Bike the local brewery trail PAGE 24
MAVIS STAPLES
back for Blues on the Fox PAGE 50
JUNE 2017
SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS PAGE 20
Wander by water ACTIVITY ABOUNDS ON THE FABULOUS FOX RIVER
Graduates 2017
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Editor's Note Modern day living takes quite a toll on us all. Day in and day out, we follow the marching orders of our bosses, cater to the demands of our families and try to keep up with our never-ending, obligatory to-do lists. Why? Because if we don’t do these things, then who will? Teamed with the infiltration of technology (i.e. smart phones, social media and a dependence on screens), it’s no wonder many of us feel a void, a chasm that no amount of escapism seems to allow us to ignore. Instead of looking inward, as one may expect, apparently an answer lies in looking outward – to the outdoors, rather. There have been countless scientific studies on the health benefits of nature, which has been said to offer one of the most reliable boosts to both our mental and physical wellbeing. And you don’t have to plan some long, harrowing outdoor adventure in order to reap the benefits of the outdoors, either. You don’t even have to leave your own zip code, if you don’t want to.
slow down just enough to be able to enjoy the moment. To experience a bit of nature’s remedy, we’ve come up with a stellar lineup of stories to help steer you in the right direction. In “Into the Woods,” we’ve pinpointed a few local hiking itineraries for daylong adventures; in “Bikes and Brews,” we’ve mapped out Kane County’s brewery trail; in “Wander by Water,” we’re highlighting the various activities available on the beautiful Fox River; and in “Wooded Bliss,” find out how to score a Wisconsin glamping experience like no other – in a treehouse! And that’s just the beginning… Music festivals are synonymous with summer, so we’ve hit the pavement to find some concert cool garments and getups to wear while grooving to your favorite bands. A special shout-out to our calendar this month, as it’s jam-packed with festivals, concerts and food events you won’t want to miss! Thanks for reading,
DIRECTOR OF NICHE PUBLISHING Laura Shaw 630-427-6213 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com
The beauty of living in Kane County is that there are more than enough outdoorsy options right outside our front doors. Our June issue is dedicated to the great outdoors, and – in it – I’m hoping we’ll be able to offer some insight on what’s available locally to help you boost those spirits and
Kara Silva, Editor
on the
COVER
Living in a riverside community has its perks. Boating, fishing and kicking back along its shores are a few ways in which the Fox River becomes a haven for outdoor activities in the summertime. Discover the many ways to have fun on the Fox this season, on Page 8. Styled by JORI AND JUNE IN GENEVA Photo by RON MCKINNEY Salon Services by MARIO TRICOCI Hair: JENNA Makeup: DAVINA 4 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
Published by Shaw Media 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-845-5288 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Kelsey O’Connor, Kevin Druley, Joh Bilyk, Allison Horne, Peter Stadalsky, Allison Manley, Melissa Riske, Elizabeth Harmon, Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Diane Moca PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney, Nancy Merkling, Thomas J. King
Kane County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to Kane County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.
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INSIDE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS ISSUE:
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
HOME & LIFESTYLE
12 GOING MOBILE Road trips via RV are making a comeback
BUSINESS & CIVIC
8 WANDER BY WATER Activities abound on the fabulous Fox River
14 INTO THE WOODS Enjoy nature’s remedy with these daylong hiking itineraries 16 ADVENTURE AWAITS Long-distance bike trips create lifelong memories 18 EDITOR’S CHOICE: MOVIE NIGHT Twenty films that celebrate the great outdoors
DINING & ENTERTAINING 20 DIG IN! Summer festivals for foodies
42 VOLCANO MULCH – DON’T DO IT! Are your mulching efforts doing more harm than good? 44 WOMAN OF DISTINCTION Gayle Bowling makes houses into homes for seniors in need
FASHION & BEAUTY
46 GET THE LOOK! Sizzling summer style by Geneva clothing boutique Jori and June 48 EDITOR’S CHOICE: CONCERT COOL Getups and garments to strut your stuff during this summer’s hottest music festivals
OUT & ABOUT
22 PATIO PERFECTION Outdoor dining at its finest
50 BLUES ON THE FOX Brings stacked lineup for 21st annual summer event
24 BIKES AND BREWS Gear up foran (untapped) cycling tour of Kane County’s breweries
52 EVENT-FULL SUMMER At St. Charles Park District’s aquatic areas
54 AFTER DINNER DELIGHTS Summer evenings light up in Kane 28 SUMMER SWIM Stay cool this season at local pools County 56 BOOK NOOK and swimming holes Discover the outdoors, between TRAVEL the lines 30 WOODED BLISS 58 TAILS ON TRAILS Treehouse glamping a throwback Dog-friendly places and open to childhood spaces 32 THE GLASS-HALF-FULL GUY 60 COMMON THEMES EMERGE Stepping out onto the edge During 90 ideas in 90 minutes HEALTH & WELLNESS event 36 WHERE THERE’S WILL 62 CALENDAR THERE’S A WAY See what’s happening in Kane How therapy helped a marathon County this month! runner get her groove back
FAMILY IN FOCUS
30 WOODED BLISS
Treehouse glamping a throwback to childhood Photos provided
6 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
PORTRAITS
SENIOR, FAMILY & DANCE
121 S. MAIN ST. ยก ALGONQUIN, IL ยก 847-989-2782 ยก RONMCKINNEYPHOTO.COM
WANDER BY WATER Activities abound on the Fox River By ELIZABETH HARMON
H
ere in the Fox River Valley, our namesake river is more than a local landmark. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy on hot summer days and breezy summer nights. While the banks and riverside parks have a lot to offer, make this the summer you experience the Fox in a brand new way – out on the water. No boat? No worries! Kane County communities offer plenty of options to get you rolling on the river. Whether it’s an afternoon spent fishing or kayaking, cooling off on a stand-up paddleboard, or kicking back on a scenic paddlewheel cruise, it’s easy to find fun on the Fox.
8 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
FAMILY-FRIENDLY In St. Charles, rent canoes and pedal boats by the hour from the launch at the St. Charles Park District’s River View Miniature Golf Center in Pottawatomie Park. Canoes are a slower-paced, relaxed way to enjoy the beauty of the river and shoreline. Four-seat pedal boats are a great workout, their small size, stability and ease of operation makes them a perfect choice for families. For safety, boaters are encouraged to stay within an established course, that’s visible from the golf center. Rentals are subject to safe river conditions and a valid driver’s license or state ID is required as a deposit. Rentals begin daily at 11 a.m. and run through 6 p.m., weather and river conditions
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
permitting. Canoes and pedal boats rent for $17 per hour, $12 per hour on “Putt and Save” Wednesdays. Boat rentals will not be available on Aug. 1. For more information, call River View Miniature Golf at 630-584-1028 or visit www. riverviewminigolf.org.
AN AFTERNOON ADVENTURE Further down the river in Geneva, Mill Race Cyclery, located at 11 E. State St., rents kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Tandem kayaks and canoes are great for families, while stand-up paddle boards are a popular new option. “People have seen them on vacation and everyone wants to try it. Ours are stable, because most people renting are new at it and don’t want to fall. Most people don’t, www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
GENEVA’S MIDSOMMAR FESTIVAL JUNE 20 – 25
How Swede it is! Come fest at one of the Best of the West – Swedish Days, Geneva’s Midsommar Festival! The whole family will enjoy fabulous food, carnival rides, live music & entertainment nightly, plus Sweden Väst, our tent that’s everything Swedish. Visit www.genevachamber.com for a complete event schedule, or call us at 630-232-6060. Summer fun doesn’t get any swëder than this!
A picture postcard .
™
630-232-6060 • visitgenevaillinois.com
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: • Free Activities for Kids • Craft Brew Tent • Swedish Days 5K Lopp – A certified 5K race • 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament • Grand Parade on Sunday
Enjoy Summer on The Fox River At Mill Race Cylery - In Geneva We Rent Brand New: Comfort & Road Bikes / Tandem Bikes / Electric Bikes / Burleys / Trailer Bikes Kayaks / Stand-Up Paddle Boards / Canoes
but you should dress to get wet. You go out kneeling (on the board) and then try to stand up,” says Mill Race Cyclery owner Bruce Heidlauf. For longer rowing trips, from Geneva to Batavia, or Geneva to North Aurora, there’s a return shuttle service. The three-hour
-Continued on page 10 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Conveniently Located on the Fox River Bike Trail, At the Geneva dam. The corner of State St. (Rt 38) & Rt. 25 Reserve your equipment online today:
www.MillRace.com ● 630-232-2833 Summer Hours: Weekdays10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm ● Sun. 11:00 am - 5:00 pm * Rentals open 9:00 am on weekends
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 9
-Continued from page 9 North Aurora trip is popular with customers and Heidlauf’s personal favorite. “It’s a beautiful trip that makes you feel like you’re out in the country,” he says. Water crafts can be rented on a walk-in basis without reservations, for a minimum of two hours. Weekday rates start at $30 ($15 per hour, for two hours), and on weekends and holidays, the rate is $17.50 per hour. “Our equipment is new every year and very good quality,” says Heidlauf. Shuttle costs are $5 to $10 a person, depending upon tour length, and shuttles a party of at least four, and advance reservations. Additional equipment rental costs apply. Make reservations in advance online at www.millracecyclery.com.
LOVELY AND LEISURELY If the romance of a 19th century paddlewheel boat is more your speed, opt for a cruise on the St. Charles Belle or its sister boat, the Fox River Queen, leaving from Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. “We always use the Belle for public trips, and the Queen for private trips, and public as needed,” says Betsy Anderson, who enjoys going on St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats with her husband, Rich.
Paddlewheel river boats were used in the 19th century for transportation on the Mississippi and other rivers. “Ours are replicas of those boats, and are powered by engines, not the wheels,” says Anderson. Public cruises travel about two miles north and back and take about 50 minutes. “The captain narrates the trip and points out sights along the way,” says Anderson. Open air seating is available on top, while the lower deck is enclosed. The boats hold about 100 passengers. Soft drinks and water are available for purchase on board. Private cruises for weddings, parties or group outings offer a flexible cruise length and schedule. Catering is available, groups may use an outside caterer, or bring in food of their own. As of mid-May, private cruise dates were still available. “Summer weekends fill up fast, but please give us a call, and we’ll be happy to discuss what you need,” she says. There are no reservations for public cruises, just arrive 15 minutes before the departure time. Tickets for adults are $8.50 and children ages 15 and younger are $7. For more information and a cruise schedule, visit www.stcriverboats.com.
10 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
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Adventures via RV are making a comeback By JON BILYK
Ryan Van Pelt knows there is no one size vacation that fits all.
According to industry estimates, RV sales surged in 2016 to the highest levels in four decades, rebounding strong from a dip at the depths of In the same way, Van Pelt – rental manager for US Adventure in Naperville and Davenport, Iowa – the Great Recession that shuttered many RV and says there is no one size recreational vehicle dealerships across the US. that’s best for every American. But Van Pelt and Joel Zytko, sales manager at “Some people want that classic American family the Vacationland RV dealership in Big Rock in southwestern Kane County, says renting a RV road trip,” he says. “Others want something a can also open the road to those for whom a RV little different, like [a] group of people headed purchase may not be a good fit. down to the Kentucky Derby, and just wanted some place to sack out in the middle of the events down there. “But we’re all Americans, and we love our vacations.” As the national economy has recovered and gas prices have gone down, the eyes of people across the country have returned to the road, reflected in the surging interest in recreational vehicles of all kinds and sizes.
“Right now, gas prices are low, so a lot of people are going west, taking that iconic trip to Yellowstone and places like that,” says Zytko. But he noted there are also dozens of campgrounds within an hour or two of Kane County. “It’s a great time to hit the road,” Zytko says. And today, Van Pelt and Zytko says, the RV rental options available to families and other groups of all shapes and sizes have also never been more
plentiful, from the classic Class C motorhome with the van-profile cab to “toy hauler” trailers with space for motorcycles, ATVs or other small vehicles behind the living quarters, or smaller RV trailers and campers that can be hauled by a minivan or even a car, in some cases.
satellite television and other more luxurious amenities – even fireplaces. These layouts can be found on dealership websites, as well as manufacturers’ sites.
