Popcorn Neal, Inc. and T&M Concessions Inc., have had a fantastic last couple of years.Based in Spring Hill, Florida, the joint food vendors are 1 of 3 main food divisions at Wade Shows. The ...
If you've ever wanted your very own hand-crafted miniature amusement park, or a particular carnival ride, Don and Shirley Cummons of Cummons Scale Amusements may be able to help you. Just take note ...
Throughout the ages, quilting techniques have been used all over the world. The earliest known quilted garment is said to reside on a carved ivory figure of a pharaoh from the Egyptian First Dynasty. The Crusaders brought quilting to Europe in the late 11th century.
Magazines
The Charlotte Spring Fair met with a few big changes this year, and the changes perhaps, were implemented for the better. Larry Linton has been running the Charlotte Fair with his family for nine years.
When the chill of winter settles in, many of us begin to go into hibernation mode. As the season progresses, we discover just how dull it is to hide away all season. Why waste a few perfectly good months because of some cold air and blowing snow? Why not embrace winter's wrath?
Although your toddler may look like he or she needs a bath every day, the truth is you can get away with bathing your toddler far less, and many times, it's better to err on the side of fewer baths per week than more. Here's a look at the reasons why.
The popular Music by the Lake concert series returns this summer with an exciting event lineup on the campus of George Williams College of Aurora University, in Williams Bay, Wis. With its lively shows and world-class entertainers taking the stage at an open-air venue, the program draws quite a crowd every year, offering four Saturday night concerts and two Sunday afternoon concerts that are appropriate for the entire family.
Kids hit the links and learn life lessons with Geneva National's Junior Golf programs.
Reconnect with your partner when you visit this scenic community.
On cold nights, one of life's simple pleasures is getting cozy on the couch with a cup of Sleepytime Tea. But when you're pregnant, is doing so safe? Read on to find out if drinking tea is safe during pregnancy. Tea drinking has been a favorite pastime of many people for thousands of years.
The 103 rd annual Manatee County Fair took place from Jan. 17 though Jan. 27. While overall attendance was down a little for 2019, with a turnout of a bit more than 165,000 fair attendees, Daniel West, fair manager, says the first day of the fair broke a record with the largest community turnout in fair history - a whopping 18,000 people came out for the event.
When it's time to start baby on solid foods, one of the first meals recommended by pediatricians is often infant cereal - rice or oatmeal cereal, to be exact. But which one is the better choice? And are there other options?
You're approaching the middle of your pregnancy and you've discovered that in recent years, more and more expecting couples are taking a "babymoon" before their new bundles of joy arrive. You'd like to take one with your hubby yourself. The only problem is: you're on a tight budget for baby.
When you're expecting, food cravings are a given. However, now that you have the responsibility of feeding your unborn baby too, you might wonder what is safe to eat. For example, if you enjoy topping your pizza with pepperoni, is it still okay to do so?
It's that time of year again. Time to get toasty under a soft and cuddly throw as you relax with a nice cup of hot chocolate (or wine) and sit back and soak up the magical ambience of the holiday atmosphere in your home.
Many hospitals teach new parents how to swaddle their infant right after a baby is born as it can be one of the most useful tools in the new parent arsenal. But what is the best and safest blanket to use for swaddling?
You're past 37 weeks pregnant and feeling ready to burst at the seams - literally! You're ready to meet your little one and you've heard that squatting may help induce labor. But is it true? As a woman approaches the end of her pregnancy, she may start to get antsy and may want to help baby move along faster.
Winter is right around the corner, and so is winter vacation. In order to keep kids from bouncing off the walls at home, many parents may opt to pack up the brood and get away during the chilly months. If you are searching for a winter travel destination the whole family will enjoy, here are 10 of the best options.
As your baby bump grows, you may find that trying to find the right position to sleep in can be uncomfortable. You may also be wondering which sleeping positions are the best for you and baby and if it is safe to continue to sleep on your stomach while pregnant.
You recently brought your bundle of joy home from the hospital. You can't get over how tiny, helpless and sweet he seems and you hope he stays that way forever. Or, maybe the new addition to your family wails all the time, you're at your wits end trying to figure out what's wrong and you can't wait for the newborn phase to be over.
The world of diapers can sometimes be overwhelming for new parents. Along with so many different brands, diapers come in several different sizes that can also be confusing and cause new questions to arise - for example, how long is a baby in size one diapers?
