patrick.oconnor@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/ patrick.oconnor
Full Circle Moment
Every so often, life gives us a full circle moment—a chance to return to the people and places that helped shape us, but with a new perspective and a new purpose. Those moments are a reminder that home isn't just where we've been; it's where we have the opportunity to give something back.
In 1983, my father opened L&W Lamps on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. At the time, Crystal Lake was a small town where people knew each other, business owners knew their customers, and community truly meant something special. I spent many years working alongside my father at the store.
In 1993, when I had my first daughter, my role changed, but Crystal Lake remained a special part of my life. I would bring my children to visit their Grandpa at the store, and jumped in to help customers whenever I was needed.
Over the years, I was blessed with four children. Life took me to different places, but Crystal Lake always felt like home. Who would have imagined that decades later I would return in a completely new way—not helping customers at my father's lighting store, but as the publisher of a magazine dedicated to the community I have always considered home.
Although Crystal Lake has grown tremendously, it has never lost the strong sense of community that made it special all those years ago. We support our local businesses because we still often know the people behind them. They are our neighbors, our friends, or our family.
Stepping into this role as Publisher has given me an even deeper appreciation for the heart, time, and dedication that local business owners invest every day. Local businesses are what make a community feel like home. They are the people who show up for us every day, and I look forward to sharing and celebrating their stories.
My goal as publisher of this magazine is to create a place where our community can connect—a place where we can celebrate the people, businesses, and organizations that make Crystal Lake unique.
Thank you for welcoming me into this new role. I am honored to serve this community in a new way, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
TRACEY JOYCE, PUBLISHER
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Tracey Joyce | tracey.joyce@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Steve Rogers | steve.rogers@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Patti Noble | patti.noble@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Katie Bobrow | katie.bobrow@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sharmila Taylor
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The grand opening celebration of the new Depot Park brought the community together! 2: Chamber members and friends supported Stacy Brown Mason at her ribbon cutting. 3—4: This year’s wine walk in Downtown Crystal lake gathered friends and community members to visit the participating businesses and sample wines from around the world. 5: Our editor and her friends had a blast with Crystal Lake’s own Pearlsnap band at The Vixen! 6: All smiles because it’s the annual Lakeside Fest at the Dole! 7: Having fun volunteering at the Crystal Lake Brewing tent at Lakeside Fest at The Dole.
KATIE SINDE
Dr
Real Estate Report
5/20/2026
5/7/2026
6/1/2026
4/30/2026
5/29/2026
4/27/2026
6/15/2026
6/3/2026
6/29/2026
5/12/2026
5/20/2026
6/29/2026
6/10/2026
6/16/2026
5/27/2026
6/3/2026
4/29/2026
4/29/2026 6/16/2026
6/12/2026
This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Midwest Real Estate
for its accuracy. Data provided by MRED may not reflect all real estate activity in the
data. This data is a sampling from 4/1/26 - 6/30/26. DOM is Days on Market.
Changing the Story
How practical therapy helps people challenge fear, build resilience, and claim victories.
Blue streaks highlight her dark hair. Harry Potter memorabilia shares shelf space with quirky collectibles, colorful knickknacks, and a few unexpected conversation pieces. It isn't exactly what you might expect when you walk into the office of a therapist who specializes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression. Then again, things aren't always what they seem.
ARTICLE BY PATTI NOBLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHARMILA TAYLOR
Kristina Galuszka
For therapist Kristina Galuszka, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), challenging assumptions is at the heart of her work. She earned her master’s degree in counseling and completed specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Her experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care eventually led her to private practice, where she now helps clients understand that anxiety, OCD and other mental health challenges don't have to define who they are.
Her path into the profession was shaped by more than textbooks. Growing up, she witnessed loved ones struggle with addiction and other mental health challenges, experiences that sparked an early interest in understanding why people think, feel,
and behave the way they do. As she navigated her own challenges—and discovered firsthand the value of therapy herself—that calling became even clearer. Today, she brings both professional expertise and genuine empathy to every session.
Few mental health conditions are more misunderstood than obsessive-compulsive disorder. For many people, OCD brings to mind excessive handwashing, perfectly organized closets, or repeatedly checking that the front door is locked. While those behaviors can be symptoms, they tell only a small part of the story.
At its core, OCD often involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts that create overwhelming anxiety. The behaviors people engage in are frequently attempts to quiet that anxiety—not the disorder itself.
“Our brains don’t always tell us the truth. Sometimes they are just trying to protect us.”
