kc may2016eedition

MAY 2016

AMERICAN WOMAN

A TRIBUTE TO HER STRENGTH, COURAGE AND DEDICATION

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WOMEN & CAREERS 8 POWERED BY WOMEN Interior design firm founder does it all with a little help from her friends

11 LIFE’S A ZOO Brookfield Zoo animal care specialist answers call of the wild

14 SAVING SOUTH SUDAN In aftermath of civil war, Wendi Dwyer joins ‘Lost Boys’ to create legacy for literacy

18 TURNING THE TABLES The Finery & Blacksmith Bar chef blossoms in male-dominated industry

22 GAME CHANGER Soccer coach uses sport to supplement humanitarian efforts at home and abroad

26 PUSHING BOUNDARIES IN MUSICAL THEATER Amber Mak named Paramount Theatre’s New Works Development director

30 STORYTELLER Mystery writer and mother of three finds success in Kelly Clark series

BUSINESS & CIVIC 37 FACING CHALLENGES FEARLESSLY Debbie Leoni coaches others to overcome adversity

38 KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY Forty-year-old business evolves into Flourishing Finish

FAMILY IN FOCUS 40 CURB YOUR ANXIETY Holistic approaches to modern stressors

HOME & LIFESTYLE 42 TAKING THE LEAP TO HOMEOWNERSHIP Three questions for first-time buyers to consider

44 SUMMER LOVIN’… HAPPENS SO FAST Wasco Nursery and Garden Center landscape designer offers ways to spruce up your summer garden

FASHION & BEAUTY 46 EDITOR’S CHOICE: SPRING STYLE Spring-cleaning also includes your wardrobe! Update your look with a few trendy items found at five Geneva boutiques

HEALTH & WELLNESS 48 RAISING THE BARRE ON LOCAL FITNESS Pure Barre is one of the latest workout trends to flourish in the chicago suburbs

DINING & ENTERTAINING50 MCNALLY’S IRISH PUB BLENDS TRADITION WITH MODERN FLAIR The recently opened bar features a fresh menu, familiar vibe

OUT & ABOUT 53 SOCIAL LIFE Festival of Color raises funds for mental health services

54 ARTIST SHOWCASE Geneva impressionist oil pastel artist, Fran Stilwagner, shares a vibrant nature scene, entitled “Autumnal”

56 CALENDAR OF EVENTS See what’s happening in Kane County this month

INSIDE

46 EDITOR’S CHOICE:

SPRING STYLE

Spring-cleaning also includes your wardrobe! Update your look with a

few trendy items found at five Geneva boutiques

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www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 4 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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During the Women’s Power Luncheon series in March, an annual event hosted by our sister publication, Suburban Life Magazine, we were asked a question: Who are the women who helped shape your life?

Naturally, my mother was the first person that came to mind.

But then my mind was flooded with faces of women, some of whom I know well or call family, while others I may have only encountered briefly, but – somehow – they managed to make a lasting impression. I realized that we take bits and pieces from one another, all of the time; sometimes we don’t even realize we’re doing it.

Every single woman with whom I surround myself has taught me something; has made me want to be better in some way.

The answer to that question, for me, is too many to count.

Undoubtedly, the group of ladies we’ve selected to profile in this month’s Women & Careers issue will not only motivate and inspire, but they also are a representation of what it means to be a modern American woman.

Cover girl Megan Paul, a certified sommelier and mother of three, is the founder of VARA Design, a swanky interior design firm staffed

with a powerhouse team of smart and beautiful women who turn tired spaces into sophisticated settings.

Other local ladies include a soccer coach, who uses the sport to supplement her humanitarian efforts overseas and on her home turf; an inventive chef who puts finesse into farm-to-table fine dining; a Brookfield Zoo animal care specialist who dedicates her life to the conservation of endangered species; a musical theater director who is helping to forge a path for the future of stage performance at Paramount Theatre; a humanitarian who dedicates her time to improving literacy in civil war-torn Southern Sudan; and a storyteller who, in the midst of raising three children, followed her dream of writing mystery novels.

To all of the women out there, keep being courageous and dedicated, support each other and stay true to your convictions.

Thanks for reading,

Kara Silva, Editor

on the

COVERMegan Paul, founder of VARA design in Aurora, has a fierce team of women to help her execute innovative ideas in interior design. See how this busy mom of three manages to do it all, on Page 8.

Photo by DETLEF KOERTGE OF EPIGRAM STUDIO

Published by Shaw Media333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2

St. Charles, IL 60174Phone: 630-845-5288

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

GENERAL MANAGER Laura Burke 630-427-6213 [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF NICHE REVENUE Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6263 [email protected]

EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 [email protected]

DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 [email protected]

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 [email protected]

Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 [email protected]

CORRESPONDENTS Stephanie Kohl-McCord, Chris Walker, Melissa Riske, Allison Horne, Elizabeth Harmon, Tom Witom, Kelsey O’Connor, Jay Schwab, Eric Schelkopf, Jonathan Bilyk

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney, Missy Donovan, Sandy Bressner, Joe Perez, Detlef Koertge

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 [email protected].

Editor's Note

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 6 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Megan Paul is chief creative officer of VARA Design, a certified sommelier and a mother of three.

How does the former St. Charles resident do it all?

“I’m grateful to have a strong team at VARA which allows for shared responsibilities,” Paul says. “In addition, I have an incredibly supportive group of friends, family and colleagues that have helped me throughout the past few years. I’ve had to learn to lean on them over the years and not try to do it alone. They have helped me to succeed in innumerable ways.”

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM FOUNDER DOES IT ALL WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS By STEPHANIE KOHL | Photos by DETLEF KOERTGE OF EPIGRAM STUDIO

POWEREDBY WOMEN

PHOTO STYLING: Debra Koertge of Artemisia in Geneva

WARDROBE: Ann Everett of Ann Everett Designs

MAKEUP: Tanya Gomberg of OS2 Salon in Geneva and Lauren Campanile of T Loren Studio in Woodridge

HAIR: Jamie Lundin of OS2 Salon and Katie Rubicz of Shades Salon

-Contined on page 10

Paul, an Aurora resident, founded VARA Design, 15 W. Downer Place, Aurora, in 2013. She was joined soon after by her business partner Dana Lundin.

“Since day one, I have worked in every position within our firm,” Paul says. “Accounting, purchasing, lead designer and project manager. After years of finding the right people to fill these positions, I am able to now focus on business development, brand management and the creative side of the design process.”

As chief creative officer, no two days are the same for Paul, who attended St. Charles High School from 1997 to 2000. She jumps from business development to working with the design team to marketing, hosting events and more. She enjoys being able to create a happy and healthy work environment for the VARA team and says that each member of the team is like family to her. She gets great satisfaction in helping her team, which is predominantly female, achieve their goals.

“Being a creative, I’m not one that works best boggled down in a routine,” Paul says. “I love that I have the flexibility to interact with various personalities throughout the week, seek inspiration when needed and collaborate with my team to develop fresh design concepts and see projects through to fruition.”

Paul finds inspiration everywhere, but especially in travel.

“Experiencing how people relate to their surroundings is one of the most refreshing aspects of visiting a new place,” Paul says. “I’ve also found that experiencing architecture firsthand is essential in understanding how history and culture influence current design and trends today.”

In her 20s, Paul did some traveling to wine country. A visit to Burgundy solidified her desire to immerse herself in the world of wine and, in 2009, Paul received her sommelier certification.

“[Being a sommelier] has also given me the credibility and background to consult with collectors – both public and private – to design and build wine cellars and restaurants,” Paul says. “In addition, it gives me a point of reference for many clients and individuals that I interact with on a daily basis.”

Outside of work, as a mother of three, Paul has many commitments. From school volunteering and chaperoning to basketball games, Paul is always on the go with her family.

“The most challenging part of my job is being a present and available mother of three, while developing and growing a small thriving business,” says Paul, who enjoys traveling and being outdoors in her free time. “I am blessed to have so much support.”

-Contined from page 8

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 10 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE WOMEN & CAREERS

Her grandmother’s gift of a book about baby animals sparked a lifelong passion for Cassandra Kutilek. The book’s subject matter eventually led the St. Charles resident into a career as an animal care specialist for the Chicago Zoological Society.

Life’s azoo

ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST ANSWERS CALL OF THE WILDBy ELIZABETH HARMON | Photos by RON MCKINNEY

-Continued on page 12

“Most people go through different job options, but – for me – this was it,” says Kutilek, who has been in the field for 18 years. “I started in the field right out of high school and went to school while I was working.”

Her job involves caring for and training animals at Brookfield Zoo’s Pachyderm and Australia Houses. The residents under her care include rhinoceroses, tapirs, pygmy hippopotamuses, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.

A typical day includes checking on the animals, maintaining their habitats and providing them with mental stimulation and behavior enrichment.

