A Se
p Ap y’s ee zz 6 Fr t Foe Page
Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • $1.95 • September 2026
Ride On, Rockford Tour De North End Rolls Into Its 15th Year
Ask the Experts: Remodel or Move? The Causes of Erectile Dysfunction Inspiration: Servant Leadership Your Family Fun: 11 Upcoming Events
Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health & Entertainment!
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
April 2026
1
2
Smart Living
April 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
3
4
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
5
6
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
7
8
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
9
In This Issue
Right in Our Region .................Cover & p. 24 Tour De North End: Still Rolling After 15 Years Inspiration & Worship ................................ 16 Servant Leadership Your Health ................................................ 31 The Causes of Erectile Dysfunction Your Home & Garden ................................ 33 Ask the Experts: Remodel or Move? 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, Paula Hendrickson, Janine Pumilia General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Jessica Greer, Brian Reinbold 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.
10
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tour De North End
W
hen I think about how I first found my footing in Rockford, one thing that immediately comes to mind is Tour de North End. I went for the first time in 2015, which now feels like eons ago. I was super young, brand new to Rockford, and still finding my place in my new community. I was nervous at the time I wouldn’t have the stamina to bike all over town… I didn’t realize the event was more about building friendships and exploring local businesses than anything else. This neighborhood pub crawl-esq event introduced me to one of my favorite Rockford institutions: The Olympic Tavern. Over the years, The Olympic became a haunt for me. I’ve camped out there to watch World Cup games, splurged on apps with friends after work, and I actually completed a fair amount of wedding planning there during some of my lunch breaks. It’s a welcoming environment with great food and even better vibes. And that’s really what I love about Tour de North End. I’ve experienced the event multiple times over the years, sometimes with my husband and sometimes with groups of friends I’ve made since those early days in Rockford. The stops have evolved and the event itself may look a little different, but the spirit remains the same. You can read more about the history of the event in our cover story. The Tour De North End is a great way to discover businesses you might otherwise drive past. More importantly, you get to spend the day with people you enjoy. For me, Tour de North End has become sort of nostalgic. It’s a reminder of how much has changed since 2015 and how many friendships and memories have been made. What started as a bike ride when I was new to town has become one of the traditions that makes Rockford feel like home. Have a great month, ❚ Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
11
12
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
13
14
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
15
Inspiration & Worship
Servant Leadership
W
e know from scripture that God despises arrogance and exalts the humble. For the most part, our culture does just the opposite ... exhalts the noisy self-promoters and ignores the humble. Most worldly leaders measure themselves by the money and power they wield, not the well-being of their people. This is nothing new and came as no surprise to Jesus in his day, either. When a few of his disciples began quibbling over their pecking order, Jesus quickly set them straight. Mark 10:42-45 (ESV): “And Jesus called them [the 12 disciples] to him and said, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” In Luke 14:11 (ESV) Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And in Philippians 2:3 Paul instructs, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” If anyone had the right to promote himself in large fashion, it was Jesus Christ. He chose instead to model the behavior he wishes us to follow. We are in the world but not of it. We follow the will of God. Our humility lies in knowing that everything we are and all that we have and every breath we take belongs to God. Our only greatness is the presence of God working through us. John 14:21-24: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." ❚ – Janine Pumilia
16
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
17
A BETTER WAY TO BUILD
Every month, we feature a standout barndominium and suburban building. Designed for real life, built for long-term value. THROUGH SEPTEMBER
®
18
Smart Living
September 2026
(800) 552-2981 FBiBUILDINGS.COM/MONTHLY
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
19
20
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
21
22
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
23
Right in Our Region
Tour De North End: Still Rolling After 15 Years By Paula Hendrickson
W
hen a beer company’s sales rep offered The Olympic Tavern a new bike for a promotional prize, Zak Rotello got an idea. Rotello, who had recently returned home to run his family’s iconic restaurant at 2327 N. Main St., in Rockford, decided to go big and use the prize to draw people to The Olympic’s surrounding neighborhood. “Not only did we not have any North End events at that time, I also don’t think we had any city-wide cycling events,” says Rotello, an avid cyclist. “I thought, ‘This is a nice prize. I don’t want to just give this away to 20 people here on a Thursday night. Let’s do something a little bit more involved and invite some other neighborhood businesses to participate.’” Putting a new spin on a pub crawl, he created passports to be stamped at partici-
24
Smart Living
pating businesses. The more stamps collected, the more chances to win prizes. As a nod to the annual international Tour de France cycling race, Rotello dubbed the event Tour de North End. “That first year, we had between 350 and 400 people. I’m like, ‘Oh man, this is a hit,’” Rotello recalls. Over the years, Tour De North End has evolved into a neighborhood block party and bike festival. The event has proved so successful it’s encouraged at least one entrepreneur to set up shop in Rockford’s North End. More than a decade ago, when looking for a site for The Norwegian restaurant, Emily Hurd chose a building on North Main Street, due in part to Tour de North End. “I thought, ‘This is amazing, I want to be a part of that,’ because I’m big into bike culture,” Hurd says.
