MCM-04-01-2013 by Shaw Media

April 2013

Sleep On It

Verlo Mattress Factory Stores Build A Better Bed pg 22

Brighten Up Check Out The Newest Spring Makeup Colors

pg 60

Golf Guide

Get In The Swing Of Things At These Local Courses

pg 36

homes with

HISTORY

Three McHenry County Residents Share What They Love About Their Homes

‘‘ INSIDE

The Home Edition

Home 10

Ocean blues and greens will enhance any eye color, and they pair perfectly with that coveted summer glow.

pg 60

Molly Sloat, director of trend development at ULTA Beauty

22 26

Home Design — Basements: What would your dream basement look like? If you’re struggling with ideas, take a look at the basements renovated by Michael Schuch and Sons Construction in Woodstock, Acade Construction in Fox Lake and MGC Home Builders Inc. in Barrington. On the Cover: We visit three historical homes in McHenry County that have interesting pasts, including an 1856 federal style in Huntley, an 1882 steamboat gothic in Woodstock and a 1928 Sears “Honor-Bilt” in Crystal Lake. Cover Inset: Verlo Mattress Factory Stores — with area locations in Crystal Lake, McHenry and Lake Geneva — can hand-build just the right mattress for any customer. Explore the luxury available in a home on wheels with help from recreational vehicle experts at Westside Motorcoach in Marengo and the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.

Family 29 30

Write This Down: Stay-at-home mother Michelle

Stien has a confession to make — she’s addicted to home parties! There are many simple steps family members can take to make their home safer. Learn tips from fire Inspector Christopher Williams of Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and community relations Officer Kimberley Shipbaugh of the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Golf 34

How can families get their children interested in golf? Start with lessons, say area golf enthusiasts. Find out more from Mike Haase, tournament director for the McHenry County Junior Golf Association, and Mike Jean, a PGA professional from Cary. Check out the golf courses available in McHenry County in our 2013 Golf Guide!

Lifestyle 41

51 53

Success Lives Next Door: Meet some of the

dedicated McHenry County organizations and individuals who help keep the road sides clean through the county’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Artist Profile: Local artist Andrew Sentamu survived poverty and war in his home country of Uganda by focusing on the rhythm of art. Today, the Crystal Lake resident uses his artistic talents for good. A Little Bird Told Me: The fellas at Cardinal Wine and Spirits in Crystal Lake pay tribute to a special familyowned winery. Put A Fork In It: David Faccone of Crystal Lake Rib House has found a place that’s sure to make you smile — Country Donuts in Crystal Lake.

Health

Yoga instructor Pamela Goss, who owns Bliss Yoga in McHenry, and Megan Kennebeck of McHenry, who works at the Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute in McHenry, discuss the benefits of stretching your muscles. Vital Signs: Dr. Daniel V. Strelcheck, of Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic in Crystal Lake shares ways to keep symptoms of arthritis at bay.

Fashion & Beauty 3 62

The latest spring makeup colors are here! Brighten up your day with ideas from ULTA Beauty. Can you look great if you’re playing in the dirt? Representatives from The Barn Nursery and Landscape Center in Cary and Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center in Crystal Lake offer gardening fashion tips.

Out & About 67

Social Life: Check out what’s been going on in McHenry

Calendar: Our calendar of arts and events has plenty of

Artist Showcase: Barbara Schneider of Woodstock

County.

spring-themed activities for the entire family!

shares her talent of creating an art quilt.

from the editor

Getting Homey

I love window shopping.

For houses and things that go inside houses. My husband and I are comfortable in our two-bed, one-bath home, but we know that when our family eventually expands, we’ll want a larger place to raise our children. So, many nights, after we have dinner and settle in under a handmade quilt on our loveseat with the TV on, I’ll pull out our netbook and start window shopping on Pinterest and real estate sites. I’ll save the floor layouts I like, pin the home decorations and rustic furniture I intend to make/find some day and ogle over the homes that are for sale. More often than not, Hubby is on his phone window shopping for new fishing lures, but he occasionally glances over at my screen, and if a particular house has a three-car garage, he gets pretty excited. Who am I kidding? We both just want a garage, period. A new house would simply be a bonus. After years of scraping off ice and snow from our vehicles, a garage sounds like heaven. I digress. I truly believe that home is where your heart is. The Grimoldby household doesn’t need to be a fancy mansion, it just needs to have our personal touch and our memories etched into the walls. But it doesn’t hurt to look around and see

what you can do to your own home to make it the abode of your dreams. In our April “home” edition, we’ve found others who feel the same way. I invite you to take a look inside three McHenry County homes that have housed families for a century, and longer. The homeowners — Blake and Candy Mueller, Joe and Karen Stefanik and Tom and Barbara Conley — each love their home for its own rich history. But they’ve also added their personal style to make their homes comfortable while keeping those historical charms intact (page 16). If you’re like me, my parents and countless others, all of the rain we received in early March led to some flooding problems in our basements. Maybe after the water has dried out, it will be the perfect time to think about redoing the lower level and turning it into the haven you’ve always dreamed about. Check out the renovated basements shared in our Home Design series (page 10) — a monthly story that features different rooms/areas of the home and explores how homeowners can improve/renovate/update those spaces. It’s meant to provide inspiration and show you how to create the luxury you dream of. Some people have the travel bug, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take home with them. Recreational vehicles have come a long way, and these homes on wheels are astounding. Seriously — take a look! (page 26) If you’re not into historical homes or basement renovations or RVs, perhaps golf is more your thing. In that case, check out the advice local professionals share for getting kids interested in the game, and then peruse our golf guide, which lists places nearby where you can hit the links (page 34 and 36). And ladies, don’t miss our fashion and beauty stories this month. New spring makeup colors are out (page 60), and for the gardener, we unveil ways to look chic while playing in the dirt (page 62). Our home issue has plenty packed into it this month — please enjoy! — Stephanie N. Grimoldby Editor

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Phone: 815-459-4040 Fax: 815-477-4960 www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com Publisher John Rung 815-459-4040 jrung@shawmedia.com Niche Product Manager Kelly Buchanan 815-526-4445 kbuchanan@shawmedia.com Niche Account Executive Bethany Detert 815-526-4457 bdetert@shawmedia.com Editor Stephanie N. Grimoldby 815-526-4467 sgrimoldby@shawmedia.com Designer Allison McCaleb 815-526-4485 amccaleb@shawmedia.com Vice President/Niche Products J. Tom Shaw 630-232-9222 jtshaw@shawmedia.com Correspondents Betsy Demitropoulos, Jami Kunzer, Lee Nelson, Elizabeth Harmon, Colleen Leonard, Lauren Lynch, Jacky Runice, Pat Stemper Vojta Photographers Melissa Emory, Heather Nelson, Michele Idstein 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.

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

SNEAK PEEK In our May “Women’s” issue, don’t miss: A look at female entrepreneurs Recipes for healthy Mother’s Day meals The latest styles in fashionable women’s business suits

DIY landscaping tips

On The Cover Pictured on the cover is the library of Tom and Barbara Conley’s 1856 federal style home in Huntley. The settee belonged to the original homeowner, Thomas Stillwell Huntley, the community’s namesake. It is possible he brought the piece with him from upstate New York in the 1870s, Barbara Conley says, though it has been reupholstered since then. The seaman’s chest is a piece the couple picked up over the years. It would have been used by a sailor while he was aboard a ship. For more on local historical homes, see page 16. Photo by Melissa Emory

Women in Business profiles ... and more!

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

home / HOMEdesign

Basement PAR ADISE A comfortable getaway, a wine cellar or the ultimate man cave.

walls and a dropped ceiling for the kids and toys. Now, due to multiple factors, people are staying in their homes, so instead of a plain box they want the features they’d like to have in a new home,” says Mickey Schuch, owner of Michael Schuch and Sons Construction in Woodstock.

A basement can be any or all of these. For many homeowners, creating a comfortable, livable space is a matter of looking down. Basement remodeling was listed eighth among the most 6MGC Home Builders Inc. in Barrington once remodeled popular home improvement an Algonquin basement to include a home theater with a projects, according to a starlit ceiling, custom seating and a sound system (pictured 2012 report by the National at left), while another renovation included a custom bar, an Association of Home entertainment area and more. Photo provided by MGC Home Builders, available at www. nahb.org. Homeowners want finished basements for a variety of reasons, say McHenry County contractors. “It takes space that’s unused and turns it into comfortable, useable space for watching TV, billiards, a bar — anything you want,” says Al Wagner, owner of Acade Construction in Fox Lake. “They’re used for multiple things, but what’s different is that 15 years ago, people were happy to have a few

10 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

I By ELIZABETH HARMON I 3“Fifteen years ago, people were happy to have a few walls and a dropped ceiling for the kids and toys. Now, due to multiple factors, people are staying in their homes, so instead of a plain box they want the features they’d like to have in a new home,” says Mickey Schuch, owner of Michael Schuch and Sons Construction in Woodstock. Photo provided by Michael Shuch and Sons Construction

6 Adam Bebenek, president of MGC Home Builders Inc. in Barrington, says that recreation areas, wet bars and play areas for kids are the most common uses he sees for basements. Photo provided by MGC Home Builders Inc.

The price of a dream basement

Adam Bebenek, president of MGC Home Builders Inc. in Barrington, says that recreation areas, wet bars and play areas for kids are the most common uses he sees for basements. One of his most luxurious projects included a home theater with a starlit ceiling, a custom wet bar, billiard area, exercise room, guest room, a full bathroom and a sauna. The final cost was $58,000. As basements have become more luxurious, the recommended budget has increased as well. “People used to use chintzy materials like carpet squares glued to the floor, but now the preference is for quality materials that will last for years,” Schuch says. The cost to finish a basement varies widely, depending on size, features and materials used. While a basic basement with a few walls and painted floors can start around $10,000, a luxurious makeover can cost more than $150,000. Bebenek uses $20 to $30 a square foot as an opening price point.

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

Designing a dream basement

Creating an attractive room begins with a plan. “I always bring in an architect at the beginning to create a design and drawings, which helps a customer to have a visual idea of what the basement will look like,” Schuch says. A good design conforms to local building codes and provides a means of communication for the customer, contractor and local building inspector. It also provides a means to establish, and stay, within a budget. Frequently, customers already are using their unfinished basements in certain ways, and Wagner says those can spark ideas for a finished basement. “They’ve often got something set up down there, like a customer who had a ping-pong table and wanted to use it for a ping-pong room,” he says. “Someone with a lot of sports memorabilia will probably want a space where they can watch games.” Even if budgets don’t allow for a bathroom, contractors recommend installing basic plumbing that will April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

allow for one to be added later on. “For the most part, people are interested in an extra bathroom and shower, which is nice for guests,” Wagner says. Installing heated floors in basement baths adds a luxurious touch. Wagner also has installed timed heat lamps for extra comfort. “You turn it on when you get in the shower to chase the chill away,” he says.

Using upscale finishes

If the ways clients use their basements haven’t changed over the years, the ways basements look have. Local contractors say recent trends are for basement rooms to be indistinguishable from the rest of the house. “Even though you’re walking downstairs, you feel like you’re upstairs,” Schuch says. Old-school dropped ceilings with acoustic tiles have gone the way of fake walnut paneling. “People want drywall ceilings,” Bebenek says. Drywall ceilings have a more finished look as well as soundproofing qualities, but they also can require more construction to accommodate pipes and wires. An economical option is a decorative fiberglass product that resembles a vintage, pressed-tin ceiling. Coffered ceilings, meanwhile, which are recessed in the center, add interest and a spacious feeling by changing the ceiling elevation. “When you have different things jutting down, that creates shadows and gives a cavelike feeling,” Schuch says. “Visually, a flat surface feels brighter.” Interesting architectural elements such as archways and pass-throughs, shelving units used as room dividers and attractive finishes for walls, fireplaces and unique spaces – like wine rooms – all bring above-ground ambiance to the basement. Light makes a difference, too. “I always recommend twice as much light as people think they’re going to need,” Schuch says. “Canned lights aren’t very expensive,

12 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

3A 1,200-squarefoot basement remodel in Algonquin included a wet bar with a custom island plus additional features. Photo provided by MGC Home Builders Inc.

and if you want less light, you can put in a dimmer switch. But too little light in a basement is a problem.” Another trick is to bring in more daylight by expanding window wells or creating an artificial window covered by shutters or a shade and backlit, to suggest sunlight. “Some people love the look, but we all know it’s a basement, so I think the best approach is to make it look fresh, clean and bright,” Schuch says. mc

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

cover story / home

homes with

HISTORY By Elizabeth Harmon • Photos by Melissa Emory

If the modern real estate mantra is “location, location, location,” McHenry County’s historic homes add a few more Desirable Traits: Charming. Unique. Comfortable. characteristic. Throughout McHenry County, painted lady Victorians, cozy bungalows and classic all-American four squares, some complete with a spacious welcoming front porch, remind us of the way life used to be — even if we’re too young to remember it.

