The following was extracted from Association minutes, newsletters and Garden Club notes from 1940 to 2017. It shows our progress over the last 75 years, although sometimes slow.
1940
– First meeting of Improvement Association on August 4. Dues set at $5 to provide for working funds.
– Decision to incorporate. read the minutes here 1st annual meeting 1940
1941
– Fifty-nine members in Association and dues set at $10. Read report
– First meeting of Garden Club on August 21.
– Special meeting called. Resolution passed to post sign at beach prohibiting soap bathing and changing of clothes. Read the minutes of that meeting
– Construction of two sixty foot piers and installation of water fountain at beach approved.
1942
– August Schwerman deeds playgrounds, parks, terraces, roads and dam to Sylvan Lake Improvement Association. See copy of document
1943
– Garden Club built benches at Point Comfort Park.
1944
– Study with Fish and Wild Life Department of Interior to rid lake of “weedy and scummy” appearance.
– Construction of long bench area at beach to hold back dirt and prevent erosion. read about it
– Letter from Mr. Schwerman reminding home owners not to plant shrubbery on the roads. read letter
– Mrs. Gilpin, newly elected president of the Garden Club outlined her plans in a “meaty and pithy talk.”
1946
– Rules and regulations include: Speed limit 13 to 15 Mph as posted.
– No outdoor toilets No fence, trees or shrubs beyond property.
– List of dues paid in and disbursements paid out
1947
– It was thought a good idea to fertilize the lake to help keep the weeds down. read it here
1949
– Motion made to rename Lindbergh to Schwerman Park. Read annual meeting minutes
– Discussions regarding volunteer improvements included ball diamond and community house.
See who owned your house in the 1950’s
1950
– Garden Club contributed $150 to the Association for playground equipment at Point Comfort Park.
1951
– Association voted $40 to the $100 Garden Club budget for beach sand and $50 to Winter Club for snow removal.
– Swings installed at Point Comfort Park.
1952
– Baseball backstops installed by Garden Club.
– Lindberg park renamed in honor of August Schwerman. Mrs. Schwerman responds.
1953
– Association discussions included dredging, seawalls, and stocking of northerns and pickerel.
1954
– Lake recommendations include weed control, lower lake kill fish, build seawalls and restock fish.
– First Sylvan Lake newsletter distributed.
– A note was sent to property owners looking for $10-$20 donations to solve weed problem.
1956
– Garden Club provided first raft for lake.
1957
– Garden Club Sunshine Committee formed.
1959
– Annual meeting resolution for township to take over road maintenance. Read the 4 page minutes
1961
– Dues were still $15 but 48 members donated an extra $5 after an appeal for funds.
– Lights were installed at entrances and beach.
1962
– Natural gas arrives, owners convert from oil.
– Garden Club redid Midlothian entrance, putting flagstone and evergreen plantings in place.
Read Newsletter
– South Sylvan Drive was opened to through traffic from Midlothian to Gilmer.
1963
– Coliform count high due to leaking septic systems.
– Sewage plant to service Sylvan Lake proposed.
1964
– Postcards announcing general meeting cost 2 cents.
– Bruce Muench, area fish biologist, states “Bass were emaciated, 50% bluegills emaciated, pumpkin seeds in thin condition and carp apparently in good condition.”
– Big discussions on Schwerman Park drainage at annual meeting.
– Stocking of bass & bluegill recommended.
1965
– 92 homeowners agree to participate in sewer system.
– Garden Club installed first volleyball-badminton nets at Schwerman park.
1966
– Mosquito abatement programs started. (lasted 2 years)
– Telephone poles and gravel placed by beach for safer parking.
– Garden Club proposed & funded junk pick-up.
1969
– Sewers installed and road remained terrible for two years.
– Garden Club started a clean-up day and purchased sand for the beach.
1970
– Special general meeting assessed $15 for fish kill.
– Fish kill was 98% effective with 10,000 bluegills and 5,100 bass stocked.
– Garden Club request $2 per household to pay for beach patrol on weekends.
1971
– Tennis court cost estimated at $9,300.
– Garden Club organized a tree planting project.
– Dues set at $30.
– The newsletter became “The Sylvan Smile” edited by Don Metz.
– Garden Club reported 100 trees planted.
