Happy Spring!

The winter thaw comes into view at about the time most return from spring break, at the end of March. We all look forward to seeing the brown and gray give way to cheery little flowers like snowdrops and crocuses that welcome in the new season. Our cover story shares the stunning work of George Hughes, master gardener, who creates magical English gardens in Barrington Hills. We took the photos back in late summer, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a shot of this frog surveying his little kingdom.

In another story, a remarkable natural water feature built by Larry Carnes is showcased. His work continues to expand in scope and brings great satisfaction to his clients. Imagine sunning next to and taking a dip in your backyard natural pool that has no chemicals but rather uses Larry’s proprietary engineering system that keeps it clean. Your backyard becomes a natural multi-season spa.

Our Quintessential Person this spring is Dr. Kiran Frey, our own Queen of Chess. She has mastered the art of service learning and built the chess program in Barrington 220 as a platform to help make the world a better place for the young students in our schools, and people in need across the world who receive their charitable support.

We are so fortunate to have the best and brightest providers advertise in each issue. Inside, you’ll find all the products and services you need to shape things up for spring. Check out our annual Who’s Who in Home & Garden, where you can see their work and read each advertiser’s profile about their capabilities and style. This special ad section is on our website for the year, as well.