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Welcome to another edition of Classic Toyota's Automotive Terminology Decoder! Today, we're tackling some terms and phrases related to your vehicle's steering system, and related service and maintenance tips. more 🚘️ Power steering An electric and/or hydraulic system that multiplies, for ease and comfort, the force a driver exerts on the steering wheel. 🚘️ Power steering fluid Hydraulic fluid used in a power steering system. 🚘️ Power steering hoses The flexible hoses carrying hydraulic fluid between the various components of a power steering system. 🚘️ Variable gear ratio steering assembly The steering mechanism that converts the rotational motion of a steering wheel to the side-to-side motion of a lever that is connected to the steering linkage. 💡 How do I know if/when the steering system needs service? 💡 If your vehicle's dash warnings include" service power steering" it means that your vehicle is in need of immediate inspection and repair. If you have a hydraulic power steering system, there may be a leak requiring a repair and refill of fluid. If it's an electronic power steering system, you'll receive an EPS light, and may need to inspect the vehicle's battery or battery connection. If the lights come on while you're driving, enable your hazard lights and move your vehicle to the side of the road. Once you're safely off to the side, test and check the severity of the issue by turning the wheel left and right. Some causes that may trigger alerts: 🔧 Low Power Steering Fluid or a Leak 🔧 Broken Power Steering Belt 🔧 Dirty or Contaminated Steering Fluid 🔧 Bad or Faulty Steering Pump When power steering pumps are failing, they may emit a whine or a grinding noise when turning. You may also notice a tight steering response, or a slow response when moving the wheel. Any of these indicators is telling you that it's time to bring it in for service as it's about to fail. If it is still easily movable, you may be able to drive the vehicle to your home or service center. However, if you suspect a severe issue, it will be safer to call a roadside assistance service or a tow truck. Call our service centers today to schedule a maintenance appointment!

Today we’re sharing a fun car post about tips and tricks to help you drive better on the roads and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.  These hacks and suggestions will instantly improve your driving experience!  Feel free to leave your own in the comments and let us know your convenient and money saving hacks for car maintenance. more A DIY Car Air Freshener - Looking for a long term air freshener on a budget?  The local dollar store has several items that can save you time and money!  Grab a few packages of wax melts in your favourite scent, and a small mason jar that fits in your cupholder.  Place the wax melts inside the jar and replace the lid.  Using a hammer and nail or a small drill, create several small holes in the lid.  Put the jar into your center console or cupholder, and on a warm or sunny day the wax will melt and release its scent, and it’ll harden and cool at night or in chillier weather. Toothpaste Headlight Restoration - This simple household item can take your headlights from foggy to fresh and clean in minutes!  Choose a toothpaste meant for whitening and fighting tartar build up for your best results.  Apply the toothpaste to a clean microfiber towel, then wipe the headlight casing in a circular motion.  Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and douse with clear water. Your headlights will appear good as new!  Remember to add a thin coating of protective car wax to the outside to prevent further fogging and damage. In-Trunk Bungee Cord Paper Towel Holder - It’s always handy to have some paper towels readily available to clean spills, wipe down your dashboard, and clean off gunk from your windshield.  With this helpful hack, you’ll slide a bungee cord through the paper towel roll’s center, and affix it to the inside of your car trunk.  It’ll stay secure, clean and easily accessible in a pinch! Clean Your Wiper Blades Quickly and Easily - A bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol will go quite a long way on your car. Everything from tree sap removal to glass cleaning to wiper blade cleaning!  Your car’s wiper blades can accumulate quite a bit of dirt, dust, and grime as they clear the glass for visibility. You can pour a little alcohol on the wiper blades and gently rinse with clear water to remove the outermost layer of dried rubber and gunk buildup. Vinegar and Baking Soda for both Stain and Odor Removal - Everyone loves a good family road trip and making memories to last a lifetime.  However, many hours on the road means more potential for fast food spills, mess and muck from the kiddos, and even fur and accidents from dear ol’ fido. But there’s good news!  Those stains and smells don’t have to stick with you in the memory books.  Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and soak your car’s stained upholstery, then follow up with a spoonful of baking soda and scrub with a nylon cleaning  brush or toothbrush.  Wipe it off with some hot water and clean it up with a wet-dry vacuum!  For stubborn, lingering odors, sprinkle the baking soda directly on the fabric or carpet and leave it to sit at least 15 minutes or overnight.  The longer it’s left on the surface, the more it will absorb!  You can then vacuum it up and spray it with a fabric refresher to reinvigorate the clean car aroma.  Want to keep it fresh for the long haul? A small bowl or mason jar of baking soda in the cupholder can help!

