal care, environmental education, and global conservation efforts. Tickets are on sale now. brookfieldzoo.org

JUNE 12

NATURE’S POETRY

WHERE: Greene Nature

Preserve

Adults are invited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Kathryn Haydon’s book of poetry Unsalted Blue Sunrise From 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a hike at Greene Nature Preserve. Haydon will share readings from her book with poetry dedicated to Lake Michigan. A copy of Unsalted will be included in the price of the hike. This program is adults only. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. lfola.org

JUNE 12

CRAFT A DAD-WORTHY CARD

WHERE: Northfield Public Library

Create a personal Father’s Day card celebrating Dad from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. All ages are welcome and materials will be provided. This program will be held in the Northfield Community Room. Registration is required. wnpld.org

JUNE 12

CICADA SAFARI: UNCOVER THE BUZZ

WHERE: Glencoe Public Library

Explore the world of cicadas. Students in grades K through 3 will learn about cicada anatomy and their fascinating life cycle. From underground nymphs to buzzing adults, the secrets of these insects will be revealed. Registration is required and participants will meet in the Hammond Room. glencoelibrary.org

JUNE 13

HOT FLASHES AND FIERCE TALES

WHERE: Secret World Books

Join eight speakers at 7 p.m. to share mid-life stories of menopause and women. Among these presenters is award-winning author Gayle Brandels. Tickets are available now for $15. secretworldbooks.com

JUNE 13

THE FUTURE OF ENERGY

WHERE: The Takiff Center

Experience an illuminating evening with the North Shore Civic Club and learn more about the future of energy. Speakers Nancy Economou, Milan Dotlich, and Michelle Carr will discuss the technology needed to electrify the North Shore, innovate climate solutions, and the economic impacts of electrification locally and globally. There will be a Q&A following the speakers and refreshments will be served. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the discussion will begin at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Registration is required. Tickets are $25 for non-members and $5 for students. northshorecivicclub.org

JUNE 13

MAKERKIDS

WHERE: Evanston Public Library

From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., design, sketch, ink, decorate and color cardstock to transform a CD case into a two-sided dollhouse. This program is for students entering grades 3, 4, and 5. Registration is required. epl.org

JUNE 14

JRC’S LAKEFRONT TOT SHABBAT

WHERE: Elliot Park Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation will be holding its weekly evening services on the shores of Elliot Park throughout the summer. On special dates, young children and their parents can welcome Shabbat with Cantor Howard Friedland and Lauren Reeves. The musical, casual service from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. will be followed by a Bring Your Own Picnic from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Following the picnic, the Shabbat service will end at 8 p.m. Tot Shabbat will return the third Friday of each month

from June through August. This event is open to all. jrctogether.org

JUNE 15

UNSALTED BLUE SUNRISE

READING

WHERE: Secret World Books

Kathryn P. Haydon celebrates the 1st anniversary of her book, Unsalted Blue Sunrise, at 2 p.m. Through her poems, she explores Lake Michigan’s richness as metaphor, art, relationship, and outspoken personality. This event is open to the public. secretworldbooks.com

JUNE 15 & 16

GOLD COAST ART FAIR

WHERE: Chicago’s Grant Park

Enjoy a day with family and friends exploring over 250 vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take part in live music, tasty treats, and cold beer. There will be painting classes, activities in the Kids Art Zone, and many other activities to partake in. Attendees are invited to bring gently used art as donations to Chicago Furniture Bank. Early bird tickets are available until June 14 for $10. Regular ticket pricing is $15 on June 15 and 16. Children 12 and younger are free. amdurproductions.com

JUNE 15 TO 16

SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

WHERE: The Lake Bluff Village Green

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 30 juried local and regional artists will feature photography, painting, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, and more. There will be hands-on activities for kids. This event is free to attend. artistsonthebluff.org

