MCM-November-2015

NOVEMBER 2015

Giving Back Discover the important services area non-profits provide to McHenry County.

BECAUSE IT FEELS GOOD

The benefits of donating your time, money or talents. page 12

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Area food pantries provide necessary services.

page 24

entary m i l p m twork e a co Receiv ine when ar of w bottle hased! is purc

A New Boutique & Art Gallery in Downtown Algonquin Our artwork is all original and one of a kind. In addition to paintings, Savour is home to many other artistic trades such as, lava fused glass with precious metal inlays, handmade Zulu wire baskets from Africa and hand turned wood bowls made from woods indigenous to Hawaii to name a few.

Savour also offers wines and artisan spirits from small batch vineyards and distilleries, locally made chocolates, teas, candles and cigars.

Open for your private events.

Paint & sip and Wine sampling parties available.

Artist; Andrew Manaylo, Budapest

Partners with:

302 S. Main St., Algonquin, Illinois 847.363.2424 847 363 .2424 2424 • www www.savourgallery.com w . savourgal savou u r g alle aller l l ery com savour302@gmail.com

Savour Gallery is partnering with Wine 101 SimpliďŹ ed for Wine Samplings www.wine101.biz

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INSIDE NON-PROFITS 8 ANIMAL-RELATED NON-PROFITS — Main Stay Therapeutic Farm and Helping Paws animal shelter bring people and animals together.

NOW SERVING! Happy Hour makes a comeback in Illinois. Let restaurant columnist Dave Faccone explain.

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10 CANCER-RELATED NON-PROFITS — Gavers Community Cancer Foundation and It’s All About Kids strive to assist families affected by cancer.

12 GIVE — Robin Doeden, executive director of the McHenry County Community Foundation, discusses the power of philanthropy.

18 DISCOVER DONATING — Unwanted items around the house may be a blessing for someone else in need, and thrift stores around McHenry County are an ideal place for your gently-used things.

24 FOOD FOR THOUGHT — Area food pantires provide necessary services in McHenry County.

DINING & ENTERTAINING 28 PUT A FORK IN IT — Columnist Dave Faccone celebrates the return of Happy Hour specials to the restaurant scene.

30 IN RESERVE — Drinking wine and tasting wine are two different things. Laura Ribando of Wine 101 Simplified explains how important the nose is.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

32 THE SKIN CYCLE — Every 28 days, the largest organ in your body — your skin — replenishes itself. Here’s how to keep it healthy.

FASHION & BEAUTY 34 CUTTING EDGE — Pepper Annex Hair Salon and Dry Bar shares techniques for maintaining healthy hair during damaging autumn weather.

38 GEM TALK — Are you destined for a diamond this holiday season?

Why not start shopping early with tips from Karly Bulinski of Steffan’s Jewelers.

Family In Focus

40 ONE MOTIVATED MOMMY — Family columnist Michelle Stien shares the history behind her volunteering, and how she’s passing it down to her children.

BUSINESS & CIVIC 43 WALKING A TIGHTROPE — Pam Cumpata of the MCEDC seeks balance between economic development and environmental preservation.

44 THE GENTLE PERFECTIONIST — Judy Pelinski, chairwoman of the annual Community Harvest, dedicates her time to collecting food for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

OUT & ABOUT 45 SOCIAL LIFE — Local businesses gathered to be recognized at the Northwest Herald’s inaugural Commitment to McHenry County awards dinner.

46 CALEnDAR OF EVENTS — Check out a variety of local events, courtesy of our own Planit Northwest website!

47 COMBINE CLASS & COMFORT — Prepare to shatter your expectations with the new 2016 Buick Enclave, presented by Gary Lang Auto Group.

50 ARTIST PROFILE — Melina Ester Scotte shares her waterpainting titled “The Noodle Tree.”

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 5

The season of giving has begun.

November brings Thanksgiving. A time for family and giving thanks for what and who we are fortunate enough to have in our lives.

It’s with that thought in mind that we made this issue of McHenry County Magazine our Non-Profit Edition.

Then we take a look at Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, which strives to provide services for families affected by this horrible disease. It’s All About Kids, an organization started by an 8-yearold with brain cancer, also is featured. Among other services, they collect hats for cancer patients — the original Christmas present request of its founder.

There are hundreds of non-profits in McHenry County. Most operate on a very limited budget and rely exclusively on the goodwill of their volunteers.

Meanwhile, we’ve included articles about the power of philanthropy (giving of yourself for a cause), the opportunities available for donating household items and clothing to venerable stores, and finally a piece about area food pantries which are so important this month in particular.

Since we do not have the space to write about each of these organization’s special and necessary services, we selected two categories of non-profits and then chose two organizations for each — animal-related non-profits and cancer-related non-profits.

We hope you enjoy the magazine this month and maybe take some time to find a cause to which you may give your time and effort.

We feature, as seen on our cover, Main Stay Therapeutic Farm in Richmond. This organization provides equine therapy services for people with disabilities. Lives are transformed there.

We also highlight Helping Paws animal rescue in Woodstock, where most furry residents are saved from other shelters and adopted out from this no-kill one.

amccaleb@shawmedia.com 815-526-4485

on the

Coordinator Autumn Siegmeier asiegmeier@shawmedia.com

ANIMALS & PEOPLE

Correspondents Michelle Stien, Melissa Riske, Allison Horne, Yvonne Benson, Wendy Foster, Angela Sykora

COVER Good things happen when people and animals become friends. Read about successful therapy stories at Main Stay Farm in Richmond (pictured at left), and wonderful adoptions at Helping Paws animal shelter in Woodstock. Stories begin on page 8.

COVER PHOTO BY: Nancy Merkling

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Publisher Kate Weber 815-526-4400 kweber@shawmedia.com Editor / Designer Allison McCaleb 815-526-4485 amccaleb@shawmedia.com

Allison McCaleb Managing Editor / Senior Designer

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Phone: 815-459-4040 Fax: 815-477-4960 www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com

Photographers Nancy Merkling, Janet Kay, H. Rick Bamman President / Shaw Media John Rung jrung@shawmedia.com McHenry County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to McHenry County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

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Dr. Stephen Rivard (left) and Claudia Linda (right) at IVS’ offices

“I knew I had spider veins, but had no idea I had underlying vein disease, too.”

Claudia Linda, well-known North Shore Spanish teacher, came to Illinois Vein Specialists after several years of intending to have her spider veins examined. In her mind it was strictly a cosmetic issue that she’d eventually get around to improving.

She was actually a bit surprised when Dr. Rivard and his team at Illinois Vein Specialists insisted on a thorough exam of both legs including specialized ultrasonography by IVS’ certified technicians.

What she didn’t know is that spider veins in the legs are frequently associated with underlying venous hypertension. Dr. Rivard points out: “High pressure in the veins inside the legs is caused when the vein valves break and the flow of blood falls backwards. This pressure forces its way to the surface veins distending the small capillaries causing the appearance of spider veins. This typically occurs below the knees and especially at the ankles.”

Other factors in the development of spider veins include: Age: The development of spider veins can occur at any time, but usually peaks in late middle age.

Gender: Women are four times more likely to have spider veins than men.

Pregnancy: Hormones are thought to weaken vein walls and this is coupled with increased blood volume during pregnancy that tends to distend veins.

Lifestyle/Occupation: Daily activities requiring pro-longed sitting or standing are also implicated in the development of spider veins.

Claudia, as a middle-aged teacher and mother, was a perfectly typical candidate for spider veins. n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

BUT HERE’S WHERE THE STORY GETS INTERESTING She actually had symptoms of underlying vein disease for several years, but never recognized them.

They were a bit vague, occurred intermittently and then disappeared, and never really triggered the medical alarm bell we all have in our heads.

For example, every once in a while Claudia’s right leg had a dull ache without a seeming explanation, but then it would go away. And now and then she would suffer from restless leg syndrome in the same right leg for a couple of nights and then it would disappear. And this went off and on for years. There just didn’t seem to be anything to tell a doctor about.

PHLEBOLOGY,THE NEWEST MEDICAL SPECIALTY Dr. Rivard again: “Phlebology, the diagnosis and treatment of vein disease, is the newest Board Certified medical specialty—recognized only since 2008. My colleagues and I are discovering new aspects to vein disease on a regular basis.”

tension, whether painful or not, whether visible or not, cannot be ignored any more than arterial hypertension (usually called high blood pressure) can be ignored. Vein disease will only get worse if left untreated and will also interfere with wound healing, congestive heart disease and other medical conditions.

