Prior to purchasing their home on Coon Island, Don and Carol Sanders had camped all over the United States.

ROUND LAKE – If you’re a new resident in Round Lake, you may be receiving a knock on your door.

ROUND LAKE BEACH – It’s not often that you get an entire restaurant to yourself when you dine out, but that’s what happened to my dining companion and me during a recent stop to The Silk Mandarin Restaurant in Round Lake Beach.

Kim England remembers her mother crying when she left for college.

ROUND LAKE BEACH – A free employment expo and workshops will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, in Round Lake Beach.

Though other Six Flags Great America roller-coasters tower over the Whizzer, it is still a formidable ride. Consisting of sharp turns, sudden twists, and jerking movements, the Whizzer is not easy to handle. Especially when ridden 160 consecutive times.

The first day at any job is bound to be at least a little overwhelming. Add a classroom full of middle school students and the experience can be down right daunting.

Some people swear by frozen custard. Others prefer the creamy taste of gelato. Then there are those who just like soft-serve ice cream.

• Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings. Several meetings throughout Lake County on a daily basis. Call 847-362-1811 or visit www.district10nia.org for meeting information.

There seems to be one common theme as the 2010 Lake County prep football season gets set to kickoff. Call it the R-word.

ROUND LAKE – The Panthers might only have 28 boys on its varsity football squad.

Lake County is running out of places to put its garbage.

HAINESVILLE – This year’s Hainesville Fest will be bigger than ever and feature several new attractions – including an arts and crafts fair – that Trustee Jim Tiffany hopes will bring new people to the summer event.

ROUND LAKE – The Round Lake Area Park District’s Encore Summer Theatre Camp presented several showings of “Sleeping Beauty” in August.

ROUND LAKE – Year No. 2 for Round Lake’s Home Town Fest promises more variety of events, but the same hometown feel, said Trustee Don Newby, a coordinator for the event.

ROUND LAKE HEIGHTS – Lake Shore Lynx took on the Lake County Cowboys in the Gridiron Football League playoff semi-finals on a rainy night Aug. 20 at Indian Hill School in Round Lake Heights.

• Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings. Several meetings throughout Lake County on a daily basis. Call 847-362-1811 or visit www.district10nia.org for meeting information.

At 9:36 a.m. on July 7, I – along with 147 other people representing 48 different countries – became a United States citizen.

For the past 25 years, Barbara Kutinac has transported students in Wauconda Community Unit School District 118  from home to school and back again.

The following article is dedicated upon the Lake County Sidewinder’s request to Lake County Sidewinder founder Dale Friedman, who passed away during the winter of 2010.

ROUND LAKE – Almost exactly a year ago, Mendoza Grocery II in Round Lake sustained major damage from a fire that put the local shop out of business for 10 months. Now, the grocery store is back open, much to the delight of customers. But the road to recovery will be a long one, owner Richard Crane said.

• Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings. Several meetings throughout Lake County on a daily basis. Call 847-362-1811 or visit www.district10nia.org for meeting information.

ROUND LAKE –The Round Lake Area Park District will host two races Sunday, Sept. 12, at its Sports Center, 2004 Municipal Way, in Round Lake Beach.

Sometimes I wonder, if we really want to tackle the big problems in our society or if we’d rather just beat the other party over the head with them.

Determined to raise money in the fight against cancer, The Hillcrest Nursing Center in Round Lake sent a team to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

The search for ways to look younger, longer is a constant battle for many men and women in the U.S.

GRAYSLAKE – Twenty-one years ago, Grayslake resident Helen Bond purchased an African drum at an art festival and banged out a few rhythms on the hand-made instrument.

The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District is hitting the streets to help a local boy fight muscular dystrophy.