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Find out what’s happening in your neighborhood with our weekly calendar of events
North Shore Country Day's boys' soccer team hangs tough against a squad from a
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
Learn more about violinist Brandi Berry Benson and a new series based on her genius
We look at how the Pascal pour Elle beauty empire became a North Shore legacy
15 dahlia days
The American Dahlia Society National Show transforms Chicago Botanic Garden into a palette of color
18 man about film
Our critic reviews The Long Walk, a dystopian thriller based on an early Stephen King novel
18 audio visual
Editor’s choice for Top 10 premieres, podcasts, and Chicago shows to see and hear this weekend
20 north shore foodie
This Grilled Chipotle Corn Pork Chops recipe is the perfect way to usher in cooler temps
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
22 sunday breakfast
Rick King's Three Pillars Initiative has one goal—inspire teens to become lifelong philanthropists
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21
PATTERNED BY NATURE
Celebrate our universal attraction to patterns through playfully planted gardens and nature-inspired artistic installations that stretch the imagination at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s “Patterned by Nature” event. Visitors are invited to explore garden beds and installations throughout the garden that feature dynamic patterns, transformational art, and upcycled fashion. chicagobotanic.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21
RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR
The Writers Theater 2025/2026 season begins with Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, a tale of Sergei Rachmaninoff, who recently escaped Russia in 1917. This new musical from Hershey Felder features him as the pianist and main role accompanied by Jonathan Silvestri. writerstheatre.org
SEPTEMBER 13 TO 14
FRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST
LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of Lake Forest Library will host its 49th Book Sale in the Lake Forest Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find a new special each day. lakeforestlibrary.org
SEPTEMBER 13
COLORFUL COCKTAILS WITH PROJECT COLOR CORPS
Join Paige Loczi and Jonny LeRoy at 713 Greenwood Avenue in Wilmette from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a vibrant fundraiser with colorful cocktails and light bites. All proceeds benefit Chicago Chapter’s impactful projects. givebutter.com
SEPTEMBER 14
BENEFIT OF ART 2025: TOUR D’ARTISTES
Experience exclusive studio tours of three North Shore artists, viewing their works with options to purchase. Continue to Genesis Highland Park for a collaborative art installation with cocktails and hearty bites to support Art Impact Project’s 11th year in enhancing emotional wellness through guided arts programming. artimpactproject.org
SEPTEMBER 16 TO 19
HIGHWOOD’S DESIGN WEEK
Highwood’s annual Design Week returns for its seventh season, transforming the city into a hub of interiors, art, fashion, and culinary creativity. Guests can meet designers, artists, and tastemakers for this curated event. Tickets are on sale now. highwoodchamber.com
SEPTEMBER 18
SIT AND KNIT
Spend an afternoon with fellow knitters from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All levels of experience are welcome. Basic supplies will be available and a library staff member will be present to help beginners. This program will take place in the Community Room. Registration is required. wnpld.org
SEPTEMBER 19
BROOKLYN CHARMER STEELY DAN TRIBUTE
Don’t miss this special night at Gorton Center in Lake Forest starting at 7:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy a preshow dinner delivered by The Gallery + Lucky Duck and then rock out with Brooklyn Charmers. Widely acclaimed as the best Steely Dan tribute band, Brooklyn Charmers will blow you away whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the magic of Steely Dan. gortoncenter.org
SEPTEMBER 20
GOOD FEST
Come for an evening of community, music, BBQ, and supporting a good cause at St. John’s church in Wilmette. Proceeds support Family Promise North Shore. Music will be provided by Tributosaurus and Antler Chandelier and BBQ will be from Backyard Barbeque. Tickets are on sale now. stjohnswilmette.org
SEPTEMBER 20
THE HISTORY OF COFFEE
This adult program at Northfield Public Library will feature a presentation from coffee roaster and biologist, Dr. Brian Moskalik, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Start your day learning about the world’s most popular beverage. Registration is required. wnpld.org
SEPTEMBER 20
BUSKER FEST
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., partake in Busker Fest at Central Street in Evanston. This celebration of street performance throughout Central Street will showcase a myriad of entertainers, from musicians to dancers, hula-hoopers, jugglers, poets, comedy, and more. This event is free and open to the public. Tipping the talent will be emphasized and encouraged. centralstreetevanston.com
SEPTEMBER 21 & OCTOBER 12
KENILWORTH WALKING TOURS
