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18 FOOD | Strawberry-rhubarb trifle 16 DRINK | Tequila tasting 5 AGRICULTURE | Russian orphan
FREE May 5-11, 2022 • Vol. 47, No. 42
Doing battle with
‘long COVID’
SIU providers help patients deal with persistent
symptoms after original COVID-19 infection
10 COVID | Dean Olsen
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 1
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
NEWS
An “old-school” candidate in a new district
Nikki Budzinski seeks Democratic nomination in the 13th Congressional District
POLITICS | Scott Reeder
Pragmatic, bipartisan, driven. the cost of prescription drugs,” she said. “I
Those words are used by both Republicans think that we should be focusing on putting
and Democrats to describe Nikki Budzinski, money back in the pockets of working people.
who is seeking the Democratic nomination for And we can do that by lowering the cost of
the 13th Congressional District. prescription drugs, by extending the child
But her friend U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, tax plan, something that helps to support
D-Moline, uses a different term: “old-school.” working families with children at home who
The Springfield native said Budzinski has are struggling to make ends meet.”
the best-run congressional campaign in the Tim Drea, who heads the Illinois AFL-
nation. Bustos added she calls her “old-school” CIO, said he and his family have become close
because she carves a middle path for herself. with Budzinski during her time in Springfield.
“She is a strong advocate for working “She is very moderate, and politics is
people and unions but she also wants to see the art of the possible,” he said. “When she
businesses do well. She’s willing to reach across negotiated the minimum wage increase for
the aisle and work with Republicans. To her, Gov. Pritzker, she knew how to get it done.
‘compromise’ is not a bad word.” And it was the art of the possible. Those are
Don Tracy, head of the Illinois Republican always very difficult bills to negotiate. You
Party, isn’t so sanguine about Budzinski’s compromise here and a little compromise
candidacy in the eel-shaped district that there. But the prize is increasing the minimum
stretches from East St. Louis to Springfield to wage for workers across the board.”
Decatur and ends in Champaign-Urbana. Budzinski has worked as the political
“Well, it was designed for a carpetbagger, director for the United Food and Commercial
Nikki Budzinski, a labor organizer and activist Workers. She also has served as a senior
who lives in D.C. You know, she obviously adviser to Pritzker and as chief of staff for
has some very powerful friends, like (Gov. JB) Nikki Budzinski is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 13th Congressional District. PHOTO BY SCOTT REEDER President Joe Biden’s Office of Management
Pritzker and (U.S. Sen. Dick) Durbin,” Tracy and Budget.
said during an interview last fall. “Obviously, She is widely considered the favorite to
she got somebody to draw the district just for win the Democratic nomination. But David
her, by just taking the pockets of Democrat Lulu. Republicans are not our enemies. They are Palmer, a Champaign insurance broker, is also
voters in places like East St. Louis and in parts Former Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican, who our opponents when we run for office. But we on the ballot. There are four GOP hopefuls
of Springfield and, of course, university towns got to know Budzinski when she was an Edgar govern together. You have to be able to work seeking their party’s nod: Terry Martin, a
like Champaign. They connected the dots fellow, said she brings civility to the political with them to get things done.” Springfield journalist; Regan Deering, a
and carved up central Illinois.” process. While the 13th District was drawn by Decatur community activist; Matt Hausman,
Budzinski bristles at the notion that she “She had experience with the unions, but Democratic state lawmakers to favor a a Champaign engineer; and Jessie Reising, a
is a “carpetbagger.” She notes that she grew she could work with the Republicans. You Democrat, Bustos anticipates it will be highly Decatur lawyer.
up nearby in Peoria, attended University could tell she got along with the Republicans, contested this year and that neither Budzinski Former Gov. Edgar said of Budzinski,
of Illinois in Champaign and worked for made some good friends, and that paid off or her eventual GOP opponent will be in “She is someone who can get things done
Pritzker’s administration in Springfield and for her when she was in the governor’s office want of campaign cash. because she can work with people of different
Chicago. She said she now has a residence or wherever she would work with Republican “I think this is the only district in persuasions. And she knows how to say ‘no’ in
near Springfield’s Washington Park. Budzinski, legislators.” downstate Illinois where a Democrat could a pleasant way that’s not going to get you too
45, is single and lives with her French bulldog, Bustos said, “Nikki knows that win,” Edgar said. The former Republican upset.”
governor was mum on who he will vote for. Bustos said an example of this is when she
“I live about a half a block into the new was contemplating seeking the Democratic
district. I vote on a secret ballot, so I won’t say nomination for governor four years ago.
Publisher’s note how I will vote. But I will say I have voted for “Nikki called me and told me she was going
Democrats in the past,” he said. to be working for JB Pritzker’s campaign. I told
It’s always good for a community to recognize and encourage its artists, but it’s especially important now as the Budzinski said she supports abortion rights
visual and performing arts struggle to recover from the pandemic. The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts was held her how disappointed I was. But, you know,
and universal background checks for firearm most people wouldn’t have made that call. They
this week for the first time since 2020, and those recognized ranged from a 15-year-old Rochester High School purchases, but also believes she can find
student to a retiree who has made volunteering her full-time occupation. Individual artists were honored, along would have just let me find out some other way.
common ground with Republicans. That’s why I call her ‘old-school.’”
