Seeds of Rockford Promise ready to bloom

The third annual Blue Christmas service will have a mix of emotions on Dec. 23.The 10 a.m. service at Brooke Road UMC & Community Center, 1404 Brooke Rd., gives families who lost loved ones to opioid overdose a chance to remember and grieve together. This Blue Christmas, though, will also have a message of hope. For the first time in decades, public health data shows that drug overdose deaths are declining. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths are expected to decline by more than 10% this year.The drop in Winnebago County is even more striking. There were 149 drug overdose deaths in 2023 and there have been just 63 so far this year with two weeks to go. That's a decline of more than 55%.Most experts agree that the widespread distribution of naloxone or Narcan is making a real difference. Narcan is an over-the-counter drug that treats opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the body. It can be administered by injection or as a nasal spray.The Winnebago County Health Department offers free Narcan training and, since October 2022, Rockford has had several vending machines in the city give out free Narcan kits. On average, more than 200 kits are claimed monthly.While it's clear that overdose deaths are declining, it's not clear yet if drug use is falling. Still, it's a small victory worth celebrating.

Much like the actual year that Santa Claus was born - or created - isn't really clear, the year that the fiberglass Santa that sits outside of Ambrose Christmas Store first started waving to Rockford is also unclear.Its original home was Goldblatt's Department Store at 616 Hollister Ave., in the Rockford Plaza Shopping Center, which is now home to the Stockholm Inn, among others. Goldblatt's was a department store chain that started in Chicago and by 1956, when it opened in Rockford, had more than 20 stores across several states.Sometime in the late 1950s, early 1960s, Goldblatt's bought the two-piece fiberglass Santa that it would mount on a roof facing its Charles Street parking lot. Unfortunately, by the time the Santa began appearing annually in Rockford, Goldblatt's was past its peak. Retailers such as Kmart and Sears were cutting into its profits. In 1981, Goldblatt's in Rockford closed when the company declared bankruptcy.That's when the Charles Street Santa became a traveling Santa. William Lidster of Pecatonica went to the liquidation and bought Santa. For the next 16 years, Santa would bounce around. Some years it was put on display at Lidster's business, Advanced Window Systems on Windsor Road in Loves Park, and other times sitting outside the Lidster's home on Illinois Route 70 west of Rockford. Occasionally, the Lidsters would display Santa as part of the Festival of Lights at Sinnissippi Park.In 1997, the Goldblatt's Santa found a permanent home. The Lidsters reached out to Ambrose Christmas Store in Loves Park to see if there was interest and a deal was quickly reached. Now, for many people in Rockford, Loves Park, and Machesney Park, the first real sign of Christmas is when the Ambrose Santa is brought out of storage and put on display.It's a perfect marriage because Ambrose is only slightly younger than Santa. Ambrose opened in 1969 and is on its second generation of family ownership. Once you pull into the parking lot, give Santa a wave and head inside, you find more than 150 Christmas trees on display, specialty and novelty Christmas lights, collectibles, custom-decorated wreaths, and thousands and thousands of ornaments.An annual trip to Ambrose is a family tradition all its own.

On November 4th, 2024, the world celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the first archaeologists to enter King Tutankhamun’s tomb and Rockford native Dr. James Breasted was part of the party.British archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon were the first two to enter King Tut’s tomb in more than 3,000 years, discovering a sealed burial chamber completely intact with a collection of several thousand priceless objects, including the gold coffin containing the mummy of the teenage king.Breasted, who was a nationally renowned archaeologist, was right behind them. He aided in the opening and translated the tomb’s runes.Breasted was born in Rockford in 1865 and went to local schools before graduating from North Central College, earning a master’s degree from Yale and a doctorate from the University of Berlin, where he became the first American to earn a PhD in Egyptology.His academic accomplishments are long, including becoming the first director of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, publishing dozens of articles and several books on archaeology, and being the first to compile a book on Egyptian hieroglyphics.He was so well regarded in his profession that in 1985 the American Historical Association created the James Henry Breasted Prize which is awarded annually to a book in English that covers any period of history prior to 1000 AD. Breasted died in 1935 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery where his headstone simply has his name and the description “historian and archaeologist.”

