life & style - spring 2013

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Kim Ketter, First Vice President - Investments

Brad Arnold, First Vice President - Investments

Ginger Murray, First Vice President - Investments

Les Palmer. Vice President - Investments

Alesia Patterson, Associate Vice President - Investments

Michael Uffelman, Associate Vice President - Investments

Carl E. Payne, Financial Advisor

Jason Lamb, Financial Advisor

Theresa Ojewuyi, Financial Advisor

Dana Zimbro, Financial Consultant

Daniel Lampe, CIMA®

Senior Vice President -

Complex Manager

1401 Financial Park

Carbondale, IL 62902

618-457-8145

800-458-8145 or 618-457-8145

2 Life & Style : Spring 2013

24 Providers.16 Locations.

One Focus: You.

www.ilobgyn.com

Marion Mt. Vernon Centralia O’FallonBelleville Herrin Harrisburg Sparta

Pinckneyville Metropolis Fair�eld NashvilleAnna Benton Flora McLeansboro

1-877-ILOBGYN (456-2496)

Dr. Scott A. Joyner Dr. Elisabeth G. Beyer Nolen Dr. Michael (Mick) A. Covlin Dr. Emily B. Boyd Dr. Leslie L. Simonton-Smith Dr. Debra A. Carson

Dr. Douglas V. Combs Dr. Kaci L. Durbin Dr. April K. Parker(Coming 2013)

Sylvia Obernuefemann, C.N.M.

Tressie C. Landreth, C.N.M Anja B. Schifano, W.H.N.P. Ruthann Coale, W.H.N.P.

Dr. Michael J. Schifano

Taking Care of Women

Dr. Douglas V. Combs Dr. Kaci Dr. Kim D. CarterDr. John A. Hucker

Kathryn (Katy) E. Mowery, C.N.M.

Dr. Jamie L. Plett

Shalisa A. Henson, W.H.N.P. Michelle (Mickey) D. McLain, A.N.P.

Donna R. Shopinski,W.H.N.P.

Trina M. Bellamy,W.H.N.P.

Kasey L. Patton,W.H.N.P.

Dr. Amanda Spitalnik(Coming 2013)

For more information about all of our services including Botox, Radiesse and Juvederm,

call 618-241-9400 or visit www.thegreendoorspa.com

3230 Veterans Memorial DriveMt. Vernon, IL 62864

GIVE US AN HOUR,W E W I L L G I V E YO U B AC K YO U R M I N D .

Voted Number One Day Spain Southern Illinois

We offer more than 120 different spa services, and our staff – with more than 35 years experience collectively –

are some of the best in the industry.

WE’RE A FULL SERVICE SALON AND SPA OFFERING

HAIR AND COLORPERMS AND RELAXERS

HAIR EXTENSIONSSPECIAL OCCASION STYLING

SKIN CARE AND NAILSBOUTIQUE ITEMS

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FACIALS W/DERMA PLANNING

3 for $85Spray tan by Mystic Tan®

A quick and easy alternative to conventional tanning. In less than 5 minutes,

you can achieve a natural looking glow that will last for about a week.

Life & Style : Spring 2013 3

24 Providers.16 Locations.

One Focus: You.

www.ilobgyn.com

Marion Mt. Vernon Centralia O’FallonBelleville Herrin Harrisburg Sparta

Pinckneyville Metropolis Fair�eld NashvilleAnna Benton Flora McLeansboro

1-877-ILOBGYN (456-2496)

Dr. Scott A. Joyner Dr. Elisabeth G. Beyer Nolen Dr. Michael (Mick) A. Covlin Dr. Emily B. Boyd Dr. Leslie L. Simonton-Smith Dr. Debra A. Carson

Dr. Douglas V. Combs Dr. Kaci L. Durbin Dr. April K. Parker(Coming 2013)

Sylvia Obernuefemann, C.N.M.

Tressie C. Landreth, C.N.M Anja B. Schifano, W.H.N.P. Ruthann Coale, W.H.N.P.

Dr. Michael J. Schifano

Taking Care of Women

Dr. Douglas V. Combs Dr. Kaci Dr. Kim D. CarterDr. John A. Hucker

Kathryn (Katy) E. Mowery, C.N.M.

Dr. Jamie L. Plett

Shalisa A. Henson, W.H.N.P. Michelle (Mickey) D. McLain, A.N.P.

Donna R. Shopinski,W.H.N.P.

Trina M. Bellamy,W.H.N.P.

Kasey L. Patton,W.H.N.P.

Dr. Amanda Spitalnik(Coming 2013)

For more information about all of our services including Botox, Radiesse and Juvederm,

call 618-241-9400 or visit www.thegreendoorspa.com

3230 Veterans Memorial DriveMt. Vernon, IL 62864

GIVE US AN HOUR,W E W I L L G I V E YO U B AC K YO U R M I N D .

Voted Number One Day Spain Southern Illinois

We offer more than 120 different spa services, and our staff – with more than 35 years experience collectively –

are some of the best in the industry.

WE’RE A FULL SERVICE SALON AND SPA OFFERING

HAIR AND COLORPERMS AND RELAXERS

HAIR EXTENSIONSSPECIAL OCCASION STYLING

SKIN CARE AND NAILSBOUTIQUE ITEMS

LASER HAIR REMOVALLASER VEIN REMOVALPERMANENT MAKE-UP

FACIALS W/DERMA PLANNING

3 for $85Spray tan by Mystic Tan®

A quick and easy alternative to conventional tanning. In less than 5 minutes,

you can achieve a natural looking glow that will last for about a week.


710 North Illinois AvenueP.O. Box 2108

Carbondale, Illinois 62902618-529-5454 • 800-228-0429

fax 618-529-3774www.LifeandStyleSI.com

[email protected]

Life & Style in Southern Illinois is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62902. Reach us on the Internet at www.LifeandStyleSI.com. Life & Style in Southern Illinois is published four times per year and is distributed free of cost to a variety of businesses and hotels in Southern Illinois. © 2011 by The Southern Illinoisan. All rights reserved. For more information call 618-529-5454 or 618-997-3356. Visit us online at www.thesouthern.com.

Publisher

Executive EditorEditor

Niche Advertising

Manager

Graphic Designer

Circulation

Online

Photographers

Contributors

Copy Editing

Advertising Design

Advertising Sales

Bob Williams

Gary MetroCara Recine

Lacey Thompson

Rhonda M. May

Mark Romanowski

J.C. Dart

Aaron EisenhauerJoel HawksleyPaul NewtonLes Winkeler

Shawn ConnellyRana DaunisPoornima JayaramanLes O’DellCara RecineJoe SzynkowskiAdam TestaLes Winkeler

Mary Thomas LaytonJeff Wilson

Rose Baffi Sharon HaegeAndrew McBrideJay StemmLeah Weil

Kelly CaudillMarin EovaldiBrian FlathAlicia LorenzStephanie MeyerTina MoonMeagan MurrayLevi Wampler

2013 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

1040 E. Main St.Carbondale

618-529-1000www.vkchevy.com CHEVROLET


Letter

A new season, a renewed spring in my step

from the executive editor

welcome

This issue of Life & Style in Southern Illinois is bursting with fresh ideas for Spring – the season of new life, renewal and fresh starts.

As a male person, I am sharply limited in spring makeover options, which are well-detailed in one of our feature articles. I don’t have enough hair for a fresh new style, men’s shoe choices include brown and black, and the only jewelry I wear is a watch.

But I did start the new year with a surgically installed bionic knee, a process that magically delivered significant weight loss along with the anticipated greater mobility. My secret? Food tasted awful to me for weeks, even my favorite comfort foods. You’ll drop weight, too, if you don’t eat.

Once I returned to work, my appetite improved. But instead of packing it away

and gathering evidence for my exposeé novel – “Journalism Made Me Fat” – I got the green light from my physician and added regular workouts at the SIU Rec Center to my ongoing physical therapy sessions.

Obviously, I am not in the Olympian class as an athlete. But I’m capable of building muscle strength around my fancy new knee, working the major muscle groups through weight training and improving my cardio-vascular fitness through aerobic exercises.

The stationary bicycle is my current fitness friend, but soon I’ll be adding workouts on the elliptical trainers and treadmills.

All of this exercise has improved my appetite, unfortunately, but I was eating so little during my recovery from surgery I got used to smaller portions. My shadow

will be slimmer for the start of spring, no doubt, but summer will yield the long-term results of the new me – as well as the new knee.

Along with the latest on the clothes, shoes, makeup and hairstyles for Spring makeovers, this issue offers the sights, sounds and wonderful smells of sunny Italy – the recent getaway destination for Cara Recine, who is a gifted writer as well as the editor of this magazine.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we take you inside the sparkling new casino just across the river in Cape Girardeau, profile fascinating Ella Lacey of Carbondale and offer an in-depth look at a new therapeutic specialty, Life Coaching, which is gaining in popularity in Southern Illinois.

Enjoy the magazine! Happy Spring!— Gary Metro

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executive editor Gary Metro works out at the SIu Rec Center; Metro had knee replacement surgery in December.


You!

Don’t Miss This 27My Favorite Things 28Cheers to Beer 32Trends 42Leisure 44Apps 48Gear 56Entertainment 72

Self 74Artists 78Work Spaces 82Wine 87Fitness 88Scenic Beauty 90Style 94Parting Shot 96

Spring 201334

Social SeenMore events, more photos!See who you know in this issue

10

contents

this issue

Good EatsTake advantage of everything locally grown greens offer

46 GetawaysDiscover a part of Italy less well-known but worth the trip

60

cover photo

Where We LiveWelcome to ‘Casa de la Loma’ in Carbondale

50

Profile‘Service Above Self’ is a way of life for Ella Lacey

58

How ToTips to get your idea for a business off the ground

76

In Our BackyardNeed some relief? Create your own meditation garden

84

Business BuzzWhat you need to know about financial planners

92

LivingStuck in a rut? Maybe you need a life coach

30after a day of shopping and an afternoon of hair and makeup changes, elizabeth wideman of Marion was the star of this photo shoot at Houlihan’s in Carbondale. the photo was taken by lori Sweitzer of Photography by lori.

Meet our makeover winner and discover what’s new for spring


contact us

Cara Recine editor618-351-5075 cara.recine @thesouthern.com

EDITORIAL

Lacey Thompson niche advertising manager618-351-5001lacey.thompson @thesouthern.com

ADVERTISING

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Attending or hosting an event? Post your pictures on our page and your event could be included in an upcoming

edition of Life and Style in Southern Illinois.

www.facebook.com/LifeandStyleSI

Life and Style in Southern Illinois710 N. Illinois Ave.,

Carbondale, IL 62901618-529-5454

Kim Fowler circulation manager618-351-5035kim.fowler @thesouthern.com

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social seen

1. John McSorley, elana Floyd-Kennett and Kurt Facco all of Carbondale

2. Gail ayala and Marilyn Mitchener of Carbondale

3. Jud and Sharon Brewer of Carbondale

4. Carolyn Middleton of Marion and Sandra Colombo of Herrin

‘The Holidays in Italy’ was the theme of a concert Dec. 4 at Shryock Auditorium in Carbondale. SIU’s Choral Union, Concert Choir and Symphony Orchestra were the stars of the evening.

Buon Natale!

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1. Joann Mevert of Steeleville and George Randolph of Hurst

2. Gary and Phyllis Jones of Du Quoin, larry and Pam Dierks of ava and Gary and Jane tretter of Murphysboro

3. Sharon Jones and Michael and Carol Dreith

4. Gary larson of Kansas City, Patty Rath of Murphysboro, and Cindy larson of Kansas City

Southern Illinoisans were encouraged to dress in historic high fashion for this fundraiser benefiting General John A. Logan Museum on Nov. 10.

General and Mrs. Logan’s Grand Ball

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Want more? Go to www.LifeandStyleSI.com

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1. Frank and vicki Colombo of Herrin

2. Dave and Kathy Boston of Herrin

3. Cynthia aks of Marion and Jason McKee of elkville

4. Carl and Cookie Goodwin of Herrin

5. Kathy Boston (from left), Donna Gates, teresa Camarato, vicki Colombo and Cookie Goodwin of Herrin

6. Marc and Danneille Hansen of Macedonia

7. tony and Donna Gates of Herrin

One of the hottest tickets in town for New Year’s Eve was the bash at Walker’s Bluff in Carterville.

New Year’s Eve at Walker’s Bluff

be seenHave you been to a great

event lately? Did you take photos?

If you would like to have the photos considered for publication in our magazine, call for details and image specifications: Cara Recine, 618-351-5075


social seen

1. Scott Barnett, Shawnna Donovan, waylan Sims and Dan Brown, all of Marion

2. tom Novara of Murphysboro

3. artist Shawn vincelette and Jared Garrison, director of the Pavilion of the City of Marion

4. Judy, John and Beth Blumenstock, all of Marion

5. linda Johnson and Kristen Bayer, both of Marion

6. yemisi Pleasant of Chicago and Scott Schackmann of Carbondale

7. Guy and yolonde Peterson of Marion

8. Suzanne French, Shelley Hudspath, Dinah troutner, alicia Gill and tauna Kobler, all of Marion

9. artist Shawn vincelette and his former art teacher, Kaye Howell of Marion

10. Shirley Harvel, Kettering, ohio, formerly of Marion and emma lou Garrison of Marion

11. Rhonda and Reagan woods of Marion

12. Bernard and Rebecca Paul of Marion

It was opening night for the Art and Soul exhibit at the Pavilion of the City of Marion. The exhibit features the work of Shawn M. Vincelette, a former Marion resident. See the exhibit through April 23.

Art & Soul in Marion

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A Taste of Ol’ Mexico

View our Design/Installation Portfolio at:greenridgelandscaping.com

618.549.6165

ElegantOutdoorLiving!


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1. Sallie Schramm of Carbondale, Zach Splaingard of edwardsville and abbie Schramm of Carbondale

2. emily Rich and Mike Humes of Carbondale

3. adam Campen of Peoria and Nate Bradley of Sparta

4. al Kuczynski of Carbondale

5. Kathleen Frye and Greg Rose of Carbondale

6. Dane Moore and Hillary Pietricola of Carbondale

7. tony Seneca of Peoria and erik Perks of Carbondale

Fans of all thing Irish gathered for a Southern Illinois Irish Festival fundraiser Jan. 19 at Copper Dragon in Carbondale. Taste of the Grain featured Scottish and Irish whisky tastings, appetizers and live music.

Taste of the Grain

A Taste of Ol’ Mexico

View our Design/Installation Portfolio at:greenridgelandscaping.com

618.549.6165

ElegantOutdoorLiving!


social seen

1. Ray Blacklock of vergennes and linda and tom North of Carbondale

2. Grady and Carol Sorrows of Du Quoin

3. alex Henderson and Bruce Steh of Baldwin Piano in Herrin

4. George and Deanna tomlinson and Jerry and laura eader of west Frankfort

5. Dr. tom and lana Davis of Carbondale

6. laura and Jesse Mann of Carterville

7. Jason and erin Pinkston of Hurst

8. tracy Barford of albion, tonya Hardy of ellery, Rachel Bartford of olney and Jennifer Greathouse of west Salem

9. Pam and Gene Green of Murphysboro

10. Nina and Joe Helleny of Herrin

11. Sam Myers of Herrin and MC olson of Marion

12. Joe and april liefer of Herrin

13. Dr. Mikaelis and Martine Jackson of Carbondale and elaine Borgsmiller of Carbondale

14. Giorgio Ravazzolo and Benedetta Zanetti of Padova, Italy

People and the sounds of classical music filled the cave at Walker’s Bluff in Carterville on Dec. 14. I Cinque Elementi, a quintet from Italy, performed a concert that was one of three in Southern Illinois.

