Issuu

Health & Wellness E DITION

JANUARY 2026

Breaking the Doomscroll Spiral

How to put down the phone and reconnect with healthier habits Page 11

Plant Powered Comfort food reimagined at local vegan and gluten-free eateries Page 12

Step into Jazzercise

Why this popular class is still all the rage Page 26

FIND YOUR

FIT Kick-start your year with local classes • Page 24

Warm Up With our Hot Specials Homemade specials hot out of the oven & ready to go Tues - Fri

*See our Facebook page for specials of the day. Selection varies and quantities limited. Some of our Specialties include ~ BBQ Ribs, Meat Lasagna, Eggplant Parm, Chicken Lemone, Chicken Vesuvio, Italian Beef, Stuffed Peppers and more!

CUSTOM CATERING FOR THE

BIG GAME

FROM YOUR LOCAL BUTCHER

SCORE A TOUCHDOWN WITH OUR SPECIALS CUSTOM CATERING FOR ALL YOUR PARTY NEEDS

Engstrom’s Plaza 716 W. State St. • Geneva (Entrance on 7th St.)

630-262-1878 • www.josefsmeats.com Butcher ~ Delicatessen ~ Caterer

Hours: Tues - Sat. 10-5 Sun 10-2

Home Is Where the Hearth Is

Visit our show room to see over 40 burning models on display. See a wide selection of electric, gas, and wood fireplaces designed to enhance the warmth and beauty of your home. You’ll also find a full line of mantels, fireplace screens, and hearth accessories to complete the picture.

Sales • Service • Installation

1255 Bowes Road, Elgin (847) 741-6464 • thehouseoffireplaces.com Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Editorʼs

NOTE The new year brings with it a sense of rebirth, a clean slate, and a chance to explore new opportunities. After the rush of the holidays, there is a motivation to start fresh and live more intentional lives. With this edition of Kane County Magazine, we examine accessible ways to achieve your goals and resolutions. From engaging with fitness communities to keep movement flowing (page 24) to self-care rituals that help with physical and mental ailments (page 14 and 7), and nutritional insights on the importance of gut health (page 10), there’s a wealth of information to dive into on every page. January's theme is about finding routines that restore rather than exhaust and drain. You’ll find plenty of advice from a range of experts, business owners and neighbors who are redefining wellness in practical ways. We also highlight the power of community and

a long-standing family business celebrating a triple-digit milestone (page 15). As you step into 2026, we hope the stories in this issue encourage you to start where you are, try something new and give yourself grace along the way. Seeking better wellness isn’t about the endgame but rather learning and growing as you go. Here’s to a more balanced and hopeful new year! Thank you for reading! Warmly,

Kelley White, Editor

on the

COVER

Fitness on the Fox is a women’s fitness studio where women come together to empower each other through movement. Find out more on page 24! Next month: We hope you'll be enamored with February Kane County Magazine's love and romance edition!

4 JANUARY 2026

PUBLISHER Kane County Chronicle & Northwest Herald Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kelley White kwhite@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Julie Barichello 815-431-4072 jbarichello@shawmedia.com SENIOR MARKETING SPECIALIST Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Tricia Walter 630-345-0066 twalter@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Maria Garcia Andel, Jonathan Bilyk, Erika Combs, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, Grace Rosati and Chris Walker 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 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

DINE + DONATE

R E A C H YO U R GOALS WITH US! Visit w w w. t h e b g h g r o u p . c o m / f u n d r a i s e r to learn how we help support your favorite organization. Earn 20% of the net proceeds on dine-in or carryout brought in by your guests, which will be donated to your 501(c)(3).

O u r C o m m u n i t y Fo c u s : Education · Feeding the Hungry Active Lifestyles (sports teams, etc) · Pet Welfare Business Development + Entrepreneurship Everything Else...

love to eat | love to serve | love our community

JANUARY

2026

INSIDE

Whatʼs

NEW YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS 7 CHOOSE YOURSELF Elements Massage helps create a routine for restoration and renewal 8 FRESH START Local groups & activities to try this year 10 THE BACTERIA BALANCE Probiotics lead the way to better gut health 11 BREAKING THE DOOMSCROLL SPIRAL Disconnect from your phone & regain some peace 12 PLANT POWERED Comfort food is reimagined at these local vegan and gluten-free eateries 14 FROM BURNED OUT TO BALANCED Find beauty rituals that support your mental health

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE 15 100 YEARS OF SCHAEFER GREENHOUSES Legacy meets the future at this regional institution 16 STC UNDERGROUND TEEN CENTER Celebrating 25 years of connection, creativity & community with the St. Charles Park District

6 JANUARY 2026

18 STAY STRONG ALL YEAR LONG Expert advice for resolutions that stick 20 START 2026 ON THE RIGHT PAW Improving the physical and mental wellbeing of self and pets with the Midwest Vet 22 NEIGHBORHOOD TRENDSETTER One path to community improvement is simply leading by example 24 FIND YOUR FIT Kick-start your year with classes and a little help from the community 26 STEP INTO JAZZERCISE Why this popular class is still all the rage

ENTERTAINMENT 28 GRAB A BOOKMARK Check out the latest in reading recommendations from the Geneva Public Library 29 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Save the date for these events and activities

BUSINESS & CIVIC 30 FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2026 My Advisor & Planner has 9 suggestions for improving your financial success in the year ahead

ELEMENTS MASSAGE 507 S. 3rd St., Suite C, Geneva 630-232-7335 www.elementsmassage.com/geneva

The Year You Choose There’s something special about the start of a new year. The pace slows, the air feels a little crisper, and we’re given a rare moment to reflect on what we want more of in our lives. For many of us, the answer isn’t complicated — we’re looking for more calm, more energy, more moments where we feel genuinely cared for. At Elements Massage Geneva, we hear it from clients all the time: “I want to feel better this year.” And most often, that begins with bringing regular massage and skincare into their lives.

YOURSELF

n CREATING A ROUTINE THAT RESTORES YOU Think of massage therapy as a reset button — one you actually get to press every month. Over time, those sessions soften chronic tension, help you sleep better and make everyday stress feel more manageable. It’s not a luxury; it’s a rhythm your body learns to rely on. This winter, many guests are gravitating to our Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, a warm, grounding service that combines heat, minerals, and gentle exfoliation. There’s a comfort to those hand-carved stones — the way they melt into tight muscles, the way the warmth lingers long after you leave. It’s the kind of service that reminds you what deep relaxation truly feels like. n A NEW BEGINNING FOR YOUR SKIN Just as the body benefits from consistent care, your skin thrives on routine too. Monthly facials help keep your complexion hydrated, bright and balanced — especially during the coldest months, when dullness and dryness tend to creep in. For anyone wanting a fresh start in the new year, our chemical peels offer one of the most transformative boosts. They gently sweep away dead skin cells and encourage healthy renewal underneath, revealing a glow that feels like waking up from winter.

n SMALL SHIFTS, BIG CHANGES What we’ve learned from our clients — and from our own wellness journeys — is that change doesn’t come from dramatic resolutions. It comes from small steps that add up: • Choosing to schedule that monthly massage. • Adding a facial to your calendar instead of waiting “until your skin acts up.” • Trying something new, like a salt stone massage or a chemical peel. • Drinking more water because you know it helps your body and skin recover beautifully. • Or even mapping out a simple wellness calendar for the year so self-care becomes a priority, not an afterthought. These tiny decisions have a way of creating big shifts — not just in how you look, but in how you feel moving through the world. n A YEAR OF RENEWAL As we step into 2026, let this be the year you give yourself permission to care for your whole self — mind, body and skin. With the right routine, a little consistency, and a lot of intention, wellness becomes more than a goal. It becomes your way of life.

