Raquel Rojas Moran
Welcome to the world of North Shore Real Estate where Raquel brings over 9 years of experience guiding clients with care, strategy and heart. As a proud member of Baird & Warner’s Winnetka office, as well as your North Shore neighbor residing in Northfield, Raquel specializes in helping buyers and sellers navigate the highly sought after neighborhoods of Chicago’s North Shore including Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Northfield, Northbrook, Glenview and beyond.
As a trusted guide in every move, whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating or purchasing your first home, Raquel offers a customized, client-first approach that blends market expertise, negotiation strength and authentic connection. Her background in international business and accounting allows her to provide smart, data-driven guidance and her passion for Real Estate ensures you feel supported every step of the way.
Clients choose to work with Raquel because of her unique, strategic, yet heartfelt approach to Real Estate. Her access to off-market opportunities and her strong relationships with local lenders, attorneys and contractors enhance her client’s opportunities to “win the transaction”. She has a strong network that works hard for YOU!
Contact Raquel for an unsurpassed approach to selling or buying a home, and let her help you experience a lifestyle worth living.
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
On May 1, Antonio "Tony" Larrondo and his family will celebrate their 10th year as owners of Highwood’s beloved Gourmet Frog Bakery. “The years have gone by so fast!” says Larrondo, looking spring-y in his Kelly green Gourmet Frog shirt.
Behind him, customers queue up to the counter, choosing from the cakes and glistening, jewel-toned fruit tarts in one case, the just-baked Mexican sweet breads in another, and the assorted French savories in a third. As we chat, baker Wilbert Perez adds a caramelized onion and goat cheese quiche to the third case, joining the soups from Froggy’s French Café next door.
The inspiring story of how Larrondo— who emigrated from Mexico with nothing but the clothes on his back—became a successful business owner, starts at Froggy’s in 1989.
“That’s when I came to America from Mexico,” he explains. “My first day washing dishes at Froggy’s, I was wearing the clothes I arrived in.”
And with the money earned at the end of that shift, he went to buy the black pants and white shirt that was the proper uniform. A hard worker and quick learner, Larrondo impressed Froggy’s co-owner and executive chef Thierry Lefeuvre.
“Thierry was a great boss,” says Larrondo. “He was tough, and he pushed me in the way I needed. I wanted to stay in the back, thinking my English wasn’t good enough. But Thierry would say, ‘You can do this!’ with every promotion he gave me.”
From dishwashing to bussing to waiting tables to managing Froggy’s bakery, Larrondo advanced, recalling how “... in 2014, Thierry asked me if I wanted to buy the bakery.”
The deal was done in 2015, and Larrondo has never regretted the purchase. Originally, the Gourmet Frog served as production bakery for Froggy’s baked goods. Today, the Gourmet Frog bakes just a few items for Froggy’s, selling most of its products to North Shore clientele.
Gourmet Frog’s repertoire of cakes, tarts, quiches, and cookies is vast. All items (except for the Mexican breads) are baked from original Froggy recipes. The cakes, made with either a glutenfree almond flour base, or a classic genoise, are all available in three sizes. The tarts, also available in assorted sizes, are made with either an almond-flour, flaky pastry, or a cookie base and are topped with fresh fruits.
Of these items, the Chocolate Extravaganza mousse cake is Gourmet Frog’s bestselling cake, and the flourless mixed berry is the favored tart. Because quality is so important, Gourmet Frog imports its chocolate from Europe and makes the mousses for its cakes and tarts from pureed fresh fruits.
Behind the scenes in the bakery’s production areas, there are bakers in each room. One does the cakes, another, the quiches and tarts, and a third the Mexican breads. In the back, one counter is also spread with the ingredients for the tamales Larrondo personally makes for sale on Fridays and Saturdays.
“Pork with red sauce, chicken with green sauce, pepper and cheese—and for special, shrimp with tomato and onion,” Larrondo explains. “The tamales are very popular, and people order ahead. I’ve had people tapping on the window at 6:30 in the morning, hop-
ing they are ready to pick up.”
