Look for the signs!

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the Christmas season of 2022! Please join us in a unique nationwide celebration of this momentous occasion.

For more than seven decades, the Program has changed and grown immensely, bringing hope and the enchantment of Christmas to over 281 million underprivileged children. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, now in its 75th year, also provides year-round support to families suffering obstacles and unusual circumstances, so helping to realize the aspirations and dreams of millions of families and children in need across our great Nation.

This centennial year will give opportunity to spotlight the Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots Program on a national level by sharing our rich history, tradition, and the great community support we get each year. We are honored to have famed American Pop Artist Charles Fazzino commemorate this event. The net revenues from the sale of his official anniversary poster, which can be seen here, will go straight to our purpose.

Events and activities around the country will energise the American people and direct their attention to:

Highlight our outstanding Reserve Marines, both past and current.
Highlight the impact that the Toys for Tots Program has on communities around the country.
Community leaders, corporate sponsors, organizations, and volunteers are highlighted and thanked.
Most essentially, assist youngsters in need for every family seeking Christmas assistance.
Please join us in honoring and appreciating the incredible achievements of the Reserve Marines and many volunteers who have selflessly helped over 281 million children in need. We invite you, our devoted supporters, to join us as communities around the country band together to aid children in need via the Marine Toys for Tots Program. We've been around for 75 years!

The post This Holiday Season, Give Back: Marquette Apartment Complexes Are Toys for Tots Donation Centers appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

Check out these awesome events this Halloween in Algonquin, IL

Halloween Town has been named a must-see house for the Halloween season by The Daily Herald, The Northwest Herald, and ABC 7 News. Scary sounds and lighting effects combine to create a Halloween spectacle that will keep you on your toes and watching behind you at all times.

THE ADDRESS 1821 HARTLEY DRIVE Algonquin, IL 60102

The Voters' Choice Award has haunted Illinois.
Every year, HauntedIllinois.com opens the polls and invites Halloween enthusiasts to vote for their favorite activities. Based on fan voting, Halloween Town made the Top Ten List of all Halloween events in Illinois!

ABC 7 Spooky Scenes Featured
Featured on ABC 7 Spooky Scenes in Chicago as something special for the Halloween season.

Spooky movie and trick or treat

Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Algonquin Historic Village Hall is located at 2 S Main St, Algonquin, IL 60102.

Put on your Halloween costume and join us on South Main Street in Algonquin for our second annual Old Town Trick-or-Treat Trail. This year, we're closing the street and adding additional shops to Trick-or-Treat at, as well as some exciting new activities for the kids, such as the return of Pumpkin Painting, which is sponsored by Makity Make, Century 21-New Heritage Paul Kopetsky, and Fisherman Miller PC.

After trick-or-treating, stop by one of our local eateries for a drink and/or a quick bite to eat before heading over to Towne Park for a scary, family-friendly Movie in the Park. We will be showing "The Addams Family 2," which was just released (rated PG 1 hour 33 min. long). The movie will begin at 7:00 p.m., following Trick or Treating. Don't forget to bring your blankets and chairs to snuggle up with while watching the movie.
 

The post Haunted Events, Displays, and Things to Do In Algonquin, IL this Halloween appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

Here at Algonquin Square, we love supporting local businesses. We also enjoy delicious food, beer, and wine. Within walking distance, you can find all three! It’s important to us to put money back into the community, and you can too just down the road on Esplanade Dr.

They have great beer, wine, and food at Village Vintner –

Come experience Chicagoland’s only Winery, Brewery & Restaurant. They offer a large selection of their own hand-crafted wines and hand-crafted beers created on-site. 

Check out the casual dining atmosphere with an elegant selection of food, featuring a wood-fired pizza oven with gourmet pizza, delectable flatbreads, tender smoky ribs, and many other mouthwatering wood-fired entrees.

When you arrive, both a full-service bar and separate wine & beer tasting bar await you. Try the handcrafted wines or beer while you enjoy a tempting appetizer at the tasting bar.

Don’t forget to ask about the Wine & Mug Club membership options, too!

RESTAURANT

We invite you to step into our restaurant and experience the ONLY Winery, Brewery, and restaurant in the entire Chicagoland metro area.

WINERY

Our Wine production, barrel aging, and bottling all take place at our winery in the town of Huntley, located just down the street from the restaurant. It’s there that we produce around 35,000 bottles of wine each year, handcrafted from only the finest grapes and fruit available. 

BREWERY

Our Brewery is located in the restaurant. We handcraft small batches in our 7-bbl brewery and are served just a few yards from where it was brewed. 12 craft beers will be on tap at any time, ranging from our core beers to a wide variety of seasonal and creative brews.