Standard ultrasounds provide your doctor with valuable information about your pregnancy. Ultrasound data enables your doctor to check your baby's growth, track milestones, set a due date, determine if you're carrying multiples, learn about the position of your placenta, detect abnormalities and tell you the sex of your little one.
There are many exciting milestones happening during the first year of a baby's life, and one of these shining moments is when a baby first begins to wave. When can parents expect that little hand to begin waving hello or goodbye?
This February, brides-to-be may want to grab their grooms and girlfriends and head to Galena for a fun-filled day or weekend of wedding planning. The Galena Bridal Fair, now in its seventh year, provides an opportunity to meet face-to-face with top wedding vendors from around Galena and Dubuque, Iowa.
One of Elgin's most charming neighborhoods is showing off its historical treasures again, as the Gifford Park Association hosts its 35th annual Elgin House Tour this Sept. 10 and 11. Each year, this tour allows an inside glimpse into some of the city's historic neighborhoods and their cozy residences.
Looking for a unique place to explore? If you seek a quiet retreat that's chock-full of history, surrounded by natural beauty and near to shopping opportunities, you may want to take a time-out in Franklin Grove. Located just 90 miles west of Chicago, the rural community is situated near the beautiful Franklin Creek State Natural Area.
Who says we must have one set path in life? These four women are living proof that reinventing oneself is often a necessary part of life - and sometimes it's the key to finding one's ultimate calling. Melody Roccaforte decided that, before retiring, she still had one more calling to answer.
Many women in the past may have had difficult times balancing their career and family, but today's women are proving it can work. Meet three ladies from our region whose unique careers enable them to live their dreams. Nearly six years ago, Park Ridge resident Linda Bruce and her husband, Robert, purchased 80 acres of farmland in Woodstock.
In Northwest Quarterly's ongoing series about women with unique jobs, we meet four more amazing women. These women are changing lives and inspiring others every day. There may have been something in the water in Wisconsin, or perhaps it was in her blood. Nashotah, Wis., native Sally Barkow started sailing at the age of 5.
Who says women can’t have an amazing and fulfilling career? Meet a few local ladies who’ve worked their way into some prestigious roles.
More than ever, women are taking on careers that they wouldn't have considered just 50 years ago. From scientists to kickboxers, police officers and firefighters to professional pilots, today's women are succeeding in careers that deviate from the norm, while also having families if they choose to do so.
This little-known gem of a golf club opens its doors to members, home buyers.
County fairs have been an integral part of our nation's culture for more than two centuries. Each year, more than 3,200 fairs are celebrated in North America, each sharing one common thread: deep ties to agriculture. After all, it's because of agriculture that the county fair came to be.
Located right in our own backyard, nestled in the southern tip of the beautiful Kettle Morraine State Forest near Palmyra, is the largest rainbow trout farm in Wisconsin: Rushing Waters Fisheries.
How one house located on Geneva Lake honors the legacy of the past. Kaye's Park resort, a haven for wealthy Chicagoans, once occupied over 300 acres on the south shore of Geneva Lake, west of Black Point. It opened in 1873 and closed its doors in 1900.
With summer right around the corner, parents are thinking about how to keep their children safe, happy and well entertained while school is out of session. One solution is the tried-and-true tradition of summer camp - with a twist.
Some wedding gowns lead to "Happily Ever After" in more ways than one. Alyssa Kahle is the owner and creatieve director of Alyssa Kristin, a Chicago-based bridal line, and she has begun to make a name for herself in the designer wedding dress world.
Are you itching to get out of the house in search of wintertime adventures? Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or you prefer indoor activities this time of year, you're sure to find something in southern Wisconsin. Winters in America's heartland can be bitterly cold, so "hibernation" often occupies the No.
Baird & Warner, the largest independent real estate broker in Illinois, and the oldest in the country, marks its 160th birthday this March. The brokerage, owned by five generations of Bairds, runs 26 offices throughout Chicago and has such close ties to the city that on Jan.
As women, we know that when it comes to career, family, home and community responsibilities, the adage "A woman's work is never done" is profoundly true. We all need a break from time to time. When the pressures of life begin to overwhelm, why not gather up the girlfriends and head off for a weekend of gabbing, adventure, rest and relaxation?
