Smart Living McHenry - January 2021

Sm mart a r L iving mar Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • January 2021

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Right in Our Region

‘Woodstock Willie’ Arrives for Groundhog Day A Home Focused on Wellness Dining Discoveries in Geneva & Walworth County Why Quality Matters in Home Remodeling

Fresh Dinner Idea: A Creamy Mac ‘n’ Cheese

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

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region .........................Cover & p. 16 Same Old Fun at Woodstock Groundhog Days Your Home ...................................................11, 21 Wellness-Inspired Design; Benson Stone’s 90th Anniversary Your Remodel ...................................................13 Quality Cabinets Matter in the Luxury Kitchen

STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE

Inspiration & Worship .......................................14 The Psalms Journey Your Kitchen ......................................................19 A Creamy, Veggie-Filled Mac ‘n’ Cheese

“Many thanks to The Dole for supporting local artists, by offering a community for creative minds like myself and my musician husband. We scoured McHenry County for studio space with specific needs in mind: location, ideal studio size, reasonable rental cost and utility costs. The Dole seemed to be under the radar as far as advertised studio rentals. When we checked The Dole in an aha moment we were pleased to discover this was our best fit: within blocks from our house, with adjoining studios, and reasonable rent which includes heat, electricity, and free WIFI.” ~ Michelle Mathis, M. A. Tailor Fine Arts

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Contact Jody Fields, Business & Accounting Manager

JFields@thedole.org, 815.455.8000 X 102

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Your Health ............................................. ........... 23 Stay Vigilant When Living with Chronic Illness Your Dining .......................................................25 FoxFire Restaurant Keeps a Loyal Following Your Outings .....................................................27 The Best of Winter in Delavan, Wis.

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

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

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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Carry the Light

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hose early weeks of January are a somber time in our house. The Christmas lights come down; the tree and ornaments go back into storage. The house feels barren.

My children are in awe at the magic and wonder of Christmas. When the holidays pass and the excitement fades, all that’s left is a sense of longing for what was. January and February can feel so long when we’re snowed and frozen in. The winter doldrums set in, and we start counting down the days to spring.

How easily we put the spirit of Christmas behind us.

Here’s a radical thought: What if we kept it going in this new year? What if we carried forth that magic, that optimism, that sense of hope that define our December? Heaven knows we could all use it right about now.

Imagine what would happen if we looked at a big snowfall the same way our children do.

Not a begrudging trek to the snowblower but a true sense of awe and wonder at the freshfallen snow. “Dad, can we make a snowman?”

They’re almost begging as they drag their snow pants and boots to the door. “Can we ice skate on the driveway? Can we hike to the sledding hill?”

Carrying the light of Christmas isn’t just about a positive attitude. It’s also about the ways we’re caring for others. It’s so easy to feel isolated in these winter months, and even more so right now. Why not find new ways to share kindness with your neighbors and friends, especially those who can’t easily travel in snow and ice?

Go ahead, brighten up their day with a friendly call, or a card or (gasp!) a face-to-face hello.

Times are tough right now, and it’s easy to feel pessimistic. But even in the darkest moments, hope remains.

Ever notice how children hope with a reckless abandon, so eagerly awaiting what adults meet with dread? If we hope like a child, we, too, can carry forth a new spirit in the months ahead. May you continue to shine your light as we set off into 2021!

Chris Linden Executive Editor

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Mixing Wellness with Interior Design F

or years, Vertical Interior Design and its sister company, Rieke Office Interiors, have been transforming offices and other commercial spaces into inspiring environments that encourage our best feelings and emotions.

Now, the Vertical Interior Design team is extending those same principles into the home with VID Lifestyle, a division focused on residential settings.

The full-service design firm can handle anything from simple interior makeovers to complex renovations, all tightly focused around each client’s lifestyles and their wellness.

Services include furniture, accessories and color selections all the way to more complex renovation projects.

“It’s not just providing decorations or selecting furnishings,” says Colleen Baader, senior vice president with

Vertical Interior Design, in Elgin. “We want our design team to discuss how your home is your sanctuary, and we can provide a design to reflect that.”

Wellness-centered design focuses itself around three main aspects: lighting, color and organization.

Lighting changes the mood and the perceived size of a room. It must work with the color selections, room size, natural light and furniture selection.