NEW YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026

FRESH START Local groups & activities to try this year By Vicki Martinka Petersen Photo provided by Lillie Brown

YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026 8 NEW

FIND YOUR FITNESS HOME.

fter the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is nice to make time for selfcare. One way to carve out moments of relaxation is by taking on a new hobby. That was the case for Lillie Brown of Aurora, who was inspired to try diamond art after seeing the trendy craft on TikTok. Part cross-stitch and part paint-by-numbers, diamond art uses a canvas with a preprinted design that crafters embellish with flat-sided gems. “I wanted to try something new in the craft department because that’s my favorite place to be. Diamond art is such a stress relief to sit and just bedazzle a picture,” says Brown. As a mother of two young children, Brown especially likes that she can easily put it away and return to the canvas whenever she has a few minutes. Another flexible hobby is writing. If the last time you wrote something was an essay for school, there are several local writing groups that can help you hone your skills. The St. Charles Writing Group at the St. Charles Library begins its sessions with a discussion or writing exercise that relates to the writing process. The group then moves into workshop, where members share feedback on manuscripts presented the previous month. The group meets from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the library. Upcoming sessions include Mission Possible: The Hunt for an Agent on Saturday, Jan. 10, and Manuscript Read Aloud on Saturday, Jan. 24. Once you have flexed your writing muscles, you might feel inspired to

share your work. One option is to publish it yourself. That is what Ramsey Miller of Aurora decided to do last summer when he fulfilled a childhood dream of publishing his own zine. His monthly zine, You Are Here, promotes happenings in Aurora, including Aurora Library events, spotlights of notable Illinois figures and short stories written by local residents. “I realized how tight the art community was in Aurora and wanted to give people a way to be informed about local events as well as share art and ideas,” Miller says. People can pick up a copy of You Are Here at the following downtown Aurora locations: • Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave. • Super Jumbo Records, 102 E. Galena Blvd. • Society 57, 100 S. River St. For a fun hobby the whole family can enjoy, consider bird watching. The Kane County Audubon Society, a local chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, meets monthly to discuss bird-oriented and nature topics. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, September through May, at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles. The group also offers field trips, bird walks and nature hikes on select Saturdays, as well as on the second Wednesday in June, July and August in place of a monthly meeting. Recent outings have included bird counts at various locations and leisurely walks through local forest preserves in search of birds. Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.com/ events for the latest schedule of events, which are open to the public.

There’s something for everyone at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Health & Fitness Center. Explore our personal training options, medically integrated programming, engaging group fitness classes and more. Our welcoming fitness community caters to all fitness levels and walks of life. To learn more, call 630.938.9000 or visit delnorhfc.com. Stop in today for a complimentary tour and to learn about our membership options.

DEL-3834550_1025

SM-CL2290384

Coverage for the things you care about • Home Insurance • Business Insurance • Life Insurance

Harry Lee Stout Your Local Agent License #18445966 1434 E. Main St. St Charles, IL 60174 hstout@farmersagent.com

Call 847-640-0402 today! For a no-obligation quote.

Advertisement produced on behalf of the following specific insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Insurance Company of Washington (Bellevue, WA) or affiliates. In TX: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company, Mid-Century Insurance Company of Texas or Texas Farmers Insurance Company. In NY: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company or Farmers New Century Insurance Company. Home office, Los Angeles, CA. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own insurance. List of all insurers and states where licensed at farmers.com/ companies/state/. Not all insurers are authorized in all states. Not all products, coverages, and discounts are available in every state and may vary by state. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. See agent for details. Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave SE, Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98005. Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not licensed and does not solicit or sell in the state of New York.

NEW YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026

The

BACTERIA BALANCE Let probiotics lead the way to better gut health By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

n the quest for better health, it can feel overwhelming. There is no shortage of messages to absorb, from adding more protein to meals to the growing interest in including probiotics in daily diets. But what does it really mean to follow those messages? Registered dietician Peggy Marchini of Northwestern Medicine helps her patients unpack the trends and go beyond the labels from her medical office in DeKalb. Marchini, who has a master’s degree in public health and is a Certified Diabetes Care Education Specialist, sees patients of all ages as they navigate their food choices. She has seen a growing interest in probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as beneficial bacteria. They help with digestion, the body’s immune function and overall wellness. “They support a healthy balance in the gut, the microbiome,” Marchini explained. Keeping the gut in balance is more than feeling good, Marchini said. A

healthy digestive system helps the body absorb nutrients in food.

getting the nutrients we need through the food we eat,” Marchini said.

“When we do not have natural balance, when the gut microbiome is not balanced, we are not going to get all our nutrients,” Marchini said.

Yogurt with live and active cultures is one way to consume probiotics, along with getting a serving of calcium and protein. Marchini said she has also seen cottage cheese packaged with probiotics.

Those familiar with an infection such as strep throat know a doctor prescribes antibiotics to fight the bad bacteria causing illness. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help keep digestion and the immune system steady. Taking antibiotics can disrupt the gut’s microbiome, and Marchini said her own physician recommends adding probiotics to her diet to help restore balance when she needs antibiotic medication.

“Just make sure you are reading the labels,” Marchini advised. Another source is kefir, milk fermented with kefir grains. Marchini said some patients dislike the sour taste, and she advises adding it to a smoothie rather than adding sugar, which can lessen its benefits. Some people prefer to add a little maple syrup to sweeten it.

WHERE TO FIND PROBIOTICS

Kimchi and sauerkraut can be sources of probiotics and used as toppings. Tempeh, a fermented soybean product, can also provide probiotics. The key to finding probiotics is to remember they come from foods that have not been cooked, since cooking would kill and deactivate the beneficial bacteria.

“As a dietician, I always encourage

As a registered dietician, Marchini is not simply prescribing diets or menus. She enjoys getting into the kitchen and helping people have

Another reason to consider probiotics is to help support the immune system, especially during the winter months when sniffles and sneezes are everywhere.

While antibiotics come in pill form, finding live microorganisms in foods is not as simple.

a hands-on experience with food. Marchini is a dietetic consultant for the Leishman Center for Culinary Health at Kishwaukee Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine. The center features teaching kitchens that provide free in-person community classes, and the website offers cooking videos and recipes. Marchini said she has enjoyed the opportunity to provide culinary instruction. Marchini often sees patients referred by their primary care physicians, including those recently diagnosed with diabetes. Some arrive feeling defensive, worried that a nutritionist will hand them a long list of banned foods. “I say, ‘Let’s talk about what you are eating, or can we get more plant-based foods, more colorful foods on the plate. Let’s get in the right direction and let’s look at portions’,” Marchini said. When it comes to healthy eating, Marchini is not looking for a quick fix. She wants long-term, sustainable habits. “I just want to help people live the rest of their lives in health, not just six weeks or until the pounds come off,” Marchini said.