1972
– First discussions of lake aerators.
– Don Bjorklund organized the construction of 243 feet of new curb at beach.
– Garden club organizes Beach Patrol
– Discussed the need to bury drainage hose in Schwerman Park.
– More discussions of Sylvan Lake incorporation.
1973
– Hose will be buried by hand when ground thaws.
– Pipe in Schwerman Park will be buried.
– Use of electric motors in lake voted down.
– The first “Shoreline” edited by Ralph Schlenker and Rich Borst.
– Lee “Carp” Dickinson snagged 31 bluegills in fishing derby.
Scott Hanson caught 56 fish. In total 367 were taken.
– Basketball court poured at Schwerman Park and a metal beach building constructed.
1974
– Old boat house dismantled.
– Hawthorn Woods expressed desire to annex Countryside and Sylvan Lakes before Mundelein annexes.
– Decision to have mini fish kill to reduce bluegills.
– Playground equipment at Schwerman updated.
– Guest speaker at annual meeting discussed the Hwy 53 extension.
– The Garden Club publishes a Sylvan Lake Cookbook
1975
– First clean-up day with free refreshments.
– Bjorkland Park named after Don for all of his selfless community efforts.
– Organized volleyball starts.
– 220 fish taken in 4th of July fishing derby
– First Oktoberfest held. Brats were 80 cents and beer was 40 cents.
-Two kegs of beer were consumed. Bittercold. Dan Kaloway installed a light for the occasion. Trees were planted at park earlier in day.
1976
– Garden Club sell Sylvan Lake Patches to make money.
– Bicentennial Dance considered a huge success with 116 tickets sold.
– Clean-up day and fishing derby held together.
– Portable tables purchased from Lion’s Club.
– Garden Club President becomes a voting member of the Association Board.
– Dues raised to $40.
– Second Oktoberfest only lost $13 compared to $100 from the first one.
1977
– Special meeting raised dues to $50.
– First mention of proposed garbage dump.1978
– Garden Club prepared a telephone book.
1979
– Committees set to pursue lake dredging.
– First annual winter carnival.
– Fluoride added to lake wells.
– Garbage landfill turned down by EPA.
– Seawalls proposed for Juneau and Wildflower terraces.
– Aerators authorized at annual meeting and proposal for bay dredging presented.
– Sylvan Lake streets paved by Township.
1980
-Big news – Dredging read about the myths in the Shoreline
– Garden Club was reactivated with project to update the phone book.
– A special assessment of $150 for bay excavation was approved by a vote of 56-38 at a special meeting.
– Shed built to dampen noise of aerator compressors.
– Volleyball playoffs were a big success and also included an ice cream social sponsored by the Garden Club.
– Dredging estimated to cost $15,785
– Special meeting to vote on dredging. In attendance were 83 residents.
1981
– A new well installed in Sylvan Commons.
– Late spring excavation meeting reports 90% completion with the lake level back up.
– Garden Club getting new benches,
1982
– Northerns placed in lake.
1983
– Cable TV comes to Sylvan Lake.
– Seawall constructed in Maple Terrace.
– Dues kept at $50.
– Madeleine Ferrara draws the first of the Garden Club Directory cover series.
1984
– Work has begun on by-law revisions.
– Sylvan Lake Stock Club formed. Motto: “Losses don’t hurt us.”
1985
– Dues raised to $60.
– Garden Club plants 100 bulbs and plans to purchase a new bench.
1986
– Old Fashioned Winter Skating Party at rink in front of the Tonkery’s.
– Eagle Scouts began several major projects.
– Dues raised to $100.
1987
– A very successful Winterfest included tennis ball golf and softball on the ice
1988
– The spring dance was a great success and raised over $400 for new playground equipment.
– Point Comfort Park playground equipment was built over four weekends.
– First Carp-a-rama held in conjunction with clean-up.
– New benches were installed at beach.
– Scouts start major effort at Ravinia Park which will include a major seawall structure,
foot paths and bridges.
1989
– Talk of incorporation with Gilmer begins.
– A dinner cruise on Lake Geneva was enjoyed by about 40 residents.
1990
– Trees donated by the Benedek’s were planted by Eagle Scout candidates throughout the community parks.
– Association passes 50 year milestone.
