Woodstock Independent 11/20/24

for Groundhog Days 2025

Marian girls tennis enjoyed a very successful season

‘Planning for the future’

Endowment would establish a legacy for maintaining Opera House

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“We are planning for the future,” Friends of the Opera House president Peggy Hart said.

On Nov. 9, after Henry Winkler’s Opera House debut, Hart announced the Friends’ plan to launch an endowment.

“The official launch will be

sometime in 2025,” Hart explained, “but people are more than welcome to donate now.”

She said that after the pandemic, the nonprofit group discussed the Opera House’s fate in the event of any “financial calamities.”

Charred balcony railing and boarded up doors were common sights the morning after a fire late Nov. 12 caused one death and displaced more than 30 people at an apartment complex on the north side of Woodstock. Efforts to assist those displaced began the next day and took several forms, from donations of needed items to social media appeals.

Old complex = no alarm system

Man dies, 30+ people displaced when fire ravages northside apartments

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Community efforts were organized quickly last week to help the more than 30 people who were displaced by a fire that killed one person while doing heavy damage to an apartment complex on the north side of

Woodstock.

Two days after the Nov. 12 fire, McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein identified the victim as Douglas Webster, 54. An autopsy was conducted Thursday, but no official cause of death was disclosed. Neither was the cause of the fire announced.

The complex did not have an interconnected smoke alarm system, according to WFRD Deputy Chief Matt Hedges, because it was built before the fire code required it, and no significant structural upgrades since called for code compliance. The building was considered a nonconforming use.

See FIRE Page 3

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

OBITUARIES

Amy Michele Roeder, 47

Amy Michele Roeder, 47, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Woodstock. Amy was born on Dec. 27, 1976, in Woodstock to Michael and Kim (Mallory) Pollnow.

After graduating from Marengo High School in 1995, Amy earned a degree from Parkland College in 1998 to pursue a career in dental hygiene.

Amy Michele Roeder

From there, she practiced for 12 years at Marengo Family Dental in her hometown, where she provided the best gift to her patients: a fresh, shiny smile.

On Sept. 7, 2002, in Huntley, Ill., Amy married the love of her life, Paul Roeder, and they went on to have three precious children, Jacob (18), Brandon (16), and Autumn (11). Amy loved nothing more than traveling to serene places with her family. Whether it was a sandy beach in Mexico, enjoying the lake life in Wisconsin, or the southernmost tip of the U.S. in Key West, she embraced and appreciated all this beautiful world had to offer.

In 2011, Amy decided to do the one thing that she cherished most, which was to be a full-time mom to her kids. This role was meant for Amy. She was a mom who put every ounce of her being into her family. Whether it was running to soccer or basketball, baking her alltoo-famous desserts for a birthday party, decorating the yard for homecoming group pictures, going to an orchestra concert, or volunteering at one of the kids’ schools, she lived her life for her family. Amy was the ideal stay-athome mom who created the most loving, happy, and comfortable home for her four favorite people.

In the fall of 2021, Amy accepted a position as an associate at Westwood

Elementary School in Woodstock in a school district she had been volunteering in for years. Being the giving and selfless person she was, this was the perfect job for her to give back. She had an amazingly powerful impact on so many young lives in her community.

Amy and Paul built a village of friends that were so important to her. Amy’s love and passion for life, along with her trademark heart-shaped smile, were contagious. If you were lucky enough to know Amy, you know that she was always up for a good time. She loved to host gatherings, as she had a knack for bringing people together. Amy created a home that welcomed you with sweet treats,

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Colin P. Kelley, 23, Woodstock, was arrested Oct. 30 on Main Street on a charge of trespassing. Cited and released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 26.

■ Seyle R. Martinez Duarte, 39, Woodstock, was arrested Oct. 30 on South Madison Street on charges of endangering the life/health of a child and an arrest warrant. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 14.

■ Napoleon B. Downs III, 32, Woodstock, was arrested Oct. 30 at Hercules Road and Macintosh Avenue on charges of driving while license suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle when registration suspended. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 21.

■ Paul M. Bassett, 43, Woodstock, was arrested Oct. 31 on U.S. 14 on charges of disorderly conduct, reckless conduct, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Transported to McHenry County Jail. Court date Dec. 6.

Where to send obituaries

You may email obituary information to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com, or mail to or drop it off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock IL 60098. Obituaries are published online immediately and in the next print edition. There is a charge for the publication of obituaries and accompanying photographs. For more information, call The Independent at 815-338-8040.

the unique scent of a seasonal candle, décor covering every inch of the house for every holiday, family pictures adorning the shelves, and fresh flowers, fruits, and veggies on the counter. Her heart and soul were always on display with her personal touch stamped everywhere.

Amy is survived by her loving husband, Paul, as well as her three children, Jacob, Brandon, and Autumn; her parents, Kim (Don) Koplin and Michael (Denise) Pollnow both of Marengo; her sister Abby (Craig) Brackmann of Marengo; her nieces Mia and Elyse Brackmann; her mother-in-law, Maria (Serge) Roeder of Illinois; her brotherin-law, Ryan Roeder, of Wisconsin; her

■ Ashley R. Zelek, 32, Woodstock, was cited Nov.1 on Lake Avenue on a charge of unlawful visitation interference. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 18.

■ Bruce A. Croslow, 50, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 1 at U.S. 14 and Doty Road on a charge of aggravated assault to a police officer. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 18.

■ Orlando P. Riley, 66, transient, was arrested Nov. 1 on Lake Avenue on a charge of driving while license suspended. Relased with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 8.

■ Rosaleyah A. Beiruti, 20, Lansing, was arrested Nov. 2 at North U.S. 14 and Dean Street on a charge of driving while license suspended. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 5.

■ Jonathan I. Lanman, 20, McHenry, was arrested Nov. 2 on South Eastwood Drive on charges of driving under the influence, possession of a revoked driver’s license, and resisting a police officer. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 12.

■ Julian Estrada Castaneda, 70, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 3 on Pleasant Street on an arrest warrant and a charge of no valid driver’s license. Released on bond. Court date Nov. 21.

■ Jose A. Ortiz-Bernal, 48, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 3 in the 200 block of North Benton Street on charges of public consumption of alcohol and two counts of resisting/ obstructing a police officer. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 12.

■ Aaron H. Graff, 42, Des Plaines, was arrested Nov. 3 on South Eastwood

nieces Halie (Sebastian) Roeder and Adelyn Roeder, both of Wisconsin; her great-nephew, Cashton; and her aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Amy was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Bob and Violet Mallory; her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Pollnow Mattingly; and her fatherin-law, Neal Roeder.

A celebration of Amy’s life will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Courthouse Square, 101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock (the Old Courthouse Center). Memorial donations can be made at: gofundme.com

Drive on charges of driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, and unlawful possession of cannabis. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 24.

■ Steven M. Rodriguez, 33, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 4 at Clay Street and Todd Avenue on a charge of driving while license suspended. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 21.

■ Daniel B. Schuch, 28, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 4 on West Jackson Street on charges of possession of open alcohol by driver, driving while license suspended, and improper display of registration. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 21.

■ Jeremias Cardoso Eutimio, 43, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 6 on Lake Avenue on a charge of retail theft. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 13.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

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

EMS calls for Nov. 7 to 13: 52

Fire Runs

Structure fire: 1

Combustible, spills & leaks: 2

Chemical release, reaction, or toxic condition: 1

Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 2

Person in distress: 1

Public service assistance: 5

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

Dispatched and canceled en route: 2

Unintentional system/detector (no fire): 2

Total: 72

FIRE

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

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

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

A request for additional units was made through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, which ultimately went to the fifth alarm to support

firefighting and station coverage efforts. More than 20 area departments responded to the call, according to Alex Vucha, public information officer of the WFRD.

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

The adult male who suffered lifethreatening injuries was scheduled to

be airlifted, but he was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Two people taken to the hospital – one with critical injuries and one with a medical condition unrelated to the fire – have since been released, Vucha said Monday, No firefighter injuries were reported. The fire was declared under control by midnight, Vucha reported, but firefighters remained at the scene overnight to douse hotspots and monitor

the site.

The American Red Cross was assisting people affected with temporary relocation and essential living needs.

In response to the fire, a temporary relocation center was established at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 401 St. John’s Road, to assist displaced residents. Residents in need of support were encouraged to visit the center for assistance and resources.

In the following days, several GoFundMe campaigns were set up to assist the displaced apartment dwellers; a list of needed items was posted on the Buy Nothing website, with donations to be dropped off at the church; and donations were encouraged to The Community Foundation for McHenry County Crisis Fund, which was collaborating with local organizations. St. John’s reported local residents were generous with their donations.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation late last week by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, Woodstock Police Department, and the office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, which investigates fire fatalities.

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INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY Apartment residents saved what they could from the blaze.

IN BRIEF

Holiday traffic campaign writes hundreds of tickets

McHenry County Sheriff’s deputies issued 238 citations during the recent Halloween “Click It or Ticket” enforcement period, according to a news release.

During the enforcement period, they wrote 47 citations for seat belt violations, second only to 83 tickets for speeding.

Other citations were issued for:

* 14 for using electronic communication device while driving

* 13 for suspended vehicle registration

* 10 for suspended/revoked/no valid license

* 25 uninsured for motorists

* 46 other various traffic offense citations

The Illinois “Click It or Ticket” campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds.

City police start this week on holiday enforcement

This Thanksgiving, the Woodstock Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies to ensure holiday travelers are buckled up and driving sober.

The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign will run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 2, according to a news release from Chief of Police John Lieb.

“Thanksgiving means more vehicles on the road and an increased risk of crashes,” Lieb said. “No matter how long or short your drive, remember to buckle up and ensure that children are correctly secured in a safe seat. By buckling up and planning for a sober ride home, you help everyone have a safe and happy holiday,” the chief said.

The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaigns emphasize safety education, strong laws, and law enforcement’s commitment to saving lives, the release said. The goal of this high-visibility effort is to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the statewide seat-belt usage rate stands at 92.4%, indicating that there is room for improvement.

Friends of the Opera House President Peggy Hart announces an Opera House endowment fund will be established in 2025, “But people are more than welcome to donate now.”

ENDOWMENT

Continued from Page 1

Revisiting the financial plan

The board of directors decided this year that it was a good time to revisit the idea of raising additional funds.

“We have someone on the board who is capable of being a consultant,” Hart said. “That has been a huge asset as we speak with financial planners.”

Traditionally, the Friends of the Opera House has been a support system for when the Opera House has a need.

“Our bylaws require us to spend our monies on enhancements to the experiences of patrons of the Opera House and of performers and entertainers,” Hart explained. “We’ve purchased a washer and dryer when those failed, we’ve purchased risers for the stage, curtains, and the

LED wall. … We like to be there when there is an unexpected expense.”

The endowment will allow the Friends to more easily provide for the Opera House’s needs well into the future.

Hart said the group has been advised to raise $100,000 to begin the endowment fund. That will allow the Friends to make better use of the monies entrusted to the fund by curating a strong investment portfolio.

“We would like to have $750,000 to $1 million,” Hart said. “[That would] ensure the financial stability of the Opera House.”

