The sender also works in middle school/junior high, like me. He is a councillor, which, in my opinion, is one of the harder jobs in a junior high. The problems that middle schoolers either have, or perceive to have, is outstanding, and in some cases, heartbreaking. Kudos to the sender for being a councillor!  Crystal Lake is a small city of about 40 000 people located about 72 km north west of Chicago. It is considered to be a part of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, nicknamed Chicagoland . Chicagoland has almost 10 million people living in an area of 28 000 square km. Crystal Lake is home to the American Terra Cotta Tile and Ceremic Company, which would be of interest to my pottery making mum. It was founded in 1881. It was located just north of Crystal Lake and all the employees came from Crystal Lake. Drain tiles, brick, and architectural items were produced here. It reminds me of Medicine Hat's early history with ceramics. Much of the underground infrastructure in the older parts