MCM May 2016

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MAY 2016 CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD Becoming an adoptive mother isn’t easy. Two area women share their stories. page 32 Redefining Success Meet three local women who changed careers midstream and continue to thrive WOMEN OF DISTINCTION Meet this year’s honorees. 11 McHenry County women who are leaders in their communities. page 46

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Transcript of MCM May 2016

Page 1: MCM May 2016

MAY 2016

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD

Becoming an adoptive mother isn’t easy. Two area women

share their stories. page 32

Redefining SuccessMeet three local women who changed careers midstream and continue to thrive

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

Meet this year’s honorees. 11 McHenry County women

who are leaders in their communities. page 46

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 2 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 3n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

ThinkRainon yourWedding DayisBad Luck?

Dalzell Jewelers815.455.3600

www.dalzelljewelers.com41 North Williams St. • Downtown Crystal Lake (parking in rear)

Free*

*See store for details.

your engagement ring could be

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8 REDEFINING SUCCESS — Meet three local women who changed careers mid-life and are celebrating new success and happiness.

14 MAKING IT (NET)WORK — Women need and enjoy connecting with other women. Learn about business-networking organizations specifically for women in McHenry County.

16 WHAT WOMEN WEAR — Discover the newest trends in the business world for women from a personal stylist.

22 SIMPLE DESK EXERCISES — Sitting is hazardous to your health. Follow these simple exercises you can do at your desk to keep you fresh and energize your body.

26 BUSY MOM’S BEST FRIEND — All hail the crock-pot! Two easy dinner recipes so after a long day, serving up something sumptuous is simple.

30 IT’S A GIRL THING — Family columnist Michelle Stien recounts her experience with the Girls on the Run 5K program and is looking forward to this year’s race.

32 ADOPTING TO MOTHERHOOD — Local women share their stories of heartbreak and hardship on the path to becoming mothers.

36 BUSINESSWOMAN’S BLOWOUT — Hair stylists at Pepper Annex suggest getting a blowout a couple times a week as a way to reduce daily coif maintenance.

42 HOW TO CLEAN JEWELRY — Give your gold a beer bath? Gemologist Karly Bulinski dispels some wives’ tales regarding cleaning your precious gems.

44 FOR ALL THE MOMS — Were you handed down the love of reading by your mom? Book columnist Sandra Manley suggests some books for gifts on Mother’s Day.

46 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION — Meet our honorees for the 2016 Women of Distinction awards presented by McHenry County Magazine.

52 BUSINESSWOMEN PROFILES — Learn about local businesswomen and what they do in their careers with these profiles.

68 INTENTIONAL SPENDING — Budgeting doesn’t have to be painful or restricting. Dorion-Gray Retirement Services explains the benefits of living within limits.

70 LIVE LIFE WIDE OPEN — Experience the 2016 Buick Cascada — a car that was designed for top-down driving.

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

74 ARTIST PROFILE — Linda Rauen of McHenry shares her oils painting titled “The Earnslaw.”

INSIDEWOMEN’S EDITION

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HOME & LIFESTYLE

FAMILY IN FOCUS

OUT & ABOUT

FINANCE

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

FASHION & BEAUTY

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WHAT TO WEAR?Discover the newest trends in female fashion in the workplace.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 5n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Our Family owned Garden & Landscape Center has itall, a wide variety of beautiful plants, extensive stonequarry, plus many varieties of bulk mulch, stone andsoil products. Ready for pick up or delivery. Do ityourself or let the professionals do it for you.Stop in now to browse our beautiful

plants and gardening goods.

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8401 IL RT 31 Crystal Lake, IL 60013www.whisperinghillsnursery.com 847-658-5610

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Innovative ideasare always in bloom

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Published by Shaw Media7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: 815-459-4040Fax: 815-477-4960

www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com

PublisherKate [email protected]

Editor / DesignerAllison [email protected]

CorrespondentsMichelle Stien, Yvonne Benson, Dana McKenna, Sandra Manley, Wendy Foster, Kelsey O’Connor, Stephanie McCord-Kohl, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

PhotographersNancy Merkling, Janet Kay

President / Shaw MediaJohn [email protected]

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 [email protected].

on the

COVERREDEFINING SUCCESSCheryl Kranz, left, chose to leave her successful occupation as an account executive of 25 years for a completely different career in finance. She has no regrets. Read her story and two other local women who did the same starting on page 8.

COVER PHOTO BY: Nancy Merkling

SALON SERVICES BY: Mario Tricoci Salon & Day SpaHair by: PaigeMakeup by: Stephanie

Hip, hip, hoo-May!I cannot be more excited about our coldest months in Chicago being behind us. I enjoy May in McHenry County. It’s relatively temperate and I get to plant my annuals in the deck boxes once Memorial Day weekend comes. (I learned the hard way that planting before then can cause heartbreak both emotionally and financially.)

Our May edition is traditionally our largest of the year — this being no exception. We focus specifically on Women. Women of Distinction, Women in Business and women’s issues overall in McHenry County.

Each year since 2012, McHenry County Magazine has been proud to present recipients of our Women of Distinction awards. These women are nominated by readers like you, business leaders in the community, and other women active in our county. They are prime examples of women doing positive things for the community through their work, be it vocational or volunteer. We are proud to announce them in this edition and will celebrate their accomplishments with an awards luncheon this month. See page 43 for how to order tickets to attend.

Speaking of Women of Distinction, we are also pleased to feature this month three local women who completely changed the directions of their

careers midstream ... and are happier and more successful for doing so. Read their inspirational stories starting on page 8.

Learn about local women’s networking groups, trends in women’s business clothing, simple exercises you can do while at your desk during the day and even a couple of easy crock-pot recipes so dinner isn’t a hassle when you get home from a tiring day at the office.

Meanwhile, we haven’t forgotten the most important women of all — mothers! Read the stories of two adoptive mothers to whom Mother’s Day has an extra special meaning.

Plus we have fashion columns, financial advice, our family columnist and of course a calendar of upcoming events.

Here’s hoping you enjoy your May as much as I will!

Thanks for reading!

Allison McCalebManaging Editor / Senior Designer

[email protected]

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Heidi Pleune, Peggy Critchfield,Dr. Rivard, Ginger Gebka

AFTER 3 DECADES OF INSUFFICIENTVEINTREATMENT,A FAMILY FINALLY FINDS A SOLUTION FOR THEM ALL AT

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While there are many risk factors to develop-ing varicose veins, none are more prevalent

than your family genetics. As Dr. Rivard states, “thepractice of phlebology offers many opportunitiesto learn more about vein disease. However, if onething is true vein disease is hereditary and nothingprovides a better example than seeing a family likeHeidi, Ginger, and Peggy.” Three sisters, who afterliterally spending decades searching for the right re-lief for their varicose veins and almost losing hope,eventually found their way to Illinois Vein Specialists.

Peggy, Ginger, and Heidi may all look differentand have different occupations, but each share a sim-ilar story about their varicose veins. As children theyremember their mother having varicose veins. Duringthat time the only solution was vein stripping. Eachnoted that their mother always took good care of herlegs, but after her vein surgery she still needed towear compression stockings to hide her legs even onhot days under her skirts and often suffered from legpain. Peggy went to different doctors for many yearsbefore finding Dr. Rivard. One doctor was a vascularsurgeon who offered vein stripping as a solution, butPeggy was not entirely comfortable with this proce-dure remembering her mother and the pain and suf-fering that she went through.To Peggy, vein strippingseemed“too drastic” so she decided to keep lookingfor a better solution.

Fortunately, Peggy was referred to Dr. Rivard andIVS by a friend. She was pleased with Dr. Rivard’ssuccess rates, and decided that if her friend coulddo it so could she. Peggy scheduled a consultationthat day. Ginger, much like Peggy, also noticed thatshe had varicose veins and sought sclerotherapy in-jections in her mid 30’s and 40’s, but finally decidedher legs weren’t getting better and put off furthertreatment. A decade later she was recommendedto Dr. Rivard by her sister Peggy. She came all theway from Bartlett, IL to get help. Heidi had noticeablespider veins but did not see any bulging veins likeher sisters’. She too had sclerotherapy injections formany years, which did not seem to alleviate the pain,

and eventually decided in 2000 to stop. When sheheard that her sisters were getting their legs doneagain, she trusted their decision and came all theway from Itasca, IL to get the same quality care.

VEIN DISEASE IS HEREDITARY.

Heredity is the most common factor for determin-ing varicose veins. The truth is that if one parent hasvaricose veins there is about a 40% chance that youwill too, and if both parents have varicose veins, thenyou are almost guaranteed to have them. Dr. Rivardadvocates, “this is why it is so important to under-stand that varicose veins are hereditary, not just anelderly disease as many believe. By learning thisearlier you can get help without suffering needless-ly for decades.” Unfortunately, many misunderstandthat varicose veins are something that come withold age, but in actuality if you have the misfortuneof getting them from your parents you may start no-ticing the disease as early as 10-12 years old. In fact,Dr. Rivard has seen patients as young as 17 yearsold with advanced vein disease. Many people noticetheir varicose veins later in life, because their veinshave deteriorated to the point where they begin tobulge and cause greater pain, discomfort, swelling,and cramping, not to mention the various cosmet-ic issues. However, by being proactive and treatingyour veins the right way you can avoid a lifetimeof pain and benefit cosmetically as well. Dr. Rivardnotes, “the best advice is to be guided by how youfeel, the symptoms, not by your age.”

TREATINGYOURVARICOSEVEINSTHE RIGHTWAY.

In the last decade, technology has made significantadvancements in vein care. In the past, the only solu-tion was “vein stripping.” However, the success ratefor this procedure still remains less than 50%, andoften causes more damage to the veins, increasingthe recurrence of varicose veins later on. Unlike thetreatment options available today, vein stripping isvery invasive, painful, and requires lots of down time.Today, treating your varicose veins at IVS using meth-ods like Endovenous LaserTherapy (EVLT), takes less

than an hour, requires no downtime, and is essential-ly 100% effective with no recurrence.

In addition to EVLT, sclerotherapy is another greatway to treat your veins, if done correctly. Althoughveins treated using sclerotherapy disappear, it willnot prevent your body from forming new spider veinsif you have underlying varicosities. This is why eventhough all three sisters received cosmetic sclero-therapy for many years it never seemed to work.As Ginger recalls, “it was obvious that [sclerothera-py] was not a permanent solution…and it got to thepoint where wearing short skirts was just somethingthat I never even considered because of my veins…I would always wear slacks.” Peggy, expressed thesame sentiment mentioning that she likes to golf,and the sclerotherapy helped the appearance of herspider veins, but she, “…didn’t want to show [her]ropey legs when golfing.” As Dr. Rivard states, “Inorder to properly treat your varicose veins, you musttreat the source of the problem. Frequently, we seepatients who have been treated by vein doctors us-ing only cosmetic sclerotherapy, but never addressthe underlying issues of vein disease. Using sclero-therapy, however, is great after performing EVLT totreat the remaining branch veins.”

WHAT LIFE IS LIKE AFTER SEEING DR. RIVARD.

While it has been a few years since their last proce-dure at IVS, none can forget the significant impact ingetting their veins treated correctly by Dr. Rivard. Hei-di thinking back said, “I can remember going shop-ping for a few hours and coming home, and all I couldthink about were my legs and now I don’t even givemy legs a second thought.” Peggy recalled a storyof her cooking easter dinner the year prior to treat-ment, “I just remember standing all day long cookingwith tears in my eyes because my legs felt like con-crete…I knew what the problem was, and that wasthe impetus for finding a better solution for my legs…and now…” Heidi laughing, cut in to say, “we wentto a wedding last year and [Peggy] danced all night!We all feel great.”

Illinois Vein Specialists opened in 2009 and has astaff of a dozen—Board Certified physician, medicaltechnicians, RNs, Certified ultrasound specialists andadministrative personnel. IVS has successfully treat-ed over 4,000 patients. “One of the things I like bestabout specializing in vein disease is the opportunityto restore hope and confidence in my patients likePeggy, Heidi, and Ginger; being able to help them isthe reason I get up in the morning.”

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By DANA McKENNA

Three remarkable women in McHenry County have redefined their careers, and in doing so,

they have redefined their lives.Although they arrived from different directions, Cheryl Kranz, Vicki Madigan and Dorothy Vetrovec all know they are exactly

where they belong now — and it is an exciting and empowering place to be.

CHERYL KRANZ“My business is all about creating relationships,” says Cheryl Kranz, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Crystal Lake. She and her Branch Office Administrator, Autumn Siegmeier, are a team which encourages their current and potential clientele to ask lots of questions. “We don’t want finances to feel intimidating. Our clients need to feel at ease, first and foremost. Earning their trust is paramount to making our relationship work. Then we can get down to talking about their financial goals, and educating them about their options to reach those goals.”

Kranz was a Senior Account Executive at Shaw Media for 20 years before she decided to make her career change. “I had the great opportunity to work with people in all different types of industries while at Shaw.” One day, her client from Edward Jones asked if she would ever be

WOMEN’S EDITION

Redefining Successon their own terms

Making this change in my career has allowed me to grow in ways I’d never even thought of.

