Ingrid Padilla, her 6-year-old son and husband brought their dog Coco out to Montrose Dog Beach on a sweltering Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Island family usually walked Coco to a field by their home, but the heat called them to the lake.
“She also needs contact with other dogs,” said Padilla, shrouded in a white T-shirt while petting her pit bull.
Six-month-old Coco is one of many dogs adopted during the pandemic. Now, with COVID-19 restrictions easing, these puppies are ready to mingle.
Ingrid Padilla pets her dog Coco at Montrose Dog Beach. Nina Molina
Churchill Dog Friendly Area
1825 N Damen Ave. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
In the 4-year-old Labradoodle’s mouth was a tennis ball. Friday panted excitedly, tail wagging in the air, as he zig-zagged among the other dogs at Churchill Dog Friendly Park on a scorching Sunday afternoon.
Churchill Field Park is just off the 606, a walking path that runs above and through Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park and Bucktown. The outdoor haven is home to a baseball field, a grassy field and a popular dog-friendly area.
“This park is mostly paved, so it never, ever gets muddy,” said Roivin Ryan, a 59-year-old Wicker Park resident. “And they have a lot of nice people and nice dogs here.”
The play area also features a doggie drinking fountain, pools for pups to cool off and complimentary poop bags.
“Someone that comes here belongs to the Midtown tennis club. So every couple of days they bring a giant bag of used tennis balls here,” Ryan said, motioning to the neon green balls scattered across the pavement.
Dog owners must have a permit and tag issued by a participating veterinarian for each dog.
Friday chews on a tennis ball in the July heat at Churchill Dog Friendly Area in Bucktown. Nina Molina
Montrose Dog Beach
601 W Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Mag and Paul Hurley have been coming to Montrose Dog Beach, also known as “Mondog,” for 20 years. Reclining on the sand, the North Center couple explained how the wide, enclosed area and shallow waters make this the perfect place for their 3-year-old dog Bode to cool off and make some canine friends.
“They can run around and play with other dogs. They can swim,” said Paul Hurley. “On a hot day, instead of going to a park and dying, we can be out here by the water.”
Bode gazes at his owner Mag Hurley at Montrose Dog Beach. Nina Molina
Tabitha Roder, from Elmwood Park, was eyeing a dog beach in the north suburbs until she realized a membership costing $50 to $75 was required.
Fifteen-month-old corgi Max tugged on his leash, kicking up sand to get toward the water.
“This is our first full summer with him,” said Roder. “We’re trying to get out more and just let him socialize.”
Max stands in the sand in front of his owner Tabitha Roder at Montrose Dog Beach. Nina Molina
The Dog Beach is free, but Dog-Friendly Area (DFA) tags are required for all dogs. The tag costs $10 per year.
Check out these other dog parks in the city. They all follow Dog-Friendly Area rules that can be found at chicagoparkdistrict.com. All the parks listed are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Nothing tops holding a coho with the Loop as a backdrop or catching and releasing a smallmouth bass across Lake Shore Drive from the Buckingham Fountain.
This list of top fishing spots is Chicago-focused. Nearby out-of-state favorites are for another day. In Illinois, those 16 and older need a fishing license. Options are a resident one-day ($5.50), resident senior ($7.75) or resident ($15). A Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp ($6.50) is needed if fishing for salmon or trout on Lake Michigan. If buying online, tack on extra charges.
1. Montrose Harbor: History clings to the top fishing spot in Chicago from the deadly seiche of 1954 to Ken Maggiore becoming first to catch two Illinois-record fish on the same day (burbot and lake whitefish on March 22, 2017).
Fishing there can be as eclectic as its history.
Depending on conditions, fishing is done inside the harbor, around the revetment around the peninsula or on the breakwall known as “The Horseshoe.”
Fishing varies by season.
In spring, the focus is coho, especially by those practicing the Chicago tradition of powerlining (propelling, generally with a fire extinguisher, a line with multiple hooks on it far out into the lake.). In April, the tradition of netting smelt at night hangs on, even though virtually no smelt are netted any more.
In summer, in recent years, the focus turns to freshwater drum and the occasional trout. In rare instances, there’s some summer perch fishing.
In fall, the big focus is on Chinook, which can top 20 pounds, doing their return to harbors.
In winter, well, most winters, there is surprisingly good ice fishing for panfish.
