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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • March 2022 • No. II

Right in Our Region

A New Chapter at Midway Village Spend Less on Tech Know the Signs of Stroke What to Do About Pet Odors Update on Rockford Public Library

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 What’s Next at Midway Village Museum Inspiration & Worship ................................ 12 What is Palm Sunday?

Your Kitchen .............................................. 15 Tasty Grilled Pork Your Community ....................................... 19 Update on Rockford’s Future New Library Your Health ................................................ 23 Know the Signs of Stroke Your Style .................................................. 25 Hair Solutions to Give You a Boost Your Tech ................................................... 27 How to Save Money Fast Your Fun ..................................................... 28

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers 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 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.

Copyright 2022 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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In History’s Light

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’m always rooting for Midway Village Museum to thrive because it has so much to teach us. I can’t think of one current issue that isn’t better understood in history’s light.

The obvious current example is Ukraine.

During WW II Days, we learned that all modern U.S. military action is rooted in WW I, which fueled the grievance of Adolph Hitler and set the stage for WW II. Now we face the grievance of Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Putin came of age in the 1960s, during the Cold War. He studied law, worked 16 years as a KGB foreign intelligence officer and began his political career in 1991, the year the USSR collapsed. Putin still regards that collapse as “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century." Starting in 1999, he took control of Russia, stopped its baby steps toward democracy and restored dictatorship. He controls all media, the parliament, judiciary and the oligarchs he appoints to run industries. As in the Soviet era, elections are only for show, since he jails or kills political opponents.

Putin hates NATO. It formed in 1949 to prevent aggressors from gobbling up their neighbors and sparking WW III. It formed after 36 million Europeans died in WW II, just one generation after millions died in WW I. Its Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member is an attack against all. Today it has 30 member countries.

Putin uses many strategies to weaken democracies. He sows division in free societies, including ours. The 2020 GOP-led bi-partisan select senate committee report “Volume 5: Counterintelligence Threats and Vulnerabilities” documents his methods. It’s online and well worth reading.

In 2010, Putin installed Russian puppet Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine president. He paid Paul Manafort, a business partner of oligarchs, to run that sketchy campaign. Ukrainians exiled Yanukovych in 2014, during their Revolution of Dignity, after he rejected free trade with the EU and stole from their treasury. Putin invaded Ukraine that year.

Let’s deliver a blow to tyranny by refusing to be divided as Americans. Have a good week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Inspiration & Worship

What’s Palm Sunday?

O

n April 10, Christians worldwide will celebrate Palm Sunday. What is it?

It’s the Sunday before Easter and it commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, as recorded in Mark 11:1–11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19.

It marks the start of Holy Week, the days and events immediatly before his death and resurrection.

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, crowds greeted him enthusiastically. They waved palm fronds as he entered the city on a donkey, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, NIV: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Many people had heard of the great miracles done by Jesus and dared to believe he was the long-awaited redeemer of Israel.

Little did they know he would soon emerge not only as savior to Jews, but also as savior to everyone who chooses to believe in him.

Why didn’t they know he would offer eternal life to all people? Because Jesus didn’t reveal the full plan during his ministry, not wanting Satan to stop the dark events that had to unfold during Holy Week. Paul explains in I Corinthians 2:8: None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Powerful government and religious rulers, threatened by Jesus’ popularity, chose to humiliate, torture and execute him.

Jesus endured their cruelty, even though he had the power to stop them. “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than 12 legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” (Matt. 26:53-54 NIV) The events of Holy Week were God’s plan and Jesus chose to obey God. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

(Romans 5:19) Palm Sunday celebrates the beginning of the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth – and the start of a season that culminates 50 days after Easter on Pentecost, the day God sent the gift of holy spirit to mankind. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Your Kitchen

Grilled Pork: A Juicy, Low-Cost Bargain A

dd more variety to your family’s menu without adding cost by stocking up on your favorite pork cuts. Keep your chops juicy and tender by grilling to an internal temperature between 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium rare and 160 degrees Fahrenheit for medium, followed by a 3-minute rest.

Grilled Ribeye (Rib) Pork Chops with Spicy BBQ Sauce and Chive Mashed Potatoes Yield: 4 servings

4 Ribeye (rib) pork chops, about 1-inch thick Salt and pepper, to taste Olive oil, for brushing grill Spicy BBQ Sauce: 1 tsp. olive oil 1/2 chopped onion 1/4 C. ketchup 1 Tb. brown sugar

1 Tb. 1 Tb. 1/4

Worcestershire Sauce apple cider vinegar tsp. cayenne pepper

Chive Mashed Potatoes: 3 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes 2 Tb. chives, chopped 3 Tb. heavy cream Preheat grill over medium high heat and brush with olive oil. Season chops with generous amount of salt and pepper.

