KC_Mag_Oct2018

THE HOME EDITION

five

OCTOBER 2018

GARDEN MISTAKES you may be making PAGE 18

Batavia is

Styles

BOOMING

you can live in PAGE 37

Plus:

Experts at the ready for all your home design projects!

PAGE 20

Move in and make memories at Cooper Woods

Cooper Woods is the ideal neighborhood with close proximity to downtown Geneva, the Metra, and adjacent to Geneva Golf Club.

• Close to downtown restaurants & shopping • Adjacent to Geneva Golf Club • Less than a mile to Metra station • Ranch and two story elevations • Fully custom homes with gourmet kitchens • Three to four bedroom plans with full basements

SCHEDULE A PRIVATE VIEWING OR SEE OTHER AVAILABLE PLANS!

630.232.4000 HavlicekBuilders.com

To see this kitchen visit Havlicek Builder’s, Cooper Woods model in Geneva.

Editor's

NOTE Home.

It’s sweet. It’s where the heart is. There’s no place like it.

And to truly find respite and peace at home, we need to make these spaces our own, from where they are located to how they look and feel, inside and out.

In this month’s edition of Kane County Magazine, we focus on the home, and offer you, our readers, options to make your own home brighter, better, and more of what you want to come home to.

We explore the individual appeal of each of our towns along the Fox River, and discover what makes each a hot ticket in real estate.

We feature experts from across the home design and improvement industry – contractors, agents, décor specialists, landscape designers and more – all ready to help you make your home dreams a reality.

There are family festivals and Halloween happenings, music, food and more to keep to busy and entertained throughout October.

And while we love our homes here in the Tri-Cities, we know that sometimes, you just need a getaway. So we are introducing a new destination feature this month, to help you plan your weekend jaunt, family vacation, or trip of a lifetime. This month, we highlight Arlington, Texas, for a dose of the holidays, Southern-style.

So curl up with a cup of tea, settle in for a while and peruse the pages of this month’s KC Magazine, for all you need to make your house a home, right here in Kane County.

Thanks for reading,

We visit local boutiques to discover great fall styles, so comfortable and easy to wear, you’ll never want to take them off. And that’s good, because we’ve got plenty of places to go and things to see, from morning to evening, all month long.

Sherri Dauskurdas Editor

PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6263sdauskurdas@ shawmedia.com DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com LOCAL SALES MANAGER Daily Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Stephanie Frazier, Jonathan Bilyk, Kelsey O’Connor, Kelli Murray, Aimee Barrows, Tom Witom, Peter Stadalsky PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney

on the

COVER

Fall calls for comfort, – cozy knits and flexible fabrics to cover up as the season's chill air blows in.

Check out the styles we found on page 37.

Photo by RON MCKINNEY Salon Services by MARIO TRICOCI Stylist - JADE Makeup - KAT Nails - REZEHANA

4

OCTOBER

2018

This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

Published by Shaw Media 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-845-5288

INSIDE

What's

OUT & ABOUT 8 A HOWLIN’ GOOD TIME Catch some great Halloween events across the Tri-Cities.

10 FABULOUS FALL FUN Other great events abound in October.

12 WRITERS’ GROUPS If prose is your passion, form bonds with other local writers in a nearby group.

FOCUS ON FAMILY 14 IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS Our Suburban Superdad takes on DIY, with pride, perseverance and the help of the kids.

16 POP IN AT PRIMROSE Drop-in programs offer an interactive farm experience for the entire family.

HOME & LIFESTYLE 18 GUESSING IN THE GARDEN Our landscape expert shares five garden mistakes you may be making.

20 HOT TIME IN THE CITIES Batavia is booming, St. Charles is steady and Geneva is always a draw. Local experts in real estate tell us why the Tri-Cities remain a hot place to live.

22 FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION Architect Tim Nelson brings beauty to functionality.

24 WINDOW TO A BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR Hang Time Installations offers personal attention, quality window treatments.

6

OCTOBER

2018

26 HEAVEN SENT Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors delivers when it comes to home improvement projects.

28 TURNING HOUSES INTO HOMES House of Fireplaces adding comfort and style for more than 60 years.

30 WEEKEND UPDATE Find five yard projects you can complete in a single fall weekend.

DINING & ENTERTAINING 32 INSPIRALIZED Tom’s Cookbook Library reviews the latest entry by Ali Maffucci.

34 THE COST OF CLEAN WATER Stockholm’s takes charge in water conservation effort.

36 PRIMO PASTA! Osteria Bigolaro marks its year as a part of downtown Geneva dining scene.

FASHION & BEAUTY 37 FALL FASHIONS FOUND We’ve got comfortable knits and flexible fabrics in styles you can live in.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 40 NEW LEASE ON LIFE Northwestern Medicine gets active senior up and moving again.

42 WELLNESS? CHECK. Tri-City Health Partnership quietly filling the gap in community health care.

TRAVEL 46 CANOE CAMPING BASICS our travel expert Peter Stadalsky shares some tips for an adventurous canoe trip.

48 Awesome Arlington if you’re looking for a holiday destination to warm your spirits, Arlington Texas has plenty to enjoy.

BUSINESS & CIVIC 50 THE VALUE OF A GUIDE In personal financial planning, just like any journey, expertise makes all the difference.

56 ARTIST SHOWCASE Ester Melina Scott, a self-taught Argentinian immigrant, shares her work.

CALL THE MCDOWELL TEAM TODAY TO SET UP A TIME FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!

Have a howlin’ good time at great Halloween events across the Tri-Cities

 HALLOWEEN HAYDAY October 27 Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center 3507 Kaneville Road Geneva 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 33RD ANNUAL SCARECROW FEST October 5-7 Downtown St. Charles Main Street between 4th and 5th Streets Scarecrow Fest began in 1985 with a few contest entries in St. Charles, Illinois’ Lincoln Park. It has grown from a small community festival to a nationally recognized festival attracting over 100,000 over the three-day Columbus Day weekend. Over 100 handmade and mechanical scarecrows will be on display. It’s pure family fun. Shop the arts & crafts show. Dance to live music. Spin on thrilling carnival rides. Best of all, admission is free!  HOWL O’ WEEN DOG PARADE October 27 Peck Farm Park 4038 Kaneville Road Geneva 1:30 p.m.

Bring your dogs and dress-to-impress at Peck Farm Park’s Howl O’ Ween Dog Parade!

Prizes will be awarded for most creative, funniest, and scariest costumes.

Line-up is at 1:15 pm in the courtyard. The

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OUT & ABOUT OCTOBER 2018

It’s time to get spooky! Activities include kids games and crafts, a costume contest, science activities, a Halloween egg hunt, bounce houses, hay rides, and more!

Howl O’ Ween Dog Parade

parade begins promptly at 1:30 pm.

2018 Event Sponsors: Anderson Animal Shelter, Bentley’s Pet Stuff, and DePaw University.  BATFEST October 27 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Batavia Riverwalk BatFest is Batavia’s annual Halloween themed family event attracting over 2,500 ghouls. BatFest includes, downtown Trick-orTreating, the Mothers’ Club costume parade, pumpkin bowl, contests, BatArt and games for free family fun.

Also at the festival, shop the last of the Farmers’ Market outdoor season.

Ages 14 and under. Pre-registration is recommended.

Pre-Registration: $5 (N/R $8) Day-Of Registration: $7 (N/R $10) Free admission for adults  BOURBON STREET HALLOWEEN BASH October 28 Pheasant Run Resort and Spa 4051 East Main St. St. Charles Who says Halloween is just for the kids?

Adults can enjoy a howling good Halloween at Pheasant Run. Pick out a witch's hat or convince friends to dress up as a group because you won't want to miss this festive Halloween Party. Live music from Windy City Rev Ups from 9 p.m.- midnight. Costume contest at 11 p.m. with prizes. Anyone in costume will get 2 free tickets to Zanies Comedy Club!

Specialty cocktails include: Blood Sucker, Zombie Brains, Purple People Eater, and the Scarecrow!

Park Hours Wed. - Fri. 10am – 6pm Sat. 10am – 10pm Sun. 10am – 6pm Late Night Corn Maze & Movies in the Park Sat. 6pm – 10pm

Fall Fun for the Whole Family! mily!

Store Open Daily

Petting Zoo · Tractor Wagon Rides · 12-Acre Corn Maze · Ziplines Craft Beer & Wine Tent · Human Hamster Balls · Tractor Tire Hill Pirate Ship Adventure · Antique Tractors · Bouncing Cow Train Jumping Pillow · Pedal Go-Cart Track · Megadrop Slide · Fire Pits

Visit AbbeyFarms.org for the full list of activities!

(630) 966-7775 · abbeyfarms.org · info@abbeyfarms.org 2855 Hart Road, Aurora IL, 60502 ·    @AbbeyFarmsIL

Use this coupon:

Buy One Full-Price Pass For Only $5 Get One Fo

Valid 2018 Pumpkin Daze Season only. Must present this coupon for redemption. Not valid for cash or goods. No refunds. See Abbey Farms website for up-to-date seasonal hours and information. Valid for 1 $5 General Admission discounted day pass per full-paying guest. Limit 2 per visit. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Some rides not included with General Admission and are additional cost - see website for list of included attractions.

091802

OTHER GREAT EVENTS THIS MONTH  OKTOBERFEST Friday, October 5 Batavia

visit geneva illinois

Close to home.

FAR FROM ORDINARY!

If you haven’t been to Geneva lately… come! You’ll discover this charming town, nestled on the banks of the Fox River, is home to some of Chicagoland’s finest restaurants. Plus, food enthusiasts will enjoy the many specialty food stores and Geneva’s highly rated craft brewery. Pamper yourself and stay the weekend.

Plan your culinary adventure at genevachamber.com. We’ll be waiting.

A picture postcard .

™

(630) 232-6060 genevachamber.com

CUSTOMIZABLE PLANS FOR EVERY NEED Automobile insurance

Home insurance

Life insurance

Harry Stout Your Local Agent 11 S 2ND AVE STE 3 ST CHARLES, IL 60174 HSTOUT@FARMERSAGENT.COM https://agents.farmers.com/hstout

Call 847.640.0402 today!

Smart choices last a lifetime.

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states.

Coverage is not available in all states.