6Cheryl Kranz

Photo by Nancy Merkling

Photo by Nancy Merkling

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interested in doing what he did. “I’d been contemplating my career, where I’d been and where I wanted to go. Since the financial industry has always interested me, his question sparked something.” She spent over a year researching the financial world — the Edward Jones company in particular — and she liked what she learned. “Their business model is formed around the idea of ‘clients first’ and I knew that was the kind of business I wanted to be in.” She left Shaw Media, and dove in to a whole new world.

Finance itself comes naturally to Kranz, she says. What was daunting, however, was how much she still had to learn. “I was suddenly back down at the bottom of the ladder, and with a lot of people younger than me,” remembers Kranz. “I was starting at the very beginning as a student, and I felt so vulnerable.”

After extensive hours in classes and studying, earning multiple certifications, and then immersing herself in learning about her community from a completely different perspective, Kranz has become one of the fastest-growing financial advisors over the past three years. “When a client looks at me after our meeting and says ‘now, I can sleep at night,’ it’s the best feeling in the world. Making this change in my career has allowed me to grow in ways I’d never even thought of. This is what I was looking for.”

After opening her own office, Kranz became the vice chair for Senior Care Volunteer Network in McHenry County, and is also vice president of the local chapter of BNI, an international business networking group. “Giving back to the community, volunteering for causes

close to my heart — it’s something I can make the time for and now have the energy to do. I am where I’m meant to be, doing what I’m meant to do.” Her children also see a difference in their mom. “They see I’m happy, excited, and thriving, and they know this is my definition of being successful.”

VICKI MADIGAN“Knowledge really is power,” says Vicki Madigan, Agent/Broker for Madigan Insurance Group. “Teaching is in my blood. When I can educate someone about healthcare options that positively affect their lives, I am fulfilling my purpose.”

Madigan knows that building a strong, trusting relationship allows her to educate clients so they can make better-informed decisions for themselves and their families. Indeed, her company slogan is “Changing the insurance experience, one client at a time.”

Madigan has first-hand knowledge of how

devastating a family illness can be. “In 2008, my husband became very ill, and I ultimately needed to leave the workforce. When he was well enough for me to return to work, I was unable to secure a new teaching position.”

For a short period, Madigan taught as an adjunct faculty member at Westwood College in Chicago, but when enrollment numbers decreased, she found herself unemployed again.

“At that point, I started to investigate several ideas that would allow me to be self-employed. The turning point came

when I was talking to my sister, who has been a licensed insurance agent for over 25 years in Florida, and I thought ‘this could be it.’ I found a class offered by Dohrn Insurance, took the state tests, and

WOMEN’S EDITION

Finding this career fulfills the personal need and satisfaction I have in helping others, and creates my own financial success and independence.

Photo by Nancy Merkling

4 Vicki Madigan, far right. Photo provided

4 Continued on next page

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I became fully licensed in 2011.”

“Since I work in a straight commission job, the first two years were tough financially, and I did need to take on some part-time work. This job is a bit like farming: You plant seeds, cultivate and care for them, and then wait for the crop to grow.”

In those terms, “harvest time” for Madigan is during open enrollment in autumn each year.

“It’s very important to me that each client understands the health

insurance process as it applies to them. This could mean group health benefits, individual health programs with the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medicare products.” Madigan also specializes in resolving problems for her clients. “Clients need assistance when their current enrollment has caused a claim or service payment to be declined. I work with the insurance carrier to resolve the issues.”

Madigan has become many families’ “go-to” person for health and life insurance needs.

“I get the most wonderful thank you notes and even homemade cookies from some of my clients,” Madigan says. “I’ve also made great new friends and met new colleagues.” Through those new relationships, she has found opportunities to serve as a Crystal Lake Chamber member, Fox Valley Sunset Rotarian and Sun City Lion. Madigan is also currently mentoring individuals to become independent agents/brokers.

“I’m still teaching and educating, although not in a traditional school setting. Now I have a portable classroom. Finding this career fulfills the personal need and satisfaction I have in helping others, and creates my own financial success and independence.”

DOROTHY VETROVEC“The sheer number of animal-loving people in our community is amazing. I knew the

pet industry was big, but I never imagined there were so many compassionate people,” says Dorothy Vetrovec, owner of Nature’s Feed in Spring Grove, a one-of-a-kind pet store focusing on pets’ health and nutrition.

A life-long animal lover, Vetrovec says the launch of her business began after she grew tired of traveling in her corporate career and started losing her excitement for the work she was doing.

“I needed to make a change to something I was passionate about and where I could make a difference in my community,” she says.

So Vetrovec left the realm of software and spent almost a full year researching the pet industry.

“When I first threw the idea out to some friends, a few thought I was crazy. We were in a recession and they couldn’t believe I wanted to open a business.”

Vetrovec had never owned her own

4 Vicki Madigan, far right, and Quilts For Valor. Photo provided

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business nor ever worked in retail. “It was huge,” she recalls. “I was starting from scratch, leaving behind a steady income that paid my bills.”

Regardless, Vetrovec’s previous experience helped with many aspects of running a business such as accounting, customer service, sales, marketing and relationship management.

Vetrovec readily admits she is working more hours than ever as a business owner, but she knows that redefining her career has changed her profoundly in other ways.

“I’ve learned I need to just let go of some things. I don’t have as much personal time as I had before opening the business, so the time I do have is much more special.” That free time is often spent volunteering for local animal shelters and other pet causes.

Vetrovec says she finds so much joy in educating pet owners and helping their pets live healthy and happy lives. She is proud of her store team that embraces the company’s philosophy about good health and provides impeccable customer service.

“I truly believe that this is my calling in life. This is what I am supposed to be doing today,” she says.

Vetrovec’s life and business philosophies both have a lot to do with happiness — life doesn’t just happen, YOU make it happen and YOU create your own

happiness. She defines her success by the satisfaction and joy she can provide to her customers.

“The key to our success is offering solutions. If you focus on helping the customer, the rest follows.

“When I opened the store, I felt I had a lot to share with the pet community. Over the years, I have been awed by how much my customers have taught me. They’ve brought new questions requiring me to learn more, which in turn allows me to share even more,” Vetrovec says. “There’s a whole lot of awesome people out there,

and I wouldn’t have met half of them if I hadn’t opened Nature’s Feed.”

These women have found their passions, looked around their communities for where there is need, and then created their own paths to fulfilling their professional missions — on their own terms. They all agree it wasn’t easy getting there, but now the rewards are endless.

“It sounds kind of strange,” says Kranz, “but I don’t feel like it’s ‘work’ because I’m spending my time doing exactly what I want by helping others.”

I truly believe that this is my calling in life. This is what I am supposed to be doing today.

5 Dorothy Vetrovec. Photo provided

5 Dorothy Vetrovec, far right, and staff celebrate being named best pet store and feed store. Photo provided

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Meet Pepper Annex'sWomen of DistinctionShalyn Hall- Owner/stylist

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 14 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

By WENDY FOSTER

I t is said, and has been written about, that men and women are from two very different planets. This gains some credibility in the business arena.

While business processes and standards of success are the same across genders, the journey, management styles and challenges can be quite different. With this in mind, business-networking organizations specifically for women are important within the business community. “We’re basically a group of women meeting to grow in our relationships with one another,” says Pamela Strelcheck, program and awards co-chair for Women in McHenry

County (WIM3). “We truly believe from the deepening of those relationships grow natural business referrals.”

The national organization Women in Management originated in 1976 with chapters across the country. When it

dissolved several years ago, the McHenry County affiliate remained active, and eventually re-branded itself as Women in McHenry: Meet, Mentor and Motivate, or WIM3.

WIM3 has a membership of 28 women, all involved in business in some capacity. “Some are entrepreneurs, others are corporate, and we also have members from the academia sector,” says Strelcheck. The group meets monthly at 31 North Banquets in McHenry.

“We network and grow personally and professionally by listening, sometimes to a guest speaker, sometimes to an interview, sometimes a panel, sometimes a roundtable,” Strelcheck says. “Topics vary but all touch our mind, body and spirit.”

Women need and enjoy connecting

with other women.

— Kay Bates, president of the McHenry County Chamber

Making It

(net)Work

WOMEN’S EDITION

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Women’s Interactive Mentoring Group (WINGS) is a chapter of the McHenry County Chamber of Commerce. “Women need and enjoy connecting with other women,” says Kay Bates, president of the McHenry County Chamber. WINGS has approximately a dozen members from area retail, banking, manufacturing and small businesses. WINGS meetings feature a variety of programs and presentations through events including mixers, luncheons and a Women’s Wine Walk.

The mission of women’s networking groups has evolved slightly through the years, reflecting the changing roles of women in business. “Back in the ’70s, women needed a lot of support. They were increasingly taking on managerial roles, and our organization started as a support group. To this day we continue to find that it’s really important to support gals professionally and personally,” says Strelcheck.

Additionally, Strelcheck says, WIM3 is committed to outreach and mentoring, as well as encouraging young women who may wish to pursue business careers. This latter goal is achieved largely through WIM3’s Challenge Scholarship which is awarded to

a female graduating high school senior who has dealt with physical, emotional or financial challenges.

“It’s important in order for our communities to thrive and for our young professionals to grow,” Strelcheck says about the importance of women’s networking groups. “We all need a support system and I believe that these types of organizations — on all kinds of levels personal and professional — encourage women. Some are looking to rebrand themselves, all are at different points of their professional journeys, and it’s nice to be able to have colleagues support that.”

WIM3 is unique in women’s networking groups as it focuses on relationship building rather than referral building. “We believe in professional and personal mentoring,” Strelcheck says.

Bates explains that what WINGS achieves is consistent with the way that the Chamber in general works. “Part of what we do within the Chamber is designed to shake things up a little bit ... to give people an opportunity to see another side of an individual who will hopefully become a good referral source or client. That’s what it’s all about.”

57%of women are active

in the workforce

Women In McHenry: Meet, Mentor and Motviate (WIM3)

P.O. Box 205 • Crystal Lake, IL 60039

www.WIM3.com

[email protected]

McHenry County Chamber of CommerceWomen’s Interactive Networking Group (WINGS)

1257 N. Green Street • McHenry, IL 60050

815-385-9142

WOMEN’S NETWORKING GROUPS

WOMEN’S EDITION

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By YVONNE BENSON

W omen’s fashion has some pretty exciting things to offer this season. Getting in on

it could be as easy as looking in a box of old accessories or buying a few fresh pieces. Either way, Mallory Sills, owner of Image Success by Mallory, helps her clients look their best by going through their closets and making recommendations.

One fashion-forward trend takes a look back at the history of women.

“I’ve found that a lot of women are a little more open to going to skirts and dresses. I think it has a little to do with women’s history,” Sills says. “Women used to only wear skirts and dresses and when they could wear pants, that’s all they wore — to ‘fit in’ with the men. Now they are starting to feel good in skirts and dresses again. They say ‘Now I can wear them again.’ They feel good, plus they’re easy to wear.”

It’s nice that women no longer have to dress like men in order to compete with them in the business world. In fact, this skirt/dress trend says, “I’m feminine and in business!”

Along these lines, Sills says, “I’ve noticed that women are not really as prone to wearing button-up shirts any more except in interviews. You will see a crisp button-up shirt in an interview, but women aren’t really wearing them as often (from my experience).”

According to Sills, button-ups aren’t worn regularly mostly because of fit. Since women have curves and a chest, it can be tricky to not have popping around the bust.

“Instead of the traditional white button-up shirt, I suggest a softer or sheerer fabric because it’s easier to fit your body and it’s less stuffy,” Sills says.

Sills recommends wearing colors that are lighter and brighter and embrace the weather change, now that winter has passed.

“Black is an easy color to go to in the workplace. It’s easy and blends in. People

WOMEN’S EDITION n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 16 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

What Working

Women Are Wearing

Page 17: MCM May 2016

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 17n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

struggle to wear color more than they do with black,” Sills says. “During the spring, there are lighter and brighter colors that feel fresh and energized. Rose quartz is the color of the year and it’s great professional wear too, since it’s a more toned down hue.”

Sills also is seeing more flats for shoes.

“Not every (or many) women can wear five-inch stilettos every day, or, in some cases, even at all. Retailers and brands are taking note and coming out with cute flats. It’s really exciting for me to help clients discover that there are more options,” she says.

In fact, the point of Sills’ business is helping her clients find a style that is a reflection of who they are so that others can notice their positive qualities. The fashion shouldn’t be a distraction.

“I want people to notice you, not necessarily what you’re wearing,” Sills says. “What happens when you have a style that’s authentic to you — your lifestyle, personality, body shape, etc. It helps YOU stand out.”

Sometimes it’s hard to know what is appropriate for “business casual” at work — particularly if you don’t have money

to freshen your wardrobe, are crunched for time, or if your body has undergone some changes in size. It’s easy to get in a rut wearing the same outfits day in and day out.

“People think that it doesn’t matter what they’re wearing. Many people want to believe that what they wear has no impact [at work],” says Mallory Sills, owner of Image Success by Mallory. She says that’s not the case. Sometimes poor clothing choices distract from an individual’s amazing qualities.

