The North Shore Weekend, September 6, 2025 by JWC Media

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christine Morse and Courtney Jack

COOKS’ TOUR Fifty-Fourth Annual

COOKS’

Annual

TOUR Fifty-Fourth

The Auxiliary of The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center Invites you to the

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 COOKS’ TOUR Fifty-Fourth Annual

THE NORTH SHORE’S PREMIER HOME TOUR SINCE 1971

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 COOKS’ TOUR Fifty-Fourth Annual

THE NORTH SHORE’S PREMIER HOME TOUR SINCE 1971

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2025 HOMES WILL BE OPEN 9:30 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.

Enjoy a perfect day touring four exquisite homes throughout the North Shore, each meticulously curated to inspire and delight the inner designer in us all!

FEATURED DESIGNERS THIS YEAR:

LAUREN BUXBAUM GORDON, PARTNER, NATE BERKUS ASSOCIATES

LOZANO JOLAS INTERIORS

ELIZABETH TAICH DESIGN

HEIDI PAUL, PAUL STUDIO DESIGN

Cap off the tour with an exclusive Cooks’ Tour lunch at Pomeroy, Winnetka’s favorite French bistro. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Visit our website for details www.nscookstour.org

Pomeroy is generously donating a portion of the lunch proceeds to Rush University Medical Center ~

COOKS’ TOUR RAFFLE 2025

Purchase raffle tickets for an amazing array of luxury prizes and exceptional experiences, including:

CHANEL Trendy “CC” Wallet on a Chain

CHRISTIAN DIOR Tribales Pearl Earrings

CHARLESTON Weekend Getaway

POMEROY Private Chef’s Tasting for 8 And more!

POMEROY Private Chef’s Tasting for 8

And more!

POMEROY Private Chef’s Tasting for 8 And more!

COOKS’ TOUR CHECKLIST

• Purchase Cooks’ Tour tickets

• Peruse raffle items

• Make Pomeroy lunch reservations

• Follow us @nscookstour

Scan the QR code or visit www.nscookstour.org

OUR CAUSE

Proceeds from the 54th annual Cooks’ Tour will support The Woman’s Board

Proceeds from the 54th annual Cooks’ Tour will support The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at Rush University Medical Center. This fund propels groundbreaking medical research along the continuum, including innovative, early–stage pilot research, promising clinical trials to test breakthrough therapies, and large-scale studies to set new standards for care.

Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at Rush University Medical Center. This fund propels groundbreaking medical research along the continuum, including innovative, early–stage pilot research, promising clinical trials to test breakthrough therapies, and large-scale studies to set new standards for care.

The Cooks’ Tour has a long-standing tradition of celebrating exceptional architectural and interior design, and Rush University Medical Center shares this appreciation. The medical center was thoughtfully designed in a distinctive butterfly shape with four triangular wings. The unique shape is an “inside-out” design, prioritizing efficient patient care by minimizing travel distances and maximizing staff visibility, while also reducing noise and stress.

The Auxiliary of The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center Invites you to the

print courtesy of printmaker

Benefactor Sponsors: Katherine and Terry Banich and the attorneys of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Gold Level Sponsors: Jeanne and Ken McAtamney, Laurie and Ryan Cahill

print courtesy of printmaker

print courtesy of printmaker Dennis O’Malley

Dennis O’Malley

Fifty-Fourth Annual

COOKS’ TOUR

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2025

A.M.

1:30 P.M.

Dennis O’Malley

NEWS

5 north shore doings

Find out what’s happening in your neighborhood with our weekly calendar of events

6 elder beach reopening

Group of local citizens strongly urges residents to keep the beach open and safe

8 north shore sports

Quinn Albinson jump-starts New Trier Township High School's boys' soccer team to 6-1 win in opener

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

10 hashtag Kristen Daniels says her role at Bernie’s Book Bank in Bluff is “a match made in heaven.”

15 surf’s up

A small but passionate North Shore community has discovered the joy of riding Lake Michigan waves

18 man about film

Our reviewer raves about Looking Through Water, a family drama starring Michael Douglas

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

22 sunday breakfast

All eyes are on Hadley and its CEO/president, Johnjoe Farragher, as the nonprofit seeks to help 1 million people with vision loss by 2030

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 Theatre 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 6

CHLOE JENSEN

PERFORMANCE

Dancer and choreographer Chloe Jensen will perform at noon with Aerial Dance Chicago. Jensen’s troupe of eight aerial dancers will perform original dance-in-flight choreography outside on the lawn of the Woman’s Club as part of The Wilmette Block Party. womansclubofwilmette.org