Life Insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3003 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

10

OUT & ABOUT OCTOBER 2018

Enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest event in a beautiful river community which will feature authentic German food, music, entertainment and of course, beer! Official Sam Adams stein hoisting contests on Friday night and Saturday night. Sunday will be Family Day, full of fun for the entire family including games, kid focused entertainment on stage, and event a Xfinity Sports Zone viewing area for football fans.  FLOWER FAIRIES IMAGINARY GARDEN & TEA PARTY Sunday, October 7 10:00 am - 11:00 am The Little Traveler 404 S 3rd St, Geneva An enchanting event for children ages 6 & up and adults. Toy designer Joyce Sprau will lead you in creating your own Flower Fairies garden using pieces from the Secret Garden Collection she designed. The collection is inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s charming 1920’s artwork.$30 per fairy garden (if more than 2 people work on one garden, the cost is $5 for additional guests), includes one fairy, supplies to make garden, iced or hot tea, and tasty treats. www.littletraveler. com/event/flower-fairiesimaginary-garden-tea-party  DOGFEST ILLINOIS 2018 Saturday, October 13 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, IL DogFest Illinois is celebrating the community of people and dogs that make it possible for Canine Companions to place assistance dogs with children, adults and veterans free of charge.

Grab your friends, family and dogs and head to Pottawatomie Park for the 6th annual DogFest Illinois benefiting Canine Companions for Independence.

Furry friends and families are invited to join us for a day of fun,

festivities, graduate speakers, dog demonstrations, music, food and more! Registration is free. Email pam@kombrink.com for details.  CLOSE TO YOU: THE MUSIC OF THE CARPENTERS Friday, October 19 7:30 pm Batavia Fine Arts Centre 1201 Main Street Price: $$13.00 to $14.50 www.bataviafineartscentre. org Considered one of the best vocalists of all time, Karen Carpenter captured the attention of a generation with her unabashedly catchy pop music.

The Carpenters' beautiful, memorable love songs topped the Billboard charts with more than a dozen number-one hits.

"Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters" brings these classics back to the stage at Batavia Fine Arts Centre with spot-on renditions performed by singer Lisa Rock and her six-piece band. Rock will showcase some of the most memorable songs of the '70s including "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays" and of course "Close to You."  33RD ANNUAL CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW Saturday, October 20 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Batavia High School 1201 Main St. This show spotlights a selection of arts and crafts designed and created by the artist and also an opportunity for commercial vendors to display their products.

There's a bit of something for everyone - women, men, and children alike! The show will also include the ever-popular bake sale, a charity raffle (with a variety of baskets geared towards everyone), and lunch services. This is a well-attended event with a $5 admission fee. Contact Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation via email at craftshow@bataviamothersclub. org.

Get to Know YOUR ESO! American Spectacular October 5-7

Inside the Music: Excerpts from Wagner’s The Ring November 2

Titans: Beethoven, Strauss and Wagner November 3 & 4

ESO Sounds of the Season December 8 & 9

Haydn’s Surprise Symphony January 11-13

ElginSymphony.Org 847.888.4000

THE ESO Transforming the Symphony Experience

Use code 18-KCM for 15% savings Restrictions apply

Writer Groups SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR PROSE WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY

By STEFANIE FRAZIER

A

re you an aspiring novelist, or a promising poet? Are you seeking inspiration, affirmation or advice? Consider joining a writer’s group, to help create your written work of art and make it even better.

St. Charles Writers Group, described as a “creative writing workshop”, is sponsored by the St. Charles Public Library. Lisa Macaione, facilitator, says it is the camaraderie that makes the group so beneficial.

and older. But you don’t have to be from St. Charles. Writers live across the area – Batavia, Geneva, Aurora.

Each session has a presentation by a professional author, or Macaione, herself, who is a Waubonsee Community College professor in the English department.

During a recent workshop, a couple dozen writers gathered around tables in a library meeting room for a presentation on “Picture Book Basics.”

“There’s something about this group,” Macaione says, “… we laugh together…everybody is open to one another and each other’s experiences and open to learning that makes it a really valuable group.”

“It’s much more rigorous to writing a children’s book than people think,” Macaione says, stressing, for example, that adults are the market for picture books, because they are buying the books.

Meeting every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the library, he workshop is for those 18 years old

“Your story must appeal to both,” she says.

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OUT & ABOUT OCTOBER 2018

Part of the agenda of each session is a critique of people’s writing,

offering both suggestion and positive feedback from the group, to the author. Discussions include word usage, perspective, and the like.

But it’s not a group just for novelist.

There are short story writers, poets, and even songwriters.

Virginia Kammerer, a St. Charles resident – dressed to the nines and donning a sharp flowered hat – performed her original song “The Jailhouse Tap,” for the group, accompanied by fellow writer Doug Burman on piano.

Treva Rodemaker, a North Aurora resident, is a published author of pirate-themed adult novels.

"All of my success as a writer comes from this group,” Rodemaker says. “… All of it happened because I came here and I got the support of other writers.”

UPCOMING DATES INCLUDE: October 13 Yes, You Can Write a Query Letter October 27 Reading vs. Writing November 10 Poetic Sounds November 24 The Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal

For more information about the St. Charles Writers Group, contact Denise Blaszynski at 630-584-0076, ext. 240. or just drop in for the next meeting, Saturdays, 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Looking for more?

HERE ARE OTHER LOCAL WRITERS GROUPS: MONDAY  WRITERS ON THE FOX This writer’s peer group will inspire and motivate you using prompts and exercises for creative writing. All genres are welcome.

 NIGHT WRITERS Led by Rick Holinger, designed for experienced/published authors for whom writing is considered not merely a hobby, but a business and/or career. All genres may be submitted for critique.

WHERE: Gail Borden Public

WHERE: Geneva Public Library,

Library, 270 N Grove Ave., Elgin WHEN: 4th Mondays, 7:00-8:30

p.m.

CONTACT: Lisa Diven – lisa.

diven@yahoo.com WEBSITE: For more information:

www.gailborden.info/events

127 James St., Geneva, IL 60134 WHEN: 2ndTuesday of the

Month at 6:30 PM (with some exceptions, see Library Calendar to confirm the date) 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the large conference room upstairs.

and longer works may be shared in advanced by e-mailing. Other activities include writing exercises, flash writing with prompts, suggestions and news beneficial to writers. Current membership is a diverse group of 4-5 writers and growing. Join us!

so, depending on the number of attendees and time) and read our work to the group.

OF NOTE: Cookies are often supplied and there is a coffee shop in the library.

CONTACT: Kitty Jarman – shypoet51@yahoo.com

WHERE: The Board room at The

 WRITE TIME WRITER’S GROUP

Sugar Grove Public Library, 125 N. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove IL. 630-466-4686

TUESDAY

CONTACT: Paula Krapf –

WHEN: Meetings the second

pkrapf@gpld.org

 A-TOWN POETICS Open to all writers looking for support, critiques, and collaboration.

Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

calendar under the Programs & Events tab)

WHERE: West Branch of the

Aurora Public Library, 233 S. Constitution, Aurora WHEN: 7pm – every other

Tuesday – Check website

WEBSITE: www.gpld.org (find the

 DAY JAMMERS Block out time on your calendar and actually write whatever you want in the company of other writers! Say hi and get busy!

WHERE: Old Towne Pub

kfc16@sbcglobal.net

basement -201 West State Street, Geneva, IL – (Location may change-check ahead)

WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/

WHEN: Times and locations vary

CONTACT: Karen Christensen –

Atownpoetics  FOX VALLEY WRITERS GROUP WHERE: North Aurora Messenger Library – 113 Oak Street, North Aurora WHEN: Every other Tuesday – go

to the library website calendar for next meeting date CONTACT: foxvalleywriters@

gmail.com WEBSITE: http://www.

messengerpl.org/calendar

– contact Don CONTACT: Don Hunt

FEE: no fee CONTACT: Shannon Halikias at shannon@sugargrove.lib.il.us WEBSITE: sgpl.org

 WRITERS WORKSHOP A writing workshop for all stages and styles of writing. Come and share, learn how and we all will benefit from each other. Susan Schubert will be facilitating the group. Limited to 15 at this time.

WHERE: Elburn’s Town and

Country Library, 320 E. North St, Elburn

(wordsmythe99@comcast.net, 630-209-7710)

WHEN: 1st Wednesday of the

WEDNESDAY

FEE: Free

 WRITER’S NIGHT AT SUGAR GROVE LIBRARY A non-formal and friendly mix of writers both new and experienced.

Writers are invited to share a work each visit for feedback and suggestions. The moderator is happy to make copies of works,

month (7-8:30 pm) CONTACT: Please register with library at 630-365-2244 or online.

WEBSITE: www.libraryinsight.

THURSDAY

WHERE: Graham’s 318 – 318 S.

3rd St., Geneva – We meet in one of the rooms upstairs.

WHEN: 7pm on Thursdays

WEBSITE: NA

WHERE: Unitarian Church in

Geneva (Second & James) WHEN: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

(7:30 pm to 9:00 pm) CONTACT: paul.lloyd.writer@

gmail.com WEBSITE:

themissingdwarvenphaser. blogspot.com

FRIDAY  WORDPLAY Free, teen-centered writing workshops, open mics and featured performers each month, focused around spoken word and poetry. For current dates, times & locations, visit twaap.org/events or “Like” us at facebook.com/ TeenWritersAndArtists.

WHEN: Writer's Workshop starts

at 6:30pm, Open Mic at 7:30pm, followed by a special feature.

WHERE: Daily Projects Coffee

Bar, 124 S Randall Rd, Algonquin WEBSITE: www.twaap.org/west-

suburban-wordplay

 WRITERS ANONYMOUS We write to prompts (up to 5 or OUT & ABOUT OCTOBER 2018

13

 SUBURBAN SUPERDAD 

It’s the little things…

With JONATHAN BILYK

It certainly wasn’t the proudest moment of my life.

But if all of my proud moments assembled for a team photo, it would be there, somewhere in the back, standing in the spot normally occupied by the third string quarterback. Or the punter.

“Who did this?” my electrician friend asked, tracing a line with his finger along the conduit pipe running along the rafters in the garage roof, down the wall to the newly installed outlet on the outside of the garage.

“Me,” I said, with a little more confidence than I thought might be warranted.

“Nice job,” he said. And then he added: “You sure you’ve never done this before?”

I don’t think I’d have too much trouble getting nods of affirmation from other homeowners and assorted do-it-yourselfers when I say that these words, “Nice job,” from a skilled tradesman may as well be a medal pinned to the chest.