Visit us

RESTAURANT HOURS

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: 4pm-9:30pm

Wednesday: 4pm-9:30pm

Thursday: 4pm-9:30pm

Friday: 4pm-10:30pm

Saturday: Noon-10:30pm

Sunday: Noon-9pm

Note that our Kitchen and Wine Tasting Bar Closes 1-hour prior to Restaurant closing times.

The post Support Local Business with the Best Beer, Wine, and Food Within Walking Distance appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

We know it’s not easy to pick a place to live with so many options in the Chicago area. Picking a Chicago suburb is daunting as you start downtown and move outwards in all directions. To make this choice a little easier, we put together a list of the top places with some of the best living conditions, along with apartment complexes within these areas.

Algonquin, IL

We will start with our very own town of Algonquin. 

This beautiful little suburb in which we are located has a population of 30,799. Algonquin is in McHenry County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Most residents own their homes here, creating a community feel and a safe and comfortable town in which to live. There is an abundance of parks and activities here, and young professionals tend to find it a great place to make their forever homes. Lush trees and Victorian homes line the streets. The public schools in Algonquin are highly rated, making this a desirable place to live for years to come!

Naperville, IL

One of our neighboring suburbs, Naperville is a safe and thriving neighborhood with much to offer. The public schooling system is ranked highly, and the suburb itself is constantly in the top 5 Chicago area suburbs in which to live. The low crime rate is a huge plus, with an upbeat and active neighborhood full of parks, shops, and wonderful restaurants. This community is quite welcoming, with an immense historic district, miles of riverside pathways, and lush, green landscapes.

Feel free to reach out to our sister property Brookdale on the Park for more information on this quaint town. 

Aurora, IL

Our third and final recommendation for places outside of Chicago is Aurora!

Aurora is known as the “City of Lights" because it was one of the first cities in the country to adopt an all-electric street lighting system in 1881. It has an affordable cost of living compared to the surrounding areas. The Fox River is a huge part of the community, with many cyclists, walkers, and runners enjoying the miles of shoreline in the community. Those who work in Chicago will love this – the Metra train features two stops in Aurora, making it a great place for Chicago commuters!

Feel free to reach out to our other sister apartment homes, Farmington Lakes for more information about this wonderful community.

With so many wonderful options, you can’t go wrong with any of these three communities. 

Have any questions? What is your favorite Chicago suburb? Let us know in the comments!

The post The 3 Best Suburbs to Live In Outside of Chicago appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

Looking for a fun fall event this September in Algonquin, Illinois or the Chicago area? Enjoy the outdoors and the local parks? Check out this fun event!

Event Date: September 18, 2022, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Algonquin Kite Festival.

Spella Park and the Kite Festival

Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102, is the venue.

Join Chicago Kite for the inaugural annual kite festival, which will be hosted by Algonquin Recreation and the Algonquin Area Public Library District. Bring everyone out for a fun, peaceful day seeing expert stunt kite pilots, huge kites, and fly your own kite in the area designated for participants. Free paper kites for youngsters to customize and fly will be given to the first 200 children. Chicago Kite will have kites for sale on-site as well.

From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., McHenry County's Kona Ice will be selling delicious treats on-site.

The post Algonquin Chicago Kite Festival in Spella Park appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

MOD Pizza is having a fundraiser on Saturday, August 28th.

MOD Pizza of Algonquin will donate 20% of your bill, to Animal Outreach ALL DAY on August 28th!

All you need to do is bring a copy of the flyer, or use CODE: MODF8930 when ordering through their website or APP.

ABOUT MOD PIZZA RANDALL ROAD

DIRECTIONS TO FIND THEM

The Randall Road MOD Pizza, conveniently situated at 228 S Randall Rd Algonquin, IL, is a great option for lunch or supper. They provide customized individual pizzas and salads that may be topped with more than 30 toppings for a set fee. Without sacrificing, make it vegetarian, meaty, or saucy. Visit MOD Pizza right away to see what the MOD Squad can prepare for you!

HOW MOD RANDALL ROAD SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY – We believe in using our pizza as a platform and making a difference for people in the communities we serve. We support local schools and nonprofits through fundraisers and donations all ear. We have a special interest in tackling food insecurity and working with groups that support children and families. Find out how MOD can support your organization or charity.

LEARN MORE

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Here is our list of the best outdoor recreation in Algonquin, IL.

Hill Climb Park

Check this out if you're wondering about things to do in Algonquin. Hill Climb Park, a popular neighborhood hangout for outdoor enjoyment, provides not only breathtaking scenery but also a variety of calming activities. This 12.85-acre (5.2-hectare) park has vast grassy sections with a few trees here and there for shade, offering a soothing ambiance while you take a calming stroll along the park's numerous pathways.

