Woodstock Independent 1/8/25

The Woodstock

‘Undetermined’ fires not uncommon

Cause of November fatal fire still under investigation

By Larry Lough NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Nearly two months after a fire killed one person and displaced more than 30 people, its cause remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office.

And it’s possible the cause might remain indefinitely “undetermined.”

Alex Vucha, public information officer and an investigator for the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, said last week the cause of the Nov. 12 fire was still being investigated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District could not publicly comment on any ongoing investigation.

But he said it would not be unusual for the origin of such a fire to remain

STILL INVESTIGATING

“undetermined.”

“This classification is used when investigators cannot identify a specific cause for a fire after thoroughly examining available evidence,” Vucha said in an email. “Factors such as extensive fire damage or the absence of conclusive physical evidence can make it difficult to establish how a fire started. It

FIRE, Page 3

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

IN BRIEF

Sheriff’s office accepting applications for deputy

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for Sheriff’s Deputy. Individuals interested in a professional and rewarding career in law enforcement are encouraged to apply. The physical agility test (P.O.W.E.R. Test) and written exam will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at Huntley High School. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office provide services through the Patrol, Investigations, and Special Services Divisions.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Timothy R. Negoda, 43, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 3 on West Willow Avenue. on charges of driving under the influence-intoxicating compound and ingesting an intoxicating compound. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 19.

■ Tavon A. Jones, 29, transient, was arrested Dec. 6 on North Eastwood Drive on a charge of criminal trespass to property. Cited and released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec.26.

■ Adrian Fernandez, 40, Wonder Lake, was arrested Dec. 6 on Walnut Drive on charges of residential burglary, criminal damage to property, violating an order of protection (two counts), and trespass to residence. Transported to McHenry County Jail. Court date Jan. 2.

■ Katherin M. Ospina, 20, Elgin, was arrested Dec. 7 on Lake Avenue on a charge of retail theft. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Jan. 2.

■ Oscar Lopez Rios, 29, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 7 on Lake Avenue on a charge of retail theft. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Jan. 2.

■ Tavon A. Jones, 29, transient, was arrested Dec. 7 on South Eastwood Drive on a charge of criminal trespass to real

Currently, starting salary is $78,872 annually ($37.92/hour), with top pay at $127,348 ($61.22/hour) by end of contract (12/1/2026). Benefits also include paid holidays, paid vacation time, and options for major medical insurance. Applications for sheriff’s deputies can be found at mchenrysheriff.org/join-us/ employment-application.

Applications are due by noon March 21. Additional information can be found atmchenrysheriff.org/join-us/work-withus/#patrol-deputy. P.O.W.E.R. Test standards can be found here: bit.ly/3Qe0UqF.

CORRECTION

The 2024 Yearbook inside the Jan. 1, 2025, edition of The Independent included items for January and February 2023 that were mistakenly reprinted where January-February 2024 should have been published. We regret the error. Below are the correct 2024 entries that should have appeared on Page 6 last week.

JANUARY

property. Cited and released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec.19.

■ Eduardo Hernandez Gomez, 24, Crystal Lake, was arrested Dec. 8 on South Eastwood Drive on charges of no valid driver’s license, possession of a controlled substance, and failure to yield. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 16.

■ Anthony Bruser, 30, Wauconda, was arrested Dec. 12 on Church Street on a charge of disorderly conduct. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Jan. 3.

■ Pedro J. Suarez, 18, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 13 on South Eastwood Drive on a charge of retail theft. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Jan. 16.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Fire Runs indicates units dispatched and what was found at the scene. Ambulance calls of Woodstock Fire/Rescue District are reported here in number only.

EMS calls for Dec 26 - Jan 01: 98

Fire Runs

Structure Fire: 1

Mobile property vehicle fire: 1

Outside rubbish fire: 1

Public service assistance: 11

Cover assignment, standby fire station, move-up: 4

Wrong location no emergency found: 2

Steam, other gas mistaken for smoke: 1

Unintentional system/detector operation (no fire): 2

Total: 121

As discussion began on a new parks master plan for Woodstock, changes to the Park in the Square – perhaps moving the bandstand and war memorial – promised to be among the most controversial proposals. By year’s end, consideration of those changes was postponed until 2025 to give the public more time to comment.

The Illinois Department of Transportation promised traffic on Route 47 would keep moving and “temporary access to all commercial and residential land uses will be maintained during construction” of a widened and improved highway through Woodstock, as construction was anticipated to begin in 2024. But by year’s end, no construction had begun.

Spring/summer completion of $4.5 million in improvements to the Opera House was postponed until fall after an architect was hired and officials got a look at a design study. Before work was to begin by fall, managers scrambled to schedule programming as late into 2024 as possible.

The McHenry County Conservation Foundation bought 40 acres of land in Hartland Township next to the Conservation District’s Brookdale Conservation Area, expanding the protected property at the site to more than 1,875 acres. The purchase was made possible by a grant of almost $198,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for a two-year land restoration, after which it will be transferred to the Conservation District for long-term stewardship and management.

After 37 years as publisher of The Woodstock Independent, co-founder Cheryl Wormley sold the newspaper to Rebecca McDaniel, the office administrator for nearly nine years. While McDaniel became publisher, Wormley assumed the title of publisher emerita.

The City Council had a special meeting to discuss the recent weekend dropping off of about three dozen Venezuelan migrants sent to the local train station by bus from state officials in Texas. Council members voted 6-0 to establish a

registration system that could fine bus companies and impound buses if similar migrant dumping occurred again. The migrants were put on a train to Chicago, which was better prepared to provide needed services.

Two mid-January storms dumped at least 15 inches of snow on the Woodstock area before sub-zero cold moved in to firmly establish the arrival of winter. The city’s effort to clear streets won praise from City Council members.

The former Aldi Foods store along Route 47 in Woodstock became McHenry County’s new election center to consolidate voting functions of the county clerk’s office that were scattered throughout the county’s Administration Building in Woodstock. The City Council approved a zoning code change to allow a government office in a shopping center district. The 16,000 square feet had been vacant for two years after Aldi built a new grocery on Lake Avenue.

Five new members were inducted into the Woodstock High School Athletic Hall of Fame: J.D. Fuller, Craig Kastening, Dale Luckey, Phil Meyer, and Jordan Turner.

FEBRUARY

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District reported it responded to a record 5,586 calls for service in 2023, 76 percent of them ambulance runs.

With popular Chicago TV weatherman Tom Skilling as special guest and Groundhog Day falling on Friday as part of a long weekend, Woodstock’s Groundhog Days Festival drew big crowds to enjoy activities on and around the Square.

A September groundbreaking was projected when the City Council approved a redevelopment agreement for the former Die Cast factory site, where Chicago Hubs Realty planned to build affordable housing in the first of a two- or threephase project. But by year’s end, the city had rescinded the agreement after CHR couldn’t obtain financing for the first phase of the work.

SAK Healthcare of Riverwoods, Ill., took over management of the financially troubled Hearthstone Communities, Woodstock’s largest retirement complex. SAK “specializes in advising distressed healthcare facilities that require strategic redirection,” according to the company’s website.

Two wrestlers from Marian Central Catholic High School won individual state titles in the class 1A championships. Freshman Jimmy Mastney won the 157pound title and Brayden Teunissen won at 120 pounds. Marians’wrestlers later added the 1A team title for 2024.

OBITUARIES

Gayle Yvonne Hoch, 85

Gayle Yvonne Hoch, née Burch, 85, successfully completed her journey and went on her way to rest with the Lord, passing unexpectedly at home on Jan. 3, 2025.

Gayle Yvonne Hoch

Gayle was born on Oct. 28, 1939, in Ashland, Wis., to Arthur and Bertha Burch. She became the new younger sister to her brother, Robert (Bob) Burch. Gayle was a 1957 graduate of Woodstock High School, where she met the love of her life, John O. Hoch. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock in 1959. Together, they had two sons, John Beyan and Jeffery John Hoch, during their marriage of 51 years.

Her first job after high school was an office assistant for a company in downtown Chicago. After that she became an administrative assistant at Northwood Elementary school for several years.

FIRE

Continued from Page 1

is not uncommon for fires to be ruled as undetermined, particularly in cases involving significant structural damage, as the conditions often destroy key indicators of origin and cause.”

Preliminary investigation indicated the fire began in a first-floor unit, according to a news release from Vucha. The building lacked both a sprinkler and central smoke alarm system, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the two-story apartment complex. Firefighters performed several rescues during the early stages of the incident, physically removing residents in need from the building, the release said.

McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein identified the victim of the fire as Douglas Webster, 54, who died at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital after firefighters removed him from the burning apartment complex, where he reportedly resided with a live-in caretaker.

Webster was described in his obituary as an artist who had studied and displayed works at McHenry County College.

Lastly, she enjoyed a long tenure as the office manager at Gerald M. Smith/Re/ Max Realty in Woodstock.

A steadfast member, Gayle faithfully attended Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock for more than 65 years, where she selflessly volunteered in many different capacities and served on the church board. Additionally, Gayle was proud member of the Friends of Woodstock Public Library and served on the Library Board. She took great pride in taking the lead role in numerous fundraising activities for the library.

Gayle absolutely loved antiquing and shopping with her girlfriends. Playing in the dirt while working in her gardens was her passion. She was an avid reader and fully embraced the beauty of the world and those around her. Her enjoyment of her automobiles was evident in the affectionate names each was given, Tilley, Eric, and Winston. Those who knew Gayle knew her special talent for nicknaming those that she cherished. It goes without saying, she loved her church, her family, and her friends. She adored her neighbors and their tight-knit community. She is survived by her two sons, John “Judy” (Rita) Hoch, of Georgia,

The complex did not have an interconnected smoke alarm system, WFRD Deputy Chief Matt Hedges reported, because it was built before the fire code required it, and no significant structural upgrades since called for code compliance. The building, considered a nonconforming use, was left uninhabitable by the fire, which did an estimated $1.5 million damage to the structure.

Firefighters from more than 20 area fire departments answered a call for help from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District at the scene of the fire shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the 700 block of St. John’s Road. Multiple 911 calls had reported heavy fire and occupants possibly trapped inside the building, according to a district news release.

Local firefighters arrived within five minutes of being dispatched to find heavy fire coming from the two-story apartment complex, where 12 of the 24 units sustained significant damage. Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading to the other half of the complex, Hedges said.

Firefighters found the fire had spread rapidly to the attic and traveled the length of the building. Two tower ladders were used to extinguish the

and Jeffery Hoch of Carbondale, Ill; two grandchildren, Dalton John Hoch and Josie Nicolea Hoch (Tyler) Lewey; four great- grandchildren, Tessa, Cohen, Patrick, and Jensen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John O. Hoch; her parents; her father-n-law and mother-n-law, John P and Helen Hoch; her brother, Robert (Bob) Burch; and a sister-in-law, Marmae Burch.

A visitation will be held at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. The visitation will continue Thursday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock before the funeral at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in McHenry County Memorial Park in Woodstock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, or to the Woodstock Public Library.

For information, contact the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock, at 815-338-1710 or visit slmcfh.com.

fire from above.

A request for additional units was made, which ultimately went to a fifth alarm to support firefighting efforts.

Five people were transported to local hospitals for treatment. They included one adult female and a baby who were initially evaluated on the scene for smoke inhalation.

Webster was scheduled to be airlifted to an out-of-town hospital, but he was taken by ambulance to the local hospital where he died from his injuries. Two people taken to the hospital – one with critical injuries and one with a medical condition unrelated to the fire – were released within days, Vucha reported at the time.

Vucha also advised people to avoid risks from fires.

As a general reminder, fire safety is essential for preventing tragedies like this,” he said in his email. “The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District encourages everyone to ensure that smoke detectors are installed and functioning properly, safely dispose of smoking materials, avoid overloading electrical outlets, maintain good housekeeping practices to reduce fire risks, and develop and practice a home escape plan to ensure everyone knows how to exit safely in an emergency.”

Health officials report surge in respiratory illness transmissions

Report

McHenry County Department of Health officials say they have seen a significant rise in respiratory illness activity across the county, with both influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating at high levels. Although COVID-19 is currently in moderate transmission, an increase in its transmission has been noted as well, the department reported in a news release last week.

For the week of Dec. 15 through Dec. 21, the latest period for which data eas available, hospital emergency department visits for COVID-19 rose by 57.1%, while hospitalizations surged by 200%. Emergency department visits for influenza increased by 60%, and hospitalizations jumped by 450%. Positive influenza A and B tests also saw a 17.5% increase. Emergency department visits for RSV grew by 16.7%, particularly among children aged 0–4 years, though RSV-related hospitalizations decreased by 11.1%.

RSV continues to be of particular concern for young children and vulnerable populations, the release said. Health officials’ Dec. 19 press release, regarding the first pediatric RSV death of the 2024 surveillance season in McHenry County, highlighted RSV’s potential for severe respiratory complications in children and emphasized the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccination for adults 60 and over and nirsevimab antibody for infants, as well as good hygiene practices.

Adult residents were advised to get vaccinated for influenza, COVID19, and RSV if eligible. Other recommendations included washing hands frequently and thoroughly, wearing masks when sick or in crowded settings, avoiding close contact with individuals who are ill, and staying home when ill. If symptoms persist or become severe, seek care from a medical provider. Visiting people in nursing home settings was not recommended while ill. For more information on respiratory illnesses in McHenry County, visit bit.ly/ MCDH-respiratory-surveillance or call the health department at 815-334-4500.

Woodstock,

Walking part of city plan, should be priority

In a recent edition of The Independent, a letter to the editor urged, “Let’s make Woodstock a safe walking community.”

While the writer’s specific concern was the bizarre intersection of Throop and Washington (Route 120) streets, her point involved inattentive drivers. While we can do little about that (though a police presence is always helpful), we’re happy to see plans to advance infrastructure for local walkers, bikers, and other nonmotorized traffic.

Of special note is an eight-foot-wide multiuse path planned for the length of the Route 47 widening and improvement on the east side, and a four-foot-wide sidewalk along the west side for the full two miles of the project from U.S. 14 to Route 120.

With funding of the $58 million project already approved, the state will get around to actual construction one of these days.

And just last month the City Council committed more than $46,000 as a 25% match in an application for a Community Development Block Grant to build a 1,800-foot path on the north berm of Raintree Park, plus sidewalks on Washburn and East South streets, to connect to the pedestrian/bicycle path that will be built along Route 47 “when this highway is improved by IDOT in 2025-2026,” according to a staff report by Mark Pentecost, city director of Parks and Recreation. The grant would help

A pedestrian crosses Route 47 at Country Club Road, an intersection hazardous for non-motorized traffic, in part because all four directions have left-turn lanes. Improvements to the highway are expected to improve safety for walkers and bicyclists.

to fund the $185,000 project that would offer residents “a nonmotorized means to travel to JewelOsco, Walgreens, the post office, McHenry County Fairgrounds, restaurants, and other businesses on or near Route 47 and Country Club Road,” the report suggests. It also would get the path within a few blocks of the downtown Square, a valuable

connection to Woodstock’s retail “uptown” along Route 47.

The grant is being sought through the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development, with funding expected to be available this fall. The city is committing matching funds greater than the normal 10 percent to improve chances of getting the money.

Pentecost’s report notes the project is consistent with the city’s 2022 Smart Growth America report, which recommended “additional investment in bike and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity,” and with Woodstock’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in August, which suggests that the city should strive for “a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian system to promote mobility by nonauto means,” thereby encouraging “an active, healthy lifestyle.”

The state’s Route 47 project will include traffic roundabouts at Lake Avenue, McConnell Road, and Judd Street, with well-marked stamped concrete crosswalks, paid for by the city, that will offer safer pedestrian/cyclist-crossing to the shared-use path, the staff report says. Roundabouts themselves are considered safer for walkers because they slow traffic and prevent drivers from “gunning it” to beat a red light.

Now, about Throop and Washington streets. ...

Consider the complexity of issues on immigration

In the summer of 1977, I worked at Claussen Pickles in Woodstock as a packer. We spent eight-hour shifts standing at a bin putting cucumbers into jars. The cucumbers came along a conveyor from which we filled the bin. Another conveyor brought empty jars. A third conveyor took jars we packed with fresh cucumbers to be filled with brine and capped. To work there, you had to make rate, meaning fill a minimum of three jars a minute. About

280 of us worked four lines.

On July 26, 1977, a group of men in suits rushed into the plant with guns drawn. The lines shut down, and we were told to stay in place. The men were agents with the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service checking documents. They ignored the dozen of us white college kids, but checked every Latino and took away 71 of them in buses they had brought to the plant that morning. The kids and families of those 71 must have panicked that night when their moms, dads, spouses, brothers, and sisters did not come home. The Woodstock Daily Sentinel covered the story the next day.

