Barbara Benson

Column: Barrington’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award presentation approaching quickly

December 14, 2018 at 5:13 p.m.

It has been my custom, in a column at this time of year, to highlight the Barrington Area Development Council and note how the presentation of the group's 44th "Citizen...

Column: Barrington newspaper archive provides glimpse of past lives

May 22, 2019 at 8:53 a.m.

Some research on local history (as it often has through the years) recently took me back to the early days of this newspaper, which began publishing as The Barrington Review...

The Flint Creek Savanna is a nature preserve managed by Barrington-based Citizens for Conservation, which is hosting its 47th "Annual Meeting" on March 8.

Column: ‘Nature crosses boundaries’ during Citizens for Conservation’s Annual Meeting

May 22, 2019 at 8:53 a.m.

This year marks Barrington -based Citizens for Conservation's 47th "Annual Meeting," which will be held March 8 at the Onion Pub and Brewery in Lake Barrington. There will be a...

Free carriage rides were offered during the holiday tree lighting event in Barrington, Dec. 2, 2017.

Column: Avoid being a scrooge and reflect on the joys of life this Christmas season

May 23, 2019 at 11:04 p.m.

In my first years in Barrington, during the early 1980s, I arrived just in time to get to know some of the "old timers," who came from families who were...

A 1914 painting from Jennie A. Brownscombe depicts Pilgrims at their first Thanksgiving with American Indians at Plymouth in 1621.

Column: Time to revisit beginnings of our country as Thanksgiving arrives

May 22, 2019 at 8:51 a.m.

As Thanksgiving Day arrives, I am moved to share some reflections concerning a remarkable book I am reading, titled "Between Two Worlds: How the English Became Americans," by Malcolm Gaskill,...

Column: Beloved local production of ‘The Nutcracker’ returns for another year

May 22, 2019 at 8:50 a.m.

Members of the Barrington Dance Ensemble (BDE) once again are preparing for their annual presentation of "The Nutcracker," which will be the 23rd year of this acclaimed local production. Weekends...

In this 2016 file photo, Emily Cartwright, of Lake Zurich, and program director Mary Illing take "Little" out for a walk at the Walk On farm in Barrington. Walk On, a nonprofit that provides equine assisted activities to people with physical, cognitive, social and emotional disabilities, is hosting a "Country Fair" on Oct. 8.

Column: Walk On’s Country Fair event promises to deliver many activities for families

May 22, 2019 at 8:49 a.m.

I cannot do better for this column than offer readers the poster information for a great family event being offered by the nonprofit Walk On in Barrington. All of the...

Tom Vanderpoel, who worked as director of restoration for the Barrington-based Citizens for Conservation, died Aug. 8.

Column: Barrington conservationist leaves indelible mark on area

May 22, 2019 at 8:48 a.m.

A wave of shock and sorrow was felt by both members and friends of Citizens for Conservation (CFC) following news that Tom Vanderpoel had passed away Aug. 8. In fact,...

Column: Wonders of nature appear following heavy rainfall

May 22, 2019 at 8:48 a.m.

Water, water, everywhere, and not a drop to drink! I can't remember where that saying came from – if I heard it as a child from my mother for some...

Column: Parker Playhouse another community gem that enriches life in Barrington

May 22, 2019 at 8:46 a.m.

As I write this, I am looking at a little blue, leather-bound volume with gilt tooling. This volume was published by Macmillan and Co. in London in 1917. It is...

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