Crystal Lake City Plans For Memorial Day Parade And Ceremony

Crystal Lake American Legion Post 171 will honor our country’s soldiers with the annual Memorial Day Parade and service at Union Cemetery.

The Memorial Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Monday, May 28 and is scheduled to start at the Crystal Lake Central High School parking lot, 45 W. Franklin Ave.

From there, it will travel east on Franklin Avenue, north on Williams Street through the downtown district, northwest on Woodstock Street, and ultimately end at Union Cemetery.

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron T. Shepley is scheduled to speak at the cemetery service along with the Rev. Carrie Smith from Bethany Lutheran Church in

Crystal Lake, according to the City of Crystal Lake website.

Members of American Legion Post 171 and Veterans of the Foreign Wars will raise the flags and lay the honorary wreath. Area boy and girl scout troops also plan to participate in the service.

The Crystal Lake South, Central and Prairie Ridge high school bands will play various musical selections, the national anthem and Taps.

In addition the Crystal Lake Historical Society has planned a plaque presentation.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be cancelled and the Memorial Day service will be held at the Crystal Lake Central High School field house. More information about the parade, the route and cemetery service is available on the City of Crystal Lake  website

Words Of Wisdom

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."

--Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

Summertime--And Beaches Are Open

TODAY—MAY 26 –

A big day for Crystal Lake “beach bums” – those who like to be able to enjoy the beaches of the City’s namesake.

The following are the beach hours at each of the two public beaches:

WEST BEACH

2330 Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake

Open daily at 10:00 a.m.  -- Closing daily at 7:30p.m.

Closing date for the season—Sunday, July 29 – 7:30 p.m.

However, the above daily hours are applicable only on weekends while school is in session.

Contact: 815-477-5009 – NOTE-staff at this beach are often not available to answer this phone number. Contact the Main Beach at the number listed below.

MAIN BEACH

300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake

Opening Date; Today – 9:00 a.m. to dusk

Beach Hours:  9:00 a.m. to dusk daily; 3:00 p.m. until dusk when school is in session.

Contact: 815-477-5404 (this number is staffed only during the summer season)

BEACH FEES

Resident Daily Admission--$1 daily fee for all park district residents and their guests (up to 4 guests per family.) Any guest above the maximum of 4 per family will be charged $4 each.

*Resident Senior – Daily Admission (ages 60 and older) Free

*Resident Children – Daily Admission (age 5 and under – Free 

*Resident Season Beach Pass 

*Individual Season Pass - $10 

*Family Season Pass -$10 for first family member – each additional family member is $5.

*Replacement cost for season pass-- $5 each

NON-RESIDENT BEACH FEES

*Seniors (62 and older) $6 daily fee for beach entry - $3 after 4:00 p.m.

*Adults (16 and older) - $10 daily fee ($5 after 4:00 p.m.)

*Youth (4-15 years) $6 (3 after 4:00 p.m.)

*Ages 3 and under – Free

*Parking -$5 -- $3 after 4:00 p.m.

*Guests of residents-- $1 daily fee for al park district residents 

Words Of Wisdom

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."

--Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

Local History Month -- May

The McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission is promoting May as “Look at Local History Month” in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local historical societies, municipal commissions and committees. 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts around the country.  Preservation Week has grown into an annual celebration observed throughout small towns and big cities across America.   Historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability and is relevant for people of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds. 

As part of "Look at Local History Month" the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission ran a photo contest which solicited pictures of historic buildings and architecture of note from around McHenry County.

The contest winners were: First Place: Peter McCormack, for Streit Road Barn, Second Place: Margie Bjorkman for McHenry High School, East Campus, and Third Place: Rob Peterson for Starline Building, Harvard.  In addition, the Commission received photos of the Boy Scout Cabin in Deicke Park, Huntley, the Fish Hatchery in Spring Grove and several private homes.  All of these photos and more are currently on display in the lobby of the McHenry County Administration Building (667 Ware Road in Woodstock) and will be on display until the end of May.

For more information, please contact Sean Foley in the Department of Planning and Development at 815-334-4560.

USA Satellite Manufacturing Improved

“Before 1998, the U.S. share of global satellite manufacturing was 75 percent. But over the past 13 years, it has averaged 44 percent because of Congress’ overreaction in shifting commercial satellite export licensing decisions to the highly restrictive munitions list. as explained by Congressman Don Manzullo –R-16^th.District.

The action provided a competitive advantage to foreign satellite makers at the expense of American manufacturers and American workers,” says Manzullo, who Chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. 

Manzullo explains, “The amendment the House approved – while not perfect – provides a balance that will bolster both our national and economic security and give our satellite manufacturers an opportunity to sell again on a level playing field. I will continue to work on the bill as it heads to the Senate and eventually to conference committee because it will help create American jobs.”

The amendment is similar to bipartisan legislation Manzullo co-authored with Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) that would restore the President’s ability to determine what export restrictions should apply to commercial satellites and related components, The Safeguarding United States Satellite Leadership and Security Act of 2011

Unanimously approving H.R. 3288 also prohibits any such exports to China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, or Cuba.

“Before 1998, the U.S. share of global satellite manufacturing was 75 percent. But over the past 13 years, it has averaged 44 percent because of Congress’ overreaction in shifting commercial satellite export licensing decisions to the highly restrictive munitions list.  That action provided a competitive advantage to foreign satellite makers at the expense of American manufacturers and American workers,” said Manzullo, who Chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

“The amendment the House approved today – while not perfect – provides a balance that will bolster both our national and economic security and give our satellite manufacturers an opportunity to sell again on a level playing field. I will continue to work on the bill as it heads to the Senate and eventually to conference committee because it will help create American jobs.

"Summertime, And the 'Goin Is Easy"

And that means it’s time for the annual Cardboard Cup Regatta

Cardboard now available—

Begin building your boat today for the 28th Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta

As the temperatures rise this week, summer is officially on its way and so is the 2012 America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta. Four skids of 8ft by 8ft cardboard sheets were delivered to the maintenance garage at the Crystal Lake Park District’s Main Beach parking lot in anticipation of the 28th Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta.

While race day is not until Saturday, June 23 2012, you can begin building your boat today. This year, why not get together with a group of your friends, family, and/or co-workers and let your creativity flourish.

 Cardboard sheets can be picked up from the Crystal Lake Park District Maintenance Garage Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by special arrangement by calling (815) 477-5007. There is no charge for the cardboard thanks to a generous in-kind donation by American Eagle Packaging of Elgin, Illinois.

The 28th Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Main Beach in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. and races will commence at noon. An individual/family boat registration fee is $20 per entry and the commercial/company registration fee is $250 per entry. General admission is $3 per person with a $15 maximum per family. All proceeds from the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta are distributed to local charities. The America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible as allowed by Federal law.

Make plans today to join this exciting day of fun for families and the community while helping to make a positive difference for local charities. Stop by the park district maintenance garage and pick up a few sheets of cardboard and begin constructing your boat today!

For more details visit