The Forester, Issue Three
The Lake Forest football team has clinched another playoff birth, the views on and off campus, all that and more in this issue of the Forester.
Defying the Odds
Written by Adam Plager
No statistic, ranking or metric has Lake Forest taking down North Central College, the No. 1 team in the country, in their first-round playoff game this Saturday in Naperville, Ill.
If there were ever an underdog story, Lake Forest beating North Central would be it.
For the first time in the history of Forester football, Lake Forest College has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Last year,the Foresters stormed through the Midwest Conference as they recorded the first 10-0 season in program history.
The Foresters had a thrilling and dramatic encore performance during their 2022 campaign, going 9-1 and winning the conference.
Last Saturday, the Foresters punched their ticket back to the national tournament with a 13-7 road win against the University of Chicago. The conference-clinching victory in Hyde Park was won in signature style as it was their defense that shined thebrightest.
All season, the Forester defense was the backbone of this team consistently coming up with big stops and stifling opposing offenses. The Forester defense held opposing teams to an average of 7.8 points per game (fifth-best in D-III) and finished the regular season leading the nation in passing yards allowed at 102.8 per game.
Senior defensive lineman Alex Bendler and freshman safety Thomas DeChesaro led the Foresters in tackles with 46. Bendler had 20 1/2 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, which put him among the D-III leaders.
Lake Forest was also been outstanding on special teams. The Foresters led the nation with 10 blocked kicks and ranked 12thin the country with 24.25 yards per kick return.
But the Forester defense will face a tough test Saturday againstan offense that outscored their opponents 527-39.
North Central led the country with 574.5 total yards and averaged 58.3 points per game. North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen,is fourth in D-III in passing efficiency, wide receiver Deangelo Hardy is tied for ninth with 12 TD receptions and tailback Ethan Greenfield ranks first with his 8.25 yards per carry.
While the Cardinal offense has been dangerous all season, their defense is equally impressive. The last time North Central allowed a TD was Oct. 1 against Wheaton.
In fact, the Cardinals defense have allowed the fewest points per game at 5.1. To reiterate, North Central averaged 58.3 points per game and gave up 5.1. That average margin of victory of 53.2 points is a D-III record.
David meets Goliath at 12 p.m. on Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Although the Foresters hold the series edge over North Central,29-17-4, the Foresters have not won in this rivalry since 1958.You can stream the game here to see if coach Jim Catanzaro’s team can defy the odds one more time.
Lake Forest’s “The Lantern”
Written By João Marques
It was 9:30 p.m. on a breezy Wednesday night. As I walked around Lake Forest looking for a place to eat, I was met with a big green sign with the words “The Lantern” written on it. “Best burgers in Lake Forest,” it said. A bold claim, one that I was eager to put to the test.
I’ve had burgers in more countries than I could count. The U.K., Netherlands, Portugal, France, and Switzerland. However, an American burger was something I had yet to try.
Wood floor panels and a timber counter. The blue glow from the neon signs contrasted with the clover green walls. There were signed pictures of celebrities on each wall, none of which I knew. Finally, the bar was stacked with all manner of bottles, covering the whole wall.
There were several clusters of people spread about the place. A herd of businessmen just off work hanging out by the retro jukebox, a trio of elderly ladies at the back near the televisions, and a pack of drunkards hogging the bar counter. People from all walks of life gathered in the same place at the same time. I found a quiet table in one of the corners and made myself comfortable.
I ordered a medium-rare Tiffany burger with cheddar cheese and barbeque sauce. I’ll be frank when I say that I don’t know what half of those words truly meant. We don’t have meat “rarities” back in Europe, where I’m from. The only reason I even said “medium-rare” was because I once saw it on a TV rerun of an old Hell’s Kitchen episode.
I then ordered a glass of water. The waitress, a shrewd woman dressed from head to toe in yellow attire, did a double-take and asked me again if that was what I wanted. I could hear the sarcasm in her tone. She would pass by my table every once in a while half-jokingly asking if I wanted more refills of my water.