Earnings from investments would cover the Opera House’s unexpected needs, ensuring its ability to bring the arts to Woodstock and area residents for years to come.

“The Opera House is responsible for bringing in people from all

over through programming,” she said. “Because of the Opera House, we have strong arts programming, as well as so many cost-free opportunities to experience the arts, like the City Band, music in the park, and a variety of art showings in the community room. Supporting and sustaining the Opera House is so important.”

Over the past 20 years, the group has raised and donated about $300,000 to the Opera House.

Currently the Friends raise monies through a membership or a donor program, as well as fundraisers held throughout the year. Those options still will be available. For now, with a call to the Woodstock Opera House box office at 815-338-4212, donors may put their money directly into the Friends of the Opera House Endowment Fund.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

For anyone wondering about the mysterious poles that appeared on each side of the Park in the Square last week, Woodstock Information Technology director Dan McElmeel cleared it up.

“Those four new poles are for a wireless network that we’re putting in to run various city systems that are going throughout the entire Square,” he said.

The network will work with recent electrical upgrades for functions in the Park in the Square, such as powering the Christmas tree lights this year. It will also enhance the audio coming from the bandstand.

For this holiday season, the network will help to run the new multicolored perimeter lighting that was just installed on buildings around the Square and in the immediate vicinity. Holiday lights will have the ability to be white or combinations of red, blue, and green.

“We are investigating potentially tying music to lighting in the future,”

The poles that went up on each side of the Park in the Square last week caused no end of online speculation. The answer is pretty simple: The four poles support a wireless network to run various city systems, including audio from the bandstand and holiday perimeter lighting.

McElmeel added.

Other future Square upgrades could include electronic informational kiosks.

As far as speculation that there were security cameras atop the poles, McElmeel said the only thing on the poles

is the wireless network equipment. He did add that if public safety security cameras were ever added to the Square, the wireless network would coordinate and support them as well. But, he added, currently, there are no projects on the books for that.

OR 10:15-11:15A

Woodstock, IL • 1987

If it seems a little one-sided, that’s local politics

If you follow politics, and it’s been hard not to during the past few months, you know the pundits are showing off their perfect hindsight to explain why results were what they were.

The fact none of them told us about it in advance makes us a little skeptical of their Monday-morning quarterbacking.

But an undeniable result they all seem to agree on is that the nation shifted to the political right – that is, voters elected a lot of Republicans, giving them the presidency, the U.S. Senate, and (it now appears) the U.S. House.

Of course, that is nothing new for McHenry County, which has voted for Donald Trump in the past three presidential elections – giving him victories by about 11,000 votes over Hillary Clinton in 2016, 4,000 votes over Joe Biden in 2020, and 11,000 votes over Kamala Harris this year. McHenry County didn’t have to shift to the right Nov. 5 – it was already there.

As we noted in this space a few weeks ago, Republicans are a sure bet for electoral success in this county. That was true again this

election, as Democratic victories were few. And in several local races, Democrats didn’t even have a candidate on the ballot.

Local Republicans increased their advantage on the County Board from 13-5 to 15-3. Democrat Lou Ness of Woodstock lost her District 7 seat to

Republican Paul Thomas of Wonder Lake.

Democrats did have some victories to celebrate, however. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, who represents Woodstock in the 11th District, won an eighth term in Congress, thanks to a friendly district map provided by a Democratic

state Legislature. As we noted in that earlier editorial, smart money is on Democrats in state races, and they maintained their firm grip on the Illinois General Assembly in this election, but Republican Steve Reick of Woodstock won a fifth term in the House.

Like Foster, who lost in McHenry County but won re-election, fellow Democrats Jan Schakowsky in the Ninth District and Brad Schneider in the 10th will be returning to Capitol Hill despite their McHenry County voters. The county’s other congressman, Republican Darin LaHood, had no opponent for his District 16 seat on Nov. 5.

As of election night – with a few thousand ballots yet to be counted –about 67% of McHenry County voters had voted. That’s comparable to past presidential elections. Nearly 70% voted in 2020, and about 66.5% in 2016.

Not bad, but for such consequential elections, it should be much higher, especially with early voting and vote-by-mail options readily available..

Maybe the pundits can explain that.

Bipartisan solution needed to protect kids online

There are a lot of moms like me who had kids at a young age and then, after an extended gap, had more kids later in life.

Raising my two older kids in the early 2000s had its fair share of difficulties, but there is no question raising my two younger kids in the current digital age presents some unprecedented challenges.

As much as I would like to be able to monitor everything my kids see and do online, the truth is I can’t be there 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. It is impossible. I trust my kids, but I don’t share that same trust of the online community. We need Congress to act to help parents take on the challenges of the digital age, but whatever action is taken must be done in a responsible manner.

Taunya

One bill still under consideration in Congress is the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). While the push to add new protections for kids online is a movement that many, including me, proudly stand behind, several debilitating flaws in the bill’s construction were overlooked.

One central concern with KOSA is its “duty of care” provision. The duty of care calls on social platforms to regulate content considered “harmful to minors.” Yet rather than provide further details to explain its vague

criteria, it leaves the authority to the platforms themselves and the FTC, which can take legal action against companies that refuse to take down content they consider “harmful.” As platforms seek to avoid these legal battles, they are likely to take any content that could be deemed harmful by KOSA’s enforcers, which essentially puts regulators in charge of what kinds of content my kids see. Moreover, the FTC is not the only regulator that stands to gain

Continued on Next page

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY CHIP HUMBERTSON

Madden Guest columnist

A lesson in small-town resilience

Recent travels brought my husband, Tom, and me closer to devastation than we expected.

Tom and I planned a motorcoach guided tour from Oct. 13 to 25 that would visit major tourist spots in Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The final stop scheduled for Oct. 23-24 was Asheville, NC. When we saw news reports of Hurricane Helene’s damage from Sept. 24-29, we knew this destination had to change. Our tour company quickly substituted Gatlinburg, Tenn., as the final stop.

We had added a couple of days to our trip to drive to visit our grandson in Columbia, S.C. The drive from Asheville would have been about two hours. Now our trek would begin in Gatlinburg, which meant a five-hour drive. Since the rental car cost was exorbitant, due to an extra $250 charge for leaving the car in a different city, we instead hired an Uber, which cost considerably less. The driver even served as a tour guide. Besides the longer distance from Columbia, we had to drive through the hairpin turns in the Great Smoky Mountains. Many routes were not available because of damaged roads from the storms. Around lunchtime, we decided to stop in the next town, which turned out to be Canton, NC.

The last few miles leading to the town should have been breathtaking but instead were shocking. Canton is 17 miles west of Asheville and suffered the same devastating hurricane damage. In this hilly area, the headwaters of the Pigeon River had receded and left mud-covered roads.

Continued from Previous page

tremendous authority to restrict content online through KOSA. In its current state, the legislation also empowers state attorneys general to wield it in coordination with state law to take action against platforms hosting content from individuals and organizations with whom they disagree.

The last thing we need in the effort to protect kids is to have political bias interjected in the rules governing kids’ ability to access online

Many buildings had collapsed or suffered near-total destruction. Several structures from what used to be a major paper factory on a large riverside property were destroyed or shut down. Piles of lumber were strewn everywhere.

Canton’s nickname, “Papertown,” was evident on many billboards and fences.

close for good during the upcoming summer. The closure affected 1,100 workers.

Woodstock

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Subscription rates/year

$80 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $82 in McHenry County. $87 for snowbirds and $95 outside McHenry County.

Corrections

In the midst of all of this damage, we did locate an open restaurant on Main Street called the Lunchbox Café. Some 15 patrons were inside, including a group of 10 relief workers from a nearby Baptist church who were easily identified by their matching yellow shirts. This hinted that major relief efforts were continuing even a month after Hurricane Helene.

We learned about Canton’s experience from our waitress, who was very eager to tell the town’s story. The 4,422 residents are survivors of several recent disasters.

Canton was one of the largest-hit areas in 2021 during Tropical Storm Fred, which flooded the town’s entire four square miles. The damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024 was worse.

In between those two natural disasters, the town’s major employer since 1908, a pulp and paper mill, Champion Fibre Co., announced in March 2023 that the mill would

content. Access to the internet is part of everyday life for kids. Kids need access to the Internet to do even basic things like getting their school assignments.

Too often, well-intentioned laws end up doing more harm than good because our leaders in Congress want to do something, even if that might not solve the problem.

I hope that Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and her colleagues will take the time to get KOSA right. Doing something for the sake of

“Many people have never recovered from any of these events,” our waitress said, “but this restaurant sat high enough up that we cleaned out quickly after Helene and were able to continue serving relief workers, families with nowhere else to go, and military personnel in town to help with the cleanup.”

An article in The Charlotte Observer mentioned that the local Pisgah High School staff checked on its students daily to see which ones had lost their homes. Floodwaters had covered the bleachers in the football stadium except for three rows. The football field was damaged and all of its surrounding fencing destroyed. The coach knew that the seniors had played their last game too soon. He hopes the juniors will get to play there again.

Another of the waitress’s comments was poignant: “We hope they find the last of the missing bodies.”

Tom and I will recall this in-person witness of such devastation for a very long time. Woodstock faces its own weather challenges now and then, but the extent in Canton was far beyond what we would have imagined. We will continue to offer our prayers for all those affected by the recent storms and be grateful for our many blessings, especially during this Thanksgiving season.

Janet Dovidio is a regular freelance contributor to The Woodstock Independent.

doing something is not a real solution. We must protect kids online and prioritize their safety, but we must also ensure KOSA cannot be used as a political weapon.

Taunya Madden is an emergency room nurse at Memorial Hospital in Springfield.

Email Letters to the Editor to pr@ thewoodstockindependent.com, or bring them or mail them to 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL, 60098.

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

Staff

PUBLISHER EMERITA Cheryl Wormley c wormley@thewoodstockindependent com

PUBLISHER Rebecca McDaniel rebecca@thewoodstockindependent com

EDITOR Larry Lough larry@thewoodstockindependent com

ADVERTISING Jill Flores jill@thewoodstockindependent com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Kucharski sandy@thewoodstockindependent.com

COLUMNISTS

Paul Lockwood, Lisa Haderlein, Dan Chamness, Patricia Kraft, Nancy Shevel, Julie Peters

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andrew Rousey, Vicky Long

CORRESPONDENTS

Tricia Carzoli, Janet Dovidio, Susan W. Murray, Megan Ivers, Lydia LaGue, Eileen Millard, Ruth Raubertas, Caryl Dierksen, Juel Mecklenburg, Seth Rowe, Lisa Kunzie, Jen Nichols

EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS Jim Mansfield, Chip Humbertson

PROOFREADER Don Humbertson CIRCULATION

Beverly Meuch, Dennis Micheletti, Bill Schwerdtfeger, John Wickham

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Janet Dovidio

Declarations

Schools

Board adopts resolution to lower tax rate

Students and staff recognized

By Caryl Dierksen NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education has adopted its tax levy resolution for the coming year with a tentative tax levy at $71.4 million, which district officials say will lower the district’s tax rate,. The levy will become official when the board approves it at the Dec. 10 meeting. Last year’s tax rate was 5.6867% per $100 of assessed property value. This year’s rate will decrease to 5.4361%, pending adoption of the resolution. District Chief Financial Officer Julie Dillon said that district officials were able to lower the total tax rate by using reserve funds to abate $14.5 million in payments on the district’s construction debt. The decrease was also made possible by higher equalized assessed values of property and new construction added to the tax

rolls.

