KCR_Kendall County Magazine_Spring 2022

Kendall County SPRING 2022

IN RARE COMPANY

Kendall Meat Company opens in Yorkville Page 6

MIDCENTURY MODERN

This sleek style is popular for home decor Page 11

AFFIRMATIONS These positive mantras are ‘good for our soul’ Page 14

MAGAZINE

the

DAIRY

BARN The longtime Oswego staple is back to serving as the area’s go-to fa mily spot for burgers an d milkshakes Read more on page 8

2 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 3

Editor's Note

Kendall County MAGAZINE

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for a good chocolate malt.

And if you share my affinity, you’ll want to head straight to the Dairy Barn.

I went to the Dairy Barn with my family in March to try the new take on the classic Dairy Hut in Oswego.

And yes, I’ve been back since, returning for a milkshake. I’m not ashamed! They’re that good.

If you were a frequent flyer at the Dairy Hut — or you’re new to the area and need the scoop on the longtime staple — you’ll want to read our story on P. 8. Chris Walker did a fantastic job finding out more about the history and the current trajectory of the restaurant. And after you read it, head there for a meal!

Unintentionally, our spring issue includes many stories that encourage you to take care of yourself.

Read about affirmations, positive mantras you can use to set goals, on P. 14. Since January I’ve incorporated affirmations into my own life, and

given their positive effects, I don’t plan to stop.

Also check out P. 16 for the latest nail trends, which include differently shaped nails and lots of spring pastels.

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching; we have five local gift ideas if you’re still searching for the perfect present (P. 18) . Every year for Mother’s Day, my family plants flowers and takes care of other landscaping needs, usually followed by a springtime homemade meal. How do you celebrate the moms in your life?

I hope you welcome the start of spring with a fresh manicure, some time outdoors — and, of course, a milkshake.

Thanks for reading!

Hannah Hoffmeister, Editor

Published by Shaw Media Phone: 630-553-7034 news@kendallcountynow.com

PUBLISHER Herald News, Morris Herald-News, Kendall County & Suburban Life Steve Vanisko svanisko@shawmedia.com EDITOR Hannah Hoffmeister 630-427-6263 hhoffmeister@shawmedia.com ADVERTISING Kristin Hawkins 630-385-4404 khawkins@shawmedia.com Shannon Eldridge 630-845-5347 seldridge@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Allison LaPorta 630-427-6260 alaporta@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

CORRESPONDENTS Kevin Druley, Patti MacMillan, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Erin Sauder, Diane Krieger Spivak and Chris Walker.

You can't go wrong with a double bacon cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake from the Dairy Barn.

Read more on P. 8. Photo by Wendy Greenslade, Locked In Photography. est. 1851

4 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

| SPRING 2022 |

Celebrating 30 YEARS IN YORKVILLE with

30 DAYS of Give Aways!

INSIDE DINING & ENTERTAINING 6 IN RARE COMPANY Yorkville’s dining scene adds fresh meat — literally — with the addition of Kendall Meat Company 8 THE DAIRY BARN From hut to barn, the longtime Oswego staple is back to serving as the area’s go-to family spot

HOME & LIFESTYLE 11 MAD FOR MIDCENTURY This minimalistic, sleek style is popular for home decor 12 FULL BLOOM Winding Creek Nursery celebrates 65 years of helping gardeners

Visit our website to see what we are giving also for April! bellatressa.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS 14 ‘GOOD FOR OUR SOUL’ Affirmations — short mantras of encouragement — can lead to positive change 16 NAILING DOWN THE TRENDS From almond nails to pastel colors, here’s how to rock your next manicure

FAMILY IN FOCUS 18 GIFTS FIT FOR A QUEEN Wow the women in your life with a special Mother’s Day gift from these 5 local options 21 MUSIC TO MY EARS From train tracks to popular Disney movies, get a glimpse into the soundtrack of being Superdad

BUSINESS & CIVIC 22 SPRING CLEANING Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet share tips for reviewing your financial decisions SM-CL1971507

720 N Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560

| SPRING 2022 |

630.553.1171 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 5

In rare

Y N A P M CO g scene adds in in d ’s e l il v k r Yo y — with l l a r e it l — t a e fresh m l Meat l a d n e K f o n io it the add Company

ndall Meat Co.

s provided by Ke

| Photo

By Kevin Druley

6 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

| SPRING 2022 |

C

ommitted to conveying their butcher shop’s diverse selection, the brass behind Kendall Meat Company chose a hashtag that goes the whole hog.