“We try to pull out their natural behaviors and get them to do the things they would be doing if they were in the wild. For example, a rhinoceros would be foraging, so we place things in their habitat for them to forage. We don’t just serve dinner on a plate, we make them work for their food,” she says.

Mental stimulation can also mean providing

an animal’s favorite scents. In the case of Brookfield Zoo’s male rhino, that happens to be a pungent bouquet of cinnamon, peanut butter and female rhinoceros urine. The rhinos are the most dangerous animals Kutilek works with, but they can be trained to interact with humans under controlled circumstances. Other animals, such as kangaroos, are more sociable.

“We get them moving and interact with them, and get them used to taking food directly from us voluntarily,” she says.

With an eye on a career working with animals, Kutilek took lots of science classes in high school, and managed two pet stores, which helped her gain experience working with reptiles, exotic birds and fish. After graduation she attended the College of DuPage and earned an associate’s degree in science, while also working as a senior keeper at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton. After 10 years at Cosley, she joined Lincoln Park Zoo as an animal care specialist, working with small mammals and reptiles. A move to the zoo’s Regenstein

-Continued from page 11


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African Journey exhibit sparked her love for large animals, including black rhinos. Kutilek joined the staff of Brookfield Zoo two years ago.

During her career, she’s seen a shift in the gender make-up of her field.

“When I came in, it was male-dominated, but – over the course of time – I’ve seen a big influx of women. Now it seems like there are more women than men,” she says.

Because the field is small, it can be difficult to break into. Kutilek advises taking lots of science classes, volunteering with an animal care organization and obtaining an internship during college.

Passion for the work also is vital.

“You’re constantly thinking about work, because the animals mean so much to you,” she says. “It’s not just a job, it’s more like a lifestyle.”

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 13WOMEN & CAREERS

W endi Dwyer has a long and impressive record of working with refugees, going back to

her high school days.

Since 2006, Dwyer has served as executive director of Lost Boys Rebuilding South Sudan, a St. Charles-based nonprofit organization. The organization’s primary objective is to help the developing African nation rebound in the aftermath of a bloody civil war that uprooted some 20,000 Sudanese children – the so-called “Lost Boys” – who fled the country. Nearly 4,000 of them have sought refuge in the U.S.

South Sudan, which gained its independence in 2011, is still struggling with the lowest literacy rate in the world.

Raising that rate has become the focus of Dwyer’s group. Its vehicle is the Literacy at the Well program, which involves teachers gathering at wells where women from surrounding villages journey daily to replenish their family’s water supply. Many of these women became students eager to learn English – the official language of South Sudan.

“The Literacy at the Well program was conceived in my dining room in Geneva with our board, friends and collaborators,” says Dwyer. “It was culturally aligned and designed so that people in South Sudan could easily expand it.”

And that’s what’s happening now.

William Mou, one of the “Lost Boys” who was resettled in the Kane County area after fleeing the genocide, worked hard to get an education. He’s now back in his native country pursuing his goal of equipping South Sudan with literacy and language skills so it could become a peaceful nation.

“My greatest accomplishment is helping to mentor and support William to carry out that mission,” Dwyer says. “This little program has become a lifeline to a lot of communities in South Sudan. It will be a legacy for literacy for many generations to come.”

When you raise the literacy rate among men, they are less likely to teach their daughters to read and write, Dwyer notes. “But if you teach women, they will want their husbands, sons, daughters and sisters to learn, too.”

SAVING SOUTH SUDAN

IN AFTERMATH OF CIVIL WAR, WENDI DWYER JOINS ‘LOST BOYS’ TO CREATE LEGACY FOR LITERACY

By TOM WITOM

Wendi Dwyer (right) and Arkangelo (Emmanuel Ngong), both of Lost Boys

Rebuilding Southern Sudan. Dwyer says Ngong has helped make sure another

generation of children did not suffer like like the “Lost Boys.”


KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 15WOMEN & CAREERS

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Already the literacy rate has started to improve. One way to witness progress is by the signage. Signs in English – which there weren’t any to speak of in the past – give notice of upcoming meetings along with their time and location. The signs create organization within the community and help mobilize its residents.

Interestingly, LBRSS just entered an interim six-month contract with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to explore whether or not this is the program they want to use throughout the nation to raise the female literacy rate.

Dwyer says everyone who has helped contribute to the success of Literacy at the Well has benefitted in some way – either getting a better sense of what it means to be an educated person or how it feels to be a part of a brand new nation.

“I really want to thank the teachers, students, church members and neighbors who cared enough about the least-served people in the world to help support a program that they will never visit,” Dwyer says. “It’s so hard to get people to care about something they can’t see themselves.”



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Dwyer also is proud that the program was recognized last year with a Library of Congress award as a best practice for fraternal literacy and gender equity.

Also providing a big boost to the rebuilding outreach in South Sudan was the Lion’s Club in Geneva, which counted Dwyer as a member.

“Our club, in partnership with the Lion’s Club in Nairobi, Kenya, was co-founder of the first Lion’s Club International in Juba, South Sudan,” she says. “The club, which promotes leadership, organization and civic involvement, contributed funding for a soon-to-open Aweil Community Women’s Leadership Center.”

Currently, Dwyer works as communications manager for the Elks National Foundation in Chicago.

• Literacy at the Well is recruiting board members with accounting, fundraising and social media. To apply, call 630-513-0382. For more information, visit LiteracyAtTheWell.org. Donations to the organization provide more villages with a teacher and learning materials.

Wendi Dwyer (center) and William Mou (sitting to the right of Dwyer) visit a Literacy at the Well site in Akuem, South Sudan.


TURNING THE TABLESFinery & Blacksmith Bar chef blossoms

in male-dominated industryBy KELSEY O’CONNOR | Photos by MISSY DONOVAN

Juliette Reyes can hold her own in the kitchen.

The co-owner and chef of The Finery & Blacksmith Bar in St. Charles has spent more than a decade cooking her way through the top tiers of the culinary world, working in world-class restaurants throughout the country. The atmosphere in previous kitchens in which she worked would often be intense, and male-dominated, but Reyes found that it helped her thrive.

“I feel like women in the kitchen do have to prove themselves a little bit more,” she says. “There’s competition all around you, and – in order to move up in the ranks – you have to be better than the person next to you. It’s still a team effort, but that competition helps you be the best that you can be.”

Reyes has been cooking for as long as she could hold a spatula. She started off in her grandmother’s kitchen and began cooking for friends and family as a teenager.

“It always kind of amazed me how much food unifies people and brings people together,” she says. “I like that feeling of being part of peoples’ joy.”

Reyes enrolled in the culinary program at Kendall College in Chicago and began working in her first professional kitchen at 17 years old. When she graduated, she moved to Louisiana to help open a restaurant outside of New Orleans. Part of her role was

cultivating a garden to supply the restaurant with fresh vegetables and herbs, an experience that would stay with her throughout her career.

Reyes eventually returned to Chicago where she worked in Michelin-star restaurants, such as Spiaggia and the now-closed RIA in the Waldorf Astoria.

Last year, she and her husband, David, whom she met in culinary school and worked with in Louisiana, decided it was time to take a risk.

“We both had jobs that we were comfortable in but we wanted a challenge,” she

says. “We both figured the time was right to do something on our own.”

Things started coming together when they found the space at 305 W. Main Street in St. Charles.

“We just saw our dreams coming to fruition in the space that we were standing in,” Reyes says.



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Those dreams manifested themselves as The Finery & Blacksmith Bar. The ambitious, but approachable, spot has been generating buzz and positive reviews since it opened its doors in July.

The menu pays homage to the diversity of the American table, with an emphasis on seasonality.

“We realized that the U.S. is a melting pot from cultures around the world, and we can bring those flavors into our restaurant and still be able to use the local ingredients around us,” Reyes says. Much of the produce comes from her garden or from local farmers.

Reyes routinely puts in 80-hour weeks at the restaurant, but the long hours are worth it, she says.

“The most rewarding thing is being able to make delicious things without following someone else’s recipe – being able to create on my own,” she says. “And then seeing that play out in the joy and delight of my customers as they eat and have a great time at my restaurant. I really like being a part of people being happy.”



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“I feel like women in the kitchen do have to prove themselves

a little bit more. There’s competition all around you, and – in order to move

up in the ranks – you have to be better

than the person next to you.”

– Chef Juliette Reyes of The Finery & Blacksmith Bar

in St. Charles


Anne Poulin aimed to fill her passport with stamps quickly.

Through soccer – and her passion for reaching out to children across the globe – she succeeded in doing that and so much more.

“The goal when I got out of college was I wanted to fill my passport before I turned 30,” Poulin says. “I didn’t realize soccer would have such a huge part of it, but that was my goal – to see as much, learn as much and be affected by other cultures and get out there.”

