Mc mag august 2017

AUGUST 2017

UP IN THE AIR Harvard Balloon Festival

+

Companion animal hospital celebrates 20 years PAGE 17

815.455.3600 www.dalzelljewelers.com 41 North Williams St. • Downtown Crystal Lake

Editor's Note Family.

The word probably means something different to each of us. And that’s a testament to the fact that when it comes to family, there is no such thing as “normal.” Families can come in all different shapes and sizes, and from all different backgrounds, traditions and circumstances.

“I think we’re very similar to what conventional parents face, but there are some differences,” Jennifer Marsh says in the story “Fostering Hope,” on page 12. “We couldn’t have a family of our own, so we decided to try foster care to help other kids out, and it’s just kind of grown from there.”

In the story, Woodstock married couple Jennifer and Jason Marsh clear up common misconceptions about foster care and discuss family life as foster parents to four children – ages 3, 5, 15 and 17.

to wow the little ones; how to curb backto-school anxiety; where to enjoy a childfriendly last hurrah over Labor Day weekend; and what medical professionals have to say about the cost of too much smartphone use.

“There will certainly be times when technology is our friend. But today’s kids, and teens especially, have just such a difficult time being away from their phones,” says a local pediatrician Lisa Messinger in the story “Hooked on Smartphones,” on page 22.

And we can’t forget our furry family members! So, we’re spotlighting a couple of places to pamper your pets; and sharing dog adoption success stories from Helping Paws Animal Shelter.

Thanks for reading,

Kara Silva, Editor

This month’s issue is dedicated to family. And we’ve got the kiddos in mind!

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Phone: 815-459-4040 Fax: 815-477-4960 www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER Jim Ringness 815-526-4614 jringness@shawmedia.com DIRECTOR OF NICHE PUBLISHING Laura Shaw 630-427-6213 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com

Find out where to throw a birthday bash sure

DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

Over Labor Day weekend, bring the family to Harvard to witness a bevy of hot air balloons as they decorate the day and light up the night.

Explore the skies and sleep under the stars during the second annual Harvard Balloon Festival. Find out more, on page 40.

Cover photo by PETER PELKE

Photo by Kambua Chema

4 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

CORRESPONDENTS Melissa Riske, Jonathan Bilyk, Allison Manley, Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Allison Horne, Kevin Druley, Elizabeth Czapski, Tom Witom PHOTOGRAPHERS Nancy Merkling, Peter Pelke, Carolyn Flaherty, Kambua Chema, Mike Schmidt, From Me 2 You Photography, Janet Kay-Nancy Merkling Production

McHenry County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to McHenry County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@ shawmedia.com. www.nwherald.com/magazine

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INSIDE FAMILY & PETS EDITION

FAMILY & PETS 8 HOMEWARD BOUND Helping Paws Animal Shelter aims to give every adoption ‘tail’ a happy ending

TRAVEL

12 FOSTERING HOPE

Kid-friendly Labor Day escapes

As foster parents, Woodstock couple shares home, support, love

HOME & LIFESTYLE

14 NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR YOUR PET

Family-style recipes to make meal time simple and delicious

Local doggie day care, boutique seek to pamper your canine companion

DINING & ENTERTAINING

HEALTH & WELLNESS 17 FOR THE LOVE OF PETS Furry family members find compassionate care at CASE Hospital

FAMILY IN FOCUS 22 HOOKED ON SMARTPHONES

37

PARTY PLANNER

Throw a bash that will wow the kids (without the work) Photos provided by Animal Quest

6 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

30 LAST HURRAH!

In wake of iPhone’s 10th anniversary, medical professionals discuss the cost of screen time

24 LEARNING TO COPE Professionals weigh in on student anxiety, academic pressures

BUSINESS & CIVIC 26 CHANGING MINDS A new mindset for income distribution

29 WOMAN OF DISTINCTION Jean Marie Saidler paves her own way, sets example for others

34 SIT DOWN AND SHARE

37 PARTY PLANNER Throw a bash that will wow the kids (without the work)

OUT & ABOUT 40 UP, UP AND AWAY Explore the skies, camp under the stars during the Harvard Balloon Festival

44 ARTIST SHOWCASE McHenry artist Gary Wigman shares watercolor paintings of hawks

47 SOCIAL LIFE Woodstock Barndance a rollicking good time!

48 BOOK NOOK ‘Fur’ the pet-loving reader

50 CALENDAR OF EVENTS See what’s happening in McHenry County this month

www.nwherald.com/magazine

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“These [dogs] don’t have a voice. I’m going to be their voice. I’m going to speak up for them and what they deserve to have, while erasing some of the memories they used to have before us.”

– Sharon Bono-Fabian, Helping Paws Animal Shelter director

Homeward bound

HELPING PAWS ANIMAL SHELTER AIMS TO GIVE EVERY ADOPTION ‘TAIL’ A HAPPY ENDING

By ALLISON HORNE Every story has a beginning and an end, and Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock is aiming to give each and every dog that comes through its doors a happy, tail-wagging ending.

At Helping Paws, each dog is thoroughly evaluated upon arrival to help understand their personalities and attitudes in certain situations. While puppies are easy to adopt out, others spend longer periods of time at the shelter.

The shelter, which has been around for 46 years, houses approximately 125 kittens and cats, and 45 “As much as I love the shelter, it’s hard to see that certain cat or dog that’s been there a long puppies and dogs at one time. time because they haven’t found the perfect fit or Helping Paws director Sharon Bono-Fabian says person,” Bono-Fabian says. “It’s really hard.” at least 85 percent of the animals come from kill shelters in southern states. They are all different breeds and mixes and they are always handpicked specifically for the shelter.

p Eddie Photo provided

8 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

“What I want people to understand more than anything is that shelter dogs get stereotyped, but I think they’re more grateful than any other dog,” Bono-Fabian says. “Shelter dogs are very special, but they just need a little bit of time and patience because everything is so new.”

FAMILY & PETS

Bono-Fabian has a soft spot for puppies that have mange, a skin disorder that can be treated. She tries to bring them for treatment and adoption at the shelter when she has the opportunity.

“Every dog has a story that we will never know 100 percent,” Bono-Fabian says. “But with the mange dogs, you can actually see what they’ve gone through compared to the other dogs.”

While mange dogs sometimes take a little extra www.nwherald.com/magazine

u Alton, Scotch and Hope (Clockwise, from left to right) Photos provided

time and work (dogs, like Eddie, are still waiting for their forever homes), others like Marley, Scotch and Alton have healed and were adopted.

“We had a puppy, Scotch, who was just horrific,” Bono-Fabian says. “He was literally bleeding because the infection was so bad when we got him. Alton came in hairless and has been adopted. He recently came to an event and he’s gorgeous. It doesn’t even look like he ever had [mange].”

Hope is another dog who has been at the shelter for some time. When she came to the shelter, the vet felt that she was abused due to evidence of broken ribs in the past and BBs lodged in her body.

“The day she came in, she curled up in the medical staffs’ laps,” Bono-Fabian says. “I had never seen a dog with tears in her eyes, but she was literally crying as if she were to say, ‘thank you for saving me.’”

It might be hard to see on a daily basis, but dogs like Hope make the entire process worth it for Bono-Fabian.

“I love being there on transport day,” BonoFabian says. “You see how they come in, which is pretty gross the majority of the time. They have fleas or ticks, they’re covered in their own feces and they’re scared. Watching them go through the whole process and then go to their forever home – I couldn’t be happier to be a part of that.” www.nwherald.com/magazine

Tiny Tim (he and his littermates were named after Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”) was another dog who had a rough start.

“He fit in immediately,” Brown says. “His injury has healed, and he’s grown a bunch! No longer tiny at all.”

He came into the shelter in December weighing less than 2 pounds and had an infected leg.

Bono-Fabian took him in and fostered him for six weeks before a family friend, Mary Beth Brown, adopted him.

Her son, Joey, immediately had a connection with the pup, and Theo was even featured in his senior pictures.

“One look at him and we were in love,” Brown says. The family ended up renaming Tiny Tim “Theo” after the Cubs president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein.

FAMILY & PETS

“Theo loves going to his baseball games and is getting pretty good at playing catch,” Brown says.

-Continued on page 10

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 9

“What I want people to understand more than anything is that shelter dogs get stereotyped, but I think they’re more grateful than any other dog.”