1882 Steamboat Gothic Woodstock Blake Mueller didn’t expect to become a homeowner a few days before Christmas in 1976, but the young man’s purchase of a ramshackle Woodstock house launched a passion that has lasted for more than three decades. “I have such a love for this house and all the background of it,” Mueller says. The house was a weathered duplex with an overgrown yard, yet Mueller saw its potential. “I doubted I could afford it, but the owners encouraged me to make an offer,” he says. “I did, they snapped it up and I had myself a house.” Once the home of a Woodstock grocer, Barton Austin, his wife and seven children, the two-story home is wrapped by a covered, gallerystyle porch and resembles the ornate passenger boats that once cruised the Mississippi, thus the style called Steamboat Gothic. Four of the Austin daughters became schoolteachers in Woodstock, and son Barton Austin Jr. studied landscape architecture at the University of Illinois. He joined a prominent St. Louis firm and did design work for the Chicago

3 (Facing page) Karen and Joe Stefanik bought their 1928 Sears “Honor-Bilt” kit home in Crystal Lake in 1988. On their table, the couple shares the original catalog from which the model was purchased, the architectural plans and a photo album showcasing the building process in 1928. 3 (At left) The living room of Tom and Barbara Conley’s 1856 federal style home in Huntley is part of the original structure owned by Thomas Stillwell Huntley, the community’s namesake. In 1906, Huntley’s brother-in-law extensively renovated the home and brought in lot of upgrades, includng the fireplace, Barbara Conley says. 6 (Below) Blake and Candy Mueller own an 1882 steamboat gothic home in Woodstock. The couple restored many original parts of the home — which is more than 130 years old — and they expanded the house to the rear.

Park District, properties on the North Shore and his family’s home in Woodstock. Austin Jr.’s gardens survived years of neglect. “The first spring, I was amazed by the number of perennials coming Historical Steamboat Gothic house photo. up,” Mueller says. Photo provided “The yard was just full of flowers.” In the years since, Mueller and his wife, Candy, have restored and expanded the gardens, keeping much of Austin Jr.’s original plans intact. They have done extensive work to the interior as well, restoring the wood floors and gingerbread trim and expanding the house to the rear. They also have transformed the rear coach house into an art studio. “I love the woodwork and gorgeous great big windows that let in a lot of light,” Candy Mueller says. “The house has good bones.” “We’ve nibbled away at [the restoration] little by little,” Blake Mueller says. “I’ll think we’re at the end, but then Candy always comes up with a new idea.”

1928 Sears “Honor-Bilt” Home Crystal Lake Crystal Lake was still a summer resort community and the neighborhood west of Crystal Lake Central High School was a large open field when railroad conductor Frank Heath and his wife, Frances, who cleaned Pullman railcars, purchased a $1,910 house from the Sears catalog.

For the next three years, the Heaths, along with their teenage son, King, and young daughter, Dawn, lived in the garage while they assembled the house, fitting together numbered pieces according to detailed blueprints that came with it. “They had it delivered in two railcars Historical Sears “Honor Bilt” pulled down Dole house photo. Photo provided Avenue,” says Karen Stefanik, who, along with her husband, Joe, purchased the house in 1988. “I think it’s amazing that it came with everything you needed to build it, including a pedestal sink, which we still have.” Kit homes were common in the early 20th century, especially in communities built near a rail line like Crystal Lake. The Stefaniks were in the market for a ranch house, but came to see the home at the suggestion of their real estate agent. “We both fell in love with it, and we knew this was our house,” Stefanik says. Though someone mentioned its history, the “Sears home” distinction meant nothing to the couple until Stefanik read an article about mail order homes and checked out a library book, which contained an old catalog illustration of her model, the Willard.

6 The kitchen inside the Conley’s home is one of 17 rooms in the house and was part of the 1906 renovation. While it has since been upgraded by the Conleys, the couple made sure to keep perioddetails intact, including wainscoting, which was present in the original home.

5 The Muellers restored the wood floors and gingerbread trim inside their historic home.

“Right away, I started going around and found approximately 20 [Sears homes] right in this neighborhood,” she says. The cozy, two-story Willard has a distinctive steep gable above the front door. Each holiday, the Stefaniks light the slope in green, creating a Christmas tree effect. Over the years, the couple has remodeled and repaired, but the Stefaniks have kept many of the house’s original details. Their latest project is updating the kitchen, but it’s following the original floor plan and includes the original kitchen cabinets. “This house is solid, and it’s incredibly well built,” Stefanik says.

1856 Federal Style Huntley Tom L. Conley can trace his family history back to the earliest days of Huntley. He has a connection to his community’s namesake, Thomas Stillwell Huntley, as well. Since 1986, Conley has owned the home that Huntley, a local businessman, built at the corner of Woodstock and Third streets. Conley, a retired airline pilot, and his wife, Barbara, have been restoring the 17-room home ever since. “I’ll be working on it [until] the day of my funeral,” Conley jokes. The house originally was a compact two-story with twin porches and a grand, curved staircase.

6 Kit homes — like the Stefanik’s 1928 “Sears home” — were popular in the early 20th century, especially in communities built near a rail line like Crystal Lake.

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

But after Huntley’s death in 1894, his brother-in-law Abram Brinkerhoff began an extensive renovation, possibly to repair termite damage. Brinkerhoff removed the original clapboard siding, shutters and trim and covered the exterior with stucco, a popular turn-of-the-century look that also was termite proof. He doubled the size of the house, adding a foyer, dining room and large kitchen as well as additional rooms upstairs. Colorful Art Nouveau stained glass windows were installed throughout the first floor. However, when Conley purchased the home, it was in a state of neglect. For several years, he lived in a small back bedroom and repaired damaged rooms. After he and Barbara wed, they took on the project together, including a major push to complete exterior renovations and much of the first floor interior prior to Huntley’s 2001 Sesquicentennial house walk. “It used to take us about six months to do one room, but in about two years, we did seven or eight rooms, plus the outside,” Barbara says. They found many light and wall fixtures in the house’s basement, and Tom Conley’s job as a pilot made it easy to search for more. Even after his seniority put him in line for international routes, he kept flying small domestic trips in order to scour antique malls. Barbara often would drive out to meet him and bring their

20 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

6 Over the years, the Stefaniks have remodeled and repaired their kit home, but they’ve kept many of the home’s original details.

newest treasure home. Conley’s favorite rooms are the living room and library, which may have been Huntley’s office, while Barbara loves the small sunroom. “In the early 1900s, it was considered healthful to step out and breathe fresh air, and here you could do that without leaving the house,” she says. “It’s a very nice addition.” mc

6 The Muellers have a clawfoot tub in one of their bathrooms. April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

home

Bed Heads

Verlo Mattress Factory Stores Build Custom Mattresses For Less By STEPHANIE N. GRIMOLDBY Photos by MICHELE IDSTEIN

ost people in McHenry County share the common trait of sleeping on a mattress at night. The only difference comes from where they purchase the mattress. And that can make all the difference in the world, says Peter Packman of McHenry. After months of sleeping on uncomfortable beds purchased from two separate mattress companies, Packman and his wife were tired — both physically, from a lack of good sleep, and mentally, from dealing with frustrating customer service. They finally received advice to visit Verlo Mattress Factory Stores in McHenry, and they were pleasantly surprised with the experience.

“Ray Westman, the owner, was kind enough to go through everything with me,” Packman wrote in a blog. “Ray even allowed us to watch the bed being made. I watched them put in the coils and the padding and sew on the cover. I was amazed! They delivered it to my house the very next day.” Unfortunately, the Packmans soon realized that the bed they had chosen was too firm. But because Verlo offers a lifetime comfort guarantee that allows a customer to have his or her bed rebuilt for a small fee, the couple was able to quickly rectify the problem. “When we got the new mattress, we were a little paranoid after dealing with all these other companies,” Packman says. “Verlo was kind enough to pick it up, put one extra layer of foam on it for us, sew it up, and just like that it was done. Sleeping on it is like a dream! Even after a while, it feels the same as the day we got it.” “The guys working there were all very pleasant and polite and enjoyed showing me the bed-making process. And if we ever need it changed again, it’s for a very minimal cost ...” Packman continues. “Verlo really goes the extra mile for their customers. We’re very, very, very happy.”

Built on history

4 Elegant Collection, Ashford — Plush Firm 2-sided set with a 15 year guarantee.

Verlo Mattress Factory Stores has been building mattresses locally since 1958, says Ray Westman, owner of three franchises in McHenry, Crystal Lake and Lake Geneva. The fact that his stores can build a custom mattress onsite marks one of the largest differences between Verlo and other companies, Westman says. “By doing so, we can provide a better built mattress to the exact specifications a customer

wants and sell and deliver it for less than a retail mattress can sell for,” the Woodstock native says. More than that, the ability to customize a mattress means there’s very little in the industry that Verlo can’t offer or duplicate, Westman says.

The Better Sleep Council suggests customers follow “the S.L.E.E.P” test when shopping for a new mattress.

S L E E P

Select a mattress. Lie down in your typical sleep position. Evaluate the level of comfort and support. Educate yourself about each selection. Partners should test beds together.

That includes mattresses with inner springs, gel foam, latex foam or viscoelastic foam — commonly known as memory foam — plus adjustable air bed mattresses and adjustable bed power platforms, which can raise the head of the bed with the push of a button. The latter is becoming popular for couples in their 40s, Westman says, because it provides dual adjustments for a queen- or king-sized bed, not only providing his-andher firmness capabilities, but allowing one person to sit up and work in bed while the other comfortably dozes. Verlo even builds custom mattresses for antique beds, boats and recreational vehicles.

4 Ken Horvath operates the tape edge machine to close the edge of the mattress.

“We’re everything,” Westman says. “Because we’ve got the factory, there’s nothing we can’t build.” Additionally, by offering the company’s lifetime comfort promise, Westman’s employees — each and every one of them — can rebuild a mattress as many times as a customer needs, he says. A perfect example is customer Lana Ghiselli of McHenry, whose mattress was serviced at Verlo’s McHenry location. “We bought our mattress there about six years ago,” Ghiselli says. “I had gone back to have an issue of mine fixed … . I pretty much knew that Ray would take care of me. “I couldn’t figure out what it was that I wanted, and they had no problem fixing it until it met my needs,” she continues. “That’s why I came back. Twice they [adjusted] it, [and I’ve had] no issues.” Westman says that customers often come back over the years to have their mattresses readjusted, noting that there’s no pattern regulating how firm people like a mattress as they age. Some start with a soft mattress and need it firmer later in life while others crave the exact opposite. What’s nice is that those who have a mattress from Verlo won’t have to buy a new mattress if their bodies change — they’ll simply have to pay a small fee to have the mattress adjusted, Westman says. “You don’t need to buy a new car because you need new spark plugs,” he says. 6 A window box displays the different material and fibers used in pillow construction.

What makes a mattress?

