Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn
The 2026 Olympics
Every time the Olympic Games roll around, I’m reminded how hungry we are for something wholesome.
For a couple of weeks, the world shrinks. We learn how to pronounce names we’d never heard before. We cheer for athletes from countries we couldn’t find on a map five minutes earlier. We stay up late watching sports we only think about every four years.
Obviously, I love seeing Team USA at the top of the podium. Of course I do. But what has struck me most this time around is not just how much we’re winning, but how we’re carrying ourselves when we don’t.
For example, Ilia Malinin finished eighth in men’s figure skating. For someone of his talent and expectations, that is not the headline he wanted. But if you watched him afterward, you didn’t see a grown man having a tantrum. You saw composure. You saw maturity. You saw a young adult who congratulated his opponent. No sulking, just respect for the moment and for the competitors who skated better that day. That is leadership.
And then there was Chloe Kim congratulating South Korea’s Choi Gaon after the ultimate “mentee beats the mentor” moment. Kim did not make it about herself. She celebrated Choi’s rise. She embraced her. She honored the passing of the torch.
That is what makes me proud.
We are winning, but we are also losing with grace. We are modeling humility, respect and sportsmanship on a global stage. I think that’s so important for our kids to see.
Kids watch adults to learn how to behave. Through these Olympic games, they’re learning how to respond when they fall short. They’re absorbing what it looks like to cheer for someone else’s success. The Olympics remind us that excellence and kindness are not opposites. You can be fiercely competitive and still be generous. You can chase gold and still value the people racing beside you.
For a few weeks, the world feels united by something simple and good. ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
Who Do You Really Trust?
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
– Psalm 118:8
Surely these words ring true to any believer who has lived in the world for any time at all. Who is trustworthy in this life? Even the people we love the most and who love us best are frail and imperfect. We are not wholly honest with ourselves, much less with others. And none of us is truly wise, despite our best intentions.
What of the institutions and organizations of this world? Has any of us failed to be disappointed by them? Governments, corporations, schools, hospitals, workplaces, churches, society in general. Each is comprised of flawed individuals, some trying their best, some serving only themselves, none perfect.
In short, we love people but we trust only God. And yet how difficult it sometimes is to trust in One we can’t see. What does it mean to trust in the Lord?
First, there is the Word of God. For all the ways people twist and turn scripture to suit their own ideas, the basic truths taught by Jesus Christ can’t be obscured. The greatest commandment is to love God fully and faithfully. The next greatest is to love others as much as we love ourselves. Those are trustworthy concepts that should keep us busy for a lifetime.
Too, God’s trustworthiness and sheer brilliance is on display all around us every day; it’s in every sunrise and moonrise, every spring that brings new life, every inch of natural beauty, every miraculous interaction of the web of life which sustains us. It’s in the miracle of life itself, and in every breath we take. People didn’t create the Earth or the life upon it. God did.
People who trust in people are always disappointed. People who love people and put their confidence in God find a peace that surpasses human understanding. ❚
-- Janine Pumilia
All Aboard for Family Fun at Train Shows
By Peggy Werner
Model railroading offers fun and learning for the whole family.
“It’s fascinating for kids and nostalgic for parents and grandparents, who have their own memories of a time when trains were more plentiful,” says Marty Hendrickx, superintendent of the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Railroad Association. “I was five when I saw the first model railroad being built. It was exciting then and the feeling has never left me.”
The division’s 34th annual spring show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at Harlem High School, 9229 N. Alpine Road.
“This show is one of the biggest in the area and certainly one of the most affordable and popular,” Hendrickx says.
About half of the 43,000 square feet
of space is filled with operating model layouts both large and small. The largest display is 40 feet long and 60 feet wide, with 15-20 people operating trains.
Dozens of vendors sell everything and anything having to do with trains, including new and used model cars and locomotives, supplies, signs, lanterns, tshirts, hats and caps, and fine China used to serve food on popular passenger trains from the past. Harlem Fans Club is in charge of concessions, selling hot dogs, pizza, nachos and drinks.
“Model trains have been called the world’s greatest hobby because it encompasses so many different facets,” Hendrickx says. “It’s not a static hobby and the operator has up-close control over the train. It’s easy to immerse yourself.”
Admission is $5 per adult at the door. Children under 12 and scouts in uniform
are admitted free. Door prizes are awarded every hour.
In addition, train enthusiasts can get an early start at the Delavan Train Show, held at 111 South Second St., Delavan. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
Visitors can explore operating layouts in multiple scales and enjoy food and beverages available for purchase. Raffle items add to the fun.