If they haven’t already, visitors to the store or its Facebook page figure to become familiar with #morethanjustmeat. Co-owner TJ Banning explains.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, there’s a butcher shop or a meat market, so they’re just going to have beef,’” he says. “But we want people to know that we are more than just meat. We have chicken and pork, of course, but we have the seafood and we have coffee, the fresh cheeses, the pickles, the vegetables. This summer, we’ll have sweet corn. This fall, we’re going to have apples. So more of a minimarket kind of thing.”

Many customers have relished in the array of choices since Kendall Meat Company opened in February.

Amy Nelson of Oswego first tried Kendall Meat Company after learning of its seafood options. Now she finds herself returning routinely to explore the rest of the store.

“I’ve tried a little bit of everything,” Nelson says.

“Their smoked salmon is really good. We are obsessed with their moonshine barbecue fillets.

None of the other butchers around the area or even the stores have fresh chicken wings that you can bake and do what you want with. Theirs are outstanding; I’ve gotten them four times already.

“Their cod, grouper. I haven’t had anything I don’t like, I’ll be honest with you. And their prices are

| SPRING 2022 |

phenomenal.”

Co-owners Yonas Hagos, Brandon Partridge and Joe Porretta also own Silver Fox Bar & Grill in Yorkville, which opened in early 2021 (formerly Blackstone Bar & Grill). Porretta is the restaurant’s executive chef.

The ownership group sought to fill a void it sensed on the Yorkville food and shopping scene.

“The different concoctions that they come up with are pretty amazing,” Nelson says. “It’s stuff you wouldn’t think of at home.”

Early returns would suggest a satisfied customer base from outside county limits, as well. Banning notes regular visitors come from towns including Morris, Ottawa, Elburn and Bolingbrook.

“There are a lot of companies that do honor veterans with a discount, but not quite that high.”

The store is open 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s been very busy,” Banning says, “which you always hope for when you open a new business.”  KENDALL MEAT COMPANY 731 Erica Lane, Yorkville 331-207-8151 Facebook: Kendall Meat Company

Duane Thomas, who lives in Plano and works in Yorkville, spotted the store while visiting the adjacent Home Depot this winter. “‘I’m a guy; I like meat,’” he recalls thinking.

Thomas followed that curiosity around the store and all the way to the checkout line, where a clerk noticed the U.S. Navy cap he was wearing. The clerk asked Thomas whether he was a military veteran, and after explaining the cap was for his son in active duty, Thomas confirmed that he indeed once served in the U.S. Army.

His receipt unspooled with 15% off the bill, as Kendall Meat Company offers a discount for veterans and first responders. Hagos, an Ethiopian refugee, is a U.S. Army vet and Purple Heart recipient.

“I thought it was very generous,” Thomas says.

DINING & ENTERTAINING

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 7

THE DAIRY BARN

8 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

From hut to barn, the longtime Oswego staple is back to serving as the area’s go-to family spot

By Chris Walker | Photos by Locked In Photography

| SPRING 2022 |

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It doesn’t matter if you’re the Oswego village president or man’s best friend — the new Dairy Barn is quickly becoming a destination. The heir to the Dairy Hut is quickly winning over the town.

“The anticipation for the Dairy Barn has been huge,” Parlier says. “I’m so glad to see it open. This restaurant is entirely different than the others that have opened in town as it caters to families. It’s been great to see people of all ages and large families fill up the Dairy Barn.”

Co-owner Mike Mann first visited the Dairy Hut when he was 7 years old and kept visiting frequently for the ensuing 43 years until it closed. He couldn’t imagine Oswego without it, so he talked to his business partner and the rest is history, just like that final hot dog bite.

“Living in Oswego, I knew what I wanted to bring here, and we’re hoping to be able to watch families come here,” he says. “With the river and the playground nearby we’re super excited to have the opportunity, and the community in Oswego is faithful. They want to help out the local homegrown and we’ve had

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(Park between JCPenney and Macy's)

some people that have visited three times already.”