SEPTEMBER 6

THE LOVING FARM

SUMMERTIME GALA

Enjoy a memorable night of celebration, community, and compassion to support the lifelong care of rescued, retired, and unwanted horses. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and live music. thelovingfarm.org

SEPTEMBER 6

VINTAGE CAR SHOW

Step back in time and experience the elegance, craftsmanship, and the nostalgia of a bygone era with the Vintage Car Show from noon to 4 p.m. Spend the day in Highland Park’s vast St. John’s Parking Lot, perusing an eclectic display of vintage, antique, and classic vehicles, pop culture icons, hot rods, muscle cars, and more—all while enjoying a live radio broadcast, food and libations from local vendors, and kidfriendly activities. enjoyhighlandpark.com

SEPTEMBER 7

ANTIQUES AND TREASURES

The Lake Forest Chapter of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago hosts its 57th annual fundraising event benefiting the children and families of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, founded in 1911. More than 75 dealers from across the Midwest will offer treasures including furniture, glassware, garden accessories, vintage jewelry, and clothing. All funds raised will support the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in Chicago. lakeforestlws.org

SEPTEMBER 9

THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER

The Book Stall will host author Peter Orner for a reading from his new book, The Gossip Columnist ’s Daughter at 6:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. thebookstall.com

SEPTEMBER 9 & 22

WINNETKA WALKING TOURS

Winnetka Historical Society offers two walking tours to finish off the season. Registration is required and information can be found online. winnetkahistory.org

SEPTEMBER 9 TO 23

SUNSET YOGA

From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s Mellody Farm Nature Preserve while relaxing into a gentle, restorative yoga session that will incorporate breathwork and mindfulness. All abilities welcome! lfola.org

SEPTEMBER 11 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 and extended hours on Friday. lakeforestlibrary.org

SEPTEMBER 13

COLORFUL COCKTAILS WITH PROJECT COLOR CORPS

Join Paige Loczi and Jonny LeRoy at 713 Greenwood Ave 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 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 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. c atholiccharities.net

OCTOBER 3 TO 4

CARMEN

Chicago City Opera will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Carmen at Horatio

N. May Chapel in Rosehill Cemetery. chicagocityopera.com

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 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 15

JOSSELYN’S COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE

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

Winnetka Walking Tour

ELDER BEACH REOPENING

Group of local citizens strongly urges residents to keep the beach open and safe.

THE COMMITTEE FOR

BEACH REOPENING

Surveys conducted by both the Winnetka Park District and the Winnetka Caucus Council have made one thing clear: the full reopening of Elder Lane Beach is among our community’s highest priorities. Residents value our shoreline not only for recreation, but as a gathering place that strengthens health, connection, and quality of life. Elder Lane has long been a jewel of our lakefront and restoring full access matters deeply to those who live here. Reopening, however, must go hand in hand with safety. Beaches should be welcoming and secure for all who visit. That’s why resilient fencing at the adjacent Winnetka’s Centennial Dog Beach has emerged as a practical, balanced solution. Proper fencing organizes the beach in a way that minimizes risks while maximizing enjoyment. By clearly separating designated areas, we can

reduce the chance of unintended encounters between dogs and people.

In public spaces where people and dogs mingle without clear boundaries, accidents and conflicts can happen. Children may be startled by unfamiliar pets, seniors might feel unsafe, and even dog lovers may prefer knowing that there are established rules. At the same time, dog owners deserve the chance to enjoy the outdoors responsibly with their pets. Fencing strikes the right balance, allowing all groups to coexist without discomfort or fear.

The benefits go beyond safety. Fencing signals respect—for parents who want their kids to run freely, for residents who prefer quiet shoreline walks, and for dog owners who want to give their pets exercise in a controlled space. It builds trust, turning Elder Lane Beach and Winnetka’s Centennial Dog Beach into a space where everyone feels considered and welcome.

The Park District has already acted responsibly by seeking outside oversight. Its temporary dog beach fencing application is under review by the Army Corps of Engi-

neers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These agencies bring expertise in environmental and regulatory standards, ensuring that the plan respects both nature and community use. The fact that their review is nearly complete underscores that the proposal is reasonable, balanced, and in line with broader guidelines.

At this point, the next step is clear. The village must cooperate fully with its partner agencies and grant all necessary approvals for the temporary dog fence without delay. Doing so will demonstrate that our leaders are listening to residents and working constructively with state and federal partners. Prompt approval will show responsiveness and reinforce the value of collaboration between all levels of government.

The reopening of Elder Lane Beach is not just about swimming or dog-walking. It is about stewardship of one of our community’s most cherished resources. Our shoreline represents more than sand and water; it is a space where neighbors connect, where families make memories, and where residents can enjoy the natural beauty that makes this

village so unique.