So how do you define “business casual?”

“The struggle is that business casual can mean different things from workplace to workplace. I struggle with the term because the [words] business and casual mean completely different things, and that’s where the confusion comes from. What does it mean?”

Sometimes it means jeans and a nice

shirt. Other times it means not necessarily jeans, but not a suit either.

“I see a lot of people going more toward the casual side and almost skipping the business aspect,” Sills says.

Her pet peeve with business casual is the introduction of exercise apparel into the workplace.

“Hence yoga pants making an appearance at work. I’ve seen articles online and television segments where they’re showing women how to ‘dress up’ yoga pants, but that’s really not appropriate. Let’s face it — they’re sweatpants.”

When it comes to work, Sills says that, in general, people don’t put enough emphasis on what they wear.

“They kind of take business casual as a green light to not care what you wear. But you should care because how you present yourself really makes a difference with how others perceive you. At the end of the day, you’re still a professional.”

Not every (or many) women can wear five-inch stilettos every day, or, in some cases, even at all. Retailers and brands are taking note and coming out with cute flats.

WOMEN’S EDITION

How To Define ‘Business Casual’

Page 18: MCM May 2016

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 18 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 19n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 21n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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Page 22: MCM May 2016

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By YVONNE BENSON

Many people set aside time to go to the gym or make exercise plans outside of work. However, there are ways to remain active even while at a seated desk job.

Sitting for long periods of time is detrimental. Destination Fitness expert and owner Jill Lindberg as well as Lindsay Boeke, site director at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Huntley share their expertise.

“Sitting for long periods of time, even if you are physically fit, puts you at a greater risk of premature death,” says Lindberg. “Regardless of whether a person exercises regularly or not, sedentary periods increase the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Desk chair sitting structurally puts great strain on your neck, shoulders and lower back. Much of this may be attributed to an improper desk chair or improper height of desk and computer monitor.”

Boeke says research has linked sitting for long periods of time to many health concerns, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, elevated blood pressure, muscle degeneration (weak legs and back), and many more. “The key is to break up the long periods of sitting with exercise throughout the day,” she says.

Lindberg recommends sitting on a fit ball instead of a chair as a great option to fight being sedentary. She also suggests using a standing desk.

Boeke encourages finding ways to stand up as often as possible during the day.

“At the very least, you should plan to get up and move once every hour you are sitting,” Boeke says. She also recommends standing during phone calls, walking around the building, getting up to speak to coworkers, and other activities such as taking the stairs and parking far away from the entrance.

Lindberg suggests meeting time equals standing time or walking time. “Have standing meetings in the conference room or have meetings outdoors while on a walk.”

But sitting doesn’t necessarily end at the end of the workday.

“When at home, stand up during commercial breaks during TV time or walk in the house while on the phone,” Lindberg says. She encourages a 30 minute vibrating alarm on your cell phone as a reminder to do so.

“Simple tasks to break up your day like this will help,” Boeke says. “Walking burns 3 to 5 times more calories than sitting so take every opportunity to get up.”

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 22 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Walking burns 3 to 5 times more calories than sitting so take every opportunity

to get up.

Simple Exercises

To Do At Your

Desk

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 23n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e HEALTH & WELLNESS

Easy Exercises• Office desk push-ups. Use one edge of your desk to complete push-ups (some may prefer to just do them on the floor)

• Office standing calf raises. Perform standing calf raises, holding on to your office chair if balancing is initially challenging.

• Office wall sits. Use a small wall space in your office, lean against it and squat down so that there is 90-degree angle about your knees (hold as long as you can)— Suzanne Janusz Certified Personal Trainer Destination Fitness

• Stand and perform 20 mini-squats behind your chair, using it for balance, keeping your heels firm. To ensure you are doing this properly, bend down like you are sitting in a chair, keep your core engaged and stand up.

• Still standing behind your chair, perform 20 leg swings side to side, swinging as high as possible in front of you and to the side as far as you can go without pain. Switch sides. Don’t forget to hold onto something if necessary for balance. This will help loosen the glutes, hamstrings and hips from sitting all day.

• Doorway Stretch: Stand inside a doorway bending your right arm 90 degrees. Place your forearm against the doorframe. Your bent elbow should be shoulder height here (like you’re going to give your co-worker a “High Five”). Rotate your chest to the left until you feel a nice stretch and hold for 30 seconds. Switch sides.

• Wall Angels: Stand against a wall with your lower back, upper back and head against (touching) the wall. Place your arms against the wall and in the position of “Touchdown” for football. Move your hands above your head slowly without arching your back. Repeat this 20 times.— Lindsay Boeke, Site Director, Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Huntley

Sitting Exercises

• Remind yourself to sit up straight in your chair. Keep both feet on the floor, shoulders relaxed and arms at approximately 90 degrees and remind yourself to not lean forward.

• Change out your office chair for a stability ball. This will force you to sit up straight and engage your core.

• Sitting in your chair, nice and tall, extend one leg out just far enough that it isn’t touching the floor. Roll each ankle in a circle one at a time. Repeat 20 times per leg/ankle.

• Still sitting, move forward in your seat a few inches and place your arms behind you, thumbs facing down. You should reach back toward your chair and feel a stretch at the top of your chest, shoulders and upper arms. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds. — Lindsay Boeke, Site Director, Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Huntley

• Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds; then lower your foot (stop short of the floor) and hold for several seconds. Switch. Do each leg 15 times.

• To work your chest and shoulders, place both hands on your chair arms and slowly lift your bottom off the chair. Lower yourself back down but stop short of the seat, hold for a few seconds. Do this 15 times.

• To stretch your back and strengthen your biceps, place your hands on the desk and hang on. Slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you’re looking at the floor. Then slowly pull yourself back in. Do this 15 times.— Suzanne Janusz Certified Personal Trainer Destination Fitness

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 26 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE HEALTH & WELLNESS

Busy Mom’s Best FriendBy STEPHANIE KOHL-McCORD

For busy moms on the go, nothing can be more stressful than trying to not only figure out what to make for dinner every night, but also finding the time to make said dinner.

Enter the slow cooker — a large electric pot used for cooking food at a low temperature very slowly. Generally, slow cookers are cheap to buy, easy to use and make the most of budget-friendly ingredients. There are a myriad of recipes out there to choose from

— just check Pinterest if you don’t believe us!

Simply prepare your ingredients the night before, or in the morning before work, throw them in your slow cooker, turn it on and walk away. You head off to work while dinner is cooking and you come home to a dinner that’s ready — or at least almost ready — to serve.

As an added tip, if you want even less of a mess to clean up, consider slow cooker liners.

You can put pretty much anything you want into a slow cooker, but here are two great slow cooker recipes for busy days.

INGREDIENTS 1 jar of salsa (16 oz)1 package of dry taco seasoning mix 1 lime (juiced)3 tbs chopped, fresh cilantro 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Place the salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice and cilantro into a slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the chicken breasts and stir to coat with the salsa mixture.

Cover the cooker, set to high and cook until the chicken is very tender, about four hours. If desired, set cooker to low and cook six to eight hours.

Shred chicken with two forks to serve.

Serving Suggestion: Fill flour or corn tortillas with the shredded chicken topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, cheese and avocado.

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken (allrecipes.com)

Page 27: MCM May 2016

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

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 lbs top round steak (cut into strips)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 onion (chopped)

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

(10.75 oz)

1 can canned mushroom (8 oz)

1/4 cup water

1 tbs dried chives

1 clove garlic (minced)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 beef bouillon cube

1/4 cup white wine

1 tbs all-purpose flour

1 container sour cream (16 ounce);

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Place the beef in the bottom of

a slow cooker and season with

salt and pepper to taste. Place

onion on top of beef and add

mushroom soup, mushrooms and

water. Season with chives, garlic,

Worcestershire sauce and bouillon.

In a small bowl, mix together the

wine with the flour. Pour over the

beef.

Cover and cook on low for six to

seven hours. Stir in the sour cream

and parsley and continue cooking

for one hour.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with French fries and pickles for an authentic German feel.

Daria’s Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (allrecipes.com)

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 27

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 28 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 29n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 30 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE FAMILY IN FOCUS

My friend tagged me in a post on Facebook the other day, and I didn’t know if I should be proud or offended.

It was a meme of Dory from “Finding Nemo” and it said, “My plate is full, I can’t possibly take on anything else ... Oh look, a project!”

Yes, I take on a lot. Part of it is because apparently I am incapable of saying “no,” but I prefer to think of it as being passionate about a lot of things and optimistic that I can juggle all those things at once.

Last year I took on the role of Race Director for the Girls on the Run Northwest Illinois 5k, and it has proven to be the cherry on top of my full plate.

Despite having been involved with and

coordinated several other 5k events, I entered into the first year of this event with some trepidation. I knew it was a different beast than the standard 5k events that I had worked on.

In the end, not only did I survive, but I also loved every minute of the experience. The energy was palpable and the sense of accomplishment as more a thousand girls crossed the finish line with their running buddies was incredible. Best of all, they asked me to come back and do it again. This year, I did not hesitate a moment when I officially accepted the role of Race Coordinator. I felt more confident having a year of experience under my belt and couldn’t wait to experience it all over again.

The group grew closer to my heart as my own daughter was now old enough to participate in the program at her school. As luck would have it, they were short a coach and needed someone to step up to help. I knew it would be challenging to throw into our already busy schedule, but I raised my hand anyway to see if there was some way I could help out. If

It’s A Girl ThingPhoto courtesy of Girls On The Run

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 31n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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FAMILY IN FOCUS

becoming race coordinator was the cherry, this was the sprinkles so I dove in head first.

The girls are not all athletes. Some are shy, some are outgoing. Some are athletic and some are there to have fun and be with their friends. These 3rd-5th grade girls spend approximately 10 weeks attending practices twice a week and work hard not only to learn how to train for a 5k, but lessons about empowerment, responsibility, intentionality, diversity, connectedness, joy, optimism, gratitude, nurturing, health, open-heartedness and compassion.

We learned at our coaches’ training that this group isn’t just about running. This group could be called Girls on the Stage, Girls in the Library, Girls Doing Crafts. The focus is giving girls the confidence and guidance to work toward a common goal and accomplish something. The Vision, according to GOTR International, “We envision a world where every girl knows

and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.”

I attended a luncheon to kick-off the season and was fortunate enough to meet the founder of GOTR, Molly Barker, and hear her speak. What resonated with me was that her purpose, despite her many running accomplishments, was not to share her running experience with girls across the country and around the world. Her purpose was to help girls find out who they are and

feel comfortable in their own skin.

It became clear that I was exactly where I should be and this was the beginning of a unique journey where not only did I get to help young girls overcome a struggle with self-esteem, break free from stereotypes and pursue their dreams, but a chance for me to do the same.

For more information about Girls on the Run Northwest Illinois visit gotrnwil.org

• Michelle is a mom, freelance writer, group fitness instructor and motivational speaker. She

also fits in marathon running, co-ordinating 5k events, volunteers

and keeps the Stien household running like a fine-tuned

machine ... most of the time. To inquire about speaking for your group or organization, contact

her at [email protected] or visit 1motivatedmommy.com

1 Motivated Mommywith Michelle Stien

We envision a world where every

girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

— GOTR Vision Statement

Page 32: MCM May 2016

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 32 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

Local women share their stories of heartbreak and hardship on the path to becoming mothers

Every day is Mother’s Day for Sharon Ahmann. As the co-founder and owner of Angel Adoptions, she spends her days working

with birth mothers and prospective parents. In the past 18 years, the Crystal Lake agency has facilitated more than 900 adoptions across the country.

But that’s not the only reason Mother’s Day holds a special place in her heart.

“Mother’s Day is just so special for me because of what I went through,” Ahmann says. She and her husband struggled with infertility for four years, including seven miscarriages.

“Back then, there were not many

support groups for miscarriages. It was a tough thing to go through and a dark time. You’d feel so much hope and then you’d lose the hope,” Ahmann says.

Adoption helped turn her hopes into a reality. She and her husband adopted their three children, Lauren, Jennifer and Matthew, over the course of several years. The couple’s daughters are biological sisters. They adopted their oldest daughter Lauren at birth, and then brought home their daughter Jennifer when she was born just 11 months later.

FAMILY IN FOCUS

Adopting To Motherhood

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 33n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

“We went from thinking we would never be parents to being blessed twice,” Ahmann says. “Matthew was our surprise baby. Our daughters went to bed every night waiting for a baby brother.” Lauren and Jennifer are now 27 and 26 and Matthew is 16.

“Every year when Mother’s Day comes along, it’s such a special day for me because of how my children were meant to come to me,” Ahmann says. “They’re the loves of my life and no matter how they came to me, they’re just my world.”

Her journey inspired her to start Angel Adoptions in 1998 to help guide potential parents and birth parents through the adoption process. “After you adopt, you become an adoption advocate. We knew first-hand what everybody was going through,” she says. “We decided we really wanted to help people and educate people and make it affordable.”

Tara Moser is one of the women Ahmann’s agency has helped. Moser and her husband began trying to have a baby as soon as they got married nine years ago. But after five years of trying to conceive, including four rounds of in vitro fertilization, Moser knew it was time to consider other options.

