McHenry County Blog

This tee shirt was spotted at State Rep. Mary Flowers' hearing at MCC's Shah Center July 27th.

It says,

Labels: Mary Flowers, Message of the Day, Single Payer, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

As I struggle to lose weight, this tee shirt delivers the message to “eat up.”

From where I have stored the photo, it appears that a McHenry County Democrat is the one with a sense of humor.

Labels: Fat, Kidnap, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Our newly-21 year nephew Joey wore this tee shirt to his family birthday part at Wonder Lake last Sunday.

It says,

Labels: 21 Years Old, Beer, Birthday Party, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Wonder Lake

The village board has come to its senses.

No.

That’s probably too strong a statement.

But, the Island Lake village attorney has ended the village vendetta against Viet Nam veteran Greg Kachka.

Just in case you can't remember who started the vendetta, their names are Village Clerk Christie Kaczmarek and Village Trustee Debbie Herrmann.

You will remember Kachka, who is critical of the current administration and not shy about saying so, was making a point while wearing his Marine-themed tee shirt on which a rifle was pointing outward and said,


If you missed what happened, these stories might help bring you up to speed:

Island Lake Tee Shirt Scares Village Board

T-Shirt Wearing Marine Vietnam Veteran Greg Kachka Arrested in Island Lake

Chilling Free Speech in Island Lake

Chicago Tribune Covers Greg Kachka Island Lake Tee Shirt Arrest

Greg Kachka Tee Shirt Arrest Story Goes National

Help for Island Lake Veteran from Thailand

Demonstration Planned for Arrested Tee Shirt Wearing Island Lake Marine on Monday

Island Lake Doesn't Show for First Tee Shirt Veteran Court Day

Would John Kass Get Arrested in Island Lake?

Labels: Christie Kaczmarek, Debbie Herrmann, Greg Kachka, Island Lake, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

I spotted this tee shirt at the Algonquin Pool at the meet between the Trails of Algonquin and the McHenry Marlins.

It says,

Labels: Algonquin Pool, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

This tee shirt showed up in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake as we were leaving the 11 o'clock service last Sunday.

It was worn by Pastor Health, who had just returned from a mission trip under the supervision of the Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery.

It says,
Her daughter Tamara was accompanying her.

Labels: Darneather Heath, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery, T-Shirt, Tama, Tee Shirt

This delightful tee shirt was being worn by a college age young man at Gene Allen Brown's 50th birthday party at the Norge Ski Club on Sunday.

It says,

Labels: Message of the Day, Spelling, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

This tee shirt was found on a sister of a Pack 158 Cub Scout at breakfast last Sunday at the McHenry County Conservation District Hollows Conservation Area.

It says,

The Cub Scout Pack is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake.

Labels: First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

The 20-something wearer of this tee shirt at Gene Allen Brown's 50th birthday party at the Norge Ski Club was sitting out on the deck while the old folks were inside trying to escape what was probably our first 80 degree day this year.

It has two chicks and a magnet.

Obviously, a check magnet.

I told him my son used to be one of those when he was younger.

In point of fact, he still is.

Labels: Chick Magnet, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

This tee shirt is being worn by 50-year old Gene Allen Brown, a now long, long, long time resident of Fox River Grove at his 50th birthday party at the Norge Ski Club last Sunday.



That's what it says.

Seen in the photo with Brown are, from left to right, Don Byrd, Fred Bixby and Adam Glaysher.

You will note the cane, which all were told is passed from guy to guy at milestone birthdays.

Labels: Adam Glaysher, Cane, Don Byrd, Fred Bixby, Gene Allen Brown, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Sunday a birthday party was held for Gene Allen Brown's 50th birthday at the Norge Ski Club.

It was also a celebration of his daughter Hannah's graduation from Cary-Grove High School.

Allen got this tee shirt for his birthday.

It says,


His little sister Renee was born the same day.

I asked her if she were going to have a similarly themed party and got a pretty dirty look.

Labels: Gene Allen Brown, Message of the Day, Norge Ski Club, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

The following is reprinted with permission from the blog “What's Happening in Wonder Lake?”

Alert! Freedom of Speech Protest
Planned in Support of Marine, Greg Kachka

Citizens, good government groups and more will join forces this Monday, June 2nd to protest the Greg Kachka arrest & trial.

The protest will start at 8:00 a.m. at the States Attorney's office, outside the courthouse in Waukegan.

