Contributing Writers Paula Hendrickson, Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner
General Sales Manager Brent Hughes
Sales Manager Brad Hughes
Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky
Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes
Shop With Intention
Every holiday season, we’re reminded to “shop local,” especially in this magazine, which champions small businesses. But this year, the message feels more urgent.
Small businesses need our support.
They’re the storefronts that give our downtowns character, the restaurants that host our celebrations, and the boutiques where real people pour their creativity into their work. When we choose to spend our holiday dollars locally, we’re investing in the people and places that make our towns feel like home.
Even if you reallocate just one of your Amazon or Target purchases toward a local business instead, you’re making a difference.
Think about the bookstore where someone who loves reading just as much as you do will gladly spend 10 minutes recommending the perfect gift. Think about the barista who knows your kids by name (shout out to Erika!). These neighbors aren’t backed by giant corporations or national advertising campaigns. They rely on the steady, intentional support of the people who walk through their doors.
Shopping local strengthens our community. When you buy from a small business, more of your money stays in the local economy. A purchase from a local shop creates a ripple effect that touches the entire town. When you pick up a gift card from the family-run restaurant that sponsors your kid’s sports team, you’re helping keep people employed. Those dollars stay in our town, strengthening the very place we call home.
And beyond the economics, there’s a warmth to local shopping you simply can’t find online or in big-box stores. You get personal service, unique gifts and the knowledge that your purchase genuinely matters.
This season, as we navigate long lists and tight budgets, let’s be intentional. Let’s choose gifts with stories behind them.
Let’s show up for the businesses that show up for us all year long. ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
Checking Built for Better Results
Total Access Checking
The Inside Scoop on Window Treatments
By Chris Linden, executive editor
Joshua Kierzyk has seen windows of all shapes and sizes, and he’s found a solution for each. Arch windows, circles, octagons, even triangles – each one will accommodate a window treatment. You just need the right solution.
As an installer and sales associate for Sunburst Shutters of Chicago, one of his specialties is the Polywood shutter, a frame with slats that sits in your window frame. It’s one of the fastest-growing types of window treatments, in part because of its ability to match natural light and privacy.
Sunburst Shutters also sells custom blinds, shades and draperies, but after 35 years in business its most enduring product is the plantation-style shutter, in part because it’s well adapted for unusual shapes or locations.
“We have seen just about everything, even people calling about the windows in
their entryway,” he says. “That’s one of the smallest windows in the house, but a lot of times you can see down the hallway to the back of the house. People want privacy.”
Whatever style of window treatment you’re seeking, the process starts with a free consultation. This is a chance to learn about your options, see some samples and talk ideas. A salesperson will take measurements and offer a quote based on the products you like. When it’s time for installation, Sunburst Shutters has its own installers, repair crew and sales team.
Polywood shutters come with a lifetime warranty for a product that’s made in Wisconsin and custom-crafted in Huntley. It takes about six to eight weeks to have your order ready, and installation typically happens in just one day. The product also comes with tax breaks for energy-efficiency – so it’s cost-compet-
itive against similar products. Still, it’s about the right fit.
“We like to say that, when you go with shutters, it’s an investment,” says Kierzyk. “There’s more of an upfront cost, but you should have your window treatment for as long as you live in your house, without any worries.” ❚
For a free consultation, call Sunburst Shutters at (847) 697-4000 or visit sunburstshutterschicago.com.
The Christmas Story
The following is a portion of the Christmas Story from Luke chapter 2. Give yourself the gift of some quiet time this holiday to contemplate the greatest gift of all.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told ... ❚
-Janine Pumilia
Stress-Busting Programs
Dementia & Chronic Illness
Program Details
When & Where
Wednesdays for 9 Weeks
January 7th-March 4th
10:00 AM-11:30 AM- Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, 1111 S. Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL. DEMENTIA FOCUS
2:00 PM-3:30 PM- Lifescape Community Services, 615 N. Longwood St, Rockford, IL. CHRONIC ILLNESS FOCUS
5:00 PM-6:30 PM- Lifescape Adult Day Program, 1330 S. Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL. DEMENTIA FOCUS
Contact
Registration Required! Call 815-490-1107
Limited to the first 10 participants per class
The Stress-Busting Program (SBP) for Family Caregivers™ is an evidence-based program that provides support to family caregivers of persons with dementia or a chronic illness. It has been proven to improve the quality of life for family caregivers who provide care to an older loved one, helping them manage their stress and cope better with their lives.
