Looking to unplug and enjoy some time with friends and family? Game shops can bring a lot to the table, whether you like to roll with the roles, practice your skills and perfect your strategy, or go on an epic quest.

From breezy afternoon games to tournament wins and travel-ready paddles, more people are embracing the growing sport of pickleball – whose quick learning curve and social energy keep drawing more players to the net. There are many places to play throughout northwest Illinois.

Local students discover how communication and confidence can shape their future through Whiteside Area Career Center’s CEO program. Eastland H.S. students Brecken Hayden and Wyatt Carroll talked with Shaw Media’s Lake Lifestyle (Lake Carroll) magazine about their experiences.

Staff at the library detail their newest reading recommendations.

Adoptable pets are an amazing option to expanding your family.

Suburban Superdad columnist speaks from experience on the home improvement domino effect.

This local gem is the perfect venue for a timeless wedding.

A Lanark florist who sees the world through Rosemary-colored glasses loves to help people find just the right flowers for any occasions, from roses of red to violets of blue.

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.

The former schoolhouse in the tiny southwest Stephenson County town of Loran finds new life as the Slurp 'n Burp – serving hearty plates, cold pints and community spirit much larger than the small burg itself, keeping stories and beer flowing.

Kick the habit of dropping resolutions after January.

Learn more about a local organization putting acts of kindness on the frontlines.

Start the new year out right and get a move on your reading goals with the help of staff at the Geneva Public Library.

Going green in your diet doesn't have to be a headache. Find out where to enjoy delicious plates powered by plants.

Playing at professional baseball's highest level was a feat achieved by five people born in Lee County: Lou Bevilacqua of Nelson, George Bristow of Paw Paw, Betty Degner of Amboy, Leroy Herrmann of Steward and Frank Shaughnessy of Amboy.

Take the opportunity to make new, healthier habits for you and your pets in the new year.

Don't let the wintertime blues drag you down. Find out how to break through and balance the spectrum of your health.

Find out why this favorite exercise class is still all the rage.

Find ways to tap into your creative side in 2026.

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.

The STC Underground is a vital part of the youth community in St. Charles and a safe haven for teens to form healthy connections with their peers.

Don't miss these books when looking for your next read.

When the blue light blues get you down, take steps to detach from the screens.

Let the power of community keep you grounded in your resolutions this year.

For nearly 30 years, ye olde pub in Stockton has rolled out a welcome mat that gives people the Red-carpet treatment, with friends and hospitality from people on both sides of the bar.

The legacy of Schaefer Greenhouses lives on and grows after a century of business.

Visit Downtown Batavia for an array of shops, restaurants, entertainment and more!

Want to see some life entertainment in the Sauk Valley? All it takes is a ticket and trip to a theater where history and headliners share equal billing. Shaw Local catches up with The Dixon Historic Theater executive director Spencer Aurand to preview the Spring 2026 season.

These breweries and eateries are serving up some of the tastiest concoctions in Kane County.

A registered dietician supports the necessity of a healthy digestive biome.

At Nomia Meadows Farm in Franklin Grove, John and Lisa Ayers tend to bees, apples and 110 acres of native ground, welcoming visitors into the full-circle quiet of their prairie sanctuary.

150 years on, a small Lee County village still finds its strength in the neighbors who never stopped looking out for one another. As Compton celebrates its sesquicentennial, its people remind each other what truly endures in their small town.

My Advisor & Planner suggest five simple tricks for a smooth tax season.

Check out these hot spots for the latest in Kane County entertainment.

Find out more about an organization with an incredible mission to support kids and soldiers with entertainment.

This Kane County nonprofit is effecting change in the community, one step at a time.

“CASA” stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and this nonprofit is doing some of the most important work in the county.

Add these titles to your to-be-read list before the end of the year!

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.

Mix, mingle and be merry with local mixologists and more.

This local nonprofit seeks to help children thrive by easing the financial stress families face.

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.

In the course of playing a game they love, the members of Timber Creek’s Lincoln Highway golf team do more than just become champions – they become friends.

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.

Let hope in for the holidays, and embrace peace.

Learn more about local opportunities to create, play and give when school lets out.

Check out what St. Charles Park District is updating and working on through wintertime.

Enjoy a holiday tradition with eateries like Nosh, Josef's Meats & Deli and Mad Batter Bakery and Confections.

Coloma Township Park District has a lot to celebrate this year: A century of history in its green spaces and places, people passionate about supporting parks, a Village with lots of stories to tell, and much more … including a big fiberglass chicken.