My friend Pete Castillo and I decided to take in the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo Saturday.
Greeting folks was John Pletz of ServiceMaster by Peltz (815-455-John).
He was standing there next to former Chamber Executive Director John Blazier, whom I jokingly suggested didn’t know how to retire.
We decided to go against the flow.
Hey. Don’t be surprised. That’s the story of my life.
First we found Congressman Don Manzullo’s booth.
Next was Crystal Lake City Council candidate Kay Stanish. She was the only one of the eight city council candidates who popped for one of the rather expensive booths.
Moving right along, we found the three-spaced booth for the City of Crystal Lake.
No politicians there, though. Not Mayor Aaron Shepley. No one from the city council. Just civil servants.
Nicely designed.
Around the corner was the joint booth for State Rep. Mike Tryon and State Senator Pam Althoff. Manning it was John Jung and Tina Hill, Tryon’s administrative assistant.
Look what I found at the booth.
A hand out with disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s name on it. (Click to enlarge any photo.)
Not to worry. There was also a pamphlet about re-cycling.
The next display that had political overtones was that of the Tri-County Pregnancy and Parenting Services. Not a political arm of the pro-life movement, but worth taking a photo of. An attempt was made to recruit me for the Walk for Life. I replied that I would cover it if it were in my neighborhood again, but was told this year it will be in Grayslake. Bummer.
No sign of the McHenry County Citizens for Choice, the local pro-abortion group. I guess having won the national election, they see little need to recruit more supporters.
McHenry County College’s booth was next. People were recruiting students. Here you see one high school girl with her father. The man is telling them ab out McHenry County College Promise. Free tuition for high school graduates who can maintain a C+ average and do 16 hours of community service a semester, starting this September.
The tuition will be paid by donations, although students are required to apply for government scholarships and grants.
Next you see the winner of “Most Innovative Raffle Container.”
It’s a heating vent.
And for such incredible innovation, McHenry Heating and Air Conditioning gets a free plug.
As we rounded the corner, there was the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee spot.
Talking with constituents and potential constituents were, from left to right, Nunda Township trustee candidate Lee Jennings, Algonquin Township Trustee Linda Lance (facing left) and, back to the camera, Algonquin Township Trustee Lowell Cutsforth.
Out in the hall toward the Expo entrance was the Crystal Lake Park District booth.
Ann Viger was spinning the Re-ycling Wheel. Wherever it stopped, contestants had to tell whether the waste product could be used by the park district. I didn’t stay long enough to find out, but I think the answer was “Yes” for all of the choices. Winners get a buy one, get one free entrance fee to the miniature golf course at Lippold Park.
Two women were manning McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s booth right at the entrance. They were having fun when I told this photo.
And we were back to where John Pletz was standing.