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Trio goes from Lake Carroll to Broadway Fill your tank and empty your trunk — it’s almost time to stop, shop and roll Owning a shop and preserving the past is a match made in heaven Find a bundle of joysticks around Lake Carroll Bar and grill has got the goodz A

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Cover photo: Dani Lovett (see page 40)

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FEBRUARY 2024

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PUBLISHER Jennifer Heintzelman EDITING & PAGE DESIGN Rusty Schrader PUBLISHED BY Sauk Valley Media, 113 S. Peoria Ave. , Dixon, IL 61021 DO YOU HAVE A STORY IDEA FOR LAKE LIFESTYLE? E-mail rschrader@saukvalley.com FOR ADVERTISING ... Contact Jill Reyna at 815-631-8774 or jreyna@saukvalley.com

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“[Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy & Fe]” was inspired by my father, James Finley. His love of Patsy Cline was profound and he wanted me to bring my love of her, as well, to the stage.” Felicia Finley, seen at left with an image of Patsy Cline

By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

iza Minnelli isn’t the only one who knows a thing or two about cabaret — a few folks from Lake Carroll do, too. And that’s not all they know about the world of entertainment. Between the three of them, they’ve built up a pretty impressive resumé filled with stage, screen and music credits, including a recent cabaret production that took root in the backwoods before branching out to Broadway. Felicia Finley and her husband, Paul Stancato, and JoAnne Zielinski recently teamed up to bring “Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy & Fe,” to a nightclub in New York’s famed theater district. “Backwoods” is Finley’s tribute to country music legend Patsy Cline, told through an autobiographical story based on Finley’s time growing up in the backwoods of North Carolina and Louisiana. Finley starred in the show, Stancato produced it, and Zielinski directed it. Finley and Stancato developed the performance drawing on inspirations from family. A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 5

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The show took the stage in New York for pair of performances on Jan. 12 and 13 at The Green Room 42 at YOTEL Times Square in Manhattan. Michael McBride, an award-winning Chicago music director, accompanied Finley

on piano. Before that, though, “Backwoods” premiered in their backyard — at Lake Carroll. Its first performance took place Oct. 7 in front of a sold-out audience at Candlelight Inn at the Clubhouse. The show also helped them work out any kinks before taking it to New York. The Lake

Carroll show was filmed by Shannon Lynott of SkyPike Productions, an alum of DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts; go to http://tinyurl.com/yck4uhfz to watch a brief promo of the performance.

The Green Room 42 at YOTEL Times Square in Manhattan, in the Broadway district, where “Backwoods to Broadway” was performed Jan. 12 and 13.

Finley is originally from the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina and moved to New Orleans when she was 6. Her show business journey took shape while attending the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts as a teenager, and it didn’t take long for her to take her talents to a featured stage. She first performed professionally at 17, as a chorus girl at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. From there, Finley performed during the first national tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” before making her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-nominated “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” a musical revue of the songs from the legendary songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Chief among her vast Broadway experience is the role of Linda in the Tony-nominated “The Wedding Singer.” Her other Broadway credits include “The Life,” “The Wild Party,” “Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” “Aida” and “2001: A Space Odyssey,” just to name a few. She’s appeared in Spike Lee-directed films “25th Hour,” “He Got Game” and “Son of Sam.” She’s also recorded an album, “Great Mood for a Tuesday.”

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Zielinski, who hails from Aurora, is a retired professor emerita from DePaul University in Chicago, where she was associate dean of the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, and produced documentaries centered on the school’s namesake, St. Vincent de Paul. She’s acted professionally in theater, film, commercials and voiceovers; and also is a casting director. Her recent credits include “Thrill Ride,” “Wasted in Space,” “Sweet 16,” “Speed Dating,” “Nostalgic,” “Flat Chested,” “In Love With a Nun” and “Scott’s Dead.” She also taught at Barat College in Lake Forest, where she co-founded its outdoor Shakespeare on the Green theater. Finley and Stancato were married in 2007 and moved to Lake Carroll in 2020. Zielinski and her husband Randy have lived in Lake Carroll since 1999 and became full-time residents in 2020. The three recently took time from their busy schedules to talk with Lake Lifestyle about “Backwoods” and the stories behind it ...

How did the idea of “Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy & Fe” come up? Was there anything that inspired it? It was inspired by my father, James Finley. His love of Patsy Cline was profound and he wanted me to bring my love of her, as well, to the stage.

PHOTO: SKYPIC PRODUCTIONS | SKYPIKEPRO.PIXIESET.COM/BACKWOODS2BROADWAY/

Stancato’s experience as a director and choreographer has taken him to stages nationally, internationally and on the local level. The Chicago-native has directed “Friends: The Parody Musical” for audiences nationally and in Europe and Australia, and was resident director of the national tour of “The Lion King.” As artistic director at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, he directed the world premiere of “What a Wonderful World.” Award-winning credits, and nominations, include the international tour of “Flashdance the Musical,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” and “The Wedding Singer.” He’s even dipped his toe in the genre of water-based stage productions, as an artistic director for Franco Dragone’s “House of Dancing Water” in Macau, China.

What did it take to turn that idea into a production? What was that process like? The process was intense, and thanks to JoAnne Zielinski and her expertise, she and I were able to weave a show that is anchored in the words of “What would Patsy do?”

Go to feliciafinley.com to learn more about Finley’s career.

