Main and Luxe Magazine - Issue 3 | December 2021

Main & Luxe Naperville

Issue 3 | December 2021

Visit us in-store or shop online

Store Location: 227 South Main Street Naperville, Illinois 60540

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Main & Luxe, December 2021

Hours: Mon: Closed Tues-Sat: 10am - 6pm Sun: 11am - 5pm

Find Us Online: www.tinkerboutique.shop @ tinker_childrens_boutique

holiday lights

IN THE VILLE

It’s our favorite time of year! The homes in Naperville are on full display as the neighborhood lights up for the holidays. Each year we enjoy putting together a list of the stunning holiday displays in the area for you. We hope you join us as we celebrate the wonder of the season!

Grab our map and list of holiday light displays at:

HolidayLightsInTheVille.com No matter residential, commercial or lease, we look forward to working with you for all of your real estate needs!

-The Ville Team THE VILLE TEAM – COLDWELL BANKER REALTY Walt Burrell, Owner & Partner | Bridget Salela, Owner & Partner Nikki Genthner | Tom Maschmeier | Luke Salela | Serena Drendel | Kristy Garcia | Amy Hill

630.420.8834 | THEVILLETEAM.COM Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Contents and Credits Features 6 Social

See and be seen

8 Editorial

Wonder of the Season

10 Dine

Holiday Party Planning

14 Community

Naperville’s Carolers

16 Curated Splurge Luxe List Gifts

18 Luxe Life

Aero Estates Living

20 At the Library Museum Adventures

22 Give Back

24 Live Here

Heart of the Home

26 Throwback

Lights of the Season

30 Profile

Tinker, Tinker Local Star

Feed the Children

Tinker Clothing

Founder / Direction Ashley South

page 30

Senior Editor Christina Balsano Wichmann Associate Editor Elsie Bailey Design Katie McGraw Photography Cover - Megan Drane, Firefly Nights Photography Katie Braga, Katie Braga Photography Emily Cummings, Ten Little Birds Photography Consultants Ross Creative Works Publisher Bluehouse Publishing Inc Naperville, IL bluehousepublishinginc.com © Firefly Nights

Get the looks you see on the cover!

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Main & Luxe, December 2021

Advertising Inquiries sales@mainluxe.com All rights reserved

Coming this month!

22 E. Chicago Ave, Naperville

Social

See and Be Seen Santa Brunch

Brought to you by Elements Sunday, December 12th 10:00am to 1:00pm Elements, Hotel Indigo elementsnaperville.com

$24-$39. Join us for a spectacular Santa Brunch at Elements.

Santa will be taking photos by the Christmas Tree. Photos and frames will be available for purchase. Buffet-style brunch.

Young Professionals Network | Holiday Lights Naperville Trolley Tour Sponsored by Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, December 14th 6:00pm to 7:30pm Meet at Quigley’s Irish Pub naperville.net

$20-$25. Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. We will take a tour to look at the best light displays in Naperville, with some fun surprises on the way! Registration required.

Miracle on 34th Street

Presented by BrightSide Theatre Saturday, December 18th 8:00pm to 11:00pm Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College brightsidetheatre.com

$36. Get into the holiday spirit with this classic story of the last-minute replacement Santa for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade who claims to be the real Kris Kringle.

VIRTUAL Brene Brown: Virtual Book Launch Brought to by Anderson’s Bookshops Thursday, December 2nd 7:00pm to 8:00pm Registration required. andersonsbookshop.com

$34-$44. Includes book. In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human.

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Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Editorial

Wonder of the Season T

his month we dedicated the issue to the wonder of the season.

That wonder is incredibly powerful; everything is possible. We put children on the cover to remind us of what to focus on with this issue and the season.

The wonder in their eyes is a sweet sight and makes us think of finishing the year with all the exuberance of these children.

The first real blanket of snow on the ground. The orange-yellow first light in the morning. A perfectly decorated (and clean) living room before anyone else wakes up. The unencumbered expectations and excitement of meeting a new friend. Genuine conversations and connections. These are the things that bring the holiday spirit to me during the season.

We have a young son who sees everything with fresh eyes. He will say “hi” to anyone and everyone. He gets excited rediscovering a toy hidden in his toy chest, a random bus driving down the road, and for whatever reason begs to go “Inside!!” Sur la Table whenever we pass. He teaches me about patience and listening far more than I teach him. It is through his eyes that wonder is in my life daily.

Extending beyond my home life, we have incredibly warm friends and neighbors.

My neighbor Mary always invites my husband and me to community and philanthropic events. Supriya calls me to take a walk and talk with her when she is having a stressful day. Lisa checks in to see how the magazine is coming along.

