Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

To uncover what makes local organizations tick , you must go back to their founder. Kathi Kresol is Haunted Rockford. She is the heart of the organization, and everything you see comes from her brain and her passion. When I got to sit down with Kathi to discuss how Haunted Rockford came to be, she seemed to have an endless supply of stories to tell. Honestly, I could have sat there all day and listened to everything she had to say. The way she tells these stories with respect to the folks who have passed is admirable. They aren’t just things for her to tell and forget, each one stays with her and you can hear in her delivery that she truly cares. Whether they died of natural causes or were victim to terrible circumstance, it doesn’t change her demeanor. She wants to tell their stories and it allows them to live on. If I had only a few words to describe Kathi, they would be – Intelligent, passionate, pleasant, caring, and fun.  After a close personal experience with the paranormal, Kathi became obsessed. There wasn’t a way to get any answers other than researching it by herself. Consumed by a need to tell these stories, Kathi traveled all over the United States – going on ghost tours and teaching her homeschooled children lessons of history by taking them places and telling them the stories she had come to learn. She wanted to bring this passion for knowledge, history, and discovery to Rockford.  Haunted Rockford bus tours started through the library, where Kathi works full time. After a few years of this, interest kept growing and she decided to make it a year-round experience and Haunted Rockford became a known name in the city. Haunted Rockford hosts walking and bus tours. Kathi has put in a lot of effort to give back to the community through her work. She tries to use her events as fundraisers as often as she can. Along with the tours, they offer paranormal investigations for the public to join. As you can imagine, they have to limit the amount of participants for each one. So, if you are interested, make sure you stay up to date with Haunted Rockford’s events so you can join in. Rockford has so much rich history laid out on every street and in every building. The paranormal has a way of drawing people’s interest to almost any subject. Kathi finds it’s a great way to tell the stories of our town. By talking about her experiences and taking people on tours, they can hear, see, and feel things that they wouldn’t be able to just by listening to a story. When I asked Kathi what the most active place in Rockford is? Her answer was, without a doubt, Tinker Swiss Cottage. The Coronado is also a good contender. You can follow along on these platforms:Rockford BuzzHaunted Rockford WebsiteFacebookInstagram

Back for a fifth season, Christmas at the Farm is gearing up to host another premier holiday shopping experience. Co-hosted by Nellie’s Barn Sale and Meyer’s Tails Up Farm, the event is the first holiday market of the season in Stateline region, to be held this Friday and Saturday, November 2 & 3. Held on the grounds of Meyer’s Tails Up Farm, 5390 Irene Road in Belvidere, Illinois, it’s easy to access just off I-90 at the new Irene Road exit ramp.Shoppers can peruse both vintage and new seasonal goods both indoor and outdoor in heated tents. “Our market has become a popular holiday event because of the quality of our vendors and the selection of their curated goods. We hand pick all of the vendors based on their unique products and their display ability,” says co-host Ann Campos. The show touts that shoppers can find something for every lady on their holiday shopping list. The building and tents are filled with vintage Christmas décor including plaid thermos’s and blankets, trendy jewelry made from vintage items and new, gorgeous women’s boutique clothing, wraps, and accessories, handmade hats and mitten sets, totes and purses, seasonal florals, hand painted signs and wall décor, scented candles and lotions, retro style tees, primitive furniture and décor, and funky junk with a holiday twist. In addition to the 30+ vendors selling their wares, shoppers will enjoy the live holiday music, hot cocktail bar, tasty food trucks, sweet treats and a crackling bonfire. To top it off all shoppers can get a free photo taken by a professional photographer. “Our shoppers return year after year knowing they’ll find a unique item that can’t be found in a box store or at the mall,” say Campos. “Shoppers love knowing they can buy a one-of-a-kind gift and support a small business at the same time.”Christmas at the Farm admission is $5 for 13 years and up and sold at the gate only on the days of the event. Market hours are Friday, November 2 from 5 to 9pm and Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 4pm. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rockford Rescue Mission. The increase in the number of shoppers each year has resulted in the event organizers to add a VIP early buyer hour. The TINSEL TICKET is an early buyer admission that allows the shopper to get in the show one hour earlier than the general public to avoid the crowds. The ticket is $25 and allows the ticket holder to VIP treatment on Friday, November 2 from 4 to 5pm. The doors open at 5pm to the public through 9pm. TINSEL TICKET holders are gifted with a keepsake shopping tote filled with coupons and gifts from the vendors, a special gift from the market, and the annual keepsake Christmas at the Farm mini-poster. TINSEL TICKETS are limited and selling out quickly. Purchase online only at https://tinselticket2018.eventbrite.com