Illinois Vein Specialists opened in 2009 and has a staff of a dozen—physicians, registered nurses, medical technicians, ultrasound specialists and administrative personnel. Since then they have helped thousands of patients. “One of the things I like the best about specializing in vein disease is the opportunity to meet wonderful people like Claudia Linda; being able to help them is the reason I get up in the morning.”

To find out how Illinois Vein Specialists, A Center of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vein Disease™, might be able to help you: call for an appointment at 847-277-9100, stop by our offices at 22285 Pepper Rd, (suite 105), Lake Barrington and look at our “brag book” or visit us on-line at www.IllinoisVeinSpecialists.com.

The field has rapidly developed to the point where internists and family practice doctors, who received their degrees in the twentieth century, may not fully be aware of the latest thinking. “I’m still surprised when I meet patients who were advised that they should not worry about varicose veins unless they hurt. And I continue to be stunned when I see men with advanced venous hypertension and huge, bulging varicose veins, who think it’s just a cosmetic issue.”

Like us on Facebook, or check out our blog at blog.IllinoisVeinSpecialists.com/blog-1

Vein disease is real disease. And venous hyper-

© 2013 Illinois Vein Specialists. All rights reserved.

A Center of Excellence

in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vein Disease™

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 7 adno=0334512

Bringing People And Animals Together Main Stay Therapeutic Farm and Helping Paws improve lives

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By ANGELA SYKORA orses had always scared Amanda Jendro, who’d only ridden ponies at the fair as a little girl. The 27-year-old Woodstock resident overcame that fear after suffering a traumatic brain injury at the hands of a drunk driver in 2010.

As a result of her injuries, Jendro was in a coma for a month and in a hospital ICU for four months.

Life as she’d known it was forever changed, but her hope, health and happiness began to be restored after discovering equine therapy at Main Stay Therapeutic Farm in Richmond.

“I found that I loved it right away,” Jendro says. “I felt this attachment and bond with the horse. It has improved my entire life. I have totally different opportunities now that I wouldn’t have had before.”

Main Stay was founded in 1984 by equestrian Sara Foszcz and physical therapist Sandy Barcus. It was

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one of the first therapeutic riding programs of its kind in Chicagoland. The non-profit organization works to improve the quality of life for people with physical, developmental, emotional and social disabilities. Main Stay also offers non-riding, animal-assisted learning programs that have proven successful in helping at-risk youth develop coping and life skills.

including memory recall, decision making, and problem solving. We can even use riding to teach reading and math. It’s also a huge confidence builder and gives our clients a sense of independence.

Imagine not being able to walk let alone drive a car, but here you are riding and directing the movement of a 1000-pound horse. The best part is that it’s therapy disguised as fun.”

About 75 people come to Main Stay’s facility each week for its horsemanship and riding program, their ages ranging from 3 to 90, with 60 percent being under 18.

“The rehab center couldn’t do the things that Main Stay does for me,” Jendro says.

Therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted learning can address a wide variety of needs, explains Loriann Dowell, Main Stay’s executive director. Their clients include those with traumatic brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome along with stroke survivors and people who’ve experienced memory loss.

“Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength,” Dowell says.

“Riding can also help address cognitive needs non-profit organizations

Along with helping her physically, Jendro says equine therapy has improved her emotional state.

“With a severe, traumatic brain injury, you often get really bad depression. Every time I have horse riding I get out of bed excited.”

Riding also has boosted Jendro’s confidence in social situations.

Talking to her horse, “as goofy as that sounds,” says Jendro, has helped her feel more comfortable talking to people.

“I have no issues about going to n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

a job interview and talking to people. It’s really helped me become more OK with talking to people about my riding and my accident. For a long time I wouldn’t tell anyone. I was so ashamed.”

Jendro plans to continue therapy at Main Stay for the foreseeable future. She hopes to own her own horse one day.

Her career goal is to become a trauma therapist who helps patients with emotional trauma. “The rehab hospital I went to skipped the emotional part. Having someone to talk to when you’re going through all those injuries, I want to be that person.”

Staying afloat Because Main Stay receives no state or federal funding, it relies heavily on donations, fundraisers and grants from private foundations to maintain operations. Fees paid by clients cover less than 20 percent of actual costs. Full scholarships are offered to those who qualify.

“As with most human services agencies, funding continues to be challenging and we’re always looking for creative ways to make more and stretch our dollars,” Dowell says.

Main Stay is currently constructing a new equine therapeutic facility that will include a 20-stall barn, an additional indoor riding arena, a club room for non-riding therapy sessions and more space for volunteers and offices. The new facility, to be completed May 2016, will also be temperature controlled to accommodate riding during the winter months.

Photos by Nancy Merkling Photos taken at Main Stay Therapeutic Farm in Richmond

Dowell says they’ve been “dreaming and planning” for this facility for 10 years. “We’ve raised a little over 85 percent of the total capital campaign budget, which includes five years of the incremental costs to sustain the new facility.”

Learn more at MainStayFarm.org or by calling (815) 653-9374.

Helping Paws

Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1971, Fox Valley Helping Paws was McHenry County’s first no-kill animal welfare association. For years The staff at Main Stay is small, with two fullthis Woodstock-based shelter has time and six part-time instructors. They are also fortunate to have the assistance of 150 volunteers, consistently been voted “Best of the Fox,” a Northwest Herald reader’s choice award.

Dowell says.

“We simply couldn’t operate the program without them. A single therapeutic riding client may need as many as three volunteers — one to lead the horse, and a person to walk next to them on each side of the horse.

“And we’re also always looking for people to volunteer on committees and assist with fundraising and special projects.” Individuals interested in volunteering can contact volunteer coordinator Danielle at (815) 382-9374.

“People like our shelter. We try to keep it super clean. We bring in very adoptable animals. We have the reputation of being the place to go to adopt,” says Helping Paws Board President Donna Matejka, who came to know the shelter 23 years ago after adopting a mixed breed named Tess.

“I thought this was a great way of finding a dog, so I started volunteering and got addicted to finding homes for these great dogs and cats.”

Funded solely through donations, Helping Paws provides shelter, medical care and love for about 125 kittens and cats and 45 puppies and dogs as they wait to find their forever home.

Volunteers are the heart of the shelter.

“We operate month to month. Every little bit helps. It’s tough to make that money come in, but the people that do volunteer and regularly donate are really important to us,” Matejka says.

“We depend a lot on our volunteers to keep the doors open. We have 250 volunteers who keep us going.”

Finding forever homes for the animals is the most gratifying for Matejka, especially considering that 85 percent of their dogs come to them from kill shelters.

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non-profit organizations

“I get really emotional talking about it,” she says.

“If we didn’t take them, they wouldn’t be around.”

In 2006, Helping Paws moved from a 2,000-square foot facility in Crystal Lake to a 10,000-square foot building they constructed from the ground up, which allows them to house and care for more animals.

“Now that we have the building, we are definitely looking at expanding, but we need financial backing for it,” Matejka says.

While the shelter has a surgery unit for the care of its own animals, Helping Paws would like to have space dedicated to providing low-cost services like spaying and neutering to the public’s pets.

They’d also like to create an indoor play area for their shelter dogs.

“We do have an outside play area but it’s so hard to use at night when it’s dark or when it’s cold or raining,” Matejka says. “We want to be able to have some space indoors where the dogs could run and play and not have to be kenneled or on a leash.”

Helping Paws is gearing up for its 9th annual “Panting for Paws” 5K fun run and walk on Nov. 1 at Lippold Park in Crystal Lake. Learn more about this fundraiser and the adoptable animals at HelpingPaws.net.

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 9

Hats And A Hoe-Down Gavers Community Cancer Foundation and It’s All About Kids strive to assist families affected by cancer

By ALLISON HORNE

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Gavers Community Cancer Foundation

ost people have been affected by cancer in one Woodstock native Steve Gavers was undergoing chemotherapy for testicular way or another. cancer in 1994 when he flatlined for 28 Gavers Community seconds. His life was never the same.