Have you ever done anything similar to anything like this (cabaret)? If not, what was it like learning about it? I did one show with Ars Nova in New York not too long after 9/11. It was a night of music and friends, and it won the Bistro for “Best Cabaret Debut” that year. I honestly didn’t even know it was in the running for anything. When they called me, I thought it was a prank call! (LOL)! This process was very different than that night at Ars Nova. What do you wish to bring to your audience with “Patsy & Fe?” I think the biggest wish I have is that all ages are welcome and can learn from Patsy and her legacy as a pioneer for women’s equality. How did the Oct. 7 Lake Carroll performance go for you? The show was unexpectedly fun and the crowd was amazing! I am so incredibly thankful for October 7th and Candlelight at Lake Carroll, and to all who made magic happen that night. I am forever grateful for Lake Carroll for being the debut of this show.

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How much are Paul and JoAnne a part of this whole experience for you? Paul has always encouraged me to tell this story. JoAnne loves to tell stories through videography. We all worked as a team to find the best story that was heartfelt but also funny, because the Backwoods are so full of wisdom with humor! What do you like and enjoy about the Lake Carroll community? I love the people, the sunsets, and growing flowers in my yard! I love this community so much! We have been both full and part-time in Lake Carroll, but always love being in Lake Carroll after being away! n

PHOTO: SKYPIC PRODUCTIONS | SKYPIKEPRO.PIXIESET.COM/BACKWOODS2BROADWAY/

Are there any differences between the Lake Carroll show and what you will do in the show in the future? Yes. It will morph according to the places we’re performing. But the backbone is there and that’s truly my connection to Patsy.

Go to paulstancato. com to learn more about Stancato’s career.

How did the idea of “Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy & Fe” come up? Was there anything that inspired it? The idea of the show started with my mom, who always has been a huge fan of Felicia’s and wanted to see her in a cabaret. This past spring, Felicia finally agreed to create one and off we went. Initially it was just me and Fe soundboarding ideas off each other. Then we approached JoAnne to join the team and she was the catalyst to bringing it all together. The final piece of the puzzle was bringing in our music director, Michael McBride. With Michael in place, the team was secured.

How did you and Felicia work together to make this happen? Fe and I have been collaborating on different projects together for more than 10 years. With “Backwoods to Broadway,” we started putting together the outline of the show in May of 2023 with the goal of presenting the first version of the show at Lake Carroll in the fall. That’s pretty ambitious when you’re talking creating a new show from the ground up, but this team we built is wildly talented so we knew if we stayed focused, we could pull it off.

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How did the Oct. 7 Lake Carroll performance go? It went amazing! We sold out and the audience just loved it. I was a proud husband in that moment. What are any differences between the Lake Carroll show and future performances of the show? We tweaked the script and honed in on specific storylines and plot points. We wanted to get the running time to a solid 60 minutes. In New York, you have only one time to get it right. Is there anything else that you would like to share about this show, and/or your experiences with it? Since moving out here from New York, Fe and I have been so embraced by the Lake Carroll community. It’s really become our happy place. “Backwoods to Broadway” will always hold a special place in my heart because we were fortunate enough to be blessed to collaborate with JoAnne and [her husband] Randy Zielinski and work with [manager] Steve [St. Clair] at Candlelight to make this happen. I hope it’s just the beginning of bringing shows out here to this community. n

PHOTOS: SKYPIC PRODUCTIONS | SKYPIKEPRO.PIXIESET.COM/BACKWOODS2BROADWAY/

Had you been involved with cabaret performances before? If not, how does this experience differ from other productions you’ve been part of? Cabaret is a different genre in the theatre world. Not everyone can pull it off. It takes a skill set that allows one to be fluid in the moment, reacting to your audience. While there is a script we have, you never know what can happen live. Felicia is brilliant at living in the moment. She can go with the flow and read a room. If she gets off script, she can bring herself back in the moment and the audience would never know. I’ve worked on concerts of new works, but I never was a part of the writing team. On this show, JoAnne is the director and I am more of a producer.

Go to tinyurl. com/t379wrp8 to learn more about Zielinski’s career.

How did you get involved in “Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy & Fe?” My husband Randy and I are friends of Felicia and Paul so I was aware of the project. Over dinner one night we were discussing their goals for the project and Paul suggested I become part of the team in a dramaturgical position; he thought I could be useful given my background in documentary filmmaking. They had created an outline of potential storylines for the show, and given this was a story about Felicia’s life’s work, the process for honing those ideas, choosing songs, and creating dialogue needed objectivity. That’s where I came in. Soon after that, Paul was offered and took a job directing a show in New York, and I stepped into the co-writer and director position.

before this? I will definitely work with Paul and Felicia in the future. We all bring different skill sets to the process, are visionaries in our own way, creative, and like to tell stories; that makes for a good combination. I work with Paul on producing the live stream of the world premiere of “What a Wonderful World” at Timberlake Playhouse.