Color choices impact the way a room looks and feels. Designers turn to distinct color palettes when preparing a room for calmness, energy, creativity and more.

Organization is also an important designing aspect. Even a clean room that has a jumble of styles and colors can overwhelm our emotions, says Baader.

Wellness-centered design begins with a simple question: What are your goals?

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(VID Lifestyle photo)

By Chris Linden, executive editor

The process begins with a conversation and a walk-through of the home. Designers build a relationship with clients while also understanding their home’s aesthetic. In living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, closets – even garages – the possibilities are endless.

“My favorite Zen place in my home is my sunroom,” says Baader. “It has many windows that provide a lot of natural light, and it’s a peaceful place to read or have coffee with a friend.” ❚ Vertical Interior Design is located at 2000 Fox Lane, Elgin, (847) 760-8206.

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Quality Cabinets Matter in the Luxury Kitchen G

ray is, in many ways, the “new white,” and as this color takes off in popularity, designers are seeing new possibilities for this color palette.

“We do a lot of painted cabinets right now,” says Mark Roden, president of M&R Custom Millwork, in Belvidere. “I would say seven out of 10 kitchens we do these days are some version of white, off-white, gray, dark gray or light-gray.”

The trend is spreading beyond the kitchen, as more homeowners match the rest of their house to their newly remodeled kitchen. New homes, especially, are receiving painted trim in other rooms, in order to match the white kitchen.

Despite the incredible popularity of painted cabinets, don’t rule out the power of stained wood. Traditional finishes are still in strong demand, and some new styles are adding a degree of “sex appeal” to wood finishes.

In recent years, Roden has seen more requests for cabinetry where the wood is stained lightly and the grain is positioned horizontally. It creates a sleek, modern effect that pairs well with lighter-colored countertops and stainless steel accents.

The doors are typically flat, with no inset.

“The grain goes left to right, and it fits well with a high-end veneer and a contemporary flat door,” says Roden.

When selecting cabinets, it’s important to know who you’re buying from.

There are some pretty tempting deals online, but they’re sometimes too good to be true, says Roden.

He’s spent 40 years producing cabinetry and other woodwork all made-toorder. Custom cabinetry sometimes has a reputation for being more expensive, he says, but in reality it’s often a better value for the money. The difference lies in his ability to meet exact specifications.

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(M&R Custom Millwork photo)

By Chris Linden, executive editor

Roden and his team take time to meet with clients and understand their vision. Should an issue arise, either in production or installation, the team can respond quickly.

“Some people don’t know they’ve made a mistake until it’s too late,” he says. “Then, you have to order a replacement, the factory has to make a new one, then get it to the distributor, and it could be weeks of delay. We can overcome a problem in a matter of hours or days.” ❚ M&R Custom Millwork is located at 1979 Belford North Drive, Belvidere, (815) 547-8549.

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The Psalms Journey

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n the middle of the Bible is a collection of 150 psalms (sacred sayings) that offer a jarring roller coaster ride of human rantings directed toward God. Several authors wrote them over a period of about 1,000 years, starting in the time of Moses (1500 B.C.). King David penned about half of them. They were passed down through oral tradition before they were written down.

We gravitate toward the psalms that comfort us, the 23rd being a crowd favorite.

Many of them, however, were composed during times of anguish and deep disappointment with God. Feelings of abandonment, anger and frustration are laid bare; They’re both timeless and oddly familiar.

If we’re honest, all of us have experienced anger with God. We see Christians suffer hardship, oppression, sickness, death. We see evil prosper and ask why.

The psalmists’ emotional poetry helps us to know what a healthy relationship with God looks like, says author Philip Yancey.

By “peering over their shoulders,” we witness both their rantings and the ways they talk themselves down from the ledge. They breathe deeply and then state what they know for sure about God: He is good, wise, powerful, tender. They also acknowledge their own yearning for closeness with Him. The psalmists force themselves to recall the many times God rescued ungrateful Israel from its self-inflicted messes.

With hearts softened by memories of their own weakness, they regain some perspective. God is mighty; they are needy.

The psalmists find wonder in the starry skies and fertile earth. Their ranting turns to flights of joyous praise they can’t contain.

Yancey writes in “The Bible Jesus Read”: “The odd mixture of psalms of cursing, psalms of praise and psalms of confession no longer jars me as it once did.

