Smart Living Rockford - October 2025

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Rockford Community Bank is a branch of St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 1. Premier Checking Fees. $25 monthly maintenance fee – waived with either (i) average daily balance of $10,000, or (ii) combined average relationship balance of $75,000 per monthly statement cycle. Relationship balances include owned consumer checking, savings, money market, and certificate of deposit including retirement and MaxSafe® deposits held directly with the same charter bank. Fees may reduce earnings. 2. ATM Fees. No Wintrust Financial Corporation (‘WTFC’) transaction charge at ATMs in the Allpoint, ATM Access (Town Bank customers only), MoneyPass, or SUM networks. Banks outside the network may impose ATM surcharges. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of domestic ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement excludes 1.10% International Service fee for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental U.S. 3.Bank Specialty Checks. Style & quantity restrictions apply. 4. Interest Rate Bonus. Must have a common account owner on both the Statement Savings Advanced account(s) and the Premier Checking account(s) with the same charter. Both accounts must remain open and maintain a common account owner to receive the interest rate bonus. Rate increase is effective the next business day after the second account is opened. 5. Premier Checking Bonus Information. Offer valid for accounts opened 2/1/2024 – 11/5/2025. Offer not available to existing or closed checking account customers of WTFC & its subsidiaries or employees, and Macatawa Bank locations. Limit 1 bonus payment per customer, regardless of number of accounts opened; may only be received from 1 WTFC location. Offer combinable with any WTFC savings offer. Bonus payment subject to IRS 1099-INT reporting & may be considered income for tax purposes. 6. Premier Checking Bonus Qualifications. (i) Open new Premier Checking account; (ii) mention offer during in-branch account opening, visit URL provided, or enter Echecking300 when applying online; (iii) have direct deposits totaling at least $500 per month made to the new account for 2 consecutive calendar months after the calendar month the new account was opened (‘Qualification Period’); & (iv) enroll in online banking & e-statements within the Qualification Period. Your account opening date is the business day that we open your account. If your account is opened on a non-business day (weekends and federal holidays), your account opening date is the next business day. Direct deposit is a payment made by a government agency, employer, or other third-party organization via electronic deposit, but does not include teller/ATM/mobile or remote deposits, wire transfers, digital banking/ telephone transfers between accounts at WTFC, external transfers from accounts at other financial institutions, peer-to-peer network payments like Zelle® or Venmo, or debit card transfers & deposits. New account must be open & have a balance greater than $0 to receive bonus payment. Balance determined as of end of each business day as funds currently in the account including deposits & withdrawals made in the business day. For eligible customers, bonus is deposited into the new account within 30 calendar days after the Qualification Period. A listing of WTFC locations can be found here: wintrust.com/locations. 7. Safe Deposit Boxes. Waived fee on

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas

Managing Editor Jim Taylor

Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi

Graphics Director Samantha Behling

Graphic Designer Ashley Smith

Contributing Writers Paula Hendrickson, Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner

General Sales Manager Brent Hughes

Sales Manager Brad Hughes

Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky

Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes

Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes

Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn Published

Over It, But Onward

There are days when the alarm goes off and the only response I can muster is: nope

No to the schedule, no to the endless to-do list, no to the obligations waiting with open jaws. I’m tired, and especially given the state of the world, I’m OVER it.

But life doesn’t pause just because we’re done. The world doesn’t issue rain checks when our patience runs out (and mine is all but eviscerated).

Bills still need to be paid, kids still need to be fed and deadlines still loom. So, even when my head screams “ENOUGH,” my body finds a way to lace up the shoes, pour the coffee and keep moving.

Being over it and trudging on is a strange duality. On the one hand, it feels like going through the motions — step after step, task after task — all without enthusiasm. On the other, it’s proof of resilience. Because sometimes the trudge is its own kind of victory.

There’s no ribbon at the finish line of these hard days. No applause when you clock out, no medal when you fold the laundry or answer that last email. And there’s certainly no guarantee that tomorrow won’t be as dark as the day before. But there is a quiet satisfaction in not giving up. In knowing that tomorrow might feel lighter because you carried the weight today.

I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit for the trudging. We always celebrate big wins like new jobs, new houses, and all the fancy milestones, but I truly think we all need a little more credit for the days when we just show up. Yes, I’m a millennial, and yes, I definitely received participation trophies as a child... so maybe I’m wrong here. BUT. I truly believe the mundane days are the ones that build character. These days in particular are shaping us into people who can endure despite a million reasons to give up.

So, if you, like me, are over it, know this: trudging counts. It matters. And you’re doing a good job. ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Love Never Fails

Especially in rancorous times like these, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus Christ set love as our top priority – love of God and love for each other (Matthew 22). What does love look like? Responding to bitter conflict among believers in Corinth, in about 55 A.D., Paul spells out the answer (I Corinthians 13:1-13). More than just pretty words at weddings, these concepts should guide us daily:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. ❚

– Janine Pumilia

Stop Winter Heat Loss: How to Spot Drafts

By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor

Even the best roof won’t keep you warm if cold air is sneaking past your windows and doors. These openings are the single biggest source of winter heat loss, says Jeremy Boeke, who owns K&H Exteriors, 5257 Swanson Road, in Roscoe, Ill., with his wife, Jenna.

