Smart Living Weekly December 18, 2019

Smart L iving Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • December 18, 2019

™

Right in Our Region

Why the ‘Buy Local’ Movement is Growing

See Page 16

Carpet Buying 101 Reduce Stress by Catering Savory Holiday Cheese Boards How Chiropractic Can Help Athletes

FREE WIN!

4 Passes to Discovery Center

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Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Buy-Local Gift Ideas Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Celebrating the Messiah Your Kitchen ................................................15, 29 Beautiful Holiday Cheese Boards; Holiday Catering Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 How Chiropractic Helps Athletes Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Hearthrock Cafe Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

Smart L iving ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Sara Myers Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2019 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Our ‘Bootstraps’ W

hen we started Northwest Quarterly Magazine (NWQ) 15 years ago, we presented the case to readers that buying from locally owned stores is an important tool for strengthening our local economy and quality of life. Collectively, we “pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps” when we support friends and neighbors with our purchases rather than big-box and chain restaurant moguls living far away.

Even without much statistical data 15 years ago, it seemed like common sense to us that local business owners keep more money circulating here than chain stores do.

They hire local accountants, bankers, website designers, painters, carpenters etc. and engage more with the community by sponsoring Little League teams etc. They also tend to be better employers. They don’t ask taxpayers to subsidize, say, employee health insurance benefits, as some low-paying big -box chains do.

Communities best suited to weather trends (like the national brand retail apocolypse that’s seen 12,000 storefronts close since 2010) are those rich in shops and restaurants that offer an enjoyable experience, knowledgeable employees, high quality inventories and owner engagement.

Our staff members try hard to practice what we preach by shopping local. Sure, some items simply can’t be found in locally owned stores, thanks to the chain-store mania that killed off many of our best local retailers in the past four decades. But there are many categories in which local options are as good or better than chain options – such as jewelry, fine clothing, tools, art, dining, floral, liquor, toys, appliances, gourmet foods and so much more.

We hope you’ll think hard about intentionally increasing the amount of business you do with local folks. Our cover story shares economic impact statistics from studies that weren’t available 15 years ago and introduces you to some local shop owners.

From all of us at NWQ and Smart Living, we wish you Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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You Deserve Scot’s Unsurpassed Service Scot Craig, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Scot’s Customers Have to Say: Our home selling and buying experience was seamless!! Scot was always on top of things and communicated well with us. We couldn’t ask for any better! Thanks Scot for making this happen with minimal stress involved.

Connie & Kerry Pond 815-985-8806 • scraig@gogambino.com See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/scraig

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I  W

Celebrating the Messiah O

ur modern Christmas season reflects a melting pot of influences. Some traditions, like the decorating of trees, date back to ancient pagan practices (See Jeremiah 10:6-8) that were later adopted

by European Christians; others, like our massive shopping frenzy, are driven by modern commerce once inspired by Christian teachings about giving.

Even the date of Christmas may be the result of cultural compromise; many scholars think it unlikely that Jesus was born in December, when shepherds and sheep weren’t normally in fields.

Scripture is little help on this question, not specifying a date, month or even a season for the holy birth. By contrast, the timing of Jesus’ death is clearly spelled out in all four gospels, coinciding as it does with the Jewish Passover.

One popular theory holds that Dec. 25 was selected as a way to appease the pagans in Rome, who were already celebrating the Feast of the Unconquored Sun (Sol Invictus) on Dec. 25. Why not celebrate the sun and the Son together? This would have been politically convenient for Emporer Constantine, who converted to Christianity in the mid-4th century.

In the end, the actual date of Christ’s birthday is far less important than the reason for his coming: to rejoin God and humanity through Jesus’ humble obedience and glorious resurrection. The holiday means little if reduced to commerce and gluttony alone, without genuine rejoicing and gratitude for the ultimate gift of reconciliation to God through the Messiah, our savior, the Christ.

Thanks to the endurance of scripture, we’re able to read what the Bible says (and does not say) about Jesus Christ’s birth. Find the Christmas Story in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and in the first two chapters of Luke. We can immerse ourselves in Jesus’ great love for us by reading his prayer found in the 17th chapter of John. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Y K

Savor the Season with a Pretty Cheese Board

H

ere are tips for a tasty holiday cheese board: Mix it up. Create a range of flavors and textures from soft to hard and mild to sharp.

Add contrast. Flavorful breads thinly sliced or broken into smaller pieces can enhance contrast in both flavor and texture. For a simple solution, try serving breadsticks alongside brie, toma and pepper jack cheeses.