Poulin – a former St. Charles High School soccer dynamo, who later played professionally – continues to use the sport as a springboard to connect with children in Kane County and worldwide. She remains active with several organizations intent on making a difference, including her own Anne Poulin Youth Foundation. The foundation operates under the premise that all children should have access to quality education, health and nutrition, and it attracts youth volunteers to drive its “kids helping kids” emphasis.

The foundation supports the Blessings in a Backpack program in Aurora through which children on free or reduced school meal plans are provided a backpack’s worth of food so they don’t go hungry over the weekend. Other activities include camp opportunities, holiday gift-giving and academic mentors.

Poulin’s mission to make her mark began in earnest through Kids Play Int’l. Through the foundation, she visited genocide-torn Rwanda as an athlete ambassador. She also made separate trips to Malawi and South Africa. Providing information about combating AIDS and promoting concepts, such as fair play and equal opportunities for girls, were among the objectives of her trips.

In some areas of Africa, not only had local residents never seen a white person before, but they were floored by the concept of a woman coaching or playing soccer.

GAME CHANGER

SOCCER COACH USES SPORT TO SUPPLEMENT HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

By JAY SCHWAB


22 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE WOMEN & CAREERS

WANT TO HELP?Anne Poulin will be a guest bartender at McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles from 6 to 9 p.m. June 5. Proceeds

from the night will help benefit the Anne Poulin Youth Foundation and

Blessings in a Backpack.

Photo by Joe Perez

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Some of what she saw was harrowing, including people without limbs who had survived genocide in Rwanda. As difficult as it was, Poulin says she was heartened by the resiliency that she observed.

“When you understand the history of genocide and segregation that started all that, you want to bring people together as much as possible and be part of their great spirit of giving their country a new reputation,” Poulin says.

Wherever she traveled, soccer supplied a natural path to break down barriers.

“I can go over and not speak a lick of French and all these different languages, but I can roll the ball out, and we can speak the same language for 90 minutes or for a camp session and bring the kids together to do something positive,” Poulin says.

Poulin, a class of 2000 St. Charles graduate and Saints hall of famer, enjoyed an extraordinary high school soccer career. The Saints won IHSA state championships in all four of her years, including a pair of undefeated seasons.

The center-midfielder/center-back played collegiately at Arizona State, where concussions and stress fractures threatened her soccer career. After taking a couple of years off, she played professionally with Nottingham Forest FC in the women’s English Premier League from 2006-08.

“Those years in England were a gift because coming out of [the injuries in college], I thought I’d never play again,” says Poulin, who resides in Batavia.

Her athletic inclination is par for the course in her family. She is the youngest of five siblings, including Ruth Vostal, who stepped down after a highly successful coaching tenure with St. Charles North’s girls soccer program, and Tom Poulin, who coaches boys basketball and softball at North.

Tom Poulin says that Anne’s zeal for uplifting others was evident even during her youth.

“I think you saw signs of it when she was a high school athlete,” Tom Poulin



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says. “She was a great teammate, and she cared about everyone on the team, not just a small clique. She was always looking out for teammates and friends, and then, as she got older, … she found her calling and saw it as an opportunity to do what she is good at and what she has a passion for as far as using her abilities to help others.”

Anne Poulin’s soccer experience also includes coaching. She previously assisted Vostal at North and is currently an assistant coach at St. Francis in Wheaton, while also remaining heavily involved with the Strikers Fox Valley club program. Many of her Strikers players have volunteered over the years with Blessings in a Backpack, a prime example of how Poulin views soccer as a launching point for even more meaningful triumphs.

Anne Poulin considers herself “super lucky” that her soccer career has allowed her to forge relationships with children across the globe.

As a fringe benefit, Poulin reached her goal by filling her passport by the time she was 28.

“And I had to get more pages,” she says.


F rom acting to directing, Amber Mak has worn many hats in the theater world.

Now, she is embarking on a new journey as the Paramount Theatre’s director of New Works Development, a job that will help forge a path for the future of stage performance at the historic Aurora theater.

She took on the job shortly after directing and choreographing the theater’s critically acclaimed production of “Hairspray.” It’s a natural transition for Mak, as the founding artistic director of the FWD Theatre Project in Chicago. Through the FWD Theatre Project, Mak’s mission was to advance Chicago as a premiere destination for new musical theater.

While the Paramount will continue to stage Broadway shows, the year-round New

Works Program, headed by Mak, will aim to partner and collaborate with writers to develop new plays.

“They won’t alter their seasons at all, at least in the coming years, because it’s going to take us a little bit to develop a show period,” she says. “The average musical takes seven to eight years to create, from working through rewrites to workshopping. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

She doesn’t see the Paramount staging a new musical until 2018, at the earliest. The Paramount Theatre has been accepting submissions from writers who have ideas for new plays. Mak says she has been impressed with what has been submitted thus far.

Amber Mak named Paramount

Theatre’s New Works Development director

By ERIC SCHELKOPFPhotos by SANDY BRESSNER

PUSHING BOUNDARIES in musical theater


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“We’re trying to find that new musical that has something different, that maybe pushes the boundaries of what we think of traditional musical theater in some way,” Mak says.

The love of the stage has been in Amber Mak’s blood since she was a child.

“I grew up going to the theater from the time I was in a playpen at an outdoor community theater in Kansas,” Mak says. “My brother was in the shows, and I watched.”

In third grade, when Mak was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, “a choreographer.”

“I became a serious, competitive figure skater and loved choreographing my routines,” Mak says, adding that she was a dance major in college. “I always approached choreography from a storytelling, character-driven purpose. I love dance, but I only love it when it helps convey an emotional arc and truly serves the musical and characters.”

Realizing that men by and large still dominate the theater world, Mak says she hopes she can encourage other women looking to break into the field.

“In theatre and entertainment we are still behind the times when it comes to women in leadership positions, directing, writing, choreographing, etc.,” Mak says. “For so much of history, women’s value has often been found in their looks and so often objectified. It is changing and I hope that I can encourage other women to follow their instincts, have a voice and be creative leaders.”

• Eric Schelkopf writes about the arts and entertainment scene in Chicago at thetotalscene.blogspot.com. He also is an employee of Shaw Media.


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Annie Hansen says she’s been invited to see the offices located behind the second floor windows of Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream on Third Street in downtown Geneva.

But the Batavia resident doubts she’ll ever take them up on the offer.

After all, if Hansen were to see what’s actually there, it may just upend the vision of the upper floor apartment she sees in her mind’s eye when she looks up at the windows, flanked by red shutters – a setting that serves as the heart of Hansen’s popular and growing series of Kelly Clark Mystery

novels.

“It all started with Graham’s, as one day I thought, ‘What if there was an apartment up there?’” Hansen says. “Everything built from there.”

Since 2009, Hansen has dedicated herself to fleshing

out the idea. In

2013, she published

her first novel, “Give Me

Chocolate,” which was

followed by “Bean in Love”

in 2015.

Both novels focus on the

life of main character Kelly Clark, who lives in an apartment above her sister’s chocolate shop in Geneva. The story begins in the third year following her return from California where her marriage had ended in a bizarre series of events, ultimately resulting in the imprisonment of her husband for plotting to kill his pregnant mistress, with whom he secretly had an affair.

Each novel focuses on a separate mystery Clark and her sisters must solve, beginning with the death of a man found on the floor of the chocolate shop.

“But the bigger mystery, through all of the stories, is her past,” Hansen says.

The novels were not Hansen’s first stab at writing. Originally from Lombard, Hansen, a University of Illinois graduate, has written whenever she “had the chance,” even as she worked as a recruiter and she and her husband built a staffing company – Hansen Search Group – as well as when the couple started a family.

In 2000, Hansen authored a mystery manuscript called “Frozen” but it was never published.

The writer never abandoned her dream, and now she plans to release the third Kelly Clark Mystery novel, “Take the Donuts,” later this year.

Hansen, 40, now a mother of three children, ages 1, 10 and 20, says she has always enjoyed strong support

StorytellerMystery writer and mother of three finds success in Kelly Clark series

By JONATHAN BILYK


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from her husband and others around her for her literary endeavors. She credited authors like J.K. Rowling with blazing a path for other female fiction authors to follow. And she says she’s found further support, inspiration and aid from Sisters in Crime – a group of fellow female mystery authors.

Hansen says the biggest challenges she has overcome are those faced by most female writers – and many writers, in general: The battle to maintain balance in life, and to fight isolation, while beating back the internal voice that attempts to limit a writer’s vision.

“It’s the voice that says, ‘Whoa, what are you doing? This story is too ‘out there,’ too scandalous,’” Hansen says. “But the key, I’ve found, is you have to keep going. Never hold yourself back.”