– A pier was installed at Ravinia park.
– A new playground is constructed at Schwerman Park over 4 weekends.
– The first Chili Cook-off brought a new twist to the Winterfest activities.
– Sylvan Lake Book Club started.
1991
– Fish committee established to monitor and improve lake quality.
– Fish cribs constructed and placed on ice for spring thaw.
– Sally Harper edits final Shoreline. She had been publishing it since the mid 70s!
– Betty Kroening takes over as editor of Shoreline.
1993
– Garden Club publishes an updated address book.
– “Kids Who Can” directory published through the efforts of The Garden Club and Barb Haseman to help young workers connect with residents who needed help.
– “Under the Stars” was the theme for the 1993 Ravinia night and bonfire in August.
– Labor Day celebration included sailboat races and the best Italian beef sandwich dinner run by the Molsens and the Washburns. This would have been when there was only one Molsen household – Nick and Bunny.
– Sylvan Lake roads resurfaced – October.
1994
– Winterfest held with lake softball, longest drive golf, winter games, and chili cook-off
– 4th of July Picnic included a Triathlon and Marathon around Sylvan Lake, as well as softball game,sailboat races, and bike parade.
– “Meals on Wheels” again served throughout the community by the Sylvan Lake Garden Club.
– Second Edition Sylvan Lake Cookbook published in the fall.
1995
– Memorial Day Clean-Up Day and Picnic – along with the Carp-o-Rama – were again big elements of the Sylvan Lake Spring season.
– Schwerman Park graded for better drainage.
– Garden Club Potluck dinner a big success
– Sylvan Lake Garden Club works to beautify the community with spring plantings at the Beach, Bjorklund and other community locations.
– Swimming lessons provided again by Jan Hales, with Jessica Hales, Rob Trauscht and Adam Washburn as helpers.
– Ravinia Night included a bonfire and the special performance of a harpist.
1996
– 4th of July Picnic – Countryside Fire Department provided its first water demonstration of our newly installed Dry Fire Hydrant. The resulting giant shower over the lake was a huge hit – bringing squeals of delight all across the swim area – and has been a special part of the picnic on many 4th of July festivities since.
– New residents throughout Sylvan Lake continued to be greeted by the community that included wonderful cookies and bake goods from Rita Rak.
– “Taste of Sylvan Lake” was the Labor Day event this year with an Italian Sausage dinner. Good weather allowed all to enjoy a long afternoon at the beach to close out the year.
– Some Sylvan Lake residents participated in the Condell Classic in the Fall of 1996.
– Oktoberfest included a craft sale, face painting, and ghost stories for children in addition to the horse-drawn hay wagon rides around Sylvan Lake.
– Interesting bird watching information provided to the community again this year by Mike Trahan.
1997
– The Hanson and Washburn families united to rescue two teenagers who fell through thin ice in Sylvan Lake in January.
– Cooperative Extension Service offered horticultural assistance to Sylvan Lake families.
– Beautification committee formed to develop plans to enhance and beautify Ravinia Park and Maple Park.
– Garden Club Phone Directory updated by Rita Rak and Jeanne Peterson and published with the help of Don Hamm. Each of the Sylvan Lake directories has featured an original piece of art created by Madeleine Ferrara.
– “The Country Fair” was held as the Labor Day event with Frog Jumping contest, Country Fair Games, pie making contest, Bingo and “rat race.”
– Environmental awareness issues are raised to protect the community’s future. Much effort put into education for residents about unwelcome growth, including purple loosestrife, mustard weed and buckthorn tree.
1998
Big tree planting effort spearheaded throughout Sylvan Lake by Al Benedeck, including Norway Maple, Sugar Maple and White Ash.
– Easter Egg Hunt a big success.
– Sylvan Lake installed emergency phone on triangle next to beach in Spring. Demonstration of phone held during 4th of July picnic.
– Octoberfest a big success thanks to the work of many, including the organization of Debbie Spector.
– Santa again came to Sylvan Lake and brought cheer to all good girls and boys.
1999
– Horseshoe League formed at Sylvan Lake and has a very successful first season.
– Environmental Committee formed by the Sylvan Lake Board to plan and execute improvements to our 2 major inlets, Ravinia Park and Maple Park.