During the Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers™, caregivers will:
• Learn about stress and its effects
• Practice stress management techniques
• Develop problem-solving skills
9-Week Stress Management Evidence-Based Program
Week 1: Getting Started
Week 2: Stress: Effects on Mind, Body and Spirit
Week 3: Caregiver Stress and Relaxation
Week 4: Facing Challenges
Week 5: Grief, Loss and Depression
Week 6: Coping with Stress
Week 7: Positive Thinking
Week 8: Taking Care of Yourself
Week 9: Choosing a Path of Wellness
Discover a New Hometown Tradition
By Jim Taylor, managing editor
Each summer, people flock to Beloit’s ABC Supply Stadium to cheer on their hometown baseball team, the Sky Carp. Now that baseball season is over and the holiday season has begun, fans have a new reason to cheer. Hometown Holiday Lights, the stadium’s dazzling new winter attraction, ushers in a sparkling new tradition: turning the ballpark into a festive wonderland for the entire community.
“This is our first-ever event like this, and we are so excited to bring it to the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region,” says Zach Brockman, president of the Sky Carp.
Through Jan. 4, the stadium shimmers with more than a million lights choreographed to holiday music. Guests stroll along the concourse and onto the field, where illuminated tunnels, themed
displays and interactive features bring the holiday spirit to life. They can also board a jolly holiday train that rolls through the stands for a bird’s-eye view. Fire pits offer warmth for chilly hands, and hot cocoa keeps hearts cozy. No holiday event is complete without a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. They’re at the stadium, too, so they can greet guests while kids drop off letters, try their hand at crafts or join a seasonal scavenger hunt.
ries and a holiday tradition everyone can share.
Group packages are available for businesses, organizations and families who want a private indoor space, festive food and drinks, and a front-row view of the lights up in the box seats.
Brockman envisions the new event as a way to gather families at the stadium, creating joyful moments, lasting memo-
“There’s nothing better than seeing families come together to make memories at the ballpark – even when there’s no baseball being played,” he says. “The lights, the music, and the joy it brings to the community make it truly special.” ❚ Grab tickets and find more information at SkyCarp.com.
Hometown Holiday Lights continues through Jan. 4.
Holiday Pops Returns With 200+ Performers
By Peggy Werner
Heavenly voices create feelings of joy when combined with the majestic sounds of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) at the annual Holiday Pops, this year at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St.
“The Holiday Pops includes more performers than ever before, with more than 200 individuals on stage at one time,” says Julie Thomas, RSO executive director. “It creates an amazing sound and powerful experience for those on stage and in the audience.”
“We always invite other organizations to be part of the performance to represent the entire community,” she adds. “It adds to the robustness of the performance.”
Children, adults, amateurs, students and professionals make up the hundreds
of performers kicking off the holiday season, including those in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, the Nielsen Chorale, Guilford High School Choir, Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra, Kantorei, Rockford Youth Chorus, and special guests including Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and Christopher Brady, director of Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre.
Kevin Stites is the principal pops conductor for the third consecutive year and says the two-hour performance includes many holiday favorites and other festive original scores.
Thomas describes Stites as “a high-
energy and creative individual, who really thinks about what the audience enjoys and how to make the performance magical for them.”
Stites says he is “breaking the mold” and doing things a bit different this year.
To begin with, the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) Sterling String Quartet will be playing in the lobby before the concert and the RSYO Brass Quintet will perform on stage.
“When people walk in the doors, I want them to be filled with Christmas,” he says. “During the concert, I want to move people with the joy and sheer beauty of the sounds coming from the orchestra and choirs, while experiencing the Christmas message.”
From Pecatonica, Stites lived in New York for 25 years and conducted 13 Broadway musicals and was with the
Get Connec ted. Get Help.™
Radio City Christmas Spectacular for six seasons. He most recently accepted a position as the music director at the Savanna College of Arts and Design in Georgia.
He says “it’s an honor” to be in front of his hometown orchestra.
“When I was growing up, I remember being impressed and so proud of our symphony orchestra,” he says. “As a kid, I remember going to the Coronado to watch movies and thinking how magical it was for anyone to be on that stage. I’ve had the good fortune of being in front of some terrific groups including several appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. To be back in my hometown is incredibly special.”
He says the Holiday Pops is – and should be – a tradition for people in the community because of all it represents.
“It’s about the thrills and chills you can get only with live music and live singers,” he says. “But it’s also about feeling the joy of the season and appre-
ciating one another, and not taking what we have for granted. It’s a chance to push aside the commercialism of Christmas and remind people about the heart and soul of the season.”
