Northwest Quarterly

2 months ago | oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com | Chris Linden

Success doesn’t stop at the county line. The truth is that businesses in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin move fluidly across all sorts of borders. Their workers do, too. What’s good for one community is good for its neighbors – no matter if it’s in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Rock County. Angela Kay Larson is no stranger to this regional mentality. The Pecatonica, Ill., resident has spent nearly four decades building connections in every corner of this region.

Oct 24, 2023 | oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com | Chris Linden

The home was listed for $109,000. It closed in 10 days with a sale price of $130,000. The winning bid – one of five submitted – offered cash, no contingencies, proof of funds from the bank and an escalation clause to outbid the competition. If that sounds crazy to you, you’re not alone. “It is crazy,” says Jean Crosby, managing broker-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate in Rockford, whose agent put a losing bid on the Byron, Ill., property.

Oct 24, 2023 | oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com | Steven Bonifazi

15 N. Galena Ave., FreeportOn the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn, an 83-foot-high monument stands as a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice. Designed by Gen. Smith D. Atkins and built in 1871, the monument is adorned with a 13-foot statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, at its summit. She holds a large flag in one hand and a symbolic olive branch in the other. Below Victoria, the monument is constructed of squared limestone blocks from Joliet, Ill.

Oct 24, 2023 | oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com | Steven Bonifazi

In the pursuit of a clean and healthy home, it’s easy to overlook the importance of regular maintenance. It’s not just about looking sharp. A clean home can also affect your indoor air quality and your overall health. It begins with deep-cleaning surfaces you don’t always think about – or maybe can’t clean yourself. Chris Picot, vice president of Advantage Kwik-Dry, in Machesney Park, Ill., oversees a team with more than 30 years of expertise in cleaning residential and commercial surfaces.

Oct 24, 2023 | oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com | Chris Linden

Ask anyone who works in college admissions, and they’ll tell you the secret to a successful college search: It’s all about fit. So, how do you find the school that’s best for your loved one? Follow a smart process and you’ll know your answer when you see it. “Give yourself ample time to go through the process,” says Molly Berry, director of admissions for Millikin University, a private liberal arts school in Decatur, Ill.