JUNE 16

UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FORCES

WHERE: North Shore United Methodist Church

The Ukrainian Cultural Forces will make a stop along

its 40-day tour for a concert at 10 a.m. displaying gratitude for the strong support of Ukraine. Those performing are active duty soldiers including Mykolia Sierga, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliinyk, Taras Stoliar, and Olha Rukavishnikova. A documentary will be produced after the tour’s conclusion displaying Americans' reactions to Ukrainian music and war stories. Following the concert there will be a prayer for peace, scripture, and an ice cream social. This concert is free and open to the public. northshoreumc.com

JUNE 20

TEA CUP CANDLES

WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library

Create a fun and unique candle with simple ingredients from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Adults will explore how to safely make candles at home. Registration is required. This event will be held in the Spruth Room. lakeblufflibrary.org

JUNE 22

ART EXPLORATION WITH BERNADETTE: GEOMETRIC COLOR ART

WHERE: Glencoe Public Library

Students in grades 1 through 6 can enjoy an afternoon with Bernadette Foch for a unique class featuring oil pastels, Sharpies, chalk, and color diffusing paper. This program will be held in the Hammond Room from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required. glencoelibrary.org

JUNE 22

ANIMAL HOUSE SHELTER CASINO NIGHT

WHERE: 8 Saville Row, Barrington Hills

Support Animal House Shelter and enjoy an evening of gaming, delicious food, drinks, and great company. Starting at 6:30 p.m., guests can try their luck at the poker table, roll the dice at the craps table, play blackjack, or spin the wheel at the roulette table. This fundraiser is for ages 21 and older, has a business casual dress code, and tickets are $150. This event promises to be an evening of glamour, excitement, and compassion in the name of furry friends in need. animalhouseshelter.com

JUNE 22 TO 23

NSAL ART IN THE VILLAGE

WHERE: Hubbard Woods Park

North Shore Art League’s (NSAL) annual juried art show, Art in the Village, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park will serve as a beautiful setting for this summer art show. Artists from across the country will showcase oil paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and more. As an added attraction, NSAL faculty member and portrait artist, Lisa DePinto, will paint quick oil paintings on site. northshoreartleague.org

JUNE 23

MAX’S WAR

WHERE: Northfield Public Library

Local author Libby Fischer Hellmann will discuss her new book, Max’s War. The epic story is about a Ritchie Boy during World War II. It is a tribute to her late father-in-law who was active with the OSS and interrogated dozens of German POWs. This adult program will meet from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Northfield Community Room. Registration is required. wnpld.org

JUNE 23

WINGS NORTH SHORE

LADIES LUNCHEON

WHERE: Westmoreland Country Club

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

JUNE 26

INFERNO FEST

WHERE: Evert Park

Inferno Fest returns from its five-year hiatus from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Spice enthusiasts will partake in activities such as Inferno Fest Eating Contest. Whoever eats the most Pixca “hot taquitos” without calling for a drink can win a $200 gift card. Participants must be 18 or older and there is a $10 fee and waiver form online. Food options will bring a twist to American, Italian, and Mexican dishes, spicy sweets, and cock-

tails. There will be live music from Bob and Shawn Dou of the iPOP Band. If you’re not a fan of the heat, Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market will run in tandem, offering food for everyone. celebratehighwood.org

JUNE 30

HISTORIC GARDEN WALK

WHERE: Wilmette Historical Museum

Explore four stunning Wilmette gardens and learn more about their unique designs and features, as well as the exterior architecture and history of their adjoining homes at the Wilmette Historical Museum’s garden walk, held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are available for $40 for members, $50 for non-members, and $25 for high school and college students. Discounted tickets are available until June 23 and prices will increase by $10 afterwards. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting the museum. Physical tickets are required and must be picked up in person 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. wilmettehistory.org

JULY 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

WHERE: Downtown Highland Park

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

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

JRC's Lakefront Tot Shabbat

CARLY JONES

Summer Getaways... Explore These Midwest Cities

Summer is finally here, school is out and it is time to enjoy longer days, warm nights, and time to recharge and relax. With summer comes family vacations, romantic getaways, and trips to explore. If you are looking to explore cities in your own backyard, here are some great Midwest getaways.

1. Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan. - Known as the Art Coast of Michigan, Saugatuck/Douglas has a thriving art scene and culinary experience with farm to table food. You can also enjoy the many beaches and scenic waterways and experience such highlights as Mount Baldi and the Star of Saugatuck.

2. New Buffalo, Michigan - Known as the Gateway to Michigan, New Buffalo offers a vibrant downtown right next to a beautiful beach and marina. Enjoy visiting the local shops, wineries, breweries, and restaurants, which are just a 90 minute drive from Chicago.

3. Galena Country, Illinois - Historic Galena Country in northwest Illinois offers year round adventure. If you are looking for picturesque views and a place filled with charm, history and natural beauty, this is the place to go. You can enjoy outdoor adventure, visit historic sites, and just relax.

4. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin - Come enjoy long sunny days on the lake and beautiful sunsets. You can go on adventures, like ziplines or hot air balloons or go hiking on the trails. There are also plenty of places to relax with the restaurants, shops, and spas.

If you are driving through Chicago, Winnetka or Saugatuck/Douglas, make sure to stop by our Shops to say hi!

Learn more at carlyjones.evrealestate.com

CARLY JONES • ENGEL & VÖLKERS CHICAGO NORTH SHORE 566 Chestnut Street | 2nd Floor | Winnetka | IL 60093

M +1 312 391 3170

carly.jones@evrealestate.com carlyjones.evrealestate.com

BY SHERRY THOMAS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Time travelers don’t need maps. Intuition inevitably leads them through the portal, in and around those flashes of existing—of lives past, present, and contemporaneous. They intrepidly traverse the zigzagged line between perceived reality and dreams, peeling open parallel dimensions we don’t often see, revealing the multitudes contained both within the universe and themselves.

Multimedia artist Dominica Fisher, who describes herself as a creative explorer of “science fiction, magic, and all things not of this world,” has been contemplating the supernatural and unexplained wonders of life since she was a child. Through meditation, creative writing, and her art, she finds ways to make sense of the nonsensical—unlocking a door to personal discovery.

“Time is so weird. It’s not linear,” says Fisher, who lives in Lincoln Park with her husband, Joe, and their children, 14-year-old Joe and 11-year-old Nevada. “We are jumping through every single moment with a preconceived perception and your past experiences shape that reality.”

Those who have been lucky enough to see Fisher’s photographs and multimedia creations on exhibit at BIÂN in Chicago’s River North

Enough, 2019. Archival Pigment Print. Edition of 3, 60 x 45 inches. Edition of 5, 40 x 30 inches. Edition of 10, 24 x 18 inches.

neighborhood understand the subtle and otherworldly nuances of her work.

One of those pieces, Mak(H)er, is the result of a downtown photo shoot for a client that inspired a series of wildly different images— each representing some aspect of this person’s self-perceived identity.

Fisher says the structure of modern reality is

so rigid that it demands everyone to continually “be” one thing, a nearly impossible request. From this one shoot came a series of photographic works in hazy hues of pale pink, some more in focus than others, that represent a life that is anything but still.

“We got these images of her on her rooftop and then we went inside and I put up a backdrop. The difference between what we ended up shooting inside is dramatic. There is a range of a human being that is immense, and even though we grow up, our want to be all of the things doesn’t go away,” she explains. “To the outside world, I’m an artist, a meditation teacher, and a

you see the moment before consolidation.”

Some of the shots in the Street Painting series capture that moment “right before perfection” where all the elements are sharper. “Because I’ve spread data out, you can see that moment in the in-

ABOVE: Mak(H)er, 2022. Archival Pigment Print. Edition of 3, 48 x 72 inches. Edition of 5, 36 x 54 inches. Edition of 10, 24 x 36 inches

RIGHT: Lacey, 2022. Archival Pigment Print. Edition of 3, 63” x 42” inches. Edition of 5, 42” x 28”. Edition of 10, 24” x 16”. BELOW: Coats of Yellow and Green, 2023. Archival Pigment Print. Edition of 3, 70 x 60 inches. Edition of 5, 56 x 48 inches. Edition of 10, 25 x 21 inches.

mom, in my mind ... I’m a freaking scientist, an engineer, a rockstar, and 1,000 other things.”

