Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • October 9, 2019
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Right in Our Region
Pre-1850s Fun at Frenchman’s Frolic
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Make Entertaining Easier Beware Infectious Diseases Autumn at the Arboretum Car Care: Get Ahead of Winter
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Frenchman’s Frolic at Macktown Living History Your Outing ............................................. ............ 9 Klehm’s Autumn at the Arboretum Your Home ............................................. ........... 11 Eliminate Pet Odors Inspiration & Worship .......................................12 The Big Picture Your Kitchen ................................................15, 19 Tasty Tailgating Recipes, Make Entertaining Easier Your Auto ................................................ .......... 20 Get Ahead of Winter with Maintenance Your Tech ...........................................................21 Reduce Costs, Build a Holiday Nest Egg Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Beware Infectious Diseases Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 International Credit Union Day
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen-Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2019 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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Frolic, Anyone?
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eople have lived in the Rock River Valley for more than 8,000 years, but our own culture began here just 200 years ago, when a young Vermont fur trader stepped out of his canoe in 1820 with big plans. Stephen Mack Jr. came from a remarkable family. His father, Stephen Mack Sr., fought in the Revolutionary War as a youth and founded the city of Pontiac, Mich. His mother, Temperance Bond Mack, raised and educated her brood of 14 mostly alone while Mack Sr. was off pioneering. When she was elderly, in 1848, she journeyed from Illinois to Utah (then outside the U.S. border) by wagon train to escape religious persecution. Her nephew, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, had been murdered by a mob in Carthage, Ill. 1848 was the same year the ill-fated Donner Party journeyed West. This family had grit! Mack Jr. worked for the American Fur Co. and probably met his 15-year-old native bride, Hononegah, while working at a trading post in Grand Detour, Ill. They married in 1829. Contrary to folklore, she wasn’t an Indian princess, but she was highly respected and deeply mourned by whites and natives alike. She gave birth to 8 children before her death at age 33. This mixed-race couple founded Pecatonic, later called Macktown (not to be confused with Pecatonica). Today Macktown is part of Rockton. I recently learned all of this while writing about Macktown Living History for Northwest Quarterly. Frenchman’s Frolic, our cover story, mostly portrays the period of history before Mack’s arrival, when French-Canadian voyageurs plied our rivers and hunted our forests. Macktown Living History is located at the confluence of the Rock and Pecatonica rivers, a lovely property owned by YOU, thanks to Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. We should all make a point of visiting the Mack home. The change our region has seen in 200 years – far more than in thousands of years before it – is staggering. A big thank you to the volunteers who keep its story alive. Have a frolicking good week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Autumn at the Arboretum, Bulb Sale Oct. 13 By Peggy Werner
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ow in its 30th year, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden will once again usher in the fall season with an annual community event, Autumn at the Arboretum, giving visitors the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the season, while connecting with nature and neighbors. In celebration of everything fall, this year’s event, made possible by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Fountain Garden and nearby lawn areas at the arboretum, 2715 S. Main St. Highlights will include new trees, a new garden, a spring bulb sale, new games and a straw maze for children to enjoy. Executive Director Alex Mills says, “The season itself is the highlight of the event with the changing colors, changing temperatures, and just being outside with
family and friends.” As people walk the paths and grounds, they’ll see seasonal signs like acorns and nuts on the ground and brilliantly colored mums, bright red berries, neon-colored asters and ornamental grasses at their peak of beauty. A maze made of straw bales will challenge young kids, while adults can watch the children work their way through the obstacles. Game and activity stations will be set up throughout the grounds. The first annual bulb sale will take place during the hours of the event in the Garden Pavilion and will feature special varieties of tulips and daffodils. Money raised from the sale will support Klehm programming. “Fall is the best time to plant spring bulbs, so we thought it would be a nice
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addition to Autumn at the Arboretum to try a fall bulb fundraiser. We hope that local gardeners will enjoy picking out unique bulbs to add to their gardens and we anticipate the sale will include more varieties each year as interest increases,” says Samantha Burbach, education and programming coordinator. About 19 specialty varieties of tulips and daffodils will be available. Learn more at Klehm.org. ❚
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Tackle Pet Odors Quickly and Completely By Peggy Werner
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here are a lot of reasons why pets will do their business in places they shouldn’t. Sometimes the solution is as easy as treating a pet’s physical problem, such as clearing up a urinary infection with antibiotics. Other times there are behavioral reasons that may take longer to resolve. Either way, the result is the same – soiled floors and carpets. Once Fluffy or Fido has eliminated in an area of the home, chances are good they’ll return to that spot and do it again. This may become a chronic problem, unless addressed completely and quickly, says Chris Picot, general manager of Advantage Kwik Dry, 11137 Bertram Road, Machesney Park, a full-service restoration and cleaning company. And it takes more than surface carpet cleaning to eliminate the odor, he says. Advantage Kwik Dry takes extra steps to deep clean the carpet, padding and floor.
