Woodstock Independent 1/3/24

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Jan. 3-9, 2024

Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | www.thewoodstockindependent.com | $1.50

‘We want to do what is right’ Focus Group kicks off process for potential changes to Park in the Square

By Eileen Millard

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock’s Park in the Square could be the most well-known of all of Woodstock’s parks. It is an entry point to the city from the commuter rail service, is the site of myriad events and festivals each year, and is recognizable by people around the world because

A&E

Renovation of Opera House delayed; programs resumed PAGE 9

SCHOOLS

of its starring role in the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day.” Although all of Woodstock’s 23 parks and nature areas will be under review in the coming 2024 Parks Master Plan, planning for the Park in the Square has been fast-tracked to take advantage of funds from a $2.96 million state grant, administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce

and Economic Opportunity. Needed repairs for the bandstand and the Spring House are eligible for some of that funding, with the condition for work to be complete by the end of 2024.

Planning for the Park in the Square will consider a wide range of alternatives, in both use and design, with the

See SQUARE, Page 2

HELPING HAND

Project Lead the Way gives students engineering work

PAGE 8

BUSINESS

Highlight Health Care takes over Crossroads Care Center

PAGE 10

INDEX

Obituaries

4

Opinion

6

Schools

8

A&E

9

Business

10

Community

12

Calendar

14

Service Directory 16 Public Notices

18

Puzzles

19

Sports

20

The Woodstock Independent

671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 Fax: 815-338-8177 Thewoodstock independent.com

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

New crosswalk signals at Routes 47 and 120 put pedestrians on the clock as they cross the state highways.

You ready for roadwork on Route 47?

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Four lanes of Route 47 through Woodstock.

Three roundabout intersections.

10-foot-wide path along the east side of the highway.

And two construction seasons of major inconvenience.

2024 should be the year that decades-long planning for a widened and improved state highway finally moves into Phase 3 – actual construction from U.S. 14 to Route 120.

Just a few months ago, the Illinois Department of Transportation was expecting to accept bids in January, but that has been delayed for the estimated $58 million project. Christina

Betz, the city’s executive director of operations, said mid-April is now the likely date for contractors to submit proposals.

Preliminary engineering and an environmental study were approved in April 2019. Since then, the state has focused on detailed design and land acquisition for the project.

See ROUTE 47 Page 2

NEWS

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

2

SQUARE

Continued from Page 1

goal to serve future needs of Woodstock’s residents.

“We want to do what is right for the park … to get the ideas out [there],” said Christina Betz, the city’s executive director of operations.

Gathering info

To advance the process, the city held a focus group meeting via Zoom on Dec. 7, presented by Design Workshop, the consulting firm hired by the city to complete the citywide master plan. A presentation showed a wide range of designs and features used by other cities for their downtown public areas. Attendees then completed a survey about what they thought would be the best use of the Park in the Square.

Betz described the group at its first meeting as merchants from around the Square, a city staff member, and some groups and organizations that regularly hold events on the Square.

“For example,” she said, “we had representatives from the Mexican Independence Day [festival], PrideFest, the Witches and Wizards event, other large festivals … and the Farmers Market … ongoing frequent users.

We wanted to make sure their voices are heard, as the park is event-heavy and merchant-heavy in the broad perspective.”

The next rounds of community input for the downtown park in will be rolled into an ongoing process in 2024.

That will include: n Two additional focus groups on planning for all city parks, tentatively scheduled for late January or early February. n A concurrent community survey on parks use, open to all Woodstock residents, running January through March. It is not determined

DESIGN WORKSHOP CONCEPT IMAGE

This image brings Benton Street to life as part of the proposal to “reimagine” the Park in the Square as part of a new city parks master plan. yet whether the survey will be digital only or whether a paper option will be available. n A community workshop in April, open to the public, to present focus group and survey results and get more feedback. n A separate youth community workshop to consider features for children.

Extensive feedback

Betz said the goal is to include all stakeholders across the city in preparing the master plan, including representatives from schools and recreational groups. Final approval will likely involve city advisory bodies, such as the Historic Preservation Commission, Plan Commission, and Environmental Commission, Betz said.

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The first phase of construction will cover 2 miles between U.S. 14 and Route 120. An additional 3 miles will be rebuilt north to Charles Road, but that phase might be a decade or more away. Funding for preliminary work on that section is not included in the state’s 2024-29 proposed highway improvement program.

“However, this project will be included in our priorities for future funding consideration among similar improvement needs throughout the region,” according to IDOT’s website.

Rebuild with enhancements

Construction this year would begin the rebuilding of four lanes of the state highway south of Route 120 with a raised median separating northbound and southbound traffic. Ultimately, the widened highway

The Design Workshop presentation fell into three main paths: Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Reimagine.

Options depend on community consensus and future funding through the city’s budget for its Capital Improvements Program.

The “Restoration” path concentrated on repairing historic structures according to their original colors and design. Since major structural work is needed on the bandstand and the Spring House, that would likely involve a teardown and rebuild.

The “Rehabilitation” path focused on expanding current features to accommodate more community programming. These could include concession structures; a ”great lawn” open design; a market area; permanent seating; and changes to surrounding streets leading

will extend north to Ware Road, where the two lanes in each direction to Charles Road will be separated by a mountable median.

In addition to the shared-use path planned to run along the east side of the road for the entire length of the project, a sidewalk will be built along the west side between U.S. 14 and Ware Road.

Circular intersections are planned at Lake Avenue, McConnell Road, Judd Street/Irving Avenue in the first construction phase, with additional roundabouts in the second phase at Ware Road and Charles Road.

“It is possible detours will be necessary during roundabout construction,” the state website says.

“One lane in each direction and temporary access to all commercial and residential land uses will be maintained during construction.”

Enhancements will include extensive landscaping in the median and improved lighting along the route.

to the Square.

The “Reimagine” path presents the most dramatic possibilities for the park’s layout. They include: • Moving the bandstand and Spring House to a new site in the park • Building a new performance structure • Creating a wedding venue space • Designating an “amphitheater/ viewing area” for up to 1,000 people • Creating a “Gateway Plaza” leading to the Square from the train station • Building a visitor center and permanent visitor restrooms • Semi-permanent food stalls • A picnic grove • Outdoor art and areas to engage children’s activities The focus group goal was to think outside the box, and one of the attendees suggested in the survey that the Civil War Memorial in the park be moved. Betz said that idea was not an option in the presentation, but, “We are open to all solutions and suggestions.”

“It would require additional community input, if we decided to move it in order to better use the space,” she said, “making sure it was [properly] moved and re-dedicated.”

Timeline, pubic alerts

The timeline for a final decision on the Parks Master Plan is August 2024.

The state will also have to approve any changes to the Park in the Square that use DCEO grant money.

Information will be available on the Woodstock city website as soon as the different engagement sessions are scheduled, and the city will promote the public sessions by email, park signage, and other means.

Public engagement meetings will be held in public buildings such as the Woodstock Public Library or the Opera House, depending on anticipated crowd size.

Business interruption

Not just traffic will experience disruption during construction. Nine businesses and three residences are being acquired by the state as part of the project.

Motorists can now see fencing around two properties – the former Mambo Car Wash and Dwight Auto Body – that have been closed for construction of a roundabout at McConnell Road. A triangular warehouse building at Judd Street and Route 47 also will be demolished for the roundabout there.

An additional half-dozen properties will experience direct business disruption because IDOT will take parts of those sites. That includes Three Brothers Restaurant at Lake Avenue, which expects to rebuild its entrance and lobby on the other side of the building to make way for the roundabout there.

Those are among 294 parcels identified as being affected, the state reports, with a budget of $9.6 million for property acquisition.

See ROADWORK, Page 5

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Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs Dec. 21-27: 78 Fire runs Structure fire: 1 Outside rubbish fire: 1 Chemical release/toxic condition: 1 Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 1 Public service assistance: 12 Cover assignment/standby: 1 Dispatched/canceled en route: 1 Wrong location/no emergency found: 2 System/detector malfunction: 4 Unintentional system/detector: 3 Total: 105 Email obituaries to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com, or mail them to or drop them off at 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

NEWS

Jan. 3-9, 2024

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

OBITUARIES

James C. Zbilski, 62 James C. Zbilski, 62, of Woodstock, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023.

