Smart Living Rockford - January 2026

Checking Built for Better Results

Total Access Checking

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas

Managing Editor Jim Taylor

Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi

Graphics Director Samantha Behling

Graphic Designer Ashley Smith

Contributing Writers

Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner

General Sales Manager Brent Hughes

Sales Manager Brad Hughes

Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky

Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes

Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Distribution

and Larry Fairbairn

Dangerous Nostalgia

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know we’re well into January (and potentially even February… depending on when this publication hits your mailbox). But this is my first column of 2026, and it feels rude to not say those three words.

In conjunction with the new year, there’s a trend happening on social media where people are posting their old photos from 2016. I must admit, scrolling through everyone’s favorite memories (and my own) has me feeling nostalgic. Ten years ago, I was fresh out of college, just beginning my career at Hughes Media at the bottom of the editorial masthead. I started dating my now-husband that year. I paid $265 a month in rent (living in a townhouse in Loves Park with my best friends for roommates). I went out on Thursday nights. It was a wildly different time.

As fun as it is to revisit the past, I know that nostalgia can be dangerous. There’s a tendency to only remember the “good parts” of what happened, and forget everything else. The selective memory can make the past seem better than it actually was, and the present seem worse by comparison.

Nostalgia has a way of smoothing out the rough edges. I don’t immediately remember the uncertainty of being at the bottom of that masthead, or the God-awful dates I went on before meeting Mike. But wow, do I remember the excitement of “feeling young” and having so much freedom.

That’s where nostalgia becomes tricky. When we romanticize the past, we unintentionally devalue the present. We compare today, with all its responsibilities, to a version of yesterday that never fully existed.

It’s especially tempting at the start of a new year, when reflection is practically mandatory. But growth rarely looks glamorous in real time. Life shifts for all of us in various ways — careers deepen, marriages evolve, families expand, priorities change. The past was fun, but the present deserves our attention. ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

What Are Plantation Shutters All About?

By Chris Linden, executive editor

Window treatments come in many styles, but few offer the level of energy-efficiency, privacy, control and value that come with plantation shutters.

What exactly is a plantation shutter? It’s a frame with movable slats that sits over your window. It’s typically installed inside your home, so you can control the amount of light coming through. Move the slats up or down to block light, put them in the middle to let in some light, or open the frame and bathe in sunlight. They’re popular for every room in the house, including entryway windows.

“With drapes, blinds or roller shades, they’re either all closed for privacy or all open for light,” says Joshua Kierzyk, of Sunburst Shutters of Chicago. “With shutters, you control the amount of light coming into the room.”

Sunburst Shutters of Chicago has

been installing this type of window treatment for more than 35 years. Though the team also handles custom blinds, drapes and shades, their most enduring seller is the Polywood shutter.

Fashioned from a durable composite material, these shutters and frames have a baked-on UV coating that won’t fade. They have a lifetime warranty and the best energy-efficiency rating on the market – one that makes them very costcompetitive with other products.

“Our shutters are the only window treatment I have heard of that qualifies for an energy tax credit,” says Kierzyk.

Polywood shutters are produced in Wausau, Wis., and then custom-assembled at Sunburst’s Huntley warehouse, where owners Natalie and JayAre Clark stand behind their team’s work.

“These shutters come with a lifetime

warranty, so as long as the customer owns the home their product is fully covered,” says Kierzyk. “People just call us and we’ll take care of it. We’ve done warranty work on shutters that are a couple of years old and some that are almost as old as me.” ❚

For a free consultation, call Sunburst Shutters at (847) 697-4000 or visit sunburstshutterschicago.com.

Magnet & Compass

The late theologian Howard Hendricks said, “A leader is a person with a magnet in his heart and a compass in his hand.”

How do we recognize a good leader?

First, by studying scripture to see how God defines “good.” In a way, the Bible is an anthology of leadership profiles, detailing both successes and failures of prophets, judges, kings, Jewish high priests, quarreling leaders of the fledgling church and the Messiah himself.

Second, by asking God for spiritual insight and valuing it above human noise.

Here are a few sections of scripture to study.

• The gospels, of course, since Jesus Christ was the only perfect leader. “...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:42-45 NIV)

• In I Timothy, Paul shares leadership qualities he values. “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (I Tim. 3:3 NIV).

• Proverbs, penned mostly by King Solomon. “God cares about honesty in the workplace, your business is his business. Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation. Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth. An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you’re smart to stay clear of someone like that. Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives; they’re like spring rain and sunshine. Get wisdom – it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time.” (Proverbs 16:11-16 MSG)

• Judges. These deeply flawed, often-reluctant leaders were made great by God and their stories are riveting. As God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) ❚

Boat Shows That Bring Summer Indoors

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

WhenOld Man Winter rolls across the Midwest, frozen lakes and gray skies set the scene outside. Inside, winter boat shows tease us with bright aisles, warm lights and a sneak peek of what’s to come. Lucky for us, there are plenty of them nearby, and each inspires us to dream of the season ahead.

Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show –Rosemont, Ill.

