HIGHWOOD – Celebrate Highwood is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of its acclaimed Evening Gourmet Market kicking off the season June 6 through August 29, every Wednesday from 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Introduced in 2008, this one-of-a-kind outdoor market outgrew its original location in front of City Hall in 2012 and moved one block west to beautiful Everts Park (130 Highwood Avenue), and it continues to flourish. With over 60 vendors each week, this Evening Market brings community together to enjoy delicious food and drinks, local wares, live music, and the great outdoors in a family festival setting. It doesn’t get much better than a Wednesday Evening in Highwood.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years of our Evening Gourmet Market and reflecting on how Highwood has turned into a destination for family fun, food and entertainment on the North Shore,” says Eric Falberg, President of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood Alderman. “It is amazing to see all the people that come from all over to revel every Wednesday. It truly is unlike any other weekly outdoor market in the area.” In addition to the traditional vendors selling local produce, artisan breads, cheeses and wares, Everts Park turns it into a special event every week with live music, dancing, dining and drinking under the stars.

A weekly outdoor market of this caliber is hard to find. With its “Live Evening Concert Series” from 5:30-9pm, and “Ravinia Festival-like” atmosphere, families are encouraged to set up their picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy the evening in the park, dining on local goodies and jamming to the sounds of great local bands. This vibrant market has become a tradition for friends and family seeking great food, spirits and entertainment.

City of Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro, right, and Highland Park Mayo Nancy Rotering greet runners at the first 5K Taco Run for Highland Park Highwood Legal Aid Clinic.

Encouraging the community to “make a night of it,” Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market showcases a wide range of local produce, gourmet cheeses, homemade pastas, baked fare, assortments of breads and pastries and an array of Italian, Mexican, French and Irish delicacies. Guests are able to enjoy dinner and cocktails while exploring the market, catching up with friends, and listening to different live music acts each week.

This is also the second season Celebrate Highwood has received its 501(c)(3) standing, with the mission of raising funds for worthy non-profit organizations through its festivals and events. Although all events are FREE to the public, a portion of proceeds will benefit various charities.

Here is the full list of Celebrate Highwood 2018 Summer Events:

• Highwood Wednesday Evening Gourmet Markets, Everts Park (130 Highwood Ave.)
  June 6 – August 29, 4:30-9:30 pm
• 6th Annual North Shore Pride Fest
  June 2, noon- Bar Close
• Inferno Fest, Everts Park
  Wednesday, June 27, 4:30-9:30 pm
• 3rd Annual North Shore Taco Fest & 50th Anniversary of Highwood Days,
  Highwood Metra Station Parking Lot
  Thursday, July 19 – Sunday, July 22
  Taco Run Saturday, July 21
• 8th annual Bloody Mary Fest, Everts Park
  Sunday, July 29, 10am-5pm
• 8th Annual Garlic Fest, Everts Park
  Wednesday, August 15, 4:30-9:30 pm
• 2nd Annual Nashwood, Downtown Highwood
  Friday, August 24 – Sunday, August 26
• And, to save the date for Fall: The 9th Annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Highwood
  Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7

“These summer events set the tone for the season,” says Falberg. “They bring communities together to celebrate what’s great about the North Shore.”

A special thanks to Celebrate Highwood Sponsors that help make producing the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market possible: The City of Highwood, 22nd Century Media, State Farm Brian Lock Agency, Highland Park Bank & Trust, and Renewal by Andersen.

Submitted by Celebrate Highwood

Established in 1904, Ravinia Festival is North America’s oldest internationally renowned music festival presenting more than 140 musically diverse events throughout the summer. These concerts feature some of the world’s greatest artists, ranging from Diana Ross to John Legend, and Ravinia serves as the annual summer residency of The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The 36-acre park is nestled in a gently wooded area of Highland Park, making it an enchanting place to experience music in the open-air pavilion or on the great lawn surrounding it. Guests can bring their own picnics or eat at one of the park restaurants. Here are just a few of the highlights of this summer season at Ravinia Festival:

• June 26: Seal
• June 29: Bryan Adams
• July 8: Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang
• July 20: Mary J. Blige
• July 21 and 22: Tchaikovsky Spectacular
• August 12: Steve Martin and Martin Short
• August 28: Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
• August 31: The Culture Club, Boy George
• September 8: Tony Bennett in Concert

The iconic Ravinia Festival entry gate.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ravinia.org.

She’s a critically acclaimed writer, college professor and world traveler, but best-selling author Mary Morris still makes time for regular visits to her childhood roots on the North Shore.

On June 2 and 3, Morris will read excerpts from her latest novel, Gateway to the Moon, in Wilmette and Northbrook as a featured speaker in the popular North Shore Books ‘n’ Bottles series, where book lovers meet notable authors in a social, intimate setting.

“I left (Highland Park) at 18 for college, but the pull of home has never left me,” said Morris in a telephone conversation from her home in Brooklyn, New York. “I go back whenever I can. It’s my charging station.”

Morris is the author of numerous novels, including The Jazz Palace, A Mother’s Love, and House Arrest, and the travel memoir Nothing to Declare: Memoirs of a Young Woman Traveling Alone. She is the recipient of the Rome Prize in literature and the 2016 Anisfield-Wolf Award for fiction.

At left, Highland Park native Mary Morris in a photo by Zoé Fisher, and the book jacket for “Gateway to the Moon”, the author’s latest novel.

Gateway to the Moon is set in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition, when Jewish and Muslim populations were expelled from Spain and Christopher Columbus had set sail for the New World. The book tells the story of the Spanish Jews who chose not to flee persecution, resolving instead to convert to Christianity in name and continue observing their Jewish beliefs and rituals in secret.

Gateway to the Moon weaves a fictional narrative around the true story of Luis de Torres, a historic figure who served as Christopher Columbus’s translator, and of de Torres’s modern day descendants – America’s crypto-Jews – who settled centuries later in the hills of New Mexico.

Morris discovered the phenomenon of the crypto-Jews while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico 25 years ago.  It was a Catholic babysitter who first told Morris of his family’s long-standing practice of lighting candles on Friday nights, similar to the Jewish observance of Shabbat, and their custom of avoiding food made with pork.

Morris spent years inside libraries and museums in North Africa, Spain, Portugal and New Mexico, researching the Spanish Inquisition, reading the journals of Columbus’ first two voyages, and studying early maps of the United States and the expeditions of the Spanish conquistadores.

“What I learned from writing this book is there are certain myths we grow up with,” said Morris. “One is that Columbus was a great explorer, and the other is that America is all about the pilgrims. But once you realize that the Hispanics and the crypto-Jews were in the New World, you know there are other stories to tell.”

A professor of writing at Sarah Lawrence College, Morris left the Midwest more than 50 years ago but frequently writes about the region, often drawing on her childhood memories of Highland Park, when many parts of the village were still heavily forested and wild. Many of Morris’s short stories and early novels are set in the fictional town of Winona. “Winona is Highland Park,” said Morris.

An original free-range kid, Morris would often play on the banks of Lake Michigan, following Indian trails along the bluff and reading books in the bent-over trees that served as natural trail markers.

“I spent a lot of time roaming,” said Morris, who attended Elm Place Elementary School before graduating from Highland Park High School. “As a little girl, I would imagine the lives of Highland Park’s Native Americans. That legacy and layered history is part of what made me write Gateway to the Moon.”

The author of three travel memoirs, Morris says she’s nurtured by her adventures abroad, perhaps a byproduct of her mother’s passion for all things French.“My mother was a Highland Park housewife who loved France so much, she named our first dog Renoir,” said Morris, who is fluent in both French and Spanish.

In between writing and teaching, Morris continues to explore parts unknown. She’ll soon embark on a family trip to Italy before gearing up for her next book, set in Jamaica.

“Since I left Highland Park, I’ve been on a journey,” she said. “A lot of my work is about the tension between home and away.”

