Reasons to Choose McHenry County Illinois for Vacation

Visit Hebron, Alden & Harvard:

Small Illinois Towns Known

for Antiques, Basketball, Milk

McHENRY COUNTY, ILL. - Tucked away in the northwest corner of McHenry County, just a few miles south of the Wisconsin state line, are three interesting little towns well worth visiting for a relaxing weekend road trip.

HEBRON, ILL.

First settled by farmers in 1836, Hebron was named by the first white woman settler in the area. Friends and neighbors would gather at her house on Sundays to share a meal and sing. One of their favorites was the hymn "Old Hebron", and they decided it would be a good name for their community. Today, the population is 1,215.

BASKETBALL: Near the center of town is a water tower painted to look like a basketball.  That's because in 1952, the Hebron-Alden High School basketball team of strapping young farm boys beat out the competition from much larger Illinois schools to win the state basketball championship. Back then, the high school's total enrollment was only 98, and all the schools in Illinois played in one tournament, no matter how big or small they were. It was quite an accomplishment; you can ask just about anyone in town, and they'll tell you all about it!

ANTIQUES: Today, in an era when antique shops are becoming few and far between, Hebron has an "Antique & Specialty District" with several antique shops in a two-block stretch, including Abundance Antiques & Design, Grampy's Antique & Resale Shops, Lloyd & Leota's Antiques & Restoration and Prairie Avenue Antiques & Tack Exchange.

FOOD: Hebron has good eats, too.  In the shadow of the watertower is The Dari, dishing up soft-serve cones, sundaes and shakes, plus burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches from March through November. Check out the "little lending library" and innovative straw-bale garden. Harts Saloon bakes brick oven pizza, and Hoops Sports Bar & Grill serves handmade burgers and celebrates the town's basketball heritage. On the north edge of town is Crandall's, known for decades for their "World-Famous All-You-Can-Eat Broasted Chicken" plus a Friday fish fry and Sunday brunch (closed Mondays).

FARM MARKETS: Von Bergen's Country Market is just east of Hebron, growing and selling veggies, fruit, sweet corn, tomatoes, pumpkins and fall decorations from July through November since 1965. There's a children's play area and farm animals to visit, and Von Bergen's hosts an antique tractor and plow day in September. www.vonbergens.com.  Royal Oak Farm Orchard is northwest of Hebron, with thousands of apple trees, plus raspberries, honey, cider, pie, playground, petting zoo, wagon rides, carousel, full-service restaurant, gift shop and the nation's only "apple maze". You can pick your own apples from August into November or buy pre-picked fruit.www.royaloakfarmorchard.com.   

ALDEN, ILL.

Alden, between Hebron and Harvard, is so small, there aren't any population statistics.  But, it has two interesting stores, kitty-corner from each other smack-dab in the center of town at the four-way stop. Both are called Alden Resale, and carry liquidated and nearly-new contemporary furniture, along with some antiques. The "big store" has 6,000 square feet of mostly furniture, while the "small store" is stocked with smaller furniture, dishes and collectibles. Open daily. www.aldenresale.net.

HARVARD, ILL.

Harvard was named for --you guessed it!-- Harvard, Mass. The town got its start in 1856 with a train depot and hotel, when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad extended service from Cary, Ill., to Janesville, Wis. It eventually became the epicenter of a large empire of dairy farms.  By WW II, those farms, along with seven dairy plants, were producing more milk than anywhere else in the nation, and Harvard became known as "Dairy Capital of the World". The area is still dairy country, and the population is about 9,500. The Metra commuter train from Chicago stops at the train depot, within walking distance of many points of interest. www.MetraRail.com

MILK DAYS: In June Harvard celebrates the dairy industry with the 75^th Annual Milk Days Festival, featuring dairy cows, antique tractors, dairy princesses, carnival rides, contests, demonstrations, food, fireworks and a parade on the main street, which is whitewashed and re-named the "Milky Way" www.MilkDays.com.  

FARM MARKETS: Just outside Harvard is Twin Garden Farms, growing and selling Mirai sweet corn, a special variety of corn that is so sweet and tender, you can eat it raw, right off the cob. It's sold at area farmer's markets and on the farm daily during growing season, usually late July through September. They also sell seeds online. www.twingardenfarms.com. 