Looking ahead?
“I just want to keep doing a good job for all of our customers—I am so thankful for them,” he says. “And for my family. My three eldest children grew up helping here, and they still come to help out when things get really busy. And with my bakers? I try to be the same kind of boss as Thierry was for me, encouraging them, believing in them and telling them, ‘You can do it!’ Because I couldn’t do what we do here without them.”
To thank its customers and celebrate Gourmet Frog’s tenth anniversary, the bakery will be honoring a 10 percent off coupon running in this edition of The North Shore Weekend. To view the entire selection or to preorder cakes, tarts, cookies, or tamales, please visit gourmetfrog.net
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
NOW THROUGH MAY 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
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
MAY 3
BLOOM INTO SPRING
WHERE: Elawa Farm
At 5:30 p.m., join the Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital for its annual benefit, “Bloom Into Spring.” Enjoy an evening of fine dining and engaging entertainment. lfhwomensboard.nm.org
MAY 3
CHICAGO BRONZE
WHERE: Trinity Wilmette
Join Trinity Wilmette at 4 p.m. for an exuberant handbell concert featuring Chicago Bronze, a regional handbell ensemble of advanced and experienced ringers. The program is a tribute to Arnold Sherman, a beloved handbell composer and arranger who passed away last year. The concert will conclude with a recep-
9 Highwood Ave, Highwood, IL facebook.com/audoriginals2 (847) 579-8052 Open Wed - Sat 12:30-4:30, or by appointment Painting of the week. Bring in this ad for 10% off your purchase.
Open – local
tion in his family’s honor. Registration is required. trinitywilmette.com
MAY 5 TO 19
MONDAY BIRD HIKES
WHERE: Skokie River Nature Preserve
From 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. join guides from Lake Cook Audubon and Lake County Audubon Society for morning hikes. Each week will be set at a different forest preserve. lfola.org
MAY 8
ART IN BLOOM
WHERE: Gorton Center
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., celebrate spring with “Art in Bloom,” a one-of-a-kind event that brings together fashion, art, and floral design. Styles will be provided by local boutiques and artwork and floral pairings will be available for purchase. deerpathartleague.org
MAY 10
GARDENING FOR BIRDS
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 9 a.m. to noon, celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and discover ways to cultivate school gardens for birds. Learn to identify common birds and take home a variety of bird-friendly plants. Member tickets are $24 and non-member tickets are $30. chicagobotanic.org
MAY 15
JOSSELYN’S SPRING LUNCHEON
WHERE: Northmoor Country Club
Enjoy fun with friends, curated boutique shopping, and delicious food while learning more about Josselyn’s impact in the community. Since 1951, Josselyn has worked to ensure that everyone has equitable access to the highest quality mental health care. josselyn.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Monday Bird Hikes
SUMMER’S HIDDEN DEPTHS
As Lake Michigan beckons, boating safety takes center stage.
BY ABE FISHMAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the horizon of Lake Michigan shimmers with promise—sun-drenched afternoons, laughter echoing from pontoon decks, and the slow, gentle sway of anchored leisure.
For many in the Midwest, summer begins not with the solstice, but with the sound of waves against the hull. Yet beneath this idyll lies a sobering reality: boating is not just a pastime—it’s a responsibility.
In 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 recreational boating accidents, resulting in 639 fatalities and more than 2,200 injuries. These are not abstract figures. They represent families upended, weekends that took sudden turns, and tragedies that were, in many cases, preventable.
• Wear a life jacket. According to the Coast Guard, 75 percent of 2023 boating deaths were due to drowning, and 85 percent of those victims weren’t wearing life jackets.
• Take a boating safety course. Many insurance providers offer discounts for certified boaters, and the knowledge could be life-saving.
• Avoid alcohol on the water. Operating a vessel while impaired is not only illegal—it’s deadly.
