From fleeting emotions to unscripted moments, Callie Shrimplin captures the rhythm of a wedding day while reshaping her own future in photography and film.

A Dixon man brings calm, ceremony and Percheron horses to make wedding days unforgettable with each trot and clack on the Mane Street pavement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The couple caring for a Stillman Valley farm that’s been in the family for more than 100 years decided to say ‘no’ to chemicals and ‘yes’ to an approach they believe will keep their land healthy until the cows come home.