Smart Living Rockford- May 2024

A Gift for Mom

As Mother’s Day approaches, I thought I’d assemble a little gift guide to help you with your shopping efforts. Fair warning, these suggestions are completely representative of my own likes and interests. But, hopefully, the moms in your life and I have something in common.

Here are three suggestions of locally sourced gifts for Mom. (These are my genuine thoughts, not advertisements).

1. Rockford merch!

I feel slightly guilty since I’m writing this on Earth Day, but who can really have enough cute T-shirts? Sincerely, though, Art Deli on State Street is my favorite clothing store and one thing I love about them is they make eco-friendly products. With an assortment of T-shirts, hats, mugs and plenty of Rockfordthemed paraphernalia, it’s a great place to get your mom a quality gift.

2. A gift card to a local restaurant

Some people can’t stand gift cards because they think they’re a lazy, impersonal gift. But honestly, I love a gift card! What you’re truly giving is an excuse for the recipient to treat themselves. I’ll just confess here — my favorite local restaurant is GreenFire on Riverside Boulevard. You could even just pop in and get your mom some macaroons. Best gift ever.

3. An appointment for a massage, or other wellness treatment

My husband surprised me on my birthday with a massage appointment, and let me tell you — it was so nice to have an unexpected hour to relax. The best massage I’ve ever had was at Circle of Wellness, in Loves Park. I highly recommend getting a treatment there.

As a reminder: we here at Smart Living always encourage shopping local whenever you can. It bolsters our local economy and supports our neighbors vs. some random CEO across the country who’s doing just fine.

Anywho, if you have a mom in your life who you love, be sure to let them know. And if you’re a mom, I hope you feel extra special this upcoming Mother’s Day. ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Bible Camp

Summer is about feeling free and having fun. The season can also be a meaningful time for spiritual growth, making new friends and building community.

That’s the idea behind Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford. This year’s program is themed “At the Farm: Growing with God,” based on the Fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians, chapter 5.

For children ages 3-12, VBS takes place from 5:30-7:45 p.m. June 24-27 at the church. A free meal is served each day at 5:15 p.m.

“We will be specifically focusing on love, peace, patience and faithfulness,” says Elizabeth Flaherty, office administrator and a member of the education committee that plans and organizes VBS at Grace United Methodist Church. “Just as farm hands work to help plants and animals grow, our children can be active partners with God in nurturing growth in themselves and others.”

Topics each day revolve around ageappropriate lessons in science, creative arts, Bible, and outdoor games and activities. Farm animals and wagon rides are part of the program.

Although VBS mainly draws those who attend or are members of Grace United Methodist, anyone is welcome to attend.

“We want to provide a positive church experience for kids, whether or not they go to church,” Flaherty says. “We want children to discover that church can be a fun place. The kids have a great time. They wake up in the morning looking forward to coming. It’s fun to see their excitement and see them work on their relationship with God and watch their faith grow.”

The children who attend this year’s VBS have the opportunity to perform the songs they learn at the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, June 30.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Forms are available on the church website, graceumcrockford.org. ❚

-Peggy Werner

Take Time to Inspect Your Home’s Exterior

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

As springtime blossoms, it’s not just the flowers that require attention. A few smart inspections can prepare your home for summer’s heat and yet another winter.

Your roof is the first line of defense, so start there. Walk around the house and look for any obvious signs of damage. Also, inspect the attic and your ceilings for signs of water damage. If you can’t get a good angle or question what you’re seeing, it’s a good idea to ask a professional, says Justin Swanson, founder of JM Construction Group, 4915 Auburn St., in Rockford. His team specializes in all things home exterior, from roofing and siding to windows and doors.

“If you don’t know the condition of your roof, getting an inspection done is key,” says Swanson. “If a roof is leaking, that’s something you can’t wait on.”

Windows have their own vulnerabilities. Check them for gaps and look for cracks in the caulking that may also leak outdoor air.

“You’d be surprised how much windows save you on heating and cooling costs,” Swanson says. “You could be spending $200 heating your house, but if you had new windows, you could get that down significantly.”

Believe it or not, siding may also affect your indoor airflow, particularly if it has holes or cracks in it, he adds. Such damage may also indicate the presence of unwanted pests, like mice.

Spring rains put extra stress on your gutters, so this is a good time to make sure they’re free of debris.

“If gutters aren’t working properly, they can clog up and drain into your house at some point,” says Swanson.

When tackling large exterior repairs, remember to do your research. Before you hire someone, be sure they’re licensed and insured, with a proven record of excellence. JM Construction boasts a wealth of accolades and five-star reviews from multiple sources.

“We’ve seen a lot of people that thought they were talking to a professional, didn’t do their research and got a bad job,” says Swanson.

To schedule an appointment, call (815) 315-4388. ❚

Justin Swanson

Picturesque Cycling at Rock River Madness

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Discover Dixon is calling all cyclists, from amateurs to the highly experienced, to challenge themselves at Rock River Madness on May 4 at Lowell Park, in Dixon.

“It’s an all-day event with rides planned in the morning and afternoon,” says Lucas Pauley, marketing director of Discover Dixon. “We offer multiple

course options to fit skill level and preferred discipline.”

Last year’s inaugural event saw cyclists of multiple ages and from multiple countries. Pauley hopes to keep the momentum going this year.

“We’re excited to continue to grow this event in 2024 and the years ahead,” he says. “Proceeds help to benefit the local bike community – it promotes healthy activity and living in our community, introduces people in our community to mountain biking and road cycling, and it shows off one of the most beautiful parks in northern Illinois, in our opinion, the historic Lowell Park.”

Six courses are prepared for cyclists to choose from: three road courses and three mountain bike courses.