James, known as Jim, was born on June 25, 1961, in Skokie, Ill., to Thomas and Irene Zbilski.

Jim is survived

James C. Zbilski

IN BRIEF Vote-by-mail applications due March 14 for primary

Registered voters in McHenry County who want to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 19 presidential primary can now apply for one.

Applications are available at bit. ly/3RRV5Cg, or by visiting the county clerk’s office at the county Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Voters don’t have to re-apply if they previously enrolled in the county’s permanent vote-by-mail program.

The clerk’s office must receive your vote-by-mail application by March 14; if

by his two children, Theresa Delamora (Austin) and Tom Zbilski (Melissa). Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Jean M Zbilski, and parents, Thomas and Irene.

Jim was always busy on the farm, whether he was feeding the cows, tending to crops, or fixing miscellaneous machinery. Jim moved out to the farm and started farming at the age of 18, and fell in love with the land and being a farmer. He made many friends in the farming community, many whom he considered an extension of his own family. He

was extremely loyal to anyone he called a friend.

Jim was known for his funny but to-thepoint personality. Jim was a humble and private man who loved God, his family, and his farm. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial gathering for Jim will be on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, from 3 to 7:00 p.m. at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. All other services will be private.

you submit it by mail, allow seven days for delivery.

To apply for permanent vote-by-mail status, visit bit.ly/48hFXU9. Voters who enroll in the program will automatically receive a ballot for each election until they choose not to or become ineligible to vote in McHenry County.

In a news release, Rashid, a human rights lawyer, expressed disappointment in Foster’s declining invitations to appear in debates and candidate forums in advance of the primary.

Rashid reported, however, that Foster’s campaign confirmed the incumbent’s intent to participate in future debates.

Rashid said Foster had not responded to invitations for three in-person debates and a virtual debate on Jan. 31 with the Naperville League of Women Voters.

Foster, a scientist, is seeking an eighth two-year term in the U.S. House. Rashid was formerly a congressional candidate in Virginia.

The 11th District includes all of Woodstock.

Congressional challenger asks to debate incumbent Qasim Rashid, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 11th District, has challenged incumbent Democrat Bill Foster to debate before the March 19 primary election.

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Fiona Morris, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, is the daughter of John and Anne-Marie Morris, Cary.

She was nominated by her guidance counselor who wrote, ”Fiona has the unique talent to be serious, silly, responsible, and focused at the same time.”

In the top 10 percent of her class, Fiona has Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar recognition, and is on the Principal’s List. She is the president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Student Council and Mental Health Club, and a member of Model United Nations, GAVEL, Friends of Rachel, Campus Ministry, Mentor Program,Yearbook Club, Key Club, and the Spanish Honor Society.

In the community, Fiona is a member of the McHenry County Peer Jury, and she volunteers at the Family Health Partnership Clinic and Saints Peter and Paul Parish.

She said she is inspired by “people who are intrinsically motivated to serve others as their actions not only improve the lives of those around them, but also create a positive effect on their community.”

Fiona feels she is successful because her family and teachers constantly encourage her to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and adapt to new opportunities in order to reach her full potential.

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Keeping all informed

Woodstock Police officers investigate at the scene where a vehicle jumped the curb in the 100 block of Cass Street and damaged the front of the Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate building. No one was injured in the Christmas Eve crash.

n Map of full Route 47 project

survival tips.

Weekly drop-in Zoom meetings will be scheduled during construction for business owners to communicate with Engineering/Public Works, Economic Development staff, and contractors.

“The Woodstock Independent is my go-to source of information. I live here and own a business here, why would I look anywhere else for my local news?”

-Arlene Lynes

Owner, Read Between the Lynes

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NEWS

PHOTO FOR THE INDEPENDENT BY MICHAEL MURRAY

Jan. 3-9 2024

City officials have prepared a preliminary project action plan, which was shared recently with the City Council. Several city departments will be involved in the plan.

Economic Development will coordinate content for e-blasts and a project webpage to provide key information about construction.

Marketing will promote the project website and opportunity to sign up for construction notifications. Marketing also will develop a project brand “to create public awareness on construction news/closures/outages, focusing on setting a positive tone as a community opportunity,” the plan says.

Building and Zoning staff will meet with property/business owners “as needed to discuss impacts to parking, signage, setbacks, entrances, etc.” They also will communicate policies for temporary signage.

Economic Development will identify and promote resources available to businesses affected by construction. Before construction begins, the staff will host in-person meetings “by business cluster” to update business owners on project status and share

OPINION

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

6

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

Getting there from here

Businesses along Route 47 in Woodstock will be encouraged see the pending rebuilding of the state highway “as an opportunity to grow and reinvest in façades, signage, parking areas, sidewalk connections, landscaping, etc.”

That’s according to an action plan put together by city officials as the Illinois Department of Transportation makes final preparations before beginning the construction, expected to start by mid-year.

Motorists might also see the detours they are sure to encounter as an opportunity to see parts of Woodstock they don’t normally visit.

OK, we’re kidding – a little.

The $58+ million project promises to be a disruption for just about everyone as the highway is widened and improved for 2 miles from U.S. 14 to Route 120, the first of two phases that eventually will extend the project an additional 3 miles to Charles Road.

Drivers – and pedestrians, for that matter – are sure to be inconvenienced by the state’s ripping up of the current road to be replaced by a wider, safer, landscaped, and better lighted

route through the city.

Anticipating the need for alternative routes in and out of Woodstock during the rebuild, the city rebuilt Dean Street in 2022 as a way for traffic to get around the construction workers and heavy equipment. It’s a bit out of the way for outgoing and incoming drivers to avoid Lake Avenue, where a traffic roundabout will be built at Route 47, one of three circular intersections that are part of the project.

“It is possible detours will be necessary during roundabout construction,” the state warns on its website. “One lane in each direction and temporary access to all commercial and residential land uses will be maintained during construction.”

That’s good news.

As inconvenient as that will be for motorists, it poses something of a threat to dozens of businesses that depend on the highway to deliver its customers. The city is trying to mitigate the potential harm that could be done to commerce.

According to the city’s Route 47 Expansion Project Action Plan, several avenues are being explored to

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

A roundabout planned at Route 47 and McConnell Road has closed this former body shop as well as a car wash. help businesses survive the disruption, which is expected to cover construction seasons in 2024 and 2025.

While the Marketing Department will be responsible for creating public awareness on construction news/closures/outages, “focusing on setting a positive tone as a community opportunity,” specific steps will be designed for businesses.

Before work begins, the city staff plans in-person meetings to update business owners on project status and share survival tips.

Discussions will involve construction impacts on parking, signage, setbacks, and entrances, among other issues. Weekly Zoom meetings will allow business owners to connect with

Engineering/Public Works and Economic Development staff, along with contractors doing the work.

Economic Development will promote resources available to businesses affected by the project.

According to the plan, the Illinois Small Business Development Center will be available to create business plans and facilitate support with Small Business Administration funding.

The Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry will assist businesses, and local banks will be encouraged to identify tools to support affected merchants.

No, it won’t be easy.

But when the project is completed, it will be worth it.

Riverwoods would cause environmental disruption I write to voice my opposition to the Lennar-Riverwoods 320-unit high-density proposed development.

I would be opposed to this ill-advised development even if I didn’t live in the immediate area.

The Natural Inventory Report by McHenry County Soil and Water lays out more environmental concerns than I can possibly include here, and is recommended reading.

I applaud the Woodstock Plan Commission for recommending against all three measures presented for votes.

Among the many speakers at the meeting was Dave Brandt, a retired soil scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, who worked at the Woodstock office for 26 years. Mr. Brandt provided his expert opinion simply as a concerned citizen – concerned about the impact of the unsuitable soil and water on the area where the development would be placed. He addressed three reasons

why he was shocked by what he found and why from an environmental perspective the development is “beyond problematic.”