Through US Adventure’s Chicago Airstream, renters can even rent a classic Airstream RV trailer.
“Don’t even look at something if you know your vehicle can’t tow it,” says Zytko.
“Don’t worry about the brand,” says Zytko. “Find the one that’s the right fit for you, and meets your wants and needs for your trips.”
renting a RV shouldn’t wait to press the gas. Zytko notes some of the larger and more popular RV model rentals, in particular, start booking up soon after the RV shows over the winter and in early spring.
Next, Zytko advised to evaluate towing capacities.
But they also noted today’s RVs are easier than To help those kicking the tires on the idea of a RV ever to haul, thanks to new lightweight, yet trip, Van Pelt and Zytko offered some tips. strong construction materials, allowing a greater For starters, they advised exploring the layout number of vehicles to tow RVs of ever larger of various RVs – their floor plans – online before capacities. signing a rental contract. Van Pelt and Zytko say anyone considering
Some RVs offer only “horizontal surfaces” to sleep, while others can offer flush toilets,
And Van Pelt says Airstream models always are in high demand, likening the brand to HarleyDavidson or Porsche. Overall, Van Pelt advised calling a RV rental professional, to help talk through those needs, wants and expectations, and find the RV that’s right for that upcoming trip. “There’s no one right answer,” says Van Pelt. “It’s different for everyone, and a RV is not right for every trip. But RVs can present an amazing vacation value, letting you see amazing parts of the country many people only would otherwise see from 30,000 feet.”
Into the Woods
AREA OFFERS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO STEP INTO NATURE By KELSEY O’CONNOR
A
day spent hiking outdoors is a perfect way to discover new places, enjoy the sunshine and make up for all that time cooped up inside this winter. And Kane County has no shortage of trails for hikers to spend the day exploring.
“We have one of the longest trail systems throughout the region,” says John Goreth, director of operations and maintenance at Kane County Forest Preserve District. “I think that’s one of the major draws.” To get you started, we’ve created three itineraries that cover a range of interests and ability levels. So, what are you waiting for? Pick one, grab a friend and hit the trails!
14 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
FOR THE ADRENALINE JUNKIE
START: Raceway Woods Forest Preserve FINISH: Downtown West Dundee ESTIMATED DISTANCE: 5-14 miles
accommodate hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The rugged terrain has made the woods a popular location for mountain bikers.
Hike a lap around 2-mile paved raceway and enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings. Hikers looking for something a little tougher will If you’re feeling adventurous, grab a bike for love Raceway Woods Forest Preserve (17N201 an exhilarating ride through the woods on the Western Ave.) in Carpentersville. While most twisting and turning off-roads trails. Total trail nearby trails are generally flat, the system within distance comes out to about 5.8 miles, enough Raceway Woods features rolling hills that will get for few hours of exploring. any hiker’s heart pumping. “It’s going to be more Rest your legs at lunch in nearby West Dundee. of a challenge due to the incline,” says Goreth. Enjoy some hearty pub fare at The Village Squire The area gets its name from the old racetrack (125 Washington St.) or satisfy your sweet tooth that once looped through that location. The with fresh-made treats at Measuring Cup (217 122-acre open space has been restored to Barrington Ave.) After you eat, you’ll be in a prime spot to hop on the Fox River Trail and keep your adventure going.
FOR THE FOODIE ON FOOT
START: Illinois Avenue Bridge, St. Charles FINISH: Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora ESTIMATED DISTANCE: 12 miles This route is a dream for food and beer connoisseurs. Start your morning with a bite to eat at Brunch Café (172 S 1st St.) in St. Charles. The contemporary breakfast and lunch stop offers a little something for everyone, such as stuffed French toast, omelets, crepes and vegetarian options. Next, head one block south to Arcedium Coffeehouse (60 Indiana St.) and grab some iced coffee to go. Now that you’re properly fueled up, cross the river taking the Illinois Avenue bridge. This route will take you south along Fox River Trail through St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and North Aurora. “I think the Fox River Trail offers a lot, especially when you get down to the St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia area” says Goreth. If you need a mid-day break along the way, head west at the State Street Bridge in Geneva and swing by Penrose Brewing to sample locally made brews in their taproom. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Call it a day once you hit Two Brothers Roundhouse (205 N. Broadway) in Aurora. This outpost of the popular brewery features artisan food and drink in a historic limestone building. Grab a seat in the bustling outdoor beer garden and enjoy live entertainment while you recover from the day with a cold one.
FOR THE NATURE BUFF
START AND FINISH: Dick Young Forest Preserve ESTIMATED DISTANCE: 9 miles (loop) Experience all the great outdoors has to offer with this often-overlooked gem. For nature lovers, Goreth recommends checking out Dick Young Forest Preserve (39W115 Main St.) in Batavia. The area has some of the most stunning wetlands, woodlands and prairies all in one location. This diverse collection of ecological systems supports a thriving array of wildlife, many of which are threatened, rare and endangered. The east side of the preserve features Nelson Lake March, which lies in a depression created by glacial ice more than 10,000 years ago. Hikers can see more evidence of the impact left behind by the retreating glaciers with the rocky moraines to the north and west of the marsh. The forest preserve is teeming with wildlife. Hikers can expect to see snakes, mice, birds, frogs and insects roaming freely along the trail. The mixed ecosystem is also home to rich diversity of flora and fauna, sure to delight any nature lover. The park features several short trails that can be combined in a number of ways to create a customized journey. The longest stretch is the Nelson Lark trail, a 2.57-mile loop around the lake. Goreth recommends taking about 3 hours to see everything the area has to offer. Pack a picnic to savor the outdoors in one of the park shelters or in a sunny spot in the grass.
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 15
Adventure awaits LONG-DISTANCE TRIPS CREATE LIFELONG MEMORIES By ALLISON HORNE
It’s easy to remember the first time you learned to ride a bike as a kid, but bike experiences don’t have to be limited to childhood memories. As adults, day or overnight trips can provide adventures that are sure to create memories for years to come. Matt Knowles has always had a passion for bikes, and, more than 15 years ago, he turned that passion into a career when he started running a bike company out of his garage. Now, he’s a co-owner of the bike shop All Spoked Up in Batavia and Aurora. Knowles has passed his love of biking to his three sons, Nate, Will and Colin, who race competitively on a national stage and are constantly cycling together. Last year, Knowles went on a family trip, which included riding bikes in 15 different states – and racing in six – across the country. He has a 30-foot camping trailer that the family lives out of for most of the summer. But for those just getting into longdistance cycling, Knowles suggests that newbie adventure cyclists “start with day trips.” “Day trips are the easiest to get used to, especially since you have to get used to being on a bike for six hours,” he says, adding that long-distance options are plentiful in the Chicago suburbs. “We’re
totally spoiled with our bike paths here because they’re completely awesome day rides.” For anyone wanting to stay local, the Gilman trail is an 11.5-mile trail that runs from the Waubonsee Community College to US 30/ Hill Road in Montgomery, and the 26.1-mile Prairie Trail runs through McHenry from the Wisconsin-Illinois border to the Souwanas Trail in Algonquin. There are more than 100 other miles of trails accessible from the Prairie Trail, including the Hebron Trail, Ridgefield Trace, Fox River Trail, Great Western Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path. “The Gilman Trail is a great ride – you can ride the river trail almost all of the way to Wisconsin,” Knowles says. If you’re worried about setting out on your own, there are often local, organized trips for those interested in riding with a group. One of the most popular is the Le Tour de Shore – a two-day, 100-mile charity ride from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan, on June 16 and 17. “A bike gives you the ability to go on a longer ride where you can adventure and tour, and see a lot more of the world,” Knowles says. “You get an adventure, exercise, and get to see other parts of the country you wouldn’t see in a car. It’s the reason we all do them.”
The Best Bike Shop in the Fox Valley
Voted One of the Best Bike Shops in Kane County!
Ready to Hit the Trails? Whether your bike needs a pre-season tune up, or you are looking to upgrade your current bike - All Spoked Up should be your first stop.
Featuring Bikes from: Cannondale, Jamis, Kona, and Orbea
When you’re on the trail stop in for a cold drink or snack!
We also feature the finest in clothing, helmets, and other bike equipment and accessories. Our goal is to help you find the perfect ride that will match both your budget and the type of riding that you enjoy.
Come in and see for yourself why All Spoked Up is the best, service oriented, local bike shop in the Fox Valley area!! Mon. - Wed., Fri. - Sat. 10:00am - 6:00pm Thurs. 10:00am - 7:00pm Sun 11:00am - 3:00pm 3 Webste Webster St St. Batavia, IL • 630-326-9625
14 W W. Do Downer Pl. Pl., St Ste 12 Aurora, IL • 630-801-9005
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EDITOR’S CHOICE:
Movie night:
20 FILMS THAT CELEBRATE THE GREAT OUTDOORS By KARA SILVA
Hollywood has a vast collection of wilderness-loving, soul-nourishing cinematic gems to tantalize one’s innate yearning for freedom and adventure. If you’re looking for a little inspiration to hit the road, pitch a tent or shack up somewhere in the woods this summer, then look no further. From documentaries and television series to Oscar-nominated epochs and family-friendly comedies, here are our top 20 films and TV series that celebrate the great outdoors.
1
“INTO THE WILD” (2007) Drama film/Biography 2h 28m | Rated R
3
“CAPTAIN FANTASTIC” (2016) Drama/Comedy 1h 59m | R
“MAIDENTRIP” (2013) Adventure/ Documentary/Biography 1h 22m
With a mind rife with ideals brought forth by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, college-grad Christopher McCandless decides to give up on the conformities of society for the search for truth and to live an aesthetic lifestyle in remote Alaska. Set in rugged American landscapes and numerous national parks, witness Author Jon Krakauer’s bestselling non-fiction story brought to life by director Sean Penn and lead actor Emile Hirsch.
A father gives his six kids an unconventional upbringing deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Cut off from the distractions (and technology) of the outside world, Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) devotes his entire life to molding his children into philosophers and free-thinkers while co-existing with nature. Mortensen’s Academy Award-nominated performance does not go unnoticed in this wild tale.
Dutch sailor Laura Dekker embarks on an around-theworld solo sailing expedition. The catch? She’s 14 years old. The documentary covers two years of her maiden voyage.
2
“THE GREAT OUTDOORS” (1988) Adventure/Comedy 1h 39m | PG This classic John Hughes comedy is fit for the whole family. Starring John Candy and Dan Akroyd, the “The Great Outdoors” features Chet Ripley (Candy), an outdoorsy father of two from Chicago, who embarks on a family vacation to the woods in Wisconsin. But the family’s wooded bliss doesn’t last long.
18 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
4
“THE REVENANT” (2015) Drama film/Thriller 2h 36m | R Leonardo DiCaprio picked up his first “Best Actor” Oscar win for his role as a frontiersman in this highlyacclaimed film. The beauty, from cinematography to lighting and sound, captured in this sweeping epoch is unparalleled. A true masterpiece of storytelling, director Alejandro González Iñárritu delivers an ode to the outdoors without dismissing the harshness of the wild.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
5
6
“THE WAY” (2010) Adventure/Comedy/ Drama 2h 3m | PG-13 Starring Martin Sheen, “The Way” covers one man’s journey as he walks the legendary pilgrimage route known as the “El Camino de Santiago” in Spain. Sweeping views of the Pyrenees Mountains, cobbled medieval villages, rolling hillsides and multi-dimensional characters – check!
7
“TRACKS” (2013) Adventure/Biography/ Drama 1h 52m | PG-13
9
“Tracks” is based on the real-life journey made by young Aussie writer Robyn Davidson in the late-’70s. In the company of four camels and a dog, Davidson (played by actress Mia Wasikowska) treks 1,700 miles across the deserts of Australia.
Using only maps and a compass to navigate, four adventurers retrace the steps of journalist Henry Morton Stanley, who – in 1871 – went to Africa to find explorer David Livingstone who disappeared during an expedition. The four explorers embark on a month-long, 1,000-mile journey and are constantly having to overcome conflicting personalities, getting lost and the dangers of the African bush.
