2017/01/27/moms-little-black-book-pokagon-state-park-january-2017
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February 2017 – WINTER’S WATERSLIDE We’ve gone sledding, tubing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. We’ve made snowmen, created igloos, and had snowball fights. We tend to make the most of our winter season, but had yet to experience old fashion tobogganing until this past winter break. Last year, a high school friend of mine had posted a video of her and her young girls flying down an ice hill on a wooden toboggan. I immediately messaged her for more details and found out it was in Indiana, just 3-hours from my south Naperville home. I knew it was a must for a winter day off of school and loved the fact that it opened at the end of November; regardless if there was snow, due to the built-in refrigeration system! After the easy drive, straight east on I-80, we arrived with anticipated excitement and picked up our 4-person wooden toboggan and trekked up the hill and stairs to the 30-foot launching tower. We piled on with the assistance of park workers, wrapped our legs around each other, and hung on tight as the barricade released us down the 90 foot drop at speeds that have been recorded up to 42mph. I screamed and laughed all in the same breath as I felt like a kid again! With rentals available for cross country skiing and snow shoeing, plus a bonfire for s’mores, this is quite possibly the most perfect family activity for preschoolers and teens! Overview Pokagon State Park’s refrigerated Toboggan Run has about 90,000 riders every season. With the 30-foot tower and dips and valleys, the total vertical drop is 90 feet over the course of a quarter mile. Cross Country and Snow Shoeing rentals also available when weather conditions permit. Pokagon State Park 450 Lane 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703 (260) 833-2012 www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/4699.htm Hours: Through February 26, 2017: Toboggan Hours are Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended Hours include Monday, February 20th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cross Country Ski Hours are Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm Price $: 4-person toboggan sled rental is $13/hour (driver’s license required as deposit). Park Entrance fees: $7 in-state vehicles, $9 out-of-state vehicles. Cross Country Ski Rental is $5/hour/youths 15 and under; $8/hour/adults – includes skis, boots, poles. ABOUT THE WRITER Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She is married and has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen’s column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, is a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy. #GlancerMagazine #ArtsEntertainment #KidsTeens #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #FeaturedBlog #January2017 #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #BeyondChicago #February2017

MOM'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK | Pokagon State Park

February 2017 – WINTER’S WATERSLIDE We’ve gone sledding, tubing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. We’ve made snowmen,...

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LET’S TAKE A TRIP TO PORTUGAL Typically people gravitate toward American, French, Italian and Spanish wines when selecting their grape of choice. Those wines are everywhere and of course, there is so much to love about them. Portuguese wine, on the other hand, is not a natural “go-to” wine for most. Some would guess it is because the grapes are difficult to pronounce or identify and there is not that much of a selection at your local retail wine shop. There is, however, a huge value found in Portugal wines. What makes them unique is that although you can get value with wines from other countries, it’s usually because those bottles are from select areas within those countries verses Portugal wines where the value is fairly consistent throughout the country. I’ve opened a couple of bottles recently that really reminded me of this fact. Aveleda Follies, 2013 from D.O. Bairrada (SRP $11): This is a blend of 70% Touriga Nacional and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon - aged in French oak for 12 months then another year in the bottle. What an easy drinker! This has notes of mushrooms, berry, oak and vanilla. This has some really nice and easy red fruits; it’s soft on the palate, and overall fun to drink! Dona Ermelinda Reserva, 2013 from D.O. Palmela (SRP $18): This interesting blend is of 70% Castelao, 10% Touriga Nacional, 10% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon - aged in French oak for 12 months then another 8 months in the bottle. This has aromas of dark fruits, spiced fruit cake, and smoke. The palate follows through with more dark fruits, structure and noticeable but soft tannins. It has a long lasting almost mouth smacking finish. It’s delicious, but needs air to really open up. This is a bottle that would be even better over time, save it to drink sometime before 2023. Sláinte! #GlancerMagazine #DiningCabaret #TheChicagoWino #February2017 #FeaturedBlog #BeyondChicago

THE CHICAGO WINO | January 2017

LET’S TAKE A TRIP TO PORTUGAL Typically people gravitate toward American, French, Italian and Spanish wines when selecting their grape...

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BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Warm Up with Malbec! JANUARY 2017 – In the Windy City, weather is generally part of everyday discussion. How does it change so drastically in a day? How is it that 55 degrees can warrant shorts in the winter but a snowsuit in the summer? Dean Martin wasn’t kidding when he sang Baby, It’s Cold Outside during this time of year! When I’m this cold, I need a big bold red to warm up my bones and in this case some premium Malbec from Argentina will fit the bill. Salentein Reserve Malbec, 2014: This was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels then another 6 months in the bottle before they release it. I loved the aromas of dark fruits, dark chocolate, spice cake, clove and dried fruit. The flavors were incredibly soft and balanced with prune, leather, vanilla and tobacco. SRP of $19 Salentine Primum Malbec, 2013: This sexy wine was aged a total of 19 months in French oak barrels then another 12 months in the bottle before being released. Wow! This has aromas of super robust and bursting dark fruits – juicy blackberries, plums and vanilla. Upon tasting, I noted ripe and balanced sweet black fruits that carried though a certain power and elegance that I’ve not had in a while. Honestly speaking, this was one of the best wines I’ve had in quite some time. I could not get enough of this and yes, it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. SRP of $65 – don’t let that scare you, sometimes you just need to treat yo’ self! Sláinte! #GlancerMagazine #DiningCabaret #TheChicagoWino #EricMcMillan #FeaturedBlog #January2017

THE CHICAGO WINO | January 2017

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Warm Up with Malbec! JANUARY 2017 – In the Windy City, weather is generally part of everyday discussion. How...

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