As Kristina explains, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are constantly influencing one another. She often describes them as a triangle. One anxious thought can shape how we feel, which in turn influences what we do—or don't do.
"Intrusive thoughts often center on the things a person values most," she explains. "They may involve fears of making a terrible mistake, causing harm unintentionally, or violating deeply held beliefs." Because those thoughts conflict with a person's values, they can create overwhelming anxiety and a relentless need for reassurance.
Imagine seeing a dog while out for a walk. If your immediate thought is, That dog is going to bite me, your body reacts with fear and your instinct may be to cross the street. But what if that first thought changes? What if it becomes, That's probably a friendly dog out for a walk with its owner? Suddenly, the feeling—and the behavior—begin to change as well.
What Kristina explains is: “Our brains don't always tell us the truth. Sometimes they're simply trying to protect us." The compulsive behaviors that follow aren't the disorder itself—they're attempts to quiet the fear.
Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, she helps clients learn that they don't have to believe every anxious thought—or let it dictate the way they live their lives.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on “What can I do differently?” It helps people recognize the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By learning to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and respond differently, they begin to break the cycle that keeps anxiety in control.
Exposure therapy invites clients to gradually confront the situations, thoughts, or experiences they have spent years avoiding. The process is always intentional and carefully guided, beginning with manageable steps before progressing to more difficult ones.
While the exercises may seem unusual from the outside, each one is designed to teach the brain something powerful: anxiety rises...and then it falls. The feared outcome often never happens, and with practice, fear begins to lose its grip. Instead of organizing life around fear, clients begin learning they are capable of facing it.
Kristina often compares intrusive thoughts to pop-up ads on a computer screen. They appear unexpectedly, demand attention
and seem impossible to ignore. The difference, she explains, is that people don't have to "click" on every thought their minds produce. Learning to acknowledge those thoughts without giving them power is an important step toward recovery.
Another tool she encourages is something she calls a Victory Journal. Unlike a gratitude journal, which focuses on what we're thankful for, a Victory Journal celebrates progress. It might be making a phone call you've been avoiding, resisting the urge to seek reassurance, or simply getting through a difficult day.
Like her colorful office, Kristina's style is warm, relaxed, and approachable. She explains complex ideas in simple, relatable ways that make therapy feel a little less intimidating.
There are no magic solutions or overnight fixes—just practical tools, consistent practice, and the belief that people are stronger than the anxiety that tries to convince them otherwise.
Maybe that's why one of Kristina's favorite tools isn't a worksheet or a diagnosis—it's a Victory Journal. Because healing isn't measured only by the absence of fear. It's found in the courage to take one more step, celebrate one more victory, and slowly begin changing the story you tell yourself.
Three Generations of Helping Families Build Impact & Legacy
Cornerstone Financial Group was founded over 30 years ago with a simple mission: helping families build financial stability and lasting, generational wealth. What began as a father-andson vision between retired Sears executive John "Big John" Morrison and his son Mark an experienced financial planner, has grown into a trusted, family-led firm.
Today, that legacy continues with the next generation.
Mark's son, lan, and his brother-in-law, Caleb – both experienced financial professionals – bring fresh perspective and shared values, strengthening the firm's family foundation and collaborative approach.
Together, this dedicated team is committed to helping you build, protect, and pass on a legacy of both financial strength and family values.
Truly Listen LEARNING TO
District 47 Hope Squad members learn crisis negotiation listening skills to better support classmates
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOBROW | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Many students in our society report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the number of adolescents struggling with their mental health continues to rise. The same organization points to one of the most effective protective factors: peer connection. Building strong relationships and helping young people feel seen and heard can make a meaningful difference.
Those statistics can feel overwhelming as a parent or community member, but there are people working every day to change them. In Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47, Project Hope Squad is doing exactly that by equipping students to recognize when a classmate may be struggling and empowering them to help connect that friend with support before a crisis develops.
This year, that mission expanded even further, thanks to an innovative partnership between Hannah Beardsley Middle School counselor Amy Hoven and her husband, Sgt. Ryan Hoven, commander of the Crisis Negotiating Team with the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Together, they combined two professions that, surprisingly, have a great deal in common.
Project Hope Squad is a nationally recognized, peer-to-peer suicide prevention and mental health awareness program for students in grades six through eight. Sponsored locally through Elyssa's Mission, the program teaches students how to recognize warning signs of mental health struggles, encourages kindness and inclusion, and reinforces one important message: students are never expected to solve a friend's problems, they are simply to help connect them with trusted adults.