Rock bass and bluegill are available inside the harbor nearly year-round.
A bonus is the best view of downtown Chicago from the south side of the harbor.
The Chicago powerline and lakefront fishing (powerlining) Facebook page is a good place to gain advice. For bait and fishing supplies, Park Bait at (773) 271-2838 is open March through November or December.
2. LaSalle Lake: Want a chance at a 50-pound fish or a 50 fish day? The cooling lake south of Seneca is your spot. It’s not about the ambience by any stretch (this is the antithesis of the North Woods); it’s about the fishing. As a perched lake, LaSalle is designed to cool water for a power plant. Outstanding fishing is a byproduct of the warm waters. Numerous blue catfish have been documented heavier than 50 pounds. Boaters and shore anglers do well on a wide spectrum: blues, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow bass. Experienced shore anglers use bicycles and various contraptions to navigate the miles of shoreline. Boaters should check at (815) 357-1608 around 6 a.m. on whether the lake will be open for boats (winds regularly close the lake to boaters). Have supplies — bait, food, drinks — before arriving. The lake is open March 15 to 10 days before waterfowl season opens in October.
3. Ice fishing the Chain O’Lakes: Fishing on the Chain is good most of the time, but ice fishing, which usually lasts three months or more, is the most egalitarian, and you don’t have to fight the boat traffic and personal watercraft of open water. In ice fishing, you can go nearly anywhere, which is why I call it egalitarian, when the ice is good. At the start of every ice fishing season, I update access points for the ice, generally it’s $5 parking or you need to patronize the business. For tackle, bait and information, check with Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch — (815) 395-0813 — or Dave’s Bait in Crystal Lake — (815) 455-2040. Check conditions at the Fox Waterway Agency (foxwaterway.com).
4. Charter fishing Lake Michigan: If you want the perfect Chicago fishing photo, pick a charter and go. There is something special about doing a classic fish-holding pose with the Loop as the background. The primary catches are lake trout and coho with the occasional Chinook to 30 pounds, acrobatic steelhead and big brown trout. It’s a chance at a lifetime fish, here at home. The late Marge Landeen caught the Illinois record Chinook (37 pounds) out of Waukegan in 1976. Deva Vranek caught the Illinois-record brown (36 pounds, 11.5 ounces) off Chicago in 1997. Charters go out of North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, Waukegan and Chicago (Montrose, Diversey, DuSable, Burnham harbors).
5. Wading the Kankakee River: Smallmouth bass are the favorite target for waders at Kankakee State Park, where there are 10 miles of public shoreline; but others chase walleye at low light or catfish any time. The community holes are the mouth of Rock Creek and around Warner Bridge. Rock Creek is very scenic with waterfalls, and the lower end is a favorite for families to chase crawfish. The Kankakee River Trading Post — (815) 933-9652 — has bait, tackle and camping supplies in Altorf on the eastern edge of the park.
6. Wading/shore fishing the Fox River: Especially in the low water of summer, much of the fishing effort is focused below the remaining dams. In the western suburbs, virtually every town has significant public shoreline. Smallmouth bass and catfish are the top targets. For boaters, flathead catfish have become a major target at night, a special time to be on the water. Dicky’s Bait in Montgomery — (630) 675-4371 — has tackle and bait.
A man walks across the Fox River looking for a spot to cast his line. Sun-Times file photo
7. Chicago River downtown: From shore, anglers fish from the south shore of the main stem, sharing the Riverwalk with other users, to catch a wide variety of fish, most commonly bluegill, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and perch (in winter). For boaters, the top spot is the area around the big discharge at the Merchandise Mart. It’s the most unique fishing spot in Chicago. The topper is afterward visiting one of the fancier establishments on the Riverwalk for a drink or dinner carrying your gear.
8. South Side perch in winter: In winter, the top fishing in Chicago is a collection of spots on the South Side, such as at Steelworker Park, nearby quasi-legal slips and spots around Calumet Park and the Calumet River. For boaters, the best spot can be all the way to the Ford plant on the Calumet. Refuel at the Skyway Doghouse at 95th and Ewing, or Calumet Fisheries on 95th. Bait and tackle are available at Henry’s Sports and Bait — (312) 225-8538.