According to a D-200 news release, estimated new property in 2024 is assessed at $11.1 million. The addition of the new property accounted for about 25 percent of the 3.79% increase in the overall levy. The overall equalized assessed valuation of property within district boundaries is expected to rise, as it has since 2015, to an estimated $1.3 billion in 2024.

“In addition to addressing rising costs for staff and materials, we again are budgeting to pay our debt without an additional rise in property taxes,” Superintendent Mike Moan said. “We continue working to provide a high-quality education while remaining as fiscally responsible as possible.”

It is too soon, however, to know whether a lower tax rate will lower tax bills. That will depend on the homeowner’s property tax bill in 2025. The rate will be applied to

the property assessment, which can rise enough to offset the rate deduction.

Board offers recognition

The board continued its practice of beginning meetings by recognizing recent achievements of students and staff members. The following individuals were honored:

• Lou Lou Splendoria, a Northwood Middle School eighth-grade cross-country runner who qualified for the IESA State Cross Country Meet in Normal on Saturday, Oct. 19. She placed 96th out of 224 runners, with a time of 13:12.

• Andrea Isabelli, French teacher at Woodstock and Woodstock North High Schools, who was named the Illinois French Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Teachers of French.

See SCHOOL BOARD, Page 11

IN BRIEF

New take on Scrooge at MCC presentation Dec. 11

A new take on Ebenezer Scrooge’s well-known tale of personal transformation with “A Christmas Carol Revisited: Scrooge’s Reclamation” will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at McHenry County College. The program, held in the college’s Luecht Auditorium and foyer, will be presented by retired English instructor Ted Hazelgrove and retired philosophy instructor Jim Gould.

“In addition to being a celebration of Christmas, Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a profound meditation that challenges us to think about duty to others, personal happiness, and moral transformation,” Hazelgrove said.

The presentation will use role play, film, PowerPoint, and discussion to examine Scrooge’s change from closed-hearted miser to open-hearted philanthropist, Gould added.

The event will begin with festive music from local chamber group The Evergreen Collective and refreshments from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The presentation will go from 6–7 p.m., with time for Q&A afterward with the presenters. The event is free and open to the community. Registration is not required.

People who need an accommodation or a sign language interpreter, should call MCC’s Access and Disability Services department at 815455-8766 or email disabilityservices@ mchenry.edu.

D200 PHOTO

The Staff Spotlight shines on Northwood literacy teacher Ashley Hurckes and associate Laurie Smith. Pictured with them are their principal and students who spoke in their honor. They are (from left) Northwood Principal Bethany Hall, Holden Van Der Aa, Cora Zone, Hurckes, Smith, Megan Udelhofen, and Layla Lieberman.

Alan Hafferkamp Blake Hafferkamp Brittany Hafferkamp

SCHOOL BOARD

• Debra Walsdorf, the District 200 web manager, who received the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association’s Award of Excellence for her work on the district’s new website.

In addition, Northwood Principal Bethany Hall recognized literacy teacher Ashley Hurckes and associate Laurie Smith as recipients of the District 200 Staff Spotlight award for exemplary effort in their jobs. Northwood students Holden Van Der Aa, Cora Zone, Megan Udelhofen, and Layla Lieberman also expressed their appreciation for the work of Hurckes and Smith.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the Woodstock High School Learning Resources Center.

IT’S A JUNGLE IN THERE

St. Mary School second- through fourth-graders perform in “The Jungle Book” in the school auditorium, Nov. 8 and 9. Claire Ferber (Bagheera) and Henry Leitzen (Mowgli) led the cast, with a plethora of jungle animals, such as monkeys and elephants. A living jungle helps lead Mowgli away from the tiger, Shere Khan. School parent Jillian Chase designed the sets, music teacher Joanna Gross directed the music and oversaw costuming, while principal Hillary Russell directed the show.

D-200 PHOTOS

Pictured from left: Lou Lou Splendoria, a Northwood Middle School eighth-grader, competed in the IESA State Cross-Country Meet.

Andrea Isabelli, D-200 high school teacher, was chosen as Illinois French Teacher of the Year.

Debra Walsdorf, District 200 web manager, received the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association’s Award of Excellence.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Annual Cookie Walk And Craft Fair

December 7, 2024 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Homemade cookies are available to purchase by the pound

• Crafters will be offering their items for sale

• Lunch will be available for an additional cost

• The Christmas Tree lot will also be open!

This is your one-stop shop for Christmas!

Tree lot opens at 10 a.m .on Nov. 29.

Regular Tree lot hours:

Monday - Friday, 5-7 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

201 W. South St., Woodstock, IL 60098

COURTESY PHOTO

Sue Connor and Jerry Slack took The Woodstock Independent to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico

Take The Independent on your next vacation, take a photo, and send it to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com to be featured.

Needful Things Shop

Now On The Square

101 S. Benton St.

We offer a unique shopping experience where our staff shares their passions for fandom, art, collectibles, jewelry, games, decor, and more to help you find that special gift!

We provide budget-friendly options for families, allowing family members to shop for each other. If you're unsure about anime or need something for a friend who loves a specific show, or if you're searching for a gift for that hardto-buy-for person, we’ve got you covered!

Whether you need stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, White Elephant presents, grab bags, or gifts for spouses or kids, we have what you need! Come in and let us help you find a unique gift for that special someone this holiday season.

Store hours

Mon-12 to 7

Tues-Thur 11-7 Fri-Sat 11-9 Sun 12-6

Student of the Week

Finn Pivnicka

Northwood Middle School 8th Grade

Earn a bachelor’s or advanced degree close to home (in downtown Woodstock) from one of our educational partners:

Scan the QR code to receive more information about the University Center at MCC. Contact us at any time at: ucenter@mchenry.edu or (815) 479-7600 Visit our website: www.mchenry.edu/ucenter Visit us: 222 East Church Street Woodstock, IL 60098

Bachelor’s and advanced degree programs within reach. Live Here. Learn Here.

Marian Central Catholic High School senior Finn Pivnicka is the

A short trip to learn much about Mexican culture

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock High School Spanish teachers

Bronte Borter and Kasey Kruckenberg led their students from AP Spanish Language and Culture and the dual-credit Spanish III classes on a Day of the Dead experience in late October. An Impact Grant from the D200 Education Foundation funded the field trip.

This year’s Impact Grants were presented at an Oct. 17 event at Woodstock North High School.

“In both of these classes, the students learned about the Day of the Dead and its cultural significance, with special attention to the altars or ofrendas,” Borter said. “They learned the history and reasons for the celebration and the crucial elements needed to create an ofrenda.”

The group viewed the Day of the Dead exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. Each year, the exhibit honors local or national figures who have died. Afterward, the students deepened their knowledge of Mexican culture by participating in a scavenger hunt.

“The main ofrenda honored a museum employee who was very involved in the arts in Chicago,” Kruckenberg said. “There were pictures of the woman, candles to guide the spirits, and food, flowers, candles, and objects to recall her passions and to help us honor her and her life. This reminds us that death is nothing to be scared

On a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago to learn about Day of the Dead celebrations, Woodstock High School students stand in front of a mural in Pilsen. Made out of mosaic tiles, the mural features the word “Paz” (peace). Pictured (from left) are Viridiana Carbajal Nova, Daniela Uvilla, Giselle Bravo, and Nataly Sanchez-Ortiz.

of and should be used to celebrate their lives.”

The main entrance to the museum gift shop displayed a marigold, used for Day of the Dead for its bright orange color. The flower is placed around ofrendas and creates a path that guides the spirits.

The presentation also included two skeletons dressed in aristocratic attire as a reminder that regardless of social class, everyone will experience death.

Several students offered their opinions of the field trip.

“Last minute, I really didn’t want to go,” Brandon Lambert said. “I really liked all the murals that are painted on all the houses in Pilsen.”

“I was worried about missing school,” Vic Anthony Perez said, “but the experience was worth it! The small businesses were all so unique!”

Jazziel Plascencia said that the trip was worth it. “The carnitas at Carnitas Uruapan were huge and amazing!”

Borter offered the final word.

“The students loved the experience,” he said. “They received authentic exposure to Day of the Dead and got actual experience on how the Mexican people celebrate and honor their loved ones who have passed.”

Since its inception in 1993, the D200 Education Foundation has funded nearly $750,000 for school equipment, projects, and events.

District 200 Education Foundation awards more than $28K

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

Making good on its purpose to enrich students’ lives, the Woodstock District 200 Education Foundation awarded more than $28,000 to fund Impact Grant proposals from Woodstock Community Unit School District educators.

Each school year, the Foundation board sorts through dozens of grant applications with requests for educational field trips, equipment, or educational materials to provide unique learning experiences for D-200 students in 12 schools..

This year’s Impact Grants were presented at an Oct. 17 event at Woodstock North High School.

Jaci Krandel, co-president of the D 200 Ed Foundation, said she and other members of the board are grateful for

the generous business owners and individuals who offer financial support to the Foundation each year.

“Their support is the reason we’re able to manifest teachers’ creative ideas for special student experiences, which helps make school more exciting for these kids,” Krandel said.

Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has provided nearly $750,000 for school-related endeavors. Most of the funding comes from sponsors and donors who participate in Groundhog Day events each February, with smaller events throughout the year.

The following are a sample of the Impact Grants funded by the Foundation for the 2024-2025 school year:

● $500 for students to learn about kite flying at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center for a proposal submitted by Christine Huffman and Christina Jost

● $480 for a field trip for special education students at Dean Street Elementary to the Meadows Petting Farm, requested by Scott Becker

● $250 to help Woodstock High students take a tour of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood and visit the National Museum of Mexican Art, awarded to Bronte Borter and Kasey Kruckenberg

● $1,340 for a fourth-grade field trip to the Burpee Museum was awarded to Joanna Bacon and Nancy Urbina.

● $550 in playground sports equipment for Westwood Elementary students to use at recess was provided to Maelyn Thornton

● $1,000 was awarded to Lyndra Bastian and Andrew Viveros so that Woodstock High and Creekside Middle orchestra students can work with a professional mariachi band.

● $ 1,200 to support the Woodstock

and Woodstock North High math teams, requested by Anna Spencer and Sarah Pigman.

The Education Foundation Board is composed of former teachers and administrators, as well as former parents and community leaders.

Superintendent Mike Moan said that he and D-200 staff members appreciate everything the Education Foundation Board members do on behalf of the district’s students.

“They give so much of their time and energy to create wonderful opportunities for our students. We never take for granted how much this community supports our schools,” Moan said.

The Education Foundation’s next fundraising events will tie in with the 2025 Groundhog Days celebration.

COURTESY PHOTO

Coca-Cola is latest to film in Woodstock

Hollywood keeps passing through Woodstock

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock residents will want to keep their eyes peeled this coming holiday season for a peek of their town in an ad for a popular soft drink.

Filming took place two weeks ago in Woodstock for a holiday-themed Coco-Cola™ commercial, according to city of Woodstock executive assistant Jane Howie.