• Check the weather. On Lake Michigan, forecasts change quickly; an afternoon thunderstorm can turn a pleasure cruise into a mayday.
“People underestimate Lake Michigan because it’s a lake, not an ocean,” says one North Shore-area harbormaster. “But in
Lake Michigan, one of North America’s most inviting freshwater destinations, offers both grandeur and unpredictability. Its vastness can be deceptive: wind conditions shift suddenly, waves build with alarming speed, and currents can pull swimmers far from shore. What appears serene from the sand can become perilous a few hundred yards out.
terms of surface area, depth, and weather volatility, it behaves much more like a sea.”
As boat rental companies gear up for the holiday surge—and novice captains take the helm—it’s critical that safety awareness keeps pace with demand. Experts stress several simple but essential precautions:
For all its beauty, Lake Michigan demands respect. The freedom of the water comes with obligations—ones that don’t diminish the fun, but rather ensure it continues.
This summer, as we unfurl beach towels and cast off lines, let prudence be part of the ritual. Because the true joy of the lake lies not only in the moments we share on its surface—but in making sure we all return safely to shore.
ALL ABOARD FOR EMPOWERMENT
Highland Park's Whistle Stop Trolley Tour celebrates women entrepreneurs.
BY MAYA ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
There’s a movement stirring in downtown Highland Park, and it comes with the gentle ring of a trolley bell and the unmistakable power of women lifting one another up.
On Thursday, May 8, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., just ahead of Mother’s Day weekend, the city’s streets will transform into a dynamic celebration of female entrepreneurship with the Women-Owned Business Whistle Stop Trolley Tour—an evening designed to showcase the women who are not only running shops but shaping a community.
Hosted by Downtown Highland Park in partnership with the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, this immersive expe-
demo another chance to win.
The night culminates in a celebratory after-party at Atelier by elliestyled (1900 Sheridan Road), beginning at 7:30 p.m. with refreshments and vibrant networking.
Catered by Indus Progressive Indian, La Taquiza, and Lynfred Winery, the afterparty offers not just a chance to relax, but to connect with fellow attendees, share discoveries, and toast to the women behind the storefronts. Raffle prize drawings begin at 8 p.m., and yes—you must be present to win.
“There's something powerful about women showing up for each other—not just as business owners but as a united community,” says Sandy Saldano, event coordinator, sponsor, and owner of Therapeutic Kneads, one of the participating businesses.
rience invites locals and visitors alike to discover the stories, services, and style behind over 25 women-owned businesses. Whether on foot or hopping aboard the charming hop-on/hop-off trolley, guests will make their way through participating storefronts offering complimentary demos, giveaways, sips, and sweets—each stop a testament to creativity, resilience, and the unique flair women bring to the business world.
But this isn’t your typical sidewalk stroll. Each participant will be given a personalized passport badge, a playful but purposeful touch that makes the evening interactive. At every business stop, guests collect raffle ribbons, turning engagement into opportunity. The more ribbons you earn, the more raffle tickets you receive— making every boutique visit or free beauty
“Behind every storefront on this tour is a story of passion, strength, and female entrepreneurism. Supporting women-
nesses reflects not only economic diversity but a cultural one: from Love That Spice, a vibrant shop full of flavor and healing herbs, to YogaSix, where mindfulness meets movement. Whether you’re stopping by Secret World Books for a literary escape or dropping into The Bar Method for a fitness pick-me-up, each visit is a window into a
owned businesses isn’t just about shopping, it’s about building each other up and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.” Indeed, the range of participating busi-
woman’s dream made real.
Tickets are just $20 on Eventbrite, and include full access to the trolley, all participating business experiences, and the after-
party. Early passport pickup is available the day of at ENAZ, Face Foundrié, or Rock N Rags. Each passport includes a QR code for a digital map, so attendees can chart their course through the evening with ease.
The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce will serve as the evening’s Whistle Stop Trolley Guides, offering a friendly face and helpful direction at each stop. Their presence underscores the collaborative nature of the event, one where civic pride and entrepreneurial spirit intersect.