– Sharon Bono-Fabian, Helping Paws Animal Shelter director

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-Continued from page 9

Tradition, Excellence, Familia

Brown has another adopted dog, Archie, who they adopted from Helping Paws in 2015, and everything went so well, the family decided adoption was the way to go when they wanted another pup.

“I would definitely recommend adopting from a shelter to anyone interested in adding a pet to their home,” Brown says.

“I do think they know, especially the adult dogs like our Archie, that they’re getting a second chance. They’re so grateful.”

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FAMILY & PETS

7/25/16 11:36 AM

Although Bono-Fabian is saving lives daily and has seen so many success stories like Theo’s, she knows there’s always work to be done.

“These guys don’t have a voice,” BonoFabian says. “I’m going to be their voice. I’m going to speak up for them and what they deserve to have, while erasing some of the memories they used to have before us.”

HELPING PAWS ANIMAL SHELTER 2500 Harding Lane Woodstock 815-338-4400 helpingpaws.net

DOG ADOPTION TIPS When it comes to adopting a dog, it’s not about looks; it’s about lifestyle.

“Do some research,” Bono-Fabian says. “If it’s your first dog ever and you have children, maybe your first dog should be a little older with good manners.”

Exercise and lifestyle are also very important when considering a pet. If you are extremely active or have a big yard, it’s possible to get a more active dog, whereas smaller apartments and less active people should consider a smaller dog. It’s also necessary to take into consideration how many hours the family is home each day.

“People really want a puppy, but they’re gone eight to 10 hours a day,” Bono-Fabian says. “I don’t think it’s 100 percent realistic.

People need to think about what their lifestyle is to find the best fit as far as age.”

Part of the puppy process also revolves around training. Helping Paws offers a partial refund on adoption fees if the family who adopts a pet shows proof of training following the adoption.

“People who adopt puppies will often come back in five months saying it destroyed their house,” Bono-Fabian says. “Obedience training and socialization they will only benefit from.”

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ANIMAL SHELTER & ADOPTION CENTER

Animal House Shelter is a non-profit, 501(c)3, no kill shelter that rescues, rehabilitates and adopts out all breeds of dogs and cats. We fully vet every animal that we rescue before they are adopted, including spay/ neuter, all vaccines and boosters, heartgard, frontline, dewormings and microchip. If you are looking to adopt your next pet, a dog or cat, see the Adoptable Dogs & Adoptable Cats pages on our website.

We always need foster homes & volunteers!

Find information on volunteering or fostering on our website also. We serve all of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana & Iowa.

At Helping Paws, there is also an interview process in which an employee will walk all applicants through an interview process about their lifestyle.

“We want to make sure they’re going to a forever home, not one for just a few months,” Bono-Fabian says. “We just really want to make sure they’re treated the best they can.”

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FAMILY & PETS

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 11

FOSTERING HOPE

Woodstock couple share home, support, love to foster children

By KEVIN DRULEY

J

ennifer and Jason Marsh of Woodstock grew from a married couple to having a family in about three years.

That might not sound all that out of the ordinary until you consider the ages of their children. There are boys ages 3, 5 and 17, and a 15-year-old girl.

Married for eight years, the Marshes became foster parents after being unable to start a family of their own. Each day, they feel fortunate to share their home and love, and even have progressed toward becoming guardians of the youngest boys, a path Jennifer Marsh calls “basically adoption.”

Jennifer and Jason Marsh Photos provided

12 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

because the kids did something wrong, which is almost never the case. Sometimes, they think that it’s because the parents just gave up the kids. That’s not the case, either.

“The ultimate goal is to help return the kids home – if that’s appropriate. So, [foster placement agencies] work with the children and the parents and get them into programs and services that can help them so they can reunite. But it’s not always possible.”

The Marshes previously fostered two other children, bringing the total number of children under the Marshes care since they became foster parents to six.

By extension, so has awareness within the Marshes’ inner circle.

Jennifer Marsh lauded the foster placement agency with which the family works for being consistently communicative and cooperative.

In many cases, she says, children require immediate care in the wake of neglect, emergency or other circumstances.

“It seems like a lot of people are extremely confused about what foster parenting is,” Jennifer Marsh says. “A lot of people think it’s more or less adoption. Some people think it’s

On Sept. 2, 2014, their youngest boys arrived at the family home around 10 p.m., two hours after the placement agency called the Marshes. For the teenagers, who are siblings,

“We went into it together,” Jennifer Marsh says. “We couldn’t have a family of our own, so we decided to try foster care to help other kids out, and it’s just kind of grown from there.”

FAMILY & PETS

www.nwherald.com/magazine

“We couldn’t have a family of our own, so we decided to try foster care to help other kids out, and it’s just kind of grown from there.”

– Jennifer Marsh, Woodstock resident and foster parent

there was a gap of several days between notification and arrival.

Jason Marsh works as a CAD designer, while his wife works at the Woodstock Independent newspaper, as well as a church. Jennifer Marsh says that it’s “pretty unusual” when both foster parents hold full-time employment, but the couple balances those obligations with many others, including court appearances for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services hearings.

“My job is extremely flexible,” Jennifer Marsh says. “So, it works out really well because we have to go to court a number of times for different things, and we do some of the supervised visits with the biological parents, and obviously doctor’s appointments and everything that normally goes with a child.”

Jason Marsh, 42, and Jennifer Marsh, 38, also are active with McHenry-based Illinois Foster Parent Advocacy, a support group that aims “to empower, equip and advocate for foster parents and children,” according to its Facebook page, which can be located via search on the social media website.

The group meets at 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month, convening at The Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road, McHenry.

“I think we’re very similar to what conventional parents face,” Jennifer Marsh says, “But there are some differences.”

As well as some constants: undying love and support are among them.

www.nwherald.com/magazine

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FAMILY & PETS

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 13

Nothing but the best for your pet Local doggie day care, boutique seek to pamper your canine companion

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE Dog day care can be a great option for individuals who work long hours, those in retirement or those who may need time to tend to errands, travel or do any number of other activities. Regularly, pups that attend day care are familiar with the facility, which makes for an easy transition – especially when a pet needs to spend the night (or multiple nights) while the owner is away.

At Doggie Daycare Delight in Crystal Lake pets can enjoy overnight care in a home, which offers cage-free sleepovers, helping a dog to feel, well, at home.

Doggie Daycare Delight in Crystal Lake Photo provided

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DOGGIE DAYCARE DELIGHT 7808 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake 312-497-1663 doggiedaycaredelight.com

REESES BARKERY AND PAWTIQUE 1313 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry 815-363-7297 www.reesesbarkery.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

14 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

“I am totally different than other facilities … .” says Doggie Daycare Delight owner Lisa Ziccardi. “I also let the dogs sleep anywhere they want if they are well behaved. I do not approve of keeping dogs crated for 11 hours alone, like most day cares do, until the day care opens for business the following day.”

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At Reeses Barkery and Pawtique in McHenry, dog owners can decide between an array of American-made products that are both safe and healthy for your canine companion.

About 11 years ago, shop owners Sharon and Ed Ahrens decided to open the “barkery” soon after bringing home their chocolate Labrador, Reese. They were looking for better, and higher quality foods and products for their puppy, so they decided to open a shop of their own.

At the pet supply store, owners can find premium fresh dog foods, frozen dog foods In addition to a large playroom, there is a and products that provide a more holistic large fenced-in yard with grass for dogs to approach to caring for your dog, along with enjoy plenty of time outdoors. The home accessories, toys and fresh-made treats has 15,000-square-feet of combined indoor and cakes. (Those interested in ordering and outdoor space for play, according to its a birthday or celebration cake for a pet website. should call in advance.)

“I have the largest yard of any day care “We all want our pets to be around us for around, and the dogs have access to the as long as possible and, if we feed them yard anytime they want,” says Ziccardi, healthy foods, hopefully we can keep them who opened the business three-and-a-half around a long time,” Sharon Ahrens says. years ago, after she turned her mobile dog grooming business into a brick-and-mortar Reeses has added dog training classes, both public and private, and it does nail day care and boarding facility for dogs. clippings from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

FAMILY & PETS

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For the love of pets

Photo provided

Furry family members find compassionate care at CASE Hospital

By STEPHANIE N. GRIMOLDBY | Photos by NANCY MERKLING Before Companion Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital became a presence in Crystal Lake, area pet owners didn’t have a local veterinarian available after regular business hours – even in emergency situations.

veterinarian when treatment is finished – or as soon as they are able.