Toyota is reimagining the full-size sedan with the all-new 2023 Toyota Crown. As the first Toyota sedan to offer the Hybrid MAX System, drivers will be sure to feel the power from this powertrain. Offering drivers a premium, intuitive driving experience, the Crown blends supreme comfort, confident handling, innovative technology and a sophisticated ride into one striking, bold design. When the first Toyota Crown debuted in Japan in 1955, it was ahead of its time. Known for its innovation and ability to push the limits, the Crown was a mainstay in the U.S. until the last one was sold here in 1972. Now, after 50 years and 15 model generations, the Toyota Crown returns — better than ever with an all-new design, innovative powertrain, and the quality, durability and reliability that are virtually synonymous with the Toyota brand Here are five things to know about the all-new 2023 Toyota Crown: more Elevated Sedan Experience Ushering in a new era for the segment, the all-new Toyota Crown breaks the mold when it comes to full-size sedans. Toyota created a versatile vehicle that can suit various tastes and complement a myriad of lifestyles — available in three different grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, all with standard All-Wheel Drive. Whether drivers want a car that’s sleek and classic or bold and exciting, the Toyota Crown has it. The best part? All grades offer premium comfort, style and luxury for an elevated sedan experience. Assembled around the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K) platform, the Toyota Crown has raised, crossover-like ride height, offering drivers better road visibility by allowing them to see over the vehicles that are lower to the road. Along with better visibility, it makes entry and exit from the vehicle easier. The premium features don’t stop there. Additional features work against noise intrusion to provide drivers and passengers with a quiet, cocoon-like environment that takes the driving experience to new heights. Plus, its standard Dual Zone Climate Control gives occupants the power to control their own HVAC settings, allowing them to sit comfortably with their own air. Additional standard features include 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats and heated front seats that can be adjusted to three levels. Powerful Pair of Hybrid Powertrains Adding more power to the robust electrified lineup, customers now have the choice between the new Hybrid MAX System (exclusive to the Platinum grade) or the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System. The fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System combines a high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with two electric motors in a highly compact system, offering an EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined rating and smooth, linear acceleration. The Hybrid MAX powertrain has a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic transmission with powerful torque and low RPM. Equipped with a manufacturer-estimated 340 net horsepower, this new system packs an impressive punch. Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive comes standard on XLE and Limited – with an all-new, performance-focused Full-Time Electronic All-Wheel Drive making its debut as standard equipment on the Platinum grade. These highly advanced systems help provide a number of benefits. From traction control for slippery conditions to increased stability when cornering complete with enhanced fuel efficiency, both systems offer comfortable driving performance. State-of-the-Art Suspension System Although attractive exteriors may grab attention, performance is key. The Toyota Crown’s suspension system provides comfortable maneuverability for an all-around smooth ride. It features a MacPherson-type strut front suspension and a new method for fastening the steering gear and enabling rigid, direct handling, which also reduces noise and vibration. The newly developed multi-link rear suspension helps create a faster response to drive torque. Thanks to the Crown’s handling being bolstered by an electronically controlled brake system featuring Active Cornering Assist, drivers feel the enhanced agility by capturing the stability control to reduce understeer in certain cornering situations. Advanced Multimedia The all-new advanced Toyota Multimedia System makes drivers feel at home while on the road. With amenities like a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability, drivers can listen to music, their favorite podcasts and other media while reaching their destinations. The system comes with features that are easy and convenient to use. Users can interact with the new system’s design through touch and voice activation. For example, the personal Intelligent Assistant that comes with an active Drive Connect trial or subscription can be easily activated simply by saying “Hey Toyota.” Intelligent Assistant can search for directions, find points of interest, adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more — all hands-free. The Toyota Crown also comes with a multitude of free trials, including a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan for three months, and Safety Connect and Service Connect trials. Safety Connect puts help at the driver’s fingertips. It has an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Locator