First, Mr. Brandt Leslie testified about Kvistad aquifer sensitivGuest Column ity. He explained that nearly all of the acreage has a high potential for shallow-aquifer contamination. He testified that if 246 basements were built on this land, this would provide 246 new permanent pathways to directly pollute our groundwater. And this contamination would surely make its way to area wells if basements were allowed – as the developer acknowledged that it insists upon because of market demands.

Mr. Brandt next pointed out that 41.8

acres is on a sensitive aquifer recharge area. This consists of the area along Lucas Road that the developer seeks to annex into Woodstock and then rezone from farmland into R3. The developer would place high-density duplex units on much of this sensitive aquifer. On our sensitive aquifers, the pollution potential starts at soil SURFACE. He told us that this increases the potential for contamination of area wells and our water supply. Then Mr. Brandt explained that the danger to our sensitive aquifer was compounded because of the highly permeable soils on more than half the acreage. Brandt summarized: “I would suggest that the potential for permanent groundwater contamination on this site should be scaring you, now.”

Yet Lennar waved off the warnings in the NRI Report and the expert’s decades spent working in McHenry County for the protection of our soil and water. Lennar claimed that the

dire warnings were mere “speculative concerns.” But the NRI Report is required by law and amounted to far more than speculation. The developer claimed that it had done its own due diligence. When the developer’s attorney asked its own expert whether there was a risk to contamination of area wells, the individual paused – and finally stated, “Not … to the best of my knowledge.” The response was not exactly reassuring. (Lennar admitted that it would not offer to pay nearby owners if and when their wells go dry or become contaminated.)

Consider the words of Lennar’s attorney. During the meeting, the developer was questioned whether the decision to install basements in the 246 homes was because Lennar was “in it to make money.” To this, the developer’s attorney bellowed: “Of course they’re in it to make money.”

Continued on Next page

Well, that’s the American way.

Consider what would happen to those who purchase a house on such environmentally challenged soil. Lennar requests a waiver of the standard implied warranty of habitability. And once the unsuspecting buyer agrees to the Lennar Limited Warranty, they – along with all future owners – are barred from bringing any claim other than those allowed by the original warranty. Even worse – using the words from Lennar’s website – potential buyers must “give up your right to go to court to assert or defend your rights.” In its place, Lennar insists on costly binding arbitration of all disputes.

Taking a step back, the developer has the right to retain the

current zoning and develop the original parcels with access off Doty Road. But Lennar gets into environmental trouble when it asks the city to annex the parcel abutting Lucas Road, where they seek to place 76 duplexes.

Woodstock deserves high-quality growth. But not with the dangers forecast by the expert testimony and the NRI Report.

We plead for careful consideration of the environmental disruption that this development presents to current area residents and future Lennar homebuyers.

Leslie Kvistad is a resident of Woodstock since 2008 and resides on small horse farm. She is committed to giving back to the environment and has dedicated much of her land to prairie plant pollinator gardens.

2024-25 classes in District 200, a Wednesday.

Sept. 2 – Labor Day, a Monday, of course. Any excuse for a picnic.

Sept. 22 – First official day of autumn, a Sunday. Did we mention a picnic? Food tastes better outside.

Oct. 30 – Because it’s the fifth Wednesday of October, subscribers get a fifth edition of The Independent for the month. To subscribe, just visit thewoodstockindependent.com/ subscriptions/ Oct. 31 – Halloween, a Thursday.

Boo! It will probably snow.

Nov. 3 – Daylight-saving time ends, a Sunday, plunging us into darkness.

Two days before the presidential election. Coincidence?

Nov. 5 – Election Day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, so you have 11 months from now to convince your friends and family that this is an election they don’t want to miss.

Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving, a Thursday, of course. But a late-in-themonth Thursday. Cuts the Christmas shopping window by five days, compared to 2023. Shop early. Shop local.

Dec. 21 – First official day of winter, a Saturday. Time to hibernate.

Dec. 25 – Christmas, a Wednesday.

After a high temperature of 57 on Christmas Day 2023, will we see 60s in December this year?

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve, a Wednesday. Your last day to accomplish your New Year’s resolutions. Or renew them for 2025. It’s all good!

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent. His email is larry@thewoodstockindependent.com.

» YOUR VIEW

As the new year begins, something to think about

As the new year begins, let us give thanks for the joy of living, for health, for family and friends, and for the countless opportunities we have for enriching our lives.

As the new year begins, let us wish for every person’s happiness and envy none.

As the new year begins, let us give thanks to those individuals who labor for peace and justice in the world and who care for our planet Earth and its environment.

As the new year begins, let us hope that the leaders of the nations of the world will have the wisdom and courage to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Hamas War. Bruce Weiss Woodstock

Subscription rates/year $75 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $77 in McHenry County. $82 for snowbirds and $90 outside McHenry County.

Corrections

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

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EDITOR

Larry Lough

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OPINION

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best friend might prank you – so beware.

May 21 – Last day of 2023-24 classes in Woodstock School District 200 – and only a half day!

(Unless we get a lot of snow and cold Larry this winter, requir- Lough ing use of “emergency days” start- Declarations ing on May 22.)

May 27 – Memorial Day, a Monday (of course). Enjoy the three-day weekend. May we suggest a picnic in one of Woodstock’s fine parks (weather permitting)?

May 29 – Because it’s the fifth Wednesday of May, subscribers get a fifth edition of The Independent this month. Don’t subscribe? Call 815338-8040. We can fix you up.

June 20 – First official day of summer, a Thursday. It’s about time.

July 4 – Fireworks in Emricson Park, a volunteer effort with assistance from firefighters, police officers, and Public Works crews. Donate at the gate to support the show.

July 30 – First day of the McHenry County Fair, running through Aug. 4.

Special musical act is baby-boomer favorite 38 Special. Tickets are already on sale. Visit mchenrycountyfair.com for more info.

July 31 – Because it’s the fifth Wednesday of July, subscribers get a fifth edition of The Independent for the month. Be a subscriber. (You probably already are. Thank you.)

Aug. 14 – First day of school year

671 E. Calhoun St. • Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 www.thewoodstockindependent.com

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Jan. 3-9 2024

This will be a special year when we experience the thrill of Olympic victory and the agony of a presidential election campaign.

We offer important dates to remember. Get your planner out.

Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day; OK, we’re a couple of days late. But it’s never too late to make those self-improvements resolutions – for other people, if necessary.

Jan. 31 – Because it’s the fifth Wednesday of January, subscribers get a fifth edition of The Independent for this month, one of four months in 2024 with five Wednesdays. Nonsubscribers get only one issue.

Feb. 2 – Groundhog Day, a Friday, so Woodstock’s special multi-day festival should have huge weekend crowds to celebrate our town’s starring role in “Groundhog Day.” Hope for good (enough) weather, with clouds for the prognostication.

Feb. 29 – Leap Day, a bonus day.

Why couldn’t we get an extra day in June? A Thursday this year, so go ahead and start your weekend early.

March 10 – Daylight-saving time returns, a Sunday. Hallelujah!

March 19 – Primary Election Day, a Tuesday, so you now have 11 weeks to convince yourself to vote when your ballot has almost no contests for you to decide. Arrange to vote by mail to avoid a trip to the polls.

March 19 – Not only is it Primary Election Day, it’s also the first official day of spring – but not until 10:06 p.m., long after the polls close.

April 1 – April Fools’ Day, a Monday, no less. Trust no one on this day – about anything. Maybe you shouldn’t get out of bed. Even your

Woodstock

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Happy New (Leap) Year 2024!

The

I NDEPENDENT

Schools

Woodstock High School teacher Jason Huber helps students (from left) Liam Hanson, Hunter Vassar, and Peter Muschong prepare for a presentation on making Woodstock more pedestrian friendly for their Project Lead the Way class.