In 1997, a team of dedicated veterinarians decided to create a facility that would work WITH local veterinarians and their patients to provide emergency assistance to families and their pets.

“When training our staff, we not only emphasize the medical aspect of the job, but also compassionate care for both the pets and their owners,” says Ross Oliver, practice manager and co-owner. “No matter their reason for coming in to see us, leaving the comfort of their home can be a traumatic event for any pet. We treat each pet as if they were our own here, giving them every comfort we can while they are in our care.”

And they’ve continued to provide that same care and compassion ever since.

CASE Hospital is utilized as part of a circle of care, meaning patients are treated as needed at the 10,000-square-foot facility and then returned to the care of their family

www.nwherald.com/magazine

HEALTH & WELLNESS

That circle of care also means CASE Hospital provides the same compassion and care of a family veterinarian – because, after all, most pets are considered members of the family.

-Continued on page 18 MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 17

Photo provided

-Continued from page 17

¢ Around-the-clock care One of the most important and unique features of CASE Hospital – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – is its 24-7 emergency department.

Most days, there are two emergency doctors working at CASE Hospital, with a total of eight to 10 staff members on site. But Sundays and holidays – when most family veterinarians are closed – CASE Hospital staffs three doctors and more staff, simply because they need to be ready for the unexpected.

While many patient visits are referrals from local practitioners, many others are walk-in patients who need emergency care, especially in the evenings, when family veterinarians are not available.

“If you wake up in the middle of the night and your pet has eaten something or a trauma has occurred and you don’t know what to do, we are here for you,” says Dr. Alicia Ragni, who works in the emergency department and is co-owner of the hospital. “We have specialized equipment 18 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

needed to handle emergency situations, in addition to trained staff available 24 hours.”

To that end, CASE Hospital has a suite dedicated to emergency surgeries, a large ICU ward and isolation areas so that an animal that has a traumatic injury can be given the attention it needs, while other animals are resting and recuperating.

“Part of being a 24-hour emergency hospital is being prepared for anything that walks in the door,” says Oliver. “Our veterinarians and support staff are comfortable seeing all types of emergencies.”

Dr. Michael Hochman, director of medicine and co-owner, says the hospital’s emergency personnel are the best for job.

“A staff that chooses to work overnights, weekends and holidays are very special people with wonderful personalities who work hard at developing trust with clients during extremely difficult times,” Hochman says. “In a human ER, you can’t just address the broken arm of a little girl, you have to address the mom and all the HEALTH & WELLNESS

worries and concerns she has. ‘Well, what does this mean? Can she still play piano? How long will she be here?’ It’s the same at our ER. There is a critical need for the people who are working here to be able to communicate compassion and understanding during high-stress situations.”

When the situation passes, pets head back to their local veterinarian for follow-up and continued care – all part of the circle of care that CASE Hospital believes in.

¢ Referral services Besides its 24-7 emergency services, CASE Hospital also provides state-of-the-art specialty services, including internal medicine, integrated medicine, dermatology and surgery – all by appointment.

www.nwherald.com/magazine

PET BLOOD BANK “A staff that chooses to work overnights, weekends and holidays are very special people with wonderful personalities who work hard at developing trust with clients during extremely difficult times. … There is a critical need for the people who are working here to be able to communicate compassion and understanding during high-stress situations.”

– DR. MICHAEL HOCHMAN, director of medicine and co-owner of CASE Hospital

An additional part of CASE Hospital is its Pet Blood Bank, a highly beneficial – yet rare – program.

Dogs and cats in good health can donate blood to the hospital to assist with transfusions, which can be a lifesaving service in some circumstances.

“There are animal blood banks around the country, but especially in cases of emergency, patients can’t always wait two days for a shipment of blood,” says Jennifer Payton, a certified veterinary technician, assistant practice manager and head of the Pet Blood Bank.

Julia Lancaster, a CVT and employee of CASE Hospital, has allowed her cat, Crash, to donate blood several times to the Pet Blood Bank.

Photo provided

The hospital operates the only animal CT scanner in McHenry County, which can quickly and accurately diagnose complicated conditions. Most family veterinarians work closely with CASE Hospital, which allows CASE staff to help with needed diagnostics and aid family veterinarians with the information needed to make the best possible decisions for an animal. If surgery is required, CASE Hospital operates two surgical suites – separate from its ER suite – staffed with board-certified surgeons to aid local veterinarians who may not be equipped to handle such cases at their own facility.

Beyond diagnostics, the hospital’s Integrated Medicine Department has expanded its rehabilitation modalities to include two underwater treadmills to help animals regain flexibility and mobility. CASE Hospital also has gait analysis equipment, laser therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage and other physical therapies.

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Rehabilitative care doesn’t always mean lengthy stays at the hospital. A dog who experiences a diabetic crash may need overnight monitoring, but its local veterinarian may not provide such services.

At CASE Hospital, that care, and more, is available.

1997

20TH ANNIVERSARY 20 17

CASE Hospital

1095 Pingree Road, Ste. 120 Crystal Lake 815-479-9119 info@casehospital.com www.casehospital.com HEALTH & WELLNESS

“I decided to have Crash be a cat blood donor so that he could give back to the kitty community,” says Lancaster.

“He has such an easygoing personality that it was an easy decision. It is really rewarding to see sick cats and dogs in the ICU get to eventually return home with their families, all thanks to the Blood Donor Program.”

Donated blood, in complete form, is good for 42 to 48 days and can be kept in-house or supplied to another clinic in the area. When donated blood is centrifuged, it separates into two different blood products – packed red blood cells and plasma. The plasma can be stored for up to a year, and each of these components can be used in different emergencies to help stabilize a pet.

“Blood banking is just one component of what we’re doing here – addressing a need and providing better care for the animals that are treated,” says Hochman.

To promote the Pet Blood Bank, which always is looking for new donors – and to celebrate its 20th anniversary – CASE Hospital will host a human blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 25, at its facility.

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Hooked on smartphones In wake of iPhone’s 10th anniversary, medical professionals discuss the cost of screen time

By JONATHAN BILYK

Lisa Messinger knows there are some instances in which a smartphone or tablet could simply be irreplaceable – even for kids.

But over the last 15 years, Messinger, a pediatrician now practicing with Centegra Physician Care in Crystal Lake, has enjoyed a front row seat, as the now ubiquitous mobile technology of the 21st Century has quickly become a staple of life for children and parents alike.

And most of the time, she says, parents and their young ones would benefit from a bit more caution and restraint.

“There will certainly be times when technology is our friend,” says Messinger. “But today’s kids, and teens especially, have just such a difficult time being away from their phones.”

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the introduction of Apple’s iPhone, hearkening back to a time not that distant – yet seemingly difficult to recall – when people weren’t connected virtually nonstop to the Internet and to each other through social media.

While this connectedness has seemingly had an undeniable impact on many spheres of life, researchers have only begun to take stock of its effects on perhaps the most vulnerable among us, our children.

For instance, in May, research presented at the 22 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

annual Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in San Francisco, indicated that the impact of wireless computing extends even down to infants and toddlers, as 20 percent of children as young as 18 months old were spending nearly 30 minutes a day on a handheld device – a measurement that doesn’t even touch the amounts of time children spend in front of a television or other kind of screen.

And the research further indicates such exposure to mobile devices can have real consequences, such as delaying development. Specifically, researchers noted for every 30 minutes a day a child spends on a handheld device, expressive speech development delays increased by as much as 50 percent.

“There is a push nowadays to get connected earlier and earlier,” says Israr Abbasi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “Children have a double whammy here. You will see young toddlers holding a smart device, even in a stroller, completely unaware of their surroundings – and their parents plugged in themselves.”

contribute to social and perceptual problems.”

Messinger agrees, noting such “screen time,” particularly in young children, can hamper a child’s ability to develop the social skills and adaptive abilities that, while the child grows, are keys to success.

“When looking at a young child’s brain, we’re seeing screen time taking the place of activities that we know grow brains differently,” Messinger says. “Screen time can’t be a substitute for things like reading with parents, conversations with parents, free play, playing games – things that will actually help kids.”