Be patient. Aged cheeses should come to room temperature before serving.

Enhance your cheese plates with olives, nuts or fruit to add flavor and texture. For example, pears go well with blue cheese, Gouda and toma; olives accompany white cheddar and pepper jack; walnuts fit with Gouda and dry jack; and dried cranberries pair nicely with Cheddar, blue cheese and mushroom jack.

Consider portions.

Estimate 1 to 1 1/2 oz. of each cheese per person.

Continental Cheese Board 1-2 1-2 1-2

oz. brie per person oz. toma per person oz. pepper jack per person walnuts breadsticks fresh herbs On cheese plate, arrange cheeses, almonds, crackers and cherry tomatoes.

Red, White & Blue 1-2 1-2 1-2

oz. Cheddar cheese per person oz. blue cheese pp. oz. mushroom Jack cheese pp. walnuts dried cranberries crackers fresh apple slices

(Source: Framily Features)

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R  O R

The Buy Local Movement is Catching On!

By Peggy Werner and Janine Pumilia

T

he “buy local” movement is growing. People want to live in places that have a strong local identity and that means shifting more shopping/dining dollars from chain stores to support locally owned businesses.

“In recent decades, policy across the country has privileged the biggest corporations,” states the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, based in Minneapolis.

“Yet a growing body of research is proving something that many people already know: small-scale, locally owned businesses create communities that are more prosperous, entrepreneurial, connected and generally better off across a wide range of metrics.”

Local businesses generate 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than chain stores do, reports the Andersonville Study of Retail Economics. That means more money

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re-circulates close to home rather than flying off to chain store owners.

Shopping local is also better for the environment, since it reduces processing, packaging and transportation waste.

The local food movement alone has grown nearly $12 billion in the U.S. since 2011. People not only prefer to buy locally grown and prepared food, but also are willing to pay more for it, reports the Journal of Food Distribution. Consumers view it as better for their health, the environment and the local economy.

This isn’t exactly news to Barb Kaiser, owner of the Great Harvest baked goods store at 1668 Alpine Road, Rockford, in Highcrest Centre. Barb opened the store with her late husband, Steve, in 1996, and recently transferred ownership to their son, Andy.

“Buying local” has caught on, says Kaiser. “We’ve been here a long time

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and are going on our second generation of ownership. That trust has been built up with our good service and products and we want other local businesses to know they can have such a success story, too.”

Food is an ideal gift, she says.

“We always have a big demand for our products as corporate gifts to clients and customers. It’s cost effective and everything is made with high quality ingredients and from scratch.”

Today’s fashion shoppers want something beyond the “cookie cutter” items found at chain stores, says Lisa Tatosian, manager of Eurostyle+, 510 E. State St. “People like one-of-a-kind items, something unique that not everyone is going to be wearing, and they also like to help local merchants stay in business,” she says.

Hot selling items this year include

R  O R

organza jackets and jackets and dresses with sequins, mainly in gold, black, silver and red.

“Every holiday season, people want something elegant with a little sparkle,” she says.

Eurostyle+ specializes in upscale contemporary casual and evening European designs. Tatosian enjoys learning her customers’ tastes so she can accommodate them with fashions from Chicago, Amsterdam, Italy, France and other locations.

People are thinking local when it comes to their holiday meal plans, too.

Pete Lentz, owner of 640 Meats, 6410 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, sees people ordering aged prime rib, beef tenderloin, hams and Swedish sausages.

Customers like the personal attention they get when buying local, says Lentz. His meat case is full of top-quality Midwest beef and Iowa pork.

“People like it that they can handpick their steaks, place special orders in any amount they want, get aged meat,

and talk to someone who can help them find exactly what they’re looking for,” he says.

“Personal attention makes all the difference.”

David and Judy Bieck own Candle Crest Soy Candles, 1418 20th St. The holiday season is their busiest time of year.

David makes candles for his own store and also for hundreds of small businesses around the country.

“The buy local movement in this town has become really wonderful,” says David. “Our town has embraced it far more than a lot of other towns.”

In business for more than 10 years, he starts hand-pouring candles with holiday scents in August. Christmas tree scents are the most popular, he says.

Although his candles have a long shelf life, he doesn’t keep a large inventory. He fills orders as they’re placed.

Finding a unique gift is as easy as walking into a unique store, says

Minda Woith, co-owner of Shine, 6730 Broadcast Parkway, Loves Park. She carries the largest selection of genuine Polish pottery in our region, plus jewelry, healing crystals, stones, essential oils, incense, books, cards, kitchen accessories, organic and eco-friendly soaps, bamboo textiles and more.

