Home Services

Light Discipline

From military precision to holiday displays, one veteran continues serving others in a new way. Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Provided The irony isn't lost on Joshua Jacobs. For years, the Army veteran lived by the military principle of light discipline —the practice of limiting visible light to protect troops in dangerous environments. Today, the former infantry paratrooper and veteran police officer has built a business around creating light instead. As the owner of Light...

Life + Culture

Fall-fresco Beach Picnic

The beach is still calling. Button up a cool day with a simple meal lakeside. Article by Klaudia Burian Late 19th century naturalist and environmental activist John Muir famously wrote “The mountains are calling and I must go." His advocacy, through his many writings about his time spent in the natural lands of the United States, helped to preserve much of the national parks enjoyed by so many today. And thank goodness. According to the EPA, the average person in the US only spends about 7%...

Home + Design

Crafted for the Kitchen

Timeless kitchen tools that combine beauty, performance, and lasting value. Article and Photography by Patti Noble The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, and while trends come and go, the latest movement is really about quality over quantity.  Today’s home cooks are investing in tools crafted from materials that not only look good but are also valued for their durability, performance, and timeless appeal.  They're an investment not only in your kitchen, but in the experience of...

Home + Design

More than Light

Designing a home that reflects your personality Article by Patti Noble | Photography by David Bradburn & Provided Lighting has long been one of the defining elements of a well-designed home and there was a time when homeowners carefully matched every light fixture to a specific decorating style—traditional, farmhouse, industrial, or mid-century modern. Today, those design rules are becoming more fluid. Instead of decorating around a label, homeowners are choosing pieces that reflect their...

Arts + Culture

The More Things Change...

Though their uses have changed over time, Crystal Lake's historic storefronts and beloved parks continue serving the community, just as they always have Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sharmila Taylor and provided "The more things change, the more they stay the same." The familiar French proverb, attributed to Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, speaks to the consistent patterns of life and human nature. But it also feels remarkably fitting when looking at the history of Crystal Lake...

Health + Wellness

Changing the Story

How practical therapy helps people challenge fear, build resilience, and claim victories. Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Blue streaks highlight her dark hair. Harry Potter memorabilia shares shelf space with quirky collectibles, colorful knickknacks, and a few unexpected conversation pieces. It isn't exactly what you might expect when you walk into the office of a therapist who specializes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression. Then again...

Life + Culture

More Than Training

Helping families build safer, stronger relationships with their dogs Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Alex Larracus On January 15, 2026, after months of renovations, Mystic Paws Academy opened the doors to its new training facility with a clear purpose: helping people better understand their dogs. For owner Heather Pohlman, the academy is the realization of a lifelong passion that began decades before she ever considered opening a business. Pohlman has been training professionally for...

Life + Culture

Learning to Truly Listen

District 47 Hope Squad members learn crisis negotiation listening skills to better support classmates Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Provided Many students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the number of adolescents struggling with their mental health continues to rise. The same organization points to one of the most effective protective factors: peer connection. Building strong relationships and...

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...