Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Dolly Parton-Themed Corn Maze Opens At Woodstock-Area Orchard
Happening soon: The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon. on the Crystal Lake Patch calendar
Hi Crystal Lake! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Dolly Parton tribute corn maze opens just minutes from Crystal Lake
- Downtown Crystal Lake favorite reopens after sudden electrical shutdown
- Why Crystal Lake killed a new Water's Edge sales tax early
Also on today's calendar: The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon. and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 79, low: 60.
- Saturday: Periods of sun, with a high of 80 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Dolly Parton-Themed Corn Maze Opens At Woodstock-Area Orchard (patch.com) — Crystal Lake residents looking for a fall outing now have a Dolly Parton-themed corn maze just up the road at All Seasons Orchard near Woodstock. The maze, part of a 20-location tribute across the U.S. and Canada, honors Parton and her Imagination Library with themed artwork, trivia, photo spots, and storytime, and the orchard plans donations to support children's literacy. 
2. Duke's Alehouse Reopens After Electrical Damage Forces Closure (patch.com) — Crystal Lake diners can once again visit Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen after an unexpected power issue damaged its kitchen exhaust system and forced a temporary closure. Following repairs and a brief shutdown that began Aug. 21, the downtown spot announced on Facebook that it was reopening for service at 4 p.m. Saturday.
3. Crystal Lake drops 1% sales tax at Water's Edge before it starts (shawlocal.com) — Crystal Lake officials have scrapped a planned extra 1% sales tax at the new Water's Edge development before it ever took effect, keeping shoppers at the current 8.5% rate. The Route 14 project at the former Crystal Court site is adding restaurants, shops, housing, a park and lake overlook, backed by a $14 million city incentive package.
4. Andrew Daman shoots even par, leads Prairie Ridge boys golf to FVC win: Wednesday's Northwest Herald roundup (shawlocal.com) — Crystal Lake Central athletes figured prominently in Wednesday's local sports, with girls flag football opening with a 19-6 win over St. Edward and girls volleyball falling to Stevenson at home. The roundup also highlights strong golf, soccer and tennis performances from nearby Fox Valley and Kishwaukee River Conference schools that Crystal Lake fans regularly follow.
5. New rules signed for e-bikes, scooters (evanstonnow.com) — A new Illinois law taking effect Jan. 1 will set age limits, speed caps, and where e-bikes and scooters can legally operate, after several serious teen crashes, including one involving a 15-year-old from Crystal Lake. The rules create stricter tiers for high-speed devices, potential fines and impoundment, and a statewide safety campaign riders and parents should understand now.
📸 Around Crystal Lake
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Crystal Lake
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The famous Pequod's, caramelized crust pizza is heading your way. Order by noon. →
5:30 pm - Fright Market at Camp Lake Zurich →
Phase Three Brewing - Lake Zurich, 932 Donata Ct, Lake Zurich
12:00 pm
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Plant Bingo
Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry 219 N Benton St.
7:30 pm - Link Crew - Freshman Check-ins
Johnsburg High School JHS Cafe
7:30 am - Cosmic Bowling Fridays - EXTENDED
Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry Kingston Lanes
6:00 pm - McHenry County Dog Daze →
Kaper Park, Cimarron Dr, Cary
10:00 am - Lucy's Comedy →
Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake
8:00 pm - Greenroom Improv →
Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake
7:00 pm - Crystal Lake Half Marathon and 12K →
Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake
7:30 am - Carnival Glass ONLINE ONLY Auction September 10 →
ONLINE Auction
10:00 am - Paula Poundstone →
Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake
7:00 pm - Age Strong: Session 4 →
Smith Physical Therapy + Crystal Lake, 110 W Woodstock St, Crystal Lake
1:00 am
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Sunday September 6
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Wednesday September 16
📣 Crystal Lake Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Crystal Lake PatchAM possible:
- Crystal Lake Christian Church — (815) 459-9350
- Springbrook Community Church — (224) 569-3300
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Enroll now for Fall Crystal Lake Park District Youth and Adult Golf Lessons and Clinics —Crystal Lake Park District Read on Patch
- Crystal Lake Park District Barlina House Preschool Openings for 2026-2027 School Year —Crystal Lake Park District Read on Patch
- Crystal Lake Park District Park Board of Commissioner Election Petition Packets Available —Crystal Lake Park District Read on Patch
- Low-cost rabies vaccine & microchip clinics are back this fall!
The McHenry County Animal Control & Adoption Center will host three drive-thru, appointment-only clinics for cats and dogs in Crystal Lake. Pricing… (Nextdoor ) - Hello,
I have a 18ft round above ground pool and trying to see if anyone is local that knows how to close up, winterize etc. Also if anyone has a company… (Nextdoor Four Colonies Park)
- Chuck E. Cheese posted a job opening for Game Room Attendant – Cast Member in Crystal Lake. Apply here.
- Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Night Crew Stocker in Crystal Lake. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Crystal Lake here.
Ok Crystal Lake! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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