Cancer Foundation “My life moved pretty fast right then,” raises money for local hospitals and cancer Gavers says. “It took me six years to figure centers, while It’s All About Kids assists out what I was going to do, but I realized I McHenry County families that are dealing wanted to work with other people who had with the expenses that come along with to go through what I went through.” raising a child with cancer.

Both foundations are run completely by volunteers who have dedicated their spare time to helping others, and both have seen massive success in the McHenry County area.

In 2000, he teamed up with some of his friends and started the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation with an inaugural Barndance. What started as a simple idea and a hope to raise $10,000 turned into one of the biggest fundraising events of the year.

Barndance has come a long way in 16 years. After outgrowing several spaces and bouncing around each year, Woodstock welcomed the fundraiser back five years ago.

This July, more than 2,500 people came out, despite rainy and muddy weather, and Barndance raised $528,000 for local charities.

“That’s our big thing,” Gavers says. “Raise it local, keep it local.”

With the help of the board, Gavers has teamed up with Rush Medical Center, Centegra Health System, Family Health Partnership Clinic and St. Jude’s Children’s

4It’s All About Kids began when 8-year-old Thomas Martin, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer, wanted 25 hats for Christmas — for each othe kids undergoing chemotherapy with him.

10 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

5Gavers Barndance drew a crown of more than 2,500 people this summer and raised over $525,000 for local charities.

non-profit organizations

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Photos courtesy of Gavers Community Cancer Foundation and It’s All About Kids.

Research Hospital. In 2010, the foundation and Centegra Health System founded the Centegra Gavers Breast Center with a $500,000 donation.

“People can go get a mammogram and do all of their testing right there in the state-of -the-art facility,” Gavers says.

“That is something we are really proud of.”

Gavers may have had the original idea to start the foundation, but he admits he wouldn’t be where he is today without plenty of help from those around him.

“We’ve all been affected by cancer,” Gavers says. “I have a great team and a great board. It’s not just me. It’s a team.”

Gavers is already looking forward to next year’s Barndance, which will take place on July 16.

“I just hope it keeps going for awhile,” Gavers says. “If we can keep rolling and attracting younger people and get them involved, we can keep working with local healthcare and keep things cutting-edge.”

It’s All About Kids When 8-year-old Thomas Martin was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1998, he was asked what he wanted for Christmas.

Instead of an extravagant gift, he asked for 25 hats for each of the kids undergoing chemotherapy with him.

5In 2010, the Gavers foundation teamerd up with Centegra Health System and founded the Centegra Gavers Breast Center with a $500,000 donation.

“We’d really like to see other groups spawn off in different counties and help the people who need it,” Blitek says. “Obviously, we’d like to get rid of cancer altogether, but as long as people need help, we will be there if we can.”

The foundation’s largest fundraiser is its yearly Hats-Off Gala, which started as a mixer with 100 guests 18 years ago, but has grown to be a full-blown gala with 500 attendees. Hats are still collected at the gala He got what he wanted and so much more. (as well as year-round), and are donated to Although Martin lost his battle the next year, local hospitals. his legacy has lived on through It’s All About Thomas was treated at Lurie Children’s Kids, a 501(c)3 organization that raises Hospital in Chicago, so the foundation often money (and hats) for families in the area donates to that hospital in his honor. dealing with the struggles of cancer.

“It’s hard not to get attached,” Blitek says.

“We help families with expenses that “The children are so amazing, and are a insurance doesn’t cover,” says Renee Blitek, different breed of people — everything they director on the board. “It might cost $10 worry about is their parents and mothers and to park every time you go to the hospital, brothers. They’re just amazing.” plus special beds, walkers, or wheelchairs.

Donations and more information for both Gavers Community Foundation and It’s All About Kids usually helps three to five It’s All About Kids can be made online local McHenry County families per year, and at their respective sites, Gavers.org and ItsAllAboutKids.info. each family is sponsored for 12 months.

Whatever the insurance doesn’t cover, we cover for them.”

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non-profit organizations

5Felix and Fingers performed at the annual Hats-Off fundraising gala for It’s All About Kids.

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 11

The Power of

PhilanthRopy

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non-profit organizations

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By YVONNE BENSON

back, and that is so much more than writing a check.”

here are literally hundreds of nonprofit organizations in McHenry County.

Many of them operate mainly through the efforts of volunteers. They exist on donations of time, money and talents of passionate people who care about their causes.

Philanthropy is not just about helping an organization or giving back. It has psychological benefits too.

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Philanthropy is a subject Robin Doeden, executive director of the McHenry County Community Foundation, is very familiar with.

“Once you have found your true passion, giving money and time becomes an opportunity — not something you have to do,” Doeden says.

“Philanthropy has always been part of my life — both personally and professionally. It is how we as individuals can truly make an impact on the issues we care about. We can all be philanthropists.”

“I have shared hugs and tears with donors who celebrate their philanthropy. I always tell people that I have the most amazing job because I get to help others discover that cause or organization that makes them truly happy and excited about giving.”

There are many benefits of donating to nonprofit organizations, according to Doeden.

“Community impact, financial stability, becoming part of a group of individuals committed to a cause ... psychological or financial the reasons [to give back] are many.”

Philanthropy should be an opportunity.

It should be a chance for you to make a lasting impact on an issue you care about.

Doeden helps people find their inner passion that helps them become a philanthropist. “When I was in grade school, my parents encouraged me to try every sport and activity I could. As I got older, I came to gravitate toward those sports and activities that gave me the most pleasure.

Philanthropy is the same way. People should check into everything and every organization that seems interesting to them. It is how we learn our true passion, and then we can focus our philanthropy on those areas we find more pleasurable and rewarding to be a part of,” she says.

There are some misconceptions about philanthropy. Some people associate it with financial wealth and obligations.

Doeden put those assumptions to rest.

“So many people think that philanthropy means writing a check. But philanthropy is more than donating money. It is about making a difference — on issues you care about, people around you, and the community we live in. It’s about giving n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

“Being philanthropic absolutely makes you feel good,” Doeden says. “Over my 25-plus years in fundraising, I can tell you that when a person discovers their true passion and makes a gift — whether time talent or treasure — they are thrilled.

Today, as our state continues to struggle to meet its financial commitments to the nonprofit organizations serving our neighbors, philanthropy is even more important. The financial benefits to the organization are critical — in some cases it is your donation that may help them keep their doors open. But the benefits to you as the philanthropist are far greater than a tax write-off. The benefits involve how you will feel about making a difference.

“In our world today, philanthropy is making a difference beyond the financial benefits to organizations across our county, our state and the country. Whatever your passion is, find it, nurture it, and connect with organizations and people that share that passion and meet that need,” Doeden says.

“Philanthropy should be an opportunity.

It should be a chance for you to make a lasting impact on an issue you care about.

Get involved in your community and your world will grow,” Doeden says.

To learn more, visit MCCFdn.org. non-profit organizations

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 13

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 15

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Pioneer Center for Human Services

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Pictured are Thomas and Steven, two individuals who participate in programs at Pioneer Center.

ith the mission to “empower individuals to achieve their full potential,” Pioneer Center serves over 4,800 men, women, children, and families in McHenry County by providing life-changing behavioral health services; intellectual and developmental disability programs; and assistance to the homeless through McHenry County PADS. Jackie Wells, President and CEO, says most people are surprised to learn how much Pioneer Center has changed in just the past decade.“We’ve grown from providing services for a few hundred people to nearly 5,000 each year, and reach 10,000 youth through education and outreach in local schools. Our programming continues to grow in an effort to meet the demand for services.” Funding for Pioneer Center comes from various sources: 78% from state, federal and local governments; 12% from client fees and subcontracting work; and 10% from fundraising and grants.

“Soon we’ll be launching our year-end appeal, as well as hosting our annual Holiday Book Review fundraiser,” says Christin Kruse, Chief Development Officer.

“People who come to us are in urgent need of services. It’s through the community’s dedicated support to our fundraising initiatives that we are able to continue to offer life-changing programs.

For more information, to get involved, or make a donation, please contact: Christin Kruse, Chief Development Officer Pioneer Center for Human Services 4100 Veterans Parkway McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 344-1230

United Way of Greater McHenry County

A

lot of people don’t know that over 95% of the money raised in McHenry County stays right here helping McHenry County families,” explains Steve Otten, Executive Director of United Way of Greater McHenry County.