According to Roger Matile, director of the Little White School Museum in Oswego, when the first fast food and soft serve ice cream shop in town needed a name, the owner had a contest for Oswego schoolchildren. Junior high student Jerry Power’s suggestion of Dari-Boat was selected and a grand opening was held in June 1961. Over the years, as a succession of owners exchanged control, the name also transitioned to the Dairy Hut.

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“The Hut, as it was always called, has been a true downtown Oswego institution, serving ice cream to generations of kids and their parents,” Matile says. “We rode our bikes there when we were kids, my kids rode their bikes there, and my grandkids do, too. It’s been a treat for local kids and coaches after softball, baseball and soccer practice and games for decades, as well as families and even downtown business workers, and it’s so nice to see that tradition is likely to continue with the Dairy Barn.”

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only maintain a 60-year Oswego tradition but that might actually do a better job of serving the community.”

The menu is simple but offers plenty of tasty food items, including hot dogs and chili dogs, a selection of juicy burgers, chicken sandwiches and a kids menu of chicken tenders and pizza puffs. There are a variety of side items to munch on, including mozzarella sticks, fries and rings. As for treats, there are shakes, malts, tornadoes, sundaes, cones, slushies and banana splits. And for the 21+ crowd, there are adult milkshakes, boozy slushies and beer.

What more could you ask for?

“Out of the gate we’re keeping it pretty simple and we can modify the menu going forward, maybe add some soups and salads,” Mann says. “We’ve kept it really close to the old menu and that’s really the only thing that’s

10 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

been carried over.”

The Dairy Barn has a lot of indoor seating within its white shiplap walls. “The old Dairy Hut had no indoor seating and we have seating for 100 or more depending on how we situate things,” Mann says. “And we’ve kept the outdoor seating for about 60 so we can have a band outside playing there. Our vision is really family-focused.”

While certainly the warmer days make the Dairy Barn most attractive, it aims to be a yearround gathering place that also offers delicious food and delectable treats in a friendly and fun environment.

“We have space to do things like storytime, kid bingo, having a magician or maybe something like a country band,” Mann says. “We hope we can turn into a community center type place for events for people to come and do different things.”

| SPRING 2022 |

MAD FOR

MIDCENTURY THIS MINIMALISTIC, SLEEK STYLE IS POPULAR FOR HOME DECOR

By Diane Krieger Spivak | Photo provided by Mod Landing

I

f you were a fan of the hit TV series “Mad Men” (or have binge-watched it since), you’ll likely remember the midcentury modern style of furnishings that dominated the show. The sleek, bare-bones style with slick hardware had already seen a resurgence prior, but the show furthered its appeal, and it’s still riding high.

“It probably started the last 15 years, but certainly in the last 10 years it has just really taken off again,” says Elisa Scodro, co-owner of Ivy Lane, which sells the style at Vintage 71 Shops in Yorkville. “Much of the furniture is not only hard to find, it can be quite expensive.”

Marcus Butler, who owns Mod Landing in Joliet, found out just how expensive when he saw a dresser on the side of the road about six years ago. It was in terrible condition, but the style spoke to Butler. “I didn’t even know what MCM was. I was going to do something with it, but instead I put it up for sale. The buyer drove to Chicago from Des Moines, Iowa, to get it, and it was a piece of (junk). That was when the lightbulb went on.” Within a year Butler quit his job and now repairs, refinishes and flips midcentury modern pieces.

| SPRING 2022 |

“It’s got clean lines. It’s a basic, nice sleek look,” he says. His biggest sellers, by far, are long, lowboy dressers. “Most of my customers don’t even use them for dressers. They use them for TV stands. They usually sell the first day I list them on Instagram.”

Because it’s such a radical departure from conventional styles, and because it’s scarce as well as expensive, some customers want to ease into it, says Scodro. “Some of our customers want just a taste of it so they can incorporate it into what they already have.”

One way to do that is with barware, Scodro notes. Cocktail glassware, trays and dishware are all popular and functional. “One designer I absolutely love is Georges Briard, who was well known for his designs. They’re fun, beautiful, and you can have them out for people to see.”