Sounds of Italy at the Cave

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Proudly Serving the Heart of the Heartland


15. Jenny Smith, MC olson and Sue Ridgeway

16. Ronda and Chris Gaertner of Carbondale

17. trudy McCree of energy and Melissa Mifflin of Du Quoin

18. Dave and Kathy Boston of Herrin and Sandy Pagliai of Johnston City

19. Susan Karayanis and Barbara Sibert of Carbondale

20. Mel watkin of Cobden and Dana Zimbro of Carterville

21. edward Benyas of Carbondale with the performers: Sophia Babetto, Claudio Fanton, Daniele trincanato, Dario Cavinato, Maris Zanetti, loris Zanetti of Padova, Italy; and David Zimmerman of Carbondale

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Proudly Serving the Heart of the Heartland


social seen

Newell House

1. Chris Sievers, Dr. Janis Brandt and Jim Brandt, all of Marion

2. Joni Barwick and Mary Jo McCurdy of Marion

3. Michelle Moore, Brandi and Rep. John Bradley, all of Marion, and Jake Rendelman of Carterville

4. l.C. Cavaness, yvonne and Rick Richert, all of Marion

5. Steve and Janet taylor of Marion

6. ed and Jennifer vinyard of eldorado

7. Jeff and toni Moake of Marion

8. Nancy and Nic Skovgaard, Dr. angela Baxter and liz lynn, all of Herrin

9. tim Barnes and Stacey Malick of Benton, anna Bordenhave of Creal Springs, Jeremy Pinkston of Marion

10. amanda atchley of elkville, and Racheal Hannel and Jacki wright, both of Murphysboro

11. Jeff and Cindy May of Mount vernon

12. tom and linda Baker of litchfield

13. angelo Hightower and Courtney McBride of Marion

14. andrea turner of Marion

15. Brad Ragain, Steve lappin, Jeanine Ragain, Paula Kobler, Judy Ragain and vernon Ragain, all of Marion

Chamber of Commerce members and guests enjoyed an evening of awards, dinner and dancing Jan. 11 at the Pavilion of the City of Marion.

Annual chamber dinner at Marion

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916. walt Nieds, Scott Murrie and John Markley, all of Marion

17. Bill and tracey Glenn of Marion, and Jeff Gusta and leigh Bedokis Gusta of Herrin

18. Stephen lunn, Ceo of Heartland Regional Medical Center, and Jill and Bob williams of Carbondale

19. Doug and Mary Kimmel and Brian Ziegler, all of Marion


social seen

1. Italian class teacher Sandra Colombo of Herrin, Chef Jeremy Castellano and kitchen crew

2. Ralph and virginia litherland of Carbondale

3. David tondini of Marion and fiancée Janice

4. Denny Hays of Carbondale, Sandra Colombo and alvis litton of Marion

5. Barbara and allan Bennett of Carbondale

6. Gary Butson of Creal Springs

7. Karen and Isaac uban of west Frankfort

8. Karen uban of west Frankfort, Barbara thompson of Marion, Debra Faris of Marion, Cara Recine of Carbondale and Sandra Colombo

Bella’s Italian restaurant was the setting for the John A. Logan College Italian class’ annual Christmas dinner Dec. 10. The class has been an ongoing continuing education offering.

Bella cucina at West Frankfort

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9. Donna and Greg Manering of Carbondale

10. Mary Belanger and husband of Marion

11. Italian teacher Michaelann Stanley of Herrin and Reitha Butson of Creal Springs

12. linda Burkitt, Nancy Proctor and Madeline Meadows of Christopher

13. lola Scerena and elena Goins of Herrin

14. Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris of Carbondale

15. Fred and Barbara thompson of Marion with Sandra Colombo

16. Gail and Raul ala of Carbondale

17. Bob and Fran emery of Marion

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“Insurance Professionals Since 1945”

1-800-987-1987www.williamsquote.com

Road to RecoveryIn the predawn hours of February 29, 2012, tragedy struck a portion of southern Illinois, including the communities of Harrisburg and Ridgway. The devastation was in the form of an EF4 tornado which left a path of destruction that tracked 26.5 miles long and averaged 275 yards wide. With it brought major property damage, numerous injuries and tragically 8 people lost their lives.

Two of the affected business and their stories are highlighted below:

The Business: Dream Baskets, Inc.Owner: Julie KuppartDream Baskets is a gourmet specialty gift shop and cafe located in Harrisburg, IL. The store offers gifts for every occasion as well as freshly prepared lunches in the newly designed cafe area. In addition to gourmet gifts and lunches, Dream Baskets, also, offers fresh baked cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods. The Devastation: Dream Baskets received extensive damage from the tornado of February 29, 2012. As I entered the building at 5:15 a.m. I walked to the front door and literally walked through the door, it was then that we were able to see all of the destruction. The entire north wall which at its peak is 32 feet was laying fl at on the ground and the front windows and door had blown out. The roof was gone, glass, fi xtures and merchandise were everywhere, and my whole world felt like it had been turned upside down.Steve & Jim Williams and Nathan Ashby of Williams and Associates arrived mid morning at our destroyed location. It was such a relief to have Nathan Ashby call the adjuster and give us the opportunity to speak with him. They began taking pictures, offering us instructions on how the claim would be processed and giving us a sense of calm in a situation that seemed to be spinning out of control right in front of our eyes.The Rebuild:We are grateful for the loyalty they showed us and the empathy we felt during each visit while we were rebuilding. Williams & Associates were with us every step of the way.

The Business: Gallatin County Tin & Hardware, Inc.Owners: Dave, Steve, & Tom DroneGallatin County Tin & Hardware, Inc. is located in downtown Ridgway, IL, where they occupy multiple buildings. The business is owned by three brothers who all have their own niche roles within the company. Since 1962 this business has been a very valuable asset to this small community and provides multiple offerings. This consists of operating a True Value retail hardware store. They are also active in the sales, building/installation of steel grain bin storage systems. In addition, they offer sales/installation/service of residential HVAC systems.

The Devastation: The morning of 2/29/12 would alter this business routine for the following year. After leveling the century old Catholic church, the leap day tornado quickly struck downtown Ridgway. The tornado totally destroyed the main hardware store building and the lumber warehouse building, while also causing extensive damage to four of their other buildings. There was a large amount of inventory damaged as a result of the hardware store wall and roof system collapsing. By noon, on the day of the tornado, Jim Williams and Nathan Ashby arrived to assess the damages. The phone lines were down but they already had the claim submitted prior to arriving or even making contact with anyone. They helped to quickly secure 6 semi trailers needed to salvage the contents of the hardware store. By that afternoon an adjuster was on scene taking photos and making a preliminary report of the damages.

The Rebuild: The rebuilding has been a long road and a tremendous amountof work on our part, but without Williams & Associates, we would not be able toreopen our business. They plan to reopen in the early spring with a new look but same great service.

BEFORE

AFTER

TTTTTOOOO

ffffttt

BEFORE

AFTER

Harrisburg | Eldorado | Marion

1. al and Debra Quaman (from left) and Ken and Debbi Robinson

2. Sarah Milford and tom Hippensteel

3. Brad Cole and Susan Corker

4. Roland and Betty Person

5. alice winters

6. Jim Milford

1. Mary Gray of De Soto, Joe Gray of De Soto, wayne Fager of wisconsin, ernest P. Fager of Murphysboro, and Mark Fager of Murphsyboro

2. Josh Pogue of Galesburg and Carmell Beard of Sparta

3. eric Dearing of Cutler, Patty Cosgrove of Carbondale, and Skip Cosgrove of Carbondale

4. liz and tom Schill of Carbondale, and Jack whitlock of Carbondale

5. Debbie Hoeks of Benton, Rick Counce of Murphysboro, Mike Copher of Royalton, Steve volini of Benton, David Stucker of energy, and Chris Miller of Carbondale

John W. Corker, retired director of SIU Carbondale’s Student Center, turned 80, and more than 100 friends and family gathered to celebrate Nov. 3 at Giant City Lodge south of Carbondale.

The Shawnee Detachment Marine Corps joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the 237th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps on Nov. 10 at the Murphysboro American Legion Post 127.

80th birthday at Giant City

Shawnee Marine Corps Ball

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“Insurance Professionals Since 1945”

1-800-987-1987www.williamsquote.com

Road to RecoveryIn the predawn hours of February 29, 2012, tragedy struck a portion of southern Illinois, including the communities of Harrisburg and Ridgway. The devastation was in the form of an EF4 tornado which left a path of destruction that tracked 26.5 miles long and averaged 275 yards wide. With it brought major property damage, numerous injuries and tragically 8 people lost their lives.

Two of the affected business and their stories are highlighted below:

The Business: Dream Baskets, Inc.Owner: Julie KuppartDream Baskets is a gourmet specialty gift shop and cafe located in Harrisburg, IL. The store offers gifts for every occasion as well as freshly prepared lunches in the newly designed cafe area. In addition to gourmet gifts and lunches, Dream Baskets, also, offers fresh baked cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods. The Devastation: Dream Baskets received extensive damage from the tornado of February 29, 2012. As I entered the building at 5:15 a.m. I walked to the front door and literally walked through the door, it was then that we were able to see all of the destruction. The entire north wall which at its peak is 32 feet was laying fl at on the ground and the front windows and door had blown out. The roof was gone, glass, fi xtures and merchandise were everywhere, and my whole world felt like it had been turned upside down.Steve & Jim Williams and Nathan Ashby of Williams and Associates arrived mid morning at our destroyed location. It was such a relief to have Nathan Ashby call the adjuster and give us the opportunity to speak with him. They began taking pictures, offering us instructions on how the claim would be processed and giving us a sense of calm in a situation that seemed to be spinning out of control right in front of our eyes.The Rebuild:We are grateful for the loyalty they showed us and the empathy we felt during each visit while we were rebuilding. Williams & Associates were with us every step of the way.

The Business: Gallatin County Tin & Hardware, Inc.Owners: Dave, Steve, & Tom DroneGallatin County Tin & Hardware, Inc. is located in downtown Ridgway, IL, where they occupy multiple buildings. The business is owned by three brothers who all have their own niche roles within the company. Since 1962 this business has been a very valuable asset to this small community and provides multiple offerings. This consists of operating a True Value retail hardware store. They are also active in the sales, building/installation of steel grain bin storage systems. In addition, they offer sales/installation/service of residential HVAC systems.

The Devastation: The morning of 2/29/12 would alter this business routine for the following year. After leveling the century old Catholic church, the leap day tornado quickly struck downtown Ridgway. The tornado totally destroyed the main hardware store building and the lumber warehouse building, while also causing extensive damage to four of their other buildings. There was a large amount of inventory damaged as a result of the hardware store wall and roof system collapsing. By noon, on the day of the tornado, Jim Williams and Nathan Ashby arrived to assess the damages. The phone lines were down but they already had the claim submitted prior to arriving or even making contact with anyone. They helped to quickly secure 6 semi trailers needed to salvage the contents of the hardware store. By that afternoon an adjuster was on scene taking photos and making a preliminary report of the damages.

The Rebuild: The rebuilding has been a long road and a tremendous amountof work on our part, but without Williams & Associates, we would not be able toreopen our business. They plan to reopen in the early spring with a new look but same great service.

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Harrisburg | Eldorado | Marion

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social seen

1. Jayne Sanders, Debbie tamplin, Danica tamplin and Graham tamplin

2. Dr. David asbery Rae Cummins and tim Prosise

3. Janet and Mark Hassakis and Sherry Meadows

4. Kay Zibby-Damron and Steve Damron, and Jay and Debbie Simmons

5. Jan Hover, Joe Gliosci and Brandon Bullard

6. talent competition judge panel: Judi Heitmeyer, reigning Mrs. Illinois International 2012 terri Karch and Nick loafman

7. wendy lupa, laura thacker, Daisy lupa, Rob lupa Jr., Helene lupa and Makayla Smith

8. Barb and Bill Beck

The second Cedarhurst’s Got Talent competition took place Nov. 10 at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mount Vernon.

Cedarhurst’s Got Talent

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Startthe pathto yourfutureat JALC www.jalc.edu


1. adria vacca and Bryan anthony of the Glenn Miller orchestra

2. Chris Campo and Holly Kruep of Mount vernon

3. tom and Karen williams of Mount vernon

On New Year’s Eve, hundreds welcomed in the new year at the Good Samaritan Regional Health Center Foundation Gala in Mount Vernon.

Partying at Good Sam

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don’t miss this

February& March

April

Big Muddy Film Festival St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Celebration

When: Saturday, March 16

Where: Murphysboro

Cost: Most events are free

Info: 618-684-6421, murphysboro.com

each year, the community of Murphysboro celebrates Irish heritage and tradition with a St. Patrick’s Day festival. the day features a variety of events, highlighted by a downtown parade and an Irish stew cookoff. the day-long celebration also features a number of other activities for people of all ages, including a corned beef buffet dinner, art and history exhibits, a 5K walk/run, kids’ fun fair and the annual John Stankovich memorial bike ride. Murphysboro’s biggest spring festival, this event aims to offer something for the whole family.

When: wednesday, Feb, 20-Sunday, Feb. 24

Where: Southern Illinois university Carbondale

Cost: Free for students; $4 for most screenings, others are free; $30 for festival passes

Info: 618-453-7703, bigmuddyfilm.com

Filmmakers from across the country come together in Southern Illinois once a year for this event, one of the longest-running student-organized film festivals in the united States. the festival is dedicated to showcasing and highlighting the work of emerging and accomplished filmmakers and video artists. Competition and non-competition screenings will be hosted daily, and films will be juried in four categories: animation, documentary, experimental and narrative. the judges for the 35th edition of the event include filmmakers Bobby abate, Jesse Mclean and Julie wyman. abate’s work has been featured in venues including the Museum of Modern art, the Guggenheim, the New york Film Festival, and the Institutes of Contemporary art. He is involved in pre-production for his second feature, “Dressed in Black.” Mclean’s work has been on display at museums, galleries and film festivals worldwide. She earned the Ghostly award for Best Sound Design at the 2012 ann arbor Film Festival; the overkill award at the 2011 Images Festival, and the Barbara aronofsky latham award for emerging experimental video artist at the 2010 ann arbor Film Festival. wyman is also an award-winning filmmaker. In addition to her work in independent film, she is an assistant professor of Cinema and technocultural Studies at the university of California, Davis. Her 2012 documentary, “Strong!” a film on u.S. olympian weightlifter Cheryl Haworth, premiered in June 2012 at the Silverdocs Film Festival.

Cache River Nature Fest

When: Saturday, May 11

Where: Cache River wetland Center, 8885 State Illinois 37 South, Cypress

Cost: Free

Info: 800-248-4373, cacherivernaturefest.org

the Cache River wetlands are one of Southern Illinois’ best hidden treasures. In the southernmost part of the state, this ecological area represents an anomaly of nature, where several different geological and ecological regions merge together. the area is vast in the richness of its flora and fauna; many unique species of plants and animals can be found in the marshes of the wetlands. Nature Fest is a way for people of all ages to discover the treasures for themselves. Guided trips, canoe tours and live bird demonstrations make the event a special, interactive occasion, while learning more about the wonders of nature. Informational exhibits will also be set up at the Cache River wetland Center for children and adults.

Spring Arts Festival

When: Friday, april 26-Sunday, april 28

Where: anna arts Center, 117 w. Davie St., anna

Info: 618-833-6525

the arts are alive and well in anna, and this event beckons individuals to join in the fun. art from local artists will be on display, and citizens who want to try their hand at street art are

given the opportunity, as organizers host a Paint the town aspect of the celebration. Individuals or families can purchase a 4-foot square in the venue’s parking lot and paint their own original works. other activities will be announced as the event approaches.

For more information on these events and activities across Southern Illinois, go to www.LifeandStyleSI.com

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Coming in MayFun at the Wineries

What: Springfest / Red, white and Blues

When: Saturday, May 11

Where: alto vineyards, alto Pass / Blue Sky vineyards, Makanda

Cost: $6 for each event

Info: 618-893-4898, altovineyards.net / 618-995-9463

as spring gives way to summer, it’s time to celebrate. local wineries thrive this time of year, with a variety of different events. But two of the most popular return for new installments on this day. alto vineyards and Blue Sky vineyards will host Springfest and the Red, white and Blues event, respectively. Both events highlight award-winning local wines, Southern Illinois artists and live music. For those individuals looking to capitalize on some late spring bliss, these events offer great escapes.


my favorite things

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It’s spring, and a young man’s fancy turns to love…

T.J. MartinThomas J. Martin – better know to everyone as T.J. –

grew up on a farm in the northeastern corner of Missouri, near Lewistown. He attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia and accepted his first retail job with K’s Merchandise in Quincy, later transferring to K’s Merchandise in Carbondale. After his stint at K’s, he managed a jewelry chain store at University Mall.

Deciding he wanted to strike out on his own to “better serve my customers,” T.J. opened T.J.’s Fine Jewelry at 1258 E. Main St. in Carbondale. He’s also part owner of the Blue Martin, a cocktail lounge in Carbondale.

T.J. is also serving his second term on the Board of Directors of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

But it’s spring, and we asked T.J. to set business aside and think like 19th century English poet, Lord Alfred Tennyson, whose poetry focused on youth, love and living: “In the spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” the poet wrote. Here now, are T.J.’s favorite sexy and romantic things:

Celebrity crush: Mila KunisRomantic gesture: Little love notesGold, white gold, platinum? White goldDecadent dessert: Chocolate-covered strawberriesDark chocolate or milk chocolate: DarkNightcap: Kettle One and tonicDate night: Picnic with a bottle of wine and a moonlight boat rideLove song: “If You Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart

Sexiest vehicle:

Corvette convertible

Diamond cut:Round


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living

Life is never easy. Every now and then, it has a habit of getting tough. And, that’s when a lot of us begin screaming for help on the inside.

