KCC_ KC Magazine August 2023

With the start of a new school year for many children and families in our community, August brings with it similar feelings to those found at the beginning of a new calendar year. Anticipation, the desire to better ourselves, and reflecting on life lessons helps put into perspective what we’d like this new season in life to bring.

Decluttering and organizing is a priority I always make over the summer. From going through the kids’ closets and donating items they no longer need to simplifying life by looking through a minimalist lens, I have taught myself “less” truly helps our household live more fully. Check out professional tips and suggestions to help get your household into a more stress-free and structured routine (Page 7).

TriCity Family Services, an organization focused on managing stress and mental health in the community, is proudly celebrating their 34th annual fundraiser, the Let in the Brightness Gala, on Sept. 9. This essential nonprofit is a community catalyst for education, awareness and hope through

Managerʼs NOTE on the COVER

their many services and mental health treatments (Page 18).

For those contemplating adding a furry friend to their family, find suggestions from local shelters on how to match your needs and expectations with a pet who will work well with your lifestyle. You’ll also enjoy several “gotcha” stories from local families who will inspire you to consider your own pet adoption (Page 12).

Highlighted within this issue, we’ve also included grooming recommendations and pet-friendly patios to try before the warm weather fades (Pages 20 and 22, respectively). Before you know it, fall will be upon us! Thank you for reading,

PUBLISHER

Kane County Chronicle & Northwest Herald Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com

EDITOR Kelley White shawmagazineeditor@gmail.com

DESIGNER

Julie Barichello 815-431-4072 jbarichello@shawmedia.com

LOCAL SALES MANAGER

Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com

CORRESPONDENTS

Jamie Baker, Jon Bilyk, Kevin Druley, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, Erin Sauder and Chris Walker

Jaclyn Cornell, Local Sales Manager

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.

Local photographer Laura Gampfer captures the heart and special bond of pets and their humans. Check out lauragampferphotography.com to find out more about her availability and packaging.

Next month: Don’t miss our September food and spirits issue, which features the scoop on trendy eats and treats in Kane County!

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Fire up your barbeque with our COOKOUT SPECIALTIES!

Have

The

The Cowboy

s INSIDE

PETS & FAMILY

7 CALLING IN THE PROFESSIONALS

Get organized and take back control from the clutter

10 THE ROAD IS CALLING Suburban Superdad goes on a supersized road trip to the wild West

12 FINDING A FUR-EVER FAMILY

Local families share their pet “gotcha” stories

16 EQUINE CARE & RECREATION

Your guide to local support and supplies

18 LET IN THE BRIGHTNESS TriCity Family Services hosts their next glittering gala

20 SQUEAKY CLEAN

Keep your pets looking their best

22 PET FRIENDLY BARS & RESTAURANTS

Enjoy the weather on local patios with your pup

DINING

24 BROWN BUTTER CAFÉ & BAKERY

“The best gluten free donuts around”

26 PATIO PERFECTION

Your guide to local dining al fresco

BEHIND THE BEST

30 DANCE DYNAMICS

Owner Brittnie Quinn brings out the best in her students’ artistry

31 DOUGLAS CARPET ONE

A true legacy in the flooring industry

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

32 ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Artist and instructor Kristin Schimmel promotes mindful practice for her students

34 IN THE EYES AND EARS OF THE BEHOLDER

The return of Sculpture in the Park to St. Charles

36 GRAB A BOOKMARK

Check out these reading recommendations for August

37 CALENDAR

Don’t forget to save the date for these summertime events

BUSINESS & CIVIC

38 HYDRANGEA MARIA

Wasco Nursery presents a versatile, timeless classic

40 BEWARE THE BAD BENEFICIARY

Why it’s important to regularly update accounts and policies

42 SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO Let the Move Smarter Team help you decide

Get

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

Calling in the

PRO FESSIONALS

From building a better back-to-school routine to decluttering for a move, professional home organizers are ready to assist.

Boxes of sharpened pencils, crisp new folders and colorful crayons signal the start of a new school year and for many families, there will be resolutions: This year will be the one where they keep themselves organized. It doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. For professional organizer Beth Stricklin, the key is about taking little steps to make life easier and more organized every day.

“I am of the thought that it’s the little things you can do to keep organized, like keeping the Sharpies next to the lunch bags [and]

making lunches the evening before. All of these little things really do add up,” Stricklin said.

While some may struggle with staying organized, this writer included, Stricklin admits she’s always loved organizing her home and helping others. In 2022, the St. Charles resident followed her passion and launched her business Happy Hive Organizing to share her joy of organizing and helping others.

On her business website she writes a blog with tips and ideas for home organization, whether it’s managing children and schoolwork, toys or helping adults keep their collections and items in place.

organized and take back control from the clutter

Photos courtesy of Happy Hive Organizing

“It only takes 28 days to build a habit. Then it becomes second nature. It builds into your day and becomes part of a routine,” Stricklin said.

For school children, that routine can include having a designated place to keep backpacks, empty lunchboxes and a folder of takehome papers. Stricklin said even young children can adapt to routines by hanging up their backpack or putting their folder on a desk for parents to review.

“I’m raising adults, not kids, and it’s never too early to teach them,” Stricklin said. “You just have to do it.”

And young children are more likely to bring home artwork, from precious handprints to first poems, as they learn to read and write. Stricklin said she keeps a file folder box for each child’s saved work. She asks herself, “Is this something I would pull out to display when they graduate high school or college?” as she determines if something is worth keeping for the long term.

Another fun option is creating a space to showcase artwork, like a display wall or a changeable frame, said Michelle Frediani, owner of Precisely Practical. Her business mission is, “Organizing to connect the pieces of your life,” and the mother of five, who is now a grandmother, said home organization isn’t about perfection, but building on a series of small habits.

“We’re just trying to do better than before and build on that,” Frediani said.

Many of Frediani’s clients seek her assistance when it comes to packing up for a move and downsizing. Packing up a home for a move can seem overwhelming, in part, due to the emotional attachment people have to their possessions. She recognizes that sometimes her role is helping someone understand it’s ok to part

1501 INDIANA AVE. ST CHARLES

ways with that lamp gathering dust in the basement or boxes of clothes that no longer fit.

“It can be like a counseling session,” Frediani said. “I acknowledge their feelings while helping decide what they want to keep. I have never forced anyone to get rid of anything.”

She has a network of local contacts to help her clients donate or pass along items they no longer need.

“I had a client with crocheting and art supplies, and we donated it to the Batavia Apartments,” Frediani said. “It helps the clients to know someone else will get use out of it and they will get back the space.”

Before organizing, Frediani and Stricklin agree it’s best to declutter first and shop for bins and containers second.

“Buy the bins last because you need to decide what kind of shelves and space and sizes of items you need bins for once the decluttering is done,” Frediani said.

Frediani and Stricklin are members of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, which they said is a great resource to stay on top of trends and share ideas with fellow professionals in addition to the collaboration with fellow professional organizers in Kane County.

They often hear their clients say the hardest step was asking for help. Frediani and Stricklin said that shouldn’t be the case. They aren’t there to judge.

“I look at a space and all I see is potential,” Stricklin said. “I don’t get overwhelmed. These are your things, and I don’t have an emotional attachment.”

She added, “You should come home and feel relaxed and happy.”

Protect

•

•

•

older, heirloom or vintage furs

It’s not too late to ensure your furs and outerwear look spectacular for next season, and many years, even decades ahead.

Midwesterners generally understand certain things better than our fellow Americans in other parts of the country. That may be a bit parochial. But I’d be willing to bet the opinion checks out.

Consider summer. Few other groups of Americans know how to squeeze the last drop out of the fleeting period of long, warm, sunny days between the final snow melt and the first falling leaves like the hardy folk who live in the country’s midsection, north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Backyard barbecue parties, community festivals, picnics in the park, days at the lake, or even lounging on the patio and dining al fresco – those of us who call the Midwest home have honed the art of cramming outdoor frivolity into our midyear calendars, if for no other reason than to hold onto the memories to remind us why we live here sometime around the middle of February.

