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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Hundreds attend Unplugged Festival in Lake Zurich sans phones; ‘Wouldn't it be great … to connect on a personal level?'
Despite ominous skies and a little rain, more than 400 people attended the fifth edition of the Unplugged Festival at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich on Sunday. The event continued to build upon its original theme of disconnecting from the cell phone and, instead, connecting with the community at large. The other purpose was live demonstrations and interactive displays from local businesses, along with outreach programs available in the area. Nearly 50 organizations were represented, as families were urged to bring a picnic lunch and explore new hobbies, make crafts or just relax. 'The festival was created by Alexis Alt in 2020, and she was only 11 years old at the time,' Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton said. 'It was a response to people's reliance on technology during COVID. It's grown into a significant community event. 'She did a lot of the groundwork, and proves that you can make a success of your passion at any age,' he said. Alt is a former Miss Lake Zurich, and the teenager hit on the idea at a summer camp. 'I went to a device-free summer camp,' she said. 'It was liberating, and fun just to talk with people. Afterwards, I saw how many people were literally attached to their phones, and thought, 'Wouldn't it be great just for everyone to connect on a personal level?'' COVID derailed the first attempt to stage the event in 2019, and oddly, rain played a part by washing out the following year's event. The Foglia YMCA in Lake Zurich stepped in, and allowed the event to be held on its premises. It has been located at Paulus Park ever since. 'Yes, we helped stage the inaugural event, and have watched it grow over the years,' said Carrie Landmeier, Foglia's senior director of customer experience. 'It's great exposure for us in presenting what we have to offer. If it translates into memberships and people getting healthy, that's a great thing.' Alt, now 16, is dedicated to community service including groups like the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program and the Lake Zurich Leos Club. She is also the current Miss Ela Township. She said setting up the festival always brings something new to her attention, as well as the community. 'Lake Zurich has a dance studio,' she said. 'I didn't even know the stuff was here. The big impacts are that businesses have free advertising and free trials. The other is people connect to the businesses, businesses connect to the community, and the community connects to others in the community.' Alt said that her parents helped out making legal arrangements such as insurance, permits and items only an adult has the authority to do. 'She has done a fantastic job, both this year and in past years, with this community-focused event,' said Marisa Boynton, the special events recreation supervisor for the village's parks office. 'We're excited to have such wonderful external partners like Unplugged Fest to choose our property to host their amazing event.' Jennifer Ashley, a visitor to the event, said, 'I wasn't even aware of a lot of these businesses being in town. I love crafts and painting, so this fuels my hobbies and interests. It was a metaphysical event with the little bit of rain, and no phones.'
Indianapolis Star
02-08-2025
- Indianapolis Star
We tried 12 wild Indiana State Fair dishes and ranked them from worst to best
Every year, our IndyStar tasting team is more than happy to provide the important reader service of testing a variety of Indiana State Fair foods and telling you exactly what we think of them with no holds barred. This year, we sweat our way from one end of the fair to the other, sampling a bunch of new dishes and a few that we thought were just downright wild. Find our takes below, ranked from worst (one star) to best (five stars). We hope these insights help you make the best possible investment with your fair dollars. Freund Family Foods Gourmet Funnel Cakes. Across from Corteva Coliseum. $18. IndyStar taster rating:⭐ (1 star) Given my Italian heritage, I really wanted to enjoy this sampling of three famous flavors: Italian wedding cake, tiramisu and cannoli. But unfortunately, neither the cannoli nor tiramisu sections contained any oomph on the front end, and aftertastes were lacking as well. — Domenica Bongiovanni Indiana ribeye truck near the fair Midway. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars) This is not a drink. This is a tug-of-war battle between you and your little sibling. One sip in, you know it's too much sugar, you hand it over to them, but also, you're like, 'Wait, come back, I want it.' It's juicy, it's poppy (but only from the boba), and the flavor screams summer. That said, if you don't shake it around hard, you're just slurping syrup at the bottom like a hummingbird on a Red Bull bender. Sip with caution. And share with a sugar goblin you trust. — Sam Habashy Sun King Brewing in the Taproom across from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. $12 for 16 ounces. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars) Sun King's cotton candy ale didn't quite do for me what last year's pickle beer did, but that probably says more about me than the drink itself. This take on the classic state fair confection is surprisingly refreshing, with an ambiguously fruity taste that isn't as cloyingly sweet as the beer's frightening shade of teal might suggest. Alas, the opposing flavors just don't mesh as well as you'd hope, which may simply be the result of infusing a drink only consumed legally by people over 21 years old with a food eaten almost exclusively by people under the age of 10. — Bradley Hohulin Jamaican Breeze. Next to the Department of Natural Resources building near the main entrance. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ ½ (2.5 stars) I was hoping for a trip to flavor town with this one, but sadly, it didn't deliver. The best way to describe the dish? Tame. The jerk sauce had a faint sweetness but lacked the bold, spice-rich taste you'd expect. The cheese was barely noticeable, leaving the fries feeling more like a missed opportunity than a standout snack. At $12, it's hard to justify the price for something so underwhelming. If you're craving bold Caribbean flavors, you might want to keep looking. — Ethan Hylton Dairy Bar. Across from Corteva Coliseum. $5. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) The barbecue sauce reminds me somewhat of Sweet Baby Ray's, which is a little too sweet for my Kansas City-groomed tastebuds. But the salty, creamy gouda and the slices of perfectly buttered and toasted bread make up for the slight sugar overreach. — Domenica Bongiovanni Black Leaf Vegan Food Truck. Across from Pioneer Village. $17. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) The plant-based "meat" is coated in a vegan "cheez" sauce that has a fruitiness reminiscent of the sticky-sweet coating on your favorite childhood mall Chinese chicken. The protein and peppers were cradled in a hoagie with enough fluff and chewiness to meet all of my expectations. Overall, this sandwich is a pleasant diversion from the deep-fried cheesy flavors that populate so much of the fair. — Domenica Bongiovanni Urick Concessions. Inside the Agriculture and Horticulture building. $20. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) If you're looking to escape the summer heat with a refreshing adult beverage, the brunch mimosa might be for you. Light, crisp and not overly sweet, the mimosa was a pleasant surprise, especially with white wine replacing the usual champagne. That twist added a subtle depth that worked well. However, at $20, I expected more from the accompanying fruits, waffles and donuts. They looked promising but didn't quite deliver on flavor. Overall, it's a fun treat if you're in the mood for something light and boozy, but the price-to-quality ratio holds it back. — Ethan Hylton Pickle barrel concession right when you enter by the Hoosier Free Stage lottery. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars) This is what happens when your taste buds and your inner feral child make a pact. It's giving "a dare gone too far but also… kinda genius?" It tastes like a sleepover where no one's mom is supervising and someone goes, 'Let's mix everything in the pantry!' I felt nine years old and unhinged in the best way while eating this salty, sweet and weirdly nostalgic confection. I double-dog dare you to eat the whole thing without questioning your life choices — unlike my co-workers, who did not appreciate the admittedly odd flavor palate. — Sam Habashy Hook's Drugstore Museum by the Indiana Arts Building near Gate 1. $9. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars) A crisp cup of vanilla cold brew receives vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Biscoff cookie butter and Biscoff crumbles, all topped with a maraschino cherry. The concoction looks untenably sweet, but it's a far cry from the massive syrup-spiked drive-thru iced coffees that makes you feel like you're having a panic attack after three sips. Aside from some slight whipped cream separation, everything comes together very nicely in a lovely mocha-colored swirl. Just know your limits — full-fat dairy and extra-strength coffee make this sweet treat quietly one of the more intestinally challenging offerings at the State Fair, which is saying a lot. — Bradley Hohulin Red Frazier Bison. Across from Pioneer Village. $20. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars) Mind you, this was my first time trying bison, so I was a bit apprehensive going into this, but boy am I glad I tried it. The bison patty was cooked well and surprisingly juicy. What really stood out, though, was the Texas toast: crunchy, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up all those savory juices. I did discover that pimento cheese isn't my thing, but don't let that stop you — it's a solid burger overall. If you're feeling hangry and want a hearty, satisfying option, this is a safe bet. The $20 price tag is a little steep, but the quality makes it worth considering. — Ethan Hylton J&J A Taste of Home along the northwest side of the West Pavilion. $17 for two rolls. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars) Following up last year's confoundingly delicious spaghetti and meat sauce egg rolls, J&J presents my favorite bite of the fair with a 4-inch payload of chopped chicken and cheese that is wrapped and fried, doused in a fire-orange blend of hot honey, lemon pepper and buffalo sauce and drizzled with ranch dressing. Combining the trademark flavors of Philadelphia, Atlanta, upstate New York and the Midwest feels almost heretical yet totally works here. While I admittedly miss the crispness of a traditional egg roll, the tang and heat of the sauces is a worthy trade-off, and I suppose it wouldn't be in the spirit of a Philly cheesesteak if the dish were even remotely tidy. — Bradley Hohulin Wilson concessions truck. By the agriculture building. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars) Bites? They meant it. These are the perfect portion sizes that fit in your mouth with no hassle. It's coated in just enough cinnamon sugar, but it's not overpowering. And the cereal is quite the throwback as I hadn't had it in years. The cookie butter drizzle is the main character. It adds a subtle softness to contrast the crunch. The bites were gone in minutes, and I was left wanting just one more. — Sam Habashy More: Taste of the Fair: Indiana State Fair announces new foods for 2025 Contact dining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@ You can follow him on Twitter/X @BradleyHohulin and stay up to date with Indy dining news by signing up for the Indylicious newsletter.
Indianapolis Star
27-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Meet IndyStar Pulliam fellow Sam Habashy
IndyStar's newsroom internships are an important tradition that benefits readers, the news industry and aspiring journalists. We have nine summer interns for 2025 — students who have shown a passion for local journalism and have prior internship or student media experience. The program provides a bridge from student journalism to the professional ranks and helps the Star fill the gaps as our full-time staff take well-earned vacation time. Similarly, we're taking a break from our "Meet the Staff" feature for the summer to give you a chance to, yes, meet the interns. We also call them Pulliam fellows — in recognition of the family that used to own the newspaper and has continued to support journalism in Indianapolis — and past participants have gone on to rich careers at the Star and elsewhere in journalism. Up this week is 2025 IndyStar intern Sam Habashy. I am on the features beat! I am a rising senior studying journalism and international studies at Northwestern University next door in Illinois! The infinite impact of storytelling. You never know who or where your words will reach and when. What drew me in was both the opportunity to learn from a dedicated team and connect with Indianapolis' growing Arab community. I was excited to bring in their perspective as part of the city's broader, diverse narrative. The IndyStar felt like the perfect place to contribute meaningfully to cultural storytelling while continuing to find and refine my voice in the industry. I'm currently reading "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom. It's a short read, but incredibly powerful — one of those books that stays with you long after you put it down. "This World is Not Conclusion" by Emily Dickinson. I return to that poem whenever I need a breath of fresh air. Show up, be present, and be kind! A best friend passed this along to me after hearing it from her high school leadership teacher, and it's stuck with me ever since. I love how her teacher's words have continued to ripple outward, and now I get to share them with you — how cool! "The Amazing Race," and I'd partner up with my older brother. It would be such a fun way to experience the world. Bangkok, Thailand. My favorite dessert is mango sticky rice, so it's a dream of mine to try it right where it originated.
