Smart Living Rockford- March 30, 2023

Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas

Managing Editor Jim Taylor

Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi Graphics Director Samantha Behling

Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia

General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes

Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky

Hana Hughes Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn

Our New Event

Happy Spring, Smart Living readers! You never know what you’re going to get in the Midwest, but my fingers are crossed for nicer weather in the next few weeks ahead.

Right now, it’s an exciting time at Hughes Media. We’re always trying to find new ways to engage with you, our readers, and that’s why we’re excited to launch Northwest Quarterly’s “Conversations.”

Essentially, it’s a way for you to engage with us directly, as well as prominent movers and shakers in our community. For our inaugural event, we have former Congressman Don Manzullo coming to Rockford to recount key events that occurred during his 20 years of service. The event is April 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Rockford University’s Fisher Memorial Chapel, 5050 E. State St., Rockford.

The event, entitled “Defending Manufacturing & Small Business: An Evening with Don Manzullo,” features a conversation between Manzullo and us, the editors of Northwest Quarterly and Smart Living. Manzullo will share how laws get made, how they unintentionally impact Main Street America, what it takes to fight back, and how an attitude of civility can heal many divides.

It’s fascinating in today’s world to think about a congressman who had supporters from both sides of the aisle. For 20 years, Manzullo helped small businesses and manufacturers across America to bust through red tape and push against well-intentioned policy, and he did it with bipartisan support.

After the conversation, a forum will take place allowing you a chance to share your own concerns about the state of business in today’s environment. Afterwards, signed copies of Manzullo’s new book, “Do Nice Guys Run for Congress?” will be available for purchase.

The event is free, but you must pre-register by calling (815) 316-2300 or by logging online to northwestquarterly.com. Just look for Northwest Quarterly “Conversations.”

We hope to see you there! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Alpine Academy to Offer New Grade Levels

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Last year, Alpine Academy expanded its commitment to the west side of Rockford by opening its Resurrection Campus at 811 Locust St., which offers pre-K. Now, Alpine Academy is expanding at its main campus to offer seventh grade for the 202324 school year and eighth grade for the 2024-25 school year. The main campus, located at 5001 Forest View Ave., Rockford, has previously offered grades K-6.

Alpine Academy is dedicated to providing a quality education in a nurturing, family-focused Christian school. Its mission is to enrich and deepen students’ academic knowledge and spiritual faith. Teachers strive to create an environment where students grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Alpine Academy is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Asso-

ciation (ELEA) and is recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education. Its strong curriculum in reading, mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and religion provides students with solid academic foundation.

Students receive performing arts instruction beginning in preschool and continuing through seventh grade. An in-house speech pathologist provides additional special-needs support. Three theatrical programs spotlighting students’ talents and skills are presented during the year. Art, band and orchestra instruction begin in third grade. Regular physical education class is provided to all students, with upper-grade students participating in unique activities such as roller skating, bowling and field trips at Pierce Lake. Each class takes part in monthly community service projects, and the Academy is

active in many charitable programs and organizations.

Alpine Academy has a fenced athletic area with a baseball field and a soccer field. It also has a protected and completely enclosed play area with slides, monkey bars and climbing areas.

At Alpine Academy, educators and parents work together to promote each student’s self-esteem, academic skills and Christian knowledge to create children who are enriched spiritually and academically, who have a dedication to lifelong learning, and who are prepared for their journey toward a successful adulthood. ❚

A Power Shift

As Christians, we know that ALL people who believe in Jesus Christ are saved from eternal death. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28, NIV.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10: 9, NIV.

We take this for granted today, but in Jesus’ time universal inclusion was a revolutionary idea, especially for Jews, who had waited centuries for their Messiah. God had made a special covenant with them.

“The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6)

The Old Testament unfolds Jesus’ mostly Jewish ancestral story. Jesus was a devout Jew who taught from the Torah and chose 12 Jewish apostles to assist him. Yet during Jesus’ ministry and before, there were hints that God would offer salvation to all people. Jesus showed compassion to a Samaritan woman, for example, and four non-Jewish women played key roles in his ancestry.

Even so, God’s plan was far more inclusive than anyone anticipated – including Satan. Why did God keep a lid on His plan? To prevent Satan from sabotaging it.

“None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” – I Corinthians 2:8, NIV.

If he’d understood the power the resurrection would unleash, Satan wouldn’t have worked in people to crucify Jesus. The risen Christ ended our separation from God caused by Adam’s disobedience.

