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NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
NOW THROUGH JUNE 20
“AN OPPORTUNE TIME”
This Quiet Dust Ceramics, a ceramics atelier in Lake Forest, hosts its “An Opportune Time” exhibition of paintings by emerging artist Alexandra Barosso at Irma Lee Court. An opening night reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Barosso's work will be featured along with Dubhe Carreño's collection of contemporary functional ceramics.
thisquietdustceramics.com
JUNE 7 TO 22
ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
The Joffrey Ballet closes its 69th season with twotime Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s enchanting and family-friendly production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This show displays beautiful choreography, masterful puppetry, and vibrant stagecraft. joffrey.org
JUNE 7
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY GALA
The Winnetka Historical Society will celebrate community and the incredible life of Jim Hansen. The Celebrating Community Gala will go from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the historic Community House. winnetkahistory.org
NOW THROUGH JUNE 30
MATTHEW SCHAEFER
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. enjoy the opening of Matthew Schaefer’s show at Open Studio Project in Evanston. The exhibit runs now through June 30. openstudioproject.org
JUNE 8
SCULPTURE SCROLL
Join Deer Path Art League at Market Square from noon to 4 p.m. to admire stunning sculptures. Take a leisurely stroll through Lake Forest and immerse yourself in the beauty of these unique artworks. deerpathartleague.org
JUNE 8
ALUMNI CABARET
Enjoy a night of songs, support, and stories featuring alumni of Wilmette’s Actors Training Center, starting at 6:30 p.m. Celebrate talented alumni including Nathan Salstone. actorstrainingcenter.org
JUNE 10 TO AUGUST 26
SUNSET YOGA
From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s Mellody Farm Nature Preserve while relaxing into a gentle, restorative yoga session that will incorporate breathwork and mindfulness. All abilities welcome! lfola.org
JUNE 12
FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS
Food Truck Thursdays return to Highland Park’s Ravinia District from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. More than a dozen food trucks will service food accompanied by live music and a familyfriendly atmosphere. There will be three themed nights on June 12, July 10, and August 14. cityhpil.com
JUNE 12
SIT & KNIT
Spend the afternoon with fellow knitters in the Community Room at Northfield Public Library. From 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. adults of all experience levels of are welcome. Basic supplies will be provided and library staff will be present to assist. Registration is required. wnpld.org
JUNE 12 TO 14
CHILDREN’S BOOK SALE
Browse and purchase a wide selection of gently used bargain-priced children's books just in time for the Lake Forest Library's Summer Reading program and your vacations and staycations. The Book Sale is hosted by The Friends of Lake Forest Library. lakeforestlibrary.org
JUNE 14
WOW SWIM
The 7th annual Wilmette Open Water (WOW) Swim will begin at 7 a.m. at Gillson Park Beach. Registration for the one-mile, open water Lake Michigan swim race includes an official WOW swim beach towel, swim cap, and total bragging rights. All proceeds benefit the Ouilmette Foundation, Gilson Park, ALS Research, and Wilmette Park District Scholarship Fund. ouilmettefoundation.org
JUNE 14 TO 15
IKEBANA
INTERNATIONAL SHOW
From 10 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m., the Ikebana International Chicago Chapter will provide educational opportunities to learn about the mechanics and techniques of Ikebana. This event will take place in Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall. chicagobotanic.org
JUNE 14 TO 15
SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
Artists on the Bluff will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lake Bluff Village Green. More than 20 curated local and regional artists will participate in a show that features watercolor and acrylic paintings, pencil drawings, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, photography and more. Admission is free. artistsonthebluff.org
JUNE 18
AUTHOR SASH BISCHOFF
At 7 p.m., author Sash Bischoff will join Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Center
Executive Director Carol Summerfield for an interview about her debut novel Sweet Fury—a twisty, thought-provoking novel of construction and deconstruction in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and told through the lens of the film industry. The event is free but a $10 donation is encouraged. Registration is required. lflbhistory.org
JUNE 19
IN-STORE DISCUSSION WITH LANEY KATZ
Join author Laney Katz at The Book Stall in Winnetka from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss her new book In the Family Way. Registration is required. thebookstall.com
JUNE 20 TO 21
TASTE OF HIGHLAND PARK
Taste of Highland Park returns to the downtown area June 20 to 21. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can sample dishes from more than a dozen Highland Park food and beverage vendors and enjoy live music from hip-hop tribute band Too Hype Crew on Friday and Queen tribute band Queenflash on Saturday. cityhpil.com
JUNE 21
AUTO SHOW
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., see classic cars and beautifully vintage vehicles at Lake Bluff History Museum’s annual family-friendly auto show. Free parking is available for guests at the Lake Bluff train station. lakebluffhistory.org
JUNE 21 TO 22
ART IN THE VILLAGE SHOW
Celebrate 100 years of art in the community at Hubbard Woods from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art will be featured from 70 artists’ booths across the country. Enjoy a raffle and silent auction. northshoreartleague.org
JUNE 24
ART JOURNALING
Enjoy a morning of journaling, coffee, and camaraderie at Northfield Library. From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., adults can create free form, mixed media entries. Registration is required. wnpld.org
JUNE 25
INFERNO FEST
Celebrate Highwood proudly presents its annual Inferno Fest at Everts Park from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Enjoy an array of the spiciest and hottest foods and beverages for fearless food enthusiasts.
