Opinion: Columns

During my childhood, Christmas was magic.

What kind of man was Charles R. Walgreen? What kind of personality could build an empire from nothing to almost 500 stores throughout the country?

Column: While the holidays bring about lots of exciting celebrations, we know this season can also bring an undue amount of stress – whether mental, emotional or financial. Here are some DeKalb County organizations that can help, writes Emily Martinez.

Bielema: Rita Crundwell's commutation was a miscarriage of justice and she should have had to the pay the full price in the name of fairness to her victims – the same ones she stole from year, after year, after year.

Sterling councilman: The issue of homelessness transcends communities, social services, organizations, agencies and all levels of government.

As a Gen-X kid, sitcoms and soap operas were my thing in the 70s and 80s.

"Our culture emphasizes the joys of gatherings, gifts and celebrations. However, the holiday season can be quite challenging for many individuals," writes guest columnist Leonetta Rizzi.

One of the beautiful aspects of poetry is that a single poem can carry a thousand meanings, depending on the reader and the circumstances under which it is read.

Most Dixonites know about the connection between the Walgreen family and Hazelwood, also known as the Walgreen Estate. Another prominent Dixon landmark connected with the Walgreens is Charles R. Walgreen Field at the Dixon Municipal Airport.

"I often refer to Giving Tuesday as the “Hallmark Holiday” for nonprofits. While it’s meant to be a day of generosity, nonprofits feel pressured to capitalize on it," writes Amy Hernon, executive director of The Community Foundation for McHenry County.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, let’s talk about gratitude.

Kishwaukee United Way has partnered with the Old Navy store in DeKalb to launch a Winter donation drive, a community effort aimed at keeping local families warm throughout the winter months, writes Michele Vaughn. Here's how to help.

In 1904, Charles Walgreen chose his hometown of Dixon as the site for his second drugstore, the Walgreen-Davis Drug Store, located at 105 W. First St. By the end of 1929, the Walgreens empire comprised 397 stores in 87 cities.

Endorphins are natural brain chemicals that can improve your sense of well-being. One of the ways to stimulate the release of endorphins is by engaging in physical activity.

Although the calendar says we still have a month to go, we are beginning our long descent into winter, literally and metaphorically.

Opinion: This year, charming downtown Sycamore is bustling with excitement, offering residents and visitors a slate of enchanting events designed to create lasting memories and celebrate the magic of the season, writes Shelby Crackel of the Sycamore Chamber.

“Beauty and the Beast Jr.” opens Friday at the Jerry Mathis Theater at Sauk Valley Community College.

Saint Pope John Paul II was a man of keen intellect and deep insight into the nature of man and woman.

Do you want to live a life of gratitude every day, not just one day a year?

On April 16, 1904, Charles partnered with Ross Davis, a Dixon pharmacist, to purchase the C.C. Kelly drugstore at 115 W. First St., next to today’s Midland States Bank.

"Prioritizing mental health in the workplace increases productivity, reduces turnover and creates healthy workplaces for all," writes Leonetta Rizzi, executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Opinion: Genoa is in full swing preparing for all the joy the holiday season brings, and we can’t wait for you to join us, writes Krissy Johnson of the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce.

Opinion: As the holiday season approaches, we encourage you to shop local and immerse yourself in the charm of our small towns, writes Katherine McLaughlin of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Women’s bodies are a complex blend of matter and soul, spirit and emotion.

In late December, communities across the Sauk Valley region will adopt property tax levies for property taxes to be collected in 2025. Here's a look at how that process works.

Opinion: My first four weeks as Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) have been filled with insightful meetings and events, giving me a deeper understanding of the county’s needs and potential.

It often happens when I slowly awaken to the day, some snippet from Jesus’s teachings will come to mind.

Kishwaukee United Way received an increase in program funding for the Digital Crossover program through Comcast and Exelon, a combined total of $12,000. The funds will go to decrease the digital gap in DeKalb households by offering supportive services, writes Michele Vaughn.

As a trusted source of tips on being spiritually well, I offer you a time-tested prescription this week.

Menopause is a topic that would not have come up in polite conversation years ago but these days there is more research available, and more attention being paid, to addressing a woman’s physical and mental health needs during this big “change” in her life.

Consciously choosing to think and behave according to your values will have consequences, especially when they are different from those of the people around you.

Opinion: It would be remiss of us not to address the potential effect this tax increase could have on many of our businesses, writes Rose Treml of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce on a proposed 1% sales tax referendum on the November ballot for DeKalb County public schools.

Opinion: Research shows that about 1/3 of voters do not fill out the entire ballot during a typical presidential election, even though local elections have a much greater effect on our day-to-day living than national elections, writes Lynn Fazekas of the League of Women Voters.

The Loneliness Epidemic has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Surgeon General as a pressing global health threat.

Sterling councilman: Approving the  Public Safety Sales Tax referendum on Nov. 5 will help keep your property taxes lower and free up funds for fire engines and road repairs in Sterling and Rock Falls and other things in other communities.

Several months ago, my husband and I began watching “The Chosen,” a dramatization of the complex lives of Jesus’s disciples.

Cryotherapy will be available soon.

CGH's Sherry DeWalt: Making your own soup from scratch is easier than you think and allows you to control the sodium content and avoid questionable additives.

George Page was a local boy who built a global business empire that included the world’s largest condensed milk factory in Dixon. He certainly left his mark on Dixon and Palmyra and experienced a level of business success that few other locals, if any, have ever achieved.

“Names have power like magic spells.”

Opinion: From harvest festivals and homecoming celebrations to spooky contests and pumpkin parades, there’s something for everyone this month, Katherine McLaughlin of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor's Bureau writes.

Mangler: We keep upgrading The Dixon so your event experience will be better every visit!

Opinion: To understand the value and power of voting in the United States, it is important to know how our government is organized, writes Cynthia de Seife of the DeKalb County League of Women Voters.

While the Conservation District has many sites that feature accessible trails, campsites, fishing piers, picnic shelters and restrooms, the District continues to look for ways to make all activities more inclusive.

This week, I caught up with a former colleague from The Times Newspaper.

Opinion: Kishwaukee United Way is thrilled to announce the launch of its first DeKalb 211 self-help kiosk experience, made possible by a generous $10,000 grant from the Meta DeKalb Database Center. The kiosks will provide immediate referral assistance for essential services.

Opinion: Candidates can be judged in two ways: the positions they take on issues and the leadership qualities or experience they would bring to the office. Both are important. Christi Slavenas writes for a series of election columns penned by DeKalb County League of Women Voters.

If you have been avoiding exercise because of joint pain, movement restriction or balance issues, give water fitness classes a try.

The Sterling Park District is hosting its 32nd annual Pumpkin Dash from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5; Haunted Train Walk on the Dillon Home grounds is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct 19.

This past week, my youngest brother turned 48 years old.