Meet Molly
When did you move to the Rockford area?
July 2023 (started working here in July of 2019)
What are your hobbies or interests?
Teaching, spending time with my family and friends, traveling, music
Favorite restaurant in Rockford?
Spider Sushi
Best place to grab pizza in Rockford?
Lou Malnati’s (this will be a favorite no matter where I go!)
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to Rockford?
Explore! Join groups or social media pages that help expose you to events happening in Rockford and then go to the events! Don’t be afraid to try new places.
Favorite fall activity or attraction in the area? Edwards Apple Orchard or Ice Hogs games
Edwards Apple Orchard or Rockford IceHogs games
Favorite winter activity or attraction in the area?
Driving through the light show at Sinnissippi Park or walking through lights at the Nicholas Conservatory.
Favorite summer activity or attraction in the area?
City Market
What’s a fun or random fact about you?
I am an ordained minister and have officiated 5 weddings.
What do you think makes Rockford such a great place to live?
There is such a wide variety of things to do in Rockford. I feel like whenever I am bored, there are new places for me to try.
Occupation
Teacher- 7th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies
Ethnicity
Caucasian
What stage of life are you in?
Professional/no children
How do you prefer to meet or connect?
Hybrid (a mix of both). I am fine with either (:
What’s your best advice for someone experiencing their first winter in Rockford?
Give yourself extra time to get places because of the weather, but do not let this stop you from doing all the winter activities available.
Favorite local event or festival
City Market & all the performances that the Coronado has.
Best place to go for a night out in Rockford?
Prairie Street Brewing Co. (dinner and drinks type of night)
One hidden gem in the Rockford area that you’d recommend? What’s your favorite thing about the Rockford community?
The variety. There is a little bit of everything in Rockford.
If you had a free day in Rockford, what would you do?
I would do some shopping either on East State Street or at Cherry Valley Mall. Then I would eat at a local restaurant, probable Ramen and Tea or the Olivo Taco food truck. I would also do something active, like bowl and the Cherry bowl or go to one of the local parks with pickle ball courts.
Where’s the best place to enjoy nature in or around Rockford?
Rock Cut State Park- but there are a ton of forest preserves or nature places to visit!
What’s your favorite local small business or shop?
Velvet Robot
Best way to get involved in the community?
Attend events, meet people, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your ‘normal’.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first moved to Rockford?
Rockford is a really neat city. I had only heard about Rockford before teaching here and then ultimately moving here. There is so much more than what you hear and find online. Rockford has a lot of history and unique places that make it a really great city to live in.