SL Mag july2018

JULY 2018

Americana Edition EXPLORE ILLINOIS' NEW FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TRAIL PAGE 30

FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES PAGE 8

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND THE WESTERN SUBURBS PAGE 18

l a i n n e t n e C ach Be SERVING FAMILIES SINCE 1931 PAGE 11

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8 EYES TO THE SKY Celebrate the Fourth of July with picnics, parades and fireworks displays 11 LIFE’S A BEACH Centennial and Quarry beaches serve local families for multiple generations 14 AMERICAN MADE Batavia high school sweethearts build booming literary candle company, Hearth and Hammer 18 MAKING CONNECTIONS Uncovering the Underground Railroad in the western suburbs

HEALTH & WELLNESS

24 SPINAL SURGERY Helping good Samaritan get back to ‘work’

HOMES & LIFESTYLE

28 SUMMERTIME BLUES Adding azure tones to your garden

TRAVEL

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THE WRIGHT WAY Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy on new Illinois tourism trail Photos courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

30 THE WRIGHT WAY Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy on new Illinois tourism trail

FAMILY IN FOCUS

36 CAT AND THE FOX: An American farmer’s market all ‘Frenched’ up

BUSINESS & CIVIC

37 ‘SHE’S A REAL ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS’ After retiring from teaching, Karen Schock stays committed to bettering the community 38 MANEUVERING MARKET VOLATILITY Investment strategies and advice from My Advisor and Planner’s founding principal Tom McCartney

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OUT & ABOUT

40 THE FAST AND THE LUXURIOUS Geneva Concours d’Elegance coincides with 70th anniversary of Chicago’s Sports Car Club of America 41 GREAT WESTERN FREEDOM 4 Making strides toward ending homelessness 42 SMOKY, SAVORY SUMMER FUN Quality barbecue isn’t the only thing headlining this year’s Naperville Ribfest 45 CAL’S ANGELS CONCERT Goo Goo Dolls, Gavin DeGraw headline Oswego fundraiser 47 PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Photographic history on display at Pottawatomie Golf Course 53 SOCIAL LIFE Hotel Baker celebrates 90th anniversary during derby-themed gala 54 CALENDAR See what’s happening around town this month!

Editor's

NOTE During all of my travels, I always attempt to be a good ambassador for America, representing the red, white and blue with an open mind, kindness and courtesy toward the ways in which other people do things in other places.

From the bush of Botswana to the concrete jungle of São Paulo, I have come across more friendly faces than not, further cementing my belief that, no matter what you see on the news, we’re not all that different after all.

American or not, we all want the same things. We’re all just doing the best we can, with the chief concern being providing for our families and giving our children the best shot at a good life.

As human beings that’s all any of us want.

And as Americans, it’s no different.

So, what does it mean to be American? What about an American living in the Midwest?

Or, better yet, what about an American living in the Chicago suburbs? The more specific we get, the more nuanced the answers become. Not to mention the other outside

cultural influences that shape our identity, beliefs and behaviors, as this country is a melting pot of people, with very few of us actually being able to claim native status of this land.

Maybe being an American means that I’m free to choose what being an American means to me.

But, no matter how you choose to define your own American experience, the Fourth of July is a time when we can all come together with a common interest, to celebrate this country, and our own independence – what makes each of us uniquely American.

If you haven’t already guessed, this month’s issue is our Americana edition.

During this month’s Fourth of July festivities, many will seek to spend time with friends or family with backyard barbecues, summer libations, and – of course – fireworks aplenty.

There is no shortage of spectacular spots for firework-viewing, so we’ve combed the area for some of the best displays around town.

Let the summer celebrations continue all month long by cooling off at a local swimming hole, attending Geneva’s premier classic car show – Concours d'Elegance – or grooving to the tunes of your favorite musicians, from Melissa Etheridge to Steven Tyler, at Naperville Ribfest. We’ve got all of this and more!

Thanks for reading,

Kara Silva, Editor

PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com LOCAL SALES MANAGER Daily Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Allison Horne, Jonathan Bilyk, Kelsey O’Connor, Melissa Riske, Aimee Barrows, Kevin Druley, Cat Battista PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney, Sandy Bressner, Indre Cantero This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

Published by Shaw Media 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-845-5288

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Celebrate the Fourth of July with picnics, parades and fireworks displays

By AIMEE BARROWS

Some of the best summer memories are made at Fourth of July celebrations, with parades, picnics and, of course, fireworks.

This patriotic holiday is a highlight of the summer, and the western suburbs certainly have you covered with plenty of live music, food and entertainment. Here’s a guide to some of the best fireworks displays and Fourth of July celebrations in the area.

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While “Eyes to the Skies” will have fireworks every night during the festival, the grand celebration will take place on its closing night at 9:45 p.m. July 1. Stop by prior to the show and enjoy a carnival, live music, food and hot air balloon rides.

fireworks begin at dusk. Concessions will be available at the mini-golf concession stand until 9:15 p.m., or you can bring a picnic dinner.

 AURORA

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION July 4 Downtown Aurora 23 E. Galena Blvd. www.aurora-il.org

Celebrate America’s birthday from 6 to 9 p.m. the evening before the official date with a July 3 bike parade, DJ, touch-atruck event, inflatables and a performance by the Plainfield Park District dance camps. Fireworks will begin at dusk.

The parade, which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the famous Saturday Night Live skit “Wayne’s World,” steps off at 10 a.m. in downtown Aurora. Later in the afternoon, head over to RiverEdge Park for live music from the American Legion Band and the Fox Valley Orchestra.

Gates open at 3 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. McCullough Park will have family-friendly activities, inflatables and local food vendors. Pawn Shop Horns will play everything from rock ‘n’ roll to country music at 7 p.m. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Both parks offer great views of the show.

 BATAVIA

 ELGIN

The fun gets going at 5 p.m. with food vendors and food trucks, as well as a performance by the Batavia Community Band at 8:15 p.m. One of the most celebrated fireworks displays in the suburbs begins at 9 p.m.

The city will host its annual morning parade, followed by a huge celebration sponsored by Grand Victoria Casino in the evening. The two-hour parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Slade and Douglas, and it will end at Douglas and Highland.

Later that night, check out music by Kool and the Gang and The Commodores at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. For tickets, visit www.gvctickets. com. Fireworks will light up the sky beginning at 10:30 p.m.

 PLAINFIELD

PATRIOTIC PICNIC AND FIREWORKS July 3 Plainfield Central High School 24120 W. Fort Beggs Dr. www.plfdparks.org

FOURTH OF JULY SKY CONCERT July 4 Mooseheart Field/Engstrom Park 326 Mill View Drive www.bataviafireworks.com

 NAPERVILLE

RIBFEST July 4 Knock Park 724 S. West Street, Naperville Naperville Ribfest will kick off with a bang in 2018, with fireworks the first night of the event. After 5 p.m. admission to the South Park is free July 4.

 ST. CHARLES

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION July 4 Pottawatomie Park 8 North Ave., St. Charles www.stcparks.org Bring the entire family for a full day at the park. Swim at Swanson Pool, play 18 holes of mini-golf or compete in a game of sand volleyball before the evening festivities begin. Shout Out! will entertain you with Top 40 hits and classic rock beginning at 6 p.m. and

PARADE AND GRAND VICTORIA CASINO, FESTIVAL PARK CELEBRATION July 4 Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. www.cityofelgin.org

 ELBURN

ELBURN FIREWORKS SHOW July 7 Elburn Lions Park | 500 Filmore St. www.elburnlions.com If you didn’t get enough fireworks fun on July 4, swing by this western Kane County town from 7 to 10 p.m. for the Lions Club of Elburn’s fireworks show July 7. Before the 9:30 p.m. fireworks begin, enjoy food and non-alcoholic beverages courtesy of the Elburn Lions Club. Coolers, grills and alcoholic beverages will not be permitted.

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LIFE’S A BEACH

Centennial and Quarry beaches serve local families for multiple generations

By AIMEE BARROWS

W

hat started out as limestone quarries in the 19th century have grown and changed over the past 100-plus years, ultimately becoming two of the most popular summer spots in the western suburbs. Batavia’s Harold Hall Quarry Beach and Naperville’s Centennial Beach offer a true beach experience close to home.

