Welcome to the McHenry County Weekender, keeping you up
to speed on the best events and activities in McHenry County every Thursday. This exclusive weekly e-newsletter - complete with special offers - is brought to you by McHenry County Living magazine, so you're getting the inside track on the best must-see happenings in the county. And we have a little something for everyone:
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"A Christmas Carol" - Two Productions!
On Friday, enjoy "A Christmas Carol" at the Raue. Join the
ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for this Charles Dickens holiday
classic. This musical interpretation of "A Christmas Carol" is
a perfect way to spend the holidays with your family and
friends.
Today-Sunday, Woodstock Musical Theatre Company's annual production - with
enchanting children, colorful costumes, clever special effects and merry
Christmas carols - transports you to 1843 London. Capture the spirit of the
2008 holiday season with this classic Dickens tale.
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On Saturday, celebrate Christmas in Harvard for a day chock-full
of holiday fun, beginning with breakfast with Mrs. Claus at 9:30 a.m. Other
family fun activities include Santa's Gift Shoppe, a parade, music, horse-drawn
carriage rides and a visit with Santa.
>> For more, call 815-333-2146 or e-mail HarvardEvents@ameritech.net.
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Holiday Open House at the McHenry County Historical Society
Museum
On Saturday, the Holiday Open House at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum in Union features holiday music, cookies and a "Teddy
Bear Christmas." In addition, Barry Valentine of Marengo will be here
demonstrating the art of making a gingerbread house.
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Marengo-Union Holiday Housewalk
On Saturday and Sunday, the 18th Annual Marengo-Union Holiday Housewalk features more than 60 crafters at 25 locations throughout the
villages, including private homes and businesses. Maps are available at each
location or local business.
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Holiday Cheer Craft & Gift Bazaar
On Sunday, shop the Holiday Cheer Craft & Gift
Bazaar in Algonquin, featuring local vendors and crafters at Extend Starz
Elite, a 16,000-square-foot facility spanning two levels (2025 E. Algonquin Rd.).
>> For more, call 847-458 8257.
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Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Celebration
On Sunday, celebrate the Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Celebration
in downtown Cary - "the biggest community event in town." This holiday parade
and celebration takes place downtown from noon to 3:30 p.m.
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Ladies'
Night Out in Woodstock
This
evening, ladies are invited to attend Ladies' Night Out on the Woodstock Square. Participating businesses will offer dinner
and drink specials, entertainment, open houses and appetizers.Limo transportation to
restaurants and shops is available. |
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Happy
Holiday Railway
Saturdays
and Sundays December 5-20, embark on a magical train ride at the through holiday light displays at the Illinois Railway Museum and visit
with Santa Claus and his elves at the Toy Workshop! Children on Santa's
"Good" list will receive a gift. >> Call
800-BIG-RAIL for more information.
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Lakeside Singers Christmas Concert
On Saturday, the Lakeside Singers Christmas Concert at the
Raue includes 24 Chicago-area professional singers and
performs everything from contemporary to classic holiday
choral songs. The group performs under the direction of Bob Bowker, well-known
conductor, composer, arranger, producer and studio vocalist.
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Christmas
of Yesteryear in Richmond
On Saturday and Sunday, take part in the much-anticipated Christmas of Yesteryear in Richmond. The shops and streets of Richmond
will be trimmed with garland and sparkling lights reminiscent of times gone by.
There is plenty to see and do for all ages, making this a weekend to remember
for the young and old at heart. What a perfect time to make a Christmas memory
or start a family tradition. The festivities will include a bake sale, kid crafts, wagon rides, tree lighthing and carolers, Santa and more!
>> For more
information, call Skoopers at 815-678-4124.
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Christmas at the Dole
 Friday through Sunday, visit the Dole for family fun as it celebrates the 'Secret of Christmas'! The weekend includes the Secret of Christmas Reception &
Auction, North Pole Elf Workshops and Culinary Class, Tree Lighting
Ceremony & holiday concerts and performances! Details are available here.
>> Call 815-455-8000 for more.
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Huntley's Christmas on the Square
On Saturday, be part of Huntley's Christmas on the Square
Celebration that starts at 1 p.m. The event includes a book sale,
Kris Kringle Market, free hayrides, kids crafts, holiday
story readings, the tree lighting and pictures with Santa.
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Eddie Holstein Concert
On Saturday at 8 p.m., Eddie Holstein Concert will take
place at Stage Left Cafe, adjacent to the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock.
For more, call 815-338-5164, e-mail blueloom@sbcglobal.net. |
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Ken Webster at Creative Artistry Art Cottage
On Saturday, see mixed media/expressionist artist Ken Webster at Creative Artistry Art Cottage (400 Highland Ave. in Crystal Lake)
from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. during a casual seminar/demonstration of his unique,
tactile, thought-provoking art form. Tour his works at the Dole Mansion at the
end of the seminar.