and Collision Assistance, helping to give drivers peace of mind at all times. Service Connect makes car maintenance easier by providing drivers with vehicle health reports, maintenance alerts and other reminders. Top-Tier Safety and Parking The Toyota Crown upholds one of Toyota’s highest priorities – safety. All grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, designed with features to help protect drivers and passengers. For instance, the system comes with a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. It’s designed to detect a vehicle or pedestrian while providing audio and visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Blind Spot Monitoring helps detect and warn drivers of a vehicle approaching or positioned near or in adjacent lanes. The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is designed to improve lane control with the assistance of Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist. It is designed to notify drivers with audio and visual alerts if the vehicle is leaving its lane without indication of a turn signal. The Lane Tracing Assist can also help keep the vehicle centered in its lane when detecting lane markers or a vehicle ahead. If backing out of a parking space or driveway has ever been a struggle, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert is designed to make it easier by detecting a vehicle approaching from either side while pulling out and alerting the driver with a visual and audible warning. The Rear Seat Reminder can also notify drivers when a rear door was opened after the vehicle has been turned on, with a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by multitone chimes. For Platinum-grade owners, the Advanced Park system is standard. Drivers can say goodbye to wasted time searching for an empty spot. This handy sensor is designed to identify an open parking space, control the steering wheel, shift, accelerate and brake for easy hands-free parallel or reverse/forward perpendicular parking. With all these features and amenities, the Toyota Crown is revved up and ready to take its legacy to the next level. Find more information on the 2023 Toyota Crown here. Originally published September 22, 2022

We love things that go bump in the night and give us a chill of fright!  That’s why we’re exploring even more fun haunted road trip destinations.  Today, we’re traveling to nearby  Michigan.  Why stop at exploring haunted sites like graveyards and theatres when you can book a stay with a surprise ghost as an extra guest?  We’ve got plenty of haunted hotels, inns, and resorts that are still open to the public today.  Check it out on today’s blog and see for yourself! more Doherty Hotel in Clare This 1924 redbrick hotel once housed the town’s library, a soda shop, and even a barber shop!  It was a notorious hangout for infamous gangsters of the 1920 and 1930s.  And, as is the case with so many unsavory personalities in one place, it became synonymous with illegal gambling and even murder.  Numerous visitors to the location have reported seeing the ghost of Isaiah Leebove, of the former Purple Gang, wandering the halls.  Other ghostly apparitions have been seen locking and unlocking doors, and knocking on doors and walls with no other possible explanation. Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo Often touted as one of the top ten haunted places in Michigan, you’ll find no shortage of spectral shenanigans here!  Step through its doors and you may be greeted by the castle’s original owners Frank and Mary Henderson.  Wander its halls and you may find Calre Burleigh, a Spanish-American War veteran who served alongside Hendersons’s son in battle.  Other apparitions include that of an unidentified little girl, and even a rogue dog!  You may find opening and closing doors, disembodied voices, figures at the top of the stairs, and other ghastly activities.  You’ll just have to come investigate for yourself! The Landmark Inn in Marquette If you’ve ever wanted to book a room in a haunted hotel, we think you’ll really get your jollies from a stay in the Lilac Room, one of the Inn’s most reportedly haunted rooms.  You may catch a glimpse of the Librarian who lost her one true love to a shipwreck at sea who peers out the window waiting for her betrothed’s impossible return.  Or perhaps you’ll find unexpected trinkets nestled in the sheets or blankets that weren’t there at check in, such as one guest who reportedly requested housekeeping remove screws from the sheets.  Even the front desk has experienced unexpected happenings such as phantom phone calls from the Lilac Room even without guests lodging! Spooky…. The Terrace Inn in Petoskey Michigan This historic inn offers 38 rooms to choose from, 1 restaurant on site, and at least 2 resident ghosts.  Book a stay at the Terrace Inn and you may encounter the Lady in White or the Man in Tweed.  Wander downstairs in this Victorian Era hotel and you may even bump into the Boy from the Basement!  Rumor has it, there may even be more aloof apparitions to be found if you keep your eyes open.  Ask the front desk and they will gladly share with you the book of Ghost-Tales from past guests and visitors! Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island…and more Mackinac Island is such a special place it’s known to be a paranormal activity hotbed, so many, in fact, that some speculate there may be more specters than residents at this point. Check out these videos from MattsRadShow on Youtube to learn more about a few of the haunted happenings on this iconic resort island: Masonic Temple in Detroit The Detroit Masonic Temple is the largest Masonic Temple in the world. This impressive and quite imposing piece of Gothic Architecture has more than 1,000 rooms as well as a cathedral, multiple chapels, 2 ballrooms, lodging facilities, a library, and even a 4,000 seat auditorium.  Visitors report seeing the specter of George Mason himself going up and down the stairs, but that may just be a Halloween Tale of Terror.  You’ll just have to see for yourself! Mary Mayo Hall in Lansing The oldest residence hall on campus is located on the West Circle are aof Michigan State University’s northern end.  It was built in 1931 and named after Mary Anne Mayo, a leading member of several organizations on campus, and a thoughtful leader with progressive views on womens’ education.  Though rumors swirl that her death was caused by murder, ill-will, or even self-inflicted injuries, she actaully passed away of illness in 1903off-campus.  Nevertheless, after years of campaigning for womens’ equal access and housing on campus, students report seeing her ghost wander the halls of the dorm. Other areas of note for ghost hunting in Michigan: South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, H ell’s Bridge near Grand Rapids Rockford, Calumet Theater in Calumet, Felt Mansion in Saugatuck Holland, David Whitney House in Detroit, Fayette Ghost Town in Fayette, Holly Hotel in Holly, Fort Shelby Hotel in Detroit, Bowers Harbor Inn in Traverse City, Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver, White River Light Station in Whitehall

October is National Car Care Month!  Let us help you prepare your vehicle for the change in seasonal weather conditions with the helpful hints and tips from our service center.  Feel free to give us a call and schedule your appointment today for your monthly and seasonal maintenance needs. more Our service professionals are available to get your vehicle service and in tip top shape before blustery rainstorms and impending winter weather arrive. Check the fluids and change your oil. Be sure to top off all fluids such as antifreeze and oil, and get your systems flushed and changed as needed.  As you’ll be running your car idle more frequently to warm it up on chilly mornings, you don’t want anything to seize up while doing so!  Our maintenance and service technicians can help guide you on what needs to be flushed or pencil you for an oil change appointment as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Inspect the tires. Keep yourself and your passengers safe, as well as other vehicles on the road, by ensuring that your tires have proper tread depth and show no signs of extreme wear and tear.  Bring your car into the service center for a tire rotation, wheel alignment, and replace any tires that appear overly worn or close to their end of life.  Your tires provide significant stopping power by gripping the road in slippery conditions. We recommend considering a really good all-weather or winter tire in the next few weeks. Make sure all of the lights work. Sunset is creeping up earlier and earlier over the next few weeks. It’s important to make sure all of your headlights and brakelights are fully functional.  You’ll need them for those foggy, blustery evenings!  Especially important to have working headlights for trick or treating to make sure you can see the kids wandering around in costumes.  Additionally, you don’t want to get a ticket for improperly working headlights, nor get into any serious accidents because you missed something in the roadway and were unable to stop in time. Thoroughly inspect the brakes. There are few things more dangerous than wet, slippery leaves or black ice on the roadways, and both are common foes in the mid to late autumn weather.  Inspect the brakes and rotors and be sure to test them out to ensure they are not squeaking, squealing, or grinding.  If you suspect that your brakes are not stopping as quickly as usual, or are less responsive to pressure, bring your car in immediately for a service or replacement brakes. Make sure the heater and defroster are working properly. With the temperatures dropping rapidly, especially in the evening, frosty windows are a common occurrence in the mid to late fall.  You’ll want to double check that all heating vents and defroster elements are working, and do so before the need arises! It’s very important to visibility that your car has an adequate defroster and defogger, so call for a maintenance appointment if either of these features is not functioning properly.

Meet Leo! more Leo is one of our dedicated bilingual sales and leasing consultants here at Classic Toyota. He has been part of the team for 14 years. During his free time, he is a very active member of the Waukegan community and does volunteer work for non-profit organizations. Leo is also a member of LCCC and the Collison of Latinos of Lake County. Introducing Leo of Classic Toyota While Leo is an expert at identifying his customers needs and matching them with the perfect vehicle, his favorites from the Toyota lineup are the 4Runner and the Tacoma.

