Connect with others and grow your communication skills

District 30 Toastmasters

To learn more or find a local club, visit https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club or email prm@d30toastmasters.org. Guests are welcome. District 30 Toastmasters is a dynamic professional development community serving individuals and organizations across northern Illinois through a network of local clubs that meet both in person and online. As part of the global Toastmasters International organization, District 30 empowers people to build confidence, strengthen communication, and develop leadership skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. Members don’t just study communication and leadership concepts—they actively practice them through structured meetings, real-time feedback, and leadership opportunities that mirror real-world challenges. From first-time speakers finding their voice to experienced professionals refining their executive presence, District 30 provides a space where growth is both intentional and measurable. Beyond individual development, District 30 fosters strong community connections. Its clubs create opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and relationship-building across communities, industries, and backgrounds. District-wide events, including training sessions, speech contests, and the annual conference, bring members together to exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and expand their impact. District 30 also strengthens the broader community by equipping individuals with skills that translate directly into the workplace and civic life. Members become more effective leaders, clearer communicators, and more engaged contributors within their organizations and communities. At its core, District 30 Toastmasters is about transformation—helping individuals move from hesitation to confidence, from ideas to action, and from potential to purposeful leadership. Membership is open to adults 18 and older. Youth Leadership programs are periodically offered for those under 18.

Lake County

Lake

Gurnee

Illinois

To learn more or find a local club, visit https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club or email prm@d30toastmasters.org. Guests are welcome. District...

Faithfully preaching the good news that is Jesus Christ

Crystal Lake Christian Church

Crystal Lake Christian Church is a church family that loves God and shows that love with reverence and awe; we are all sinners saved by His grace and we love one another through bearing one another’s burdens in prayer and fellowship. We praise the Lord with a mixture of contemporary and traditional music without the circus; it’s not a concert; it’s worship of the living God. We emphasize the fact that it is not the quality of our singing but instead the quality of our heart condition before God that matters most; He is worthy of our praise. We partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. We do so in remembrance of what Jesus, the Lamb of God, achieved at Calvary for a fallen world in need of salvation and a Savior; in need of atonement. We baptize by immersion upon request and view this as the first step of obedience by an individual who has already made a faith commitment and cried out to God for salvation. The words spoken from God’s pulpit are anchored exclusively in the scriptures and, while occasionally topical, we do not view the gospel as a self-improvement program. The gospel message communicates the truth about God’s love, righteousness, holiness and judgement while emphasizing our need to repent of our transgressions before Him.

McHenry County

Amie Schaenzer

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Crystal Lake-Cary

Crystal Lake Christian Church is a church family that loves God and shows that love with reverence and awe; we are all sinners saved by His grace...

Springbrook Community Church

Springbrook is a vibrant church in our community that exists to glorify God, as we help others meet, know, and follow Jesus. Be our guest Sunday at 9am or 11am, or text GUEST to 1-844-238-7507 if you have any questions.

Huntley

Springbrook is a vibrant church in our community that exists to glorify God, as we help others meet, know, and follow Jesus. Be our guest Sunday at...

CREATIVE ARTS INC. student art show - Friday, March 6th from 5-8pm. Free admission, refreshments, interactive art station, and art exhibit! Join us for an evening of family friendly art fun, to explore the process of making art. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park/Dole Mansion is located at: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Want more info? Visit our website<a href="http://www.creativeartsinc.org" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> creativeartsinc.org</a> or find us on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Creativeartsart" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/Creativeartsart </a>

CREATIVE ARTS INC. student art show - Friday, March 6th from 5-8pm. Free admission, refreshments, interactive art station, and art exhibit! Join us for an evening of family friendly art fun, to explore the process of making art.

Lakeside Legacy Arts Park/Dole Mansion is located at: 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Want more info? Visit our website<a href="http://www.creativeartsinc.org" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> creativeartsinc.org</a> or find us on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Creativeartsart" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/Creativeartsart </a>

March 6th, 5-8pm - Fun interactive art exhibit exploring the process of drawing, painting, sculpting, sewing & digital art!

Creative Arts, Inc. Art Show at the Dole

Arts & Entertainment

Algonquin-Lake In The Hills

Barrington

Lake Zurich

Kane County

Elgin

Grayslake

Cook County

Palatine

Libertyville

Vernon Hills

Eric DeGrechie

Buffalo Grove

Garage Sale &amp; Furniture Sale.&nbsp; Fri &amp; Sat 9-3.&nbsp;

Local Event: Furniture & Garage Sale

Furniture & Garage Sale

Garage Sale & Furniture Sale.  Fri & Sat 9-3.  