Spending a day at the beach is not just a favorite American pastime, it’s a place for friends and family to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer.

Harold Hall Quarry Beach in Batavia Photos provided

 Harold Hall Quarry Beach A true Kane County gem, Harold Hall Quarry Beach began as a quarry in 1852 and was owned by the Barker family of Batavia. It was one of nine working quarries in the city, which is how Batavia got the nickname “Rock City.”

It continued to be used as a quarry until 1920, when workers hit an underground spring and the quarry began to fill with water, making it difficult to mine limestone.

The appropriately-named Frederick Beach purchased the quarry from Barker and then deeded it to the City of Batavia, which turned the quarry into a swimming area. Thanks to the Workers Progress Administration enacted by the federal government during the Great Depression, the swimming hole underwent renovations, and a picnic area, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pitching mounds and a playground were added.

The city transferred the title of the quarry to the Batavia Park District after it formed in 1969, and the park district has operated it ever since.

In 1992, the area was formally named Harold Hall Beach after former Park District commissioner Harold Hall. The original quarry had a very tall limestone tower that was used as a diving platform, and, while it’s no longer in its original form, a portion of it is still used at the swimming facility. All of the water in the 60,000 square-foot facility still comes from the natural underground spring, but it is chemically treated so it’s safe for swimmers.

Today, the beach has a concession stand, limestone pavilion, which serves as the adult deck, a 17-foot diving tower, drop slides, zero-depth entry and sandy beaches surrounding the water. The park also has sand volleyball courts, picnic areas and a playground, making it an ideal location for all-day fun.

“It’s a unique setting that’s very beautiful,” says Chris Winter, curator of Batavia Depot Museum. “It’s a tradition. There are grandparents who now bring their grandkids because they swam there as a child. I’ve never seen a swim facility like this in Northern Illinois.”

Harold Hall Quarry Beach offers lap swimming, swim lessons, special events and can be rented for private parties.

 Centennial Beach Similar to Harold Hall Quarry Beach, Centennial Beach began as a limestone quarry in 1833, and the rock from the quarry was used in many buildings in Naperville and its surrounding towns. By 1913, water from the underground springs kept seeping in to the point where it could no longer be quarried.

-Continued on page 12

AMERICANA JULY 2018

11

-Continued from page 11 So, in 1931, Naperville resident Judge Win Knoch encouraged the city to purchase the quarry and the surrounding land. It was named “Centennial Beach” after Naperville’s 100th anniversary.

Also like Harold Hall Beach, the Works Progress Administration allowed renovations to be completed, and Centennial Beach was opened to the public in 1932.

The Naperville Park District took over operations in 1969 and has since added a sand beach area, zero-depth entry and a diving well with three diving boards.

Centennial Beach in Naperville Photo provided

The beach underwent significant improvements in 2002, including the addition of a concrete deck, a new circulation system, a new staircase and new lighting. A shallow-end slide was added in 2007, after the park district held a unique fundraiser, the “Bottom-feeder Ball,” which was a semi-formal dinner on the bottom of the 15foot swimming area before it was filled for the summer.

Today, Centennial Beach is more than just a place to swim. It’s location near the Riverwalk gives it a nature-like park setting, where folks can enjoy a picnic lunch or relax on the grass

under a tree. The historic limestone bathhouse, which was completed in 1936, still houses the beach’s main entrance, locker rooms and restrooms.

Brad Wilson, director of recreation and facilities for the Naperville Park District, says the beach’s setting makes the facility unique to Naperville.

“We have grass, trees, a picnic area and that’s unlike other aquatic facilities,” Wilson says. “The setting in downtown Naperville is picturesque, and the beach is perfect for all ages. Young kids enjoy making sand castles in the sand area, and triathletes can come and swim laps.”

Centennial Beach offers swim lessons, diving lessons and water fitness classes, including paddleboard yoga. The beach’s picnic areas can be reserved for private parties.

 IF YOU GO

HAROLD HALL QUARRY BEACH 400 S. Water St., Batavia 630-406-5275 | www.bataviaparks.org CENTENNIAL BEACH 500 Jackson Ave., Naperville 630-848-5092 | www.centennialbeach.org

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BATAVIA HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS BUILD BOOMING LITERARY CANDLE COMPANY, HEARTH AND HAMMER

By ALLISON HORNE | Photo by RON MCKINNEY

B

atavia natives Ariane Scholl and Andy Kenney never really meant to start a candle company.

But they did, and now Hearth and Hammer, their Bataviabased production, has turned into so much more than they could’ve ever dreamed of.

It all started when the high school sweethearts got married in 2012, and Scholl had the idea of making candles out of old teacups as gifts for her bridesmaids and family members.

“People really liked them, and I thought, ‘we’re onto something,’” Scholl says.

“People really love candles, apparently.”

Salon Services by MARIO TRICOCI | Stylist - MICHELLE | Makeup - TRICIA Scholl, who was in a writing program at the time, always had a passion for literature candle and scent. and decided to combine her two passions into “What I do is I read whatever the work is one: literary candles. again, even if I’ve read it before,” Scholl says, The couple tested out the viability of the noting that her favorite novel is “The Catcher candles at various markets and they would in the Rye,” but she also loves Sylvia Plath. constantly sell out. So, the couple decided to “You really get a sense for the mood, motif and take their product online, and it got picked up symbol for the book.”

by Refinery 29 and the New York-based Of a Kenney, who is a designer by trade – and Kind, which had a partnership with Target at prefers to read design books and the daily the time. news – draws the designs for the candles’ “We always kind of joke that we accidentally labels. started a candle company,” Scholl says.

“I try to get the sense of what she’s going off The design has changed over the years – from of, and I use that as my jumping off point,” teacups to Hobby Lobby jars to their current Kenney says. “All the designs are hand-drawn tins and jars) – but the theme has always by myself, and the end product goal is to be remained the same. Scholl uses her favorite very handmade in that way.” books as inspiration for the concept of each

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They then work on combining essential oils to get the perfect combination.

“For the Green Light, which is based off of ‘The Great Gatsby,’ I knew I wanted it to be about the harbor and upstate New York, and gazing across the bay,” Scholl says. “I just tried to think about what that would smell like; capture the ocean air and the driftwood. It just became this earthy vanilla with a salty ocean air vibe.”

Working on combining essential oils can be tedious, but Scholl is dedicated to creating unique scents exclusive to their brand.

“I really want it to be something people have never smelled before that you can’t just get at another candle company,” Scholl says.

One of the most unique candles, Aged Page, Scholl spent a year perfecting.

“We’ll be in our house, smelling books, and smelling the candle tester, trying to get something similar,” Scholl says. “Of course it’s subjective, but it smells like an old book to me.”

There’s no giant production company behind their candles; each one is hand-poured by either Scholl or Kenney, and products are sourced from within the U.S. “People are always like, ‘oh, you make these yourselves?’” Kenney says. “We don’t have a production team behind it. It’s just us staying up to 3 a.m. Every one is handmade by us.”

Generally during the summer, Scholl spends two or three nights a week making candles, but, in the fall, she’s making them nightly.

Depending on the type of candle, Scholl can make up to 300 in a day. During the holiday season, and when they get any big orders, the

warehouse space with ceramic wall tile and a dairy door. It’s a cool building.”

duo has to up their production.

“I’ve made 1,000 little tea lights in a day before,” Kenney says. “Apparently it’s possible when you get down to the wire and need to get them out.”

Scholl usually does most of the pouring, but Kenney had to bear the brunt of the work over the holidays this year because Scholl was pregnant with their first child.

Now, their daughter, Ramona – who is named after the main character in the Beverly Cleary books – is six months old and can often be found strapped to Scholl’s chest while she’s packing orders.

“I think one of our main goals is to have a brickand-mortar store of some kind,” Scholl says. “The dream would be to have retail and some classes, and it’d also be awesome if it had space for us to produce candles there.”

While all of those long hours spent hand-pouring candles into the wee hours of the night can often be daunting and overbearing, there are moments that make all of their hard work worth it.

“We always joke she didn’t realize she was going to be born into a candle factory,” Scholl says, noting that she was born at the busiest time of the year for them.

Nothing seems to hold this dynamic duo back.

Hearth and Hammer operations recently expanded from the couple’s home into the old Batavia dairy building, where they have a studio and production space in an old dairy cooler. The upgraded space has a melter that can handle 50 pounds of wax at one time.

