KDJ - Lifestyles Magazine February/March 2026 by Shaw Media

SpringInto A Smile You Love!

In Her Heels:

Angela Morrey talks opportunity and community Pg. 6

Non-Profit Corner

Georgie’s Closet is fostering kindness for foster

Events

These upcoming events are sure to entertain into the spring!

On the Cover:

Angela Morrey sits at Essential Smoothies at The Majestic in downtown Kankakee. The cafe, located at 150 N. Schuyler Ave., has grown into a local staple offering healthy smoothies, teas, juices and eats.

Letter from the Editor

Whether by caring nonprofits, advocating public servants or passionate business owners, there are many examples around us of people and places working to pour good things back into this community.

From our local resale and vintage shops creating inclusive spaces for gatherings to our many nonprofit organizations working to make the area, and the world, a better place, it’s hard to deny the glass is at least half full in Kankakee County.

This issue features a look at a few examples of those pouring t heir time, knowledge, effort, and love back into the very community t hey call home.

A small bookstore with a big heart, a nonprofit with a compassionate purpose, and a Bourbonnais native championing the county’s economic opportunities are all some of the many, amazing examples that exist right here.

The more willing one is to look for the good and feel inspired to join in, the better and kinder we can all be to each other.

I think my friend Rachel Langlois, founder and president of Georgie’s Closet, the nonprofit working tenaciously to support foster children and families, said it best.

“No one has to do everything. We just need everyone to do something.”

Look around for those pouring into the cups of others, and challenge yourself to do the same.

Tiffany

Tiffany Blanchette, Magazine Editor

Contributors: Taylor Leddin-McMaster, Stephanie Markham, Cathy Janek and Paul Fruhwirth

Photographer: Tiffany Blanchette

LIFESTYLES OF KANKAKEE COUNTY Published by ShawMedia Phone: 815-936-NEWS

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to opportunityOpen

Morrey’s desire to learn brings her to role as Economic Alliance president

Story by Taylor Leddin-McMaster

Photos by

Tiffany Blanchette

Take opportunity when it comes.

These five words have been the through-line for Angela Morrey’s career, which has taken her from TV news to home day care to her role in expanding economic opportunity in Kankakee County.

Sitting in the conference room of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, where she now serves as president, Morrey reflects on the journey that’s taken her from Kankakee County resident to one of the area’s biggest champions.

THE JOURNEY NORTH

Growing up in Bourbonnais, Morrey graduated from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School before attending Northern Illinois University to study broadcast journalism and Spanish. Following her 2000 graduation, she secured a job with an NBC affiliate in Rhinelander, Wisc.

“I was dead set on getting into TV,” she recalled.

As a weekend reporter, she described her job as “a one-man band” where she would record and edit her own broadcasts. She would cover everything from police chases to festivals to ice fishing.

After working with NBC for a few years, she moved to Milwaukee where she took a job as a

Angela Morrey poses in the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County office in downtown Kankakee.

producer and anchor with a Warner Brothers station. She worked with a morning newscast that she likened to WGN Morning News. The show, however, would end three years later.

Having just gotten married and wanting to start a family, she began exploring other career options as television news was “not family-friendly.” Joining a Rotary Club, she met someone who owned a hotel and convention center just north of Milwaukee. He asked Morrey if she’d like to manage it, saying he’d teach her everything she needed to know.

“You just take opportunity when it comes, right?”

RETURNING HOME

Morrey worked as the general manager for about a year, a job she described as “super exciting.” She and her husband then relocated to Mundelein when she was pregnant with their twins.

During this time, she was a freelance journalist for outlets like the Patch and even wrote a column when she was home with her newborn twins. It was then she made the decision to begin an in-home day care, something that would allow her to work while staying home with her kids.

After doing this successfully for a number of years, she moved back to Kankakee County in 2019 to be closer to family. At this point, she was now a mother of three.

Moving back has given her the opportunity to see her children go through the same school system she did.

“It was fun,” she said. “Especially at the high school because you have so many more memories as you’re older.”

With her kids in school, she was now looking to get back into the professional world. She worked part-time at her brother’s screen print and embroidery business while she looked for a job. It was then that she said “yes” to a set of new opportunities.

The first “yes” was attending a Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce Women in Networking event. Morrey was looking to connect with people and businesses in the area to see what was available in the local job market.