Welcome to the Weekend Roundup SPOOKY EDITION! There are a bunch of awesome Halloween-themed events going on this weekend. It's time to pack in all that spooky fun before Halloween on the 31st!Friday, October 26, 2018Spooky Science @ Discovery Center Museum - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmParanormal Tour with Ghost Head Soup @ Tinker Swiss Cottage - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmChesapeake @ The Nordlof Center - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmThe Gilligans @ Mary's Place - view event8:00 pm - 12:00 amSaturday, October 27, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmOAKtoberfest @ Severson Dells - view event10:00 am - 2:00 pmSpook the Blocks - view event1:00 pm - 3:00 pmBoo Bash Weekend @ Carlson Ice Arena - view event1:00 pm - 3:00 pmRockford IceHogs vs Cleveland Monsters - view event6:00 pmHoppy Halloween: Dia De Los Muertos @ Prairie Street Brewing Co. - view event8:00 pm - 11:00 pmA Nightmare on Main Street - Halloween Bash & Costume Contest @ Olympic Tavern - view event8:00 pm - 11:00 pmSunday, October 28, 2018Boo Bash Weekend @ Carlson Ice Arena - view event1:00 pm - 3:00 pmHalloween Spirited Ghost Tours @ The Coronado PAC - view event2:00 pm - 4:00 pmRockford IceHogs vs Manitoba Moose - view event4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

If you are looking for a fun, safe and not-too-scary Halloween celebration for youngsters, then look no further. Discovery Center Museum is hosting the best party in Rockford for children on Friday, October 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Spooky Science invites families to come in costume, bring their Trick-or-Treat bag and grab gobs of goodies in our exhibit spaces. Concoct glowing slime and make monstrous crafts. Network with eminent inventors and distinguished scientists who happen to also be dead. Pick up a prize from Alfred Nobel, enjoy some hair-raising experiences, and experiment with science tricks that look like magic! Have a bone-tickling good time in a special science show geared for grownup ghouls, mid-sized monsters, and pint-sized poltergeists.                                                              Admission will be $9 per person for the general public; $5 per person for members. Admission will include all related activities. Parking is free at 711 N. Main Street. This event is sponsored by Sjostrom & Sons, and it is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

I don’t know about you, but I always get excited for Spook the Blocks. Spending a nice fall afternoon downtown supporting local businesses and seeing all sorts of cute costumes is way better than sitting at home! It’s a lovely time, and all the kids down there are always excited. Well, my spooky friends, Spook the Blocks is coming back this Saturday, October 27 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Walk down State Street in Downtown Rockford and keep an eye out for the pumpkin signs in shop windows. This is your invitation to walk in and TRICK OR TREAT! It’s almost like Rockford turns into Halloween Town for an afternoon. The kids get some yummy candy, and you can buy some gifts or nice home items or clothing. Make sure you take photos from your outing, you'll want to remember it later!So, get those trick-or-treating bags ready and head downtown this Saturday! You don't want to miss it!

The Junior League of Rockford is excited to host its third annual Boos & Spirits Halloween fundraiser at Burpee Museum of Natural History on Saturday, October 27th from 7:30 pm - midnight. This premier event features music and dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beer sampling, silent auction, gambling, and more.  Elite VIP ticket holders also enjoy exclusive entry to the Barnes Mansion, early entrance to the event, valet parking, and photos on the red carpet. Proceeds from the event support The Junior League of Rockford’s mission to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.   For its current project, The Junior League of Rockford has partnered with Girls Who Code, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, inspire, and equip young women with the skills and resources to pursue academic and career opportunities in computing fields by working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Tickets are available now at www.jlrockford.org

Don't be like me and crawl down the sidewalk. Just go and check out the awesome vinyl sales at the Rockford Record Crawl. If that's not your jam, how about some live music or some family fall fun? Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, October 19, 2018Things that go BUMP in the Night! @ Tinker Swiss Cottage - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmGet the Led Out @ Coronado Performing Arts Center - view event8:00 pmChesapeake @ Nordlof Center - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmPistol Pete @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, October 20, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmRockford Record Crawl - view event10:00 am - 7:00 pmAll Hallows' Eve @ Midway Village Museum - view event12:00 pm - 6:00 pmThe Hope & Anchor Comedy Night - view event7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Cealed Kasket and The Lovers Of The Sea @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, October 21, 2018Trick or Trot 5K Run and Family Walk @ Midway Village Museum - view event8:30 am - 10:30 am 