Further, Messinger notes that device use can interfere with children’s sleep, putting them at risk of a number of health problems.

Abbasi says that for many children, this can have the further effect of blurring the lines between “online and offline life.”

“Screen time should be over at least one hour before bed time,” she says. “But, even then, too much screen time can have a cumulative effect, which can still interfere with sleep.”

“For young children who are vulnerable, it can be difficult to navigate,” Abbasi says. “And [it] can

Messinger also notes that too much screen time can make kids sedentary, placing them at higher

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“There will certainly be times when technology is our friend. But today’s kids, and teens especially, have just such a difficult time being away from their phones.”

– LISA MESSINGER, pediatrician with Centegra Physician Care in Crystal Lake

And she recommends setting times of the day during which tablet, video game and mobile device use is acceptable, and when it is not.

For instance, Messinger and Abbasi recommend eating meals as a family, with all phones and devices off – that includes parents.

“That goes over big every time I mention it,” Messinger says, with a laugh.

risk for obesity.

devices properly, and in the proper doses.

Both Abbasi and Messinger readily conceded that kids could benefit from some time interacting with tablets and other mobile computing devices.

To begin, they say, parents should restrict the age at which their kids get mobile devices of their own.

“Technology has improved learning,” says Abbasi, adding that the information children can access online has placed many “on a fast track” to knowledge.

Abbasi suggests waiting until a child is at least age 12 before giving a smartphone to him or her, and that parents and guardians should limit smartphone access to children between the ages of 9 and 12.

“They are more empowered and able to accomplish more in less time,” he says.

“Definitely not to anyone younger than 9,” Abbasi says.

But the educational achievement gains have not been proven to be great enough to simply allow kids to plug in, and stay that way.

Even with such age restrictions, the doctors encourage parents to set age-appropriate boundaries on mobile device use for both young children and teens, alike.

“There’s not much evidence [that] kids learn that much more from computer screens and phone apps – or at least as much as adults imagine they do,” Messinger says.

Rather, both Messinger and Abbasi suggest that parents and others charged with the health and welfare of children should take some measures to ensure their young ones interact with the www.nwherald.com/magazine

If not, Abbasi says, it can be “difficult to know if your child is in his room sleeping, or broadcasting to the world.”

Messinger suggests making sure devices can be charged only in common living spaces, so they are not taken into the bedrooms of your child or teenager.

FAMILY in FOCUS

Parents can also consider creating a system under which mobile device use can be used as a reward for chores or other completed tasks or accomplishments.

Even on long car trips or airplane rides, Messinger says that parents should consider finding ways to limit screen time, to some degree. She, for instance, suggests that parents consider buying new toys, books, games and other “new and exciting” items specifically for a trip, to distract and minimize the desire for screen time.

Parents should always remember they are in control – or should be – and they have the authority and right to measure their children’s exposure and put restrictions in place – even over which social media platforms in which their children can participate, Abbasi says.

“Monitor, monitor, monitor,” he says. “Your children should, in fact, expect that [parents] will check their devices randomly. If you are paying for the device and the [data] plan, it is your absolute right to have access to everything on it.”

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 23

Learning to cope PROFESSIONALS WEIGH IN ON STUDENT ANXIETY, ACADEMIC PRESSURES

By ELIZABETH CZAPSKI

The start of the school year is fast approaching, and although school can be a positive learning environment, the anxieties and pressures students face in and out of the classroom can make academic success challenging.

One way students can cope with all of this, Holtz says, is to “reach out for help” and “talk to their friends about whether they’re experiencing the same kind of things” because it is comforting to know that they are not alone.

Elizabeth Holtz, a licensed clinical professional counselor with Portrait Health Centers in McHenry, pinpointed these backto-school struggles and offered advice for students and parents to prepare for them.

If students feel their school is not appropriately addressing bullying, anxiety or any other problems they’re dealing with, the students should speak up and let the school know, she says. This can be especially relevant for students with disabilities who need extra help or an individualized education plan.

Bullying is something students often face – combine that with Internet access, and it can get pretty bad, Holtz says. Cyberbullying can get especially ugly among students in junior high, she added.

Many students she has seen also experience anxiety.

“People are usually born with a propensity for generalized anxiety. It’s definitely not a thing you create yourself,” she says, adding that symptoms of anxiety often appear during one’s academic years.

People with anxiety sometimes struggle with perfectionism, which can lead to procrastination if the person believes they need to turn in “perfect” assignments or projects, Holtz says.

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The TV series “13 Reasons Why,” which deals heavily with teen suicide, has been a common topic in Holtz’s discussions with her adolescent clients. Many schools ban the series without explaining why they banned it or why watching the show is not a good way to understand suicide, and this makes kids want to watch it even more, she says.

FAMILY in FOCUS

Parents play an active role in their children’s well-being, Holtz says, and it is important for parents to talk openly about the problems their children face, and about shows like “13 Reasons Why,” both with their kids and with other parents and professionals.

If your child has problems with anxiety, get them help, Holtz says, because some people suffer for years before even knowing to call it “anxiety.” When pursuing solutions, parents and kids should not seek to cure anxiety – because it cannot be cured – but to manage it successfully, she says.

One tool available to McHenry County residents is the MCHELP app, an anonymous texting service intended for middle and high school students. The mobile app allows teens to find immediate help and support to a licensed mental health counselor 24/7.

Started two years ago by McHenry County Community Foundation and funded entirely by an anonymous donor, Executive Director Robin Doeden says the texting

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Treat Yourself to Healthy, Beautiful Legs. communication platform is ideal for teens and has been well received.

“In the first two years, we average 40 to 50 unique text conversations a month,” Doeden says. “People can use it if they feel bullied or are struggling over tests and it’s accessible in the moment.”

This year, Doeden says the Foundation has partnered with Centegra and, in addition to texting, there is crisis line access to speak to a person and immediate access to other programs, including information and advice on recognizing signs of suicide.

“We are trying to put crisis and critical services right at someone’s fingertips,” she says.

With the stress and frustration that comes with being in school, mental health problems can provide further challenges for students, but with these tips in mind, students and parents can work together to face whatever adolescence and school throws at them.

Download the MCHELP app at the Apple Store or through Google Play.

u Learn more from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America by visiting www.adaa.org. To find anxiety support groups in McHenry County, visit groups.psychologytoday. com.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 25

A New Mindset for Income Distribution

With PAULA DORION-GRAY, CFP® A distribution plan focuses less on accumulating wealth and more on making it last through retirement.

In terms of your finances, your pre-retirement earning years focus on accumulation and growth of your money. You earn money from your job or business to pay for your current living expenses. You set some aside for emergencies and for future needs like college and retirement. Your goal is to accumulate as much wealth as possible by earning and investing.

After retirement, you typically no longer have money earned from your job or business to pay for your living expenses. You need safety and liquidity to ensure available funds for day-to-day costs of living, along with growth to help ensure your funds last your lifetime. The growthoriented portfolio structure of your earning years may no longer apply, and you may have to change the way you evaluate your portfolio’s performance.

In fact, to help reduce risk and protect principal, many retirees alter their asset mix to a more conservative, income-based allocation. The result is a portfolio designed to provide higher rates of current income and less volatility.

Put another way, your need to preserve what you have now typically outweighs your need to grow your money at the same rate as the stock market. (Although you still need enough growth to ensure inflation doesn’t reduce your purchasing power during retirement.)

Depending on your age, your investment 26 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

tendencies may lean too far toward growth or too far toward conservative income. If you’re at the leading edge of the boomer generation, you may have experienced years of significantly high market returns, skewing your expectations for your own portfolio toward the high end.

If you’re in the senior or “veteran” age group, however, you may harbor some distrust of stocks and over-confidence in bonds. Investors in this group also tend to underestimate their life expectancy, based on how long their parents lived. By overweighting your portfolio in the relative safety of fixed income and income investments, you increase the potential of outliving your money.

A retirement distribution plan seeks to find that middle ground between reduced risk and greater return, taking into consideration all income streams (i.e., Social Security, wages, pensions, investment income and annuity income), assets, inflation risk, investment risk and tax exposure.

Numerous variables can come into play, so each factor must be evaluated based on the individual situation.