Approving temporary fencing is a small but meaningful step in protecting that vision. It is not a permanent overhaul, but a practical measure that allows us to move forward quickly while ensuring safety for all.

The process has reached its final stage. The Army Corps and IDNR have nearly finished their reviews. The Park District has put forward a thoughtful, responsible plan. The community has spoken loudly and clearly about its priorities. Now it is the village’s turn to act—swiftly, decisively, and in line with what residents expect.

Elder Lane Beach can once again be a place where everyone feels safe, welcome, and proud of their community. With cooperation and timely approval, that future is well within reach.

Please consider attending a Winnetka Village Council Meeting, emailing all Village Council Members here: contactcouncil@winnetka.org or signing our change.org Petition titled “Keep Elder Beach Open, Enjoyable and Safe.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOH BAYER

BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

Off the soccer pitches, Quinn Albinson likes to occasionally hop on his mountain bike and pedal hard.

The diversion came in quite handy for the New Trier Township High School (New Trier) senior defender in the Trevians’ 6-1 season-opening defeat of host Palatine High School (PHS) on August 26. Albinson eyed a spot-on throw-in from senior back Zach Myers in the 13th minute and then thumped it past the Pirates’ goalkeeper via a crowd-pleasing bicycle kick.

“Quinn was ready for it,” said Myers.

The six-yard, right-footed, back-to-the-keeper tally opened the night’s scoring and highlighted the triumph at Chic Anderson Stadium.

“I hit it cleanly, after our striker (senior Jakob Richter) who had set up behind me moved and took defenders with him,” Albinson said after the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge match. “I’d tried that shot before in games; none went in.

“Great feeling,” he added, “after tonight’s shot went in.”

The Pirates (0-1-) hit twine 10 minutes later, knotting it at 1-1.

QUINN BICYCLE (KICK)

From there, it was all New Trier. Coach Matt Ravenscraft’s crew struck for two more goals in the first half and three times after intermission. Senior forward Tyler Mills scored twice, and junior midfielder Gordon Evans and senior defender Lucas Yoshitani each provided a goal and an assist for the perennially powerful program.

“We showed we’re dangerous on set pieces, but I didn’t have Quinn scoring off a bicycle kick on my bingo card,” said a grinning Ravenscraft, who guided his 2023 Trevians edition to the Class 3A boys’ soccer state championship in Hoffman States. “The boys fought and definitely executed well tonight.”

New Trier’s 2025 motto is “Stronger Together,” a year after “Elevate the Standard” served as the team’s rallying phrase.

“It’s team-focused,” Ravenscraft said of this fall’s guiding principle.

“It reminds us that we’re a brotherhood and that when we score a goal, we’ll all celebrate it together,” Albinson said. “There will be tough times and good times. But I’m not worried about the tough times because we have a lot of grit— we call it ‘nails.’”

Junior midfielder Tristan McGrath also scored for New Trier. Senior midfielder Ryan Schneider delivered the assist on Evans’ goal in the 67th minute.

Two minutes later, Mills’ second goal of the game, an unassisted gem, completed the scoring and rivaled Albinson’s goal on the excitement-ometer. The 35-yard cracker stunned the Pirates’ keeper and thrilled New Trier’s side and fans.

The winning goalkeeper was Trevians sophomore Will Richardson.

“New Trier played simple soccer,” said PHS coach and graduate Aaron Morris. “New Trier played simply well, too, like it always does. Matt runs a phenomenal program.”

New Trier (1-1-0), which lost 1-0 to visiting Lyons Township High School in Northfield on August 30, visits Naperville North High School on September 6 (5:30 p.m.) for its third Tournament of Champions game in five days; the Trevians were scheduled to face Libertyville High School on September 2 and York High School on September 4.

#HASHTAG

EDITED

REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION

TOM BACHTELL

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

The real question is what is not on my nightstand. In the case of books, I am a firm believer in the more, the merrier. I like to have a solid stack with the flexibility to choose what fits my mood and available time. My current stack holds some of the great reads from last year ranging from Kristen Hannah’s The Women (love!) to Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation (insightful and informative) and Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point (always interesting). If you haven’t read them yet, I highly recommend all of them.

#IN MY EARBUDS

No surprise here, when I’m not reading a physical book, I love listening to them. If it's not a book, it’s a podcast—for entertainment my current go-to is SmartLess And if it’s not a podcast, then I’m unabashedly in my Swifties era. I have all the respect in the world for her endless creativity, insightful storytelling, and passionate performances.

