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Change in the Air
Goodbyes are hard. Like that first day of school, when you send the kids off and all you want is to hold onto the moment just a little longer. Like on a perfect summer day on the beach, when you don’t want it to end, but your sunburned back says otherwise.
It’s a whole other thing when you say farewell to a family member, a close friend, a neighbor … someone who’s so much a part of your family’s story. Those are really hard. But just as sure as autumn follows summer, life goes on. And just like that scar you earned doing yardwork, their memory sticks with us.
September is always bittersweet. There’s something wonderful about those hot, sticky days when you can just open the door and run outside, barefoot, wherever you want to go. I love the balmy nights where the crickets and motorcycles fill the air and the moonflowers unfold before your eyes. I love pulling a fresh harvest from the garden and watching the kids splash in their little pool or the sprinkler.
No day is too hot for me. There simply aren’t enough warm days here in the Midwest, so I’m inclined to soak up each and every one of them.
For as much as I love summer, there’s something wonderful about autumn, as well. It’s the colors in the trees and the apple cider doughnuts, the corn mazes, the high school football games and all of the other traditions we enjoy.
Try as I might, I still cling to summer. I wait a little too long to put away the pool and the hose. I greet a cool morning with a hoodie and shorts, hoping it stays just warm enough. I keep the windows open when it’s just a little too cold at night. And so what if I’m still grilling with the first snowflakes?
I try so hard to live in the present, to take each day as it comes, but goodbyes just aren’t easy. So, don’t be surprised if my summer brain sticks around this fall. I’m just soaking up this season of changes.
Chris Linden Executive Editor
Home Additions: An Alternative to Moving
By Chris Linden, executive editor
Renee Busse has noticed a curious shift in home remodeling needs. The designer at Advance Design Studio, in Gilberts, finds more and more people are staying put in their homes.
Gone are the days of the move-up buyer, who jumps to a bigger, more spacious home. Instead, they’re building their dream home where they are.
“They’re telling me that they like the location where they live and they just don’t believe the hassle of buying a home is worth it right now or maybe they can’t afford it,” says Busse. “Instead, they’re just putting up an addition on their current house.”
These homeowners also like making a floor plan that fits their needs, adds Busse. When they add on a kitchen, for example, they can increase their entertainment space, build a more open-concept layout, and use the old space for other purposes, whether
that’s a larger kitchen or maybe a butler’s pantry.
Best of all, the addition doesn’t have to stop there. Depending on your home’s layout, it’s possible to expand the basement or build a new master suite overhead.
There’s plenty to consider before you begin. First, your designer will ask where the addition is best located, says Busse. Septic fields, utility lines and local zoning can all dictate where and how you build.
You’ll also need to consider heating and cooling. Can your furnace and air conditioner handle the extra square footage? And, will you need a bigger electrical panel, to handle the extra outlets in this addition?
Finally, you want your addition to match the rest of your home.
“It’s important that this is cohesive with the rest of the house,” says Busse. “You’ll want to carry the same finishes, or something complementary, inside. Outside, we’ll want to match the siding, windows and existing colors. I want it to feel like it’s always been part of your home.”
Advance Design Studio is located at 30 Railroad St., in Gilberts. For a consultation, call (847) 836-2600. ❚
Home additions can add valuable living space while fulflling multiple functions.
(Advance Design Studio photo)
David or Solomon?
King
Solomon was the richest man of his day. The son of King David and Bathsheba, he ruled a vast empire and knew every pleasure in the world. He constructed the first Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and is remembered for his wisdom, a gift he asked for and received from God when he was young.
Solomon told God, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties … So give your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9
God answered Solomon’s prayer, but Solomon eventually squandered this great gift. He forgot Whose people he governed and, over time, began treating them badly. He denied God the one thing God really wanted from Solomon: a loving and obedient relationship.
“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father … And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice.” – I Kings 11:4-9
How many of us have longed to see God in person just once? Solomon saw God twice and still managed to put worldly things ahead of Him. For all his wisdom, Solomon was no David because his heart was not right with God.
David behaved very badly at times, but he desperately loved God and always returned to Him with humility. He spent time with God, dancing and singing for Him, and writing love poems to God, something frowned upon by the joyless religious class of the day. David experienced joy with God beyond anything Solomon ever knew and God called David “a man after my own heart.”