Hello spooky friends! Midway Village’s family-favorite event All Hallows' Eve returns this weekend. It’s time to get in the true spirit of Halloween, break in those costumes and have some fun in the Historic Victorian Village. Watch your little ones run around all dressed up in the perfect fall setting - surrounded by trees and the Enchanted WoodsFamilies are encouraged to come decked out in their fun costumes and visit each building to trick-or-treat and be met by costumed volunteers! Don’t miss out on the Enchanted Woods Experience where you’ll learn about King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table, and his legendary court of Camelot. I hear that it's going to be something you don't want to miss. As a special surprise, the Winnebago County Ghostbusters will be searching the Victorian Village for ghosts. If you dress up as Casper, you might want to be on the look out for them! Admission:$6 per personInfants (0-2) are freeMuseum Members are freeTickets can be purchased online at www.midwayvillage.com, in the Gift Shop, or on the event day at the entrance gate. Food and snacks are available for purchase at the event.What: All Hallows' EveWhen: October 20, 2018 12:00 pm - 6:00 pmWhere: Midway Village Museum (In the Victorian Village)

Obviously Courtney is thrilled because IceHogs hockey returns to the BMO this weekend. But, that isn't all we've got for you! Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, October 12, 2018Mental Illness Awareness Week Rally @ Veterans Memorial Hall - view event12:00 pm - 1:00 pmNate Fry @ The Hope & Anchor - view event6:00 pm - 8:00 pmRyley Walker and Glitter @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, October 13, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmSpectrum School Fall Festival - view event10:00 am - 4:00 pmOn Tap in the Garden @ Anderson Japanese Gardens - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pmRockford IceHogs vs Texas Stars @ BMO Harris Bank Center  - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmWhite Shape with Bedforms @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, October 14, 2018Autumn at the Arboretum @ Klehm Arboretum - view event10:00 am - 3:00 Rockford IceHogs vs Hershey Bears @ BMO Harris Bank Center - view event4:00 pm 

If you’re raising a family in Rockford, one of the YouTube channels you need to follow is The Brickhead Family. Don’t worry; if you don’t have kids but love LEGO and other toys, their channel is for you, too. They’ll treat you to everything LEGO, and so much more. They’re nice, they’re fun, and they’re here to provide great and friendly content!You can’t have a fun channel without some nicknames:Daddy Brickhead – NickMommy Brickhead - HollyBig Brickhead, Oldest – 14, TrentMedium Brickhead, Middle – 10, LoganBaby Brickhead, Daughter – 4, BellaThe basis of their channel is having fun and showing different things you can do with your family. “Just be you” is their motto and they strive to make everyone feel included in the fun. The great thing is, the kids inspired the whole YouTube thing. They come up with all of the ideas, They’re all YouTube viewers and came up with the idea to start their own channel almost 3 years ago. Nick (Daddy Brickhead) just makes sure that things go right and runs the social media. They’re all in it together - from coming up with fun ideas to being in front of the camera. While the majority of the content is based around LEGO, they’ve branched out into other family challenges and family road trip videos. They started seeing their views grow and their subscriber level climb. There was a wakeup call when they took a small break and all of the numbers started going down. They looked through comments to see what people liked, and they became more consistent with their content. There is a whole YouTube community for LEGO. The community started finding and sharing their videos. Then, when they found out Toys r Us was closing, they did a video there and it just took off. It’s at over 80k views and the subscribers started pouring in. They picked up over 700 subscribers in a 3 month span. They currently sit at 1.3 thousand subscribers on YouTube and nearly 500 likes on Facebook! Make sure you check them out at the links below and give them a follow. You can alco find their merch store HERE for some great designs. Nick designs all the shirts and whatever money they make through the channel, they put back into the channel for LEGO, equipment upgrades, etc. It isn’t just about them.  They’re a family that enjoys spending time together, and they take their hobby and put it on YouTube. They make sure to give back to the community and help others with the growing platform they’ve created. They raised almost $500 for the Special Olympics, they did the Polar Plunge at Rock Cut, and they try to give to charities as often as possible. They want to create a community of positivity. The awesome thing about the internet is that you can reach all types of people all over the world. The Brickheads are making family memories, but they’re making memories for other kids too - especially kids who don’t get that opportunity at home. When they do events, they bring a bunch of LEGO and let the kids there build whatever they want. All of the kids come together and talk to each other while sharing ideas. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and spread the joy that creating things brings. For an example of their videos, check out their family trip to the Pumpkin Patch. For a LEGO themed video, they recently uploaded a scavenger hunt!For even more fun – they’re currently doing 31 Days of Halloween. So, it’s a great time to check out their channel Here's a link: The Brickhead Family YouTubeYou can also follow along with their adventures on Facebook!