9. Shabbona Lake: The 318-acre impoundment in DeKalb County is the most intensely fished lake in Illinois per acre, yet it continues to provide lots of fish and a great variety: crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass and muskie (the lake has produced four Illinois records over the decades). The site has the best concessions in the state, including food, bait, meals and boat rental. Reach Boondocks at (815) 824-2581. If going with family, a stop at the Dairy Joy Drive-In in Hinckley is the cherry on top.
10. Smallmouth bass at Monroe and Burnham harbors: In recent decades, smallmouth bass (a sight feeder) steadily improved as the water cleared on Lake Michigan, largely because of the filtering impact of invasive mussels. There’s something righteous about catching a smallmouth with Buckingham Fountain to your back or at the good drop-off at the Shedd Aquarium. Parking is tough, so take public transportation or be prepared to circle Solitary Drive searching for meter parking or to use one of the many parking lots around Museum Campus.
A luscious field of flowers on Northerly Island tends to be ignored by most visitors and even locals, but one tour of the city makes it a highlight.
“This secret secluded spot was absolutely beautiful,” Nancy Calahan said after seeing it on her two-hour tour of Chicago.
All seven people on the tour cited this field as their favorite part, hands down. They never would have been able to reach that spot and all of the other locations on the tour, such as Buckingham Fountain and Soldier Field, if they had not been riding Segways.
Chicago Segway tours are a way to learn more about the history of Chicago and to experience parts of the city most guided tours do not have time to cover on foot.
Not only for tourists, Segway tours have become a great activity for Chicago residents since the pandemic began, said Shannon Morris, general manager of Magic Carpet Glide Segway Tours.
“While in years past we have had international tourists, this year we are seeing quite a bit of locals joining us, the staycationers,” she said.
Magic Carpet specifically offers a two-hour tour around Grant Park and along Lake Michigan, led by a tour guide and showing secluded spots such as the flower garden.
Tour guide Mike Perrino said each time he leads the tour it’s a bit different, and he learns something new about Chicago. One of his favorite facts to share is that there is an average of one Dunkin’ per square mile in Chicago.
“We have been to Chicago many times and there were some surprises in the tour we never knew about or had seen before,” said Madison Linz, who took the tour with her father, David Linz.
Other companies, such as Absolutely Chicago or Bike and Roll Chicago, offer other tours throughout the city, most costing between $45 to $70 depending on the length and location. Some other tours include seeing the nighttime fireworks over Navy Pier or learning about the gangster history of Chicago.
Tourists ride Segways around Northerly Island on July 27.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
“It’s a really beautiful way to see the skyline and learn about the best attractions, and about a lot of history that Chicago has,” Absolutely Chicago Segway owner Brittany Carswell said. “This is our way of opening Chicago’s front doors to any visitor and to locals.”
One of her favorite tours is the Insider Tour, where people learn about the “good, bad, weird and ugly stories of Chicago.” Carswell said a story she finds particularly interesting is about a man who lived under a Chicago River bridge for years, tapping the electricity from it to power everything from a space heater to a PlayStation.
While the history is fascinating, Carswell said, many guests also just have a great time riding Segways, a vehicle most people usually do not get to try out.
“I think the coolest thing about the Segway is it is multigenerational. I have 80-year-olds riding with their children and grandchildren,” Carswell said. “It is something that is hard to get with a lot of activities, something that a 12-, 20-, 50- and 80-year-old can all have fun together with.”
Tour guide Mike Perrino talks to Teresa and Jenna Blauvelt, Donna McElrath and Symphani Hollis in front of the Adler Planetarium on July 27.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paige Vogenthaler and Bill Hinderman have been on many strolls through Humboldt Park and passed by the swan-shaped boats floating on the lagoon.
“We walked around this area many times and said we are going to do it one of these times,” Hinderman said.
They were finally able to take a ride in the swan boats in July as pandemic restrictions eased.
Vogenthaler said it was a relaxing outing on a warm summer day, and they look forward to doing it again.
Couples or families can take a swan-shaped pedal boat — or paddle boat, as some places call them — for a quiet trip around the Humboldt Park Lagoon. Wheel Fun Rentals has 15 boats available for $11 an hour for adults and $6 an hour for children. The boats can fit up to four riders, with pedals for each rider.
It is the perfect activity for families looking for a relaxing weekend activity, manager Nick Lee said.
“It is for whoever is looking for a fun activity to do outside and not [be] stuck in their home,” Lee said.