Her Street Painting collection is a similar mix of what might appear to be traditional blackand-white photography of an urban scene, but Fisher literally flipped the camera lens for a fresh perspective. Using an inverted lens, Fisher shot the images as she walked south down Michigan Avenue.

“If you think about your eye, it’s convex. When light comes in you see a sharp image because your eye is rounded, and the light is bent into sharp focus behind it. Light is data, so when you flip the lens to concave, the data spreads and

between space,” Fisher observes.

Another one of her favorite recent projects, also on display at BIÂN, is a series of photographs titled Simply

“I made these photographs by slowing the shutter speed,” she explains. “I allowed a lot of time to lapse and, that’s the play of light and being. You get to be 1,000 different little slivers of time at once.”

While Fisher boldly embraces her continuous investigation of multidimensional realms through her creative pursuits, she admits that being ultra-perceptive and keenly aware of life’s layers was harder to contemplate when she was younger.

“I always pause before I say this but, I’ve always had visions ... always had these connections. As a child, I assumed that was a natural occurrence until I realized that it wasn’t ... that’s when you get a reaction of ‘this little girl is crazy,’” she adds. “I tried very hard to shut it down because we have been taught, especially in this Western society, to shut these abilities down.”

Then, in her 20s, Fisher became an actress— finding an outlet for her creativity in Chicago theater. She studied acting at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and even founded her own small, black box theater company called the Sinnerman Ensemble. But ultimately, it was meditation and slowing down that allowed her to truly understand the otherwise unexplainable.

“With meditation, I saw myself jumping into a portal that looked like a puddle beside me,” she says. “I had a backpack on that encased all the information I needed to understand the moment I was jumping into. This is the sliver of time I capture, the jump through the portal.”

In the end, it’s been a gift, one that allows her to create art that invites curiosity and exploration.

“I don’t have a guide who I talk to. It’s just deep knowing, and the conversation is within such an old part of myself ... for all of us, it’s within that part of ourselves who may have lived all of the lifetimes and who has no judgment on any of those lifetimes,” Fisher explains. “And because of that one realization, I started to play with the idea of the photograph.”

The camera, in her hands, functions as a time machine—catching that one moment right before it all coalesces into time, energy, space, and matter.

“It’s a great way for me to understand what’s happening,” she says. “These images are a way for me to dive in and be the explorer instead of being the witness.”

For more information, visit dominicafisher.com. You can also purchase pieces from her exhibit at BIÂN, a private social and wellness club at 600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 001, in Chicago.

Chef Thierry Lefeuvre

EDITED BY DUSTIN O’REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

I've been obsessed with Amor Towles's writing since I devoured Rules of Civility well over a decade ago, only to be flattened with awe over every word in The Gentleman of Moscow. Needless to say, I’m positively giddy about the upcoming series starring Ewan McGregor. I keep my dogeared copy on my nightstand and I’ve been pulling it out recently to read a paragraph or two to refresh my memory before binging the series. I always have the latest Town & Country, New Yorker, and sections of the Sunday The New York Times that I didn’t get to over the weekend.

RENEE ZIPPRICH gets incredibly antsy unless she is wearing multiple hats—juggling her day job as General Counsel for a mid-sized consulting firm, her boutique floral design firm (the “passion project”), membership on the WINGS North Shore Leadership Counsel, her new appointment on the board of Friends of Prentice, and her first and foremost job as the quintessential soccer mom hopping planes every weekend to watch her two kids play. She prefers to do all of these things (sometimes even on the soccer pitch) in a smart tweed day-toevening frock, and always with a strand of pearls around her neck. She is beyond excited to be co-chairing the WINGS 3rd Annual Ladies Luncheon for the second year in a row on Sunday, June 23. For more information about the WINGS luncheon, visit wingsprogram.com.

