Smart Living Northwest - November/December 2021

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • Nov-Dec 2021

Right in Our Region

A Holiday Spectacular Comes to Raue Center Know Your Lingo Before Selecting a Fireplace A Common-Sense Approach to Remodeling Galena’s Fine Dining Destination

Why Christmas Still Matters

Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health, & Entertainment!

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THE #1 CHOICE

Artificial Christmas Trrs

IIinois’ Largest Christmas Stte

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In This Issue Right in Our Region................................Cover & p. 16 Raue Center Embarks Upon a Spectacular Season Your Home ......................................................................11 How to Shop for a New Fireplace Your Getaways .......................................................12, 13 A Winter Escape at Kishauwau Cabins; New Chef Elevates Experience at Goldmoor Inn Inspiration & Worship.................................................14 Why Christmas Still Matters So Much Your Kitchen .............................................................. 19 A Common-Sense Approach to Home Remodels Your Health .....................................................................23 New Aesthetician Joins Valley Plastic Surgery Your Fun .......................................................................... 29

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

150 North Main Street

Crystal Lake, IL

Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor

Easy to drink.

Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Paula Hendrickson, Randy Ruef, Pat Szpekowski, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn

Hard to put down.

Published by Hughes Media Corp.

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

Copyright 2021 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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Fear Not

W

e’ve officially hit the fear phase in our household. Suddenly, my oldest is afraid of every dark corner. Monsters lurk in the closet and shadows creep in at bedtime.

It doesn’t matter that we’re safe at home, and Mom and Dad are right outside. Terror and panic rule the moment. Rationality and faith are far away.

You know, the more I see this fear inside our house the more I see it outside our home, too. Let’s face it, today we are living in a culture of fear. It’s everywhere you look – on the news, in our entertainment, all over our pop culture and our social media feeds. It’s written in the hearts of our friends and families.

Lately, a little voice has been breaking through the noise. It’s saying to me: “Fear not.”

Because, what do we have to fear, really?

Take a read through human history and you’ll see that good always prevails – never in our desired way, of course, but good always endures.

So, I propose we start changing the narrative. It’s time to tune out the fear and tune into a different message: a message of hope.

In these coming weeks, Christians around the world begin the celebration of Advent. It’s a time to prepare heart and mind for the arrival of Christ – the coming of hope. His story is one of hope even in the darkest times. Did you know the term “fear not” appears in the Bible 365 times, by some counts?

Speaking of which, this is a special time of year for our Jewish friends, too, as they mark Hanukkah – another celebration of hope and light. In a time when darkness literally prevailed over their people, a miracle of light brought deliverance.

So, remind me again: why are we afraid?

As we close out this year it’s my prayer that you’ll remain patient in the face of fear.

That, regardless of your beliefs, you can find the light and place your hope in things that endure. May you be the light when all around you is darkness. Conquer those fears and live with courage, for even in the darkest moments good prevails.

Chris Linden Executive Editor

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Voted the Most Festive Christmas Town in Illinois

By Trips to Discover

Fall in Love with Woodstock.

Shop, Dine and Explore Woodstock During the Holiday Season. It's Magical!

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Your Home & Garden

How to Find the Right Fireplace for Your Home

By Paula Hendrickson

W

hile the crackle and aroma of a wood-burning fireplace creates a relaxing environment, lighting fires and cleaning up ashes can be exhausting. Luckily, the traditional woodburning unit is just one of many styles available for today’s homeowner.

“The majority of people want gas,” says Kevin Obee, general manager of Benson Stone Co., in Rockford. “Gas units have come a long way in the past 20 years.”

Most modern units are ultra-efficient and fit into most spaces – new or existing.

Before you go shopping, be sure to know your lingo.

Open Vent vs. Direct Vent: While both systems exhaust fumes outdoors, open-vent systems – like traditional fireplaces – draw in air from the room.

They’re less efficient than a sealed directvent system, which pulls combustion air from outside your home.

Wood Burners: High-efficiency wood fireplaces and inserts offer the look of a traditional wood fire without as much heat loss. Modern models have fans that blow the heat back into the room. Sealed combustion systems also mean you’re not using indoor air to fuel the fire.

Gas Logs: They’re found in both open-vent fireplaces and direct-vent inserts. Most of today’s log units are made to radiate more heat than models made just a decade or two ago. Using his own fireplace as an example, Obee says he usually runs his gas log system on the high setting with the furnace set around 72.

