Education

Investing in Experiences: Totality Awesome Eclipse Coming Up

Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse with Help from the Lake County Astronomical Society. Article by Christina Sikorski | Photography by Stephen Neilson, Christina Sikorski, Dave Wagner Mark your calendars: Monday, April 8 is the next total solar eclipse. (Note: it's the last one viewable in the US until 2044.) As defined by the National and Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA), a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, thus completely blocking the sun and...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

Can You Benefit from a 529 Plan?

The Costs to Send a Child to College Continue to Escalate. It’s Never Too Early to Start a Savings Plan. Article by Mark Hornok | Photography by Carrianne Hornok Another school year is ending soon. If you have young children, they’re now a year closer to heading off to college or some other type of post-secondary education. If you haven’t already done so, you may want to start preparing for these costs (which can be considerable). During the 2022-23 school year, the average estimated annual...

March 2024

Life + Culture

65 Years of Care

Since 1958 Caring Women’s Connection Has Invested in Lake County By Helping Others. Article by Chris Geimer and Danielle Boreczky | Photography by Provided Life in the 1950s was a lot different when a collection of Hawthorn Woods’ women came together to form a social group. What started purely as a social endeavor over time morphed into something else as the members realized they had a shared passion for helping others. Through simple acts of kindness, strong bonds were formed among the...

March 2024

Life + Culture

Shawn Nelson's Investment of a Lifetime

"Let Me Save You 25 Years: Mistakes, Miracles, and Lessons from the Lovesac Story." Article by Stephen Neilson | Photography by Provided Shawn Nelson is the founder and CEO of The Lovesac Company which he founded in 1998 originally in Salt Lake City, Utah. He holds a BA from the University of Utah in Mandarin Chinese and a Master’s in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons, The New School for Design, in New York City, where he later became an instructor in the graduate program. He is an...

March 2024

Home + Design

First Floor Remodels

A Fresh New Look for Your Home Starts with the First Floor. Article by Mollee Johnson | Photography by Shannon Loud and Mike Kaskel Watch any of the countless home renovation shows and you’ll likely hear somebody say, “I wish it had more of an open concept.” And in non-televised real life, this trend has homeowners wondering about tearing down walls to create larger multi-functional spaces. Whenever a homeowner starts to think of renovating an outdated kitchen it quickly becomes a question of...

February 2024

Health + Wellness

Spring Into Health and Fitness

Embrace the Outdoors, Savor Seasonal Foods, Set Realistic Goals, Socialize and Stay Active, and Prioritize Mind-Body Connections. Article by Sean Lee | Photography by Stephen Neilson As winter’s chill begins to fade, and nature awakens with new colors, there's no better time to revitalize your health and fitness routine than spring, the season of renewal and growth. Now’s a perfect time to shed the winter blues and embrace a healthier and active lifestyle. Embrace Outdoor Activities One of...

February 2024

Home + Design

Green Awakening

Rain Barrels, Solar Panels, Composting, Veggie Gardening, Upcycling & More. Article by Michael Beightol and Stephen Neilson | Photography by Stephen Neilson Two thoughts might spring to mind when thinking about the term “green awakening.” Given the dramatic swings experienced with the weather, adopting a green way of living seems more sensible, and maybe you're already doing a few things that put you solidly on the path for a lower carbon lifestyle. Rain Barrels Lower Water Consumption ...

February 2024

Home + Design

Hilltop Living

Home in Farmington of Kildeer Sits Stately on a Hill, Providing Views in all Directions Article by Michael Beightol | Photography by VHT Studios Before World War II the community now known as Kildeer was largely farms and undeveloped property. With the return of GIs from Europe and the Pacific, this part of southern Lake County began to experience the same sort of development pressure as elsewhere. Resident Harry Bosch, Jr. submitted a plan to the Lake County Board for a residential...

February 2024

Education

Community Group Shares Hope

The GPF Foundation Spreads the Message of Harm Reduction. Article by Michael Beightol | Photography by Graham Blus It was the kind of news no parent wanted to hear that changed the lives of Nancy and Ross Friedman. Their son Greg, a vibrant and successful 27-year-old, had passed away. The events leading up to Greg’s death in 2017 have since propelled the Lake County couple, with loving support from family and friends, to help other families avoid the same kind of tragedy they experienced. The...

January 2024

Life + Culture

New Author Releases Debut Novel

Deer Park’s Ray Franze Spins a Fast-Paced Story That’s Never Been Told Until Now. Article and Photography by Michael Beightol Sal Liparello is a character straight out of central casting. A student at the school of hard knocks. A peer to Capone, Accardo and Giancana with an underworld empire that stretches from Illinois to California. He’s the kingpin of vice from Chicago Heights. Never heard of him? That’s because Sal is the protagonist in The Heights , the first novel by Deer Park's Ray...

January 2024