Kenilworth Historical Society presents its annual walking tours, exploring different architectural styles. Tours will last two hours and tickets can be purchased on their site. Tours begin at 1:30 p.m. and meet at the Kenilworth Train Station. kenilworthhistory.org
SEPTEMBER 22
WINNETKA WALKING TOURS
Winnetka Historical Society offers two walking tours to finish off the season. Registra-
tion is required and information can be found at their site. winnetkahistory.org
SEPTEMBER 22
FINANCIAL FRAUD IDENTIFICATION PANEL
Join Chief Informant and Security Officer Michael Zielinski from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kenilworth Union Church as he and a guest panel discuss ways to prevent financial fraud, as well as develop AI and social media literacy, kuc.org
SEPTEMBER 23
SUNSET YOGA
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in September, 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
SEPTEMBER 25
CHICAGO’S BEER WARS
Join Lake Bluff Library for this adult program from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn about prohibition and Al Capone. lakeblufflibrary.com
SEPTEMBER 26
ART OF CARING
Join hands with old and new friends to celebrate the bounty of fall and ensure Lake County’s most in need
are lifted up at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest. The Women’s Board of Catholic Charities, Lake County hosts the 33rd annual fundraiser to support the life-giving and critical work underway in Lake County. catholiccharities.net
OCTOBER 3 TO 5
THE GREAT HIGHWOOD PUMPKIN FEST
This year's Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is benefiting SaLT (Service and Learning Together). Enjoy live music, pumpkins, skeleton displays, and spooky fun. Leashed dogs are welcome. celebratehighwood.com
OCTOBER 5
THEN AND NOW AUTO SHOW
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy food, fun, cars, and entertainment for the whole family. This popular car show will take place at West Lake Forest Train Station. More than 100 cars will be on display and a food truck station will provide food and beverages. lflfchamber.com
OCTOBER 7 BATTLE OF THE BUSINESSES TRIVIA NIGHT
OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 26
NIGHT OF 1,000 JACK O’LANTERNS
Experience Chicago Botanic Garden’s annual autumn event, held October 8 to 12; 15 to 19; and 22 to 26. This ticketed display of jack o’lanterns includes food and drink items available for sale, themed jack o’lantern carvings, and demonstrations by artists. chicagobotanic.org
OCTOBER 15
JOSSELYN’S COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE
Join Winnetka-NorthfieldGlencoe Chamber of Commerce for its first trivia night. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., this event will be held at North Shore Country Day School. Ticket purchases include food and soft drinks. This is a BYOB event with ticket raffles and prizes. wngchamber.com
Josselyn invites you to an evening of celebration and impact at its signature fundraising event, with all proceeds benefiting Josselyn programming. This event will be held at the Glen View Club. josselyn.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com
Night of 1,000 Jack O'Lanterns
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
YOU GO, UIHLEIN
Lake Forest High School (LFHS) graduate and Northwestern University (NU) red-shirt senior linebacker Mac Uihlein intercepted a pass and had four tackles in the Wildcats’ 42-7 defeat of visiting Western Illinois University on September 6, one week after the 6-foot-1, 230-pounder recorded nine stops (eight solo tackles) in a seasonopening 23-3 loss to host Tulane University. NU (1-1) hosts sixth-ranked University of Oregon (2-0) at 11 a.m. Saturday in its Big Ten opener.
Another former standout LFHS gridder, Lake Bluff resident and defensive tackle Rylie Mills, 24, was placed on the Reserve/ Non-Football Injury list by the Seattle Seahawks. Drafted in the fifth round (142nd overall) in the 2025 National Football League Draft, Mills suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his final game as a member of the University of Notre Dame’s football team. The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder’s injury status allows the Seahawks to possibly activate him in mid-season.
MAX EFFORT
North Shore Country Day shows grit and heart in a boys’ soccer tournament loss to Notre Dame College Prep.
Football teams at Highland Park High School (HPHS), New Trier Township High School (New Trier), Loyola Academy (LA), and Lake Forest High School (LFHS) won a combined six of seven games in the first two weeks of the season. HPHS beat Leyden High School 21-16 and Deerfield High School (DHS) 28-21; New Trier defeated Naperville North High 20-14 and Waubonsie Valley High School 24-14; LA downed Merrillville (Indiana) High School 21-14 and was idle in week two; and LFHS split its first pair of games, topping DHS 30-0 and falling 51-7 to Carmel Catholic High School. Loyola Academy’s girls’ volleyball team defeated host Evanston Township High School 25-18, 25-23 behind Audrina Harvey’s six kills, Brea Payne’s 21 assists, and Hannah Kreutz’s 10 digs on September 3. Kaelyn Pasma provided five kills, and Makenzie Nash struck a pair of aces for the Ramblers (5-3).