It’s time for another installment of Classic’s YouTube Car Vlogger Roundup!  We’re gathering our picks for great videos from some of our favorite subscription channels. Whether you like to watch people rebuild or customize, take their car to the limit on the test track, adventure off road, or just nerd out about fun facts, we’ve got something for everyone.  Let’s take a look at some of the most fun uploads from the gearhead greats! more Donut Media is bringing us a super fun breakdown of the Most Expensive Cars from Every Car Company across the decades.  You’ll find vintage favorites, good ol’ classics, and some fascinating obscure and obsolete rides.  There’s over 100 cars on this list, and we’re absolutely fascinated by the sheer volume and variety!  Check it out: If that’s not enough to wet your whistle, this Donut Media update is covering The Fastest Car from Every Car Company!  They’ve done their research and found 100 cars from 100 companies that are top speed in their brand.  It’ll really get your engines revving! Check it out: TikTok has become ubiquitous in online culture, and one of the most-used social media apps ever.  You’ll find all kinds of videos on there from cooking to book reviews to history lessons and more!  And you’ll even find lots of tips and tricks from Mechanics and automotive enthusiasts. But have you found yourself wondering how to discern what’s fact from fiction? Curious to know if some of those “tips” are going to cost you more than you’d save in the long run? Donut Media is back again with a professional mechanic who is weighing in on the do’s-and-don’ts of TikTok Car advice. Check it out: Love looking at unique, interesting, and vintage cars? You’ll love this video from Collecting Cars that’s all about the 1963 Meyers Manx Beach Buggy.  This wild ride is an iconic and original beach friendly vehicle with plenty of pizazz.  It looks like it drove straight off the set of Austin Powers or the Barbie Movie, if you ask us!  Check it out here: If you’re a fan of pop culture, we think you’ll have a really  fun time taking a deep dive into the history of one of MTVs hit shows “Pimp My Ride.”  Aside from becoming a “meme-able” series in recent years, and the cars making their way into the lives of other car vloggers, this show has a potentially questionable past and plenty of controversy.  The Media Pastimes channel is raising a magnifying glass to this street racing inspired customization reality series. Check it out here:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Sept. 27, 2022) – Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX powertrain, as featured on the all-new 2022 Tundra, has earned a prestigious 2022 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award. The i-FORCE MAX is a hybrid powertrain that relies on a twin-turbo V6 engine that couples with a unique motor generator and 10-speed automatic transmission to allow power to be transferred efficiently. more “The i-FORCE MAX, also standard on the all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia, is Toyota’s response to uncompromised performance, all while ushering in a new vision for future large electrified vehicles,” said Dante Boutell, vice president of Powertrain Design at Toyota Motor North America R&D. “We are so grateful that our hard work is recognized by WardsAuto as it further validates the innovation and benefits this powertrain delivers to Toyota customers.” The hybrid system sandwiches the 48-hp electric motor between a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 and a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission. The motor is able to supplement the engine’s output, adding more torque as the driver demands it, or in the case of subtle accelerator inputs, drive the vehicle by motor only. With this unique layout, drivers do not have to compromise power, torque or efficiency. The result of the new powertrain is a truck that sports 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque at a quiet 2,400 rpm, with up to an EPA-estimated 20 MPG city/24 MPG highway/22 MPG combined fuel economy ratings, depending on model grade and drivetrain. Payload is rated at 1,665 pounds and can tow up to 11,450 pounds. Toyota is committed to offering an electrified version of each model it sells by 2025. The Tundra i-FORCE MAX is an example of how the company is working to reach its goals in carbon reduction and carbon neutrality. As Toyota continues its evolution to a mobility company, reimagining the role that cars and trucks play in human movement is key. Innovations like the i-FORCE MAX will be measured by how they meet the needs of humans today and minimize the impact on the planet for humans tomorrow. The i-FORCE MAX will be among the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners honored during its AutoTech: Electrification conference, held October 26-27 at the Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. Click here to learn more about the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award. RELATED MEDIA RELATED IMAGES About Toyota Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 32 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, a quarter of the company’s 2021 U.S. sales were electrified. To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