Road the Calling is

Of course, the list doesn’t stop there. Other topics can include:

• Lakes, in general. Until you’ve stood on the shore or launched a boat on the Great Lakes, you just don’t know what you don’t know.

• Speaking of lakes: The phrase “lake-effect snow.” It’s us and the folks in western New York. That’s it.

• The colloquialism: “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” People in other regions deal with summer heat and high humidity, of course (looking at you, Florida and the South.) And others (Shout out to Arizona!) may have heat, but airborne water vapor remains merely a rumor of far-off lands (Where be dragons!) But for us? We know there’s difference between a high of 90 and a high of *90*.

• Speaking of far-off lands (with or without dragons)…

Midwesterners understand better than most just how big and beautiful the interior of America actually is.

For sure, Americans from all regions love to travel, especially in the summer. According to a survey published by online travel magazine, The Vacationer, as many as 85% of Americans planned to either hit the road or take to the skies this summer. And the vast majority of that travel will be to locations within the U.S., the survey said.

But when it comes to travel, there is one aspect that generally separates Midwesterners from our peers on the coasts or elsewhere in the country:

Our willingness to drive. And drive.

And drive.

Ask any Midwestern dad about upcoming travel plans. It won’t be long before you find someone who utters a sentence that sandwiches a numeral between the words “only” and “hours,” followed by some variation on the phrase, “so it’s not that bad.”

When it comes to road trips, no one goes the distance quite like a Midwesterner

As in: “So, I’m taking the family down to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee in a couple of weeks. Yeah, we’re driving, but it’s only about 13 hours or so, so it’s not that bad.”

Bonus Midwestern points can be awarded if the response includes some version of: “It’s actually a pretty nice drive.”

(And if you’re guessing that those exact words have escaped my lips, you can pick up your prize on the way out, and thanks for playing our game!)

There are a great many reasons underlying this choice. First, we can do math. Airline tickets are expensive. Those of us residing in the middle of the country can transport our entire family to just about anywhere in the lower 48 states for the cost of one or two airline tickets.

Sure, it’s also going to cost time. But for a true summer vacation, that’s only a drawback if you don’t believe the journey is also part of the fun.

For my household, no summer is complete without a solid road trip somewhere in America.

This year? The road was Interstate 90. And the X on the map was the Pacific Northwest. Stops on the journey included the Portland, Oregon region, and along the far northern coast of Washington – so far north,

we literally could see Canada from our back door. (NOTE: “Literally” was used factually in the preceding paragraph. Thanks for your concern.)

Was the trip exhausting? For sure. But the sights along the way? Unequaled.

From the Black Hills of South Dakota to the rolling green hills and towering Rocky Mountains of Montana, the Swiss mountain lake vibes of Couer d’Alene, Idaho, the wide and deep Columbia River Gorge and the snow-capped Cascades of Washington and Oregon, capped off with the raging waves and mists of the rocky Pacific coast – we could always count on another jaw-dropping, soul-stirring, dazzling view around just about every bend and over just about every ridge.

But perhaps the most gratifying aspect of the trip for this car-loving Midwestern dad was knowing that a great many of these sights would be all but impossible to take in if we had chosen to travel by other means.

Of course, we know all of these places have airports. But there would have been so much we would have missed along the way as we deepened our connection together, not to mention the connection between our souls and our vast home sweet homeland, replete with fruited plains, verdant valleys, purple mountains majesty and oceans white with foam.

With the memories of this trip still vibrant, we’ve already started charting out possible options for next year. And we’d encourage you to head out on trips of your own, too.

Summer may be drawing to a close. But there’s always next year.

The road is calling. And I promise: No matter how far you drive, you won’t fall off the map. And you won’t find dragons – just mile after mile of stunning scenery and new adventures.

So, just two questions remain: Where are we headed? And when do we leave?

n Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modern-day 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.)

Finding A

Local families share their pet ‘gotcha’ stories

By Vicki Martinka Petersen • Photos courtesy of adoptive families

FUR-EVER Family

Adding a furry family member (or two) into the fold isn’t a decision to be made lightly. When you’re ready to take the plunge, many families have found success adopting pets through local non-profit shelters. Here, some local families share their pet “gotcha” stories and why they chose to adopt through shelters.

MEET RYLEE AND MINTY Shelter: A.D.O.P.T.

in Naperville

It all began when Katie Hartsell of Aurora promised her daughter Allison a cat if she broke a bad habit. After previously adopting other pets at A.D.O.P.T. in Naperville, the family adopted Minty three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“She was so attached to Allison. They even went to remote learning classes together during the pandemic,” Hartsell says.

Like most shelters, A.D.O.P.T. asks the family and any existing pets to come in for a visit before bringing home a new pet. Rylee, a dog the Hartsells also got from A.D.O.P.T., hit it off with Minty.

In addition to Rylee and Minty, the Hartsell pet family also includes cats Preta and Pete. Each cat sleeps in a family member’s bedroom while Rylee sleeps in a crate.

One thing Hartsell likes about A.D.O.P.T. is that they work with families once the pets get home, such as helping lower income families afford spade/neuter services and offering money back when dogs complete obedience training.

Minty (left), adopted by the Hartsell family

MEET VIVIENNE (VIVI) AND TAFFY

Shelters: Starfish Animal Rescue in Batavia and A.D.O.P.T. in Naperville

For Bridget and Dave Colado of Oswego, the journey to becoming pet parents began even before they got married when they adopted their dog Vivi 14 years ago.

“We fell in love with Vivi, who was a sweet puppy, and we couldn’t wait to bring her home,” recalls Bridget Colado.

Bridget and Dave choose A.D.O.P.T. in Naperville to get Vivi because they wanted to adopt a puppy from a shelter. The process to adopt included interviews, references and a background check. Since the couple already had a cat, A.D.O.P.T. also reviewed the cat’s vet history.

“We originally wanted a small dog. However, because we planned on having children, they suggested going with a big dog since small dogs can be easily hurt, accidentally, by toddlers,” says Dave Colado.

As Vivi got older, the family wanted to adopt another dog. They found Taffy over a year ago on a Facebook post for Starfish Animal Rescue, which serves the Chicagoland area and has business locations in Batavia and Plainfield.

“Starfish doesn’t have a facility to look at dogs. All their dogs come from overcrowded kennels,” says Bridget Colado.

Dave Colado adds, “We set up a time to meet Taffy and introduce her to Vivi. The dogs got along well. Taffy fit right into our family like she was meant to be here.”

Taffy and Vivi, adopted by the Colado family

A Heart for Animals (West Dundee) 847-868-2432 | www.aheartforanimals.org

A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter (Naperville) 630-355-2299 | www.adoptpetshelter.org

Anderson Humane (Multiple locations) 847-697-2880 | www.ahconnects.org

Animal House Shelter (Huntley)

847-961-5541 | www.animalhouseshelter.com

Fur Keeps Animal Rescue (Barrington)

847-381-8458 | furkeepsanimalrescue.org

Hoof Woof & Meow Animal Rescue (Elgin) 847-836-7387 | www.hoofwoofmeow.org

Naperville Area Humane Society 630-420-8989 | www.naperhumane.org

Starfish Animal Rescue (Geneva)

708-967-5554 | www.starfishanimalrescue.com

Underdog Railway Rescue (Elmhurst) 630-863-5328 | www.fb.com/underdograilway

Wags to Wishes (Plainfield)

815-254-3110 | www.w2wrescue.com

MEET ROCKY AND MANGO

Shelters: Wags to Wishes Animal Rescue in Plainfield and Underdog Railway Rescue in Elmhurst

After growing up in families that had dogs, Becky Kalule of Aurora and her husband George thought it would be nice to have a pet when they got married. First they adopted Teddy, then later, Sinji. Both were older dogs adopted from rescue shelters.

“We love adopting older dogs because they have their own personality,” says Kalule.

When Sinji died after getting hit by a car, the family adopted Rocky seven years ago as a friend for Teddy.

