Lifestyle Columns
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How rolling window shutters can help with storm safety, security, and energy savingsMar 18, 2026 4:30 pm - I have two large west-facing windows and I am considering installing rolling shutters for security and storm safety. Will they also save energy and what are my options?
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Meet the ducks that nest in treesMar 18, 2026 2:16 pm - Early spring is a good time to see local tree ducks, both of which have nested at Stillman Nature Center in Barrington -- the wood duck and hooded merganser.
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Scenic strolls: Favorite places for a walk or hike in the Tri-CitiesMar 18, 2026 1:05 pm - Through the years, it has often been mentioned in this column which parks, paths and neighborhood routes my wife and I walk. Here are a few of our favorites.
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Just one more bite: Easy corn and black bean dip is hard to resistMar 18, 2026 5:46 am - Have you ever been to someone’s home and eaten something that kept you coming back for more? My friend Julie’s Corn and Black Bean “Crack” Dip was exactly this for me, and several others who also were hovering around the bowl.
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Bring spring indoors with flowering branchesMar 17, 2026 11:04 am - This is a great time of year for pruning — my favorite gardening task — and for bringing branches inside to flower in your home.
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No one disclosed old wiringMar 17, 2026 10:55 am - Our home was built in 1946 and has a serious electrical problem. The previous owner left the old knob-and-tube wiring as-is, and this was never disclosed by our home inspector or the seller.
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Reset your morning rhythm with homemade grab-and-go treatsMar 12, 2026 1:49 pm - This month’s recipes lean into a cozy-meets-convenient energy with treats you can bake once and enjoy all week long. Think easy grab-and-go options that feel a little indulgent: dark chocolate banana muffins, tart cherry pecan scones and a crunchy trail mix granola.
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Take a ride to check out these Bicycle Friendly CommunitiesMar 12, 2026 12:04 pm - The League of American Bicyclists recognized eight Chicago metro areas as Bicycle Friendly Communities, with Aurora, Batavia, Elmhurst and Niles achieving bronze status while Evanston maintained its silver ranking, the highest in the region.
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How Helen Gale’s legacy lives on in St. Charles Library’s children’s programsMar 12, 2026 8:36 am - Helen Wiltsie Gale spent 30 years sharing her love of books with thousands of St. Charles children as the library's head of children's services. The library honored her memory by creating the Helen Gale Story Room in 1995, which continues to host youth programs today.
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Does mailbox use violate postal service rules?Mar 11, 2026 12:40 pm - A unit owner in our association places letters and notices to the other unit owners directly into our individual mailboxes that are located in the lobbies of our various condo buildings.