Thousands flock to Long Grove's Cocoa Crawl; ‘The launch of the 2025 festival season'
It was 33 degrees and overcast for this year's annual Cocoa Crawl in Long Grove that brought out thousands Saturday to the village's historic downtown.
As the event started, Ryan Messner, a Long Grove business owner and Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association president, said, 'Cocoa Crawl is the launch of the 2025 festival season in Long Grove.
'It's a family fun, friendly event,' he said.
Free hot chocolate stations around Long Grove drew crowds of patrons.
'You've got six flavors of cocoa that you get to walk around and try,' Messner said. 'Who doesn't like coming out for free hot cocoa to start the season?'
Messner's son Logan, 14, volunteered with his father, checking on the beverage inventory at hot cocoa station tents around town.
'Volunteering is kind of good because you can really help everyone,' Logan Messner said. 'You can help the community. You can give back to everyone what they've given to you.'
Several businesses new to Long Grove were busy with Cocoa Crawl customer traffic.
Sylvia Salimi, the owner of Blooming Boutique Flowers, shared space inside with Hana Weber, the operator of Sorelle Italian Market. Weber offered free hot chocolate and signature cookies as a thank-you to those who stopped by.
'It's been fantastic,' Weber said.
Blooming Boutique Flowers opened in May and is located next to the historic Robert Parker Coffin Road Bridge.
'We love Long Grove,' Salimi said. 'We live in Long Grove, so it just made sense with our little ones to open a business here.'
Her husband Ari said, 'As a family and a business, when we moved from the city we looked for a spot and we knew we wanted to be in the (Adlai E.) Stevenson (High School) district. We love family, and we want to give back to the community as well.
'When we saw and heard of Long Grove, we decided to plant our roots here for the next 18 years until our three children go through and graduate,' he said. '(Sylvia) picked the spot, the iconic bridge that everybody knows about is the backdrop for her shop. We thought it was going to be something great.'
Sylvia Salimi added, 'We couldn't miss out on this opportunity here right by the bridge, and the festivals are all fun. The Cocoa Crawl's a great turnout. We've had a ton of people here.'
John and Jenna Rickard moved to Long Grove from Los Angeles, with their children Will, 5, and Riley, 2. Jenna Rickard grew up in Buffalo Grove, and was a 2004 high school graduate.
'We came back to Lake County for the schools,' Jenna Rickard said. 'And we wanted a nice place for our kids to go to school in the public school system, and this was a great place.'
John Rickard added, 'This just seemed like a good spot to settle down and raise our family.'
On the same retail side along the flower shop is storefront business Ritzy Christmas, which opened later last year and operated by siblings Amanda and Ramona Aesho. The inventory of Ritzy Christmas includes Christmas ornaments, but also seasonal items of all holidays, including birthday gifts and a Valentine's Day ornamental tree with oversized jewels.
'The Cocoa Crawl is bringing in customers,' Amanda Aesho said. 'It's been busy. It's wonderful.'
Attending the Cocoa Crawl with visitors from Wisconsin was Deb Bello of Kildeer.
'Lake County is just great,' Bello said. 'We love the small-town feel of Long Grove and all of the little shops, and just enjoy coming here and all the little festivals.'