Rocky was one of the dogs they met during an event held by Underdog Railway Rescue. Later, they brought Teddy to the shelter to see if he was compatible with Rocky. A few years after Teddy passed away, a co-worker mentioned Wags to Wishes Animal Rescue where they found Mango last year.

“I believe in adopt, don’t shop. We’re very pro-adopting dogs. The people who work for non-profit shelters are amazing,” says Kalule.

Rocky and Mango, adopted by the Kalule family

MEET BOLT

Shelter: Humane Society of Waucpaca County in Wisconsin

Long before becoming a wife and mother, Jen Keller of Aurora hung out with her furry roommate Mattie, a border collie. When her gal pal passed away, it took some time before Keller was ready to adopt another pet.

Since her daughter Emmy was 5 at the time, Keller and her husband, Dave Lovercheck, knew they wanted to get a puppy. The family ended up adopting their border collie, Bolt.

“I was really depressed when Mattie passed. Adopting Bolt really helped me get over that hump. I instantly felt better adopting him,” Keller says.

Keller notes adopting from a shelter isn’t as rigorous as adopting from a breed rescue, which requires a home visit and interview.

“They could tell we were serious and had experience with that breed before,” she adds.

During the pandemic, Bolt kept Emmy company during remote learning and they played together during shelter-in-place orders.

“Bolt was a huge help to our family during the pandemic,” Keller says.

CREATE A PET PORTRAIT

Tips for adopting a pet

Ready to adopt a pet?

Check out these tips before you go.

n Research what type of pet/breed your family can handle. “Border collies are a very active breed, but adopting a puppy was a little more than we bargained for. We had to run Bolt twice a day and walk him three times a day to burn up that energy,” says Jen Keller.

n Be open minded when meeting pets. “You can’t go in there with decisions made in your head, like wanting a specific gender,” says Katie Hartsell.

n Spend time with the dog to make sure it’s the best breed for you and your family. “You want to find the right dog for your lifestyle and season in life. Puppies are very much like babies and need extra care and attention,” says Bridget Colado.

n When adopting an older dog, things might come up you’re not aware of such as health issues. “We learned Mango was older than expected and has a minor heart condition,” Becky Kalule says.

YOUR FURRY BEST FRIEND

for Your Center EQUINE CARE & RECREATION

Out here in the sunny wide open, you will find ample opportunity to ride, board or spoil your equine pets.

Throughout Kane County, there are plenty of options for any level of rider as well as a plethora of stables to ensure your pets receive the best care. Check out the next page for a great place to start looking for lessons, boarding your pet or finding your new favorite feed store!

Horse Supplies & Accessories

TRELLIS FARM & GARDEN

2N492 S. Kirk Road, St. Charles

630-584-2024

www.trellisfarm.com

JOHNSEN’S FARM & COUNTRY STORE

40W467 Route 38, Elburn

630-232-9004

www.johnsensfarmandcountrystoreelburn.com

RIDER’S BOUTIQUE

761 N. 17th St., #26, St. Charles 630-549-6089

www.riders-boutique.com

Riding Schools

KINVARRA FARM

911 Route 25, St. Charles 847-525-0591

www.kinvarrafarm.com

CAMPTON HILLS EQUESTRIAN CENTER

10N331 Nesler Road, Elgin

630-417-9667

www.camptonhillsequestrian.com

OVER THE TOP EQUINE

36W982 Crane Road, St. Charles 630-853-4280

www.overthetopequine.com

WAYNE EQUESTRIAN CENTER

4351 McDonald Road, Elgin 630-797-5910

www.wayneequestriancenter.com

Boarding & Training Facility

BULL RUN EQUESTRIAN CENTER

3N065 Anderson Road, Elburn 630-365-1376

www.bullrunec.com

Therapeutic Riding

HORSEPOWER THERAPEUTIC RIDING

6N917 Route 25, South Elgin 815-508-0804

www.horsepowertr.com

HAPPY HOOVES THERAPEUTIC FARM

40w145 Fabyan Pkwy., Elburn 630-253-7094

www.hhtfarm.com

Photo by Sandy Bressner

By Jamie Baker Photos courtesy of TriCity Family Services

Every year, TriCity Family Services hosts a gorgeous gala as their premier fundraising event, providing community members a wonderful evening full of great food and opportunities to support a crucial cause.

This year’s theme is Let in the Brightness, an appropriate piece of advice when it comes to enriching your family life and the community.

“Our gala has been going on for 34 years at TriCity,” says Communications Manager Kelsey Boyer. “Let in the Brightness is all about celebrating the work of our counselors, the strength of our clients and looking forward to the future together with a renewed hope after what has kind of been a dark time over the past few years.”

TriCity is encouraging this year’s gala guests to wear bright cocktail attire.

“The brighter, the better,” says Boyer. “With the theme, the whole idea is to have these pops of color in kind of a dark-lit room.” Bursts of color will bring illumination to the Q Center where the gala is held.

Guests can also expect a delicious dinner and specialty cocktails. “It’s going to have a really positive vibe and we’re hoping to get some live music,” says Boyer. “Hopefully, we’ll

Interested in TriCity?

Check out more of their services below.

u Single Moms Support Group on Zoom from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.

u Ongoing individual and family counseling sessions from a talented group of therapists.

u Responding to Anxious Feelings Zoom

Presentation, 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Registration required.

u Responding to Anxious Feelings Zoom

be able to highlight some of our past client stories. We have a lot of people in the community who reach out to us quite often about their experience with TriCity Family Services.”

All proceeds from the gala will go to the organization’s services including counseling, family-based treatment for eating disorders and emotional wellness. “This is our biggest fundraiser throughout the year.” says Boyer.

Tickets will be available until the weekend of the event, taking place Saturday, September 9, and early bird tickets will be available for purchase until August 11. “We hope to get people excited about raising funds for these important services,” says Boyer.

“We should have a silent auction, raffle and live auction as well.”

As an organization, TriCity’s mission couldn’t be more necessary for the Kane County community. “I think that the mental health of families are the building blocks to a healthy community as a whole,” says Boyer.

“If we aren’t focusing on meeting that basic need for our kids and their families, they really can’t thrive in other areas of their life. If they’re spending all their energy and time just trying to get through the day, then they can’t [focus] on work or school or enjoying life.”

Presentation, Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Wilderness Challenge Program, an annual, week-long therapeutic canoeing and camping experience for teens

CLEAN Squeaky

KEEP YOUR PETS LOOKING AND FEELING THEIR BEST

By Kevin Druley | Photos courtesy of Doggie Divine Pet Salon

“Conditioner” is rightly associated with the life of a dog groomer, but “conditioning” looms large, too. After all, maintaining the health and appearance of a pooch’s hair and coat often vaults the concept of “petting” to a different stratosphere.

“You’re on your feet a really, really long time. Most of the time. There’s a lot of lifting, a lot of bending up and down,” says Noel Turk, who operates The Country Clipper in Elburn. “So you want to make sure you’re keeping yourself in good physical condition so that you’re able to do all these things for the longevity of it.”

“We’re just really up close and personal with all the

dogs, every day,” adds Amy Radez, owner of Doggie Divine Pet Salon in St. Charles. Still, she recommends pet owners prepare their dogs for their close-up, as well.

“Frequency is good,” she said. “The more often you bring your pet in to get groomed, the less likely they are to feel anxious.”

And the greater the chance the dog will look their sharpest, too.

Radez recommends that dogs have their nails clipped every 4-6 weeks. Depending on the breed of dog and the nature of their coat, hair maintenance may follow a similar schedule or operate over a slightly longer timetable.

At any rate, keeping regular grooming appointments might also help keep your dog at its best.

Recounting her own experiences and those of

colleagues, Radez cites discoveries of various lumps, bumps, dental issues and ear infections that owners hadn’t noticed. There was also one case where a grooming appointment uncovered a concern that ultimately led to a bladder cancer diagnosis.

“We see these dogs frequently. We see them every one to three months, on average, so we’re used to seeing the same dog over and over again,” Radez said. “Generally, we can often tell different behavior in dogs. Feeling different things on their dog. How they act differently.”