Morris will appear at Wilmette Wine Cellar from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on June 2, and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on June 3 at The Book Bin in Northbrook.

Over the span of 40 years in which they racked up hit after hit after hit, there has always been one thing that hasn’t changed for the members of Loverboy. They call it “the bubble.”

“It starts in that moment when you walk on the stage while the lights are still down,” said Loverboy’s Paul Dean, who lives with his wife and 21-year-old son on the side of a mountain in north Vancouver, Canada. “You check the instruments and you make any necessary tweaks. It’s a time of intense focus. And once the lights go up and the crowd erupts, it’s a total escape. You can feel the energy of the crowd with every ounce of your being. There is just nothing like it.”

It’s this energy that the members of Loverboy are anticipating when they take the stage at Ravinia Festival on June 3 with fellow pop icon Survivor.

Loverboy leads a dynamic lineup of music favorites from across the spectrum appearing at Ravinia Festival this summer.

“Despite how many years we have been doing this, we are still all in,” said Dean. “We love the challenge of it. We are not just this band out there going through the motions and calling it in. We still love playing and singing every note and the fans can feel that. Some people get to a point where they don’t want to do it anymore, but we are a tad obsessed.”

The roots of Loverboy were planted back in 1978, when Dean met with a friend by the name of Mike Reno in an old warehouse, hoping to give their collective musical dreams a try.

“I remember that Mike came out screaming some high note and I wasn’t sure if this was my thing,” laughed Dean. “On the very first night we got together, we wrote two songs. It was a good indication that we had something.”

And boy did they.

Thanks to hits such as “Working for the Weekend” to “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” to “When It’s Over,” Loverboy ranks up there as one of the most groundbreaking bands of our time. During its heyday, the band played multiple mega-tours with Journey, Bob Seger, Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, Kansas, and Def Leppard, to name a few. At the same time, the band known for red leather pants and rock star hair also became MTV darlings, actually ending up as one of the first bands ever featured on the music channel.

If that wasn’t enough, the band would also go on to sell more than 10 million albums and earn four multiplatinum plaques, including the four-million-selling “Get Lucky,” and a trio of double-platinum releases in the self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s “Keep It Up” and 1985’s “Lovin’ Every Minute of It.”

And to this day, current Loverboy members Matt Frenette, Doug Johnson and Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve along with Reno and Dean continue to tour the country, bringing both old and new music to their dedicated fans.

“Who would have thought that 40 years later we still love these songs,” said Dean. “We can’t stop because people continue to come out and still want to hear it. And we still love to play together. My favorite thing to do is to play live, especially at a venue such as Ravinia.”

The Loverboy concert is just one of more than 140 events from June 1 through September 16 that will make up Ravinia’s summer lineup. The outdoor venue will welcome a host of musical talents in the 2018 season in addition to Loverboy. Artists such as Jill Scott, Bryan Adams, and Jason Mraz will make their debuts at Ravinia this season, while artists such as Alison Krauss, Anita Baker and Tony Bennett will make their triumphant returns.

And if you are a lover of Loverboy, you might also want to check out “The Lost ‘80s Live” concert on July 29 at Ravinia, which will bring together a long list of hit-makers that include A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Men Without Hats, Farrington and Mann (the original vocalists from When in Rome UK), Animotion, Dramarama, Nu Shooz, and Gene Loves Jezebel, all making their Ravinia debuts. Still can’t get enough? Culture Club featuring Boy George will make its Ravinia debut on a triple bill with The B‑52s and Thompson Twins featuring Tom Bailey for two dates, August 31 and Septempter 1.

Bands from a bygone era? Perhaps. But bands that undoubtedly make up the musical fabric of so many of our lives. To even be mentioned in the same breath with these groundbreaking bands is something that will never get old to Dean.

“I live an amazing life,” said Dean quietly, preparing to take a relaxing bike ride before dinner with his family. “To be able to spend 50 or 55 years making music professionally, I mean, that is incredible. We are so blessed that people still are digging it.”

Loverboy will perform at Ravinia Festival on June 3. Ravinia Festival is located at 418 Sheridan Road in Highland Park, 847-266-5100, ravinia.org.

New Trier’s Sophia King, seen here reacting after scoring a goal in last year’s state title game, tallied five goals in a supersectional win over Lake Forest High School. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

A ‘Phil’ poured in a game-high five goals in a girls lacrosse supersectional Tuesday night.

“They call me ‘Phil’, mostly ‘Phil,’ along with ‘Philip’ or ‘Felipe’,” New Trier senior attack Sophia King said with a smile and a shrug, following her team’s 14-5 defeat of host Lake Forest High School May 29.

King has answered to male names since a roster listed her first name as “Sophil” years ago. The typo amused her teammates and coaches.

King’s performance against the Scouts, with a state semifinal berth on the line?

No laughing matter — for the Scouts, who trailed only 6-3 at the half but fell behind 9-4 on King’s second goal in a 2-minute-31-second span.

“I had to step up,” King said. “We had to play without [high-scoring and 2017 All-American] Lucy Murray.”

Murray, senior defender Elise McKenna and junior middie Claire Gottreich missed the game to either rest or nurse an injury. New Trier (19-3) tallied eight unanswered goals in the second half and advanced to the Final Four in the sport’s inaugural season in the Illinois High School Association.

NT faces Naperville North at Hinsdale Central in a state semifinal June 1, beginning at 7 p.m.; Loyola Academy takes on Hinsdale Central in the first semifinal at 5 p.m.

“Poise, we played with poise,” Trevians coach Pete Collins said. “I’m proud of our kids. Another key was to play our game — get every groundball, play tough defense.

“We’re excited about representing New Trier at state.”

Murray didn’t let her sideline “seat” keep her from having an impact in the supersectional. The 5-foot-10 junior attack often shouted advice to King when King roamed and hustled behind a cage with the ball in her stick’s webbing.

“Lucy was great, very helpful, telling me which way to turn or which play to call,” King said.

NT sophomore middie Claudia Shevitz (4 goals) struck for three consecutive goals from the 13:42 mark to the 8:37 mark of the second half. The Shevitz blitz expanded NT’s advantage to 12-4.

Sophomore middie Charley Meier and sophomore attack Annie Thompson finished with two goals apiece for NT. Senior defender Gaby Malnati scored a goal, and senior Sabrina Rice protected the cages.

“Charley,” Collins said, “had a monster game, especially in the draw circle.”

Collins also praised NT senior Claire Mulhern, lauding the middie’s flair for collecting groundballs.

“That Lake Forest team plays hard,” Collins said. “And it’s a well-coached team.”

Coach Cat Catanzaro’s Scouts (13-10) received an inspired effort from senior goalie Mary Doheny, who got horizontal and landed abdomen first to make a sensational save in the first half.

“That’s her way of saying, ‘That’s not going in,’ ” Catanzaro said. “That was her best game of the year.”

Grace McGowan, Emma Kelly, Virginia Leonardi, Audrey Kaus and Olivia Douglass each scored a goal for the Scouts.

“Special group,” Catanzaro said of her 2018 squad. “They played with heart, and they played for each other.”

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Kyle Foley, seen here anchoring the 4×800 relay at the Class 3A Loyola Academy Sectional on May 17, will run at UIC. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Glenbrook North boys track and field coach Sean Brandt can’t help but be impressed with senior Kyle Foley.

“[Just watching him run] pumps you up,” said the Spartans head coach, following Foley’s efforts in the Class 3A Loyola Academy Sectional on May 17.

Foley is one of those guys who just brings it — every time.

“He’s never takes a day off,” Brandt said. “He’s always pushing his body to the limit.

“He’s intense. He’s inspiring,” the coach added.

Foley, who spent part of his childhood (3 ½ years) living in Shanghai, China, was the force in GBN’s 4×800 foursome. Foley, who ran the anchor leg, teamed up with junior Dana Sullivan and fellow seniors Ari Bosse and Michael Ocasek to earn a fifth-place state medal in the state meet in Charleston on May 26.

