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  • Crystal Lake Housewalk Preview
  • 30 Top Restaurants and Sweet Spots
  • Raue Center – 10 Years of the Arts
  • Students Activities in Music & Agriculture

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McHenry County Blog

cal-skinner Link to Cal Skinner's Blog, a journal of news and opinion designed to bring to light matters of public interest and to encourage public participation in the governmental process.

Carla's Blog

Carla Housh, Publisher of McHenry County Living MagazineLink to Carla's Blog.

Erica's Blog

Erica Burke, of McHenry County Living MagazineLink to Erica's Blog.

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People

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Bjorkmans: Coming Up Aces

Bjorkmans: Coming Up Aces

Three generations of Bjorkmans have made the McHenry Ace Hardware store an enduring success. Brothers Craig and Steve ensure it will continue fulfilling its mission for generations to come.

MCYSA: A Universal Sport

MCYSA: A Universal Sport

Since 1993, local families have warmly welcomed young international baseball players into their homes and hearts as they compete in the McHenry County Youth Sports Association’s summer games.

The Dixons: Shooting Stars

Johnsburg High School athletes Mike and Melissa Dixon stay humble despite star status and remain dedicated to being leaders on and off the basketball court.

Swim Clubs: Just Add Water

Local swim clubs and their highly trained staffs offer kids of all ages an opportunity to learn while having fun in a safe environment.

Connie Perez: Living Her Dream

Connie Perez continues her family tradition of fashion at Aesthetics while keeping fresh with trends and passing the torch to the next generation through sewing classes.  Her new location allows her to expand products and programs. 

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Places

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Sand Volleyball: Fun in the Sand and Sun

Sand Volleyball: Fun in the Sand and Sun

From high-stakes league play to fun pick-up games, two regional restaurants offer sand volleyball for every player and spectator.

Raue Center Celebrates 10-Year Milestone

Raue Center Celebrates 10-Year Milestone

A decade after it was founded, Raue Center For The Arts remains dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.

McHenry County Living's Guide to Local Dining 2010

From sweet to savory, McHenry County Living dishes out the best eats in the area.

Fun Spots on the Fox

Where better to enjoy dinner and drinks, live music, sports and more than on the sparkling Fox River? By water or by land, check out these river destinations for your next summer outing.

Crystal Lake Barber Shops: The Cutting Crew

Three barber shops in downtown Crystal Lake open their doors to the public for great cuts and lively conversation, making them the ultimate gathering places for the community. The best part? They’re all friends working toward the betterment of downtown.

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Lifestyle

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Crystal Lake Housewalk: 'There's No Place Like Home'

Crystal Lake Housewalk: 'There's No Place Like Home'

Take a pictorial tour of four fabulous homes featured in the 36th Annual Housewalk — the Service League’s biggest fundraiser.

Nutrition: Snick Snacks & Snack Attacks

Nutrition: Snick Snacks & Snack Attacks

Whether you’re sending your children to school with a mid-morning snack, packing a bag for your teenage athlete or creating an afternoon workday treat for yourself, find new ways to kick up the fun factor in your family’s snacking routine.

Healthy U Vending: Healthy and Convenient

McHenry’s T Hephner takes the good eating habits he started at home to local schools with his Healthy U vending machines, which are stocked with healthier snack options than traditional machines.

Nutrition: Flavors of the Summer

With summer weather finally here and farmers markets in nearly every town, now’s a great time to take advantage of seasonal fresh produce and herbs. They are not only packed with nutrients, but taste wonderful.

Micro/Mini Cars: Small Packages, Big Fun

Micro and mini cars have long been a passion held near and dear to hobbyists. The Wegers of Crystal Lake boast one of the biggest collections around, and they’re bringing the Micro/Mini Car World Meet to McHenry County’s back yard in August.

Finding Your Inner Chef

Best Bets for Pets

Pet Care During the Holidays

Nutrition: Sweet Surrender

Editor's Choice: Health and Fitness Ideas for 2010

Heart of the Matter

Nutrition: Go For the Goal

A Healthy Pursuit

Zumbalicious!

Staying Fit and Motivated

Be Well in 2009

Holiday Eating

McHenry County Living's Guide to Pampering

Discover the Benefits of Yoga

What is Pilates?

Excuses Are Like Belly Buttons; Every Has One

"What Color Is Your Brain?"

Managing Holiday Stress

A Crystal Lake Home Where Old Meets New

Interior Design Ideas

Oh, You Beautiful Doll

‘A Scenic Stroll’ Through Local Homes

A Glass Act

Rising Above the Clutter

For Everything There is a Season

Expanding Spaces

Recreate, Rejuvenate, and Renovate

Remodeling in Rhyme

A Room for All Seasons

Historic Factory Transformed at Emerson Lofts

These Walls Can Talk

Creating Your Dream House

Rooms For Improvement

An Open, Airy Retreat on the Prarie

Time to Break Ground

A Two-Wheel Adventure

You Say Tomato

Gardens of the County Contest Winners

Summer's Last Barbeques

Rotary Clubs: Service with a Smile

The Perfect Party

Backyard Bashes

Market Value

Graduation Party Planning 2009

Country Donuts

Holiday Happenings

The Holiday Kitchen

Picnics: A Great Way to Spend a Summer Day

Fit for a King

Holiday Traditions

Celebrate with the Class of 2008

The Wine Tasting Experience

Decor to Fall For

A Kidder Family Christmas

How does your garden grow

Livin' Off the Subdivided Land

Think Globally, Eat Locally

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History

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Maplewood School: A Bittersweet Goodbye

Maplewood School: A Bittersweet Goodbye

Alumni, teachers and administrators reflect on Maplewood School’s rich legacy, rehash happy memories and vow to keep the school’s spirit alive long after the doors close.