“It’s kind of nuts,” Scholl says. “It’s basically a

But they hope that’s not the end of the expansion.

Kenney recently started his own company, Batavia Made, which sells gear focused on their beloved hometown. They’re hoping to incorporate that into their already-booming business.

A few years ago, the duo took a trip to New York City to visit Strand Book Shop, one of their first wholesalers, just before the holidays.

“Our stuff was in the front window right next to Cards Against Humanity,” Kenney says. “We were like ‘that’s the candle we poured sitting in the window right now.’

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MAKING CONNECTIONS Uncovering the Underground Railroad in the western suburbs

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As a local historian, Jeanne Schultz Angel marvels at the possibilities the coming decades could bring to the study of many aspects of local history, but none more than the prospect of finally lifting the veil on one of the most fabled and significant, yet least documented, events of the past: the Underground Railroad.

“I’m expecting an explosion in the next 20 years in Underground Railroad discoveries,” says Angel, executive director of Oak Park’s Nineteenth Century Charitable Association and former director at local history museums in Lombard and St. Charles. “With all of the information and scraps of evidence and documentation now going online, the ability to find things and make connections, it’s never been stronger.

“And those untapped resources and primary source material being instantly available, it all could be just so revealing when it’s seen by the right set of eyes ¬– by people who know what they’re looking at and who know what they’re looking for.”

Across DuPage and Kane counties, the landscape is littered with potential new discoveries and connections to the Underground Railroad, the name given to

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the loose organization of people, white and black, throughout the country, who aided what Angel calls “Freedom Seekers” – AfricanAmerican slaves who escaped their oppressors and fled north in search of sanctuary and freedom.

of county sheriff specifically to thwart any attempt to enforce the federal Fugitive Slave Act in DuPage County, which required escaped slaves to be returned to slavery and any caught aiding their escape to be prosecuted, Angel says.

Angel and Allison Costanzo, director of the St. Charles History Museum, say that Kane and DuPage counties are logical locations to look for connections to the Underground Railroad. In the years leading up to the Civil War, both counties were hotbeds of political activism that sought the abolition of slavery.

And in Kane County, Costanzo notes that the Anti-Slavery Society was a potent political force in Illinois.

For instance, prominent local abolitionist Thomas Filer of Lombard sought the office

“And almost a quarter of their members came from St. Charles,” Costanzo says.

But the difficulty, Angel and Costanzo both agree, lies in documenting and verifying the connections. However, some sites are wellknown and easily verified.

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believe have strong connections with the Underground Railroad.

• The Sheldon Peck Homestead, Lombard The itinerant portrait artist was known for strong abolitionist beliefs, and he was known to harbor escaped slaves. His regular travels to paint portraits in the region also likely facilitated the movements of fugitives.

In St. Charles, for instance, historians have long suspected the Wheeler House, which later became the Wild Rose Inn, was connected with aiding fugitive slaves, due to the strong anti-slavery beliefs of James T. Wheeler and the underground tunnels Wheeler built that ran from his house to the barn.

• Wheaton College. The location where, Angel notes, documents with recorded fugitive slaves were housed and sheltered.

Other potential stops in St. Charles include the William Beith House at 8 Indiana Street, and the Durant Home on 3rd Street. Both homes date from the 1840s and include tunnels, hidden rooms or other features common in helping conceal and shelter escaped slaves and speed their escape in case of discovery by authorities or fugitive slave hunters.

• Blodgett House, near Downers Grove, where patriarch Israel Blodgett operated an anti-slavery newspaper and was a close associate of Sheldon Peck.

• Deacon Strong House, formerly along Eola Road, near Aurora.

• Philo and A.E. Carpenter Homestead, Warrenville.

While Philo Carpenter was a druggist in Chicago, his brother owned land near Warrenville, and both were well-known Underground Railroad conductors – people who helped escaped slaves continue on their journey to freedom, says Angel.

• Thomas Filer House, Lombard. However, there are many other sites in both counties which local historians

Further north, many speculate that properties in Elgin and Dundee also have connections to the Underground Railroad, as fugitive slaves would flee north along the Fox River before turning east to Chicago or continuing north through Wisconsin and Michigan to Canada.

Angel and Costanzo note that many owners of antique homes in the region are convinced their properties are associated with the Underground Railroad.

-Continued on page 20

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“[Residents] will call all the time,” says Angel with a laugh.

“They’ve found a tunnel, or a small cave, or a trap door somewhere in their home or on their property, and they are absolutely certain it’s connected to the Underground Railroad.”

But for homeowners and others seeking to stake a claim to a connection to the Underground Railroad, more than a novelty feature is required, Costanzo and Angel agree.

“The first question I always ask is, ‘When was your house built?’” Costanzo says. “Most homes of that era had barns, cellars, even cisterns.

“It’s already unlikely the house was used in the Underground Railroad. But if it was built after the Civil War, it’s almost certain it was not.”

Angel adds: “If it was built after 1865, they were probably hiding booze.”

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The key to establishing the links to significant history is to research the property and, more importantly, the people who called it home.

STEVE SMITH Financial Advisor Associate Vice President

Easy documentation is probably hard to come by. While northern Illinois was renowned for its abolitionist tendencies, the act of harboring fugitive slaves was still illegal, and it is unlikely those engaged in the Underground Railroad kept detailed records of their actions.

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AMERICANA JULY 2018

Rather, some historical sleuthing and dot-connecting could be in order, Angel and Costanzo says.

“Reconstruct the network around those people, find out who they knew, who they chose to associate with,” Angel says.

“Make those connections, do that research, and you’ll quickly see how likely it is that your home may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

“This is about people, not tunnels, ‘hidey-holes’ or trap doors.”

For those wishing to learn more about the Underground Railroad in and around their communities, Angel and Costanzo recommend reaching out to the keepers of local history at public libraries, local history museums and similar organizations.

Despite the false hopes harbored by many owners of old homes, new sites are constantly being uncovered and opened to investigation, they say.

And as more evidence is uncovered, and more connections are made, the myths and folklore that swirl around the topic slowly cement into commonly understood facts.

Then, perhaps, Angel says, historians can move closer to unveiling the tales of heroism, not just of local abolitionists, but of “the freedom seekers themselves and the conductors of color.”

“Those are the stories I really want to tell,” says Angel.

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Spinal surgery helps good Samaritan get back to ‘work’ R

etirement for Emil Baranko meant more time to help others.

After 40 years in construction and management, the 72-year-old suburbanite had hung up his tools and gone to work feeding the hungry, raising funds for people with disabilities and helping farmers who were ill tend their fields.

But his good work stopped when Baranko’s kyphosis, a degenerative spinal condition, progressed to the point where he was experiencing consistent pain. He could no longer receive food donations from the local delivery trucks or climb into and out of tractors. He had put off treatment long enough and knew he needed to seek help.

“I was losing feeling in my arm – experiencing numbness and tingling – and had difficulty moving,” Baranko says. “It was a struggle to get dressed some days.”

So, Baranko decided to pursue care from the expert team he trusted at Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics.

“I had known the practice for years and built up a relationship with Dr. Kolavo,” Baranko says of Jerome Kolavo, MD, a spine surgeon with Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JULY 2018

“I was losing feeling in my arm – experiencing numbness and tingling – and had difficulty moving. It was a struggle to get dressed some days.”

– Emil Baranko, Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics patient

 A trusted care team

Dr. Jerome Kolavo worked with Baranko to develop a treatment plan that involved fusing several bones in his neck and correcting excessive spinal curvature.

“He’s one of these doctors that when you engage with him, you immediately trust him,” Baranko says. “He takes great pains in making sure that you know exactly what he’s going to do.”

With kyphosis and cervical spine cord compression, "the nature of the condition favors ongoing deterioration and possible permanent loss of function," says Dr. Kolavo.

“Surgery in this case is a management tool – not a cure.”

In November 2017, Baranko underwent two spinal procedures during one hospitalization: one to correct curvature in his neck due to shifting vertebrae and another to control and stabilize kyphosis in the spine by inserting titanium rods.

Baranko and his wife spent several hours with Dr. Kolavo and the surgical team in preparation for the procedure. It’s a process Dr. Kolavo says helps patients feel in control of their care and understand exactly how their procedure will go.