Solomon built an impressive Temple, but David built an unshakable place for God inside his heart. Who was the richer man? Who does God tell us to emulate?
Humility matters and God is not fooled by man’s hubris. ❚ – Janine Pumilia
A Different Way to Recover from Illness
By Chris Linden, executive editor
Post-acute rehab is a critical step in recovery from an injury or illness, but the experiences can vary widely from big rehab hospitals to skilled nursing facilities.
Ignite Medical Resorts takes a different approach in matching short-term, rapid rehabilitation with “uncompromising luxury.”
In many ways, Ignite’s McHenry location feels more like a hotel than a medical facility. The spacious lobby comes with ample natural light, plush couches, fireplaces, even a “living wall” that’s covered in plants. A Starbucks coffee stand serves light bites.
“It’s bright, sunny, lots of windows and high ceilings. We wanted it to feel very natural, home-like and comfortable,” says Mat Thengil, chief therapy officer and partner. “When you’re in a rehab hospital, it feels sterile, with white walls everywhere. This is the opposite.”
Out of the facility’s 84 beds, 60 are private suites with a bathroom, an electric fireplace, a dresser, a minifridge and a TV. The square-shaped building comes with a landscaped courtyard and small lounges in each wing. The spacious dining room has a wide menu.
“I think dining is so underappreciated when it comes to health care,” says Thengil, an occupational therapist who’s spent 22 years in his field. “People get sick, they go to the hospital and then in post-acute rehab they assume they’ll just eat whatever they’re given. We wanted to take that up a couple of notches.”
It may sound like fun and games, but the reality is that physical recovery is just as important as emotional and social wellness, says Thengil.
“If you were in the patient’s shoes, would you want to share a room with another patient or would you want your own?” he says.
“Would you like the luxury of going to Starbucks in the morning and getting a cappuccino? We have that here. Do you want your therapy to be seven days a week? We do that here.”
The therapy gym is a bright, sunny spot that’s filled with tools to
help someone recover from orthopedic injuries, strokes, heart attacks, lung diseases and other acute illnesses. They often come with multiple health concerns and a range of barriers to overcome.
Inside the therapy gym, they find a range of high-tech tools, some of them built with the same technology that helps pro athletes recover. The OmniVR uses an Xbox Kinect to work different muscle groups. The Synchrony uses electrodes to measure one’s swallowing ability, while the Biodex helps to improve balance. The Neuro Rehab VR is an immersive virtual reality where patients can work on motion, walking, standing, bending and more in a simulated environment.
And, there’s the game-changing Andago, which uses robotic controls and harnesses to help a person walk again.
“One of our biggest feats came when we had a stroke victim with left-sided weakness who was unable to walk,” says Karolina Triana, director of rehabilitation in McHenry. “After a year of using this on an inpatient and outpatient basis we got her walking. It was incredible.”
Inside the life skills area, patients practice a variety of everyday tasks, from doing laundry and cooking dinner to walking through a front door. The team of 14 therapists will also conduct community and home assessments, to ensure a patient can safely return to their lives.
The technology and tools at Ignite’s McHenry location demonstrate the same level of care you’ll find at any of the company’s nearly 30 facilities in the Midwest and Texas. In addition to centers in Lisle, Aurora, Hanover Park and northwest Indiana, Ignite recently opened a new facility in Batavia.
“I think the biggest takeaway is that advanced technology does not have to exist only in rehab hospital settings like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab,” says Thengil. “You can find the same high-quality experience right here at Ignite Medical Resort.”
Ignite Medical Resort in McHenry is located at 550 Ridgeview Dr. To request a tour, call (815) 900-2500. ❚
The Andago uses robotic controls and easy mobility to safely help patients walk again.
The lobby at Ignite Medical Resort’s McHenry facility is bright, cheerful and spacious, so families can gather together in a comfortable setting.
A Fresh Taste at Johnny Appleseed Festival
By Peggy Werner
New attractions, a fresh theme and a new location highlight this year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival, which runs Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The event is a family-friendly festival that benefits the community and is a kickoff to the fall and holiday season,” says Joy Neal, director of Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street, which sponsors and organizes the festival. “It creates an opportunity for our community to really shine.”
Johnny Appleseed takes place around Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake and is the largest fundraiser for the downtown organization.
New this year is a Taste of Downtown, where local flavors come together under 10 tents on Brink Street. Also new is Cider Alley, where festivalgoers can purchase alcoholic beverages such as cider, wine and beer or non-alcoholic beverages. Taste is open until 8 p.m.
