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Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Even in death, Aurora's beloved Christmas lady reflected a Hallmark life
Karen Bozarth was all about spreading goodwill toward men – and women and children. And not just at Christmas, her favorite holiday season, but throughout the entire year. Her last Facebook post, on July 25, in fact, was a happy reminder that Christmas was only five months away, part of her monthly countdown that was but a small indication of how much Aurora's 'Christmas Lady' loved that magical time of year. Karen, who had been battling heart issues, died in her Aurora home on Aug. 7 at age 61. But those who loved her – and there are many – take comfort in knowing she passed away enjoying one of her favorite activities: watching a Hallmark movie. While that last romantic storyline she was watching centered around Valentine's Day, Karen's favorites from this cable channel were its Christmas movies. Which makes sense as she and her husband of 31 years, Jim Bozarth, became well-known for their magnificent Christmas House, which WGN-TV featured last December. I first met Karen when I wrote a column about their holiday home in Orchard Valley subdivision, where every room was turned into a magical wonderland with 35 trees, 300 snowmen and hundreds of wreaths, figurines and yuletide mementoes. Then there was the basement, which contained 13 tables filled with a spectacular Department 56 Snow Village collection that included more than 400 buildings and over 1,000 accessories, with hundreds of moving parts, as well as a train circling the 56 separate villages. The Bozarths held an annual open house that allowed thousands of people over the years to enjoy this holiday wonderland. That's how I first met Karen, when someone told me about the display and I went to see it for myself. I certainly did not know Karen well. But it didn't matter. She was one of those people you can't forget because she exuded the kind of warmth and happiness that makes you feel as if you've known her for years. 'One of a kind' sounds so cliche, yet those words, which have been used frequently to describe Karen as the Facebook tributes began flowing, really do sum up who she was inside and out. 'There are some people who have sun inside them,' one Facebook post said. 'It's hard to explain. Their presence just brightens. It's not about their beautiful smiles. They have an internal being that sheds light and feels like sun. It's a calm energy, inner peace. But most importantly, it's not wanting anything in return. It's sun.' Other posts also talked about how special Karen was as a person. 'There will never be another like her.' 'If you knew her you loved her.' 'This woman was the light in everyone's life; the most lovely person you could ever meet.' 'She was one of God's angels put on this Earth to remind us there is still love and kindness in this world …' Karen had been battling serious health issues for a while, her husband told me, but it was a broken femur from a fall in June that forced her to take time off from a long career with Scholastic Inc. in St. Charles. She was not feeling well on Thursday but declined Jim's offer to make a trip to the emergency room, opting instead to watch a movie from her vast Hallmark channel DVD collection, where Christmas-themed narratives are the superstars. Sitting near his wife using his tablet, Jim noticed Karen had fallen asleep, only to discover a short time later she was unresponsive. As one Facebook post read: 'Heaven gained the most beautiful angel on Thursday night.' No one knows that more than 27-year-old Jordan Davis, who moved from Florida to Chicago in 2019 for job reasons and was introduced to Karen, a West Aurora High School classmate of her mom Amy who had reconnected via Facebook. 'When I first met her, I thought, is this fake? No one can be this nice. But the more I visited, the more time I spent with them, I knew it was all genuine,' she said, who now considers Karen her 'Illinois mom.' 'Over the years she has been a constant light in my life, an amazing resource,' Davis told me, adding that, unlike 'so many people you come across, there was no agenda, no hidden motive.' Christmas this year, of course, will be different for those who loved Karen. As will Davis' upcoming wedding, where she will walk down the aisle with a locket specially made for her by the woman who 'took me in' and 'loved you like you are her own.' The locket arrived on Thursday, Jim told me, but not before Karen got a chance to see how special it was. Says Davis, who received it over the weekend, 'It is even more meaningful now.' Karen Bozarth – whose funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Aurora – leaves behind a legion of friends and family with similar feelings and stories to share that paint a Hallmark portrait of a woman who would not only give a stranger the shirt off her back but was a whole lot of fun to hang around. Karen also leaves behind that magnificent snow village collection, which never was dismantled after she and Jim announced last December that, due to health issues, it was the display's final year. I am so glad I got the chance to view it. Even more, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have met Karen Bozarth. Just as her holiday home had to be seen to be believed, so also did this beautiful Christmas lady whose bright light brought so much joy to the world.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My secret married lover is being treated for cancer – and I'm heartbroken that I can't visit him
