Winnetka Community Nursery School’s annual Winnetka Children’s Fair has kicked off North Shore summers since 1945. The beloved fundraiser returns June 6 and 7 with features that span generations. pg8
6 north shore doings
Your go-to guide for all the latest local events in the weeks ahead
10 north shore sports
Lake Forest Academy great Kate Delia dashes to four gold medals at her final prep track and field meet
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
12 #hashtag
Learn more about Ari Krzyzek, who co-founded an agency that empowers women-led brands
16 weekend travel
Join the jet set on this 21-day luxury tour of some of the world’s most iconic sites
18 man about film
This weekend’s reviews include a new film starring Paul Rudd and an edible grand tour with Stanley Tucci
20 supper club
Add this delicious Cabbage & Walnut Parmesan with Panko Gremolata recipe to your meal rotation
21 happy hour
Our refreshing Italicus Spritz cocktail transports you straight to the Amalfi Coast
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
22 sunday breakfast Highland Park HS Giant for life Paul Harris has made no small decision about his future
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NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
NOW THROUGH MAY 25
FLEURS DE VILLES
WHERE: 900 North Michigan Shops
Celebrate the final Downton Abbey film with this spectacular exhibit at 900 North Michigan Shops in downtown Chicago. Florals will create classic looks from the Crawley household. Tickets are on sale now. fleursdevilles.com
NOW THROUGH MAY 25
LAKE FOREST SHOWHOUSE AND GARDENS
WHERE: Pembroke Lodge
The Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago will transform a Georgian-style Lake Forest estate, designed in 1895 by architect Henry Ives Cobb, for the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens fundraiser. More than 45 leading landscapers and interior designers will reimagine the 15,000-squarefoot mansion and its 3.5 acre grounds. Tickets are $50 per person. lakeforestshowhouse.com
NOW THROUGH MAY 29
SPRING BIRD WALK
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday, explore the best spots for locating late-winter bird residents and the early migrants of spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Participants will meet at the Visitor’s Center. Admission is $24 for members; $30 for non-members. chicagobotanic.org
NOW THROUGH MAY 31
LARRY SIMON EXHIBIT
WHERE: Vivid Art Gallery
See Highland Park artist Larry Simon's photographic work at Vivid Art Gallery in Winnetka. A self-described wanderer, Simon’s curiosity on his travels guides him to unexpected scenes and objects that he uses to create his photos. vividartgallery.com
MAY 17 TO 19
INSPIRED BY…
WHERE: North Shore Art League
This fourth annual show features work by North Shore Art League students. on display in the second floor gallery space at 620 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka. northshoreartleague.org
MAY 18
BLUEGRASS MASS
WHERE: Trinity Wilmette
The Prairie Rangers and Trinity Chancel Choir will perform Carol Barnett’s composition of classically based mass with the down home sparkle of Bluegrass. This event begins at 4 p.m. and RSVPs are required. trinitywilmette.com
MAY 18
CRAFTING HERBAL MOCKTAILS
WHERE: Northfield Public Library
From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., adult participants can learn how to make simple syrups and craft a myriad of herb flavored and scented alcohol-free mocktails. Registration is required for this program. wnpl.org
MAY 22
ORGANIZING YOUR HOME
WHERE: Glencoe Public Library
From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., join an adult program focused on organization and letting go of items no longer needed. Registration is required. glencoelibrary.org
MAY 23 TO JUNE 20
“AN OPPORTUNE TIME”
WHERE: Irma Lee Court
This Quiet Dust Ceramics, a ceramics atelier in Lake Forest, hosts its “An Opportune Time” exhibition of paintings by emerging artist Alexandra Barosso. 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
MAY 25
SCHUBERT AND MOZART
SPRING CONCERT
WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Church
The Artemis Chamber Orchestra presents its spring concert beginning at 3 p.m. This concert is free and registration is required. artemischamberorchestra.org
MAY 27
KOHL CHILDREN’S
MOBILE MUSEUM
WHERE: Highwood Library
From 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., join Highwood library for a visit from the Kohl Children’s Mobile Museum. All ages are encouraged to explore a variety of engaging activities at this free event. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. highwoodlibrary.org
MAY 27
LUNCH BREAK AT BUCK’S
WHERE: Buck Russell’s Join local Wilmette and Kilbourne businesses for a casual networking lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for nonmembers. wilmettekenilworth.com
MAY 30
SUMMER SOIREE: LA
DOLCE VITA
WHERE: Saddle & Cycle Club
The Women’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital will hold its Spring
fundraiser, “La Dolce Vita,” at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a night on the Italian Riviera with culinary delights and dancing under the stars. wbnorthwestern.org
JUNE 5
FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS
WHERE: Ravinia District
Food Truck Thursdays return to Highland Park from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. More than a dozen food trucks will service food accompanied by live music and a family-friendly atmosphere. There will be three themed nights on June 12, July 10, and August 14. cityhpil.com
JUNE 7
CELEBRATING
COMMUNITY GALA
WHERE: Winnetka Historical Society
The Winnetka Historical Society will celebrate community and the incredible life of Jim Hansen. The Gala will go from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the historic Community House. winnetkahistory.org
Bluff History Center
At 7 p.m., Lake ForestLake Bluff History Center