celebratehighwood.org
JUNE 29
BUILDING WALK
The Fort Sheridan Historical Society (FSHS) will host an encore Building Walk. Walking tours are planned for 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. This docent-led tour will highlight the Captains
Quarters, Lieutenants Quarters, the Guardhouse, Theater, and the iconic Water Tower. Tour will be offered rain or shine. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for FSHS members. fortsheridanhistoricalsociety.org
JULY 13
GALA OPENING CONCERT: MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Music Institute of Chicago Piano Duo in Residence Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem kick off the institute’s Gala Opening Concert at 3 p.m. at Nichols Hall with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and works by Schubert, Tchaikovsky, and Eric Ewazen. musicinst.org
JULY 25 TO 27 SUPERBLOOM
The Seldoms present a weekend of dance, live music, animation, and costume and lighting design at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Watch five dancers in a multimedia performance about radical beauty, wildness, and wildflowers. chicagobotanic.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Art in the Village Show
CAHILL COMFORT
Weather and regulatory changes mean homeowners need to be informed of their air conditioning options.
Brandon Delfino and Paul Dale know their stuff. The operators of Cahill Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Lake Bluff—a company that has been serving homeowners and businesses on the North Shore for more than 50 years—not only provide excellent HVAC maintenance and installation services, but they also keep abreast of the trends and issues that impact homeowners.
MAINTENANCE IS KEY
First, though, a few reminders. The most important thing for homeowners to remember is to have a technician come in on an annual basis and inspect their air conditioner and recommend any repairs that are needed to keep the unit operating smoothly.
For Cahill customers, this means a thorough cleaning and inspection of the unit, including coils and elements; checking connections, motor operations, and thermostat functionality; monitoring refrigerant pressure, testing safety controls, checking the power motor and, importantly, condensation drains. Cahill technicians will provide an estimate for repairs, if needed, and a schedule
to get the repairs completed.
Because of the Midwest changes in seasons, which can sometimes be uncomfortably abrupt, the earlier maintenance is conducted the better. As we move into spring and summer companies like Cahill get busy, meaning longer waits and, as Dale says, chances of problems occurring.
“I would say that's probably one of the biggest misconceptions is people saying, ‘I'll just wait’,” Dale says. “I've had people tell me they don't turn their air conditioners on until the last minute, so they don’t get it checked until then. It’s better to get it knocked out, so they’re worry free for the rest of the season.”
MAJOR REGULATORY CHANGES THIS YEAR
In May 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that as of January 1, 2025, new air conditioners must be designed to use refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP).
Dale and Delfino and the team at Cahill Heating & Cooling closely followed developments related to the change and the com-
pany’s technicians have undergone training on the new systems, which use a flammable refrigerant.
“The change is all driven by environmental concerns. The legacy refrigerants that are being used are ozone depleting and contribute to global warming,” Dale says. “By using the new refrigerant, they are aiming to lower the effects on climate change.”
The good news is there are incentives in place to the tune of up to $3,400, limiting the financial hit for homeowners, including federal tax credits and rebates for ComEd customers in Illinois. Homeowners whose units may be aging should think strongly about upgrading while the incentives are still available.
Given the investment, deciding on major repairs or to replace an air conditioner is one of the more daunting decisions homeowners need to make. First and foremost, Cahill offers a $99 annual maintenance visit which will keep an AC humming and extend its operational life.
The company also offers free estimates to replace systems, and manufacturers are
providing desirable financing options—no interest and no payments for 12 months, or longer-term loans as low as $49 a month.
“It’s easy to forget what goes into heating or cooling your home when you’re sitting comfortably on your couch in the dead of summer or winter,” Dale says. “Homeowners need to remain aware of their repair or replacement options.”
Cahill Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is located at 28983 Herkey Drive in Lake Bluff, 847-250-1507, callcahill.com.
The L iving Room
A free, inviting space for suppor t
Talk to someone who’s been there. Talk to a peer. The Living Room welcomes anyone age 18+ who is experiencing a mental health crisis to receive support in a safe, nonjudgmental space.
Open ever y day 7 am – 12 am 1779 Maple Avenue, Northfield, IL 60093 Mental health for all.
BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER
“It really wasn’t until I went away and was swimming for my college team that I realized the impact that GLASA had on my life,” says Lake Forest High School graduate Julia Tanna. “Their motto is ‘Let no one sit on the sidelines.’ That doesn’t even begin to encapsulate all they are to their athletes.”
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) provides adaptive sports to youth, adults, and injured military who have a physical or visual disability from ages 3 to 75+. GLASA supports athletes with primary physical or visual disabilities, such as amputation, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, stroke, visual impairment, and more.
Founded by Cindy Housner with just three athletes nearly 30 years ago, GLASA now boasts of more than 1,000 athletes competing in their programs. Part of GLASA’s mission is that no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay, and no prior experience is needed to join GLASA’s recreational or competitive programs. With 20+
adaptive sports offered—with even some virtual options available—there is something for everyone.