SCHOOLS

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

8

D200 PHOTOS

‘Real world projects’

WHS students tackle solar energy, pedestrian issues as engineering challenges

By Kevin Lyons DISRICT 200

For their semester final, Woodstock High School Project Lead the Way students presented their big ideas to a panel of government leaders – proposals to power Woodstock’s wastewater treatment plant with solar energy and to make Woodstock a more walkable city.

State Sen. Craig Wilcox, state Rep. Steve Reick, and Woodstock City Manager Roscoe Stelford were among the panelists in the Learning Resource Center on Dec. 20, the last day of classes before winter break.

“I am incredibly proud of the students’ achievements and the opportunities they’ve had to collaborate with the community, especially the city of Woodstock,” project teacher Jason Huber said. “They’re thrilled that these real-world projects not only impact the community but also help students develop transportable skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and professional communication.”

Students worked on their proposals all semester and will continue researching and fine-tuning their

Woodstock High Scho ol Kierstin Carey, Jamahl students (from left) Natalie Morrow, Mu sentation to city and sta mford, and Ashtin White make a preenergy to power a Wo te leaders on Dec. 20 about using solar odstock wastewater plant. engineering, design, and development before presenting them to the City Council in the spring.

Panelists asked the students several questions they are likely to encounter – some of which they were able to answer and some that

will require more research.

The walkability project team is made up of Liam Hanson, Hunter Vassar, Peter Muschong, and Lucas Rubio.They focused mainly on accessibility to businesses and recreation areas and noted that

Woodstock has a “walk score” of 29 out of 100.

The team researched the cost of sidewalks and crosswalks and examined other towns with greater walkability The benefits could include better health for residents, less pollution, and economic benefits of creating better access to businesses.

Kierstin Carey, Jamahl Mumford, Natalie Morrow, and Ashtin White make up the solar panel team. Of the city’s four wastewater treatment plants, they chose the plant at 1965 Tappan St. for their project, which they said is the highest energy consumer.

“This initiative aims to counter the escalating costs of electricity in anticipation of the 2035 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” Huber said.

Team members said they hope to reduce electricity costs by 90 percent while lowering CO2 emissions.

During their research, they studied facilities in Montgomery, Mason City, Iowa, and Carmel, Ind. Kevin Lyons is communications director for Woodstock School District 200.

A&E

9 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Jan. 3-9, 2024

PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Shows will go on

Renovations delayed, will not make original March completion date

By Eileen Millard

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Renovations for the Woodstock Opera House will start later than originally planned, according to Opera House Director Daniel Campbell.

In a Dec. 20 voicemail to The Woodstock Independent, Campbell reported construction will begin before mid-March 2024 with hopes to be done by this coming spring/summer.

The original schedule was to get the architectural engineer and general contractors lined up in fall of 2023 and to have the majority of the work done between January and March 2024.

Campbell said that at a meeting with project architects during the week of Dec. 15, questions were raised by city staff that need to be answered before work can begin.

“The whole project got pushed back a little bit with the hiring of architects and the DLR concept design study, …” Campbell said, “so we are not going to be close to the January, February, March [time frame].

“We asked a lot of questions and gave a lot of information to them, and we’re hoping to get answers from them with their next visit, which is scheduled in early January.”

Performances had originally been halted for early 2024, but in light of the delay in the renovation, events have been added back to the Opera House schedule, starting on Jan. 13 and running through June 30. No one was immediately available at the Opera House or City Hall to answer specific questions about renovation work possibly coinciding with the newly added performances.

Grant spending deadline

Any work defined as being funded by a recent $2.96 million state grant has to be completed by the end of calendar year 2024.

The state grant was part of $106 million the state is spending in the Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program, part of capital project funding through Rebuild Illinois.

That state grant will be matched locally by about $1.6 million from the city to proceed with

the renovation. Although the projects were already part of the city’s 10-year Capital Improvements Program, officials said the grant would allow the work to be completed sooner.

The renovation and remodeling list includes: • Exterior masonry and tuckpointing • Window restoration • LED upgrades for stage lights • Video wall (already installed) • South annex/backstage renovations with a third story addition • Repair/replace auditorium seating • Stage Left Café remodeling • Community Room remodel • Main entry door repair • Overall electrical upgrades for the building • Structural work for auditorium stage floor • Enhanced exterior building lighting • Theater technical upgrades (lighting, stage rigging, sound) • Project design and construction fees (architectural, engineering, project oversight, liability insurance)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Completion date for Woodstock Opera House renovations was recently moved back from March 2024 to a spring/ summer target date.

BUSINESS

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

10

Business

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Dec. 12 to 19 .

■ Residence at 2317 Linden Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Lisle, to Ashley M. Rose, Woodstock, for $130,000.

■ Residence at 873 Pleasant St., Woodstock, was sold by Gina M. Marquardt, Johnsburg, to Britney M. Moore, Woodstock, for $265,000.

■ Vacant land, approximately 40 acres, at Hartland Roads and Illinois Route 14, Hartland, was sold by Lechner Family LLC, Woodstock, to McHenry County Conservation Foundation, Richmond, for $228,365.

■ Residence at 8545 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Tiffany A. Wahlers, Wonder Lake, for $226,990.

■ Residence at 1014 Clay St., Woodstock, was sold by Michael McMahon, Woodstock, to Daniel J. Bilodeau, Woodstock, for $187,500.

■ Residence at 649 Schumann St., Woodstock, was sold by The Dorothy Mueller Revocable Trust, Woodstock, to Walter J. Martino, Woodstock, for $263,000.

■ Residence at 17615 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, was sold by Justin M. Puckett, Woodstock, to Adam O’Leary, Woodstock, for $525,000.

■ Residence at 561 Blue Bonnet Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Paul W. Luhn, Crystal Lake, to Samantha Moore, Woodstock, for $345,000.

■ Residence at 8421 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Mohamed M. Njoya Alyanyinyi, Wonder Lake, for $319,900.

■ Residence at 631 Silver Creek Road, Unit 5b, Woodstock, was sold by Margaret A. White, Woodstock, to Thomas A. Jensen, Woodstock, for $185,000.

LOVE WHERE YOU GIVE. Kim Keefe REALTOR® 815.790.4852 (call or text) LoveWhereYouLive.World

111 West South Street, Woodstock, IL 60098 Team Open Doors is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

A staffer assists residents with their lunches at Highlight Healthcare. The facility has two dining rooms where residents eat, choosing their meals from a menu, based on dietary restrictions.

‘Get them where they need to be’ Highlight Healthcare takes ownership of former Crossroads Care Center

By Susan W. Murray

LARRYS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

A banner trumpeting the name Highlight Healthcare stretches across the front lawn of the nursing home at the intersection of Route 120 and Route 47. A healthcare management company owned and operated by Joseph Tsadok, Highlight operates a senior care facility in Aurora and took over the former Crossroads Care Center on Sept. 1.

The takeover comes with plans to renovate and enhance the facility’s reputation within the local community.

Rafi Nudell is the Woodstock facility’s administrator. He started his career working in the kitchen of a nursing home, eventually moving up to administrative roles in senior facilities, largely north of

Chicago.

“I learned the ins and outs of how to manage a facility,” Nudell said.

More particularly, his seven years in administration have been in places that were “not doing well financially or clinically,” Nudell said. “I step in and get them where they need to be.”

Turning things around

Nudell said Highlight’s acquisition of Crossroads was motivated by the attractiveness of the neighborhood, the needs of the Woodstock community, and the desire to “turn things around.”

“The needs of the community were not being met by the previous operators,” Nudell said candidly.

And therein lies the greatest

challenge, and opportunity, for Highlight Healthcare – to improve the view that the Woodstock community has of the nursing home, Nudell said.

The Woodstock Residence opened in the mid-1950s. Its reputation took a hard hit in December 2011 when a former nurse at the facility pleaded guilty to one count of criminal neglect in exchange for dismissal of charges in five other suspicious deaths. The nurse received a two-year probation sentence.

