Hello Crystal Lake! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Art show submissions, a cat adoption event, and Handel's Ice Cream expansion + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Local creativity on display: Local artists are invited to submit landscape-inspired work for TLC’s 18th Art of the Land show, Oct. 23 and 24 at Starline Factory in Harvard. Entries close Sept. 6, 2026 -- see how to submit.
Roadside stops worth the drive: Illinois farm stands await summer visits, including nearby Stade's Farm and Market in McHenry, Tom's Farm Market in Huntley, and Susie's Garden Patch, with peak sweet corn and seasonal treats -- see the full farm stand roundup.
A sweet expansion ahead: Handel's Ice Cream will open its first Illinois shops in suburbs including Algonquin, Elgin, and Geneva/St. Charles, with openings starting in Q3 2027 and over 120 flavors -- taste the shop lineup.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Rainy day sanity saver: Millie's Playland gives the kiddos a bright, safe spot to explore, climb, and giggle while you actually catch your breath. If nap time has been losing the fight lately, this local indoor playground is the reset button you’ll wish you’d hit sooner.
Planter glow-up, anyone? Soil & Spade turns sad pots into statement pieces with seasonal designs, recycled fiber drop-ins, and OMRI-certified organic goodness right here in Downtown Crystal Lake. This week, explore fresh plants, book a custom planter refresh, or snag a workshop spot... easy win for your curb appeal and sanity.
Skate night, sorted: Need an easy, rain-or-shine plan? Xtreme Wheels - Roller Skating Center keeps Crystal Lake cruising with all-ages sessions, glow-light vibes, and a classic snack bar for pizza and rink fuel, all with a friendly, family-run energy that makes extra laps feel kind of inevitable.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎶 Lunchapalooza @ Towne Park (Algonquin) | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:00 AM – Need a lunch break that wears the kids out? Pack a lunch, bring a blanket, and let Marko Polo Music turn midday into a free, kid-friendly groove with music, movement, and plenty of laughs in the park, or at the Algonquin Library if clouds grumble.
🍽 Dine & Donate for Playground Program @ Dairy Queen (Woodstock) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to have dinner that helps, this is it. Order in person, and 15% of sales benefits the Playground Program, so your nachos moonlight as philanthropy. Delivery apps do not count, bring your appetite, neighborly charm.
🐾 Cat Adoption Event @ PetSmart (McHenry) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – PetSmart McHenry becomes a cuddle clinic as Animal Outreach rolls in with adoptable cats, seasoned volunteers, and real talk on fostering and adoption. Low pressure, high purr quotient, and a chance to support a local lifeline while auditioning your next couch critic.
🇺 Stars 'N Stripes Fest @ Cary Grove Park | Saturday (6/27) at 4:00 PM – Cary-Grove Park goes full Stars 'N Stripes, with Hello Weekend cranking the hits, food trucks, beer and wine, and fireworks big enough to make you forget the neighbors. Free to wander in, bounce houses to wear out the kids, and parking is twenty, naturally.
🧺 Stages of Transformation 2026 Summer Family Picnic @ Stages of Transformation Resource Center | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Head to Stages of Transformation in Crystal Lake for a summer family picnic that actually feels like family. Celebrate recovery, trade stories, and let the kids exhaust themselves while you enjoy shade and neighbors you actually know, plus cornhole squabbles and plenty of sunshine.
🎉 Pop’n Toyz 3-Year Anniversary Celebration @ Pop N Toyz (McHenry) | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Dust off that old binder and pop over to POP’N TOYZ in McHenry for a free anniversary open house, with trade tables, pack battles, raffles, and a community cookout. It’s kid energy with grown-up nostalgia, plus prizes, bragging rights, and surprisingly wholesome chaos.
🎤 Karaoke Junior @ Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Junior karaoke is taking the spotlight, with singers 20 and under belting their hearts out and making our shower solos feel humble. Expect big voices, contagious energy, and zero pretense. All ages are welcome, so bring the crew, the good vibes, and supportive claps.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Crystal Lake report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 51%
A chance of rain showers between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 14%
Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 6-bedroom, 4-bath Bryn Mawr home offers about 3,500 square feet of comfortable, flexible space on a 0.65-acre corner lot. Hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and formal dining bring the polish, while a first-floor bedroom, finished basement suite, large deck, sports bottom pool, and community walking path add plenty of room for busy family life.
Take a peek inside → |
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