The quality of material makes a mattress, and that quality is based on a combination of several things: • the number of coils used • the amount of padding • the quality of the padding • the quality of the cover

standards, or a similar malfunction occurs, it will be covered at no charge except transportation. “If you look at other beds ... we bought, you can tell their quality is poor,” Packman says. “Verlo’s quality is second to none. The wood framing is not a bunch of splints, it’s actual wood. Verlo uses stiffer metals, sturdier woods and thicker material. The staples are all nice and uniform. We have dogs that crawl under the bed, and they don’t need staples sticking out and scratching them.” Verlo also offers something most of the industry has stopped producing — doublesided mattresses. Even the best mattresses eventually wear out, and when a person has sore hips or shoulders when he or she wakes up in the morning, those could be signs that a mattress is fatigued — or losing its ability to properly carry weight, Westman says. However, if a person has a double-sided mattress, he or she can simply flip the mattress over and extend their comfort level by years. Quality doesn’t end with materials at Verlo. Westman’s employees have decades of experience in building, selling and rebuilding mattresses, making them some of the most qualified salesmen around. Tom “Waz” Wisniewski, Westman’s manager at Verlo, has been with the

Better quality materials used in a mattress will increase both the comfort and longevity of a mattress, Westman says, and it’s easy to tell the difference between mid-class and upper-class mattresses — it’s much like the difference between driving a Ford and a Mercedes, he says.

4 Cla Top 1-s ssical Collectio ided se t with a n, Excalibur — 12-year guaran Euro tee.

“We can build our beds with aboveaverage industry materials and sell them at a factory-direct price,” he says. Verlo also stands by its quality. The company offers a non-prorated guarantee on its mattresses for up to 15 years, depending on the product. That includes a 100 percent guarantee on workmanship and materials, so if a layer of padding fails within industry

April

starting out or guests staying in a guest room. Even as a basic mattress, Verlo quality surpasses others, Westman says. For the most part, lower-priced mattress spring systems can be gauged based on the number of coils it contains — the more coils, the better — though Westman cautions that as design systems reach higher price-points, coil-count isn’t the endall for quality. Still, a typical entry-level queen mattress will contain 250 to 380 coils in its spring system, he says. Verlo spring systems start with 504 coils. “[The Advantage Line] has a better inner spring system, a steel box spring foundation, better quality foam and padding at a better price point,” Westman says. Verlo’s Traditional Collection and Classical Collection, the second and third-tiered collections, respectively, each are thicker, plusher and have longer guarantees than the Advantage Line, while the company’s top line, the Elegant Collection, adds more luxury. The Elegant Collection covers are made of a bamboo/cashmere blend, 5 Ray Westman, owner of three Verlo Mattress Factory Stores natural fibers make up thicker quilts in McHenry, Crystal Lake and Lake Geneva, says the fact that and the inner spring system has more his stores can build a custom mattress onsite marks one of the coils and a better design, creating the largest differences between Verlo and other companies. most comfortable mattress available, Westman says. And the mattress will last a long time. company for a quarter of a century and Money matters aside, the most important understands the value of quality in products thing a person can do when shopping for a and personnel. mattress is to allow enough time to find the “I just had people here [a few Sundays ago] right sleep surface, Westman says. that said, ‘I think you sold us our mattress “The International Sleep Products 18 years ago,” the Algonquin resident says, Association suggests lying on a mattress for laughing. “Quality keeps them coming back. 30 minutes before changing surfaces — The Sunday couple, they’re retiring and that’s OK!” he says. “We will lay everyone moving out to Colorado. They were happy to on a $2,000 bed. If that’s out of their price see there’s a Verlo out in Colorado.” range, [we know] where to go to keep them comfortable. We can always get the customer The price point If quality makes a mattress, so does price. Like almost any product on the market today, 6 Jason Lorenz applies a the larger the price tag, the better the value. layer of upholstery to the “[Customers often ask], ‘Why do I want to top of a mattress unit. spend $1,500 on a mattress when I can get one for $500?’” Westman says. “[Well,] $500 will feel comfortable and will last five to eight years, maybe 10. A $1,500 bed will have a lot more comfort right from the get go, and it will last 15 years. For the money, you’re getting better sleep for the entire time you have that mattress.” But Verlo recognizes that individuals’ price points vary, so the company carries different collections that cater to their needs. “We want the customer to buy what they are comfortable spending and assure them we’ll build the best mattress for the best price,” Westman says. Verlo’s entry-level mattresses are part of the Advantage Line, which starts anywhere between $299 and $599, Westman says. The line is great for young adults, couples just

in the most comfortable bed they want in a price range they can afford.” Even those who can’t afford a Verlo mattress may find themselves enjoying its comfort. Westman works closely with the McHenry County Housing Authority — as well as the Walworth County Housing Authority and McHenry County PADS — to provide the organization with discounted mattresses. Local churches and other nonprofit organizations also carry Verlo mattresses, Westman says, as do many hotels and local bed and breakfasts. “That’s how I grew up and how I was raised,” Westman says. “It feels good to know you have a successful business and a good product and you can help out where you can.” It doesn’t matter how much a person can pay — everyone deserves a comfortable mattress, Westman says. “It’s one of the most important purchases you can make for yourself,” he says. “If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you’re not productive the next day, and it can affect your health and your REM sleep. In order to get all of that, you need a comfortable sleep surface.” mc

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home

Home, Home On The Road I By Jacky runice I

You’ve got to admit that speeding down the open road conjures up alluring Hollywood panache and a feeling of real freedom. But a family can’t fit on a Harley or in a sports car, and you still have to nail down a place to hole up for the night. Welcome to the roaming home that goes on vacation with you — the recreational vehicle. The first RVs came off the line in 1910 and were called motorized campers. The bed was the folded down back seat, and a chamber pot was the business end of the vehicle. What’s available today? “Popular amenities include many options that you would expect in a nicer home,” says Bob Dill, owner of Westside Motorcoach in Marengo. “Our customers expect sleeping room for up to eight people, 200 gallons of fresh water capacity and nicer appliance selections. We offer convection

5 Westside Motorcoach offers Renegade RVs.

microwaves, Jenn-Air cook tops, dishwasher drawers and tankless hot water heaters. Washer/dryer combos are getting popular as are outside entertainment centers. We offer a Weber gas grill on a slide-out tray for cooking and entertaining under a large built-in electric awning.” That’s not all. “Many of our customers want to take their cars or toys along, and our 30,000-pound towing capacity allows almost unrestricted trailer towing capabilities,” says Dill, who resides in Huntley. “We offer custom-built trailers to match.” Kevin Broom of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association notes that outdoor kitchens are an increasingly popular option, and if your bottom line has moved up a notch or two, high-end amenities can include granite countertops, hardwood floors and two bathrooms. “A few years ago, a company introduced the first-ever RV sauna,” Broom says, “and several manufacturers are offering models that can be operated with a tablet computer or other wireless device.”

Dill says that his company has even constructed units with four or five televisions and built-in gaming devices like Xbox.

One-of-akind rigs Since Westside Motorcoach’s Renegade and Showhauler motor homes are custom-designed and built to the buyer’s specifications, the customer’s experience is similar to building a custom home, and Dill’s background as a custom homebuilder really helps. That type of customization worked for Dave and Cindy Jackson of Marengo. “We looked around at other RVs and were not overly impressed,” Cindy Jackson says. “We went to Westside on a lark, not really knowing what to expect with the large semi truck-based vehicles on his lot. 6 Pictured is the inside of “Upon meeting Dave and Cindy Jackson’s Bob Dill and custom-designed motor home. being shown inside one of his coaches, we were instantly impressed by the fine woodworking and high quality, overall appearance,” she continues. “The clincher for us was being able to customize just about anything we desired into our own unique rig. We are very pleased with our Renegade and have enjoyed thousands of miles since making our purchase.” In addition to all the multiple slideout rooms and custom paint schemes Dill makes available, he’s proud of the vehicles’ durability. “The safety and stability of our chassis [are] probably just as important as our build quality,” he says. “The chassis that our RVs are built on are commercial grade with McHenryCountyMagazine.com

3 Pictured is a custom-built 2013 Renegade 3400XM Motorhome towing a 32-foot Renegade Two-Car Stacker Trailer. Bob Dill of Westside Motorcoach in Elgin sold this rig to a customer in Elgin. Photos provided

1 million mile drive trains and offer the pulling, stopping power and safety of an over-the-road truck.”

Who’s RVing?

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that the average age of an RV owner is 48, with the largest group of RV owners falling between the ages 35 to 54. One third of RV owners have children younger than 18 living at home. Ownership is currently at its highest level with more than 9 million households owning an RV. “The reasons people buy RVs are varied, but what appeals to most RVers is that RVs are a fun, convenient, flexible and affordable way to spend time outdoors with friends and family,” Broom says. “The typical family of four will save 23 to 59 percent when they travel by RV — according to a study done by PKF Consulting — a figure that includes the cost of ownership. For a two-person travel party — an empty-nester couple, for example — savings are 11 to 46 percent.” Dave and Cindy Jackson wanted to McHenryCountyMagazine.com

travel the country with their furry children in tow. “We wanted to be able to take our cats along, and this was a way for us to spend quality time together while seeing new parts of the country that we have not been before,” Cindy Jackson says. The Jacksons, who have a particular fondness for the wide-open spaces of Wyoming and the warm climate of the California desert, fit into Westside’s demographics perfectly. “The traditional class A, bus-style motor homes are geared towards a retired couple, while our motor homes are designed for large families or retired couples,” Dill says. Westside Motorcoach welcomes customers from all over the country by offering attention to detail, a careful design and build process, extensive product knowledge and after hours customer service. “The type of RVs we sell have the best resale value in the industry and are built to last,” Dill says. As the economy warms up, the Marengo business has witnessed a substantial comeback, with 2012 being one of its best years in serving customers. “We are upbeat and optimistic about the future,” Dill says. The Jacksons are happy, too, exploring small towns, discovering out-of-the-way places to eat and browsing flea markets and antique shops. “We enjoy looking at the different collections of stuff that people have in their yards, especially old cars and trucks,” Cindy says. “We like seeing Americana out the window of the RV.” mc

3 Westside Motorcoach in Marengo can customize any RV. Pictured is an example of what the company can offer.

5 This RV, purchased from Westside Motorcoach by the Buehler family of Freeport, Mich., was featured on The Travel Channel’s show “Extreme RVs.” April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

family

CONFESSIONS of a home party fanatic My name is Michelle Stien, and I am addicted to home parties. From jewelry to Tupperware, Thirty-One bags to Pampered Chef, I do it all. My party of choice is jewelry and seems to consume most of my income. Every time I think I have it under control, another party comes along, and I get sucked in by the wide array of sparkly necklaces, dangling earrings, jangling bangles and rings in every shape and size. It all started very innocently a few months ago when a friend of mine invited me over for a jewelry party because her friend is a consultant. At the time, I didn’t wear much jewelry, and when I did, it was usually just a simple silver necklace and maybe some studs. But after a few glasses of wine and some hummus dip, I was dripping in crystals, hematite and gold. The consultant had me wearing more jewelry than I had worn in the last five years. Between my brief modeling gig, a description of the buying program and opportunities to become a consultant myself, I was dizzy — or was that the wine? Either way, the next thing you know, I was placing an order for a few necklaces and some earrings, and I even agreed to host a party at my house because then I could really cash in on a slew of jewelry for a quarter of the price, including some exclusive items for hostesses only. I woke up the next morning, and the whole experience was a blur. I started to have buyer’s remorse until my jewelry arrived a few days

Write This Down with Michelle Stien

• Michelle Stien is a stay-at-home mom of two children, ages 3 and 5. Her mother always told her to “write this down,” so she is sharing her experiences with McHenry County moms to help them deal with the craziness of being “Mom.”

later, and I was mesmerized once again by all my shiny jewels. As luck would have it, in addition to hosting my own party, I had two other friends from my first party who also agreed to host parties, and when I went to their parties, two more people I knew agreed to host parties. The next thing I knew, I had attended five jewelry parties and hosted one of my own all within six weeks. I could give the consultant’s spiel for her and had the entire catalog memorized along with pricing information. In the end, I had to purchase a new jewelry box for my new collection. And not just any jewelry box would do. I had to buy a picture frame that doubled as a jewelry organizer to hang on my wall. It seemed the jewelry shows were just a gateway to other home shows that I began dabbling in. My neighbor happens to be a Tupperware consultant, and after attending one of her parties, she invited me to an open house where she and other home show consultants all had their respective companies represented. It was like a combination of a swap meat and a back alley drug deal. Soon, I was on my way to attending two more Thirty-One parties, two Tupperware

parties and I hosted my own Tupperware party. Just for good measure, I even had a Mary Kay consultant who informed me that I won a free facial and a free product. After a half hour of her presentation, I had a free lip rejuvenator and purchased new eye cream and eye makeup remover. It got to the point where every weekend I had at least one, if not two, shows to go to. My husband began to wonder if I had a secret life on the side or, worse yet, joined some sort of cult. I’ll admit, these shows provided a nice getaway for me to hang out with friends, have a few beverages and snacks and imagine myself with the prettiest accessories and products that would make me more organized, a better cook and with younger, more youthful skin. Of course, most of the women I socialize with also have been caught up in the same addiction, so we have to consult each other to discuss what jewelry we will be wearing out so we don’t look like we actually did join some sort of cult. In the end, my pantry really is quite organized, my vegetables stay fresher longer, I have laundry hampers that my daughter isn’t embarrassed to have sitting in the hallway when her friends come over and I am always dressed to the nines with my new accessories, even if it is just for a trip to the bus stop. mc

family

home SAFE home Tips For Protecting Your Family

While homes usually provide a sense of security, they can become unsafe in an instant.

