McHenry County News FRE
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11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 5 Issue 40
October 1, 2015
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Enjoy the Fall Fun Festival – Cowboy Style By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
D
ays are getting shorter and we are at the beginning of autumn with its cooler weather. But before we snuggle up in the house for winter, there is still a lot of seasonal activities we can be enjoying. One popular place to visit at this time of year is Donley’s Wild West Town in Union for their Fall Fun Festival. The grounds are freshly decorated with shocks of corn and photo opportunities that are set up exclusively for this event. Bales of hay are set out for decoration, for sitting on and for kids to clamber over. The cowboy shows still entertain us at 12:00, 2:00 and 4:30, however, one of the shows is a special Halloween presentation with cowboy zombies or other such monsters. Pumpkins rule as decorations everywhere. Pumpkin painting tables are frequently visited as children under 12 vie for the prize – a return pass for next year. The top three eligible pumpkins, as chosen by select judges, will win this coveted prize each day. The judging is at the end of the day so winners will be notified by mail. You can try your skill at archery, lassos, slingshots, popguns and, for the adults, tomahawk throwing. You can enjoy the Kiddie Pedal Cars, Carousel and Canoes. You can thrill to the Runaway Mine Cars roller coaster and Pony Rides. The ¾ scale model C. P. Huntington train offers two different experiences during the Fall Fun Festival. At some times, the train will travel down to the Pumpkin Patch where you can trade the beads you received when you entered the Wild West Town for a pumpkin that you can take home with you. At other scheduled times, the train will roll through the
Spooky Tunnel with its special effects, skeletons, spider webs and whatever other spooky things find their way into the gloom of the cavern. Face Painting and karaoke are always popular choices. The Ice Cream Parlor and Fudge Shop can satisfy your munchies and the Grill-on-thePorch can serve you hamburgers and other yum stuff. Souvenirs are easily found in the toy store and gift shops. You can also dress up in Western or Victorian outfits and have your photo taken as a remembrance of your exciting day. If you choose, you can have a friend or loved one arrested and thrown into a real strapiron jail cell. The jailbird will be able to carry away a souvenir ‘Wanted’ poster to commemorate the event. Kids of all ages absolutely adore the Wild West Town’s Gold Mine. Panning for gold, even gold pyrite or Fool’s Gold, is very nearly addictive. Gold fever can strike without warning and everyone wants to try to fill their gold bag. The Fall Fun Festival is an annual favorite and families return year after year to enjoy the seasonal event. You might even spot a celebrity or two mingling with the visitors. If the weather cooperates and you watch the skies, you might even spot a double rainbow … maybe even a triple rainbow. Donley’s Wild West Town is designed for families with children under 12. It has plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained throughout the day. It is open on weekends from 10 am til 6 pm during the Fall Fun Festival. The festival runs from September 26 – October 25. Donley’s Wild West Town is located at 8512 South Union Road, Union, Illinois, 60180. For further information photos by Anne Eickstadt regarding hours, events and You can receive a pumpkin to take home from the Indian Chief at the Fall Fun Festival at coupons, visit www.wildwest- Donley’s Wild West Town. town.com.
Village of Cary considering a Starbucks location By Samantha Fetzner Reporter
CARY — As other area locations prepare to implement more menu into their Starbucks location, the Village of Cary is strongly considering adding a Starbucks location to its so-called ‘curb appeal’. One of the only areas in McHenry without a Starbucks already in place, the Village’s Zoning/Planning and Appeals Board is taking vote on adding the coffee shop in town. The proposed location would be a standalone building at the corner of Feinberg Drive at Route 14. The building would take over space in an existing park-
ing lot. Nearby businesses include Taco Bell, Jewel, and competitor Dunkin Donuts. The initial vote took place at the board’s meeting on Thurs. Sept 24. If approval is received from that board, the Village Board itself will vote yes or no to final approval on the project on Oct. 6. At this time there have been no proposals to add the company’s “evening menu” in the Cary location should it come to fruition. There are currently Starbucks locations in Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, and Crystal Lake working on implementing that menu. Cary, along with Wonder Lake, Marengo,
and Harvard, are within the handful of area cities/towns without a Starbucks to date. A local to Cary location has been a resident request for quite some time. The request, put forth by the developer, GW Properties LLC, has been a long time in the making. The location is heavily trafficked and sees huge numbers of work commute drivers on a daily basis. One consideration that may come into play is Feinberg’s direct access to Route 14 is limited to outbound traffic Westbound only. Those headed Eastbound on Route 14 would have to drive in and out utilizing the main entrance to Cary Square Shopping
Center. Cary Square Shopping Center and the immediate surrounding area on Route 14 between Three Oaks and CaryAlgonquin Roads are anchored by several large chain restaurants. In addition to Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Donuts, there is a McDonalds, Domino’s Pizza, and Wendy’s all within that small stretch. Whether or not the additional of a Starbucks in the same small space would have an adverse effect on business for those storefronts is undetermined. If the Village of Cary approves the request, the store could open for business next year.