“The barware has a unique look to it, with lots of graphics,” says Phyllis Barber, co-owner of Happenstance Goods, in Oswego. Barber points out a set of highball glasses with black and gold graphics. “The whole ‘Mad Men’ thing piqued the interest in it. Things people saw on the show they liked. Beer, highball and martini glasses. Cocktail shakers in chrome or with

HOME & LIFESTYLE

glass.” Midcentury modern is the exception to the rule when it comes to microwaves and dishwashers, says Barber, who cautions against putting dishes into either.

Fans of the style are encouraged not to get too matchy-matchy, but to add individual occasional pieces to their decor. “Chairs are really, really popular; especially leather sling chairs,” says Barber. Other accessory pieces include cutout lamps, extremely tall lamps on lowboy tables, art glass, large sunburst wall clocks and ashtrays.

“People look for MCM ashtrays not for cigarettes, but more for display,” adds Scodro. “There are orb ashtrays that are absolutely beautiful and they come in a number of different colors.”

Butler says he doesn’t see interest in the soughtafter style waning any time soon. “It’s even gotten better over the pandemic,” he says.

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 11

full

BLO

WINDING CREEK NURSERY CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF HELPING GARDENERS

By Vicki Martinka Petersen | Photos provided by Winding Creek Nursery

P

enny Monkemeyer spent many afternoons of her childhood traipsing around Winding Creek Nursery while her father, Bill, helped customers find the perfect annuals or perennials for their gardens. Later as a teenager, she joined her dad in working at the nursery and has become a fixture there ever since.

This year, the nursery founded by her grandfather Ralph Perkins celebrates its 65th anniversary of helping people in the Millbrook community find the perfect flower or plant that brings them joy.

Monkemeyer credits community support for the business’ longevity. This often extends back to generations of families that count on Winding Creek Nursery for

12 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

their horticulture needs.

“Customers come in and tell stories of how when they were younger, they came here with their parents or grandparents,” Monkemeyer says. “The surrounding community helped grow our business to what we are today, making us bigger and better.”

Perkins in the 1920s started what would eventually become Winding Creek Nursery; he sold vegetables, flowers and bedding plants in Bristol, according to the Winding Creek Nursery website. In March 1957, he moved the business to Millbrook.

“I hope my grandfather would be proud and amazed of how we have grown and of what we have accomplished over the years,”

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Monkemeyer says of the nursery’s 160 acres.

“I’m sure he would like that we are still keeping it simple and still a family-owned business.”

Along with trees, shrubs, annuals and more, the nursery carries Fertilome lawn and garden supplies and its own special blends of grass seed and birdseed.

While you’re there, be sure to stop by the gift shop for home and garden decor, including birdhouses and feeders, wind chimes, flags and other gifts. For the gardeners in your life, consider a gift certificate.

Winding Creek Nursery is located at 8241 Millbrook Road in Millbrook. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.windingcreek-nursery.com.

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KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 13

d o o ' G

Soul ' for our

Affirmations — short mantras of encouragement — can lead to positive change

By Chris Walker

I

t seems as if every year around this time, spring pushes lingering winter aside and says, “We deserve to feel joy.”

Flowers blooming, baby animals scampering, birds chirping. Kids running, laughing and playing.

Neighbors finally taking down their holiday lights as the glorious sunshine gives free samples of what’s to come in the summer.

If only being as successful with affirmations — short mantras of encouragement and practical thinking — came as naturally as the seasons change.

“Affirmations are good for our soul,” says Angela René Brown, a licensed clinical social worker at Counseling for Serenity in Yorkville.

“It’s where we leave behind what our past says, what others and the world says about us; and even what we say about ourselves. Instead, we embrace what love says. For some of us, that love is our higher power, which is so much greater than this world and our current struggles. Affirmations are a way to overcome our past and begin to embrace our value, our strength, our beauty and a greater plan for our lives.”

Paul Hansen, a yoga and meditation instructor at Sense of Samadhi in Yorkville, says affirmations can be powerful introductory paths to showing what you are capable of accomplishing when focusing on a short phrase imbued with the energy of intention.