“I’ll try wherever, I’m open to learning any kind of job,” she recalled of her mindset going into that luncheon. “I have a lot of skills. I like people.”

It was here she’d met and networked with Lisa Ravesloot from the chamber board. The two would meet a second time at a job fair, where Ravesloot would present Morrey with the second of the aforementioned opportunities.

“[Lisa] told me that the chamber director was leaving,” Morrey said. “She was like, ‘I think you should apply for this.’”

Angela Morrey sits at her desk in the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County office in downtown Kankakee.

Morrey was excited to learn more, confident that she could take on the role.

“I’m a curious mind,” she said, making reference to her journalism background. “I’m not afraid to ask questions.”

FROM CHAMBER TO ALLIANCE

She got the job and would serve as chamber director from April to November of 2020 before being presented with the opportunity that brings her to where she is today.

Through the chamber, she connected with Tim Nugent, former president of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, who was about to say goodbye to his director of marketing and business attraction. The name that came to mind to take that position was Angela Morrey.

Going to her office to gauge her interest, Morrey told Nugent that she wasn’t familiar with the alliance but was willing to learn. After learning about the organization – which exists to foster and facilitate new investment in the county – and the role, she said yes to that next opportunity.

REDEFINING HOSPICE CARE

Bourbonnais native Angela Morrey stands on the steps at her alma mater, Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School.

That “yes” to the director role has since taken her to vice president in 2023 and, as of late 2025, president.

“One of the first things that I realized was we have so many amazing businesses in town,” she said, noting that she never truly knew the economic backbone of the county until working for the alliance. “These larger businesses are so critical and fascinating and it’s right here.”

She stressed that the fascination of the area’s scope never ceases to amaze her. Through her alliance roles, Morrey has had the opportunity to travel to China and Germany. She’s also had the chance of expanding her knowledge.

She said she’s learned not only about the area’s many businesses, but about how employment opportunities through these businesses have a direct impact on housing and cost of living.

“All these pieces are so interconnected,” she said, adding that the EAKC is not only a resource for businesses but also for the population and municipalities.

FULL CIRCLE

Morrey recalled that, when she was little, she would say she wanted to be president. Though she said she was very unlikely to be talking about the Economic Alliance, she’s still proud to have achieved the goal.

Seeing the area through the big-picture lens of the Economic Alliance has given Morrey a new sense of pride in the place she’s long called home. And when she thinks about what she’d most like people to know about the area, it comes back to the word that’s defined her career: opportunity.

“We have opportunity here,” she said, acknowledging not only employment opportunities but also education opportunities with having a community college and a university. “It’s an opportunity to make yourself a better individual, to be involved. We have so many opportunities for involvement.

“I think the more we learn about different things we have [here], then the more accepting and open we all are, too,” she said. “It’s a new opportunity.”

To learn more about the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, go to www.kankakeecountyed.org.

RECIPE CORNER

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups AP flour

SNOWY DAY SALTED CARAMEL PANCAKES

FROM THE KITCHEN OF PAUL FRUHWIRTH

• 1 TBL sugar (salted caramel is sweet, feel free to omit)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp table salt (or ¼ if you are salt sensitive)

• ¼ cup full fat sour cream

• 2 cups buttermilk (if you do not have buttermilk, whisk 1– 2TBL lemon juice into whole milk, let sit for 10 mins)

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 3 TBL unsalted butter (the salted caramel is salty), melted and cooled

• Vegetable oil

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• ½ cup salted butter (1 stick)

• 1 cup brown sugar, dark or brown

• ¼ cup whole milk or heavy cream

• 1 tsp table salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the pancake batter: In a large bowl, sift together the AP flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and sour cream. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Let the batter sit for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes.

2. While the pancake batter rests, make the caramel sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the sugar and milk/heavy cream. Increase heat to medium high, whisking continuously, until a smooth, caramel sauce is formed. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and salt, if using.

3. Make the pancakes: Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or griddle. I like to do a “test pancake” with a small amount of batter to test the heat. Working in batches, use a ¼ cup measuring cup and portion pancake batter onto your skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles are visible, then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

4. Serve warm pancakes with warm salted caramel sauce. For an extra indulgent treat, add a scoop of salted caramel ice cream on top of the pancakes.