“People have to make the effort to shop local,” says Woith. “Once they do, they find all kinds of interesting things.

We have a lot of repeat customers and it’s just a matter of getting the word out that we’re here.” ❚

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Y H

How Chiropractic Helps Student Athletes

By Peggy Werner

C

hiropractor Dr. Amanda Klosterman-Bond recently joined the staff at The Joint Chiropractic and looks forward to using her personal experiences and professional skill to help injured student athletes.

A former high school and college softball player and certified trainer, she can relate to the physical, emotional and mental pressures of having to compete.

“I know what they’re going through and chiropractic services can be very beneficial in helping to relieve stress at all levels and to help people recover faster without the side effects of taking drugs,” she says. “Sometimes, pain medicine is necessary, but we all know pain medicine is overused and abused and pain can often be treated without using drugs at all.”

With about 500 locations nationwide, The Joint in Rockford is at Forest

Plaza, 6139 E. State St., next door to Kohl’s. It offers affordable and convenient adjustment appointments seven days a week and a new youth wellness plan offers four adjustments a month for $39. There is also a $59 adult plan.

Her goal is to keep student athletes in the game.

“An injury doesn’t necessarily mean having to miss out on practices and games. An athlete can keep playing while healing, with the proper care and rest. I don’t believe in stopping what you are doing, but you can alter what you are doing and should be able to continue pain-free by making changes in how you move and how efficiently you rest,” she says.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can help relieve neck and back pain as well as pain caused from arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, stress and sciatica. Pain in

specific areas of the body like the knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, and elbow can be treated, she says, adding that routine visits may also help in the early detection of other problems.

The Joint is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are always welcome.

For more information, visit thejoint. com or call the clinic at (815) 977-4316. ❚

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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all

ILLINOIS, USA

Holiday Fun

glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Attractions & Events

will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Christmas Lights Trolley Tour Thru Dec. 23, 6-8 p.m. Hop aboard an enclosed trolley to enjoy light displays in the LaSalle, Rockford, 61101 1.800.521.0849 Peru,IL Oglesby and Utica gorockford.com area. Bring a blanket for extra warmth. Res. req. Starved Rock Lodge, Starved Rock State Park, (800) 8687625, starvedrocklodge.com.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

'A Christmas Carol – The Musical' Dec. 20, 7 p.m. All ages enjoy this classic tale.

Children’s Theater Project, Nordlof Center, Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

AE: 'It’s a Wonderful Life' Radio Play Dec. 20-22, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s Christmas Eve 1945 and only a handful of WVL Radio’s employees have braved the blizzard to perform the live broadcast and keep the station afloat.

Artists’ Ensemble, Rockford University, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

RSO: Holiday Pops Dec. 21-22, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. A family concert featuring holiday carols and seasonal arrangements performed by the symphony and chorale. RSO, Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Holiday Hoopla Dec. 26-30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Grab a hammer and see what you can construct using recycled materials. Take what you make, from bird feeders to toys and musical instruments.

Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Countdown to Fun at Discovery Center Dec. 31, noon-4 p.m. Make a party hat and ring in the New Year with science, technology, engineering, art and math. (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Do fun projects during Holiday Hoopla Dec. 2630 at Discovery Center Museum and on Dec. 31, help ring in the new year.

Jeff Dunham: Seriously?

Jan. 11, 5 p.m. Comedian, ventriloquist and actor Dunham performs with his cast of somewhat inappropriate characters, including Peanut, Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Bubba J and Jose Jalapeno. BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

Brews and Views: 'Coming to America' Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. The Element Film Series presents retro-classic film programming tailored primarily to the tastes of film fans who grew up in the era spanning the '70s to '90s.

Prairie Street Brewing Company, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, theelementrockford.com.

Dueling Pianos: Piano Fondue Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. Two baby grand pianos, two professional entertainers and audiencesupplied requests make for an entertaining evening. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

JPAC's One Act Festival Jan. 9-11, 7:30 p.m. The festival showcases a variety of short plays produced by local playwrights, directors and actors. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0279, janesvillepac.org.

The Elvis Tribute Jan. 17, 8 p.m. Celebrating the King's music, starting with early rock-a-billy years, moving through the military and movie years, the 1968 comeback special and the Las Vegas years. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org.

Book Signing & Readings with Sheri Poe-Pape Jan. 11, 1-3 p.m. Readings from six-time award-winning children's author Sheri PoePape at Barnes & Noble at Cherryvale Mall.

