McHenry County Beach Advisory

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 37 licensed beaches on Thursday, June 5.  The following beaches are on ADVISORY due to elevated bacteria levels – 

·         Kilarney Acres, Kilkenny Drive, Cary

·         Wonder Center, 4100 E Lakeshore Drive, Wonder Lake

All other public bathing beaches on Wonder Lake remain on a swim advisory due to the recent fish kill in the lake.   Please check the MCDH webpage (www.mcdh.info) for the latest information on these beaches.

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 12 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.    

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (click Environmental Health, Public Beaches) or call 815-334-4585

Little Free Library At Crystal Lake Nature Center

Once upon a time, there was a teacher. Her name was Mrs. Esther Bol, and     she loved books almost as much as she loved children. When Mrs. Bol passed away, her son Todd wanted a meaningful way to honor her. So he built a tiny shed, filled it with books, and placed in on his lawn with a sign: “Take a Book, Return a Book.” Just like that, in 2009, the first Little Free Library was born in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Little Free Libraries are the result of an international movement to advocate literacy and a love for reading through the creation of free book exchanges. More than 10,000 of them exist around the globe, according to the library. The small, custom-made boxes stand in public spots and go by the mantra of "take a book, leave a book."

The Kiwanis Club of Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Park District have announced that the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center, 330 N. Main St, Crystal Lake will soon be home to a structure that resembles a little house, but in fact holds a miniature library for all ages. This location will be the 3^rd such ‘Little Free Library’ location in Crystal Lake. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Little Library at The Nature Center was held on Tuesday, June 17.

The structure has several shelves that could each hold between 10 and 15 adult, young adult and children's books, according to Carol Heisler, a representative of the Crystal Lake Kiwanis Club. Individuals and the Crystal Lake Public Library will donate books to launch the endeavor.

We hope you’ll visit these Little Free Libraries and borrow the books they contain. We hope you’ll share your discoveries with your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Most of all, we hope you’ll be inspired by the love of literacy and community that they represent. "Take a Book, Return a Book." It couldn’t be simpler – or more powerful.

Book Donations
Little Free Libraries are all about sharing. If you have gently-used paperbacks or hardcovers you'd like to contribute, please place them in the Little Free Library nearest you. Visit the Little Free Library location listing to find a location near you: http://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/

McHenry County Tennis Classic Returns

The 19th annual McHenry County Tennis Classic returns this July with an exciting new twist:  every match will be played at The Racket Club, a Crystal Lake Park District Facility. The Racket Club is excited to offer an event of this size to players who will appreciate amenities like bathrooms, air conditioned lounges, outdoor hard courts, indoor hard courts cooled by brand new 24-foot overhead fans, a pro shop, locker rooms, and refreshments.  What’s more, spectators can cheer players on at one location rather than having to navigate from site to site like in years past.

The Classic is open to anyone who wants to play singles, doubles, and/or mixed doubles (no Racket Club membership required).  Each division will run Friday – Sunday (specific dates below) and entry is only $29 for singles and $23 for doubles.

Register online: www.tennislink.usta.com (tournament ID# 850009714)

If you prefer to register in person

Register at The Racket Club, 9101 South Route 31, Algonquin

                                    OR

Download a registration form at www.theracketclub.org, print and mail to The Racket Club

Divisions include:

Singles (Boys' & Girls' 14, 18 / Men's 20, 50, Open / Women's 35, Open): July 11 - 13

Mixed Doubles (Boys' & Girls' 18 / Men's & Women's 20, Open / Parent & Child any Gender Open): July 18 – 20

Doubles (Boys' & Girls' 14, 18 / Men's 20, 50, Open / Women's 35, Open): July 25 - 27

For more information contact Rob Laue at rlaue@crystallakeparks.org,

(847) 658-56

Tennis Classic Returns In July

The 19th annual McHenry County Tennis Classic returns this July with an exciting new twist:  every match will be played at The Racket Club, a Crystal Lake Park District Facility. The Racket Club is excited to offer an event of this size to players who will appreciate amenities like bathrooms, air conditioned lounges, outdoor hard courts, indoor hard courts cooled by brand new 24-foot overhead fans, a pro shop, locker rooms, and refreshments.  What’s more, spectators can cheer players on at one location rather than having to navigate from site to site like in years past.

The Classic is open to anyone who wants to play singles, doubles, and/or mixed doubles (no Racket Club membership required).  Each division will run Friday – Sunday (specific dates below) and entry is only $29 for singles and $23 for doubles.

Register online: www.tennislink.usta.com (tournament ID# 850009714)

If you prefer to register in person

Register at The Racket Club, 9101 South Route 31, Algonquin

                                    OR

Download a registration form at www.theracketclub.org, print and mail to The Racket Club

Divisions include:

• Singles (Boys' & Girls' 14, 18 / Men's 20, 50, Open / Women's 35, Open): July 11 - 13
• Mixed Doubles (Boys' & Girls' 18 / Men's & Women's 20, Open / Parent & Child any Gender Open): July 18 – 20
• Doubles (Boys' & Girls' 14, 18 / Men's 20, 50, Open / Women's 35, Open): July 25 - 27

For more information contact Rob Laue at rlaue@crystallakeparks.org,

(847) 658-56

Annual Golf Invitational Raised Funds For MCC Student Scholarships

The annual Friends of McHenry County College (MCC) Foundation Golf Invitational was held on June 13 at Turnberry Country Club in Lakewood.  Over 100 golfers participated in the outing that was hosted by Co-Premier Sponsors, Crystal Lake Bank & Trust, Robbins Schwartz and Watlow.

The Friends of MCC Foundation raised over $52,000 in net revenue from the event and all proceeds will be used to support student scholarships. 

During the dinner portion of the event, Friends of MCC Foundation Board Members Lew Coffin and Keith Sloan shared the purpose of the Foundation Board in helping McHenry County College (MCC) students become successful in their endeavors by providing financial assistance to scholarship recipients. In addition, foundation scholarship donor, Jeanne Adelmann, of Woodstock and scholarship recipient, Krecia Price, of Crystal Lake, shared the importance of establishing and receiving scholarships to help MCC students reach their educational goals. 

MCC Golf Invitational Sponsors:

• Premier Event Co-Sponsors – Crystal Lake Bank & Trust, Robbins Schwartz & Watlow
• Dinner & Reception Sponsor – Demonica Kemper Architects
• Brunch Sponsor - Intren
• 19th Hole Sponsors –Legat Architects
• Player Gift Sponsor – First Midwest Bank
• Tournament Sponsors – Coil Craft, Home State Bank, Knaack, Nomise, Northwest Herald, Pepper Construction/Ruck Pate & R.J.  Galla Co., Inc.
• Cart Sponsor - Campion, Curran, Lamb & Cunabaugh
• Beverage Cart Sponsors –Medela, Sage Products, Inc. & Sikich
• Putting Green Sponsor – Working World Staffing Services
• Driving Range Sponsor – Rosati’s Pizza - Woodstock
• Hole & Flag Sponsors – Erv and Louise LeCoque, Heritage Title Company, Madsen, Sudgen & Gottemoller & Prairie Community Bank
• Hole Sponsors – Advanced Flexible Composites, Inc., Cal and Shan’s Landscaping, Carey Electric Contracting, Inc., HR Green, Jensen’s Heating and Plumbing, Law Office of Andrew Szocka, P.C., Law Office of Edward F. Dean & Carey E. Schulze, Miller Verchota & ML Realty Professionals.
• Sand Trap Sponsor – KI Chicago