May/June Spirit 2021

vol. 5 no. 2

MAY/JUNE 2021

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Spirit IS A PUBLICATION OF

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Sue Z. Lange EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ed Nadolski EDITOR

Tracy Ouellette

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Dunn Museum The Bess Bower Dunn Museum in Libertyville reopened to the public earlier this year with limited hours, online timed ticketing to maintain visitation at a reduced capacity, and other safety protocols in place to comply with COVID-19 concerns.

“We are following CDC guidelines and those outlined in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan to ensure the safety and health of our visitors and employees, and the entire community. Modifications have been made throughout the galleries and gift shop to minimize touch points and support social distancing,” said Director of Education Nan Buckardt.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors back again to the Dunn Museum,” said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Our priority remains to create a safe environment and provide peace of mind for all our visitors and staff while connecting them with Lake County history and culture.”

Modified hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

Vicki Vanderwerff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi Schulz

SECTION DESIGNER

on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with visitation time slots available from 10 to 11:30 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m., and 2 to 3:30 p.m. The galleries and gift shop will be closed between these time slots for cleaning and disinfecting.

To assure safety for visitors and employees, and to maintain the 25% maximum capacity set by the state, timed entry tickets will be sold in advance online.

Buckardt said 35 people are allowed to visit per time slot through a combination of 25 timed entry tickets available for purchase online and 10 tickets available for purchase at the door. Only credit card payments are accepted. Each gallery has signs posted and cameras in place so employees can monitor and enforce capacity limits as necessary.

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Pete Hansen Tamera Hamilton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Tom Flatow

The Spirit of The Lakes is a complimentary publication, distributed throughout the Chain O’ Lakes and Kenosha County area. Keeping up with the same great tradition as the Spirit of Geneva Lakes.

Send all correspondence to:

Know before you go

The

The museum has issues these guidelines for visitors: • If you are sick or feel unwell, stay home; • All visitors (except children younger

SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS 1102 Ann Street Delavan, WI 53115

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top: The Bess Bower Dunn Museum in Libertyville reopened to the public in February with

limited hours and visitor capacity, prepaid timed entry tickets, and other safety measures in place.

Tickets can be purchased online at LCFPD.org/MuseumTickets.

SpiritofGenevaLakes.com

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of the Lakes

on the cover: The Tulip Festival at Richardson Farm opened on April 23 and

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should last through mid-May. Visitors enjoyed 5 acres of tulips of all colors, in 30 different varieties, spread out in colorful blocks. See Pages 13 and 14 for more information.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDI SCHULZ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

Spirit

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Special exhibitions

“Our Voice is Black History: Past, Present, Future” runs through Oct. 31.

A collaboration between the Dunn Museum and the College of Lake County’s

the nation in times of war and conflict.

In this tribute to those who served, the Dunn Museum shares Lake County stories while exploring women’s roles as nurses, auxiliary personnel, enlistees, and officers in the U.S. military. The nation’s struggle was their struggle, and women wanted to have a larger role, equal to men in responsibility and risk.

Admission

The Bess Bower Dunn Museum is in the Lake County Forest Preserve Headquarters. The museum was named after Bess Bower, the first official Lake County Historian.

FILE PHOTO Spirit of the Lakes

Black Student Union, the exhibit offers a look at a representation of the African American voice of Lake County. Presented virtually, the exhibition examines and explores multigenerational stories and experiences through graphic design, poetry, writing, art, and video interviews that portray the voice of the African Americans’ past and reality, which becomes Our Voice.

“Breaking Barriers: Women in the Military“ runs through June 13.

For centuries women have helped defend

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Go online to LCFPD.org/ MuseumTickets to purchase timed entry tickets in advance. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase in person, so purchasing online in advance is recommended. Only credit card payments are accepted.

Those who become sick or feel unwell after making their reservation and prior to their visit, schould contact the Dunn Museum at 847-367-6640 or FrontDeskStaff@LCFPD.org so that their reserved time can be made available for another visitor.

