Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Crystal Lake Splash Pads Staying Open Through Sept. 20
And check out Carnival Glass ONLINE ONLY Auction September 10 on the Crystal Lake Patch calendar

Morning Crystal Lake! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Crystal Lake extends splash pad season for extra late-summer fun
- How Crystal Lake South's returning star is reshaping the Gators' offense
- District 15 must quickly fill seat after Crystal Lake South teacher's death
Also on today's calendar: Carnival Glass ONLINE ONLY Auction September 10 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Couple of thunderstorms, with a high of 80 and low of 61 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 77, low: 54.
- Friday: Sunny and comfortable, with a high of 77 and low of 62 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Crystal Lake Splash Pads Staying Open Through Sept. 20 (patch.com) — Families in Crystal Lake can enjoy extra time at two city splash pads, which will stay open daily through Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Veteran Acres Park and Crystal Castle on Willow Tree Drive. The Lakewood Meadows splash pad remains closed for repairs, but the extended season still offers residents two more weeks of warm-weather fun.
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• Burlington Central rises to the challenge: Northwest Herald volleyball notebook (shawlocal.com) — Crystal Lake volleyball fans can see a strong Crystal Lake South squad boosted by senior outside hitter and Cal Poly beach commit Logan Georgy, who has returned to high school play and is already making an impact. The notebook also highlights Prairie Ridge's home match in Crystal Lake and other Fox Valley Conference standouts, offering a snapshot of how local teams are shaping up early this season.
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• McHenry District 15 board member, retired Crystal Lake South teacher dies (shawlocal.com) — A longtime Crystal Lake South High School teacher and McHenry District 15 board member, Arne Waltmire, has died at age 74, and the district now must fill his board seat within 60 days. Waltmire, remembered as a thoughtful, student-focused leader, taught auto, metal, and wood classes at Crystal Lake South for 18 years and was praised for his deep commitment to education and public service.
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📸 Around Crystal Lake
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Crystal Lake
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Carnival Glass ONLINE ONLY Auction September 10 →
ONLINE Auction,
10:00 am - 51st Annual Art in the Barn →
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 IL-22, Barrington
10:00 am
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- No Book Book Club →
Abalabix Books, 30 N Williams St, Unit A, Crystal Lake
5:00 pm - Dine & Share at Culvers →
400 Pingree Rd, Crystal Lake
5:00 pm - Paula Poundstone →
Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake
7:00 pm - Age Strong: Session 4 →
Smith Physical Therapy + Crystal Lake, 110 W Woodstock St, Crystal Lake
1:00 am - Housewalk 2026 →
Various
9:00 am - Service League of Crystal Lake Housewalk →
9:00 am - Purrfect Cat Rescue Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's →
Jersey Mike's Subs, 5006 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake
10:00 am - TLC's Fall Native Plant, Tree and Shrub Sale in Woodstock →
McHenry County Fair Association, 11900 Country Club Rd, Woodstock
10:00 am - A Million Dreams: From Hope to Home Charity Gala →
800 S IL Rte 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Elara Convention Center
6:00 pm - Teachers' Lounge Comedy →
Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake
8:00 pm
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Wednesday September 16
Friday September 18
📣 Crystal Lake Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Crystal Lake PatchAM possible:
- Springbrook Community Church — (224) 569-3300
- Crystal Lake Christian Church — (815) 459-9350
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good afternoon.
I am currently seeking professional assistance with the setup of an Etsy and/or Shopify store. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or… (Nextdoor Somerset Ln and More) - We have a rather large (volleyball-sized) hornets nest in a tree near our driveway.
I think they are bald-faced hornets, which have a reputation of being very aggressive. Anyone have an exterminator they'd recommend? We are in… (Nextdoor Crystal Lake)
- Chipotle posted a job opening for Crew Member in Crystal Lake. Apply here.
- Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Crystal Lake. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Crystal Lake here.
🗞 Nearby News
Algonquin
- A Little Corner of Peace (covchurch.org)
- Residential home in Algonquin goes for $453,000 (shawlocal.com)
McHenry
- Mountainside Baroque to perform G.F. Handel's Oratorio 'Esther' in McHenry (wvnews.com)
- Should City Council members be limited in how much info they can request? McHenry considers restrictions (shawlocal.com)
- McHenry man suffers critical, life-threatening injuries after car turns in front of motorcycle and causes crash in Fox Lake (lakemchenryscanner.com)
Palatine
- Palatine To Mark 25 Years Since 9/11 With Memorial Ceremony (patch.com)
Ok Crystal Lake! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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