Couples or families can rent a swan-themed pedal boat at Humboldt Park.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
In Des Plaines, the Lake Park Marina also offers pedal boat rental. The marina added swan-shaped boats this year, although it also rents paddle boats without any theming, said Brian Panek, superintendent of revenue facilities for the Des Plaines Park District.
The swan boats cost $24 an hour, while the normal paddle boats cost $21 an hour. The swan boats hold up to five people and allow for customers to pedal through Lake Opeka.
“The kids like [the swan boat] a lot more than just [a] plain boat,” He said. “They have paid for themselves already in half a year.”
Even though the marina is near O’Hare Airport, the lake remains tranquil and peaceful in the paddle boats, he said. Lake Park Marina also offers sailboat and kayak rentals.
Chicago Cycleboats offers its own version of pedal boats that cater more toward bachelor and bachelorette parties, manager Brady Ruel said.
This spin on a pedal-powered boat allows for groups of up to 26 fully vaccinated passengers to take a boat on the Chicago River and bring along whatever food and drinks they like. Each person sits at a table but instead of barstools, there are bike seats and pedals beneath them to propel the boat.
“People get to just play their music and have drinks while pedaling down the river,” Ruel said. “It’s just a different, active way for people to explore the city.”
Even though music will be blasting and drinks served, don’t underestimate the workout involved, he said.
Patrons do not have to pedal the full two hours; each boat is equipped with a small motor that can take over if needed. There is also a point where the boat will stop in front of the Chicago Skyline so that people in the group can take photos.
The Cycleboats are an opportunity to admire the architecture along the Chicago River, although those who want to focus solely on the workout are free to, Ruel said.
“Occasionally we will have a group that pedals the entire time. One time we had a group that was just SoulCycle instructors, and they were really into it,” Ruel said.
While the average customer tends to be 21 and up, Cycleboats are open to all ages, Ruel said.
Chicago Cycleboat rentals start at $550. It also offers nighttime firework boat rides on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where the boats will pedal to the end of the river and watch the Navy Pier fireworks.
Omar Rodriguez wore his quarantine pants to the Forge, an outdoor adventure park in Lemont, and after three hours of climbing high ropes courses in the simmering 90-degree heat, they were slick with sweat.
“It was definitely a really cool experience, but I recommend wearing shorts,” said Rodriguez, 26, from Park Forest.
It was the first time Rodriguez had been climbing and his girlfriend, Carol McNeal, 22, tagged along. Besides the ropes course, both flew across a quarry lake on the Forge’s 1,100-foot zip line.
“Being strapped up gets rid of the fear when you’re that high,” Rodriguez said.
Besides ropes courses and zip lines, options at the 300-acre Forge include climbing towers, laser tag, canoeing, kayaking, yoga and trails for biking, hiking and running. There also are special concerts and festivals throughout the year.
The Forge outdoor adventure park features an eight tower high ropes course, ziplines, canoes, kayaks and more.Nichole Shaw/Sun-Times
The park opened last July during the pandemic and has seen a steady buildup of guest registration, especially with availability of the vaccine increasing.
At the Forge “anyone of any age or ability can come out and experience authentic outdoor recreation and personal challenge in a friendly environment,” said co-founder Jeremie Bacon. “So basically, it’s a place to come to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, but you know, but be surrounded by people who are like-minded and have a sense of community.”
The park is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for special concerts, gourmet dining, and night climbing. An art walk featuring Chicago artists is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Kayaks and canoes also are offered at the Forge, and visitors can ride a zipline over the lake that now fills the quarry.Nichole Shaw/Sun-Times
Julian Brodsky, a 13-year-old summer camper, zip lined from one side of the park to the other in the morning to start his day before trying out the kayaks and then arts and crafts.
“Zip lining is really windy,” Julian said. “It’s kind of nerve-racking getting up there, but once you’re on the line you go pretty fast — and it’s really cool. The zip line is my favorite part of camp, because I like being really high and flying down.”
Admission to the park is free, with activities priced individually. Special opportunities include a $70 zip line, climb and dine package popular among young adults from the city. The Forge also offers a night climbing program at $50, almost half the price of a $90 day pass, which gives full access to all activities.
The Two Towers Adventure course at the Forge in Lemont.Nichole Shaw/Sun-Times
“The last couple years and the pandemic, too, reminded me of how important it is to get back out in natural spaces and connect with the environment,” said Kylah Muhammaed, 40, from Bolingbrook.
