Chain O' Lakes Breeze for August 2018

Breeze Chain O’ Lakes

INSIDE • Visit Blarney Island • Water safety • Beach fun

AUG. 2018 • VOL. 5 NO. 3

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CHAIN O’ LAKES BREEZE

AUG. 2018

Before getting up on the skis, make sure you know the rules of the waterway.

STOCK PHOTO The Breeze

Safety tips for water skiing and wake boarding Thousands injured every year, experts say Wake boarding and water skiing are great ways to have fun and be physically active during the summer months, but certain safety precautions need to be followed to prevent serious injuries, experts say.

Every year in the United States, thousands of people are hurt in water skiing and wake boarding accidents, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. Wake boarding is similar to water skiing, but is done on a single board instead of two skis.

Most water skiing injuries involve sprains and strains in the legs. Wake boarders often get cuts and injuries to their head and face. Wake boarding is more likely than water skiing to result in a traumatic brain injury, cautioned experts at Nationwide Children’s.

There are ways water skiers and wake boarders can reduce their risk for injury before they head out to the water.

Know the safety codes When participating in any water sport, safety is key. Know the rules of the water when before putting on the skies.

Rule 1 – Always wear flotation. A properly fitted personal flotation device is designed to fit snugly, so that it won’t slip up on the body during a fall. The recommended type is a jacket or vest that covers the chest, abdomen and back.

Rule 2 – Always be sure your

equipment is in good condition. Your personal safety and enjoyment depend on the equipment you use. Check your equipment regularly. Be sure that your skis do not have sharp or protruding surfaces that could cut or scrape the skier. Check towropes for frayed areas or broken bridles and handles. Repair or replace damaged or unsafe articles.

Rule 3 – Don’t give the starting signal until ready. Make sure you are ready; the slack has been taken out of the rope and you are clear of any dangerous obstacles around you. Keep your ski tips up.

Rule 4 – Do not ski near docks, pilings, other boats or swimmers. Always look ahead and be sure you are aware of your surroundings and where you are going at all times. Many water ski injuries result from collisions with docks or other solid objects.

Rule 5 – Never put any part of your body through the handle or wrap the line around yourself in any way.

Rule 6 – Never ski in shallow water or an area where there may be obstructions above or just beneath the surface.

Rule 7 – When a fall is inevitable, try to fall backward or to either side. A forward fall increases the chances of contact with the ski.

Rule 8 – Know and use the skier hand signals. It is particularly important to use the skier’s “I’m OK” signal after a fall if you are all right.

Rule 9 – If you fall in an area where there is other boat traffic, lift one ski half way out of the water. This will signal to other boats that there is a skier in the water.

Rule 10 – Never ski to the point of

WATER SKIING HAND SIGNALS 1. Speed up: The “thumbs-up” gesture indicates that the skier would like the speed increased.

2. Slow down: The “thumbs-down” gesture indicates that the skier would like the speed decreased.

ropes when skiing double.

Rule 14 – Always ensure that the motor is “off” when a skier is entering and exiting the boat.

Rule 15 – And although it is no longer required by law, it is a good idea to have an observer in the towboat.

Source – USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Learn to Ski Basics.

For more information, visit usawaterskiandwakesports.org.

3. OK: If the set speed or boat the path is good, the skier may use the OK signal.

4. Turn: When either the skier or the driver wants the boat turned, a circle motion with the arm over the head with one finger in the air is used. It is usually followed by pointing in the direction of the turn.

5. Back to the Dock: A pat on the head indicates that the skier would like to return to the dock.

6. Cut Motor/Stop: A slashing motion with the hand across the neck indicates the boat is to stop immediately. This signal can be used by the skier, driver or observer.

7. I’m OK (after a fall): This important signal indicates that a skier is OK after a fall. It consists of both hands clasped over the head. It should be used every time the skier falls.

excessive fatigue.

Rule 11 – Always ski during daylight, from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Rule 12 – Never ski directly in front of another boat.

Rule 13 – Always use equal length

Chain O’Lakes

Breeze

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On the cover

Stand up paddle boards, also known as SUPs are a favorite way to ride the water without a boat. SUPS can be rented at various marinas along the Chain O’Lakes. (Sandra Landen Machaj photo)

AUG. 2018

CHAIN O’ LAKES BREEZE

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Crowds gather at Barney Island to enjoy the drag races, one of the island’s most popular events during the summer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLARNEY ISLAND The Breeze

Blarney Island

– A MILE AWAY FROM REALITY

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

n summer weekend evenings from June to October, the sight and sound of boats heading to a small island in Grass Lake vibrates across the water, and at the same time, the sound of music can be heard resonating from Blarney Island, a popular bar and restaurant that according to owner Rob Hardman is the only bar in the state that is only accessible by boat.