These genuine people are simply looking for the connection to other passionate people. We have simple relationships, and it feels very much like my childhood friends. Like my son, we are just looking for someone to say “hi” back. Isn’t that what we all want?

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We take an approach of acceptance and curiosity on all our pieces here at Main & Luxe. It is the same as how a child might approach a new situation. We are optimistically curious about all our interactions. We are excited to learn and thrilled for the connection. We have an interview/conversation approach and bring in the human side to each of our stories. We want to know more than just what is on the menu at the restaurant; we want to know the backstory behind it and what leads to the offerings.

After pulling three issues together, I have found that there is so much wonder wrapped into each of our stories. When I was interviewing Qiana for the dine section this month, I found myself hanging on her every word on how to host a party. She was mentioning references from when we were kids and sharing ideas for how to make any event special for everyone in attendance. We were laughing nonstop about having a gingerbread making contest while hosting wine night with your neighbors. Cara shared her history with volunteerism. And Dani tells us about her inspiration behind Tinker.

The wonder and spirit of the season is contained within each page.

How are you experiencing the wonder of the season?

Ideas / ad inquires may be sent to: ceo@bluehousepublishinginc.com

© Katie Braga

Ashley South

YOUR LOCAL FAVORITE, DELIVERED.

Spread joy to friends and family nationwide with handcrafted, authentic french macarons made right in Naperville. Check us out at www.alafolieco.com or stop by our store.

2728 Forgue Drive, Unit 108. Naperville, IL 60564

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Dine

Holiday Party Planning

By Ashley South

iana Turner. She is the owner and chief event planner of Madison Elyse Events in Naperville, a boutique firm that specializes in posh, personalized events.

Madison Elyse was established in 2017.

Qiana was working during the day and running her business on evenings and weekends.

She worked at a large healthcare provider as their events coordinator.

Thousands of staff members attended her events. Qiana built her own brand and relationships during that time. Her path was set.

We reached out to her for expertise on how to host a legendary holiday party this season. These are her tips.

Theme

Find your inspiration on Google or Pinterest! You may have no idea what direction your plans will take. Looking at other people’s products and parties may evoke a reaction and spark an idea.

Qiana listed off several of her favorite holiday themes: – Ugly sweater – White elephant – Preplanned gift exchange – Cookie exchange

– Paint and Sip (Pinot’s Palette) – Neighborhood open house – Hanukkah celebration – Gingerbread house making – Festivus party (air those grievances!)

And if going virtual, Home for the Holidays, where food, drinks, and games can still be enjoyed together.

Location, location, location

Qiana Turner, owner and chief event planner, Madison Elyse Events

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“

Determine the number of people you want to host.

Depending on the number and vision, you may opt to host at home, the party room of a restaurant, or pull in some neighbors for a multi-house affair.

For the purposes of this article, we are focused on a holiday party hosted in your home.

Timing is everything

Select your date.

Check with key people you would like to attend for their availability. When you have a good foundation, build from there. If people already have plans, c’est la vie. © Madison Elyse Events

Main & Luxe, December 2021

Get those invitations out right way! Paper

is always a classic way to go. Pick them up at our local Paper Source or order handmade cards via an Etsy store. Evites are still in use. And never underestimate the impact of a phone call to pitch the idea and get the excitement going on the other end of the line.

“

Q

To me, the spirit of the season is really about the memories that you make!

The heart of the party is the food and the drinks

Choose your food and beverage. Who is coming? Consider dietary needs. Who is meat-free, glutenfree, sugar-free, dairy-free, nut-free, seafood-free? No one wants EMTs crashing their party. Select a caterer or make guest friendly food. We met with Nataly Flores of Bellyfull Boards who designs charcuterie boards for guests to graze. Anything and everything can be added to the boards. Her creations are extensive.

“I always try to source uncommon

and seasonal fruit.

This can include gooseberries, champagne grapes, little tom grapes, figs, persimmons, and cara oranges.

Look for honeycomb for a different twist on sweetness. Use seasonal cheeses. This makes for a unique board each and every time.”

Next up: Beverages!

Ask guests to bring a bottle of wine to share or keep it hassle-free by hiring a bartender to serve your guests.

With or without the bartender, create a holiday drink menu for your guests. (The

demonstration of making each one of them in front of guests also serves as entertainment.)

Based on the theme, go with colors and flavors that are complementary. Jackie Portillo, bartender at Dark Horse Catering, provided us a few tips.

“Get creative and find glasses and garnishes to match. It is all about the details. For a cocktail, the way it looks is as important as the way it tastes.”