Walk through your home and around the outside several times a year to inspect anything that could be unsafe such as appliances, cords, chemicals in the garage and power lines connected to the home, says fire Inspector Christopher Williams of Crystal Lake Fire Rescue. The kitchen is one of the most common areas where people get injured by fire. Most kitchen fires occur because food is left unattended on the stove or in the oven, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If a grease fire occurs, take a step back, turn off the burner and put a lid on the pan until it cools, Williams says. “You don’t want to move the pan,” he says. “Don’t try to carry it over to the sink. And you don’t want to take the sprayer from the sink and spray it at that pan either because you’ll agitate it.” A dryer is another major fire hazard and should not be left on when you leave home. Lint buildup and ducts made of plastic or foil are common causes of dryer fires. A metal duct is the best option. Plastic and foil ducts are considered unsafe because lint builds up in ridges and at low points

where the ducts sag, according to Consumer Reports. Besides cleaning the lint trap after each use, pull the dryer away from the wall periodically

Guard against fire, smoke, carbon monoxide

As part of annual chores, make an appointment with a bonded, licensed and certified chimney sweep, Williams says. The fireplace becomes hazardous when creosote, a flammable tar, accumulates on chimney walls. “You want to make sure that you burn seasoned wood. Hardened woods are better than some of the softer woods,” Williams says. “If you’re burning a lot of pine, you want to make sure that you get the fireplace checked a little more often.” Like stoves and fireplaces, candles should not be left unattended. Make sure candles are away from combustibles — anything likely to catch on fire — and put the candle out if you leave the room, he says. Extension cords should be used with caution. Williams warns that they are designed for temporary use and should not be hooked to appliances. “Anytime you have an extension cord lying on the floor all the time, that’s a sign that you need to get a new outlet put in some place,” he says.

Fire extinguishers should be present in the kitchen area, basement, second level and garage. — Fire Inspector Christopher Williams of Crystal Lake Fire Rescue

I By COLLEEN LEONARD

to clean inside the duct and the entire lint trap, which extends to the back of the dryer, Williams says.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends installing smoke detectors on each level of the home, including the basement. If bedrooms doors are closed at night, a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom so it can be heard. Three kinds of smoke detectors are available: a photoelectric alarm, an ionization alarm and a combination. A photoelectric alarm responds quickly to a smoldering fire, and an ionization detector is designed for a fast flaming fire. The single alarms are effective as long as residents install them in the rooms indicated on the package, Williams says. “If you get a combination one, then you’re protecting yourself the best from both types of smokes,” he says. Every home also needs at least one carbon monoxide detector. Williams recommends buying carbon monoxide detectors with an LED display, which records the gas level, and locating them within 15 feet of bedrooms. Sources of carbon monoxide are space heaters, water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers and blocked chimneys. In case a small fire occurs, he says,

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

A dryer is another major fire hazard and should not be left on when you leave home.

have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand and know how to use one. He recommends an extinguisher in the kitchen area, basement, second level and garage. Preparation includes discussing escape procedures with the whole family and designating a meeting area. The safest place to meet is across the street or at a neighbor’s house instead of the front lawn, Williams says.

Additional home safety tips

Besides setting up a fire emergency plan, evaluate whether your home is protected against burglary. Because lighting around your home is so important, consider using lights on timers or motion sensor lights as additional security, says community relations Officer Kimberley Shipbaugh of the Crystal Lake Police Department. “The cost of electricity is pennies compared with the potential loss of property or life if someone tries to break in your house,” Shipbaugh says.

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

She suggests trimming shrubs and trees to prevent hiding places and easy access to your home. “Make sure that your trees aren’t providing access to your upper levels,” she says. “If somebody can climb up your tree and climb in your upstairs window that may or may not be locked, that’s always a potential [avenue] for a crime to occur.” An open garage is an invitation for thieves to case a home or steal items such as bicycles and valuables in cars. Shipbaugh warns that a lot of theft happens in the summer when families leave the garage open while they are home. Keep doors and windows locked and use reinforcement bars or dowel rods for sliding doors since they are easy to open, Shipbaugh says. Locking cabinet doors is just as important to protect children from chemicals, medicine and weapons. Children may think that antifreeze, mouthwash and window cleaners are sports drinks or that Pine-Sol is apple juice, Shipbaugh says. She cites acetaminophen and Rolaids as examples of medicine that can be mistaken for candy. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that TV stands, bookcases and other heavy furniture also put children at risk and suggests anchoring them to a wall or floor. A child dies every two weeks from a falling TV, furniture or appliance, the commission reports. A security alarm system with cameras is a good idea to keep an eye on children and the house, Shipbaugh says. To cut costs, home security systems can be self-installed and are available at local stores. Although a system isn’t cheap, it means additional protection and a good chance of earning a discount on home insurance. mc

Trim shrubs and trees to prevent hiding places and easy access to your home. — Kimberley Shipbaugh, community relations Officer of the Crystal Lake Police Department

32 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

golf

3 Emily Jean of Cary has gone from watching her father golf to golfing herself to winning junior tournaments. Photos provided

Getting KIDS Into The SWING

mily Jean has gone from watching her father golf to golfing herself to winning junior tournaments. The key, she and area golf instructors say, is to keep it fun. “Playing for fun more often helps me get ready to get more competitive,” says the 15-year-old sophomore at Cary-Grove High School, who plays on the Crystal Lake Central co-op golf team. Jean played other sports growing up, including softball. But with her father, Mike Jean — a PGA professional — to teach her, she decided to take up golf more competitively. Mike Jean, a Cary resident, started teaching his daughter to play a few years ago. “I knew there were a lot of scholarships for college, and it was just a lot of fun,” Emily Jean says. Not to mention, she and other golfers say, it’s a lifetime sport. It offers benefits for adults in the business world as far socialization, Mike Jean says, as well as the chance for kids to

34 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

I By JAMI KUNZER

be involved in something from a young age through adulthood. “For girls, especially, there’s tremendous opportunity for scholarships, provided you have the grades and character and everything

else the colleges are looking for,” Mike Jean says.

Learning the basics

So, where does a child begin? With an instructor of some sort, says Mike Haase, tournament director 6 Larisa Luloff of Cary is a top area for the McHenry County Junior Golf golfer and a member of the McHenry Association. County Junior Golf Association. Haase and Jim Buenzli are developing the Golf Academy at Terra Cotta in Prairie Grove to offer golf lessons and other programs. Buenzil also hopes to teach golf courses at McHenry County College. Haase has introduced his 9-year-old daughter Lauren to the sport. “I’m certainly not forcing her to play golf, but I’m hoping she will continue to enjoy playing,” he says. “We do go out together a bit now. “Sometimes it can be hard to have common ground for a teenage daughter and her dad,” he continues. “To have something like golf we can do together would be fantastic.” Haase says exposure to golf at any age is good, though he knows it can be an McHenryCountyMagazine.com

expensive sport for families as well as timeconsuming. For those being introduced to the sport for the first time, he suggests taking affordable lessons at area park districts or elsewhere that often are offered in group settings. Such opportunities might offer a less intimidating way for a child to figure out if the sport is appealing as opposed to simply heading for a golf course and swinging away. “It’s not like you’re going bowling. You can be the worst bowler in the world. You’ve got your own lane and no one cares,” Haase says. “If you’re out there swinging 20 times and missing the ball, and you’ve got people behind you watching you, that’s no fun to go that route. “It’s a tough sport not to get some sort of assistance or instruction to start,” he adds. With children especially, Hasse says, he tries to keep lessons as fun, simple and light as possible. He only introduces one or two skills at a time. “It takes time to develop those skills,” he says. “We really want it to be an environment where, ‘Hey, this is really enjoyable.’”

The benefits of golf

Mike Jean took up golf while working at a golf club when he was in high school. He has managed area golf clubs and now works in sales for the PGA of America. “I encouraged my daughter to get involved at a young age because I think she needs to be involved in something, and it’s a sport you can play your whole life,” he says. Emily Jean has played other sports, including softball, and the skills she has learned have helped her in golf. As an individual sport, golf also teaches responsibility, Mike Jean says. “Everything that happens on the golf course is truly your own responsibility,” he says. “You can’t blame a teammate or an opponent ... . I think there’s a lot of value in that in school, in the family environment or just in life.” As for Haase, he says golf is one of those sports that parents and children can do together without it being too taxing or strenuous for parents. He’d love to see his daughter pursue it. “I don’t really care how good she is at the game,” he says. “I just hope she enjoys it.” For more information on the McHenry County Junior Golf Association, visit www. mcjga.net. For more information on the Golf Academy at Terra Cotta in Prairie Grove, visit www.golfacademytc.com.

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

5 Mike Hasse is teaching his daughter Lauren, 9, how to golf.

GOLF TIPS for kids

• Seek private lessons or the more economical classes offered through area park districts. Private lessons offer one-onone instruction. Park district classes can be taken in group settings. “Either way, you’re getting some quality instruction,” Hasse says. Those being introduced to the game for the first time or looking to get back into golf might prefer a group setting. “It’s not too expensive, and most of the time we can provide clubs for the players. You can decide whether this is something you want to continue,” Haase says. “Being in the group setting, you can sign up with a friend or spouse and make it a little less intense than

something one-on-one.” • Remember, it can be an expensive and difficult sport. “It can be intimidating,” Haase says. “It can be a little overwhelming.” Get assistance and instruction at the beginning, he says. • The younger you get someone involved, the better, Haase says. Still, that doesn’t mean children can’t be introduced to golf at later ages, including while in high school. After the age of 8 or 9 is ideal, says Mike Jean. • “Playing other sports is a help to people that want to play golf,” Jean says. Some skills learned in sports such as basketball, hockey or soccer translate to golf, he says. • Try to keep it fun, Haase says. When it comes to lessons, keep it simple, Haase says. “It’s not super intense,” he says. “No yelling or anything like that.” • Opt for professional instructors, Haase says. “It’s really well intended to try to teach your kid to golf,” he says. “Most people aren’t teachers ... they [over-teach] and give way too much information.” • When first learning, focus on one or two things at the most in a practice session, Haase says. • Remember, it takes time to develop skills. mc

6 Hunter Simonini of Marengo, Ethan Farnam of Crystal Lake and Jake Grabner of Huntley also are top area golfers and members of the MCJGA.

golf

Time To Hit The Links The game of golf is a time-honored tradition that many families have passed down through the generations. Take advantage of these courses available in McHenry County.

Below is a listing of public and private courses available throughout the area.

