MCM-1-1-2015

Hit The Hills Discover great spots for sledding, skiing and more! page 16

JANUARY 2015

Soul Sisters Linda Cannizzo and Tricia Wallace treat body and spirit at McHenry yoga studio page 10

FAMILY BUSINESS 1 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

At Davenport, family-focused service is the standard every step of the way. page 26

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Securities America and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Trust management services are provided in conjunction with outside professionals. m c h e n r y c o u n t y m a g a adno=0299365 zine.com 2 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE 2602 IL Route 176, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 – 815 459-6800.

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INSIDE What’s on your bucket list? Darrellynn Hanes of Worldwide Traveler shares some of her clients’ dream destinations.

34

Health & Wellness 8 Cut to the Core — Core strength can be the key to balance, posture and overall health. Get tips from the experts, and helpful exercises as well.

10 Soul Sisters — Two local women are bringing the benefits of yoga to patrons of all ages, types and levels of experience.

12 Handling the herniated disk — Dr. Dan Strelcheck discusses this all-too-common back injury.

Family In Focus 14 The elusive family dinner — Family columnist Michelle Stien discusses making time for that once-traditional time of togetherness.

16 Hit the hills — Discover great opportunities for fun in the snow this season.

Home & Lifestyle 18 Destination: Cary-Fox River Grove!

Get a heads up look at these growing communities, where nature abounds and families grow. We discuss all they have to offer, their plans for the future and a can’t-miss event this month.

Business & Civic 26 Family business — At Davenport Funeral Home, their family is there for yours, every step of the way.

29 Woman of Distinction — Senator Pam Althoff takes an unpredictable path to success.

Out & About 31 Embrace your adventure — In the midst of your busy and hectic life, the 2015 Subaru Outback is ready to take on whatever you are.

34 Bucket list bravery — Where do you want to go in your lifetime? Fill your bucket with excursions to the world’s most intriguing places.

36 Groundhog Days — Spend some time in Woodstock at the annual winter festival, featuring a host of activities, indoor and outdoor.

37 Calendar of Events — Check out a variety of local events, courtesy of our own Planit Northwest website!

Serving families as we would want ours served.

Jack & Lisa Davenport at Davenport Family Funeral Home are thankful for being honored as the “Best Funeral Home” in McHenry County.

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Happy New Year from McHenry County Magazine to you and yours!

As we greet 2015, with it comes the promise of a fresh start, a time when many of us gear up, make resolutions, and devote our efforts to a better, stronger coming year.

One of the most common of resolutions relates to health, wellness and fitness.

In this month’s issue of McHenry County Magazine, we highlight some of the more common concerns of you, our readers.

We talk to fitness trainers about core conditioning, and how a strong and resilient core muscle group can benefit everything from posture and balance to overall internal health.

We visit Grass Roots Yoga in McHenry, where two local women are bringing the benefits of this ancient practice to patrons of all ages, types and levels of experience.

And our own alternative wellness columnist, Dr. Dan Strelcheck, gets us up-to-date and informed about one of the most prevalent back problems — the herniated disk.

Looking to heal your spirit from the winter blues? Embrace the chill and have some oldfashioned winter fun. Stop in at Norge Ski Jump in Fox River Grove for an annual tournament like none other in the area. Spend some time in Woodstock at the annual Groundhog Days festival, featuring a host of activities, indoor and outdoor. Or check out the best locations for sledding, skiing, winter hikes and more.

Don’t let Jack Frost’s icy chill bring you down, Gear up, get out there and enjoy the season, right here in McHenry County.

Thanks for reading.

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Phone: 815-459-4040 Fax: 815-477-4960 www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com Publisher Kate Weber 815-526-4400 kweber@shawmedia.com Editor Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6209 sdauskurdas@shawmedia.com

Sherri Dauskurdas Editor

Designer Allison McCaleb 815-526-4485 amccaleb@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER NAMASTE: Wellness is about

more than the season’s cold and flu. Discover the healing of mind, body and spirit, a passion of the owners of Grass Roots Yoga in McHenry.

Page 10 Hair and makeup by Mario Tricoci Salon and Day Spa, Crystal Lake.

Correspondents Michelle Stien, Melissa Riske, Martha Maddi, Wendy Foster, Tom Witom Photographers Ron McKinney, Joe Shuman, Heather Nelson President / Shaw Media John Rung jrung@shawmedia.com McHenry County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to McHenry County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

Photos by JOE SHUMAN

6 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 7

CUT to the CORE Core is key to balance, strength, flexibility

Doerr. “All movement either originates or transfers through it.”

F

By Martha Maddi rom your kid’s gym class to your grandma’s senior center, core strength is the big trend in physical fitness programs and for good reason.

Core exercises have multiple benefits, including improving your balance and stability, reducing back pain and optimizing athletic performance.

“As the National Academy of Sports Medicine claims that nearly 80 percent of all adults suffer from low back pain at some point, I feel that everyone’s well-being can benefit from core training,” said Julie Doerr, NASM-CPT, manager and trainer at Young Master’s Fitness for Life Center in Woodstock.

Core Defined Often people think of their core as consisting of their abdominal muscles only. The core actually consists of all the muscles around your trunk and pelvis extending from your upper body to your lower body. “The core is your body’s center of gravity,” said

How your core affects your overall well-being “Underdeveloped core muscles can lead to muscle imbalances and injury,” Doerr said. According to Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic’s website, “core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work in harmony. This leads to better balance and stability, whether on the playing field or in daily activities.” And this stability can help prevent falls and injuries during other activities. “Strong core muscles make it easier to do everything from swinging a golf club to getting a glass from the top shelf or bending down to tie your shoes,” Mayo Clinic’s website stated.

The best way to strengthen your core Start with stabilization. “The stabilizers are your foundation and like anything, without a strong foundation, the slightest mishap can cause problems,” Doerr said. These muscles respond best to time under tension. For example, holding an isometric contraction for at least six seconds will help recruit more fibers within these muscles.

The movers respond best to movement, such as doing a crunch or sit-up. “The best way to train and strengthen your core is to allow the

core muscles to work together with the rest of the muscles in your body,” Doerr explained. “Think of individual core exercises as practice and functional, multi-joint movement exercises as the game.” No matter what activity you are doing, it’s important to focus on keeping your core muscles, the ones you used in practice, activated.

The most effective core strengthening exercises To Doerr, the best stabilization exercises are the hip bridge and the low plank.

The Hip Bridge — Lie face up with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keep your arms at your sides and raise your hips to the ceiling until you create a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Make sure to keep your belly button in and hold for at least six seconds, then slowly lower your hips to the floor.

The Low Plank — Lie face down with your toes tucked under and feet about six inches apart. Lift your chest and place your forearms on the ground.

Draw your belly button in and squeeze your glutes until you have lifted your entire trunk off the floor and created a straight line from head to toe. Hold for at least six seconds, then slowly return to the floor.

Doerr’s favorite movement exercises are hip taps and hip raises.

Hip Taps — Start in an activated low plank position and slowly rotate your hips to one side,

“The core is your body’s center of gravity. All movement either originates or transfers through it.”