"[Probiotics] support a healthy balance in the gut, the microbiome. ... When we do not have natural balance, when the gut microbiome is not balanced, we are not going to get all our nutrients." — Peggy Marchini, registered dietitian, Northwestern Medicine YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026 10 NEW

BREAKING THE DOOMSCROLL SPIRAL Disconnect from your phone & regain time in your day by building new habits By Chris Walker

Many will never take the time to read this story because they’ve been scrolling headlines on their phones about gun violence, the economy, health care, the cost of living, immigration and racism mere inches from their eyes. These doomscrollers often are left sad, anxious, uncertain, overwhelmed, scared and disappointed — yet they return to scrolling, and the cycle continues. Google is full of suggestions to end that cycle: switch your phone to black and white, turn off alerts, be strict and check social media and the news just once or twice a day; if you catch yourself in the act, nip it in the bud. When scrolling makes you sad, stop doing it. "To me, if someone wants to avoid doomscrolling they should probably learn about getting off the internet,” says James Stickling, owner of The Book Shop in Batavia. “Jonathan Haidt recently published a book called, ‘The Anxious Generation' (2024). Thanks to his work many schools and school districts are going phone-free. I would suggest that anyone that wants to

avoid doomscrolling, instead of getting lost in something, I suggest that they try and read up on why this is bad.” That’s why finding a replacement habit is critical. It could be reading a book you can’t put down because it’s simply that good. Owner Dave Hunt and his staff at Town House Books in St. Charles recommend John Kinney’s I See You’ve Called in Dead. “It’s the perfect novel for these times,” Hunt says. “Both funny and deeply moving, it's about a 40-something obituary writer, newly divorced, who, during a night of drinking a bit too much, accidentally writes and sends his own obituary. He technically cannot be fired since his company won't fire a dead person. The book is about him fixing his broken life and searching for meaning. What he discovers is touching and profound.” Carrie Auwaerter, co-owner of Vinyl & Vintage in Elburn, says music takes her away. “A few favorites are Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66,” she says. “Brazilian jazz has lovely harmonies, driving rhythms and tropical vibes. Makes you feel good like

a mini vacation. Next is Electric Light Orchestra’s ‘Out of the Blue,’ with many songs you’ll recognize and forgotten tracks to enjoy. Another is Elton John’s ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.’ This double album has wonderful production value; stories put to music by Bernie Taupin and is probably Sir Elton’s best work.” Kiss the Sky owner Steve Warrenfeltz says you can get lost listening to “Pet Sounds” from The Beach Boys as well as John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” Bob Dylan’s “John Wesley Harding,” The Kinks’ “The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society” and, finally, King Crimson’s “In the Court of the Crimson King.” “The (King Crimson) songs deal with the devastating effects of war, disillusionment, futility, corruption and poor leadership and authority,” Warrenfeltz says. “The album takes you on a journey through a river full of emotion including bliss and sadness to contentment and happiness while spilling a ton of tears along the way. It is as relevant and vibrant today as it was when it was released. It is one of the most remarkable music creations of all time.”

NEW YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026

Plant Powered

YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026 12 NEW

Comfort food is reimagined at these local vegan and gluten-free eateries By Grace Rosati | Photos by Lauren Serviss, April Duda Photography and Jo Colagiacomi

hether you’re switching to a new diet or looking for a new culinary experience, exploring veganism is a great way to begin the new year with a fresh start. However, it can be difficult to find restaurants that accommodate these dietary restrictions. Luckily, Kane County has a wide variety of choices for people of all nutritional backgrounds to enjoy. Start your day off right with breakfast at Sweet Berry Cafe in South Elgin. Owner Dan Mataragas believes anyone who walks through his door should be able to find something delicious to eat, which is why he created their specialty plant-based menu. Mataragas’s recommendation? The Harvest Hash. “This dish was my baby that I created for myself when I moved to a plant-based diet,” explains Mataragas. “My chef started making me these vegan refried beans, and they are absolutely delicious. Sometimes I just order the refried beans and toast and that's my meal.” If sweet is more your style, try their plant-based oatmeal, complete with their own vegan-friendly granola. Sweet Berry Cafe has something for everyone, so browse their specialty menu and try one of their unique vegan dishes.

Like veganism, a gluten-free diet can also make eating out a challenge. But at Ugly Noodle in Geneva, you can enjoy all your favorite comfort foods with the assurance that they’re safe to eat. From amazing pasta dishes to their in-house, celiac-friendly market, Ugly Noodle is a haven for anybody seeking a diet-friendly eating experience. While they do sell meat products, all dishes can be modified to match your preferences. Geneva-grown owner Lauren Serviss first learned she was gluten-free during COVID-19. She has since made it her mission to create a safe culinary space for her community. “I created Ugly Noodle because this is the food that I've missed with my dietary restrictions,” reflects Serviss. “To have it be a place that people feel has literally changed their life… it’s surreal but also very rewarding.” Stop by Ugly Noodle for exceptional gluten-free and veganfriendly dining you won’t find elsewhere. Make sure to save room for dessert. Specializing in vegan-friendly New York-style baked goods, New Moon Vegan in downtown Batavia is the perfect place to indulge in sweet or savory treats without compromising your diet. Owner and head baker Jo Colagiacomi has been living a plant-based lifestyle for almost her entire life. When her family developed food allergies, she found the perfect opportunity to experiment with vegan baking. While New Moon Vegan offers plenty of scrumptious sweets, Colagiacomi’s pride and joy lies in their daily focaccia breads. “My favorite is our tomato focaccia because that's what I grew up with,” explains Colagiacomi. “It's almost like a pizza with no cheese, and it’s definitely a comfort food for me.” Their breads also appear in their weekly sandwiches, all made with vegan-friendly meats and ingredients. At New Moon Vegan, the world of baked vegan goods is yours to enjoy. NEW YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026

from

B U R N E D O U T to Beauty rituals that support mental health By Yanira Garcia Andel

BALANCED

urnout has become one of the most defining experiences of modern life. Long workdays, digital overload and constant pressure to “do more” have left many people feeling emotionally drained and physically disconnected. As 2026 approaches, wellness culture is shifting away from extreme routines and toward something softer, slower and more sustainable. At the center of this movement is a powerful idea: beauty rituals can be mental health tools. More than skincare or self-care trends, these practices focus on creating moments of calm, grounding and restoration in everyday life. One of the most popular rituals leading this shift is gua sha — a centuries-old facial massage technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Using a smooth stone tool to gently glide across the face and neck helps stimulate circulation, release tension and reduce puffiness. Beyond the physical benefits, gua sha offers something deeper: five to 10 uninterrupted minutes of slow, intentional touch. For many, that quiet moment becomes a form of moving meditation.

YEAR HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 2026 14 NEW

Then there’s the return of the bath — not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Warm water helps relax muscles, lower cortisol levels and signal the nervous system that it’s safe to rest. Adding Epsom salts, essential oils or even simple unscented soaps can transform a basic bath into a decompression ritual. In a world that rarely slows down, being submerged in stillness has become a powerful form of reset. Scent therapy, or aromatherapy, is also taking a front seat in mental wellness routines. Scents like lavender, sandalwood, eucalyptus and citrus are known to influence mood and memory. A candle lit at the end of the day, a roller oil applied before a meeting or even a favorite perfume worn intentionally can create emotional anchors throughout the day — small signals to breathe, pause and recalibrate. Journaling, once seen as purely emotional or creative, is now widely recognized for its mental health benefits. Writing helps process stress, track emotional patterns and release mental overload. Many people pair journaling with beauty rituals — writing while wearing a face mask, after a bath or before skincare — to create a calm transition

between the demands of the day and the rest that should follow. All of these practices fall under a larger movement known as slow beauty. Instead of rushing through routines or chasing endless product launches, slow beauty prioritizes intention over excess. The focus is on fewer products, deeper care and being fully present during the ritual itself. It’s not about looking flawless — it’s about feeling grounded. This shift reflects a broader truth that many are embracing: mental wellness and physical beauty are not separate. How we care for our bodies influences how we experience our minds. Gentle rituals create predictability in uncertain times. They teach the nervous system safety. They help people move from survival mode into something more sustainable. In Kane County and beyond, this softer approach to wellness is quietly taking root — at home, in local studios and even in everyday routines between work and family life. For those navigating burnout, these rituals don’t fix everything. But they offer something just as meaningful: small, steady steps back toward balance. And sometimes, that’s exactly where healing begins.