North Shore Country Day (NSCD) senior soccer player Lucas “Max” Flemma—son of NSCD Head of School Tom Flemma—heads the ball as often as a field player grips the ball.
He’s the Raiders’ starting goalkeeper, after all. And a good one.
Here’s what Notre Dame College Prep (NDCP) boys’ soccer coach Michael Smith said about the netminder after his Dons defeated host NSCD 2-0 in a Don/Raider Cup match on August 30 in Winnetka:
“Kudos to him. He made a couple of nice saves.”
A fierce, fearless competitor, Flemma finished with six stops against a formidable Class 3A—the class featuring the largest schools in the Illinois High School Association—squad. NSCD, with an enrollment of 188, is a 1A school.
Former NSCD coach and current Lake Forest College associate men’s soccer coach Kyle Jones helmed the Raiders’ state championship team in 2023.
Current Raiders coach Mike Pilger also received strong efforts from senior center backs Thomas Scott and Devin Hazan against NDCP, now the five-time reigning Don/Raider Cup champion.
NSCD (0-5-0) had scored only three goals in its first five games through September 5, but Pilger knows the “gamer” mindset of his booters, and keeper, should help the varsity find its footing and net wins.
Lucas "Max" Flemma
“I worked with Cory when it came time to sell my beautiful but very unique home of 20 years, because I remembered him as the seller’s agent in the same neighborhood when I originally purchased the house. I remembered he was professional, polite and struck a hard bargain. I am so grateful he served as the selling agent for my house as he was responsive, efficient, warm and a highly skilled negotiator with expert knowledge of the market. You couldn’t ask for a better agent, with valuable experience and top-notch customer service.”
—Dorothea Duenow, Ravinia
RAVINIA
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY REDDING
WORTH
ILLUSTRATION
BY
TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I don’t have a nightstand per se, but more like a little shelf next to my bed. The books that often travel with me to my bedroom these days are books related to my research on the Five Civilized Tribes’ influence on early American music, and a book by Simon Sinek called Start With Why. Also on that little shelf is a box of Kleenex and an ever-changing lineup of some of my 4-year-old’s smaller animal toys.
#IN MY EARBUDS
If my daughter is with me, right now it’s Bluey: The album! If I’m on my own, I’m often listening to various podcasts of successful leaders in different industries. I go through different phases in my regular music rotation, but right now it is a lot of Kishi Bashi, Punch Brothers, The Beach Boys, The New Pornographers, some Radiohead, and some Stevie Wonder. When I first started composing, I was listening to the Uncommon Ritual album by Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, and Mike Marshall pretty much on repeat.
#ON MY MOBILE
I have too many apps! But probably what I use most often are various messaging and media apps, the usual Apple Music, Instagram, and YouTube apps, a habit tracker app, a tuning app called Cleartune, and a yoga app called Asana Rebel. I also love to check the weather, so The Weather Channel app is another go-to for me.
As a violinist and professor teaching Baroque music at both Northwestern and DePaul universities, one might think that BRANDI BERRY BENSON would only enjoy classical music. But in fact, Benson has always been interested in playing multiple genres of music—from bluegrass to world rock, jazz, new music, and more. She grew up in the heart of Texas learning both classical and folk music side by side, and she brings her love of eclectic music to her role as the artistic director of the Bach + Beethoven Experience (BBE), which aims to present classical music in an approachable way. The group performs everything from Baroque music to Gaelic folk music, new music and indigenous music to Christmas carols from around the world. The BBE, in collaboration with Emmy awardwinning writer Anne Marie Saviano, is set to present a comedic play about Johann Sebastian Bach, which will premiere in 2026. Recently, Benson has been composing a new series of works called “Chickasaw Caprices” based on her Chickasaw Nation heritage, which will also debut in 2026. When she’s not performing, she loves hanging out with her husband, Brian, and their 4-year-old daughter, as well as spending time fishing and long-distance running. Here, she reveals the sources of her creative inspiration.
BY THOMAS CONNORS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
“The artist’s world is limitless,” observed the great 20th-century photographer Paul Strand. “It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.”
