McHenry County Lifestyle
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Groundhog Day in Woodstock: Willie predicts early spring, rest of region hopes he’s rightFeb 02, 2026 9:24 am - Woodstock Willie has had his say. He did not see his shadow on Monday morning, meaning an early spring.
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Preferred route for Lake-Cook bike path topic of open house meetingJan 30, 2026 3:26 pm - The preferred alternative to close a bike path gap along Lake-Cook Road will be available for public viewing and input from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park.
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Kick off gardening year with Native Gardener’s ClubJan 30, 2026 3:23 pm - Kick off the gardening year with the Native Gardener’s Club meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays monthly on Zoom.
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Local wildlife groups team up for ‘In Search of Eagles’ on Feb. 7 along the Fox River ValleyJan 28, 2026 10:38 pm - Winter is one of the best times to observe bald eagles in the wild as they congregate to feed near open waters. “In Search of Eagles,” an outdoor event. will be held at four sites in the Fox River Valley on Saturday, Feb. 7.
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Get ready to lace up: A guide to outdoor ice skating rinksJan 28, 2026 3:48 pm - Embrace the winter chill and head outside for free skates or hockey at local ice rinks across the suburbs.
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When the millennium was new: What Tri-Cities officials predicted, and what actually happenedJan 28, 2026 11:14 am - Daily Herald columnist Dave Heun takes a look back at what some Tri-Cities’ officials predicted for the first quarter of the millennium, and how those statements or predictions have played out.
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Home & garden calendar, Jan. 31 to Feb. 7Jan 27, 2026 7:44 pm - Learn about upcoming garden club meetings, plant sales, and educational workshops in the Chicago suburbs, including one on “Reducing Climate Change Through Composting.”
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A groundhog robot? Woodstock won’t bow to PETA pressure to replace its woodchuck mascotJan 27, 2026 7:41 am - Woodstock Willie is set to make his annual prognostication on the next six weeks of weather early on Groundhog Day morning. However, the national animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling for the furry forecaster to be replaced by a 3D holographic projection, the costumed mascot, a stuffed toy, or even an AI-powered robot groundhog.
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Horned Lark is having a moment: Ground-hugger featured on cover of two birding magazinesJan 26, 2026 12:24 pm - There are roughly 750 kinds of birds in the United States. So, what are the chances that one of them, Horned Lark, would grace the covers of two major birding magazines this month?
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Top dogs compete in show at Lake County FairgroundsJan 24, 2026 5:42 pm - The Lake County Fairgrounds was filled with man’s best friends and their owners as they vied for top honors at the Cool Cluster Dog Show this frigid Saturday in January.