To prepare pets for such experiences, Turk recommends owners be affectionate. If a dog is going for a face trim, for example, condition them by petting the dog’s chin more often. Does your dog have a nail grooming appointment? Ensure the groomer isn’t the first one touching the dog’s feet.

If being hands-on is your style already, just keep things up. Making the dog less nervous for groomers often starts with the owners.

“Dogs actually feed off of the anxiety of the owners,” Turk said, “which can actually make them behave worse. If the owner is coming in with a positive mindset, then the dog is not going to be as stressed out for the whole experience, as well.”

Radez and Turk also addressed the notion that certain breeds of dog said to be hypoallergenic – such as poodles and doodles – are more complicated to groom. In those cases, more frequent grooming can help limit the dander that may be allergenic.

Turk added that regular communication with a veterinarian can help determine whether groomers should use certain products.

Frequency is good. The more often you bring your pet in to get groomed, the less likely they are to feel anxious.

Open Daily

(weather & conditions permitting)

Dogs and their owners can choose from THREE places in town to run, play and socialize with others. Dogs must be supervised at all times, be current on all vaccinations, and have current rabies tags worn and visible. Maximum two dogs per person allowed. Dog owners visiting the park are asked to clean up after their pets, fill in any holes dug, and not bring food into the park. Dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot.

For more info: stcparks.org/dog-parks

(not around pond)

• interactive play features with mulch surface

• separate area specifically for smaller dogs

River Bend Community Park

Courier & Geneva Avenues

Open 9am-Dusk

• 3/4 acre dog park

• doggy water fountain

• double-gated security entrance

James O. Breen Community Park

Campton Hills & Peck Roads

NEW! Lighted Facility

Open 9am-10pm

• 2.56 acres fenced dog park

• doggy water fountain

• double-gated security entrance

• dog-friendly equipment

• activity stations

– Amy Radez, owner of Doggie Divine Pet Salon

Dogs must be supervised at all times, be current on all vaccinations, and have current rabies tags worn and visible. Maximum two dogs per person. Dog owners are asked to clean up after their pets, fill in any holes dug, and not bring food into the park. Dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot.

PET-FRIENDLY Bars and Restaurants

By Erin Sauder

Looking to include your furry friend on your next outing? Fortunately for animal lovers, Kane County offers an array of pet-friendly patios where you and your dog can have a furtastic time. Here’s a list of those Fido-friendly places.

n 93 OCTANE BREWERY

1825 Lincoln Highway, St. Charles 93octanebrewery.com

Along with a vast selection of craft beers, including 16 draft handles, this brewery also offers a pet-friendly covered patio where dogs and their humans can bask in the great outdoors. If you’re feeling hungry, grab a bite to eat from Urban Counter restaurant located next door. Menu fare includes burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, chicken wings, fried pickles, cheese curds, salads, desserts and more.

n OLD REPUBLIC KITCHEN + BAR

155 S. Randall Road, Elgin www.oldrepublicbar.com

This establishment likes furry friends so much it even offers a Yappy Hour from 2 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday where patrons can enjoy drink specials in the outdoor dining area with their four-legged buddies. (Well-behaved pets are also welcome on the patio during non-Yappy Hour.) Additionally, Old Republic Kitchen + Bar features a menu of award-winning burgers, pizza, smoked meats, and fresh fish, beer and cocktails, daily specials and live music.

Photos courtesy of Old Republic Kitchen + Bar and McBride’s North Pub & Grille

n SIDECAR SUPPER CLUB & BEER GARDEN

12 N. River St., Batavia Sidecarsupperclub.com

This historic neighborhood watering hole features a unique lineup of craft beers and whiskies you can pair with Sidecar’s eclectic high-end pub fare, including scratch-made family-style meals and “the best darn burgers around.” Even better? Seasonally, the bar expands into a five-tiered outdoor beer garden with live performances where dogs are welcome.

n GLOBAL BREW TAP HOUSE - SAINT CHARLES

2100 Prairie St., St. Charles saintcharles.globalbrew.com

Besides serving up 50 beers on tap and more than 150 craft beers in bottles and cans from across the globe, patrons to Global Brew Tap House welcome well-behaved dogs inside and outside. Of note: four-legged guests must be on a leash at all times.

n MCBRIDE’S NORTH PUB & GRILLE

2340 S. Eola Road, Aurora mcbridespubandgrille.com

Dogs are so welcome at McBride’s that the family-owned pub and grille even has a menu specifically for them featuring Puppytizers including the Chicken and Bacon Combo, Grilled Chicken Breast, and Two Strips of Bacon. McBride’s also provides water bowls.

For humans, McBride’s North Pub & Grille extensive menu features salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, paninis, entrees, desserts, a wide selection of craft beers and a full bar. Patrons and their pooches are invited to come down to McBride’s for “great food, great service and great times.” Of note: owners are expected to keep their furry friends on a leash and clean up after them.

n STANLEY’S GRILL & CRAFT BAR

335 N. McLean Blvd., South Elgin www.stanleysalehouse.com

At Stanley’s, you’ll find an extensive food menu featuring starters, salads, craft burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza and pasta, as well as more than 20 draft beers from local Chicagoland breweries. Additionally, pooches are invited to join their humans on the patio and covered pavilion area.

n BARREL+RYE

477 S. Third St., Ste. 184, Geneva Barrelandrye.com

This modern American bistro serves up shareables, craft cocktails, an extensive whiskey list and hospitality for humans and their four-legged friends. Enjoy some time with your furry friend and take a stroll through downtown Geneva’s historic Third Street shopping district.

Festival of the Vine, Sept. 8-10

CHEERS TO FUN!

Geneva’s Festival of the Vine is a fabulous time for friends and families! Enjoy beer and wines from around the world. Feast on mouth-watering specialties from Geneva’s acclaimed eateries at our Flavor Fare. Find unique gifts at our Art and Crafts show. Find events schedule and festival details at visitgenevail.com.

BROWN BUTTER CAFÉ & BAKERY

Try out ‘the best gluten-free donuts’ around

By: Chris Walker • Photos courtesy of Brown Butter Café & Bakery

Empathizing with those battling gluten intolerance and other food allergies, Dawn Phillips strives to delight their taste buds at her Brown Butter Café & Bakery at the Charlestown Center in St. Charles.

“I just feel like I tried some things glutenfree and felt bad that [some people] can’t eat something that tastes good because of a food allergy,” Phillips says. “There are so many people out there with food allergies and gluten is one of the big ones.”

All of the baked goods at the Brown Butter Café & Bakery, which opened late last year, are nut, gluten and soy free. While the café’s entire menu isn’t gluten free, there are options for gluten-free items.

“We cater to those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance,” Phillips says. “I am very passionate about my place and the taste of my food.”

Phillips didn’t receive any formal training in cooking and baking, but she’s always loved to spend time in the kitchen, experimenting and creating.

“A lot of people say you can’t do both, but I love baking and cooking,” she says. “It’s why I do what I do. I’ve seen people finally eat a donut for the first time in 14 years that I made. It’s very gratifying to make any kind of food, especially something for someone with allergies.”

About 10 years ago, Phillips introduced herself to the local restaurant scene when she began making breakfast sandwiches for the walk-up window at Mill Race Cyclery in Geneva. It ultimately led to her opening the Early Light Café at the cyclery. While she included some gluten-free items on the Early Light Café’s menu, it wasn’t until some friends presented her with a challenge that her gluten-free items truly took off.

“I have a lot of friends that do Ironman stuff that asked if I could make gluten-free donuts that don’t taste like cardboard,” she says. “So I played around with different flours and stuff like that. I made some chocolate chip cookies ... and perfected them, and then the donuts came in 2015. They’re gluten-free and soy-free and people have loved them ever since.”

A few years later, Phillips moved on

from Early Light Café, but not before crossing paths with Leah Jenski, owner of Kava Diem in St. Charles.

“She came in and said, ‘I heard you have the best gluten-free donuts,’” says Phillips. “I said, ‘They have a really good following, but we’re all out.’ It was 8:30 [in the morning] and we sold out at 8. I said, ‘If you have eight minutes, I can make some.’”