– Contract Bridge group is formed at Sylvan Lake and has a great first year.
– Garden Club plans Millennium Celebration dubbed “New Years Eve at Sylvan Lake.” The progressive dinner with midnight champagne toast at the beach has been the work of many, with special efforts by Mary Harroun and Warren Young. The “midnight-at-the-beach” portion of the event was summarily dismissed after the first year. Brrrrrr…..
2000
– Sylvan Lake homeowners were beset by telephone outage problems as internet usage boomed throughout Lake County and the phone lines of our area were determined to be inadequate. Much effort was expended to bring this awareness to the phone company.
– Sylvan Lake Garden Club Bake Sale held in April and was great success.
– Sylvan Lake Activewear sold to residents – always popular in the community.
New 12′ x 12′ raft purchased for the beach.
– Sylvan Lake Water 2nd and 3rd Subdivisions embarks on major project to relocate and install above-ground water storage tank.
– Karen Hinrichsen, Rita Rak, and Robin Soderstrom planted experimental gardens at beach to test plants that can be used as barricades to reduce shoreline erosion control.
Sylvan Lake Crossword Puzzle debuts in the Shoreline, thanks to the clever minds of Jane Molsen and Jeri Swanson. Three such puzzles ran in the shoreline over the course of a year.
– Youth Association is formed at Sylvan Lake with the help of Jane Molsen and her assistants. The Youth Association formed to serve the community by raising money for specific Sylvan Lake use. It is also runs events such as the “Halloween Haunting.”
2001
– SLIA joins National Safety Council in order to tap into its resources for lake and playground management
– Winterfest again held to great reviews with the Chili Cook-off, Homemade Bread Cook-off and Hot Mulled Wine Cook-Off.
– Sylvan Lake Environmental Committee, under the leadership of Jeri Swanson, applied for three grants for matching funds to help Sylvan Lake embark on large efforts to protect our inlets from erosion.
– Sylvan Lake Environmental Committee recommends “no mow zone” as a means to filter runoff water into the lake and establish deep root system to prevent erosion.
– Board embarks on boat cleanup at beach.
– Maple Park restoration began in the Spring.
– Betty Neises spearheaded a project that ran two summers to rehabilitate both the Gilmer and Highland entrances.
– Christmas Caroling brought seasonal cheer around Sylvan Lake.
2002
– Horseshoe Pits reconstructed.
– Sylvan Lake joined Adopt-A-Highway program and provides cleanup for a stretch of Gilmer Road each year.
– Sylvan Lake Kids Club holds bake sale in September.
– The Garden Club Annual Holiday Party again a big success in fun and in collecting non-perishable items to be located to local food pantry.
Shoreline editor, Chris Hinrichsen, reprints a group of carp recipes from 1979 in order to promote carp use as another means to help control carp problem in lake.
– Second Sylvan Lake Book Club (the Bookies)formed from those not able to participate in the first.
2003
– Special meeting held to discuss carp removal in Sylvan Lake.
– Garden Club Phone Directory again updated by Rita Rak and Jeanne Peterson and published with the help of Don Hamm.
– Sylvan Lake roads resurfaced in the summer.
– Sylvan Lake holds first garden walk in July. It is a great success
– Madeleine Ferrara, who has lived at Sylvan Lake since 1974, was featured in the “Someone You Should Know” segment of the Shoreline this Spring.
– Oktoberfest 2003 was held on a perfect weather day and was big success.
– The Annual Meeting had the typical number of attendees. The annual assessment was kept at $230.
– Four carp-o-ramas netted 500 lbs of carp.
– Volleyball had 8 teams; horseshoes had 14 teams, and a golf outing was planned.
– Sylvan Lake website will be coming to the community soon!
– 2004 will mark the 80th anniversary of Sylvan Lake as one of the first man-made lakes in Illinois.
– The Garden Club had a very successful hors d’oeuvres party in the Fall.
2004
– Thanks to Genevieve Connor, the Sylvan Lake website was launched early in the year.
– Barb Tonkery headed the Adopt-A-Highway program for the past 2 years, organizing 4 outings each year to keep Gilmer Road tidy.
– Winterfest 2004 was chaired by Jane Molsen and was a big success at the beach. Three chilis were entered with the win going to Marianne Mortensen. Thanks to all the others who worked to make Winterfest a great day.
