THE ONE STOP SHOP FOR EVERY INGROUND POOL AND SPA CARE YOU NEED.
The Best Critics are Six Years Old
“Baca (what my grandkids call me OR it stands for IDIOT in Japanese!),
I like your magazine maybe. The pool pictures are my best (congrats Aqua Pools). I think you need more pictures of toys and games, OK?
Love, Trey (6 years old)”
August is one of my favorite issues each year. Babies!! Or my toughest critics - as witnessed above. Whether it's our own children, step-children, grandchildren, or fur babies, these loved ones make life incredible. This month we're celebrating all of them in our Kids & Pets edition. This issue is a tribute to the mess-and-magic makers who keep our homes buzzing. Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums or introducing a new puppy to your household, we know love, laughter and a lot of patience go hand-in-hand. Or perhaps you're navigating a newly empty nest as college starts, missing a noisefilled home and longing for tiny handprints once more. Even better yet, you've been promoted to grandparent where you get to experience the best of all of it (including the pets) and leave the more challenging parts to their parents! No matter where you are in life, kids and pets play a key role.
Inside this edition you will find activities, resources and great ways to engage your kids and pets. Our team has uncovered truly fun opportunities to build and capture family memories. So whether your days are filled with school runs, vet visits or snuggle sessions on the couch, we hope this issue reminds you to savor the sweetness in the chaos. This month we are also welcoming ReFresh ReNew Salon, in Mokena, to our Lincolnway City Lifestyle family. Welcome, Laura!
All the best in August (including that dog hair on your shirt!),
JANET VIANE, PUBLISHER
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Janet Viane | janet.viane@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Nicole Swanberg Wright
nicole.swanbergwright@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Kenadee Berry | kenadee.berry@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Emily Noesen | noesenemily@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Meg Mueller | meg@socialbutterflysocialmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jean Lachat, jean@jeanlachatphotography.com
Chris Moran, cmoranphotography@gmail.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
FRANKFORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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• Friendly reminders for daily routines such as bathing, dressing, meals and social engagement
• Full-service dining with three chef-prepared meals daily in an elegant dining room
• Engaging lifestyle with inviting gathering spaces, library, chapel and activity areas
• Wellness-focused amenities including fitness center, on-site physician offices and salon services
• Beautiful outdoor spaces with landscaped courtyards, walking paths and gardens
Start Your Next Chapter
Visit marianvillage.org or call 708.734.6348 to learn more.
business monthly
Lincolnway City Lifestyle Partners Voted Best of Lincoln-Way
Congratulations to three outstanding local businesses recognized in the 2026 Best of Lincoln-Way contests! Jean Lachat Photography, Climate Control Systems, and Joe Dowling of Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management were voted Best Photographer Best Heating/A.C., and Best Financial Planner categories, respectively, in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Contest. Congratulations on these well deserved honors!
Creative Arts Academy Offers New HatBurning Class
Discover your creativity with a custom hat-burning class! Participants choose their hat style, color, and size before designing a one-of-a-kind piece using stencils and wood-burning techniques, with step-by-step instruction throughout the process. Once the design is complete, guests can personalize their hats with ribbons, leather cording, feathers, charms, tassels, and more at the hat bar. After three hours, each participant leaves with a unique, handcrafted wearable work of art. Contact Carrie Rynberk for details: Carrierynberk@hotmail.com
Kids Can Do Announces Team Expansion
Congratulations to Kids Can Do on welcoming two new specialists. Kaitlyn Slager has joined the practice as an occupational therapist, and Lexi Bolke has joined the team as a speech-language pathologist. Both Kaitlyn and Lexi's educational backgrounds and hands-on experiences make wonderful additions to Kids Can Do as they continue providing exceptional care to local families.
Menard Automotive Expands to New Location
Menard Automotive recently relocated to its new, expanded facility at 12635 W. Harvey Drive in New Lenox The space allows the team to better serve customers while continuing to provide the trusted automotive repair and maintenance services the community has relied on since 2018. The move reflects the business's continued growth and commitment to serving the Lincolnway community.