This year’s theme of “Street Festival” underscores the fact that this annual event has something for all ages: wagon rides, a pumpkin train, children’s games, inflatables, a scarecrow on stilts, a craft fair, storytelling, live music on two stages, dancing, apple cider doughnuts, and a visit from Johnny Appleseed himself. Downtown merchants decorate their windows and offer special sales all day.
The Great Ball Race is a fun conclusion. Numbered raffle tickets are sold for $5 each or three for $10, each ticket representing a chance to win $1,000. Brightly colored plastic balls correspond with raffle tickets. They’re released at 3 p.m. and roll down Brink Street; the first one past the finish line wins. Purchase tickets the day of the event or in advance at the Downtown
Farmers Market, which happens every Saturday morning through September.
Johnny Appleseed was a real-life American folk hero who in the 1800s planted apple orchards across the frontier. He planted in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia.
To learn more about Johnny Appleseed Festival, contact Downtown Crystal Lake at (815) 479-0835 or visit downtowncl.org. ❚
Johnny Appleseed Festival in downtown Crystal Lake features fun activities for all ages on Sept. 27.
Fall into Fun at Richardson Farm
By Melanie Kalmar
Fewmoments signal the arrival of fall more than that first glimpse of Richardson Adventure Farm’s intricately designed cornfield maze – billed as the “world’s largest.” This year’s theme, “Back to 1985,” honors the debut 40 years ago of the movie “Back to the Future.”
The view from up high is necessary to see caricatures of a quirky Doc Brown, guitar-playing Marty McFly and a midflight DeLorean carved into 28 acres of cornfield. But you don’t have to get in a plane to enjoy this autumn spectacle. You can visit Richardson Farm, located on English Prairie Road in Spring Grove, to get a breathtaking glimpse. Stand in its midst, or, better yet, stand atop an observation tower that rises 50 feet above the corn.
If you’re feeling brave, try zigzagging through the entire 10.4 miles of corn maze trails or choose to explore just a small section. Either way, this is a “checkpoint maze,” so there are no dead-ends to confuse you.
“People think, ‘Oh, that’s too big. I’ll never go,’” says George Richardson, who owns the farm with his wife, Wendy, his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Carol, and his son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Kristen. “All trails loop around and connect with each other, and there is a giant, 50foot observation tower right at the entrance that’s lit at night. You head toward the tower and get out in 5 to 10 minutes.”
Come for the cornfield maze and stay for the wide variety of attractions – new ones are added each year – that make
Richardson Adventure Farm an annual tradition for children and adults.
“Many pumpkin farms like us are geared toward parents with little kids, and we get a lot of those,” says Wendy Richardson. “But we also do a great job of entertaining 20-, 30-, 40-year-olds and grandparents because we have wide-open spaces and plenty of fun things to do. And we’re open at night for those who choose that extra adventure.”
A general admission fee covers almost everything except food, pumpkins, ziplining and zorbing, and the new haunted trail for teens and adults, which is run by an outside company.
Test Your Navigation Skills
Begin your adventure at the cornfield maze. Upon entering, you’re handed a map of the trails; checkpoints are labeled in the corn, directing you to turn left or right to exit the maze.
“We have one trail that’s left turns only, designed for parents to go through it with their kids and play a fun, trivia-type game along the way,” George says. “You cannot get lost, and it’s going to take eight or nine minutes to get through it. Another map is all right turns. You play a multi-age game, and it tells you your fortune when you get out.”
There’s also a maze with six checkpoints and quiz questions. “It’s an interesting way to get through smaller sections of the maze and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how leisurely you go about it,” George says.
Since 2001, Richardson Adventure Farm, in Spring Grove, has been producing giant corn mazes. This year’s maze celebrates the 40th anniversary of the flm “Back to the Future.”
(Richardson Farm photo)
Feeling even more adventurous? Traverse the corn maze at night, but come prepared with a flashlight to find the way out. The trail is lit only by the light of the moon and an observation tower.
While you’re at it, visit the farm in September and walk through glorious sunflower fields on Richardson Farm’s amazing 13-acre sunflower patch.
Frolic and Play
While you’re exploring the farm, try touring the grounds aboard the farm’s train, take a ride on an old-fashioned carousel, watch the pig races, or take a wagon ride and stop at the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin. There are plenty of ways for the family – little ones especially – to get their energy out while making lasting memories.