NON-PROFIT CORNER

‘Fostering Kindness’ with

Story by Stephanie Markham

Photos by Tiffany Blanchette

When children in foster care select the items they need from Georgie’s Closet, the first thing Rachel Langlois and her team will often hear them say is, “Can I keep it?”

To which Langlois, founder and president of the nonprofit, will say, “Of course you can.”

“I’m like, ‘Find a Sharpie, get the name on there,’” Langlois said. “Because I want them to know, this is yours, and it’s going with you, and there’s no denying it.”

Langlois has been thinking of buying an embroidery machine so kids can have their names sewn onto the clothing or bags they pick out. “That’s how important it is for them to have something that is theirs,” she said.

Giving children a sense of ownership and agency during a difficult time in their lives is an integral part of the work of Georgie’s Closet, which provides free clothing, coats, toys and other essential items to foster children in Kankakee and Iroquois counties.

The trio of women at the helm of the organization – which also includes

chief operating officer Allie Brooks and treasurer Ashley Sommer – are working to make life a bit better for the children who need it most.

Originally run out of Langlois’ Kankakee garage, Georgie’s Closet was officially granted its not-forprofit status Dec. 30, 2024. After several months of seeking the perfect location, the operation moved into a 4,000-square-foot former furniture outlet store at 238 N. Bradley Blvd.

Though the group expected it would take up to five years to renovate the rented space for what they had envisioned, property owner and Peotone businessman Adam Baumgartner helped them get it done in a matter of months. Georgie’s Closet held its grand opening Dec. 1, 2025, at the Bradley location. The move has allowed the team to hit the ground running and reimagine what is possible for the organization to achieve.

ON A MISSION

The inspiration for Georgie’s Closet stemmed from Langlois’ experience fostering children.

Langlois’ adopted daughter is the

organization’s namesake. “I think the resounding need just kept showing up,” Langlois said. “These kids are coming into care with very little, if anything at all, and they’re arriving with trash bags.”

Something as simple as a suitcase or duffel bag for their belongings can help preserve dignity for children going back and forth between homes. “It’s just an easy way to show up, and the community was ready and wanted to help,” Langlois said.

Because of the generosity of community members and local businesses who have donated, Georgie’s Closet has not yet needed to rely on grant funding. “It’s a place where I want other people to be envious that the foster kids get to shop here,” noted Brooks, of Kankakee.

“We want it to look like a boutique for them,” Langlois added. “And everything’s completely free; everything’s completely donated by our community.”

Sommer, of Bourbonnais, said she wanted to show her adopted son, Jack, that he is not different. Now 4 years old, Jack was recently able to

help a couple of kids pick out shoes at Georgie’s Closet. “I want him to be able to give back, too,” Sommer said. “... There’s a huge need in our community for, honestly, just kindness in general.”

Having known Langlois since childhood, Sommer didn’t hesitate to get involved. “It’s amazing that one simple dream that Rachel had has turned into this huge thing in just one year,” Sommer said.

Likewise, Brooks was inspired by her experience becoming a foster parent. Two years in, she and her husband have fostered five children. After meeting Langlois, Brooks jumped on board to see what else she could do to make a difference for kids in need. “We want this to be more than just a shopping experience,” Brooks said. “We want it to be a safehaven for everybody that’s affected by the system.”

HELPING HANDS

Georgie’s Closet serves just under 300 children across Kankakee and Iroquois counties. The average length of time for children to remain in the foster care system in Illinois is two and a half to three years, Langlois said.

Georgie’s Closet founder and president Rachel Langlois, center, stands with board members Chief Operating Officer Allie Brooks, left, and treasurer Ashley Sommer.

Georgie’s Closet founder and president Rachel Langlois, left, holds her adopted daughter Georgie.

A donor recognition wall gives thanks to those that helped Georgie’s Closet’s new location become a reality.

Ideally, children in foster care should remain within their home community to minimize the disruption to their lives. The more people who step up locally to foster, the less likely kids will have to change schools or abandon nearby family members.

“I would never lie to anyone and say it’s easy,” Langlois said. “But I would always promise someone it’s worth it.”

Part of the purpose Georgie’s Closet serves, the women said, is to help more people “say yes” to becoming foster parents. It serves as a one-stop shop for things like car seats, toothbrushes, strollers, beds or whatever may be needed at the jump to bring a child home.