Blarney Island has a long and interesting history, dating back to the early 1900s when it was not an island, but was a business located along the shores of Grass Lake.

At that time Grass Lake was known for its lotus beds, a fragrant flower that covered more than half of the lake in the summer and brought in visitors to view the beautiful flowers. The visitors arrived at Grass Lake by boat, from Fox Lake or McHenry and they enjoyed riding through the flowerbeds. The boats were “poled” through the lotus beds, that is, the boat driver stood and pushed off with a long pole as the flower beds were too thick to use oars to row through them.

According to local legend, two businesses operated in the same area on the shores of Grass Lake. The first to appear was Rohemia, which was also known as Shorty’s Place as it was owned by Shorty Shoeben. It is believed to have been opened round 1901 and was a favorite place to view the lotus flowers.

O

businessman, always on the lookout for a good venture, brought a houseboat into the area and tied it up about 100 yards from Shorty’s hoping to attract some of his customers. It is said that he was so successful in that, a feud broke out with Shoeben that lasted until one night when they each put up their businesses in a high stakes poker game.

Shorty was the unlucky one and lost his business to O’Connor.

Here folklore offers two different versions of what occurred next. One version is that Shorty was so distraught that he left the poker table and took his life. The other version is that he left the bar and went into

hiding, never to be seen in the area again.

Strangely, shortly after the infamous poker game, Jack O’Connor’s houseboat burned under questionable circumstances.

With his place no longer available, O’Connor moved his business out on the peninsula and renamed it Blarney Island, in keeping with his Irish heritage.

In 1939, the William Stratton Dam replaced the previous dam in McHenry on the Fox River and was more powerful in retaining water in the lakes.

The difference in the depth of Grass Lake resulted in Blarney’s Island truly becoming an island, only accessible by boat.

However, that only increased business as boaters made their way to this unique island bar.

The business continued to thrive until the spring thaw in 1952, which caused significant damage to the building on the island and made it impossible to open for the summer.

This could have been a time when the owners would decide to end the business on the island but they did not. Instead they chose to not only rebuild but to expand.

The new building, which would stand for

See BLARNEY ISLAND, Page 5

Damming up the river The construction of the first dam on the Fox River was in 1908 in McHenry. With the formation of the dam there was a change in the depth of the lakes. With water not being allowed to flow freely down the Fox River, it built up in the lakes making them deeper.

Grass Lake was very shallow and much of its shoreline was low ground. With the lake level rising, Shorty’s became located on a peninsula as much of the land around it was underwater. This gave Shorty’s an even better view of the lotus blossoms and visitors to the area increased.

Around that time, Jack O’Connor, a

COURTESY OF LAKES REGION HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Breeze

Jack O’Connor changed the name of Rohemia to Blarney Island. The structure is built on stilts because of the low-lying property and water can be seen under the building.

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The stage on Blarney’s Island hosts a variety of professional musical groups throughout the season.

• Blarney Island

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(Continued from page 3)

more than 60 years, was called the Lower Bar and was known as a rather wild place with ladies undergarments and other various items attached to the ceiling. Blarney Island became known as the place to party.

New owners The Haley family, who were the owner by the 1970s, hoped to expand the business and to provide a variety of activities to bring people to the island. They began by offering a shuttle service to the island so that those without the ability to arrive by their own boat would be able to spend an evening at Blarney Island.

“The Haleys were a large family and at times most of the family worked in the business,” said Rob Hardman, current owner of Blarney Island. “They made many changes to the business. By 1975 they added live bands to play at Blarney Island.”

Nancy K and the Associates was the first band to ever play on the island, but the live entertainment stuck and continues today.

Another tradition began in 1978 with the introduction of the first boat races.

“The boat races have continued through the years and have continued to bring in visitors to watch the races,” Hardman said.

“The Haley family continued to own the business until 1988 when one of the younger brothers, John Haley, bought out the remaining family members,” Hardman said.

“I became John’s partner in 2004.”

The two worked together to continue to grow the business.

The ownership changed again in 2010 when John Haley moved to San Antonio to pursue another business opportunity leaving Rob Hardman as the sole owner.

Blarney Island today In 2012 the building on Blarney Island was torn down and replaced with a larger, more open facility with 12-foot ceilings.

