Smart Living Rockford- July 2023

Making Memories

Happy summer, Smart Living readers! I hope you had a great 4th of July.

For my family, the past few weeks have been a blur of swimming lessons, ice cream sundaes and frequent trips to the zoo. A personal highlight was seeing Taylor Swift in Chicago, which was honestly the greatest experience of my life. Full stop.

Summer is a time when my husband and I like to slow down and actually use those vacation days we diligently stored up during colder months. It’s also a time when I suddenly become a morning person, waking up extra early to read books for fun and drink coffee on the front porch. It’s a season that flies by way too fast, in my opinion.

In general, time is flying by so fast. When I stop to think about it, I realize my 6-yearold cousin who I nannied for a summer is now 16. She’s also almost taller than me, and I’m 5’10! We used to spend our days baking cupcakes for neighbors and watching “Jessie” and “Austin & Ally” on Disney Channel. Now, she tells me about her friend drama and comments heart-eye emojis on my Instagram posts.

Another girl who I used to babysit is now a fully-grown adult, working toward her Ph.D. She also just got engaged. I swear it was just yesterday when she was kicking my butt at a Sonic the Hedgehog video game.

My son, Elliot, is now RUNNING, which probably throws me the most. He was a little delayed with his gross motor skills, but now it’s obvious that I never had anything to worry about. He basically walked for a day and now he sprints everywhere. As a parent, it’s an exhausting relief.

The days are long, but I know there will come a time when I’ll wonder how it all went by so fast. All I can do is create more opportunities to make those happy memories with my family, and maybe, if I’m lucky, get tickets to see Taylor Swift again someday. (One can only dream).

I wish you a wonderful summer full of long days and happy memories made! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Got Fruit?

People sometimes try to manipulate Christians. They may say all the right things, but something about them feels “off.” This is nothing new, and Jesus addressed it in Matthew 7: 15.

“Watch out for false prophets,” he told his disciples. “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

How do we recognize them?

“By their fruit you will recognize them,” Jesus said. “Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

Those who incite hatred, or anything that contradicts scripture, aren’t bearing good fruit.

What is good fruit? Paul the apostle answers this in Galatians 5:13-26. He names “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol” among things we reap when we’re led by the Spirit and not the flesh.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But don’t use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They’re in conflict with each other, so you aren’t to do whatever you want. But if you’re led by the Spirit, you’re not under the law.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” ❚

– Janine Pumilia

Family Fun at German Valley Days

By Peggy Werner

Thisyear’s German Valley Days, July 14-16 at Ben Miller Park on Church Street, features more music and historical tours as it celebrates the festival’s 50th year and the 175th anniversary of the town’s settlement.

“German Valley Days is a very family-oriented festival, so we try to do things the entire family will enjoy and give everyone a feeling of togetherness,” says Donna Smith of the festival’s planning committee.

New this year are historical tours that depart at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. More tours will be added, if needed, Smith says.

The Play4Fun band, a multi-genre dance band, performs at 6 p.m. Friday, and Lynx of Rockford plays legendary favorites at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Smith says German Valley has two

“claims to fame.” It was the first settlement in America to come out of Ostfriesland, Germany.

“In 1847, a party of eight immigrants were on a ship headed to St. Louis, when someone suggested they head for northwest Illinois because the climate and farmland was similar to where they were coming from,” Smith says.

Secondly, German Valley is known for Pleasant Prairie Academy, which was founded to provide training for Germanspeaking ministers. Through the years, the academy turned into a college prep school, and then a private high school of the Silver Creek Reformed Church, which closed in 1958, she says.

When the academy closed, the bank bought the property and donated it to the village for a park. German Valley Days began as a fundraiser to develop the park,

and then was taken over by the local Lions Club. Today, the money raised goes into the next year’s festival, which traditionally includes a 5K run, car show, pig scramble, basketball tournament, children’s activities, pageants, fireworks, food, drinks, snacks, a parade and more.

Today, the park includes shelters, a basketball court, softball diamond, and a playground that was updated just a few years ago, Smith says.

German Valley is located in southeast Stephenson County, 25 miles west of Rockford, 10 miles east of Freeport, and 100 miles west of Chicago.

For a complete schedule of events, go to germanvalleydays.com. ❚

Festa Italiana Provides Great Food and Fun

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Rockford’s family-friendly Festa

Italiana is returning Aug. 4-6 to the Boylan High School Grounds, 4000 St. Francis Dr. In addition to delicious food and beverages, festivalgoers can expect carnival rides, Italian dancers, “kids krafts,” wine and limoncello demonstrations, genealogy searches and bocce games all weekend. A special outdoor mass is celebrated by Bishop Malloy on Sunday at 10 a.m.

“Forty-four years ago, two men, Noe [Whitey] Marinelli and Bob [Corky] Corirossi had an inspiration – a festival that would join the Italian community in Rockford for one weekend a year,” says Karen Cantele, a member of the Festa Executive Committee and co-chair of Greater Rockford Italian American Association [GRIAA].

