Lifestyle Columns
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Community association proposes buyer fee changesJul 23, 2025 1:15 pm - A community association wants to change its declaration to establish a buyer/new member fee based on a percentage of the gross selling price, in addition to an existing seller resale fee.
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Island adventures: Former mayor recalls childhood escapades on Fox RiverJul 23, 2025 10:41 am - Former St. Charles Mayor Fred Norris shares memories of a small island in the Fox River, once used by workers at a nearby piano factory for picnics and by local kids for play and fort-building.
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Fewer ingredients makes a simple broccoli salad even easierJul 23, 2025 5:30 am - In 2018, Don Mauer shared his favorite broccoli salad recipe. It included 11 ingredients and several steps, such as blanching the broccoli as well as cooking and chopping bacon before it’s added to the salad. This version trims it down to seven ingredients. Bonus: No stove required.
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Sculpture exhibit now year-round at Mount St. Mary Park in St. CharlesJul 18, 2025 3:00 am - The Sculpture in the Park exhibit at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles has transitioned to a year-round display, featuring new and permanent sculptures each year.
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12 hours of running: Man completes 54-mile Des Plaines River Trail in a single pushJul 16, 2025 2:50 pm - Scott Drews spent last summer chasing a personal challenge. After months of training, he ran the entire 54.5-mile Des Plaines River Trail — start to finish — in a single day.
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Aperitivo at home: 5 recipes to re-create Italy’s relaxing pre-dinner ritual in your kitchenJul 16, 2025 5:53 am - Italians have a wonderful tradition called aperitivo, or welcoming the evening and unwinding from the work day with snacks, a cocktail and conversation. Penny Kazmier shares recipes from a recent trip to help re-create this relaxing time of day on home soil.
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A passion for prairies: Peck Farm Park manager shares his love for Illinois grasslandsJul 11, 2025 5:49 am - Adam Dagley, facilities manager at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, is passionate about prairies. In a recent presentation, he discussed the importance of prairies in Illinois and the efforts being made to preserve them.
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Summer sides that steal the showJul 09, 2025 5:58 am - Summer is the season of laid-back gatherings and spontaneous backyard barbecues. This duo of crowd-pleasing recipes is perfect for any festive spread: a bold and tangy summer pasta salad loaded with salami and crisp veggies, and a crunchy chopped broccoli salad packed with sweet and savory bites.
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Rethinking hard-boiled eggs, againJul 09, 2025 4:57 am - Readers have lots to say about hard-boiled eggs and the best ways to prepare and peel them, Don Mauer found in this Best of Lean and Lovin’ It column from 2022.
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Chicago area receives $139M in grants to fund bike paths, walking trailsJul 07, 2025 12:01 pm - Illinois has allocated $139.2 million for biking and walking infrastructure projects over the next four years.