“It actually saves me money every single time I use it, because I’m not using my furnace to heat the same space,” says Obee.

Electric: In situations where installing a gas line or proper venting would be impractical or expensive, some homeowners opt instead for electric fireplaces.

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Obee estimates that direct-vent units put out anywhere from four to 10 times as much heat as an electric fireplace, so these models are best for ambiance alone.

Whatever system and style you choose, adding a functional hearth to your home is an investment that can pay off over time by reducing heating costs and increasing the value of your home – not to mention that warm and cozy feeling it provides on a chilly evening. ❚ Benson Stone Co. is located at 1100 11th St., Rockford, (815) 227-2000.

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Your Getaways

Kishauwau Cabins Are an Escape to Nature N

ow celebrating its 35th anniversary, Kishauwau Cabins, in Tonica, Ill., maintains a loyal following. Many families and couples return year after year, during all our seasons. What they find is a place where they can savor a peaceful, restful getaway in a natural setting.

The property envelops 65 acres of beautiful scenery on a bluff above the Vermilion River, in a spot that’s close to Starved Rock State Park and Ottawa.

“We were fortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic brought visibility and relevancy to us because of our open space, when other hospitality areas were closed,” says Terisa King, who owns the cabins with her husband, Jamie.

The 17 cabins on site can accommodate and sleep from one or two people up to 14, depending on the building. Their intimacy and flexibility help these cabins to cater to romantic escapes, family reunions

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and even corporate teambuilding retreats.

For all of their quaintness and country charm, these beautifully constructed cabins aren’t without their modern conveniences. Each is equipped with central air and furnace heating, enabling them to stay comfortable year-round. They also have wood stoves or gas fireplaces. All cabins have a fully equipped kitchen with basic pots and pans, cooking utensils and dishes.

A private, outdoor bonfire pit, picnic table and grill enable guests to savor the outdoors without competing for space.

For travelers with pets, Kishauwau Cabins offers a few pet-friendly rentals.

The King family still resides on the property, and they remain devoted caretakers. They’ve used COVID-19 concerns to create contactless guest check-ins, something Terisa says will continue.

Given its location, Kishauwau Cabins invites adventures to Starved Rock, Ot-

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(Photo provided)

By Pat Szpekowski

Winnebago Cabin is one of 17 places to stay at Kishauwau Cabins.

tawa and the surrounding areas for casual and fine dining, visits to local breweries and wineries, outdoors recreation, numerous state parks, and shopping, spas and live entertainment.

“Each season of the year at Kishauwau Cabins has its own natural allure,” Terisa says. “That’s what makes our property one of the most inspirational and memorable places to be.” ❚ Kishauwau Cabins is located at 901 N. 2129th Road, Tonica, Ill., (815) 4428453.

Your Getaways

New Chef Elevates Dining at Goldmoor Inn

By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor

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oldmoor Inn’s intimate, fine-dining restaurant has always been a staple of this Galena bed-and-breakfast, but with the addition of new Executive Chef Brandon Veitch, the dishes have been elevated to new levels.

“Brandon brings the creativity and the complexity of the dishes up one notch, and the food is really sophisticated,” says Slobo Radin, who co-owns the Goldmoor with his wife, Birgit. “When people sit down and go through the menu, they often order one item to share so everyone at the table can taste the goodness of the food. It’s really amazing.”

Veitch, whose experience includes French and Italian styles, came to the Goldmoor after more than five years at The Peninsula Chicago.

Under Veitch, Goldmoor’s menu is simple, yet complex.

The fall menu features a hearty combination of dishes that warm the heart and feed the soul with ingredients supplied by local farms.

This season, diners can enjoy Chilean Sea Bass served with rosemary marble potatoes, roasted parsnip, pickled squash and salmon roe. Handmade Squash Agnolotti has brown butter cream, butternut squash, chevre cheese, walnut and pomegranate.

If you’re looking for something lighter, check out the Kale and Brussels sprouts salad with pomegranate seed, green apple, gorgonzola cheese, candied walnut and apple-serrano dressing.

Making the experience even more special, diners are treated to breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. Fall colors and snow-covered trees add to a picturesque scene.

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“It’s just a really beautiful place,” says Radin. “You have to venture out and see how beautiful this place really is.”

