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...

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...

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...

Life + Culture

Shake a Tail Feather

Celebrate Thanksgiving morning with local Turkey Trots supporting hospice care, food pantry needs, and community spirit Article by Katie Bobrow Fall is upon us and this October we are looking ahead and planning for holiday 5k races and fun runs.  Thanksgiving morning runs have become a cherished tradition for many, blending fitness, family, and fun before the day’s big meal. Turkey Trots aren’t just about logging miles, they’re about gathering together, celebrating community, and starting the...

Food + Beverage

Spiced Sangria

A Spice & Tea Exchange recipe, perfect for sipping well into the autumn months Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Grace Jackson Ingredients: 4 Tbsp Spice & Tea Exchange Cinnamon Plum Herbal Tea 32 oz water 6 Tbsp Chai Sugar 4 oz brandy 4 oz orange juice 750ml bottle red wine (Grenache or Pinot Noir recommended) 1 medium orange, quartered and sliced thin 1 medium green apple, cored and chopped 1 cup chopped seasonal fruit  Directions: 1. To a medium saucepot over medium heat, add...

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...

Style + Beauty

Smile in Style

Orthodontic Expertise That Looks and Feels Modern Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor & Claudio Menrano If you or your child has ever worn braces, you know the transformation that follows the years of pain and sacrifice (say goodbye to gum and taffy).  What began with overbites, gaps that could fit a pencil, or overlapping teeth making it hard to chew much less want to flash a smile, ends with a newly aligned bite and an ear to ear grin––the outward representation of the...