It also never hurts to have a great location to serve as the backdrop for the story, such as a popular chocolate shop, which demands repeat research visits, she says.

“I’m sure I’ve given them a lot of business just from me and my out-of-town guests,” Hansen says with a laugh. “And I hope my novels give them a ton more business. But I can never visit upstairs.”

Hansen’s books are available at amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. For more information, visit kellyclarkmystery.com.

“But the key, I’ve found, is

you have to keep going. Never hold yourself

back.” – Annie Hansen, Author


Garden Party2016 2016 Garden Partyto benefit Fox Valley Hands of Hope A NON-PROFIT AGENCY PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING LOSS.

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Friday May 20 • The Q Center, St. CharlesDoors open at 10 a.m.

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By JeffMartin

Should YouInvest Outsidethe US?

From January

1, 2010 through

February 29, 2016,

the US stock market had an annualized

return of 11.7%, while non-US

stocks had an annualized return of

2.3% for the same period. Looking

at this period, many people wonder

if they should keep all of their stock

investments in the US. Investing time

horizons for retirement are measured

in decades, so five-year periods can be

misleading. From 2000 through 2009,

the cumulative return of the S&P 500

was -9.1%, while the rest of the world

saw a cumulative return of 17.5%.

From 1900 ending in 2010, the US

market outperformed the world market

in five decades and under performed in

six decades.

I generally recommend investing

35% to 45% of your stock portfolio

outside of the US. However, you

will have to block out the noise in

periods of US out performance. This

is made much easier if you have a

written plan designed based on your

needs, investment time horizon and

risk tolerance. Once the plan is in

place, I have found that it is much

easier to block out the noise and invest

profitably!

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A s an experienced psychotherapist, Natasha Schmitt-Robinson places greatvalue in the therapeutic relationship between herself and her clients.

As founder of Headspace, Inc., Schmitt-Robinson strives to provide specialtyservices that support emotional, mental and physical well-being throughpsychotherapy and yoga.

Schmitt-Robinson is a therapist in the Fox Valley area, and also received training as a yogainstructor through Lisle-based Prairie Yoga center.

“Through my experience as a psychotherapist, and listening to my clients over the years, Ihave become more aware of this strong interdependent relationship between our physicalhealth and our mental health,” she says. “I decided to obtain my yoga certification in aneffort to expand on my skills and bring this unique perspective to my therapy.”

Schmitt-Robinson currently assists individuals, ages 14 and older, who struggle with chronichealth issues, cancer diagnoses, pain management, mood and anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, women-specific issues,relationship stress and transitional life issues (education, sexual orientation, gender identity,marriage, parenting, post-partum, divorce, retirement, etc.). She has specialized training inCBT-Insomnia to help those who are struggling with sleep deprivation and insomnia.

She has a private practice specializing in cancer support for the cancer survivor and/orfamily members from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and into survivorship.Schmitt-Robinson frequently volunteers at LivingWell Cancer Resource Center in Genevaby offering workshops based on her expertise on various topics, including cancer survivor-ship, stress management and sleep management.

Schmitt-Robinson provides psychotherapy at InStep Behavioral Health and yoga classes atHart Chiropractic, both located in the Fox Valley area. She is currently in the process of co-designing and implementing a Trauma-Informed Yoga program to offer to PTSD survivors.

For more information, call 815-901-2199. For a schedule of upcoming workshops and yogaclasses, visit Headspace-inc.com. Blog entries on the website cover a variety of topics andtips for leading a balanced and healthy life.

Natasha Schmitt-Robinson, MSW, LCSWPsychotherapist and Yoga Instructor, Headspace, Inc.

Headspace, [email protected]

I assistindividualswith achievingtheir personalgoals in orderfor them tolive a life thatis personallyfulfilling tothem.

“

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 33BUSINESS & CIVIC

Y ou never know where life will take you. To get to whereshe is today, Kerri Ann, an artist and owner of Kerri AnnGallery in North Aurora, has been through a lot.

Kerri Ann was busy in the running and fitness industry,until she was diagnosed with a connective tissue

disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at the age of 42.Symptoms of the disorder can include overly flexible tissue andjoints that can dislocate and injure easily. She was participatingin activities in which EDS patients shouldn’t participate, such asrunning marathons and hot yoga. After 10 minutes into a visitwith her specialist, her whole life suddenly came together, shesays. Questions were answered, such as why she had recurrentorthopedic injuries and why her twins were born very premature,causing them to have severe Cerebral Palsy. Kerri Ann’s doctorurged her to change her lifestyle so that she wouldn’t run the riskof more injuries.

“I could’ve just kept doing what I was, but I had two severelydisabled children to help care for the rest of my life, as well as mytwo able-bodied kids,” Kerri Ann says. “Running myself into theground risked their quality of life.”

That’s when Kerri Ann remembered how much she enjoyedpainting in high school. With only high school training, Kerri Annbegan delving into oil portraits and realism.

“My ability surprised me,” she says. “I was an average painterin high school, but now my paintings resembled photographs.

What happened in 30 years? How does one get better atsomething with no practice? The Lord had taken away a love [ofrunning] and returned a gift much more valuable.”

Within a year, she shut down her training business and waspainting full time. As time went on, she started to lean towardabstracts.

“I felt abstract was my true expression … and people wereconnecting with my art,” Kerri Ann says.

Things were taking off for the artist. She also was teaching “wineand canvas” painting party classes in restaurants and duringprivate home parties.

One day, an experiment with a new medium led her to aprimary focus in art. Using what she calls “liquid metals,” Kerri Annfound her true expression.

Her liquid metal technique is done by using various metals, suchas iron, copper or bronze. She then adds a chemical to oxidizethe paint. Iron turns to rust and copper and bronze verdigris turnto variations of green and blue. Kerri Ann’s paintings are veryorganic looking with earthy color tones.

In the last few years, the pieces she’s created as part of Kerri AnnGallery have appeared in places she never thought possible.

“Life is good, and I am doing what I love. I am grateful for thisgift,” she says. “I keep waiting to wake up from this dream.”

Kerri AnnArtist and Owner

of Kerri Ann Gallery

Kerri Ann GalleryBatavia630-677-2991www.KerriAnn.galleryfb.com/KerriAnnGallery

I keep waiting

to wake up

from this

dream.

“

“

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 34 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE BUSINESS & CIVIC

As a homeowner, having a beautiful kitchen often is a top priority.When it comes to planning a remodel of an existing room or designing anew room, Geneva Cabinet Gallery, 321 Stevens St., Geneva, is a goodplace to start. From kitchens to bathrooms or virtually any room in the home,the Geneva Cabinet Gallery staff can help customers design an ideal living

space. The company combines functionality with quality materials to create a homeenvironment that mirrors the personality of its inhabitants.Owner and interior designer Lynn Havlicek, and her creative team of designers, havedecades of experience. Their expertise will simplify the process of designing anyroom, making sure the project flows seamlessly from the design phase through thefinished product.After listening to a client’s wants, needs, expectations and budget requirements,Geneva Cabinet Gallery finds a balance between style, quality and value for thehome.Geneva Cabinet Gallery offers a multitude of options, including a variety ofmanufacturers in cabinetry, countertops, appliances and plumbing fixtures, to workwithin any budget.Its cabinet product lines include Wood-Mode, Brookhaven, Décor and Kochcabinetry, which provide a range of choices to help clients obtain the look they wantfor the budget they have.No cabinet is complete without a countertop. Geneva Cabinet Gallery also offers anarray of choices, including several quartz options.Making selections can be a daunting task, but with the help of the company’screative team, Geneva Cabinet Gallery will guide clients through the entire process,from the first step to the last.For news, events or to browse images from the company’s online gallery,visit www.genevacabinetgallery.com. Also, those interested can sign up for emails ofimportant new product offerings and events.To make an appointment with one of the designers, call 630-232-9500 or stop by theshowroom.

Lynn HavlicekInterior Designer and Owner, Geneva Cabinet Gallery

Geneva Cabinet Gallery321 Stevens Street, Geneva IL630-232-9500www.genevacabinetgallery.com

“”

GenevaCabinetGallery,creatingbeautifulliving spaceswith stylequality andvalue

Since 2003, Renee Gust, owner and directorof Kids Connection Inc. in St. Charles, hasfollowed her passion to work with young chil-

dren, especially those with special needs.

Her vision of empowering children to build a solidfoundation is the primary focus, which drives Gustand her staff every single day.

The 6,400-square-foot center offers early childhoodeducation programs and programs for school-agechildren. The early childhood program uses playto incorporate important academic, fine andlarge motor skills and socialization to make sure allstudents are ready for elementary school.

Finding child care centers willing to work with earlyintervention, local school districts and therapists,can be very difficult for parents that have studentswith varying needs. Gust takes great pride in herstaff and their compassion when working with thechallenges faced by children with special needs,such as Down syndrome and autism.