Admission is $6 for resident adults and $10 for nonresident adults, $3 for resident seniors and youth and $6 nonresident senior and youth; and free for children ages 3 and younger. Discount Tuesdays admission is $3 for resident adults and $5 for nonresident adults; $1.50 for resident seniors and youth and $3 nonresident senior and youth, free for children ages 3 and younger.

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than 2) are required to wear face masks in accordance with Illinois Public Health Department guidelines; • All visitors must follow social distancing rules by maintaining six feet or more between non-household individuals or other visitor groups at all times; • A new one-way path through the gift shop and galleries is marked, and all seating areas have been modified to accommodate social distancing.

• Wash and sanitize hands frequently during your visit and practice good hygiene – hand-sanitizing stations are available throughout the facility; • There are COVID-19 signs and directions throughout the facility reinforcing social distancing rules, masks, and hand-washing and hygiene procedures; • Operating procedures have been enhanced to incorporate both CDC and OSHA guidelines for frequent and thorough cleaning and sanitation of public spaces; • Dunn Museum employees will stay home when sick, wear masks, maintain social distancing, and wash hands and practice good hygiene; and • Deep cleaning of all surfaces will occur on days when the Dunn Museum is closed.

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Antioch joins in on National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge The Village of Antioch recently signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, committing to take actions to help save the declining monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

The village is now part of an expanding North American network of cities working to create habitat in public parks, public landscaping, vacant lots, roadsides, medians, green roofs, backyard gardens and open spaces throughout the entire community.

“Cities, towns and counties play a pivotal role in advancing monarch butterfly conservation in urban and suburban areas,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior director of community wildlife at the National Wildlife Federation. “By working together, we can ensure that every American child has a chance to experience majestic monarchs in their communities.”

“This project was initially brought to us by Joanne Dugenske and Joyce Kufalk from the Antioch Garden Club, looking for

community involvement to help support the monarch,” Mayor Lawrence M. Hanson said. “With National Wildlife Week just around the corner in early April, I thought of no greater time to issue the proclamation calling public attention to the decline of the butterfly and pledging the Village of Antioch’s support for the iconic species.”

In addition to issuing the proclamation, the Public Works Department also worked with the Antioch Garden club to have milkweed planted in Pedersen Park.

Found across the United States, monarch butterflies numbered around 1 billion in 1996. Today, their numbers have declined significantly as a result of numerous threats, particularly the loss of habitat due to cropland conversion, urban development, and agricultural practices. Degradation of wintering habitat in Mexico and California has also had a negative impact on the species.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge,

cities and municipalities commit each year to create habitat and educate residents on how to make a difference at home or in their community.

Mayors who take the pledge commit to at least three of 30 action items to help save the monarch butterfly. These actions include creating a monarch-friendly garden at city hall, converting abandoned lots to monarch habitat, changing mowing schedules to allow milkweed to grow unimpeded, and 27 other possible actions.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Programs, cities, counties and towns across the United States are helping local wildlife by restoring and reconnecting habitat in urban and suburban areas while reconnecting people with nature.

For more information about the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, go to NWF.org/ MayorsMonarchPledge.

Visit the National Wildlife Federation Media Center at NWF.org/News.

The Village of Antioch is working to create monarch habitats in public areas and open spaces as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge.

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Community bike share comes to Grayslake Pilot program will be the first ever bike share offering in Lake County It began with an idea by College of Lake County Sustainability Manager David Husemoller and a conversation with sustainability-minded Grayslake resident Mary Klees. Now, after more than three years in collaboration, they are seeing the work pay-off with the creation of a community bike share program.

“Grayslake Bikeshare is a way for our community to see something new and interesting. Something you don’t often see outside of big cities or university

campuses,” said Klees. “It’s important to create collaboratively and sustainably so our community can become the best version of itself.”

Locals who have ventured to Chicago may be familiar with their Divvy Bikes.