100 years of

Schaefer Greenhouses

By Jonathan Bilyk | Photos provided by Schaefer Greenhouses

fter a century in the business of planting beauty and joy, Schaefer Greenhouses isn't closing the book. Rather, the owners of the longtime staple in the Fox Valley say they are writing the next chapters under the glass. With the calendar flipped to 2026, Schaefer's Greenhouse is preparing to mark its 100th year in business. By any estimate, the achievement is rare. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 12% of American businesses endure beyond their 25th anniversary. By some counts, only about 1,000 businesses — or 0.5% of American shops — reach their centennials. "It's really incredible," said Billy Murdoch, vice president of operations at Schaefer Greenhouses. Today, Schaefer's serves as a go-to, yearround destination for flowers, houseplants and just about anything people in the Fox Valley need to make their gardens grow. The business grew over the decades. According to information provided by Schaefer Greenhouses, the greenhouses took root in Montgomery in 1926, building the first enclosed growing structures there after relocating from the west side of Aurora. There, the company had operated for about two decades

under founders Frank C. Schaefer and John K. Newhall under the name Aurora Greenhouse Company.

floral delivery service giant FTD recognized the Schaefers for operating one of its topperforming shops.

The company started in Montgomery with three greenhouses. Within four years, the company added four more. Before the decade was out, Schaefer had bought out his partner and renamed the business Schaefer Greenhouses.

Today, floral sales and delivery remain the largest segments of Schaefer's business, Murdoch said. In addition to retail and deliveries locally and through FTD, the greenhouses supply flowers and plants wholesale to hospitals, offices, interior decorators and more, while operating through the True Value retail system, Murdoch said.

Demand exploded after World War II, leading to four more large greenhouses and other structures to support the demand for the greenhouses' assortment of poinsettias, cyclamen, hydrangeas, azaleas, geraniums, carnations, mums, violets and bedding plants. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Schaefer Greenhouses continued to add tens of thousands of square feet of new growing structures, including large aluminum greenhouses with automatic shading systems as well as new retail floral and gift shops and a garden center store. In the 1980s, investments in technology and efficiency allowed the business to expand production in their existing facilities by 25%. And the company marked the first ownership transition as Frank Schaefer's sons, Eric, Frank and Edward, assumed the mantle while the third generation of Schaefers — John, Jim, Mary Ann and Mike — managed operations. Under the new leadership, Schaefer Greenhouses grew its floral design and delivery business, with daily deliveries to a region that included more than 150,000 residents in and around Aurora, Naperville, Oswego,Yorkville, Sugar Grove and Elburn. From 1977 to 1983,

In the 1990s, Schaefer's overcame challenges that threatened to wither the business. In 1996, a severe flood swamped growing areas and disrupted production; the Schaefer family and their staff worked constantly, running pumps and moving crops, "to keep the operation alive." Following the floods, the Schaefers chose not to close up shop, but rather to "rebuild stronger and build for the future." They responded to the damage by constructing a 35,000-square-foot "showplace, event space and fully automated greenhouse." The project included a climate-controlled indoor retail centerpiece, among other improvements. Three years later, in 1999, a fire destroyed the gift shop, boiler room, floral design area and offices. But the Schaefers again rebuilt, with an even better retail shop designed for efficiency and improved production. In 2025, after 99 years in business, the Schaefer family opted to sell the greenhouses to AEC Supply. At the time of the purchase, AEC said they intended to honor the Schaefers' longstanding tradition and reputation for quality, with the goal of expanding production and delivery in the region.

Murdoch said Schaefer Greenhouses continues to invest in technology and efficiency, with high-tech computercontrolled heating and cooling systems, as well as water recycling irrigation systems to ensure very little water goes to waste. Murdoch said members of the Schaefer family continue to partner with the greenhouses and grow plants. Schaefer's will remain a top destination for those seeking high-quality plants, whether it be floral arrangements for delivery to a special someone, fruits, vegetables and flowering plants for a home garden, or flowers for a special day or big event, like a wedding. In addition to their team of floral designers, Schaefer's has a wedding florist on staff, who Murdoch said is ready to help brides customize their displays, no matter the size of the event. Murdoch said Schaefer's supplies about 70 to 80 weddings annually. "We're one of the few places that does it all," Murdoch said. He noted Schaefer's relies on outside suppliers for some products, but the vast bulk of everything customers find at Schaefer's will come from right there, under glass, in the Fox Valley. That is a big reason why people often drive hours to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning stocking up at Schaefer's each spring, or to pick up some of the thousands of poinsettias still grown on site, or for any of the other wide assortment of flowers and other plants offered year round. "We just prefer to grow it," he said.

SCHAEFER GREENHOUSES • 120 S. LAKE ST., MONTGOMERY • 630-896-1936 • WWW.SCHAEFERGREENHOUSES.COM FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

QUOTES FROM

TEENS Programs that the STCU does with the St. Charles Library are really fun! I like when they do crafts and other things where I can be creative. —Evelyn S.

e th at y it n u m m Co & ty vi ti ea Cr , on ti ec n Celebrating 25 Years of Con

d n u o r g r e STC Und

r e t n e C Teen By Erika Combs | Photos provided

by St. Charles Park District

QUOTES FROM

TEENS You can make new friends you wouldn’t meet at school. I especially like anime nights and using the gaming PCs. — Anastasia P.

& LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 16 FAMILY

his year marks a significant milestone for the STC Underground Teen Center as it celebrates 25 years of empowering young people in the St. Charles community. Since opening its doors in 2001, STC Underground has served as a safe, welcoming place where teens can learn, grow and connect. What began as a simple gathering spot has evolved into a vibrant hub filled with opportunities—from arts and gaming programs to leadership initiatives and life-skills training.

JOHN B. NORRIS RECREATION CENTER

For the Health of it

Fitness Center • Tennis • Pickleball • Group Fitness • Wellness Coaching • Aquatics

Perfect for the

WHOLE FAMILY!

Memberships available for ages 12+

For generations of middle and high school students, the Underground has been more than just a teen center; it has been a place to discover passions, build confidence, and form friendships that last long after their teen years. Over the past quarter-century, countless youths have found mentorship, support, and a genuine sense of belonging within its walls. This anniversary also honors the dedication of volunteers, staff, and community partners whose commitment has shaped the center’s success and helped uplift thousands of teens. “As we reflect on 25 years, we take great pride in the positive impact STC Underground has had on our community,” says Teen Center Supervisor Dan Proccaccio. “Our goal has always been to provide a safe, engaging environment where teens feel supported and encouraged to explore their interests. Hearing former participants share the lasting influence the center has had on their lives reinforces the importance of the work we do.” Looking ahead, STC Underground is expanding its reach with STCU’s Zone Just Got Bigger, opening the doors for even more teens to participate. With newly expanded boundaries, students from a wider area are now eligible to enjoy all the center has to offer. If you weren’t eligible before, you may be now—meaning you and friends from different schools can sign up together for gaming tournaments, special events, group trips, or simply relax at

the teen center and enjoy its array of Gen Z–approved amenities. The center remains FREE for students residing within Community Unit School District 303 boundaries and is available for just $10 for nonresidents. Open to all middle school and high school teens ages 11–19—including parochial and homeschooled students within the district—STC Underground continues to be a unique, inclusive space where teens can socialize, play games, do homework, access technology, watch TV and much more. As it steps confidently into the next 25 years, STC Underground remains committed to inspiring future generations and continuing its legacy of meaningful, positive impact. Here’s to more memories, more opportunities, and many more years of supporting St. Charles youth. STC Underground Teen Center is managed by the St. Charles Park District.