#ON MY MOBILE

I’ve been doing a crossword puzzle (or two) every single morning since I was a freshman at the University of Michigan, where I couldn’t start my day without a giant cup of coffee and the Michigan Daily. I’ve had The New York Times Crossword app on my phone for a decade and the first thing I do when I wake up, before coffee or letting out the dogs, is The New York Times Mini. I shoot to get it in under a minute, but if I happen to get it in exactly 1:00 minute, well then it’s going to be a lucky day! Nowadays I follow that up with Connections, Wordle, and Strands (which isn’t my strong suit). I started listening to Dax Shepard and Armchair Expert during the onset of COVID, and now faithfully listen to Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, and of course Smartless

#IN MY EARBUDS

I'm the youngest of three and the only girl, so I grew up listening to what my older brothers were listening to: lots of Michael Jackson, Prince, Run DMC ... and then made my way to the Violent Femmes, The B-52s (I am so dating myself), then on to college where you would find me studying to Sinead O'Connor, The Sundays, 10,000 Maniacs, and the Indigo Girls. All that being said, I am a creature of habit and memories, so I still listen to all of the above and all of the time. One of my besties loves to give me a hard time about it and is constantly sending me new artists to sample but I always cheat back to my nostalgic jams.

Milena Birov 847.962.1200 MILENA@ATPROPERTIES.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Affordable Luxury Pre-Owned Vehicles

At Gravity Autos Chicago, luxury means feeling like royalty every time you hit the road, no matter what your budget or lifestyle is. We’ve made it our mission to offer the finest pre-owned vehicles available to you for an affordable price. We are open late on weekends and workdays for both sales & service. Even after the sale, we take care of you with First Class Service. What are you waiting for?

2020 Land Rover Range Rover HSE

Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum

Porsche Cayenne Turbo

FORGOTTEN NO MORE

The documentary 999: The Forgotten Girls of the Holocaust tells the story of young Jewish women sent to Auschwitz during the Holocaust.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

The story starts on March 25, 1942, when 999 unmarried, Jewish women boarded a train in Slovakia. It was meant to be a moment of joy as the women believed they were going to work in a shoe factory in Germany, taking jobs that would help support their families back home.

Uhlman says the fact that some women survived, including one who is now more than 100 years old, and are able to talk about what happened gives the film special meaning.

“What is interesting is that many of the women knew each other, and I wonder if that led to their resiliency. They are together in this strange place, and you wonder if they supported each other,” Uhlman says. “There were sisters who went ... multiple members from the same family where some survived and some didn’t.”

Sign up for a one-of-a-kind summer camp teaching entrepreneurship, design thinking, and collegereadiness skills!

Our camp helps girls believe:

• in the value of their ideas

girlgonnalaunch.org

• that curiosity & risk-taking are positive

• that collaboration with others is fun

• it’s better to make mistakes than not to try at all

Led by a Silicon Valley native and college entrepreneurship instructor, our two-week camp builds college readiness skills and teaches girls real-world startup skills in a supportive, failure- resilient environment! To learn more visit our website.

The ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Summer Camp is offered at Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest.

What they did not know was that the Nazis and their own government was about to deceive them in one of the many despicable, horrific moments of the Holocaust.

Instead of going off to work, these young women were being shipped to Auschwitz— the first women to arrive at the concentration camp where more than 1.1 million men, women, and children lost their lives.

Though only five survived, they displayed a remarkable resiliency. For decades, their story was not widely known or recorded in Holocaust history.

Until now.

The trials and triumphs of these young women were first captured in the best-selling book, 999-The Extraordinary Women of the First Official Jewish Transport to Auschwitz, written by Heather June Macadam, and are now the subject of a new feature documentary—999: The Forgotten Girls of the Holocaust, produced by Macadam. The film will be screened as part of the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center on June 23.

Macadam has spent more than a decade interviewing survivors of the Holocaust, including five of the 999 young women who escaped their harrowing experience at Auschwitz.

The film explores difficult questions: Why women? And why were they chosen?

“As director of the film festival I watch about 250 films a year and she has done a great job with this film,” says Ilene Uhlman, who also serves as Director of Community Engagement for JCC Chicago. “I didn’t know the first official transport to Auschwitz was women, and they were duped, but they signed on thinking they were helping their families.”

