MTI Youth Manufacturing Expo Returns!

The MTI youth manufacturing expo returns!

What better way to commemorate Illinois Manufacturing Month than an event to promote careers for students in manufacturing, industry and the trades?

The annual Manufacturing, Trade and Industry Career Expo takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the McHenry High School Center for Science, Technology and Industry, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road.

The event is open to all high school students and their parents. Admission is free, and no pre-registration is necessary. Just bring an open mind and questions!

The expo gives young people and their parents a chance to meet local industry representatives and learn about career paths, and educational opportunities, for those who are interested in pursuing those high-demand vocations.

This will be the second year that McHenry has hosted the expo in its new, state-of-the-art Science, Technology and Industry center; click here to read about last year’s event.

New MCC Foglia Center going out to bid

Another of McHenry County’s first investments through the Advance McHenry County program is taking off!

McHenry County College put the general contractor for the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation out to bid last month, and a groundbreaking ceremony is being scheduled. The 41,000-square-foot center will provide state-of-the-art facilities to greatly expand MCC’s workforce training programs – the project was awarded a $1.69 million Advance McHenry County grant to cover more than half of the equipment costs.

Its offerings – HVAC, welding, machining, and engineering technology, just to name a few – are based on local economic development plans and input from area employers to meet their needs and help ensure that program graduates can find good-paying local jobs.

The County Board approved the Advance funding for the Foglia Center at the same time as funding for the new Health Careers Lab at Crystal Lake Central High School – High School District 155 cut the ribbon on it two weeks ago!

Counties discuss joint economic initiative

On Sept. 23, McHenry County joined representatives from Cook County, Chicago and the collar counties to discuss the near completion of a new regional economy initiative.

The new program, which is not yet finalized, seeks to boost economic growth and shared prosperity across the seven-county region by working together to create a globally competitive ecosystem and leverage the region’s assets, economy, talent and infrastructure.

Representing McHenry County at the meeting at Joliet Junior College were McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler, and McHenry County Economic Development Corp. President Jim McConoughey.

You can learn more about the initiative by clicking here.

Richardson Corn Maze open until midnight this weekend

Like James Bond infiltrating Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s secret compound, you have a chance this weekend to navigate the Richardson Adventure Farm‘s 007-themed corn maze at night.

The Richmond farm will be staying open until midnight this Friday and Saturday for people who want to try the maze under the light of the full moon.

Richardson Farm, which boasts the world’s largest corn maze, paid tribute this year to the 60th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise – this year’s maze design includes likenesses of five Bond actors, a Monaco casino, and an Aston Martin.

The forecast is calling for two beautifully clear nights, but the temperatures will reach the mid-30s, so be sure to dress appropriately.

Tom’s Farm Market, in Huntley, also has a moonlight corn maze scheduled for Oct. 15 – click here to learn more.

It’s the Great Pumpkin (Season), Charlie Brown!

With Halloween just under three weeks away, it’s time to go out and get your pumpkins!

Fortunately, McHenry County is home to plenty of places to find that perfect decorative pumpkin or future jack-o-lantern, from simple farm stands and farmers’ markets to pumpkin patches that include hay rides, spiced cider and fun for the entire family.

As always, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have compiled a great list of area pumpkin farms – you can find it by clicking here. And of course, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Sometimes, you just need to sit down and watch birds

Kick off National Wildlife Refuge Week this Sunday by having a relaxing sit and watching the fall migration in full swing.

The Big Sit is an annual, international and noncompetitive birding event with simple instructions – sit in a good birding spot and count all the species you see or hear.

You can do this wherever, but a number of conservation agencies have partnered up to host a Big Sit event from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Lost Valley Visitor Center at Glacial Park, in Ringwood. You can stay for a few minutes or the whole sit – it’s up to you!

Bring a lawn chair and binoculars and enjoy the show! Click here to learn more.