“Because one person [Adam] disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person [Jesus] obeyed God, many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19, NLT.

The resurrection forever shifted the balance of power between good and evil. Satan remains strong in this life, but so do we. And death is conquered in the long run. Eternity belongs to Jesus Christ and ALL those who love him.

He is risen! ❚

-Janine Pumilia

Bark and Wine Benefit for Noah’s Ark

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Eachyear, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary cares for hundreds of animals in need of a forever home. The no-kill shelter doesn’t euthanize animals to make space for others. Instead, it provides animals with the best care possible for as long as they need until adoption takes place. The sanctuary receives no government funding and relies solely on community support to serve its mission.

With that in mind, the sanctuary’s 14th annual Bark and Wine fundraising event takes place Saturday, April 29 from 4-10 p.m. at the Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford.

“All proceeds will benefit the Ark

and help us in serving our mission – to provide temporary housing and medical care, and to restore nutritional health to stray, unwanted and

abandoned domestic animals until a permanent adoptive home is acquired,” says Brooke Pond, assistant shelter manager.

This year’s event features a buffetstyle dinner from 5-7 p.m. provided by ABC Catering. Additionally, as the event name suggests, wine tasting is a featured

A foster kitten at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary

Stephanie Lauer and Marcia Brice help to keep things running at Noah’s Ark.

activity with wines provided by Wine Shop At Home.

A wine toss game allows players to win the bottle they land on, with five tosses for $10 or 12 tosses for $20. If you land on multiple bottles, you can choose your favorite wine.

Various raffle prizes are

up for grabs, including $100 gift cards. The event will also have quarter buckets ($0.25 tickets for raffle items), plus a silent auction with prizes such as an overnight stay at Bally’s Casino in Rock Island, Ill., and a wine tasting for 10 people at Artale & Co. The sanctuary is still collecting silent auction items now.

In addition to enjoying a fun evening, Bark and Wine attendees can feel good knowing their money is going to a good cause, Pond adds.

“We are passionate about the work that we do because we are able to provide love and care for animals while they are waiting for their forever homes,” she says.

Tickets to Bark and Wine cost $45 for singles, $85 for couples and $330 for a table of eight. Attendees can purchase tickets at noahsarkanimals.org or in person at 111 N. First St., Rockford. Sponsorship opportunities are also

available for organizations that would like to support the event. Interested sponsors can call (815) 962-2767 for more information.

“We greatly appreciate all of the continuous support from our community,” Pond says. ❚

Proceeds from the Bark and Wine fundraiser on April 29 benefit Noah’s Ark.

Wine toss and wine tasting will be at the event.

Artists Ensemble: ‘Jumping to Delusions’

Thru April 2, Thurs.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into a fascinating new world. Her journey shines a light on mental illness through a hilarious blend of vaudeville and sketch comedy. Artists Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Clark Arts Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Rockford IceHogs Hockey

Now through April 15. The Rockford IceHogs are members of the American Hockey League and are affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. Home games are at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. See the full schedule at icehogs.com.

Prehysterics: Paleo Art Gone Wrong April 1, 11-noon or 1-2 p.m. Take a journey on the winding road of the history of paleontology and paleo art. For kids 7 and older. Reg. req. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.

RSO: An Evening of Melodies at the Museum April 12, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. The eclectic chamber music program weaves together music and art. Signature pieces from RAM’s permanent collec-

Entertainment & Events

tion are on display. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.org.

‘Madagascar the Musical’

April 13, 7 p.m. Based on the movie “Madagascar,” this live musical will have audiences of all ages cheering and dancing. Show features some new songs, dancing menageries and puppets. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

Josh Jones

April 14, 7:30 p.m. Principal percussionist with the Kansas City Symphony, Jones performs in solo featuring tympani, marimba and other percussion instruments. He began his formal studies with the Percussion Scholarship Program under the direction of Chicago Symphony member Patricia Dash and Chicago Lyric Opera member Douglas Waddell. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Mind Body Spirit EXPO

April 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sixty vendors present energy work, readings, mediums, crystals, handmade/natural products, jewelry, soul art, gifts,

yoga, meditation, Reiki and more. IBEW Hall, 6820 Mill Road, Rockford, (815) 871-7864, AccessSOUL.com.

Americana

April 29, 7:30 p.m. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra celebrates music by Americans and inspired by the American experience. The concert concludes with Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” a work inspired by his time in the United States. Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org. ❚

Sixty vendors converge for the Mind Body Spirit Expo April 29 at IBEW Hall, in Rockford.