8
“LONG WAY ROUND” (2004) and “LONG WAY DOWN” (2007) Reality-TV mini-series/ Documentary The two mini-series’ feature Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and pal Charley Boorman as they take two several-months-long motorcycle trips. In “Long Way Round,” the duo travel around the world, ending in New York City, and in “Long Way Down,” McGregor and Boorman travel from northern Scotland, to Cape Town, South Africa.
“EXPEDITION AFRICA” (2009) Reality-TV series/ Documentary
10
“WILD” (2014) Adventure/ Biography/Drama 1h 55m | R Based on Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling memoir, “Wild” chronicles one woman’s soul-searching solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. From the Mojave Desert to the Sierra Mountains, Strayed (played by Reese Witherspoon) will want to make you strap on a backpack, lace up a pair of boots and hit the trails.
Other films to consider: 11 “DANCES WITH WOLVES” (1990) Adventure/Drama/Western | 3h 1m | PG-13 12 “WHITE FANG” (1991) Adventure/Drama | 1h 47m | PG 13 “127 HOURS” (2010) Adventure/Biography/Drama | 1h 34m | R 14 “LEGENDS OF THE FALL” (1994) Drama/Romance/War | 2h 13m | R 15 “LAST OF THE MOHICANS” (1992) Action/Adventure/Drama | 1h 52m | R 16 “CAST AWAY” (2000) Adventure/Drama/Romance | 2h 23m | PG-13 17 “CAPTAIN RON” (1992) Adventure/Comedy | 1h 30m | PG-13 18 “EVEREST” (2015) Action/Adventure/Drama | 2h 1m | PG-13 19 “THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY” (2013) Adventure/Comedy/Drama | 1h 54m | PG 20 “A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT” (1992) Drama | 2h 3m | PG
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 19
DIG IN!
SOME OF THE BEST SUMMER FESTIVALS HAVE FOOD AS THE FOCUS It’s no secret that one of the biggest draws to a summertime fest is the food. Fair food is so popular, in fact, that oftentimes it’s listed as one of the attractions! There are even fairs that focus solely on the food. Food-themed festivals have grown in popularity and encompass such a wide array of menus, that there’s a fest for every taste. Here are five fabulous food-themed festivals from around the area to whet your appetite for summer.
Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest
LOCATION: Knoch Park, 724 S. West St., Naperville ADMISSION: The ticket price range will be from $12 to $40. For the family fun area, children age 11 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. $15 Carnival Bracelet - available daily noon to 3 p.m. gets you unlimited carnival rides! WEBSITE: www.ribfest.net
Midwest Garlic Fest A variety of food vendors will cook up tasty BBQ ribs, pulled pork, BBQ chicken and sauces, as well as compete for Best Ribs and Best Sauce competitions during the 30th annual Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest. Alternative food choices, desserts and a beer tent will also be available. A concert by country music star Toby Keith takes the stage on Friday. Carnival rides, petting zoo and inflatables round out the fun. DATES: Friday, June 30 to Monday, July 3 HOURS: Gates open at noon each day and the park shuts down at 10 p.m. daily. 20 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
opportunity to sample tasty garlic delicacies from 15 to 20 vendors. Celebrate your love of garlic with food, music and fun at this event. DATE: Saturday, Aug. 12, and Sunday, Aug. 13 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday LOCATION: Terrapin Park, located near North West Street and Highway 20 in Elizabeth ADMISSION: A donation is suggested. WEBSITE: www.midwestgarlicfest.com
Onesti’s Little Italy Fest - West
St. Charles’ own Ron Onesti of the Arcada Theatre goes east a few miles to offer authentic Italian food with top-of-the-line entertainment and vendor booths. The festival brings Italian culture to Addison with Little Italy Fest-West. Visit the website for more information.
Brought to you by the folks at your local Galena Garlic shop, this festival takes you to the beautiful wine country of Jo Davies County, and offers, with a focus on garlic growers, an DINING & ENTERTAINING
DATE: Thursday, Aug. 24, through Sunday, Aug. 27 HOURS: TBD LOCATION: Centennial Park, Lake Street at Rowhling Road, Addison ADMISSION: TBD WEBSITE: www.arcadalive.com/onestifestivals www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
GENEVA OPTICIANS All kids 18 and younger receive 30% off their complete pair of glasses.
Sycamore’s Ribs, Rhythm & Brews Fest
You’re invited to a party in downtown Sycamore! Sycamore’s Ribs, Rhythm & Brews Fest will be transforming Somonauk Street in August, as you enjoy lip smackin’ ribs from some of the best grill masters in the region. Wash down the dog days of summer with a wide variety of refreshing brews in the beer garden. To satisfy your earbuds will be three featured bands including main headliner Back Country Roads. DATE: Saturday, Aug. 26 HOURS: 5 to 11 p.m. LOCATION: Downtown, Somonauk Street WEBSITE: Visit discoversycamore.com for more details
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Festival of the Vine
Fast Lube and Tire Center Buy $50 in gift cards and get an additional $10 gift card FREE! Geneva’s Festival of the Vine offers wine from around world to sample, along with good food, culinary events, art, music, entertainment and enough fun for the whole family. DATE: Friday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 10 ADMISSION: Free WEBSITE: www.genevachamber.com/ festival_of_vine.php www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
630-845-0055 1122 E. State St., Geneva DINING & ENTERTAINING
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 21
PATIO Perfection Claddagh Irish Pub
1702 COMMONS DR. | GENEVA | 630-208-0337 At Claddagh Irish Pub you will enjoy a fabulous dining and drinking experience, whether it’s a quick lunch, happy hour or a romantic dinner. Our outdoor wrap-around patio, with seating for one hundred, includes its own full-service bar, overlooking a pond which is home to our in-house ducks and turtles; the patio also features an outdoor fireplace and cozy couch area, perfect for cool summer nights. We host a variety of events including weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners on our patio, so make your reservation today and enjoy the best of Geneva at Claddagh Irish Pub.
Galena Cellars Winery
477 S. THIRD ST. | GENEVA 630-232-9463 | WWW.GALENACELLARS.COM Its Wine Time at Galena Cellars Featuring more than 40 varieties of award-winning wines, the Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery Geneva Tasting Room offers tastings, flights, and wine by the glass or bottle. Pair your wine with a wide selection of specialty gourmet cheeses, crackers and chocolate. Enjoy the Summer Sips Music Series outside on our newly expanded patio located on 3rd Street and the beautiful Dodson Place courtyard select Fridays and Sundays this summer. Browse the gift shop for a variety wine accessories and glassware as well as many fun and unique gifts.
Rivers Edge Bar & Grill
12 N. RIVER ST. | BATAVIA 630-406-9200 | WWW.THERIVERSEDGEBATAVIA.COM River’s Edge Bar & Grill is a neighborhood bar with a gourmet, locally-sourced menu, a variety of house-made bacon options and over 100 options for craft beer aficianados. Must try: River Street burger featuring house-made hickory smoked back bacon, Cap’N Chicken Appetizer, and thin-sliced fried Pickle Chips. Located in the heart of historic downtown Batavia, stop in while spending time on the Fox River Trail and exploring events like the weekly Farmer’s Market. With plenty of seating on River Street and a tiered patio, it’s a great place to dine al fresco by day or to catch the sunset and stick around for live music in the beer garden on Friday and Saturday. Sundays are a great day to check out River’s Edge. Great dinner and drink specials all day and their popular Bluegrass Sundaze featuring local musicians starts up around 5pm. Bring the family, bring the pups!
The Lodge on 64
41W379 RT. 64 | WASCO | 630-443-8000 WWW.THELODGEON64.COM The Lodge on 64 is a staple in the western Fox Valley, located on the edge of St. Charles in Wasco. The Lodge brings the feel of awarm and inviting backwoods lodge right in your home town. Famous for their rotisserie chicken and baby back ribs, The Lodge serves fresh never frozen organic chicken, slow roasted on their rotisserie wood burning spit. All steaks are locally sourced and hand cut in house. The Lodge’s comfortable atmosphere is perfect for a drink after work or dinner with friends and family…..OH and don’t forget the complimentary s’mores in the outdoor fire pits! The Lodge is your summer destination to unwind with friends and family on their outdoor patio. Perfect, for graduation parties, special event, or one of their weekly Friday night car shows. The Lodge patio is pet friendly, so enjoy a cocktail or appetizer with your favorite furry friend. Always a hub of entertainment, join The Lodge for Trivia, Countrynights, Thursday Ladies Night, and much more including live music every Friday and Saturday night. So no matter thenight, The Lodge is the place to be! Follow all of their events on www.thelodgeon64.com.
Puebla Modern Mexican
51 S. FIRST ST. | ST. CHARLES 630-945-3408 | WWW.PUEBLAMODERNMEXICAN.COM Puebla Modern Mexican offers a unique menu and a casual, contemporary atmosphere specializing in creating the fiery aromatic cuisine of Puebla, Mexico. Although Puebla embraces the traditions of classic Mexican cooking, they add a fresh modern twist that kicks the natural flavors and intensity up a notch. You can cool your taste buds with one of our unique margaritas, any of our signature drinks, or try one of over 50 tequilas. Puebla has a wide selection of traditional and original Mexican fare, so there is something for everyone. Join us on Wednesday evenings June - August as you can enjoy your dinner and cocktails out in the plaza as you listen to live entertainment, or relax and dine on our patio any day or night of the week.
Village Squire
480 RANDALL RD. | SOUTH ELGIN | 847-931-0400 125 WASHINGTON ST. | WEST DUNDEE | 847-428-4483 WWW.VILLAGESQUIRE.COM Village Squire Restaurants have been a part of the Fox Valley since 1974, family owned and operated. The Squire is an English pub style casual dining restaurant featuring live music Thursday through Saturday and a cozy atmosphere with a great outdoor patio for enjoyment in the warm weather months. Some of their specialties include BBQ babyback ribs that fall off the bone, charbroiled steaks, juicy prime rib and a wide variety of gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, pizzas, pasta and fresh fish. Famous for their house drinks, Mai Tais and Rum Barrels are made in house and are an all time favorite. For a casual drink or dinner, Village Squire is a great place to be!
Bikes and brews
GEAR UP FOR AN (UNTAPPED) TOUR OF LOCAL BREWERIES By KEVIN DRULEY
J
im and Jason Ebel, the eponymous two brothers who founded Two Brothers Brewing Company, enjoy a good bike ride. So, when a group of nearly 100 cyclists contacted Two Brothers’ Warrenville tap room about stopping by for a tour last fall, Two Brothers digital marketing manager Todd Rudolf reports that his bosses were “very enthused.”
Two Brothers tap room sits near the Illinois Prairie Path, a weaving network of recreational trails that connect numerous western suburbs, including the central Kane County communities 24 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
of Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora and Elgin.
By design, the Brewery Trail appears to challenge endurance of the bicycle seat over that of the Consult a map of the Prairie Path and its sister barstool, but depending on your timeframe, thoroughfare for non-motorized use, the Fox River Trail, and many destinations seem bikeable. ambition, and the extent of your thirst, you can create your own experience. A Saturday Consult a map responsibly – without eyes figures to be the optimal riding day, as some blurred from too many libations, that is – and establishments on the trail either open in late the path’s interconnectivity even can extend to afternoon or are closed on other days. nearby breweries. The following is an attempt at the as-yetunpatented (and untested) Kane County Brewery Trail, with five possible stops to refuel and relax, which include: Dog’s Paw Brewing (Elgin), Penrose Brewing Co. (Geneva), Stockholm’s (Geneva), Hardware (North Aurora) and Two Brothers Roundhouse (Aurora). DINING & ENTERTAINING
The starting point, Dog’s Paw, opens at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Although the ending point, Two Brothers Roundhouse, closes at 1 a.m., we only recommend traversing the trails between brewery stops during daylight hours. Please follow the established regulations of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
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Casual Dining in a Rustic Atmosphere On Featured Nights, after the ballgame, enjoy the fireworks display from our Patio.