with those who support them. While I lack artistic talents, I admire those with such gifts, and was glad to be part
“I think we could pull Democrats and
of cheering on the artists. – Michelle Ownbey, publisher
Republicans together to agree upon the fact Scott Reeder, a staff writer for Illinois Times,
COVER PHOTO BY: JOSH CATALANO that Medicare should be able to negotiate over can be reached at sreeder@illinoistimes.com
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 3
NEWS
Kin of deceased inmate sue
Lawsuit filed on one-year anniversary of death at Sangamon County Jail
JAIL | Bruce Rushton
Women for Women gives
$58,000 in grants
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell and
his underlings at the county jail, as well as the
company that provides medical care to inmates
under contract with the sheriff’s office, are targets CAP CITY | Karen Ackerman Witter
in a federal lawsuit filed April 28 on behalf of the
estate of Jaimeson Cody, who died last year after Five local organizations are receiving a total of
an altercation with guards. $58,000, thanks to the Women for Women
Plaintiff’s attorneys allege that “grossly obese” giving circle at the Community Foundation
guards, one weighing as much as 400 pounds, for the Land of Lincoln. Since 2008, Women
another nearly 300 pounds, put nearly 700 for Women members have pooled their
pounds of weight on Cody’s back as he lay prone resources to build an endowment topping
on the floor outside his cell. $1 million and award more than $488,000
The death a year ago was ruled a homicide in grants to organizations that improve the
by the county coroner’s office after an autopsy, lives of women and children. The 2022 grant
with a pathologist determining that Cody died recipients are:
from asphyxiation. Nearby inmates told Illinois Educational Center for the Visually
State Police investigators that Cody said “I can’t Impaired – $8,000 to provide education,
breathe” in the moments before jailers cuffed training and accessibility tool kits designed to
him, then noticed that he was turning blue. Jaimeson D. Cody faces guards seconds before he's tased during a struggle at the Sangamon County Jail that resulted in his help visually impaired women monitor and
Prosecutors have filed no charges. death. PHOTO COURTESY SANGAMON COUNTY JAIL
maintain health and wellness for themselves
In addition to Campbell and five frontline and their families.
jailers – guards Cody Grigsby, Kyle Meyer, Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement
Scott Meyer, Paul Garrett and Nicholas Ortega Cody’s cell, where the inmate struggled with allows a culture of excessive tasing and force Association – $20,000 for the Creative
– defendants include nurse John B. Kling and guards, didn’t activate. by his public statement regarding tasing, and Reuse Marketplace located on Fourth Street
his employer, Advanced Correctional Health. Campbell defended jail staff in the Carlock his public absolution of officers’ conduct in in downtown Springfield. This innovative
Attorneys for Cody’s estate say that Kling got out case and also has backed jailers in Cody’s death, the press before the actual facts are known, program is designed to foster creative reuse
of the way of jailers, then kept quiet and stood telling the media in the aftermath that guards his failure to have/or implement training of materials that would have been thrown
by, doing nothing to help Cody as he suffocated a were faced “with a nearly impossible situation” and jail regulations, and failure to (sic) any away, while also providing job training for
few feet away. “The excessive/deadly force used on and that they were trying to stop Cody from accountability of his correctional officers’ use low-income, unemployed and/or homeless
Jaimeson Cody…resulted from the jail’s written harming himself. The struggle began when guards of excessive force, Campbell’s words, actions women. This is the third grant for the Creative
and unwritten policies, which prevented medical attempted to get Cody out of his cell after finding and non-action gives tacit if not actual approval Reuse Marketplace.
staff from having any control or input over the that he had apparently cut himself. Arrested on of the extreme/deadly force applied to Cody,” Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $7,500
use of force on pretrial detainees such as Jaimeson suspicion of aggravated domestic battery and lawyers write. to provide at-risk adolescent/teen girls training
Cody,” wrote plaintiff’s attorneys Sharon D. aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, Cody Cody, 39, left behind a daughter, a son, his in computer literacy, technology and life skills
Elvidge Kelley and Jon D. Robinson. had been in jail less than 24 hours when he died. father and mother and a stepmother. in partnership with the ComputerBanc.
Citing the pending litigation, Campbell “Our officers used the methods and techniques In a written statement issued by plaintiff ’s Refuge Ranch, a horse ranch in Rochester,
declined to comment. that they learned through their training,” the attorneys, Dan and Cindy Cody, Jaimeson where equine-assisted activities and mentoring
Kelley and Robinson don’t ask for a specific sheriff wrote in a written statement issued after the Cody’s father and stepmother, said that they are used to empower at-risk youth and
amount in the lawsuit. Prior jail litigation has death and before autopsy results were complete. sued to get answers from the sheriff. They also women. A $10,000 grant will be used to
proven expensive for county taxpayers, who eight Campbell has subsequently declined comment on said that no one has accepted responsibility or expand indoor facilities to extend the Bridges
years ago paid nearly $5.3 million – half for the the matter and could not be immediately reached. been held accountable for Cody’s death. Mentoring Program and Freedom Reins
plaintiff and an equal amount for lawyers who Campbell in years past has told the press that “(W)e decided that waiting any longer Adaptive Riding Program from seasonal to
defended the case – to settle a lawsuit filed by the he sometimes allowed deputies to tase him if they was simply unacceptable,” the Codys wrote. year-round.
widow of Paul Carlock, who died after a 2007 caught him not wearing a proper uniform. “We “We knew immediately that the only way to The Parent Place – $12,500 for its
struggle with guards who sat on the prone inmate don’t feel you can fire too much,” Campbell told honor Jamie’s memory and get answers we so Nurturing Parenting Program to provide
after shocking him with Tasers. It was the costliest the State Journal-Register in 2010, shortly after desperately needed was to file this lawsuit today, supervised parenting time for low-income
case ever for the county. Kelley and Robinson also Pat Burns died after deputies deployed Tasers 22 on the anniversary of his death. ... And even if noncustodial parents and their children in
represented Carlock’s widow. times while trying to arrest him after he broke we never fully understand why he passed away so order to help build healthy parent/child
Cody also was tased, as many as five times, into a home. “You use the Taser until the person tragically, by raising our voices together we can relationships.
before he died. The county destroyed video of complies with our order.” at least help ensure that no other family has to Awards will be presented at a Women
the Carlock encounter, saying that destruction In the Cody lawsuit, plaintiff’s attorneys write suffer as we have over these past 12 months.” for Women members reception in May.
of records that should have been preserved that the sheriff’s statements about Tasers show a Membership is at an all-time high, with
was an innocent mistake. In the current case, pattern of brutality. Bruce Rushton is a freelance writer. He can be 116 members of this giving circle. For more
a surveillance camera aimed at the area outside “Defendant Campbell has developed and reached at brushton@hotmail.com. information, go to https://cfll.org/
4 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
Russian orphan finds a home and success on Illinois farm
AGRICULTURE | Tammie Sloup, FarmWeek
Anya Irons has been digging in the dirt since she to be and she’ll say, ‘Mommy, I want to be like
was a girl. you, a farmer.’