With Halloween just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to explore some of the strange haunted happenings across the state.  What could be better than an autumnal road trip to chase down the ghosts of days gone by?  It’s a perfect way to spend the weekend or enjoy a late-night exploration. more We love exploring as much as the next, but be mindful, please.  Make sure to adhere to any posted signage as some areas may be off limits or be part of private property.  We recommend doing additional research to find out which sites offer tours or are open to the public and when.  We do not condone trespassing! Your Guide to Haunted Sites in Illinois The Englewood Post Office and H. H. Holmes True Crime aficionados will be fascinated to know that this modest post office branch sits on the site once home to serial killer H.H. Holmes and his infamous “Murder Castle” Postal workers at this location have reported hauntings throughout the building.  The basement area especially is noted to fill visitors and employees with an intense fear of dread, and it is advised any tasks in that room be quick and timely to avoid anxiety. The Chicago River and the SS Eastland In 1915 the SS Eastland passenger ship was docked along the Chicago River when it suddenly capsized.  Sadly, 844 people lost their lives in the incident.  Today, visitors to the area and patrons of local restaurants have reported looking out from the windows or down from the Clark Street Bridge and report seeing the ghostly faces or bodies of people in the water, reaching out for help. The Couch Tomb in Lincoln Park Chicago Lincoln Park sits on the former grounds of City Cemetery, with the Couch Tomb the only remaining tomb surviving the Great Fire of 1871. The tomb was sealed for decades, leaving many to speculate what may lie buried there.  In 1998, a team of workers and researchers opened the tomb and discovered around 80 bodies entombed within!  Visitors to the area often claim to see and hear strange apparitions and experience strange occurrences in Lincoln Park, but especially near this tomb. Resurrection Cemetery in Justice This is one of the largest cemeteries in North America, sprawling across nearly 540 acres with 152,000 graves and 5,300 crypts in the mausoleum.  Consecrated as a cemetery burial ground in 1904, it officially opened to the public in 1912.  This site is purported to be hte site of Chicago’s infamous “Resurrection Mary” who haunts these grounds, the surrounding highway, and the nearby Willowbrook Ballroom.  You may catch a glimpse of her dancing at the foot of the Resurrection of Christ monument next to the on site chapel.  Keep your eyes peeled for a lithe woman in a flowing white dress and blonde locks! McPike Mansion of Alton The McPike Mansion, sometimes referred to as Mount Lookout, is a historic and haunted property on the former 15-acre estate of Henry Guest McPike.  The 16 room mansion features a vaulted wine cellar in an Italianate-Victorian style.  In 1994, the home was purchased at auction by Sharyn and George Luedke, with plans to restore the mansion to its former glory!  Sharyn herself has reported ghostly sightings of servants and residents or guests of the mansion while removing items from the home, making repairs, and restoring the house.  She and George have also caught a whiff of lilac perfume wafting through the hallways of the third floor.  Some people claim the house was built on hallowed grounds, still others report the happenings only began after McPike and later owners’ passings.  Either way, this is a truly special site for otherworldly occurrences! The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock This beautiful historic performing arts venue and opera house is the reported site of local spectral visitor, Elvira.  Elvira’s tale is a sad one, with big dreams of making it big on the stage and landing the lead in an upcoming ballet perfor. Unfortunately, she was passed over for the part which was handed to another girl in the company.  In her grief of shattered dreams,, she leaped from the Opera House’s highest tower, and fell to her death on the streets below.  Visitors have reported sights of a forlorn young woman with long, golden hair wandering the halls and aisles.  Some have even caught a glimpse of her in seat 113, and those who sit near it report the seat lowering on its own and sad sighs in the air.  Additional reports include props falling down with no one nearby, and even things disappearing from the stage and backstage areas.  Book at ticket and see for yourself! Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet The Rialto Square Theatre opened its doors in 1926, and a parade of spirited guests have wandered in and out of its halls and auditorium over the years. That’s right, it’s haunted!  We won’t spoil the backstory here.  Why? Because this vaudeville venue and movie theatre turned performing arts center offers Paranormal Tours of the theatre where you can spend two hour learning about the lost souls of the Rialto!  Come see a show and book a tour.  You can bring your friends and your family along for the fun and may even have some unexpected guests join your party. Other notable places with real spirit include: Haunted Abingdon Middle School in Abingdon, The Old Milton School in Alton, Robinson Woods in Chicago, Haunted Tours at the Museum of Science and Industry German U-505 Submarine, The Haunted Glessner House Museum, The Haunted Red Lion Pub in Chicago, Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, Ridge Cemetery in Williamsburg, Aux Sable Cemetery in Alton

This week is prime leaf-peeping season and we’re here with an updated fall foliage report and some great places to check out across the state for prime autumnal activities.  In Northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border, fall foliage is beginning to make an appearance and will reach its peak by the 24th/25th.  In the Chicago area a little further south, peak fall-foliage viewing will arrive beginning the 24th of October and last through Halloween on the 31st. more We’ve already shared some great places in Illinois to take fall photos on our “Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox with Great Places in Illinois and Wisconsin to See Fall Foliage and Take Wonderful Family Portraits” blog article, but here are some other fantastic fall photo-op suggestions for families to enjoy in Wisconsin. Check out this fall foliage report of Wisconsin to figure out the best places to visit each location on our list for maximum Autumnal Enjoyment! Let’s plan a mini getaway and take some scenic drives across Wisconsin in search of some lush fall scenery: Marinette County’s Waterfall Tour - This 125 mile scenic loop drive takes you through 15 waterfalls and cascades in the area.  