“The better an area is cleaned, the less likely it is that a pet will return to that spot,” he says. It’s important to note that in hot and humid weather, carpets take longer to completely dry. When carpets have been cleaned, homeowners should keep the air conditioner on and the furnace fan setting on at least medium to keep air circulating in the home to allow carpets to dry within the recommended 24 hours. Advantage Kwik Dry is a familyowned business that has been in the Stateline area for more than 25 years. All technicians are certified, licensed, bonded and insured, and they guarantee their work. The company is also a member of the Carpet and Fabric Care Institute, taking advantage of educational opportunities to stay on the cutting edge of technology. The company is experienced in all
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types of cleaning processes, wet and dry, for homes and businesses, including drapery cleaning, carpets, oriental and area rugs, upholstery, tile and grout, hardwood cleaning and recoating, fabric and fiber protection, pet odor removal, major odor treatment, water removal and sewage cleanup. For more information, coupons, and to schedule an appointment, go to advantagekwikdry.com or call (815) 332-3299 in Illinois and (608) 758-2379 in Southern Wisconsin. ❚
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The Big Picture
WHEN THE TURKEY’S ON YOUR PLATE, IT’S TOO LATE! SCHEDULE TODAY!
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t’s easy to get caught up in the power struggles of man, especially at a time when our country is deeply divided and stakes are very high in this nuclear age. As Christians, however, we need to keep the big picture top of mind: All humans are mortal and God alone holds the key to eternal life. Every breath we take is granted to us by God’s mercy alone. There are no human saviors except Jesus Christ. God is as far above us as we are above the amoeba. Keeping this right perspective requires humility, something we don’t see enough of in our society today. When we find ourselves drawn to human gods, it’s good to review the Old Testament, which records cycles of Israel’s prideful self-destruction and God’s merciful rescue. A good recap is found in Psalm 106. Isreal returned to God after each rescue, but always lost its way again, entranced by shiny objects and mens’ lies. King David lived out this cycle of self-destruction and rescue by God in his personal life. He was acutely aware of his own fickleness but also acutely remorseful about it. In spite of his own weakness, he dared to love God with all of his heart rather than to hide in shame. God recognized this, even calling David “a man after my own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) When we’re too caught up in human power struggles, it’s a good idea to read David’s joyous love letters to God in the Psalms. They help us to keep the big picture. From Psalm 103:5-9 (NIV): The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. ❚
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5 Tasty Tips for a Tailgate W
hether you’re heading to the game to take part in the action or tuning in on the big screen, you can light up the scoreboard this season with these tips for a fun, easy and downright tasty tailgate (or home-gate). These tips can help. 1. Start early. Prepare early, and if you’re heading to the stadium, leave yourself plenty of time to find the ultimate parking spot, light the grill and enjoy the atmosphere. 2. Keep it simple. Use pre-cooked ingredients like Eckrich Smoked Sausage, crafted with just the right blend of spices for a rich, savory and smoky taste. Pair with simple ingredients like a hoagie bun and grilled peppers. 3. Share the responsibility. Ask each attendee to bring something useful for the entire group, such as plasticware, trash bags, napkins, cups, drinks and games. 4. Make it customizable. A spread that allows for personalization can help ensure everyone leaves happy. These Deluxe Nacho Dogs call for an abundance of topping options.
