Northwest Quarterly Magazine

12/19/2025

From its western terminus at St. Croix Falls on the Minnesota border to its eastern terminus at Potawatomie State Park on Green Bay, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail traverses nearly 1,200 miles of Wisconsin's most scenic landscapes, all while highlighting its unique glacial features.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a premier hiking trail located entirely in Wisconsin. From its western terminus at St. Croix Falls on the Minnesota border to its eastern terminus at Potawatomie State Park on Green Bay, the Trail traverses nearly 1,200 miles of the state’s most scenic landscap...

12/02/2025

Tariffs are shaking up global trade — and reviving an old Midwestern question: can they really bring factory jobs back home? In northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, manufacturers like Bergstrom Inc. and Circle Boring & Machine Co. see both promise and pain as they weigh higher costs, workforce shortages and a once-in-a-generation chance at a Rust Belt reboot.

Dan Giovannetti gets a funny look when he explains the growth strategy at Bergstrom Inc. As president and CEO of this Rockford-based manufacturer, one of his top priorities is to protect jobs in northern Illinois.“They say, ‘But you’re in China, you’re in Mexico. You’re offshoring,’” s...

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Northwest Quarterly and Hughes Media Corp! Today we’re extra grateful for our readers, advertisers and the communities we serve across the region. Wishing you a safe, joyful holiday filled with family, friends and good food. 🧡

11/26/2025

Beloit’s ABC Supply Stadium has traded box scores for light shows, as Home Run Holiday Lights brings more than 1 million choreographed lights, a holiday train and Santa-ready Poopsie the mascot to the ballpark – aiming to become the region’s newest winter tradition.

More than 1 million lights dance to holiday music from Nov. 14 to Jan. 4 at Beloit’s Home Run Holiday Lights. Explore illuminated tunnels, themed displays and festive fun at ABC Supply Stadium. (Beloit Sky Carp photos) Each summer, people flock to Beloit’s ABC Supply Stadium to cheer on their ho...

11/26/2025

Dr. Naser Khan, assistant dean for graduate medical education at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, and chief of gastroenterology at Mercyhealth, shares his thoughts on healthy eating in the latest edition of Northwest Quarterly Magazine.

https://oldnorthwestterritory.northwestquarterly.com/2025/11/14/gut-decision-it-turns-out-you-really-are-what-you-eat/

11/22/2025

For 25 years, Rosalie and Benny Salamone have blended traditions, ditched the all-work mentality and grew their Salamone's Cherry Valley into a multi-award-winning restaurant.

From left: Cathy Wilke, Rosie Moscato, Rosalie Salamone, Benny Salamone and Philip Salamone. Steam curls from a skillet as white wine hisses into butter and lemon. Capers leap across the pan. Voices overlap – laughter, a few playful shouts – and hands move as quickly as the conversation. It’s ...

11/21/2025

Have you gotten your hands on the Holiday Issue of the Northwest Quarterly Magazine (Old Northwest Territory Edition)? We are excited to be featured in the magazine!

Stop by any of our six offices to pick up a copy. Happy reading! 😀📕

11/20/2025

Rockford artist Nancie King Mertz has painted in more than 20 countries — but it’s her impressionistic streetscapes and “under the El” pastels that earned her a place in the Pastel Society of America’s Hall of Fame.

Known for her impressionistic portraits and streetscapes, artist Nancie King Mertz has painted in more than 20 countries and earned international recognition as a master pastelist. She also operates Art De Triumph, a gallery, framing studio and learning center in Rockford where she shares her skills

11/18/2025

Across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, towns are lighting trees, launching parades and filling the season with small-town sparkle. From Freeport’s Mistletoe Walk to Monroe’s Cheese Drop, holiday magic is everywhere this year.

Everywhere you look, carolers are warming up their wassailing voices for festive Christmas walks, jolly parades and citywide celebrations. Meanwhile, up at the North Pole, Santa’s giving his sleigh a polish and Mrs. Claus is packing the cookies for their many stops across our corner of the world.

11/13/2025

If you’re waiting for the drips and drafts, it’s already too late. Find out what it takes to prevent ice dams, drafty windows and other signs of winter trouble.