#ON MY MOBILE

As a mom of three active kids, my phone is the holy grail of activity apps. When I’m not trying to keep tabs on everchanging sports and Irish dance schedules, I enjoy following some of my favorite bookstagrammers, @reesesbookclub and @ beachreadsandbubbly, and any or all travel experts. If I can visit a new city with a new book and still make it back in time for a tournament or Feis, count me in!

For more than 20 years, KRISTEN DANIELS has been an enduring presence in the nonprofit world, serving on roles that range from working in Mayor Daley’s Office of Special Events to fundraising for the USA Olympic Swim Team and development for a local Catholic high school. In her words, serving as the Executive Director at Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff is “a match made in heaven where my personal and professional passions collide.” Bernie’s Book Bank’s mission is to increase children’s book ownership. It recently expanded from a local Chicago area nonprofit to a national partner for children’s literacy. “When your job is to find a way to get books into a child’s hand who might not have access to one otherwise, it’s a fulfilling day. I am inspired by the vast community of volunteers, educators, and supporters who have rallied together to help us deliver more than 28,000,000 books over the past 15 years,” she says. Mark your calendars for the organization’s signature family fundraiser, “Booksgiving,” on Saturday, November 8. Booksgiving is a meaningful day of giving, featuring volunteering, kid-friendly activities, entertainment, and light refreshments. This year's children's book theme is The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, bringing the magical world of Oz to life for all ages! Celebrating National Literacy Month, Kristen took a pause from the busy book world to share how she stays current.

Northfield 231 Franklin, Glencoe 739 Rockland, Libertyville 626 Drexel, Glencoe 241 Walden, Glencoe 945 Grove, Glencoe 639 Spruce, Winnetka 599 Vernon, Glencoe 450 Green Bay, Glencoe 357 Adams, Glencoe

308 Frontage, Northfield 529 Cedar, Winnetka 405 Sunset, Glencoe 1943 Greenwood, Wilmette 454

Dearborn, Chicago 231 Franklin, Glencoe 334 South, Glencoe 372 Strafford Ct, Lincolnshire 1045 Julia Ct, Glencoe 508 Jefferson, Glencoe 454 Washington, Glencoe 972 Elm Ridge, Glencoe 470 South, Glencoe 890 Symphony, Lake Forest 1394 Sheridan, Highland Park 474 Drexel, Glencoe 990 Old Elm, Glencoe

Northfield 503 Jackson, Glencoe 1420 Sheridan Wilmette II35 Skokie Ridge, Glencoe 30 Estate Dr, Glencoe 470

St Johns, Highland Park 388 Jackson, Glencoe 444 Drexel, Glencoe 941 Forest, Glencoe 690 Strawberry 1883 Willowview, Northfield 231 Franklin, Glencoe 739 Rockland, Libertyville 626 Drexel, Glencoe 241 Walden, Vernon, Glencoe 720 Grove, Glencoe 639 Spruce, Winnetka 599 Vernon, Glencoe 450 Green Bay, Glencoe 357 Adams, 838 Cherry, Glencoe 308 Frontage, Northfield 529 Cedar, Winnetka 405 Sunset, Glencoe 1943 Greenwood, Drexel, Glencoe I366 Dearborn, Chicago 231 Franklin, Glencoe 334 South, Glencoe 372 Strafford Ct, Lincolnshire Glencoe II58 Hohlfelder, Glencoe 508 Jefferson, Glencoe 454 Washington, Glencoe 972 Elm Ridge, Glencoe 470 1087 Oak Ridge, Glencoe 890 Symphony, Lake Forest 1394 Sheridan, Highland Park 474 Drexel, Glencoe 990 Old 1889 Willowview, Northfield 503 Jackson, Glencoe 1420 Sheridan Wilmette II35 Skokie Ridge, Glencoe 30 Estate Dr, Sunset, Winnetka 2020 St Johns, Highland Park 388 Jackson, Glencoe 444 Drexel, Glencoe 941 Forest, Glencoe

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Some events are fundraisers; others are traditions. The Cooks’ Tour is both.

On September 17, the Auxiliary of the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center will host the 54th Annual Cooks’ Tour, a one-day celebration of architecture, interiors, cuisine, and philanthropy that has become an anchor of the North Shore’s fall season.

The premise is elegantly simple—four remarkable homes, each revealing its own design story, followed by an indulgent French lunch at Winnetka’s beloved bistro, Pomeroy. Yet as anyone who has ever strolled through the tour will tell you, the experience is more than the sum of its parts. It is an invitation to step inside the way others live, to absorb inspiration from their choices, and to leave with a refreshed sense of what a “home” can be.

The Homes

This year’s lineup is as much about personality as it is about polish.