Howie said that a film crew turned Platform 108 into a diner to film for about three hours on a Tuesday morning.

The hair salon is located at 108 Washington St., but the owner was unavailable for comment.

“The crew was quick,” Howie said. “They were in and out before they went to film in Union.”

Howie said she believed the commercial had a holiday theme, but did not know its premise.

A popular filming site

Howie said that there had been an uptick in requests for filming in Woodstock.

“We’ve had a lot of filming in the city recently,” Howie said. “ [The movie] ‘Beyond Belief’ was here in the last few weeks and spent a lot of time in Woodstock. … [The numerous filming requests] were surprising since it happened all of a sudden. But we are always happy to have people interested in Woodstock.”

Howie said the city embraces filming crews.

“It is wonderful to be able to share our city with new people,” she said. “It is great that they enjoy working here, too. It brings people to

Woodstock, and those people spend money in our city [supporting local businesses] while they are here as well. It is a good overall experience.”

From Woodstock to Union

The filming crew then went directly to Union to film at the Illinois Railway Museum.

IRM Executive Director Nick Kallas said the filming crew used museum property as a base camp as well as a filming location.

“The crew used a few of our passenger trains,” Kallas said. “They had extras on our trains and filmed there, as well as at one of our crossings.”

Kallas indicated that the commercial “seemed to be focused on coming home for the holidays.”

The locomotives utilized by the film were older Amtrak cars.

“They were pieces we had in our

collection,” Kallas said. “We have a lot of variety in our collection –which is why we are so often chosen for a filming location.”

His team pulled the cars out of storage, prepared them, and placed them where the filming crews needed them.

He further shared that the passengers on the train were dressed in contemporary clothing, suggesting the commercial might be set in the present day.

“The filming took place directly after the filming in Woodstock,” he said. “They were here for about six hours.”

Those six hours included sunset and dusk.

Kallas indicated that filming also took place on at least two farm properties in the Union area.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Filming for the Coca-Cola commercial took place at Platform 108 in Woodstock and the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.

Kellin Hanas (center) performs with two middle school jazz bands. Northwood Middle School jazz band director Katy Holub (right) introduces Hanas. The District 200 Jazz Festival was held Nov. 14 at Woodstock North High School. The event featured jazz bands from Creekside and Northwood Middle Schools, Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools, and a special guest artist, professional trumpeter and Wheaton, Ill., native Kellin Hanas. The two middle schools started the night off on stage together playing independently, followed by a combined performance of both schools. Hanas joined in for one song with each band and played with the combined groups to finish off their performances. Hanas has been called by the International Trumpet Guild Journal “one of the best up-and-coming jazz musicians on the globe.” She is a trumpeter, composer, and comedian based out of New York City and Chicago.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Luck, timing, and the art of programming

The Woodstock Opera House – now past post-COVID, post-renovation – looks on to the future

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“There are 411 seats in the auditorium,” said Woodstock Opera House Director Daniel Campbell. “That is not going to change – it will never have more than that.” The smaller, more intimate theater size is part of the charm of the Woodstock Opera House, but also part of the challenge: to keep all 411 seats filled year-round.

How do you keep revenue up, attract the performances your audience wants, keep it affordable, and strive to keep the Opera House’s tax dol lar support to a minimum each year?

The answer is a combination of luck, timing, relationships, and experience, and Campbell and his team are up to the task.

The numbers

The Opera House year-end report for fiscal year 2023-2024 was presented to the Woodstock City Council at the Sept. 17 meeting. The facts and figures showed a steady bounce back in the years since COVID. Major financial indicators were at or above pre-COVID levels for the most part:

• Ticket sales at $732,576, up from pre-COVID $623,347

• Main stage attendance at 29,959, up from preCOVID 26,672

• Concession sales of $193,003, up from preCOVID $46,105

• Over 40,000 annual attendees

• An estimated more than 50,000 visitors

• A total of 804 events and activities, including over 250 live performances.

“We do keep pretty busy,” Campbell said. “We average about two events a day here.” The events include Stage Left programming and groups that use the auditorium or community areas for meetings and presentations.

Even though the Opera House was closed from July 1 to mid-October for renovation this year, Campbell said it does not mean that the 20242025 revenue will be down by a quarter of its normal revenue. The work was scheduled to take advantage of slower summertime use and reopen for the busiest time of the year, the October to December holiday season, where as much as 45% of the total fiscal year’s revenue comes from.

Walking a fine line

“The more expensive the act, the higher the ticket price we constantly have to go to,” said Campbell. “There always comes a point where you meet that threshold. Are we competing with other theaters, or are we charging way more … and we are no longer being competitive.”

One recent example was the successful appearance of actor Henry Winkler at a sold-out,

Opera House Director Daniel Campbell holds up a piece of the original 1889 Opera House stage floor that was recently replaced. The pieces are for sale as a fundraiser, available at the box office.

one-night-only show. “We didn’t quite break even, but it was worth it,” said Campbell. “It’s a big lift for a theater this size.“

Successful programming boils down to two choices, he said. “You can pull back on your programming and reduce costs. But if the demand is out there, we want to meet that demand. The Opera House is a force of nature in our community as an arts organization.”

Proactive programming

The Opera House recently went to a new style of programming. Instead of relying so much on talent agents to reach out at short notice when an artist has an open night while on tour, the Opera House is producing more of its own shows by contacting the talent directly and negotiating prices and details. Campbell said they are “producing ten times more in-house productions” than in the last five to six years.

Relationships with talent agents still bring in programming. But the goal is to have a much fuller schedule to announce at the beginning of a season instead of scrambling to promote acts added on at the last minute.

Performer loyalty

“Arlo Guthrie performed here a lot in the ’90s”, Campbell said. “He had a resurgence in the late 2000s and was back on tour in big venues.” Guthrie told his agent he wanted to play at the Woodstock Opera House because of the support he had received when he was not as big of a draw.

In a Nov. 1, 2022, Facebook post, Guthrie gave the Opera House a shout-out as one of his favorite places to play:

“I loved performing at the Woodstock Opera

House. A small venue, and lovely. I always looked forward to being there. We played there about a dozen times over a 20-year period.”

“Which gets back to, when we have artists here, we want them to have the best experience they can have,” Campbell said.

Resident companies, user groups

“A lot of (our programming) success is buoyed by the fact that we have resident companies like Theatre 121, the Woodstock Fine Arts Association, Off Square Music, and the Judith Svalander Dance Theater,” Campbell said. Other valuable support comes from a dedicated volunteer fundraising group, the Friends of the Opera House.

The recent renovation brings value to three groups of users, Campbell said.

For the audience, there is a more open floor plan that is easier to navigate. New amenities also include an expanded bar service, a new lounge area for meet-and-greets, better access to the theater via a new stairway, a new sound system, better lighting and new video expansion.

“We have to compete with the other arts organizations in the area,” Campbell said. “These are the things that people want to see when they come to see live programs.“

For the performers, there are expanded dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms and better amenities for food service. There is also a crossover behind the stage to go from one side of the stage to the other during performances. “To do that before, you had to pass through all three building (areas) to get from one side of the stage to the other,” Campbell said, including going up and down stairs. “They used to say, ‘If you run, you can make it in 30 seconds,’” he added with a smile. “This is a huge benefit for companies like the Judith Svalander Dance Theater.”

Even things as simple as a larger laundry area and the addition of showers for the first time can be a vast improvement for touring companies. The third group to benefit is the Opera House staff. Offices and workspaces used to be scattered in any available spaces on all three floors, said Campbell. Staff will now be consolidated in one area to increase productivity, and a dedicated break room will improve morale.

Here for the long run

Being a performance venue that is owned by a municipality has a plus side, Campbell said. The shutdown of public events during COVID caused many theaters in the country to close for good. But the Opera House was able to keep full-time staff on during the interval.

“We will always be here,” Campbell said, “as long as the city wants us to be here, and as long as the people in the community want us to be here.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

The election is finally behind us and it's time to get on with the task of doing the business of the People of Illinois. I want to thank everyone who came out to vote. Whether you supported me or my opponent, this year's turnout was gratifying, because with all the negative advertising that swirled through the airwaves, it would have been easy to say ‘a plague on both your houses’ and stay home. That you didn’t do that is testimony to the health of our democracy, regardless of the stresses that are placed upon it.

Elections don’t solve the problems that confront us, they tell us what issues matter most to you. Your idea of solutions to those problems may differ from mine, but political and ideological alignment are not required for us to try to solve them, and we must solve them. We’ll never do that unless we do it together.

Again, thanks for putting your trust in me and allowing me to once again represent you in Springfield.

Bus: 815-334-1000 mark@woodstock47.com www.woodstock47.com

Mark Mitchell Ins Agcy Inc Mark Mitchell, Agent

Adorable donuts, vintage camper

Happy Camper Donuts coming to the north side of town in the spring

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

In the six years that Sidni Larner lived in the state of Washington, she came to appreciate the drivethrough huts, usually set up in parking lots, that serve coffee and often other drinks, such as espresso and tea.

After moving to Woodstock in 2021, she noticed that the coffee hut culture had not made it to the Midwest. She also observed that Woodstock has no drive-thru coffee options on the north side of town.

This past February, those observations germinated into an idea for a business – to establish her own coffee hut on Woodstock’s north side, targeting people headed to the McHenry County Courthouse and those making their way to Lake Geneva.

At the time, Larner’s job was ferrying people to and from O’Hare Airport. A chance conversation with one of her customers turned the concept into a hybrid by adding mini-doughnuts to the menu. Her long background as a waitress, including a stint at Isabel’s,

as well as owning and running a breakfast/deli/pizza place in Skykomish, Wash., with her former husband were a perfect match for what she was trying to do.

The road to getting her business up and running testifies to the perseverance and flexibility necessary for any entrepreneur.

Vintage camper for sale

In July, Larner found a vintage camper for sale in Michigan, outfitted with a doughnut maker and

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Oct. 15 to 21 .

■ Residence at 431 Washington St., Woodstock, was sold by Sandra P. Reyes, Woodstock, to Greyson Smith, Woodstock, for $322,875.

■ Residence at 414 Marawood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Robert L. Thompson, Wausau, Wis., to Steven Stukenberg, Woodstock, for $399,900.

■ Residence at 14210 Westwood Court, Woodstock, was sold by Anthony Crawford, Woodstock, to Anthony Ammaturo, Woodstock, for $410,000.

■ Commercial building at 1066 Dieckman St., Woodstock, was sold by Dieckman Holdings LLC, Woodstock, to Alloys Tech Inc., Woodstock, for $736,740.

■ Vacant land at White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by Thomas Lee Cooper, Wonder Lake, to Thomas Lee Cooper, Wonder Lake, for $7,500.

■ Residence at 3105 Fen Trail, Wonder Lake, was sold by Justin A. Schuppner, McHenry, to Alexander Marykin, Wonder Lake, for $350,000.

■ Residence at 2719 Stieg Road, Woodstock, was sold by The Strong Living Trust, Woodstock, to Anthony Crawford, Woodstock, for $389,900.

■ Residence at 845 Carol Ave., Woodstock, was sold by The Thomas L. LaBelle Trust, Woodstock, to The Kristen A. Farley Obra Trust, Woodstock, for $234,900.

