Our Vacation in McHenry

My family had an amazing summer vacation last week and we were only 20 minutes away from home. That’s what’s so great about McHenry County – whether you’re into boating, antiquing, shopping, dining or history (or all of the above), there is something here for everyone – residents and visitors alike!

Our stay was largely spent in downtown McHenry, along the upper Fox River, plus the Chain O’Lakes.

The Chain O’Lakes, which once boasted more than 100 lodges, resorts and hotels, is now largely residential (with some commerce), but you can get a nice rental cottage on the river or one of the lakes if you book ahead. We found a wonderful river cottage just north of downtown McHenry that nicely accommodated my family (we found it via VRBO).

I developed quite an affection for McHenry after a week shopping, boating and dining in town. It was fun showing my family around and discovering little places I’d never been.

We were treated very well, as always, by the folks at Miller’s Dream Marine whether we were launching our boats, gassing up or storing the boat trailer at the marina.

We had a grand birthday dinner for my dad at After The Fox, a cozy bar and restaurant on the river near the Pearl Street bridge. The online reviews are spot on: it might look unassuming, but the fish fry is one of the best around and the service is great – you must give it a try. You can eat outside and take in the beautiful sunset as boats glide by below.

The kids (and the many car aficionados) in my family got a huge kick out of the Volo Auto Museum. It was my second time visiting this summer, but even I found new attractions I overlooked or that were new since our last visit like the massive jet from Marvel’s “The Avengers” movie (read our full story here). The ladies and I spent most of our time browsing the four antique malls on the property.


By far the sweetest moment of this particular day was walking into Riverside Chocolate Factory in McHenry – it’s what heaven must smell like. We were literal kids in a candy store – from my 3-year-old son to my 65-year-old dad. Everyone found something delicious from cool, tasty ice cream to fresh, creamy fudge to something special from candy jars lining the walls.

One morning, my sister and I sneaked out on a mission to find a blueberry pie for her husband’s birthday (it’s his favorite). We ended up at Riverside Bake Shop (they open at 4 a.m.!). The place was jam-packed with patrons and the aroma of fresh pastries and warm doughnuts. We returned to the cottage with a beautiful blueberry pie marked with a “B,” plus doughnut holes, a coffee cake, smiley face cookies for the kids and my sister’s favorite, a cream horn (with meringue filling). As a professional baker, my sister is a hard sell, but I can say she was genuinely impressed.

One night while some family members checked out the boat races at Blarney’s Island and my parents went out on a dinner date to The Snuggery (home of unbeatable broasted chicken), my sister and I took our sons to Vicki’s Place, one of my favorite spots for outdoor summer dining on the Fox. As always, the famous Malibu Chicken hit the spot. Our boys had fun eating popcorn (and sharing it with the carp by the docks below).

For one of our final nights, after the herd thinned out, my sister and I picked up pizza from The Fox Hole Tap & Pizzaria, a popular underground joint in downtown McHenry. I was thrilled to finally view the gorgeously restored mural on the back wall – the artist, Elaine Sinclair, did a fantastic job. We had fun chatting with the bartender while we waited for our order and when we arrived back at the cottage, the family was excited for the feast of pizza and fried veggies.

When we weren’t eating our weight in delicious food, we enjoyed many hours on the beautiful waters of the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes. I also enjoyed some much-needed downtime on the hammock reading up on the history of the area via the Arcadia books I got my dad for his birthday.

We are SO lucky to have these bodies of water right in our back yards. You don’t have to be a speed boater or skier to enjoy them. From fishing to kayaking to swimming, there are so many ways to take advantage of the river and lakes. Fortunately, too, McHenry and Lake counties have done a great job of keeping the waters safe and the natural areas well preserved for future generations.

My favorite history tidbit, in addition to learning about the hordes of families before us that have enjoyed the lakes since the 1890s, is the story of the American Lotus and the acres of lotus beds that once covered Grass Lake, drawing many tourists to the area in the 1900s. The Rohema resort (now Blarney’s Island) took visitors on rowboats to pick the fragrant flowers. Although they were eventually cleared out to make room for boat traffic, we saw several patches of lotus on our trip through the Chain, and I was fascinated with seeing (and smelling) one up close for myself. Maybe next time!

Don’t Give Up on Sun-Fried Plants

My Geranium Macrorrhizum (Bevan’s Variety) looked fried and some appeared dead from this brutally hot, dry summer. Keep watering sun-drenched plants and they’ll perk up. Also, cross your fingers for some more needed rain!

