Through the KeyholeApril 2025Take a break from your day...Not your typical company OR newsletter |
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"This location is the birthplace of one of the most famous female gymnastics athletes in the world. Home to the Tate brothers (for now), "Dracula" and a whole lot of natural and man made beauty."
Can you guess the location? APRIL is here and so is SPRING... Happy Birthday to my wife Melissa who keeps everything going. Thank you for all that you do. It is impressive and you are loved, cherished and appreciated. The story goes that Melissa was born in a BIG BLIZZARD that hit Chicago right around this time of year. Her mother did not want to give birth on April Fool's Day so she willed her way past that moment. There was so much snow, there was talk of taking a snowmobile to the hospital. In the end, they didn't need to do that and Melissa was born on April 2nd. NO JOKE. April Fools' Day, celebrated on April 1st, is all about having fun with pranks and jokes. The exact origins are a bit of a mystery, but here are a few cool theories: One idea is that it started when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582. Some people kept celebrating New Year's on April 1st and got teased as "April fools." Another theory links it to ancient spring festivals where people played tricks and had a good time. No matter where it started, April Fools' Day is now a global tradition for pulling pranks and having a laugh. My father was a funeral director who revered the local parish priests. Every year on April Fool's Day we would pretend that Father Mulkahey died and watch the reaction from him. It went on for years...until Father Mulkahey actually died and then my Dad wouldn't believe it. TRUE STORY. |
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Święconka (Polish Easter Basket) Polish Easter baskets, known as Święconka, are a cherished tradition in Poland (and in Chicago). On Holy Saturday, families prepare baskets filled with symbolic foods to be blessed at church. - Basket Decoration: The baskets are beautifully decorated with white linen or lace napkins and sprigs of boxwood, an evergreen symbolizing eternal life.
- Contents: Each item in the basket has a special meaning:
- Eggs: Symbolize life and Christ's resurrection.
- Bread: Represents Jesus, the "Bread of Life."
- Lamb: Often made of butter or sugar, symbolizes Christ.
- Salt: Represents purification.
- Horseradish: Symbolizes the bitter sacrifice of Christ.
- Ham: Symbolizes joy and abundance
The baskets are taken to church, where they are blessed with holy water. This tradition is a beautiful way to celebrate Easter and reflect on its deeper meanings. |
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The Tradition of Blessing Easter Baskets ~ 3 minutes |
RIP Windows 10Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, technical assistance, or feature updates for Windows 10. Perhaps your pc will upgrade in its current configuration. However, we will be auditing all of our customers to see how many need to be replaced. We have a little time but be ready as October will be here before you know it. Call us if you want to get a head start. |
Guess the Location Game
Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Karen Patterson who guessed the right answer. I appreciate all of the participation. THANKS FOR PLAYING! |
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"This City has a great St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festivities. Home of Stout Beer, Castles and great PEOPLE. They speak with an accent that is a lovely form of English if you can understand them." Dublin, Ireland—where the Guinness flows like water, the craic (Irish for fun and banter) never stops, and history meets a buzzing modern vibe. 🍀✨ From strolling down Grafton Street, where buskers belt out everything from Irish ballads to pop hits, to grabbing a pint in one of Temple Bar’s famous pubs, there’s never a dull moment. The city is packed with charm, from the stunning architecture of Trinity College and the Book of Kells to the colorful doors of Georgian townhouses. And let’s talk about the people—Dubliners are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Whether you're lost or just looking for a good chat, expect a warm welcome (and probably a few laughs along the way). Oh, and if you love stories, you’re in the right place. James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Bram Stoker all called Dublin home. There’s even a whole pub crawl dedicated to literary legends—because why not mix books with beer? 📖🍻 So whether you're diving into history, soaking up the pub scene, or just people-watching by the River Liffey, Dublin’s got something for everyone. When I was 15 years old on a Band and Orchestra trip to Ireland, I saw this city and countryside for the first and only time (so far). It truly was the greenest green I have ever seen and the people were so lovely (when you could understand them). They have thick Irish accents and you can listen to them all day long with their sing songy cadance. Although the trip was only 8 days long, it was such an amazing time. Don't kiss the Blarney Stone as the locals use it as a urinal...so we were told. Ireland has their fair share of problems these days, like in so many places. However, if they hold their Irish traditions and roots, they will be just fine. Ireland: Where Legends Come to Life. |
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The 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, also known as the Columbian Exposition, was a monumental feat of construction. The fair’s buildings, known as the "White City," were designed by Daniel Burnham and built quickly using temporary materials like plaster and wood, though steel frames provided structural support. Many buildings were inspired by neoclassical design and showcased America’s technological advancements, such as electricity. Thousands of workers helped construct the fair in just a few years, with notable innovations like the Ferris Wheel and electric lighting. Though the buildings were meant to be temporary, the fair's influence on architecture and engineering had a lasting impact on cities, especially Chicago. They say that ALL OF THIS was designed, excavated, built and occupied by MILLIONS of people in just 3 years during the coldest winters in recorded history.The question is, do you believe this narrative? Or will the buildings already there? |
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Ingredients:For the Bolognese Sauce: - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 250g (1/2 lb) ground pork
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 800g (28 oz) canned tomatoes, crushed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil and oregano, chopped
For the Béchamel Sauce: - 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- Salt and nutmeg to taste
For Assembly: - 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:Make the Bolognese Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook until softened. Add the ground beef and pork, and cook until browned. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until reduced by half. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Season with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg. Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of Bolognese sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a layer of Bolognese sauce, a layer of Béchamel sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of Béchamel sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Bake: Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving.
This lasagna is rich, flavorful, and sure to impress. Enjoy your meal! |
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210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA
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