But I still felt compelled to use the next few moments of my acceptance speech to thank Sycamore’s own maker of electrical components and tools, Ideal Industries, and their free tutorial videos for teaching me everything I knew about bending and installing conduit.

Ever since becoming a homeowner nearly two decades ago, such how-to videos have become required viewing – particularly once I transformed from simple, mild-mannered (broke) do-it-yourselfer to a still broke DIYer…but with a smartphone in my hip pocket.

And it’s obviously borne results, as evidenced

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FAMILY IN FOCUS OCTOBER 2018

by the lack of home improvements that have to be fixed again later (I will neither confirm nor deny the existence of a water pipe with a patched screw hole), and by the lack of laughter at my expense from those who do this sort of thing for a living (to my face, anyway.)

But my acceptance speech would be incomplete without reaching back years earlier to thank my dad, father-in-law, uncle, friends and others who helped me gain not only the skills, but also built the courage (or foolishness, depending on who’s asking) to take on projects large and small around the house, and live to tell about it (again and again, because did you hear what the electrician said? Did my puffy chest bump into you again? Sorry.)

But recently, as I was huddled over my tool bag, lost in yet another home repair project, looking for an ever-elusive pair of needle nosed pliers, I glanced up to see a pair of inquisitive eyes watching me, as my daughter knelt by the bag, wondering what daddy was doing.

And in that moment, it became obvious the next great household improvement may only tangentially involve conduit, pipe, ducts, wiring, wood and drywall. Rather, the primary focus in the coming years will center on helping my kids build the courage and skills needed to one day feel the satisfaction of

staring at a finished project, and perhaps even earn a “nice job” from a skilled trades worker or two.

And in the meantime, daddy can get the satisfaction of working alongside his little ones, watching them grow into capable adults, able to tackle with assurance the projects life and an old house may throw at them.

So, for that moment, we paused, to allow the little hands to help, as best they can. And we started with the basics, laying out the primary hand tools, learning their names, discussing what they can do, how they’re used and explaining how they differ from toys.

Did it take a bit longer? You bet – and it was worth every second.

And maybe next week, we can move on to those Youtube videos.  Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modernday dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him. He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also, the cape remains on back order.)

KidsCORNER

Windy Acres Farm

37W446 FABYAN PKWY | GENEVA | 630-232-6429 Pumpkin festival season has arrived at Windy Acres Farm. Enjoy a multitude of attractions including an in-field cornmaze, jumping pillow, minigolf, kiddie zipline and petting zoo to begin. Visit the bakery for hot cider and homemade apple cider donuts or caramel apples. Find your favorite pumpkins, gourds, mums, produce and more decor

at the farm stand. Then enjoy a sip at the beer garden while live music plays on weekends.

Field trips and party packages also available. Festival hours run daily 9am-6pm, September 22-October 31st. Located 1/4 mile west of Randall Rd. on Fabyan Pkwy. Visit www. windyacresfarmstand.com for more information.

Everbrook Academy 3090 W. MAIN ST. | ST. CHARLES | EVERBROOKACADEMY.COM Everbrook Academy is the new 21st century preschool in St. Charles, where STEAM brings the world into every classroom to educate future leaders and innovators. Even the littlest learners, including infants, thrive from STEAM learning. Very young children learn about the world around them by experimenting and trying new ways of doing things.

The bonds they form with warm,

Kuipers Family Farm 1N318 WATSON RD. MAPLE PARK 815-827-5200

Open daily, the aroma of fresh apple cider doughnuts, home-baked pies, fudge, fresh apple cider made onsite and hand-spun caramel apples from The Orchard Shop & Bakery offers plenty to taste. And on weekends (Sat, Sun & holidays only) visit the farm for apple picking. Taste our six hard ciders at The Bin Tasting Bar! Take a scenic ride around the farm on The

nurturing teachers and the stimulating environment of a safe, engaging classroom form a strong foundation for STEAM learning. Everbrook Academy St. Charles offers programs for infants through school-age students. Located at 3090 W. Main Street, visit EverbrookAcademy.com or call 866.222.0269 to schedule a tour today!

Farmview Railroad! Mid-September the pumpkin farm activities begin including Pig Races on the weekends, slide mountain, rat rollers, barnyard ballgames, 5 acre corn maze, jumping pillow, petting zoo, haunted forest, hayrides and much more! Visit www.YouPickFun.com for more info.

Primrose Farm DROP-IN PROGRAMS PROVIDE INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ENTIRE FAMILY As your children are gobbling up their scrambled eggs or chugging their milk, they may not think twice about how their food goes from farm to table. But with a little help from Primrose Farm, they can learn about the process while being a part of it.

Primrose Drop-In Programs give guests a behind-the-scenes experience of farm life circa 1930, as they help milk, groom and feed the farm animals. Offered five days a week through November, the Drop-In Programs welcome all ages to step back in time on this living history farm in St. Charles.

“Participating in Drop-In Programs allows guests to learn first-hand where their food comes from,” said Alison Jones, Manager of Farm Programs and Interpretive Services. “It also provides a unique experience to learn how to care for and interact with the farm animals that call Primrose home.”

Teach your child how milk is produced through Hands-on Milking at 10am every Wednesday and Saturday. A staff member leads the group through the milking process and then turns it over to guests to milk 6-year-old Peanut – the only Jersey cow out of the seven who has had a calf this year, so therefore, is the only one producing milk.

“We’ve had children as young at two years old milk Peanut,” Jones said. “It’s fun to see the excitement on their faces after they’ve been trying and then milk finally comes out.”

Peanut will produce about 3 gallons a day, one gallon of which is given to her calf Ruthie, and at times the milk will be saved for other demonstrations such as butter making. But since Primrose is certified as an educationonly dairy farm, the milk is not for human consumption.

Similar to milk, the egg is another staple that children may take for granted. At 11am every Wednesday and Saturday, you can show your farmer-in-training where eggs come

16

FAMILY IN FOCUS OCTOBER 2018

from during the Chicken and Egg program. Guests can meet and pet the farm's Columbian Wyandotte chickens, collect eggs straight from their nest and even take a handful home.

care practices including how to care for their hooves and teeth, and then work a brush through the blonde mane and tail of these two powerful yet mild-mannered horses.

Expect to be greeted by about 80 clucking black and white feathered friends as you enter the chicken coop. But don’t worry, this flock is harmless.

Feeding opportunities abound on the farm as well. Grab a feeding stick to Feed the Chickens at 10am every Tuesday and Thursday, or Feed the Goats at 1pm every Monday and Wednesday. This fee is only $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents.

“The chickens are really friendly and don’t bite,” Jones said. “Many times I’ll pick up one of the chickens for the children to pet prior to going into the chicken coop, so they can see first-hand their friendly demeanor.”

On a much larger scale, get up close and personal with the Belgian Draft horses Bob and Doc during Hold Your Horses at 2pm the first and third Saturday of every month. Be prepared to stand in awe at the magnitude of these gentle giants that weigh around 2,000 pounds and stand more than 7 feet high with their head raised.

Learn proper grooming techniques and equine

The fee for Hands-on Milking, Chicken and Egg and Hold Your Horses is $5 for residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Or maximize your time during Feed the Animals at 2pm every second and fourth Saturday of the month, when you’ll provide meals for the cows, chickens, sheep and goats, while learning about their nutritional needs.

The fee for this program is $5 for residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Primrose is located at 5N726 Crane Road in St. Charles. Register on site 15 minutes before your program begins. For more information, visit primrosefarmpark.com or contact Alison Jones at 630-513-4374.

Pottawatomie Golf Course Most Beautiful Golf Course in the Fox Valley

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Carts & Club Rentals Pull Carts $3 Riding Carts $10 per rider Clubs $15

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FAMILY IN FOCUS OCTOBER 2018

17

5 Garden mistakes you may be making With MEAGAN PROVENCHER, ICN, SR. LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Gardening wouldn’t be any fun if we didn’t make mistakes and learn from them. Sometimes mistakes result in a good outcome, other times it results in a forehead smack and a “why didn’t I listen to the garden center folks?”. Here are some common mistakes that I see that are easily fixed and will streamline your outdoor chores.

1

PLANT HOARDING

We see this one more than a lot. Folks stop by the garden center (or really any place that sells green leafy things…come on, admit it…you know you bought a plant at Trader Joes…) and load up their cart with all the gorgeous things that they fell in love with and take them home. Then when they get home they have no idea where to put all these new plants. Plants are shoved in willy-nilly and left to their own devices. Next thing you know, you very quickly have “that yard” overflowing with plants (and usually a few weeds that found hiding spots) and there is no rhyme or reason to the garden.

While this is the hardest mistake to correct, it can be done. Start by eliminating the worst offenders. I know it’s hard to throw out plants but you have to stay strong. Once the overgrown plants and stuff you don’t like are gone, take a

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

quick inventory of what is left. Start grouping like things together (i.e. all the salvia go in one spot, all of the hydrangea in another). Once like things are together, then, and only then, start researching plants that can go back in the empty spots. I said research…not buy more! Once you find the perfect candidate, then it’s okay to buy another and plant it happily in its new spot and watch it thrive.

2EXCESSIVE TRIMMING Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s it was “en vogue” to trim evergreens into neat little shapes. This is not Disney, people. The 2010s bring us a more natural landscape look and plants that thrive without maintenance. Stop pruning things into “shapes”. Let plants live on their own and you’ll be rewarded with a more natural look…and way less maintenance. If something gets out of hand, remove it and replace with a better candidate.

Let Us Take Care of All Your Landscape Needs

3

PRUNING AT THE WRONG TIME Ever wonder why your lilacs never bloom that well? If you’ve trimmed them after the 4th of July, you cut off all of next year’s flower blooms! A good rule of thumb for flowering shrubs is “Prune in June”. If you prune right after flowering, you can clean up shrubs without sacrificing next year’s flowers.

4MULCH VOLCANOES

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I’ve said it a million times… stop piling mulch on everything.

Plants in nature do not grow with a tidy pile of shredded bark around them. Let plants do their thing without having a 4” deep layer of their shredded up friends piled around their necks. No more than 2” deep and not touching the trunks/bases of plants. (It will reduce your mulch cost each year too!)

OFF MORE 5BITING THAN YOU CAN CHEW Landscaping is hard work. It’s physical, often it’s hot out, and it’s usually pretty dirty. It’s not for everyone. If you have issues with your outdoors, seek out the professionals. We love to help and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy it can be and in turn, how much you’ll then enjoy your outdoor space vs. dreading walking out the front door past a Burning Bush that may or may not have eaten the neighbor’s child.