It’s rare to find an event that manages to feel both festive and deeply meaningful, but the Whistle Stop Trolley Tour accomplishes just that. It is part community celebration, part economic engine, and part love letter to the women who are reshaping Highland Park’s downtown—not only with their storefronts, but with their stories.
So, this May 8, climb aboard. Bring your curiosity, your support, and your sense of fun. The whistle is blowing, and the future is women-led.
Tickets & Info: Available on Eventbrite Early Passport Pickup: ENAZ, Face Foundrié, Rock N Rags
After-Party: Atelier by elliestyled, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
SHORE SPORTS
BY BILL MCLEAN
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
CHAMPS REFUSE TO RELAX
Loyola Academy’s two-time reigning state champion girls’ lacrosse team practices like it competes—hard.
The girls’ lacrosse players at Loyola Academy (LA) might as well don game uniforms for their team practices in Wilmette.
They treat practices as if they were games.
“We put our large team (30 varsity members) through high-paced practices,” says LA coach John Dwyer. “They’re opportunities for players to compete for playing time.
“It’s a really focused group,” he adds. “It’s also well-conditioned and hard-working.”
And highly successful. Once again.
Dwyer’s formidable program—it has claimed 16 state championships, including three of the last four Illinois High School Association (IHSA) titles—won 11 of its first 13 games this spring before hosting Michigan’s top-ranked squad, East Grand Rapids High School (EGRHS), on April 25.
Illinois’ best team won that matchup emphatically, notching a 16-5 decision behind five goals from sophomore middie Molly Dwyer (John’s granddaughter) and sophomore middie Chloe Mangel’s 12 draw controls to improve to 12-2.
Molly Dwyer upped her goal total to 52. John Dwyer’s other granddaughter on varsity, senior attack and co-captain Grace Dwyer, had tallied 36 goals through 13 games.
“Our scoring is balanced and we play an aggressive defense,” John Dwyer says.
The Ramblers’ top defenders in front of senior goalie MJ Bukta are seniors Ingrid Kavanagh and Finley Breen, junior Prairie Weber, and sophomore Lilly Haravon.
Kavanagh has committed to the University of Colorado Boulder; Breen will continue her lacrosse career at Marquette University. LA senior attack Annie Devine, a Florida State University recruit, had scored 15 goals and delivered eight assists through April 23.
Dwyer’s assistant coaches are Laine Dolan, Colleen Speth, Brennan Dwyer, and Izzy Scane. Brennan, a former star player at LA and Northwestern University (NU), is John Dwyer’s daughter, whose No. 3 jersey was retired by LA after the 2017 season. Scane, a native of Clarkson, Michigan, also played at NU and twice received the
Tewaaraton Award as the best college player in the nation.
Brennan Dwyer, who holds several NU records for draw controls, is in her third season as coach at her alma mater; Scane is a first-year Ramblers assistant.
“Izzy has been a wonderful addition, helping our offense, and Brennan has been working hard with Chloe on draw controls, showing her the proper techniques and reminding her of the importance of the mental aspects in earning draw controls,”
John Dwyer says. “Brennan is a no-nonsense coach. She holds the kids to a high standard, and the kids respect her.”
Mangel amassed 15 draw controls in LA’s 13-7 defeat of host Lake Forest High School (LFHS) on April 24. LFHS finished fourth at the IHSA state tournament last spring.
“Lake Forest is a very good team,” says Coach Dwyer. “It's kind of like our group— excellent core of seniors, lots of strong young players.”
LA’s other significant wins thus far, in
Trier Township High School, Benet Academy, and Evanston Township High School.
Molly Dwyer struck for seven goals, including the game-winner, in LA’s 14-13 overtime defeat of GVPS on April 12.
‘D’ SERVES AS GIANTS’ ID
Highland Park High School’s girls’ lacrosse team aims to stifle attacks under guidance of first-year coach Charles Solomon.
