Northwest Quarterly Magazine (Northwest Chicagoland Edition)

11/16/2024

Undefeated Cary-Grove faces Belvidere North, the NIC-10’s last team standing, in the IHSA Class 6A quarterfinals Saturday at 1 p.m. Revisit the history and heart of Cary-Grove football before kickoff.

Football is a way of life for many suburban families, but in the town of Cary, loyalties run especially deep. Meet the coaches, players, parents and alumni who treasure those Friday night lights. (gallery included)

11/11/2024

Today, we honor the bravery and dedication of our veterans. Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedom and uphold the values we hold dear. Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

11/09/2024

Captured through the lenses of local photographers David Olson and Bradley Nordlof, these fall scenes bring out the beauty of our region in all its autumn glory. 🍂📸

11/07/2024

A breakthrough "sci-fi" surgery gives knee pain sufferers new hope — by growing and transplanting their own cartilage.

Every once in a while, medicine catches up with science fiction. And in the case of a 12-year-old girl from unincorporated Elgin, that innovation changed her life.Clair Bone first visited Dr. Timothy Petsche at Fox Valley Orthopedics in January 2023 with a very swollen left knee. It hadn’t respond...

11/05/2024

What happens when the customer becomes the supplier? A whole new business model was the catalyst for Lake Barrington's All American Reclaim.

What happens when the customer becomes the supplier? A whole new business model was the catalyst for this growing destination company.

11/04/2024

Autumn on the Kishwaukee River in Winnebago County, Illinois. I grew up on this river and now live less than a mile from it. I can only hope that our county and the cities near keep it wild and pristine.

11/02/2024

Not sure about college? McHenry County College offers an accessible and affordable path with smaller classes and flexible options.

Not all high school graduates are ready for a four-year university. While some know they want to enter the working world or a trade school, many more find community colleges offer an accessible and affordable starting point.“Community colleges provide a great opportunity to explore,” says Amy Ca...

10/31/2024

Home remodeling offers countless choices, but you don’t have to feel overwhelmed by them. Begin by exploring your creative options.

Home remodeling comes with so many choices and selections, but these decisions don’t have to feel overwhelming. Just start with some creative exploring. “With a lot of our customers, we suggest they start a Pinterest board or go on Houzz.com to search for ideas,” says Nic Gleason, lead project...

10/28/2024

The nostalgia of model railroading comes alive at Rail Fest on the Woodstock Square, where local shops feature train displays and celebrate community spirit.

Matthew Drennan wanted to help his community, support local businesses and feed his own passion when he opened a hobby shop on Woodstock’s Historic Square. Every October, he keeps that commitment with Rail Fest, which runs Oct. 12-13 this year. Drennan, the owner of M.D. Trains, gets businesses ac...

10/26/2024

Looking for a fun fall outing? Blackberry Farm's Pumpkin Weekends offer family-friendly activities, seasonal fun and a taste of autumn tradition.

Everything autumn is the focus of the family-friendly Pumpkin Weekends this October at Aurora’s Blackberry Farm. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through October. It brings unlimited train, carousel, pony, and hay wagon rides as well as seasonal activities. “We are...

10/23/2024

Fall is the perfect time to get ahead in your garden. With cool temperatures and workable soil, consider planting perennials, evergreens and shrubs before winter.

It’s tempting to see autumn only as the time when we clean up our yards, but smart gardeners know it’s a great season to get ahead. Cool temperatures, warmed-up soil and rainy conditions create the ideal conditions for new plants to take root. “The ground is also more workable than in summer, ...

10/21/2024

Join the fun at Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center this October with a packed calendar of autumn adventures, including trolley tours, riverboat rides, ghost tours and delicious dining events.

The October calendar at Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, in Oglesby, is filled with adventures. From Fall Colors Trolley Tours, Autumn on the River Boat Rides and Sunset Cruises on the Sainte Genevieve sternwheel riverboat to Oktoberfest Dinners and Ghost Tours, the calendar is full of excite...

10/15/2024

A great article included in the Autumn 2024 edition of the Northwest Quarterly Magazine (Northwest Chicagoland Edition). Come explore Ottawa, Il.

10/11/2024

Discover the magic of Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theatre, in Chicago, where their colorful and interactive performances inspire wonder and laughter this holiday season.

The Chicago area is rich with theatrical productions, but few of them hold the sort of magic or enduring affection that have marked Blue Man Group over the past 30 years. From the stage of Briar Street Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Blue Man Group continues to wow audiences of all age...

10/09/2024

At Wear Did U Get That in Crystal Lake, owner Stephanie Ormsby offers personalized styling and American-made fashion while emphasizing the importance of in-person shopping.

Stephanie Ormsby loves helping women look good and feel good every time they reach into their closet.Twelve years ago, she opened Wear Did U Get That, a women’s boutique in downtown Crystal Lake where she has applied a lifetime of retail experience. The store caters to adult women with sizes from ...

10/07/2024

Lifelong learning thrives at The Garlands of Barrington, where members explore new passions, share knowledge and spark meaningful connections.

‘Tis the season for heading back to school, and at The Garlands of Barrington, a premier life plan community for older adults, “school” knows no age limits.According to a recent AARP study on lifelong learning, 55% of Americans ages 45 and older seek personal growth and are curious and activel...

10/04/2024

Did you know indoor air can be up to seven times more polluted than outdoor air? It might be time to check your air ducts.

Your home’s air ducts are a lot like your lungs. Not only do they suck air in and blow air out, but they also tend to trap things suspended in that air, such as dust, smells and debris.“National studies show that the indoor air quality of the average American home is seven times worse than...

09/27/2024

Transform your home with nature-inspired trends like warm colors, true brown wood stains and natural stone to create a comforting yet bold space.

The days of gray are over. Although you may still see it in kitchens and bathrooms, the color palette is expanding to bring the outdoors in.“Some people refer to it as ‘healing colors,’” says Kelsey Bechtel, designer at Blue Ribbon Millwork in Woodstock. “The idea is to bring nature inside...