HomeTown Hug

10/02/2026

Women are often the ones keeping track of everyone else.

The appointments. The kids. The work schedules. The groceries. The birthdays. The million little things that keep a household moving.

But when was the last time you made an appointment for yourself?

This October, HomeTown Hug wants to encourage the women in our community to check in on their own health, talk with their healthcare provider about breast cancer screening, and schedule a mammogram if it's recommended for them.

Local McHenry County resources include:

💗 Northwestern Medicine Gavers Breast Center in Crystal Lake offers screening and diagnostic breast imaging, including digital and 3-D mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI.

💗 McHenry County Department of Health's Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) can provide FREE breast exams and mammograms to eligible McHenry County women who are uninsured, underinsured, have a high deductible with participating providers, or aren't eligible for Medicare Part B. There is no income requirement for the program. Call 815-334-0232 to learn more.
Don't let being busy be the reason you keep putting yourself at the bottom of the list.

🎀 Make the appointment.
🎀 Encourage your mom, sister, daughter or friend to make hers.
🎀 And remind the women you love that taking care of themselves matters, too.

Please talk with your healthcare provider about the screening schedule that's appropriate for your age, health history and individual risk.

10/01/2026

As we head toward the fourth quarter, take a good look at where your marketing dollars are actually going.

More ads aren't always the answer.

HomeTown Hug gives local businesses an opportunity to reach new homeowners with a tangible introduction to your business. Whether that's a coupon, menu, brochure, promotional item, special offer, or something uniquely YOU.

Before the holiday advertising rush begins, make a plan for every dollar.

👉 Have room in your Q4 marketing budget? Let’s talk about getting your business into HomeTown Hug!

09/29/2026

Did you know there’s more than 100 years of entertainment history behind the doors of The Vixen in downtown McHenry?

The building’s story began in 1919 as the Empire Theater, where the community gathered for vaudeville performances, silent films, fundraisers, school events and more. After several transformations and even rebuilding after a devastating 1951 fire, the historic theater eventually became the live entertainment venue we know today as The Vixen.

Today, The Vixen brings a little bit of everything to downtown McHenry:
Live music & touring artists, Stand-up comedy, Weekend DJ nights, Special events & watch parties, Private parties and corporate/nonprofit events and Full bar service.

Their private event space can even accommodate up to 400 seated or 750 standing guests, with a stage, professional lighting and sound, private bar access, and staff support.

And we LOVE that a night at The Vixen can become a night out in downtown McHenry. The venue is surrounded by restaurants, public parking, the Riverwalk, and even public docks during the summer for those arriving by boat.

📍 1208 N. Green St., McHenry
📞 (815) 528-3008

👍 Don’t forget to visit their social media pages and give them a like to support local!

09/28/2026

Another perk of following HomeTown Hug, exclusive offers from local businesses!

This time, our Facebook followers can save at Hempstock Pharms Healing Center & Botanical Boba Cafe in Woodstock!

HomeTown Hug Exclusive Offer:
10% OFF your entire purchase!

Simply show this coupon from our page when you visit to redeem your savings.

📍 728 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL
📞 779-431-8092

Save the coupon to your phone, stop in, and enjoy your HomeTown Hug follower perk!

👍 Don’t forget to visit their page and give them a like to support local!

09/25/2026

The leaves are starting to pile up, but they don't necessarily have to head straight into a yard-waste bag.

Instead, try:
🍂 Mowing over a light layer to mulch them into your lawn
🌱 Adding shredded leaves to your compost
🌳 Using leaves as mulch around garden beds
🥕 Saving some to add “brown material” to your compost throughout the year

One important exception: don't leave a thick, wet blanket of leaves sitting on your grass all season.

A little less bagging, a little more recycling and those fall leaves can actually work for your yard!

09/24/2026

The holiday season may still feel a little ways off, but right now is when small businesses should be deciding where those final advertising dollars of the year are going.

Ask yourself:
-What marketing actually brought me customers this year?
-What am I paying for that isn’t producing results?
-What do I want to promote during the holiday season?
-How can I reach NEW customers before the year ends?

If local homeowners are part of your target audience, consider putting some of that Q4 budget toward an introduction that lasts longer than a social media scroll.

👉 Want to be included in our upcoming welcome baskets? Contact us now before your holiday advertising budget is already spoken for!

09/22/2026

Looking for a local adventure that the whole family can enjoy? HomeTown Hug is excited to spotlight Volo Museum , a family-owned destination that has been creating memories in Volo since 1960.

Spread across 75 acres, Volo Museum is packed with exhibits and experiences, including:
Classic & collector cars, Famous vehicles from movies and TV, Jurassic Gardens with lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, A Titanic exhibit, An immersive military Combat Zone, A vintage carousel & music hall, Vintage arcade games & kiddie rides, Trains, boats, campers, snow vehicles & more, Volo Antique Malls with miles of treasures to explore

One of our favorite things about Volo Museum is how many generations can enjoy it together. Kids can discover dinosaurs and movie cars while parents and grandparents find pieces of history and nostalgia they remember from years ago. Their mission centers around creating those shared experiences while preserving history for future generations.

📍 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo, IL 60073
🕙 Open daily, 10 AM–5 PM

Explore the attractions and start planning your visit at Volo Museum.

👍 Don’t forget to visit their social media pages and give them a like to support a local, family-owned attraction!

09/21/2026

Your yard is more than just grass and landscaping, it’s part of the local ecosystem!

(YES) helps homeowners create and preserve outdoor spaces with solutions focused on native landscapes, erosion control, and stormwater management.

Now YOU can take advantage of this exclusive offer:
$100 OFF a Consultation!

Your consultation includes a property walkthrough followed by a written report with:
Photos of your property, Identified problem areas, What’s currently working and Recommendations for moving forward

Whether you’re dealing with drainage or erosion concerns, want to incorporate more native plants, or simply aren’t sure what your property needs, this is a great place to start.

Contact Your Ecological Solutions to redeem your HomeTown Hug offer!

📞 847-553-1472
📧 [email protected]
🌐 yourecologicalsolutions.com

👍 Don’t forget to visit their page and give them a like to support another great local business!

09/20/2026

09/20/2026

With Battle House Laser Tag - Lake Barrington – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