A caravan is heading to Waukegan from Wauconda Monday morning. Caravan leaves at 6:45 a.m.! If you want to join the protest, you need only show up at the front of the courthouse in Waukegan or join the caravan in Wauconda on Karl Court. If you want detailed information, send an email to laurie@cbgil.com.

Let's get out there and show our support for the freedom of speech!

Remember back in September when Debbie Herrmann created a resolution to prevent trustee's from discussing "old" business...I told you they wouldn't stop there. I feel this arrest is just another attempt to keep residents who speak up quiet! Let's show them we have a strong will to stop the madness in Island Lake!

Read the comments under this story here.

Here's some background on why people should join the demonstration:

"60-year-old Vietnam veteran and former Marine Greg Kachka was recently arrested and charged with two counts of disorderly conduct for exercising his right to free speech at a public meeting. At a March 13th Village of Island Lake Board meeting, Mr. Kachka made a valid public comment, asking the Board questions about public expenditures and the appropriateness of certain attorneys’ fees. Two trustees later filed a complaint against Mr. Kachka on the basis that he pointed his finger at them during his public comment while wearing a shirt with a Marine Corps insignia that said “Don’t Move. If You Run, You'll Only Die Tired.” He was later arrested for disorderly conduct.

"Rather than being inappropriately charged with disorderly conduct, Mr. Kachka should be given an award for his good citizenship and commitment to fulfilling his civic duty. Further, this arrest violates the tenets of free speech embedded in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, rights critical to a flourishing democracy. Mr. Kachka had the courage to stand up to his public officials and demand accountability and transparency in Island Lake. Mr. Kachka is required to appear for a court date on June 2nd, and a conviction could bring up to 30 days in jail, 2 years of probation and a $1,500 fine. Citizens and good government groups will stand up for Greg Kachka on June 2nd to support dropping the charges against him and fight for his right to free speech."

= = = = =

In the photo Greg Kachka can be seen talking to Fox News reporter Darian Trotter.

Labels: Greg Kachka, Island Lake, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

A $50 check has arrived from Thailand to help Greg Kachka in his tee shirt defense in Island Lake.

You can send a check even if you live closer to him.

Click to enlarge the image so you can see the details.

Labels: Greg Kachka, Island Lake, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Thailand

Not a lot of news outlets picking up the Associated Press story yet, but it does appear to be on the national wire.

Here's the Fox News story from Wednesday.

Labels: Greg Kachka, Island Lake, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

What started out being only covered by Laurie Rabattini 's “What's Happening in Island Lake?” blog is gaining legs.

The Daily Herald ran an article on Wednesday.

Fox News sent out a camera crew on Wednesday night.

Today the Chicago Tribune ran a story and even quoted Rabattini, but didn't mention her blog.

Pretty typical of the main stream media when they pick up a story from a blogger.

If you want more details that I picked up Wednesday from a phone call from Greg Kachka, you can find it here.

Both images can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: Greg Kachka, Island Lake, Laurie Babettini, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, What's Happening in Island Lake?

I haven't seen the complaint against disabled Vietnam Veteran Greg Kachka made to the Island Lake Police Department, but reportedly it was stimulated by Village Trustee Debbie Herrmann and Clerk Christine Kaczmarek a month and a half ago.

Kachka had been critical of the village board.

Was the arrest for disorderly conduct retribution?

As my son says, “You're not in my mind.”

But it certainly will have a chilling effect on free speech at village board meetings.

Wonder where the ACLU is when they could be useful.

Kachka called me this afternoon to tell me a Fox News crew would be coming out to do a story.

I decided to drive over.

But, before I went this is part of what Kachka told me.

“This Debbie Herrmann is really famous for making faces at people.”

Although he is Polish, Kachka said, “I talk with my hands. They're saying I made my hand into a gun and I was shooting at (them).”

He explained that nothing was said at the meeting.

“It wasn't until Monday, (March) 17th that he (a policeman) started an investigation.”

He came over and “I showed him my guns (and my) FOID card.

“I FOIed (filed a Freedom of Information request) for a copy of the report to Christie Kaczmarek. She denied it due to the privacy of the people accusing me. (So much) for my rights.”

He appealed to Village President Tom Hyde. No luck there either.

Kachka talked to a policeman the day before he was arrested and this is what he heard:

“The state's attorney (Lake County's) said we could arrest you on disorderly conduct. We could do it the easy way. You could come I with $75.”

Kachka said he wanted to talk to his lawyer first. The prepaid legal services folks told him had to be arrested before they could help him.

He finally called the Island Lake Police and said, “I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not turning myself in.”

At this point in our conversation, his cell phone rang. It played the Marine hymn. You know, “From the halls of Montezuma...”

