Up on Her Soapbox She may be a founding member of the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild, but Rockford native Lynnel Olson got into soap making for entirely practical reasons. Thirty years ago, when she was married to her first husband, Gary, Lynnel was a farm wife looking to save money. She decided to make soap. “It didn’t turn out,” ...

It takes a special kind of educator to win the coveted Golden Apple Award. For this Harlem teacher-turned-technology specialist, there are many ways to share her passion. ...

Being part of the EAA doesn't require riches. All you need is a passion for flying and a willingness to be part of a team of eclectic, but innovative, dreamers. ...

Before COVID, a YMCA program to improve family habits was important enough. But after a pandemic pause revealed an even greater need, families in the Rockford area are coming together to build their relationships while learning how to make healthy habits into a routine. ...

They're headed to the USA Volleyball Open Championship, where they'll compete against some of the top talent in the nation. Here's how they came together and built a winning team right in Rockford. ...

A little foresight, some patience and the right designer are a good start, but there's plenty that happens behind the scenes of a big remodel. Here are a few places you might be missing. ...

If a new floor is in your home's near future, study up on the basics of what's available, what's popular and what it takes to make the right selection for your home. ...

As more drivers embrace electric vehicles, this Loves Park, Ill., company is helping homeowners, business owners and car dealerships to make the most of a budding opportunity. ...

A fireplace can instantly turn a house into a home and, with a fuel efficient gas fireplace, you can stay cozy in front of a crackling fire without the back-breaking wood chopping. Snuggling up in front of a cozy fire is one of the true joys of Midwestern winters. While the crackle and aroma of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces create ...

From a small outpost in the cornfields to Rockford's market leader, this locally controlled bank has built itself on a partnership with the community. ...