The restaurant is open Thursday to Monday from 5-9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged. ❚ Goldmoor Inn is located at 9001 W. Sand Hill Road, Galena, (815) 777-3925, goldmoor.com.

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Inspiration & Worship

Why Christmas Still Matters So Much

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cholars debate many details about Christmas, including whether Dec. 25 is really the date of Jesus’ birth. But both the Old and New Testament are very clear about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who believe on him. And that purpose is no less relevant today.

In Luke 4:16-21, when his ministry began, Jesus opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (who lived about 1,000 years before Jesus was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down. “And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’”

While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament; and only Christianity offers salvation by grace to anyone who believes.

John 1:1 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that includes us.

Reading the story of Jesus’ birth, as detailed in the first few chapters of Luke and Matthew, is a great way to ready our hearts for the celebration of his birth. ❚ Compiled by Janine Pumilia

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Right in Our Region

Raue Center Embarks on a Spectacular Season B y J i m Ta y l o r, m u l t i m e d i a e d i t o r

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illy Seger’s first exposure to the Raue Center for the Arts, in Crystal Lake, happened before it became a regional hub of entertainment, before its namesake, Lucile Raue, left a generous donation to save a historical movie house and support its restoration and rebirth.

These days, Seger serves as Raue Center’s institutional advancement associate on a team that’s celebrating the venue’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion – and the return of performers following COVID shutdowns – Raue Center is launching a bold lineup of entertainment this season.

“It seems like everybody has gotten behind us,” says Richard Kuranda, CEO. “We are so fortunate to carry on the legacy and hold these standards high.”

Kuranda and his team aim to provide a little something for everyone as they

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bring local dance companies, musical artists, comedians, professional actors, touring acts and more in the coming months.

Leading into a busy holiday-season lineup, Raue Center introduces its newest addition: Lynne Jordan, a singer and actress who was named the venue’s first Diva in Residence. Jordan, who first appeared with Raue this past summer, presents a series of shows over the coming months, as she shares everything from contemporary standards to her own original works, including a one-woman show where she delves into the life and work of Nina Simone. Jordan’s next appearances are scheduled for Nov. 19 and Jan. 15.

On Nov. 20, Raue Center welcomes the talented cooks of television’s “MasterChef” and “MasterChef Jr.” Their interactive show promises a messy good time for the whole family.

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The following week, as downtown Crystal Lake welcomes the Christmas season with a holiday parade, Raue Center’s marquee lights up for Heartache Tonight, an authentic tribute to The Eagles.

The Christmas season begins in full on Dec. 4 and 5, when Raue Center mounts its own take on a time-honored classic, “A Christmas Carol: Panto Edition.” Adapted from the well-loved story by Charles Dickens, this production promises to be an interactive, fun, family-friendly show that includes young performers from Raue Center’s Sage on Stage education program. The show plays daily through Dec. 12.

“This ‘Christmas Carol’ gets the whole audience involved,” says Kuranda. “It’s a great active, fun show with lots of singing, shouting and overall audience joy.”

Right in Our Region lead a comedy show before a performance by American English, an authentic Beatles cover band.

The new year brings even more excitement with the return of Lucy’s Comedy Cafe, appearances

by GreenRoom Improv, and tribute acts by Blooze Brothers and Think Floyd, among other shows.

On the horizon, keep an eye out for the return of Raue Center’s Raue Center kicks off the holiday season with “A Christmas in-house theatrical troupe, WilCarol” Dec. 4-12 liams Street Repertory. They’re planning to return March 18-April 16 Elgin Symphony Orchestra pays its with “Always…Patsy Cline,” a moving first visit on Dec. 10 with a special holimusical about the country star and her day spectacular that might include a camfriend, Louise Seger. eo appearance from St. Nick.

Meanwhile, the team at Raue CenEngage Dance Theater, a local dance ter is also investing in the future of theacademy for children and adults, arrives ater with the debut of a new performing Dec. 18-19 for performances of the clasarts school. The Raue Center School for sic ballet “The Nutcracker.” the Arts now gives students a performaClosing things out for the holidays, tive experience, where they take classes Raue Center hosts its traditional New but also join in actual productions on Year’s bash on Dec. 31 with radio personthe Raue Center stage. Through this proality Steve Cochran and friends. They’ll

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cess, the students learn not only how to perform, but how to be complete workers in the industry. Classes include topics on acting, singing and dancing as well as theater production, lighting and sound.