— Julie Doerr, Young Master’s Fitness for Life Center

8 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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The stabilizers are your foundation and like anything, without a strong foundation, the slightest mishap can cause problems.

— Julie Doerr, Young Master’s Fitness for Life Center

lowering one hip to the floor, then return to center and repeat on the opposite side. “Just be careful not to let your back drop too low,” Doerr warned. “It’s better to have your hips too high than too low in this position.”

Hip Raises — Lie on your back, place your arms at your sides. Raise your feet off the floor and bend your knees to a 90-degree angle. Make sure your knees are directly over your hips. Pull in your belly button to begin the movement and keep your back pressed toward the floor.

Now lift your hips and draw your knees toward your chest, then slowly return your hips to the ground. If you have any back pain, place your hands under your butt to slightly elevate your hips and try again.

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Core strengthening at Young Master’s Fitness for Life According to Doerr, each of the 20 classes offered each week focus on good form which requires using your core and each class includes specific core strengthening exercises.

In addition, “we keep our classes as close to personal training as possible,” said Doerr. So if you choose to focus on core muscles, the trainers will help you do this in each workout to the best of your ability.

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The fact that Young Master’s operates two separate businesses — the fitness studio as well as a martial arts training center — under one roof is beneficial to the whole family. Doerr said that some couples work out in the fitness center while their children learn karate across the hall. The whole family can build a strong core in their own unique way.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 9

Soul Sisters Crystal Lake women offer everyday access to beneficial ancient practice

P

eople who can twist themselves into the shape resembling a pretzel are certainly welcome, but no more or less than anyone not able to so contort. Grass Roots Yoga Studio in McHenry was founded with a commitment to being friendly and accessible to all, regardless of experience or fitness level.

“And anybody can do yoga. Anybody,” said Linda Cannizzo one of the owners of Grass Roots. “That’s one of the things that gets lost about yoga. You see skinny people in crazy poses and people think if they can’t do that, they can’t do yoga. That’s such a small part of what yoga is. If you can just sit and breathe, you’re doing yoga.”

Photos by Joe Shuman

By Wendy Foster

Cannizzo and business partner Tricia Wallace, both of Crystal Lake, co-founded the studio, which has just celebrated its third anniversary. Cannizzo, who is a certified massage therapist, said that while she was studying massage, her teachers encouraged her to learn yoga for “self-care.”

She started taking classes and recalls, “I fell in love with it.

It sounds cliché, but it really changed my life.

One day in class, I decided that I needed to be a teacher myself.”

Cannizzo became certified and worked for a few years for a local studio before deciding to launch Grass Roots with her friend Wallace, with whom she’d gone through training. “We wanted to do things a certain way; build a community and make it accessible to everybody and that’s how it came about,” Cannizzo said. The name Grass Roots, she said, reflects the fact that they wanted their studio to “be a community. ‘Grass Roots’ felt like that for us.”

Cannizzo explained what had been life-changing for her when she was learning yoga. “I was 40 years old and walking downstairs and I had to hold the railings because my balance was so bad. One of the first things that improved when I started yoga, was balance,” she said. “It also reduced anxiety and brought me closer to myself so that if I’m in a situation that’s stressful or uncomfortable, I can draw on what I’ve learned in yoga and be in a place that’s stillness.

It’s created better boundaries for myself. When you get to know yourself, a lot of other things fall into place. Yoga gives you the space to really find yourself.”

Grass Roots offers yoga and meditation classes. One of the more unique programs also offered at Grass Roots is their adaptive yoga class. The participants all have limited mobility, with most of them suffering from MS. “The class helps to reduce their spasticity and

10 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Many of the clients have been coming to Grass Roots since it first opened its doors, and their customer base is all the result of wordof-mouth.

the breathing component of yoga is huge for them.

This also helps them increase their mobility. I can watch them and from the beginning of the class to the end of the class, they’re moving better,” said Cannizzo. Half of the participants are in wheelchairs. “For them, the most exciting part is when they’re on the floor and stretching. They don’t get to do that very often.

Laying on the floor feels amazing to them.”

Grass Roots also offers massage, teaches yin yoga classes, and offers specialized workshops on topics including relaxation meditation techniques, gong meditation and more.

Additionally, Cannizzo teaches zentangle art, which she said, is a “meditative art form.”

All of Grass Roots’ classes are drop-in so that people can pick and choose what’s most convenient for them at any given time.

Classes are offered weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Cannizzo said that Grass Roots draws a diverse group of students. “We do seem to have a lot of teachers. But we also have people who are college age through the mid-70s. We have men and women. We run the whole range. I like to think that it’s because it’s the kind of community that we hoped to build. Anyone who walks through the door feels like this is a place for him or her,” she said.

“We love our little place and we think we’re helping people.”

For additional information visit www.

GrassRootsYogaStudio.com.

“When you get to know yourself, a lot of other things fall into place.

— Linda Cannizzo, Yoga gives you the space to really find yourself.” co-owner, Grass Roots Yoga-McHenry

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 11

Understand Your Herniated Disc

T

he basic definition of a herniated disc is a condition whereby portions of a disc — the shock-absorbing cushions between vertebrae — are abnormally compressed and protrude outside of the vertebrae. It is widely referred to as a bulging, ruptured or slipped disc.

A disc may move but “slipped” is not medically accurate, as the spinal discs are firmly attached between the vertebrae and cannot “slip.” The condition places pressure on the adjacent nerves causing pain, numbness, or weakness either around the damaged disc or anywhere along the area supplied by that nerve. Most herniated discs occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) typically affecting the buttocks, thigh, hips, anal/genital areas, feet and toes. Herniated discs also can occur in the neck (cervical spine) potentially affecting the skull, neck, shoulder, arm and hand.

12 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Symptoms

• Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disc is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the You can have a herniated disc without most intense pain in your buttocks, thigh knowing it — herniated discs sometimes and calf. It may also involve part of the foot. show up on spinal images of people who If your herniated disc is in your neck, the have no symptoms of a disc problem. pain will typically be most intense in the However, most of the patients we treat at the shoulder and arm. This pain may shoot into clinic are symptomatic. The most common your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or signs and symptoms of a lumbar (lower back) move your spine into certain positions. herniated disc are: • Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disc often experience numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.

• Weakness. Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken. This may cause you to stumble, or impair your ability to lift or hold items.

Causes Some herniated discs are the result of trauma such as a fall or a blow to the back.

Others are caused by physically demanding HEALTH & WELLNESS

mchenrycountymagazine.com

occupations that require repetitive lifting, squatting, prolonged sitting, pulling, pushing, bending and twisting. Additional contributing factors include age-related wear of the discs, referred to as disc degeneration, which increases the risk of a herniation. As you age, your spinal discs lose some of their water content. That makes them less flexible and more prone to rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.

To help prevent a herniated disc: • Exercise. Strengthening the trunk muscles helps stabilize and support the spine.

• Maintain good posture. Good posture reduces the pressure on your spine and discs. Keep your back straight and aligned, particularly when sitting for long periods.