The summer of 2012 has been the hottest summer on record. Gardeners throughout the country, especially the Midwest, have become frustrated with the damage the heat has done to their gardens.   Many of the shrubs and perennials in our gardens have trouble with the constant 100-degree days. Watering helped somewhat, but the rainfall we’ve gotten last week, has given some plants a much needed boost!

Forever Gardens has every possible garden situation here – full shade, wet shade, part shade, full sun and part sun.  What I have discovered is that although a plant does well in full sun, it does not mean it will do well in full sun with constant 100-degree days.

If you are frustrated with the effect the heat has had on your plants, take heart in knowing that they will more than likely survive the record heat. As the weather cools, many perennials will perk up. Keep watering if we do not continue to get the steady falling rain that we are getting today. As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to call!

Janness Abraham, owner of Forever Gardens

For more, call 815-459-3877 or visit www.forevergardens.comCheck out the heirloom bulbs offered this fall: www.forevergardens.com/bulbs

Summer 2012 News from McHenry County Living

Click the photo to discover our top-10 must-do activities by summer’s end!

Wow! We haven’t posted here in some time. To catch you up a bit, McHenry County Living (MCL) sent the Back to School 2012 issue off to the printer last week and expect our run of 25,000 copies for distribution very soon! You can always find a free issue at your local library, chamber of commerce and most of the downtown shops in McHenry County. Let us know if you have trouble finding one: erica@mchenrycountyliving.com.

Stories you can expect include our Annual Housewalk Sneak Peak (MCL exclusive), Annual Dining Guide, Back to School Hair and Makeup Tips, Top 10 Things to do Before Summer’s Over (web only), Volo Auto Museum, plus stories about bowling, craft beers, volunteering, heart health and more.

In the meantime, we have a link to this nifty ebook that is essentially what the hardcopy will look like, but with the convenience of online viewing!

We’ve also updated all the stories to the website.

Our Talented Crew

This has been a great summer, albeit hot and dry weather-wise. We enjoyed the addition of a journalism student Meg Grzenia as our summer intern. She not only contributed editorial and photography, but learned so much about what it takes to be a working journalist these days from social media to programs like Photoshop and Indesign. We will miss her but wish her well at Monmouth College this fall!

You might have noticed the photography of Woodstock’s Dan Wiegel has been popping up a lot in MCL’s print and online materials. We met Dan a few  years ago when we began producing McHenry County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual Visitor Guide. Soon, he was regularly shooting our popular Food & Spirits feature. Now he does a variety of photography for us and we couldn’t be happier with this collaboration. We encourage you to check out his portfolio and highly recommend him for your next project whether you’re a local business with photography needs or a family wishing to capture special events. And please “like” his Facebook page!

McHenry County Living is a joint effort among all involved – when you hold an issue in your hands, you’re seeing the hard work of writers, editors, designers, salespeople and our publisher, plus the support of businesses and organizations in the communities we serve. And we wouldn’t even exist without your support – so keep reading and sharing the word with friends and neighbors! There is NOTHING quite like us in the county.

Thanks for Liking Us!

Did you know we surpassed a Facebook milestone? We breezed through 400 “likes” and are approaching 430. That is a big deal to us because you clearly enjoy hearing from us regularly! On our Facebook page, we share tidbits of information concerning McHenry County, as well as event listings, photos, links to stories and more so we can connect between issues. You are invited to share your own news and events on this page, as well. Like us today!

Everything we post on Facebook automatically feeds to our Twitter account if you’re into tweeting.

What’s Cooking

MCL is were proud to have sponsored Cary’s Concerts in the Park this summer. We enjoyed some great entertainment at Lions Park and look forward to doing it again next year. We’re also sponsoring Crystal Lake’s final Concert in the Park coming up next Tuesday featuring Vito Buffalo Orchestra at Main Beach. Come see us and get the new issue!

Once again, we’ll have a table at Autumn Drive on October 19-21, a unique fall festival featuring arts and crafts that covers 12 family farms in Woodstock and Marengo. We’ll be set up with magazines by Blue Eagle Pottery and Perkins Hall on Garden Valley and Franklinville roads.

For the best bets in McHenry County EVERY weekend, you need to sign up for our Weekender newsletter. It’s easy, free and fun. Just enter your email at this safe link.

A few more plugs while we’re at it: Our online calendar features tons of great events EVERY DAY. Looking for a recommended business in McHenry County? From personal trainers to car repair, our Directory is your trusted spot to find reliable local businesses.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and here’s to a successful back-to-school season!