As District 47 Director of Social Emotional Learning, Kristin Schmidt and Hannah Beardsley Counselor, Amy Hoven describe Hope Squad, "it's the first line of defense." Peers often see things adults don't, they hear comments made in passing, notice changes in behavior, and witness social media posts that teachers or parents may never see. Hope Squad recognizes that reality and gives students the tools to recognize and help a peer who is struggling.
Hope Squad is student focused from the very beginning, as students nominate classmates they would feel comfortable talking to if they needed help. Hope Squad advisors, made up of school counselors, teachers and staff members, carefully review those nominations to ensure the group represents a diverse cross-section of each school while maintaining the program's integrity. And the results have been powerful.
“The goal wasn’t to turn middle school students into counselors or crisis negotiators; it was to help them become better friends.”
District staff have seen students encourage struggling friends to seek help, identify classmates who needed immediate intervention, and confidently use the training they received to take appropriate action.
One example came over spring break, when a Hope Squad member became concerned after seeing alarming posts on a friend's social media account. Thanks to the program's training, the student recognized the seriousness of the situation, knew exactly what steps to take, and successfully helped get the friend the assistance they needed.
For Amy Hoven, while those successes highlighted the strengths of Hope Squad, students were learning how to recognize someone in need, she still wondered, what if they could become even better listeners once they reached out?
The idea was born during what Amy and Ryan jokingly describe as a rare date night away from their young children.
As they talked about work, Ryan began explaining Active Listening Skills, techniques he had learned through years of crisis negotiation training, including specialized instruction at the FBI's Crisis Negotiation School and national conferences.
Amy realized something: while Hope Squad encourages students to be compassionate listeners, the curriculum didn't spend significant time teaching active listening as a specific skill. The couple's date night conversation quickly turned into brainstorming.
Idea after idea surfaced until they finally looked at each other and agreed that they needed to present the concept to their supervisors before getting too far ahead of themselves. Instead of thinking they were crazy, both of their organizations immediately embraced the idea. With enthusiastic support from District 47 administrators and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, the Active Listening Workshop was born.
Amy knew that if the workshop was going to make a lasting impact, it needed to bring together students from all three District 47 middle schools. Ryan reached out to fellow crisis negotiators, who responded with excitement and offered to participate. Sheriff's Office social workers and peer support personnel also signed on.
The vision had become much bigger than either of them originally imagined and rather than holding yet another presentation inside a school gymnasium, Ryan suggested hosting the event at the McHenry County Regional Training Center, giving students an opportunity to learn in the same environment where first responders receive specialized training.
Nearly 60 seventh- and eighth-grade Hope Squad members from all three middle schools attended the inaugural Active Listening Workshop. Ten crisis negotiators, along with Sheriff's Office social workers and peer support personnel, spent the day working directly with students in small groups, with hands-on teaching and real-life scenarios. Many of the same communication techniques used during high-stakes crisis situations.
Students learned how to ask open-ended questions instead of yes-or-no questions. They practiced mirroring, using verbal and nonverbal encouragers, labeling emotions, and paraphrasing conversations to help someone feel understood while ensuring they accurately understood what was being shared. The goal wasn't to turn middle school students into counselors or crisis negotiators; it was to help them become better friends, and to feel empowered in the truth that they can make a difference.
The day also became a true community effort, Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria & Pub in Crystal Lake donated meals for every student, volunteer, and staff member attending the workshop, while Nothing Bundt Cakes provided dessert. Both businesses have expressed interest in continuing their support for future workshops because they believe in the program's mission.
By the end of the school year, the workshop's impact was clear. Nearly every Hope Squad member stated that the Active Listening Workshop was their favorite day of the year.
For Amy and Ryan, that feedback confirmed what they had hoped from the beginning—that teaching young people how to genuinely listen could strengthen the relationships already at the heart of Hope Squad. The success also sparked plans for what's next. Everyone involved, from District 47 administrators to Sheriff's Office personnel and the crisis negotiators who volunteered their time, wants to bring the workshop back.
Amy and Ryan are already developing an expanded curriculum for next year, introducing new concepts while building on the skills students learned this spring. Their vision is to make the Active Listening Workshop an annual experience for every seventh- and eighth-grade Hope Squad member.