For about the past 18 years, the nursing home operated as Crossroads Care Center. During that time, its rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – CMS – placed the facility in the below-average category. On Continued on NEXT page

Continued from PREVIOUS page

for conditions ranging from recovery for a broken hip to pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. Services also include long-term nursing,

Around Inde the

Pet Week of

the

World

SAVING JUST ONE PET WON’T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT, SURELY, THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOR THAT ONE PET.

“ Daisy and Dixie”

9-month-old domestic shorthairs Meet sisters Daisy and Dixie! Found on private property in Huntley with their two brothers, the cats were brought to Helping Paws where they have been fixed, microchipped, and vaccinated.

Super sweet and friendly girls, we are hoping they can be adopted together.

Both cats love to play and finding a home that likes to play is a priority.

While unsure about being picked up at first, the girls are now comfortable being handled. They are curious about other animals including cats and dogs.

If you are interested in meeting Daisy and Dixie, call Helping Paws Animal Shelter!

TAKE A PHOTO OF YOU AND YOUR Independent

BE THE NEXT FEATURED READER

Email to Rebecca@thewoodstockindependent.com or bring it to 671 E. Calhoun St.

To see this pet or others or to volunteer to help walk dogs, call the shelter at:

815-338-4400

M/F/SA/SU 12 - 4 PM W 12 - 7PM by appointment only

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AT WORK ON VACATION AT A CONCERT WITH FRIENDS

2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock (Off Rt. 14 at the Lake Shore Dr. traffic light)

Creating Smiles For Generations 666 West Jackson Street, Woodstock IL woodstockdental.com 815-338-1138

BUSINESS

Highlight Healthcare offers rehabilitation services for both short- and long-term residents.

At any one time, said Director of Rehab Elda Rivera, 12 to 15 residents are undergoing rehab

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Miguel Montoya works on the walls of the dialysis room at Highlight Healthcare. The renovation marks a return to providing in-house dialysis services for the facility. “We have all the bones,” administrator Rafi Nudell said. When it’s completed, eight patients will be able to receive treatment at any given time.

“We plan on being a lot more in the public eye,” Nudell said.

He noted that the community has been involved with the facility through longstanding relationships with local churches, such as St. Mary, whose priests offer Mass at the facility once a week and whose parishioners provide a Christmas gift for each resident every year.

Highlight has established a Facebook page and an Instagram account and will hold staffing fairs in the future to recruit employees, Nudell said.

“Many of our employees come from the community,” Nudell said.

The longest serving staff member has been at the facility for 22 years, and he estimated that most have worked there for six to 10 years.

“We’re trying to involve ourselves back in the community,” Nudell said.

Jan. 3-9, 2024

Long-term investment

Engaging the community

11 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

a five-point scale, the facility earned two stars each for the quality of resident care and staffing, and one star for health inspections.

But in CMS’s most recent ratings, Highlight Healthcare in Woodstock earned five stars for the quality of resident care. The ranking measures facilities’ care of short- and longterm residents on a broad range of categories, including the number of rehospitalizations, the change in residents’ ability to move around on their own, whether residents maintain a healthy weight, and any new needs for antianxiety medications.

In the areas of staffing and health inspections, Nudell said, Highlight has raised the level of staffing, now employing 60 people to serve its 72 residents. And the facility’s most recent health inspections have not resulted in citations for infractions, he reported.

He cautioned that the ratings posted on medicare.gov reflect a three-year cycle of inspections, so “the public may not see [higher rankings] reflected on the website.”

Highlight’s highest priority, Nudell said, “is to show the community the quality of care we give in an open and warm environment.”

memory care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, and wound care.

As part of an investment of between $300,000 and $400,000, Highlight will soon have an in-house wound care clinic and is restoring in-house dialysis services with eight chairs scheduled to open in March.

The roof having already been replaced, future remodeling plans include redoing the front entrance and renovating the kitchen and each of the property’s four wings, beginning with the hallway that leads to the new dialysis room.

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

12

Community

Conservation foundation adds to Hartland Twp. protected property Purchase of 40 acres adjacent to Brookdale gets grant funding Staff Report

BUSINESS

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

More than 1,875 acres of contiguous land in Hartland Township is now permanently protected from development.

The McHenry County Conservation Foundation announced last week it had bought 40 acres of land west of Hartland Road and east of Deep Cut Road. The property is next to the McHenry County Conservation District’s Brookdale Conservation Area, previously purchased land, and neighboring conservation easements.

According to a news release, the acquisition was partially funded by a $197,904 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, as well as donor support. Included are funds for restoration efforts over the next two years.

In 2026, the property will be transferred to the conservation district for long-term stewardship and management.

“The foundation is thrilled to strategically support McHenry County Conservation District’s goal of protecting key natural areas,” Shawna Flavell, executive director of the foundation, said in the release. “The foundation’s work to raise funds in support of public lands and partnership with the conservation district ensures the long-term protection of open space that we depend on to enhance the quality of life for all McHenry County residents.”

Important habitat

The property includes relic white-oak dominated woodlands, kettles and kames, basin marshes, and 14 acres of wetlands, the

release said. The property supports numerous amphibian species, as well as habitat for threatened or endangered bird species, such as the least bittern, common gallinule, and yellow-headed blackbird.

The wetlands are also a part of a larger wetland complex that’s considered an important recharge area for the county’s groundwater resources, and supplies flood storage capacity of both the Nippersink and the Kishwaukee River watersheds. Additionally, the wetlands are recognized as significant by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as advanced identification wetlands and are listed on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.

S ENT PHOTO INDEPEND

RVER

BY KEN FA

s g 1,875 acre e protectin b ill w t ic tr . ervation Dis d is transferred 2026 n ounty Cons McHenry C wnship when new la To in Hartland

The Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring McHenry County’s public open spaces,

natural resources, water, and wildlife are preserved and restored to benefit the way of life and that of future generations.

13

Coffee With the Chief Jan. 8 will host recreation director

Dave Zinnen, director of Woodstock’s Recreation Department, will speak about year-round recreation offerings during the monthly Coffee With the Chief program at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at the Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave. Chief John Lieb at welcomes the public to the 90-minute meeting for coffee, conversation, and the program.

For more information, call Beckie Cox at 815-338-6787.

Bus fares for McRide increased on Jan. 1

MCRide fare prices for McHenry County and Pace Suburban Bus were increased, effective Jan. 1.

The base fare adjustment increased from $1.50 to $2 a trip for seniors and people with a disabilities, and from $3 to $4 for all other riders. A 25-cent-a-mile charge is also assessed after the first 5 miles. The last fare adjustment for MCRide took place Jan. 1, 2019.

MCRide, which has provided more than 1 million trips since it began in 2012 inception, will continue service from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week.

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT On Newsstands now!

In Woodstock: Isabel’s Restaurant 1110 N. Seminary Ave.

Woodstock Shell 110 N. Eastwood Dr.

Country Cupboard 123 E. South St.

Woodstock Food Mart 1013 N. Seminary Ave.

Expressly Leslie 100 S. Johnson St.

Casting Whimsy 203 N. Madison St.

Kristensen’s Service 230 Washington St.

Read Between the Lynes Walgreen’s

111 E. Van Buren St.

305 S. Eastwood Dr.

Woodstock Food & Liquor 501 Washington St.

Madison Shell 315 N. Madison St

Jewel-Osco 145 S. Eastwood Dr.

COMMUNITY

The

TEA TIME

Jan. 3-9, 2024

Loans up to $7,500 to pay a senior’s property tax bill are available through the state’s Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for qualified senior citizens.

Applicants for 2024 can access the loan at a simple interest rate of 3 percent, down from the previous rate of 6 percent. Interested McHenry County seniors can contact the county treasurer to apply for the program at treasurer. mchenrycountyil.gov through March 31.

An applicant must be at least 65 years old by June 1 and have a total household income less than $65,000.

Eligible seniors must live on the property or other qualifying property for the past two years; have equity in the property and no unpaid property taxes or foreclosures; and have fire and casualty insurance.