They cruised the blue oval track at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium in 7:52.61.

That clocking was almost seven seconds faster than their runner-up time at the sectional meet.

The top-five finish was hardly a surprise. At the 2017 State Finals, this same foursome earned a fourth-place medal (7:47.26).

“[Distance coach] David Vincent has put them in the right place,” said Brandt, prior to the state meet. “They are ready to rock and roll at state.”

This same foursome also qualified for state in the 4×400 relay but did not make the finals.

Foley, who ended up with four school records (indoor 400 meters, indoor 800 meters, outdoor 4×800 relay and outdoor 4×400 relay) will continue his track and field career at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Following his final race at the Loyola Academy Sectional, Foley was excited about his team’s chances at state — especially in the 4×800 relay.

“We’re going to come back 10 times stronger next week at state,” he said. “I got these guys [Sullivan, Bosse and Ocasek] with him. And that’s all that matters.”

In addition to Foley, Osasek also will be running track at the next level. The speedster will head to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

“Michael has been a workhorse for us,” said Brandt. “He’s a guy that you can depend on.”

Dana Sullivan (far right), seen here in the sectional meet, was the lead-off runner in the 4×800 relay for the Spartans. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Glenbrook South’s Greer Bireley (No. 18) drives to the goal during the sectional semifinal action against Glenbrook North. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Go ahead, call Greer Bireley’s post-goal celebration in lacrosse games an Irish jig. The Glenbrook South junior attack would love the reference to the island in the North Atlantic.

And get quite a kick out of it.

“The running joke on our team is how often Greer talks about Ireland,” Titans senior defender Ellie Kahle says. “She always talks about Ireland, always shares fun facts about Ireland with us.”

Bireley typically jumps straight up after scoring a goal and, upon landing, directs an inimitable look at a teammate or two.

“That’s her scary, cheery face,” Kahle says. “Then she throws her arms up.”

The aficionado of all things Ireland played like an All-America lacrosse player in a Glenbrook North Sectional semifinal May 23, whipping in a team-high seven goals — all in the first half — in South’s 19-5 defeat of the host school. The team’s top scorer this spring and third-year varsity player also finished with three assists in the playoff game, with one of them landing in the webbing of freshman sister Meg Bireley’s stick.

“Greer’s stick is a magnet,” Titans coach Annie Lesch says. “She’s the quarterback of our attack, and she’s a selfless player who goes hard, loves to compete and has a true passion for the game. Very coachable, too. She’s always asking, ‘Did I do that the right way?’ ”

What’s unquestionable: Bireley’s talent, coupled with her super work ethic. A Team ONE lacrosse club player since the seventh grade, the left-handed Bireley verbally committed to play lacrosse at Butler University last fall.

“Greer doesn’t just put points on the board in a hurry for us,” Kahle says. “She has this way about her, a quality that keeps her teammates’ energy up, especially if we hit a rough patch. That’s a huge asset; it gets us in the right mindset. Her personality is magnetic. She makes everybody laugh. She keeps morale high.”

Bireley’s deceptiveness in games keeps opponents flustered and frustrated — and, more often than not, envious.

“Greer is very good at fooling defenders,” Kahle says, adding Bireley’s quick feet often allows her to leave those guarding her in a tangled, reeling mess. “She fakes you out, and before you know it, she’s already behind you, preparing to take a wide-open shot. Her shots and passes this year [compared to last year] are smarter.”

Palatine native Kelly Bireley, a soccer player and track and field athlete in her youth, signed her daughter up for a spot on a lacrosse house league team when Greer was a third-grader. Greer had played other sports, but the other sports took either a back seat or a trunk seat to lax in no time.

“The strategies involved, how competitive it is, the team aspect of it — there’s a lot to like about lacrosse,” says Bireley, who burned St. Ignatius with a nine-goal effort April 30.

About those nine goals …

Bireley refuses to take full credit for any of them.

“My teammates,” she recalls, “fed me nice passes. There’s no way I would have scored any of those goals without the help of my teammates. We’re a good team because we don’t have any superstars; we all work together.

“My favorite moment in lacrosse, in any game, is a transition sequence, when our ‘D’ controls the ball and starts passing it, with the ball eventually traveling all the way to our attack and ending up as a goal.”

Two years ago, in her freshman season on varsity, Bireley finished a crisp Titans transition with a game-winning goal against Lyons Township. Lindsey Karsh, then a Glenbrook South junior middie (and now sophomore-to-be and Big Red middie at Denison University in Ohio), delivered the clutch assist to Bireley in the second overtime.

“What a pass,” Bireley says.

What a humble teen, with a unique first name.

“My papa [grandpa, on her mother’s side] was named Gregory, and Greer is the female version of Gregory,” says Bireley, the daughter of Loyola Academy graduate and Wilmette native Matt Bireley. “He died [in 1998] before I was born. My mom told me her father was a very nice guy, a funny man.

“And,” she adds, “he did crew in college.”

Glenbrook South’s girls lacrosse program, to the delight of Lesch and others, gets to row, row, row its “boat” with Greer Bireley in it for one more season.

Notable: Glenbrook South’s girls lacrosse team fell 14-7 to New Trier in the Glenbrook North Sectional final May 25, ending up with a 15-9 record. … Titans freshman middie Belle Tiesi scored three goals in Glenbrook South’s 19-5 defeat of host Glenbrook North in a sectional semifinal May 23. Senior attacks Miranda Piotrowicz and Meghan Zeivel each struck for two tallies. Lila Frick, Kate Brennan, Annabel Eigel, Meg Bireley and Mary Grace Reynolds had one goal apiece. South juniors Delaney Gallagher (first half) and Annika Newell (second half) split time in goal for the victors (15-8). Glenbrook North senior middie and quad-captain Naomi Lutz poured in four goals, including both of the Spartans’ second-half tallies. Senior middie/attack Nat Wolas, another quad-captain (with seniors Lindsey Masterman and Ellie Linforth, scored the Spartans’ other goal. GBN finished with a 10-7 record.

New Trier’s Tennessee Fulks, seen here in earlier action, had a game-high six digs in the state quarterfinal win. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

New Trier’s boys volleyball team sought to win its 15th straight match when it faced St. Rita in a state quarterfinal at Hoffman Estates High School June 1.

The Trevians won their biggest point at…15-15, yes, 15-15, in the second set. NT senior middle Joe D’Attomo pounded a kill, starting a 5-0 run, and the program making its fifth straight Elite Eight appearance coasted from there to complete a 25-16, 25-18 victory.

“That point was an important one,” said NT coach Sue Ellen Haak, who had called a timeout after St. Rita (21-19) won three consecutive points to cut the Trevians’ second-set lead to 15-14.

New Trier (34-6) battles Lincoln-Way East (37-3) in a state semifinal June 2, beginning at approximately 11 a.m. LW-E defeated NT in three sets April 7.

“That loss is at the front of our minds,” said D’Attomo, who finished with a team-high six kills in the quarterfinal. “Until the last week, no team had seen us at full strength.”

Injuries and illnesses forced Haak to trot out numerous lineups throughout the spring — not a bad thing in her mind.

“We’re difficult to scout because of all the different players we used,” the coach of the 2016 state runner-up team said. “That should be an advantage for us in our final two matches [June 2].”

NT sophomore outside hitter Colin Heath (4 digs) struck for five kills against St. Rita’s Mustangs, and 6-foot-4 junior OH Jay Saravis — the team’s leader in kills this spring, with 165 — hammered four.

Saravis slapped a clever, sharply angled kill near a Mustangs front-row spiker late in the first set, giving NT a 21-14 advantage.

“Our quiet assassin,” D’Attomo said of Saravis.

“Jay is humble, always poised and laser-focused,” Haak added.