“This year, we’ve expanded our offerings for climbing adventures and family fun to include a 12-station activity pod,” says Ryan Richardson, a member of the sixth generation of Richardsons in the family business.
This brand-new, 1,000-square-foot attraction has a low ropes course, jumping pillows, oversized slides, a kid-sized zipline, climbing structures and a barn full of shelled corn.
A new addition to Richardson Farm this year is the haunted corn trail. Owned and operated by American Nightmare Scream Park, it’s open from mid-September through October. Separate from the family-friendly giant cornfield maze and with its own admission fee, this haunted cornfield features 50 high-quality actors frightening the crowd as they move through a spectacularly detailed experience that’s suited for older children and adults. For adults who want to put
their fine motor skills to the test, there’s even axe throwing on the haunted maze’s midway.
Eat and Be Merry
The concession stand features hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza and pulled pork. Five outside food trucks offer an additional array of cuisine, from wood-fired pizza to tacos to poutine (French fries with assorted toppings and sauces). Of course, guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks. Picnic tables are available throughout the grounds but there’s also indoor seating in the new barn, which sells beer and wine.
“At night, more than a dozen campfires are running,” George says. “You can buy s’mores kits from us and sit around the campfire.”
For those who want a “home base” to meet up with groups of family and friends, the farm has about 100 private, reserved campfire sites for an additional charge.
“Our crew starts and refreshes the campfire with fresh firewood every 15 to 20 minutes,” George says. “It makes it fun to go out and do activities and come back to the campfire.”
Take Home a Keepsake
The gift shop has an extensive wine tasting bar and gifts of all kinds, from hand-painted vases and ceramics to tea towels with cute sayings on them, plush toys and farm-themed T- shirts.
The season never gets old for the Richardson family, who’ve been caring for this farmland since 1836 and welcoming autumn visitors since the first corn maze popped up in 2001. The farm is open Thursday through Sunday until Oct. 26.
“People are energizing,” George says. “It’s so much fun to be on site and see all of the millions of smiles we help create. We love the business. It’s very rewarding for us.”
“Our farm is easy to get to and a pleasant ride to the country,” adds Wendy. “We hope everyone has a wonderful time.”
Richardson Adventure Farm is located at 909 English Prairie Road in Spring Grove. See updates at richardsonadventurefarm.com. ❚
Richardson Adventure Farm has plenty of activities for younger children, but its ziplines, haunted maze and beer garden keep it fun for every member of the family.
The autumn season at Richardson Adventure Farm includes pig races, which are a beloved tradition.
(Tom Funk photo)
(Tom Funk photo)
It’s Time to Break the Car-Buying Stereotype
By Chris Linden, executive editor
Car buying comes with a certain stereotype: a pushy salesman, high pressure and lots of haggling before we drive off the lot.
That’s just not the way things go at Brilliance Subaru, in Elgin. This family-owned dealership has been breaking out of the stereotype for 11 years. The difference lies in the company culture and its emphasis on customer service, says President Kevin Keefe.
“In our opinion, there’s a big difference between selling a car and helping someone to buy a car,” says Keefe. “We like to help people buy cars. Yes, there is a sales environment, but if we can show the value of our product and our people, then customers will want to transact.”
The difference begins long before a customer steps onto the lot. Brilliance Subaru displays its wide inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles at brilliancesubaru.com, and
it couples that with online purchase options, so you can handle trade-in appraisals, finance applications and the other steps on your own time.
Inside the showroom, located on Randall Road just south of Interstate 90, Keefe has built a corporate culture that values transparency, teamwork and integrity. People can feel the difference as they walk in, says Keefe.
“It’s when something doesn’t go well that you earn your reputation, he says. “In my opinion, it’s how we take care of the customer, and if we say something, we’re going to honor it.”
Subaru built its reputation on safety features and corporate citizenship, qualities that have helped it to maintain a loyal following for generations. It’s the very first car some people own, and it’s often the last brand they seek – not just because of the cars but the people
who sold them. At Brilliance Subaru, customers find the same sales and service team members at every visit.
“Relationships are everything,” says Keefe. “We do as much as humanly possible to raise the confidence of the customer and earn their business.”