To the casual passerby, everything may seem all right. But, inside, many of us may feel stuck in a rut. Everything is the same old, same old. We want change. We crave a different way of life, but are trapped in a lifestyle or relationship or way of being we simply do not identify with any more.

Experts say the most challenging journey often begins with the person in question taking a single step toward positive change.

And, more and more, people from all walks of life are choosing to make that

step with a trained coach by their side — a life coach who specializes in whatever your goal is, whether it is to create more work-life balance, improve your personal relationships, meet your soul mate, do better with finances, start a new business, upgrade your professional skills or find your true calling.

Annette Vaillancourt, who has her doctorate, is a soul mate coach and owner of www.thelovedoctorisin.com in Carbondale. A trained psychotherapist in practice since 1990, she branched out into life coaching in 1999 and specialized in web design coaching for some time.

Today, she works as a business coach, helping wannabe entrepreneurs or small business owners start or grow their

story by Poornima Jayaraman

A life coach might be just what you need

Stuck‘Was there ever a time when you knew you wanted something different, but were afraid to make it happen? Was there a time you were unable to marshal your inner resources and just go? Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have someone in your corner who helped you discover the answers in your soul?’

— Janice Staab

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Janice Staab and annette vaillancourt are psychologists and life coaches in Carbondale.

in a rut?

http://www.thelovedoctorisin.com/


‘Therapy is remediation of problems that occurred in the past. Life coaching clients usually come in psychologically healthy and goal-minded.’

— annette vaillancourt

Top life-coaching issues for 2013

New years always brim over with promise and possibility. They give us a green light to plan big changes for our lives. Even the most daunting goal seems a little easier to achieve when cast as a New Year’s resolution. But, many of our resolutions were long ago tossed out with the holiday trash.

If you imagine making big life changes, but don’t know how or where to begin, consider hiring a life coach. A good life coach can teach you to envision and build the life of your dreams.

Here are just a few of the ways a life coach can help.Creating a balanced life: As home, family and work demand

more time and energy, are your own needs last on your to-do list? A life coach can help you prioritize your activities and obligations so all essential parts of your life get the attention they deserve.

Reviving your career: Do you feel stuck or bored in you current job? Is going to work each day a chore instead of a joy? Whether by starting your own business or finding work you’re passionate about, seek out a life coach to design your dream career.

Finding your voice: Do you have trouble speaking up for yourself? Maybe you have great ideas or important emotions to share, but fear you’ll be rejected or ridiculed if you do. Learn to confidently and effectively communicate what’s on your mind and heart with help from a life coach.

Getting organized: Are you drowning in a sea of stuff? A life coach can show you how to organize your space around your values and needs. Turn your home or office into a functional masterpiece for 2013.

Cultivate authentic relationships: Do you have friends or romantic partners who drain your energy and give you nothing? Perhaps, your relationship with yourself needs work. Don’t cling to relationships out of habit or fear. Let 2013 be the year you free yourself for relationships that sustain and enliven your spirit.

story by Janice Staab

“Look at your life,” Staab says. “Was there ever a time when you knew you wanted something different, but were afraid to make it happen? Was there a time you were unable to marshal your inner resources and just go? Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have someone in your corner who helped you discover the answers in your soul?”

With an action-oriented practice, Staab says she works with clients on finding balance, building confidence, setting priorities and helping re-identify what is meaningful and brings joy in order to make life happen.

“I help them rediscover what it is they want to do, and then we create an action plan to which I hold them accountable.”

So, how does this work?Typically, coaching sessions last anywhere from 45

minutes to an hour and are available on a weekly basis with unlimited email contact. Because insurance doesn’t cover life coaching, the client pays out of pocket per hour or by the terms of the package purchased.

To keep costs down, you may also consider group and buddy coaching.

businesses. She also delights in her role as a dating coach, helping people find their true soul mate.

“My focus is on clearing fears and self-limiting beliefs that stop you from finding your soul mate,” Vaillancourt says. “A lot of times, people sabotage themselves by saying, ‘You wouldn’t want to go out with me, would you?’ Or they have self-limiting beliefs, such as,

‘All the good men are taken!’ Sometimes it is lingering attachments to past relationships.”

Janice Staab is another successful life coach and owner of Life Signs Coaching (www.lifesignscoaching.com) in Carbondale. In practice since 2006, Staab, like most of her peers, offers coaching via Skype, phone and in-person consultations.

“A life coach helps you take a step forward to begin creating the life you want,” says Staab, who also has a doctorate. “Often, clients come to me with self-limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors. Often, they need help kick-starting their process of personal change. As a life coach and philosophical counselor, I specialize in helping clients navigate complicated life changes and transitions. It is my job to help them create a path to success and stick with it.”

Now, if you are thinking this sounds like therapy, be warned. The two are very different.

“A lot of the skill and tools are the same, but the focus is different,” Vaillancourt says. “Therapy is remediation of problems that occurred in the past. Life coaching clients usually come in psychologically healthy and goal-minded.”

Staab likes to think of herself as a personal trainer for the soul. She says a counseling session is like physical therapy for the body, where the client is relearning to take basic steps again and get to an acceptable level of functioning.

Life coaching is like a personal training session, Staab says, where the trainer makes certain assumptions about where you are at and pushes you past plateaus to deliver your personal best.

“Of course, life coaching can also be an adjunct to therapy or vice versa,” she notes.

Vaillancourt adds, “A life coach is a person with expertise in a specific area. Life coaching is about current problems and the future. We focus on the goal they want to achieve in the future. We set the strategy or steps and hold them accountable to it. A key strength of life coaching is accountability. People come when stuck, when making slow progress or no progress. We help speed up the process by coaching them to ask their own questions and use their inner resources.”

All sessions are confidential and kept private.Life coaches such as Staab often attract female clients who are

educated and worldly and, from all outward appearances, successful in their lives, whether personal or professional.

“But, somehow, along the line, they have lost their identity,” Staab says. “Sometimes, they are strong women who have been there for everyone else, but have forgotten how to be strong for themselves. They have always put themselves last in their lives, put their needs on the back burner. They may lack confidence or have trouble speaking up for themselves. Typically, they feel stuck. Many have tried therapy before and not gotten the results they needed.

www.lifesignscoaching.com


cheers to beer

Most people who live in or visit Southern Illinois are well aware of the rich agricultural offerings and activities our region provides. Whether it’s fresh, locally-grown produce at a farmers’ market, a trip to one of our numerous fruit orchards or a lazy afternoon sipping wine at a vineyard and winery, local producers are not only making high quality products, they’re building a sustainable industry, literally, from the ground up.

The evolution of American craft beer is not unlike our own agricultural growth. Beginning with a passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients and superior taste, craft brewers meld hard work and determination with a hyper-local sensibility and skill to create beer with more character and quality than what is typical.

Scratch Brewing Company in Ava is anything but typical. Owners and brewers Marika Josephson, Aaron Kleidon and Ryan Tockstein — all accomplished homebrewers — are looking to combine their passion for better beer with their love of Southern Illinois’ abundant beauty and natural resources to create a truly novel approach to the sometimes tired brewpub concept. No stale pretzels or microwave pizzas here. Scratch Brewing Company, five miles from Shawnee National Forest, might be more accurately described as a brewfarm.

The idea is both simple and brilliant: Combine the best of small batch artisan beer with the best our local soil has to offer.

“We wanted to create something that is focused on regional ingredients and offers an experience you can only get here,” says Josephson, a professional editor by trade.

In keeping with the seasonal nature of locally sourced ingredients, Scratch beers will also rotate and change constantly.

“No year ’round beers are planned; we want to remain very seasonal and keep everything fresh and new. We plan to utilize several yeast strains and play with the variations we can create using different brewing techniques, temperatures and ingredients,” Josephson says.

Scratch Brewing Company’s brew house itself is intentionally small, even by craft or microbrew standards at 1 1/2 barrels, which produces roughly 50 gallons per batch. This “nano-brewery” allows the partners to remain nimble and keep a keen emphasis on quality over quantity. This small scale is also conducive to experimentation, one of the hallmarks of the company.

“We grow our own hops, have a garden on site and forage for a lot of the fresh ingredients we use in the brewing process and in our kitchen,” Josephson says.

In fact, don’t be surprised to find ingredients — those you

story and photography by Shawn Connelly

Scratch Brewing is anything

typicalbut

If you have questions or are interested in visiting this unique brewery, you can email Scratch Brewing Company at [email protected]. Tours and tasting dates/times are available on Scratch’s website at www.scratchbeer.com

Company


wouldn’t immediately associate with beer — make their way into the offerings at Scratch. Basil, dandelion, elderberries and even a beer brewed with maple sap, instead of water, are in the portfolio. Despite the exotic ingredients, the three owners emphasize sessionable (meaning you can have more than one because of the relatively low alcohol content) beers in an exceedingly approachable and unpretentious style.

The brewery sits on two acres in rural Ava, and even the building has an incredible indigenous flare with hand-hewn beams and local art throughout. The beer is available only on draft for now, and exclusively at the brewery, but plans are in the works to offer draft beer at select locations throughout the region soon and, eventually, in bottles, as well. The food, like the beer, is handmade, local and fresh, and includes pizzas, soups and other specialty items, many prepared in Scratch Brewing Company’s one-of-a-kind wood-fire brick oven.

Scratch Brewing Company, 264 thompson Road, ava, Il 62907

visit us

‘We wanted to create something that is focused on regional ingredients and offers an experience you can only get here.’

— Marika Josephson, co-owner of Scratch Brewing Company

SHAWN CONNELLY writes for Beer Connoisseur magazine and is a craft and specialty beer retail consultant and an award-winning home brewer. Read his blog at beerphilosopher.com.


cover

e were looking for one busy, working woman to feature in our spring issue.

We offered fashion advice, clothing and accessories for a photo shoot, and

a complete hair and makeup makeover. When we posted that information on

our Facebook page, many women – and lots of men recommending women – responded, but we kept coming back to one.

She’s Elizabeth Wideman of Marion, a 37-year-old single mom of two children, 8 and 11. She works part time as a caregiver to the elderly through Help at Home in Marion and is a full-time massage therapy student at John A. Logan College in Carterville. She’ll graduate in July, and we couldn’t think of a better way to help her celebrate her strength and her success.

What we wanted to do was show Elizabeth and our readers just how easy it can be to redo your look for spring.

We began by shopping with Amy Behnken, women’s clothing and shoes sales manager at Macy’s in Carbondale. We chose outfits that could easily go from day to night with a few simple changes. Next, we headed to Eccentrics, a boutique in Carterville offering jewelry, accessories and gifts. Owner Lauren Craig studied the clothing we had chosen and helped accessorize for the day-to-night looks. From there, it was on to Lush Aveda Salon in Carbondale, where owner Rachel Boner turned over to us two of her staff members, Emily Kern and Christina Elder, who advised Elizabeth on cuts and color that would suit her and her hectic lifestyle and make her look great. She also learned about makeup that’s right for the season.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” Elizabeth said, in the midst of it all. “This is great! I’m not usually very adventurous.”

On the following pages, you’ll see the process and the results of our fabulous spring makeover, as well as the latest trends, from wearing colored denim to spring makeup and hair trends. Let the makeovers begin!

Style tips and trends by Rana Daunisphotography by Paul Newton, Aaron Eisenhauer and Lori Sweitzer

From the top of her head to the tip of her toes, this Marion woman wears the latest trends for springWinner

‘I’m not usually adventurous,’ said elizabeth wideman of Marion, our spring makeover winner. emily Kern, a stylist at lush aveda Salon in Carbondale, took a lot of time with elizabeth wideman and decided how short and how much color she wanted. and when it was all finished – new clothes, new hair and new makeup – lori Sweitzer of Photography by lori took pictures at Houlihan’s in Carbondale. For the first round of photos, elizabeth was dressed in a daytime look with cobalt blue denim jeans, a white eyelet blouse and a coral denim jacket, all from Macy’s. a necklace from eccentrics in Carterville topped off the casual look. Style info for photo at right:Style & Co. Natural Fit jeans in cobalt, $49 at Macy’sCharter Club long-sleeved denim jacket in sunshine orange, $79 at Macy’sCharter Club cotton top in white, $24.98 at Macy’sall accessories from eccentrics in Carterville, $8-$38


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For an easy day-to-night look, we kept the denim but changed elizabeth into a black blouse and changed out jewelry, also from Macy’s and eccentrics. Her shoes, from Macy’s, went with both looks.

Style info:all accessories from eccentrics in Carterville, $8-$38Charter Club cotton top in black, $44 at Macy’sNinewest platform sandals in multi-fuschia jeweltones, $99 at Macy’s


From the pros at Lush

Christina’s makeup adviceAlways start with a light moisturizer so

your skin stays hydrated and your makeup has something to cling to; we used Aveda’s All-Sensitive Moisturizer

Gently exfoliate your lips before applying lipstick if they seem dry.

Apply blush color in the shape of a “c” so that it conforms to the natural shape of your cheeks

Bronzer is for highlighting only, so use it lightly, especially in spring and summer. A quick brush across each cheekbone and once along the forehead is enough.

At the beginning, middle and end of each season, evaluate your foundation and powder to make sure they all match your skintone. It’s easy to spend a week vacationing and forget that your makeup didn’t catch up to your tan.

Emily’s tips to maximize volumeCutting thin hair will make it appear thicker.

Adding layers to your hair will give it height. Save teasing for special occasions. It’s easy to damage your hair by teasing it too roughly or too frequently. A good hairdresser will know how to strategically place highlights and lowlights so your color creates the illusion of fullness and depth.

Emily Kern and Christina Elder, stylists at Lush Aveda Salon in Carbondale, were responsible for Elizabeth Wideman’s hair and makeup makeover. Here are their tips for the best results:

owner Rachel Boner’s staff at lush aveda Salon in Carbondale helped elizabeth every step along the way. Stylist emily Kern and elizabeth chose a rich chocolate color for the hair with red highlights. the style they chose was quite a bit shorter, and the cut allows elizabeth to wear it straight for a sleek look, or wavy, which is elizabeth’s natural hair tendency. Stylist and makeup artist Christina elder blew out the style and applied light and natural makeup, which is trendy for spring.


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Shopping with elizabeth for clothes that could go easily from day to night was amy Behnken, sales manager of women’s clothing and shoes at Macy’s (left) and life & Style writer Rana Daunis (right).


This fun trend might seem difficult to pull off, but colorful jeans work for all shapes and sizes. Here are some key tips for pulling the look together whether you are in the office, running errands or on a date.

Pick your favorite color: With so many hues available, it can get overwhelming. The point of fashion is to express yourself, so start by choosing a color you love. Chances are you’ll have items in your closet that match, and, most importantly, you’ll feel confident and happy — the most important factor when it comes to looking great.

Button it up: For a work-ready outfit, wear your colorful denim with a polished top and heels or flats. Blazers also look great with colored denim, and many people choose to wear them even outside of the office. Depending on the vibe of your workplace, you might want to tone down the rest of your colors by choosing to wear a white, black or nude collared shirt, or go bold and bright with a contrasting color.

Stripes: This pattern was a major trend on spring runways, especially the classic combination of black and white. Just remember to keep the rest of your outfit simple if you choose a busy pattern on top. Bonus: Stripes can work for day or night, depending on how you choose to style them.

Graphic T-shirts: For everyday wear, colored denim can make even a simple T-shirt look chic. Wear it under a bomber jacket, the No. 1 outerwear piece this season for cool, laid-back look.

Glamorize: Colorful denim can easily translate into evening wear with the right touches. Sequins were a major hit on the runway, with Louis Vuitton using the smallest sequins ever made in his Spring 2013 collection. A sparkly blouse, heels or accessories will take your jeans to the next level.

Try it on top: If you just can’t bring yourself to slip into a colorful pair of pants, try a denim jacket instead. This is still a great way to enjoy the trend, and it will certainly brighten up your wardrobe.

colored denimHow to wear

EvERYDAY CASuAl

Don’t be afraid to mix it up spring is a great season to be a fashion daredevil. these jeans look great with a range of prints for floral to leopard. If minimalism is more your style, colored denim can be a great way to ramp up an otherwise neutral outfit.

The fashion: Ribbed-back cardigan at Mango.com $20, silk short-sleeve shirt at J Crew $110, bangle from vera Bradley $38, aviator sunglasses by Marc Jacobs $98, crossbody bag by Dooney & Bourke $58, ashley bow flat from Banana Republic $98.