NOTE: This writing is not ours. We know you are used to hearing positive news from us. But, this anonymous letter was sent to us, and this is a voice who wants to be heard. We think this message is important and this cause is important. We applaud your bravery. We hear you. We believe you. Dear Men,I love you. I see you and value your opinions, and the impact you have on my life. I have always felt like we connect and understand each other. Until recently. I am hurting so much, and am unable to express it to you. I am hurt by your attempts to laugh off the assaults that we are seeing on the news and social media. I am hurt by the way you diminish our concerns for safety and equal treatment. I am hurt that you are able to express these opinions and outrage towards the victims who are speaking out, without regards to who is listening.When I was 5, I was assaulted by a known man. It was reported. The punishment for him was minimal. I felt marked by that throughout my entire adult life. Of course, as a young child I was unable to fully understand what had happened. I do believe that it affected my ability to understand sexuality, especially my own, as I grew. I do not believe that my gender affected this instance, or the struggles that I had from it. Young children of varying ages and genders are affected at the hand of adults.When I was in the second or third grade, a older boy tried to expose his penis to me on the back of the school bus. I remember another older boy blocking my view.“Boys will be boys.”A few years later, I was suspended for a note that was passed to me that was sexually suggestive.“Boys will be boys.”I remember when I first started wearing bras. There was a boy on the school bus that would sit next to me and grope my breast, and try to get a peek down my shirt.“Boys will be boys.”My best friend, or so I thought, was a boy. He was my first kiss. I wasn’t even in to boys yet. I hadn’t yet discovered my sexuality. He forced me to touch his penis. I started to think that was just how things were between boys and girls. I was 13 years old.“Boys will be boys.”In history class, in middle school, I remember a boy who sat next to me. He would announce what color bra I was wearing if he could see the strap.“Boys will be boys.”In high school, I just came to terms with what I was meant to be to the boys in my life, my fellow classmates. Looking back, I suppose I was conditioned to their gropes and mistreatment. I found myself in the company of many young men who I thought were my friends. I didn’t drink, or do drugs. I wasn’t popular. For the most part, I was invisible to the staff of the school.In school we did discuss rape prevention. We were taught to submit so that we wouldn’t be severely injured or killed.I graduated. I left my parents’ home. I was an independent young woman. I had lots of sex, with many men, because that is what I knew what they wanted. I read Cosmo and always thought to how I can best make them want to be my friends.There was one man. I was 18. I went to his hotel room. I knew we were probably going to have sex. I anticipated it. He started to film me. I asked him to stop, but he wouldn’t. It’s what he wanted. He started to become forceful, and it hurt. A lot. I said, “ No. Please stop. It hurts.” He said… and I am crying writing this. He said… “ I want it to hurt. I want you to remember this.”I submitted as I was taught to do. I was bruised and confused. I went to shower. I went to bed. I put it out of my mind.A friend of mine saw the bruises and knew something was up. She said that we needed to report it so that he couldn’t do it again.I reported it. A victim’s advocate told me that I was lying. She said, “It was just rough sex and you couldn’t handle it.” I was 18 years old. I was made to sign a legal document retracting my report, and saying that I had consented. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I shut it out. I must have done something wrong. Maybe she was right. He didn’t know that I felt like he was raping me. I should have done more.At 18, I was taught that No does not mean no. I carried that with me.At 25 years old, again I said, “please stop. No. I don’t want to do this.” But he was drunk. It happened anyways. I was willingly there. I must have consented. No doesn’t mean no. I must be doing something wrong. Boys will be boys. It must be me.Please… men in my life… please ask me why I didn’t report any of that sooner? Please ask me if I ever made false accusations? Please try to rationalize the hurt that I carry with me. Please tell me that these things don’t really happen anymore. That all these women sharing their stories are lying. Whenever you try to debate with me the legitimacy of the #metoo movement, or the high profile cases happening in senate or with celebrities, you are magnifying the pain of every nearly every woman you know.I am sorry that I am not in a place that I can be associated with my struggles publicly. I wish I were brave enough to talk openly about it, and express the severity of what we are seeing in today’s social climate. I just know that I am not strong enough to face those demons, and the questions or accusations that will arise. I wish that I were.Sincerely,Your wife, sister, mother, daughter, friend.

Last night I had the opportunity to visit the Maddox Theatre at Rockford University to see Carrie: The Musical. To say I was curious is an understatement. How will they turn a classic horror book, turned classic horror movie, and make it a musical?To put it shortly and cut to the chase... I was NOT disappointed. I had a disco ball of a time! Now before I get too far into my thoughts, quick disclaimer. This production is not for kids. It is, after all, Carrie we're talking about here. I would give it a PG-13 rating due to some language. Okay! With that disclaimer out of the way and the article already spoiled, let's get into it!I REALLY enjoyed the show. All of the performers did a spot on job. The songs were catchy and they all moved the plot and developed the characters as I hummed along. I could feel the tension building throughout the whole show. The moment Carrie "turns on" her powers had my heart thumping. The performance crescendos in the final scene. If you're familiar with the book/movie, then you know what happens to Carrie that sets her off. I was really curious how this stage production was going to pull off the scene. Without any spoilers, I'll just say it was magical. Not metaphoric magic either. More like Dave Copperfield magic. I'm STILL trying to figure out how they pulled it off! HOW DID YOU DO IT, MR. HENDRY!? HOOOOOWWWWWWW?!?!?I walked out of the theatre that night smiling, humming, and reflecting on the messages within the performance. The night was wonderful and it just goes to show the amazing amount of talent we have within our community. Rockford is truly lucky to not only have Rockford University, but an amazing performance arts program within it.If you have the availability tonight or tomorrow, there's still two more chances to catch the show. Don't miss it as it was a joy to watch and I'm still humming the tunes this morning.The shows occur at...Rockford University at the Maddox Theatre within the Clark Arts Center.    5050 E State StreetShow Times are...Saturday (tonight) at 7:30 PMSunday at 2:00 PM.General Admission : $12