Generally, a retirement distribution model will allocate a larger portion of assets to fixed income and income segments, followed by growth and income, growth, aggressive growth and most aggressive segments in progressively lower percentages. The intended result is an inflation-adjusted income that lasts your lifetime by minimizing emotional investment decisions, maintaining purchasing power, minimizing risk, preserving principal and maintaining an appropriate amount of long-term asset growth.

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As a reminder, asset allocation seeks to maximize the performance of your investment portfolio using diversification and disciplined investing. However, using an asset allocation methodology does not guarantee greater or more consistent returns, or lower risk when diversifying among different asset classes.

Creating a retirement distribution plan can be complex and requires a thorough understanding of investment products, strategies and their associated risks. Your financial professional will help you determine the asset allocation model and products that best meet your needs. ¢ Paula DorionGray, CFP® is CEO of DorionGray Retirement Planning, Inc. located at 2602 IL Route 176, Crystal Lake Il 60014-2225.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Dorion-Gray is not affiliated with Securities America companies. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Written by Securities America for distribution by Paula Dorion-Gray.

The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. www.nwherald.com/magazine

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Butcher On The Block Brings Quality, Choice To Community

Buy 1 Sandwich GET 1 FREE! Present this coupon and receive a free sandwich of equal or lesser value. Carry out or dine in only. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Valid 8/01/17 thru 8/25/17

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Butcher on the Block is a gourmet meat and deli market that has one main focus: to serve the community with the finest quality products available. In business since 2000, owners Thomas & Jill Yucuis have focused on providing customers with the best service possible, and that means gourmet meats and sausages, freshly made sandwiches and soups, homemade salads, a café and dining area, craft beer and wine, and even a gaming room.

With 45 years in the meat business, Yucuis knows the industry from the slaughterhouse to selling meat around the world. As a family business with family values, customers are viewed as members of the Yucuis’ extended family and customer loyalty is deeply appreciated and recognized. In fact, the owners credit this loyalty with their ability to recently expand the business.

Customers can see the grinding and cutting of meat, the making of sausage, or simply watch as a sandwich is being crafted.

Yucuis spends a lot of time educating employees in meal preparation and proper food handling. If customers are looking for dinner ideas, they need to look no further than Butcher on the Block. With quick to fix meals, heat and eat meals, or slow and relaxing meals, Butcher on the Block is constantly expanding their variety of items to increase customer’s choices.

They will make you the dinner table hero!

BUSINESS & CIVIC

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BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Jean Marie Saidler paves her own way, sets example for others

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE | Photo by FROM ME 2 YOU PHOTOGRAPHY Jean Marie Saidler was a fresh face out of college, eager to learn and ready to face new challenges when she accepted a marketing position working for Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee. It was the late 1970s, and she was working in a male-dominated company, but Saidler didn’t see obstacles, she saw opportunities.

“It was a different time,” Saidler says. “In the ’70s women were just beginning to come out of their social norm. I had to hit the ground running. I had to study, learn, try to anticipate needs and do my work as best as I could.

Luckily, I had an amazing mentor – an older gentleman who made it clear that being female was no excuse. If I didn’t do my job well, no one was going to respect me. “ Those formative years provided experiences Saidler would carry with her through her entire career, as it weaved from working with brands of Miller Brewing – and, later, 7Up – to her decision to launch her own business-tobusiness marketing agency. Her business, JMS Marketing, is now entering its 25th year, having grown from a single-person operation to one that includes a seasoned, talented staff of marketing strategists, graphic artists and digital experts.

The Rev. Gilbert “Budd” Friend-Jones, retired senior minister of First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake says Saidler and her staff immerse themselves in their clients’ work to truly understand the business and build successful strategies. And, he adds, Saidler, has a keen eye when it comes to recognizing young talent and nurturing it.

Friend-Jones first met Saidler when they were invited to serve together on an advisory board for Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. He was able to see first-hand Saidler working in a group, bringing her skills and talents to the table.

“She thinks strategically and that’s a very important part,” Friend-Jones says. “One of her biggest contributions is her ability to see strategic change. She’s also very encouraging of others.”

Saidler helped develop the Hebling Spirit of Commerce Award with McHenry County College officials.

“It’s an opportunity for students to see and apply their training to a real case study,” Saidler says.

After a successful career in corporate marketing, Saidler wanted to find work that wouldn’t require as much travel and time away from her young daughter and husband. In the late ’80s she became the executive director for the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she worked for five years.

Saidler says she loved working in the town and built strong relationships with the local business and government leaders.

Then, another great mentor and community leader encouraged her to start her own business. She took the advice and, before she had her business cards printed, she had her first client, Columbia Pictures. The movie studio had come to Woodstock to film the movie “Groundhog Day” and Saidler agreed to work with the studio.

Through the years, Saidler continues to learn and advance her career. And she remains

committed to her community, making time for work with local organizations, including Governing Council of Good Shepherd Hospital, the Board of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. She is a past president of the Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers and the Raue Center for the Arts.

“I was shocked to learn I had been named a Woman of Distinction,” Saidler says. “It’s all due to the wonderful people that surround me in my life.”

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 29

Kidfriendly Labor Day escapes

Labor Day weekend may unofficially mark summer’s last hurrah in the Midwest, but, for many children, the holiday offers an opportunity to enjoy a last fling before they find themselves immersed in back-to-school activities.

A number of resorts – all an easy drive from the western suburbs – offer an alluring array of amenities geared toward kids and parents alike: water parks, zip line, mountain biking, river cruises and golf, to name a few.

By TOM WITOM

30 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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¢ CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RESORT About three hours drive from the suburbs, Chestnut Mountain Resort offers stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River Valley. In the Galena area, the resort ranks among the area’s biggest draws.

“The demographic cuts a wide swath,” says Stewart Stoffregen, a spokesman for Chestnut Mountain Resort. “We attract people of all ages, from families with children to youths and seniors.”

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Visitors enjoy the Alpine slide, miniature golf, hiking and biking trails, riverboat cruises, zip lining and 75- to 90-minute Segway tours.

“One could spend a whole day or longer at the resort and just scratch the surface,” Stoffregen says.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 31

Make new friends at Hearthstone!

-Continued from page 31 Among dining options are Sunset Grille, where the fine-dining experience comes with enchanting views. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Upper Mississippi River Valley, this restaurant offers a little bit of everything: steak, seafood and signature sandwiches. The restaurant also includes a 1,400-square-foot outdoor dining deck.

Or try The Summit. It’s the resort’s take on a traditional sports bar. With 14 TVs, dad can take in a game while the kids enjoy a pizza pie.

¢ TIMBER RIDGE LODGE AND WATERPARK

Courtney Nobilia, marketing spokeswoman for Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, says Labor Day weekend is a “great time to spend [at Timber Ridge].”

Visit us at hearthstonewoodstock.org for more information. Call or visit us online

815-338-2110

32 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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An hour-and-a-half drive from the Chicago area, its spacious indoor/outdoor waterpark is a big attraction. Adventurous guests can give the lodge’s 35-foot-high slides, which follow twists and turns, a try before reaching a heated pool. Lodge guests also have more than eight miles of hiking and biking trails ranging from easy to expert.

Other amenities include golf, mini-golf, www.nwherald.com/magazine

horseback riding, archery and sand volleyball.

The main lodge has some 350 rooms and it recently added 29 three-bedroom villas, says Nobilia.

“Guests can sometimes book [villas] for a single night, though the majority of the rooms are reserved based on a two-day stay.”

Those staying at Timber Ridge Lodge receive four free water park passes with a one-bedroom suite, and six passes with a two-bedroom suite.

¢ GRIZZLY JACK’S GRAND BEAR RESORT A roughly one-and-a-half-hour drive from the ’burbs, Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica is a great spot for families seeking fun and the great outdoors.

Located near Starved Rock and Buffalo Creek state parks, visitors also can enjoy boating and rafting on the Illinois River. Or stick around Grizzly Jack’s for waterpark fun. The resort features a wave pool, tube slide and toddler swim area, plus a 15-person hot tub.

Two new resort attractions are giving children a hands-on fun experience: a petting zoo and Annie’s Little Pots. The latter allows children to get involved in the process of creating a ceramic piece. All glazes are non-toxic, dishwater safe and microwave-safe.