Lift heavy objects properly, making your legs — not your back — do most of the work.

Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis is the most important aspect of determining treatment options for your particular type of herniated disc.

As a chiropractor, my diagnostic process includes observation, palpation, a series of orthopedic and neurological tests, postural evaluation, obtaining a health history and discussing any additional symptoms. X-ray and MRI are ordered on a case-by-case basis. Certain types of hernias can be treated with spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercises, flexion-distraction or pelvic blocking techniques. The specifics of any treatment plan vary based upon pain, level of activity, overall health, and type of hernia.

Other types, where the loss of bladder or bowel control occur, must be referred to an appropriate specialist. As with any treatment option, don’t hesitate to ask questions about what chiropractic treatments are being recommended and why. You want to make sure you understand what will be done and how it can help relieve your pain.

Vital Signs with Dr. Daniel Strelcheck Jr. • Dr. Daniel V. Strelcheck Jr. is the chief of staff at Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic in Crystal Lake. Feel Great Again! Go to www.strelcheckchiro.com. mchenrycountymagazine.com

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• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and discs, making them more susceptible to herniation.

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 13

The Elusive

FAMILY DINNER

I

t’s Monday at 3:30 p.m. The kids will be home from school in 15 minutes. I have just a few last moments of peace and quiet before all hell breaks loose.

lesson in the first week of practice: food at 5 p.m. and wind sprints at 6 p.m. don’t mix.

I pride myself on being a relatively decent cook, but time constraints and dietary requirements mean I am, in reality, a short order cook. Every parenting book, blog and Once my young scholars cross the threshold, I’ve got to hit the ground running. magazine says I should avoid this practice like the plague. But chicken nuggets with They need a snack and a dose of SpongeBob. homemade mashed potatoes and some fruit I know the time is ticking before we have to beats the drive-thru fast food available along jet out the door again, but I realize they need the way. to decompress.

The requests start flying. “Mom can I have this?” “Mom can you bring me that?”

At school they don’t have the luxury of having their indentured servant (a.k.a. yours truly). The teachers are stricter about having them perform “life skills” on their own. But once home, they really know how to take advantage of mommie dearest, despite my best efforts.

It seems crazy, but almost immediately after they have a snack, I have to start making dinner. Colin has wrestling practice at 6 p.m., which begins with some pretty rigorous calisthenics. We learned our

14 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Chicken nuggets with homemade mashed potatoes and some fruit beats the drive-thru fast food available along the way.

FAMILY IN FOCUS

The challenge: I’ve got one kid who is practically a carnivore. When I ask him what he wants for breakfast he replies with a simple, “bacon and bacon.” Then, there’s my other child who prefers carb-loading. So picky, she shudders when I switch brands of mac ‘n’ cheese. I tried to nip it in the bud early on, but it backfired on me. (And when I say backfired, I mean projectile vomiting.

More than once.) I gave up and decided to lower my standards.

While I am flipping burgers and making the most out of a frozen pizza by serving it with edamame, I have to consider “child number three,” otherwise known as my husband. He has pretty strict dietary standards himself, based on his efforts to maintain a more than 60-pound weight loss a couple years back. I also have to make sure I prepare enough food for him to bring to work the next day. Since he eats small meals every three hours, I essentially have to pack him two lunches.

“Eating clean” means no frozen dinners, packaged meals or shortcuts (except for maybe relying on my crockpot, but that requires doing prep-work at 11 a.m.). mchenrycountymagazine.com

We’ve already left for wrestling when my husband gets home from work, so I have his dinner cooked and waiting for him.

And while I am making dinner, (or should I say, “dinners”?) I have to make sure homework gets completed, because by the time we get home again, everyone is toast.

Common Core math is hard enough when we all are fresh, let alone trying to cram it in after a long day and past bedtime.

Amidst these efforts, I have just enough time to shovel in my own dinner before I leave to take Colin to wrestling and teach my Spin class.

That’s just Monday.

There are other nights where a little religious education or a school play or a work function gets thrown into the mix. I often find myself ping-ponging back-andforth between various towns within an eight-mile radius.

So, between the wrestling, religious ed, my job, school functions, my husband’s travel schedule and the general chaos of everyday life … I cherish every chance we get to sit down as a family and eat a meal.

These are the nights when I can cook one thing and serve it all at once (with slight variation).

These are the nights the kids set the table and clear their plates when they are done.

with

These are the nights we get to catch up on what is going on in each other’s lives, what the kids are doing at school, and where all the best conversations about farts happen.

But altogether too soon, the conversation turns to the game plan for the next day — ensuring everyone gets where they need to go and no one is left standing outside in the cold after a practice.

Tomorrow’s flowchart likely does not include another family dinner. All we can do is savor our meal and these moments until we are all together again.

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A

s soon as the snow falls, families are pulling out sleds, skis and more for a few hours of frigid fun. We have offered up some of our favorite spots for the season:

Ski experience is offered four times this winter: January 30, 31 at Coral Woods Conservation Area, Marengo and February 20, 21 at Rush Creek Conservation Area, Harvard.

Speed down nearby sledding hills

Open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Skiers of every experience level and age are welcome, but you must bring your own equipment. Gather around the campfire for refreshments after your time out on the trail. Trails will be groomed for skiing if there is 4” of snow or more.

In Crystal Lake, sledders can stay late at Veterans Park, located on Rte. 176 at Walkup Ave., which offers a lighted sledding hill, the Babe Ruth Hill, and a second, unlit hill near the Nature Center.

In Algonquin, Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive, is a local favorite with great views, a large, fast hill, lights and a warming element.

In Johnsburg, the McHenry Township Sledding Hill in Albert Adams Park, 3703 N. Richmond Road, is lit and open until 10 p.m. It offers a 300-foot obstacle free run that ends in a safe and open soccer field. There also is a smaller Bunny Hill for the younger children, ample parking, an enclosed winter shelter with a fireplace for warming, and bathrooms.

Hike or ski on solar-lighted trails Enjoy a winter hike or some cross country skiing, but bound by demands to your free time? Take to the trails after dark, at two area sites open late and lit up for hiking or cross country skiing. Trails are open until 9 p.m. through March 8.

Pleasant Valley, located at 13315 Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock. This half-mile looped trail located on the east side of the 16 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

If snow is scarce, enjoy the same trails with a candlelight hike, some hot refreshments around a campfire and the allure of the winter woods. Note: events are canceled if trails are icy/hazardous or the wind chill drops below -10 degrees. Go to MCCDistrict.org for updates.

Attack the slopes at Raging Buffalo entrance drive is fairly flat terrain, perfect for beginners or shorter outings. Park in the first parking area and sign in.

Hickory Grove Highlands, located at 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary. The single-mile looped trail travels through a newly restored savanna, offering a longer scenic route suitable for intermediate skiers.

Visitors should sign in at the trail head.