A 30-mile road route begins at 8 a.m., ideal for cyclists of all abilities. Riders

venture through the rolling hills of Lee and Ogle counties while taking in views of the Rock River region. With moderate elevation changes, this route is perfect for those wanting a scenic, enjoyable ride.

The 55-mile road route begins at 7 a.m. and features more hills and elevation changes. Experienced cyclists can enjoy picturesque sites throughout Lee and Ogle counties as they tackle this course.

The 100-mile road route begins at 7 a.m. and entices the most-experienced cyclists with challenging elevation changes and steep climbs. The long, demanding route offers stunning views and a major sense of accomplishment when completed.

The mountain bike races kick off at 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The 6-mile mountain bike course is ideal for novice mountain bikers. The

route is an introduction to off-road cycling with moderate elevation changes and a relatively smooth terrain.

The 10-mile mountain bike trail offers a more challenging route, with steeper climbs and descents, as well as technical sections that require riders to be skilled in handling their bikes.

The 13-mile trail is the ultimate mountain bike challenge, featuring steep climbs, technical descents and challenging terrain that tests even the most skilled riders.

“The local bike group approached Discover Dixon last year, since we’re an organization known for running events in Dixon. Their passion to create a regional bike event bringing people to our community inspired Discover Dixon to help make this happen,” Pauley says.

Registration costs $65 per person, regardless of the trail selected. Cyclists can register at discoverdixon.com. Discover Dixon is also accepting additional donations for the Rock River Valley Bicycle

Club, which advocates for greenways, bicycle-friendly and pedestrian-friendly roads in northwest Illinois.

“We have riders from Chicago to Wisconsin to southern Illinois already signed up to join us,” Pauley says. “We hope to see the numbers continue to grow.”

To learn more, visit discoverdixon. com/rockrivermadness. ❚

Food and Fun at Fozzy’s Bar & Grill

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

Nick Fosberg knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. So, perhaps it’s no surprise that his Fozzy’s Bar and Grill, 6246 E. Riverside Blvd., in Loves Park, Ill., has become such a hit.

“I’ve grown up in the business my entire life,” says Nick, a Rockford native. “My dad has owned multiple bars in town. I always knew I wanted to have a bar.”

And, he knew he wanted to name it Fozzy’s, after a nickname the younger and elder Fosberg had earned from friends.

Dreams turned to reality in September 2019 when Nick and his wife, Michele, opened Fozzy’s in Loves Park. It’s a comfy environment where black leather chairs and a back-lit translucent bar top invite patrons to settle in comfortably and watch live sports. It’s the quality cuisine, though, that really sets this place apart.

“Most of it is coming direct from our supplier,” Nick says. “We get orders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so everything is as fresh as possible.”

The standout on this menu is the smash burger, assembled with two juicy patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles and a secret smash sauce. Pick your choice of sides, from classic French fries to crispy onion rings or cheese curds.

Equally beloved are the hand-cut, hand-battered boneless wings, made from tender, all-white chicken meat that’s never frozen. The buffalo chicken eggroll – hand-rolled with shredded chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, buffalo sauce and fried until golden – pays homage to Michele’s buffalo chicken dip.

“It used to be my signature dish, and we just kind of ran with it,” says Michele.

Entertainment and camaraderie at

Fozzy’s keep people coming back. In addition to electronic dart boards and slot machines, the bar hosts themed trivia nights every Tuesday and singo bingo on Wednesdays. Friday brings Pick the Joker, where guests get a chance to win up to $4,000. Weekends consist of live music or DJs, and Mondays children under age 12 can eat for free between 4 and 8 p.m.

The VIP program available at Fozzys. net gives customers access to updates on events, discounts and a free appetizer.

Fozzy’s Bar & Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday to 2 a.m. ❚

Nick and Michele Fosberg

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Galena Eatery Offers a Beefed-Up Event

By Jim Taylor, managing editor

In a city steeped in history, Fried Green Tomatoes is a Galena original.

The restaurant, popular with tourists and townies alike, has been a jewel in Galena’s culinary scene since owner Fred Bonnet opened its doors in 1993. Three decades later, the eatery, now at 213 N. Main St., is considered a must-stop for anyone craving classic American comfort food, Italian favorites, fresh seafood and, of course, the restaurant’s namesake dish.

The fried green tomatoes are so popular that Bonnet and his staff serve more than 200 pounds of them per week.

For Fried Green Tomatoes’ wine connoisseurs, a glass is well complemented by a select cut of USDA filets and porterhouse steaks. While they’re a staple on the menu every day, Bonnet and his staff are grilling up something extra special for Memorial Day weekend: an ultra-premium, dry-aged steaks event.

Dry-aged beef is a premium cut of meat that’s aged for an extended period to produce a concentrated flavor with buttery, nutlike notes. The specific conditions under which the meat is aged, including precise temperature, humidity and airflow, allow the enzymes in the meat to break down muscle tissue, creating a delightful and tender steak that’s a favorite among steak connoisseurs.

Diners at Fried Green Tomatoes can look forward to beef that has been dryaged to perfection for 28 days to create a premium protein with a profound flavor profile. The event, held May 24-27, promises to be as unique as the venue. Fried Green Tomatoes is housed in a historic building that’s rumored to have connections with Civil War general and U.S President Ulysses S. Grant, whose family owned and operated a leather goods store on Main Street before the war.

Reservations are always a good idea at this popular eatery on Galena’s busiest corridor, but it’s especially helpful for Fried Green Tomatoes’ dry-aged beef event, as seats are expected to fill up quickly.

Fried Green Tomatoes is open for dinner Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

To make a reservation or to be part of the dry-aged steaks event, call (815) 777-3938. ❚