GETTING STARTED To piggyback on what was established above, Rudolf confirms that Two Brothers Roundhouse can receive “decent” bike traffic when weather allows. “Most people have one or maybe two (drinks),” he said. “But usually one. Because I don’t think most people want to get too full or anything like that and then get on a bike again. It’s pretty casual. Maybe have a beer and a quick bite.” That’s the idea of this tour, as well, namely when one considers the potential riding dangers present even when someone is operating a bicycle without alcohol in his or her system. Four of the five stops on the tour are situated in downtowns, while the outlier, Hardware, is on busy Orchard Road, west of the bustling Randall Road Corridor.
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Wait. Have we stopped the tour before so much as traversing one mile of it? Not necessarily. But it is vital to note the safety and procedural considerations of this tour versus those of others set in less urban areas.
CAR SHOWS on Mondays in St. Charles
MOVING RIGHT ALONG Dog’s Paw Brewing, 74 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, sits a short distance from the Fox River Trail. So after starting with some lunch and a cool craft pint, head west of the brewery and locate the trail, running alongside S. Riverside Drive. Head south on the trail, proceeding alongside the Fox River and crossing over the Elgin Bypass. The trail takes you near the South Elgin Dam before looping to cross the State Street Bridge, taking riders from the east bank of the Fox River to the west bank, one of a handful of bank jumps along
VIDEO GAMING Dine-in ONLY. Not valid with any other offer. Beverage purchase required.
ROOKIES 1 ST. CHARLES 1545 W. Main St. St. Charles P: 630.513.0681 F: 630.513.1030
-Continued on page 26 SM-CL0388199
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ROOKIES 2 ROOKIES 3 THE GROVE, ELGIN HUNTLEY 2486 Bushwood Drive 12220 Princeton Dr. Elgin (Rt. 47) Huntley P: 847.551.9006 P: 847-669-8600 F: 847.551.9043
WWW.ROOKIESPUB.COM DINING & ENTERTAINING
ROOKIES 4 POPLAR CREEK PLAZA 4607 West Higgins Rd. Hoffman Estates P: 847-645-0005 F: 847.645.0295
“Rookies All American Pub & Grill” KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 25
-Continued from page 25 the way. The trail then crosses through Seba Park and County Park as it approaches Stearns Road and Red Gate Road, the latter of which lies just a few miles from downtown St. Charles. Cross through St. Charles, and know that you’re getting closer to refreshment. The next town is Geneva, where a pair of possible stops awaits before the next trek. Shortly after passing Jefferson Street in Geneva, bear right toward the river instead of following parallel to Bennett Street. Head west on State Street, crossing over the Fox River and proceeding to the heart of historic downtown Geneva, and Stockholm’s, at 306 W. State St. Known for burgers as well as its craft beers, Stockholm’s is a quaint stop midway through the ride. Enjoy a creamy small batch root beer if you prefer, or some homemade potato chips, loaded with toppings, before hitting the trail again. Another Geneva stop takes you north of Stockholm’s. Bike north on 3rd St., crossing Hamilton, Peyton and Ford streets. At Stevens Street, head west about two blocks and you’ll find Penrose Brewing Company, 509 Stevens St. This is a taproom, so there is no fare for sale, but feel free to pack a snack and dive in with your pint of Penrose brew. 26 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
Upon leaving Penrose, retrace your route to Stockholm’s, then head east on State Street, re-crossing the bridge over the Fox River to find the Fox River Trail. Head south on the trail, leaving Geneva and approaching Batavia. Points of interest on the next phase of the ride include Island Park, Laurelwood Park and Clark Island. You’re ultimately proceeding toward Hardware, 2000 Orchard Road, but this phase of the ride marks the longest stretch not connected by trail. Be extremely cautious and cognizant of proper bike safety and protocol while remaining mindful of road traffic. DINING & ENTERTAINING
When the trail reaches State Street in North Aurora, head west for a few blocks, then ride north along Illinois Route 31 for about a block until reaching Oak Street, where you’ll head west. Proceed along Oak Street for two-plus miles, crossing over Orchard Road. Then turn right on Madison Street before making another right on Tanner Road. Hardware is adjacent to the intersection of Tanner and Orchard, located at 2000 Orchard Road. It’s a bit of a jaunt, but its well worth the ride. Serving its own craft beers and unique locally inspired cuisine, Hardware boasts its own www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Sip Some Wine & Paint Public & Private Parties for 10-50 People
Choose your date & painting or barnwood project from our gallery.
Make a special memory last a lifetime greenhouse, micro-orchard and hop farm. The biggest challenge will be getting up to leave, especially if you took a seat on Hardware’s glorious patio. Much like you did after the Penrose stop, retrace your route back through North Aurora to access the Fox River Trail for the final four miles to Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway in Aurora. The trail crosses over Indian Trail and approaches Illinois Ave. At Illinois Ave., bear east over the Fox River rather than taking the trail toward McCullough Park. A different portion of trail, the Aurora branch of the Illinois Prairie Path, awaits on the east bank. The path takes you into River Edge Park, which plays host to city events, concerts and park space. You ultimately will need to exit the park and find Broadway, just to the east. From there, you’ll head briefly south until reaching Two Brothers Roundhouse, home of craft brews and at least two other bicycle enthusiasts. Check out the calendar online, for information on live music, movie nights and more to wrap up your day on two wheels. If you haven’t already done so, arrange for transportation from Two Brothers. And make sure your driver has a bike rack. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
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Mon-Fri 10am-6pm ~ Thurs 10am-8pm ~ Sat 10am-5:30pm ~ Sun 11am-4pm
315 James St. • Geneva, IL • (630) 262-0210 www.olivemillgeneva.com
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 27
Summer swim STAY COOL THIS SEASON AT LOCAL POOLS AND SWIMMING HOLES By KEVIN DRULEY
W
hat do people envision when they ponder a day of swimming? Batavia Park District director of marketing and public relations Katie Drum has a pulse on the answer – after she clears something from her eyes, that is.
Here’s a glance at various other swimming spots in the Fox Valley.
“I feel like most people, when you think of an aquatic facility, you think of a pool. A clear-bottom, blue pool that you can swim in that’s chlorinated,” Drum said. “Heavily chlorinated.” To be sure, that’s one accurate and inviting scene for fun in the sun in the Fox Valley this summer. But Batavia’s Harry Hall Quarry Beach offers similar thrills in a novel setting, just as it has for decades. “This is unique because it’s actually a natural body of water,” Drum said. Hall Quarry Beach sits on the site of a former stone quarry dating back to the late 19th century, and features a sand bottom swimming area flanked by a surrounding playground picnic decks and other recreational amenities. “Hall Quarry Beach just has a really rich history in the community. A lot of the original parts of the quarry are still existing, and so nothing’s been lost,” Drum said. “And so it kind of connects to all generations. People who were born in the (1930s) remember it fondly, and then people that are just newly moving to Batavia love that it’s a unique water facility.” Hall Quarry Beach WHERE: 400 S. Water St., Batavia DATES OF OPERATION: May 27 to Aug. 13 PHONE: (630) 879-5235 HOURS: Noon to 6 p.m. daily DAILY COSTS: $8 for residents; $11 for non-residents NOTE: Season pass holders may access the pool at 11:30 a.m.daily. WEBSITE: www.bataviaparks.org/harold-hall-quarry-beach
28 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
FAMILY in FOCUS
Otter Cove Aquatic Park WHERE: 3615 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles DATES OF OPERATION: May 27 to Sept. 4 PHONE: (630) 513-4377 HOURS: LAP SWIM: 7:30 to 9 a.m. weekdays; OPEN SWIM: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday;Twilight swim: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday; Splash park: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily DAILY COSTS: $9 for resident open swim; $14 for non-resident open swim; $6 for twilight swim; $4 for lap swim NOTE: Shorter hours take effect Aug. 23. WEBSITE: www.ottercove.org Swanson Pool WHERE: Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles DATES OF OPERATION: May 30 to Aug. 22 PHONE: (630) 584-3314 HOURS: Lap swim: 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays; Open swim: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday; Twilight swim: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. weekdays, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. DAILY COSTS: $7 for resident open swim; $11 for non-resident open swim; $5 for twilight swim; $4 for lap swim NOTE: Swanson Pool and Otter Cove are set to be part of the network vying to break the Guinness Book World Record for most people participating in a swim lesson. The attempt is set for noon to 1 p.m. June 22. WEBSITE: www.swansonpool.org www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Father’s Day June 18th
Your Local
Mill Creek Pool WHERE: 39W125 S. Mill Creek Drive, Geneva DATES OF OPERATION: June 3 to Aug. 20 PHONE: (630) 845-0985 HOURS: Noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. weekdays; Noon to 8 p.m. weekends DAILY COSTS: $7 for resident swim; $10 for non-resident swim; $3.50 for resident twilight swim; $5 for non-resident twilight swim NOTE: The pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on July 4. WEBSITE: www.genevaparks.org/facilities/ mill-creek-pool Sunset Pool WHERE: 710 Western Ave., Geneva DATES OF OPERATION: May 27 to Sept. 4 PHONE: (630) 232-4542 HOURS: Noon to 8 p.m. daily DAILY COSTS: $8 for resident swim; $12 for non-resident swim; $4 for resident twilight swim; $6 for non-resident twilight swim NOTE: Those with passes may access the pool beginning at 11 a.m. on weekdays. WEBSITE: www.genevaparks.org/facilities/ sunset-pool As with any recreational activity, safety is paramount to sustaining an enjoyable experience in the water. Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group SafeKids Worldwide recommends that children develop the following water survival skills as part of learning how to swim:
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Signature Burgers for the Grill (12oz. each) • Tuscan • Blue Cheese • Bacon-Onion Cheddar • Jalapeno Jack • Gourmet Sliders A Summer Favorite! 20 Different Fresh Salads Daily and Our Own Homemade Potato Salad What’s a party without Josef’s potato salad?
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■ Step or jump into water over his or her head and return to the surface ■ Tread water or float for one minute ■ Turn around in a full circle and locate an exit to the water ■ Swim 25 yards to exit ■ Exit the water without using a pool ladder Have a good swim. And don’t forget the sunscreen!
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(Entrance on 7th Street)
630-262-1878 www.josefsmeats.com Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM We are closed Mondays
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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 29
Wooded Bliss Treehouse glamping a throwback to childhood By KEVIN DRULEY
J
ust as “spork” unites “spoon” and “fork” and “smog” connects “smoke” and “fog,” there is the recently combined word known as “glamping.” Merriam-Webster has yet to take the liberty of defining it, so take it from Linda Clark, director of sales at glamping.com.
AMENITIES: BBQ/grill; refrigerator; bunk beds; kitchen; electricity
“It is a fusion of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’ to equal ‘glamping,’” Clark says.