One of Jackie’s signature holiday drinks: Coquito – Makes about 6 drinks 5 ounces white rum 1 - 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 - 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg, plus more for garnishing Cinnamon sticks, as garnish Create and present a printed copy of a featured recipe. As a possible giveaway at the party, give all ingredients for making to one lucky winner!

Rule of thumb for alcohol

If you have about 30 people at a party that lasts four to six hours, you can assume that each person will have three to four drinks during the event.

Conversion time: 1 – 750 ML bottle gives you a little over 25 ounces. For the Coquitos, you would need 4 bottles of white rum.

Decorations

There is no right formula, but the theme you choose will guide you. Qiana simply encourages you to make sure to keep in the same theme or color when selecting. When doing beautiful and upscale, select elegant glassware and candles versus Santa’s toy shop which would include candy canes and gingerbread people. (Check our Live Here section on page 24 for more inspiration.)

Party Favors

Outside of things you make on site, maybe give a drink kit as mentioned (include a glass and recipe for the drink) or seasonal candles. Kids love takeaways—candy, cookies (in little containers that are decorated - head to the dollar store), stickers, ornaments.

Music

If your voice has to elevate over the music, it is too loud. Consider it a background accent.

Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin are Qiana’s beloved classics. Again, stick to music to complement the theme.

Enjoy!

Live in the moment with your guests.

Unplugged parties are the new rage.

Qiana loves nothing more than to see the sparkle of decorations outside, the smell of baked goods filling the house, and the laughter and love in your home when celebrating together.

“To me, the spirit of the season is really about the memories that you make!”

Printed menu, Luxe place setting

© Madison Elyse Events

Floating votives

© Madison Elyse Events

Qiana is available to do all of this for you!

Madison Elyse Events 2135 City Gate Lane madisonelyseevents.com

Charcuterie board, Bellyfull Boards

© Bellyfull Boards

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMORIES Capture life's moments with Emily Cummings -hair, makeup, and styling included312.600.5151 emilycummingsphotography.com

Community

Naperville’s Carolers E

mily Senkowsky moved to the Chicagoland area by way of New York City (by way of Texas) five years ago.

Less competitive Chicago offered a way to make a decent living as a performer.

When she made the move here, Emily hadn’t realized that she’d become a performer, teacher, and entrepreneur within a couple years here!

While living in Chicago, Emily started teaching music, theater, and voice lessons. Most of her students were out in the Naperville area. What started off as a small traveling business turned into a permanent Naperville studio three years ago and “Sing with Emily” was officially born. She offers performance and Broadway-type singing lessons, in addition to piano and guitar.

Performance. In college, she was selected to play Carrie Pipperidge, a key support role, in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. NYU, with an incredible number of student performers on hand, also had a 39-piece orchestra in the pit.

Those weeks of performing with the orchestra helped to shape Emily’s own teaching style with music.

When she began teaching in Naperville, she noticed that there were numerous programs and businesses dedicated to teaching children musical instruments, but she did not see many programs for singing. With her background, training,

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The quartet has over 75 songs memorized in our repertoire.

(You may run into Emily and her quartet strolling around Downtown Naperville this month!)

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By Ashley South

Emily also started the Chicago Carolers, a quartet of professional singers and actors that brings cheer to Naperville and the surrounding cities each year. They sing carols of all kinds (traditional to modern favorites) in four-part harmony. Emily has the beautiful high soprano voice.

Emily’s passion for singing began in fourth grade. She tells us, “My good friend was in a musical and telling me about all the fun she was having. I started bugging my mom to put me in voice lessons. After that, there was no stopping me. I was always singing and performing!” Emily joined all the musicals and plays that she could.

After high school, Emily attended New York University where she earned her Bachelor of Music and Vocal

Emily Senkowsky and the Chicago Carolers

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© Sing with Emily

and love of different styles of singing, she found a new niche of services to provide to the community. The demand for lessons had become so great that she set up shop in Naperville on Washington Street, just north of Downtown. Sing with Emily offers private and group lessons, and also has scholarship opportunities.

Emily’s love of caroling started after taking a seasonal job after college. She needed the money, applied, and has been caroling ever since. She gathered her theater friends after the seasonal job and realized that they had something awesome. A costume designer friend from Broadway helped to bring Emily’s Victorian costume vision to life, including top hats for the men from England.

The quartet has over 75 songs memorized in their repertoire. In fact, you may run into Emily and her quartet strolling around Downtown Naperville this month! Chicago Carolers are also available for 30-minute carol-grams or entertainment at holiday parties.

Sing with Emily is hosting two events in her Naperville studio featuring the Chicago Carolers. For the first, the carolers will perform, have handouts for the singalong, and teach how they sing.

Halfway through the event, Santa will come. Santa and carolers will then tell The Night Before Christmas story. The event is interactive and will have parts that kids can play.