If you need help rehabilitating your garden (and yourself!), give me a call! Thankfully, there are no HGTV shows about garden hoarding and shrub butchers.

Meagan Provencher is the Sr. Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com .

2017 41W781 RT 64 | St Charles, IL 60175 wasconursery.com | 630.584.4424 HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

19

Hot times in the cities

H

BATAVIA IS BOOMING, ST. CHARLES IS SOLID, AND GENEVA REMAINS A DRAW

ome sales are back from the brink, and the Tri-Cities remain a hot place to buy for a host of reasons. A beautiful riverside environment, highly rated schools and a wide array of events and activities round out the appeal. Looking for more specifics on what makes each town a unique draw, we asked local real estate agents to tell us why.

 BATAVIA

 ST. CHARLES

Batavia is a hot market because of the variety of homes in styles and price ranges, excellent school district, the community feel, according to Carrie Sebold, a Batavia resident and Keller Williams agent.

Year after year, St. Charles continues to be a very desirable market for today's first-time and experienced home buyers, says Adam Rullo Broker with Re/Max All Pro in St. Charles.

The homes sell between $125k - $800k, with the average home price at $305,000, which makes Batavia the most affordable town in the Tri-Cities. “…a robust accelerated learning program at the elementary school level all the way through the numerous offerings in high school level that have high-level learners challenged throughout their school career,” she says.

Complement that with dedicated occupational therapy learning environments for those with specialized needs, an award winning athletic program, a phenomenal music environment, and a Batavia student will always have an opportunity to get involved, she adds.

“In addition to our phenomenal and highly rated school district, buyers are attracted to the natural beauty of our downtown and surrounding areas,” he says. “The healthy blend of small town living and preserved historical flair combined with a vibrant downtown featuring a thriving business and retail district, entertainment such as the famous Arcada Theatre and numerous fine dining options is a huge draw.”

Once a resort town, a place for city folks to get away from it all, it remains common for people who work in Chicago but are tired of the daily chaos of big city living to find the refuge they are looking for along the Fox River, Rullo adds.

Downtown, the Woonerf-North River Street offers great restaurants, the farmers market and festivities. “There's almost always something to do,” she says. A bike friendly community, Batavia’s riverfront is a great for biking, walking or jogging taking in a weekly summer concert, or one of many local festivals al year round.

“Not to mention that buyers' dollars will get them much more square footage and/or land than in Chicago or any of the other collar counties,” he says. “It's no wonder that year after year, St. Charles continues to be among one of the most desirable places to live in all of the Chicago area!”

“Batavia has a community feel that is hard to put in words and is not easily duplicated,” she says. “Batavians take care of each other and care for each other. As the old saying goes, "it takes a village." That embodies the heart of Batavia.”

Historic Geneva, known for its array of boutiques and restaurants, has been a quaint and clever destination for may across the Chicago area. For those who reside here, the culture in Geneva is eclectic, in that the downtown area offers homes of various styles

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

and sizes. The average home price in Geneva is $359,000, making it affordable for the working professional. Education is highly regarded, as Geneva always rates in the top 50 schools in Illinois due to its broad range of services and class options, as well as diverse population, says Sebold.

The hub of Geneva is 3rd street where you'll find hustle and bustle all year long. Visitors come from all around and get off the Geneva Metra station to spend a day or weekend enjoying all that Geneva has to offer.

“It's easy to lose oneself and take a stroll in and out of the numerous boutiques along 3rd street and then catch a drink and bite to eat in some of the finest eateries in Illinois on State Street,” Sebold says.

If shopping doesn't suit your style, then enjoy time outdoors on one of Geneva's three golf courses, two public swimming pools, a beautiful Japanese Garden in Island Park, Peck farm park with a butterfly garden and playgrounds galore throughout Mill Creek, she says. Add to that the vast array of events held throughout the year, and Geneva becomes a destination city you just don’t want to leave.

 GENEVA

Carrie Sebold

Adam Rullo

OctobeIAArfLeSst SPEC

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MONDAY eatloaf 12.99

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

21

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION ARCHITECT TIM NELSON BRINGS BEAUTY TO FUNCTIONALITY

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

T

process, but – really – I’ve learned you have to work closely with the client and find out what they want,” says Nelson. “Their input is more important than mine in most cases.”

here’s one thing that all good architecture has in common: It takes time. That’s what architect Tim Nelson would advise homeowners looking to make renovations of any size.

Nelson received his master’s degree in architecture 1999, but his passion for the field began long before that.

“I never considered doing anything else,” he says. “Ever since I was a kid I was always interested in being an architect.”

“Often I think people underestimate the amount of time it takes from the beginning to the end of a project,” he says.

“It depends on how fast people make decisions and how eager they are to get started.”

Outside of work, Nelson is very active in the community. He volunteers with the Geneva Lion’s Club, Geneva Community Chest and the Geneva Beautification Committee. He also enjoys playing basketball, reading and working in his yard.

Nelson is the owner and president of his own architecture firm, Tim Nelson Architect Ltd., based in Geneva. He specializes in residential projects of all sizes, from adding on a porch to creating a brand new custom home.

Nelson’s role as an architect is to provide guidance to his clients and develop a design that will be both beautiful and functional.

He’s available to help his clients every step of the way, including initial planning, evaluating contractors and visiting the construction site.

An additional master suite is one of the most common projects that Nelson’s clients request.

Often this means building additional rooms over a garage, where people tend to have extra space.

Another popular project is creating a more open floor plan between the kitchen and family room. Many clients also are opting for eat-in kitchens instead of formal dining rooms that only get used a few times a year.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

While most of his work is residential, some of his favorite projects are for the public to enjoy.

He’s worked on Fiora’s restaurant in downtown Geneva and designed the outdoor fireplace that’s become a popular gathering spot on Third Street.

In recent years, Nelson has seen more and more clients ask to swap out an old bathtub for a large shower. “Tubs aren’t as common as they once were,” says Nelson.

Most of these projects require a similar process.

Nelson always briefs his clients on the different steps and gives an estimated timeline upfront.

The first phase is measuring, planning and design, where Nelson works with the clients to put their vision to paper.

“I like to have some creative input into the

“It’s pretty satisfying in your own town to drive around and see things that you’ve drawn on paper and they’re coming to life,” says Nelson. “I think that’s probably one of the most rewarding things.”

TIM NELSON ARCHITECT LTD.

421 James St., Geneva 630-397-5122 timnelsonarchitect.com tim@timnelsonarchitect.com

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Window to a beautiful interior Hang Time Installations offers personal attention, quality window treatments | By AIMEE BARROWS |

F

or many generations, Fox Valley residents have turned to Hang Time Installations, Inc. for all their window treatment needs. HTI is owned and operated

by Geneva residents Duncan Fiedler, his wife Mary, who is an interior decorator, and their son Ian. The exclusively “shop at home” business is a Hunter Douglas dealer, and carries a large variety of blinds, shutters, draperies and more.

parents purchased Ye Old Provincial House on Third Street in Geneva in 1986 and later sold the business in 1998. Duncan decided that while he loved the window treatment business, he didn’t want to continue operating a retail location, and opened HTI as a freelance installation provider. Once the business built a strong clientele, he and Mary transitioned HTI into a full-service window treatment retailer.

What sets HTI apart from other window treatment retailers is the personal attention that Duncan and his family can give each customer. All of the designing is done in the customers’ homes.

“After more than three decades designing and fabricating custom draperies, we’ve learned a few things. Custom draperies, blinds, shutters and motorization systems are much more complicated than one would think,” Duncan says.

“It’s good to choose patterns, colors and treatments with the home’s lighting, and that makes it more personal,” Duncan explains.

“The blinds and shutters provide privacy and sun control while the draperies add warmth, style and beauty to a home. Anything that you can put on a window, we sell it.”

Duncan has been in the window treatment business for more than 30 years. He and his

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

After becoming a full-service business, HTI grew and expanded to offer motorized window treatments, cleaning, fire and flood restoration and more. Duncan also points out that the personalized service doesn’t end once the treatments are installed in the home. He says that the company will continue to provide service and maintenance after the sale.

“Things break down the road, we don’t just sell them and leave. We can repair and clean,” Duncan explains. “Motorized window treatments are a big part of our business. It’s a good way to get rid of cords. We’re always updating our product lines to stay current with what today’s consumer is looking for.”

The Fiedler family takes pride in the number of repeat customers and referrals that HTI receives. Duncan says that the business is now servicing the children of past clients, and explains that shopping local is a great way that families can support their community.

“We love getting to know all of our customers.

We’re exclusively family owned and operated so we care and we’re passionate about what we do,” Duncan says. “Shopping local means a great deal to our tax base and the success of our towns. Buy quality products from quality people and the future will be a little easier.”  For more information about HTI, call (630) 232-1283 or visit www.htiinc.net.

HEAVEN Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors delivers when it comes to home improvement projects

By KELLI MURRAY

Fortunately for home improvement customers in the Fox Valley and beyond, Tony Di Giulio recognized his passion for the home improvement industry and left a music career to open Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors.

and interior installation process and knew one day I would have a company of my own that would provide quality home improvement services and top-notch service to clients," Di Giulio says.

He has been involved in the construction industry for more than 17 years. Starting in real estate in the late ‘90s in DuPage and Kane counties, Di Giulio honed his construction knowledge when he began working in a home service division of a big box home improvement store. That is when he realized he had a real passion for home renovation. He combined his customer service background from real estate with his construction capability and knew it was time to move on to serve clients with the quality and service they deserve, he says.

Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors offers roof installation and repair, kitchen remodeling services, bathroom remodeling services, window installation, siding repair and installation, housing additions, and heating and air installation services.

“I learned everything I could about the exterior

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

“I am in this business due to my extensive experience and my love for the job,” he says. “Our company separates itself from other competitors because we do what it takes to make sure our customers know they come first and our team excels at delivering high quality work each and every time.”

SENT To help them rise above competitors, Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors utilizes technology to aide in the design process.

“We opened a showroom to keep up with current and latest trends with home designs, but have also developed an app called DG Home Designs to make the product selection process easier for our customers,” he says.

“Today’s buyers are not only tech savvy, but love a visual presentation of the products that may end up in their home. Di Giulio Exteriors and Interiors provides a unique customer experience that gives the customer complete control over their project from a design standpoint. The new showroom allows us the ability to streamline the selection process for our customers, so they can visualize and allow us to help them realize the home of their dreams.”