■ MAGICAL TREE HOUSE RENTAL
ACTIVITIES: Biking; hiking; canoeing; horseback riding; fishing; kayaking WHAT'S NEARBY: Mohican Stake Park; Pro Football Hall of Fame (55 miles); Royal Docks Brewing Company (55 miles); The Ohio Statehouse (75 miles); Columbus Clippers baseball (75 miles)
The industry has grown significantly in the past few years, spawning a collection of websites that help WHERE: Grubville, facilitate property rentals throughout the nation and Missouri worldwide. CONTACT: “Rather than pitching your own tent, and bringing glamping.com or a sleeping bag, and cooking your own food, many glampinghub.com of the spots that you would glamp at today provide COST (per night): Starting at $159 you with those things,” Clark says. “So, you walk AMENITIES: Air conditioning; air mattress; BBQ/grill; into your beautiful tent, and you have a nice bed board games; cell service; coffeemaker; hammocks; – like you would find in a hotel – and wonderful, 400-thread-count sheets. You have all the creature and swings. comforts of music in your suite and wonderful ACTIVITIES: Fishing; hiking; meditation; lighting, whether it be solar or from light bulbs. photography; walking And a lot of the glamping places … have wonderful WHAT’S NEARBY: John G’s Bier Deck (30 miles); chefs.” Meramec Caverns (35 miles); Schlafly Bottleworks Clark calls a particular subset of glamping “kind of (38 miles); St. Louis Cardinals baseball (55 miles); the rage right now” for its ability to marry nostalgic City Museum (55 miles) childhood memories with modern accoutrements. Remember that pal growing up who had a treehouse in the family backyard? Well, adult treehouses are bigger and better, and you can even stay the night in one without Mom and Dad performing regular check-ups. If you’re looking for a new kind of getaway this summer, glamping in a treehouse fit for adults fits the bill. “It is trendy,” Clark says, “but I think it’s definitely here to stay.” Here’s a look at a trio of treehouse destinations in the Midwest:
■ LUXURY TREE HOUSE PARADISE WHERE: Glenmont, Ohio CONTACT: glamping.com or glampinghub. com COST (per night): Starting at $195
■ TREE HOUSE NEAR SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST WHERE: Karbers Ridge, Illinois CONTACT: glamping.com or glampinghub.com COST (per night): Starting at $185.50 AMENITIES: Air conditioning; BBQ/grill/coffeemaker; fire pit; heating; refrigerator ACTIVITIES: Archery; bird watching; boating; canoeing; climbing; fishing WHAT’S NEARBY: Shawnee National Forest; Southern Illinois Miners baseball (46 miles); The National Quilt Museum (50 miles); Paducah Riverwalk (50 miles); Purple Toad Winery (50 miles)
The Glass-HalfFull Guy:
STEPPING OUT ONTO THE EDGE By PETER STADALSKY
I’m terrified of heights. Well actually, I’m terrified of falling from heights. Towering mountains don’t scare me much, but stepping out onto the edge gives me telescopic vertigo and a plunging stomach. I’ve wrestled plenty of hardcore adventures in my life, but In spite of everything I still have fears. There is a part of me that knows if I don’t challenge myself in areas I feel vulnerable, I‘ll never grow as an individual. The courage I’ve built up in my life has not come from the absence of fear but from the willingness to climb over it. So, in honor of this, I hired a rock climbing guide to take me out and scale 200 foot cliffs in Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin. The guide took me to the easier climbs in the park, which coincidentally are the tallest. I stood at the base looking up the vertical wall telling myself, “there is no way I’m getting to the top of this.” After the first few lengths up the rock face, I immediately remembered everything looks less scary on television. At 50 feet up, I found a ledge the size of a cellphone to hook my toe on, and a crack to dig my nails into.
can, and hold onto a crack with my pinky. I called down to my guide to say I was happy with everything and ready to come down. He responded by telling me there was a fantastic spot to put my right foot. At that particular moment, I was not as excited about my right foot as was he. I took another one of those deep breaths with my eyes closed and swung my leg up, defying physics, and pushed myself over the crux. My heart raced so fast I scurried up the last 75 feet like a frightened mouse. I stood at the top looking out over the ice blue Devil’s Lake. I was not expecting to be up at the top, nor did I think I had the capacity. The view was so gratifying because I had to surmount my own selfdoubt to arrive there. Nobody has to go rock climbing to challenge what they believe is possible for themselves. But if we never step out onto the edge, we will never know what beautiful things could be on the other side. Many things that have built my self-esteem have been on the other side of, “that’s too scary,” or “ I could never do that.” Even if I never made it to the top, the real lesson I learned was to take the chance. And I’ve never regretted the chances I’ve taken, just the ones I didn’t.
My heart pounded like a jackhammer and my foot trembled on its humble platform. I pressed the front of my body into the cold face of the red rock and felt nothing but air across my back. Moisture built up underneath my hands. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths while giving my heart permission to slow down at any time. The more I tuned into the moment and my body, the less it twitched uncontrollably. For 10 minutes, I tried convincing myself that I was perfectly fine. When my head cleared and my palms dried out, I started upwards again towards the crux; the important part, the hard part, the part where I have to do the Kung Fu splits, reach my arm further than it physically 32 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
TRAVEL
u Peter Stadalsky is an Aurora resident and adventurer. He shares his travel experiences with a “glass-half-full” view of the world.
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How therapy helped a marathoner get her groove back By STEPHANIE N. GRIMOLDBY | Photo by NANCY MERKLING Laura Bransky is a runner.
starting line to pick up her belongings.
A 26.2-mile runner.
By the time she got out of the car, she couldn’t bear any weight on her leg.
The 48-year-old St. Charles resident has run the Boston Marathon twice and the Fox Valley Marathon three times, making her a “legitimate marathoner,” says Brian M. Babka, MD, Sports Medicine at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital.
“I was crushed,” she says. Another crushing blow came a week later when an MRI confirmed Bransky had a hip stress fracture.
Friends who were triathletes referred her to Dr. Babka, a triathlete himself, who completed a But last fall, while training for the 2016 Fox Valley half-Ironman last year. Marathon, Bransky started having pain, which Dr. Babka spent an hour with Bransky during originally was dismissed as a pulled muscle. their first appointment. She says his relatability Bransky managed to run about 17 miles of the – and true compassion and reassurance - helped Sept. 18 marathon before the pain felt different. ease her nerves. After a mile of pain on impact, she stopped. “From the beginning, I felt like I was in good Then, she had to walk another half mile to find hands,” she says. her family, hop in the car and go back to the
¢ THERAPY At Northwestern Medicine, if a person has an injury, “It’s not necessarily an excuse to sit around for six weeks and then come back and see me. We believe an athlete needs to have an active recovery and rehabilitation,” says Dr. Babka, who helps manage the Northwestern Medicine Running Medicine Clinic.
After nearly two months on crutches, Branksy started aqua therapy, doing exercises to strengthen her leg muscles and gain mobility in the weightlessness of water. Then, she completed a walk-to-run program, followed by a running gait analysis so she could learn to self-correct any falters, lowering the possibility she would experience a recurrent injury. That’s something Dr. Babka said he and his team pride themselves on: making sure an athlete can tolerate activity; getting them back to their sport, pain-free; and giving them the strength and biomechanics needed to never return with the same injury.
¢ BACK TO THE GRIND Today, Bransky is back running. She can run eight miles consistently with no pain, “and that’s awesome,” she says. This year, she hopes to tackle a few half marathons, and by next year, she’s looking to run yet another full marathon. Her time spent with Dr. Babka and the team at Northwestern Medicine Sports Medicine and Northwestern Medicine Rehabilitation Services was great, she says. The therapists were attentive and thorough, and Dr. Babka helped her tackle her mental battles as she re-learned to walk and run.
“He said that in the beginning, the hardest thing for marathoners is to overcome the mental obstacles,” she says. “I didn’t want to walk and While he placed Bransky was having trouble with that. I probably didn’t on strict rest – crutches, run until a month after he gave me clearance to no unassisted walking – run, [worrying], ‘Oh no, is it going to hurt?’” until her hip had time to heal, he also suggested Dr. Babka says half of his job is to counsel his patients, and he’s happy to do so. Bransky start upper body training so that “I don’t think anyone should be subjected to, she would feel mentally ‘You’re too old to run or you had an injury, you engaged in her recovery. can’t run any more,’” he says. “I think there’s always a way.” 36 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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Tips for runners from Brian M. Babka, MD, Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics
1
Don’t forget cross-training and strengthening. These two activities are completely underutilized, though Dr. Babka understands why – there are only so many hours in a day, and if you have a free hour on a Thursday afternoon, you’re more likely to want to sneak in that 6- to 10-mile training run instead of strength training. But it’s the little things – like strengthening and flexibility – that can keep you out of his office, he says.
2
Don’t do too much too fast
A general rule of thumb is not to increase mileage more than 10 percent a week, Dr. Babka says. You need to allow the body enough recovery time to heal itself.
3
Know when to see a medical professional Sometimes if a runner develops pain, a few days of rest will take care of the issue – so be sure to take those few days, Dr. Babka says. But if the pain doesn’t get better or if it hurts during a run, those are red flags that you should see a medical professional.
BETTER BY EVERY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage and Delnor hospitals offer highly-specialized orthopaedic care, close to home. From advanced arthroscopic procedures and microsurgery to leading-edge joint replacement and reconstruction, our team provides world-class, comprehensive care and rehabilitation services. What makes us better, makes you better. Learn more at rmg.nm.org/orthopaedics.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 37
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Dr. Stephen Sorenson, Medical Director of Vein Specialists of Illinois, has more than 20 years of clinical experience focused solely on treating vein disease. He has performed in excess of 50,000 patient vein treatments in his career. Dr. Sorenson is a diplomate of both the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and Emergency Medicine. In addition to these qualifications, he is both a Registered Vascular Technician (RVT) and a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI). Dr. Sorenson is a founding member of the American College of Phlebology Education Foundation. “The thing that I love best about what we do, is getting people back to the activities that they love to do. Our moniker is ‘expert care and healthier legs’ and that’s what we’re all about.” –Dr. Stephen Sorenson Thomas A. Lutz, MD, RVT, RPVI
Dr. Lutz is an experienced physician who has committed his career to specializing in the treatment of a wide variety of venous disorders, including varicose veins and spider veins. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the American College of Phlebology. Dr. Lutz has also earned the credentials of Registered Vascular Technician (RVT) and Registered Physician of Vascular Interpretation (RPVI), having undergone extensive training and passed rigorous testing in the area of diagnostic ultrasound. Dr. Lutz brings more than seven years of experience in minimally invasive endovenous laser treatment (ELT) and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy to VSI. Prior to specializing in venous disorders, Dr. Lutz practiced as a cardiovascular hospitalist at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. “I find great satisfaction in offering patients a nonsurgical approach to such a prevalent condition. Like Dr. Sorenson, I enjoy helping patients return to an active lifestyle by restoring the health of their legs. I am excited have joined a practice that is patient-centered and enables me to provide the best possible care to my patients. “ —Dr. Thomas Lutz
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 39
VOLCANO MULCH
just don’t do it! Are your mulching efforts doing more harm than good? By MEAGAN PROVENCHER, SR. LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, ICNPRO 2016 CERTIFIED NURSERY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
42 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
Shredded bark mulches are an excellent way to help your landscape retain moisture and lend a neat, clean aesthetic appearance, especially around a lone tree in the yard or parkway. However, there is an epidemic of “volcano mulching” going around in our neighborhoods! “Volcano mulch” is the practice of piling anywhere from four to 12 inches (sometimes even more) of bark mulch in a two-three foot diameter circle around the base of trees, with the bark mulch riding up the trunk of the tree (see photos). This practice is harmful to trees for a number of reasons.
inch deep ring of mulch will allow water to gently pool, and then soak into the soil where the roots can use the moisture.
Other problems with heavy, incorrect mulching can lead to fungal cankers around the trunk of the tree where the mulch is piled, bark decay, rodent damage, and girdling roots. All of these issues can easily cause your tree to grow incorrectly or even kill it in short order. You can Google “volcano mulch” First, when mulch is so deep, roots tend to travel and read for hours (and view the horrible photos!) upward from the soil/root ball into the mulch above about how bad this practice is. And let’s be honest… ground when the mulch is wet from rain or watering. it’s just silly to have these poor trees humiliated And while wet mulch is a favorable growing medium with giant mounds of mulch around them! to young roots, it cannot hold as much moisture You can easily correct the situation if you have as soil. Those same roots are damaged the roots easily dry out, die between waterings or in times of recently mulched young trees - just rake the mulch back from around the trunk and spread it out evenly drought, and then can cause damage or death to around the root ball, exposing the trunk of the tree. the tree. If you have older trees that have been mulched The piling up of “volcano mulch” also can act as an year after year at the incorrect depth, it may take a umbrella, diverting any rainfall or irrigation that little more love and care. Gently start to remove the reaches the tree, causing it to run off immediately layers of mulch, trimming any roots that are growing and not soak into the actual root zone. A FLAT, twoHOME & LIFESTYLE
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92 Years A Growing Legacy Quality Plants, Professional Service & Expert Advice . . . Since 1925
Enjoy Your Yard This Summer! Visit Wasco Nursery to find beautiful flowers and foliage to add color and interest to your home.