Some defenses never rest. Like the one that battles for the Highland Park High School (HPHS) girls’ lacrosse team.
“We want to be tenacious in every game, using a blue-collar mentality on defense,” says firstyear Giants coach Charles Solomon. “That’s who we are. We press high, we press low. We like to stymie the opposition.”
Junior Nora Gladstone is Solomon’s A1 ‘D’ player in front of senior goalie Val Faust. Each foe’s top offensive threat has to cope
with the relentless Gladstone.
“Our clear anchor back there,” Solomon says of Gladstone. “Nora face-guards star players end to end, and she does so for the entire game.”
Sophomore Esmae You also stands out defensively for the Giants, who improved their overall record to 5-5 with a 4-1 defeat of host Rolling Meadows High School on April 26.
“Great hands, great stick skills,” Solomon says of You, who plays basketball in the winter.
Faust has been a reliable presence in goal this spring, having recorded 107 saves through the first nine games. She allowed only one goal in a win at Northside College Prep on April 4, a little more than two weeks after helping the Giants top Regina Dominican High School 14-4 in the season opener.
“Val has been dialed in all season,” Solomon says. “Some of her saves have been incredible. What she does for us keeps us in
games.”
Senior middie/attack Ava Heimgartner paces the Giants in scoring (14 goals through April 23), ahead of junior middie Maddie Kashy (nine), senior attack Jolie Cherpak (seven), and Lucy Compher (six).
Compher had delivered a team-high four assists through the Giants’ 6-1 loss to host Deerfield High School (DHS) on April 23.
“Ava is super aggressive, with no fear,” notes Solomon. “She moves well, cuts well. And Lucy sets up our offense, calling the plays.”
Kashy scored the team’s lone goal in the loss at DHS last week, whipping a shot over the right shoulder of the Warriors’ goalie from the top of the 12-meter semi-circle.
“Maddie,” Solomon says, “beat two defenders while making a couple of nice moves and cuts ahead of her strong shot.
“She’s an integral part of our team,” he adds.
The hiring of Solomon marked his return home. He attended HPHS for two years in
the late 1980s before completing his secondary education in Connecticut.
“One of the first things I heard (in Connecticut) was, ‘We don’t play football or baseball here; we play lacrosse,’” Solomon recalls.
He had coached high school girls’ lacrosse in Illinois at a slew of schools over a 21-year span before accepting the offer from HPHS. He started at eventual perennial state power Hinsdale Central High School and later guided Barrington High School (BHS) to four Mid-Suburban League championships. After stepping down at BHS, he took over at McHenry High School.
“I’m trying to build something here at Highland Park, primarily through our defense, Solomon says. “Deerfield’s coach (Flo Mitran) had some nice things to say about our defenders after our game there. Our offense will come around.”
HPHS visits Buffalo Grove High School on May 6 and hosts New Trier Township High School on May 7.
Nora Gladstone
Q & A with New Trier junior hoopster CHRISTOPHER KIRKPATRICK
After the National Basketball Association playoffs tipped off last month, we checked in with New Trier Township High School (New Trier) junior guard Christopher Kirkpatrick, a sharpshooter who averaged 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game—all team-high statistics— for the Trevians this past winter. These successes came a year after helping the program finish third at the Class 4A boys’ basketball state tournament as a sophomore starter.
“I like watching (Golden State guard) Steph Curry and (New York guard) Jalen Brunson, mostly because they’re similar to my size,” says the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Kirkpatrick.
“Jalen’s footwork in the paint is incredible,” he adds. “To do what he does, for someone who’s only 6-1, took hours and hours of work every year. He put the work in and it shows.”
Curry?
“You think of Steph, you think of his
school year, so I’d like to finish strong, not slack off with the grades. I’ll make time to get in the weight room and lift.
Which part of your game would you like to improve between now and next season’s opener?
Finish better through contact. Over the summer, I want to get stronger and work on my speed, doubling down on my conditioning to become more athletic on the court.