Santa will be there to take pictures after the story. There will be a craft station, an opportunity to decorate cookies, and

Evening caroling

© Sing with Emily

cider. The events take place on Sunday, December 4th and Sunday, December 12th. Check the website for specific times.

Pricing: $55 for family of four, which includes your own table for crafts, hot chocolate, cookie and decorating materials, and time with Santa. The events are limited to 12 families.

If you miss them around town, the Chicago Carolers will be at the Warrenville tree lighting event on December 3rd from 7pm to 8pm.

Sing with Emily 736 N Washington Street singwithemily.com Chicago Carolers thechicagocarolers.com

Emily Senkowsky, owner, Sing with Emily

Main & Luxe, December 2021

© Sing with Emily

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Curated Splurge

Luxe List Gifts

Hostess Gift

Cozy Gift

A La Folie 16 piece gift box alafolieco.com

The Collective Ihe + Makery Everyday Classic Wrap thecollectivelhe.com

Vegan Hair-care Gift

Self-care Gift

Organic Hair Care Ultra Violet Series organichaircare.com

Glitz Gift

Kawami Jewelry Jasper Hoops kawamijewelry.com

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The Collective Ihe + Makery Wooden Bowl Candle thecollectivelhe.com

Custom Gift

The Blue Balloon Shoppe Custom Family Tree © Firefly Nights facebook@theblueballoonshoppe

Experience Gift

Ask Aunt V Focaccia Bread-Making Class askauntv.com

Subscription Gift

Eucalyptus Farms Eucalyptus Bouquet eucalyptusfarms.com

Travel Gift

Away Travel The Medium awaytravel.com

Win our Heirloom Gift!

The ETHEREAL Collection by Naperville artist, Pat Nunez.

Framed. 12” x 12”

Heirloom Gift

Pat Nunez The ETHEREAL Collection patnunezart.com

Perfect for a sitting room, office, or entryway.

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Luxe Life

Aero Estates Living W

hile driving in bumperto-bumper traffic down Route 59 or walking the dog through Springbrook Prairie, you may have wondered about the planes going in and out at Aero Estates—the subdivision located a block east of Route 59 between 79th and 83rd Streets. If you looked closer, you probably noticed that not only do they have garages, but hangars with a landing strip in their backyards and access to their own airport!

Vern Finzer’s original Cessna 140

© Katie Braga

Aero Estates is one of only five such subdivisions in the greater Chicago area. Built in 1956 by Vern Finzer and Harold White (the one-time owner of the Naperville Sun), it features 120 single-family homes and two runways, along with one-acre yards and unobstructed views of the sunrises and sunsets.

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The popular Lima Lima Flight Team was founded here in 1975; their name was fashioned from the Federal Aviation Administration name for the Naper Aero Club airport: Lima Lima 10 (LL-10). It is code like ORD is for O’Hare. The aerobatic flight team is no longer based at Naper Aero Club; however, one of its members, Mark Banovetz, an Aero Estates resident, is still spotted flying in the sky in his Beechcraft T-34.

Mike Pastore has been the president of the board of Naper Aero Club airport for six years and has been flying out of the airport since 1995. He tells us with a laugh that he cannot stop getting re-elected and feels like the unofficial mayor of the community. We like him instantly. By profession, and prior to his retirement, he was a commercial pilot and flight instructor. He describes the Naper Aero Club as a community of friends. They self-organize social trips to see sites around the country—a passion for travel that has turned into a lifestyle. Aviation can be exclusive, but Mike explains that they want to be inclusive of everyone.

Aero Estates home with attached hanger and direct runway access

There are two flying clubs based out of Naper Aero Club: Naperville Flying Club and Businessmen’s Flying Club.

Both are equity ownership clubs. Naperville Flying Cub is a 50-member equity ownership club with four aircraft: 1968 Debonair; 1974 Skyhawk; 1979 Archer II; and 1981 Saratoga.

BFC Flying Club is a 45-member equity ownership club with three aircraft: 1992 Cessna 172SP; 2007 Cessna 172S; and 2007

Main & Luxe, December 2021

Cessna 182T. The clubs have a mix of both experienced and new pilots who ultimately have at least one thing in common—a joy and appreciation for aviation.

Vern Finzer’s son, Mel, poked his head in to chat with Mike while we were there. He had just flown in from a quick trip to Wisconsin. Mel flies his dad’s original airplane, a single wing Cessna 140, a 75-year- old aircraft, only ever owned by the Finzers. Mel grew up with the airport and shared he didn’t know he was going to follow in his father’s footsteps, but that flying became a part of life for him. “The residents of Aero Estates have a passion for flying.

They live it.”