You can always count on some unpredictability. Trust our consultants to give you the stable guidance that comes from experience. Call or visit us today.
David Zaycek
Mokena Branch 19214 S. LaGrange Rd.
Mokena, IL 60448
708-326-6080
schwab.com/mokena
Voorn, Jaworski, & Preston announces Mario Carlasare’s Promotion
Voorn, Jaworski, & Preston is proud to announce Mario Carlasare’s promotion to Partner, acknowledging his significant contributions to the firm. Known for his dedication and legal know-how, Mario has earned clients’ trust. As he takes on this role, Mario looks forward to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.
Scan to read more
Enrico's Launches Kids' Menu
Enrico’s Italian Dining is proud to announce their new kids’ menu for those ages 10 and under. Orders off of this menu come with the iconic kids’ pizza dough, which has made its return. Enjoy!
Scan to read more
More Than a Race:
WHY DIRT OVAL 66 IS HELPING KIDS PUT DOWN THEIR SCREENS
ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MORAN
The rumble starts before the first race.
Families unfold lawn chairs in the parking lot. Grills fire up. Kids grab crayons for a coloring contest, collect temporary tattoos, and line up to meet drivers before engines ever roar to life. Live music fills the air while children dart between bounce houses, graffiti walls, and autograph sessions, building memories long before the green flag waves.
At Dirt Oval 66, race day isn’t just about motorsports; it’s about giving families a reason to reconnect.
“We’re really into the pre-event party,” says owner Sherri Heckenast. “We encourage families to tailgate, spend time together, and enjoy activities before the racing even begins. Every event has a theme, and we build the entire experience around it.”
In an era when many childhood memories happen through a screen, Sherri has intentionally created something different.
Sherri believes technology has its place, but she also sees what children miss when screens become the default form of entertainment. “High-energy activities encourage communication, curiosity, confidence, and social interaction,” she says. “Kids need opportunities to figure things out on their own and interact with other people.” That’s why Dirt Oval 66 is designed to be hands-on from the moment families arrive.
Young children race Cozy Coupes during the popular Kids Crashers events. Birthday kids ride around the track in either a monster truck or even the venue’s famous hearse before taking part in pre-race ceremonies. During Scout Night, hundreds of scouts camp overnight while participating in team-building activities that many look forward to all year.
Even after the racing ends, the experience continues. Families are invited onto the track where children climb inside giant race tires, explore areas normally off-limits, and experience the venue from a driver’s perspective.
Sometimes, Sherri says, it’s the simplest moments that leave the biggest impression.
While streaming services and video games offer endless entertainment, Sherri believes live experiences create something digital media simply can’t replicate.
“When you witness a monster truck doing a backflip a hundred feet away, you can’t compete with that,” she says. “With live entertainment, the outcome is unknown. Every race is different.”
Meeting drivers face-to-face only adds to the excitement. After monster truck events, children have opportunities to collect autographs, ask questions, and stand beside the massive vehicles they’ve only seen on television.
Those moments often spark something bigger.
Kids leave wanting to learn about racing, but also about the people behind it—drivers, mechanics, builders, and engineers. Imagination takes over as race cars become inspiration for obstacle courses in the backyard, coloring contest masterpieces, and dreams of one day sitting behind the wheel themselves.
Many people assume dirt track racing only appeals to lifelong racing fans, but Heckenast sees a much broader audience.
“Families from all backgrounds come here,” she says. “It’s one of America’s most accessible family experiences.”
That family-first philosophy shapes every decision.
Rather than hosting the same weekly races, Dirt Oval 66 continually introduces new attractions and themed events designed
“High-energy activities encourage communication, curiosity, confidence, and social interaction. Kids need opportunities to figure things out on their own and interact with other people.”
to keep families coming back for fresh experiences. Weekly planning meetings focus on one question: What will create another unforgettable memory?