Brilliance Subaru is located at 1500 N. Randall Road in Elgin. To schedule a service appointment, call (224) 281-4300. ❚
The team at Brilliance Subaru, in Elgin, prioritizes customer service, teamwork and transparency.
Soak Up the Last of Summer at Starved Rock
By Lyndsey Nguyen, marketing manager, Starved Rock Lodge
The waning days of summer are truly magical at Starved Rock Lodge in Oglesby.
The “Take a Hike and Lunch” experience delivers a weekend escape filled with natural beauty, fresh air and a satisfying lunch. Offered every Saturday and Sunday, this guided hike takes guests through some of Starved Rock State Park’s most scenic canyons. With waterfalls, towering rock formations and the chance to spot bald eagles overhead, it’s a truly memorable way to experience this wonder.
To take in the scenery at a slower pace, the “Land and Water Cruise” runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
peaceful cruise along the Illinois River, with plenty of opportunities to take photos and enjoy the scenery.
The “Visit a Canyon and Boat Ride” tour is another weekend favorite. This experience, held Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., takes you on a short, guided hike to one of the park’s scenic canyons followed by a boat ride along the river.
“Waterfowl Cruises” are a must for wildlife enthusiasts. Offered every Saturday and Sunday, these 1-hour boat rides let you observe the beautiful waterfowl that inhabit the Illinois Riv-
about the park and Lodge as you travel to the Lock and Dam, through downtown Utica and to the Starved Rock Visitor Center. This tour runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3
There are many ways to explore the canyons and wilderness of Starved Rock State Park, starting at its historic Lodge.
(Photo provided)
CLB’s Newest Beer is Out of this World
By Chris Linden, executive editor
The world of craft beer is always evolving with new and interesting tastes. And at Crystal Lake Brewing (CLB), there’s always something fresh to discover. Drop into the downtown Crystal Lake taproom, and you just might sample the newest addition to a growing lineup of favorite drafts.
That was the case this summer when taproom visitors taste-tested CLB’s newest release: The Hop Comet. As its name suggests, this American Pale Ale is high on hoppy flavor, but it also amplifies flavors that tend to hide in a pale ale. Best of all, this style is geared for easier drinking, with an ABV around 5%.
Think of it like a Sierra Nevada, but with a new-school spin, says brewmaster Ryan Clooney.
“I want you to be able to get the bitterness, to experience the malty sweetness and the little bit of grain
characteristic, and then let the hops finish it off,” he adds. “You should be able to smell it before you drink it. It’s going to be very aromatic and flavorful but not over whelming.”
This August, Hop Comet became the sev enth of CLB’s “core beers,” a lineup that in cludes pale ales, a red ale and the Beach Blonde golden lager – a 2016 World Beer Cup winner.
New beers take about two weeks to brew, ferment and tap, but when it comes to core beers like Hop Comet, there are several months of fine-tuning involved. This summer, taproom visitors offered their feedback on two prototypes of Hop Comet. The results
were overwhelmingly positive and helped Clooney to dial into the right flavors.
Hop Comet is now available at restaurants and liquor stores across our region, and at the CLB taproom.
“It’ll be a nice crusher beer, something where you can drink a few if you want and it’s totally drinkable,” says Clooney. “With the higher-alcohol IPAs, you might have one or two and go, ‘OK, I’m done.’ This beer is low-key so you can just enjoy it.”
Crystal Lake Brewing is located at 150 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake. The taproom is open Mon.-Thurs. 4-10 p.m., Fri. 3-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m. and Sun. noon-8 p.m. ❚
Autumn Adventures at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
Twinleaf Tales
Fridays • 10-10:30am
October 3 • November 7 • December 5
Join the talented staf of the St. Charles Public Library for nature-inspired stories! After the program, head outside on your own to play at Hickory Hideout, the nature play area, or enjoy a short hike.
Ages 1+ • FREE but please register
NEW! Enchanted Pumpkin Homes
Saturday • October 11 • 1:30-3:30pm
Step into a world of whimsy as you decorate your own miniature fairy garden scene inside a hollowed pumpkin using natural materials, tiny trinkets, and a sprinkle of imagination. Learn about the magic of mini ecosystems, fall plants, and the role of pumpkins in nature as you craft your very own fairy hideaway to take home.
