McHenry County Blog

The Defenders parade entry started the same way many did--with people carrying a banner.

Next was a convertible with Dianne and Rusty Ayers.

Rusty Ayers drove a convertible bedecked in green. His wife Diane Ayers sits on the top of the back seat.

But, then, this last entry in Crystal Lake’s 4th of July Parade made me smile.

It took me a bit of time to figure out that the people with garbage bags were part of a parade unit.

It was members of the McHenry County Defenders, aka, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, with carrying bags and picking up garbage.

"Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Citizens Working for a Better Environment" reads the banner on the side of the Falcon Waste & Disposal truck.

There was a Falcon Waste and Recycling truck with a big banner.  I guess that’s where the full trash bags ended up.

Some Defenders were wearing their new lime green tee shirts. ($10 for members.)

The clean-up crew was deployed along both sides of the parade route.

Spectators were more than willing to contribute waste products.

The parade was over.

And, that’s all there was.

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The day after the parade, I saw that not everything left behind had made the Defenders’ trash bags.

kirk

A Mark Kirk yard sign left behind after the Crystal Lake 4th of July Parade.

There were a couple of Mark Kirk yard signs left behind.

A smaller piece of debris was on the sidewalk outside the Schwinn Bike shop, The Village Peddler.  It was from McHenry County Democrats.

This was found stuck to the sidewalk after the Independence Day Parade.

And, finally, I noticed this lost bracelet.

Right outside of the Dole Avenue door of the Schwinn Bike Shop lay this bracelet.

Some little girl must have been sad when she noticed that she had lost it.

When Jason McLeod died last last year while fighting for our freedom, the entire town of Crystal Lake took note.

Businesses up and down Route 14 carried messages of condolence which you can see here.

Cassidy Tire even put up a message telling where to call to donate to his family.

The number on the sign was 815-477-5050.

The organizers of Crystal Lake’s Independence Day Parade honored McLeod again.

Setting the stage was the Color Guard leading the parade.

The Color Guard at Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade.

McLoed’s family rode in the car of honor and acknowledged the respectful applause.

The relatives of Jason McLeod rode in the Grand Marshall's car.

The Grand Marshall’s antique vehicle had a sign telling people who was in it.

Uniformed soldiers carried the banner announcing the honor bestowed upon Jason McLeod.

In front of the car was a banner carried by four members of the Armed Services.

The start of the parade was the Grand Marshall's car.

People waited expectantly and sadly for the car to follow.

It was traveling too fast for me or maybe I was just too emotionally involved to click fast enough.

Behind the vehicle friends marched.

Friends, many wearing tee shirts honoring Jason McLeod, marched behind the car.

Some wore tee-shirts that said,

“FOREVER YOUNG
IN OUR MEMORIES”

Right behind came the Great Lakes Navy Band playing a rousing version of “Anchors Away.”

The Navy Band from Great Lakes.

Flying in front of the White House on the Patriots United float is the American Eagle.

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.

The crushing debt being imposed by Congress on future generations was one of the issues being protested. "Give me liberty, not debt" reads one of the signs.

As the Wonder Lake Independence Day Parade was taking place, TEA Party supporters were rallying on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

A referenece to opposition to Communism greeted those driving east on Route 14 Sunday afternoon.

There were flags galore.

There were at least three versions of the "Don't Tread on Me" rattlesnake flag.

And signs showing dissatisfaction with the current state of national affairs.

A play on words about Congresswoman Melissa Bean's name was featured on one homemade sign.

One brought it down to Melissa Bean’s representation in Congress in the northern part of McHenry County:

Melissa Has-Bean

Hey Hey

Good Bye

The more general message was

"November is coming" states this woman's placard.

November
Is Coming

Sponsor of the demonstration was McHenry County Tea Party.

Organizing the event was the McHenry County Tea Party. Chris Jenner was one of those who took the microphone.

There were hats with many messages. This one came from the Independence Hall gift shop.

Pete Castillo displays his patriotism on July 4th.

Some candidates took some heat for campaigning at Memorial Day parades, but anyone wanting to be critical of politicians touting themselves at Independence Day parades needs a remedial history lesson.

The first candidate to send me a photo was Mike Mahon, who is running for McHenry County Sheriff.

McHenry County Sheriff's candidate Mike Mahon stands prepared for the Spring Grove 4th of July Parade.

This one was taken before the Spring Grove 4th of July Parade began.

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren stands in front of a departmental car before the start of the Wonder Lake parade.