“Any money that leaves the community is noted by the donor as a designation to another United Way.” For instance, some individuals who donate through their company’s workplace campaign may not live in McHenry County.

United Way provides funding to human service programs that strengthen individuals and families by advancing education, promoting independence, and improving health.“Together with our partner agencies, we provide assistance to 1 in 3 McHenry County residents,” says Otten.“93% of our funding comes from donations made at work place campaigns while the rest is made up of direct gifts from community residents.”

The 2016 campaign kicked off on September 16 and will run through June, 2016. United Way will invest a total of $1,030,000 into programs and agencies supporting the three key impact program areas in McHenry County during the coming fiscal year. For more information, to get involved, or make a donation, please contact:

Megan Harned Fund Development Marketing Director United Way of Greater McHenry County 4508 Prime Parkway, McHenry, IL 60050 815-363-1377 n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 17

Discover Donating

By ALLISON HORNE

Unwanted items around the house may be a blessing for someone else in need, and thrift stores around McHenry County are an ideal place for your gently-used items to find a new home.

The Sparrow’s Nest offers free pick-up for large furniture items, and all six locations accept housewares, clothing, accessories, baby items and other small kitchen appliances.

“We like to say we’re the Lord & Taylor

Not only does the money go toward their programs, the women involved in programs at Home of the Sparrow get vouchers for necessities, such as winter coats.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

“The women come in and get what they need,” McGraw says. “If they need snow boots, an outfit to go to a job interview, or even a dresser or a crib, we try to provide that. The stores serve a dual purpose.”

Home of the Sparrow is a non-profit organization that helps provide transitional shelter, affordable housing and other services for homeless women and children in McHenry County. Four years ago, they were serving 124 people — they expect to serve more than 800 in 2016.

Sweet Repeats, located in Huntley, is another thrift store that benefits local people struggling to make ends meet.

Sweet Repeats is owned by Journey Church in Huntley, and all funds raised go to charities, such as Feed my

One of the ways Home of the Sparrow raises funds is through their six thrift stores, named The Sparrow’s Nest.

18 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

of thrift stores,” says Debbie McGraw, Home of the Sparrow’s vice president of marketing/PR and development. “We check the items to make sure they’re smokefree and not damaged. Everything gets inspected before it’s on the floor, and people really are getting gently used items at affordable places.”

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Photos courtesy of Sweet Repeats and The Sparrow’s Nest. Items pictured may no longer be available. Please visit the stores for the most current merchandise.

Starving Children and Operation Christmas Child.

The thrift shop accepts lightly used donations, with the exception of electronics and mattresses. Sweet Repeats also works with those in need to supply them with items for their homes.

“We try to help everyone out if we can, if it’s within our means,” says Cindy Howver, manager of Sweet Repeats. “We don’t help financially, but we try to help with clothing and furniture.”

The shop also accepts food donations that go to the Grafton Food Pantry, and anyone who brings in a donation receives 10 percent off their purchase at the shop. Howver notes that they have more than 40 volunteers that help run the shop, but are always looking for more people to help out.

Giving Trees are located at the Crystal Lake Library, Ace Hardware in Crystal Lake, and all the Nest thrift stores. Each tree is adorned with ornaments that list items needed for Many people struggling with money issues dread the holidays and not being able to afford families in the shelters, families that are moving into their own housing, and items gifts for their families. Home of the Sparrow needed for the shelters. Donors can also give offers an Adopt-a-Family program for the by simply texting “SPARROW” to 91011. holidays, where an individual can adopt a “I’ve been doing this a really long time,” mom and her kids for gift-giving purposes.

McGraw says. “I love to see people rebuild “Potential donors can adopt and make their lives, have second chances, an someone’s Christmas a reality for them that opportunity to live independently in their they wouldn’t normally have,” McGraw says. own home and be productive members of the Home of the Sparrow also hosts a gift card community.” drive for families. Instead of buying gifts for individuals, donors can give gift cards to families so they can purchase gifts for each other. will buy a whole meal. Last year, $5,000 was raised to feed more than 180 families in the area.

“Part of what we want to instill is It’s never too early to look ahead to the that it’s not just holidays and sharing that holiday spirit. receiving, but also giving,” McGraw Sweet Repeats works extensively with says. “It’s pretty Operation Christmas Child for the holidays, special for a mom to collecting items such as pencils, erasers, be able to buy her toothpaste, toothbrushes and crayons to send child something and across the world for children in need. On a feel like she did it more local level, Sweet Repeats has partnered with the Grafton Food Pantry to provide meals herself.” for families for the holidays. A $20 donation

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 23

Food For Thought Area food pantries and “soup kitchens” provide necessary service in McHenry County

By WENDY FOSTER

F

rom 11:15 a.m. 1:15 p.m. each Sunday, the Woodstock Bible Church offers meals to anyone who is hungry, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or documented income level. Pastor Len DiCicco spurns the term “soup kitchen” which he says is a misnomer. “It’s a meal. A big meal with a main entrée, veggies, salads and desserts. It’s very delicious,” DiCicco says.

The generosity doesn’t end with the meal, however. All visitors are invited to the church’s food pantry, which is freshly stocked each week. “Everybody goes home with a couple of grocery bags each week,” says DiCicco.

The program is aptly named the BREAD Ministry — Be a friend, Restore hope, Embrace hurt, Accept everyone, Depend on God. It began 10 years ago when the church was seeking ways in which it could best serve its community.

“We talked and prayed about how we ought to be helping people,” says DiCicco. “We wondered about

24 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Photos by Nancy Merkling

Area food pantries and

how we could share the love of Jesus Christ, and how we could help in our community as a church. It turned out to be quite a tangible answer.”

“We weren’t sure how many people were hungry in the area, but thought ‘why don’t we start a meal program and see if anyone shows up?’” recalls DiCicco. Interestingly, the church had to invest approximately $30,000 into bringing their kitchen up to code for the program, and then they only had one person show up for lunch the first week.

Since then, however, the program has grown significantly.

“Now we have 100 to 125 people coming through each Sunday,” says DiCicco. “It’s just a really neat thing.”

The Sunday meal is staffed primarily by members of Woodstock Bible Church, but it also has drawn people from throughout the area, including other churches and organizations, who help. Volunteers help with the preparation of the meal which begins with a bi-weekly delivery from the Northern Illinois Food Pantry that needs to be unloaded. There are also trips to area stores including Wal-Mart, Jewel and Swiss Maid Bakery,

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FOOD PANTRIES in McHenry County The Northern Illinois Food Bank and Feeding America report that 600,000 people in northern Illinois utilize the services of food pantries and meal programs to help feed themselves and their families. The following are food pantries within the McHenry County area.

Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry 1113 Pyott Road • Lake in the Hills 847-854-1904 which donate food for the meal and the food pantry.

“It’s kind of an amazing thing that we never run out. Sometimes we won’t have enough of one item earlier in the week but by Sunday morning, Jewel will have a big pile of food for us,” says DiCicco.

Guests to the Sunday meal are a very diverse group.

“They’re mostly people living right on or below the poverty line,” DiCicco says. “A lot of them are working. Some are even working a couple of jobs and they can’t make a living

wage and buy groceries and a meal. There are also homeless folks that come. It’s a pretty good mix of people who are working hard to make ends meet. To have a couple of bags of groceries and a meal, people are very appreciative.”

BREAD is unique in that it is open weekly throughout the entire year. “People have a daily need for food. We can’t be open every day but at least once a week, we can keep the doors open,” says DiCicco. “Our weekly meal is a fun thing [where we get] to meet people who might not normally walk through the doors of our church.”

Crystal Lake Food Pantry 257 King Street • Crystal Lake 815-455-0961 Crystal Lake Food Pantry-Calvary Church 5906 S. Il Rte 31 • Crystal Lake 815-459-4456 Cary Grove Food Pantry 8901 Cary-Algonquin Road • Cary 847-516-3602 Faith Acres Foundation Food Pantries 815-669-0188 FISH Food Pantry of McHenry County 3515 N. Richmond Road • McHenry 815-344-4717 Grafton Food Pantry 11481 Allison Court • Huntley 847-495-0922 Harvard Food Pantry 6817 Harvard Hills Road • Harvard 815-943-4909 Helping Hands Food Pantry 2502 Spring Ridge Drive • Spring Grove 815-245-7345 Salvation Army McHenry County 290 West Crystal Lake Avenue • Crystal Lake 815-455-2769 Neighbors Food Pantry Nativity Lutheran Church 3506 E. Wonder Lake Road • Wonder Lake 815-355-5459

3 Food is delivered to Woodstock Bible Church from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

3 (Opposite page) The kitchen at Woodstock Bible Church underwent $30,000 in repairs and upgrades to bring it up to code in order to provide a weekly free meal for those in need.

