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...

Good news for Pickleball and Tennis lovers! Pickleball nets (Spoerl Park, 7610 Pingree Rd, Crystal Lake) and Tennis nets (Veteran Acres, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake) go up and courts will be ready for play beginning March 24. Parks are open dawn-dusk. Courts are lit at dark-10 pm at Veteran Acres beginning May 1, 2025.

Crystal Lake Park District Tennis & Pickleball...

free, public play is avail at Spoerl Park & Veteran Acres 

Crystal Lake Park District Tennis & Pickleball Courts Open on March 24

Community Corner

Algonquin-Lake In The Hills

Barrington

Lake Zurich

Kane County

Elgin

Grayslake

Cook County

Palatine

Libertyville

Vernon Hills

Eric DeGrechie

Buffalo Grove

Fourth of July fireworks will be held at dusk on July 5 in Wonder Lake. The Fourth of July festival will include the following events.&nbsp;<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/52718/20260623/073339/726447415-1007183288732436-5794053559897732772-n___23193338975.jpg" id="726447415_1007183288732436_5794053559897732772_n.jpg" data-image="726447415_1007183288732436_5794053559897732772_n.jpg"></figure>

Local Event: Fourth of July Fireworks, Ski Show In Wonder Lake 

Fourth of July Fireworks, Ski Show In Wonder Lake 

Fourth of July fireworks will be held at dusk on July 5 in Wonder Lake. The Fourth of July festival will include the following...

Deicke Park

HUNTLEY — The Village will celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display at Deicke Park on Thursday, July 4, with the show expected to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Local Event: July 4 Fireworks in Huntley at Deicke Park 

July 4 Fireworks in Huntley at Deicke Park 

HUNTLEY — The Village will celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display at Deicke Park on Thursday, July 4, with the...

The Dole

Fireworks for The Fest at The Dole will take place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as the closing event of the weekend-long Lakeside Festival. The fireworks are scheduled for dusk following the day’s entertainment lineup. The display will be launched from the grounds at The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. Festival activities on Sunday run throughout the day, including live music, carnival rides, and food and drink vendors leading up to the show. Guests are encouraged to arrive earlier in the day to secure viewing spots around the festival grounds and lakeside areas. The fireworks are expected to begin at dusk, weather permitting, and conclude the Lakeside Festival celebration.

Local Event: Fireworks at Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake

Fireworks at Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake

Fireworks for The Fest at The Dole will take place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as the closing event of the weekend-long Lakeside...

Across Illinois

ComEd Energy Doctor Offers 4 Tips On How To...

Chicago went into an Extreme Heat Warning on Monday, with a stretch of hot days lasting through Friday.

ComEd Energy Doctor Offers 4 Tips On How To Stay Cool While Avoiding High Electric Bills

Health & Fitness

🌱 Patch AM: Why a 911 call at a Crystal Lake...

Coming up: Fourth of July Fireworks, Ski Show In Wonder Lake  on the Crystal Lake Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Why a 911 call at a Crystal Lake hotel led to charges

Where To Find Cooling Centers In Crystal Lake...

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for the entire Chicagoland area as forecasters predict dangerous conditions.

Where To Find Cooling Centers In Crystal Lake During Extreme Heat Wave 

Weather

🌱 Patch AM: Former Prairie Grove Officer...

Be sure to catch Fourth of July Fireworks, Ski Show In Wonder Lake  on the Crystal Lake Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Former Prairie Grove Officer Released From Jail In Official Misconduct Case

Former Prairie Grove Officer Released From Jail...

William C. Copp is accused of using law enforcement databases and Flock license plate readers to track people he knew. 

Former Prairie Grove Officer Released From Jail In Official Misconduct Case

Crime & Safety

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 

Business

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. 

Nearby Communities

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