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 45
November 5, 2015
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Bookstore re-opens in Woodstock By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
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opular, local bookstore, Read Between The Lynes, closed for a month as it changed locations in Woodstock. Now located at 111 East Van Buren, the former site of Seasons by Peg, Read Between The Lynes is now up and running. The Grand Re-Opening takes place at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 24, 2015. A red ribbon is stretched across the entrance by special, young customers. Following a brief speech by Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager, he and Arlene Lynes wield a pair of enormous scissors to cut the ribbon and officially open the new store. The cheering crowd follows them into the store and out of the dank and cloudy morning weather. “We want to thank Arlene for her support of the town,” Mayor Sager says. “There are not a lot of stand-alone bookstores anymore.” “The City of Woodstock is grateful for the significant investment that Arlene and Keith have made to our community. It is not often that an independent bookstore has the vision and commitment to open and maintain a store in a smaller community. But, we feel blessed in Woodstock that Arlene and Keith have dedicated themselves to fostering reading and education and community spirit.” Arlene and I pass each other several times as she keeps the Grand Re-Opening
events on schedule and receives the constant stream of congratulations. “Things are crazy around here,” she tells me. Everyone filling the store wants to speak to her, compliment the new look and larger location of the shop and give her their well wishes. Her loyal customers appreciate the joy of coming together again in her uniquely local and personal bookstore. Arlene then introduces me to Jim May as she is showing him the new storytelling area of the shop. I am honored that May remembers me from a meeting a few months ago. Jim May is a lifelong resident of McHenry County and an Emmy award winning storyteller, teacher and author. He is skilled in the ancient art of the oral tradition in which clans and communities shared histories, fables and tales. “For centuries,” May says, “telling and listening to stories has been a way for people to enjoy and cherish one another’s company. When I tell a story, I try to entertain and delight but also to capture, for a few moments, the kind of direct soul-to-soul communication that we have all experienced at some time in our lives under the ‘spell’ of a story.” “We are really fortunate to have such a successful bookstore,” he tells me. “We are really lucky to have a place to read and relax with books.” Read Between The Lynes caries May’s published works: ‘The Farm on
See BOOKSTORE, Page 12
photo by Anne Eickstadt
Arlene Lyne and Mayor Brian Sager cut the red ribbon during the Grand Re-Opening ceremony at Read Between The Lynes bookstore on Saturday, October 24.
Prayer Corner in Woodstock By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
WOODSTOCK — On Saturday mornings, the junction of Benton and Jackson Streets transforms into a prayer corner. The Zion Harvest Church [formerly Fresh Harvest Church], sets up a small booth attended by a pair of prayer partners for anyone who asks. “We have been doing prayer on this corner since August. We are here every Saturday from 8-12. Even if it’s raining, we’ll come out,” Richard Rivera tells me. “I love praying for people. I know God answers prayer. We are not here to convert anyone. We are just here to pray and support people.” Jennifer Robinson says, “We provide a friendly face. We pray for the homeless, those without jobs, business owners. We are getting to know Photo by Anne Eickstadt the neighbors.” “The homeless come to us all the time and Richard Rivera and Jennifer Robinson of Zion Harvest Church ask for prayer,” Richard agrees. “We are helping attend the Saturday morning Prayer Corner in Woodstock.
to support Ryan Haines, a missionary in New York. Ryan is a bass player. He turned down several contracts to play professionally with famous bands to work with Street Life Ministries. His parents, Ed and Beth Haines, live in Marengo.” “I spent a week there [in New York],” he continues. “We got a lot of our ideas there. We don’t ask for money.” “We have different people that participate. We are not always the ones on this corner,” Jennifer tells me. Zion Harvest Church “is a Christian congregation serving the Woodstock community and seeking, engaging and encouraging others through a life-changing Christian journey.” They seek to be a “loving, friendly community that worships God and serves others.” “We place a high priority on teaching from the Bible and following the example of Jesus. Our
See PRAYER CORNER, Page 12