While in the hospital and recovering from surgery, Baranko says that the friendly, compassionate staff made all of the difference.

“By the time people get to surgery, they know almost as much as we do,” he says.

“Everyone was just outstanding – the nurses, the staff, even the people who took care of the rooms. They were just such wonderful people,” Baranko says. “You couldn’t ask for better care.”

This type of one-on-one education from surgeons and other care providers is part of what sets Northwestern Medicine apart, says Baranko.

After surgery, Baranko was transferred to Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital – part of Northwestern Medicine – to maximize mobility.

“Everyone has been great,” Baranko says.

“They all worked with me to get me healthy and get me back on my feet as soon as possible.”

 Back to ‘work’

Baranko has been recovering from his second surgery since November and is slowly getting back to the work he loves: helping those in need.

Since January, Baranko has been helping at his local food pantry. He also is coordinating a September event with Knights of Columbus to raise money for people with disabilities.

In the fall, he will have the opportunity to get back into the combine and help harvest the fields for farmers experiencing illness and disability.

“Dr. Kolavo has given me the opportunity to do all of this again,” says Baranko. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this if it weren’t for him.” For more information on Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics and the Northwestern Medicine Integrated Spine Program, visit westspine.nm.org or call 630-933-BACK (2225).

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Summertime

BLUES

By MEAGAN PROVENCHER

I tend to favor certain colors in my garden.

 Meagan Provencher is the Senior Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@ wasconursery.com.

Sometimes it’s because of sentimental reasons. For example, my best friend’s adorable daughter loves purple, and since she visits me each week, I made all of my planters purple this year. Or because of the fact that I live in Geneva (go Vikings!), I gravitate toward blue and white flowers. Much to the chagrin of my husband, who teaches at St. Charles East.

(There aren’t many black flowers, but I do plant some orange ones.)

Sometimes I like the look of two colors together, such as chartreuse and pink. Or I want a punch of color in a drab area, so I use some bright gold. I’m a big fan of the dark burgundies of the ninebark family.

Plus, the ninebark are rabbit proof. There are many ways to use color to brighten up the garden, but I notice that, overall, there tends to be a color that is always my go-to.

Blue is a color that goes with everything; whether it’s dark blue, a soft blue or an almost white blue, all blues seem to go with all colors and never clash.

I use dark royal blues of Salvias, Iris and false indigo to make a statement. Rather than one or two Salvias in a garden, a broad swath of five or nine create quite a color splash, and the butterflies and bees will love you. (Secret tip – if your Salvia has flopped over after blooming already, cut them completely to the ground. You’ll

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HOME & LIFESTYLE JULY 2018

have new foliage and flowers in no time.)

False indigo is a huge, easy-to-grow plant that commands attention in the garden.

Large spikes of blue in late May and early June, followed by unique brown seed pods that last well into winter.

The lighter blues of Campanulas (bellflowers), creeping phlox and Asters lend themselves nicely to being accent plants that have long bloom times. I love the look of Campanulas mixed with yellow Coreopsis. It’s bright and sunny and gives the yard a nice mix of softer colors that last most of the summer.

Veronica have prominent spikes that resemble salvia but have a bit more color range and softness to them.

Amsonia are one of my favorite families of blue perennials. They bloom in early spring with large clusters of blue “stars” and even have fantastic fall color.

Russian sage is an oldie but goodie. Give it some space to spread out, and you’ll be rewarded with soft gray foliage and thousands of butterflies and pollinators.

Cut this big guy down to 12 to 18 inches each spring to keep it from getting woody and floppy.

While there are no trees that I know of with blue flowers, there are a few shrubs.

Butterfly bush (a tender shrub – sometimes) have blues and dark purples that are worth experimenting with just for the butterfly factor.

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flower with light blue flowers all over the vine. Grow this beauty on a fence, obelisk or trellis in your yard for some soft highlights in the vertical garden.

And how could I forget the grand dame of the shrub world – Hydrangeas. The Hydrangea macrophylla family of Hydrangea are the colored types. The best performer in this area is “Bloomstruck,” and she can easily be turned blue by adding an acid fertilizer to the soil.

Newer types of Wisteria are starting to become more popular in this area. All you need is a little patience (never trim it down) and a sturdy structure to grow it on. And, in a few years, you’ll be rewarded with lilac blue clusters of flowers that look like grapes hanging down.

They can be trimmed and trained as small trees also due to their woody stems.

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THE WRIGHT WAY Rookery

Studio facade

Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy on new Illinois tourism trail

Emil Bach House

Photos courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

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TRAVEL JULY 2018

Home facade

Unity Temple

Laurent interior

Laurent exterior

A

round the world, Frank Lloyd Wright is known for his unique vision that transformed American architecture. In Illinois, he’s known for his stunning creations scattered throughout the state. Now, a new Frank Lloyd Wright Trail will make it easier than ever to explore his local works.

“Illinois is home to more Frank Lloyd Wright structures than anywhere else in the country,” says Cory Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. “The new trail celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright history and his connection to Illinois, allowing tourists from around the

world to discover the work of one of America’s greatest architects” The Illinois Office of Tourism unveiled the trail in May as part of National Travel and Tourism Week. The trail is designed to celebrate Wright’s legacy and connection to Illinois. The self-guided architectural tour features 13 Wright edifices that are open to the public in Oak Park, Chicago, Geneva, Rockford, Belvidere, Springfield, Kankakee, Hampshire and Dwight.

“Frank Lloyd Wright created the Prairie style architecture in the Prairie State,” says Jobe.

“He was a great innovator and artist with

a dynamic vision. Nearly 60 years after his death, visiting Wright buildings is as popular as ever.”

Wright lived and worked in Illinois for the first 20 years of his career, leaving his architectural mark across the state. The Chicago area, in particular, has the largest concentration of original Wright sites in the world. Five of these sites, which are operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, welcomed more than 150,000 visitors last year, including 90,000 just to Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park.

-Continued on page 32 TRAVEL JULY 2018

31

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“Illinois is home to more Frank Lloyd Wright structures than anywhere else in the country.”

– CORY JOBE, Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism

-Continued from page 31 “Frank Lloyd Wright’s full name was Frank Lincoln Lloyd Wright, so it is fitting that this trail is now initiated in Illinois, the ‘Land of Lincoln,’” says Celeste Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright Trust president and CEO. “The trail calls attention to the many public Wright sites in this state, and we are happy to be part of a program that benefits everyone.”

The trail will feature two unique itineraries. The first will showcase Wright’s creations across 110 miles from Chicago and Oak Park to Rockford,

with stops along the way in Geneva, Hampshire and Belvidere. The second, longer trail, begins in Chicago and Oak Park and stretches 240 miles through Springfield and Kankakee.

The itineraries also will feature local restaurants and attractions, with an emphasis on stops that are historically and architecturally significant.

Later this summer, official Frank Lloyd Wright Trail road signs will be added throughout the state.

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1. Emil Bach House, Chicago

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Cat and the Fox:

AN AMERICAN FARMER’S MARKET ALL ‘FRENCHED’ UP

By CAT BATTISTA

A

lmost every Sunday after church, my husband, Jeff, and our army of kids descend upon the “French Market” in downtown Geneva. This is not your typical farmer’s market. The French Market is special. If you are a resident or visiting Kane County, then a visit to the French Market is a must.

The Geneva French Market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located in the Metra parking lot, located at Fourth and South streets. It’s a seasonal beast, unfortunately. It starts in the spring and only goes till mid-November.

The produce is exceptional. We stop at the Windy Acres Farm stand first. The staff members are friendly and make good recommendations.

Planning dinner becomes a game for our girls. We challenge them to pick out vegetables to eat. The kids also select fruit for school lunches and snack time. Of course, we have to “sample” a few berries or grapes along the way.

A large variety of florals is for sale right across from the Windy Acres stand. I could spend hours selecting individual roses, hydrangea and greenery to make the perfect bouquet. Each week, there are new varieties to choose from. Sandi and Bob, the owners, also make suggestions about which blooms look nice together in an arrangement.

Moving down the line, stop by Gindo’s Hot Sauce and visit Mary and Chris Gindo. We are obsessed (I mean obsessed) with their incredible hot sauces. We literally try to come up with new foods with which to eat it. Try the “Original Fresh and Spicy” sauce.