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Built in 1956

by Vern Finzer and Harold White, Aero Estates features 120 single-family homes and two runways.

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By Ashley South and Christina Wichmann

Mel Finzer and his dad’s plane

© Katie Braga

Instrument Panel

© Katie Braga

Coming Home

© Katie Braga

© Katie Braga

About 60% of the homes in Aero Estates are owned by pilots.

The airport is truly the center of all the action. However, if you are interested in flying, you can join one of the flying clubs— Naperville Flying Club or BFC Flying Club. Membership buy in, dues, and aircraft hourly rates are very competitive. Both clubs offer a great opportunity for you to get into aviation or as a gift for a loved one.

Naper Aero Club Airport 9 South 357 Aero Drive naperaero.net Businessmen’s Flying Club flybfc.org Naperville Flying Club napervilleflyingclub.com

www.katiebragaphotography.com 630-742-6972

At the Library

Museum Adventures

By Christina Wichmann

t’s a well-known fact that a library book is a perfect way to get transported to other times and places, such as the captivating landscape of the Greek island of Corfu in My Family and Other Animals, the Civil War-era South in Cold Mountain, and the magical world of Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter books.

- An impressive 2,363-pound piece of petrified wood from the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona that has turned into a piece of solid, sparkling quartz.

- The mummy and coffin of Meresamun (circa 950 BC) exemplify the skill of the ancient embalmer and coffin maker. Striking hieroglyphs that allude to life after death cover the coffin. The symbols were intended to ensure Meresamun’s successful rebirth.

The Naperville Public Library can also physically transport you to other times and places through its Museum Adventure Pass program!

The passes are checked out with a library card and provide free admission or a special discount to 24 museums and cultural institutions.

Main & Luxe took advantage of this great program to see some unique pieces.

The Lizzadro Museum—a literal treasure chest

- A striking 12-foot cinnabar and rosewood screen encrusted with gemstones, ivory, coral, amber, and jade that was commissioned in 1791 by Emperor Qianlong (who was known for his substantial art collection).

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- The largest jade carving outside China, The Altar of the Green Jade Pagoda, which was debuted at the Century of Progress World Exposition in Chicago in 1933 and took 150 skilled carvers over 10 years to finish.

- The celestial Lamassu from Mesopotamia bears a human head, bull body, wings, and a crown; it is 16-feet tall, weighs 40 tons, and was used as a protective spirit in the throne room of Sargon II, King of Assyria (721-705 BC).

Altar of the Green Jade Pagoda, The Lizzadro © Chris Wichmann Museum

The Oriental Institute— an internationally recognized collection of ancient Middle East - A colossal 16-foot, 6-ton statue of King Tut, the famous “boy king” Tutankhamun, was discovered in 1930. The tallest ancient Egyptian statue in the Western Hemisphere, the twin to this statue is found in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Main & Luxe, December 2021

16’ King Tut statue, The Oriental Institute © Chris Wichmann

“

The Naperville Public Library can physically transport you to other times and places through its Museum Adventure Pass program!

“

I

Cantigny Park—Historical and gardening showpiece - The beautiful, lush garden, originally designed by famed landscape architect Franz Lipp (whose landscape drawings are included in the Art Institute of Chicago collection), underwent a breathtaking renovation in 2018. The garden is composed of 29-acres of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals in stunning displays.

- The First Division Museum provides education and exhibits about America’s military heritage through the history of the famous 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. (Fun Fact: Ashley South’s uncle, Paul Barker, is the artist behind the war scene exhibits.)

- The tank park in front of the museum features tanks and artillery from World War I to Desert Storm. Children are allowed to climb on the tanks, making them a favorite of the park.

Allied Trench, World War I, First Division Museum, Cantigny

Naper Settlement—our town in the 1800s - The Martin Mitchell Mansion was built in 1883 and donated in 1936 by Caroline Martin Mitchell, the youngest daughter of Naperville businessman George Martin. Martin owned brick, tile, and limestone businesses, which provided supplies for the brick and limestone Italianate home.

Before the home was donated, it was known as “Pine Craig.” Pine for the trees planted along the home and craig, which is Scottish for a hill or rocky cliff.

- The vintage windmill was a commonplace feature on Midwestern farms in the early 1900s. This windmill pumped water to the surface for crops and livestock on the farm of Oscar and Elsie Strid, which was located on the southwest corner of 75th Street and Naper-Plainfield Road. The windmill was brought to Naper Settlement in 1981.

The Martin Mitchell Mansion, Naper Settlement

Courtesy of Naper Settlement

Details on the program and the full list of museums are found at any one of the Naperville Library locations.