It's that time of year when nothing warms the soul quite like a rich, creamy cup of hot chocolate. We're on the hunt for the best hot chocolate in Rockford!Who’s got the most decadent, marshmallow-topped masterpiece in town? Vote for your favorite and let us know where you’re sipping on the ultimate hot chocolate this season!

Josh Patterson and the staff at Wired Cafe were pretty excited for the second week of October. Patterson and his partners at Eight Fifteen Capital bought the 13-year-old coffee shop in January, learned the ropes, learned the customers, and wanted to take the next step by roasting their own coffee beans."We'd just gotten the roaster on Friday (Oct. 4)," said Patterson, who owns the cafe along with his brother, Matt Simpson, Terrance Hall, Clydale Hilson and Jaron Hite.Sunday morning, he got a call. Someone had broken into Wired and set three different fires."That day there was just a lot of uncertainty, a lot of just wrapping my head around what happened, why it happened," Patterson said.The next few days were a whirlwind of meeting with representatives of their insurance company. "That helped as far as just addressing, we talk about triage, stopping the bleeding, that helped us in terms of starting to pick up the pieces."Once the group could see a path forward, they wanted to take control of what others were seeing and saying."One of the seven principals of Kwanzaa is kujichagulia, which means self determination in Swahili," Patterson said. Kwanzaa is the annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated the seven days after Christmas. Kujichagulia emphasizes the right and responsibility to define, name, create for oneself, and speak for oneself."We knew that the longer that we're not open, there's opportunity for our customers to get what they get from us from other places," Patterson said. "There were a lot of questions about what happened and we wanted to stay connected with our Wired Family."Wired worked with Pablo Korona, the filmmaker behind the Our City, Our Story series, to document its path to reopening. The group released videos on Oct. 13 and Nov. 4 on its Facebook and Instagram pages giving its customers an insiders view.Patterson said the videos have been cleansing."It's empowering to tell your own story," he said. "This happened to us, but we control what happens next."Patterson is excited about the next video, which is scheduled to be posted on Nov. 19. It will include Wired Cafe's reopening date."It's going to be sooner rather than later."You can find Wired Cafe at facebook.com/@wiredcaferockford or instagram.com/wiredcaferkfd/.

Der Rathskeller was a North End staple for 90 years. What started out as a sausage shop and delicatessen in 1931 at 1132 Auburn St. eventually evolved to include a bar, restaurant and outdoor beer garden.Beginning in 2016, though, the restaurant went through three ownership changes before closing for good in October, 2021, unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.In June, the property sprung back to life as Plume under the direction of husband-wife duo Lia Pennacchi and Chase Williams. The two know the Rockford restaurant scene well. They started working together when Williams was the executive chef at Social Urban Bar & Restaurant in downtown Rockford.For those who remember Der Rathskeller, Plume is a bit of a change. It's much brighter with an upscale decor and pricing. It's also an Italian restaurant - but with a slight twist. The cuisine is northern Italian - the Pennacchis' heritage traces back to northern Italy - and the food has Austrian and German influences. So there's still that little tie to Der Rathskeller.My sister and I stopped in to try it out on Halloween, even sitting next to a couple dressed as a British king and queen. One thing to note. You will not be offered a menu. There are QR codes to scan to find the drink and food menus. They will bring you one if you ask. The goal of Plume is to change the menu regularly as produce is in season without having to routinely print new menus.We split a small plate, the tigelle. That came on a wooden board and included thin biscuits that you slice to make small sandwiches stuffed with mortadella (thin slices of Italian sausage), coppa picante (cured pork), pesto Modenese (a spread made of cured pork fat, garlic and rosemary) and blueberry preserves. For one, that would have been a meal in and of itself.We also split the Eickman's beef tenderloin, which was an 8-oz filet placed on top of potatoes cooked with onions and balsamic vinegar. The steak was so tender it seemed to melt in your mouth and the potatoes were sweet almost like sweet potatoes.We plan on going back to check out the bar and desserts on another day. On the night we went, it had Nutella Pot de Creme (hazelnut butter, chocolate and Frangelico whipped cream) and Tiramasu on the menu.Plume is a welcome addition to the North Main-Auburn corridor that also features the Norwegian at 1402 N. Main St. You should put both on your restaurant rotation.