Mental health challenges among young people aren't disappearing overnight, but neither are the people committed to helping them. Project Hope Squad reminds students that they don't have to have all the answers, and sometimes, the most powerful thing they can do is notice a friend who may be struggling, listen without judgment, and help connect them with someone who can provide support. Because sometimes hope begins with simply making sure someone feels heard.
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOBROW PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX LARRACUS
MORE Than TRAINING
Helping families build safer, stronger relationships with their dogs
On January 15, 2026, after months of renovations, Mystic Paws Academy opened the doors to its new training facility with a clear purpose: helping people better understand their dogs. For owner Heather Pohlman, the academy is the realization of a lifelong passion that began decades before she ever considered opening a business.
Pohlman has been training professionally for more than 30 years, but her education started much earlier. Her mother, who worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo, introduced her to animal behavior and training while she was still a child. At just 6 years old, Pohlman trained her first dog, and by age 7, she had already earned Best in Tricks and Best in Show. Heather says she always knew training dogs is what she was meant to do.
Today, she shares the same enthusiasm through Mystic Paws Academy. Bright, clean and thoughtfully designed, the facility features multiple training spaces, a dedicated grooming area and a colorful mural that immediately sets a playful tone. Painted by tattoo artist, Taylor Kuhlman from Monster Ink Tattoo, the artwork reflects the academy's personality: welcoming, imaginative, and family-focused.
While teaching obedience is certainly part of the curriculum, Pohlman's mission reaches far beyond teaching a dog to sit or stay. Heather believes that educating both dogs and their families creates safer homes and stronger communities. Her passion stems from personal experience. After being bitten by a dog as a child, she understands firsthand the lasting emotional impact an incident can have.
Today, her goal is simple: keep children safe and keep dogs from being re-homed.
Rather than viewing dogs as stubborn or disobedient, Pohlman focuses on helping owners understand why dogs make the choices they do. By recognizing body language, emotions, and communication signals, families can prevent problems before they become dangerous.
Her commitment begins with the people doing the teaching. Pohlman is certified through Animal Behavior College and is CATCH Certified, credentials shared by every trainer on her staff. Before teaching independently, each trainer completes four to six months of mentorship under Pohlman while learning her proprietary curriculum.
She has assembled a team of six part-time trainers and one fulltime employee, Kim Bell, who Pohlman jokes is "the other half of my brain."
The academy's curriculum is intentionally designed to make learning enjoyable for both children and adults. Instead of traditional beginner and advanced classes, students progress through four Harry Potter-inspired levels: Apprentice, Magician, Sorcerer, and Arch Mage. Each six- to eight-week course builds upon the previous one, developing stronger communication and handling skills along the way.
For owners interested in taking the next step, training can culminate in the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen evaluation. The nationally recognized certification demonstrates a
dog's reliability in public settings and can provide practical benefits, including easing travel with pets and meeting requirements in some housing situations.
Families who prefer learning from home, or who live outside the area, can participate through Mystic Paws Academy's online program, which Bell manages. Every in-person client also receives access to the online academy, allowing them to continue practicing lessons between classes.
Driven by a desire to make reliable information accessible, Pohlman regularly offers free community seminars covering topics many dog owners struggle to understand. Her K9 Communication seminar explores canine body language, safe interactions between children and dogs, and important concepts like decompression time and the honeymoon period after adopting a rescue dog. The seminar is also required for children who wish to participate in training alongside their dogs.
She also teaches a K9 Nutrition seminar, drawing on additional certification through Animal Behavior College. Rather than promoting one feeding philosophy, the class objectively examines the history of dog food while explaining
home-cooked, raw, and kibble diets. The program is offered in partnership with Thomas Tails, a local Crystal Lake pet store.
Another popular seminar, "Why Does My Dog...?" discusses the neuropsychology behind canine behavior, helping owners understand how dogs think, process emotions, and respond to training. Heather notes that this seminar is one of the most popular, and its easy to understand why; when we understand our dogs better we can strengthen the bond.
For Pohlman, these educational opportunities are simply another way to strengthen the community she serves, and her vision continues to grow. Future additions include hoopers, herding, nose work, trick training, and other enrichment classes. "Trick work is a good break for both dog and owner," she says. "It's a reminder that this is supposed to be fun."
She also plans to introduce veterinary care seminars, advanced training programs, and an ambitious rescue partnership initiative. Through the program, Pohlman hopes to provide free enrichment training for shelter staff across local and national rescue organizations while developing an affiliate network that offers newly adopting families discounts on classes. A portion of re-enrollment proceeds would then be donated back to participating shelters.