Instead, I am continually amazed by the spiritual wholeness of the Hebrew poets, who sought to include God in every area of life by bringing to God every emotion experienced in daily activity. One need not ‘dress up’ or ‘put on a face’ to meet God. There are no walled-off areas; God can be trusted with reality.”

To experience Psalms is to fellowship with all who have ever struggled with, and – Janine Pumilia deeply loved, God. ❚ 14

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The Same Old Fun at Woodstock Groundhog Days

By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor

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houghts of Groundhog Day usually turn toward the famous celebration in Punxsutawney, Pa., and its famous prognosticator of spring’s arrival.

But around McHenry County, the annual February tradition draws thoughts of a different icon: comedian Bill Murray and his unforgettable movie “Groundhog Day,” parts of which were filmed right here in Woodstock.

It’s only fitting that community members have gathered together every winter for more than 20 years, like clockwork, to celebrate Woodstock Groundhog Days. The tradi‘Woodstock Willie’ tion continues this

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winter, with events running Jan. 29-Feb. 2 in and around the historic Woodstock Square. While many activities will look similar to those of years past, there will be a few changes, of course.

“When people who like the movie want to celebrate it, they’re not going to Punxsutawney,” says Rick Bellairs, chairman of Woodstock Groundhog Days.

“They’re going to Woodstock because that’s the image in their minds. It’s fun walking among the crowd of people who gather in the Woodstock Square. I’ve met people from California, Texas and other parts of the country. We’ve also had people visit from Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries because they loved the movie, and they want to see where it was made.”

The festivities start Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. with the Wakening of the Groundhog.

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As Woodstock Willie emerges from his hibernation, he’ll meet with guests and pose for photos at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St. “It’ll be outside in open air, and everyone will be socially distanced,” Bellairs says.

Afterwards, guests are invited to participate in Groundhog Day movie trivia, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is usually held in the Opera House’s Stage Left Cafe, but this year it moves to the main auditorium, where seating can be sectioned off and spread out.

Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern, 101 E. Church St., hosts a bags tournament Jan. 30, beginning at noon. Proceeds from the event will support Christmas Clearing House, a charitable organization that helps needy families.

“It’ll happen in the outdoor beer

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‘Woodstock Willie’ makes his annual appearance Feb. 2 on the Woodstock Square.

garden, so people can keep their distance and have their own private space,” Bellairs says.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, visitors can enjoy Groundhog Day Bingo, happening at the Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay St. The inside of the lodge is sure to ring a bell for “Groundhog Day” fans.

“They filmed the bachelor auction at

the Moose Lodge, and that’s where Bill Murray is onstage playing the piano,” Bellairs says.

Throughout the weekend, the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., shows off displays of background scenes and photos captured when the movie was filmed here in 1992.

The main event is the Groundhog Day Prognostication, happening in the heart of the Woodstock Square on Feb. 2 at 7 a.m.

If the groundhog sees its shadow, legend holds there’ll be six more weeks of winter. If it doesn’t, legend suggests spring will come early.

“This is what Groundhog Day is all about,” Bellairs says. “Do we have six more weeks of winter, or is spring right around the corner? I really wanted to keep this event and move ahead with it.”

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has sidelined some traditions this year, including a chili cook-off and a free showing of “Groundhog Day” at the Woodstock

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Theater. The multi-screen cinema – which also was a filming location – is temporarily closed, due to COVID-19.

“We can’t pack 300 people in a place with open food and tastings,” Bellairs says. “We also usually have a pub crawl, but we can’t be responsible for packing people into the bars.”

Those who still want to enjoy the celebration while keeping their distance can do so. The prognostication on Feb. 2 will be streamed live at WoodstockGroundhog.org.

Bellairs is looking forward to keeping the tradition alive this year.

“This is just a fun and silly way to have fun in the winter,” he says with a laugh. “Christmas and the holidays are behind us and spring is ahead, so there’s not much going on. In the end, this has turned out to be a wonderfully fun event.” ❚ Woodstock Groundhog Days happens Jan. 29-Feb. 2 on the Woodstock Square. For information, see woodstockgroundhog.org.

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A Creamy, Veggie-Filled Mac ‘n’ Cheese T

urning to easy recipes that require minimal cooking time can take the stress out of busy evenings while increasing family moments together.