■ Residence at 1459 Rhett Place, Woodstock, was sold by Steven H. Stukenberg, Woodstock, to Debora Scherer, Woodstock, for $240,000.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Sidni Larner displays the first batch of doughnuts, warm from the fryer, for the Sip & Social in Crystal Lake on Nov. 9.

DOUGHNUTS

Continued from Page 21

coffeemaker, which had operated as Happy Camper Donuts.

The owners were retiring, so Larner was free to use the name for her business.

But soon problems popped up: Neither the doughnut machine nor the coffeemaker worked, and to comply with Illinois regulations, the camper would have to be retrofitted.

Larner decided to return to her driving job while she sorted out everything that needed to be done to the camper.

She had already committed to serve coffee and doughnuts at the Autumn Drive and told the organizers she would have to bow out. By then she had a brand-new doughnut machine and coffeemaker, so the Autumn Drive team encouraged her to come anyway. She could set up under a canopy and operate off folding tables.

The event was a success, and Larner said that she was particularly busy that Saturday. One customer bought doughnuts to go on

Friday and returned the next day to treat her children to doughnuts.

Larner operated the same way for the Sip and Social at Nurtured Soul Studios in Crystal Lake on Nov. 9.

A varied menu

“I’m running with brand-new things,” Larner said.

The new doughnut machine can turn out hundreds of mini-doughnuts in an hour. Classic flavors include powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, and lemon drizzle. Turtle, maple bacon, nutella and banana, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch make up the specialty flavors.

Larner said that her customers’ reaction to the doughnuts is along the lines of “They’re adorable!”

She offers coffee from Warp Corps. At the Sip & Social, customers had a choice of regular coffee or pumpkin latte.

Thinking ahead

A vintage camper is like an older home in that fixing one problem often uncovers another.

Larner’s goal is to have her camper ready in the spring; she has already secured a parking spot

for the vehicle in a lot on Route 47 that’s roughly a half-mile south of the courthouse.

In the meantime, she’ll continue to do events where she can use a table set-up and hopes to eventually be part of the winter Woodstock Farmers Market, as well as the summer market on the Square.

The beauty of operating out of a camper is its mobility. With two daughters who are now ages 4 and 6, Larner looks down the road and envisions “a gypsy-type life, doing fests all over the region.”

Readers can track Larner’s progress on Facebook or contact her at Happycamperdonuts@hotmail.com

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY Mini doughnuts make their way down the conveyor belt.

Crowd favorite Stephen Tobolowsky (aka, Ned Ryerson) participates in the prognostication during a previous Groundhog Days celebration.

Organizers have announced that Tobolowsky will return to Woodstock for the festival 2025.

Coming soon ... it’s Groundhog Day!

Familiar faces and new twists keep everyone returning to annual celebration

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

New activities and returning guests are making big news ahead of Groundhog Days, to be held Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.

The Groundhog Days Committee has been planning for the 2025 celebration since February.

“We had an open meeting after this year’s Groundhog Days celebration to get community input,” Groundhog Days chairman Rick Bellairs said. “We wanted to include more family-friendly events – particularly for those who come from out of town.”

Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Ryerson in the film“Groundhog Day,” will make a return to Woodstock.

“He will be the special guest this year,” Bellairs said. “We are very excited.”

Tobolowsky will be on hand for all of the festivities, including the Prognostication and a meet-and-greet scheduled at Read Between the Lynes.

Groundhog Day will find its way to the big stage for the first time. Theatre 121 will present “Groundhog Day: The Musical” for three consecutive weekends.

“That is really exciting for us to have on the newly redone Opera House stage,” Bellairs said.

Original screenplay writer Danny Rubin wrote the book for the play, and award-winning composer Tim Minchin wrote the score.

Also new this year is a Groundhog Day 5K.

“People have been asking for this for some time,” Bellairs said, “but we haven’t been able to do it. This year, though, the Woodstock High School Backers Club stepped up.”

The race will take runners through the city to hit important movie locations – including Ned’s Corner, the Square, the Piano Teacher’s House, the Cherry Tree Inn, and Old Man’s Alley – is scheduled for Feb. 1 with an 8 a.m. start.

The Woodstock Recreation Department will host a paint-along in the space vacated by Makity Make, while Theatre 121 will host a kidfriendly event that includes acting and crafts.

Different this year is that the Groundhog Days

Committee will not sponsor a breakfast.

The Moose Lodge will continue its breakfast, but it will not be an “official” Groundhog Days event.

“We want to let everyone pick their own location to enjoy a good breakfast after the Prognostication,” Bellairs explained, “and we want all of the local businesses to be able to host their own breakfasts as well.”

The Old Courthouse Center will be the location for the Thursday night Awakening of the Groundhog, when the art contest winner will be announced. Theatre 121 will provide music, and, of course, Woodstock Willie will be the main event.

The Groundhog Days committee’s countdown clock has been making its way around local businesses both on and off the Square to draw excitement toward the early February holiday.

“I think it is building excitement to that time when we gather together as a community on a cold winter morning on the Square around a silly, meaningless holiday, to have a good time,” Bellairs said. “It just brings people together.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

With many thanks to our photo detectives for your hard work identifying the people and places in vintage Don Peasley photos, our feature is taking a different direction this month. Instead of asking for help to identify people, we are showing photos of “Lost Woodstock” for readers to identify the current location.

We begin with the demolition of the first church in Woodstock. Built in 1859, it had been used for years by Dacy Lumber for storage. The late Jim Keefe took a series of photos of the demolition process in 1962, then came back and took a picture of the plaque that is still there today. Where is it?

If you think you know what stands where the 1846 Presbyterian Church once stood and where the plaque is today, please contact our intrepid Photo Detective, Maggie Crane, at MaggieC@woodstockil.

– Susan W. Murray

Woodstock Lumber

PICTURE THIS

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St. in Union, is open through December 7. Featured exhibits include “It Would be a Wonder: The Story of Wonder Lake.” Discover how Wonder Lake was created, view photographs of the lake as it was formed, and learn how residents celebrated the official opening day in 1930. Museum hours are Tuesday- Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please visit mchenrycountyhistory.org for more information.

The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce hosts a late November Christmas promotion on the Square in 1948.

St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Meals on Wheels volunteers Nancy and Larry Robbins prepare to deliver meals to local homebound residents. They have served this effort for 12 years. “All of our recipients are so glad for the food and the personal connection,” Nancy said. “One lady even gives us candy!”

Meels on Wheels rolls on

Food is only one of the

vital services offered

by this nonprofit

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Volunteers for the Woodstock Meals on Wheels program not only deliver two nutritious meals to those unable to access them but also have an impact on providing socialization for the recipients.

Local resident Terese Thompson has served as Woodstock’s Meals on Wheels driver coordinator since 2005. Ninety years old herself, she is an inspiration for helping those in need of assistance.

“People with disabilities, or the elderly, or those with limited mobility can receive the meals they need if we all try to help,” she said. “Sometimes our drivers are the only outside contact they have.”

About 30 years ago, members of Church Women United at First United Methodist Church saw a need for the program and approached Centegra Hospital about preparing food for the homebound. The meals are now provided by the food

services at Northwestern Medicine’s Woodstock hospital at no charge to the recipients.

In addition to First United Methodist Church, the volunteer drivers are from the congregations at First Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and St. Mary Catholic Church. Thompson is delighted that the Free Methodist Church recently joined the program since having enough drivers is the key to the program’s success. Each of the six churches schedules drivers for one week at a time, so the addition of Free Methodist now spreads out the responsibility to deliver meals to every six weeks per church. Additional churches are always welcome to join this outreach.

The drivers’ efforts take about two hours each delivery day, starting at 11 a.m. They pull up to the back area of the hospital to pick up the packed coolers of prepared food. Complete names and addresses are included, and each food container is clearly marked. After delivery, the coolers are returned to the hospital. Drivers deliver every day during the year, except for the six major national holidays. Exceptions are made for inclement weather.

Salvation Army to kick off annual holiday campaign

The Salvation Army Crystal Lake Corps, which serves McHenry County and surrounding communities, is inviting the community to its annual Love Beyond Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Kick-off event from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Boulder Ridge Country Club, 250 Boulder Drive, Lake in the Hills.

Attendees will learn how their voluntarism and financial support will provide love and hope to thousands of McHenry County residents who need it most at Christmastime and year-round. Opportunities to sign up as a volunteer bell ringer and make a financial gift will be available at the event.

JANET DOVIDIO

Giselle Montoya, the Food and Nutrition sous chef at Woodstock’s Northwestern Hospital, said that her staff prepares an average of 10-15 hot lunches each day and 8-10 light meals for dinner. Recipients do not choose their meal but instead receive the meals from that day’s hospital menu – unless the person has special dietary needs. Megyn Schillaci is the hospital’s Patient Services manager who schedules the Meals on Wheels list of recipients on a given day.

“Meals on Wheels has delivered to several recipients for more than 10 years,” Thompson said. “Some receive meals every day and others on two or three days a week. This is a wonderful program of people helping people. We all continue to do the best we can.”

Persons who wish to volunteer as drivers should contact their church and speak with that church’s Meals on Wheels coordinator. While Northwestern Medicine is unable to accept new recipients at this time, those in need of having meals delivered can contact the Woodstock hospital at 815-338-2500 and speak to the kitchen department to be placed on a waiting list.

The event will feature light appetizers and refreshments, a silent auction, and special guests. Attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped gift that will be shared with a local child through the Angel Tree Program.

Thanks to the generosity of the local community during last year’s campaign, The Salvation Army of McHenry County served 6178 people with resources such as emergency rent and utilities assistance, 12,876 bags of groceries, 3078 Christmas gifts to 235 children, and 852 backpacks for low-income students.

Chamber ensemble to join high schools’ orchestras

District 200 invites the community to a unique concert in which Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School orchestra members will share the stage with the professional chamber ensemble 9 Horses. The trio performs a complex and experimental mix of timbres, colors, and themes.

The performance will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the WHS Auditorium, 501 W. South St. Attendees pay $3 at the door.

The students will perform the 9 Horses arrangements of “Purple Paisley Telecaster” and “Max Richter’s Dream.”

For more information, email orchestra director Lyndra Bastian at Lbastian@wcusd200.org.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY

D-200 Musicians of the Month

Follow us at: www.d200MusicBoosters.org Facebook: D200 Music Boosters

Erin McDonough

Creekside Middle School, 8th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I’m in band where I play the flute.

What got you interested in music?

I saw a poster for band in my elementary school and I thought it looked cool and exciting, so I joined.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

I really like concerts, because they are always exciting and it’s a great feeling when you know you’ve played well during one.

What do you plan to do with your talents in the future?

I plan on doing band next year in high school.

Kaylin Mitchell

Northwood Middle School, 8th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I am currently in 8th grade band, jazz band, and just finished up the marching band season at the high school.

What got you interested in music?

I was bored when COVID-19 happened so I wanted to play an instrument.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

Playing music and enjoying it, and getting to know new people.

What do you plan to do with your talents in the future?

I would like to keep doing it in high school then see where that takes me.

Kimberly Colin Estrada

Woodstock High School, 12th

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I have been in varsity band all four years at WHS. I have been a part of the combined ensembles (orchestra and band), and I also volunteer in the music program when help is needed.

What got you interested in music?

My parents’ constant motivation and support. Also my instrument got me interested in how music is made and the technicality that comes with it.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

The family that comes along with it.

What do you plan to do with your talents in the future?

Though I won’t major in it, I plan on keeping music in my life.

Liberty Johnson

Woodstock North High School, 12th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? Varsity band, jazz ensemble, and marching band. I play both trumpet and French horn.

What got you interested in music?

My mom introduced piano to me at a young age and I began to love music.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

My favorite part of band is that it is a gateway to new skills, experiences, and people.

What do you plan to do with your talents in the future?

To participate in college marching band, jazz band, and concert band.

We need to have a conversation, again

I didn’t think I’d have to write about this again. But here we are.

It’s time -- again -- to talk about using the word “retarded” as an insult. The new and updated version also includes calling someone mentally impaired as an insult. In the last weeks of the campaign, both versions came from none other than the president-elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump.

This isn’t a column about whether I think you should have voted for him. The time has come and gone for debating or arguing. We have no choice but to try to find common ground wherever we can, and so I’m choosing this issue as a place to start.

To review: people with disabilities are human beings, fully worthy of dignity and respect. When people with a physical or intellectual disability are used as a proxy for an insult, it is a painful experience for them and for those who love them. But it’s more. When we demean the humanity of people who are among the most vulnerable in our society, we put them in danger. History warns us, example by dreadful example, that when we devalue people’s worth as human beings, terrible things can happen.

You know it’s true. History has shown us what people are capable of.

Those who brush off pleas to stop insulting others in this way claim they were only joking. Or that

they meant no harm. These excuses mean nothing. It’s never funny. It’s always harmful. And it’s getting worse.

A recent article in Disability Scoop reported that the derogatory use of the word “retard” is on the rise, following a decline credited to a decade-long campaign by Special Olympics to end the use of the “r-word.” Why are we seeing it return? What has changed?

I am placing the bulk of the blame squarely at the feet of Donald Trump. His penchant for using demeaning words and insults to characterize his opponents is well known. When he went after Vice President Kamala Harris by calling her “mentally impaired,” my heart froze. He went on to say she couldn’t help it because she was born that way. And what happened next was equally chilling. The people in the crowd ate it up. They laughed and cheered. They are also to blame.

Reports followed that at another event, he called her “retarded.” In all fairness, I don’t think there is audio to support the claim of a reporter who was in the room. It’s possible Trump didn’t say it. But we also don’t have any audio of him disputing the claim. We did not hear him say “No, of course I didn’t call someone retarded to insult them. That would be a terrible thing to do. I didn’t say it, and you shouldn’t, either.”

His silence communicated everything. It was a dog whistle to people who get a charge out of mocking disabled people. His supporters didn’t seem to care whether he said it or not. They didn’t care in 2016, either, when he mocked a reporter with a physical disability. It didn’t seem to matter. Paradoxically, I know there are parents of

special needs children who voted for Trump. I’m still processing this.

But as I said, I’m not here to enter a debate about the fitness of the man elected to become the next president. What I am saying is this: if you did vote for him, can you at least do something to protect my son and others like him who face a new and dangerous day?

If you voted for Donald Trump, would you be willing to contact him? Could you please ask him to stop using mental impairment as an insult? I don’t imagine him ever apologizing for doing so. But as the next president of the United States of America, he will be in a position of great influence to shape people’s behavior. A word from him has the potential to send a powerful message to every person in this country that it’s time to stop degrading and endangering people with disabilities.

If he doesn’t stop, that will also send a powerful message. And that scares the hell out of me.

Appeal to him. Send a polite letter. Make a phone call. Text if you want to. But demand that the next president of this country cease the shameful practice of denigrating people with disabilities. I’m not convinced it will do anything to make him change. But your effort will go a long way toward reconciliation with those of us who simply cannot understand how it is acceptable for the president of the United States to behave this way.

It’s not too much to ask. It shouldn’t even need to be said. But here we are.

Former Woodstock resident Julie Peters and her husband, Kevin, live in Twin Lakes, Wis., with their son, a young adult with fragile X syndrome and autism.

Woodstock Food Pantry was treated this Halloween

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Residents of the Villas at Bull Valley, located on White Oak and Berltsum Lanes, gave out treats to trickor-treaters and to a special group this past Halloween.

For the fourth year in a row, Halloween in the subdivision has kicked off in the early afternoon with donations left on doorsteps for one of the Woodstock community’s outreach efforts.

Residents Tammy Gould and Sue Van Den Bussche started a neighborhood care committee in 2022 whose contributions would provide assistance to a Woodstock charitable effort or organization. During the last three years, they collected

ffood and/or funds for Turning Point, Young at Heart, and Christmas Clearing House. This year, the focus of the annual event was to collect food for the Woodstock Food Pantry.

The two women sent out emails to the residents, requesting that neighbors place food on their doorsteps to be collected between 1 and 2 p.m. on Halloween in order to complete the collection prior to trick-or-treaters’ arrival.

“Sue Van Den Bussche, Lori Koenigsberger, and I put on costumes and collected the food with our wagons,” Gould said. “We wanted to beat 2023, which was our best year when we collected 690 pounds.”

Gould and Van Den Bussche especially requested items the food

pantry normally has to purchase for its clients. They were careful to check the “best by” dates on their collected items to assist the pantry volunteers who carry out that task.

“We came up a little short of last year’s number, in that we collected 600 pounds this year, along with $125 in monetary donations,” Gould said. “I am very competitive, so I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get bigger, but this was a great effort. I think one factor in the weight was that our residents donated many paper items, including toilet paper, which do weigh less than the canned food.”

“It is always our pleasure to give back to our community in many ways,” she said.

Julie Peters Guest Column

COURTESY PHOTO

Good witches (from left) Tammy Gould, Sue Van Den Bussche, and Lori Koenigsberger load their vehicles with donations.

The challenge of giving thanks on Thanksgiving 2024

“It was a terrible night for women, for children, for the hundreds of thousands of hardworking immigrants who make this country go, for healthcare, for our climate, for science, for journalism, for justice, for free speech. It was a terrible night for poor people, for the middle class, for seniors who rely on Social Security, for our allies in Ukraine, for NATO, for the truth, and democracy and decency.”

Jimmy Kimmel, 11/6/24

“All day yesterday, I was walking around proudly wearing my ‘I Voted’ sticker. Today, I wore my ‘I am questioning my fundamental belief in the good of humanity’ sticker.” – Stephen Colbert, 11/6/24

“No matter who you voted for, I think all Americans can agree it’s going to be a rough Thanksgiving. Yep, Trump returning to the White House is a huge, historic comeback for someone who literally never went away.” – Jimmy Fallon, 11/6/24

In the early hours of Nov. 6, all media agreed that the 47th president of the United States would not be the current vice president, but rather the former president. The late-night talk show hosts, including frequent critics Kimmel, Colbert, and Seth Meyers, would record their Wednesday night shows hours later, trying to reflect the shocked, disillusioned, depressed, sad, and/or angry mood of almost half of the Nov. 5 voters, including this columnist, while still helping us smile or chuckle. It wasn’t an easy task. It appeared to many of us that divisiveness had somehow defeated hope.

Threats of mass deportations, high tariffs on all imports, and the punishment of political opponents didn’t dissuade the majority of voters. The attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which resulted in the deaths of several people,

IN BRIEF

Warp Corps and MBI Cares to host Thanksgiving meal

The staff of Woodstock nonprofit organization Warp Corps is hosting its third annual free food event on Wednesday, Nov. 27. MBI Cares is the primary funder. All food will be provided by Napoli Pizza.

“Anyone who is hungry and wants to come is welcome,” Warp Corps founder and executive director Rob Mutert said. “The meal takes place from noon until 5 p.m., at the MBI Staffing office, 227 W. Judd St. Everyone and anyone in our community is welcome to attend.”

“Many thanks to MBI CEO Tom Wilson and to the Warp Corps staff for all of their hard work,” Mutert said.

didn’t keep the 45th president from becoming the GOP candidate for a third time or keep him from winning. The former prosecutor was beaten by a felon. Days after the election, I spotted at least one Woodstock area supporter celebrating the GOP candidate’s convictions with a FELON sign in the midst of the more traditional “Make America Great Again” yard signs. I shook my head in amazement as I drove by.

The Jimmy Fallon quote above is the one that sticks with me. It could well be a “rough Thanksgiving,” many asking what they can truly be thankful for as they fear the changes that may lie ahead for our country. As I write these words, approximately a week after the election, I found a website (utterlypositive. com) with a blog of “100 Things to be Grateful For.” Regardless of how you and your family members voted on Nov. 5, it may be helpful on Thanksgiving Day to create your own “gratitude list” and share it with each other. Use some of these suggestions from the blog as a starting point:

■ Friends who are always there for you

■ New beginnings (“You are the creator of your life and there is always an option to start off with a clean slate.”)

■ Teachers (“From school teachers and parents to every role model that taught you something about life, be grateful for all these people and the lessons you learned from them.”)

■ Grandparents (“Be grateful for every precious

10th (and final!) Stuff the Stocking for Zach planned

To honor her son, Zach Brokaw, who was killed in a traffic accident after falling asleep while driving, Diane Brokaw is raising funds to Stuff the Stocking for Zach. In this 10th annual and final fundraiser, 100% of the proceeds will go toward Random Acts of Kindness.

Recipients may include families burdened with medical bills or other financial difficulties, senior citizens, veterans, individuals in recovery, or someone going through a difficult time. The fund will assist with auto repairs, groceries, veterinary bills, and more.

moment with your grandma or grandpa.”)

■ Babies

■ Delicious desserts

■ Plants and trees (“Nature is amazing and deserves our love!”)

■ Smiles

■ Warm hugs

■ Deep conversations

■ Hobbies (“…express your creativity, feel passionate about something, and find like-minded people.”)

I can’t list all 100 here, but let me add several things I’m personally grateful for: a loving wife; a job that uses my skills and pays the bills; poetry (like the rhyme in the previous item); freedom of speech and of the press (allowing me to pen these “Musing” columns, for instance); a far-from-aloof cat who reigns supreme in our home; relatives and friends who reach out by phone or especially in person; music; laughter (Wasn’t Yakov Smirnoff a hoot at the Woodstock Opera House on Nov. 1?); and the living “sign” that I caught a glimpse of while on the way to Oregon, Illinois on Nov. 9. That impressive “sign,” an inspiring symbol to me that our nation will make it through the next four years, was an American bald eagle flying overhead. That awesome bird was just what my soul needed; as I give thanks this Thanksgiving, I will be eternally grateful for being “eagle-eyed.”

Paul Lockwood is a Communications Consultant at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) in Chicago, an enthusiastic storyteller, singer, constant punster, occasional local theater actor, active Grace Lutheran Church and Toastmasters member, theater reviewer, and more. Paul has lived in Woodstock for almost 24 years with his wife, Diane.

Zach Brokaw

Scotch Doubles games, a wacky game, shoe rental, and one slice of pizza per person. To register, contact Kingston Lanes or email dianebrokaw@juno.com.

The public is invited to attend the event, even if not bowling, to take chances in the raffle and participate in the 50/50 drawing.

In the previous nine years, Stuff the Stocking for Zach has raised and distributed more than $90,000.

In addition to helping local families, some funds will be personally delivered to victims of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, Kingston Lanes will host a Scotch Doubles Fundraiser at 1 p.m.

An entry fee of $40 a pair covers two

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

Donations are accepted through Jan. 10.

Paul Lockwood A Musing

Happenings

7 p.m. offsquaremusic.org

20 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

KARAOKE NIGHT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

21 THURSDAY

CREATIVE LIVING SERIES: JONATHAN EIG

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

10 a.m.

$27 woodstockoperahouse.com

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2900 Raffel Road

7 p.m.

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

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

22 FRIDAY

ALL-ORIGINAL OPEN MIC

Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St.

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

23 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard 14510 Rt. 176 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 7:30 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

JOY - CHRISTMAS AT STAGE LEFT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

3 p.m.

$20 in advance; $25 at the door

24 SUNDAY

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’ Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

27 WEDNESDAY

KARAOKE NIGHT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

28 THURSDAY

THANKSGIVING DAY

29 FRIDAY

LIGHTING OF THE SUARE

Woodstock Square

4 to 8 p.m.

The Woodstock Moose will be serving free hot chocolate from 6 to 8 p.m.

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

30 SATURDAY

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 7:30 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B

seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

DECEMBER

1 SUNDAY

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Woodstock Square

2 p.m.

THEATRE 121’S ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

4 p.m.

$28 - Adult A seats; $20 Adult B seats; $26 senior A seats; $18 senior B seats; $18 student A seats; $10 student B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

3 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St. 7 p.m. woodstockil.gov

4 WEDNESDAY

KARAOKE NIGHT

Woodstock Opera House

W. Van Buren St.

5 THURSDAY

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

A VERY BRASSY CHRISTMAS - 3RD COAST BRASS HOLIDAY CONCERT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$30 A seats, $25 B seats (including fees) woodstockoperahouse.com

7 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard 14510 Rt. 176

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

COOKIE WALK AND CRAFT FAIR

First United Methodist Church

201 W. South St.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

IMAGINATION MOVERS REINDEER PARTY

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

3 and 7 p.m.

$40 A seats; $30 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

CINEMA SIPS - ‘DIE HARD’

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

3 p.m.

$17; $27 VIP ticket

9 MONDAY

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF

Woodstock Police Department

656 Lake Ave.

7 p.m.

Catholic Church

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ The Marian Central Catholic High School varsity football team was set to return to the IHSA Class 5A state championship game after a 12-0 semifinal victory over Momence High School.

■ A bumper corn crop was being harvested across McHenry County.

30 years ago – 1994

■ A plan to build additions to Woodstock High School was estimated to cost more than $30 million or about $8 million more than the cost of a new high school, according to the district’s architects, Healy, Snyder, Bender and Associates Inc. of Naperville.

■ Hurricane football player Jason Liska was named to the IHSA Class 5A All-State football team.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Because of an outstanding show of community support, the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology was considering locating in Woodstock instead of Marengo, which had been the projected location.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Woodstock resident Judy Corson was honored by McHenry County 4-H for her decades of service as a volunteer club leader and mentor and for creating and directing the county’s 4-H Ambassador program.

■ The Woodstock Rotary Club donated seven computers to the Lakewood Neighborhood Resource Center, where children living in the Lakewood Apartments could use them as they met at the center to complete homework.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager, Jim and Tony Zoia, and others celebrated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Civil War statue in the Park in the Square. It was purchased in 1909 by the Woodstock Women’s Relief Corps and erected by Antonio Zoia, grandfather and great-grandfather, respectively of Jim and Tony.

■ Chris Larson, a freshman at Valparaiso University and Woodstock Independent webmaster, wrote a column for The Independent during Thanksgiving break. He described college as “a blast” with one exception –“cafeteria food.” In the spirit of Thanksgiving, he was grateful for friends, family, his dog, health, his job … and his home-cooked “Thanksgiving meal itself.”

■ The Woodstock High School varsity football team team’s push for an IHSA Class 5A state championship ended with a 42-24 semifinal loss to Montini Catholic. Coach Steve Beard credited the strong senior class for mentoring the juniors. He said the seniors “taught

them how a winning team represents itself.”

10 years ago – 2014

■ Students at Olson Elementary School completed 22,370 laps during the Mustang March – a total of 1,398 miles – and raised $4,787 for field trips, classroom literacy tools, and funds for purchases used to enhance the curricula. Physical education teachers and members of the Parent Teacher Organization organized the effort.

■ The Woodstock Opera House’s new production manager spent hundreds of hours working in the building before he was ever on the payroll. Joe McCormack described his family as the “ad hoc usher and ushering staff” of the Opera House for years. He also was present for the rededication of the Opera House in 1977. He was looking forward to his new role.

■ The congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Woodstock was preparing for its ninth annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and people in need. The meal also would be served to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District personnel on duty Thanksgiving Day.

5 years ago – 2019

■ Senior volleyball standout Brooke Amann was the first Woodstock North High School student to sign with a Division I school. South Dakota State University offered her a full tuition scholarship. Amann was a four-year varsity letter winner, a three-time member

of the Kishwaukee River Conference all-star team, and KRC player of the year in 2018.

■ Dozens of city of Woodstock employees received raises following a wage study that reported their positions were being underpaid. Not every position received a raise – only those with pay below the minimum for the job classification. “In a tight labor market, with unemployment rates at record lows, the city has to be competitive with pay to attract, retain and motivate employees,” said City Manager Roscoe Stelford. The raises would cost the city about $167,800 a year.

■ Eighty-five Woodstock High School orchestra students traveled to Florida to play a concert at Give Kids the World Village in Orlando and to participate in a 2 ½-hour clinic at Disney World. “Our clinician said we were in the top 3 to 4 percent of groups he has worked with, and he has done over 1,500 clinics for Disney Performing Arts Youth Programs,” said Lyndra Bastian, WHS orchestra director.

1 year ago – 2023

■ After five years of plans and proposals for a solar farm at U.S. 14 and Lily Pond Road on Woodstock’s east side, the City Council pulled the plug on the project by denying a third extension of the special use zoning requested by petitioner Generate Capital for more time to revise its application.

■ J&G Pastries, owned by Jessica Cook, went from renting kitchen space to opening a storefront at 203 Main St. in downtown Woodstock.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY JIM PEARSON

HARVARD MAIN LINE — Service

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 25, 2024 An Assumed Name

Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as Home Style with Kerri located at 17115 Fieldstone Drive Marengo, IL 60152. Owner Name & Address: Karen Metelski 17115 Fieldstone Dr. Marengo, IL 60152

Dated: OCTOBER 25, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 6, 2024, November 13, 2024, November 20, 2024) L11865

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE SALE

The Storage Space LLC, 945 Dieckman St., P.O. Box 1873, Woodstock, IL 60098 must receive the delinquent amount of $1,215.00 for rental of unit #81 at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL 60098, name Wes Jensen. Or contents will be sold (no auction) or disposed of on 11/29/24 at 10:00 a.m. at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL 60098. Various contents: 6 metal chairs, 4 wood chairs, Jumper cables, Sofa & loveseat, Stepladder, 6 foot wood table with 2 benches. Yamaha sound receiver, Bose speakers, Mirror, Compressor, Miscellaneous household items, and Bags & boxes contents unknown and other general household. (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2024, November 20, 2024)L11866

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CHANGE OF BUSINESS/OWNER ADDRESS

Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 6, A.D. 2024, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as J’S CLEANING located at 4904 BODE LN. MCHENRY, IL 60050 which certificate sets forth the following BUSINESS/OWNER

ADDRESS change in the DBA thereof: J’S CLEANING MOVED FROM 4904 BODE LN. MCHENRY, IL 60050 TO 2001 WINTERBERRY TRAIL WONDER LAKE, IL 60097 OWNER JESSICA ANDERSON. Dated this 6th day of NOVEMBER. A.D., 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2024, November 20, 2024)L11867

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000209

In the Matter of the Estate of BERNADETTE A. DUBNICK

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of BERNADETTE A. DUBNICK Of: CARY, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 7/2/2024

To Representative: JULIE CORIA 40 PINE CIRCLE CARY, IL 60013 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE.

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014

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

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024)L11869

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000314

In the Matter of the Estate of SHERRY D. ANDERSON

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of SHERRY D. ANDERSON

Of: WOODSTOCK, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 11/7/2024

To Representative:

GORDON T. KNAPP

720 S. EASTWOOD DRIVE

SUITE 199

WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 whose attorney is: KNAPP, PETER G. 244 N. THROOP ST.

SUITE 119

WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of the first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred. Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue,

Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024)L11870

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000319

In the Matter of the Estate of FRANKLIN J. DORN

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of FRANKLIN J. DORN

Of: CARY, IL

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

To Representative: KIMBERLY ROZNER 1334 TEAKWOOD LANE CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 whose attorney is: MICHLING LAW FIRM 101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024)L11871

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000324

In the Matter of the Estate of CHERYL A. KLINGENBERG

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of CHERYL A. KLINGENBERG Of: WOODSTOCK, IL

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

To Representative: WENDY M. KLINGENBERG 906 OAK ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 whose attorney is: MICHLING LAW FIRM 101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024)L11872

By Leigh Rubin HEATHCLIFF

By Peter Gallagher

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

HOOKWORMS ILLNESS INFECTIOUS INFLUENZA MIGRAINE PAIN PARASITE PERTUSSIS

SALMONELLA STOMACH BUG STREP THROAT THRUSH TOXOPLASMOSIS TRANSMISSIBLE TUBERCULOSIS VIRUS

Sports Standout season for Marian girls tennis

Liam Mickle helps Aurora U. to NCAA D-III playoffs COLLEGE REPORT

By Dan Chamness

Liam Mickle, a Woodstock graduate, and the rest of the Aurora University football team might spend a little time celebrating. Not only for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, but for making the NCAA Division III playoffs as well. But, not for long as they have a playoff game to prepare for.

Mickle also has the distinction of scoring the final regular season touchdown for the Spartans as they thumped Eureka College 56-0 in their final game. Mickle finished the game with 10 yards on six totes.

With 14:31 to play in the game, Mickle carried the ball one yard to end a three-play, three-yard drive in less than a minute. With the rushing touchdown, Aurora’s lead improved to 54-0. With the triumph, Aurora ended the regular season 9-1. They cleaned out the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, posting an 8-0 mark in the league. St. Norbert College was second in the nine-team league, posting a 7-1 mark.

“I just remembered Randall Cunningham, the former NFL quarterback,” said Mickle. “If he got to the opponent’s one-yard line, he was getting in. So was I. I had a plan to just make that leap over the offensive linemen, break through that imaginary end zone line that extends up from the ground and score. It seemed like I was in the air for five seconds. When I saw the official signal touchdown, I remembered all the time as a kid acting like I was Cunningham playing in my basement.”

Aurora, coached by former Buffalo Bill Don Beebe, earned the NACC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs and will play Hope College in the opening round. They will play

See COLLEGE REPORT, Page 39

No.

2 doubles

player Jordan Cheng qualifies for state in two sports

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into this season, and it was all worth it for how it ended,” said head girls tennis coach Tom Berger.

He set a goal for the girls to win conference and sectionals again, as well as improve on their state performances last year. The Lady ’Canes rose to the challenge, doing all that and then some.

They won the Chicagoland Christian Conference for the second consecutive year and came out of the Antioch Sectionals Oct. 19 as champions, qualifying the team to compete at state.

Sectional champions included: No. 1 singles, senior Kaitlin Remke; No. 2 singles, freshman Jordan Cheng; No. 1 doubles team, Jenna Remke (Jr.) and Julia Lukey (Fr.); and No. 2 doubles, Abbey Miner (Sr.) and Sophia Preussner (Sr. ).

The sectional win broke a school record of 19 total season wins.

Competing in the IHSA 1A State Meet, Marian’s girls tennis team finished fifth.

K. Remke and Cheng finished in the top 16 girls singles out of 64.

J. Remke and Lukey finished in the top eight doubles teams out of 64.

Credit where credit is due

“All the credit goes to the players for being very adaptable throughout the year and showing up every day with a positive mindset to keep improving,” Berger said.

He also recognized his assistant coach Shelly Schwalbach and coach Gina Jasovic for helping throughout the season.

He called senior captain K. Remke a rock of the team for the last four seasons who sacrificed a lot for the team.

“I am very proud of how her season ended with a conference and sectional title to go along with a top 16 finish at state,” he said.

With eight graduating seniors, about half of the team will be turning over after this season. Berger is looking for younger players to step up and commit to improving since their goal is a three-peat of conference and sectional victories.

“I believe that with the players we have returning, we can still achieve that goal,” he said.

Freshmen strength

The ’Canes were blessed this year with a rare pair, Lukey and Cheng, two very competitive freshmen

“Julia and Jordan’s skill level as freshmen was truly remarkable,” Berger said. “They were both physically and mentally strong and fought through many tough matches.”

He said he was told when they were coming in that they were going to be good, but they exceeded his expectations.

“They have all the skills to be some of the best players in the state,” he said.

Destined for state

In a unique twist, Cheng is also a very experienced golfer, having grown up in a family who plays both sports.

Tennis and golf are both fall sports for girls, so typically an athlete would have to choose, but the decision was made to allow her to compete in both sports.

“Scheduling for Jordan had its difficulties,” said coach Berger, “but I just wanted her to do what she thought was best for her.” He added that she never complained about the workload.

“I went to a lot of tennis practices,” Cheng said.

As golf wound down, she found herself doing very well. She qualified to compete at state in golf.

Typically, that would be the pinnacle of her fall sports season, especially as a freshman. But the tennis team was doing very well too, and chances were good that they would all qualify to compete at state.

The catch was that the sectional state qualifying meet was the same

See TENNIS, Page 27

Marian Central’s 1A state qualifying tennis team earned fifth-place at the state meet.

Pictured, from left, are: Sophia Preussner, Abbey Miner, Julia Lukey, Kaitlyn Remke, Jenna Remke, and Jordan Cheng.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jordan Cheng

PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

TENNIS

weekend as golf state. Cheng took the gamble and turned down going to state with golf in hopes that she would make it in tennis.

She did.

“It was a little risky,” said Cheng, but it worked out.

Though she found the state-level competition to be physically and mentally grueling, she really enjoyed spending time at a hotel bonding with teammates.

Most high school athletes work for four years to get a shot at competing at the state level, but this one achieved it twice in her first season out – a first ever for Marian as far as anyone can remember.

“It was unfortunate that she could not go to state for both sports because I know that she is a terrific golfer as well,” said Berger.

Cheng hopes to participate in both golf and tennis again next year, although she is not sure how she will allot her time.

“I want her to do what she wants to do and will support her any way that she needs,” said Berger.

BLACK & TEAL GETTIN’ REAL

‘Positive culture shift’ makes history for North football

Woodstock North Thunder completes a record year with eight all-conference players

By Jen Nichols NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“For the past few seasons our attention has been on a positive culture shift,” Woodstock North head football coach Matthew Polnow said. The Thunder finished the season 8-3 while making school history. He attributes the teams’ success this season to their dedication to take the program in a new direction.

“During the preseason, we put intentional emphasis in the weight room. Our goal was to get stronger and be able to maintain team health,” he said.

In week one of the season, the determined Thunder group came out strong to show off their refined skill set. They set a new school record for scoring, with an astounding 69-22 win against Elmwood Park High School.

“That really set the tone for the season,” Polnow said.

David Randecker’s contribution

Thrilled with the team effort it took to end the

season 8-3, Polnow had to give a shout out to one of his players who set an individual record.

Number 20, junior David Randecker, set a new school record for the most rushing yards in a single season, with 1,345 rushing yards.

“Not only was he a leader at practice, but he set an example on the field,” Polnow said. “He put in a ton of work during the off-season to prepare for this moment.”

Deep leadership

Polnow was pleased that not only the seniors helped lead the pack, but many juniors such as Randecker also stepped up to the challenge.

“One thing that made our team stand out was the amount of leaders we have,” he said. “Seniors Maxwell Dennison, Dillion Graves, Jaden Pena, Ronnie Randecker, Grant Schnuelle, and Pedro Suarez walked off the high school gridiron for the last time with their heads held high. They offered and accepted leadership to all and by all.”

Individual recognitions

The season ended in the second round of playoffs, but many players earned year-end accolades. Woodstock North had eight players named Kishwaukee River Conference All Conference

including: seniors Dennison and Gavers; juniors D. Randecker, Parker Halihan, Michael Pintor, Ian Slepcevich, and Julian Segura; and sophomore Braden Schnake.

Not only were many athletes on the team recognized for their athletic skill and ability, but also for their academia during the season. Juniors Halihan, Schnake, Segura, and Slepcevich were named Academic All-State.

In addition, D. Randecker was named All-State honorable mention.

“Our success this season was because our individual players worked their tails off,” Polnow said.

He is already looking ahead to next season, voicing the prediction that his senior class next year will be a tough one to beat.

This fall Polnow completed his 15th season with the Thunder program, his third year as the head coach.

“We have a dedicated staff and athletes who want to compete,” he said. “We are ready to keep the culture strong.”

North beat Freeport High School (34-24) in the first round of the playoffs. They ended their season with a loss to Nazareth Academy 42-20, finishing third in the Kishwaukee River Conference.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY Woodstock North boys and girls basketball had a Black & Teal scrimmage last week in preparation for the winter season.

BLUE & WHITE, OUTTA’ SIGHT

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Woodstock boys and girls basketball, boys wrestling, and co-op girls wrestling had a Blue & White scrimmage last week in preparation for the winter season.

WOODSTOCK

WOODSTOCK

COLLEGE

Continued from Page 36

them on the road on November 30. The game is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time in Holland, Michigan.

“It feels great to make it in,” said Mickle. “But no team wants to just make the playoffs. They want to make a run in the playoffs. We do as well.”

Marlon Pomili (Marian Central Catholic) kicked off nine times for 498 yards, an average of 55.0 yards per kickoff for Marian University in their 76-6 win over Judson University. He had two touchbacks. Marian is 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-States Football Association-Midwest Division.

Jack Hayden (Marian Central Catholic), a Benedictine University football player, had two tackles (one solo) in Benedictine’s 49-14 win over Concordia University-Chicago.

CROSS COUNTRY

Anthony Carney (Marian Central Catholic) finished 23rd in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Championships, which was hosted by Augustana College and held at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island. The University of Dubuque harrier finished the 8,000meter race in 25 minutes, 8.2 seconds. He was Dubuque’s top runner as they took seventh with 226 points. Wartburg College won the 31-team Midwest Regional, scoring 44 points. Carney must now wait to find out if he earned an at-large NCAA Division III individual bid to nationals.

OFF AND ROLLING

Robert Carroll (Woodstock North) finished 79th in the Ken Weidt Classic, which was hosted by Concordia University-Wisconsin. The Carthage College runner finished the 8,000-meter race in 30:09.4. He helped Carthage take seventh as a team, as they scored 170 points. Milwaukee School of Engineering won the 13-team meet with 30 points.

VOLLEYBALL

Brooke Amann (Woodstock North) had seven digs as her college team, Tennessee Tech University, topped Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville 3-0. In the 3-1 victory over SIUEdwardsville, Amann had three digs and two assisted blocks. Tennessee Tech is 21-7 overall and 10-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Maddie Moan (Woodstock), a Valparaiso University volleyball player, had five kills in Valpo’s 3-0 loss to Missouri State University. Moan, who hit .286 in the contest, also had three blocks (one solo). She also had five kills and two blocks in a 3-2 loss to Drake University. The junior finished with two blocks in the 3-0 loss to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Valparaiso is 15-12 overall and 7-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Kylie Schulze (Woodstock North) has 12 assists, four digs, and two kills for Northern Illinois University this year. NIU has struggled to a 4-24 overall record. They are 2-16 in the MidAmerican Conference.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

NN SCOREBOARD NN

BOYS CO-OP BOWLING

■ Nov. 11 - Woodstock co-op defeated Plano 9-0. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 586 series with a 245 high game in game two. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez rolled a 580 series.

■ Nov. 13 - Woodstock co-op defeated McHenry 5-4. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 757 series with a 264 high game. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez rolled a 620 series.

■ Nov. 14 - Woodstock co-op defeated Grayslake North 7-2. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 665 series with a 270 high game in game two. Noah

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Co-op boys bowling is off to a strong start with three wins. (See Scoreboard below.) Pictured above, Max Haggerty. Below, Noah Rodriguez.

COURTESY PHOTO

Former Blue Streak quarterback Liam Mickle in action for Aurora University.

NOVEMBER 29 | 4-8:00 PM

Celebrate the start of the holiday season in downtown Woodstock, Illinois!

Be sure to check out stores, merchants and restaurants in and around the Square and throughout Woodstock before the event and all season long for shopping, eating and entertainment!

* Schedule of events is subject to change.

4:00–7:00 PM __________________________

Grinch N’ Meet Old Courthouse Center

4:00–8:00 PM

Christmas Tree Walk Opera House

Gingerbread Walk Old Courthouse Center

Cocoa, Carols & Christmas Tales Stage Left

Stuff the Squad Toys for Tots Drive

Outside of Read Between The Lynes

4:30–8:00 PM

Food Trucks East & West Jackson St

5:00–9:00 PM ___________________________

360 Photo Booth *weather permitting Northeast corner of the Park in the Square

5:00 PM __________________________________

Santa’s Arrival followed by:

Santa Visits Benton St near Clock

5:00–6:30 PM ___________________________

Brass Choir Performance Bandstand

Dickens Carollers Around the Square

5:15 – 7:00 PM

Touch a Truck Benton St near East Jackson St Woodstock Fire & Rescue Department

5:30–7:00 PM

Free Donuts Spring House in the Park

Provided by Woodstock Heating & Cooling

6:35–6:55 PM

Community Choir Sings Bandstand

7:00–7:10 PM ____________________________

LIGHTING

7:15–7:45 PM ____________________________

Santa/Willie Photo Ops Park in the Square