Northwest of town at Ben's Christmas Tree Farm, you can cut your own fresh tree and enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides from Thanksgiving weekend through the weekend before Christmas. www.benstreefarm.com.

SHOPPING & ART: Just a few blocks off the main street is an enormous, beautiful ivy-covered circa 1883 brick building with a roof full of skylights. Once home to the Starline Factory, which manufactured farming equipment, today it's been re-purposed to house a retail store, art gallery, artists' studios, a pub, an event center and several small offices. 

Steel Heart Ltd. began nearly 20 years ago as the dream of a young Polish couple who design, build and import steel and stone garden accessories: gazebos, arbors, trellis, armillaries, tables, benches, chandeliers, fences, gates, lanterns and more. Today they sell their creations at wholesale prices to the public and select local businesses. www.steelheartltd.com. 

Starline Gallery & Studios showcases the works of more than 25 area artists and hosts Fourth Friday Art Shows with refreshments and music from 6 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. The Stanchion Pub serves lunch and dinner Thursdays through Saturdays. Sunlight streams through the skylights in the spacious event center for weddings, banquets and private parties for up to 500.www.starlinefactory.com.   

FOOD: Harvard is large enough to have lots of restaurants, but three merit special mention. Just off State Line Road north of town is Big Foot Inn, named for a Potawatomie chief and serving lunch and dinner daily. Since 1946, it's been featuring a Friday fish fry, Saturday prime rib and Sunday brunch. South of town, Heritage House is known for German specialties such as sauerbraten, schnitzel and strudel, plus steaks and seafood, serving dinner Wednesday-Sunday, plus Sunday lunch.

In downtown Harvard since 1943, Swiss Maid Bakery makes scrumptious cookies, pies, cakes, pastries, muffins and more. It began when the Stricker family immigrated to Chicago and opened a bakery in the 1920's; today the fifth generation continues the tradition. The doors are open from early morning to 6 pm, Tuesday-Saturday.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Harvard has three bed and breakfasts. Crane Hollow B&B is a contemporary house overlooking a small lake on 40 acres, with two guest rooms. www.cranehollow.com. Morning Glory B&B is a renovated century-old farmhouse on five acres, with two guest rooms. 815-943-5764.Ravenstone Castle B&B is a contemporary castle complete with towers, turrets and gargoyles, built by a family out of their love for attending Renaissance fairs. It has three guest rooms and also hosts teas and special events. www.ravenstonecastle.com.

PLAN A McHENRY COUNTY GETAWAY

McHenry County is just an hour's drive northwest of Chicago, bordered on the north by Wisconsin, and on the south by I-90. The Fox River winds down from the Chain of Lakes through the towns on the eastern side of the county, while country roads meander the western side. For visitor information, including links to attractions and lodging and dining options throughout McHenry County, go to  www.VisitMcHenryCounty.com or phone 815-893-6280. Follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Germany: Residenz Palace Munich Opulence taken to another level

The Residenz Palace in Munich is a complex of immense size. It was begun in the 14th century and it has been added to over the centuries. It was home to generations of the Wittelsbach family as Dukes, Electors and Kings of Bavaria. In addition to the two museums, the Residenz houses a theatre, a church, gardens and more.

You may begin your visit in the Treasury Museum which has about a thousand years of treasure. Among the vast amount of treasures is the crown of Anne of Bohemia who was the 1st wife of King Richard II of England. An unbelievable St George and the Dragon which is enameled gold covered with emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and pearls will catch your eye as will a 14th-century Jewish ceremonial wedding ring and a bowl designed by Hans Holbein that was in the Tower of London until 1649.



Anne of Bohemia's Crown

A large, carved wooden rosary with beads about the size of a Faberge egg with the mysteries carved inside is just one of the magnificent items on display. The mantle of the Kings of Bavaria, a whole room of religious items including ivory crucifixes, gold chalices, lots of enamel and lots of gems continues the theme. A garter from the English Order of the Garter that belonged to the winter king, Prince Rupert's father and also the ceremonial crown of the kings of Bavaria made in France in 1806 are also on display.