“Most of the heat in a home escapes through windows and doors,” Boeke says. “It could be poor insulation, broken seals or older windows that don’t perform well anymore.”

Drafts are easy to spot once you know what to look for. A curtain that shifts on a windy day, snow sneaking in under a door, or ice forming along a windowpane all indicate that cold air is rushing in.

Often, the culprit is worn-out weatherstripping. Thresholds and seals break down gradually, especially on doors that

see heavy use. Replacing them is straightforward: measure the gap, buy a replacement kit at a hardware store and cut it to fit. Most kits include simple adhesivebacked strips or snap-in thresholds that a homeowner can install with basic tools.

For drafty windows, Boeke suggests a low-cost stopgap: plastic film kits. These clear sheets are taped to the interior trim and tightened with a blow dryer to create a temporary seal.

“It’s not permanent, and you can’t open the window while it’s on,” he says. “But it’s inexpensive and really effective for blocking drafts during the winter.”

Eventually, however, replacement becomes the smarter choice – especially for windows or doors with visible rot, broken seals or condensation between panes. Modern windows use argon or krypton gas sealed between the panes to

slow heat transfer. They also have multiple layers of Low-E coating, an invisible film that reflects heat.

“In the winter, Low-E keeps warmth inside. In the summer, it pushes heat back out,” Boeke says. “The technology is much better than it has been in previous years.” ❚

To request a quote, call (815) 6376946 or visit khexteriors.com.

The Next Picture Show Celebrates Local Art

By Paula Hendrickson

The Next Picture Show is more than a place to display, sell and buy artwork. This art gallery at 113 W. First Street in Dixon, Ill., is a haven for the arts.

“Yes, you can come here and just enjoy the art. You can purchase art. But we also have an oil and acrylic class. We have poetry readings, and there’s a writing workshop, so it’s not just the paintings. You can participate in other things,” says Donna Smith, who became the gallery’s executive director this spring. The gallery has even held staged play readings in conjunction with Dixon Stage Left theater, which is located just a couple of blocks away.

Whenever a work of art is sold, 25% of the proceeds go straight to the gallery’s operating expenses. The balance goes to the artists, most of whom live, work and

create in northern Illinois. It’s up to each artist to set a price.

To attract a diverse crowd, the gallery gives each exhibit its own unique theme. Recent examples include the gallery’s summer show, “Farms & Barns,” which celebrates our rural landscapes as depicted in many forms of media. “Nature in Nachusa” celebrates Nachusa Grasslands, a prairie preserve in Lee County where herds of bison roam wild.

Exhibits typically last for several weeks, allowing the general public to visit Wednesday through Saturday, or by appointment, and see the work for themselves.

With roughly 10 month-long exhibits planned for this year alone, the turnaround time between shows is tight lately. That means there’s always something new and interesting to come.

The gallery’s juried shows are open

to all artists. You don’t need to be a member of The Next Picture Show to enter, but members do get a discount on the $50 entry fee. Entrants are eligible to win awards and sell their works during the exhibit.

On Oct. 22, The Next Picture Show opens a dual exhibit: “Plein Air” and “Stories in Portraits,” sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. Both exhibits run through Nov. 15. The year closes out with a special display of winter and holiday-themed artwork. When it comes to portraits, Smith

says they’ll consider anything with a face, even if it’s a pet or a Picasso-inspired visage. For the “Plein Air” exhibit, an art form that happens to be Smith’s artistic specialty – entries must be completed at least 90% “en plein air,” or outdoors, on location.

The gallery also offers classes for artists of all skill levels. Acclaimed artist and art teacher Stuart Roddy teaches the Oil & Acrylic Painting Class Tuesday evenings at the gallery. There’s a discounted registration fee for gallery members. The six-week course has a flexible schedule that allows students to choose

which Tuesday evenings work best for them. Roddy’s class is designed to be open-ended, meaning that artists can take it as many times as they like.

Smith hopes to add a class for children next year.

“I taught a class here at the gallery several summers ago, and I think we had second, third and fourth graders,” she says. “It gets messy, and they might not always listen to what you’re saying, but if just one kid comes away enjoying art and wants to do more, then it’s worth it.”

Membership is another way to support The Next Picture Show, with artist and non-artist membership levels that each come with perks. To learn more, head to nextpictureshow.org.

And even if you’re not an artist or a gallery member, Smith invites everyone to see what awaits this season at The Next Picture Show.

“It’s free to come in and visit the gallery, enjoy the artwork and learn more about what else we offer,” Smith says. ❚

Circle of Wellness Has New Services

By Peggy Werner

Circle of Wellness continues to grow, expanding both its size and the range of services it offers. Founder and owner Leila Kayser-McQueen says the goal is to help people achieve optimal health at affordable prices.