First, in a small garden plot at the Russian “She sees the joy in me.”
orphanage where she lived until she was 15. Since about 2005, the farm has converted more
During a 10-day sponsored stay in 2003 with of its corn and soybean fields to the gardens, and
the Ioerger family at their farm near Minonk, north the Ioergers now raise fewer hogs and cattle.
of Bloomington, the 15-year-old’s eyes lit up upon Aside from fresh-cut flowers, potted
seeing their spanning farmland and small garden, arrangements, herbs and produce, the Ioergers sell
where she spent part of her trip working in the soil beef, eggs, jams, jellies and more.
and lending a hand wherever she could. Lowell Ioerger said there’s a feeling of
“I had a dictionary with me but I couldn’t tell fulfillment in growing flowers and produce,
them how much I appreciated them,” said Irons, compared to corn and soybeans.
who spoke only Russian at the time. “I just drew “You’re selling directly to the public and eating
pictures for them those 10 days.” your own food,” he said.
Lowell and Janet Ioerger (pronounced yay-ger) Ioerger explained he was reading a newspaper
adopted Irons two months after that trip, and today, article in 2003 about sponsoring Russian orphans,
the 34-year-old has grown a one-acre garden to which prompted him and Janet to attend a
15 acres of produce and flower gardens and nine Anya Irons, of Minonk, walks through one of her nine greenhouses at Ioerger Family Farms. Raised in a Russian orphanage
meeting, where they chose Irons from 100 photos
greenhouses at the centennial farm. until she was 15, Irons was adopted by the Ioerger family in 2003 and since then she has grown the family’s flower and presented.
“I was the happiest kid in the world,” she produce operation to 15 acres. PHOTO BY TAMMIE SLOUP OF FARMWEEK “When she came here, she just fit into our
remembers, adding that in Russia, children cannot family so well,” Ioerger said, adding that two
be adopted after they turn 16. years later, the family adopted another 14-year-
The Ioergers have two sons – Zach and Jacob old girl, Kristina, from the same orphanage. Irons
– around Irons’ age, and the couple also wanted a greenhouses, many of which were converted from from as far away as Nebraska. was roommates with Kristina at the orphanage,
daughter. hog buildings, are filled with 4,000 potted plants Their work gears up in early March, with the and now they’re sisters. Kristina is a hairstylist in
“It took me a while to call them Mom and Dad and flowers of all sizes and different arrangements. family arranging hundreds of planters a day. By the the Bloomington area and helps out on the farm
– I never had parents,” Irons said. “It took a while to Walking through one greenhouse, Irons, with first week in May, the family will start selling and regularly.
get used to it, and there were a few kids who came her daughters, Lyla, 9, and Ali, 6, in tow, points out traveling to regional farmers markets – one of Lyla “We were always taking in stray kids,” Ioerger
back to the orphanage (after being adopted), and how each pot has a different “recipe” and blend of and Ali’s favorite activities. said, explaining many of their sons’ friends would
they were heartbroken. But my parents said, ‘You’re colors. She holds up one pot, noting she named the “The girls love going to the garden to pull stay at the house as well as nieces and nephews.
not going anywhere.’ arrangement “Candyland,” and touches a hanging carrots or pick other vegetables to get ready for the Irons’ parents enjoy watching their daughter
“Now I feel like I’ve always been here.” planter, explaining that one is called “Grandma’s farmers markets,” Irons said. “They beg me to go to build on her successes and pass her skills down to
As the years go on, Irons’ memories of the Choice” because the flowers bear her mother’s the markets.” her daughters.
orphanage fade and are replaced with technicolor favorite colors. Irons met her husband, Richie, while attending “It’s very therapeutic looking at the flowers,
memories of building a successful flower and Aside from the potted plants, veggies and herbs Illinois Central College, and the two live down the knowing we did this, we created this,” Irons said.
produce operation. Today, Irons, her parents and are starting to grow in the 20,000 square feet of road from her parents. She begins to choke up as she “It’s amazing.”
her two young daughters partner with 40 regional greenhouses, almost ready to be planted in the talks about her relationship with her daughters and
florists and sell their fruit, vegetables and flower nearby garden plots. how different her childhood was in an orphanage This story was distributed through a cooperative project
arrangements at farmers markets and the farm’s retail Although the arrangements are a family project, with 150 other children. She dubbed her girls between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press
store – Triple I Garden Shop. Lowell Ioerger said Irons is the real artist as she has “farmers at heart.” Association. For more food and farming news, visit
As the busy selling season starts soon, the a special knack and creativeness, earning customers “With my 9-year-old, I’ll ask her what she wants FarmWeekNow.com.
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 5
The historic Myers Brothers Building downtown is under contract to a Kansas developer who wants to convert it from office space to affordable rental housing. PHOTO BY DEAN OLSEN
LETTERS the units. Recycled Records customers.
WW2 Poem # 9 We welcome letters. Please include The other issue is parking. He was definitely a pillar in this
your full name, address and telephone The city is ignoring the parking community.
number. We edit all letters. Send them
maybe I’ve written this before but to editor@illinoistimes.com.
issues that will develop over Scott McCullar
my dad was doing 2 jobs during ww2 time as we turn more and more Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
with such a shortage of help he ran commercial spaces downtown
a milk route from 3 am then returned into residential spaces. We are a COMMUNITY HELPED
to manage the details of a fifty person car-dependent community and A heartfelt, disturbing story
farm one day his ultra zealous herdsman WRONG TENANTS that won’t be changing for a (“Hit and run,” April 28). I
came to him said “the lord has called me I don’t support having the long time, if ever. I don’t think walk that area often. Now,
to this special work in kentucky so I must Myers Brothers Building anyone would want to park after reading the article, I can
leave abruptly” my dad replied “would you turned into below-market blocks away when they have send a blessing directly to
please ask our heavenly father to phone at a rental units (“Downtown groceries, or were returning Dusty Rhodes when passing
more convenient time? Or suggest he dialed redevelopment project gets home late at night. And no one the memorial bouquet. It’s
a wrong number?” but the herdsman packed dicey,” April 28). This would wants to see more surface lots wonderful the community
up his dog cat spouse kids, pulled out pronto helped Detective Weiss to do a
not bring in the type of downtown.
some authorities you just don’t quibble with
tenants we need to revitalize If this development doesn’t fine job.
