McHenry County Blog

On the way back from Wonder Lake, I found these two John McCain signs that didn't hold up to Sunday's wind.

This yard sign got caught on this bush on Country Club Road near Ridgefield.

The 4X8 foot one at the edge of Flowerwood's property on Route 14 near Ridgefield Road was down, too.

Naturally, I hope his candidacy holds up better than these two signs.

Labels: John McCain, Message of the Day, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Road, Route 14, Sign

On the way to pick up my son in Lake in the Hills on Labor Day, I drove past this great “Welcome Home” sign for “LCPL Coots,” who from the emblem on the sign is a United States Marine.

The sign was off Lakewood Road on Bordeaux Road.

Labels: Bordeaux Road, Lake In the Hills, Message of the Day, Sign, U.S. Marines

The Service League of Crystal Lake is holding its annual House Walk on Friday, September 19th.

This is the 34th house walk and features renovations.

The homes to be featured are owned by

• Pam & George Mueller
• Katie & Jim Stuckman
• Susie & Jeff Fox

A tour of the Dole Mansion is included.

The web site says,

“For the first time, talented area designers, including

• kd3 Decorative Arts,
• Exceed Flooring,
• Wickham Interiors, To Market,
• To Market,
• Junk Warehouse,
• Steeplechase Antiques,
• Ranee Strawn and
• Designs by Maida,

have transformed rooms inside this historic treasure of Crystal Lake (such as the one to your right) with creative ideas, techniques and furniture.

If you would like to see some of Crystal Lake's most sumptuous homes, call 815-261-4590 and make a reservation. You can order tickets online this year through September 16th and save $5 a ticket.

The follow local restaurants are offering discounts to ticket buyers:

• 1776,
• Georgio's Pizza and Pub,
• Le Petite Marche, and
• Around the Clock Restaurant & Bakery

The cost?

$20 in advance/ $25 day of/ $15 seniors (62+)

The time?

9 am - 3 pm and 5 pm - 9 pm

= = = = =
Of course, there will not be snow on the grounds of the Dole Mansion as they was on January 7, 2007, when I took the sun rise picture above. All images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: Crystal Lake Service League, House Walk, Message of the Day, Service League of Crystal Lake, Sign

This appropriate sign was posted at the Algonquin Library west of Randall Road weeks before Labor Day.

It says, of course, the library is closed today.

Labels: Algonquin Library, Labor Day, Message of the Day, Sign

At the Belvidere rest stop on the Illinois Tollway, I found this urinal.

The urinal wasn’t of interest, except its being closed did cause longer waits on the 4th of July. The place was packed.

What caught my attention was the sign sitting inside the urinal:


Considering that the floors under most urinals are wet, I wondered why the sign was only posted in one.

Labels: Belvidere, Illinois Tollway, Message of the Day, Rest Stop, Sign, Urinals

This is really a twofer.

It was the new “Welcome to Illinois” sign that I wanted.

It’s the first one put up since 1973, when the last Democratic Party governor, a guy named Dan Walker, put ones up that took off the name of the governor and rightly bragged about it.

He claimed to be the "people's" governor and the sign said the "People of Illinois" welcome you.

I even sent out a press release praising the change.

Now, Illinois has another governor who is a Democrat.

Although as or more confrontational than Governor Walker, this one has decided having the “people” welcome travelers to Illinois is inadequate.

He has put “Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor” on the sign.

So, "welcome to Illinois" signs have come full cycle.

At least “The Land of Lincoln” is in bigger letters.

And, the twofer?

There is precious little state road work being done in McHenry County this summer.

This sign indicates that the two miles on Route 47 between the Illinois-Wisconsin line and Route 173 in the heart of Hebron are being re-surfaced.

Not exactly done in priority order, I am certain people who drive on Route 31 between McHenry and Crystal Lake would suggest.

Labels: Dan Walker, Hebron, Message of the Day, Rod Blagojevich, Route 173, Route 47, Sign

Here’s the welcoming sign to motorists on Route 176.

The Island Lake folks invite you to come to their parade at 10AM.

It will be at Burnett Road.

Labels: 4th of July Parade, Island Lake, Route 176, Sign