One house, renovated under the eye of Nate Berkus and Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, pairs the bones of a 1920s manse with a distinctly modern warmth—plush textures, playful lighting, and a library designed for lingering. Another

reflects the refined yet livable aesthetic of Lozano Jolas Interiors, where subtle layering of color and craftsmanship creates rooms that whisper rather than shout.

Elizabeth Taich Design brings her signature flair to a Lake Michigan–view property that reads like a love letter to coastal elegance, while a fourth residence offers fresh perspective through its creative floral and tabletop settings staged by leading local retailers.

The pleasure, of course, is in the details—a hand-painted wallpaper that unfurls like a mural in a dining room, a hidden bar tucked into a butler’s pantry, a terrace where perennial gardens frame views of the lake. At each stop, visitors will find sparks of inspiration—some grand, others delightfully small—that feel attainable and aspirational at once.

The Lunch

No day of house-hopping is complete without a moment to pause, and this year’s post-tour respite is appropriately Parisian.

Pomeroy, the French bistro at the heart of Winnetka, will welcome attendees for a menu that leans into its Gallic soul. Expect the classics: steak frites with peppercorn sauce, Niçoise salad, perhaps a crème brûlée with its shattering caramel lid. For many, the lunch is as anticipated as the homes themselves—an hour to savor, to compare notes, and to delight in the simple

elegance of French cooking done well.

The Cause

Behind the gracious design and convivial tables lies the true heartbeat of the day—supporting groundbreaking medical research. Proceeds benefit The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at Rush

University Medical Center, ensuring that the event’s beauty translates into tangible impact. Past efforts have helped fuel clinical trials that bring new hope to patients facing daunting diagnoses. To walk the tour is, in a small way, to step into that continuum of generosity and discovery.

The Why

In an era where home design inspiration floods Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, why do people still line up, year after year, to tour real homes in real time? Perhaps it’s the tactile nature of the experience—the way light moves through a room, the feel of limestone underfoot, the scent of fresh garden roses spilling from an urn. Or perhaps it’s the community element: neighbors gathering not just to admire interiors but to strengthen a tradition that ties together beauty, purpose, and philanthropy.

Whatever the reason, the Cooks’ Tour endures. This September, it offers design, dining, and discovery all in one—four homes, one bistro, and a shared commitment to advancing the future of medicine.

For more tickets and information about the 54th Annual Cooks’ Tour on September 17, visit nscookstour.org. You may also follow the event on Instagram @nscookstour.

EDITED BY MORGAN HOGERTY THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Cooks' Tour co-chairs Christine Morse and Courtney Jack. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GUSTIN

819 Chestnut Avenue • Wilmette, Illinois

5 BEDROOMS | 5 FULL BATHS | 1 HALF BATH | $5,295,000

819 Chestnut Avenue, in the coveted CAGE area of east Wilmette, is a spectacular Morgante-Wilson designed custom home that seamlessly blends extraordinary architecture with modern comfort. Four levels of beautifully crafted living spaces surround an elegant curved staircase in the heart of the home. The impressive chef’s kitchen features custom Amish built cabinetry, Wolf/SubZero appliances and a stunning Brazilian quartzite island with seating for five. Through floor to ceiling windows, the adjacent dining area overlooks the lush backyard, patio and pool, and flows beautifully from the kitchen, family room and sun porch. A spacious family room with a sliding glass NanaWall opens to the sun porch. An office, mudroom and powder room complete the first floor. Upstairs, the exceptional primary suite offers a spa-like bath, custom walk-in closet, and a private deck that overlooks the backyard, pool and a flowering green roof. Three large additional bedrooms, one with en suite bath and two which share a Jack and Jill bath and a thoughtfully designed laundry room are also located on the second floor. The flexible third-floor office/5th bedroom space plus the yoga/bonus room (with sleek murphy bed) which opens to the private spa deck with seating, privacy planters and luxurious spa is unparalleled. The lower level rec/game and media room with three full sized windows and open views of the secret garden is bathed in southern light. In addition, the versatile lower level includes a handsome wine wall, exercise room, second laundry room and full bath, while enjoying walkout access to the outdoor shower and pool. Kettelkamp and Kettelkamp Landscape Architecture have designed the breathtaking grounds with resort-like ambiance and lighting. The heated driveway and bluestone walks, gorgeous terraces, idyllic pool and Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen, two fire pit patios, expansive lawns for play, a private hammock respite area all combine to create perfection. This location, on highly sought after Chestnut Avenue, is just steps from Langdon Park and the beach, the newly renovated Plaza del Lago, charming downtown Wilmette and both the Metra and CTA trains. 819 Chestnut Avenue is more than a home. It’s a lifestyle.