Place pork on grill for 8-9 minutes, turning once halfway through, until cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Remove pork from grill, tent with foil; let rest for 3 minutes.

To make mashed potatoes, add potatoes to a pot with water over high heat and boil for 15 minutes. Drain water and add heavy cream. Mash potatoes until smooth. Stir in chives, salt and pepper.

To make BBQ sauce, heat oil in pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft

and add ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, and cayenne. Simmer for 15 minutes so sauce thickens and turn off heat. Once cooled, puree sauce in a blender.

Serve the chops alongside potatoes and a spoonful of BBQ sauce. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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Right in Our Region

New Chapter Begins at Midway Village

By Peggy Werner

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essons from the past are valuable in our personal lives and in our collective community life. Two new leaders at Midway Village Museum understand this on a personal and professional level. After spending decades climbing the ladder in corporate positions, both Executive Director Patrick O’Keefe and Marketing Director Luke Fredrickson concluded there comes a point in life when strengthening your own community can be more important than corporate advancement.

“I found I wanted to put my experience to work for Patrick O’Keefe

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the good of my own community,” says O’Keefe, hired in 2021 to succeed David Byrnes, who retired from the museum after 22 years.

“I suddenly felt being part of a community and investing in that community was more important than just thinking about career goals and the next promotion,” says Fredrickson. “It’s something younger people undervalue.”

Born and reared in Rockford, O’Keefe earned degrees from NIU, Rockford University and UW-Madison before working in sales, business development and marketing at Eclipse Inc. for 25 years. He also led Transform Rockford for two years and has been a lifelong community volunteer, serving on a variety of boards.

There’s more to life than the highstress, for-profit corporate marketing

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world of helping salespeople to meet goals, says O’Keefe.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic that led Fredrickson to make a course corLuke Fredrickson rection in his career. He was born in Rockford but attended high school in Las Vegas. He returned to the area 27 years ago to earn his bachelor’s degree at NIU and has since worked in the marketing departments of several companies in our region.

“COVID-19 drove home how much family means, and I could see my aging Dad was needing more help and I could see it was time to change priorities,” he

says. “I love waking up and looking forward to going to work. It’s good for my soul to work for Midway Village and to think about building awareness of this great museum and helping people to connect with the rich history of Rockford.

It’s all about telling stories rather than closing deals.”

The men share a vision for making Midway Village Museum an even more vibrant attraction in our community.

“Midway Village Museum’s mission is about collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of the Rockford region,” says O’Keefe. “We aspire to provide educational and enriching experiences that are also fun for our visitors.

So the question is, ‘What are we doing in the confines of Midway that people outside the gate value?’”

That question is leading to all sorts of new ideas, driven largely by the museum’s staff and its battalion of volunteers.

One short-term goal is to open a living history Camp Grant exhibit next

year, showing what World War I and World War II military trainees experienced there. When the camp opened in 1917, it was a huge economic boon for Rockford, but it also aggravated the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 for local citizens.

Long-term plans at the museum include hosting more field trips for children and providing more A reenactor portraying a German soldier teaches visitors interactive activities. Making the about 1917 European borders during a World War I entire grounds more engaging and weekend event at Midway Village Musuem in May 2021. emphasizing areas that have been overlooked are also important to the new pand its living history experiences to evleaders. ery weekend, with self-guided tours and More attention will be paid to the costumed interpreters in several of the diversity of wildlife, the many historical buildings. Tours are by appointment on gardens on the property, unique old trees weekdays and on the hour from 11 a.m. and native plants, and a 14-acre piece of to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. land that represents the earliest phase of The main museum building, WoodRockford’s settlement, Fredrickson says. ward Millhouse, Old Doll’s House and the The outdoor Victorian Village will Museum Gift Shop will be open from 10 be open for tours guided by a costumed a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday interpreter Tuesdays through Thursdays, during the spring season, May 2 to June 2. beginning May 1. The museum will exLearn more at MidwayVillage.com.❚

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(Janine Pumilia photo)

Right in Our Region

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Your Community

New Library on Track to Open in 2023

By Peggy Werner

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ust like a good book, Rockford Public Library’s future is unfolding one chapter at a time as it celebrates its 150th birthday this year and looks forward to the Fall 2023 opening of a brand-new main building at the historic location, 215 N. Wyman St. The clean-up of contaminated soil that prompted the razing of the old main library is completed and groundbreaking for the new building took place Oct. 20.