The building was constructed by embedding steel posts into bedrock, making it very stable to hold the large crowds that attended the concerts and boat races. Walls of windows, which can be opened to let in the cool lake air, offer a great view of the lake.

Blarney Island began as a bar but today it serves a variety of high-end bar foods.

“The Island has its own chef and produces a variety of foods. When we started to serve food it began with burgers and brats,” Hardman said. “Then we added deep fried items.”

The island is a difficult place to service as a restaurant, Hardman said.

“Everything needs to be brought over by boat. All the food, liquor, other drinks, paper supplies, anything used at the restaurant are brought over by boat,” Hardman said.

These days, the chef not only serves easily prepared foods, but also items from scratch.

Burgers, hot dogs, fish tacos, wraps and salads can be ordered. Gluten free items are available.

There is no electricity service available on the island so what is needed there for food and for the musical programs is produced by a powerful generator.

“All the items used must be transported by boat both ways. All waste and garbage have to be returned to the shore,” Hardman said.

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Boat races For many of the visitors to Blarney Island, it is the boat races that bring them out.

Thunder on the Chain begins at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday and continues until dusk.

“These races are not just pleasure boats driving around but professional racing boats that drag boat race in front of the island,” Hardman said.

Music can be heard throughout the area as the variety of bands on the island take to the stage.

“We have had music from a variety of groups including Def Leopard and recently the final winner of American Idol, Trent Herman,” Hardman said. “We have the best live music in the area and no cover charge.”

Each season they have two to three ticketed concerts. Some of the groups that have appeared include big names such as the Bodeans, Sister Hazel and Dierks Bentley.

Check the website for current schedule.

While Blarney Island is the place to party, on the shore the Port of Blarney is a more family friendly area. There are familyoriented playgrounds on the 5 acres of park.

From Port of Blarney shuttles are available to transfer over to Blarney Island if you are arriving by automobile and there is plenty of parking.

Or perhaps stop at Port of Blarney and enjoy their full menu of food items either indoors or on their outdoor patio. They also offer banquets onsite and catering.

Blarney Island is reached by boat in Grass Lake or from 27843 West Grass Lake Road, Antioch, at the Port of Blarney.

Contact them by phone at 847-395-3804.

Blarney Island is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday during the summer.

Visit them at www.Barneyisland.com

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CHAIN O’ LAKES BREEZE

AUG. 2018

MARINE TRADING POST

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BUYING, SELLING & SERVICING BOATS AND MARINE EQUIPMENT

LAKES AREA CLASSIFIEDS BOATS FOR SALE

1998 Supra Legacy, green/maroon, 1996 Mastercraft Sammy Duvall Competition ski boat lift, Shorestation, Nice condition, 2600 series, very smooth wakes, limited 230 hours, bow rider, very clean, fuel use, garage kept, runs strong. lb lift capacity, carpeted bunk rails.

Competition Ski Boats $775, will deliver and install for $150 Lauderdale Lakes. $11,750. (262) anywhere on the Lauderdale chain.

1990 Mastercraft Prostar 190, aqua injection, smooth running boat, $9,975 949-6997 (Bubbling Springs is extra.) (262) 949blue, stereo, low hours, runs great, 6997 1990 Supra comp ski boat, low or best. (262) 742-3665 $5,795. (262) 949-6997

STORAGE

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5x10 $29.00 $145.00 5x15 (Wave runner size) 35.00 175.00 10x15 (Wave runner or boat) 55.00 275.00 10x20 (boat or car) 75.00 375.00 10x24 (boat or car) 79.00 395.00 10x30 (boat and wave runner) 95.00 475.00 20x24 (2 boats or 2 cars) 145.00 725.00 Snowmobiles 9.50/each Empty Boat Trailers 19.00 ELKHORN

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Boat Lifts Shorestation, aluminum 2600 lb lift,

Slalom ski, HO, competition ski, can be setup for ski boat, pontoon, paid $500 - sell for $95. Text only or fishing boat. $299. Delivery and (630) 886-6667 setup at your Lauderdale dock Ski trainer, perfect for teaching kids to ski, $75. (262) 949-6997 available. Text only (630) 886-6667 Jet ski lift, older style, needs new Electric golf cart, road ready, lights, seat belts and signals, very clean. wood, $75. Delivered to your dock $4,000. Lauderdale Lakes. (312) 2858630 for $35. (262) 742-3665

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AUG. 2018

CHAIN O’ LAKES BREEZE

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Top tips for fun days at the beach Millions of people visit the beach each summer. For some people, there is no better place than the beach, where they can listen to the waves crash on the shore and smell the briny air.