What do you think is so unique and interesting about the show? It’s an autobiographical cabaret; that form, in and of itself, is unique. People know Felicia as a gifted vocal artist, and what they will discover in watching the show is that she is just as gifted as a storyteller. Her life has been remarkable in terms of her experience. Auditioning with and for Bette Midler, starring in a show written by the great Sir Elton John, having Cy Coleman play the piano for an audition (unheard of), we laughed daily and she’d say. “You can’t make this [stuff] up!” It boils down to her unique talent and gift — she has immense humility, compassion and generosity, which she brings to this show. This show is not just pure entertainment, she isn’t afraid of sharing some of the darker moments in her life, which gives the show dimension and depth. She is audacious and fearless, which makes this show soar.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about this show, and/or your experiences with it? It boggles my mind that artists like Paul and Felicia call Lake Carroll their home. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with them. I am a retired professor emerita from the School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul, and former associate dean, producer and director, so I have been around awhile. The experience brought me way back to my youth when I was free to explore the creative aspects of myself without the constraints raising children and working full-time. If this is retirement, I have a very bright future ahead of me.

How did the Oct. 7 Lake Carroll performance go; and how did it come to be arranged? Any performer can imagine the nerves of an opening night, even seasoned performers, and this one was particularly delicate in that it was Felicia’s story. I had complete confidence in her ability to pull it all together and she did just that. The audience seemed thoroughly engaged and enjoyed the show. We wanted to keep the show local, and Candlelight at Lake Carroll seemed like the perfect venue. Paul reached out to Steve at Candlelight and planning moved forward. We sold out the house.

What do you like and enjoy about the Lake Carroll community? I worked in the City my whole life and there is nothing that made me happier than coming home to Lake Carroll on the weekends to be with family and friends. Being surrounded by beauty and simplicity is my slice of heaven. We have terrific friends, love the Lake Carroll golf course, and all the amenities that go along with living in this community. n

Above: Finley, with “Backwoods to Broadway” musical director Michael McBride, at the production’s Lake Carroll performance

Do you plan to work with Felicia and Paul on anything else going forward? And have you worked on anything else with them

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hen Ann Campos was looking for a way to encourage people to support small businesses and shop local, she didn’t waste any time trying to come up with a way to help — she hopped right to it. Her plan: Combine her joy of antiquing with her background in promoting tourism to come up with the best road trip ever. Today, her passion project has grown into an annual event that attracts thousands of people to hundreds of businesses throughout northern Illinois and much of Wisconsin for the Vintage Shop Hop, and while its takes no small amount of time and effort to organize it, the job is a lot easier for shoppers: “Grab your friends. Hit the road. Shop hard.” Along the way, they’ll find everything from A to V — antiques to vintage — and more. There’s not much you can’t find: collectibles and clothing, fun finds and farmhouse chic, junk and jewelry, decor and more, it’s all there, plus a lot of scenic sites and other one-of-a-kind businesses in communities along the way. Campos, of Roscoe, advertises the twice-a-year-event as the “Best. Road Trip. Ever.” The first one this year is March 1 and 2, and the second is Oct. 4 and 5, and she’s confident it’ll live up to the hype for people who take a day or two to roam the roads and fill their vehicles with all sorts of new old treasures from any of the more than 400 shops on the route.

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Each of the participating businesses will have promotions to attract customers to their stores, which in turn can help bring customers to other businesses in their communities.

Campos spends four months of each year — two months for each event — organizing the Vintage Shop Hops, rounding up businesses, putting together an online map through Google Maps, and promoting the event. It’s a self-guided trip, so people can start and end wherever they want in an area stretching from the Chicago Suburbs to LaCrosse and Green Bay in Wisconsin, including Madison, Milwaukee and Rockford. Campos estimates that thousands of shoppers take part each year. Destinations include vintage shops, antique malls, women’s boutiques, part-time and pop-up shops, home decor, upscale boutique consignment shops, and barn sales. What travelers won’t be directed toward are chain or big-box stores; the concept embraces the “shop local” philosophy of supporting small businesses.

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“The past four years in the retail world have been difficult for brick-and-mortar stores, especially small businesses,” Campos said. “These shop owners sometimes need an economic shot in the arm to boost their sales in what is traditionally a slow retail season, not to mention the competition of the online shopping craze. This event gives shoppers a reason to leave the house to ‘shop small and shop local.’” Antique hunting is a year-round hobby, but it tends to taper off when the p ... Shops on the Ho weather doesn’t cooperate, somene White Pi thing many stores experienced Mercantile, during the brutal winter of 2013-14. Oregon Business was down, and Campos sought to help them. She talked to store owners and used her background in tourism promotion to create a connect-the-dots kind of journey that would attract people to not just their stores, but others around them as well.

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Campos rounded up 180 stores during the first Shop Hop in 2014, and it’s grown since then. “The whole idea was to get people off of their couch and out into their community. Get out and see what’s in your own back yard. Have you ever been to that store that you’ve been passing for three years? Ever go out and buy a greeting card instead of finding one at Target? Stop and support your small, local business, or else one day they won’t be there. Someday there’s going to be an empty storefront on your Main Street because you never stopped in that store. That was kind of the gist of creating the event.” To make trips easier on travelers, Campos divides the territory of stores into 19 smaller regions. You can still go to vintageshophop.blogspot.com for a list of stores that participated during the 2023 fall Shop Hop; the list of this year’s participants will be released in late February. The Northwest Corridor region consists of stores in Dixon, Freeport, Leaf River, Oregon, Pecatonica, Rochelle and Stockton. Towns in Wisconsin within roughly an hour’s drive from Lake Carroll that have participating stores include Beloit, Brodhead, New Glarus, Monroe and Orfordville. Other regions in northern Illinois include Central Stateline, revolving around Rockford; the Northwest Suburbs, around Woodstock; Lakeshore-to-Woodfield, around Lake Villa; Rural Route Roads around DeKalb and Sycamore; Fox River Valley around St. Charles; Western Suburbs around Lombard; and Illinois River Valley around Plano. Social media has also helped drive people to take part in the The Shop Hop. Its Facebook page, launched in the Hop’s first year, has drawn more than 52,000 followers. Throughout the year, Campos uses the page to share news and updates, and even special sales from Shop Hop participants. Stores have until Feb. 22 to register for the Shop Hop, and Campos can be contacted through a message on its Facebook page. Each shop is required to have an in-store promotion of some kind for the weekend. Some simply offer complimentary refreshments such as mimosas and desserts, while others go all out with sales, games for store discounts, door prizes, vendor meet-and-greets, food trucks and live music.