Phillips not only made some more donuts, but found new employment as a specialty cook and baker at Kava Diem. She also continued to make her specialty donuts there until turning her attention over to her latest venture at the Brown Butter Café & Bakery.

Featuring far more than donuts, the Brown Butter Café & Bakery serves

breakfast and lunch all day. Breakfast choices include burritos, avocado toast, oatmeal and sandwiches while lunch selections include several sandwiches, wraps and a quinoa salad. Protein shakes, smoothies, coffee, tea, lattes and the Signature Brown Butter Frappe round out the beverage menu.

“Since January we’ve sold 1,151 dozen donuts and 2,096 breakfast burritos,” Phillips says. “It’s crazy. To this day I’m blown away with how well we’re doing and how many people I’ve known since 2013 that have followed me. I’m beyond grateful of the support and love I [have] received being in Geneva, but St. Charles has been nothing but incredible in welcoming us into the city. I’m very happy.”

Avocado toast on the bakery’s house-made, signature gluten-free bread

The original salted brown butter donut

Hacienda Real

1602 Commons Dr., Suite 600, Geneva 630-884-5998 | www.haciendaflavorsofmexico.com

Hacienda Real is a contemporary Mexican restaurant with a focus on craft cocktails, chic bites and high-end tequila brands. With locations at Geneva Commons and Yorkville, we offer an intimate and sophisticated setting fit for our exceptional clientele. HR is the newest concept of Arechiga Restaurant Group, a food and hospitality company with locations in the Chicago west suburbs and the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Stockholm’s

306 W. State St. , Geneva 630-208-7070 | www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

Out back and tucked in a nook with the neighboring building, protected by a high fence and covered with a shade sail, Stockholm’s patio is a little intimate dining gem. Voted the Western Suburbs’ Best Neighborhood Tavern by the readers of both the Kane County Chronicle and West Suburban Living Magazine, Stockholm’s is known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared meals using only the highest quality ingredients. You can also enjoy its handcrafted beers, brewed in an Old World tradition, naturally conditioned and unfiltered, from the Tri-Cities’ oldest brewery.

Salsa Verde

1850 Lincoln Hwy., St. Charles 630-444-0673 | www.salsaverderestaurant.com

Salsa Verde redefines the concept of modern, fast-casual Mexican food by offering dishes prepared from authentic recipes in a friendly and vibrant environment. Tamales, tortas ahogadas and traditional street tacos are among the specialties diners love to order. No reservations needed. Dine in and try Salsa Verde’s one-of-a-kind salsa bar, which features different salsas and garnishes prepared fresh daily. In a rush? The restaurant also has a drive-thru for those on the go. Salsa Verde also offers catering, where clients do the planning and Salsa Verde takes care of the cooking. For updates and promotions on popular catering packages, visit the website.

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill

2486 Bushwood Dr., Elgin | 847-551-9006 • 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva | 630-402-0468

12220 Princeton Dr., Huntley | 847-669-8600 • 1360 Lake St., Roselle | 847-278-1666

1545 W. Main St., St. Charles | 630-513-0681

www.rookiespub.com

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill has seven locations across Northern Illinois with it’s newest location now open in Crystal Lake. The menu features a variety of pub food and American favorites including their famous wings, burgers, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. Check out their house drinks – Bob’s Mai Tai has been a house specialty since 1975 – as well as house wines by Robert Mondavi, by the glass or by the bottle. The restaurant regularly hosts special events, such as Cruise Nights from June through September at Elgin and St. Charles locations and Atomic Bingo (Tuesdays in Elgin and Geneva, Wednesdays in St. Charles). A huge patio and bar with a live music stage are coming soon in Geneva Rookies at the ice rink!

Alexander’s Cafe is named in honor of Alexander the Great, a king of Macedonia in Northern Greece, where the restaurant owners are from. Alexander’s serves breakfast and lunch 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – all home-cooked meals are made fresh on the premises by the chef. All of the soups, sauces, gravies and dressings are made fresh on-site. Alexander’s also features bloody marys and mimosas!

Village Squire

480 Randall Road, South Elgin | 847-931-0400

125 Washington St., West Dundee | 847-428-4483

www.villagesquire.com

Village Squire Restaurants have been part of the Fox Valley since 1974, family owned and operated. The Squire is an English pub-style casual dining restaurant featuring live music Wednesdays through Sundays and a cozy atmosphere with a great outdoor patio featuring two fireplaces for enjoyment in the warm weather months. Some of their specialties include charbroiled steaks, juicy prime rib and a wide variety of gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta and fresh fish. Famous for their house drinks, Mai Tais and Rum Barrels are made in-house and are an all-time favorite. For a casual drink or dinner, Village Squire is a great place to be!

Ella’s Italian Pub

407 S. Third St., Geneva 630-457-1115 | www.ellasitalianpub.com

This summer, experience BG Hospitality Group’s newest location: Ella’s Italian Pub. Ella’s is located in the heart of Geneva’s historic shopping district on the corner of Fulton and Third Street. With one visit, Ella’s will soon become your favorite spot to dine and unwind. Our familyfriendly dining experience starts with our signature Roman-style pizza made from handcrafted dough, accented by creative Italian pub-style street food offerings along with an extensive wine list and crafted cocktails, making it the perfect destination for any occasion. Be sure to stop by and try our off-the-menu specials: $8 Happy Hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar area or our Late-Night Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visit our website for more. What makes us different? It’s how we “dough it!”

moto imoto

181 S. First St., St. Charles 630-425-0990 | www.motoimoto.com

moto imōto is a unique blend of “East meets West” Pan-Asian culinary experiences. Our Asian street-food inspired menu offers shareable plates, signature sushi rolls and chef-designed farm fresh dishes that allow us to elevate and heighten the overall guest dining experience. Our open-air wraparound patio offers a comfortable dining experience while also being right within the heart of St. Charles. From our Half-Price Sushi Tuesdays (available all day Tuesday for dine-in or carryout), our happy hour every weekday from 3-6 in our custom designed lounge area, to our various bento box specials and creative pan-asian creations, our fresh and new dining experience is sure to be a highlight of your day.

Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead

113 W. North St., Elburn 630-320-2255 | www.drinkobscurity.com

Obscurity Brewing is a traditional barbeque restaurant with a 1000 pound capacity wood smoker, the second largest in Illinois. It’s located in the heart of the agriculture district of Elburn, preserving the old Farm Services Offices and Warehouse space. The love of craft beer, the passion for mead, the live music, the childhood memories of eating your favorite BBQ and the desire to give back to the community. All these things drive the creation of our atmosphere and experience in the restaurant, brewery, and outdoor beer garden patio.

Livia Italian Eatery

207 S. Third St., Geneva 630-402-6444 | www.liviaitalianeatery.com

Livia Italian Eatery features a broad Northern Italian inspired menu featuring dishes that range from pastas and fresh greens to crowd favorites like our New Zealand lamb chops. Along with other specialty entrées, each dish stays true to our farm-tofresh motto. Our open-air patio features a sunken-in design in the heart of Geneva that allows for a more private outdoor dining experience, along with a ramp for easy access. With happy hour from 3-6 every week day and our new weekend brunch menu, a summer outing at Livia is the perfect place to unwind.

GIA MIA

13 N. Third St., Geneva | 630-405-5544

31 S. First St., St. Charles | 630-415-0770

www.giamiapizzabar.com

Gia Mia provides chef-driven, farm-to-fork concepts such as Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, creative small plates, fresh pastas and so much more. Along with our mixology bar, we also feature craft beers and exclusive wines carefully picked to complement any meal. At our open-air patio we feature a lovely pergola at our Geneva location and an inviting piazza at our St. Charles location. With offers such as our $13 lunch special, half-price pizza Mondays, and our Wine-Down Wednesdays, it’s the perfect time for your family to enjoy the summer weather with our family.

