KCR_Kendall County Magazine_Fall 2023

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KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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The Scarecrow Walk is a fun way to celebrate fall and showcase your creativity. Find out more on page 12!

When Christina Reynolds of Oswego and Kelley Rice of Montgomery decided to open The Scoop in downtown Oswego earlier this year, they wanted to give the community a place to get sweet treats after previous ice cream shops closed. But that wasn’t the only niche they were hoping to fill. Rice, who grew up in an area with a bookstore, came up with the idea to incorporate books into their new store.

“We both like to read. We have a local library in downtown Oswego, but not a bookstore where people can purchase books,” Reynolds says.

Getting The Scoop

Ice cream shop dishes books and treats for its young customers

By Vicki Martinka Petersen

Both Reynolds and Rice were already part of the business community in Oswego before opening The Scoop. Reynolds is an agent with American Family Insurance in Oswego and Rice owns Imagination Print & Design.

The Scoop features a cozy reading nook showcasing books for younger kids through middle school age. About half the books in the store are written by local authors. Eventually, Reynolds hopes all the books they sell will be written by local authors.

About eight to ten local authors have books for sale in the shop. Most authors have one or two books at the shop and many of them promote their books at The Scoop.

One of the local authors featured is Victoria Hyla Maldonado of Montgomery, who reached out to The Scoop after seeing the word “books” on the store window. A number of her books are available to purchase at The Scoop including “Young Crush,”

“Bartleby the Brave,” “Tempest the Turtle,” “Miedosin el Valiente,” “Tears for the Butterfly,” and “Monstery Donstery Dock.”

“I love supporting local, small, women-owned businesses that help grow our community,” Hyla Maldonado says.

Seasonal flavors for fall include pumpkin, raspberry with chocolate chips, apple cider and cinnamon caramel apple –cinnamon caramel ice cream with chunks of apple pie.

Also this fall, The Scoop will begin having local author signings where the authors will be selling copies of their books.

“I love going to The Scoop, and my family goes often. I can’t wait to do children’s book readings there in the cute little nook,” Hyla Maldonado says.

“Treats come in all shapes and sizes. Parents and kids get to see that it’s not just about the sugar rush. Reading can be sweet, too,” she adds.

After picking out a book, youngsters can settle in for a scoop of handcrafted ice cream made at a creamery in Forest Park.

In addition to selling ice cream and books, The Scoop also sells birthday cakes and ice cream sandwiches along with a variety of candy, including lollipops, old-fashioned gum and gummy bears.

“The community is very generous and support us. We knew we’d get support, we just didn’t expect be it to be as good as it’s been,” Reynolds says.

I love supporting local, small, women-owned businesses that help grow our community.

Hyla Maldonado

Sit & Sip

breweries and wineries to savor

Autumn brings a bounty of warm and enticing flavors, many of which feature prominently in the wines, meads and beers available at these neighborhood spots.

Gilted Edge Winery

9396 Plattville Road, Newark

630-882-0037 | www.giltededgewinery.com

A tastefully renovated dairy barn dating back to 1919 is the perfect place to sip and savor. At Gilted Edge, wine drinkers can select from more than 20 varieties, including classic reds and whites as well as an array of fruit wines. Among the most popular picks, according to co-owner Laura Loos, are malbec and sauvignon blanc. Fruit wines include blueberry and mixed berry.

“For autumn this year we will have Bapple, which is our apple wine with apples picked right here on the property and aged in bourbon barrels,” said Loos of the seasonal drink that contains flavors of vanilla and caramel.

Offering non-blended wine, Gilted Edge “keeps it simple to bring the flavor of each grape and fruit forward,” Loos said.

October will bring mulled wine to the space, which also boasts scenic views and outdoor seating. A refashioned corn crib is one of the more unique spots to sit and take it all in, glass in hand.