Crown of the Kings of Bavaria

#residenzpalace

One whole room is filled with crowns, orbs, scepters and two cases packed with medals encrusted with every imaginable gem. And this was just the treasury. By now you will be suffering from treasure overload. I would suggest that if you want to retain any sanity you take a break and have lunch or go shopping or do something besides a museum because the Residenz itself can be quite overwhelming.


The Residenz Palace has more than 100 rooms, including a magnificent throne room, an ancestral gallery of pictures, rooms of porcelain, silver and magnificent furniture. Depending on your interest, this can take hours to see in total. One of the first things that you encounter is a magnificent hall of mirrors. It is done with off-white and gold trim, beautiful and gaudy at the same time. Because the palace was built over such a long period of time you will see many different architectural styles represented here.

It is really hard to believe looking at the Palace today, that it was extensively bombed during World War II. Most of Munich was destroyed by allied bombing. The reconstruction work on the Palace began almost immediately and great efforts were made to be sure that not only the building was rebuilt but that the treasures were replaced in the location they would have been before the war.



Visiting a palace museum of this size takes quite a while and can seem endless. This is almost too much of a good thing, almost but not quite.

Allow half a day for touring the Residenz Museum and Treasury.

This article is written from personal experience but the photos are not my own.

Flashback Thursday: Visiting the Stonewall Jackson Shrine

We were on the road having left Fredericksburg
heading to our next stop in Richmond, when I saw the sign for the Stonewall Jackson Shrine. How could I pass that up? I had no idea what it was, but a shrine to a general had to be worth a detour. It actually is quite a detour, maybe 4 or 5 miles of back roads from where I saw the sign on.

We pulled up the long driveway and stopped to read the signs that were posted around the roundabout. I hadn’t really been aware of what an important stop this would turn out to be. The Stonewall Jackson Shrine is the farmhouse where the famous Confederate General died. It is owned by the National Park Service, which I always love because it keeps things more natural.

A graduate of West Point, Thomas Jackson was teaching at the Virginia Military Institute at the beginning of the Civil War. He was made a brigadier general after the first battle at Manassas. It was here that he earned his nickname when General Bee declared, “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall.”

His prowess as a general made his fame grow to mythic proportion on both sides. He was loved and feared in equal parts by his men and his enemies. It was one of those horrible turns of fate that saw him be shot by friendly fire on May 2, 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville. It was as it turned out a major turning point in the war. Hearing of his wound Robert E  Lee stated: "He has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right arm." 

It was not a fatal wound, and he was taken from the battlefield to a safe place to recuperate. His left arm had to be amputated and his severed limb was taken to be buried at the family cemetery of his chaplain, B. Tucker Lacy. Ultimately, it was pneumonia that took his life.

#stonewalljacksonshrine

He had been taken to Guinea Station, and the farmhouse where he died was part of Thomas Chandler's plantation. It was an office building that had been used as a doctor's office by one of the sons of the house. This building was chosen over the main house because it was private and quiet and he would be able to rest after the long, hard ambulance ride. It is hard to even imagine today what a horror that ride must have been. His left arm had been amputated at the battlefield hospital, and it was 27 miles in a wagon over rutty dirt roads to the house. That alone would have killed a normal man. He survived for six excruciating days.

About 45 percent of the interior of the house is original. It is very poignant to see the bed and the original blanket that covered the general. His wife, Mary Anna, and his baby daughter, Julia, arrived on May 7th. The tiny house must have been bursting at the seems with the doctor, the staff, and the family. There are only four or five rooms on the two floors, but still, this is one of the most emotional places we visited on this trip. He was an amazing man and his death was a death blow to the Confederacy. He was also a highly religious man whose last words reflect the duality of his personality.

"A few moments before he died, he cried out in his delirium, 'Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks'—then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, 'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.'"

Later in our trip, we visited the house he and his wife shared in Lexington while he was a teacher. I wish I had known more about him and his life before I visited the place he died.

Visiting Historic Deerfield, Mass.

Historic Deerfield Village is located in central Massachusetts. It is a historic location but it is not isolated from the present in any way, they live side by side. Interspersed with the historic homes in the village are private residences that are currently being lived in.