There will be tens of thousands of kids out on Halloween in Rockford, in the annual quest for some cool candy. On Halloween in 1956, Rockford native and U.S. Navy Admiral George Dufek was hoping not to get too cold.On Oct. 31, 1956, Dufek became the first American to stand at the South Pole. He was one of seven U.S. Navy pilots who landed an airplane for the first time at the bottom of the world. With the engines running to avoid freeze-up, Dufek stepped out onto the frozen terrain and planted the U.S. Flag.The flight was part of Operation Deep Freeze, which had the ultimate goal of establishing a research station on the continent. In 1957, Dufek returned to the South Pole to establish a supply base, which he named Little Rockford.Today, the National Science Foundation's South Pole Station is host to cutting-edge science and home to as many 150 people at a time. Dufek was born in Rockford in 1903. He joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Rockford High School and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1921.Dufek became a pilot and served in World War II and the Korean War, when he was placed in command of the aircraft carrier USS Antietam. Dufek retired from the Navy in 1959 and died in 1977. The Navy stopped using Little Rockford in 1965.

It's October and that means it's time for Spooks! I’m dying to know… what’s your favorite haunted house to visit in the 815?

Tatianna Salisbury, a proud Rockford, Illinois native, has always been driven by her passion for storytelling. Now based in Denver, Colorado, she has blossomed into a powerful voice in the world of creative writing, publishing her debut book, words my heart needed to hear, in June 2023. This remarkable collection of poetry and short stories reflects Tatianna’s emotional journey through love, betrayal, longing, and healing. Her raw, honest writing style has already begun to resonate with readers across the country.A Passion for StorytellingTatianna’s love for writing began early on, but it was during her time at Rockford’s Auburn High School, in the CAPA program, that she truly started to believe in her potential as a writer."I’ve always loved writing," Tatianna shared. "But it was really when I was in the CAPA program at Auburn that I started to think I could make a career out of it. I had some incredible English teachers who pushed me to evolve as a writer."Her teachers’ encouragement ignited a passion that continued to grow throughout her college years. Tatianna pursued her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications at Northern Illinois University, where she honed her skills in journalism and creative writing. She held several positions at the university newspaper, including Editor-In-Chief, and contributed to various online publications and magazines across the U.S.The Journey to DenverIn the fall of 2021, Tatianna moved to Denver, Colorado, to further her career in internal communications. But it wasn’t long before she rekindled her love for creative writing and poetry. Between 2022 and 2023, Tatianna poured her heart into writing and publishing her first book, words my heart needed to hear, a collection that dives deep into the complexities of relationships and self-discovery."Through five chapters, we experience the lifecycle of love through Tatianna’s eyes," the book description reads. "As love sparks, takes, hurts, heals, and lasts, intimate stories from Tatianna’s life are displayed, divulged, and in some cases, dissected."The collection is more than just a series of poems—it’s a heartfelt letter to herself and an offering of comfort and understanding to those navigating their own emotional journeys.Looking to the future, Tatianna is preparing to republish words my heart needed to hear in spring 2025, featuring illustrations by an indie Colorado artist, a reimagined cover, and bonus material that teases her second book. She will be publishing her second book in late 2025.Tatianna’s Advice to Aspiring CreativesAs someone who has successfully pursued a creative career, Tatianna offers two key pieces of advice to anyone following a similar path. First, from her mentor: "Make the time and do the thing." Whether it’s writing for five minutes a day, painting on a small canvas, or volunteering at a theater company, making time for your creative passion is essential.Second, her personal advice is simple but powerful: "Don’t be afraid to love something." Reflecting on her own experiences, Tatianna remembers how she was hesitant to fully embrace her love for writing in school, often holding back for fear of judgment. Her message to younger creatives is clear: pursue your passion unapologetically, and don’t let the fear of judgment stand in your way."The only person’s judgment that matters is your own in terms of anything creative," she adds. "Whether you love writing, geometry, or collecting stamps, don’t be afraid to pursue it."Looking ForwardTatianna Salisbury’s journey is just beginning. Her book, words my heart needed to hear, is a testament to her passion, talent, and dedication to storytelling. As she continues exploring her creative path, both in writing and life, Tatianna is poised to inspire countless others with her courage and authenticity.For readers looking to experience the beauty of Tatianna’s writing, her debut book is available now—and it promises to be just the first of many stories she will share with the world. To follow Tatianna’s creative journey and stay updated on future projects, visit her website at tatiannasalisbury.com and connect with her on social media.