If you haven't seen the television show "Shark Tank," here's the gist: aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas before a panel of well-known millionaires, in hopes of securing funding. Many bravely enter the tank, many are turned away and many likely sit at home, kicking themselves for not having found their own million-dollar idea.
The past decade has brought a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows for the real estate market, but there's a sense that things are steadily improving - both around the nation and in Rockford. In many ways, today's buyers, sellers and builders operate with different expectations than they did before the 2007-2008 housing market crash.
No matter the size of your kitchen, a remodel job is no easy undertaking. Learn some of the common pitfalls and solutions to your kitchen update. Have you noticed that your kitchen is looking a bit tired? Perhaps a facelift is in order.
"Cheers" may be the place where everybody knows your name, but young professionals are seeking more than the familiar corner tavern or college watering hole for some after-work fun. We've graduated to newer, trendier hangouts, frequented by other 20-, 30- and 40-somethings - both familiar friends and fresh faces.
Did you know that diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow? This is one of the things John Bondick, co-owner of Anthony Alexander Diamonds, enjoys explaining to customers. "It's a fascinating thing that Mother Nature gives us these beautiful gifts," Bondick says. "The diamond is the most condensed form of wealth in the world."
Winter's coming, and with it the promise of more "polar vortex" cold streaks. If parts of your home are unusually cold, there are solutions available. Joseph St. Pierre, sales director at Aeroseal Solutions in Crystal Lake, says his company can help the heating system of a home to function more efficiently by sealing off gaps in the air ducts.
You, too, can create a unique style in your home. Learn from the experts about everything from choosing colors to the appropriate size of your home decor. When it comes to picking out the right style of furniture for your home, there are a number of things to keep in mind.
Cynthia Faulkner says it wasn't her lifelong dream to open a coffee shop. The inspiration for her business, Higher Grounds Coffee, 1709 S. West Ave., in the southern end of Freeport, came about as she was looking for a second career, after years of working in the life insurance industry.
The third annual National Piano Conference at Raue Center For The Arts kicks off summer to the tune of concerts, classes and special events. The third annual National Piano Conference will be a celebration of piano and music for people of all ages Friday, June 27, through Sunday, June 29, at Raue Center For The Arts.
Columns, Online Publications, Travel
Fancy going on a hunt for giants? Now you can, thanks to Danish artist Thomas Dambo. In a recent article on boredpanda.com, Dambo shared how over the last three years he has created 25 mammoth sculptures using recycled materials. Recently, he also constructed six whimsical giants and hid them in the wilderness of Copenhagen, his hometown.
It's always spring in the cheerful southeast Polish village of Zalipie, where colorful flowers are painted on the whole town. From houses to barns, to bridges and churches, vibrant hues abound. But what's the story behind this fantastic artistry? There is some speculation as to how the tradition began.
For 45 years, people have flocked to Lake Geneva to enjoy a premier hot spot known today as Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Fans new and old are invited to partake in the former Playboy Club's nostalgia and special anniversary events celebrating today's focus on providing year-round R&R to the whole family.
Things just got a little brighter for some homeless veterans in Kansas. The good folks behind Veterans Community Project in Kansas City have taken it upon themselves to help them. Veterans Village, a community of tiny houses that veterans without homes can call their own, has been born.
Health By now you may have heard that coconut oil has become a highly sought-after product. But why? What makes this oil so special? Organic coconut oil, in particular, offers many health benefits and is frequently used in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India.
Shopping Are you struggling to find the perfect gifts for the men in your life this holiday season - or for any occasion? Men often say they have a difficult time shopping for the ladies, but little do they know that finding the perfect gifts to please them can be just as daunting at times.
Health Did you overindulge during the holidays? Consume one too many pieces of cake, bowls of salty snacks, or holiday cocktails? Fear not, there is help out there, and it doesn't involve extreme dieting to make yourself feel better.
Shopping Have no idea what gifts to give the geeks in your life this holiday season? Struggling to find a solution? Are you worried your gifts just won't make the cut and will ultimately be tossed to the side like that unfortunate and hideous sweater you once received from your aunt Edna in your youth?
About | Read travel Highlights and browse Wanderlists for Local Expert Rhonda Mix of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Passing the meat stand, I hold my breath to avoid the smell, averting my eyes from the pig remains. It is not one of my favorite places, but the stench is soon forgotten. The tea stand girl smiles, looking at me expectantly and with an expression of wonder. "Green tea with bubbles?"