New books include "Cassie's Marvelous Music Lessons" and "Cassie Pup Takes the Cake?"

RSO: C3: Frankenstein & Mozart Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. The program features Robbins Coleman's "For a Beautiful Land," H.K. Gruber's "Frankenstein," and Mozart's "Symphony No. 39 in E Flat, K.453," RSO, Coronado PAC, RockfordSymphony.com. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Hot Cider, New Items at Hearthrock Cafe

By Peggy Werner

de gallo and shredded lettuce.

A hummus platter is served with homemade red pepper hummus, naan bread and fresh vegetables.

Cold weather puts more focus on hot soups, so three per day are offered then, such as Shrimp Chowder, Poblano Chicken, Italian Wedding and FireRoasted Vegetable.

“Fresh” is the buzzword at the café and Cooper insists on working with seasonal and locally grown ingredients as much as possible.

“We’re going more ‘clean label’ all the time, which means using organic ingredients with no preservatives. We’ve done that across the board just in the past year,” he says.

Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St., Rockford. ❚

B

enson Stone Company’s head chef of Hearthrock Café, Todd Cooper, is always thinking up something new.

“My life is a blur,” says Cooper.

“Whenever I’m eating or cooking, I’m thinking about what I can do to make something different or better.”

The Christmas season is one of his favorite times. Every Saturday in December, beginning at 10:30 a.m., and until supplies run out, customers are treated to free, hot spiced apple cider and live Christmas music.

Owner Andy Benson recently walked up to the café counter to sample one of Cooper’s latest creations, a barbeque rib quesadilla, and gave it a thumbs up.

Benson staff members are usually the first people to sample Cooper’s creations.

This item got rave reviews.

“Everyone just freaked out,” says Cooper. “They didn’t think of putting ribs into a quesadilla.”

The barbequed pulled pork is smoked in-house and is one of the café’s signature items. Three homemade sauces – House Sauce, Brickyard and Pepper Pot (the spiciest) – can accompany the pork.Another favorite item is a Serrano Chicken Taco made with marinated freerange chicken, Cheddar cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream, homemade pico ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

Backyard Grill & Bar  Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $.

Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American.

Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$.

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Lino’s  Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$.

Maciano’s  Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$.

Mary’s Market Cafe & Bakery  Baked goods, sandwiches, salads. 2636 McFarland Road, Rockford, (815) 986-3300; 1659 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765; 4431 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 397-7291. BkLD Hours vary by location. $.

Olympic Tavern  Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Salamone’s North  Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200 Stockholm Inn  Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis.

2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

W

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare.

Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials.

“We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello.

Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services.

Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

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Y K

Catering Makes Celebrating More Fun

By Peggy Werner he holidays bring many good reasons for getting together – and everyone wants good food to eat.

So, when planning a party this season, the first person you want to call is the caterer.

Countryside Meats & Deli, 781 Highgrove Place, Rockford, has always been in the business of catering and can provide everything you need – including the grill and the cook – or you can pick up the food and do it yourself.

Julie Edwards, catering manager at Countryside, says the most important thing is to set a time and date, even before deciding the number of people and what’s on the menu.

Edwards’ specialty is helping people to plan events and to know how much food to order. Numerous factors must be taken into consideration.

“You just have to make an educated

T

guess and it’s always better to have too much food than not enough. Our food is made fresh to order, so leftovers will be good in the refrigerator for a few days,” she says.

Cheesy potatoes, barbecued pork, Italian beef and a variety of pasta and vegetable salads are among the best sellers, but people have a nearly endless variety of foods from which to choose at countrysidemeat.com.

There’s a breakfast/brunch menu with egg, sausage or French toast casseroles, a choice of quiche, an assortment of pastries, fresh fruit, bacon and a sausage apple ring.

Buffet menus feature roast beef, hickory-smoked ham, baked chicken, turkey breast, Italian beef, lasagna, mostaccioli, meatballs, six varieties of potatoes, beans and vegetables. There’s a hot and cold hors d’oeuvres menu, a wide choice of party trays with meat, shrimp, vege-

tables, sausage and cheese, relishes, and fresh fruit, in various sizes. The dessert menu includes cookies, brownies, turtle bars, lemon bars, cheesecake and carrot cake squares, and dipped strawberries.

There’s also an assortment of dinner rolls to choose among.

“We love what we do and always try to be as accommodating as possible,” says Edwards.

For more information, call Countryside at (815) 399-8660. ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1