Chi-cuterie

321 Franklin St., Geneva 331-901-0474 | www.chi-cuterie.com

Chi-cuterie offers a private, European-style, outdoor experience. Nestled between two historic homes in the heart of downtown Geneva, the newly renovated outdoor flagstone patio is the perfect spot to relax in the shade of old trees with cool breezes. Voted Finest Gourmet Shop in Kane County by the readers of Kane County Magazine, we offer a unique opportunity to sip, shop and snack. Enjoy locally sourced charcuterie along with a curated collection of beer, wine, or a variety of craft cocktail and mocktail options. Local musicians perform Friday and Saturdays, or you can join us for special events, workshops, and tasting experiences al fresco. Bring the family and spend time together playing yard games on our lawn while enjoying live music and warm hospitality.

By Jamie

Best

Dynamics Dance

oted One of the Best Dance Studios & Schools in Kane County, Dance Dynamics is a thriving center for imaginative artistry and creative movement with owner Brittnie Quinn at the helm.

After opening her first dance studio in Aurora in 2008, Quinn sought to be closer to home in Geneva. “We moved into Mill Creek and outgrew that space,” she said. “After ten years of being open for business, we found the 5,000 square foot storefront in Batavia and made our move.”

Dance Dynamics starts curriculum at age two, teaching the basics and foundations of dance. “We have a tot program to introduce the basics of ballet, tap and jazz to 3-5-year-olds. We also have a tiny ballerinas program for 2-year-olds,” says Quinn. “Then we go into our Level I program, which is geared toward ages six, seven and eight, and that’s where we specialize in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. From the ages of eight and up, our levels increase, the number of hours increase and we also introduce musical theater and modern. Once we get into a high level of ballet, we have Pointe.”

At the end of their fall semester, Dance Dynamics presents a Christmas show. Then, they perform a

spring recital after their spring semester. “We love watching them onstage,” says Quinn. “That’s why we have multiple showcases a year.”

For as long as she can remember, Quinn has been a part of the dance world, growing up in her mother and grandmother’s dance studio. “I was born into the facility and started dancing as soon as I could walk – it became a huge passion of mine,” says Quinn. “I ended up attending Chicago Academy for the Arts for high school. There, you have academics in the morning and your art form in the afternoon. I attended that program for two years and then I homeschooled so I could finish early. Then, I went to Columbia College to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts.”

Quinn continues this legacy through her own instructors, ensuring they have the experience and knowledge to enrich their students’ craft. “All of my teachers are technically and competitively trained,” she says. “Most of our instructors have degrees in dance and we all strive to teach proper dance technique to all of our dancers from the very beginning of their training with us.”

With plenty of space for new students in their programs, it’s important to understand what sets Dance Dynamics apart. “The main thing we focus

across ten teachers. We also have a competitive team, so we offer both recreational classes and competitive.”

Coming this fall, Dance Dynamics will be opening a competitive, all-boys team, augmenting their current all-boys recreational program.

“We also perform at local festivals like Elburn Days and St. Charles Scarecrow Fest,” says Quinn. “Please come out and see them perform this fall.”

Dance Dynamics attended nationals in South Carolina in June and won first overall as national champion winners for the 2023 season against other dance companies from all over the nation. They were also named “Studio on Fire” as well as “Most Entertaining” and “Best Choreography.” They’re looking forward to an amazing 2024 season.

DANCE DYNAMICS

79 S. Randall Road, Batavia, IL 60510 630-978-7040 • www.dancedynamicsil.com

Baker • Photos courtesy of Dance Dynamics

Behind the

2023 Best of the Fox Winners

DOUGLAS CARPET ONE

490 N. Randall Road

Batavia, IL 60510

708-390-7961

www.douglascarpetone.com

Best

Behind the

DOUGLAS CARPET ONE

Voted One of the Best Carpet & Flooring Stores in Kane County, Douglas Carpet One is a legacy of successful business and unmatched customer service.

“Douglas Carpet One started in Len & Marilyn Douglas’s basement in 1964,” says Sales Manager Belinda Demski.

“When Mike Douglas took over, he moved the business into brick and mortar. This past year we merged our two retail locations into one larger location on Randall Road in Batavia. Our commercial department remains [in] North Aurora.”

Excitingly, Douglas Carpet One’s Co-op has updated their sales method and display system. “Lots of new products

just landed in our showroom to provide a more well-rounded selection for our customers,” says Demski. “Our sales team is having a lot of fun with it and the feedback has been very positive.”

As a business that has been around for decades, Douglas Carpet One has perfected customer service. “We always strive to be better than we were the day before,” says Demski. “To always provide the best customer service, materials & installation and to make the workplace a fun place to be, not only for our team, but also the customer. We enjoy what we do and provide to our community, and we hope that shows.”

Coming up in the next year, Douglas Carpet One will be celebrating 60 years in

business and Jim Douglas, a cornerstone to their retail division, will retire at the end of this year. “Most customers who purchase from us will have interaction with him during their project - he will be greatly missed,” says Demski. “His replacement has been training with him for the past 9 months and is a great fit for these big shoes to fill.”

Douglas Carpet One is particularly proud their installers are employed by the company and not sub-contracted. “It makes a big difference in helping our customers achieve what they came into our showroom for,” says Demski. “Our sales team has over 100 years of experience among them.” Demski, herself, has been with the company for over 27 years.

By Jamie Baker | Photos courtesy of Douglas Carpet One

2023 Best of the Fox Winners

The store’s mascot, Brady, welcomes customers to the showroom.

Artist Kristen Schimmel

The Tri-Cities are booming with arts and artists — perhaps nowhere more vibrantly than Batavia’s Water Street Studios, which hosts events, galleries and up to 25 artists in residence. Each month, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

Kristen Schimmel became an artist at Water Street Studios 10 years ago. From there, her artistry quickly evolved from creation to volunteerism at the studio. “I just couldn’t find the time to work in my studio, but I wanted to stay involved in the community of artists that is WSS,” says Schimmel. “In 2016, I was asked to start instructing.  The opportunity encouraged me to make art on a regular basis and allowed me to branch out and explore new art mediums.”

In 2016, Schimmel, Lori Botterman and Sabrina Martin created a committee for Project Fusion, a fundraiser withing WSS. “We held an evening event where prospective patrons came and met with WSS artists with the intention of commissioning an artwork,” she says. “The artists donated half of their proceeds to WSS. Several months later, we held a reveal masquerade party. Artists even made and sold masks for the event.  I commissioned two works and bought a mask.  It was a lot of work, and definitely a bit outside of my comfort zone.  In the end, we netted $25,000 for WSS, and I have two works of art that mean so much to me.”

More recently, Schimmel has focused on instructing at the studio. “This past spring, I instructed a course where students painted a spring hare,” she says. “This was a step-by-step class and I had to break down my own painting techniques in order to reconstruct them for my students. The most challenging part was structuring the class so that the painting could be completed in two hours.”

To Schimmel, connection and accessibility are important aspects to sharing artforms in the community. “I think people need the arts, not just as an audience, but also as creators,” she says. “Most of the classes I instruct are for anyone, regardless of previous experience. As daily personal quiet time dwindles, the need to purposefully seek out ways to create space within ourselves is so much more important.”

As for her own gorgeous artwork, Schimmel currently has some paintings on display in the “Beyond the Bloom” exhibit at Bar Evolution in Batavia.

About the Artist

Kristin is an artist educator whose classes are designed to engage those who maybe haven’t immersed their lives in art, but would like to benefit from the mindful practice that making art offers to all.

DETAILS OF Kristen Schimmel’s WORK:

To view more of Kyle Sowa's ceramic creations, follow him on Instagram @riverowlpottery.

u Winds of Change: acrylic on wood panel, 18x24, $750

v Dancing in the Rain: acrylic on Canvas, 36x36, $1,500

w Spring Hare: acrylic on paper, 12x18, $150

x Metamorphosis: watercolor and ink on paper, 4x5, $75

y Feathered: watercolor and ink on paper, 10x4, $50

z Gravity: acrylic on canvas, 18x18, $900

For more information on the artist of the month, head to waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.

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the BEHOLDERIn the Eyes &

Return of Sculpture in the Park brings new, fun art to explore

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos courtesy of St. Charles Park District

It’s time to stroll among the sculptures and explore art creations with the return of the annual Sculpture in the Park at Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles.