Items needed by local food pantries include: canned chili (pull top), canned tuna (pull top), canned fruit (pull top), canned corn (pull top), flour, sugar, potatoes, onions and pasta.

5 (At top) Volunteers set out desserts for the approximately 100-125 people who arrive on Sundays for a free meal and a bag of groceries for the week.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 25

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Now Serving Happy Hour makes glorious return

A

lthough many people don’t even realize it, Happy Hour has been prohibited in Illinois since 1989. Specifically the lowering of drink prices for a specified time of day — as we all know, usually 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I mentioned this to a friend of mine from Wisconsin and he said his state would have a mutiny if Happy Hour was ever prohibited up there.

Since 1989, if you wanted to have a drink special as a restaurant or bar, you had to offer it all day long — not for just a few hours — that’s why a lot of people didn’t realize it had become outlawed.

Another great part of the new law is that retailers can now offer meal packages that include alcohol and liquor. I think we’ll see lots of new allinclusive specials that will attract lots of attention and provide some great values to customers.

A bottle of wine included in a fixed price dinner or a buffet that includes drinks say for a sporting event up to three hours are all possible now under the new ready Happy Hour law.

Get for some meal packages that include alcohol and liquor in the price.

Well, the good news is the law has been changed and now establishments can offer Happy Hour pricing up to 15 hours per week.

This means your favorite restaurants and bars can offer great specials to the after work crowd.

I know I always enjoyed going out for Happy Hour and I think everyone here will, too. I certainly don’t mean a return to the Rush Street Mania mentality, but as an added feature to our dining out experience.

Let’s face it, who doesn’t like a discount? Happy Hour historically has promoted a lot of creativity in the industry and has made the selection of where you are going to dinner more interesting.

There are some restrictions like Happy Hour cannot be longer than four hours per day and cannot be offered after 10 p.m., but for the most part, this law change is all good news for retailers and the dining public. Retailers can not offer two drinks for the price of one, but

28 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

they can sell a bucket of beer or a pitcher of beer to a single individual — the law used to be two people or more for a sale like that.

The possibilities are endless with the new law and most retailers are just getting underway. We all will have something to look forward to as customers, while savvy operators come up with more and more creative promotions.

Thanks for all your tips on your favorite restaurants from last month’s column. I will start including them each month as we go along.

Please feel free to keep sending me your favorite spots so I can talk them up. Till next month, have a great Happy Hour.

Put A Fork In It

with David Faccone David Faccone is the owner/ chef of Crystal Lake Rib House, Certified Kansas City BBQ Society Judge and Table Captain, and brings 30 years of experience in the restaurant business to McHenry County.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 29

The Big

‘O’

In my Wine 101 Simpified classes, special emphasis is placed on tuning in to our senses. the eyes.

Its job is to transmit sense of smell through our nose to our brain. “Smell” is one of the key steps in wine tasting because it helps us identify how intense the aroma is and gives us clues to what we are about to taste.

Does it remind us of anything Wine tasting is no different. Drinking wine familiar — a memory of the as opposed to tasting it are two completely woods, a specific spice, toast, or how about a type of different things. If you only drink wine, flower or fruit? you will never learn to really appreciate its essence! Hearing the cork pop, seeing the Consider this: Have you ever tried sipping luster — clarity — and color of the wine, wine while suffering swirling your glass in circles to allow the from a cold? If you wine to aerate just enough to ... sniff, sip, haven’t, stick with swish and finally savor; this is tasting! water because Our body has what is referred to as an smelling and olfactory system made up of nerves that tasting go begin in the nasal passage and continue hand in into the frontal part of the brain between hand.

So many times we are on auto pilot and do things unknowingly without taking the time to appreciate the moment we are experiencing. Practicing gratitude and appreciation gives life essence. Think about this every time you take a trip to a place you’ve never been, go for a stroll in a nature preserve, or spend time with those you love.

When you stop and take the time to “tune in” is when everything becomes clearer.

30 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Having a simple cold will obscure your perception of taste and smell and isn’t worth popping the cork. Scent identification is an important part of wine tasting because once we identify specific aroma profiles in our mind that pertain to a particular wine style or variety, we can then begin to decipher which wine styles are pleasing to us.

While there are literally countless “scents” that the human nose can distinguish and identify with, good and bad, there are only a handful of “taste” identifiers that we have to work with — namely sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami (best described as savory).

Without smell, we are limiting our wine tasting experience — that said, our sense of smell, known as olfaction, coupled with our sense of taste provides a perfect marriage for a harmonious wine encounter assuming we are enjoying what our senses are telling us.

It’s interesting to know this because it will help you taste wine in a way that perhaps you’ve never tried before and will hopefully give you a clearer understanding as to why wine experts indulge in this ritual. Some experts have the ability to not only identify multiple grape varieties by using their olfactory and other senses to the fullest degree, but also are able to hone in on what part of the world the grapes are from and the vintage of the wine itself. Now that is impressive! I, however, will just stick with the rest of us who enjoy a nice glass of wine while being able to appreciate its essence in a whole new way.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 31

The Skin Cycle Every 28 days, the largest organ in your body replenishes itself.

Here’s how to keep it healthy.

By YVONNE BENSON

W

hen we think of skin health, people often think about preventing or minimizing visible aging such as wrinkles, sagging, and brown spots. Advertisements insist that we can do this with expensive creams and extensive multistep morning and nightly regimens.

Michelle Eberwein, a Certified Health & Nutrition Coach and owner of Inner Hope and Wellness in McHenry, gave a convincing argument that skin health has a lot to do with diet and nutrition.

“Skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects us from harmful bacteria; it regulates our body temperature and provides sensations of hot, cold,

32 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

pressure and touch. Every 28 days, your skin goes through a process of cell rejuvenation.” That rejuvenation requires a store of nutritious building blocks attained from food.

“Your skin consists of three layers of tissues: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the very thin outer layer of the skin. The outer layer of the epidermis consists of dead cells that are always flaking or washing off. These are replaced by new cells that your body creates so it is important to make healthy food and lifestyle choices.

“Since your skin plays such an important role in protecting your body, you should keep it as healthy as you can,” Eberwein says. “Healthy skin will help you keep from getting sick or having health & wellness

damage to your bones, muscles, and internal organs.”

It’s important to consider the vitamins and minerals that foods contain when seeking nutrients for healthy skin. Eberwein listed four primary groups: “Foods high in skin-strengthening Omega-3 fatty acids (chia seeds, flaxseed and walnuts), collagen-boosting vitamin C (bell peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits, kale and broccoli) and antioxidant-rich vitamins A and E (almond butter, almonds, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots and cantaloupe).”

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in your body. Free radicals are caused by a number of factors such as pollution, smoking and exposure to the sun. Free radicals are one of the major causes of premature skin aging. As a result, vitamin E can be an important anti-aging nutrient. Appearance of age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks and lines are reduced by applying vitamin E. Almonds and almond butter are great choices for vitamin E.

Vitamin C

Boosts collagen for smooth skin.

Herbs are another way to fortify your skin. Sage, rosemary, parsley, turmeric, garlic and basil offer the greatest

ProBiotics (25 million +) Fights redness and helps build healthy cells.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

A powerful antioxidant, hundreds of times more potent than either vitamin C or E, alpha-lipoic acid is a huge boost for aging skin. It penetrates both oil and water, affecting skin cells from both the inside and the outside of the body. Most other antioxidants can do one but not both. It is available in capsule form.

Eberwein gives this tip: “To fight redness and irritation, eat foods with probiotics. Eat natural, unprocessed foods to get the highest concentration of living probiotics. Kefir is a cultured milk product that’s similar to yogurt, but has up to three times

more probiotics than yogurt. Probiotics reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea can improve with probiotics.”

Eberwein suggests if your skin is dry, add foods that contain healthy fats to your diet — they’ll help moisturize your skin from the inside out.

“Salmon is fabulous for your skin It’s high in omega-3 fatty acids, one of the best fats for you,” she says.