On Aug. 7, 2019, INS raided seven

chicken processing plants in Mississippi, taking away 680 workers. The stories coming out of those raids sounded like the stories from the Claussen raid 42 years earlier. Members of the community taken, missed by family, friends, relatives. Those not taken explained to kids that their parents were gone and provided for them as best they could. The 14th Amendment has for 154 years provided that persons born in the United States are citizens. In all such raids, our government acts without care for the welfare of some of its most vulnerable citizens by taking away their parents.

The incoming administration vows to carry out mass raids and deportations. Tom Homan, the so-called

“border czar” of the incoming administration, says Chicago is to be ground zero for deportations.

What the incoming administration and Congress will not do is what our government has not done since the 1970s: implement a plan to secure borders, deal humanely with people now in the U.S. illegally, justly adjudicate asylum claims, and provide for work visas for those willing to fill jobs that only immigrants are willing to work. The latter include some positions in construction, landscaping, manufacturing, and service industries. The Claussen plant manager was quoted in the July 26, 1977, Woodstock Daily Sentinel as saying it was difficult to

Continued on NEXT page

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Martin J. Coonen Guest Columnist

Looking back at generosity in ’24

It’s New Year’s Day! I’m in Steamboat, Colo., with 11 and, at times, 12 other Wormleys. Matt’s and Paul’s families are here, and Cameron joins us on her days off from the guest ranch where she works.

It’s cold – 2 below zero this morning. The skiing is quite good, though I chose to stay in today.

Let’s look back at something that happened in ’24 – Christmas Clearing House.

For 55 years, the Rotary Club of Woodstock has planned, raised money, and coordinated the packing and delivery of food and gifts to families with needs in our community.

2024’s delivery day – Dec. 14 –was made possible because hundreds of people donated their time and resources. In all, 1,322 boxes of food and toys were delivered. Sixty deliveries were also made to senior citizens.

Early last week, I talked with Rotary President Laura Collutta, who chaired CCH in ’23 and ’24 and already has volunteered to chair in ’25. We talked because I wanted to share the wonder of CCH and a bit about what it takes to give food and gifts to so many of our neighbors.

Most of us are familiar with the Tag Days, when Rotarians and volunteers collect donations around town – at grocery stores, restaurants, and even the winter Farmers Market. We also know about Delivery Day, either because we have delivered or have seen photos in The Independent

find local people to fill jobs.

Meanwhile, the numbers continue to climb. At the end of FY 2015, immigration courts had about 460,000 cases (justice.gov/eoir/ media/1344791/dl?inline). Today, the number of noncitizens on the deportation docket awaiting hearings is nearly 8 million (ice.gov/doclib/eoy/ iceAnnualReportFY2024.pdf). Those cases are assigned to about 700 judges (justice.gov/eoir/office-of-thechief-immigration-judge).

Solutions expressed in memes and tweets ignore the complexity of the issues. The U.S. needs immigrant workers to fill jobs. Undocumented residents who have lived, worked, and

But have we really thought about how much effort goes into raising funds, identifying the recipients, gathering and purchasing the food and gifts, staging the packing, and coordinating the deliveries?

Cheryl Wormley Declarations

Rotary divides the responsibilities into five departments –each chaired by a Rotarian and staffed by Rotary members. For the 2024 CCH, the chairs were:

Logistics and Toys – Tom Nierman

Food – Denise Graff Ponstein Recipients – Shawna Young Fundraising and Marketing – John Buckley Finance – Roscoe Stelford

Tom made all the arrangements for use of buildings, coordinating with Toys for Tots, picking up toys from donation sites at schools, and packing food and toys. “And D-Day is all Tom,” Laura said. Volunteers from the community made all the deliveries between 8:20 and 10:45 a.m. (9.7 deliveries per minute).

Denise secured, through purchase and donations, the 60,000 pounds of food that were divided, according to family size, with the more than 1,300

become part of communities here need – for the sake of human decency and for the sake of our economy – a way to become permanent residents. Undocumented residents convicted of crimes beyond petty offenses should be subject to swift deportation in the case of felonies, and swift adjudication in the case of misdemeanors. The process for employers and workers to obtain temporary work visas must be streamlined and simplified. Immigration courts need more judges and staff until processing times drop to reasonable levels.

These solutions require bipartisan political will. They require a recognition that government agencies have a valuable job to do for all of us. They require that all of us stop listening to

recipients this year. She sourced most of the food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Any leftover food was donated to area food pantries.

Shawna makes certain Rotary has the names and ages of all family members and verifies eligibility of the recipients. And she is the recipients’ contact. “Shawna’s warmth and graciousness is so essential,” Laura said.

The ’24 CCH budget was $85,000. That was a lot of money to raise through Tag Days, Can Hosting, Giving Tuesday, Coin Wars, Product Partnerships, and Rotary’s mail campaign. All of that was on John Buckley’s shoulders.

Roscoe kept the finances in order.

Laura praised the businesses, stores, and restaurants that participated as Product Partners and JA Frate for assisting with transportation. She expressed gratitude to the Woodstock Moose for serving a free breakfast to the delivery drivers the morning after Delivery Day and donating the day’s tips to CCH. She said she wishes she could share the thankfulness she receives from recipients with every donor and every volunteer.

Wow! What tremendous effort by so many. Thank you, Rotarians, for giving of yourselves so we could help make Christmas merrier for our neighbors.

Cheryl Wormley is publisher emerita of The Woodstock Independent.

those who oversimplify and distort in order to gain short term political advantage. Finally, they require us to remember that this is a problem about our brothers and sisters, our fellow human beings, who are all deserving of dignity, compassion, and empathy.

As to the 1977 Claussen raid, the plant placed an ad in the Woodstock Daily Sentinel two days after the raid to advertise 100 job openings. The college kids and others not arrested went back to work. The job openings were gradually filled by folks who came in vans from the Chicago as the prior work force had.

Martin J. Coonen is aWoodstock attorney and licensed private detective.

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Corrections

We strive for accuracy. To suggest corrections or clarifications, email news@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

Staff

PUBLISHER EMERITA Cheryl Wormley c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com

PUBLISHER Rebecca McDaniel rebecca@thewoodstockindependent com

EDITOR Larry Lough larry@thewoodstockindependent com

ADVERTISING Jill Flores jill@thewoodstockindependent com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Kucharski sandy@thewoodstockindependent com

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EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS Jim Mansfield, Chip Humbertson

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Schools ‘One-Act Double Feature’

Members of the cast and crew assemble for a photo. The group will perform as part of the Illinois High School Theatre Fest this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Champaign. Front row (from left) are Vanna Koslow, Sadie Keenan, Audrey Fejedelem, Allie Vosters, Annamaria DiBenedetto, Mayra Altamirano, Hailey Ziegler, and Gaia Manson.

Back row (from left) Jax Kozlak, Nina Schuldt, Nevaeh Crogan, Addison Liput, Anne Victoria Perez, Tyler Raczon, Lydia Johanson, Teagan Harvey, and Tochitl Olivas.

Blue Streak Thespians honored to be a traveling troupe this weekend

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock High School’s Blue Streak Theatre group has qualified to perform at the annual Illinois High School Theatre Fest 2025 at the University of Illinois in Champaign from Jan. 9-11. Twenty-five Blue Streak Thespians will attend the Fest this year, where 17 shows will be presented over the three days of competition.

“The application process starts in early fall,” WHS Theatre co-director Christy Johanson said. “There is paperwork, scheduling, and many guidelines to follow. Representatives from IHSTF came to see our show and hosted a critique session with the cast and crew afterward. We received wonderful, supportive comments.”

Co-director and WHS alumnus Billy Seger explained that WHS

Theatre is a co-curricular activity that meets after school and on many Saturdays when the cast, crew, and technical team can begin building sets and work on tech elements.

The co-directors have performed since a young age. Each has worked with WHS students since 2018. They also direct a chapter of the International Thespian Society, which gains members by invitation. Only active Thespians can attend the Theatre Fest.

The students’ work is titled ”OneAct Double Feature” and includes two very different one-act shows.

“Hotline” is a comedy written by Cheryl M. Nave. The other is a thriller titled “An Experiment,” written by Brent Holland.

“Billy and I decided to tackle these two unique shows in an intimate setting as a team,” Johanson

See THESPIANS Page 8

Nina Schuldt as Caller and Tyler Raczon as Operator 72 perform in “Hotline,” one-half of Woodstock High School’s entry in the Illinois High School Theatre Fest, Jan. 9-11, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Student of the Week - Cecelia Bertelsman

Cecelia Bertelsman, a junior at Woodstock High School, is the daughter of Marcie and Benjamin Bertelsman.