The venue also prioritizes accessibility, ensuring guests with disabilities and special needs can enjoy the action up close.
“It’s one of my favorite things to watch,” Sherri says. “Those families are fully engaged and having just as much fun as everyone else.”
For Sherri, racing has always been about more than horsepower. Growing up at the racetrack, she found community there. Today, she’s working to create that same sense of belonging for another generation. She sees racing as a place where children naturally absorb lessons in perseverance, teamwork, resilience, responsibility, and hard work—not through lectures, but by watching drivers overcome challenges, crews work together, and competitors celebrate victories earned through determination.
Even the teenagers who work at Dirt Oval 66 begin by cleaning bathrooms and collecting trash before earning greater responsibilities. “We start them at the bottom and let them figure out how to get to the top,” she says. It’s a philosophy that values experience over instant gratification—a lesson that’s becoming increasingly rare.
Ask Sherri what she hopes families take away from a night at Dirt Oval 66, and her answer has little to do with who wins the race. She hopes children remember painting school buses before they race, watching monster trucks soar through the air, cheering alongside new friends, meeting their heroes, and spending uninterrupted time with the people they love most.
Because while kids may not remember the latest viral video they watched online, they’ll remember the night dirt flew, engines thundered, and they stood trackside believing anything was possible. At Dirt Oval 66, the finish line is just the beginning of the memories families take home.
Kids Can Do designs custom therapy plans for infants through adolescents. Our specially trained pediatric therapists focus on the individual needs and personality of each child to help them learn faster and enjoy success at home, school and beyond. Serving families in the south suburbs with pediatric speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and more. Understanding Every Child is Unique
Beyond the College Fund
For many parents, saving for college begins long before acceptance letters arrive. According to the Education Data Initiative, at 4-year public universities, 41.4% of tuition comes from parents’ income and savings. But as education costs continue to rise and family finances become increasingly complex, the question is no longer simply how much to save, it’s how education fits into a family’s broader financial future.
That shift is something Joe Dowling, owner of Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management, has seen firsthand.
For today’s families, college planning is often less about maximizing a single account and more about balancing competing priorities. Grandparents may be contributing to education costs. Scholarships can offset expenses. Strong household cash flow may reduce the need for years of dedicated savings. At the same time, families are weighing retirement goals, travel plans, charitable giving, and the desire to leave a meaningful legacy.
“The conversation has changed,” Joe says. “Education funding is now part of a much broader wealth planning discussion.”
ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LACHAT
One concern he encounters frequently is parents who are willing to sacrifice too much of their own financial security in an effort to provide for their children. While the instinct is understandable, Joe encourages families to keep the long view in mind.
“Students can borrow for college, but parents cannot borrow for retirement,” he says. “If retirement goals are not fully funded, that should typically be the first priority.”
That doesn’t mean parents can’t support their children financially. In fact, Joe notes that families who remain financially secure may ultimately be in a better position to help with student loan repayment or other major milestones later in life. It can also encourage young adults to take greater ownership of their educational decisions.
Flexibility is another priority. While 529 plans remain an important tool, many families are pairing them with brokerage accounts that provide greater freedom. Those assets can eventually be directed toward a first home, a business venture, graduate school, or other opportunities. Ultimately, there is no universal formula. The most effective plans reflect a family’s unique values, resources, and goals. By viewing college funding as one piece of a larger financial picture, families can make decisions that support both the next generation and their own long-term vision.
Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor. BCM and Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management are independent of each other. Insurance products and services are not offered through BCM but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. Dowling Financial Services & Wealth Management - Joe Dowling was recognized as Best Financial Advisor recipient by Lincoln Way Reader’s Choice Awards in 2026. This recognition was based on criteria established by the awarding organization and may include factors such as assets under management, industry experience, client feedback, business growth, and other qualitative and quantitative measures. The award was independently granted by the awarding organization. Joe Dowling did not pay a fee to participate in the award evaluation process. This award is not indicative of any client’s future experience and should not be construed as a guarantee of future investment performance or success. The recognition is not representative of all client experiences, and no compensation was provided by clients in exchange for ratings or endorsements unless otherwise disclosed. Additional information regarding the award methodology, selection criteria, and relevant time period is available from the awarding organization upon request.