–Erica Burke, managing editor and all of us here at McHenry County Living

MCL’s Holiday Issue Has You Covered!

The holidays are right around the corner, but fear not if you’re hosting or attending a party this year — wow guests with festive treats from local bakeries and sweet shops.

What about the perfect gift? Skip the long lines at the mall. Don’t get frustrated shopping online. The best gifts can be found at locally owned and operated retailers in the county. Find something for everyone on your list!

Maybe you want someone else to do the cooking, entertaining and cleanup this year for a change. There are quite a few holiday events and menu specials planned locally.

If you’re looking for ways to break from the hectic holiday routine, why not get out into nature by cross-county skiing or taking up bird watching? Both offer plentiful opportunities in McHenry County.

There are many worthy organizations that could use your help during this season of giving (and year-round). Learn about them all in McHenry County Living’s Big Give. And speaking of helping others, we spoke with volunteers at McHenry County Animal Control whose work helps pets get a second chance at love and quality of life.

From McHenry County Living to you, your family and friends, enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season — and best to you in 2011!

The MCL staff!

Green Team: MCCD Adds Healthy U Vending Machine

Lost Valley Visitor Center

Two of McHenry County Living’s favorite entities – McHenry County Conservation District (MCCD) and Healthy U Snacks – have teamed up to provide healthy snacks to visitors of Lost Valley Visitor Center.

The vending machine is located in the new center and provides the only option to purchase snacks for the park’s hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, nature viewing, camping, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling enthusiasts.

Healthy U Snacks was chosen by MCCD for its commitment to healthy snacking and beverage options containing only all-natural ingredients that are locally sourced and certified organic whenever possible.  In addition, Healthy U Snacks’ vending machines use LED lights and high-efficiency compressors for refrigeration, which was important toward creating a green-functioning building.

“Given our ongoing, district-wide wellness initiative and our goal to have the new Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park LEED Certified as a Green Building, working with Healthy U Snacks is a perfect fit,” said Deb Chapman, education services manager, MCCD. “We are excited to offer our visitors delicious, healthy snacking options via an energy-efficient vending machine.”

Although snacks and beverage options change according to popularity and request, a few of the great-tasting, all-natural brands that will be regularly stocked in the machines include Rock N Roll Gourmet’s Hippie Chips, Pirate’s Booty, Clif Bar and Talking Rain.

For more on MCCD, call 815-678-4532 or visit www.mccdistrict.org.
For more on Healthy U Snacks, visit www.healthyuvending.com.

“Hunters & Hearts” Available Now!

Hunters & Hearts is a fascinating story of courage and loyalty as seen through the eyes of an amazing man, Emil Iverson. The book is authored by his grandsons John and Cary resident James, with research provided by S. Moyer Iverson.

Based upon the extraordinary true story of Emil Iverson, explorer, athlete and head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, Hunters & Hearts is an epic tale of adventure and friendship, loss and redemption.

The story charts the epic struggles of the Ojibwa tribe and in particular, Two Rivers and his raven spirit guide. The Ojibwa tribe is decimated by disease brought to the region by Europeans. The few survivors are driven from their village at gunpoint and their lodges burned to the ground. Two Rivers spends several years in self-imposed isolation as he plans his revenge and an eventual return to the village in order to properly bury his people. His hatred is tamed by the most unexpected occurrence. Just as he is about to be murdered by a ruthless bounty hunter, a white man steps in to save him, sparking off a friendship that leads to Emil’s 1927 expedition to find the Lost Tribe.

Pick up your copy today at bookstores and Amazon. Read our story about the making of this book here.

What’s New Over Here!

Back to School issue is out now!

The beautiful Back to School issue hit streets earlier this month and features lots of great stories from our top restaurants and sweet spots around the county to unique learning opportunities outside of the classroom. We applaud Raue Center in Crystal Lake for 10 successful years in a time when independent theaters have been hit hard by the economy. We encourage the community to continue supporting this wonderful arts and entertainment center.

While we work on the Autumn issue (can  you even believe it? It’s right around the corner), we continue staying front and center in your lives weekly with our Weekender e-newsletter/guide to the weekend. Sign up here and tell a friend! It’s free and subscribing automatically enters you  to winning a free pair of tickets to a Raue Center show!

Stay up-t0-date with us via Twitter and Facebook. Check out our photo galleries on Flickr. And as always, be sure to pick up a free copy all around the county. We’re available in most of the storefronts in the downtown areas, as well as chambers of commerce offices and every library!