Naper Blvd Nichols Library 95th Street Library naperville-lib.org

Courtesy of Cantigny Museum

Author: Christina Wichmann Our senior editor. Chris is a writer, editor, and project director during the day, and our seamstress by night. She carefully unstitches misplaced words or paragraphs and brings them back together in ways much better than we could have hoped.

She lives near Knoch Knolls Park.

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Give Back

Feed the Children

By Ashley South

ara Yavaliollah, Monthly Giving Specialist at Feed My Starving Children, started as a volunteer in 6th grade with her youth group as part of a food packing team. She knew she wanted to make a career at Feed My Starving Children from that first experience many years ago.

Cara grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

“I had no perspective of hungry people. I grew up not realizing the global need,” she told us. After she attended that initial packing session, she said a staff member sat her group down on benches in a meeting room and told them how many meals their group prepared and how many people would be fed because of their efforts. The staff member then showed them pictures of a garbage dump in Nicaragua. He asked, “What would you do if you had to go to the dump every day to look for food?” The raw image of families rummaging through garbage to live stayed with Cara.

That moment was the first time her eyes were opened to people living drastically different lives than her own.

Cara Yavaliollah, Feed My Starving Children

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Feed My Starving Children fights world hunger through its special MannaPack™ meal formulas that were developed by food science and nutrition professionals. These meals are shipped to partner organizations

“

The packing room is the heart of the experience and provides a tangible way to see your effort and be a part of change. The average person packs a box of food, which is 216 meals.

“

C

in 105 countries throughout the world.

The partner organizations are mission and humanitarian organizations on the ground in these countries and distribute the shipments of food to school lunch programs, medical clinics, families, and orphanages.

Food assistance is a vital component in the partnership with humanitarian organizations, as food security is the foundation for so much more.

A dependable food source allows their partners to devote resources to education, health care, agriculture, and micro business. © Feed My Starving Children

Main & Luxe, December 2021

After college, Cara started part-time on the food packing team. There, volunteers work as teams in two-hour shifts hand-packing the meal formula: rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a blend of vitamins and minerals into bags that are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to the partner organizations. Cara’s role was to help run packing sessions. Prior to the pandemic, she tells us that they would see sessions with over 250 people.

Today, the packing sites are at 30% capacity, but the organization found a way to host sessions that are safe during the pandemic. In the 2020/21 fiscal year, 267,467,147 meals were provided and 732, 786 children fed.

The packing room is the heart of the experience and provides a tangible way to see your effort and be a part of change. It is a popular event for corporate volunteer groups, scout groups, church groups. The average person packs a box of food, which is 216 meals. Each meal costs 24 cents and each box costs $52. Feed My Starving Children is run completely on donations—no government funding.

Partners pay for shipping. Monetary donations are also accepted: $88 feeds a child for a year and 86% of all donations go into the feeding program.

Cara recently moved from the packing team to her current position. She realized when she started part-time that she wanted to stay and find fulltime work within the organization that touched her soul. Cara has been a staff member for nearly four years, but of course has been part of the organization for over a decade.

Cara tells us that she has been very grateful to be working for Feed My Starving Children because of their message of hope, even in the hardest of times.

Packing room, Feed My Starving Children

© Feed My Starving Children

Happy clients

© Feed My Starving Children

Feed My Starving Children 555 Exchange Ct Aurora, IL 60504 fmsc.org

Weighing rice

© Feed My Starving Children

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Live Here

Heart of the Home

By Joan Kaufman, Ashley South, and Chris Wichmann

A

s we near the holidays, our thoughts focus on family, entertaining, and staying indoors!

The family room is the center of home enjoyment and a primary focal point of many homes. Decorating your space, particularly your mantel, to fit your personal style can have a dramatic effect on the experience of the season for you and your guests. The hearth is a source of warmth and coziness, and it sets the tone and style of the room and perhaps the entire home.

Identifying your design style will guide the selection of decor. Are you minimalist?

Vintage? A collector of Santas? All white? All red?

Or do you find yourself full of whimsy and decorate with plumes of peacock feathers?

Really anything goes when it comes to decorations. Bring in what you like and be proud of your presentation for family and guests!

Little Luxuries

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© Ashley South

© Joan Kaufman

For the holidays, we suggest starting simple when thinking about where to start. Garland is a nice foundation (or finish for all the minimalists) to any mantle or shelf in your space. Little Luxuries on Main Street can help you with your selection. They offer a variety of faux pieces to complement any style.

Nona Jo’s

Main & Luxe, December 2021

© Ali Arbogast Martin

Nona Jo’s

© Ashley South

Buikema’s Ace Hardware

© Ashley South

Fresh evergreen garland and boughs offer a nice aesthetic and a beautiful house-filling aroma. The Growing Place and Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts both offer a variety of evergreen boughs, garlands, pinecones, and winter berries in their holiday shop. From there, build with pieces such as ribbons, ornaments, strings of lights that suit your personal style.