The Kids Will Rock You
ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY NOESEN
HOW LINCOLN-WAY ROCK ORCHESTRA BUILDS MUSICIANS, MENTORS, AND MEMORIES
When most people picture a school orchestra, they imagine classical repertoire performed under formal lighting and quiet expectation. The Lincoln-Way Rock Orchestra turns that image on its head.
Each summer, students from across the Lincoln-Way district step onto a stage transformed into a full-scale concert experience—complete with a live band, professional lighting, and a setlist spanning decades of rock history. What began as an experimental summer orchestra theme has grown into one of the district’s most anticipated traditions.
“Lincoln-Way Rock Orchestra grew from the summer orchestra camps I had been directing since coming to Lincoln-Way in 1997,” says Stacy Williams-Jackson, Lincoln-Way Central Music Department Chair and Orchestra Director. “One summer I decided to have the theme ‘Music My Dad Likes’ and used arrangements of rock tunes that were available. The theme was fun and enjoyable, so we decided to stick with it.”
What started as a simple theme quickly evolved into a full production. Today, Lincoln-Way music staff Michael Teare, Mike Bultman, and Nate Jackson perform as the backing band, while technical crews led by Patrick Spreadbury and Tyler Dawson create concert-level staging, lighting, and sound.
“It started as something fun,” Stacy says, “but it quickly became something students really connected to.”
Each year’s performance features familiar songs from across generations—from Prince and The Kinks to Olivia Rodrigo and Ozzy Osbourne—giving students the opportunity to perform music they already know and love through the lens of an orchestra.
“I think rock music is familiar and accessible,” Stacy explains. “Over the years, I’ve never heard a student say they’ve never heard the music before. That familiarity makes it easier to learn and more enjoyable to perform.”
For many students, that familiarity becomes something more than recognition—it becomes confidence.
Lauren Glens, now in her sixth season with Rock Orchestra, has been playing cello since fifth grade. Her musical journey wasn’t exactly what she expected.
“I actually wanted percussion at first,” she says. “That didn’t work out, so I tried cello and thought, ‘This seems like something I can’t mess up too badly.’”
What began as a reluctant second choice has become a defining part of her life as a musician. This summer, she was especially excited to perform Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” including its iconic opening monologue.
While Lauren participates in both classical orchestra and Rock Orchestra, she says the difference between the two experiences is dramatic.
“Classical music is about precision,” she says. “You have to get everything exactly right. Rock music gives you more freedom— you can play with your intention and your feelings.”
That freedom is exactly what Stacy hopes students discover.
“It is important for young people to understand that any musical style from any era can be enjoyed and performed on any instrument,” she says. “Once the fear is gone, the creativity can flow, and students begin to realize just how expressive they can be.”
Students prepare the entire 90-minute concert in just 20 hours
“Classical music is about precision. You have to get everything exactly right.
Rock music gives you more freedom— you can play with your intention and your feelings.”
of rehearsal, an intensive schedule that builds musicianship while teaching teamwork, adaptability, and trust.
Carly Johnson, who has participated for several years, says the music has become deeply connected to family memories.
“My dad is a music teacher,” she says. “Rock music reminds me of that—it brings me back to listening to songs with my family when I was younger.”
As one of the veteran students, Carly has naturally grown into a leadership role.
“I’ve learned how to talk to new people and be a leader,” she says. “You grow into that role over time.”
For Will Cunningham, the experience opened the door to music he might never have explored otherwise.
“I don’t really listen to rock music,” he says. “My friends convinced me to join. I was kind of unsure at first, but it ended up taking me out of my comfort zone.”