Joanne Hudson

847.971.5024

joanne.hudson@compass.com

SURF’S UP

From Lake Forest to Wilmette, a small but passionate North Shore community has discovered the joy of riding waves on Lake Michigan. Autumn winds bring the surf—and a camaraderie as unexpected as the waves themselves.

BY DAVID ELLISON

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

It begins with a faint roar. Not the low growl of traffic on Sheridan Road, but the rhythm of water tumbling over itself, whipped into shape by a northwest wind. On the beach in Wilmette or Lake Forest, boards are waxed, wetsuits zipped, and eyes scan the horizon. The surfers are waiting for their set, and when it comes—a line of frothing, slate-colored swells rolling across Lake Michigan—it’s easy to forget you’re in Illinois at all.

Surfing on the Great Lakes has always had an element of myth. Outsiders smirk at the idea. Waves? In Chicago? Yet, as locals know, autumn delivers. By September, the water still holds summer’s warmth while the wind begins to shift, carving out the conditions surfers crave—waist-high waves that rise suddenly, cleanly, and, if you’re lucky, carry you all the way toward the breakwater.

“It’s the surprise of it,” says one Wilmette surfer, shaking droplets from his hair.

“You’re paddling out past the harbor, and suddenly you’re riding a wave that feels just like California.”

The North Shore’s beaches lend themselves to this unlikely sport. Tower Road in Winnetka, Sunrise Park in Lake Bluff, and the tucked-away coves of Lake Forest all host surfers when the wind is right. The contrast is striking— elegant lakefront homes in the distance, the scent of woodsmoke from early fall firepits, and in the foreground, a line of neoprene-clad figures darting across choppy crests.

Unlike the crowded lineups of Malibu or Montauk, there’s camaraderie here. On any given Saturday, half a dozen surfers might share waves, swapping tips on wind forecasts and laughing when wipeouts send them tumbling into freshwater froth. There’s no salt to sting your eyes, no sharks to fear—only the brisk slap of the lake and the satisfaction of claiming a ride where few expect one.

The equipment, too, is tailored to this freshwater frontier. Five-millimeter wetsuits extend the season deep into November. Boards lean toward the sturdy side, often

longboards or hybrids that catch smaller waves with ease. A thermos of coffee in the sand completes the tableau, as much a part of the ritual as any swell.

What draws them back, season after season, is not just the sport but the singular beauty of surfing here. A sunrise paddle out in Lake Forest might paint the water in streaks of rose and gold.

A late-September session in Wilmette could mean carving a wave while the Bahá’í Temple gleams on shore. These are the details that remind surfers they’re in the Midwest, yes—but a Midwest transformed by water and wind into something elemental, timeless, and unexpectedly wild.

For newcomers, the best way in is through the community. Surfing here may look solitary, but its roots are social. Local groups offer lessons, lend gear, and welcome beginners into the fold. And when the wind kicks up from the right direction, text chains light up: “North Shore is firing. Meet at 7.”

Within minutes, the boards appear, the waves are shared, and another day in the freshwater surf is written into memory.

HIT THE WAVES: FIVE GROUPS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED

Surfrider Foundation Chicago Chapter Advocates for clean water and hosts surf lessons and events. chicago.surfrider.org

Chicago Waveriders Club

Informal network of Great Lakes surfers who share conditions and meetups. facebook.com/groups/chicagowaveriders

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Provides safety training and community education for lake surfers and swimmers. greatlakessurfsaving.org

Third Coast Surf Shop (New Buffalo, Michigan & Chicago presence) Midwest surf outfitter offering gear, rentals, and lessons for Great Lakes conditions. thirdcoastsurfshop.com

Latino Outdoors Chicago Partners with Surfrider on accessible “learn to surf” days, building community for new surfers. latinooutdoors.org

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIGHT FIELD STUDIOS

mimi goodyear lauren rabin

Jolie Friedman Paula Gagerman

cari zweigdriscoll elise dayan scott glazer

E&V Cares

At Engel & Völkers, real estate is just the beginning. Through EV Cares , Engel & Völkers and I are proud to support causes that uplift, heal, and inspire. Whether it’s through raising funds for Special Olympics through special events and by contributions with every one of my closing, supporting disaster relief efforts, or contributing to local charities, I and other Engel & Völkers Advisors are driven by a shared passion to make a difference.

EV Cares is how we live our values beyond business.

It’s about investing in the places and people we call home — ensuring that wherever we work, we’re also helping communities thrive.

Together, with you, we are stronger.