downtown. Kudos to the city include in-building parking Selena Midden
2022 Jacqueline Jackson
for objecting to this kind of and a substantial percentage of Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
development. market-rate units, then I don’t
Dennis Canaday support it either. NO COMPASSION
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes Ana-Jo Mounce I wonder how “Dolla Dex”
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes would feel if someone ran
NO ONE WANTS OFFICES over his daughter and left her
No one is interested in RIP MARK KESSLER for dead? I bet he would be
renting office space downtown Great tribute from Tom devastated. Hopefully he will
anymore. It’s either going to Irwin (“Goodbye Mark, grow a heart in prison.
be used for something else so long April,” April 28). Ann Marie
profitable or it’s just going to I spent 35 years of my life Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
sit empty. going to Recycled Records
Craig Ewing as a customer. One of my HAUNTING EVENT
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes favorite memories of all the This horrific event has haunted
purchases over the decades many Springfieldians. I can’t
WHERE’S THE PARKING? was Mr. Kessler hunting imagine the physical, mental
Affordable housing should be down and getting in for me and emotional anguish Ms.
a component of all multiunit a pristine copy of Steve Ray Rhodes has been through.
residential developments of Vaughan’s In Step album on Kudos to Detective Weiss.
this size, but only as a portion vinyl. My condolences to all Lindsay Anne Spoonmore
– not all, or even a majority of his family, friends and fellow Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
6 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
OPINION
Here’s an idea. To avoid a late finish, start earlier
Plus a primer on the big state budget
POLITICS | Rich Miller
The Illinois Senate adjourned its session April 9 schedule challenge at the end.” ditional debt payoffs, a larger rainy-day fund and
just after 3 o’clock in the morning. The House I can understand that explanation, but it was mostly one-time tax breaks will total $5.3 billion
adjourned about three hours later, as the sun was still severe for a whole lot of folks. Start earlier. this fiscal year, a $4.4 billion increase above the
coming up. OK, let’s talk about that state budget. I’m go- originally enacted spending plan (not including
This wasn’t the first time that the chambers ing to throw some numbers at you, but I’ll try to the payoff of federal covid-related loans).
worked into the wee smalls to finish their work, make this as simple as I possibly can. The end-of-year surplus had been projected to
including a budget, and it probably won’t be the If you want an idea of how crazy this fiscal year be $1 billion, but that money was rolled into the
last, but it’s getting to be a bit much. has been, just check the projected revenues when overall spending plan by the new supplemental
Senate President Don Harmon told me after- the Fiscal Year 2022 budget was enacted last year FY22 appropriation, and the state will now end
ward that, in the future, he would like to “avoid” and compare them to where they are now. this fiscal year in June with just $68 million cash,
adjourning session that late. Last spring, budget-makers settled on a $44.4 but with $1 billion in its heretofore empty rainy
Harmon claimed that because of the “remark- billion total revenue projection for FY22. As of day fund instead of the $600 million initially
ably collaborative and cordial working relation- last week, that number had risen to a whopping proposed.
ship” among Democrats in the Statehouse, the $49.2 billion – an increase of more than $4.8 bil- The new fiscal year, which begins July 1, will
willingness to accommodate each other and to try lion, or almost 11 percent. see its projected revenues drop by $2.6 billion, or
to make “late adjustments to deal with ideas that The unanticipated new money didn’t come about 5.4 percent from the latest estimate for this
came from this part of one caucus or that part of directly from the federal government. But it was fiscal year. But that’s still a 5 percent ($2.175 bil-
another caucus,” all led to a very long night. no doubt a result of the federal economic stimulus lion) increase over the FY22 estimate the budget-
“In the old days,” Harmon said, “a prior programs. The only debt paydown appropria- makers relied on last year.
Speaker might have said, ‘Noon on Thursday and tion in the original FY22 plan last year was $928 Debt paydown and tax relief will fall from a
we’re done.’ This time, we were trying to work and million to repay interfund borrowing, and no tax high of $6.37 billion (including about $1 billion
adjust and adapt and add and subtract things at breaks were included. to pay off federal COVID-related loans) this fiscal
the request of the caucuses. And it did lead to a But, now, because of that new revenue, ad- year to just $640 million next fiscal year, a differ-
ence of $5.73 billion.
Nondiscretionary spending will fall by $51
million net, but most of those spending top-lines
will see increases. That can happen because, as
noted above, the state’s remaining $1 billion in
COVID-related debt will be paid off by the end of
this fiscal year. Pension payments and transfers-out
will each rise by about $300 million, and group
health insurance payments will increase by about
$400 million.
“Discretionary” spending – apart from debt
payoffs and tax relief – will increase by about $2.6
billion ($22.289 billion this fiscal year compared
to $24.867 billion next fiscal year). The increases
include P-12 education ($550 million), higher
education ($240 million), human services ($1.2
billion), public safety ($300 million) and general
services ($225 million).
The end of the coming fiscal year may be tight
on paper. General Fund revenues are projected to
be just $2 million higher than total spending next
year. Yes, the state will have $1 billion in its rainy-
day fund just in case, and the state’s bill payment
cycle can easily be expanded well beyond its current
two weeks. But a worse than expected economic
downturn could still cause some fiscal pain, al-
though not nearly as much as in the days when the
state had no cushion at all (or even no budget).
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily politi-
cal newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 7
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
Be curious, not judgmental
WEEKLY REEDER | Scott Reeder
Passover, Ramadan and Lent all came to an end during He gave me a perplexed look and said, “No, my They made a judgment about him based on a trip and found ourselves treated with kindness and
the past few weeks and I’ve found myself thinking of dad belongs to the Jaycees and his friends in the club difference – in this case race – rather than facts. The hospitality. When we saw customs different than
the oddest thing: a cow. thought it would be funny to stick a cow in our yard.” false narrative didn’t serve anyone particularly well our own, we didn’t make assumptions. I’d make
When I was about 5, a life-size statue of a cow My 5-year-old curiosity was quenched, and I went – particularly if we are interested in mending divides – conversation and just ask.
appeared in our neighbor’s front yard. The Hereford about my day with an answer to my question. I would rather than broadening them. I learned a lot not only by asking questions but by
stood a silent sentinel on Academy Street in Galesburg no longer be confused by the misguided notion that Wouldn’t it have been better for someone to observing. For example, I saw a couple who appeared
and left many perplexed. livestock statuary had something to do with modern just ask my roommate, “Hey, Danny, who is in that to be Iranian and on their honeymoon. The woman
Where did it come from? Why was it there? And Judaism. photo?” was wearing a black chador, a cloak that extends from
what was its meaning? How did my mother come up with the goofy idea I’m 57 years old. I have never tasted alcohol. head to toe.