A lien for the deferred amount will be filed on the qualifying property and may be repaid upon the sale or transfer of the property, or within one year of the property owner’s death.

For more information, visit the treasurer’s website or call 815-334-4260.

Seniors also may take advantage of multiple exemptions available to ease a property-tax burden. To learn more,

contact the county Assessments Office at 815-334-4290 or email assessments@mchenrycountyil.gov.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF Programs to help seniors pay their property taxes

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Snacks look great for a tea party Friday at Casting Whimsy in Woodstock. The tea shop at 203 N. Madison St. has a January schedule of afternoon teas that offer entrés as well as scones and tarts.

SUBSCRIBING made easy

n a c S e: her

And in Wonder Lake: Village Market 3410 Thompson Rd.

or call Rebecca at 815-338-8040

Jan. 3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

14

Happenings

calendar 4 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

COMMUNITY

6 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

McHenry County Fairgrounds 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 10 a.m.

Kishwaukee Trail Chapter DAR 815-245-6944

8 MONDAY

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m.

815-338-6787

9 TUESDAY

DISTRICT 200 BOARD OF EDUCATION Woodstock High School 501 W. South St. 7 p.m. woodstockschools.org

11 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

19 FRIDAY

WINTER NIGHT’S FUN AT HENNEN CONSERVATION AREA

12 FRIDAY

4622 Dean St. 6 to 8 p.m.

Free, register at conservemc.org

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m.

To sign up, email: keith@offsquaremusic.org woodstockoperahouse.com

20 SATURDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT

13 SATURDAY

MARRAKESH EXPRESS Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m. $30 A seats, $25 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

16 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL Council Chambers, City Hall 121 W. Calhoun St. 7 p.m. woodstockil.gov

17 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

18 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

McHenry County Fairgrounds 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

21 SUNDAY

AVALON STRING QUARTET Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 3 p.m. $25 A seats, $20 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

23 TUESDAY

DISTRICT 200 BOARD OF EDUCATION Woodstock High School 501 W. South St. 7 p.m. woodstockschools.org

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2900 Raffel Road 7 p.m.

25 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

27 SATURDAY

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 1 and 4 p.m. $7 woodstockoperahouse.com

28 SUNDAY

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

209 Main St. 7 p.m. $9 adults, $7 children and seniors

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

2 FRIDAY

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 1 and 4 p.m. $7 woodstockoperahouse.com

GROUNDHOG DAYS PROGNOSTICATION

FOREST BATHING WALK AT HENNEN CONSERVATION AREA

DRINK TO WORLD PEACE

4622 Dean St. 1 to 2:30 p.m. $25 per person Register at conservemc.org

FEBRUARY

1 THURSDAY

GROUNDHOG STORYTIME

Courthouse Center on the Square 101 N. Johnson St. 5:15 p.m.

WELCOMING OF THE GROUNDHOG

Courthouse Center on the Square 101 N. Johnson St. 6 p.m.

GROUNDHOG TRIVIA

Courthouse Center on the Square 101 N. Johnson St. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ THE MOVIE Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre

Resurrection Catholic Church

Woodstock Square 7 to 7:30 a.m.

Public House of Woodstock 101 N. Johnson St. 7:30 a.m.

OFFICIAL GROUNDHOG DAYS BREAKFAST Woodstock Moose Lodge 406 Clay St. 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. $20

WALKING TOUR OF FILMING SITES Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren 10 a.m.

‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ THE MOVIE

Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre 209 Main St. Noon and 7 p.m. $7

‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ THE MOVIE MEMORABILIA & MEMORIES Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 3 p.m.

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

We welcome all to join Woodstock, us at our Mass times: Saturday at 5:00 & Sunday at 8:00 10:30 a.m.

The Sunday a.m.9:30 Mass is mass livestreamed We welcome all top.m. join us at our Mass times:a.m.

Sat.and 5 p.m. & Sun. 9:30 a.m.

The8:00 Sunday a.m. is livestreamed.

2918 South Country Club Road, IL 60098

We, the members of the Resurrection Catholic Church, are a prayerful, loving community formed by the Holy Spirit, striving to be a sign of the Gospel values of Jesus Christ: justice, truth and love.

FLASHBACKS

15

■ A special census recorded Woodstock’s population had increased by 1,400 residents. The new population total was 13,123.

■ Cindy Romano, owner of Photographs by Romano, welcomed the public to her photography studio’s grand opening.

30 years ago – 1994

5 years ago – 2019

■ A record-setting 13.3 inches of snow fell on Woodstock in a 24-hour period – the largest snowfall in 30 years.

■ Marian student Kristen Kelly attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. ■ The Adult & Child Rehab Center honored Jeanie Tenhoopen as outstanding board member, Dean Paulcheck as volunteer of the year, and Valorie Campbell as employee of the year.

20 years ago – 2004

15 years ago – 2009

■ In her monthly column, “Check it Out,” Jane Collins, a librarian at Woodstock Public Library, encouraged residents to make a resolution to learn computer skills by registering for a class at the library.

■ With state reimbursement to District 200 delayed, possibly permanently, and local revenues dropping, Superintendent Ellyn Wrzeski announced a series of spending cuts. The immediate cuts included

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

JAN. 19, 1994 – Neither wind nor brrrr…. Woodstock postal worker Bob Fosse peeps over his scarf as he walks his rounds Jan. 15, 1994. Most people got to stay inside, but postal workers had to bundle up and brace themselves against the bitter cold temperatures, which froze at 2 degrees below zero. A second wave of arctic air closed schools. Actual temperatures dropped to more than 20 degrees below zero, with wind chills of more than 60 degrees below zero. a freeze on travel expenditures and most staff-development expenses; the postponing of planned technology and textbook purchases; and elimination of overtime without prior approval.

■ The WHS Athletic Hall of Fame announced its newest inductees: Doug Smith, WHS athletic director in 1989-2003; Zach Digney, a 2000 graduate and track-and-field standout;

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Tony Magdaleno, a cross-country runner during 1971-1975; Lynn Brown, a 1960 grad who starred in football, track and field, baseball, and basketball; and the 1967 varsity swim team – 13 swimmers coached by Bob Peters and Jim Patton.

10 years ago – 2014

■ The Independent featured local watercolor artist Donna Jill Witty,

1 year ago – 2023

■ “Unknown circumstances,” the Federal Aviation Administration concluded, were involved in the November 2022 plane crash that took the life of Galt Airport owner Claude Sonday.

His aerobatic aircraft had gone down as it was descending about a quarter mile east of the airport runway.

■ Keith Johnson, longtime manager of the Woodstock Farmers Market, founding and still very active member of Off Square Music, farmer, folksinger, and The Woodstock Independent subscriber, said, “If I could afford only one newspaper, it would be our hometown newspaper, The Woodstock Independent . Local, well-written, and unbiased.”

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The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Call 815-338-8040 today. thewoodstockindependent.com

Join us for worship at 9:30 on Sundays -in person or online!

2018 N Il Route 47 · Woodstock, Illinois · fpcwoodstock.org

services are live-streamed at fpcwoodstock.org/worship

Facebook: fb.com/fpcwoodstock 815-338-2627

COMMUNITY

■ D-200 was in the second stage of rolling out its STEM curriculum at all six district elementary schools after piloting the program at Olson Elementary School in 2018. Students in first through fifth grades were spending two hours a week in STEM instruction and hands-on activities.

■ The Independent featured Woodstock resident Steve McKenzie, who felt called to make friends with street people – first in Chicago where he was commuting daily to work, and also in Woodstock. Once on his journey to tell the stories of people on the street, he began carrying his camera to work and started asking people on the street if he could take their pictures.

He shared the photos on his Instagram page, People_Beautiful_People.

For his work with Chicago’s homeless, he was named a 4 Star Chicagoan.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Ray Reynolds retired as chief financial officer of Woodstock School District 200 after 12½ years of service.

During that time he led the elimination of the district’s $4 million deficit.

■ The Woodstock High School varsity girls basketball team won all five of its games in the Richmond-Burton Christmas Tournament to tie for first place.

