Department 56 miniature villages are a year-round bestseller at the Pine Cone Christmas Shop in Long Grove. But as assistant manager Elaine MacShane pointed out, the pace picks up considerably duri… ...

More on that later. In the meantime, Smithson’s pine cone will draw attention for decades to come, and it’s covered with paint and clearcoat to avoid rust.

Think you have the “World’s Largest Pine Cone”? Make for Rim Nordic in the San Bernardino Mountains for the return of the Pine Cone Festival.