Foxes Den Meadery

101 S. Bridge St., Yorkville

630-381-9013 | www.foxesdenmeadery.com

Yorkville’s newly opened micro-meadery offers visitors something different from the ordinary. Made using fermented honey, mead’s flavor profile is typically lighter than that of traditional wine. Handcrafted meads are in constant rotation, and feature such flavors as boysenberry and banana. Some non-carbonated pours are served at room temperature while others, deemed session meads, are lightly carbonated and come chilled.

The meadery, which is equal parts industrial and inviting, also has a number of guest beverages available, from lagers and IPAs to craft cocktails and wines. An outdoor space affords patrons a view of the Fox River.

Perfect for autumn sipping, bottled mead, Sticky Apples, is made with carmelized wildflower honey and apples from nearby Gomoll Farm.

Fox Republic Brewing Company

101 W. Hydraulic Ave., Yorkville 331-400-2337 | www.foxrepublicbrewing.com

Visitors to this spot are met with a mix of stainless steel and wood for a clean yet comfortable aesthetic. The community brewery’s historic home long ago served as a dealership for Studebaker automobiles, and features a robust line-up of brews. The hazy IPA, dubbed Fog on the Fox, and the Button Factory kolsch are big sellers, said Michael Williams, one of the brewery’s partners and its chief financial officer.

The brewery also has exciting offerings on tap for fall including an Oktoberfest-style marzen, a Vienna lager, and a smoked pumpkin porter, among others.

“We have a sophisticated pilot brewery with glycol temperaturecontrolled fermenters, which allows us to experiment regularly and with great accuracy,” Williams said.

A spacious beer garden surrounded by hop vines gives patrons a chance to enjoy a beer and a breeze. Food trucks regularly stop by.

“We also encourage our guests to bring in food, whether it be from home, from carryout, or ordered in,” Williams said.

the name says it all |

By Diane Krieger Spivak

When Richard and Tari Fetty curate merchandise for their gift shop/boutique in Plano, the couple really know their stuff. The Fettys both work full time for a gift and home decor manufacturer. “We’re involved in the trade show industry,” says Richard. “We get to see what buyers and retailers are focusing on.” Having an insight on the hottest items also helps with the buying process. “We also network with other retailers across the nation to see what’s working.”

Involved in the gift and home industry for over 25 years, the couple used to do weekend markets and vintage fares, but eventually grew tired with constantly setting up and tearing down. “We decided a brick-andmortar location would be better,” says Richard.

In 2019, the Fettys opened Trendy Finds, which Tari likes to describe as, “a unique shopping experience,” featuring an extensive array of gifts, home decor, a ladies boutique section, men’s section, baby and religious items, farmhouse selection and so much more, carefully placed in a setting of antique display pieces. In what might be called interior curb appeal, “the way we decorate the store creates an ambiance customers really love,” says Richard. “It’s warm and inviting.”

Coming up with the name Trendy Finds for their store wasn’t hard. “That's what is it is, we find things in trend that are well priced,” says Fetty. “Trends change every six months.” For example, coastal trends usually take a little longer to reach the middle of the country and everything is constantly changing.

The Fettys are proud of the huge selection of realistic looking silk florals they carry. From current fall florals to popular succulents and everything in between, it’s difficult to tell the faux arrangements from the real thing. “Our floral is second to none,” says Tari. “We’re really picky about the quality. We have all kinds across the board.”

For those who want the real thing, Trendy Finds offers up live plants two times a year. “We have live flowering hanging baskets in the spring and in fall we do live mums,” she says. “We buy from a very good grower. People return because they’re good quality.”

The store’s fashion department features purses, weekend bags, clothing and jewelry, with some clothing items ranging in size up to 3X.

Trendy Finds’ hottest item, currently, is Turkish lamps, reveals Tari. The trending lamps come in an array of colored glass and intricate designs. A perennial favorite with customers is Swan Creek Candles, both melts and jar candles, made of 100 percent American soybean wax in tantalizing scents like Frosted Berry Noir and Citrus Pumpkin & Ginger. Other popular brands include: The Naked Bee, Michel Design Works, Finchberry and San Francisco Soap Company. Trendy Finds is also a stockist for the enduringly popular Annie Sloan chalk paint line.