On September 17, 1971, a pivotal moment in television history unfolded as NBC aired the debut episode of McMillan & Wife, a popular police procedural series that captivated audiences across the country. What makes this day even more special for Rockford is its connection to Susan Saint James, one of the show’s leading stars. While Saint James was born in Los Angeles, she spent much of her formative years right here in Rockford, Illinois. Her journey from Rockford to television stardom is a story worth celebrating, particularly on this day in history.A Star is BornSusan Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. However, fate brought her to Rockford when her father, Charles Daniel Miller, became the president of Testor Corporation, a well-known manufacturer of model kits and paints. Moving to the Midwest, Saint James spent much of her youth in Rockford, attending local schools and soaking in the small-town charm of this northern Illinois city.From an early age, Saint James exhibited a flair for performance. She was involved in local theater productions and showed a passion for acting, which she would later pursue professionally. Despite her upbringing in a quiet Midwestern town, Saint James’ ambitions were anything but small. After graduating high school, she left Rockford to chase her dreams in the entertainment world.Breaking Into HollywoodBy the late 1960s, Saint James had carved out a niche for herself in Hollywood, albeit with modest roles. She appeared in minor TV and film parts, slowly building a résumé that would eventually pave the way for her big break. One of her notable early roles was in the 1968 film Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, a comedy about nuns. However, it was her work in television that would eventually catapult her to fame.In 1969, Saint James scored a recurring role in the TV series The Name of the Game, where she played the resourceful research assistant Peggy Maxwell. This part was instrumental in showcasing her talent to a broader audience. Saint James earned her first Emmy Award for her role in the series, a sign that her star was on the rise. She was no longer a small-town girl from Rockford – she was on her way to becoming a household name.The Breakthrough: McMillan & WifeIt wasn’t until September 17, 1971, however, that Susan Saint James would truly make her mark on Hollywood history. That night, the first episode of McMillan & Wife aired on NBC, introducing audiences to the charming dynamic between Rock Hudson, who played police commissioner Stewart McMillan, and Saint James, who played his witty and clever wife, Sally McMillan. The show was a blend of mystery, drama, and light-hearted comedy, with the husband-wife duo solving crimes together in San Francisco.While Rock Hudson was already an established star, McMillan & Wife turned Susan Saint James into a bona fide TV sensation. Her portrayal of the stylish, quick-witted Sally McMillan was beloved by audiences, and her chemistry with Hudson was one of the main reasons the show resonated so strongly with viewers. For six years, McMillan & Wife was a fan favorite, airing as part of NBC’s rotating Mystery Movie series, which also included popular shows like Columbo and McCloud.Throughout the run of McMillan & Wife, Saint James’ work did not go unnoticed by critics either. She was twice nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, as well as receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. Her time on the show established her as a prominent actress in the industry, and by the time the series ended in 1977, Susan Saint James was a household name.Kate & Allie and Pushing Boundaries in TelevisionSaint James’ television career didn’t end with McMillan & Wife. In 1984, she took on another groundbreaking role, this time in the sitcom Kate & Allie, which would go on to become a major hit in the 1980s. Starring alongside Jane Curtin, the show followed two divorced women, Kate (Saint James) and Allie (Curtin), who decide to live together and raise their children under one roof in New York City.At the time, Kate & Allie was considered risky because it centered on two strong, independent women who didn’t rely on men for financial or emotional support. This was a notable departure