By then I was trying to produce a map to find his home.

When I arrived in Island Lake, there was a crowd in front and the Fox News crew was inside while Kachka was trying to find the part of the village meeting which had been called into question. The story I got was that the village officials thought he was pointing his had like kids do when they don't have a gun. (Kids probably get sent home from school for that in some school districts, zero tolerance and such.)

They had probably picked up the story from the Daily Herald, which had a picture of Kachka wearing the offending tee shirt—the same one he wore when taken to jail to post $500 bond. So far, nothing in the Northwest Herald.

Fox reporter Darian Trotter and his crew had made the 2-hour trip out. I told him the second time it wouldn't seem so long.

He interviewed police sergeant Anthony Sciarrone, who said the complaint was more about Kachka's hand gesture than his tee shirt.

I wonder why it took so long for the powers that be in Island Lake to act on whatever fear that the complaining village officials supposedly perceived.

But remember, Island Lake has "friendly people."

In the group shot on Greg Kachka's flag bedecked front lawn are Laurie Rabattini, who has the "What's happening in Island Lake?" blog, her finance, who was filming also, Rob Rekosiewicz, Tom Martin, a former trustee, Bob Wargaski pointing with his unloaded hand, Dave Labuz, and Teresa and Village Trustee John Ponio the current trustee, plus homeowner Kachka.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: ACLU, Anthony Sciarrone, Bob Wargaski, Darian Trotter, Dave Labuz, Fox News, Greg Kachka, Island Lake, John Ponio, Laurie Babettini, Rob Bekosiewicz, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Tom Martin

What on earth is going on in Island Lake?

Here is a follow-up post on the blog “What's Happening in Island Lake?” complete with video of the arrest!

You will remember from yesterday that disabled marine veteran Greg Kachka was threatened with arrest because of the tee-shirt he wore to the last village board meeting.

At least that guy in neighboring Prairie Grove didn't arrest me when the school board thought I laughed too loud and when I took pictures through the District 46 school library's Venetian blinds.

Maybe there's something in the water along Route 176.

BREAKING NEWS! GREG KACHKA ARRESTED

Posted by Laurie at 6:08 PM

Today, Island Lake resident, Greg Kachka, a disabled Vietnam Veteran of the United States was arrested by VOIL Police at his home for charges of disorderly conduct stemming from alleged misconduct during a March 13 VOIL Board meeting.

According to Mr. Kachka, he was accused of making a hand gesture of shooting a gun at trustee Debbie Herrmann.

During the video of said meeting, I have found no such evidence that any hand gestures were made or any fear or intimidation of the resident, an outspoken resident who attends meetings regularly.

Video (1 minute, 44 seconds) of the arrest can be found on this link.

I posted bail after an anonymous citizen put up the $400 bail money needed to release Mr. Kachka from the VOIL jail.

After being released, Mr. Kachka was in good spirits but noted he was in pain from tightly bound handcuffs and from having to maneuver his body in ways that were next to impossible due to his many disabilities.

When asked, Mr. Kachka said he was not read his miranda rights and was not shown any warrant for his arrest, only that he was told by the police that they had a warrant for his arrest.

In my opinion, this situation can really only be summed up as retaliation.

This is a man who came to Board meetings on a regular basis, confronted the Board many times, confronted the Mayor and asked questions, pointed out wrong doings.

And in return, in my opinion, this is what happens to a regular citizen who in my opinion, "gets out of line" and "isn't afraid of Mayor Hyde and his cronies."

Posted by Laurie at 5:50 PM

You will notice that Vietnam Vet Greg Kachka is wearing the same tee shirt he wore at the Island Lake village board meeting as three policemen in two cars take him into custody.

An indication that the Village of Island Lake isn't a complete police state yet is the apparently lack of an arrest of the person taking the video footage.

Oh, well. There's still time. The village board meeting was a couple of weeks ago, I think.

I also note that Richard Garling, the Democratic Party candidate against State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) is on the Island Lake village board. I wonder what he thinks of all of this.

Pictures of the arrest are from the linked video may be enlarged by clicking on them. The photo of Island Lake Village President Tom Hyde is from the village web site. All photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.

The "friendly community" line is from the village web site the day of the arrest.

Labels: Greg Kachka, Island Lake, Richard Garling, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Tom Hyde, What's Happening in Island Lake?

is the tee shirt that I saw in Crystal Lake's Colonial Cafe on the way into our every other Wednesday Kiwanis Club meeting.

Labels: Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, The Lord Is My Shepherd

This tee shirt says,

It comes from Anchor Towing's owner Dan Hunt.