Executive Director Carol Summerfield will interview author Sash Bischoff about her debut novel Sweet Fury—a twisty, thoughtprovoking 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 21
AUTO SHOW
WHERE: Lake Bluff History Museum
JUNE 8
ALUMNI CABARET
WHERE: Actors Training Center
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 14 TO 15
25TH SUMMER ANNIVERSARY SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
WHERE: The Lake Bluff Village Green Artists on the Bluff will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 20 curated local and regional artists will participate featuring watercolor and acrylic paintings, pencil drawings, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, photography and more. Admission is free. artistsonthebluff.org
JUNE 18
AUTHOR SASH BISCHOFF
WHERE: Lake Forest-Lake
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 29
BUILDING WALK
WHERE: Fort Sheridan Historical Society
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. fshistorical.wixsite.com
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Food Truck Thursdays
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BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Eighty years ago, you could get a pony ride at the Winnetka Children’s Fair for a nickel, among other mid-20th-century thrills. Conceived as a fundraiser in 1945, the same year World War II was finally coming to an end, the first fair was held in the Ryerson family’s back yard. Complete with games, contests and even pony rides, it was a smashing success, raising $500. Many things have changed over the last
Community Nursery School, an institution founded in 1943 to care for children whose mothers wanted to support the war effort.
Hosted by the all-volunteer Winnetka Community Nursery School board of directors, funds raised at the Winnetka Children’s Fair help underwrite its operation costs.
Planning for each year’s fair starts as soon as the previous fair concludes, with one goal in mind—fun, for both kids and adults.
Fair weekend kicks off with a summer ritual second to none, this year taking place on Friday, June 6 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 7 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Children dart out of their classroom, hop on their bikes, and pedal frenetically to the
of memories. Grandparents who loved the fair in its early days bring their grandchildren. Parents relive the excitement through the eyes of their children. It’s like Mayberry, with a big dash of whimsy.
Kristina Baker, one of three co-chairs charged with planning this year’s fair, along with Constance Martin and Katie Feld, says producing the event is a lot of work but worth the payoff—the delight they see on kids’ faces or memories they hear adults sharing from fairs of decades past.
“We have been planning this year’s fair since early fall. The three co-chairs started meeting shortly after the school year, if not even a little bit before,” Baker says. “We go through all of the details. It’s a school-year long process. And it’s not just us. We also have a big team of Winnetka Community Nursery School moms who give their time and energy to help put on the fair. They really are the dream team, and I could not be happier.”
Baker says each year they try to mix in some new attractions and activities with what has been popular in the past. Something traditional for the adults, and newfangled rides and gadgets for kids.
“It’s a blend. We always try to focus on what we did well and the things that we’d like to change,” Baker says. “What else can we bring to make it bigger and better than last year?”
year is through a partnership with Art Party in Glencoe. Through “messy toddler playgroups” and other activities, the organization teaches kids about the process of art and that process is as important as the finished product.
“They do really fun and engaging art activities for kids of all ages, and they’ll be back again, which I love,” says Baker. “My son actually goes to it, and he loves it.”
La Taquiza and Towne & Oak will also return this year on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Live entertainment includes DJ Lou & Personalities Inc. opening the fair, plus performances from Performance Chinos, Tunes with Tim, and more.
“This obviously is a fundraiser for our school, but we really are just honored to continue this tradition and this legacy and to do it for the community and for our kids year after year,” Baker says. “I cannot tell you how many people have stopped me during setup week and told me about their memories of going to it when they were kids. That really is why we do it.”
For years, fair attendees have come to love a number of the same attractions, including the giant slide, a ballistic swing, the pirate ship, spinning strawberries, a rock-climbing wall, and other favorites. The arcades, Baker says, are also a huge hit with kids.
New this year is the Hawley Trucker Hat Bar, where attendees can "pick a hat, pick a patch” to design their own custom trucker hat. There’s also plenty of food items available as well as gourmet coffee adult beverages.
Another popular feature that started last
The fair is truly a community event, and each year features partnerships with local businesses. In addition to its Winnetka Community Nursery School and the Village of Winnetka presenting sponsors, platinum sponsors include Art Party Creative, BMO, Byline Bank, Finish Strong Kids, Go Green Winnetka, Goldfish Swim School, Great Central Brewing, Grosvenor Capital Management, Honey Homes, Konstant Architecture Planning, LP Group, The Shoreline Group at Morgan Stanley, North Shore Community Bank, Northern Trust, The North Shore Weekend, Personalities Inc., Rouzati Rugs, Ruffolo Landscaping, and The Zafirovski Family.
“It honestly is the best feeling in the world because the volunteers have been working so hard all week to set it up,” adds Baker. “The kids will come, the bikes will line the pathway, and the energy is great.”