5. Ensure an easy cleanup. Use disposable dishes and strategically placing trash bags in easily visible areas. Smoked Sausage & Pepper Hoagies 1 pkg. Eckrich Smoked Sausage 1 bell pepper, halved and seeded 4 slices (1/2-inch thick) red onion 1/4 cup bottled barbecue sauce 4 hoagie rolls or French rolls, split Heat grill to medium-high and oil grates. Split sausage links in half. Grill sausage, peppers and onions, covered, 5 minutes. Turn; continue grilling, covered, 5 minutes, or until sausage is heated and vegetables are crisp-tender. Brush barbecue sauce over both sides of sausage and vegetables. Toast rolls, cut bell peppers into strips; separate onion slices into rings. Deluxe Nacho Dogs 1 head lettuce 1 tomato 1 red onion 2 jalapeno peppers
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pkg. (8) Skinless Beef Franks cheese sauce pkg. hot dog buns sour cream & chives
Heat grill to medium-high heat. Wash and dry lettuce, tomato, red onion, jalapeno peppers and chives. Chop lettuce. Dice tomato and red onion. Remove jalapeno stems, slice and grill with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill hot dogs 4 minutes, turning halfway through. Heat cheese sauce. Personalize hot dogs with desired toppings. Get more recipe ideas at nathansfamous.com and eckrich.com. ❚ (Source: Family Features)
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Macktown Frenchman’s Frolic Oct. 19 & 20 By Janine Pumilia
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acktown Living History will stage one of its two largest annual events on Oct. 19 & 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although Frenchman’s Frolic, a pre-1850s Rendezvous Camp, is geared for reenactors, the public is welcome to come and observe the goings-on at no charge. The other major event, called The Gathering, takes place in early summer and is focused on demonstrating aspects of 1800s settler life to the public. “Most of the reenactors who come to Frenchman’s Frolic are pretty knowledgeable about this time period and are happy to chat and interact with the public,” says Mike Bost, event founder/coordinator and vice president of the Macktown Living History Board of Directors. Reenactors come from a four-state area and set up their camp on the beautiful Macktown Living History site at the
confluence of the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers, 2221 Freeport Road in Rockton. They enjoy shooting black powder guns, throwing tomahawks, making period crafts and competing with one another in games and contests. The public is welcome to join them for seminars like “The ‘49ers,” about the fortune-seekers who pushed west in the late 1840s. Also, a presenter will share the adventures of “Mad Anne” Baily, a real-life scout and spy who took part in Colonial American Indian Wars. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including period drinks like sarsaparilla (root beer) and cream soda. Bost founded and named the event some 30 years ago. He says “Frenchman’s Frolic” is a nod to the French-Canadian voyageur fur traders who plied our rivers in the 1700s and early 1800s.
“‘Frolic’ is a French word that just means social gathering,” says Bost, whose own ancestry is French. “The hunters and trappers would rendezvous periodically to trade news and goods, and to drink and socialize with each other.”
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A mason contractor by trade, Bost is a reenactor who often demostrates his blacksmith skills around the region. Settlers began putting down roots in the Rock River Valley in the late 1820s and Stephen Mack Jr. was perhaps the earliest. A Vermont native, whose father co-founded Pontiac, Mich., he arrived
in the 1820s and traded here and at Fort Dearborn (later called Chicago) before marrying 15-year-old native Hononegah (who was not a princess, contrary to local lore). They had eight children and together founded the city of Pecatonic, later dubbed Macktown, at the confluence of the Rock and Pecatonica rivers, in 1835. Macktown was abandoned after the Macks’ premature deaths, and was swallowed up by Rockton, which was founded by the Talcott family of pioneers. Listed on the Register of Historic Places, and located on property owned by the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, the Macktown Living History site includes the original framed home of Mack Jr. and Hononegah, their gravesite, the original limestone Whitman Trading Post and the reconstructed Sylvester Stevens home, with its woodworking shop, granary and schoolroom. There’s also a beautiful education center containing archaeological artifacts related to the site. All buildings will be
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open during Frenchman’s Frolic. Macktown Living History is an allvolunteer, not-for-profit group working to restore Macktown to how it looked in its 1840s heyday. Annual membership starts at $15 per individual. More volunteers are always welcomed. Year-round monthly Second Sunday events feature themes like All About Fiber, Cooking with Cast Iron, HorseDrawn Plowing and Ice Cutting. Archaeology is another way to be involved at Macktown Living History. There are summertime adult and kids’ digs and the Three River Archaeological Society regularly presents speakers. Historic Persona Classes are offered at Macktown, providing practical tips on how to develop an outfit and character appropriate to the early settlement and pre-settlement eras. Field trips, group tours and handson workshops for schools, scouts, 4-H groups and others can be arranged. Offsite programs are available upon request.❚