Ages 6-11 • RES $25/NR $30 per person
Forest Footsteps
Saturday • October 4 • 9-10:30am
Whether you want to learn about local wildlife, relax in nature, or simply enjoy fresh air, this guided walk ofers relaxation and discovery. Explore scenic trails, observe seasonal changes, and appreciate native plants and wildlife, deepening your connection to the environment. Ages 16+ • RES $5/NR $6 per person
Trick or Treat on the Trails
Friday • October 24 • 6-8pm
Dress up in your costume take a nighttime journey through Hickory Knolls’ beautiful oak savanna! Along the trail, encounter activity stations complete with hands-on learning experiences and lots of treats! Bring a fashlight and treat bag. Visit with Hickory’s animal ambassadors who can’t wait to see you.
All Ages • $12/person (Ages 2 & under FREE)
Geneva, Illinois
ALWAYS IN SEASON!
Anytime is the right time to visit Geneva! Some of Chicagoland‘s finest shops, restaurants and taverns are here for you to enjoy year-round. In the fall, our Festival of the Vine offers the perfect blend of good wine, good food and good fun for the whole family. Celebrate a sparkling winter season to remember at our annual Christmas Walk & Holiday House Tour. Whatever the season, Geneva is here to welcome you! Go to visitgenevail.com for full event details and ticketing information.
Festival of the Vine Sept. 5-7
Christmas Walk Dec. 5
Holiday House Tour Dec. 5 & 6
30 Fresh Reasons to Visit Valley Orchard
By Peggy Werner
For more than 45 years, Valley Orchard in Cherry Valley has been giving people a reason to celebrate fall with a variety of apples, other seasonal fruits, bakery items and home decor. Each year, the orchard introduces new apple varieties.
“It gives people a reason to keep coming back. Many people say visiting the orchard has become a family tradition,” says Brandon Bergersen, who works at the orchard with his brother, Bret, and their parents, Raoul and Jodie, who are the original owners.
Newcomers to the orchard include Summerset, which is a crisp, sweet eating apple made from Honeycrisp with Fuji varieties. Ludacrisp is a firm, crunchy apple. Rosalee is a firm, sweet and tart apple with a good shelf life. Sweet Zinger comes along at the end of September and is a yellow sweet apple
that’s good for eating or baking.
Valley Orchard is a 35-acre familyowned business with about 5,000 trees that produce more than 30 apple varieties. Visitors have a choice of picking their own apples or purchasing pre-picked apples in the store. The orchard also has a bakery, kids’ play area, props for photos, pumpkins and mums, and floral gardens.
gourds and more. Fall decorations, linens, candles and other unique seasonal items for the home are also for sale.
The orchard makes its own 100% pure apple cider with no additives. Apple cider slushies are a new offering. The bakery also sells apple cider doughnuts, apple pie, apple-cinnamon bread, caramel apples and fudge, as well as a variety of jams and jellies, salsas, honey, squash, pumpkins,
The orchard is open MondaySaturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It closes for the season in mid-November.
Valley Orchard is dog-friendly. Pets much be leashed, socialized and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Valley Orchard is located at 811 E. State St. in Cherry Valley. Call for information at (815) 332-9696. ❚
Flexcourt Makes Backyard Play a Snap
By Melanie Kalmar
Flexcourt gives new meaning to the words, “play ball.” Its custom play surfaces for basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard, volleyball and other sports eliminate the need to travel to a park or recreation center.
The Rockford-based company has helped families across America to bring their visions to life. Basketball legend Dwyane Wade, of the Miami Heat, sought out the company when he wanted to build a backyard basketball court and padded play area for soft landings.
But you don’t have to be an NBA star or own a large piece of land to have your own Flexcourt. These play surfaces are priced for the masses and customizable to fit spaces of all sizes.
The majority of Flexcourt customers are average families or middle-aged consumers.
“You can have a 10-by-10 slab of concrete in your backyard and pop up a
court,” says Chelsea Brearley, marketing director.
The process begins with some dimensions and a vision. There’s just one caveat: in order to lay down a play surface, the customer needs to have an asphalt or concrete pad beneath – or, they need to hire a company to install one before their Flexcourt arrives.
The fun part is designing the play surface for specific activities. Courts can be striped for one or multiple games, Brearley says.
“They might want to go with a basketball court, but as pickleball is trending, they stripe it for that, too,” she says. “It’s our most popular combination.”
Once a customer’s vision and dimensions are noted, the specialist designs a template and reviews color options. Once the customer approves the
final template, the product ships within four to five weeks.