“I’m not exactly sure why I gravitated towards adaptive sports early in my career,” says Housner, who recently stepped down as executive director of the organization to devote her full attention to GLASA’s programming. Beth DeRosier is GLASA’s new executive director. “I saw what it meant
to someone with a disability to be able to compete in a sport, to play on a team. That type of experience and all that comes with it can change a life.”
Tanna appreciated these advantages firsthand.
“I loved that I had the opportunity to compete as a swimmer at the college level,” she says, after swimming for four years at Lake Forest High School under Coach Carolyn Grevers, “but I was the only one on
my college team with a physical disability. That was hard because even though my coach and teammates meant well, they weren’t really sure how to handle me. With GLASA, they always knew the right thing to say or do. The coaches were incredible. I was competing with people like me. And today, even though I’m no longer participating in competitions, GLASA continues to be my greatest network for mentoring, advice, and any support I might need.”
In addition to offering programming and coaching, GLASA sources gear for athletes, too. When Tanna first participated in a GLASA favorite, the Twilight 5k, she didn’t have a handcycle she could race in.
“GLASA found me one,” she says.
“I didn’t even know that was a possibility. It was amazing because it let me to race alongside my mom.”
From June 11 to 16, GLASA—in partnership with The Hartford—will bring hundreds of athletes together for its annual Great Lakes Games, a multi-day event that provides a continuum of competition for the developmental and elite Paralympic athletes alike. The competitions take place at both Lake Forest High School and Loyola Academy, and more than 300 volunteers are required to manage the event. Housner
encourages fans from near and far to come to any or all of the events and cheer on the NO ONE SITS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
High Jumper Cameron Davis PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCOTT PAULUS AND SARAH BOEKE
GLASA athlete
Julia Tanna and McKenzie Strong
athletes.
“The Great Lakes Games are my favorite time of year,” Tanna says. “I like to volunteer at packet pickup because I see my friends, meet some of GLASA’s new athletes, and get to talk to some of the people who are competing in these games at the highest level. I always love to help with the swim events. It’s always so special for me to see
the whole basement of my high school filled with GLASA’s athletes. I also love that the Games are an event that my whole family can be a part of in some way. My parents, brother, and sisters have always volunteered. They still do, even though I’m not competing anymore. Once you’re a part of the GLASA family, you are always part of the GLASA family.”
Housner believes so passionately in the self-esteem, character, and confidence that can come from participating in sports, that if she’s out and about and sees someone who might make for a GLASA athlete, she introduces herself and makes a pitch for GLASA.
“Even though we’re fortunate today to have many athletes find their way to us, I still meet people who haven’t heard of GLASA or our mission,” she says. “After all of these years, it still fills me up to share our story and let someone know what they can be a part of. Some of our athletes are hoping to compete at the Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028. I always tell every athlete I meet, you just don’t know where those dreams can take you.”
To learn more about GLASA or how you might become involved as a volunteer, visit glasa.org.
Wheelchair Racer Will Sawyer
GLASA athletes at the 2024 Great Lakes Games.
Track and field athlete Lily Rosenthal.
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
4 PARTNERS, 4 MEDALS
New Trier Township High School’s Chris Ackerman caps remarkable boys’ tennis career by earning his fourth state medal with a different doubles partner.
New Trier Township High School (New Trier) freshman Jayden Dussias now has something in common with Jovan Morales, Stan Okesson, and Caden Liu. Each played doubles alongside Chris Ackerman and
earned a boys’ tennis state medal. Dussias’ is gold, as is Morales’.
“That says Chris can play doubles with anyone,” said New Trier coach Tad Eckert.
And play it quite well. Ackerman/Dussias, seeded second at the Class 2A state meet last weekend, defeated top-seeded Nicholas Marringa/Kyle McCain of Hinsdale Central High School (HCHS) 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the championship match at Palatine High School (PHS) on May 31.
Ackerman/Morales topped the state doubles field last spring. As a sophomore, Ackerman teamed up with Okesson for a runner-up state finish a year after placing fifth at state in doubles with Liu.
“Chris is one of the most decorated tennis players in state history,” said Eckert, a New Trier graduate who won the state singles title in 1989 and took third in singles at the 1990 state meet.
Eckert paired Ackerman with 10 partners this spring. That’s not a normal number; most doubles players compete alongside no more
than three partners in a season. But each of Ackerman’s mates in 2025 no doubt benefitted from the experience.
Ackerman/Dussias played only 12 doubles matches together but won all of them.
“I felt sorry for anyone who had to attempt to return Chris’ serve,” Eckert said of the Wake Forest University-bound Finance major. “First of all, he’s a lefty—nobody enjoys facing lefty servers. And his serves are nasty. He’s got power and variety as a server, but Chris is good at everything else, too.”
Ackerman/Dussias had their ‘A’ doubles game going in six matches last weekend, and they needed it, especially in their last three matches.
“Winning a doubles match at this level usually comes down to holding serve and winning critical points in sets,” said Ackerman, who lauded Dussias for meeting the moments and playing well beyond his age at the three-day tourney.
The HCHS pair of Red Devils, who finished with a 17-1 record, noted they probably
RIVALRY REMATCH
New Trier Township High School’s boys’ lacrosse team edges Loyola Academy for the second time this spring, the latest coming in a sectional championship game.