It eliminates some of the stress of having to scramble and buy things, and it provides the extra resources to be able to keep siblings together whenever possible.

“Really, at the center, we’re just here to support the kids and, in turn, support all the ones supporting them,” Langlois said.

She likened their role to being an “extended family” for everyone involved. “It is more than people coming in and us handing them items,” Langlois said. “It’s a relationship. It’s a safe environment. It’s a place that we speak the language they’re speaking that some people will never understand.”

While not everyone is able to foster or adopt, there are plenty of ways to help, from donating to simply

spreading the word about events and efforts to help kids. “No one has to do everything,” Langlois said. “We just need everyone to do something.”

The group is hoping to grow its volunteer base in the near future. “Our community should be our family,” Sommer said. “This is where we live. This is where our kids grow up. We should be able to help one another.”

MORE THAN A CLOSET

In addition to the “shopping” aspect, Georgie’s Closet offers a safe space for parent and child visits. The space will also be hosting informational nights for people interested in learning more about foster care. There will be nights for parents to come in and discuss their struggles as well.

Having their “dream space” allows them to provide enriched visits between children and their biological families, Sommer said. “They’re not just at McDonald’s or at the library on display,” she said. “They get that quality time.”

For kids who are dealing with so much uncertainty, the women said, one thing they can know for sure is that the Georgie’s Closet family will always be there for them. “We’re about the whole thing,” Sommer said. “It’s not just that we’re for foster or for adoption, we’re for the kids, in all aspects of it.”

For more information, visit www.georgiesclosetk3.com.

Resale revival

Shop Local scene thriving in Kankakee County

Buying old is nothing new, but shoppers in 2026 appear to be more focused on buying vintage or used items than ever before.

Maybe it is a bit of an ode to nostalgia driven by younger generations or an effort to lower shopping bills, but the secondhand apparel market is estimated to reach $56 billion this year alone, according to Forbes.

With a variety of used and vintage shops aimed at all types of buyers and collectors, Kankakee County is ready to meet that market. Born and raised in Kankakee, Nikki Barnett took over Rubber Rose Books & Print in August 2023.

As the only independent bookstore in Kankakee County, Barnett’s store is filled with an assortment of affordable used books with most items priced $5 or less, including

some .50 cent books. Barnett also offers new books and has several locally sourced items for sale.

Outside there is a cartful of free books along with magazines, DVDs, and a micro food pantry.

With a motto of “inclusive, affordable and accessible,” the used books sold at Rubber Rose are received through donations. “That allows me to keep the prices affordable,” Barnett added, which was an idea that began with Rubber Rose’s former owner, Melissa Zigrossi.

Barnett originally considered opening a small sustainable refill shop that would include items like laundry detergent, soaps, and other bulk items. Learning that Zigrossi was relocating to Florida, she decided to purchase Rubber Rose.

Story by Cathy Janek | Photos by Tiffany Blanchette

RUBBER ROSE BOOKS & PRINT

“It was not my original idea. It was very random, but the best thing I have ever done,” said Barnett, a ‘thrifter’ herself. “Why buy something brand new when you can get it for a quarter of the cost?”

Since Barnett took over the business, she has expanded the number of events offered by the bookstore in an effort to bring the community together. She started with one book club and now has expanded to include a club devoted to the classics, another devoted to the histories of black and indigenous women, and a monthly Literary Spectrum book club.

“Most of the book clubs happened because other customers or friends have approached me asking if we could have them,” she added. “I also try to host local authors or local artists for pop-up events.”

Owning a bookstore, Barnett said, “It is not just about making a sale. It is about building community, and that is what we need right now.”

Just up the road, Glue Man Vintage & Records in Bourbonnais has been creating a community gathering

place as well. Opened in June 2025, the vintage clothing and record store venture is co-owned by Kankakee couple James LeRoy and Jessi Bosie.

LeRoy said the vintage apparel industry “really popped off in 2020 and since then we have just seen it growing and growing.”

When shopping for himself, LeRoy keeps an eye out for 70s, 80s, and 90s cartoon t-shirts and jackets “like Looney Tunes and old Cartoon Network stuff.”