“The more you’re outdoors, the more you observe things, which is what I’m trying to help my kids understand. The Forge checked all the boxes for a novel outdoor experience. What was especially nice is that they have training courses to let people try out new things safely before engaging in activities full-on.”
Her 7-year-old son, Hasan, said his favorite part of the Forge was racing his older brother on a two-tower adventure that featured circular rungs.
“I’m the snake from Chinese astrology and also a scorpion, and I felt like I was those signs when I slithered up and down the circle rings,” Hasan said.
The Muhammaed family from Bolingbrook (from left): Saeed, 10; Hasan, 7; Kylah, 40; and Rasheed, 42. The family visited the Forge in Lemont in July, where Hasan’s favorite activity was racing Saeed on the Two Tower Adventure course.Nichole Shaw/Sun-Times
Here are some other adventure opportunities in or near Chicago:
Go Ape Western Springs Actitivties: zip lining, high ropes courses and axe throwing Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day Phone: (800) 971-8271
Boundless Adventures Bristol, Wisconsin Activities: zip lining, high ropes courses and night climbing Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: (262) 287-0933
Edge Adventures Rum Village Aerial Park South Bend, Indiana Activities: zip lining and high ropes courses Hours: Wednesday through Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Tuesday Phone: (800) 590-8347
Ultimate Ninjas 2916 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago Activities: America Ninja Warrior indoor obstacle courses and gym space Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: (773) 877-3524
Brooklyn Boulders 100 S. Morgan St., Chicago Activities: indoor rock climbing and fitness classes Hours: Monday and Friday noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (312) 268-0002
Adam Gaudette notices the difference in his workouts and skating sessions. He notices it during meals. He notices it when he first wakes up.
The 24-year-old Blackhawks forward, locked in with a two-year contract extension in July, will arrive at training camp this fall feeling by far the best he ever has in his NHL career.
He’s 20 pounds heavier and counting — almost at his target weight, finally. He’s stronger, faster, more fluid on his skates and harder to knock off pucks.
And he’s almost completely vegan, which he credits as the source of it all.
“It’s changed who I am as a player,” he said, “and given me a bunch of confidence.”
For years with the Canucks, and even dating back to his college hockey at Northeastern University, he struggled with digestion, vomiting stomach bile most mornings, developing nausea from the mere smell of certain foods and almost never feeling hungry.
A blood test eventually revealed that the amount of Candida — a naturally occurring type of yeast — in his stomach was 250 percent above normal. A two-week antibiotic cycle in November and another in February solved the immediate problem.
But until that point, Gaudette — 6-1 with a boxy frame — not only suffered from daily discomfort and confusion but also played perpetually underweight. Every season, he’d lose 10 or more pounds.
“An 82-game season is strenuous on the body, and I wasn’t getting enough calories and nutrients to repair the muscles that had been working so hard,” he said.
“In 2019-20, I came in at 185 pounds, and I was feeling really good [about that]. Two months later, I’m weighing in at 177. And last year was tough because I had a tough offseason, being sick, and then COVID hit. I hopped on the scale one day and saw it in the 160s, and I was like, ‘Jesus.’ “
It’s a different story now. He noticed his weight starting to increase within the first two weeks of this offseason, while he and his wife vacationed in the Caribbean. It continued once he returned home to Massachusetts and began his regular summer workout routine.
He weighs 190 now, and he’s hoping to reach 195 or 200 by the start of the season.
“Every week, I’ve just felt the weight going up and up,” he said. “I didn’t put on any fat at all; I put on all muscle. My body fat [percentage] stayed the same. I feel much more limber, more energized.”
Gaudette believes the key to maintaining his newfound health is his diet. What started as an effort to simply eliminate sugary and processed foods and drinks has evolved into nearly full-fledged veganism. He eats no meat, dairy or other animal products outside of an admitted few “cheat days.”
“I’ve tried a ton of new foods this summer — a ton of new recipes, different types of vegetables I never thought I’d like, but it’s been really good,” he said. “This way of eating works.”
A quick follow-up question about those recipes sends Gaudette on an excited search for his new cookbook.
