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 32
August 6, 2015
To Advertise In This Space Call 815-654-4850
Faith & Family Day returns By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
W
ith over 400 people attending the first Faith & Family Day in Marengo last year, the event proved so popular that the Marengo-Union Clergy Alliance brought it back this year. Bounce houses, inflatable slides and water games, anchor one end of the event on Washington Street while a craft fair and a display of wooden chairs from the Summer Art Project hold down the other end of the event near Main Street. Food vendors occupy Taylor Street to keep attendees fed and hydrated. A Hospitality Cart cruises throughout the event, assisting the elderly, the infirm, the tired and “too hot” kids get to where they are going. Local bands provide music during the entire event. The concert at the end of the day showcases Danny Gokey. Gokey became nationally known with his appearance in Season 8 of American Idol. He won viewers hearts when they learned that he auditioned for the show just four weeks following his wife’s death in July, 2008. A huge fan of the show, Sophia Gokey passed away from complications following her third surgery for a congenital heart disease. Danny Gokey finished third in the American Idol competition and began recording songs and travelling with the American Idol tour. In 2009, he began the Sophia’s Heart Foundation to help disadvantaged children. He also started his own line of eyewear to benefit the foundation. He remarried in 2012 and has two children.
Some Faith & Family Day visitors speculate how much it cost to have Danny Gokey perform today. While the exact figure has not been disclosed, “We had a lot of generous donors,” Pastor Wade Heimer of Marengo First – Assembly of God church, tells me. “Danny Gokey was also very generous with us.” “The crowd at the end was bigger than last year,” states Heimer. “It was hard to keep count. People filtered in and out. When it got too hot, they would go home, then come back.” He also says, “We had more church participation this year. Nine churches were involved.” Supporters of Faith & Family Day include: George Regas and Thrivent Financial who provided the stage for the bands; the Union Lion’s Club; Intren; Mr. Freeze; Kay & Joe’s; Cody’s Farm; Rev. Keck Mowry; Don & Sue Lockhart; Jumper’s Jumpies; Zion Lutheran School; Marengo Dental; Advanced Disposal; Lindsey NAPA Auto Parts and the Marengo-Union Funeral Home. WXMR 94.3 FM Marengo Community Radio is represented at Faith & Family Day by Pam Gitta, DJ for ‘New Stuff Saturday’ at 10-11 am, Saturdays, and Jayme Sandman, station manager, who works with the students at Marengo Community High School. “Give us a listen!” they tell me. You might be able to catch Danny Gokey on Marengo Radio if you tune in. They can be found at 94.3 FM on the radio or online at www.wxmr. org Information on Faith & Family Day can be found online at www.faithandfamilyday.com.
Space Camp
photo provided by Honeywell
Marengo native and educator Michael Moerhlin was one of approximately 200 teachers to participate in a space camp in Huntsville, AL this summer. Moerhlin was able to train at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center while working alongside NASA employees in order to further educate his future students on science, technology, engineering, and math. See more photos on page 5.
Summer toy drive kicks off Toys for Tots campaign By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
WOODSTOCK — The indoor shade of the Mixin Mingle is very welcome after the sunshine and heat of Saturday, July 25. The Woodstock Square is hosting the usual Farmers Market but it is Christmas in July at the Mixin Mingle, located at 124 Cass Street, Woodstock or online at www.mixinmingle.com. The 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Toy drive & Fun Fair is in full swing by midday. “There aren’t enough toy drives in the summer,” Cory Lockwood of WHIW 101.3 FM Harvard Community Radio says. “The idea was born because a lot of people are strapped at Christmas.” Lockwood is partnering with Michelle Rentschler of Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun Events to organize and run today’s fun fair and toy collection. “Last year we got three boxes full ,” Lockwood continues. The City of Woodstock and Toys for Tots both asked us to have this event again.” Today, visitors receive goodie bags and free children’s
hair styling. Also available are face painting and tattoos (temporary, not real). These are provided by some of the supporting businesses present at the Mixin Mingle. Abbie McCully, independent consultant for Lilla Rose flexible hair accessories brought an elf assistant to add to the holiday ambiance. Toi Rivers, CEO of Noir 23 is present as is Marjie Lullo, independent consultant for Jamberry nail wraps. Michelle Rentschler is doing double duty by representing Mary Kay Cosmetics at the event as an independent consultant as well as co-hosting the fun fair for Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun Events. Also supporting today’s fun is Denise Heisner of Juice Plus and representatives from 31 Gifts, Malibu Bay, Tastefully Simple, Young Living, Partylite, Pzazz, Scentsy, Younique, and Mary & Pat Jewelry. All donations received today will be given away at Christmas to children in need. Toys for Tots is an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. “The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver,
through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens,” says the official Toys for Tots website located at www.toysfortots. org Toys for Tots plays an active role in local communities, uniting members of the community in a common cause – providing joy for children. Besides the toy drive during October, November and December, Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators can develop other activities throughout the year. These can include golf tournaments, bicycle races and other voluntary events. They are designed to generate interest in Toys for Tots and increase donations of toys and monetary donations. WHIW 101.3 FM can be seen online at: www.whiw. org. Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun Events can be found on Facebook at: Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun Events. See photos on page 4.