The Grayslake program would be similar with more than a dozen bikes made available to anyone who wants to ride, on a short-term basis. As the college’s sustainability council grew, Husemoller handed CLC’s part in the project off to Shannon Bassi, an administrative assistant at the college who also has a passion for sustainability.

“One of the best ways to help people understand how to incorporate sustainable practices into their lives, regardless of age or location, is through experience,” said Bassi. “A bike share is a fantastic tool for experiential learning.”

The college’s student government, health

and wellness council and sustainability council are joining with the Village of Grayslake, Grayslake Area Public Library District and the Grayslake Community Park District to make the initial two-year commitment. Each sees the bike share as having a positive impact on their organization’s goals, such as CLC’s health and wellness council.

“A bike share program provides increased physical activity, supports social wellness when riding with others, enhances awareness of environmental wellness and generally improves one’s outlook on life by reducing stress,” said CLC Wellness Labs Coordinator and member of the health and wellness council Lisa Aguilar. “Increased intellectual wellness can also be offered by visiting the little lending libraries on the living lab trail or stopping by the farm to support choices for nutritional wellness.

The bike share provides a variety of health

top: The Village of Grayslake debuted a bike-sharing program this spring. The Koloni bikes cost $3 to ride for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour. Download the Kolini app to rent a bike.

STOCK PHOTO Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

7

many partners across all of Lake County.

“I had always conceived of it being a county-wide program,” said Klees. “One obstacle potential partner organizations and Grayslake Bikeshare bicycles are municipalities have is a lack of data. There available to rent at various locations is not a lot of data specific for our specific throughout the Village of Grayslake. area.”

They include: After the common riding season wraps • Village Center, in the parking lot up in late fall 2021, the program will on Whitney and Hawley streets; produce a first glimpse into how and how • Central Park; often the bikes were used. Both Bassi and • Mill Creek Park at Atkinson Road Klees expect to see a variety of trips taken and Washington Street;

by CLC students, staff and the Grayslake • College of Lake County; and community.

• Washington Street Metra Station.

“The bike share is not limited to students Download the Koloni app from the or employees of CLC, it is for everyone Apple App Store or Google Play to get in the community,” said Bassi. “People riding. are welcomed and encouraged to take a The cost to use the bikes is $3 for bike and explore the forest preserve, our the first hour and $1 for each additional campus and the living lab trail, downtown hour.

Grayslake and neighboring amenities.

For more information, visit www.

Metra riders can jump on a bike at the koloni.me/grayslake. station, get to CLC, then get themselves back to the train really nicely. Unlike driving a gas-powered vehicle, riding a and wellness benefits.” bike creates zero CO2 emissions, is great The pilot program kicked-off in this exercise and gets people closer to nature; all spring with each group sponsoring a set vital pieces of sustainable living.” number of bikes and stations to include “If someone is dropping their child CLC’s Grayslake Campus, the Grayslake off to practice at Central Park, instead of Metra station, downtown Grayslake and sitting in their car for an hour or watching Grayslake’s Central Park. Yes, this is a the practice, they can hop on a bike, take a true community collaboration, but Klees is couple laps around the trails,” said Klees. hoping the program will grow to encompass “Maybe ride the bike into town, pick-up

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coffee, go back and pick-up their child. If our community bike share takes off and potential partners are happy with the data, I imagine you are going to see a lot of other municipalities and organizations sign-up in the coming years.”

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Outdoor theater attracts crowds during pandemic

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Traveling along Chapel Hill Road it is not possible to miss the giant screen of the McHenry Outdoor

Theatre located at the corner of Chapel Hill Road and Lincoln Highway. All last summer and fall, it was not only the giant screen that caught one’s attention but also the traffic jams caused by cars lining up to attend the evening movies at the McHenry Outdoor Theatre.

