McHenry County Blog

A note and some pictures from my sister, who lives in Joplin:

We drove the new high school last Thurs.

It happened to be open so we went in to investigate.

It turned out we were crashing Gov. Nixon’s press conference. He had not arrived yet, so we decided to look around.

We were quite impressed with everything. Apparently the kids are each going to be given a laptop and will have no books.

No lockers in sight in this view of the inside of Joplin's fall 2011 high school.

There are no lockers because of this.

I don’t know where everyone is supposed to put their coats but I guess they have a couple of months to figure that out.

The name of Joplin High School's mascot--the Eagles--covers a wall inside, along with a drawing of a fiece raptor.

Nixon was there to share with us that the state was going to make up the $1.5 million the schools will not receive because of tornado damage. It’s to compensate the school district for the taxes they are going to lose because of fewer businesses and homes owners paying their taxes.

It’s nice to be on the receiving end for once.

Future Joplin High School stars stand in front of the mascot Eagle head.

The high school is now in the old Venture or Shopco building in our mall.

It really is amazing that it has been converted into a state of the art school.

There are also a couple of modular units outside. I think these may be for science.

Joplin High School after tornado destruction.

Also there are quite a few tornado shelters in the parking lot. I need to take a pic of those.

This tee shirt looks like a Harley dealership one from a distance.

When one gets closer, one sees it says, “Mount Up with Wings of Eagles.

There were lots of patriotic entries in Crystal Lake’s 4th of July Parades, but the most elaborate was that of Patriots United.

A soaring American Eagle was the leading edge of the float.

A non-partisan group that has sponsored public forums on health care reform, video gambling, abortion,and county board candidates and congressional candidates, among others, plus organized and participated in TEA Party rallies, this pre-TEA Party organization had a float with a stunning flying eagle last Monday.

The organizer for the float was Mary Alger.

An Army Ranger and a Green Beret sat in the back of the pick-up truck pulling the elaborate float.

On the bed of the trailer was a representation of the United States Capitol behind an American Flag.

The first part of the United States Constitution was on one side of the back of the entry. On the other side a scroll read,

God Bless
Our Troops
God Bless
The U.S.A.

A man in a tri-cornered hat walked with a flag-striped placard reading,

An American Icon
Not “Idle”

The reference was to the Statue of Liberty.

Earlier, another man carried a black and yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.

Among those walking near the float was Crystal Lake’s Joe Edwards. He was handing out literature about Patriots United.

There were signs appropriate to the group.

• In God We Trust
• Free Market Economy
• Strong National Defense
• Pro-Family
• Faith in God
• Limited Government
• Trust and Honor

My favorite was on the back of the Capitol:

The Peoples’
House
Is Not
For Sale

Saturday, the Patriots United Crystal Lake Independence Day float was finished.

Ready to fly onto the parade route was the symbol of our country, the American Eagle.

Mary Alger and her crew did a splendid job.

The parade goes down Dole Avenue and starts at 1 today, July 5th.

I found this tee shirt at Disney World in 2007.

It has an eagle and quotes Isaiah 40:37

But those who hope in the Lord will have their strength.

THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS OF EAGLES.