IF YOU GO

Other activities include golf and mini-golf.

The resort also offers casual dining – pizza, burgers and salads – at family-friendly Jack’s Place Restaurant and Bar. CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RESORT 8700 W. Chestnut Mountain Road Galena 800-397-1320 www.chestnutmtn.com TIMBER RIDGE LODGE AND WATERPARK 7020 Grand Geneva Way Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 866-636-4502 www.timberridgelodge.com GRIZZLY JACK’S GRAND BEAR RESORT 2643 IL Rte. 178, Utica 866-399-3866 www.grizzlyjacksresort.com www.nwherald.com/magazine

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 33

Sit down and share NOODLE RECIPES TO MAKE FAMILY MEAL TIME SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS

By NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE

H

ere’s food for thought: Experts say mealtime may be the best time for families to relax, reconnect and enjoy each other’s company after a busy day. In fact, research also suggests that having dinner together as a family at least four times a week has positive effects on child development. According to a report by the University of Florida, children who eat dinner with their family are more likely to understand, acknowledge and follow the boundaries and expectations set by their parents. A decrease in high-risk behaviors is related to the amount of time spent with family – especially during family dinners.

One reason may be because eating dinner together as a family provides an opportunity for conversation without distractions from screens. As you engage your children in conversation, you can teach them how to listen and provide them with a chance to express their own opinions.

In addition, conversations at the dinner table can expand a child’s vocabulary and, thus, reading ability.

So, when you want to dine with your family and you’re tired of takeout, consider these simple – yet delicious – recipes:

¢ LINGONBERRY NOODLES (Serves 6) INGREDIENTS: • 1 Tbsp. olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger • ¼ c. sliced green onions • 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced into strips • 1 c. sliced mushrooms (such as cremini) • 2 small bok choy • 12 oz. prepared Udon noodles • 5 Tbsp. oyster sauce • ¼ c. low-sodium soy sauce • 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar • 5 Tbsp. Felix Lingonberry jam

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and stir until fragrant, 1 minute, then add green onions.

Cook until softened, 2 minutes.

2. Add peppers and mushrooms and cook until tender, 5 minutes.

3. Add bok choy and stir until wilted.

4. Make sauce, whisking together oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar and Felix Lingonberry jam.

5. Combine with vegetables and then add noodles and toss until coated.

¢ PEPPER OLIVE SHRIMP LINGUINE INGREDIENTS: • 1 lb. fresh linguine pasta • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 (12-oz.) jar drained Lindsay® Red Roasted Peppers (about 1 ¾ cups), cut into strips • 1 (6-oz.) can Lindsay® Sliced Olives, drained • 1 lb. uncooked peeled and deveined shrimp • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese • Salt and pepper to taste (optional) 34 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

DIRECTIONS: 1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, parsley, chives and crushed red pepper; sauté 1 minute.

3. Add mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce; sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in red peppers and olives; heat through.

5. Stir in shrimp; sauté until shrimp are opaque.

6. Drain pasta; return to same pot.

7. Add olive mixture and Parmesan cheese to pasta; toss well.

8. Serve family style in a large bowl with tongs or serving utensils.

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At Marvin’s Toy Store you will find toys that spark a child’s imagination and fun that fosters creativity. The toys at Marvin’s are carefully selected to be safe, unique, developmentally sound, environmentally friendly and, of course, tons of FUN! We encourage kids of all ages to think and explore while playing and to experience wonder with engaging, open-ended toys. We love to play here at Marvin’s, so come on by and enjoy some simply wonder fun with us!

2017

64 A North William St. - Downtown Crystal Lake • 779.220.4179 • www.MarinsToyStore.com HOUR: Sun. 11am to 3pm • Mon.-Wed. 10am to 6pm • Thur. 10am to 7pm • Fri. 10am to 6pm • Sat. 9am to 5pm

36 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

VOTEDBEST STOREFOR KIDS

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Party planner Throw a bash that will wow the kids (without the work)

By ALLISON HORNE

For your next kids party, forget the party hats and streamers, and throw a bash your kids and their friends will be talking about for years. From hosting exotic animals at your own home to spending a day in the Wild West, area establishments are helping local families plan epic parties to make every child’s birthday more memorable than the last.

Here are a few places to consider for your next kidfriendly celebration: WOODSTOCK GOLF AND GAMES 1411 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock 815-338-7990 | woodstockgolfandgames.com Why plan one activity when a slew of fun activities await the kids at Woodstock Golf and Games?

Home to one of Illinois’ largest outdoor go-kart tracks, Woodstock Golf and Games is also home to five batting cages, an arcade room and a mini-golf course. The 18 holes of golf come complete with waterfalls and castles, and gets even better after dark when the course lights up.

There are a variety of packages available for parties for kids of all ages and, although they don’t include food, there is a restaurant on site.

-Continued on page 38 www.nwherald.com/magazine

DINING & ENTERTAINING

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 37

-Continued from page 37 The most basic package is $10 a person and includes mini-golf and 12 video tokens. The second option includes mini-golf, 12 video tokens and two batting tokens for $12 a person. The last package includes golf, a go-kart ride, two batting tokens and six video tokens for $15 a person.

q ANIMAL QUEST 847-504-7036 | animalquestinc.com Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! OK, well maybe not those kinds of exotic animals … but Animal Quest has the kinds of animals that are sure to keep any birthday party guests on his or her toes.

Animal Quest, which was started almost six years ago by Steve and Jessica Reedy, is a traveling educational animal show featuring some 80-plus animals.

Steve Reedy, who is originally from Crystal Lake, met Jessica Reedy at America’s Teaching Zoo of Moorpark, California. After getting married, the couple returned to the area and currently reside on five acres in Antioch.

Animal Quest makes home visits for parties all over the Chicago area, but – eventually – the couple hopes to purchase more land to create a small zoo that allows visitors.

“We started with, like, 15 animals, but we have over 100 now,” Jessica Reedy says.

Each party can be customized to fit whatever the hosts would like, but most have an educational show with a petting zoo.

Animals vary from hedgehogs, tortoises, snakes and lizards to petting zoo animals like goats, chickens and bunnies.

“It’s interactive and fun for the kids,” Jessica Reedy says. “Everyone loves animals. The adults will even tell us that they learned something, too.”

Donley’s Wild West Town

Jessica notes that a lot of families want to avoid the creepy critters, such as snakes and cockroaches, but others request amphibians, dogs and rabbits.

“We usually try to bring a variety of small to medium animals,” Jessica Reedy notes. “But we can definitely customize it. Everyone is a little different in what they want.”

The parties are perfect for kids of all ages (Animal Quest even does adult parties), and they cater each event to different age groups. Pricing varies, and the family-run business is willing to work with every host to make each party a special one.

p DONLEY’S WILD WEST TOWN 8512 S. Union Road, Union 815-923-9000 | wildwesttown.com Since 1974, Donley’s Wild West Town has been bringing unique adventures to McHenry County for kids of all ages.

From panning for gold pyrite at the Sweet Phyllis Mine to shooting slingshots at Huck Finn’s, there’s always something new and interesting for children to explore.

For $17 (minimum of 20 children), children receive lunch, ice cream, and access to the museum and Wild West Town, including pony rides, an archery range, carousel rides and much more. The price is good Monday through Friday, through August, but additional party information can be found by calling Donley’s Wild West Town.

All of the activities are recommended for children ages 3 to 12, and it also asks that there is an adult present for every 20 kids.

Animal Quest 38 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

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825 Munshaw Ln Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (847) 854-1300 www.dolphinswimclub.com www MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 39

awa

Up, Up and

“Walking among those balloons, it’s a magical experience” - Mike Kelly, mayor of Harvard

40 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

www.nwherald.com/magazine

Photo by Carolyn Flaherty

y

Explore the skies, camp under the stars during the Harvard Balloon Festival

By JONATHAN BILYK Through all of his years as a hobbyist photographer, Mike Kelly says that all hot air balloon festivals have something in common: Big, buoyant balloons, floating above a field, always make for a stunning sight.

And, the sight of those balloons never failed to ignite even bigger, broader smiles on the faces of the festivalgoers who traveled to see them.

“I saw all the people, and I told people, ‘This is something my town should do,’” says Kelly.