– Carp-o-rama was a big success with $700 being paid out for 140 carp and 800 pan fish.
– Spring Clean-Up was also a success, despite it being a rainy day. Mark Anderson thanked all who help with the event.
– The 2nd Annual Sylvan Lake Garden Walk was held on August 15. Descriptive material about each participating garden was given to the participants.
– The Indian Creek Watershed Project donated 192 plants to Sylvan Lake for erosion control.
– The Annual Meeting had a good turnout. Sylvan Lake’s annual Assessment was raised to $250.
– Oktoberfest had a great turnout in October.
– The 80th Birthday Celebration of Sylvan Lake was held throughout the year, with a pot luck, horseshoes, Venetian Night, 4th of July festivities and the Beach Tag Treasure Hunts.
– Santa, of course, came to Sylvan Lake and the kids were thrilled.
2005
– SLIA had a White Elephant Auction in February at Hackney’s in Lake Zurich.
– Work was done to improve the shed area at the beach.
– Bowling was the activity on Ladies’ Night Out held by the Garden Club.
– Jeri Swanson and our Environmental Committee applied for a grant for the spillway and along Ravinia Park.
– The Garden Club held the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bake Sale.
– The Garden Club organized and distributed the Sylvan Lake Yellow Pages.
– Planting and landscaping activities had a big presence this year with a horticulturist providing advice at a Garden Club event in April.
– Spring Clean-Up Day included a large project of cutting trees, sawing logs, pulling weeds and raking leaves.
– Jeri Swanson and the Environmental Committee obtained a LEAP Grant for $500 from IEPA. – The kids in the community provided the hours of volunteer time necessary to complete the hours and receive the grant money.
– A large Sylvan Lake Yard Sale was held in May.
– The deck behind the shed at the beach was constructed during the Spring with lots of Sylvan Lake volunteer power.
– Sylvan Lake’s 2nd & 3rd Water Subdivision installed a new pump for its users.
– At the Annual Meeting in September, the SLIA Assessment was set at $300
2006
– The New Years Parties around the lake were a great success.
– A 2nd White Elephant Auction was held in February.
– The Shoreline newsletter noted that the first newsletter was published in 1954, and in 1973 it – was renamed The Sylvan Lake Shoreline.
– The new Sylvan Lake Telephone Directory was captained by Rita Rak.
– The Third Edition of the Garden Club Cookbook was published in the Spring.
– The pier at the beach was replaced with a new aluminum, no-maintenance pier.
– Carl Pierson, whose family has owned and lived at Sylvan Lake since the 1930’s, was featured in the “Someone You Should Know” segment of the Shoreline,
– The Garden Club had a Ladies’ Night Out featuring Good Girls Wear Goodwill Clothes.”
– Mary Harroun and Warren Young held a Soda Fountain/Sock Hop in April.
– The Rich & Larry Margarita Party was held on South Sylvan in July.
– Oktoberfest had a good-weather day and great participation.
2007
– Bjorklund Park basketball court improvements were completed.
– A large plant installation was completed in June to stabilize Ravinia Park’s streambank.
– Carp-o-rama was again a big success.
– 600 lily pad tubers were installed in Sylvan Lake.
– The Garden Club held a Movie Night in June.
– Oktoberfest included crafts, kids’ games and hay rides.
– A permanent grill was added at the beach with the help Dan Trahan and Kevin Adler.
– Dan Trahan managed the installation of electricity to the beach shed.
– The New Year’s Eve Progressive Dinner had a lot of participants.
2008
– The Garden Club sponsored a Ladies’ Night Out to Clay Monet in Lake Zurich where the ladies made clay creations.
– The Spring Clean-Up Day had a good volunteer turnout, and the picnic that followed was well attended.
– Carp-o-rama had a carved trophy for the winner plus many other prizes available for the participants — like books, lures and fly rods.
– The two Sylvan Lake Book Clubs invited Mark Anderson to discuss the book, The Lions of Medina. The book is an account of Marine valor during Vietnam and mentions Mark extensively.
– New signs restricting turns onto South Sylvan during certain hours were installed for safety by the Fremont Township Highway Department.
– We were all glad to see Santa make his visit to Sylvan Lake in December.