Joel Ross was recently appointed artistic director of the Nielsen Chorale, which is the RSO resident chorus. He is also a music educator, arranger, composer, vocalist and pianist.
Ross says under Stites direction, Holiday Pops has taken on a more “theatrical mood” as a stage production featuring artistic sets, actors, singers, instrumentalists and special lighting, while still communicating the story of Christmas through music.
“There will be large scale pieces
with a big chorus of more than 100 voices and moments of quiet reflection. Just like the many moods of Christmas, those same moods will be reflected in the music, with themes of hope, peace, light and joy interwoven throughout the entire production,” he says.
The musical variety includes traditional holiday songs, fresh arrangements of those traditional numbers, and more intimate moments, such as the Ancora Vocal Jazz Ensemble singing acapella, and some “musical surprises.”
Thomas says the concert is an important holiday tradition.
“The audience is as important as the musicians on stage. I hope the audience feels their role is meaningful and valuable, giving them an even deeper experience.” ❚
Tickets can be purchased in person at the RSO office at 715 N. Main St. or by calling 815-965-0049. Online purchases at rockfordsymphony.com include service fees.
A Personalized Approach to Funeral Services
By Jim Taylor, managing editor
Funeral services aren’t what they used to be, and at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, that evolution has been driven by listening, personalization and a deep commitment to guiding families through grief.
Melinda Hagerman has spent nearly four decades as a funeral director and embalmer with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, which operates at 1860 S. Mulford Road and 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Her colleague, Fred G. Muehlfelder, began his own career in 1972. With more than 50 years in the profession, he’s witnessed the industry transform from quiet, traditional services to meaningful celebrations of life shaped entirely around the person being remembered.
Early in his career, Muehlfelder approached each burial with a checklist in hand. Today, when he sits down with a
grieving family, the page is blank – waiting to be filled with their ideas of how to properly say goodbye and tell the story of their loved one.
The first thing we do is listen,” he says. “If you encourage them to share their feelings and hear what is important, you learn what is meaningful to them.”
The Fitzgerald team then delivers on these shared feelings, whether that means a sports-themed farewell or motorcycles rumbling through the chapel.
“We’ve had fire trucks, mail trucks and classic cars lined up in the parking lot,” says Hagerman. “We’ve had horses and bald eagles. Each of those meant so much to that person, and that’s why we’re happy to do it.”
Often, the Fitzgerald team finds themselves guiding families through the many possibilities available to them.
“People come in and say, ‘I just want a cremation.’ That can run the spectrum from no services to having a full service with the body present before cremation,” he says. “A lot of families aren’t aware of these options, so we are able to educate them and provide something meaningful that they might not even have known was possible.”
For the funeral directors and staff at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, their work is far more than paperwork or quiet arrangements. Their true service is creating a space where families can grieve authentically and honor their loved ones. ❚
Dial 211: United Way Provides Support
By Peggy Werner
Whenlife throws a curveball, help may just be three digits away.
Dialing 211 is a free service that links individuals to human and social services for non-emergency needs, including housing, food, transportation, job training, healthcare and counseling. It’s available to everyone, regardless of age or circumstance, and serves people with disabilities as well as veterans.
“People often associate calling 211 with the financially needy, but any of us could need services provided by the network at any time,” says Mishel Browning, who recently joined United Way of Rock River Valley to strengthen and expand the 211 network in Winnebago County. The program is funded locally by United Way.
Since January, the Winnebago County 211 has handled more than 3,500 re-
quests for assistance by phone, email or text. Residents can also find help online at IL211.org, or by texting their zip code to 898-211. The most recent inquiries have come from people struggling to afford basic needs, Browning says.
In her new role, Browning has met with nearly 40 community organizations, including nonprofits, human service agencies and local government leaders.
“My job is to let people know our 211 network is being revitalized and will be better than ever by connecting with more agencies and serving more people,” she says.
Julie Bosma, president and CEO of United Way of Rock River Valley, says she hopes calling 211 becomes the natural first step whenever someone faces a challenge.
“I want calling 211 to be the first
thing people think of when a need arises,” she says. “We’re working to make the network as strong and trusted as possible.”
Janessa Wilkins, director of community programs with Comprehensive Community Solutions and 7th Ward Alderwoman on Rockford’s City Council, says 211 is a vital resource she regularly recommends.