One of his favorites is an Asian-style bowl with chickpeas, edamame beans, quinoa, broccolini, sweet potatoes, cabbage and kale. Another is a wrap with “fake bacon,” tofu, avo-cado, spinach and vegan cheese. On Tuesday night, he devoured fried tofu, carrots and vegetarian dumplings.
“It was hard to switch . . . but it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “As I did it more and got more committed to it, it became easier and easier.”
While most vegan converts tout the weight-loss benefits, Gaudette is one of few vegans trying to gain weight — and do so while maintaining pro athlete-level fitness. The key is enormous food intake. He burns about 3,000 calories daily, so he tries to eat 4,000 to 4,500, which requires constant effort. In addition to sprawling lunches and dinners, he snacks on peanuts and cashews all afternoon and adds protein-rich beans into anything he can.
“I have this breakfast bar that has 350 calories in it,” he said. “I have two of them for breakfast on my way to work out, and that’s 700 calories already. Then I come home and I eat a full meal after working out. I try to keep track of my calories, and these little bars and the nuts help, because they add up.”
Despite scoring just five goals last season (including just this one with the Hawks), Gaudette expects to be able to win more puck battles now.AP Photos
On the ice, Gaudette’s improvement is obvious. Northeastern sports performance director Dan Boothby, who has worked with Gaudette every summer since 2015, can tell better than anyone.
“There’s really no secret to it — he’s just worked really hard this summer,” said Boothby, who holds 8 a.m. workouts for a group that includes Gaudette, his brothers and fellow Hawks signee Mike Hardman. “I felt bad for him when he was working as hard as he was before and still struggling to gain weight. To have that issue figured out, to put on the weight that he has this year to build on that frame, and [to see] his efficiency and quality movement patterns, I’m excited for him.”
Gaudette’s old 82-flex sticks have been cast aside; they started feeling too “whiffy.” Instead, he now uses 87-flex sticks with the resistance to match his weight.
He’s setting new personal bests in every weight-room exercise, from bench presses to pull-ups. And he’s doing all of it without dealing with hip-flexor or groin injuries, which nagged him in previous summers.
“I feel more powerful, quicker coming out of turns,” he said. “What I didn’t really expect is I feel more fluid and smoother, too, [because before] sometimes I felt like I’d trip over my own feet.”
He plans to drive to Chicago and move into a yet-to-be-found apartment at the end of the month, giving him plenty of time to settle in before camp begins. And then he expects Hawks (and Canucks) coaches, management and fans will see a far different Adam Gaudette than they’ve seen before.
“I don’t think I need to change the way I play,” he said. “Some things are just going to be a little bit easier. I won’t be bumped off pucks as easily, and I’ll be able to win more stick battles or get in front of the net or be better defensively by containing guys.
“It’s going to be 20 more pounds that somebody has to fight against. Playing at 170 [and] going up against a guy who’s 210, that’s a lot of work you have to put in to try to win that battle. Being 190 or 195, those things will come a little easier, and I’ll be able to come out on top of those battles a lot more.”
This summer, Tiana Theiss is back to doing what she loves — diving into the sand to bump the ball for her beach volleyball team.
She started a new league this summer for Players Sport & Social Group, which she joined five years ago. They are among hundreds of players once again packing Montrose Beach on Wednesdays.
It’s all so different from last summer, when the lakefront — and leagues — were shut down.
Tiana Theiss, center, setting the ball in a Players indoor volleyball game.Provided
“Right now, I think people are just happy to be here, and they’re not as much concerned with winning games,” said Theiss, 33, of Wicker Park. “We’ve all had such direly different experiences from the pandemic, and we’re all kind of grieving what we’ve passed through and celebrating a resurgence of normalcy.”
ChicagoSports and Social Club, Players Sport & Social Group and Simply Social Sports all offer adult volleyball, kickball and softball leagues — and all weathered tough times during the pandemic.
Ben Shimon, founder of Simply Social, used the downtime to rehab his website, “which has been a huge help for new registration. The Delta variant is throwing a wrench in this a little bit, but teams are signing up like crazy. Half to a quarter of my teams are brand new. This summer, I now have the most leagues I’ve ever had, with 25 new leagues and 3,500 members.”
People play a game of softball at Wrightwood Park in Lincoln Park.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Sports is the best way to meet new people and make friends, many players say.