The U.S. Lifesaving Association routinely compiles statistics on beach attendance, watercraft use and other recreational information, estimating that 367,231,142 people took to beaches across the country in 2015, the most recent reporting year. Cool coastal temps and refreshing oceans and lakes make the beach an ideal place to survive the heat.

While a trip to the beach has the makings of a great day, a few tips can help make these sun- and sand-filled days even better.

Protect electronics Sand and surf can be calming, but not if your newest mobile phone gets doused with the incoming tide. For those bringing their phones or tablets along, steps to protect the gadgets can make the day even more calming. A zip-seal plastic bag can do the trick, and you can still access the screen through the plastic.

If you plan to spend time on a boat, you may want to invest in waterproof, floating pouches.

Keep clean Sand gets everywhere at the beach, so it can be a challenge to remain clean. Invest in a beach blanket where the sand falls through like a sieve, such as the Quicksand Mat from CGear.

Pack baby powder in your beach bag, which will help loosen sand from kids’ bodies before they get back in the car. And while at the beach, use hand-decorated aluminum cans as drink cozies to keep condensing beverage bottles from becoming caked with sand.

Time beauty regimens right Shaving legs or underarms right before heading to the beach can result in some painful irritation. It’s best to shave the night before diving into saltwater or even pool water. If you need a last-minute touch-up, use mineral oil while shaving to help keep irritation to a minimum.

It’s important to apply sunscreen to the skin approximately 15 minutes before heading outdoors so that it has time to absorb, advises the American Academy of Dermatology. If you wait until you get to the beach, you put your skin at risk. Use a self-tanner for bronze skin rather than soaking up the rays.

Hide your money Leaving your money or belongings out in the open may entice thieves. Camouflage items of value by storing them in an empty sunscreen bottle nestled in a beach bag.

Stay cool Purchase or make a vividly patterned tarp/tent to offer a shady respite. This will also help the family find their way back to your beach spot. Place sandals or flip-flops face-down in the sand or on a blanket to ensure they won’t be scalding after a day at the beach.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Trips to the beach are a summertime tradition.

With a few tips and tricks, the memories can be even better.

STOCK PHOTO The Breeze

STOCK PHOTO The Breeze

Summer fun seekers needn’t get overly distressed about dry and secondary drowning. However, the key to preventing any drowning is supervision while in the water and getting prompt medical attention if an aspiration event occurs.

Understanding

dry drowning Summer fun is punctuated by afternoons spent in the pool or diving through the waves of the ocean. With swimming being such a large part of warm weather recreation, people of all ages have acclimated themselves to drowning prevention measures.

While most people are familiar with the risks of drowning, they may have heard misinformation about conditions known as dry drowning or secondary drowning.

Dry drowning and secondary drowning can occur after a person has exited the water, which only heightens the fears associated with each condition.

Misinformation may have spurred many of those fears.

The American Osteopathic Association says that, although rare, dry drowning and secondary drowning can occur anytime up to 24 hours after a person stops swimming. Dry drowning occurs when a person, typically a child, inhales water through his or her nose or mouth. This water then triggers a spasm in the airway, causing it to close, and can impact breathing. Secondary drowning happens when swimmers have taken water into the lungs. WebMD says this water can irritate the lining of the lungs and lead to fluid buildup. This is a condition called pulmonary edema.

Dry drowning and secondary drowning can

be dangerous, but the conditions are uncommon.

Florida Hospital Tampa advises that these events make up between 1 and 2 percent of all drownings, and symptoms tend to show themselves by way of coughing, chest pain, trouble breathing, and feeling extremely tired.

A child dealing with dry or secondary drowning also may experience irritability or a drop in energy levels because his or her brain is not getting enough oxygen.

Dr. Katherine H. Hensley, a physician at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, says dry drowning, or what is more accurately known as “drowning with delayed mortality,” since dry drowning and secondary drowning aren’t medical diagnoses, is overblown. Symptoms after a drowning incident or water inhalation rarely progress to death. It’s also important to note that swallowing water, in which water goes the route of the esophagus and digestive tract, is very different from aspiration, which occurs when water enters the trachea and lungs.

Children who swallow water and do not have an aspiration event with coughing, sputtering and an inability to recover quickly are fine to return to the water whenever they want. Those who aspire water and have continued symptoms later in the day require an emergency medical checkup, Hensley said.

(METRO CREATIVE)

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CHAIN O’ LAKES BREEZE

AUG. 2018

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