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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • $1.95 • August 2026
Autumn on Parade Bringing Fall Fun to Oregon, Ill. The Hidden Threat to Men’s Health Talk Budget Now, Avoid Surprises Later Inspiration: What to Pack Family Fun: 8 Upcoming Events
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region .................Cover & p. 24 Community Spirit on Parade this Autumn Inspiration & Worship ................................ 16 What to Pack Your Home & Garden ................................ 33 Talk Budget Now, Avoid Surprises Later Your Health ................................................ 39 The Hidden Threat to Men’s Health Your Fun ..................................................... 44
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing Editor Jim Taylor Deputy Editor Steven Bonifazi Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designers Olivia Costello, Brandi Fier 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, Jessica Greer Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 www.SmartLivingRockford.com Smart Living. Copyright 2026 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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Autumn on Parade
E
very family has those traditions that quietly become the moments your children remember most. They’re not always elaborate vacations or expensive outings. Sometimes, they’re simply a Saturday spent wandering a festival together, sharing a treat, listening to music and watching your kids experience the world with wide-eyed excitement. That’s exactly why I’m looking forward to taking my two little ones, Eli, 4, and Izzy, 2, to Autumn on Parade this October. Small-town festivals are magical in the fall. The crisp air, pumpkins, handmade crafts and the smell of cinnamon rolls slow life down for a little while. Instead of rushing from one activity to the next, we get to simply enjoy being together. I can already picture Eli wanting to stop at every tractor he sees and Izzy giggling as she visits the petting zoo in the Fun Zone. I’m sure we’ll spend plenty of time browsing the more than 200 vendor booths, discovering handmade treasures and picking out something special to bring home. And, of course, we’ll have to sample a few festival favorites along the way. Kettle corn is practically a requirement. What I appreciate most about Autumn on Parade is that it’s intentionally family friendly. Thoughtful additions like sensory-friendly quiet hours and the Little Lambs Lounge make it welcoming for families with young children, and we’ll definitely take advantage of that. It sends a simple but important message: everyone belongs. The festival’s theme this year is “Autumn Antics,” but I think the real highlight won’t be any single attraction. It’ll be watching Eli wave at the Harvest Time Parade, seeing Izzy dance when the marching bands go by, and sharing those little moments that become family stories years from now. As the organizer says in our cover story, the festival is about creating memories. I couldn’t agree more. Those memories are what make traditions worth returning to, year after year. ❚ Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
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Inspiration & Worship
What to Pack T
he walk of life is filled with unexpected cliffs, valleys and hilltops, and every kind of weather. But most of it plays out on unremarkable stretches of smooth terrain, under clear, if not sunny, skies. How well we handle this journey has everything to do with what we pack. We must prepare ourselves not only for the unexpected, but also for the routine. Christians often speak of “mountaintop moments” – those times our faith exhilarates us, often during a special event shared with other enthusiastic believers. We also move closer to God during times of crisis, relying upon our faith to get us from one moment to the next. Too, religious holidays, with their warm and familiar traditions, may rekindle our faith. But it’s often during our day-to-day routines that we stray furthest from likemindedness with Jesus Christ. Ironically, these are probably the times when our faith matters most. During each routine day, we impact the people closest to us – family members, co-workers, clients, schoolmates, friends, neighbors. The choices we make daily – to emulate Jesus Christ or not – impact others profoundly. They also enrich or diminish the very fabric of our relationship with God. It’s been said that our character is revealed by what we do when no one is watching. Likewise, the authenticity of our faith is evidenced by the way we live each ordinary day. (Is there even such thing as an ordinary day? Every day is made by God, belongs to God, and is therefore extraordinary, whether or not we view it that way.) Ephesians chapter 4 is a great place to learn which character traits most matter to God. It reminds us of our extraordinary position in this world and God’s expectations for us. Two chapters later, in Ephesians 6:10-20, we’re told how to best prepare ourselves for the long journey – which pieces of equipment to pack, and why they matter. Life is a long walk, yet it seems to be completed in the blink of an eye. Here’s to making the most of every single extraordinary day. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 16
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STORM SEASON IS ENDING. DON’T DELAY YOUR INSPECTION!