It was the subject of neighborhood discussions. that the cow was some sort of theological statement? And for decades I’ve put up with people making For a person of my generation, the garb
Adults found the need to weigh in among themselves It beats me. But her mistake is an all too common assumptions about why that is. The most common inevitably conjures memories of thousands of angry
about the inappropriateness of the bovine edifice. one in our society. Too often we make assumptions thought expressed: “Scott doesn’t drink because it’s demonstrators outside the U.S. embassy in Tehran
When I’d walk to school, I’d pass right by the about those who in some way identify differently than against his religion.” shouting “Death to America.” But I saw no anger or
creature and stop with friends to look at it. Our tiny ourselves. Nope. I’m a Christian who recognizes that Jesus hatred.
hands would stroke its plastic side. It’s a tiresome but all too common exercise. drank wine to celebrate, hydrate and commemorate. I In fact, it was fun to watch her flirt with her
One day after school I asked my mother, “Why is For example, when I was a college student, my don’t drink because I had an alcoholic grandparent and groom, like honeymooners the world over. And when
there a cow in front of Davey’s house?” roommate was African American. We both had have never seen much appealing about the custom. But a wind came off the ocean she would stretch out and
My mother was silent and contemplative for pictures of our nieces on our desks. Inevitably, when a to each their own. let the cool breeze fill her chador as a child might.
a moment. She said, “Davey’s family is a different white person would drop by our room, they would see Last year, my wife and I took a vacation in a nation It would be easy to focus on the differences
religion than us. They are Jewish. The cow must be the picture on his desk and they would say, “Oh my, where the state religion is Islam. A well-meaning between our two cultures. But that small act served as a
part of their religion. But don’t mention it to Davey.” he’s got a kid.” friend, who watches a lot of Fox News, took me reminder of our shared humanity.
Of course, I did. Strangely, no one ever asked my roommate the aside and begged us not to go. She said Muslims hate To quote that great American television
“Davey, do you have a cow in your front yard identity of the person in the photo or assumed that the Americans and our lives would be in danger. philosopher Ted Lasso, “Be curious, not
because you’re Jewish?” image on my desk was anyone other than my niece. Despite her desperate pleadings, we took the judgmental.”
2022/23 Issue
Now Available.
In print and online
www.capitalcityvisitor.com
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 9
FEATURE
Doing battle with ‘long COVID’
SIU providers help patients deal with persistent symptoms after original COVID-19 infection
COVID | Dean Olsen
The sniffles, cough and fever that has more than 200 potential symptoms and SIU’s Springfield campus in November situation is discussed by a team that includes
accompanied Tia Wessel’s COVID-19 is the focus of a growing number of medical began operating a Post-COVID Recovery specialists in infectious diseases, cardiology,
diagnosis were gone after a few weeks, but studies, new treatments and outreach efforts Clinic – a collaborative group of SIU pulmonary medicine and psychiatry.
the rapid heartbeat, fatigue and dizziness that across the country – including in Springfield. Medicine’s primary care doctors, nurse Recommendations then are made for
frightened and frustrated the 33-year-old “We don’t know much about it. In fact, practitioners and specialists – to better serve treatments that can include traditional and
Jacksonville resident continued for more than there’s not even a consensus on what to call the growing number of patients seeking care new medicines and physical therapy.
a year. it,” said Dr. Vidya Sundareshan, an infectious- for long COVID and supplement what is
“It was a horrible feeling,” she said. “You diseases specialist at Southern Illinois offered by other providers in central Illinois. Long COVID symptoms can vary
want to know if you’re ever going to be back University School of Medicine. “You need a The SIU medical providers try to help Patients’ symptoms can range from severe
to normal.” good team to diagnose and treat it, and that’s patients address symptoms that persist, or fatigue, shortness of breath and problems
Active, slim and healthy, Wessel was among what we are building now.” begin, more than four weeks after a patient’s thinking clearly – known as “brain fog” – to
the estimated 10% to 30% of COVID-19 The condition affects people of all ages, initial COVID-19 diagnosis. The symptoms lose of taste and smell, rapid changes in blood
patients who deal with a variety of long-term including children, whose experience with can last months or years after the initial pressure, insomnia, constipation, ringing in
effects from the coronavirus infection. respiratory problems can last longer than in infection has subsided. the ears, hearing loss, blood clots and strokes.
Known as “long COVID,” the condition adults, she said. After an initial visit to the clinic, a patient’s “People are just so desperate to get
10 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022better,” said Sundareshan, a member of
the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic team
who is a medical adviser to the Sangamon
County Department of Public Health. She
has played a key role in the community’s
response to the COVID-19 pandemic since
it hit Illinois in spring 2020.
“There’s some information now about
what works and what doesn’t, but we still
have a long way to go,” she told Illinois
Times.
For now, the clinic only accepts doctors’
referrals of adult patients and not self-
referrals from individual patients. Clinic
providers plan to start a patient support
group May 9.
The support group will operate virtually
in the beginning and allow doctors to
tap into patients’ experiences – what has
helped them and what hasn’t – and provide
emotional support, Sundareshan said.
“It helps them to know that they’re not Left: Tia Wessel with her French bulldog, Buster, at her
home in Jacksonville. The 33-year-old struggled with COVID
alone in going through this,” she said. symptoms for more than a year after her initial diagnosis.
The clinic is serving about 50 patients PHOTO BY JOSH CATALANO Above: Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn
so far, but thousands more probably could is an occupational medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in
benefit from its services, she said. Rochester, Minnesota. PHOTO COURTESY MAYO CLINIC
In Sangamon County alone, more
than 55,000 people have been officially
diagnosed with COVID-19. About 380 of
those residents have died. Ten percent to at play,” reflecting the “interplay with the
30% of those diagnosed with COVID-19 immune system of a person, and then the
equals 5,500 to 16,500 people in Sangamon impact that both those things have on the
County, 313,300 to 940,000 statewide and body.”