Your coach, Scott Fricke, guided the Trevians to back-to-back third-place finishes at state in 2023 and 2024. Your thoughts on him?
We play in front of large crowds, which can be stressful. Coach builds us up, never gets on us. He doesn’t want us to worry if something doesn’t go our way in a game. What he cares about is that we play the game the right way. It’s easy to play for a coach like him.
Who has been the most supportive person in your life who has never touched a basketball?
I’m going with my mother (Sara). She has touched a basketball, but only when she rebounds for me when I work on my shot. She drove me everywhere, to gyms mostly, when I was young, and always has something encouraging to say after my games. She makes breakfast for me every morning. And her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are world-famous. She’s the best.
Your father played for Northwestern University’s National Invitational Tournament team in 1994. What have you heard about his hoops career?
Dad had a high basketball IQ when he played. Smart player.
What kind of a guard are you?
I’m a pass-first guy.
Your teammates look to you to score and serve as a floor general. Do they expect anything else from you?
You’d have to ask them, but I hope they look up to me and feel comfortable discussing anything with me. I’m super close with all of them. The guys I’ve played basketball with are my brothers for life.
BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
The study guide for the Design Society of America’s Residential Interior Design Qualifying Certification Exam. I recently earned a certificate in interior design, which I’ve dabbled in as a hobby and would love to turn into a part-time pursuit someday. For now, friends and family can take advantage of my trade discounts. I’m also reading The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. It’s an eyeopening read about the history and ecology of our own backyard.
DAYNA DION has spent more than two decades in creative storytelling—developing communication strategies and building brands for organizations ranging from Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, and PepsiCo to the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute and Urban Labs. She’s now working to advance a mission close to her heart as Vice President of Communications and Operations at Easterseals. Serving greater Chicago and Rockford, this more than 85-year-old nonprofit is dedicated to expanding access to education and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Growing up, Dion says she saw the remarkable abilities of her close family members with “disabilities,” and the difference educational opportunities and dignified employment made in their lives. Outside of her work, she loves traveling, hiking, biking, and cooking with her family—her husband, Jay, 12-year-old daughter, Madeleine, and 8-year-old daughter, Elise. She also has a dog with nine lives—Max, who finds clever ways to venture out but always seems to find his way home.
#ON MY MOBILE
I love documentaries and gravitate toward stories of crazy quests against mother nature like Free Solo, 14 Peaks, and The Devil’s Climb. I think I’m fascinated by the psychology of it—how people driven to take those kinds of risks are wired. I also recently binged No Good Deed on Netflix. It’s a dark but brilliant and hilarious social commentary.
#IN MY EARBUDS
I’m a fan of so many different genres of music—the “shuffle” on my music app kicks up everything from Stevie Nicks and Steely Dan to Pearl Jam and the Stone Temple Pilots to Aaliyah and Adele. I’m also a big fan of yacht rock!
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM
Indianwood Road, Wilmette
BY FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
The sound of madness next door sends this thriller into a psychological roar.
VERDICT: Restless is an elegant, intelligent thriller that finds horror not in shadows but in shared walls. Lyndsey Marshal is quietly devastating, and Hart’s debut proves that dread doesn’t always need a knife—it just needs a neighbor with bad taste in music and no sense of boundaries. Sleepless, simmering, and psychologically sharp.
In Restless, director Jed Hart's unnerving debut, suburban peace and quiet get throttled by a thudding bassline and a thousand tiny indignities. What begins as a whisper of a thriller quickly swells into a psychological roar, anchored by a magnetic, tightly wound performance from Lyndsey Marshal. She plays Nicky, a solitary nurse whose nights are undone by her new neighbor—a walking keg of chaos named Deano (Aston McAuley)—who turns her once-orderly world into a surround-sound hellscape.
Hart mines the most mundane of modern torments—sleep deprivation, polite society, shared walls—for all they’re worth, layering sound and silence with Hitchcockian precision. Nicky’s descent into obsession is charted not with screams, but with glances, cat scratches, and the slow dismantling of civility.