This year’s Winnetka Children’s Fair is scheduled for June 6 to 7 at the Winnetka Village Green. Entrance is free. For more information and to acquire tickets, visit winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org/tickets.
eight decades but the reason North Shore families flock to the fair has not. The beloved event raises critical funds for the Winnetka
Winnetka Village Green, where the fair has been held annually for decades. With such rich history comes generations
NORTH SHORE SPORTS
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Ever wonder what an excla mation point personified looks like at a track and field meet?
Those who watched the Independent School League (ISL) Championships from start to finish at Lake Forest Academy (LFA) on May 8 no longer have to speculate thanks to the spectacular show LFA senior Kate Delia put on in her final prep meet. Delia scorched the home oval, winning three individual events and an
SHOWSTOPPER
Lake Forest Academy senior trackster Kate Delia ends her prep career resoundingly at the Independent School League meet, dashing to four gold medals in as many events at the Caxys’ home oval.
choring the Caxys’ victorious 1600-meter relay to a school-record 4:21.38 after 400-meter dashes from Abbey Welsh, Maria Retelewski, and Kyra Quinn
The Caxys’ previous mark in the relay was 4:24.95.
“Shattered it,” says LFA girls’ track and field coach Fil Velgach.
“What a way to end a career, going four-for-four in her events and doing what she did in that relay—in the last race of the meet.
“I would not be surprised if some of her school records (Delia has been a part of five) last 30-40 years. She was that fast. The marks are going to stand for decades because she’d bettered some of the old ones by three, four, five seconds.”
Delia, bound to blaze past collegians while majoring in Architecture at Wash -
ington University in St. Louis, Missouri, also captured gold in the 200 (25.83), 400 (58.58), and 800 (2:22.05) at the ISL meet, pacing the Caxys’ strong runner-up showing (120 points) to champion Latin School of Chicago (150 points).
“I’ve always loved running,” says Delia, who collected two more varsity letters (11) in a four-sport career than the combined letters in her first and last names. “I ran cross country for a few seasons, and when I ran a bad race I’d have to wait a while before getting to run another race.
“What’s great about track,” she continues, “is getting to look forward to other races if you weren’t happy about how you ran early in a meet.”
Also a field hockey and ice hockey player during her years at LFA, Delia tuned up for last week’s league championships at the Lake County Championships at Vernon Hills High School on May 1, topping the 400 (57.94) and 800 (2:17.02) fields.
SPECIAL K
But her most impressive feat this spring might have occurred at the prestigious Distance Night in Palatine on April 26. Delia finished runner-up in her heat—the penultimate of four—with a time of 2:14.46, a scant 0.17 slower than Minooka High School sophomore Natalie Nahs’ first-place time but a whopping five seconds faster than the LFA record she had set earlier in the month.
Delia wound up in sixth place overall against many of the state’s elite 800 runners, having bettered the times of nine racers who had qualified for the Main Event (Section 4).
“Kate,” Velgach recalls, “unlocked a new caliber of herself as an athlete at that meet.”
Washington (Mo.) University won the NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track and Field championship last May for the second time in program history.
“I can’t wait to study Architecture and compete in college,” Delia says.
Final chapter in avid reader and Regina Dominican High School senior Charlotte Kroll’s prep track and field career nears.
Charlotte Kroll loves to read a good mystery every now and then.
“Thrillers, too,” says the Regina Dominican High School (RDHS) senior track athlete.
But she was partly responsible for the lack of a thrill at the end of the 3200-meter relay race at the Independent School League (ISL) girls’ track and field meet at Lake Forest Academy (LFA) on May 8.
A co-captain and two-time Class 2A state qualifier in the event, Kroll served as the Panthers’ lead-off leg of the distance relay ahead of Chloe Thiel, Olivia Mauer, and Niamh Byrne.
The quartet zipped to a first-place time of 10:31.61.
The anchor league of the runner-up crew from Latin School of Chicago crossed the finish line more than 36 seconds later.
Kroll later placed fourth in the 1600 meter run in windy, brisk conditions, clocking a 5:42.87.
“At first, track was difficult to like,” admits Kroll, a fourth-year varsity track member who plans to major in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “But the more I did it, the more I liked it.
“I especially enjoy coming up with either a different strategy or a different approach for a race. In the 1600 (at the ISL meet), I tried to stick with the leaders for as long as possible.”
Since host LFA honored its seniors on the infield of the track before the ISL meet’s final event last week, RDHS did likewise near the Panthers’ team tent.
“I made many friends through track,” says Kroll, who on May 1 ran a personal-best 5:39.66 in the 1600 at the Lake County Championships at Vernon Hills High School. “Being around the people in this sport—that’s what I’ll miss the most.”
RDHS track and field coach Scott Bohlke will miss more than Kroll’s reliable speed next spring.
“Great worker, great attitude, great person in general,” he says. “And she’s always there to
support her teammates.”
Panthers assistant track and field coach Annie Tully (RDHS, Class of 1992) ran the 3200 in her prep seasons. To her, Kroll is a winner on and off the ovals.