8 million to 24 million nationwide.
“We’re trying to understand the Some patients face stigma
magnitude of the problem here,” Early on in the pandemic, doctors
Sundareshan said. “Definitely the resource encountering what later was determined
is available for somebody who’s having to be long COVID thought “this is not
symptoms that are interfering with their possible, and we really questioned what
daily life and quality of life.” patients were saying,” according to Dr. Greg
Avoiding long COVID is another Vanichkachorn, a long COVID expert and
reason for people to be vaccinated against occupational medicine specialist at Mayo
COVID-19, she said. The condition Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
appears to be more common among the But as the pandemic continues, “we
unvaccinated, though the vaccinated also are questioning our understanding about
have been affected, she said. coronaviruses,” he told Illinois Times. “And
The American Medical Association says much of the research over the past two
long COVID can be caused by “direct cell years really has focused on trying to figure
damage” from the virus. Long COVID also out how this condition presents. … This
can involve symptoms related to a lengthy condition can look like a lot of different
hospital stay – when someone is bedbound things.
and in an intensive-care unit for weeks. “I think the most important takeaway
Symptoms also can appear after recovery. from all of this is that we have evidence
“With COVID itself, you see a variety that this is not just a condition that’s due
of symptoms – a 30-year-old dying or a to a mental-health issue like depression
70-year-old essentially being unscathed or anxiety, which is something that many
and asymptomatic,” Dr. Devang Sanghavi, patients early on were told,” Vanichkachorn
medical director of the intensive-care unit at said. “There seems to be something more at
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, said on play.”
the AMA website. It’s not unusual for viral diseases
The reason for the variation, Sanghavi such as measles, influenza, shingles or
said, is “there are various patient factors mononucleosis to cause longer-term health
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 1112 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
FEATURE
problems, Vanichkachorn and Sundareshan symptoms. Area patients deal with long-term Six said he and his wife were so sick
said. Such problems were reported in research Exercise, physical therapy and strength symptoms that they feared they eventually would be
after outbreaks in the 2010s of Severe Acute training can help with some symptoms, and One of the SIU clinic’s patients, Jeff Six, a hospitalized and die. They finally were able
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle fatigue can be reduced with conventional 62-year-old grain farmer from rural Bluffs to receive the infusions at Illini Community
East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) – both of treatments for sleep apnea and by promoting in Scott County, hasn’t been able to taste Hospital in Pittsfield and started feeling
which are coronaviruses, Vanichkachorn said. regular sleep routines and avoiding the use of or smell much of anything for five months. better two days later, he said.
“The only difference now is that it’s happening screens before bed, Sundareshan said. High-dose He was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late Neither he nor his wife has been
on such a widespread scale that it’s receiving much antacids have been prescribed for loss of taste. vaccinated, and they remain skeptical about
more attention this go-around,” he said. the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine,
The condition is under-diagnosed in part he said. Six said his 88-year-old mother,
because of the initial dismissive attitude of the who came down with COVID-19 while
medical community, he said. living in a Pike County nursing home, died
“Patients have felt abandoned and in September 2020, before vaccines were
marginalized because of their symptoms,” available.
Vanichkachorn said. “Most have tried to get care Six said COVID-19 left him with
early on, and they were told things like, ‘This is all little taste and smell, though the antacids
in your head,’ or ‘This is impossible, and you need prescribed by the Post-COVID Recovery
to tough it out.’ And that leads to all sorts of self- Clinic have helped with a bad taste in his
doubt and anxiety and depression and so forth.” mouth. He said he and his wife appreciated
The responsiveness and empathy from doctors the compassionate care they both received at
have improved, he said. Illini Community and that he has received at
“Providers are just really interested to get the SIU clinic.
adequate, up-to-date information and training Left: Dr. Vidya Sundareshan is a member of the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic at SIU School of Medicine and a medical adviser to Even though his residual symptoms
on this so they can begin helping patients, but Sangamon County Department of Public Health. PHOTO COURTESY SIU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Middle: Jeff and Jamie Six, from haven’t improved much – “It’s horrible not
it’s a long, uphill battle with getting out the rural Bluffs in Scott County, both got sick from COVID last November. Jeff Six continues to deal with long-term symptoms. being able to taste and smell” – he said he
PHOTO COURTESY JEFF SIX Right: Wessel is a registered nurse and deputy director of operations for SIU Medicine.
information,” he said. PHOTO BY JOSH CATALANO has peace of mind that SIU providers are
Post-COVID recovery clinics like the one monitoring him and paying attention to all
at SIU are becoming more common across the details of his COVID-19 experience.
the country, mostly in large cities and at large, “They got up close and personal with
academic medical centers, Vanichkachorn said. Mayo Clinic officials say 95% of long November 2021. His wife, Jamie, 58, got me,” he said. “They have been very caring.”
COVID patients can expect improvement in sick shortly after him. Andy Coop, 52, of Jacksonville, said he
Various treatments being tried and studied their loss of taste and smell within a year. The couple’s early symptoms included found his joint pain aggravated by a bout
Treatments and results can vary and are evolving. Vanichkachorn said “olfactory training” may severe body aches, weakness, nausea and with COVID-19 that began in July 2021
For long COVID patients with fatigue and brain speed up the recovery process for both senses diarrhea. Six said he and his wife were and included a five-week stay at Jacksonville
fog, doctors sometimes prescribe the antiviral by smelling specific substances – clove, lemon, turned down for monoclonal antibody Memorial Hospital, 22 days of it on a
COVID-19 treatment drug Paxlovid – and even eucalyptus and rose – for 15 seconds twice a day infusions at hospitals in Jacksonville and ventilator.
COVID-19 vaccines for patients who haven’t for several weeks or months. More information Springfield because they showed up more The increased pain is in his elbows,
been vaccinated or boosted – all to reduce is available at bitly/MayoCOVID or abscent.org. than 10 days after the onset of symptoms. shoulders, wrists, hands and hips, he said.
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 1314 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022
FEATURE
He also deals with residual numbness in his vaccine, she said, adding that both are now
buttocks, outer thighs and left foot. fully vaccinated.