Locally grown trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials and a knowledgeable staff to assist you. in the mulch. You can do this in a series of phases if the roots seem to be heavy in the mulch layer. After you have removed the extra mulch and roots, re-mulch with no more than two inches of bark mulch. Mulch should be no more than two to three inches deep at any time in the garden around any plant material, and should not touch the trunk of trees. Extra dirt and sod from cleaning up edges should not be piled at the base of trees and covered with mulch. If your landscaper disagrees – fire him! If your husband disagrees, well, tell him we will take away his wheelbarrow!
Meagan Provencher is the Sr. Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery. She can be reached at 630584-4424 or design@ wasconursery.com She may be spying on you to make sure you fix your mulch... www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Brightly colored hanging baskets, containers, geraniums, annuals, and tropical plants.
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92 “Meeting your growing needs since 1925.” 41W781 Route 64 | St. Charles | 630-584-4424 | wasconursery.com HOME & LIFESTYLE
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 43
FAMILY FOCUSED
Gayle Bowling makes houses into homes for seniors in need By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE | Photo by RON MCKINNEY For Gayle Bowling, family is everything. She was born and raised in St. Charles, and when she married and started her own family, she and her husband wanted their children to grow up close to their grandparents and extended family, so they stayed in their hometown. Today she continues to promote family bonding at her business, Inspirations Senior Shared Living. There, elderly residents are cared for in a real home, not a “senior facility.” Bowling owns homes in St. Charles where, at any time, several senior adults live together with 24-hour-a-day care. Bowling describes the setting as more care than an assisted living facility, offering a choice for families who need help caring for elderly adult relatives.
cared have come through medical field referral and word of mouth. Some of her residents have been acquaintances. Bowling takes an active approach to helping her residents make the transition. She knows how hard it can be for an elderly resident to leave a long-time home and she works hard to help the resident and his or her family with the adjustments. Bowling says she finds fulfillment being able to provide care and services and is hands-on, often spending time listening to the residents share stories of their lives. Her mission is to create a safe, home-like setting for the residents and provide companionship through communal living, rather than a more institutional setting. Friend Debbie Leoni says Bowling is passionate about the care she provides to her residents.
“In this home-like setting, the residents become like a family,” Bowling says. “This is something that was really needed.”
“This was her mission,” Leoni says. “She has always inspired me – the way she took an idea and how she made it happen.”
Bowling says the idea for the business came after caring for her own mother, who had dementia. She longed for another choice in caring for her mother beyond the often clinical environment of a typical care facility.
Inside the home the residents build relationships and seem to create another family.
Bowling says the idea for another option was planted in her head, but it would take several more years to develop the business plan and launch the business with homes to serve seniors. “It’s like a bed and breakfast for seniors,” she says. Bowling says she and her team are able to provide round-the-clock care for residents and bring services to residents, such as home care physicians and home health and hospice care. Many of the residents for whom Bowling has
44 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
“They become very close,” Bowling says. Though she is the owner, she retains a hands-on approach, spending time at each residence and often rolling up her sleeves and helping out as needed. She and her team work hard to provide care and meet the daily needs. “I’m surrounded with great people,” Bowling says. “This is a great business, and I love what I do – I love the people.” In addition to her work she enjoys spending free time with her own family, including her husband, her grown children and her five grandchildren.
“She has always inspired me – the way she took an idea and how she made it happen.” -Debbie Leoni
“She’s a total family person,” Leoni says. “She’s always there for people.”
BUSINESS & CIVIC
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THERAPY ANIMALS HELP HEAL
By Anderson Animal Shelter Featured Sponsor DePaw University Canine Campus
Animals bring out the best in us, whether it’s helping
nursing homes, domestic violence shelters, homeless
children read in libraries, cheering residents in a nursing shelters, libraries, and group homes,” she went on say. home, or visiting children in schools. These interactions “We’ve done Halloween parades and been involved with are called animal assisted activities, and fortunately for hospice. ...I’ve found that the staff at the places we visit our community Anderson Animal Shelter is starting a sometimes need the dogs as much as the residents.” program called “Healing Paws”. Adding a pet therapy program is the perfect complement to the shelter’s already robust educational, community, and outreach programming. This program will be coordinated by Lisa Smith, who has 16 years of experience working with
If you have an exceptional animal and would like more information about the program or would like to have a therapy pet visit your organization, please email Lisa Smith at pettherapy@andersonanimalshelter.org.
therapy animals. While the program will welcome a range of domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs to rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses, dogs are the most common. Dogs must be able to stay calm under a variety of situations; they must walk calmly on a leash, have some basic obedience, and tolerate things like rough petting and loud noises, for example. While obedience classes are important, they do not automatically mean the dog would be a good therapy animal. Smith says, “To be a great therapy dog, it really comes down to a certain temperament. In the field we say that therapy dogs are born, not made. They either have the temperament to adapt to a variety of settings or they don’t.” Smith has extensive experience coordinating therapy dog teams. “In the past, my group has gone to schools,
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46 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
FASHION & BEAUTY
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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 47
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Concert Cool
GETUPS AND GARMENTS TO STRUT YOUR STUFF DURING THE SUMMER’S HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVALS
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FASHION & BEAUTY
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Blues on the Fox brings stacked lineup for 21st annual summer event By ALLISON HORNE
T
wo years ago, Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples was scheduled to perform at Blues on the Fox, but her performance was cut to just 20 minutes due to weather.
has a Grammy win to his name.
But she’s back again this year, and this time, she’ll be center stage when she headlines Friday’s 21st annual Blues on the Fox Festival.
The fest has grown over the years, and after starting as a street festival in downtown Aurora, Jarvis expects to see 13,000 people over two days.
The two-day music spectacular will be held at RiverEdge Park for the fifth year, and will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16 and 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17.
“We have people come from 24 different states and three to five different countries,” Jarvis says. “Blues fans are simply true music lovers, and when you put something like this together, people converge from all over the place.”
“It’s truly one of the best lineups for music around the Midwest as far as blues music is concerned,” Jim Jarvis, VP of programming and sales at Paramount Theatre and RiverEdge Park, says. “Anyone who comes will tell you what an amazing experience they have year after year.” But before Staples takes the stage Friday, Shemekia Copeland, a threetime Grammy-nominated blues circuit mainstay, will be kicking off the bluesfilled weekend. “You can see Shemekia and Mavis for under $20,” Jarvis says. “You can’t go see one of them individually for that much. That’s two amazing artists and a quality caliber of music for $10-$20. You can’t even go to a movie anymore for $10.” Saturday’s lineup is just as spectacular, featuring the Guy King Band, Devon Allman, Elvin Bishop and Jonny Lang. Guy King is known for his fresh spin on classic blues, jazz soul and R&B, while Devon Allman, son of the legendary Gregg and nephew to Duane, has come into his own and brings a powerful and soulful voice to the stage.
“That kind of talent from those four people is going to be an absolute day of music,” Jarvis says. “It’ll be eight to nine hours of music. It’s going to be awesome.”
Blues in Fox Valley can be traced back to 1937, when several notable Chicago and St. Louis artists recorded blues music at the Leland Hotel in downtown Aurora under the Bluebird label. The sessions were considered historic, but were also influential in creating the sounds of postwar blues, country, bebop and rock and roll. Every year, the artist for the event, Rex Bohn, tries to pay homage those artists who had a hand in creating such a great scene in the Fox Valley area by incorporating that history into the festival’s poster. “He always puts a bluebird on the poster somewhere,” Jarvis says, which references the Bluebird label. In addition to nonstop action on the stage, the venue also provides a comfortable setting for all ages, with a scenic river, lawn seating, bench seating, and much more.
While the park offers food trucks and a food pavilion for attendees, Jarvis also Rock and Roll and Blues Hall of Famer Elvin notes that they permit coolers (with Bishop is a legend in the music world as some restrictions) and food to be brought well. He’s sat with the Grateful Dead, coinside, which helps cut down on costs for billed concerts with the Allman Brothers anyone coming for the entire day. Chairs Band, and, most recently, had a song and blankets are also allowed inside. featured on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” “It’s really just fun to be there,” Jarvis soundtrack. Closing out the weekend will be Jonny Lang, who has been playing says. “It’s such a cool vibe. I always say Blues on the Fox is the Woodstock of blues guitar since he was just 12 years old and around here.” 50 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
OUT & ABOUT
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Ream’s Meat Market
¢ OTHER FESTIVALS AT RIVEREDGE PARK TWO BROTHERS SUMMER FESTIVAL Friday, June 2, through Saturday, June 3 FIESTAS PATRIAS Saturday, Sept. 16
¢ OTHER CONCERTS AT RIVEREDGE PARK DARK STAR ORCHESTRA 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24 GOOD VIBES MUSIC FEST 3 p.m. Sunday, July 2 THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE 8 p.m. Friday, July 7 STEVE MILLER BAND WITH PETER FRAMPTON 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20 KESHA AND THE CREEPIES 8 p.m. Friday, July 21 ALABAMA 8 p.m. Friday, July 28 AMERICAN ENGLISH 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 JASON DERULO 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 SOUTHERN UPRISING TOUR 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 GET THE LED OUT 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25
e m m u S s i h t s r e t r a dqu a e H g n i l l i r G r u Yo OF JULY,
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Treat Dad to Steak and Chicken Kabobs Celebrate the Family Our Own Italian Beef, Smoked Pulled Pork Homemade Deli Salads Meat and Cheese Trays
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A GREAT OLD FASHIONED FULL SERVICE MEAT MARKET www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
OUT & ABOUT
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 51
Every Day’s Event-Full at St. Charles Park District’s Aquatic Areas
H
annah can’t wait to show off her artistic talents at “Deck Art Day”, while Owen is looking ahead to August when he can wear his favorite Batman cape to the pool for “Superhero Night”. Meanwhile, Caroline’s dad wants to learn how to pilot a kayak at “Paddle in the Pool,” and Will’s mom – well, she’s just glad to have places to take her kids for days of summer fun where there’s always something to keep them engaged and entertained.
programs join the Park District’s traditional summertime line-up this season. In fact, if one were to start marking the calendar with all the activities taking place at both Swanson Pool and Otter Cove, there would be very few open dates left.
Every Wednesday in June and July, for example, one could play Pool Bingo from 1 to 2 p.m. at Swanson Pool, and the littlest tadpoles can listen to a children’s story read to them by a staff lifeguard during “Storytime with the Lifeguard” Swanson Pool and Otter Cove Aquatic Park from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays during June and July. definitely fit the bill. From “Fun Fiesta” for kids August abounds with Superhero, Princess and as young as three years old, to “Happy Hour Sand Volleyball” for those 16 and older, there are Monster costume theme nights at Swanson a raft of water activities going on most every day Pool while Otter Cove hosts all-day activities from June to August at both Park District aquatic for season pass holders and seniors on Monday, facilities. August 10 and Monday, August 21, respectively. “Our summer activities are really an extension of the ‘Swim Safe’ awareness initiative we sponsor each season,” says Rosie Fasching, Swanson Pool Aquatics Supervisor. “Once those basics are mastered, then everyone can enjoy the pool to the max.” Wet and wacky new events and splash-tastic 52 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
The water wildness continues through programs that range from the silly to the sporty, and the artistic to the athletic. The competition heats up with frozen T-shirt and hula hoop races during the family Summer Splash Party at Swanson Pool on August 18, while kids ages 4 to 12 can show off their summer swimming skills during OUT & ABOUT
the Mid-Summer Mix-up at Otter Cove on July 2. Pool decks at both facilities become transformed with talented chalk creations during designated “Deck Art Days” all summer long, and the whole clan can demonstrate water skills during “Family Olympics” on August 15 at Swanson Pool. There are parties -- such as “Christmas in July” on July 25, and “Ollie’s Birthday Bash” celebrating the birthday of Otter Cove’s mascot, Ollie – and dances, such as “DJ Nights” at Swanson Pool beginning Wednesday, July 5 and then continuing on Tuesday nights throughout the month of July. “We’ve really tried to come up with something for everyone,” says Steve Gard, Otter Cove Aquatics Supervisor. “Summer is all about having a good time, whether that’s relaxing by the pool with a good book or working up a sweat with a game of sand volleyball.” Summer also is about getting together with friends. But for students, the break from classes can also mean going weeks without seeing the person who made math class worthwhile. This year, new “School Trip-n-Dip” days gives www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Pottawatomie Golf Course Most FoxFox Valley! Most Beautiful BeautifulGolf GolfCourse Courseininthe the Valley! Tournaments • Leagues • Lessons Pro Shop • Refreshments • Rentals
2017 Green Fees (through September)
students from District 303 schools a chance to catch up with classmates while enjoying some water fun at Otter Cove. Each Tuesday beginning on June 13 and ending on August 15, different area schools will be highlighted and students can have their summer reunion commemorated with a group shot with Ollie the Otter. “By coming out to these special school days, classmates no longer have to say ‘see you in the fall,’” says Gard. And with all that’s going on at park district aquatic facilities this summer, no one is going to want to see fall arrive anyway.