Ben Sullivan could had every right display more unbridled enthusiasm after a big win last week.
After all, the New Trier Township High School (New Trier) freshman middie had scored the final goal of the Trevians’ 6-4 home defeat of rival Loyola Academy (LA) in a boys’ lacrosse sectional championship game in Northfield.
Sullivan opted for a measured reaction instead on May 30. “The job is not finished,” he said.
He was right. Seven other teams remained alive in the postseason.
The sectional matchup between first-seeded New Trier and second-seeded LA before a pair of engaged fan bases was intense and tight throughout.
Trademark New Trier-LA in other words.
New Trier nipped host LA 11-10 in the teams’ regular season meeting in Wilmette on April 25.
“It means everything,” Sullivan said of the win, which snapped LA’s four-game postseason winning streak vs. New Trier.
Trevians senior attackman Hans Huber scored the game-winning goal—his third tally of the contest to go with an assist—at the 5:58 mark of the fourth quarter.
“I wasn’t thinking about going to the cage,” recalled Huber. “That changed when a defender overplayed me. I rolled and took a shot toward the far pipe. After it went in I felt pure adrenaline.”
Junior middie Walker Cheesen and sophomore middie Jake Carrasquillo tallied New Trier’s other goals. Senior attack Shea Kreisa and senior long stick middie Finn Degroot each provided an assist.
Junior attack James Farrell paced the Ramblers’ offense, scoring the visitors’ second and third goals in the first half. LA sophomore attack Alex Mancini opened the night’s scoring with an unassisted goal at 10:40 of the first quarter.
LA led 2-1 after one quarter and 3-2 at intermission.
“We didn’t finish when we had opportunities to go up by two goals,” said LA coach Rob Snyder.
Ramblers senior middie Tommy Ghislandi whipped a sizzling shot past New Trier standout goalkeeper Graham Stuart (seven saves) with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter, tying it at 4.
Huber and Sullivan accounted for the rest of the scoring from there.
LA senior goalie Aiden Hughes stopped eight shots, and sophomore middies Mick Rushin and Griffin Oiler each delivered an assist.
New Trier improved to 17-5; LA finished with an 11-8 record.
“Our guys persevered this season,” said Snyder. “And they had to put up with me on a daily basis. I’m really proud of the season we had. Nobody gave us a chance because we were extremely young and going through a huge rebuild.”
The Trevians’ defensive effort, as well as junior Aaron Pressman’s faceoff abilities, thrilled New Trier coach Adam Dickson.
“That’s a very good offense we faced today,” Dickson said.
New Trier was scheduled to face Glenbard
would have claimed the state title had they won four key points.
“I’d agree with that,” Dussias said.
The Trevians’ other state entrant, Casey Fenner/Brennan Plunkett, won a first-round doubles match and three back-draw matches.
New Trier placed fourth with 19 points, missing a top-three team trophy by only three points.
“BARRY” GOOD: Loyola Academy junior PJ Barry, seeded 9-16, reached the quarterfinal round in singles at last weekend’s Class 2A boys’ tennis state meet with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of 5-8 seed Will Delach of Barrington High School in a third-round match on May 29.
The Rambler then won the first set against top-seeded and eventual state champion Matthew Sikorski of John Hersey High School in a final-eight match held at PHS on May 30. Sikorski, a sophomore, sent Barry to the back draw with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Barry’s fine season ended when he lost 3-6, 6-4 (10-1 super tie-breaker) to HCHS junior Barry Zhu in a consolation quarterfinal.
West High School for the Hoffman Estates High School Supersectional title on June 3, with the winner advancing to a state semifinal.
MATCH GAME: New Trier’s girls’ lacrosse team also reached the Elite Eight in the state playoffs last weekend, downing host Lake Forest High School (LFHS) 8-6 in a sectional final on May 30. LFHS placed fourth at last year’s state tournament.
Coach Pete Collins’ New Trier squad was scheduled to take on Barrington High School at the Stevenson High School Supersectional on June 3.
Chris Ackerman and Jayden Dussias
New Trier Township High School goalkeeper Graham Stuart prepares to save a shot from Loyola Academy's Griffin Oiler in a boys' lacrosse sectional final on May 30.
SPRING BACK
The North Shore Weekend sports writer Bill McLean recalls memorable moments involving athletes and coaches during the spring season.
I laughed, I was left in awe, and I felt the pain of others at all kinds of sports venues in March, April, and May. What follows is Part 1 of some springtime recollections and thoughts from a writer who will always be grateful for getting to watch coaches coach and athletes compete hard and seek joy through sports.
Highland Park High School (HPHS) girls’ soccer coach Kate Straka and North Shore Country Day (NSCD) girls’ soccer coach Rebekah Kauffman served as goalkeepers at William Fremd High School and Stevenson High School respectively. The two squared off as coaches at NSCD in Winnetka on May 2. I was hoping for a scoreless tie. HPHS won 6-2.
Good guys Andrew Harris and Nick Schweitzer of Lake Forest High School’s boys tennis team just missed qualifying for the state tournament for the second year in a row at the Deerfield High School (DHS) Sectional last month. The pair of Scouts lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to a pair of DHS Warriors in a doubles quarterfinal.
