The Lake effect.

Certainly Lake Ellyn doesn’t have the same effect on the weather as the big lake to the east, but in many ways it has just as big of an effect on our community.

There was a time when Lake Ellyn was nothing more than low-lying land to the north of the Glen Ellyn Hotel. (Yes, there was a hotel located adjacent to the lake.) Right after the turn of the century, the 1900s that is, Lake Ellyn was private property; in other words, the goldfish that have been released over the years and are now giant Carp would have been considered the property of The Glen Ellyn Hotel and Springs Company. There would be no boat regatta---unless it was being sponsored by the hotel—and for sure no ice skating. 

But since those days have long passed, let’s consider what Lake Ellyn and the parks around it bring to the community.

It’s a lake that is used year round; if you have been there in the past few days you will find ice skaters enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery one can have in really cold weather. Move forward to spring and the situation changes completely. The trees lining the shores blossom and bring life back again; residents are out, the swings at the playground are full, and life as we know it has returned.

The summer and fall are my favorite times “down at the lake.” Whether it’s the 4^th of July, boat regatta, the annual Art fair or my favorite as a photographer, the fall effect---with out the lake we would be just another community comprised of cement and homes. (With a smattering of trees situated around the cement and homes.)

Since most of us have ventured down to the lake for the annual regatta---I do not know when this started---it still amazes me that these floating (or intended to float) vessels are made of cardboard. Several years ago, when the Harry Potter craze was an obsession, we worked (very little actually) with some friends who built a near replica of the bus featured in the books and movies.

I may not have been a help with the construction,  but I was a huge help with its destruction. From the time we took off to navigate around the lake, I knew we were in trouble. Water poured in faster than one of our 100 year rains we seem to have every 2-3 years! Luckily we were rescued and did not become dinner for some awaiting Carp---it was fun to be a part of this annual event.

Lake Ellyn may not be one of the original Great Lakes; but as a resident of Glen Ellyn, and knowing the effect it has on the community, it’s a pretty darn “good one.”

Thanks for stopping by.

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