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“Participating shop owners are very passionate about the history of their antiques as well as their buildings,” Campos said. Many of them are located in historic buildings along the scenic route. “In order to compete with big box stores, small business owners have to be creative in their marketing efforts and work extra hard to get noticed. I’m just happy I can help them out by using my experience to bring customers to their doorstep with this fun shopping event.” Campos often hears from travelers who have made “fun girlfriend weekends” out of the trips. “I have many shop owners who have told me that it’s their biggest days of their whole year,” Campos said. “It’s just a real fun, camaraderie thing to go and do. You don’t have to take it too seriously, and everyone has a good time. The store owner has a good time hosting you and rolling out the red carpet for you, and hopefully the store makes money and the town makes money, too.” And hopefully shoppers can discover an array of unique things they’ve never seen before. Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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Find Vintage Shop Hop on Facebook or go to vintageshophop.blogspot.com for more information on the event. The list of participating stores for the spring Shop Hop will be released in late February.

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herself usan Shire likes to think of of her ker eta car as more than just the y, too. tor shop. She’s a caretaker of his esake Shire is the owner of her nam ues, business, Susan Shire Antiq evand where history has a home ated ery item in her carefully cur . inventory has a story to tell lk wa ers Even before custom d ete gre through the door, they’re y ntr by a quaint shop full of cou me ho her ind beh charm, tucked thern Jo sou of ls among the rolling hil north of les mi Daviess County, about 9 Mount Carroll. cinatInside, the shop is full of fas p back ste you and ing finds. Step inside home and m in time, surrounded by far pot wers, goods, weather vanes, dra es, toys tery, pantry and spice box and more.

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Chances are, if it had a place in someone’s home during the 1800s or early 1900s, it’s got a home in Shire’s shop. Want to add a dash of history to Early primitive your kitchen? Susan Shire Anantiques, Shire tiques has some vintage kitchen said, represent “a CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM items, like these spice containers. warm, comfortable way of life.” Early primitive antiques, Shire said, represent “a warm, and all,” Shire said. “That was important back comfortable way of life.” then.” “You can learn a lot. These represent our ancestor’s histoShire has come across thousands of unique ries. This is what our ancestors used. You don’t want to throw pieces during her travels, and enjoys hearing that away. I feel like we’re caretakers of our history, and we about the provenance of their past and the stories need more caretakers again.” behind them. Even her journeys and the people One particularly interesting item Shire came across this she’s met along the way become a story itself. winter was literally a stitch in time: a needlework sampler “They represent stories of people I’ve met,” from 1825 made by a 7-year-old girl who had been learning her Shire said. “It’s not like I just went to the store stitching skills using letters and numbers. She found it, and a and bought stuff, there were stories of friends few others like it, during one of her antiquing trips, and took and people I’ve known — a lot of them are the time to learn more about them. gone now. They’re like old friends, and I “That was her showing how to do sewing, with the alphabet like living with this stuff.”

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Shire and her husband, Bruce, came to the area 25 years ago from Aurora when they were looking for a place to retire. They had considered places elsewhere in the country, but made a spur-of-the-moment decision as they were driving down state Route 78 and caught a glimpse of a two-story 1861 limestone house atop of a small hill. Then they saw a “For sale” sign out front. “We were on a little antiquing trip coming back from Wisconsin, and saw the ‘For Sale’ sign for this house,” Shire said. “Then we changed our lives. We came up the driveway and visited with the people. They asked what we were doing here, and we told them about the sign, and asked how much they wanted for the house. They told us that the listing was over and they just hadn’t taken the sign down. They had it listed for a certain price, but then they said they’d take a lot less because they had to be out of there in five days.” It didn’t take long for the Shires to make up their minds. “We went home that night, couldn’t sleep, and came back the next day and made an offer that changed our lives.” CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

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Serving Lake Carroll for 20 Years • 815-275-3011 • guentnerlawncare.com A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 21