Jan. 3-9, 2024

■ A new state law required drivers to turn on their headlights whenever weather conditions required the use of windshield wipers.

■ Marian Central Catholic High School football player Jason Liska set a school rushing record for a sophomore playing on the varsity team with 1,023 yards on 171 carries during the 1993 season.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

whose painting “Florentine Gold” was chosen for the 2013-14 Shenzhen Watercolour Biennial Show in Shenzhen, China. The prestigious juried art show included 237 watercolor paintings – 118 from China and 119 from other countries – chosen from nearly 3,000 entries. Witty and her husband, Don, attended the grand opening of the show.

■ Ellie Thurow, 13, was coordinating Grace Lutheran Church’s Mitten Tree program to provide mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, socks, and underwear for families in need served by Family Health Partnership Clinic. For Ellie, coordinating the Mitten Tree dovetailed well with one of her 4-H projects.

35 years ago – 1988

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

16 •

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THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

SERVICE DIRECTORY

RUBES By Leigh Rubin

HEATHCLIFF By Peter Gallagher

PUZZLE PAGE

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2017

Jan.3-9, 2024

WORD SEARCH

1 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

18

PUZZLE & GAMES

SUDOKU

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.

SOLUTION

BABY

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CHEERS

CONFETTI

JANUARY

MIDNIGHT

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OUR FARM TO TABLE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO.:2023-TX-000131 FILED: 12/04/2023 County of McHenry Date Premises Sold November 01, 2021 Certificate No. 2020-00612 Sold for General Taxes of (year) 2020 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and special assessment number N/A Warrant No. NA Inst. No NA THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES Property located at 1260 E LONGWOOD DR, Woodstock, IL 6009-8 Legal Description or Property Index No. 13-14-102-020 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 June 03, 2024. 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CLOSING THE BUSINESS File #21070 Public Notice is hereby given that on December 18, A.D. 2023, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as NEW CHINA located at 3722 W. ELM ST. MCHENRY, IL 60050 which certificate sets forth the following change: CLOSING THE BUSINESS in the DBA thereof: MEI ZHEN YANG CLOSING BUSINESS NEW CHINA LOCATED AT 2710 ARBOR DR. MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated this 18th day of DECEMBER. A.D., 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11714

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CLOSING THE BUSINESS File #20540 Public Notice is hereby given that on December 18, A.D. 2023, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as GREAT CHINA located at 3722 W. ELM ST. MCHENRY, IL 60050 which certificate sets forth the following change: CLOSING THE

BUSINESS in the DBA thereof: MEI ZHEN YANG CLOSING BUSINESS GREAT CHINA LOCATED AT 2710 ARBOR DR. MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated this 18th day of DECEMBER. A.D., 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11715

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000348 In the Matter of the Estate of DEBRA A. YESTER Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of DEBRA A. YESTER Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 12/4/2023 To Representative: RICHARD L. KNAPP 74 S. MCHENRY AVE. 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 December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11716

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please notice Red Dot Storage 6 Woodstock located at 2105 S. Eastwood Dr, Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following units in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageTreasures. com on 1/15/2024 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and

furnishings. Carolina Aguilar Unit #901; Vanessa McGehee Unit #315; Timothy Whaples Unit #336. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11717

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please notice Red Dot Storage 78 Woodstock located at 740 Washington Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following unit in default for nonpayment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageTreasures. com on 1/15/2024 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Maryann HeldenbrandMarcotte Unit #001; Elizabeth Dixon Unit #253. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11718

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000357 In the Matter of the Estate of IRENE P. KOENIG Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of IRENE P. KOENIG Of: PALOS HEIGHTS, IL Letters of office were issued on: 12/19/2023 To Representative: GREGORY ALAN PRESTIPINO 1670 WICKER ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 FRANK E. PRESTIPINO JR. 451 MENSHING RD. ROSELLE, IL 60172 whose attorney is: MICHLING LAW FIRM 101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 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 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11719

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Foreign Fire Tax Board of the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District will be conducting meetings during the year of 2024.

All meetings will occur in the War Room at Station 1, located at 435 East Judd Street in Woodstock, IL. All meetings will start at 11:00 A.M. Foreign Fire Tax Board Meeting Dates January 8, 2024 March 11, 2024 May 13, 2024 July 15, 2024 September 9, 2024 November 11, 2024 (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 3, 2024) L11720

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 20, 2023, 2023 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 GRACEFUL CLEANING located at 17508 JEFFERSON ST. UNION, IL 60180. Owner Name & Address: GRACE GAJEWSKI 17508 JEFFERSON ST. UNION IL 60180.

Dated: DECEMBER 20, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 3, 2024)L11721

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE TO: MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER, CORNERSTONE PASSION BLDRS LLC, UNKNOWN OWNERS OCCUPANTS PERSONS INTERESTED, CARL P. BORMET FOR CORNERSTONE PASSION BLDRS LLC, COSTABILE, RICHARD M. FOR CORNERSTONEPASSION BUILDERS, LLC, RON DAVIDSON FOR THE SANCTUARY OF BULL VALLEY MASTER OPERATING ASSOCIATION, INC., ILLINOIS CORPORATION SERVICE FOR COMPANYFIRSTSERVICE RESIDENTIAL,

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 June 03, 2024. This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this county in Woodstock, IL on June 10, 2024 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 June 03, 2024 by applying to the County Clerk, McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois, 60098. For further information contact the County Clerk 667 Ware Rd #107, Woodstock, IL 60098. 815-334-4242 Petitioner, INTEGRITY INVESTMENT FUND, LLC, Purchaser or Assignee (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024)L11712

Jan. 3-9, 2024

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CLOSING THE BUSINESS Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 14, A.D. 2023, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as HEAD TO HEART THERAPY located at 950 DONNELLY PLACE MCHENRY, IL 60050 which certificate sets for the the following change: CLOSING THE BUSINESS in the DBA thereof: HEAD TO HEART THERAPY 950 DONNELLY PLACE MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated this 14th day of DECEMBER, A.D., 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 20, 2023, December 27, 2023, January 3, 2024) L11713

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

PUBLIC NOTICES

19

SPORTS

Jan.3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

20

Sports

NN SCOREBOARD NN BOYS BASKETBALL ■ Dec. 19 - Marian (2-9) fell to Warren Township (11-1) 90-36.

■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock (9-2) defeated Genoa-Kingston (5-8) 58-41.

■ Dec. 23 - Woodstock North (4-6) fell to McHenry (8-4) 78-55.

■ Dec. 23 - Marian (2-10) fell to Waubonsie Valley (10-0) 73-35.

BOYS WRESTLING ■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock fell to Wheaton Academy 47-30.

■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock fell to Classic Academy 40-27.

■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock defeated Northridge Prep 54-28.

■ Dec. 22 - Woodstock fell to Montini 47-28.

■ Dec. 22 - Woodstock defeated Proviso East 63-15.

GIRLS BOWLING ■ Dec. 18 - Woodstock (6-3) defeated Huntley 2,680-2,542.

■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock (7-3) defeated Marengo 2,684-2,600. Junior Torin Deacon rolled a 558 series. Sophomore Ava Caldwell rolled a 549 series.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Braelan Creighton of WNHS

BOYS BOWLING ■ Dec. 18 - Woodstock (6-9) fell to Huntley 3,749-3,209.

■ Dec. 20 - Woodstock (7-9) defeated Marengo 3,381-3,304. Junior William Reese had a 625 series with a 236 game two.

This space available for a SCOREBOARD SPONSOR Contact Jill 815-701-9258

Jill@thewoodstock independent.com

COLLEGE REPORT

Make room for No. 4

Former Hurricanes Paglialong, Thiergood rack up fourth bowl win Christmas came early for Thor Paglialong and Jayden Thiergood, a pair of Marian Central Catholic graduates and U.S. Air Force Academy football players.

It came early last year, too.