The teacher who nominated her said, “Cece is an outstanding student. She is always volunteering to help others ... is incredibly reliable and an amazing role model to other students at WHS. Cece is intelligent, kind, and extremely hardworking.”

Cece is involved in Student Council, and is a member of the National Honor Society, LINK Crew, Be Aware Club, and FBLA. She plays varsity

volleyball, is on the track team, and is a manager for the boys wrestling team.

Outside of school, Cece works at Pop-A-Doodle-Doo, babysits, and participates in Feed My Starving Children. She is always giving back.

Tracie Muehler Team

815-482-4909

tmuehler starckre com

ELEMENTARY STUDENT OF THE WEEK

THESPIANS

Continued from Page 7

added. “Usually a show rehearsal process takes about eight weeks. We had four weeks from auditions to opening night.”

Johanson directed “Hotline” and designed the lighting, while Seger directed “An Experiment” and provided sound technology. The two acts come together at the end to create one cohesive performance. Kristi Geggie served as costume designer.

Because their performance in January is only for Fest participants, the students will perform

COLLEGE CURRENTS

UW-Whitewater names local students to dean’s list

Several local residents are among 3,775 students selected for the dean’s list for the fall semester among more than 11,700 enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Whitewater and Rock County campuses. Honorees are:

Wonder Lake – Selah Barnett, Alayna Buckley, Madelyn Cashin, Alexander Dodge, Jessica Forester, Jacob Pedersen, Rose Pekarek, Corissa Phannenstill, Aurora Schock, and Anna White

Woodstock – Ashten Morson and Olivia Pagnotta

two send-off shows for local residents on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Since the Black Box Theater only seats 64 for each production, tickets should be purchased ahead of time at whst.booktix.com. WHS is located at 501 W. South St., Woodstock.

“Our first run in November brought much acclaim from the audience,” Johanson said. “Having the show selected for Theatre Fest is the cherry on top! We are so fortunate to be able to provide this memorable experience for our students.”

“It’s been an honor giving back to the program that fed my own passion for theater when I was in high school,” Seger added.

Abigail Heidtke named to dean’s list at UW-Madison

Abigail Heidtke, Woodstock, was named to the dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is enrolled in the College of Letters and Science.

Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.

Students must earn a GPA of 3.4 or above in a single semester to make the dean’s list.

To view an online listing, visit https:// registrar.wisc.edu/deanslist/. For questions or concerns about eligibility, please contact deanslist-registrar@em.wisc.edu

A & E

Soon-to-be permanent resident?

Woodstock Arts Commission backs efforts to errect groundhog statue in the Park in the Square

By Lydia LaGue Lopez NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

As 2024 came to a close, the Woodstock Arts Commission was already looking forward to the new year with several projects on the horizon.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, the commission voted to support and assist the Groundhog Day Committee with a plan to put a groundhog statue in the Park in the Square.

“We are just an advisory commission; we cannot make anything happen,” Arts Commission chairperson Anne Marie Whitmore-Lenzini said, “however, we are fully behind the Groundhog Days Committee.”

The artist, Eric Blome, envisions a four-foot-tall groundhog sitting on an approximately six-foot-long log, which will also serve as a bench for photo opportunities. This project is in the early stages and requires more discussion, including financing and city approval.

The Arts Commission is also still proceeding with the art piece at the Lake/Madison/South roundabout.

The commission is continuing in its fundraising efforts and started the guild called Art4Woodstock, with Kim Keefe as president, WhitmoreLenzini as vice president, and commission member John Hegner as secretary/treasurer. The guild hopes to become a nonprofit and pursue more opportunities to bring art to Woodstock. The roundabout sculpture artist, Bobby Joe Scribner, has started working on the piece and

On Dec. 9, the Woodstock Arts Commission voted to support the Groundhog Days Committee’s plan to put a groundhog statue in the Park in the Square. One statue of the groundhog (pictured) already stands in the pedway next to Classic Cinemas Woodstock, near the mural touting Woodstock’s entertainment history.

INDEPENDENT

expects to be finished in the spring. He will then hold onto the piece until the commission and city are ready to move forward with the installation.

Commission members are interested in a 2026 project called “yarn bombing,” which includes adding knitted scarves to lampposts and rails on the Square. Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but Whitmore-Lenzini and another commission member took measurements of different spots and tallied how many pieces they would need. They would then work with the Warp & Weft Weavers Guild to make the scarves. They envision this occurring after the holiday decorations are taken down, to provide a bit of color in the remaining winter months.

Finally, Whitmore-Lenzini confirmed the commission is not done with Artspace and will re-approach discussions in the new year.

“It is not a dead deal,” she said. We haven’t given up on it. We’re bound and determined.”

Encouraging words for all of us as we head into the new year, and for the commission members as they continue to work to bring more art to the community.

PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Business Continuing the legacy

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Nov. 27 .

■ Apartment building at 202 and 202 1/2 McHenry Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Cid S. Cabalum, Lake In The Hills, to Juan G. Hernandez Gonzalez, Woodstock, for $210,000.

■ Residence at 1019 Hibbard St., Woodstock, was sold by Nicholas C. Johnson, Fredericksburg, Iowa, to Mary Asproyerakas, Woodstock, for $230,000.

■ Residence at 3011 Jonathon Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Karley Swetz, Crystal Lake, to Jennifer A. Morefield, Woodstock, for $379,900.

■ Residence at 3202 Brookside Way, Wonder Lake, was sold by Marvin Travis, Wonder Lake, to Zachariah P. Novak, Wonder Lake, for $350,000.

■ Vacant land, approximately 4 acres, on Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock, was sold by Guillermo De La Torre, Algonquin, to William Logan, Park Ridge, for $130,000.

■ Residence at 629 N. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by Tamara D. Kelly, Johnsburg, to Pamela J. Adelizzi, Woodstock, for $230,000.

■ Residence at 327 S. Jefferson St., Woodstock, was sold by Laura L. Siebert, Delavan, Wis., to The Meal Family Living Trust, Woodstock, for $417,000.

■ Residence at 415 S. Jefferson St., Woodstock, was sold by The Beth A. Iversen Revocable Trust, Woodstock, to Lars McInturff, Woodstock, for $290,000.

Dordan

welcomes the fourth generation, securing multi-generational growth

Provided by Dordan Manufacturing

Dordan Manufacturing, the 62-year-old custom thermoforming company, is welcoming the fourth generation of the Slavin family, positioning the designer and manufacturer of thermoformed packaging solutions for multi-generational growth.

Julian Slavin, grandson of Dordan CEO and president Daniel Slavin, is the first of the fourth generation to join the family company since its founding in 1962.

“I am proud that at his young age he thinks enough of the company and the culture and wants to continue it,” Daniel said. “What Julian has brought is an aggression with regards to his motivation for the growth of the company. By his performance and attitude, he is reinvigorating multiple facets of the company.”

Julian began his career at Dordan working in the factory part time in the summers and then transitioned into quality control at age 17. Daniel required his grandson to complete college before hiring him long-term, which he did in 2024.

Kim Keefe

“Julian is a bright, articulate, aggressive individual,” explained Daniel. “He is willing to do anything and everything that is asked of him. While going to college, he worked in the factory. There wasn’t any job that was beneath him - every job he did with the same energy and commitment to doing it well.”

This approach to integrating family members into the company from the ground up isn’t unique to Julian. His father and Dordan GM, Aric Slavin, took

the same path, starting in the factory and then working his way up to becoming plant manager, sales manager, and GM. “Most challenges I learned to solve on my own,” Aric said, “and that was the best thing I could have done.”

Even though Julian has several years of experience under his belt at Dordan, he remains humble, commenting that he needs to better understand Dordan’s processes so he can feel confident talking to anyone about the company. He wants to work in every department at Dordan to learn

how all the pieces fit together. He hopes his siblings will join him, commenting that his brother would be such a good salesperson because he’s very charming and charismatic.

Bringing in the next generation comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Anytime a company adds a new family member, different dynamics among the personalities emerge that must be managed to maintain professionalism and productivity.

Continued on NEXT page

COURTESY PHOTO

Dordan CEO Daniel Slavin (left) is pictured with his grandson and newest employee, Julian Slavin.

See REAL ESTATE, Page 11

“With this new generation,” Daniel explained, “it creates obvious family dynamic issues because now I have two father-son dynamics on top of the dynamics among the other family members working at the company.”

For Aric, it isn’t just managing his son and the other personalities at Dordan that is challenging. “When I began my career at Dordan, I didn’t fully understand the commitment required. I had reservations about Julian coming to work at Dordan because being in his position 25 years ago, I didn’t realize what the commitment to the family business really meant— you must be all in, all the time.”