“Last year was a busy time for us here at the theater. With so many activities closed down, people were looking for entertainment to attend

from top: A lone auto arrives early for the outdoor theatre. Once the gates open the entire lot will fill with a variety of automobiles filled with anxious families waiting to view a favorite movie; Visitors to the Outdoor Theatre will be given a ticket good for a reduction in entry fee at the Volo Auto Museum.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

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outside of their homes for their families,” said Scott Dehn, owner of the McHenry Outdoor Theatre. “Going to the outdoor movies is a way of sharing the experience of watching a movie on a large screen with friends and neighbors, while still adhering to social distancing norms brought to us by the pandemic.”

Because of the pandemic, the theater was limited to a decreased number of automobiles that were allowed in the theater. Tickets were sold at the gate so it was not unusual to find cars lining up long before the 6:30 p.m. opening time and blocking traffic on Chapel Hill Road.

“When this occurred, we had to open early to keep from creating a traffic jam.

When we began to interfere with traffic on the road, tickets were sold and the cars ushered into the theater with tickets being sold out on some days by 2:30 p.m. This year should be different as we will be allowed to operate at full capacity, thus holding twice as many viewers as last year,” added Dehn.

If going to an outdoor movie is a memory from their childhood, and now one that they are introducing to their own children, it will be an enjoyable event. That memory may include sitting in the back of a pickup truck, using folding chairs next to the automobile, or remaining inside the car

to enjoy the movie.

No movie, indoor or out, can be enjoyed without popcorn. So of course, a visit to the Concession building is needed before or during the show. The concession stand offers popcorn, soft drinks, and soft jumbo pretzels. For those looking for a hardier meal, nachos, hot dogs, and burgers can be purchased. But don’t forget to wear your mask when entering the concession building. They are required because of the pandemic protocols.

A bit of history

The McHenry Outdoor Theatre originally opened under the name of the Skyline Drive-In. While it opened in 1946 Dehn said, the history of drive-in movie theaters goes back to June 6, 1933, when the first “park- in movie” opened in New Jersey.

The new “park-in movie” was the creation of Richard Hollingshead, who was looking to create a more comfortable way to enjoy watching a movie, rather than sitting in the uncomfortable movie theater seats of the time.

Hollingshead did not have to look further than the comfort of the seats in his automobile and he patented the idea of the park-in theater where one could enjoy the movie while sitting in their automobile or

pickup truck.

His company, Park-In Theaters Inc. was started with an initial investment of $30,000. The first movie played was “Wife Beware” starring Adolph Menjou.

While the initial theater he opened would only remain in business for three years, other park-in theaters began to sprout up throughout the nation.

The outdoor theatre was advertised as family entertainment. Costs were kept low with tickets priced at 25 cents per person and no car was charged more than $1.

Many of the early theaters had a playground in front of the screen and a few even had petting zoos to occupy the children and wear them out before the movie began.

The disadvantage of the outdoor theater was that the movie could not be projected until dark and during the summer in many areas, that did not occur until 8 or 9 p.m.

The advantage was to parents who did not have to hire babysitters. They brought their children with them, tired them out on the playground and would then herd them back to the automobile where they would watch the cartoons.

Cartoons were always shown before the movie features and usually before the cartoons were concluded, the younger children would be asleep in the backseat of

top: Standing at the corner of Chapel Hill Road and Lincoln, the screen of the McHenry Outdoor Theatre announces the first production to be held at the theatre this season. The theatre opened for the season on April 30 and will present not only movies but a variety of other entertainment.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

11

the car. Thus allowing the parents to enjoy the adult movie features while the kids slept well after a fun evening.

These movies became even more popular in the 1950s and 60s when they became known as drive in theaters. Some were small and held as few as 40 automobiles while the largest were said to be able to hold more than 2,000 autos for viewing movies.

Early drive-ins were not known for great sound systems with only three speakers placed near the screen. These first systems were manufactured by RCA Victor and did not carry the sound well. They were soon replaced by small speakers, which hung on the automobile’s window.