This summer marks the 17th year for the annual outdoor art exhibit that features unique pieces displayed along the park’s main walking path. Artists from around the country and as well as a few from the Tri-Cities have pieces on display through the end of September.

From the visitors who stumble upon the exhibit on a visit to the park to those who make a special visit to the park to see the limited-time display will find new, innovative and even playful pieces to enjoy as they stroll the community park.

“Kids love this exhibit as much as adults. There is something for everyone,” said Erika Young, the public relations and marketing manager for St. Charles Park District.

This year’s exhibit has plenty to please the eye with sculptures made of varying sizes, materials and even a sculpture that allows visitors to make a little music. What appears to resemble a merry-go-round of playgrounds in the past is an interactive musical sculpture made by young artist Isaac Kidder of Minnesota. The piece is titled, Variations on a Circle of Fifths, and it a piece that reflects Kidder’s love to create art and passion for healing through music.

Kidder has been creating sculptures and woodworking since he was a child and in college at St. Olaf in Minnesota, he took a class in metal sculpting and discovered a love for the medium. Sculpting is more than a vision for a piece, requiring skills to weld as well as a large studio space to create each piece.

Kidder said the piece on display at Mt. St. Mary Park is the fourth version of the piece

he has created, having evolved the piece of art with each version to make it stronger and better able to withstand the interactions with the public.

“I’ve tried to upgrade it with each version, making it more user friendly and more durable,” Kidder said.

While some art is meant to be seen and not touched, Kidder was excited to visit St. Charles and see visitors interacting with his piece. He explained the mallets ensure the player is striking the best point to create the musical note, with hidden references to keys on a piano and how sound and light waves/frequencies correspond to one another.

While someone with musical knowledge will be intrigued to peel back the layers of art to see the hidden aspects, many of the younger visitors will simply enjoy trying to make a little music, comparing the piece to a xylophone.

BEHOLDER Ears of

and appearance that are quite lifelike. Johnson’s sculptures have been a part of the annual exhibit in years past and there’s a buzz to have the international artist’s work in the park for the summer, Young said.

The annual outdoor exhibit started with a donation in 2005 from a local artist, Young explained. The large bronze turtle in Mt. St. Mary Park, near the Fox River, was created and donated from John Kobald and his family as a gift to honor his father, Ray Kobald, a local artist. The piece inspired the idea of creating a rotating outdoor exhibit and in 2006 the first year of Sculpture in the Park was launched in Mt. St. Mary Park.

“Everyone can explore the piece and see what you can figure out,” Kidder said.

Kidder has a second piece in the sculpture show, Inner Peace, which plays with metal shaped into crescent moons that also create a peace sign, Kidder said. At 40, Kidder said being a part of public shows like Sculpture in the Park is great way to meet people, explore new communities and make connections. And it’s a chance for more people to see his piece and explore its meaning.

This year’s exhibit invites visitors to imagine, play and admire the work of several artists, including artists local to the Kane County area, as well as international artists, including the work of Seward Johnson and his piece Far Out. Park visitors will find it a challenge to restrain their hands from reaching out to touch the statue of a man deep in thought, with the textures

It is a juried show, where artists apply to participate and a jury review the pieces and awards an honor and small monetary award to the selected piece. The award for 2023 was given to artist Charles Yost of Chicago for his piece titled Apparition Indecision, created with steel and powder coat paint.

While Sculpture in the Park features a rotating exhibit of pieces during the summer, the park district has acquired several permanent pieces through artist and benefactor donations as well as purchases, Young explained. The piece Mr. Eggwards, which many visitors refer to as “Humpty Dumpty” looks out on the visitors driving past Mt. St. Mary Park while a smaller version of the sculpture titled, Sheldon “Shelly” Eggwards, greets visitors at nearby Pottawatomie Park.

The website stcsculpture.org provides photos and details of where to find pieces of the permanent exhibit as well as information on each year’s rotating exhibit. The exhibit is on display through September.

Grab a

FOR ADULTS:

“The All-American” by Joe Milan Jr.

Bucky is your average American 17-year-old. He lives in a trailer with his mom and his brother. A running back for high school football, Bucky’s dream is to be scouted for a full ride scholarship so he can escape his small town and humble beginnings. There is only one thing holding him back. It turns out he’s not actually American. When Bucky gets into some trouble and is taken in by police, he finds out the citizenship paperwork his parents filled out never went through. It doesn’t matter that Bucky has lived in the U.S. since he was 2 years old or that he doesn’t speak any Korean. In the eyes of the law, Bucky is Korean. There is not much he can do to fight back, and so Bucky finds himself deported back “home” to South Korea, where he experiences a dizzying introduction to Korean society. This is one of my favorite books I have read in 2023 – it is darkly humorous and truly compelling. Bucky’s journey is amazing, and the story is compelling and completely plausible. Follow Bucky as he navigates his new reality, and finds something he didn’t even know he was looking for.

– Rebekah Noggle, librarian

FOR KIDS:

“Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation” by Stuart Gibbs

When the CIA recruits you to try and solve a decades-old Einsteinian equation, you can either comply or escape. Charlie Thorne, a 12-year-old super genius and thief, chooses to do all the above. She is globetrotting with two operatives one minute, outwitting Israeli Mossad agents the next. All this intrigue is in search of an equation that can solve the world’s energy crisis – or create the next weapon on par with a nuclear bomb. Charlie’s mission: to uncover the equation before it falls into the wrong hands. See how Charlie uses brain power to solve problems, using historical facts and clues about Albert Einstein that her team uncovers. This book is perfect for kids that loved Alex Rider and adults that love Jason Bourne. If you like reading about Charlie’s thrilling adventures, there are more books to explore in this series. Follow along to the Galapagos Islands and learn about Charles Darwin, or visit Cleopatra in Egypt while Charlie saves the world, again and again.

– Margaux Morrone, librarian

If you have a patient pet at home, children can practice reading aloud to them! Here are two recommendations for your August reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

AUGUST 2023

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT for the Kane County Magazine calendar? Reach out to us on Facebook or via email, shawmagazineeditor@gmail.com

INCREDIBALL: This is the standard “pom pom” type by which all others are compared. It is a relatively “new” variety compared to the old fashioned Annabelle that has been around about 100 years. The issue with Annabelle is that, after a hard rain, she flopped over. Incrediball is an improved version that has thicker stems and stands up nicely to rainfall. The flowers are even larger than Annabelle. And lo and behold, these types of hydrangea arborescens now come in pink (you don’t have to treat the soil to get it to be pink!). Invincibelle Spirit II and Mini Mauvette are both gorgeous, puffy, deep pink on compact plants. These varieties are shade tolerant but also will thrive in the sun.

n LITTLE QUICK FIRE: This is a dwarf form of Quickfire that gets about 3 to 5 feet tall. Poofy clusters of flowers start out ivory and then fade to pink, then ultimately deep pink. The neat thing about this one is that the leaves have great fall color, so you get that added bonus in the fall. It’s a great hydrangea for the front foundation where you may have windows that you don’t want to block. Its similar cousin, Bobo, is a pinch smaller but has more lime green flowers that fade to pink if you like that greenish color of the flowers. Little Hottie is another new introduction that is similar in size. Its pure white flowers stand up to the hot sun and fade to pale pink in fall. All are very easy to keep smaller and require little care. They all tolerate full sun as well.

Mania HYDRANGEA

It’s rare for me to meet someone who doesn’t. And why wouldn’t you? They are one of the most prolific blooming shrubs in our area. They are tough and tolerant to many different soil and light conditions. They range in size from 3 feet to 15 feet tall – and everything in between. They are great cut and dried flowers. Some varieties even attract pollinators and butterflies!

The only “con” I can think of regarding hydrangeas is that I don’t have room in my garden to plant all of them.

There are literally hundreds of varieties available, and it is hard to keep up with the new introductions that seem to appear in the Garden Center overnight. Here are some of my favorite, tried and true varieties as well as a few brand new ones that are worth a look for your gardens. There are tons of hydrangeas available – at least one for every situation you may have – so stop by the Garden Center and check them out. They are in all of their glory right now!