But it’s not just the extensive array and variety of items that keep customers coming back. It’s not just the affordable price points, either. “People mention that our price points are good. We’re picky about those, too. We’re affordable for about anyone,” adds Tari. An important part of what sets Trendy Finds apart is the friendliness and customer service that the Fettys and their staff provide.

They are passionate about what they do and customer service is number one. “We like helping customers put things together to display for their homes,” says Tari. “We love seeing smiling faces coming in the door and helping them find the right gift or card or helping them put together a gift bag. They enjoy the experience and usually can find a gift for someone or something for themselves.”

Currently, the shop is stocked with lots of seasonal goodies. Right now they have fall and Halloween decorations, but they will soon switch over to Christmas as a full all-season shop. Christmas is a special time at Trendy finds, highlighted by the shop’s annual Christmas open house the first weekend in November, where the store is fully changed over to Christmas.

“This store at Christmas time is just over the top,” says Richard. A lifelike Santa and Mrs. Claus, designed by an artist out of Canada, serves as a popular backdrop for photo ops and people often use them for Christmas cards.

Trendy Finds is open six days a week, and closed Mondays. Seasonal hours are extended for the holidays. We invite everyone to stop in for YOUR unique shopping experience

Tari & Richard

April

Hope Sue

Fall recreation local

autumn adventures

|

Flipping our calendars to September and beyond may signal a transition to the end of the year, but it shouldn’t put a halt to our outdoor activities.

Make no mistake, there’s still lots of time to appreciate Mother Nature this fall – or autumn, if you prefer.

“A lot of folks getting out in the fall enjoying fall colors, our parks,

Yorkville Hometown Days Festival

When: Aug. 31-Sept. 3

Where: Beecher Community Park, 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville

The 30th edition of Yorkville’s annual extravaganza offers free family activities as well as live music, carnival rides, a bags tournament, and a pinewood derby. Patrons also can keep the “dog days” intact with the Strut Your Mutt Competition on Sept. 2, rooting their pets along in categories such as longest nose and best trick. Visit yorkville.il.us./HTD for full details and event schedules.

Fall Carnival

When: Sept. 1-3

Where: Prairie Point Park, 4120 Plainfield Road, Oswego

“One last, final hurrah of summer rolling into fall,” as Finch puts it. Be there for carnival rides and amusements. Visit www. prairiefest.com/carnival for more.

Oswego Brew at the Bridge

When: 2-7 p.m. Sept. 16

Where: Hudson Crossing Park, 65 N. Harrison St., Oswego

What started as a craft beer festival has expanded to include an artisan sampling of beers, ciders, seltzers and spirits from vendors across Chicagoland. Now, Finch says, “it’s probably our biggest fall event.” For more or to purchase tasting packages in advance, visit www.brewatthebridge.com.

Scarecrow Walk

When: Sept. 29-Oct. 31

Where: Riverfront Park, east end, 131 Hydraulic Ave., Yorkville

This free event “has become a wildly popular, highly-anticipated part” of Yorkville’s fall event schedule, Gregory said. Allow her to explain: “Scarecrows are submitted by local families and businesses to be placed along the wooded trail at Riverfront Park. This is an open event that patrons can walk through during the park’s open hours. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.” A new wrinkle this year allows patrons to scan a QR code on signage adjacent to scarecrows to cast their vote. Check out yorkville.il.us/ScarecrowWalk for more information.

By Kevin Druley

things like that,” said Laura Finch, director of marketing and customer service at Oswegoland Park District.

With help from Finch and counterpart Katelyn Gregory, community engagement and marketing coordinator at United City of Yorkville Library & Recreation, Kendall County Magazine takes a look at opportunities for parks and recreation fun this fall.

Oswego Cemetery Walk

When: 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 5

Where: Oswego Township Cemetery, 503 Main St.

Bring a flashlight and comfortable shoes to what Finch calls a hybrid of “spooky season” and “Oswego history.” Visitors traverse the cemetery for a 45-minute tour, learning about the town’s original settlers and other notable figures. Visit www.oswegolandparkdistric.org for registration rates and times.