There are certin foods to avoid if you’re concerned about your skin, according to Eberwein. “[Avoid] highly-processed foods, fried food and foods high in fat and sugar,” she says.

Besides diet, Eberwein says, “Always, always, always wear sunscreen! Especially on your face to prevent skin damage, wrinkles and to help prevent skin cancer. Wash your skin every day and use moisturizer.

Always wear sunglasses while outdoors. Drink water.”

What’s interesting about what Eberwein promotes about skin health is that she focused more on health than anti-aging. Skin rejuvenation has to do with protecting and preserving overall health and a peripheral benefit is looking great. Everwein explained that wrinkles are a natural part of aging but that some lifestyle choices either speed or slow their progression.

benefits.

— Michelle Eberwein, Certified Health & Nutrition Coach and owner of Inner Hope and Wellness

antioxidants. Drink three to four cups daily for maximum benefit. You can also chill damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10 minutes.

Green tea contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to skin and can help reduce puffiness and inflammation.

“Herbs are another way to fortify your skin,” Eberwein says. “Sage, rosemary, parsley, turmeric, garlic and basil offer the greatest benefits.”

Eberwein says that many nutrients are on double duty. She broke it down further:

Vitamin A

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 33

Bring On The Color And Shine!

Pepper Annex Hair Salon and Dry Bar shares techniques for maintaining healthy hair during damaging autumn weather

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34 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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FALL in love with your hair again

texture while deep conditioning your strands for ultimate silkiness and shine. A gloss also works with the variation of tones that your hair naturally has, allowing for a more subdued shade. The result is a very As the weather turns cooler and drier, smooth surface texture that will reflect a lot more light and have a you may notice that your hair feels rough, dry and looks dull and lifeless. much softer feel to it.

Your color may have faded quickly or A deep conditioning is extremely has become brassy. important to any hair care regimen, and is even more important during This can be due to damaging the fall months. Shampooing helps deposits of minerals building up on to rid your hair of any impurities, your hair. If you have hard water, but it can also strip your hair of its removing hair build up should be natural oils, leaving hair dry and part of your hair care routine and brittle. Cold weather only seems to a clarifying treatment is needed. A worsen these conditions. mineral removal can help colored A deep conditioning treatment helps hair stay more vibrant, improve to restore moisture and elasticity overall shine and make hair more to your sun-dried tresses. A deep manageable and full. conditioning session is best done after clarifying and will result in Spent a little too much time in the wonderfully restored, soft and supple sun and chlorine this summer? A hair that doesn’t feel heavy, oily or gloss treatment is a great alternative matted. to regular color and will return

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FASHION & BEAUTY

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 35

McHenry County Magazine

H OME resource guide Find contacts for top home professionals in interior design, kitchen design, construction, and many other home-related fields.

Whether you are a new or established home owner, you will find places and products of interest in this monthly guide!

Kitchen Design

NORTHWESTERN SUNROOMS

KITCHENS BY JULIE, INC., 27-A Janus Rd., Cary, 847-516-2226, www.kitchensbyjulie.com

Sunrooms, Porch Conversions, Gazebos, Awnings, Vinyl Glazing Repair, Blinds, Shades, Draperies.

Please call for an appointment.

Located in Downtown Cary, Kitchens by Julie is a family owned and operated organization that has extensive experience in all aspects of remodeling and construction.

“Every successful project is a unique reflection of personal tastes, functions, lifestyle, budget and dreams,” says principal designer, Julie Loehner, CKD who operates Kitchens by Julie with her husband and project manager, Mark Loehner. Our goal is to create a wonderful experience designing and building your dream from conception to completion.

9247 S. Rt. 31, Lake in the Hills 815-459-9078

Additions SURAN BUILT, INC. 30 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake 815-444-1293, www.suranbuilt.com Does your kitchen or bathroom need to be updated?

Does your basement need to be turned into a great family living space? If so, then stop at our beautiful showroom in downtown Crystal Lake and see how we can make your house the home of your dream

Interior Design INTERIOR INSPIRATION Algonquin, 847-854-2966, www.interiorinspiration.com For a home or workplace that is beautiful, functional and inspired, call Randi Goodman, IFDA, “designer extraordinaire.” Now is a great time to spruce up your space. Randi makes the best use of furnishings and accessories you already have. She can suggest additional pieces, or start from scratch. The choice is yours! Custom or ready made, she can do it all! Call today for a personal consultation.

To have your business included in this guide, contact your representative at 815-459-4040.

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36 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 37

Destined For A Diamond?

Follow these tips to purhcase your top gem this holiday season

D

id you know that the most popular day of the year to “pop the question” is on Christmas Eve? That’s right, 32% of all marriage proposals are done on Santa’s busiest night of the year.

Buying an engagement ring, or a diamond upgrade — think 25th anniversary — takes a little planning. But with some guidance and a few diamond-based essentials, you can get the perfect ring for your perfect someone.

Here are a few tips to help you add some sparkle to your holidays:

It’s all about the cut ... not the size A diamond that is cut well, to perfect proportions, is going to sparkle more and look bigger. When light enters a diamond

38 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

that is cut well, it is able to bounce around the facets at the perfect angles and exit the stone through the table instead of through the sides or the bottom, creating the most exquisite sparkle and fire.

how many facets are on the diamond. A round diamond traditionally has 33 facets on its crown, so if we add 16 more we will get a diamond that splits up the light and sparkle into 49 parts instead of 33.

But if the same amount of light is going into the diamond, the same amount of light exits it as well. There is not an increase in brilliance and sparkle, it’s just The amount of light that enters the diamond is going to be the same no matter being split up into smaller pieces. So what you get is 49 small flashes of light instead of 33 bigger ones. It’s the same amount of light, no more, no less; it’s just split up to exit the stone differently.

Extra facets do not make a diamond sparkle more; it just gives them a different appearance.

32% Nearly a third of all marriage proposals occur on Chrsitmas Eve. FASHION & BEAUTY

If it sounds too good to be true ... it probably is Chances are you met your future spouse in person before you came to the decision to propose. Even if you started your relationship online, you probably have talked on the phone for countless hours and gone out on dates ... maybe even decided to live together first.

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

At the end of the day, you did not pick out your soul mate from a well-written online description without first meeting in person — so why choose her diamond that way?

There are people whose jobs are to write dazzling jewelry descriptions all day long for online retailers. They try to convince you to buy their jewelry without seeing it first.

But, if you are planning on spending three months’ worth of your hard-earned salary on a diamond ... you better be sure it looks as good as it sounds.

You did not pick your soul mate from a well-written online description wihout first meeting in person — so why choose her diamond that way?

Buying a diamond at a brick-and-mortar jewelry store is the way to do just that. You can see and touch several different diamonds to make sure that you are buying the perfect ring for your love.

today to see our amazing diamonds plus our wide variety of jewelry that make perfect gifts for this holiday season.

Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds

Check out our upcoming events for this year’s holiday season!

We have a large selection of loose and mounted diamonds for all of your engagement or anniversary needs — with new diamonds arriving daily. When you’re in the market for a diamond, stop in the store

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Holiday activities Ladies Day Wish Card Event: Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featuring: Steffan’s swag bags, a diamond in a cupcake, food, drinks, games, raffles, prizes and a chance to win our grand prize gift basket.

FASHION & BEAUTY

1st Annual Ladies Night: Thursday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Featuring: A special wine tasting event, music, food, drinks, massages, a chance to win tickets to an awesome music event and much more!

Men’s Night: Thursday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Featuring: Food, cold beer and drinks, special discounts and a drawing to win two tickets to a Chicago Blackhawks game!

Complete details for all of these events can be found at SteffansJewelers.com.

Gem Talk

with Karly Bulinski • Karly Bulinski is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and part of the fourth generation to work at Steffan’s Jewelers, a fine jewelry store that has been family-owned and operated in McHenry since 1946. Visit them for all your jewelry needs at 325 N. Front St. in McHenry.

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 39

VOLUNTEER The practice of philanthropy is passed down from one parent to the next regarding this family columnist

W

hile I spend a good portion of my life spinning like a whirling dervish with all my activities, most of what I do does not earn me an actual paycheck.

Most of my payback involves pats on the back.