“Often affirmations can become a

14 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

| SPRING 2022 |

Well

! e n Do bridge over the details,” he says. “Let’s take, for example, ‘I am abundant.’ Well, it’s a fairly vague affirmation because abundance can come in so many forms.

That being said, the point I’m making is that the details of how that abundance shows up in our life can vary greatly.

Not to mention the timing. The affirmation builds a bridge over those details and allows the practitioner to spend time feeling the energy of being abundant coursing through them while making daily time to get quiet and repeating the affirmation in the mind.”

Rondi Stickney, owner and trainer at Rondi’s S.E.L.F. Fitness in Oswego, has been teaching for over 45 years. She says one of the biggest keys to the success of her clients is convincing them to buy in to a positive outlook while rejecting the impossibility of perfection and finding a balance.

“Affirmations are super important

especially since a lot of people don’t think positive and are always seeing the glass half empty,” she says. “I teach lifestyle and I tell people you’ve got to have a balance.”

Here, Connections Are Everything Our goal is to ensure that you leave our studio feeling better than you did when you got here. We do that through careful observation, hands-on corrections, helpful verbal cues, and authentic relationships with each person who walks through the door. We learn your body and goals, taking care to modify so you can maximize your workout.

While the past two years have been unlike anything any of us has lived through, many are experiencing a mix of uncertainty and hope.

Tairi Grace is a licensed social worker who serves as executive director of the Grace Holistic Center for Education and owner of Sense of Samadhi yoga studio, both in Yorkville. She says she frequently has to remind herself to live in the now since she’s running three businesses and parenting five children.

“When I begin to feel overwhelmed, I say to myself, ‘But what do I have to do right now?’” she says. “When we stay in the now moment, it reminds us to breathe deeply, stay calm and focus on our sensory experience.”

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 15

NAILINGtheDOWN trends HERE'S HOW TO ROCK YOUR NEXT MANICURE

By Erin Sauder | Photos provided by Lee Nails and Purity Nail Garden

F

rom pastel colors to accent fingers to new nail shapes, there’s luckily no shortage of fun and creative ways to glam up your hands this spring.

If the new season has you looking for new nail inspiration, you’re not alone.

These days, many people are pulling inspiration for nail designs from social media.

“Clients bring in a picture from something they found on Instagram and we go based on that,” says Vinh Dang, co-owner of Purity Nail Garden in Montgomery.

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The Kendall County salon offers manicures, pedicures, nail art, waxing and microblading in a welcoming and tranquil environment.

Though not a new design in manicures, ombre nails continue to be popular as they can suit all skin tones and nail lengths. The style features two colors subtly graduating into each other. For spring, ombre nails in pastel shades are a great way to help complement the season.

Accent nail manicures are also still very on trend, Dang says. The style calls for adding a contrasting color or design to one nail on each hand.

Patrons to Lee Nails in Plano are also looking to swap out darker winter hues for brighter colors. “This spring I’m seeing a lot of our clients wearing pastel colors like baby blue, pink, lilac,” says salon owner Danny Nguyen.

While the ombre style is popular, Lee Nails clients are also opting to have a different pastel shade on each finger.

“It seems like every spring lots of our clients want butterflies and flowers on their nails,” Nguyen says.

Nail shapes are another way to elevate a manicure. Styles such as almond, coffin and stiletto are in style this spring season. Stiletto nails tend to be pointier, while coffin nails have a squared off tip. Almond is similar to the oval nail, but has a narrower tip.

Additionally, most Purity Nail Garden manicures come with a massage, which helps promote healthy blood circulation. “For our no-chip and dipping, we soak the hands in collagen gloves after the hand massage, adding extra hydration for the skin and cuticles,” Dang says.

“Those shapes give the illusion of fingers looking longer and slimmer,” Dang adds.

For both shops, the time of year has a strong influence on manicure styles.

Glitter nail art tends to be a go-to during the December holidays, Nguyen says. The end of winter, however, has many people looking forward to the season of rebirth and renewal. And they want their nail art to reflect just that.

But beyond walking out of the salon with glam hands, there are several other reasons to make regular appointments for a set of freshly painted nails a priority.