Saw Wee Kee Park trail run

When: 3 p.m. Oct. 14

Where: Saw Wee Kee Park, 7350 Sundown Lane, Yorkville

The fourth and final leg of the park’s trail run series offers 4.5 miles of exhilaration – both in the running and the opportunity to observe the changing fall colors. Registration closes Oct. 5. Visit www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org for more.

Halloween Egg Hunt

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 20

Where: Yorkville Town Square, 301 N. Bridge St.

Trot out your costume and your best bucket and flashlight to go searching for candy-filled eggs. Free for children 10 and under.

DONUT DETOUR The perils of a Sunday

To ensure we are all clear on this: Getting stuck in traffic is still awful. But this particular time, to be completely truthful, it did bring a slight smile to my face.

And I may have chuckled a bit at how I had allowed myself to drive right into it. Almost like it wasn’t somehow just so awfully, well, normal.

It all began with a quick trip out on a Sunday morning to pick up a bag of dog food. Under normal circumstances, this particular shopping run would never have happened. Most weeks, my family and I would rather eat mystery leftovers from the back of the fridge before setting foot in a supermarket on Sunday mornings.

Plus, we knew our pup still had enough kibble to last for a couple days. But this particular Sunday, we were headed out of town for a week. So, after our younger child kindly alerted us at 10 p.m. on Saturday that the pooch’s food container was nearly empty, an unexpected shopping trip suddenly barged into our itinerary. (Caring for the dog is part of the younger one’s daily chores, so kudos to her for remembering to tell us, I suppose – even if it could have come about 12 hours earlier.)

About an hour after sunrise on Sunday, out of bed I rolled, and out the door I went, seeking to ensure ample time to load the car with suitcases and other assorted necessities and sundries for the road trip upon my (presumedly, quick) return.

After making it out of the store in good time, a quick glance at the clock proclaimed enough time remained for a quick detour to our neighboring community for a morning treat: a box of our favorite donuts for the road.

Mind you, my family are not food snobs, particularly when discussing donuts. (Though, there are some brands we may be a little less enthusiastic about).

But we do have our favorites. And especially on a Sunday morning, there is just something a little more special about the glazed cinnamon rolls, raspberry jelly-filled bismarcks, chocolate-dipped yeast rings and long johns from this particular bakery, normally about 10 minutes away, in the quaint downtown area in the next town over.

That is where I was headed this particular Sunday morning, my mind on cruise control, completely oblivious to what my car was headed into.

The first clue of trouble ahead perhaps should have been the tumbleweed blowing through the picked-over pastry case at the big box store. In retrospect, an alert mind may have asked: Why would their cases of clearly inferior donuts be so empty, so early, on a Sunday?

My mind, however, was nowhere near so alert.

Instead, with dog food and a couple other grocery items in tow, whistling a tune (yes, literally whistling), I headed for our preferred local bakery.

Perhaps you might say, even a mind already slipping into vacation mode would have noticed the unusual number of police cars and city workers buzzing about the streets, as one drew nearer downtown.

You might also say, one should have taken note of the unusual amount of traffic, particularly as one stopped whistling and began to ponder why so many people were out so early on a Sunday morning on local streets, if they didn’t appear to know where they were going.

By the time I saw the orange-and-white striped barricades, blocking the road, two blocks away from the bakery, realization at last dawned:

I had driven into the annual downtown car show. Yes, I had read the articles in the local paper. Yes, I had heard the ads on the local radio. Yes, I had seen mentions made on social media, all the week prior.

No, it did not dawn on me until that precise moment where precisely I was, and what precisely I had done. And now, there was no way out, but through the maze of detours, caught in a crawling conga line of vehicles, all trying to either find their way to a parking spot not too far from the action, or, like me, trying to find their way back to a road that will carry them away, as quickly as possible.

I suppose you might say, I was out of practice.

After all, the car show, while an annual tradition, had taken two years off, as did many community traditions all over the region and the country, during the Covid pandemic. And, even though it had returned in 2022, it had been a smaller event, playing to smaller crowds.