Picnicking is also permitted at the picnic area near the gazebo and pavilion. Other amenities include two playgrounds with sandpits, jungle gyms, swings, and more for youngsters to enjoy while playing in the sun.

Hill Climb Park

Address: 801 Circle Dr, Algonquin, IL 60102, United States

Opening hours: 6 am – dusk (daily)

Prairie Trail

Prairie Path is a popular hiking and bike trail that goes from Algonquin to the Wisconsin state line and is nearly 26 miles (41.8 kilometers) long. The lengthy path also passes through Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Prairie Grove, McHenry, McCollum Lake, Ringwood, and Richmond in the county. As one might expect considering the natural grandeur that surrounds this wonderful path, it's popular not just for hiking and cycling but also for tourism.

Prairie Trail

Address: 314 Washington St | Algonquin, IL 60102

Indian Trail Beach

If you want to spend some quality time with people while visiting Algonquin, Illinois, Indian Trail Beach is the place to go. It's one of two beaches in the Lake in the Hills region, along with Butch Hagele Beach. Aside from the stunning scenery of the lake and adjacent forested regions, guests may enjoy a variety of enjoyable outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, and much more.

Overall, it's a lovely beach where you can spend time with the people you care about.

Indian Trail Beach

Address: 228 Indian Trail Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Exner Marsh Nature Preserve

Exner Marsh is a lovely, small glacial lake. It is home to a variety of fascinating bird and animal species. Hiking and paths go over 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles).

In addition, cross-country skiing is available in the vicinity. After a day of trekking, you may relax and enjoy the scenery by having a picnic in one of the park's picnic shelters. If you wish to spend more time in that lovely setting, you may always remain and tent for the night. More information may be found on their website's camping page, which is linked below.

Exner Marsh Nature Preserve

Lakewood Entrance: 9000 Lakewood Road, 60156 Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Miller Road Entrance: 9105 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills

Towne Park

Towne Park is a modest, attractive, and serene oasis in the center of Algonquin. The 5-hectare (12-acre) park contains everything you might want for a pleasant day outside, including verdant grass, sports grounds, picnic tables, and shelters. The park is separated from the rest of the city by a wall of trees, and accessing the park requires crossing a small wooden bridge across the river, which provides the impression of entering another planet. Before you travel, keep in mind that the park may be closed due to river flooding.

Towne Park

Address: 100 Jefferson St, 60102 Algonquin, IL

Buffalo Park Forest Preserve

Unfortunately, there are no buffalo in the park. You'll still have to travel to Wyoming for that, but the park does have some unique features, such as a circular walk, access to fishing locations, multiple picnic tables, and a lot of trees. This is an excellent location for scenic photography and a relaxing picnic in the midst of nature. Unfortunately, you will not be able to spend the night at the park due to the removal of a campground following many floods. Also nearby is the Raging Buffalo Snowboard Ski Park.

Buffalo Park Forest Preserve

Address: 1 Alan Dr., Algonquin, IL

The post The Best Outdoor Recreation in Algonquin, IL appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

This is a Sunburst Member Event Only

Join us for an afternoon of exploring numerous locales while traveling on primarily rural roads, completing challenges (such as shooting a selfie or making a poker hand for the driver and navigator, respectively), and indulging in a wonderful meal at the secret dinner destination.

You have until July 10 for pre-registration: Register online using the "members only" area of the Club website. Alternatively, you can sign up by filling out an application at a meeting and sending your check payable to Sunburst Corvette Club. The $20.00 registration fee for each automobile covers everything from registration through poker hand prizes and giveaways.

After July 10 and on the day of the event, registration costs $25 per car (payable to Sunburst Corvette Club in cash or check). This price covers registration, poker hand prizes, and drawings.

What to bring: Your sense of adventure, a smartphone, a clipboard, a pen, and a pencil.

Galati's, 800 Feinberg Court, Cary, Illinois, is the starting point.
Important Information: Day-of registration will take place from 11:00 to 11:30; the driver's briefing will begin at 11:30, and the first car will depart at 11:45.

You'll receive your initial set of directions for the first two places at the starting point. You can enter the location's address into your GPS or adhere to the route instructions. At places 2, 3, and 4, you can encounter Sunburst employees where you can complete a task and get the following instructions. At the waypoint, a pleasant park, all the cars congregate before we announce the location of the surprise meal.

Dinner: The mystery is where. We've located a wonderful eatery that is eager to have us. We're supposed to show up at the unidentified place between 3:30 and 4:00. There are separate checks, individually plated dinners, and the freedom to order whatever you choose.