Looking for more? Check out a picturesque evening ski experience on trails lit only by candlelight! The Cross-Country Candlelight FAMILY IN FOCUS

Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park — officially the world’s first snowboard exclusive terrain park, is located at 19-265 Western Ave (just off Rte. 31) on the border of Kane and McHenry Counties. The park’s terrain changes constantly to keep the hills fresh. Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park contains two rope tows, half pipes, kickers, table tops, staircase and a magic carpet on the beginner hill. The Midwest’s First Burton Riglet Park, designed for riders 11 and under, is stocked with

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MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 17

Photo by Heather Nelson

ARY / FOX RIVER GROV

Picturesque Progressive

&

Cary-Grove area works together to build community

By Tom Witom

C

ary and Fox River Grove find themselves neighbors straddling opposite sides of the Fox River.

Their children attend the same high school and root for the same athletic teams, and residents patronize one another’s businesses.

Picnic Grove Park.

Redevelopment of the downtown area also ranks high on Nunamaker’s agenda. “Along those lines, we plan to move forward implementing our modified comprehensive plan with its focus on downtown,” he says. The document presents a

Even though populations differ significantly — about 18,500 inhabitants call Cary home compared to 5,000 in Fox River Grove — the two towns manage to maintain their own identities. Still, there’s no denying the symbiosis that exists between them.

Buoyed by an improving economy, officials from both municipalities are eagerly looking to see what 2015 has to offer.

“Our goal is to keep raising the quality of life for the folks living in town,” says Robert Nunamaker, Fox River Grove president.

Upgrades, begun in 2014 at the village’s scenic park land along the Fox River, will continue and include adding a large multi-purpose shelter at

18 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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GET BUSY!

Cary-Fox River Grove area residents know how to keep winter doldrums at bay.

Shaw Media file photo

Here are some of the many activities that keep them engaged:

comprehensive view of what we would like to happen in terms of the streetscape and architectural features.

One proposal to be addressed during the first quarter is from Gart Partners LLC for a $250 million five-year project for apartments and commercial office and retail space.

A project of such magnitude stands out as “a great way to measure success as one considers what the future may hold for both Cary and Fox River Grove,” says Brad Ball, executive director of the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, after nearly a year-long effort, Cary is in the final stages of crafting its updated comprehensive plan, says Ball, who

served as a member of the plan’s steering committee.

“The document represents a 15-to-20-year vision designed to point the way for future development and zoning decisions,” says Ball. “It’s not a regulatory document but a guiding tool. So when opportunities arise, the village board and planning and policy authorities can act in accordance with a sense of who we are as a community and where do we want to go in the future.”

Cary’s village board, as a committee of the whole, is now reviewing the plan, which involved input from more than 1,000 people.

Final approval of the document — its first update since 1992 — is expected in early January, says Christopher D. Clark, Cary village administrator.

Separately, Clark says Cary officials are reviewing applications for a full-time community development director to fill a position vacated by Christopher Stilling. The board is expected to name a successor during the first quarter.

In January, Clark says village representatives will meet to discuss the scope of Metra’s $2 million project to upgrade the Cary Metra Station, including the installation of a warming shelter along the inbound platform.

Photo by Heather Nelson

mchenrycountymagazine.com

Also under consideration is a developer’s proposal to build multiple rental apartments on vacant Maplewood school property owned by School District 26.

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Winter Farmer’s Market — Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove, this event is held the first and third Sunday of the month from 9 a.m.-noon at Algonquin Township’s Building 6 storage facility, 3702 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake. The winter event, now in its second year, features such items as farm fresh eggs, frozen blueberries, frozen beef and local honey, among others. There’s even a sharpening service represented that will restore dull knives, scissors and mower blades to peak condition, says Rotary director Joe McVickers, adding that proceeds go to Cary-Grove Food Pantry.

Norge Ski Jump Tournament — Huge crowds are expected to gather Jan. 24 and 25 at 100 Ski Hill Rd., Fox River Grove, for this annual U.S. Cup-sanctioned event in which athletes compete on a 70-meter hill. Fans, bundled up and toting blankets and lawn chairs, cheer on their favorites. Admission is required for adults and children 12 and older, and casual fare (hot dogs, brats, pizza) is sold as well as beer, wine and soft drinks. Gene Brown, Norge Ski Club corresponding secretary, says event proceeds go toward equipment and to fund training young athletes. See more on page 20!

Community Showcase — The Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will host this annual home and business expo March 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cary-Grove High School. Local businesses set up booths and connect with their customers. The event includes about 100 vendors and usually draws between 2,000 and 2,500 visitors.

Miss Cary-Grove Business Scholarship Pageant — The chamber also will kick off this annual event in January. The pageant queen and runners-up win college scholarships and participate in community events throughout the year. Miss Cary-Grove also will advance to the Miss McHenry County pageant.

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 19

Flying High Norge readies for annual ski jump tourney

O

n Jan. 24 and 25, an international array of daredevils will converge in Fox River Grove for a more than 100-year tradition of spectacle and sport — the annual Norge Ski Jump Tournament.

Ski jumpers from across the world will compete at Norge Ski Club that weekend, surrounded by friends, family, curious onlookers and diehard, all-out ski jump fans. It’s the 110th year for the event at the historic Norge, the longest continuously operating ski club in the nation.

The club opened in 1905 by a group of Norwegian immigrants. These men, many of whom lived in Chicago, would travel to Fox River Grove to ski jump, and fans would flock from across the area to the tournaments.

Over the years the tournaments and the club has grown to include jumpers of all ages, men and women, from the novice to the highly competitive.

The Norge features five hills, including a 70-meter jump, giving local athletes one of very few area locations to practice and compete. At the same time, the tournament gives enthusiasts a fun, family-centered opportunity to see an exciting and competitive winter sport, often viewed only on television.

For information, visit www.norgeskiclub.com, email clubinfo@norgeskiclub.com or call (847) 639-9718.

110th Annual Norge Ski Jump Tournament Noon – 4 p.m. • Jan. 24 and 25, 2015 Gates open at 11 a.m. • 100 Ski Hill Road (north of routes 14 and 22 in Fox River Grove)

Shaw Media file photos 20 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Admission: Buttons are required and good for both days of the tournament.

• $10 entrance buttons can be purchased through January 23 at local merchants.

• $11 entrance buttons purchased online at www. norgeskiclub.com.

• $15 entrance buttons can be purchased at the gate • Admission is free for children 12 and under.

• Refreshments will be available for purchase. No dogs or carry-in food is allowed. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Taking the train?

Sunday Only — Free shuttle buses will be available to and from the Metra Train Station in Fox River Grove from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for spectators attending the International “5-Hills” 110th Annual Ski Jump Tournament.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 21

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McHenry County Magazine

H OME resource guide Find contacts for top home professionals in interior design, kitchen design, construction, and many other home-related fields.

Whether you are a new or established home owner, you will find places and products of interest in this monthly guide!

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Does your basement need to be turned into a great family living space? If so, then stop at our beautiful showroom in downtown Crystal Lake and see how we can make your house the home of your dream

Interior Design INTERIOR INSPIRATION Algonquin, 847-854-2966, www.interiorinspiration.com For a home or workplace that is beautiful, functional and inspired, call Randi Goodman, IFDA, “designer extraordinaire.” Now is a great time to spruce up your space. Randi makes the best use of furnishings and accessories you already have. She can suggest additional pieces, or start from scratch. The choice is yours! Custom or ready made, she can do it all! Call today for a personal consultation.