Jan. 28-Feb. 1

The Chicago area’s winter boat show packs Rosemont’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center with hundreds of manufacturers and their bowriders, pontoons, surf boats, fishing rigs, jet boats and cruisers.

“During the winter months in the Midwest, there’s not a whole lot going on,” says Joe Bishoff, general manager

of The Boat House Lauderdale Lakes, N. 7536 Sterlingworth Dr., in Elkhorn. “If families are starting a boat search or just want something to do, these shows can be great avenues for that.”

Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show – Loves Park, Ill.

Feb. 20-22

Cozy and close to home, the Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show transforms Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center into a warm setting lined with fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks and personal watercraft.

Vendors fill the perimeter with tackle, apparel, lake decor and gear while experienced anglers from Illinois and Wisconsin lead seminars throughout the weekend. The slower tempo of this boat show gives visitors time to compare lay-

outs, ask questions and talk with local experts.

Northern Illinois Boat Show – Grayslake, Ill.

Feb. 26-March 1

As February winds down, one of northern Illinois’ largest preseason boat sales takes over the Lake County Fairgrounds. More than 200 new and used boats from more than 50 manufacturers fill the halls – bowriders, surf boats, pontoons, jet boats, fishing rigs and trailers arranged alongside pier services and accessory displays. ❚

IceHogs Continue Season at BMO Center

By Jim Taylor, managing editor

The Rockford IceHogs continue their 2025-26 season at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, offering exciting entertainment in its 27th season and 19th year as the Chicago Blackhawks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

“We’re in the live entertainment business,” says Ryan Snider, president of business operations for the Rockford IceHogs. “We have great hockey players, but even if a fan doesn’t look at the ice, we want them to have fun.”

The organization’s story took a thrilling turn on April 7, 2021, when the Blackhawks unveiled a $23 million, multi-year plan to upgrade the BMO Center. The plan secures the IceHogs’ home in Rockford through 2036.

The Blackhawks’ ownership brings advantages, both on and off the ice. Hardcore hockey fans can cheer on a team

with a talent pipeline that shapes future National Hockey League (NHL) stars. Casual fans enjoy top-tier entertainment at an affordable ticket price and amenities that aren’t a slapshot to the wallet.

“We strive to provide an environment where a family can afford a fun night out, whether it’s once a year or 36 times a year,” says Snider.

Phase one included an overhaul to the rink’s ice floor and an improved dehumidification system, improving the quality of the IceHogs’ ice surface.

“We’re developing the future stars of the Chicago Blackhawks,” says Snider. “We want them to have the best opportunities to train and develop. The quality of the ice is a big part of that.”

Subsequent phases have focused on the fan experience, with a widened, streamlined main entrance, enhanced common areas, a grab-and-go concession stand that reduces lines, and a state-ofthe-art scoreboard that puts as much focus on the spectators as the on-ice action.

“We put a lot of money in what you see, touch and feel,” says Snider.

When the IceHogs kicked off the 2024-25 season, the BMO Center’s latest upgrade made the crowd plush – $1 million to replace and upgrade all 6,300 seats.

Snider points out an important feature that others might ironically miss: sightlines. When it comes to seeing the action, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. This allows the IceHogs to offer affordable lower-tier seating while also accommodating a premium experience in box seats and suites.

“One of the great things about the building is that it has a little bit of everything,” Snider says. “No matter what you

want to pay and where you want to sit, you’re going to have a great view.”

The BMO Center’s video board allows fans to get fully immersed in the game, turning them into bobbleheads on the Bobblehead Cam, inviting them to play an interactive intermission trivia game, or prompting them to get loud with several high-energy pump-up videos.

A particularly popular activity lets fans send selfies to the board via a QR code.

IceHogs fans aren’t the only ones to take notice of the revamped arena. Thhe AHL Board of Commissioners unanimously selected BMO Center to host this year’s AHL All-Star Classic. It’s a decision that puts Rockford at center ice, drawing fans from across the country to experience the arena for themselves.

The success of the IceHogs in the AHL is driven by the talent of the players and the leadership of the coaching staff. Snider hopes that, soon, fans will be treated to a deep playoff run and a chance to see the IceHogs hoist the Calder Cup,

the AHL’s championship trophy. In the meantime, success for Snider is seeing the crowd on their feet, enjoying the experience.

“Our job is to create memories of that awesome night you had with your friends and family,” he says. “When we make that happen, it’s really fulfilling.” ❚

11 Days of Rockford Restaurant Week

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

After they ring in the new year, local restaurants often enter a lean season. Holiday crowds fade, budgets tighten and many would-be patrons refocus their habits around new year’s resolutions. Add in the cold, which keeps diners hunkered down at home, and you end up with one of the quietest stretches of the year.

That’s what makes the annual Rockford Restaurant Week, returning Jan. 29 through Feb. 8, such a welcome burst of business.

“It’s really about encouraging people to get out, try some new places and support local,” says Chenaire Barmore, communications manager at GoRockford. “It’s a great opportunity to celebrate our community and shine a light on how creative and unique our local cuisine offerings really are.”

