Republican precinct committeemen from throughout McHenry County converged on Crystal Lake Friday night and Saturday morning to pick up literature to distribute for federal and county candidates.

When I got there shortly before 11 Saturday morning, it was hard to find a parking space. People were filling car trunks with candidate signs.

Nick Provenzano and Mary Donner, both running for re-election for the McHenry County Board from District 2 were there.

In the back room where the literature was Lou Bianchi’s campaign manager Ron Salgado talking with McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz, Donner and Nunda Township precinct committeeman Bob Borchert. In the background, you can see McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer talking to McHenry County Board member John Jung.

On top you see a sign saying that McCain-Palin signs are available. Don’t think that the McCain campaign is spending big bucks in Illinois. The McHenry County Republican Central Committee is buying them so local partisans can have them. You don’t have to make a contribution to get one, but they signs have to be paid for.

I also saw this tee shirt for sale.

The one you see, priced at $20, may be the last one left.

Again, the local party purchased them for resale. If you want one ordered for you, call headquarters at 815-444-1910 and ask to be put on the list.

And, of course, volunteers are still needed. The goal is to keep the headquarters open from 9 to 9, County Chairman Mike Tryon told me last night at the Tri-County Pregnancy and Parenting dinner.