“It was one big family reunion, but it

turned into so much more,” she continues. “They started a scholarship program for Italian-American students to go to area Catholic Schools, and here we are 44 years later still raising money for more scholarships. Over $755,000 has been given through the years to students in grades K-12 through our umbrella organization, GRIAA.”

GRIAA is a nonprofit organization headed and staffed solely by volunteers, Cantele adds. It serves as a conservatory of Italian culture and traditions and provides the com-

munity an opportunity to experience the customs and traditions of Italy firsthand through a variety of educational programs and public events provided by GRIAA Committees.

“Italian-Americans in Rockford are very proud of their heritage,” Cantele says. “And we are very proud to be a part of the Rockford community in our businesses, the four Italian Clubs [Lom-

bardi, St. Ambrogio, Verdi and Venetian], many community leadership roles, and of course our beloved home church St. Anthony of Padua. Rockford is such a melting pot of cultures – I feel that the community is very supportive throughout the year to all.”

Over the past 44 years, Festa Italiana hasn’t changed very much from its original form. And that’s intentional, Cantele says.

“I think that is why we are the longest running festival in Rockford. People have learned they can depend on Festa to provide great food and fun for the whole family every year,” she says.

More than 100 volunteers are the backbone of this year’s festival, and planning is an allyear task, Cantele adds.

“We also have so many great sponsors that support us every year. Every donation is appreciated and all profits go to our scholarship fund.”

General admission is $8 per ticket, while kids ages 10 and under and military active duty and veterans enter free. A family pack is available for $90 and includes four admissions, two ride wrist bands and $20 worth of food tickets. Special ride wristbands are available on

Saturday from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-7 p.m. for $30.

“What I love most is the feeling of family that you get when you come to Festa,” Cantele says. “You see old friends and make new ones. And while you may only see them once a year, it’s always full of fun and makes lifetime memories.”

To see the full entertainment schedule, visit festaitalianarockford.com. ❚

Rockford’s Festa Italiana is coming up Aug. 4-6 at the Boylan High School Grounds and features great food and entertainment.

Circle of Wellness Hosts a Big Celebration

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

To celebrate its 15th year in business, Circle of Wellness is hosting a free, public event on Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in its parking lot at 1820 Windsor Road, Loves Park.

The event, Wellness in the Park, includes free service demos, vendors of all kinds, face painting, a bounce house, sweet treats, giveaways, food and a live DJ. Admission is free, while products and services are available for purchase.

“I always say you are only as good as your team,” says Leila Kayser-MacQueen, owner of Circle of Wellness. “I

owe everything to my team. I have had some good ones throughout the past 15 years – some are still here. I also owe a dedication to Dr. James Morgano who was by my side for 13 years and sadly passed away last year. This is everything we work towards as a team – he would be so proud.”

A particular special that’s available for purchase at the event is three 1-hour massages for $120. More service specials will also be available.

Circle of Wellness moved to its Loves Park facility in July of 2022 to accommodate an ever-growing staff and larger menu of services that aim to treat the body both inside and out. Currently, Circle of Wellness employs 30 people, including 20 licensed massage therapists and a full-time chiropractor in Dr. Colleen Noe, whose treatment specialties

include nutrition, acupuncture, physical therapy and supplements.

Client services include chiropractic care, acupuncture, reflexology, rehabilitation, nutrition, breathing training, laser hair removal, red light therapy, weight loss, and a full med-spa for skin care needs.

For more information, visit circleofwellnessrockford.com. ❚

Leila Kayser-MacQueen

Starlight Theatre: ‘Oliver!’

July 26-30, 8 p.m. Oliver Twist navigates London’s underworld of theft and violence while searching for a home. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.

Stephenson County Fair

July 25-29, gates open daily 8 a.m. Featuring truck and tractor pulls, amusement park rides, shopping, children’s activities, demolition derby and musical entertainment. Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, (815) 235-2918, stephensoncountyfair.org.

Rock County 4-H Fair

July 25-30, daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m. The fair includes a carnival, entertainment, 4-H exhibits and mainstage shows featuring Dan Lipein. Rock County Fairgrounds, 1301 Craig Ave., Janesville, (608) 755-1470, rockcounty4hfair.com.

Entertainment & Events

Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.

Starlight Theatre: ‘Cinderella’

Aug. 2-6, 8 p.m. This updated take on the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein tale includes new characters and songs. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.

Korean Lanterns

Aug. 2, 6 p.m. The Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project guides you through a craft and documentary film. For ages 10 and older. Reg. req. Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere, (815) 544-3838, idapubliclibrary.org.

Ogle County Fair

Aug. 2-6, events daily. Antique tractor parade and pull, demolition derby, rodeo, 4-H exhibits and drill team, carnival, rides, entertainment and

the vehicles and refreshments. Rockford Public Schools Parking Lot, 4th Avenue & 7th Street, Rockford, (815) 986-0628, katiescup.com.

Boone County Fair

Many county fairs are coming up soon in our region, including ones in Stephenson, Rock, Ogle and Boone Counties.

@Elkhorn Antique Flea Market