Community the next several decades, he created a sprawling alternate reality with dimly lit rooms and winding multileveled hallways. His gargantuan collections are what the attraction is best known for. It is difficult to paint a picture of what exists behind the walls and in the rooms of The House on the Rock.
by Rhonda Mix - Bamboo Boulevard My Taiwanese-American friend and I had a joke that I was becoming more Asian than him due to my living in Taiwan.
This is a guest post by the talented travel blogger Rhonda Mix. Why Teach English in Taiwan? One of the best places for teaching English overseas is the small but spectacular island-nation of Taiwan. For those of you who don't know, and often confuse Taiwan with Thailand or some place in China, the country is located 60 km (99 miles) from China, across the Taiwan Strait.
The very first time I tried to cross a street in Taiwan, it took me over ten minutes. When I finally managed to get across - running for my life - I decided that Taiwan must have the world's record for the craziest drivers on the planet.
One of the most unique ways to see the aurora borealis (also called the northern lights) is to stay in an igloo at the Igloo Village in Finnish Lapland where you will be able to gaze up at the curtains of light as you fall asleep.
News and feature stories, newspapers
Hands and hearts help hooves at Bertell Farms By Rhonda Mix Reporter BELVIDERE - On a brisk and sunny January day, the horses stand in pastures with...
Since today is World Elephant Day....here is a preview of tomorrow's Belvidere Daily Republican... An elephant encounter By Rhonda Mix Elephant...
4-H Poultry Show teaches flocks of kids By Rhonda Mix Reporter BELVIDERE - Bright and early on opening day of the Boone County Fair, a chorus of...
HARTFORD - With a growing number of people seeking out organically grown meat and produce for health reasons, some farms are choosing to go organic.
The area from Route 251 to Alpine Road along Route 173 was initially widened during the summers of 2011 and 2012. "The work this construction season (extends) from Alpine Road to just past Perryville Road," said Machesney Park Chief Administrative Officer Tim Savage.
On Sept. 2, 2012, Aaron and Nathan Cooper left Woodstock to challenge themselves and take on an epic motorcycle journey from Chicago to Tierra Del Fuego - the tip of Argentina. Armed with their Enduro motorcycles, a GPS, basic Spanish language skills, faith and their passion for travel, the Woodstock brothers began a wild adventure that would literally push them to the limits.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 02/28/2013 | 1017 words Childhood leukemia can be a mystery and often is initially misdiagnosed. During a recent interview, Harvard resident Joe Dacy shared the story of his own family's struggles and triumphs against the illness.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 09/05/2013 | 765 words Ecuadorian-born director and producer Cecilia Bravo-Mittmann has always been a writer and avid student of literature. "I often say, I've been writing for the past three lifetimes," she said, during a recent interview.
The third time's the charm, as the old saying goes, and Richard Edinger, 91, and Merlyn (Foss) Edinger, 84, are hopeful their third go-round at marrying - each other - will prove that adage true. The couple married each other for the third time at a ceremony held at Woodstock's First United Methodist Church June 6.
Who will be the next Woodstock Idol? On Saturday, Sept. 7, 16 students from Woodstock High School, Woodstock North High School and Northwood Middle School will compete for the title of Woodstock Idol. Producing the event are Woodstock resident Tami Borman and her husband, Erik, owners of BET Express Freight.
Plans for the dredging of Wonder Lake are rapidly unfolding, though the official start date of the project is still unknown. According to Randy Stowe, manager of the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association, the MPOA is waiting on three required permits before construction of the sediment dewatering facility, which would be housed on land located in the Meadows of West Bay pending lease, can begin.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Tue, 06/17/2014 | 712 words Richard D. Crosby Elementary School recently graduated its first class of students to complete all grade levels - kindergarten to third grade. The facility opened in the fall of 2010 and was designed to hold more than 1,000 children in kindergarten through third grade.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 04/10/2014 | 662 words Students at St. Joseph Catholic School recently received a sweet reward when they raised more than $730 in a fundraising project for the Children's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The project was a spinoff of a program called Pennies for Patients, a competition where students compete and collect money to benefit the organization.