When my burger finally arrived, it was drenched in barbeque sauce. Not a single inch of it was spared. The burger itself was raw on the inside, yet burnt on the outside. “Medium-rare” indeed. I decided to give the place another lookover before I left and it was then that it hit me. People didn’t come here for the food or the drinks (well, maybe the drinks). They came here for the atmosphere and the people.
I nearly spat out my drink when I finally got the bill. $17 for a measly burger and water. Without giving it much thought, I put a $20 bill on the table and walked out. I’ve never felt more American.
A View From Blackstone 115
Written By Marybel Sacramento
As I sit on my black chair in my dorm, looking out the window, I can see that almost every tree on the middle quad has no leaves or leaves that are drying up. I live in Blackstone Hall, room 115, with three other girls. I have three windows facing the Middle Quad. I’m always in my room watching Netflix or doing homework. I’m also always looking out through my window, observing how the leaves are changing and what kind of people walk in, walk out, and walk past my hall. I see most students walking past my dorm and I wonder how the teams, cliques, friend groups and people just walking to their destinations see me. Do I belong at a place like Lake Forest? Am I worth getting to know? Or am I just a person sitting in her room observing the outside?
Taylor Street Tattoo
Written By Drew Carlson
Taylor Street Tattoo is a cozy space, right off its namesake street and filled with bright lights and flash designs. The desk is manned by a young, bald man, John, who was wearing an orange beanie at the time and picking the next song to play. By the time we arrived, the waiting area was filled with two couples, each with a partner who was either receiving a tattoo or had just finished.
The first couple consisted of a blond man with a mustache sporting an all-black outfit and a woman with straight-cut ginger hair in a yellow tank top waiting for her turn to go back. The second couple was a man with dark brown hair in a black hoodie and a lively woman with long auburn hair and copper bell-bottom pants.
From the back of the house, a voice was heard discussing with John what he should have dressed up as for Halloween, firmly joking that he should have been a monkey in only his underwear.
John then sent me to the back, telling me to take a seat. It was just as decorated as the front. The walls were filled with more flash designs and posters of bands. The sink on the wall looked as though it had seen better days, but the googly eyes perched above it were a comforting touch. The structural column in the middle of the space was wrapped in mirrors.
Through the door into the back office, a bulldog could be seen spying on everything moving around them. There were three artists working in the back, two men and one woman. The men were made up of a man in glasses and the other wore a biker cap and a rather impressive handlebar mustache. The woman had long brown hair and wore two eyebrow piercings.
Taylor Street Tattoo isn’t out of the way, but the small storefront does the company a disservice. The room was bright and cozy, and the people were nice enough, even if John did complain about the annoying call he had just received over the phone.
Common Room of the Lois Durand Hall
Written By Paul Ellison
Located on the first floor of Lois Hall is a large common room. Containing a portable fan, a small flatscreen, a large chimney, seven tables, 11 windows, 14 cushioned chairs, and 15 wooden chairs. Due to its space, many people can socialize and hang out here, making it the ideal spot for socializing in Lois Hall.
On Wednesday night at 12:37 AM, six students (including myself) were sitting in the common room. Two or three of them were playing video games on the small TV. We had an engaging and fun discussion about the student government and the upcoming Lunar Eclipse.
The next night, I visited the common room again. Many of the people from the previous night were there. While I was eating some junk food, our classmate reminded me about the new astronomy homework. I’d previously been unaware of it, so this was a rude surprise. Exhausted, I trucked through the assignment, probably getting a few of the questions wrong. I went to bed soon after.
I’ve stayed in two residence halls so far at Lake Forest College. In the second semester of my freshman year, I lived in a double room on the first floor of Lois Hall. Then, during sophomore year, I briefly lived in a single in Lois Hall, but it was too small. I then moved to Harlan Hall.