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www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Tee Times: 630-584-8356 pottawatomiegc.com A facility of the St. Charles Park District OUT & ABOUT
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 53
After dinner delights SUMMER EVENINGS LIGHT UP IN KANE COUNTY By JON BILYK
T
here’s a lot to love about summer, just about anywhere in northern Illinois and the Chicago area. School’s out, opening up the daylight hours for family and other fun activities. Pools, water parks, beaches and amusement parks all beckon. Baseball is in full swing. Picnics and road trips are in the offing.
shortage of great entertainment options for those laidback or fun-filled summer nights.
But the best part of the onset of summer in the region just may be summer evenings. Hot days ease into still-warm, but mostly comfortable evenings. And dusk can seem to stretch on to infinity, calling people out of their air-conditioned homes and offices to kick back with a cool drink, a plate of food, maybe some great music or other entertainment, and then to simply while the nighttime hours away, al fresco, under the stars.
SUMMER SOUNDS For Cardis, the list of options begins at Aurora’ RiverEdge Park, kicking off the weekend after Memorial Day with Two Brothers Brewing Company’s ninth annual Summer Festival, June 2-3.
And in Kane County, no matter their speed and tastes, locals and visitors alike can find no
The event this year will feature performing artists Saint Motel, X Ambassadors, Blind Pilot,
54 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
James Cardis readily admits the list can begin with the Fourth of July. “We do the Fourth big here,” says Cardis, marketing director at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “But everyone does the Fourth big, right? “And there’s so much more to enjoy in the summer here than just the Fourth of July.
“It’s craft beer and some great live music,” Cardis says. “I missed it last year, for personal reasons, but I’d still call this one a ‘Can’t Miss.’”
OUT & ABOUT
Knox Hamilton and Savoir Adore. All proceeds will go to benefit local charities, Make-A-Wish Illinois and Giant Steps. Two weeks later, RiverEdge on June 16-17 will welcome Blues on the Fox, featuring such blues luminaries as Mavis Staples and Elvin Bishop, and modern greats like Jonny Lang. And through the summer, RiverEdge will host performances from contemporary pop recording artists Jason Derulo and Kesha, as well as classic rock greats Alabama and the Steve Miller Band, among others. “We’ve really kind of ramped up the lineup for our summer concert series this year,” Cardis says. Extending through the Fox Valley will also offer an array of other entertainment options this summer, as always. Consider the list of summer festivals, featuring carnival rides, musical acts and other entertainment options stretching from early in the day to well into the night.
www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
RiverEdge Park in Aurora Photo by Thomas J. King
FABULOUS FESTIVALS • JUNE 10 Festival of the Fox in St. Charles, featuring the Gregory Hyde Band. • JUNE 20 – 25 Swedish Days, Geneva, with live musical entertainment each night • JULY 14 – 16 Windmill City Festival, Batavia, which is a great spot for family fun. • JULY 22 The sixth annual Cocktails in the Park in Batavia features live music, drinks, appetizers, cigar/ whiskey or dessert/champagne tasting decks, and more. • JULY 20-23 Kane County Fair • AUG. 18-20 Elburn Days
www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
STAY LOCAL FOR MUSIC AND MOVIES Parks in the county will again serve as Ground Zero for free evening entertainment options, thanks to a lineup of free concerts and movies in the park. Free concerts will light up Island Park in Geneva on Wednesday evenings in July, and in St. Charles’ Lincoln Park on Thursday evenings from June 8-Aug. 17. In Elgin, such film titles as “Pete’s Dragon,” “Jurassic World,” and “Beauty & the Beast” will be shown for free in Festival Park on select evenings until Aug. 8. And in Geneva, the outdoor film screenings will begin June 8 with “The Secret Life of Pets” on June 8. St. Charles will show Disney’s “Moana” on June 10. Those seeking a more traditional moviegoing experience, taking in the hot films of the summer, while stepping back in time, can take in a double-feature at Cascade Drive-In, one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in the OUT & ABOUT
region, on Route 64 in West Chicago, just a short drive west of downtown St. Charles. SUMMER IS BETTER AT THE BALLPARK Summer nights are also a great time for baseball, and the Kane County Cougars rarely disappoint. Fireworks shows cap off all Friday and Saturday games at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. Theme nights also make for great summer fun, including Minions Night-June 30, Wayne’s World Night-July 27, Superhero NightAug 18 and Star Wars Night-Sept. 2. WARM NIGHTS, COOL RIDES Car shows will again deliver the people to downtowns throughout the region, as cruise nights will monthly roll into local communities. St Charles hosts Cruise nights on Tuesdays, Geneva’s Classic Car Shows take place Thursday evenings and Mooseheart hosts its annual car, truck and motorcycle show fundraiser on July DATE. Aurora will host its fourth annual LaSalle Street Auto Show on Aug. 19. KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 55
Book Nook
DISCOVER THE GREAT OUTDOORS, BETWEEN THE LINES By ALLISON MANLEY
As much as I love relaxing indoors with a good book, sometimes I need to step outside and get a breath of fresh air. But after spending an afternoon on the lake, taking a long walk in the park, or working in the garden, books are my go-to way to make the most of my summer days. Fortunately, there are many books that can take you outside from within their pages. Here are a few picks to remind you of why we put the “great” in “the great outdoors.”
Allison Manley was born in Georgia and raised in Island Lake. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. She loves opera, craft beer, and (of course!) reading.
56 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
¢ “BRAIDING SWEETGRASS: INDIGENOUS WISDOM, SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND THE TEACHINGS OF PLANTS” by Robin Wall Kimmerer Thoreau meets Pollan in this comforting and insightful book by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist, a mother, and a member of the Potawatomi Nation. In “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Kimmerer combines Native American culture with horticulture, poetry with personal essay. Writing passionately about her appreciation and understanding of all things nature, she brings each scene of natural beauty to life. Her book discusses topics like raising her two outdoorsy daughters, her people’s perspective on nature (like the way trees and plants need to give permission before being harvested), and how Native American roots helped inspire her to learn more about another kind of root – plant roots! I don’t know which I liked more: getting to know Kimmerer’s family and lifestyle, reading cool things about plants (like how corn, beans, and squash complement each other when planted close), or learning more about Potawatomi history and language. ¢ “TRACE: MEMORY, HISTORY, RACE, AND THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE” by Lauret Savoy
History buffs rejoice – “Trace” is a triple threat, mixing family history, natural history, and American history as Savoy explores locations in the U.S. that are significant to her and her geological studies. I’ve never travelled to the places Savoy visits for this book, but her brilliant descriptions of some of the country’s greatest natural spaces made it feel like I was right there with her. ¢ “SWAMPLANDIA!” by Karen Russell The Florida swamplands are as much a character as any of the people in “Swamplandia!” the intriguing and dark novel by Karen Russell. The books goes back and forth from goofy and light-hearted to strange and bittersweet as you follow the Bigtrees, members of a family whose livelihood depends on the success of an alligatorthemed amusement park/tourist trap located on an island all to itself. Seventeen-year-old Kiwi runs away and works his way up the corporate ladder at a competing amusement park; Osceola, the middle child, imagines she’s in love with a young ghost; and the main character, 13-year old Ava, tries to make sense of it all while her father pursues mysterious business ventures. As the Bigtree kids navigate the marshes, they also navigate the feelings of grief over their recently-deceased mother and the angst of adolescence.
Lauret Savoy’s insightful “Trace” is grounded in specific places: the rocky soils of Piedmont; South Carolina; the majestic and vast Grand Canyon; and the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, among others. OUT & ABOUT
www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
Cutestpet? ENTER THE KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE CUTEST PET CONTEST! From now until June 12th, you can submit a photo of your pet at shawurl.com/cutepet2017. Beginning June 14th through June 21st, you can vote for your favorite photo at shawurl.com/cutepet2017! At the end of the contest, the reader whose photo receives the most votes will win a prize package! The top three photos will be published in the Kane County Chronicle and Kane County Magazine! One photo submission per person allowed. Must be 18 or older to participate.
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Tails on Trails DOG-FRIENDLY PLACES AND OPEN SPACES
The great outdoors are meant to be shared. On trails and in forest preserves in Kane, County, open space can be enjoyed by the entire family – and that includes the family dog! Next time you head outdoors with your furry, four-legged friend, try one of these off-leash dog parks or forest preserves:
OFF-LEASH DOG RUNS FOX RIVER BLUFF WEST 5N753 Route 31, St. Charles One of the more popular off-leash dog areas in the suburbs, Fox River Bluff is located right off the Fox River in St. Charles. Owners are asked to leash dogs while walking to and from vehicles and while crossing the bicycle bridge on the river.
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OUT & ABOUT
AURORA WEST FOREST PRESERVE 40W032 Hankes Road, Aurora Fido can run free at the Aurora West Forest Preserve, a 715-acre property open to off-leash dogs. There’s a trail that connects the Virgil Gilman regional bike trail to the preserve, and the area features prairies, marshes and woodlands. REGOLE FOREST PRESERVE 3790 Commerce Drive, St. Charles This dog park isn’t extremely large, but does offer a pond and plenty of agility equipment for adventurous dogs. There are no permits required for this park, and there are other trails available in the area for dogs to explore while on a leash. SCHWEITZER WOODS 16N690 Sleepy Hollow Road, West Dundee What used to be Emily Schweitzer’s estate is now a rolling 160-acre preserve designated as an off-leash dog area. The property features forests, hay meadows, marshes, and an Edwardian house and matching dog kennel. In addition to the fenced dog park, there also are endless miles of hiking trails that meander through the property. No permits are required.
We now offer Bike Rentals FREE DOG PARKS WEST SIDE COMMUNITY DOG PARK Campton Hills and Peck roads, St. Charles Located in the bustling James. O. Breen Community Park, this dog park has something for dogs of all breeds and sizes. There are three different enclosures and plenty to do at the park itself – picnic areas, playgrounds and more.
2nd Location on the Great Western Trail Wasco Rd, Wasco 630 -940 -2137
BATAVIA BARK PARK 40W101 W. Main St., Batavia Located at the West Main Community Park in Batavia, the Bark Park has three acres of fenced land for four-legged friends to run off-leash. There are onleash hiking trails throughout the park, a pond and a pavilion located inside the dog park. No permits are required. STUART SPORTS COMPLEX Griffin Dr. and Route 30, Montgomery As one of the newer dog parks in the area, the Stuart Sports Complex Dog Park has more than 15 acres of off-leash areas for dogs. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, a special area for agility and a large pond for dogs to swim. RIVER BEND COMMUNITY PARK 6N517 Geneva Ave., St. Charles This dog park is located within the expansive roughly 45-acre River Bend Community Park, which has a skate park, fishing, basketball, tennis, restrooms and plenty of trails for your dog to run along while leashed. The dog park itself features water fountains for dogs and double-gated security entrances.
