Education

Education Rooted Locally, Built to Last

Four decades of adapting to community needs while staying deeply connected Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Staying relevant for over four decades requires more than good timing—it takes foresight, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to serving people where they are. Some businesses grow because the market demands it; others endure because they listen to their community. First Institute has done both, by evolving with the needs of the people it serves—adapting...

Food + Beverage

Marching into Spring with Lighter Bites

After a heavy winter, these little bites won't weigh you down on a spring day Article and Photography by Klaudia Burian Every creature big and small is happily marching into spring; birds with song, squirrels with frenzy, and the ground is swelling like a piece of bubble gum ready to pop with the first daffodils and tulips. Nurseries are sweeping their front steps ready to welcome in color-hungry eyes seeking those first little chatty pansies and violas, and colorful door wreaths to replace...

Home + Design

History in Motion

How moved homes reveal Crystal Lake’s growth, showing how preservation and progress have long worked side by side in shaping the town Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by David Bradburn & Sharmila Taylor At first glance, the neighborhoods just beyond downtown Crystal Lake look settled and familiar. The houses line the streets where they have always been, or so it seems. But a closer look at historic records, old maps, and preservation files reveals a more complicated story. Some of these...

Arts + Culture

Handmade for Your Honey

Find out how to warm your loved ones hearts this Valentines Day Article by Jamie Kayser This Valentine’s Day, why not put your green thumb to work by making a handmade gift: a beautiful bouquet for your sweetheart. If your green thumb is a little rusty, Jenna Dedina is here to offer guidance. Since growing roots in our community at a local floral shop, she received her Horiticulture degree, and is now a Florist Manager. She is the perfect individual to guide us through the process! Beyond the...

Health + Wellness

Seeing Dry Eye Clearly

Burning questions answered by Dr. Jessica Heinke of Family Eye Care Article by Katie Bobrow | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Dry, irritated eyes are easy to dismiss. Something to blame on screen time, aging, or a long day. But for many patients, dry eye is not a fleeting discomfort; it’s a chronic, often misunderstood condition that can significantly impact vision, comfort, and daily life. At Family Eye Care Clinic in Woodstock and Lake Geneva, Dr. Jessica Heinke has built much of her practice...

Life + Culture

Making Space for Grief

How one mother is using her lived experience to guide others through loss Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor Grief is the great equalizer.  It spans social and financial status, it crosses all lines of privilege or need. It forces us into a new place that will never be the same as the old one.  Grief does not arrive with instructions. It doesn’t follow a timeline, honor milestones, or soften with good intentions. It changes the shape of a life—and then asks the...

Life + Culture

A Sweet Passion for Flight

One local sight has most people doing a double take while others jump for joy! Article by Klaudia Burian On a patch of land, overlooking Fox River Grove, the trees open just enough to reveal towering ski jumps. For a better part of 120 years, the Norge Ski Club has stood as a local landmark. Founded in 1905, and in operation since 1908, it is the oldest continuously operating ski club in the United States.  The club began with an unassuming group of Norwegian men living in Chicago, with a...

Food + Beverage

Sabina's Signature Kolaczkis

A unique twist on this recipe elevates a classic to a perfect balance of flavors Article and Photography by Klaudia Burian Sabina, from this month's article on ski jumping, takes baking to new heights. Growing up, her favorite part of this irresistible cookie was always the preserves. She always felt the ratio of cookie to preserves was off. Once she started baking, she decided to balance the ratio to her liking, and created a show-stopping masterpiece. Blending silky cream cheese with quality...

Fitness

Strength at Every Stage

How small intentional movements create big change, one transformational step at a time. Article by Patti Noble | Photography by Sharmila Taylor When Tracy Eberhardt Izquierdo opened a fitness studio in Algonquin in May 2024, she wasn’t simply launching a business—she was stepping boldly into the second half of her life with intention, courage, and a renewed sense of self.  Her studio isn’t just a boutique gym; it’s part of a national movement called Pvolve, a functional-fitness franchise built...

Health + Wellness

Wander into Winter

From wooded paths to paved streets, enjoy Crystal Lake’s best spots for staying active this season. Article by Patti Noble | Photography by David Bradburn When winter settles over Crystal Lake, the world takes on a quieter kind of beauty inviting you outside – offering a refreshing dose of movement and scenery.  Whether you're a runner, a snowshoer, or someone who just wants a peaceful walk, our community is full of places to explore. Veterans Acres & Sterne’s Woods A beloved local...