Of course, this situation is of my own doing and a direct result of my decision to quit my job and stay home with my kids. While my community involvement didn’t just begin when I started staying home, it definitely became more prevalent. My donation of time wasn’t always purely altruistic either. While I have an inherent desire to help people, it was mixed with a selfish desire to stay relevant outside my role as a mother and wife.

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It began mostly with sitting on committees for charity 5k races in the area. While I was already on some of these committees while I was working, I took on a few more events and more responsibilities including marketing, project management and even leadership roles on the committees as well. I felt they were all things I could add to my resume in case I ever wanted to go back to work.

Balancing the kids and my responsibilities was not easy

FAMILY in focus

and there were plenty of times I couldn’t exactly justify hiring a babysitter to watch my kids when I was going out to “work.” Let’s face it — you can’t pay a babysitter with good intentions.

I often times dragged the kids with me to my committee meetings, armed with a backpack full of snacks, activities and electronic devices. I liked to refer to them as my “sub-committee,” and my fellow adult committee members were gracious enough to welcome them in with care and understanding.

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They were even willing to overlook the acute case of turrets I had developed when I would interrupt a discussion about course maps with a sudden outburst of, “Colin, stop pulling your sister’s hair!” and calmly fell back into my recommendations for logistics.

Even when I started writing this column I began doing it for free. I was just so excited to be published and be recognized for forming coherent sentences worthy of being printed. My writing also proved to be therapeutic and eventually led to paid opportunities.

them to continue the legacy of volunteerism that my mom passed on to me.

Here’s the thing: at the end of the day, I feel really good about the work I do. I feel a sense of accomplishment that money can’t buy. Best

school, but at their schools as well.

As if by design, I saw a quote this week that completely ties this column into a nice little bow. It read: “If you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do.” Perhaps it leads back to last month’s column about karma, too. Either way, I’ll take the dividends I’m reaping both monetarily and not.

There have been several times when I wonder why I dedicate so much time to causes that don’t even necessarily directly impact me, and realize it is engrained into every fiber of my being. I have always volunteered, from the time I was a little Brownie Girl Scout, until today when I spent a total of three hours between my two kids school volunteering in their classrooms. And when I’m not doing that, I’m a lector at church, Religious Education teacher and I write press releases for people looking to publicize their charity.

I also look at how I was raised and how my own mother

donated her time to our church and community.

Like my children, when I was young I sat in committee meetings, volunteered at the church carnival, visited nursing homes and collected clothing and food for the poor. Most importantly, my mother taught me not to be a martyr, which I really don’t want to portray myself as by writing this column.

I am hoping that my kids will absorb some of the experiences they have had along the way as my “sub-committee,” or seeing me be involved in various activities, that will inspire

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“

of all, I get to do things that I am extremely passionate about, like running, writing, public speaking and working with groups that are full of wonderful, interesting and passionate people working for worthy causes. By utilizing my talents, I’ve also paved a new career path that allows me to do the things I love but within a flexible schedule so I can still be there for the kids not only before and after

FAMILY in focus

If you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do.

1 Motivated Mommy

with Michelle Stien • Michelle is a mom, freelance writer, group fitness instructor and motivational speaker. She also fits in marathon running, coordinating 5k events, volunteers and keeps the Stien household running like a fine-tuned machine ... most of the time. To inquire about speaking for your group or organization, contact her at mstien77@gmail.com or visit www.1motivatedmommy.com

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 41

Apartment Style Living

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Heritage Woods of McHenry, your affordable assisted living community in McHenry Features: Common Areas:

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42 | NOVEMBER 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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of WOMEN distinction

Walking A Tightrope Seeking balance between economic development and environmental preservation

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

A

s a child Pam Cumpata remembers spending her days with her grandparents on their farm in McHenry County, helping with chores or walking in the woods to pick wild black raspberries with her cousins and her sister, Debbie Nelson.

These days she continues to spend many of her days in McHenry, but as the president of McHenry County Economic Development Corporation she walks the line between support for the county’s agricultural roots and its future development.

“It’s a balancing act and everybody has to be an active participant,” Cumpata says. “Making sure we honor our history and continue to keep up with the rest of the world. The last thing we want to do is cover over our beautiful open space. We must keep working together to make it a vibrant community.”

“I have a really solid understanding of businesses and how they make decisions,” Cumpata says. “There are times when I’m the translator between what a business needs and what the economic development and government need.”

And thanks to her family’s farming roots she also has the appreciation for the agricultural side of the county. She estimates 56 percent of the county’s land mass remains rural or for agricultural use.

Photo by From Me 2 You Photography

PAM CUMPATA Elgin

“I think Pam really cares about helping the MCEDC, United Way, Sage YMCA community,” says Jamie Maravich, market president of BMO Harris Bank in Crystal Lake. Maravich also is a board member of accepted a job with American National Bank the MCEDC and she and Cumpata serve on board of directors for the United Way of Greater in Chicago. Cumpata says she knew education was important and while she worked days in McHenry County. the bank she spent her evenings and weekends pursuing her master’s degree in business, also at Loyola.

There are times when I’m the translator between what a business needs and what the economic development [department] and government need.

“I knew I needed a master’s [degree] to stay competitive with the next group of recruits,” she says.

Later, she attended the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Women’s Senior Leadership Program.

Another important part of Cumpata’s life is making time for community service. She is a volunteer and board member of the United Way Through her work with the MCEDC, Cumpata of Greater McHenry County. helps businesses make connections while trying “She is a very dedicated volunteer,” Maravich to raise the county’s profile which involves Cumpata joined the MCEDC in 2009. She says. “She will go out of her way to dedicate her found the role a great fit bringing her experience bringing the county’s needs to the attention of time, gifts and skills.” lawmakers in Springfield. of more than 23 years in the commercial She also serves as a board member for the banking industry. In her banking career she Cumpata considers education a critical Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake and she is the component to her career. As a young woman, provided commercial business development congregation president at St. John Lutheran and relationship management to multi-million- she studied at Loyola University Chicago.

Church.

After completing her bachelor’s degree she dollar companies.

“She is able to have complete understanding of how all the pieces fit together,” Maravich says.

2015 Sponsors

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business & civic

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 43

of WOMEN distinction

‘Gentle Perfectionist’ 10th Anniversary of the Community Harvest helps bring in food for pantry

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

A

s the skies turn cool and the air crisp, Judy Pelinski turns her attention to her annual goal: Filling the local food pantry shelves.

the Community Harvest.

Pelinski was tapped to lead the program through her work with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. She has previously served as a member of the chamber’s board, along with John Peltz of ServiceMaster by Peltz. He and other members noticed Pelinski’s leadership and people skills.

“She’s a gentle perfectionist,” Peltz says. “She knows how to make everything perfect, or close to it.”

Pelinski’s skills and keen sense of style were essential to starting her own business 14 years ago. Her business, Fresh Look Interiors, Pelinski is the chairwoman of the annual began after she realized her interests in home Community Harvest, collecting and packing food for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. This year renovation and styling were more than a hobby. marks the 10th year Pelinski has coordinated the large community event.

“It’s grown tremendously,” Pelinski says.

Last year the Community Harvest collected 60,000 pounds of food. More than 1,200 volunteers showed up on Thanksgiving morning to sort and pack the food. She jokes that the morning is organized chaos, with each volunteer assigned a task. The sorting and packing is complete in less than three hours.

“It’s a family event, with people bringing their babies, toddlers too,” Pelinski says. “It gives people a purpose to the special day. They end up thanking us for giving them a purpose.”

Once again, this year’s staging and collection center will be at 6250 Northwest Hwy. Pelinski says she’s grateful to have the same location, as it is hard to create logistics and spread the word if the location changes year after year. For the future, she hopes for a consistent location for

Last year, the Community Harvest collected 60,000 pounds of food for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Pelinski says she loves helping clients style their homes, finding them a fresh look, shopping for accents or furniture and even helping realtors and those selling a home to better stage their property. Pelinski says a well-staged home on the real estate market can make a difference.

“A well-staged home, priced correctly, will sell to the first couple buyers,” Pelinski says. “And

Photo by From Me 2 You Photography

JUDY PELINSKI Lake in the Hills CL Chamber board, Community Harvest, Fresh Look Interiors we’re starting to see bidding wars again.”