Keith Nygren was on the scene, too.

Keith Nygren waves to people lining the Wonder Lake 4th of July Parade.

He rode in a convertible.

Mike Mahon's Wonder Lake parade presence.

Sheriff challenger Mike Mahon walked the parade route.

State Rep. Jack Franks and Congresswoman Melissa Bean converse before the Wonder Lake parade.

Democrat State Rep. Jack Franks was seen talking to Congresswoman Melissa Bean before the Wonder Lake parade.

Bean opponent Republican Joe Walsh was at the Wonder Lake parade, too.

Melissa Bean challenger Joe Walsh strkes a pose with supporters before the Wonder Lake parade.

Independent candidate for the Circuit Court judgeship Sally Wiggins and Mike Mahon can be seen here before the Wonder Lake parade.

On the right is Sally Wiggins, who filed petitions to be on the ballot for McHenry County Circuit Court Judge. She poses with Mike Mahon before the Wonder Lake parade.

Any other candidate who wants to promote his or her candidacy is welcome to email me photos and I’ll do my best to get them up, although I do have plans other than sitting at the computer all day, so it may be later this week.

One aside.

As we were driving to church this morning, people were staking out spots on the public right-of-way along the Dole Avenue parade route.

I wonder if they think the Crystal Lake parade is today. It’s not. It’s at 1 tomorrow afternoon.

Enough said.

Demonstrators were enthusiastic at Crystal Lake's TEA Party demonstration on April 15, 2010.

July 4th will see another Tea Party in Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake will have another TEA Party demonstration on July 4th from 1-3.

Since Crystal Lake’s parade is Monday, July 5rh, at 1, that won’t be a conflict.

It will be held pretty much where the April 15th event was–across the street from Applebees in front of the old Baker’s Square.

Organizers have sent the following information:

Another Tea Party is brewing in Crystal Lake.One of several Chicago-area Independence Day Tea Parties will be held Sunday, July 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Freedom-loving citizens are invited to bring flags and homemade signs, and come network with like minded people.

A list of speakers is being assembled, and will be highlighted by “Patrick Henry Revisited.” The legendary patriot will appear in full colonial garb and deliver an update to his famous 1775 address to the Second Virginia Assembly.

The peaceful rally will be held on the south side of Route 14 in front of Crystal Court Shopping Center. It is being organized by the McHenry County Tea Party. Additional information can be found here or by calling Laurie Jenner at 847-287-1432.

Palatine TEA Party folks are planning a similar rally for July 3rd. The details follow:

A group of taxpaying citizens dissatisfied with government spending and expansion are planning a Taxed Enough Already (TEA) rally to be held in Palatine, Illinois. This peaceful rally is part of a national movement to increase public awareness of the spending of trillions of dollars which will leave our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a devastating and ruinous debt they must re-pay.

This family-friendly rally encourages all citizens throughout the suburban area who want lower taxes and less government to participate by bringing their American flags, patriotic attire, and signs to display the spirit of the Colonial Patriots of the 1775 Boston Tea Party, which lead to American Independence July 4th, 1776.

Re-affirm your commitment to our Constitution and our freedoms by being part of this energizing event on Saturday, July 3rd, 2:00pm to 4:30pm, at Volunteer Plaza in Palatine at the intersection of N. Northwest Hwy (Route 14) and N. Hicks Road.

Costing $4.38, this Declaration of Independence mouse pad can be ordered by calling 202-225-3321. There's a $5 shipping charge. Click to enlarge.

When we were in the U.S. Capitol gift shop two years ago, my family bought me this mouse pad.

It contains the obvious message for today—a copy of the Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

Truly, the message to which these men signed their name has been heard around the world.

And, the system of governance they and their colleagues created is the envy of much of the world–as any immigrant can attest.

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If you would like to buy one like it, they are for sale for $4.38, plus $5 shipping. Call 202-225-3321. Credit card purchases are welcomed.

This Declaration of Independance mouse pad can be purchased at the U.S. House of Representatives Gift Shop in the Longworth House Office Building. Click to enlarge

When we were in the U.S. Capitol gift shop two years ago, my family bought me this mouse pad.

It contains the obvious message for today—a copy of the Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

Truly, the message to which these men signed their name has been heard around the world.

And, the system of governance they and their colleagues created is the envy of much of the world–as any immigrant can attest.

= = = = =

If you would like to buy one like it, they are for sale for $4.38, plus $5 shipping.  Call 202-225-3321.  Credit card purchases are welcomed.