That first sip of coffee in the morning is one of the most comforting feelings in the world – especially when it’s a lavender latte, our personal favorite, from Rockford Roasting Company. This great coffee shop has now been serving up deliciousness to our town for four years. It’s a great place to go hang out, drink some excellent house-roasted coffee, and chat with some friends, or maybe get some work done. October 6th is the day we shall come together and celebrate! They have some treats in store for their birthday celebration. Regular café drinks and treats all dayNew art on the walls to check out by Andy Eclov and Reed GreiterLive music starting at 5pm including Tentacles Everywhere and Liv LombardiBeer, wine, and a small specialty drink menu from 3pm-9pm (for those 21+, of course!)You're always greeted with a smile and kindness when you walk into RRC. It's time to turn that kindness back onto them and come out thanking them for giving us all the caffeine fix we so desperately need! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROCKFORD ROASTING COMPANY!

We have fall-like temperatures here in Rockford. Perfect timing for Fall ArtScene! In between all of the art excited, there's also some beer fun and a birthday for one of Rockford's favorite coffee shops! Here's Weekend Roundup!Friday, October 5, 2018Nellie's Barn Sale @ Meyer's Canine Colony - view event10:00 am - 4:00 pmOktoberfest 2018 @ Loves Park City Hall - view event5:00 pm - 12:00 amRAAC ArtScene - view event5:00 pm - 9:00 pmWhose Live Anyway @ Coronado PAC - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmBill Dolan with Go Go Torpedo @ Mary’s Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, October 6, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmCider n Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair @ Edgebrook Shopping Center - view event10:00 am - 5:00 pmScarecrow Harvest Festival @ Midway Village - view event10:00 am - 4:00 pmRRC turns 4: Art things, Music sounds, and Beverage drinks! @ Rockford Roasting Company - view event3:00 pm - 9:00 pmOktoberfest 2018 @ Loves Park City Hall - view event3:00 pm - 12:00 amFall Art Scene: "Beer Gods & Myth" / "Pour Me Another" @ The Olympic Tavern - view event5:00 pm - 10:00 pmRockford Symphony Orchestra- Jurassic Park Movie with Orchestra @ Coronado PAC - view event7:30 pm - 9:30 pmToo Deep @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, October 7, 2018SCCR AutoX Event #7 @ Rivets Stadium - view event7:00 am - 5:00 pmCider n Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair @ Edgebrook Shopping Center - view event10:00 am - 4:00 pm

This is one woman’s account of surviving the haunted attraction that is Twisted Crypt in Rockford, Il. This is not for the faint of heart. . . but may provide some humor for your day. Walking into Twisted Crypt, I didn’t know what to expect. I had only been to one haunted house before this one, and I quit halfway through. That was almost ten years ago, so it was time to try it again. Maybe it would be different this time. Maybe I wouldn’t be such a baby and would just laugh my way through the haunt with no issues. Just entering the building to stand in line was an experience. They don’t go halfway at this haunt. The whole time you are there, you are surrounded by horror. The waiting area is dimly lit, there are decorations all around, and if you’re lucky enough . . . you get a visit from one of their creatures. It’s all very spooky, and then you have to enter the actual haunt. As soon as the doors opened, I was filled with dread for the amount of terror I was about to experience. Jake was as cool as a cucumber like nothing could phase him. I’m so glad he was able to find this all so very entertaining . . . insert eye roll here. The hallways were absolutely horrifying. It seemed like there was something new to scare us around every corner and in the WALLS! You weren’t safe anywhere. Well, the haunters couldn’t actually touch us, and they were very professional. So, realistically, we were safe. It just didn’t feel like it!The hallways were really the worst parts. Once we were in the rooms, interacting with the actors was a lot of fun. Horrifying . . . but fun. There was plenty of jumping and screaming on my part, but they made the experience engaging and you could tell they were passionate about their scares. And, boy, did they have a field day with me since I was obviously scared out of my mind!Overall, exploring Twisted Crypt was a really fun experience. If I ignore the pure terror I was feeling, I can appreciate how much effort this put into building this attraction and hiring haunters that will scare the ---- out of visitors but be respectful of their boundaries so everyone has fun. We want to give a huge thank you to Peter and the Twisted Crypt crew for letting us come out and film a fun video and tour their haunt!