Start your visit to Historic Deerfield at Hall's Tavern, it is the Visitor Center. Tickets, when I visited, were $14 for adults and a 10 percent discount is offered for AAA members. A bracelet is provided which allows you entrance to the houses and museums that are open at the time of your visit. However, if an event is going on, not all the houses may be open and no discount is offered.

The homes in Historic Deerfield Village are not open to the public from the beginning of January through mid-April. The Flynt Center of Early New England Life is open Saturdays and Sunday.

#historicdeerfield

Several different tours are offered daily. The introductory tour begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about an hour departing from the Visitors Center. Other tours are included with your entrance so be sure to check what is being offered on the day that you visit. The website offers some suggestions. ou can get a map at the visitor center to help you decide which houses you want to visit. Some houses are open on a guided tour and you will need to time these correctly to maximize your visit to the village.

The Stebbins were prosperous farmers. Their house reflects their position in the community. The house was built in 1799 by Asa Stebbins. The Stebbins Family had already been in Deerfield for several generations at this point but the original family home like many other wooden homes of the era had burned down. This house was built of brick and was the first of its kind in Deerfield. This is a docent-led tour and you will learn a lot about this family.

A good second stop is the Sheldon House. It is offered on a self-guided tour. This home housed an extended family and has two kitchens to provide a son to live in the same home as his parents with his bride.



Ministers were important in a New England Village and the Ashley House will provide a good look at the type of home that the Puritan Church provided for their minister. This home dates to 1734. This home was rescued by the Flynts and it is offered on a guided tour which is very informative.

I like to spend the night at the Deerfield Inn and also to dine there. It is a lovely place with plenty of charm. Don't miss the museum store either, it is chock full of goodies.

Flashback Thursday: Chatham Manor Fredericksburg, Va.

Chatham Manor has witnessed some very historic events in its more than 200-year history. 

Chatham Manor was built between 1768 and 1771 in the Georgian style by William Fitzhugh. FitzHugh was a friend of George Washington and entertained him and many others on his thriving plantation. During his time there was a racetrack where he could pit his bloodied horse against those of the other wealthy planters in the area. Fitzhugh’s daughter Molly would later marry George Washington’s step-grandson George Washington Parke Custis. Their daughter would later marry Robert E Lee.

#chathammanor

In 1806 Major Churchill Jones purchased the house and his family retained ownership for the next 66 years. At the time of the Civil War, it belonged to James Horace Lacy. As a plantation and slave owner, his sympathies lay with the Confederacy and he joined as a staff officer. His wife and children remained at home until they were forced to leave by the Union army. They established their headquarters here in 1862.  Chatham Manor has the distinction of having been visited both by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

In November 1862 the assault on Fredericksburg by river was launched from below Chatham. Today you can see an example of what the bridge looked like on the property. The resulting Union defeat turned Chatham Manor into a hospital. At one point both Clara Barton and Walt Whitman were working with the wounded at Chatham. 

Later in the war, the house was used as housing and when firewood grew scarce, the paneling was pulled from the walls and burned. When the war ended, the house had bare walls covered with graffiti and bloodstained floors and the grounds had been used as a burial ground. The gardens no longer existed and the Lacys, who were no longer able to maintain it, left in 1872.

In the 1920's Daniel and Helen DeVore took on the task of restoring Chatham Manor. We owe the present condition of the property to their loving care. The property’s last owner John Lee Pratt opened it to the public and in 1975, willed it to the National Park Service.

Today as with many Park Service homes, there is very little furniture. What you get to see are the bones of what is a beautiful house. Jane was our Ranger and she took us through the house and told us the story of its history. More time is spent on its Civil War period than on the Colonial period but there are many more famous people visiting here during that time. What we do find out is the entrance area door is original.  

 We enter through the rear door of the house, the front is the door that faces the river. We walked through the garden to get to the back door, even in October there was plenty of color still left. Take the time to walk the grounds especially the front toward the river, the views are beautiful.

Hartville, Ohio for Memorial Day Weekend

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN HARTVILLE

How are you going to spend your long weekend? Consider the charming destination of Hartville.

