
We hardy Midwesterners are accustomed to the wild mood swings of winter, so we know there’s no excuse to miss the best this season has to offer. Whether you enjoy relaxed pursuits or more active adventures, you’re sure to find a winter wonderland just outside your window.

Things are waking up in downtown McHenry, where once-sleepy blocks are witnessing a steady stream of newcomers. Talk to the right people, and you’ll hear about a destination finally coming into its own.

Brad Nordlof travels the world with his camera, always ready to capture the serenity and wonder all around. He has a gift for finding beauty in some of the most peaceful landscapes of North America.

Imagine the government is telling you an epidemic outside your door is “only the flu” and not really serious. That’s just what happened 100 years ago, as a flu and a world war swept across the globe and throughout our region.