Rockford is a family town. There are a bunch of resources for kids and parents, enough places to visit for family entertainment, and it's spaced out enough to dull the chaos of a big city. It’s a great place to raise a family, so there’s no surprise that such a town would lure in a dedicated family man like Scott Williamson. Originally from Peoria, Scott spent some time in college, the Marines, and then medical sales before making the switch to home improvement. Seeing an open opportunity in Rockford, he and his family made the move, and he’s been the President of Window World of Rockford for 13 years. Scott and his wife have lived almost a movie-like life. They grew up together in Peoria. Their moms were both UPS drivers and friends, so they spent a lot of time together starting at the age of 8. As they grew up, she went off to college, and he went into the Marines. 10 years later, they came back. They’ve been happily married since 1999 and have 4 kids – Brittney, Kyle, Seth, and Nathan. Even though they aren’t from Rockford originally, they’ve fully embraced it as being their home. Scott coaches baseball for his three boys. They enjoy golfing and playing tennis – spending time outdoors. Going to the Rockford Speedway and Rivets games are also a big part of their summers here in town. It’s cool to see the players before they go off to the MLB and become stars. Scott’s favorite thing about Rockford is the people. It’s big enough to enjoy doing things, but it’s small enough to where people know each other and can really form a community. It’s also a plus that it’s so close to Chicago and Wisconsin if you want to go on an adventure. You’re surrounded by fun things whether you want to stay local or branch out a bit. Fun Facts:Favorite-Movie: Marmaduke with Owen WilsonTV Show: Modern FamilyBook: The Dorito Effect by Mark SchatzkerMusic: Country, top 40, jazz. One of Scott's favorite artists is Darius Rucker.Local Restaurant(s): Woodfire, Green Fire, Aero Ale HouseHe’s been all over Italy, Amsterstam, Thailand, and Ireland with his daughter Brittney. It was a joy speaking with Scott. You can hear the passion he has for his family when he talks about them. The way he is received in his work place show you that he is respected as a boss, but more importantly, as a person. We're lucky to have Scott and his family here in Rockford. 

It's a busy weekend here in Rockford! City Market is ending as the hockey season is beginning. There's a beer fest, a birthday, some ghosts, and more! Here is your Weekend Roundup!Friday, September 28, 2018RAD's 6th Birthday! @ Rockford Art Deli - view event12:00 pm - 10:00 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 7:30 pmIceHogs 2018 FanFest @ BMO Harris Bank Center - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmThe Lone Canary, Zach Pietrini & Paige Hargrove @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 12:00 amSaturday, September 29, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pm8th Annual "I Dodged A Ball For A Kid" Tournament @ UW Health Sports Factory - view event9:00 am - 2:00 pmIllinois Paranormal Conference @ Veterans Memorial Hall - view event11:00 am - 6:00 pmHanz Brew Fest 2018 @ Settlers Park - view event12:00 pm - 6:00 pmBare Bones @ Mary's Place - view event8:00 pm - 12:00 pmSunday, September 30, 2018REO Speedwagon @ Coronado Performing Arts Center - view event7:30 pmSilk Scarf Class @ Klehm Arboretum - view event1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

There’s a good chance that if you see someone sporting an “815” shirt or other various Rockford-related gear, they purchased it from Rockford Art Deli. RAD is celebrating 6 years of being a staple in Rockford and we want to give them a virtual HIGH FIVE for making our closets full of 815 pride. I know I have a bunch of 815 options when I take a look at my options for the day!Having apparel to show off where you live instills a deeper sense of pride. You can see others in town who share the ideas you do, or you have a chance to talk about Rockford when you’re out of town. They took something like our area code and helped turn it into a movement. Oh, and their store is just super cool to hang out in.For their birthday, they want to celebrate with you! On Friday night, September 28, they’ll have free prints AND it’s a double punch day! But those aren’t the only treats. There will be giveaways. Plus. . .4:00pm – 8:00pm : FREE PRINT6:30pm – 10:00pm : Prairie Street Brewing Co. beer!8:00pm – 10:00pm : 15th & Chris8:30pm : Mana Kintorso, chill editionIt’s going to be a fun night full of celebrating. Wear your favorite RAD shirt or buy your new favorite and hang out for a bit! Music, food, drinks, and new shirts? Count us in. 

Aimee Floto was recently named executive director of Rockford Art Museum. “Aimee has a strong record of successfully leading teams through big-budget projects that we believe position her well for leading Rockford Art Museum,” RAM Board President David Boccignone said. The Rockton native’s career experience includes significant creative and marketing roles around the Midwest, from Chicago to Milwaukee and, most recently, to Duluth, Minnesota, where she was Associate Vice President of Creative at national retailer maurices. “Rockford's spirit of ingenuity, creativity, work ethic and reinvention are incredibly inspiring,” Floto said. “I look forward to bringing my experience to bear on the continued growth and success of Rockford Art Museum.” About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to help make life in Rockford better for people of all ages through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside Riverfront Museum Park at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.