Memorial Day weekend is among the biggest weekends at the Hartville Market Place & Flea Market, with over 1,000 outdoor vendors and permanent indoor shops. The Experience Hartville Campus is also home to the largest independently operated hardware store in the country, Hartville Hardware.  Once you've worked up an appetite shopping over 12 acres, lunch is served at the Hartville Kitchen, which is also located on the Experience Hartville campus. 

Just down the road in the Village of Hartville, walk off your hearty meal strolling the many locally owned shops and boutiques in the historic downtown.  When your sweet tooth kicks in grab a treat at the Hartville Chocolate Factory or a funkadelic delight from Peace Love & Little Doughnuts.  

Rest your head at the newly built, beautiful Comfort Suites in Hartville, or at the cozy bed & breakfasts of Quail's Covey or The Garden's Inn. Wake up and spend a day outside at the Quail Hollow State Park or on the beautifully manicured greens of one of the area's golf courses.  

Remember to save time for pampering yourself with the services at one of the local day spas. Then, wrap up the weekend unwinding over a glass of wine or craft beer as you listen to live music on the patio at Maize Valley.

Information provided by Visit Canton

Enjoying the amenities at a luxury hotel

Have you always dreamed of a luxury hotel stay? While everyone may not enjoy staying at a luxury hotel, for many it will be dream come true. It can cost quite a lot, be a little intimidating and perhaps take you out of your comfort zone, it will also expose you to luxurious amenities that most budget hotels can't offer.

 Valet parking

As you drive up to your hotel you will notice that the valet will be taking your car from you and the doorman will be opening the door. No worrying about where and how to park your car. Your luggage will and you will be greeted by the bell-staff who will whisk your luggage away.

When you have checked in. it will mysteriously reappear and be taken to your room for you. You are already feeling like royalty. Dress to impress and feel free to act like this is something you do every day. Also, don't forget to have some small bills handy, tipping is expected and appreciated.

Luxurious bedding

Once you have reached your room you will notice the difference between a budget hotel and a luxury hotel immediately. You will have luxurious bedding on your bed and perhaps even a pillow menu which allows you to order just the type of pillow that you prefer. Throw yourself on that gorgeous bed to find out that this is likely to be the most comfortable bed you have ever laid down on.

In-room folder

Chateau Frontenac Quebec City

Your in-room folder will tell you all the options that are available to you. You can enjoy the bottled water with your ice bucket. At most luxury hotels if you want ice you will call the front desk and it will be delivered to you, most luxury hotels don’t have the proverbial ice machine.

Your in-room folder will tell you about the room service dining options. If your luxury hotel has a spa, you will want to take advantage of the services they offer. Some luxury hotels offer in-room spa services, others only in spa services.

Robes

Don’t forget to open your closet, most upscale accommodations provide cushy robes and even slippers so that you can lounge around your room in luxury. Is this a romantic getaway, many also offer romance packages that can provide chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, and even romantic lotions and potions.

Concierge service

One of the best options that a luxury hotel offers is a concierge service. The concierge can provide you with a variety of services. Do you want tickets to a show or event? Talk to the concierge. Most of them have connections and they are able to provide even hard to get tickets. Do you want to find just the perfect tour? Again talk to the concierge, he can arrange for pickup and tickets for the perfect tour.

Want to eat at the most popular restaurant in town? The concierge may be the only way for you to get a table. Don’t forget to tip him for any special services he or she provides.

Dining

Dining at a luxury hotel is often among the best available in town. You may need to make reservations for dining when you reserve your room, especially for things such as the Sunday brunch.

Dining at Farnham Estate

Turn-down service

Turn-down service is also a wonderful luxury provided. Your bed will be prepared for you and usually, some sort of a sweet treat will be placed on your pillow. Some hotels even lay out your robe and slippers. Romantic music will be playing and the lights will have been dimmed. You are going to think, "I could get used to this".

Staying at a luxury hotel stay not be fore everyone but if you can afford it, it can give you the experience of a lifetime. I know that I have stayed at a few and most recently, the Farnham Estate in Cavan, Ireland offered all of these amenities in a stunning setting. It is worth paying extra to enjoy it!!