“Human connection is so vitally important and sharing a sport in common is one way to bring people together — it’s an automatic ice breaker,” said Jennie Berger, 42, who lives in the South Loop. “You get to know these people by having the love of the sport in common. It’s still a very divided place that we live in — our country and our world. So to have people come together in one space for the same purpose is wonderful.”
Berger, a real estate investor, moved to Chicago from Tennessee in November 2019. In June, she joined Chicago Sports and Social to play sand couples volleyball with her boyfriend on North Avenue Beach.
Chicago Sports and Social Club has registered roughly 25,000 members this year, with most sign-ups occurring since the city’s full reopening, according to president Chris Hastings.
This summer, Players had close to 20,000 participants in its volleyball, beach volleyball and kickball leagues. An average year, including all seasons, typically registers about 40,000 participants, said Dave Reid, vice president of sports and business.
“It definitely feels a lot more normal and you forget the pandemic while you’re out there,” said Jesse Sherr, 40, of Hamlin Park, in his 15th year with Players. “It feels like nothing has changed from a couple of years ago. It feels great to get outside and be able to do this with my friends, have fun and compete in sports.”
A Simply Social Sports kickball playoff game at Jonquil Park in Lincoln Park.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
“Ditch all those apps,” said Simply Social kickball player Daniella Titone, 27, a Gold Coast resident. “To me, the best way to find a partner is through sports — you see what you’re going to get. I know people get nervous about meeting people, but sports really do bring people together. It’s just about being able to push yourself and put yourself out there and learn something new.”
It worked for Aldriene Estacion, 32, who met his wife in a Simply Social league. After 10 years as a player, he’s now a kickball umpire.
“People go to play a game and the real fun is socializing afterward,” said Estacion, who lives in Albany Park.
Games and bar activities after playing are not the only highlights of these leagues. Most offer special programs and events throughout the year, like Chicago Sports and Social Club’s recent Volleywood, a music festival and volleyball tournament on North Avenue beach.
“The moral of the story is people need to be connected to people,” Shimon said. “We need to see each other, touch each other and possibly hook up with each other. Chicago is the most fun city in the world and sports leagues are a rite of passage.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 22: Dylan Strome #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to pass against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on January 22, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks have made some big moves so far this offseason. They really want to get the most out of the rest of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane’s careers with the team. Adding stars like Seth Jones and Marc-Andre Fleury will surely help that case along with some depth guys like Caleb Jones and Jake McCabe. As of now, it is clear that they are trying to be a much-improved team by 2021-22. There, are, however, some more moves that could be made before training camp starts.
One move that could happen is a trade for Dylan Strome. With Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Tyler Johnson, Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, and Dominik Kubalik in the mix, there might be room for a Strome trade if someone is willing to give up an asset for him. There are a lot of teams that could use someone like Strome in the middle of their lineup.
Strome is a good offensive player. There is no reason not to have faith in him but the Hawks should be seeing him as expendable at this point. He can play center and wing but if they don’t trade him, you would imagine that he is playing wing because of the fact that Toews, Dach, and Johnson are there.
In the short 2020-21 season, Strome had nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 40 games played. Obviously, he has been better than that in his NHL career but his chances of being a top guy with the Blackhawks now are slim. There are going to be other guys getting those opportunities now as they try to get better as a team.
Dylan Strome and the Chicago Blackhawks might both benefit from a trade.
Whoever is the next team to have Dylan Strome on their team might be happy about it for a while. He was really good with the Hawks when he first came over from the Arizona Coyotes but started to fall off as the years go on. We know about how talented he is as he was a third overall pick but a change of scenery might be in store for him.
If the Hawks can get him another change of scenery, he might thrive. He is a player that can make big plays and score some goals as well. A team acquiring him would be getting a motivated player that has some gifted offensive skills. The Hawks, on the other hand, would be getting some cap relief and could be getting something in return that helps them more. It is something that could help out both parties.
Two men, 38 and 39, were in a vehicle just after 2:35 a.m. in the 13000 block of South Evans Avenue when someone in a red sedan opened fire, Chicago Police said.
The 38-year-old victim was shot multiple times in his pelvic area and the 39-year-old suffered four gunshot wounds throughout his body, police said.
Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition, police said.
A man was shot Friday while passing through Lawndale on the West Side.
Around 11:30 p.m., the victim, 20, was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in the 3800 block of West Harrison Street when he heard gunfire, Chicago police said.
He was shot once in the jaw and mouth and was driven to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
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