Kids Connection offers full and extended-dayprograms.

“This was something we felt necessary to do asmore parents are not only working full time, butpart-time, or working from home,” says Gust. “Theymight not need care five days a week, but needthe flexibility of having care two days a week forlonger periods. We try to offer various options for allof our families.”

The staff utilizes the Illinois Early Learning Standards– which provides reasonable expectations forchildren’s growth, development, and learning inthe preschool years – to make sure each student isprepared for kindergarten.

“We incorporate the standards in our lessons everyday, while balancing the very important aspect ofplay,”Gust says.

Kids Connection offers a variety of services,including full-, part- and extended-day preschoolprograms for 15 months to “begindergarten.” KidsConnection is open year-round from 7 a.m. to 6p.m. For more information about its programs, visitwww.kidsconnection.info.

Renee GustOwner and Director of Kids

Connection, Inc.

Kids Connection2011 Dean St, St. Charles630-587-9400www.kidsconnection.info

SM-CL0350374


Christine Anderson is anexperienced therapist whoengages each client in the

therapeutic process by develop-ing treatment goals based on hisor her individual needs.

A licensed clinical professionalcounselor, Anderson’s practice– Christine Anderson, Inc. – islocated at 2455 Dean St., Unit 3G,in St. Charles.

Anderson partners with clients todevelop a plan that will utilize theirsupport system, creativity, activity,mindfulness and positivity.

Anderson enjoys engaging withpeople during the process bygiving value to each client’s storyand perspective through herclient-centered approach. Shehas experience working with teensand adults.

“My job as your counselor is to getyou to a place where you don’tneed me anymore,” she says.“Whatever your goals are andhowever long it may take, I’m hereto empathize, listen, support andchallenge you so you can meetyour goals.”

Christine AndersonTherapist, Christine Anderson, Inc.

Christine Anderson, Inc.2455 Dean St., Unit 3G, St. Charles630-262-2640christineandersoninc.squarespace.com

Jewelry artist Lisa Dienst-Thomas grewup tinkering, creating, knitting andsewing with her mother and

grandmother’s encouragement.

After taking a jewelry-making class,Dienst-Thomas found her true passion,which led the artist to start her ownjewelry-making business, called Lisa’sPieces.

The artist specializes in eclecticcontemporary metal and glass artjewelry, which is much sought after.

An original resident artist, currentboard member and teacher at WaterStreet Studios in Batavia. Lisainstructs beginners and advancedstudents in metalsmithing, enameling,glass fusing and resins.

Lisa is grateful to her students fordriving her in new directions in teaching,as well as in her own jewelry-making.

Lisa’s jewelry is available for purchasefrom her studio at Water Street Studios inBatavia or online at LPJewelry.Etsy.com.To see examples from her classes,follow Lisa on Facebook atFacebook.com/LisasPiecesLPJewelry.

For more information about Lisa’s Pieces,call 630-390-9086 or email her [email protected].

Lisa Dienst-ThomasJewelry Artist and Owner, Lisa’s Pieces

Lisa’s Pieces160 S Water St, Batavia630-390-9086LPJewelry.Etsy.com

For more than 15 years, Pauline Swensonhas practiced massage therapy in theFox Valley area. The Illinois-licensed

massage therapist works out of a warm,peaceful and soothing massage therapysuite in Geneva. After many years ofworking with a variety of clients with health,sports, stress-related and emotional issues,she has created a blend of effectivetechniques.

Swenson graduated in 2000 from theNational University of Health Sciencesin Lombard and is educated andknowledgeable in how the body works andfunctions. Her skills are coupled with a kindand intuitive heart.

Her approach is technical, yet soothing,and she incorporates the needs of herclients in each individual session.

“After meeting and listening to clients’needs, I create a custom session thataddresses specific work on the ‘hotspots,’” she says. “It is wrapped up in awell-blended session that combines touchtherapies to soothe the mind, body andsoul.”

Many of Swenson’s clients find herbodywork helpful and beneficial, utilizingsessions as a regular part of their proactiveplan for healthy living.

For more information or to contactSwenson, call 630-605-7591, [email protected] or visitwww.paulinemassage.com

PAULINE SWENSONMassage Therapy

Pauline Swensonfor Massage Therapy630-605-7591www.paulinemassage.com


L ife has challenges, but for Debbie Leoni of Geneva, facing such challenges and helping others to do the same is her life

mission.

“My passion is to spread the message and to teach others how to live fearlessly,” Leoni said.

Leoni says that in her life she’s faced negativity and adversities, such as divorce, family alienation and the death of a parent.

“With any of those, I could have taken a different ending, but I moved from them and healed myself,” Leoni says.

For the last 10 years, Leoni has worked as a life coach and speaker, sharing her stories and helping others to see past their obstacles and achieve their goals.

“I help people identify what they’re afraid of and once they’re able to identify the fear, they can turn that fear into fearlessness and create the life they desire,” she says.

She often brings her message in workshops. Friend Cynthia Funegard first met Leoni through a speaker series and later attended her workshops.

“She’s a living testament to what she teaches,” Funegard says. “She has a sparkling personality and she’s very energetic.”

Having previously worked as a personal trainer, and as an avid athlete, Leoni often incorporates elements of fitness and yoga in her workshops as a way to help people find their center. She also has a special program helping clients with weight loss, which combines traditional fitness methods with an effort to uncover the emotional components to eating.

“The result is people achieve their ideal weight and sustain it,” she says.

To further spread her message, Leoni just completed her first book, “I Am Fearless: 12 Elements of Fearless Living,” which she self-published in April. Leoni says writing the book was a goal, but it also required her to overcome her own self-doubt.

One thing of which Leoni isn’t fearful is public speaking. She says she enjoys leading workshops and speaking with groups.

“I love the group energy,” Leoni says. “I love watching people transform right before my eyes.”

She also enjoys leading meditation and helping people to utilize quiet introspection. Funegard says some of her favorite workshops have been the self-guided mediation programs. Funegard, a counselor who works with those recovering from addictions, says that Leoni’s workshops have helped her evolve in her career and her personal life as well.

With the development of social media, Leoni has expanded her work by reaching out to clients through private Facebook pages. It has been a source of support for a group she developed, Alienated Grandparents Unite: No Expectations, Only Hope. The page provides information and support to grandparents who feel alienated or estranged from access to their grandchildren.

Leoni says that social media is useful tool for reaching out to others facing this issue and to provide support.

“So many others are dealing with the same thing,” Leoni says.

Along with running her own business Leoni is dedicated to her community, volunteering her time and services to nonprofits in the Tri-Cities. She also is an active member with the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, where she serves as the vice president of the church board and is a facilitator for the women’s retreat.

“I participate to give back and to be a part of the community,” Leoni says. “I love helping people find more happiness and fulfillment.”

FACING CHALLENGES FEARLESSLY

Debbie Leoni coaches others to overcome adversity By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

Photo by Ron McKinney

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Y vette Cortes was born into the custom furniture business. She spent most of her life around it

and now makes a living doing it.

Cortes is the owner and operator of Flourishing Finish in Geneva, growing the custom upholstery business her parents, Isaac and Sylvia, started more than 40 years ago.

As her parents have reached retirement, Cortes, who earned her interior design degree from Robert Morris College, has combined the expert offerings of Isaac’s Upholstering with her own expertise in interior design. Unique furnishings and home décor, drapery and bedding, interior design services, event design and furniture and décor rentals are available at Flourishing Finish.

“I was literally raised in this environment, so I always see things differently,” she says. “My mom always had the decorative eye, and I’ve always loved putting things together in the house.”

Being around the business for such a long time has had a lasting impact on Cortes.

“After I graduated from high school, I worked around the office for a while and saw what my mom and dad were doing,” she says. “It’s always been around me, which is why I have a love and passion for it. I realized I had en eye for it and that’s why I finally went to school for interior design.”

The opportunity to combine the success of the upholstery business with her expertise and enthusiasm in interior design, as well as her love of furniture, appear to be a perfect fit, and one she looks forward to sharing with her clients.

“It’s like a new birth and the two go hand-in-hand,” she says. “I have a great passion for what I do.”

As an interior designer, Cortes assists with color selection, space and floor layout, furniture and accessory recommendations, and full-room design.

Flourishing Finish offers custom upholstery services, which include slip clovers, cushions, pillows and bedding, as well as rrefinishing, custom painting and furniture repairs.

With a large selection of fabrics and drapery hardware, Flourishing Finish also creates custom drapery and bedding for headboards, benches, throw pillows, cushions and bed skirts.

As the business continues to grow, Cortes plans on offering distinctive décor and furniture items, including a line of custom furniture. “I take vintage furniture, design them, and then fix them up to sell in our showroom,” Cortes says, adding that the business also has a workshop on site. “They truly are one-of-a-kind pieces.”