Now in his third year, he says the experience has broadened his perspective as a musician while helping him gain confidence both on and off the stage.
Across every student’s story, one theme consistently emerges: Rock Orchestra isn’t just about learning music. It’s about building confidence, forging friendships, and discovering new possibilities.
The concert itself plays a big role in that transformation.
“It makes everybody excited when you’re on stage,” Carly says. “It feels like a real rock show.”
That excitement carries from the first rehearsal to the final performance, but Stacy believes the most meaningful lessons happen beyond the music.
“Students learn from each other, learn to support one another, and learn to appreciate what everyone brings to the ensemble,” she says. “It truly is a team effort.”
That team extends well beyond the students themselves. Elementary and junior high orchestra directors—including Chuck Torbett, Beth Darin, Vicky Nyder, and Jennifer Gurley—help lay the musical foundation long before students arrive at Rock Orchestra. Alumni also return each summer to mentor younger musicians, including Belmont University graduates Grant Brown, Rocco Greco, and George Graefen.
For Stacy, seeing former students return is one of the program’s greatest rewards.
“It’s a thrill to see them at the beginning of what will be their musical careers,” she says.
The broader community plays an important role as well. Packed audiences fill the auditorium each summer, and New Lenox Community Television records every concert so families can revisit the performances long after the final encore.
Still, Stacy says the program has always been about more than putting on a great show.
“I hope these concerts become memories they look back on for the rest of their lives,” she says. “To be young, performing music with
your friends, surrounded by teachers, professionals, and an amazing light show—those are moments worth cherishing.”
Lauren agrees that the impact reaches far beyond the stage. “I think it’s really important to have music in education,” she says. “It helps you grow in ways you don’t even realize.”
Then, with a smile that perfectly captures the spirit of Rock Orchestra, she offers one final message: “Keep funding music.”
Giving Every Child a Voice
ARTICLE BY KENADEE BERRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LACHAT
Communication is about more than words; it’s about connection. Every child deserves the opportunity to share who they are in a way that feels natural to them.
At Kids Can Do, that belief is captured in a simple but powerful philosophy: “All Voices Matter.” As Clinic Director, Erica Kluck explains, “Every child deserves the opportunity to communicate and connect regardless of how they express themselves.” Whether through spoken language, gestures, sign language, pictures, facial expressions or augmentative and alternative communication, every form of communication has value.
A perfect example of the clinic embracing All Voices Matter has been seen with one of their speech pathologists, Samantha, who works with a patient that communicates through both speech and a dedicated communication device. Over time, the child learned to share personal experiences on the device, including a trip to the park with Grandpa and enjoying a lemonade together.
“It is such a meaningful moment to see the child navigate ways to self-advocate and engage in shared conversation, something that can be taken for granted in our daily lives,” Erica shared.
For many families, moments like these are life changing. When children have a reliable way to express their thoughts, needs and memories, frustration gives way to confidence. As Erica notes, “Communication reduces frustration and helps children feel understood, valued, and included in the world around them.”
The clinic ensures every child has the opportunity to connect, build relationships and be heard, because every voice matters and every story deserves to be shared.
Inspiration
Your Backyard,
Every Day of the Year
Backyard pools have evolved far beyond a place to cool off on hot summer days. Today, homeowners across the Lincolnway area are creating outdoor spaces that function as year-round extensions of their homes, designed for family dinners, playdates, quiet evenings, and entertaining.
According to the team at Aqua Pools, families are taking a more intentional approach to backyard design.
“We’re seeing families think about the entire experience,” they explain. “A pool is often the centerpiece, but it’s the combination of gathering spaces, shade, lighting, and outdoor living that really brings everything together.”
That philosophy is changing how families use their homes. Covered pergolas, outdoor kitchens, comfortable seating areas, and fire features create inviting spaces that encourage connection in every season. Smart technology also allows homeowners to control pool temperatures, lighting, fountains, and waterfalls with the touch of a button, while landscape lighting enhances both safety and ambiance after dark.