Customers can ask a Flexcourt professional to install the play surface, but a majority choose to install it themselves. They find it’s a snap – quite literally.
“We have a video on YouTube that highlights how fun it is for families to put together,” Brearley says. ❚
For more information on Flexcourt and to get a quote, call (815) 515-6526 or visit flexcourt.com.
Flexcourt’s custom play surfaces ft within backyards of any shape or size.
(Flexcourt photo)
Answer the Dinner Call with Lasagna Rollups
Rescue your loved ones from a dinner rut with a simple solution that answers “what’s for dinner” with an exciting, flavorful meal. These Lasagna Rollups require just one pan, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze on busy weeknights.
To mix it up even further, try adding spinach or mushrooms, swapping out ricotta for cottage cheese, and adding your own personal preferences to your tastes.
Find more weeknight meal ideas by visiting culinary.net.
Lasagna Rollups
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
8 lasagna noodles
1 pound hamburger meat
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon rosemary (optional)
1 jar marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
In pot, boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain under cold water and set aside.
In same pot, brown hamburger meat, then add garlic powder and onion powder. Mix in ricotta cheese, rosemary (if desired), marinara sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Heat oven to 350F.
Line baking dish with meat sauce.
Lay out cooled noodles on a cutting board or parchment paper. Add meat sauce to each noodle and roll.
Place lasagna rollups, seams down, into the dish.
Cover with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake 20 minutes. ❚
(Source: Family Features)
(Family Features photo)
Cary Farmers Market
Trough Sept. 29, Sun. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Train Station Parking Lot, 100 W. Main St., Downtown Cary.
Woodstock Farmers Market
Trough Sept. 30, Tues. & Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Producers-only market. Moves indoors and returns on Saturdays only in October. Historic Woodstock Square, Woodstock, (815) 3385315, woodstockfarmersmarket.org.
Huntley Farmers Market
Trough Oct. 11, Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Local vendors bring a wide variety of foods. Event moves indoors in November. Downtown Huntley Square, (815) 893-6280, huntley.il.us.
‘Come from Away’
Trough Oct. 12, times vary. Based on a true story of the 6,500 passengers stranded in a Newfoundland airport on 9/11. Paramount Teatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Farmers Market+ at Te Dole
Trough Oct. 26, Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Activities, local produce, artistic creations. Te Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 307-4787, farmersmarketatthedole.org.
Entertainment & Events
Rock the Block Lake Zurich Sept. 13, 5-11 p.m. Live bands, food vendors, specialty drinks. Main Street, downtown Lake Zurich, (847) 438-5141, lakezurich.org.
Lunch & Learn: Te Power of Garlic Sept. 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dr. Silvia AbelCaines explores health benefts and some surprises associated with garlic. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4066, barringtonswhitehouse.com.
It’s Our Fox River Day Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-noon. Communities along the river join a cleanup efort. Snacks and trash bags provided. Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, 1644 S. River St., Batavia, (630) 4443190, kaneforest.com.
Woodstock Art Fair on the Square Sept. 20-21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. More than 75 artists display their works. Woodstock Square, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock, (847) 926-4300, amdurproductions.com.
A Brief History of Geneva’s Girls School
Sept. 22, 4 p.m. Heidi Howlett shares the history of a school for delinquent girls that closed in 1976. Geneva Public Library, 227 7th St., Geneva, (630) 232-0780, gpld.org.
Elgin Fringe Festival
Sept. 25-28, events daily. Performers and artists exhibit in various locations. Passes/Info: Side Street Studio, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin, (847) 429-2276, elginfringefestival.com.
Paint the Town Barrington
Sept. 26-29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; art sale Oct. 4, 2-6 p.m. Artists paint in the open air. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4066, barringtonswhitehouse.com.
Johnny Appleseed Festival
Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Children’s activities, downtown merchant specials; Taste of Downtown ofers food/drink to 8 p.m. Williams and Brink streets, downtown Crystal Lake, (815) 479-0835, downtowncl.org.
Kane County Flea Market
Oct. 4-5, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, kanecountyfeamarket.com.
St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend
Oct. 10-12, Fri. noon-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. to 5 p.m. More than 100 scarecrows set a backdrop for entertainment and a craf show. Various locations, downtown St. Charles, (630) 443-3967, scarecrowfest.com. ❚