2009
– Gen Connor passed the estimable task of preparing the Sylvan Lake Shoreline to Donn Hamm.
– Sylvan Lake launched its first email distribution list to make it easier to publish both The Shoreline and occasional notifications.
– Discussions at SL board included the fact that Canadian National took over the railroad line in Gilmer in March. There was a large concern about freight trains expected to afflict the traffic flow of our area.
– The Sylvan Lake website includes posting about activities, the history of the community, contacts, and an online bulletin board.
– Stan and Rita Rak, who have lived here since 1959, were featured in the Shoreline’s “Neighbors You Should Know.”
– Jeri Swanson worked on a Section 319 grant proposal intended to improve water quality at Sylvan Lake for 2009 and 2010.
– The Volleyball League Playoffs and Ice Cream Social were held at Schwerman Park in August.
– The volunteer effort of Donn Hamm, Sam Ford and Mark Anderson allowed for the replacement of the bulletin board at Bjorklund Park.
– Geocaching made an appearance at Sylvan Lake in 2009.
2010
– The number of families taking The Shoreline by digital delivery is rising.
– The sand volleyball courts were refurbished during Spring Clean-Up Day.
– Fremont Township Highway installed new curbs in several areas of Sylvan Lake.
– 4th of July featured a softball game as well as the bike parade and picnic.
– The effort to rid the lake of abandoned boats was taken up by the community after the annual meeting.
– Clean-up day included three bench tops being repaired, the shed being primed and painted by Dan Trahan and Doug MacKay, and the large raft being repaired.
– The Beach Triangle was reconfigured as a major project for street and drainage improvement.
– The emergency call box was moved onto the beach and attached to the rules sign.
2011
– Clean-up Day in the Spring included wood bench construction at Wildflower, stairway repairs at Oak Terrace and backstop repair at Schwerman Park.
– The Fremont Highway Department is preparing plans for the reconstruction of the 1920’s concrete spillway near the Highland entrance to Sylvan Lake.
– The Garden Club held a gathering for making bracelets and necklaces with Bella Beads.
– Sylvan Lake was notified that Lake County would be changing our addresses to the 5-digit county addressing.
– As with every year, swim lessons were offered by the Garden Club in June for young children.
– Led by Sam Ford, Dan Trahan and Doug MacKay, Oktoberfest included a bouncy house and many other activities and a picture-perfect weather day.
– Sylvan Lake had a Holiday Celebration as well as a Luminary Walk around the lake in December.
2012
– Sylvan Lake was notified that the intersection of Gilmer and Midlothian is under review for improvement.
– Many neighbors had a lovely time at the New Year’s Eve Progressive Dinner.
– The 5-digit addressing system was implemented within Sylvan Lake, with homeowners receiving instructions about placing the new 5-digit address prominently on their homes.
– Neighborhood Watch has long been a part of the Sylvan Lake culture, and it is being promoted so all neighbors use it as a safety measure. “See something, say something” is being encouraged by both the Sheriff and Sylvan Lake.
– The new Sylvan Lake Telephone Directory was published for 2012.
– The annual Garden Walk had lots of participants again this year.
– Carp-o-rama had many kids participating, and they issued a recipe sheet for using the carp.
– The 4th of July celebration included the much-loved visit from the Countryside Fire Department water cannon in addition to kids’ games, adult games, bike parade and great picnic.
– Sylvan Lake had a Flotilla in August – a quintessential summer event.
– The 3rd Luminary Light Walk was well-received as part of the holiday celebrations in December.
2013
– The dam and spillway reconstruction is still in the permitting phase.
– The Garden Club held a 2nd “Good Girls Wear Goodwill” evening.
– Volleyball attracted lots of participants and finished up the season with the volleyball tournament and hot dog social.
– Sylvan Lake Arts Festival was held in August at Schwerman Park, showcasing a number of talent show entries as well as craft and art exhibits.
– As with every year, the Labor Day Potluck Supper was held on Sunday evening before Labor Day on the deck at the beach.
– Oktoberfest was very well attended with hay rides, food, band, beer and dancing.
– Sylvan Lake had the 1st Annual Turkey Trot (put on by Kathy Ford) – a 5k run/walk around Sylvan Lake on Thanksgiving morning.