DEAR DEIDRE: MY secret lover is being treated for cancer and I'm heartbroken that I can't visit him. This is not your usual seedy affair. We met through work ten years ago and this man has been the love of my life, my soulmate, ever since. I'm 45 and he's 56. During our decade together, he has married his wife, with whom he has three children. But we speak or see each other every day. It's not just physical, even though the intimate side of our relationship is electric. After sex, we often lie in each other's arms for hours, softly laughing and kissing, until he has to leave. We love each other. But I was the person who told him to see the doctor. I was kissing his shoulder and I noticed a mole looked red and raised. He said he hadn't been aware of it but I don't know why his wife hadn't noticed it. Following tests, he made a brief phone call to me, saying he'd been admitted to hospital with stage-three skin cancer. Since then, I've heard nothing. I'm in pieces — I don't know how to get news on how he is. I can't visit him in case I bump into his wife and kids. I can't ask our HR team for too many updates without them suspecting we're more than just colleagues — workplace relationships aren't allowed. I'm in limbo. My friends aren't sympathetic because they say he has strung me along for years. But I know he loves me. Spotting the signs your partner is cheating My worst fear is that he will die, and I won't know until it's too late to go to his funeral. What can I do? Sadly, skin-cancer rates are rising in the UK. And melanoma, the dead-liest form of it, is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Over the past decade, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have increased by 32 per cent. You might very well have saved his life. Now for the bad news. It doesn't seem like he wants to spend that life with you. While you waited for your next snatched moment together, he married and had three children with someone else. You believe he's your soulmate – but would he agree? Life-threatening illnesses often cause people to take stock. I suggest you do the same. It's time to look for a new partner, one who will want you by their side every moment of their life, good and bad. Please read my support pack, Your Lover Not Free? to help you see things more clearly. I'VE LISTED ALL OF HER SEXCUSES We're both 28 and have been dating for two years. Six months ago we moved in together. Since then, we've only had sex on 12 occasions. The rest of the time, she makes excuses. I've started keeping a list. She has not wanted sex for the following reasons: Headache, backache, bloating, tiredness, alcohol, a sore knee, constipation, work stress, mosquitoes, bread and wanting to watch Clarkson's Farm. Early on, our sex life was spectacular. My girlfriend used to be adventurous and would often surprise me with a new technique or position. She was the most exciting woman I'd ever met and would do daring things like treat me to oral in the cinema, or fondle me while I drove. I expected the sex to get even wilder when we shared a home. My girlfriend is a high-earner so our new apartment has a balcony and a Jacuzzi bath. I had high hopes for the spicy action we would enjoy in both those locations, but sadly the only sex has been a rushed missionary session in bed. I've tried to show my affection by helping her with housework, or suggesting we order in a takeaway, but she seems permanently grumpy. It's making me feel rejected and resentful. It's like she pretended to be someone else for the first part of our relationship. DEIDRE SAYS: Destroy that list. She is not a malfunctioning sex bot. She's a real person with real feelings, and I suspect your entitlement might be the real turn-off here. When I look at her reasons for not wanting sex, I see an exhausted, overwhelmed person who is eating big dinners (like your takeaways) and probably doesn't feel relaxed and playful. You say you 'help' with house-work. Instead of helping, why not do at least half of it? She's more likely to see the erotic potential of a Jacuzzi bath when she's not the only one scrubbing it. I understand that your desire for sex goes beyond a physical urge. You