You’ll have ample opportunity to stop off in county parks to stretch your legs and take a scenic hike, walk your furry pals, and take plenty of photos of your family and friends.  The trail includes places such as Veteran’s Falls, Strong Falls, T welve Foot Falls Park, and many more gorgeous vista points. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive - This 115 mile trip will take you through a stunning array of woodlands with ultra gorgeous views of the changing oak, maple, and aspen trees as you wind your way through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. You’ll cover ground across 6 different counties in Wisconsin, and have lots of waterfront to explore from ponds, lakes, and rivers as well as sweeping views of the hills and valleys.  Take a day to experience some rowing, fishing, and hiking trails in the area. Hilltop Color Tour of Central Wisconsin - Taking you through Wausau and Ogema and Neillsville, this central Wisconsin drive will take you to peak seasonal adventures!  Your best views will be from the 60 foot observation tower in Rib Mountain State Park, the observation tower in Timm’s Hill, and The Highground memorial nearby to Neillsville.  Each of these stop-offs will afford you some outstanding views of autumnal scenery, and are great destinations for family outings, and plenty of nature photography opportunities and great family photo backdrops. Black River State Forest and Black River Falls - With nearly 68,000 acres across West Central Wisconsin, you’ll find yourself lost in the beauty of nature in the pine and oak forests and glacial beds with vista points from the sandstone hills, 30 foot bluffs, and millions-of-years-old buttes.  You’ll also find unparalleled views of the Black River Falls Cranberry Bogs which are incredible just before the seasonal harvest time.  And be sure to make your way through the Dike 17 Wildlife Area where you’ll have an exciting opportunity for some serious bird watching as waterfowl and other species migrate and settle in the area.  Families can enjoy hiking, offroading on ATVs, and plenty of mountain biking trails. And last but not least we recommend a wonderful trip to Door County and all that the area has to offer! Set along the edge of Lake Michigan, you’ll fall in love with the nearby state parks of Potawatomi, Peninsula, Newport, and Whitefish Dunes as well as the scenic Washington Island.  It’s one of the region’s top attractions for fall travel, and you won’t want to miss out! Here are some fun videos to inspire your travel plans:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. First recognized in October of 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness month aims to increase early detection of this disease and help vulnerable populations by sharing resources to care and prevention techniques. more Many people wear pink articles of clothing or add pink ribbons to their outfits, bags, and even digital profiles in honor of those fighting breast cancer, lost to the disease, and also to support progress we’ve made in breast cancer research and treatment options. Now more than ever, it is important that we expand our conversation to include more demographics so we can work together as a community and empower as many people as we can with accurate information and care. Unfortunately, many breast cancer awareness narratives have historically left out critical talking points inclusive care options.   Although breast cancer is most commonly associated with cisgender women, with statistics showing 1 in 8 cisgender women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but nonbinary individuals, the transgender community, and cisgender men also are affected by breast cancer.  In fact, many transgender women show increased risk of breast cancer after several years of hormonal treatments, while transgender men show slightly lower risk than cisgender women ac cording to a study from BMJ in the UK. Because we care about our friends, family, and our community in general, we have created this helpful gender inclusive guide to help learn more about Breast Cancer prevention and diagnosis. Reminder: It is important to be gender inclusive when speaking about the issues of breast cancer, to help avoid triggering feelings of dysphoria, or preventing individuals from receiving lifesaving care and cancer treatments.  If you are seeking gender inclusive care for medical and non-medical services, Apicha CHC may be able to help. Mammographies are the best method of early detection, but self-exams are also an important part of screening for breast cancer that you can do at home regularly. Medical professionals encourage you to do a self-exam of the chest region once per month, to check for any signs of abnormality.  Understanding how your body feels and looks on a regular basis can help you recognize abnormalities for your body, and when there might be a change that warrants a visit to your physician. Here is a resource for a proper self-examination procedure. Recommended guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Women at Average Risks All cisgender women should be performing self-exams at home on a regular basis. Mammograms or Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) are recommended: Every year starting at age 40-54 for as long as a woman is in good health With doctor’s approval, every 2 years starting ages 55-74. Clinical Breast Exams are recommended every 1 to 3 years from ages 25 through 39, and yearly starting at age 40. If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views of each breast instead of two. Please consult with your doctor if there is a history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier or with greater frequency as a precaution. Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for the Transgender Community Transgender women often have a high prevalence of dense breast tissue, which is a risk for breast cancer, and may also lead to increased rates of false negative mammograms. Transgender women over the age of 50 who have been receiving hormonal treatments for 5+ years should receive an annual mammogram. If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views of each breast instead of two. Transgender men receiving hormonal treatments may be at increased risk of breast cancer due to estrogen levels; excess testosterone can be converted to estrogen, therefore presenting an increased risk.  Even if the patient has received top surgery, the remaining breast tissue is susceptible to cancer. Transgender men who have received chest reconstructive surgery should receive annual chest wall and axillarty exams starting at age 50.  Transgender men who have received chest reductions may still wish to have annual mammograms at 50 as well, and should consult with their physician.  Transgender men who have not had any top surgery or chest reconstructive procedures should follow the same guidelines as cis gender women. Please consult with your doctor if there is a family history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier than age 50 as a precaution. Click here to learn more about Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risks in the Transgender Community. Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Men In general, a man’s average risk for breast cancer is very low, however the following things can increase a man’s risk: Family history of breast disease or genetic mutation Ages 65 and up Elevated levels of Estrogen Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, alcoholism, etc. Like women, men should also be performing breast exams to become familiarized with the feel of the breast and chest wall tissue.  Mammograms for men are not routine, and may be difficult to perform due to general lack of tissue, but a doctor may recommend the procedure for men with the genetic mutation. In addition to a physical exam, doctors may wish to perform the following procedures if breast cancer is suspected in cisgender male patients: Clinical breast exam Mammography Ultrasound Biopsy For a full and extensive list of Breast Cancer resources for all genders, nationalities, ethnicities, and religious groups - click here.

Today is National Farmers’ Day.  Without the efforts of these hardworking farming professionals, we would not have access to so many resources or such abundant food sources.  Farming is an absolutely essential part of the American economy.  In fact, agricultural and food industries support more than 20 million jobs nationwide and account for nearly 10% of all US Employment (USDA.)  It’s vital that we continue to do our part to support family owned farms and agricultural businesses.  Family farms also make up about 99% of the 2million plus farms over more than 895 million acres across the country, according to USDA. more Small-scale farming, as opposed to industrial agriculture, also has a beneficial impact on the biodiversity of our environment.  A variety of farming methods and crops/livestock can lead to better soil, healthier and more vigorous crops, healthy pollinators, promotion of a healthy lifecycle in the local environment, less land erosion, efficient water conservation and better quality of life overall.  Let’s all do our part to support efforts for a greener tomorrow and increase access to affordable foods through agricultural support. Check out our list of fun farming facts about Illinois, and then call your friends and family and invite them out to a day on the farm for an up-close-and-personal experience with agriculture and local businesses! Fun Facts About Farming in Illinois Impress your friends and family on the road trip to your favorite apple picking or pumpkin picking farm and entertain them on the drive with these great fun facts. There are more than 75,000 farms in Illinois! Nearly 75% of the land in Illinois is farmland, covering close to 27 million acres Illinois has very versatile soil with 1,500 different types which can accommodate a wide variety of crops, and thanks to minerals deposited by glaciers and abundant prairie growth, Illinois has some of the world’s most fertile topsoil Farm operators account for around ~75,000 out of the 1,000,000 people employed by the food and fiber industry across Illinois More than 90% of Illinois farms are still family owned and operated businesses Iroquois County in Illinois has the most farms in the state with a total of 1,516 farms Illinois is one of the top leading producers of soybean, corn, and swine In 2022, the average value of farmland real estate was $8,900 per acre, up more than 12% from 2021 The average size for a farm in Illinois is about 375 acres Best Nearby U-Pick Farms and Orchards (in Alphabetical order!) Get down and dirty at these U-Pick farms and orchards which offer berry picking, flower picking, apple picking, pumpkin picking and much more!  Grab your locally grown produce and ready-made meals at their farm stands so you can enjoy a fresh made family meal to end your fun day outside! Abbey Farms in Aurora, IL All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock, IL Apple Holler in Sturtevant, WI Berryville Farm in Racine, WI Creuziger’s Land of the Giants Pumpkin Farm in Sturtevant, WI Didier Farms in Prairie View, IL Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center in South Barrington, IL Hafs Road Orchard in Genoa City, WI Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks, IL Homestead Orchard in Woodstock, IL Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park, IL Prairie Sky Orchard in Union, IL Richardson Farms in Spring Grove, IL Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard, IL Rustic Road Farm in Elburn, IL Stade's Farm and Market in McHenry, IL The Farm at Westmont, IL Thompson’s Strawberry Farm in Bristol, WI