Lake Forest on Topic
by Lake Forest On Topic, Lake Forest 4 Transparency
Many Lake Forest residents have concerns about the accuracy, tone and tenor of language recently published or endorsed by the Lake Forest Caucus, appearing in campaign material and expressed by those advancing false narratives on social and podcast platforms. In the absence of trust and transparency, we recognized the need to create a place for fact based information that is not tied to any agenda and where residents can advocate for leadership that represents all of Lake Forest.
Episodes
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A Conversation with Lake Forest High School Varsity Basketball Coach Phil LaScala
Transitioning into high school can cause a great deal of anxiety for young teens. Knowing someone is there to look out for you makes all the difference. Coach Phil LaScala developed the Lake Forest High School (LFHS) basketball program and ran it for nearly 20 years with the deliberate intention…
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A Conversation with Local Youth Coaches
Susie Kullby is a 30 year resident, educator and coach in Lake Forest. Coach Kullby played a variety of sports growing up but fell in love with soccer as a varsity player at New Trier high school. She went on to play at Xavier University. She has coached soccer for LFSA for 20 years and has a...
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A Conversation with Representative Bob Morgan
Representative Morgan was first elected to the 58th District, which includes Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highwood, Highland Park, Deerfield and Bannockburn, in 2018. In Springfield, Representative Morgan has made gun safety and healthcare access his focus. Prior to running for office, Mr. Morgan was…
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A Conversation with Ad-Hoc Committee Chairs Kent Novak and Melanie Rummel
Melanie and Kent are co-Chairs of the Adhoc Bylaws committee for the Lake Forest Caucus. Melanie is along time resident of Lake Forest and has served the community in many ways, most recently as an Alderman. Prior to that she has also served as an office of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association...
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A Conversation with Executive Director of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Joanna Rolek
Joanna is the longtime Executive Director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. Joanna, a graduate of Boston University, began her career as a singer and actress. Her stage career included productions in Boston, Denver, and the Chicago area. She transitioned into public relations and...
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A Conversation with LFHS Principal Erin Lenart
Dr. Lenart came to Lake Forest High School in 2021 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Lenart began her career as an English teacher and later has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at both the Junior High and High School levels. She holds a Bachelors degree in English...
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A Conversation with Congressional Candidate Jim Carris
Jim Carris is a candidate for the Illinois 10th District in the House of Representatives. Jim is a longtime commercial real estate executive who has put that career on hold to run for congress. He has an undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and a law degree from Loyola University in Chicago. Jim,...
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A Conversation with Congressman Brad Schneider
Congressman Schneider is currently serving his 5th term representing the 10th District of Illinois. He presently serves on the House Ways and Means and the Foreign Affairs Committees. Congressman Schieder is a recognized leader on the Middle East and has focused extensively on the U.S.-Israel...
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A Conversation with Lake Forest College President Jill Baren
Dr. Jill M. Baren. In July of 2022, Dr. Baren was appointed the fourteenth president of Lake Forest College. Lake Forest College was founded in 1857 and is home to nearly 1600 students. Last year the Wall Street Journal rated Lake Forest College the top liberal arts college in the Midwest. Dr....
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A Conversation with Lake Forest Caucus President Joe Oriti
Joe and Tim talk about the Caucus, bylaw modernization and restoring trust within the community. Joe is the current president of the Lake Forest Caucus. He has lived in Lake Forest since 2015 with his wife and four children. Joe previously served as Caucus Vice President, Treasurer, and on…
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A Conversation with Executive Director of Ragdale Paul Sacaridiz
Paul Sacaridiz is the Executive Director of Ragdale located here in Lake Forest. Ragdale is a nonprofit artist community located on the former country estate of Arts & Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw and his wife, poet and playwright, Frances Wells Shaw. Each year it offers 150 residencies...
