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457 W. Jackson Woodstock, IL 60098
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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 7 Issue 38
September 14, 2017
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McHenry County News
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SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News
Rotary welcomes guest speaker
The Speakers’ Bureau of The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County was pleased to provide a program on Nutrient Loss Reduction, led by Cindy Skukrud, PhD (third from right). The Huntley Rotary Club was host and the event was held at Huntley Park District’s Pinecrest Golf Course. Twenty Rotarians and guests were present and pictured here are, from left - John Buckley, Stacy Thompson, Karen Hutchings, Bill Jorgensen, Susan Netherton, Warren Higgins, Cindy Skrukrud, Jim Drendel and Ken Black. If you have a group interested in a speaker on an environmental issue, contact The Environmental Defenders at (815) 338-0393 and ask about our Speakers’ Bureau.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of ‘It’s Our River Day’
The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Village of Algonquin are celebrating the 10th anniversary of “It’s Our River Day” – a local Fox River clean-up and more. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cornish Park along the shoreline of the Fox River in historic downtown Algonquin. Cornish Park is located at the intersection of South Harrison Street and Route 62. “It’s Our River Day,” a statewide celebration, kicks off at 1 p.m. To celebrate the 10th anniversary there are several special events, in addition to the clean-up. Keynote speaker, Jeff Mengler, President of the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, will speak. Young singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Algonquin, Thea Grace Roggenbuck, will perform solo. Thea is also part of the duo, Future Stuff, and received acclaim by artist Sheryl Crow while on tour around the country: “Saw a young duo called future stuff last night at City Winery Nashville. They blew me away! Check them out!!” Adding to the celebration will be local artist June Blunk, who will host a community painting
project to which everyone can contribute – a river scene on canvas. River Bottom Ice Cream Company will supply free coffee to those participating and enjoying the day. The Sierra Club will provide bags and gloves for the shoreline clean-up at the main location at Cornish Park. The Illinois Water Trailkeepers from the Illinois Paddling Council and members of the Prairie State Canoeists will participate in an inriver clean-up between Cornish Park and Fox River Shores in Carpentersville. The Fox River Jeep Club will be located at Buffalo Park for trash/recycling pick-up downstream. Come celebrate the beautiful Fox River and help keep her clean while supporting local businesses and artists. The event is free and open to the public. Groups are welcome. Parking is in lots and streetside. For more information please contact The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, 110 S. Johnson Street, Suite 106, Woodstock, IL 60098. WWW.MCDEF.ORG. 815-338-0393. Like us on Facebook!
Huntley High School recognized as Illinois Democracy School
Huntley High School has been recognized as a 2017 Illinois Democracy School by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition (ICMC). Democracy Schools are recognized for providing students with authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities and tensions inherent in living in a constitutional democracy. Through these experiences, participating schools strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for informed, effective engagement in our democracy. “We’re excited as a department to continue to grow and explore as we prepare students to be active members of our democracy,” said Brian Truax, chair of the HHS Social Studies Department. Democracy Schools foster a school climate that nurtures and models civic dispositions and builds strong relationships within the surrounding community. Recognized schools provide students with various opportunities to participate in the democratic process, such as engaging in current and controversial issue discussions, participating in
democratic simulations, and providing service-learning opportunities. Though these practices, students see first-hand the critical role they play in shaping government and society. Social studies teacher Renee Fowler spearheaded the effort to earn recognition. She led an interdisciplinary team of staff members from departments including math, science, social Studies, and CTE to evaluate the school. She worked directly with the McCormick Foundation to organize team meetings, plan school surveys, evaluate data from the surveys, and write a detailed analysis of, and plan for, the school’s academic offerings, student involvement, community involvement and our overall culture and climate at HHS. Since 2006, 67 Illinois high schools have successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and have been subsequently recognized as Democracy Schools. Huntley High will receive a stipend from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which convenes the ICMC, to invest in high quality civic learning initiatives, as well as a banner for public display.
Public invited to Sunset Soiree & BBQ with McHenry County Conservation District
SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News
Young singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Algonquin, Thea Grace Roggenbuck, will perform solo.
Spend an autumn evening enjoying supper, a guided sunset stroll and songs under the stars at McHenry County Conservation District’s Sunset Soiree & BBQ on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Surrounded by the beautiful prairie flowers and grasses, and tucked
within a grove of oaks, we begin our evening with a delicious meal from BBQ King Smokehouse, an award winning Woodstock restaurant. Dinner is followed by a leisurely naturalist led hike through the stunning fall prairie and savanna habitats, where information on the flora and fauna,
See SOIREE, Page 2