I invite you to learn more about Engel & Völkers’ 60 minutes for Special Olympics, which will be taking place on Saturday, October 18. I will be participating by completing 60 minutes of exercise that day, so wave if you see me running through Highland Park.

For more details or to make a donation to support the Special Olympics, scan the QR code!

CARLY JONES • ENGEL & VÖLKERS CHICAGO NORTH SHORE

566 Chestnut Street | 2nd Floor | Winnetka | IL 60093

M +1 312 391 3170

carly.jones@evrealestate.com

carlyjones.evrealestate.com

Donate Today!

Extensive Local & Global Reach

WE ARE ENGEL & VÖLKERS

At Engel & Völkers our goal is not to be #1, but to be the best . Part of what makes us the best is our global reach. As an international company and brand, we have a reach throughout the world unlike any other brokerage.

With over 900 shops globally and more than 300 shops in the Americas, we have a broad network of advisors working to give our clients the highest standard of service. Combined with our personalized approach to real estate, our reach to potential buyers is endless. Through our network, our advisors have personal connections with equally passionate and resourceful advisors across the Ame ricas and around the globe.

Closer to home, our advisors have a wide network in the community of other real estate agents and community members. It is all about the relationships and how they are fostered. If you are considering making a move either in the United States or internationally, we can help you find a trusted advisor who will give you the same high standard of service our clients expect from Engel & Völkers.

Find your real estate advisor at chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com .

ENGEL & VÖLKERS CHICAGO NORTH SHORE

566 Chestnut Street | 2nd Floor | Winnetka | IL 60093

+1 847-441-5730 | chicagonorthshore@evrealestate.com Learn more at chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com

LOOKING THROUGH WATER

A family drama starring Michael Douglas gets a rave review for its contemplative tone and powerful narrative.

BY FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

VERDICT:

A meditative, emotionally resonant film—guided by understated performances and the gentle poetry of nature—that honors the bonds we all strive to repair. Highly recommended.

There’s a quiet potency in Looking Through Water, a family drama that lures the viewer less with spectacle than with the serene, restorative power of nature. The story dances across decades, centered on William—a once-successful New York executive whose life unspools following a public betrayal. Now adrift, he accepts a tenuous invitation from his estranged father, Leo, to join a fishing competition in Belize—an invitation that becomes the catalyst for emotional reckoning and reconciliation.

Director Roberto Sneider steers this vessel with a steady hand, allowing the water’s calm and the lush Belizean setting to carry much of the film’s emotional weight. The rhythms of fishing are depicted not as sport but as solace—the intimacy of casting lines, the patience required, the way shared silence can speak more than words ever could.

Michael Stahl-David imbues William with a wary vulnerability, a man more accustomed to corporate boardrooms than casting nets. He strikes an elegant balancing act—grief, regret, longing—all simmer

until they find their voice in the murmur of water and the cast of a line. David Morse, as Leo, is equally nuanced: grizzled yet tender, with grief tempered into something softer, closer to remorse.

The film’s clever narrative device—older William (Michael Douglas) reflecting on his past to his curious grandson (Walker Scobell)—gives Looking Through Water a touch of elegiac grace. In flashbacks, we glimpse family tension embodied by Cameron Douglas as Cole, whose loyalty to Leo complicates William’s fragile reconnection. These generational dynamics––father and son, grandson and memory––are handled with admirable restraint.

A testament to adaptation, the screenplay from Zach Dean and Rowdy Herrington stays true to novelist Bob Rich’s core themes: the healing potential of communion—with family, with nature, and through shared rituals like fishing.

At 1 hour 46 minutes, the pace is unhurried, the tone contemplative.

Looking Through Water doesn’t announce its power. Rather, it reveals it quietly, like ripples spreading across a still pond.

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

640 HILL ROAD, WINNETKA

This distinguished Tudor residence is nestled on a meticulously landscaped and wooded one-acre lot. Built in 1923, the home’s design exudes classic Tudor charm with stucco and stone exterior and a slate roof. The entryway is adorned with leaded glass windows and rich woodwork, and leads to a charming living room featuring a limestone fireplace. The spacious kitchen with custom wood cabinetry, premium appliances, breakfast area and counter seating flows into a family room boasting vaulted ceilings. 4 bedrooms and 3 baths on the 2nd floor plus a playroom. 2 more bedrooms and a large recreation room are located on the 3rd floor. Finished basement with rec room, workout room and wine cellar/tasting room. Enter into the dreamy backyard featuring a heated pool, outdoor kitchen, fireplace for gathering and a hot tub. 3-car attached garage. Close to New Trier, Faith Hope, train and downtown Winnetka. Don’t miss this absolute gem! $4,800,000

HADLEY CEO SETS SIGHTS HIGH

Johnjoe Farragher eyes goal, through partnerships, to help one million people with vision loss by 2030.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

The late educator William Hadley of Winnetka loved to read.