“Charlotte is not just a key member of the team and a great leader,” Tully says. “She’s truly a team player.
“You know what else she is?” the coach adds. “A very kind person.”
RDHS sophomore Lexy Simon topped the shot put field at the ISL meet, propelling the metal ball 10.05 meters. Classmate Erin Foley silvered in the triple jump with a leap of 9.39 meters.
RDHS athletes vie for Class 2A state berths at a sectional track and field meet held at Genoa-Kingston High School on May 16.
MARVELOUS MEYERS: North Shore Country Day junior Reese Meyers sped to three medals at the ISL meet last week, winning the 100 meters (13.2) and finishing runner-up in each of the 200 (26.35) and 400 (59.98) races.
She then ran circles around defenders as a midfielder on a soccer pitch the next day, delivering a pair of assists in the Raiders’ 4-0 defeat of visiting Francis W. Parker School.
Kate Delia
Charlotte Kroll
Q & A with New Trier Township High School freshman baseball player BEAU KRUPSKI
Beau knows pain. Beau Krupski also knows how to shake off said pain.
The versatile New Trier Township High School (New Trier) ballplayer, who plays third base and right field and serves as the closer for the Trevians’ freshman baseball team, has been hit by a pitch more than any other teammate has this spring.
But the Wilmette resident and five-hole hitter has a knack for hurting baseballs, too. He knocked in a pair of runs—one via a fielder’s choice, the other on a single in an eight-run fifth inning—in New Trier’s 14-13 loss to host Palatine High School (PHS) on May 10.
“I’m fine, and it doesn’t bother me that I get hit often,” Krupski said hours after New Trier defeated PHS 4-2 in the second game of the doubleheader in breezy conditions. “It’s part of the game.”
Krupski also pitched 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief in Game 1 last weekend, striking out three and walking two.
Part of this publication’s aim is to spotlight mostly varsity athletes each weekend.
But it’s time for a changeup. Besides, coach Brian Loring’s team owned a stellar record of 16-5 through May 11.
Krupski, minus his glove, fielded some serious and fun queries last weekend.
What do you like most about your team?
It’s chemistry. A lot of us have been competing together for years. That helps, with the playing and with the determination.
What’s the hardest part of baseball?
The mental side of it. It wasn’t easy at first this spring, going from playing once or twice on a weekend and practicing a lot before high school to competing in several games a week now. The transition was challenging, but I’m pretty much used to high school baseball.
Care to share any memories of your first day at New Trier last fall?
Oh, it was different, walking inside all these new, big buildings. My mom (Ashley, a New Trier graduate) assured me, before my first day, by saying, “You’ll figure things out.”
Say you were to get a dog tomorrow. What would you name it and why?
Scout. It’s a good name because, to me, a dog with that name would look out for you and be very active.
Your favorite professional baseball player and why?
(Los Angeles Dodgers superstar) Shohei Ohtani. He bats lefty and he pitches. So do I. I felt bad for him when he played for those (struggling) Angels teams all those years.
Your favorite baseball team?
Cubs. We usually go to Wrigley Field once a year.
What do you see yourself doing at the age of 50?
Cooking. I like to cook and I’m taking a cooking class at school. I make homemade pasta, with a tomato sauce, every now and then at home.
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I’m diving into Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, which is teaching me valuable strategies for increasing profitability while scaling my agency. For mental wellness and personal growth, I’m reading The Light Work by Jessica Zweig, which helps me maintain balance and find inner light while managing the demands of being both a business owner and mom. These books are essential tools in my journey of sustainable growth and mindful leadership.
#ON MY MOBILE
Circle is my go-to app for staying connected with various networking groups, keeping me plugged into the entrepreneurial community. I love using Acloset to curate my OOTD (outfit of the day)—it’s like having a personal virtual wardrobe assistant. LinkedIn and Instagram are my windows to the latest marketing trends and business resources. I follow FFC and Entreprenista for their business grant announcements and female founder resources. Blinkist is my secret weapon for consuming key business insights through 15-minute book summaries, perfect for my busy schedule.
#IN MY EARBUDS
I’m constantly refining my business acumen with the School of Sales by the Salesgirls podcast, which helps sharpen my sales strategies. 2Bobs is another favorite, offering invaluable insights into leading a creative and marketing firm. These podcasts serve as my ongoing education in business leadership and agency management.
ARI KRZYZEK, CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia (pronounced: see-ka-lo-fia), has transformed her journey from Bali to Chicago into a powerful narrative of entrepreneurial success. After moving to Chicago in 2011, she co-founded Chykalophia with her husband Peter, creating a woman and minority-owned creative and web agency that specializes in empowering womenled brands. Drawing inspiration from the supportive community of women entrepreneurs she encountered in her early days, Krzyzek has dedicated her agency to helping fellow women founders translate their visions into impactful digital experiences. Her expertise has earned recognition from major organizations, with Chykalophia recently being named to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses list. As both a co-author of the bestselling book Made to Sell: Creating Websites that Convert and a board member for the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University, Krzyzek continues to champion women entrepreneurs while balancing life as a mother and business leader. She takes a moment to share her daily sources of inspiration and growth.