“I feel very good about the future,” says RPL Executive Director Lynn Stainbrook. “I think we’re moving into a new role for the library and will become even more vital to the community.”

The $33 million project includes a three-story, 66,000-square-foot building with many floor-to-ceiling windows and covered (not underground) parking on the street level for 20 cars, and a drive-up area to return books or pick up ‘on hold’

materials. More parking in the form of city lots and a couple parking ramps exist nearby.

The architects for the project are Engberg Architects of Milwaukee, Wis., who have designed more than 180 libraries, in partnership with Rockford’s award-winning Gary Anderson Architects of Studio GWA. “There will be lots of landscaping and walking paths for bicycles and pedestrians,” Stainbrook says. “The space once used for parking will be much more people-friendly and centered around the beauty and enjoyment of the river,” she says.

The library is working with the Rockford Park District to form a cohesive riverfront with Davis Park to the south.

The first floor will be devoted to staff offices, Friends of the Library bookstore, a children’s area, and a section for newly released books and audio-visual materi-

als. The second floor will include fiction and non-fiction books, a teen and gaming area, a reading room with windows overlooking the river, multi-purpose rooms, and a patio off the Maker Lab, a room that contains tools, machines and other components for people to create or work on projects.

The third floor will house the local history collection, staff work areas, three meeting rooms that can also become one large space, and a deck overlooking the river. ❚

SWEET STREAMS.

WATCH 23 NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.

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Your Health

Time Matters When Treating Strokes

By Stephanie Grimoldby

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hen it comes to strokes, the clock is always ticking.

A stroke kills brain cells when blood vessels to the brain are either blocked by a clot or suddenly ruptured.

There are two types of strokes. Hemorrhagic, or bleeding strokes, occur when a blood vessel ruptures. Ischemic, or dry strokes, occur when a blood clot has lodged into an artery of the brain, reducing blood flow to the rest of the body. Of the 800,000 strokes that occur every year in the U.S., 80 percent are ischemic.

Strokes are a time-sensitive disease for two reasons.

First, the longer the brain goes without a fresh blood supply, the more extensive and permanent the damage may be.

Second, the medications and procedures that can be used to treat strokes – some of which are fairly new – have a

time limit. If a patient doesn’t get medical treatment within a certain number of hours after a stroke begins, treatment options diminish.

Advancements in stroke care have come a long way since the 1990s. For nearly 75 years, stroke was the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2008, it slipped to fourth and today, it’s fifth.

However, it’s still the leading cause of disability in the U.S. “We’re seeing younger and younger people with co-morbidities that put them at risk for stroke: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,” says Cody Monyelle, a registered nurse and the stroke coordinator at Beloit Health System. “Those are all high-risk factors for stroke.”

With that in mind, it’s important for people of all ages to know the signs of

a stroke, which tends to occur suddenly.

The BE FAST memory cue is an easy way to learn the symptoms. If stroke symptoms appear, call emergency medical services (EMS) right away. ❚

Remember to BE FAST.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a combination of these, call 911 immediately.

B – Balance: coordination issues E – Eyes: sudden blurriness or changes in vision, even in one eye F – Face: a droopy face or crooked smile A – Arms: numbness or weakness in the arms or legs S – Speech: sudden slurring of words or trouble speaking T – Time: call 911 and/or Terrible headache To learn more about strokes, visit the American Stroke Association at stroke.org.

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Your Style

Hair Solutions that Make You Feel Better

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By Peggy Werner hen licensed cosmetologist Cindy Genrich saw her mother go through the emotional impact of losing her hair after cancer treatment, she also saw an opportunity to help women look and feel their best at a difficult time.

“People can go through a lot, but if their hair looks good, they feel better,” she says.

Today Genrich owns Wigs by Cindy, located inside of Permanent Cosmetics, 421 S. Mulford Road, Suite 203. She’s been in business for more than 25 years.

“Wigs have improved so much through the years. The fibers look and feel more natural and there are so many styles to choose from,” she says.

Today’s average wig weighs only about 2 ounces and is very breathable.

Modern wigs are made either from easycare synthetic fibers or real human hair,

or a blend of both. They’re heat-friendly and can be styled.

Synthetic wigs are more affordable and durable but human hair wigs offer more styling options, she says.

Toppers, which clip onto your own hair, can add volume and style, while blending seamlessly with your own hair.

It’s important to consult with a professional when buying a wig. Getting the proper fit is important.