This Skillet Macaroni and Cheese is a kid-friendly and parent-approved meal that’s sure to do the trick.

With a slight twist on the childhood classic, this version calls for chicken, spinach and cherry tomatoes for increased protien and veggie intake.

Plus, it’s made with milk and cheese as part of an important daily intake of dairy, an irreplaceable part of a balanced diet as a source of essential nutrients. Visit milkmeansmore.org to find more ideas.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese Cook time: 25 minutes 1 2 1

cup dried elbow macaroni tablespoons olive oil pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 1

cup onion, finely chopped package (5 ounces) semisoft cheese with garlic and fine herbs 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk 1 tablespoon flour 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups fresh baby spinach 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, chicken and onion.

Cook 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in semisoft cheese. Gradually add milk and flour. Continue stirring and cooking until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Reduce heat to low. Add hot sauce, cheddar cheese and cooked macaroni.

Cook and stir 1-2 minutes until cheese is

melted. Stir in spinach. Top with cherry tomatoes and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Katie Serbinski of “Mom to Mom Nutrition,” on behalf of Milk Means More. ❚ Source: Family Features

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Benson Stone Co. Celebrates 90th Anniversary

By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor

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enson Stone Co. has come a long way over nine decades.

Housed in a 120,000-square-foot former furniture factory, Benson Stone Co. is still a cornerstone of Rockford’s Midtown District, and it’s now an attraction in its own right. The store’s four floors are filled with products and ideas to freshen up a home – from fireplaces, grills, furniture and fun decor to kitchen design, stone countertops, flooring, and brick and landscaping materials.

“This is really a one-stop shop for anyone who’s remodeling or doing anything for their home,” says Andy Benson, company president and the fourth generation of Benson leadership.

Furniture galleries on the third and fourth floors show off all kinds of styles and design ideas. Vignettes for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and more

complement galleries with mattresses and recliner sofas.

Located near kitchen and bathroom designs, the flooring gallery has carpet, hardwood, tile and luxury vinyl options, with thousands of samples to explore.

Nearby is a lighting gallery where more than 1,000 fixtures shine brightly.

Down on the first floor, shoppers can explore home decor and gifts, a fireplace gallery, barbecue grill displays and a landscaping idea center.

Benson Stone is currently open, and the team is prepared to help people who might be investing more time in their homes during the ongoing pandemic.

“When we started doing some advertising in the last couple weeks of May, they were the best two weeks of furniture sales in the history of the company,” Benson says. “The months that followed were

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Howard, Andy and Paul Benson

also great, and that’s been the trend nationwide.”

Benson sees many possibilities going forward, but for now, he’s happy providing an all-in-one stop and a trusted resource for anybody’s home improvement.

“All we can do is try staying on top of everything, continually improve the way we do business and stay on the cutting edge of technology,” Benson says. ❚ Benson Stone Co. is located at 1100 11th St., Rockford, (815) 227-2000.

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Stay Vigilant When Living with Chronic Illness

By Lindsey Gapen Lukas

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f you live with a chronic health condition, such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, you’ve probably heard that you might be more at risk for complications to arise should you contract the COVID-19 virus.

Before the pandemic, depression and anxiety were already common side effects of chronic cancer treatment. Now, as patients comply with social distancing and other safety measures, mental health services have become even more crucial, says Dr. Victor Medina, a hematologist/ oncologist at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.

“At our cancer center in McHenry, we’re very lucky to have numerous resources available,” Medina says. “We have various types of counselors available, whether it’s a grievance counselor, spiritual counselor, or even a financial counselor. And we certainly have licensed

individuals who are able to provide psychological assistance.”

Since cancer typically suppresses a patient’s immune system, patients are usually at a higher risk for acquiring infections in general. So, especially given the current times, Medina recommends that his patients avoid large gatherings.

However, his ultimate goal is to respect his patient’s wishes and provide them with the best quality of life possible.

“There’s a lot that someone can do – social distancing, wearing a mask – and hand washing, without a question, is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent a potential infection. Some patients are incredibly compliant and don’t want to take any risk, but certainly, you can do a lot of activities in a safe fashion and enjoy your life instead of just being quarantined at home.”