CARLY JONES
Bring Your Space to Life with Color!
In interior design, color psychology explores how different colors influence our emotions, moods, and perceptions within a space. It’s a powerful tool for shaping the atmosphere of a room and creating the emotional experience you want.
Here are a few ways color psychology can be used to transform interiors:
Blue — Known for its calming effect, blue is a popular choice for bedrooms. Deep tones like navy or royal blue can evoke confidence and stability, while lighter shades bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
Red — Bold and energetic, red can add vibrancy and excitement, making it ideal for lively spaces such as home offices or entertaining areas.
Orange — Associated with enthusiasm and vitality, orange works well in places like home gyms or playrooms. Softer tones like peach or apricot offer the same warmth in a more subtle, approachable way.
Neutral tones — Shades like beige, gray, and white are timeless and versatile. They provide a sophisticated backdrop and can balance out bolder accents in a room.
By thoughtfully choosing colors, you can craft a home that not only looks beautiful but also feels just right. If you’re preparing to list your home, I’d be delighted to help elevate your space and present it at its highest potential to attract discerning buyers.
CARLY JONES • ENGEL & VÖLKERS CHICAGO NORTH SHORE
566 Chestnut Street | 2nd Floor | Winnetka | IL 60093
Think private jet travel is only for the rich and famous? This jet-setting, 5-star tour of some of the world’s most iconic sites makes that luxury experience more attainable than ever.
BY SHERRY THOMAS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
If you could take the ultimate dream trip, where would it be? How about every iconic landmark in the world. Imagine this scenario.
You’re in London, staying at the 5-star Brown’s Hotel—legendary for hosting presidents, royalty, and famous authors. Queen Elizabeth stayed there. So did Agatha Christie. Now you are following in their footsteps, preparing to embark on a 21-day luxury adventure you might have once thought impossible.
Every detail since arriving from Chicago has been attended to, from a champagne reception and dinner at the hotel to the guided tour of Stonehenge. But this is just the beginning.
Tomorrow you will be whisked through security to a private hangar and lounge at Stansted Airport, where a greeter will take your luggage and make sure it is delivered straight to your hotel. Soon, you’ll be boarding a private Boeing 767 jet accoutered with only the finest amenities—the first of seven flights to six countries.
Your seat is leather, and it lies flat. A flight attendant will take your drink order (and remember it for next time). If you want to get up and stretch your legs, make your way back to the fully stocked, open bar and lounge.
Excited yet? Next stop—Cairo, Egypt.
ATTAINABLE LUXURY
The good news is that this caliber of touring is no longer a far-fetched dream. Thanks to Orbridge, an affinity travel company founded by Lake Forest resident Jim Staples in 2008, these types of elite experiences are now within reach.
“This isn’t just for the millionaire crowd anymore,” he told The North Shore Weekend. “This is for the people who worked hard their whole life and saved a bit and want to do something extraordinary.”
An Evanston native, Staples spent more than a decade researching the most desirable destinations for the most memorable guest experiences at a price that would be affordable to many—tapping into 30 years of relationships with luxury hotels and travel partners around the globe.
In addition to seven flights on a private jet, the $84,999 per person price for Orbridge’s “Around the World by Private Jet” tour includes 21 immersive excursions, expert-led lectures, more than 50 meals, and accommodations for 19 nights in 5-star hotels—including the
Oberoi Rajvilas resort in Jaipur, named last year as the “Best Hotel in the World” by Travel & Leisure
“If a guest were to try to cobble this program together on their own, with this level of luxury hotel properties and excursions, they’d likely say this is a remarkable price,” explains Staples.
“Everything is efficient, friendly, and hassle free. Besides, who doesn’t want to be pampered? You work hard your whole life, investing in your oc-
literally greet you with rose petals for a VIP experience beyond even your wildest dreams. From there, you’ll be jetting off to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where you’ll spend two nights exploring the treasures of the region, including the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat at sunrise. Other stops on the itinerary include Hanoi, Vietnam, for visits to Hoa Lo Prison and a private cruise on Ha Long Bay, and Muscat, Oman, where you’ll visit Mutrah Souq and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
And that’s all in 21 days, with one final flight back to London.
cupation. We want you to take a vacation you’ll remember forever.”
ICONIC DESTINATIONS
A few hours after boarding your private jet in London, you’ll arrive in Cairo and check into the 5-star Marriott Mena House, an elegant 19th century hotel that has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra. The next day you’ll visit Great Pyramids of Giza, along with the Great Sphinx and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, followed by an exclusive private dinner at the museum—all with an expert Egyptologist.
If that doesn’t make you feel spoiled, just wait. Because the morning after witnessing the treasures of Egypt, you’ll be taking a one-hour private flight to Aqaba, Jordan, for a tour of two more world wonders—Wadi Rum and Petra. Two days later, you’ll jet over to Delhi, India, to see Agra and the Taj Mahal, before then flying to Jaipur. Staff at the 5-star Oberoi Rajvilas will
cital performed by the world-renowned Hanoi Symphony Orchestra at the early 20th century Hanoi Grand Opera House—one of many exclusive experiences that make the itinerary elite.