“I need a nap.” — New Trier Township High School girls’ soccer coach side, after mounting a chair to fix a goal net before the start of a home playoff match last month.
New Trier Township High School senior tennis player Chris Ackerman probably accomplished a first at last weekend’s boys’ tennis state tournament by earn ing a fourth state doubles medal (top six) with a different partner (see Sports story in this week’s is sue). Ackerman and freshman Jayden Dussias captured the state doubles champi onship at Palatine High School on May 31. I can’t think of a more exciting girls’ soc cer player to watch than New Trier Town ship High School sophomore midfielder Addy Randall. See her dribble, see her dazzle, see her score. Randall helped the Trevians win the Class 3A state champion ship in 2024.
Lake Forest Academy senior track and field athlete Kate Delia went 4-for-4 at last month’s Independent School League championships on the home oval, winning the 800-, 400- and 200-meter events and anchoring the Caxys’ victorious 1600-meter relay. The meet doubled as her final prep meet.
New Trier Township High School’s girls’ soccer team produced a 38-game unbeaten streak (35-0-3) from April 12, 2024-May 1, 2025. Trevians sophomore Annie Fowler protected the nets for most of those minutes.
Lake Forest High School (LFHS) senior middie and University of Virginiabound Megan Rocklein played her final girls’ lacrosse game for the Scouts on May 30. She’ll be missed—by teammates, by coaches, and by lax fans. “Ridiculously talented,” LFHS coach Cat Catanzaro said of Rocklein early in the season. “She’s our leader by example with all her skills, passion for the sport, and her willingness to put the team first.”
Congratulations to New Trier Township High School’s boys’ track and field team and coach Andrew Schmitt for winning last weekend’s Class 3A state meet in Charleston. The Trevians scored 45 points, topping runner-up Homewood-Flossmoor High by five points and third-place Belleville West High School by seven points. It was the program’s third state title and
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I’m reading The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday. This book has become part of my daily routine, starting each morning with a passage, because it offers timeless wisdom from ancient philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, whose insights feel just as relevant today. I love Stoicism for its simplicity and practicality—it helps me stay grounded, focus on what truly matters, and let go of distractions.
#ON MY MOBILE
Lately, I’ve been keeping a close eye on all things AI. Whether it’s newsletters, forums, or breaking news, I’m constantly tracking advancements and looking for ways to integrate AI into my life and business. The pace of innovation is exhilarating, and as a startup founder, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Beyond professional curiosity, I’m fascinated by how AI changes everything—from productivity to creativity. It’s an exciting time to be in the mix.
#IN MY EARBUDS
I’m a devoted listener of the All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg Podcast, the series is a goldmine for anyone interested in business, investing, and politics. I love how they dive into current topics with sharp insights and a dose of humor. As a startup entrepreneur, I connect deeply with their discussions on the venture community, emerging trends, and even the occasional hot take.
Northbrook’s DUSTIN LEMICK grew up in the jewelry business as the grandson of the founder of Glenview-based Cy Fredrics Jewelers, where he served as company president from 2004 to 2017. As he began working with large insurance companies to replace lost and stolen jewelry, Dustin discovered that the systems for handling jewelry insurance claims were slow, frustrating, and deeply flawed. To address the problem, he developed a solution to streamline and digitize the claims, appraisal, and insurance purchase processes. Launched in 2019, BriteCo is the first true digital jewelry insurance provider. Today, BriteCo customers can expect to save up to 50 percent on jewelry insurance policies compared to others. Quotes are generated online in 60 seconds, there are no deductibles, and coverage up to 125 percent of the replacement value ensures that lost or stolen items are replaced even if the value has increased. In contrast, homeowners’ policies typically cap jewelry claims far below the appraised value. Even separate jewelry floaters can lead to higher homeowners’ premiums and policy cancellations if the policyholder files a lost or stolen jewelry claim. Located in Evanston, BriteCo has called the North Shore home for more than five years. Dustin, BriteCo’s founder and CEO, sets aside his policies to share how he stays current in a busy world.
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
STYLING SAVVY
Lake Forest’s new Orimay Salon welcomes new clientele.
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Ah, the research brain! There is a Spanish proverb that says: “Every Tuesday has its Sunday,” speaking of the silver linings in life. If anyone is familiar with those, It’s Paola Lago, owner of Orimay Salon in Lake Forest’s Arcade building.
Named in honor of Lago’s daughters, Oriana and Maya, one of whom tragically passed away at 3 years old, the expansive, bright salon is a tribute to Lago’s perseverance, talent, and ability to pivot toward positivity.
And right now, that includes joining the rest of the businesses in the Arcade building in letting the people of Lake Forest know that despite the construction that has torn up East Deerpath Road, they're open for business.
“We are still here, and we are ready to serve!” says Lago. “Thankfully, we are just steps away from Market Square and guests can reach us through the Arcade’s side entrance on Bank Lane."