Designing (and shopping!) for your space can be fun and exciting – bring friends, shop local, and enjoy your time at home. The possibilities are endless!

© ASID

M&L Live Here Author: Joan M. Kaufman, FASID, MBA, MPH, LEED AP, Native of Naperville Joan is passionate about improving lives through good design. Joan and her team at Interior Planning & Design Inc have been designing beautiful interiors for over 30 years.

M&L’s Holiday Decorating Resource Guide: Little Luxuries 212 S Main Street

Nona Jo’s 410 W 5th Avenue The Growing Place 25W471 Plank Road Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts 1007 E Ogden Buikema’s Ace Hardware 1030 N Washington Street, 963 W 75th Street

Nona Jo’s

Philip’s Flowers

Nona Jo’s

The Growing Place

© Ashley South

The Growing Place

© Ashley South

Little Luxuries

© Ashley South

© Ashley South

© Ashley South

© Ashley South

Philip’s Flowers

© Ashley South

Buikema’s Ace Hardware

© Ashley South

© Ali Arbogast Martin

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Throwback

Lights of the Season

By Bryan J Ogg

D

ecember in Naperville is a festive time! The long winter nights and blustery days are punctuated with celebrations and traditions of all faiths. Families and friends gather in warm places sharing memories, good food, and gifts.

Store windows and lamp posts might have been decorated with fresh evergreens and holly from the Naperville Nurseries (18661960), which extended over 300 acres adjacent to the Von Oven mansion (now the rectory of St. John’s Episcopal Church).

According to the Christmas memories of Marie Rose Ellis, the Von Oven’s always supplied an eight-to-ten foot Christmas tree for Naperville’s brewer, John Stenger’s living room. Ellis also remembers that about 20– 25 candles were used to light the tree on Christmas Eve. The first strand of just eight electric lights was used around 1920.

Since the very first settler’s winter in 1831, Napervillians have had a lot of memories and stories to tell. That first winter was one of the most severe ever recorded. Snow was 36 inches deep with higher drifts from the wind which blew for 60 days. It was the bravery of John Naper (Joseph’s brother), John Murray (a Naper brother-in-law), and Richard Sweet trekking more than 40 miles in the blizzard to acquire provisions from Gurdon Hubbard’s trading posts along the Illinois/Indiana state border that saved the first settlers.

Napervillian holidays in the past were primarily celebrated with extended family members in the home and with their faith communities at places of worship. Until the 1920s, most winter celebrations of faith were centered on Christian traditions. Most of the early families were of English, Scottish, Irish, and German backgrounds. Traditions of decorations, food, songs, and gift-giving played out in schools and church programs.

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On Christmas mornings in the early 1900s, Piety Hill (just north of Central Park) was full of sleighs, carriages, and wagons carrying families to the surrounding churches, such as Saints Peter and Paul and First Congregational Church. At the end of the services, church bells rang out each one with a different tone. Napervillians greeted one another warmly as they passed on the streets.

Mary Anne Brock's 1st Christmas, 1932

Main & Luxe, December 2021

Author’s Collection

A holiday tradition at Saints Peter & Paul Church that was instituted by Steve Grobl when he became a parish usher in 1988 is for all the ushers to wear red plaid. “It is quite a sight,” Grobl said, “after decades of use, many parishioners look forward to seeing the coats come out around Christmas!”

Twinkle lights on the treelined streets and Riverwalk soon followed. Naperville had many Christmas tree lots that would attract public singing, food, and entertainment. In the early 1980s, the area in the Cee Bees grocery store parking lot, where Top Fashion is today, was a favorite lot for trees and entertainment.

Around 1992, when the current Municipal Center was built, Naperville lit its first city tree!

Christmas Memories and Christkindlmarket were also popular holiday activities.

“

James Wehrli led an effort to trim the downtown buildings with white lights— often climbing the buildings to attach the wires himself!

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Shortly after the Central Area Naperville Development Organization (CAN-DO) was organized in 1972, charter member James Wehrli led an effort to trim the downtown buildings with white lights— often climbing the buildings to attach the wires himself!

Since 1831, many other winter festivities from cultures around the world have found a new home in Naperville. What’s yours?

Paul Brock home, Columbia Avenue, 1932

Author’s Collection

The Rotary’s Naper Lights is fast becoming a local tradition, and since 2001 the Parade of Lights is a large, popular, colorful celebration of winter. Mr. and Mrs. Claus always make an appearance during the parade.