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Once The Norwegian opened, Rotello invited her to take part. “That was 2019, and we’ve been a stop ever since,” Hurd says. In the early years, participating businesses were primarily bars and restaurants. Now, the roster, which sports 16 destinations including the Olympic, highlights florists, dog groomers and a vintage shop.
Right in Our Region
Tour de North End is happening Sept. 26 this year.
One of the first businesses to get involved wasn’t in the North End, but it was still a perfect fit: Kegel’s Bicycle Store. “Rob Sinks has been a great partner for the fest since day one,” Rotello says. “He’s brought his tent, his crew and his family. They’ll tune up people’s bikes and fix little things. He won’t take a dime from anyone. Rob is one of the best people in Rockford.” “It’s a 12-hour day,” says Sinks, Kegel’s owner. “A couple of days prior, we
get our toolboxes ready and get all the parts out. If someone has a flat while they’re on the ride, we’ll install the tubes, and we don’t charge anything that day. It’s all gratis.” To make the most of your Tour, take your time and talk to business owners instead of rushing to get your passport stamped. By doing so, you’ll ride away from Tour de North End with a true flavor of North End’s eclectic and welcoming neighborhood. “You’ll discover great music lovers down at Whiskey’s, an incredibly creative new cocktail program over at Mulligan’s. You’re going to get the farm-totable experience at Plume. And you’re probably going to get some weird Scandinavian fish stuff and vegan cookies at our place,” Hurd says. “And there’s an
incredible vintage shop two doors down from me called Winnie Nutter.” An early challenge was that people just came into businesses, got their passports stamped and left. To make sure riders stick around a while, Rotello encourages people to make each stop memorable with a food or drink special. Perhaps the biggest change in Tour de North End history came around the event’s 10th anniversary when it moved from July to September. The change was less about beating the summer heat than avoiding conflicts with The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a cycling event that draws cyclists from around the world. Rotello is also planning a few changes for this year’s 15th Tour de North End, happening Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. “People should expect a little more focus on the music, the food and the block party aspect,” Rotello says. “But who knows? Maybe I’ll have Rob make a custom bike over at Kegel’s and have two bikes to give away.” ❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
25
26
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
27
28
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
29
30
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Health
The Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
There are many sexual medications available today, and most are safe, says Dr. Hariharan Ganapathi of Mercyhealth, but testosterone supplements should be taken with caution.
By Stephanie N. Grimoldby
S
exual health is a topic men tend to avoid, but the inability to have a full erection is surprisingly common. “It can be difficult to determine exactly what is causing a man to have erectile dysfunction (ED), but most commonly it’s either related to mood and stress or cardiovascular health,” says Dr. Jake Hamaker of Beloit Health System. “Signals released from properly functioning blood vessels initiate an erection, so a lot of times with ED, the first step is to take a close look at the cardiovascular system.” If the blood vessels are working right – often indicated by involuntary erections during the night or upon waking in the
Dr. Jake Hamaker
Dr. Hariharan Ganapathi
morning – then it’s more likely that mood and stress are causing the issue, Hamaker says. Sometimes, it could simply be low hormone levels, adds Dr. Hariharan Ganapathi, chief of urology and medical director of urologic oncology and robotic surgery at Mercyhealth. But it’s always important to check hormone levels before a man starts taking testosterone. “We see many men start on testosterone hoping to help their sexual function,” he says. “That’s not good a good idea without proper medical supervision. Testosterone therapy can increase red blood cell counts and may increase the risk of complications in some patients. When anybody takes testosterone, their sperm production goes down. When testosterone comes from outside the body, the brain senses it and reduces the body’s own testosterone production. That process is important for sperm production, which is why testosterone therapy can reduce fertility. That’s very commonly misunderstood.” There are a lot of sexual medications available today, and they’re no longer as expensive as they once were, Ganapathi says. These medications are generally safe for most men and don’t increase the risk of heart attacks or other major cardiovascular events in appropriately selected patients. “That’s one of the main questions we get: ‘I heard it’s not good for my heart,’” Ganapathi says. “For most men, these medications are very safe. However, men taking nitrate medications or those with certain unstable cardiac conditions should discuss their situation with their physician before using them. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living September 2026 31
32
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Your Home & Garden
Real Estate’s Hardest Question: Remodel or Move? By Taylor Bible, marketing manager, Macktown Construction Group
I