Sue Thorson, 847-975-7928; [email protected], is the event chair. Or Lee Thorson at 847-975-7929 or [email protected]

The Sunburst Corvette Club is hosting the following activities that you might enjoy:

At 8:00 a.m. on September 18th, the Struttin' Ur Stuff Car Show will take place in Crystal Lake.
Additionally, look into additional excursions and adventurous activities as well as performances in Algonquin.

The post Fun Events to Beat the Summer Heat: Christmas In July appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

Two Fourth of July Fireworks Shows Near Algonquin

An Exceptional Day

The breeze cools your skin when you reach inside an ice-cold cooler for a drink. In Michigan, the weather is lovely.
Watermelon drips, hot dogs sizzle, and potato salad is presented in bowls.
The sights, sounds, smells, and feelings arouse all senses. Laughter reverberates throughout the park, reflecting off the lake, and is emitted from the rides, games, and kiosks. Frisbees fly until dusk as baseballs and gloves meet. And just when I thought the day couldn't get much better,

Over the trees, the pitch-black, open sky bursts into brilliant red, blue, yellow, and green sparks.
As the crowd cheers and exclaims, rockets whistle, whiz, and whirl overhead, casting a colorful atmosphere of light. The energy is at an all-time high, and people are staring in amazement.
Enjoy the splendor of this time and this wonderful holiday.

Fourth of July Fireworks!

To make sure you have a blast this Independence Day, we at Algonquin Square Apartments want to present you with the best fireworks shows close to Algonquin, Illinois.
The links to the best fireworks displays in our region are provided below, so spread out that large blanket or lawn chair and take a seat for the show:

1.  Wauconda Fireworks Show

Get a place at Bangs Lake for the July 3rd fireworks display for a lakeside treat. Wauconda Village. They have a make-up date scheduled for July 9th in case of inclement weather or cancellation. For $100, Side Lot Brewery is offering a four-course beer and meal pairing that includes a table outside to watch the fireworks. The address of Bangs Lake is 27877 Valentine Road near Wauconda, Illinois.

2. Crystal Lake Main Beach Fireworks

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on July 3 on Sunday 

Crystal Lake, CDT 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake City July 4th Fireworks and Concert – 7.03.22 Eight o'clock 

Location: 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake, Main Beach 

Sunday, July 3: Regular Beach Admission, 9 am–2:30 pm After 2:30
 

For an ongoing list of other Fourth of July shows and events in the Chicago area, check out the Chicago Tribune’s article on where to see fireworks here.

Leave us a comment if you have any questions or know of other shows in the area!

The post Two of the Best Places to See Fireworks in Algonquin this Fourth of July appeared first on Algonquin Square Apartment Homes Blog.

Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Ribfest is back!

Summer is a great time to get outside, and what better way to celebrate the season than with BBQ, live music, and a carnival, all in one four-day festival. We want you to enjoy the beautiful Illinois weather and benefit our community by sharing these events with you. Located just a few miles northwest of Algonquin Square Apartments, the Rockin’ Ribfest will take place at Sunset Park (5200 Miller Rd. Lake in the Hills) on July 7-10, so mark your calendars.

Food for Good

This event features some of the best ribs and BBQ from all over the United States. Hosted by the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club, Rockin Ribfest is a fundraiser for all the local community organizations they support. Your participation gives them the valuable resources they need to help.

The Food

BBQ joints from all over the country take pride in showcasing their delicious ribs and other BBQ items. Nationally renowned grillers and ribbers such as Pigfoot from Mentor, OH, have won awards in various places. Others, like Texas Outlaw BBQ, got their start in Houston and have been located in Elizabethtown, KY for the last 15 years. These restaurants and their owners take pride in what they do, bringing you four days of mouth-watering goodness. Other food includes funnel cakes, roasted corn, and much more. Click here to see a full list of rib vendors. 

The Music

Summer festivals are not complete without live music from bands, and it feels so good to be able to get out and dance again. There will be live bands playing throughout all four days of Ribfest. Headliners include Boy Band Night on Thursday from 9 – 10:30 pm, a boy band tribute group that sings songs from the likes of N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees. Saturday from 9 – 10:30 pm you can see Kashmir. Other bands will start late afternoon and play into the night. For a full list, click here. 

Vendor Blender and Carnival

Besides fantastic BBQ, the event will include a Vendor Blendor of local businesses, food vendors, artists, and crafters. Supporting the local community is important to us, and this is a fun way to do it! There will also be a carnival that includes an option for an all-you-can-ride wristband by Windy City Amusements. 

More information can be found at the event website at Lake in the Hills Rockin Ribfest.

Feel free to leave us a comment with any questions!

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