“I was adopted years ago, so I always knew that if for whatever reason we couldn’t have kids, that adoption was always going to be an option,” she says. “I grew up in a very loving and happy family with a brother who was also adopted, so for me it’s always been very normal.”

The couple turned to Angel Adoptions to help them grow their family. After six months of paperwork, background checks, and home inspections, they were matched with a birth mother. They spent seven months communicating with and providing financial support for their match, only to find out they were being scammed.

“That was rough, that was a very hard, eye-opening experience,” Moser says. “We felt like we had lost a baby at that point.” The disappointment was a difficult blow,

but the couple didn’t let it discourage them.

“It definitely tests your relationship and it makes you realize that you either have a very strong relationship as a husband and wife or I could see how it could certainly tear some people apart,” Moser says. “My husband and I leaned on each other. We have to keep a positive outlook and know that [match] just wasn’t meant to be.”

Angel Adoptions matched the couple with another woman, and just three months later they got the call that they’d been waiting for. The birth mother, who lived in Houston, was in labor and the Mosers were just hours away from being parents. The couple immediately flew to Texas to pick up their daughter, who they named Tessa.

“Once we adopted Tessa, we realized this was why it didn’t happen the first time. We were supposed to have this child,” Moser says. “I just fell in love the second I saw her. From that minute, all the stress and the worries and the crying, none of it mattered. We were looking at this incredible gift.” The couple adopted their second daughter, Emma, earlier this year.

Despite the difficulties along the way, Moser says that bringing their daughters home has made the entire journey worthwhile. “Every day I look at my girls and think how did I get so lucky,” she says. “I’m sure every mother says the same thing, but I feel extra lucky because these two women [the birth mothers] thought that I’d be a good enough mother for their children. It just speaks volumes.”

FAMILY IN FOCUS

Every year when Mother’s Day comes along, it’s such a special day for me because of how my children were meant to come to me.

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 34 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 35n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Featuring over 300 Crafters and ArtistsQuality Handcrafted Work

48th ANNUAL

FREE PARKING

AND

ADMISSION!Sunday, May 15, 2016

HistoricWoodstock Square10am–4pm

Sponsored by Volunteers of The Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County.See our web site for a coloring contest form.www.fairdiddley.com

VISIT OUR BAKERY FOR SOME TASTY TREATS!

MarkYour Calendars!FALL DIDDLEY® 2016October 8th • 9am-5pmOctober 9th • 9am-4pm

Boone County Fairgrounds

Plus:Bake SalePlant Sale50/50 Raffle!

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• Cutting Edge hair cuts, hair care and hair color at Pepper

Annex Hair Salon & Dry Bar, 1295 Randall Road Suite 111, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014.

PepperAnnex.com815-893-0849

Cutting Edge with Pepper Annex

Why should busy women care about their hair?

Public relations professional Sue Dobbe-Leahy of Dobbe Marketing & PR recommends all her clients be “camera-ready” when they are doing business.

“Today more than ever, business leaders have their image on display in the marketplace. We are being photographed, video-conferenced and Face-timed. Clients and colleagues make decisions based upon our skills, our professionalism and our image. It is important to look your best at all times.”

How can busy women everywhere have better looking hair while saving time and money? With Dry Bar Salon blowouts, hair is spectacularly styled and lasts several days.

But who has time to spend all day in the salon? Not you. Yet, strategically scheduling professional salon services for a Dry Bar blowout can give you more attractive hair, less time wasted fussing and more time for your work, family and fun.

Dry Bars are the rage in major metropolitan cities around the globe. With the trend in washing hair less often for healthier results, blowouts make everyday hair runway quality.

Less fuss can be more fashionable. For a woman on the go, a blowout offers a quick and relatively affordable treat that can make you feel instantly put

together. With a blowout lasting two to three days, daily maintenance is streamlined.

Sure, you can blowout your hair at home. But let’s be honest, no one is really good at styling the back of their own head! Plus, you’ll enjoy the speed and efficiency of a trained stylist with the confidence that comes from a professional blowout. Obtain salon quality hair in under an hour at your favorite Dry Bar Hair Salon.

How often do you need to look gorgeous? Always!

Blowouts are great for special occasions, work, conferences, weekends, interviews, date nights or before you jet set to your next adventure.

Blowouts are intended to make your current hair as amazing as possible. Instead of waking up early to wash, dry, straighten and style your hair; you only have minimal maintenance in the morning.

Imagine visiting your salon twice a week for a stunning blowout. While your hair is styled, you check emails, return texts and plan your day. For two to three days afterward your hair requires just a fluff. Save yourself three to five hours a week to make more money or have more fun!

Slightly addictive, blowouts are an indulgence for some — who doesn’t want beautiful hair everyday with less than a two-hour per week commitment? A woman looks more polished when hair is at its best. A simple addition to your current regimen will result in more confidence in less time.

Discover the difference a Dry Bar blowout can make in your beauty regimen. Make a trial run with a weekend blowout. Once you breeze through a busy weekend with barely a fluff of your coif, you will be an advocate of Dry Bar blowouts! Be one of those “in the know” and others will begin to follow your lead in fabulous hair care fashion.

Businesswoman’s Blowout

Blowouts make everyday hair

runway quality.

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 36 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE FASHION & BEAUTY

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FASHION & BEAUTYn w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 37

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 38 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

IMMANUEL Lutheran school’s

PantherPursuitRun - Walk5KSaturday

May 14th2016

presented by ourtitle sponsor

annual1st

What5K Race - $30($40 registration on day of race)

1/2 Mile Fun Run - $15(for kids 12 and under)

WhereThe race will start & finish at

Immanuel Lutheran Church & School300 S. Pathway Court • Crystal Lake, IL(behind Jewel & Hobby Lobby on Route 14)

WhyAll proceeds raised from this event supports the PTL,staff and students of Immanuel who generously donatetheir time and talents year after year to OperationChristmas Child, Crystal Lake Food Pantry, PADS, theCommunity Clinic, Upward and many other local causes.

WHENSaturday,May 14th, 2016 (rain or shine)

7:00 AM - Race day registration & packet pick-up

8:30 AM - 5K run/walk race starts

9:15 AM - Half-mile kids fun run starts

9:30 AM - Awards ceremony

(Pre-race day packet pick-up will be atImmanuel Lutheran Church & School onThursday, May 12th from 2:00 - 6:00 PM)

HOWVisit www.PantherPursuit.comto register or learn more about the event

MCHENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Congratulates Our

2016 McHenry County Women of Distinction

Robin DoedenMCCF- Executive Director

2016 Women of Distinction

We recognize our manyphilanthropic, community and

business leaders as we celebrateour 15th year of supporting

McHenry County.

620 Dakota Street | Crystal Lake, Illinois 60012Connecting People Who Care with Causes that Matter for 15 years

815.338.4483 | www.mccfdn.orgFounded by local residents, the Community Foundation offers people

a method to pool philanthropic giving in our county

Follow McHenry County Magazine atfacebook.com/McHenryCountyMagazine.

fan!aBecome

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 39n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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For just $125.00!To submit an entry to Artist Showcase

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Are You An Artist?See your work in the

pages of McHenry County Magazine!

Page 40: MCM May 2016

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 40 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 41n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Page 42: MCM May 2016

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a posting in a group website where a girl was asking about techniques to clean her diamond ring. Intrigued to see the answers that were being offered to her,

I started reading all of the comments and, oh my gosh, some of them were really silly!

The most common theme seemed to be recommending that she clean her precious gemstones and metals with toothpaste or baking soda. Which is not a very good idea considering there are abrasives in these products that can easily scratch metals — especially gold.

Some others included vinegar and bleach, which over time can break down the base metals and should never be in direct contact with your jewelry.

A few other old wives’ tales I came across while researching this topic ... ketchup is supposed to make your silver shine brighter and a little soak in a beer bath is supposed to do wonders for your yellow gold. As silly as these are, now I’m curious to see if they work. If you have ever tried something out of the ordinary to clean your jewels, let us know on our Facebook page.

So how should you clean your jewelry?

Every six months, or more frequently if you’d like, you should bring your jewelry in to a jewelry store to have it checked and professionally cleaned. Steffan’s Jewelers has

How To Clean

JewelryToothpaste, beer baths and other wives’ tales about cleansers

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 42 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE FASHION & BEAUTY

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 43n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

Gem Talkwith Karly Bulinski

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

FASHION & BEAUTY

an ultrasonic jewelry bath specifically for this purpose.

In addition to making your jewelry look brand new, a jeweler can tell you if there is any work that needs to be done and make sure there are no loose stones.

If you want to keep your jewels clean at home, use a bowl of warm water and a gentle dish soap (such as Dawn). Soak your jewelry, except for pearls, for 20 to 40 minutes and use a soft toothbrush to remove any gunk that may be hiding in between prongs or gemstones.

There are also jewelry-cleaning solutions on the market that you can purchase for home use that are very inexpensive, yet pretty effective. A jar of jewelry cleaner at Steffan’s will only set you back about $3. Just remember, cleaning your jewelry at home should not take the place of bringing it in to a store to be professionally cleaned.

Did you know that Steffan’s has been cleaning McHenry’s jewelry for 70 years now? That’s right! This year marks our 70th anniversary since my great-grandparents opened Steffan’s. We will be celebrating all summer long with fun prizes, special sales and much more. Keep up to date with all of our fun events by liking us on Facebook.

Please join us for the Women of Distinction Awards luncheon.The Women of Distinction Award will be presented to women who have been chosen as representative role models and leaders in their fields and communities.

A welcome reception will provide networking opportunities preceding lunch and the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will honor the 2016 Women of Distinction and provide honorees with an opportunity to share their stories.

Purchase tickets online by May 1 at mcmwod2016.eventbrite.com.* To reserve full tables of 8 in advance or for questions, call 815-526-4416.

Purchase Your Tickets TODAY!

Awards Luncheon

May 11, 2016

11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Crystal Lake Country Club

$35/ticket

Luncheon Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor Kenote Speaker Sponsor

Our 2016 winners:

Robin DoedenMaralee Gordon

Susan LingGloria Mack

Jamie MaravichKathryn Martens

Kathy RauchJackie SpecialeLinda StengeleHadley Streng

Ann Viger

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

For the Mom Who Makes Her Own GranolaWhole Bowls: Complete Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Meals to Power Your Day } by Allison Day

So many foods that come in bowls are staple comfort foods — cereal, mac and cheese, piping hot tomato soups. In her new book,

“Whole Bowls,” Allison Day crafts

a colorful cookbook with an ideal protein/

vegetable ratio for all meals (breakfast, lunches,

entrees and even desserts). The meals are healthy, but

still ultimately satisfying (and just as comforting as their less-

than-healthy counterparts).

For the Mom Who Calls Whole Foods Her “Second Home”

Deliciously Ella Everyday } by Ella Woodward

Trying to eat healthy while maintaining a busy lifestyle is an oft-revisited topic of conversation for many women today. Ella Woodward has created a

wellness institution in the UK, devoted to blogging and creating recipes for healthy

food on-the-go. I have already made several make-ahead breakfasts and lunches (including a maple chia pudding and turmeric–infused pea and cauliflower salad — yum!). There are opportunities to experiment with unusual ingredients (baobab powder?) as well as make new creations from foods you already have. This is her second book published in the US.

For the Mom Who Can Spend Hours in Sephora or UltaFace Paint: The Story of Makeup } by Lisa Eldrige

This absolutely stunning book is one part history lesson and one part nostalgic trip down memory lane. The sections entitled “Makeup Muses” help us remember famous women who introduced major trends into the cosmetics industry, and sub-chapters dedicated to the role of various colors in the history of cosmetics makes for an introspective revisiting of the color wheel. The photographs of vintage makeup evoke the same feeling of discovering unique finds at an antiques store.

Even if you aren’t the kind of lady who embraces makeup for your everyday look, your heart might still skip a beat when you see that pink and green tube of Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara. Treat mom or grandma to this treasure, and flip through the pages to see what associations emerge.

For the Mom Who Loves Her Mystery MarathonsThe Girl in the Red Coat } by Kate Hamer

Abduction mysteries can get repetitive. Many novels have plots so focused on gruesome and traumatic torture that you feel like you need a support group after you’ve finished them. This book is neither of these, and to say it was a page-turner is an understatement.

The story surrounds the abduction of Carmel, our red-coat-cloaked heroine, who is kidnapped during a children’s fair in England, and whisked off to the United States by her kidnapper. Chapters are recounted back and forth from both Carmel and her mother, Beth’s, perspectives. Can Beth keep herself together? Will Carmel believe the lies she is told by her kidnapper? The questions are endless and keep you wanting more. A must read for the mystery lover in your life!

On a side note, this column is dedicated to my mother — a librarian!

Sandra Manley, LSW, grew up in Island Lake, IL. She is an Oncology Social Worker at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, specializing in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology and Solid Tumors. In her spare time she can be found roasting vegetables in her oven, enjoying a very dark cup of coffee, and of course, reading. You can follow what she is reading on Goodreads: Goodreads.com/SandraReadsMSW.