Senior OH Tennessee Fulks paced the team in digs with six, and senior setter Tergel Gandelger lofted 19 assists.

The entire team couldn’t wait to return to the court for the second semi June 2.

“In bed by 9 [p.m.],” the Loyola University-bound D’Attomo shouted at the post-quarterfinal press conference.

The dominant middle’s spirited comment made Haak smile.

“This team is a joy to be around,” the coach said. “The players have good energy. Nobody complains. It’s been a pleasure coaching all of them.”

LAKE FOREST – The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, with the City of Lake Forest, will host an Open House and Celebration of the completion of the 1900 east train station rehabilitation, including the just-completed interior renovation, on Sunday, June 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. The public is invited to join the Preservation members, volunteers, donors, design professional, sub-contractors, and city staff who have contributed to the completion of the project begun a decade ago.

The event will include self-conducted touring of the new spaces, with informational posters and docents to give background. Refreshments for all ages, appropriate for early afternoon, will include cake and summer treats.

Attendees will have the opportunity to see the 2016-completed superb restoration of the 1900 exterior, and on the interior the rehabilitated Waiting Room and Ticket Area, as well as the all-new Restrooms in the original baggage room at the south end of the building. This much more accommodating space was completed earlier this year with the last the federal funds for the exterior.

The original floor has been reconstructed, using identical red tile, found in England. The 1900 horizontal red-oak wainscoting of the waiting room has been uncovered and restored, with reconstructed marble splash guards at the base. The original benches have been restored. New display cabinets have been designed and built by project manager and Preservation Group President Jim Opsitnik.

A new gallery and passageway, the area of the former restrooms, connects the waiting room to the new restrooms. Here are a bulletin board for all community notices and a new display for the popular book exchange operated by the Friends of the Lake Forest Library, both designed and built by Opsitnik.

The east entry and ticket area is illuminated by a facsimile skylight, recalling the original of 1900, lit naturally by two roof dormers east and west. Two-part lighting fixtures on both sides of the ticket window recall the combination gas and electric lights, since electricity was available from Highland Park only after 4:30 pm and until 1 am. Another such light is above the south wall display case.

Not historic but for the convenience of 21st century Metra passengers is a new charging station counter that has been installed over the west wall’s functioning original radiator. Other changes are a bright new Farrow & Ball “Pointing” off-white paint for the walls, chosen by former Preservation board member Frank Ponterio. The ceiling lights and fans, never part of the original plan, are new also and designed to keep the focus on the restored woodwork, floor, and benches.

The city’s rental spaces in the station include the barber shop, its visually-adjacent walls also repainted by Preservation, and the shoe repair kiosk by the east door. Still to be leased and decorated is the north, 1900 Ladies’ Waiting Room and former First National Bank of Lake Forest (successor Northern Trust) extension from the 1960s, almost two decades before branch banking was permitted in Illinois.

The occasion will include tours of the 1900 to 1970 operated tunnel between the east side main station and the west side station, now Pasquesi’s. Now used for utilities, the tunnel had been accessed by stairs down south of the east side entry and coming up in the Pasquesi interior space. Most people have not seen this survivor of another age, tours given only very occasionally by David Mattoon, local railroad historian. Mattoon has contributed vital historical information about the history of the station at every stage over the past decade. He also discovered the 1901-published Railway Age photograph of the station’s interior at its grand opening on November 10, 1900, now enlarged and framed in the east entry.

Submitted by the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation

NORTHBROOK – Clear skies greeted runners at Maplewood Park when participants from North Suburban Special Recreation Association’s Enriched Lifestyles for Adults (ELA) Program hosted their annual Fun Run & Walk in May. This year’s event landed on a beautiful, green spring day, unlike last year’s, which was rained out run. Joined by peers from four additional special recreation associations (SRAs), the crowd of runners and walkers grew to more than 200 by the time the race began at the Deerfield park.

Members of the community also came out to participate or cheer those running, including Park District of Highland Park Executive Director Liza McElroy, one of NSSRA’s board members and a longtime supporter.

“I am so happy that I was able to participate in the ELA walk,” said McElroy. “It was fantastic to see so many SRAs from near and far come together.”

In its fifth year, the ELA Fun Run & Walk was created and planned entirely by ELA participants. The ELA Program is a year-round day program for individuals with disabilities who are 22 years and older.

ELA participants worked hard over the last several months planning and organizing the event. They created signs for the path, wrote welcome letters for the other SRAs attending, put together goodie bags and medals and invited their friends and families to join them. Participants also did a walk-through of Maplewood Park a few weeks before the race to get the lay of the land and plan set-up for the day.

Each participant was awarded a medal at the event’s end, and concluded the day eating lunch together in the park.

Also attending the event were representatives from the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Northbrook gave their time to pass out snacks and encourage runners throughout the morning. Sunset Foods in Northbrook generously provided water and fruit for attendees.

Park District of Highland Park Executive Director Liza McElroy and NSSRA Executive Director Craig Culp pose with ELA participant Ryan Nelson (Winnetka) after the morning’s event.

ELA participant Ali Shapiro (Highland Park) strikes a pose with firefighters from the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District.

Assisted by NSSRA Recreation Specialist Niki Cuttell and ELA Program Assistant Jeremy Madlock, ELA participant Jack Karasik (Lake Forest) leads racers in a series of stretches to get everyone warmed up for the day.

Participants from South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR), based in Downers Grove, await the signal for their group to begin the run.

Larissa Szurek, ELA Program Instructor walks alongside ELA participant Jeff McNair (Deerfield) and Nancy McNair, Jeff’s mom.

Rotary Club of Northbrook member puts a sticker on the race bib of ELA participant Kevin Sarnecki (Glenview). Three laps (and stickers) marked a mile, while participants who wanted to finish the full 5K needed to run or walk nine laps and collect nine stickers.

SRAs in Attendance:

• Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA)
• Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA)
• Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA)
• South East Association for Special Parks & Recreation (SEASPAR)

Supporting Families, Businesses and Organizations included Brink Family; D&R Autoworks; Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District; Susan & Jorge DelCastillo; Dusty & Cindy Edmonds; McNair family; Antoinette Rubacoba; Kevin Sarnecki; Schuman family; Sunset Foods (Northbrook); Trane.

Photo IDs
Image 1: Park District of Highland Park Executive Director Liza McElroy and NSSRA Executive Director Craig Culp pose with ELA participant Ryan Nelson (Winnetka) after the morning’s event.

Image 2: ELA participant Ali Shapiro (Highland Park) strikes a pose with firefighters from the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District.

Image 3: Assisted by NSSRA Recreation Specialist Niki Cuttell and ELA Program Assistant Jeremy Madlock, ELA participant Jack Karasik (Lake Forest) leads racers in a series of stretches to get everyone warmed up for the day.

Image 4: Participants from South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR), based in Downers Grove, await the signal for their group to begin the run.

Image 5: Larissa Szurek, ELA Program Instructor walks alongside ELA participant Jeff McNair (Deerfield) and Nancy McNair, Jeff’s mom.

Image 6: Rotary Club of Northbrook member puts a sticker on the race bib of ELA participant Kevin Sarnecki (Glenview). Three laps (and stickers) marked a mile, while participants who wanted to finish the full 5K needed to run or walk nine laps and collect nine stickers.

Submitted by ELA and NSSRA:

Enriched Lifestyles for Adults (ELA) is a year-round day program for individuals with disabilities who are 22 years and older. As a collaborative effort between Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) and The Center for Enriched Living (The Center), ELA presents the best resources these two organizations have to offer. NSSRA and The Center each bring nearly 50 years of experience in serving people with disabilities to this exciting collaboration. ELA was created to enhance the quality of life and offer well-rounded daytime program options for adults with disabilities while providing a flexible schedule for families. For more information about the ELA Program visit www.nssra.org/ela.