– Fall Clean-Up day was started this year, with a lot of work being completed by the many volunteers. Park benches were painted, Juneau Terrace cleaned up, Ravinia tree and shrub burning was completed, and a great BBQ and social hour followed after the work.
– Despite very cold weather, we had Santa’s Visit and the 4th Annual Luminary Light Walk in December.
– The News Year’s Eve Progressive Dinner was again a delightful event.
2014
– The very popular Easter Egg Hunt was held in April along with Garden Club Bake Sale.
– The Fremont Township Supervisor encourage Sylvan Lakers to attend the potluck dinner at the newly refurbished Fremont Township Food Pantry. We were also encouraged to contribute non-perishable food to the pantry.
– Swim lessons for young children were held in June.
– Gary Goldblatt, as Parks & Easements Chair, published a detailed plan for community improvement, including tree plantings, grant money from the Watershed Project, and two Clean-Up Days
– The new Hawthorn Hills single-family residential community began selling units across Gilmer Road to the west of Sylvan Lake. This development by Pulte Home Corp will eventually consist of four smaller neighborhoods totaling 123 acres.
– Flotillas were part of the summer again this year. Four separate times.
– The Art Festival was so well received last year that it was held again this year. We enjoyed talent events as well as art and craft displays and sales.
– The Light the Lake event on December 21 had Luminaries up and down every street in Sylvan Lake. Thank you, Mary Harroun.
2015
– The Winterfest and Chili Cookoff was held at the beach in February.
– Activities throughout 2015 included the Sylvan Lake Annual Arts Festival, several Flotillas and the Sylvan Lake Garden Walk
– Other summer activities included swim lessons for young children, the 4th of July Picnic, the Hot Dog Social following the Volleyball Tournament, and the Labor Day Pot Luck Dinner
– Boat identification was again stepped up to locate orphaned boats.
– Fall Clean-Up Day was a big success.
– Oktoberfest included the bake sale, food, beer and bonfire. It also included the 1st Sylvan Lake Pet Parade put on by Jen Crow.
– The 3rd Annual Turkey Trot was held on Thanksgiving morning
– The Fremont Township Highway Commissioner provided Sylvan Lake with road resurfacing this year.
– Santa’s Visit and the Luminary Walk were held early in December on a very cold evening. That didn’t freeze out anyone’s spirits.
2016
– Sylvan Lake completed a major refurbishment by installing a new stone seating/retaining wall at the beach.
– The SLIA board adopted the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act for the benefit of Sylvan Lake and its property owners.
– SLIA was notified that Gilmer/Midlothian intersection will be put off until 2019.
– SLIA was notified that residents might have unclaimed cash with the State of Illinois and that they should check www.icash.illinois.gov
– Neighbors are reminded again this year by the Fremont Township Supervisor that donations to the food pantry are badly needed.
– Summer events included a Beer and Wine Tasting Event and a Venetian Night, and a Pot Luck Supper.
– The Sylvan Lake Board organized a Boat Committee to get rid of unwanted boats and work on boat storage options.
– A bench was dedicated in Point Comfort Park for Rita Rak, our dear Sunshine Lady of 40 years who passed away a year ago.
– Brian and Debbie Wawrzyniak donated a large picnic table for use at Schwerman Park.
– The Sylvan Lake 4th of July provided a full day of good cheer.
– The Boat Storage and Permit process was completed and rolled out in October, thanks to Brian and Debbie Wawryzniak.
2017
– The Easter Egg Hunt and Bake Sale was held in April by our Garden Club.
– The SLIA Board reviewed and approved new Amended Declarations and By-Laws early in the year.
– Many volunteers came out to hold a great Clean-Up Day in the rain.
– Gen Connor and Elizabeth Nagel kindly volunteered to refurbish and repaint the spring-based playground toys in Schwerman Park. These pieces of playground equipment probably go back to the ‘50’s. Tammie Trahan also painted the slide.
– The 4th of July and summer sports season held great fun for the community.
– The SLIA Board decided to have the food for Octoberfest provided by a vendor this year. Luke’s Hot Dogs and Italian Beef cooked their food on-site instead of neighbors cooking and serving the food.
– Oktoberfest also included an expanded set of rules to bring better control to the event.