Dordan’s transition from first to second generation ownership was easy, as the founder retired shortly after his son, Daniel, took over. When the third generation joined Dordan, Daniel was still very much in his prime, and the corporate culture and management hierarchy were already established. With some of its management nearing retirement, there is more opportunity and flexibility for roles, responsibilities, and new ways of doing things.

“For multi-generational companies to succeed,” Daniel said, “new talented people are needed for the continuation of the family business. Just because they’re family, doesn’t mean they’re good for the company. They must bring something to the table and understand the culture and how they fit in. If a family member is talented, then he or she can continue the legacy.”

For Julian, committing to a career at Dordan is a great honor and one that he intends to treat with care and respect. “I’ve always loved Dordan and I’m excited to grow my skills to be a valuable addition to the family company,” he said. “I hope I can meet my dad’s and Pa’s high expectations and show them my aptitude through doing, not saying.”

REAL ESTATE

Continued from Page 10

■ Residence at 285 Macintosh Ave. #15-1, Woodstock, was sold by ErnestAlfred K. Akyeah, Denver, N.C., to Ryan Krause, Woodstock, for $257,000.

■ Residence at 2001 Castleshire Drive 2, Woodstock, was sold by Paul A. Krieg and Penny R. Krieg, Woodstock, to The Laura Beth Cardosi Revocable Trust, Woodstock, for $197,650.

■ Residence at 570 N. Sharon Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Kevin T. Lang, Woodstock, to Rachel Turnbaugh, Woodstock, for $405,000.

■ Residence at 280 Wild Meadow Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Harlan D. Moore, Wonder Lake, to Emily Randazzo, Woodstock, for $225,000.

■ Residence at 233 Macintosh Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Matt E. Moon, Saint Francis, Wis., to Regeena Philip, Woodstock, for $230,000.

■ Residence at 2740 Verdi St., Woodstock, was sold by Mayra Leanos, Crystal Lake, to Silvia Lamas Carranza, Woodstock, for $230,000.

■ Residence at 319 E. Judd St., Woodstock, was sold by Steven E. Aavang, Woodstock, to B & R Capital Investments LLC, Maple Park, for $190,000.

■ Vacant land, .22 acres, at 430 Raffel Road, was sold by Jeremiah Homuth, Woodstock, to Louis DeLuna, McHenry, for $8,000.

■ Residence at 18104 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, was sold by Patricia E. Woods, Huntley, to Juan P. Castillo Rodriguez, Woodstock, for $440,000.

■ Residence at 1826 Powers Road, Woodstock, was sold by BTI 1179 LLC, New York, N.Y., to Edward Harrell-Diaz, Woodstock, for $174,000.

■ Residence at 2424 Waterleaf Lane, Woodstock, was sold by William K. Eigenfeld, Woodstock, to William Lowery, Woodstock, for $329,000.

■ Residence at 14732 Emery Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Eugene Murphy, Westminster, Colo., to Arthur W. Stoike Jr., Woodstock, for $445,000.

■ Residence at 1130 Redtail Court, Woodstock, was sold by Mark Castellanos, Great Lakes, to Dylan Adkins, Lockport, for $327,000.

■ Residence at 3120 Greenwood Road, Woodstock, was sold by Judith Dowinski, McHenry, to Brad M. Paulsen, Woodstock, for $590,000.

■ Residence at 2732 Verdi St., Woodstock, was sold by The Gail M. Wachowski Living Trust, Kenosha, Wis. to Jeta Muho, Woodstock, for $255,000.

3-year-old

Margie weighs about 20 lbs. and she gave birth to six puppies in October after being rescued by Helping Paws. I was such a good momma! Although she’s a bit timid, she is very sweet underneath her shyness. She gets along well with other dogs and cats and likes getting pets. She doesn’t pull on the leash, and goes potty outside. Her best home would be a home that is on the quiet side and has patient humans. She osccasionally get excited on walks and kicks and jumps like a tiny bronco! Call Helping Paws to meet Margie!

Woodstock Lumber

1886

December 13, 1969: Woodstock American Legion members raise the flag at the P.R. Schultz home on West Jackson Street in Woodstock, at the intersection of Jackson and Hayward Streets. Mr. Schultz, to the left of the flagpole, was a teacher at Woodstock High School. From left: Lester Edinger, unknown, Marcellus Senne, Mrs. Schultz, P.R. Schultz, Joe Frozley, unknown, Ed Henry, unknown.

PICTURE

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum is located at 6422 Main St. in Union.

Stop by and stir up your passion for history during the “Hot Chocolate and History” event at the museum Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees can warm up to history with a hot chocolate bar, mini tours, a scavenger hunt, and activities for kids. Visit mchenrycountyhistory.org for more information.

Community Running with the groundhog

A 5K race is a new offering for this year’s

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Joining a packed lineup of Groundhog Days festivities this year is the inaugural Woodstock Groundhog 5K on Feb. 1, with actor Stephen Tobolowski (Ned Ryerson) as the official starter.

“We want to make this a destination 5K,” said Steve Parrish, Woodstock High School Backers vice president and chairman of the Woodstock Groundhog 5K committee.

“I think it will draw a good crowd,” Parrish said. “People have been asking about a run for a long time, and the Woodstock High School Backers stepped up.”

Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the WHS Backers.

“Many people may not know this,” Parrish said, “but the Backers pay for all of the athletic uniforms and equipment. Things have become more expensive, so we are always looking for fundraising opportunities.”

A run by all the filming sites

Parrish said he brought the idea of the 5K up to the Backers and it was met with excitement, so the next step was to talk with the city.

“I knew that the draw of this race would be the locations from the movie,” he explained. “If the city weren’t on board, this wouldn’t work - and the city has been incredible to work with.”

The 5K will take runners or walkers on a journey through Woodstock, leading them past the movie filming sites, including the Woodstock Moose Lodge, Wayne’s Lanes, the Cherry Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast, Main Street, and the Old Man’s

IN BRIEF

Bowling event next month to benefit animals in need

Animals in need will benefit from “Pins for Paws,” a bowling event being organized by Animal Humane Advocacy from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Kingston Lanes in Woodstock.

Groundhog Days festivities

Alley.

“It’s going to be a great run,” Parrish said, “and anyone can do it. If you want to run, it will be chip-timed, but if you want to walk and take in all the [filming] sites, you can walk it and enjoy it along the way.”

Embracing the weather

Plenty of runs are held around the area throughout better weather seasons. Parrish hopes that this early February run can fill the gap and draw runners from all over.

“We know the weather is unpredictable,” Parrish said. “But, we are just embracing the idea that

A $25 ticket will entitle participants to an afternoon of bowling, pizza, raffles, and fun. Two hours of bowling with shoe rental is included, along with pizza and one drink ticket to fuel your game.

Each ticket also comes with one raffle entry for a chance to win prizes.

A 50/50 raffle and silent auction for

it is going to be winter and it is going to be cold. Runners will run through anything, so I’m not that worried!”

He indicated that the 5K committee set a goal to have 200 participants. As of the weekend, there were 120 registrants.

“We are hoping to meet our goal,” he said. “After this initial year, we will know what works and what we can do differently. I have big plans for the future of this race.”

Also on the 5K committee are Roger Vidalis; Judd Schutt, who designed the 2025 graphic for the event shirts and medals; and WHS athletic director Al Baker.

In addition, Parrish said, “Melissa McMahon, Beth Zange, and Rick Bellairs have also been instrumental from the Groundhog Days Committee and Jane Howie at the city.”

At the culmination of the race, there will be food trucks, including one from Kishwaukee Brewing Company.

Registration by Jan. 15 includes a T-shirt, chiptimed tag, and a finisher’s medal.

Sponsors who are offsetting some of the costs of the race are MBI, Davey Tree Service, Kunes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Woodstock, and Megan Liebetrau with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate.

“We are hoping that we can get the costs of the race covered by corporate sponsors so that all of the proceeds can go directly to the Backers,” Parrish said.

To ensure a shirt, medal, and chip, registration must be completed by Jan 15 at https://runsignup. com/Race/IL/Woodstock/WoodstockGroundhogK. The cost is $35 before Jan. 15.

exclusive items and experiences also are planned.

All proceeds from the event will go directly toward helping animals in need, according to a new release from Animal Humane Advocacy, which is dedicated to improving the lives of animals through rescue, advocacy, and community outreach.

Tickets are available now at zeffy. com/ticketing/pins-for-paws-gala.