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Susan’s passion for the past began 45 years when she was looking for items to decorate the home they had recently bought. She would find items at rummage sales that looked interesting enough to help their house feel more like a home. Some needed a little TLC and she would take the time to refurbish them. “I started doing this because it was affordable and I liked it, and I could work on something to make it look nice in my house,” Shire said. “We didn’t have a lot of money raising my kids, so it was a neat way to furnish my house.” Not only did the Shire’s children become curious about the pieces she brought home, but their friends did too, and she was more than happy to show them around, just as she does today when customers bring their own children to her shop. “I used to have neighbor kids come over,” Shire said, “and go, ‘Mrs. Shire, what’s that?’ The kids were fascinated IA .COM TTER@SHAWMED CODY CUTTER/CCU by it.” The Shires built and opened Susan’s shop a year afOne of the more interesting items Shire came ter settling into their vintage limestone home. Travelers across this winter was an 1800s needlework coming from the south along Route 78 can see the front of her store sampler made by a 7-year-old girl who used behind the home before making a slight curve to the left. The shop is the alphabet, words and numbers to develop open by appointment or chance, and she’ll sometimes have special her stitching skills. It was one of a few she weekend store hours posted on her Facebook page — also where came across, and she took the time to learn she’ll post pictures of her latest finds. Passersby know when about their stories. “That was her showing the shop is open when the large red, white and blue “Anhow to do sewing, with the alphabet and all,” tiques” flag is planted near the driveway. she said. “That was important back then.”

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She has a loyal customer following, some who’ve been shopping there since she first opened. “This is my little bit of heaven,” Shire said. “I just enjoy the people, seeing them happy with C things, and introducing more people to this. I’ll meet people who haven’t been exposed to this, and some will go, ‘This is pretty cool!’” Many of her pieces don’t sit on the shelves for long, and Shire’s always on the antique hunt for more pieces, but replenishing the inventory isn’t as easy as it used to be, Shire said. More often than not, many items are often collected and sold as one lot rather than individually. “With all of these wonderful DY

T TE

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primitives, I used to be able to run around a lot of shops to find them,” Susan Shire Antiques, Shire said. “They’re now quickly 9469 state Route 78 cleaned out of houses, cleaned out between Mt. Carroll and of barns and go into collections. Stockton, is open by They’re just not there. Finding it is app ointment or chance. the hardest part now. When you’re Cash and check are acchasing all of the time trying to find cepted as payment methstuff, plus with what you sell, it’s ods. Find it on Facebook hard.” for more information and It’s a hunt that keeps her active in special opening hours, or her retirement years. call 815-990-6658. “It’s a way of life with a lot of people,” Shire said. “This is the way we love to live. When you’re bored, you go out antiquing and try to find a new treasure. It’s a way of life, and it’s a comfortable way of life. I never know what I’m coming home with.” Shire often thinks back to when she first started her journey from the present to the past, decorating her home with unique finds and making memories with her children. Even though times have changed since she began collecting, her appreciation of history, and customers’ fascination with it, remains. “I never thought I would still be doing this, but now I have a true love and respect for them,” Shire said. “It’s our heritage. I would like to make sure it keeps going on with the younger people.” Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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“Pew pew pew!” “Vroom!” “Wakka wakka wakka!” Sound familiar? If it doesn’t, then you’ve probably never been in an arcade during their heyday, when players filled the darkened confines of quarter-hungry consoles, fighting off space invaders, commanding missiles, defending planets, and having barrels of fun rescuing a damsel in distress, back when the leader of the Pac was a yellow fellow with a bottomless appetite and an aversion to ghosts. It was all fun and games back then — and these days, it still is, thanks to a growing number of arcades that have been popping up throughout the area. Arcades had long been a favorite haunt for high-schoolers and high-scorers in days gone by, but the introduction of home video game consoles such as Atari, Nintendo, Sega and Playstation throughout the ‘80s and ‘90 brought and end to many arcades across the country. But like a determined Mortal Kombat fighter with a low energy bar, arcades are packing a punch once again. People are discovering, and rediscovering, the fun of the arcade experience. Reflexes ready, firing fingers flexed, and eyes glued to the screen, ready to save the world. Arcades offer pinball wizards and power-pellet munchers of all ages a chance to relax, have fun or just blow off some steam, and there are several within an hour’s drive of Lake Carroll. So, are you ready for fun, player one? Then turn the page for a list of area arcades ...

By Cody Cutt er Sauk Vall ey Media

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Josh and Tara Geerts, owners of Chubz Pub and Grub in downtown Warren. CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

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By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media

on’t tell Josh and Tara Geerts you can’t go big in a small town. The business the couple owns in Warren is more than just a place where you can grab some grub at a pub — it’s become a destination that draws customers from near and far to the small village just a few miles shy of the Illinois-Wisconsin border along state Route 78 and the historic Stagecoach Trail route between Lena and Galena. Chubz Pub and Grub not only boasts a menu that the Geerts guarantee won’t leave you hungry, you can enjoy some music, play some darts or pool, take a chance on one of the gambling machines — and even play hide and seek with a handful of critters. And while you’re in the neighborhood, you can pop into some nearby shops for some clothes and gifts, or get a tattoo. “We’re in the middle of nowhere trying to make something fun. In a town of 1,200 people, it’s a little difficult [to do that],” Tara said. “We wanted to give people something to do around here.”