Despite the disgusting conditions of Harlan, Lois is actually the oldest building on campus. Of the two buildings, Lois seems to have the largest common room. Not only does the room’s size make it easier for groups to socialize, but there are plenty of seats and tables for working on assignments. This is in stark contrast to Harlan’s small common room. However, Harlan’s common room has two advantages: it’s connected to the bathroom, and laundry room. All in all, I much prefer the common room in Lois Hall; it’s cleaner, larger, and more fun.
A Morning at Daisy’s Artish Cafe
Written By Stephen Kelley
Three middle-aged women are seated at a table, conversing under the vigilant eyes of an oil-painted owl. Near a window half-curtained by numerous racks of mismatched mugs sit proud parents, longtime empty nesters, listening raptly to the words of the adult son they’ve missed so much. Several people sit shoulder to shoulder at the bar countertop beneath the blackboard menu, catching up with one another’s projects.
The nice woman in the back corner, in the leather chair at the cheap plastic table, comes for peace among the quiet chaos of the decor around her. Across from both the glass cabinet of porcelain Precious Moments and the painted-canvas koi fishpond, she finds life in her book and draws focus from her straw.
The two young adults came for a study date, but their laptops and breakfasts sit untouched as they talk about their favorite books. Today may be their first time at Daisy’s Artish Cafe, they discovered the wooden clock hidden behind the bookshelf. In an hour, it will chime its midday tune at exactly 10:38 a.m.
Behind the front counter paces Daisy: owner, artist, and resident no-nonsense coffee artisan. She doesn’t often stand still and pauses only to give tiresome customers an unimpressed look. Between handling everyday business, designing pop-up menus, and holding multiple community events several nights per week, she intentionally leaves no room in her schedule for bullshit.
The Lake Villa community doesn’t participate in the shop’s decor alone. The immense collection of books on Daisy’s 8-foot bookshelf is rivalled only by the adjacent collection of board games. From Uno to Clue, Trivial Pursuit to the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Kit.
Daisy notably features personalized displays containing wears and crafts by locally based artisans. Pairs of knit mittens draw each patron’s eye on the way to and from the restrooms. Once they notice the mittens, they’re bound to see the hand-crafted wooden pens in the neighboring case. Turning around reveals the for-sale portfolio of a nearby artistic photographer.
A young man walks in, backpack slung over one shoulder, searching the menu for his usual order. The young man settles on his favorite beverage. He orders a vanilla creme-brulee cold brew, and he asks, “What’s the damage?”
She responds, straight-faced and flat-toned, “A million dollars.”
The Mean Wiener
Written By Hani Ali
The Mean Wiener is a small, red brick building in the city of Highwood, containing some of the best authentic Mexican cuisines in town. Just South of campus, it’s a very popular destination for the Foresters of Lake Forest College. The restaurant is so small, yet always so packed, and gives you the feeling that you are in Mexico enjoying authentic Mexican food. With lots of different pictures, designs, colorful walls, and skeletons outside, you can feel the Mexican authenticity of the restaurant. As you arrive, you may even have to wait outside as the line to order carries out the door. In the predominantly Hispanic city of Highwood, it is so heartwarming to see people from many different cultures experiencing and enjoying the eatery. The workers are so friendly, constantly making sure that you are having the best experience possible. From kids to senior citizens, inside seating and outside seating, the restaurant is always full, and this is not a surprise in the slightest. It’s so known around the community that I would call it a must-try for tourists or out-of-town visitors. The food. So tasty, so authentic. Many refer to it as the best Mexican restaurant in the Chicagoland area. The Mean Wiener really makes you feel like you are in Mexico at one of the street restaurants and it does not get any better. Hearing many different languages from the other customers, and seeing many different types of people, the experience feels like a vacation more than just getting dinner. The Mean Wiener is an experience. It’s much more than just grabbing a bite to eat. The atmosphere, environment, people, authentic food, and everything about the place are special. The feeling that you are in another country, surrounded by so many different types of people, with great vibes and culture is truly special. With the way, the restaurant is run, and the support it has from the locals, and the majority of customers, The Mean Wiener will be a special part of the North Shore for generations to come.