About the flat: It might be tempting to buy flats on the cheap, but it is better to splurge on this basic shoe because you will wear them again and again.

About the top: Silk tops like this one can also be dressed up for work or cocktails.

A Night out

Glam up your denim by pairing it with black, the classic color for cocktails. Sequins, jewels and lace complete the look.

The fashion: Swarvoski Rumor drop earrings from Dillard’s $85, rhinestone bangle bracelets at Maurice’s $18, Baby Phat Carla pump at Macy’s $49, black lace one-shoulder peplum top from RiverIsland.com $40, BCBG envelope clutch from the Buckle $58.

Make it work for you: Drop-style earrings elongate the face and neck.

Jeans that moisturize? Wish your jeans did more than just

cover your legs? Want to feel confident every day but don’t have time to go to the gym as much as you should? Look no further than the trusted brand Wrangler, which is launching two new lines of jeans this year: Denim Spa and Denim Sculpt. The idea might seem simple, but these jeans are truly a first for this American designer. The Denim Spa line features three new fits that hug close to the leg and are coated with a therapeutic blend of moisturizers that are formulated to improve circulation and decrease the appearance of cellulite. Wrangler will also be offering a spray that can be used to refresh your denim. The Denim Sculpt jeans are designed to accentuate curves and offer a “push-up” effect.

WoRk

Colored denim (or trousers, if you can’t wear denim to the office) makes a sophisticated statement when paired with a timeless top, blazer and pumps.

The fashion: Cutout hammered squares necklace from the limited $30, Kate Spade New york scallop long necklace at Dillard’s $98, Kate Spade New york Skinny Mini pavé bow earrings at Dillard’s $48, Jessica Simpson Calie pumps $60, Mossimo women’s Ponte strip jacket at target $28, Mossimo women’s equipment blouse at target $25.

Make it work for you: Showing off the top of your foot without distracting straps or buckles forms a sleek, straight line from knee to toe and creates the illusion of longer, slimmer legs.


cover

The centered part

If you thought this classic look was passé, think again. From Chanel to Rochas, centered parts were the star of many stages. Stick-straight locks were the most common on Spring runways, but the style works well with wavy and curly hair, too. This hairstyle is flattering on every face shape and is the easiest to recreate in the weeks between salon visits.

classic hairstylesGoodbye, winter! Spring is all about renewal, so start your season off right

by checking out this fresh crop of styles. The best part is they are practical and carefree, so you can feel confident day after day.

New takes on

701B S. Illinois AveCarbondale618.549.5874

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Side-swept blowout

Side-swept bangs are a classic cut, but a modern edge seen on the runways is combining the bangs with a super-voluminous blowout.

To do this at home: Coil strands of hair into ropes, mist with beach spray and dry using the diffuser attachment on your blowdryer. If your hair is long with no bangs, you can get the look without a cut by pulling the front section of hair behind your hair and pinning just make sure the rest of your hair can cover the evidence. This style is great for all face types, but it can be especially helpful if you want soften and slim round, full cheeks.

Gatsby-inspired wavy bob

Whether you’re a veteran of the pixie cut or want a dramatic new look, Daisy Buchanan (played by Carrie Mulligan, pictured here) has inspired one of the biggest hair trends of 2013. Once your hair is cut to shape, you can use rollers or a small curling iron to add waves unless you hair is naturally wavy, then you won’t have to do anything at all. A light pomade will keep it in place without the stiffness that comes from gel. If you have a prominent chin, a short haircut like Carrie’s can deflect some of the attention from the lower portion of your face while putting the spotlight your eyes.


A recurring theme on Spring runways for 2013 was “au natural.” Hundreds of models were sent onto the catwalks with barely-there foundation, neutral colors on their eyes and a clear gloss instead of lipstick.

To get this youthful look, keep your makeup light. You can add a few drops of face oil (a tiny bit will do) to your moisturizer or foundation to give your skin a dewy glow. Skip the blush or bronzer altogether or use just one swoop of a light shade on your cheekbones. Apply liquid eyeliner to your top lids only, if at all, and opt for an eye shadow in light beige or soft gold. Pale nude, pink or peach lips are a perfect finish.

Looking for something new? We’ve got you covered with these hot new products.

The season’s

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, $27

These matte colors are the perfect way to emphasize your natural beauty. Use them as an all-over shadow, or

to contour, line, and highlight your eyes to perfection.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster, Glow & Mood Boosting Powder, Translucent, $15

This multi-purpose powder is infused with plant extracts formulated to boost happiness. How? Physicians Formula patented the Happy Boost blend, which mimics the effect of endorphins and protects the skin against environmental stressors. Blend all shades together and use

as you would powder, blush, or bronzer. You can also

the big pink heart on its own for a brighter pop of color.

Philosophy Present Clear Makeup, $28

Au Naturalhottest makeup trend

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain, Precious, $8.99

Revlon’s lightweight lip stain is perfect for busy women or anyone who likes simple beauty products. Moisturize and color your pout in one easy step. The retractable tip is self-sharpening.

Model looks at the latest runways were light and fresh, including these from Vera Wang (above) and Ralph Lauren (left).

PHO

TO B

Y IM

AxTR

ee

Philosophy is renowned worldwide for practical beauty solutions. This colorless skin perfector

camouflages fine lines, wrinkles, pores and imperfections. It can be worn under foundation or alone by day, and can also be applied at night to seal-in treatment products and provide an antibacterial barrier against external pollutants.

OPI My Vampire is Buff, $9

Perhaps the most well-known brand for nails, OPI’s spring and

summer lineup is perfect on-trend. This pale, basic hue just might be your number one polish this season and next.


trends

green

Emerald has been coveted and collected for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks associated emerald with the goddess Venus and was believed to nurture faithfulness between lovers. The stone is also thought to bring wisdom, clarity and insight to the wearer. It is the birthstone of May, and those who use gemstones for healing and meditation believe that spring is the time during which Emerald’s power is most potent.

And now it’s Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2103. Pantone creates and matches colors for the fashion, home and beauty industries.

On the runways, emerald green was spotted for 2013 at Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore and Vivienne Tam. Tracy Reese took her bow wearing green. In the home category, green is almost like a neutral, complementing almost everything else. Pair it with tan, black, blue or even yellow. It’s also being used for appliances, such as an espresso maker, kitchen stool and a mixer.

So, take a cue from Pantone and adorn yourself and your home in emerald.

No longer

Emerald beats all shades of the rainbow to become Color of the Year

with envy

Sequined Collar from H&M, $12.50

Illamsqua Nail Varnish ‘elope’ at Sephora, $14

story by Rana Daunis

Legacy Leather Penny Shoulder Purse from Coach, $198

Crislu earrings at Macy’s, $90

FaSHION

Green haze sequined dress at eShakti.com, $99.95

Tiffany & Co. emerald Diamond Ring


DÉCOR

emerald Green Fused-Glass Sea Coral Decorative Bowl by UneekGlassfusions at etsy.com, $58

A handmade rug by Carbondale artist emily Kircher at the etsy.com shop ekra, $80

Isaac Ottoman

at Pier 1, $129.99


leisure

Visitors drawing a great hand at Cape Girardeau’s Isle of Capri Casinofor entertainingGame

The exciting sounds of slot machines and table games and aroma of fine cooking are drawing people to Isle of Capri Casino in Cape Girardeau, the area’s newest gaming and entertainment spot. Since opening in the fall, casino managers say the response has been phenomenal.

Isle of Capri has something to offer almost anyone, complete with 21 different table games and almost 1,000 slot machines, along with five restaurants that include a sports bar, steakhouse, buffet and fine dining spot.

“We’re getting a lot of folks from all over the region,” says Dana Saverino, advertising manager at the casino. “People are saying they really enjoy the

atmosphere and fun the Isle of Capri offers.”

Many of the visitors, such as Jacki Wright of Murphysboro, are impressed with the facility.

“It’s gorgeous. It’s all so nice and new — a bright, happy place,” says Wright, who was participating in a group outing to the casino.

Saverino says many people from Southern Illinois are enjoying the restaurants, slot machines and games, including blackjack and roulette, and the poker room.

“People are especially coming over on the weekends or when they have days off,” she explains. “They come over for lunch, spend the afternoon and then stay for dinner, as well.”

That’s exactly what Wright says she has planned for the near future.

“I want to go back with my husband and try more of the restaurants, as well as some of the games,” she says. “We’ll just make it a night out for us.”

John Mehner, president and CEO of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce,

says the casino is a plus for the community and region.

“It adds to our city being a regional destination for a lot of things,” he says. “It certainly is a traffic increaser and bringing more people to the community.”

Saverino adds that one of the goals of the casino is to be a positive part of the region. Isle of Capri is a frequent sponsor of charitable events and, she says, it plans to be even more involved with organizations on both sides of the river.

“We really want to make sure that the community knows that we want to work with them and be a part of this wonderful area together,” she says.

story by Les O’Dell

PAU

L N

eWTO

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contacts


Be a champion for all those who want to learn by making an investment in SIU. Visit www.siuf.org or call (618) 453-4900 today.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS...

Be a champion for all those who want to learn by making an investment in SIU. Visit www.siuf.org or call (618) 453-4900 today.

Come See The ALL NEW

2013 XTS


Take advantage of everything these local gems have to offer

spring Most people look forward to spring as a transition

into brighter, longer days and warmer, more temperate weather. Folks can finally get out of their homes without bundling up and can watch with anticipation as the barren winter landscape begins to fill with trees budding and grasses turning from stale brown to verdant green.

Another beneficial aspect of spring is culinary — arriving in the rather unlikely form of leafy greens. After a winter-long diet of thick, rich and usually starchy dishes of stews, casseroles and roasts, the body is ready for some spring cleaning, so to speak. This is where greens enter the equation.

“Greens” is a far too generic term assigned to such a versatile, vitamin-rich and oft-overlooked group of edible plants that include a wide variety of leaf lettuces, spinach, chard, kale, arugula, watercress and more. And the benefits are many. Generally, greens are

low in calories and fat, high in protein (per calorie), dietary fiber, iron and calcium.

A common perception with many greens, especially when eaten raw, is that they taste too sharp, bitter or astringent. But it’s exactly this bitterness that should be warmly welcomed. Plants with astringent properties are generally quite good for the liver and help detoxify the blood. This is where the beauty of nature really shines by providing spring greens to help cleanse the body of the heavy, dense foods that are often consumed throughout winter. Starchy foods such as squash and potatoes contain a lot of carbohydrates, which are a good source of energy, but tend to weigh one down. Meats are a good source of protein and fat, but over a period of time can be too much of a good thing. Spring greens arrive just in time to help clear the cobwebs from the long and cold nights of winter and help prepare one for the activity that more light and warmth will bring.

Most greens are rich in phytochemicals, which is a good thing. Phyto, which means

“plant” in Greek, is a nod to the greenness of greens, the result of photosynthesis.

What you probably didn’t learn in fifth-grade science, however, is that the green color, derived from the natural

photosynthetic process, produces not only chlorophyll, but a

wealth of compounds that deliver a powerfully healthy

punch. Phytochemicals include vitamin C, carotenoids, lutein, folate, magnesium and vitamin K. Gathering

evidence also suggests that certain

phytochemicals help the body battle the formation of potential

carcinogens.

story by Jerry Bradley

good eats

greens


Spring Greens Salad6 cups mixed salad greens, loosely packed; look for salad mixes in the produce department2 medium carrots, grated5 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally; or ½ red onion sliced2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar or cider vinegar2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice½ teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger½ teaspoon honey¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, or feta cheeseSea or Kosher saltFresh-ground pepper to taste

Whisk together vinegar, oil, lemon juice, ginger, honey and ½ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Toss to coat and serve immediately.Note: Feel free to add more ingredients, such as halved cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, walnuts or pecans, or whatever sounds good. Be creative!

Sautéed Chard with Parmesan2 tablespoons butter (optional)2 tablespoons olive oil (or 4 tablespoons if you omit butter)1 tablespoon minced garlic½ small red onion, diced1 bunch Swiss chard½ cup dry white wine1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheeseSea salt to taste (optional)

Remove stems and center ribs from chard, and chop separately from leaves; chop leaves.Melt butter and/or olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic and onion, and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant, careful not to overcook. Add the chard stems and the white wine. Simmer until the stems begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chard leaves, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.

UsesThe culinary uses of greens are just as

diverse as the greens themselves.Raw greens can be used in salads or

placed on sandwiches, pitas or served as a simple side.

When combined with nuts, cheeses, other vegetables and a light vinaigrette, one can create a colorful, healthy and delicious meal or side that is easy to make, highly nutritious and low in calories.

If the sharp (or what some would call bitter) taste of greens such as kale or chard is an issue, lightly sauté them in olive oil with garlic and sprinkle with a little parmesan or feta cheese to make a quick, simple side.

Toss greens in a stir fry for some extra color and a healthy kick.

Greens are also excellent in frittatas and soups.

Storage and availabilityMany greens can be found in the

produce section of grocery or natural food stores; don’t forget farmers’ markets.

Be picky when choosing bunches of kale or chard and keep a keen eye open for wilting, yellow or dark edges on the leaves.

Fresh greens are highly perishable; if left lingering in the crisper for long, they will lose their taste and nutritional value, so eat them up as soon as you can.

Final thoughtsWhatever you do, don’t feel

intimidated if it seems as though greens are an exotic addition to the menu. Greens like arugula, watercress and radicchio may seem “elitist,” but each has a long folk history and has been enjoyed for generations. Many greens do have a peppery, sharp or bitter flavor, which can be a difficult adjustment for the palate at first bite. But stick to fresh, young, locally grown greens, and your taste buds and body will thank you for it.

Simple Sautéed Kale1 bunch kale, coarsely chopped3 tablespoons olive oil2 cloves garlic, finely sliced½ cup vegetable stock or waterSalt and pepper2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored; be careful not to overcook. Raise heat to high, add the stock or water and kale, and toss to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add vinegar.


apps

Friends and family are closer than ever, thanks to modern technology.Gone are the days of mailing letters from the post office. Now, individuals can keep

in touch with the daily ongoings in the lives of their peers through various social media platforms.

Facebook has become a multimillion-dollar business venture and revolutionized the way friends keep in touch. Pinterest allows people to share their interests with others around the world. LinkedIn connects professionals in the business world.

There are many other applications, though, that allow people to open a window to their world and share various aspects of their lives with loved ones and close friends.

Here are some apps for tablets and smartphones that highlight the best aspects of life sharing:

Shareyour life, keep in touch

Bump: This app allows users to share photos between mobile devices. If both parties have this app installed, the phone will send a signal via satellite that will match and connect with a phone on the receiving end. Photo sharing has never been easier.

Family Tree: This handy app allows people to keep in touch with their families and track pertinent information, such as birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Linked with a popular Facebook application of the same

name, this digital tool offers a simple solution for keeping in touch with those who mean the most.

FourSquare: With this tool, users can “check in” to different locations, including restaurants, tourist sites and businesses. This allows friends and family to see where users have been and what they’ve been doing, but the app also allows users access to special deals, offers and information based on the places they visit.

Heyzap: Those looking for a way to have fun on the go can use this app to connect with current

friends and make new ones. The program allows the user to play a variety of games with others on their smart-phones, tablets and other Internet-enabled devices. Features include scoreboards and check-in options to invite others to play along.

Justin.tv Broadcaster: With this app, a smartphone or tablet can become a live-streaming video source with a worldwide audience. Users can log onto Justin.tv and watch the show, and video will automati-cally be archived on the site for future access. While not ideal for private conversations, it’s handy for those who have a message they look to share with a wider audience.

Orkut: This app is a one-stop shop for social networking. established by Google before Google+, it is similar in function to Facebook. Users can post “scraps” on each other’s scrapbooks, much like statuses and comments on Facebook, but the site and its corresponding app also support live video chat and other unique features.

SoundCloud: With this app, people can share their sounds with the world, whether it’s a musical track, a podcast or a special greeting. Users can also share the audio they enjoy with their friends and family, as the app offers easy sharing capabilities with Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.

Skype: Connecting with others anywhere in the world has never been easier than it is with this app. It supports both voice and video chatting and is free when done between Skype users. The app can also be used to call cellphones and landlines for a low charge.

Devices such as smartphones and touch-screen TVs make sharing your life even easier. Skype, seen here, is one of the many tools that can help you keep in touch with friends and family, as you share live video streams.

story by Adam Testa


Quality Service. It’s not an award that’s won. It’s an award that’s earned. Our associates have earned

this prestigious award by providing the highest levels of customer service in

2012! Their customers went out of their way to recognize

their Realtor© for exceeding in all expectations. They expected nothing less; and neither

should you.