Barrington

Algonquin

40 Shoreline Road, Barrington 847-382-4240 www.lakebarringtonshoresgolf. com 18 holes / Private

Golf Club of Illinois 1575 Edgewood Drive, Algonquin 847-658-4400 www.golfclubofil.com 18 holes / Public Terrace Hill Golf Course

4015 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin 847-658-4653 www.terracehillgolf.com 18 holes / Private

Lake Barrington Shores Golf Club

Stonehenge Golf Club

27250 West Highway 22, Barrington 847-381-8600 18 holes / Private

Foxford Hills Golf Club

6800 S. Rawson Bridge Road, Cary 815-639-0400 www.foxfordhillsgolfclub.com 18 holes / Public

makray memorial golf club

Makray Memorial Golf Club

1010 S. Northwest Highway, Barrington 847-381-6500 www.makraygolf.com 18 holes / PublicÂ Makray Memorial Golf Club is a premier 18-hole, par-71 championship-caliber course with four sets of tees ranging from 6,903 yards to 5,171 yards, strategic bunkers, bent grass tees, fairways and greens, blue grass roughs and spectacular views. Additionally, there is a state-of-the-art practice facility, which includes one and a half acres of bent grass teeing ground, two practice putting greens and a short game area. The PGA head golf professional is Don Habjan. To reserve tee times, contact the club 10 days in advance by phone or 14 days in advance over the Internet.

Cary Cary Country Club

2400 Grove Lane, Cary 847-639-6582 www.carycountryclub.com 18 holes / Semi-private

Chalet Hills Golf Club

943 Rawson Bridge Road, Cary 847-639-0666 www.chalethillsgolfclub.com 18 holes /Public

Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Country Club

721 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake 815-459-1237 www.clcountryclub.com 18 holes / Private

Harvard Oak Grove Golf Course

16914 Oak Grove Road, Harvard 815-648-2550 www.oakgrovegolfcourse.com 18 holes / Public

Plum Tree National Golf Course 19511 Lembcke Road, Harvard 815-943-7474 www.plumtreegolf.com 18 holes / Public

Huntley Pinecrest Golf and Country Club

Lakemoor Lakemoor Golf Club

29000 Sullivan Lake Road, Lakemoor 815-759-0011 18 holes / Public

Lakewood Redtail Golf Club

7900 Redtail Drive, Lakewood 815-477-0055 www.redtailgolf.com 18 holes / Public

Turnberry Country Club

9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood 11220 Algonquin Road, Huntley 815-455-0501 847-669-3111 www.turnberrycc. www.huntleyparks.org/pinecrest-golfcom club 18 holes / Public 18 holes / Private Head PGA Professional Kyle Whisper Creek Golf Club Carter is enthusiastic 12840 Del Webb Blvd., Huntley about his course. “It 877-246-4653 has a lot of character www.whispercreekgolf.com and is quite mature,” 18 holes / Public Carter says. “It is a typical country clubLake in the Hills style course, but at a Boulder Ridge Country Club championship caliber. 350 Boulder Drive, Lake in the Hills We’ve played host to 847-854-3010 USGA qualifiers, Illinois www.boulderridge.com Section Championships 27 holes / Private

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

and County Amateurs over the last 40 years. Marengo Ridge Golf and Country The great thing about the course is that Club you can bite off just as much as you want 9106 Harmony Hill Road, Marengo to chew. We have implemented the PGA’s 815-923-2332 ‘Tee it Forward’ program to ensure there is www.marengoridgegolfclub.com a manageable, yet challenging course for 18 holes / Public everyone.”

Marengo Blackstone Golf Club

9700 St. Andrews Drive, Marengo 815-923-1800 www.blackstonegc.com 18 holes / Semi-private

McHenry Chapel Hill Country Club

2500 Chapel Hill Road, McHenry 815-385-3337 www.chapelhillgc.com 18 holes / Public

turnberry country club

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

Woodstock COUNTRY CLUB

McHenry Country Club

820 N. John St., McHenry 815-385-1072 www.mchenrycountryclub.com 18 holes / Private

Prairie Grove Prairie Isle Golf Club

2216 Route 176, Prairie Grove 815-356-0202 www.prairieisle.com 18 holes / Public

Richmond Hunter Country Club

5419 Kenosha St., Richmond 815-678-7940 9 holes / Public

38 McHenry County Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ April 2013

Woodstock Bull Valley Golf Club

1311 Club Road, Woodstock 815-337-4411 www.bullvalleygolfclub.com 18 holes / Private

Craig Woods Golf Course

5915 S. Route 47, Woodstock 815-338-3111 www.crystalwoodsgc.com/ facilities/craig-woods-course.html 9 holes / Public

Crystal Woods Golf Club 5915 S. Route 47, Woodstock 815-338-3111 www.crystalwoodsgc.com 18 / Semi-private

Woodstock Country Club

10310 Country Club Road, Woodstock 815-338-2191 www.woodstockcountryclub.com 9 holes / Private Established in 1916, the Woodstock County Club is the oldest country club in McHenry County and was designed by Thomas Bendelow. Set in rolling hills, W.C.C. affords its members and their guests a challenging and rewarding golfing experience while also entertaining them in either the formal dining room, the grill room or with refreshments at the bar. We are proud of our friendly, relaxed social atmosphere that makes you feel at home. W.C.C. was recently honored by Golf World Magazine as the 19th ranked 9 Hole Golf Course in the country. mc

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The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. — Phyllis Diller

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

lifestyle / success lives next door

Cleaning Crews!

5 The McHenry County Green Team which includes McHenry County employees celebrates a successful litter pick up. The group adopts a section of Charles Road from Alden Road to Lamb Road in Woodstock. Photos provided

Adopt-A-Highway Program Keeps McHenry County Roadsides Clean I By Lee Nelson

all the golf balls. It actually works out to be about four miles because he walks both sides of the Fox River. Bybee lost his 29-year-old son in April 2005 in a motorcycle-car accident. He decided to dedicate his efforts to Adopt-A-

ave Bybee of McHenry has found money, 3,000 golf balls, cellphones and more while cleaning up the roadside along River Road and Chapel Hill 4 David Niedospial (pictured) Road for the McHenry County is the group leader for the Adopt-A- Highway program. Northern Illinois Horseshoe “I started walking on Chapel League. The group adopts Hill Road by my house to keep Miller Road from Route 31 to my mind occupied,” Bybee Green Street in McHenry. says. “I decided these roadways were filthy. So, I combine my exercising [with] helping the county out.” Bybee goes out at least 12 to 15 times a year to pick up garbage — even though the county only asks its volunteers to go out four times a year — and works on a two-mile stretch of road. Part of his route is near the Chapel Hill County Club, hence

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Highway to honor his son. Many people in the county sign up in the name of a loved one who has passed. Throughout his seven years of walks and trash collecting, Bybee has found 31 cellphones, all kinds of hats and shoes, about $300 that he has put in his grandchildren’s saving accounts, bags and bags of clothing that he cleans up and donates to charity, and heroin needles and cooker spoons. “The heroin is the part that scares me,” he says. “It’s an epidemic in this county.”

Adopting a green movement

Nearly 140 groups take part in the county’s Adopt-A-Highway program each spring and fall. Seventy-two percent of the road miles already are adopted, Daigle says. “It is mind boggling when the snow melts how much stuff is out there,” she says.

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

It would be nice if every road in the county could be adopted. — Chalen Daigle, coordinator of McHenry County’s Adopt-A-Highway program

5 The McHenry County Green Team cleans a section of Charles Road in Woodstock.

She believes the volunteers’ efforts save the county at least $500,000 annually. “If we didn’t have these groups and individuals going out there, we would have to have our staff go out and do it,” she says. “We encourage the people to recycle as much as possible.” The county first had an unofficial AdoptA-Highway program, but it wasn’t until 2004 that it really took off and the county prepared a budget for it. Daigle took over in 2007 as coordinator.

42 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

“It’s such a positive thing for McHenry County to have something like this,” she says. “It’s also rewarding when I get calls from other townships or municipalities that want to know how to start up their own program. “It would be nice if every road in the county could be adopted.”

Who can volunteer

Those who volunteer for Adopt-A-Highway come from all walks of life, ages and reasons for

doing it. Daigle’s volunteers include Boy Scout and church groups, businesses, organizations, individuals and those who simply believe in helping the environment. The participants must be at least 10 years old with an adult present during the cleanup. When the first thaw comes in the spring and the melting snow reveals trash in ditches and roadways, groups begin to get motivated to get out and clean up. Many spring cleanups are scheduled in conjunction with Earth Day, which this year is Monday, April 22. But groups and individuals can schedule them whenever they are free. The county provides volunteers with highly visible safety vests plus orange garbage bags for trash and clear ones for recyclable items. The groups also are encouraged to watch a safety training video before going out to a cleanup. They get their name on a designated sign along their cleanup route. Ben Bahnsen of Harvard along with his sister-in-law Jen Nichols-Hogle have been cleaning up three miles of road near Harvard for about five years, and they signed up for another segment of highway this spring. “I originally did it for my business,” Bahnsen says. “That went out of business for a while, so I had the county change those signs to just our names.” Bahnsen now owns TisBen Transport and travels coast to coast transporting goods on a flatbed truck. Getting time to clean up the roadways is tight.

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“But I like to go out there and get some fresh air,” he says. “It’s a time for me not to have to think about anything.” He says he always is amazed at how many beer bottles and cans he and Nichols-Hogle find. “Obviously, these are coming from vehicles,” Bahnsen says. “Occasionally, we will find a full bottle of alcohol. We also get a lot of McDonald’s wrappers and containers on this road. I just don’t understand why people litter.” mc

GET CLEANING To get involved in the McHenry County Adopt-A-Highway program, contact coordinator Chalen Daigle at 815-3344970 or cldaigle@co.mchenry.il.us. Or, for more information, visit www. mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/ dot/Pages/AAH.aspx.

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

lifestyle

The Rhythm Of Art I By PAT STEMPER VOJTA

“Beauty Behind The Red Shadow”

“Fall Leaf Eaten By Fungus”

“Textile In Acrylics”

rt was Andrew Sentamu’s only escape from the war and poverty that plagued his birth city of Kampala, Uganda. Sentamu, born in 1976, was the fifth of seven children. When Idi Amin’s reign of terror swept through Sentamu’s village, he was 3. Sentamu’s father, a victim of Amin’s war, was shot twice in his leg in the streets of Kampala outside Sentamu’s house. He was taken to a hospital in Kenya where he recovered from his wounds. Not wanting to return to Uganda, his father moved in with his sister in Kenya. Sentamu’s mother then was left to raise seven children alone. The family ended up in the slums of Uganda living in a mud house with no windows. The roof leaked and the rains brought in snakes. Sentamu says there also was a constant fear of rebels entering his home. Sentamu’s mother learned to type and took on small typing jobs in order to feed her family. When keeping the family fed became too difficult, his mother sent 5-year old Sentamu and his 4-year old sister to a boarding school 80 miles from Kampala. It was during that time that Sentamu was exposed to art. “We didn’t have resources,” Sentamu says. “We had to make our own toys.” While the girls jumped rope, the boys at the school wanted cars to play with. They realized they would have to make such toys themselves. The boys found the clay soil was easy to mold into cars. “That’s how I slowly started getting into the rhythm of art,” Sentamu says. “Celebrated Woman”

“Ceramic Workshop”

“Fisher Man Under Mysterious Light”

When Sentamu could find a piece of paper and a pencil, he began drawing pictures of cars. “I had to work within my limits,” Sentamu says. “When you live without, you learn to live within your means. I enjoyed art because art freed me up. It brought out the real me.” Becoming an artist Sentamu eventually moved back home with his mother to attend a local junior high school, but art wasn’t offered as a class. So, he began to play soccer. It wasn’t until Sentamu entered high school that art finally was offered as an elective course. “That’s when I got into my element,” Sentamu says. While he continued to play soccer, Sentamu says he was one of the best art and graphics students of his class. Finally, his mother was able to save enough money from her typing jobs to move the family from the slums to the city. “That sort of revolutionized my art,” Sentamu says. “I began meeting more people, and I improved a lot,” Sentamu says. After graduation from high school, Sentamu took pre-university classes of geography, economics and art, and he excelled in art. He went on to attend Nkumba University in Uganda and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial and commercial arts in 2000. In order to pay for Sentamu’s entry into college, “The Portrait”

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

his mother and siblings helped “Friday Night in the City” earn the money. One of Sentamu’s art professors realized Sentamu had talent and offered him jobs designing T-shirts and banners for local organizations such as the Uganda Media Women’s Association. “They gave me a lot of experience and exposure,” Sentamu says. Upon graduation, Sentamu began freelancing architectural designs for the construction of a local church and created interior designs for several libraries in Uganda. He also began teaching art to American Embassy children and teaching art and soccer at an international French school in Uganda for embassy and privileged children in fifth through ninth grades. “That’s what opened my eyes at how different kids were,” Sentamu says. “These were very privileged children. They had television and exposure to the media.”