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Recognizing that there are some life-defining moments that deserve special attention, Flourishing Finish also partners with clients by delivering home décor, furniture and décor settings to enhance an event.

“When I started doing design work, I realized that there are so many things you can pour into events to make them special,” she says. “I can do different things for weddings and other celebrations, and we’ve got vintage furniture for rentals. I have church pews for outdoor wedding ceremonies and vintage doors and many other furnishings.”

The designer also says that she can bring ideas on Pinterest to life for her clients.

“There’s so many great ideas out there, but people don’t know where to begin,” she says. “We make it easy, handling everything from set up to take down. I’ll meet with people and find out what they’re trying to do and how they want it to look, and I’ll make that idea their own.”

¢ Flourishing Finish is located at 830 E. State St. in Geneva. The business is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. For more information, call 630-208-9391 or visit www.flourishingfinish.com.


Even though we may not be aware of it, we have a constant stream of internal dialogue that can go on all day, narrating our experience, causing worry and constantly analyzing the current situation.

The “voice in your head” is where anxiety and stress live, and when it has all of your attention, you are held hostage, unable to experience peaceful moments. This pattern of thinking can have physical symptoms.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY: • Muscle tension • Shallow breathing • Fatigue • Restlessness

• Difficulty sleeping • Irritability • Edginess • Digestive issues

So, what is there to do to make some space in these life-long thought habits?

The first step is to become aware of your own self-talk. This allows you to connect with the peaceful “witness” inside of you. Then, you can adopt an holistic approach.

CURB YOUR ANXIETYHOLISTIC APPROACHES TO MODERN STRESSORS

Stress and anxiety are probably the most prevalent issues I see in my practice. They seem to accompany us everywhere. While it is true that our modern life is full of stressors – such as work, family, traffic, finances, health, unexpected loss, disappointments and setbacks – it is the habitual responses to these stressors that color our individual life experiences.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 40 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE FAMILY in FOCUS

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HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS: ¢ MEDITATION This is a direct way to quiet and expand your mind.

¢ RELAXATION TECHNIQUES These help to release frenetic energy in the head, and bring vital energy back to the physical body. These techniques include abdominal breathing, relaxation and stress reduction techniques.

¢ EXERCISE Regular exercise has a direct impact on several physiological conditions that underlie anxiety. Exercise reduces skeletal muscle tension and discharges pent-up frustration and anger.

¢ DIET AND NUTRITION Diet can influence mood in several ways. Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can aggravate anxiety. Sugar, certain food additives and food sensitivities can make some people feel anxious. Additionally, weight loss in obese or overweight individuals improves mood.

¢ ENERGY HEALING Energy healing is extremely effective in alleviating anxiety in that it helps individuals to reconnect with their feelings and their inner voice. Because it works on such a high vibrational level, energy healing can shift the way people react to negative feelings and situations, and can work to dissolve fear and suffering. It provides a great boost to the other techniques, helping to anchor them.

¢ PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY Cognitive therapy seeks to help people change their thought patterns.

¢ MEDICATION There are times when medication can be helpful to alleviate anxiety. These work best when combined with the other techniques.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 41FAMILY in FOCUS

If you or someone you care about is like many renters, you may be

wondering if the time to buy a home is now. According to the experts at the National Association of Realtors, the answer may be “yes.” Interest rates remain low and job growth is holding steady, leading to the strongest year of existing-home sales since 2007.

While renting is a short-term decision and usually involves signing a yearlong lease, homeowners typically stay in their home around eight to 10 years before selling. That’s why, when determining what you want in your first home, it’s important to think about how your life may be different at least five years from now.

CONSIDER THESE THREE QUESTIONS IF YOU’RE TAKING THE LEAP TO HOMEOWNERSHIP:

1. WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD? Analyze your financial situation. Have all current debt obligations – credit cards, student loans – been repaid on time? Find out what you’re qualified to borrow by visiting a lender and getting a preapproval.

2. DO YOU WANT A WALKABLE COMMUNITY OR LEAFY SUBURB? A recent survey by NAR and Portland State University found that 79 percent of participants place importance on being within easy walking distance of places. Having lots of dining and shopping options outside your door is popular but often comes with trade-offs. Consider this: If kids are in your short-term future, you might prefer a large single-family home with a yard to a similarly priced but smaller townhouse or condo.

3. WOULD YOU PREFER SHINY AND CUSTOMIZED OR A RESALE WITH MORE CHARACTER? Buying new or used may come down to your wallet. The most recent median price for newly built homes was $292,700, compared to $228,700 for existing homes, according to NAR. A new home comes with such perks as being move-in ready and giving you the option of customizing the interior. On the other hand, an existing home may have architectural charm and original hardwood flooring but you may have to compromise on some features when buying a resale.

Once you’ve made your decision, to ensure a smoother buying experience, find a Realtor with expertise working with clients in your desired area. You’ll get invaluable insight on local market conditions and have a guiding hand through the complex process of closing on your first home.

u To find a Realtor, enter the zip code of the area in which you want to live, at www.realtor.com/realestateagents.

TAKING THE LEAP TO HOMEOWNERSHIPThree questions for first-time buyers to consider By NAPS

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 42 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE HOME & LIFESTYLE

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Here are some ways to add to the garden for summer:

¢ If you are an impulse buyer, shop about every two weeks. That way, you’ll be bringing something home that is in bloom, thus easily staggering the bloom time in your garden. Need something flowering in July? Shop in July and buy what is blooming.

¢ Look at more than just the flowers a tree or shrub might have. Does it have colored stems, peeling bark, good fall color, unusual seed pods or fruit which will extend its season?

¢ Plant up containers – you don’t have to have all your containers match. Have a hodgepodge of random containers full of great new annuals. There are so many new annuals that are excellent performers, self-cleaning and all-season bloomers. Our greenhouse is bursting with color, and we are happy to help

you pick out plants and tell you more about them – especially our tropical plants. Ever try growing a banana tree? It has awesome dramatic foliage, and you can keep it from year to year.

¢ Check out some of the new dwarf forms of plants. Many of our old favorites are appearing as dwarf, smaller and slower growing forms. Lots of trees and evergreens are now dwarf forms – perfect for smaller yards.

¢ New introductions that you may be missing out on. Check out Limoncello Barberry, Sapphire Surf Caryopteris, Hawaii Rose of Sharon, Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea and more. Many don’t bloom until summer.

¢ Start a vegetable garden. It’s not too late. In fact, it’s early. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers like hot weather, so get them started now, and they will take off when it’s warm. Garden center staff can help you

start a raised bed, which makes veggie gardening even easier.

¢ Ask the staff. Often you may be frustrated with a spot in your garden, but if you give it to a garden center employee to look at it with fresh eyes, he or she should be able to solve most problems.

Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, so create a space that can be destination for the family.

Meagan Provencher is the Sr. Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center. She was recently chose as the 2016 Illinois Certified Nursery Professional of the Year. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or [email protected]

It has been an interesting spring, and – now – we are heading into the summer months, ready for more color. But, how can we extend the season to get more color? Plant more plants, of course.

We have had many folks ask us if it’s too late to plant. Of course not. You can plant from March until December and the plants are none the wiser. The best time to visit a garden center is in the summer.

SUMMER LOVIN’… happens so fast With MEAGAN PROVENCHER

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 45HOME & LIFESTYLE

¢ EVERNIA | GENEVA

¢ ODALISQUE BEAUTY APOTHECARY | GENEVA

¢ IVY LOVE BOUTIQUE | GENEVA

EDITOR’S CHOICE: SPRING STYLEA NEW SEASON IS UPON US, AND YOUR CLOSET COULD PROBABLY USE A LITTLE SPRING-CLEANING. UPDATE YOUR OVERALL LOOK WITH TRENDY ITEMS FOUND AT THESE GENEVA BOUTIQUES AND FASHION ENCLAVES.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 46 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE FASHION & BEAUTY

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www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 47FASHION & BEAUTY

F itness fads come and go, but one of the latest

workout trends to flourish in the Chicago area is Pure Barre.Pure Barre utilizes the ballet barre for a low-impact, total body workout, focusing on small, isometric movements that burn fat and create long and lean muscles. It was founded by fitness guru Carrie Rezabek Dorr in the basement of a Michigan office building in 2001. After taking off, Pure Barre began franchising in 2009 and finally reached the Chicago suburbs in 2013.

After Emma Pollert took a class, she knew she had to bring Pure Barre to Chicago. Backed by an investor, she currently is the president of Pure September L.L.C., and has opened seven Pure Barre locations across the suburban market.

“I was really inspired to bring Pure Barre to Chicago and the people [here],” Pollert says. “I knew it would be a workout that would fit in well.”