In the 2023 case, it came only two days early as the pair picked up yet another NCAA Division I-Football Championship Series Bowl Ring by beating James Madison Dan Chamness University 31-21 The College in the Lockheed Report Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

The JMU Dukes entered the contest as the 24th-ranked team among the NCAA Division I-FBS Teams. It was the Duke’s first-ever bowl appearance.

Nearly 31,000 people packed into Amon G. Carter Stadium, the home field of Texas Christian University, to witness the game. Paglialong, a Woodstock resident, started at center and helped the Falcons post 396 yards of offense, 351 of which came on the ground and 45 yards passing. They had 18 first downs, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for another.

On the defensive side of the ball, Thiergood, a Chicago resident, had one assisted tackle. The starting defensive lineman was in on a tackle for one yard of loss.

“It has been a long hard ride, but putting one more ring on my finger will be a rewarding feeling,” Thiergood said. “It had been almost a month since we suited up together, and it is with a little sadness as we headed into the game that this would be the last time we will be together on the gridiron. I went into the game just wanting to do my job. I wanted to do my part to assist the defense and stop them from scoring.”

The win gives Paglialong and Thiergood and every other Air Force gridiron Falcon their fourth bowl ring since 2019.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Thor Paglialong prepares to snap the ball to U.S. Air Force Academy QB Zac Larrier Dec. 23 during the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

The Falcons finished the year with a 9-4 mark. They were 5-4 in the Mountain West Conference and finished behind three teams. It was the second year in a row they have won the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

In 2022, three days before Christmas, they dumped Baylor University 30-15.

JMU lost only twice this year, the other loss coming against the Appalachian State University Mountaineers.

See COLLEGE REPORT, Page 21

Paglialong sports his first three Division I-Football Championship Series Bowl rings before adding a fourth a week ago.

Continued from Page 20

NN SCOREBOARD NN

An 11-2 mark overall included a 7-1 record in the Sun Belt Conference.

“The bowl win meant a great deal to me and the rest of the team,” Paglialong said. “We did not finish the regular season the way we wanted, and getting that win was important to us. Playing JMU was a challenge that we wanted. We want the opportunity to play good teams, and we were given that opportunity.”

SPORTS

Jayden Thiergood in action for Air Force last season.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

Jan. 3-9, 2024

Get me some names. We will start catching up with the other athletes next week. There are only two rules to be included in this column.

The athlete needs to be involved in intercollegiate athletics, meaning the chosen college/ university competes against other schools. In addition, the athlete must be from a town covered by the Woodstock Independent or a graduate of Woodstock, Woodstock North, or Marian Central Catholic.

I will need the name of the athlete, the former high school or town of residence, the college/university attended, and of course, the sport involved. When emailing me at Dan62801@aol.com, please put “Woodstock Independent” in the subject line of the e-mail.

I want to close by wishing everyone a very belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

21 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COLLEGE

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

Marian junior Abbey Miner moves the ball Dec. 21 in the championship game of the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic tournament.

The Lady ’Canes won 56-54.

This year, advertise in IT’S A NEW YEAR TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS! Call Jill Flores today at 815-701-9258 or jill@thewoodstockindependent.com

One goal at a time

SPORTS

Jan.3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

22

Blue Streaks girls basketball sets sights on conference title

By Juel Mecklenberg

NESS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

In a positive turn from the past several seasons, the Woodstock girls basketball team is currently standing at .571 halfway through the season.

This time last year the Streaks were 1-9. This year, the girls are 8-6. Currently 5-0 in the Kishwaukee River Conference, the Streaks are looking to take the conference.

“We are always looking to win conference,” head coach Jay Fuller said.

The Streaks beat defending conference champs Marengo earlier in the season, an indication that a conference victory is within reach.

Full court attack

Taking a different approach to their playing style this year, the Streaks have been full-court pressing the whole game. On offense, players are looking for the first open shot, running the court, and – most important – having fun.

“All the girls have been buying in,”

Fuller said. “They are playing hard and moving, and they don’t let one play affect them. We’ve learned to keep going.”

Fuller described senior captains Natalie Morrow and Allison O’Brien as “the glue that hold the Streaks together” by encouraging, listening

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Anthony Alanis - wrestling

Anthony Alanis, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, is one of Marian wrestling’s senior leaders. His strength, quickness, and aggression on the mat are a stark contrast to his cool, calm, and collected personality off of it. Anthony is an extremely dedicated wrestler and his fire for competition inspires his teammates.

Off to a great start in his senior year, Anthony has only been defeated twice, falling to a top-10 nationally ranked opponent from Michigan and a world champion in the Dvorak Invitational championship finals.

Anthony has made his mark on Marian wrestling in 2023 and is primed to make 2024 another landmark year.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Woodstock HIgh School girls are shown in action this season against Marengo.

Blue Streaks junior Keira Bogott (top) works to get around a defender.

Seniors Allison O’Brien (right) and Valerie Sardelli (bottom) take their best shots.

The Streaks defeated the defending KRC conference champions 46-40. to constructive criticism, and entering games ready to get the job done.

A familiar face in the paint for the opposing teams, senior Anna Crenshaw earns a double-double almost every game, averaging 9.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

Blue Streak pride

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Statistics aside, Fuller is proud of his team.

“They are working together and sticking with each other,” he said.

“The girls that are in the program want to be there and they play like they expect to win.”

Looking ahead to postseason play, Fuller said he takes everything one goal at a time.

“If we can win the conference, a Regional run should be within reach,” he said.

Returning from winter break, the Streaks prepare to head to the north side of Woodstock to face crosstown rival Woodstock North on Friday, Jan. 5.

By Seth Rowe

NESS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Jan. 3-9, 2024

Post-season play?

“The team has had some strong tournament performances this year,” Lee said, “which we hope to build on going into postseason play.”

He’s looking for his team to advance to the IHSA sectional round for the second consecutive season. If the team gets eliminated, Lee hopes to qualify a couple of team members as individuals to sectional and state.

SPORTS

Even though the Woodstock co-op varsity boys bowling team isn’t rich in veteran strength this season, the young team has potential and drive.

The team consists of two juniors and four sophomores, with half of the team being first-year bowlers.

As of winter break, the co-op stood 7-9 overall and 5-7 in conference matchups.

Woodstock High School junior and third-year bowler Noah Rodriguez is the team captain this season, with a solid 195 average. WHS junior William Reese is also in his third season, averaging 182.5 in the first half of the season. In the second half, Reese has improved his average to a 189 average.

WHS sophomore Max Haggerty is back for his second year of bowling, averaging 192. “[Haggerty] set a high bar in his first season,” head coach Derek Lee said, “and he’s continued his upward trajectory.”

Lee said both Rodriguez and

Haggerty aim to earn all-conference honors in the Kishwaukee River Conference/Fox Valley Conference combined bowling league.

The three other team members on the varsity squad are all first-year bowlers. Lee named Sonny Marsalla as his his top newcomer. Marsalla is averaging 183 and is a long shot to have all-conference honors at season’s end.

Woodstock North sophomore Braelan Creighton is averaging 165 and gaining valuable experience, as is WHS sophomore Devin Haggerty, averaging 166.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Boys bowling co-op in a building year with postseason goals

23

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

Woodstock High School junior, and boys co-op bowling team captain, Noah Rodriguez rolls a ball Dec. 18 at Huntley.

PICTURE THIS

Woodstock Mayor Frances Kuhn (left), Congressman Robert McClory, and Cliff Ganschow are pictured celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Old Courthouse building on the Woodstock Square in 1978. The building was plaqued that same year by the National Register of Historic Places. Cliff and Beverly Ganschow purchased the building in 1972 after the county government moved its headquarters to Route 47 on the north side of Woodstock.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

January’s featured art exhibit at the Woodstock Opera House showcases a collection of nine historic quilts dating from the 1880s to the 1940s on loan from the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum. The quilt display is free for public viewing in the Community Room Jan. 5-31, 2024, during box office hours at the Woodstock Opera House: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. 4 p.m. For more information, call 815-923-2267 or visit GotHistory.org.

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Jan.3-9, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

24

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