The Lake County Greek Festival returned August 15-17 after a two year absence with an important addition to the celebration: the new St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

The second annual Orphans of the Storm Pooch Parade welcomed more than 100 locals and their dogs at 9 a.m. Aug. 16. The crowd gathered at Jaycee Memorial Park for breakfast and activities before heading out on a two mile walk down Greenwood and Hazel Avenues.

August 6 marked the 100th year that Lake Forest Day has been celebrated, and residents of the city and friends from neighboring communities turned out in droves for the festivities.

The 100th annual celebration of Lake Forest Day started in Market Square with a bit of ceremony, a few speeches and cool music on a hot night July 31.

Despite the rainy weather, family and members of the Max Schewitz Foundation along with staff from the Wildlife Discovery Center welcomed residents and animal lovers alike to Maxtravaganza 2008 July 19 at the Wildlife Discovery Center, 1401 Middlefork Drive in Lake Forest.

Raising the alarm to meet summer blood shortages, Lake County fire department chiefs joined together to issue a "Fire Department Blood Challenge," raising awareness of blood shortages through friendly competition. The Mundelein Fire Department opened its big garage doors July 3 for the latest blood drive, which also hosted the fire departments of Libertyville and Countryside.