The same thing happened for Geneva Pure Barre owner, Brynn Hanson. She took a class in Missouri in 2012 and knew that she had to open a location in the suburbs.

Now there are more than 370 Pure Barre studios nationwide, including eight suburban locations, with two more opening soon.

¢ WHAT IS PURE BARRE? Despite the utilization of the barre, there is actually no ballet in the Pure Barre workout.

“You definitely do not need to have any dancing or ballet background whatsoever,” Pollert says. “I don’t. I played college volleyball, and I wasn’t even that flexible when I started.”

Pure Barre is a 55-minute workout that utilizes the ballet barre to work all parts of the body with a focus on areas that women usually have problems with, such as the butt, thighs, abs and arms.

“We call it ‘intelligent exercise’ because every single class we work certain muscle groups to the point of exhaustion,” Hanson says. “We know when clients get to that point. It works so quickly and you see results fast.”

The class focuses on small movements, which in turn make it a very low impact workout that can be done seven days a week.

“We say if you can hold onto a ballet barre, you can do it,” Hanson says. “We have people that have done marathons but find our class challenging, but it’s also challenging for people that haven’t worked out in years.”

In addition to the regular class, for the first time ever, Pure Barre has launched a cardio inspired class, Pure Barre Platform, that kicked off in March.

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www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 48 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE HEALTH & WELLNESS

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¢ WHY TRY IT? Hanson and Pollert both note that a Pure Barre class becomes a closely-knit group, which is great for motivation.

“There are great teachers, clients, and a great community,” Hanson says. “When you feel like you’re part of a community you’re so much more likely to take class than if you were to go to the gym and run on the treadmill.”

Classes max out at around 22 people, so most are small and very client-focused, with the teachers walking around and making sure everyone is doing it right and making sure the form is perfect.

“When I’m teaching, I’m helping everyone – walking around and making sure everyone is getting the most out of their work,” Hanson says. “That’s another thing that makes us stand out. The personalized approach.”

Classes are $21 per session, although first-timers can get unlimited access for $99 for the first month.

“We provide a positive and welcoming environment,” Pollert says. “It’s a happy place for people and they look forward to coming.”

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 49HEALTH & WELLNESS

When you walk into the latest incarnation of McNally’s Irish Pub in

St. Charles, the first thing you might notice is what hasn’t changed.

McNally’s, which was briefly replaced by Valley Lodge Tavern last spring, opened its doors again in February to the delight of the many regulars the bar has accrued over the years.

The changes are subtle, but significant.

“Most people who were here two years ago wouldn’t even notice some of the differences,” says general manager Shay Clarke. “We restored it to what it was a couple years ago. And, in the process, we took advantage of this time to improve.”

Most of these improvements can be seen on the menu. The updated options blend classic comfort foods with more daring dishes. Chef Kevin Gillespie, formerly of The Patten House Restaurant in Geneva, is now at the helm in McNally’s kitchen. Clarke says that Gillespie has helped build a new focus on modern Irish cuisine.

“We knew that we were going to go in with a totally new menu,” says Clarke. “We were playing with food and menus until we knew we were getting the right cross between the Irish fare we wanted and some of the

more adventurous things that [Gillespie] has introduced.”

Top-selling items include the classic options that were on McNally’s original menu, such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and the Reuben sandwich. But many new dishes are catching on. The new small plates have been popular, such as crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon or the Jameson-glazed pork belly. An expanded entrees menu includes more new choices like a Guinness-battered eggplant Napoleon.

Much of the inspiration for the revamped menu came straight from the source.

“We went back to Ireland in October to have a look at what was popular in the best of Irish pubs in the cities of Ireland,” says Clarke.

In the past, traditional Irish pubs didn’t offer an extensive menu. But the trends are changing today.

“Most of them had made this huge leap toward being more cuisine-oriented,” he says.

Other improvements have been made with the restaurant’s interior. The downstairs resembles a traditional Irish pub, adorned with décor dedicated to Irish sports, like rugby, hurling and Gaelic football.

IF YOU GOWHAT: McNally’s Irish Pub

WHERE: 109 W. Main St. | St. Charles

INFO: 630-513-6300 or mcnallyspub.com

MCNALLY’S IRISH PUB blends tradition with modern flair The recently reopened bar features a fresh menu, familiar vibe

By KELSEY O’CONNOR | Photos by JOE PEREZ

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 50 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE DINING & ENTERTAINING

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The upstairs has a softer look, thanks to drapes and stained glass, and pays homage to famous Irish artists, poets and playwrights.

The spotlight on the arts continues with live music. McNally’s features a variety of musical acts throughout the weekend. Friday and Saturday shows include an eclectic mix of singers and songwriters. Irish music (from 4 to 7 p.m.) on Sundays has been a tradition that has spanned 15 years.

“We’re alternating the music between upstairs and downstairs, just experimenting really,” says Clarke. “But it’s been really great; we’ve got some great talent in the area.”

The Guinness Drinkers Club is another addition. Members will have access to events, food specials, parties and promotions. Future events will include pint glass engraving and lessons on pouring the perfect glass of Guinness.

“People come from a long way around to drink the Guinness we have here,” says Clarke. “It’s perfect or as near perfect as you can find in the United States.”

u For more information about McNally’s Irish Pub, visit mcnallyspub.com.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 51DINING & ENTERTAINING

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On April 16, TriCity Family Services hosted its 27th annual Gala – Festival of Color. About 440 people attended the gala, which took place at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. The event raised more than $200,000 to provide mental health services to all ages and income levels within the community. Ramblin’ Ray of country music radio station US99.5 was the emcee for the evening. Diane Gibson, a long-time volunteer and supporter of TCFS, gave a speech about her family’s struggles during her daughter’s battle with anorexia and how the Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders program was able to help. Jeffery Austin, a Season 9 finalist of “The Voice,” attended the event and performed three songs to close out the evening. In 2017, TriCity Family Services, 1120 Randall Court, Geneva, will celebrate its 50th anniversary. For more information, visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 53OUT & ABOUT

Artist SHOWCASE

FRAN STILWAGNER GENEVA

OIL PASTEL“AUTUMNAL”

Nature is the source of inspiration for much of the artwork created by Fran Stilwagner.

The artist works primarily in oil pastel and oil stick, but has also worked in oil paint, charcoal and acrylics. The rich color, texture and dimensionality of the oil pastel and oil stick technique she uses in her work allow for a wide range of expression.

“I can readily create subtle tones or bold vibrant hues,” she says. “I love the tactile experience of these media in my hands and as they are applied to

board, paper or canvas. I apply layers, and may rub and scrape the surface. I develop dimensions, as a sculptor might.”

The Geneva resident, who works out of her home studio, says she loves to “experiment and try new media all the time.” Both the media being used and the subject influence the direction the piece will take.

“When I start, I am open to the process,” she says. “One might call me an impressionistic painter, because my paintings result from my engagement

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three - sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to [email protected], subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 54 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE OUT & ABOUT

with the media, the subject matter, and my own intentions and responses.”

The award-winning artist recently had her work on display at the Wasco Nursery and Garden Center A Gallery of Nature exhibit, “Passionate About Pastels,” and currently has work displayed at Allen+Pepa Architects in Aurora.

u For more information or to view more of Stilwagner’s work, visit www.franstilwagner.com.


CALE

NDAR ALAN PARSONS ‘GREATEST HITS TOUR 2016’

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7 WHERE: Arcada Theatre | 105 E. Main St. | St. Charles

Alan Parsons will return to the Arcada Theatre for another show. Known as one of the world’s most iconic prog-rock musicians, Parsons has been captivating audiences since the mid-’70s. The show will contain a collection of showmanship, stunning lights and memorable classics. Tickets start at $59. For tickets, visit www.arcadalive.com.

DUPAGE VETERANS FOUNDATION’S FUNDRAISER FOR HONOR FLIGHT WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 WHERE: DuPage Airport 2700 International Dr. | West Chicago

The DuPage Veterans Foundation will host its fifth annual fundraiser for Honor Flight Chicago. Attendees will join World War II and Korean War veterans for lunch while also enjoying a posting of colors, bagpipes and more. Music of the era will be performed by the “Legacy Girls” and the Naperville Big Band. On the tarmac, vintage war aircraft, military vehicles and other military equipment will be available for viewing. If weather permits, the pilots will take flight for a mini air show. There will be displays of memorabilia, uniforms and maps. The event also will feature a silent auction and split-the-pot raffle. All of the proceeds will benefit Honor Flight Chicago – a charitable organization that flies WWII Veterans from Midway Airport to Washington D.C. for a day of reflection at the War Memorials. The cost to attend is $30 for adults ($40 at the door), $20 per child, and free to WWII and Korean War veterans, and Active Duty (with ID).