Lago opened Orimay in November 2024, after decades of experience as a leading stylist with Elizabeth Arden, plus stints at studios on
the North Shore. Her hairdressing talent at Elizabeth Arden moved her up the ranks to become the salon’s leading hair-styling educator training younger stylists in cutting and styling techniques. Wanting to work in a smaller, less corporate salon led her to leave Arden to work at a salon in Lake Forest where she developed many local clients, and then to a studio in Highland Park. “But so many of my Lake Forest clients missed me, and wanted me to come back, I started looking to open my own salon here,” Lago sums.
Finding a vacant space in the Arcade made that possible. With two full time colorists on staff, Lago says about half of her clientele comes in for color treatments, and the rest for hairstyling, cuts and blow-outs. Recently awarded the 2024 Gold Coast Neighborhood Favorite Salon title, “We’re also experts in hair extensions, blonding, balayage color services, and more,” says Lago.
“We are an organic salon,” Lago continues “and our clients really appreciate that we are using the Italian O | Way organic coloring agents which have no ammonia in them and are much kinder and gentler products with great color
results.”
As such, Orimay has built a growing subset of clients who have come through cancer treatments or are dealing with hair loss, who especially appreciate Lago’s skilled and gentle care. With cuts and styling, keeping up with trends has always been important to Lago’s business. “And right now, that means a lot of long, soft waves, the butterfly cut, curtain bangs, shaggy haircuts, and long layered bobs,” she says. Updos are a Lago favorite, and with those, “soft and romantic buns are popular now, and the French twist is back!” she says.
Now that’s it’s spring, Orimay is gearing up for prom and wedding season. Lago worked with an architect to design the salon’s central section—a large marble station with oversized gilt mirrors and comfortable chairs.
“This makes it really easy for us to accommodate groups of friends who come in together for color, styling and even make-up,” says Lago. “We had so much fun with a recent group who came in together, enjoyed champagne and charcuterie they brought over from the Lake Forest Food & Wine Specialties shop across the hall, and made it a real party!”
For more information or reservations at Orimay Salon in the Arcade building at 272 East Deerpath Road in Lake Forest, please call (847) 235-2584.
ART OF CARING KICKOFF
Popular sport pickleball was in full swing at an Exmoor Country Club fundraiser, hosted by the Women's Board of Catholic Charities, Lake County Services. Guests played pickle, tossed rings for bottles of wine, and enjoyed artisan-inspired food and beverages, all while supporting critical programs serving seniors, veterans, and families in need in Lake County. This event kicked off the fundraising season leading to Art of Caring, a Catholic Charities signature event to be held in Lake Forest this September.
Orimay Salon founder Paola Lago. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
SOCIAL LIFE
THERESE O'SULLIVAN, KIERAN O'SULLIVAN, ESTER VITI
MIKE PRIMACK, GINNY PRIMACK DAVID HOLMES
SUZIE HEMPSTEAD, SHEILA CAVALARIS
ELLEN GRANDA, HANNAH MORY REID, DILLON REID, JACQUE ANDERSON
KIRK SHEPARD, JR., SHEILA CAVALARIS
CAROLYN MILLIGAN, MIKE MILLIGAN
BY JW CONATSER THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
COASTAL CALM
With the family in tow, our publisher takes a journey to a private island retreat.
For a family of eleven—two parents, nine children—the word “vacation” typically evokes logistical complexities, not luxury.
So, when we arrived at Sunset Key Cottages just off the coast of Key West, Florida, we were, quite frankly, disarmed by its beauty. The breeze going through the palms, cottages in soft pastels lined a private beach, and the Atlantic shimmered in a color I’ve only seen on postcards. In that moment my wife, Kim and I exchanged a look that every parent dreams of on a family trip—one that says, “maybe this one won’t end in drama.”
Sunset Key isn’t just a resort—it’s a private island. Accessible only by ferry, the 27acre paradise manages the rare feat of being both secluded and completely functional for a large family. Our cottage had the elegant
to Key West proper for a cultural start: the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. A National Historic Landmark and one of Key West’s most storied attractions, the house offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the Nobel Prize-winning author.
His writing studio remains almost exactly as he left it, filled with books, notes, and the echoes of disciplined mornings. The lush grounds and Spanish Colonial architecture were a hit with the kids, as were the dozens of six-toed cats that roam the property— descendants of Hemingway’s own pets (polydactyl cats). Even for those too young to read The Old Man and the Sea, it was a memorable encounter with one of America’s literary giants.
BOUTIQUES, ICE CREAM & FAMILY DIPLOMACY
From there, we meandered through local
SALT SPRAY AND SNAPPER
The next morning, we booked a high-energy wave runner tour through Fury Water Adventures. Flying across the Atlantic with kids squealing behind us was a surreal mix of adrenaline and disbelief: We’re doing this. And no one’s fallen off yet. Fury’s team was incredibly accommodating, even with our extended crew, and the experience gave the kids just enough risk to feel brave, but not terrified.
That afternoon, a private fishing charter met us right at the Sunset Key dock. Our guide was patient, engaging, and expertly navigated both the waters and our personalities. We pulled in snapper, grouper, and a local favorite he referred to as “just call it dinner.” The kids were ecstatic; I was mostly relieved no one dropped a rod overboard.
tart that may have changed my life. It was one of those rare, cinematic moments in parenting where the chaos fades and you think: This is exactly why we do this.