But Coop, a former Jacksonville police Griffitts came down with only mild
officer, said he was able to return to work symptoms. But Wessel’s symptoms were so
in Springfield as a firearms eligibility analyst bad that she had to lie down multiple times
for the Illinois State Police. He said he takes in the morning as she prepared for work,
anti-inflammatory medicine and Vitamin and felt worn out once she got to the office.
B-12 supplements, which has helped but not “It was the most frustrating thing,” she
eliminated the pain, and he is under the care said.
of a rheumatologist. Wessel said she isn’t a patient of the SIU
Coop said his doctors don’t know when clinic but has seen SIU specialists on her
his long COVID symptoms may abate. “It’s own who have told her the virus caused
kind of a wait-and-see type of approach,” he swelling in the two bottom chambers of her
said. heart.
He praised the doctors and nurses at An increase in her blood pressure
Jacksonville Memorial. “The whole staff just medicine has helped some, but she said she
treated me with such respect and dignity,” just had to endure the long-term symptoms.
he said. She has been able to continue working
Jacksonville Memorial staff members throughout.
from throughout the hospital were exhausted Wessel’s heart rate and dizziness problems
and discouraged after caring for so many continued until July 2021, then with some
COVID-19 patients who died, he said. breaks in symptoms until February 2022,
They visited him in his room after he was when she began to feel more normal.
taken off the ventilator and before he was “I would go weeks feeling fine, then it
discharged. would come back again, sometimes with
Coop said they told him: “’You’re a new symptoms,” she said. “There were
miracle.’ They told me they needed this nights I would wake up drenched in sweat,
victory.” and I would have to change my clothes and
At the time Coop was infected, he sheets.
and his wife, April, who later contracted “The worst time I had was lying in bed
COVID-19 but didn’t need to be watching TV, and I felt my heart racing and
hospitalized, hadn’t received any vaccine. “I stabbing chest pain,” she said. “From going
wasn’t 100% comfortable with it,” he said. to the doctor so much, I knew there wasn’t
Both Coop and his wife have since been anything ‘bad’ happening. It was just a side
convinced of its value and gotten vaccinated. effect of having COVID. This was a scary
feeling that also would happen riding in a
‘It was the most frustrating thing’ car, sitting at my desk at work or on exertion
Wessel, the Jacksonville resident who was with activity.”
healthy up until her COVID diagnosis, Some long COVID patients “feel good
is a registered nurse and deputy director for a while, and then something happens”
of operations for SIU Medicine. She is such as exposure to cold air, and their
assisting with the setup of SIU’s Post- symptoms return, Sundareshan said.
COVID Recovery Clinic and has given many Vanichkachorn said almost 30% of
COVID-19 shots and boosters. patients with long COVID aren’t able to
She said she lost her sense of taste and work for months after their initial infection,
smell for just two-and-a-half weeks. What and some develop long-term disabilities.
didn’t go away were a high heart rate – up “What’s become apparent is that patients
to 190 beats per minute – and shortness of with long-haul COVID have a really hard
breath and dizziness whenever she would hold time with function, and that includes getting
her arms above her head to fix her hair in the back to work,” he said.
morning or bend over to put on clothes or “Everyone does get better, so I don’t want
use her front-loading washer and dryer. people to be totally hopeless about this,”
It got so bad that she couldn’t walk her Vanichkachorn said, “but it’s a change in
dog or play on her backyard trampoline at how they do things in their life. … We don’t
home with the 8-year-old son of her partner, know what the super-long trajectory of this
Michael Griffitts, a Jacksonville firefighter. is going to be.”
Wessel said she was diagnosed with
COVID-19 in December 2020, a few days Dean Olsen is a senior staff writer for Illinois
after Griffitts, 50. That was a time when Times. He can be reached at dolsen@
neither of them had access to a COVID-19 illinoistimes.com or 217-679-7810.
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 15Cinco de Mayo sipping
Taste testers review tequila options
Thomas Pavlik
equila and I have had a meant to fire up a margarita machine, and liked its smoothness and floral notes, with one
T
somewhat complicated another quipped that it was likely Jose Cuervo’s taster appreciating the initial fiery taste that
history. In fact, there was cousin. Likewise, the panel found Corralejo to became “buttery” and “mellow” on the back
a time when even the very be better-suited for mixed drinks rather than end.
thought of having any sipping, thanks to its distinctive tequila smell Another favorite, the Corazon, managed
made me ill. Since then, and strong alcohol punch at the end. to maintain the standard tequila aroma we all
however, I’ve discovered Another two tequilas in the group are know while maintaining a smoothness that
that there’s a lot more to tequila than owned and produced by celebrities – Michael made it a good sipping spirit. Compared to
margaritas, lemons and salt. And that there are Jordan’s Cincoro brand and Kendall Jenner’s the Cristilano, we all knew we were drinking
many, many kinds of tequila out there beyond 818. tequilla. This was a “blanco” tequila – meaning
the Jose Cuervo that we’re all familiar with. So, Despite the fact that I was pulling for MJ, that it’s generally not aged. Because of that,
I was particularly pleased that I was asked by everyone found Cincoro to be sweet with no we all found it to be agave forward, with notes
Illinois Times to participate in a tequila tasting. bite and a strong taste of vanilla. It surprised of pepper and citrus that gave it a spicy, yet
My fellow testers included a professional who us in that it tasted the least like tequila despite smooth, finish.
generally doesn’t drink but who possessed a being made from 100% agave. Basically, unlike Our last tequila sample was the Clase Azul.
fine nose and sense of taste, a food industry MJ, it had very little heft to it. It was a late entrant, having been brought in
professional with vast knowledge of tequila, 818 had a very strong vanilla nose to it. by our food industry professional at the last
and another IT freelancer who was no stranger I found it to have an aroma of perfume. moment. This brand came packaged in a
to the culinary arts. Others found it overpowering and one even striking ceramic bottle with a metal stopper
While we waited for everything to be set commented that it was, like Kendall herself, that doubles as a shot glass and a bell. Each
up, we learned that most tequilas come from “just too much.” bottle is hand-crafted by a Mexican company
the Mexican state of Jalisco and that tequila Of the remaining four, all tasters found staffed predominately with women, with each
is distilled from the agave plant. And, much them to be more complex and interesting worker receiving fair wages in addition to two
like with French wines, the tequila industry varieties. El Jimador is named after the meals per day, transportation, day care services
sets strict standards for what can legally take worker who cuts the agave plants. We initially and tuition for school. Drink this tequila and
the name tequila – for example, at least 51% struggled to identify its nose until someone you can feel good about yourself as well.