want to feel close, connected and loved. But so does she. Unlike men, women often need to feel those emotions before they head to bed, and not afterwards. You see she's grumpy so ask why. Clean the house, book a date night, talk and turn off the TV. Become a warm, loving partner and your adventurous girlfriend will return. FAMILY FORUM DEAR DEIDRE: I WANT to move in with my boyfriend, but I'm scared my son's behaviour will drive us apart. My son is nine and I'm 34. My boyfriend is 37 and lives with his teenage daughter. Even though he can be funny and loving, my son has always been a handful. When he was a toddler, I would get calls from his childminder to say he'd been fighting or shouting at other kids. He would never sit still and easily lost his temper. My son was six when I split up from his dad and became a single mum. I've struggled to cope. I find myself giving in to whatever my son wants, just for an easier life. Now, he calls me names, insults me, and helps himself to anything he wants from the kitchen or my handbag. When he's happy, he's great company. But then a switch will flip and he'll be spiteful or break something. His dad has a new family now and rarely sees him. My new boyfriend and I met a year ago through a dating app for single parents. I immediately liked how hands-on he was as a parent, having his daughter three or four nights every week. My boyfriend wants me and my son to move in. I'd love to, but I have hidden the worst of my son's behaviour from him. When my boyfriend sees what my son can be like, I'm scared he'll lose interest in both of us. I don't know what to do. DEIDRE SAYS: The more positive role models your son has in his life, the better. Long-term, your boyfriend could be an excellent influence. In the short term, I'd focus on getting your son more support, rather than any more change. Has his school ever suggested an assessment for ADHD or autism? Some of his behaviour could suggest he's neurodivergent, so that might be a sensible first step. Find a club he might be interested in, such as martial arts or Cubs, to give him the opportunity to make friends outside of his school classroom. At home, set boundaries and a routine that you can both stick to. Reward him for good behaviour. HAUNTED BY OVERDOSING FEARS DEAR DEIDRE: THE only way to find peace from my drug-addict boyfriend was to leave him, move away and switch off my phone. Now I'm haunted by fears of him overdosing. I'm 23, he's 27 and we were great together for three years. But his recreational drug use crept up until he was doing very hard drugs. I tried to get him help, but he would skip hospital or counselling appointments to hang out with his dealer. Finally, I snapped. I moved away, leaving him and everyone I knew behind. I switched off my phone to stop him calling. I know I made the right move, but who will ensure he is safe now? DEIDRE SAYS: It was his choice to ignore your help. I understand your fears but his health isn't your responsibility. Talking about your worries can help a lot. – 0808 802 6666 – provides a free listening ear for family and relationship problems. You could also contact for people affected by a partner's drug abuse. Can I sue hospital? DEAR DEIDRE: I GOT laughed out of A&E for a 'superficial cut' – then had my arm amputated for gangrene. Can I sue the hospital? I sliced my little finger on a veg knife. The cut didn't heal, and after a few days I couldn't sleep because it was throbbing so badly. Panicking, I drove myself to A&E. After a long wait, I got laughed at by a doctor, who told me: 'Try a plaster.' When I insisted something was wrong, he called security to escort me out. The cut got worse and I ended up developing gan-grene. I had to have the arm amputated above the elbow. I'm still in pain, I've lost my job and my mental health has really suffered. Can I take legal action? DEIDRE SAYS: That is a tragic tale. You might have grounds to sue. The first step would be to contact The Patients Association ( where you can speak to a trained adviser. You can also get useful information on how to make a complaint, through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, PALS, via
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hugh Jackman sends fans into frenzy as gym training session sets off rumours that he's preparing for new Wolverine film
