PmelsGems

07/25/2026

We're officially in the middle of moving.

Fourteen days until closing, our woodworking equipment is buried in boxes, and somewhere during the great clean-up our boards and equipment decided they no longer wanted to live with us.

But here's the thing...

You can throw out our stuff, but you'll never throw out our love for Fox Lake. ❤️

Today I got a message from one of our incredible community members who said she has prepared not one... but TWO silent auction baskets from TWO different nonprofit organizations.

Come on. That's the kind of stuff that makes me ridiculously proud to live here.

A huge thank you to Grant Township Lake County IL and the Fox Lake American Legion Auxiliary #703. You all just get it.

So, here's the deal...

Come eat Sal's Pizza Company (seriously... people are STILL talking about it from last year), listen to Michael Lescher, bid on some amazing silent auction items, all while donating to the free Venetian Night celebration, we'll all enjoy, and hobnob with the people who know... and a few who think they know. 😂

This is Fox Lake showing up for Fox Lake.

Now... get your tickets already. 🍕🎶❤️
https://promotefoxlake.org/event/venetian-night-fundraising-dinner-2026/

07/05/2026

Yep... I'm flexing my Venetian Night Dinner tickets. 💪😂

Remember when everyone had a treadmill? Mine was a very expensive laundry rack. This? THIS is a much better investment.

Good food. Michael Lescher. Silent auction. Great people. Even better cause.

Now it's your turn... buy your tickets, flex 'em, and let's fill this room so we can put on the biggest drone show Fox Lake has ever seen! 🚁✨

Businesses... jump in as a sponsor!

Huge thanks to Fox Lake Harbor, our Presenting Sponsor, and our dinner sponsors Tracy & Sam Stella - Stellar Results Realty, Kelleher + Holland, LLC, and ACS Mortgage Corporation for making the magic happen.

Now let's see those ticket flexes! 🎟️



https://promotefoxlake.org/event/venetian-night-2026/

https://promotefoxlake.org/event/venetian-night-fundraising-dinner-2026/

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from PmelsGems! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate freedom, family, friends, and the incredible privilege of living in a country where we can dream, create, and build something with our own hands.

May your day be filled with laughter, safety, gratitude... and maybe a board or two. 😎

A huge thank you to Tracy Sibley Realtor - Stellar Results Realty, ACS Mortgage Corporation, and Kelleher + Holland, LLC for helping make our move happen. Because of you, next year's boards are going to be made in a brand-new space, and we couldn't be more excited!

And to our dear friend who suggested this board... you know who you are. ❤️ You had a vision, and we can't thank you enough. Next year you get the first one!

Have a safe, happy, and wood-filled Fourth of July! 🇺🇸🪵🎆

06/30/2026

Come visit us at McHenry's Fiesta Days on July 18 at Veterans Memorial Park! 🪵

We've got big boards, little boards, colored boards, plain boards, thick boards, thin boards, chopping boards, rib boards.

Boards for bacon.
Boards for brisket.
Boards for snacks at midnight when nobody's looking. 😂

Honestly, if Dr. Seuss and a woodworker had a baby, it would probably look a lot like our booth.

Come for the festival.
Stay for the boards.

Leave wondering why you suddenly own three cutting boards and are planning charcuterie night. 🪵❤️

06/23/2026

Something to think about... 🎆🦟😂

The fireworks may be this weekend, but let's be honest, around here "fireworks season" lasts until approximately Labor Day.

Before you head out, stop by Living Roots Farm and grab some all-natural Outwash Acres bug spray. Your ankles will thank you.

While you're there, grab some greens, some jam, some Papa Valachy BBQ sauce, a PMELS GEMS board, and whatever else catches your eye because somehow, they have everything.

And don't forget the greens. Watching fireworks is way more fun when you're not recovering from a food coma and questioning every life choice made at the cookout. 🌿🎇🪵😂

06/21/2026

🇦🇺 Well... this board left for Australia today!

There was also a larger board headed out with it, but your overly excited social media gal got so caught up in meeting a new friend and celebrating that she completely forgot to take a picture. 😂🤦‍♀️

So somewhere over the Pacific Ocean are two PMELS GEMS boards representing Fox Lake and living their best international lives.

We're incredibly grateful for your purchase and for taking a little piece of our craftsmanship all the way to Australia. Safe travels, little boards. 🪵✈️❤️

Want to see boards that haven't left the country yet? Come visit us at McHenry's Fiesta Days on July 18 at Veterans Memorial Park!

06/20/2026

I walked into Living Roots Farm today and accidentally got a nutrition lesson.

We started talking about antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, immune support, stress adaptation, and all the supplements people buy. I mentioned the giant collection of vitamins in my cabinet.

Her response?

"Basil."

Just basil. 🌿

Apparently this little leaf has been out here doing the work while I've been funding the supplement industry.

So naturally I tried a leaf.

Better than expected? Yes.
Fresh from Living Roots Farm different than grocery store basil? YES
More cost effective than a cabinet full of bottles? YES
Was I expecting to become a basil person today? Not at all. 😂

Then I had to do a photo shoot with some PMELS GEMS boards because when something is this fresh and beautiful, serving it on plastic feels disrespectful.

Come see us at McHenry's Fiesta Days on July 18 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Bring your basil home to wood. 🌿🪵❤️

06/15/2026

PMELS GEMS is ridiculously excited to be part of Promote Fox Lake. 😂

It's like getting invited into the cool kids club, except the cool kids are the people actually doing the work, planning the events, hauling the stuff, solving the problems, and making our community better.

Watching an idea become an event has been a master class in hard work, teamwork, and "wait... how many moving parts are there?" 🤣

Do yourself a favor: follow Promote Fox Lake, see what's happening, block the dates on your calendar, support the sponsors, and maybe even find your niche in the community.

Fair warning: you might accidentally become one of the cool kids too. 🌴❤️

06/09/2026

🪵 The wood has been selected.
🪵 The car is being loaded.
🪵 The sawdust has settled.

McHenry's Fiesta Days, we're on our way.

Join us Saturday, July 18th at Veterans Memorial Park McHenry's Fiesta Days. Check out the amazing vendor lineup and come find out why grown adults get surprisingly excited about cutting boards.

https://mchenryfiestadays.com/artists-and-artisans/

Want to see who will be on display at this years Arts and Crafts in the Park event!? --> https://mchenryfiestadays.com/artists-and-artisans/

Mark yourself going on our event page to stay up-to-date!