Now in its sixth year, the event continues to expand in reach and participation, with 50 to 65 locally owned restaurants expected to take part this year. Chefs offer either a prix-fixe menu – typically $15 to $25 for lunch or brunch and $25 to $50 for dinner – or a bundled meal deal designed for more casual operations.

The flexible format gives each restaurant space to showcase its strengths while giving diners a no-fuss way to explore Rockford’s culinary scene.

Rockford Restaurant Week shows off an impressive array of cuisine, drawing together Asian fusion and Mexican cuisine, soul food and barbecue, vegan and vegetarian kitchens, and spots that highlight gluten-free options.

GoRockford updates its Rockford Restaurant Week webpage with participating restaurants, menus and pricing as

the event draws near. Diners can browse offerings online, sort by menu type and plan their stops before the celebration begins.

“It means a lot to hear from restaurants that it is very impactful for them, and every year I’ve heard sales continue to increase,” Barmore says. ❚

For more information on Rockford Restaurant Week, including menus and participating restaurants as they’re announced, visit gorockford.com/restaurant-week.

Detecting Cardiovascular Disease Early

By Stephanie N. Grimoldby

Physicians and health professionals in our region agree that access is a toplevel concern for a community’s health. Dr. Alejandro Aquino comes at the accessibility issue as a specialist in interventional cardiology at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center.

Though Aquino has worked in Rockford for years, he well remembers his first few months in town.

“I was doing a lot of complex stenting,” he recalls. “Within weeks of being in Rockford, I thought, ‘These people have really bad heart disease.’ For example, I’d see someone who grew up in Kirkland eating two or three eggs with bacon every morning for breakfast, who hadn’t been to the doctor in 20 years –they only go when they have to – and these people were really sick.”

Aquino has since followed heat

maps – color-coded geographical data that show trends and “hot spots.” They corroborate his suspicions: large numbers of patients with valve disease located in Rockford, west to Freeport, and south to Interstate 80, who have not been diagnosed or treated before reaching him.

“I see a lot of patients well into the advanced stages of heart failure or valve problems, and they have not had previous medical care,” he says. “Patients are downstream, if you will. We need more efforts to try to capture them further upstream; to get them into primary care earlier, to get prevention management.”

In the past year, OSF has gained about 15 primary care doctors, which helps specialists gain access to patients sooner, Aquino says.

“When I’ve done valve presentations in the past, the biggest question is, ‘How

do you know if you have this? Do you have to go to a cardiologist to find out?’” Aquino says. “The answer is no. You have to trust your primary care provider. They’re going to use a stethoscope and hear a murmur; they’re going to take your blood samples and vitals and see if you have high cholesterol, if you need a statin.” It largely boils down to education, and Aquino wants to make sure the community is better informed about heart disease and how to prevent it.

“We need to give patients knowledge so they can be active participants in their own care,” Aquino says. ❚

Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition

Jan. 28-31, daily during park hours. Teams from around the state compete to represent Illinois in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition. Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org

Disney on Ice: ‘Frozen’ and ‘Encanto’ Jan. 29, 7 p.m. Be part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleash an eternal winter. Olaf, Kristoff and Sven join in her race to bring back summer. Then, visit the Madrigal family’s Casita as Mirabel tries to save her enchanted family home with her sisters, Isabela and Luisa. BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, bmocenter.asmrockford.com.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire: A New Musical Comedy’ Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny takes the stage in the story of a recently divorced voice actor who disguises himself as an elderly female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. asmrockford.com.

Science Saturday: Sensory Science! Feb. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Touch, smell and listen to nature. Feel the differences in animal fur, test your smelling ability with different flowers and identify bird calls. This monthly event features a different nature theme each month, with activities for guests of all ages. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.org.

RSO: ‘Love…It’s Complicated’ Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate love and all its complexity. Hear Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture,” Strauss’ electrifying “Don Juan” as it sweeps you into the daring adventures

Entertainment & Events

of the legendary seducer, and Brahms’ “Double Concerto for Violin and Cello,” written as an apology to a friend and performed by father and daughter soloists Linc and Genevieve Smelser. Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour Feb. 19, 7 p.m. The successful stand-up comedian and actor is known for his clean, relatable and deadpan humor. BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, bmocenter.asmrockford.com.

Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show

Feb. 20-22, Fri. 3-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks and personal watercraft fill the complex. Visit with representatives from charters and lodges and buy the latest fishing gear. Illinois and Wisconsin anglers and guides present information seminars. Free Trout Pond, Hawg Trough and more provide entertainment for the entire family. Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 997-1744, rockfordboatshow.com.

Rockford Home Show

Feb. 27-March 1, see website for times. This gathering showcases some of the Rockford area’s top home and garden vendors. Includes activities for children such as a raptor show, building projects and Dan the Juggler. Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 871-7469, showtimeproduction.net.

27th Annual Paleofest

March 6-8, events daily. The premier paleontology event brings the general public and scientists from around the world as they mingle and listen to special presenters on paleontology subjects. Activities include workshops, classes, speakers, tours and events for the whole family. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.

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. A Sockford Hospital encourages you to bring in your own sock money for expert repairs. 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. ❚