Fans have gone wild over a video showing Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman doing some 'heavy lifting' in a particularly tough gym workout. In the short clip, shared to the 56-year-old Australian-born's social media, the Wolverine star can be seen doing a 'trap bar deadlift' which is typically used to build lower body and back strength. Hugh can be seen raising the heavily loaded bar seven times, while a trainer can be heard off screen talking him through the strenuous looking moves. And fans rushed to the Instagram post with comments speculating that Hugh is already in training for his next Wolverine movie - though no film has been announced. 'Why you getting in shape Hugh?' messaged one user on the song and dance man's post. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Huh? Huh? Got anything to do with a certain company making you do a certain something until you're 90?' they joked in reference to Hugh's signature role as Marvel's Wolverine superhero. Other fans jumped on the 'till your 90' bandwagon in the comments, a reference to the fact that Hugh has played the Wolverine character 10 times in 10 movies since 2000. 'Remember... you're doing Wolverine until you're 90,' joked another user, while one fan simply commented: '90'. Others suggested that Hugh was in training so he could reprise his Wolverine character in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday which is currently underway with Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. 'We know you're in Doomsday,' suggested one fan on Hugh's post. 'Getting Wolvready,' agreed a Hugh enthusiast. Meanwhile, many commented on Hugh's buff physique, with one fan messaging the Deadpool and Wolverine star: 'Hugh Jackman X huge jacked man.' It comes after Hugh was recently spotted for the first time since finalising his divorce from his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness. The usually cheerful screen and stage star appeared sombre as he jetted into LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Wednesday, just two days after Daily Mail revealed his divorce had been filed. Hugh kept a low profile in a black cap and face mask as he pushed his suitcase through the airport. He dressed casually for the flight in a navy polo shirt, black shorts and a pair of comfortable green sneakers. The actor held a backpack as he rushed through the terminal and made his way to an awaiting car. Daily Mail revealed on Tuesday that Hugh and Deborra-Lee, 69, had finalised their divorce a month after filing. A judgment of divorce was filed on June 12, making it official. The document, however, was not made public until June 23. The divorce was essentially disposed of two weeks ago, but the judge needed to sign off on the judgment after a proposed judgment was entered. Daily Mail has reached out to Hugh and Deborra-Lee's reps for comment. Deborra-Lee, who has two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, has received a 'handsome spousal support payment,' according to an insider, who previously spoke to Daily Mail. 'A settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' they revealed. 'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure. 'There is not going to be any drama with this gives closure that she needed.' Last month, Daily Mail exclusively broke the news of Hugh and Deborra-Lee filing for divorce to officially terminate their 27-year marriage. Hugh has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed.
Korea Herald
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Busan Concert Hall opens with finest talent, advanced infrastructure
Opening festival led by Artistic Director Chung Myung-whun showcases Busan's potential as a classical music hub BUSAN — After Maestro Chung Myung-whun concluded Sunday evening's concert at the new Busan Concert Hall, he traced a circle in the air with his finger before gently tapping his heart — a gesture that seemed to acknowledge not only the musicians on stage but also the audience, who responded with a standing ovation. It was a moment of gratitude and recognition, shared by all present at a historic milestone in Busan's classical music journey. The city's long-awaited concert hall finally opened its doors last weekend. Chung, who serves as the artistic director of Classic Busan, a municipal office of Busan Metropolitan City responsible for operating the Busan Concert Hall and the Busan Opera House, which is set to debut in 2027, took the podium three times over the weekend. Friday's performance was an invitation-only concert, attended by government officials and various dignitaries, many of whom were not seasoned classical music listeners, as evidenced by applause between movements. The program, featuring Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56 and Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" was repeated Saturday afternoon. This time, classical music enthusiasts from Busan — Chung's hometown —filled the seats, and the atmosphere was entirely different: charged, attentive and emotionally resonant. On Sunday evening, Chung, who is also set to lead the prestigious Teatro alla Scala in Milan from 2027, conducted Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major "Emperor" with celebrated pianist Cho Seong-jin at the keyboard and Symphony No. 3 in C minor Op. 78 "Organ." For all three performances, the 72-year-old towering figure of Korean classical music performed works