Food + Beverage

Springtime Cheer

Celebrate the season with a vibrant white sangria Article and Photography by Patti Noble Whether you're catching up with your closest friends on a sunny spring afternoon or savoring a well-spent day with your mom, sister or aunt, there's something special about gathering over a pitcher of crisp, refreshing white sangria. This bright, flavorful, fruit-filled cocktail is the perfect companion for laughter, stories, meaningful conversation, and making memories with the ones who know you best...

Style + Beauty

Pretty, Practical and Simply Perfect

Heartfelt and stylish gifts to celebrate the women in your life Article and Photography by Gina Jasovic May is the perfect month to recognize and honor all the women and maternal figures in our lives.  We've handpicked some irresistible finds perfect for any woman to enjoy. For the someone who loves to spend time in her garden, we've found the perfect book, "Grace Rose Farm Garden Roses. The Complete Guide to Growing & Arranging Spectacular Blooms".  Let her indulge in an afternoon reading...

Health + Wellness

The Heart of Mothering

Love, Resilience, and the Balancing Act Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sylver McAllister, Sylver Studio Motherhood. One word that carries so much weight. Whether you are one, have one, or are missing one, it evokes a flood of emotions. History is filled with artwork, literature, and cultural narratives devoted to the concept, shaping our understanding of what it means to be a mother. But as society evolves, so does the experience of motherhood, and today, we are faced with new and...

Life + Culture

Chosen Sisterhood

Celebrating the bonds that transform friendships into unbreakable connections, uplifting us through love, support, and shared wisdom.​, Article by Patti Noble “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold!”  If you were a Girl Scout, you likely remember this tune, a lyrical reminder to cherish both deep-rooted bonds and fresh connections.  As preteens, we may have joyfully sang along with the girls in our troop without fully grasping its depth.  But with years of...

Food + Beverage

Farmer's Market Picnic

A fresh, local, leisurely afternoon spread that just might become your next Sunday tradition." Article and Photography by Klaudia Burian, NBC-HWC Tart Cherry Farmer's Chicken Salad   Nature is a generous giver. Due to a shorter growing season in northern Illinois, communities eagerly anticipate the farmers market openings later this month. These past years, there has been a cultural shift, a return back to a gentler pace, of building relationships with land and nourishment, a search for ways...

Sports + Recreation

A Second Swing

How Innovation, perseverance, and staying invested can reignite success Article by Dr. Amy Hinz Horn, | Photography by David Bradburn Sometimes, the best opportunities arise from the most unexpected encounters—chance conversations or serendipitous experiences. Fueled by innovation, perseverance, and the commitment to stay invested, even when the path ahead feels uncertain, these moments have the power to lead to something greater. Consider the journey of the HammY Putter, for example. The...

Food + Beverage

A Nourished Hometown

A return on investment that pays daily dividends where it matters most. At home. Article and Photography by Klaudia Burian Whether someone is new to the Midwest, or has called it home for years, it’s hard to miss the ‘Midwest charm’ congeniality, and heartfelt awareness of the generational diversity in the surrounding towns. It feels reassuring to see the conversation taking place on the steps in front of the little white church on Main Street or the bustling library. There’s a comforting...

Life + Culture

Stronger Together

American Legion, Connecting Veterans Through E-Gaming and Community Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sharmila Taylor For over a century, William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 has served the Crystal Lake community, supporting veterans and their families since its founding in 1919. As one of the first American Legion posts in the country, its commitment to service has remained strong and steady, evolving over the years to meet the changing needs of veterans. Today, Post 171...

Professional Services

Take the Leap

A Conversation With Career Coach Monica O'Neill on Why Investing in Yourself and Career is Always Worth it Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sharmila Taylor In today’s fast-paced job market, whether you’re aiming for a promotion, transitioning to a new industry, or striving to stay competitive, investing in your career is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward long-term success. Beyond the financial benefits, it can lead to greater job satisfaction and a sense of...

Home + Design

Home Organizing Starts Here

Stop Waiting: There's No Time Like Now to Get Organized. Article by Jamie Trewartha | Photography by Provided March is the perfect time to fall in love — with organization! If 2025 is the year you want to improve your home organization, now’s the perfect time to tackle this issue. SPICE UP YOUR ROUTINE Home organization doesn’t have to feel like drudgery. Look for ways to make it fun. Before you begin a new project, turn on some lively music. Or, if there’s an upbeat podcast you’ve wanted to...