Until a few years ago, women’s Holocaust stories weren’t often highlighted. There could be a variety of reasons for that omission, including details of what some women needed to do to survive. But Uhlman says it could also because women were so focused on rebuilding their lives and families after the Holocaust.

“They were busy ... raising children and supporting their families. I think maybe they just wanted to forget,” Uhlman says. “It’s really interesting that we’re hearing these stories now so many years later. My in-laws were survivors and they never talked about it with their kids, never talked about the experience. But they’ll talk about it with their grandchildren.”

The Holocaust Museum has focused strongly on educating younger generations about the Holocaust since it was founded, and Uhlman says those types of educational efforts are having an impact on third and fourth generations of Holocaust survivors who are willing to tell their grandparents’ stories.

The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival runs from June 1 to June 21 and, in addition to the 999 documentary, features 22 other films of all genres and for all ages. Along with the Illinois Holocaust Museum, films will be screened at Wayfarer Theaters in Highland Park, Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago.

“We have really tried to make the films accessible as we can, and we’re pleased the screening of the 999 documentary will cap the festival,” adds Uhlman.

To see the lineup of films at this year’s JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival, visit jccfilmfest. jccchicago.org.

RASPBERRY BLACKBERRY LATTICE-CRUST PIE

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

My husband, Todd, loves tart berries. Blackberries and raspberries picked in the wild are his favorite and store-bought the rest of the year. On yogurt, cereal, or simply by the handful, the berries brighten his every day. But with Todd traveling and a berry surplus on my hands, I decided to make this pie for his homecoming. Not too sweet, bursting with flavor and cradled in a flaky butter crust, this pie is (dare I say it?) berry, berry good.

It’s OK to vary the ratio—using more of one berry or the other is fine. To round out the filling, you’ll just add lemon, sugar, a pinch of salt, and a thickener to help the juices set up. Cornstarch is most peoples’ go-to for the thickener, but I like tapioca starch which is made from the cassava root and gives the filling a translucent sheen, compared with corn starch which has a cloudier finish.

To showcase the lovely filling, do try to make a butter crust from scratch. The flavor and texture are so much better than store bought. My method—rolling the chilled dough between sheets of plastic wrap, unsticks things. You can vary the lattice top to your liking, leaving more, or less space between the weave. And, if you’d like a little more help, visit King Arthur Baking’s lattice-top guide at kingarthurbaking.com/ blog/2021/07/01/how-to-make-a-lattice-pie-crust.

1, 9-INCH DOUBLE CRUST PIE INGREDIENTS

FOR THE FILLING

• 6 cup mixture of raspberries and blackberries rinsed and dried, leaves discarded

• 10 Tbsp tapioca starch OR 5 Tbsp corn starch

• 2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar

• Zest and juice from one fresh lemon

• ¼ tsp salt

FOR THE DOUBLE CRUST

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 sticks (1 cup) very cold butter

• 4 to 5 Tbsp ice-cold milk or cream (OR evaporated milk)

FOR THE EGGWASH AND SUGAR SPRINKLE

• 1 large egg beaten with 2 tsp milk

• 1 tsp turbinado sugar

METHOD

MAKE PIE CRUSTS Place flour, salt, and sugar into a sifter; sift into a large, wide bowl. Cut butter into small pieces over flour. Using two knives, your fingertips, or a pastry cutter, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles wet sand with some pea-sized bits of butter still in it. Stir milk (or cream) into the flour mixture one tablespoon at a time until the dough clumps. Spread clean work surface with two pieces of overlapping plastic wrap to make a large square. Scoop dough onto the plastic wrap. Pulling the corners of the plastic wrap square up and around the dough, gently squeeze and gather the dough into a ball. Divide ball in half. Flatten each ball into a disk and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.

PREPARE FILLING While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Place the rinsed/dried/picked over berries in a large bowl. Add tapioca starch, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Gently stir, being careful not to crush the berries. Set aside.

