McHenry County News FRE
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Volume 5 Issue 30
July 23, 2015
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Art on the Square by Anne Eickstadt Correspondent
over the Gazebo in the park and entertain the crowds that have brought their lawn chairs Everyone gets involved when and blankets for the concert. there is an event on the historic The Old Courthouse Art GalWoodstock Square. During the lery invites people in for their summer months, the Northwest displays and hosts an escape Area Arts Council is hosting a artist on their newly renovat2ND Friday Woodstock Square ed front steps. Earle Kelley, Art Walk. The date this month escape artist/magician, has is Friday, July 10. been performing professionally Businesses throw open their in the mystery arts for 15 years. doors with specials and the This evening, he is performing sidewalks team with artists and the 100 Foot Rope Trick. One guests of all ages. The youth or two men tie him to a chair participating in the Woodstock and he must escape in less time Band Camp this summer take than it took for them to bind him. “I had to research how rope works and escape techniques,” Kelley tells me. “Last month, I beat Houdini’s time in a standup escape from a strait jacket.” He can be found on Facebook at Earle M Kelley (Fizbin Xanatos). While waiting for his performance, which occurs every half hour, I speak with artist Diane Ward, set up next to the Old Courthouse steps. Ward is displaying fabric art today. She has worked in a variety of art Photos by Anne Eickstadt forms, including stained glass, ‘Peony’ by Katherine Weber at the Old Courthouse Art Gallery. in the 40 years she has been doing artwork. She has taught serenading at will. art for 23 years at a Crystal On a corner near the movie Lake middle school. Her work theater, a line of children, youth is on display at Art in the Barn and adults waxes and wanes in Barrington. She also has a but never ends. Entertainment Facebook page at Diane Ward. at that particular spot is providMusicians can be found in ed by an extremely skilled balfront of the Jailhouse Restau- loon artist. Jonathon Sass of R by Anne Eickstadt and attempts to outbid the audiChloe Chappell, age 8, of Lake rant, Yo Fresh and elsewhere C Juggle Entertainment, www. Correspondent ence for the winning pie from rcjuggles.com, will make balaround the Square. The Mixen Geneva, Wisconsin, holds a balloon penguin created by Mingle is showing craft items loon creations from a menu The McHenry County Histor- the contest. It is quite fun to watch him auction the pie and R.C.Juggle Entertainment art- and the Interstate 4 Barbeshop See ART, Page 6 ical Society Museum’s Heritage bid at the same time. ist Jonathan Sass. Quartet wanders the sidewalks, Fair each July is recognized Across the museum entryby many for its antique car way, Nancy Fike is dressed in show. However, if you squeeze a vintage prairie woman outfit through the classic cars and get while sitting at the door of a log off the street, you can find that cabin. She relates the history of a whole lot more is going on. the cabin to anyone who stops The museum opens its doors by. A wandering balloon artist with free admission during the puts smiles on children’s faces Heritage Fair on Sunday, July while the adults participate in a 12, this year. A roving barber- classic Cake Walk. shop quartet, the Clef Hangers, Inside the McHenry Counis crooning tunes wherever the ty Historical Museum, Sandy mood strikes them. A pie bak- Schweitzer discusses the origin ing contest is being held in the and history of Vintage Quilt old Harmony Road One-room Bed Turnings. These quilt tops Schoolhouse on the corner. The with their widely varied colwinning pie this year is a Peach ors and patterns reveal quite Blueberry pie baked by Jim a bit about the women who Ratway of Woodstock. created them. One example, Behind the schoolhouse, a for instance, is a quilt entitled lively auction is taking place ‘Drunkard’s Walk’. for vintage papers, a clothes The exhibits inside the musewringer, a shortwave radio, um include a historic photo vintage cameras and solid oak collection, antique farm equipchairs. Plenty of other items ment, a strap iron jail cell and have already been sold and much more. Upstairs is the more items are awaiting their newest exhibit, Bottles, Barrels turn. & Brews, the history of beer in Photo by Anne Eickstadt When the auctioneer is done See HERITAGE, Page 7 Sandy Schweitzer discusses the vintage quilt pattern ‘Drunkard’s Walk’. here, he moves to the bake sale
Discovering the Heritage Fair