What’s perhaps most beneficial is that this practicum puts youngsters onstage alongside professional performers.

“It’s a cool experience for these local youths to be led by these professional actors and have a chance to be a part of a professionally produced production,” says Seger.

Looking toward the future, Kuranda and his team are eager to build upon this community within a community.

“With what we’ve been through the past 18 months, to see that we’re still standing and growing, and that we’re still strong, our team is incredible,” says Seger. “I love everything that the Raue Center stands for.” ❚ Raue Center for the Performing Arts is located at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

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Your Remodel

A Common-Sense Approach to Remodeling

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B y J i m Ta y l o r, m u l t i m e d i a e d i t o r

dvance Design Studio is approaching its 30th anniversary, but this complete home remodeling company actually traces its roots to more than a century ago.

In past lives, the building at 30 Railroad Street in Gilberts was a blacksmith shop and an auto mechanic’s shop.

It wasn’t until Todd Jurs began woodworking projects in his father’s garage that the seeds were planted for what would become an award-winning home renovation and design studio.

Todd founded Advance Builders Inc. in 1992 with a focus on contracting and construction of new homes and additions, eventually expanding to home remodels.

Along the way, Todd met and married Christine, a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Architecture and Interior Design. “That’s where the chocolate met the peanut butter,”

jokes Christine. Her experience in design paired perfectly with Todd’s experience as a carpenter and contractor.

It was a union that stood in juxtaposition with the industry. Traditionally, there has been a disconnect between the design side and the construction side of home remodeling, says Jurs. To Todd and Christine, that made little sense.

So, their firm has made its hallmark upon a process and philosophy called Common Sense Remodeling.

This approach eliminates confusion and miscommunication by including everyone in the conversation. Timelines, budgets and process are shared upfront.

Putting the process in place didn’t happen overnight, but it quickly proved its worth.

“Renovations can be a scary thing,” says Christine. “You’re opening your home to people who are going to tear it

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Todd and Christine Jurs

up and put it back together. We partner with our homeowners. We’re coming alongside you and making that realization come true. We’ve grown and we’ve innovated to the point where we’ve created a product that people want. And that product is the experience. We want our homeowners to say, ‘I enjoyed that’ and want to do it again.”

Advance Design Studio is located at 30 Railroad St., Gilberts, (847) 8362600, AdvanceDesignStudio.com. ❚

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Your Health

New Aesthetician Joins Valley Plastic Surgery D r. Philip Lambruschi and the staff at Valley Plastic Surgery Center, in West Dundee, have added a new aesthetician, Mary Andre, to their clinic. Andre joined the team in January and brings several years of experience. Staff and patients alike say they appreciate her enthusiasm.

Andre’s services include a variety of facials and peels, dermaplaning, facial waxing, brow tinting, lash extensions and a new addition: microneedling. She also helps patients find the skincare that best suits their needs. Andre is certified in lash artistry, dermaplaning and microneedling.

Microneedling has helped patients transform their skin by correcting pigmentation issues, increasing collagen, and reducing acne scaring, fine lines and wrinkles. Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses an FDA-approved skin pen to make micro wounds in the skin with tiny needles. These needles cause the body to create more collagen and elastin,

which heals your skin while helping it look younger. Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is safer and less expensive than laser treatment. Treatments are performed with a topical numbing cream and they require no downtime.

Dermaplaning is a quick and painless exfoliation procedure that removes vellus hair (peach fuzz) and dead skin cells using a medical-grade scalpel. This should always be done by a licensed medical professional in a practitioner’s office, says Lambruschi. The benefits of dermaplaning include deeper penetration of skincare products, brighter and smoother skin, and easier makeup application.

Andre has a passion for helping patients to treat acne with mild to aggressive treatments and plans. She also brings experience from a large dermatology practice where she worked with several providers and their patients to address skincare and acne concerns. Her extensive

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Treatment room at Valley Plastic Surgery Center.

training helps her to educate patients on the correct treatments, preventions and product usage.

In her spare time, Andre enjoys hiking, gardening and baking. She lives in Huntley with her husband and two dogs.

She also enjoys spending time with her two college-aged children and two adult children.

Contact Mary Andre directly at (480) 710-7118 to set up a customized plan. ❚ Valley Plastic Surgery Center is located at 350 S. 8th St., in West Dundee. For more information, call (847) 836-3200 or visit valleyplasticsurgery.com.