t usually starts on an ordinary evening with a familiar frustration. The kitchen feels crowded, the kids are outgrowing their bedrooms and no matter how many times you reorganize a closet nothing quite works. Finally, someone says it. “Maybe we should just move.” It’s a fair suggestion. But for many Rockford-area homeowners, it begins a longer conversation about whether the home they already know can become the one they’ve been looking for. Remember What You What You Already Have Moving looks appealing in theory, but the search rarely unfolds as expected. One home has the space but not the neighborhood. Another has the right kitchen but needs more work than the house you’re leaving. Even a listing that checks most of the boxes is designed for a different family Macktown Construction Group ensures clients know what their remodel will look like and cost before and built around their routines rather than committing to a final contract. yours. There are no allowances or midproject surprises in the budget. Meanwhile, what you would leave behind rarely appears in A new house may provide more space, but it was still built a listing: children who have grown up alongside the same neighfor someone else. A design-build remodel creates the right space bors, a backyard where birthdays happen every summer and the for the way your family lives. comfort of a neighborhood that has become home. After a few weekends of open houses, another question surYou Don’t Need All the Answers Yet faces: If we’re going to spend that much, what could we do with The first conversation does not require a complete plan, finishes the home we already have? or floor plans. It can begin with a conversation about what isn’t working. Built Around Your Family, Not Someone Else’s The decision was never only about remodeling or movThis is where a design-build approach changes the conversation. ing. It’s about where your family’s next chapter happens – and Many contractors ask homeowners to sign a construction conwhether the home you already love can be built around it. tract containing allowances – budget placeholders for materials Macktown Construction Group is a design-build remodeland finishes that have not yet been selected. If those allowances ing company serving the area from Rockford to Lake Geneva. do not reflect actual costs, families may face expensive decisions Visit macktownconstruction.com or call (779) 423-0354. ❚ after construction has begun. Macktown Construction Group works differently. Before signing a construction contract, homeowners complete a full design phase in which materials are priced and selections are made, from cabinetry and countertops to tile, fixtures and flooring. Design is not just about choosing attractive materials. Homeowners work directly with Macktown’s in-house design team to identify the functionality their homes have been missing. What works in the current layout? What does not? Before committing to a final contract – and before a single 9957 N. Alpine Road, #101, Machesney Park, IL 61115 wall comes down – Macktown clients know what the remodel (779) 423-0354 • macktownconstruction.com will look like, what it will cost and what the agreement includes. Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living September 2026 33 (Sponsored Content)
34
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
35
36
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
37
A BETTER WAY TO BUILD
Every month, we feature a standout barndominium and suburban building. Designed for real life, built for long-term value.
®
38
Smart Living
September 2026
(800) 552-2981 FBiBUILDINGS.COM/MONTHLY
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
39
40
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
41
42
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
43
Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
AE: ‘Guys on Ice’ Sept. 4-21, see website for times. Meet Lloyd and 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. ‘Leaving Iowa’ Sept. 11-20, see website for times. Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, returns home and finally takes his father’s ashes to his childhood home. When he discovers his grandmother’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 202 W. 3rd St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.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. RSO: ‘The Planets’ Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. Journey through the cosmos 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. 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,
More than 500 vendors sell antique tools, postcards, woodwork, spa products, furniture, candles and more at “Fall Pec Thing” happening Sept. 19-20 at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds.
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. 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. Little Scientists: Nature-Based Art Sept. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. Children ages 4-6 explore the natural world through art, a nature walk, storytime and hands-on activities led by a local art-
ist. Registration req. Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, Ill., (815) 2006910, natureattheconfluence.com. Pretzel City Brewfest Sept. 26, 1-5 p.m. Admission includes 20 tasting tickets and a souvenir glass. VIP tickets include a Brewfest T-shirt, swag bag, early entry and a limited edition of a Pretzel City Brewfest hoodie. Location: Chicago Avenue, between Spring Street and Jackson Avenue, downtown Freeport, (815) 233-1350, greaterfreeport.com. World War II Days Sept. 26-27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. One of the Midwest’s largest World War II re-enactments transforms the museum’s historic village into a 1940s European town complete with Allied and Axis encampments, authentic military vehicles, battle re-enactments, living history demonstrations, USO-style entertainment and period vendors. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com. ‘Heart of Rock and Roll’ Oct. 2, 7 p.m. Celebrate the electrifying music of Hughie Lewis and the News with hits like “Hip to Be Square,” “Back in Time,” “Happy to be Stuck with You” and “The Power of Love.” Belfry Music Theatre, 3601 Wis. Rt. 67, Delavan, Wis., (262) 394-6460, belfrymusictheatre.com.
Top talent is visiting our region this fall, from standup comics to Grammy-Award-winning singers.
44
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
‘MANIA: The ABBA Tribute’ Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. This spectacular tribute to the Swedish supergroup has played more than 3,000 live concerts in more than 35 countries around the world. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. rockfordlive.com.❚
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
September 2026
45
46
Smart Living
September 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living
April 2026
39
40
Smart Living
April 2026
To advertise call 815-316-2300