Sometimes the things the couple buys for the store “need some love,” which may entail washing or sewing, he said. “Most of what we have in the shop is at least 20 years old,” LeRoy said. “We generally source everything from other local thrift stores. We try to make sure there is something for everyone. We are not limited to sizes or styles. We try to have a little bit of everything.”

The idea of opening the store came about after LeRoy attended a punk rock concert at a vintage store in Joliet. LeRoy said he reached out to the owner to see if he could lend a hand and work at his store. Working there,

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

LeRoy said, “I realized it would be a good thing to bring to Kankakee.”

The store sells both old and new records, mostly rock stuff, he added.

As a drummer who plays in the band, JuneBug, a group which includes his sister and his wife, LeRoy also decided to host all-ages, live band shows at the store. “Music is a big part of our lives. That is how we met one another and we really want to pour back into that,” he said. “We really try to put together concerts and other events” to create a space for the community.

Thrifting often means choosing to shop local at the very businesses focused on pouring back into the community, and can include supporting local makers as well.

A small retail space at the Visit Kankakee County office in downtown Kankakee features just that – a mix of locally designed and locally sourced items, according to Angelina Gear, the interim executive director for Visit Kankakee County.

“It’s a growing project for us, and part of a bigger effort to make buying local more visible and accessible,” she added.

Some of the items they sell include locally designed t-shirts, totes, hats, mugs, Illinois-shaped ornaments, birdhouse kits, and food items.

“We created KaCo: The Local Exchange because we wanted a place where people can support Kankakee County in a tangible way,” Gear said. “Everything in our shop is either locally designed, locally made or tied directly to our community.”

Whether vintage, resale, antique, or locally made, Kankakee County’s ‘shop local’ scene is thriving thanks to the support of the community.

A NIFTY LIST FOR THRIFTY GIFTS

Along with...

Glue Man Vintage (626 S. Main St., Bourbonnais) and Rubber Rose Books (111 E. Court St., Kankakee), a lengthy list of resale shops, new and long-established, offer options for some quality Kankakee County thrifting.

Sequel’s

(417 S. Main St., Bourbonnais)

Indian Oaks Antique Mall (1300 Larry Power Rd., Bourbonnais)

Closet Collectibles (4 Duncan Dr., Suite 4, Bourbonnais)

Embrace Consignments (148 N. Bradley Blvd., Bradley)

Bargains & Treasures (396 Kennedy Dr., Bradley)

Thriftrr (954 N. Bradley Blvd., Bradley)

Route 50 Consignments & More (1450 N. Hobbie Ave., Kankakee)

C&L Fine Goods (155 S. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee)

Asbury Thrift Shop (504 N. 5th Ave., Kankakee)

Angel Thrift (350 N. Locust St., Manteno)

Liquid Books (370 N. Locust St., Manteno)

Manteno Antique Mall (35 E. 3rd St., Manteno)

Ceasar’s Palace Resale for Rescue (110 E. Washington St., Momence)

In nearby Will County, Wilmington’s downtown area (North Water Street) boasts several thrifting options. For more info, visit wilmingtonillinois.net.

Resetbody,mind

after months of winter stresses

Story by Bernard Thompson

In the Midwest, the shift from winter to spring rarely happens all at once. It arrives in fragments: a stretch of mild afternoons, longer evenings filled with light, the sound of melting snow dripping from gutters.

This gradual transition is more than a change in scenery— it’s an opportunity to reset your body and mind after months of cold, darkness, and indoor routines.

One of the biggest seasonal shifts is light. As daylight increases, your circadian rhythm begins to recalibrate. Opening blinds earlier in the day, stepping outside for a short morning walk, or even sitting near a sunny window can help improve mood, energy, and sleep quality. Sun exposure also supports vitamin D production, which tends to dip during Midwest winters spent bundled indoors.

Temperature swings are another adjustment. Early spring can bring 60-degree afternoons followed by freezing nights, so layering becomes a wellness strategy. Dressing in breathable layers helps regulate body temperature and reduces the stress that sudden cold or warmth can place on your system. Staying hydrated is equally important; cool weather often masks thirst, yet your body still needs fluids to function well.

Movement naturally changes with the season, too. If winter workouts have been sporadic, spring is a gentle invitation to ease back into activity. Low-impact options like walking, stretching, or light strength training can rebuild consistency without overdoing it.

Outdoor movement adds the bonus of fresh air and mental clarity, which many people find refreshing after months indoors.