>> For more, call 815-404-6520.
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THE AUTUMN ISSUES OF MCHENRY COUNTY LIVING and MCHENRY COUNTY ATHLETE ARE OUT NOW! Find free issues at your local storefronts, restaurants, chambers of commerce and libraries! Issues go fast -- get them while they last. Got a great story idea for the magazine or want YOUR event listed in the Weekender? Send info to erica@mchenrycountyliving.com. |
Have a fun and safe weekend!
-McHenry County Weekender
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
Bienvenue � Chez Pierre Cr�perie
I n the Holiday issue of McHenry County Living, we invite readers to discover a hidden gem in Crystal Lake - Chez Pierre Cr�perie. Headed by Chef
Pierre Cabuzel, this restaurant specializes in serving authentic French cr�pes in a cozy setting located at 246 Pomeroy Ave. Call 815-444-6180 for more. |
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THE HOLIDAY
ISSUE OF MCHENRY COUNTY LIVING WILL BE ON STREETS SOON!
FEATURING: OUR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE, NEW YEAR'S PARTY PLANNER, WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS SEASON, GROUNDHOG DAYS, FAMILY ALLIANCE, SNOWMOBILING, STEFFAN'S JEWELERS, SPRING BREAK PLANNING AND MORE!
Santa House VisitsSanta has a new house at the Brink St. Market in Crystal Lake! The house is open to friendly visitors until Dec. 20. Stop
by and check it out from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Carriage RidesBrighten your holiday season with a carriage ride through the Woodstock Square.There will be Carriage Rides from 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays from Dec. 4 to 18 in the Woodstock Square. Breakfast with Santa Come enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills. Kids can enjoy a continental breakfast, a family picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, raffles, games and music.
>> For more, call 847-659-5800 or e-mail d158foundation@comcast.net. Jolly-Pa-Looza in JohnsburgOn Saturday, help fight cancer at
Jolly-Pa-Looza. Enjoy live music throughout the night from
Blush, Bony Knees and Always Frantic. It also features a 50/50 raffle,
some silent auction items and a meat raffle. Food and drink will be
available for purchase at the event. The event is for people 21 and
over.
>> For information, contact Kevin Donlan at kevin@walla-pa-looza.org. Free Career Workshop
On Saturday
from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Vineyard Christian Church of Crystal Lake is
hosting a free Career Workshop at Country Inn and Suites (600 Tracy Trail in
Crystal Lake). The schedule includes a continental breakfast and seminars about
resume building, interview tips and a Q&A.
>> For more, call Tim Mengler at
815-444-9829 or visit
www.vineyardcl.net.
Know any "Kids Who Dare to Care"?
Do you have a story about a high school-age student making life better in McHenry County?
Sage Products Inc. believes
we need some GOOD NEWS STORIES and is supporting the Kids Who Dare to Care gratitude program in
McHenry County. In a time when there are so many stories of despair, The
Kids Who Dare to Care program wants to share the stories of high school age kids who have
gone out of their way, in small and big ways, to make life a little better for
someone in McHenry County. The Kids Who Dare to Care program believes that as
teenagers learn the importance of giving from their hearts, our world can
change. The goal is to share the good news stories of kindness and giving,
which happen everyday in McHenry County.
>> If you would like to tell us the story of a student
who has dared to go the extra mile to help out in our county or in our world,
please share your story with the project founder, Moe Ross at 630-980-3574, or
e-mail: kidswhodaretocare@yahoo.com.
Deadline is March 1, 2010.
Algonquin
Bicycle Rack Art Contest
>> For full contest rules including design
criteria and application, visit www.algonquin.org or contact Katie Parkhurst at 847-658-4184.
 Great Gift Idea!
"Woodstock, The Four Seasons," is a new color, 88-page book that highlights photography of Woodstock. Photographer, Robin F. Pendergrast, features winter, spring, summer, fall and aerial images. The book is dedicated to Don Peasley, Woodstock's historian/ photographer, who also writes the book's forward, offering insight to the community and Pendergrast's work. Edited by Marla Gamze-Pendergrast, the book is available now at Read Between The Lynes (129 E. Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815-206-5967).
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Weekender Weather Report
This Afternoon...Snow likely. Little or no new snow
accumulation. Highs in the lower 30s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance
of precipitation 60 percent.
Tonight...Cloudy. Snow
showers likely in the evening...then occasional flurries after
midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Lows in the lower 20s. West
winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of measurable precipitation 60 percent.
Friday...Cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows 16 to 20. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.
Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows in the mid 20s.
-Source: National Weather Service
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