Labels: Anchor Towing, Dan Hunt, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

I found this tee shirt at the Farm Bureau Building in Woodstock last night.

It says,


It was being worn by a Democratic Party precinct committeeman who challenged me to run for precinct committeeman and reminded me of it. (I also had a Republican precinct committeeman urge me to run, just for the record.)

There were over 50 Democrats in attendance with McHenry County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Thomas Cynor at the head of the room. Here's how he started the meeting:

“This is the year!

“This is our year!

“I’m the chief trouble maker in McHenry County!”

Clearly, he is proud of that label.

The images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: McHenry County Democratic Central Committee, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Thomas Cynor

This one was worn by a McHenry Marlins Swim Team dad.

It is from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or FCA.

The text reads:


There’s a cross in the center that could be mistaken for a sword. It seems to be pushing up into an umbrella-like shape.

Labels: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, McHenry Marlins, Message of the Day, Powerkids, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Today we have another guitar-themed tee shirt from Disney World.

I didn’t figure it out at first. I just saw the “Pick Jesus” and asked permission to take the girl’s picture.

Later I figured out that the shape of the background is that of a guitar pick.

It says,

Beneath is "Romans 10:13."

Labels: Guitar, Jesus, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

This was one of the really great tee shirts spotted at Disney World.

After I had gotten a photograph of it, my brother-in-law spotted it and told me I had to take a picture of it.

It says,

There is no doubt that the movie “Deliverance” with its dueling banjo scene and the subsequent male rape scene was this tee shirt’s inspiration.

Labels: Banjo, Deliverance, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

We stayed at a motel near Midway Airport the night before our flight to Orlando.

I figured that sure beat getting up at 3 AM as my brother-in-law’s family did, although my wife’s 5 AM wake up call was way too early for me. I don’t do well in the dark.

Besides the extra hours sleep, the consortium of hotels in Bedford Park, south of the airport, allow one to park in the hotel lots for $10 a day (in the case of the Hilton Garden Inn) and provide bus transportation to and from the airport.

We were the first to get on the bus.

When it pulled up at the Marriott, I saw an American flag cow I had to take a picture of. (Look for it as a future “Message of the Day.)

Getting on the bus was a young man with this tee shirt.

Looking at it, I knew it was going to be a good day.



The tee shirt said,

Between the two lines was an arrow with a pointed arrow head.

Labels: Arrow, Hunting, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

I am attracted to tee shirts with lots of writing on them, the way that a flying insect is attracted to a light.

In the Orlando airport’s little train we were taking to the place planes take off, I saw one with lots of writing.

I asked the girl wearing it if I could take a picture when we got off.

Here’s what I saw on the back:
TOP TEN REASONS I DIDN’T
GO TO COLLEGE STATION
10. NEVER LOOKED GOOD IN MAROON
POLYESTER
9. I LIKE MY HAIR THE WAY IT IS.
8. COULDN’T FIND COLLEGE STATION.
7. CAREER ASPIRATIONS GO BEYOND
FARMING.
6. THE THREE PRETTY COEDS WERE
STUDYING ABROAD OR GRADUATING.
5. NO WEIGHT LIMITS FOR SORORITIES.
4. MY S.A.T. SCORE WAS TOO HIGH.
3. GUYS CHASING LASSIE WASN’T MY
2. I ALREADY HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL
EDUCATION
1. LONGHORN’S RULE.

There does seem to be a rivalry.

Knowing nothing about Texas colleges, I asked if I could take a photo of her school’s logo as well.

You see it here.

The University of Texas. "The Right Choice."

So, I took two pictures of college football team tee shirts and managed to find two who lost bowl games Friday.

Texas A&M beat the University of Texas 38-30.

Second year in a row.

Right after the win, Texas A&M Coach Dennis Franchione resigned as head coach.

Labels: Football, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Texas A and M, University of Texas

While we were in Disney World, I kept seeing LSU sweatshirts.

Some of you know that I don’t know a lot about sports.

I got to wondering if LSU fans lacked self-esteem. I didn’t see any University of Mississippi tee shirts, for example.

While we were waiting to check our bags in at Pop Century’s “check ‘em in here and you don’t have to worry about them until you get home” line, I asked a couple wearing tee shirts with LSU logos why I was seeing so many of them.

Seems there was a bowl game that afternoon with Arkansas. The wife said LSU was ranked first in the nation.

Impressive.

She did wonder why so many Louisiana State tee shirts were worn in Louisiana, though.