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with disabilities who live in the partner communities. NSSRA is an extension of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern suburbs of Chicago. This partnership includes the Park Districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; the Cities of Highwood and Lake Forest; and the Village of Riverwoods. NSSRA has been creating an environment of belonging through play since 1970, and has the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country. For more information about NSSRA and the programs and services they provide visit www.nssra.org.

Helmet off, Daniel Hrvojevic gets greeted by Jack Moran, Matthew Raymond and Will Jackson after hitting a three-run homer in the first inning. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

Being a P.O. — pitcher only — just wasn’t cutting it for him.

Thus, following the 2017 baseball season, Loyola Academy’s Daniel Hrvojevic decided it was time to reinvent himself.

Time for a position change.

He left the mound for the greener pastures of first base.

“Talked to coach [Nick Bridich] about it,” said the solidly built 5-foot-11, 205-pound Hrvojevic. “He told me to try first base … nothing was set in stone there.”

Good call.

After giving up football and focusing solely on baseball, it didn’t take Hrvojevic long to win the starter’s job at first base. He has been a fixture on the right side of the LA infield since Game One of the season.

His bat? It’s got some pop.

Hrvojevic certainly came up huge in LA’s 12-6 win over visiting Maine West in a Class 4A sectional semifinal at Munz, a suspended game which was completed on May 31.

Hrvojevic hit a booming three-run home run to cap a six-run first inning.

“I went up there with open mind, a clear head,” said Hrvojevic, who cranked out a slider.

He got it all.

And so did many others wearing the Loyola pinstripes.

Other members of LA’s Boom Squad included Trey Torain (solo homer in the first inning), Will Jackson (solo homer in the third) and Johnny Mejia (two-run home in the sixth).

The Ramblers also banged out five doubles and one triple.

Bridich loved the thump — especially since it came from up and down the order.

“Our hitters really handled themselves well,” he said. “I’m happy with the balance of our lineup.”

Torain was the igniter. After blasting a home run in the bottom of the first, he added a leadoff triple in the second and an RBI double in the third.

The senior right-fielder made a bid to hit for the cycle. But he grounded into a fielder’s choice in the fifth and was retired on a hot grounder to shortstop in the sixth.

Jackson nearly matched Torain. After hitting a two-run ground-rule double in the first inning, he went yard in the third inning.

LA catcher Jason Vrbancic and shortstop Jack Moran also came up with multiple hits.

Vrbancic legged out an infield hit in the fourth.

“Always hustle. Always run hard,” said Vrbancic. “And if you do, something like that might happen.”

The senior backstop was even more excited with his ringing bases-loaded, ground-rule double down the left-field line in the sixth.

“It was awesome to get those runs in for us,” Vrbancic said. “You live for that.”

Moran not only played solid defense, but the No. 8 hitter also went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

And, how about LA’s No. 9 hitter: Mejia. The left-handed hitting senior third baseman hit a rope over the right-center fence. It was gone in an instant.

“I just went up there looking to hit the ball hard somewhere,” said Mejia. “Hit it hard and see where it goes.”

Maine West also came up with some pretty good offense. Justin Schroller ripped a solo homer in the first, while Emmett Olson drilled a two-run shot in the seventh.

LA (21-9-1) used three pitchers in the contest: starter Joe McKermitt and relievers Jake Novak and Jackson. Novak worked innings No. 4, 5 and 6 to earn the win. He had five Ks in the three innings.

The Ramblers will face Evanston in the sectional title game at Munz on June 2 at 10 a.m.

The Wildkits beat Lane Tech 9-7 in the other semifinal.

Will Jackson (No. 18) crosses the plate, while Daniel Hrvojevic circles the bases. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER 

Trey Torain of the Ramblers taps helmets with Henry Haracz after hitting a homer in the first inning. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

Will Jackson (No. 18) heads to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the third inning. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

With Jack Moran at shortstop, LA pitcher Joe McKermitt checks a baserunner at second. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

MIKE & BETH ROSENBAUM, LISA & TOM ARONSON Photography courtesy of SCOPE Midwest

SCOPE Midwest held its Annual Benefit Dinner “All You Need is Camp” at Briarwood Country Club in Deerfield co-chaired by Dayna Hardin and Dana Kite, directors at Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camps. The event raised more than $125,000 to help send Chicago-area children to one of 13 SCOPE partner camps. Partner camps are all nonprofit overnight camps throughout the Midwest, including House in the Wood, a summer camp through Northwestern Settlement. More than 250 guests attended the event that featured cocktails, dinner, live music by Robbie Gold, and a silent auction. Allen Schwartz, previous owner and director of Banner Day Camp, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his positive impact on the lives of thousands of youth and his contributions to the summer camp industry. Also honored at the dinner was Sydney Martin, who founded Giving Rocks Foundation when she was just 10 years old. Giving Rocks has raised more than $700,000 to help find a cure for a rare form of pediatric cancer. Sydney’s mother, Traci, accepted the award on her behalf. scopeusa.org/midwest

TRACI MARTIN

DAYNA HARDIN, DANA KITE

JENNA ARONSON, AMANDA GUTHRIE, LARISSA THURMAN, JESSICA APGAR

HIGHWOOD – Clucker’s Charcoal Chicken is building a brand-new restaurant space and will relocate to downtown Highwood from its current location across from Fort Sheridan in July.

Rather than update his current space at 760 Sheridan Road that has been home to Clucker’s since 2008, owner Reed Merdinger is excited to start anew on the site that previously housed Red Lantern, and before that, Shrimp Walk.

“The facility itself is completely new except for the four walls and the roof,” said Merdinger. “This restaurant is more contemporary. The doors open to the street and it has a larger outdoor café.”

The Highland Park resident explained that the front of the restaurant has been remodeled with a pristine, terra cotta, 1935 Art Deco look. He has pictures of the original 1935 restaurant, Rainbow Tavern, from the Highwood Historical Society and said the façade is exactly the same as it is today.

The star of the show, charcoal chicken, at Clucker’s in Highland Park. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA

Clucker’s Chef Danny Mora and owner Reed Merdinger. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA

The new Clucker’s will have an addition in the back with an exhibit kitchen to get a birds-eye view of the chef in action.

Merdinger is also excited about incorporating the “Shou-Sugi-Ban,” Japanese process for burning wood.

“This process preserves the wood and gives it an unbelievable texture and color,” he said. “The material is coming from Japan and will be used on the interior and exterior of the new Clucker’s.”

He added that the new restaurant will have exposed brick and exposed beam ceilings with orbs that has an industrial look to it.

Though the look has changed, the menu will be almost identical and Clucker’s is now featuring ribs on weekends which Merdinger said will likely move to full-time. It will be the same fast casual service where you order at the counter and a server brings the food to your table.

Merdinger told DailyNorthShore how he hatched a plan to open a chicken joint.

It all began on their honeymoon in Mexico City, when he and his wife went to a restaurant called El Pollo Loco.

“We saw the concept of this big grill with all of the chickens on it and I fell in love with the idea,” he said. “I always thought chicken was healthy and filled with protein and the process of cooking it with a light charcoal imparts an incredible flavor to it.”

In 1985 Merdinger was working for Don Roth’s Blackhawk Restaurant when he put the concept together and opened  Clucker’s Charcoal Chicken at 2350 Clark Street in Chicago.

“That’s where we came up with the popular 2350 Salad at Clucker’s in Highwood,” said Merdinger.

The 2350 Salad is made with grilled chicken, bacon, chopped egg, avocado, scallions, Swiss cheese, mixed greens and poppy seed dressing.

Clucker’s 2350 Salad, named after the address of the first Clucker’s location at 2350 N. Clark Street in Chicago, includes grilled chicken, bacon, tomatoes, chopped egg, avocados, scallions, Swiss cheese, mixed greens and sweet poppy dressing. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Chicken Enchiladas, 3 corn tortillas stuffed with rotisserie chicken, with cheese, avocado, and salsa verde.

