Home & Garden

Ongoing Spring Migration Bird Hikes Thursdays, 8-9:30am. Through May 15. Matt Hayes of the Illinois Audubon Society will lead hikes looking for migratory species as well as resident species. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473. April April Wildflower Walks Saturdays in April, 10am and 2pm. Guided walks on Elkhart Hill presented by […]

In 2011, Chad Pregracke received a standing ovation from four former U.S. presidents at the Kennedy Center while accepting the Points of Light Award. The short introductory film shown at this ceremony documented Pregracke, founder of Living Lands and Waters, fighting to improve the health of the Mississippi River by removing trash and inspiring others […]

It doesn’t take a bevy of bought cleaners to get your home sparkling clean. In fact, you probably already have the ingredients on hand in your pantry to make a myriad of effective cleaners. Whether you’re looking to save money or reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals, these easy-to-prepare solutions will have you wondering why […]

Whether it’s adding outdoor spaces for relaxation, adding another room for functionality, changing aesthetics to update the look of your home or making improvements for energy efficiency and savings on utility bills, this is the time of year to get it done. Griffitts Construction and Buraski Builders are both family-owned and operated businesses that have […]

A diversity of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants will be for sale along with multiple milkweed species and a selection of plants for pollinators and wildlife at the Illinois Native Plant Society’s popular annual native plant sale, planned for 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Reisch Pavilion at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. […]

The first flashes of scarlet have emerged on the leaves of the maple tree in my yard, a sure sign that the fall baking season is about to begin. Baskets of brightly colored apples have replaced summer melons at farm stands and markets, beckoning home bakers to stock up on flour and preheat their ovens. […]

Bees know how to bee, so just let them be is the philosophy of urban beekeepers Jason and Lauren Baker. Lauren Baker said that she and her husband raise bees a little differently than some. They take a hands-off approach, trusting that bees know how to do the tasks that are inherent to their nature, […]

Like so many of us, I am a fall person through and through. The leaves, the books, the sweaters, the colors, the coffee: What can I say? Fall has it all. One of my first childhood literary friends, Anne Shirley, proclaimed, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Ditto, Anne. […]

Many families choose autumn and early winter to take family photographs. The light seems just right, the pace of life has slowed down and there are upcoming holiday cards to consider. But taking family pictures can also be fraught with indecision – how do you know who to hire? What location should you choose? What […]