Lifestyle
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Blessing the threshold: Aurora Lutherans revive ancient ritualJan 07, 2026 12:51 pm - Aurora Lutherans revived an ancient Christian ritual on Jan. 3-4. At services both days, Deacon David Webb performed a blessing of the threshold at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
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Holiday gift opening brings joy to Marklund residents
Jan 07, 2026 12:22 pm - Nearly 300 volunteers assisted Marklund residents in gift-opening, with visits from Santa, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who
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‘We will have an awesome sandwich’: Riganato owners to open HoneyBird chicken restaurant in GenevaJan 07, 2026 11:36 am - The owners of Geneva’s Riganato Old World Grille are planning to open a second restaurant -- HoneyBird, on East State Street, focusing on chicken.
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Take on challenges a little at a timeJan 07, 2026 11:29 am - Annettee Budzban says that we should tackle our problems bit-by-bit.
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Gary UMC’s Cookie Walk raises over $6k for mission workJan 07, 2026 11:23 am - Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton raised $6,387 from its second annual Holiday Cookie Walk. Proceeds will benefit multiple missions and local charities.
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St. Irene Church in Warrenville to temporarily move religious services during renovationJan 07, 2026 10:35 am - St. Irene Catholic Church in Warrenville will temporarily relocate Mass and liturgical events to the former church building from Jan. 12 to March 28 for renovations.
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Gnocchi with brown butter and fried sage is a 20-minute meal with flair
Jan 07, 2026 5:56 am - Hearty gnocchi, nutty brown butter and crisp sage leaves form a terrific trio in this recipe. Using store-bought potato gnocchi means this dish can come together in minutes. It’s served with lemon wedges and Parmesan cheese for balance and extra flavor.
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This Tuscan flatbread is a colorful, gluten-free alternative to classic crostini
Jan 07, 2026 5:12 am - Instead of the flour-based, focaccia-like traditional schiacciata, this recipe uses blended root vegetables that get a boost from baked-in cheese. There’s a slight tang from beets, an earthy sweetness from carrots, and balancing saltiness and chew from pecorino.
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This chicken and broccoli casserole is good for you and your wallet
Jan 07, 2026 5:08 am - This weeknight-friendly, saucy bake, with tender bites of chicken and broccoli, channels a Midwestern casserole in a healthy way. It features parboiled brown rice, which allows the dish to cook quickly, and milk in place of cream, all seasoned with lemon, thyme and Parmesan cheese.
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20 things to declutter right now to start the year lighter
Jan 06, 2026 4:23 pm - Here are 20 pretty easy things to consider removing from your home, your car or your life in January, in service of a less-cluttered 2026.