Renee Enna

Verlon ‘Rube’ Walker’s daughter hears his voice for the 1st time in memory

June 15, 2018 at 6:27 p.m.

Two years ago, we ran a story by freelance reporter Emily Harris recounting the long quest of Leigh Ann Young of Charlotte, N.C. Her father, a baseball player and former...

One of the ponds in Hummer Haven, Bob and Dee Raimondi's garden in Elburn. As a Certified Wildlife Habitat, their property is home to many birds, pollinators and wildlife. It is open to the public on May 2.

Garden Conservancy’s Open Days open doors to fabulous private gardens

May 23, 2019 at 1:44 p.m.

The Garden Conservancy's Open Days season gives the rest of us a chance to see how the other half gardens, courtesy of one-day-only, open-to-the-public peeks at some of the area's...

Pasta isn't French? No, but we've added French ingredients for an April in Paris feel: tarragon, French-cut green beans, herbes de Provence and brie. (Lisa Schumaker/food styling)

French-inspired recipe brings April in Paris home

June 17, 2018 at 9:15 a.m.

I've never been to Paris in April, but who doesn't love the iconic song about that city in that month? Voila! It just happens to be April. So here's a...

Grow your landscaping skills at Wicker Park workshop

May 23, 2019 at 1:46 p.m.

Landscaping can seem like such an intimidating endeavor that many gardeners hand over the reins to professionals. Or just plop down plants, shrubs and trees, hoping for the best. But...

Roasted eggplant, onions and cherry tomatoes make a robust vegetarian dinner when stirred into pasta.

Roasting vegetables for pasta: Quick weeknight entree

May 31, 2019 at 6:36 p.m.

For years I was under the illusion that roasting vegetables was one of those things you do on the weekend, when you have plenty of time. Then, when I began...

Saving in wine country

May 11, 2019 at 5:04 p.m.

A trip to wine country can be pricey. Here's how my husband and I cut corners without sacrificing the experience. Share tastings: Most tastings are $5 to $10 each; it...

You can change the filling as you like. This rollup features wilted baby kale, cheese and giardiniera.

Egg meets microwave for speedy rollup

June 30, 2019 at 4:54 p.m.

So Dad was over for a visit and wanted scrambled eggs for breakfast. When I expressed some reluctance about pulling out a frying pan (OK, it was a whole lot...

Saluting the woman responsible for Valentines in the U.S.

June 17, 2018 at 10:02 p.m.

Valentine's Day has been around for centuries. But Americans can thank Esther Howland (1828-1904) for all that time spent in the greeting card aisle poring over the best way to...

Nevada’s Valley of Fire a sure bet

August 23, 2019 at 3:48 p.m.

Valley of Fire sounds like the name of the latest Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, but this 42,000-acre state park, about 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas in Overton, is light-years...

Nevada’s Valley of Fire a sure bet

May 10, 2019 at 2:23 a.m.

Valley of Fire sounds like the name of the latest Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, but this 42,000-acre state park, about 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas in Overton, is light-years...

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