“Some of the benefits of our manicures include preventing infections, boosting nail health, and they can make your hands and feet look younger,” notes Dang.

HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE STORES MENTIONED IN THIS STORY!  Purity Nail Garden: 1839 Douglas Road, Montgomery  Lee Nails: 6530 W. U.S. Highway 34, Plano

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 17

GIFTS fit for

a QUEEN

- aka Mom Wow the women in your life with a special Mother’s Day gift from these 5 local options

By Patti MacMillan | Photos provided by Fox Valley Winery, Millbrook Trail Rides and Trendy Finds

M

other’s Day isn’t far off (May 8 — mark your calendars!), but what to give the woman who gives so much of herself? Discover treasures and experiences that are sure to delight in your own backyard.

Home decor and more

Here you'll find an abundance of home decor, including an ever-changing array of decorative objects, realistic silk florals, kitchen accents and more. Clothing such as tops, kimonos and tunics in sizes small to 3X as well as jewelry also fill the space. A large selection of Turkish lamps is a big draw for shoppers, who can marvel at the interplay of color and light as it spills from these ornate stained-glass creations.  TRENDY FINDS 619 Walter Payton Memorial Highway, Plano 815-685-1639 www.trendyfindsplano.com

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“Everything For Your Planting Pleasure” • Shade & Ornamental Trees

Great Gifts For Mother’s Day:

• Evergreens

Roses, Hydrangeas, Hanging Baskets & Planters, Garden Flags, Gift Certificates

• Flowering Shrubs • Fruit Trees • Perennials • Annuals • Vegetable Plants Lawn and Garden Products

Learn more about the nursery on P. 12!

Millbrook, IL • Open 7 Days a Week 8-5 630.553.7211 • www.windingcreek-nursery.com

5 miles South of Plano on Corner of Fox River Rd. & Millbrook Rd.

Magic

Shop local, buy local

If “mystical” aptly describes the one you’re shopping for, consider this purveyor of metaphysical supplies. Billing its wares as “fine goods for the weird at heart,” Hoof & Horn sells candles, crystals and natural apothecary items — think herbs that are believed to bring about good fortune or guard against ill will. Shoppers can also discover decks of tarot cards and a book collection expressly curated for the magically minded.

featuring home décor, personal care, home fragrance, ladies fashion small to 3x, ladies fashion accessories, floral décor, and live plants in the month of May & June

 HOOF & HORN 103 W. Van Emmon St., Yorkville www.hoofandhornshop.com

P lants for the outdoors

A bouquet is lovely … for a while. But a flowering shrub brings joy year after year.

This nursery and garden center carries an enormous assortment of landscape plants. Try forsythia, a low-maintenance shrub with brilliant yellow flowers that practically glow against the backdrop of early spring, or hydrangea, which sports its bulbous blooms all summer long. Garden art is available in the gift shop.  WINDING CREEK NURSERY AND GARDEN CENTER 8241 Millbrook Road, Millbrook 630-553-7211 www.windingcreek-nursery.com

619 W. Rt. 34, Plano • 815.685.1639 • trendyfindsplano.com •

SM-CL1970402

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FAMILY IN FOCUS

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HAVE A BALL Bowling is a great activity that’s also very affordable.

Come have a ball with us!

9 PUB STYLE PIZZAS I FULL BAR I LIVE SLOTS JUKEBOX I POOL TABLES I DARTS I STATE LOTTERY Starting Wed., June 8th SUMMER LEAGUES WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY AT 7PM

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209 W. MAIN ST. 630.552.4177

Located in Beautiful Downtown Plano

SUMMER BOWL SPECIAL

Visit HomeTownLanesPlano.com For Summer Hours & Specials!

