There’s a new star in Island Lake, worthy of movie-star treatment from the cell phone paparazzi.

The newly refurbished historic star on Island Lake’s water tower was illuminated Saturday for an audience at the 60th anniversary celebration of the landmark with a grand countdown at the Culver’s viewing spot at 203 E. State Road.

Historical Society of Island Lake President Connie Mascillino said the original star was installed on the water tower in 1965 as a good-faith neighborly gesture “to kind of signify the rebirth of the village after the (Palm Sunday Tornado) went through.

“The star symbolized … the village coming together and recovering from the 1965 tornado, so every year, when we light it, that reminds us of the resilience of the people and the community of Island Lake,” Mascillino said.

Island Lake Public Works Director Chris Carlsen said the star with new lighting technology cost the village less than $1,000 thanks to the use of in-house staff labor. The star was taken down on Oct. 17 for the weatherproof makeover and redone “with all new fixtures,” he said.

“It’s a part of Island Lake,” Carlsen added.

Right, hugging her therapeutic service dog, mini goldendoodle female pup Ivy, 2, is vendor Wendy Jean Massie of Park City at the 2025 Island Lake Holiday Craft Fair in Island Lake on Nov. 22, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

The new light does not have to be merely dazzling white. With a swipe of technology, the colors can be changed and switched out for special occasions and holidays, such as Independence Day and Veterans Day.

The renovated star was reinstalled on the water tower on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

“Just to have different colors up there — red, white and blue — is going to celebrate and thank our veterans,” said Island Lake Mayor Richard McLaughlin, an Army veteran. “Anything we can do to help the vets. We’re a vet-friendly town here. We have to honor their history as well.”

The star-lighting was a big topic of conversation at the weekend’s annual Island Lake Holiday Craft Fair at the Village Hall.

From left to right, Beverly Amaro of Island Lake, who grew up in Island Lake, and Kelley Marshall, of Cimarron, Kansas, who also grew up in Island Lake (and is of the Wauconda High School Class of 1980), bring a Chicago Cubs-themed purchase to the car at the 2025 Island Lake Holiday Craft Fair in Island Lake on Nov. 22, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

An estimated 40 vendors and artisans filled several rooms throughout the municipal complex. A food truck was parked outside.

Beverly Amaro of Island Lake, and Kelley Marshall, of Cimarron, Kansas, who also grew up in Island Lake, were a couple of the enthusiastic shoppers.

Marshall purchased a Chicago Cubs-themed wooden figure and planned to bring it back to Kansas. She said she was looking forward to the opportunity to “antagonize my Kansas City Royals fans in my neighborhood.”

Amaro said, “This is really awesome. I really like it. They have so many really unique gifts.”

Isabella Alvarez, 5, a kindergartner of Island Lake and her grandmother Lorraine Cristino of McHenry, make a purchase at the craft table of Kim Sroka of McHenry, of the small business, Move Like A Jellyfish, at the 2025 Island Lake Holiday Craft Fair in Island Lake on Nov. 22, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Referring to the refurbished star on the water tower, Marshall said, “It’s cool. It’s a tradition. Heck yeah. I’m just glad I got to be at home while this is happening here.”

Benjamin Siracusa, 14, a high school freshman of McHenry has the acoustic guitar (self-taught) to help pass the time between customers. On left is Benjamin’s grandmother Sandy Olesak of Johnsburg also staffing the Temperance Crystals business at the Island Lake Holiday Craft Fair in Island Lake on Nov. 22, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

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