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A Conversation with Executive Director of the Lake Forest Library Ishwar Laxminarayan
Mr. Laximinarayan became the Executive Director of the Lake Forest Library on May 1, 2023. He has previously worked at libraries across India and the United States and has most recently worked for a consulting firm that assists libraries in strategic planning, community engagement, and marketing....
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A Conversation with Caucus President Chris Benes - Chris and Tim discuss the Caucus election, the CPA Amendment and the mission of the Lake Forest Caucus
Chris has lived in Lake Forest since 2011 with his wife and two sons. Born and raised in Chicago, Chris graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Computer Science. He has spent his career in the telecommunications and technology industries. Founded in 1935, the mission of the Lake Forest...
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A Conversation with Lake Forest Author and Documentary Filmmaker - Susan L. Kelsey
Susan has authored four historical books: Downtown Lake Forest, West Lake Forest, Legendary Locals of Lake Forest and Billy Caldwell (1780-1841) Chicago and the Great Lakes Trail. Previously, Susan was the Economic Development Officer for the City of Lake Forest for ten years where she worked…
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Superintendent Dr. Matt Montgomery and D115 School Board President John Noble Address Recent Accusations
Matthew Montgomery, Superintendent of Districts 115 and 67 and John Noble, President of the District 115 School Board. Dr. Montgomery and Mr. Noble first appeared on this podcast last November. We’re having them back today to catch up on recent events at Lake Forest High School.
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Helping At Risk Families In Lake County - Anne McAveeney, Paula Turelli and Peggy Talbot
Paula Turelli serves as the Executive Director of Mother’s Trust Foundation, which offers immediate aid to low-income children in Lake County during crises. Peggy Talbot, an early supporter and former Board Chair of Beacon Place in Waukegan, IL, champions programs fostering academic growth…
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Legendary Sports Writer, Sports Editor, Author, and Player - Rick Telander
Rick has written for newspapers and magazines as varied as Esquire, National Wildlife, Premiere, TV Guide, Playboy, Men’s Journal, PTA Magazine, American Libraries, Baseball Digest, Outside, and others. In 1972, Sports Illustrated published his first national article. It was about the jolt of…
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Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, One of the Country’s Most Influential Experts on Stress
Dr. E, as she’s known by audiences around the world, is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, and coach. She helps people identify how critical moments of high stress, what she refers to as “The Red Zone”, is shaping their behaviors, decisions, health, and overall performance. Dr. E has helped...
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Lake Forest Native and Acclaimed Artist - Mark McMahon
Mark McMahon is a lifetime resident of Lake Forest. To say he comes from a creative family would be a massive understatement. His father Franklin was a globally recognized artist and his mother a writer. Five of his eight siblings pursued art professionally in various forms. His wife Carolyn and...
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On Topic with Lake Forest for Transparency
Jennifer Karras has lived in Lake Forest for 22 years. She has held senior marketing positions for several organizations, including most recently at Guggenheim Partners. Jennifer is a former Ward One alderman and has served as president of DPM’s APT, Chairman of CROYA, and executive member of…
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Dr. Matthew Montgomery, Dr. Jennifer Hermes and Mr. John Noble Part 2
Dr. Matthew Montgomery began his career at the Waterloo School District in Atwater, Ohio, first as a science teacher, and later, as principal of Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School. In July 2013 he became Superintendent of the Waterloo School District. Two years later Dr. Montgomery...
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Dr. Matthew Montgomery, Dr. Jennifer Hermes and Mr. John Noble Part 1
Dr. Matthew Montgomery began his career at the Waterloo School District in Atwater, Ohio, first as a science teacher, and later, as principal of Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School. In July 2013 he became Superintendent of the Waterloo School District. Two years later Dr. Montgomery...
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Former Alderman and Caucus Committee Member Michael Burns
Michael has been a lifelong resident of Lake Forest and was very active in our city government. Michael has held the position of Alderman with the opposing Lake Forest Independence Party, and served on the Lake Forest Caucus . During 90’s and early 2000’s, there was much opposition with our…
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Former Caucus Committee President Sheila Henretta
Sheila Henretta is a Lake Forest resident with a track record of public service, including in the Illinois Governor’s office and as the state’s chief banking regulator; as an elected Local School Council member in Chicago; and on the board and as an officer of the Better Government Association....