QUOTES FROM

TEENS I like that we can come to the STCU and do things like play Dungeons and Dragons or other gaming activities like that. —Matthew B.

FACILITY AMENITIES • 6,300 sq. ft. Fitness Center w/Cardio Equipment, Adjustable Weight Stations & Free Weights • Minigym with Basketball Hoop • Cycling Studio with TRX® Equipment • Group Fitness Studio • Private Health & Wellness Consultation Area • Private Massage Room • 4 Regulation-Size Hard Tennis Courts • 4 Regulation-Size Hard Pickleball Courts • 50-meter Indoor Pool • Child Care Center • Locker Rooms with Sauna Membership Includes use of all Amenities AND • Complimentary Health & Wellness Consultation • Group Fitness Classes • Program Discounts: Tennis, Pickleball, Health & Wellness, Swimming & Childcare • Pickleball Drop-In Discount • Tennis Court Fee Discounts • Lap/Open Swim

For packages & pricing visit: norrisrec.org 1050 Dunham Rd. • St. Charles • 630-377-1405 • norrisrec.org •

/NorrisRecCenter

Managed by the St. Charles Park District in cooperation with Community Unit School District 303

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

STAYll YSTRONG ear Long A

EXPERT ADVICE FOR RESOLUTIONS THAT STICK By Chris Walker Photos provided by Fox Valley Park District

ou can bear the winter and avoid the urge to hibernate.

Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions with great ambition. They are motivated to start, but the honeymoon phase of a new lifestyle can last only so long. Unfortunately, most fail to stick to their resolutions once that initial excitement fades. So how can you succeed? Consider what some of our local fitness experts suggest that help keep you moving toward your health and fitness goals into 2026. Elizabeth Sunderland, a personal trainer at the Fox Valley Park District’s Vaughn Athletic Center in Aurora, suggests scheduling workouts, finding a workout buddy, signing up for fitness classes or hiring a personal trainer. “Hire a personal trainer to help hold you accountable,” she says. “I know I’m much more likely to show up if I’ve already paid for a session.” Sunderland reminds her clients to drink

& LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 18 FAMILY

plenty of water and get outside in the sun. “Don’t forget the vitamin D,” she says. “With the shorter days and less exposure to the sun, double up on the supplemental forms to ensure your energy, mood and strength stay boosted. Also, try to prioritize spending time outside while the sun is up.” Dan Charak, a kinesiologist and corrective exercise specialist at the Norris Recreation Center in St. Charles, said it is important to find activities you enjoy. “We can make them into a daily habit by doing those activities at the same time every day,” he says. “Having a workout partner will help with accountability. This will then become part of your identity and allow for purposeful movement each day. It's all about finding your balance. Regular exercise, sleep and adequate nutrition.” Mary Jo Para, a personal trainer with the Geneva Park District, recommends adding simple movements to your daily routine. “I would say that it’s important to

remember that any movement throughout the day is better than no movement,” she says. “It’s easy to get derailed with fitness resolutions when you’re busy with all the things of life. But it’s important to remember that all movement is good!” Para suggests parking farther away, so you walk more, carrying grocery bags instead of using a cart, opting for stairs instead of elevators and more. “While you’re working in the kitchen, do some countertop push-ups,” she says. “Stand instead of sitting during a call for work. Small bursts of activity scattered throughout the day are a great way to keep the body moving when it’s hard to get to the gym.” Ryan Darby, co-owner and personal trainer at Pound 4 Pound Fitness in Elburn, says the key to staying active is avoiding pain and discomfort. “The less aches and pains you have, the more likely you are to move more and continue to do the things you love,” Darby says. “It’s not about weight loss for my clients, it’s about being able to go hiking, golfing, going down the slide with their child or grandchild, and not sitting on the bench watching from a distance.”

Offering you the Best Advice, the Best Coverage at the Best Rates AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE

Small enough to know you... Large enough to serve you!

Providing service in the following states: IL, WI, PA, CO and IN

Serving you and the community since 1980.

1100 West Main Street, Suite B, St. Charles, IL p 630-485-5100 • f 630-485-5200 | www.hazeninsurance.com FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

Starting

2026

on the right foot Improving ... and the physical paw and mental wellbeing of self and pets

Every January, without fail, I get an urge to start fresh with new habits, new routines, new ways to feel healthier. This year, when I started planning how to improve myself, I also thought about my pets and how to improve my pets’ lives. They are part of my daily life, so anything I do for myself will also have to include them. & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 20 FAMILY

One of the biggest habits I recommit to each year is walking more, and it is on the list for this year. It sounds simple, but it can make a huge difference. Walking will help to keep not only myself fit but also helps to keep my dogs fit and focused. Walking encourages me to clear my own mind and get moving even on days when I am not feeling very motivated. On those cold mornings when I think about skipping the walk, I remind myself that the walk is just as important for me as it is for them, and sometimes it is the reason I even get out of the house. Most people think of physical health when the new year begins, but this year, I am also going to give mental health just as much attention. This applies to me, and again it also applies to my pets. This year I want to make more room for mental relaxation and enrichment in our routine. I live with some very high maintenance pit bull mixes who are full of energy and always looking for

something to do. They also happen to be extremely talented at destroying toys, and mail ordering dog toys is expensive. I still have not found a toy they cannot destroy, so I need a different way of exercising their mental health. One of my dogs is deaf, incredibly athletic and incredibly intelligent. He relies heavily on body language, eye contact, sign language and emotional connection to communicate. He is so gentle, and my family and I think he would be a perfect therapy dog. He loves people and being the center of attention. Helping others as a therapy pet is perfect mental stimulation for him. Another one of my dogs struggles with reactivity to other dogs and has severe anxiety. She gets overwhelmed easily, and she needs structured ways to build confidence and feel safe. I know that reactivity training could help her manage her emotions better. It would give her something positive to focus on and help her feel proud of herself. Both dogs would benefit so much

from having a job to do, and the truth is that I would benefit right along with them. I have another dog who is like an athlete and is the primary destroyer of dog toys. Agility for him would give him an outlet to hopefully help keep him from being so destructive. My last dog is just a little out of shape and could just use some exercise, and for her, I just need a workout partner to help me lose some weight — I think that we can help each other on that front. For those keeping track, yes, that is four dogs. My life is busy. Between work, family, kids and everything else that fills a day, it can be hard to find time for myself, let alone all the pets. But making space for agility, enrichment or even short training sessions will give me and my family something to look forward to each week. Exercising with them in this way will help to keep me active, gives me time to breathe and strengthens the bond I share with my pets. On stressful days, working

with them reminds me to slow down and focus on the moment. That mental reset helps all of us. Winter brings its own challenges for staying healthy. The cold, the wind, the snow and especially the salt can make walks uncomfortable for pets and for people. When I go outside, I bundle up in boots, gloves and a warm coat. Our pets need their version of this, too. Booties protect their paws from salt and ice, and jackets or sweaters help keep them warm, especially short-coated dogs or senior pets. If booties are not an option, wiping or rinsing paws after a walk helps remove salt and prevents irritation. Winter also means more time indoors, which can lead to boredom. This is often when pets find creative ways to entertain themselves, and it is not always in ways we appreciate. Enrichment becomes especially important during this season. Puzzle feeders, hide and seek games, nose work, short training sessions and rotating toys can make a big difference. Even five minutes of focused enrichment helps my dogs settle and keeps their minds busy. January is also a great time to schedule your pet’s annual veterinary exam. Life gets busy and it is easy to let the months slip by. An annual wellness check helps catch small changes before they become big problems. It is also a chance to talk about dental care, weight changes, skin issues, behavior concerns or anything else you have noticed at home over the previous year. January is the perfect time of year to make that call and get the