For Winnetka-based artist Patricia Markos Dolan, that world is framed by Greece and the North Shore, by the Aegean Sea and Lake Michigan. Keenly attuned to dualities of the evanescent and the deeply rooted and the spiritual and the ineffable, she muses intently on the singularity of human existence, expressing this in works that draw from the mute eloquence of sun, wind, and water.
A first-generation American, Dolan has spent her life between the United States and Greece, where her parents were born. Greek is her mother tongue, and the song of its sounds has always informed her comprehension of the world. From childhood, she felt the urge to create, turning early on to pencil, pen, and ink to make her mark.
Dolan attended the School of the Art Institute, but she has always sought to draw the world beyond the studio, striving to pierce what lies below the surface of things.
“Education is a formality, but art is a practice of life and intuition,” she observes. For her, each canvas is a manifestation of a path, an exploration, a flow of energy that can be traced in form and color. Her creative course begins slowly, deliberately, as she mixes her paints and ponders the colors that arise.
“As the brush and palette knife hit the canvas, existence begins,” shares Dolan. “I feel light, form, space, and energy, atoms becoming one life. Socrates’ spirit rings loudly in that moment, ‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing …”’
While she responds to the work of Whistler, Turner, and Rothko—masters of atmospheric dematerialization—she revels in operating with “blinders on … creating my own voice, void of outside influences on the path to awakening.” But embedded in her experience is the vision of the Parthenon, once home to a colossal golden statue of Athena, protectress of Athens, and Mount Olympus, home of the gods. And when her gaze takes in Lake Michigan, heritage and the here-and-now merge.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAGGIE RIFE
Δεχομαι (Dechomai) Receive, 48 x 48, oil on canvas
Working primarily in shades of blue, green, and white, Dolan creates myriad images, each one unique. Some suggest a vantage point from a beach; others could be mid-sea. A slap of heavy impasto can represent a breaking wave halfway to the horizon. A dynamic matrix of irregular lines conjures a tidal pool shot through with sunlight. Some of these paintings evoke a sense of motion, others seem to freeze a moment in time. While some read almost instantly as marine vistas, others take time to assume the outline of something recognizable. One canvas may induce a meditative mode, while another intimates the vehemence of nature.
“Life is a mystery, a romance between life and death,” observes Dolan, who will be enjoying a solo show at Winnetka’s Vivid Art Gallery through September 30. “I am flattered and humbled when my work speaks to collectors,” says the artist. “In this world of hustle and bustle, my work allows the viewer to pause, breathe, listen—to contemplate love and pain, healing, hope, and courage, to really think, ‘Who are we?’ For me, every piece is a new life, a new beginning. A new energy. I am moved when the connection becomes one.”
For more information, visit patriciamdolan.com and vividartgallery.net.
Φυσικα (Fysika) Naturally, 96 x 60, oil on canvas
Ευχαρισ (Efcharis) Graceful, 40 x40, oil on canvas
Θυμαμαι (Thymamai) Remember, 40 x 40, oil on canvas
FORTY YEARS OF SHEAR GENIUS
A cut above the rest, we learn how Pascal pour Elle grew to become a North Shore legacy.
BY JANIS MVK
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
With nothing more than a dream and four stylists by his side, Pascal Ibgui, the visionary behind Pascal pour Elle, opened the doors to his very first salon in Winnetka in 1985. From those modest beginnings, he set out to craft a salon experience making every client radiate with confidence and beauty—a foundation that would grow into a legacy as polished as a perfectly styled strand.
Now 40 years later and a fixture in downtown Glencoe, Pascal pour Elle has grown into a multilevel sanctuary for all things hair where precision cuts, flawless color, and expert styling come together under one magnificent glass dome ceiling—a sight to see upon entrance. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Pascal has shaped the salon into shear excellence that keeps clients coming back.
“From the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for a remarkable experience—from the greeting at the front desk to our hairdressers and colorists, who train with guest artists from across the country to master the latest techniques—it’s these little touches that set us apart,” says Pascal.
At the heart of his vision remains education and reinvention—pillars that continue to set his salon a cut above the rest.
“Beyond traditional beauty school, we hire an assistant or recent graduate and put them through our very own training program,” Pascal explains. “We teach them the Pascal pour Elle philosophy, our techniques, and then introduce them to the salon floor, building a loyal clientele from their very first day.”
Today, now with over 50 talented professionals both on the floor and behind the scenes, Pascal and his team are more than a salon. They are celebrating forty years of family, united by trust and loyalty, with relationships that span generations.
The secret? Pascal says it’s about more than scissors and serums.