ASSEMBLE PIE Set oven rack to lowest position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place two overlapping sheets of plastic wrap on clean work surface. Remove one of the dough disks from fridge and

center on the wrap. Cover dough disk with another two sheets of plastic and roll out dough between the plastic into 10-inch circle. Remove top sheets of plastic. Flip dough disk over a 9-inch pie dish. Remove remaining plastic. Ease dough into dish, leaving a 1-inch dough overhang. Place pie dish in fridge. Make another large square of plastic wrap on work surface. Roll out second disk of dough. Using a pie-wheel or sharp knife, cut dough circle into long strips about 1-inch wide. Remove pie dish from fridge. Fill dough with berry mixture. Loosely drape half of the lattice strips over the filling, top to bottom. Going the other direction, weave remaining half of the strips over and under the placed strips to make a lattice top. Fold bottom dough edge over the lattice crust edge. Roll and crimp to make a decorative rim all around. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

BAKE PIE Bake pie in lower 1/4 of oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour until the filling is bubbling thickly up through the lattice. If the top of the pie begins to brown too quickly, tent with foil. Remove pie from oven. Rest to cool a bit on a rack. Slice and serve on its own, or with a slosh of heavy cream or iced cream.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS

UNVEILING RAVINIA BRIDAL

After a five-year retirement, Highland Park native Bonnie Wegner said ‘Yes!’ to the opportunity to work again as owner of a personalized bridal boutique. Ravinia Bridal opened in April.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

As owner of the nascent Ravinia Bridal—a curated sample boutique in the Ravinia district of Highland Park—nothing thrills Highland Park native Bonnie Wegner more than guiding a future bride to the dream gown.

But Wegner knows there’s a bigger picture, so she zooms out with a warm reminder for each client.

“I tell them, ‘The dress is not the most important part of your wedding day; every day after is,’” says the 60-year-old Wegner, who opened Ravinia Bridal in early April. “I got married on a mid-December day. I wore a short dress; nothing fancy. I didn’t have the wedding dress of my dreams, but I had the marriage of my dreams.”

Bonnie, a 1982 Highland Park High School graduate, married Kevin, a Carl Sandburg High School graduate, 37 years ago. A former General Motors executive in the finance department and assistant superintendent for an Illinois school district, Kevin passed away five years ago after a nearly 10year battle with cancer. The couple had opened The Bridal Boutique of Naperville in 2006, and, beginning in 2015, collaborated with their daughter Alexa to open and run Mount Pleasant Bridal in a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina.

The former shop was sold in 2019; the latter ceased operations in 2020, the same year in which Wegner moved back to Highland Park. Both stores had similar strong points—personalized attention, excellent service, and great gowns at great prices.

After five years of retirement, Wegner got the itch to return to the bridal wear field this past January, when she accompanied a friend who was looking for a mother-of-the-bride dress.

“I saw sample gowns—that got me thinking,” Wegner recalls. “Soon after that, I got my nails done at Anuk Nails in the Ravinia district and saw this place (at 729 St. Johns Avenue) was up for rent. And I live right around the corner from it, in what used to be

Shelton’s Diner. I grew up in Highland Park, had a great childhood, and the Ravinia district means so much to me; I adore it.

“I want people to come to my bridal store in the Ra vinia business district and then stick around to visit other wonderful businesses here.”

Ravinia Bridal became Wegner’s opportunity to extend her calling in her cherished home town.

Ravinia Bridal’s gowns are offered at reduced prices and available off-the-rack. Many bridal stores allow customers to try

Bonnie Wegner

Designers change frequently.

“I run Ravinia Bridal like a boutique,” Wegner says. “We take one bride and her entourage at a time. Our samples here were never worn, only tried on. An appointment lasts 90 minutes with a knowledgeable associate who will help a woman find her dream gown with ease.”

Bonnie Wegner’s wedding band has been replaced by a permanent “K” (for Kevin) tattoo. She also wears a necklace bearing a striking pendant of Kevin’s signature.