For those who remember the speakers they recall them to have been difficult to understand and often had a lot of static. The next change in sound was the ability to play the soundtrack through the automobile’s radio.

“For many of us we learned the hard way that playing the soundtrack through the radio tended to drain the battery,” shared Bill Connelly, of Elmhurst. “We were ready to leave but needed to have our battery charged before the car could be started.”

Some theaters began suggesting that guests bring their own portable radio rather than using the automobile radio while other theaters rented portable radios for customers to use to help save the automobile’s battery.

Drive-ins became an American icon as they grew to more than 5,000 throughout the country in the 1950s and 1960s. By then it was not only families attending the outdoor movies, but also teenage couples looking for privacy, thus earning the theaters the nickname the “Passion Pit.” The 1970s showed a sharp decrease in drive-in movie attendance because of a number of factors. Land prices began to escalate, taxes increased and the growth of

housing needs began to make continued use of the land for movies difficult to maintain.

Movie viewing habits also began to change. The multiplex indoor theaters with several choices of movies and air conditioning in the theaters attracted more customers. For those who were happy watching movies on their small TV screens, video rentals were also popular as a means to watch movies at home.

As the country moved into the digital age, more stress was placed on movie theaters both indoor and outdoor. The need to convert from the traditional reel-to-reel films to the digital method of showing movies created another major expense for theater owners. The cost of converting to the digital system for many theaters was more than $100,000, an expense that was not able to be covered by many theaters, causing them to close for good.

“We were fortunate to have won a contest, which paid for our conversion to digital,” Dehn said. “Our new screen will also produce a crisper, brighter image allowing everyone to see the movie more clearly no matter where they are parked in the lot.”

Other uses

In addition to the regular features, special events have been held at the theater last year year and will continue through 2021.

“Some of the local schools held their graduations at the theater, allowing the families and friends of the graduates to be present as the students received their diplomas,” Dehn said. “The students enjoyed being able to celebrate graduation with family and friends. We will continue to provide a space for graduation for local schools if requested.

According to Dehn, there will be a number of additional activities at the McHenry Outdoor Theatre this year,

including musical concerts which they are booking now.

“This year the Skyline Car Show will be held here. This will replace the car show that has been traditionally held on Green Street,” Dehn said. “The first one will be held on June 10 and will continue every Monday starting at 3 p.m.”

For those who just wish to visit the car show, a donation of $5 will be given to a local charity. But a better choice is come for the car show and stay for the movies. A $20 fee will cover the entire car for both events.

Tuesdays will also be a special night when the charge for the movies will be $15 for the whole carload. Other nights the entry fee will be $12 for each adult and $6 for children.

Last year, Dehn was able to purchase 11 acres of land behind the theatre from the village of Lakemoor and plans to build a couple more screens on that land if the interest in the outdoor theatre experience continues.

While last year, the theater could only open at half capacity, this year they will be open at full capacity allowing more families to enjoy the outdoor movie experience. Cars were placed strategically so that everyone could see the screen, with taller vehicles on the outside and smaller ones in the front.

The season will open on April 30 with two movies sure to please. “Jaws” will be the first feature followed by “Twister.”

“Unfortunately, there are not many new movies being released but when we can get them, we will show them. Otherwise, we will be showing the classic movies that are customers’ request,” Dehn said.

The McHenry Outdoor Theatre is at 1510 Chapel Hill Road, Lake Moor, Illinois. Visit www.goldenagecinemas.com to read the current COVID-19 precautions that will be followed and calendar for this year’s events or find the theater on Facebook.

top: The concession stand is the place to pick up your popcorn or other snacks to enjoy during the movie. Enjoy them at the picnic benches at the concession stands or take back to your auto.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

12

May • June 2021

Richardson Farm features Tulip Fest CREWS PLANTED 300,000 BULBS IN A 5-ACRE FIELD

by Cynthia Wolf CONTRIBUTOR

Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove was home to a sea of brilliant oranges, deep reds, bright pinks, purples, yellows and golds this spring during its Tulip Festival.