ONE LAST NIGHT ON THE MAINLAND
On our final night, we returned to Key West for a family dinner at the storied A&B Lobster House, perched along the marina. The atmosphere was classic— white tablecloths, vintage charm, and an unhurried rhythm that somehow worked, even with our crew.
We toasted the trip with fresh lobster, steaks, and seafood towers that disappeared faster than I expected. Watching all nine kids happily eating by candlelight, I felt something rare on a trip like this: peace.
THE TAKEAWAY
Sunset Key Cottages exceeded every expectation. It offered space, elegance,
charm of a Caribbean home, with space to spare, a wraparound porch perfect for morning strategy meetings (coffee in hand), and direct access to the sand. Most rooms had a view that looked like it belonged on the cover of Condé Nast Traveler. LITERARY CATS AND A DASH OF CULTURE
Once we’d settled in, we ferried back
boutiques—Kim couldn’t resist Grace on Frances, and the kids found treasures in shops scattered along Whitehead and Duval Streets. No trip with children is complete without a sugar bribe, so we stopped at Flamingo Crossing, a family-run ice cream shop serving up tropical flavors like guava and coconut. With nine kids and six cones, we entered advanced diplomacy mode. No meltdowns, only sticky fingers and smiles.
LATITUDES: FROM SEA TO TABLE
That evening, the enjoyment continued at Latitudes, Sunset Key’s acclaimed restaurant. With toes in the sand and the sunset casting gold across the water, our table became a celebration.
The kitchen prepared our fresh catch to perfection—grilled, seared, and lightly blackened—paired with vibrant vegetables and followed by a house-made key lime
and the kind of privacy that feels luxurious when you travel as a small crowd. The seamless ferry connection made daily outings to Key West effortless, while the resort itself gave us the calm we didn’t realize we’d been missing.
We left with sunburns, souvenirs, and stories we’ll retell for years. And perhaps most importantly, we left rested—a travel miracle if ever there was one.
BY
VERDICT: Ultimately, The F1 Movie is fast, competent, and handsomely assembled. But like many of its protagonists, it’s most impressive when it’s not talking.
THE F1 MOVIE
Hollywood’s latest bid to harness speed as substance comes in the form of The F1 Movie, a sleek, exhaust-scented spectacle starring Brad Pitt as a grizzled ex-driver brought out of retirement to mentor a rising young star in the high-stakes world of Formula 1. The film has been touted as a love letter to the sport—what it more closely resembles is an affectionate fan email, spell-checked and studio-approved.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film is technically dazzling. Cameras mount the halo of real F1 cars, engines scream with visceral clarity, and circuits from Silverstone to Suzuka are rendered with immersive, high-octane precision. You feel every corner, every gear shift, every millisecond of pressure. It’s Days of Thunder with an engineering degree.
And yet, for all the kinetic energy, the narrative wobbles on the chicane. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a man with “unfinished business,” though the business in question appears to be growling in metaphors while wearing a Nomex suit. His protégé, played capably by
Damson Idris, brings charisma and generational tension, but their arc runs the usual laps: mistrust, mentorship, mutual respect, flagwaving catharsis. One suspects a screenwriter was handed Rush, Creed, and a stopwatch. There are grace notes—particularly in the depiction of the garage as its own gladiatorial theatre, and in Kerry Condon’s team principal, who brings wit and gravity to a role that
could’ve easily been consigned to exposition. The film reveres the machinery, yes, but not at the expense of the human element. Still, there's a curious emptiness at the center. The characters talk about risk, obsession, and glory, but rarely do we feel it beyond the soundtrack and slow-motion hero shots. Perhaps that’s the paradox of F1 itself—surgical precision masquerading as chaos.
FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
COWBOY BEANS: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER SIDE
BY RACHEL BRENNER
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
There’s something about a pot of cowboy beans that feels like summer—smoky, hearty, just sweet enough, and built to sit proudly beside grilled steaks, burgers, or anything pulled from a smoker. This version is simple, bold, and crowd-pleasing—the kind of dish that disappears before you have a chance to brag about it.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (28 oz) can baked beans (do not drain)
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
n a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat. Add ground beef and onion, cooking until browned. Stir in garlic, cook for 1 minute, then drain excess fat.
Add all remaining ingredients, including the cooked bacon. Stir well. Simmer on low, uncovered, for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and bubbling. For deeper flavor, let it go longer—or transfer to a slow cooker on low for 2–3 hours.
Serve warm. Pairs best with grilled meats, cold beer, and the sound of summer.
BY WOLFGANG PHILLIP
PAULETTE’S PALETTE
Leaving a career in banking allowed Paulette Colo to fully invest her time and energy into pursuing her passion—art. See her work this month at Artists on the Bluff’s Summer Arts Festival.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Paulette Colo thought she was doing her parents a favor as a first-time artist. Mommy and Daddy had just painted some walls green and others white at their home in Chicago.
“I took a brush and spread some green paint on the white walls and some white paint on the green walls,” recalls a smiling Paulette. “My parents were sleeping at the time. When they saw what I had done in the morning they weren’t happy, but I didn't get in trouble.
“I was 3.”