At the bus stop, I finally broke down and asked a guy if I could take a photograph of his LSU tee shirt.

I don’t usually feature sports tee shirts. They are not that unusual.

So, I got this picture and, then, started looking for a Razorback tee shirt, just in case LSU lost.

Didn’t find one, but I did discover when I read the paper on Saturday that Arkansas beat LSU.

In triple overtime. 50-48.

That must have been one exciting game.

But, I guess it’s something like politics.

Lots of tee shirts on fans don’t win games, just like lots of candidate yard signs don’t win elections.

Labels: Football, Louisana State University, LSU, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Fresh from Disney World, McHenry County Blog offers up its first tee shirt.

It says,


This is my fourth extended visit to the “biggest carnival in the world.”

To help you get the message on this man's chest, he adds a prominent cross.

I’d say there were a lot more Christian tee shirts than in previous years.

Labels: Cross, Jesus Christ, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Here’s a tee shirt worn by Merle Patterson of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake at a Walk to Emmaus training session.

It says,


And, if you missed yesterday's article about the church's United Methodist Men's trip to Mississippi, where they fixed a bathroom, it appears here.

Labels: First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Walk to Emmaus

Finally, a tee shirt manufacturer after my own sense of humor

SnorgTees.com is advertising on the Daily Herald about its wonderful tee shirts.

I read an article about the company in the Chicago Tribune a couple of days ago. They solicit tee shirt designs from anyone and every Friday there are new ones to choose from.

I picked this one just because my wife likes rabbits. They are all over the house. When my Desmond nieces were little and they came to visit, we would have contests to see who could find the most bunnies. Her Schaumburg condo shower curtain had rabbits on it!

I was first attracted to Veggie Tales videos by one containing a song with the line, “Bunny, bunny. Who are the bunny?”

So, I think it appropriate that the first tee shire I feature is of bunnies.

Who did eat the bunny parts?

The bunny missing his but says, “My butt hurts.”

The bunny missing her ears replies, “I can’t hear you.”

Labels: Bunny, Chocolate, Easter Bunny, Message of the Day, Rabbit, Snorg Tees, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

Dated August 5-7, 2004, this tee shirt is from the AWD/VLK 5th Annual K-9 Olympics.

The events seem to have been

• Area Search
• Tracking
• Detection
• Hard Dog/Fast Dog
• Obedience
• Control
• Obstacle Course
• Building Search

I saw on the back of the coach of the McHenry Marlins who is a K-9 officer for the Lake in the Hills Police.

He not only is the K-9 officer, but he raises and trains search dogs, too.

He told me that he would bring one of his dogs to the pool one day so the children could become familiarized with it.

He has another tee shirt that I can't wait for him to wear when I have a camera handy. The story behind it will make you sad.

Labels: AWD/VLK, K-9 Unit, Lake in the Hills Police, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

I found this tee shirt at a Walk to Emmmaus training session in Rockford this September.

First I saw these verses from Philippians 2:10-11. That’s because I was standing in back of the guy wearing it trying to get some food:


When he turned around, I saw what you see and asked what it meant.

He said it was “Jesus” in Hebrew.

Underneath the Bible verses is "GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH."

Labels: Jesus, Message of the Day, Philippians 2:10-11, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Walk to Emmaus

This tee shirt showed up at a Walk to Emmaus training session in Naperville’s Grace United Methodist Church.

It says,


Sounds like a pleasant way to spend a Saturday.

Labels: Grace United Methodist Church, Message of the Day, Row Row Row Your Boat, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, Walk to Emmaus

This tee shirt was found on a young spectator at this summer’s 4th of July Parade in Crystal Lake.

Sponsored by the Crystal Lake Gala Committee, the tee shirt says,

Looks like they are of the Nintendo type.

Labels: Controls, Message of the Day, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

You know those tee shirts saying that Mom and Dad went to this place or that and all they brought me was this tee shirt?

Well, Mom and Dad went to New York City last weekend and of all the tee shirts vendors were trying to sell around the World Trade Center site, this is the one Mom picked out.

It says,



And, do you think there are motorcycles in New York City?

You bet there are.

Great for slipping in between traffic, I would imagine.

Here’s one between a bus and a car in front of a subway entrance.

I was surprised at all the street vendors and amazed at the 10-20 vendors who wanted to sell be Rolex watches.

I managed to resist.

I can't remember wearing a watch since my college Timex.

Labels: Born To Be Wild, Message of the Day, Motorcyclist, New York City, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt, World Trade Center

Another tee shirt found at the Crystal Lake alcohol reh