Nutrition also benefits from seasonal attention. As heavier winter comfort foods fade, incorporating fresh produce, such as leafy greens, citrus, and early spring vegetables, can support digestion and energy levels. This isn’t about restriction, but balance: nourishing your body as it adjusts to new rhythms.

Finally, don’t underestimate the mental shift that comes with spring. The changing season can inspire optimism, but it can also feel unsettling. Taking time to reflect, set intentions, or refresh daily routines helps align your mindset with the season ahead.

Spring in the Midwest may be unpredictable, but preparing your wellness habits now allows you to move into the warmer months feeling steadier, brighter, and ready for what’s next.

DATEBOOK

February 28

KVSO BRITISH ISLES CONCERT

The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra brings you The British Isles — the latest stop on their Voyages of Discovery musical tour this season on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 196 S. Harrison Avenue, Kankakee. From misty landscapes to lively folk traditions, this concert brings the spirit, color, and charm of the region to life. Celebrate the KVSO’s 58th season with an evening of rich orchestral storytelling, unforgettable melodies, and the full power of live symphonic performance. Tickets are available at KVSO.org and are $30 for adults and $5 for children and students.

March 7

RIVERSIDE HEALTHCARE’S HEART BALL

From 5-9 p.m. at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr., step back into the Roaring ’20s for an elegant evening of dining, dancing, and community generosity. Roaring Riverside, the 2026 Heart Ball, is Riverside Healthcare Foundation’s premier fundraising gala to support remarkable care and, this year, to further advance Behavioral Health services at Riverside. For more info visit riversidehealthcare.org/heartball.

March 8

2026 MAJESTIC WEDDING EXPO

The largest wedding expo in Kankakee will feature wedding vendors in one place from 1 - 3:30 p.m. on March 8 at The Majestic, 150 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee. Meet and connect with top local wedding professionals, including DJs, caterers, decorators, photographers, venues, bridal wear, bakeries, and more. This expo is the perfect place to find inspiration, ask questions, and book vendors all in one afternoon. Visit Majestic Weddings & Events on Facebook for more information and tickets.

March 14

WINTER COMMUNITY MARKET

From 8 a.m. to noon, get your indoor farmers’ market fill at the last Winter Community Market of the year inside The Majestic, 150 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee. Hosted by Downtown Kankakee and Majestic Weddings & Events, this cozy, indoor market is designed to keep the community connected to local food and makers during the colder months. Fresh baked goods, local honey, handmade candles, specialty foods, mushrooms, artisan crafts, dog treats, and more are available from over 30 incredible local vendors. For more information, visit facebook.com/K3FarmersMarket.

March 18

2026 WOMEN UNITED BREAKFAST

From 9 a.m. to noon on Wed., March 18, Women United is celebrating ten years of the Women United Breakfast events at Olivet Nazarene University’s Chalfant Hall, 1 University Ave. in Bourbonnais. The event also celebrates the impact women are making across the community in their work, their lives, and their legacies. Under this year’s theme, “Growing a Thriving Legacy,” speakers will share inspiring stories of growth, generosity, and courage in navigating life’s transitions at this United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties event. For tickets and more information, go to myunitedway.org.

March 20

SMOOTH FUSION OPEN MIC

The Kankakee Public Library becomes a place to be fed lyrically and literally for this open mic event from 6 - 8 p.m. Rap, song, spoken word, comedy, motivational speaking and storytelling are all welcome. The Friday event recurs once a month through October at the library at 201 E. Merchant St. in Kankakee. Go to facebook.com/ KankakeePublicLibrary events for more info.

April 16

WOMEN IN NETWORKING PROGRAM - HER VOICE

Join the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce for the Women in Networking Her Voice program on Thursday, April 16 to discover the power of women’s voices in government with speaker Elizabeth Kubal, City Manager for the City of Kankakee. From 11:30 a.m. to noon, attendees can network ahead of the noon - 1 p.m. program at Adventure Commons, 70 Ken Hayes Dr. in Bourbonnais. The event sponsor is State Rep. Jackie Haas. Tickets are $25 for chamber members and $50 for prospective members with lunch provided. To register, visit kankakeecountychamber.com.