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Kitchen Design KITCHENS BY JULIE, INC., 27-A Janus Rd., Cary, 847-516-2226, www.kitchensbyjulie.com Located in Downtown Cary, Kitchens by Julie is a family owned and operated organization that has extensive experience in all aspects of remodeling and construction.

“Every successful project is a unique reflection of personal tastes, functions, lifestyle, budget and dreams,” says principal designer, Julie Loehner, CKD who operates Kitchens by Julie with her husband and project manager, Mark Loehner. Our goal is to create a wonderful experience designing and building your dream from conception to completion.

To have your business included in this guide, contact your representative at 815-459-4040.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 23

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BEST RIBS AND BEST BBQ

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24 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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FOOD

TRENDS I n the restaurant business, like any other, we watch the trends. There are some newer trends that are going strong and may grow in popularity in 2015. Others will likely fade away like many passing fads.

The burger boom is here to stay.

There are a ton of successful franchises and more jumping in every day. Look for the segment to micro split: we’ll see grass fed burger chains or bison burger franchises. Look for the pairing of microbreweries and burgers too, either way Americans love their burgers and this segment is here to stay.

Look for an exciting new trend in the fast casual restaurant segment: the addition of beer and wine to some of your favorite alcohol-free restaurants. There are a million reasons this should work. Cash in on the craft beer craze; get Mom and Dad to the kids’ favorite pizza places and the self-serve format it may come in.

Keep your eyes peeled, this one could be great!

Bacon rules, and thank goodness it does. Bacon, one of the country’s most favorite foods, is coming in every shape, taste and thickness imaginable. Look for bacon as an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

More and more places are doing away with traditional plateware and using innovative replacements.

Small baking sheets, cutting boards and wood planks are providing a rustic feel and cutting way down on breakage. I had a steak served to me on a cutting board recently and have to say, I really liked the presentation.

The next big beer? Root Beer. Yes I know hard root beer already is here, but look for barrel-aged, light and even the addition of lemon and lime. Dark beers will make a run, also. Remember, they are all fighting for shelf space.

Retro, Retro, Retro. Everything old is new again. In every form, the ’70s and ’80s are coming back. It’s like how the “Happy Days” show made us nostalgic for the 1950s Look for design, food, atmosphere, games and technology. I think I heard Hall & Oates are getting back together.

Put A Fork In It

with David Faccone

• David Faccone is the owner/ chef of Crystal Lake Rib House, a Certified Kansas City BBQ and Table Captain and brings 30 years of experience in the restaurant business to McHenry County.

mchenrycountymagazine.com

DINING & ENTERTAINING

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 25

Photos by Ron McKinney

Family Business At Davenport Family Funeral Homes, relationships come first

By Sherri Dauskurdas Losing a loved one will be one of the biggest heartaches you’ll ever endure. And at a time in your life when you are at your most vulnerable, you want someone you can trust taking care of the details.

26 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

Jack and Lisa Davenport know just how you feel. As the owners of the familyoperated Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake they strived to create comfortable, family-oriented services for those in need.

“We all have lost people and we always keep in mind that the people we serve are at the worst time in their lives, so we make every effort to keep it less stressful for them,” Jack says. “We serve your family the way we’d serve our own.”

BUSINESS & CIVIC

That family-centered service mantra begins with a warm, home-styled facility.

There’s nothing institutional or even corporate to the feel at Davenport. It mimics one’s own family room, with comfortable furniture, local historical photos and artwork, and a lovely hearth.

Planning services for a lost loved one can be a difficult and stressful task. At Davenport, a wide variety of options give families all the flexibility they need, with the expert professional advice they

mchenrycountymagazine.com

3 (Facing page) The Davenport “family” includes, (back row) Katie Romutis, Nancy Hinker, Mark Fischer, Peggy Woods, Heather Franks, (front row) Lisa Davenport, Bill Andres, Matt Olejniczak and Kim Nordin.

3 The staff at Davenport Funeral Homes and Crematory is dedicated to providing family-centered services in a place where people can feel comfortable and at ease.

“We always ask ourselves, ‘if this were our mother, how would we want it to be?’” can count on. Up front pricing takes away any guesswork or ugly surprises. An onsite crematory adds a sense of care and assurance.

“Your loved ones never leave our care,” Lisa says. “We always ask ourselves, ‘if this were our mother, how would we want it to be?’”

For those who want to alleviate the stress to their surviving loved ones, pre-planning services are offered. Davenport planners typically visit people in their homes, not at the facility, to discuss the options.

In an industry dominated by legacy and corporations, Jack came to funeral service by choice.

As a child of a much older family, he spent a fair amount of time in such places as a youngster. Then, after touring a funeral home with a youth group, he decided at that young age that this would be his calling. Lisa changed careers from advertising, and the Davenports have grown the privately-owned business ever since, from a single funeral home to two, (Crystal Lake and Barrington) with another in the works in Lake Zurich for next year.

Together, with a staff of qualified, family-centered professionals, Lisa and Jack have built a business families in the area can count on, and the community

“People sense that they are making the decisions,” Lisa explains. “They can take control, leave less anxiety for their families and also freeze costs. It’s a good 4 Continued on next page idea.”

mchenrycountymagazine.com

5 Jack Davenport is a native of Iowa and served as a First Lieutenant in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Lisa Davenport grew up in Libertyville and now the Davenports reside in the Barrington community with their three daughters, Grace, Anne, and Rose.

BUSINESS & CIVIC

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 27

“We serve your family the way we’d serve our own.” has honored them with a “Best of the Fox” award four years running. One of few certified Veteran Funeral Care Organizations, Davenport gives assurance that all benefits available are received.

“Our hope is that we may continue to provide excellent service to the families in our communities,” Lisa says.

“We want to make it meaningful for them.”

Davenport Family Funeral Home & Crematory 419 E. Terra Cotta • Crystal Lake 815-459-3411 149 W. Main St. • Barrington 847-381-3411

www.davenportfamily.com

28 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

BUSINESS & CIVIC

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Commitment To Serve Sen. Pam Althoff takes unpredictable path to success

When she’s not working in Springfield Althoff spends her time in her district, often stopping at local meetings to hear concerns and meet the residents.

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

Shepley is an attorney and partner with the firm Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle of Crystal Lake. The firm represents local governments including McHenry, and Shepley and Althoff first met through work. They share an understanding of local and state government and additionally, Shepley’s husband is the mayor of Crystal Lake.

“She’s always working for the people in her community, for her constituency,” said Regan Shepley of Crystal Lake.

W

hen you ask State Senator Pamela Althoff if she ever imagined she would someday become a politician her immediate response might be a surprise.

“Absolutely not,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a public servant.”

The former mayor of McHenry and current state senator for the 32nd District didn’t set out on a path to work in local or state government.