For more information, visit delavantrainshow.com. ❚
Spending a Day in Downtown Beloit
By Chris Linden, executive editor
On any given day, it’s hard not to feel the rhythm in downtown Beloit. Independent retailers and homegrown restaurants blend into the landscape with repurposed factories, a Division III college, and an abundance of charm and character.
It’s the sort of place where you can easily spend a day – and maybe you’ll stay awhile longer.
At 9 a.m., things come to life at State Street and Grand Avenue. The lights glow inside tidy storefronts. The brick-lined street is mostly empty, waiting for the visitors to roll in.
By 10 a.m., the morning crowd is stationed at Bushel & Peck’s, 328 State St., where they’re cozying up with coffee and pastries in a shop that’s part grocery store, part general store, part restaurant, part cannery and 100% local.
Wherever they come from, visitors
to Bushel & Peck’s get their first taste of a common theme in downtown Beloit.
“In most of the stores around downtown Beloit you’re going to meet the person who established and owns that operation, and they’re pretty darn excited to see you and have a conversation with you,” says owner Jackie Gennett. “You’ll get a personalized experience here that you just can’t find at a big, national store.”
The closer you get to lunch, the hard-
er it is to find a parking spot. The signs say there’s a 2-hour limit, but here’s a little secret the locals know: if you’re really making a day of it, head to the back of any parking lot and stay as long as you like.
And there’s a good chance you’ll want to stay, because mid-day is when things get most exciting. A bevy of locally owned restaurants open for lunch, independent retailers welcome visitors and people bounce from shop to shop. Wherever you go, there’s a lot of friendly people. Consider it a little taste of
Bushel & Peck’s, 328 State Street
Northwoods Premium, 314 State Street
Mayberry, just like Scott and Teala Lamoreux have found. That’s what brought their Northwoods Premium shop to 314 State Street some 13 years ago.
The couple started their business in northwest Wisconsin, where Teala passed slow winters playing with her grandmother’s chocolate recipes. One thing led to the next, and soon the couple were a mainstay at the Beloit Farmers Market. And they’ve been here ever since.
“Just this morning, some customers came in and said, ‘Thanks for being here,’” says Teala. “It’s so nice to still be
appreciated, and that’s why we wanted to be here. We love the small-town feel.”
Across the street, Chadwick’s Walnut Creek Apparel and Gifts, at 408 E. Grand Ave., specializes in custom apparel, promotional items and awards.
The downtown association’s office is a short walk from many surprises. 5BAR and the Carom Room billiards hall are right across the street. Just down the way, there’s Beloit Art Center, a nonprofit group that always has something on exhibit and a workshop in progress.
A few blocks up the hill there’s Beloit College, a 65-acre campus. Its Logan Museum of Anthropology showcases artifacts from more than 129 countries and more than 600 cultural groups, while the Wright Museum of Art showcases contemporary art and part of a 6,000-item collection.
When the winter sun sets over downtown Beloit, the streets grow quiet once again. It’s short-lived, because the nighttime brings a life of its own. The tables
fill up quickly at places like Truk’t, Lucy’s #7 Burger Bar, the 615 Club and Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint. And the crowds stay well into the night.
Jamie Anderson is one of downtown’s newest shop owners, and she’s found herself right at home with The Rogue Bookshop, 321 State Street.
“During the pandemic I watched a lot of ‘Gilmore Girls,’ so I was looking for that kind of vibe with my store,” she says. “I wanted a cozy downtown community, and I think that if people want a day trip to Beloit, that’s what they’re going to get.” ❚
Chadwick’s Walnut Creek Apparel and Gifts, 408 E. Grand Avenue
Rogue Bookshop, 321 State Street
What is Design-Build All About?
By Chris Linden, executive editor
With many things in life, there’s more than one way to get the right answer. And so it goes with remodeling: Every contractor has their way of getting to the finished product. Which method is right for you? That depends entirely upon your needs and interests.
For many homeowners, the answer is design-build, an approach that brings everything under one roof for a smooth, seamless flow. It’s made many a successful remodel for clients of Macktown Construction Group, 9957 N. Alpine Road, in Machesney Park.
“Design-build creates clarity from the beginning,” says Taylor Bible, client experience director for Macktown. “Rather than asking homeowners to coordinate multiple professionals, we guide them through a single, unified process. From the first conversation to the final
walkthrough, clients work with one integrated team.”
The big idea with design-build is to bring sales, design, project management and construction all under one roof. What the client gets in return is a smooth flow of communication without the headaches that come with coordinating lots of separate services.