THE JET SET
Who will you be flying with on this private jet dream tour? People from all walks of life.
“It’s a very eclectic mix of people of different age ranges, from those who are retired to those who are still at the office,” says Staples. “We also have many solo travelers who join this tour.”
The group is limited to 55 travelers, which makes the atmosphere convivial and lively.
“The energy is laid back. yet exciting, because
“Traveling by private jet allows us to easily get to some interest-
ing destinations that commercial carriers don’t usually explore,” explains Staples. “Because of the flexibility of the flights, we’re able to arrive when we need to—whether that’s for a morning sunrise at Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most spiritual places, or getting to Taj Majal during one of the less-crowded times.”
By leveraging its 17-year reputation as a leader in educational alumni travel, Orbridge is able to attract the world’s top lecturers and guides.
“People are often clamoring to do business with us, just to be a part of a prestigious private jet group,” he continues. “Our guests tend to be educated, curious, and intelligent. Our suppliers and top-notch guides like having guests like this to share their knowledge of their part of the world.”
While every destination you’ll be visiting is iconic in its own way, Staples says the “mic drop moment” on last year’s tour was a private re-
you’re always off to some new location and sight,” he says, explaining that the private flights between destinations allow the group to relax and recharge. “There’s time for napping or for playing cards and partaking in some fine cuisine from the region we’re visiting.”
By the time the plane is heading back to London, it’s likely you’ll have made a few new friends, both with fellow guests and even the crew.
“By then, the crew members know your name, what kind of drink you like, and where you prefer to sit. Everyone starts to feel like a family,” explains Staples, adding that guests on last year’s inaugural tour have stayed in touch and plan to travel together again on this year’s August 25 departure, which now only has a few seats left. “Part of the tour’s popularity is because of the experience and because they can’t believe the reasonableness of our rates. But most of all, it’s about making memories and friendships that last a lifetime.”
For more information about the upcoming August 25 to September 14 “Around the World by Private Jet” tour or two other private jet tours (including the Silk Road) scheduled for 2026, call 833-672-6727 or visit orbridge.com.
FRIENDSHIP
This thought-provoking comedy about male bonding directed by Andrew DeYoung features Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd.
BY
VERDICT: Friendship is a bold and unsettling examination of male friendship, blending cringe-worthy humor with poignant insights. While its discomforting tone may not appeal to all, the film offers a compelling look at the complexities of human connection, anchored by strong performances from Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd.
In Friendship, director Andrew DeYoung presents a darkly comedic exploration of male bonding gone awry. The film follows Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), a socially awkward suburbanite
whose life is upended by the arrival of his new neighbor, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), a charismatic local weatherman. What begins as a budding friendship soon spirals into obsession, as Craig's desperate attempts to connect lead to increasingly uncomfortable and bizarre situations.
Robinson, known for his work on I Think You Should Leave, brings his signature cringe-inducing humor to the role of Craig. His portrayal captures the character's loneliness and yearning for connection, making his descent into obsession both unsettling and, at times, darkly humorous. Rudd, on the other hand, plays Austin with a blend of charm and detachment, serving as the perfect foil to Robinson's manic energy.
DeYoung's direction effectively balances the film's comedic and dramatic elements, creating a tone that is both absurd and poignant. The script delves into themes of male loneliness and the complexities of adult friendships, offering a satirical take on the often unspoken struggles men face in forming emotional connections.
However, the film's commitment to its uncomfortable tone may not resonate with all viewers. Some scenes linger in awkwardness longer than necessary, potentially alienating audiences expecting a more traditional comedy. Additionally, the film's pacing occasionally falters, with certain sequences feeling repetitive or drawn out. Despite these shortcomings, Friendship succeeds in delivering a unique and thought-provoking narrative. Its willingness to confront the darker aspects of human connection, coupled with standout performances from its leads, makes it a noteworthy entry in the realm of dark comedy.
TUCCI IN ITALY
Now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, a new National Geographic series featuring an edible grand tour with Stanley Tucci is like a full-bodied Brunello in a paper cup.
VERDICT: Tucci in Italy is like the best Italian meal—simple, generous, rooted in place, and made better by the company. It won’t surprise you, but it will leave you full, smiling, and possibly Googling property in Tuscany. Not revolutionary—but entirely satisfying.
Stanley Tucci has always had the air of a man who could seduce you with a linguine alle vongole and then critique your wine pairing with the mild disappointment of an urbane uncle. Tucci in Italy, the latest installment in his edible grand tour, finds him once again tracing his ancestral roots by way of regional trattorias, olive groves, and the
occasional cheese cave— though this time with National Geographic’s glossy, high-definition varnish applied like aged balsamic.