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Miami Herald
18 hours ago
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Duluth, Minnesota Duluth, like many of the Great Lakes towns on this Midwest family vacations list, offers lots of outdoor activities for families. It is also home to Great Lakes Aquarium, the only freshwater aquarium in the US. Minneapolis, Minnesota Home to the Mall of America (which may be reason enough to visit), Minneapolis and its sister city, St. Paul, have so much to offer visitors. Explore the largest mall in the US, or enjoy a number of theater performances. Hike to Minnehaha Falls or explore miles of nature trails along the Mississippi River. It's also one of the most affordable family vacations in the Midwest, with lots of free things to do with kids. Branson, Missouri Branson, Missouri, is a fun and affordable vacation destination with beautiful lakes and mountains as well as fun shows and theme parks. Silver Dollar City is a family-friendly park themed to an old mining town. Choose from more than 40 rides and live entertainment. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri 'The Strip' at Lake of the Ozarks offers your typical tourist fare: gift shops, arts and crafts, fudge and candy factories and the like. But it's the beautiful lake (with more than 50 marinas), a collection of golf courses, horseback trails, boat tours through caverns and tours of mansions (both current and historic) that makes this a worthy Midwest vacation spot that will keep you busy for as long as you want to stay. St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is one of our favorite Midwest getaway spots. Less than 6 hours from Cincinnati, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Louisville, Nashville, Tulsa and Memphis, it may be the most centrally located destination on this list. You'll want to visit the Gateway Arch, of course, but plan to spend some time at Forest Park. It's larger than New York's Central Park and home to a free zoo and a number of free museums. There's also the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Grant's Farm and the eclectic, one-of-a-kind City Museum. There's a really fun and trendy waterfront area (Laclede's Landing), plus an aquarium and lots of stuff for sports lovers, including taking in a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. St. Charles, Missouri Just a half hour's drive from St. Louis is charming and historic St. Charles. Celebrate car culture with a stop at Fast Lane Classic Cars to ogle the 200 classic and muscle cars on display. Or forget about your car for a while and hop on board the St. Charles Trolley to ride the 30 minute loop around town. Download the app to track where the trolley is so you'll know how long you'll need to wait for a ride. The best part? It's free! Omaha, Nebraska Omaha as a must-do for foodies. It is one of the nicest, cleanest and most hospitable family vacation spots in the Midwest – especially in the spring when the weather is perfect. Don't miss the opportunity in Omaha for your kids to stand in two states at once! Check Omaha experiences here. Even though it was pouring rain, SheBuysTravel contributor Nasreen Stump said her kiddos still thought it was one of the coolest things they did on their Midwest road trip. There is plenty of parking on the Omaha side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. You can walk to the middle of the bridge and straddle the state line between Nebraska and Iowa. Activities for kids exist on both sides of the bridge. Cincinnati, Ohio Like the other large cities on this list, Cincinnati offers far too many attractions to really cover here. World-class museums, one of the best zoos in the country, several professional sports teams and a vast history are only a handful of the reasons to visit the Queen City. Check out the best nightlife options in Cincinnati and these fun free things to do in Cincinnati. Cleveland, Ohio The most famous attraction in Cleveland, Ohio is probably the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Even my kids, who didn't know half of the artists, found plenty of interesting things to see and do. Don't miss a stop at the fun hands-on Great Lakes Science Center next door. Save a few bucks by buying the combo ticket admission to both the hall of fame and science center. While you're in Cleveland, you should also check out the beautifully revitalized Little Italy neighborhood or catch a Cavaliers game. Hocking Hills, Ohio Travel less than an hour from Columbus, Ohio's capital city, and you'll find yourself at the beginning of Appalachia. Hocking Hills State Park has some of the area's best hiking for families. We've taken young kids there on paved trails and spent time on more difficult hikes with older kids and adults. For adventure seekers, there's zip lining. This Midwest vacation spot is also home to caves, waterfalls and cultural and historic attractions. Small lakes offer boating (pontoon and human-powered craft such as kayaks or canoes only) and water sports. Sandusky/Lake Erie Shore, Ohio Sandusky, Ohio, is home to Cedar Point Amusement Park, which bills itself as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. We agree. It's where we took our kids to teach them to love roller coasters! Start with the smaller, tamer coasters and work your way up the Top Thrill Dragster — a steel coaster that reaches speeds of 120 mph as it shoots you straight up, then crawls over the top to wind straight back down, all in 17 seconds. There are also four indoor waterpark resorts and beautiful beaches along Lake Erie. From Sandusky, take a ferry to Kelleys Island or South Bass Island's Put-in-Bay. On these Lake Erie islands, take a cave tour, go fishing or climb the Marblehead Lighthouse in