And, this Labor Day weekend, the city of Harvard – and Kelly, who became the city’s mayor this spring – will again welcome nearly two dozen of those balloons and tens of thousands of smiling visitors to their northern McHenry County community for another year, as the city celebrates the second annual Harvard Balloon Festival.

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OUT & ABOUT

In 2016, after years of promoting the idea and planning, Kelly’s shared vision for the festival became a reality. The small community rolled out the welcome mat to a crowd estimated to have ranged from 35,000 to 50,000 people over the course of the three day festival, which pumped $2.5 million into the local economy and raised more than $38,000 for local charities and civic service organizations.

This year, Kelly says that the event organizers are only building on last year’s roaring success, as they prepare for this year’s festival, running from Friday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Sept. 3.

Event organizers are expecting still more hot air balloons at the festival, offering visitors more opportunities to interact with the balloons and their pilots, he says.

-Continued on page 42 MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 41

-Continued from page 41 In addition to more hobbyist balloonists, Kelly says that the festival also will include more commercial balloons, offering visitors more chances to take flight themselves.

Photo by Mike Schmidt

In all, Kelly says that five such flights are scheduled throughout the weekend, with balloons tentatively slated to take passengers up in the air each morning and evening.

The event also will feature tethered balloons, including one offering access for festivalgoers in wheelchairs.

For those who wish to enjoy the balloons with both feet planted firmly on the ground, the festival has planned to feature “night glows” each evening of the festival.

Kelly says that the event will feature a range of other entertainment opportunities, including 16 live bands on two stages, 20 inflatables for kids, “extreme rides,” bubble soccer and a host of lawn games.

As the sun sets, the balloonists will ascend, allowing the flames from their burners to illuminate the balloon from Saturday morning will include the inaugural “Run with the Balloons” 5k and 10k runs. within, making the balloons appear as though they are giant floating lanterns.

And visitors can choose from a range of food and drink vendors, or bring in their own picnic-style meals.

“Walking among those balloons, it’s a magical experience,” Kelly says.

Admission to the event is free, but parking will cost $20 at the festival grounds, and $10 at remote lots, which All flight plans, however, are tentative, Kelly stresses, noting that weather controls when – and if – balloonists will be served by shuttle buses. can safely launch their balloons. Rain and storms would, Kelly says that the event is financially self-supporting, of course, serve to ground balloons. But ballooning relying on sponsors and volunteers, as well as vendor conditions also are controlled by wind, both on the and exhibitor fees, parking fees and beer sales. All ground and aloft. profits are shared with local nonprofits, with a portion held in reserve to pay for improvements to the park, “It may be a beautiful day on the ground,” says Kelly.

“But balloons ascend hundreds of feet in the air, and the Kelly says. winds at altitude can be very different from those on the For those visiting the festival, Kelly recommends taking ground.”

Metra, if possible, and riding a shuttle bus to the festival Visitors should monitor the festival’s website and social grounds. He also recommended visitors wishing to take in a night glow plan to arrive before 4 p.m. Visitors also media accounts to know if balloons will fly on a given will be able to camp on the grounds. day.

Organizers are projecting that at least 60,000 visitors “As soon as the decision is made to launch or not, we will attend the event this year, he says. will update,” Kelly says.

However, even if weather keeps balloons from launching, “We’re looking forward to the smiles,” says Kelly.

42 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

IF YOU GO HARVARD BALLOON FESTIVAL DATES: Friday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Sept. 3 BALLOON LAUNCH TIMES: Balloon Launch windows will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. in the evening and 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. in the mornings.

Night Glows will start near dusk, at roughly 7:15 p.m.

LOCATION: 300 Lawrence Road, Harvard INFO: Tune to 101.3FM WHIW for festival-related information during the event WEBSITE: harvardballoonfest.com

Artist SHOWCASE GARY WIGMAN MCHENRY WATERCOLOR

44 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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M

cHenry artist Gary Wigman attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he was fortunate to study under the late Irving Shapiro – a distinguished fine artist and watercolor painting instructor at AAA from 1945 to 1994.

“His direction, patience and guidance instilled a love for the [watercolor] media,” Wigman says of Shapiro.

Leaving the Academy in the late 1960s, Wigman was hired as an art apprentice at a downtown Chicago studio, where he began to study technical illustration. After a year and a half at the studio, he fell on hard times during a short-term recession, which cost Wigman his job – like so many other artists at the time.

“I tried in vain to find another position in the field, but was unsuccessful,” he says.

“On a dare, I tested for law enforcement in Chicago. I discovered shortly that a career in law enforcement was infectious.”

So, Wigman changed careers, and took the Oath of Honor for McHenry law enforcement. After 32 years, he retired as deputy chief in 2006.

Build a better world here in McHenry County with your gifts • Become a philanthropist for less than a $1 a day.

• Combining your giving with others helps do more!

• Give $360 a year and vote • You will make a big for your favorite charities. difference in your own community!

Connecting people who care with causes that matter

While retired, and hoping to get back into art, Wigman met David R. Becker at the Studio Art School in McHenry. Becker’s technique had a remarkable resemblance to that of Shapiro, Wigman recalls.

“I discovered my suspicions were correct; [Becker] had graduated from the [Academy of Art], as well, and studied under Irving Shapiro,” Wigman says. “As an instructor at the studio in McHenry, [David R. Becker] challenged me to return to watercolor – and the rest is recent history.” uTo view more of Wigman’s work, visit www.garywigman.com.

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

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www.MCCFdn.org • 815.338.4483 OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 45

A gift that doesn’t go out of style As kids grow, their styles, personalities and interests change. So what could you give them that would never go out of style? A COUNTRY Financial® life insurance policy.

By purchasing a policy today and giving it to them later, it’s an easy and affordable way to give them a head start in life. Give me a call today.

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SOCIAL Life WOODSTOCK BARNDANCE A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME

The Gavers Community Cancer Foundation raised more than $414,000 at its 18th annual Barndance fundraising event July 15 at Emricson Park in Woodstock. All of the proceeds benefit cancer awareness, education, treatment and research. About 2,500 people attended the event, which featured live bands, food trucks, barbecue, raffles and a life auction.

During the event, about two tons of barbecue pork chops and chicken were served.

Since 2000, Gavers has raised more than $7.2 million dollars benefiting Family Health Partnership Clinic, Centegra Health Systems, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund at Rush University Medical Center, according to its website.

For more information, visit www.gavers.org.

Photos by Janet Kay-Nancy Merkling Production www.nwherald.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 47

Book Nook

‘FUR’ THE PET-LOVING READER

By ALLISON MANLEY

Brownie, a beagle-boxer mutt, came into my life after my parents adopted him from Save-A-Pet last year. His hobbies are sticking his head out the car window, guarding us against bunnies and deer, gobbling up green beans, and sleeping. Brownie (or Brownie Bite as we call him sometimes) isn’t just a pet; he’s part of our family.

A lot of pet-owners say the same thing about their own adopted creatures – and not just dogs!

Here are some non-fiction reads about some quirky pets and the relationships they have with their families.

¢ ‘THE LION IN THE LIVING ROOM: HOW CATS TAMED US AND TOOK OVER THE WORLD’

By Abigail Tucker Abigail Tucker’s “The Lion in the Living Room” is less a manual on how to understand your feline and more a study on how cats around the world have shaped humanity.

In the book, Tucker describes the controversial “cat parasite,” toxoplasmosis, and how it effects the millions of humans who have it – including 60 million in the U.S. alone. In the chapter “Nine Likes,” the author meets Internet sensation Lil Bub, and discusses the rise of cats on the Internet, while also showing that even dog people are affected by the ubiquitous global presence of cats.

While the book explains many of the evolutionary advantages cats have, such as their tiny faces and human-like mews that stir us to treat them like our own children, she occasionally breaks from the science of kitties and talks about her own living-room lion – a big tabby named Cheetoh.

¢ ‘H IS FOR HAWK’

By Helen MacDonald People deal with the loss of a family member in different ways, and Helen MacDonald, author of “H is for Hawk,” is no exception.

After her father suddenly passes away, MacDonald decides to train a goshawk, as both she and her father shared a love of falconry. Goshawks are a particularly fussy bird to train, so it was a welcome challenge for the grieving daughter.