‘MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL’ SCREENING WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday, May 9 (doors open at 6:15 p.m.) WHERE: Paramount Theatre 22 E. Galena Blvd. | Aurora

“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” will be screened at Paramount Theatre as part of its classic Movies Mondays film series. The definition of a cult classic, “Monty Python” is one of the most popular comedies of all time. It’s 10th century England, and God just sent King Arthur (and his eclectic Knights of the Round Table) on a quest to find the Holy Grail. On the way, they encounter some interesting personalities. Tickets cost $1, and are available for purchase at the door. Concessions are available for purchase. For more information, visit paramountaurora.com/series/movie-mondays.

WILDFLOWERS BY EVENING WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 12 WHERE: Dick Young Forest Preserve 39W115 Main St. | Batavia

During the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s evening wildflower walk, attendees will learn tips for identifying wildflowers and about the ecology of the woods where they grow. The event is free. To register, call 630-444-3190 or email [email protected].

WINE DINNER FEATURING FIDDLEHEAD WINEMAKER WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 12 WHERE: Atwater’s at the Herrington Inn 15 S. River Lane | Geneva

Atwater’s in The Herrington Inn & Spa will host a wine dinner, which will feature a five-course meal paired with selections from Fiddlehead Cellars. Kathy Joseph, proprietor and winemaker of Fiddlehead, will be the guest speaker at the upcoming dinner. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. The wine dinner costs $95 a person. For more information, contact Ricco Lepez by calling 630-208-8920 or by emailing [email protected].

‘WHEN NOT THAT GOOD’ STAGED AT STEEL BEAM THEATRE WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Sundays; running May 13 through June 5 WHERE: Steel Beam Theatre 111 W. Main St. | St. Charles

“When Not That Good,” a world-premiere comedy, was written by Richard Culliton, an Emmy Award-winning author on “Days of our Lives.” Every July, the Scanlons come together at their Cape Cod home to celebrate being a family, but – this year – it’s even worse than usual. Tickets cost $28 for general admission; $25 for seniors; and $23 for students. For tickets, visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Prisco Community Center 150 W. Illinois Ave. | Aurora

Support new film producers and original films from around the world during the Illinois International Film Festival. After purchasing a daily ticket, audience members can come and go all day. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $13 each day and are available at seatyourself.biz/foxvalleyparkdistrict.

TOM VENDAFREDDO AND MARYA GRANDY CABARET-STYLE CONCERT WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Norris Cultural Arts Center 1040 Dunham Rd. | St. Charles

Tom Vendafreddo and Marya Grandy will bring their cabaret-style concert to the Norris Cultural Arts Center’s “Music in the Gallery” series. The duo will perform show tunes and standards. Vendafreddo, a Jefferson Award nominee, is a powerhouse performer combining Broadway-caliber talents in singing and acting. Marya Grandy is familiar to Chicago area musical theater patrons for her portrayals of dozens of character in productions throughout the Chicago area. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12. For tickets or more information, visit norrisculturalarts.com.

BACKYARD BARBECUE WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, May 20 WHERE: Mill Creek Golf Club 39W525 Herrington Dr. | Geneva

Fox Valley Food for Health will host its 4th annual Backyard Barbecue, an evening of eats, entertainment, raffles and prizes. The organization utilizes volunteer chefs to train teenagers to prepare meals for seriously ill community members and their families. The cost is $75, and participants must be at least 21 years old. For information, visit www.foxvalleyfoodforhealth.org.

FERMILAB LECTURE SERIES: PLUTO REVEALED WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, May 20 WHERE: Fermilab Wilson St. and Kirk Rd. | Batavia

In 2015, Pluto emerged from the depths of the outer solar system and joined the family of planets and moons that spacecraft have visited, surveyed and studied. During the lecture, Dr. David Weintraub of Vanderbilt University will describe what has been learned about Pluto, and he will discuss how our new knowledge about Pluto impacts our understanding of Pluto, of planets more generally, and of our solar system. Tickets cost $7. For tickets, visit www.fnal.gov/culture.

BUTTERFLY RELEASE PARTY WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21 WHERE: Peck Farm Park 4038 Kaneville Rd. | Geneva

The Geneva Park District will host a Butterfly Release Party. Participants will be able to release a live butterfly inside the Peck Farm Park Butterfly House. Each participant will receive official adoption papers and a butterfly passport to earn stamps in a scavenger hunt throughout Peck Farm Park and Hawks Hollow Nature Playground. Advance registration is recommended, since space is limited. The cost is $10 a person. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 630-232-4542 or visit www.genevaparks.org.

18TH ANNUAL FINE ART SHOW WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 29 WHERE: Downtown St. Charles Riverside Ave. | St. Charles

The award-winning, highly regarded St. Charles Fine Art Show will feature the work of more than 100 juried artists in various mediums, including watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood and glass. The event also will feature live music, free trolley tours and hand-on activities. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit www.downtownstcharles.org.

p COFFEE BREWING CLASS WHEN: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 WHERE: FreshGround Roasting 321 Stevens St., Suite N | Geneva

FreshGround Roasting in Geneva will host a Coffee Brewing Class. Each coffee brewing class covers the basics of brewing coffee in one of several brewing methods. The methods vary but, typically, cold brew coffee in a Toddy coffee brewer, pour over coffee methods and immersion methods, like the French press, are included. Space is limited for these classes. Tickets cost $10 a person, which includes, a “How to Brew Great Coffee at Home” booklet, a 1-pound bag of the coffee that is brewed that day and a 15-percent off coupon. For tickets or more information, visit freshgroundroast.com.

MAY 2016

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine 56 | MAY 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE OUT & ABOUT

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By Anderson Animal ShelterFeatured Sponsor DePaw University Canine Campus

ANIMAL WELFARE CAREERS OFFERCHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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Beth Drake’s passion for animals was sparked at an early age when her familyin rural Oregon cared for injured or orphaned wild creatures, including raccoons,skunks, coyotes and owls.

“Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around animals,” says Drake,executive director of Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin. “As I grew older, Inever lost my passion for helping animals, especially those negatively impactedby people.”

Drake’s animal welfare career path started in Hawaii, researching diseases inendangered birds after she earned a bachelor and master’s degree in biology.She preferred hands-on work withanimals, and in 2000, she becamedirector of operations at Anderson.Three years later, she was hired asexecutive director of TAILS HumaneSociety in DeKalb. In 2014, shereturned to Anderson to help thenow 50-year-old organization realizeits life-saving potential.

For those considering similarcareers, Drake says there’s neverbeen a better time or greater need tofurther the significant advancementsin animal sheltering. Over the past 20years, Drake points to positive animalwelfare trends, including “no-killcommunities” and more people- andpet-friendly adoption experiences, allof which are in play at Anderson.

While more communitiesnationwide are becoming “no kill” by saving more animals, the dog overpopulationin the south remains a big issue with too many dogs and not enough adopters.That’s why shelters like Anderson partner with animal welfare organizations in thesouth, transporting dogs and puppies to Illinois where loving, adoptive familiesawait them. Anderson staff make a monthly, 12-hour trip to Oklahoma to help itspartners by taking as many dogs and puppies as shelter and foster space allow. Theaverage length of stay once these lucky dogs become available for adoption is onlyfive days for adults and three days for puppies.

Shelters are providing positive environments for adopters, too. “We recognize ouradopters are well intentioned, knowledgeable and capable of providing appropriate

homes for our pets which allows us to trade interrogation for conversation,” Drakesays. “This type of adoption experience is more pleasant for our adopters andadoption staff. Staff are no longer gate keepers. They’re matchmakers.”

Shelters are also being transformed for the animals. “An important focus atAnderson is to reduce stress in our shelter animals to keep them physically andemotionally healthy,” Drake says.

Two years ago, an extensive shelter renovation created more animal-friendlyspaces and reduced the number of animals at the shelter. For example, thepre-renovation population of cats was nearly 200. Post-renovation, Anderson

cares for about 60 cats, allowingstaff and volunteers to provide moreindividualized care that keeps themhealthier. For dogs, the problem wasn’toverpopulation but under stimulation.Pre-renovation, Anderson’s kennelswere small and dogs were primarilywalked on leash, with no interactionwith other dogs. Post-renovation,Anderson introduced dog playgroupsin fenced areas, allowing dogs toget more exercise and have positiveexperiences with other canines. Theresult: Anderson’s adoption numbershave skyrocketed – from 673 adoptionsin 2013 to a record 2,067 adoptions in2015.

“What excites me most about my jobis saving lives and doing what I can tofulfill the professional aspirations of my

staff,” Drake says. “I can’t imagine a career that is more rewarding than animalwelfare.”

Her two biological daughters and two foster daughters are equally passionateabout animals. “No matter what career my girls choose, I wish them the same levelof fulfillment I have been blessed with,” she says. “To know you make a differenceevery day is a truly wonderful feeling.”

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