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CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

The Geerts make sure Saturday nights are special at Chubz, serving up live music, DJs and other entertainment. The musical mix has included bands who’ve sung the blues and belted out some heavy metal. Always trying to find different ways to attract customers, Tara has her eyes set on having hypnotists, comedians, and group functions such as line dancing, paint-and-pour and “drunken yoga” classes. In addition, bingo and karaoke nights, as well as a Monday evening Queen of Hearts drawing, also is

part of the Chubz fun. “We’re always trying to find the next best thing to get people to come to this place,” Josh said. “If anyone has any ideas and think something is neat and want to try it here, let us know.” Thinking outside the box has been a skill the Geerts have succeeded at since they opened in November 2018 — and when a fire broke out, they really had to get creative. A couple of years after Chubz opened, a kitchen fire derailed their menu for awhile. Sans grill, Tara came up with the idea of serving soups instead. Before long, the soups became a big draw, and continue to a popular menu item. Tara made 672 batches of soup last year, including the usual favorites — chicken noodle, stuffed pepper and broccoli and cheddar — to the more creative concoctions, such as white chicken chili, zuppa toscana and lobster corn chowder.

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“We started the soups and people have gone nuts on those,” Tara said. “It just exploded, and I didn’t expect it to. Now I always have a fridge full of soups, and they can grab them whenever they want. It’s about doing different things that people ask for, and try to make customers happy.” Making people happy means more than just filling bowls, they’re filling bellies, too. If you’re hungry for a burger, how’s a half-pounder sound? Varieties include chili, olive, mushroom Swiss and pizza, along with their signature specials: the Chubz Burger, with green peppers, grilled onions, cheese and ham; and the Chunky Chubz a burger with a breaded chicken breast, two strips of bacon, cheese and garlic toast. If you really want to pile on the goodness, an extra patty can be added for another $3. Hot dogs, salads and other sandwiches also are part of the menu, along with a 12-ounce ribeye steak. You can also grab some Chubz fries: a plate of fries — hand cut, steak or crinkle — in BLT, chili cheese, bacon ranch and nacho varieties. Appetizers include mozzarella sticks, onion rings, cheese curds, mini tacos, corn nuggets and pretzel bites. In addition, tacos are served on Tuesdays and Fridays feature a fish fry. When putting their menu together, the Geerts wanted to keep things simple — but bigger. “With all of our food, 100 percent, if you come in here and you leave hungry, you got a bottomless gut,” Josh said. “When we first opened this place, I said ‘No one’s leaving here hungry. They’ll order food, and it’s going to be a mountain.’ When you get a burger, you’re going to get a massive amount of fries. We didn’t want people to come in from many miles away just to get another burger — that’s just not going to happen.”

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the “simple but bigger” approach, they also offer a foot-and-a-half flapjack — the size of a pizza — that hangs over the side of the plate. How did that batter behemoth come about? “I just messed up one morning, and it worked,” Tara said. “I just kept doing it.”

The couple recently added a breakfast menu over the summer, after hearing from early morning hunters and trail riders who were looking for something to eat. Along with pancakes, french toast, biscuits and gravy and egg-and-meat dishes, the menu also features a hangover skillet — hash browns, biscuits, sausage, bacon, two eggs any style, and sausage gravy. Pancakes come in orders of two or four, or you can sink your teeth into a real syrup soaker. In keeping with

If you’re up for a challenge, the Geertses have got things covered, and you could even get a free shirt out of the deal — but you may need a bigger size. The Chunky Challenge (see photo at left) packs the pounds on a plate, and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to clean your plate. The challenge is to eat two double cheeseburgers with bacon and chicken breasts on top of each other, garlic bread and a pound of fries. Down it all in 30 minutes and win a T-shirt, get your picture on Chubz’s Facebook page and the meal paid for. Fall short? The meal’s on you, but you will get a can koozie and your picture on Facebook with whatever is left. At the end of 2023, only four people had beaten the clock.

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The challenge was inspired by a creation from their son. “He had people who were saying how big it was,” Tara said. “We were like, ‘Let’s double it and make it a challenge.’ I’ve also heard from people who are trying to get us to do a pancake challenge because the pancakes are huge.” While you’re at Chubz, the Geerts invite you to visit their neighbors, too: a pair of businesses in spaces they lease out in the storefront they own. Damaged Goodz, owned by Mike and Melissa Griffin, sells clothing featuring their own designs that they make on site, along with their inspired decor, koozies, candle wax melts and other gifts. They can also do custom clothes orders. Having neighbors who like to think outside of the box has come in handy for the business. The Griffins came up with an idea that helps promote both businesses, and the Geerts were happy to help. Tiny plastic animal tokens are hidden throughout the bar, and if someone finds five of them, they win a koozie; find 10 and they win a “mystery prize.” “One day I just happened to have these ducks, and people would pick them up and they’d get the biggest smile on their faces,” Melissa said. “They’re just teeny, tiny little things, but it made my day, so I made it a game and I never thought it would take off the way it did.”

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Burgers and fries are a customer favorite at Chubz, but the pub’s got lots of other grub, too, including breakfast — Pizza-sized pancake anyone? — and soup, which has been a big seller since it was added to the menu.

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PHOTOS: CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

The Geerts lease space in their storefront to a pair of businesses. Damaged Goodz, owned by Mike and Melissa Griffin (above), sells clothing, decor, koozies, candle wax melts and other gifts. INKognito Tattoo, is owned by Danny Wolff (right), a tattoo artist with nearly 10 years experience up his sleeve.