Sentamu wanted his students to use art as a way to appreciate themselves, not merely as recreation. “The main thing I teach my students is [that] I’m not looking for perfection, I’m looking for expression,” Sentamu says. Using his art for good In 2005, Sentamu, then 28, met Betsy — an American woman who was completing an internship in Uganda. He followed Betsy to the U.S. Betsy was living in Crystal Lake, and the couple decided to buy a house there and settle down. They were married in May 2005, and April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

in 2009, the couple had their first son, Tristen. “Tristen does not display artistic talents,” Sentamu says of his 4-year-old. “He does like monster trucks and excels at playing soccer.” While Sentamu misses Uganda, he says Crystal Lake has become his home. “The only wealth we have in my country of Uganda is its people, and I feel that in Crystal Lake,” Sentamu says. The 36-year-old currently teaches private art lessons and is skilled in all media including acrylics, charcoal, oils, pastels, watercolor, textiles, sculpture, metal welding, graphic arts and photography. His style has a vast range, with some pieces incorporating vibrant colors while others are produced in black and white. He uses realistic and abstract designs of contemporary pieces to African themes. “I’m using my art right now to unite people, but I’m focusing on the younger generation because they will get the context for a lifetime,” Sentamu says. When he is not teaching art, Sentamu plays soccer for a Chicago soccer team, which he has been involved with since 2005. Sentamu believes in giving back to Uganda. He is working to develop Care and Share, a nonprofit organization that sells his hand-made textile woven bracelets to benefit victims of abuse, rape, neglect and HIV as well as local farmers who are struggling. “Those are the things that make me cry in the night,” Sentamu says. “My art is going to serve the poor.” mc

For information on upcoming art shows, requesting an art class or purchasing a bracelet, call 847-9129668, email sentamuandrew@yahoo. com or visit www.andrewsentamu.com.

6 Andrew Sentamu has been honing his artistic skills since he was a young boy in Uganda.

48 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

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“Decorative With Rhythm”

“Sound Effect”

“Mixed Media Acrylics”

“Silent Night’

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

lifestyle

Natural Goodness

large conglomerates are sweeping up more and more wineries, it’s refreshing to find wineries that have succeeded while still being

family owned. We recently sat down with Matt Joy of Winebow, a wine distribution company, to discuss one such winery — Bogle Vineyards. The Bogle family is a sixth-generation farming family from the heart of California that produces great wines in a responsible and sustainable manner. What exactly does that mean? The Bogle family proudly uses solar power and high-efficiency machines to achieve lower greenhouse gas emissions. Nonsynthetic herbicides and pesticides are used in the vineyards to maintain organic levels of nutrients to produce the best wines. No chemicals — just pure, non-manipulated juice is in these bottles. Having said all that, what really makes these wines stand out is their tremendous values. Here are some of the highlights from our recent Bogle Vineyards tasting.

A Little Bird Told Me

with Cardinal Wine & Spirits • Bruce Garfield, president of Cardinal Wine & Spirits in Crystal Lake; Jeremy Brock, general manager of Cardinal Wine & Spirits; and Scot Stadalsky, the wine guy at Cardinal Wine & Spirits, offer more than 70 years of combined experience in the wine and liquor industry to McHenry County.

Chardonnay — $8

Generous fruit and mild oak give way to tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and melon in this chardonnay. A rich mouthfeel adds complexity, and the finish is clean yet graceful enough to match with your favorite foods or stand by itself.

Pinot Noir — $12

Crushed violets and strawberry combine with green tea and dried spices in both the aroma and the palate and are then topped off with just the right amount of oak to give it that vanilla-kissed finish.

The Phantom

— $18 This is the Cellarmaster’s Reserve wine made from the finest and oldest vines. Fierce berry and sensual spice notes will haunt you when you taste this full-bodied yet supple texture produced by extended barrel aging. Dark fruits, bright vanilla and a dose of mystery round out the wine.

The Essential Red

— $10 This brand-new, exciting blend is just what we were looking for — rich, ripe, luscious and juicy. Loads of old-vine zinfandel and petite sirah with a touch of cabernet sauvignon and syrah create a complex and fruity red with just the right amount of spice, and that comes on top of the generous and silky mouthfeel. It is essential that you pick up this red.

Sauvignon Blanc — $8

Deliciously clean and fruity — not sweet — this wine has hints of tropical citrus fruit and crisp acidity. It’s light- to medium-bodied with no oak, which makes this the perfect “any time” wine to have in your fridge. It pairs well with shellfish, sushi or salads.

Petite Sirah — $12

Deep, dark and inky describe this wine, yet it’s boldly fruity and juicy in the mouth. Not quite syrah, not quite cabernet, this is a great in-between wine that gives you a full-bodied red without all the dry tannins. It pairs wonderfully with barbecue, burgers and pizza. mc

52 McHenry County Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ April 2013

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lifestyle

Smile! It's Donut Time 5 Pictured is a freshly baked tray of cinnamon rolls at Country Donuts in Crystal Lake. Photos by Zach Walters

business, many partnerships come and go. That is certainly not the case with the dynamic duo that owns and operates Country Donuts on Route

14 in Crystal Lake. Scott Offord and Larry Swanson have been business partners for 33 years, and since 1980, they have been combining their talents to produce the “world’s best coffee and donuts.” If they’re not the two most recognizable faces in the county, then they certainly are the two most liked in the county — and for good reason. Scott is the baker, having grown up in a family that owned Dunkin’ Donuts franchises. He has been getting up early since he was 15 years old, purely for his love of baking and, in particular, his passion for doughnuts. When asked about his labor of love, he sounds much like a college professor talking about the science of baking and his passion for it. He attended Dunkin’ Donuts Baking School in 1972 and has been improving his talent and conviction for the last 40 odd years. He rides his bike to work every day from Woodstock, 10 miles in and 10 miles out. His last bike collapsed after a 100,000 miles, so he now makes sure he has his cell phone with him at all times. He’s always in his bakers whites and can be seen making doughnuts just about every day through the outdoor and indoor viewing window. Larry, meanwhile, a former inspector with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, comes from a family that owned Mr. Donut franchises — the original name of Country Donuts — and handles the staffing and administrative side of the business. He’s easily recognizable by the suspenders he wears every day that just seem to quietly say “down-home goodness.”

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When asked about the secret of success in their partnership, Scott says he and Larry both are reasonable, and each has an area of expertise that they both respect. When it comes to business success, “Ultimately, it’s quality of product,” Scott says. For example, the medium roast coffee they

5 Pictured from left are Scott Offord and Larry Swanson. They have been business partners since 1980.

developed and serve has been produced by the same roaster since the ’90s. Its recipe is a secret and made exclusively for them. I can tell you that when you walk in, you won’t be able to decide which aroma you like best, the coffee or the doughnuts. Such a great problem to have. Open 24 hours a day, the team has perfected “seamless transitions” of production by having a deep knowledge of the science of baking and agricultural products. Plus, they understand the importance of personal service. No matter what time you visit, the product is top notch — and so is the staff. In fact, the staff has well over 100 combined years working together with Scott and Larry. Tina, who has been with them for 30 years, and Chris, who has been there 17 years, say it’s like being with family working for this gentle duo.

Mardi Gras is their busiest time of the year. After two days of 24-hour production — Lundi Gras Monday and Fat Tuesday — they issued and fulfilled 260 dozen rain checks for Paczki, or Polish doughnuts, on Wednesday. Now that’s busy! Over the years, this spotless shrine to great doughnuts has been remodeled and updated. The drive through was added in 2009 and has proved to be the ultimate in convenience for moms with small children. Most importantly, you’ll soon know where all those smiles on customer’s faces originate — of course, it’s the doughnuts. When you look at the carnival of colors and textures sitting on display behind the counter, it’s hard to make a decision as your taste buds happily override your brain’s ability to think, but you already know that. We all do. Scanning the display cases and thinking about every delicious bite you are about to enjoy, you can’t help it — your face erupts into a contagious, involuntary, long-lasting smile that goes from ear to ear. Scott and Larry are two very talented guys, but I think they should add a line to their logo — Country Donuts, World’s Best Coffee and Donuts, Free Smiles Installed With Every Purchase. Stop in and get your free smile soon. mc

Put A Fork In It

with David Faccone • David Faccone is the owner/chef of Crystal Lake Rib House and brings 30 years of experience in the restaurant business to McHenry County. April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

health

STRETCHING: The Truth The Benefits Of Letting Your Muscles Breathe

By LAUREN LYNCH

After

a long day of sitting at a desk, it’s not unusual for individuals to feel the need to stretch their legs. Sometimes the remedy can be as simple as parking just a few extra stalls away from the grocery store. For others, a bit more of a stretch is in order. Annette Norwood, for one, keeps her body properly aligned by practicing meditation and slow stretching two to three times a week at Bliss Yoga in McHenry. When Norwood opened up Posh Salon and Color Bar in downtown Wheaton nearly four years ago, she knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task. “Being a business owner is extremely stressful,” she says. Suffering from high blood pressure and carpal tunnel syndrome, Norwood was given advice and prescribed medications from numerous doctors that resulted in temporary relief for her ailments. When she decided to research the benefits revolving around yoga, the Lakemoor resident didn’t hesitate to take a more holistic approach. “Yoga changed my life,” she says. “I was able to get off all of my medications, and I experienced no more anxiety.”

6 Pamela Goss, owner of Bliss Yoga in McHenry, uses a strap to elongate her stretch.

Why stretching works

6 PIGEON POSE

By practicing calming breathing exercises, Norwood is able to carry out daily tasks — regardless if she’s in a stressful situation — with ease during a busy day at the salon or at home. “Yoga has helped me have better balance, strengthen my mind and promote more circulation throughout my body,” she says. Norwood’s teacher and Bliss Yoga owner Pamela Goss echoes her student’s words. “The movements send oxygen to the brain that makes you feel happiness and relaxed,” Goss says. Goss, who opened her studio three years ago, teaches Hathastyle yoga — which focuses on poses and breathing — three or four times a day to students who experience similar symptoms Norwood once experienced. “Most of the people who come to me have anxiety, stress

5 TRIANGLE

and tightness in the shoulders,” Goss says. She advises her students to stretch muscles on the side of their body that is tight as well as the other side so that their bodies stay balanced.

How to properly stretch

Poor posture is just one of the elements that make shoulders tense. Megan Kennebeck of McHenry, who works at the Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute in McHenry, helps many patients who don’t utilize proper posture during the workday. “We do a lot of educating,” says Kennebeck, who has her doctorate degree in physical therapy. “You should sit forward on your hips, keep your shoulders back and not hunched, and look straight ahead, not up.” In order to keep muscles conditioned as well as prevent injury, Kennebeck recommends stretching before and after an activity. “It’s absolutely beneficial,” she says. “We hold a position for 20 to 30 seconds doing three to five [repetitions] a day depending on the person.” Kennebeck dissuades people from doing rapid bouncing movements that could possible cause more strain than good. She also advises caution when trying out a new pose whether it’s in yoga or physical therapy. “Don’t hold a pose outside of your comfort zone,” she says. Similarly, Goss warns her students during classes to stop as soon as they feel any discomfort. “If it does not feel right, it’s too much on the body,” she says. “My advice to students is to always listen to their body and to work on their own edge and to remember that the sense of peace they feel after class is who they are.” When there’s not enough time to head to a yoga studio, Goss advises anyone wanting to learn a few moves at home to start with a beginner’s yoga video and advance from there. “It’s getting more and more popular to designate an area in the home as a place for yoga … it becomes your space where you can leave stresses of the day behind,” she says. For Norwood, who is six months pregnant, taking pressure off of her lower back by utilizing a few moves she’s learned in Goss’ studio has helped her continue to cater to her clients who sit in her styling chair each day. “Yoga’s even more amazing now,” she says.