of the fermentable sugars must come from the figured out that it was nutmeg. We all liked Clase Azul is a reposado, meaning it’s rested
blue agave plant. the fruity aroma and the spicey hit provided for up to 12 months in oak barrels. Everyone
Before starting, it was suggested that by the nutmeg, yet it went down smooth, loved the sweet agave odor with its herbal
we focus on the following categories: nose although I detected a very small note of notes, but we also detected hints
(aroma), initial taste, body, finish, smoothness bitterness at the end. of cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg
and price. In general, we tried to follow the The 1800 Cristilano is a new type of tequila, and vanilla. There was a depth
guidance. which is essentially extra-distilled through and complexity present. As good
Two of the eight varieties we tested were charcoal for a particularly smooth and clear as it was for sipping,
felt to be better for casual drinking or mixing drink that still manages to preserve the floral we all thought that
margaritas. All reviewers found the Milagro to notes associated with fine sipping tequila. I it would elevate
be sharp with limited flavor notes other than likened it to a “gateway” tequila that would a margarita
that of distilled alcohol. I commented that it be helpful in introducing the liquor to those into something
smacked one in the head as tequila that was generally unfamiliar with the spirit. Everyone special.
16 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022“I always take life with a grain of salt …
Plus, a slice of lemon. And a shot of tequila.”
–Tom Collins
818 Milagro
1800 Cristilano Corazon
Cincoro Clase Azul
*The companies whose tequilas are reviewed here paid an advertising
Corralejo el Jimador fee and provided a bottle to be included in this sampling.
May 5-11, 2022 | Illinois Times | 17FOOD
Strawberry-rhubarb trifle for Mother’s Day
Delicious, stunning and easy
FOOD | Ashley Meyer
My family has a decades-old tradition of and if you don’t want to turn on the stove Meanwhile, combine the cold milk,
baking a three-dimensional lamb-shaped cake you can substitute jam for the rhubarb filling. sugar and cornstarch in a heavy-bottomed
for Easter. It started when I was a kid and has Pudding mix can stand in for the custard sauce, saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring
become a tradition that I’ve enjoyed with my or you can just skip the custard entirely and use constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
own children. We’d hold our breath each time sweetened whipped cream. Any kind of berries Continue to cook for two minutes until the
we unmolded the three-dimensional cake, work well, in addition to honeyed peaches or mixture is thick enough to coat the back
praying that he’d come out of the pan in one roasted apples. of a spoon, about two minutes. Remove
piece, then decorate him with coconut, jelly from heat. Whisk a small amount of the hot
beans and spring flowers. However, over the Strawberry-rhubarb trifle milk mixture into the egg yolks to temper,
past two years, for a myriad of reasons, the poor For the filling: whisking vigorously so as to prevent the eggs
lamb cake has been forgotten. He’s been baked, 4 cups diced rhubarb from scrambling. Pour the egg yolk mixture
swaddled tightly in plastic and frozen the week ½ cup sugar into the pan with the milk mixture and
leading up to the holiday. (I’ve learned that the ½ cup water return it to the stove. Stirring continuously,
best way to keep the poor lamb intact is to frost bring the egg-milk mixture up to a gentle
him while still frozen hard.) I’ve fully intended For the custard: simmer over medium heat and cook for an
to finish and serve the cake, but somehow in 3 cups cold whole milk additional two minutes. Remove from heat
all the pre-holiday fuss he’s twice now been ½ cup sugar and whisk in the vanilla, liquor if using, and
forgotten. ¼ cup cornstarch butter. Cool completely. This can be done
Late in the afternoon on this most recent 6 egg yolks by refrigerating overnight (allow to come
Easter Sunday, my eldest shot up from her 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste to room temperature before placing in the
chocolate-induced stupor and exclaimed, “We 1 tablespoon brandy or Grand Marnier, fridge) or by placing the bowl of custard
forgot the lamby cake, again!” optional into a large bowl filled with ice water. Stir
“I thought about it yesterday evening,” I 1 tablespoon butter the custard frequently until cool to the
replied, “but it was too late to start on it after touch. This rapid-cooling method can also
we finished dying eggs so I figured we’ll just use To assemble: be used with the rhubarb mixture above.
it to make a trifle for Mother’s Day like we did 4 cups cubed pound cake (shortbread cookies When ready to assemble the trifle,
last year.” or vanilla wafers work also) combine the sliced strawberries and cooled
“Oh yeah! That’s OK. Trifle is yummier 4 cups sliced strawberries rhubarb mixture, stirring gently to combine.
than the cake anyway.” 1 cup cold whipping cream In a mixer or by hand, whip the cream to soft
Indeed, a trifle is one of the most supremely Brandy or Grand Marnier for sprinkling cake, peaks.
delicious and adaptable desserts you can make. optional Place a layer of cake cubes in a three-
A traditional British confection featuring quart glass trifle or souffle dish. Sprinkle
whisky-soaked cake, creamy custard and Combine the rhubarb, sugar and water in with liquor, if using, then spread half of the
juicy berries, trifles are as easy to make as a nonreactive saucepan over medium high strawberry-rhubarb mixture over the cake
they are stunning to behold. And while it can heat. Cook, stirring frequently until the cubes, followed by half of the custard and
be an excellent way to show off your tender mixture comes to a boil, then reduce heat and half of the whipped cream. Gently rap the
homemade pound cake and flawless custard continue to cook for 5-10 minutes more until dish on the counter to expel any air bubbles,
sauce, you can also take any multitude of the rhubarb has softened and the mixture is then repeat the layers. Decorate as desired
shortcuts or make adaptations as you see fit. thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool with fresh berries, and chill until ready to
Store-bought cake or cookies will work well, completely. serve.
18 | www.illinoistimes.com | May-5-11, 2022You can also read