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Parents Care Founders Jeff Brincat and Philippe Melin
Phillippe has a background in political campaigns and advocacy. He worked closely with former Congressman Robert Dold and has managed various campaigns in Illinois. Jeff is the President and CEO of Consumer Financial Services. He has served on a number of National and Local boards and in 2015 was...
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A conversation with Prue Beidler
Prue is a longtime resident of Lake Forest having moved here in 1976. She has volunteered and served on the board of directors for non-profit organizations in both Chicago and Lake Forest for over 40 years. She spent six years as an alderman in Lake Forest and has been a member of several other...
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Victoria Smith
Former Lake Forest resident, Victoria Smith was a marketing executive who gave up her comfortable Chicago life for the romantic dream of moving to Tuscany with her husband. Typically undaunted, Victoria was one of the first women marketing executives at Procter & Gamble in the early 1970s, a…
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State Senator Julie Morrison
State Senator Julie Morrison. Senator Morrison represents the 29th District, which includes part or all of 22 communities from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station on the north, to Wilmette on the south, and west into Buffalo Grove. Senator Morrison serves as Majority Whip for the Senate...
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Mike Adams and Kim Pfahl - Former Lake Forest Caucus Presidents
Kim Pfahl and Mike Adams are both long time Lake Forest residents and are past presidents of the Lake Forest Caucus. Kim and Mike are not currently members of the Caucus Committee as they have both completed their maximum length of service.
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Carol Summerfield - Executive Director of the History Center of Lake Forest Lake Bluff
Carol became the Executive Director of the History Center of Lake Forest Lake Bluff in 2018. Carol has extensive experience in marketing, advertising, operations, and project management working with both private sector businesses and public institutions. She has served on the Board of several...
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Marion Cartwright - Leading Conservationists in Lake Forest
Marion moved to Lake Forest in 1996 and raised her family here. She’s been very involved in community organizations that focus on our natural resources. She is the former co-director of the Garden at Elawa Farm where she worked for seven years. She is active in the Lake Forest Open Lands...
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John Powers - Ward 2 Alderman for the City of Lake Forest
John has lived in Lake Forest for the 27 years and is currently the Director of National Accounts for Abbott Diabetes. John has been a very active member of our community having served on the Lake Forest Caucus Committee and the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation Board. He has...
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David Sweet - Resident and Journalist Who has Worked for News Outlets Across the Country
David Sweet grew up in Lake Forest and moved back to the city in the early 2000’s. He is a journalist who has worked for news outlets across the country including the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, the Sports Business Journal and The Lake Forester. He currently is a contributor to Classic…
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Suzanne Sands, Two Term District 67 School Board President
A community leader who is passionate about education and actively supports her local school community. She has been a volunteer leader in Lake Forest for 13 years since establishing the Kinderhaven Parent Board in 2010. She has taken on leadership roles in the District 67 APT, Spirit of 67...
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Dr. Michael Ebner - James D. Vail III Professor of History, Emeritus - at Lake Forest College
Dr. Michael Ebner is the James D. Vail the third Professor of History – Emeritus - at Lake Forest College. He’s been a professor for over 50 years and joined the faculty at Lake Forest in 1974. In addition to having written extensively on America’s cities and suburbs, Dr. Ebner is the author of…
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About this show
Many Lake Forest residents have concerns about the accuracy, tone and tenor of language recently published or endorsed by the Lake Forest Caucus, appearing in campaign material and expressed by those advancing false narratives on social and podcast platforms. In the absence of trust and transparency, we recognized the need to create a place for fact based information that is not tied to any agenda and where residents can advocate for leadership that represents all of Lake Forest.
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Lake Forest On Topic, Lake Forest 4 Transparency
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