At Macktown Construction Group, clients meet with project director Chad Beasley for a simple conversation. It can be in-person, over the phone, on video – whatever’s easiest. This is a chance to talk about your needs and the scope of your project.
The design phase is where designbuild remodelers depart from their peers. Some firms simply offer “allowances” –generic estimates for a given line item, like flooring. Firms like Macktown go a
different way, removing all of the guesswork upfront.
“Our major advantage is that we use the real pricing tied to actual selections, rather than broad allowances, so that means clients understand the true cost of their choices before construction begins, and not after,” says Bible.
For clients, it all adds up to consistency, accountability and peace of mind.
“By investing time upfront in design and planning, we reduce unknowns during construction,” Bible says. ❚
Oregon’s Antiques Show is March 21-22
By Peggy Werner
From first-time buyers to seasoned col-
lectors, the 74th annual Oregon Antiques Show offers items for every taste and budget, all in support of good causes. This year’s show is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at Blackhawk Center, 1101 W. Jefferson St. Hack’s Auction appraises small items for $5 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Bring photos of larger items.
“This event brings in a lot of tourism and is a source of pride for our community because it is one of the oldest, biggest shows of its kind in the area,” says Kathe Wilson, show manager.
The show features quality antiques from the early 1800s through the retro era of the 1950s and includes all areas of collecting, including furniture, glass, China, pottery, toys, primitives (items be-
fore 1900), textiles, jewelry, dolls, silver, decorative items and more. Three years ago, vintage items from the 60s, 70s and 80s were added. About 50 vendors attend the event.
“There’s not another show like it,” Wilson says. “All the vendors I have worked with are personable, kind and most helpful.”
Until the pandemic, 100 percent of the vendors returned each year, with new ones always being introduced. Some of those vendors have retired, but still 90 percent return each year, showing their satisfaction and support for the event, Wilson adds.
Sponsored by the Oregon Women’s Club, the show is a major fundraiser for the club that funds various community projects and charities. Some of the organizations that benefit include HOPE
of Ogle County, a women’s shelter for victims of domestic abuse, Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, and Pegasus Special Riders, an organization meant to help heal and empower the lives of the physically, mentally and emotionally challenged through therapeutic horseback riding.
The women of Chana United Methodist Church will provide refreshments, including chicken noodle casserole, sandwiches, beverages and homemade desserts. ❚
For more information, visit cityoforegon.org.
Charlie Berens: The Lost and Found Tour
March 7, 5 & 8 p.m. The comedian, podcaster, author, journalist and musician is also the creator of “The Manitowoc Minute,” a comedy news show about the Midwest. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. rockfordlive.com.
Sock Monkey Madness Festival
March 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Activities include Makea-Monkey workshop, Sock Monkey exhibit, and children’s crafts and activities. Sassy Mac Boys food truck is open 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
AET: ‘Conscience’
March 12-29, times to be announced. This gripping slice of history is about a lone woman who denounced a bully and stood for what is right, regardless of the cost. Artists’ Ensemble Theater, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.
Josh Turner: This Country Music Thing Tour
March 13, 7:30 p.m. This American country music singer/songwriter has been performing since 2001 and is known for his deep baritone voice and timeless songs like “Long Black Train,” and “Why
Entertainment & Events
Don’t We Just Dance.” Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. rockfordlive.com.
RSO: ‘Night at the Movies’
March 14, 7:30 p.m. Walk the red carpet under the Coronado stars for an evening of symphonic works from Academy Award-winning films. Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9650049, rockfordsymphony.com.
John Crist Live!
March 21, 7 p.m. This popular American standup comedian and internet personality is known for his videos and sketches that poke fun of Christian culture, millennials and consumerism. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado.rockfordlive.com.
MercyMe: Wonder & Awe Tour
March 21, 7 p.m. This multi-platinum band brings their signature blend of powerful worship and chart-topping hits to the stage. BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, bmocenter.asmrockford.com.
In the Outdoors: Weekend Warriors
March 21, 2-3 p.m. Learn about archery and
tomahawk throwing. All equipment provided. Archers must be at least 5 years old; tomahawk tossers must be at least 7 years old. Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford Road, Rockford, (815) 966-8747, rockfordparkdistrict.org.
Beloit International Film Festival
March 25-29, events daily. The annual film festival returns to venues across Beloit, with a diverse showing of short, feature-length, documentary films and much more. Tickets required in advance. Buy online or at Beloit College. Location: Downtown Beloit, various venues. Info/Tickets: BIFF, 635 3rd St., Beloit, (608) 466-9693, beloitfilmfest.org. ❚
Midway Village Museum’s Sock Monkey Madness Festival entertains with children’s crafts and activities March 8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