Medina also emphasizes the continued importance of regular cancer screen-

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ings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and other examinations.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to our facilities for these services,” Medina says. “I would be more than glad to speak with a patient if they have questions or concerns. Sometimes it’s just a matter of providing reassurance and education.” ❚ Northwestern Medicine maintains facilities across McHenry County and the Chicago area, including hospitals in McHenry, Huntley and Woodstock, as well as clinics in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock and Huntley.

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FoxFire Restaurant Perseveres During Pandemic

By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor

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iners are using FoxFire Restaurant as a destination, even during the ongoing pandemic.

“We have regulars come here once a month or even twice a week, and I think they’re coming in here for a mini vacation,” says K.C. Gulbro, who owns the restaurant with his dad, Curt.

Currently open for indoor dining, FoxFire invites visitors to enjoy the same delicious food they’ve always been served in this casual setting.

Gulbro says his staff is doing everything possible to make diners feel safe and comfortable. The team has installed air purifiers capable of scrubbing out 99.9 percent of particles in the air, including the COVID-19 virus.

Staff members wear masks, and the dining room is limited to 30 percent capacity. Sanitizing stations are scattered

throughout, and reservations are required.

What makes FoxFire unique, Gulbro says, is its ever-changing menu, along with the rotating wine and beer lists, which are updated throughout the year.

Longtime staples are always available, like the Napa Valley Chicken, which comes with chicken breasts, white wine cream sauce, green grapes and garlic potatoes. The Pittsburgh Style Ribeye is also a classic. It’s a 14-ounce angus beef ribeye charred on a hot iron and served with grilled asparagus.

While meat is certainly the star of the menu, there’s a growing offering of dishes for those who prefer a more vegetarian palate. Diners will currently find three vegetarian-inspired dishes, including a vegan cauliflower steak, which comes with grilled asparagus, sauteed spinach, herb gremolata and chimichurri sauce.

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General manager Samantha Stanciu says diners are visiting, and they tell her they’ve felt safe while dining out.

“Everyone has been extremely happy, which has been great, and they thank K.C. and I for being open every day,” she says.

Foxfire is open for lunch Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and for dinner Mon.Thurs. 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.10 p.m. Reservations can be made at foxfiregeneva.com or by calling (630) 232-1369. ❚ FoxFire is located at 17 W. State St., Geneva, (630) 232-1369.

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Winter’s Best on Display in Delavan, Wisconsin B y Pe g g y We r n e r

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nown for its pristine lakes, parks, circus history and historic downtown, Delavan, Wis., is a popular destination for events and activities of all kinds, especially during the winter.

“Delavan is definitely Main Street USA, a small town with a big impact,” says Belle Carbonara, public relations and community outreach manager for the Walworth County Visitors Bureau. “It’s a great place to visit any time of year.”

Delavan is located 45 miles southwest of Milwaukee and a few miles north of Lake Geneva.

Like everywhere else in the world, Delavan has been affected by COVID-19, but local retailers, restaurants and lodging operators are being creative to attract shoppers and guests. Over at Lake Lawn Resort, there are heated and insulated igloos for outdoor dining all winter long.

Delavan Lake and the nearby Comus Lake are popular destinations for winter ice fishing. Rudy Lange Sledding Hills is one of the most popular places to sled in Wisconsin. Calladora Spa, at Lake Lawn Resort, is offering winter packages to help people relax and unwind while also rejuvenating their skin from the harshness of cold Midwest winters.

The Walldog murals are especially magnificent during the winter months as the bright colors sharply contrast with new-fallen snow. The visitor’s bureau offers scavenger hunt printouts for a guided tour of the murals, which can be supplemented with information about each mural online at visitdelavan.com.

“Virtual Author Events” is a free Zoom series on Tuesday evenings in January and February hosted by Aram Public Library. “Stories from the Wreckage:

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A Great Lakes Maritime History” will be the topic on Jan. 12. Author John Oden Jensen, a former crab boat captain and shipwreck survivor, will talk about his professional and personal experience, as well as his study of North American mariners, ships and shipwrecks.

The virtual series continues Feb. 2 with Dean Robbins, author of “The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon,” a nonfiction children’s book about the true story of Alan Bean, the only artist to travel to outer space. ❚ For more information about Delavan, check out visitwalworthcounty.com.

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