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News and Events
Coffee shops have long had a place in McHenry County
I was intrigued to read that Starbucks Coffee Corp. is poised to overtake McDonald’s Corp. as the world’s most valuable restaurant company.
Who knew?
Bloomberg reported that Mark Kalinowski, restaurant industry analyst with Japan’s Nomura Group, named Starbucks his top restaurant stock this year – and for good reason. Amid the store closures rampant in retail right now, the Seattle company expects to nearly double its number of stores to 37,000 during the next five years – 5,000 of which will be in the burgeoning Chinese market that already operates 2,500 cafes.
Answering the Bell
Baby, it was cold outside ... but not as bad as last year. Volunteers from the McHenry County Historical Society once again donned sockkng caps for a good cause: ringing the bell for the Salvation Army of McHenry County. Ringers raised $256 on Dec. 4, in front of the Crystal Lake Walgreens on Route 14 and Virginia Road. Thanks to ringers Bob Frenz, Nancy Fike, Dick Thennes, Bob Wagner, Dan Shea, Don Rose (pictured) and Kurt Begalka.
As debate rages, a look at the poor of the past
The debate raging in Congress over the federal deficit and its possible effect on the social safety net isn’t all that different than what occurred a century ago.
The American policy toward poor relief has evolved from a fend-for-yourself approach to one of public responsibility. But it did not arrive at this point overnight.
2016 Christmas Memorabilia: Rock Around the Quilted Tree
If Dave Harms had his druthers, he'd test drive the 1920s Norwegian sled first – complete with a wood steering wheel on an X-shaped iron support and a lever that supposedly helped the passenger or passengers stop.
"I'd like to know what would happen when I go to hit the brake on it," Harms said with a laugh. "It's pretty heavy, but like an old Cadillac: It' might take awhile to wind up, but once it gets going don't stand in front of it."
Lasting memories of Cary's River Bend restaurant
The Cary Fire Protection District, at long last, disposed of what remained of the River Bend restaurant – an abandoned, critter-infested shell – during a fire training exercise on Oct. 23.
Still, Capt. Dennis Krenz had one more surprise for former owners Alberta and George England, who had come to say goodbye: A couple plates and some stemware for old-time’s sake.
Valor Quilts Program
This year's recipients were (from left) Air Force nurse Ginny Stubblefield, a McHenry resident who served between 1967 and 1996, including in Vietnam; Army nurse Joan Skiba from McHenry, who worked 16 months in Vietnam as an emergency room nurse; Army Korean War photographer Wayne Gaylord from McHenry who continues to work with veterans as the historian of McHenry VFW Fox River Post 4600, Military Order of Cooties and Honor Guard. Also pictured, at right, is Holly Scott. This year's quilt, "Pieceful Garden," features a dedication to her.
Chapters luncheon winners
Historians among honorees
Henry Kenyon, Aryln Booth, Mary Ellen Heelan and Pat Wirtz were among 12 people honored by the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Oct. 15 at its "Chapters" ~ Stories of the Wise, Witty & Wonderful Luncheon at the McHenry Country Club. The event honors individuals age 60 and older who have contributed much to the community either through their work accomplishments, volunteerism, mentoring of others or being a builder of families. Congratulations one and all!
Autumn Drive 2016
Presidential straw poll a dead heat
Democratic nominee for president, Hillary Clinton, edged out GOP nominee Donald Trump in the McHenry County Historical Society's straw poll during Autumn Drive – but just barely. Clinton mustered 136 votes during the three-day festival in rural Woodstock, followed by 133 votes for Trump, 25 for Libertarian Gary Johnson and 11 for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
No trick to Halloween, just old-fashioned fun
Kids still trick-or-treat, but a lot has changed over the years as far as Halloween is concerned. The witch, skeleton, tramp and ghost costumes of the 1930s – frequently featuring masks of papier mache – have been replaced with both cartoon and political characters.
Some might argue that the latter are interchangeable.
Circuit Sing-along
On the circuit
So if you’re trying to bring religion to a bunch of pioneers scattered across hell’s half acre, what do you do? You bring the shepherd to the flock.
History suggests time to hop on board agri-tourism
One of hottest trends in agriculture has nothing to do with designer crops or pick-your-own produce. Far from quenching our hunger, this crop has more to do with our thirst.
Art of War
Poster art program draws interest
About 50 people joined speaker Bob Frenz Sunday on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II. In "The Art of War," Frenz will discussed wartime propaganda posters from his collection and the artists who created them. Frenz, a retired Huntley High School history teacher and Crystal Lake resident, estimated he has 35 to 40 World War II posters in his collection and another 30 to 34 posters from World War I.
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