McHenry Shamrocks activities include dyeing the river green(Photos courtesy of McHenry Parks and Recreation)The City of McHenry dyes the Fox River greenfor St. Patrick's Day last year. Don't worry,they're doing it again this year. There’s a big city Southeast of McHenry that is known to dye its river green for St. Patrick’s Day. But did you know you don’t have to leave McHenry to enjoy the

Even though McHenry isn't having this kind ofweather lately, it's still a good idea to havean emergency kit in the car.You have a spare tire in your car. WAIT! You do have a spare tire in your car, right? And it has air? Whew.Allow me to start over. Your car should have a spare tire in the trunk that holds air so, if you have a flat tire away from your McHenry home, you can replace the tire and keep

Wonder Lake winters put some in the ditch.Too often, those in the ditch have 4-wheeldrive.They’re built for driving in this kind of weather common in Wonder Lake during the winter, right? Why then do you see so many 4-wheel-drive vehicles in the ditch? Could there be something wrong with the way they’re designed? Or could the problem be something else.The answer is generally the latter. A car,

And there could be a problem you need to investigateWinter is here and as we look at the approach of the tail end of February here in McHenry, we may have noticed some changes in the way our car, truck or SUV operates. The shocks may feel stiffer. We may have to wait longer for heat to keep us warm while driving. And it may take longer for the car to start.As this McHenry winter drags on, you may find

It’s Valentine’s Day in Wonder Lake and you want to let your loved ones know that you love them. And, since you love them, you want the best for them. You want them to be happy. Above all, you want them to be safe.You could run to a store in the Wonder Lake area to pick up some candy and some flowers – not a bad idea in any case. But, if you’re looking for something else you can give them for

Some of the roads in Bull Valley are dark atnight with all the trees. But, in winter, yourheadlights can face a real challenge.You’re driving down a darkened Bull Valley Road late at night when you see a solitary headlight coming your way and you think, “This is a heck of a time to ride a motorcycle.” After all, the temperature has dropped to the teens and there are patches of ice on the asphalt

What will this furry little rodent's Groundhog Day prognostication aboutthe rest of our Richmond wintermean for your car?Groundhog Day is upon us and that furry little rodent will give us good news or bad for the rest of the season, as well as for the tests our car will face the rest of this Richmond winter.If you put any stock in the groundhog, and the idea that the bucktooth member of the

Slippery roads in and around McHenry thiswinter can cause you to lose control. It doesn'thelp if you have bad brakes.One unpleasant side of driving in a McHenry winter is dealing with reduced traction on the road. It’s a simple fact that ice, snow, water and slush interfere with the ability of tires to grab the road and help you stop or go. But, if your brakes are bad, that seriously compounds the

Would she still be smiling if the cold of thisJohnsburg winter was enough that her cardoors were frozen shut?It was years ago, and the young man in Johnsburg was trying to open the trunk of his now-classic car – a 1973 red Plymouth Duster sportscar. The problem is that it was winter and the temperature was below zero and that trunk simply did not want to cooperate. Seeing him struggle, a passerby

You know about that thermostat in yourWonder Lake home. It's the one youand your loved ones disagreeon where to set. You also havea thermostat in your auto. But there'sno debate about this one. You need itand you need it to work.On the wall in your Wonder Lake home, you’ll find a device that controls your comfort. It’s called a thermostat. In this time of winter, it controls how much heat you have