For, sponsorship opportunities or more information, email Paul Barthel, agency founder, pbarthel@animalhumaneadvocacy.com, or call 708-715-3927.

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF

Woodstock Police Department

656 Lake Ave.

9 THURSDAY

10 FRIDAY

11

SPINNERS

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

10 a.m.

woodstockpubliclibrary.org

MUSIC FOR HORNS, PIANO AND STRINGS

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$30 A seats; $25 B seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

12 SUNDAY SPHERES BUBBLE SHOW

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 2 p.m.

$30 adult; $25 child woodstockoperahouse.com

13 MONDAY

7 p.m.

815-338-6787

14 TUESDAY

PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOP

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

6 p.m.

woodstockpubliclibrary.org

AS SEEN ON PINTEREST: ADULT CRAFTS: CANVAS MOSAIC SNOWMAN

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

6:30 p.m.

woodstockpubliclibrary.org

D-200 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Woodstock High School

501 W. South

7 p.m.

15 WEDNESDAY

MEMORY MAKERS STORYTELLING GROUP

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St. (in person)

9:30 a.m. to noon 815-338-0542, ext. 14125

16 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

18 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard

14510 Rt. 176

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

1 and 4 p.m.

$9 alll seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

19 SUNDAY

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

1 and 4 p.m.

$9 alll seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

21 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m. woodstockil.gov

QUILTER’S DISCUSSION FORUM

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

7 p.m.

woodstockpubliclibrary.org

22 WEDNESDAY

THE A, B, C & D’S OF MEDICARE

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

6:30 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

23 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m.

Happenings calendar Resurrection Catholic Church

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2900 Raffel Road

7 p.m.

24 FRIDAY

EXTREME STORM CHASING

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$35

woodstockoperahouse.com

ALL-ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. offsquaremusic.org

25 SATURDAY

PRESCHOOL FAIR

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 10 a.m. to noon woodstockpubliclibrary.org

WOODSTOCK ON THE SCREEN

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 2 to 4 p.m. katieb@woodstockil.info (815) 338-0542

28 TUESDAY

D-200 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Woodstock High School 501 W. South

7 p.m.

30 THURSDAY

CHILDREN’S GROUNDHOG STORYTIME

Old Courthouse Center on the Square

101 N. Johnson St.

5 p.m.

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

WELCOMING OF THE GROUNDHOG

Old Courthouse Center on the Square

101 N. Johnson St. 6 p.m.

Free

GROUNDHOG TRIVIA

Old Courthouse Center on the Square

101 N. Johnson St. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Free

GROUNDHOG PAINT ALONG

Old Courthouse Center on the Square

101 N. Johnson St. 6:30 p.m.

$45

Woodstockgroundhog.org/event/ groundhog-paint-n-sip/

31 FRIDAY

‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ MOVIE ARCHIVE OPEN HOUSE

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St. 2 to 4 p.m.

woodstockpubliclibrary.org

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1990

■ A fire at Jefferson and Calhoun streets gutted a 92-year-old structure that had once been St. John’s Lutheran Church.

■ The Woodstock Opera House hosted A Tribute to Orson Welles, a film festival dedicated to the work of the famous Todd School for Boys graduate.

30 years ago – 1995

■ Officer Karen Karpavicius was assigned as Woodstock High School’s first police liaison officer.

■ The Blue Streaks freshman wrestling team improved to 15-0, and coach Fred Tessler picked up his 200th win the same week. Tessler started coaching freshman wrestling at WHS in 1978. In 16 years, his teams had won 204 dual meets and lost only 22. His 199192 team was undefeated in all outings, including tournaments.

25 years ago – 2000

■ INDECK refiled a $25-million lawsuit against McHenry County over rejection of the company’s request for a conditional-use permit to build a peaker power plant south of Woodstock.

■ Plans were moving forward to honor McHenry County Civil War veterans by placing marble slabs bearing their names at the base of the sentinel statue in the Park in the Square.

20 years ago – 2005

■ WHS senior Kate Liebetrau was Athlete of the Week. Head girls basketball coach Kim Ziltner said, “Kate’s 18 points [including four 3-pointers in the first half] helped us defeat Crystal Lake Central 71-24.”

■ Chris Strong and Roger Schiller were celebrating their 35th anniversary as the folk-singing duo known as Hartland Express. The name came from the location of their first steady gig, which was at a bar called The Outpost in Hartland Township. For years, Hartland Express was a staple of the McHenry County folk music scene.

15 years ago – 2010

■ Jeff and Suzy Madenis, owners of Jones Locker Services, 204

N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, announced they would sell the business, including the wild game processing, custom meat processing, and retail divisions. Members of the Jones family, with Suzy one of them, had operated the Woodstock arm of the business for 39 years.

■ WHS cross-country and track standout Elise Beattie ended her whirlwind college recruitment by committing to the University of New Hampshire. Beattie said she was looking for the opportunity to go away to school and to new experiences. She said the financial freedom of scholarships was important, but academics were primary in her decision.

■ Former WHS wrestling coach Jim Patton was named grand marshal for the 2010 IHSA state wrestling tournament.

10 years ago – 2015

■ The Land Conservancy of McHenry County held a workday at its Yonder Prairie site in Woodstock. Pictured in a photo taken that day were volunteers

Ted Thornton, and Dick Maguire.

■ The 450 audience seats in the Woodstock Opera House auditorium were slated to be reupholstered. The fabric to be used in the $70,000-project would match what was used in 1970, the previous time the seats were reupholstered.

■ Keum Jeon and Chung Nam Chai, who had owned and operated Stewart’s Cleaners, 225 E. Calhoun St., for 28 years, announced they had passed the helm of ownership to longtime employees Roberto and Maria Diaz.

5 years ago – 2020

■ The City Council discussed keeping Woodstock Water Works, the city pool, financially afloat in the face of rising labor costs because of two minimumwage increases scheduled for 2020. Minimum wage, which was $8.25 an hour, would increase to $10 on July 1.

■ For the first time in more than 20 years, Woodstock had no Coleman’s Tavern & Grill. Owner Barry Coleman closed the restaurant with an

JAN. 25, 1995

– The production staff for Woodstock Musical Theatre’s production of “Something’s Afoot” includes: front row, from left, Letitia Lyons, Stacy Heuvelman, Bernice Ferraro, Peter Carroll, and Barb Klein. Back row: Kent Wilson, Sue Lewis, Judy Fergen, Deb Swinford, Rich Amundsen, Tom Landeros, and Elaine Riner.

impromptu party Dec. 30. Coleman said the lease on the building was expiring, and he didn’t want to commit to another five or 10 years.

1 year ago – 2024

■ Spring/summer completion of $4.5 million in improvements to the Opera House was postponed until fall after an architect was hired and officials got a look at a design study.

■ The McHenry County Conservation Foundation bought 40 acres of land in Hartland Township next to the Conservation District’s Brookdale Conservation Area, expanding the protected property at the site to more than 1,875 acres. The purchase was made possible by a grant of almost $198,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

■ After 37 years as publisher of The Woodstock Independent, co-founder Cheryl Wormley sold the newspaper to Rebecca McDaniel, the office administrator for nearly nine years. While McDaniel became publisher, Wormley assumed the title of publisher emerita.

Melissa Hormann,

Rubin

By Peter Gallagher

Rules: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as 9x9 grids, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box.

ACQUIRE ADAPTATION AGGRESSION ALPHA ANXIETY AROUSAL BARKING BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIORIST CLICKER COLLAR CONDITIONING DESENSITIZATION DISTRESS DOMINANCE ENVIRONMENT FEAR FOCUS INHIBITION LEAD MODIFICATION POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINER

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000075 FILED: 12/10/2024

TAKE NOTICE

County of McHenry

Date Premises Sold: November 14, 2022

Certificate No.: 2021-00165

Sold for General Taxes of (Year): 2021

Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A

Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A

THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

Property Located at: 1418 Antuna Boulevard, Woodstock, IL 60098

Legal Description or Property Index No.: 07-26-429-003

This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on May 21, 2025.

The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.

This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before May 21, 2025.

This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of McHenry County in 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098, Room 202, on July 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

You may be present at this hearing, but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before May 21, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK

667 Ware Rd. Suite 107

Woodstock, IL 60098

815-334-4242

Myriad Capital LLC

Purchaser or Assignee

December 17, 2024

Keith Schaid

Occupant

Mary L Rudder

Kurtis Allen Schaid

Jaqueline K Rebolledo

Cary L Schaid

Yvonna M Moody

Joseph J. Tirio, County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois

Claimants, Judgment Creditors, and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “Unknown Owners”

“Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots”

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11882

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000083

FILED: 12/10/2024

TAKE NOTICE

County of McHenry

Date Premises Sold: November 14, 2022

Certificate No.: 2021-00562

Sold for General Taxes of (Year): 2021

Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A

Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A

THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

Property Located at: 1006 Clay Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

Legal Description or Property Index No.: 13-05-129-006

This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on May 21, 2025.

