On November 11, 1918, at 10:59 am in Lorraine, France, 23-year-old Baltimore native Henry Gunther fixed his bayonet and marched into history. Against the orders of his superior officer, Gunther, himself a demoted sergeant, led a one-man charge against German lines in the final minute of what was then the bloodiest war in European history. … Continue reading Veterans Day Marks “Great War” Centennial

“Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on Earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, while there is a criminal element, I … Continue reading Clash of Titans: Woodstock Commemorates its Role in “Debs’ Rebellion”

As Hallow’s Eve approaches and the Gothic spirit takes hold of McHenry County, well-worn tales of terror are passed down much as they were from the time when New England and the Chesapeake Bay were roughly-settled wilderness. The candlelight has been replaced by flatscreen TVs and digital projectors, and the tales themselves come as black-and-white … Continue reading “Alive!” for 200 years – Library Celebrates Shelley’s Frankenstein

Where can you find the oldest structure in McHenry County? It depends on how you define the term. Bull Valley, Crystal Lake, and Marengo all have houses dating back to the 1840s, and Woodstock’s Old Courthouse is nearly the same age. But about halfway between Woodstock and McHenry on Route 120, a work of living … Continue reading Land Conservancy Celebrates Fall Equinox at Wolf Oak

How far do you have to travel to buy your own groceries? “A mile and a half to Jewel” is one answer, but if you really want to do your own shopping, you’ll have to set aside a full day of road time and almost a hundred fifty dollars of gas money. That’s what it … Continue reading Back To The Land: McHenry County Brings New Life To Local Food