DI GIULIO EXTERIORS & INTERIORS

33W363 Roosevelt Road West Chicago, IL 60185 (630) 745-0914 digiulioexteriors@gmail.com www.digiulioexteriors.com HOURS: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat-Sun

His passion for home improvement is a far cry from his former music career as lead singer and songwriter for the well-known and respected Chicago-based band 7th Heaven, but providing excellent service and leaving customers happy are important in both fields.

And just like with a successful band, the right people to work with makes a difference.

mates and close childhood friends from 7th Heaven perform.

“The biggest obstacle I have overcome is finding the right team members that provide quality work,” he says. “I wanted to alleviate customer concerns ranging from the initial project consultation to the completion of a project.”

And his secret to success? “Doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do,” he says.

Di Giulio’s hard work and dedication to his craft has paid off. The showroom’s grand opening had more than 500 people in attendance, and he even had his former band

“We believe customer satisfaction is our number one priority, because our customers are the driving force behind our business,” he says. In fact, his goal is to establish a reputation for being the best in customer service and quality.

Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors offers free home estimates on all of its services. For more information or schedule an appointment, call 630-745-0914 or go to www.digiulioexteriors. com.

HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

27

TURNING

HOUSES INTO HOMES for over 60 years H

ouse of Fireplaces aspires to be your “one-stop fireplace shop,” where we can meet all of your fireplace needs, from complete installation of new fireplaces to technical support and advice. Offering gas, wood and electric fireplaces, gas logs, inserts, custom glass doors, custom mantels, granite, marble, cultured stone, installation and superb service.

Visitors to the newly-updated and re-designed showroomwill marvel at the dramatic new centerpiece, the Heat & Glo True masonrystyled direct vent fireplace, a new line of durable Broilmaster grills, and all the new displays and products.

Showroom manager Kevin Sandell represents the third generation of the Sandell family business. Kevin manages the retail side of the business while his father, Mark Sandell, manages the wholesale side.

Founded in 1953 by Stanley Sandell after his return from the Navy in World War II, the business began as one of the first distributors of the Thulman wood burning fireplace.

When Thulman turned into the Majestic Fireplace Company, the business took the name Majestic Distributing.

Originally a strictly wholesale company selling the Majestic Fireplace to builders and heating contractors, we opened our first retail outlet in 1963—and House of Fireplaces was born.

Kevin, who started at the bottom sweeping the warehouse after school as a kid, worked summers and winters while going to school.

He started working full time shortly after graduating college with a degree in business administration, and took over showroom operations in 2010.

“We have been selling fireplaces since the very beginning of the air-cooled prefabricated fireplace,” Kevin said. We have seen the industry go from one manufacturer to hundreds, from three fireplace choices to thousands. Throughout this evolution, we have continued to adapt to the changing tastes by adding more options, brands and choices for the customer.

"We offer the best fireplaces, and with the most knowledgeable employees, the best possible customer service before and after the sale."

He recalled a customer interaction: "One of our funniest and most memorable experiences happened when a customer came in with his wife to look at gas logs. He really liked the gas grills, but she was not interested in the grills.

So they looked at log sets and left.

"A couple days later, the wife returned, saying she would like to buy the grill for her husband as a surprise birthday present. She bought the grill and asked us to hold it until

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

they came back for a log set. Later that week, the husband returned by himself and said he would like to buy the grill without his wife knowing about it."

"Somehow, we managed to hold him off on buying the grill. It ended up being a great surprise for him when they came in to get the gas log set, and he saw the grill with a big bow on it."

Plans for the business include expanding the showroom space during the next year to better showcase some of the exceptional fireplaces and options available, and perhaps add an outdoor products display area.

Additionally, the company is keeping an eye on the industry, discovering how it will change and what new things there will be. Owners said they would like to see an increase in onsite manufactured products, perhaps including a millwork shop for in-house custom mantels or a metal shop for high quality chase tops.

"Although we look forward to the future, we are extremely proud of our long history as a family-run business. We have been turning houses into homes for over 60 years."

HOUSE OF FIREPLACES 1255 Bowes Road, Elgin (847) 741-6464 thehouseoffireplaces.com Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residential Windows & Doors

Weather Shield, The Right Windows For Your Home

Visit our beautiful showroom in Downtown Geneva 215 W State Street. | Geneva | 331.248.0455 www.mccannwindowanddoor.com

5

yard updates you can complete in a fall weekend

I

f you love spending time in your yard, the end of summer can mark a period of sadness thinking about the colder temperatures and shorter days you must endure before getting back outside.

One sure cure for the blues is looking forward to something fun.

Get a head start on spring and use the time now to complete a project that will enhance your yard. Whether you've been wanting a patio, a zen garden or just some new flower beds, fall weekends are an ideal time to make it happen. By spring, they'll be ready and waiting for your finishing touches!

With the help of rental equipment, you can get these jobs done in a fraction of the time and with much less of an investment than purchasing expensive tools yourself. Here are five weekend projects you can complete this fall and dream about all winter.

* ZEN GARDEN:

Building a free-standing, minimalist zen garden is a simple but powerfully effective way to add beauty and texture to a lawn or patio. To get a head start in the fall, plan where you'd like to set that rectangle of tranquility in your yard. Once that's measured and marked off, you can rent a sod cutter to almost effortlessly remove the grass. Before the ground freezes, give that rectangle a stone border, and cover with a tarp. When spring comes, the foundation of your zen space will be ready and waiting for you to add plants, shrubs, gravel, lanterns and maybe a statue or two.

* POND:

This fall, choose a sunny spot in your yard to build your pond, and then rent a tool, like a miniexcavator, to move the dirt and even carve out the terraces. When that job is done, you'll have plenty of time to get the bulk of the project ready for spring, such as adding your sand layer, the waterproof liner and installing the pump. Finally, arrange the rocks to create a beautiful and naturallooking perimeter that's waiting for spring and the addition of water and plants.

* PATIO AND PERGOLA:

When you compare a paver-brick patio with a traditional wood deck, the advantages of the patio are very evident. Patios are easy for doit-yourselfers to complete in a weekend or two, they're less expensive to build and they're easier to maintain and repair. You can also add a pergola to create a beautiful space for outdoor dining and entertaining. With the help of a rented post hole digger, you can have the posts in place before the snow flies.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

Fall Clean-up for a Beautiful 2019 Spring!

Celebrating 30 Years Skyline Tree Service, Inc. was established in 1988 and is family owned and operated. After 30 years of service, we still hold strong to our original commitment to excellence to provide our customers stomers with quality tree care care services.

* FLOWER BEDS:

Flower beds add beauty to your yard, but they can accomplish so much more. Wide beds along property lines can create a privacy buffer between you and the rest of the world and increase the curb appeal of your home.

Preparing the bed in the fall means less dirt work in the spring, so you can spend that time getting plants in the ground. The good news is, if you decide you want the bed to be bigger, you can just rent a walk-behind skid steer and get the job done quickly.

Tree & Stump tu Removal R al • Ce Certifi Certified ifi d Ar Arbo Arborist bori bo rist st • Pr Property ty E Evaluation Emergency Services • Tree Trimming • Plant Health Care

630-584-2221 | WWW.SKYLINETREESVC.COM

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* FIRE PIT:

Nothing's better than sitting around the fire with friends and loved ones. Fire pits are the ideal fall project because you can start enjoying it almost right away. Whether you add to an existing patio or start new, renting a cement mixer and a paver saw for custom-fitted pieces can help you create a functional new feature in just a weekend or two.

Find the rental companies, tools and equipment in your neighborhood that can help you make your vision a reality at RentalHQ.com.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE OCTOBER 2018

31

TOM’S COOKBOOK LIBRARY: Maffucci scores with

‘Inspiralized & Beyond’ With TOM WITOM

A

li Maffucci, founder of the culinary brand Inspiralized, on May 1 released a third cookbook: “Inspiralized & Beyond” (Clarkson Potter) featuring 125 new recipes. The book’s subtitle expands on the subject matter: spiralize, chop, rice and mash your vegetables into creative, craveable meals.

Maffucci describes the spiralzer as a kitchen tool that turns readily available vegetables and fruits into noodles.

Her aim is to give home cooks more ways to create flavorful and healthy meals. In this cookbook the author pays special attention to the “Beyond” side of the book’s title.

Sweet potato slabs replace toast; cauliflower becomes pizza crust, and jackfruit mimics pulled meat. Various chapters touch on breakfast, pasta and noodles, casseroles and desserts.

Cucumber Summer Rolls with Avocado Mash (recipe follows) can become a refreshing seasonal favorite snack.

 CUCUMBER SUMMER ROLLS With Avocado Mash (Makes 12 Rolls) • 2 avocados, pitted and peeled • Juice of one lime, plus more to taste • Fine sea salt and pepper • 1 seedless cucumber, at least 13 inches long • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves • 1 large carrot, cut into thin matchsticks (at least 1 cup) • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced into small matchsticks (at least 1 cup) • Djion mustard, for garnish

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In a medium bowl, mash the avocado with the lime juice. Season with and pepper.

carrots, roll up the cucumber and pierce with a toothpick to hold the roll together.

Trim the ends of the cucumber and halve it crosswise. Using a mandolin, thinly slice the cucumber halves lengthwise into at least 12 flat, bendable pieces.

Arrange the rolls on a platter. Garnish each roll with a dollop of Dijon mustard on top for extra kick. Serve.

Arrange the cucumber strips on a clean surface. Spread an even layer of the avocado mash on each strip, leaving about 1 inch on one of the ends. Sprinkle with some of the cilantro. Arrange the carrots, followed by the bell peppers, in an even layer on the cucumber strips and then top with more cilantro. Working from the end with the

Journalist Tom Witom has written extensively for years about food and the food industry.

His quick and simple reviews, known as Tom’s Cookbook Library, are featured regularly in KC magazine, and in our sister publication, the Kane County Chronicle.

Stop in & Taste our Unique Fall Flavors Special Tastings of our Products Every Weekend

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STEVE SMITH Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N Second St, Ste 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 630.762.6556 steven.l.smith@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/ steven.smith

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2016 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (8/16) SM-CL1576846

DINING & ENTERTAINING OCTOBER 2018

33

The cost of clean water Local restaurant takes charge in water conservation effort

S

tockholm’s Brew Pub in Geneva is partnering with the Conservation Foundation, to emphasize that clean drinking water isn’t free.