Let us show you what

Quality Service is all about.


where we live

ts dark wood shelves and subtle lighting draw you in. Its

serene charm and plush chairs make you want to stay. It’s the

room that immediately catches your eye when you walk through

the front door. It’s the quaint spot in an expansive home that remains on your mind as you pull out of the driveway.

Paul and Regina Schalch’s newly finished library is the wonder of their Casa de la Loma — their Carbondale “house on the hill.”

“If you could have only seen how it looked before,” Paul said. “We got to see it evolve. It’s the area that has changed the most dramatically. When it was finally finished and unveiled, it was a pleasant surprise.”

Construction on converting the home’s formal living room into the library took about six months and was executed by the home’s original builder, David Anderson. It features an eclectic array of books, fitting for a vibrant family of four with diverse passions and interests.

One of the library’s walls features a light-up map of the world with colored pins sticking out of select cities that the Schalchs have visited. Paul — an ear, nose and throat physician for Southern Illinois Healthcare — and Regina — a visiting professor of economics at SIU Carbondale — aren’t hopping as many planes these days. Their two young sons, Max, 4, and Lucas, 3, are their present focus.

The boys, in fact, were a determining factor in the family’s relocation from

story by Joe Szynkowskiphotography by Paul Newton

Welcome to Paul and Regina Schalch’s spectacularly modern ‘House on the Hill’

‘Casa


The creation of an extensive library — both Paul and Regina are avid readers — was a project of love. ‘Both of us are very much into academia and reading and have always dreamed of having a library in our home,’ says Regina, a visiting professor in economics at SIU Carbondale. Paul is a physician with Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Opposite page: Paul and Regina Schalch of Carbondale share their ‘House on the Hill’ with sons Max, 4, and Lucas, 3.


where we live


Chicago to Carbondale nearly two years ago. Short on space and long on the need for it, the young family visited a few homes in Southern Illinois before settling on this 4,300-square-foot masterpiece. The home features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a finished basement, a wide-open floor plan, and, of course, the impressive library.

“Both of us are very much into academia and reading and have always dreamed of having a library in our home,” Regina said. “It turned out beautiful.”

Family destinationPaul’s father’s side of the family is originally from Switzerland,

and both Schalchs were born and raised in Mexico City. The high school sweethearts came to the United States in 2000 to pursue their graduate studies in Southern California and Chicago.

After making the move to Carbondale, the family found the first few nights to be an adjustment.

“It’s funny, we can still remember how surprised we were by the silence and darkness,” Paul said. “We were used to the sirens of squad cars, fire trucks and ambulances driving down Chicago Avenue. You could almost time it every 30 minutes. We got used to it. The first couple of nights down here it was almost too quiet. It was strange, in a nice way.”

Quiet wouldn’t exactly be an accurate descriptor of the home these days. Max and Lucas trounce through the house with their action figures, singing songs and asking their parents countless questions.

And it’s not just the kids who enjoy Case de la Loma. The family hosts many get-togethers and special events to fulfill Regina’s passion for party-planning.

“I love to entertain, and I love throwing parties,” she said. “We do the one big party every year for the kids where we go all out.”

Regina hosted a Winter Wonderland party last year for 30 female friends, and she plans on turning the event into an annual occasion. The home also serves as a destination for many friends and family members, especially around the holidays.

“The holiday tradition comes from when I was in training,” Paul said. “I was always on call and never got Christmas or New Year’s off. Family members used to sleep on our apartment floor. It was definitely fun for that time of our lives. Now, it’s nice that they can have their own space.”

A shelf in the home is one of many that features personal items important to the couple. The dining room (left) can easily seat visiting family and friends. The Schalchs moved to Carbondale two years ago, looking for a place with enough space for their young family. This home has 4,300 square feet.


where we live

Regina’s mother travels from Mexico to stay with the family every other month, and Paul’s brother stays at the home during the summers.

“Family really is everything to us,” Regina said. “We really enjoy having family come visit and having a place for them to comfortably stay and have their own privacy.”

Space, space and more spaceThe Schalchs’ master bathroom is a

wide-open suite populated with two large walk-in closets, an elevated hot tub and large mirrors. Paul and Regina have their own sinks and mirrors at opposite ends of the room, an added bonus for Paul.

“In our Chicago apartment, it seemed like I had a little sliver of the sink to fit

my things,” he said “Now we both have our own space.”

The connected master bedroom is stunningly spacious, and actually seems to extend beyond its walls thanks to the beautiful outside views provided by a charming sitting area.

“This room made a big impression on us,” Paul said.

Space is everything to the Schalchs, who speak often and nostalgically of their crowded Chicago apartment that they simply outgrew. They also speak of their four acres in Carbondale as a limitless lot of opportunity for their young sons.

“During the winter in Chicago, the only place to take them out was up and

down the hallway,” Paul said. “We wanted to have more space and give the kids the chance to run around and be in nature. That was our biggest motivation for moving down here.”

The boys also benefit from the home’s finished basement, a portion of which is devoted to a play area overflowing with toys, puzzles, a slide and toy trucks. With plenty of room to play ball and ride bikes, a simple “yes” is Max’s answer to the

The home’s laundry room provides ample counterspace for keeping up with this family. The living room has been renovated to fit the the couple’s vision. The room’s fireplace hearth extended to the ceiling. It was removed and replaced with a painted wall and flatscreen TV. The boys’ bedroom has been decorated with an array of blue-painted square patterns. Cars are an obvious interest Max and Lucas share.


question, ‘Is the basement your favorite room of the house?”‘

“We try to keep it clean,” Regina laughed. “But you know how that goes.”

The basement also features exercise equipment, a full guest bedroom and bathroom, and room for Paul to practice his bass; he played in rock cover bands before pursuing his medical career.

Personal touchesAfter moving into their Carbondale

home, the Schalchs wasted little time making it their own. They embarked on an extensive renovation project to transform it into the family home of their dreams. To help with this journey, they hired interior decorator Brandon Smiley to provide his expert eye in creating a warm, classic and inviting atmosphere. Mission accomplished.

Each step along the striking hardwood floor brings you closer to another room painted in subtle earth tones or wall-papered with pleasant designs.

“All of our apartments were rented before,” Regina said. “I couldn’t even paint the walls. That’s why now I’m so excited to be able to design things the way we want.”

The walls on the boys’ shared bedroom are lined with a unique array of blue-painted square patterns, a one-month stencil project that Regina conceptualized and completed to perfection.

The conjoined kitchen and living room have undergone extensive renovations to fit with the Schalchs’ vision. All of the kitchen fixtures were updated to stainless steel. The living room’s brick hearth that once extended to the ceiling was removed and replaced with a painted wall and flat-screen TV. Painting the walls that were originally mostly white, and adding contemporary elements throughout the two rooms transformed their feel from rustic country to modern classic.

“We love being home, and we love having people over,” Paul said. “The kitchen and living room seem to be the rooms that people gravitate toward.”

The libraryAlthough aesthetically dazzling and

perfectly balanced, the home’s library isn’t just for show. Books on medicine, economics, politics, sports, interior

design and child development are put to good use over a relaxing sit-down with a bold coffee.

“We always dreamed of having a library in our home but living in downtown Chicago, the space was limited,” Regina said. “Moving into our new home allowed us to turn our dream into reality.”

A book celebrating the life and work of Ralph Lauren is prominently displayed on one of the library’s shelves, and not by accident. Lauren’s RL Restaurant in Chicago was the main inspiration for the library’s design and ambiance. “We were only one block from the restaurant and we went there all the time,” Paul said.

“We wanted to create a warm, elegant, cultured, British-inspired clubby atmosphere with RL aesthetic elements,” Regina added.

The Schalchs enlisted the help of designer Kim Koehler-Church to add floor-to-ceiling, built-in bookcases in an effort to evoke RL’s rich mahogany paneling.

The addition of the chestnut wood-paneled ceiling resulted in a preppy-chic

place to read a book, or play a board game with Max and Lucas. A cocktail serving area and espresso bar provide cozy touches and perfect convenience for entertaining friends and family.

And that’s what it all comes down to for this fascinating family of four, having a place to entertain and share their love.

“We didn’t grow up in any houses that looked anything like this one,” Paul said.

Among the personal items displayed in the library is a sand pendulum.


gear

Luxx Gym Bag(not pictured)

Description: This bag, designed by Live Well 360, offers amenities to meet the needs of any gym-goer. Modeled after the company’s first fitness bag, The Core, the Luxx features numerous compartments and pockets for carrying all your gym gear, including dirty clothes and shoes.

The bag features a full-length zippered pocket along the back side of the interior design, three small interior pockets, an interior mesh water-bottle holder and an easily accessible zippered compartment with phone and wallet slips and a swivel trigger clip keychain lanyard. A key feature is the separate, vented storage space that can be used for carrying worn, sweaty clothes.

The Luxx has a number of additional features, including a trigger clip yoga mat carrier, which attaches the mat to the front of the bag and allows for easy access and packing; snap-closure handles; and a large, extra-padded compartment for carrying a laptop or other electronic device.

Cost: $207 at livewell360.com

Workin’ it Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? If so, was it to up the exercise routine, lose weight and start

living healthier? Each year, that’s one of the most common resolutions people make. Unfortunately, it’s also one of those that last the shortest amount of time.

But even if you’ve fallen off the resolution bandwagon, it’s never too late to get back on it. Motivation is the key to success, and few things can motivate quite like having new gear you’re just dying to try out.

Here are some accessories to improve, complement and aid your efforts at the gym.

— Adam Testa

at the gym

GoFit Sweat Suit

Description: Gym time isn’t always about looking stylish. Sometimes, you can find an outfit that enhances the ex-perience, such as this one.

This 100-percent vinyl exercise garb is designed to increase the body’s perspiration during a workout routine, helping burn off extra calories and make the most out of every minute in the gym.

In addition to increasing perspiration, the sweat suit also keeps muscle groups warm and relaxed, which can help reduce the possibility of pulling a muscle. These clothes offer benefits both in terms of weight loss and safety during exercise.

Designed in generously fitting unisex sizes, the sweat suits are perfect for many forms of activity, in-cluding simple routines like walking, jogging and jumping rope. It features reflective stripes useful for night safety, as well.

Cost: $19.99 at sportsauthority.com

BodyFit Zippered Waist Trimmer

Description: Another handy tool to keep on hand for exercise is this waist trimmer, which helps the user retain body heat during a workout, which in turn helps them drop excess water weight.

The device, which also provides support to the lower back and abdomen, features adjustable zipper positions to help the wearer track weight lose progress.

Cost: $19.99 at sportsauthority.com

Garmin Forerunner 310XT

Description: This device serves a multitude of purposes for the exercising individual. Designed to look like a wrist-watch, the waterproof GPS device tracks heart rate and calorie loss to help individuals achieve their fitness goals.

It also comes equipped with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to track position and location, which is especially handy for runners and joggers, as it will help them map and plan their route. It can mark locations and tell the wearer the return pattern of the path they started.

The device is also wirelessly enabled, allowing the user to automatically and instantly transfer infor-mation back and forth between a computer and the watch. It is

also compatible with select brands of exercise equipment.

Cost: $250 at garmin.com


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profile

Some people look at retirement as the end of a journey. But for Ella Lacey of Carbondale, it was only the beginning. After more than two decades of service in the SIU School of Medicine, she left the working world behind for a new adventure in life. Lacey’s commitment to others, both locally and around the world, has earned her praise and recognition from individuals and organizations she’s encountered along the way. Her travels have taken her to the ends of the earth, and she’s touched lives each place she’s gone. Even now, years into retirement, Lacey looks for the next challenge, the next opportunity. She’s not prepared to slow down quite yet.

Tell us about yourself. We often define ourselves by our

career or vocational interest. I started my professional vocation as a rehabilitation counselor, and I did that for nearly five years. I then went back to school to get to my doctorate and became a staff member, and later a faculty member, in the School of Medicine, teaching community health.

I taught and worked for SIU for 22 years and then learned that I could retire at the nice age of 54 1/2. So, I retired and started my post-vocational experience, which is to be a volunteer, an international volunteer mainly but also a local volunteer.

Take us back to your childhood and describe how that shaped your life path.

I was born in and grew up until the time I finished high school in Hayti, Mo., a very small town in the bootheel, Southeast Missouri. It was a cotton and soybean farming area, and that was primarily the motivation for why one would want to go to college.

I had started work at age 11 in the fields, so I knew I didn’t want to do to that work unless I had to, and I thought, perhaps, I could avoid it by going to college. I graduated and immediately left home. At that time, within two months of the time you graduated high school, most left home to go seek their fortune, one way or the other, either getting immediate employment or getting ready to go to college.

What led you to do pursue the life of service?

It might seem kind of trite, in a way, but I just see the world as one place. Any place in this world that I could see that I could make a difference just by the little things that I do, I’m interested in doing that. When I put Peace Corps into my consideration and let them make the assignment for me, I was delighted to go to Africa, a continent I knew had many, many needs.

I went to Malawi, a country that was the eighth poorest country in the world on the United Nations list at that time. I had some skepticism about what it would be like working in a country like that, but I was really pleased to be able to go someplace like that and give of myself.

What did that experience mean to you?It was probably the single most enriching

experience during that period in my life. Being an adult and realizing the learning curve is totally open to you, not in a classroom but in life, I felt that every day

ella Lacey is a volunteer with the I Can Read! program at Carbondale’s eurma C. Hayes Center. ‘I think the potential for what we can accomplish drives me to continue to do it,’ she says.

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story by Adam Testa

‘Service Above Self’ Ella LaceyIt’s a way of life for


was a significant learning experience about other people and how they live their lives.

Sometimes, you made comparisons, and sometimes those comparisons were that they had a better angle on things than we did, and other times you saw it from the other side. But you always saw differences in the way they live their lives and the way we’ve learned to live ours, the things we value. It was a great experience, and I was able to carve out an area of work.

Being that I was already retired from employment and had done some things with training, I was able to convince my supervisors in the host country that I could be of most help in training the staff in the health center. I taught them how to train others. I used the “training the trainers” model, and that’s what I devoted my entire time in the Peace Corps to and that was truly an amazing experience.

At home in Southern Illinois, you’re involved with many organizations. Tell us a bit about the groups you work with.

I volunteer with the I Can Read! program. I started that when it was just getting started. When I am at home for a period of time, which I am more and more now, I am participate I’ve done that for 12 or 13 years. It’s two to three hours a day, four days a week. It’s a little bit taxing on you sometimes, when you remember you are a volunteer, but I think the potential for what we can accomplish drives me to continue to do it.

In the past, I have worked with young ladies who have gotten pregnant in high school and dropped out. I’ve tutored them and to encourage them to continue their educational experience.

Being an African American woman, I’m in organizations that tend to be organized in ways that uplift and make up for the differences in our society against both those two groups. I’m an active member of the Carbondale branch of AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women). We do things to uplift girls, to encourage them, and we also do things for women to get together and discuss topics that get them more engaged in things.

Then, almost as a counterpart to that in terms of the African American side of things, is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. We look at things related to employment, health, education and housing, to try to make sure some things get attention that depress the progress of African Americans and other

people of color, as well as other people who are suppressed in whatever way.

I’m also a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. I have been a national elected official. We’re celebrating our 100th anniversary right now, nationally. Our local chapter has been here, I believe, 30 years in Carbondale. I usually focus on the social action component of things, which includes voter registration and political.

I also work with Women for Health and Wellness, which organizes the Southern Illinois Women’s Health Conference each September. We also do the teen women’s conference, and the men came around and asked us to start a conference to help them, as well.

I’m a member of the Rotary Club of Carbondale, and I have attended probably five of the last six international conventions. I’ve devoted most of my volunteer time with Rotary to water projects. My most recent project has been going two years; I was on Remba Island in Kenya, a place that has been sort of forgotten by the government of Kenya. I was on a needs assessment team of five people. We went to see what their needs were, and we quickly learned that sanitation was running neck and neck with water as a problem. We returned from there and worked on a proposal, and we now have phase one of that project funded and getting under way.

You were honored by Rotary with the Service Above Self Award, the organization’s highest individual honor, for your contributions to efforts to eradicate polio. How did it feel?

Being recognized internationally among more than 1 million Rotarians is, indeed, a tremendous honor; it was not something I took lightly. It actually motivated me to work even harder.

Sometimes in organizations, you wonder if you’re just spinning your wheels, but when I really look at each organization I’ve stayed with, I realize there are stumbling blocks, and they get bound up in things, but they’re all really working to improve things, and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction. That award was truly recognition of that. Service above self — a wonderful motto, isn’t it?