University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County would like to congratulate two Master Gardener Volunteers, Jeff and Judy White, for receiving State Outstanding Master Gardener Awards.  The State Outstanding Award was established to honor Master Gardener Volunteers who go above and beyond for their local Master Gardener program and community.  These awards were handed out at the State Master Gardener Conference in Springfield, IL on Friday, September 7th.  Jeff completed the Master Gardener training course in 2009 and has been involved in many Master Gardener projects in Winnebago County ever since.  Jeff has been involved with the Community Gardens Committee from the beginning, teaching local organizations starting a community garden the basics of gardening so they can be successful.  He has also been a presenter for the Master Gardener Speakers’ Bureau, presenting various programs on gardening, especially vegetable gardening, to the public at various events, library programs and more.  More recently, Jeff has been serving on the Gardening for Food, Flowers and Fun Committee, helping to plan Winnebago County Extension’s annual gardening symposium that takes place every March.  Jeff also volunteers for the Master Gardener Education Committee, is a member of the Unit 1 Winnebago County Extension Council, and the Extension State Advisory Council. Judy completed the Master Gardener training in 2012.  She has also been involved with the Community Garden Committee and Speakers’ Bureau, but she has most notably taken on a leadership role in the Plant a Row for the Hungry Committee.  Plant a Row for the Hungry encourages homeowners to plant extra produce in their garden to donate to local food pantries.  Winnebago County Master Gardeners have been helping with this effort locally by setting up collection sites where gardeners can drop off their produce to be delivered it to a pantry.  In 2017, Judy established a new collection site at Cherry Valley Public Library where over 650 pounds of produce was donated in the first year.  That number has almost doubled already this year, with collections ending the last week of September. Together, Jeff and Judy also led a youth gardening program in the summer of 2017 where they taught local youth how to grow a “Pizza Garden.”  The 4-H Youth Pizza Garden Club learned about growing and caring for a garden through growing tomatoes, onions, peppers, and other fun vegetables to put on a pizza, and concluded the program with a pizza party! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are volunteers who go through an 11-week horticulture training taught by University of Illinois Extension Educators, and then volunteer throughout their local county to fulfill the program’s mission of “Helping others learn to grow.”  If you are interested in finding out more information about the Master Gardener Volunteer program, or would like to know how you can become an Illinois Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, please call the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357 or visit our website at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw. 

Is history your thing? World War II Days are back this weekend! Not a history buff? How about some markets and a lit up garden? Maybe some live music? Oh. . . We've got it all. Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, September 21, 2018Rockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 7:30 pmBehind the Lines of World War II Days @ Midway Village - view event5:00 pm - 8:00 pmPink Beam with The Last Afternoons @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, September 22, 2018TOSOC - 3rd Annual @ Village of Progress - view event7:00 am - 2:00 pmNorth End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmVintage Soul Market @ The Landscape Connection - view event9:00 am - 5:00 pmWorld War II Days @ Midway Village - view event10:00 am - 5:00 pmJB815 Sports One Shot At A Time Skills Camp @ First Second Church - view event10:00 am - 3:00 pmGlow in the Garden Festival @ Nicholas Conservatory - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmLaw & Love, Long Shot, and Beach Static @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:30 amSunday, September 23, 2018World War II Days @ Midway Village - view event10:00 am - 4:00 pmThe Cemeteries of Winnebago County Bus Tour @ Veterans Memorial Hall - view event3:00 pm - 7:00 pmAle Yeah Yoga: Autumn Session (Sep) @ Prairie Street Brewing Co. - view event3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