Althoff grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. She attended Illinois State University and studied to become a teacher. Her early career was in special education from 1975-81.

Through the years Shepley has seen Althoff’s dedication to her community and to her work.

“Then I met a boy,” she said with a laugh.

she began working with her local government, Althoff said she was hooked. She ran and was elected for the position in 1996 with Timothy as her campaign manager. She continued to serve as city clerk/collector until 2001 when she sought the elected position for mayor and won.

She served in local government during a time of great development.

She met and married Timothy Althoff.

They settled in McHenry in 1981. There they witnessed the once rural area grow and transform through the years.

She was serving as mayor when in 2003 she was appointed to the state senate for the 32nd District. In 2004 she was elected to her first four-year term and has been re-elected twice.

Althoff left the field of education and worked for the McHenry Chamber of Commerce for a few years before leaving to take a sales and marketing job. It was her husband who saw an opening for the position of city clerk and he encouraged her.

“It has been a wonderful journey,” she said.

“Not one I had planned on, but a very nice journey.”

“He said I would be perfect for the job,” she said.

“We followed her career from mayor to state senator and we’re so proud of her,” Linda Medeen said. “We’re very proud of her and everything she has accomplished.”

She applied and was appointed to the office in 1994 to complete a two-year term. Once

of WOMEN distinction mchenrycountymagazine.com

Longtime McHenry area residents Linda Medeen and her husband, Vern, have enjoyed seeing Althoff’s leadership and success.

“She has the amazing ability to bring people together and to work through the issues,” Shepley said. “She has great resolve and she doesn’t leave things open. She doesn’t give up.”

Althoff admits the pace of working in the state legislature is slower than municipal government, but the former teacher knows the value of working in collaboration and said often it’s those skills she built early in her career that help her find success today.

“I love what I do,” Althoff said. “I love being able to bring people of very different opinions and perceptions in the room and come to understand both sides.”

The Republican state senator said she’s not afraid to take on challenges and she is looking forward to working with the new Republicanelect governor Bruce Rauner as he takes office this January.

“I think we have a critical opportunity to move forward,” Althoff said.

Sponsored by:

BUSINESS & CIVIC

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 29

Women of Distinction identifies women who have made a difference in McHenry County and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities. Honorees will be profiled in the McHenry County Magazine’s May issue and recognized at an awards luncheon in May, 2015.

Please fill out the form online (preferred method) by visiting www.McHenryCountyMagazine.com/events.com or fill in the form below (use additional space for nominee description) and return by February 15, 2015.

NOMINEE’S NAME

TITLE

NOMINEE

COMPANY

ADDRESS

EMAIL

BUSINESS PHONE

Achievements: Please list additional background information (career milestones; individual achievements, volunteerism, philanthropic work). On a separate piece of paper, explain why you think this person is a Woman of Distinction. Submit your nomination online at McHenryCountyMagazine.com/events __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION: Februrary 15, 2015 FAX: 815-477-4960 Mail: P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60039 Attn: Meredith Schaefer Email: mschaefer@shawmedia.com

NOMINATOR

__________________________________________________________________

NOMINATOR’S NAME

PHONE NUMBER

EMAIL

NOMINATOR’S RELATIONSHIP TO NOMINEE

Thank you to our 2014 sponsors:

30 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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In the midst of your busy and hectic life, it’s a comfort to know that your vehicle is ready to take on whatever you are.

Subaru’s 2015 Outback does just that.

I

f you love to get up and go, reap full reward of the Outback’s dedication to your adventurous side. When you hit the trails, a full 8.7 inches of ground clearance will help you cover almost any road your heart sets out on, regardless of the weather. An available package includes heated seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper blade de-icer to improve both comfort and visibility for those winter excursions.

With its roof rails and crossbar system, the Outback can carry up to 150 pounds of equipment. It’s easy to reach, and the spacing between the cross bars is adjustable to provide even more cargocarrying flexibility. When not in use, the cross bars can be folded into the integrated roof rails to help fuel efficiency and to make for a quieter drive.

Safety and durability always have been at the forefront of the Subaru philosophy, and the 2015 Outback continues that commitment. An impressive 95 percent of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years remain on the road today.

The most fuel-efficient midsize crossover in America boasts 33 mpg highway, and its durable boxer engine provides a low center of gravity for a well-balanced feel, and sacrifices itself to protect its driver in the event of a head-on collision.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive makes for better stability, efficiency, and a quicker response to conditions. Available Hill Descent Control can be activated with the push of a button to help safely navigate slippery surfaces and steep inclines. The EyeSight® driver assist technology system monitors traffic movement, optimizes 4 Continued on next page

mchenrycountymagazine.com

OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 31

cruise control, and warns you when you’re swaying outside your lane. Active Torque Vectoring helps provide sharper, more stable handling. It automatically senses steering and braking inputs to help keep the vehicle on the driver’s intended path.

But the new Outback is about more than safety and durability. It’s taken its traditionally minimal style, and given itself a makeover on the side of comfort and convenience.

32 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

The all-new Outback features a spacious 143.6 cubic feet of interior room with soft-touch surfaces and upgraded materials. The 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat with memory function, and the 60/40-split fold-down rear seats with cargo-area release levers make sure there’s enough room for whatever the trip requires, from cargo to furry friends.

Interested in today’s high tech features and connectivity?

Outback has it. An available voice-activated navigation

OUT & ABOUT

mchenrycountymagazine.com

system will guide you to almost any point of interest, all via voice command. Control audio system and climate control functions by the same voice command integration.

Open and close the rear lift gate with the push of a button on your key fob, by controls on the dashboard, or by using the hatch.

mchenrycountymagazine.com

And when the roof isn’t loaded up for your weekend getaway, an available power-tilt/ sliding-glass moon roof lets you feel the breeze, brighten the day, and check out the stars.

The 2015 Subaru Outback: it’s the perfect companion for your next adventure, whether that’s a cross-country road trip, or a simple drive to grandma’s house.

OUT & ABOUT

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www.garylangauto.com MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 33

Put Travel On Your Bucket List

O

ne of my favorite quotes from the 2007 movie “The Bucket List” is “One day your life will flash before your eyes … make sure it’s worth watching.”

With all of the years that I’ve been in the travel industry I’m always amazed at what is on everyone’s bucket list. Of course I’m particularly interested in all the destinations that are on those lists. From domestic trips in our beautiful United States, to exotic African safaris, there are so many options. I wanted to share just a few of the destinations that have been on the top of our customers’ bucket lists!