The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.

This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before May 21, 2025.

This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of McHenry County in 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098, Room 202, on July 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

You may be present at this hearing, but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY

Redemption can be made at any time on or before May 21, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK

667 Ware Rd. Suite 107

Woodstock, IL 60098

815-334-4242

Myriad Capital LLC Purchaser or Assignee

December 17, 2024

Glynnis Walker Anderson, Trustee under the Glynnis Walker Anderson Living Trust Agreement dated August 7, 2019

Glynnis Walker Anderson

GW Anderson Liv TR

Occupant

Sabrina Anderson

Kimberly Grandinetti Connor Corbett

Illinois Department of Revenue

State of Illinois Department of Revenue

Attorney General for State of Illinois Department of Revenue

McHenry County Treasurer

Joseph J. Tirio, County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois

Claimants, Judgment Creditors, and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “Unknown Owners”

“Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots”

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025)

L11883

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000084 FILED: 12/10/2024

TAKE NOTICE

County of McHenry

Date Premises Sold: November 14, 2022

Certificate No.: 2021-00563

Sold for General Taxes of (Year): 2021 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A

Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

Property Located at: 912 Clay Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

Legal Description or Property Index No.: 13-05-132-007

This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on May 21, 2025. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.

This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before May 21, 2025. This matter is set for hearing in the

Circuit Court of McHenry County in 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098, Room 202, on July 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM. You may be present at this hearing, but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY

Redemption can be made at any time on or before May 21, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK

667 Ware Rd. Suite 107 Woodstock, IL 60098 815-334-4242

Myriad Capital LLC Purchaser or Assignee December 17, 2024

Lance Johnson

Lance Johnson

Lance Johnson Occupant

Judith M Johnson

Deborah A Johnson Babzett E Sherfield

Joseph J. Tirio, County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois Claimants, Judgment Creditors, and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “Unknown Owners” “Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots”

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11884

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000080 FILED: 12/10/2024

TAKE NOTICE

County of McHenry

Date Premises Sold: November 14, 2022

Certificate No.: 2021-00405

Sold for General Taxes of (Year): 2021 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A

Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A

THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

Property Located at: 806 North Concord Drive, Woodstock, IL 60098

Legal Description or Property Index No.: 09-31-102-001

This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on May 21, 2025. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the

purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.

This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before May 21, 2025. This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of McHenry County in 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098, Room 202, on July 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

You may be present at this hearing, but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO

REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before May 21, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK

667 Ware Rd. Suite 107 Woodstock, IL 60098 815-334-4242

Myriad Capital LLC Purchaser or Assignee

December 17, 2024

Teri V. Martin, as trustee of the Teri V. Martin Revocable Living Trust dated January 16, 2003

Teri V. Martin, Trustee Occupant

Kristopher L Martin

Joseph J. Tirio, County Clerk of McHenry County, Illinois Claimants, Judgment Creditors, and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “Unknown Owners” “Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots” (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11885

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000297

In the Matter of the Estate of JOAN K. LAMEKA

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JOAN K. LAMEKA

Of: WOODSTOCK, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 12/16/2024

To Representative:

ROBERT P. LAMEKA

154 PINE GROVE RD. LAKEMOOR, IL 60051

whose attorney is:

FOX LAW

3611 HYDE PARK CT. ELGIN, IL 60124

Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of the first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred. Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

/s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11886

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CLOSING THE BUSINESS File #21373

Public Notice is hereby given that on JULY 29, A.D. 2021, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as RED BARN MILL located at 11110 SEEMAN LRD. HUNTLEY, IL 60142 which certificate sets forth the following change: CLOSING THE BUSINESS in the DBA thereof: PATRICK DOYLE AND NANCY DOYLE CLOSING BUSINESS OF RED BARN MILL LOCATED AT 11110 SEEMAN RD. HUNTLEY, IL 60142. Dated this 19TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D., 2024

/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 25, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11887

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 23, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in

McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as LEO’S LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICE

located at 614 RIDGELAND AVE. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: LEON COBOS RIVERA 614 RIDGELAND AVE. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: DECEMBER 23, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025)L11888

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000289

In the Matter of the Estate of JAMES A. FORBES

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JAMES A. FORBES

Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 11/12/2024

To Representative: LINDA FORBES 1317 BEHAN ROAD CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014

Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of the first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred.

Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed. /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025) L11891

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 20, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as TIMOTHY’S CREATIVE CONCEPTS located at 4083 AMES RD. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60012. Owner Name & Address: TIMOTHY WILLIAMS 4083 AMES RD. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60012.

Dated: DECEMBER 20, 2024

/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025)L11892

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on

DECEMBER 19, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as BIG HAT RODEO COMPANY located at 16209 GREEN ROAD HARVARD, IL 60033. Owner Name & Address: LENORA CALZAVARA 16209 GREEN ROAD HARVARD, IL 60033.

Dated: DECEMBER 19, 2024

/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent January 1, 2025, January 8, 2025)L11894

PUBLIC NOTICE

SECTION 00 11 13 INVITATION TO BID FOR 2025 Prairiewood and Creekside Parking Lot Replacement

Woodstock, Illinois

1. TIME AND PLACE FOR SCHEDULED OPENING OF BIDS: Sealed bids for the improvements described below will be received at:

Administrative Services Center 2990 Raffel Road Woodstock, Illinois 60098

Until 10:00 a.m., January 17, 2025, at which time bids will be opened and read publicly.

2. AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Plans, Specifications,Bid Formsand other

Contract Documents may be obtained from ARC Document Solutions, 640 North La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois, 312372-8600, on or around September 8, 2025. Additional locations to obtain contract documents listed below. A non-refundable deposit of $30.00 is required for each printed set. There is no cost to download the drawings, however, prospective bidders must provide all requested information when completing the download process in order that they will receive proper updates.

Construction Data Company (ConstructConnect) (800) 652-0008 www.cdcnews.com

Construction Market

Data(ConstructConnect) (800) 4243996 www.cmdgroup.com

Dodge Data &Analytics (877) 784-9556 www.construction.com

Greater Peoria Contractors & Suppliers Association (309) 692-5710 www. gpcsa.org

iSqFt (ConstructConnect) (800) 3642059 www.isqft.com

Master Builders of Iowa (800) 362-2578 www.mbionline.com

Northern Illinois Building ContractorsAssociation (815) 229-5636 www.nibca.build

3. PREQUALIFICATION OF BIDDERS:

All bidders will submit a resume of similar projects performed, enumerated as to location, type of work, approximate completion date, and project engineering/ architectural firm. Additionally, all bidders will submit a list of equipment owned by, or available to them, for the efficient pursuance of the project.

4. WAGES OF EMPLOYEES: Not less than the prevailing rate of wages as found by the Department of Labor or determined by a court on review shall be paid to all laborers, workers and mechanics performing work under this contract. Certified payroll requirements will apply.

5. REJECTION OF BIDS: The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and bidders and to waive technicalities.

6. LOCATION OF THE WORK: Creekside Middle School 3201 Hercules Road

Woodstock, Illinois 60098

Prairiewood Elementary School 3215 Hercules Road Woodstock, Illinois 60098

7. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: This project includes full depth parking lot replacement including associated site improvements.

8. BID SECURITY: Bid security in the form of a Bid Bond or Certified Check for ten percent (10%) of the base bid made payable to the Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 shall accompany the bid.

9. OWNER: Woodstock Community Unit School District 200, 2990 Raffel Road, Woodstock, Illinois 60098.

10. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE: Construction is to begin on or after June 2, 2025; Substantial Completion by August 1, 2025.

Substantial Completion is defined as all improvements except punchlist items.

