Home Services

Rooted in Relationships

The family values behind one local company's lasting success Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor A Family Business. We all know one. Maybe it’s the ice cream shop where kids scooped and swirled cones all summer. The neighborhood diner where generations work side by side. The business where customers become regulars, and regulars eventually become friends. Family businesses carry their own kind of personality. They are often built on trust, loyalty and long hours shared...

Life + Culture

Local Fourth of July Fun

A selective list of local festivals, fireworks, and family fun Article by Katie Bobrow July in McHenry County can feel a little overwhelming in the best possible way. Between parades, festivals, lakefront concerts, and fireworks shows, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate summer and the Fourth of July. The challenge isn’t finding something to do, the challenge is deciding which tradition, town, or event to take in on any given night. From long-running community festivals that stretch over...

Life + Culture

The Adventure Your Hungry Heart is Seeking

Off the beaten path, Antigua, Guatemala can imprint a feeling unlike any place on earth Article by Klaudia Burian Antigua, Guatemala is a bustling destination for culture, hiking, culinary artists, and vibrant markets. It’s known as the land of perpetual spring and is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site with exceptionally preserved Spanish colonial architecture and 17th century historic church ruins, all flanked by three volcanoes (Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango).  It's what a dreamer would...

Arts + Culture

More Than a Fest

When a small ice cream social becomes so much more Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Provided Most people in Crystal Lake know the Dole Mansion. Some know it as the home of Lakeside Fest. Others visit for the Farmers Market+, art events, classes, or community gatherings. Many have admired the stately mansion from across the lawn, framed by towering oak trees and overlooking the lake that gave Crystal Lake its name. What many may not realize is just how many lives the property has...

Auto + Marine

Redefining the Drive

The 2026 Ram 1500 Tungsten blends elite luxury with rugged capability for every part of life. Article by Patti Noble | Photography by David Bradburn and provided In our community, a truck isn't just a vehicle; it’s the backbone of a busy life. Whether navigating a muddy jobsite or hauling gear for a weekend at the lake, versatility is non-negotiable. The 2026 Ram 1500 , available at Al Piemonte Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , perfectly captures this balance. It has evolved far beyond the "work...

Home + Design

Designed For Living

From partnership to purpose-driven spaces built for how people truly live Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Over the past several years, as homes have taken on new roles—office, gym, workshop, retreat—the demand for spaces that function well has grown dramatically.  From closets to mud rooms to garages, organization has taken a starring role. One local Closets By Design franchise serving northern Illinois, originally established in 1998, has long provided customized...

Health + Wellness

Aging in Community

The Day Break Lounge: A community-centered program offering purpose for participants and relief for caregivers Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by David Bradburn “Never regret growing older, it is a privilege denied to many,” a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, is a poignant reminder as we all face the inevitability of time. It’s a powerful sentiment, but it doesn’t fully account for the realities that often accompany aging. As people grow older and navigate the changes that come with...

Life + Culture

Nourishment for the Season

A tender guide, of the best foods, for a woman’s life, and all her seasons. Article by Klaudia Burian - NBC-HWC | Photography by Klaudia Burian In the early years of a woman’s life, it was not unusual for her body to magically get everything done, and run well on a diet cola, gooey cupcakes, cold pizza, and some cheezy corn chips. Even more magical, at the end of the day, there was still energy to spare. As the years pass however, women experience robust swings in their once regulated...

Health + Wellness

Generations of Care

Inside a mother daughter dental practice in Crystal Lake Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Ann Oleinik Most people do not look forward to going to the dentist. For many, it is something to check off a list rather than an experience to enjoy, but when an appointment feels comfortable, when the environment is welcoming, and the people put you at ease, it can change the feeling entirely. Drs. Kay and Amanda Henry have built a practice just like that in Crystal Lake. Their practice...

Fitness

Strong for Life

Moving beyond weight and size to build strength through perimenopause and beyond Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor For many women, midlife brings a quiet shift in the body—one that becomes harder to ignore over time. Yet for years, we’ve been told this stage is a kind of “crisis” to manage or fight, shaping how we feel, see, and think about ourselves in the process. We notice things feel different. Strength isn’t what it used to be. Energy comes and goes. Recovery takes...