Today, at 1:10pm on Thursday, October 7, 2021, marks 7 years since the official launch of McHenry Life. Seven years probably sounds more amazing than it should, but as many of you have only just discovered McHenry Life, that’s fair. But like many “side projects,” it was relegated to the back-burner for much of its life until now, running on autopilot.

What may be more amazing is that the idea for McHenry Life harkens back even further, to 2011! You can read more about how it all started in our very first posts Hello McHenry County and Why McHenry Life? as well as our post from this spring, Long Winter…Out of Hibernation, when we officially relaunched.

Make Something Amazing

While some things have been reimagined, the ultimate goal of making something amazing holds true.

We set out to build the best, most detailed directory around, so that businesses (and others) could provide as much detail to existing and potential customers as possible…from whether they offer WiFi, takeout or delivery options, type of parking, whether they have someone who speaks specific languages (including sign language), types of discounts offered, to the type of atmosphere, whether they are kid-friendly, or even pet friendly.

And then do that again for an Event Calendar. Oh, and then we did that once more when we relaunched this year with Real Estate listings!

And, if that wasn’t enough, offer all of that for free so that no business, organization, or nonprofit felt unable to be able to afford to market their offering through McHenry Life.

With the relaunch, we also added the Spotlight Stories to really give you, the businesses, organizations, and nonprofits of McHenry County, a chance to open up and tell your story. Learn more about the Spotlight Story program.

We also introduced the Sweepstakes giveaway program, which you can learn more about the sweepstakes program as well as see giveaways that have been offered to date, thanks to our amazing cosponsors, Just Crock It, Foxy’s, and CHILLnTUB.

Help Us Make Something Exceptional

We are completely committed to building out an amazing resource and experience for the McHenry County community. A place where people can turn to find new experiences and share their own amazing experiences; to create the destination when you are wondering “who has the best fish tacos” or trying to find a “reliable plumber.”

And while we’ve continued to add listings ourselves and have already had some great businesses and nonprofits claim or add their own listings, we really wanted to turn this process “up to 11!”

So while we celebrate our 7 year anniversary, we also feel compelled to “earn” that anniversary by making up for quite a few years in the middle where we coasted. And since the 7th year anniversary gift is copper…

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The Great McHenry Life Directory Drive Giveaway

This giveaway has officially ended and all archival details can now be found on our Sweepstakes page.