April 18

WRIGHT IN KANKAKEE’S TULIP GALA

From 5-8 p.m. at Kankakee Country Club, 2011 Cobb Blvd., Kankakee, join Wright in Kankakee for the inaugural Tulip Gala, a fundraiser for the B. Harley Bradley House. The night will include a social hour, dinner, a performance, raffles and a silent auction. Visit wright1900.org/event/tulip-gala for information.

April 18

APRIL GROOVES DAY

From 5 - 11 p.m., the Collaborative Initiative to Revive Kankakee Arts (CIRKA) is hosting its annual fundraiser with a night of grooving with friends and family to local music at The Majestic Theatre, 150 N. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee. For more information, visit facebook.com/ CIRKAKANKAKEE.

April 18

KVSO FAVORITE ADVENTURES CONCERT

After a season-long musical tour, themed Voyages of Discovery, the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra closes out its 58th season on April 18 at 7 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 196 S. Harrison Avenue, Kankakee. Tickets are available at KVSO.org and are $30 for adults and $5 for children and students.

May 6

MANTENO MARKET AT THE SQUARE

Head to Manteno’s Square on Second, 50 W. Second St., for the opening night of the village’s market from 4 - 8 p.m. This fun, family-friendly market features a rotating selection of food trucks, live acoustic music, farmers and ranchers, seasonal vendors, fine artisans, and other family-oriented activities in the heart of downtown Manteno. The market will take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, beginning May 6 and running through September 16.

DATEBOOK

May 17

36TH ANNUAL RHUBARB FESTIVAL

Stop by the Kankakee County Museum campus and Bill Spriggs Civic Auditorium, 801 S. Eighth Ave., Kankakee, for the 36th Annual Rhubarb Festival on Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s event will boast of live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, exhibits, and more. Rhubarb and strawberry-rhubarb pies will be available for purchase by whole pies and slices. For more information, go to kankakeecountymuseum.com.

May 17

I GOT YOUR SIX 5K

Lace up your shoes for the annual I Got Your Six Run/Walk at Perry Farm Park, 459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais, beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. Organized in memory of the Bradley Police Department’s Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, and in honor of Sgt. Tyler Bailey, this event offers a 10K run, 5K run, 2-mile walk, as well as a virtual option. As tribute to Marlene’s love of dogs, participants can also register their dog to run/walk with them. All proceeds from the event are used to fund two Kankakee Community College Law Enforcement Scholarships in each officer’s name. For more information visit facebook.com/igotyoursixwalkrun.

May 31

THE WINE RUN 5K

Like running or walking? Love wine? This race is for you! Head to Mistie Hill Vineyard, 36921 Ohlhues Rd, Custer Park, on Sunday, May 31 at 10 a.m. for a race event featuring the scenic views of the area’s only winery. The family-operated winery takes pride in their French-American hybrid vineyards from which all of their wines are hand picked, processed, vinted, bottled and labeled on site. To sign up, visit facebook.com/ mistiehillvineyardllc events section. Tickets are $25 through March 7.

MPre-Spring Prep

Getting Your Yard Ready for the Growing Season

Story by Bernard Thompson

arch 1 in the Chicagoland region can feel like a tease. One day it’s 55 degrees, the next it’s snowing sideways. Still, this in-between season is the perfect time to prepare your yard for a healthy, productive spring.

Start with a post-winter inspection. Walk your yard as soon as snow melt allows and look for broken branches, compacted soil, and areas of standing water. Winter freeze-thaw cycles can damage turf and plant roots, so note any low spots or bare patches that may need reseeding later.

For trees and shrubs, early March is ideal for pruning—before buds break but after the harshest cold has passed. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to encourage strong growth and better airflow. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs until after they bloom, or you’ll sacrifice flowers.

Your lawn also benefits from early attention. Gently rake to remove debris and matted grass, which helps prevent mold and allows sunlight to reach emerging blades. Hold off on heavy fertilizing until soil temperatures warm consistently, but applying a pre-emergent crabgrass control later in March can give you a head start on weed prevention.

Garden beds deserve some prep now, too. Once the soil is workable, not soggy, turn it lightly and mix in compost to replenish nutrients lost over winter. This is also a good time to map out what you’ll plant and check seed packets for frost tolerance and timing.

A little effort now saves time later—and sets the stage for a greener, healthier yard once spring truly arrives.