Alaska

The last of the great frontiers, there are many different options when traveling to Alaska. One of the most popular is an Alaskan cruise. You can cruise through the inside passage of Alaska which would include seeing glaciers such as Glacier Bay National Park, or Tracy Arm. You would also visit the best frontier ports including Skagway, Juneau (the state’s capital) and Ketchikan. Getting into the vast land of Alaska some of the most visited areas would be Anchorage, where the Iditarod starts every year in early March or Mount McKinley and Denali National Park, where you can put a check next to one of America’s Greatest National Wonders. At 20,320 feet, Mount McKinley is the tallest peak in North America. That’s not the only thing to see in this area, a 6 million-acre wildlife reserve will give you sightings of grizzlies, wolves, caribou, moose, dall sheep, eagles and more! By cruise ship, motor coach, rail or car, Alaska has so much to offer. I already checked it off my bucket list and I want to go back again!

you would feel the first time you see the plains of the Masai Mara or the Serengeti for the first time, some have used words such as “magnificent” and “wondrous.” Your first lion sighting or elephant encounter would be magical. The wildlife here is abundant and would include zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, with predators such as cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. East Africa is a feast for the senses. With plains that stretch for miles and miles, snow-capped peaks like Mt. Kilimanjaro, refreshing waterfalls and life-sustaining rivers. South African safaris generally include Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Zambia and Botswana. From the rugged coastline that reveals around this stunning countryside to plentiful game in Kruger National Park and the private land that surrounds it, to the water wonderland of the Okavango Delta and Zambia’s breathtakingly endless plains, Southern Africa would be an amazing destination to cross off your bucket list.

AUSTRALIA

The land of plenty, belonging to a few! Discover Australia’s unique destinations, from the incomparable Red Centre and Kakadu National Park to the iconic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia abounds with countless treasures that cover a breathtaking diversity of landscapes, from the mountainous Australian Alps to Fraser Island’s

China

Much more than just the Great Wall, China is the centerpiece of Asian travel.

Visit Beijing and Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and enjoy a rickshaw ride through Hutongs, the city’s ancient alleys. The city of Xi’an is an archaeological treasure trove, once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world. Surrounded by limestone mountains, Guilin is one of the most beautiful areas of China. Often covered by a light “mist” of fog, the needle peaks of the limestone mountains convey a sense of mystery that for centuries artists have tried to capture.

While in Shanghai you would want to be sure to sample a traditional Dim Sum lunch. Originating as a roadside snack, today this is a full meal featuring a wide variety of steamed buns, dumplings, and mini rice noodle rolls. Finally, one of the greatest wonders of the world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 5,500 miles, from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2,000 years, it remains one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Hawaii

There are six beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, each with different things to offer. Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor, named for the pearl oysters once harvested there. It is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii, a World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

AFRICA

If Africa is on your bucket list, chances are it’s for safari. Although it’s impossible to describe how

34 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

sand dunes, rainforest and lakes. Australia has so much for you to explore, whether you want nature, wildlife, outback adventure, islands, rainforest or reef. Australia’s unique beauty is spread across eight states and territories. It’s no wonder why Australia is on so many of our travel bucket lists!

OUT & ABOUT

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and the only naval base in the United States to be designated a National Historical Landmark.

And Waikiki Beach is one of my favorite beaches.

Heading over to Maui, one of the most iconic features is Haleakala. This National Park is home to Maui’s highest peak. Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala’s graceful slopes can be seen from just about any point on the island. The most visited time to visit the top of the peak is at sunrise.

Travelers make their way to the top during the middle of the night to watch the amazing sunrise.

On Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, a favorite thing to do is a cruise along the Napili Coast, featuring panoramic views of the vast Pacific Ocean, velvet green cliffs and cascading waterfalls plummeting into deep, narrow valleys. The rugged terrain appears much as it did centuries ago when Hawaiian settlements flourished in these valleys existing only on the food they could grow and the fish they could catch.

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OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 35

Go Hog Wild!

Shaw Media file photo

Groundswell of local support keeps winter celebration in full swing

E

ach year on February 2, towns across the East and Midwest gather in anticipation of the most famous forecast of the year.

How much more winter will there be? Only the groundhog knows.

But after the grand groundhog’s prognostication, most of us head back to our daily routines. Not so in Woodstock, where the event marks the precipice of a seasonal festival that blows fun and frivolity back into the frigid winter air.

It all began in 1992, when filmmakers arrived in town to make a movie, aptly named “Groundhog Day” with Hollywood favorites Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. While the story is set in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania, the movie executives were looking for the right kind of town center, to visually match the rest of the script, beyond the groundhog ceremony.

Woodstock offered what the creative team envisioned — the Opera House would be the Pennsylvanian Hotel, Woodstock Square would become the famed Gobbler’s Knob, and the gazebo and town square would be converted into a near exact replica of the pavilion in Pennsylvania.

Since the filming, the town has embraced the holiday, creating a week-long annual festival of events for every age and interest!

36 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

AWAKENING OF THE GROUNDHOG When: 6 p.m. Thursday, January 29 Where: Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren What: Woodstock Willie will make an appearance on the balcony of the Opera House and spectators are invited to gather on the street below. Following a few surprises, Willie will join his fans, who will have an opportunity to pose for pictures with the furry mascot. Stage Left Café will serve hot chocolate.

GROUNDHOG DAY DINNER/DANCE When: Friday, January 30 Buffet Dinner: 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Live Music: 8 p.m. - midnight Where: Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329, 406 Clay St. What: Come celebrate Groundhog Day at one of the sites used in the making of the movie. The bachelor auction and dance scenes were shot in the Woodstock Moose. The annual Dinner/Dance includes a buffet dinner and cash bar. Following dinner there will be live entertainment this year featuring the popular band Patio Daddyo.

Come and dance with Woodstock Willie! There will be a silent auction to help raise funds for Moose Charities and also this year to benefit victims of the tornadoes downstate. Woodstock Groundhog Day t-shirts and other memorabilia will be available. Tickets are $15 — available at the door, and proceeds benefit Moose Charities and Pioneer Center.

OUT & ABOUT

GROUNDHOG TALES — STORYTELLING WITH JIM MAY When: 10 a.m. Saturday, January 31 Where: Home State Bank, 124 Johnson St. What: Jim May is waiting for the groundhog.

How about you? Come hear Jim’s stories celebrating the ground hog’s arrival. An Emmy award-winning storyteller and writer, his collection of stories, “The Farm on Nippersink Creek,” won a best book award from the Public Librarian Association. He is co-founder of the Illinois Storytelling Festival and for 20 years its artistic director. He was inducted into the National Storytelling “Circle of Excellence” in 2000. He has toured the United States and Europe, presenting at schools, storytelling and folk festivals as an artist/author in residence at schools and universities, and in nonprofit and corporate venues emphasizing the role of myth, story, and culture in the personal, family and community context.

GROUNDHOG BOWLING When: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, January 31 Where: Wayne’s Lanes, 109 E. Church St. What: Bowling benefits Adult Child Therapy Services. Cost is $15, which includes two games and shoe rental. Scones in the morning, pizza in the afternoon, accompanied by juice and soda, also are included. Raffles and prizes all day. mchenrycountymagazine.com

CHILI COOK-OFF When: Noon – 1:15 p.m. Saturday, January 31 Where: Stage Left Cafè & Opera House, 121 West Van Buren St. What: Warm up with a Chili Cook-off! All the cooking will take place starting at 8 a.m. in the kitchen of the Woodstock North High School classroom kitchen.

The public tasting and judging will take place starting at noon in the Woodstock Opera House. Entries now are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $25 entry fee. Meat will be provided.