“The management is key in a salon. When the management is right, you create a team of people who work together. We focus more on clients than we focus on our personal ego.”
That ego-free philosophy builds not just trust, but a loyalty that resonates throughout the team and with clients.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see clients who believe in you and trust you,” Pascal explains. “Over the years, we’ve had mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandchildren come through our doors. We’ve watched two, three, even four generations of families grow with us. It’s amazing, and honestly, it’s really beautiful to see.”
And Pascal’s recipe for success extends far beyond the chair.
“It’s the quality of service we deliver from the beautiful cuts and color to our products that let clients take the Pascal pour Elle experience home, keeping them looking and feeling their best long after their appointment,” Pascal explains.
Just five years ago, Pascal launched his Pascal Paris hair styling products, bringing the salon experience home.
“When you come home from a salon, you leave looking so amazing, but you don’t know how to do your hair,” he says. To cover the grey areas, “I created a line that stylists can use in the salon and clients can use at home.”
Pascal pour Elle styling products come with playful names like “Hold Me Tight” hairspray, “Shine On Me” gloss spray, and “Give Me Wave” for curls. The line—available in-store and online—puts salon magic directly in clients’ hands and keeps it within reach, even in travel-friendly kits.
Of course, success doesn’t just grow out like bangs. It’s styled, shaped, and sometimes reworked. Pascal admits,
“Success doesn’t come in one shot. There have been a lot of peaks and valleys. We had a lot of success and a lot of failures. However, combining those two things together, that’s what made us even more successful,” he says.
So, what’s next for Pascal pour Elle after 40 years? More reinvention, of course.
“Keep developing new products and services, work with the team to make sure they feel secure and comfortable in their positions, keep learning and training, and keep doing what we’ve been doing,” says Pascal.
Like aperfectly styled cut, Pascal pour Elle has stood the test of time, shaping not just looks, but lives, one client and one generation at a time.
Pascal pour Elle is located at 368 Park Avenue in Glencoe, 847-501-3100, pascalpourelle.com, @pascalpourelle.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTCAMP
DAHLIA DAYS
Chicago Botanic Garden welcomes you to celebrate fall beneath a spectacular canopy of color at this month’s national show.
BY MARIANNE FIELDING
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
For two days this September, an otherwise serene corner of the Chicago Botanic Garden will erupt in an explosion of color—not from autumn foliage, but from tens of thousands of blooming dahlias.
The 2025 American Dahlia Society National Show, held from September 20 to 21, will transform Glencoe’s most hallowed horticultural grounds into a sort of painter’s palette, bursting with botanical bravado. The event, hosted by the Central States Dahlia Society, marks the 58th national showcase of its kind, and promises to be its most vibrant to date.
Walk through the garden gates and you’ll be greeted not by a single flowerbed, but by a full-blown floral exhibition. Imagine oversized pompons in impossible shades of raspberry and flame, elegant collarettes edged in white, and compact “mignon” varieties barely larger than a teacup’s rim. These are not your neighbor’s backyard dahlias. More than a flower show, this is the Olym-
pics of ornamental blooms—with entries submitted by top growers and hybridizers from across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Each specimen, whether a towering dinnerplate dahlia or a spiky cactus variety, is staged and judged with the same precision you might find at Westminster—if the contestants were plants, not dogs.
“Dahlias are among the most spectacular flowers in the garden,” says Jim Kassner, this year’s show chairman. “And the National Show is a chance to see the very best, grown by the most dedicated people in the field.”
Kassner has been cultivating dahlias for over two decades. “They’re theatrical—that’s what draws people in. The structure, the color, the drama.”
Beyond the judging tables, there will be a photography competition, floral design displays, and interactive installations—including a whimsical "Flower Tower" and an oversized "Dahlia Frame" for the Instagram-inclined. For those drawn more to retail therapy than
horticultural admiration, the Dahlia Boutique will offer themed wares, while Sunday afternoon promises the most democratic moment of all: a public bloom sale, where visitors can take home stems for just a dollar apiece.
Admission to the show is free with paid entry to the Botanic Garden. For nonmembers, advance reservations are strongly recommended, though spontaneous flower lovers may still try their luck at the gate.
The Central States Dahlia Society, now in its 91st year, has deep roots in Chicago’s gardening culture. Its members were behind the first International Dahlia Exhibition, held during the 1933 World’s Fair—a fact not lost on Kassner.
“There’s history here,” he says. “We’re not just growing flowers. We’re continuing a legacy.”