On September 19 at 6:45 p.m. the Coronado Theatre will honor Rockford native and Broadway Actress Marin Mazzie alongside Broadway theaters in NYC; dimming the lights of the Coronado marquee at 6:45 p.m. (CT) for one minute.  Gathering to start at 6:30 p.m.(CT).  We invite all those who knew Marin, or wish to honor here contribution to our community to join us on the sidewalk by the Coronado Marquee in remembrance. (314 N. Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois)  Marin Mazzie has received the greatest distinction by the Broadway League.  ALL NYC Broadway theater lights will be dimmed in her honor.  Marin Mazzie loved her community.  At the pinnacle of her Broadway career she and her husband Jason generously became the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Friends of the Coronado capital campaign to save the Coronado Theatre. She performed free-of-charge benefit concerts raising funds for the project at a time when she was one of Broadway's most sought-after performers. Over the years she has remained very close to the Coronado. Wednesday we will join NYC remembering a great Coronado Friend and community member in Rockford. The Friends of the Coronado is working with Martine Sainvil of the Broadway League to honor Marin Mazzie in the deep rooted Broadway tradition of mourning the passing of theater friends.  We will do the same at her hometown theater. Ms. Sainvil said “(The marquee dimming tradition) it is a time for family and friends to gather on the sidewalk for a quiet and peaceful remembrance as the lights go dark, and are lighted again on the marquee.  No additional presentations or speeches are given.” As with the Broadway theater marquees the Coronado marquee will simple read Marin Mazzie, Oct 09, 1960 - Sep 13, 2018. Mary Ann Smith along with her husband Gordon Smith were the Co-Chairs of the Coronado capital campaign; raising $18.5 million dollars to complete the preservation and expansion of the Coronado Theatre in 2000.  Mary Ann Smith is president of the Friends of the Coronado Foundation board of directors.  She recently placed the following notice in the NY Times at her own expense:“The Board of Directors of the Friends of the Coronado Theatre, Rockford, Illinois, deeply mourns the loss of our friend Marin Mazzie.  Through ready willingness to participate saving her hometown’s historic theater, Marin returned to Rockford with Jason to bring determination, glamour, passion and pure joy to our stage.  A grateful community will always look heavenward to her shining star, and we will never forget her.”

“How can we be a light in their darkness?” It all started with a simple question by Kevin Polky and turned into so much more. When you’re stuck in the darkness, it lies to you. It tells you you’re the only one in it and you’ll be a burden to anyone that you ask for help. It’s consuming, and it can feel like there’s no way out. The truth is – You are not alone. You don’t have to suffer in silence with the darkness telling you lies. There is always someone there. There is always someone to listen. The antidote to the darkness is reaching out. When you reach out to someone and they reply, it can help to illuminate that darkness. It is important to know that someone is out there for you when you’re struggling. There are great resources such as the suicide hotline and the crisis text line. Locally, we have Shatter Our Silence. Kevin Polky is the founder of KP Counseling and Shatter Our Silence. He’s been counseling for nearly 30 years and has been inspired to do more. Shatter Our Silence was born out of a need to educate and advocate for young adults struggling with mental illnesses and thoughts of suicide. How do we shatter our silence if we’re in the darkness? How do we shatter our fear about not knowing what to do when someone is in that darkness? That’s what shatter our silence is about. When Kevin’s some was a teenager, he experienced three people in his high school class commit suicide. Looking at all three stories, Kevin wanted to know more about what was causing this and he wanted to try to do more than just counseling. He held his first rally at Rockford University in 2016. He didn’t know where it would go from there, but he got a great reception and was asked to speak at schools, churches, and other organizations. They had to get more organized after that. They’re now a certified non-profit and have done over 150 talks. Three kids out of 100 in his son’s class taking their own life couldn’t have been a fluke. That’s a large number. It led to Kevin’s research and outreach to spread awareness for young adult suicide. The numbers only keep rising. It’s pervasive, and we need to work together to stop it. September is suicide awareness month. It’s the perfect time to decide how you want to get involved in the fight. The best way to keep in touch with Shatter Our Silence is through their Facebook page and Website. Their site is full of resources for anyone who is struggling or looking to help. There’s also a calendar of events that you can volunteer your time and support to in order to crush the stigma of suicide and mental illness. How can you create change change? Talk about it. Talk about the issues. Become more aware and educated. Volunteer. Come to the events. Don’t just talk about it when a celebrity dies. Their website is full of resources to help you. Together, we can prevent suicide. It’s complex, but if we reach out and help each other, we have a better chance than if we do it alone. For those not in the darkness, look for the signs. Learn how to respond to those who reach out. If you feel yourself slipping into the darkness or experiencing thoughts of suicide -  Keep reaching out. Someone will respond. You are not alone. Resources:Shatter Our Silence WebsiteShatter Our Silence Facebook24-Hour National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Greenwich Village Art Fair is this weekend! What more do I need to say? Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, September 14, 2018Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt @ Severson Dells - view event3:00 pm - 4:00 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 7:30 pmName The Moon, Tell Time, and Not Dead Yet @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, September 15, 20182018 Each Breath of Faith 5k Run and 3k Family & Dog Walk @ YMCA - view event8:00 am - 11:00 amNorth End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmFree Car Wash! Raising Awareness For National Recovery Month @ RU Recovery Ministries - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pm70TH Greenwich Village Art Fair @ Rockford Art Museum - view event10:00 am - 6:00 pmRaise the Roof For Rockford Promise 2018 @ RVC Starlight Theater - view event7:00 pm - 11:00 pmThe Attitudes Rock Mary's Place! - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, September 16, 2018Hot Diggity Dog Festival @ Klehm Arboretum - view event10:00 am - 3:00 pm70TH Greenwich Village Art Fair @ Rockford Art Museum - view event10:00 am - 5:00 pm