Reggie, her feline confidant, becomes the sole island of calm in a narrative that grows increasingly taut.
The brilliance of Restless lies in its
THE FOUR SEASONS RESTLESS
restraint. The screenplay resists high drama in favor of creeping dread; the camera lingers just a bit too long, the sound design ratchets tension without overtly declaring it. Aston McAuley is superbly loathsome as Deano, managing to weaponize charm into menace. He’s every inconsiderate neighbor you’ve ever fumed over at 3 a.m., only worse.
There are, admittedly, moments when the film leans a touch too hard into plausibility-straining escalation—late scenes tip from artfully disturbing to slightly absurd. Yet one suspects Hart is aware of this, nudging the boundaries of genre convention with a wink rather than a stumble. The satire runs just beneath the surface: a comment on how polite society will tolerate a great deal of psychological damage before it breaks.
There are no car chases here, no grand conspiracies—just the slow, precise erosion of a woman’s mental scaffolding, one booming beat at a time.
Now streaming on Netflix, this eight-episode miniseries is a witty, warmhearted reboot of a 1981 film about friendship and midlife upheaval.
VERDICT: A nuanced and engaging series that successfully balances humor with heartfelt storytelling, The Four Seasons is a worthy addition to Netflix's lineup, offering a fresh take on the trials and triumphs of long-term relationships.
Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani)—who have maintained a tradition of quarterly vacations together. Their comfortable dynamic is disrupted when Nick announces his divorce from Anne and introduces his much younger girlfriend, Ginny (Erika Henningsen), to the group. This upheaval forces each couple to confront their own relationship challenges, leading to moments of both hilarity and heartfelt introspection.
In The Four Seasons, Tina Fey and Steve Carell reunite to deliver a sharply observed, emotionally resonant comedy that reimagines Alan Alda’s 1981 film for a new generation. Available on Netflix, this eight-episode miniseries blends Fey’s signature wit with a poignant exploration of long-term relationships, both romantic and platonic.
The series follows three couples—Kate (Fey) and Jack (Will Forte), Nick (Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), and
Fey, along with co-creators Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield, crafts a narrative that balances comedic elements with genuine emotional depth. The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, with Carell capturing Nick's midlife crisis with nuance and Fey portraying Kate's struggle with marital stagnation with relatable charm. Domingo and Calvani provide a compelling portrayal of a couple navigating their own unique challenges, adding further layers to the series' exploration of enduring friendships. Visually, the series benefits from its
seasonal structure, with each episode capturing the distinct atmosphere of its respective time of year. From sun-soaked summer retreats to cozy winter getaways, the changing backdrops enhance the storytelling and underscore the passage of time within these relationships.
The Four Seasons stands out as a thoughtful and entertaining examination of the complexities of adult friendships and the inevitable changes that come with time. It's a testament to the strength of connections that endure life's unpredictability, offering viewers both laughter and reflection.
ARTFUL LAYERING
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Celebrating the Heart of Our Community – Volunteers!
The Volunteer Center is proud to honor the incredible volunteers nominated by their nonprofit organizations. These inspiring individuals give their time, energy, and compassion to make a difference in our community. Want to join them? Visit volunteercenterhelps.org to explore opportunities with over 100 local nonprofits—or reach out to us directly at info@volunteercenterhelps.org and let us help you find the perfect way to give back.
Indian & Nepalese Cuisines
MIKE MOKATE Little City
PAIGE GOLDSTEIN
Bounce Children’s Foun-
HEATHER CRIMMINS Reading Power, Inc.
BEN LEON Family Promise
FOREVER LAKE FOREST
Longtime Lake Forest resident and
accomplished
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Stewart Dixon oozes Lake Forest.
The Lake Forest native—whose parents and grandparents also grew up in Lake Forest—sits in his VentureDNA office in Lake Forest on a postcard-esque spring morning, discussing the striking qualities of his beloved city, his gratitude for having been selected to serve on the Lake Forest Caucus Ad Hoc Bylaw Committee, and the joy of walking along Lake Forest Open Lands.