Much of “H is for Hawk” is about MacDonald’s experience with training the challenging little bird, named “Mabel,” into a fierce (but trained) hunter. But it also is about T.H. White, writer of “The Once and Future King,” who used falconry as a way to cope with his own heavy emotions.

MacDonald reserves the strongest and most emotional writing for the end of the book, but, by that point, we’ve already learned the importance of falconry to her family and how Mabel helped her get through one of the most difficult times in her life.

While Tucker’s investigation into cat culture is thorough (and thoroughly enjoyable), I do have one complaint about her book: where are the pictures of cats?

Allison Manley was born in Georgia and raised in Island Lake. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. She loves opera, craft beer, and (of course!) reading.

48 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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Now Taking

Reservations

For White Oaks at McHenry A Memory Care Community Serving the Older Adult

¢ ‘ESTHER THE WONDER PIG: CHANGING THE WORLD ONE HEART AT A TIME’

By Steven Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane

OPENING SUMMER 2017, White Oaks offers:

•S Specialized programming to support the needs

those with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related of those diseases

Many people probably already know about Esther the “wonder pig” that inspired her owners, Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter, to start the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, which has more than a million followers on Facebook. But this Internet celebrity almost didn’t become famous at all, as Jenkins writes in “Esther the Wonder Pig,” because this little piggy, weighing more than 650 pounds, isn’t so little at all.

Professionally trained and certified staff providing • Pro medication services and 24-hour care and personal assistance Services, such as restaurant-style dining, •S housekeeping and linen/laundry service to promote dignity dignity • All We have companion and private suites

“Esther” tells the story of how Jenkins and Walter adopted what they thought would be a tiny teacup pig, and how they struggled to adapt their lives so that they could keep her once she grew beyond “teacup” status.

4605 W. Crystal Lake Rd. 46 McHenry, IL 60050 Managed by Gardant Management Solutions M

For more information, call

After dealing with confused and troubled friends and family, local laws regarding farm animals as pets, and some messy instances of piggy potty training, Jenkins and Walter wrote a funny and inspirational account to tell the world that Esther was worth all of the trouble (and that the book about her is worth reading).

815-344-2690

SM-CL0418607

www.nwherald.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2017 | 49

AUGUST 2017

CALENDAR

MIDWEST MOZART FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 13 WHERE: Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock The Midwest Mozart Festival returns for its second season of memorable chamber orchestra performances featuring the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Come see why the performances are considered a mustsee summertime event for classical music fans. Tickets cost $43 for A seating; $28 for B seating; and $10 for students. For tickets, concert times and show information, visit woodstockoperahouse.com.

SUMMER WINE DOWN

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 WHERE: Binny’s Beverage Depot

4610 W. Elm St., McHenry Kick back and relax with some of Binny’s favorite staff picks to “wine down” at the end of the day.

The event is free with a Binny’s card. For more information, call 815-385-3200 or visit www. binnys.com.

RUN WILD RACE FOR OPEN SPACE 5K PREVIEW RUNS

WHEN: 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 WHERE: Hickory Grove Highlands, Shelter No. 2

500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary Runners can get a sneak peek of this fall’s Run Wild Race for Open Space 5K race route while learning training and trail etiquette tips during two upcoming free preview runs. The special guest is Ornery Mule Racing race director and founder of MUDD running club Michele Hartwig, who will guide the group through a warm-up, a 30-minute fun run and a cool-down session.

The preview run is free. Registration is highly recommended at www.mccdistrict.org.

Learn how to create with encaustic paints and media and discover the variety of painting techniques and tools available. The full-day class will cover safety, materials and surface preparation; basic techniques of layering; scraping; building textures; and using found objects, papers, leaves and more. Transferring imagery to wax and using photographs will be explored, as well as other techniques.

Participants are encouraged to bring a variety of materials and papers with which to work. This is an introductory level class and all skill levels are welcome. All encaustic materials will be provided. Participants will leave with a finished encaustic painting to take home. The class costs $195. For more information, visit www. ambersartplace.com.

ALGONQUIN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: LIBIDO FUNK CIRCUS WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 WHERE: Riverfront Park

9243 S. Rt. 31, Lake in the Hills 50 | AUGUST 2017 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

The Great Outdoors Beer Trail is for those who love sampling good craft beer and spending time outdoors. Walk the one-mile wooded trail at FelPro RRR Conservation Area while visiting various brewers along the trail. Listen to live music and grab some grub from one of the food trucks. Play a game of bags, or a pickup game of hoops or sand volleyball, or visit with outdoor recreation vendors. Tickets cost $45 a person and includes a commemorative glass and beer tastings from each brewer. Tickets for designated drivers cost $15. Participants must be age 21 or older to attend. For more information, visit www. mccdistrict.org.

10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26; and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27 WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church 11008 N. Church St., Huntley

CHOCOLATE AND CRAFT BEER PAIRING WITH PENROSE BREWING WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 WHERE: Ethereal Confections

113 South Benton St., Woodstock Join Ethereal Confections and Penrose Brewing for a craft beer and chocolate pairing at Ethereal Confections. Space is limited to 20 people.

Tickets cost $30 a person. For tickets, visit www. etherealconfections.com.

26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 WHERE: Amber’s Art Place

1520 Crystal Lake Road, Cary

The Village of Algonquin will feature Libido Funk Circus as part of its Summer Concert Series.

The Best Truckin BBQ food truck will be at the event. Parking is available on and around North Harrison Street. The event is free. For more information, visit www.algonquin.org/recreation.

11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19; and noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 20 WHERE: Carpenter Park 950 Carpenter St., Carpentersville

ENCAUSTIC WAX PAINTING WORKSHOP

WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 WHERE: Fel Pro RRR Conservation Area

TRINITY OKTOBERFEST

ODDFELLOWS ROCK THE FOX MUSIC FEST

The Raue Center For The Arts’ new Cabaret Series will feature artists from around the area, and their musical accompanists, who will perform in a specially designed space. Crystal Lake native, Tina Naponelli, is back at the Raue Center with an evening of conversation and decades of hits honoring the kings and queens of the music industry. Hear the classics from Michael Jackson, Carole King and Whitney Houston, as well as today’s top hits from artists like Adele and more. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit rauecenter.org.

GREAT OUTDOORS BEER TRAIL

201 N. Harrison St., Algonquin

‘THE REAL ROYAL FAMILY: KINGS AND QUEENS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY’ WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 WHERE: Raue Center for the Arts

Rotary Club of McHenry. For more information, visit www.mrbbb.com.

WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18; noon to

Oddfellows Rock The Fox Music Fest is a threeday music festival and carnival. The event also will feature food vendors, craft vendors, a beer garden and car show (Sunday only). For more information or a music lineup, visit the event’s Facebook page.

BLUES, BREWS AND BBQ’S

WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18; 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 20 WHERE: Petersen Park 4311 Lakewood Road, McHenry

WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25; Noon to

Trinity Oktoberfest will feature German food and beer, music, children’s games and activities, a silent auction and more.

CHAIN O’LAKES BREWING COMPANY 4X BEER-IVERSARY

WHEN: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 WHERE: Chain O’Lakes Brewing Company

3425 Pear St., McHenry Chain O’Lakes Brewing Company as it celebrates its 4X Beer-iversary and Scotch Ale Review, which will include Fox River Scotch Ale, a barrelaged Koval Scotch Ale and a firkin of Scotch Ale. The event also will feature live music by Stars Aligned and special guest, as well as food vendor Your Sister’s Tomato. For more information, visit www.chainolakesbrewing.com.

SUNSET DOXIE DERBY

WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 WHERE: Bark Park

9027 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills This dog-friendly event will feature dachshunds and other tiny breeds that will partake in the Sunset Doxie Derby race. Pet donations of food and care products will be accepted for local pet shelters and rescues. The event also will include free hotdogs and treats for dogs for the first 50 guests. To register, visit www.raceentry.com/ race-reviews/sunset-doxie-derby. Spectators are welcome to attend.

Enjoy blues, barbecue and craft brews with proceeds for the event going toward scholarships and other causes supported by the OUT & ABOUT

www.nwherald.com/magazine

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for Planting and Saving

Still time to plan that perfect outdoor living/entertainment area of

Your Dreams

Visit our website for more information! www.whisperinghillsnursery.com

Route 31 in Crystal Lake

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