“We started out many years ago offering only massage therapy, but we do so much more and no one in the area has the variety of wellness treatments we have,” she says.

Since moving to 1820 Windsor Road in Loves Park three years ago, the business doubled its space, expanded services and increased staff to 35 employees.

The newest services include red light therapy, which accelerates healing, boosts circulation and energy, and relieves pain; and scalp therapy, which blends soothing techniques with products made of natural and medicinal ingredients for relaxation,

improved circulation and enhanced overall well-being.

The Stretch Center offers patients a personalized plan to increase range of motion and mobility, relieve muscle tension, boost circulation and help them feel rejuvenated.

Circle of Wellness also boasts registered nurse Alicia Shelton, a boardcertified naturopathic doctor and certified Lyme Disease specialist. Her specialty combines science with traditional and natural approaches to identify and treat root causes of disease, rather than just the symptoms.

“These services add to our goals of treating the body inside and out,” KayserMcQueen says, adding that self-care is more important than ever.

“People need and want healthy outlets,” she says. “My main mission has

always been to make health care more affordable for people.”

Other services at Circle of Wellness include pain management, chiropractic services, acupuncture, laser hair removal, body sculpting, nutrition counseling and skin care treatment and products. Future plans include building up the MedSpa, which focuses on skin care, adding more options at the stretch center and increasing naturopathic services. ❚

For more information or to make an appointment, call (779) 423-1700 or visit circleofwellnessrockford.com.

Mental Health Services at Grand Victorian

By Peggy Werner

AtGrand

Victorian of Rockford

Assisted Living, 3495 McFarland Road, residents can maintain their individuality and independence while fostering a strong sense of community.

“It takes a dedicated team to create a truly individualized plan for each resident,” says executive director Dianna Romero. “Every person we care for has unique needs, preferences and life experiences. Our staff collaborates closely to offer activities, services and accommodations that help each resident feel genuinely at home.”

The team includes department heads, staff, residents and their families or caregivers.

A wide range of on-site services enhance comfort, health and quality of life. A nurse practitioner is always on duty, and residents have access to

a laboratory, mobile X-ray services, pharmacy support, counseling, hospice and palliative care, as well as in-house rehabilitation for speech, occupational and physical therapies.

The holistic model of care also prioritizes mental health, Romero says. Grand Victorian recently launched a new mental health support group that already is making a meaningful impact among residents.

“Many residents face a difficult emotional transition when moving into assisted living,” Romero adds. “Giving up a home, a car and other personal possessions can feel like losing independence. That sense of loss often leads to depression, sleep deprivation and anxiety.”

The staff helps residents adjust by focusing on what they gain by moving to Grand Victorian.

The team also makes intentional efforts to build friendships by introducing residents who share similar hobbies, careers or life experiences.

An aesthetically pleasing building is important, too.

“We put a lot of care into maintaining a clean, comfortable, home-like setting, and our staff is truly family-oriented and friendly,” Romero says. ❚

For more information or to schedule a tour, call (815) 654-1400.

Burpee Museum Animal Encounter

Nov. 2, 1 & 2:30 p.m. During the 45-minute upclose encounter, interact with some cold-blooded friends and learn about their anatomy, diet and unique behaviors. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9653433, burpee.org.

Zach Williams, Crowder & Matt Maher

Nov. 6, 7 p.m. The American Christian rock singer performs with contemporary Christian artist Crowder, who’s known for his unique blend of folk, rock, electronic and urban elements. Matt Maher is known for his work with the Catholic Church and the broader faith-based music scene. BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 9685222, bmocenter.asmrockford.com.

AE: ‘Misery’

Nov. 6-23, see website for times. Based on the novel by Stephen King, the play centers around a successful romance novelist who wakes up after a car crash to find himself in a remote cabin, in the care of his most diehard fan. Artists’ Ensemble, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular

Nov. 8-9, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Crafters and artisans showcase handmade

items. Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 987-8890, mercyhealthsportscore.com.

Return of the Mike

Nov. 9, 6 p.m. Mike Tyson is regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time. Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (779) 269-9010, casino.hardrock.com.

Rockford’s Hometown Heroes

Nov. 15, 1 p.m. Students from the Harlem Veterans Project share their documentaries about Rockford veterans and their families. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

RSO: Hope and Heroism

Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. The program opens with “Elegy,” an orchestral piece to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. It’s followed by “Concerto for Cello and Narrator,” which tells the story of a Holocaust survivor. The evening closes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Holiday Toy Workshop

Nov. 28-29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Get into the holiday

Entertainment & Events

spirit with hands-on toy-making. Create your own ornaments, embellish picture frames and decorate wrapping paper to make your gifts extra special. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Rockford Choral Union: Handel’s Messiah

Nov. 29-30, 3 p.m. Musicians from more than 60 area churches and schools participate in the threepart meditation on the prophecy and fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem the world through a savior, Jesus Christ. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford, (815) 229-5603, rockfordchoralunion.com. ❚