Book Nook with Sandra Manley

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 44 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Happy May, everyone! Mother’s Day is this month, and a new crop of spring books have blossomed. So many of us were handed down our love of reading

from our moms — now is the time to give back! Here are some of my book picks, depending on your mom’s personality:

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 45n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

WOMEN INBUSINESS

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

Meet our 2016 honorees, nominated by peers and readers.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Explore profiles of area businesswomen.

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 46 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

WOMENofd i s t i n c t i o n

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKEPhotos by From Me 2 You Photography

ROBIN DOEDENMcHenry County Community Foundation

Robin DoedenMcHenry County Community Foundation

I n her professional and personal contributions, Robin Doeden has made a positive impact on her community. Since 2012 she has been the president and chief executive officer of the McHenry County Community Foundation, steering the foundation to a greater community awareness and engagement. She has increased participation and fundraising for the

organization.

From her previous roles as director of development to her career as a writer and marketer, Doeden is a top professional. Her ability to bring people together, break down complex issues and encourage everyone around her makes her a leader that others respect and follow. She has created programs in the community and is known for her ability to connect people to projects.

She has worked with several other local groups, including the St. Paul’s Diaper Bank Dancing for Diapers, Rotary Western Auction and Family Health Partnership Clinic events. She is active with local chambers of commerce. When it comes to her work she is passionate and innovative. She is a leader and a collaborator.

McHenry County Magazine’s 2016 Women of Distinction

In 2012, Shaw Media and McHenry County Magazine began a tradition of honoring women who have been representative role models and leaders in their fields and communities. After reviewing nominations from community leaders, local business professionals and our own readership, we are pleased to announce this year’s Women of Distinction recipients. We introduce our honorees here, and in each month that follows, tell the complete story of one of these outstanding local residents.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 47n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

MARALEE GORDONMcHenry County Jewish Congregation

Maralee Gordon McHenry County Jewish Congregation Rabbi

R abbi Maralee Gordon has been an active member of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation since she, her husband and three sons moved to Woodstock in 1986. Just a few weeks after moving to the area she joined the teaching staff at MCJC and her work has continued since that time, from her role as principal from 1989 to

1996 to her role today serving the congregation as a rabbi.

After returning to school, Gordon was ordained as a rabbi in 2001. She is an educational resource on Jewish practice, a spiritual leader and a voice of the Jewish community in McHenry County. She is active in FaithBridge, stressing the importance of tolerance, interaction and collaboration among various faith groups. She regularly gives presentations to high school and college religion classes. She makes time for pastoral care to Jews in the community as well as regular visits with immigrants awaiting deportation at the McHenry County Jail.

Her work with the Jewish community extends beyond McHenry. She is active in the Chicago Board of Rabbis, she has worked with a Jewish congregation in DeKalb and she is participating in the Rabbinic Leadership Program of Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

SUSAN LINGIllinois Department of Human Services

Susan Ling Illinois Department of Human Services Family Consumer Specialist

S usan Ling has been called a beacon of hope to families and individuals affected by mental illness. Through her own personal and family journey, she has created a role that has had an impact on the state and local levels. Through her work with the Illinois Department of Human

Services/Division of Mental Health/Child & Adolescent Services she is an advocate for families on a state level, while providing increased support and services to local families in the McHenry area.

She has helped families navigate the care and services available, helped increase the number of support groups and classes and brought more services to the area. She takes time to work with teachers, law enforcement professionals and others to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Through her work she has tried to help those in need, while increasing awareness and understanding in the greater community.

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GLORIA MACKVolunteer

Gloria Mack Volunteer

G loria Mack shares her time and talents with several organizations. She is a member of the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, the McHenry Landmark Commission and was an administrator with the McHenry County Historical Society. She goes beyond serving these

commissions with board meetings and planning and has been known to spend time peeling wall paper or dressing up in historical costumes to teach children as a historical society museum volunteer.

Mack has been known as a positive force for change, leading preservation efforts for future generations to learn and understand.

She serves on the Valley Hi Nursing Home operating board and is a volunteer with JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington. She volunteers at the Wonder Lake Food Pantry and is active with Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Whether she is counseling families of hospice patients or researching historical information, she is a dedicated volunteer who inspires others to share their time and talents. She strives to make personal connections with those she meets.

JAMIE MARAVICHBMO Harris

Jamie Maravich BMO Harris Market President

W ith an extensive career in the banking industry, Jamie Maravich has built a path to her current role as market president for BMO Harris. To her staff she is a role model and leader, but these traits extend beyond her day job and describe her work with the greater community.

Through her work with BMO Harris she lends support to various groups and programs in the community, including support for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Through her work and her time volunteering with local organizations and boards she continually finds ways to support the community and residents using her skills as a positive leader.

Outside of her work she is an active volunteer, serving on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County, the United Way for McHenry County, the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Maravich is considered a dynamic person, sharing her time and talents and creating a lasting impact in the community.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 49n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

KATHRYN I. MARTENSCrystal Lake Public Library

Kathryn I. Martens Crystal Lake Public Library Director

W ith strong leadership and administrative skills Kathryn I. Martens has served as director for the Crystal Lake Public Library for the last 26 years. She is a fiscal conservative who keeps the library moving forward.

She has found ways to bridge the library to the greater community. Martens created a Library Pay It Forward Forgiveness Program, offering residents the opportunity to be forgiven half of their library fines if they donated half to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Since the program started in 2008 more than $46,000 has been donated.

Martens is an active part of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, serving in several positions from committee member to president. She is also an active volunteer and advocate of the Community Harvest program, which serves to collect items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

She is a member and trainer with the Northwest Obedience Club, Inc. in Cary and has competed with her two standard poodles. She also has trained her poodles with Pet Partners Therapy Dogs, bringing them to the library for Read to the Dog programs as well as to hospitals for visits with patients.

KATHY RAUCHFamily Health Partnership Clinic

Kathy Rauch Family Health Partnership Clinic Director of Volunteers

W ith a keen ability to listen to others and think outside the box, Kathy Rauch is constantly finding ways to bring people together and inspire. She continually finds ways to motivate others to support the Family Health Partnership Clinic and its programs, bringing

together people of varying ages and programs to support the clinic and its outreach.

She is considered a wonderful role model and cited for her enthusiasm. She lends her time to the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, as well as several national and local foundations, clubs and boards.

She is a strong supporter for the arts, opening her home for an annual emerging artists show. The show becomes a way for the artists and members of the community to connect and develop relationships.

She also is an athlete and enjoys the outdoors. She was involved in the United States Ski Association and was a cross county timing official at the 1980 Olympic games in Lake Placid. She is the past president of the Crystal Lake Rowing Club Board.

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 50 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

LINDA STENGELELocal historian and volunteer

Linda Stengele Local historian and volunteer

L inda Stengele has devoted countless hours to preserving the stories of the past for future generations. Among her many projects is working with volunteers at the McHenry County Recorder’s Office transcribing property records dating back to the 1830s and creating a database through the recorder’s office website.

She has helped organize the Fox River Grove Lions Club historical records and is a regular volunteer in the Fox River Grove Library’s history section. She has organized groups of volunteers to index obituaries and death notices from past and current newspapers for the Crystal Lake Historical Society, with more than 70,000 names indexed.

But preserving history is just one part of Stengele’s story. She has enjoyed a career as a real estate agent and broker and achieved membership to the Million Dollar Club Life Member. Along with the countless hours she has volunteered in local libraries, Stengele also worked in a library in Wheeling.

Stengele’s work as a dowser has led to the detection of numerous unmarked graves, septic fields and wells across the county. She also worked to restore Chunn’s Burial Ground and the Oak Glenn Cemetery in Algonquin Township, including the grave of a Union Army veteran.

JACKIE SPECIALEMAC Automation Concepts

Jackie SpecialeMAC Automation Concepts

A s the chief financial officer for MAC Automation Concepts, Jackie Speciale leads the financial welfare of the small Woodstock company. Outside of work she is a member of the Woodstock Rotary, where she helps plan and participate with events. She is also a member of the Woodstock Planning Commission.

Through her civic activities, charitable work and volunteer activities she continually makes a positive impact in her community. She’s an avid runner and athlete and often uses her love of running to raise funds through local races.

As a member of the Red Cross Disaster Team she volunteers her time to support and assist victims, even when work keeps her away from her family for several days. She is an active supporter and advocate for the Red Cross.

She also serves on the Woodstock Planning Commission, lending her time to the future growth of the community. She has been called an inspiration for the tirelessly way she gives of herself to her family, friends and community.

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HADLEY STRENGCentegra Health System

Hadley Streng Centegra Health System

H adley Streng has demonstrated leadership in addressing the healthcare needs of McHenry County. She was a key leader in the Centegra Hospital-Huntley and the opening of Centegra Immediate Care Centers, as well as the expansion of the Centegra Physician Care.

She joined Centegra in 2006 in a management role and grew into her current role as a vice president of strategy and development. Through her work she demonstrates an awareness of the patients and families in the region she serves and is continually working for their best interests. Her role is helping Centegra respond to the community’s health needs and ensure patients have local access to high quality care.

Additionally she serves on the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, working with fellow community leaders to plan, design and implement long-term economic development strategies to help the county’s businesses thrive. She is a member of the Curriculum Committee for Leadership Greater McHenry County to develop community leaders and knowledge on community issues as well as volunteer opportunities.

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

ANN VIGERCrystal Lake Park District

Ann VigerCrystal Lake Park District director of planning & development

W ith a can-do attitude and proven leadership, Viger has been making her community better since her days as a volunteer raising funds and manpower to build a new playground at Woodscreek Park.

She has devoted countless hours to making a difference in her community, from her work on the Community Cleanup and the Community Harvest to her active involvement in the Crystal Lake Chamber and Economic Development Committee. She often serves in a leadership role, bringing others together and taking the reins in projects and programs.

She utilizes her skills and interests in her role on the Crystal Lake Park District and goes beyond her daily work with her active membership in several professional/park distraction organizations on the state, regional and national level. There she shares her experience and skills, as well as her ability to lead.

With her passion for history she is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as working with local history as a part of the Crystal Lake Historical Society.

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 52 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINEBMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC bmoharris.com

Celebratingwomenwho make adifference.

As a proud supporter of genderequality, BMO Harris Bankcongratulates Women of Distinctionhonoree Jamie Maravich. Weapplaud your accomplishments anddedication.

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Joni Fisher, Administrator ofHearthstone Communities inWoodstock has devoted her

career to caring for others.

For the past thirty-eight years, shehas held a number of differentpositions at Hearthstone. “WhenI moved to McHenry County, I in-terviewed for an activities directorposition at Hearthstone, and neverimagined I’d be here this long.”

Fisher, whose motto is “teamwork”,oversees Hearthstone’s CCRCwhich has all levels for seniorsavailable ranging from indepen-dent living to long term care. Herpassion is all things Hearthstonewearing many hats throughthe years.

Her favorite responsibilities allowher to spend time with residents.

“They have so much to share andhave given so much during theirlives; I want to do all I can to maketheir senior years the best theycan be.”

Joni FisherAdministrator

Hearthstone Communities920 North Seminary Ave, Woodstock815-338-2110hearthstonewoodstock.org

Bernice ZubrzyckiBanquet & Catering

31 North Banquet & Catering217 Front Street • McHenry815-344-0330www.31NorthBanquets.com

Whether you’re hostingan intimate gathering, agrand wedding, training

session, or a back yard picnic,Bernice Zubrzycki, Owner of 31North Banquet & Catering has theexperience and resources to make itan event to remember.

For over 35 years, Bernice has beenpartnering with local families andbusinesses to make their events adelicious success. “Whether you area State Senator, a CEO, CharitableEvents Captain or a bride-to-be,our determination to exceptionalservice, relentless attention to detail,and unwavering commitment toexcellence makes us the preferredcaterer and banquet facilityfor anyone wanting a flawlesslyplanned event,” Bernice says.

Her luxury venue “31 North Banquet& Catering” brings a level of styleand elegance to McHenry that, untilrecently, could only be found at themost exclusive locations in Chicago.

Marcy PiekosExecutive Director, Leadership

Greater McHenry County

Often I am asked whymyconviction is so strong inbelieving Leadership Greater

McHenry County is the premierleadership organization in our area.It begins with the key distinction thatLGMC goes beyond enhancingindividual leadership acumen. LGMC’suniquemission, community-basedcurriculum and the connections wefoster clearly define who we are.

Each June, we graduate 32 highlycommitted, motivated servantleaders. These individuals join ouralumni ranks and become a resourceto the community to serve on non-profit boards and government. Thepositive outcome of having 375 alumnimembers is evident through theircommitment to shaping the county’sfuture.

LGMC transforms leaders’ perspectives,and provokes new thought. MayaAngelo ‘s words reflect what I believe,“When you know better, you do better.”

Leadership Greater McHenry County(815) 337-87501290 Lake Avenue Suite 200Woodstock, IL 60098www.leadershipgmc.org

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Kay Rial Bates, McHenry Area Cham-ber of Commerce President, is quiteaware that women enjoy connect-

ing with other women.