Now she’s an award-winning, mostly self-taught painter (oil and watercolors) and sketcher (charcoal and pastel), as well as a member of Artists on the Bluff, a nonprofit organization of local artists dedicated to promotion of the arts and encouragement of artists in general. Artists on the Bluff strives to achieve advancement and inspire budding artists of all ages through exhibitions, monthly meetings, and educational programs.
Colo will be one of 24 featured artists at Artist on the Bluff’s Summer Arts Festival June 14 to 15 at Village Green in Lake Bluff. This year the festival’s Children’s Art Tent is supported by Art Impact Project, which seeks to enhance emotional wellness through creative expression.
“I will be forever grateful for the opportunities Artists on the Bluff gave me to show my art,” says the humble Colo, who has served the nonprofit as its treasurer for at least the last eight years. “People in Lake Bluff and other North Shore communities truly appreciate art. That people buy my art makes me happy. It also amazes me.”
A William Howard Taft High School graduate who lives in Mundelein with her husband of nearly 40 years, Highland Park native Don Colo, Paulette has loved art since avoiding punishment as an ambitious, brush-wielding tot.
Accepting a severance package in 2004, after working for 30 years as a bank professional, allowed Colo to turn her lifelong passion into a vocation that never feels like work to her.
“I love the sheer act of creating in two dimensions what I see in three,” says Colo, who creates art depicting people, animals, landscapes, and waterscapes, among an array of other subjects. “The completed drawings and paintings are my emotions and interpretations poured out onto a canvas.”
Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society; and Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists in Northfield, among other organizations that present exhibitions and offer art education to enrich communities.
“You never forget your favorite teacher in high school,” says Colo, who lived in Palatine for three years and in Buffalo Grove for 30 before moving to Mundelein with Don in 2022. “Mine was Mrs. Jordan, my art teacher from my freshman year to my senior year at Taft. I have been fortunate to study informally under such fine artists as Enid Silver-
“She was kind and she never raised her voice.”
The late artists who influenced Colo the most include portraitist John Singer Sargent, Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla, and realist artist Richard Schmid.
Since her last day of work at Midwest Bank, Colo has won a slew of awards, including Best of Show, Mundelein Fine Arts Festival, 2021; Award of Excellence, Glenview Summer Art Fair, 2016; and First Place, Northwest Area Arts Council “Women’s Works” Show, 2008.
Her art has been exhibited (group and individual) at Artists of Dickinson Hall, Northern Trust Bank, Lake Forest (2011-2016); the North Shore Art League “Inchworks” Exhibit (2007-2010); and The Noodle Café, Wilmette (Invitational one woman show, 2014), to list just a few.
Nearly every Monday in a Lake Bluff studio for the past 10 years, Colo and other local artists have drawn a model hired to pose for three hours.
“It’s good training,” she says. “Good training for the artist’s eye.”
Colo usually creates artwork in her spacious basement while listening to music artists such as Enya, Yo-Yo Ma, and Billie Eilish. She has been commissioned to produce portraits of people and animals.
Among her paintings hanging on a wall at her home is one of husband Don gardening. Don attended college on an Evans Scholarship for being a high-achieving caddie while growing up in Highland Park and carrying bags for golfers at a local club.
Paulette Colo’s message to all?
In addition to her affiliation with Artists on the Bluff, she’s a member of North Shore Art League in Winnetka; Glenview Art League; Deer Path Art League in Lake Forest; The Art Center Highland Park; Oil Painters of America; National
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg
FOOD
man, Jason Miklik, and Romel de la Torre.” Silverman taught painting and drawing night classes at the Buffalo Grove Park District’s Alcott Center when Colo resided in Buffalo Grove.
“Enid is a wonderful teacher,” she says.
Monica Kass Rogers CONTRIBUTING
Rachel Brenner, Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Felix McMillan, Wolfgang Phillip
“If you have a passion, follow it, go for it, do it,” she says. “That’s what I started doing when I was 58. But I’m not just having fun doing what I love to do; I’m also making so many friends through art.”
To see Paulette Colo’s portfolio, visit paulettecolo.com. For more information about Artists on the Bluff, visit artistsonthebluff.org.
Paulette Colo
912 Sandstone Drive | LIBERTYVILLE
Why buy a lake home in Wisconsin? Enjoy private beach with over 210 feet of waterfront. Sweeping back lawn ideal for entertaining large crowds. Year-round dock, hot tub & boat lift. Panoramic lake views from nearly every room! Spacious First Floor Primary Suite. Finished Walkout Basement. Cook out on your Viking outdoor kitchen with a heated bluestone patio. Dine under the stars on large composite deck. Contemplate incredible sunrises with your morning coffee. Fish everyday for large & small mouth bass from your dock. Cruise around the 70+ acre lake on your pontoon boat, canoe or kayak. Paddle board or water ski with your friends. Ice skate or play hockey in the winter! Just blocks to charming downtown Libertyville with Metra train, Cook Memorial Library, shops, pubs, eateries & quick access to the Des Plaines River trails. Highly rated Libertyville schools. This is the life!
Cell: 847.814.7895
Email: elizabeth.bryant@bairdwarner.com
Website: ElizabethBryantHomes.com
If your property is currently listed, please disregard this solicitation. Information provided is not guaranteed and subject to change and withdrawal without notice.