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FAMILY IN FOCUS JULY 2018

Visit Hahn’s Bakery for a homemade loaf of crusty bread or an oversized German pretzel.

Better yet, buy a baguette and pour some Gindo’s Hot Sauce on it. The young man often working the stand is the son of the owner. This is one of the only stands that is “cash only,” so come prepared.

Round the corner toward the back of the market where you will find Alice and her family hard at work making fantastic Bolivian Cuisine at “Alice’s Corner.” My husband is particular about food (but not fussy – just particular). Jeff ’s palate is very developed having practically been raised by a professional chef. After one bite of Alice’s homemade empanadas, Jeff and I nearly burst into tears because they were so delicious.

We promptly ate three more (each) with the juice dripping all over the place because we couldn’t gobble them up fast enough.

After wiping meat juice off his chin Jeff says, “You can tell that is a generation’s old recipe.

Those things are made with such love and precision. Incredible.”

Just order everything: empanadas, rice, beans, the bread thing stuffed with more yummy stuff inside. Order it all and get a homemade strawberry lemonade to go. If any of the food actually makes it home, you have stronger will power than we do.

There are a number of other great vendors at the French Market. I love picking up naturally made soaps and other homemade bath products.

Surprisingly, there also are quite a few fashion forward merchants at the market, as well. Seize the Bead is a favorite. Sue,

the owner, makes beautiful jewelry pieces. I recommend following her Instagram account, as she is always posting pictures of stunning bracelets she’s made.

For those who venture down Third Street in Geneva towards the Metra line, you will be in store for a true local treat. Not only is this a fun family activity, but you also can enjoy live music, sample a bunch of yummy local food and enjoy being in beautiful, historic Geneva.  Cat Battista is a wife and mother of three children. She celebrates faith, family and friendship in the Fox Valley, and writes about food, DIY, entertaining, home decor and style. Follow her on Instagram @FaithFamilyFete or visit catbattista.com.

‘SHE’S A REAL ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS’ After retiring from teaching, Karen Schock stays committed to bettering the community

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE | Photo by RON MCKINNEY

W

hile she may have retired from the classroom, Karen Schock often finds that she is still giving lessons. Though, these days, she says she’s learning much more than teaching.

Few may know that Schock didn’t always intend to become a teacher. Initially, she wanted to pursue a degree in psychology.

Shock says that during her course study, however, she noticed that she was drawn to education.

“Once I started [in education], I loved it so much,” Schock says. “I knew I’d like it, but I didn’t know I’d love it.”

Schock taught for 23 years in School District U-46 as a classroom teacher for fourth, fifth and sixth grades during her time in the district and even served as president of the teachers’ union. Though retired, she hasn’t strayed too far from her love of education. Schock says she is excited to be a part of a team working to launch Elgin Math and Science Academy, a new charter school in District U-46 that is set to open for children in kindergarten through third grades in August.

“This is such a dream of having a hands-on approach to education,” Schock says.

Schock says her grandmother, Mary Kaluza, was the one who constantly reminded her of the importance of an education.

Kaluza had only made it to fourth grade before leaving school to help her family. When Kaluza died at the age of 100, Schock and her family decided to establish the Keeping the Promise Scholarship in her honor. The scholarship was awarded to eighth graders to encourage them to work hard in high school and know that there would be financial

support for college, Schock says.

Her desire to help students played a role in helping her to establish Gail’s Sales, an outlet for the Gail Borden Library Foundation Board to sell used books and use the proceeds to support programming at the library.

Schock also is a dedicated board member for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, where she just completed a three-year term as the board chairwoman. Schock says a love for classical music and a passion for seeing the symphony continue to thrive and entertain future generations drives her work with the ESO. “She’s really left a mark on the orchestra and the board,” says Dave Bearden, CEO of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. “She’s a real role model for others.”

With the various organizations she supports in the community, Schock says she is often learning new skills and meeting people who share a passion for the work.

“I have met unique, committed and talented people,” Schock says. “Each of these organizations has a natural link to me professionally, but they have also helped me to learn so much more.”

Schock says her work, from years of teaching to working in the community, wouldn’t be possible without the support that she received from her family, which includes her husband of 47 years, Ed Schock. He grew up in Elgin and convinced his wife that they should settle in the community, purchasing a house not far from his childhood home.

many years before her husband would be elected to his first of three terms in 1999.

“He’s always interested in making the city better,” she says.

Fair to surmise that with her years of dedication to the community, she shares that commitment too.

Karen says she knew early on that her husband would become mayor of the town, adding that she made the predication to her grandmothers

BUSINESS & CIVIC JULY 2018

37

MANEUVERING MARKET VOLATILITY

By THOMAS MCCARTNEY

I

grew up as part of the fourth generation of farmers on McCartney Farms in Southern Wisconsin and have many fond memories, including the painful process of learning how to drive our International Farmall Model M tractor.

Grandpa Merle was very proud of this tractor, as it was the “first tractor made after the war.”

Despite its archaic, manual transmission and narrow tires, it was still serviceable.

One day, while sorting hogs, Dad told me to jump up on the M and move it over by a gate.

As a 9-year-old kid, my foot barely could depress the metal clutch. The next thing I knew, the ancient red tractor was jerking uncontrollably as I traveled across the barnyard. As the nose of the tractor snapped through the first wooden gate, I envisioned traveling across the cornfield and into the buildings of the next farm. As the surreal, erratic journey continued, I could faintly sort out the loud cries of instruction from my dad, grandpa and the farm’s hired-hand as my life flashed before my eyes and I contemplated the trouble I was going to be in after this uncontrolled journey was finally over.

Fortunately, the right rear tire struck a massive wooden post and the old engine coughed and sputtered before it came to a peaceful rest.

Watching the markets this year reminds me of that fateful first ride on the M. After a historic lack of volatility last year with 47 of the 56 lowest closing levels in the history of

38

BUSINESS & CIVIC JULY 2018

the VIX – a common measure of stock market volatility is the Cboe Volatility Index – having occurred in 2017, it was easy to have forgotten what common market volatility is like.

Volatility’s return may tempt you into bad investing habits, such as trying to “time the market” by selling and buying in an attempt to profit from short-term market swings. Trying to do so can lead to unfortunate outcomes.

To better illustrate this point, consider this DALBAR study of actual returns experienced by equity investors: The Average Equity Investor Falls Short

Average Annual Equity Total Returns 1998 - 2017

Investor Behavior

7.2%

Buy when market high and environment is comfortable.

Sell when market low and environment uncomfortable.

5.3%

2.1%

S&P 500® Index

Average Equity Investor

Often use funds with positive short-­term performance, but come with high costs, turnover and taxation.

Inflation

Data Sources: Dalbar, Inc., Inflationdata.com. S&P data provided by Standard & Poor’s Index Data Sources: Dalbar, Inc., Inflationdata.com. S&P data provided by Standard & Poor’s Index Services Group. Past Services Group. Past performance is not indicative of future results. performance is not indicative of future results.

How can this be? Let’s take a look at another study regarding what the results of missing only a few days of strong returns can have on an investor’s portfolio:

The Cost of Market Timing

Hypothetical Value of $1,000 Invested From October 1990 Through 2017

Missing only a few days of strong returns can drastically impact overall performance.

$13,739

Growth of $1,000

$12,313

$9,114

$5,365 $3,455

Total Missed 1 Best Missed 5 Best Missed 15 Best Missed 25 Best Period Day Single Days Single Days Single Days Annualized Compound Return

9.81%

9.38%

8.21%

6.18%

$2,150

One-­Month US T-­Bills

4.53%

2.77%

In US dollars. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. S&P data provided by Standard & Poor’s Index Services Group. “One-Month US T- Bills” is the IA SBBI US 30 Day TBill TR USD, provided by Ibbotson Associates via Morningstar Direct. 4/12/2018

In US dollars. Indexes are not available for direct investment. Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. S&P data provided by Standard & Poor’s Index Services Group. “One-­Month US T-­ Bills” is the IA SBBI US 30 Day TBill TR USD, provided by Ibbotson Associates via Morningstar Direct. 4/12/2018

While market volatility can be nerve-racking, reacting emotionally and responding to short-term declines by changing long-term investment strategies could lead to regrettable results.