What would you say to people to get them involved in their community and find a cause special to them?

I think that’s exactly the key. People have to look at themselves, see what they have as strengths, and recognize that whatever their strengths there is someone who has that as a need, often right there in your local communitythe neighborhood level or the citywide level, look at your strengths and the organizations’ needs.

Often, and organization has a specific purpose, but there are many people who have skills that could help that program. People with other kinds of skills can look at themselves and think about how they could lend a bit of their talent to any given effort.

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getaways

Aglianico vines frame Monte Vulture in the Recine family vineyards in Rionero in Vulture.


intoHistory, unbelievable beauty and varied landscapes, wine, music and food.

All of it can be found in Italy’s most famous and familiar cities, and in her seaside communities. But this magazine’s editor discovered all that

and more in a place without a famous name but with plenty of reasons to visit.


getaways

Frantoio Oleario Passannante is a small olive oil factory in Rionero, where traditional cold-press methods are used to produce fresh, organic olive oil. For a story about the factory, go to thesouthern.com/travelsinitaly.

The resemblance of Rionero cousin Angelo Domenico Libutti to my father was uncanny. Angelo Domenico’s grandfather and my grandmother were siblings.

Pasquale Libutti, a cousin on my grandmother’s side, explains the history of Venosa to American visitors and cousins Phil Winslow of St. Louis, Aaron Racine of Kansas City, Kan., and Joe Racine of St. Louis.

Just below our hotel (Hotel San Marco, named for the community’s patron saint) lay the town of Rionero in Vulture. A short walk down the hill leads to the home in which my grandfather was born. My brother found broken tiles (inset below) in the doorway; one piece contains the last few letters of the name ReCINe.

ionero in Vulture. After a few days in Rome,

this small community of 15,000 in the southern Italy region of Basilicata was my destination. My

grandparents – Giuseppe and Carmela (Libutti) Recine — emigrated from Rionero in 1902, making their home in Marion. Many members the Recine and Libutti families still live in Rionero, and visiting them with American cousins was the reason I was making this trip. I wanted to uncover more of my family history, but I didn’t expect to discover so much more as I traveled further into Italy.

Rionero and the surrounding communities surprisingly offered up almost everything you would expect from Italy: History, unbelievably beautiful and

varied landscapes, wine, music, food. Perhaps not on as grand a scale as Rome or Florence or Naples, but it was there. I didn’t know that yet, when Italian cousins Pasquale Libutti, Michele Recine and Carmela Recine Asquino met the first group of American cousins at the train station early in the evening after a nearly six-hour adventure in train travel. When we pulled into the station at Rionero, we were two cars long and ready to step foot in the place from where our grandparents and great-grandparents had emigrated.

In some ways, what they were coming to was what they left behind. The area is a poorer region of Italy; and it was, and is, largely dependent on agriculture. It’s rich with natural resources. Rionero is situated on the slopes of Monte Vulture — hence the name Rionero in Vulture — an extinct volcano standing 4,350 feet tall on the

eastern edge of the Apennine mountain range, which runs the length of Italy like a spine. Volcanic eruptions beginning a million years ago have created a rich soil that grapes and olives thrive in and a profusion of mineral springs, the source of a robust mineral water business.

Southern Illinois and Basilcata — the region in which Rionero is located — also share a climate. Of my 21 days in Italy, only three saw rain, and even that was beautiful as the fog hugged the mountain,

the autumn leaves of orange, red, gold and

green barely visible through the veil, like an Impressionist painting. But the day most of the cousins visited the archaeological sites at Venosa and Melfi, it was sunny and 66 degrees.

story by Cara Recinephotography by Pasquale Libutti, Gigi Marino, Debbie Morello and Cara Recine


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getaways

History beyond the Eternal CityThe sites of Rome, which I visited

twice on this trip, almost make you forget there’s an entire national history beyond the ruins of the Forum or the glory of Sistine Chapel. But Pasquale, a cousin in my grandmother’s family and a healthcare systems administrator, and Michele, a paternal cousin and information technology manager, showed us clearly visible remnants of their past.

Rionero first appeared in written history in 1152, when it was the feudal possession of the Bishop of Rapolla. But its history began before that. Excavations show the presence of Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Normans.

Ten miles from Rionero is Venosa, the site of an amphitheater featuring a gladiator school in a shining city during the golden age of the Roman Empire, about 291 B.C. The classical Latin poet Horace (65 B.C.) was born in this place.

Its most striking remaining architecture is Trinity Abbey, built in the 5th century over a Roman temple by the Lombards and later enlarged by the Normans. Also in Venosa are houses from Roman times, Angevin Fountain (1228) and Fontana de Messer Oto (1313), as well as several Renaissance period dwellings.

Melfi, seven miles from Rionero, is a community that dates to 1018. Its castle was built in the 11th century by Normans. It became an Aragonese castle and was renovated in 1470. The castle is now home to the National Archaeological Museum of Melfese, which opened in 1976. Exhibits include artifacts of the 8th century B.C. One of the most important pieces in the Melfi museum is the sarcophagus of Rapolla from the 2nd century.

In more modern times, the area shared a common historic goal with the U.S. defeating the Germans in World War II.

Germans occupied Rionero for a short time in September 1943. After a conflict with a Rionerese, a man thought to be defending his wife, the occupiers rounded up 16 men between the ages of 16 and 48 and executed them by firing squad. Two days later, the Germans left just ahead of Canadians. There is a small monument in town with the name of each of the fallen on it, among them Libutti, the name of my grandmother’s family.

LandscapesFrom my room at the Hotel San

Marco — named for the town’s patron saint — I routinely spent a little time each morning and each night on my balcony. From this perch, I gazed to the east and admired the plains stretching out flat and languidly toward the Adriatic Sea; to the south, Rionero itself lay before me, its architecture not as stunning as some in Tuscany or Campania, but beautiful in

The Aragonese castle in Venosa was built in 1470. It is now home to the National Museum of Venosa.

The National Archaeological Museum of the Malfese houses many artifacts from the area, some dating to the 8th century B.C. One of the most important pieces in the Melfi museum is the Sarcophagus of Rapolla from the 2nd century A.D. It was discovered in the mid-19th century.

Venosa is home to many ruins and archaeological finds from the ages, including Trinity Abbey. It was consecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II. Behind the original abbey is the beginnings of another church, built for the Benedictines in about 1150. It was never completed.

At the end of a visit to the World War II crash site of an American plane on Monte Vulture, Italian cousin Pasquale Libutti presented an American flag to honor U.S. veterans. Holding the flag are Aaron Racine, Phil Winslow, Mike Morello of Washington, D.C., and Joe Racine. It was Veterans Day, a fitting day to visit the site.


Aglianico, the ‘black grape,’ thrives in the volcanic soil in the Recine family vineyards. It was harvest time, which for this grape is late October to mid-November. Cousin Benito Recine (above, teaching me how to pick grapes the correct way) tends the vineyard and makes wine for family and friends.

its mix of old and new, homes the color of amber, pink roses and sandstone. And if I held tight to the railing, leaned and looked west, I could see Monte Vulture, a witness to all that had happened over thousands of years.

Winding roads lead out of town toward the slopes of the mountain to Monticchio, where the white façade of the Abbey of St. Michael, nestled among the trees, is reflected in one of two volcanic lakes. It was founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks. It is still in use today. And vineyards could be found all along the way, from the small family plots to acres and acres belonging to major producers of Vulture wine.

From vine to vinoPeople in this province, called Potenza,

are proud of Monte Vulture. And when it comes to their wine, they have it to thank for the perfect location, soil composition and climate for growing the Aglianico grape. This variety also claims it rightful connection to the Greeks, who brought it with them to the region centuries ago. Modern grape-growers turn to the Moscato (used to make a sweet,

white wine) and Malvasea (turned into a sweet, white sparkling wine). But it’s the Aglianico that’s earning its growing and glowing reputation in Europe and North America. The grape is so dark and rich that it is sometime called “the black grape,” which produces a full-bodied, dry red wine that ages well and tastes mostly of grape, of the Aglianico, and, depending on your palate, the faintest hints of dark chocolate, cherry, plum, apple and smoke. And it only gets better with age.

Much like the Shawnee Hills Viticultural Area, Aglianico del Vulture wine has received government recognition for quality wine produced in a certain geographic area — The Vulture. Other geographic areas grow the Aglianico, such as Campania, but it’s not same because of the location on the eastern slopes of the volcano. Other producers use the grape as a blend, but to be called Aglianico del Vulture, the wine must be 100 percent Aglianico grapes grown in the Vulture region. And Rionero has always led the way.

There are more than 2,000 wine cellars in Rionero, Michele tells me, some as old as one used by Franciscan monks in the

1500s. We stood in that cellar on a visit to Cantine del Notaio, one of the leading producers of Aglianico del Vulture. It had been carved and shaped into limestone walls and volcanic formations. Then, as today, these cellars provide the perfect, constant temperature, all year, which is great for making wine.

At one time, almost every family in Rionero had a cellar and a small vineyard. But by the 1960s, big growers and bigger owners acquired the vineyards, grew grapes and sold them to winemakers away from the Vulture, who used the Aglianico as a blend. That’s been changing for about 30 years, thanks in large part to several Rionero Aglianico del Vulture producers. These award-winning winemakers are running modern operations with a firm commitment to tradition and sustainability. The past is never far from their approach to winemaking, and they speak of it in poetic terms — literally, of magic and art and science. Alongside Cantine del Notaio and owner Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti — a hard name to pronounce, says Pasquale, even for Italians – are Francesco Sasso and his daughter, Eugenia, at Eubea; and Pasquale and


getaways

I visited three of the major wineries in Rionero; all are award-winning producers of Aglianico del Vulture. each of the three has been awarded numerous Italian and european wine prizes. eubea (top), Cantine del Notaio (center) and Cantine dei Re (bottom) have state-of-the-art facilities while retaining the centuries-old wine caves on their properties. Hoping to promote the wine and attract wine enthusiasts, the properties are also getting involved in lodging. Owners of Cantine dei Re are also helping lead the slow food movement in Italy. All three wineries export the 100 percent Aglianico wine to europe, Canada and the U.S., although here it’s still a bit difficult to find.

Paride Leone at Cantine dei Re. I spent time at each of their wineries, but I admit, it was a wine at Cantine dei Re that I was particularly intrigued by — a wine called Nocte. It means “night” in Latin, and the grapes are harvested at night, following an old, mystical tradition. At night, I’m told by Giuseppe, it is good to pick while it’s not too hot; heat changes the taste of the grape, makes it full with water. It’s a little magic, he says, and a little science. Nothing new here, though, he continues, only returning to the ways of the Greeks and the Romans before us.

I had my first taste of this grape in the Recine family vineyards. There, my cousin Benito Recine, and his mother, Carmela, were tending to some of the 8,000 Aglianico plants on their property, which patriarch Armando Recine purchased in 1916. The vineyards were planted with the white grapes, which Armando replaced with Aglianico. Benito took over in 2000 and produced his first vintage in 2004. His growing and production practices are sustainable and organic, much like it might have been in the Middle Ages. We are gathering grapes — after a lesson — from this late-harvest vineyard, grapes hanging from vines that rise into the sky and look like fire.

Music to my earsIt’s not like it is in the movies. Unless you pay a Venetian

gondolier to sing “O Sole Mio,” you’re not likely to hear standard favorites or a Puccini aria in the air. But I did learn from which side of the family the singers come. After a dinner for about 20 of us at La Pergola Ristorante, we were surprised and amused when the karaoke began. The owners took a few turns, singing Italian pop songs; then I recognized a Neapolitan song, one of my favorites. “I know this song,” I said, turning to Michele. “Do you know it?” Yes, he said. “Can you sing,” I asked. A little shrug, a half smile. He took the microphone and sang “Femmina” — beautifully.

A tavolaI’ve had good Italian food. I’ve eaten the bread, oh, the bread;

and I’ve had good Italian cheese, too. But somehow it was better in Rionero. We ate dark chocolate infused with Aglianico at the Libutti Bakery, a distant, distant relation to my Libutti family; and I tasted olive oil after watching it being made at Frantoio Oleario Passannante, where it’s cold-pressed in the traditional, organic method. Platters of roasted peppers and eggplant, onions. On my last night in Rionero, where I spent three days at the end of my trip without my American family, we gathered at the home of Angela Domenico Libutti, Pasquale’s father. We had pizza — one for each of us — the table was laden with cheeses, fruit, bread, and olives made by the Libuttis from their groves. And it was here that I tasted this region’s version of the Cassatta cake, a traditionally Sicilian sponge cake moistened with fruit liqueur and layered with ricotta cheese and cream, candied orange peel and shaved dark chocolate. I sat next to Angelo Domenico, whose grandfather was the brother of my grandmother. Angelo Domenico’s eyes are absolutely identical to my father’s, crystal clear and blue like the sea. We shared some wine and spoke in Italian. And, at the end of the night, I glanced around the table and realized I had found what I was looking for in Italy and more.

CARA RECINE is editor of Life & Style in Southern Illinois and features and special projects editor at The Southern Illinoisan. Email her at [email protected].

— Pasquale Libutti contributed to this article; additional resources include Wine enthusiast and Italia Lifestyle.


MonticchioLandscapes and colors found in Monticchio rival many better-known Italian landscapes. Of course, it takes a little bit of a steep ride up the slopes of Monte Vulture to the area, which was first occupied by the Normans. Two volcanic lakes are the most prominent natural feature and are a big part of attracting tourists to the designated natural reserve area. It is also well known for its mineral waters, which are exported by companies in Rionero in Vulture and nearby Melfi. Manmade attractions worth climbing to is the Abbey of St. Michael (above), reflected in one of the lakes and in the center of one of the most spectacular fall foliage displays I have seen. The abbey was founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks. The other amazing site found here? The Roman ruins of St. Hippolytus from 400 A.D. (left). Returning to Rionero in Vulture, we stopped halfway down the slope to view the hamlet in the distance (below).


getaways

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Unfortunately, I was ill for most of the three days we spent south of Naples in Sorrento. But I decided if I had to be under the weather, there was no better place to rest and recuperate than this warm and sunny spot. The small town high above the Tyrrhenian Sea in Campania is one of the most popular destinations for Italians and foreign visitors and was a favorite of Italian tenors Luciana Pavarotti and enrico Caruso. From the terrace of my room at Hotel Bristol, just above the town center, I could see the volcano Vesuvius and Naples to my left and the harbor of Sorrento to my right. I wasn’t well enough to join the rest of the family on a tour of towns along the narrow and harrowing road that winds along the Amalfi Coast, which I had done on a previous visit to the area; and I missed a tour of Pompeii, the town destroyed by the eruption of the still-active Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It was, though, a good opportunity to make some notes over a ham and cheese panini, and I managed to walk down the hill to a self-service laundromat, where it was fun to people watch and practice Italian with an elderly gentleman out for his daily passegiata — stroll.

Sorrento


getaways


For more on Rome, go to thesouthern.com/travelsinitaly

RomeWhen I arrived in Rome for the first time on this trip, it was the day after U.S. elections, and everyone wanted to know, “Do you like Obama?” Having been to Rome a few times previously, I had done most of the major tourist attractions, although it would take a lifetime to see all the Eternal City has to offer. This trip, though, I was determined to live more like a local and avoid long lines, instead visiting smaller churches and piazzas. Cafés were a major part of my itinerary, and my favorite — Café Bernini (center) — was on the Campo de Fioro, in the historic center of the city, just around the corner from my hotel, Hotel Campo de Fiori (top left). Nearly all the cafés had portable heaters, which made it possible to sit outside even on chillier days. From the balcony of my room, I could see the sites of ancient Rome to the south, the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II a little further north, and the top of the Pantheon to the east. A few feet from the hotel’s doors is an unremarkable spot now believed to be the place where Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated by Marcus Brutus in 44 B.C. I, with American cousins Mike Morello and Gigi Marino, toured the Colosseum (bottom left), the ancient structure that most

modern stadiums are modeled on, and Palatine Hill (bottom right), the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. This is where Rome’s rulers and richest citizens lived, looking down on the Forum, where residents lived and worked. It must have been a strategic place to keep an eye on those they ruled. Another of my favorite spots is Piazza Navona, only a few minutes walk from the hotel. The light in this place is magical, as evidenced by the setting sun’s gentle rays illuminating Sant’Agnese (far left), a 17th century Baroque church, which faces the piazza. Saint Agnes was martyred in the ancient Stadium of Domitian, on which the piazza is built. This is also the piazza where we had the ‘original’ tartufo at Tre Scalini, one of the best Italian treats to be had: A scoop of dark chocolate ice cream, with chunks of dark chocolate and a cherry in the center. The shape of the treat is where it gets its name, resembling another Italian delicacy, the truffle — another reason to return to Rome.


entertainment

… And you can take your place on it or behind it in the region’s

community theater scene

‘All the

astage ...’world’s

William Shakespeare penned the phrase, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” in his classic tale, “As You Like It.”

