McHenry County Blog

The fireworks were at Lippold Park this year, yet the large fireworks' launching raft still floats on Crystal Lake in front of Main Beach Park.

The Crystal Lake Gala has announced its dissolution after 22 years of service to the community.

All vendors and service organizations who have not yet been paid what they expected agreeing to settle for 60 cents on the dollar.

Now, I'm wondering if the park board is leaving the big raft in the water on the off chance that fireworks may return to Crystal Lake.

With the Gala Committee disappearing, I hope active members will start a new committee.

The 4th of July celebration won't be the same without fireworks.

That $99,000 the Gala has will pay off $153,000 debt that is owed. Upwards of $300,000 was collected this year.

This is not the first time that a sponsoring organization for the fireworks has backed out of that arena.

The Crystal Lake Jaycees sponsored them at Veterans Acres in the 1960's and 1970's. You can read why the Jaycees ended their sponsorship here.

Labels: 4th of July, Crystal Lake Gala, Crystal Lake Park District, Fireworks, Raft

Ice on Crystal Lake was looking rotten as I drove past the Main Beach, so I decided to take a closer look at what looked like open water about a third of the way down the lake.

I drove to Gate 15 and saw open water.

The edge of the retreating ice was at Gate 7 Beach at the Gate 9 side.

As I looked out, I noticed the sea gulls first.

It wasn't too many years ago when Crystal Lake did not have any seagulls.

It was snowing.

Then I noticed a pier caught in the ice flow.

And, to its right, a raft.

So, instead of calling “Lost and Found,” the owners should look at the eastern edge of the lake.

Their missing equipment probably is near the Crystal Lake Park District's Main Beach by now.

Labels: Crystal Lake, Ice, Ice Flow, Lakewood, Lost and Found, Main Beach, Pier, Raft

In the middle of summer, one of the places to be is on a raft with friends on Wonder Lake.

Sure, the waves from the boats make it a bit of a challenge.

And, if it gets too hot, it’s easy to take a cooling dip.

Labels: Raft, Wonder Lake