appointment on the calendar. Each January, I tell myself the same thing. Start small. Be consistent. Give myself and my pets some grace. Wellness is not about perfection. It is about making small choices that add up over time. When I focus on healthy habits for myself and for my pets, the whole household benefits. In conclusion, here is my New Year’s resolution: I want to walk more (and bring my family along for the walk), even when the weather makes it tempting to stay inside. I want to bring more enrichment and relaxation into my and my pets’ routine. I want to give agility, training and therapy a real try with my dogs. I want them to stay warm, comfortable and safe outdoors. And I want to make sure their veterinary care stays on track so they can stay healthy throughout the year. My pets keep me moving, make me laugh, challenge me, comfort me and sometimes drive me a little crazy, as all family can sometimes do. But they also remind me what matters. Starting the new year with them in mind feels natural because they are such a big part of my life.

Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon Bringing Expert, Compassionate Care to your Primary Care Veterinary Clinic Midwest Veterinary Surgical Services aims to provide compassionate, expert surgical care for pets right at your local veterinary clinic. Our mission is to make advanced procedures affordable and convenient by eliminating the need to visit a distant specialty facility. Your pets deserve top-notch medical care, and we are here to provide it in the comfort of your home clinic.

This year I hope other pet owners in our community can join me in finding simple ways to support their own wellness and their pets’ wellness, too. I would love to hear what other activities that other pet parents do with their pets. Here is to a healthy, happy New Year for all of us, people and pets alike. Happy New Year from each of us at Midwest Veterinary Surgical Services.

Dr. Aaron M. Jackson is a board-certified veterinary surgeon with over 20 years of experience in advanced surgical care for pets. He earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 1998, followed by specialized training in small animal surgery. In 2006, he achieved board certification in the specialty of Small Animal Surgery. Jackson has held leadership roles at Chicago’s largest veterinary specialty center, including chief surgeon and medical director. His expertise, skill and compassion provide pet owners with confidence in their pets’ surgical care. Submit suggestions and questions for future article topics via email at info@mvss.vet.

Founded by Dr. Aaron Jackson, a boardcertified veterinary surgeon with over 25 years of veterinary experience

847-350-8234 SM-CL2290342

www.mvss.vet

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

n SUBURBAN SUPERDAD n

a g n i t Set

d o o h r o b h g i Ne d n e Tr N

ow, we know that claiming credit could be seen as a bit hubristic. But the paint color does match a bit too closely to simply dismiss the claim outright.

One path to community improvement is simply leading by example & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 22 FAMILY

Perhaps, though, some back story is in order. Years ago, when my wife and I were looking for our family's next home, we knew our criteria would include certain non-negotiables. For instance, a backyard was a must, as we needed a naturalistic refuge in which to play, relax and entertain. Next on the list? A garage. Too many years spent clearing snow and frost off cars seemingly each morning from Thanksgiving to Easter, and one too many times performing car repairs in the elements, just as conditions became a bit too elemental, combined to make a roof and four walls for our vehicles all but a suburban mandate.

But also on the list? No homeowners associations. We understand that some people love HOAs. Perhaps you enjoy pondering the condition of your neighbors' homes and yards and then trying to make them just like yours. But that's not us. I mean, not really. We also understand not all HOAs are the same. Some, we know, only impose slight dictatorial burdens, while others may stop just short of filling neighborhood streets with parades of goosestepping Karens, Kevins and Chads. In any event, we knew that city inspectors offered more than enough bureaucracy for our taste. That view was only reinforced about three years after moving into our new digs, when we slogged through the long process of adding onto our home. Post completion, we could not even imagine the additional strain of being

forced to clear such details as the siding and trim type and color. For the record, we ultimately clad the house in a cement fiber siding in a lovely shade of sage green, which drew rave reviews from the neighbors. The final product even elicited a comment of "Nice choice" from the city inspector. Also, for the record, that selection came over the objections of my 5-year-old daughter at the time, who was disappointed we didn't go with her exterior selections of pink and purple. (But also, also for the record: If some panel of neighbors tried to force me to go with a certain color, you may have at some point read in the local paper about that weird dad who decided to let his daughter pick the paint colors.) Of course, we knew the risks that accompanied such footloose HOA-free, live-and-let-living, as well. One needed to look only at some of the other houses in our neighborhood to see prime examples. Some houses were (gasp!) rented out. And the condition of others would have surely melted down even the hardiest of HOA do-gooder kommissars into "happy snowmen in summer" on the pavement. Unfortunately, as it turns out, one of those houses was a bit too close to ours.

For years, whenever we would host backyard parties, we'd hear the remarks and field questions from guests: Does anyone live there? (Yes.) What are the neighbors like? (Quite nice, actually.) Have you called the city? (Why would I do that?) Do they own it? As it turns out, we've never actually met the owner of that house. To the best of our knowledge, he's a former community resident who moved far away and now enjoys his passive income a bit too much. So, our toolbox was quite limited when it came to encouraging repairs to this particular home. However, our despair may have been misplaced. See, when we launched into our big home addition project, underlings at City Hall told us that their bosses were actually thrilled by the project. They hoped it could trigger a domino effect in a neighborhood in which investment had lagged for some time. And it turns out, they weren't wrong. In the years since, our neighbors each summer have completed an array of renovation projects: New paver driveways, siding, roofs, landscaping and more. But the coup came earlier this year, when suddenly, a work crew pulled up to that house next door. By the time they were done, the house had been transformed. And no one would yet call it "nice." But it also no longer

looks like the only option for improvement may be a date with demolition. No one can say what exactly motivated the sudden restoration project. A clue may lie in one detail. The lovely coat of sage green in which the house is now wrapped, a color some might suggest had been matched to those cement fiber boards that cover our walls. But no one's claiming credit. We're too busy enjoying our own home and minding our own business — and we resolve to try not to steal a peek over the fence or through the blinds to see what unexpected home improvement dominos might fall in our neighborhood in the coming new year. n 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.)

CALL US TODAY OR VISIT US ONLINE

(630) 363-9067

Voted BEST Heating & A/C

WWW.MCNALLYHVAC.COM FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

FIND YOUR

FIT Kick-start your year with classes By Vicki Martinka Petersen | Photos provided by Fitness on the Fox, Fit Shepherds and The Perch

he new year is a great time to start — or return to — a fitness routine. If this is the year you’re hoping to make an exercise habit stick, check out one of these community offerings.

FIT SHEPHERDS

Every Saturday at 7 a.m., men ranging from teens to seniors gather at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Aurora to focus on their physical and spiritual health with Fit Shepherds. Any man can attend these free sessions. Each workout begins with participants kneeling as they pray the Our Father as a group. After a warmup, they complete a full 45-minute workout followed by a spiritual reflection. The group also meets at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, ending with a group prayer.

& LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 24 FAMILY

Dan Maxwell joined Fit Shepherds after meeting a member during their kids’ soccer game. After one session, he was hooked. He even brings his son to the weekly workouts. Maxwell says exercises can be modified by skill level, noting that injured or older men sometimes walk on their own for 45 minutes before the spiritual reflection.

FITNESS ON THE FOX

“This ministry is more than just the workouts. It’s a way for men of likeminded faith to gather together and grow not just in their physical abilities, but spiritually and bring a stronger sense of community,” says Maxwell.