Cary-Grove Park

Stars ‘N Stripes Celebration 
Saturday, June 27 | 4–10 p.m. 
Cary Grove Park
The Cary Park District invites the community to celebrate summer at its annual Stars ‘N Stripes event, part of the nationwide America250 commemoration. Admission is free, with parking available for $20 per vehicle. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and gather for an evening of live music, food, and family activities.
Enjoy live music from Hello Weekend, who will perform throughout the evening, along with a variety of local food trucks. Beer, wine, and hard seltzer will be available for guests 21 and older. New this year, Cary Ale House is featuring a festival-exclusive craft beer, Spacious Skies, an American Pale Ale brewed with Centennial and Cashmere hops, available on draft at the beer tent.
Family-friendly activities include bounce houses, an obstacle course, open green space, a professional face painter (additional fee), and Glow Zone light-up toys and novelties for the fireworks show.
The Firecracker 5K takes place Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center, with check-in from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Registration includes a swag bag, race T-shirt, and free entry to a post-race after party from 8 to 10 p.m. Packet pick-up begins June 22, with entry fees set at $45 for residents and $68 for non-residents.
The weekend begins with the 5K on Friday, followed by the Stars ‘N Stripes celebration on Saturday at Cary Grove Park.

Local Event: Stars ‘N Stripes Celebration in Cary 

Stars ‘N Stripes Celebration in Cary 

Stars ‘N Stripes Celebration 
Saturday, June 27 | 4–10 p.m. 
Cary Grove Park
The Cary Park District invites the community to...

🌱 Patch AM: DUI Charge For Man Critically...

And check out Furniture & Garage Sale on the Crystal Lake Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: DUI Charge For Man Critically Injured In Crystal Lake Crash: Authorities 

Community Corner

Mediterranean Fast-Casual Chain CAVA To Open...

The restaurant, known for its customizable bowls and pitas, will open June 29 along Northwest Highway and create up to 40 jobs.

Mediterranean Fast-Casual Chain CAVA To Open Next Week In Crystal Lake 

Business

DUI Charge For Man Critically Injured In...

The crash happened early Friday near Surrey Lane and Abbington Drive in Crystal Lake. 

DUI Charge For Man Critically Injured In Crystal Lake Crash: Authorities 

Crime & Safety

Lake Co. Votes To Temporarily Ban New Data...

County leaders say the pause will allow time to evaluate zoning rules and long-term impacts on infrastructure and energy demand.

Lake Co. Votes To Temporarily Ban New Data Centers In Unincorporated Areas

Politics & Government

🌱 Patch AM: 2026 July 4 Fireworks Guide For...

🌱 Patch AM: 2026 July 4 Fireworks Guide For Crystal Lake, Cary 

Pet Shelter For Turtles, Bunnies Hosts Open House

Lost Woods Animal Sanctuary near Crystal Lake takes in a variety of exotic pets. An open house will be held on March 26. 

Kids & Family 

Norge VIP Area 'A Hit,' Being Offered Again...

Norge Ski Club is now selling VIP passes for its upcoming winter ski jumping tournament. 

Norge VIP Area 'A Hit,' Being Offered Again This Year

New Adoption Center Takes In Small Exotic Pets...

Lost Woods Animal Sanctuary opened in the past year and specializes in providing care and homes for guinea pigs, turtles, rats and more. 

New Adoption Center Takes In Small Exotic Pets In Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake, Cary Food Pantries Seek Donations...

Higher costs at the grocery stores has lead many across the Chicago area to rely on food pantries to help feed their families. 

Crystal Lake, Cary Food Pantries Seek Donations Amid Record Inflation

Seasonal & Holidays

New Pots And Pies In Crystal Lake Sells Out...

A mother and daughter opened the Crystal Lake bakery on Oct. 27 and have been hustling since to keep up with demand. 

New Pots And Pies In Crystal Lake Sells Out Daily Since Opening 

New Pots And Pies Bakery In Crystal Lake Sells Out Daily Since Opening 

Local Food Pantries Feel Pinch As Inflation Soars

Plus, how you can help give back to local pantries slammed with record numbers of people stopping out. 

Firefighter With Terminal Cancer Gets Married...

Frank Nunez, 34, of Crystal Lake, was released from a Chicago hospital and brought home to receive hospice care Tuesday. 

Firefighter With Terminal Cancer Gets Married In Crystal Lake Home

Crystal Lake Home Considered For Landmark...

The Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday voted to recommend the Illinois Street home for landmark status approval. 

Crystal Lake Home Considered For Landmark Designation

Real Estate

Trumpeter Swan Guards Nest In Rare Pic Taken At...

A wildlife ecologist discovered the first documented successful breeding of trumpeter swan at a McHenry Co. Conservation site last week. 

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