Enjoy McHenry County This Week. Resume McHenry County Updates.

Talk and Tour best management series continues through fall

The Talk and Tour lecture series showcasing innovative local best management practices is going strong.

Attendees at the July 22 event got to see firsthand how the Village of Algonquin utilizes natural landscaping at Ted Spella Park to manage storm water and create wildlife habitat. You can click above to watch a video of the presentation.

The Talk and Tour series is the result of a partnership between the McHenry County Planning and Development Department and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County to give the public a close-up look at ways that communities, businesses and households can sustainably manage resources and save money doing so.

You can find a schedule of upcoming events, and register for them, by clicking here. Talk and Tour events are held monthly, on Friday afternoons to make attendance convenient.

Naturally McHenry County app makes finding fun a snap

Looking for fun things to see and do – and places to shop and dine – in McHenry County? There’s an app for that.

Naturally McHenry County’s smart phone app literally puts everything McHenry County has to offer year-round right in the palm of your hand.

Besides making it easy to discover activities that match your interest, you can customize your trips with events and places, and even share them with friends and family.

You can download it from Google Play here, and from the Apple App store here. While you’re at it, be sure to follow Naturally McHenry County on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to their e-newsletter so you don’t miss out on awesome events.

Crystal Lake Chamber gets new board chairman

In his 12 years with the Greater Crystal Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ken Pringle has pretty much served in every capacity the chamber has to offer. As of July 1, for the next fiscal year, he takes over as board chairman.

Pringle said his overall goal for the coming year is to ensure the chamber stays on the right path to the future. Ken is founder and owner of CPR Finance LLC, a nationwide equipment finance facilitator that connects small and mid-sized businesses in need of equipment with lending partners who can lend to them.

“The chamber has provided businesses with numerous benefits and value, and it’s my overall goal to make sure that all businesses in the McHenry County area, not just Crystal Lake, not only survive, but thrive,” Pringle said.

To learn more about the chamber, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Apple orchard season is almost here!

The apple cider donuts are calling. Don’t tell us you can’t hear – or smell – their siren song.

McHenry County is home to some of the best you-pick apple orchards in the state, with every variety you can imagine, and probably more than a few you never heard of. Besides apples, and all the wonderful desserts and sweets you can make with them, many of our local orchards feature a bevy of activities for children and families.

As always, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have a great list of family orchards to pack your baskets full of apples, cider, and other home-grown goodness. Click here to check it out.

McHenry hosting another broker/lender symposium

The City of McHenry‘s canceled broker and lender symposium has been rescheduled – the anticipation is over!

The event takes place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at McHenry City Hall, 333 S. Green St. Topics include fostering entrepreneurs, building a diverse and robust economy, and filling vacant buildings.

Guest speakers are Coldwell Banker Designated Managing Banker Sue Miller, Heartland Realtor Organization CEO Jim Haisler, and Crystal Lake Bank and Trust Executive Vice President Keith Hogan. A roundtable discussion and networking will follow.

To RSVP, email Dorothy Wolf at dwolf@cityofmchenry.org, call her at 815-363-2175, or call Doug Martin at 815-363-2110. To learn more about the City of McHenry’s economic development department, click here.

Crystal Lake Half Marathon returns for third year

The Crystal Lake Half Marathon is returning for its third year, starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4.

The 13.1-mile route starts at Main Beach and includes scenic Lippold Park, the historic Dole Mansion, the tranquil McHenry County Prairie Path, and an ending in downtown Crystal Lake.

Click here to register for the run; the price is $78 through Aug. 30, after which it increases to $88. For more information, visit their Facebook page or contact Trudy Wakeman at 224-629-6197 or by email at trudywakeman@gmail.com.