Changes in your portfolio should be contemplated with your financial advisor based on changes in your goals and life events, not based on short-term market volatility.

Maintaining a focus on your goals should allow you to ignore the feeling of whiplash that I experienced on the M and, to instead, arrive more purposefully at your destination.  Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a registered representative and investment advisory representative with M Securities. Investments in securities involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated. McCartney and his team can be reached at info@ mapyourfuture.net or 630-457-4068.

Photo by Indre Cantero BUSINESS & CIVIC JULY 2018

39

THE FAST and the luxurious

GENEVA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE COINCIDES WITH 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHICAGO’S SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA

By KEVIN DRULEY

J

ohn Barrett embraced cars from an early age, advancing from workshop repairs to professional racing.

Barrett met his wife, Patt, along the way by helping cultivate her passion for the pastime while carrying the St. Charles couple into its latest auto endeavor.

“Just like those vintage cars, we’ve gotten older, and now we’re living a more sedate life,” says John Barrett, 73. “And doing a car show instead of letting it all hang out on a racetrack.”

The Barretts and Batavia resident Sheila Joynt comprise the board of directors for the Geneva Concours d’Elegance, a world-class display of vintage and modern automobiles that is set to zoom into downtown Geneva on Aug. 26. Admission is free, but donations to the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center will be accepted upon entrance.

“We promote the show [saying] that there’s something for everybody,” Patt Barrett says. “As well as the cars, you know, there’s

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OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

shopping and restaurants, and just a nice place to meet friends.”

Organizers acknowledge that parking will be at a premium for the event, which spans from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features nearly 200 cars in the Third Street vicinity of downtown Geneva.

Other cars separate from the judging component of the Concours also will be on display. Exhibitors may show their cars annually, but can only enter the competition every three years.

Featured cars for 2018 include Mercedes Benz SLs, Chrysler 300s and steam-powered automobiles. The 14th edition of the Concours coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Chicago Region of the Sports Car Club of America. A special display that highlights the group’s history is planned.

“Think of this as a cruise night for millionaires… . The cars, the caliber of the cars that are entered into the true Concours, are the same cars that compete at Pebble

Beach and Monterey. They’re really high quality, you know,” Chicago Region SCCA board of directors member Steve Laske says, adding that the event will feature classic cars, racecars and new cars, as well. “It’s a broad spectrum of cars that they have in the Concours.”

The inaugural Concours displayed 60 to 100 cars, Patt Barrett recalls, and has only grown since. Ditto for the crowd, which is expected to hover around 18,000, rain or shine.

“We’ve stuck with it, and I liken it to picking out some ground and then defending it,” John Barrett says. “And that’s what we’ve done.

We’ve tried to keep ourselves from turning into a carnival or a circus. We just stay with what we do and try to do it better all the time.

We have a great corps of volunteers. If you were going to go out and try and find a group that did customer service, this is the group you’d want. They just do a great job, and they come back all the time.”

Great Western Freedom 4

Making strides toward ending homelessness

By ALLISON HORNE

The Fourth of July is all about celebrating America’s independence with fireworks, family, food and a good time.

You can kick off the action a little early July 4 at the Great Western Freedom 4, a four-mile race (or two-mile walk) through the scenic LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.

“It’s a wonderful way to start the holiday,” says Darlene Riebe, fundraising coordinator for Lazarus House in St. Charles. “You’re getting your exercise, you’re outside with a lot of people and doing something for somebody else.”

The Great Western Freedom 4 originally began 12 years ago as a fundraiser for the Greater St. Charles Education, but the Lazarus House took it over around 10 years ago.

The Lazarus House, which was founded over 20 years ago, is committed to helping the homeless and others in need in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and western rural Kane County.

They offer an emergency shelter, a center for transitional living and other outreach programs to help prevent homelessness.

Photos provided

“At the Great Western Freedom 4 we raise money for the Lazarus House, but a lot of it is also about awareness,” Riebe says. “We’re out in the general public, and it’s an affordable event.”

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. on the Fourth of July at the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve with a competitive four-mile race, a scenic two-mile walk and a kids’ dash.

The four-mile race is USATF-certified, and

prizes will be given out based on age groups. The first 400 participants are guaranteed T-shirts and goody bags, while the first 150 will get an upgraded performance shirt. The two-mile walk is pet-friendly and families are permitted to bring strollers.

If running or walking isn’t in the cards, Riebe says many people simply choose to come out and cheer on the runners while enjoying the scenery.

There also is an ice cream stand, athletic shop and more.

Day-of registration is $35 for the race, $25 for the walk and $5 per child. Additional pledges are encouraged, but not required to participate.

“All the money we raise goes towards our operating funds and day-to-day operations,” Riebe says. “It costs $63 a day for one person to live at the Lazarus House, and we normally average 45 to 55 residents.”

The Lazarus House also hosts a gala, an open house and a garage sale throughout the year to help raise funding for its programs.

Riebe is hoping for a large turnout. In the past, the event has averaged around 300 runners and 80 walkers. It’s only the third annual kid’s dash, but, previously, there have been around 30 participants.

“I think people not only enjoy running at Leroy Oaks, but they also want to be a part of a local community, and help the homeless people, and give their neighbors a helping hand,” Riebe says.

“And it’s a lot of fun.”

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

41

SMOKY, SAVORY SUMMER FUN Quality barbecue isn’t the only thing headlining this year’s Naperville Ribfest

STEVEN TYLER

JORDAN DAVIS

By AIMEE BARROWS

I

t’s one of the most anticipated festivals of the year in the Chicago area, and, this year, Naperville’s Ribfest will feature its most exciting and diverse musical lineup ever.

This summer’s Navistar Main Stage headliners include Melissa Etheridge, The Stray Cats, Pitbull, Jake Owen and Steven Tyler with the Loving Mary Band. The festival will kick off Wednesday, July 4, and will run through Saturday, July 7, at Knoch Park in Naperville.

Ribfest, which is sponsored by the Exchange Club of Naperville, kicks off on the Fourth of July with The Buckinghams ¬– who performed at the very first Ribfest – followed

by Grammy Award-winning singer and guitarist Melissa Etheridge, who is best known for such hits as “Come to my Window,” “I’m the Only One” and “I Wanna Come Over.”

The rockabilly band The Stray Cats, whose

42

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

Night,” “Beachin’,” and “Anywhere with You.”

Photos by Jim Hoch/Ron Hume

hits include “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town” will close the main stage before a spectacular fireworks display lights up the Naperville sky.

International superstar and multiplatinum artist Pitbull will take center stage on Thursday, July 5, to rock the town with such hits as “Give Me Everything,” “Timber” and “I Know You Want Me.” Pitbull, a Cuban-American whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, has performed sold-out shows all over the globe and has collaborated with some of music’s hottest artists.

Country music sensation Jake Owen headlines Friday, July 6, while up-and-coming country artists Chris Janson and Jordan Davis kick off the party. Some of Owen’s high-energy, platinum songs include “Barefoot Blue Jean

Aerosmith’s Steven CHRIS Tyler, one of rock ‘n’ JANSON roll’s most legendary front-men, wraps up Ribfest on Saturday, July 7.

Tyler will play with his Nashville-based side project, the Loving Mary Band, and will perform hits off his debut solo country album, “We’re All Somebody from Somewhere.”

The iconic singer’s charitable initiative, Janie’s Fund, helps to support girls and women who’ve suffered from abuse or neglect.

Mary Howenstine, director of marketing for Ribfest, says Tyler’s philanthropic organization fits right in with the Exchange Club’s mission of ending child abuse and human trafficking.

“It’s a party with a purpose,” Howenstine says.

“All of these artists are very charitable and giving people. We’ve been able to find artists who have a heart for giving.”

All of the proceeds from the event go directly to nonprofit organizations in the Chicago area.

Since Ribfest began as a small event in 1988, the Exchange Club has donated nearly $17 million to help families and individuals.

Of course, Ribfest wouldn’t be complete without its namesake. During the festival, guests can enjoy some of the best ribs from across the country. New this year is radio frequency ID wristbands, which allow

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ticketholders to get their wrists scanned as they enter the gates, eliminating the need for tickets. Credit card information also can be uploaded to the wristband account prior to the event, so attendees can leave their wallets at home.