Port Clinton for spectacular views. Warren County, Ohio You can also take a scenic train ride to Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County – 'Ohio's Largest Playground.' Here you'll find a charming downtown area with some of the country's best antiques shopping. You can even dine – or stay overnight – at the Historic Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant. Opened in 1803, the Golden Lamb has hosted 12 US presidents and dozens of other US and world dignitaries. Driving through South Dakota is THE iconic Midwest road trip. Start with a stop in Wall, South Dakota, to gawk at the incredibly touristy Wall Drug, wind through the breathtaking Badlands National Park, see Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, pay your respects to Crazy Horse, then watch the buffalo roam at Custer State Park. Consider staying in Rapid City. It's centrally located to all of the South Dakota attractions. Badlands National Park Take the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) and stop often to ogle the Instagrammable rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires of Badlands National Park. Watch for bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and other protected wildlife. Mount Rushmore Look up President Washington's nose (really!) as you hike around Mount Rushmore. That's the national park where the busts of four presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln — are carved into the side of the Black Hills Mountains. This Midwest vacation spot draws more than 3 million visitors every year. Custer State Park You can hike, fish and be wowed by Needles Highway here. But the biggest reason to visit Custer State Park is the chance to stop the car and watch the herd of 1,300 grazing buffalo on the Wildlife Loop. Crazy Horse Monument Unlike the other South Dakota attractions, Crazy Horse is a private endeavor run by a nonprofit. The project was started by Korczak Ziolkowski in 1948. It's still far from finished. Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and it's a rockin' college town. Take the free tour of the beautiful capitol building, then walk across the street to browse through the (also free) Wisconsin Veterans Museum. On Saturdays from April to November, the capital is circled with a huge farmers' market selling everything from veggies to the must-try Wisconsin cheese curds. (You know they're fresh if they squeak when you bite into them.) Here's our list of the best things to do in Madison, including eating some of Wisconsin's famous cheese curds. Never skip the cheese curds! Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin combines a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan with the hustle and bustle of an urban center. Visit the world-class Milwaukee Art Museum and take the little ones to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum and school-age kids to Discovery World. Motorcycle fans can visit Harley-Davidson Museum, and Milwaukee visitors can take part in several festivals throughout the year – including Summerfest, one of the world's largest music festivals. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin About an hour north of Milwaukee, Elkhart Lake is a lovely, serene family vacation spot in the Midwest. Several hotels nestle along the shores of the lake, where the calm water tends to be much warmer than Lake Michigan. We love the beautiful Osthoff Resort which has a number of wonderful restaurants. Race fans will want to plan a visit to RaceAmerica to watch a race or take a track driving course. Green Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay is best known as the home of the powerhouse Green Bay Packers American football team, which is celebrated at the team's Titletown complex. But Green Bay also is the gateway to Door County. Known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest, Door County is famous for its small towns along the bay and its fish boils. Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells calls itself the 'water park capital of the world.' While we love the giant indoor Kalahari Waterpark any time and the giant outdoor Noah's Ark waterpark in the summertime, there's much more to do there than just water slides. Much like a visit to Branson, Missouri, or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you'll find a plethora of go-kart tracks, live dinner shows and boat tours. Don't miss a ride on the famous Duck Boats! Away from the hustle and bustle of those tourist destinations though, you'll also find plenty of water sports and hiking in the Dells' three nearby state parks. Editor's Note: This is an updated version of a post written by Jennifer Kaufman. Q: What is the best time of year to take a Midwest road trip? A: The best time to take a Midwest road trip is during the summer months (June-August) when the weather is warm and the attractions are open. However, if you're interested in fall foliage, consider visiting in September or October. Q: How long should I plan for a Midwest road trip? A: It depends on how many stops you want to make and how much time you have. For a comprehensive Midwest road trip, plan for at least 2-3 weeks. However, if you're short on time, you can still hit some of the highlights in a week or less. Q: What are some must-see attractions on a Midwest road trip? A: Some must-see attractions on a Midwest road trip include Mount Rushmore, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, and the Wisconsin Dells. Q: Is it safe to travel to the Midwest? A: Yes, the Midwest is generally a safe place to travel. However, as with any destination, it's important to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings. Q: What are some budget-friendly options for a Midwest road trip? A: Some budget-friendly options for a Midwest road trip include camping instead of staying in hotels, packing your own food instead of eating out, and visiting free attractions like state parks and museums. The post Hit the Road: Epic Midwest Road Trips You've Gotta Try appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Wall Street Journal