For families with children, modern pools often include shallow tanning ledges, splash zones, bubblers, and fountains that create interactive play spaces while keeping parents close. Many homeowners are also incorporating pet-friendly features such as durable materials, slip-resistant surfaces, secure fencing, and designated areas for four-legged family members.
As temperatures cool, heated pools, spas, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces help extend backyard enjoyment well beyond summer. Fall is also the ideal time to evaluate potential improvements for the following year.
Homeowners considering a new pool or complete backyard transformation should know that the planning process (including design, permitting, engineering, and construction) takes time. Beginning in fall or winter provides greater flexibility, allowing families to refine their vision and be ready when warm weather returns.
A thoughtfully designed backyard becomes more than an attractive feature. It becomes the setting for birthdays, celebrations, quiet mornings, and everyday moments that families will remember for years.
OFFERING NEW SERVICES:
• PRENATAL - Want to learn how to push that prevents tears and injuries? Learn coordination with real time ultrasound!
• POSTNATAL - Issue during delivery? Pain or difficulty moving or lifting your baby? Bowel or Bladder issues? We are here for you
• NEW MOM AND BABY - Breastfeeding assistance; Myofascial release for baby to help with suckle
• PEDIATRIC/ADOLESCENT - Age 3 to 12 Help with bowel and bladder concerns
• ALL MOMS AND DADS - Any pain or issues with function (Grandparents and Great-Grandparents also)
LAUREN MANSELL,
DPT, CLT, PRPC, CMTPT-DN, AIB-VRC
Doctorate in Physical Therapy | Certified Lymphedema Therapist
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All appointments are in a private room and never, ever do we see two patients at the same time. We bill insurance and are known for exceptional, private care and teaching other clinicians.
630.926.8889 | acurehabmedpt@gmail.com laurenmanselldpt.janeapp.com 20500 LAGRANGE, FRANKFORT, IL
ARTICLE BY NICOLE SWANBERG WRIGHT
Ultimate Kids & Pets Round-Up
PARTY TIME!
House of Lala's Custom Lip Gloss Bar - Frankfort:
Celebrate your next birthday at House of Lala with a custom lip gloss experience! Choose your pigment, add shimmering luster, pick a signature scent, personalize with charms and create unforgettable memories together.
Glam Squad - Manhattan
Treat your birthday star to a glamorous celebration with Glam Squad. Kids enjoy age-appropriate makeovers, hairstyling, mini spa treatments and plenty of sparkle while celebrating with friends in a fun, confidence-boosting atmosphere everyone will love.
Nxt Stop NinjaNew Lenox
Give energetic kids the ultimate celebration at Nxt Stop Ninja. Party guests tackle ninja obstacles, climbing challenges and exciting courses while instructors keep the fun moving, making birthdays active, memorable and completely stress-free for parents.
Ballet 5:8 - Orland Park
Put on your dancing shoes and celebrate at Ballet 5:8! Party guests enjoy ballet-themed games, creative movement, and themed activities led by encouraging instructors, making every child feel like the star of the show.
Roma Sports ClubFrankfort
Keep the action going with a birthday party at Roma Sports Club. Kids can celebrate with soccer-themed games, active play, and plenty of room to run, creating an energetic, fun-filled experience they'll be talking about long after the final whistle.
Ancient Roots Acupuncture - Frankfort
Sunkissed GreenzMokena
At SunKissed Greenz in Mokena, the team proudly offer a premium all-natural CBD pet care line made with your furry family members in mind. From CBD oils, treats, and peanut butter to food toppers and soothing topicals, our products are designed to support your pet’s everyday wellness naturally.
Pet Envy Spa - Manhattan
Keep your pet looking and feeling their best with professional grooming at Pet Envy Spa. From baths and trims to full spa treatments, every furry client leaves clean, comfortable and ready for their next adventure.
