From chopping wood then to tapping a remote now, today’s gas fireplaces are changing how families warm their homes with more efficiency. Shaw Media's Lake Lifestyle magazine (Lake Carroll) interviews Jay Doyle at Loescher Heating and Air Conditioning about what makes them great.

Amboy’s own little Cookie Jar blends creativity, comfort and a sense of fun in every batch its owner bakes, proving dessert can be playful and welcoming, with just the right amount of over-the-top.

Marilyn Long has poured joy and stories since the ‘70s, from sloe gin fizzes to ‘Filthy Marilyns,’ serving generations with a smile from behind the bar counter. She’s Marilyn, but ‘Ma to her loving customers at Wally’s Playce.

The owner of a Savanna shop has found a new station in life: A fan of the handmade and the homemade, and he’s using his carpentry skills and creativity to find new uses for old items.

It’s Wishful drinking in Lena, where a husband and wife who got in on the ground floor for a novel concept are bringing farming and brewing together.

A focus on service and community is a driving force at Carquest’s store in Dixon, where the owner of the family business and his team are building on decades of experience by focusing on relationships and reliability.

A Freeport music shop is a go-to spot for instruments and inspiration. Whether you’re plucking your first pick or cutting a record, the store keeps the music playing.

Tradition meets innovation at a Forreston business as custom cabinetry becomes a deeply personal experience. From kitchen drawers to Navy installations, Danlee Wood Products blends craftsmanship, comfort and function with made-to-fit pieces.

Fishing is in Mike Schafer's blood. The second-generation Fulton business owner has grown his fishery into a worldwide market with most of its catch coming from the mighty river he grew up near.