More clucking about specialties later.

Soon Merdinger opened another Clucker’s in Wheeling and ran two restaurants, before something unimaginable happened.

“In 1998, I went to bed and woke up paralyzed,” said Merdinger. “My disc imploded to my spine, and I was paralyzed from the chest down for about three years.”

Merdinger explained that he played rugby and baseball in college and believes that the injuries he suffered led to his diagnosis of spinal stenosis. “I’m not in pain and my family has been a great support to me,” he said.

He still uses a walker, but has never let his disability slow him down.

In 2008, Merdinger decided to open shop closer to home in Highwood and in 2015, Clucker’s opened another restaurant in Libertyville run by Deb Merdinger, his wife and business partner.

“We both pull into the garage every night at 10 p.m.,” said Merdinger.  The couple have been married for 37 years and have two married children, son Rex and daughter A.J., and one grandchild. Merdinger added that his kids are too smart to join the family business, but they all enjoy dining at Clucker’s.

Some of Clucker’s specialties include: the crispy, lemony brick chicken which is served after 5 p.m., the chicken enchiladas, chicken kabobs and all of the rotisserie chicken.

“The brick chicken sells out every night and we sold 7,500 wings on Super Bowl Sunday which is our busiest day of the year,” he said.

For those who flock to meat, in addition to ribs, Clucker’s serves hamburgers, brisket and steak sandwiches.

All of their soups, salads, sauces and dressings are made from scratch, as well as the homemade chips, garlic smashed reds, red beans and rice and grilled vegetables. Clucker’s also offers a complete catering menu.

Merdinger finds working with the employees and visiting with the customers very rewarding. Most of his staff has been at the Highwood location since Clucker’s first opened about 10 and a half years ago.

Daniel Mora is the chef and Marta Menenes and Leo Hernandez are co-managers.

“To find people that enjoy your food and employees that are loyal to you is so worthwhile,” said Merdinger. “We support a lot of families here.”

Clucker’s Charcoal Chicken is currently located at 760 Sheridan Road and will be flying the coop to 405 Sheridan Road in mid to late July.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for the “Bird on the Fly” for home deliveries.

Merdinger’s first Clucker’s mobile was a Smart Car, but it was too small to handle all of the business, so he found a man in Wisconsin who could put the chicken heads on small delivery trucks. He said, “It was probably the best marketing thing I ever did.”

For more information visit: cluckerscharcoalchicken.com or call: 847/432-2582.

This May, Anna Krolikowska, a Northbrook-based family law attorney, won the hotly contested seat for third vice-president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), the largest voluntary state bar association in the country.

Krolikowska will move up the organization’s ranks to second and first vice president over the course of the next three years and ascend to the IBSA presidency in 2021, making her the fifth female president of ISBA since the organization was founded in 1877.

Krolikowska won the annual election by a landslide, earning 2,196 votes – more votes than her two male opponents combined.

“I wasn’t expecting that result, but it tells me that my campaign message resonated,” said Krolikowska, who campaigned intensely for several months, traveling thousands of miles and giving more than 60 speeches to ISBA’s constituents in communities across the state. “Women can bring a different perspective and voice if we have a seat at the table.”

Anna Krolikowska in her Northbrook law office. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA

At 37, Krolikowska will also be one of the youngest ISBA presidents in the organization’s 141-year history.

“Anna will bring a new vision and focus to the ISBA during her leadership,” said supporter Emily Masalski, a Chicago-based environmental law attorney. “She’s aware of the many issues facing lawyers from all disciplines in Illinois and she’ll be a tireless advocate for each and every one of them.”

A voluntary organization of 28,000 members, the Illinois State Bar Association’s primary focus is to assist Illinois lawyers in the practice of law and to promote improvements in the administration of justice. ISBA members receive benefits such as 15 hours of free continuing education, free access to online legal research, and career assistance.

ISBA presidents often take a stand on issues during their elected, one-year term.

Krolikowska, a Chicago native who received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, has ambitious plans to be a voice for young, female and underrepresented minority attorneys in Illinois.

“It’s important that we mentor and create a pipeline for future leaders,” she said.

Although many of ISBA’s Chicago, Springfield and Peoria-based members work in large law practices, Krolikowska plans to advocate for the large contingent of association members who are solo and small-firm practitioners in rural parts of the state.

Saddled with heavy law school debt, but unable to charge Chicago prices for legal services, many downstate attorneys are finding it difficult to make a living, Krolikowska said. At the same time, parts of Illinois are now defacto attorney deserts, where the local population has limited access to professional legal services.

“My mission is to support these solo and small-firm attorneys by helping them market their services and manage their practices,” said Krolikowska.

Krowlikowska, who lives with her husband in Palatine, immigrated to the United States from Poland as a teenager, settling on the northwest side of Chicago with her family. After quickly learning English, Krolikowska tested into Lane Tech College Preparatory High School before heading off to Loyola University to earn her B.A. and J.D.

It was an interesting, nuanced class in law school that convinced Krolikowska to pursue family law.

“I felt I could help people at a difficult time in their lives,” said Krolikowska. “That’s always the goal.”

Krolikowska is now a partner in the Northbrook law firm of K&R Family Legal Services, where, as a litigator and trained mediator, she works to offer her clients diverse, creative approaches to resolving marital disputes.

It’s this very skill set, Krolikowska said, that will serve her well as ISBA president.

“I deal with people who are experiencing strong emotions and under tremendous stress, which lends itself to leadership roles in general,” said Krolikowksa.

She credited her membership in ISBA with giving her a leg up as a young attorney starting out in practice 10 years ago, and said there’s intrinsic value in community bar associations to introduce like-minded law professionals.

“I met wonderful mentors through ISBA who taught and encouraged me,” said Krolikowska. “We are stronger together than apart.”

New Trier’s Whitney Hoban takes possession of the ball during play in the state semifinal at North Central College. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Switching Whitney Hoban to center midfield has turned out to be a brilliant coaching move.

The versatile and tenacious New Trier senior has taken to the “new” position. In fact, she’s become extremely adept at it.

Hoban played it to near perfection — again — in NT’s 4-0 victory over Andrew High School in a Class 3A state semifinal game at North Central College in Naperville on June 1.

“She does a great job of shutting down other team’s attacks,” said Trevians head coach Jim Burnside, who will prepare his team for Saturday’s state title game against Barrington (7 p.m.).

“And talk about players who inspire,” the coach added. “Whitney is one of those players. She inspires her coaches — and her teammates.”

Meanwhile, her tendency to drift towards the opposition’s goal probably can’t be helped.

Hoban has a bent — for scoring.

“[Until this year], I’ve always been a forward,” said Hoban, who teams with Caroline Iserloth, Nicole Kaspi and Sydney Parker on her FC United club team. “That’s been my position my entire life.”

So, it was hardly a surprise to see her convert a goal with a well-aimed header off a corner kick by Emma Weaver with 29:15 left in the second half to give New Trier (24-0-2) a 4-0 advantage.

“She’s a natural forward,” said Burnside. “Whitney’s got that scoring mentality.”

It was Hoban’s seventh goal of the season to go along with nine assists, including two in her team’s 5-1 win over Carmel Catholic in the Evanston Supersectional on May 29.

“With this team, you never know who’s going to score the goals,” Burnside said.

Parker put the Trevians ahead 2-0 with 9:17 left in the first half, when the senior defensive ace rammed in a header off a corner kick by Weaver. It was her 17^th goal of the season.

Moments later, the explosive Trevians took full control of the contest, when senior center back Nell Martin slipped a shot past Andrew goalie Gabriella Sportiello.

Scoring was a different kind of experience for the exuberant Martin, who usually lines up on the defensive end. It was her first goal of the season to go along with one assist.

“Goals don’t come my way all that often,” said Martin, who made it a 3-0 game. “Victoria [Flannagan] crossed it to me. She did all the work.”

