Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of McHenry, available exclusively at Toast and Roast.
15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe
Community
McHenry is a river town where local traditions and outdoor life meet along the Fox. The Riverwalk, Petersen Park, Veterans Memorial Park, downtown businesses, and the beloved outdoor theater give residents gathering places that feel unmistakably their own.
The collaboration
My husband Matt grew up in nearby Crystal Lake and spent time in McHenry, so I wanted to draw mugs for the communities around that part of our family story. When I heard that Toast and Roast was preparing to open, the McHenry Mug felt like a wonderful way to celebrate the town alongside a new local shop.
I connected with Lauren and Alex at Toast and Roast through the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. They were enthusiastic about the idea as I researched and drew the places that make McHenry special. I shared the artwork with them, welcomed their feedback, and hand-drew their logo into the design.
It was a joy to see the finished mug at Toast and Roast, a business eager to celebrate its own community. I am thankful for their partnership and for the chance to make something that feels like McHenry.
The story behind the mug
Inside the illustration
The Fox River gives McHenry its waterfront setting, with boating, fishing, and a downtown shaped by the waterway.
McHenry’s Riverwalk links downtown shopping, dining, and recreation with the Fox River waterfront.
Petersen Park brings McHenry residents to McCullom Lake for beach visits, fishing, and lakeside recreation.
Veterans Memorial Park’s gazebo is a downtown McHenry landmark used for ceremonies and outdoor music.
McHenry’s three downtown districts combine local shops, restaurants, and entertainment with a walkable riverfront.
McHenry Outdoor Theater keeps the drive-in tradition alive with movies watched beneath the stars.
Journal · Behind the drawing
Toast and Roast offers a home for a drawing that follows McHenry's own landmarks.
Read the story