Ten years ago she formed her second business venture, Staging & Redesign Academy. Whether she is mentoring a new designer, helping a realtor or working with a client, Pelinski is happy to share her advice on how to make a fresh look in a home. She enjoys shopping with her clients, helping to teach the most indecisive of them how to select paints, accent pieces and furniture.

“You don’t need a huge budget to make your home look beautiful,” Pelinski says.

When it comes to her own home, Pelinski says she and her husband, Bill Pelinski Jr., are happy in their Lake in the Hills home and with their neighborhood filled with friendly faces. Pelinski says it can take her hours to complete a walk around the neighborhood as she stops to chat with neighbors.

“We have the best neighbors,” she says. “And I love the open space. I love being in the back yard and being able to enjoy nature.”

2015 Sponsors

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business & civic

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SOCIAL COMMITMENT TO McHENRY COUNTY

Local businesses gathered to be recognized at the Northwest Herald’s inaugural Commitment to McHenry County awards dinner. Those honored include: Top Award: Commitment to McHenry County — Steffan’s Jewelers (1-10 employees), Exemplar Financial Network (11-50 employees), Centegra Health System (50+ employees). Workplace of the Year — Exemplar Financial Network (1-50 employees), Sage Products (51+ employees). Community Service & Giving — In Sync Systems (1-50 employees), Sage Products (51+ employees). Nonprofit of the Year — Gavers Community Cancer Foundation (1-50 employees),Home of the Sparrow (51+ employees). New Business of the Year — Marvin’s Toy Store (1-50 employees). Individual: Compass Award — Michael S. Eesley, Centegra Health System.

Photos by H.Rick Bamman

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out & about

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 45

NOVEMBER events in McHenry County November 5-12: The Hot L Baltimore, 7 p.m., McHenry County College, 8900 US Highway Route 14, Crystal Lake Set in the lobby of the Hotel Baltimore, this play focuses on the residents of the decaying property who are faced with eviction when the structure is condemned. Described as both funny and sad and as “a warm and intelligent wonderful evening in the theatre.” Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For tickets, $15 for general public, please call 815-455-8746.

November 7: 8th Annual Green Living Expo, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., McHenry County College, 8900 US Highway Route 14, Crystal Lake

Learn more about “green” principles such as energy conservation, composting and local food options and how to incorporate sustainable principles into daily life. Features a variety of vendors including renewable energy installers, pet-friendly items, natural skin products and more. For more information, call 815-479-7765 or visit McHenry.edu/ greenexpo.

November 7: Norge Ski Jump Club 4th Annual Wine & Bourbon Tasting Fundraiser, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Norge Ski Club, 100 Ski Hill Road, Fox River Grove Enjoy wine and bourbon tasting, light appetizers and desserts along with auction, raffle prizes and music.

Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 at the door; adults only. For more information and tickets, visit Vendini.com.

November 8: Harvest Gathering of 1858, Noon - 4 p.m., Powers-Walker House at Glacial Park, 6313 Harts Road, Ringwood Try corn shelling, grinding corn into flour, or making a corn husk or yarn doll. Witness harvest activities like the baking of bread in a wood-burning cookstove, tour the historic farmhouse or visit with a Cavalry sergeant and his horse as they demonstrate the weapons of the era used to protect these frontier lands. No registration required; drop in anytime during the event. Visit MCCDistrict.org for more information.

November 10: Holiday Floral Show, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., McHenry High School West Campus, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road, McHenry Local florists create holiday arrangements that are raffled off to audience members Participating florists include Chapel Hill Florists, Lockers Flowers, Countryside Flower Shop, Twisted Stem and Renee’s of Ridgefield. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information, call Carol at 815-344-1137.

November 12: Wine 101 Simplified Course, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Park Place Banquet Facility, 406 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake This wine tasting course provides useful concepts to help navigate through the confusion of wine without intimidation or techincal jargon.

Registration required three days in advance; must be over 21 years of age.

For more details and to register, call the Crystal Lake Park District at 815-459-0680 or visit CrystalLakeParks.org.

November 14 and 21: Winter Market, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., McHenry County Fairgrounds, Building D, 119000 Country Club Road, Woodstock

3

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out & about

Shop a variety of local farmers’ offerings including cheeses, honey, fresh eggs, beef, produce and more.

Local artisans will be featured at each market also.

WoodstockFarmersMarket.org for more details.

November 15: Artful Women: Terry Evans, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake This is part of a lecture series centered on women in the Arts, illuminating the empowering work done by women in various artistic fields. Terry Evans has photographed the prairies and plains of North America and the urban prairie of Chicago, combining both aerial and ground photography. Tickets are $15.

To purchase tickets, visit RaueCenter.org.

November 19: Rick Springfield, 8 p.m., Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake This ’80s star is back with his biggest hit “Jessie’s Girl” and more. Tickets start at $65. For more information about Springfield and to purchase tickets, visit RaueCenter.org.

November 21: Tellebration Celebration, 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m., Prairieview Education Center The McHenry County Storytelling Guild and McHenry County Conservation District host this seventh joint evening of storytelling. Stories are appropriate for all ages. Admission is free with one nonperishable food item per person. Registration is required. To register and for more details, go to MCCDistrict.org.

November 27 - December 6: “A Christmas Carol,” Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock Join Scrooge as he journeys through the Christmases of Past, Present and Future with his three ghostly guides. Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s annual production transports you to 1843 London.

Capture the spirit of the 2015 holiday season with this classic Dickens tale. Tickets are $24 for adults and $21 for students and seniors.

WoodstockOperaHouse.com for dates, showtimes and tickets.

November 27: The Lighting of the Square, Downtown Woodstock Kick off the holidays in Woodstock with the first visit from Santa, carol singing and lighting of thousands of twinkling lights. For more details, visit WoodstockILChamber.com.

November 27: 2015 Festival of Lights Parade, 7 p.m., Downtown Crystal Lake including Williams Street Welcome the holidays with this festive annual parade that includes floats, bands and local organizations. Check out DowntownCL.org for more information.

November 30: Holiday Market in the Hills, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills Shop a variety of crafters, vendors and artists. Free admission and parking; childcare is available for $5 for children 3 years old and up. Visit LITH.org for more information. * All event times are subject to change and/or weather. Please verify individual events prior to attending. n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Combine Class And Comfort Prepare to shatter your expectations with the new 2016 Buick Enclave

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 47

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This attractive mid-size SUV is one of the most spacious crossovers available for both people and cargo. It comes with second-row captain’s chairs and seven-passenger capacity in addition to standard 19-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, rear privacy glass, power liftgate, heated mirrors and rear parking sensors.

To keep all your passengers entertained during whatever journey awaits, it also features the newest version of OnStar which includes 4G LTE connectivity and an in-car WifFi hot spot capability which delivers high-speed wireless Internet access whenever the car is turned on.

With a top, five-star rating for overall crash protection, also standard is a large airbag that deploys between the front seats to protect passengers from colliding with each other in the event of a side impact.

It’s clear that this 2016 Buick Enclave is no ordinary SUV, but is designed to shatter your expectations.

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See what the Gary Lang Auto Group can do for you with a test drive today!

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 49

artist profile

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

MELINA ESTER SCOTTE McHenry County “THE NOODLES TREE” Watercolor

Melina Ester Scotte’s paintings are generally known for abstract detail and the use of many colors. She has worked as an artist for the past 18 years, starting her journey in Argentina and other countries in South America and continues in the U.S. She is inspired by the use of many colors and details, including idfferent cultures and music.

“The Noodle Tree” illustrates Scotte’s attention to detail as well as her use of couture lines.

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three-sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to McHenryCountyMagazine@shawmedia.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 50

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out & about

Mall Giſt Cards adno=0334704 Available!

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2015 | 51

IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMOND’S BRILLIANCE.

H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M

325 N. Front St. McHenry, IL 60050 & St. F 10-6, Thurs. IL 10-7, Sat. 9-3 325 N.M-W Front McHenry, 60050 n w h e r a l d815-385-6070 . c o m& /mFa10-6, g a z i n| e www.steffansjewelers.com M-W Thurs.

10-7, Sat. 9-3

815-385-6070 | www.steffansjewelers.com

325 N. Front St. McHenry, IL 60050 M-W & F 10-6, Thurs.

10-7,MAGAZINE Sat. 9-3 | NOVEMBER 2015 | 52 MCHENRY COUNTY 815-385-6070 | www.steffansjewelers.com