Meet 25 Individuals Who Are Leaving Their Mark On Our Region Everyday heroes are all around us. Parents, emergency responders and teachers come quickly to mind. But what about the small-business owners, conservationists, philanthropists and quiet leaders among us? It’s easy to take for granted, but it’s important to recognize the many ways these heroes inspire us to dream more, ...
A Mom Pursuing Her Passion For years, Andrea Bear poured herself into her family as a devoted wife and mother. She supported her husband, Brian, as he became an orthopedic surgeon, following him from New York to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and eventually to Rockford, where they’ve lived for the past 26 years. Their three children, Benji, Lauren and ...