But now, here it was splayed out before me, in its full splendor: Blocks of glistening muscle cars, roadsters, hot rods and big beautiful tail-finned convertible automotive boats, all shimmering under the early morning summer sun, classic rock music blaring, the smells of popcorn and grilled meats wafting through the morning air, and so many people, already packed in, and streaming in by the dozens and hundreds from all sides, most carrying cups of coffee and bags of – you guessed it – donuts. Not only was the car show back, it was by many measures, bigger than ever, with all of the associated traffic.

As that traffic wound slowly around, my mind also fully wound itself around the spectacle. It was messy. It was loud. It was, in many ways, annoying.

But after so many years of emptiness, cancellations and general foreboding, this just felt oh so normal.

In its simple, homespun beauty, it was as heart-warming and soul-stirring as any late summer sunrise over the misty emerald fields of corn that surround these places we call home.

Indeed, you might say it was almost distracting enough to make me happy for more traffic jams, or make me forget about the donuts.

Almost.

 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.)

Fairgrounds Fall Fest Auto Show &

October 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 10826 State Route 71, Yorkville

What better than an all-in event for the entire county to enjoy? Check out an array of county vendors with delicious food and drinks. Take in friendly competitions or chat with your neighbor in the Beer Garden. This is a true celebration of everything that makes Kendall County such a special place to live and play!

Annual Fox Fall Fest

October 01, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Main Street Oswego

Every fall, Oswego celebrates autumnal delights on their main street, calling in local crafters, brewers, artisans, live musical acts and more. Join in on a delightful event with something for everyone!

Little Shop of Horrors at Paramount Aurora

Running until October 15

Snag your ticket now to experience one of pop culture’s most quirky and enjoyable cult classics at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Don’t miss this award-winning show!

Silent Thief the

Recently we were cleaning out my 91-yearold mother’s basement and came across her teacher’s contract for a full-time high school English and speech position. The sum total for the year was a whopping $5,400, which was to be paid in 12 equal installments of $450 each. Having other teachers in the family, I know those who pursue the profession do so out of a passion to educate rather than to pursue a lucrative career. Understanding that a teacher’s salary may not be high, the real story here is the impact of inflation over time. (In 1959, inflation was 2%.)

You probably remember your first “real job” as an adult and what you were paid. In 1987, I was in institutional sales and was paid a salary of $20,500 that year plus a company car, small bonus and other perks. Having just left a college campus where I worked three jobs to get through school, I thought I had hit it big. (In 1987, inflation was 4.1%)

For purposes of this article, we are going to reference the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the measurement of inflation. The CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. For July 2023, CPI had increased 3.2% over the prior 12 months –this despite the Federal Reserve’s determination to try to drive inflation back down to an annualized target level of 2%.

At right is a snapshot of some of the common components of CPI for July as shared by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/cpi).

12-MONTH PERCENTAGE CHANGE

Consumer Price Index, July 2023, not seasonally adjusted

How inflation affects a consumer’s purchasing power & why you should plan ahead

Why is the Federal Reserve so intent on trying to get inflation back down to a low target? One of the reasons is the eroding effect that inflation has on the consumer’s purchasing power. As paltry as the salaries referenced above are today, back in their time they represented a competitive wage. A common mistake many early retirees make is that they assume their current retirement income will continue to be sufficient to cover their living expenses throughout retirement. Those who find themselves on a fixed income, such as a pension, can find themselves painfully transitioning from a comfortable lifestyle to one where it can be increasingly difficult to pay the bills as time progresses.

Not to belabor the point, but let’s look at a few simple examples of what the following items average cost was at that time:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual inflation from 1959 to the present has ranged from a low of 1% in 2010 to a high of 12.4% in 1980. The average rate from 1959 through June 2023 has been 3.7%. With many people being concerned about outliving their money, inflation is something we all need to pay attention to.

How have you positioned your portfolio to account for inflation? If you are not sure how to go about this task, call your financial advisor for assistance, or you can call our team – 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. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members.

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.

A person you know. A policy you understand.