he had fully internalized, entirely from memory — except the Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56, for which he both conducted and played the piano. Pipe organ, a rare instrument The weekend also marked the public debut of the concert hall's pipe organ — a rarity outside the Seoul metropolitan area. Crafted by Germany's Freiburger Orgelbau, the instrument features 4,423 pipes and 64 stops, capable of producing a range of tonal colors. Renowned pianist and organist Cho Jae-hyuck opened Sunday's concert with Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, showcasing the full dynamic range and architectural resonance of the new instrument. Returning for the second half of the performance on Sunday, Cho and the APO presented Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 in C minor Op. 78 "Organ." 'This organ is large in scale and divided into multiple divisions, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of genres and performance contexts. Depending on how it's combined, it can produce majestic or harmoniously blended sounds, like a palette filled with a rich variety of colors. Each element isn't just optional; rather, every part serves a specific purpose with clear intent. Being able to perform using all of these thoughtfully designed components is incredibly rewarding,' Cho said during an interview over the weekend. 'I hope that Busan citizens will discover the unique charm of each stop (each referring to a particular set of pipes that produces a distinct sound) one by one,' Cho added. Top Asian musicians gather in Busan The Asia Philhamornic Orchestra comprises top-tier musicians from Korea, China and Japan — or those who have a strong connection with Korea. It has alternated between periods of activity and hiatus since its founding in 1997. Reconvening under Chung's direction for the opening of the Busan Concert Hall, the APO was responsible for showing the concert hall's full potential. The concertmaster was Park Ji-yoon, who also holds the distinction of being the first Asian and first woman to serve as concertmaster of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. Other Korean musicians at the world's top orchestras also returned to perform on home soil, including Kim Han, principal clarinetist of the Paris National Opera, and Park Kyoung-min, violist with the Berlin Philharmonic. The orchestra also included musicians from the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra and Alexander Baty, principal trumpet of the Munich Philharmonic. 'When we come together under Maestro Chung, the music flows more naturally because we understand his conducting so deeply," Park said in an interview ahead of Saturday's concert. The 2,011-seat Busan Concert Hall, located inside Busan Citizens Park, features a vineyard-style seating that wraps around the stage, offering visual intimacy and optimal acoustic distribution. A sound cloud suspended above the audience adjusts audio direction to ensure even acoustics throughout the hall. The concert hall also includes a 400-seat chamber hall. Choi Jin, Korea's top tonmeister, said that a new concert hall typically takes some time to settle acoustically, but 'The venue is remarkably well-settled for such an early stage of its opening.' Sunwoo Ye-kwon, the first Korean winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2017, expressed his excitement for Busan's new addition. 'Musicians are grateful for this new venue for classical music," he said. On Monday, the celebrated pianist was set to take the stage with members of the APO to present "Beethoven and Romanticism," further showcasing the potential of the chamber hall. On Wednesday, Chung will again take the stage as a pianist at the chamber hall to present a selection of masterpieces of Viennese classical chamber music alongside APO members. The opening festival continues until Saturday, when a concert opera of Beethoven's 'Fidelio' will wrap up the festival.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- The Hindu
Devakottai Sub-Collector impose ₹91-crore fine on stone quarry at Mallakottai
Devakottai sub-collector on Tuesday has imposed a fine of ₹91 crore on the stone quarry operator at Mallakottai near Singampunari which caused the death of six workers in May, 2025. Following the death of six workers, district Collector Asha Ajith cancelled the license of the quarry for operating beyond their license period. As S.S. Kottai police registered a case, they arrested three men for investigation. Subsequent to the developments, a drone survey was conducted in the particular stone quarry. As the survey revealed that stones more than permitted level were quarried from the rocks, Devakottai sub-collector Ayush Venkat Vats imposed a fine of Rs.91,00,56,960 on the quarry operator. Further, similar drone surveys were ordered to be conducted at other quarry sites in the district.