The Home Front of World War II

The Home Front of World War II

Our community made sacrifices and learned a new way of life in support of the military during World War II.

A Tradition of Baseball Celebrates 50 Years

This April, the Crystal Lake Babe Ruth Baseball League celebrates a half-century of serving the youth of McHenry County — thanks in no small part to the early support of Frank Repp, former league president.

A Day at the Beach

The story behind Crystal Lake’s Main Beach and The Gates includes colorful tales of corporate greed, gangsters and eccentric tycoons, but most importantly, a triumph for conservation and community.

Model A's & Sock Hops

McHenry County residents remember what life was like as teenagers in the '30s, '40s and '50s, and share their high school memories while reflecting on simpler times.

The Northern Illinois Fire Museum

Railroading Through McHenry County

On the Rocks

‘An Absolute Pearl’

Abraham Lincoln

Christmas in McHenry

Christmas in Marengo

McHenry County's Boys (and Girls) of Summer

Arsenal for Democracy

Baby Ruths, Butterfingers and World-class Stud Bulls

Life at a One-Room Schoolhouse

McHenry County Cemeteries

When Mink Was King

Kings of the Hill

Dole Manison - An Old Friend

Petersen Farm Celebrates Its History

Barns of McHenry County

Trail of History

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MC Kids

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MCMC: Sounds of Success

MCMC: Sounds of Success

In its 30 years, the McHenry County Music Center has evolved to become one of the most prestigious centers for learning music in Illinois.

FFA: Leaders in Training

FFA: Leaders in Training

For Marengo’s Future Farmers of America, the club is as much about lifelong leadership skills as it is about farm work.

Friends of Fox River Grove Municipal Library

Friends of Fox River Grove Municipal Library - 8th Annual Young Authors Project

Mary Ann Beebe Center: The Great Outdoors

The Mary Ann Beebe Center troop camp facility spans 295 acres near Harvard, and includes a protected wetlands area.

11 Summer Camps for Kids

There are many options for day camp this summer. The McHenry County Conservation District and McHenry County YMCA offer various programs. Check with your local park district for their offerings as well, and your kids are bound to have an eventful, fun summer vacation.

'A Stand-Out' on the Ice

Music to Our Ears

Summer Camps

16 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids

Amazing Adventure

Tom's Fall Festival

Summer Reading Programs and Clubs

10 of the Season's Best books

Back to School and Lots to Do Dining Guide, Housewalk, Student Activities and 10-Year Celebration for Raue Center!
Plan on Fun This Summer Whether you like to plan or take things as they come, summer in McHenry County has something in store for everyone!

Latest News & Tweets

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Lakeside Legacy Arts Park

Lakeside Legacy Arts Park - Dole Mansion

Here at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park you can step back to a simpler time to explore the craftsmanship and unexpected brilliance of a Civil War era architectural masterpiece - the historic Dole Mansion. The Dole guarantees to stop you in your tracks with its intricate wood carvings, dazzling parquet floors and stunningly beautiful grand staircase.

Today, the Arts Park is in its infancy. Officially opened on July 4, 2005, it is owned and operated by a the non-profit Lakeside Legacy Foundation, formed for the purpose of preservation, protection, and enhancement of the property. The vision: become a world-class arts education center.

County Historical Society

MCHS

McHenry County Historical Society - With a mission of providing the methods and means of presenting McHenry County history to enrich life. The comprehensive collection includes several preserved buildings, an 1847 log cabin, an 1885 town hall, an 1895 one-room schoolhouse, and a 20th century modern tourist cabin. Visit the museum in Union, Illinois to learn more about area history!

MC Conservation District

McHenry County Conservation District

McHenry County Conservation District - Over 22,000 acres of open space graced with woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and savannas. Trails and other recreational amenities have been added within 27 conservation areas where the public can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, and picnicking. Discover your District today!

Raue Center For The Arts

rauecenter

Today, Raue Center enthusiastically brings you the opportunity to witness contemporary, vibrant performing arts on a state-of-the-art stage. Throughout the years, Raue Center has welcomed Tony, Academy and Grammy award winners as well as independent voices to its stage with the unique opportunity to connect with an audience in a truly intimate and exhilarating space.

RFP Photography Inc.

Robin F. Pendergrast Photography, Inc

Robin F. Pendergrast Photography, Inc. transforms the most commonplace subjects into alluring images. Magazines, customers and editors have recognized the quality of his presentations with countless accolades. Robin has been published in Time, Better Homes & Gardens, Flower & Garden, and Garden Gate, to name a few. He has also photographed for thousands of brochures, catalogs, newspapers and videos. For more than 30 years, Robin has had a passion for shooting in a natural-light, photojournalistic style.

Woodstock Opera House

Woodstock Opera House

The Woodstock Opera House was built in 1889 to house the library, council room, justice court, fire department & second floor auditorium for the City of Woodstock. The Patti Rosa Company provided the inaugural performance of "Margery Daw" on Thursday, September 4, 1890. The Opera House became McHenry County’s center for entertainment and hospitality. Touring vaudeville, minstrel and dramatic companies provided diversion after a week’s labor. As part of City Hall local farmers’ wives chatted among themselves in the "parlor" while husbands would conduct their business.

The Woodstock Opera House hosts a variety of programming and events each year including concerts, theatrical plays, dance, visual arts, educational programming, lectures, meetings, receptions, and more. Situated on the historic square in downtown Woodstock, the Opera House is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the country.