Schools Can Pay Their Athletes—and College Sports Will Never Be the Same
College sports are dying, college sports are dead, college sports aren't about college anymore—it's Christmas in June for anyone feeling apocalyptic about the state of college sports, now that a settlement has been approved allowing schools to directly pay their athletes. This isn't a salary, technically. This is compensation from schools to athletes for use of their 'name, image, likeness,' but it's not a measly NIL like a burly offensive lineman getting all the bratwurst he can eat. This is a real paycheck, directly from the college. It's really happening—for Division I schools that have opted in. It's set to start July 1. 'A new beginning,' NCAA boss Charlie Baker called it. Is it going to work? Will it cannonball Olympic and nonrevenue sports? How does it square with Title IX? Will it withstand legal challenges? Will it all fall apart? I have no idea! Neither does anyone else! Hold on to your helmets, everyone. We're all jumping off the diving board together. (I will now pause 90 seconds for you to climb the ladder and jump off the diving board with the rest of us.) The settlement of this class action—House vs. NCAA, in which current and former athletes sought name, image and likeness opportunities and a share of athletic department revenue—had been in the works for a while. On Friday, a federal judge signed off on the $2.6 billion settlement, which includes back pay to litigants but also creates a revenue-sharing system 'in which each Division I school will be able to distribute roughly $20 million a year to their athletes,' the Journal reported. That's right. Colleges can chop up $20 million and split it among their jocks. It will take some getting used to. Naturally, the revenue sharing is already provoking some to bemoan the demise of 'amateurism' and the college sports landscape. But schools have to be oblivious to not see who's to blame: They are! College sports did this to itself. The NCAA and its member schools set professionalization into motion with decades of arrogance and denial about the bountiful but warped economy they built around the games we love to watch. When college sports started chasing every dollar as a market-driven business—and frankly, there's a case that college sports has always been a business—paying athletes became inevitable. The bigger the money got, the harder the system was to defend. When college sports started indulging in the $10 million dollar coach, the billion-dollar television deal, the megabuck locker rooms and the assistant to the assistant strength coach making more than a surgeon, the hypocrisy was easy to see. Everyone was making a buck, except the talent on the field. It's why the Supreme Court more or less reacted to the NCAA's claims of amateur status with the following: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Public opinion shifted, too. A decade ago, I'd write about proposals to pay athletes and I could hear the jeering a mile away. Boooooooo! That's not what college sports are about, man! Eventually, those big-dollar media deals, private jets and Pop-Tart Bowls caught up with college sports. It was hard to argue there was anything amateurish about it anymore. Now schools will have to figure it out for themselves. I mean that literally: schools and conferences are navigating a new wilderness in which they are permitted to directly compensate athletes—but without a precedent or a clear road map. Yikes. We do know a few things: The bulk of those $20 million allotments are expected to go to high-revenue sports like football and men's basketball—that's where the money's coming from, after all. Other beneficiaries may be growing sports like women's basketball and softball. The settlement also attempts to inject some calm into the craziness around name, image and likeness. The revenue sharing payments will come from the schools, and third party NIL deals over $600 will be subject to review by 'NIL Go,' an oversight group overseen by Deloitte. The idea here is to put outside NIL deals under a microscope—find out what player deals are legitimate arrangements, and what are booster largesses masquerading as NIL. Good luck! Enforcement will be a headache. So will the invariable league challenges. Defenders of the settlement maintain it shouldn't be entangled with Title IX protections against gender discrimination. Already there are parties who want to argue. Also unknown is the impact on nonrevenue Olympic sports. Do schools start eliminating or rolling back certain sports because they're not big contributors to the bottom line? Possible! We'll see. The new setup isn't free of denial, either. While colleges are now entitled to pay athletes, the system still resists the idea that athletes are employees. Good luck with that, too. There will likely be challenges to the revenue sharing system—is the proportion of revenue (22 percent) given to athletes a fair amount, or should it be renegotiated? Is it tantamount to a salary cap? It's hard to not see this heading in the direction of classifying athletes as employees, and eventually, collective bargaining. If you're lying down on a couch right now with a bag of ice on your head, I understand. It's a lot. It's confusing. Imagine being an athletic director in 2025. No job has changed more. A new day is here. It might not be the apocalypse, but college sports will never be the same. Write to Jason Gay at