Her dedication to dogs is perhaps best represented by Phantom, her beloved Sheltie. Under Pohlman's guidance, Phantom became only the 12th Sheltie to earn the Champion Trick Dog title at just 2 years old. Although health issues forced an early retirement, the now-12-year-old remains at her side, a reminder that every dog's value extends far beyond titles and ribbons.
During a visit to the academy, Pohlman's young wire-haired Vizsla, Tango, happily demonstrated the partnership she strives to build between every dog and owner. Pohlman doesn't measure her success by well-trained dogs, but by confident families, informed owners, and stronger bonds. At Mystic Paws Academy, every trainer, class, and seminar works toward the same goal: creating happier dogs, safer homes, and a healthier community.
“Pohlman’s mission reaches far beyond teaching a dog to sit or stay. Heather believes that educating both dogs and their families creates safer homes and stronger communities.”
Some of life's biggest moments happen in the backyard.
Tiny feet chasing bubbles. Dogs waiting patiently for burgers to fall off the grill. Family dinners that somehow turn into firefly hunts. Birthday parties. Lazy Sunday mornings. The first day of school photos. The last day of summer. A deck isn't just another home improvement project. It's the stage where childhood happens...and where every member of the family—including the four-legged ones—finds their favorite place to be.
224.888.4088 | TLDECKS.COM tldecksco@gmail.com | BTLDECKS Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
NOW OFFERING PSYCHIATRY & MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
We are excited to announce the addition of psychiatric & medication management services to our practice. This expansion allows us to provide a more integrated, collaborative approach of personalized and professional care for children, adolescents, and adults. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, life transitions, or health-related stress, our team offers personalized, evidenced-based treatment in a warm and welcoming private practice setting
EXPANDED CLINICAL SERVICES WILL INCLUDE:
Diagnostic Evaluation
Medication Management
• Coordination With Existing Therapists & Providers
Evidence-Based Treatment
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
AUGUST 2026
A SELECTION OF
LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 4TH - 9TH
McHenry County Fair
McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock
Head out to the McHenry County Fairgrounds for six days of fun for the whole family! This summertime tradition features live music and entertainment, carnival rides, rodeos, vendors, livestock, festival food, and beer tents. General Gate Hours: 8:00AM – 11:00PM daily. Carnival/Midway Hours: 1:00PM –11:00PM daily. Entry fee and ride tickets are sold separately. More Information at: mchenrycountyfair.com
AUGUST 6TH
National Night Out with Crystal Lake Police Department
Downtown Crystal Lake | 5:00 PM
Come out and celebrate National Night Out! This free, family-friendly event is all about building community and strengthening the relationship between residents and local law enforcement. Whether you are new to the neighborhood or a longtime resident, National Night Out is a great chance to connect, have fun, and promote a safer, stronger community together. More information at: downtowncl.org
AUGUST 14TH
Movie in the Park and Ice Cream Eating Contest
Crystal Lake Main Beach | 6:30 PM
Grab a blanket or lawn chairs and join in on this fun and FREE event under the stars. Watch Zootopia 2 while enjoying refreshments and cheer on the contestants in the Baskin Robbins ice cream eating contest. Movie starts at dusk. Preregistration required for ice cream eating contest. For more details, visit crystallakeparks.org.
AUGUST 16TH
Monarchs and Music
events
CONTINUED
Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive | 12:30 PM
Explore the Monarch Fair featuring pollinators and displays from local organizations. It’s a celebration of nature and summer fun for the whole family. Music provided by Encore Music Academy. A cooperative event with the Monarch Coalition and The Mayor's Monarch Pledge which is run by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). FREE event and beach admission all day! Details at: crystallakeparks.org
AUGUST 22ND
Way Back When at Colonel Palmer House
660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake | 10:00 AM
Take a trip to the Colonel Palmer House for this FREE, all-ages, family fun event. Way Back When features live music, games, and crafts, historic culinary delights, and old-time gardening demonstrations and explanations. Learn more about this event and Colonel Palmer House at: crystallakeparks.org/colonel-palmer-house
AUGUST 27TH
Sunset Soiree
Crystal Lake Main Beach | 5:30 PM
Take in the beauty of a lakeside sunset at this 55+ evening at Crystal Lake Main Beach. Relax and indulge by the water as the sky transforms with vibrant evening colors while enjoying delicious appetizers, a cash bar, and live music. Advance registration required. Residents: $38 Non-residents: $43 . Learn more at: crystallakeparks.org