“Just like our male counterparts enjoy malebonding, we women love to interact social-ly and professionally. That ‘s why McHenryArea Chamber developed a professionalwomen’s group called WINGs,” she said.

“The ladies love that WINGs offers womenthe opportunity to network at their table,receive complimentary gifts and introducethemselves to all in attendance.”

“I hope readers will join us on May 18thas WINGs presents, Clutter is Part of Life;Organization is not Letting Clutter Rule YourLife!” by Paula Ripple, of OrganizeWell,”Bates said.

WINGs is a Chamber-sponsored networkinggroup, open to everyone. Meeting datesand locations are posted on the chamber’swebsite, www.mchenrychamber.com

To register or learn more visitwww.mchenrychamber.com

Kay Rial BatesChamber President

McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce1257 N. Green St., McHenry815-385-4300www.mchenrychamber.com

Asuccessful floor coveringbusiness takes hard work,dedication, and a focus on

your customers’ needs,” says KarenLagerhausen, Design and SalesConsultant at Murphy’s Flooring.“Natalie and Keith (Murphy) aregrowing a great business, andI’m thrilled to apply my 35 yearsof experience to help them meettheir goals.” Besides carpeting,Murphy’s sells hardwood, tile, luxuryvinyl, and sheet vinyl all displayedin their newly enlarged showroom.

Lagerhausen’s extensiveknowledge of products andinstallation techniques was gainedworking in the commercial, builder,and residential sectors. “Helpingcustomers find products they canrely on and enjoy is why I’m in thisbusiness,” explains Lagerhausen.She continues, “I have a deepcommitment to go the extra milefor each customer. That’s howwe provide outstanding personalservice.

Karen LagerhausenMurphy’s Flooring

Murphy’s Flooring2104 South Eastwood DriveWoodstock, IL 60098www.murphysflooring.net815-334-5985 S

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Mary Behrens openedher business in October,2013 after she looked at

downtown and determined akitchen store was missing from themix. “I’m a total foodie, and amaddicted to kitchen gadgets, soI figured my passion would helpme fuel my business!” explainsBehrens. Kitchen Outfitters sellseverything from spatulas/utensilsto fine cutlery, small electrics,cookware, bakeware, barware,and grilling supplies. Tasty samplesare a staple at the store, as well asproduct demonstrations.

“The experience customersreceive from the time they walkin the door until they leave is key,and that means personal servicethat you can’t get from big boxstores. More and more people areshopping local, and our customersreally become friends. I’m havingthe time of my life!” says Behrens.

Mary BehrensKitchen Outfitters, Inc.

Kitchen Outfitters, Inc.64B N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake779-220-4653kitchenoutfitterscrystallake.com

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McHenry County TreasurerGlenda Miller hasestablished a new online

portal that makes getting propertytax information simple—and free!Her office’s website,www.mchenrytreasurer.org allowstaxpayers to search for informationabout their properties, and taxingbodies to obtain informationabout their annual distribution.“This is something people used tohave to come into the office for,now it’s available to everyone,”Miller said.Miller’s job not only includescollecting and distributingproperty taxes, but also keepingover eighty accounts balanced,making monthly reports to theCounty Board, and protecting thecounty’s revenue while growing itsinvestments.“We want to make sure thetaxpayer’s money is safe, andcarefully invest it for a good return,so we don’t have to ask for asmuch,” she said.

Glenda MillerMcHenry County Treasurer

McHenry County Treasurer2100 N. Seminary Avenue815-334-4260www.mchenrytreasurer.org

Sen. Pamela Althoff has servedin the Illinois Senate since 2003,championing legislation for

businesses. What’s more satisfying?Ensuring the Pioneer Centerreceives state funding; workingwith Marengo residents dealingwith a water pollution issue, just likeFlint, Mich.; working on economicdevelopment opportunities forMcHenry County businesses –Althoff enjoys these more thanactivities in Springfield.“Although I love every aspect ofmy job, I get more satisfactionworking with people who electme, helping them in a more hands-on fashion, rather than passing abill for the entire state,” she says.She credits her strong femalesupport group for much of hersuccess and plans to pay itforward.“Women who have achievedsuccess in their professional fieldneed to do all we can to reachout to the next generation, offeringsupport, encouragement andmentorship.”

Sen. Pamela AlthoffIllinois State Senate

State Senator Pamela J. Althoff5400 West Elm Street, Suite 103McHenry, IL(815) 455-6330www.senatoralthoff.com

England, Italy, India. These are just afew places Lesley Smith has calledhome. Living all over the world pro-

vided a unique perspective she drawsupon daily as Membership ExperienceDirector for Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake.

“People are the same everywhere.Having an open mind and the ability totry to find ways to say ‘yes,’ make for agreat experience for our members andthe community,” Smith said.

She and her family have lived in thearea 22 years. Previously, she workedin health & fitness and banking. Vol-unteering, community service, andparticipating in Leadership GreaterMcHenry County sparked her desire towork for a not-for-profit organization.An active Rotarian, she’s driven by theirmotto ‘Service above Self’!

She’s responsible for delivering theYMCA Mission, attracting and retain-ing members, overseeing staff and“getting word out about this beautifulfacility.”

Lesley SmithMembership Experience Director

Sage YMCA of Metro Chicago701 Manor Road, Crystal Lake815-459-4455sageymca.org

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S arah Ashley Sobel has countless memories at Pablo’s Restau-rant & Cantina. “I went there often,” says Sobel. “Myself, andthen my children, pretty much grew up there. It’s an amazingfamily environment.” Three years ago, Sobel and her familybought the casual Mexican spot. Sobel began as a restaurant

manager before becoming the chief financial officer at Pablo’s. Sheis responsible for inventory, payroll, community events, advertising andmore.

This year, Sobel and her family are celebrating the 30th anniversary oftheir restaurant in early November. “We’re going to have a huge anni-versary party, the whole community is invited,” says Sobel. For her family,this milestone is especially meaningful. “I’m thankful for my struggles,because without them I wouldn’t have stumbled upon my strengths,”she says.

A Crystal Lake native, Sobel is very involved in the community and awide range of charity work, including working with the homeless, TurningPoint and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She says she loves thatworking at Pablo’s has given her the chance to work beside her motherand grow herself and their restaurant within the community. “The com-munity is my heart, it means everything to me,” she says.

Sarah Ashley SobelChief Financial Officer

PABLOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT230 Virginia Rd.; Crystal Lake, IL 60014815-455-2500pabloscrystallake.com

Thecommunityis my heart,it meanseverythingto me

E xcellent customer serviceand communication are twothings that Jennifer Wagnerstrives to provide to each ofher clients at Crystal Lake

Bank.

As vice president of commerciallending, Jennifer works closely withbusiness owners, helping them fulfilltheir dreams of expansion, whetherit be the purchase of a new building,acquiring another company or otheravenues of growth.

She prides herself on being efficient- always getting requests processedas quickly as possible - and she staysin constant contact with her clientsso they’re never in the dark about atransaction.

“I take pride in that,” she says. “If youbecome a customer of mine, I takethe responsibility to make sure thingsget done. I’m building long-standingrelationships with my customers, andit starts with trust.”

Jennifer WagnerVice President Commercial Lending

Crystal Lake Bank and Trust CompanyA Wintrust Community Bank815-788-3233crystallakebank.com

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F ounded in 1960, Crystal Lake Travel is one of, if not the oldest,travel agencies in McHenry County.

Owner Susan Marie Swett started working at the agencyin 1975, and purchased the business in 1981, when she wastwenty-four. Co-owner Patty DeRoo joined Crystal Lake Travel

in 2003 and became a partner in October, 2014.

Today, the agency employs four full-time travel agents, five part-time agents and a bookkeeper. All of the agents love to travel andbetween them, they’ve visited every continent except Antarctica.“Going to the destinations, seeing the resorts and experiencing theculture helps us do our jobs better,” said Swett.

A travel agent’s first-hand knowledge of a destination providesexpert guidance that a website can’t. “We’re able to give anunbiased recommendation, and professional advice so clients canfeel confident when they travel,” said DeRoo.

For clients, working with a travel agent not only saves time, it’s moreconvenient than researching and booking everything on your own.And if something goes wrong, the agent is there to help.“I provideclients with my personal cell number, so they can reach me atanytime. We believe in giving the best personalized service,”said Swett.

Crystal Lake TravelTravel

Crystal Lake Travel13 Crystal Lake Plaza, Crystal Lake815-459-2500www.cltravelagency.com

CRYSTAL LAKE

TRAVEL

Everyone remembers Honey-Baked Ham in Crystal Lake dur-ing the holidays.

But franchise owner Karen Vedda,manager Jake Kuenster and theirteam offer much more than once-a-year holiday staples.

For the last 25 years, Vedda andher team have provided customerswith the hams they have come tolove. But during non-holiday times,HoneyBaked also has offered boxlunches - complete with a sand-wich, chips or salad, cookie and adrink; dinner packages; and com-plete catering and delivery optionsfor business and private events.

The Crystal Lake native is proud tohave many long-time employees.She’s also happy to give back tothe community she loves.

“I see a lot of the people I’veknown for years,” she says. “It is veryfulfilling to interact with the people,schools and churches of CrystalLake that I have been surroundedby my whole life.”

Karen VeddaOwner/Operator

Crystal Lake5186 Northwest HwyBetweenExchangeDrandPingreeRd815-477-4426HoneyBaked.com

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V acation season is fast approaching, but there’s still time to plan agreat trip, says Neelie Kruse, CTC, and owner of Cary Travel Express.

Whether you’re ready for sun and sand, sightseeing, or exploring newcultures, Kruse and her team are ready to help you create an unfor-gettable vacation.

Kruse suggests that couples seeking a romantic destination should consider Italy.“Rome has so much history, and the Vatican is incredible to see. Florence and Veniceeach have a character all their own. There’s so much to see, and the food and wineare amazing.”

For an awesome family vacation, Kruse recommends Costa Rica. “It has so much tooffer, from the lush tropical rainforests with zip lining, to the bright blue water surround-ing the island offering surfing; white water rafting inland, and volcanoes to climb.

Rather stay closer to home? “Disney and Universal Studios always make a great fami-ly trip, and we work with clients to make them fun and affordable,” Kruse explains.

Because Kruse and the Cary Travel Express staff are well-traveled themselves, theycan provide suggestions for unique destinations and experiences to make your tripspecial. Committed to providing the best in customer service, they’re available toassist if you encounter any problems.

Cary Travel Express has received the “Best of the Fox” award as the area’s best travelagency, and in 2013, Kruse was named one of the nation’s Top 25 travel agents byTravel Agent Magazine.

Neelie KruseCary Travel Express

Cary Travel Express9 Jandus Road, Cary, IL 60013847-639-3300www.carytravelexpress.com

We’re experienced,offer outstandingcustomer service,and are committedto making yourtrip memorable.

“Kathleen’s Creative Expressions

Full-service women’s hairreplacement center

Since she was a teenager, KathyDevyak has worked in the hairindustry.But over time, the licensedcosmetologist saw a need forcompassion and understanding inthe hair alternative business.In 2003, she opened Kathleen’sCreative Expressions to providewomen suffering from thinninghair, Alopecia, chemotherapy/radiation hair loss and more thesolutions they needed to feelconfident.Thirteen years later, Kathycontinues to offer full wigs, toppersand other hair systems to women,finding their perfect color matchand styling it so that it’s impossibleto tell the hair isn’t natural.“When [my clients] are smiling andcrying and telling me, ‘Thank you!You gave me my life back,’ thatmakes it all worthwhile to me,”Kathy says.

Kathy DevyakFounder/President

Kathleen’s Creative Expressions380 Terra Cotta Rd Unit C., Crystal Lake815-759-0329www.kcexpressions.net

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W hen you walk into Dalzell Jewelers, you feel like family.

That’s how sales associates Amanda Scott and DianaEihhorn feel at the Crystal Lake jewelry shop, andthat’s how they want customers to feel.

Whether it’s the freshly baked cookies offered daily orthe friendly atmosphere, people find themselves relaxing and formingtrue relationships with these women.

“It’s a welcoming place here, and we try to just make you feel athome,” Amanda says. “It’s a very trustworthy environment.”

It’s also important that customers have confidence in Dalzell, saysDiana, whether they’re purchasing designer jewelry and watches,creating custom pieces or leaving behind family heirlooms for repair.

The GIA accredited jewelry professional enjoys building thatconfidence by creating beautiful custom items.

“I love being able to have creative license,” she says. “People comein and if they want something we don’t have, we can make it. We arenot a cookie cutter establishment.”

Amanda agrees. “We’re not just going to show [you] something that’sclose to what [you’re] looking for. We’re here to help [you get exactlywhat you want],” she says.

Customers appreciate the care and respect they receive from theirDalzell family. “We love what we do, and you can feel that when youwalk in here,” Diana says.

Diana Eihhorn and Amanda ScottSales Associates

SM-CL0340029

Dalzell Jewelers41 N. Williams St.Historic Downtown Crystal Lake815.455.3600DalzellJewelers.com

DalzellJewelers

When Luann Bauer, a breastcancer survivor, openedLuLu’s Wiggin’ Out in 2005,

she had a clear goal in mind.“I wanted to help other womenwho were going through what Iwent through to feel good aboutthemselves,” she said.