We’re Ready To Help With Your SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Trail rides

If a scenic horseback ride sounds like a welcome break from routine, the experienced guides and horses of Millbrook Trail Rides have it covered. Beginnerfriendly, the traditional trail ride is offered in one- or two-hour packages. It finds groups of no more than 10 leisurely riding through creek crossings and along a picturesque cattle pasture dotted with trees. Afterward, riders are invited to enjoy a farm setting complete with goats and a miniature horse. Children no younger than 5 are able to ride double with a parent, while the age minimum to ride independently is 8. Advance registration is required.  MILLBROOK TRAIL RIDES 8078 Whitfield Road, Millbrook 630-777-9308 www.millbrooktrailrides.com

Wine

Moms make a million and one decisions a day. Mix in some fun choices: red or white? Pull up a chair inside or out on the patio to enjoy a wide assortment of varietals from merlot to the curiously named Grandma’s Blush, a semisweet red blend. The winery’s decor features the work of area artists including wood carvings, hand-painted glass and pottery while a retail space displays wineglasses among other items for sale. Mother’s Day is a great excuse to check out the new downtown location!  FOX VALLEY WINERY 59 S. Main St., Oswego 630-554-0404 www.foxvalleywinery.com

712 E. SOUTH ST., UNIT B, PLANO 20 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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 SUBURBAN SUPERDAD 

MUSIC TO MY EARS

FROM TRAIN TRACKS TO POPULAR DISNEY MOVIES, GET A GLIMPSE INTO THE SOUNDTRACK OF BEING SUPERDAD

A

s a kid, on trips from my home in the suburbs into the city, the questions would roll into my mind and often off my lips.

And my dad, who was born and raised in the city — or another relative who either worked or had lived there — was usually nearby to give ready answers (that were usually historically reliable).

The paraphrased exchanges went something like this: Q: Why are there so many skyscrapers in Chicago?

A: Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and Daniel Burnham (mostly).

Q: Why aren’t the buildings right up next to the lake, like on the beach in Florida?

A: See again: Burnham. And aren’t you glad they’re not?

Q: Why are Chicago drivers so crazy?

A: (Laughter ) That will all make sense when you’re older.

But, in addition to deeper, societal questions — the answers to which included the words “racism,” “redlining,” “immigration” and “Mayor Daley” (among others), one particular observation lingered in the back of my mind into adulthood: Q: How can anyone live with their window that close to the train tracks?

A: Because it just becomes background noise.

My young suburban mind just couldn’t wrap itself around how anything so loud, so annoying and so frequent did not automatically make living conditions, well, automatically unlivable.

Then, two things happened.

First, my bride and I bought our first home.

And the first night, as we settled in for bed, we discovered our cozy little old house also came with its own built-in nighttime soundtrack, thanks to the apparently busy transcontinental freight rail superhighway running less than a mile from our bedroom windows.

Within a few weeks, our brains had rewired to essentially block out the sound, leaving it noticeable

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to anyone who may visit but rendering the honks, squeaks and dings all but inaudible to us — except when they resumed after falling silent on a holiday or slower weekend.

But little did we know, an even more enduring addition to our family soundtrack would soon blow in like a blizzard through our open door, courtesy of The Walt Disney Co., two sister princesses, a jovial magic snowman and everyone else associated with the production of Disney’s “Frozen.”

It quickly became apparent our little darling was not — maybe ever — going to simply let it go.

Within days, it was obvious this little savant had seemingly somehow managed to learn every word of every song in the show. And within months, the frosty earworms had managed to burrow into our minds as well.

(Since you will ask, yes, I know nearly all the words to many “Frozen” selections. Yes, I do still want to build a snowman. But no, I will not sing about it, except as part of my fatherly duties to ambush, annoy and embarrass my offspring.)

For many months, the answer to the question of “What movie would you like to watch?” came with one, cold answer, and sometimes tears when Mom and Dad suggested we view something else.

As the years wore on and the obsession diminished only slightly, her younger sister took up the icy baton.

Wandering into the unknown, their mother and I felt lost in the woods, dismaying over whether Elsa would ever relinquish her icy grip, leaving us waiting on a miracle, hoping we may yet see what happens to Frozen (water) when it gets warm.

Then, one day, like suddenly noticing a train had not sounded a whistle for an extended period of time, it became obvious: A magical transformation in the background soundtrack of our lives had suddenly occurred.

And here is where I doff my cap in wonder to the incomparable modern titan of musical theater, LinManuel Miranda, whose talents produced Disney’s

FAMILY IN FOCUS

“Encanto.”