The series takes us through Tuscany, Lombardy, TrentinoAlto Adige, Abruzzo, and Lazio, each region a scenic postcard brought to life with drone footage and Tucci’s unhurried wit. He glides through cobbled streets and countryside with a linenshirted charm that feels part travelogue host, part churchless priest in a congregation of food.
To his credit, Tucci is
less concerned with reinventing the genre than inhabiting it fully. He’s not Anthony Bourdain (thank God, say the Italians), nor does he attempt to be. There’s no gritty cultural interrogation here, no kitchen confessional. Instead, Tucci in Italy is about appreciation—of craft, heritage, and that unmistakable Italian knack for making even a mid-morning espresso feel like an act of civilized resistance against global entropy.
Some episodes, notably in Abruzzo and Trentino-Alto Adige, delve into Italy’s lesser-known culinary corners, and here the show is at its best—off the tourist trail, elbow-deep in saffron fields and speaking with shepherds who haven’t heard of gluten-free anything. The Lazio episode lingers with special poignancy, as Tucci, a Roman by blood and inclination, muses on memory, war, and the way a plate of amatriciana can outlast a century of politics.
Still, for all its visual beauty and affable hosting, there are moments where the show risks becoming food-porn-ascomfort-blanket. One sometimes yearns for a bit of vinegar to cut the richness—a note of tension, a difficult question, a misstep. But Tucci, ever the smooth operator, sidesteps such bitterness.
FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
Submit your own homemade most delicious, inventive, and irresistible dip or spread in a non-returnable 8-oz container to our food folks, or send your original recipe by Saturday, May 31st.
We’ll taste every entry and pick our top five! Our foodies will whip up the finalists’ dips, and EVERYBODY tastes them and votes for their favorite at our Summer Sale Event on Saturday, June 21!
The winning dip will be:
Announced the week after our Summer event. Named in your honor…forever! Featured for sale at Schaefer’s, with your consent! Awarded a $500 Schaefer’s Gift Card Prize! Submit your
or
CABBAGE & WALNUT PARMESAN WITH PANKO GREMOLATA
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS FOOD EDITOR THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Who knew that simple, homey cabbage could be transformed into such a delicious dish? We have Chef Joshua McFadden to thank for the building blocks of this recipe: fresh cabbage quickly roasted at high heat and then tossed with breadcrumbs, toasted walnuts, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and Parmigiano. Oh—and a splash of balsamic vinegar!
I’ve adapted the recipe a bit, slicing the cabbage into ribbons before roasting, rather than cutting into large wedges, and adding parsley to the ingredient list for the gremolata made crunchy with the addition of gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and toasted walnuts.
I’ve prepared this dish using regular green cabbage, and I’ve also made it with savoy. Both are good, and each variety has its benefits. The regular cabbage yields a slightly juicier result while the savoy, with its thin ruffled leaves, cooks faster. Either way, this dish is great for a light lunch or as a side with a main course.
SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS
• 1 head savoy or regular green cabbage, quartered, cored, and sliced into ribbons
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted OR 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 small bunch parsley, leaves minced and stems discarded
• Zest of one fresh lemon finely grated to make 1 tablespoon
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup gluten-free or regular panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Small piece Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated to make 1/3 cup, plus more for table
METHOD
ROAST CABBAGE
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. After slicing the cabbage into ribbons, pull out any thick white pieces and save for another use. Spread cabbage ribbons on a rimmed baking sheet and grind pepper over the top. Drizzle with melted butter or with olive oil. Place in oven and roast for 5 minutes.
MAKE PANKO GREMOLATA
While cabbage roasts, make gremolata by combining minced parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. Stir in olive oil. Add chopped walnuts, panko, and salt.
TOSS CABBAGE
Open oven and toss cabbage to rearrange a bit. Continue roasting for 3 to 5 more minutes until most of the ribbons have browned and crisped on the edges. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Roast for 1 more minute.
FINISH DISH
Remove cabbage from oven and place in a bowl. Toss roasted cabbage with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Finish by tossing with panko gremolata and grated Parmigiano. Serve hot, along with a little extra cheese for garnishing.
ITALICUS SPRITZ
BY WENDY FRANZEN
NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Channel the Amalfi Coast this weekend with an Italicus Spritz. It stars Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto—a fresh, lightly floral, and delicately bitter Italian liqueur made from Bergamot, a citrus fruit native to southern Italy. This sparkling cocktail is irresistibly bright, with a touch of gin echoing the Bergamot fruit’s herbal qualities, and Meyer lemon juice adding a soft sweetness and complexity not present in traditional lemons. If Meyer lemons are not readily available, a 50/50 mix of traditional lemon juice and tangerine juice may be substituted.
SERVES 1
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice (see above for substitution option)
• 1/2 ounce gin
• 1 1/2 ounces Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
• 3 ounces prosecco or sparkling wine
• Meyer lemon peel spiral, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
• Add Meyer lemon juice, gin, and Italicus to a cocktail shaker.
• Fill shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
• Double strain into a well-chilled coupe glass and top with prosecco.
• Garnish with a Meyer lemon peel spiral.