One of the most popular formats is the boot camp series, including upperand lower-body boot camps as well as a Saturday morning Rise & Shine Bootcamp.

Located in St. Charles, Fitness on the Fox is a women’s fitness studio where women come together to empower each other through movement. The gym offers a diverse range of group classes designed to suit all fitness levels and interests, including yoga, Pilates and strength training. They also offer a running program each spring, summer and fall.

“These classes are a great mix of strength

training and high-intensity intervaltraining,” says owner Kelly Haas. A new class to Fitness on the Fox this past year is Barre Burn — a total-body workout that combines barre, core conditioning and strength exercises using lighter weights. When you’re ready to lift heavier, the Super Strength class focuses on perfect form for exercises like squats, presses and other strength movements with dumbbells, barbells or machines. The Little Foxes Camp keeps youngsters ages 3 months to 11 years entertained while their mom fits in a workout. Offered during mid-morning classes from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Little Foxes Camp begins

An Olive Oil Experience

See Our Website for the Recipe of the Month

New Flavors Available

Select from over 60 different extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from all over the world. Unique Gift Baskets Available.

See Our Website for Over 500 Recipes!

Store Hours Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 11am-4pm

Homemade Skincare Products made with Olive Oil

Now Carrying Limited Selection of Spice House Products

315 James St. • Geneva, IL • (630) 262-0210 • www.theolivemillstores.com

YOU’RE DRIVING OUR REPUTATION HOME TriCity Auto, Inc. EST 1972

110 N. Randall Rd. St. Charles 630-584-5115 • tricityautoinc.com Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30-5:00pm Saturday Call for an appointment

Dent & Scratch Repair • Paintless Repair • Lifetime Warranty

Randall Rd.

Rt. 64

From Major Collision Damage to Minor

Proudly Serving the Fox Valley Area for Over 50 Years with a story followed by age-appropriate activities, including a daily obstacle course, crafts or singing and dancing together as a group. If you’re looking for help with fitness resolutions, check out the Winter Wellness Program from Jan. 12 to Feb. 28. Visit fitnessonthefox.com to learn more or register for a class.

THE PERCH

Nestled along the Fox River in downtown Aurora, The Perch offers a respite from the busyness of life with a variety of yoga classes. Their most popular class is Gentle Yoga,

a beginner-friendly offering for all body types that meets people where they’re at. The classes move slowly, pose by pose, with plenty of instruction and modifications. Another popular class, Stretch + Release, focuses on breathing and stretching for the first half of class before transitioning into restful poses designed to soothe the nervous system and ease stress. “Yoga is beneficial for easing tension, relaxing stress and improving balance — all things we need in the winter months,” says owner Amy Jackson. Register for classes online at theperchplace.com or pay at the door.

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske Photos provided by Michelle Berls

hen the clock strikes 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Geneva, the dance party begins for Michelle Berls and her dedicated students who are ready to turn up the music and get moving. Berls is a Jazzercise instructor and the owner of Jazzercise Geneva at Strikers Fox Valley, and for more than 30 years she has been hip-shaking and following the footwork of routines to the latest hits and more. “I’ve taken aerobic workouts with boring songs and repetitive movements, but this is 16 songs in a set and everyone is so different, it makes the time go by fast,” Berls said. In 2026, Jazzercise will celebrate its 57th anniversary. One of the keys to its longevity has been its ability to evolve through the decades, bringing in new movements, classes and weight training that help members burn calories and build strength and flexibility.

& LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026 26 FAMILY

STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH

WHY THIS POPULAR CLASS IS STILL ALL THE RAGE

Michelle Berls leads a class for Jazzercise Geneva at Strikers Fox Valley

Berls remembers a time when women resisted weight training. Today her students, who range in age from their 20s through their 70s, pick up their weights and build bone strength. “You get a nice, toned look too,” she said. When her sister-in-law invited her to a Jazzercise class in the 80s, she thought it would be another typical aerobics class. “I was in my 30s, had two little ones and was looking to lose the baby weight,” Berls said, adding, “And I was looking to have an hour to myself.” A class turned into a few more, and soon Berls said she was hooked. Jazzercise instructor Melissa Liesen shares a similar path. She was invited to join a class as a young mom and discovered she loved the workouts. Liesen has been enjoying Jazzercise for 23 years, including 21 as an instructor, and today she is also the owner of Jazzercise Elburn, which draws residents from Batavia, St. Charles, Sycamore, DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Liesen, a former gymnast and cheerleader, realized she was a natural at memorizing routines. When she started as an instructor, she received DVDs with routines to learn throughout the year. She even remembers using CDs to play and change the music. Classes today are more seamless, with playlists on phones and new routines available through online trainings each month. Liesen and Berls said their classes draw students from a wide range of ages, and one of the most versatile aspects of Jazzercise is how instructors can dial up or dial down the intensity in each routine.

“You can come in at any level and still feel successful by the end of class,” Liesen said. “It’s not a competitive class. It’s much more about you doing you. We’re going to help you get there and build out where you are at this point. I think that’s one of the reasons Jazzercise has been around as long as it has been.” With varying classes, from cardio sculpt to high intensity interval training, students can feel comfortable attending daily, Berls said. With its roots in dance, instructors use terms like plié instead of squat, and chassé for quick side steps. Liesen said she loves that Jazzercise routines use popular songs from the U.S. and across the world, including music from Spain, Italy and even K-pop. When she is instructing, Liesen said she reminds her students that class is as much about fun as it is about staying active and mobile. She said she and her students have experienced firsthand speedier recovery from injuries and surgeries and credit their active lifestyles. “It’s functional movement,” Liesen said. “We focus on functional movement for a reason. Our overall goal is to keep ourselves as healthy as possible so we can live independently.” At Jazzercise Geneva at Strikers Fox Valley, the evening classes four days a week are a good fit for those coming right after work, Berls said. Liesen offers morning and evening classes at Jazzercise Elburn, and Jazzercise South Elgin also offers morning classes. Berls, who became an instructor at 47, said it is hard to believe she has been dancing with Jazzercise for more than 30 years. “It went fast,” Berls said. And it is not just the dancing that keeps students coming back. Berls said her students often arrive 20 minutes early just to catch up with each other before the music starts.

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE JANUARY 2026

Grab a ain a Books can give your br boost. mental and emotional endations Here are two recomm ing list, for your January read ns at courtesy of the libraria Geneva Public Library.

 FOR YOUNG ADULTS (MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL): “On Again, Awkward Again” by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia

Neither Pacy nor Cecil plans to start off freshman year with a bout of insta-love, but that’s what happens when they lay eyes on each other in the nurse’s office after Pacy busted her lip on a water fountain and Cecil had to make a dash for the bathroom due to his Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Of course, they aren’t going to TELL each other how they feel. Instead, they’re going to trip through a series of awkward encounters, questionable decisions, bad advice, word vomit, meddling family and friends, and multiple ill-timed allergic reactions on their way to figuring out first love. Pacy and Cecil are delightfully weird, vibrant characters whose antics are as relatable as they are goofy. Well-intentioned family and friends stumble through our main characters’ lives, unsuccessfully trying to help or complicating things with their own foibles. There is a refreshing lack of toxicity throughout. Bad luck, misunderstandings and anxious flubs are the only things keeping the two apart. Fate will take its course, so the reader needs only to sit back and laugh along. It’s a sweet, feel-good comedy of errors that will inspire even the most cynical to believe in love’s possibilities. – Kylie Peters, Adult & Teen Services Librarian