Within days of viewing the film, it was again obvious our young ones were, dare I say, enchanted by the Colombian cultural backdrop, story, imagery and — most importantly, for us — the music of “Encanto.”

While his work on “Hamilton” and “Moana” are personal favorites, Miranda’s lasting legacy in our household may come from the adventures of La Familia Madrigal, whose abilities, charm and Latin rhythms have unexpectedly dethroned Elsa, Anna and Olaf.

At a minimum, I can say with confidence the Madrigals and “Encanto” have established a welcome rival kingdom at war for the hearts, minds and vocal cords of my young ones. And their tropical charm has, for now, thawed the frozen heart of this dad.

With no offense at all to the incomparable Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Josh Gad, given a choice, I will almost always opt for slapping Latin pop over Broadway-style showtunes.

At some point, no doubt, there will come a time when I no longer wish to talk about Bruno.

But for now, I believe I can speak for many other parents across the world in saying: Today is not that day.

Thank you, Mr. Miranda. In a world (and households) desperately in need of a change to the background, you delivered. Un Encanto, indeed.  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.)

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Spring

CLEANING! S ince childhood you’ve probably heard the saying that April showers bring May flowers and are probably also used to a traditional “spring cleaning” ritual of some sort. At our

place this is the time of year that my wife, Gina, proclaims

that our “yard is a disaster” and dictates that our family proceed to

edge, mulch, mow, trim, prune, and weed and seed post-haste. A casual

bystander may think that they had stumbled onto a natural disaster site and that FEMA would soon roll into our cul-de-sac to help address this

dire situation. We dutifully snap to attention and within weeks there is a magical transformation, which largely should be credited to Mother Nature but which we have learned to praise Gina for.

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BUSINESS & CIVIC

If this is a scenario you can relate to, then we are brethren in a pretty large club. What this time of year can also be a good reminder for is for you to do some spring cleaning of your financial house. Here are a few things that warrant your attention and can lead to a brighter future you can be proud of.

 UPDATE YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN It is estimated that only one in four people have a written financial plan and if you are part of that minority, you have already taken an important step towards financial security. Unfortunately, many of those who invest their time in assembling a plan file it away once the exercise is complete. It should be a living document, and now is a good time to review and update.

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For the majority that have yet to take the step of developing a plan, there is no time like the present to do so. If you feel that you don’t have enough money to warrant a plan or that it might be too expensive to do so, you are misinformed. Regardless of your current net worth, you need and deserve a plan.  TIME TO REFLECT Just because it is now April and tax season is coming to an end, this is not the time to forget about the pain you probably just went through. Now is a great opportunity to review your current position and what you can do to make tax time less burdensome next year. A few quick suggestions include: • Recommit to saving receipts and having good documentation around your charitable donations of time and treasure.

• Revisit your retirement savings rate. Are you maximizing your 401(k) contributions? Are you funding an IRA each year? (You can and should do both!) Are you on

track for the retirement you dream about or the one you dread? This is important.

• Review your investments. How tax efficient were they? Were your 1099s comprised primarily of shortterm capital gains or were you able to realize more friendly long-term capital gains? Do you understand everything you are invested in, and do each of your investments have a clear goal and purpose?

• Review your spending habits. Are you differentiating between your “wants” and your “needs”? Are you paying attention to your cashflow or just checking your balances to make sure that you are covered?

Are you spending from a cash position or do you find yourself using a credit card frequently for personal purchases? A little attention here can make a big difference.

Few plan to fail, but many of us fail to plan. Make the commitment today to do the things your future self will be grateful for!

Photo by Indre Cantero

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. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

 Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager. Securities and Investment Advisory Services Offered Through Raymond James Financial Services, a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Adviser, Member FINRA/SIPC. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

Tom and his team can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net .

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BUSINESS & CIVIC

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Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wine on the Fox

MAY 7 & 8, 2022 Tickets are now on sale for Wine on the Fox Celebrate spring with family and friends on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 at Oswego’s Wine on the Fox. Live music | Family activities | Delicious food offerings | Selection of 100 wines to taste (with ticket package)

Tickets on sale now!

Hudson Crossing Park, 65 N. Harrison Street, Oswego

wineonthefox.com

Scan to purchase tickets