Contestants supply everything else. Anyone interested in competing should contact Rick Bellairs at 815334-2618 or Rick@RickBellairs.com. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. in the Stage Left Café. There are prizes for 1st and 2nd place and “People’s Choice.”

WALKING TOUR OF FILMING SITES When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31 and 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 1 Where: Stage Left Cafè, 125 Van Buren Street, Woodstock What: Gather at Stage Left Café for a fun and informative tour of the “Groundhog Day” filming sites.

Bob Hudgins, who was the location manager for the film, leads the walk around Woodstock. Many sites have been recognized with an engraved metal plaque that refers to the appropriate scene form the movie.

You can enjoy walking the paths and remembering the moments any time of the year. Hear the stories told by people who were a part of the movie-making process.

Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.

GROUNDHOG PROGNOSTICATION (a.k.a. the MAIN EVENT) When: 7 a.m. Monday, February 2 Where: Woodstock Square What: Hundreds will brave the weather and gather on the Woodstock Square to see Woodstock Willie emerge from his tree trunk home. If he sees his shadow, it means there will be six more weeks of winter and if he doesn’t see his shadow, it means we will have an early Spring. To wake Woodstock Willie from his winter nap, there will be a Polka band playing in the bandstand on the Square, and what follows will be the re-enactment of the Groundhog Day ceremony from the movie, where Bill Murray’s character reported; over and over again. This event is free but be sure to dress for the weather.

LION’S CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST When: 8 a.m. – noon, Sunday, February 8 Where: Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay St. What: Come to the Moose Lodge for breakfast hosted by the Woodstock Lions Club. The dance scene and bachelor auction in the movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed in the Woodstock Moose Lodge, located just a block from Woodstock’s Metra train station and two blocks from the town square. Adults: $6, Children 6 — 10: $3, under 6, free. This event benefits Lions Sight and Hearing programs.

For full details of the week’s events, nostalgic photos from the film and maps for visitors, go to woodstockgroundhog.org. mchenrycountymagazine.com

and Ecology Campus, 2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock Explore, prepare and taste “The Heart Healthy Eating Plan” through Mediterranean cuisine and wines from the region. Visit the website at www.luc.edu.

January 3 — Winter Explorations, Noon – 3 p.m. at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, 2411 N. IL Rte 23, Marengo Stop by anytime or stay for the whole three hours as we provide you and your children stations for exploring winter’s wonders. Make a home for a mouse, play in the snow, look for tracks, and much more. Hot chocolate provided. Phone: 815-479-5779 January 6 — Ladies Night Sip ‘n Shop, 6 p.m. at Galati’s Hideaway, 800 Feinberg Ct., Cary Find that special something for everyone on your list!

We will be raffling off over $2,000 in prizes with an additional GRAND PRIZE raffle. Price: Free January 10 through March 8 — Only Owls, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center, Route 31 & Harts Rd., Ringwood Traveling Art Exhibit. Artists have been inspired by these intriguing birds for centuries. Only Owls brings together an array of 40 artistic representations in pencil, charcoal, ink, watercolor, and woodcut drawn from the Woodson Art Museum’s collection. Each artwork provides insight into the fascinating world of owls, while demonstrating the variety of approaches to the species taken by the artists. The Conservation District will complement this unique art exhibit with owl facts and artifacts, offering a blend of natural history information and art appreciation. Winter is also a great time to study owls, as most are yearround residents that begin their mating and nesting season during this cold, dark time of year. Attend one of our owl-focused programs in the weeks leading up to this exhibit to learn more about the artists’ subject matter. Visit our website or call the Education Department at 815-479-5779 to learn more about our programs.

Phone: 815-678-4532

January 18 — 42nd Annual Chili Open Golf Classic, 8 a.m. at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake Golfers will play a nine-hole, par 32 course on frozen Crystal Lake. You don’t have to have any golfing experience to participate, just bring three friends, a few short irons, a putter and come have fun on the lake. All foursomes will receive our great giveaway, one bowl of chili and the chance to win several prizes. Prizes include various golf bags, golf clubs, golf apparel, and other prizes. Decorate a sled and enter it in the Chili Open “Best Sled” contest for your chance to win even more great golf prizes. Painted golf balls, prizes and side games are provided to all golfers. Tee-off begins at 8 a.m. and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $115 per team (foursome). In the event of inclement weather or thin ice conditions, the event will be rescheduled for Feb. 8 or Feb. 15. Contact: Connie Cooke Phone: 815-4590680, ext. 213, ccooke@crystallakeparks.org, www. crystallakeparks.org.

January 24 — “Chicago” All That Jazz Dinner Dance, 6 p.m., D’Andrea Banquets & Conference Center in Crystal Lake The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner begins with Hors d’oeuvres and continues with a filet mignon dinner. Cocktail attire, fedoras, boas and 20s headpieces optional. Back by popular demand is Lori Shane & The Mix. Tickets are $100 each. For information and to purchase tickets, please contact the McHenry Chamber of Commerce at 815385-4300 or visit McHenryChamber.com.

January 30 — Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m. at The Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington Join the scenic Broken Oar on the Fox River for a great night of entertainment with Felix and Fingers!

Sing, dance or stump the dueling piano players with your song request! Come for dinner and stay for the entertainment! Price: Free.

4

January 16 — Paint Parties, 7 p.m. at The Studio Art School of McHenry, 3316 Pearl St., McHenry The Studio paint parties hosted by BeckerArt are painting parties where anybody can come to create a work of art and have fun doing so along the way.

Paint Parties are most Fridays and Saturdays, 7-9:30 p.m. Pricing: $30 dollars a person or $25 each when you bring a friend. The Studio supplies all the painting materials, you supply the drinks and appetizers, if you so desire.

January 17 — Mediterranean Cuisine, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Loyola University Retreat OUT & ABOUT

MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2015 | 37

artist

showcase MARY BETH MULLEN | McHenry “SANCTUARY” ACRYLIC “SEASIDE GLORY” OIL PAINTING

The names of my paintings are “Seaside Glory” and “Sanctuary.” “Seaside Glory” is an oil painting created in 1983 and “Sanctuary” is an acrylic created in 2007.

I am a big lover of color, drama, and intensity. My goal when I paint is to make you wish you were in the scene yourself. My paintings consist of memories, photos and pure imagination!

I’m not a professional artist, but I have been one all of my life. It’s a part of who I am. I have been an artist as far back as I can remember. I paint for the sheer joy of it and hopefully excite others to

learn more about art. It is a way to thank God for my talent.

Mary Beth Mullen is a lifelong resident of McHenry, and is a self taught lifelong artist. In addition to painting, she designs custom jewelry and rosaries.

She is employed locally as a quality assurance technician, a married mother of four, and is looking forward to spending more time on her art in the future.

To see her paintings and jewelry, please contact her at hippieartist@aol.com.

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three-sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to McHenryCountyMagazine@shawmedia.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

38 | JANUARY 2015 | MCHENRY COUNTY MAGAZINE

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