Topics of conversations that have nothing to do with Lake Forest also animate the ever-positive Dixon, from the five-hour lunch he had with Gene Siskel on the day they met at the Chicago Tribune to his alltime favorite Maya Angelou quote to John Cusack’s movie character holding a boombox over his head in that iconic scene in Say Anything.
But Lake Forest means the world to him, with any reference to it triggering a Dixon smile that typically exceeds the lifespan— one day—of a mayfly.
“I look around Lake Forest and see these gifts, all kinds of amazing gifts,” says Dixon, who launched VentureDNA, a private equity firm, in 2004 and serves as its managing partner. “You’ve got the beautiful homes, the beach, Market Square, the people.
“You know what I want to see more than anything in a world that’s been too divisive in the last four, five years? A reset. We need to jump on opportunities to reset the commitment to community. We need to get back to being neighborly, to re-engage, to wash away polarization. We’re capable of doing all of that in Lake Forest, an incredibly special community, and beyond.”
Last year Dixon was one of seven residents unanimously approved to serve on the Lake Forest Caucus Ad Hoc Bylaw Committee, which is responsible for undertaking an independent, objective review of the bylaws of the Lake Forest Caucus and submitting recommendations for revisions to
executive leader Stewart Dixon roots, roots, roots
Chicago Tribune in the 1990s, one of the first things Dixon heard from a colleague was, “Stewart Dixon, this is Gene Siskel.”
“Gene and I went out for lunch to grab a bite,” Dixon recounts. “We sat down at 11 a.m. and talked until about 4 p.m. We were both big on the digital advancements in media, knowing they’d transform the industry. After his death (at age 53 in 1999), all calls to the Chicago Tribune from those sending condolences were routed to me. I spoke with heads of state, a host of other VIPs, and film critics from all over the world.”
Dixon emerged as an executive leader with a record of success orchestrating programs and marketing strategies to drive sales in the media and technology industries for the Chicago Tribune and other wellestablished brands, including ABC News and Motorola.
His firm VentureDNA seeks to partner with great management teams to take their businesses to the next level, creating value for all stakeholders. Its portfolio includes mobile, cloud, SaaS (Software as a Service), social, energy, big data, consumer brands, and life sciences businesses.
Dixon raised three sons in Lake Forest.
“Three amazing boys,” he says, adding one lives in Chicago, one resides in Los Angeles, and the third calls New York home.
Out of nowhere, something the late author, poet, civil rights activist, dancer, and actor Maya Angelou said is brought up, adding oomph to a meeting that had been stuck on lively since the word go.
John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
Jennifer Sturgeon ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Gaven Conatser ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
still some work left, but it’s been such a rewarding process, as well as an opportunity to serve, and give back to, an exceptional community.
“When we lead by example,” he continues, “our understanding of what it means to be a true community extends beyond our borders, creating a ripple effect that reaches the wider world.”
Dixon attended Tabor Academy in
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg
FOOD EDITOR
Monica Kass Rogers
ball film Bull Durham was to help produce a 14-song soundtrack. Dixon also worked for the executive producers of Tequila Sunrise and Say Anything
“The licensing rights to Peter Gabriel’s song ‘In Your Eyes’ was only $150,000,” recalls Dixon. “Can you believe that? That’s the song blaring from the boombox in that memorable scene.”
On the second day of his tenure at the
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Abe Fishman, Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Maya Rogers, Redding Worth DESIGN
Linda Lewis
“I’ve learned,” Angelou said, “that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“How great is that quote, that observation?” Dixon says. “It’s so true, isn’t it?”
It’s time to wrap up the engaging visit in his office. A smiling Dixon stands and reaches for the extended right hand of his visitor.
Stewart Dixon—consummate professional, community leader, neighbor—shakes the hand and gives a quick hug.
