Missing Home: Rockford, Illinois, USA

So, as our official move date becomes closer and closer, I have been asked more frequently, “What will you miss about home?”   I have been giving this some real thought and tried to come up with a list of things that I will really, truly miss about Rockford, Illinois.  SPOLER ALERT: THIS LIST WILL LIKELY CONTAIN NOTHING ABOUT GARDENS, SPORTS TEAMS, WATER PARKS, SOCK MONKEYS, GOLF COURSES OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT ROCKFORD IS “KNOWN” FOR HAVING (AND WILL LIKELY CONTAIN A DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE NUMBER OF FOOD ITEMS).

And just for fun I am putting them in countdown order.  Who can resist a good countdown?

10. Beef-A-Roo
I have a very close friend (who shall remain nameless so as not to be ‘outed’ on my blog), who has never actually been to Beef-A-Roo.  Granted she is a transplant, and for the casual outsider, perhaps the name Beef-A-Roo isn’t all that enthralling.  Once when in Salt Lake City I discovered a chain of restaurants called Chuck-A-Rama – I suspect Beef-A-Roo has a similar lack of appeal to outsiders.  (But, really? Chuck-A-Rama…like Up-Chuck-A-Rama? And it is a buffet – and I think Sunday was “Chinese night.” Very authentic, I hear.)
Back to Beef-A-Roo – the Summer Berry Salad is beyond compare and SJ can’t pass a Beef-A-Roo without requesting a banana shake (they have way too many flavors to choose from – I find raspberry delightful and root beer disturbing).  It is the only fast food I eat because it is fresh and delicious.  I hear the cheese fries are yum-o.  I, myself, do not do cheese. Unfortunate that I am moving to the land of fromage, I know.  And “friend who shall not be named” will be going to B-A-R in the next 30 days.  Yes, I will miss this place.

9. Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Before you say, ‘classical music puts me to sleep,’ please take in an RSO concert.  I first attended an RSO concert waaaay back in the day when they performed at the Midway Theater where you entered from the front; couldn’t actually move anywhere at intermission since it was oh-so-cramped; and shuffled out the side doors when it was done.  All while ensconced in the classic scent combination of mildew, asbestos, and Emeraude.  But even back in the old days, Maestro Steven Larsen and the RSO never failed to deliver an amazing performance.  Now the seats are cushier, the guest performers stellar, and the theater itself is self-contained entertainment, but the RSO continues to deliver.  Now we take SJ to the shows and he listens and watches intently – and mimics as he practices his trumpet at home. Inspirational and, frankly, a huge bargain. Check it out.

 8.  sugarjones
Well, the obsession with sugarjones has been short and sweet since they have only been open a few months, but these cupcakes bring a joy comparable to nothing else.  They convert non-cake lovers. You must try them.

7. Kishwaukee River
Okay, this one is SJ’s.  I am not outdoorsy at all (does walking the dogs through the neighborhood count?), but my son is outdoorsy and he love, love, loves to go fishing and hiking. He and his dad spend many a Sunday afternoon catching fish at the Kish.  I am grateful for the many places here in Rockford that we can explore nature.  And for our city and park district founders to have the foresight to preserve our beautiful river frontage for public space.

6. Symbol
Love it or hate it – it is big, orange and OURS! And I love it. I remember the long saga of Symbol…its dedication on the downtown mall where it looked remarkably small and not quite so glorious, to its planting in Sinnissipi Park.

As a mom, I have always looked at Symbol as an opportunity to educate SJ about art.  When he was only three we drove by it every day (still do) and he could tell you that the sculptor was Alexander Liberman, that his work is made from steel pipes and welded together; that it is monochromatic.  We walk by it and talk about scale and dimensions.  I am a firm believer that art is important for children – it stimulates perception, it teaches kids to think openly, it allows children to be questioners and not responders. And art is valuable just by itself.

5. Target
Lame.  I know.  But, really, nothing like Target exists in Paris and where else can I buy a cute sweater, MarioKart for Wii, Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips, toilet paper, a hula hoop, and tooth whitener all in one place?

4. Rock Valley College
Okay, okay, I know I work there --  but the place is amazing.  Do you want to get an excellent education from talented faculty at an extremely affordable rate?  You can do that at RVC.  Do you want to take in an amazing theater performance?  You can do that at RVC.  Do you want to learn computer skills/yoga/calligraphy/history/woodworking/basketweaving(really!)/citizenship/GED/ESL???? You can do that at RVC.  Pretty much anything you can possibly dream of doing is available on the beautiful campus on Mulford Road.

But what will I really miss?  My cozy little space in the Spring Brook House with all of the talented and generous people I have grown to know and love here.  For now, I am busy leaving post it notes strategically hidden with entertaining messages for the next person to take my office (you know who you are!).  I have to keep them entertained, if even from afar.

3. Rockford Academy of Tae Kwon Do
This is where SJ has taken TKD for nearly two years.  Four times a week, an hour each time, we schlep to class where he kicks, punches, sweats, runs, laughs, and learns and I sit and chit-chat with all of the other parents/grandparents (I know it is shocking that I have turned my child’s enrichment classes into a social opportunity for myself since I am usually quiet and reserved).  The Rockford Academy has a family feel to it – welcoming, kind, helpful.  It truly has become a second home for us and I will miss everyone there.  I only hope our new TKD studio in Paris is half as wonderful.  I am guessing with my limited French, I will not likely pick up as many new friends.  And I am hoping we see a few Rockford Academy friends visiting us in Paris.

2. Mary’s Market
I have never been to Panera in Rockford.  When they opened the doors I vowed I would never step foot in one for great fear that it would negatively impact my beloved Mary’s Market.  From when Mary’s first opened on State Street (in the back!) to the many locations now available….the vegetable chili and chocolate chip shortbread cookies have been with me in every stage of life. Annette Benning and I are regulars.  It is the only place I have ever been a ‘regular.’ It is our Cheers. Except I don’t think they know our names.  And sometimes they forget the nuts in the salad.  But it’s all good.  We love you no matter what. 

And what will I miss the most.......

1. Spectrum Progressive School
There is absolutely nothing better in the whole world than your child getting up every morning excited to go to school, and coming home every day saying, ‘That was the best day EVER!’  I cannot even begin to express how amazing the teachers, students, parents, and administrators are at Spectrum Progressive. I am not interested in my child amassing facts to regurgitate on an exam. At Spectrum, they don’t teach for the test. They teach to learn. They teach understanding the concepts behind the facts. At Spectrum, asking, “how did you get the answer” is as important as the answer itself.

And Spectrum allows my child to be the beautiful, energetic, inquisitive spirit that he is and encourages him to question, ponder, and create.  I lament that we will miss an entire school year, but know we will be back to our Spectrum soon.