Sunday • June 18
FREE ADMISSION
FOR DADS
tterCove
Aquatic Park
with purchase of child’s admission Otter Cove • 3615 Campton Hills Rd. • St. Charles • ottercove.org Swanson Pool • 8 North Avenue • St. Charles • swansonpool.org OUT & ABOUT
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 59
COMMON THEMES EMERGE DURING 90 IDEAS IN 90 MINUTES EVENT By DIANE MOCA
FOR AMERICA’S LARGEST
RAILWAY MUSEUM
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM MARK Y OUR CA
LENDAR
FUN FAMILY EVENTS FOR 2017
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SEASON OPENING! The gates go up on
Sunday, April 2 nd, 2017
May 27-29 27-2 27 -299 – July 1-4 – July 8-9 & 15-16 – August 6 – August 12-13 – September 2-4 – September 16-17 –
Memorial Day Weekend kend nd Independence Day/Trolley Weekend Day Out With Thomas™ Vintage Transport Extravaganza Diesel Days Labor Day Weekend Museum Showcase Weekend
Many of the presenters discussed the challenges of too much to do and not enough time to do it.
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For the second consecutive year, the Kane County Chronicle and Shaw Media hosted 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes, a program featuring nine brief but powerful backto-back presentations that each last 10 minutes. Business leaders focused on sharing their top 10 marketing strategies for the audience of more than 50 entrepreneurs who each received a booklet that outlined all 90 ideas.
Go to www.irm.org for timetable and admission info. 7000 Olson Road • Union IL 60180
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From a financial adviser to a barber to a clothing retailer, nine business owners gathered at the Q Center in St. Charles on April 27 to reveal the secrets of their success.
“Time is your most valuable resource,” emphasized Craig Larsen, founder of AHC Advisors, a wealth management firm in St. Charles. He said an owner’s focus should be on “building new business,” and that’s why he decided to hire an outside firm for marketing. Sue McDowell, owner of McDowell Home Remodeling, said it is important to figure out how much to spend on marketing. “Too many businesses open and don’t have money allocated for marketing, and they go away because no one found out about them,” noted McDowell.
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She said average marketing budgets range from 2 percent to 20 percent of revenue. Several presenters said marketing should distinguish a product or service from the rest of the competition.
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60 | JUNE 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE
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“Stay true to your core,” insisted Melissa Parkos, owner of Jori and June boutique clothing store in Geneva.
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“They’ll know who you are. I figure out ways that make it unique,” noted Parkos, who set up a toy area in her store because many of her customers shop with small children. She said honing in on a niche “frames the way you communicate,” which makes it easier to decide where to
dedicate dollars and hours.
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“Most successful people realize they can’t accomplish everything on their to-do list, so they just pick five or six a day,” noted Eric Andersen, founder of Fresh Ground Roasters, a coffee supplier based in Geneva. “I had a manager help me with day-to-day, so I could concentrate on bigger things,” shared Melissa Monno, proprietor of River’s Edge Bar & Grill in Batavia. “I had to let go.” “When you delegate, no one will do it as you will do it. If they do it 80 percent as well, hire them,” insisted Andersen.
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“Getting the right people is essential,” agreed Jeff Matter, director of Music Matter School of Music in Batavia, which he said employs 25 teachers. Whether seeking employees or customers, many – including Craig Foltos, owner of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor in Batavia – said the growth of their business “is all about relationships.” He said his customers have to “trust [him].” A benefit of building those relationships is “asking for referrals and being rewarded with repeat sales,” noted realtor Debbie Gurley of Miscella Real Estate in Geneva. “Appreciate loyal customers.” Foltos said sponsoring local events is a critical way to reach such potential customers. “It was a big game changer for my business. Get out in the community,” Matter insisted. Owners should get involved by doing “something you really like, not because you think it will get you business,” said McDowell. Finding the right partners in the community is an “inexpensive” way to market, according to Rob Mondi, owner of Abby’s Breakfast and Lunch cafe in St. Charles. He suggested teaming up with visitor bureaus, as well as chambers of commerce in Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia, which sponsored the 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes event. “I don’t think you can be successful in business without the help of others,” emphasized Mondi. “We partnered with a nursing home and made the front page. It’s powerful.”
Retire on your terms. Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has worked for our clients’ futures, helping millions of Americans retire on their terms. Doing what they want. When they want. Let’s talk about how you can begin to put a confident retirement more within reach, call me today at 630.762.6556. Steve Smith Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N Second St, Ste 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 630.762.6556 steven.l.smith@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/steven.smith
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (7/14)
OUT & ABOUT
KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 | 61
JUNE 2017
CALENDAR
TWO BROTHERS SUMMER FESTIVAL WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, and 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 WHERE: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora The ninth annual Two Brothers Summer Festival is a craft beer and music festival hosted by Two Brothers Brewing Company. This year’s festival will feature its biggest music and beer lineup yet, with X Ambassadors, Saint Motel, Blind Pilot, Knox Hamilton and Savoir Adore (among others) headlining. The festival also will feature the annual release of Two Brothers Hop Centric Double IPA and the Two Brothers Special Projects Division rare beer tent. Proceeds from the festival will benefit local charities Make-A-Wish Illinois and Giant Steps. Tickets cost $30. For tickets or more information, visit twobrothersbrewing.com. CLUB ARCADA: MUSIC OF BROTHER RAY – A TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2; and 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday June 3 WHERE: Club Arcada, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles Club Arcada will host a tribute to blues legend Ray Charles featuring jazz musicians Joe McBride and Kenny Blake. McBride, a singer and pianist, is known for blurring the lines between jazz, R&B, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening; and 1 p.m. for the afternoon show and 5:30 p.m. for the evening show Saturday. Tickets cost $40. For tickets or more information, visit clubarcada.com. FINE LINE ARTS FESTIVAL - PRAIRIE STYLE WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 WHERE: Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 37W570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles The Fine Line Arts Festival is a one-day event that will feature hands-on art experiences, including a glaze-yourown-pottery station, live music, food and drinks, and artist demonstrations. New this year will be an outdoor sculpture exhibit and an artisan market selling pieces created by local artists. For more information, visit www.fineline.org. PRIMROSE PALATTE WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 3 WHERE: Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles Uncork, unwind, socialize and get creative during Primrose Farm’s painting party. An experienced artist will lead participants with a guided tutorial during sunset on the farm. Attendees can enjoy a variety of snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Adults age 21 and older are welcome to bring their own wine. All painting supplies will be provided. The class is for those ages 16 and older. The cost is $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Advanced registration is required. For more information, visit www. primrosefarmpark.com.
MID-AMERICAN CANOE AND KAYAK RACE WHEN: Sunday, June 4 WHERE: Along Fox River (Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles to Aurora) The annual canoe and kayak race is for paddlers of all ages and abilities, featuring 11 canoe divisions, eight kayak divisions and one open (non-competitive) division. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. CONCERTS IN THE PARK - GREGORY HYDE WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8 WHERE: Lincoln Park, W. Main Street at 4th Street, St. Charles Gregory Hyde, a Chicago-based singer/songwriter, will perform pop hits, blues and classic rock. The Walk-Ins will perform June 15; Dick Diamond and the Dusters on June 22; and Back Country Roads on June 29. Attendees should bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the open-air concert. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.stcparks.org. BLUES AND ROOTS ON WATER STREET FESTIVAL WHEN: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10 WHERE: Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St., Batavia The 2017 Blues and Roots on Water Street festival will feature six acts on two-stages. The indoor event will feature the finest in roots, americana and blues that the Chicago area has to offer. This year, Chicago blues mainstay Wayne Baker Brooks will headline the festival’s Blues Stage while Jonas Friddle and The Majority, an eightpiece indie folk rock band out of Chicago, will headline the Roots Stage. Food, courtesy of Batavia’s River’s Edge Bar and Grill, and beverages will be available for purchase. There also will be an after-show gathering at the River’s Edge Bar and Grill, located on River Street, in downtown Batavia. Tickets will be available for purchase at Kiss The Sky record store in Batavia and Water Street Studios. Tickets cost $25. For tickets or more information, visit waterstreetstudios.org. FESTIVAL OF THE FOX WHEN: Thursday, June 8, through Sunday, June 11 WHERE: Pottawatomie Park and Baker Memorial Park in St. Charles The festival will kick off with a “Concert In The Park” on June 8 at Lincoln Park. Pottawatomie Park will host the 27th annual Dragon Boat Races (Saturday and Sunday), family activities, live music in the Pavilion, food, a vintage marketplace, Saturday family movie night, Sunday water ski show, and the first ever “St Charles Day” in Baker Park. Enter the “Growing In St Charles” giant flowerpot decorating contest by visiting www.festivalofthefox.org.
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PIG GIG FARM DINNER WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15 WHERE: Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn The sixth annual Heritage Prairie Pig Gig Farm Dinner will kick off the summer farm dinner series. For a second year in a row, Heritage Prairie Farm is pairing up with Penrose Brewing Company for a night of beers and delicious food. Tickets cost $90. For tickets or more information, visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com. BLUES ON THE FOX WHEN: Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday, June 16, and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 WHERE: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora The Two-day blues festival will feature Shemekia Copeland at 7 p.m., and Mavis Staples at 9 p.m. Friday night; and, on Saturday, Guy King Band at 3 p.m., Devon Allman at 5 p.m., Elvin Bishop at 7 p.m. and Jonny Long at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20. For tickets or more information, visit riveredgeaurora. com. FISHING DERBY WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday, June 18 WHERE: Clark Island Recreation Area, 401 S. River St., Batavia Bring your gear and your dad to celebrate Father’s Day during the Fishing Derby in Batavia. The event is free. For more information, visit www.bataviaparks.org. LIVE AND UNCORKED WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22 WHERE: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora Live and Uncorked will feature a Billy Joel and Elton John cover band. Bring a blanket, picnic basket and your favorite craft beer or bottle of wine for the Ravinia-style concert series at Blackberry Farm. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5. Tickets will be sold at the door or skip the line and purchase them online at wherefunbegins.org. BEST OF ST. CHARLES FOODIE FEST WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 24 WHERE: St. Charles History Museum, 215 E. Main St., St. Charles The St. Charles History Museum will host its annual fundraising event featuring local restaurants, small plates of food, and wine and craft beverages. Attendees can enjoy music and dancing, learn a little local history, play “Mystery Wine and Dine,” make bids during the silent auction and enter the 50/50 community raffle. The Foodie Fest will take place at the St. Charles History Museum and on the top deck of the adjacent 3rd Street Parking garage. Tickets cost $45 for members and $55 for non-members. For tickets or more information, visit www.stcmuseum.org. TRI-CITY CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 24 WHERE: Lincoln Park, W. Main Street and N. 5th Street, in St. Charles The second annual Tri-City Craft Brew Festival will return to Lincoln Park in downtown St. Charles. This year, there will be more than 80 craft beers and hard ciders, plus music, food trucks and more. Guests will have an opportunity to sample and learn about new and exciting beers from local, regional and national craft breweries. Proceeds from the Tri-City Craft Brew Festival will enable the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club to support local charities and community projects throughout the year. General admission tickets cost $45. For tickets or more information, visit vwww.tricitycraftbrewfestival.com. SWEDISH DAYS FESTIVAL WHEN: Tuesday, June 20, through Sunday, June 25 WHERE: Downtown Geneva The 68th annual Swedish Days festival will feature food, carnival rides, live music and entertainment nightly, a craft brew tent, parade, a petting zoo and Sweden Vast – a tent that will have all things Swedish. For more information, visit genevachamber.com/swedish_days.php. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine
BASEMENTS! Do you wish you had a cozy space to watch movies? Or have a place for the kids to hang out with their friends? Or perhaps an art studio, workspace or exercise room? What is your style? Summer is the time to start planning your Basement remodel, to have it all ready to use next Fall & Winter!
Kitchens Baths Basements Siding Windows Doors Rooms Additions Three Season Rooms Decks Architectural Enhancements (inside & out) Whole House Remodels ~~~~ Whatever the project, the McDowell team looks forward to helping you through every step of the process...
630-584-2255 McDowellinc@sbcglobal.net 521 West Main Street St. Charles
Lot 2 13,000 sf
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Lot 19
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Lot Lot 11 13,277 13,277 13, 277 sfsf
Lot 18 10,003 sf
Lot 3 13,000 sf
Lot 17
Sold Lot 4 10,581 sf Lot 5 10,400 sf Lot 6 10,399 sf
Lot 10 11,489 sf Lot 9 11,377 sf Lot 8 12,221 sf
Lot 11 10,287 sf
Lot 12 10,038 sf
Lot 13 10,068 sf
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model Lot 7
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