“It’s not always easy to get help, but if you know where to turn, people can feel empowered,” she says. “I always tell people, if you don’t get what you need, call me back. But when they do call back, it’s usually to say ‘thank you.’” ❚
Pet Therapy Boosts Recovery at Beloit Health
By Paula Hendrickson
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing practices, may also have been the first to recognize the healing power of pets. In her 1860 book “Notes on Nursing,” Nightingale wrote, “a small pet is often an excellent companion for the sick.” More than a centuryand-a-half later, Beloit Health System’s volunteer-based Pet Therapy Team is proving Nightingale right.
It started about a decade ago when Cody Monyelle, a nurse and now Stroke Coordinator at Beloit Health System, saw a pet therapy program at another facility and got inspired.
“I thought we could benefit from that here, because it helps with the therapeutic process for patient recovery,” Monyelle says. “There’ve been studies that have shown it improves vital signs and helps with emotional stress, and patients’ psy-
chosocial demeanor improves after pet therapy visits.”
Beloit’s dogs must be current on all vaccinations, have a negative fecal exam every year, and be bathed within 24 hours of their visit (dry shampoos are allowed). The dogs also wear tags indicating they’re certified therapy dogs.
There’s no size limit on therapy dogs, and any breed or mix can join – if their temperament is right.
“They have to pass a rigorous test,” says Kris Dirks, who brings her collie named Keeva. “Once that’s done and they pass you, then you can get your certification. We’re certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs.”
Patients and their families light up when furry visitors enter the room. Staff members usually do, too. Dirks sees joy in people’s eyes when Keeva the collie
enters a room. “If you’re an older person who remembers Lassie, there she is in flesh, in the fur.”
Getting their dogs to the hospital is the human volunteers’ main role. The real work is up to the dogs.
“Sometimes I work as a nurse afterwards, and even a couple of days later they’re still talking about the visit they had with the pet therapy dog,” Monyelle says.
If you think your dog has the temperament for pet therapy, Dirks has one piece of advice: “Go for it!” ❚
Illuminated
Dec. 4-14, Thurs.-Sun. 5-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 18Jan. 4, daily 5-8:30 p.m. Enjoy the wintertime light experience with thousands of lights woven throughout the Garden. Woodfire Pizza and a rotating schedule of food trucks nightly. Anderson Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
Luminaria Magic
Dec. 12-13, 5-9 p.m. Pathways come alive with the soft glow of luminaria lights. Listen to music by Canto Zenzero on Friday and SwingBilly RFD on Saturday. Hot cocoa and s’mores stations are on site. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.
Christmas in the Trenches
Dec. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. See a reenactment of the 1914 World War I Christmas truce, when soldiers called an unofficial ceasefire during the holiday week. Sing carols, sip hot chocolate, view artifacts and more. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Broadway at the Coronado: ‘Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol’ Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. The musical features songs by the country singer and a story adapted by American author David H. Bell. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado.asmrockford.com.
Dean Z: The Ultimate Elvis
Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. The high-energy tribute show takes a musical journey through the 20-year career of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” from his rise to fame in the 1950s to his infamous Las Vegas performances in the 1970s. Coronado Theatre,
Entertainment & Events
314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado.asmrockford.com.
RSO: “Holiday Pops’
Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Hear favorite melodies to get the whole family in the holiday spirit, with nearly 200 performers gathered from throughout the community. Guest appearances by The Nielsen Chorale, Kantorei, Rockford’s Premier Youth Orchestra, Christopher Brady and more. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9650049, rockfordsymphony.org.
Irish Christmas
Dec. 21, 3 p.m. The Irish Marching Society gathers Danny McDade, Emerald Wind and Trinadora for a reflection on the yuletide traditions of
the Emerald Isle. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 979-1949, springcreekucc.org.
Winter Solstice Gathering
Dec. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. On the longest night of the year, honor the stillness, the darkness and the promise of light’s return. It’s a time of welcoming the return of the sun. Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Carl’s Critter Corner
Dec. 22, 1 p.m. Led by Educator Carl Deaton, experience hands-on encounters with animals, hear fun facts, participate in themed crafts and enjoy surprises along the way. For children ages 3-6. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.
‘Elvis Spectacular’
Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Celebrate the music of Elvis Presley, era by era, with award-winning tribute artists. Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (779) 269-9010, casino.hardrock.com.
Don McLean
Jan. 18, 7 p.m. After paying his dues in the late 1960s, he had mega-hits like “Starry, Starry Night,” and “Castles in the Air.” Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (779) 2699010, casino.hardrock.com.
Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition
Jan. 28-31, daily during park hours. Teams from around the state compete to represent Illinois in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition. Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org. ❚