I’m pretty sure every client I meet with, at some point in our conversation, says they love hydrangeas.

This versatile plant is a favorite among home landscapes

n LITTLE LIME PUNCH: I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful the flower show is on this one. It starts out ivory, then goes to pink, then ultimately to that deep pink, like the Hawaiian Punch you drank as a kid. It’s a nice sized plant at 5 feet by 5 feet, so it has a multitude of uses – screening the utility boxes, dotted in the perennial border or just one somewhere to enjoy. Full sun keeps it looking great.

n PINKY POLLEN RING: Probably my favorite in my own garden. It’s a smooth hydrangea that has light pink lacecap flowers the pollinators love. The bumblebees “vacuum” the pollen off of each flower, and it’s so fun to watch. It’s shade or sun tolerant (the flowers are a bit lighter pink on the ones I have in the shade) and it’s really just a nice shrub. Mine are about 3 feet tall and wide, and I treat them the same as the Incrediball above – trim them down in spring to about 18 inches tall, and that’s it!

n TUFF STUFF: I have a love/ hate relationship with the colored hydrangeas. If you tallied up all of the plants I have killed in the 30-plus years I’ve been gardening, the highest numbers in the loss column would be hydrangea macrophylla cultivars (the fancy colored ones that grow effortlessly in Michigan and by Martha Stewart types). But, along comes the mountain hydrangea (H. serrata). I managed to keep Tuff Stuff alive and blooming for several years … until the neighbor’s dog got ahold of it. At least it wasn’t my fault it died! These mountain types are pretty resilient, though I would still site them in a morning sun/afternoon shade situation and be careful to trim only the dead after it fully leafs out each spring. You can manipulate the soil pH to get them pink or blue also.

n PUFFER FISH: This guy is a brand new introduction (from Proven Winners) that has the coolest flowers. Also coming in at 5 feet by 5 feet, it’s a nice solo artist or in a mass planted border. The flowers are open and “puffy” and start out white, then turn to greenish. They also keep getting puffier as they mature. It has so many flowers, you can hardly see the leaves. It’s worth a look if you are establishing a shrub border and want some outstanding floral production.

n GATSBY GAL: The Gatsby Gal is a newer oakleaf hydrangea that has lots of large blooms on a fairly compact plant. It’s larger – 6 feet by 6 feet – but it has a beautiful habit and is excellent for shadier gardens. The large leaves have a deep burgundy fall color. This is good as a specimen or in a hedge as a background for other smaller plants.

n TREE FORM HYDRANGEAS: The cool new thing in the plant world is to put a shrub on a stick and call it a tree! This is cool for many reasons. You can have a colorful “tree” in a small location. They are easy to trim because you can reach the whole plant easily. They require no special care different from that of their shrub forms. They bloom all summer and into fall and they even have neat winter architecture. Many of the popular hydrangeas such as Limelight, Pink Diamond, Quick Fire, Pinky Winky and Vanilla Strawberry are grafted into tree form. They are only differentiated by their flower style and colors. Their sizes stay fairly uniform in size (approximately 6 to 8 inches wide and 10 inches tall with stem). You can certainly trim them in spring to keep them a certain size because they are essentially a shrub. They make a nice centerpiece in a small courtyard or even in a perennial garden. They’re great for somewhere you may need height but can’t put a regular tree!

Meagan Provencher is the Senior Landscape Designer at Wasco Nursery in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

BEWARE the Bad Beneficiary

n BENEFICIARY:

A person or entity who is the recipient of or will receive some or all proceeds of money or property held by the current owner upon a specified event or condition. Such vehicles as life insurance policies, inheritances, annuities or trusts may require that a beneficiary be named.

n CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY:

Should the primary beneficiary precede the account owner, a contingent beneficiary, if so designated, would be next in line.

When an investor opens a qualified account – such as a new 401(k) account, new IRA, new life insurance policy, etc. – an important part of that process is to designate a beneficiary. In most cases, the account owner is required to provide a primary beneficiary

Why it’s important to regularly update accounts and policies

and is able to provide a contingent beneficiary as well. Unfortunately, this may be the last time the account owner thinks about the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) that have been designated, and this can lead to disastrous consequence.

“What problem could possibly arise?”you may ask.

Consider Bob. Like many people today, as Bob has honed his skills over his career, he has pursued newer and better opportunities resulting in Bob changing employers about every five years. As happens often, Bob was so busy changing jobs that in each case he left his 401(k) account back with his former employer. Each of his “orphaned” 401(k) accounts were all but forgotten over time; he figured he’d just “clean this up” later when he approached retirement.

Along the way Bob got divorced and never went back to update his beneficiary despite remarrying. Unfortunately, a terrible accident claims Bob’s life. When presented with the death certificate, the custodians of each of his “orphaned” 401(k) accounts dutifully pay out to the designated beneficiary, who is his ex-spouse.

What can ensue is a legal battle between the ex-spouse and others like a subsequent spouse who thinks they should have been entitled to those assets. Not pretty. Another common scenario involves the death of a spouse. For example, Susan’s husband Todd dies of cancer, leaving Susan and their two children as survivors. Susan continues to

work and several years later marries Henry, and they have a child together. Susan had an IRA rollover from a job change prior to Todd’s death and never updated her beneficiary. Susan predeceases Henry. Who does her IRA distribute out to? Her surviving spouse, Henry? Her and Todd’s two children?

Are you sensing how messy this can become?

When there is not a clear, surviving beneficiary the distribution typically is based on the Custodian’s Order Rules. This is spelled out in the Customer Account Agreement, can vary by custodian, and may not mirror the wishes of the deceased account owner. Seemingly benevolent parties who felt they were rightful beneficiaries can soon find themselves mired in legal proceedings that seldom result in a “winner.” That’s why we say, “Beware the bad beneficiary.”

We can’t encourage you strongly enough to periodically confirm your designated primary and contingent beneficiaries are consistent with your wishes. If you are not sure how to go about this task, call your financial advisor for assistance, or you can call our team and we’ll be happy to help!

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or plan provider. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager, RJFS. 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. Tom and his team are located at 65 N. River Lane, Suite 212, Geneva, IL and can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

In 1982, The Clash released their iconic song “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” but little did they know that it would become a relevant question for homeowners in 2023. Deciding whether to stay in your current home or sell it is a significant choice that requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to help make your decision.

STAY Should I or Should I GO?

A Guide for Homeowners on Deciding Whether to Sell

PERSONAL IMPACT: Start by assessing the personal impact of moving or staying. Consider how it aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals. Ask yourself if your current home still meets your needs or if your preferences and priorities have changed. If the answer is yes, selling might be worth exploring.

LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET: Evaluating the local real estate market is crucial when considering a move. National media coverage might not reflect the conditions specific to your area. Working with a knowledgeable realtor who understands the local market can provide valuable insights on inventory, pricing trends and competition, which will help you make an informed decision.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Take a close look at your mortgage balance, monthly payments and overall affordability. If your current home strains your budget or you’re struggling to meet mortgage obligations, selling might be a wise choice. It could allow you to downsize, reduce expenses or move to a more affordable location. Keep in mind that refinancing options are available when interest rates drop, with many mortgage companies covering most costs.

HOME CONDITION AND POTENTIAL RENOVATIONS: Evaluate the condition of your home and the potential for renovations or repairs. If the necessary improvements are costly and not feasible, selling might be the best option. However, if you enjoy home

improvement and have the resources for renovations, staying and remodeling could be a satisfying choice.

Ultimately, the decision to stay or sell depends on various factors. Financial considerations, lifestyle preferences, market conditions and emotional attachment all play a role. By carefully evaluating these factors and seeking expert advice from a realtor, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your goals and priorities. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer — what matters most is finding the best path for your unique circumstances.

n FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact The Move Smarter Team.

Samantha Bauman and Raul Delgado are agents with The Move Smarter Team | Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago. They can be reached at 630-303-1052. For information, visit www.themovesmarterteam.com.