Life + Culture

What Matters Most

A warm reflection on first responder holiday traditions that keep their hearts close to home. Article by Klaudia Burian | Photography by David Bradburn In a charming historic midwestern town, with Main Street and a train running through it, neighbors and window shoppers saunter about town, and relish in the magic of the season. Or take a walk past timeless established lakeside homes noticing warm scenes taking place inside the deeply loved and cared for dwellings along the way. December brings...

Life + Culture

Capturing Community Through Their Lens

How two local visual artists bring heart, friendship and connection to everything they create Article by Patti Noble | Photography by David Bradburn & Sharmila Taylor Each month, we introduce our readers to individuals who help define our community.  Sharing a person’s story so that it may inspire, validate, uplift, or relate to others is one of the greatest joys of my work. As someone who values connection and relatability, this month’s feature is especially meaningful to me because I have...

Life + Culture

Home for the Holidays

College breaks and rediscovering what home means Article by Katie Bobrow We’ve all been there before, either on the leaving end or the welcoming home end, maybe both. When the shape of home changes, it can feel complicated. The house looks the same, but the rhythm of it has shifted. The rooms that once held daily routines now hold memories, and when everyone returns under one roof for the holidays, it takes a moment to find that groove again. But change, while sometimes bittersweet, can also...

Life + Culture

Kindred Spirits

Veterans and Wild Mustangs Rebuilding Together Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Some people, some places, you just know are special. It’s in the way they speak with sincerity, the way they make you feel the moment you arrive. There’s a place like this in Bull Valley, Illinois. Operation Wild Horse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by Patti Gruber and her assistant director, Megan Townsend. On a blazing August day, I had the opportunity to visit. The winding, tree-lined drive...

Home Services

No is Just an Option

How resilience turned setbacks into sparks of innovation Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor For some, the word “no” feels final—a slammed door, a dead end. For Scott Grafer, it has always been something else entirely. To him, “no” is simply a detour, a signal that the timing isn’t right just yet. His life and career are living proof that setbacks are often the first step to something greater.  Scott has always loved the problem-solving side of work and became known for...

Life + Culture

Rockin' Around the Giving Trees

Reach out a helping hand in the community during this season of giving Article by Jamie Kayser With Thanksgiving around the corner and the ‘Season of Giving’ to follow, there couldn’t be a better time to both be thankful for what we have AND give back to those who may have less. We can make a profound difference in our own community by helping one neighbor at a time. Here are a few ways to make a difference and put smiles on faces.  The Salvation Army has their well-known Red Kettle bells...

Food + Beverage

A Crowded Table

With a sweet dish to pass here, and savory dish to pass there, the potluck creates a fun way to gather friends, family, and community. Article by Klaudia Burian NBC-HWC | Photography by Klaudia Burian “I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by the fire for everyone. Let us take on the world while we're young and able, and bring us back together when the day is done.” These are lyrics from a song by The Highwomen, and when the later November wind invites children, friends and family...

Food + Beverage

Spice Up Fall in a Pinch

A unique downtown Crystal Lake shop brings autumn’s richest aromas and tastes to your kitchen Article by Jamie Kayser | Photography by David Bradburn Tom and Cathy Koch have been Crystal Lake locals for 30 years–almost the entire length of their marriage. They raised their family and put down roots here. Cathy, a stay home mom, ran the household while also caring for elderly and ailing family members.  Tom worked in sales and continues that career today. Their love for Crystal Lake and...

Life + Culture

Growing Community at Hongik Farm

A Huntley eco-farm brings people together through sustainable farming, education, and volunteer-driven community programs Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by David Bradburn and Katie Bobrow The Covid-19 pandemic changed life in ways few could have predicted. Some changes were temporary, fading as life returned to normal, while others left a lasting mark on how we live, work, and connect. One enduring change can be found off Hensel Road in Huntley, IL: Hongik ECO Farm. This...

Food + Beverage

Off the Plate

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition splits nourishment into 2 categories; primary and secondary food; primary defined as all the nourishment experienced in our daily lives. Article by Klaudia Burian NBC-HWC | Photography by Klaudia Burian Research now clearly shows that primary food, the food off the plate, can affect choices around what kind of food actually ends up on the plate. The health of our relationships with loved ones, passion for career, secure finances, intentional time in...