Cleave, who also works as volunteer coordinator for the Kane County Forest Preserve District, said he wanted to change people’s perception on how water is used.

Olesen says since his pub relies so much on water, it’s important to start a conversation about the importance of water conservation and water quality.

Through Oct. 31, Stockholm’s, located at 306 W. State St., Geneva, will charge patrons 25 cents per glass to remind them that the glass of water in front of them required water to wash it, to make the ice in it and will require more water to wash it again after anything left in the glass is thrown away.

He did some research and when he discovered that the Stockholm International Water Institute in Sweden was behind the whole World Water Week project, the connection was obvious.

For example, it takes three gallons of clean water to make a gallon of his Stockholm’s beer, he says.

He talked it over with Stockholm’s owner, Mike Olesen, who liked the idea – but he wanted to donate the money to a worthy organization.

The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest nonprofit land and watershed conservation organizations, with more than 4,000 members. Founded in 1972, it has helped preserve more than 35,000 acres of open space, restored and cleaned miles of rivers and streams, and educated thousands of kids by engaging them in nature and the outdoors.

The program began Aug 26, in conjunction with World Water Week. All proceeds will go to The Conservation Foundation to support its clean water efforts in the community. “From a server’s perspective, it’s really frustrating when a group of six people sit down at a table and one person orders a round of water for the entire table and then we end up clearing five completely untouched waters,� Robb Cleave, a part-time server at Stockholm’s.

rs Burge Salad

“Robb is full of passion, he’s all about good things in the world, with one of those being water conservation,� Olesen says. “I’m really hopeful that the community will embrace what we’re trying to do.�

Steak s Pasta

s

Soups

Ribs

eer

B Root

The Conservation Foundation’s commitment to clean water and particularly in the Fox Valley region made them a perfect fit.

D

esse rts 306 W State Street Downtown Geneva 630-208-7070 www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

Monthly Food Specials Monthly Beer Dinners Seasonal Brews Bourbon Barrel Brews $3.50 Daily Handcrafted Beer Specials

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DINING & ENTERTAINING OCTOBER 2018

More information on World Water Week can be found at worldwaterweek.org.

More information is available by visiting theconservationfoundation.org.

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Primo pasta!

Osteria Bigolaro marks anniversary in Geneva

G

rowing up grounded in the restaurant business with his family operating pizzerias north of the Tri-Cities, Anthony Gargano remembers spending most of his time after school making pizza dough and portioning pasta. And just this month, the owner and chef at Geneva’s Osteria Bigolaro marked the one-year anniversary of his acclaimed restaurant.

where he mastered the art of making homemade pasta and bread.

“I have to congratulate our wonderful staff at Osteria Bigolaro and our dedicated guests,” Gargano says.

“After studying in Italy, I made it my mission to bring authentic Italian cuisine to the community here in Geneva, and I’m pleased with how they have embraced it.”

For Gargano, it’s been a lifelong journey.

His interest in cooking, sparked amidst family, flourished in his early 20s when he enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu’s Culinary Program in Chicago. he headed overseas for some hands on learning in Italy,

NOW OPEN IN GENEVA hand crafted pasta • fresh baked bread seasonal menu • italian wine • local beer NOW SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER! tuesday through saturday 11AM to 9PM closed sunday & monday

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630-402-0597 317 w state st. geneva il 60134 osteriabigolarorestaurant.com

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DINING & ENTERTAINING OCTOBER 2018

S ee O u r New Fall Menu

As his reputation grew, he was invited by chefs around the country to co-host authentic, Italian dinner events together.

The sold-out restaurant events gave Anthony the platform to test various recipes before launching his restaurant in September of 2017, Osteria Bigolaro.

Osteria Bigolaro does not accept reservations. Diners are seated on a firstcome, first-served basis.

More information is available online by visiting www.osteriabigolarorestaurant.com or calling 630- 402-0597.

FALL FASHIONS FOUND In comfortable knits and flexible fabrics

Photos by RON MCKINNEY

Cozy and versatile, these seasonal pieces will keep you moving – unrestricted – from morning meetings to autumn nights out on the town!

The great loose cut of this stylish sweater is just the thing for a busy fall season, paired with some of the most comfortable black pants we’ve found. You’ll never want to take them off!

Available from Evernia, Geneva.

Pair it with a stretchable, wrapped choker necklace, worn however you like, from Jeans and a Cute Top Shop, St. Charles.

-Continued on page 42

FASHION & BEAUTY OCTOBER 2018

37

-Continued from page 41

 We loved the simple lines and rich fall color of this two-tone green and black knit dress from Evernia, Geneva.

Simple enough to go accessory free, it’s sure to become a staple in your season’s wardrobe.

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FASHION & BEAUTY OCTOBER 2018

An Enjoyable

Shopping

Experience!

219 W. State Street • Geneva, Illinois 60134

630.457.5445

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 Float through fall in this golden rufflesleeved sweater and embroidered pants, from Jeans and a Cute Top Shop, St. Charles.

Home - Gifts - Antiques - Furniture - Jewelry & More

227 S. Third St., Suite 101, Geneva ~ 630-457-5587

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FASHION & BEAUTY OCTOBER 2018

39

Northwestern Medicine gives

‘NEW LEASE ON LIFE’ to active senior

By AMANDA K. FOWLER

H

iking, bicycling and backpacking in the outdoors with family has always been a passion for Charles Rohrer, age 79, of Wheaton. In addition to being a lifelong long-distance runner and all-around athlete, Rohrer takes great pride in keeping up his home with tree-filled yard, where he has lived for 35 years. When pain in his ankles and feet started to get in the way of his activities, he turned to Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics for help.

Rohrer met Jeffrey Senall, MD, orthopaedic surgeon for Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics, in 2010, to discuss a plan of treatment. “Dr. Senall was highly recommended to me by my primary care physician, and I was comfortable with him because he had a great deal of experience in orthopaedics,” says Rohrer. “That was very important to me.”

Rohrer and Dr. Senall quickly established a rapport. “It’s extremely important to be able to relate to your doctor,” says Rohrer. “He speaks with clarity. We always understood each other perfectly. His medical and administrative staff are also excellent — very helpful.”

Dr. Senall and Rohrer developed a plan to

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HEALTH & WELLNESS OCTOBER 2018

start with surgery on Rohrer’s feet for bunions and fallen arches, which were causing him the most pain. Dr. Senall also diagnosed Rohrer with severe arthritis in his left ankle, but decided to hold off on addressing that until after the foot surgery. “Before surgery, it’s important to listen to the patient and what they desire from their life,” says Dr. Senall.

“You must take the journey together and help them along the way. Each patient is different, and they cannot be lumped into one category based on age or other factors.”

The foot surgery was a success, but Rohrer developed new knee pain over the years as his ankle arthritis worsened. He returned to Dr. Senall for further treatment, who carefully considered the next steps. Dr. Senall

suggested that Rohrer needed two knee replacements and subsequent healing time before they could tackle the ankle problems.

Rohrer followed that advice and underwent two successful knee surgeries.

As the ankle problems continued, Dr. Senall and Rohrer pursued a variety of treatment options. “We discussed additional conservative treatment, including physical therapy, injections and braces,” Dr. Senall recalls.

“Unfortunately, they did not provide relief, and by August 2017, we were discussing total ankle replacement.”

While a total ankle replacement may not be standard for someone of Rohrer’s age, Dr. Senall’s advice was guided by Rohrer’s goals and lifestyle. “The amazing thing about Mr. Rohrer was that, despite now being in his late 70s, he remained very active and was determined to get back to the activities that

he loved,” says Dr. Senall.

“Because of this, we discussed performing ankle replacement instead of an ankle fusion.

An ankle replacement would allow him to regain motion in his ankle with a faster recovery. This would allow him to do some moderate hiking and get back to camping and the outdoors, which he loved to do.”

Three short months after surgery, Rohrer was pain-free and walking on his new ankle.

“I have a lot more mobility now,” says Rohrer. “I’m not plagued with constant aches.

It was stressful before, because any time I took a step, it hurt. It felt like walking on a sprained ankle. Now, that burden is gone.”

Rohrer’s family was ecstatic that he was able to join

them again in their outdoor adventures. Rohrer’s son even wrote a heartfelt thank-you note to Dr. Senall, explaining what his father’s mobility meant to the whole family.

“I’ve got a new lease on life, thanks to Dr. Senall,” says Rohrer. “Joint replacements can be daunting, but my advice is to take care of the problems as soon as possible.

It’s truly given me a second chance.”  For more information on foot and ankle care at Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics, visit rmg.nm.org/orthopaedics or call 630.225.2663.

THE PATH TO B E T T E R O RT H O PA E D I C C A R E STA RTS H E R E .

Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics offers specialized care, close to where you live and work. Whether you need care for common injuries or complex issues, we offer a complete range of orthopaedic care including nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. From back pain to hand conditions to joint replacement, our nationally ranked orthopaedics program* combines innovation and expertise to get you back on the path to living a better life. To schedule an appointment, call 630.938.6100 or visit rmg.nm.org/orthopaedics

*Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital ranked #30 in Adult Orthopaedic Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, 2017-18

SM-CL1574098

HEALTH & WELLNESS OCTOBER 2018

41

Wellness?

CHECK. Tri-City Health Partnership quietly filling the gap in community health care

By SHERRI DAUSKURDAS

Nestled in the heart of St. Charles, on a quiet, tree-lined street, in a converted home with a welcoming front porch, Tri-City Health Partnership is hard at work, helping neighbors with illness and injury.

The privately operated clinic offers completely free medical and dental services, with no support from the government, to patients in need from the Tri-Cities and across central Kane County.

Local doctors and nurses and dentists – about 100 of them – volunteer their time every week to meet with patients. Some have been there for more than ten years.

Prescription medicine and other supplies are typically obtained through donations and grants.

“Our volunteer doctors are working so hard, they’re heroes, really,” says executive director Kim Lamansky. “We just need more of them.”

Serving a growing group of uninsured folks from our neighborhoods, many of whom are working several part-time jobs without insurance benefits, the clinic fills a gap left by the qualifications for government aid.

These are the folks who slip through the cracks – making too much money to qualify for government-funded healthcare, yet too little to afford private insurance. As an independent community clinic, TCHP sets its own parameters, and is able to serve this typically underserved group of neighbors.