Burnside loved what Martin brought to the field.

“We needed some senior calm out there,” said the coach. “She’s a soccer player. She knew where she needed to be on that play.”

Meanwhile, Andrew (21-5), which defeated a solid Downers Grove North team 2-1 in the Andrew Supersectional on May 29, opened the game on shaky ground.

The Thunderbolts (21-5) fell behind 1-0 in the second minute of the game, when they scored an own goal.

Despite taking three corner kicks in the first 25 minutes of the game, Andrew never really got its offense untracked.

Hoban, who will play college soccer at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, definitely had a say in that. She consistently stymied potential Thunderbolt runs.

“Whitney wins 50-50 balls nonstop,” said Burnside.

Her intensity and work rate is unquestioned. She plays the game in fiery fashion.

“I like the way she wears her heart on her sleeve,” Burnside said. “And I like the way she uses every part of her body — head, knees, feet — to make plays.”

Winning balls in the air is what sets her apart.

“Hope Baisley [now playing at Fordham University] played the position last year,” said Hoban, a three-year varsity player who logged starter minutes at forward last season. “It’s my role this year, and it’s a key part of the game.”

Notable: The championship game between New Trier and Barrington figures to be a heated battle. NT lost last year’s state title game to the Fillies in a penalty-kick shootout. … Barrington (20-3-2) claimed a 1-0 victory over Naperville North in the other semifinal. … New Trier coach Jim Burnside, who picked up career win No. 508 against Andrew, will be looking for state title No. 7.

Whitney Hoban (No. 22) heads the ball against Andrew’s Alex Dennis. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Nicole Kaspi (No. 13) and Abby Merk celebrate New Trier’s state semifinal win over Andrew. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Meredith Nassar of the Trevians (No. 7) battles an Andrew’s Megan O’Neill. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

NT’s Lily Conley (No. 6) hurdles over an Andrew player. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Jose Crumley of the Trevians heads the ball away from the NT goal. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

New Trier’s Sydney Parker gets tangled up with Andrew’s Erin Jaskierski. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Katie Weix (No. 10) of the Trevians heads the ball away from Andrew’s Makayla More. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

NT’s Nell Martin (middle) celebrates her goal with teammates. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Nell Martin crashes into Andrew’s Samantha Gountounas. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Loyola Academy junior Ben Wagner, seen here in earlier action this spring, went the distance in his team’s sectional final win over Evanston. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Things were going so well — from an offensive standpoint — in the fourth inning for the Loyola Academy baseball team that Ben Wagner did something out of the ordinary.

He temporally left the dugout.

The LA starter grabbed backup catcher Colin Summerhill, and the two of them had an impromptu bullpen session.

“It was a long inning, and I felt like my arm was tightening up a little,” said Wagner. “I threw 8 to 10 pitches down there just to stay loose.

“Never done that before,” the junior right-hander added.

Can you say win-win?

Not only did Wagner benefit from his teammates’ six-run outburst in that telling fourth inning, but he also “stayed loose” and wound up going the distance in LA’s 9-3 victory over Evanston in the Class 4A Loyola Academy Sectional final on June 2.

“No way was I going to take the ball away from him,” said LA head coach Nick Bridich. “This was quite possibly his best outing of the season.”

It was a typical pitch-to-contact outing by the 5-foot-11, 160-pound Wagner, who scattered nine hits over seven innings with three strikeouts and zero walks.

His command was there from the get-go. In the first inning, Wagner, who doesn’t throw hard, needed just two pitches to retire the first two Evanston hitters.

“Those one-pitch outs are pretty nice,” said Wagner. “Getting quick outs and not giving up free passes is what I focus on.

“I had a good feel for my slider today,” he added.

Wagner retired the side in order in innings No. 2 and No. 6.

“He’s a tremendous kid. And he’s been a tremendous leader for us,” Bridich said. “No one on this team epitomizes Loyola baseball better than he does.”

Wagner, who allowed only one earned run, had a little help along the way. He worked out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a flashy play by LA junior shortstop Jack Moran.

With runners on first and third, Evanston’s Chris Wolfe hit a hot-shot grounder to the right of Moran, who charged the ball hard and whipped a strike to first baseman Daniel Hrvojevic.

Hang a star on it.

“A phenomenal play by Jack,” said Bridich. “No one watching understands how tough of the play that was.

“He was very aggressive,” the coach added. “Which is the style of defense that we teach, especially with our infielders on the left side.”

It was a bang-bang play at first.

“Very close,” said Wagner. “I was excited when the umpire called him out. I was as excited as I’ve been all season.”

Moran, meanwhile, downplayed the play.

“It was a tough ball, but I just went and got it,” he said. “I just made a play.

“But it was good for team morale,” Moran added.

Moran, who plays the position with plenty of flair, also made a couple of nice plays in the seventh inning.

“He’s just been unbelievable,” said Wagner.

The same can be said for LA’s batting order. Against three different Evanston hurlers, the Ramblers had five guys with two hits: Moran, Hrvojevic, Henry Haracz, Jake Novak and Jason Vrbancic.

All nine starters reached base at least once.

“We’re getting [production] throughout the lineup,” said Moran. “And that’s huge.”

The big hits in LA’s six-run fourth inning included a run-scoring double by Hrvojevic, a run-scoring single by Moran and a two-run single by Novak. Trey Torain added a bases-loaded double, while Matthew Raymond brought in a run with a sacrifice fly.

The Ramblers added three more runs in the sixth inning on RBI singles by Jason Vrbancic and Hrvojevic.

This was LA’s first sectional title since the 2008 season. The team will face Huntley in the Schaumburg Supersectional at Boomers Stadium on June 4 at 5 p.m.

Huntley defeated Barrington 7-1 in the McHenry Sectional on June 2.

LA shortstop Jack Moran makes a play during earlier action this spring. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

GABRIELLE CUMMINGS, DR. DEMETRIUS MARAGANORE, EILEEN & DR. PAUL GOLDSTEIN Photography by Larry Miller

Highland Park Country Club was abuzz with more than 300 guests during the Myra Rubenstein Weis (MRW) Health Resource Center Luncheon entitled “Brain Matters.” The event celebrated 22 years of fundraising, as well as the life and impact of Eileen Rubenstein Goldstein’s sister, Myra, who passed away from breast cancer. Dr. Demetrius Maraganore was the keynote speaker, and Jesse Peterson Hall, president of Highland Park Hospital, also spoke at the event, commemorating the hospital’s 100th anniversary. Funds raised during the event will be used to support the LIFE Cancer Survivorship Program at NorthShore University HealthSystem and personalized medicine programming for high school students. foundation.northshore.org/mrw

ABBY SARNOFF, CARYN ENGLE

DEBBIE ORI, HEATHER REDISCH

RUTHIE GREENSPAN, BRIDGET REDLICH

DR. CAROL ROSENBERG

DR. JORDAN & STEPHANIE GOLDSTEIN

LAKE FOREST – Need more business prospects, but dread the thought or prospecting and cold calling? The topic for the next LF/LB Chamber luncheon is “Debunking the Myths of Prospecting & Cold Calling,” featuring Norm Roth, who has been called a “Top Sales Trainer” and was cited in The Wall Street Journal as a “talented, powerful manager, trainer and new business developer.” The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m. at The Lake Forest Club (554 North Westmoreland Road, LF).

In his presentation, Norm acknowledges that cold calling potential customers can seem frustrating and difficult, whether in person or on the phone. He’ll then discuss the myths of prospecting and debunk them. Simply said, cold calling is a conversation.

With more than four decades’ experience in Senior Sales Management, Sales Training, Client Retention, Business Coaching and creating successful Sales Processes, Norman Roth has developed a strong capability for helping start-ups, small, mid-size businesses and large companies hire, train and work together with other departments to build a more profitable company. Norman has been called upon to speak at universities in their Business and Marketing Departments, has authored and presented CEC courses and is a much sought after certified speaker.