Try it YOURSELF

Step-by-step stretching instructions from Pamela Goss

Child’s pose (Balasana)

Start in a tabletop position by getting down on your hands and knees. Press back through your hips. Reach your arms out in front. Hold for three to five breaths. Benefits: Stretches the hips, thighs and ankles and is calming to the nervous system, helping to relieve stress and fatigue.

Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakakotasana) Start in a tabletop position on your hands and knees. Bring your right knee in-between your hands. Come down onto your forearms. Hold for five to 10 breaths. Benefits: This deep stretch for the hips is calming to the nervous and digestive system. Make sure to do the pose of both sides of your body. Down dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Start in a tabletop position on your hands and knees, then flip your toes onto the floor and lift your hips into the sky. Work to straighten your legs. Hold for three to five breaths. Benefits: Energizes the body; improves digestion; strengthens the arms and legs.

Seated side fold (Paschimottana) Sit with your legs long in front of you. Keeping your hips grounded, press your right palm into the floor next to you and draw your left arm over your head. Hold for three to five breaths and repeat on your left side. Benefits: Stretches the spine, shoulders and hamstrings; also calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild symptoms of depression. Triangle (Trikonasana)

While standing, open up your legs wide and turn your right toes out and your left toes in. Bring your arms up half way. Work to the ground through the feet evenly. Stretch your right hand to your right leg and point your left arm into the sky. You want to feel nice and long in this asana, or body position. Hold for five to 10 breaths. Repeat on your left side. Benefits: Strengthens and stretches the entire body. Helps to relieve lower back pain; improves digestion.

3 SEATED SIDE FOLD

Photos by HEATHER NELSON April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

Thread the needle

Start in a tabletop position on your hands and knees. Extend your right arm out to the side or to the sky. Then, bring your right arm underneath and through your left arm and rest on the right side of your head and shoulder. Hold for three to five breaths. Repeat on the left side. Benefits: Stretches the shoulder and back muscles; stimulates the abdominal organs. mc

6 THREAD THE NEEDLE

56 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

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health

Avoid Getting

STU

The normal aging process creates wear and tear on the tissues of the body, especially the joints. This process is commonly called osteoarthritis. Arthritis is like rust on a door hinge. The hinges of a new door move free and easy, much like healthy joints. In time, as the hinges begin to rust, movement becomes restricted and slower. However, if cared for, the hinges can work well and the door will last for a very long time. Chiropractic has been shown to have an impact in alleviating pain associated with this degenerative process as well as restoring function, mobility and overall health to the joint and tissues involved.

Symptoms & Pain Relief Osteoarthritis may cause pain and decrease range of motion. Additionally, the inflamed joint may feel hot and swollen. Inflammation is a reaction of bodily tissue to an injury or misalignment of vertebrae, which causes pain. This response accounts for the symptoms such as lower back pain that people endure because of misaligned vertebrae. While the use of anti-inflammatory drugs can provide short-term relief from the pain associated with tissue inflammation, the drugs may impede the body’s natural process of repairing the affected area, delaying or even preventing effective healing. Reducing inflammation is essential to relieve pain as the first step of a comprehensive treatment plan. I typically prescribe noninvasive methods to reduce inflammation such as the application of ice, specialized massage, physical therapy, hydration, ultrasound or acupuncture. These are safe, comfortable and natural methods that don’t carry the side effects or risks associated with prescription drugs.

How Chiropractic Maintains Or Restores Joint Mobility Bones not in alignment, especially in the vertebrae — the back — have a direct effect upon nerves, muscles, connective tissue and blood circulation. Joints, especially those in the spine, thrive upon their ability to move. If movement of a joint is compromised, the makeup of the joint — muscle, ligament, blood supply — becomes adversely affected causing degeneration. Adjustment procedures may vary, but the chief goal of chiropractic care for arthritis is to use a process of continual adjustments of degenerative joints in order to maintain or restore movement of the affected area. This process is comparable to oiling the hinges of a door to help them function properly. As a joint regenerates, neural messages as well as blood supply flow into the previously affected area without the restrictions caused by degeneration.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” — Benjamin Franklin

CK Long Term Effects Uncorrected misalignment of the vertebrae can cause other parts of the body to compensate in order to alleviate the pain caused by inflammation of the misaligned area. Limited physical activity, the inability to stand erect and walking with a moderate to pronounced stoop can become the body’s mechanism to cope with the pain. Further compensatory symptoms and physical characteristics can include the gradual limitation of movement of the hips, knees and shoulders along with local or referred pain and headaches. The bigger problem is that misalignments stay “stuck,” severely limiting the affected vertebrae’s range of motion. Over time, the affected joints begin to deteriorate due to lack of movement at their full range. This degeneration also applies to connective tissue, nerves and blood circulation to the affected area as well. Eventually the bone portions of the vertebral area will fuse, resulting in a complete lack of joint mobility. Chiropractic can alleviate these issues. mc

Vital Signs with Dr. Daniel Strelcheck Jr. • Dr. Daniel V. Strelcheck Jr. is the chief of staff at Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic in Crystal Lake. Feel Great Again! Go to www.strelcheckchiro.com.

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

fashion & beauty

Stila Stay All Day 3D Wet-To-Set Eyeshadow Trio in Desert Sunset

SPRING Fresh The Hottest Makeup Colors And Styles Spring is here — it’s time to update your beauty essentials! The season screams brighter hues, so don’t be afraid to pull out your brightest shades of lipstick and eye shadows to make a statement as the weather warms up. From bold brows to orange eyeshadows, Molly Sloat, director of trend development at ULTA Beauty, provides a sneak peak at the hottest makeup trends for the spring season. ULTA Beauty operates 550 retail stores across 45 states and has many stores in the Chicago area.

Aquatic Eye

Cool weather equals cool eye colors. Sloat says ocean blues and greens will enhance any eye color, and they pair perfectly with that coveted summer glow. Whether you try just the liner or go for the flattering turquoise eye, this easy look will take you straight to the Caribbean. You may not be able to dive into the Mediterranean Sea this weekend, but you can exude an island paradise by applying some sparkling aquatic eye makeup. To create the perfect aquatic eye look, ULTA Beauty recommends: • CK One Gloss Eye color in Vivid, $17 • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil in Deep End, Flipside or Electric, $19 • LORAC Mint Edition Collection, $36

(Images provided)

I By Betsy Demitropoulos I

Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit

Sunrise Eye

Topaz, orange and pink shadows will be really big this spring. Sloat says these colors may sound intense, but with a liquid liner and black mascara, this look goes from runway to wearable. For the sunrise look, ULTA Beauty recommends: • CK One Eyeshadow Quad in Amazon or Street Edition Vandalized, $28 • Too Faced Summer Eye Palette, $36 • BareMinerals Remix Trend Collection READY Eyeshadow 4.0 in The Next Big Thing, $30

Bold Brow

Bold brows are big news for spring. “Strong brows frame spring’s natural face,” Sloat says. If you’re among the lucky ones who can grow thick brows, let them grow. But if you need to fake it, ULTA Beauty has numerous products that can help you create a full brow including easy-to-use pencils and shadows. Some of these brow-enhancing items include: • Anastasia HyperColor Brow and Hair, $12.50 • Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color, $21 • Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit, $30 mc

Cherry Lip

Local ULTA Beauty Locations

You can sweeten up a nude look with a bright cherry lip. “This lip color is perfect for women who want to make a statement without the time commitment, and the bluish hue is flattering on all complexions,” Sloat says. For a bright cherry lip, ULTA Beauty suggests the following products: • Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Ruby, $22 • Butter London Lippy Lipgloss in Macbeth, $18 • Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip in Fiery, $24

Algonquin Commons

1804 S. Randall Road, Algonquin • 847-458-0743

The Shops at Fox Valley

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip in Fiery

3206 Shoppers Drive, McHenry • 815-344-2028

Bronze. Lash. Repeat.

A natural, sun-kissed look is trendy this spring. Sloat suggests dusting eyelids with rust-colored metallics for a healthy way to get a sun-kissed look. “Thick, dramatic lashes complete the look and make the eyes pop,” she says. To get a natural bronze look ULTA Beauty recommends the following products: • Too Faced Boudoir Soft & Sexy Eyeshadow Collection, $36 • Stila Stay All Day 3D Wet-To-Set Eyeshadow Trio in Desert Sunset, $24 • Smashbox Love Me Collection: Eyeshadow Palette in Admire Me, $34

Luminous Skin

Eyes sparkle and cheeks shimmer when you use highlighters, whites and bronzers to illuminate your skin. “Wake up your complexion with this effortless way to brighten your skin and fake a full night’s sleep,” Sloat says. For luminous skin, ULTA Beauty suggests the following products: • Benefit Watt’s Up, $30 • Urban Decay Naked Flushed: Bronzer, Highlighter and Blush, $30 • Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand in Gold, $32 5 The first hole on the White Birch at Brighton Dale Links, a 424-yard uphill par 4, can create a steamy start to a round that will really test a golfer’s metal.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil in Deep End, Flipside or Electric

lifestyle & beauty fashion

3Horticulturist Heather Moister of The Barn Nursery and Landscape Center in Cary models some of the gardening apparel and tools available at the store. Photos by Michele Idstein

Dirt DIVA Safe And Stylish Products For The Gardener

By COLLEEN LEONARD

ocal garden experts recommend practical tools and protective apparel to lay the groundwork for a beautiful yard. Woodstock resident Linda Popp, who has gardened for 60 years, says her favorite garden tool is a hori hori knife. The multipurpose hand tool is beveled like a trowel for digging and serrated on an edge for cutting. As a result, it can be used for cutting, digging, weeding, transplanting and dividing perennials.

Find The Right Tools

Popp often uses tools that are ergonomic, meaning easy on the body. For instance, she uses a deepseat garden kneeler from online retailer Gardener’s Supply Co. because it serves as a cushioned bench on one side and a kneeling pad on the other. Elaine Showers of Woodstock relies on a 2-footlong Sneeboer perennial spade for a lot of her gardening.

“If I use a regular spade, I get a backache,” says Showers, who has gardened avidly for 25 years. “And with this one, I can kneel and dig. So, it protects my back.” Gardeners also like using bypass pruners to deadhead flowers, cut small branches and trim roots. “If you buy a cheap one, you’re going to hurt your hand because you have to put so much force on it,” Showers says. The Barn Nursery and Landscape Center in Cary has a new Corona pruner with handles that fold out so that the tool turns into a lopper to cut sizable branches, says horticulturist Heather Moister, who manages the nursery’s herbaceous department. Other choices are Corona ComfortGEL bypass pruners and floral snips. The tool handles are soft to provide comfort and control. An unusual-looking garden tool at the nursery is the WeedBlaster Pro. It looks like a mop handle with a cone at the end. Above the cone is an oval storage container for herbicide. When the herbicide is sprayed, the cone limits the

range to protect surrounding plants. “If you’re using it in your garden, you can kill a weed right next to a shrub, and you don’t have to worry about any of the herbicide getting 3 (At left) Corona offers an array of ergonomic tools. 6Besides Atlas gloves, The Barn Nursery also carries Midwest Gloves and Gear, some of which feature Softec technology to provide a comfortable, flexible grip.