Two days after he caught influenza in 1915, he lost vision in both of his eyes. Hadley was 55. He could have wallowed in self-pity or succumbed to depression.

He chose Plan C instead.

“William taught himself braille,” says Evanston resident Johnjoe Farragher, who became CEO and president of Hadley—the Winnetka-based nonprofit founded by Hadley in 1920, and formerly known as Hadley School for the Blind—a year ago. “Then he wanted to help others with vision loss adapt and thrive, so he started a nonprofit.

“Education,” he adds, “is at the heart of Hadley’s DNA.”

Hadley does not conduct medical research. Its staff of 50, which serves adults with agerelated vision loss (macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy), does not include a doctor. But Hadley partners with medical professionals, teaching hospitals, insurance providers, and community health and social service agencies.

One of its local partners is The Chicago Lighthouse, a leader in comprehensive vision care and social services that improve the quality of life for patients, clients and their families.

One Lighthouse clinic is in Glenview.

Hadley also provides both practical and social/emotional help to older adults adjusting to vision loss, empowering them to adapt and thrive. Today, Hadley’s free help reaches more than 160,000 people across the country and around the world.

Hadley’s North Star goal? Help 1 million people with vision loss by 2030.

“Sure, it’s lofty,” says the 53-year-old Farragher, who succeeded Julie Tye in September 2024. “Why not? The incidence of vision loss continues to rise, and each diagnosis drastically changes one’s life. More than a combined 30 million people in the United States have macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic

Education is at the heart of Hadley’s DNA.

retinopathy. We’re here to help, to stay true to William Hadley’s mission in a variety of ways—via phone, email, our website, workshops, and video tutorials. Cooking safety is one of the topics in Hadley’s tutorials.”

One of the first things Tye urged Farragher to do after he was named CEO/president was to call Hadley members, or those who had sought assistance from the nonprofit’s services.

Farragher called seven members in two days.

“What I learned more than anything else was how profoundly thankful each member is for Hadley,” recalls Farragher. “Members want to help in any way they can to reach others with vision loss and let them know what Hadley provides. And let me say this: Julie was instrumental in transforming Hadley into

ADVERTISING

CONTRIBUTING

John Conatser

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

FOOD EDITOR

Monica Kass Rogers

what it is today. She liked to say, ‘We can do more.’”

Hadley’s Whole Person Approach also includes its Donahoe Center for Support, named in honor of longtime Hadley trustee Tom Donahoe. The center provides compassionate assistance, a supportive community, and trusted resources that promote well-being and foster connectedness. Among its offerings: Support Specialists available by phone and email to provide guidance and resources; podcasts sharing personal stories of adjusting to vision loss; a peer-to-peer program pairing people facing vision loss for mutual support; and live discussion sessions on topics ranging from technology and travel to exercise and gardening.

The late Richard Kinney, an educator and

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Ellison, Morgan Hogerty, Bill McLean, Felix McMillan, Redding Worth DESIGN Natalie Phillips

school administrator, was Hadley’s president from 1975-1979. Blind at age 6 and deaf before he turned 20, he was the third deafblind person in the United States to earn a college degree (University of Mount Union, in Alliance, Ohio). Kinney published several volumes of poetry.

A quote by him takes up most of a wall at Hadley’s headquarters in Winnetka: “Blindness of any kind—of the eyes, of the mind, and of the spirit—can be overcome.”

Farragher competed as a point guard for ETHS basketball teams and played for Ireland’s men’s national basketball team because he has dual citizenship. He and his wife, Stephanie, also a Marquette graduate, raised daughter Rileigh and son Ray.

For 30 years, Farragher worked as an entrepreneur in the education technology industry, producing content such as education videos on demand. He owned Defined Learning, a K-through-12 platform that empowers deeper learning through career-connected, projectbased experiences.

His second year at Hadley begins later this month.

“Hadley is a North Shore institution,” says Farragher, a 1989 Evanston High School graduate and a graduate of Marquette University and Loyola University Chicago (MBA). “Thousands have contributed to it over the decades, and we will always be grateful for such generosity.

“It’s important to me, to all of us here, that people are aware of what we’re able to offer instantly and at no cost,” he continues. “We want everyone to know that if you or a family member or a friend is dealing with vision loss, contact us. We want to help people navigate their challenging new journey.”

For more information, visit hadleyhelps.org or call 800-323-4238.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Joh Bayer, James Gustin, George Pfoertner

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Johnjoe Farragher