 FOR ADULTS: "Sounds Like Love" by Ashley Poston

A songwriter on the rise, an ex-boyband bad boy, a small beach town in North Carolina, and a pinch of magic come together to create this gem of a romance. Loni Lark is living her dream in LA when she encounters ex-boy band member Sebastian Fell at a concert the night before she heads home to Vienna Shores, NC, to visit family. The trip home is an annual summer tradition; however, this year is different than most. Joni is in a songwriting rut, and everything at home is falling apart. Her mom has dementia, her best friend is keeping secrets, and the family business is set to close at the end of summer. As if all this wasn’t stressful enough, Joni starts to hear an unfinished melody in her mind along with the voice of a musician looking for a comeback. Is it just stress and her imagination going wild, or does this unlikely duo need to come together to complete the song? This book has all the feels: mother-daughter relationships, best friends, enemies-to-lovers romance, all set in a perfect beach town steeped in music references. It also tackles the heartbreaking effects of dementia on a family and making hard choices without giving up your own goals. – Michelle Worthington, Adult & Teen Services Librarian JANUARY 2026 28 ENTERTAINMENT

calendar

JANUARY 2026 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

e g a p s i h t t Clip ou

THU

FRI

SAT

Happy New Year!

and plan ahead for the month of January

Open Mic Mondays at Preservation in Geneva, starting at 6 p.m.

Paint Firefly Wishes with Pinot's Palette at Geneva Public Library at 6 p.m.

Open Mic at The House Pub in St. Charles starting at 8 p.m.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin at 2:30 p.m.

The Nu Wave - The Ultimate 80s English Experience at Arcada Theatre at 8 p.m. *Event requires ticket purchase

Alter Chili Bowl Cook Off at Alter Brewing + Kitchen in St. Charles at 6:30 p.m.

Luis J. Gomez Stand Up Comedy at The Comedy Vault in Batavia from 7:3010 p.m.

Women Who Rock Sing Along Brunch at Eastside Cafe: Coffee and Wine Bar in East Dundee starting at 11 a.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Check out a showing of "Dear Evan Hansen" at Paramount Theatre in Aurora

17 Calm & Cozy Movie Time: "Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse" from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Geneva Public Library

*ticketed event

10 Interstate 90s w/ Kicked Outta Choir at EvenFlow Music & Spirits in Geneva at 7 p.m.

23 Whiskey Friends: The Morgan Wallen Experience at The Piazza Aurora, starts at 8:30 p.m.

Kane County Home & garden Show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Kane County Fairgrounds

HOME & GARDEN

25 Steen Metz... Never Forget: A Holocaust Survivor Shares His Story at Geneva Public Library from 2-3 p.m.

27 The Beat That Changed the World at the Geneva Public Library from 1:302:45 p.m.

31 Batavia Indoor Market at Sturdy Shelter Brewing from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

HOME & GARDEN

ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 2026

FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2026 9 suggestions to improve your financial wellbeing in the year ahead

ach January, we have a chance to reset our habits and start another year with a fresh slate. Here are a few suggestions from our team for your consideration.

o Update your beneficiaries

FAMILY & LIFESTYLE

Update your beneficiary listings on wills, life insurance, annuities, IRAs, 401(k)s, qualified plans and anything else that would affect your heirs. If you’ve named a trust, have any relevant tax laws changed? Have you provided for the possibility that your primary beneficiary may die before you? Does your plan address the simultaneous death of you and your spouse? An estate attorney can help walk you through these various scenarios.

Start the new year right by reviewing and revamping your financial plan. Instead of hauling out those familiar New Year’s resolutions about keeping a journal or drinking more water, how about focusing on your financial wellbeing? Here’s a set of resolutions that can help ensure your long-term financial confidence. & CIVIC JANUARY 2026 30 BUSINESS

If you don’t correctly document your beneficiary designations, who gets what may be determined by federal or state law, or by the default plan document used in your retirement accounts. When did you last update your designations? Have life changes (divorce, remarriage, births, deaths, state of residence) occurred since then?

o Create flexible liquidity

Cash has inflation and opportunity tradeoffs, but a lack of access can cause greater problems if you find yourself needing to draw from your investments. Finding a balance in line with your life and goals is important to avoid disrupting your long-term plans. The right liquidity

strategy will be different for every investor and could incorporate cash reserves, cash alternatives, highly liquid securities, lines of credit, margin loans or even structured lending. Multiple institutions and account owners can be used to hold more than $250,000 with FDIC guarantees.*

o Evaluate your retirement progress

What changes are needed given your current lifestyle and the market environment? Don’t fixate solely on your assets’ value – instead, drill down into what types of securities you hold, your expected cash flows, your contingency plans, your assumed rate of return, inflation rates and how long you’re planning for. Retirement plans have many moving parts that must be monitored on an ongoing basis.

o Review your account titling

Haphazard account titling can create problems down the line. If one partner dies and an account is titled only in their name, those assets can’t be readily accessed by the survivor. The solution may be creating joint accounts, but it’s not always that simple. Titling has implications across a range of estate planning issues, as well as other situations such as Medicaid eligibility and borrowing power, too.

o Develop a charitable strategy

Giving comes from the heart, but you can also do well when doing good. For example, consider whether or not it would make sense to donate low-basis stocks in lieu of cash, or learn about establishing a donor-advised fund to take an upfront deduction for contributions made over the next several years. Give, but do so with an eye toward reducing your tax liability.

Art aficionados. Real estate developers. Urban revitalizers.

o Spark a family conversation

Sustaining the benefits of wealth for generations is nearly impossible without a mutual understanding among family members. Consider creating a family mission statement that outlines the shared vision for your wealth and legacy. This should include non-financial topics, too, like your values, expectations and important life lessons.

o Digitize your record keeping

You likely receive emails, letters reports and updates from multiple accounts. Consider going paperless and centralizing important files in one place to reduce frustration and ensure easy access when needed. Your advisor may have access to secure storage tools that can help.

o Invest with your values

Aligning your wealth and values is a deeply personal journey, and your portfolio can be tailored to reflect your beliefs, preferences and goals. Through a deeper understanding of what matters to you, a trusted advisor can help you identify your priorities.

o Check in with your advisor

A trusted advisor can offer specialized tools, impartiality and experience earned by dealing with many market cycles and client situations. Communicate openly about what’s happening in your life today and what may happen in the future. It’s difficult to manage what they aren’t aware of, so err on the side of overcommunicating and establish a regular check-in schedule for the year ahead. These suggestions are a helpful starting point, but no two long-term plans are identical – so reach out to your advisor for more specific guidance about progressing toward your goals in 2026. If you’ve outgrown your current advisor or simply would like another perspective, reach out to our team today. You’ll be glad you did.

Your unique life, planned. Understanding what people are passionate about is how we help them plan for what’s most important. Backed by sophisticated resources, a Raymond James financial advisor gets to know you and everything that makes your life uniquely complex. That’s Life Well Planned.

*FDIC standard deposit insurance coverage is up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. Please visit FDIC.gov for more information.

Authored by Tom McCartney, founding principal of My Advisor & Planner and a wealth manager, RJFS. Pictured left to right with his team are co-founder and wealth manager Sharon Piet, Tom, and Michael Holevas, CFA, wealth manager. Any opinions are those of My Advisor & Planner and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Every investor’s situation is unique, and you should consider your investment objectives, risks and costs before making an investment. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. My Advisor & Planner is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Their office is at 107 S. 2nd Street, Geneva, IL 60134. Call 630-457-4068.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/ SIPC. © 2024 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. 24-BDMKT-6351 KS 2/24 SM-CL2290355

BUSINESS & CIVIC JANUARY 2026