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Catering Options Make Party Fun Easier By Peggy Werner pcoming holidays will bring many good reasons for getting together – and everyone wants good food to eat. So, when planning game-day parties and holiday parties in coming days, the first person you want to call is the caterer. Countryside Meats & Deli, 781 Highgrove Place, Rockford, has always been in the business of catering and can provide everything you need – including the grill and the cook – or you can pick up the food and do it yourself. Julie Edwards, catering manager at Countryside, says the most important thing is to set a time and date, even before deciding the number of people and what’s on the menu. Edwards’ specialty is helping people to plan events and to know how much food to order. Numerous factors must be taken into consideration. “You just have to make an educated
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guess and it’s always better to have too much food than not enough. Our food is made fresh to order, so leftovers will be good in the refrigerator for a few days,” she says. Cheesy potatoes, barbecued pork, Italian beef and a variety of pasta and vegetable salads are among best sellers, but people have a nearly endless variety of foods from which to choose at countrysidemeat.com. There’s a breakfast/brunch menu with egg, sausage or French toast casseroles, a choice of quiche, an assortment of pastries, fresh fruit, bacon and a sausage apple ring. Buffet menus feature roast beef, hickory-smoked ham, baked chicken, turkey breast, Italian beef, lasagna, mostaccioli, meatballs, six varieties of potatoes, beans and vegetables. There’s a hot and cold hors d’oeuvres menu, a wide choice of party trays with meat, shrimp, vege-
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tables, sausage and cheese, relishes, and fresh fruit, in various sizes. The dessert menu includes cookies, brownies, turtle bars, lemon bars, cheesecake and carrot cake squares, and dipped strawberries. There’s also an assortment of dinner rolls to choose among and several picnic packages for outdoor fun. “We love what we do and always try to be as accommodating as possible,” says Edwards. For more information, call Countryside at (815) 399-8660. ❚
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Prevent Vehicle Trouble: Get Ahead of Winter By Peggy Werner
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hether you drive a car, truck, recreational vehicle, have a fleet of trucks, or any other motorized transportation, chances are you’d benefit from giving your vehicles a good check-up before cold weather sets in. Scott Adkins, owner of Scott’s RV, Truck and Auto Repair at 3301 American Road, can help. He describes his business as “A fair, honest repair shop where people can get everything done in one place. We’re pretty diversified in what we do, and it’s especially convenient for customers with more than one vehicle.” He opened his business 11 years ago and quickly outgrew the small shop located just a half mile from his current location. In 2009, he bought a lot and put up a building that underwent a major expansion in 2014, bringing the number of work bays to 15. He employs five certified techni-
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cians in automotive services and diesel mechanics and a total of 11 employees. Adkins says it’s not too early to think about avoiding trouble down the road. “So many problems with vehicles can be prevented with routine maintenance. Oftentimes, what people think is the main problem is really a symptom of something else gone wrong,” he says. To get ready for winter, it’s a good idea to have the tires, battery, coolant, wipers, brakes and other moving parts checked. “Cars don’t need tune-ups as often as they used to, but it’s still a good idea to have a fall inspection. “Everything works harder in the winter and you don’t want to have a break-
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down on the coldest day,” he says. His business services every type of foreign and domestic vehicle, warranties its work for 12 months or 12,000 miles, has the latest diagnostic equipment and a waiting area with WI-FI, provides free shuttle rides within a limited area and does Illinois and federal DOT inspections. Learn more by calling (815) 8740800 or visit scottstruckandauto.com. ❚
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Pay Less for Tech & Have More Holiday Cash By Peggy Werner
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customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services. It’s that much more money he can save up and use for holiday expenses. During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet. Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money. “Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to
offer,” he says. “A lot of people are not happy with their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal. It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says. Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe a few years ago. He also sells, installs and services security cameras and surveillance systems and sells solar panels. What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty. “I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.
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EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America. Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚
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Contagious Diseases that Spread Hand-to-Hand B y To n i R o c h a
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hanks to incredible advances in medicine, many diseases we once feared – cholera, typhoid, polio – are relatively rare. But make no mistake: they’re all still here. Diseases that can be passed handto-hand include hepatitis, E-coli, staph infections, bacterial food poisoning and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Protecting the population from these diseases is becoming more challenging due to the rising number of strains that are immune Dr. Addie Spier to antibiotics.