Those simple words have survived centuries, remaining a popular saying even today. But some men and women aren’t satisfied simply playing their role on the grand stage of life; they want to step away from their own reality and bring a new one to life.

For those individuals, community theater offers an outlet of expression. Whether a person wants to step onto the theater stage and perform under the bright lights or help behind the scenes, there’s ample opportunity and need in the area.

“There are a lot of things you can volunteer to do,” said Craig Hinde, president of The Stage Co. “A lot of people think of community theater as acting, but that’s only part of it. There are many skills that can be utilized.”

A production wouldn’t be possible without stagehands, props, sets, lighting or sound. Publicity help is needed to spread the word about upcoming shows. There’s a need for people working the box office the night of an event.

Allan Kimball, co-founder of Pyramid

story by Adam Testa

Brian Caraker (above right) rehearses a scene from ‘The Gospel According to Scrooge,’ which was performed in December at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. He played Bob Cratchit to Tom Herman’s Scrooge.

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Players, suggests starting slow. Find a local theater company, help out as you can and go from there.

“You don’t have to jump in and take the lead,” he said.Becky O’Neill, president of Artstarts, said while her

organization’s theater focus is primarily on providing opportunity to children, it takes many adults to help make the productions happen. The Artstarts production board has between 50 and 60 members.

“Our goal is to reach anyone who is interested in theater, whether they think they have talent or not,” she said.

Aside from fear of not being worthy, the other most common worry people have about becoming involved in community theater is the time commitment, but these leaders of the trade say that’s often a misplaced or exaggerated concern.

“Some jobs take a whole lot of time; others don’t take so much,” Hinde said, noting individuals can choose how involved they want to be.

Kimball adds, “We’re aware you have other commitments, jobs commitments, family commitments outside of this, as we all do, too.”

So what’s the best way to get started?There are a number of options. Most community theater

organizations have websites, so interested individuals can make contact there. The Stage Co. hosts general member meetings once a month, and anyone who wants to get involved is welcome to attend one of these meetings.

Hinde also recommended attending a rehearsal, even if stage acting isn’t your goal. It’s a way to meet the director and the production staff.

Kimball suggested checking out a production and gaining a feel for the company and its style. There are also opportunities here to talk with the staff and cast.

“Don’t be shy,” Hinde said. “Come on in and let’s see how we can get you involved.”

For those who need more incentive, there are benefits aplenty to those who take the risk and become involved. First is the camaraderie among the crew, many of who work together on various productions throughout the year.

“You get the satisfaction of seeing your work being performed and the accolades that come with that,” Hinde said. “There’s that personal satisfaction, too.”

And, of course, it helps bring a bit of culture to Southern Illinois.

“You can get your theater fix without moving to New York and trying to make it on Broadway,” Kimball said.

AnnA ArTs CenTerAnnaContact: Brian CarakerPhone: 618-697-0008email: annaartscenter @yahoo.com

PArk Avenue ProduCTionsHerrinContact: Cynthia ShirleyPhone: 618-521-7084email: parkavenueplayers @yahoo.comWebsite: parkavenue players.itgo.com

ArTsTArTsMarionContact: Becky O’NeillPhone: 618-645-2787Website: artstarts.biz

PArAdise Alley PlAyersMarionContact: Allan Kimballemail: marionpap @hotmail.comWebsite: marionpap.com

The sTAge Co. CarbondaleContact: Craig HindePhone: 618- 549-5466email: hindecraig @gmail.comWebsite: stagecompany.org

Three grACes TheATerCarbondaleContact: Susan Harrocksemail: threegracestheatre @gmail.comWebsite: threegraces theatre.com

get involved

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Women can find local opportunities to build strength, awareness and self-defense skills

Protect yourself!Statistics say most women will never

have to worry about being the victim of a violent crime. Sam Burns says it never hurts to be prepared.

Burns and his partners at Arsenal Martial Arts in Carbondale have hosted numerous self-defense seminars for women during the last few years. He is now focused on gauging public interest for a weekly class.

“Women are famous for putting everybody else before themselves,” Burns said. “We have a lot of women in their late 20s and 30s who come out for the seminars — women who are just starting families and who want to protect themselves and their kids. Self-defense just makes sense.”

Seven serious violent victimizations per 1,000 females ages 12 and older were committed in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Victimization report. In an effort to reduce such numbers, Arsenal’s seminars teach women how to effectively defend themselves from grabs, punches, kicks, pins, weapons and many other threatening situations, while also

teaching the mental and physical fitness aspects of self-defense.

“It’s all about having that non-victim mindset,” said Burns, who works as an officer for the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program and has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience. “So much of violence is predator-prey driven. The bad guys have all day to figure out how to do bad stuff because they usually don’t have a job. They’re on the clock 24-7.”

Burns teaches women to have a flexible strategy if attacked. Any soft tissue areas — ears, nose, throat and groin — are ideal attack points, but may not be available targets in the heat of an assault.

“We work on a thing called closest weapon, closest target,” Burns said. “You just hit the predator in the best place with

the closest thing you’ve got in order to escape vulnerable

positions.”Being physically

fit is an obvious advantage to women, as is being prepared mentally. In today’s frightening world of public displays of violence, Burns said everyone

owes it to themselves to stay aware in all situations.

“Keep your head on a swivel, but not in a nervous, paranoid way,” Burns said. “Look behind you occasionally. Be vigilant. Proactive beats reactive any time.”

Check with Arsenal for its calendar of upcoming events. SIU Recreation Center also conducts women’s self-defense classes. Women of all experience and strength levels are encouraged to attend, and that includes youngsters.

“We’ll have women with no experience attend,” Burns said. “You’re not going to go zero to hero just like that. Our approach is all about absorbing and retaining.

“And, if girls are getting out on their own with their driving permits, and are away from mom and dad a little bit more, it’s time to get them thinking about this stuff.”

Burns has received great response from his seminars, but has heard mixed reviews on the possibility of a weekly class. Busy schedules and responsibilities are often reasons for low interest.

“This is your life,” he said. “If I can’t get you motivated to protect yourself, your life and the lives of your family members, then I don’t know what to do.

“Women need to realize that, in public, there are bad people that will do bad things to you if they think they can.”

story by Joe szynkowski

self

rape Aggression defense (rAd) classesSIU Recreation CenterContact Department of Public Safety for updates618-453-3771

Arsenal Martial Arts, women’s self-defense seminars/classes618-559-28161215 E. Walnut (Sports Blast Complex), Carbondalewww.arsenalmartialarts.com

local opportunities


Quick Tipsdo noT WAlk while texting, Tweeting or with two headphones in your ears.do WAlk with your eyes up, and address people as they pass by you.We all know that texting and walking is a dangerous combination that has landed many “multi-taskers” an embarrassing appearance

on YouTube. But, the behavior can also increase your chances of becoming a crime victim. Predators are watching your body language, so make sure you are emitting the correct kind.

“If you’re walking around with no awareness, you’re just inviting trouble,” said local martial arts instructor Sam Burns. “We call it being in the white. Bad people are looking for the distracted and the timid.”

— Joe Szynkowski

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Perhaps, this is the year you are finally going to write a bestseller. Or, maybe, this is the year to start an exercise regimen or finally see parts of the world you have always dreamed of visiting. But, if you’re like countless Americans, this may be the year to start your own business.

And, why not? Entrepreneurship is hot. “Shark Tank,” a reality television show where owners of start-up businesses pitch their ideas to a panel of potential investors, is a ratings hit. And, every day, thousands of new businesses launch for

the first time, many right here in Southern Illinois.

How do you know if you are a good candidate to start something new, and what are the keys to succeed? Robyn Laur Russell, director of Business

Development and International Trade for the Office of Economic and Regional Development at SIU Carbondale, offers some suggestions.

story by les o’dell

how to

Tips for getting it off the groundbusiness?

start yourown

the year you Is this

Whether it’s fashion design or woodworking, your dream of owning your own business can come true, if you know how to make it happen.

Robyn Laur Russell


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no. 1: First, she says, make certain you are cut out for doing business on your own.

“You really have to be an entrepreneur and have an entrepreneurial spirit,” she says. “Not everyone is one, so don’t force it. You have to have a passion.”

She says true entrepreneurs rarely think of anything other than their new venture.

“You have to have a desire to do this one thing more than anything else. Be willing to take all of the risks and work all sorts of hours,” she adds.

no. 2: If you do have what it takes to do your own thing, Laur Russell says she recommends getting advice — and lots of it.

“You should run your idea by as many people as you can get to listen to you,” she urges. “They will ask questions that you may never have thought of before.”

She suggests you ask questions of other business people, experts in business development and even your immediate circle of influence.

“You have to have good support from family and friends,” she adds. “They’ll help you launch and be both your first customers and your initial word-of-mouth marketers.”

no. 3: Then comes research, she says. Find others in the same field, and investigate what they are doing.

“Shop their business, call them, ask questions, find out the ‘feel’ and the ‘vibe’ of their business. Then decide if that is what you want to be or if you want to be positioned in another way,” she says.

no. 4: Finally, put it all in writing. Everything. You will want to write a business plan that serves as a road map to converting your idea to a real business.

“It doesn’t have to be huge, but you do need to have something so that you will have a pathway to follow,” she explains. “The people who come to our office that are successful have written everything down. They come in with notebooks, forms, sticky notes, maps.

Four simple steps can contribute to start-up success.

“Be passionate, have a well-researched idea, get help and go,” Laur Russell says, adding that there is plenty of help available from offices such as hers, the Small Business Administration and local business development offices.


His art and his career grew from an acorn — literally

MartinSteven

Steven Martin’s career and passion began with an acorn.

Growing up with brothers, Martin had to be protective of his things, especially the money young children value so highly. One day, he decided to cut the top off an acorn, placing his dimes inside and capping it off to keep the change hidden from his siblings.

Martin had no idea he was doing more than safeguarding his precious savings; he was planting the seeds for a hobby and passion that would eventually become a full-time career.

“Even as a little kid, I made boxes, particularly boxes that didn’t look like boxes, which is what I ended up doing,” he explained.

For the last 35 years, Martin has created decorative wooden boxes that feature hidden drawers and compartments, as well as secret storage places. His designs range from small and simple to large cases with elaborate designs.

When he started carving, he never imagined it would blossom into a full-time career.

“I made some simple ones and people bought them, so I was hooked,” he said. “I just thought that was cool.”

From there, he discovered the art fair circuit and took his products on the road. In his younger years, he traveled as far as the east coast to attend shows and sales, finding success and building a customer base along the way. Now, though, he prefers to stay within a day’s travel of his Carterville home.

Wherever he goes, Martin’s work sets itself apart from others. The basic technique he employs is similar to creating a bandsaw box, but he adds his own touches to his products, making them unique. Each box begins with

one piece of wood and is slowly transformed into whatever shape its crafter imagines that day.

“I feel I’ve taken that simple technique to a whole new level of my own,” he said. “I used to worry that other woodworkers would steal my ideas, but I’ve seen no evidence of that.”

In his workshop, set up on Johnson County property that has been in his family for a century, Martin transforms native woods, some harvested from his own property, into his signature collectables.

He draws his inspirations from the things around him in life: music, literature, folklore and

story by Adam Testa

artists

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personal experiences, mainly. One of his boxes is inspired by a Russian fairy tale, while another is straight from Dr. Suess’ Whoville. His background in botany and thesis research also inspired him with designs based on miniscule elements of plant life.

His designs rarely repeat themselves, though there are a few patterns he’s replicated through the years. With all of his designs, he tries to keep a certain

mystique to them, while simultaneously decorative and useable.

“I want them to look more sculptural and mysterious at the same time,” he said. None of the compartments have handles; they’re all opened by pushing a button hidden elsewhere in the design — a technique derived from an Abbott and Costello haunted house movie, where pushing certain blocks on a wall opened hidden passages.

But, when Martin sits down with a block of wood, his vision is a clean slate.

“I really don’t know what the shape will be until I cut the log for the first time,” he said. “I may have an idea, but I learned a long time ago not to plan too far ahead because the raw materials might make the decisions sometimes.”

AARON EISENHAUER

Steven Martin of Carterville creates decorative wooden boxes ‘… that don’t look like boxes,’ he says. Each features hidden drawers and other secret compartments.


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C.C. Hunt’s life in Southern Illinois has come full circle.

Born and raised in Marion, she first moved out of the region to pursue a degree in merchandising at Eastern Illinois University. Post-graduation, her career took her south to New Orleans, where she worked in fashion for 12 years.

A job transfer would take her from the French Quarter to the Big Apple, as she spent five years as a personal shopper and stylist for high-end clients, including a few movie stars, at Henri Bendel. While she loved her stint in New York City, Hunt would find herself returning home to Southern Illinois to handle some family matters.

“Everyone thought it would be difficult for me to come back,” Hunt said. “But Illinois is centrally located, so it’s easy for me to take off and go places.”

But she quickly settled into the familiar Marion community. She helped launch the Artstarts organization, belongs to Heartland Rotary and serves as the marketing coordinator for The Pavilion of the City of Marion.

At her job, she works to coordinate events at the venue, which was purchased by the city about a year and a half ago. She’s been involved with an effort to add new life to the facility, including adding new décor inside and plans to add colored lighting to the outside to attract attention.

“We have a new outlook, we have a new feel, we have a new aura about the building,” Hunt said.

Once inside the building, though, one of the most noticeable features is Hunt’s own office, overflowing with vibrant colors and filled with memorabilia from her life’s travels and adventures. Passing by the window in her door, one can’t help but stop and take a look inside.

— Adam Testaphotography by Paul newton

work spaces

C . C . H u n t

WORK SPACES

One of Hunt’s favorite items in her office, these pieces of art also represent her name. The initials are shared by Coco Chanel, whose portrait is featured on the back wall of her office.

Among her many collectibles, Hunt has a number of items representing different religions and faiths from around the world. This lamp features Christian iconography, while she has statues of Buddhist heads on the book shelf across the room.

Hunt misses the hustle of life in New York City, as depicted in this painting, but she returns to the city at least once a year. In the summer, she organizes a bus trip, taking 50 Southern Illinoisans with her.

Several pictures of Hunt’s two children line this cabinet in her office. Logan, 17, is a senior at Marion High School. Campbell, named after Hunt’s maiden name, is a senior at the University of Mississippi.

Hunt is a self-professed dog lover. She has three canine companions at home — Elle Woods, a blond pug named after the character from ‘Legally Blonde’; Nelly, a black pug named after the rapper; and Carmelo, a Jack Russell terrier named after basketball player Carmelo Anthony.


Hunt’s ‘haughty-taughty’ purse is one of her most prized possessions. It’s red, her favorite color, and fits in nicely while visiting her daughter at Ole Miss.

The newest addition to Hunt’s office, this sculpture sits on her desk. When someone walks in and asks a question, she will grab it and raise it, giving the ‘A OK’ symbol.

Hunt was one of the co-founders of the Artstarts program, which has its logo featured on this pillow in her office.

This artwork was a gift from Hunt’s children. It’s one of many items in her office celebrating her family.

Hunt has traveled the world, visiting places from Europe to Israel to South America. She has collected items both from her own travels and from other reaches of the globe. Two of these decorative heads, from India, sit atop her office bookshelf.

In addition to serving as the executive director of Artstarts, Hunt also directs many of its musicals and theatrical productions. This drawing was done in commemoration of the group’s presentation of the Broadway classic ‘CATS’ and features caricatures of Hunt and the cast.


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in our backyard

Create your own private meditation gardensolitude!Ahhh,

Looking for a serene space to call your own? How about an outdoor room that will serve as your very own private meditation garden, a calm oasis where you can spend some quiet time, relaxing, de-stressing, gathering your thoughts and just being?

If you have a backyard, a modest budget and aren’t afraid of getting your fingernails dirty, congratulations! You have a head start on this project.

Margie Rehagen, horticulturist and manager at Plantscape Nursery in Herrin, likes to think of a private meditation garden as an outdoor room, where the trees form the ceiling, shrubs of medium height form the walls, and lower shrubs, ground cover, perennials and flagstone pathways form the floor area.

“A meditative garden should entice all the senses,” Rehagen says.

sight: Choose plants that appeal to you visually; perhaps you like white blooms that look stunning in the dark or plants that remain green in winter or others that bloom at different times through the year.

smell: Incorporate fragrant plants such as the flowering shrub, Clethra.

sound: Add a soothing water feature.Touch: Choose plants with interesting

textures, such as Lamb’s Ear.Taste: Add plants that bear tasty fruit

you can pluck and eat.