“It’s something that people really enjoy here,” Mike added. “I can’t get over how many adults will walk around looking for these little tiny trinket ducks that we spread out all over.” The store is open during bar hours, and items can be rung up at the bar. The other business, INKognito Tattoo, is owned by Danny Wolff, a tattoo artist for about 10 years who started his career in Rockford before opening up next to Chubz in 2021. When he’s not drawing on customers at his shop, he’s helping draw in customers at Chubz, where he serves as DJ. “I’ve always liked being artistic,” Wolff said. “In high school I did everything from Photoshop to graphic design and sculpture, and I’ve always been interested in art. This is just kind of a way that I can do that and make a decent living with it.” Tattoo sessions with Wolff are scheduled by appointment, and he works with customers in a personal setting where no strangers are eyeballing what’s going on.

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“With me being by myself, you don’t have people in the background getting a tattoo behind you, or have other artists poking around while you’re getting it,” Wolff said. “You can be you, or bring a friend and hang out. It’s more of a personal experience; I’ve been in shops where there’s a crowd and it’s loud with complete strangers coming up to you and looking at what you’re getting, but here it’s just me and I try to make it as comforting as possible.” Wolff and the Griffins enjoy their time under the Geerts’ roof and are thankful they’ve provided them a place where they can turn their talents into a profit. “Josh and Tara treat us like family, and go above and beyond to make sure that if there’s anything we need, they’ll get it for us or help us achieve it,” Mike said. “Then the food: You’ll never leave hungry here, I promise you that.” Grabbing a brew, a bite to chew, a gift or two, or a even a tattoo — there’s a lot going on in Geertses’ neck of the woods in downtown Warren, and the couple have been happy to call the village home since moving there about 15 years from the Sterling-Rock Falls area. “It’s a small town where everyone knows each other, and everyone looks out for each other; when Covid hit, they took care of us,” Tara said. “We just want people to come out, enjoy themselves and have fun and have a good time. Have a good meal and relax.” Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@ shawmedia.com.

Chubz Pub and Grub, 120 E. Main St. in Warren, is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday; closing times vary for the bar, but is no later than 1 a.m. Find it on Facebook or call 815745-3333 for more information. Damaged Goodz apparel, next door to Chubz, is open during Chubz's bar hours. Find it on Facebook or call 608- 312-9487 for more information. INKognito Tattoo is open by appointment. Find it on Facebook or call 815-315-7113 for more information.

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Dani Lovett sent us some gorgeous pictures of the sun setting over Lake Carroll, including the one featured on this month’s cover. Thanks, Dani, for sharing your photos of life on the lake!

40 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024

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A Guide To

Lake Carroll Real Estate

Are you looking to enjoy the Lake Lifestyle? The following pages will show you the properties available to you right now! A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 41

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PROPERTIES SOLD BY RE/MAX TOWN LAKE & COUNTRY IN 2023 CLOSED AUGUST 2023 SO

CLOSED AUGUST 2023 LD SO

CLOSED OCTOBER 2023 LD SO

CLOSED SEPTEMBER 2023 LD SO

23-32 Berkshire Ct. List Price $799,000

25-57 Cottage Hill Dr List Price $689,999

1-64 Captains Dr. List Price $629,000

23-115R Lake Carroll Blvd. 19-76 Timber Ridge Dr List Price $535,000 List Price $499,000

CLOSED SEPTEMBER 2023 SO

CLOSED JULY 2023 LD

CLOSED AUGUST 2023 LD SO

2-242R Westcrest Ct. List Price $401,900

28-52 Southview Dr List Price $399,900

23-221 Brandywine List Price $399,900

16-200R Boxwood Ct. List Price $389,700

31-85 Country Club Ct List Price $360,000

CLOSED JUNE 2023 LD

CLOSED AUGUST 2023 LD SO

CLOSED JUNE 2023

CLOSED MAY 2023 LD

CLOSED AUGUST 2023 LD SO

19-32 Hidden Valley Dr. List Price $329,000

17-104 Hidden Cove List Price $299,000

19-32 Hidden Valley List Price $299,000

3-376 Caribou Ct List Price $274,900

24-123 WagonWheel Dr. List Price $225,000

CLOSED MAY 2023 LD

MA Y Ca

CALL US TO LIST YOUR LAKE CARROLL PROPERTY

We need properties for sale for 2024. It’s not too early to call.

We DEEDED

TOW N L A K E & C O U N T RY w w w. b u y l a ke c a r r o l l . c o m

Julie Wenzel

Patti Kloepping

David Peterson

815-541-1001

815-266-4020

815-238-2269

Managing Broker juliewenzel@remax.net

Broker Associate pattik@remax.net

Broker Associate

dcpeterson@remax.net

42 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024

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TRY

AY 2023

KNOWS LAKE CARROLL MAKE LAKE CARROLL YOUR SANCTUARY Call us to Buy or Sell

Town Lake & Country

21-78 LAKE CARROLL BLVD • LAKE CARROLL, IL

815-493-7653

19-20 TIMBER RIDGE WITH DEEDED SLIP CAN BE COMPLETED MID SUMMER 2024

r Ridge Dr $499,000

3160 Square Ft., 3 Full Baths, 4 Bedrooms

UST 2023

ry Club Ct $360,000

UST 2023

nWheel Dr. $225,000

DRAWINGS SHOW WHAT HOUSE WILL LOOK LIKE WITH UPGRADES

RE/MAX TOWN LAKE & COUNTRY has partnered with

HIGH LIMIT PROPERTIES LLC

To offer quality built NEW homes at Lake Carroll

We have a variety of floor plans that can be built on YOUR lot OR one of the 10 DEEDED SLIP or 3 WATERFRONT LOTS RESERVED EXCLUSIVELY FOR High Limit Properties.