Allergic reactions to antibiotics are another issue, as are people who don’t believe in vaccinations. Meningitis and hepatitis are uncommon in the U.S., but can become quite serious for those affected. Meningitis causes inflammation of the fluid that surrounds the brain. “Predictably, the first symptom of meningitis is usually a headache,” says Dr. Addie Spier, an infectious disease physician with Mercyhealth. “Patients may also experience fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.” Viruses are the most common cause of meningitis. Enteroviruses which account for 55 to 90 percent of meningitis cases. These spread via contact with someone sick with the disease through their coughing, sneezing or contact with their eyes,
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nose, mouth or fecal material. This is why hand washing is so important. “One of the most important causes of bacterial meningitis is Neisseria meningitis,” she says. “It can be rapidly fatal, which is why it’s good that vaccines exist to prevent this serious infection.” Children ages 11 to 12 should receive a meningitis vaccine and booster covering the most common strains of Neisseria meningitis. College-age students should also receive a meningitis B vaccine. Rest and pain medications are used to treat viral meningitis, Spier adds. “The exception is herpes meningitis, which is treated with high doses of IV acyclovir,” she says. “Bacterial meningitis is treated with IV antibiotics, typically for two weeks.” ❚
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You Deserve Mike Lunde & Christine Smith’s Unsurpassed Service Mike Lunde & Christine Smith, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Mike & Christine Smith’s Customers Have to Say: Mike and Christine are true professionals. They guided us through the process of selling our home from start to finish. The photos Mike took of our home were fabulous and certainly made our house stand out against the other comps in the area. Bottom line we sold our house in six days at the right price - what more could we ask for? Thank you Team Lunde for a job well done!
Kris Smith 815-985-9522 • mlunde@gogambino.com. See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/mlunde
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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at
Real. Original. SM
Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all
Autumn Fun
ILLINOIS, USA
glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1
102 N. Main St.
Attractions & Events
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
RAM: Bold Abstractions Now thru Jan. 26, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring paintings from the Thoma collection, exploring new forms of abstract painting Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com from the 1960s. RAM, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Wings of Wonder: The Lorikeet Exhibit Now thru Nov. 10, Tues.-Sun. Get an intimate look into the fascinating world of these playful birds. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. (815) 987-8858. Concerts at Katie's Cup Oct. 10 & 12. Second Thursday Concert on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. featuring Tom Mac Group. Saturday Midday Concert Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. with Valarella. 502 7th St., Rockford, (815) 9860628, KatiesCup.com. “Little Shop of Horrors” Oct. 10-20, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Meek floral assistant Seymour Kelborn stumbles across a new breed of singing carnivorous plant that's intent on global domination. Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com. Wine, Women & Purses for YWCA Oct. 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of wine tasting, boutique shopping, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and music by Jordan and Jef. Benefits more than 12,000 women, children and families each month. YWCA NW Illinois, Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road, (815) 316-6126, ywcanwil.org. Fall Festival Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ride in a covered wagon, visit with farm animals, bob for apples and decorate pumpkins. John Deere Historic Site, 8334 S. Clinton St., Grand Detour, Ill., (815) 652-4551, deere.com. Fall Pie Bake for Families Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Make pies, explore the woods and spend time with goats. Bring a dish to pass for a potluck lunch. Reg. online. Angelic Organics, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia, Ill., (815) 389-8455, learngrowconnect.org. Head of the Rock Regatta Oct. 13, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. This decades-old race draws some 1,700 rowers from across the country. Watch from Martin Park to YMCA Log Lodge, 200 Y Blvd., rockriverymca.org.
This oil on linen painting by the late Frederick Hammersley is part of the "Bold Abstractions" exhibit opening at Rockford Art Museum this week.