LuLu’s Wiggin’ Out still bringsthat warm-hearted touch todowntown Crystal Lake.The boutique is known for their funand unique clothing, accessories,hats and wigs. They offer over 100styles of high quality synthetic wigs,hairpieces, human hair, and heatfriendly options.

LuLu’s is consistently named asone of McHenry County’s favoritewomen’s clothing boutiques,and Bauer credits her great staff.“They’re just wonderful, verycompassionate and caring.Our goal is to make a womanfeel beautiful, no matter whatshe’s going through,” said Bauer.

Luann Bauer

LuLu’s Wiggin’ Out63 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, IL815-356-9900www.luluswigginoutboutique.com

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For more than 30 years, Cynthia Brown Komarek, CRPC®has been dedicated to helping her clients achieve peaceof mind. A financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, sheoffers a range of services that help her clients manage theirinvestments and reach their financial goals.

Komarek specializes in business services, education funding, estateplanning strategies, insurance, IRA & IRA rollovers and retirementplanning. She is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, adesignation earned from the College for Financial Planning®, whichshe received after extensive training in asset management, estateinvestment planning, planning and retirement planning.

Komarek is also involved with local animal rescue organizationssuch as Animal Outreach of McHenry County and Green LakeAnimal Shelter. A member of the National Association of ProfessionalWomen, Komarek is well equipped to provide a broad range ofservices to executives and business owners. She believes that astrong client relationship is built on caring, trust, listening and loyalty.“For over 30 years I have enjoyed getting to personally know eachfamily member that I serve,” says Komarek. “It’s important for meto understand the dreams of each client so that I can help themachieve their goals.”

Cynthia Brown KomarekFirst Vice President – Investments

2424 Lake Shore DriveWoodstock, IL 60098815-334-2216wellsfargoadvisors.com

It’s importantfor me tounderstandthe dreams ofeach client sothat I can helpthem achievetheir goals.

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S ince opening Wear Did U GetThat boutique three yearsago, Stephanie Ormsby says

what she loves most is meetingthe needs of her customers. “Wereally make sure we have some-thing for everyone. We have threegenerations who shop here andit’s made me really happy to offerthat,” she said.

Stocked with a great selection oftops, jeans, dresses, jackets andaccessories, the boutique special-izes in fashion for every day. “Thesearen’t pieces that are going tosit in your closet, and we’re reallyknown for our selection of denim,”she said.

Wear Did U Get That carries sizesfrom 0 to 20. “There’s a perceptionabout boutiques that they onlycarry limited sizes and are expen-sive. I want everyone to be ableto find something that fits their sizeand budget,” Ormsby said.

Stephanie OrmsbyBoutique

Wear Did U Get ThatFashion For Every Day66 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake815-455-7500Find Us On Facebook

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Good design comes fromunderstanding my client’svision, andgreatdesigncomes

from exceeding their expectations,”explains Julie Loehner, owner ofKitchens By Julie, Inc.

Loehner opened her showroom in2006. She is aCertified KitchenDesignerand holds an Interior Design degree,and her husband, Mark, has thearchitecture and building experience.“We are a complete design/buildfirm, from concept to blueprints toproducts.”

With over 30 years of experience,Loehner and her team specialize inkitchens; however, they also design/build bathrooms, basements, laundryrooms, home offices, wet/dry bars,media centers, and much more.“We’re an award winning team, andour clients love that we take care ofa job from start to finish within our owncompany. And when my clients arehappy, I’m happy!”

Julie Loehner, CKDKitchens By Julie, Inc.

Julie Loehner, CKDKitchens By Julie, Inc.

815-455-2500 • 847-516-2226www.kitchensbyjulie.com

L ori and Katelyn McConville are owners of Marvin’s Toy Store and are inthe business of fun. This mother and daughter team runs a communitytoy store in downtown Crystal Lake that is fresh and inviting.

Marvin’s is full of toys that encourage active and engaging play fromcompanies that manufacture with respect towards people and the

environment. “We start with the basic tenants of learning: building, pretend-ing, creating, exploring and questioning,” said Lori, “but our specialty is toysthat inspire imagination and promote the wonder of play.”

“We choose toys with a hidden agenda to learn,” said Katelyn. “We also wantto encourage play that helps limit screen time.” Marvin’s products come in arange of prices, but quality doesn’t vary. A $2 item has the same high qualityas a $100 item.

Lori, a former teacher and an active environmentalist, saw an unmet needfor high-quality toys made from natural materials. “Putting my backgroundand environmental passion together, the idea for our store was created,” saidLori. “Working with the Small Business Administration and reaching out to localentrepreneurs got the business started.”

Katelyn also saw a need working with the McHenry County Department ofHealth’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. “Regardless of income,parents want to give their kids a good start.”

“My students and friends inspired Marvin’s Toy Store, but our success is thanksto a supportive community,” said Lori. “A child’s wonder and our custom-ers’ gratitude means the world to us, and doing good work in our communitykeeps us motived.”

Katelyn & Lori McConvilleOwners/Marvin’s Toy Store

Marvin’s Toy Store64A N. Williams St., Dwntwn Crystal Lake779-220-4179MarvinsToyStore.com

A child’s

wonder and

our customers’

gratitude means

the world to us

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A s Shaw Media’s Digital Champion,Renee Herrmann specializes inhelping local businesses create

customized campaigns that include web-site and video production, search engineoptimization, targeted display advertisingfor desktop and mobile devices, socialmedia, reputation/review management,custom sponsorship solutions and more.

Herrmann’s education and experiencemake her a hidden gem for local busi-nesses. With degrees from the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison, and RooseveltUniversity, where she studied MarketingCommunications, she spent twenty yearsin digital marketing for both local andFortune 500 companies.

She joined Shaw Media five years ago,and views marketing challenges throughthe perspective of her favorite quote-“when life gives you lemons, makelemonade.” “I enjoy bringing a uniqueperspective to my clients, as we createand execute successful marketing strate-gies,” she said.

Renee HerrmannShawMedia/Digital Champion

7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake815-459-4040NWHerald.com

A llison McCaleb, Managing Editor and Senior Designer of McHenry County

Magazine, love words. Written words, spoken words, illustrated words — and it shows.

She has been involved with the newspaper industry for 20 years, working in many capacities including reporter, editor and graphic designer. What most excites her about the industry is “its inherent fluidity. No task is the same each day, and no day contains the same task.”

Allison is originally from Texas and has lived in upstate New York, Louisiana and Indiana prior to settling down in Crystal Lake with her husband, Dan, and two children, Aleah and Matthew.

Allison McCalebEditor / Senior Designer

Shaw Media7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake815-459-4040McHenryCountyMagazine.com

Mary Meyn officially starteda home-based designbusiness in 2008.

In 2010, she opened a Crystal Lakestorefront to provide furnishingsthat would help transform clients’houses into true homes.

When Mary opened Yours &Meyn, Simply Designed, therewas nothing like it. There stillisn’t. Her store features eclectichome goods and furnishings fromvendors around the globe. Andher vision, to offer clients inspirationand guidance to grow their owncreativity, has helped fuel thestore’s growth and the designservices it offers.

“Too many women, in thebusyness of life, forget that we allhave a creative side that needs tobe nurtured,” she says. “Any timeI can give a woman a place tohave a creative outlet, whetherthey’re shopping here or browsingus as a source of inspiration, thatto me, is special.”

Mary MeynOwner

Yours & Meyn33 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake815-455-2500www.YoursAndMeyn.com

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Opened in 2008, Out of theBox specializes in uniqueand affordable gifts for all

ages. Owner Mary Batson says,“We pride ourselves on helping ourcustomers find the perfect gift foranyone on their list!”

When asked what makes Outof the Box so successful, Batsonanswers, “The key to our success isthe friendly feel we have. We havegotten to know so many of ourcustomers over the years, and wetreat everyone like a friend be-cause that’s what we want themto be.”

Batson opened her store to fulfilla dream she’d always had. “At acertain point in my life, I needed todo something different, and it hasturned out to be the most fulfillingthing I’ve ever done.”

Mary BatsonOut of the Box

Out of the Box71 N. Williams Street Crystal Lake,IL815-444-7446www.outoftheboxstore.com

T hat sums up the philosophy of Shay Boutique, a family-ownedand operated specialty shop in downtown Crystal Lake, aswell as its owners’ including Lynda Walsh.

We are a lifestyle shop,” Walsh says. “We sell an eclecticcombination of chic, casual clothing and fabulous home accentsand furnishings. We keep our prices affordable as we keep up withthe trends.” Co-owned by Lynda Walsh, Michele Walsh, and Lori Hills,Shay’s unique mix reflects the multiple owners’ various backgroundsof interior design, event planning, advertising, and business manage-ment. “Four years ago, we decided it was time to combine thosetalents into one business,” she explains.

Walsh believes the key to Shay’s success is the passion for what theydo, combined with providing exceptional customer service and awelcoming, comfortable environment. “A pleasant surprise as a resultof all our hard work has been the close friendships we have made,not only with our customers, but with our neighboring businesses onthe Brink Street Market Square. These relationships have enhanced notonly our company, but also the personal lives of all of us at Shay.”

Lynda WalshShay Boutique

Shay Boutique30 N. Williams St., Suite D Crystal Lake, IL 60014815-444-6460

Always approacheverything witha positive attitude.Put your fearsof the unknownaside and pursuewhat you’repassionate about.”

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“What I love most about my business is getting to spend time withpeople and helping them make sense of their legal situation –from analyzing their assets to determining what family situationsconcern them the most – and then working with those clients increating solutions to help them achieve their goals and leave a

lasting legacy.”

Attorney Stacy Stusowski primarily assists clients with wills, powers of

attorney, trusts, and other general estate planning needs, but is able to

help with residential real estate transactions as well.

“I worked for other law firms throughout law school and when I first

graduated,” explains Stusowski, “but eventually I realized that in order

to truly focus on estate planning as my primary practice area, I really

needed to be out on my own.

Stusowski continues, “I think it’s important to work hard and take

responsibility. It’s vital to own your mistakes and to learn from them. If what

you’re doing to build your business or get a job you love isn’t working, then

try a different technique instead of taking the easy route and blaming

forces beyond your control. Going into business for myself was very

daunting, but I worked hard and have built a very good network.”

Stacy Stusowski

The Law Offices of StacyStusowski, P.C.382 W. Virginia St. #3., Crystal [email protected]

What I lovemost aboutmy business isgetting to spendtime with peopleand helpingthem makesense of theirlegal situation.

Stacy Stusowski, PCTHE LAW OFFICES OF

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Nancy Merkling has taken the confusing parts of learning photography and created a teaching system that makes sense for any photographer who simply wants to

learn how to take better photographs. From hobbyist to pro, there’s always room to grow and the Simply Learn Photography Workshops offer new skills and inspiration for everyone.

With digital photography easily available, Nancy encourages every individual to learn how to take brilliant pictures of their everyday lives, monumental moments and family events with a precision and flair that will enhance your family albums for generations to come.

Taught in Nancy’s unique, energetic and compassionate way, the Simply Learn | Photography Workshops will gently and

successfully guide you through learning camera [exposure] settings, composition, people pictures, iPhone photography, creative process, GoPro and more. Adobe certified instructor Giovanni teaches Lightroom and Social Media Marketing for artists. [New workshops coming this fall.]

Nancy also teaches students who want even more personal attention in a revered One-on-One Mentor Program that makes it all about you. This 3, 6 or 12 month commitment helps students take giant steps forward in their technical and art skills with personal guidance built in to individually crafted assignments and studies. This program has a waiting list so connecting sooner than later is recommended.

In addition to teaching photography, shooting photography for her personal body of artwork as well as for clients

including McHenry County Magazine, Nancy also produces her event “4th Fridays” at The Starline Gallery nine times a year at the beautifully renovated factory turned art complex and event center, The Starline Factory in Harvard. “4th Fridays” is a trailblazing event meticulously planned to bring a memorable art experience to everyone who attends. Families, gallery owners, emerging and established artists, art buyers and collectors all enjoy this evening that involves a juried art exhibit, featured artist solo show area, photo contest, open artist studios, live music, light appetizers, cash bar, people’s choice voting and more. On average, 600 to 1,000 people travel from as far as Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and beyond for this unique evening. Once you’ve been, we know you will be back.

NANCY MERKLING PRODUCTIONSPhotography+Art Workshops and Mentor Program

4th Fridays at The Starline GalleryCommissioned and Commercial Photography

NancyMerkling.com | [email protected] 815.347.8535

NancyMerkling.com

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4001 Country Club Rd.Woodstock, IL 60098

815-356-8600

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase (see page 36), email artwork, title of piece,

name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three-sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to

[email protected], subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

Are You An Artist?See your work in the

pages of McHenry County Magazine!