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Right in Our Region
Community Spirit on Parade this Autumn By Peggy Werner
F
or 56 years, Autumn on Parade has celebrated a small town in a way that grows bigger every year with new vendors, more attendees and a greater spirit of community pride. “Our community has a special passion for this festival and all of the enjoyment it brings to people who visit from near and far,” says Meggan Dickson, marketing director and board member. “People save the date and plan special gatherings around the festival. There’s definitely a buzz in the air when fall comes around.” This year’s event, themed “Autumn Antics,” runs Oct. 3-4, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday in downtown Oregon, Ill. The heart of the festival has always been the market, a spectacle that grows larger every year. After starting with seven vendors, the market now has more than
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200 booths surrounding the Ogle County Courthouse Square. New vendors and longtime favorites join each year, selling homegrown and handmade items such as fruits and vegetables, clothing, fashion accessories, quilts, baked goods, soap, jewelry, blacksmithing and artwork. A food court features small businesses. Gyros, Chicago hot dogs, Mexican cuisine, kettle corn, cinnamon rolls, and horchata are just a few of the items you’ll find. Autumn on Parade’s Fun Zone for kids includes a petting zoo, inflatables, interactive entertainment and more at the municipal parking lot on North Fifth Street. It also has quiet hours for sensorysensitive individuals Sunday from 1-3 p.m. The Little Lambs Lounge is a quiet space with a diaper changing station and privacy for nursing mothers.
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Autumn on Parade returns to Oregon, Ill., Oct. 3-4 this year.
“We love seeing families unplug for a while and just enjoy being together. That’s really what Autumn on Parade is about: creating memories,” Dickson says. A complimentary shuttle transports people between the festival and the Antique Tractor Show and Car Show, which had record attendance last year. Onlookers can see a wide variety of tractors, engines,
Right in Our Region and new and vintage cars Saturday 8 a.m.4 p.m. These shows are made possible by local farming families and Focus House, a Rochelle, Ill., treatment facility that provides a continuum of quality services for at-risk youths. The Tractor Parade begins at 4 p.m. and travels from the show to downtown. Saturday’s free shuttle also takes festivalgoers to the Old English Faire at Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, where you can tour the castle and hear madrigal singers. The Faire is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and features royalty, horses and jesters, plus food trucks and artisan vendors. The crowd-favorite Harvest Time Parade begins Sunday at 1 p.m. and has around 100 entries, including marching bands, youth groups, tumbling acts, dance routines, Scout troops, circus acts, vintage automobiles and tractors. Popular acts include the “Dancing Grannies” and the Jesse White Tumblers, who recently appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” A map of the
parade route is online at autumnonparade. com. Proceeds from Autumn on Parade go toward next year’s event while also supporting the community. Most recently, proceeds helped to fund local food banks, scholarships for college-bound seniors at Oregon High School, and a new bench near the Oregon Park District’s new baseball diamond. Meanwhile, the community can support the festival in many ways, including sponsorships. Find more online at autumnonparade.com. While you’re there, show your support by purchasing festival merchandise with this year’s logo and themed merchandise from past years. Items include T-shirts, hats, scarves, sweatpants, shoulder bags, totes, fanny packs, tumblers and coffee mugs. “These are shipped right to your home in time to show your support for the festival,” says Dickson. “Bring the festival logo travel mug and get it filled at our coffee vendor.”
You can also buy raffle tickets. Past winners have won four- and five-figure cash prizes, says Dickson. “It’s a great way to be a winner and at the same time help offset costs for future festivals.” Dickson has a long history with the Autumn on Parade Festival. Born and raised in Oregon, she began by helping her mother, Debbie, a longtime volunteer and parade president, until she retired last year. Dickson’s dad, John, is on the committee and helps with facilities and the food court. Her brother, husband, and three sons also help with behind-thescenes tasks. Dickson officially joined the committee five years ago to run their social media pages, and that led to her present roles. “When your family is involved, you’re involved,” Dickson says. “Our family has always put a high priority on civic duties. And whether you’re from the area, have moved here or once lived here, everyone enjoys the festival and wants to be a part of it.” ❚
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Special Advertising Message
Your Home & Garden
Talk Budget Now, Avoid Surprises Later By Taylor Bible, marketing manager, Macktown Construction Group
“W
hy do you need to know my budget? Aren’t you just going to spend all of it?” It’s a fair question. Many homeowners worry that sharing a number sets a target instead of a guideline. The truth is, knowing your budget doesn’t help us sell you more. It helps us make smarter design decisions for you. Designing without a Budget Is Like Building without a Blueprint Imagine asking an architect to design your dream home without saying whether your budget is $400,000 or $2 million. Either budget can produce a beautiful home that fits your family, but each requires a very different set of decisions. Remodeling is no different. Without an investment range, we risk recommending features or finishes that don’t
belong in your project because we don’t know what matters most to you. Our Job Isn’t to Spend Your Budget. It’s to Maximize It Once we know your budget range, we look for the smartest solutions. Sometimes, that means finding a product that delivers the same look for less. Other times, it means identifying where spending more will create lasting value. Don’t Know Your Budget Yet? That’s OK. Most first-time remodeling clients don’t know what projects cost today, and that’s exactly why we’re here. We’ll walk you through current pricing and help you settle on an investment range that fits your goals. No pressure. No surprises. Just honest conversations that lead to confident decisions.