“We were both 22 when we got married,

Years before I got into the bridal boutique industry, I was in love with bridal wear. I was a bridal junkie.

on sample gowns and order them to size for delivery between four and eight months. Ravinia Bridal works with various stores in the Chicagoland area to sell those sample gowns off-the-rack so a future bride can take it home that day. Ravinia Bridal curates each dress and makes suggestions on how to customize it. It also connects clients to various seamstresses to create a bride-to-be’s vision.

Ravinia Bridal has made available bridal wear created by many designers, including Allure, Essence of Australia, Demetrios, Madi Lane, Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, Calla Blanche, Enzoani, Willowby, and Mori Lee.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

and we both wanted to be a 1950s married couple living in the 1980s,” says a grinning Wegner, whose other three children with Kevin, in addition to Alexa, are Mallory, Becky—a wedding planner who owns Chicago-based Simplicitee—and Tad. “We’d have to move every three years or so because of my husband’s job with GM. We were like an Army family.”

Tad was 10 when Bonnie Wegner, a selfdescribed “serious housewife,” became Bonnie Wegner, the serious and successful entrepreneur, in Naperville, where the family lived for 15 years. Alexa watched her mother thrive at

DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

The Bridal Boutique of Naperville and told her one day, “I want to do what you do.”

“I absolutely loved being a housewife,” Bonnie says. “I’d set the table for dinner at 10 a.m. Meatloaf at our home was ‘meatlove.’ Years before I got into the bridal boutique industry, I was in love with bridal wear. I was a bridal junkie. I’d often to say to friends and acquaintances, ‘Show me your wedding video and show me your wedding book.’”

Four years after opening of The Bridal Boutique of Naperville, Wegner was grocery shopping on a Wednesday when she received a phone call from a customer who told her a fire at a bridal shop had consumed her friend’s wedding dress. The wedding date was two days away.

“I told them to meet me at my shop that day,” Wegner recounts. “The bride-to-be found a gown she loved. I then called a fabulous seamstress, Mary Burlingame, who worked through the next night. The dress was delivered in time on the day of the wedding.”

Wegner was a hairdresser for 18 months in her 20s, after studying interior design at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and returning home to attend the Ippolito School of Cosmetology in 1984. Before then, from the age of 16 to the age of 20, she served in a number of capacities as a saleswoman at Gsell Pharmacy in Highland Park.

“I wasn’t feeling it,” Wegner says of her pursuit of a degree at NIU. “And I didn’t like being a hairdresser because I wasn’t excelling.”

Today, she’s shining and exactly where she belongs.

“It’s an exciting time in my life,” Wegner says. “I love what I do and where I live. My four grandchildren all call me ‘Duchess,’ and a couple of years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life when I joined the committee that organized my 40th high school reunion.

“I made so many friends during that time, friends who would support me and cheer for me as I prepared to open Ravinia Bridal.”

Bridal Ravinia is located at 729 St. Johns Avenue in Highland Park. For more information and to book an appointment, visit raviniabridal. com or call 847-204-4093.

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

Jennifer Sturgeon ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Gaven Conatser ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean, Monica Kass Rogers

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Monica Kass Rogers, Katrina Wittkamp PHOTOGRAPHY

TheNSWeekend @ TheNSWeekend

900 S Ridge Road, Lake Forest

1049 Jensen Drive, Lake Forest

4+1 Bedrooms | 4 Full and 1 Half Baths | $1,995,000

3 S Green Bay Road, Lake Forest

passion for historic homes that exude character with ne features woven throughout and architectural details that can’t be replicated today. Enjoy the stunning 3 acre estate and sparkling pool with mid-century Frazier designed pool house that includes 2 changing rooms and baths and entertaining space with kitchenette.

5 Bedrooms | 9 Full and 1 Half Baths | $2,799,000

170 Philip Court, Lake Bluff

Introducing a truly one-of-a-kind gem nestled within the heart of Tangley Oaks. From the moment you step inside you’ll be captivated by its distinctive design and thoughtful touches that set it apart from the rest. Brand new roof and skylights.

4+1 Bedrooms | 5 Full and 1 Half Baths | $1,295,000