The farm planted 300,000 tulip bulbs for the festival on 5 acres. The 30 different varieties sport names like Apricot Impression, Golden Parade and Apeldoorn’s Elite occupied a former hayfield at the farm. And the public was invited to enjoy the splendor during the farm’s first-ever Tulip Festival, which opened April 23 and was expected to run through mid-May. The fest was open daily while the flowers are in bloom. The fun included a pick-your-own area; food trucks; soft drinks, beer and wine; live music on weekends; free games like giant checkers, giant Jenga and cornhole; a picnic area and a walking trail along a 36-acre lake.

Wendy Richardson noted that her brother-in-law first broached the tulip fest idea a couple of years ago, after sunflower fields were becoming popular in the area.

“Robert and (his wife), Carol, traveled to

The Tulip Festival at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road in Spring Grove, Illinois, offered colorful views over 5 acres from mid-April to mid-May. For more information see their website at richardsonadventurefarm.com.

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right: Tulips at the Richardson Adventure Farm this spring bloomed in more than 30 varieties.above: Admission to the Tulip Festival included entrance to the flower field, access to the picnic area around Richardson Lake, an activity area with free games to play, live music on the weekends, and one tulip for each visitor.

HEIDI SCHULZ Spirit of the Lakes

“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with them in spreading the word.”

George Richardson said the tulips were planted in November, with about 30,000 in a sunburst design that should make for a great photo backdrop, 70,000 of mixed colors in a pick-your-own area, and 200,000 in color blocks Washington with walkways between. state, where “We planted 10,000 bulbs each of they grow a lot 30 different varieties,” he said, “so the of tulips, and did some sightseeing and maturity and colors will be varied. It research,” she said. is going to be spectacular,” George The Richardsons – now including sixth- Richardson predicted in March. generation Ryan and his wife, Kristen, in The Tulip Festival may still be open the business – have been adding reasons when this publication hits the newsstands to visit their rural Spring Grove farm for May 15. To check on availability or decades. They began offering cut-yourto find other events at the farm, go to own Christmas trees in 1986, and this fall richardsonadventurefarm.com. will mark the 21st year for the renowned Tulip Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 Richardson Corn Maze. p.m. seven days a week. The farm’s roughly Jaki Berggren, executive director of 3,800-square-foot gift shop features a wineVisit McHenry County, said the Richardson tasting area, jams and salsas, donuts, kettle Tulip Festival is an exciting addition to the corn, T-shirts, trinkets and indoor restrooms area’s outdoor spring activities available to and is open until 8 p.m., with COVID-19 residents and visitors alike. precautions in place.

“The Richardsons are, once again, The tulips have been planted in a hay investing in wholesome, fun-on-the-farm field, so the ground is a farm field with offerings that everyone can enjoy,” she said. some lumps and bumps. The walkways are 14

May • June 2021

mostly a grass/weed mixture, but still with lumps and bumps. If it has recently rained, the ground turns a little mushy. The parking area is rough grass.

From the tulip fields, the ground slopes down to the festival area with the food trucks, picnic tables, weekend music, etc.

The slopes are within ADA guidelines.

Because the ground is rough, some people may need assistance getting their wheelchair back up the hill. The farm has made every effort to make the lumpy fields as wheelchair friendly as possible, but visitors must decide on their own capabilities.

Visitors are welcome to bring their dog if it is on a leash and plays well with others.

Admission to the Tulip Fest is $15 a person on weekends and $12 on weekdays; free for children age 3 and younger.

Admission includes one tulip of choice.

Additional flowers will be available in the pick-your-own area for $1 each.

Professional photographers wishing to conduct sessions should send their requests to info@richardsonfarm.com, and should anticipate a three-hour session fee in addition to regular admission.

Other information, including updates on what’s in bloom, may be found on the farm’s website and on Facebook.

Richardson Farm is at 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.

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