Support your pet’s wellness naturally with premium mushroom supplements from Ancient Roots Acupuncture. Featuring Real Mushrooms products for dogs and cats, these daily supplements promote immune health and overall vitality for your four-legged family members.
Tucker’s Doggie Delights - New Lenox
Spoil your four-legged best friend with homemade treats, specialty toys and tail-wagging essentials at Tucker’s Doggie Delights. It’s a favorite stop for local pet parents looking to pamper pups with unique finds and healthy goodies.
Wilder Path WellnessMobile
Compassionate care comes to you with Wilder Path Wellness, a mobile holistic veterinary practice. Offering personalized, integrative care in the comfort of your home, it's a thoughtful option for pets who thrive in a familiar, low-stress environment.
Trails Edge BreweryFrankfort
Bring your leashed pup along to Trails Edge Brewery, where welcoming outdoor seating and a dog friendly "Tails Edge" menu makes it easy to enjoy craft beer while your furry companion relaxes beside you after a neighborhood walk or nearby trail adventure.
Central Park Splash PadManhattan
Beat the summer heat at the free splash pad in Central Park. Colorful spray features, nearby playgrounds and open green space make it an easy, budget-friendly destination for hours of family fun and cooling off.
Camp ManitoquaFrankfort
Adventure awaits at Camp Manitoqua, where kids can explore nature, build confidence and make lifelong friendships. Seasonal camps feature outdoor adventures, creative activities and unforgettable experiences that encourage curiosity, teamwork and personal growth.
Kids Who ExploreIllinois
Inspire young adventurers with Kids Who Explore, encouraging families to get outside together through hiking, nature play and exploration. It's a wonderful reminder that meaningful outdoor adventures can begin right in your own community.
Momentum DanceHomer Glen
From tiny tots to experienced performers, Momentum Dance offers classes that build confidence, creativity and strong technique. Students develop lifelong friendships while learning in an encouraging environment that celebrates every dancer's unique abilities.
Pilcher Park Nature Center - Joliet
Discover local wildlife, scenic trails and hands-on educational exhibits at Pilcher Park Nature Center. Families can explore nature together through engaging programs, hiking opportunities and interactive experiences that inspire curiosity about the natural world.
More than just golf, the 19th Hole in Mokena offers family-friendly fun with golf simulators, games and casual dining. It's an entertaining destination where kids can practice their swing while parents join the fun.
19th Hole - Mokena
Wellness Center provides mental health counseling services for adults and youth in Chicago and throughout Illinois and Indiana. Our aim is to support the community through both virtual and in-person therapy sessions. We’re committed to walking alongside you, and empowering your journey forward.
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
MEDIA STRATEGY
AUGUST 1ST
Red, White & Boom: Truck and Tractor Pulling
Dirt Oval 66 | 7:00 PM
Watch five divisions of ground-pounding, sled-dragging power from the Pro Pulling League! Plus, Fly the Flag parade, and fireworks! Gates open at 4 PM with showtime starting at 7 PM. Tickets and more info available at www.dirtoval66.com.
AUGUST 6TH
The Four Pillars of a Secure Senior Future
Right Choice Home Care | 6:30 PM
Save the date for an upcoming seminar, “The Four Pillars of a Secure Senior Future,” on Thursday, August 6 from 6:30-8 PM at Right Choice Home Care in Frankfort. The seminar will cover topics such as home care, estate planning, insurance, and taxes for seniors to help support a secure future. For more information and to register, contact snewman@rightchoicehomecare.com.
AUGUST 6TH
IPO Summer @ Olympia Fields Country Club
Olympia Fields Country Club | 6:30 PM
Experience two unforgettable evenings of live chamber music with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra! Doors open 6 PM, with music at 6:30 PM. Enjoy the OURSA Duo on August 6 and the Ostrega Uhl Project on August 20. Tickets are $40 each and include one beverage, pre-concert light bites, admission, and meet-and-greet. Summer concert packages are also available at www.ipomusic.org.