That legacy is deeply intertwined with the dahlia’s own rise from overlooked tuber to garden-world aristocrat. Native to Mexico and originally grown for food, the dahlia
became a favorite of 19th-century European plant collectors for its kaleidoscopic blooms and near-limitless variety. Today, there are more than 50,000 registered cultivars.
Still, despite its royal aura, the dahlia is surprisingly democratic. It thrives in containers and small spaces. It forgives neglect. And when it blooms, it does so with abandon — late in the season, when other flowers have called it quits.
“It’s a late-summer fireworks show,” says Kassner. “Just when you think the season’s over, dahlias remind you it’s not.”
The 2025 National Dahlia Show takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 2. Bloom sale begins after 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the show is free with Chicago Botanic Garden entry. Garden members and reciprocal members receive free entry. For more information, visit the Central States Dahlia Society at centralstatesdahliasociety.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TASHKA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Elktoberfest Wine & Beer Fun Run & Walk 9AM | Vintage Elkhart Lake
ElkhartCares Root Beer Garten & Kid’s Activities 11AM to 2PM | Village Square Park
Siebkens Stein Social Sponsored by Miesfeld’s Meats 11AM | Siebkens Resort
Live Music by The Mix Polka Band 11AM to 3PM | Siebkens Resort
Live Music by Boo! The Band
5PM to 9:30PM | Siebkens Resort
THE LONG WALK
A dystopian thriller based on an early Stephen King novel trades spectacle for psychological attrition.
BY FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
VERDICT:
The Long Walk is not a crowdpleaser, nor does it try to be. But with Cooper Hoffman’s committed performance and Francis Lawrence’s steady hand, it is an unnerving, hypnotic march into the abyss — proof that sometimes the most frightening journey is simply one step after another.
Stephen King’s earliest written novel, The Long Walk—consigned to a drawer for years before finding publication under his Richard Bachman pseudonym—has long been considered unfilmable. Too grim, too relentlessly linear, too stripped of conventional thrills.
Yet Lionsgate and Francis Lawrence, still flush from The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, have decided to prove the doubters wrong. The result is a YA dystopian thriller that trades spectacle for psychological attrition, and occasionally earns the gamble.
The premise is stark: 50 boys set off on a government-sponsored endurance contest, marching down endless highways under the gaze of an audience both rapt and complicit. Fall below three miles per hour and
you receive a warning; three warnings, and you’re shot on the spot. No cutaways, no time-outs, no concessions to hope. It is, in effect, The Hunger Games with the glamour stripped away, a narrative pared down to its pitiless core.
Cooper Hoffman, carrying the weight of his father’s shadow, makes a strong impression as Ray Garraty, a reluctant participant gradually hollowed by fatigue and fear. Hoffman’s unvarnished performance is all sweat, panic, and trembling defiance. Lawrence wisely avoids melodrama, allowing the incremental erosion of the boys’ camaraderie to provide the tension. Conversations drift from banal jokes to existential reckonings, each step closer to collapse underscoring the futility of resistance.
TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE & HEAR THIS WEEKEND
Streaming premieres, podcasts with a twist, and Chicago stages alive with sound—our editors’ picks for a weekend well spent.
STREAMING
1. THE WALKING DEAD: DARYL DIXON, SEASON 3 (AMC+, SEPT 12)
Norman Reedus’s weary survivor stumbles into fresh dangers, proving the apocalypse still has bite. amcplus.com
2. DO YOU WANNA PARTNER (PRIME VIDEO, SEPT 12)
A dramedy about friendship and ambition set in the frothy world of craft beer—hop-heavy hijinks ensue. primevideo.com
3. WEDNESDAY, SEASON 2: PART 2 (NETFLIX, NOW STREAMING)
Jenna Ortega returns with her deadpan charm, as Nevermore Academy grows darker—and more fun. netflix.com
4. THE PAPER (PEACOCK, NOW STREAMING)
From the creators of The Office: a newsroom comedy about ambition, chaos, and ink-stained egos. peacocktv.com
PODCASTS
5. ROSEBUD WITH GYLES BRANDRETH
The veteran broadcaster coaxes confessions from cultural icons, laced with wit and old-world charm. globalplayer.com
CHICAGO LIVE
6. FLESH AND CODE
A smart, moody series exploring where humans end and algorithms begin. fleshandcodepodcast.com
7. EVERYTHING IS ALIVE
Objects tell their stories—a can of soda, a lamppost, a subway seat—in unscripted interviews that are stranger, and funnier, than fiction. everythingisalive.com