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is available at Binny’s Beverage Depot. Vintage etched coupe glasses, marble tray, and handembroidered cocktail napkins available at fletcherandfork.com
THE
A GIANT GOODBYE
Paul Harris will step down next month from his Highland Park High School Athletic Director post, capping off a lengthy tenure at his alma mater that included decades as a teacher/coach.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
As a sophomore at Indiana University more than 30 years ago, Paul Harris joined his Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers as a bicycle racer in the Little 500 for one reason.
Not to train for the Tour de France.
Nor to possibly land a role in the sequel to Breaking Away, the 1979 movie about the annual track cycling event (a sequel has not been made).
“I missed being a member of a team,” says Harris, the Highland Park High School (HPHS) Athletic Director since 2020 and the school’s boys’ varsity basketball coach and boys’ varsity golf coach from 1999-2021, all while serving his alma mater (HPHS, Class of 1988) as a special education teacher.
“I’d cherished my seasons as a high school basketball teammate playing for the Giants and representing my school, and I wanted to feel like a teammate again,” Harris adds. “I’ve always believed that being a member of a team brings out the best in people.”
Among the other teams in Paul Harris’ life: his family (wife Erica and sons Wyatt. 25; Adam, 22; and Eli, 21); his coaching staffs; his fellow special education teachers; and his current administrative colleagues.
“I love the phrase ‘I am because we are,’” Harris says “Nothing captures the essence of team and what it can do to benefit individuals better than those words.”
All kinds of teams at HPHS will bid farewell to Harris this month and next. The man who started coaching at HPHS at the age of 22 and became head varsity golf coach at 25 and head varsity basketball at 29 plans to step down as athletic director on June 30.
That’ll mean Harris, as he closes his HPHS office door on that date, had either taken classes or worked at the Home of the Giants for a combined 37 years.
“I feel fortunate, having been able to work at one place all these years,” Harris says. “I will always treasure my relationships with people in the building and with my former
athletes, as well as the friendships I developed with opposing coaches.
“I’ll decompress this summer,” he continues. “My next position? I’m not sure and I don’t have a timetable for that; I won’t rule anything out. I might coach again. I might challenge myself in a different field, because I love learning and growing as a profes sional.”
Had it not been for former HPHS boys’ varsity basketball coach Mike Kolze, Harris might have never coached. After Harris made the freshman B basketball team as a
hadn’t seen in ourselves. And four seniors in particular on that team—Scott Scornavacco (Harris’ future brother-inlaw), twins Peter and Adam Rudman, and Alan Hofman—supported Jon, Brian, Harris ended up backing up starting guard Shevitz (an AllCentral Suburban League player) when the two were seniors
“I owe so much to Coach Kolze,” says Harris. “I learned a ton about coaching and running a program from him. His thing was, ‘Prepa-
I love the phrase ‘I am because we are.’ Nothing captures the essence of team and what it can do to benefit individuals better than those words.
point guard in 1984, he tried out for the Giants’ sophomore squad the next winter but got cut.
So did Jon Gray and Brian Shevitz.
“Coach Kolze let the three of us practice with the varsity that season,” Harris recalls, adding the trio was known as “The Puppies.” “It was like we were walk-on players. Coach Kolze saw something in us that we
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
ration is your separation.’ In other words, work hard before games to be as ready as possible. Following that principle benefits me in everything I do. Coach Kolze also showed me you have to be willing to adjust; why stick with a man-to-man defense when another defense might be better suited for the players on the team that season.
“And Coach Kolze,” he adds, “treated his
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mitch Hurst, Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Felix McMillan
staff well.”
Harris’ 22 varsity basketball teams went 341-263, with four of them winning regional championships. The 2001-2002 edition reached the Elite Eight in the state tournament.
“I was prepared for coaching because I’d spent so much time on the bench as a player,” cracks Harris.
Harris’ golf teams in 1996, 2003, and 2012 qualified for the state meet.
“What Erica and I appreciated greatly was how often our sons got to be around my varsity athletes,” says Harris, a Deerfield resident since 1999. “We knew our kids would have opportunities to watch athletes and be inspired to be good teammates themselves. But it went the other way, too. (Former HPHS standout guard) David Sachs told me that being in the presence of Eli, who was our longtime ball boy and water boy at practices and games, made the players want to do everything they could to become the best role models.”
Now a junior and the men’s basketball team manager at the University of Minnesota, Eli Harris plans to pursue a coaching career.
Paul Harris succeeded Jon Rowley as HPHS Athletic Director in 2020, serving as the interim in year one of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic was still around in my second year as AD,” Harris says. “That presented challenges for all students, educators, coaches, and administrators. But we got through it because so many people stepped up, just like they did after the parade shooting (in 2022). What happened on that July 4th was tragic, leading to some incredibly difficult times. It was meaningful for leaders to be there for the community.
“They say the greatest ability of an athletic director is availability, often seven days a week,” he adds. “Being in a leadership position for others is important and something I’ve always welcomed.”
Paul Harris, a team-first Giant. Through and through.