Left to right: Taylor Bible, Tony Bonnet, Cassie Bonnet and Jacob Fischer
We Believe Transparency Builds Trust We don’t ask about your budget to sell you the most expensive project. We ask so we can design one that fits your home, your family’s goals and your investment without the frustration of redesigns or surprises later. The best remodeling experience doesn’t start with selecting finishes. It starts with building trust. ❚
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Your Health
The Hidden Threat to Men’s Health By Stephanne N. Grimoldby
M
en tend to wait until they have significant symptoms before seeing a physician. Sometimes, that’s too late. Dr. Jake Hamaker at Beloit Health System says obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is underdiagnosed and extremely relevant to men. It often goes hand-inhand with other common issues, like erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, increased nighttime urination, hypertension and obesity. And, those with sleep apnea have higher risks for blood clots, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Nearly two-thirds of people who have a stroke also had OSA. One of the biggest symptoms – snoring – is commonly ignored. “As a society, we often play off snoring as something that gets you kicked by your partner in the middle of the night, but we are uncovering lots of evidence
that it’s perhaps a sign of a more significant problem,” Hamaker says. OSA is a sleep disorder where the airway involuntarily closes during the night. This causes a lower oxygen level in the body, which then prompts the body to awaken. “It’s silently doing a lot of damage to you overnight, and you’re not realizing it,” Hamaker adds. “If you had that kind of oxygen drop at an office visit, we would send you to the hospital.” A sleep study is the diagnostic gold standard for OSA, Hamaker says. “As long as you get 4 to 5 hours of rest, we can get enough data to analyze,” Hamaker says. For those diagnosed with sleep apnea, the top treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine. The secondary treatment is weight
Dr. Jake Hamaker
loss, with many insurance companies now covering GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound. “The idea behind that is you’re taking away one of those parameters – the BMI higher than 35,” Hamaker says. “If you lose a bunch of weight, it might help your sleep apnea go away. They may do another sleep study and not need their CPAP anymore. It can reverse.” ❚
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Your Fun Boyz II Men Aug. 28, 8 p.m. The popular band is known for its smooth harmonies. Hear favorites such as “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “One Sweet Day” and “Motownphilly.” Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (779) 2699010, casino.hardrock.com. 17th Annual Crossroads Blues Festival Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., music begins at noon. Featured artists include the Stefan Hillesheim Band, a Chicago-based blues band; Crystal Thomas, an international soul-blues singer and trombonist; Anika Chambers, an American soul blues singer and songwriter; and Paul DesLauriers Band, a three-piece power blues group from Montreal. Lyran Park, 4781 S. Bend Road, Rockford, crossroadsbluessociety.com.
Entertainment & Events Marv, two Wisconsin fishermen out on the lake for a day of ice fishing, beer and deep thoughts about life, love and the Packers. Artists’ Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. An Evening of Levity Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. Mirthmakers Local 815 presents an evening of local standup comedy featuring Tim Stotz, Roman, Alex Savant and Michael Palmenderi. Nordlof Black Box Theatre, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-6660, mirthmakers815.com.
Walworth County Fair Sept. 2-7, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.. The 177th annual event is themed “Glitter and Gold: A Fair to Behold.” The fair features top-tier grandstand entertainment, daily live music, agriculture education, a carnival and more. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 441 E. Court St., Elkhorn, Wis., (262) 723-3228, walworthcountyfairgrounds.com.
Fall Pec Thing Sept. 19-20, Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. More than 500 vendors occupy a 100,000-squarefoot building and more than 40 acres outside while selling antique tools, postcards, woodwork, sports memorabilia, spa products, quilts, furniture, home decor, candles, rocks and minerals, yard art, glassware, baked goods, stamps, jewelry, crafts and more. Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1641, winnebagocountyfair.com.
AE: ‘Guys on Ice’ Sept. 4-21, see website for times. Meet Lloyd and
RSO: ‘The Planets’ Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. Journey through the cosmos
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Enjoy local standup comedy Sept. 17 at Nordlof Black Box Theatre.
with the colorful storytelling of Holst’s multipart symphony. The evening features violin soloist Philippe Quint performing music from “Cinema Paradiso,” “Schindler’s List,” “Scent of a Woman” and other cinematic favorites. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com. Melissa Etheridge Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter performs songs from her new album, “Rise,” as well as popular hits like “Come to My Window,” “Like the Way I Do,” “I’m the Only One” and “Bring Me Some Water.” Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, coronado.rockfordlive.com. ❚
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