In addition to the North Park concert area, there is plenty to do at the South Park, where all of the food, a carnival, kid’s

area and the local band stage are located.

Admission to the South Park is $5 for adults and free for children under age 11.

Parking is free and there are free shuttles to Knoch Park from surrounding lots. For a complete lineup of events or to purchase tickets, visit www. ribfest.net.

211 S. Lincolnway St., North Aurora

630-229-6821 Tues.-Sat. 10am– 6pm, Sun. 11am– 4pm, Closed Mondays OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

43

Goo Goo Dolls, Gavin DeGraw headline Cal’s Angels concert fundraiser

Goo Goo Dolls

By ALLISON HORNE

It may be its inaugural year, but Cal’s Concert Series is starting out with a bang.

Organized by Cal’s Angels – a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and raising awareness for acute myeloid leukemia – the first annual concert will be headlined by the Goo Goo Dolls and special guest Gavin DeGraw at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Arranmore Farm and Polo Club, 34 Rance Road, Oswego.

From the beginning of the planning stages, a fundraising concert just made sense. After putting some feelers out for bands, Cal’s Angels quickly settled on the Goo Goo Dolls, known for songs such as “Iris” and “Give a Little Bit.” “They responded quickly and were very excited to be helping the cause,” says Stacey Sutter, co-founder and president of Cal’s Angels. “Once we heard they backed the cause, it was a no-brainer.”

Cal’s Angels was first founded in 2007 in honor of Cal Sutter, who passed away at the age of 13 in 2006 from acute myeloid leukemia.

“We decided after that we wanted to do something to give back and help families,” says

Sutter, who was Cal’s stepmom.

While the band took a small cut of ticket sales, the majority of the money is going toward Cal’s Angels and its efforts. Funds raised through Cal’s Angels go toward granting wishes for terminally ill children, raising awareness about AML and funding research.

While Cal’s Angels has plenty of other fundraisers, this is the first fundraiser of this magnitude for the nonprofit. Sutter is hoping that at least 10,000 people attend the concert for a night of fun in the name of a good cause.

“It’s extremely affordable, has excellent talent and a beautiful venue,” Sutter says. “But on top of all of that, knowing that you’re supporting kids with cancer – there’s really no better way to do it.”

It’s not your average concert, either. The venue can hold up to 18,000 people, and there are several special seating options. While general admission is $70, VIP tickets cost $200 and feature high-end food options, front-row access and fans have the opportunity to flank the stage. Ultra Suite tents also are available for purchase, and feature all the perks of a VIP ticket, in addition to a private tent for a group of people. Sutter recommends the Ultra Suites for business groups or groups of friends.

To make the evening even more fun, there is Gavin DeGraw a helicopter VIP experience, which includes round-trip flights from Chicago to the concert and back. The fee is $500 and also includes a VIP ticket for the evening.

“It’s literally an 18-minute flight, and you land right on the polo field,” Sutter says. “It’s a pretty cool experience for sure.”

Cal’s Angels definitely is pulling out all of the stops for the inaugural concert, but this won’t be the last time Cal’s Concert Series will host such an event. Sutter says that she’s had plenty of bands reach out already to be a part of future productions.

“The concert brings phenomenal awareness,” Sutter says. “It helps get the word out, educate and share how much funding we need. That’s what it’s all about.”

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

45

Customwood Kitchens DESIGN & REMODELING

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customwoodkitchens.com

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE on display at Pottawatomie Golf Course

By CAROL HAGGAS

S

tepping into the pro shop at Pottawatomie Golf Course these days may be a bit like stepping into a time machine.

Look to your left and you’ll find a photographic history chronicling the way the course has looked since its inception in 1939, all the way to the present day.

Look to your right and you’ll see architects’ renderings of the way the course will look a year, two years, five years and more from now, thanks to a multi-phase shoreline restoration project scheduled to get underway this Fall.

Aim your gaze straight ahead and you’ll find an interactive display detailing the course’s present projects: records of patron sightings of bird species – input that’s necessary to help maintain the course’s Certified Audubon Sanctuary status; and a log where followers of today’s fitness phenomenon of counting steps can jot down how many they’ve walked while playing nine holes.

The new display of archival aerial photographs of the course’s development over the past 79 years begins with a stark, black-and-white photograph showing the very beginning of Pottawatomie Golf Course, designed by renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The course’s transformation from 1939 to 2008 unfolds through a series of six photos.

“Pottawatomie Golf Course has a real neighborhood feel about it, so it’s easy for people who have lived here for a long time to forget how the course has developed,” says Ron Skubisz, golf course manager and PGA golf pro.

Keeping the course viable and vibrant for, hopefully, another 79 years is the goal of a shoreline stabilization project recently approved by the Park District’s Board of Park Commissioners. The mission of this multi-phase, multi-year project is to protect the golf course from further erosion due to constant wave action and flooding of the Fox River. Using natural materials such as timber logs, native vegetation, boulders and stone toe holds, the shoreline will be stabilized in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way that will be both cost-effective and enhance the course’s playability.

“You can look at the photographic history of the course and see how nature has changed it and how man has responded to those changes,” says Skubisz. “With 30,000 rounds of golf played here each year, it’s our responsibility to keep the course going and moving forward.”

It’s important to protect the golf course and surrounding area for future generations.

“It’s our responsibility to be curators and stewards of this property,” says Denise GillettParchert, golf course superintendent.

Part of that stewardship involves establishing a thriving natural habitat. The effort has earned Pottawatomie Golf Course the coveted Certified Audubon Sanctuary designation, an award-winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment while preserving the natural heritage of the game of golf. First awarded to PGC in 1999, the Audubon Sanctuary designation requires periodic re-certification across several categories. This year, the PGC staff is asking for the public’s help in qualifying for the wildlife and habitat

management category by participating in a species census. Players are encouraged to make a note of birds and other wildlife spotted while playing the course and then record their findings in the “Wildlife Inventory” notebook located on the pro shop’s Audubon Certification display. Not sure if that bird was a Scarlet Tanager or Eastern Oriole? Was that a groundhog or a chipmunk over on hole nine?

There are field guides to mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians to help participants make the right call.

And speaking of record-keeping, the golf course has embraced the nationally-trending “Park Prescription” initiative encouraging golfers to monitor the number of steps taken while hitting the course and incorporating the sport of golf into one’s overall exercise program.

Combining the popular fitness regimen of counting steps with “Park Prescription” – a doctor-recommended program that touts the physical and psychological benefits of being outdoors – Pottawatomie Golf Course has placed a “Count Your Steps” log book at the Audubon Certification display desk. Have a fitness tracker? Keep a written record of your steps at the end of each round. It’s a great way to compete with friends or just yourself.

“One of the things that makes the experience of golfing at Pottawatomie so rewarding is that it is so multi-dimensional,” says Skubisz.

“There’s a cohesive idea of nature and history and being part of a national organization like the Audubon Foundation and paying tribute to a legendary course designer like Trent Jones.”

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

47

PATIO Perfection Balmoral

40W099 IL RT. 64 | CAMPTON HILLS 630-901-5224 | WWW.BALMORALRESTAURANT.COM Welcome to Balmoral Restaurant, named after the royal residence in Aberdeenshire, eastern Scotland. Here you will find a passion for authenticity, nostalgia for heritage, and recipes that have been passed down and held dear. Ingredients sourced from the Isles, and from local farmers to make our Hadrian’s Wall duck breast, chilled shrimp and watermelon with goat’s cheese, deviled eggs with avocado and jalepeno, and Perthshire’s pleasant peasant’s pheasant. A very well-stocked bar, including more than 100 brands of Scotch whisky.

At Balmoral, we bring the incomparable splendor of Scotland to you.

It’s Grand Scottish Fare as you’ve never experienced before. Plan your evening out on our patio, and taste for yourself!

Filling Station Pub & Grill 300 MAIN ST. | ST. CHARLES 630-584-4414

Bring your family and friends and enjoy your summer days and nights relaxing on our patio with great food and drinks. Traditional American favorites await you, a variety of sandwiches and burgers, plus wings, turkey chili, jumbo shrimp and fajitas are just a few of the many items to choose from. Something for every taste bud! Music abounds for your listening pleasure. Did you know you can bring Fido too. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables!