Rehagen designed the meditation garden at Cannon Park in Carterville about 10 years ago.

“It was designed as a memorial garden to share with the community in memory of teachers from Carterville who died in an automobile accident,” Rehagen says. “It has evolved over the years under the attentive care of the Gateway Garden Club of Carterville.”

The meditation garden at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro was designed and planted by Plantscape Nursery.

“The garden has a labyrinth for meditative health benefits,” Rehagen says.

Rehagen has also designed a private meditation garden for Benton residents Lynn and Bob Nimtz in memory of their daughter, Jennifer, who passed away in 2007.

“The main goal is to do it right the first time to save on time and money,” says Trent Mohlenbrock, co-owner of Changing Seasons Landscape Center in Marion. “As a first step, set up a consultation with a professional landscape designer.”

This will help with getting a solid design plan in place.

Andrew Robinson, owner and landscape contractor of Greenridge Landscaping in Carbondale, says it doesn’t have to be complicated.

“A meditative outdoor space has to feel private, comforting and needs a focal point,” he says. “Every situation is different. Use what you have to advantage. If you have a view, use it or create a focal point.”

Use these simple and thoughtful design elements to create your very own meditation garden.

location: Pick the perfect spot and use what assets you have, focusing it on that spot.

Privacy: A sense of privacy is important. Simple screen and strategic plantings can facilitate that feeling of being alone away from neighbors, the main road, nearby windows and the driveway, Robinson says.

Plantings: Attract a variety of birds, bees and butterflies by choosing the right plantings. Choose aromatic, visually appealing plants that bloom at different times through the year.

Magnolias such as Sweetbay, Southern, Deciduous, Royal Star, Anne and Jane are great choices, Rehagen says. Hostas are also a good choice, she notes, because they are perennial, good for shady locations and attract hummingbirds when they bloom.

Comfort: Choose a comfortable bench or seat to sit on, preferably under a shady tree.

“We have stone benches that are simply beautiful,” says Daryl Burkholder, owner of Burkdell Mulch in Carbondale, Mount

story by Poornima Jayaraman


Vernon and Benton. “If you come in with a plan or drawing, we can help direct you to the type of product that will best suit your needs.”

Focal point: The addition of a water feature lends an instant degree of peace, tranquility and separation from the outside world. Bubbling rocks and fountains are simple, cost effective solutions. Incorporate statues for added beauty.

Pathways: Create beautiful little pathways in the garden using natural stone.

“We are seeing an increasing demand for decorative, precast stones,” says Sean Emery, operations manager at Clark Natural Stone in Marion. “It’s tumbled to look old and comes in many colors.”

Cost: In terms of cost, the sky’s the limit. You can get as fancy as you want to or create something special on a modest budget.

“This can be done on a shoestring,” Robinson says. “You could go from zero to infinity on cost. For example, I could go out to the woods, sit on a rock and feel comfortable. That is my meditation garden. Or I could spend money and create one.”

Mohlenbrock, an Illinois Certified Nursery Professional and landscape designer, points out that the cost depends on the area you are targeting. It could range from a small yard adjoining a town house to many acres of wooded land around a country home.

“We’re talking anywhere from $2,500 at a minimum for DIY’ers, and this would

include a consultation with a landscape designer, a professional landscape design plan, cost of plants, small water feature, rock or mulch, flower bed and stone for pathways,” Mohlenbrock says. “Add another $1,200 for labor if you’re not a DIY’er.”

To save on costs, Rehagen suggests you buy small, one-gallon size shrubs to make a perimeter and watch them grow over the years.

“You could also plant things in memory of someone,” Rehagen says. “Start plants like zinnias and moonflower vine from seed or share plants with friends by making divisions.”

Burkholder agrees.“You can be as creative as you want

to. Your imagination is the only limiting factor.”

Above: Renée Mavigliano of Carterville waters the plants inside the meditation garden in Cannon Park in Carterville.

Top left: These private meditation garden in Marion designed by Trent Mohlenbrock of Changing Seasons Landscape Center Co.

Bottom left: The private meditation garden of Lynn and Bob Nimtz of Benton, is in memory of their daughter, Jennifer, who passed away in 2007.

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wine

Southern Illinois leads the way in state’s growing wine industry

Way to grow

For a couple of big, upcoming events at two local wineries, see Don’t Miss This on Page 27.

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Raise your glass in a toast to the Illinois wine and grape industry.

According to a recent report by the National Agricultural Statistic Service and the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Illinois wine production is up 16 percent over the last five years. During that same time, the number of wineries statewide has grown 36 percent and now totals more than 100.

Area experts say Southern Illinois gets a lot of credit for the growth.

“I think we’ve played a major role in the development of the Illinois wine industry,” says second-generation owner and winemaker Paul Renzaglia of Alto Vineyards near Alto Pass. “Our area has seen a larger increase, especially in grape growing, because we can produce varieties the rest of the state simply cannot grow.”

The report indicates there are just more than 1,100 acres in grape production across the state.

“We’re the only part of the state that is designated as being good for growing grapes,” explains Nick Bruner, general manager of Von Jakob Winery, also near

Alto Pass. “Sure there are grapes grown across Illinois, but the soil and climate here lends itself to growing more grapes and from them, making great wine.”

Renzaglia says the increased number of wineries in the region testifies to the vision of local producers.

“We’ve had a number of leaders in the Southern Illinois wine industry who helped smooth the way for the development of the industry across Illinois,” he says. “Many of our local wineries have been instrumental in that.”

The growth of the industry has been beneficial to the region in many ways, including employment opportunities and retail sales. But, perhaps no sector has felt the impact as much as tourism.

“Certainly, in our area, this has been a major boon in terms of tourism and the ancillary businesses that have come about because of the wine industry,” Renzaglia adds. “It’s played a major role in tourism and continues to draw people to our area.”

With more than 70 vineyards and nearly two dozen wineries in Southern Illinois, there are plenty of opportunities to draw visitors to the region.

“For tourism, the increase in production and wineries is great news,” explains Cindy Cain, executive director of the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau says. “It elevates the overall interest level in our area. There’s more publicity about wineries in our area and that’s good for tourism.”

Bruner says reports such as the NASS study help all Southern Illinois wineries and the area.

“As of right now we’re still growing, and I don’t think having more wineries has hurt. I think it brings more attention and people to the region,” he says.

He adds that many visitors to his winery are visitors from metropolitan areas, including Chicago and St. Louis, who see their visits as a weekend getaway.

The report indicated that wine-making capacity in Illinois is expected to double in the next five years. Still, Renzaglia is not worried about competition or having too many wineries in the near future.

“We’re fine as long as we work together to attract people from further and further away,” he says. “The more people we can draw to Southern Illinois, the more likely it is that we will all succeed.”


Grapes grow near the patio areas at Alto Vineyards.


fitness

Fitness, health benefits make racquet sports a popular choice

On the

Upswingstory by les o’dell

If you’ll pardon the pun, racquet sports are on the upswing in Southern Illinois. Across the region, a growing number of people are taking to the courts for health benefits and the fun of tennis, racquetball, badminton and squash.

Perhaps none of the racquet sports is enjoying as much of a resurgence as tennis. A number of communities and high schools have constructed new

Dongsu An of Carbondale waits at the net in a late-afternoon doubles match at the tennis courts beside Saluki Stadium at SIU in Carbondale.


courts in recent years, and an annual tournament in Marion attracted nearly 100 entrants in 2012.

“Tennis is making a big turn upward in the area,” says Joe Pearce, a Marion-based professional tennis instructor. “Tournaments here are drawing more than some events in the Chicago area, and the sport is in many of the high schools in the area.”

Above: Chad Baker (right) celebrates after scoring a point during a game of racquetball with fellow first-year law student Matt Voigts at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale.

Top and left: Tennis instructor Joe Pearce works with one of his students at Russell Street Park in Marion.

Pearce says the prevalence of the sport on television has increased interest in tennis.

“I’m thrilled and super excited that tennis is getting recognition again,” he says.

Racquetball is also attracting more players, says David Evans of Carbondale. Evans has been playing the sport for more than 30 years.

“It’s on the increase now,” he explains. “While there aren’t a huge number of very good players, there are a lot of players that are getting better.”

Evans says the racquetball facilities at SIU Student Recreation Center, about the only place to play the game in the region, are among the best he’s ever seen. He says the sport has a natural appeal.

“It’s a one-on-one game with ambiance unlike any other sport — the speed, the sounds, the explosiveness of plays. It’s an amazing game that I wish more people would get into,” he adds.

Squash is a distant cousin to racquetball, played on a walled-in court that is smaller than racquetball, but with racquets that are longer and a ball which is smaller and less lively than a racquetball. More popular in Europe and Asia than the United States, SIU has two squash courts, the only places in the region to play the game.

Another international game developing a following in Southern Illinois is badminton. Don’t be fooled. This is not the backyard-picnic variety of badminton. This is a serious indoor game with monster shots and high speeds.

“We have some very good players here, including some from Malaysia and China, who have represented their countries in international competition,” says Vijay Kumar Kolliara, president of SIU Badminton Club.

Kolliara says the club has more than 100 members of all ages, nationalities and skill levels who meet twice each week for practice and games.

“We have very good competition, and people who are new to the sport can get some really good training,” he says.

All of the racquet sports bring to competitors camaraderie, competition and excellent exercise, Evans says.

“These are incredible conditioning games for the body — amazing cardio workouts.”

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scenic beauty

Seeing isn’t always believing.Walking around Horseshoe Lake in

Alexander County, it appears you’ve been transported back in time — not only a century or two, but geologic epochs.

The towering tupelo and cypress trees, the cottonwoods and summertime layer of duckweed suggest a prehistoric era. On a quiet, warm spring day, when there isn’t a ripple on the shallow waters, you almost

expect a brontosaurus to come lumbering through the cypress trees.

The lake has a decidedly southern feel. The scenery is more appropriate for the bayous of Louisiana than Southern Illinois. That is certainly one of the charms of this underutilized area.

The 2,400-acre lake is a wildlife Mecca overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Once teeming with cabins for anglers that targeted the lake’s crappie and

bluegill populations, the lake is largely a day use area. The IDNR operates a couple of campgrounds at the site, but they are sparsely populated for most of the year.

Flooding has taken its toll in recent years, changing the face of fishing. The once teeming bluegill population has largely disappeared. However, Horseshoe Lake is still a popular destination among crappie and catfish anglers.

And, trolling quietly, dipping minnows and jigs at the base of cypress and tupelo,

story by les Winkeler

This special place takes you back in time

HorseshoeLake

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For more information on Horseshoe Lake, call the IDNR site office at 618-776-5689.

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is still a most relaxing way to spend a spring, summer or fall afternoon.

Horseshoe Lake and its environs have been under the control of the IDNR since 1927, when the state purchased 49 acres to be developed as a Canada goose sanctuary. Now, the state controls nearly 10,000 acres surrounding the park.

Thousands of Canada geese flocked to Horseshoe Lake each winter for decades. A cottage industry of hunting clubs sprang up outside the refuge.

For a variety of reasons, Horseshoe Lake now attracts few Canada geese. However, the lake and refuge are teeming with wildlife throughout the winter.

Virtually every North American species of duck can be found at the lake, along with thousands of snow or white-fronted geese. And, with that many waterfowl hanging around, there will be plenty of bald eagles circling overhead.

Outboard motors are not allowed on the lake during the winter to provide a more hospitable habitat for waterfowl.

And, if you have mobility issues, Horseshoe Lake is a perfect spot to visit. Much of the lake is visible from roads that encircle the lake.

Horseshoe Lake is simply a place that has to be seen to be believed.

Canada Geese sit on the water at Horseshoe Lake in Alexander County.

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business buzz

There’s an old adage that says failing to plan is the equivalent of planning to fail. Perhaps, the saying is no more truthful than when it comes to personal finance and investments. Professional help with money is available from a number of financial planners and advisers throughout Southern Illinois.

The role and purpose of financial advisers has changed over the years just as the types of investments and even the expectations of the public have also changed.

“We help individuals who don’t have the time, knowledge, inclination or information to manage their own money,” explains Monte Kuhnert, managing director-investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in Carbondale. “We do goal-oriented planning for our clients, working with them to determine when they want to retire, how much they want to spend once they retire and how much they want to leave when they’re gone.”

To meet those goals, financial planners and advisers use a variety of instruments.

“A financial planner has to integrate across all areas of someone’s life, including investments, tax issues, insurance, annuities, retirement savings and more,” says Scott McClatchey, a financial planner with Alliance Investment Planning Group in Carbondale. “The planner is like a quarterback who is not only a star or skillful player at one position, but also knowledgeable about other positions and has the visibility, insights, knowledge and skill to lead his team.”

Ben Bruce, financial consultant with Hilliard Lyons in Marion, adds, “A good adviser will cover everything and simply assist you in making decisions. You’re talking about several different areas of life — it is managing risk on one side and managing expectations on another.”

Selecting a professional to assist with financial planning is much like selecting a primary care physician. Experts recommend asking for referrals from friends and acquaintances, researching credentials and background and interviewing several advisers before making a selection.


Short on time and know-how?

about selecting a financial plannerSelecting a professional to assist with financial planning is much like selecting a primary care physician. Experts recommend asking for referrals from friends and acquaintances, researching credentials and background and interviewing several advisers before making a selection.

“Ultimately, it boils down to finding someone you can work with and establish trust in both directions,” McClatchey says. It’s very much a collaborative process, and the relationship is very important.”

Bruce says trust is extremely vital because, occasionally, advisers need to convince clients to do things for their portfolio’s own good.

What you need to know

Ben Bruce

Monte Kuhnert

Scott McClatchey


“As a professional, you may know what’s in the client’s best interests, but they often don’t know it,” he says. “That’s difficult, but it is an integral part of communicating with the client. When you’re able to have a relationship where they trust you and you’re able to do things that may be contradictory to what they

may normally do, that’s when everything works best.”

All of the advisers eschewed the notion that financial planning is only for those with considerable net worth or those who are approaching retirement.

“Anyone from someone just starting out in the workforce to those already

retired can often benefit from talking to a financial planner,” McClatchey says.

No matter how young or old, and no matter how much is in the nest egg, Bruce says it’s wise to get professional assistance.

“Get someone who can help you see the big picture and work backwards from there,” he says.

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style

sandalsAlthough many trends come and go, the best kept secret of the style savvy is to splurge

where it counts and save when shopping on a whim. When shopping for sandals, rather than spending money on an exotic impulse purchase, take a look at your spring wardrobe and make a list of the colors, styles and heel-heights that would best suit you.

Some trends, such as the metallic details that were seen all over spring runways, can work both for day and night. One trend that pops up year after year is the gladiator sandal, and buckles and straps are as abundant as ever this spring. Sandals with ethnic prints and embroidery also are popular this season, as are contemporary brights and pastels. Colorful sandals such as these are fun and youthful. Just be sure to choose a pair you can wear again and again.

You can use our list of new sandals for inspiration, and before you make your spring shopping decisions, ask yourself the following questions:

What function do I need my sandals to serve? Are they for work, for everyday or for special occasions?

What are the most common colors in my wardrobe? Are your work clothes mostly black and white, for example? Do you usually dress in bright colors for daytime and

the weekend? What heel sizes am I most comfortable and confident wearing?

How often am I going to wear this pair of sandals?

Put your best foot forward when choosingstory by rana daunis

Animal Print

‘Jessie’ Leapord-Print Sandals, Jessica

Simpson, Dillard’s, $89

Bright Pastels

‘Chaos Cuff’ Sandal, Manolo Blahnik, Nordstrom.com, $695


Gladiator

‘Billie’ Gladiator Sandal, Coach, select retailers, $178

Soft Pastels

‘Key West,’ olsenhaus.com, $255

Ethnic Print

Milkey Wedge Sandals, ‘Call it Spring,’ JC Penney, $50

Animal Print

‘Evangela 2,’ Jessica Simpson, heels.com, $99

Mixed Metals

‘Caitlyn’ platform wedge, Coach, bloomingdales.com, $178


parting shot

p.s. Paul Fliege performs with the Jerry Ford Orchestra at Von Jakob Vineyard and Brewery in Alto Pass.photo by Joel Hawksley

www.voglerlincoln.com618-457-8135Carbondale, IL 629011170 E MainVogler Motor Company

Vogler Motor Company

Life & Style : Spring 2013 3www.voglerlincoln.com618-457-8135Carbondale, IL 629011170 E MainVogler Motor Company

Vogler Motor Company

life & style - spring 2013

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