The clinic offers general medical care,

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HEALTH & WELLNESS OCTOBER 2018

wellness checks, dental services, flu shots, screenings, prescription serves and more. If they don’t have a doctor or equipment on staff that can handle a situation, appointments are made to off-site specialists, often still free-of-charge, through the clinic’s referral service.

Additionally, because of the volunteer nature of the medical staff, services are offered by appointment only. And while this can be challenging, it also means patients know when they will be seen. There’s no need to drag a sick kid to an overcrowded public clinic with no idea how long it will take to reach a doctor. Appointments can be set up in advance, scheduled around work, with the ability to accommodate childcare. And if you don’t have a way to get to downtown St. Charles, they’ll send a car to get you there, through an agreement with Lyft car service.

More than 30,000 visits have taken place at the clinic since it opened its doors in 2001.

This month, TCHP is raising funds to help serve this group of patients with a casino-styled fundraiser October 20 at the St. Charles Country Club.

Tickets run $125 and get you food, open bar, a live auction filled with trips and packages, and all the fun of Monte Carlo – Roulette, Craps, Blackjack and Poker –as well as live entertainment. Table sponsorships are available starting at $1,000. Donations of cash and auction prizes still are being accepted. Visit tchpfreeclinic.org to purchase tickets to the event and find out more about TCP Clinic.

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The GlassHalf-Full Guy:

SOME CANOE CAMPING BASICS

By PETER STADALSKY

Living in the Midwest, we get shorted on the snow-capped mountains and salt-water beaches, but there are still plenty of picturesque landscapes to explore.

The glacial periods left an array of placid lakes scattered across the central states. Surrounded by high pines, the lakes and river systems provide ample opportunities for the adventurous spirit. Canoe camping combines days of paddling and nights under the stars hanging in a hammock. Here are the basics of planning and undertaking a canoe camping trip:  RIVERS OR LAKES? There are two main types of canoe camping trips, rivers and lakes. River trips have the advantage of a current, which keeps the boat moving irrespective of actually paddling. The one caveat is that most trips can only be taken in one direction. This requires the paddling group to arrange a ride to shuttle the boat and persons back to the car at the launching point.

Oppositely, lakes can be done in loops to end back at the starting point. There are areas containing multiple lakes that are connected by a portage trail. When portaging, one person carries the canoe and the other person hoofs all the gear. The trade-off to sweating portages between lakes are calm waters and often

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TRAVEL OCTOBER 2018

unpopulated lakes. You can plan on traveling about 1-2 mph on lakes and 2-4 mph on rivers.  KAYAK OR CANOE? Canoes are typically better for trips with portages. In the center of most canoes is a yoke that contours around and balances on the carrier’s shoulders. Carrying a kayak is much more cumbersome. Many people with canoes also prefer lakes to rivers, but I’m not partial to either. Another canoe perk is having more storage space for camping gear. Kayaks have the advantage of better maneuverability and faster speeds. If you desire to take a trip in the great lakes, sea kayaks provide a higher level of stability to waves and winds. Many rivers in the Midwest have a gentler class than whitewater, but kayaks give some extra flexibility to squeeze between rocks or explore water caverns. Both canoes and kayaks offer single or tandem vessels.  HOW TO PACK My philosophy is always lighter is better. The less gear I have to sort through and carry, the less I am bogged down. It’s especially important to pack conscientiously if the trip requires portaging, for making multiple trips down a portage trail can add up miles fast.

Otherwise, on a route with no portaging, like a large lake or a river, weight is not as much of an issue. With more casual trips,

even throwing a cooler is doable. One pro-tip is to purchase dry bags – because nothing is worse than arriving to camp with a wet tent and soggy tortillas. Another useful gadget is a water filter. Instead of packing a hull of drinking water, pick yourself up a high quality camping water filter and clean water as you go.

One exception is on waterways trafficked by barges because the water can be polluted.  A GROUP EXPERIENCE The best part about canoe/kayak camping is that it’s typically a group activity. It’s a great opportunity to work together with someone, build team strength, and spend quality time floating along quiet waters. If you don’t own a boat, many areas that are popular for paddling are surrounded by outfitters that rent out boats for days at a time. Paddling is one of the best ways to escape the buzzing of roads and retreat into nature’s best offerings. It doesn’t take much effort to paddle around a few bends into solitude for a legitimate wilderness experience.

u Peter Stadalsky is an Aurora resident and adventurer. He shares his travel experiences with a “glass-half-full” view of the world.

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Awesome Arlington

Warm up to Texas hospitality with a holiday-inspired getaway

By SHERRI DAUSKURDAS

F

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TRAVEL OCTOBER 2018

rom its roots as a small cotton-ginning and farming community to one of the largest cities in Texas, Arlington always has been a destination, whether it was to partake of the “healing waters” of Arlington’s famed mineral well in the first half of the 20th century, or the more modern pursuits of rollercoasters, art exhibits, or live music.

But this time of year, the draw may very well be the assortment of holidayinspired things to see and do, complemented by the warm breezy air of late autumn in Arlington.

From classic holiday celebrations of music and lights, to historic venues and festive activities, there’s no place with a warmer holiday spirit than Arlington ,Texas.

 ENCHANT CHRISTMAS November 23 - December 30 https://enchantchristmas.com/ arlington/

 SIX FLAGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK November 17-January 7 www.sixflags.com/overtexas It's the most magical time of the year filled with enchanting experiences that will help create those special family fun outings again and again. Catch millions of lights lighting up the Arlington sky at Six Flags Over Texas’ Holiday in the Park . The breathtaking winter wonderland features a variety of delightful and interactive activities to help capture the holiday spirit.

Back by popular demand ,Enchant Christmas illuminates North Texas skies with its World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market.

Last year, more than 250,000 people unwrapped a new holiday tradition at the most scenic wonderland in Texas.

This year, the family tradition will move inside Arlington’s Globe Life Park, with A ice skating rink and more than 2 acres of lighted Christmas Mazes and displays. Also this year, an Arlington favorite, the Texas Christkindl Market, takes place inside Enchant, as the new Texas Christkindl Market Lane!

This family-friendly German-inspired

 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET AT THEATRE ARLINGTON November 30 – December 16 www.theatrearlington.org

market features holiday gifts, decorations, and other traditional festive goods as well as live entertainment. Kids will enjoy catching a glimpse of the Christkindl Angel and holiday shoppers will want to look for exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decorations and designs from the renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany.

 CHRISTMAS AT KNAPP HERITAGE PARK Early December dates TBD www.historicalarlington.org/knapp_ heritage_park.html For a holiday celebration worthy of Arlington’s rich history, join the Arlington Historical Society from 6 to 8 p.m on Dec 2,as it kicks off the holiday season at Knapp Heritage Park. Children can visit with Santa, ride in a Christmas carriage, join in carol singing with and watch resident artisan blacksmith James Ryan in action at this quaint pioneer village. Then, the following day, there will be vintage children's activities, like making corn husk dolls and pine cone bird feeders, from 12 to 4 p.m. Also enjoy corn grinding, blacksmith demonstrations, and old-fashioned tree decorations. Both events will have refreshments for purchase.

 HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE December 8 http://holidaylightsparade.com Kick off the holiday season at the annual Arlington Holiday Lights Parade in the Downtown/University District. Thousands of festive parade-goers come out each year to catch the show, and the ceremonial tree lighting on the steps of Arlington City Hall.

Santa attends as well, at the ready for photos and Christmas lists from good boys and girls.

 SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS December 8-9, 15-16 https://arlingtonmusichall.net For a night (or an afternoon) that really gets you in the spirit of the season, head to Arlington Music Hall for its Spectacular Christmas event. AMH Spectacular Christmas showcases sensational singers, dynamic dancers, charming children, a kickline of lovely young ladies, colorful costumes, sparkling special effects and tops it off with a visit from Santa himself! Don’t miss the Texas talent on display in a beautiful holiday show at the historic Arlington Music Hall.

Experience the wonder of this classic tale that makes us all want to believe. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy.

Appropriate for ages 6 and up

 DECORATORS WAREHOUSE www.decoratorswarehousearlington.com If you’re one of those people who just cant get enough Christmas, you need to check out Texas’ best Christmas store, Decorators Warehouse in Arlington. With more than an acre of holiday décor and whimsical Christmas displays, its one of the biggest in the shops of its kind on the world. Pre-lit lifelike Christmas trees, garlands, ornaments, ribbons, wreaths, life-size display pieces and more.

After a morning of shopping, have lunch in the Rose Garden Tea Room, and make a day of it!

Whatever you decide to do in Arlington this season, you’re bound to have a historically holiday-inspired time!

TRAVEL OCTOBER 2018

49

The value of a

GUIDE With THOMAS MCCARTNEY

W

hen I was younger I had the good fortune to embark on a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters. For those unfamiliar, there are millions of acres of strictly controlled wilderness on the Minnesota/Canadian border where moose, bear, eagles, and many other animals flourish in their natural habitat, unspoiled by humans.

Whether you are on the U.S. side of the border (Boundary Waters) or the Canadian side (Quetico), the setting is nothing short of spectacular and –thanks to our guide – so was our trip. Not only did we become well-schooled in the proper techniques and best practices for everything from canoeing to stowing our food packs (on ropes up between trees at night to keep bears out of

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BUSINESS & CIVIC OCTOBER 2018

our camp site) we also covered an amazing distance and saw spectacular sights that we otherwise would not have even known were there.

We passed several other groups who were on their own. Some were lost and asking us to help them read their maps.

One group had made a reckless decision and tried to “shoot” some rapids that culminated in a waterfall which had claimed their canoe. Although their experiences probably made for memorable stories, I’m confident none of them had as productive a result as we did.

When it comes to the financial wilderness, many of the same benefits can result from working with a qualified financial advisor.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR When choosing your financial guide, here are a few suggestions for areas to explore:  Qualifications?

Not all financial advisors are alike and you will want to do your homework.

• What licensing does the advisor have?

To help assure that recommendations are based on solutions that might best fit your situation rather than run the risk of them being restricted due to a lack of advisor qualification look for FINRA Series 7, 65 and/or 66 securities licenses as well as Life & Health Insurance licenses for your state.

• Is there a history of any client complaints or any enforcement actions by regulators?

(Visit www.brokercheck.finra.org as well

as your state’s insurance department’s website to review the advisor’s history.)

• Are there any additional industry certifications? If so, what are they and why are they relevant to you?  Nature of Relationship?

What capacity will your advisor be working in?