8. HAIM – I QUIT TOUR (UNITED CENTER, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 8 P.M.)
The sisters from California bring tight harmonies and big hooks to Chicago. unitedcenter.com
9. FIREWORKS FINALE: CHRISTOPHER CROSS & CHICAGO (GRANT PARK, SEPTEMBER 12 TO 14)
Yacht rock meets hometown brass, capped with a sky full of fireworks. chicago.gov/events
10. CANDLELIGHT: TRIBUTE TO QUEEN & THE BEATLES (CHICAGO, FRIDAY TO SUNDAY)
A string quartet reimagines rock royalty beneath flickering light. feverup.com
GRILLED CHIPOTLE CORN PORK CHOPS
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS, FOOD EDITOR THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Growing up in Chicago, Chef Gavin Fine enjoyed the summer bounty of sweet corn and homegrown tomatoes. But in mountainous Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Fine and business partner Roger Freedman launched their Fine Dining Restaurant Group, the growing season for tomatoes and sweet corn is short. To make the most of the delicious duo during that brief but glorious time, they created this bright dish. First served at Rendezvous Bistro in 2001, Chipotle Corn Pork Chops were a smash hit and have returned to summer menus ever since.
Featuring pork chops grilled with a sweet and spicy chipotle dry rub, the dish is served with a buttery underlay of piquillo pepperspiked sweet corn and topped with a tomatomango cabbage slaw.
The slaw, dressed with a chipotle-lime vinaigrette, “wasn’t in the original dish,” says Fine, “but we added it to give the dish lightness and acidity to cut through the creaminess of the sauce and richness of the pork.”
The best way to enjoy it? “Make sure you get a little of each element in each bite,” Fine advises. “It’s what makes the dish come alive!”
Serves 4
FOR THE DRY RUB
• ¼ cup paprika
• ¼ cup garlic powder
• ¼ cup kosher salt
• 4 teaspoons mustard powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon chipotle pepper (ground)
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• ¼ cup brown sugar
FOR THE CHOPS
4 bone-in pork chops (your choice of cut)
FOR THE CHIPOTLE CORN
• 3 ears sweet corn; husks discarded, kernels cut from cobs to make 2 cups
• 1 ounce butter
• ¼ cup diced piquillo peppers
• Splash of heavy cream
• 2 green onions, chopped fine
FOR THE CHIPOTLE BUTTER
• 3 ½ ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped canned chipotle peppers
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated garlic
• Dash of lime juice
FOR THE SLAW
• ½ small head green cabbage, cut into short shreds
• 1 ripe tomato, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• ½ large fresh mango, diced
FOR THE CHIPOTLE LIME VINAIGRETTE:
• ¾ tablespoon fresh lime juice
• ½ garlic glove, grated
• ½ teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 2 ½ tablespoons grapeseed oil
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Pinch of ground black pepper
METHOD
PREP CHOPS: Mix all ingredients for dry rub together. Generously rub about 1 tablespoon of mixture onto each side of 4 pork chops. (You will have a lot of rub left over to use for a later recipe). Set chops aside to marinate while you prep the rest of the dish ingredients.
MAKE CHIPOTLE BUTTER: Using a fork, blend all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
MAKE CHIPOTLE CORN: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 ounce of butter and add corn and piquillo peppers. Cook to soften. Add a splash of cream; reduce. Set aside.
MAKE CHIPOTLE LIME VINAIGRETTE: Mix all ingredients together. Set aside.
MAKE SLAW: Combine all ingredients. Set aside.
GRILL CHOPS: Grill pork chops to doneness.
PLATE DISH: Stir a small amount of chipotle butter (to taste) and the chopped green onion into the chipotle corn. Reheat as necessary. Divide corn between 4 serving plates. Top each mound of corn with a grilled pork chop. Toss slaw with vinaigrette, then mound a small amount on top of each plated pork chop. Serve immediately.
PILLARS OF STRENGTH
Rick King’s Three Pillars Initiative includes an Evanston/North Shore affiliate and teaches teens the art, science, and business of philanthropy.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Not all labs are homes to beakers, Bunsen burners, and microscopes.
Rick King created a wall-less one that develops philanthropists, not scientists.
“It all started with a discussion with my wife (Cheryl, a teacher) at the breakfast table,” says the 80-year-old King, chairman of Kittleman & Associates LLC, an executive search firm devoted exclusively to the recruitment of nonprofit leaders.
