COUNTRY VS. TOWN: LIBBY TRASKA

During her freshman year at UW–Madison, Libby from Mequon, Wisconsin knocked on Eric from Algonquin’s dorm room door and asked if he wanted to play basketball with her. Twenty-two years later, Libby and Eric Trzaska’s relationship still centers around their love for sports and each other. Watching her three daughters play soccer, basketball, and dance brings Libby joy as do her various roles in the community. Libby recently finished two years as PTO President at Hough Street School, she is on the Barrington Youth & Family Services Auxiliary board, sits on the board of directors for BASA/FCX soccer club, and is social media director for Barrington Lady Bombers Basketball Club. She is also thrilled to mark her return to the classroom as a resource teacher at St. Anne School.

Mantra? Find the positive in every situation Best grooming tip? Love my hair curling wand, dry shampoo, C. Fanucchi Salon Guilty pleasure? Cookie dough and Cool Whip Favorite foods? Spicy tuna rolls, eggs Benedict, and anything off the grill Music you love? My love for country music started with the Dixie Chicks and Rascal Flatts and it’s still my favorite Best advice ever given to you? It’s never too late to try something new. I recently started playing tennis and I have enjoyed learning and meeting new supportive friends along the way Best advice you’ve given? I tell my kids every day to be kind to everyone. Treat adults with respect and say please and thank you Earliest memory? Watching my girls grow up always brings back special memories of playing with my own two younger sisters Before bed, you? Make sure the sport carpools are all set for the next day, the girls’ iPads are charging, and uniforms are clean What’s on your bookshelf? A Colleen Hoover or Abby Jimenez book. I have been loving those authors lately You can’t live without? My meal swap with my friends Taylor and Lauren. For the last two years, we have made two meals to exchange with each other. It’s amazing Love to escape to? Naples, Florida or Door County, Wisconsin to see my parents Advice you would give to your younger self? To have more confidence in myself and not try to please everyone—it’s impossible

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Sporty casual Can’t leave the house without? A snack, cell phone, and my calendar/planner—yes, it’s paper Transportation? Palisade Driving music? Country radio station or whatever the girls want—usually Taylor Swift Place to eat? Francesca’s Famiglia has been our family favorite. My rehearsal dinner was there and many, many family parties. I also love breakfast from Egg Harbor and Starbucks, of course Shop? Last minute birthday gifts at Marvin’s Toy Store and Angelina Best thing about country? Living in the village, and our Summit Street neighbors and friends are the best Worst thing about country? Getting stuck by a freight train The perfect day is? Morning workout, coffee on the way to a soccer game at Beese Park, then hustling to an afternoon basketball tournament. Ending the night at home debriefing with Eric and a bourbon

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Cubs or Bears shirt and jeans because Wrigley or Solider Field is usually my destination Can’t leave the house without? Again, snacks—always snacks! Transportation? I prefer the train so we don’t have to sit in traffic but we usually end up driving so we can be on our own schedule Driving music? Luke Combs Radio on Amazon Music Place to eat? A hotdog, peanuts, and beer at the game, and Picante Taqueria for a late-night burrito Best thing about town? The sports, food, and energy of being in a big city Worst thing about town? The traffic and crowds The perfect day is? Bottomless prosecco brunch with my friends, meet up with Eric and the girls at Wrigley for an afternoon game, and drive home with no traffic. Need to make this day a reality!