• Will your financial professional act in the capacity of a broker or will they have a fiduciary responsibility holding them to a higher standard? Brokerage activities are held to a suitability standard, where as investment advisory relationships require that the advisor put your interest before their own. Both can have their place. Make sure you know in which capacity your advisor functions and why.

• How will you pay for services? Commissions, fees, or both? What are your total costs going to be including the underlying investment products’ expenses?  Communication, commitment, and chemistry.

When preparing to work with a financial advisor keep in mind that this relationship could well last for years if not decades.

• With what frequency will you communicate with your advisor and how will contact occur?

• What confidence do you have that your advisor will stay current with the marketplace as your situation evolves?

• Are you comfortable conversing with your advisor and her/ his team? Is there a mutual respect? Will he/she have the rigor to stick with their principles or will they just tell you what you want to hear?

Whether you are evaluating your current advisor or seeking to start a new relationship we wish you a safe and prosperous journey!

FILE#1277-2018

 Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a registered representative and investment advisory representative with M Securities. Investments in securities involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

McCartney and his team can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net or 630-457-4068.

Photo by Indre Cantero

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC).

My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

File #0709-2018

BUSINESS & CIVIC OCTOBER 2018

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Tiny Murphy Dances His Way into Her Heart The story of Deanna and Murphy is a true case of kismet. This is a story about a love that was strong enough to overcome great obstacles.

Last summer, a good samaritan walked into Anderson Animal Shelter with a litter of five newborn kittens. The kittens were less than a day old; their eyes and ears were still closed, and their umbilical cords were still attached. Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers!

In an attempt to keep her spirits up, she focused all of her love and energy on the remaining two little kittens. They began to eat well but they just weren’t gaining weight. Deanna persisted in her efforts but on the tenth day another kitten passed away, leaving just one tiny soul left. She named him Murphy.

Murphy still needed constant care, so Deanna brought him to work with her. He quickly became a favorite of the shelter staff and volunteers. She brought him everywhere with her, as she was the only ‘Mom’ he ever really knew.

The five newborn kittens were immediately brought to Anderson’s veterinary clinic, where the staff quickly worked to warm them up to a healthy body temperature and the Mur Murphy phy is is so so tiny tiny that that process of bottle feeding them each he he fits fits on on one one han d han d with kitten formula began. The babies were incredibly small; their weight barely registered on the clinic scale. The kittens’ best chance of survival would be to place them immediately into an experienced foster home.

Caring for newborn animals requires a very special kind of foster placement. These tiny babies need to be kept warm, be bottle fed every few hours, and be stimulated to help them to urinate and defecate, which a mother cat will typically do while they are still too young to do so themselves. With all of Anderson’s regular ‘neonatal’ foster homes full, who would open their home to help these babies?

Anderson staff member Deanna loves all animals, but cats hold a very special place in her heart. It is one reason why she works as the veterinary clinic coordinator at Anderson. In her role, she not only gets to snuggle with furry friends but also has a hand in finding them their forever families. When Deanna heard about this litter, in spite of the enormous responsibility of such an undertaking she quickly got a crash course in caring for newborns and bravely took all of them home that night. She was determined to give these little kittens the very best chance at life that she could.

The next 24 hours were some of the toughest that Deanna had ever experienced. She tackled the newness of mixing bottles and the exhaustion of bottle feeding each kitten every two hours. Sadly, in spite of her valiant efforts only two of the kittens lived through that first night.

Even though he was doing significantly better, Murphy was a kitten with chronic health issues, and he was still not growing at a healthy rate. At one month of age he was less than half the size that he should have been and could fit into the palm of Deanna’s hand! After repeated tests, Murphy’s diagnosis was still not clear. Anderson’s medical staff was puzzled but they were not about to give up on little Murphy. Neither was Deanna. By that point, she knew that Murphy was destined to be hers.

By three months of age, Murphy’s medical concerns slowly began to resolve. Murphy now weighed 1.5 lbs, still only half of what a kitten of his age should weigh but making progress.

Deanna was overjoyed. Finally, at four months old, Murphy was healthy enough to be neutered. Deanna wasted no time in signing the adoption papers and making this new addition to her family permanent. Not only did Deanna have a great impact on Murphy by providing him the life-saving care he needed as a newborn, but he in turn helps Deanna every day in a way that to her is just as life-altering. Today, Murphy is Deanna’s emotional support animal and so much more.

And that is just the beginning of this love story.

Adopt. Donate.

Foster. Volunteer.

Anderson Animal Shelter - A Humane Society -

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SOUTH ELGIN

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NORTH AURORA

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BLOOMINGDALE

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Here’s Murphy today happy and healthy.

www.andersonanimalshelter.org

A Fun Place FOR DOGS TO PLAY!

This message is made possible thanks to DePaw University Canine Campus

DePAW Daycare offers your dog lots of fun entertainment, healthy exercise, and the opportunity to socialize with other dogs under an expertly trained staff.

Come on over and see how our Daycare at DePAW can have a healthy mental and physical impact on your dog!

SM-CL1577237

BOARDING SM-CL1457102

TRAINING

DAYCARE

EDUCATION

GROOMING

100 S. Glengarry Dr., Geneva, IL 60134 • 630-232-8663 • depawK9campus.com

! e r e H s t r a t S n u F y il m T he Fa

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...”

Friday, Oct.5 and 12, 2018 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6 and 13, 2018 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct.7 and 14, 2018 2 p.m.

Sugar Grove Campus, Auditorium $20 adults/$15 students and seniors 65+ Presented by Community Education and the Fox Country Players.

Running Time: approximately 130 minutes, one 15-minute intermission

Thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, “Shrek the Musical” is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure that brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage.

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Book and Lyrics by DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE, Music by JEANINE TESORI. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Purchase tickets at www.waubonseetickets.com

Go Crazy for Juggling

Marcus Monroe ative ukee n a w l i M roe s Mon Marcu e ing th is lead ave of next w gglers. u dian-j come

Marcus combines innovative juggling with high-energy improvised comedy to create a truly unique show. He’s performed at hundreds of colleges, festivals and arts centers, and is one of the most requested headline acts on Princess, Disney and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. e Just b u l if yo carefu he t sit in ow! r t n fro

A versatile performer, Marcus has also appeared in films, ccommercials and dozens of TV shows.

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, 7 p.m.

S Sugar Grove Campus, Auditorium S $19/$12 children 12 and under $

Don’t he miss t r” Sta “Rock glers! of jug

Your Local Butcher FALL FAVORITES •Boneless Rolled Center Cut Pork Roast

•Sirloin Tri-tip Roast 3-4 lb. avg.

•Boneless Chuck Pot Roast

•Homemade Stuffed Peppers •Stuffed Pork Chops

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OUT OUR FALL PASTA LINE •Butternut Squash •Pumpkin Ravioli •Sweet Potato Gnocchi Stuffed Ravioli & Gnocchi Try Our Homemade Vodka Sauce!

Featuring a full Line of Boars Head Luncheon Meats Engstrom Plaza 716 West State St., Geneva (Entrance on 7th Street)

630-262-1878

www.josefsmeats.com Hours:

Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM We are closed Mondays

CUSTOM CATERING FOR ALL YOUR PARTY ARTY NEEDS NEEDS.

Call C ll ffor d details. il

OM IG OD. OM IG OD, YOU GU Y S! Now Playing through October 21

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BUSINESS & CIVIC OCTOBER 2018

Apple Season Artist SHOWCASE

ESTER MELINA SCOTTE | ALGONQUIN

I was born in Argentina and I started becoming interested in painting when I was twelve. I learned some techniques at the art school I was attending. However, most of my learning has been self taught, which includes trying different materials, different techniques and just enjoying my self by being creative as an artist.

In some way I express my world, my emotions and the different stages of my life including different influences from traveling through the art.

As much as I enjoy diversity in my daily life I strive for diversity in my art and I am always trying new and different styles. art is always a challenge and a pleasure to just free the imagination through the use of colors, shapes and details.

Large Variety of Caramel Apples • Custom Gift Baskets Chocolate Covered Strawberries • Fresh Fudge Boxed Chocolates • Sugar Free Chocolates

Geneva Commons 1308 Commons Dr • Geneva • 630.208.1484

I have been participating in different galleries in Chile and Argentina, including doing commissions and now getting involved with some art galleries in Chicago.

EMPRESS CHICKEN

SZECHWAN STRING BEANS

POTSTICKERS AND HOMEMADE BBQ PORK RIBS

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to KaneCountyMagazine@shawmedia.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

Featuring Cantonese, Szechwan & Mandarin Cuisine, Dim Sum Sunday Check for Daily Combo Menu Specials!

Daily Luncheon Specials Tues. - Sat. 11:30 - 3pm Lunch Specials Tue. - Sat. 11:30-3:00pm | Cocktails Available Daily 11:30 am to 9 pm

FRI & SAT 11:30 AM - 10 PM | CLOSED MONDAYS 537 E. State St., Geneva | 630-232-8351 | www.genhoerestaurant.com BUSINESS & CIVIC OCTOBER 2018

57

Steve Mitchell, – llinois

WHERE ART COLLIDES WITH STYLE Presented by and benefitting

Fine Line Creative Arts Center St. Charles, IL

Jane Miller – Wisconsin

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 10am - 3pm • Boutique area showing the ultimate in jewelry, scarfs, handbags, hats and more, all available for purchase.

• Three-course lunch • An amazing runway show featuring one of a kind wearable art, all available for purchase after the event.

• A unique raffle featuring artisan prizes.

Ellen Granier Bevill – Illinois

Begin your holiday season at Uncommon Threads and find your own piece of wearable art. Something for everyone!

See our website www.fineline.org or call 630-584-9443 for more information and to purchase tickets.

Tickets must be purchased in advance of event.

Nancy Krahn – Illinois

Held at:

Q Center 1405 North Fifth Avenue

(entrance on Route 25 at Country Club Road)

St. Charles, Illinois

Shuttle available from remote parking lot

An Eclectic Mix of Unique Decor, Custom Furnishings & Architectural Salvage

227 S. Third St., Suite 205 2 floor in the Berry House, Geneva 630-402-0072 • www.thelittleredbarndoor.com nd

Hours: Tues. - Wed. 10am - 5pm, Thurs. - Sat. 10am - 7pm & Sun. 11am - 5pm

We can help you keep that Promise!

We will be leaving on October 17th for our Semi Annual Diamond Buying trip to Antwerp, Belgium the Diamond Capital of the world where we can hand select the Diamond of your Dreams!