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INTERIOR DESIGN FOR YOUR

LIFESTYLE Getting Ready for the Holidays The year is more than halfway over and many of us are looking forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends. If you’ve been considering a home renovation project, now is the right time to get started. Delaying home improvement can mean your house is under construction during the end of year holidays instead of an inviting space for guests.

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Your Entertainment

Elgin Symphony Returns with a Season for All

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oing to the symphony conjures images of men in tuxedos and women in elegant gowns sitting in an ornate theater and listening to classical music.

That is not the case with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

While the quality of the music is superb, the variety of shows and the setting are more inviting to all walks of life.

Consider it the “People’s Symphony.”

“We really want to connect with everybody and provide something that everyone should enjoy,” says Marc Thayer, ESO’s new chief executive officer. “It’s your orchestra. It’s everyone’s symphony.”

The 2021-22 season, which opened in October, features genres for just about everybody. Performances include works by classical conductors such as

Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Beethoven, as well as symphonic takes on contemporary tunes, everything from the film scores of John Williams to the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper.

In between are other surprises, like a holiday spectacular with the Elgin Master Chorale. Mariachi music is the subject of a late-April concert, coming on the heels of a show filled with old American songs. In June, the symphony returns with its new “on the farm” series that was a hit this past year.

Concerts take place in the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, however, the orchestra will also take their John Williams and Sergeant Pepper concerts to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, and the Holiday Spectacular will head to Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake.

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(Elgin Symphony Orchestra photo)

By Randy Ruef

Guest conductor Tania Miller led Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert this fall, as they returned to Elgin’s Hemmens Cultural Center.

“We want people to come and have a good time,” Thayer says. “We don’t want cost or clothing to be a barrier. We are a musical organization that does all kinds of music, and I think there is something everyone will enjoy.” ❚ To purchase tickets for Elgin Symphony Orchestra, call (847) 888-4000 or visit elginsymphony.org.

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Your Fun

Woodstock Farmers Market Ongoing, select Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Local producers share a range of seasonal foods and handcrafted goods. McHenry County Fairgrounds, Building D, 12015 Country Club Road, Woodstock, (815) 338-5164, woodstockfarmersmarket.org.

ESO: The Music of John Williams Nov. 20-21, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. From “Jurassic Park” to “Harry Potter,” and beyond, the symphony explores iconic film scores. Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO), Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets: ESO, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

Farmers Market+ at The Dole Ongoing, select Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Locally sourced produce, flowers, art, family activities, more. The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 307-4787, thedole.org.

Turkey Trot Nov. 25, 8 a.m. The 10th annual event includes a 5K run/walk with partial proceeds supporting JourneyCare Hospice. McHenry East High School, 1012 N. Green St., McHenry, mchenry. kiwanisone.org/turkeytrot.

3rd Thursdays Art Night Out Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m. Frankie Johnson, an oil painter and owner/director of Main Street Art Center in Lake Zurich, is the subject of this monthly gallery opening. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 5124066, barringtonswhitehouse.com.

‘Elf, The Musical’ Nov. 19-Dec. 5, see website for times. A musical based on the popular film about Buddy, an orphan who grows up thinking he’s an elf.

Theatre 121, Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

(Barrington Dance Ensemble photo)

Entertainment & Events

The young members of Barrington Dance Ensemble join professionals onstage for “The Nutcracker,” running Nov. 26-28 on the Barrington High School stage.

Festival of Lights Parade Nov. 26, 7 p.m. The traditional start to the holiday season begins at City Hall and ends at the corner of Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue. Location: Downtown Crystal Lake, (815) 479-0835, downtowncl.org.

Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival Dec. 5, noon-3:30 p.m. Family fun with pony rides, sleigh rides, cookie decorating, a parade at 1 p.m. and visits with Santa. Downtown Cary, (847) 639-2800, carygrovechamber.com.

‘The Nutcracker’ Nov. 26-28, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m.

The young members of Barrington Dance Ensemble are accompanied by guest artists as they portray the classic ballet. Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington, (847) 3826333, barringtondance.org.

Elgin Symphony Holiday Spectacular Dec. 10-12, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. noon & 5 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Features the Elgin Master Chorale. Dec. 10 at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212. Dec. 11-12 at Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin, (847) 8884000, elginsymphony.org. ❚

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