Eggs and toast on both plates got a stay of consumption when Rick said, “Here’s an idea,” to Cheryl.
The idea, hatched in 2010, was to create an Oak Park-based youth philanthropy leadership education program. They did just that shortly thereafter for juniors and seniors in high school, calling it the Future Philanthropists Program (FPP).
Built on the Project-Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy, FPP centers instruction on real-time, community-based activities in grantmaking, fundraising, and community service.
“If you’re truly interested in seeing the next generation succeed in a social sector such as philanthropy, you have to start with a program that offers opportunities for teens to walk the talk, to get involved in community engagement,” King says.“It nurtures a philanthropic mindset consisting of social responsibility, problem-solving, relationship building, and resourcefulness in students. Instilling this mindset can lead them to a lifelong commitment to philanthropy.”
FPP’s success inspired King to share its model with other communities across the country. The nonprofit philanthropy service organization Three Pillars Initiative (TPI) was incorporated in 2018.
TPI teaches the art, science, and business of philanthropy to the next generation at 13—and counting—affiliates in six states, with six based in Illinois. TPI established its Youth Philanthropy Board, Evanston/North Shore cohort in 2022.
Juniors and seniors from Evanston Township High School, New Trier Township High School, Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican High School, North Shore Country Day, and Roycemore School meet at least once a month in the
King
Instilling this mindset can lead them to a lifelong commitment to philanthropy.
two-year program.
It's at those gatherings, with mentors (doctors, lawyers, educators, community leaders) in the room, where the youngsters get to complete professional tasks—conducting a root-cause analysis of their community, researching local organizations, setting up site visits, and deciding how to allocate funds.
In other words, carrying out a grantmaking process, which is TPI’s first pillar. The other two pillars are fundraising and strategic volunteerism, with the former serving as the focus in year two (for the seniors in high school). The students’ goal is to raise more money than they give away in grants each year, thus enabling them to invest the excess capital and set up their charitable fund.
“They then draw from that fund to distribute more grants each year to nonprofits that serve
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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Well before his freshman year at Oak Park and River Forest High School, Sheehan plopped a comic book, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant into several bags and handed them to unhoused folks.
“I didn’t need gifts during the holidays; I didn’t want them, either,” says Sheehan, whose favorite pastime might very well be problem-solving. “My mom would drive me to where they lived and I’d deliver five to 10 packages at a time to them. I thought they would appreciate the personal care products and enjoy the comic book. I love humankind.”
King loved playing football and the trumpet while growing up in downstate Eureka in the Peoria metropolitan area. He competed as a running back/safety for Eureka High School’s football program and made the All-Conference (Honorable Mention) team as a senior under head coach Warner McCollum.
“Coach inspired me,” says King, adding McCollum guided the varsity to an 8-1 record in his first season, a year after the Hornets suffered through an 0-9 season. “He was a true motivator. The most important mindset he instilled in all of his players was, ‘Don’t fear failure.’”
John Conatser
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Cheyanne Lencioni, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg
those in need,” says King, the first executive director of the Illinois Youth Service Bureau Association.
Across the two years, youth participants engage in strategic volunteering opportunities depending on the needs within their community in order to affect positive change beyond the dollar.
“Most communities have community foundations, with a mission to build a better future,” says Three Pillars Initiative Chief Program Officer Remy Sheehan, who’s 27 years old and an FPP alum. “TPI can be the path to a community’s better future.”
Sheehan would have been a most viable FPP/ TPI candidate as a middle school student. Raised in Oak Park, he often used gift cards given to him to either buy gifts for others or to purchase toys he’d donate to Toys for Tots.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Thomas Connors, Marianne Fielding, Bill McLean, Janis MVK, Felix McMillan, Redding Worth DESIGN
Fearless Rick King earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University (where he met Cheryl); his Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University; and his MBA from Dominican University.
Longtime residents of Oak Park, Rick and Cheryl King are the proud parents of Cory and Megan, now the CEO and COO, respectively, of Kittleman & Associates.
“It starts with the schools—the outstanding schools,” Rick King says of the Three Pillars Initiative’s sustained success. “They’re everywhere in Oak Park, along the North Shore, and in other communities. And they’re producing high achievers. We’re doing this to build better citizens through community engagement and philanthropy, and it’s working.”
Visit threepillarsinitiative.org for more information.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
George Pfoertner, Maggie Rife, Katrina Wittcamp PHOTOGRAPHY
Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION
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