Klehm Autumn at the Arboretum Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy fall games, crafts, magic, clowns, hay bale maze, horse-drawn rides and a spring bulb sale in garden pavilion. 2715 S. Main St., klehm.org. Harvest Sunday at Macktown Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m. Learn how people preserved food in the early 1800s. 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill. Free. The Life of Indigenous Peoples Oct. 13, 1 p.m. Kim Sigafus, an Ojibwa author, presents Native culture and encampment life through oral traditions, language and history. Nature at the Confluence, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 200-6910, natureattheconfluence.com. AJG: Shinrin Yoku Forest Bathing Oct. 13, 4-6:30 p.m. Immerse all of your senses on a gentle walk. Reg. online. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org. 4 Icons Oct. 13, 3-5 p.m. Enjoy the legendary music of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, John Denver and Roy Orbison. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Weep & Willow Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. The duo of Miles Nielsen and Kelly Steward layers rich harmonies with honest lyrics. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Frenchman’s Frolic at Macktown Oct. 19 & 20, 9-4 p.m. Learn how our earliest settlers lived during this historical event that includes a pre-1850s rendezvous camp. Games and contests, black powder shooting demonstrations, period crafts, tomahawk throwing and more. Food and drink for sale, admission is free. 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill. ❚
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Baci’s Keeps Evolving to Please Customers By Peggy Werner
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ikko Castrogiovanni sees his business as constantly evolving to give people what they want from his full -service, all-day offerings of Italian and American cuisine. These include many health-conscious and vegetarian options. “We offer great customer service, fresh foods and a great atmosphere,” he says. “People are pleasantly surprised when they come here and they make plans to return. And many people are still trying us out for the first time.” Baci’s Kitchen is located at 2990 N. Perryville Road, Rockford, inside A Perryville Place, between Olde Creek and Spring Creek roads. It offers carryout, catering, delivery and full table service, with reservations highly encouraged. It also has a private gaming corner, a sit-down bar, daily specials and live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Among favorite items on the menu are 10 oz. burgers, such as a mushroom
burger with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, portabella mushrooms and bacon; the avocado burger topped with lettuce, tomato, black beans, avocado, American cheese and onion; and the Baci Blue, with bleu cheese, bacon and purple onion. Also beloved is Baci’s Mac and Cheese, made with corkscrew pasta that’s baked and lightly topped with panko crumbs. There are many options, like Alfredo Mac and Cheese with shrimp, peppers and broccoli. For breakfast, waffles, omelets, skillets and ala carte items are available as well as breakfast pizza starting at $14 in three sizes, made with scrambled eggs and a choice of sauces, cheeses, toppings and meat. There are also breakfast bowls like Greek yogurt with fresh berries, granola, bananas and honey or sweet potato and egg with avocado and kale. Costs range from $4.50 to $8. Lunch/dinner options include sand-
wiches, soups, panini, wraps, specialty salads, pizzas, calzones and full-blown entrees like peppercorn-encrusted sirloin filet for $22 or lasagna for $14.95. Among Baci’s healthful signature protein bowls is the Salmon Bowl, with blackened salmon filet, brown rice, sesame seeds, spinach, avocado, edamane and shredded carrots for $14. Hours: Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Mon.Wed. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Learn more at baciskitchen.com. ❚ ❚
Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. 26
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Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Mary’s Market Cafe & Bakery Baked goods, sandwiches, salads. 2636 McFarland Road, Rockford, (815) 986-3300; 1659 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765; 4431 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 397-7291. BkLD Hours vary by location. $. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200 Stockholm Inn Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis. 2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
Oct. 9
To advertise call 815-316-2300
In the Spotlight
Hearthrock Cafe
B
enson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café has introduced new items to its already-popular menu. Head Chef Todd Cooper is following the popular farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible. One of his most popular new creations is the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, red pepper and mushrooms. There’s also a new Benson Reuben sandwich, made with homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage. Fresh salads include apple walnut, mandarin orange, garden, spinach or Caesar, iwith optional chicken or bacon. Hearthrock Café hours are Mon.Fri. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St. in Rockford. Learn more at BensonStone. com/hearthrock. ❚
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International Credit Union Day is Oct. 17 O
n Oct. 17, credit union members around the world will celebrate International Credit Union Day, an annual event to commemorate the credit union movement’s impact and achievements. This year marks the 71st anniversary of the annual event. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide an effective and viable alternative to for-profit financial institutions for millions of members in 117 countries worldwide. More than 89,000 credit unions exist globally, providing a plethora of financial services for their members. They are recognized as a force for positive economic and social change. Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, the international event affords the opportunity to remember credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of
and support for the credit union and financial cooperative difference. This year’s theme is “Local Service. Global Reach.” It speaks to how each credit union serves a local community. It’s because of that local service in communities across the world that we have a global credit union movement that’s now 260 million members strong. ICU Day 2019 is a celebration of the impact credit unions and other financial cooperatives have made, and continue to make, for their members. It’s also a chance to be thankful for the lives and communities that have been improved by the credit union movement. International Credit Union Day is
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recognized by the World Council of Credit Unions – which is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions – and other financial cooperatives, as well as numerous national credit union trade associations and federations around the world. Credit unions will celebrate with membership drives, contests and fundraisers to help local communities. Find a list of activities with the global community on social media using #ICUDay and #LocalServiceGlobalReach. ❚
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