This luncheon represents the third in a Business Education series of three presentations focusing on customer acquisition, engagement and retention. At the first two luncheons of the series, attendees learned about customer relationships and referrals.

Cost to attend is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. The public is welcome. Reservations are required. Deadline to register is noon on Tuesday, June 11. Guests may register online at www.lflbchamber.com or by calling 847.234.4282.

Submitted by the LF/LB Chamber of Commerce

I meet Darren Anixter at Little Louie’s in Northbrook. It’s 11 a.m. on a Sunday in April, too late for breakfast but not too early for lunch.

The 46-year-old from Highland Park could easily pass for a 5-foot-7, 170-pound version of New York Yankees great Derek Jeter, a threat to become the first-ever unanimous Baseball Hall of Fame inductee in two years. But the topic of the day will be basketball — specifically the 11th Annual Brian P. Schwartz (BPS) Basketball Tournament at Camp Ojibwa in Eagle River, Wisconsin, June 7-10.

“I’m hoping to lose five pounds before heading up there,” says Anixter, after ordering a skirt steak pita, a small cup of chili and a large Diet Coke at Little Louie’s, which is owned by Anixter’s longtime friend Pete Weiss.

“I might not score a point all weekend, because I’m a pass-first point guard,” the 1990 Highland Park High School graduate adds. “But you know what? The guys I guard won’t score a point.”

Darren Anixter; ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Anixter, a former Camp Ojibwa camper and counselor, is the founder and commissioner of the BPS League at Ojibwa. A tragedy in 2007 led to its formation. Schwartz, one of Anixter’s good friends, died from a heart attack at the age of 37 while playing basketball on a court in Highland Park.

“ ‘Schwartzy’ was helping me out, serving as an assistant commissioner of a league I was organizing for guys, good guys, to get together at Ojibwa on the weekend before Father’s Day,” Anixter says. “After he died, we named the tournament — the trip, really, since we do more than play basketball during the four days up there — in his honor. Great friend, incredible human being. ‘Schwartzy’ was a big guy, a huge hugger. His smile … I’ll never forget that; nobody will. Brian was always in a good mood. I was a freshman at Highland Park High School when he was a senior.

“Brian,” he adds, “looked out for me.”

A lefty with a bum right rotator cuff and a survivor of two knee surgeries, Anixter can’t wait to battle with his America’s Team cagers next weekend. Nearly 200 men attended the event last summer. The oldest registered hoopster this year is 58, the youngest 22. Entry fee is $400. The trip also includes softball and golf divisions. After the inaugural BPS Tournament, the league donated money toward the construction of Little League dugouts at Sunset Woods Park in Highland Park; in ensuing years, a portion of the fees was earmarked for Camp Ojibwa scholarships.

“What goes on up there every year is amazing, pretty special,” Anixter says. “It is intense basketball for four straight days, six guys on each team, guys competing hard, beating each other up. But we hang out as best friends after each game, bonding and experiencing brotherhood.”

Anixter, a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball) at HPHS, majored in sociology and minored in health education at the University of Arizona. He works for A-Z Industries, a wire and cable company founded by his father, Jim Anixter, also known as The Pink Hat Guy. TV viewers of Chicago Cubs home games have seen Jim and his hat in a plum seat behind home plate. Jim hands out pink baseball hats to fans at Wrigley Field, as long as each promises to donate at least $25 to the American Cancer Society.

“My dad has been passionate about the Cubs for decades,” Darren Anixter says. “I’m passionate, too, about a lot of things, not just Camp Ojibwa. I love playing basketball, running a hoops league [at Highwood Recreation Center] working out, doing yoga.”

Anixter’s wife, Michelle, grew up in Indiana. Each of their sons — Evan, 20, Grant, 19, and Austin, 17 — attended Camp Ojibwa and later served as a camp counselor. Evan and Grant are University of Texas students.

Michelle, like her husband and sons, has a deep love for Camp Ojibwa.

“My wife, a full-fledged Hoosier, is Mary Poppins,” says Anixter, a Camp Ojibwa board member and mentee of longtime Camp Ojibwa Director Denny Rosen. “Michelle is an incredible human being, a great mom, and she supports my nonsense. When I’m around my three sons I’m the cool dad, but I’m also the fourth kid.”

The fourth kid’s all-time record against Evan Anixter in one-one-on hoops games atop the Anixter driveway is 99-2, Darren Anixter figures.

“But I’m 0-2 against him in our last two games,” the dad admits.

Take heart, Darren. Derek Jeter recovered often from an 0-for-2 start in a game.

LAKE BLUFF – Carrying on Lake Bluff’s rich history as a destination for artists and art lovers, the nonprofit Artists on the Bluff will share its talent with the community at the Summer Arts Festival on the Lake Bluff Village Green June 16-17.

“We’ll have a large body of work at the festival. It (serves) as more exposure for our local artists, plus it is a community event the whole family can enjoy,” Beverly Behrens, publicity chair for Artists on the Bluff, told DailyNorthShore.

The festival will include 24 booths, showcasing the work of 28 local artists. There will also be two food vendors, six live musical acts that perform throughout the day, and a children’s craft tent sponsored by the Lake Bluff Public Library.

Most members of Artists on the Bluff spend the year gearing up for this big event. The membership comprises an eclectic group of artists — many mid-career — who draw from within a 100-mile radius of Lake Bluff. While the organization began nearly 20 years ago with about 12 to 15 members, it has seen a dramatic increase in membership over the past couple of years, now boasting 78 members.

The boost in membership is primarily due to the success of the group’s exhibit space at The Gallery in Lake Forest, which opened two years ago.

“Everyone is excited to have an opportunity to show their art,” Behrens said.

The gallery space has attracted new members, and in the past year, expanded from a hallway of the restaurant into a separate room where diners frequently visit while waiting for a table.

The exhibit changes monthly with a new theme that ties together a variety of mediums. It’s not uncommon to see a wide range of artwork from jewelry and fiber arts to oil and watercolor paintings.

“It’s quite a broad spectrum,” Behrens said.

This month’s exhibit, “Bloom”, opened on May 10, just in time for spring flowers. The exhibit includes a variety of artwork, such as Liz Jensen’s fiber arts and Bob London’s photographs.

In addition to The Gallery exhibits, Artists on the Bluff also meets monthly at the Lake Bluff Park District. The meetings include informative arts-related presentations by accomplished professional artists from inside and outside the organization.

“It’s really very exciting. There is always something different,” Behrens said.

The presentations frequently include an art demonstration on different mediums, such as print making or how to make a hat, Behrens said.

Starting this June, Artists on the Bluff will host a tent at the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market. Each week throughout the summer, two to three different artists will have their artwork on display for sale.

For more information on Artists on the Bluff, visit www.artistsonthebluff.org.

Here are several photos from the opening of “Bloom”, the exhibit of Artists on the Bluff at The Gallery in Lake Forest. All photography by George Pfoertner/JWC Media:

Patrons take a break from the rush of art lovers packing pack the showroom at The Gallery in Lake Forest.

Bev McKenna talks with a fellow art lover.

Photographer Saskia Van Alphen, right, stands in front of her work and chats with Vanesa Watkin.

Erika Heinz, left, and Debbie Dun.

A unique view of Chicago captures the attention of a visitor of The Gallery.

Painter Adrienne Aaronson is all smiles as she poses next to one of her paintings.

Artists on the Bluff and Summer Arts Festival Committee members, from left: Bev Behrens, Paulette Colo, Phillip Ross, Sandi Bacon, Alison Tompkins, and Bev McKenna.

Lake Forest resident Conchi Del Saz, left, and her friend Claudia Boix.

For more information about Artists on the Bluff, as well as the upcoming Summer Arts Festival and “Bloom” at The Gallery, visit www.artistsonthebluff.org.