11. PREBID MEETING: A nonmandatory prebid meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on January 10, 2025 at Creekside Middle School, 3201 Hercules Road, Woodstock, Illinois 60098. Contractors are to meet at the main entrance. (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 8, 2025) L11895

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE SALE

The Storage Space LLC, 945 Dieckman St., P.O. Box 1873, Woodstock, IL 60098 must receive the delinquent amount of $700.00 for rental of unit #41 at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL 60098, name Jim Rodrian. Or contents will be sold (no auction) or disposed of on 1/24/25 at 10:00 a.m. at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL 60098. Various contents: Wood dining chairs, Electronics, Laptops, Lounger, Nite stands, Fishing rods, Mattress, Golf clubs, Extension cords, Shovels, pick axe, Miscellaneous household items, and Bags & boxes contents unknown and other general household.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent January 8, 2025)L11896

Sports

Ex-’Canes soccer player earns postseason award COLLEGE REPORT

By Dan Chamness

Much as any athlete, or human being who is deemed worthy of being the first, will be the barometer for future honorees of an award, the Marian Central Catholic graduate was recently honored as the CCAC Defensive Player of the Year, having finished her senior season at University of St. Francis.

“I believe the coaches in the CCAC selected me because of my leadership skills and my consistent work ethic throughout the season,” the Woodstock resident said. “I believe that is important, both in practice and in the games, to give your best effort. As a center backfield player, I made every effort [to make sure] the team was in the proper formation and make sure we are all on the same page as far as defense.”

In CCAC play, Villont played in all 11 games, 10 of which were starts. She finished league play with one assist and 10 shots on goal. Defensively, she helped the USF Lady Saint goalkeepers hold opposing offensive players to just nine goals in those 11 league games.

The Lady Saints finished 6-2-3 in the CCAC. They were third in the league.

“My favorite moment this year was our quarterfinal game in the playoffs,” Villont recalled. “We had to battle back from a one goal deficit in the first half, and we found the back of the net with only 16 seconds to play in regulation to win the game. It earned

See COLLEGE REPORT, Page 23

Co-op girls wrestling

WRESTLING WARRIORS: Woodstock co-op girls wrestling

By Jen Nichols NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

One of the largest and most successful girls wrestling programs in McHenry County and surrounding areas is District 200’s very own girls co-op wrestling team. Coach Eric Hunt could not be more proud of the team’s overall success in only their second season, as well as the excellence demonstrated by many of his individual athletes.

“As one of the largest teams in the area,” Hunt said, “we are hoping to see multiple girls make it deep into sectionals and qualify for state this year.”

Eight games into the season, the team has already proven their domination on the mat.

Not only are they undefeated in dual matches, but they have

challenged top teams in the invitationals. Most recently, at the Aaron Dudley Memorial Girls Invite(Oswego), the ladies took third place in the 24 team event. Out of 35 teams, the co-op brought home a silver place finish at the Hampshire invitational and the Royal Rumble (Larkin HS).

The team’s success is not coincidental.

“The depth of our talent is one of the best in our conference,” said Hunt.

Team leadership

Leading the program, captain Eva Hermansson (Jr) is ranked No. 9 in girls wrestling for Illinois with an overall 17-4 record. Competing in the 110-pound weight category, Hunt called her the backbone of the team.

Due to a knee injury last season,

Hermansson missed her opportunity to compete at state. Currently, she is on track to make some noise in this postseason.

Hermansson, named Athlete of the Week in The Woodstock Independent, finished first in the Larkin Royal Rumble, and second in the Oswego invitational, the Hampshire Invitational, the Sandy Gussarson (Antioch) Invitational. Hermansson was not alone during the Antioch medal ceremony.

Co-captain Hannah Olsen (Jr) also stood at the top of the podium, earning gold in the 125-pound weight class. She brought home the bronze from the Royal Rumble, as well as the Hampshire invite, and a silver medal in Oswego. She is currently competing for the best overall record with 18 wins and 4 losses.

See GIRLS WRESTLING, Page 23

WHS co-op wrestlers Brianna Pitz (left) and Lydia Weidner scrimmage earlier in the season.

Jacqueline Castaneda takes on a Marengo wrestler Dec. 12.

Zoe Villont

STREAKS ON THE COURT

Seniors Lily Novelle and Keira Bogott are both captains and three-years starters for the Blue Streak girls basketball team. Recently, Lily led the team with 18 points in a win over Richmond-Burton and Keira put up 30 against Plano. They are both team leaders in school, practice, and games.

INDEPENDENT

The Blue Streak girls returned to the court after the holiday break Jan. 4 when they hosted the Belvidere Bucs. The Streaks helped the Bucs celebrate senior Emma Pierson’s 2,000th career point. The Bucs won 57-33.

At left, Keira Bogott moves the ball past the Belvidere defender.

Above, the Woodstock dance team performs during the game.

Sophomore Max Beard helped the Blue Streaks win the consolation championship at the Elgin Holiday Tournament. Max averaged 21 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, and 3.5 steals per game. Max was selected to the All-Tournament team as well. Congrats to Max!

Lily Novelle, Keira Bogott • Basketball

Max Beard • Basketball

PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

COLLEGE

Continued from Page 21

us a trip the semifinals of the conference tournament.”

In her two years with the USF soccer team, she earned all-conference honors both years. The defensive player of the year was one of five players to do so. She was one of two USF players to earn first-team honors and one of eight athletes who were listed as graduate students or seniors to earn the distinction. A total of 15 athletes were named to the first team. Another USF player was named the CCAC Freshman of the Year and was also named to the first team. A third Lady Saint was named to the second team.

“It was important for me to cover my teammates when they go forward or when the opposing players get beyond them,” Villont said. “It was important for me to make the clearances out of the back as well as make the tackles. I would do my best to communicate the shifting of the defense as well as other tactical aspects to ensure that our team was in the best defensive position. I enjoyed every moment off and on the field with my teammates, who are now lifelong friends.”

MESSAGE FROM CHAMNESS

We are looking for names of college athletes to complete the rest of the year. At this point of the season, we are halfway through the winter months. We are looking for names of athletes for the spring months as well.

Keep in mind, there are two rules to be included in this column. First, athletes must be involved in intercollegiate athletics, meaning that the college/university team they suit up for competes with other schools. Secondly, the athlete must be from a town or a high school normally covered by The Woodstock Independent. I will need the names of the athletes, the former high school or town they are from, the college/university they are attending and, of course, the sports they are playing. When emailing me (Dan62801@aol.com), please put “Woodstock Independent” in the subject line.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

Allison Hill (right) is in action against an opponent from Marengo Dec. 12.

G. WRESTLING

Continued from Page 21

Hermansson and Olsen fill the role of the team’s leaders, but the co-op includes a few more standout wrestlers.

Junior Danica LaTessa competes at the 120-pound weight class. Her current overall record is 17-3. LaTessa earned third at the Whippur competition, as well as fifth in the Royal Rumble.

Sophomore Allison Hill typically adds to the Woodstock medal count. Hill placed second in the Hampshire invitation and the Oswego invitational in the 235-pound weight category. She currently holds a 14-7 overall record.

Junior Brianna Crown earned silver in the 155-pound class, boosting the team’s standings at the Oswego exhibition. Crown’s overall record this season is 18-6.

About halfway into the season, the Streak/Thunder co-op girls wrestling team is determined to make history.

“The growth in our program is in numbers and skill,” said Hunt. “Our main goal this season is to get a player or two who can earn their way as a state qualifier.”

The second ever Senior Night for the Woodstock program will be Jan. 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All home events are in the Shipley gymnasium at Woodstock High School.

NN SCOREBOARD NN

BOYS BASKETBALL

■ Dec. 23 - Marian (3-9) lost to Elgin (2-11) 63-60.

■ Dec. 26 - Marian (3-10) fell to Woodstock (6-6) 87-79.

■ Dec. 27 - Marian (3-11) defeated Kennedy (4-10) 72-53.

■ Dec. 28 - Marian (4-11) beat Schaumburg Christian (9-7) 73-46.

■ Jan. 3 - Woodstock (9-6) beat North Boone (7-7) 68-41.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

■ Dec. 26 - Marian (7-6) fell to Harlem (2-8) in a close game 56-55.

■ Dec. 27 - Marian (7-7) lost to Peoria Notre Dame (12-3) 75-31.

■ Dec. 27 - Marian (7-8) fell to Kaneland (9-5) 69-27

■ Dec. 28 - Marian (7-9) beat Grant (2-12) 56-43.

■ Jan. 4 - Woodstock (5-9) fell to Belvidere (11-5) 57-33.

GIRLS

BOWLING

■ Dec. 28 - Woodstock Co-op finished fourth at the Junior Gold Sport

Pattern Tournament with a total pinfall of 4,987. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty finished fifth in total pinfall with a pinfall of 1,070. Haggerty also finished fifth in individual high game with a 226 in game two. Woodstock North senior Ryan Nolan tied for eighth in individual high game, rolling a 224 in game two.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY