The Woodstock Independent 11/15/23

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Nov. 15-21, 2023

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

Blast brings damage claims

Property owners file with city, advised to also submit to Nicor, own insurance

By Larry Lough

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Damage claims have been submitted, the site has been thoroughly inspected, and properties released to the owners of buildings damaged by the Oct. 9 explosion in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue.

Deb Schober, human resources

BUSINESS

J&G pastries planning sweet open Saturday in Woodstock PAGE 16

SCHOOLS

director for the city of Woodstock, reported last week that claim No. 14 came from St. Mary Catholic Church, which was across the street from the epicenter of the blast at 321 Lincoln Ave. The 15th claim, she said, was from the Woodstock Public Library, two blocks from the site.

“I think there’s got to be more,” Schober said of the claims.

VETERANS SALUTE

Trip to farm offers students different learning challenges

PAGE 9

A&E

Woodstock North clarinetist chosen for symphony solo

Obituaries

4

Opinion

6

Schools

9

A&E

13

Business

16

Community

21

Calendar

28

Puzzles

31

Public Notices

30

By Larry Lough

34

The Woodstock Independent

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

After five years, city denies third permit extension for solar farm

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Service Directory 32 Sports

See CLAIMS, Page 2

Council divides 4-3 on delaying vote on zoning

PAGE 13

INDEX

All affected property owners were being advised by Schober to file a claim with their insurance companies and with Nicor Gas Co. in addition to the notice to the city.

“Now it’s up to the insurance companies and the lawyers to figure it out as to who is at fault,” Schober said.

A natural gas explosion shortly after

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Bill Lyford, an Army veteran of World War II, salutes during a Veterans Day ceremony on a sunny, cool Saturday morning at the McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock. Lyford, who said he “wouldn’t miss the ceremony,” was among military veterans from different eras and branches who attended. See story and additional photos from the event on Page 21.

Frustrated City Council members have pulled the plug on a solar farm proposal on Woodstock’s far east side that originally was approved five years ago.

In a 4-3 vote, the council last week rejected a suggestion by Mayor Mike Turner that representatives of Generate Capital be given an additional two weeks to make their proposal “compelling to us.”

A second 4-3 vote defeated the company’s request for a third extension of the special use zoning permit needed to build a 2-megawatt solar farm on about 7.4 acres of a 12-acre tract at the northwest corner of U.S. 14 and Lily Pond Road.

“We’ve been screwing around with this for some time,” the mayor noted.

“Maybe it’s just time to move on.”

But he was willing to give Generate until the council’s Nov. 21 meeting See SOLAR, Page 2

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

2

CLAIMS

Continued from Page 1

2:30 p.m. that Monday was apparently caused by a city contractor who was working on the sanitary sewer under the street.

The process involves getting a camera into the sewer to assess repair needs. But blockage prevented the camera from entering the sewer line, and when a water flush failed to clear it, a “root cutter” was used. That’s when the gas line, which runs through the sewer, was breached and caused the leak.

Firefighters and police had closed the streets and evacuated some nearby buildings, including the church, when the explosion occurred.

Although 22 people were displaced and 20 buildings damaged, there were no serious injuries or deaths.

Site gets inspection

NEWS

the risk to them and the city, but the city has no blanket immunity against damages that might be caused by a contractor’s negligence.

Schober was at the scene early last week when a “very well organized” site inspection, arranged by State Farm Insurance, involved a bulldozer to help pull appliances from the rubble of 321 Lincoln Ave. to try to identify the ignition source of the blast. A report by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District suggested a furnace or water heater were likely sources.

Cameras also were used during

‘Very unfortunate’

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

Signs warn of an “ongoing fire/rescue investigation,” but this house at 327 Lincoln Avenue reportedly has been released to owners along with other properties in the neighborhood that were damaged in a natural gas explosion Oct. 9. This was among two structures destroyed by the blast and subsequent fire, but 18 others were damaged. the inspection to look into the sewer where the problem apparently began.

The inspection, which Schober said started at 8 a.m. and lasted until about 2 p.m., went “very, very deep,” she said.

The city is insured through a pool of other municipalities in the county

SOLAR

the extension was sought in August, but the first available council meeting wasn’t until Sept. 5.

“We made a major [financial] commitment in acquiring this project,” Margolin said. “... We want this in the ground now.”

But Nierman, who had asked that the proposal be pulled from last week’s consent agenda so it would get separate consideration and vote, remained skeptical about the long-term appearance of the property as a solar farm.

“It’s a gateway to our city,” Nierman said of westbound traffic on U.S. 14 entering Woodstock. “There’s not one [solar farm] that has been maintained properly.”

Continued from Page 1

to make the proposal acceptable to growingly skeptical council members.

Councilman Gordie Tebo, along with Natalie Ziemba, supported a delay.

“I don’t want them to suffer for the sins of the previous people,” Tebo said.

When an extension was granted a year ago, Councilman Tom Nierman was the lone dissenter in a 6-1 vote.

But last week, he was joined by members Darrin Flynn, Melissa McMahon, and Robert Seegers Jr. Flynn was the only one of those four who was on the council when the project was originally approved in 2018 by a 6-0 vote. But that was when the proposal came from Borrego Solar, which became New Leaf Energy, before it was sold to Generate last December.

‘Numerous delays’

In a staff report, Joe Napolitano, the city’s director of Building and Zoning, noted city officials were growing weary of the project.

“Due to the numerous delays in getting this project off the ground,” he wrote, “staff remains hesitant to offer full and unconditional support for another extension of this project.”

McMahon complained that

– the McHenry County Municipal Risk Management Association. Adjusters from that entity and other insurance companies also were on the site during the inspection, Schober said.

City attorney Ruth Schlossberg said agreements with contractors spell out

Council membership changed

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

City Council members objected to a solar farm being built along the eastern gateway to Woodstock along U.S. 14 at Lily Pond Road.

although Generate had acquired the project in December, it wasn’t until the special use permit was about to expire in September that another extension was sought.

Chicago attorney Adam Margolin explained state approval for the project wasn’t granted until July, so

Five years ago, council members – only three of whom are still on the council – liked the idea of a progressive symbol such as a solar farm greeting visitors to Woodstock along the federal highway. They reasoned it would be better than a strip mall and gas station, which the property’s business zoning would allow.

But discussion last week considered that another development might bring the city more revenue from property and sales taxes.

“Should something else go there?”

After the inspection, the properties were released to the owners “for repair or rebuilding,” Schober said.

The house at 321 Lincoln and one next door, at 327 Lincoln, were destroyed by the explosion and fire that followed, the Fire/Rescue District report said.

In a letter to parishioners, the Rev. Burt Absalon of St. Mary provided details of damage to windows, doors, and exterior of church buildings, but reported “all of our buildings are secure from any structural damage.”

Because the explosion occurred on a national holiday – Columbus Day – St. Mary School had no classes that day.

“Please continue to pray for all involved,” Absalon wrote, “and especially the families who have lost so much.”

Several houses in the area were homes to renters, some of whom reportedly had no renters insurance, Schober said. Although no one agency has coordinated assistance to people affected, several Go Fund Me pages were set up to help them.

“It broke my heart,” Schober said of what she saw during the inspection. “It was very unfortunate.”

Turner wondered at one point.

Although council members had once thought the property was many years away from being developed, that mindset has changed.

Nierman reported that the nearby gravel pit would be closing within a couple of years, providing a development opportunity. And McMahon said other projects were taking place in that area of far-east Woodstock, mentioning the Riverwoods housing proposal off Doty Road and the new Food Shed Co-op grocery store at Lake Shore Drive.

Postponement denied

When Margolin and fellow lawyer Kate Duncan appeared before the council in September, council members said they wanted to question Generate officials directly.

Two showed up last week, when they and the lawyers practically begged for two weeks to sharpen their proposal and further answer concerns of council members before they voted.

Toward the end of a public meeting that lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes, the council divided 4-3 in denying that request.

Afterward, council members went into a closed session to consider an unrelated property purchase.

3 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Nov. 15-21, 2023

S PA R K L E W I T H T H E S E G R E AT G I F T I D E AS !

NEWS

M A K E T H E H O L I DAYS

O

NEWS

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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OBITUARIES

Dane Kent Walkington, 74 Dane Kent Walkington passed away peacefully at age 74 on Oct. 4, 2023, in Abilene, Texas. His son and daughter were by his side.

He was born in Woodstock.

Dane is survived by his three children, Ben, Will (Meridel), and Clair (Cory), as well as his three grandchildren, August, Dane Kent Leo, and Eloise. Walkington He also leaves behind his mother, Lura, and three brothers, Bill (Cindy), Tod (Deb), and Rob (Kathy).

Dane was preceded in death by his father, George Walkington.

An avid lover of nature, art, and discussion, Dane would recommend you explore the works and perspectives of Willem de Kooning, Nathan Oliveira, and Georgia O’Keeffe, among many others.

A memorial of Dane’s life will be held at a future date.

“Even abstract shapes must have a likeness.” — de Kooning

How to submit obituaries Email obituaries to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com. You may also mail them to or drop them off at 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

Corrections/clarifications

n In last week’s edition of The Inde-

pendent, a photo caption mistakenly reported this week’s program would be the last of the season for the Creative Living Speaker Series at the Opera House. The final program will be in December before the series is paused while the Opera House is remodeled.

We regret the error. n Also in last week’s edition, the Happenings calendar was a merged mess of two weeks of local events and activities. We apologize for any confusion that must have caused.

Neighbors oppose rezoning to build storage units

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Over the objections of neighbors, the City Council last week rezoned part of a residential area for business use to allow self-storage units off Route 120 at 708 McHenry Avenue.

Part of the property near the state highway already was zoned for business, but the rest – less than an acre – was designated for residential development. Two adjacent properties – instead of four as originally proposed – along Flagg Lane back up to the rezoned land.

The council also approved a special use permit to allow the storage units on property not zoned for industrial use, but council members said that approval was conditional on development including only storage units, not other uses permitted under the business zoning. The Plan Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the revised plan.

Despite the reduced area being rezoned and the special use restrictions, a homeowner said neighbors were “vehemently opposed” to the

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Matthew Frym, 42, transient, was arrested Oct. 31 at U.S. 14 and Eastwood Drive on a charge of disorderly conduct. Cited. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 22.

■ Juvenile was arrested Nov. 4 on a charge of curfew violation. Cited.

Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 23.

■ Keevia Wilson, 34, Chicago, was arrested Nov. 6 in the 1200 block of Lake Avenue on a charge of damaging property. Cited. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 28.

■ Fabian Valadez, 19, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 7 at Todd Avenue and Madison Street on charges of speeding in a school zone, driving while license revoked, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 28.

■ Michael Reichley, 54, Wonder Lake, was arrested Nov. 4 in the 2100 block of Lake Avenue on three charges of retail theft. No bond. Taken to jail.

Court date Dec. 4.

■ Colton Cominggore, 28, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 6 in the 700 block of Oak Street on a charge of violating bail

CONCEPT DRAWING

Nature’s Way, a playground for people of all ages and abilities, will be built next summer next to the sledding hill in Emricson Park. proposal. The property had once been used for a greenhouse.

“No one wants a storage building in their rear yard,” he told the council.

Mark Saladin, attorney for petitioner Ryan Peters, said “some significant accommodations” had been made in response to neighbors’ objections.

“We feel we have accommodations that make sense,” Saladin said.

Equipment for new playground

In other business at the Nov. 7 meeting, the council: n Approved spending nearly $400,000 for equipment at Nature’s bond. Taken to jail. Court date Nov. 24.

■ Jose Ortiz-Perez, 29, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 6 in the 700 block of Oak Street on a charge of unlawful possession of nitrous oxide. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 24.

■ Luke Freund, 40, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 5 at U.S. 14 and Doty Road on charges of improper lane usage, driving under the influence/alcohol, unlawful possession of cannabis by driver, and carrying a concealed firearm. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 7.

■ Tiffany Mikes, 42, Marengo, was arrested Nov. 7 in the 700 block of St. John’s Road on a charge of battery/ bodily harm. Released after posting $100 bond. Court date Nov. 9.

■ Juvenile was arrested Nov. 3 on charges of improper lane usage, driver’s license expired more than a year, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 16.

■ Alexander Moore, 30, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 5 at Eastwood Drive and Irving Avenue on charges of failure to give signal and driving while license revoked. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 16.

Way, a $1.5 million intergeneration, inclusive playground that will be built next year next to the sledding hill in Emricson Park. About half of the expense will be covered by donations, grants, and federal funding. n Granted a banquet hall, event venue gambling permit for Trademark Events, 240 N. Throop St., former site of the VFW hall. But first the city ordinance that allows for such a business was amended to ensure video gambling was allowed only at special events and not routinely as a part of a business model that would compete with bars and restaurants.

■ Vickie Steadman, 52, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 9 in the 200 block of Springwood Drive on a charge of driving while license revoked. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 28.

■ James Burggraf, 49, Marengo, was arrested Nov. 8 at Pleasant and Quinlan streets on a charge of driving under the influence/drugs. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 28.

Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs Nov. 2-8: 94 Fire runs Structure fire: 1 Vehicle fire: 1 Natural vegetation fire: 1 Combustible spills/leaks: 1 Person in distress: 1 Smoke/odor problem: 1 Public service assistance: 12 Cover assignment/standby: 2 Wrong location/no emergency found: 1 System/detector malfunction: 5 Unintentional system/detector: 5 Total: 125

D-200 reading scores up, math steady, state reports

Everyone reads

In language arts assessments in Illinois, Asian and white students outperformed their black and Hispanic peers, although black students saw a 25 percent jump in language arts performance. grade level, which has been paying off with improvement over the last few years, including a significant 7 [percentage point] jump this year,” Superintendent Mike Moan said in a statement. “A strong reading foundation across grade levels is really the cornerstone of education. I want to continue to thank and praise the work of our teachers, students and families in continuing our academic growth.”

Reading and math scores increased statewide, and the graduation rate was at a 13-year high of 87.6 percent. Woodstock’s four-year graduation rate was 96.4 percent.

Showing improvement Although statewide average proficiency rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, results showed improvement over the previous year across all demographic categories.

The annual report card offers a look at how well individual schools, districts, and the state as a whole perform.

In addition to student performance on standardized tests, the report includes information about factors such as student demographics, career and technical education, and school faculty.

Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.

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NEWS

During the first full week of the 201920 school year, D-200 started its Everyone Reads program, which identified second-graders who were not reading at grade level during first grade. They were invited for an additional hour of after-school reading instruction to strengthen their skills.

“We’ve made a big investment in teaching students to read at or above

CHART: ANDREW ADAMS, CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS; SOURCE: ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Scores on this year’s state report card indicate that efforts to emphasize reading are paying off for Woodstock School District 200.

The 2023 Illinois Assessment of Readiness scores showed D-200 students improved by more than 7 percentage points in meeting or exceeding expectations in reading since last year. For the district, 2023 scores were even higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic – 48.9 percent this year as compared to 41.8 percent last year and 48.2 percent in 2019.

Statewide, the average this year was 35.4 percent.

D-200 students this year increased slightly in math scores – from 26 percent to 26.2 – lower than the statewide average of 27.1 percent. The pre-pandemic score in 2019 was 31.6 percent, even then below the statewide average of 31.8 percent.

But district officials said new math curricula and strategies are expected to

boost those in the near future.

The state report includes data from the 2022-23 academic year, including results of standardized tests that students took in the spring. Although statewide average proficiency rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, the results showed improvement over the previous year across all demographic categories.

Among other highlights of the state report for Woodstock was that Creekside Middle School was designated with Exemplary status, putting it in the top 10 percent of Illinois schools.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

5

OPINION

Nov. 15-21, 2023

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

Serving our community one volunteer at a time

If you were to calculate the number of volunteer hours that Woodstock residents contribute in a year, the number would be staggering.

Part of that is a result of the near constant public activities – mostly in and around the Square, and especially in the summer and fall months (plus Groundhog Days!) – where tens of thousand of people attend and participate. Those are made possible in large part by the generous donations of time by volunteers to help in staging the events.

When we hear the frequent appeals for volunteers to work on one community event or another, we sometimes wonder whether we might suffer occasionally from volunteer fatigue.

But time after time, they step up to the challenge, which helps to make Woodstock the great community it is.

Less visible is the good work done by volunteers in not-so-public ways.

Many of those efforts are regularly profiled in The Independent by writer Janet Dovidio.

Among those are the good works of our faith-based community, a traditional source of selfless giving, often for the benefit of our neighbors who need a helping hand.

On Sept. 20 Jan wrote about Grace Lutheran Church members who participated in the annual “God’s Work.

Our hands.” day of service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association. This year’s projects include help

for the Woodstock Food Pantry, Home of the Sparrow, and Turning Point, agencies that address hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence.

Jan’s report on Oct. 4 promoted the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary Catholic Church and its Soles on Fire fundraising Walk. Money raised helps people in our community who need assistance with rent, utility bills, food, and other essentials of everyday life – even a medical bill that insurance doesn’t cover.

On the first day of November, Jan wrote about the Direct Assistance Program of Woodstock Area Christian Ministries, which often comes to the aid of our neighbors facing personal emergencies. To help them through their crises, WACM might issue vouchers for rent, utility bills, fuel, clothes, or auto repairs. If you receive a letter asking for a donation, we urge you to do what you can to help the organization that helps our community’s residents in need.

We are heartened to know the volunteer spirit is being nurtured in the next generation of community leaders. Jan has written recently about the good works of students at Woodstock’s three high schools who assist in a wide range of important projects and programs that help people or make possible some of Woodstock’s many social and cultural events.

Members of he Thunder Service Club at Woodstock North High School

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Members of Woodstock High School Blue Streaks Service Club – (from left) Maggie Adams, Abbey Pagnotta, Xin Berardi, and Hailey Peterson – help with the weekly distribution of food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank for local residents in need. give their time to activities at the Opera House, to make Mexican Independence Day possible, to improve the city’s appearance with roadside cleanup, and to donate blood to meet a constant need, among other personal contributions.

The Blue Streaks Service Club at Woodstock High School, 50 members strong, has cleared invasive plant species for The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, given volunteer hours for whatever needs done at the Woodstock Public Library, made cards for nursing home residents, and – from a parking lot across the street from the school – distributed food from the truck of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which makes a weekly stop across from the school.

Marian Central Catholic High

» YOUR VIEW

Woodstock Moose Lodge still offering hot chocolate

With the holiday season upon us, this might be a good time to indulge in a little nostalgia.

In previous years, Summer in the Park has been a city event sponsored by the city. All department heads, including the mayor, with the help of volunteers, participated, including set-up, cleaning, and cooking. Hotdogs, brats, and hamburgers were offered at a nominal cost as well as fun rides and entertainment.

This year’s event was sponsored by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was turned into a food

truck event, which was more of a commercial venture and participation was less than expected.

Woodstock Lighting of the Square has, by tradition, been paid for by the city, with planning and participation by all departments. The past two years the event has been taken over by our new department of Planning and Development and is now soliciting donations from our businesses to defray cost. Perhaps we could use some of the $400,000 in salaries spent on a department that has yet to justify its existence.

In years past, the Woodstock Moose Family Center was happy to help and participate. This year the lodge was not

included as part of the event. It may be that although it is still part of the Historical District, it is no longer considered part of the Square. Or, possibly, because it has offered free hot chocolate with the objection of one of the local retailers who felt that it was cutting into their sales. Due to current financial strains some families are experiencing, as a family-oriented organization, the Woodstock Moose Family Center will be offering free hot chocolate from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.

All are welcome.

Mark Indyke Government liaison Woodstock Moose Family Center

School’s Key Club, whose motto is “Caring – Our Way of Life,” does volunteer work throughout McHenry County, reflecting the wide area of students’ hometowns. Jan reported on their volunteer work in Woodstock as well as Cary, Crystal Lake, Huntley, and McHenry. And they organize collections for local food pantries.

High-schoolers set a good example for all residents of Woodstock to do what they can to help others, individually or in organized groups. Our busy lives might seem to leave no time for volunteering, but it does not require unreasonable sacrifice, if only for one or two community efforts a year.

Woodstock will be a better community because of it. And you might realize valuable personal satisfaction in donating some time. Give it a try.

Friends of the Opera House show they’re friends, indeed

A recent Monday afternoon at Stage Left Café was anything but quiet. Over 40 older active adults (being over 60 was the only requirement to attend), an increasing segment of the population, were the guests of the Friends of the Opera House for a presentation by the well-known cultural historian Barry Bradford.

Barry’s presentation focused on the year 1973 – a pivotal time in history for many of the audience members and the world in general. Barry highlighted politics, sports, music, TV, books, famous people,

Continued on Next page

no performances scheduled, would open it up for all residents to attend.

This could be a better use of this valuable yearly report as well as an opportunity for residents to participate in the Q&A session part of the event.

The last item was the loss of what could have been a great opportunity to promote the newly renovated Old Courthouse Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, Aug. 18. But again, it was a weekday, daytime event. It was also, inexplicably, invitation-only, with a suggestion for attendees to donate to a fundraiser for a city park splash pad.

It was a joyful event, attended by members of the media and many of the city staff and council members – past and present – who worked to make the project happen. To not have invited all Woodstock residents to attend was a huge missed opportunity for exposure for the businesses and organizations in the building.

But more than that, it was a slight to constituents. This was a massive project that involved countless hours of city staff time with a $22 million price tag that used up resources such as bond proceeds, sale of historic tax credits, TIF funding, and a no-cost, temporary loan from the city operating fund, to be repaid with future TIF money.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime event; but the State of the City address and Resident Survey happen every year, and deserve some consideration.

Continued from Previous page

Opera House for creating something new and special for a special group of people.

human activity is affecting the delicate climate that supports us and so many other important ecosystems.

I find the constant studies about the impact of climate on animals and nature due to climate change overwhelming, but that overwhelm is best met with action.

For that reason, I have joined a group of dedicated Chicago-area citizens in urging my members of Congress to do their utmost to reduce the heat-trapping climate pollution threatening the well-being of all living animals, both pets and wildlife.

The newly introduced Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would ensure that corporate polluters pay while returning the revenue to American households.

The nightly frog song is something special. Let’s do our best to preserve it.

and Broadway, etc. and related those highlights to today’s social climate for the great enjoyment of the group.

This wonderful occasion was made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Opera House. The Friends collaborated with SOAR@Dorr to initiate opportunities such as this event to support older active adults with meaningful programming, an important part of the mission statements of both groups. We look forward to the next special opportunity, a generous donation of tickets to a lucky group of participants to see “White Christmas,” playing at the Opera House in November and December.

On behalf of SOAR@Dorr and the lucky audience who spent a lovely afternoon treated to an excellent presentation, my heartfelt thanks go to the Friends of the

Laura Wassinger Director, SOAR@Dorr

Keep the frogs singing relaxing nightly lullaby During the summer the nightly chorus of frogs, cicadas, and crickets makes for a relaxing lullaby.

As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of wildlife, I was saddened to hear that a study has found that frogs and other amphibians are becoming increasingly threatened by climate change.

It is my love of nature that inspired me to volunteer with grassroots nonpartisan advocacy group Citizens’ Climate Lobby. I am concerned about the way

Eileen Millard is a writer for The Woodstock Independent.

Devin Alwine Crystal Lake

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Corrections

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

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OPINION

Yes, paper is old school, but it has several advantages. It puts a survey directly in the hands of all residents; it is easy to use; and it does not require Eileen internet access.

Millard It also has value Declarations as a long-lasting reminder to participate, as the brochure is likely to remain in households as an activities and reference guide. An argument could be made about people filling in both an online and a paper survey; but with the current low response rate for doing the survey even once, that is probably not an issue.

The next missed opportunity was the State of the City address, given by Mayor Mike Turner at an annual luncheon sponsored by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The chamber does Woodstock a service each year in hosting this event – an opportunity for the mayor to inform residents about Woodstock’s past year and goals for the coming year.

However, the event itself is held mid-day, on a weekday, and requires buying a ticket. It is also not streamed or recorded for later viewing. Highlights appear in newspaper articles and online in the City Manager’s Newsletter, but the only residents with access to the entire speech are those who bought a ticket to attend.

Holding the event in Woodstock’s 417-seat Opera House, on a weekend or weekday evening where there are

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

7

Nov. 15-21, 2023

A few recent events have me thinking about missed opportunities in some of the ways Woodstock reaches out to residents and shares info and access to activities.

One was the Annual Resident Survey, now in its second year, which was available to complete online from June 13 to Aug 1. Think of it as an annual job review for how the city is meeting the needs of residents and planning for the future.

Morgen Neuhauser, The Woodstock Independent’s summer intern, interviewed Woodstock Marketing and Communications Director Heather Arnold in July to promote the survey.

Arnold called it “a really great way to participate and make your voice heard and influence priorities within the city,” and added that the City Council frequently refers to survey results and keeps them in mind for both everyday decisions and longterm planning.

Yet only 1,567 of Woodstock’s 25,829 residents filled in the online survey, a 6.1 percent participation rate, down from 1,758 responses last year.

The city worked hard to promote the survey with newspaper stories and ads, fliers, emails, social media, and signage. But there is an additional step that perhaps could have resulted in more replies: adding a paper survey option, delivered to each and every household in Woodstock, to be dropped off at City Hall or returned in a postage-paid return envelope. We already have a way to do that – The City Scene brochure that goes out three times a year to all postal customers in the 60098 ZIP code.

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Lost opportunities to engage citizens

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By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

COURTESY PHOTO

Students and staffers from Dean Street Elementary school pose for a photo during a field trip to All Seasons Orchard. Pictured are (front row, from left) Prince Johnson, Bradley Clinge, Ryan Steele, Caiden Crank, and Gavin Kucharski; (back) Marquis Johnson, Finn Jarling, teacher Georgia Wicker, and teaching associate Cas Creighton. through second grade, added that the corn maze was a very engaging and interactive team-building

IN BRIEF Spring semester enrollment open for classes at MCC Students are encouraged to register early to ensure they get the classes they need for the spring semester at McHenry County College, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 16.

A wide variety of career and technical programs, associate degrees, and dozens of classes that easily transfer are available, according to a news release.

Some of MCC’s latest and most popular programs include entrepreneurial agriculture, criminal justice, cancer registry management, welding, nursing, and culinary management.

MCC offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and payment plans to help students pay for school. Financial resources can be found at mchenry.edu/payingforcollege.

To enroll, visit mchenry.edu/start.

FOR FIRE SAFETY

activity as each student picked a direction for the class to proceed in the maze. While in the corn maze,

A student at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center “escapes” from a tube as part of the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District visit recently to teach kids about fire safety and show off some of the district’s equipment and gear.

DISTRICT 200 PHOTO

SCHOOLS

Special e­ducation students at Dean Street Elementary School learned special team-building skills at a recent field trip that was funded by an Impact Grant from the District 200 Education Foundation.

Teachers Scott Becker, Georgia Wicker, and Ralph Webster nearly postponed the outing as it was raining the morning of Oct. 26 and the forecast called for rain all day.

The staff at All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock indicated that school groups come rain or shine.

“We teach our students that they cannot control a lot of things in life, but they can control how they react to every situation,” said Becker, who teaches fourth- and fifth-graders.

“We couldn’t control the weather but we kept our positive attitudes.”

The students enjoyed several activities, including a corn maze (with adult guidance), a corn beach, a ropes course, and a pumpkin patch, where they learned how pumpkins are grown. They also enjoyed a mini-zipline, pedal cars, and feeding farm animals.

Wicker, who teaches kindergarten

one student thought they were lost and could not get out, but through the use of calming strategies, the student was able to redirect and successfully navigate a way out.

“Both the maze and the ropes course challenged the students to use critical thinking skills to work through various stages,” said Webster, who teaches second- through fourth-graders.

After the field trip, the teachers debriefed students to learn their impressions and favorite activities.

The next day the students had writing assignments about the trip.

“The best experience for my students was to be surrounded by the older students in the program and work together as a group,” Wicker said.

Webster’s students also enjoyed engaging with students from different classes.

Becker said the new experiences would provide good lessons.

“All students did something they had never done before that will stick with them for a long time,” he said. “It was an extremely memorable experience for both the students and staff.”

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Feeding farm animals among field trip activities for Dean Street students

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

‘Memorable experience’

Business leaders bring real world to INCubatoredu

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

The premise behind INCubatoredu classes is putting students into real-life business scenarios, and one way to accomplish that is by having realworld business leaders in front of the classroom.

Woodstock High School INCubatoredu students this year are fortunate to have Garrett Anderson, director of Economic Development for the city of Woodstock, and Jackie Speciale, senior manager of finance, purchasing and human resources at Mac Automation Concepts, leading their class each day along with business teacher Dawn Thompson.

Both Anderson and Speciale have been involved with the INCubatoredu classes as mentors and coaches since it began in 2016, but this school year they made a bigger time investment, working with students each school day.

One of their key contributions is their business community connections. Anderson and Speciale bring in leaders with expertise in specific business areas who are able to share their experience with students.

“Really the best way to teach it is to have guest instructors coming into the classroom who provide a wealth of knowledge and their community background into the process,” Anderson said.

Engaging students

While that emphasis had always been important to the INCubatoredu program, the

DISTRICT 200 PHOTO

Garrett Anderson, the city’s director of Business Development, works with students in the INCubatoredu class at Woodstock High School.

networking suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic for many reasons.

Guest speakers teach students about market size, marketing strategies, and many other business topics that directly relate to the projects students work on throughout the school year.

Speciale, who spends a lot of time developing students’ leadership and teamwork skills, said she notices a difference in students’ reactions

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to the practical lessons provided through guest speakers.

“I see them engaged a lot more,” Speciale said. “I feel like it’s a benefit, and I’ve seen it from previous years.”

Students in INCubator classes work on teams to design a real product and come up with strategies to make that product viable for distribution and sales throughout the year. Eventually, the teams make their pitch to a board in a style similar to TV’s “Shark Tank.” The board selects winners who they believe have the best products and strategies.

“One of the main connections we have is that we’re both members of the Woodstock Rotary Club,” Anderson said, “so we’re really leaning heavily on the Rotary group as a group of good, volunteer-minded professionals.”

Anderson and Speciale said guest speakers bring a lot of energy to class, and a side benefit is that they help students begin to form their own local business networks.

“We’ve had a lot of our class participants use that network to get jobs locally within the industries and businesses that they were first introduced to through our classes and mentors,” Anderson said.

Some of those former students have even returned to the program as mentors for current students.

Kevin Lyons is communications director for Woodstock School District 200.

Student of the Week

Cade Blaksley Cade Blaksley, a Woodstock North High School senior, is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Blaksley, Wonder Lake.

One of his teachers nominated Cade because of the work he has been doing in Strength & Conditioning class to improve his performance in his varsity basketball and baseball seasons. “He has shown excellent leadership as a senior in the weight room and demonstrated superior effort and attitude,” his teacher said.

He is on the honor roll, a member of the National Honor Society, and he plays varsity basketball and baseball.

Outside of school, he worked on the Haunted Hayride, is a lifeguard at the city pool, and he volunteers for the Wonder Lake Food Drive and Angels Wings retail store.

Cade is inspired by his former basketball coach, Dale Jandron. He said, “Coach Dale gave everything he had to the program and taught us how to be both better basketball players and better men.”

He credits his parents for his success because they “laid a foundation for me to build on based on values and hard work.”

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COURTESY PHOTOS

‘What I’m supposed to be doing’ WNHS senior wins chance to solo with Lake Geneva symphony orchestra

By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock North High School senior Mackinzee Carpenter said her performance with the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra last month was a life-defining opportunity.

“Performing with the Lake Geneva Symphony was one of the most exciting things I have ever done,” she said, “and it will be one of my most memorable moments for the rest of my life. As I finished playing and the crowd stood for me, I felt at home like this is what I am supposed to be doing.”

Carpenter qualified to solo with the symphony Oct. 21 after winning the annual Young Artist Competition, which the orchestra sponsors with the Rotary Club of Lake Geneva. She also received a $750 scholarship provided by the Neal and Dotsy Heffernan Art Scholarship Fund.

“My audition was in person at UW-Whitewater in mid-May,” Carpenter said. “I never thought I could win. Words can’t really describe what it meant to me to win the competition.”

Another honor Carpenter lives in Wonder Lake with her parents, Joel and Tracy Carpenter. She started playing clarinet in the fifth grade.

Her Northwood Middle School music teacher, Jessica Brown, commented that Carpenter always had a love of music and exhibited a drive of a potentially incredible trajectory for her in music.

The performance with the Lake Geneva orchestra was one of her many music honors and accomplishments. She performed in the McHenry County Honors Band, with the Illinois Music Educators Association concert and jazz bands, and on the stage at the Chicago Symphony Center at Ravinia.

Carpenter also plays in the MidMackinzee Carp west Young Artists Conservatory’s en directors, Debra ter is pictured with two of her fo Symphony Orchestra, the Knock Schweihs and Je rmer school band ssica Brown. on Wood Clarinet Choir, and the McHenry County College’s Jazz Ensemble.

“Mackinzee is an extremely motiteam. I am very proud of all that she have her own clarinet lesson studio. vated music student and has been a has achieved.”

“From her beginning days Mack great asset to the Woodstock North has always shown great motivaPlans to teach band program,” WNHS Band Direction to do well and challenge hertor Bill Kraemer-Simpson added.

Carpenter plans to study clarinet self beyond expectations,” D-200 “In addition to her skills on clarinet, performance and music education Elementary Band Director DebMack works very hard as the drum in college. She hopes to teach at the bie Schweihs said. “I look forward major for the marching band and high school or college level, play in to watching her skills continue to a member of the band’s leadership a symphony orchestra, and perhaps grow.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Clarinetist Mackinzee Carpenter (in red) performs Oct. 21 with the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra. She performed Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major by Carl Maria von Weber, a contemporary of Beethoven.

IN BRIEF Exhibit will showcase artwork of MCC faculty

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

14 A-MAZE-ING

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Works of the Art and Design faculty at McHenry County College will be showcased through Dec. 22 in Galleries One and Two. This biennial exhibit features work created by faculty artists at MCC, allowing students to learn from and be inspired by their instructors in a different context.

The exhibit offers a diverse range of art forms, including painting, drawing, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and sculpture. Exhibiting faculty members include Sonya Baysinger, Jeremy Foy, Diana Gabriel, Matt Irie, Timothy King, Violet Luczak, CJ Niehaus, Olivia Ridge, Justin Schmitz, Lee Stanton, and Tom Vician.

An opening reception will begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Gallery One. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit mchenry. edu/artgallery/current.html.

INDEPENDENT STAFF PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

During an unveiling last week, Opera House Director Daniel Campbell stands in a “corn field” on the main stage of the theater to demonstrate a new LED screen that will serve as a backdrop for various events and shows. “It’s essentially just a big TV,” Campbell told a group in attendance, “just bigger than what we’re used to around these parts.” Donations from various groups, including $25,000 from Friends of the Opera House, made possible the purchase of the equipment that Campbell said would bring 21st century technology to the 19th century building.

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John Havlik, “Otte r,” 2018, Giclee print

philanthropy.

For more information, visit thecfmc.org.

Girl Scouts look to travel through GivingTuesday GivingTuesday fundraising on Nov. 28 has a goal of raising $15,000 for the travel endowment fund of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 to set aside the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for a day that encourages people to do good. Last year, area Scouts raised nearly $12,000 through GivingTuesday, with funds supporting financial assistance for Girl Scout memberships and uniforms, programming, and camping, along with STEM activities.

For more information, visit preview. girlscoutsni.org.

Halloween food collection helps Woodstock pantry

The Care Committee of the Villas at Bull Valley, a 62-unit association, collected 690 pounds of food in the second annual Halloween food drive for the Woodstock Food Pantry.

The committee also has made collections for Turning Point, Young at Heart, and Christmas Clearing House, according to board member Tammy Gould.

The committee is interested in involving others to help the community.

Email Gould at tammygould65@gmail. com.

MCC alum returns for art exhibit on campus John Havlik, a member of the first graduating class at McHenry County College in 1970, will display his work in Drawingcraft, an exhibit in MCC’s Epping Gallery through Dec. 22.

An illustrator, graphic designer, and retired college professor, Havlik recently stopped by the Art and Design Department at the college, where he talked with several MCC faculty and staff members.

In a conversation with Trevor Power, MCC’s art gallery curator, the idea of the exhibit was discussed.

For more information, visit mchenry. edu/artgallery.

Community Foundation to celebrate philanthropy

National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15 will be observed by The Community Foundation for McHenry County.

According to a news release, National Philanthropy Day is a time to recognize and honor the contributions of

COURTESY PHOTO

Tammy Gould, Sue Van Den Bussche, and Lori Koenigsberger dressed up to deliver food to the Woodstock Food Pantry from their Halloween food drive of the Villas of Bull Valley.

Sheriff’s Office opens new regional training center McHenry County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the grand opening of the McHenry County Regional Training Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 8.

The center is a training center with 10,000 square feet of educational space including two classrooms, a mat room, and two conference rooms. The building was once Cary Village Hall and police station.

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Business

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Oct. 17 to 31 .

■ Residence at 255 E. Kimball Ave., Woodstock, was sold by The Arvid L. Widmayer Revocable Trust, Woodstock, to Joseph Noren, Woodstock, for $220,000.

■ Residence at 603 Ridgeland Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Lisa M. Papadopoulos, Crystal Lake, to Garry R. Graham, Woodstock, for $235,000.

■ Residence at 409 N. Seminary Ave., Unit 409, Woodstock, was sold by Alicia H. Roa, Chicago, to David J. Sidarous, Woodstock, for $222,000.

■ Residence at 124 Ridgewood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Jose H. Ortiz, Woodstock, to Jose L. Hernandez, Woodstock, for $238,000.

■ Residence at 421 Leah Lane 2A, Woodstock, was sold by Magdalena Wielomek, Woodstock, to John W. Bergman and Robert A. Bergman, Woodstock, for $142,000.

■ Residence at 8519 Dorr Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Cecelia Filliman, Deerfield, to Benjamin Canevello, Wonder Lake, for $270,000.

■ Residence at 2545 Applewood Lane, Woodstock, was sold by The Judicial Sales Corporation, Chicago, to Hometown Ltd., Woodstock, for $150,880.

■ Residence at 11214 Halma Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Scott K. Howatt, Bull Valley, to Cedric Theofanous, Woodstock, for $385,000.

■ Residence at 19802 Dunham Road, Woodstock, was sold by Dunham Property Holdings LLC, Skokie, to Robert Grottke, Woodstock, for $2,350,000.

■ Industrial building at 1066 Dieckman St., Woodstock, was sold by Stantine-Dieckman IL Properties LLC, Schaumburg, to Dieckman Holdings See REAL ESTATE Page 18

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“I’m very grateful,” said J&G Pastries owner Jessica Cook. The business, specializing in cakes, cupcakes, cakesicles, frosted sugar cookies, and other sweet treats, has grown enough that Cook is opening a shop at 203 Main St., with a grand opening this coming Saturday. The “J” in J&G is for Jessica, while the “G” stands for Cook’s son, 9-year-old Grayson.

Sweet dream comes true J&G Pastries to open this week on Woodstock’s Main Street

By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When The Woodstock Independent profiled Jessica Cook’s J&G Pastries in July 2022, the baker’s goal was to open a brick-and-mortar location.

Less than a year-and-a-half ago, Cook was just starting out. While still working her retail job full time, the Woodstock resident was driving to Schiller Park to use a commercial kitchen to create her cakesicles (a larger version of cake pops), chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-covered pretzels, and cupcakes.

Her customers found her via the J&G Pastries website, on Facebook, or through the old-fashioned way – by word-of-mouth.

Hard work and her popular

products have enabled Cook to give notice at her retail job and lease the compact space at 203 Main St., next to Classic Cinemas, that has launched many a Woodstock business, including Ethereal Confections and Casting Whimsy.

J&G Pastries, named for the first initials of Jessica Cook and her 9-year-old son, Grayson, will have its grand opening this weekend, on Nov, 18.

Growing menu, business

Over the past 17 months, Cook has expanded her menu to include layer cakes, more varieties of gourmet cupcakes, and frosted sugar cookies. “[The cookies] have done really well for me,” Cook said, “and I enjoy those the most.”

She finds pleasure in

experimenting and plans to add a new flavor or pastry each week.

Cook said she started looking around at what might be available for rent at the beginning of 2023, but it was not a “must-find-something” search.

“I couldn’t figure out what was in this space,” she said of her location, “but I knew it was some kind of kitchen operation.”

Our Sunshine Kitchen then occupied the spot, but the space was not open for customers to come inside.

Cook reached out to Casting Whimsy’s owners, Paula and Randy Aitken, who provided her with the landlord’s contact information. When she enquired, Cook was told that the space was leased.

“A random email” from the Continued on Next page

Continued from Previous page

Hurrying to get ready

displaced since the idling can finally return to work with a bright future.”

Former Woodstock resident starts Oregon newspaper Woodstock native Colleen Strohm is the publisher of The South Wasco Times, a monthly newspaper published in Maupin, Ore., about two hours east of Portland.

Strohm reports she launched the paper, which serves southern Wasco County, with a 20-page edition and a press run of 750 copies on Oct. 1.

Her husband, Doug Lowell, is advertising director along with being a reporter and photographer.

“It’s amazing how much excitement there is about this newspaper.”

Strohm said in a news release. “Our communities wants accurate information about the local politics, the schools, the events, and the people that impact our region. Too often rumor and word of mouth do not accurately reflect what has happened.”

Besides covering the meetings of southern Wasco school boards, city councils, planning commissions, and other public organizations, the paper will profile local business and individuals, she said in the release.

“The Independent reaches for depth and thoroughness; encourages diverse and wide-ranging viewpoints; and neither fears nor shies away from community controversies. No wonder it wins awards year after year.”

-Craig Hallenstein

36-year subscriber and author of the psychological thriller “The Dolphin”

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Woodstock

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For J&G’s grand opening, the shop will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. The first 25 visitors will receive a free sugar cookie, and there will be free face painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cook plans to be open that Sunday, as well, with normal business hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

She will adjust the store’s hours for special events, such as the Lighting of the Square and Ladies’ Night Out. Although she hopes to add an employee at the beginning of the year, Cook will be owner, baker, and counterperson through the end of 2023.

“I probably will not sleep for a while,” she said.

She still can’t quite believe that she’s opening a shop.

“I just went for it,” Cook said.

“It comes together if it’s meant to happen.”

With the contract agreement between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers, the company’s struggling Belvidere Assembly Plant has “a strong future … in both vehicle and battery production,” according to U.S. Rep. Bill Foster.

Eight months ago, Stellantis “indefinitely” idled the Belvidere plant, but Stellantis has now committed to investing nearly $5 billion to retool it for production of a new midsize truck, build an adjacent electric vehicle battery plant, and create a “megahub” parts distribution center. The contract promises to bring 2,500 jobs back to the 60-year-old plant.

Foster accompanied President Joe Biden on a visit to the factory last week.

Foster said “powerful state incentives” had been offered to “accommodate Stellantis’ ambitious future plans for Belvidere.” Federal incentives for EV and battery production “will continue to be essential in ensuring the economic future of the assembly plant for generations to come,” the statement said.

“This is a big win for Illinois, and means that the iconic Belvidere Assembly Plant should remain the beating heart of the entire community,” said Foster, whose 11th District includes Woodstock, “and that the workers who’ve been

17

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Inside, the floors have been redone and the walls painted.

A built-in bench by the front window allows a view of the movie theater’s marquee lights.

On the adjoining wall, a flower wall will form the background for a pink couch.

Next to the couch, a bar will run to the display counter with stools for seating. Opposite the bar, Cook had the beadboard lower half of the wall covered with chalkboard paint so that children can draw when they visit.

Cook is thrilled with her location. First, it is in Woodstock “that is so family-friendly and has so much to do,” she said.

She is especially delighted to be a next-door neighbor to Classic Cinemas.

“Grayson and I go to the movies all of the time,” she said.

Grand opening weekend

IN BRIEF Congressman say UAW contract to revive Belivdere

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

landlord popped up in Cook’s inbox in August, she said, letting her know that the space would soon be available if she were still interested.

Cook received the keys to the shop on Nov. 1.

Owners of other Main Street businesses have reached out to Cook on Facebook to welcome her.

“I love that it is a one-way street,” she said. “Everyone has to drive past.”

REAL ESTATE

18 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 16

BUSINESS

Nov. 15-21, 2023

LLC, South Chicago, for $1,335,000.

■ Residence at 1214 Gerry St., Woodstock, was sold by Michelle M. Brand, Hampshire, to Garrit Lackman, Woodstock, for $475,000.

■ Residence at 8108 Crystal Springs Road, Bull Valley, was sold by Karen Langell, Bull Valley, to Ernest Vasseur, Bull Valley, for $420,000.

■ Residence at 8605 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Tracey Jean Sheedlo, Wonder Lake, for $359,900.

■ Residence at 1163 Greenwood Circle, was sold by The Rigby Family Trust, Woodstock, to Verenice Maldonado, Woodstock, for $162,900.

■ Residence at 2014 Aspen Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Agatha E. Kowalski, Crystal Lake, to Robert Walsh, Woodstock, for $290,000.

■ Residence at 1511 Ginny Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Douglas Close, Huntley, to Janet Sjurseth, Woodstock, for $325,000.

■ Residence at 8553 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Jacob T. Johnson, Wonder Lake, for $227,000.

■ Residence at 4710 Redbud Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to

Oney’s Christmas Tree Farm

Sharon Marie Reglin, Wonder Lake, for $233,870.

■ Residence at 675 Oak St., Woodstock, was sold by David D. Piersall, Waukegan, to Miceli 5 LLC, Inverness, for $178,728 ■ Residence at 8603 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Jorge A. Revelo, Wonder Lake, for $354,435.

■ Residence at 3121 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Kennis A. Harr, Rockford, to Marcella M. Gordan, Woodstock, for $232,000.

■ Residence at 611 Wheeler St., Woodstock, was sold by Darrin Zimmerman, Crystal Lake, to Kathy Ann Meyer, Woodstock, for $189,900.

■ Residence at 232 Springwood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Stephen P. Bethel, Yorkville, to Anthony R. Unger, Woodstock, for $400,000.

■ Apartment building at 1262-1264 Thomas Drive, Woodstock, was sold

by The Dennis D. and Janet M. Windler Trust, Woodstock, to Jose Dominguez, Woodstock, for $224,900.

■ Residence at 505 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, was sold by Eduardo Glindo, Woodstock, to Paul M. Szustakowski, Woodstock, for $164,000.

■ Residence at 214 Ridgewood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The Joseph F. and Janet E. Roberts Trust, Martinsburg, W.Va., to Jose A. Castaneda, Woodstock, for $337,500.

Oney’s Christmas Tree Farm in picturesque Woodstock, IL is now on the market, but don’t worry, we’re still open for this holiday season!

Oney’s Christmas Tree Farm is a beloved local tradition, known for its enchanting atmosphere and beautiful trees. With 60+ years of history, this charming tree farm is now seeking a new caretaker to continue the legacy.

EXPLORE THE MAGIC

$1,759,000

16608 US Hwy 14, Woodstock A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

What Makes Oney's Special?

While Oney’s Christmas Tree Farm is looking for its next owner, we want you to know that

• 45-acre property with an additional 46-acre lease/

we are OPEN for the holiday season!

purchase possible

• You can harvest your own tree, buy precut, or purchase for planting

• Loyal customer base and strong community ties

• Enjoy our gift shop offering unique holiday gifts, wreaths, centerpieces, & decorations!

• Turnkey operation with machinery, Christmas, & field inventory

• Warm up in our Café with hot cocoa, apple cider doughnuts, & our famous cinnamon buns

• Proven profit potential with room for growth

• The kids love Mrs. Claus!

For inquiries about the farm’s sale, please contact: S. Lynn Klotz at 312.437.4549. or LKlotz@StarckRE.com

Open Nov 24, 25, 26 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 16608 Route 14, Woodstock IL 815.999.8040 • OneysTreeFarm.net

19

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Nov. 15-21, 2023

BUSINESS

WOODSTOCK COUNTRY CLUB Social Dining Memberships Now Available!

Join for next year and be able to dine with us this year.

Fining Dining at it’s Best!

COMMUNITY

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

20

SM-WOODSTOCK_CC

For Formore moreinformation informationcontact contact Michelle Michelleat at815-338-2191 815-338-2192 wccclub@wccbv.com wccclub@wccbv.com

Community

21

“We want our veterans to know that we are there for them,” American Legion Commander Louisett “Lou” Ness said.

For the first time, the VFW and the American Legion teamed up to host a joint Veterans Day ceremony at the McHenry County Courthouse Administrative Building in Woodstock. The focus of the event was serving veterans and ensuring that they know many organizations in the county are available to them.

“It is fitting that we hold the ceremony here at the county seat,” said Fred Strauss, VFW Post 5040 commander and Air Force veteran.

Ness sang the national anthem before County Board Chairman Michael Buehler delivered opening remarks. Buehler emphasized a debt of gratitude the community owes to “the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines ... raised right here.”

His appreciation extended to the number of the services available locally, including the Veterans Assistance Commission, which provides financial support, transportation to and from Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, emergency assistance, caregiver relief assistance, partner services, veterans service officers, and client outreach.

State Rep. Suzanne Ness, who read the official proclamation honoring veterans of the city of Woodstock, shared her excitement about

VFW Post 5040 Trustee and Army Vietnam veteran John Widmayer (below) holds the bugle after playing taps.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Operation Green Light, which encourages businesses and homes to display a green light in support of veterans across the county.

Rep. Steven Reick shared stories of his great-uncle who died Nov. 11, 1918 – the last day of World War I – and of his own son, who served in the Marine Corps. He summarized the famous John McCrae poem, “In Flanders Fields,” expressing his commitment to support for veterans whose sacrifices keep freedom alive.

Working together In the audience was World War II Army veteran Bill Lyford, who “wouldn’t miss the ceremony,” along with military veterans from a variety of eras and branches.

The VFW Post 5040 Honor Guard’s three-round volley took place before bugler John Widmayer, an Army veteran and VFW Post 5040 trustee, played taps.

To show tangible support for veterans, the Veterans Assistance See VETERANS Page 22

‘Tis the season for holiday greetings and counting blessings Why not say thank you with a banner ad in The Woodstock Independent?

Ads will be featured in our Dec. 20 total market edition, reaching 15,000.

This commemorative Year-in-Review edition will feature 2023 highlights!

DEADLINE: Dec. 13

BANNER ADS: $250 Size 9.5 x 2.25 (the size of this box) Email or call jill@thewoodstockindependent.com 815-701-9258

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

COMMUNITY

Army veterans Lou Ness and Carl Kamienski stand at the McHenry County Vietnam Veterans Memorial during Saturday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the McHenry County Administration Building. Both are County Board members who helped to organize the event for the American Legion and VFW posts in Woodstock.

By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Veterans honored during first joint ceremony of VFW, American Legion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

‘My real-life hero’

COMMUNITY

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

22

VETERANS

Continued from Page 21

Commission had a table set up inside the Administrative Building with information on services for veterans, along with coffee and doughnuts and a warm place to gather on the breezy, 45-degree morning.

Ness acknowledged the Legion’s event coordination with Carl Kamienski, a fellow Army veteran and County Board member.

“It was wonderful that [Kamienski] and I were able to work together on this,” Ness said. “It is all about coming together for those who have served – no matter where our political views are.”

Kamienski agreed.

“Today was awesome,” he said.

“I am looking forward to what is to come.”

The local VFW and American Legion posts have plans to work together on events in the near future.

“We are really excited about this collaboration,” said Army veteran Ed Hall, senior vice commander of the VFW post. “This is the first of more down the road.”

VFW members were stationed outside District 200 schools on Thursday to welcome students, see

DISTRICT 200 PHOTOS

During a Veterans Day ceremony Friday at Northwood Middle School, the crowd stands during a moment of silence. Northwood and Creekside invited veterans in for breakfast and a Veterans Day salute. them on and off buses, and wish them a good day.

“We really wanted to build a relationship with the community,” Strauss said. “Some schools hosted breakfasts, and we were invited to join. It was wonderful. We try to be active in our community.”

Honoring the fallen

The two organizations stationed

RealWoodstock.com

FARMERS MARKET McHenry County Fairgrounds: Select Saturdays in November 2023 - April 2024 • • • • • • • • • Nov 12-Dec 11 LEGEND OF THE PICKLE SCAVENGER HUNT • Nov 17-Dec 3 WHITE CHRISTMAS at the opera house • • • • • • • • Nov 24 LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 24-Dec 22 GINGERBREAD WALK • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 24-Dec 31 SHOP. DINE. SAVE. WIN! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 24-Dec 31 CHRISTMAS TREE WALK • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 25 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 26 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 26 COOKIES & CHURROS WITH SANTA • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nov 30 LADIES NIGHT OUT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Dec 8-17 NUTCRACKER BALLET at the opera house • • • • • • • • • • Feb 1-4 GROUNDHOG DAYS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RealWoodstock for up-to-date events!

veterans to stand guard at the county’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial throughout the morning and early afternoon Saturday .

Dan Neely, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, took one of the first shifts while his grandson Joshua Neely looked on. The Vietnam veteran recently returned from an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials.

“Seeing my grandpa up there [next to the monument] made it feel like I was seeing a comic book hero – but my real-life hero – in person,” young Neely said. “I love his courage. He went to serve and came back here to serve. I’m so proud of him.”

Veterans in need of support, assistance, education, or outreach can call the Veterans Assistance Commission at 815-334-4229.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF

WINTER IN WOODSTOCK

PHOTO DETECTIVE

Al Baker Woodstock High School Athletic Director

n sponsor

g to Know

-338-8040

learning about people’s stories

Broker 245 McHenry Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098

COMMUNITY

– Susan W. Murray

COURTESY PHOTO

Nov. 15-21, 2023

This building is in the running for the smallest gas station in Woodstock. Built in 1929, it operated as a Shell station until ceasing operation in 1941. The building is on what was once a U.S. highway and an Illinois highway. Gene Limbaugh suggests that the owner of the station was Orlow Brown, since he resided next door and his son-in-law was one of the operators. One of its operators went on to run a very successful business machines company.

Another became mayor of Woodstock.

After 1941, the building was vacant for several years, housed a news agency for two years, and became a private home in the mid-1950s.

Photo detectives, please identify the location of this gas station that is now a private residence and name any of its many operators.

Where did you grow up?

Walworth, Wisconsin First job for a paycheck?

Caddy at Big Foot Country Club How long have you called Woodstock home?

20 years What do you like best about living in Woodstock?

Anything that brings our community together such as Lighting of the Square, Groundhog Days, Barn Dance, Pride Fest, Care4 Breast Cancer 5K, Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre … those are the kinds of experiences that make me grateful to live here.

What is your favorite event in the Woodstock area?

Any Blue Streak athletic event, obviously If you could change one thing about Woodstock, what would it be?

We are pretty close to perfect, but if I had to say something, I guess we could use a Shake Shack.

Favorite spectator event (live or on TV)?

There’s nothing better than the opening weekend of March Madness.

When you want to eat at a local restaurant, where do you go, and what are you most likely to order?

There are lots of excellent options, but my favorite is the Southwest Steak Risotto at the Public House.

What item do you keep in your home for a quick snack?

I’m from Wisconsin, so cheese in any form is a go-to for me.

What did you learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

I learned I’m a dog person. I said no to a dog for a long time, because I thought we were too busy to care for one. But we definitely weren’t busy during COVID, so we got Delilah, and she is the best.

What personal interest are you most passionate about?

I love to cook. If I could magically add an hour or two to the day, I would use it to make dinner every night and sit down to enjoy it with my family.

Last movie you watched (at home or in a theater)? How do you rate it, 1 to 10?

“Oppenheimer” My son Charlie and I liked it a lot. I’ll say 8/10.

What kind of content in The Independent interests you most?

I like features on cool things that community members are doing – like John Richerd’s trip to D.C. or Susan Dacy’s biplane. I like learning about people’s stories. Richerd’s trip to D.C. or Susan Dacy’s biplane. I like

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Getting to Know

23

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

24

– 15th Annual –

Art of the Land Art Show and Fundraiser

ART of the LAND

Nov. 17 & 18, 2023 | 6:30-10:00 p.m.

The Starline Factory, 300 W. Front St. Harvard, IL

Tickets: $15 per night in advance $20 at the door

COMMUNITY

Enjoy the work of fine artists and skilled artisans who are inspired by the local landscape to create unique works of art.

Beautiful art and artisan items for purchase (holiday gifts!), live music – Cheryl & the Down Home Boys (Fri.), Donna Brooks & Ironwood (Sat.), Atrocious Poets (Fri.), nature photography & People’s Choice photo contest voting, youth art exhibit, raffles, appetizers included, cash bar and fun!

Art of the Land is TLC’s biggest event of the year, and 30% of art sales supports land preservation in McHenry County.

Scan the QR code to order tickets, or go to www.ArtoftheLand.org!

PICTURE THIS

Aerial view of Woodstock in 1958, looking southeast with Memorial Hospital and Woodstock High School in the foreground.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

New to the McHenry County Historical Society’s museum store is “Quilts of the Heritage Quilters, Volume II.” Since 1987, the Heritage Quilters have generously donated their time and talents to making unique, hand-sewn quilts benefitting the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum. Volume II showcases quilts created over the past 10 years and commemorates their dedicated work. To purchase a copy, visit gothistory.org, or email info@mchenrycountyhistory.org for a mail-in order form. Book proceeds benefit the McHenry County Historical Society.

Kitchens • Baths • Windows • Millwork • Lumber • Doors 815-338-0075 • 1101 Lake Ave., Woodstock • www.woodstocklumber.com

Local bird seeks recognition that it exists in Illinois

COURTESY PHOTO

If you see this bird, a clay-colored sparrow, around McHenry County, you’ll know its endangered but not extirpated.

SUBSCRIBING made easy

n a c S e: her

to find sparrows that are exhibiting signs that they are living here long term. In June, we looked for signs of breeding and nesting. We found two birds exhibiting such behaviors and recorded where they were, what the location was like, and what they were doing.

This is fewer birds than last year, but it is possible that their populations have been affected by an outside factor, such as low rains or habitat changes. Clay-colored sparrows

Mills Guanci is a water and natural resource protection intern for the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.

Fall into savings with in stock carpet and Come see our 10 Year anniversary sale large selection vinyl planks of in stock carpet ready for and vinyl ready for install! install DO YOUR FLOORS NEED A SUMMER REBOOT?

In stock carpet and vinyl plank flooring ready for install for the holidays. or call Rebecca at 815-338-8040

COMMUNITY

To prove the birds were at Pioneer Tree Farm, Randy had to find them. He’s been going out for years to collect data about the birds and, in recent years, has taken Defenders interns out with him to gain experience. He stands at six different plots and searches for five minutes per plot to get consistent data.

This year, Gena, the other Water and Natural Resources Protection Action Team intern, and I went with him. The goal of the search is

Nov. 15-21, 2023

The clay-colored sparrow was declared extirpated in Illinois, meaning that no more of these birds are considered to be living in the entire state. That, however, is untrue.

Randy Schietzelt, a retired professor of biology and member of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, knew of a population of rare clay-colored sparrows in McHenry County. He Environmental spoke out Defenders at a meetThe Green Scene ing, declaring they were not extirpated at all! Randy set out to prove there were clay-colored sparrows breeding at Pioneer Tree Farm, north of McHenry, thus proving that the bird should not be considered extirpated.

That could increase protection and care for the clay-colored sparrow, allowing them to regrow their populations.

need young trees with lots of space and cannot thrive in open fields or forests. That means their niche is relatively small and changes over time.

Tree farms can be perfect for them, and Pioneer Tree Farm’s dedication to organic trees makes them an ideal location. In either case, we don’t know enough yet to pinpoint a reason. It is possible that populations will be back up next year.

Randy’s commitment to bringing back the clay-colored sparrows is a testament to scientists’ dedication to improving the world. Nearly singlehandedly, his work is making a difference in his community and certainly for the clay-colored sparrows.

If Randy succeeds in making Illinois acknowledge them, they will be put back on the Illinois Threatened and Endangered Species List.

That recognition would gain them protections such as habitat preservation and legal protection. Hopefully, Randy’s hard work will pay off soon!

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

By Mills Guanci

25

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4 Sundays by appointment only Contractors Welcome!

2020 S. Eastwood Drive (Rt. 47) Woodstock, IL 815-334-5985

10

w

Mon-Thur Sunday Con

2104 S. Eastwood Drive (Rt. 47) •

‘A lot of tears, a lot of hugs’

COMMUNITY

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

26

Stuff the Stocking for Zach shares the joy while helping people in need

By Susan W. Murray

individuals and families in need and to spread the joy of random acts of kindness on and around Valentine’s Day.

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Each year, after Woodstock resident Diane Brokaw raises money through Stuff the Stocking for Zach, she uses some of the funds to surprise strangers in local grocery stores and pharmacies with envelopes containing gift cards.

In addition to one or more gift cards, each heart-adorned envelope contains a picture of her son, Zach, and a note from Diane that explains his story. In June 2015, the 2013 Woodstock North High School salutatorian was killed when he fell asleep while driving.

In the early years of Stuff the Stocking, Diane often funded local student-focused projects in Zach’s memory, including a field trip for School District 200 fourth-graders to Rockford’s Burpee Museum of Natural History. Since 2021, she has used the money she raises during each Christmas season to aid

‘A gift for you’

COURTESY PHOTO

Stuff the Stocking for Zach raises money in memory of Zach Brokaw, who died in June 2015 when he fell asleep while driving. Funds raised help individuals and families in need, provide large tips to local restaurant and hospitality industry workers, and are given in the form of gift cards to random strangers.

This past February, Diane saw a woman in line at a local pharmacy.

“I have a gift for you,” she said, handing the woman an envelope.

The woman spoke only Spanish, but Diane successfully got across that she should keep the envelope.

Months later, an acquaintance contacted Diane.

She had gone to her mother-inlaw’s house for dinner, the acquaintance said. Her mother-in-law had always had a small shrine in her home that displayed the photos of family members who had passed away. On this visit, there was a new photo – one of Zach.

Recognizing Zach, the acquaintance asked her mother-in-law about the photo. It had come in an envelope with a gift card, her

The Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry presents

Thursday November 30 4 - 9 PM Come sip and shop your way around the Woodstock Square as you kick off your holiday shopping with this annual tradition.

Enjoy live music, a complimentary tote bag for all guests and a coupon book loaded with exclusive promos and deals!

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A portion of Ladies Night Out proceeds support the Miss Woodstock Scholarship Pageant scholarship fund.

December 31, 2023

mother-in-law told her, given to her by a woman at the pharmacy.

Led by Zach – and God

“I always feel that Zach – and God – lead me to the people in need,” Diane said.

This past year, that included helping a local family whose mother had to deliver her baby prematurely so the mom could begin chemotherapy treatments for Stage 4 breast cancer.

For each of the past three years, Diane has hosted a dinner at New Directions Sober Living in Woodstock.

“I think everyone has someone they know who has been touched by alcoholism or addiction,” she said.

She tells the residents Zach’s story and explains what she does in his memory. Each receives money in his or her housing account, along with gift cards that can be used for a future meal and for personal items.

Many tell her their Continued on Next page

Continued from Previous page

Donations from all over

IN BRIEF MCC instructor to explore Russia-Ukraine conflict

This year, when Kingston Lanes hosts its Feather Party on the night before Thanksgiving, Stuff the Stocking for Zach will be the beneficiary of the raffles at the party.

Donations can also be sent to Diane Brokaw, P. O. Box 762, Wonder Lake, IL 60097 or via Zelle/PayPal to dianebrokaw@juno.com. (Use the “Sending to a Friend” option.)

domination, and the idea of proxy war.

Salhi has taught at MCC since 2008, including classes in Comparative Government, International Relations, U.S. Foreign Policy, International Terrorism, and U.S. Government.

The session is free and open to the public. Registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome.

Register and learn more at mchenry.edu/experts.

COMMUNITY

Details of the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict will be the topic at McHenry County College’s latest Experts and Insights speaker series at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in Luecht Auditorium.

“Putin’s War” will be presented by political science instructor Ribhi Salhi, who will explain Russia’s ambitions, Moscow’s fears of Western

Event at Kingston Lanes

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Amounts ranging from $5 to $500 made up the $14,000 that Stuff the Stocking raised last year.

Some comes from family and friends, including Zach’s high school and college classmates who have moved out of the area.

But many donations come from people Diane does not know. Last

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

“heartbreaking” stories.

“There are a lot of tears and a lot of hugs,” Diane said. “They feel alone. I want them to know that somebody cares.”

27

year, she wrote out 300 thank you notes by hand.

“I’m always amazed by the generosity of complete strangers who see an article in a newspaper,” she said.

Spread

Spirit -- all winter long!

!

ALERT Y A W A GIVE

When you renew your subscription or begin a new subscription between December 1 and December 15, you will be automatically entered to win one of five TWI logo knit pompon hats!

As the weather turns colder, The Woodstock Independent seeks to provide not only news and sports, but “headwarming” features as well.

So, wear your TWI hat with pride, and share your support! *Increase your chances by purchasing or gifting a subscription to family or friends!

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

28

Happenings

calendar

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

COMMUNITY

16 THURSDAY

Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 8 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

18 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK CREATIVE LIVING: FRANCES FARMERS MARKET PALMER McHenry County Fairgrounds Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 10 a.m. $22 woodstockoperahouse.com

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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

‘SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD’

2900 Raffel Road 7 p.m.

Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road 2 and 7 p.m wnhs7470.booktix.com

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

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

17 FRIDAY

‘SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD’

Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road 7 p.m wnhs7470.booktix.com

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

19 SUNDAY

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

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

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B

seats woodstockoperahouse.com

21 TUESDAY

SLC - THE CREATION OF ‘RAGTIME’ - CHARLES TROY

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. Noon $15 presentation only $25 Presentation with Cesaroni’s lunchbox woodstockoperahouse.com

SLC SNOWMAN PAINT AND SIP Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 6:30 p.m. $45 woodstockoperahouse.com

23 THURSDAY

THANKSGIVING DAY

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

24 FRIDAY

LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE Woodstock Square 4 to 8 p.m.

ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7 p.m.

To sign up, email Keith@offsquare music.com

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’ Woodstock Opera House

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

121 W. Van Buren St. 8 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

25 SATURDAY

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

26 SUNDAY

WOODSTOCK CHRISTMAS PARADE Woodstock Square 2 p.m.

COOKIES AND CHURROS WITH SANTA 240 N. Throop St. 2:30 p.m.

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

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

Adults: $26 A seats; $20 B seats Senior citizens: $24 A seats; $18 B seats Students: $ 16 A seats; $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

30 THURSDAY

TRIVIA USA

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

LADIES NITE OUT

Woodstock Square Check-in: 121 W. Van Buren St. 4 to 9 p.m.

THE COMEDY ZONE - VINCE ACEVEDO Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m. $22 woodstockoperahouse.com

DECEMBER

1 FRIDAY

THEATRE 121 – ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m. $30 VIP seating; $20 A seating; $15 B seating woodstockoperahouse.com

HOPPY HOUR

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. Presented by Friends of the Opera House 7:30 p.m. $40 woodstockoperahouse.com

2 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

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

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

Resurrection Catholic Church

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

29 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

35 years ago – 1988

Nov. 15-21, 2023

■ The Woodstock Plan Commission held a special meeting for a public hearing on Castleshire, a residential development planned for Borden Lane. Neighbors were opposing the development.

■ The Woodstock High School girls swim team set three school records in a single meet. Honors went to the 200-meter medley relay team of Julie Schlicting, Natalie Faes, Becky Wagenaar, and Erica Amundsen.

Wagenaar and Faes set new records as individuals.

30 years ago – 1993

25 years ago – 1998

■ In the general election, Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks narrowly defeated his Republican challenger, Mike Brown, to represent the 63rd District. Franks received 15,575 votes to Brown’s 15,427.

■ The cross-country “Season of the C/Katies” ended with Marian’s Catie LaBracke and Woodstock’s Katie Hartmann finishing second in their respective classes at the IHSA state meet in Peoria. Marian’s team won the Class A team title.

20 years ago – 2003

■ Nearly 300 people attended a Woodstock City Council meeting, most of whom opposed a proposal to turn over Opera House programming to an outside entity. The council voted against the proposal.

■ The Crossfire U-13 boys soccer team went 10-0 and allowed only seven goals in the fall season. Players were Matt Buhrow, Ryan Mayfield, Scott Rausch, Joe Narusis, Andy Helms, Brian Hoyer, Chris Ludwig, Josh Ruben, Zac Norys, Zach Otten, Frankie Camarena, Jake Scimeca, Tim Rampey, Marshall Happ, Jake Schalz, and Gus Alanis.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

NOV. 24, 1993 – Daisy Scout Emily Haager (center) helps Lynda Remmers sew a Daisy Scout smock at Sewing Concepts on the Square. Kayla Brady waits her turn. Remmers, owner of Sewing Concepts, taught members of Woodstock Daisy Troop 233 a little about sewing as she helped the girls make their smocks.

15 years ago – 2008

■ Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education President Paul Meyer praised the people involved in designing, planning, and building Woodstock North High School at the school’s dedication ceremony.

■ The Dickens Carollers, a community a cappella group, announced its yuletide appearances. The group began in 1982 as a spin-off from a community theater production of “My Fair Lady.” Originally, the ragtag group of cockney street carolers formed as a weekend promotion for merchants on the Square, and it became a perennial draw for locals and tourists.

10 years ago – 2013

■ The long awaited 7-acre dog park at the northwest corner of Bull Valley and Country Club roads was opening. Annual memberships ($60) and 50 charter memberships ($500 valid for 10 years) were being sold to Woodstock and Bull Valley residents.

■ A new set of firehouse doors

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– re-creations of the building’s original 1890s doors – were installed in the front of the Opera House. They were paid for from the bequest of Opera House supporter Audrey Anderson.

■ WHS sophomore Roman Rodriguez was elected youth leader of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights organization.

5 years ago – 2018

■ The Independent concluded a fourpart examination of how Woodstock and McHenry County had been affected by opioid addiction – a silent, invisible killer. The final series of articles centered on the need for a community-wide effort to deal effectively with the opioid epidemic.

■ WNHS senior Brian Flores was featured in The Independent as Student of the Week. Flores was president of North’s Spanish Honor Society, vice president of the VIVA Spanish Club, and co-president of the French Club.

1 year ago – 2022

■ Despite late decisions to file their candidacies, former Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager and Louisett “Lou” Ness of Woodstock were elected to the two District 7 seats on the McHenry County Board. Sager, a Republican, and Ness, a Democrat, were elected as part of a County Board that had been downsized from 24 to 18 seats. The county also got a new member of Congress in Bill Foster, a Democratic, whose 11th District was redrawn in 2021 to include Woodstock. He defeated Republican Catalina Lauf of Woodstock. Voter turnout for the Nov. 8 elections was 48 percent for McHenry County.

■ To accommodate its growing business, MAC Automation Concepts completed a 30,000-square-foot expansion at 1760 Kilkenny Court in Woodstock, increasing manufacturing space to 74,000 square feet. The family-owned business supplies auxiliary equipment and parts-handling solutions to the plastics industry.

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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

■ WHS cross-country coach Marty Sobczak was preparing for a trip to Vietnam with the People to People program.

■ WHS was launching a new food service curriculum under the leadership of home economics teacher Karen Reinhard.

■ Ed Brucker and Fred Tessler coached the WHS sophomore football team to an undefeated season and the conference championship.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 24, 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 GOAT YOGA JOY located at 403 N FLEMING ROAD, WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: JANNA MILLER AND DANIEL MILLER 403 N FLEMING ROAD, WOODSTOCK IL 60098.

Dated: OCTOBER 24, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 1, 2023, November 8, 2023, November 15, 2023) L11690

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 24, 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 A. B. FLOORING PLUS located at 4802 MT. THABOR RD. WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: ANDREW SNAJENKO

4802 MT. THABOR RD. WOODSTOCK IL 60098.

Dated: OCTOBER 24, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 1, 2023, November 8, 2023, November 15, 2023) L11692

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000306 In the Matter of the Estate of CHARLEEN A. MAZALEWSKI Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of CHARLEEN A. MAZALEWSKI Of: LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL Letters of office were issued on: 10/17/2023 To Representative: THOMAS A. MAZALEWSKI 25702 IRON GATE RD. MADISON, AL 35756 whose attorney is: WILBRANDT LEGAL 65 S. VIRGINIA ST. 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 November 8, 2023, November 15, 2023)L11694

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000319 In the Matter of the Estate of RONG SONG SOKOLOWSKI Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of RONG SONG SOKOLOWSKI Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 10/26/2023 To Representative: ROBERT SOKOLOWSKI 40 S. WALKUP AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE.

Pet Week of

the

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

“Robin”

7-year-old domestic shorthair

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

I am Robin, a 7-year-old female. I traveled from a kill shelter in Southern Illinois to have my second chance at Helping Paws. Some people think I look like a grumpy old lady, but I am the sweetest girl! I always greet people with a meow. I also love to give and receive affection. Overall, I would say I am a very laid back and friendly lady. I have discovered wand toys, and they are so fun to play with! As far as the other kitties go, I don’t mind them as long as I have my own bubble of space and still get attention. I am microchipped, fully vaccinated, and spayed. If you think I would be a good fit for your home, call Helping Paws today!

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 November 8, 2023, November 15, 2023) L11695

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 6, 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 KAREN EVENSON DBA KATHERINE MICHAEL ASSOCIATES located at 1303 BOULDER CT. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: KAREN EVENSON 1303 BOULDER CT. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: NOVEMBER 6, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 15, 2023)L11697

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000327 In the Matter of the Estate of RITA H. BURRA Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of RITA H.

BURRA Of: ALGONQUIN, IL Letters of office were issued on: 11/6/2023 To Representative: NICHOLAS WESSEL 308 BUCK TR. TWIN LAKES, WI 53181 whose attorney is: STUSOWSKI KRAFT 380 N. TERRA COTTA RD. UNIT C CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60012 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 November 15, 2023)L11698

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 8, 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 HEROICA located at 131240 LARSWOOD CT. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60012. Owner Name & Address: ROSTYSLAV SHKOLA 1240 LARSWOOD CT. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60012.

Dated: NOVEMBER 8, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 15, 2023)L11699

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER HOURS: SUNDAY - THURSDAY, 11 AM TO 5 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY - 11 AM TO 7 PM CHECK FACEBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS & HOURS

ISANS ON MAI T R N “A

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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131

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Nov. 15-21, 2023 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2017

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SPORTS

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

34

Sports

COLLEGE REPORT

By Dan Chamness

On the football field, the defense does not often get an opportunity to score.

Not only did the U.S. Air Force Academy defense score in the Falcons’ 17-6 win over the Naval Academy, but they also held the Midshipmen to just one touchdown.

Jayden Thiergood, a Marian Central Catholic graduate, did his part by posting six tackles as a defensive lineman, two of them solos. The Chicago resident was also in on a sack of the Navy quarterback for a loss of three yards.

On the offensive side of the ball, Thor Paglialong, a Marian Central graduate and Woodstock resident, started and helped the Falcons’ skill players earn 288 yards. They passed for 151 yards and rushed for 137 yards. Air Force had nine first downs and one passing touchdown.

VOLLEYBALL Sophie Wicker (Woodstock) posted at least 22 digs in each of two Southwestern University matches recently.

Unfortunately, Southwestern lost both 3-0. In a loss to Evangel University, Wicker had 26 digs and three assists.

She had 22 digs and three assists in a loss to the University of Saint Mary.

Southwestern is 9-13 overall and 2-8 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Kaitlyn Wickersheim (Woodstock North) had 15 digs as her college volleyball team, Western Illinois University, blanked the University of TennesseeMartin 3-0. The freshman also posted double-digit dig totals in two other matches. In the 3-2 win over the University of Southern Indiana, she had 14 digs. She finished with 13 digs in a 3-1 loss to Tennessee-Martin. Western Illinois is 7-14 overall and 6-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

CROSS-COUNTRY Siobhan Stoll (Marian Central Catholic) was Creighton University’s sixth runner to cross the finish line in the Big East Conference Women’s Cross Country Championships. The championship race was held at the Wayne Dannehl Course in Kenosha, Wis. Stoll completed the 6,000-meter course in 23:29.96, good for 67th. As a team, Creighton was eighth of the 11 teams, scoring 228 points. Georgetown University won the meet with 28 points.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY VICKY LONG

Woodstock High School athletes sign national letters of intent Nov. 8 at the school. Pictured are (from left) Sam Chapman, Hallie Steponaitis, and Val Sardelli.

Next level play

Three WHS student athletes commit to college sports programs

By Lisa Kunzie

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Of the nearly 8 million students who play high school sports, only about 48,000 each year sign a national letter of intent. Woodstock High School head girls soccer coach Brian Thomas cited that data from the Next College Student Athlete recruiting site during his speech at WHS’ National Signing Day Nov. 8. Three Blue Streaks seniors put pen to paper to accept offers to compete at the next level: baseball player Sam Chapman, soccer keeper Val Sardelli, and volleyballer Hallie Steponaitis.

Sam Chapman: baseball

Chapman, a pitcher and outfielder for the Blue Streaks, committed to Division I Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“Sam’s a very talented baseball player, but it goes beyond that,” WHS head baseball coach Matt Prill said.

“The things that I’m so proud of him for is his work ethic. If you watch him go about his daily routine, the way he carries himself, and the way he goes about improving himself within his craft, that’s just what’s so impressive

to me, and that’s why I know for a fact he’s going to be successful at the next level.”

Prill said Chapman led the team in average hits, on base percentage (.535), and slugging (.628) last year and earned KRC All-Conference recognition in 2023.

Chapman said coaches for the Cougars found him early in the recruiting process. The campus visit sealed the deal, and the university was close enough to home.

“I’m looking forward to baseball season to play with all my friends again one last time and go back out and see what we can do,” Chapman said of the spring 2024 Streaks team.

Hallie Steponaitis: volleyball

Steponaitis, the 2023 KRC player of the year, will head to Florida in the fall to play collegiate volleyball at D-I Jacksonville University.

“Her main goal going into the season was that she wanted to break the 1,000-kill barrier,” WHS coach Jimmy Neill said. “1,000 kills in four years is very difficult to do.”

But she did it, ending her senior season with 1,025 kills, despite a

freshman year hampered by COVID19 in 2020. He said that goal helped the team win its first regional title since 2007.

The future Dolphin said, “When I went down to visit, I fell in love with the campus, and the coaches, and the environment, and so I knew right then that it was the school for me.”

Val Sardelli: soccer

Goalkeeper Val Sardelli signed to play soccer for Purdue University Northwest, a D-II school.

“They’re getting a great student and athlete,” said coach Thomas, highlighting not only Sardelli’s soccer stats, but also her enrollment in all honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Credit classes.

Highlights of the four-year varsity goalkeeper to date include 18 shutout games, multiple one-goal games, twotime KRC keeper of the year, and twotime team captain.

The future Lion said that when she met the head coach, Mary Whisler, she knew this was a team she wanted to play for. “She’s coming in to build a program, and I think she’s doing a really good job of building a culture that I want to be a part of.”

Meg Ivers is all smiles as she crosses the finish line at the Ironman World Championships Oct. 14. thought.

New perspective

After the race on Oct. 14, I took a few extra days to explore some of his favorite places on the island – the steaming Kilauea volcano, rainbow falls in the “golden hour” before sunset, and Ken’s Pancake House in Hilo. This additional chapter of self-exploration with my bag a bit heavier from my race medal and kukui nut lei that one of my mentors put on me at the finish line, taught me a lot and left me feeling as though he was right there by my side for every step – ordering another helping of macadamia nut pancakes and demanding that whatever I did next, to keep smiling and laughing my way through it.

As the race faded away with departing athletes, volunteers and workers, the full beauty of the island took center stage. I was in awe learning about how the island was formed and shaped over time by the dramatic influences of natural phenomena sparked by the ring of fire and human interaction. From underground lava tubes to the tropical forests to the crisp, moonlike peak of Mauna Kea, it was very clear how small we are and yet how big the possibilities are each day we’re lucky enough to see the sun rise.

Only the beginning

… By the time I was swimming parallel to the Kailua-Kona Pier where my bike was waiting with more than 2,000 others belonging to women on similar paths of self-discovery, I knew this

BOYS BOWLING ■ Nov. 6 - Woodstock co-op defeated Larkin 3,294-2,657 ■ Nov. 8 – Woodstock co-op defeated McHenry.

■ Nov. 9 – Woodstock co-op fell to Grayslake North 3,292-3,138.

GIRLS SWIMMING ■ Nov. 10 - Woodstock co-op swimmer Bella Borta competed in the IHSA State Championship meet, finishing 30th in the 50-yard freestyle.

YOUTH FOTBALL ■ Nov. 11 - The Woodstock Thunder Youth Football and Cheer Middleweight Big 10 team played in the Big 10 5A superbowl. The team fell to Glenview 27-0.

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

Jill@thewoodstock independent.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Bella Borta - Girls Swimming

Bella Borta, a senior at Woodstock North High School, was the Fox Valley Conference champion in the 50-yard freestyle. She finished second at the sectionals qualifying meet and advanced to state in the 50 free.

Bella is also on pace for the high school record in the 50 free. She is a professional in her work ethic and has strong leadership skills. She truly stands out in her athletic ability and the team looks up to her.

Best of Luck at State, Bella!

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SPORTS

COURTESY PHOTO

race’s swim was soon behind me and that I had opened the door for another unforgettable day.

The extra snack I ate before the race had staved off any hunger in the 75-minute, 2.4-mile swim, and I didn’t take in any water, boding well for the 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run across the lava fields (the only semi-worthy comparison I can think of being the expanse of cornfields in the Midwest states of the U.S.). I expected the remnants of a recent bout of plantar fasciitis to hurt and was not surprised when it intensified during the final six hours of the day.

And all around me I felt and heard other athletes, friends, and, in spirit, family pushing me to a finish line that meant as much athletically as it did for female empowerment and equity in this inaugural and historic, women’sonly Kona Ironman. As I made the final turn down Ali’i Drive, a far cry from the suburban park at which I was denied inclusion, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the finish line was the start of something much, much greater – even more opportunities waiting to be explored.

Meg Ivers has written a series of columns in The Independent to give a first-hand account of her triathlon journey.

35

Nov. 15-21, 2023

Another beautiful morning, another beautiful sunrise.

I took a deep breath and looked around. To my left, a mountain getting brighter and brighter with every breath as the day dawned. To my right, a great expanse of bright blue sea and a sky that occasionally disappeared behind a swell of water. Magically, the scene illuminated by ever-stronger rays of sunshine, soon illuminating me and my freestyle swimming stroke, too.

The whole scene was breathtaking – the feel of Meg being carried by Ivers an ocean curGuest column rent, the taste of salty seawater, and visually amazing bioluminescent sea creatures joining the sparkling sun in a dance that teased the senses. It all sent chills head to toe, making the effort feel effortless.

I zeroed in on a baby sea turtle hanging out on the sandy bottom of the bay that provided such an exotic backdrop for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 14 and reminded myself I was in a race …

Too young to remember how old I was, I remember like a lot of kids watching this race on TV and thinking, “I want to do that someday.” Little did I know that being a girl would be one of the hardest parts of achieving that goal, my 10-year-old self being told she couldn’t compete in a cross-country meet because she was a girl. It was a foreshadowing of many more systemic hurdles to overcome alongside the inevitable injuries and setbacks that are part of such pursuits.

Life took over, and as I’ve shared in previous columns, plenty of obstacles offered reasons to stop. However, the love and support of my family and friends kept me going.

One of my uncles who was most encouraging throughout my athletic career actually moved to the Big Island where the race is held. As I came of age and dipped my toe in all sorts of races, he was always one of my biggest fans. I remember how his genuine interest and enthusiasm would excite me to bring him up to speed on my progress at holiday gatherings. When he moved to Hawaii, I took that as another sign that this race was in my future and looked forward to sharing the finish-line celebration with him. Unfortunately, another even bigger obstacle came in the form of a terminal illness for him, and he passed away a few years before I could see that vision through – or so I

NN SCOREBOARD NN

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Ironman Triathlon worlds, only the beginning

SPORTS

Nov. 15-21, 2023

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

36

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