from many of the TV shows of the era, which often focused on traditional family structures. However, the show’s humor, relatable characters, and heartfelt storylines resonated with viewers, particularly women who saw themselves reflected in the lives of Kate and Allie.Once again, Saint James’ talent shone brightly. She earned three more Emmy Award nominations for her role as Kate McArdle, further cementing her status as a television icon. Kate & Allie ran for six successful seasons until 1989, when the show concluded, and Saint James began to gradually step back from her acting career.A Life Beyond the SpotlightBy the late 1980s, Susan Saint James had become one of television’s most recognizable faces. After Kate & Allie, she consciously began to reduce her presence in Hollywood, opting to focus on her family and personal life. Although she appeared in a few more television projects, including guest roles and TV movies, Saint James largely stepped away from the limelight. Her last on-screen role was in 2011, when she made a special appearance in a TV movie.Throughout her career, Susan Saint James remained grounded, never forgetting her roots in Rockford. In interviews, she frequently spoke about her Midwestern upbringing and how it shaped her work ethic and values. Despite her Hollywood success, there was always a sense that Saint James carried a piece of Rockford with her wherever she went.Susan Saint James: Rockford’s Legacy in HollywoodFor Rockford, the success of Susan Saint James serves as a source of pride. Though she left the city as a young woman, her connection to Rockford has never been forgotten. Her success is a reminder that even from a relatively small city like Rockford, individuals can rise to great heights. Saint James’ career is a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and staying true to one’s values – traits that she no doubt developed during her years in Rockford.In many ways, her story mirrors the values that Rockford as a city embodies: hard work, community spirit, and resilience. It’s not uncommon to hear local residents refer to Susan Saint James as "Rockford’s own," proudly remembering the days when she walked the same streets they do today.A Timeless TalentAs we reflect on September 17, 1971, and the debut of McMillan & Wife, it’s clear that this day in history was a turning point not only for Susan Saint James but for television as a whole. The show’s success paved the way for future police procedural series and showcased the dynamic power of having a strong female lead.Saint James continued to break boundaries throughout her career, particularly with her role in Kate & Allie, where she helped redefine the portrayal of women on television. Her ability to tackle both dramatic and comedic roles with grace and authenticity is what made her a standout star of her generation.Today, Susan Saint James is remembered not just as an actress but as an icon whose contributions to television helped shape the way women were represented on screen. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her fans and in the impact she made on the industry. And for the people of Rockford, she will always be a shining example of what someone from this great city can accomplish.Celebrating Rockford's Contributions to HistoryThe story of Susan Saint James serves as a powerful reminder that Rockford, Illinois has been home to many individuals who have gone on to make significant contributions to the world. As we celebrate this day in Rockford history, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the other talents, innovators, and leaders who have called this city home.From its rich industrial past to its thriving arts and culture scene today, Rockford continues to be a place where people are encouraged to dream big and pursue their passions. Susan Saint James’ journey from a local Rockford girl to a Hollywood star is just one of many stories that make this city special.As we look to the future, let us remember the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of those who have come before us. By honoring their legacy, we can inspire the next generation of Rockfordians to reach for the stars – just like Susan Saint James did on that unforgettable September 17th, 1971.