Napervillians decorate with more than fresh greens these days!

Millions of lights are used to create fantastic displays all over Naperville. In 1995, the Naperville Trolley began offering tours of various neighborhoods in festively decorated trolleys. Along the Riverwalk, one may visit Santa’s house or watch the lighting of a public Menorah which has been lit annually since 2009.

© Mike Mantucca

Christmas Plaid Ushers, Saints Peter & Paul Church, 1990

Courtesy of Steve Grobl

M&L Throwback (Quarterly) Author: Bryan J Ogg Although Bryan was not raised in Naperville, he knows a lot about the town he now calls home.

Bryan is a dedicated researcher, tour guide, and author with more than 30 years of museum and non-profit experience. His last title, Naperville: A Brief History is at local bookstores and libraries.

Main & Luxe, December 2021

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Profile

Tinker, Tinker, Local Star

By Ashley South

C

reated, owned, and operated by local mom Dani Spangler, Tinker boutique provides the Naperville community with a truly unique place to shop for children’s clothing, books, accessories, and toys for infants through eight-years-old.

Dani tells us, “One of my goals in putting this store together was to create a bit of nostalgia for the parents and grandparents who come through to purchase gifts for their children and grandchildren.”

From handmade wooden toy swords and pull along toys, to vintage-style leather backpacks and purses, there are so many pieces that capture the attention and adoration of adults and children alike.

Products come from over 20 brands located across Europe, Australia, and the United States.

Creating Tinker truly was and remains a passion project for Dani.

After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin, Dani moved to Chicago and worked for a renewable energy company. After spending a few years in Chicago, Dani and her husband moved to Naperville. “Naperville is my husband’s hometown, so it was the obvious choice for us once we were ready to leave the Chicago. We have been in Naperville for more than five years now and we absolutely adore living here.”

After having their first daughter, Dani made the decision to stay home and shortly thereafter they had their second daughter. With a

The boutique

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Main & Luxe, December 2021

Dani Spanger, owner, Tinker

strong desire to dive back into her business roots and find a more creative, entrepreneurial path, Dani spent the past few years developing Tinker.

“The idea for Tinker truly was inspired by my daughters and this amazing community. Even before other stores closed, there were not a lot of places in Downtown Naperville to

© Emily Cummings

shop for children. As a mom with two young children, I felt like there was a void that needed to be filled, so I started researching, and researching, and researching! In a world of fast-fashion and plastic toys, I wanted to bring something different to Downtown Naperville, and I am proud of what you find in our store.”

© Firefly Nights

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The idea for Tinker truly was inspired by my daughters and this amazing community.

(including a detailed firetruck that we absolutely love!), handmade wooden night lights from the Polish-based brand Little Lights, and real leather backpacks in a variety of sweet animal characters.

Other favorites include an ever-changing assortment of handmade dolls and a full line of infant and toddler percussion toys.

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Some of the featured brands sold in the store include 1+ in the Family, Bobo Choses, Donsje Amsterdam, and Phil & Phae. “All of these brands have European roots—both 1+ in the Family and Bobo Choses are based in Spain, while Donsje Amsterdam and Phil & Phae are based in the Netherlands. Each was carefully selected based on their unique, yet timeless style and their dedication to sourcing the highest quality fabrics.”

Dani’s clothes are featured on our cover this month.

Our vision was to create the wonder of the season through the eyes of our Naperville children. We wanted to pull in a little Normal Rockwell and Charles Dickens. Together with our chief photography artist, Megan Drane of Firefly Nights Photography, our whimsical cover brings our vision and Dani’s clothing to life.

In addition to the clothing lines, the store also carries the highly coveted Senger Naturwelt cuddly, floppy animals; an assortment of wooden toys from small artisanal shops

“Of course, I love all the products that we carry, but perhaps the most personal items we have in the store are our picture books.

In our house, we read bedtime stories every single night. A deep love and appreciation for books is something that I share with my girls, and I am so excited to be able to bring a highly curated assortment of our favorite things into the store for our customers. My hope is that all will find new, heartwarming stories to add to their collections to enjoy for years to come.”

Cozy for winter

© Firefly Nights

Wall of toys, Tinker

© Firefly Nights

Looking ahead, Dani has indicated that there will be lots of surprises in store for everyone to enjoy this holiday season, including the release of limited-edition toys. Sign up via the Tinker Instagram page for an enchanting Santa experience (and pictures!) on December 11th. The event is free, but space is limited.

We encourage you to follow them on Instagram for the latest information and to see their charming offerings. There is a lot to look forward to at Tinker.

Tinker Boutique 227 S Main Street www.tinkerboutique.shop

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Main & Luxe Naperville

© Katie Braga

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