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 67n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

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

Managed by BMA Management, Ltd.www.bma-mgmt.com

Services:

• On-going health monitoring andnursing assessments

• Assistance with activities of daily living,including bathing, dressing, personalhygiene, grooming, getting to and fromactivities and dining

• Medication set-up, reminders andassistance

Common Areas:

Apartment Style Living

To Learn More & Schedule a Visit,

Call Jenneen 815-344-2690www.hw-mchenry-slf.com

4609 W. Crystal Lake Rd.McHenry, IL 60050

We specialize in serving seniors 65 years and older of all income levels!

• Three restaurant style meals daily plussnacks

• A range of interesting and variedprograms & events

• Assistance with transportation needs• 24 hour staffing by Certified NursingAssistants

• Dakim Brain Fitness Center

Helpful services arranged to make your days fulfilled and comfortable Places to go, things to do, all withconvenience in mind

• Lounge Area

• Spacious Dining Room

• Private Dining Area

• Library & TV Lounge

• Activity Room

• Beauty/Barber salon

• Exercise Room

• Outdoor Patio

• Resident Laundry

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outfit yourfemale employeeswith our polos

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Let’s give some thought to the last time you spent money. Whether you were purchasing a new outfit to wear to an upcoming social event, tending to

some repairs on your house or car, or just picking up some groceries; were your actions consistent with your goal?

I believe that the day–to-day handling of your money, no matter how routine it may feel, needs to be intentional. When we are clear about what our priorities are and use our money accordingly, we are being intentional. However, this isn’t always the way it goes. Too often we are persuaded by others in the way we spend our hard-earned resources; either by our kids, our spouse, or our friends and find ourselves pushed or pulled into ways of handling our money. When this occurs, it may hurt our long-term finances, upset people we care most about, or just keep us from accomplishing our longer-term financial goals.

So how do we get intentional about how we spend our money? It starts by taking an honest look at what comes in, what goes out, and where it all goes. I recommend designing a good old-fashioned BUDGET. Now, before you start to break out in a sweat and develop hives, please know that budgeting does not have to be painful or restricting. It also does not have to be down to the penny, although that helps keep us honest.

As a Certified Financial Planner® one of the first things I am interested in is

obtaining a clear representation of your monthly cash flow. It tells me not only about the health of your relationship with money, but it also shows me what you value most. It is NOT about judging your handling of money, but rather making sure the advice I offer is in alignment with what is important to you. The best thing your budget can do for you is show you what your lifestyle is costing you today, and how you can continue to achieve your future goals without sacrificing your lifestyle. Give a simple budget a try. You just may discover that you CAN afford to fully fund your 401(k) or IRA, take an extended vacation next year, or retire early. All it may take is being intentional with your money.

Joe Ricciardi is a Certified Financial Planner® with Dorion-Gray Retirement Planning, Inc. located at 2602 IL Route 176, Crystal Lake Il 60014-2225. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory

Intentional SpendingBudgeting does not have to be painful or restricting.

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 68 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE FINANCIAL

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 69

Money Matters with Joe Ricciardi

• Joseph Ricciardi, CFP®Wealth Management Advisor Joe has worked in Wealth Management for over nine years and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is an active community volunteer in the area and lives in Crystal Lake with his wife and two children.

services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Dorion-Gray is not affiliated with Securities America companies. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

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

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WEDDIN

GS

(815) 459-7234 • dandrebanquets.com

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live life

Meet the 2016 Buick Cascada

WIDE OPEN

n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 70 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE OUT & ABOUT

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4Continued on next pageOUT & ABOUTn w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 71

Page 72: MCM May 2016

1107 S. Rte 31, McHenry • 815-385-2100www.garylangauto.com

Gary Lang Auto Group provides more than 30 years of automotive experience with friendly, knowledgeable, low-pressure sales associates.

With over 1,000 new and used vechicles to choose from and seven new car brands across 22 acres, Gary Lang also features financing options for all budgets and credit ratings.

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

The Buick Cascada was designed for top-down driving. Raising or lowering the lid takes a mere 17 seconds. Higher-sitting, leather appointed and heated front seats provide for maximum comfort on leisurely drives.

Standard equipment on the Cascada include power windows, mirrors and locks, rearview camera and parking sensors, remote start, heated wheel and leather trim.

To keep connected while on the go, technology in the Cascada includes available OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, Buick IntelliLink with touch screen for playing your favorite music or hands-free talking on the phone, and a navigation system to help you get where you’re going.

Go ahead. Live life wide open in the 2016 Buick Cascada!

OUT & ABOUT n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 72 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 73n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e OUT & ABOUT

MAY EVENTS IN McHENRY COUNTYAPRIL 30 & MAY 1: FRIENDS OF THE CRYSTAL LAKE LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Crystal Lake Plaza, 6500 Northwest Highway #15, Crystal LakeEvery spring, Friends of the Crystal Lake Library organizes a huge collection of books — both hardcover and paperback including fiction, nonfiction, coffee table, children’s, DVDs and CDs . All proceeds from this sale support the needs of the Crystal Lake Public Library. Please go to focll.com for more information or contact [email protected].

MAY 1: BOB BLAZIER RUN FOR THE ARTS, 8 a.m., Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal LakeCalling all Superheroes!! Join Super Bob in the fight to preserve the arts in our community! Capes and masks will be given to every 5K participant and sidekick masks to every 1M participant. You can also be a superhero by donating your gently used shoes at the bins located in Raue Center For The Arts or next door at The Running Depot. As long as they are in “gently used” condition (no holes, cracked heels, etc.) they are accepted. Your donation will be sent to underdeveloped countries around the world.

MAY 1: WALK MS ILLINOIS, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunset Park, Albrecht Road & Miller Road, Lake in the Hills Walk MS, the largest annual fundraiser of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter will take place at 11 locations statewide. More than 12,000 participants and volunteers are expected to raise more than $2.7 million to drive research, provide life-changing programs and guarantee a supportive community for those who need it most. Visit [email protected] or call 855-372-1331.

APRIL 29 - MAY 1: RIDGEFIELD ANTIQUE GARDEN EVENT, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Antique Shops of Ridgefield, 8509 Ridgefield Road, RidgefieldJoin the dealers in all three of our shops as they present their antiques, vintage and garden finds. This popular event is a great way to prepare your garden with wonderful and unique pieces for the season. The event is free and open to the public. Contact [email protected] or 815-477-4601 for more information.

MAY 6: JOB FAIR, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., McHenry County College, 8900 Us Highway 14, in the Multipurpose Room/Gym, Building A, Crystal LakeTips for job seekers at www.mchenry.edu/jobfair. Search the list of employers participating at http://bit.ly/1oDdpyd. Be sure to prepare for the job fair by

attending a free career services workshop. See the schedule at mchenry.edu/MAY 7: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Cary Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, CaryCelebrate Free Comic Book Day. Stop by and browse the selection of comics provided by Modern Age Comics in Algonquin and Crystal Lake. We will have a variety of comics including One-Punch Man, Strawberry Shortcake, Sanjay and Craig, Dr. Who, and more. The first 200 patrons can pick one to take home. All ages are welcome. For more information, call 847 639-4210.

MAY 7: HOOVED ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY PLANT SALE, 10 a.m., Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10804 McConnell Road, WoodstockA wide selection of beautiful plants will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the animals. For more information, visit hahs.org or call 815-337-5563.

MAY 7: RED ROSE RAGTIME BAND, 8 p.m., Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., WoodstockFormed in 1981 by percussionist Mike Schwimmer and pianist/arranger Joan Reynolds, the band specializes in ragtime for the 7-piece jazz band format and their concerts present a potpourri of musical Americana featuring ragtime, blues, and jazz. Violinist Will Ejzak-Reynolds will join pianist Joan Reynolds for some piano/violin duets during the program. Tickets are $19

MAY 8: 2016 COOLEY RUN 5K AND SUPERHERO DASH, 8 a.m., Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill St., HuntleyThis is a family event for novice runners of any age, and includes a chip-timed certified 5K course for the advanced runner. Kids ages 4-8 that do not want to run can participate in a free Superhero dash competition. Your $100 registration includes a chip timed 5K certified course, food, music, face painting, Petey the clown, Clark the Chicago Cubs mascot, a Mobile Gaming Theater, and a T-Shirt! NEW for 2016! $100 cash prize, each for the overall male and female winners.

MAY 13 & 27: COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., Potts & Pans Building, 1039 Wanda LaneCulture, Arts and Music of Woodstock hosts Community Drum Circles led by Juli Realy, a Remo Inc. Health Rhythms trained facilitator. This is a cross-cultural, family friendly event suitable for all ages and requires no previous experience or musical ability. Benefits include having fun, relieving stress, finding creative expression and making social connections. Suggested donation is $10, or $5 if you bring your own drum. For more information, please call 815-814-8360.

MAY 15: 48TH ANNUAL FAIR DIDDLEY, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Woodstock Square, Main Street, WoodstockEnjoy the 48th Annual Fair Diddley on the historic Woodstock Square. The square opens to pedestrian-only traffic as over 300 crafters line the streets, exhibiting their hand-crafted items. Join nearly 10,000 shoppers. Fair Diddley is an outdoor event and takes place rain or shine.

MAY 15: SPRING POPS CONCERT, 4 p.m., D’Andrea Banquets, 4419 Hwy 14, Crystal LakeThe Crystal Lake Community Band performs at a new venue this spring for their pops concert. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, students and the military, and $7 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets must be purchased by going to clcb.org or by calling 815-679-2263 and leaving a message.

MAY 18: STERNE’S WOODS & FEN WAGON RIDE AND TOUR, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., transportation from Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake Join us for a guided wagon ride tour of Sterne’s Woods and Fen. Learn about the unique habitats in this natural area. Water bottle and snack provided. This tour requires stepping up into the wagon. Registration deadline is May 12, space permitting. Cost is $5. Contact Jennifer Peterson for more information, [email protected] or 815-459-0680.

MAY 21: CORKY SIEGEL’S CHAMBER BLUES WITH SUE DEMEL, 8 p.m., Woodstock Opera House,21 Van Buren St., WoodstockAn Americana mix of blues, folk, classical and wry wit. Corky Siegel is an award-winning composer who learned his craft at the feet of such legendary first generation bluesmen as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf as well as the Siegel-Schwall Band. He is credited with moving the blues from smoky clubs onto the classical concert stage and obliterating musical categorization in the process.

MAY 21 & MAY 22: MCHENRY COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION’S INAUGURAL FLEA MARKET AND GARAGE SALE, 10 a.m., McHenry County Fair, 11900 Country Club Road, WoodstockNew this year! Buildings will be set up with antique and collectible vendors, direct sale vendors, artisans with hand-crafted items, and anyone who would like to take part in the garage sale. There will also be an outdoor area to set up cars, campers, boats and other large items for sale. Admission is $2 per person or $5 a car group rate (12 years and under are free). Events such as these assist in the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds year round.

MAY 22: RAUE CENTER’S ARTFUL WOMEN SERIES FEATURING AMY ORTIZ, 3 p.m., Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal LakeJoin visual and conceptual artist, Amy Ortiz, to discuss the female body as the canvas. Travel through time and explore fashion’s effects on the female body beginning with the Middle Ages and ending with fashion trends of the 21st century. For more information, visit rauecenter.org.

MAY 28: 4TH ANNUAL MCHENRY MASONIC BALL, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., McHenry Country Club, 820 N. John St., McHenry This event benefits the Lodge as well as hosts for the sailors from Great Lakes Naval base on Christmas Day. We provide breakfast, movies, phone calls worldwide as well as a full Christmas Dinner. At the event will be dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Cost is $50. Contact the McHenry Masonic Lodge at [email protected] or 815-385-2386.

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LINDA RAUENMcHenry

“THE EARNSLAW” Oils

artistprofile

My name is Linda Rauen. I have lived in McHenry since 1984. After not having painted before, I began taking art lessons at 56. Two years ago I won the “Best of Show” at the Lake County Fair for “Cindy’s Farm.” I like painting from my own or my friend, Dave’s, photographs. Now that I am retired from Pepsi as a quality engineer, I plan to paint more from my travels. I prefer working with oils. “The Earnslaw” is my most recent. It is from a photo I took while on vacation in New Zealand.

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three-sentence de-scription of the piece, short bio and artist photo to [email protected], subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | May 2016 | 75n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e

since 1984Helping Honeymooners

1142 N Green St • McHenry815-385-6900

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At the Famous Volo Auto Museum Near Routes 12 and 120 In Historic Volo, Illinois

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About 50 Miles From Chicago, Rockford or Milwaukee

Antique Malls Mercantile Mall300 of the area’s finest dealers displaying antiques and collectibles in 4 malls including 3 floors in our1880’s dairy barn. Small wares to furniture. 100’s of Booths. 100’s of showcases and so much more!

ying antiques and collectiblSpend the Day!

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“Cindy’s Farm” is from a photo that my significant other took of my friend’s Iowa farm.

815-459-3232On Rt.176, East of Rt.14HerrickAutoBody.com

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n w h e r a l d . c o m /m a g a z i n e 76 | May 2016 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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

325 N. Front St. McHenry, IL 60050815-385-6070www.steffansjewelers.comM-W & F 10-6, Thurs. 10-7, Sat. 9-3

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