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

5The Barn Nursery carriers Sloggers garden clogs for men and women.

onto the shrub,” Moister says. Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center in Crystal Lake carries ergonomic tools made by Radius Garden. The tool handles are shaped like a semicircle to reduce wrist stress. A hand fork, scooper, cultivator, weeder, transplanter and trowel come with rubber handles in lime green, blue, orange, yellow, purple and pink. Two of the best large ergonomic tools are the Radius Garden Shark and Ground Hog rakes, says Pattie Braglia, Countryside’s purchasing manager. The lime green Garden Shark rake has

teeth that resemble a shark’s mouth. It is designed to easily pull heavy mulch and spread it out with a push. The orange Ground Hog, which has a rounder tool head, is marketed as a rake that reaches deep into a garden 5Children’s gardening gear also is bed to remove available at the Barn Nursery. leaves and other debris. Compared with a standard rake, Braglia says, “They work twice as fast with half the effort.”

No Stick In The Mud

Besides tools, gardeners list gloves, brim hats and the right footwear as garden essentials. The Barn’s best-selling glove line is Atlas. Moister likes the bamboo gloves because they are antimicrobial to prevent odor. On the palm and fingers, the gloves are coated with rubber for water protection and easy gripping. The brim hat collection from the Wallaroo Hat Co. is another popular line for men and women. The straw and fabric hats are stylish, lightweight and breathable and tie in the back so they fit snug and won’t blow away, Moister says. McHenryCountyMagazine.com

START OF THE SEASON To kick off the season, Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center in Crystal Lake will host the following free garden seminars Saturday, April 13: “Gardening for Birds and Butterflies” at 11:30 a.m.; “Best New Plants for 2013” at 1 p.m.; and “The Best Lawn in Town” at 2:30 p.m.

Countryside sells several styles of Mud gloves, which Braglia describes as longlasting quality gloves that come in different sizes and textures. Some are partially or fully coated with rubber to keep hands dry and free of blisters, she says, and others are synthetic so hands stay dirt-free. April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

5A variety of gardening gear and outdoor decorations are available at The Barn Nursery.

CLEAN IT UP! ndscape

and La The Barn Nursery invites the ry Ca in Center ing Cleanup public to its “Spr will include ch hi w ,” Weekend ng from 10 a.m. free tool sharpeni , April 20, and to 2 p.m. Saturdayp.m. Sunday, from noon to 4 . April 21

In the hat section, gardeners will find Tula brim hats for both sexes. These hand-woven palm hats are snug to stay on and dressy enough to be worn for many occasions, Braglia says. She recommends Bogs boots for gardeners who want to keep their feet dry. The boots are noted for their handles so that they slip on easily. Designed for both sexes, the boots are warm and waterproof and come in solid colors and bright patterns, Braglia says. mc

64 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

Spring“ et’s Party is Nature’s Way of Saying

!”

We have everyth ing you need to crea te the perfect outdo or living area and th e expertise to bring it all together. oor Visit our Unilock outd uring living display areas feat s, brick paver walks, patio tdoor seat walls, fireplaces, ou e. kitchens and much mor R

AUTHORIZED CONTRACTO

Visit our full service Garden and Landscape Center, we are here to help you from design to completion whether you want to tackle the project yourself, or have the professionals do it for you.

Please visit our website for more information! www.whisperinghillsnursery.com

Route 31 in Crystal Lake

847.658.5610

social life McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Derby Dance

5 The McHenry Area the “Win Sponsor” Chamber of Commerce thanks of Roses.” Pictured ar the “Derby Dance Run for the e Kay Rial Bates of Area Chamber of the McHenry Com Worldwide Traveler merce and Darrellynn Hanes of Ltd. Photos provide d

Derby Dance were, 5 The “Place Sponsors” of the Shannon Reed of and no ezia Ven pe sep from left, Giu hbaecher of Centegra BMO Harris Bank; Amy Moersc Home State Bank; John of Health System; Stacey Kubis Dixie Gilmore of Gary Rung of Northwest Herald; and Lang Auto Group.

5 The “Show Sp on left, Dan Conrad of sors” of the Derby Dance were, fro m Morley of Bjorkm Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport; Gary an of Blooms & Room ’s Ace Hardware; Joyce Konstantino s Advocate Good Sh Design Studio; Linnea Mason of w ep McHenry Bank an herd Hospital; Toddi Conway of d Health System. m Trust; and Debbie Morley of Mercy c

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April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

out & about

April Events In McHenry County ARTS

April 5 — Billy Jonas and The Billy Jonas Band, 6:30 p.m. at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake Throw out the rules when Billy Jonas hits the stage! It’s a musical conversation, a sonic celebration and a splendiferous gathering of old and young. At a Billy Jonas show, the ensemble is … everyone! Tickets start at $6. For tickets or more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org. April 12 through 28 — “The Fox on the Fairway,”

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., in Woodstock This madcap tribute to the great English high comedies of the 1930s and 1940s takes audiences to a private country club where mistaken identities and romantic entanglements abound. Tickets are $23 for adults or $20 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call 815-338-5300 or visit www. woodstockoperahouse.com. April 13 — Short Stories and Tall Tales of the American Hero, 3 p.m. at Raue Center for the Arts,

26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake This fun program focuses on classic American folklore using a mixture of song, dance and storytelling. This show is a high-energy, fast-paced, vaudevillianesque Raue Center original production! Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. For tickets or more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter. org. April 18 — “The Clodhopper Monologues,” 8 p.m. at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., in Woodstock Join New York Times best-selling author and humorist Michael Perry for a heartfelt and hilarious evening. Whether discussing vicious chickens, homeless guinea pigs, one-eyed joke-telling butchers or trying to explain deer hunting to a turtle-necked publicist in New York City, Michael Perry will have you belly-laughing one minute and wiping away a tear the next. Tickets are $20. For tickets or more information, call 815-338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com. April 19 — Lucy’s Music Café, 8:30 p.m. at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake April’s event features Halle and the Jilt. Lucy’s Comedy Cafe is a hot spot to witness original, creative talent on stage. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of. For tickets or more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org. April 20 — Peter Yarrow, 8 p.m. at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake Peter’s talents as a creative artist — both with Peter, Paul and Mary and as a solo performer — are frequently directed at using music to convey a message of humanity and caring. His gift for song writing has produced some of the most moving songs Peter, Paul and Mary have recorded. Tickets start at $32. For tickets or more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www. rauecenter.org. April 26 through May 11 — “Steel Magnolias,” at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake In its searing depiction of a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touching and, in the end, deeply revealing of what it truly means to be a friend when the chips are up or down. Tickets start at $29. For tickets or more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www. rauecenter.org.

EVENTS

April 4 — Photography for Smart Phones, 7 p.m. at the Village Hall Community Room, 600 Harvest Gate, in Lake in the Hills You will learn how to use the camera’s settings and controls to capture unique photographs and video clips. Discover how a cell phone can create works of art of everyday events and people in your life. Cost is $27. For more information, visit www.lith.org. April 6 — 23rd Annual Benefit for Adult and Child Therapy Services, 6:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Moose Family Center, on Clay Street in Woodstock This event will feature raffles, a silent auction, 50-50 drawings, live band Hans and the Hormones and more! Attendees must be 21 or older. Cost is $10. For more information, call 814-648-4333. April 13 — Mothers and More Kidstuff Resale, 8 a.m. to noon at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1023 S. McHenry Ave., in Crystal Lake

68 McHenry County Magazine • April 2013

McHenryCountyMagazine.com

Find all of your children’s clothing, toy and equipment needs! The sale will feature great prices on more than 16,000 items from more than 140 sellers of gently used fall and winter children’s clothing, toys and equipment including infant supplies, nursing items, bedding, strollers, beds and more. For more information, call 815334-7813 or visit www.mchenrymothers.org. April 13 — Veteran’s Acres Fishing Derby, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Nature Center, 330 N. Main St., in Crystal Lake Beginning anglers of all ages will enjoy a morning of fishing and fun at Veteran Acres Pond. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Crystal Lake Anglers/ Nature Center staff will provide a quick fishing lesson to those in need. Fishing poles, tackle, bait and prizes will be provided. Anyone older than 16 must have a current Illinois fishing license. Catch and release is encouraged. The event will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather. For more information, visit www. crystallakeparks.org. April 13 and 14 — 2013 Used Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 15 Crystal Lake Plaza, in Crystal Lake Friends of the Crystal Lake Library will sponsor their annual used book sale. For more information, call 815236-6406 or visit www.crystallakelibrary.org. April 14 — Run Thru the Hills, 8 a.m. starting at AMC Lake in the Hills 12 Theatre, 311 Randall Road, in Lake in the Hills The Run Thru the Hills race has walk, run and strolling distances for all levels. Each participant will receive a long-sleeved technical shirt. Awards will take place on site following the races. Early packet-pickup and registration will be available at the Running Depot, 30-H N. Williams St., in Crystal Lake from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Families who register online before April 8 will receive a family discount. To register or for more information, visit www.lith.org. April 14 — Bowling for College and Silent Auction, 2 p.m. at Kingpin Lanes, 418 Lincoln Ave., in Fox River Grove This fundraiser costs $20 a person, which will include bowling, shoe rental, snacks, two glasses of wine or beer and a chance to wine door prizes. No reservations are required. For more information, call 312-315-1077. April 14 — Mother Daughter Tea, seatings at 12:30 and 3 p.m. at the Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave., in Crystal Lake Attend this fun tea time for mothers and daughters! Cost is $15 for residents and $23 for nonresidents. To register or for more information, visit www. crystallakeparks.org. April 18 — Creative Living Series: A Life at the Library of Congress, 10 a.m. at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 E. Van Buren St., in Woodstock The Library of Congress is one of the largest, most comprehensive research and public libraries in the world. For more than 45 years, John Y. Cole has sought to increase public understanding of the key role the library plays in American government, scholarship and society. Tickets are $24. For tickets or more information, visit www.woodstockfineartsassociation.org. April 20 — Community Clean-Up Day, 8:30 a.m. at McCormick Park, at the corner of King Street and Pierson, in Crystal Lake After a breakfast treat, volunteer groups will be dispatched to local areas to help clean up the trash left behind from winter. Participants will return by 11:30 a.m. and then be treated to a hot lunch. No registration is required, and there is no age restriction if children are accompanied by a parent. For more information, email sbechtold@clchamber.com. April 20 and 21 — Spring Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 McHenryCountyMagazine.com

p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St., in McHenry Stop in at this book sale and discover a great new read. Sunday will feature a bag sale, $4 a bag. For more information, call 815-385-0036 or visit www. mchenrylibrary.org. April 21 — Earth Day 50K and 15M Trail Races, 8 a.m. at Veteran’s Acres Park, 330 N. Main St., in Crystal Lake Join the McHenry (County) Ultrarunning Dudes and Dudettes, or MUDD, for its second annual race in the hidden gems of Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods in Crystal Lake. The course will feature winding single track, rolling hills, open prairie and pine forest. Cost is $50. To register or for more information, call 815-479-0969 or visit ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=18371.

April 25 — McHenry Garden Club’s Container Garder Gala, 7 p.m. in the theater of McHenry High School West Campus, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road, in McHenry Container gardens will be created by designers from The Barn Nursery and Landscape Center in Crystal Lake; The Gardens of Woodstock; Harms Farm and Garden Center in McHenry; Locker’s Flowers, Greenhouse and Gifts in McHenry; and Whispering Hills Garden and Landscape Center of Cary. Commentator Kathleen Carr, owner of the Growing Scene Inc. in Marengo, will describe the attributes and unique qualities of each container. Tickets are $10 in advance or can be purchased at the door for $12. Proceeds will be used for scholarships, educational programs, beautification and community service. For more information, call Jean at 815-385-3369 or visit www.mchenrygardenclub.com. mc

April 2013 • McHenry County Magazine

artist showcase

BARBARA SCHNEIDER, Woodstock

• “Reflections, Venice, var. 18”

This piece is an art quilt. It was created from a photograph that I took while traveling in Venice of scenery reflected in one of the canals. I enlarged my photograph and then dyed fabrics that expressed the coloration and texture of the various areas. I then created a large collage with the fabrics, fused the finished collage to a backing and free-motion stitched the details of water movement. mc To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, and a two- to three-sentence description of the piece to McHenryCountyMagazine@shawmedia.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”