Aurelio's Pizza of Geneva 330 W. STATE ST. | GENEVA 630-262-8440

Located in the heart of downtown Geneva, Aurelio’s Pizza of Geneva offers pizza ranging from our signature thin crust to our delicious thick crust. Before the pizza, enjoy great appetizers including our fresh caprese or the refreshing bruschetta. During the hot summer days come enjoy our summer cocktails like our red or white sangria or the new premium margarita. If you’re looking for something more hoppy, come try one of the 15 beers on draft including local selections from Penrose Brewery.

Enhance the dining experience by eating out on our beautiful patio.

The gorgeous setting offers spacious seating, and weekly live music from many local bands. So come join us all summer long because Aurelio’s is Pizza.

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

49

Spotted Fox Ale House

3615 E. MAIN ST. | ST. CHARLES 630-584-2239 | SPOTTEDFOXALEHOUSE.COM The Spotted Fox Ale House features upscale American contemporary cuisine and 30 craft beers on tap. Diners can enjoy a meal while relaxing on the outdoor patio overlooking a pond. Menu options include a variety of salads, black angus burgers and entrees made from scratch – such as fresh Atlantic salmon, chicken limon, Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta. Visit the restaurant’s website for daily specials. Spotted Fox Ale House is conveniently located at Route 64 and Kirk Rd., across from Charlestowne Mall, on the east side of St. Charles.

Salsa Verde

SALSAVERDERESTAURANT.COM ST. CHARLES LOCATION | 1850 LINCOLN HWY. | 630-444-0673 BATAVIA LOCATION | 107 N. BATAVIA AVE. | 630-425-3521 Salsa Verde redefines the concept of modern, fast-casual Mexican food by offering dishes prepared from authentic recipes in a friendly and vibrant environment. Tamales, tortas ahogadas and traditional street tacos are among the specialties diners love to order. No reservations needed. Dine in and try Salsa Verde’s one-of-a-kind salsa bar, which features different salsas and garnishes prepared fresh daily. In a rush?

The restaurant also has a drive-thru for those on the go. Salsa Verde also offers catering, where clients do the planning and Salsa Verde takes care of the cooking. For updates and promotions on popular catering packages, visit the website.

PUB 47

WWW.PUB47GRILL.COM ST. CHARLES LOCATION 1890 W. MAIN ST. | 630-945-3066 HUNTLEY LOCATION 10400 N. IL RT. 47 | 847-669-7755 Pub 47 in St. Charles is a casual neighborhood bar and grill that diners will be sure to enjoy. Its menu includes a wide variety of burgers, steaks, pastas, salads, flatbreads, specialty pizzas and more. Visitors can relax and dine on the outdoor covered patio or enjoy a meal with a cocktail or craft beer from the bar. If you're in a hurry, the restaurant offers carryout and delivery services to those in the area. With two locations, Pub 47 is conveniently located on Route 64 on the west side of St. Charles and Route 47 in Huntley.

50

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

Livia Italian Eatery

WWW.LIVIAITALIANEATERY.COM GENEVA LOCATION | 207 S. THIRD ST. | 630-402-6444 ELMHURST LOCATION | 116 E. SCHILLER ST. | 630-402-6195 Livia Italian Eatery’s culinary team creates chef-crafted, locally sourced and organically driven seasonal menus. Its weekly features include lunch specials, happy hours held from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the bar lounge area, half-priced bottles of wine Tuesdays, and weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dining al fresco on the restaurant’s patio is the perfect way to enjoy Third Street ambience in beautiful downtown Geneva. To view the restaurant’s menu, visit its website.

Gia Mia

WWW.GIAMIAPIZZABAR.COM GENEVA LOCATION | 13 N. THIRD ST. | 630-405-5544 WHEATON LOCATION | 106 N. HALE ST. | 630-480-2580 The GIA MIA menu concept was built for sharing. Its food is Italian-inspired, locally crafted and chef-driven. The focal design element of GIA MIA is the custom-built, red-tiled, wood-fired brick oven. Its weekly features include lunch specials, half-priced pizza Mondays, lasagna Tuesdays and happy hours from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the bar area. Outdoor dining day or night also is an options for visitors to GIA MIA.

Wildwood Restaurant 477 S. THIRD ST. | GENEVA 630-377-8325 WWW.WILDWOODSTEAK.COM

Enjoy outdoor dining this summer in our Dodson Place courtyard patio with waterscape or on our Third St. lounge patio. Featuring oak-grilled steaks and chops, fresh fish and seasonal specials paired with the Fox Valley’s most awarded wine list!

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

51

1000 Randall Road Suite 100 Geneva 630-232-1559

GENEVA OPTICIANS ALL KIDS 18 AND YOUNGER RECEIVE

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SOCIAL Life Hotel Baker celebrates 90th anniversary during derbythemed gala Hotel Baker in St. Charles hosted a Derby-themed gala June 2 to commemorate its 90th anniversary. The invite-only event celebrated the milestone by paying tribute to the original owner Col. Edward Baker, who opened the hotel doors June 2, 1928, a news release states.

Hotel owners Joe and Rowena Salas selected the derby theme as a tribute to Baker, who had a passion for horses, especially his beloved horse, Greyhound.

For more information on Hotel Baker, visit hotelbaker.com.

Photos by Sandy Bressner

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

53

JULY 2018 CALENDAR LIVE & UNCORKED

WHEN: 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26 WHERE: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora

Bring a blanket, picnic basket and your favorite craft beer or bottle of wine for this Raviniastyle concert series. Tickets cost $5 a person and are sold at the door, or skip the line and buy ticket at wherefunbegins. org. Attendees must be ages 21 and older. Schedule subject to change. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict. org.

WINDMILL CITY FESTIVAL WHEN: July 13-15 WHERE: Batavia Park District, 327 W. Wilson St., Batavia

INSURANCE YOU CAN DESIGN TO MEET YOUR EVER CHANGING NEEDS Automobile Insurance Home Insurance Business or Commercial

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Call 847-640-0402 today!

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states.

See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies.

54

OUT & ABOUT JULY 2018

Enjoy this annual riverfront festival in Batavia. The event will feature interactive inflatables, family-friendly attractions, a sidewalk chalk drawing contest, pet parade, diaper derby, a golf challenge, food vendors and a beer garden, and live music by The Paul and Jay Duo, Fool House and High Infidelity. For more information, visit www. bataviaparks.org.

NAPERVILLE ALE FEST: SUMMER EDITION

WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. July 14 WHERE: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

The 2018 Naperville Ale Fest: Summer Edition will feature more than 200 unique American craft beers, live music and food from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and food trucks. Situated on the grounds of the Naper Settlement, with downtown Naperville as a backdrop, it is the ideal setting to experience craft beer. Tickets start at $49. For tickets or more information, visit www. napervillealefest.com.

POTTAWATOMIE GARDEN CLUB OF ST. CHARLES GARDEN WALK WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, July 14 WHERE: Six locations in St. Charles

During “The Pleasures of the Garden” walk, attendees can experience six gardens in St. Charles. Visitors will enjoy live music and shopping at the Garden Gate Boutique. Tickets will be sold online, or at Heinz Brothers Garden Center, Blue Goose Market, The Planter's Palette, Shady Hill Gardens, Town House Books and Café and Wasco Nursery. For tickets or more information, visit www. pottagardenclub.org.

KANE COUNTY FAIR

WHEN: July 18-22 WHERE: Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles

The Kane County Fair will feature food vendors, a carnival and games, bull riding, a demolition derby, a magic show, pig races, a petting zoo, classic car show, live music and more.

For tickets or more information, visit www.kanecountyfair.com.

LARRY REEB COMEDY SHOW

WHEN: July 26 WHERE: Zanies Comedy Club in Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles

Known as Uncle Lar, Larry Reeb is the wise-cracking black sheep, politically incorrect relative everyone knows. Uncle Lar offers tips on everything from marriage to lotteries to children.

For tickets, visit www.st-charles. zanies.com.

TED NUGENT CONCERT WHEN: 8 p.m. July 27 WHERE: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles

To millions of music lovers, Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock and roll history as the guitar-shredding showman who has sold more than 40 million albums. Enjoy songs such as “Stranglehold” and “Cat Scratch Fever,” among others.

Tickets cost between $55 and $99. For more information, visit www.arcadalive.com

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