“Most of my clients are women, but some men, especially if they’re still working, while going through cancer treatment, want something to keep their look,” she says.

Cancer treatment is not the only reason for hair loss. Stress, hormonal changes, medications, diet, genetics and other issues can cause hair loss. Genrich has seen COVID-19 patients lose hair, too, usually a few months after being sick.

Some women just want good hair on demand, especially when they travel.

Genrich is a certified hair loss consultant, a member of the American Hair Loss Council, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and a designer for ‘Beauty in You’ classes for cancer patients.

For an appointment, call (815) 2225187 or email her at cindygenrich@yahoo.com. ❚

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Your Technology

How to Reduce Your Tech and Energy Bills

By Janine Pumilia

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aking the most of our money is always smart, but it’s especially important now that inflation has risen worldwide due to the pandemic.

One painless way many consumers are tightening their belts is by changing the way they access tech services, including entertainment.

“Some people are paying separate monthly bills for subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu when they could be consolidating to a dish satellite and Internet service that offers more than 10,000 titles of movies and TV shows on demand,” says Charles Zambrano, owner and general manager of EZ Satellite & Wireless and EZ Solar, 6239 N. Second St. in Loves Park.

“Each streaming subscription charges separate fees and taxes. When people consolidate their costs with a satellite ser-

vice, they save at least 40% on their entertainment bills and, in many cases, a lot more than that. I’ve helped people who were paying more than $300 per month reduce their costs by half.”

Zambrano helps his customers understand exactly what they’re paying for with tech services including cell phone, Internet and home security. He’s licensed to offer services from any TV provider, including DirectTV, Dish Network, ATT, Comcast and Rise Broadband. He can also install an antenna for a one-time cost

starting at $350 that allows customers to receive up to 40 channels free.

“A lot of people aren’t happy with their tech services but aren’t sure how to reduce costs without losing features they like,” he says. “Sometimes they don’t understand the services or don’t have time to research them, but I can help them.”

Another way Zambrano helps customers to save money is by installing solar panels on their homes.

“Right now, some of my customers are earning back up to half of the cost of solar installation by using energy-efficiency tax credits offered by the state and federal governments,” says Zambrano.

“Anyone interested should ask me about these as soon as possible, while the credits are still being offered. Not everyone qualifies, but I can help you figure out whether you do.”

Stop in at the store or call (815) 9574335. ❚

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Your Fun

Entertainment & Events

AE: ‘Ben Butler’ Opens March 24. General Ben Butler was a lawyer in civilian life and is called in to deal with a legal tangle two years prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. Based on true events. Artists Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford College, 5050 E. State St., (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

NIU Gamelan Ensemble April 8, 7:30 p.m. The musicians, under the direction of Alex Yoffe, is a student performance group from the School of Music and Center for Southeast Asian Studies at NIU. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

‘Las Obras Maestras Latinas’ March 26, 7:30 p.m. Classical guitarist and guest performer Thomas Aquino performs Latino music with Spanish translation by Maria Elena White. Janesville PAC, 408 S. Main St., (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Patrick Beckman April 10, 2 p.m. This concert by the Freeport, Ill., pianist and composer features alloriginal music, including jazz, blues, rock, gospel and classical. A blend of American styles fused with traditional European approaches. Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis., (608) 325-5700, monroeartscenter.com.

Rock River Valley Train Show March 26 & 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun. The 30th annual show with more than 42,000 sq. ft. of model railroad vendors, displays, and operating layouts. Harlem High School, 9229 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, rrvd-nmra.com.

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‘2nd Thursday Concert Series April 21, 7 p.m. The award-winning 2nd City Chorus is comprised of men and women of all ages and backgrounds specializing in four-part harmony a cappella. Concert is

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Enjoy lots of running model train displays March 26 & 27 at Harlem High School.

free. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford, (815) 986-0628, katiescup.com.

BCT: ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ April 28-May 7, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.Sun. 3 p.m. Four redneck gas station attendants and a pair of waitressing sisters sing a collection of radio-worthy country ballads and rock tunes as they go about their lives.

Beloit Civic Theatre, Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre, Beloit Memorial High School, 1225 4th St., Beloit, (608) 362-1595, beloitcivictheatre.org. ❚

Spring Cleaning?

Donate to the ReStore!

We offer FREE donation pickups.

Call 815-580-1205 to schedule a pickup.

You can also drop off your donations. We accept donations Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm.

7141 Harrison Ave, Rockford IL | 815-713-3184 | rockfordhabitat.org @restorerockford

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