Jewel Osco
Written By Jaslyn Jimenez
Jewel Osco is in town. In the town of Lake Forest in Illinois. It is surrounded by businesses like Forever Om Yoga (5 star), and Authentico Mexican Restaurant & Bar (4.5 star). “There are 15,374 adults, (4,789 of whom are seniors) in Lake Forest.” facts by the world population review. About a third are seniors. The percentage distribution of household income in Lake Forest, IL over $200k according to bestplaces.net is 44.9% compared to 8.3% of ChicagoNaperville-Elgin Metro and 6.9% of Illinois State. As a Cashier with experience, I do not get boggled by the assessment of work, I swift by it. To get a feel for what a morning shift looks like for me. I begin at the #1 express lane (15 items or less) because it is my favorite lane not because of the item limit that really doesn’t matter. I get asked the same thing from every customer who has over the limit, “Can I still go through I have over...” “Yes” I interrupt them so they can just enter. I also get asked “Are you over 21?” because usually these men are just buying a donut and alcohol or just alcohol and apparently, I look too young. I get the chance to engage with the customers and sometimes must hear their conversations. Engaging is natural to me but witnessing is something else. I’ve witnessed an elderly women and mother who apparently were neighbors. They spent extra time holding up the line to greet each other. Speaking about every family member and their business. The only way I could stop them was handing them their receipt. Even then they just move from the line but continue their catching up aside. I find it amusing to witness the energy that happens sometimes. I try to go fast when conversations hog others time in order to get them out the way. Getting people out the store is my goal as it’s a grocery store not a hang out. What I find most favorable is when babies are at the store. They have usually been toddlers or little babies. I enjoy handing them stickers. Sometimes the ones who throw tantrums calm down with a Jewel Osco sticker. This is a great position for students looking for a job. It isn’t hard. It's simple work and they need help so they will hire. Anyone wanting some extra money should consider working here. It is a 30-minute walk from campus. Right in the town of Lake Forest. They are short staffed. Everyone is welcome to join us at Jewel Osco.
The Hours of the Day Change the Atmosphere of Lake Forest Starbucks
Written By Caitlin Mulcahy
As I entered the Starbucks in Lake Forest, Illinois on Tuesday, November 8 instantly the smell of brewing coffee entered my sinuses. I walked in the door only to make it three steps before hitting the line. The line consisted of 10 people waiting to order. A crowd of people surrounded the pick-up counter with people awaiting their drinks. The place was packed there were very few tables available and when one became available it was not empty for long. The energy was high. There was not one ounce of silence throughout the entire place. Many types of people filled the coffee shop. There were moms with their young kids trying to entertain them with an animal-shaped cake pop in the bakery display case. There were meetings going on over Zoom calls on the computers of workers. The men wearing Air Pods try to block out the surrounding noise of the people. Teenage girls were in there as they enjoyed a day off from school with their friends from Election Day. A group of women in their middle ages sat and drank their morning coffee as they discussed the busy schedules of their children and their husband's lack of awareness of the busy lives their children have. As the morning went on the crowd started to wither. Starbucks had become less busy, and the energy had dropped. The sound of the once-loud coffee shop became quiet. The place was filled with light chatter, but the noise level had dropped significantly. The coffee shop now consisted of people mostly alone. It was students who were studying or adults who were working. The lines had died down and no one was awaiting a drink to be made. The only sound that was constant was the noise of the background music playing. It became less common to hear a conversation as the morning went on and became quieter within the vicinity. Throughout the hours of the day, the place had completely changed in atmosphere. The morning consisted of a lively crowd that turned Starbucks into a social place for all ages, but as time went on and it came closer to lunch time the atmosphere had turned to a quiet study place for students and workers to accomplish things more productively.