erson

Call RE/MAX today for more information

2269

www.buylakecarroll.com • email us at: BuyLakeCarroll@yahoo.com

ociate

emax.net

A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 43

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LEADER OF THE PACK! #1 IN LAKE CARROLL

REAL ESTATE SALES FOR 2023 FAWN RIDGE RECAP 2023 78 UNITS SOLD

$435,388

96.8%

AVG SALES PRICE (Homes Listed)

SALE PRICE / LIST PRICE (Homes Listed)

AVG DAYS ON MARKET (Homes Listed)

DATA FROM NWIAR MLS Jan-Dec 2023

New Community Pages @ fawnridgerealty.com Lanark, Lena, Mt. Carroll, Pearl City, Shannon

If you’re interested in buying or selling property outside of Lake Carroll - we can help!

If you're planning a move ANYTIME in the next 6 months, NOW is the time to act. When Spring arrives at the Lake, buyer activity erupts.

fawnridgerealty.com info@fawnridgerealty.com

Complete Real Estate Services

815-493-2829

44 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024

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Amy Barnes Designated Managing Broker 815-238-8360

www.BarnesRealtyInc.com

866-493-2300

PRICE REDUCED

Country View | 12-219 Spring Creek Dr | $1,000 Wooded | 13-102 Quail Hollow Dr. | $2,000

17-11 WHITEWATER DRIVE, LAKE CARROLL UPDATED WITH FINISHED WALK OUT!

Wooded | 12-245 Birchbark Ct. | $3,900

4041 ILLINOIS ROUTE 84, THOMSON MOVE IN READY!

1208 N MAIN STREET, SAVANNA GREAT LOCATION WITH RIVERVIEW!

PRICE REDUCED 1901 CHICAGO AVENUE, SAVANNA BEAUTIFUL BRICK BUNGALOW! 3 Bedroom | 2 Baths | Call Amy 0.99 Acre Lot | 4 Car Garage | $159,900

Doug Moll Managing Broker 815-238-3626

SM-ST2135379

3 Bedroom | 1.5 Baths | Call Aime 0.44 Acre Lot | 1 Car Garage | $119,900

Aime Heldt Broker 815-291-8256

Trish Oppold Broker 815-541-7138

Margaret Rominski Broker 815-291-5269

3 Bedrooms | 1.5 Baths | Call Aime H 0.29 Acre Lot | Enclosed Porch | $118,000

Gary Ludwig Broker 815-541-5959

24490 Payne Rd, Shannon, IL A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 45

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TOM MILLER

MANAGING BROKER Cell: 815-297-4968

LakeCarrollTom@aeroinc.net www.MyLakeCarrollRealty.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

LAKE VIEW

IN G D N PE DING PEN 17-117 HIDDEN COVE CT.

$374,000 • 5 bedroom • 3 full baths • 2,824 sq ft • .51 acre

• Built 2006 • 2 car detached garage • Multiple updates

28-60 SOUTHVIEW DR. $299,000 • 3 bedroom • 3 Baths • 2042 Sq Ft

• Built 2003 • 1.72 acres • Zoned HVAC • NiCor converted

SOLD

1-5 & 6 GRANDVIEW DR

31-60 WACONDA DR.

SOLD

25-57 COTTAGE HILL DR.

4-79 BEACHCOMBER LANE

SOLD

19-33 HIDDEN VALLEY DR. 17-199 LAKE CARROLL BLVD.

Here is a list of 2023 Home Sales we participated in SOLD

SOLD

4-117 BEACHCOMBER LANE

SOLD

5-100 TOPSAIL CT.

21-3 TIMBER SHORE DR.

LOT SALES WE PARTICIPATED IN 31-39 Waconda Dr 31-80 Country Club Ct. 24-95 Hidden Valley Dr. 23-4 Lake Carroll Blvd. 16-57 & 58 Meadowview Ct. 24-32 Lake Carroll Blvd. 23-114 Lake Carroll Blvd.

19-7 Timber Ridge Rd. 19-6 Timber Ridge Rd. 16-136 Stonehedge Dr. 28-5 Colonial Ct. 31-79 Country Club Ct. 28-58 Southview Dr.

SOLD

17-150 EDGEWATER DR.

16262 CARTER ROAD

LOTS FOR SALE

3-532 BUCK LANE $10 17-22 WHITEWATER CT. $1,000 (SOLD)

We have buyers and are in need of listings, let us add YOUR home to our list of “SOLDs”! Please give us a call for a market analysis of your home.

by For Sale lty rroll Rea Lake Ca

TOM MILLER

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A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024 | 47

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OPEN HOUSE

March 22 March 23 March 24 8am-6pm

8am-4pm

10am-4pm

Pre Season Boat Sale Factory Authorized Repair Center

Special financing provided locally by

2024 Crest Carribean 230 RS

Shore Master

2024 Crestliner MX 19

24565 Zier Rd, Lanark (815) 493-6401

Shore Station

7,000 sq. ft. Showroom Competitive Prices • Dedicated Staff Largest Accessory Dept. in the Area Quality Service from Factory Trained Technicians On Water Service • Indoor Storage • Dock & Lift

Call for Your Complimentary Custom Dock & Lift Solutions 48 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | February 2024

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