Upcoming Events

JAN
25

Jan-25-2012 9:00 am - Feb-14-2012 5:00 pm
Studio 2015 Chamila Bead Sale

JAN
27

Jan-27-2012 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Pillow and Throw Sale

JAN
27

Jan-27-2012 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Slidewalk Sales in DT Crystal Lake

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Current Issue

holiday2011
  • Holiday Food and Drink Ideas
  • 20 Last-Minute Gifts
  • MCL's Big Give
  • Small Business, Big Hearts
  • The Bettendorf Castle Story
  • Holiday Gatherings
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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.

Erica's Blog

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

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People

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Small Business, Big Hearts

Small Business, Big Hearts

McHenry County nonprofits count on the ongoing generous support of small, family-run businesses to help them help others.  

Hitting the Ground Running

Hitting the Ground Running

A Crystal Lake woman’s life-changing physical challenge literally set her in motion. Today, Lauren Kaminsky is hitting the pavement – and the Internet – to raise awareness for ulcerative colitis.

Honoring Our Heroes in Portraits

The daughter of a Marine and friend of veterans, artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner immortalizes 20 U.S. vets in her Portraits of American Veterans Project.

The Rockin’ Ghoul Next Door

Moon-Rays — a local band with a spooky sound — provides the perfect soundtrack to the most haunted Halloween bash. B-movie and Hollywood horror filmmakers continue to count on Moon-Rays to scare up their scores.

‘A Camaraderie of Purpose’

Members of the Service League of Crystal Lake lend a helping hand to local citizens through various annual fundraisers. Although their approach continues to evolve, their dedication to serving the community is unwavering.

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Places

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Out and About for the Holidays

Out and About for the Holidays

Leave the cooking and entertainment to McHenry County’s restaurants, bars and resorts this holiday season!

Local Tastes for the Holidays

Local Tastes for the Holidays

Ring in the holidays with artisanal foods and beverages from local retailers.

Material Girl: A Common Thread

Susie Fox had a vision for a fabric store in downtown Crystal Lake that would serve its predecessor’s loyal clients while appealing to a growing generation of do-it-yourselfers. For more than a year now, her store Material Girl has turned a dream into reality. 

McHenry County Living’s Big Give

The holidays are all about giving. There are so many charitable organizations in McHenry County worthy of your time and donations around the holidays and every day.

McHenry County Living’s Last-Minute Gift Guide

It’s not too late to pick up a thoughtful, unique gift for the folks on your “nice” list – and all from our wonderful local retailers!

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Lifestyle

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12 Ways to a Healthy Holiday

12 Ways to a Healthy Holiday

There are the 12 days of Christmas and now 12 easy tips to getting the most out of the holidays the healthy way – while leaving room for dessert!

Happy Howl-idays and a Purr-fect New Year

Happy Howl-idays and a Purr-fect New Year

With harsh winter weather and the busy holidays, it is a good time to brush up on tips for ensuring a healthy and happy season for your furry friends.

Sage YMCA: Fitness and Fun for the Whole Family

Sage YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in Crystal Lake has a new lease on life and a renewed commitment to the community thanks to a generous donation in the nick of time.

Wickham Interiors: It's What's Inside that Counts

From simple and clean to elaborate and colorful designs, Wickham Interiors has done it all. Its namesake Lynne Wickham shares some tips and trends for memorable holiday décor.

Glasder: Knock on Wood

Old barn wood provides the basis of a new line of work for Glasder Building and Development, while brightening up the homes of McHenry County one piece of furniture at a time.

Autumn Drive: Country Roads, Fall Colors Fun for All

Nutrition: Squash is Boss

Exclusive! Housewalk Preview: ‘Something Old, Something New’

Treating the ‘Whole Person’

McHenry County Living’s Outdoor Living Guide

Slow Food Recipes

Nutrition: Slow Down This Summer

Northern Illinois Quilt Fest: Summer of Quilts

Sherman Hospital: World-Class Cancer Center

Grow It Yourself!

Aleyra MediSpa: Treating the Mind, Body & Soul

Nutrition: Anti-Aging Never Tasted So Good!

‘Old’ & New: A Kitchen Redesign in Crystal Lake

Korte Architecture: Green by Design

Alternative Medicine: A Quest for Balance

Mindful Holiday Eating

Holiday Fun Close to Home

50s Fun in Harvard

The Woodshop: Knocking on Wood

Lost Valley Visitor Center: A Green Beacon

It's Time to Design!

Cedar & Sage: Autumn Inspirations

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

Nutrition: Snick Snacks & Snack Attacks

Healthy U Vending: Healthy and Convenient

Nutrition: Flavors of the Summer

Micro/Mini Cars: Small Packages, Big Fun

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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The Bettendorf Castle

The Bettendorf Castle

Captivated by the castles of his childhood in Luxembourg, Ted Bettendorf built his castle home in Fox River Grove from the ground up, one piece at a time till the day he died.

The Woodstock Opera House

The Woodstock Opera House

She celebrated her 121st birthday this year with the gusto of a young lady. The Woodstock Opera House, with alumni including Orson Welles and Paul Newman, has survived fire, vacancy and threat of demolition to rise as a modern gathering place for performing artists and theatergoers.

Quilting’s Special Place in McHenry County’s Past

Women brought the quilting tradition to McHenry County when settling here with their families in the 1830s, building a rich culture of quilting through the centuries. Trends have come and gone, but quilting remains a popular hobby in the region. 

McHenry Turns 175, City Celebrates

This year marks McHenry’s 175th birthday — a milestone by any stretch of the imagination. The city is celebrating all year long with community events, books and other special gatherings.

Restoring the Walkup House

The Walkup House holds great historic significance in Crystal Lake. Although a fire last year destroyed its attic, thankfully its trademark handcrafted cobblestone walls were left intact and a local developer was able to bring the interior of this beauty back to life (and up to code).

Horace Capron: Local War Hero, Global Agri-Guru

The Hauntings of McHenry County

Maplewood School: A Bittersweet Goodbye

The Home Front of World War II

A Tradition of Baseball Celebrates 50 Years

A Day at the Beach

Model A's & Sock Hops

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

The Holidays are Around the Corner!

As always, McHenry County Living has you covered!  

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Lakeside Legacy Arts Park

dole-lakeside-legacy-arts

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.

MC 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

RaueCenter12

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 11 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.

Woodstock Opera House

woodstock

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.