Woodstock residents and brothers Aaron and Nathan Cooper left town Sept. 2 to embark on a journey some people might call crazy but the brothers call "epic." The travel-loving duo decided to venture from Chicago to the furthermost tip of Argentina - Tierra Del Fuego - with little more than their Enduro motorcycles, a GPS, Nathan's basic-level of Spanish understanding and a minimal amount of gear.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 05/03/2012 | 716 words In Irish culture, traditions, legends and stories form strong roots that bind family and friends together. Music however, may create the deepest bond. John and Janet Gaffney, lovers of traditional Celtic Irish and Celtic rock music, have instilled the same artistic appreciation in their two daughters, Rosalie, 16, and Grace, 14.
Woodstock resident Kady Rachford had a unique birthday wish some people might call dangerous and possibly crazy, but she called a wonderful idea. Rachford said after reading about one woman celebrating her 80th birthday by plunging through the sky, she decided she wanted to have her own skydiving adventure in celebration of the onset of her own 80th year.
During an interview at a local coffee shop, Fred and Sue Young, recently married at 81 and 80 respectively, shared the story of how they met. They looked and acted like two kids madly in love. "I've never been happier than I am now," said Fred, whose wedding band is engraved with the words 'Sue's husband.'
Five fun places to check out this fall By: Rhonda Mix Reporter Though the end of the summer is a sad time for many of us, fall offers glorious colors...
Claude Sonday couldn't be happier with his recent purchase of the 172-acre Galt Airport in Wonder Lake. He and his wife, Diane, previously owned Harley-Davidson stores in Woodstock and throughout McHenry County and said they wanted the airport - which had seen the land on which it sits go into foreclosure prior to their official July 12 purchase - to remain an important part of the community.
The Woodstock Fine Arts Association will kick off its Creative Living series this fall with National Geographic filmmaker, author and vice president of national programming for WGBH, Boston's non-commercial PBS television station. John Bredar will discuss his most recent book and National Geographic documentary "The President's Photographer" at the Oct.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 10/16/2014 | 610 words Author Chester Parks recently returned to Harvard after living in Henderson, Nev., for the last decade. Parks said he returned to Harvard - where he previously lived for a number of years - to be closer to his family.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 07/17/2014 | 536 words For generations, members of the Perenchio family have called the farm at 2711 Perenchio Lane in Harvard home. Chuck and Debra Perenchio, its current owners, purchased the property in 1979 from James and Arlene Perenchio, Chuck's parents.
Grammy-award winner Buckwheat Zydeco will headline the opening night of Woodstock's Pickle Palooza, Friday, June 8. Woodstock, get ready to be energized.
For the last 13 years, the First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock has been involved with Operation Christmas Child - a program where shoeboxes full of gifts are sent to needy children around the world. Co-leader of the Operation Christmas Child Ministry Team Lisa Given has been actively involved as a leader of the program for several years.
Uplifting and unusual, with haunting and fast-paced whimsical numbers you just can't help moving to, Elephant Gun may be one of the most authentic and promising bands coming out of the Chicagoland area. Not only does the band write its own music, a good majority of the members play multiple instruments and incorporate their talents into the lively show.
Following through on a promise to be home for Christmas, Aaron and Nathan Cooper returned to Woodstock the first week of December - a little sooner than expected. The two young men, otherwise known as the Enduro Brothers, left Woodstock Sept. 2 on an adventurous motorcycle journey from Chicago to Tierra Del Fuego - the tip of Argentina.
McHenry County is an unlikely place for a Buddhist temple. And monk Bhante Sujatha wouldn't have it any other way. When Blue Lotus Temple head monk Bhante Sujatha first arrived in Woodstock, he endured a fair amount of culture shock. "I didn't like it at first. It frightened me," Sujatha said.
On May 26, decorated with colorful paper lanterns blowing in the wind, Woodstock's Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple invited hundreds of visitors from around the country to celebrate Vesakha Day, otherwise known as Buddha's birthday or Buddha Day. In addition to commemorating his birthday, Buddha Day also celebrates Buddha's initial enlightenment as well as his final revelation upon his death.
By RHONDA MIX Published: Thu, 01/03/2013 | 555 words When the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple moved into the former Unitarian Universalist Church in Woodstock, the monks at the church decided to part ways with 21 ornate wooden pews and a beautiful organ. The enormous organ dates back to the year 1905.
